come in Christs Name Joh. 14.13 14. 3. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him conscious of our own unworthiness to sue to him for any thing that we stand in need of either for our selves or others They that are Suppliants to Princes acknowledge their unworthiness to come into their Presence and to put up any Request to them The Centurion thought himself not worthy to come to Christ as well as that he should come under his roof Luke 7.6 7. and who drew nearer Christ then he They that see their unworthiness to come to pray to God they of all others draw nearest to him when they pray to him 4. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him sensible of those sins that we bring into his presence Behold we are before thee in our trespasses sayes that holy man Ezra 9.15 Such as do indeed draw near to God see their persons polluted their prayers defiled and both to need washing in a fountain open for sin and uncleanness spoken of Zech. 13.1 As we are dust in our original so we gather dust and soil daily and our best duties are rolled in dust our prayers full of corruption and sullied all over with this dust and mire and every gracious heart sees it when he draws nearest to the Holy One. Blackness and deformity is seen most before the greatest beauty So when we are nearest the Beauty of Holiness that is in God then our blackness and deformity is most seen by us 5. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him as eying his All-sufficiency to do all we come to ask of him and more too Eph. 3.20 To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think sayes the Apostle It were a great thing to have all we ask but much more to have all we think but to have above both our asking and thinking and to have exceeding abundantly above these what an All-sufficient God do we come before when we pray to him And truely they that do draw near to him will eye him thus that he can do every thing Job 42.2 that there 's nothing too hard for him Gen. 18.14 Jer. 32.17 27. That if a King on Earth can give a City to him that asked but a peny Oh! what cannot the Royal Majesty of Heaven give 6. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him as eying his Willingness to grant as well as his All-sufficiency and Power to yield to our desires Psal 145.19 He will fulfil the desires of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them The Leper here fell short he believed his power but doubted of his will Mat. 8.2 but Christ told him of his will as well as his power ver 3. And indeed this is an happy thing to see that there is a will in God to give as well as power for this gives God the glory of his Grace A Kings grace lies in his Will and so does Gods Quest 2. In what manner are we to draw near to God in Prayer Ans 1. In sincerity with a true heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart Truth is the Christian Souldiers girdle Eph. 6.14 and girds up the heart and keeps us up close to the duty that our affections do not dangle and hang loose in Prayer Psal 17.1 Hear my prayer O God that goeth not out of fained lips He would be sincere when he drew near to God in Prayer It 's no time to be false with God when we come to pray before him No Prince on Earth would endure a glozing false Suiter how much less will God endure a false heart when we come to sue to him Hypocrisie is loathsome at all times but most of all when we come to pray before the Lord. It 's the Worm in the gourd that eats up the duty it 's the Rottenness of the Core that consumes the fruit of all that we expect to come in by our Prayers it 's the Moth that corrupts the heart and spoils the Petition the Caterpiller and Palmer-worm and Canker-worm that devours all before it We must be true at all times much more when we fall upon our knees and pray before the Lord. 2. In purity with cleansed hands and purified hearts Jam. 4.8 draw near to God but how cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded So Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with clean water Sanctification in outward and inward man is required of those that draw near to God As Holiness becomes Gods house for ever Psal 93.5 so it does become the heart of man for ever especially in time of Prayer Also my prayer is pure sayes Job Job 16.17 A pure heart makes a pure prayer A pure vessel makes the liquor pure so does the vessel of the heart if pure make that we pour out before the Lord pure also 3. In humility Humble ones draw nearest unto God for he is ever nighest unto them Psa 34.18 Isa 57.15 he dwells with them This is that that we have Precept and Example for 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people c. shall humble themselves and pray c. Jam. 4.8 9. They that draw near to God must be afflicted and mourn How humble was holy Agur Prov. 30.2 how humble was the Publican in Prayer Luke 18.13 how humble was the Prodigal I am not worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15.21 An humble heart in Prayer is Gods delight and will act any thing he will never send these poor ones away empty 4. In zeal and fervency Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. So Jam. 5.16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much This Sacrifice must be offered up with fire of the Spirits kindling not of our own it must not be strange fire as Levit. 10.1 but holy fire 5. Importunately Luke 18.1 2 3 4 5. So Luke 11.5 6 7 8. the Parable of the unjust Judge and poor widow and the history of him that came to borrow three Loaves hold it out that we should draw near with holy importunity and impudency as the Greek word signifies resolving to have no nay So the woman of Canaan how importunate was she she would not give out though repulsed often Mat. 15. Some suiters will have no nay some beggars will take no deniall so here Ambassadors will not be gone till they have done what they came about Now Prayers are the Souls Ambassadors that are sent to Heaven to negotiate great things with God for us and they will do what they are sent about How impudent in an holy wise was Jacob that said I will not let thee go except thou bless me Gen. 32.26 6. Joyfully Praying with joy Phil. 1.4 David made many Prayers that were turned into joyful Praises and Thanksgivings ere he had done Trace the
workers and do evil with their lips though they move neither hand nor foot in the works that God calls them to labour in 1 Tim. 5.13 Idle persons are not idle in doing mischief but are busie in doing the Devils work but we must do Gods work and not the Devils except we would have the Devils wages rather then that blessed reward that God for Christs sake bestows upon us 3. We see that diligence in our particular Calling is that that God is well pleased with taking in the Cautions before spoken of Let Prayan usher in labour and labour with be very acceptable to God Abraham may go to his place and do what he hath to do when he hath been with God in Prayer It 's blessed work that we go about when Prayer hath begun the work the more we labour then the more smiles we have upon our labour from the God of heaven and when our Lord comes it will be happy for us to be found so doing yea if from obedience to God we are working faithfully we may with as much comfort die at that time as if we had been performing some dury in our general Calling Pray and work hear and work meditate in the Word and work do all so in the duties of our general Calling as that the duties of our particular Calling may be diligently attended to Calvin when full of bodily infirmities and pains would not intermit his labours because he would not be found idle when his Lord should come 4. We see what cause we have to be thankeful that God allows us and looks for it from us that we should labor in our particular Calling whereby we may get those things that are needful for the body for we cannot want these things for the outward man God is tender of our families comfort of our outward man would have us labour for that end and it is his mercy that he allows us to go about our ordinary imployment that we may have our necessary food and things convenient for the body Our bodies as they are part of Christs Purchase are dear to him and he would not have them want any thing that 's needful for them that we may with comfort serve him in our pilgrimage here and though they be but cottages of clay yet he would have them upholden though they be but the sheaths of our Souls as Daniel calls them Dan. 7.15 yet he would not have this sheath marred or mangled but kept in its beauty and comeliness and that it may be so he appoints us to labour that what may tend to the preservation of it may be brought in that the Soul and it while they are joyned together may glorifie God the more chearfully till death make a divorce betwixt them 5. We see that they that abide not in their Calling but step out of it are not safe but as Solomon sayes are in danger to be made a prey of Prov. 27.8 As a bird that wandreth from her nest so is the man that wandreth from his place A mans calling is his nest which while he keeps in he is safely protected in by God and his holy Angels but when he wanders from it Satan that subtile fowler will shoot at him and make a prey of him No safety like that that a man hath when he is in his Calling and no danger worse then that that he exposeth himself to when he steps out of it 6. We see that those Gentlemen that live without a Calling and minde nothing but their hawks and bounds and cards and dice and drunkenness and wanton dalliances are in an ill case and will be found so when the Lord comes God never intended that any mans recreation though lawful should be his occupation much less that his carnal Delights should be his Calling If they say They have enough and need not labour I say So had Adam in innocency being Lord of all the World yet then must labour Gen. 2.15 and after the fall though he had much land yet he was to labour more Gen. 3.19 Yea the second Adam Christ Jesus the Lord of heaven and earth would not live without a Calling Mark 6.3 and after he was in the Ministry how diligent was he Mat. 4.23 Acts 10.38 and are there any so great as he Let me say one word more It 's laid as a brand of Infamy upon those great ones to all generations that when others wrought hard they put not their necks to the work of their Lord Nehem. 3.5 Vse 2. for Terrour to idle drones that God calls to work 2 Thess 3.11 that work not at all or that slack their work how will they look him in the face who hath given to every man his work Mark 13.34 Vse 3. for Humiliation to those of the Saints that work too little in their particular Calling as some in London and elswhere that would go from place to place to hear Sermons and neglect their Callings I say as Christ said in another case The one ought to be done and the other should not be left undone Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To diligence in our particular callings Rom. 12.11 we shall be more with God if we work more 2. To be ashamed of our former sloth 3. To bear mens reproaches 4. To think sadly of that Mat. 25.30 5. To charge idle persons to work 2 Thess 3.11 Verse 33. And the Lord went his way after he had left communing with Abraham c. Doct. XXXII THat Believers in praying to God are very familiar with him and he with them When they pray and the Lord makes answer there is a sweet colloquy and communing betwixt them For opening of which let me shew 1. How Prayer may be said to be a communing with God and Gods answers a communing with us 2. What manner of communing it is 3. Why God will vouchsafe to be thus familiar with us and let us be so familiar with him 4. The Vses Q. 1. How does it appear that our Prayer is a communing with God and that his Answers are a communing with us Let me speak to the first first That our Prayer is a communing with God A. 1. In that when we pray we draw near to God they that commune together draw near first one to another So Abraham drew near to God in Prayer and so communed with God But of that I have fully spoken in the first Note 2. In that when we pray we come to a reconciled God for else we could not familiarly commune with him Can two walk together except they be agreed sayes the Prophet Amos 3.3 We could not be familiar with God nor he with us except we come to a reconciled God in Jesus Christ 3. In that when we pray we walk with God so Enoch Gen. 5.22 24. Prayer was one path that he walked with God in Now they that walk together do familiarly commune one with another so it is between God and us 4. In that when we pray we
