soul for the comfortable manifestation of her pardon shee secretly sought for Saith Christ verse 48 50. Thy faith hath made thee whole 3. When a man in or upon his prayer 3 A holy awe in and after prayer is affected and awed with much holy trembling thus that humble Suppliant in Luke 18. 13. He is even afraid to lift up his eyes to heaven durst not doe it such awfull rayes in the glorious purity majesty and excellency of the Lord did he behold by an eye of faith and he is justified therein verse 14. That godly Prophet in his Prayer Hab. 3. 1 2. and in the mention of divers things touching God his providence and proceedings his belly he saith trembled and rottennesse entered into his bones verse 17. Thence that believing Centurion after hee had sent to Christ to intreat his gracious presence and coming for the help of his servant as in a holy wise jealous of himself and what he had done whether he so unworthy an one had not made too bold with the Lord Jesus to desire him to come under his roofe he sendeth a second message therein professing his unworthinesse that Christ should condescend so far to the desire of so unworthy an one as he judged himself to be Luke 7. 3. compared with verse 6 7. 4. When a man in prayer is much in begging pardon of sinne and the reconciliation 4 Greatest earnestnesse in begging pardon of sin the benefit of Christs righteousnesse c. of his soul to God in Jesus Christ Thus the Publican justified in that way of prayer mentioned Luke 18. the maine and in a manner only matter of his desires was that God would be propitious to him a sinner for so the Greek word signifies or be reconciled to him and have mercy on him in covering all his sinnes in Christ the favour and mercy of God in Christ Jesus as a propitiation for sinnes is all in all with him When a child of God is in great afflictions of outward as well as inward man yet the favourable remembrances and mercifull respects of Christ to a poore converted sinner even in tortures it is all in all The converted thiefe desireth not to be saved or exempted from any justly deserved censures of God or man but onely favour with Jesus Christ Luke 23. 39 41 42. The other wretch was all for his owne ease and for to continue in the world he careth not for the favour of Christ as sometimes the Psalmist did Psal 63. 1 3. The loving kindnesse of God in any condition is better then life to live in the love and favour of Christ is more then ten thousand lives to him yea so the Lord will be mercifull to him in the maine of his soule hee careth not what becomes of his bodily life when called to sacrifice the same An humble child that cryeth out when he is whipped yet careth more for his fathers favour then is troubled about his whipping 5. When a Suppliant of God doth not propound to him in his prayer matters too 5 Praising of the least degrees or portion of mercy high for him things that are above his reach or his measure or his condition or his calling or the present necessity whereof he is sensible but he will bee glad of smallest mercy childrens crummes yea such as are to others refuse despicable blessings are in high esteeme with him in his desires crummes that fall from the childrens table she craveth in Matth. 15. 26. and is accepted and approved in the manner of her praying verse 28. Some children it may bee will scorne to have onely bread for their food in the fathers house but the humble Prodigal in his penitent motion which hee meaneth to make to his father will bee glad of that yea of the coursest of the houshold bread and fare in the house hirelings bread yea hee would bee glad to have of the refuse and leavings and spare even of hirelings bread Luke 15. 17. Make mee as one of thy hired servants namely in their allowances as well as services as one of them albeit as the meanest kitchin-boy as it were the poorest most despised cutter of wood and drawer of water c. Beggers ask but a piece of dry-bread a cup of small beer or water any old cast clothes and the like mercies and blessings in God his house which others it may be account too slightly of these humble suppliants wil highly prize and earnestly crave of the Lord and whatsoever they press after in spiritual blessings in Christ yet in temporals they use to be very modest neither poverty nor riches but Lechem Chukki the bread of his portion dimension that is the matter of humble Agars prayer Prov. 30. 7 8. So Jacob if God or prayer-wise O that God would give mee bread to eat and raiment to put on Gen 28. 20. In spirituals indeed they are still more needy and craving hunger and thirst after righteousnesse that is their most ordinary usual and continual daily desire like hunger and thirst the ordinary and daily affections in the body Matth. 5. 6. 6. When a Christian amidst all vilifiings of himselfe in prayer is ready to exalt 6 An acknowledgement of greatest love in smallest mercies the Lord and to acknowledge much love and mercy of God even in the smallest fruits and benefits thereof whatsoever stout vagrants and bedlams doe which will disdainfully cast scraps at their feet yet poore hunger-bitten beggers will not doe so but be very thankfull for smallest courtesies So it is here the guiding of a faithfull Eleazar in his way will make him bow his head in way of thankfulnesse to the Lord that so graciously answered his prayer therein Gen. 24. 48. O how will Gods humble Suppliants exalt and magnifie the Lord for blessings of a meaner nature even temporal as well as spiritual blessings as David for promised blessings to his house cryeth out who am I and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto 2 Sam. 7. 18 c. and 1 Chron. 24. 11 12 13 15 16. Hee exceedingly amplifieth the kindnesse of God to him and his people even in regard of temporall blessings hee wonders at the greatnesse of God his mercy to him and them even therein ibidem verse 14 15. And when such of God his Suppliants doe not fare so well at the doore of mercy as they could desire and as sometimes they have done yet they will not goe away muttering but even then will speake well of God and grace and mercy and the covenant and way of God c. The Psalmist in Ps 89. 49. cryeth out Lord where are thy former loving kindnesses yet concludeth verse 52. thankfully notwithstanding all the sad passages of providence before mentioned Blessed be the Lord for evermore Amen and Amen 7 When a Suppliant having prayed pathetically 7 Looking through all our meltings unto meere Grace for the successe with much fervency and brokennesse of heart
place of it 6. Such men will in the midst of their thanksgivings be with heart and mouth too sometimes censuring and putting contempt upon others falling short as they conceive of their excellencies yea albeit those others be better men then themselvs as this gracious Publicane was then the Pharisee so saith this seemingly thankful Pharisee God I thank thee I am not as this Publicane not such a varlet not such a wretch c. 3. Unregenerate men may be carryed out with some faith as well as fervency in their praiers As Luke 17. 12 13 14 3 They may pray with some kind of faith 15 17. The nine as well as the tenth who was truly gracious cry as loud as he and believe as strongly upon the word of Christ as he that the Lord Jesus had granted their request of healing and goe a great way to Jerusalem as men already cured to shew themselves to the Priest as the manner then was when yet they were not then actually cured they set forward in the journey upon that errand upon confidence of Christs word as if they had been cured at the very instant wherein he spake and yet not at that very instant but afterward even as they journeied towards Jerusalem from that part of Samaria were they actually cured As an unregenerate man one who hath not love may have the gift of the faith of miracles so as to remove mountaines 1 Cor. 13. 2. So may they exercise that faith in such a way expecting answers of prayer in cases of wonder They that cast out devils did it by invocation upon the name of the Lord accompanied with such â— faith for hearing them and helping them Mat. 7. 22. And in thy name cast out devils And as an unregenerate man may have that common temporary faith believe for a time Luke 8. 13. So may he for such a time act such a faith in prayer or the like albeit it be in matters onely of a common nature and not such as are properly saving as for clearing up pardon of sins subduing secret corruptions sanctifying of afflictions an holy rescue or issue from temptations or the like Touching the third thing propounded God may be said in some sense to heare their prayers praying with others I say God may in some sort and in some cases heare unregenerate mens prayers both such prayers as they put up to the Lord with others or by themselves alone Prayers put up by them with others may be heard in a saving way and manner by the Lord albeit not in a saving manner to themselves yet in a saving way to the Saints which joyne with them in the praiers which they put up Matthew chap. 3. 5 6 saith the Centurion came unto Christ beseeching him to heale his servant but Luke 7. 3 4 5. expoundeth it that he sent to the Elders of the Jewes to beseech Christ to doe it He joyned with them in the request it was his but it was presented by those proud hypocritical and unregenerate Elders who breathed none of the Centurions faith or humility as appears by their plea with Christ from the Centurions worthiness saying that he waâ— worthy that he should do this for him yet thâ— Lord Jesus heard graciously answered thâ— good Centurions hearty desire consenteâ— to the substance of the prayer They that presented the poore palsie man to Christ with a tacit desire of cure he had some oâ— them at least a faith of miracles for his cure but the man himself no doubt had a further desire even of his souls cure with the pardon of his sins and when Jesus saw their faith Mark 2. 5. he saith to the sick of the palsie as Matthew hath it chap. 9. Sonne be of good cheare thy sins be forgiven the mans grievous disease might trouble his freinds but this was his greatest trouble in the want of pardon of sins and his desire and faith was accordingly carried out and this soul mercy of his pardon and peace is given in as an answer in common to them all When he saw their faith he saith to the palsie man Son thy sins be forgiven thee Abiathar who proved a treacherous and bad man 1 Kings 2. 26. yet if he made inquiry of God for his counsel about distressed David 1 Sam. 30. 7 8. or about David in a strait 2 Sam 2. 