even upon our lawful occasions when our spirits are 2. Too much eagernesse upon lawfull things or occasions even rivited to our occasions they wil not be easily got free for prayer they must be even filed off againe no ordinary pulling at them will doe when we are too too busy all the day long in speech with such occasions they will be calling even in prayer for a word with us 3. Inconsiderate rovings of minde 3 A wandring minde before in the interims betweene our praying seasons when wee let our fleet thoughts flie hither and thither without restraint they will not be so easily lured by us and come at our call to become fixed in prayer 4. Admission of wandring thoughts in prayer and too easie yieldings to sleightinesse 4 Distraction in prayer therein they grow unmannerly bold when in the least entertained 5. Resting in graces and comforts 5 Resting in grace received received in and by prayer we are sure to become remisse in praying the next time if wee seed our thoughts too much upon what we got the last time we prayed or if sleighty once in prayer because secretly thinking to make amends the next time we shall be then also the more sleighty 6. Misgiving Apprehensions touching Diffidence God and his grace That thought Job 21. 15. What profit should we have if we pray to him maketh them carelesse of coming near the Lord. A petitioner must needs be heartlesse in his suit if he think that the King is wroth with him And a beggar hath no minde to stand begging at a known churles doore Quest To the last querie touching Quest 5 the markes of right and acceptable importunity in prayer Answ I answer wee may discerne Answ our importunity in prayer to be acceptable Marks of acceptable importunity 1 Selfe abasement in prayer when our importunnity is the importunity of a suppliant of a beggar in spirit when it is attended with much selfe abasement as the importunate Canaanite who looked upon her selfe as a dog Matth. 15. 26 27. Truth Lord yet the dogs take of the crummes under the table Importunate Abraham looketh at himselfe as dust and ashes Genesis 18. 27 29. 2. Answ When our hearts in prayer are Answ 2 well warmed fire hot then the end of prayer 2 Holy warmâ—h in prayer fervent prayer is attained when our hearts wax warme by it and the meanes is acceptably used then Gods ends in the use thereof are attained 3. When we are in speciall wise attent as to the work wee are in hand with 3 Holy waiting for an answer so to the successe thereof as that woman that besought Christ in an acceptable way of importunity you may see she lay at catch for she picketh out something for her holy advantage out of even that word which Christ let fall in way of Answer Matth. 15. It is not meet to take childrens bread and give it to dogs truth Lord yet the dogs take of the crums falling from their masters tables that prayer was full of holy pleas and so are importunate prayers Psalme 58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. And the Prophet beleeveth it was acceptable verse 8. He will speak peace unto his people but withall he was in a lifting posture after his answer I will hear what God the Lord will speak 4. When we are as earnest and serious 4 Hearty prayses afterward in returning praises for mercies received and begged as we were in begging for them Luke 17. 12 13. The Samaritan among the other leapers he also lifted up his voyce with them saying Jesus Master have mercy on us and verse 15 16. he is as earnest and loud in his prayses and one of them when he saw he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God and fell down at Jesus feet giving him thanks and he was a Samaritane and verse 19. Christ himselfe justifieth his importunity as a fruit of his faith Goe thy way thy faith hath made thee whole CHAP. II. Touching Opportunity of Prayer VVE come now to the second thing included in the Modification of this duty of prayer that it bee without ceasing Namely that we pray opportunely When Paul saith that without ceasing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had remembrance of Timothy in his prayers night and day 2 Tim. 1. 3. He meaneth that upon all occasions and as he had any opportunity hee did remember him in his prayers Hee taketh all opportunities offered by the Lord to pray and omitteth them not he praieth without ceasing It is then the duty of all the Lords people to pray opportunely or to take all holy opportunities to pray unto the Lord. For the better handling of this duty consider these particulars First that it is seldome that any time is unseasonable for prayer Secondly that yet there is a time when the Lord will not listen to prayer no not of his owne people Thirdly that in mercy the Lord useth to offer unto his people opportunities and seasons of prayer Fourthly that the Lords people are bound to take or improve all such opportunities of prayer Touching the first very briefly that it is Prayer is rarely unseasonable at any time very rare that any time is unseasonable for prayer it appeares in this that the Saints are injoyned to pray alwayes Luke 21. 36 Ephes 6. 18. And this that the title of God is to be a God hearing prayers Psal 65. 1 2. O thou that art hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prayers He is alwayes hearing the prayers of some of his people and ready to hear the rest Touching the second a little more largely Sometimes prayer is not so seasonable that there is a time when the Lord will not listen to prayer no not of his people so that praying at such times they pray out of due season It is not then so fit a time for them to pray As 1. When they are under offences unrepented 1 When the persons praying are under just offences of Matth. 5. 24. First be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift It is not seasonable for Jobs freinds to come to offer to God until reconciled to injured Job Job 42 78. If we are out with the favourites of the King of Saints it is not seasonable to come to the King with petitions It is not a season to seek peace with Christ the head when peace with his members is not sought If our heavenly Father should not hold off his respects to childrens requests who offend their brethren they would never seek to be reconciled 2. When any of them doe too willingly 2 When under some guilt of sin not actually repented of and contentedly remaine under the guilt of some known sinne against the Lord. Isai 1. 15. When you make many prayers I will not heare your hands are full of blood ver 16. wash you make you cleane put away the evil of your doings c.
