within you blesse the Lord upon every manifestation of his goodness as well as desire blessings from him And thus have I gon over the parts and kinds of Prayer much work indeed I have told you of but the more work the better for the more grace is to be expected in order unto the performing of what is required I shall conclude with a very brief Application in two words 1. How sharply are they to be reproved that instead of praying with all prayer use no prayer but live in the almost total neglect of this duty 2. Be perswaded to pray with all Prayer All prayer that God has appointed he is ready to hear in all prayer the name of Christ may be used and the promises of God which are sure exceeding great and precious may be pleaded and how glad may we be that the Lord has appointed so many successful wayes of seeking him wherein he has consulted the variety of our conditions and necessitys So much for the second Doctrine That all Prayer is to be used D. 3. Prayer when rightly performed is Supplication in the Spirit Indeed all our worship of God who is a Spirit must be in Spirit and in truth Joh. 4. 24. else 't is in truth no worship As the body without the Spirit is dead so dutys without Spirit are dead also In the handling of this point I shall first open to you what 't is to pray in the Spirit Secondly Lay down the reasons of the Doctrine Thirdly Answer some cases of conscience about praying in the Spirit Lastly make application First What 't is to pray in Spirit This as I have already intimated refers both to the Spirit of him that prays and also to the Spirit of God who helps to pray 1. This praying in the Spirti refers unto the spirit of him that prays and several things are here included 1. To pray with our spirit implies to pray with understanding I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with understanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. we must not only understand the words that are spoken but also and that principally the worth of those things which we Petition for we must likewise in some measure be acquainted with the All-sufficiency and Faithfulness of that God whom we pray to and with our own indigency that are the Petitioners The Athenians had an Altar dedicated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the unknown God Act. 17. 23. and they are said ignorantly to worship him and truly all their worship degenerated into superstition We must know the Lord and our selves what his promises and our own Needs are else prayer will be of no account 2. To pray with our spirit implies to pray with judgment discerning between things that differ There is as vast a difference between Sin and Holiness as there is between Deformity and Beauty There is as vast a difference between the Creature and the Creator as there is between the broken Cistern that can hold no water and the Fountain of living waters Jer. 2. 12 13. Be astonished O ye Heavens at this be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my people have committed two evils they have forsaken me the Fountain of living waters and hewed them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no water There is as vast a difference between a state of Grace and a state of Wrath as there is between Heaven and Hell Now he that prays must be apprehensive of all this and a believing apprehension of it will make him earnest for the loving kindness of the Lord and that he may taste more and more of the Fountain of living waters and be cleansed from all defilements 3. To pray with our spirits implies to pray with intention of mind Abraham drove away the fowls that did light upon his Sacrifice Gen. 15. and so should we drive away the impertinent and sinful and troublesome thoughts that arise or are injected into our hearts when we engage in sprayer Our hearts cannot wander in the least but they are espied by him whose name is jealous We should therefore desire that the Lord himself who holds the wind in his Fists would seize upon our more unruly hearts and keep them close to himself in duty especially considering there are some kind of distractions that nullifie and make void prayer distractions that are not regarded not lamented not watched or striven against 4. To pray with our spirits implies to pray with spiritual affections The affections are the wings of the Soul and the Soul is carried either to or from any thing according as the affections are inclined The Apostle exhorting to seck the things that are above presently adds set your affection on things above Col. 3. 1 2. intimating we shall never seek the things above in good earnest unless our affections be placed on them Those affections that have evil for their object must spend their strength upon sin which is the worst of all evils Sin must be hated most perfectly sin must cause the deepest sorrow sin must be most feared and against sin the heart should rise with the greatest indignation Those affections that have good for their object as love desire and the like should run with a full stream towards God and those great things that are brought to light by the Gospel and promised in the covenant of grace The stronger and more spiritual our affections are in prayer the better success will follow 2 Chron. 15. 15. 'T is said of Judah that they sought the Lord with their whole desire and he was found of them 2. This praying in the spirit refers to the Spirit of God who helps to pray The Apostle Jude exhorts to build up our selves on our most holy Faith and to pray in the Holy Ghost Jud. 20. and so to keep our selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal life Now the operation or working of the spirit of God in prayer I shall explain in these particulars 1. The Spirit of God teaches Believers for what to pray he opens their eyes to understand the Word and to know what the Will of the Lord is W know not says the Apostle what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit makâ—th intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8. 27. 2. The spirit removes impediments to prayer he turns that love that naturally is in the heart to sin into hatred he causes the World that was Idolized to be contemned he cures that infidelity in reference to the excellency of spiritual things that the unrenewed Soul is full of as also that enmity against God and Holiness which was in the mind all the while 't was Carnal Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. the Fetters are knockt off the Clogs removed the Soul is brought out of Prison and is made free both unto the performance of duty and free in the
eye of dependance for all their expectation of Grace and Peace and Life is through Him alone 3. They that have the Spirit of Prayer are earnest for the fruits and graces of the Spirit that Love â—oy Peace Long suffering Gentlenesse Goodness Faith Meckâ—â—sse Temperance All which the Apostle enumerates Gal. 5. 22. 23. may be in them and abound and they are restless in prayer for the mortification of the deeds of the flesh for they consider what is said Rom. 8. 13. If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live 4. They that have the Spirit of prayer are enabled to go unto God as unto a Father Gal. 4. 6. And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Not but that doubts and fears may be in those that have the Spirit witnesse the Psalmist who cryed out will the Lord cast off for ever and will he be favourable no more is his mercy clear gon for ever And doth his promise fail for evermore hath God forgotten to be gracious hath he in anger shut up his tender mercyes Psal 77. 7. 8. 9. But at length and truly it may be long first â—aith gets the better of unbelief Many that are the Children of God cannot always call him Father yet even then they go to him and are noâ—quite beat off from him and there is a Secret Trust that he has some gracious respect to them and by this they are encouraged still to persist in prayer Use 3 of Exhortation Prize and value the Spirit of Prayer as without his help you cannot pray to any purpose so he can make prayer mightily pravailing The Spirit will create an holy boldness in your accesse to the throne of grace he will enlarge your hearts in this duty which enlargements are not without sweetness and great satisfaction The Spirit will draw up and indite such petitions for you as will not be denyed and give some encouraging intimation of your being accepted and answered in the beloved Now if you would have the Spirit of Prayer follow these directions 1. Rest not in the bare gift of Prayer let it not satisfy you that you have a praying tongue and no more all your Supplications are but a flattering the Lord with your lips and a lying unto him with your tongues while your hearts are not right with him Psal 78. 36 37. 2. Be sensible of your need of the Spirit light and liberty life and liveliness are the effects of the Spirit good motions holy affections are his off-spring without him you will be like Pharaohs Chariots when the wheels were taken off and drive on heavily but he can make your Souls like the Chariâ—ts of Amminadib Cant. 6. 12. 3. Part with every thing that grieves the Spirit foster not any lust or inordinate affection that may render your hearts an unpleasant habitation to him 4. Frequently beg for the Spirit and Especially in secret this will be a sign that you indeed desire him Plead the promises which you find Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit unto them that ask him And what God has promised Christ died that he might purchase nay Christ has prayed that the Spirit might be bestowed Joh. 14. 16. And therefore you may pray with the greater encouragement and assurance Thus concerning that third doctrine that Prayer when rightly performed is Supplication in the Spirit D. 4. In Prayer Watching is a necessary ingredient Watching is a duty which the great Prophet Christ himself frequently pressed and the injunction is general What I say unto you I say unto all Watch Mar. 13. 37 He knew that a Spiritual Lethargie is a disease most incident But if at any time surely in holy duties this heedlesness and sleepyness does discover it self we had need therefore to rouse up our Spirits that are so sluggish naturally Deborah speaks to her self four times Awake awake Deborah Awake awake utter a Song Judg. 5. 12. We have need thus again and again to call upon our Souls to Awake and be Watchful when about to utter a prayer Watching and praying are joyned in Scripture and not only so but Watching is required in Prayer Col. 4. 2. Continue in Prayer and Watch in the same with Thanksgiving so 1 Pet. 4. 7. But the end of all things is at hand be ye therefore Sober and Watch unto Prayer In the handling of this doctrine I shall first shew what we are to Watch against in Prayer Secondly What we are to Watch over Thirdly What we are to Watch for Fourthly What manner of Watching is required in Prayer Fifthly Give the reasons why Watching is so necessary Lastly make Application In the first place I am to tell you What we are to Watch against in Prayer 1. We must watch against indwelling corruption There is a Law in our Members that wars against the Law of our minds and this Law in our members commands quite contrary to the Law of God This Law says pray not at all but especially forbids seriousness and fervency in Prayer and if not watchful this Law will sway and over-rule us and bring us into captivity to the Law of sin VVe had need look to our selves for when we have thoughts of doing good evil will be present with us Rom. 7. 21. and if care be not taken the evil will hinder our doing of the good Oh how deep is the corruption of our Nature How desperatâ—ly wicked is the heart of man How great are the remainders of sin in those that are most renewed And since the remaining Flesh still does lust against the Spirit this Flesh is to be narrowly eyed that it may be weakned checked else 't will spoil all our services 2. When praying we must watch against the evil One. Satan likes not to see us at the Throne of Grace because he knows has felt the sufficiency of that grace that believers obtain there I besought the Lord says the Apostle when buffeted by the messenger of Satan 2 Cor. 12. 8. and the power of Christ so rested upon him that Satan had no power unless it were full sore against his will to keep him humble and to hinder his being exalted above measure The Devil therefore might and main withstands us in Prayer and how many are his wiles that he may keep us off from this most advantagious Duty Sometimes he objects the difficulty of Prayer somtimes he says 't is needless to spend so much time therein sometimes 't is fruitless and that little comes of all our Cryes and Tears sometimes he proposes other business to be don that we may be diverted sometimes he threatens to appear to us that he may affright us from the Mercy Seat How busy is our adversary the Devil we should be acquainted
share in our supplications 1. We are to pray for Saints of all Nations Prayer may reach them though never so far and the God we pray to is acquainted with every Saint in particular throughout the Universe knows what they all want and how to supply all their needs 2. We are to pray for Saints of all Perswasions as long as they hold the head and are dear to Christ notwithstanding their difference from us in opinion Surely notwithstanding this difference they should be upon our hearts to desire their good Oh that there were less quarrelling and disputation and more praying and supplication one for another and this would be a great means to unite and to heal breaches 3. We are to pray for Saints of all Conditions high and low rich and poor bond and free Male and Female Every Saint is a Jewel and a Jewel is not to be contemned though it lye upon a Dung-hill The meanest Saints are precious in the Lords eyes and we should have regard to them 4. We are to pray for Saints that are to be as well as those that are already The Jewish Church prayed for that of the Gentiles before it was gathered for their little Sister that had no Breasts Cant. 8. 8. The reason why our supplications should be for all Saints are these 1. Because of their relation to God They are all his Children and he has the love of a Father to them nay he is a thousand times more full of affection than earthly Parents can be If God love them we should and shew our love by our wishing their good especially considering how much the honour of God is concerned in them and how much his Name is glorified in their preservation 2. Because of their Relation to our Lord Jesus Should not we pray for them since Christ died for them He bought them with the price of his own blood Act. 20. 28. 1 Cor. 6. ult and they are all Espoused to him nay they are his Members those for whom he ever lives to make intercession surely then we also should intercede in their behalf 3. We should pray for all Saints because of our Relation one to another We are all begotten by the same Seed we are all begotten by the same Seed we are all Members one of another Rom. 12. 