1. God giveth a gracious answer for David who by him seeketh unto the Lord for his counsell and surely the desires of saith are acceptable to God and successefull whether expressed in others prayers wherein believers joyne or in their owne alone Psalm 145 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that feare him The fruit of no one ordinance of God doth depend meerly and onely upon the worthinesse and goodnesse of such as chiefly act in it Christ authourised the twelve Disciples and Judas among the rest to preach the Gospel Matth. 10 4. 7. And so as that if they came to worthy ones humble soules ready to receive their doctrine their peace was to come upon them verse 13. If the house be worthy let your ptace come upon it even all kind of blisse to their souls also which you petition for in your prayers and hold forth in your preaching that shall come upon it Let the Preacher be unworthy himselfe yet if the hearers be worthy their peace cometh on them The Gospel and Gospel-ordinances are the power of God to salvation to the believing hearer and partaker be the Minister regenerate or unregenerate The cup in the Lords Supper is the Communion of the blood of Christ to the worthy receiver be the Minister whom the people called to dispense the same to them regenerate or unregenerate 1 Cor. 10. 16. and so in praier Gods compassions are to his peoples miseries for redresse whereof the prayer is made be the man that is the mouth of the people therein Godly or ungodly Notable is that example of wicked Jehonhaz 2 Kings 13. 4. Jehoahaz besought the Lord and the Lord heard him for he saw the trouble of Israel wherewith the King of Aram troubled them Nor would God ever shew such respect to prayers put up by unregenerate persons in behalfe of his people or any of them if it were as some say a sin to joyne with an unregenerate Minister Parent Master Husband c. in their prayer And since every Hypocrite how godly soever he is taken to be by the most judicious Christians yet he is an unregenerate person if an hypocrite and since he that we judge to be truly godly yet it s very possible he may be an hypocrite we cannot bee infallibly sure in any ordinary way of anothers saving estate but onely in the judgement of charity we may esteeme such or such a one truly godly so that if we sinne if we joyne in prayer with an unregenerate person we cannot assure our selves but that we sin in joyning with any other at all because we cannot ordinarily bee
holy serving of the Lord how awful is a suppliant hee serveth the Lord with feare and trembling whilest praying how humble is he he is carefull to keep his distance even in talking thus with the Lord Gen. 18. Abraham then telleth the Lord he is but dust Prayer also in the intents and desires of the suppliant it is serving the Lord all that which a true suppliant fetcheth of God in Prayer if you resolve it into its last end it is service He prayeth for outward things as Jacob Gen. 28. For parts and gifts as Solomon 1 King 3. For life and health for deliverance out of divers afflictions outward and inward as Hezekiah Esay 38. and David oft but in all it is that he might serve the Lord and glorfie him the more thereby he cometh with a servantly spirit for mercy from God ready pressed to doe any work of his to attend any command of his Psal 123. 1 2. A praying frame is an obediential frame a command of God bringeth a true suppliant upon his knees and on his knees he wayteth for a command from him Prayer is called knocking namely at the door of Gods grace and mercy in Christ 9 Prayer a spiritual knocking as 't is called in scripture Matth. 7. Knock and it shall be opened unto you Prayer is a holy approaching and repayring to the door of mercy for all manner of supplies of grace which the Saints stand in need of the saints rest not in this that there is a dooâ— of grace that there is mercy for sinnerâ— to be had in Christ but they are conscionable in the use of this holy means of opening the same mercy is freely promised to thâ— people of God yet may none rush into the door of God under pretence that it iâ— open without knocking Ezek. 36. 25 26 27 c. The doore of grace is set very open I will poure clear water upon you c but verse 37. For this will I be sought by the house of Israel Prayer acknowledgeth the Lords prerogative royal In all thy wayes acknowledge him Prov. 3. True suppliants eye the Lord as a great God as well as gracious and therefore are willing to keep their due distances though the Saints be the friends of Christ and of God who may make in a holy wise bold with him yet it is holy manners to them not rudely to presse upon his favour or challenge this or that benefit of it without asking leave Indeed pinching extremities will make them put a good face upon it and not continue walking to and againe aloof off within some general veiw of mercy but to knock and knock again and again at mercyes doore to pray often for the opening thereof to them True suppliants are in haste of earnest and weighty affairs in their converses with the Lord they have much to do with him much to say to him much to receive from him and therefore they must they will knock they are sure that a gracious father of theirs is within yea within hearing and therefore they cannot but thus knock and pray True it is sometimes this door of grace seemeth to be shut against them in some displeasure but yet this maketh them the more earnest Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies Psal 77. 9. Luke 11 Trouble me not for I am in bed saith the friend within but yet see what prevailing importunity he useth so that for his importunity the friend riseth openeth and giveth what is desired What is Prayer but as spiritual knocking a special means of opening of the gate and door of Grace and so of all the lesser wickets as it were thereon depending Hence Psalm 119. 169. Let my cry come before thee saith the Psalmist and ver 170. Let my supplications come before thee as if he would say Open Lord to Prayer let it come in let not that stand without or as if it were a plea Lord Prayer is at the door therefore open So Psal 88. 2. Let my Prayer come before thee or come where thou art And Psal 55. 1. David prayeth that the Lord would not hide himself from his supplications Prayer it will come in where the Lord is will look him out as it were in all corners Psalm 66. 20. David blesseth the Lord that he had not turned away his Prayer Prayer standeth still at Gods door it will not away without its errand and answer Wisdomes out-doors even the Ordinances Prov. 8. 34. These are opened by Prayer Out-lary Gentiles fare the better this way for that Prayer Psalm 67. Let thy way be known among the people thy saving health among all Nations Matth. 9. end Pray the Lord of the Harvest that he would thrust out Labourers into his Harvest Prayer helpeth people to a fruitful Ministry Prayer helpeth to open the Ministers mouth openeth a door of utterance Colos 4. 3. Pray that God would open my mouth Prayer openeth a door of faith 1 Cor. 16. 8 9 The mystery of Salvation may be made known by it Ephes 6. 19. The Word may come to have an open and effectual passage into peoples hearts by it Hence that 2 Thes 3. 1 Pray that the Word may a have free course and be glorified c. The door of Liberty the Churches Liberties may be opened to the Prayer of the Saints as to Paul upon his Prayer Acts 11. Those strong and secret doors of death may be opened by Prayer Hence the Prophets raising of the dead child by Prayer 2 Kings 4. 32 33 34 35. So Jonah by Prayer had the belly of Hell the Whales belly and jawes opened to him to let him out Jonah 2. 9 10. By Prayer the doors of the womb as they are called Job 3. 10 are opened as in Hannahs case 1 Sam. 1. 15 16 20. and Rebecca's Gen. 25. 21. and Elizabeth's case Luke 1. 13 By prayer the doors of Heaven are opened If I shut heaven and my people pray c. I will hear c. 2 Chron. 6 26 and 7. 13 14. By prayer the Prison doors are opened as to Peter upon the Churches prayer Acts 12. 5 10. Secrets which otherwise are not to be opened yet are to be unfolded by prayer Dan. 2. 18 19. Then was the secret revealed upon prayer for the mercies of Heaven that way yea prayer will open even Hell gates as I may say as by Luthers Prayer one was recovered who had even given his soul to the Divel This kind of Divel goeth not out but by prayer and fasting Matth. 17 by fasting and prayer then even such a Divel is cast out and a poor man let go out of his possession As in other knocking there is a hand there are fingers which make a noise and help open the door so here there is a hand of faith which knocketh and that wil open that large gate and door of mercy and any of the lesser wickets depending Matth. 15. 28. O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as
thou wilt Come into all my Treasures of Grace and take even what thou desirest Godly desires knock and make a noise in Gods ears and he opens to them He heareth the desire of the humble Psa 10. 17. They will come in where the Lord is Psa 38. 9 Lord all my desire is before thee The Saints sighs make a noise at Heaven gates and God cometh forth to them For the sighing of the Prisoners I will arise saith the Lord. Psal 12. 5. and Psal 79. 11. Let the sighing of the prisoners come before thee room for the sighing of the prisoners Lord yea their very tears too make a loud noise at this door and they have their voice also in prayer Thou hast heard the voice of my weeping Psal 68. No wonder then that effectual prayer consisting of all these be indeed a knocking and meanes of opening of the gate and door of Mercy in Jesus Christ We pass by other names given to Prayer as that of seeking asking calling opening of the mouth wide running to the Lord for counsel referring ones case to him the like Come we now to give a description of Prayer Prayer is a spiritual and faithful opening of the heart to God in the name of Christ A general description of Prayer with an eye at seasonable help and relief from him By heart we mean thoughts desires affections these wants and weaknesses and sins to which the heart is privy and of which it is sensible We call it an opening of the heart in opposition to hypocritical covering and attempts to hide any thing from the Lord whereby their prayers become no prayers their Worship vaine whilst digging deep to hide the counsels of the heart from God Isaiah 29. 13 15. compared with Psal 119. 26. I have declared my wayes to thee that is prayed and thou heardst me Prayer is a shewing of God our waies or as the Hebrew word beareth a telling or counting them one by one as if we pray indeed when we do from our hearts deal plainly and punctually with God therein when we leave out nothing which we know by our selves untold before him even in a particular manner whether respecting our wants our sins or the like so Psal 38. 