and his people that pray are to humble themselves and then the Lord promiseth them hearing 2 Chron. 7. 14. But Humility in prayer consisteth for our better proceeding in handling this condition of prayer Let us consider 1. Wherein that Humility which is required in prayer doth consist 2. When Humility expressed in prayer may be discerned to be saving 3. Why this Humility is required to prayer 4. What are usefull helps and means furthering such humility in prayer To the first we say Humility required in prayer consisteth in these six or seven things 1. In low thoughts of our selves to attempt 1 In low thoughts of our selves as unmeet to pray or set about such a duty When wee are going about it we judge our selves most unmeet and unworthy in our selves to speak to the Lord as we are imployed in praying still the serious and sensible thoughts of our owne worthlesnesse dwells with us and works on us That justified suppliant mentioned Luke 13. 13 14. standeth a far off and would scarce lift up his eyes to heaven he thinks he is not worthy to come nearer let others goe as high as they please as for himselfe hee will take the lowest roome in Gods house It is more then he is worthy of to be admitted to come there at all and heaven is too glorious a place in a manner for him a wretch as hee hath been to be so bold he hath sinned against heaven it is better for him to look on the dust yea to kisse and lick the dust In the words which the wiseman speaketh prayer-wise unto Christ that Itheil he that was his God and that Vcall that mighty one Prov. 30. 1 7 8 9. You see how humbly hee prefaceth in his speech so far as directed to him in way of prayer as verse 2 3. hee professeth hee is more bruitish then any man and hath not the understanding of a man so unfit and unworthy doth he see himselfe to speak either of Christ in an instructive way as verse 4 5 6. or to Christ in a supplicating way ver 7 8 9. The Disciples having been at praier with Christ they see so much weight in the duty and so much excellency in the due exercise of the gift and grace of Christ in prayer that they look at themselves as most unfit to pray as they ought and therefore intreat his help and direction Lord teach us to pray Luke 11. 1. The Psalmist beginneth his prayer in a kind of expostulation with God Psal 22. 1 2. and pressing of God with examples of his mercy to others in like cases verse 4 5. But if thou think hee is too bold with God and keepeth not his due distance hee will professe that for his owne part he is a worm and no man verse 6 7. he judged himselfe as infinitely unworthy to stand upon termes with God so even unfit to make comparison with others verse 5 6. But I am a worm and no man what ever our fathers were yet I look at my selfe as fitter to creep on the earth and feed onely upon the dust in respect of the guilt of sinne laid upon me for if you apply it to Christ the antitype God laid upon him the iniquity of us all Isai 53. 6. but we intend it of the Psalmist rather himselfe then as a man to lift up my selfe to heaven and therefore am justly made the reproach of men ibid. No sooner do the Saints essay to draw near unto God but the beames of the glory of God reflect upon the faces of their souls which doe thus awe and abase them they see in the glasse of that excellency their owne vilenesse 2. In abased thoughts of our selves 2 In low thoughts of our selves when heard when we do get any thing of the Lord by prayer True it is humble ones do speed best of all others in prayer but yet as mercyes of prayer found them so they leave them humble When Abraham hath gained upon the Lord by prayer Gen. 18. 26. yet then nay then especially is Abraham lowest and vilest in his owne esteeme then verse 27. he saith and seeth he is dust and ashes He then considereth what he is in himselfe whence he came and whither he must notwithstanding the favour which hee findeth with the Lord he knoweth no cause which should move the Lord to give any answer of mercy to so meane an one as himselfe but his rich grace What is in dust to move respects in God to it and secretly presenteth it as a plea to continue such undeserved mercy to such an one from that which moved the Lord to begin to respect his prayer Thus David Psal 34. 4 when hee had gained by his prayer and God was found of him yet verse 6. hee putteth an humble Emphasis upon the matter this poore man cryed That they verse 5. even better men then he such as had walked worthy of God and of his grace looked unto the Lord in prayer and were incouraged by answers of favour was no wonder but that this poor man that he poor wretch as he esteemeth himselfe one that as in the title of the Psalm saith he changed his favour and was not like himselfe in that case at Gath 1 Sam. 21. 13 yet he to cry unto the Lord and be heard this is a wonder of grace to him After Ephraim hath prayed for turning grace from God Jer. 31. 18. and is answered v. 19. then is he abased yea more abased in his own sight then before When the Church upon her request is drawn unto her beloved Cant. 1. 4. then she cryeth out of her blacknesse verse 5. Humblest Christians are the soundest and healthiest in spirit and as showres and blasts of affliction and temptation doe not much annoy them so neither doe warming gleames and shines of mercy distemper them still they are humble they are square men nothing comes amisse to them they will fall right which way ever they are cast if lowly Look as vessells whose sayls are filled if well ballasted they run a more steady course so is it here with the Saints when they pray with full sayled joy of faith yet when this holy ballast of humility is in the hold of the heart and not meerly aloft in shew above decks appearing to men they are not soon lifted up with every good successe they meet with but keep low and deep and carry it evenly with the Lord as humbly if not more humbly then before The Saints know well they are but beggers and stand in need of much they prayse not their good prayers but their good Master for the almes of grace which they get Not unto us and because once was too little to set forth their owne unworthinesse of any mercy they repeat it againe not unto us but to thy Name give glory c. Psal 115. 1. Liitle cause to be proud of a trade or art of such holy begging albeit through the bounty of God it proves
