mercy of Christ in both 2. In respect of our defects wants and shortness of attainments to the full possession of the blessing and glory of God as mercy signifies kindness or a gift of good for our supplies as we have need for the Believer though compleat in Christ his head and root yet is not compleat and perfect in his receipt of him and the grace in him hath not yet attained neither is yet perfect Phil. 3.13 14. sees but in part and knows but in part yet 1 Cor. 13.11.12 hath but the first fruits of mercy and blessing not the full harvest Rom. 8.23 He must wait for that 〈◊〉 Christs appearing and therefore needs that act of his mercy towards him 3. In respect of afflictions temptations and griefs in the mean time to be endured in and under which we have no strength power or wisdom to uphold us much less to deliver us out of them his Grace onely in those cases also is sufficient for us as well as to the forgiveness of our sins and the perfecting what concerns us Psal 138.8 thence that in Psal 60.11 Give us help from trouble for vain is the help of man and all that he can give us Herein too we need his mercy and grace to help us Heb. 4.16 and indeed thiâ— is very obvious to sense for we see the best of men are men still subject to like passions infirmities sicknesses and ailments as others Job though a perfect man yet sorely tried both in body and spirit with sad afflictions the Prophets and Apostles examples of patience and suffering adversities of divers sorts and natures under which they have not had ability of themselves to stand but as God by his mercy in Christ gave them strength and relief remembring his mercy in the midst of his judgements Nay in the day of the Lord the righteous servants of God shall need his mercy for the blotting out perfectly all their transgressions and deliverance of them from all wrath and judgement into the enjoyment of his everlasting Kingdom as it was therefore Pauls prayer for Onesiphorus and his house in 2 Tim. 1.18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy in that day Though he had done very many good deeds for the Apostle especially in case of sweâ—vings or turnings aside in some things from him as may seem to have been his case or the case of his houshold in that that prayer for his houshold and him follow immediately upon the mention of the turning away of all those in Asia from Paul v. 15. Again it 's here implied in the word Mercy 2. That the Believers however diligent in sâ—rving God and edifying themselves on the faith of Christ deserve not the love of God or the enjoyment of his presence and blessing with them unto everlasting life nay nor any supply to their wantâ— or needs in any thing It 's of mercy not of merit that God doth own them and that Christ takes care of them and helps and blesses them They cannot challenge it as matter of due debt but need to beg even their daily bread too as matter of mercy or as the effect and fruit of the mercy of Jesus Christ towards them in his Sufferings and Sacrifice offered up for them And this indeed springs from the former their weakness to do any thing for God becoming him or his engagements upon us and their sinfulness defiling all their best doings They have neither power nor purity enough in themselves to do such service for him as may bind him by way of desert to them If he should mark the iniquities of their holy things they could none of them stand Psalm 130.3 4. Therefore good Nehemiah when he had made mention of many good deeds wel done by him adds Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God for the offices thereof Neh. 13.14 and after further mention of his zeal for the Sabbath he adds again ver 22. Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy as implying that his good deeds though very exemplary were so far from meriting reward from God or the love and blessing of God that it was his mercy to spare him from his judgement and not to blot out all he had done out of his remembrance Though God doth give reward to him that willeth that that is good that runneth the way of his Commandments yet that rewarding of them is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth as the due desert of his willing and running and what he may challenge as debt but of him that shews mercy in pardoning the defects of both willing and running and accepting them and him in whom they are through Jesus Christ So that no flesh hath any thing to glory of in the presence of God for any thing found in as of it or done by it But there is cause of abasement and humility for the best no cause or ground for pride and high-mindedness in any Christ brings up the top stone with shouting and crying Grace grace unto it Zech. 4.6 7. This is implied too in the word Mercy as to be waited for by the believer in all his building up himself on his most holy Faith 2. But then the consideration of him whose mercy it is that we are to wait for signified in this that it is called the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ doth afford great encouragement to expect and hope for it as well as engagement to wait for it For 1. In that he is the Lord that engages us to wait for it it being meet to wait on one so great And if we consider how and upon what account he is the Lord in the nature of man that will encourage to expect his mercy and so to wait in hope of it For it was by his mercy already testified to us towards us sinners while so in that he then abased himself and became man for us and as man suffered to the death the death of the cross for us that he was in the same nature of man exalted and glorified to be Lord of all both things and persons as was above noted Acts 2 36. Phil. 2 9 10 11. Rom. 14.9 Because he humbled himself to the death the death of the cross therefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow c. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God c. Now if he had such mercy for us as to purchase to himself in the nature of man a Lordship over us by ransoming us from death by his death for us how shall we not think that being for that his love to us and service for us made Lord he will exercise his Lordship in a way of grace and mercy toward us
