CLAVIS COELI [...] OR A TREATISE Setting forth The Nature, the Parts, and Kinds of Prayer, with the Efficients thereof: the Object of Prayer; the matter of Prayer; the time and place of Prayer; the gestures to be used in Prayer; the Necessity, Ex­cellency and Profit of Prayer: WITH Directions for the manner how we ought to Pray. Many weighty Questions discus­sed, and divers Cases cleered.

By William Gearing Minister of the Word.

Qui accedunt ad Dominum, debent in silentio, pace, & tranquillitate multa preces fundere, nec uti cla­moribus parùm decentibus, & confusione plenis: sed cum intentione cordis, & cogitationibus cast is Deum prae oculis habere. Macar. Homil. 6.

LONDON, Printed by A. M. for Francis Tyton at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet, M.DC.LXIII.

To the Right Worshipfull Sir JOHN FAGG OF Wiston in the County of Sussex Baronet, and to the vertuous Lady his Wife. AND TO Herbert Morley of Glyn in the same County Esquire.

Right Worshipfull,

ALl men while they are in this world are travellers, some journeying one way, some another; but they are all gone out of the way: they are trees, some rooted more [Page] firmly, some more weakly, but they have all been shaken: they are militant souldiers, some fighting in one station, some in another, but they have all received the foil: if we search the Scriptures, we shall find that the Church is not so thorowly refined,Ecclesia Chri­sti fusca & for­mosa est; fusca quod ad ex­ternum colo­rem, formosa quod ad inter­na linimenta. Hieron. ad Cantie. Nigra propter ignobilitatem generis, & mul­iitudinem pec­catorum, for­mosa ob fidem & poeniten­tiam. Lyra. but that she hath some drosse, neither is she so comely as the curtains of Solomon, but she is also black as the tents of Kedar: If we examine the Catalogue of the most righteous men that ever lived, we shall not find out one among them all, but hath been tainted with this leprosie: it is almost impossible for a man to live in the flesh, to be as it were composed of sin, and not to commit sin: In the Tabernacle, although the propitiatory was holy and blessed; yet there was a lamp in it, that needed ever and anon to be purged and snuffed; the like thing happens in every person. We have all of us some corruption to be snuffed, some breaches to be repair­ed, [Page] some spots to be cleansed. What? though a man hath led his life unblameably before men, that none can tax him with any wrong or indirectnesse at all, yet may he not therefore think that he is innocent in the sight of God: For notwith­standing all this, his own consci­ence will frame an undeniable Syl­logism, proving him to come within the reach of the curse of sin: the Major Proposition is taken out of Deut. 27.26. Cursed is he that con­firmeth not all the words of this Law to do them, or that fulfilleth not the whole Law: Every mans conscience will frame the Minor; and tell him, that he hath not fulfilled the whole Law: The conclusion follows, therefore he is under the curse: Eve­ry mans conscience (I say) doth conclude ex lege Dei, out of the Law of God, which doth condemn us for sin, and makes us like Adam, to run away from the presence of God; for fear of his wrath and [Page] heavy displeasure: but every faith­full soul hath his consolation in the Gospel, and in the great Mediator Christ Jesus, whom God hath ap­pointed to stand in the gap between Heaven and Earth, and make up the breach, to reconcile both toge­ther, upon whom man may dis­charge all his sins, and God dis­charge all his anger, who like a strong and impregnable wall, keeps our sins from approaching to God, and Gods vengeance from ap­proaching to us: He came into the world for our good, to seek and to save us that were lost, he came from Heaven by accepting of humane nature,Venit enim filius hom nis de Caelo in mundum, per humanitatis assumptionem quaerere per doctrinam su­am, salvum fa­cere per gra­riam quod perierat per culpam. he came to seek by his Do­ctrine, to save by his grace, those who had perished through sin: He came to call us, and never came there such a suitor as he is: he comes, he seeks, he cals, he omits no means, (being come) to draw us to himself; by him we have immediate accesse to the Lord, and are imboldened to [Page] speak to him as it were face to face, and mouth to mouth: It were then too shamelesse and senslesse a part to make use of other means to come to the heavenly Majesty. Surely they do much injury to his grace, who talk of Warders and Porters, An­gels and Saints, to be solicited to admit us into the presence of God; and to bring us to speak with him: services not unmeet for the Gover­nours of the earth, whose persons have need of guardance and attend­ance for the safeguard of their lives, upon whose life the life of the Countrey, and their people with whom they live, doth depend: they have need of special regard and guard to their bodies, or they may soon fall into danger. Besides, it is true of Princes of this world, what Jethro told Moses, when he sate from morning to evening to hear the causes of the people, Exod. 18. Thou both weariest thy self, and the people that is with thee, the thing [Page] is too heavy for thee, and thou canst not do it thy self alone. And there­fore infinite suits, besides the distra­ction of many other businesses, re­quiring larger audience than the ears of any mortal man can afford, drive them of necessity to the entertain­ing of subordinate Officers, both to admit and receive, the coming and requests of their inferiours: but there is neither danger in the person of God, who rideth upon the Hea­vens, and maketh his enemies to perish, like as the smoak vanisheth away, or as wax melteth at the fire: neither is his throne to be approach­ed unto after the same manner. It was the danger of Hesters life to come before King Ahasucrus, un­lesse she were called for, the Law being thus, That whatsoever man or woman came into the inner Court, which was not called, should die, un­lesse the King held forth his golden Scepter: But the Scepter of our Lord, the great King of Heaven [Page] and Earth, I mean the golden Sce­pter of his grace, is ever held out to man, woman, child, bond and free, stranger or Citizen, whether called or not called: they may safe­ly approach (I name neither out­ward nor inner Court) but even to the throne where the King himself sitteth.