by whom shall Jacob arise for he is small or as the sudden stroak of God upon Pelatiah whilst Ezekiel was prophecying turneth his speech to the Lord Ah Lord God wilt thou make a ful end of the remnant of Israel Ezek. 11. 13. Yea will not variety of afflictions some outward Variety of Afflictions some inward which once in every foure and twenty houres are wont to befall us put us upon it to cry as sometimes the Church did in hers Behold O Lord See and consider Lamentations 1. 9 11 20. As Jesus Christ did in his when inwardly loaded as well as outwardly afflicted Matthew 26. 47. My God my God why hast thou forsaken me And whither also will our spirits wander betwixt our solemn praying in the morning and that at evening if we doe not now and then each day trie whether our hearts be gone out of call after vaine objects will they not else be too fast wedged in worldly affairs unlesse now and then hereby loosened a little But for the fastning of this exhortation and the right managing of the duty exhorted unto let us lay down 1. Some motives to it 2. Some Motives helps and means for it 3. Some cautions about it Touching the Motives consider 1. That this precept and duty injoyned 1. It s well for the Saints that God requireth and owneth this duty of God is a very precious priviledge to the Saints they of all others may well be forward to this duty in that it is well for them that ejaculatory prayer is acceptable prayer a choice service which the Lord himselfe appointeth and delighteth in it is well for us brethren and sisters that we may thus speak and converse with our God when none either thinketh or knoweth of it wee may ever and anon talke thus with our heavenly and gracious Soveraigne and others in our very company neither heare nor mark it As Nehemiah did in the kings presence he prayed to the Lord of heaven and the king not privy to it Nehemiah 2. 4. As we walke in the way with others wee may exchange a few of these holy speeches and yet keep our way and discourse with them little doe carnall persons think how many of these holy lifts sometimes gracious and spiritual persons occasionally cast into their company have whilest they are with them It is meat and drink which they know not of communing with one that is invisible They may have sweet answers and returnes also thereof which fill their hearts with heavenly joy wherewith a stranger doth not intermeddle Yea in their sleep the Saints may thus bee talking with God 1 King 3. 9. it was in a dreame when God said unto Solomon ask what I shall give thce verse 5. and he did so verse 15. and he awakened and behold it was a dream a sign then that hee was that while as in a sleep when praying and yet so graciously accepted and answered ver 10 11. And alas what else would have become of Gods Asahs and Jehoshaphats Davids c. of whom you heard if this were not prevailing prayer what should desolate Jonah in the whales belly also doe Jonah 2. 1. He prayed but in this sort What shall poor Jeremiah in the dungeon doe but hereby you see hee doth well enough Lam. 3. 55 56. I called upon the name of the Lord out of the low dungeon and thou heardest my voice c. Some freinds would sometimes give a world to exchange a word or two with a choice freind of theirs in their extremity If I could but send or speak with such a one will such say I need not I should not lye here thus If my Father if my Brother did but know of it I am sure they would relieve mee in my straits though I am now a Turks slave yet I have such and such friends in such a countrey which would ransome mee c. Yea but the Saints need not say so the Saints are never so hard put to it but if they want opportunity more solemnly yet this way they may be telling their heavenly Father and friend Jesus Christ how it is with them And is not this well for them yea verily Alas what should dumb ones doe whose tongues the enemy cut out or if not gag them if yet there were no means left of speaking with their heavenly Father but blessed be God there is this way left to such It may bee malicious persecutors will be throwing the saints into a Jayle amongst a company of rogues which will scoffe at the very mention of prayer now welfare this part of Gods revealed wil injoyning ejaculations for prayers also the poore Saints may then poure out these prayers to their God in which such a hellish crue cannot well interrupt them they may hear them sigh it may be or see them weep but judge that as arising from other causes which indeed and in truth is some sigh of love holy longing admiration or the like a precious melting of faith in their hearts amidst these short heart speeches with the Lord. Sometimes the Saints are like Hezekiah as well oppressed inwardly as outwardly that they cannot in a continued way pray but onely in an abrupt and broken way chatter and that within themselves and at length get out Lord I am oppressed undertake for me and they are like babes in Christ and can but brokenly stammer out their mindes to the Lord or like the Publicane not daring in a manner to speak much but in short to bespeak mercy as to chiefe of sinners is it then not well for such that O Lord bee mercifull to me a sinner is such an acceptable prayer with God yea verily it is well for the Saints when to leave the world when neither they can speak to be understood of any friend nor their friends to them albeit both may desire it with their mindes and spirits and have audience and acceptance and indeed if this were not so acceptable a duty many a blessed soul sylloqui with God of the Saints living and dying were made null and uselesse And is it not well then for the Saints that ejaculatory prayer is acceptable prayer yea it is very well in these and other respects and truly though it be as I may say ill for some notorious enemies of God yet this is so for the Saints can soon do their errand and in a very few words too As David did Achithophels 2 Sam. 15. 31. It is well also for many a man who is yet in his sinnes or at least under captivity to some distemper that ejaculatory prayer of the Saints is of such a nature they at Taberah had been consumed else when once the fire of God was kindled amongst them if Moses his ejaculatory cry had not been a prayer of the right stamp and full weight to passe for currant with the Lord Numb 11. 12. Moses cryed to the Lord and the fire was quenched sundry think Paul fared the better for