at God but hid himself for ever if God had not sought him and found him out So it is with all Adams Sons they would shrowd themselves any where rather then come where God is Of all such men it is said They call not upon God Psal 14.4 it is from that which is supernatural that we draw near to him There is a Byass upon nature that carries us far from God till another Byass bends us strongly towards him 5. We see how precious Christ should be to us for he is that better hope whereby we draw near to God Heb. 7.19 there 's no coming to the Father but by him Joh. 14.6 but through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.18 and who then should be precious to us if not he 1 Pet. 2.7 He is the great Favourite of Heaven that brings us all into favour and brings us near God if ever we get near to him Favourites of Princes bring others into their Presence so does he bring us into the Presence of God and makes us and all our Prayers acceptable Eph. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.15 Oh what a price should we set upon him He should be the chiefest of ten thousand above all other beloveds Cant. 5.10 the Pearl of great price that we should sell all for Mat. 13.45 46. we should have none in heaven but him and none in the earth that we desire in comparison of him Ps 73.25 He is the richest Jewel in the world the fairest Flower in Gods garden the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God the Sun the bright and Morning Star the Day-spring from on high the Treasure of Heaven In a word He it is by whom we draw near to God and bring our suits before him to finde acceptance with him 6. We see what a precious grace Faith is 2 Pet. 1.1 not onely because we lay hold upon procious Christ by it for righteousness and life but because we draw near to God by it when we pray to him and therefore it is that faith is that that makes our prayers for us next to the Spirit which is the principal Efficient of them Rom. 8.26 The prayer of faith Jam. 5.15 and indeed that prayer is no prayer that hath not faith in it though never so well beset with compleat and neat flowers of goodly expressions these do not take with God it 's faith that carries all along sweetly in the duty that 's the sinews and strength the heart and life the cream and flower the choyce and best the marrow and fatness of the duty Oh how precious should we account of it then and especially because we draw near to God in prayer by it Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers They cannot draw near to God nor make any prayer to him to finde acceptance with him they may be near him with their lips but their hearts will be far from him they may compass him about but it will be with lies and deceit as God complains of old Hos 11.12 for it is by faith that we draw near to God Abraham drew near to pray and they that would do so must be heirs of his faith and walk in the steps of that faith that he put forth which is the father of us all Thou canst as well climb up to the Moon as go to God and make a prayer to him so as to be accepted without Christ without faith without Christ thou wantest the ladder and without faith thou wantest a foot to come to God by him No Unbeliever can make a prayer so as to be accepted Vse 3. for Humiliation that our prayers are so destitute of faith or at least we are of little faith as Christ speaks When the Sails of a Ship are full she goes on swiftly and if our Prayers were filled with faith how swiftly and sweetly would they bring in Rich Returns to us but a scant wind spoils the blessed market that we might make A little faith and a large prayer does not bring in that we look for it hinders our drawing near to God Vse 4 for Exhortation 1. To be thankfull to God that gives us admittance into his Presence and leave to draw near to him We would shew our selves thankefull for being admitted into an earthly Kings Presence and that we might have any near approach to him to put up any Petitions of concernment to him Oh how thankfull should we then be that the great God will vouchsafe to give us leave to come before him to put up as many Petitions as we will to him especially considering what we are and what we have been to him when time was Tit. 3.3 considering also what great things they are that we come to make suit for Pardon of sin Peace of Conscience Assurance of his love Heaven and Happiness which no Kings on earth can give we can never be thankfull enough to him for this Heaven and Earth should be full of our praises for this great favour 2. To love the Lord Jesus by whom we thus draw near to God Heb. 7.19 Eph. 2.18 We would for ever love that Favourite that brought us into the Kings Presence and presented our Petitions to him and got some great thing sealed and confirmed to us Oh what love then should Christ have from us that admits us into the Presence of God and presents our requests and mediates for us and sees all done that we desire of him Joh. 14.13 14. We can never love him enough As the Prophet said of Gods Infiniteness Isa 40.16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor all the beasts for a burnt-offering so we may say All the fragrant spices and sacrifices of our dearest hearts love are too little are not sufficient for him that brings us so near the blessed God And though we cannot come off with so much love as he deserves for this yet let us do what we can and give him our hearts Prov. 23.26 And as it is with those that love either men or women they love the very ground they tread upon so let it be with us let us love the ground he treads upon those places that he comes most to Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house saith David and the place where thine honour dwelleth so should we 3. To honour Believers that are so honoured of God as that they may draw near to him They that are frequently in the Presence-Chamber of Kings on earth as Favourites be are highly honoured among men Oh what honour then should we put upon Believers that draw near to the blessed God They are indeed the honourable ones and the excellent of the earth which we should set our delight upon Psa 16.2 3. They are they that the King of Heaven delighteth to honour and when an earthly King honoureth any all his Servants will honour such so should we honour those that God honours by admitting them to draw near to him We should think honourably of them speak
bold with him Isa 64.7 5. He makes account that such cast off fear as restrain prayer and are not bold with him Job 15.4 and Believers are loth to have that imputed to them for faith and fear go together Heb. 11.7 6. He alwayes makes us the more welcome the more bold we are with him when we pray to him Abraham lost nothing by taking upon him to speak unto the Lord and being further bold with him A bold friend findes hearty welcome from men much more from the Lord they that sue oftenest speed the best Secondly From our selves 1. We sue to a God who hath said that we shall not seek his face in vain Isa 45.19 and therefore may be bold with him and make further bold 2. We sue to him who hath given out that great word Isa 45.11 Ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands command me which none of us durst have thought of had not he spoken it 3. We sue to him that hath said Psal 81.10 that if we be so bold as to open our mouthes wide and enlarge our desires he will fill and satisfit them 4. We go to him who is the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 and therefore can supply us abundantly What cannot that God of all grace bring in to us All grace is more then Rich grace A man may be Rich and yet not have All but God is not onely Rich in grace but the God of all grace and therefore can make all grace to abound towards us 5. We sue to him who will never send us empty away who turns none away from his doors without relief His suiters shall never go sad away from him He sends the rich empty away that think they need nothing Luke 1.53 but filleth the hungry with good things 6. We go to him that hath said that Every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Mat. 7.8 and therefore we may be bold and further bold with him We may be bold to think that he will not be harder to us then he is to every one Thirdly From the nature of Believers boldness 1. It draws us nearer unto God and that God delighteth in we get near to the Throne of Grace 2. It makes a man go out of himself more and see what need he hath of supplies from Heaven and that 's a gracious frame of heart 3. It lets us see our own unworthiness Gen. 32.10 11. Luke 15.21 and that God takes pleasure in 4. It holds up our friendship with God and assureth us that we are his friends in that we make so bold with him Jam. 2.23 5. It is the very Suburbs and Gate of Heaven for they in Heaven can be holily bold with the Lord Dan. 4.17 6. It is a blessed fruit of Christs Ascension Heb. 4.14 16. Upon all which grounds Believers may be bold and further bold with him Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what a gracious God we sue to that we may be bold and further bold with in our requests that we put up to him He proclaimed his Name thus of old The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious Exod. 34.6 2. We see that Believers have great interest in him that may be so bold with him as to take upon them to speak again and again thus to him 3. We see that great is the friendship that is between God and Believing Souls Great hath been the friendship that hath been between some men but none like this between God and his believing ones 4. We see that to be bold with God and to be further bold with him in our requests that we put up to him is an argument that God is very near to us and we very near and dear to him 5. We see that surely we shall be near indeed to him in heaven when faith is turned into vision 6. We see that if we make so bold with him here in praying to him Oh what holy boldness shall we have with him when he clasps us in his Everlasting Arms and puts us into his Bosome to all Eternity 7. We see that though Believers are the modestest men that are yet they are the boldest men also for they can take upon them to speak to God and to be further bold with him 8. We see that no men nor Devils shall be able to dash them out of countenance for they can be bold with God himself 9. We see a reason of that in Ephes 6.16 That that makes us bold with God will make us victorious over the wicked one 10. We see how bold we should be in a good cause and for a good conscience as Peter and John Acts 4. Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers they cannot be bold this way though they make too bold with him by sin Vse 3. for Humiliation to those that are not so bold with him as they may Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be holily bold 2. Believe 3. Fear him 4. Be friends to him 5. Apply Christs Ascension 6. Walk with him 7. Love Christ Verse 31. Peradventure there shall twenty be found there Doct. XXIV THat Believers in making suit to the Lord improve Gods bounty and mercy all that ever they can in behalf of others that they sue for Abraham found God merciful to Sodom that if there had been fifty Righteous within the City he would have spared the whole place for their sakes then afterwards if there had been five and forty then if there had been forty then if there had been thirty and had a grant so far and now having obtained so much mercy he improves it yet further to twenty Peradventure there shall twenty be found there he will try yet further what the Lord will do Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers themselves 3. From their Prayers First From the Lord. 1. He is Rich in mercy Eph. 2.4 Rom. 10.12 and that Riches of his mercy is inexhaustible we cannot empty the treasure of it nor draw the fountain of it dry it is a Spring that is alwayes full and therefore we may improve it all that ever we can A rich Myne may be digged into and a rich Treasure may be made use of and a full Fountain drawn So here 2. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think Eph. 3.20 and therefore we may improve it to the utmost and ask high of him Our desires are scant our thoughts are narrow to that large bounty and mercy that he can impart to us 3. He is such a full one that the whole earth is full of his mercy Psal 119.64 and that that fills the whole earth we may well improve for those that we pray for We may have enough of that that the whole earth is full of 4. His thoughts and wayes of mercy are not like our thoughts and wayes but as the heavens are higher then the earth so are
so it may well be the joy and rejoiceing of our hearts 3. If God vouchsafe to commune with us and let us commune with him then we begin Heaven upon Earth and have a taste of Heaven before we come there to commune with God is Heaven upon Earth they live in Heaven that have such familiarity with God though they be on Earth And as that gracious man said when he was to dye I shall change my place but not my company so it may be said of others that have had much fellowship with the Lord when they dye they change their place but not their company to go from one heaven to another from heaven upon earth in their communing with God here to Heaven in another World to be with him in glory forever And is not this sweetest comfort to the Saints that whereas the greatest number of men live in Hell upon Earth having fellowship with Devils Believers by being much with God are in a corner of Heaven upon Earth 4. It is great comfort to Believers that the time is hasting when as they have had sweet communings with the Lord here so they shall enjoy everlasting communion with him in glory It is but a little while and the time will be when we shall be ever with the Lord when a few dayes are come we shall have other manner of communings with him and he with us then now we have As Dr. Taylour sometimes said with rejoicing within two stiles and I shall be at my Fathers house so after a little time we shall go to God where we shall be better acquainted with him and be more familiar with him that though our communings together be very sweet here yet ere long we shall have sweeter fellowship one with another here we have some smiles and kisses and such communings as put us in Heaven but within a little time we shall have more after a few wearisome agitations and conflicts with enemies and troubles we shall rest in his armes and be alwayes in his presence and lye next his heart and what communings we shall then have together we shall then know when we come to the happy enjoyment of our God then all tears shall be wiped from our eyes all sorrows removed from our hearts all burthens taken from our shoulders we shall sigh no more nor weep no more nor feel pain any more nor sin any more no Devils shall tempt us no men ensnare us no bad company weary discontent afflict us no persecuters hunt us entangle us entrap us go about to ruine us but we shall be with God and he with us commune of high things and what we could not know in our child-hood we shall have revealed to us when we become men 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. To end in a word or two more after we have been tossed with tempest a little while we shall come to the Haven after we have been in the battel we shall gain the victory after we have wrestled we shall win and wear the Crown and after a few embraces in the arms of God here in our fellowship that we have with him in this world we shall be clasped in his everlasting arms and be kissed and embraced by him to all Eternity Quest But how shall we come to know that this happy condition shall be ours Answ 1. By our Holiness Matth. 5.8 1 John 3.2 3. Holy here Happy hereafter Without Holiness we shall never see God Hebr. 12.14 but if we be holy in body and spirit we shall see him with comfort and have everlasting fellowship with him Holiness is the Beauty of Heaven for they are all holy there and none that are defiled come into the holy place Psal 24.3 4. No Leper was to come into the holy Camp of old even Miriam her self till she was healed must be shut out Numb 12.14 how much more then must all defiled leprous Souls be shut out of Heaven Look therefore to our Hollness 2. By our Vprightness of heart Psal 15.1 2. Hypocrites shall be cast out and rejected Mat. 7.23 they cannot escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 23.33 they heap up wrath Job 36.13 But they that are upright as they have good things in possession here so they shall be happy in another world as they walk surely here Prov. 10.9 so they shall be sure of a blessed state in glory 3. By our Obedience Matth. 7.21 Heb. 5.9 Disobedience brings destruction with it 2 Thess 1.8 9. but they that obey from the heart out of faith shall be saved Obedient Children inherit their Fathers Estate so shall we if we be obedient possess our Fathers Estate in glory 4. By our Victory over our sins and other Enemies Revel 3.21 Conquerours win the Crown and wear it They that over came in the Olympick Games got the Prize and had the Crown and they obtained but a corruptible Crown but ours will be an incorruptible one 1 Cor. 9.25 5. By our Patience in well-doing Rom. 2.7 Heb. 10.36 37. Constancy and Patience is ever honoured with the Crown Rev. 2.10 they that hold out without fainting in Running or Wrestling had the glory of the Reward that they strove for so shall we if we hold out to the end Matth. 24.13 Look to this therefore that we quit our selves like men and hold out to the last 6. By our love to God Jam. 1.12 if eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entred into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him in Gospel promises here 1 Cor. 2.9 then surely no eye ever saw nor ear ever heard neither ever came it into the heart of man to conceive the things that he hath prepared for them that love him in another World in glory If we have so much in the conduit-pipe and cistern what shall we have when we are at the spring and well-head If we enjoy so much in the wilderness what shall we have in Heavenly Canaan If the first fruits be such what will the full harvest be If the gleaning grapes be such what will the whole vintage be Surely it will be with shouting and greatest joy and consolation Look we therefore to our love to God and let that fire never go out but like the fire of the Altar to burn continually let that light shine alwayes let that flood ever flow till it fall into the Sea of Eternity where we shall according to our finite nature love him enough We use to say Love me little and love me long but there we shall love him much and love him long to all Eternity and be like Solomon's friend that loves at all times and when all time is at an end FINIS Reader The Authors distance from the Press and difficulty of the Copy having occasioned the following Errata's thou art therefore destired thus to Correct them viz. PAge 7. line 11. for Isa 1.15 reade Ezek. 8.18 p. 13. l. 27. for act r. get p. 44. l. 18. for running r ruining p. 89. l. 10. for souls r. sorts p. 112. l. 29. for Justly r. Fully p. 132. l. 16. for day r. may p. 136. l. 11. for something r. sometimes p. 148. l. 17. for that r. the. p 157. l. 3. for Luke r. Mark p. 167. l. 3. r. we must do it p. 172. l. 11. r. not more bold then welcome to p. 212. l. 19. r. may they not p. 218. l. 14. for it r. them p. 302. l. 2. r. conscientiously p. 309. l. 3. r. Euchites p. 328. l. 16. r. Ezra