Son of God himself consecrated by an Oath for ever and ever living to make intercession for us in all which respects he is infinitely better and greater than the Priests under the Law abler to make us and our prayers acceptable to God c. 7. as also having an High Priest so merciful to us and so faithful both to God and us in all that concerns us one that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and can succour those that be tempted because he himself suffered and was tempted as Chapter 2.17 18. and 4.15 one that can pity and have compassion on those that are ignorant and â—ut of the way Heb. 5.1 2 3. Let us therefore draw near with true sincere hearts in full assurance of faith our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water In these incouragements the Holy Ghost moves and incourages us to draw nigh and to pray to God as also is shewed Rom. 8.34 in that Christ hath died for us yea rather is risen again who also is at Gods right hand and maketh intercession for us 3. The infinite power and alsufficiencie of God in Christ and of Christ in God to hear help save and satisfie us and to fulfil all our petitions that are according to his will power belongs unto God Psal 62.11 12. therefore trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him he is a refuge for us So in Job 5.8 9. I would seek to God to God would I commit my cause who doth great things c. I am God Almighty Gen. 17.1 this incouraged Christ in the days of his flesh to pour out strong cries and tears that his Father was able to save him all things were possible to him Heb 5.7 Mark 14.36 and this through the love he hath manifested in Christ and the greatness faithfulness and mercifulness of Christ as our High-Priest and the infinite virtuousness of his sacrifice for us for obtaining favour and acceptation for us with God is of great usefulness to incourage us also that he that so loves us and with whom we have such a Priest and Sacrifice to befriend us is able to help and save us as Psal 57.2 I will cry unto God most high unto God that performeth all things for me this incouragement the Holy Ghost propounded to and by Paul as a motive to pray to him That the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is be of whom all the family in Heaven and earth is named and that in him are riches of Glory and that he is able to doe exceeding abundantly above all we ask and think Ephes 3.15 16 20. indeed this without the other would be little incouragement but rather terrifie us from him but with and through it it gives exceeding much incouragement to consider that he is able both in respect of wisdom and knowledge to discern our wants and in respect of Power and Authority to supply them 4. His Covenant and promises made and confirmed in Christ for hearing and helping those that come to him by Christ and for perfecting all that concerns them both as to salvation from evil and satisfaction with good It s his Covenant in Christ to write his Law in the heart and to put his fear into them and their iniquities and sins to remember no more c. and so it is to hear their prayers and to save them So Psal 50.14 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal 91.14 15. He shall call upon me I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honor him with long life will I satisfie him shew him my salvation so by our Saviour Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name I will give it you John 16.23 Godliness hath the promise of this life and of that that is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 to which add 5. His infinite truth and faithfulness through Christ to keep his Covenant and mercy for ever this incouragement is also propounded and was often made use of by the servants of God as the Apostle to move the Believer to draw nigh to God uses this amongst others Faithful is he that promised therefore let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering which is done as wel by our persevering in prayer and continuing to draw nigh to God Heb. 10 23. this was made use of and pleaded by Nehemiah c. 1.5 The great terrible God that keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his Commandments so by those good Levites mentioned in Neh. 9 4 5. in Verse 32. and by Daniel Dan. 9.4 as also it is propounded as an incouragement to call upon God and to seek him and seek his face Psal 105.1.4 8. He hath remembred his Coâ—ont for ever c. 6. The Relations that they stand in to God and God to them that the Holy Spirit also makes use of to encourage to pray and to call upon God So in Matth. 7.11 If ye that are evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask him So again in Luke 11.13 and this also the holy men of God have been encouraged by to pray to him as Isa 63.16 Doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us c. Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer thy name is from everlasting c. So Jer. 14.8 O the hope of Israel the Saviour thereof in time of trouble c. 〈◊〉 very often David makes use of this encouragement that God was his God and his King his Rock Refuge c. 7. The often proofs they have had of his Goodness and Power and Mercy in former times Call to mind says the Apostle amongst other motives and encouragements to draw nigh to God and to hold fast the Profession of the Faith the farmer days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions And this is often made use of and found as an encouragement to the servants of God in former times as Psal 4.1 O God of my righteousness hear when I call Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in distress have mercy upon me and hear my prayer and in Psal 18 3. we have David resolving to call upon the Lord worthy to be praised and assuring himself that so he should be delivered from his enemies And see what encouraged him to that assured expectation and so to that holy resolution Verse 4 5 6. The sorrows of death compassed me c. In my distress I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God he heard my voyce out of his Temple c. Like to which is that in Psal 116.1 2. I love the Lord because he hath heard my voyce and my supplication because he hath inclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him
Spirit in the Apostles and by their ministration both to the Jews that were near notwithstanding their rebellious great despites against him and to the Gentiles though so great sinners when far off after his ascension having made peace by the blood of his Cross for them Ephes 2.14 15 16 17. Heb. 5.1 2 3. forgiving great sinners as Paul c. And indeed the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to be waited for by believers is not simply an affection of mercy in him towards us but his evidencing and demonstrating that his affection of mercy in the acts and exercises of it but not in giving himself a ransome for us and dying for us for that is past and to be believed by us as a thing done and accomplished already and as the bottom ground and foundation of all expectation of further mercy nor will he die any more but it is for some acts or exercises of mercy for the future in the exercises of those glorious Offices which his Father hath designed him to at and from his right hand as to say 1. His passing by and pardoning our sins for his Names sake hiding covering and keeping them as it were from the eye of God so as that he mark them not against us to judge and punish us according to them as it is said If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquity who should stand but there is forgiveness with thee c. Psalm 130.4 which ver 6.7 is called Mercy And who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Mic. 7.18 And sure this is one main thing in which he is evidenced to be a merciful High Priest in that he maketh reconciliation for the sins of the people and is the standing propitiation for our sins that we might receive forgiveness of them Heb. 2.17 with 1 John 2.2 So Paul obtained mercy that is the forgiveness of his sins 1 Tim. 1.13 16. that's mercy 2. His sympathizing with us and succouring us in temptations afflictions and sufferings as is also asserted Heb. 2.18 and 4.15 16. In that he suffered being tempted he is able fit and meet to succour those also that are tempted For we have not such an High Priest as cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted even as we yet without sin Let us therefore goe boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain or take as it were at his hands mercy and finde Grace to help us in a time of need Whereas it is evident that mercy signifies something transient or passing from Christ to men and not onely a thing abiding in the heart of Christ so what should that be there but the fruits of his sympathizing with us in our infirmities and temptations obtained for us by his intercession for us as our High Priest namely succour in our needs support in our sorrows and sufferings and seasonable issues out of them even as the relieving the poor and afflicted in their poverty and straits is called the shewing mercy to the poor Psalm 109.12 16. Prov. 14 21 31. and Gods sparing Lots life and helping or hasting him out of Sodom Gen. 19.16 to that purpose was an evidence of his being merciful to him 3. His bestowing any benefit favour or blessing upon us may be called his shewing us mercy and the said benefit or blessing bestowed may be called his mercy as all the good God did to and bestowed on David is called his shewing him great mercy or kindness 1 King 3.6 and in that sense he is said to satisfie as well as to save with his mercy and to crown with loving kindnes and tender mercies Psal 90.19 and 103.4 and the earth is said to be full of the mercy of the Lord Psal 119.64 and so the Lord Jesus himself and all the benefits and blessings in him are called the sure mercies of David Isa 55.3 with Act. 13.34 and in that sense all the kindness favour and blessing dispensed to us by Jesus Christ both for sanctifying and saving the Soul and for supplying the outward man may be called his Mercy and may well be understood to be comprised and signified in this expression The Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ in as