And as there is no danger in his person, so no defect in his hearing, whose ears are open to the prayers of the poor destitute, whose eye­lids soundly try and examine the children of men. He that boweth the Heavens, and comes down with his all-discerning knowledge, hath he need of intelligencers to inform him of earthly things? He that planted the ear, doth he not hear? He that knocketh at our doors, and calleth for entrance, when we stand and knock at his; will he not grant us entrance? Surely he is nigh to all that call upon him, Psal. 145.18. to all that call upon him in truth. To encline his [Page] ear to our prayers is to accept them, and cast a gracious eye upon them, and so to inflame the hearts of his people, that with faith and confi­dence they may pray unto him, and prevail with him. If a King shew a cheerfull countenance to a poor man, that desireth to speak unto him, and turneth his eyes towards him, shewing himself attentive to his words, will not this poor man rejoyce? Will not the Kings coun­tenance and attention serve as a speech to him, and be as much as words, and a great grace unto him? so in like manner we understand God to encline his ear to our prayers, when he granteth to us fervour of spirit in praying to him.

But hath God ears? Is he a bo­dy, saith a devout man? Far be it from us so to think, for even a spi­rit is by many degrees more excel­lent than a body:Savanarol. Meditat. in Psal. 80. What is Gods ear? Happily his knowledge, for [Page] by the ear we understand those things that are spoken to us, but God hath known from everlasting what ever men have either thought or spoken: Surely Gods ear to us doth insinuate somewhat else that cannot be understood of his simple knowledge; for to some he doth encline his ear, to others he turn­eth away his ear, but his knowledg is ever the same: what then is meant by his ear? Surely his know­ledge of approbation or rejection. He enclineth his ear, and heareth the prayers of the righteous, because they please him, and are approved of him. He turneth away his ear from the prayers of the wicked, because they displease him, and because he rejecteth them. Should I now give you the picture of a true supplicant, I should humbly crave leave to tell you; He is one whose brest is sore with the stroak of his own pe­nitent hands, which are alwayes ei­ther like Moses upon the Mount lift­ed [Page] up towards Heaven; or the Pub­licans in the Temple smiting his bo­some: His knees are hardned with constant praying, his voice hoarce with crying and calling to Heaven, and when he cannot speak, he de­livers his mind in sighs and groans: There's not a tear fals from him, but an Angel stands with a bottle to catch it; he thinks every mans sins lesse than his own, every mans good deeds more: He desi­reth not only men, but even beasts and trees to mourn with him: mer­cy comes down like a glorious Che­rub, and lights upon his bosome, with this message from God, I have heard thy prayers and seen thy tears, and so with a handkerchief of comfort dries his cheeks, and saith to him in the words of the Wise-man, Eccl. 9.7. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works.

Let us then acquaint our selves [Page] with God, and walk with him as his friends, then may we come with boldnesse to the throne of grace: it is accounted a great matter to have recourse to the chamber of presence, but to go into the holy of holies, to commune with God, and daily to present our selves be­fore him, is a most singular prero­gative: And although hypocrites may draw neer to God outwardly, and honour him with their lips, and seem to be fearlesse of Gods wrath; yet their security is but like that of Belshazzar, which as soon as God awakeneth their consciences, be­cometh desperate trembling: but when the heart is sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washt with pure water, then doth a man draw neer to God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, Heb. 10.22.

Suetonius saith,Sueton. de Au­gusto Caesar. that when one delivered a petition to Augustus Cae­sar, his hand shook, and he trem­bled [Page] for fear; whom Cesar repro­ved, saying, That a man should not bring a petition to a Prince, as he that bringeth meat to an Elephant, for fear of being devoured by him: So for want of hearts fixt upon God, we cannot with confidence put up our petitions unto him, but even quake for fear when we come before him.

Right Worshipfull, I here present unto you a Key that openeth the heavenly treasures. The Hebrew Doctors speak of four Keys that God keeps in his power, which he will not give to any Angel: 1. The Key of Rain: thus he promiseth to open the Heavens, to give rain in due season, Deut. 20.12. 2. The Key of food: thus he is said, To open his hand, and fill his people with good, Psal. 104.28. 3. The Key of the grave: Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, Ezek. 37.12. 4. The Key of the womb: thus he is said [Page] to open the womb of Kachel, Gen. 30.22. But the Scripture tells us, that God hath many other Keys also: He hath the Key of the Scri­ptures, and the Key of the under­standing: He is said therefore first to open the Scriptures to the Disci­ples, Luke 24.32. and then to open their understandings. He hath like­wise the Key of the heart: thus God opened the heart of Lydia to conceive well: The ears of the Prophet to hear well, Isa. 50.5. The eyes of Elisha's servant to see well, 2 King. 6.17. And the lips of David to speak well, Psal. 51.15. Here you have another Key, which the Ancients call Clavem Coeli, the Key of Heaven, because it opens the gate of Heaven to us, and Ja­nuam Paradisi, the gate of Para­dise, because it letteth men in to God, and bringeth them with their requests into his presence: There is no Lock but this Key will open, and Christ in whom are [Page] hid all treasures is the Lord Keep­er thereof, to whose conduct I commit your Worships, and cra­ving pardon for this boldnesse, I am

Your obliged Servant in the Gospel, W. Gearing.

INDEX RERƲM.

