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purpose_n this_o text_n like_o moses_n his_o tree_n cast_v into_o the_o bitter_a water_n of_o affliction_n may_v make_v they_o sweet_a and_o wholesome_a to_o drink_v of_o but_o second_o and_o more_o particular_o the_o rod_n be_v to_o make_v the_o child_n sensible_a of_o his_o folly_n and_o vanity_n pro._n 10._o 13._o in_o the_o lip_n of_o he_o that_o have_v understanding_n wisdom_n be_v find_v but_o the_o rod_n be_v for_o the_o back_n of_o he_o that_o be_v void_a of_o understanding_n so_o it_o be_v here_o god_n take_v up_o the_o rod_n but_o it_o be_v to_o make_v his_o people_n sensible_a of_o their_o folly_n and_o vanity_n it_o be_v to_o make_v they_o look_v up_o to_o he_o and_o to_o look_v into_o conscience_n and_o to_o look_v out_o to_o their_o conversation_n schola_fw-la crucis_fw-la be_v schola_fw-la lucis_fw-la god_n house_n of_o correction_n be_v his_o school_n of_o instruction_n his_o lash_n be_v our_o lesson_n his_o scourge_n be_v our_o schoolmaster_n and_o his_o chastisement_n be_v our_o advertisement_n 10._o isa_n 26._o 9_o psal_n 94._o 12_o pro._n 3._o 12_o 13._o job_n 36._o 8_o 9_o 10._o hence_o both_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_n express_v chasten_v and_o teach_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o word_n musar_n paideia_n because_o the_o latter_a be_v the_o true_a end_n of_o the_o former_a according_a to_o that_o in_o the_o proverb_n smart_n make_v wit_n and_o vexation_n give_v understanding_n affliction_n be_v a_o christian_n looking-glass_n by_o which_o he_o may_v see_v how_o to_o dress_v his_o own_o open_a oculos_fw-la quos_fw-la peccatum_fw-la claudit_fw-la paena_fw-la apperit_n greg._n
but_o many_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o object_n and_o say_v we_o have_v much_o business_n upon_o our_o hand_n and_o we_o can_v spare_v time_n for_o private_a prayer_n we_o have_v so_o much_o to_o do_v in_o our_o shop_n and_o in_o our_o warehouse_n and_o abroad_o with_o other_o that_o we_o can_v spare_v time_n to_o wait_v upon_o the_o lord_n in_o our_o closet_n now_o to_o this_o objection_n i_o shall_v give_v these_o eight_o answer_n that_o this_o objection_n may_v never_o have_v a_o resurrection_n more_o in_o any_o of_o your_o heart_n first_o what_o be_v all_o those_o business_n that_o be_v upon_o your_o hand_n to_o those_o great_a business_n &_o weighty_a affair_n that_o do_v lie_v upon_o the_o hand_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n moses_n david_n daniel_n elias_n nehemiah_n consideration_n see_v the_o first_o consideration_n peter_n cornelius_n and_o yet_o you_o find_v all_o these_o worthy_n exercise_v themselves_o in_o private_a prayer_n and_o the_o king_n be_v command_v every_o day_n to_o read_v some_o part_n of_o god_n word_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o great_a and_o weighty_a employment_n deut._n 17._o 18_o 19_o 20._o now_o certain_o sir_n your_o great_a business_n be_v little_o more_o than_o cipher_n compare_v with_o they_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o on_o earth_n that_o may_v have_v plead_v a_o exemption_n from_o private_a prayer_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o business_n of_o much_o business_n of_o great_a business_n these_o may_v have_v do_v it_o but_o they_o be_v more_o honest_a and_o more_o noble_a than_o to_o neglect_v so_o choice_a a_o duty_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o much_o business_n these_o brave_a heart_n make_v all_o their_o public_a employment_n stoop_v to_o private_a prayer_n they_o will_v never_o suffer_v their_o public_a employment_n to_o tread_v private_a prayer_n under_o foot_n but_o second_o i_o answer_v no_o man_n outward_a affair_n do_v ever_o more_o prosper_v than_o they_o do_v who_o devote_a themselves_o to_o private_a prayer_n notwithstanding_o their_o many_o and_o great_a worldly_a employment_n witness_v the_o prosperity_n &_o outward_a flourish_a estate_n of_o moses_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n