it 5. We shall finde our drawing near to God in this Duty a Pledge of our everlasting communion with him in another world Communion with God is Heaven begun and it will never cease till it fall into Eternity as the Rivers do into the Sea It is true our Communion with God is little here for what 's a little River to the Sea we are but now and then and but sometimes and but a little serious with him some acquaintance we have but not much but there is a time a coming when we shall ever be with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 when we shall see his face Rev. 22.4 and be with him where he is Joh. 14.3 17.24 and be like to him and see him as he is And this everlasting happy Communion follows upon our drawing near to God here 6. We shall finde that when we draw nearest unto God we have most his Image upon us for so it is in Glory 1 Joh. 3.2 We shall be like unto him for we shall see him as he is and so it is in Grace 2 Cor. 3.18 Look as Moses by being with God brought some of Heavens beauty down with him not onely in his face but also in his heart some of the bowels of God toward a sinning people Exod. 32.31 32. so it is with those that draw near to God in Prayer the Image of God looks fresh upon them it is to be seen who they have been with their Fathers face is so conspicuously beheld in them 3. From the Duty it self 1. It is that that Christ Jesus often exercised himself in especially upon weighty occasions yea sometimes spent the whole night in Prayer to God Luke 6.12 and we need not be ashamed to follow him Souldiers follow their Leader Sheep the Shepherds so here Joh. 10.27 They follow me 2. It is that whereby we become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 Hos 12.3 4. and who would not prevail with God though he get an halting by it 3. It is that that makes us prevail with men Gen. 32.28 If we can but be Princes with God men shall never be too hard for us Impotency shall not overcome where Omnipotency yields 4. It is that duty that gains great things for us What is it that may not be obtained by Prayer of Faith it's a Key that opens all doors the door of Heaven Jam. 3.17 18. the doors of the Sea Exod. 14. Neh. 9. the doors of the barren womb 1 Sam. 1. What Treasures are there that Prayer cannot come at fetch away and bring in its hand to us 5. It is that that God delights in Cant. 2.14 Prov. 15.8 it is a kinde of harmony and musick and melody in his ears Other fathers love to see their children playing but our Father loves to see his children praying 6. It is that that we begin our spiritual life with Acts 9. and must not cease with us till we come to glory 7. It is that that will issue in praises in another world our Requests now will be Songs then Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what honour God puts upon Believers when they pray to him They draw near to him It is great honour to draw near to a Princes Throne to put up a Petition now and then and to stand or kneel in his Presence Oh what honour then is it to araw near to God and to come to his Throne to present our Supplications before Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords all are not so dignified it is the priviledge of Believers onely they are they that have this Kings ear and heart they may come without check or controll it 's their honour to be in his Presence there 's no Law to inhibite them from coming as was sometimes in the great Persian Monarchs Kingdome Esth 4.11 they may come when they will and as often as they will this King hath an ear open and an hand ready to receive their Petitions that they present to him 1 Joh. 5.14 15. When they come most frequently they are welcome most cordially when they draw near as Abraham here they have the honour to kiss the Kings Hand and to come at any time into the Presence-Chamber without reproof Such honour have all his Saints and so it is with every one that this King delighteth to honour 2. We see that Believers are Favourites and Friends of God that they draw near to God Abraham is thrice in Scripture called the Friend of God 2 Chron. 20.7 Isa 41.8 Jam. 2.23 and when any thing is often spoken of God would have us minde that The truth is none are such friends of God as Believers nay none are friends but they To them this King holds out the golden Scepter of his Grace There are some that are said to be near the King Jer. 52.25 and of Zabud that he was King Solomons friend 1 Kings 4.5 Oh but how near are Believers to God what friends are they to him that may come with their Petitions to him at any time without repulse No Favourites of Princes have more liberty then they have to come into the Presence of the greatest Majesty of Heaven Julius and Augustus had their Favourites and so had Tiberius his Sejanus that he did call Friend and would write to him pro amicitia out of the friendship that he bore to him but none like Believers for friendship and favour with God that can come with such boldness to his Throne of Grace and draw near when they pray to him 3. We see that God humbleth himself above all other Princes in the world that will vouchsafe to admit such as we be into his Presence and to come so near him It 's great humility in the great God to behold things that are done in heaven to have respect to the service that Angels bring before him but for him to behold things done on earth to look at our services and prayers to regard our petitions and to let us have any room in his heart and our requests to have any admittance to his Throne Oh! who is like to the Lord that dwelleth on high that thus humbleth himself for our sakes Ps 113.5 6. Princes will sometimes stoop toward their Subjects as David and others have done but none like God Some Princes will scarce be seen once in a year of their Subjects they take such State upon them but our God and King does not so we may draw near to him when we pray to him 4. We see that by nature we are far from God for it is of faith that we draw near to him by nature we care not for praying to him for it is by grace that we come with our suits and supplications to him we may thank grace that ever we get near him Nature puts us far from God as East and West are in their distances one from another as soon may Arctick and Antarctick Poles meet as God and Nature meet together Adam when fallen would never have come
went on in a way of obstinacy and hardned his heart against all Gods Words and Rods and it was his ruine Obstinacy is alwayes a forerunner of destruction A callous brawny heart speeds a man to perdition it lets in like an hole in a Bank a sea of Misery and drowns all before it Thus much for the quality of the sins that bring destruction let me now shew the kind of them Secondly When sins for the kinde of them are like Sodoms sins And what were they Ans 1. Pride Ezek. 16.49 in Apparel in looks in gate in carriage and behaviour in gesture in building and any other way expressed this is a sin that brings destruction with it Prov. 16.18 18.12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty the highest Towers come soonest down the highest Mountains are soonest shaken and so it is with the highest Spirits Isa 2 12-17 3 16-24 2. Excess in eating and drinking Ezek. 16.49 expressed in the phrase of Fulness of bread Our Saviour expresseth this sin of theirs Luk. 17.28 They did eat they drank that is to excess they were taken up with these things delighting in satisfying their sensual appetites and pleasing their palates and filling their bellies this was their trade that they were busied about and this fulness of theirs fitted them for destructeon and fatted them for the slaughter A belly full of meat and an head full of drink as it fills the heart full of sorrow so it brings destruction with it Phil. 3.19 Their end is destruction whose god is their belly 3. Fornication Jude ver 7. They gave themselves over to fornication which comprehends in it Adultery also Filthiness in both kindes and this was a fruit of their fulness of bread They that are full of meat and drink will be full of lust A full barrel will have a vent and a full belly will have a vent to filthy concupiscence and uncleanness A full Chest is soonest rifled and a full House soonest robbed and spoiled so when men are full of Creature-comforts they are soonest made a prey of by vile lusts that drown them in perdition and destruction 4. Vnnatural Vncleanness Strange flesh as it is called Jude ver 7. when men with men commit filthiness and women with women as the Apostle expresseth it Rom. 1.26 27. and this makes men ripe for ruine Strange lusts bring strange punishment strange fire kindled upon earth brings strange fire from heaven Fire naturally ascends but the fire that destroyed the Sodomites descended Gen. 19.24 the sin was strange and the destruction strange God proportions the punishment to the sin payes men in their own coin they have fire for fire and not onely so but strange fire for strange fiery lusts 5. Abundance of Idleness Ezek. 16.49 that addes fewel to the fire of lust Idleness is ever the incendiary of filthiness and where there is abundance of it there must needs be a great fire of it kindled which will burn to destruction it is as coals to burning coals and as wood to the fire that kindle the wilde-fire of lust that burns to hell fire it is like oyl to the flame of uncleanness which feeds it till it bring men to destruction Quaeritur Aegistus quare sit luxuriosus in promptu causa est desidiosus erat that man that is idle will be luxurious it breeds and feeds the fire of all filphy lusts which are a fire that burneth to destruction 6. Neglect of the poor and needy Ezek. 16.49 this is a destroying sin for which God took the Sodomites away as he saw good They that made so much of themselves and did so indulge their own sensual desires they minded not at all the poor amongst them but were hard-hearted and cruel to them and this is a sin that brings ruine with it 7. Conversing in and about worldly matters Luke 17.28 They bought they sold they planted they builded these were the things they were wholly imployed in and taken up with They minded earthly things and nothing else and their end is destruction that minde earthly things Phil. 3.19 These were the great things in their eye and heart and that brought ruine upon them and will destroy all those that set their mindes and hearts upon them Earth is the heaviest of the Elements and earthly-mindedness that that brings heavy destruction with it Quest 2. How will God destroy the wicked Ans 1. Speedily Psal 37.2 They shall soon be cut down as the grass They shall not live out half their dayes some of them Psal 55.23 God will make speedy dispatch with them Some die in youth whose life hath been among the unclean Job 36.13 14. There 's a flying Roll the Curse that comes speedily and is upon the wing and hastes the destruction of wicked men Zech. 5.1 2. As birds fly swiftly so they bring swift destruction upon themselves 2 Pet. 2.1 2. Suddenly and unexpectedly 1 Thess 5.2 When they shall say Peace and safety then sudden destruction comes See Prov. 29.1 24.21 22. How suddenly was the Host of the Assyrians cut off 2 Kin. 19.35 How suddenly was Sennacherib himself destroyed 2 Kin. 19.37 How suddenly was Haman destroyed when he least expected it his destruction came upon him on a sudden a storm ariseth on a sudden a Thunder-shower falls so here Bad News is brought suddenly when men think not of it so is destruction to the workers of iniquity 3. Dreadfully How dreadfully were the Sodomites destroyed Gen. 19.24 25. Jude ver 7. and they now suffer the vengeance of eternal fire How dreadfully was the old World The world of the ungodly destroyed by the universal Deluge Gen. 7.22 23. Sometimes there falls such a dreadful Rain as if Heaven and Earth would come together sometimes there breaks out such fearful flashes of Lightning and such dreadfull Thunder-claps are heard as are amazing to us So is the destruction of the wicked the storm falls dreadfully as well as suddenly upon them 4. Ignominiously So Haman was ignominiously destroyed and his ten Sons they were all hanged Esth 7.10 9.14 So Achitophel 2 Sam. 17.23 he hanged himself so Judas hanged himself burst in sunder and all his bowels gushed out Mat. 27.5 Acts 1.18 So Herod was eaten up of worms Acts 12.23 Thus Arrius that wicked Heretick that obstinately denied the Deity of the Son of God and far more himself died an ignominious death voiding out his bowels with his excrements See also 2 Chron. 21.18 19. 5. Everlastingly 2 Thess 1.9 Who shall be destroyed with everlasting destruction and that 's a pitiful destruction if it were but a temporal destruction it were the less matter but to be destroyed for ever who is able to bear that Jude ver 7. that 's the worst thing that can befall them that must undergo that destruction See Obad. ver 10. To have the life taken away is afflictive for a man will give all he hath for that Job 2.4 but what is this to