  • CHap. 1. The Text, Mat. 7.7. opened.
  • Chap. 2. The definition of prayer, with a description of the parts of pray­er: Petition, Thanksgiving.
  • Chap. 3. Of the kinds of prayer.
    • [...]ect 1. Of mental prayer.
    • [...]ect. 2. Of vocal prayer.
  • Chap. 4. Of the efficient of prayer, viz, the holy Ghost. A Question, whether a regenerate man doth pray truly, or the holy Ghost only prayeth in him, an­swered.
  • Chap. 5. Sheweth to whom we must pray.
    • [...]ect. 1. That we are to pray to God alone. Some Objections answered.
    • [...]ect. 2. Divers Objections of the Papists answered.
    • [...]ect. 3. The grosse Idolatry and Will-worship of the Romanists condemned.
  • Chap. 6.
    • Sect. 1. Sheweth in whose [Page] name we are to pray, viz. in th [...] name of Christ. Two reasons t [...] prove it.
    • Sect. 2. Divers Questions propounde and answered. Quest. 1. What is th Intercession that Christ now maket [...] for his people? Quest. 2. For what this Intercession of Christ? Quest. [...] For whom doth he make Intercession [...] Quest. 4. To whom is Christ our Mediator? Quest. 5. When did Chri [...] take upon him this Office of his M [...] diatorship?
    • Sect. 3. Sheweth, That Christ is our on Mediator. An Objection answered.
    • Sect. 4. Two other objections answered.
  • Chap. 7. Sheweth the necessity of praye [...]
    • Sect. 1. The necessity of prayer shewe in three things.
    • Sect. 2. Confirmed by the examples Adam in his integrity, and Jes [...] Christ, and all the Saints that ever live.
  • Chap. 8.
    • Sect. 1. Of the matter of o [...] prayers: or the things we are to pr [...] for: That spiritual things are to [...] first sought.
    • Sect. 2. Of praying for temporal thing A Question, whether a man may pr [...] for riches or not, answered. N [...] gatively [Page] in three things.
    • Sect. 3. Sheweth, that we are to pray for temporal things not absolutely, but conditionally. An Objection answer­ed. Five extraordinary Cases laid down, in which a man may pray abso­lutely for temporal things.
    • Sect. 4. Quest. Whether a man may pray for temporal things for the time to come, answered.
    • Sect. 5. Sheweth, That the matter of our prayers must be framed according to the will of God: And how we may pray according to the will of God, shewed in three things.
  • Chap. 9.
    • Sect. 1. A Question, whether it be lawfull to use set forms of pray­er, answered affirmatively. Three ob­jections answered.
    • [...]ect. 2. Sheweth, that set forms of prayer have been practised by the Church in all ages.
    • [...]ect. 3. Four objections against set forms answered; yet conceived prayer com­mended.
  • [...]hap. 10. Sheweth, for whom we are to pray.
    • [...]ect. 1. That we are to pray for all the faithfull.
    • [Page]Sect. 2. That we are to pray for all tha [...] need our prayers: Likewise that we are to pray for our enemies; and th [...] benefits that come to us thereby.
    • Sect. 3. A Question, Whether we may not at any time pray against enemies answered.
    • Sect 4. Of the persons that more especi­ally are to be praid for. Of prayin [...] for Kings and Rulers, and the reason thereof.
    • Sect. 5. Quest. Whether Princes if the [...] be Hereticks, Tyrants, or Infidels ar [...] to be praid for, answered affirmatively
    • Sect. 6. Sheweth, That Ministers are t [...] be praid for.
    • Sect. 7. Sheweth, what we are to pra [...] for in the behalf of our Ministers, lai [...] down in six things.
    • Sect. 8. Sheweth, that Ministers mu [...] pray for their people: five reason thereof.
    • Sect. 9. That Parents are to pray f [...] their children; and housholders fo [...] their families, shewed upon fou [...] grounds: an objection answered.
    • Sect. 10. Sheweth, there are some perso [...] are not to be praid for, and who they ar [...] together with divers reasons thereof.
  • [Page]Chap. 11. Sheweth, what gestures we are to use in prayer.
    • Sect. 1. Two objec [...] [...]is answered.
    • Sect. 2. Three general rules for our dire­ction herein.
    • Sect. 3. An objection touching covering or uncovering the head in prayer an­swered.
  • Chap. 12. Of the place of prayer.
    • Sect. 1. Of publick prayer.
    • Sect. 2. Of private prayer.
  • Chap. 13.
    • Sect. 1. Of the time of prayer.
    • Sect. 2. Quest. How a man may keep his heart in a praying frame, answered in two things. A Question, whether a man may not pray, but when the Spi­rit moves him to pray, answered with four distinctions: affirmed by four reasons.
    • Sect. 3. Quest. How often we must pray. Resp. Eight reasons to shew we are to be constant in prayer.
    • Sect. 4. Sheweth, that certain times be set apart for private prayer. A Dis­course about Popish Canonical hours.
    • Sect. 5. Some objections answered.
    • Sect. 6. Sheweth, that there are four special seasons of prayer.
  • Chap. 14. The excellency and profit of prayer.
    • [Page]Sect. 1. Shewed in five things.
    • Sect. 2. A further amplification thereof.
    • Sect. 3. An objectio [...] [...]at many pray, and few obtain their suits, answered in six particulars.
    • Sect. 4. An objection touching Gods de­ferring to answer his peoples prayers, answered in four things.
    • Sect. 5. An encouragement to importu­nate prayer.
  • Chap. 15. Sheweth who he is that ca [...] pray aright, viz. the upright man▪ Three objections touching wicked men praying, and Gods hearing them, an­swered.
  • Chap. 16. Sheweth how we ought to pra [...] in a right manner.
    • Sect. 1. Direct. 1. Direct. 2.
    • Sect. 2. Direct. 3.
    • Sect. 3. Direct. 4.
    • Sect. 4. Direct. 5.
    • Sect. 5. Direct. 6. The Conclusion of thi [...] Treatise.

Imprimatur.

Geo. Stradling. S.T.P. Rev. i [...] Christo Pat. D. Gilb. Episc. Lond. à sac. domest.
Ex Aed. Sabaud. Apr. 30. 1663.

Clavis Coeli.

MATTH. 7.7.

Ask and it shall be given you: seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.

CHAP. I. The Text opened.

THese words contain the third part of this Chapter, and the eighth part of Christs Sermon on the Mount, and they divide themselves into two main parts.

1. A precept for the practise of Prayer: Ask,] Seek,] knock.] Tria verba ad­dit, quae in­stantiam sig­nificant; peti­te, quaerite, pulsate. Ferus in loc.

2. A reason to enforce and urge us to the performance of it, from the promise of audience, in these words; [Page 2] it shall be given you,] ye shall find,] it shall be opened unto you.] We must ask, seek, knock.] Ask with the mouth; Seek with the heart; Knock with the hand.

[...]. D. [...]layfer in hunc locum.1. Ask with the mouth: One observeth of Joachim, father of the virgin Mary, that going to the wildernesse to pray, he said thus: Prayer shall be my meat and drink: where by, saith he, it is evident, that a meat and drink (the naturall foo [...] of the body) must goe in at th [...] mouth; so on the other side, Praye [...] (the spirituall food of the soul) mu [...] goe out of the mouth: which is th [...] reason why Pythagoras required h [...] disciples to pray aloud; not that h [...] thought, God could not otherwis [...] hear: but to instruct us, as Cleme [...] of Alexandria noteth,Clemens Alex­andr. Stro­mat. 4. Sic vive cum hominibus tanquàm De­us videat: Sic loquere cum Deo tanquàm homines au­diant. Seneca. August. ad Probam. Epist. 121. that as or dealing with men must be, as in th [...] sight of God, so our prayers to Go [...] must be as if in the hearing of me [...] Men therefore ask of God, whats [...] ever they stand in need of, saith A [...] gustine, not to teach him their necessities (for who can instruct th [...] Lord: but to exercise themselves i [...] [Page 3] prayers, and that they may be ca­pable of those things which he doth willingly give them, and that there­by it may appear that he is the giver of all good things, and that the ef­fects and events of things depend wholly upon him, that all good things are to be looked for from his heavenly Majesty, and we thereby instructed to behave our selves more thankfully & dutifully toward him.