to the Wars Deut. 2. 1 5. 4. When it is occasioned from necessary Travels and journeying as in that Parable of the Noble man journying far off and leaving Matters to his servants Luke 19. 12 13 and Matth. 24. 46 47 48. So Jacobs sons go into Egypt once and again from their wives and their children to buy corn Gen. 42 and 43. So upon more weighty occasions of publick Messages from States 2 Sam. 20. 2 or of changes as Epaphroditus Teacher at Philippi Phil. 2. 25. yet sent to Rome to minister to Pauls necessities Phil. 4. 18. 22. So others 2 Cor. 8. 23. The Cautions are two First That all wise and lawful means be used for a seasonable compacting of the family in such sort that neither they nor we live too solitary lest that befal us which did Lot and his daughters in the Mountaine Gen. 19 30 31 33. 2 Let us appoint some godly servants or sons over that part of the family where neither of the Guides can bee usually present When is family Prayer to bee performed Concerning the time of family praier morning and evening Morning and Evening as of old they had their daily Sacrifice respecting the household morning and evening Numb 28 3 4. the two special seasons of houshold instruction fittest to be so sanctified and honoured Deut. 6. 4. The widows which shew their piety at home in Prayers there also as well as otherwise are to do it night and day 1 Tim. 5. 4 5. Quest Quest Whether should not family Prayer be first performed in the morning as much as in us lieth before any other thing bee done Answ Yes when we rise up its best doing Answ 1 of it Deut. 6. 7 For first 't is meet that God and not our selves or others should have the first of our daily time and the first fruits of the services of our souls and bodies daily which are given and preserved and daily loaden with his blessings by him The first day of the week is now his day and the first of each day should be as much as may be devoted in this sense to him And if it cannot be so soon in the family yet let them have it in the closet David would not put off God till noon as too many of us do and make no morning of it for prayer in family as wel as closet But at morning and evening and at noon he wil be praying and praising of God Psal 55. 17. 2. That at our uprising the family is unscattered which haply severed is not easily gathered in any season 3 Then if at all before heads and hearts are actually busied in and on outward occasions and imployments are minds and hearts fittest for God 4. It is most seasonable sanctifying and begging thereby of a blessing upon the days occasions before we have begun to meddle with them 5. In the interim of some few hours space wherein morning family prayer is deferred some sad disasters may befal some of the family which then must needs be the more grievous Job fearing this through some miscarriages of his children at their Festivals sends for them each day and as it is day by day sanctified them Job 1. 5. Let us now wind up all in a word of Exhortation to a conscionable performance Vse of this duty and attendance thereupon and Motives to it the rather 1 In that the Lord hath honoured family prayer also as well as other prayer with special 1. Blessings got by it respect as to those of Cornelius his prayers with his houshold as well as to those in his house alone Act. 10. 2 4. whence he and his got more clear knowledge of Jesus Christ as that promised Messiah in whom they more confusedly believed before Besides the gift of the Holy Ghost which they also attained as the sequel in the Chapter sheweth 2. Even family Prayer hastens ruine upon the Churches enemies bent to destroy them 2. Enemies ruine hastned by it When God will seek to destroy Nations which will come up against Jerusalem Zachary 12. 9. there is a mighty spirit of prayer shining in good families He then poureth out upon Jerusalems Inhabitants such a spirit of grace and supplication as that they are mourning in prayer before him both privately and secretly families apart and wives godly persons apart Zach. 10. 11 12. 3 Family prayer is a very good meanes 3. It helps to keep off any curse to clear even the very house from any secret curse which as a Leprosie by reason of sin may take hold as it were of the very timber and walls thereof as Lev. 34. 34 35 Zach. 5. 4. Prov. 3. 33. Let us hereby dedicate the house to God but in the practise hereof observe these things Rules about it 1. Rid the family of grosse sins 1. Look that the houshold be before-hand cleansed of any known and grosser evils which may lye upon it or any in it as Jacobs houshold-Gods must bee put away before hee go up to Bethel with them there to worship the Lord Gen. 3. 2 3. 2 Let the Guides of the family as 2. Let husband and wife carry it wel to each other the Husband and Wife look to it that their mutual carriage each to other be amiable and regular that so the family Prayers be not hindred 1 Peter 3. 7. 3 Let there be some little space of withdrawing 3 Take a little time to prepare for it from other words or works before we set about the duty with one breath to be speaking and carnally or to be but then talking of a very Swine and forthwith without any more ado rudely and unpreparedly to begin so solemn a speech to the great God it is very unseemly and very irreverent CHAP. V. Touching Closet Prayer VVE come now to the third branch of solemne and continued Prayer namely Secret and Closet Prayer the injunction reacheth as the Church of Thessalonica collectively considered as a Church and the families there as Christian families so each particular Christian there personally considered what hee is to do apart as well as what he is to do as a member of the Congregation or Family and by Analogy every other Christian is bound and concerned in this precept to pray alone also and that without ceasing Mat. 6. 6. But thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet and when thou hast shut to thy door pray to thy Father which seeth in secret c. he saith not when you pray but thou when thou prayest enter into thy closet c. as speaking not so much of a joynt Duty of many together as of a duty which each person is to do alone as in the other verse 3. When thou doest thine Almes c. It is an injunction not so much of what the godly are to do in some joint way of Charity but what each gracious person is to do apart and alone as occasion is offered even when or where none else