much as it is all the fruit and effect of his mercy and pity towards us and hath in it an abundant relief of our miseries Yea and 4. His glorious coming again to raise the Believer out of the dust and to put an end to all the sorrows sufferings and abasement of his poor Church and people may well be called the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ because an act of his mercy toward them in pitying their miseries and sufferings and fully redeeming them out of them all into the injoyment of the Glory prepared for them Which also may the rather be understood to be principally and ultimately here meant because the following words unto eternal life will best agree with it as the immediate issue and consequent thereof for that properly may be called the mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal life which is an act of his mercy freeing them from all that keeps them out of eternal life and brings them to the actual and perfect injoyment of eternal life though the exercise of his Mercy in all the three former as necessary to the fitting them for eternal life and keeping them to it may also be very well included as that which the Believer is also to wait for but principally his coming again and the mercy thereof as the furthest and main of all called therefore the blessed hope Tit. 2.13 Now 2. This phrase of the Mercy of our Lord implies something both with reference 1. To the Term Mercy And 2 Its Authors Title Our Lord Jesus Christ 1. With reference to the word Mercy therein is implied 1. That the Believers though upon the most holy faith the best and absolutely perfect foundation and though thereon edifying themselves and praying in the Holy Ghost yet have need of Mercy to be shewed them by Jesus Christ they are not yet so perfect and compleat in themselves or in any of their best and holiest actings or fullest enjoyments here but that they need yet mercy to be exercised toward them And that both 1. In respect of their sinfulness weaknesses and defilements cleaving to them and to all their actings and performances for there is not a just man on â—arth on this side the grave that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 even in his good doings If we though Apostles say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us says 1 Joh. 1.8 Thence we need him as the Propitiation for our sins to cover and hide them from the face of God and by his Intercession to make acceptable to his Father even our Spiritual Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 and the
in their most holy faith Where is considered 1. What is meant by the Faith p. 128 129 the foundation to be built on The Doctrine of Christ and Christ as declared therein 2. Why it s called their faith p. 133 3. Why called the most holy faith p. 134 Wherein is shewed why it 's holy p. 134 Wherein is shewed why it 's most holy p. 139. 4. What that is that is to be built on it 1. Negatively not the faith p. 157 2. Affirmatively themselves p. 158 Wherein is implied 1. That believers are Gods building p. 158 2. That they are yet in themselves imperfect p. 159 3. That their perfection is to be sought in abiding in the faith p. 161 5. How the believer is to be built on the faith or wherein that building themselves consists in four particulars 162 6. What 's implied in saying actively Build up your selves p. 165. viz. 1. That their growth is gradual p. 165 2. That the believer is to be active p. 167 1. In a diligent minding the most holy faith p. 169 2. In a faithful exercise of spiritual gifts p 172 3. In exercising charity p. 175 4. In walking in all things as becomes the Gospel p. 176 7. How this tends to keep believers in the love of God p. 177 II. To pray in the Holy Ghost Wherein is considered 1. What it is to pray p. 179. in seven particulars 2. What to pray in the Holy Ghost p. 185. viz. To utter our words and desires to God 1. In the light direction and guidance of the Holy Ghost 1. In the things prayed for p. 186 2. In the manner of praying as to 1. The way of approaching and p 189 2. The expressions p 189 3. And the earnestness in praying p. 190 3. In the encouragements and motives to pray ib. in eight particulars 2. In the operation of the Holy Ghost through his testimony minded Considered 1. Negatively in eleven particulars p. 197 198 2. Affirmatively in seven particulars p. 199. to 204 3. What is implied in exhorting believers so to pray viz. 1. Their insufficiency of themselves to keep themselves in the love of God p. 204 2. That there is sufficient Grace in God and Christ for them p. 205 3. That God will be sought for it p. 206 and why in seven particulars to 209 4. That of themselves they know not how to pray as they ought ibid. 5. That God hath not left us to our selves but gives us his Spirit to help p. 210 6. That having done so he requires that we neglect not his gift p. 211. 