146.8 and will do very much for their sakes even for a sinning people and that 's a ground sufficient for godly ones to pray for them 5. He is kinde to the unthankeful and to the evil Luke 6.35 much more if there be Righteous ones amongst them and therefore have ground to pray for them 6. He is willing to hear the prayers put up to him in faith Psal 65.2 Mat. 21.22 as he was to hear Abraham in behalf of Sodom But of that more hereafter if the Lord will Secondly From the Righteous ones themselves 1. Their presence is delightful to him and may prevail much for those they live among Gen. 19.22 2. Their prayers are not lost that are put up for them they are accepted though they prevail not for such a sinning people 3. Their grief for the sins of such is taken notice of as Lots was for filthy Sodom 2 Pet. 2.7 8. 4. Their tears that they shed are bottled up Psal 56.8 and booked 5. Their sighs and cries are observed Ezek. 9.4 6. Their pains they take with them to make them better is considered of as Lots among the Sodomites Gen. 19.7 8. Now all these considered of what wonder is it that they plead with God that for the sake of such God would not destroy but spare a wicked place where such are as are in such esteem with God Thirdly From the Petitioners themselves 1. They are friends to God 2 Chron. 20.7 Isa 41.8 Jam. 2.23 and what or whom may not they prevail for 2. They are chosen ones Neh. 9.7 so was Abraham and God cannot deny the suits of his chosen ones 3. Their hearts are faithful to God Neh. 9.8 and such may prevail much for others their Prayers shall not be lost but be like the bowe of Jonathan that turned not back and the sword of Saul that returned not empty 4. They are in Covenant with God Neh. 9.8 and such cannot be denied he cannot say them Nay in any thing they sue for 5. They are obedient to God in difficult commands Heb. 11.8 17. and what may not such prevail for 6. They are men weaned from the world and live and converse much in another world Heb. 11.9 10. Such a man was Abraham and they that are such may get any thing they ask whoever they be that they make suit for All which being considered no wonder that they do so desire that God would not destroy but spare a wicked place especially for those good that peradventure may be found therein Vse 1. for Information 1. We see that the most excellent of Saints bear great good will to the worst of sinners Abraham that prime Believer wisheth well to wicked Sodom that it might not be destroyed and so dâ—â—â—â—w many a precious Saint pray for those that lin worse then ever Sodom did For sins committed under the Gospel exceed Sodoms wickedness they love those that hate them and out of love pray for them Such will not be brought to think that they love them yet they are many times got into a corner to pray for them even when they are tearing them with their tongues and speaking and doing all the evil they can against them For my love sayes David they are mine enemies but I give my self to prayer Psal 109.4 5. Godly ones are full of love even to their adversaries and wish well to them that wish no good but evil to them 2. We see how wickedly they do that so ill requite the Saints that wish them well that they are the men that are had in greatest abomination with them Prov. 29.27 Publicans will love those that love them Mat. 5.46 these therefore are worse then they who hate them that love them and persecute such as pray for them Deformed persons hate the greatest beauty so do these hate those that shew forth the greatest beauty of love to them in praying for them If Abraham had been in Sodom as Lot was they would have no more regarded him then Lot was regarded by them Such requital the best of Saints must meet with and look for from an evil world 3. We see what love there is in heaven if there be so much on earth Oh! how do the Saints love one another there if while on earth they love their enemies what inexpressible and inconceiveable love do they shew to their friends in heaven Love that is the bond of perfection will tye perfection to it self for perfect will our love to Saints and Angels be Here are sparks but there our love will be on a flaming fire here are little points but there our love will be in the full Circumference of it here are atomes and motes of it but there it will be in the fulness of it here there are but drops but there will be a Sea of it 4. We see what love there is in God himself that is Love it self 1 Joh. 4.8 He is the Everlasting Spring all that is in the Creature flows from him and this love he hath shewn to us when we were enemies to him Col. 1.21 Rom. 5.10 Ours is little but his is much Abraham may wish well to Sodom and a few other Cities more but Gods love is infinite he loves the whole world of his Elect Joh. 3.16 It 's great and large it 's a Sun a Sea and the Sun is not so full of light nor the Sea of water as he is of Love This Spring never dries this Light ever shines this Sun never sets this Sea never fails this Fire never goes out but warms our hearts and will warm them to all Eternity 5. We see how previous righteous ones be in the Lords sight that Believers dare for their sakes desire of God to spare the worst of sinners They are of great account and reckoning with him His Peculiar Treasure Psal 135.4 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 A special people to him Deut. 7.6 for whose sake Believers are so bold with God as to desire that the worst of men may not be taken away in their sins Surely they are such as he takes great delight and pleasure in they are his choice ones more precious then the gold of Havilah then the golden wedge of Ophir 6. We see what longings we should have to be for ever with him who loves his Righteous ones so as that he will spare the wicked for their sakes for so Abraham makes account in that he does so pray for them Wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty Righteous that are therein Oh how desireable should His Presence be that so tenderly loves his own that he will he kinde to the wicked for their sakes who would not long to be with him who is Love it self to die in the arms and bosom of the God of Love Vse 2. for Terrour to those that hate the Righteous that are in such high esteem with God they do procure their own ruine the sooner by it for for their sakes they are spared and not destroyed and
sue for He is abundant in goodness Exod. 34.6 and this way shews it It is observed of Solomon that he gave the Queen of Sheba all that she asked besides what he gave her of his royal bounty 1 Kings 10.13 and he honoured himself in so doing How then does God honour himself in giving us all our desire and what we ask there 's no Royal bounty like his he grants like a King and like Himself Other Kings have their Royal Grants but none such as his are Secondly From his Servants 1. They expect his hearing of their Prayers and a grant of their desires from him and wait patiently upon him and this gets a grant Psal 40.1 I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry There 's nothing lost by patient waiting at the Courts of Kings the desires of such are granted at last much less is any thing lost by waiting upon the Lord he will come with a full hand at last and we shall have a full grant of what we sue for The Husbandman waits for the precious fruits of the earth and at length hath them so shall we by waiting have the precious blessings of Heaven brought in to us 2. They believe that they shall be heard and a Royal Grant bestowed upon them and this prevails Mat. 21.22 Faith is a Key that opens all Locks though Mercies should be locked up from us yet this Key will make way for the bringing them forth to us Knock and it shall be opened to you Mat. 7.7 The door of Mercy may be fast barred and locked but a knock by Faith will open it to us and open all the Treasures of his bounty for us that we may share in them 3. They are unwearied in their desires and that gets a grant The woman of Canaan would not be discouraged nor faint at so many denials and repuâ—ses but went on in an unwearied course of suing and pleading and this got a grant of what she asked and what she would Mat 15.28 They that are not weary in their desires may have what they will God cannot tell how to deny such If we be not weary of asking God will not be weary of giving and granting This crowns our Desires and brings in all to us We want not blessings so long as we want not knees to bow to him 4. They wrestle for a grant of their desires and so prevail and become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 and what that wrestling was we see Hos 12.3 4. They that wrestled in the Olympick Games if they got the Victory were crowned much more shall they be crowned with a Royal Grant from Heaven that wrestle and prevail with God 5. They ask according to his will 1 Joh. 5.14 15. and that prevails Our Requests when bounded within the compass of Gods will obtain every thing at Gods hand Esthers Petitions were bounded within the compass of the Kings will If it please the King and If I have found favour in the sight of the King grant me this and that Esth 5.8 7.3 and whatever she thus asked she had a grant of it So when we pray and frame all our Petitions according to his will he hears and grants all that we thus sue unto him for 6. They ask earnestly and fervently and that prevails Jam. 5.16 How earnest and fervent was Elias and what an answer had he from Heaven 1 Kings 18.36 37 38. Fervent Prayer like fire ascends to Heaven and gets a grant there of all we ask and of all that is the desire of our hearts we need never doubt of the speeding of our Prayers if offered up with this fire This Incense as it is Psal 141.2 will ascend to God and to his Throne and finde acceptance Thirdly From the Duty of Prayer 1. It is a Sacrifice Heb. 13.15 1 Pet. 2.5 and the Sacrifices that were offered up under the Leviticall Law were accepted and were of asweet smelling savour unto God and so is this of Prayer by Jesus Christ His Incense perfumes our Prayers Rev. 8.3 2. It is the lifting up of the Soul Psal 25.1 and this holds out desire and delight and earnest expectation and hope of having what is sued for as Deut. 24.15 the poor man is said to lift up his soul to his hire and wages which is translated He sets his heart upon it so in Prayer we lift up our soul to God to have those things we ask granted to us and such a lifting up of the soul to God gets a grant from him 3. It is compared to the Incense Psal 141.2 Let my prayer come before thee as the Incense now that was of a sweet savour and ascended upward So our Prayers are sweet to God and ascend unto his Throne are accepted and get a grant 4. It is compared to the Mincah or Offering that was boiled in