pray Luke 21. 27. when he had been imployed in the day time in preaching in the night time he went apart into the Mount of Olives namely to pray and meditate Luke 22. 41. He was withdrawne from his Disciples about a stones cast and prayed and verse 44. He prayed more earnestly c. and verse 45. He rose up from prayer and came to his Disciples And how he prevailed by these very solitary but strong cryes and tears in these dayes of his flesh or humane infirmity is testified Heb. 5. 7. He was heard The fourth Reason is taken from the sutableness 4. The sutable presence of God in secret of the presence and favour of God which he is wont in secret to exhibit to them unto their aimes and desires Their desire is Psal 4. 7. Lord lift up thou the light of thy countenance upon us And when is the Lord more with his Saints then when in secret When Jacob is alone praying then Jehovah the Son of God that Angel is in such a glorious manner with him Gen. 32. 23 24 28 30 and Hosea 12. 3 4 compared This being one special way of the Saints walking with God he cannot but be much in company with them the neerest and dearest acquaintance and fellowship with God is mentioned by these secret communings with God and holy wisperings in his ear the secret chamber is the most sutable and freest place for these Spouses of the Lord to be telling their secrets to him and there is the place where most ordinarily and usually he is wont to meet and greet and secretly embrace them Now let us come to such Objections as Objections against it answered are made against this holy exercise for we may perceive by Job 21. 15. that mans carnal heart is ready to cavil against it and to object cui bono to what purpose it what needeth what profit is it if we pray to him Verily it is an ordinance wherein the Lord is wont very graciously to communicate himself to his Saints and therefore so long as Satans wily head and mans deceitful heart can find out cavils and quarrels against it it shall not want for Objections Many a deadly wound is given to sin and Satan by these prayer-darts which the Saints thus secretly cast at them besides it s a most spiritual service requiring a special measure of sincerity and self-denial and no wonder that of all other Duties mans heart be so backward to this In prayer with others there is more to bribe even the carnal heart to be speaking but here is little or nothing to move from mans applause or the like It is a duty very costly if rightly performed in secret are the choice wrestlings and weepings and the like and mans carnal heart would take the easiest and cheapest way rather we are too apt to be objecting against our maine spiritual foundations and no wonder then if against this building work We are too apt to failings and falls and no wonder if so backward to this closer closet way of making up personal and particular accounts unto the Lord. It were rather a wonder if there were not then that there are so many Objections against this If we must both pray with the Assembly Object 1 and with the Family and yet also in our We must labour six dayes closets too alone will not this too much prejudice our ordinary callings and occasions and intrench upon that charge of labouring six dayes The Lord indeed will not have now any Answ 1 more solemn dayes in the week to be ordinarily True yet pray also set apart onely for his service besides the Lords day but yet as of old when the Jewish Sabbath was in force the Saints made conscience of constant seeking of God in secret and are commended for it by the Lord as Daniel chap. 6. 10. David Psal 55. 17. So now the Jewish Sabbath is abolished and the Lords day appointed of God in its stead yet Cornelius is commended and graciously rewarded for his conscionable praying to God alone day and night for as he was praying in his house namely by himself alone a man in bright cloathing or an Angel appeared to him and said Cornelius Thy Prayer is heard Acts 10. 30 31. not that prayer alone which he made in that day of Humiliation but as ver 2 3 4. shew his prayers his Prayers which he made alone whether with his houshold or by himself alone none else were with him praying then as it seemeth for he only saw that man in bright cloathing to him alone the Angel addressed his present speech saying Cornelius thy Prayers are heard ver 4. 31. God would not have the hand-maid to perk above the Mistris or ordinary particular callings to thrust Religion out of doors or so to straiten it that scarce any leisure is afforded to worship God in publick private and secret Nay rather clean Christians typed by those clean Beasts must rightly part the hoof Lev. 11. 3. rightly divide their time giving a due share thereof to God in matters of his Worship and a meet proportion of it to God in their particular calling 2 It is the express charge of God that we We must buy out time for prayer reedeem or buy out time and that for prayer as well as other holy exercises Col. 4. 2 3 4. the Lord wisheth us to continue in prayer and ver 5. biddeth us redeem the time which Exhortation is directed to all sorts husbands wives parents children servants and Masters as the Context sheweth from chap. 3. 18. to chap. 4. 6. All and every of them are to buy out time for instant prayer as al together in the family so apart in secret as occasions are offered the charge is not limited to Church or Family prayer only Yea but how shall we get so much time will they say Redeem the opportunity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith God If the Lord offer you any opportunity to pray together or asunder be at any cost for it Christians must be wise and frugal Market men and women of praying opportunities Let not the Divel or world outbid us for such seasons which are so gainful to our souls A wise Daniel will be willing to hazard the losse or parting with either honor or pleasure or profit yea life it self rather then be debarred from taking his times this way for God and for his soul to satisfie the wretched desires of the wicked therein or to seem to yeild to Satans wily suggestions and plots in his instruments for that end Dan. 6. 10. 3 This is a maine part of our spiritual We must ply this as our holy Trade trading with God by improvement this way of the Talent of the gift of prayer also Matth. 25. 16 17 This is as part of our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our City Imployment Ephes 2. 19. Phil. 3. 20. Having hereby commerce and converse with God in Christ and it is a rich