2. Seek with the heart.] They which vainly hope, or foolishly wish, to find God without seeking (or as she was in the Poet, Quae nòn inventa reperta est,) what do they else but expect, or petition a just Prince to grant them contrary to his own Laws and Statutes? for so strait a dependance hath the God of nature ordained between the means and the end, that Logick (the art that teach­es us to understand things aright) makes it an infallible demonstration from the one to the other: and there­fore, though some have sought and not found, yet none ever found which have not sought. Seek the things which are above, saith the Apo­stle, [Page 4] Col. 3.1. and if spirituall things must be sought for, much more God himself, who blesseth us with all spi­rituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ. These must be sought,

Ratione difficultatis.
Ratione dignitatis.

1. By reason of the difficulty of obtaining them; we must first quae­rere before we shall acquerere; with­out seeking they will not be had.

2. In regard of the dignity of them: Plato tells us, what is excel­lent cannot be gotten with ease, and shall we think that he that is in sin­gularity excellent, infinite, great, and infinitely good, yea greatness and goodness it self, will be found with­out seeking? Away then with the vain conceits of those, who think that God and his blessings are to be had without seeking, that hope to have him, though they never look after him: Now (as Christ addeth in the next verse) he that seeketh find­eth; so as certain it is, he that seek­eth him not, findeth him never: In­deed! if we respect the first overture that is made in this business, and com­pare [Page 5] the time present with the time already by past, then is it most true what the Lord himself averreth, Isa. 65.1. I am found of them that sought me not: because to the Gentiles (who were heretofore so far from finding him, that they never so much as lookt after him) now he hath given an heart to seek, and power to find what they seek, for we are lost by nature: A thing is not said to be found unless it were first lost. The Saints are compared to sheep that are apt to be lost, Isa. 53.6. first then we must pray with David, Lord seek thy servant; and aftterwards learn of him, being his servant, to seek the Lord; so shall we have the Lord to be good to us: The Lord is good to him that trusteth in him, and to that soul that seeketh him, Lam. 13.25.Si Deus tam bonus quae­renti, quid in­venienti. Ber­nard. If God be so good (saith Bernard on these words of the Prophet) to him that seeketh him, what will he be to him that findeth him? But a strange matter it is, as he saith, (con­tinuing his speech) that no man can seek God before he hath found him: God will be sought that he may be [Page 6] found of us, and he will be found, that he may further be sought of us: Men cannot seek him, saith he, un­less they have found him: and, cer­tain it is, that they have not yet found him who never sought him, or that do not still constantly and continually seek him.

There is a twofold vocation on Gods part, and a twofold disquisi­tion or seeking on our part. 1. There is an externall, generall, or common vocation, when God offereth us the means, which doth not alway take effect: so, many are called, but few are chosen, Matth. 20.16. 2. The other is an internall, speciall, and peculiar vocation, when Gods blessing doth accompany those means, which can not be without taking effect: for those whom he calleth, he justifieth, and whom he justifieth he also glorifieth, Rom. 8.30. Now as the calling on God's part is twofold; so on our part, there is a twofold seeking; and that is first outward, in using the means, and in taking pains about them, which doth not alwaies take effect; so saith the Prophet, Hose. 5.16. [Page 7] They shall go with their flocks, and their herds to seek the Lord, but they shall not find him. Our Saviour also saith, Many shall seek to enter in, but shall not be able. The other inward, when by the gracious assistance of Gods Spirit throughly working upon their hearts they seek after God: of which the Psalmist saith, Blessed are they that seek him with their whole heart. And God by his Prophet saith, They shall seek me, and find me, because they shall seek me with their whole heart, and this is the seeking of which our Sa­viour here speaketh.

3. Knock] that is with the hand. It was a proverbial verse of old, a­mong the Lacedemonians, that a man should set his heart on prayer, and his hand on work both together: We are all beggars full of sores, and must knock hard at the gate of mer­cy. Macarius [...],Macar. Homil. 1. p. 17. Luther saith, Vitam homi­nis nihil aliud nisi oratio­nem, deside­rium, gemi­tum, suspiri­um, ad miseri­cordiam Dei esse oportere. that God made not mans body [...] [...]hat nature, that it might have meat, drink, and apparell of it self: nor his soul, that it might have life eternall of it self, and in its own power; but appointed them of other matter, that being without [Page 8] themselves, and the gifts of God, they might beg, seek, and knock hard for them aliundè; a man that knocks not at heavens gate, is like him that prayed in the Poet, ‘Labra movet, metuens audire,’ moving his lips, as though he were afraid to be heard.Da mihi casti­tatem, & con­tinentiam, sed noli modo: ti­mebam enim, ne me citò au­dires, & sana­res a morbo concupiscen­tiae, &c. Aug. confess. lib. 8 cap. 7. S. Austin tells us before his conversion, that he prayed against his sins coldly, and faintly, Lord give me chastity and continen­cy, but not yet; for I did fear, lest thou shouldest quickly hear me and cure me of the disease of concupis­cence: when through the strength of conviction he prayed for conti­nency with his lips, he prayed a­gainst it in his heart; he turned not a deaf ear to his old lusts, but gave them leave to parly with him, and pull him by the sleeve, and say, Di­mittisnè nos? & a momento isto, non erimus tecum ab aterno? What? wilt thou leave us? from this moment shall we have no more to do with thee for ever? Therefore saith the Church, Lament. 3.41. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens; they say not, let us lift up [Page 9] our hearts alone, but let us lift up our hearts with our hands; let us not onely seek with our hearts, but also knock with our hands; and these hands that must be lifted up, must be holy, or pure hands, saith the Apo­stle, 1 Tim. 2.8. One observeth, of the pretious stone Diacletes, though it hath many soveraign vertues in it, yet it loseth them all, if it be put into a dead mans hand: so Prayer (which is the onely Jewell of a Christian) though it hath many choice vertues in it, yet it loseth them all, if it be put into the mouth or heart of a man that is dead in sin: He gets nothing at the beautifull gate, that knocks not with a pure hand, but is sent empty away.