the Frying-pan Psal 141.2 which was boiled in oyle and offered in the evening Our Prayers being boiled in the oyle of the Spirit and we praying in the holy Ghost Jude ver 20. these Prayers are accepted of God and get a grant of all we ask through Jesus Christ Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what a broad difference there is between our God and the Idols that others pray unto Our God is a God hearing Prayer but Idols cannot hear Baal's worshippers 1 Kings 18.26 called from morning to noon saying O Baal hear us but there was no voice nor any that answered So Isa 16.12 Moab shall go to his sanctuary to pray but shall not prevail Idols have ears but they hear not Ps 115.6 but our God that we pray to hath an hearing ear and grants us all that we sue unto him for never any had cause to say that he turns a deaf ear to them when they pray aright his ears have alwayes been open to their Prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 2. We see what great encouragement we have to come to him Psal 65.2 we may go when we will and be sure to speed we may pray as often as we will and have our desires granted he will not turn away from us but give us what we come for Some Princes will chide away those that sue to them as Pharaoh did the oppressed Israelites Exod. 5.17 18. but our God that we sue unto never discourageth them that make suit and supplication to him but gives them all the encouragement that may be is found of them when they seek him when they search for him with all their hearts Jer. 29.13 they shall never go away empty from his doors but go loaden with their laps full with their hearts full and all their defires like the widows vessels 2 Kings 4.6 shall be filled full we shall never say we have gone to God but we have got something there 's a rich Treasury in Heaven and we have carried away not a little from it 3. We see what cause we have to bless the Lord for his bounty to us in granting our
Requests that we put up to him There 's no friend that is kinde to us in granting our desires but we judge worthy of thanks Oh how thankeful should we then be to God that hears and grants what we seek unto him for Psal 66.20 It is the Lords Tribute that he looks for and if we would not grudge to pay the King his Tribute being a commanded duty Rom. 13.7 then we should chearfully come off with the Lords Tribute and pay it in holy Praises to him The truth is we do but bungle at it here and do it not workman-like but we shall one day do it better when we are joyned in this heavenly melody with that innumerable company of Angels and blessed Souls in glory But in the mean time we must be doing something this way for all his bounties to us and if not so well as we would yet we are to do it as well as we can and long for the time when we shall perform it better 4. We see that though we have but a few friends on earth yet we have One in Heaven that will not fail us There is a friend Solomon sayes that sticketh closer then a brother Prov. 18.24 and such an one is a rare jewel and hardly to be found but though he be not to be found on Earth yet God is such a friend and will hear and grant what we sue unto him for 5. We see the truth of that in Psal 73.28 It is good for me to draw near to God it must needs be so considering what a God he is that we go unto that hears our Prayers grants us all that we ask of him We make account that it 's good to go to a Father or Friend to make our wants known that we may have a supply Oh how good is it then to go to such a Father and Friend as God is 6. We see what cause we have to delight in the Lord that we may have the desires of our hearts granted to us Seeing he is so willing to grant let us take the way that he prescribes for this and that is by delighting in him Psal 37.4 He that delights in his friend may have any thing of him how much more may they that delight themselves in the Almighty 7. We see that we can never come off with love enough to him who is a God hearing prayer granting our requests to us We would think that man worthy of our love that granted our desires in asking but Oh what love should he have that gives us all that we desire of him Our love is but a little Rivulet and Stream but he deserves a full Sea our love is but a little spark but he deserves that it flame forth our love is but a drop but he deserves that it should be a full flowing Fountain that 's never dry 8. We see how unwearied we should be in duty and obedience to him that thus hears and grants How loyal are Subjects to Royal Princes when they come off bountifully to them How dutiful and obedient are Servants to their liberal Masters they are ready at hand to ride run go do any thing for them Oh how loyal should we then be to such a bountiful King and how dutiful to such a liberal Master as God is that gives us what we ask of him 9. We see how we may be followers of God by bearing the cries of poor afflicted ones and granting their desires so does God to us and so should we to them Ephes 5.1 There are those that turn away from the cry of the poor but they shall cry and not be heard But seeing God hears us if we would follow him we must hearken and come off liberally to them Luke 6.38 10. We see that none of our Prayers shall be lost that we put up to him none of them shall miscarry We may go to men with our Suits and be put off and turned away and our Requests may be slighted and made nothing of but God dealeth not so with us when we come before him in Prayer he hears and grants and gives to all liberally and upbraideth not Jam. 1.5 Some Princes have torn in pieces what their Petitioners have brought before them as the Emperour Valens did to one of his noble Captains that had done him great Service as Theodoret relates of him Lib. 5. Hist but our God never does so to his Suppliants but they have a comfortable answer and a liberal grant they go to a Throne of Grace and finde grace to help in time of need their Prayers come loaden with blessings and they return home bringing their sheaves with them Naomi complained that she went out full but returned empty but we go out empty to him and return full Vse 2. for Terrour to those that God will not hear they are none of his they regard iniquity in their heart Psal 66.18 they are sinners that delight in sinful wayes Joh. 9.31 they are loathsome to him blacker then Ravens in his sight for he hears them when they cry to him Vse 3. for Humiliation to the people of God that pray much and get no grant surely there is some great cause either they are not earnest enough cry not loud enough or else slack their pace and are not constant enough or have given God cause to be angry with their prayers Psal 80.4 or have not been so sincere as they ought or have had unfixed hearts and been full of wandring thoughts that have marred the duty or something or other hath stepped between them and mercy and it is good for such to search what is the cause and remove it that God may not go out of his wonted way but may shew himself a God hearing prayer Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour God and to give him this noble Title of his when we pray to him and say He is a God hearing prayer He delights to hear himself so spoken of and we that finde the comfort of it should delight to mention it to his praise We honour an earthly King with his Titles how much more then should we do it to this glorious King 2. To bring our Petitions to him he will not throw them away nor tear them in pieces nor cast them at his feet in disdain but will have them in high esteem hang them upon the file in Heaven remember them give a grant to them We may be encouraged to come to him who is a God hearing prayer 3. To be humble for who are we that he should hear our Prayers we deserve that when we cry and shout he should not hear us and that he should cover himself with a cloud that our Prayers should not pass thorow It is nothing in us that moves him to hear and grant it is all of his Free-grace 4. To hear those that sue to us and give them that that they stand in need of if it be in the power of our hand to do it Why should we
to him that can give us what we ask of him and as often as we come with new suits to him He is a rich Prince and so full of royalty that he will give us our asking though we desire more then formerly Kings know how to rise in their grants as suppliants do in their suits so here 1 Pet. 3.12 2. We see what great encouragements we have to renew our suits and to ask more for God is willing to renew his grants as we do our suits and if we would have something more then we desired at first he is very willing to come off to us and to give us more Would any Prince on earth so do his Court would be full of suiters they would press in for audience and fill his doors and be much encouraged to come Oh how full of suiters should the Court of Heaven then be and what encouragement should they take to ask more and to come with new suits that have such a God to go to that will give more according as we ask and renew grants as we do our suits Psal 65.2 Jer. 33.3 3. We see how truly he is styled A God hearing prayer Psal 65.2 that does thus renew grants to his humble suppliants desires his ears are alwayes open to their desires Princes cannot alwayes attend the suits of their Subjects they have somewhat else to do but God though he be working other wayes creating work and providential work yet he hath an hearing ear to all our supplications and is not wearied out with our suits though renewed nor is his bounty spent though we ask more of him 4. We see what new songs of praise we should present him with for such renewed grants given in to us Renewed Mercies call for renewed thanksgivings and when God is willing to come off with more to us we should think it our duty to give more praise They that get much from a bountiful giver are abundant in thanks so should we to God Psal 71.14 15. the Angels and blessed Souls in glory that have received most are fullest of praises Isa 6.3 Rev. 4.8 5. We see what renewed obedience we should chearfully perform to him that renews his grants according to our suits New obedience as it is most acceptable so it is most suitable to come off with for new grants and new favours as it is that that God requires and prefers above sacrifice 1 Sam. 15.22 Jer. 7.22 23. so it is that that is meet to be given to the Lord. New bounties from men call for new service so do God's much more call for new obedience 6. We see what renewed love we should shew forth to him Princes binde their Subjects love to them by being bountiful to them in renewing their grants Oh what love then should we express to him that renews his grants and gives in more of his Royal bounty all is too little that we can do this way but if it were as full as the Sea is of water and the Sun of light and the Stars of influences we should freely give it all to him Mat. 22.37 Love as it makes us like to God who is Love it self 1 Joh. 4.8 so it is our duty to grow up in it more and more What do they in Heaven but praise and love and we should begin that here that is in its perfection there Vse 2. for Terrour to those that ask not and know not how to renew their Requests it is no wonder if these get nothing for how should they when they will not ask Jam. 4.2 Vse 3. for Humiliation to those of the Saints that are too slack in renewing their suits and asking more at the Lords hands they deprive themselves of many a fair blessing and dam up the flowings of their own praises God might have more glory from them and they more sweets from him could they ask more and renew their suits Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be frequent in renewing our suits and asking still more and more as Abraham here did God is very ready to give more and to renew grants according as we make Requests to him Joh. 16.24 the more we ask in Christs Name the more we shall be sure to receive we may be straitned in asking but he cannot will not in giving 2. To sing new songs for all the renewed grants that he hath made to us If he hath come off liberally to us in granting more to us according to our suits let not us be sparing of his praises Every additional mercy calls on us to adde to our thanksgivings to him Every new mercy bespeaks for praise renewed from us A new Sute of Clothes becomes us and a new Set of Praise becomes us better Praise is comely Psal 147.1 but never more then when God gives in his answers to our Prayers and his new mercies with them 3. To imitate him in renewing grants to his poor ones and if they desire more let them have more Eph. 5.1 2. What pattern like him 4. To be Renewed in the spirit of our mindes and to be new creatures new men and women new favours call for this 2 Cor. 5.17 5. To renew our Covenant with the Lord as he renews his grants to us Nehem. 