nehemiah_n david_n daniel_n and_o cornelius_n these_o be_v much_o with_o god_n in_o their_o closet_n and_o god_n blessed_v their_o blessing_n to_o they_o how_o 17_o gen._n 22._o 17_o do_v their_o cup_n over_o flow_n what_o signal_n favour_n do_v god_n heap_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o no_o family_n have_v be_v so_o prosper_v protect_v and_o grace_v as_o they_o who_o have_v maintain_v secret_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o a_o corner_n private_a prayer_n 9_o 1_o chron._n 11._o 9_o do_v best_a expedite_v our_o temporal_a affair_n he_o that_o pray_v well_o in_o his_o closet_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o speed_v well_o in_o his_o shop_n or_o at_o his_o plough_n or_o 8._o 1_o tim._n 4._o 8._o whatever_o else_o he_o turn_v his_o hand_n unto_o it_o be_v true_a abimelech_n be_v rich_a as_o well_o as_o abraham_n and_o so_o be_v laban_n rich_a as_o well_o as_o jacob_n and_o saul_n be_v a_o king_n as_o well_o as_o david_n and_o julian_n be_v a_o emperor_n as_o well_o as_o constantine_n but_o it_o be_v only_a abraham_n jacob_n david_n and_o constantine_n who_o have_v their_o blessing_n blessed_v unto_o they_o all_o the_o rest_n have_v their_o blessing_n curse_v unto_o they_o they_o have_v many_o 2._o prov._n 3._o 33._o mal._n 2._o 2._o good_a thing_n but_o they_o have_v not_o the_o good_a will_n of_o he_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o bush_n with_o what_o they_o have_v and_o therefore_o all_o their_o mercy_n be_v but_o bitter-sweets_a unto_o they_o though_o all_o the_o son_n of_o jacob_n return_v lade_v from_o 43._o gen._n 43._o egypt_n with_o corn_n and_o money_n in_o their_o sack_n yet_o benjamin_n only_o have_v the_o silver_n cup_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o sack_n so_o though_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n have_v their_o corn_n and_o their_o money_n etc._n etc._n yet_o it_o be_v only_o god_n benjamin_n that_o have_v the_o silver_n cup_n the_o grace-cup_n the_o cup_n of_o blessing_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v 16_o 1_o cor._n 10._o 16_o it_o for_o their_o portion_n o_o sir_n as_o ever_o you_o will_v prosper_v and_o flourish_v in_o the_o world_n as_o ever_o you_o will_v have_v your_o water_n turn_v into_o wine_n your_o temporal_a mercy_n into_o spiritual_a benefit_n be_v much_o with_o god_n in_o your_o closert_n but_o three_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o that_o the_o objecter_n every_o day_n fool_n away_o or_o trifle_n away_o or_o idle_v away_o or_o sin_n away_o one_o hour_n in_o a_o day_n and_o why_o then_o shall_v he_o object_v the_o want_n of_o time_n there_o be_v none_o that_o toil_n and_o moil_n and_o busy_v themselves_o most_o in_o their_o worldly_a employment_n but_o do_v plutarch_n myrmecides_n a_o famous_a artist_n spend_v more_o time_n in_o make_v a_o bee_n than_o a_o unskilful_a workman_n will_v do_v to_o build_v a_o house_n plutarch_n spend_v a_o hour_n or_o more_o in_o a_o day_n to_o little_a or_o no_o purpose_n either_o in_o gaze_v about_o or_o in_o dally_v or_o toy_v or_o dourt_v or_o in_o tell_v of_o story_n or_o in_o busy_v themselves_o in_o other_o man_n matter_n or_o in_o idle_a visit_n or_o in_o smoke_v the_o pipe_n etc._n etc._n and_o why_o then_o shall_v not_o these_o man_n redeem_v a_o hour_n time_n in_o a_o day_n for_o private_a prayer_n out_o of_o that_o time_n which_o they_o usual_o spend_v so_o vain_o and_o idle_o can_v you_o notwithstanding_o all_o your_o great_a worldly_a employment_n find_v a_o hour_n in_o the_o day_n to_o catch_v fly_n in_o as_o domitian_n the_o emperor_n do_v and_o to_o play_v the_o fool_n in_o and_o can_v you_o find_v a_o hour_n in_o the_o day_n to_o wait_v on_o god_n in_o your_o closert_n there_o be_v three_o special_a fault_n whereof_o cato_n profess_v himself_o to_o have_v serious_o repent_v one_o be_v pass_v by_o water_n when_o he_o may_v have_v go_v by_o land_n another_o be_v trust_v a_o secret_a in_o a_o woman_n bosom_n