18. I have declared mine iniquity meaning all and each of his sins there were some more special sins sinnes which were chiefly his the Hebrew word signifieth a telling of some new thing Davids prayer and confession is not a high-way rode and some one track of confession but it is a telling him of any new fresh acts of sinne Jer. 20. 12 To thee have I opened my cause or prayed to thee Prayer is an opening of the souls causes and cases to the Lord the same word in another conjugation is used for uncovering making bare and naked Gen. 9. 21. The Saints in prayer do or should nakedly present their soules causes without all cover-shames or so much as a ragge of selfe or flesh cleaving to them All things are naked to him with whom Obs we have to doe he is privy to our secrets how is prayer an opening of the heart to him Suppliants are said in prayer to open Answ their hearts to God 1. In that they doe not dare not goe about to hide or desire that ought in their hearts should bee hid from the Lord. It is their desire he should and they are very glad that he doth know all their heart their hearts are ready to break when they through temptation or desertion want prayer vent 2. In that it is their desire and endeavour to present all within their hearts which God by a general eye of wisedome and omniscience seeth unto a more special energetical veiw of the eye of Gods compassion and love Psal 80. 14. Behold and visit this vine Psal 119. 132. Look upon mee as thou usest to doe on those that feare thy name Isay 63. 15 16. Looke downe from heaven c. where are the sounding of thy bowels c. 3. In that they doe thus in way of an ordinance of God which he doth eye and owne as opening of their heart to God Psal 62. 8. Poure out your heart to him or pray to him And albeit their hearts are open to God before yet not actually opened in this way of injoyned expressing the same till they do thus pray 4. In that when prayer is duly performed as their minds and hearts are uttered and poured out as before the Lords face Psal 62. 8. or before him so are they in lively manner quickned to behold Gods mercifull and energetical view of the same hence that perswasion of David All my desires are before thee Psal 38. 9. It is a spiritual opening Spiritual in respect of the efficient and working cause Gods spirit acteth and worketh therein It is prayer in the holy Ghost Rom. 8. 26. The spirit maketh intercession in us the spirit of praier is acted in it Zach. 12. 10. Prayer is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in-wrought our spirits also as acted and improved thereby are at work in it My God whom I serve with my spirit Rom. 1. 9. Our hearts are as water poured out to waft along each petition and confession or as oyle to anoint these messengers of the soul that they might flye the faster to Gods throne It is spiritual in the matter of it things of Gods Kingdome Matth. 6. 33. or if other things yet under a spiritual consideration as according to Gods will and for his glory Spiritual in the manner namely in a sublime and elevated manner of performance Isay 37. 4. Lift up thy prayer Spiritual in the end a calling upon God whereby he is exalted Esay 12. 4. Spirituall in the motive and ground-work a command of God requiring a promise in encouraging Thou saidst seek my face my heart answered Lord thy face will I seek Psal 27. 8. for thou revealedst to thy servant saying I will build thee a house therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer 2 Sam. 27. 27. Faithfull opening that is unfeigned without reservations c. Prayer from unfeigned lips Psal 17. 1. To God not to Saints and Angels which neither know our hearts nor can help us Isay 63. 16. Though Abraham know us not And it is to God not as into the aire or as at an uncertainty where or to whom In the name of Christ There is a holy renouncing of our selves and our owne worth and strength and a resting and trusting upon the Lord Jesus onely through whom we come to the throne of grace and for whose sake alone wee plead for and expect audience and acceptance yea and assistance With an eye to seasonable help Our Our eyes are unto the Lord until hee shew us mercy Psal 123. 1 2. Thus much concerning prayer in generall We might give sundry reasons to inforce Reasons why we must pray this duty Taken 1. From God absolutely and relatively 1 From God considered who is thereby
by whom shall Jacob arise for he is small or as the sudden stroak of God upon Pelatiah whilst Ezekiel was prophecying turneth his speech to the Lord Ah Lord God wilt thou make a ful end of the remnant of Israel Ezek. 11. 13. Yea will not variety of afflictions some outward Variety of Afflictions some inward which once in every foure and twenty houres are wont to befall us put us upon it to cry as sometimes the Church did in hers Behold O Lord See and consider Lamentations 1. 9 11 20. As Jesus Christ did in his when inwardly loaded as well as outwardly afflicted Matthew 26. 47. My God my God why hast thou forsaken me And whither also will our spirits wander betwixt our solemn praying in the morning and that at evening if we doe not now and then each day trie whether our hearts be gone out of call after vaine objects will they not else be too fast wedged in worldly affairs unlesse now and then hereby loosened a little But for the fastning of this exhortation and the right managing of the duty exhorted unto let us lay down 1. Some motives to it 2. Some Motives helps and means for it 3. Some cautions about it Touching the Motives consider 1. That this precept and duty injoyned 1. It s well for the Saints that God requireth and owneth this duty of God is a very precious priviledge to the Saints they of all others may well be forward to this duty in that it is well for them that ejaculatory prayer is acceptable prayer a choice service which the Lord himselfe appointeth and delighteth in it is well for us brethren and sisters that we may thus speak and converse with our God when none either thinketh or knoweth of it wee may ever and anon talke thus with our heavenly and gracious Soveraigne and others in our very company neither heare nor mark it As Nehemiah did in the kings presence he prayed to the Lord of heaven and the king not privy to it Nehemiah 2. 4. As we walke in the way with others wee may exchange a few of these holy speeches and yet keep our way and discourse with them little doe carnall persons think how many of these holy lifts sometimes gracious and spiritual persons occasionally cast into their company have whilest they are with them It is meat and drink which they know not of communing with one that is invisible They may have sweet answers and returnes also thereof which fill their hearts with heavenly joy wherewith a stranger doth not intermeddle Yea in their sleep the Saints may thus bee talking with God 1 King 3. 9. it was in a dreame when God said unto Solomon ask what I shall give thce verse 5. and he did so verse 15. and he awakened and behold it was a dream a sign then that hee was that while as in a sleep when praying and yet so graciously accepted and answered ver 10 11. And alas what else would have become of Gods Asahs and Jehoshaphats Davids c. of whom you heard if this were not prevailing prayer what should desolate Jonah in the whales belly also doe Jonah 2. 1. He prayed but in this sort What shall poor Jeremiah in the dungeon doe but hereby you see hee doth well enough Lam. 3. 55 56. I called upon the name of the Lord out of the low dungeon and thou heardest my voice c. Some freinds would sometimes give a world to exchange a word or two with a choice freind of theirs in their extremity If I could but send or speak with such a one will such say I need not I should not lye here thus If my Father if my Brother did but know of it I am sure they would relieve mee in my straits though I am now a Turks slave yet I have such and such friends in such a countrey which would ransome mee c. Yea but the Saints need not say so the Saints are never so hard put to it but if they want opportunity more solemnly yet this way they may be telling their heavenly Father and friend Jesus Christ how it is with them And is not this well for them yea verily Alas what should dumb ones doe whose tongues the enemy cut out or if not gag them if yet there were no means left of speaking with their heavenly Father but blessed be God there is this way left to such It may bee malicious persecutors will be throwing the saints into a Jayle amongst a company of rogues which will scoffe at the very mention of prayer now welfare this part of Gods revealed wil injoyning ejaculations for prayers also the poore Saints may then poure out these prayers to their God in which such a hellish crue cannot well interrupt them they may hear them sigh it may be or see them weep but judge that as arising from other causes which indeed and in truth is some sigh of love holy longing admiration or the like a precious melting of faith in their hearts amidst these short heart speeches with the Lord. Sometimes the Saints are like Hezekiah as well oppressed inwardly as outwardly that they cannot in a continued way pray but onely in an abrupt and broken way chatter and that within themselves and at length get out Lord I am oppressed undertake for me and they are like babes in Christ and can but brokenly stammer out their mindes to the Lord or like the Publicane not daring in a manner to speak much but in short to bespeak mercy as to chiefe of sinners is it then not well for such that O Lord bee mercifull to me a sinner is such an acceptable prayer with God yea verily it is well for the Saints when to leave the world when neither they can speak to be understood of any friend nor their friends to them albeit both may desire it with their mindes and spirits and have audience and acceptance and indeed if this were not so acceptable a duty many a blessed soul sylloqui with God of the Saints living and dying were made null and uselesse And is it not well then for the Saints that ejaculatory prayer is acceptable prayer yea it is very well in these and other respects and truly though it be as I may say ill for some notorious enemies of God yet this is so for the Saints can soon do their errand and in a very few words too As David did Achithophels 2 Sam. 15. 31. It is well also for many a man who is yet in his sinnes or at least under captivity to some distemper that ejaculatory prayer of the Saints is of such a nature they at Taberah had been consumed else when once the fire of God was kindled amongst them if Moses his ejaculatory cry had not been a prayer of the right stamp and full weight to passe for currant with the Lord Numb 11. 12. Moses cryed to the Lord and the fire was quenched sundry think Paul fared the better for