Thus much concerning the mean­ing of the precept, Ask, seek, knock: the success followeth, or reason of the precept: it shall be given you; you shall find; it shall be opened unto you. God requiring a condition to be per­formed, set out under three forms of speech, Ask, seek, knock, promiseth to give us all good things whatso­ever: all which is no more than this, [Page 10] pray and ye shall be sure to speed hence I shall draw this doctrinall conclusion:

Doctrine. That devout importunity is never dis­missed, and sent away empty: or, Praye [...] is a powerfull means which God hath appointed us for the obtaining of his bles­sings: it is that long arm whereby we may reach even from earth t [...] heaven. A learned Divine of our calleth it canalem gratiae, Hoard's Souls misery, chap. 4 a channel or conduit pipe by which the ful [...] stream of all necessary graces is derived and brought home to us: bu [...] of this I shall speak more largely hereafter.

CHAP. II. The definition of Prayer, with a description of the parts of Prayer.

IT was well said of Chrysostom, tha [...] that is an excellent knowledge, an [...] worth ye indeed of a Christian man which teacheth how to pray aright which that we may be instructed t [...] do, shall appear out of the definitio [...] of Prayer.

Prayer is an invocation or calling upon God, in the name of Jesus Christ,Definition of prayer. for whatsoever things we stand in need of. So it is called Acts 2.21. Joel 2.32. Rom. 10.13. God hath commanded it, Call upon me, &c. Psal. 50.15. and the Greek word signifieth, to call upon another for help in extremity. Invocation is as it were to call God into us, saith Anselm. Invocare est quasi intùs, aut in se vocare. Anselm. Par. Expos. in Rom. 10. [...]. Damascen. l. 3. Orthodoxae fidei. [...]. Septuag. in Job 5.8. Prayer is called invocation in Latine, because it must be performed with inmost affections; saith a good Divine. Prayer saith Damascen, is Petitio decentium, a re­quest to God, for such things as are fit for God to give, and us to have: Or I may say further, That prayer is an ardent affection mounting up to God, whereby we do both ask and expect from God for Christs sake, all corporal and spiritual blessings. Pray­er is called, A committing our cause or putting our case to God, Job [...].8. a speaking to God, or a plead­ [...]ng with God. Prayer, saith Augu­ [...]tine, is our speaking with God; when [...]hou readest, God speaketh to thee; when thou prayest, thou speakest with God. Prayers, saith a learned Divine, are [Page 12] those calves of mens lips, those mos [...] gracious and sweet odours, those ric [...] presents and gifts, which being carrie [...] up into Heaven, Hooker. Eccles. Polit. l. 5. Sect. 22 Oratio tua est locut [...]o ad Deum, quando legis, Deus ti­bi loquitur, quando oras, cum Deo loqueris. August. sup. Psal. 85. Orat [...] est afflicti cordis affectio, & gemitus, quo divinum auxiliu [...] supplicitèr imploratur, sive hoc verbis, sive absque verbis, s [...] lis gemitibus & suspiriis fiat. Tzegedin. loc. com. in T [...] orat. Magna res est invocatio nominis Dei. Melanct. lo [...] com. de Baptismo. do best testifie our dut [...] full affection, and are for the obtainin [...] all favours at the hands of God, the mo [...] undoubted means we can use. To call [...] the name of God is a great matter, sait [...] Melancton.

The parts of pray­er are two,

  • Petition.
  • Thanksgivin [...]

A Petition is either for the obtai [...] ing of good, or the removal of ev [...] whether the evil of sin, or the evil [...] punishment: He that openeth his ca [...] to another, and spreads his wants an [...] miseries before him,

1. He is sensible that he stands [...] need of help, as the poor Prodigal.

2. He earnestly desireth to be he [...] ped, as the humble Centurion.

[Page 13]3. He earnestly sueth for help, as the father of the dumb child, Lord, if thou canst do any thing for us, have compassion on us. And as the woman of Canaan, crying earnestly to Christ; to heal her daughter.

4. He goeth to one that is able to help him, as our Saviour did in the dayes of his flesh, Heb. 5.7. therefore praying is a begging and cra­ving those things at the hands of God which we stand in need of, Luke 17.15. as the ten Lepers [...]hat cried aloud to Christ to cleanse [...]hem.

The word craving is of greater im­ [...]ortance, than the word asking: we may ask things that are due debts to [...]s; but when we come to crave a [...]hing, we flie wholly to the love [...]nd liberality of that person whose [...]ounty we intreat and crave. When [...]reat Kings and Princes would have [...]eir inferiours do any thing, they [...]o but speak the word, Do this, and [...]bey do it: Every word hath the force [...]f a command upon them, and binds [...]hem to obedience; but when a man [...]f low degree would have any thing [Page 14] from his superiour, whom he canno [...] bind unto himself, he fals to entrea [...] ties, to make requests and supplications: The poor useth intreaties, Prov [...] 18.23. moving them by argumen [...] drawn from their noblenesse an [...] bounty, to supply their wants an [...] indigencies.

Seneca in an Epistle said, he would have us like fertile fields which render more than they re­ceive: So should we return more thanks than we receive benefits, which how can we do to God? to whom when we return the most, we must confesse, it's lesse than we should, and when least it is as much as we can.The second part of prayer is Gr [...] tulation or Thanksgiving. The Ph [...] risee stood and prayed, God I tha [...] thee, &c. Luke 18.10. Indeed this the highest kind of prayer:

1. Because to make request co [...] cerning our selves, sheweth our lo [...] to our selves, but to render than [...] sheweth our love to God.

2. Because the other is a takin [...] this is a giving; and our Saviour sait It is a more blessed thing to give than receive.