5. So we being many are one Body in Christ and every one Members one of another We are all animated by the same Spirit one of whose principal fruits is Love and Love should be expressed in prayer finally we are all Heirs to the same Inheritance Oh how importunate should we be that we may come all safely thither 4. We should pray for all Saints because all are engaged in the same War and are wrestling with the same Enemies We should beg therefore that all may be kept from the evil of the world that Satan may be trod under the feet of all that sin may be subdued in all and that all may at last be made more than Conquerours 5. All Saints are carrying on the same design the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom and Interest of Christ we should help one another by prayer that this great end may be attained Use 1. Of Consolation Saints have more prayers going for them than they are aware of Those that you never saw nor shall see in this world are concerned for you and are desiring that you may have that grace and strength which you need considering the difficulty of your work and your many Adversaries As every one should pray for all so all are praying for every one and this is matter of great encouragement Use 2. of Reproof to those that are of a private spirit who are all for themselves but Zion they look not after These have neither love to Christ nor to their own Souls upon a right score If they loved the Head they would be sollicitous for the welfare of the Body and if they truly desired the good of their own Souls they would have pitty to other Souls that are of equal value Use 3. Of Exhortation Be more frequent and fervent in praying for all the Saints This will be a great Argument that you are indeed Members of the Body of Christ when all your fellow-members are loved when you feel their sorrows and are concerned for their wel-fare 1. Pray for the Saints Vnity that they may be knit together in love their Beauty lies much in their Agreement and their strength in their being United But if a House or Kingdom be divided Division has a tendency to Destruction Christ prayed that his Disciples might be One as that which would serve very much to convince the world that God had sent him Joh. 17. 23. for the divisions of Saints is not the least cause of prevailing Infidelity and of mens questioning the very truth of Christianity 2. Pray for the Saints purity that the Church may be more and more cleansed and conformed to the holy Doctrin of the Gospel and like her holy Head the Lord Jesus 3. Pray for the Saints prosperity especially for those glorious and peaceable times after Antichrists ruine the calling home of the Jews when the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ 4. Pray for the Saints increase and in thus doing you are kind unto the world Beg that the Prince of darkness may lose and that Christ may gain more and more Subjects every day and that out of the quarry of mankind more may be taken which may be made lively Stones in the Lords Temple 5. Pray for the Saints support under all Oppressions for their perseverance to the end and that the Lord Jesus would hasten his second appearing when all his Church shall be Triumphant when Devils and the Reprobate world shall be confined to Hell and all the Elect shall joyn together in shouting forth Hallelujahs unto him that sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever Thus have I finished this Argument of Prayer What are now your resolutions Shall there be prayerless Families still and any Strangers unto secret duty notwithstanding all that has been spoken May Pardon and Grace and Life and Salvation be all obtained for asking and will you not do thus much will you neither be earnest for others nor your own selves Shall none of the directions that have been given be followed Shall all the Arguments that have been used be unsuccessful Oh thou that commandest and hearest prayer O thou that helpest thy people to pray pour out the spirit of Grace and Supplication That thy Throne of Grace may be surrounded with Suppliants that there may be a great flocking to thy Mercy-seat and grace may be imparted abundantly to thy own glory through Jesus Christ the great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens and is at thy right hand for ever Amen and Amen Prayer OF what an easie quick access My blessed Lord art thou how suddenly May our requests thine eare
that he spent day and night in nothing but eating no such matter but when the season or meal-time came he was present So to pray always is to pray whenever prayer is seasonable 3. A third question is What is meant by all Prayer Bullinger refers this to the intension of the mind saying that in this Duty there must be all possible devotion and intentness and servency of heart But Musculus understands Prayer of every sort and indeed all kinds of Prayer which God has appointed are needfull and the Lord is ready by the Communications of his Grace to encourage to the practice of this Duty in the full extent and latitude of it 4. Anotherquestion is this What are we to understand by prayer in the spirit Some refer this clause to the things asked as if we should slight all worldly enjoyments and ask only for those blessings that are spiritual 'T is confessed that spiritual blessings are to be most prized and to be begged with the greatest importunity but yet temporal mercies may also with submission be desired Daily Bread we are allowed to ask for and that Bread is sweetest and most blest that is the fruit of Prayer Others observe and rightly that this passage Praying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Spirit may have relation both to the spirit of God and the spirit of him that prays 1. It may have relation unto the Spirit of God The Holy Ghost makes intercession for Believers according to the will of God he helps their infirmities who of themselves know not what to pray for as they ought Rom. 8. 26 27. 2. It may have relation unto the spirit of him that prays Prayer must be the off-spring of the heart or else 't will In Religione non sit quod cor non facit not be of any value or efficacy The spirit of a man must understand what and the worth of what is prayed for and the affections must be stirred in order to the attainment of it 5. A fifth question is what are we to understand by watching unto prayer with all perseverance We must watch over our hearts and watch for God and this must be with continuance unless we continue to watch and pray we may quickly enter and fall into temptation And since all militant Saints are in danger as well as we and stand in so near a relation to Christ and to us we should be much concerned for them so as to desire their safety and well-fare as our own There are six Doctrins which these words afford us 1. A Christians security lyes very much in praying always 2. All prayer is of concernment to be used 3. Prayer when rightly performed is supplication in the spirit 4. In prayer Watching is a necessary ingredient 5. We must persevere if we would speed in prayer 6. Our spirits must be so publick as to supplicate for all the Saints as well as for oâ—r selves D. 1. I begin with the first of these Doctrines That a Christians security lies very much in praying always Although he be Armed from head to foot with the Armour of God which if any in the world is Armour of Proof yet he is not safe without prayer Saints in Scripture have lookt upon the Throne of Grace as their Asylum and Sanctuary and have come hither for refuge and strength in their troubles and temptations David when he perceived the deceit and hatred of his Adversaries who fought against him without cause says 't was his course and truly 't was a wise one to give himself to prayer Psal 109. 4. When his soul was among Lyons and he dwelt among those that were set on fire he then crys unto God most high unto God that performed all things for him Psal 57. 2. When the Apostle Paul was buffeted by the Messenger of Satan he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him and had this answer my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. Nay the very Captain of our Salvation Christ himself not only used the word of God in temptation and overcome the Devil by Scripture-weapons but also he was wonderfully servent in prayer Heb. 5. 7. In the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared I shall speak unto this Doctrin in this following order First give you a definition of prayer that you may know what ' t is Secondly Inform you what it is to pray always Thirdly Shew you why a Christians security lies in prayer Fourthly Give you some reasons why he should be always praying Fifthly Answer some Objections that are made against this Duty Lastly Make Application In the first place I am to give you a definition of prayer that you may understand the nature of it Damascen l. 3. de orth Fid. c. 24. give this description 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prayer is an assention of the mind unto God and asking those things which are convenient from him The mind must ascend as well as the voâ—â—â— and both must be directed unto God alone and those things only must be directed unto God alone and those things only must be desired which the wise and gracious God sees Oratio est actus rationis practicae voluntatis desiderium explicantis ab a liis aliquid postulantis Aquin in 2. 2. qu. 83. art 1. convenient Aquinus defines prayer an act of the practical understanding explaining the desire of the will and requesting something from another which being applied unto God amounts to thus much that both the mind and will do act in prayer the mind makes known what the will desires Psal 38. 9. Lord all my desire is before thoe and my groaning is not hid from thee and then likewise there is an earnest craving to have this desire satisfied Psal 90. 14. Oh satisfie us early with thy mercy that we may rejoyce and be glad all our days But a more full definition of prayer is this Prayer is a Duty performed unto God by sensible and believing Souls in which they ask for things according to his will in the name of Christ with thanksgiving for what already has been received This definition I shall take in pieces and explain the parts of it 1. Prayer is a Duty 't is part of that homage and worship which we owe to God this is evident by the light of nature the Heathen Marriners cryed unto the Lord for preservation in a Storm Jon. 1. but 't is more evident by Scripture light commands to pray are frequent And he that does restrain prayer casts off the fear of God and says unto the Almighty Depart from me Job 21. 14 15. Prayer is a Duty for we are obliged to it by a precept and that precept is for our profit we need help from Heaven and our wants that are of greatest concernment to be supplied can be supplyed by none
sometimes to try whether we duly esteem mercies and if we do we shall think them worth our while to pray still for them and wait till they are given 5. To pray always implies Not to give over praying while we are on Earth This Ordinance we must never be above for we always need to engage in it Our life is a continual warfare we have need to pray for defence and victory our knowledge and grace is imperfect we have need to pray for the increase of both and that we may be helped to press towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God Phil. 3. 14. In the third place I am to tell you Why a Christians security lies in prayer 1. Prayer engages God on a Christians side He promises to hear the cry of the Righteous ones and hearing their cry implies the engaging of his power and goodness for their supply and safety In prayer there is an acting of holy desires unto which satisfaction is assured and there is an acting of trust and faith and God will shew himself strong in the behalf of them that flie unto his Name as to a Tower of defence and rely upon his everlasting Arm. He that believes and has his expectation from the Lord shall not be ashamed The Apostle sticks not to say Whosoever calleth on the Name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10. 12. that is whosoever calls with faith and fervency Such calling engages God for us if He be for us who can be against us Rom. 8. 31. Our Iniquities though never so strong he can easily subdue the world and the God of the world are weak compared with the Almighty He can deliver from the evil world from the evil one from every evil work and preserve us to his Heavenly Kingdom 2. Prayer Weakens the flesh with the affections and lusts of it Our great danger is from these homebred Enemies Our Lusts do war against our Souls 1 Pet. 2. 11. And the Apostle threatens Believers If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye Rom. 8. 13. What course does David take to obtain the Victory over his Corruptions he prays against them Cleanse me from secret faults Keep back thy Servant from presumptuous sins Let no Iniquity have the dominion over me Create in me a clean heart and uphold me with thy free Spirit These and such like were his crys and he did not cry in vain The Believer in prayer pleads that 't is for God's Honour to kill Corruption that 't is His declared Will even man's Sanctification that 't is His work to Sanctifie that He has promised to Sanctifie throughout in body Soul and spirit and he is faithful and therefore will do it 1 Thes 5. 23 24. He pleads that Christ died that he might Redeem and Purifie from Iniquity that he might cleanse his Church and present it unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it might be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 27. and such pleas are effectual to the obtaining of grace and mortifying the deeds of the body 3. A Christians security lies in prayer for prayer obtains better things than the world can boast of Let the world allure by its strongest baits and present unto the Christian the greatest gains the sweetest pleasures yet Blessings more valuable are to be gotten at the Throne of Grace The heart in prayer is taken up with the thoughts of and eagerly desires after the priviledge of Reconciliation and Adoption Communion with God and the Communications of his Grace and Spirit an eternal weight of glory a Crown of life an enduring substance fulness of joy and pleasures for ever-more Psal 16 ult These are the things above that in prayer are sought and what are things below in comparison The heart that is placed on these is the better armed against the world as long as spiritual and eternal blessings are sEcured the world is neither desired nor dreaded by it 4. Prayer is an underminâ—ng of Satan The powers of Hell have felt the force of this duty Christ commands his Disciples to pray when he perceived the Devil about to winnow them Luk. 22. 40. Pray that ye enter not into Teâ—ptaâ—ion If as oft as we are assaulted by the Tempter we did but look unto the Lord for grace to help in the time of need temptation would be very unsuccesful Two things are done in prayer against Satan By our confession of sins this Accuser is silenced by Petition Grace is obtaâ—ned â—o withstand him 1. By confession of sin this Accuser is silenced Satan is styled the Acâ—user of the Brethren and to shew how malicious and eager he is in his Accusations he is said to accâ—se them day and night before God Rev. 12. 10. But in prayer Believers bring bills of Indictment against themselves not only all that Satan can truly lay to their charge do they also lay to their own charge but also all that God has against them they acknowledge they cover not their sins but confess and aggravate them they blame and judge themselves and how earnest are they that sin confessed may be pardoned and purged away by the blood of Christ Now Satans mouth is stopt his charge signifies nothing for thus confessing sin and looking unto Jesus for Clensing as well as Atonement God is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness 1 Johâ— 1. 9. 2. By Petition Grace is obtained to withstand Satan The Apostle Paul when buffeted by the Devil falls to prayer and what answere has he The Lord said unto him my Grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness And the Apostle is satified in this that the power of Christ did rest upon him 2 Cor. 12. 9. Prayer brings us to the God of Peace who has promisEd to tread Satan under our Feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. By Prayer Wisdom is derived from God and the more wise the Father of Lights makes us the better we understand the Devils wiles and his design is seen thorow which is to deceive to defile and at last to murther Souls And as Wisdom is increased so Faith and Love and Fear and other Graces by Prayer and the more we believe God the less credit shall we give the evil one the more we love God the more we shall hate that evil which we are tempted to The more we fear the Lord the more will our hearts be united to him and 't will be a matter of the greater difficulty to perswade us unto a departing from him 5. A Christians security lies in Prayer for Prayer is a great means to make every other Ordinance effectual for our safety and spiritual advantage The word of God and prayer are coupled together Acts. 6. 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word Our Sermons which we preach unto you should be beggâ—d from