calleth upon the soule Go againe to him renew thy suits speak why dost not thou speak for a speedy answer and faith whispers the soul in the eare be not put off the Lord hath that by him for which thou comest it is not for his honour to bid thee goe and come againe to morrow when he hath that pardon and peace and grace by him for which thou comest yea Sathan and unbeliefe will be charging such present pay of spiritual debts or else to prison and therefore feares and jealousies are raised by them both in the Saints and many times will post and haste the soule upon desires of speedy resolutions and answers from the Lord what he meaneth to doe for them at these dead lifts 4. It consisteth in a strong resisting of 4 In a resolute breaking through discouragements in prayer discouraging suggestions whencesoever arising tending to beat the soule off from prayer If the answer from within be trouble me not I am in bed Luke 11. 7 8. yet the suit is continued and for importunities sake the friend ariseth and supplieth with bread If the angel say to importunate wrestling Jacob Let me goe nay I will not let thee goe till thou blesse me saith hee Gen. 32. 26 27 28. hee will hold his hold whosoever saith no. Exod. 32 11 12 13. Let me alone saith he to Moses or leave off thy prayer as the Chaldee paraphrase readeth it but the event shewed hee would not he did not let him alone Psal 80. 4. Though God carry it towards his people sometimes as angry yet they pray why art thou angry at the prayer of thy people Lamentations 3. when his prayer is shut out yet he knocketh Psal 61. 1 2. From the ends of the earth will I cry to thee when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher then I let his distances bee never so great hee is resolved to cry after the Lord and if he get but his head never so little above water the Lord shal hear of him Psal 69. 1 3. One would think his discouragements such as he were past crying any more the waters entred into his soule in deep waters the streams running over him hee sticketh fast in the mire where is no standing he is at the very bottome and there fast in the mire he is weary of crying yet verse 6 13. But Lord I make my prayer to thee and as he recovers breath so breathes out fresh supplications to the Lord if men or devils would be forbidding to pray as the multitude sometimes did the poore blind man to cry after Jesus yet as he so an importunate suppliant will cry so much the more Jesus thou Sonne of David have mercy on me Mark 10. 47 48. When distrust and distempers would bee pulling such a suppliant by the sleeves as he is going to the throne of grace and say what thou go thither alasse poor tattered creature wilt thou goe thus in thy raggs Hath the Lord nothing else to doe but to wait upon such as thou art Doest thou poore prodigal think that he will be spoken with by such an one as thou art Go pay thy debts first to divine justice thou knowest what an one thou art and hast been It is for such as are so fruitfull so faithfull so zealous so mortified so selfe-denying so sincere so serviceable to God and others such as have kept so close to God that have not runne into such and such sinnes against light such as can confidently stay upon God and not for thee who hast failed in all these to draw near to him yea but strength and importunity in prayer will gather strength by these pressings and oppositions these gusts wil but kindle the fire of holy desires and make them flame out the more in prayer and conclude that it concerneth the soul the more to beg and seek for mercy Sometimes the guilt of some special sin would stop the souls mouth this way but that also maketh it to roare out its complaints the more and presse the harder for pardon Sometimes the world in the occasions of it would withdraw the soul to speak a few words to it of concernment but importunity packeth that away with indignation Importunate David will chide out all manner of disquieting suggestions Why art thou disquieted within me O my soul Psal 42. 5. and break through an army of discouragements to speak to the Lord if he must swimme for it through a tempestuous sea of difficulties hee is at a point for that he will make his prayer to the God of his life verse 7 8. In this holy building-work opposition maketh not serious builders lay by their trewell but take their sword rather in the other hand ready to resist such as oppose it such holy beggars have no other trade to live upon but such begging it is even death to them to leave it 5. It consisteth in a patient bearing and 5 In submissive bearing crosse occurrences in praier overlooking adverse occurrences in our seeking of the Lord. Gen. 32 25. The Angel touched the hollow of Jacobs thigh and it was out of joynt as he wrestled with him but yet he muttered not hee mindeth his work and verse 26. I will not let thee goe except thou blesse me let him criple him and bruise him if he please but blesse him hee must ere they part The importunate Canaanitish woman doth not regard or any wayes stomack the taunt of Christ if it may be so called in his calling her dog It is not meet to take childrens bread and cast it to dogs but she owneth the worst name he can give her as her due Truth Lord saith she c. Matth. 15. 26 27. These people of Christ will be seeking of him Cant 5. 6. I sought him but could not find him I called upon him but he gave me no answer yea they bear it quietly yea but the watchmen and those upon the walls abuse his people verse 7. They put up that also but follow their suit for the recovering of Christs favour towards them ver 8. If you find my beloved tell him in your prayers that I am sick of love Such beggers winch not much for the barking yea or for some snaps of dog-like enemies to prayer nor care such beggars what they are secretly termed the worst name is welcome so that they may have but the almes of mercy for which they come They meet with many a wrinch and many a crush in pressing through crowds of discontentments with their petitions to their Kings gracious throne but earnestnesse of their desires makes them quietly to bear all In those soul wooings of Christ such like discouragements are all nothing if at last they may but winne Christ and gaine true spiritual conjugall fellowship with him if they find such a pearl they weigh not any cost they are at in seeking it If they may but gaine the passages of the streight gate to life they can
if by some awakening afflictions sent upon them they come to be roused yet it is too often their just doome to be earnest indeed but without any regard thereunto by the Lord. They shall cry but I will not hear Zeph. 7. 11. Isai 65. 13 14 But at best any degree of such a slighty spirit in prayer will become very grievous to us if truely gracious whence that way of complaint Isai 64. 7. There is none that calleth upon God no not one that stirreth up himselfe to take hold of Saddest heartgreifs God It is as grievous to such soules to have their spiritual joynts either bound or benummed as it is in a like case to men when their body hath its numb palsie when in prayer a gracious heart is ever reaching out to take an approaching mercy and then through a little incogitancy remisness the mercy is let slip and the advantage at that time lost it must needs bee grievous to the godly To the fourth Query Quest What means we should use to be Quest 4 importunate in prayer I answer get thee more abundant Answ knowledge of God and of our selves but Helps to importunity in prayer 1 Distinct knowledge of the Lord. especially acquaint our selves with Gods friendly and mercifull disposition towards us Luke 11. 7 8 5. verses compared Hee who was importunate for bread knew he was at a friends door like the Syrians hearing that the Kings of Israel were mercifull Kings this quickned them up to that earnestnesse in seeking their favour 1 Kings 20. 31. It will make a beggar earnest for an almes when he knoweth where a bountiful person liveth who is not wont to send any beggar away empty 2. Cherish wee hope of the Lords 2 Lively hope of mercy mercy to us Jonah 3. Let them cry mightily to the Lord verse 9. Who can tell if God will turne and repent the possibility that the Lord was within hearing and might open to the Ninivites made them knock so hard at his doore of grace 3. See wee bee sensible of our utter destitutenesse 3 Sense of our owne helplesnesse of what we are to ask of God and our shiftlesnesse to get it any other where or way Luke 11 3 6. Lend me three leaves for a friend of mine is come and I have nâ—thg to set before him Luke 15. 17 18 19. I perish for hunger I will arise and goe to my father and say make me as one of thy hired-servants Psal 143. 4. My heart is desolate within me ver 6. My soul thirsteth after thee When all other meanes and doors fail such spiritual beggars that one only door of grace is left for their reliefe or else they must famish how earnestly will it cause them to knock there Jer. 3. 21. A voice of weeping and supplication was heard verse 23. Truly in vaine is salvation hoped for from the hills Truely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel 4. Look that we account highly of the 4 High esteem of what is desired in prayer mercies we ask in prayer Prov. 2. 3. If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voyce after understanding verse 4. If thou searchest for her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasure The Church was sick of love Cant. 5. 8. and useth all meanes to find him and no wonder her beloved was the chiefest of ten thousand to her ver 10. 5. Take we holy advantages of the gales 5 Opportunity of prayer and movings of the spirit in prayer and of Christs approaches to us opportunity helps importunity in prayer Mat. 20. 30. And behold two blind men sitting by the way side when they heard that Jesus passed by cryed out saying have mercy on us O Lord thou Sonne of David And verse 32. And Jesus stood still and called them and sayd what will you that I doe unto you verse 33. they say to him Lord that our eyes may be opened When Christ by his spirit calleth us to him puteth us upon asking and when hee stands still waiting to be gracious to us now let him not goe till hee blesse us When beggars come whilst a bountifull person is giving out his dole to the poore or in dinner time when victuall is stirring they will not away without something so if we perceive the Lord to bee on the giving hand put in hard for a blessing 6. Improve we former advantages gotten 6. Improve experiences of God in and by prayer I will cry to God most high unto God who performes all things for me when we see crying will doe it will put us on not to spare for crying Now in this holy search after experimental knowledge of Gods grace wee now and then light upon a smaller vain of such treasure we will not spare any pains in digging when in our daily woing of Christ in praier we meet now and then with a smile and kiss and love-token it will make us follow our suit close 7. Goe we about prayer as our onely 7. Make praier our only businesse businesse which then wee have to doe ingaging our selves to attend it Saints are spiritual solicitours by their calling as Saints That which made Abraham so urgent in his request Gen. 18. 