3. Because our requests shall ce [...] at length; but we must alway prai [...] the Lord: So the Angels in Heav [...] do ascribe Glory, and wisdome, and [...] nour, and thanks, and power, and mig [...] unto our God for evermore. And therf [...] those that shall be [...], like un [...] the Angels of God, should not alwa [...] [Page 15] [...]peak with the tongues of men to [...]eg, but sometimes with the tongues [...]f Angels to praise [...]he Lord for his [...]oodnesse. With a song of Thanks­ [...]iving, singing out aloud unto him, [...]ith the Prophet David, Psal. 103.1. My soul [...]less thou the Lord, and all that is with­ [...]n me bless his holy name: For, if ever we expect an answer from God for [...]uture requests, he must first have a [...]eturn from us of thanksgiving for [...]hose blessings which we have recei­ved.

CHAP. III. Of the Kinds of Prayer.

Sect. 1. Of Mental Prayer.

HAving shewn what prayer is,Tot sunt pre­cationum ge­nera, quot sunt pii, animorum nostrorum motus. Cassian. Collat. 9. c. 8. Exod. 14.15. 1 Sam. 1.10, 13, 15. I shall now treat of the kinds of prayer, which are

  • Mental.
  • Vocal.

1. Mental: so Moses prayed, when he spake not a word, Exod. 14.15. and Hannah spake in her heart, when her [Page 16] lips moved not, and her voice wa [...] not heard: yet the Lord heard ho [...] petition, though she prayed with he [...] heart alone, and her tongue stirred not. This kind of prayer is called A lifting up of the soul to God, Psa [...] 25.1. Ʋnto thee O Lord, do I lift [...] my soul, that is, unto thee do I pray The work of prayer is not so muc [...] to lift up the eyes to Heaven, to li [...] up the hand, and to lift up the voice as to lift up the heart, and the desire of the heart to God. Prayer likewis [...] is called, The pouring forth of the hea [...] before the Lord, Psal. 62.8. They a [...] not our words, but our desires, sait [...] Gregory, Gregor. in Job l. 22. c. 18. that yeeld a most forcible soun [...] in the most secret ears of God, for if w [...] ask eternal life only with the mouth, a [...] desire it not in heart, Clamantes tacemus, for all our crying we are inde [...] but indeed but dumb: but if we desi [...] it from the heart, though we speak neve [...] a word, Tacentes clamamus, thoug [...] we hold our peace, yet do we cry. St Augustine August. in Psal. 148. Homil. 16. saith, As our ears are to on [...] words, so are Gods ears to our thoughts God who is a Spirit, seeth, heareth and knoweth as well the thoughts o [...] [Page 17] our hearts, as the words of our mouths, Psalm 38.9. Lord all my de­sire is before thee, saith the Prophet. Though Zechary be dumb and cannot speak a word, yet the Angel tells him, His prayer is heard, Luke 1.13. An afflicted soul may pray to God in the midst of a company, and though no man hear him, yet God who knoweth his heart, may hear his prayer. Such are the desires of Gods children many times, as they are notable to expresse in words; 2 Sam. 7.20. Sometimes words flow in abundantly in prayer; but the desires and breathings of their hearts do far exceed their expressions; some­times their prayers are interrupted, full of intermissions and broken sen­tences, but they are perfected by these pantings and gaspings of the soul begotten in them by the spirit of Christ. Sometimes words fall short,Hoc negotium saepenumerò plus agitur ge­mitibus, quàm sermonibus, & plus fleru quàm affatu. Aug. and quite fail them, being as it were ravisht in spirit by a kind of divine extacy, and then sighs and groans make a double supply of what is externally wanting, they being loud cries in the ears of God, Psal. 145.19. [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18] Therefore the Lord is said to hea [...] not onely the requests, but also th [...] desires of the humble, Psalm 10.17 Yea God heareth the sighing of hi [...] people. ‘As often as I see thee sighing in the sight of God, saith C [...] prian, I doubt not but in tho [...] sighs of thine the holy Spirit dot [...] breathe; when I see thee weepin [...] me thinks he is then forgiving.’

Quoties te in conspectu Do­mini video su­spirantem, Spiritum san­ctum nòn du­bito aspiran­tem: cum in­tueor fleatem, sentio ignos­centem. Cypr. de coena Do­mini.The Saints are assisted to pra [...] with unutterable groans, Rom. 8.2 so called, because they cannot [...] expressed by words or gesture:

1. Not by the Saints themselve [...] whose outward expressions come f [...] short of their inward affection prayer.

2. Not by hypocrites, who may fu [...] counterfeit their voice, words and g [...] sture, but can never expresse the i [...] ward affections of their hearts, wit [...] out the assistance of the same Spirit God.David praised God upon an in­strument of ten strings; and he would never have told how many strings there were, but that he made use of them all: God hath given all of us bodies, as it were in­struments of many strings, and can we think it musick good enough to strike but one string, to call upon him with our tongues one­ly? No, when the still sound of the heart by holy thoughts, and the shrill sound of the tongue by holy words, and the loud sound of the hands by holy works, do all joyn toge­ther; that is Gods consort, and the only musick where­with he is affe­cted. Sr Rio. Baker Disquis. in Psal. 51. A strange child may use t [...] same words to the parent with t [...] true child, but cannot conceive, mu [...] lesse speak with the same affectio [...] Those that have felt the pangs of t [...] new birth, shall find themselves so [...] times [Page 19] at a stand, and that all speech will [...]e stopt, and words swallowed up, so [...]hat they cannot expresse their holy [...]assions, affections, raptur [...] [...]a­ [...]ishments and meditations. This [...]as I may so speak) is a kind of An­gelical service. Angels have no speech, yet have they their seraphi­cal Hallelujah's, and so these (I may say) are prayers of prayers, the ve­ry extract, quintessence and life of prayer. When our tongues faulter, when our sentences are abrupt, when we pour forth our soul to God, not by speech, but by tears, desires, sighs, sobs and groans; these are of the spi­rits more immediate enditing, and therefore the more pure, the nearer the fountain, and God is the more acquainted with them, and better accepteth of them. When the child cannot speak (it may be) for some extream pain and sicknesse, and great weaknesse, but looketh on the pa­rent, sigheth, groaneth, weepeth, and casteth up the eye and onely breatheth: Oh, how compassionate is the parent, how do his bowels yearn within him? So it is in this [Page 20] case between our heavenly Fath [...] and us: Thou hast heard my voice, hi [...] not thine ear at my breathing, at my c [...] Lam. 3.56. Babes have no langua [...] for the brest, but only cries and tea [...] and this language the mother c [...] understand: yea looking up go [...] for prayer: My prayer will I direct [...] thee, and will look up, Psal. 5.3. M [...] eyes fail with looking upwards, Psal 69.3. The affections of the soul li [...] smoak break out at the window when the dores are shut. Tears ha [...] a tongue and language that our he [...] venly Father doth understand: T [...] Lord hath heard the voice of my we [...] ing, Psalm 6.8. I heard Ephraim [...] moaning himself, Jer 31.18, 20. G [...] heareth the voice of our tears, as weeping consisted of words and setences.Sufficit auribus imber oculo­lorum sletus citiùs audit quàm voces. Aug. de temp. serm. 226. Ambros. tom. 3. serm. 46. Austin saith, ‘He soon heareth our teares than our wor [...] Tears, saith Ambrose, are as were a speechlesse praying, the crave not pardon, yet they obtai [...] it, they open not their case, y [...] they find mercy.’ The prayers [...] tears are much more profitable tha [...] the prayers of words. Words in [Page 21] [...]rayer may deceive, tears cannot: Words many times do their errands [...]y halves, tears make demonstrati­ [...]n of the whole affection.