9.38 6. To long for heaven where we shall praise and love obey our God perfectly willingly chearfully constantly and after a new manner otherwise then we do now in a state of childhood Verse 29. And he spake to him yet again and said Peradventure there shall be forty found there and he said I will not do it for forties sake Doct. XVII THat Believers when God renews his grants to them do not cease asking but yet again follow him with their suits to obtain yet more favour from him Abraham here had his renewed grant That if there were but five and forty Righteous in the City it should not be destroyed for their sakes but he rests not there but still follows on to sue further That if there should be forty found the place might be spared for their sakes Believers like Beggars are not weary of asking but come again and again thither where their desires have been granted and where they have fared well and been kindly dealt with Courtiers that go to a gracious Prince and have their Renewed suits granted fear not to go again and again and to follow such a Prince with their suits for further favour So here Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From Believers 1. From the Lord. 1. He is Abundant in goodness Exod. 34.6 the whole Earth is full of it Psal 119.64 and this Believers know and that makes them incessant in their suing to him and after his renewed grants to follow him with suits again and again 2. He is a Sun Psal 84.11 Now the Sun is that that gives out and communicates of its light and heat and influences that it is full of So does God He is a full one and hath enough to supply us with and therefore we
must Jam. 1.17 Joh. 3.27 He can open these narrow bottles and enlarge these straitned hearts we cannot do it but he can Psal 119.32 2. To love the Lord when he gives us to enlarge our desires in prayer to him when these wheels are going then we shall strike right as a Clock does when we slack not in our way we shall come to our happy journeys end 3. To obey him Psal 119.32 chearfully speedily strongly constantly as is in running a race 4. To praise him for an enlarged heart in prayer for our selves or others for that hest hearts are apt to be too strait 1 Sam. 2.1 5. To pray without ceasing upon all occasions 1 Thess 5.17 for when we have done all we can we shall sooner cease suing then he granting 6. To admire and adore the Royalty of God that would do more if we could ask more A Kings Royalty is admired 7. To long for Heaven where we shall praise him with enlarged hearts for his large grants 2 Cor. 5.6 7. 8. To do more for others then they desire of us Verse 32. And he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once c. DOCT. XXIX THat Believers when they pray to the Lord dare not be over-bold with him but modestly sue to him to grant what they desire of him I will speak yet but this once sayes Abraham He had made very bold with him in going from step to step till he came to the lowest step that he durst go and now in modesty he will go no further but leaves off suing any more he will ask for Ten but there he will make a stop Reasons 1. From the Believers 2. From their Desires 3. From the Lord that they have to do with First From the Believers 1. They know who God is and who themselves are and therefore dare not be over-bold with him He is a great God and they vile dust and ashes and how should they dare to press too much upon him Mean men dare not be too bold with their Superiours how then can we that are Believers that are infinitely below the Lord make too bold with him Mephibosheth was lowly before David when he looked at himself and all his fathers house to be but dead men and therefore thought he had no right to cry unto the King 2 Sam. 19.28 So Believers judge themselves and therefore cannot tell how to be too bold with him 2. They are men of ingenuity and modesty for faith ever keeps down the heart and makes it low and is opposed to pride Hab. 2.4 We see it in the Centurion how humble and modest he was and it was his faith that made him so Luke 7.7 8 9. and therefore dare not be over-bold with him Humble ingenuity dare not ask too much of men much less be too bold with the Lord. 3. Believers are wife and prudent men and therefore faith is called wisdome Luke 1.17 and they would not shew themselves wise if they should be over-bold with the Lord. Wise men will not be too bold with Princes much less they that are truly wise make too bold with the Lord. 4. They are such as think themselves unworthy of the least of his mercies Gen. 32.10 and therefore cannot tell how to be too bold with him 5. They are afraid that the Lord may be angry with them So the Text. And that makes them to be so humbly modest with him But of that more in the next Note 6. They are friends of God Jam. 2 23. and they though they may be bold with their friends yet will not be over-bold with them So here Secondly From their Desires and Prayers 1. They must be bounded within the compass of Gods will 1 Joh. 5.14 and if we should be over-bold with him we should go beyond those bounds and that Believers will not do 2. They must be humble desires Psal 10.17 and they would not be such if we should be over-bold with him 3. They must be serious and sincere desires not slight and formall and if so then we must not be too bold with him A serious Petitioner will ask modestly of men so they that are serious will be modest in their suits to the Lord Psal 17.1 4. They must be holy desires and holiness and over-much boldness will not stand together Jam. 4.8 the more holy any man is the more modest and humble he is 5. They must be earnest and fervent desires Jam. 5.16 and no man that is over-bold with man can be earnest in his suit much less he that is too bold with the Lord. 6. They must be inwrought desires Jam. 5.16 the heart must be in them lip-labour will not be accepted Jer. 12.2 Now they that are over-bold with the Lord cannot speak in their desires from the heart nor have any hope that such desires shall be accepted Thirdly From the Lord that we have to do with 1. He is a great God and a great King above all gods Psal 95.3 and it no way becomes the best of men to be over-bold with such a great One as he is but to be modest in our addresses to him 2. He is a good God Psal 136.1 and willing to give us that which is good for us Psa 84.11 and therefore it 's no way fit for us to take too much boldness upon us there 's no need of it 3. He is such a God as can be angry at our Prayers when we keep not within his bounds but make too bold with him Psal 80.4 4. He is very mereiful in granting to the utmost our lawful requests that we put up to him and why should we strain him and screw him up higher we would not do so with men how much less should we with the Lord Exod. 34.6 5. He is a God that respects the lowly Psal 138.6 and such modest suiters are lowly ones 6. He wants neither will nor power to give what is meet and therefore though we may be humbly bold with him yet it 's no way fit for us to press upon him or to be over-bold with him we would not do so to the best friend we have in the world Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the sweet ingenuity that is in true Believers who though they can be bold with the Lord in their Prayers that they put up to him yet they dare not press too far nor make too bold with him So it is with an ingenious man to his friend that he hath many kindnesses from he will not press him overmuch nor make too bold with him in his requests but knows how to give his desires a stop and to speak no more and so it is with Believers when they have asked and gotten much they dare not press upon such a friends kindness but will stop as Abraham here does and say I will speak yet but this once 2. We see that Believers are modest and humble ones they can be bold in their suits to the