27. is this Behold now I have taken upon me to speake to the Lord. 8. Chide we our selves sadly and bee wee seriously abased for any sleightinesse 8 Chide our selves out of sleightinesse in prayer at any time in prayer as the Prophet complaining thereof Isa 64. We have now called upon thy name nor stirred up our selves to take hold of thee and Isa 63. 17. Why hast thou hardned our hearts from thy feare As Elisha was wroth with Joash for smiting but thrice and then staying 2 Kings 13 18 19. Saying thou shouldest now have smitten five or six times or as they did chide sleeping Jonah when hee should have been praying Jonah chap. 1. 6. Awake thou sleeper and call upon thy God So chide we our sleighty spirits to awaken unto prayer 9. Set we the examples of the most 9 Set before us the best examples of importunity in prayer importunate suppliants of God before our eyes James 5. 17. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not raine and it rained not a very dullard will pluck up his feet when he seeth how nimble his leaders are Lastly take heed of all such things as are enemies and impediments to Importunity Le ts to importunity in prayer 1 Inordinate desires after other things in prayer Such as are inordinate desires after other things we cannot to any purpose follow severall suits at once in severall Courts we cannot ply the worlds court and Gods too The messengers are sent out another way which should importune heaven and they cannot be here and there too whilst our winged desires are hasting after other things and booties we are slowest in moving heaven-ward with wings as Angels 2. Immoderate intentness
even upon our lawful occasions when our spirits are 2. Too much eagernesse upon lawfull things or occasions even rivited to our occasions they wil not be easily got free for prayer they must be even filed off againe no ordinary pulling at them will doe when we are too too busy all the day long in speech with such occasions they will be calling even in prayer for a word with us 3. Inconsiderate rovings of minde 3 A wandring minde before in the interims betweene our praying seasons when wee let our fleet thoughts flie hither and thither without restraint they will not be so easily lured by us and come at our call to become fixed in prayer 4. Admission of wandring thoughts in prayer and too easie yieldings to sleightinesse 4 Distraction in prayer therein they grow unmannerly bold when in the least entertained 5. Resting in graces and comforts 5 Resting in grace received received in and by prayer we are sure to become remisse in praying the next time if wee seed our thoughts too much upon what we got the last time we prayed or if sleighty once in prayer because secretly thinking to make amends the next time we shall be then also the more sleighty 6. Misgiving Apprehensions touching Diffidence God and his grace That thought Job 21. 15. What profit should we have if we pray to him maketh them carelesse of coming near the Lord. A petitioner must needs be heartlesse in his suit if he think that the King is wroth with him And a beggar hath no minde to stand begging at a known churles doore Quest To the last querie touching Quest 5 the markes of right and acceptable importunity in prayer Answ I answer wee may discerne Answ our importunity in prayer to be acceptable Marks of acceptable importunity 1 Selfe abasement in prayer when our importunnity is the importunity of a suppliant of a beggar in spirit when it is attended with much selfe abasement as the importunate Canaanite who looked upon her selfe as a dog Matth. 15. 26 27. Truth Lord yet the dogs take of the crummes under the table Importunate Abraham looketh at himselfe as dust and ashes Genesis 18. 27 29. 2. Answ When our hearts in prayer are Answ 2 well warmed fire hot then the end of prayer 2 Holy warmâ—h in prayer fervent prayer is attained when our hearts wax warme by it and the meanes is acceptably used then Gods ends in the use thereof are attained 3. When we are in speciall wise attent as to the work wee are in hand with 3 Holy waiting for an answer so to the successe thereof as that woman that besought Christ in an acceptable way of importunity you may see she lay at catch for she picketh out something for her holy advantage out of even that word which Christ let fall in way of Answer Matth. 15. It is not meet to take childrens bread and give it to dogs truth Lord yet the dogs take of the crums falling from their masters tables that prayer was full of holy pleas and so are importunate prayers Psalme 58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. And the Prophet beleeveth it was acceptable verse 8. He will speak peace unto his people but withall he was in a lifting posture after his answer I will hear what God the Lord will speak 4. When we are as earnest and serious 4 Hearty prayses afterward in returning praises for mercies received and begged as we were in begging for them Luke 17. 12 13. The Samaritan among the other leapers he also lifted up his voyce with them saying Jesus Master have mercy on us and verse 15 16. he is as earnest and loud in his prayses and one of them when he saw he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God and fell down at Jesus feet giving him thanks and he was a Samaritane and verse 19. Christ himselfe justifieth his importunity as a fruit of his faith Goe thy way thy faith hath made thee whole CHAP. II. Touching Opportunity of Prayer VVE come now to the second thing included in the Modification of this duty of prayer that it bee without ceasing Namely that we pray opportunely When Paul saith that without ceasing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had remembrance of Timothy in his prayers night and day 2 Tim. 1. 3. He meaneth that upon all occasions and as he had any opportunity hee did remember him in his prayers Hee taketh all opportunities offered by the Lord to pray and omitteth them not he praieth without ceasing It is then the duty of all the Lords people to pray opportunely or to take all holy opportunities to pray unto the Lord. For the better handling of this duty consider these particulars First that it is seldome that any time is unseasonable for prayer Secondly that yet there is a time when the Lord will not listen to prayer no not of his owne people Thirdly that in mercy the Lord useth to offer unto his people opportunities and seasons of prayer Fourthly that the Lords people are bound to take or improve all such opportunities of prayer Touching the first very briefly that it is Prayer is rarely unseasonable at any time very rare that any time is unseasonable for prayer it appeares in this that the Saints are injoyned to pray alwayes Luke 21. 36 Ephes 6. 18. And this that the title of God is to be a God hearing prayers Psal 65. 1 2. O thou that art hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prayers He is alwayes hearing the prayers of some of his people and ready to hear the rest Touching the second a little more largely Sometimes prayer is not so seasonable that there is a time when the Lord will not listen to prayer no not of his people so that praying at such times they pray out of due season It is not then so fit a time for them to pray As 1. When they are under offences unrepented 1 When the persons praying are under just offences of Matth. 5. 24. First be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift It is not seasonable for Jobs freinds to come to offer to God until reconciled to injured Job Job 42 78. If we are out with the favourites of the King of Saints it is not seasonable to come to the King with petitions It is not a season to seek peace with Christ the head when peace with his members is not sought If our heavenly Father should not hold off his respects to childrens requests who offend their brethren they would never seek to be reconciled 2. When any of them doe too willingly 2 When under some guilt of sin not actually repented of and contentedly remaine under the guilt of some known sinne against the Lord. Isai 1. 15. When you make many prayers I will not heare your hands are full of blood ver 16. wash you make you cleane put away the evil of your doings c.
2. 3. Thus did the Ninivites no body could tell they should bee delivered nor assure them of mercy if they did sue for it but yet none could tell the contrary none could say peremptorily they should perish without remedy If it be but a Who can tell it is a ground of mighty prayers and may cherish a spark of hope therein of successe Jonah 3. Isaiah must lift up his prayer albeit it be but a may be that God would hear the blasphemous speeches of Rabshekah against which he was to bend his prayers on Israels behalf 2 Kings 19. 4. A very peradventure of prevailing in prayer will set Moses a praying Exod. 32. 30. No Scripture telleth thee that thou art a cast-away many Scriptures give thee grounds of a may be at least of salvation Let that therefore raise thee though troubled sore to look and wait for a gracious answer of thy prayer 2. Labour to be stored with sutable Promises to your prayer cases it will bee our 2. Store up sutable promises to prayer cases wisdom to lay up such knowledge of such words of Grace Prov. 10. 14. Jehosaphat was not to seek of a Promise sutable to that he was to pray for 2 Chr. 20. Nehemiah had a like promise ready written on the table of his heart Nehem. 1. 8 9 10. And be we well acquainted with the Attributes of God which are vertually Promises and props to our faith in Prayer Moses in his prayer maketh use of them for that end Num. 14. 17 19. And the Saints oft elsewhere in the Scripture 3. Improve we former experiences both of our owne and others of the gratious 3 Improve former experiences dealings of God with us in way of prayer for meerly as well as otherwise they worke hope Psal 6. 9. The Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping he will heare my prayer Davids experience of Gods mercifull and faithfull performance of all the desires of his soul for him will make him cry to him with much confidence Psal 57. 1 2. Wee may not rest in mercies and blessings received but we may and must be incouraged from them to reach after and waite for more if we never had tasted of his goodness to us when we sought him yet were we to expect and waite for his gracious answer but tasting and seeing how good the Lord is by experience it is then a blessed thing to trust in him Ps 34. 