unquestionably 2. Those that are strangers to prayer their mercies are not mercies indeed to them that threatning is fulfilled upon them Mal. 2. 2. I will send a Curse upon you and will Curse your Blessings Prayer will turn Curses into Blessings afflictions are part of the Curse inflicted because of sin but prayer alters the nature of them for the Sanctification of them being beg'd and granted they work together for the good of them that feel them Affliction yeilds the peaceable fruits of Righteousness to them that are exercised thereby says the Apostle On the other side where prayer is not blessings are a snare and the good things which are received work together for the harm and ruine of those that do enjoy them There is a spirit of slumber which has seized on them in the midst of their enjoyments and their Table their plenty their abundance becomes a snare and a trap and a stumbling block and a recompence to them Rom. 11. 8 9. 3. Those that are strangers to prayer Satan is endeavouring their Ruine and there is none to hinder him Satan is said in Scripture to fill the hearts of the ungodly to keep possession of them and to work in the Children of disobedience The Devil is come down with great wrath and like a roaring Lyon he walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. and truly he finds abundant prey for most watch not at all pray not at all against him Those that pray not are led Captive by Satan at his pleasure and they do not care or desire to have his snare broken nor themselves recovered 4. Those that are strangers to prayer how certain is it that continuing as they are they will miss of those great things revealed in the Gospel since they count them not worth their seeking The Gospel informs us of the one thing necessary of the Pearl of price of the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and this is the Law that is established that they who would have these things must seek them They that seek them not understand not their worth nor their own need and therefore certainly and justly go without them 5. Those that are strangers to prayer are in danger of meeting with a deaf ear when crys are extorted by Calamity Oh read and tremble Prov 1. 26 27 28. I will laugh at your Calamity I will mock when your fear cometh when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction as â—â—hirl-wind when distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me The meaning is this that when crys are extorted meerly by distress and only the removal of Calamity is desired there being no true humiliation for sin nor desire to be reformed all such crys will be neglected If you will not seek the Lord while he may be found nor call upon him while he is near Isa 55. 6. when you cry in extremity he may be far off from you 6. Those that are strangers to prayer should consider that quickly the accepted time which they improve not will be past and then they shall beg but most certainly be denied We read in Scripture of Calls that no heed was given to When the foolish Virgins came after the door was shut and said Lord Lord open unto us Alas they speak too late the door was not opened but the reply is I know you not whence you are Mat. 25. 10 11 12. When the Rich man beg'd for a drop of water to cool his tongue being tormented in the flame this was not granted Luk. 16. 24 25 26. to intimate that not the least mitigation of torment in Hell is to be lookt for All at last will be ready to pray Lord open the door that lets into thy Kingdom and Glory Lord vouchsafe a little ease and respite in the midst of our excessive agonies and sorrows Oh but then God's ear will be shut eternally as well as Heaven gate and his mercy clean gone for ever What madness is it then to wast all our accepted time and not to come to the Throne of Grace before the day of grace comes to an end The second Use shall be of Caution Two things you are to be cautioned about 1. Take heed of resting in prayer it self in thâ— bare duty done Prayer is your security not in it self considered but because it leads you to the Rock that is higher then you Psal â—â— 2. Prayer puts you under the Lord's Wing and you are covered with his Feathers and his Truth becomes your Shield and Buckler They that rest in opere operato vainly imagining that speaking the words of prayer will help them they use prayer like a Charm and are unacquainted with the right manner of praying 2. Take heed of thinking that any kind of prayer will secure you and engage God for you Unbelieving prayers where Christ is not relyed on for Audience cold and careless prayers where the things pray'd for are not prized Hypocritical prayers where the heart is not indeed engaged will not reach God's ear will not fetch the blessing Sins bow will abide in strength notwithstanding these prayers nor will the strong holds of Satan be thrown down by them The third Use shall be of Exhortation unto this duty of prayer The Arguments to perswade you are these following 1. Scripture-Commands are very frequent which require this duty How often is prayer called for And not only the Lords Authority in these commands is to be regarded but also his goodness he does not require prayer that he may receive from us for he is so much above us that he needs us not nor our performances and so infinitely perfect that there can be no addition to the perfection of his being or his blessedness but therefore Lord call us to pray always Luk. 21. 36. to pray every where 1 Tim. 2. 8. to continue instant in prayer Rom. 12. 12. in every thing by prayer and supplication to make our requests known unto God Phil. 4. 6. because he is willing to give what we need and to communicate that mercy without which we must needs be miserable 2. The efficacy of prayer should perswade to prayer He that bids you seek his face if your hearts eccho back Thy face Lord will we seek will in no wise hide his face from you nor put you away in anger Psal 27 8 9. By prayer you may prevail with God for his love and being interested in that nothing will be denyed That the efficacy of prayer may be evident I shall imitate the Apostle speaking concerning Faith Heb. 11. and reckon up the wonders that have been the effects of prayer By prayer Abraham had saved Sodom though the cry of their sins was so loud and great if there had been ten Righteous persons in it by prayer he obtained a Son from God when his Wife Sarah was past Child-bearing By prayer Jacob was
Holy sometimes the God and Father of Christ and likewise the Father of Mercys and God of all Comfort 'T is not amiss to add unto Gods Title those Attributes the consideration whereof may help towards such a frame of Spirit as becomes Prayer Would we have our heart in an holy awe and fill'd with reverence and Godly fear mention then his omnipresence greatnesse his holyness and his jealousy Would we have our hearts broken for sin Mention his anger and hatred of Iniquity and withall his goodness and forbearance and readiness to be reconciled for the riches of his goodness and long-suffering strongly lead unto repentance Rom. 2. 4. finally would we in our requests have our desires enlarged and our faith encouraged and be also forward to praise Mention then the freeness of Gods love the Superabundance of his grace as he is the Father of Jesus Christ As of old he was stiled The Lord that brought Israel out of Egypt and afterwards the Lord that delivered Judah from the north Country namely out of the Babylonish Captivity so likewise in the new testament he is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 1. 3. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2 Cor. 1. 3. Christ is the only prevailing advocate in Prayer and his relation to God the ground of our hope and expectations 2. A Second part of Prayer is acknowledgment and confession of sin This confession God requires Jer. 3. 13. Only acknowledge thy Iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God To confesse sin has been the practice of the Penitent God has been honoured when offending of him has been acknowledged most unreasonable and heinous and confession has had a great influence unto the making of Sinners humble and ashamed and upon it how quickly has forgiveness followed Psal 32. 3 4 5. While I kept Silence i. e. while I excused and extenuated my sin and refused ingenuously to acknowledg it my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long for day and night thy hand was heavy upon me my moisture was turned into the drought of Summer Selah I acknowledged my sin unto thee my iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my Transgressions unto the Lord and thou for gavest the iniquity of my Sin Selah This confession of sin in Prayer should be Particular generall acknowledgments move but little The very root of sin must be dug unto and bewailed Paul crys out he was a Blasphemer and Persecutor and Injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13. and laments the law in his members the body of death that made him so forward unto evil Rom. 7. David particularizes his uncleannesse and blood-guiltiness and traces these abominable streams unto the fountain whence they issued forth the Corruption of his Nature Psal 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sin did my Mother conceive me Our despising the remedy which Christ offers in the Gospel should also be confessed with Special Sorrow for herein we go beyond the very Devils who never had one offer of pardon and grace made to them And finally as there is abundant cause we should fall to Judging and Condemning of our selves One that is truly penitent is as Guiliel Pariciensis says Fidelis Dei orator contra Seipsum a faithful pleader for God against himself We must unclasp the Book of Conscience and Spread it before the Lord we must hold up our hands and cry Guilty guilty and say we can lay claim to nothing as our due but severity and Punishments 3. A third part of prayer is Deprecation or praying against what we have deserv'd and are afraid of We ought with great solicitousnesse to pray against the anger and hatred of God He even he is to be feared who can stand in his sight when once he is angry Psal 76. 7. The anger of God expresse it self Several ways the lightest expression of it namely in temporal and outward calamities are sometimes very terrible Pestilences Famines the sword of War which devours flesh and drinks blood how intolerable are they lookt upon but spiritual judgments are worse than these and argue hotter displeasure when the Lord gives sinners up to blindness of mind searedness of conscience strong delusions vile affections hardness of heart this shewes he is exstreamly angry The other may but these judgments especially should be deprecated But the worst of all is to come in the other World and that 's the vengeance of Eternal Fire Oh how importunate should we be to be delivered from Wrath to come That we may not be sentenced to depart with a Curse at the great Day that Hell may not be our Eternal home How importunate should we be that we may not in utter Darkness be gnawed by the Worm that never dyes that we may not dwell with devouring Fire nor inhabit Everlasting Burnings 4. A fourth part of Prayer is Petition here God gives us leave to be bold and large and when we have asked never so much he is ready to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or has entred into the heart of Man to conceive Pardon we should petition for for we highly need it And the Lord has said though we have made him to serve with our sins and wearied him with our iniquities yet he will blot out transgressions for his own sake and remember our sins no more Esa 43. 24 25. Till a Pardon be obtained nothing else can be expected but when once God in Christ is reconciled and become a Father nothing will be denied His Love therefore and the sence of it should be intreated with our whole heart And since the Lord has promised to give both Grace and Glory Psal 84. 11. we may be bold to be petitioners for both We should be earnest that grace and holiness may be wrought in truth in our hearts that Grace may be continually increased and that we may persevere and be faithful to the very Death and at length uttain that Glory Honour and Immortality which is promised unto patient continuance in well doing Temporal Blessings also we have leave to ask for the Lord considers our frame and every way is ready to encourage us unto our Duty 5. A fifth part of Prayer is Intercession for others Not only those should be remembred by us that stand in a near relation to us But we should be concerned for the whole City for the whole Nation nay for the whole Church of Christ militant upon Earth We should prefer Jerusalem before our chief joy we should not keep silence we should give the Lord no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth Esa 62. 6 7. we should in no wise hold our peace till the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness And the Salvation thereof as a Lamp that burneth That is till the Church is both reformed and delivered from oppressing adversaries In Prayer we are to have regard to our selves to others nay to the Lord