7. That possibly believers may and do neglect it p 212 8. That praying in the Holy Ghost is a good means of edifying themselves in their most holy faith 213 4. How the praying in the Holy Ghost conduces to believers keeping themselves in the love of God p. 214 The use of the foregoing Observations and both its branches 1. By way of Reproof in eight particulars p. 218. Where yet there is omitted a reproof due to those that deny or deride the praying in the Spirit contrary to the Apostles Exhortation here and in Ephes 6â—8 As also of those that brag of so doing or think they do so when they do not which may be discerned by what is said of it herein 2. By way of Exhortation wherein is propounded 1. Motive From the ends of our being built up on the faith p. 225. and the fruits and consequents of it p. 226 2. Encouragements to it in five particulars p. 230 Vse We have the posture in which we are to do all this Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal life Wherein is considered 1. The posture it self of Waiting and what is therein included viz 1. Hoping p. 235. which implies 1. That the thing waited for is not yet accomplished ibid. 2. That yet there is good ground to expect it p. 236 237 2. Tarrying wherein is implied 1. That God exercises his people with want and delay p. 240 and that for divers reasons p. 211 which should be 241. in five particulars 2. That there ought to be a patient bearing that delay p. 214. or 244 3. An earnest desire and seeking p 215. 245 4. A waiting upon God and Christ p. 216 2. The object waited for 1. The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ as the means 2. Eternal life as the end p. 217. al. 247 1. Mercy c. where is considered 1. What 's meant by this mercy p. 219 220. and in that wherein God and Christ have shewed their mercy ib. 2. What this term Mercy implies both as to 1. The word Mercy p. 227. viz. 1. That believers yet need mercy p. 228. upon three accounts 2. That they do not deserve the love of God and his blessings p. 230 2. It s being the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that that speaks encouragement to expect it and wait for it p. 231. Because 1. He is the Lord p. 232 2. He is ours the believers Lord in special p. 233. 3. He is Jesus our Lord that is a Saviour ibid. 4. He is also Christ anointed of God to be our Saviour p. 234. al. 274 2. Eternal life Unto Eternal life signifies either 1. The end and tendency of his mercy p. 235 2. The term of our waiting p. 236 3. Or the end and issue of both p. 238. al. 278. Where are propounded 1. Some reasons of it or grounds to expect it in six particulars p. 238 2. What is in this Eternal life to be expected in seven particulars p. 242 The use of all 1. To commend the most holy faith p. 2â—6 2. To condemn the Unbelievers and Apostates folly p. 24â— 3. To shew the infinite happiness of the abiding Believer that obeys this counsel 250. â—â—ter with it concludes THE BEST EXERCISE FOR CHRISTIANS In the worst Times c. JUDE 20 21. But ye Beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God wayting for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life THE Apostle Jude writing this Epistle to them that were sanctified by God the Father ver 1. separated by him from the world unto himself through the prevalencie of his heavenly Call and preserved in Christ Jesus from the Apostacie and back slidings where-through many others had miscarried and called to his service and confession of his Truth after salutation of them in which he desired further mercy to them ver 2. and that peace and love both from Christ to them and from and in them toward one another might be multiplied informs them of the end of his writing this Epistle to them Namely to exhort them to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints ver 3. Namely that it might be kept pure and immolate amongst the Churches and that because of certain men ungodly persons forewritten to this Judgment as abusers of the Grace of God and
injoyable by us and as that which is the fountain well-spring of all blessing and happiness But here let us view 1. What is meant by this Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. What that phrase or term of Mercy to be waited for signifies and hints to us 1. To the first Mercy is either an affect in the heart or An effect in its work to take in both of them Mercy is properly an affection or frame of heart in which it pities and compassionates anothers misery and affliction leading to spare one where there is power to harm him and to succour him in necessities and indigencies where there is power to help him And this is attributed to God and Christ that he is merciful and full of compassion ready to forgive offences and relieve in wants and miseries and do what is good for the Creatures deliverance from evils and conferring safety and happiness as may be abundantly seen in the Scriptures Psal 103.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy Yea this his Name The Lord Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering abundant in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands c. Exod. 34.6 7. And so it is said of Christ that he is a merciful and faithful High-Priest in Hebr. 2.16 17. And indeed God and Christ have abundantly manifested their merciful heart toward poor sinful afflicted Creatures many ways As 1. God hath manifested himself merciful 1. In taking pity on mankinde when fallen from him into a state of exceeding great sin and misery in that he did not then cast him off and destroy him but on the contrary devised a way and means for his redemption and recovery yea such a way of recovery as the translating our sin and misery upon his own onely begotten Son appointing in due time sending him forth into the world to be the propitiation for our sins bearing them on his own body on the tree that through his stripes we might be healed both abasing him thereto and exalting him to the height of Glory and Majesty therethrough at his own right hand that he might by the vertues of the former and in