Trade God is rich in Mercy to all that call upon him in secret apart as wel as to others that pray together in Assemblies and Families Psal 86. 5. Gods Saints and Suppliants which often come alone to the door of Grace and most frequently doe thus knock by prayer speed best God alloweth them this private key that they may freely get in and take of all his precious Treasures of Grace as they need the same Knock and it shall be opened ask and it shall be given Matth. 7. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name I will do John 14. 13. be it publickly privately or secretly that you ask the same If others have not it is because they ask not 4 Prayer in secret by our selves as well It expediteth our other affairs as that with others it doth expedit our weightiest temporal affairs Jacob did more this way to issue his great affairs respecting his families welfare and safety when to meet his brother Esau with his warlike Troops then if he had an equal or greater warlike power or military skil to have managed the same Thou hast prevailed with God and with men thou shalt prevail Gen 32 82 c. it is the way to have the beauty or glorious blessing presence and protection of God upon us and the prospering of our handy work to set God thus on work for us by prayer whence it was that they of old were taught to pray for that end as Psalm 90. 17. Let thy beauty be upon us prosper thou the work of our hands This oyles the wheels for any work quickens and quieteth our spirits Philip. 4. 6 7. sanctifieth our works 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. If we can but pray well before hand we may be sure we shall study well or preach well or work well as our calling requireth yea and speed well afterward Some may object their condition as being Object 2 servants and so think themselves excused We are servants and exempted from this Duty of Closet Prayer The charge of the Text is indefinite not Answ 1 limited to any sort of persons no more This is the work of any servant of God as such than that verse 15. Render not evil for evil but ever follow that which is good or that verse 16. Rejoice evermore or that ver 18 In every thing give thanks c. in which godly servants also as well as others are concerned A godly servant considered as his Masters servant is faithfully to attend his Masters business but as he is the Lords servant so this is one part of his servantly businesse When David had said Psal 116 6. I am thy servant Lord thy servant c. verse 17. he addeth I will call upon the name of the Lord. 1 Cor. 1. 2. To them that are called to be Saints in Corinth with all such as call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus in every place that is the Saints character bee they of what calling or condition soever or where ever they call upon the Lord God is no respecter of persons every one who calleth him Father is to do this service and honour of a child to him Thou whoever thou art bond or free when thou prayest enter into thy closet or into some retired place and pray to thy Father which seeth in secret Matth. 6. 6. 2 Every one whether bond or free they have this part of the new man resembling Each Saint is this way gifted more or lesse Christ the Creator of it even this holy knowledg also Col. 3. 10 11. to know how to call upon God as a Father in secret as hee also did and to cry in solemne wise themselves alone Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. 3 Godly servants also who have the Godly servants also must bee Christs peculiar ones Grace of God which bringeth salvation appearing to them are as well as others to be peculiar ones unto the Lord zealous of all good works and so of this also wherein Gods choicest servants have been wont to be conscionably exercised Tit. 29 10 11 12 13 14. compared Other servants will go to praier with their Masters in publick and private yea but Godly ones must doe somewhat more they must improve their peculiar interests in the Lord in such a way of peculiar serving of him with their spirits 4 Bond as well as free being alike interested Their dignity is alike with others and so is this their duty in the dignity and priviledges of Saints as Saints Col. 3. 11. they are alike concerned in such Duties as these are which respect and lye upon the Saints as Saints in which respect also godly servants are the Lords freemen 1 Cor. 7. 22. they must not abridge themselves nor may be abridged by others of this liberty of retired repairs to the Throne of Grace as the Lord affordeth them opportunity To be meer servants of men so to attend their Masters commands as to neglect this or any other command of God they ought not verse 23. yea observe it that the Apostle speaketh of servants to infidel Masters also verse 21 22. Either then they must not pray at all which were to make them as profane as their infidel Masters which to them would bee matter of disdain or distaste or they must content themselves alone with publick prayer in the Congregation of Christians which none will affirm or they must as holy Priests to God offer as the Priests did theirs this holy Incense to God in a retired place from view of others Yea suppose forbidden by an Infidel Master to pray in secret yet they are no more to forbear then Daniel King Darius his servant did forbear it upon his Decree to inhibit the same Dan. 6. 10. 5 Be that child bond or free who prayeth Bond or free so praying are rewarded thus in secret and not before others to his Father he will reward him openly Matth. 6. 6. 6 Godly servants are to sanctifie their work by Prayer 1 Tim. 4. 4. Albeit Abraham Servants must sanctifie their work by prayer had prayed for his servants Eliczars good successe in his businesse about which he sent him Gen. 24. 7 8. yet Eliezar himself alone praieth for good successe that day ver 12. 7. The work which godly servants do Their work then speeds best sanctifie by prayer though more short is wont to speed best as did that business of Eliezar so sanctified Gen. 24. 12. as the issue declared And surely godly Masters which are to expresse special love to such servants will not refuse to encourage them to take some seasonable time to pray thus knowing how profitable such servants wil be to them Philem. 6 11. compared Some will object That they are apt to meet Object 3 with temptations when alone Tempted if alone 1. You may and will be annoyed with temptatious when not conscionably imploied Answ 1 in your general or particular callings as David No hurt by temptations if in Gods