but_o the_o main_n be_v spend_v a_o hour_n unprofirable_o this_o heathen_a will_n one_o day_n rise_v up_o in_o judgement_n against_o they_o who_o notwithstanding_o their_o great_a employment_n spend_v many_o hour_n in_o a_o week_n unprofitable_o and_o yet_o cry_v out_o with_o the_o duke_n of_o alva_n that_o they_o have_v so_o much_o to_o do_v on_o earth_n that_o they_o have_v no_o time_n to_o look_v up_o to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o base_a and_o sordid_a spirit_n in_o that_o king_n sardanapalus_n who_o spend_v much_o of_o his_o time_n among_o woman_n in_o spin_v and_o card_v which_o shall_v have_v be_v spend_v in_o ruling_n and_o govern_v his_o kingdom_n so_o it_o be_v a_o base_a sordid_a spirit_n in_o any_o to_o spend_v any_o of_o their_o time_n in_o toy_v and_o trifle_v and_o then_o to_o cry_v out_o that_o they_o have_v so_o much_o business_n to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o have_v no_o time_n for_o closet-prayer_n they_o have_v no_o time_n to_o serve_v god_n nor_o to_o save_v their_o own_o precious_a and_o immortal_a soul_n but_o four_o i_o answer_v no_o man_n dare_v plead_v this_o objection_n before_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o the_o great_a day_n of_o account_n and_o why_o then_o shall_v any_o man_n be_v so_o childish_a &_o foolish_a so_o 10._o â—ccl_n 11._o 9_o rom_n 14._o 10._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 10._o ignorant_a &_o impudent_a to_o plead_v that_o before_o man_n which_o be_v not_o pleadable_a before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o christ_n o_o sir_n as_o you_o love_v your_o soul_n and_o as_o you_o will_v be_v happy_a for_o ever_o never_o put_v off_o your_o own_o conscience_n nor_o other_o with_o any_o plea_n argument_n or_o objection_n now_o that_o you_o dare_v not_o own_o and_o stand_v by_o when_o you_o shall_v lie_v upon_o a_o die_a bed_n and_o when_o you_o shall_v appear_v before_o the_o whole_a court_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o great_a day_n of_o account_n when_o the_o secret_n of_o all_o heart_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a and_o god_n shall_v call_v man_n to_o a_o reckon_n before_o angel_n man_n and_o devil_n for_o the_o neglect_n of_o private_a prayer_n all_o guilty_a person_n will_v be_v find_v speechless_a there_o will_v not_o be_v a_o man_n or_o woman_n find_v that_o shall_v dare_v to_o stand_v up_o and_o say_v lord_n i_o will_v have_v wait_v upon_o thou_o in_o my_o closet_n but_o that_o i_o have_v so_o much_o business_n to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n that_o i_o have_v no_o time_n to_o enjoy_v secret_a communion_n with_o thou_o in_o a_o corner_n it_o be_v the_o great_a wisdom_n in_o the_o world_n to_o plead_v nothing_o by_o way_n of_o excusein_fw-fr this_o our_o day_n that_o we_o dare_v not_o plead_v in_o the_o great_a day_n but._n
do_v not_o intend_v to_o bestow_v upon_o we_o whether_o we_o pray_v in_o our_o closert_n or_o no_o and_o therefore_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v you_o press_v secret_a prayer_n so_o hard_o upon_o we_o etc._n etc._n to_o this_o objection_n i_o shall_v give_v these_o answer_n first_o that_o this_o objection_n lie_v as_o strong_a against_o family_n prayer_n and_o public_a prayer_n as_o it_o do_v against_o private_a prayer_n god_n know_v all_o thy_o want_n and_o necessity_n all_o thy_o strait_n and_o trial_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o what_o need_v thou_o pray_v in_o thy_o family_n what_o need_v thou_o attend_v public_a prayer_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n there_o be_v no_o wring_v of_o any_o mercy_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o heaven_n which_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v to_o bestow_v this_o objection_n face_n all_o kind_n of_o prayer_n and_o fight_v against_o all_o kind_n of_o prayer_n but_o second_o i_o answer_v that_o private_a prayer_n be_v that_o piece_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o