the exercise of the latter upon that account bring us back again to God Herein he hath shewed himself loving and merciful to us beyond all question or expression as it is said Through the tender mercy of our God the day spring Christ the bright and the Morning-Star from on high hath visited us c. Luke 1.78 2. God hath also manifested himself merciful to us in freely justifying us mankinde by his Grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ not imputing to the world their trespasses but preaching peace to us by him and through his blood and opening his Kingdom for us and to us with gracious calls and counsels and invitations to enter thereinto and be made partakers of the blessed priviledges thereof unto everlasting life and in freely admitting and accepting all that obey his calls and counsels therein however otherwise and formerly sinful and unworthy as may be seen in Mary Magdalene the Publicans harlots and prodigals whom upon their coming to him he hath freely pardoned and accepted and made partakers of his righteousness and blessing as if they never had been so vile and wretched Rom. 3.23 24. 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. Eph. 2.15 17. Mat. 22.4 8 9. and 9.12 13 Luk. 7.37 47. 15.1 2 15 16 c. 1 Cor. 6 9 10 11. 3. God hath shewed himself merciful to us Gentiles and Heathens in calling us so wonderfully to the knowledg of his Son and of his Grace in him when as formerly we were so gross and grievous sinners against all former dispensations of his goodness and manifestations of himself in his works and providences It was his great mercy through the blood of his Son to make peace and atonement for us blotting out all former trespasses admitting us to fellowship with the Saints and so with himself through Christ Jesus as Ephes 2.4 5 11 12 17 19 20. as it is said that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his Mercy Rom. 15 9. and who had not in times past obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 1 Pet. 2.10 whence I beseech you by the Mercies of God offer up your body a living Sacrifice c. Rom. 12.1 and the like he will shew forth to the Jews in calling them again and receiving them to favour after all their unbelief and stubbornesses against him as it is said He hath shut them all up in unbelief that he might have mercy upon them all Rom. 11.32 4. God hath doth dayly shew himself merciful unto men in passing by iniquities and extending helpfulness to them in their afflictions which they procure to themselves by their great follies and rebellions as is also frequently testified in the Scriptures as in Psal 78.38 when Israel oft and much â—â—oked him in the wilderness so as he therefore 〈◊〉 them sometimes with his Judgments yet 〈◊〉 â—eing full of compassion forgave their iniquity 〈◊〉 â—estroyed them not yea many a time he turned his anger away and did not stir up all his wrath So in Neh. 9.16 17 18 19. 5. So also in his patience towards sinners not willing they should perish but rather come to repentance and be saved 2 Pet. 3.9.15 Rom 2.4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 and to say no more 6. His readiness to hear the cries and prayers of the poor and afflicted and not to despise their prayers but to hear and help them as in Psal 22.24 yea to hear the cries of other Creatures as the young Ravens and provide food for all flesh Psal 136.25 and 147.9 much more doth he fulfil the desires of them that fear him yea he also hears their cries and saves them Psal 145.15 17 18. 2. So also Christ hath abundantly shewed forth his mercy toward us 1. In that being in the form of God not thinking it robbery to be equal with God yet for our sakes at the will and appointment of the Father he abased himself laid aside his Glory humbled himself to the Death the Death of the Cross and therein bare our sins in his own body on the tree and was made a curse for us to redeem us from sin and curse that so he might in the vertues of his sufferings and Sacrifice bring us back again to God Ye know saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 8.9 the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that he being rich became poor that we through his poverty might be made rich He is merciful full of compassion and gracious Psal 145.8 2. In pitying poor miserable men in his personal converse with them and ministration to them while on the earth Going about and doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil curing their sicknesses and Diseases instructing their Souls in pity to them where ignorant and out of the way Mark 8.2 Act. 10.38 As also 3. In preaching peace by his
so long as I live 8. The experience of Gods goodness and mercy to other in former or present ages the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and found God gracious to them in their crying to him as in Psal 22.4 5. Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded To that puâ—â—se also the examples of Gods goodness to others are propounded by him to move men to taste and see by their trusting in and calling upon God how gracious God is Psal 34.4 5 6. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears they looked unto him and were inlightned and their faces were not ashamed This poor man cried and the Lord heard him c. Whatsoever things were written before-hand being written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 God being one and so the same for us in through his Son as he was for and to any others before us and there is no respect of persons with him He is rich to all that call upon him Rom. 10.12.13 Such the incouragements which the holy Ghost gives for praying he that prays in the holy Ghost prays not in the incouragement of his own parts wisdom works or the like but in such incouragements as these above-mentioned as to such purpose that fore-quoted from Dan. 9.18 is pertinent We doe not present our Supplications before for our righteousness but for thy great mercies So that in Psal 5.7 and 143.1 2. 4. To pray in the holy Ghost is to pray in the operation of the holy Ghost and so in such a frame and temper of Spirit as the holy Ghost being minded and yielded up to in his testimony frames the heart unto And so 1. Not in pride as the Pharisee despising his neighbour and lifâ—ing up himself in Gods presence 2. Nor in self-confidence and reliance on a mans own righteousness as he also did Luk. 18.10 11. 3. Nor in wrath and anger as the Disciples that would have called for fire from Heaven upon the Samaritanâ— that would not receive Christ pretending Elias for a warrant to them therein Luk. 9 54. for that was not in the holy Spirit of Christ for all that pretence for our Saviour tellâ— them They knew not what manner of Spirit they were of ver 55. 4. Nor in vain-glory as the Pharisees that prayed to be seen of men that they might have glory of them Matth 6.5 6. 5. Nor in ambition seeking great things to themselves and to be lifted up above their Brethren as the two Sons of Zebedee and their Mother did not knowing what they asked when they requested that they might sit the one at Christs right hand and the other at his left in his Kingdom Matth. 20 20 21 22. 6. Nor in strife and contention as those in Isa 58 2 3. who fasted and prayed for strife and debate ver 4. 7. Nor to establish to themselves a righteousness in their praying and so not submitting to the righteousness of God in Christ as the Jews that had a zeal of God and instantly served God day and night hoping by their works of that nature to attain the righteousness of the Law Act. 26 7. with Rom. 9.30 31. and 10.2 3. 8. Nor in Covetousness as they that howled upon their beds for corn and wine Hos 7.14 9. Nor in a doubtful distrustful frame of Spirit that is not fixed in Gods goodness and perswaded of his truth for such a man is like the wave of the Sea tossed to and fro double-minded and inconstant in all his ways and let not such an one think to receive any thing at Gods hands Jam. 1.6 7. 1 Tim. 2.8 10. Nor in an impatient unsubmmitted frame of Spirit to Gods Government frowardly hasting out of affliction such as Jonah was in when he having prophesied the destruction of Niniveh and God seeing their repentance spared it he was exceedingly displeased and very angry and prayed God to take away his life from him Jonas 4.1 2 3. 11. Nor in a flat cold formal temper of Spirit as they that draw nigh to God with their mouth and honor him with the lips but the heart is far away Isa 29 17. or the like but 1. In a believing frame of heart minding and giving credit to Gods word and testimony the Gospel of Christ and from the belief of that calling upon God and in that sense prayer in the Holy Ghost is the prayer of Faith Jam. 5.15 and prayer proceeding out of the belief of Gods sayings believing and not doubting about them as Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in faith nothing doubting speaking to God because they believe his word as in Psal 116.10 I believed therefore have I spoken which may have reference to speaking by prayer aswel as to speaking by preaching or confession thus David from a belief of Gods word to him by Nathan found it in his heart to pray unto him that prayer in 2 Sam. 7.18 27. for the holy Ghost is a Spirit of Faith as 2 Cor. 4.13 and therefore breaths faith into the heart where he hath the rule and makes it breath in faith yea in a full assurance of faith as believing verily the truth of God concerning Christ yea and Gods hearing and granting its petitions that he helps the Soul to breath forth Heb. 10.22 Mark 11.24 1 John 5. â—4 15. and a cleaving adhering frame of Spirit cleaving to and trusting in God for his hearing and helping it according to his will and the Souls needs as resolved and fixed to depend upon trust in and wait for God as Mic. 7.7 I will look to the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will hear me as Jacob of old wrestling with God and resolved not to leave him till he had blessed him Gen. 32.26 So our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted in thee and were delivered they cried to thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Psal 22.4 5. such a frame of Spirit the holy Ghost leads to pray in a believing trusting frame And 2. With a fervent desire and frame of heart the Holy Ghost is compared to fire He sat on the Apostles like cloven tongues of fire Thence Quench not the Spirit and therefore when men pray in it it puts heat and life into them an earnest desire after those things which it directs absolutely to seek of God Thence it is said The effectual or operative fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 They that onely say over prayers or pray luke-warmly coldly and formally pray not in the Holy Ghost though this fervour of Spirit in prayer stands not in the loud speaking and straining the voice or in much repetitions but in the earnestness of the Souls desires and ardencie of affection to the