himself and Christ his Son We are to beg that His Name may be Hallowed from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same that his Kingdom may come And that all on Earth may do his Will and submit unto the Scepter of his Word 6. Another part of Prayer is Imprecation Some are such that we are to desire the Lord would fight against them The evil Angels we may pray that the Lord will rebuke them and pull down that Kingdom of darkness under which the most of men are held in Bondage In reference to men we must be more sparing in our imprecations or wishing evil to them David and the other Prophets are not examples for us to follow in this matter for they knew by a prophetick Spirit Gods intensions concerning the persons that they pray'd against The general Rule which we ought to follow is this Mat. 5. 44. But I say unto you love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you pray for them that despightfully use you and persecute you this is to resemble God Who maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and the Good We are to beg rather the conversion than the confusion of our Enemies and supposing they are implacable and incorrigble we must desire rather that they may be hindered from doing harm by their designes and power than that harm may come to them even when we pray against Antichrist whom we find devoted in Scripture to destruction we must have no private grudg against the persons of any but our Eye must be at Christs Honour that in Popery is so much struck at and at the advancement of the Gospel and of Zion 7. A seventh part of Prayer is Thanksgiving The Lords prayer ends with a doxology or giving Honour unto God Mat. 6. 13. for thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for Ever To praise is to speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Tongues of Angels All the Creatures that are visible are mute besides man He is the Worlds high Priest that should offer this Sacrifice of praise for all He is the Tongue of the Creation which should be sounding forth Gods goodness towards all How much does the Lord let forth unto us And shall we deny him the revenue of praise His Mercys are without number and his Love without motive and without measure When praise is offered he accounts himself Glorified Psal 50. ult therefore in every thing we should give Thanks for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us 1 Thes 5. 18. Thus have I gon over the parts of Prayer and none of these parts are needless In the second place I am to give you the several kinds of Prayer prayer is twofold Vocal when the Voice and Heart are joyned together Mental when the heart only is engaged 1. I shall speak of Vocal prayer when Tongue and Heart go together in this Duty There are several reasons why the Tongue is to be made use of in Prayer 1. With our Tongues we are to honour God and when they are thus employed speaking to him or of him or for him then they are our Glory As there are sins of the Tongue so duties of the Tongue too and as the Tongue of the Swearer Blasphemer filthy and foolish Talker is harsh and hateful to God so the Tongue of him that prays sincerely is pleasant Christ tell his Spouse that her Voice was sweet and her countenance comely 2. In praying with others words are necessary Some must be the mouth of the rest unto God 3. Words especially Scripture Language help to excite and stir up our affections and they serve to keep the Heart more intent upon the Duty This Vocal Prayer is threefold first Prayer in the Closet secondly Prayer in the Family thirdly Prayer in the publike Congregation and Assembly Of all these I shall speak in order 1. Prayer in the Closet That secret Prayer is the Lords Ordinance is very evident Mat. 6. 6. But thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet and when thou hast shut the Door pray unto thy Father which is in secret And as our Lord gave this Precept so he is our example in regard of secret Prayer Mar. 1. 35. And in the morning rising up a great while before Day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Jacob was left alone and wrestled with God and had the name of Israel given him for as a Prince he had power with God and prevailed Gen. 32. 24 30. Now if you would be fully informed what this wrestling was compare the forecited place with Hos 12. 3 4. By his strength he had Power with God yea he had power over the Angel i. e. the Angel of the Covenant and prevailed He wept and made Supplication to him Now for the better managing of this sort of prayer lot these rules be observed diligently 1. Affect privacy be as secret as possible though we are not to be ashamed of any duty and though our light is to shine before men that they seeing our good works may glorifie our Father in Heaven yet a Christian is to do much out of the sight of others As long as God's Ear is open to the most whispering prayers what need is there that any other ear should hear a word which we speak When there is a desire that men should take notice of our prayers God takes no notice of them unless of the Hypocrisie in them to abominate them therefore we have that caution from the Lord Jesus Mat. 6. 5. And when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the Hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of the Streets that they may be seen of men verily I say unto you they have their reward 2. Take the fittest time for secret prayer the morning especially is to be chosen though once more in a day at least it should be your ordinary practice to pour out your hearts in private before the Lord. My Voyce shalt thou hear in the Morning says David In the Morning O Lord will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up Psal 5. 3. If the Soul be serious in its address unto God in the beginning of the day 't is likely to have the more grace and strength to resist temptations and to walk with God all the day long 'T is better to be shorter in the Evening duties and larger in the Morning then the spirits are fresher and more abundant and the soul has not such clogs in its actings as it meets with when the body is spent and tyred But if something unavoidably fall out that you cannot pray at the time you desire and were wont be sure lay hold of some other opportunity and neglect not the duty altogether 3. Let the Word of God be lookt into and meditated on when prayer is made The Word will direct you quicken and encourage you
been made manifest you should go in secret and cry Incline my heart unto thy Testimonies and make me to go in the path of thy Commandments Psal 119. 35 36. Have any gracious and holy resolutions by the motions of the spirit with the word been made you must go alone and beg Keep this O Lord for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of my heart and establish my heart unto thee 1 Chron. 29. 18. 6. Secret prayer is the way to have special tokens of Gods love and those joys that a stranger does not intermeddle with Oh the sweet meltings and thawings of the heart for sin as 't is an abuse of mercy that are experienced in secret prayer Oh the visits that then the great Physician of Souls does make How suitably and gently does he deal with the wounded spirit what assurance does he give that he will in no wise cast out but give rest unto the weary and heavy-laden Mat. 11. 28. Oh what peace is spoken to the Saints in answer to prayer what sweet intimations are given and sometimes a plerophory and full perswasion of their interest in that love which is unchangable and everlasting Surely the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Psal 25. 14. 7. Consider God will reward openly This Argument Christ uses to enforce secret prayer Mat. 6. 6. Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly As all secret wickedness shall at last be detected and punished so all secret piety and godliness shall be made manifest before the whole world at the Judgment day and the reward will be exceeding great and everlasting So much be spoken concerning prayer in the Closet 2. Prayer in the Family is to be insisted on And that Family-prayer is a duty may be evidently proved by these Arguments 1. The Apostle in the Text enjoyns all prayer and Family-prayer is one kind that holy men have used Joshua resolves that he and his House would serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. and prayer is so principle a part of Divine Service that in Scripture 't is sometimes put for the whole Gen. 4. ult Then began men to call upon the Name of the Lord that is in a more publick manner to worship him So of Cornelius 't is said that he feared God with all his House and pray'd unto the Lord always Act. 10. 2. 2. Families of Believers are styled Churches in Scripture and in a Church there is a joyning together in prayer other exercises of Godliness The Apostle Paul wishes grace and peace to the Church in Philemons House Phil. 2. 3. and v. 22. speaks of their joynt-prayers through which he trusted he should be given to them 3. The Family stands in need of blessings which they are together to beg for and to deprecate Family evils And for encouragement Christ has promised that where two or three are gathered together in his Name he will be in the midst of them Mat. 18. 20. Now in Families-duties two or three are gathered together in Christs Name and his prefence may without presumption be expected 4. Wrath is threatned upon prayerless Families Pour out thy Fury upon the Families that call not upon thy Name Jer. 10. 25. I grant indeed that the word Families is of such a Latitude that it extends unto Countries and Kingdoms but if there be an obligation upon Countrys and Kingdoms to joyn in calling upon God surely then Familys more strictly taken are in no wife Exempted Having proved Family-Prayer a Duty I shall lay down some directions as to the performance of it 1. Be sensible that Prayer is a business of greater concernment than any wordly business whatsoever You are indeed to be diligent in your Callings that are particular but your general Callings is of greatest weight The general Calling is that which all are called to and what are all called to They are called to serve and glorifie God and to work out their own Salvation Prayer is a part of your Homage to the King of Heaven Much Spiritual and Eternal benefit is to be obtained by it therefore do it not as a by-business neither let every small matter cause the omission of it 2. Believe that success in your Callings depends upon the Lords Blessing the blessing of the Lord maketh Rich says Solomon and he addeth no Sorrow with it Prov. 10. 22. without thee t is in vain to rise up early and to sit up late and to eat the Bread of carefulness Now Prayer for this blessing is the way to fetch it I grant indeed that many thrive in the World without Prayer but then Wealth is a Curse and a Snare to them 't is a weight that hinders them from ascending into the Hill of the Lord and helps to sink them into destruction and perdition 3. Let Prayer ordinarily be twice a day as under the old Law there was a morning and evening Sacrifice and let the whole Family joyn in it if it be possible since there are none but need prayer and may receive advantage by it 4. Let the Word of God be read when Prayer is made that not only you but your housholds after you may be acquainted with the Misterys of the Gospel and with the will of God Abraham communicated what he had learned from the Lord unto his Family he used his Authority and commanded his Children and his Houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. 5. Take heed of customariness and formality in family-Worship engage always with a serious Spirit and in every Duty stir up your selves to take hold on God I conclude with the motives to perswade you to Family-Prayer 1. You that are Governours have a charge of the Souls that dwell under your Roof and must answer for them Therefore you are to pray with them to pray for them Else you will incur the guilt of the Blood of Souls and that will lie heavy You provide food for your Housholds for you are unwilling it should be said you are so much worse than Infidels as to suffer any to starve that dwels with you Oh what unmercifulness is it patiently to suffer those of your Houshold to go on in the way that leads to Damnation And not to call upon the Lord in their hearing that they may be saved 2. Families are the Seminaries both of Church and State And therefore as you desire the Church may be pure and the State Righteous look well unto your Families and let Religion flourish in them Reformation indeed must begin at Persons and if every one would mend one all would be reformed But from persons it must proceed to houses And if these were but once leavened with godlyness what holy Citys and what an happy Nation would there be 3. Consider Family-Worship has wofully been neglected of late in these declining times How many large consciences loose principles and loose practises are there to be found among us
We match Laodicea in Luke-warmness and what was said of langushing Sardis may be applied to us that we have a name to Live but are Dead Rev. 3. 1. In many Families all are stark stone Dead and there is a most impious and gross neglect of God and Duty and in other Families all are ready to dy lively services are rarely to be found Oh 't is high time to awake and vigorously to endeavour that in our houses the Lord may be served by all and that with all their Heart and all their Soul and all their mind and all their Strength I have done with Family-Prayer 3. Prayer in the publick Congregation and Assembly is to be spoken to Gods Temple of old was styled the House of Prayer Luk. 19. 46. because there his people met together to seek his Face Publick prayer is a great Ordinance and when rightly managed of great efficacy Now the Rules concerning publick prayer are these 1. These Prayers must be performed in a known Tongue that all may understand and be edified 1 Cor. 14. and they should be well expressed nothing that is raw unseemly or that borders upon nonsence or Blasphemy should be brought forth in the Assembly 2. Come at the very beginning To come late is both offensive to God and to serious Spirits and 't is to cheat and defraud your own Souls and when you are here let your gesture be reverent for God expects Worship and adoration from your whole man internal from Soul and external from the Body 3. Take heed of distraction when there are so many objects to divert you and your hearts are so exceeding slippery Remember Gods jealous Eye is fixed upon you and as he cannot be deceived so he cannot endure to be mocked by you Gal. 6. 7. 4. Take head of carnal desires in your publike Duties Let not your supplications be like â—hose of the Pharisees and Scribes of whom Christ sayes they made prayers onely for a pretence shew Luke 20. 