adoration_n it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o homage_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o divine_a command_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v now_o all_o objection_n must_v bow_v before_o the_o face_n of_o divine_a command_n as_o joseph_n brethren_n bow_v before_o he_o or_o as_o king_n ahasuerus_n 2._o gen._n 42._o 6._o esth_n 3._o 2._o his_o servant_n bow_v before_o haman_n indeed_o every_o objection_n that_o be_v form_v up_o against_o a_o divine_a command_n shall_v fall_v before_o it_o as_o dagon_n fall_v before_o the_o ark_n or_o as_o goliath_n fall_v before_o david_n he_o that_o cast_v off_o private_a prayer_n under_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o he_o cast_v off_o the_o dominion_n of_o god_n the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o this_o may_v be_v as_o much_o as_o a_o man_n life_n and_o soul_n be_v worth_a but_o three_o i_o answer_v though_o prayer_n be_v not_o the_o ground_n the_o cause_n of_o obtain_v favour_n and_o mercy_n from_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o mean_n it_o be_v the_o silver_n channel_n it_o be_v the_o golden_a pipe_n through_o which_o the_o lord_n be_v 24._o isa_n 55._o 6._o jam._n 1._o 5._o isa_n 62._o 7._o psal_n 22._o 24._o please_v to_o convey_v to_o his_o people_n all_o temporal_a spiritual_a and_o eternal_a favour_n ezek_n 36._o from_o the_o 26._o verse_n to_o the_o 37._o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n god_n promise_v to_o give_v they_o the_o cream_n the_o choice_a the_o sweet_a of_o all_o spiritual_a eternal_a and_o temporal_a blessing_n but_o mark_v verse_n 37._o i_o will_v yet_o for_o this_o be_v inquire_v of_o by_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n to_o do_v it_o for_o they_o though_o god_n be_v very_o prompt_a and_o ready_a to_o bestow_v upon_o his_o people_n the_o best_a and_o the_o great_a of_o blessing_n yet_o the_o will_n by_o prayer_n be_v seek_v unto_o for_o the_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o they_o he_o that_o have_v no_o heart_n to_o pray_v for_o a_o mercy_n he_o needs_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o ever_o god_n will_v give_v he_o the_o mercy_n he_o needs_o there_o be_v no_o receive_n without_o ask_v no_o find_v without_o seek_v no_o open_n without_o knock_v the_o threefold_a promise_n annex_v to_o the_o threefold_a precept_n in_o matth._n 7._o 7._o shall_v encourage_v all_o christian_n to_o be_v instant_a fervent_a and_o constant_a in_o prayer_n the_o proud_a beggar_n get_v nothing_o of_o man_n and_o the_o dumb_a sinner_n get_v nothing_o of_o god_n as_o there_o be_v no_o mercy_n too_o great_a for_o god_n to_o give_v so_o there_o be_v no_o mercy_n too_o little_a for_o we_o to_o crave_v certain_o that_o man_n have_v little_a worth_n in_o he_o that_o think_v any_o mercy_n not_o worth_a a_o seek_n but_o four_o and_o last_o i_o answer_v every_o christian_n shall_v labour_v to_o enjoy_v his_o mercy_n in_o mercy_n he_o shall_v labour_v to_o have_v his_o blessing_n blessed_v unto_o he_o he_o shall_v labour_v 17._o gen._n 22._o 17._o to_o have_v the_o goodwill_n of_o he_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o bush_n with_o all_o he_o have_v now_o this_o be_v a_o everlasting_a truth_n a_o maxim_n to_o live_v and_o die_v with_o that_o whatsoever_o mercy_n come_v not_o in_o upon_o the_o wing_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o give_v in_o mercy_n o_o how_o sweet_a be_v that_o mercy_n that_o come_v fly_v in_o upon_o the_o wing_n of_o prayer_n how_o sweet_a be_v that_o water_n to_o samson_n which_o stream_v to_o he_o in_o the_o channel_n of_o private_a prayer_n judg._n 15._o 19_o he_o call_v the_o name_n of_o it_o en-hakkore_a the_o well_o of_o he_o that_o pray_v samson_n pray_v as_o for_o life_n and_o that_o water_n that_o be_v hand_v to_o he_o be_v as_o sweet_a as_o life_n every_o mercy_n that_o be_v gather_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o prayer_n be_v as_o sweet_a as_o the_o