4. 8. We may well trust him and rest on him as a God hearing prayers when we have tryed him to be such a one or else it will be a shame if speaking it in his word that he is such a one and then speaking it over sensibly in his workes that hee is such a one yet hee cannot be believed If any surely such as by experience know the name of God have proofe of that or any other title or Attribute or word of his wherein hee maketh himselfe knowne to us they will trust in him Psal 9. 10. Gratious answers of prayer given to the Saints are precious pledges of our interest in the covenant of grace and in God as our God and so we are to look at them and be encouraged by them Zach. 13. 9. We are also to quicken up our confident expectations of a gracious issue of our prayers from other experiences therein so the Saints used to do in their prayers mentioned in Scripture Psal 74. 1. 13 14. and oft elsewhere for indeed the Lord in giving answers of Grace to any of his children hath regard to the good and encouragement of them all that which the Lord did for and spake to supplicating wrestling Jacob Gen. 32. hee eyed others that were to come after him therein Hosea 12. 4. He had power over the Angel c. and there he that Angel the Lord himself spake with us not with him alone The regard which the Lord hath to the prayers of destitute ones is written and recorded for the generation to come to make a comfortable use thereof Psalm 102. 17 18. if one of Gods chosen ones fare well in their holy approaches to God the Prophet will put it plurally in the conclusion he draweth from thence Psal 65. 4. the former part of the verse compared with the latter part we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house 4 Improve we conscionably the Intercession 4. Improve Christs Intercession of the Lord Jesus for us When he was on earth he prayed for us as you may see in John 17. To bee sanctified by his Truth to be kept from the evil of sin Apostasie we pray for union and communion with the Lord Jesus such as is very strong comfortable and constant whilst we are here and the eternal enjoyment of the Lord Jesus in another world but fear lest our sins might intercept and frustrate our prayers but Christ telleth us and for our comfort that our joy may be full Joh. 17. 13. what is the sum of what hee intercedeth with the Father for on the behalf as of his Apostles so of all Believers vers 20 c. We will and must needs confesse that Christs prayers were without exception and that the Father alwayes heard him John 11. How well is it then for us that the Lord Jesus hath with acceptance prevented us and these mercies are already begged by Christ and granted of God to our hands Surely the Lord hath heard Christ in the desires which hee as Mediatour expressed to the Lord that we and our services and so our prayers might be accepted of which that in Isaiah 49. 8. is prophetically spoken compared with 2 Cor. 6. 2. we may well expect that in our holy approaches and makings out to God for mercy we come in a time of acceptance since the Lord hath heard Christ bespeaking of it if the Lord the rather honour the Lord Jesus because in the dayes of his flesh he made intercession for Transgressours Isaiah 13. 12. therefore shall he divide the spoil c. because he did so surely we may well expect the success thereof and to share in those spoiles if wee are strong and earnest wrestlers with God in his name for the same Solomons request for the grant of their prayers in their several cases which are mentioned 1 Kings 8. and which are granted chap. 9. 3. were shadowing Types of what the Lord will condescend to in all his suppliants cases at the request of this our blessed Solomon Psalm 72. but especially improve his present Intercession and appearing before God for us now in Heaven Heb. 7. 25. Look as whilst the people were praying without the Priest was offering Incense within the Temple Luke 1. 9. 10. So is Christ in that glorious Temple above appearing before God for us whilst we are a praying That was a shadow of this Heb. 8. 5. the Saints Prayers are committed to him there as his charge according to his Office to which the Lord hath appointed him to offer them up
will farther his gracious audience of his servants prayers What will not love grant 5 Consider what account the Lord makes 5 What esteem he hath of his Saints prayers of his peoples prayers They are his delight Prov. 15. 8. as sweet musick in his ears Revel 5. 1. They are memorials before him ever in his eye minding him of what is meet to be done for his people Acts 10. 4. They are as a Recompence to him he liketh to be paid in his dues in prayers also Psal 116. 12 13. he thinketh we never pray enough John 16 13 14. Hitherto you have asked nothing namely in comparison open thy mouth wide Psal 81. Mercy accompanieth prayer if the Lord would turne away the one yet not the others pleas Psalm 66. 20. 6 Consider what measures the Lord 6. What measures he keepeth in his respects to praier keepeth in his respects to prayer He heareth sometimes before we call preventeth his people with goodnesse Isaiah 65. 24. Sometimes even whilst praying they have answers of grace ibid. Sometimes when his people seek him for pardoning grace and the manifestation thereof he sheweth mercy even above their thoughts Isaiah 55. 6 7 8 9. giveth them as above what they ask so beyond their thoughts and expectations Eph. 3. 20. Wherefore raise up our expectations in this way of seeking the face of God touching his gracious disposition to hear and help us and when we have got up our thoughts therein to the highest yet believe it he hath mercy and answers of grace for us above our thoughts 7 Consider what method God continually and infallibly useth in his respects to 7. What method he observeth in his respects to praier prayer namely first to incline hearts to be cordial and serious in prayer and then to give his promised mercies Psalm 10. 17. Jerem. 29. 11. 12. The nearer and surer mercies are the more praying motions and workings there are then in our hearts Both are to the same mercy as one works to help to pray and to hear prayer Mercy would not be at work with us in the one if the other part of God's mercies work were not to be effected Lastly That we may clear up our fainting 8. Consider the Parable Luk 18 1. to 9. spirits and drooping hearts in expectation of faith that our prayers shall not fail of good successe from God consider of that Parable of our Lord Jesus which he for this purpose propoundeth Luke 18. 1. ad 9. A Judge a man comes off to hear a poor suppliants request and will not God a Father do much more for his An unjust Judg hears and will not a just and righteous God hear the cryes of his poor ones One that was a hater and disregarder of men and of his own name yet hears and will not God and Christ hear whose delight is to be with men Prov 8. One that was utterly averse from hearing He would not hear one to whom asking was a trouble This widow troubleth me yet at length grants the request of her which sought to him How much more will the Lord to whom prayer is a delight and whose property it is to be hearing even ready to hear prayers surely he will hearken to his suppliants requests much more One that while he denyed and delayed his Petitioner considered it not till afterward Then he considered with himself and he cometh off How much rather will the Lord who wisely weigheth all circumstances and inconveniences in case of too long delay to hear Isai 57. 17. He will surely fulfil his peoples desires One that in granting his Petitioners desire meerly to avoid disquiet Lest she should weary him out with her out-cryes he hearkens and will not God who delighteth in mercy do much more for his precious ones One that is solicited by a certain widow one no way allyed to him coming to him without any other Intercessour to plead her cause yet he cannot deny her Petition and can or will the Lord deny his own deare children which come to him in the name of him in whom he is well pleased yea and have the Lord himselfe to intercede for him Touching the last thing propounded very briefly The Marks of one praying in faith Marks of praiing in faith are these 1 When a soul is borne up and carryed 1. Praying amidst discouragements on in praying amidst discouragements to pray If he pray without ceasing when yet there are so many things sometimes which may seem to occasion ceasing to pray save that he prayeth in faith When we are hindred and opposed in it by Satan and others yet a Joshuah stands before the Angel notwithstanding Satans resistance Zach. 3. 1. or like him in Mark 10. 47 48 51 52. we continue crying Jesus have mercy on us even when others would forbid us when we are delayed and held off from our desired answers and left in some deeps of affliction in the interim and yet trusting in the Lord in Prayer We will wait Psalm 136. 1 2 3 4 5. When the Lord is long silent yet we will not be silent but plead How long Lord Psal 13. 1 2. When denyed of God as the woman of Canaan as if we had no part in the mercy we ask it were not for us yet we continue asking Matth. 25. 25. 26 27. Surely there is faith emboldning thereunto verse 28. When we seem to be curbed and silently rebuked as the friend wished not to trouble his friend yet will not give over his suite Luke 11. Surely he thinks he speaks to a friend within or else he could not would not then continue asking 2 When we pray with some more then 2 Praying with boldnesse usual boldnesse and liberty of speech as sometimes in an awful and spiritual manner we are wondrous free to plead with God more then at other times now is faith stirring in such a Prayer 1 John 3. 21 22. Eph. 3. 12. 3 When we pray with a kind of delightful 3 Praying with heart calmness calmness and stilnesse of spirit not tossed like waves in prayer through the power of unbelief Jam. 1. 6. 4 When in setting our selves sometimes to pray to the Lord and petition him 4. Prayers turned into praises we are even ready to make a holy digression and diversion and turning our intended Petition into melting admiring praises of God as oft times spiritual Christians have experiences thereof surely then faith is stirring So Christ turning himselfe to approach to God John 11. 41 42. saith I thank thee Father that thou alwayes hearest me CHAP. V. Of Humility required in Prayer WE have entred upon the discourse of things propounded touching the conditions required for the incessant performance of the duty of prayer and have dispatched the first namely Faith And now we are to speak of the second condition thereto required and that is Humility It is the desire of the humble which the Lord heareth Psal 10. 17.