Sect. 2. Of vocal Prayer.

PRayer is also vocal as well as mental, outward as well as in­ward; though the heart be the prin­ [...]ipal, yet it is not the sole agent in prayer: All prayer is not included [...]n conceived prayer. God will have [...]he honor of our tongues, as well as of [...]ur hearts, and the calves of our lips [...]o be offered up unto him; he hath given us a body as well as a soul, and [...]ooketh to be glorified with both. A man may pray with his heart, but must not confine it to the heart alone: Therefore the Lord saith to the Church, Hos. 14.2. Take to you words, and say, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. Words are ne­cessary in prayer,

1. That others may joyn with us in prayer, for as it is a duty for the Saints to pray one for another, so it is of great use to pray one with ano­ther: [Page 22] Now unlesse we use word [...] others cannot joyn with us in praye [...] God requireth that a family shoul [...] pray together, this bringeth a ble [...] sing upon the whole house: the sam [...] is necessary also in regard of public [...] Assemblies, where Minister an [...] people are to pray together, ther [...] must be a distinct and audib [...] voice, that they which joyn wit [...] us may understand it, and be edifie [...] thereby.

2. To compleat our own prayer when the heart and tongue go tog [...] ther in prayer, this is a compleat o [...] lation.Dr Holdsworth Serm. in Hos. 14.2. When the dart of prayer [...] pointed with zeal, and feathere [...] with holy expressions, it flies hom [...] and hits the mark, as a learned ma [...] well noteth.

3. It is necessary to use words i [...] prayer,Voce inter­dum nos ipsos ad devotionem acriùs excita­mus. Aug. Epist. 122, ad Prov. cap. 9. Utilis quoque est quoniam fervit devotioni ja excitatae, quae erumpere solet, & redundare in extremum a sectum. Moller. in Psal. 54. to enflame our devotio [...] and quicken our affections. Pray [...] is compared to incense, therefor when the fire is upon the altar of th [...] heart, it must be blown up into [Page 23] flame by the billows of holy expressi­ons: No man can long abide in mental and ejaculatory prayer; if words be wanting, it is a hard mat­ter to keep up the affections in their due bounds, and the heart from running out in many excur­sions.

4. Words are not necessary in re­gard of God, to enform him what we want, who knoweth all our wants, and understandeth our thoughts afarre off; or to instruct him, as if he were ignorant of any thing; but in regard of our selves to testifie our obedience to his Com­mandments; who hath command­ed us in all our necessities to call up­on him, and likewise to testi­fie our faith in the promises of God.

5. Though there be no need at all of voice, when we make our private prayers to God, in regard that God heareth and beholdeth our hearts and minds; yet sometimes (saith Peter Martyr Pet. Martyr. in 1 Sam. 1.12.) it may be used to very good purpose; because it may fall out, that we may languish [Page 24] in our prayers, and our minds ma [...] be wearied, which the voice aga [...] will refresh, and give thereunto new vigour. Therefore saith D [...] vid, I cried unto the Lord with [...] voice, and he heard me out of his h [...] hill, Psalm 3.4. By our tongues prayer we tell God how it is with u [...] Lord, how are my troubles encreased Thus and thus it is with me. S [...] Jeremy Chap. 20. 12. To thee I ha [...] opened my cause. And David, Psal 119.26. I have declared my wayes un [...] thee. And though the words tha [...] we utter in prayer are but few, ye [...] if they flow from a sincere affectio [...] it may be said of them,Quàm multa quàm paucis. Tul. Epist. Fam. l. 11. Epist. 24. Aug. Epist. 121. c. 10. as Tully i [...] another case; How much is there i [...] how few words? ‘The brethren i [...] Aegypt, saith St Austin, are reported to have many prayers; Se [...] eas tamen brevissimas, & raptim quo [...] dammodò jaculatus: but all of them very short, as if their words were so many darts thrown out with a kind of a suddain quicknesse.’ Give ear to my words, O Lord, saith David, Psal. 5.1. Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in thy sight, &c. Ps. 19. ult. [Page 25] [...]hus Abraham speaks and pleads [...]ith God in the behalf of Sodom, [...]en. 18. Is it fit that dust and ashes [...]ould thus speak to God, as David did, [...]ive ear to my w rds, ponder and consi­ [...]er my words? Say but to thy fellow- [...]reature, if once he be above thee in [...]uthority: Sir, consider my suit, [...]onder well what I have spoken, [...]eigh it well before you judge; and [...]ill he not presently take it in snuff, [...]nd think you have done him wrong, as if you called his wits in [...]uestion: but such is the love and [...]oodnesse of our great Creator, that [...]e disdaineth not to be called upon [...]n those termes; ponder and consi­ [...]er well my words, that Magistrates may learn (in like sort) to give [...]oor suitors leave, if sometimes tran­ [...]ported and carried away with the [...]agernesse of their affections, they [...]hance to forget themselves. Me­morable is that Story of a poor wo­man, who having a suit to Philip King of Macedon, hearing him say, [...]hat he was not at leisure to hear her, [...]nswered him; Noli ergo regnare; Plutarch. Apopth. [...]hen give over reigning, said she; [Page 26] which bold answer of her the Ki [...] admiring, and taking in good par [...] gave her present audience, ar [...] not to her onely, but to othe [...] also.