47. The hypocrite is like the Birds of Prey which though they sore never so high towards Heaven yet their eye is still downward that they may catch something Be not seemingly devout in the Congregation that you may the more unsuspectedly be unjust in shops and secretly intemperate and unclean But be very sincere in your publick addresses unto God as knowing you have to do with him that sees not as man sees that judges not according to outward appearance but tries the heart and veins And to perswade you to this publike Prayer consider 1. God is hereby Acknowledged and Honoured His people hereby testify to the World that there is a Lord in Heaven whom they worship and from whom they have their expectation And indeed this is one reason of publick institutions that we may make a profession to the world whose we are and whom we serve 2. The Lord vouchsafes something to his people in the Sanctuary that elsewhere is not to be found David was in an admirable frame when he was in the Wilderness of Judah God was liberal to him both of Grace and Comfort but he is not satisfied because deprived of publick ordinances that were administred in the tabernacle therefore he crys out My Soul thirsteth for thee my Flesh longeth for thee to see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary Psal 63. 1. 2. 3. The united prayers of many Saints togegether is stronger and more apt to pravail Uis unita fortior much fire together gives the greater heat and many waters joyned run with more violence and in like manner when a great congregation joyns together as one man to wrestle with God in prayer how Successful are they like to be Abraham alone had like to have prevail'd for Sodom but put the case there had been an assembly of righteous ones belonging to Sodom that had joyned with Abraham in prayer surely the City had been spared I have dispatched vocal Prayer which I divided into three kinds secret family and publick 2. In the second place I come to speak of Mental Prayer when the heart alone without the tongue is engaged Now this Mental prayer is two fold first more Solemn Secondly more Sudden and Ejaculatory 'T is lawfull and possible to pray alone with the heart in a more solemn manner truly in some places and in some circumstances words may not be so convenient to be uttered but where 't is convenient words should be used because 't is difficult to pray any while only in the heart and do it without roaving But Mental prayer that is more sudden and ejaculatory I shall a little dilate upon In this kind of prayer the Soul lifts up it self to God in some short desire and request Thus Moses cryed unto God Exod. 14. 15. and yet we read not of a word uttered Thus Nehemiah prayed when King Artaxerxes was speaking to him Neh. 2. 4. These holy ejaculations are the very breathings of the new creature they mightily help to keep down the lustings of the Flesh and to preserve us unspotted by the world or the unclean God of it but the heart hereby is kept close to the God of heaven Concerning this mental ejaculatory Prayer let these directions be observed 1. Let the heart frequently be sending up desires to God all true desires are observed are pleasing to him and shall be satisfied let these desires therefore be strong and principally after the greatest that is to say Spiritual blessings 2. In all your civil employments let your hearts ever and anon be thus engaged this will make and keep you Spiritual 't wil hinder your estrangment from God and your being ensnared by the unrighteous Mammon 3. Let every temptation at the very first be resisted by this kind of prayer thus watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation Mat. 26. 41. Oh sigh and groan to the God of all grace when you find Satan assaulting and a sinful and deceitfull heart ready to yeild that you may have grace to help in the time of need Heb. 4. ult 4. Let this sort of Prayer begin and end every duty sigh before for assistance and sigh afterwards for acceptance and that infirmities through Christ Jesus may be passed by and that you may obtain some Spiritual advantage by every ordinance 5. Begin and end every day with mental Prayer assoon as ever you awake there are many watching for your first thoughts Satan and sin and the world will have them if your Souls are not lifted up to the Lord. Let him be last likewise in your thoughts this is the way to lie down in Peace and Safety Psal 4. ult 6. Especially upon the Sabbath day ejaculatory prayer should be abundant you must not then think your own thoughts nor find your pleasures Holy desires should issue forth continually Sabbaths would be gainful seasons indeed were they but thus improved 7. Mix mental Praise and Prayer together Let your Souls and all that is
in prayer they are commanded by the Lords Enemies Sin the world and Satan do detain them The second sort of Reasons are why we must pray by the help of the Spirit of God His assistance is necessary 1. Because of our darkness we of our selves know not God nor his Will nor our own greatest Needs nor wherein lyes our great interest and truest happiness 2. Because of our deadness active we are as to sin but unto prayer indisposed the dead man must be lifted and carried for of himself he cannot stir We that naturally are without strength nay without life cannot lift up our souls to God unless the spirit lift them up to him 3. Because of the opposition that is made by the evil one When we come to the Mercy-seat the Devil makes nothing of taking the right hand of us he is ready to resist us as he did Joshua the high Priest Zach 3. 1. and we are not able to withstand him unless the Spirit of God who is infinitely stronger rebuke him for us 4. The Spirits assistance is necessary in prayer because of that natural aversness iâ— our own hearts unto what is good whereas we should hate the evil and love the good we hate the good and love the evil nay in the very best there is a law in the members which wars against the law of the mind and evil is present If the Spirit were not also mightily and graciously present there would be an utter inability as to prayer or any duty which God requires In the third place I am to answer some Cases of Conscience concerning the Spirit of Prayer 1. Whether all Believers have the Spirit of Prayer I answer that all true Believers have this Spirit For the spirit of Grace which all Saints have received is also a spirit of supplication Zech. 12. 10. and the Apostle expresly sayes if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his 2. Whether only Believers have the spirit of Prayer I answer The spirit of prayer is peculiar to Believers for where the holy Ghost does help the heart to pray he cleanses the heart from what before defiled it and turns the heart and the desires of it towards God so that that 's now the Language Psal 73. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee 3. Whether the Spirit of Prayer may not be lost I answer that the Spirit may be grieved by our corruptions when they prevail and when we grovv slothful and heedless hovv vve enter into Temptation and being grieed may withdraw his quickning and assisting influences But the Spirit is never quite lost by those that have been truly renewed by him He abides for ever where he has conseccrated any to be his Temple Joh. 14. 16. David after his fall says Restore unto me the joy of thy Salvation to shew that his joy was lost but he prayes Take not thy holy Spirit from me to signifie that the Spirit was not quite departed though that departure was deserved and feared 4. May not persons excel in the gift of prayer that yet are void of the Spirit I answer in the affirmitive The gift of prayer may only serve to puff up professours with Pride how are such pleased in reflecting upon the repute they have gained by their enlargedness in expression And this pride is not checked is not abhorred The words of prayer may be used and a carnal worldly designe carried on Hypocrites aime at an eminency in gifts that they may pass for godly and under the cloak of Religion cover their wickedness and in their most enlarged supplications they aime at their own profit fame and are prodigiously destitute of the fear of God 'T is certain the gift of Prayer may be in the unsound hearted for even the gift of Prophesie which the Apostle prefers before other gifts we find in wicked men Mat. 7. 22 23. many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name Then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye workers of iniquity 5. May not some that have the Spirit of Prayer be very weak in the gift of utterance I answer yes There was much of the spirit of prayer in Hezekiah when he chattered like a Crane or Swallow and mourned like a Dove Esa 38. 14. The Lord regards not so much the expression as affection and the heart may be sincere in its desires when not onely because of the strength of those desires but also through confusion there wants utterance Let not those therefore that are but weak in expression be discouraged for the heart may highly value Mercy and Grace and obtain both when prayer is but lisped and stammered forth by the Tongue Now follows the Application And Use 1. is of reproof which belongs 1. To them who pray indeed but their Hearts and Spirits pray not with them They put the Lord off with the bended knees the stretched forth hands the lifted up eyes the labour of the lips the fruit of their invention but all this while their hearts are not with him and their affections run a whoring after their vanities and iniquities The prayers of such dissemblers are dead prayers and truly are to be numbred among their dead works and their prayers being not minded by themselves how should God have regard to them unless it be to hate and punish them 2. They are to be reproved who make light of the Spirit of God and of his assistance in this duty of prayer They account the aid of the holy Ghost a needless a notional and imaginary thing Such never knew what 't is to wrestle with God what 't is to sigh and groan and be as it were in Travel till the blessings beg'd for are obtained Oh how impossible is it that Nature should rise thus high till the Spirit do renew and elevate it Use 2. Of Trial whether we have the Spirit of Prayer or no And this may be discerned by these following signs 1. Those that have the Spirit of Prayer by the Spirit have been convinced of sin Joh. 16. 8. he has discovered sin broken their hearts for it and 't is now become a load to them though before they loved it never so extreamly Before they hid sin now they lay it open in prayer before they excused it now they aggravate it and judg themselves worthy of Hell and Wrath because of it 2. Those that have the Spirit of Prayer are made to look unto Christ crucified Zach. 12. 10. I will pour out upon the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of supplication Then shall they look upon him whom they have peirced and mourn for him and be in bitterness as one is in bitterness for the loss of a first born Christ crucified is lookt upon by such with a weeping Eye because their sin was the cause of his sufferings and with an
Gospel and also promises to bestow 4. In prayer we are to watch over our Consciences that they perform their Office faithfully Their Office is to observe and condemn every miscarriage to urge unto a more spiritual manner of praying and to be restless and unquiet if prayer be omitted upon any slight pretence or the Male in the Flock be not offered to the Lord but a corrupt thing A tender Conscience is a blessing that can never be sufficiently valued this will cause the best to be given unto God this will not be satisfied till God approves and commends and what a Heaven follows upon prayer when the Lord himself and his Officer Conscience are both pleased But if you grow unwatchful over our Consciences and suffer them to fall asleep and become feared a thousand faults in prayer will be winkt at nay we shall be but little reproached for the total omission of it 5. In prayer we are to watch over our affections the more of affection in prayer the more pleasing the duty will be to God and the more pleasant to him that performs it There is enough in the Lord to draw forth the very strength of our affections How great is his goodness how able and powerful is his Hand to save how unsearchable are the riches of his grace Eye has nâ—t seen ear has not heard neither has â—â— entred into the heart of man what he has prepared for those that wait upon him Isa 64. 4. We are inexcusable if all this move not our affections We should watch and observe when our affections do but begin to incline towards former Lovers and then compare those Lovers and the Lord together that other things may be contemned and our souls may even break for longing after God 6. In prayer we are to watch over our outward man our tongues and sences must be lookt to our tongues must speak reverently considering God is in Heaven and we on Earth Eccles 5. 2. and we must have warrant from Gods own word for the words we utter before him Our sences must be guarded else at the ear or eye especially something or other may enter that may disturb prayer and hinder it from being so fervent and effectual You see what we must watch over In the third place I am to shew what we must watch for in prayer 1. We must watch for fit seasons to pray There are some times and seasons in which God is neerer than at others and more ready to be sound of them that seek him this the Prophet intimates Esa 55. 6. Seek â—e the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near These seasons of grace and love are carefully to be observed and improved to the uttermost When the Lord came so near to Jacob as to suffer him to take hold of him that was a special season and Jacob was sensible of it and wrestles lonâ— and with an holy vigour he keeps his hold and would not let go till he had got the blessing Gen. 32. 29. That also was a special opportunity when the Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh to his friend Exod. 33. 11. Moses improves this and beggs for the Lords presence with him and with the people of Israel and having prevailed for this he adds further Lord I beseech thee shew me thy glory v. 18. Hereupon the Lord made his goodness to pass before him and proclaimed The Lord God merciful and gracious long suffering abundant in goodness and in truth keeping mercy for thousands fâ—rgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin 2. We must watch for Admonitions from Conscience unto Prayer When Conscience says Thou hast not yet prayed in secret now go and pour out thy heart before him that sees in secret Thou hast not yet pray'd in thy Family Call all of thy Houshold together and joyn in begging that the Lord would have mercy upon all Conscience is by no means to be dis-regarded but its admonition should be taken The Authority which the Lord allows to Conscience is great and its office is of a large extent Conscience is a Witness and a Judge and a Monitour As a Witness it takes notice of the evil which we do of the good which we refuse to do and likewise observes when we are careful of our duty As a Judg it acquits or condemns according as we have been either good and faithful or evil and sloathful Servants As a Monitour it tells us before hand of our duty and as we would avoid its Accusations and Reproaches we should not venture upon any sin which it crys out against nor neglect prayer or any other duty which it charges us to perform as we will answer it before God 3. We must watch for the motions of the spirit unto prayer When the Holy Ghost moves to this duty and his motions are heeded and obeyed we are to conclude that the same spirit which moves to prayer will assist in prayer 'T is a wonderful priviledge that the Spirit is sent unto the Churches and is speaking and striving for their good Every one should have an ear to hear what the spirit says Rev. 3. ult When the Spirit speaks concerning sin this is not the way therefore avoid it Oh do not this abominable thing which God haâ—es we must by no means consent to evil When the Spirit says concerning duty this is tâ—e way walk in it Esa 30. 31. we must by all means yeild unto that which is good If the Lord by his Spirit says Seek my Face with the greatest forwardness we should reply Thy Face Lord will we seek and he will not then hide his Face from us nor put his Servants away in anger The motions of the Spirit unto prayer are twofold Ordinary Extraordinary 1. There are more ordinary motions unto prayer 'T is the mind and will of the Spirit that our usual times for prayer of all sorts should be observed and though deadness and indisposition be never so great and our hearts draw back from the Throne of Grace yet we must go thither Experience teaches that where deadness at the beginning of prayer has seemed invincible yet of a sudden it has been removed and the duty has been carried on and concluded with more than ordinary enlargements The Israelites were commanded to go forward when they came to the red Sea they might have answered what would you have us march into the water and be drowned Well but forward they go and the water is dried up before them Exod. 14. So truly many times when about to pray there is great listlesness and many discouragements Yet we must go forward and engage in our duty and the Sea is dryed up before us these discouragements are removed 2. These are more extraordinary motions of the Spirit unto Prayer Upon some remarkable Providence either cross or kindness upon the hearing of some more than ordinary affecting Truths upon some special manifesttions by way of quickning and peace