rose_n of_o sharon_n but_o 1._o can._n 2._o 1._o that_o mercy_n that_o come_v not_o in_o at_o the_o door_n of_o prayer_n come_v not_o in_o at_o the_o right_a door_n and_o that_o mercy_n that_o come_v not_o in_o at_o the_o right_a door_n will_v do_v a_o man_n no_o good_a such_o mercy_n will_v make_v themselves_o wing_n and_o fly_v from_o we_o every_o christian_n shall_v 5._o pro._n 23._o 5._o narrow_o look_v that_o all_o his_o mercy_n 5._o 1_o tim._n 4._o 4_o 5._o be_v sanctify_v mercy_n now_o every_o mercy_n be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o word_n &_o prayer_n prayer_n prepare_v and_o fit_v we_o for_o mercy_n and_o mercy_n for_o we_o it_o be_v prayer_n that_o give_v we_o a_o right_a and_o holy_a use_n of_o all_o our_o mercy_n such_o mercy_n be_v but_o great_a misery_n that_o come_v not_o in_o upon_o the_o wing_n of_o prayer_n prayerless_a man_n mercy_n be_v all_o give_v in_o wrath_n psal_n 76._o 23_o 32._o yea_o their_o blessing_n be_v curse_v unto_o they_o prov._n 3._o 33._o mal._n 2._o 2._o look_v as_o every_o sacrifice_n be_v to_o be_v season_v with_o salt_n so_o every_o mercy_n be_v to_o be_v sanctify_v by_o prayer_n look_v as_o gold_n sometime_o be_v lay_v not_o only_o upon_o cloth_n and_o silk_n but_o also_o upon_o silver_n itself_o so_o prayer_n be_v that_o golden_a duty_n that_o must_v be_v lay_v not_o only_o upon_o all_o our_o natural_a and_o civil_a action_n as_o eat_v drink_v buy_v sell_v etc._n etc._n but_o also_o upon_o all_o our_o silver_n duty_n upon_o all_o our_o most_o religious_a and_o spiritual_a performance_n as_o hear_v read_v meditate_v conference_n church-fellowship_n break_v of_o bread_n etc._n etc._n certain_o prayer_n be_v very_o necessary_a to_o make_v every_o providence_n and_o every_o ordinance_n and_o every_o mercy_n to_o be_v a_o blessing_n to_o we_o every_o mercy_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o the_o wing_n of_o private_a prayer_n be_v a_o double_a mercy_n it_o be_v a_o great-bellied_a mercy_n it_o be_v a_o mercy_n that_o have_v many_o mercy_n in_o the_o womb_n of_o it_o happy_a be_v that_o christian_n that_o can_v lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o every_o mercy_n that_o he_o enjoy_v and_o say_v of_o they_o all_o as_o once_o hannah_n say_v of_o she_o samuel_n 1_o sam._n 1._o 27._o for_o this_o child_n i_o pray_v and_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v i_o my_o petition_n which_o i_o ask_v of_o he_o but_o five_o some_o may_v further_o object_v and_o say_v i_o will_v drive_v a_o private_a trade_n with_o god_n i_o will_v exercise_v myself_o in_o secret_a prayer_n but_o i_o want_v a_o convenient_a place_n to_o retire_v into_o i_o want_v a_o private_a corner_n to_o unbosom_v my_o soul_n to_o my_o father_n in_o etc._n etc._n to_o this_o objection_n i_o shall_v give_v these_o three_o short_a answer_n first_o i_o suppose_v this_o objection_n concern_v but_o a_o few_o christian_n in_o our_o day_n that_o god_n that_o have_v give_v a_o christ_n to_o believer_n do_v common_o give_v they_o a_o convenient_a corner_n 32._o rom._n 8._o 32._o to_o enjoy_v private_a communion_n with_o himself_o in_o most_o christian_n i_o be_o afraid_a do_v rather_o want_v a_o heart_n for_o private_a prayer_n than_o a_o convenient_a place_n for_o private_a prayer_n what_o man_n set_v their_o heart_n upon_o they_o will_v find_v time_n and_o place_n to_o effect_v it_o whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o whether_o it_o be_v evil_a whether_o it_o concern_v temporal_n or_o spiritual_n whether_o it_o concern_v this_o world_n or_o another_o world_n this_o life_n or_o a_o better_a life_n if_o most_o man_n will_v but_o get_v better_a heart_n they_o will_v quick_o find_v or_o make_v convenient_a place_n for_o private_a prayer_n he_o who_o have_v a_o inflame_a love_n to_o god_n will_v certain_o find_v out_o a_o corner_n to_o enjoy_v secret_a communion_n with_o god_n true_a lover_n will_v find_v out_o corner_n to_o enjoy_v one_o another_o in_o how_o many_o man_n be_v there_o that_o