our selves and thereby furthereth such humility 2 Get our hearts filled with love to the Lord. Love is a stooping grace it will 2. Love to the Lord. make a Christian think meanly of all he saith or doth in behalf of Christ whom he loveth that he never speaketh nor doth enough for him Love will make a man amplifie his worth and excellency and glory and even be speaking well even the best of him and that wil surely make him carry it submissively to him as very loath to displease or dishonor him and when at any time a Christian wrongeth or offendeth the Lord Oh how will love occasion self-loathing and displeasure and distaste and trouble for it The Lord Jesus in giving that answer in that poor womans hearing Luke 7. 47. Her sins which are many are forgiven her for she loved much sheweth that love also set her on work in such humble and melting sort to expresse the secret desires of her soul unto him touching the conserving and clearing of her Justification ver 38. 3 Be we sincere in heart in our prayers 3. Sincerity which we make The sincere hearted Publican will humble himself in seeking of Gods favour by prayer when the leaven of hypocrisie will heave and puff up that Pharisee whilst he is praying Luke 18. Sincerity will make us in prayer speak all freely and ingenuously on the part of God and Christ in way of good and on our own part in way of our evil and emptiness it will make men of yeilding and flexible tempers and cause persons to be open and plain hearted with the Lord and that they shall not refuse or be unwilling to take any shame before God 4 Improve we the thoughts and serious 4. Thoughts of our need and Gods greatnes considerations of our needy conditions as likewise of the greatnesse of God The Saints are stiled such as are beggers in spirit Matth. 5 3. hungry ver 6. Luke 1. 53 Destitute ones Psal 102. 17. such as whose best habilements are rags Isaiah 64. 6. Clay vessels the Lord our potter ver 8. Dust Gen. 18. 27. and such like the consideration whereof kept those Saints of God as Abraham and the rest humble in their praiers When we look at this ragged condition of ours it will make us remember our selves and keep us humble in our Supplications 5 Spread we much our own and Ancestors 5. Thoughts of our Ancestors sins sins before the Lord when we are to pray And thus did Daniel chap. 9. thus did Ezra chap. 9. The very serious mention and meditation of an offence of a child of God against his Father will make a Regenerate nature begin to work and then will issue such holy blushes in the face of an ingenious Christian If through the wily slights of Satan and our deceitful hearts we should begin to gaze on our goodly feathers and have some risings of spirit in way of pride yet at the sight of this black foot of ours we should then assuredly fall in our spirits 6 Take we all holy advantages of such 6. Taking advantage of melting workings in our selves melting weeping plights in which we are sometimes above others Davids heart being in that humble plight upon occasion of a good word of the Prophet sent to him from God then David goeth in and prayeth and then he carryeth it so humbly 2 Sam. 7. 18 19 c. When Ezra upon the hearing of the evils among them was put into that abased frame Ezra 9. 3. then he falleth into that humble sort to pray before the Lord ver 5 6. c. So whilst Nehemiahs heart was even broken at the present hearing of the sad newes he forthwith setteth himself in solemn wise to pray and weep before the Lord Nehem. 1. 2 3. compared with verse 4 5. c. Albeit such melting desires and inclinations should haply be raised from other causes or spiritual miseries yet being stirring already they may the better be spiritualized There are times when we are so strangely stupified that scarce any thing will affect us but when affected seriously with any thing it is an advantrge if improved wisely to turn such waters the sluces being now opened into the right channel 7 In our secret approaches to the Lord 7. Premeditation spend some time in serious premeditations it will help to put us into a more serious frame of spirit and that is the next neighbour to an humble and sensible plight It will add plummets to fleety lofty spirits especially if we seriously consider of his Majesty and Soveraignty before whom wee come surely that will help to bring us on our knees The sight of the Kings Colours will doubtlesse make all but some presumptuous carelesse stout spirits to lower their sails even when they are going on full sail'd in prayer CHAP. VI. Of Sincerity required in Prayer HAving spoken in part of the third general thing propounded touching the conditions required to the incessant practice of this Duty of Prayer and therein handled two of those conditions required namely Faith and Humility we come now to a third namely Sincerity or Purity or Integrity The approved Suppliants are such as call upon God out of a pure heart 2 Tim. 2. 22. such as call upon him in Truth Psal 145. 18. The prayer of the upright is a delight to the Lord Prov. 15. 8. Prayer that is pure Job 16. 17. For our better handling of this Requisite to prayer consider we 1 Wherein this Purity Integrity and Sincerity required in prayer doth consist 2 Why the Lord requireth it 3 What are the Marks of it 4 What Meanes and Helps there are to it 5 And lastly what Motives may stir us up to indeavour it To the first we answer That such Sincerity consisteth in these six or seven Sincerity consisteth things 1 In carrying on the whole business of 1. In praying as to God prayer as to God Whether we confesse our sins and miseries or crave redresse of them whether we ask such or such blessings or favours for our selves or others or whether we blesse the Lord for Grace already vouchsafed us for what else we do in Prayer we are to carry it with such awe and reverence as those which are speaking to God and with such intention and attention and observance as those that are now to deal with God and to keep our true distance neither heartlesly distrustful and dismayed and yet not heedlesly and presumptuously or malepertly bold with God Afraid of him yet not terrified by him sollaced in him therein yet trembling before him satisfied in him yet unsatisfied in continued desires of mercy from him resting on him yet restlesse and albeit restlesse as pressing upon him for mercies we need yet resting on him quietly for the same Having such apprehensions of God in the duty as befitteth him and as are sutable to us to the Duty to the present work and workings therein If we confess our