because he hath heard my Voyce and my supplication because he hath inclined his ear to me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live I have shewed you what we are to watch for in prayer In the fourth place I am to shew what manner of watching is required 1. Our watch must be very strict and this strictness will be acknowledg'd reasonable if we consider that prayer is a business of weight Life or Death Blessing or Cursing will follow according as we speed well or ill in prayer VVhen we come to the Throne of Grace we entreat for no less then the forgiveness of millions of offences the least of which if unpardon'd is sufficient to expose us to eternal condemnation we entreat for no less then grace and glory we deprecate no less then the anger of the Almighty and everlasting torments Surely we should be watchfull and full of care by all means to speed in a duty of such vast concernment 2. Our watch must be continued it must be before and in and after Prayer and all little enough 1. We must watch before prayer that every thing may Dimidium facti qui coepit habit Hot at be avoided and removed that may hinder the heart from preparing to have to do with God 't is not easie to enter rightly upon this duty 2. We must Watch in prayer Prayer is expressed in Scripture by the Metaphor of wrestling If the Wrestler watch not he prevails not but is easily foyld If we are not very vigilant all the while we are praying God whom we wrestle with will withdraw and we shall miss of the blessing and Satan that wrestles against us will presently fling us 3. We must watch after prayer We must trace our hearts and mark how they have behaved themselves we must observe and bemoan our failings and be thankful for assisting grace we must be the same upon our Leggs that we were upon our Knees and live according to our prayers In the fifth place follow the reasons why Watching is so necessary in prayer 1. God watches how this duty is performed and has denounced a Curse on those that do the work of the Lord negligently He narrowly observes where the thoughts are and how much of the heart and affection is in every prayer Hark to the Apostle Heb. 4. 13. Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things even the thoughts and intents of the heart where of he had spoken in the verse fore-going are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do 2. Satan Watches in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isider Pelus l 2. Epist 24. a time of War there is the stricter watch Now our life is a warfare therefore we should be ever vigilant 1 Pet. 5. 8. Our Adversary the Devil goes about endeavouring to do all the mischief and to hinder all the good he can possibly Satan is very busie about us in prayer and if our unwatchfulness gives him but the least encouragement and advantage he presently spyes and takes it 3. Vnless we watch our hearts will deal treacherously they will start aside from God like deceitful Bows and the Arrow of Prayer will be far from hitting the mark but our Supplications will degenerate into meer formality whereas if we are intent and serious and do hoc agere mind our business while we are at prayer we shall undoubtedly make something of it I come at last to the Application Use 1. is of Reproof Two sorts of persons deserve and highly need as well as deserve a reprehension 1. The careless Hypocrite is to be Reproved The Scripture which has this preheminence above all other Laws that it binds the very Heart and Conscience does speak very terribly against Hypocrisy which is the hearts dissimulation and going away from God even when the external part of devotion is yeilded to him The folly of the praying Hypocrite will appear in these things 1. His Conscience is fast asleep in prayer and lets him even do what he pleases but this sleeping Lyon will at length awake at farthest Hell will awaken his Conscience and then 't will bitterly reproach him and never cease reproaching 2. The Hypocrite regards not the God he is praying to he is not awed by the Lords Majesty nor affected with his Mercy neither is he afraid of provoking him to jealousy but presumes upon God as if he were altogether such an one as himself Psal 50. 21 22. These things hast thou done and I kept silence and thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver 3. The Hypocrite regards not the things he is praying for nor himself that is concerned in prayer He is not Animus cujusque est quisque concerned for his soul which is most truly himself and though he prays for the favour of God for the Kingdom of God and deliverance from everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels yet he is so cold and heedless as if he were indifferent whether Heaven or Hell were his eternal abode 2. The drowsie and declining Saints are also to be reproved These having been once so thorowly awakened are more without Apology if they grow again unwatchful 1. The prayers of unwatchful Saints have very bad mixtures Oh the forgetfulness and fearlesness and weariness and mocking of the Lord that Believers under their declinings are to be charged with How neer do they come to the borders of unregeneracy how like are they to the unsound-hearted 2. The prayers of unwatchful Saints are very unprofitable Children they are but alas they improve not their Relation nor make serious application to their Father The Spirit is in them but they accept not of his strength and grace Prayer is not totally laid aside but little comes on 't because they do not vigorously engage in it 3. The prayers of unwatchful Saints are uncomfortable The Spirit is grieved by their carelesness and how can it be expected he should be a comforter to them Conscience is dis-satisfied and is continually grudging because they do not stir up themselves to lay hold on God when they call upon him Isa 64. 7. Much fear much bondage many secret gripes of spirit follow upon careless praying 4. The prayers of unwatchful Saints are so offensive that they may justly fear some stroke from God some smarting Rod to awaken the spirit of prayer in them Hos 5. 14. I will be unto Ephraim as a Lyon and as a young Lyon to the House of Judah I even I will tear and go away I will take away and none shall rescue him Now what was the reason of this severity it follows v. 15. In their affliction they will seek me early He thrust the Spur into their side and made them bleed to
make them mend their sluggish pace in duty he chastned them that he might hear louâ—er crys and have more serious prayers from them Use 2. shall be of Exhortation Be perswaded to watch in prayer Those that watch not at all pray not at all in Gods account those that watch most make most of prayer These Arguments I shall further use to second this Exhortation 1. The more watchful you are in prayer the better you will understand the Deâ—ils Enmity you will perceive his envy and his hatred and how loath he is that you should receive any distinguishing mercies especially at the Hand of God therefore he does so bestir himself that he may resist you and the better you know this Enemy the better armed will you be 2 The more watchful you are in prayer you will be more acquainted with your selves and with your own hearts you will more fully understand your wants and your spiritual plagues and the understanding of these is one good step to the supply and cure 3. The more watchful you are in prayer the more experimentally will you understand the loving kindness of the Lord you shall find that he deals bountifully Psal 116. 7. Return unto thy rest O my Soul for the Lord has dealt bountifully with thee God is certainly willing to give they that watch in prayer take notice what they receive and great joy 't is to behold the prayers which as Messengers we dispatched to Heaven return loaded with mercy Joh. 16. 24. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full So much for that fourth Doctrin In Prayer Watching is a necessary Ingredient D. 5. we must persevere if we would speed in prayer or prayer must be with all perseverance the words of the Text are not without Emphasis not only perseverance but all perseverance is required by the Apostle There should not be the least fainting but a vigorous persistance in our supplications Hark how the Apostle speaks in other places Col. 4. 2. Continue in prayer and Rom. 12. 12. Rejoycing in hope patient in Tribulation continuing instant in prayer In speaking to this Doctrin I shall first tell you what 't is to persevere in prayer Secondly What kind of perseverance is required Thirdly Give you the Reasons of this perseverance Lastly Make Application In the first place what 't is to persevere in prayer 1. This perseverance in prayer implyes Resolvedness of Spirit against all opposition the resolution is not to be made in our own strength but in the power of Grace and then it will be firm and hold He that perseveres in prayer resists Satans endeavours to hinder him in this duty Though this Lyon roar upon him by fearfully Blasphemous thoughts though this Adversary buffet him by confused amazing and affrighting imaginations yet all his skill does not beat him off from prayer the more busie he finds Satan the more need he perceives of calling upon God And as the Devil cannot prevail by his more irksome temptation so as to cause an omission of prayer in like manner on the other side the more pleasing temptations are withstood When he speaks big words concerning sports and pastimes and the pleasures of sense when he talks at an high rate of worldly advantages that are to be pursued that he may divert and draw away the heart from prayer yet he that perseveres in this duty believes this lying and deceitful spirit in nothing Nay he retorts upon him and answers that therefore he prays that he may find true joy and greater sweetness in God than the Creatures can possibly yeild that therefore he prays because he has a mind to be rich indeed and to have a treasure in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where Thieves cannot break thorow nor steal Mat. 6. 20. And as for that opposition he meets with from within from the corruption of his heart which is indeed the greatest he bewails it struggles with it and crys out for the spirit of life to quicken and help him He is convinced of the necessity of prayer and the excellency of what is prayed for and opposition is but a whet to him that he may stir up himself to lay hold on God 2. This perseverance in prayer implies getting through all discouragements The more blind Bartimeus was discouraged by the people he cryed the louder Jesus thou Son of David have mercy upon me Mar. 10. 48. and his cry was heard according to his desire he had his sight restored The Woman of Canaan who came to Christ that her Daughter might be dispossessed of a Devil met with great discouragements but overcome them all Mat. 15. 21. 29. When first she utter'd her request Christ answered her not a word this one would have thought might have struck her dumb and made her conclude it vain to have spoken any more Oh no still she cryed after him whereupon the Disciples intercede for her Christ answers he was sent to the lost Sheep of the house of Israel here was a second repulse but neither did this discourage she comes and worships him and sayes Lord help me Christ replys it is not meet to cast the Childrens bread unto the dogs This was a third repulse and worst of all And yet she gives not over but pleads that though she were indeed no better then a dog yet crumbs might be given her And now she speeds and whatever she had a mind to was granted He that perseveres in prayer will not be discouraged Is his guilt great he replys that the Lords mercy will be the more magnified if he obtains a Pardon Is he much distemperd he replys the more will the skill of the great Physician be shewn in healing his Spiritual plagues Is he very unworthy he replys that the Prodigal upon his returning found his Fathers doors and his Fathers arms open though he came home in raggs having before wasted all his Substance among the harlots and in riotous living Though he is wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked yet he says That Christ has ey-salve to make him see gold tried in the fire to make him rich and white raiment to cover him Rev. 3. 17. 18. 'T is a Mercy Seat 't is a Throne of grace he goes to and therefore discouragements are not invincible 3. This perseverance in prayer implies continual importunity Importunity is many times troublesom to Man but God is delighted with it Humility indeed becomes us in our addresses to him but yet we are allowed to be urgent to be instant to be pressing in these things which is according to the will of the Lord and he loves to see us so for it argues we value highly what we begg with importunity The unjust judg was prevailed with by the widdows importunity And will the Lord neglect importunate Prayer that has commanded and encouraged importunity and that is so righteous and so gracious He that perseveres in prayer follows the Lord with his