should be tender of it too and tender of putting any dishonour upon him by displeasing him We would beâ—ender of displeasing a Prince So here 6. He is tender of displeasing us of sending us sad away from his Presence when we pray to him and therefore when we pray to him we should be very tender of displeasing him We would be tender of displeasing any that were dear to us So here Secondly From the Believers 1. They are his Children and Children are tender of displeasing their father so are they and so should they be especially when they pray to him and come with their last request in that duty before him Gal. 3.26 2. They are his friends Jam. 2.23 and friends are tender of displeasing one another so here 3. They are his Spouse Cant. 5.1 and a Spouse is tender of displeasing her Husband especially when she is to ask any thing of him and any great thing So should we 4. They are very familiar with him and he With them As I shall God willing shew when I come to the last Verse of this Chapter and they that are intimately familiar they are tender of displeasing one another So here 5. They are the Apple of his Eye that he cannot endure a touch of Zech. 2.8 and if so how should they endure to touch him by displeasing him especially when they pray and desire some great thing of him 6. They are such as he hath rebuked Kings for so tender they have been to him Psal 105.14 15. and may they not then be very tender of displeasing him especially when they pray to him and ask high of him Thirdly From the Requests themselves 1. They are such as we hope to gain most by as Abraham here did that came up so high as to desire to prevail in his suit if there had been but ten found in that great place and this made him to be so tender of displeasing the Lord that he prayed unto 2. They are such Requests as make triall of his Bounty and Mercy most and whereby we put him to it to condescend very far to us in granting our requests and therefore we ought to be tender of displeasing him 3. They are such Requests as whereby we are most bold with him and therefore may well suspect our selves that we may over-speak and so displease him 4. They are such requests as are for great matters and are great requests and we are poor worms vile dust and ashes and therefore may and ought to be tender of displeasing him in so asking 5. They are such requests as are put up by them that are less then the least of his mercies Gen. 32.10 and therefore they may suspect that they may be too bold and so displease the Lord. 6. They are such requests as are rare and seldome put up we reade but of this onely man that went thus step by step in his requests Abraham was the onely one no other before him nor scarce any since and therefore he might justly fear that he might displease the Lord in what he did Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the sweet disposition that 's in believing suppliants when they come to pray before the Lord they are very tender of displeasing him they would not willingly do any thing at any time that should move him to displeasure but especially when they pray to him and make their last Request to him they would not then provoke him they would then have a smile of his face they would then have a kiss of his mouth they would then have an answer of peace they would then have a sweet shine from heaven they would then have fair weather over head they would not have a cloud arise upon them nor any frown appear in the Lords brow nor any wrinkle in his face at their Prayers but are very tender of displeasing him So was Abraham here when he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak but this once 2. We see that when a Believer is in a praying frame he is then in an awfull frame Gods dread Majesty and his consciousness of his own sins put an holy awe into his heart and make him afraid that the Lord may be displeased with him Prayer is an awfull Ordinance and they that are most earnest in it as Abraham here was they are most awfully afraid and most tender of doing any thing in the duty especially in the close of it that might displease him that they pray unto 3. We see that if we would make it out that we are Believers we must be tender of displeasing God as at all times so then more especially when we pray to him and in the close of our Requests that we present the Lord with So did Abraham here and if we would evidence we are his children so must we Faith and fear go hand in hand lodge in the same breast together dwell in the same heart together where the one is there is the other that man in whose heart faith is is ever afraid and tender of displeasing God especially then when he makes his last and greatest request to him 4. We see what a mercy of God it is to any of us that we have hearts stricken with fear of displeasing God especially when we pray before him for thereby he evidenceth to us that we are Believers for so Abraham did he was tender of displeasing him in praying to him and especially in his last words that he spake in suing to him in their behalf that he prayed for He would not have the Sun set in a Cloud at Even 5. We see that the displeasure of God is that that is to be feared above all other things Some there are that fear man but there 's a snare in that Prov. 29.25 Some there are that are afraid of Princes and what they can do against them but they are in Gods hand Prov. 21.1 and he knows how to be terrible to them Psal 76.12 Some are afraid of Persecutors but they can but kill the body Luke 12.4 Some are afraid of evil spirits and the very supposal of the sight of them makes even good men afraid sometimes Mat. 14.26 and some are in great fear where no fear is Psal 53.5 But these are all vain fears and like Bug-bears to fright children with but the displeasure of God is that that is to be feared above all things So godly men have thought so Abraham judged that was so tender of displeasing him Oh let not the Lord be angry sayes he and then he cared not who else were angry 6. We see that to displease God then when men pray to him is that that is and ought to be most loathsome to every gracious heart Oh! he would not then do any such thing willingly for a world it 's a burthen to displease him at any time but then to do it when they pray is that that is most abhorring to them Oh let not the Lord be angry sayes Abraham and
consider her wayes and be wise Prov. 6.6 7 8. I might be large in the prosecution of this but these instances may suffice to be as so many glasses to shew us how diligent and active and industrious we should be in our particular Callings and that God would have us busily working in our several places and stations for him Secondly From our selves 1. We are ever best when we are at work our hearts are never in better frame to go to God in duties of our general Calling then when we have been most conscientially careful in being diligent in our particular Calling We can then go with comfort to pray when we have been at work and never are we fitter to offer up this spiritual sacrifice then when sloth hath not seized upon us in our particular Callings And hence it is that these are coupled together Rom. 12.11 Not slothful in business fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. 2. We shall be pronounced blessed if we be found well-doing when our Lord cometh Matth. 24.46 and it is that that we would all desire after to be partakers of that blessedness who would not be found so at that day 3. We are not yet in heaven but on earth and therefore must attend on our outward occasions and businesses that we are called to When we come in heaven we shall rest from all our works here and be wholly imployed in serving God and praising him Rev. 22.3 4. we shall do Angelical work Seraphical work but while we are here we must be doing in ordinary work and it is a good work because commanded of God 4. We need many things for the outward man which by diligence in our ordinary Callings through the blessing of God are brought in to us Prov. 10.4 22. we get our daily bread by the labour of our hearts and hands food and raiment and physick and all necessaries by the Lords mercy are given in to us this way The King himself is served by the field Eccles 5.9 Gods crowning the year with his goodness his steps dropping fatness make our labours successful and bring in all outward blessings to us and therefore diligence in our Callings is that that God approves and looks for from every one of us 5. We are commanded to labour six dayes in the week Exod. 20.9 except upon extraordinary occasion as upon a Fast or by sickness we be hindred or by some other occasion that justly exempts us and keeps us necessarily from it we may not look at it as a permission onely but as a strict command and that calls upon us to be about our business and be doing in our particular Callings 6. We have Gods example in the first Creation set before us to follow he did his work in six dayes and then rested Exod. 20.9 and so would by his example have us to work and to trace his steps So that not onely Earth and Sea and Stars but Heaven it self calls upon us to labour and work diligently in our Callings Thirdly From our outward occasions and imployments 1. They are such as that we cannot serve God comfortably neither in our Bodies nor in our Spirits except we labour and attend our particular Callings and we are bound to serve him and glorifie him in both 1 Cor. 6.20 and how shall this be except we follow our imployments Meat will not fall into our mouthes except we labour Clothing will not be rained down from heaven upon us except we work for it and without these we cannot serve God neither with outward or inward man 2. These imployments in our Callings are such as that we cannot live without them Bread is called The staff of life Isa 3.1 and Clothing is the health of life and neither of these in an ordinary way can be had without labour 3. These imployments in our particular Callings are such as that we cannot expect the blessing of the Lord upon us The blessing of the Lord maketh rich but it is when the hand is diligent Prov. 10.4 22. otherwise there is no blessing of wealth or increase promised 4. These imployments in our particular Callings do fit us to come to God in spiritual duties and fit us for his coming to us either by death or judgement Luke 12.42 43 44. and this is worth something It was the speech of a faithful Minister now with God to one that he found working hard in his Calling Let me be found so doing when my Lord cometh 5. These ordinary imployments keep us from many sins and from many temptations to sin preserve us from many assaults of the Enemy that Idleness will expose us to As we see in Davids example 2 Sam. 11. if he had gone forth to war at that time or had been doing any thing that was good he would not have faln into such snares and sins as he did which idleness exposed him to Satan and his own corruption would not have so prevailed as they then did when he gave himself to that floth that we there reade of A diligent hand prevents the tempters coming or at least hinders him from overcoming Working in our Calling will either keep the snare from being laid for us or keep our feet from being taken by it And have we not cause then to be diligent and faithfully busie in our Calling 6. These labours and imployments preserve us from falling into other dangers and evils for God hath promised that his Angels shall have charge over us to keep us in our wayes Psal 91.11 Let a man but keep himself in his Calling and Gods Angels shall keep him They are Gods host and so long as they are about him a strong host is about him so that neither plague nor sickness nor any other evil shall come near him v. 10. he is safely guarded that hath such a military guard about him he need not fear any danger that hath these fiery charets and horses round about him 2 Kin. 6. These armies will never sly but will stand by us and shield off all dangers and all enemies and have we not good cause then to be in our Callings Cautions about our Imployments in our particular Callings 1. WE must take heed that love of the World set us not on work to be busie in our Callings for that is straitly forbidden 1 Joh 2.15 and such are not true to God but are called Adulterers and Adulteresses and are the enemies of God Jam. 4.4 and the greatest enemies that are to themselves for thereby they plunge themselves into many snares and temptations and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction 1 Tim. 6.9 10. If the love of the world be the great wheel that sets all a going and puts our hands to labour in our Callings we shall never please God nor benefit our selves or others by what we do this way The World is both an Harlot and a Witch and if we lust after the beauty of this Harlot and suffer