as I may say a musical ear an attentive discerning spirit and can tell when their spirits are prepared or unprepared and how far forth prepared or not prepared to seek the Lord. David had not only a forelook to that that his heart might bee prepared to praise God but hee had a reflect look upon the same and giveth his censure upon it that as far as hee could judge his heart was in indifferent good tune to praise God Psalm 57. 7. And the like observation did the Church make of her heart when to seek the Lord strong and lively desires of God and his favour were stirring in her and she is resolved to improve them that way to the utmost How many people which pretend to be seekers of God are utterly carelesse in making these observations and being thus heart awaked for this duty which I leave to their own consciences seriously to consider But the people of God ought thus to watch unto prayer it appeareth We ought to watch unto prayer because 1 It s a special help to Pray 1. In that it will be a special help to pray pertinently awfully seriously and sensibly If wee would pray in the spirit with the help life and power of the holy Ghost in a spiritual and heavenly manner we had need watch unto prayer Eph. 6. 18. praying in the spirit watching thereunto c. 2. In that it will much help spirituall 2 It helpeth inlargements in prayer inlargements and continuance in the act of prayer and prevent straitnings and inconstancy praying alway with all manner of prayer and watching thereunto are joyned yea it will help our skil in prayer we shall pray in the spirit in that sense even in and with the skil thereof The best students are or may or will be the best pleaders in this way of prayer 3. In that it will be a special meanes to 3 It helpeth successe in prayer make our prayers more availing and successeful both in the exercise of our faith and hope and patience such watching unto prayer Ephes 6. 18. Helpeth to farther that mentioned ver 15 16 17. as might be evinced in many particulars if need were 4. Watching in prayer consisteth in 4 Watching in Prayer consisteth in a wakeful spirit throughout the duty the general in a wakeful spirit throughout the duty When the eyes of those which see are not dim in this ordinance as not in others but are increased in a right carrying on of the duty and making holy observations therupon Isai 32. 3. So far as any sluggishnesse stealeth upon us we are ready to shake it off and to rowse and raise up our spirits in this holy work Look as the good Prophet even whilst the Angel talked with him was as one in a sleep and stood in need to bee waked to attention Zech. 4 1 2. So may it be with our spirits whilst we talk with the Lord in prayer we should indeed bee of wakefull spirits therein but oft times wee are watchlesse and spiritually sluggish 1. In a careful heeding and ordering Particularly 1 In heedfull ordering prayer expressions our expressions in prayer As not in vowing so neither in praying we are not to be rash with our mouth carelesse what expressions we use unto the Lord. Eccles 5. 2. As men that speak to Kings and Princes weigh all their words heedfully lest while they seeking to request his favour provoke him to displeasure by any unseemly and disorderly expressions so ought men to heed what they speak to the great God of heaven It is an argument of a stupid and in a manner athiestical spirit not to heed what we utter before God in Prayer so we fill up time with words It is a high provocation and contempt of the holy One when men will make so bold with his pure ear and eye as to use such expressions in speaking unto God which they would be loath yea would blush to speak in the hearing of mortal men If of every idle or frothy impertinent unprofitable unnecessary word spoken at other times and that unto men we must give account at the day of judgment Matth. 12. 36. And that we must be justified or condemned according to the savourinesse solidnesse and spiritualness or the contrary unsavouriness and unsutablenesse of our words verse 37. What may we think will be the censure of idle unsavoury impertinent expressions used in prayers if not soundly repented of if we judge not our selves for them if we reforme not the same by a more watchfull regard what and how we speak unto the Lord When David is to pray Ps 141. 2. He desires the Lord himself to set a watch before his mouth and to keep the doore of his lips The Saints are very tender and awful and sollicitous of what they speak in prayer to the Lord they are sensible of such weight in this duty of watching in prayer that they think it is a work which requireth the skil and wisdom of God to help therein David is very sensible that he runs many hazzards if rash and heedless therin yet seeth that he hath no sufficiency to set or keep this holy watch at the doore of his lips to take due care what expressions came out of that doore and how many or how few to restrain and keep in a doors any unseasonable and unsutable words which with the first would be coming forth even then when he should be most savoury and spiritual The Saints in prayer they are shooting and darting upwards and had need to keep their eye on the work as well as on the mark they had need observe what darts they direct thither and how they levy them 2 In attending carefully to the manner of the working of our hearts and spirits 2 In observing the workings of our spirits in Prayer in prayer David observed his whole heart to be stirring in his prayer Psal 119. 58. 145. and what strength of desires he had therein verse 131. Psal 17. 1. He observed how intire and sincere his heart was in his prayer a watchfull Christian will observe whose hands are to the souls petition whether the several affections the mind c. do joyne therein And as Musicians improve their musical eare in tuning to play so whilst playing they listen what strings sound harmoniously and which are not touched and sound not at all so it is here in praying 3. In observing carefully and seasonably what want there is of meet stirring of 3 In minding what is wanting or amisse in prayer heart in prayer and what impediments and unmeet thoughts and suggestions or affections are stirring therein the Church and people of God observed that their spirits were hardned streightned and wandring and complaine thereof Why hast thou hardned our hearts from thy feare Hezekiah observed what distrustful thoughts were working with him in his sicknesse albeit he prayed then for recovery Isai 38. 2 3. compared with ver 9 10 11.