invade To shew that state dislikes not easiness If I but lift mine eyes my suit is made Thou canst no more not hear then thou canst die Of what supreme Almighty power Is thy great arm which spans the east and west And tacks the centre to the sphere By it do all things live their measur'd hour We cannot ask the thing which is not there Blaming the shallowness of our request Of what unmeasurable love Art thou possest who when thou couldst not die Wert fain to take our flesh and curse And for our sakes in person sin reprove That by destroying that which ty'd thy purse Thou mightst make way for liberalitie Since then these three wait on thy Throne Ease Power and Love I value Prayer so That were I to leave all but one Wealth Fame Endowments Vertues all should go I and dear Prayer would together dwell And quickly gain for each Inch lost an Ell. Herb. pag. 95. Directions how to attain unto the gift of prayer and readiness of expression in that duty ALthough spiritual Gifts are granted unto Hypocrites and unsound Professors as well as to sincere Believers yet according to the Apostle we are earnestly to covet them 1 Cor. 12. ult Even these more commune gifts are imparted by the Holy Ghost himself and may be very profitable both to our selves and others Neither should it be the endeavour of Ministers only to excel in gifts but private Christians are also to labour after them and in a more private way to use them The gift of prayer I am now to speak of and this no Christian should be without Prayer is the Saints daily exercise therefore they should all be well skilled in the performance of this duty not only as to the internal but also external part of it As length of prayer is not to be affected for God has a regard not to the length but the life of it so neither are we to affect a constant variety of expression If we use always the same form we are in danger of formality and if we always endeavour after new words which we never before used as 't is a thousand to one whether we shall speak so properly so 't is to be feared that our prayers will be only the fruit of our phancy and invention and no more 'T is good to be in the middle between both extreams Many have exalted in this gift of prayer in these latter days and I know that many are troubled through the want of it Secret prayer upon this score partly is much difcouraged and prayer in the Family hindred wherefore having discoursed at large concerning the duty of prayer I thought it a piece of service unto Souls to direct them how this gift might be attained 1. Be well Catechized and instructed in the principles of the Christian Faith You must know the only true God and understand his Greatness and Holiness and Power and Mercy and Grace and Truth with his other Attributes and Perfections which are discovered in his word You must not be Strangers to your selves but be acquainted with the fall of Man into sin and misery and how you as well as others are by Nature the Children of wrath and in danger of being lost and undone for ever except you Repent and Believe the Gospel You must know the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has sent and understand the mystery of Redemption Salvation by him and it should be your endeavour still to know more and more of the Lord and of his will and the more understanding you are the more agreeable will your supplications be unto the word of God and you will be the better furnished with matter for your prayers 2. Take pains that your affections may be excited the more warm your hearts are your tongues will be the more like unto the Pen of a ready Writer Let your affections be stirred by the necessity and value of the things you ask and the infiniteness of those evils which you pray against Besides the God whom you direct your prayers to is nigh is ready to be found Nothing is too hard for him such is the Almightiness of his power his tender mercyes are a vast multitude he stands related and engaged to his people by a sure and everlasting Covenant 3. Pray for the gift of utterance for this very ability is from the Father of lights but after 't is obtained you must beware 1. Of Pride Herod after an elegant Oration giving not glory to God was struck dead by an Angel and eaten up of Worms and if you are pufft up after enlargedness of expression of prayer you know not what way the displeasure of God may break forth against you 2. Despise not those that want this utterance your tongues possibly may be better hung but their hearts may be in a far better frame than yours 3. Envy not them that excel you in the gift of Prayer Envy will grieve the spirit and dead your ownhearts be a torment to you If one member in the natural body do something that is excellent and be honoured all the members sayes the Apostle rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12. 26. And as it is in the Natural body so it should be in the Mystical body of Christ Since we are members of the same body we should rejoyce when any of our fellow-members do worthily and count our selves honoured in their honour and especially be glad to see Christ lifted up though upon others shoulders 4. Let not any Carnal design be carryed on If you aime at your own ends in your most enlarged prayers and are secretly covetous and selfish and impure as this shews you are abominably Hypocritical so 't is the way to have either your gifts blasted or to have a curse upon them so that you shall only disturb the Church of Christ and do harm not good by them 4. Frequency in prayer will bring you to a readiness therein As by writing you learn to write so by praying you will learn to pray Gifts are increased and augmented by the exercise of them as grace it self also by being acted grows more strong 5. Be well acquainted with Scripture expressions that language is best to be used in Gods ears which is the language of his own Spirit 6. Let there be an order and method in prayer for confusedness as it will be irksome to others with whom you joyn so 't wil have a great tendency to dead and discourage your own hearts Here I shall speak to all the parts of prayer and furnish you with expressions in reference to every one of them Seven parts I have mentioned Compellation of God Acknowledgment of Sin Deprecation of punishment Petition for Grace and Mercy Intercession for others Imprecation against others Thanksgiving and Praise 1. Begin prayer with Compellation or naming of God let his Attributes also be mentioned O Lord thou art God alone and there is none besides Thee The God of the spirits of all flesh there is
nothing too hard for thee The living God the everlasting King who dost what thou wilt in Heaven above and in the Earth beneath The high and lofty one inhabiteth Eternity whose name is Holy who dwellest in the high and holy Place and yet with him also that is of an humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the Contrite ones The God in whose hand our Breath is and whose are all our Wayes Thou madest the Earth by thy Power and hast established the World by thy Wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by thy Discretion Thou art very great thou art cloathed with Honour and Majesty and coverest thy self with light as with a Garment Thou only hast immortality and dwelleth in the light that no man can approach unto To thee belongeth Power and Glory and Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is Thine thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as Head above all Thou madest the Heavens and all their Hosts the Earth and all the things that are therein the Seas and all that therein is and thou preservest them all and the host of Heaven Worshippeth thee Thou art wise in Heart and Mighty in Strength who ever hardned himselfe against thee and prospered A God glorious in holiness of Purer eyes then to behold evil with delight and canst not look upon iniquity with any approbation The Devils tremble before thee and the Angels cover their Faces and cry out Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts Heaven and Earth are full of the majesty of thy Glory Thou art the Lord God merciful and gracious long suffering abundant in loving kindness goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Thou delightest not in the death of sinners but hadst rather they should turn from their evil wayes and live The God and Father of Jesus Christ and in him the Father of Mercyes the God of all Grace and Comfort A God ready to forgive and plenteous in Mercy unto all that call upon thee thou hearest Prayers unto thee shall all flesh come Thy eye is upon them that fear thee and upon such as hope in thy Mercy a very present help in time of trouble Thy Mercy is in the Heavens and thy Faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds As a Father pittyeth his Children so thou pittyest them that fear thee Thou wilt not always chide neither wilt thou keep thine anger for ever Thy mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear thee and thy righteousness unto childrens children Thou art the hope of Israel and the Saviour of them in the time of trouble thou keepest truth forever The heavens shall vanish away like Smoak and Earth shall wax old like a Garment but thy Salvation shall be for ever and thy righteousness shall not be abolished Who is a God like unto thee that Pardonest Iniquity and passest by the Transgression of the remnant of thine heritage thou wilt not always chide neither wilt thou keep thine anger for ever because thou delightest in mercy Thou wilt turn again thou wilt have compassion upon us thou wilt subdue our Iniquities thou wilt cast all our Sins into the depth of the Sea A God to whom vengeance belongs who wilt reward them that hate thee whose power and whose wrath is against all that forsake thee A jealous God who canst not be deceived who wilt not be mocked Thou wilt ease thee of thine adversaries and avenge thee on thy enemies Who can stand before thine indignation who can abide in thy sight when once thou art angry Can our hearts endure or can our hands be strong when thou shalt deal with us let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the Earth wo be to him that contendeth with his Maker Thou searchest the heart and triest the reins and hast pleasure in uprightness There is not any creature that is not manifest in thy sight but all things are open and naked unto the eyes of that God with whom we have to do Oh that thou wouldst bow the heavens and come down draw night to us while we draw nigh to thee Thou humblest thy self to behold things don in Heaven the heaven of heavens is not able to contain thee and yet thou wilt dwell with Men. Thou art nigh unto us in all that we call upon thee for Let us find favour in thine eyes suffer us not to seek thy face in vain Lord hear my voice and let thine car be attentive unto the voice of my Supplication I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord Jehovah who am but dust and ashes what is man that thou art mindful of him whose dayes are as a shaddow whose breath is in his nostrils and wherein is he to be accounted of Oh quicken us that we may call upon thy name and have a gracious regard unto us though we are prodigal children unprofitable Servants of polluted lips and hearts uncircumcised 2. Confession of Sin is to follow by which God is honoured our selves humbled and abased Original corruption is thus to be acknowledged What is man that he should be clean or he that is born of a woman that he should be righteous thou mightest abhor the sight of us and we have infinite reason to loath and abhor our selves Thou madest man upright but he hath sought out many inventions We were at first planted a noble Vine a right seed but now our fruit is evil the root bitter our grapes are grapes of Sodom and clustters of Gomorrah Our first Parents were created in thine Image which does consist in Righteousness and true Holiness but they were beguiled by the Serpent and forsock the Lord and we being in their Loyns sinned in them and fell with them in their first transgression Behold I am shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me We are born the children of VVrath the sons of Death the heirs of Hell and are dead in trespasses and sins There is a Law in our Members that warrs against the Law in our mindes and is quite contrary unto the Law of God And whensoever we would or should do good evil is present with us Our carnal mindes are enmity against God they are not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can they be VVe are wise to do evil but to do good we have no knowledge the blindness that is in our minds does alienate us from the Life of God Our Consciences are sleepy and unfaithful where is their tenderness and Authority they seldom check us and if they do such is our eagerness to sin we do not mind but disobey them Our hearts are the worst part in us they are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know them As a Fountain sendeth forth water so our hearts without intermission are casting forth their wickedness from hence proceed those evils that defile the man Our hearts are disobedient and unto every
good work Reprobate Mercies do not melt them judgments do not break them and Oh how little have all the means of Grace mended them There is so much of pride of atheisin infidelity impurity earthlyness hatred of the Lord and Holiness stubornness obstinacy by nature in our hearts that we are not able to mention or conceive the thousandth part of it Oh what cause have we to be earnest for that new heart and that new spirit which is promised in thy new new Covenant We are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are but filthy Raggs the corruption of our natures defiles our very best Duties Satan is not to be blamed so much for tempting as our hearts for yeilding unto his Temptation The best of us have as sinful natures as the worst of men Actual sin is to be confessed after this manner VVho can tell how oft he has offended who can understand his errours O Lord I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face unto thee for my iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the Heavens VVho can number the Stars of the Sky the sands of the Sea or the days of Eternity or reckon up his sins in order before thee I was an early sinner a transgressor from the VVomb and have not left off sinning to this very day I have broken thy Laws though they are so holy just and good I have counted the yoak heavy though thy Commandments are so far from being grievous that they are more to be desired than the finest Gold and sweeter than the Hony and the hony Comb. How far have I been from loving the Lord with all my heart with all my soul with all my mind with all my strength Nay insteed of this I have been an hater of God and secretly wished there were no God to punish sin that I might have sinned with greater freedom I have been a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God Be astonished O ye Heavens at this for I have committed two great evils I have forsaken the Fountain of living waters and have hewn out unto my self Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no water I have not worshipped thee in Spirit and in Truth without fear of thy jealousie I have mocked thee to thy Face I have been a meer Idolater for I have idolized the world and the things of the world which are vanity and have forgotten the alsufficient God days without number I have taken thy Name in vain and prophaned thy Sabboths which thou hast so strictly commanded I should remember to