on the one hand when the Lord is silent or when the prayers of the Saints take not according to the desires of the Saints they observe it and acknowledge it as the Prophet Lament 3. 8. perceiveth that the Lord giveth not such gracious entrance and entertainement to his and the Churches prayers And Psal 80. 4 they observe the frowns of the Lord notwithstanding their prayers And Isai 26. 16 18 they observe that no such desired deliverances were wrought by their prayers On the other hand Paul he observeth how long the Lord was silent he kept true account how oft he sought God without answer given and then he mindeth the answer which at length was given 2 Cor. 12. 8 10. They that love the Lord Jesus their Spouse will look after their love-letters which they have sent and carefully attend and await the answer returned If our heavenly Father should by his spirit put the question in our hearts what we have done with our petitions where we have left them we may upon observation and knowledge answer that wee have left them in the hand of the Lord Jesus our elder Brother And if we be questioned how wee have disposed of our sacrifices we may confidently answer we have delivered them and left them in the hand of our blessed High-Priest and do await the successe 3 In a judicious eying examining and owning after gracious Items 3. In a judicious eying examining and owning of after Items or occurrents wherein an answer of our prayers is involved as in secret pacifying of the heart amidst his sad stormy griefe of spirit He thence gathered that the Lord had heard the voice of his weeping Psal 6 8 9. Hee observed that after he had prayed against his enemies plots and whispers they did not triumph in the attaining of their intended mischievous desires and gathers that the Lord did therefore hear his prayer Psal 41. 5 7 10 11. compared David observes the sweet quiet of spirit which he had after his prayer against the rage of his enemies and gathers thereby that the Lord hath heard him Psal 3. 1 4 5 6. Paul seeth and feeleth strength in and from the Lord against his temptations and gathereth therefore that God had heard his prayer against the same albeit the temptations were not removed 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. David being in a pit of feare and rescued and freed of his horrors and his spirit more established in the wayes of God he seeth that he waited not for his answer of prayer in vaine but that he got it at last Psalm 40. 1 2. he observeth how he is quickned and strengthned with the might of God in his spirit and by that perceiveth God had heard his cry Psal 138. 3 When before prayer he was as in outward distresse so in inward stresse and perplexity and after he had prayed he perceiveth how he is every way outwardly and inwardly enlarged he concludeth that the Lord hath heard him Psal 118. 5. and sundry other like instances might be given hereof As Lovers will be opening the boxes wherein are their Letters and reading as the superscription and direction on the outside so that which is written within so will the Saints be looking into the providences of God and see and hearken what they speak and what of Gods mind and grace in answer to their prayers they may perceive Or as Petitioners to earthly Lords will be enquiring of every one of his Attendants and Servants which comes from his presence after their Petitions have been carried unto them what the Lord saith touching their requests whether he hath read it how he accepteth it whether they bring not the answer thereof from him and the like So is it here Heavens Petitioners will be examining and enquiring into and of all after providences occurrent without them and motions made within What news from heaven 4 In a vigilant care to keep with us what 4. In a due care to keep the experimental successes of our prayers by us for our holy use answers and Trophees of prayer we have gained in safe custody and lively and fresh vigour sweetnesse and efficacy The Lovers of the Lord Jesus they wil keep such Love-letters and Answers by them and will ever and anon be reading them over with as much delight and content as at the first and haply at a second perusal and review they take notice of some precious pithy passages that at the first more cursory looking over they observed not and it may be at a third time still they perceive it breatheth more love and more in this or that pathetical expression then at a first yea or second view they were aware of Answers of prayer are like to friendly tokens of the Lords special love to them and how every vigilant friendly seeker of Jesus Christ he owning and looking over and over these bowed pieces of his coyn which at this or that time he hath sent them by such or such a good hand in such or such an Ordinance or Providence or work of his Grace How will they make conscience of keeping the love of the Lord Jesus ingraven upon their hearts if he was lately with them and spake kindly to them in prayer Oh how they will familiarize with him by reviewing and reviving and speaking over in their hearts his last expressions which he used a word spoken to them in mercy is carefully kept by them Luke 8. 15. incorporated into their very hearts James 1. 21 Hence also the Church who had so wished for Christs company Cant. 8. 1. O that thou wert as my brother c. verse 4. professeth her care to keep Christ with her and that nothing provoke him to be gone from her verse 4. I charge you O daughters of Jerusalem that you stir not up nor awake my Love til he please Paul long after that answer mentioned before 2 Cor. 12. 9. he kept the joy of it witnesse that joy of his in his tryals verse 10. Therefore I take pleasure in reproaches c. Reasons to move the godly thus to watch Reasons of watching after prayer 1. We are the Lords children subjects servants after prayer may be these 1. In that our condition is the condition of children subjects servants beggars and therefore we may well attend the good pleasure of our heavenly Father Lord and Master to give answer to our requests the poor are Expectants Psal 9. 18 David praying to the Lord as his King Psalm 5. 3. saith ver 3. He will look up Psal 123. 2. As the eyes of servants look unto their masters hand so our eyes wait upon the Lord c. 2. In that it is certain God will give an 2. It s certaine God will seasonably hear answer of grace to his Saints praiers albeit it may be long first yea in that the Lord oft-times deferreth his answers it the rather calleth for our waiting Habakkuk having praied against the Churches enemies chap. 1. 12 13.
so assured that another with whom we would pray is regenerrte and so a man must now turne an absolute separatist indeed As for other praiers which do more personally Praying by themselves also respect themselves and are uttered by themselves albeit the parties be unregenerate yet the Lord may heare the same the Lord as a Master grants the request of that hypocritical servant though not as a Father Matth. 18. 26 17. and verse 32. O thou wicked servant I forgave thee the debt because thou prayedst me c. So those rude They are then heard mariners crying in distresse are heard of the Lord. Psal 107. 28. So was mocking Ishmael heard in his cry Gen. 21. 17. God may and doth put forth wonderfull workes for persons which cry to him as they are the children of men albeit not as the children of God many of them Psal 107. 15 21 31. O that men would praise him for his wonderful works which he doth for the children of men Though those that sought him when hee slew them had not hearts right with God Psal 78. 34 36 37. compared yet he being full of compassion forgave their iniquity i. e. as to the punishment deserved by it even utter ruine he passed over that he destroyed them not utterly verse 38. God liketh also to owne the righteous causes even of unrighteous persons and to set himselfe against their affliction Job 34. 27 28. They have caused the cry of the poore to come to him and he hath heard their cry So Exod. 22. 22 23. Though many of the children of Abraham of Isaak and Jacob in Egypts bondage were themselves unregenerate yet they crying also were heard out of respect to their godly Ancestors and the covenant of God made with them Exod. 6. 5. I have heard the groanings of the children of Israel and have remembred my covenant Sometimes God heareth such persons prayers the rather that they may afterwards bee instruments of his peoples good and sometimes that he might the rather incourage all sorts to pray to him Psal 65. 2. O thou that hearest prayers to thee shall all flesh come Sometimes the persons at present unregenerate yet are elect and God in hearing them will look to his owne thoughts of prayer which hee hath towards them and so will be found of those which sought him not aright But in case the parties bee reprobates what hearing God doth afford to any prayers of theirs It is first in common things and such which at least are not properly In common not in things properly saving saving mercies unto them for so God heareth not sinners if any object that evil servants pardon granted upon his request Matth. 18. 32. I answer the Master forgave him the debt not simply but in respect of the consequent vassalage and imprisonment presently deserved by it Matth. 18. 25. or as some interpret the place to be spoken in reference onely to the maine intent of Christ that if a man forgive not his neighbour offending and begging his mercy God will never communicate to him any saving benefit of his mercy in Christ An implacable spirited Christian is at present in a state of damnation 2. The hearing which the Lord doth By God as a Master not as a Father lend to such is from his general providence and pity and rather as a Soveraigne and Master then from any particular grace and as a Father for so he heareth not sinners yea he heareth them rather to leave them without excuse and to take a fuller blow at them afterwards as in the case of that evill servant Matthew 18. the end 3. The Lord useth not to give any sutable They receive not Grace answerable grace as the success of their prayers so he heareth onely Saints and not sinners especially reprobates he changed not the servants heart with his condition Mat. 18. nor theirs Psal 78. 37 38 39. 4. God sometimes heareth them in They are heard in wrath displeasure and anger Hosea 13. 10 11. I gave them a king in mine anger Psal 106. 15. He gave them their desire but sent leannesse into their soule their soule is blasted they were hardned in pride and security thereby and the thing it selfe given is blasted to them in the use of it becoming a snare and vanity and in the deprivall of it vexation of spirit CHAP. II. Touching Distractions in Prayer VVE are now to proceed to other cases of Conscience arising in the incessant carrying on of the weighty duty of prayer The second case now to be handled is touching Distractions or Impertinent thoughts and workings of spirit which disturb and molest us in prayer wherein demand will be made of three things Touching 1 The Causes 2 The Cure Quest or remedy thereof 3 The successe of such prayers wherein such distractions are found Touching the first we say the causes General causes of distractions in prayer of such distractions are either such as are more generall or more particular The more general causes are two 1. Satan that enemy to prayer the Authour of all confusion and so of this confusion Satan of the spirit in prayer that fowle who stealeth away what is spoken to the heart by God in the word he is as busie to steal away the good motions of the spirit stirring us up to speak to God in prayer Satan is at hand to tempt when we are in hand with prayer If we will draw near to God in prayer we may expect the tempter to approach some way or other to disturb us by some sinister subtle suggestions or other Wee must resist the devil in such like distracting motions when we are drawing nigh to God Jam. 4. 7. Resist the devil and he will flee from you And verse 8. Draw near to God c. If wee will pray with all manner of prayer we had need be armed against such like wily assaults of Satan which tend to annoy us therin Eph. 6. 11 18. compared Look as Act. 16. 16 17 18. still when the Apostle and his company were to go to prayer the devil in his instrument the maid possessed maketh a disturbance with her impertinent speeches so is it here if the devil can help it some thing or other shall be set on work to breed distraction or occasion disturbance to us in prayer or he himselfe will be suggesting something to molest us 2. The unregenerate part of man When 2 The unregenerate part in man at any time we should doe any good whether it be to pray or the like evil will bee present with us as he complained Rom. 7. 21. When I would do good evil is present with me that sink of natural corruption will then especially cast out its unsavory smels when so raked into by holy humble acknowledgments and deprecations this dunghill will then be sending out his vapours even when the heart is heated and warmed in prayer by the spirit when a commanding power of
Thus saith the Lord it was not really so 2 Thess 2. 11. God sends in a judicial way strong delusions that they should believe a lye It were not a delusion if better things were not held forth yea but indeed and in truth it s nothing else but a very lie though backed possibly with the Scripture of truth wrested and abused The divels Imps to seduce the better pretend the liberty of Jesus Christ but indeed and in truth its servitude to the flesh 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. So Satan himself would be beguiling of Christians with his delusive shadowes of Gods grace counsels comforts but they who hearken to such lying vanities forsake their own mercy Jonah 2. 8. But such things which the Holy Ghost suggesteth they are realities regularities solidities The Spirits suggestions carry a real port of divine Majesty and Soveraignty and many times in the very mentioning of them doth he effect what he represented to the mind Psal 42. 8 The Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time and not barely hint it yea so effectually that a Song of praise for it followeth And my Song shall be with me c. 4 Such motions in shew possibly Scripture 4. When any way crosse Scripture yet really suggested to crosse other Scripture counsels reproofs comforts commands or threats or coming crosse to principles of Faith or light or peace and experience received from God such motions are delusive and Satanical Such were those suggested to Christ whilst spiritually exercised in the wildernesse Matth 4. 6 crossing that Scripture vers 7. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God It s a deluding spirit it setteth the blessed harmonious Scripture against it self When Scriptures are set on the divels rack by himself immediately or by his Instruments mediately it s still divellish 2 Pet. 3. 16. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They put them on the Rack as they do other Scriptures albeit to the perdition of such hucksters Thus the Divel by the false Prophet pretends divine Authority and Warrant for that which was directly contrary to Divine Authority Jerem. 28. 11 14. Hannaniah saith Babels yoak shall be broken in two years and that the Lord saith it but God by Jeremiah saith No and as Satan doth thus mediately by his Instruments so he useth to do more immediately by himself But as for the Spirit of God he being a Spirit of Truth can suggest nothing but what is consonant unto truth What he heareth saith Christ that he shall speak Joh. 16. 13. And being a Spirit of Wisdom he cannot speak contradictions to what himself indited and inspired as he did the Scriptures 2 Pet 1. 21. he is a witness 1 Joh. 5. A faithful witness speaking the truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth and the same constantly As it s said of the true witness Prov. 21. 28. He that heareth speaketh constantly I deny not but that in some extraordinary cases God may say to Abraham That in Isaak shall thy seed be called c. Gen. 21. and yet chap. 22. bids Abraham kill that his Isaak before Isaak had any child and so seemingly crossing his Promise yea and his Precept too Thou shalt not kill but this was for trial sake Heb. 11. 17. By faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up Isaak Nor do such extraordinary cases crosse the tenure of ordinary rules which wee are to attend and by which we are to judg of the regularity or irregularity of suggestions or actions 5 Such motions which leave no impression 5. When leaving no holy impression upon the soul upon the mind but are forthwith forgotten they are delusive Satan is sometimes compared to lightning Luke 10. what lightsome motions he maketh they are but flashes soon gone the Spirits motions are abiding reflexions of Sun-like beams Satan as a fowle will be present at Religious exercises Matth. 13 4 19. compared the fowles attending the Sower are interpreted the wicked one attending the Ministers in their preaching and hearers in their hearing the Word But whatsoever flatterings he maketh in mens minds they are but vagrant and transcient movings but it s otherwise with suggestions truly divine When such a motion and word is spoken from heaven to Christ Thou art my Son c. Luke 3. 21 22. and the Spirit abideth upon him too that argued that it was indeed a divine attestation John 1. 32. When in keeping the Commandments of Christ from love to him as that command of Christ for prayer John 16 23 24. or the like the Lord so sheweth himself and his gracious counsels to us that he abideth with us the suggestions of such comfortable things to our hearts in prayer are of God indeed Joh. 14. 21. 23. I will manifest my selfe to him wee will come and make our abode with him When a word is so spoken once to us inwardly or outwardly that it is heard twice by us verily God spake that word to us indeed Psal 62. 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard it that power belongeth to God When Solomon is praying in his dreame and the while precious and sweet motions are suggested to him to ask what God shal give him when he asks wisedome it s said to him that hee hath that granted and more 1 Kings 3. 5 9 10 11 12. with ver 15. and this doth nor vanish as a dream but leaveth such an impression upon him that when he awoke the light heat and life thereof abideth so that he must to Jerusalem and offer sacrifice there in regard thereof this was indeed of God So in that Item of God to Paul whilst he was praying 1 Cor. 12. 8 9. He sayd to me my grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weaknesse this so stuck with Paul and so warmed him that he breaketh out thus most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities c. he rightly therefore concluded that the Lord sayd thus unto him Whilst Jacob is wrestling with the Lord that is told him that he should prevail with men Gen 32. 28. and the motion clave to him and in confidence of the truth of it he now dareth to meet his brother Esau verse 32. of whom before he was so afraid 6. Such motions which leave the 6 When leaving the heart barren heart barren when yet they swim aloft in the braine plentifully are delusive as those lying Items suggested to the eare from Satans instruments they please but profit not Jer. 23. 32. Therefore they shall not profit this people at all So these of Satan leave the heart fruitlesse Satans sweet bits they nourish no more the soule then those of that dissembling Churle doe the bodies of his guests Prov. 27. 8. Like his sorcery of bringing a fair woman to anothers bed which in the morning proved a carcasse Satans flattering motions when ever suggested are but as other flatteries a pleasing song and chearing blaze but ending soon after in
pray and plead first ere he wil answer us Christ prevented Zacheus and bad himselfe to his house Luke 19. 5. Zacheus come down quickly for I must abide at thine house to day yet usually he went to no house but he was first invited which maketh way to answer another objection Obj. 3. God may and doth bestow upon his people many desirable blessings without so much a doe in pleading for them The penitent thiefe did but say Lord remember me when thou commest into thy Kingdome and Christ presently answered him This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luke 23. 42 43. and the Publican did but cry Lord be mercifull to me a sinner and he went away justified Luke 18. 13 14. And David did but in a short ejaculatory Psal 3 way seek the Lord and he delivered him from all his feares Answ 1. Some extraordinary examples doe not take away from the force and course of an ordinary rule in this businesse of prayer nor any other 2. The cases of the Saints may be such and so circumstantiated that a few broken expressions may be as much yea more in them and from them then many pleas in themselves or others in other cases and at other times As in the poor thiefe incompassed with so much sense of guilt of his former leud courses with bodily tortures feare of death c. So in David in that instant when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech Psal 34. title So in cases of poore tempted Saints under bonds bolts and keepers as it were and with heavy weights upon their spirits They make short cries in depths Psal 130. 1. 3. God wil sometimes order passages for peculiar examples of his royall bounty that none may glory in man nor in prayers nor in pleas although acted therein by the spirit of grace and that none may be dismayed albeit they cannot sometimes plead the cases of their souls 4. The Scripture in recording the Saints prayers doth not alwaies expresse all but rather setteth down the summe and substance of what was uttered by them 5. In short prayers there may be couched many pleas as in that of the Publicans prayer wherein almost every word includeth a secret plea. As that term of Lord is a plea of respect to an humble servants request so that be propitious includeth pleas from Gods own mercy and Christs merits So that to me a sinner that is chiefest of sinners it was a very plea for grace to him that was such a one in his own sight and sense To be sure he had a pleading spirit in him Obj. 4. God is not as man to be moved by our pleas but abideth unchangeable in his purposes of what he wil doe so that as he said to Samuel touching Saul 1 Sam. 16. 1. Why mournest thou for Saul seeing I have rejected him God is not as man to repent what pleas soever are made to the contrary 1 Sam. 28. 15. God answereth me not saith Saul neither by Vrim nor by Prophets Lord Lord plead they in Luke 13. 25 26. have we not eaten and drunken in thy presence And Matth. 7. 21 22 23. Have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out divels but both in vain I know you not saith the Lord depart from me c. Ans 1. It s true Amidst Gods divers expressings of himselfe to us sometimes as frowning sometimes as smiling there is no change with God God is the same when he carrieth it to us as willing or when as unwilling to hearken to us because by an immutable act of his counsel he ordered it to carry it so diversly towards us in his dispensations 2. It s true also that there is nothing done in time but the Lord decreed it immutably before all time as that he would confer upon his people such and such a mercy but in such a way of moving them to pray and plead for it 3. It s true also that there is a time when pleas availe not as 1. For a time and so the Lord may expresse distaste and carry it as one that is angry with his own yea when pleading in prayer The Church pleadeth Psal 80. 1. Heare why so O thou shepheard of Israel c. yet vers 4. expostulateth Why art thou so long angry with the prayers of thy people yet were their pleas and prayers and teares treasured up for a fit season of help 2. For ever namely in case of expiration and ending of the date of the day and season of grace with any Prov. 1. 28. They shall seek me early and not finde me 4. Albeit the Lord be not moved by our pleas yet are our pleas his ordinance and therefore we are to attend thereto and they are an ordinary way and meanes in the use whereof God will give promised mercies yea they are a means which the Spirit of God maketh use of to move and quicken up our sense and feeling of such and such wants our desire of such and such mercies and our faith in such and such promises or attributes of God or the like to put us upon the serious urging of such and such holy pleas in our prayers Now we come to the second thing propounded namely what pleas we are to use in our prayers to the Lord. There are in arguing the cases and intricacies of our soules spirituall Topick places as I may call them certaine radicall notions in God and Christ and the Word which yield fruitfull and forcible arguments in this our holy discourse and reasoning with God true it is that it is not every puny in Christianity that can raise so aply seasonably strongly plentifully and graciously such prevailing pleas some are but Juniors and Freshmen in the schoole of Christ others are Senior Students in this holy Logick there is much skill required to become one of Heavens Barristers But for the better help and direction in Pleas with God respecting himselfe as from his own name this Art and fruitfull practice thereof let us reduce these pleas to three heads Some respect God some our selves some others Briefly then of some pleas respecting God and there we finde the Scripture recording some approved and as I may say unanswerable pleas As first the engagement of his own name in the cases before him When a petitioner hath such skill in pleading his suit that he can prudently involve the petitioned party in his case and so make it as well the case of the petitioned as of the petitioner this with men is undeniable pleading So is it here with God thus Exod. 32. 11 12. Why doth thy wrath wax hot c. Wherefore should the Aegyptians speak and say for mischiefe did the Lord bring them out to slay them in the mountaine c. As if he had said Lord I say not how the name of thy grace wisdome faithfulnesse and long-suffering may suffer in the eyes and hearts of thy professed people if thou shouldest deny my request but