keep holy I have wofully failed in my Duty to my Neighbour though I ought and was bound to love him as my self I have sinned against the Gospel it self though it contain the best tidings that ever were brought unto the sons of men How shall I escape who have neglected so great Salvation I have out-done the very Devils themselves they never rejected mercy for 't was never offered to them they never refused a Saviour for no Saviour was ever sent to visit and recover them Lord I have not believed as I ought the report of the Gospel though it be so faithful and worthy of all acceptation How long have I lived without Christ without Hope and without God in the world Thou hast out-bid all others and hast offered infinitely better things than the world can thou hast offered pardon grace nay glory honour and Immortality and yet the offer has been despised I have been apt to count the Gospel foolishness though it be the wisdom of God and a Mystery which the Angels admire and desire to look into I have not hearkned to the Voyce of the great Prophet I have not reverenced thy Son who has spoken to me and therefore deserve to be cut off from among thy people Thy Son is a merciful and faithful high Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconcilation for the sins of the people He has called upon me to come to him for rest but I would not come that I might have life His Righteousness is a perfect and everlasting Righteousness yet I have gon about to establish my own righteousness and have not submitted my self to the righteousness of God I have placed a carnal confidence in my own strength though it be but meer weakness and relied upon my duties though God might damn me for the best of them if he should be extream to mark what 's amiss in them The Lord Jesus is incomparably the best master but I have refused to obey I have called him Lord Lord but have not don the things that he sayes I have refused to take his Yoak upon me though his yoak be an easie yoak and his burthen so light a burthen his service I have not liked though 't is perfect freedom I have broke his bands asunder and cast away his cords from me I deserve to be dash'd in peices by his iron Rod who refused to submit unto the scepter of his word I have been called to repent and encouraged thereunto but have remained impenitent I have made my heart like an adamant stone and refused to be ashamed Sin was the cause of Christs sufferings it makes the whole creation groan 't is that which has murthered millions of Souls 't is the cause of all the horrour and despair and sorrows and torment which the damned undergo and yet how light a matter have I esteemed it Ah! fool that I have been to make a mock of sin and count it a pastime to do wickedly My sins O Lord are highly aggravated Light is come into the world but I have loved darkness more then light because my deeds are evil Thy will has been plainly told me and I have known my duty and yet have done the contrary and deserves to be beaten with many stripes I have had experience of the riches of thy goodness and forbearance and long suffering and yet all has not lead me to repentance When fair means prevailed not thou hast tried foul But though then hast smitten me I have not grieved thou hast even consumed me but I have refused to receive correction I have made my Face harder than a Rock and have refused to return The Spirit has striven with me but like a stifnecked wretch I have resisted the holy Ghost and thou mightest justly resolve he should strive no more with me We judg O Lord and condemn our selves in thy presence Thou really and truly hatest sinne in us as well as others Thou sparedst not the Angels that sinned against thee Thou sparedst not the Old World but didst bring the Floud upon them Thou didst turn the Cities of Sâ—dom and Gomorrah to ashes Nay thy Son himself was not spared when sin was laid to his charge Oh what a wonder of mercy is it that we are spared to this day We deserve the sorest of temporal Judgments Thou mightest appoint over us Terrour Consumption and the burning-Ague we have
Labour for that which cannot satisfie Let uâ— look uâ—to Christ whom we have peirced and moâ—rn Let us â—tâ—rnally fall out with Sin bâ—holâ—ing it bâ—smeâ—red wiâ—h the Bloud of Jesus Help us to bâ—lieve that Christ was made sin and bear the Curse that was due to us and to conclude that the Lord Jesus is as really given to us as the outward Elements Make us eager to Receive whole Christ and all his Benefits and to give up our selves wholly and immediately to him O thou God of all Grace make us perfect establish strengthen settle us and cause us to cleave unto the Lord with full Purpose of Heart Let Sabbaths be prized and improved le ts rejoyce when they come for then we have Opportunity to enter thy Sanctuary and approach thy Table Petitions for Perseverance Vphold me with thy free Spirit Hold thou me up and I shall be safe so shall I have Respect unto thy Precepts continually Thou art the Author be the Finisher of my Faith Fulfill all the good pleasure of thy Goodness and the work of Faith and power Thou givest Power to the Faint and to them that have no Might thâ—u â—nâ— easeth Strength Oh strengthen me with strength in my Soul that I may Run and not be weary that I may Walk and not Faint Preserve me by thy mighty Power through Faith unto Salvation Let us not be of them that draw back unto Perdition but of them that Believe unto the Saving of the Soul O Lord who art of Power to establish us keep us from Falling and present us Faultless before the Presence of this Glory with exceeding Joy Petitions for Temporal Mercies Give us this day our Daâ—ly Bread Give â—e neither Poverty nor Riches feed me with Food convenient for me Let not our Table be a Snare and that which should have been for our VVelfare let it not become a Trap unto us O that thou wouldest Bless me indeed and enlarge my Court and that thy Hand may be with me and that thou wouldest keep me from Evil that it may not grieve me Make me in all my ways to Acknowledge thee and do thou direct my Paths 'T is in vain to rise up Early to sit up Late and eat the Bread of â—rrows Thy Blessings O Lord maketh Rich and thou addest no Sorrow with it Be a Sun to Enlighten a Shield to Defend me and no good Thing with-hold from me Make thy Light to shine upon my Tabernacle and set an Hedge about me and cause the VVork of my Hands â—o prosper and let me have an Heart to Honour thee with the Substance thou hast given me and to make a Friend of the Mammon of Varighteousness Watch over me perpetually and that none may hurt me O Lord keep me nigâ—t and â—ay Preserve my going out and my comming in lead me not into Temptation but deliver me from evil and especially from sin which is of â—ll the greatest Petitions in reference to Death Oh that we were wise to consider our latter end Teach us so to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts unto wisedom All the dayes of our appointed time let us wait till our change comes let us die dayly to sin and to the world and live to God through Christ Jesus Help us to make sure work for Eternity living the life of the Righteous that we may also die the death of the Righteous Oh that we may pass the time of our sojourning here in fear and as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against our Souls What is our life 't is even a vapour which appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away let us not defer our beleiving and repentance but while 't is called to day hear thy Voice and not harden our hearts any longer Let death be ours as well as life and let the sting of death be taken out before we feel it Deliver us from the fear of death and suffer us not all our life time to be subjected unto bondage Put us in mind of our great account for shortly we must be no longer stewards Let us act as those that believe God will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil Here we have no continuing City therefore let us mind that City that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Let our Heart and Treasure be above let our Loyns be girded about and our Lights burning and our selves as those that are watching and waiting for our Lords appearing Let the prize of the high calling be in our Eye that we may press towards the mark and more and more abound in the work of the Lord. Let us groan to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven desiring nothing more than to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. And labour exceedingly that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 5. The fifth part of Prayer is Intercession for others The Church is to be prayed for Save thy People bless thine inheritance rule them also and lift them up for ever Be a wall of fire round about Mount Sion that it may stand fast continually Preserve that little Flock unto whom thoou hast promised to give the kingdom Let thy delight be in Jerusalem grave her on the palms of thy Hands let her walls be continually before thee let her builders make hast and cause her destroyers to depart from her Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy Pasture look down from Heaven the habitation of thy Holiness and of thy Glory Where is thy zeal and thy strength and the earning of thy bowels and of thy mercies are they restrained Awake awake put on strength O Arm of the Lord Awake as in the ancient dayes in the generations of old Art not thou he that hast broken Rahab and wounded the Dragon Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness O thou that savest by thy right hand those that put their trust in thee from them that rise up against them Vnite thy people together let them not bite and devour one another but endeavour by all lowliness and meekness longsuffering and forbearing one another in love to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Let Truth shine forth and mistakes be discovered Oh let the light of the moon be as the light of the Sun and the light of the sun seven-fold as the light of seven dayes and at last bind up the breach of thy people and heal the stroke of their wound Bring home Jews and Gentiles that belong to the election of thy Grace Make thy way known upon earth and thy saving health among all Nations Raise up the Tabernacle of David which is fallen and close up the breaches thereof and be gracious to the remnant of Joseph and let the kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Bring in those sheep that are not yet of
wherein they deal proudly shew thy self above them Arise O Lord and plead thine own cause and let all thy foes be made thy foot stool 7. The last part of prayer is Thanksgiving and Praise Lord thou art infinitely exalted above all blessing and praise Oh how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the Sons of men How precious are thy Thoughts unto me O God how great is the sum of them If I should count them they are more in number than the Sand. 'T is thou that hast made us and not we our selves our Bodies were curiously wrought by thee and all our Members were written in thy Book and thou hast been the former of our Spirits Thou hast given me a Tongue to speak and therefore it shall shew forth thy praise Thou hast given me a Soul capable of love and joy therefore it shall love thee and rejoyce in thee Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits I have been cast upon thee from the Womb and have hung on thee ever since I hung upon the Breasts How many unknown and passible and deserved evils have I been preserved from How many undeserved Mercyes have been showred down upon me Thou hast been my Shepheard O Lord so that I have wanted nothing all my days Many are blind that I meet withal but I see many are deaf but I hear many are dumb but my Tongue can speak many have lost their Limbs but all my Bones have reason to say who Lord is like unto thee my Limbs are sound and Sences perfect and I have the use of Reason when many are distracted and raving in Bedlam I see not the hurtful Sword neither do I hear the alarm of War when others are terrified and behold Garments roulled in Blood and their Souls are wearied because of Murtherers Thou sendest fruitful seasons and fillest our hearts with Food and gladness Thou Crownest the Year with thy goodness and they Paths drop fatness We are less than the least of Mercies therefore thy goodness O Lord is the greatter and more greatly to be admired Thanksgiving for spiritual Mercyes Oh the height and length and depth and breadth of the love of God in sending Christ into the World to be a Saviour Glory be to God in the highest on Earth Peace good will towards Men. O Wonderful that the Word should be made Flesh that He who was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God should take upon him the form of a Servant and become obedient to Death that we might not die and perish for ever We blesse thee that our Ears do hear the joyful sound of the Gospel and that the day-spring from on high hath visited us to guide our Feet into the way of Peace Thy Sabbaths and thy Ordinances and the means of Grace are priviledges which we can never sufficiently value Thou callest upon us to turn and Livâ— and some can say thou hast made the Call effectual We were sometimes darknesse but now are we light in the Lord we were strangers but now Children we were dead in trespasses and sins but God who is rich in mercy for the great love wherewith he loved us hath quickned us together with Christ Thou hast cast all our sins behind thy back and we may rejoyce indeed because our names are written in the book oâ— Life Thou hast made a new Covenant with us ordered in all things and sure and all that we can desire or need is here promised The blessings of both Worlds thou hast engaged to bestow and this covenant is more firm thon the Ordinances of the Heavens The mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed the Heaven and the Earth shall passe away but thy kindness shall not deparâ— from us nor the Covenant of thy Peace be removed but abide for evermore Thanksgiving for Eternal Mercies Thy Salvation is near O Lord and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Time is wearing away apace and the Everlasting Kingdom is at hand 'T is but a little while and we shall be in thy presence where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore Then our hope will be swallowed up in Fruition and our Faith in seeing of thee Face to Face We shall be made perfectly holy and compleatly happy we shall sin no more we shall sorrow no more but be at rest Eternally We shall be Crowned with Life and Righteousness and Reign with God in his Everlasting Kingdom Blessed be the Lord who hath given us Everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace of such an Inheritance where we shall to Eternity be admiring free Grace and making Heaven Ring with Everlasting Hallelujahs While I live I will praise the Lord and after Death I will begin to praise him in a better manner and never never give over praising Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we either ask or think according to the Power that worketh in us Vnto Him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages and World without End Amen FINIS