Quid prodest strepitus ver­borum, ubi cor est mu­tum? sicut enim vox sine modulatione est quasi ge­mitus porco­rum. Sic oratio sine de­votione est quasi mugitus Boum. Isidor. Oratio cordis est nòn labio­rum, neque enim verba deprecantis Deus intendit, sed orantis cor aspicit, & me­lius est cum silentio orare in corde, sine sono vocis, quam solis verbis sine intuitu mentis Isidor. Macrob. Comment. in Somn. Scipion.Now it is not enough to use wor [...] in our prayers, unlesse hearty aff [...] ction go with our words; for o [...] may pray and not speak, and an [...] ther speak and not pray; this ma [...] voice (though never so loud) is n [...] heard, because his praying is all voice, nothing in vertue; in outwa [...] sound, not in inward sense: T [...] former is heard, yet speaks no [...] for though his mouth be shut, y [...] his heart is open, and his heart ta [...] eth with God, though his tongue [...] tied up before men. A sincere Ch [...] stian, though he make use of [...] tongue in prayer, yet is he carefu [...] that his prayers go not out of feign [...] lips, Psalm 17.1. and that when [...] draws near to God, and honoure [...] him with his lips, his heart be n [...] far from him, Isa. 29.13. ‘The sp [...] rit of prayer, as one well note [...] [Page 27] sets up the heart to its due height, and then windeth up the words accordingly to it, and so maketh a compleat Diapason, or harmony of the whole, to yeeld a gratefull sound in the ears of God.’

CHAP. IV. Of the efficient of Prayer.

THe next thing I shall treat of, shall be the efficient cause of [...]rayer, which is the holy Ghost: [...]or desire to pray, is not bred in us by [...]ature, nor acquired by humane [...]udy or industry, but put into us by [...]he Spirit of God,Balls Treat. of prayer. as a judicious Di­ [...]ine well noteth: As no man can [...]y Jesus is the Lord but by the holy [...]host, 1 Cor. 12.2, 3. So no man [...]n be enabled to call upon the Lord [...] his Father sincerely and affectio­ [...]ately, but by the sanctifying Spirit. [...]ecause ye are sons, therefore God hath [...]nt forth the Spirit of his sons into your [...]earts, whereby ye cry Abba, Father, [...]al. 4.6. The Apostle exhorteth the [Page 28] Ephesians, to pray with all manner prayers and supplications in the Spiri [...] Ephes. 6.18. ‘The Spirit is the ri [...] of true prayer,Bains Exposit. in Ephes. if it proceed n [...] thence, it is an empty ring whi [...] God regardeth not, saith a learn [...] man.’ Prayer is not a work of ma [...] wit, nor of humane learning: F [...] saith the Apostle, We of our selv [...] know not what to pray for as we oug [...] Now true effectual prayer, is a wo [...] a fruit, a gift, an effect of the sanc [...] fying Spirit: The Spirit it self help [...] our infirmities, and teacheth us to pr [...] Rom. 8.26, 27. As a Watch can [...] go, unlesse the spring be wound u [...] and an instrument can make no m [...] sick, though it be in tune, unle [...] we finger it, and play out; a [...] reason will make this evident us.

1. All good works are the fru [...] of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22, 23. the [...] fore to pray being a good work, it a fruit of the Spirit. I will pour w [...] ter upon him that is thirsty, and flo [...] upon the dry ground: The meani [...] whereof he interpreteth in the ne [...] words, I will pour out my Spirit on [...] [Page 29] seed, and my blessing on thy off-spring; [...]nd they shall spring up as among the grass, [...]nd as willows by the water-courses; [...]ne shall say, I am the Lords, and ano­ [...]her shall call himself by the name of [...]acob, and another shall subscribe with [...]is hand unto the Lord, and sirname [...]imself by the name of Israel, Isa. [...]4.3, 4, 5.

2. As all the actions of Gods com­ [...]union with us, or communicating [...]imself unto us, are conveyed by [...]e holy Ghost, as in the workes [...]f conversion, sanctification, con­ [...]lation, &c. So all the actions [...]f our communicating our selves [...] him, are mannaged and dis­ [...]arged by the Spirit; as Faith, Re­ [...]entance, Love, &c. so likewise this [...]f prayer.

Quest. Doth not then a regenerate [...]an pray truly, or doth only the holy Ghost [...]ay in him, and for him, as Christ did, [...]d doth make intercession for his peo­ [...], or as one man may pray and doth for [...]nother.

Resp. A regenerate man; foras­ [...]uch as he is spiritualized, &c. by [...]rtue of that increated heavenly na­ture [Page 30] and principle, may be truly sa [...] to pray, and properly too, as a m [...] that hath legs may be said to go; though prayer be the gift of God, y [...] it is the act of man. The Lord s [...] of Saul after his conversion, Bel [...] he prayeth, Acts 9.11. But this d [...] not exclude, but rather necessar [...] include the concurrent assistance Gods Spirit, a special concurrence [...] the Spirit to produce this spe [...] work; For of our selves we are not s [...] ficient for one good thought, 2 Cor. 3 As he that hath legs cannot go wi [...] out the common concurrence Gods Spirit to that common actio [...] so it is in the children of God: A [...] i [...] with a wheel that hath in it an [...] titude to turn about; but this m [...] be done by some hand, or some [...] ternal, or internal motion, or a [...] mation; if that cease, the wheel [...] quickly stand still: so it is in all holy actions of a good man, and this of prayer; there must be an citing and concomitant work of [...] Spirit; the Spirit of God is set o [...] the prayers of Gods people, it hat [...] superintendency over them, he [...] [Page 31] [...]erneth them in their prayers, with­ [...]ut whose assistance they know not [...]hat to ask, as they ought: It is the [...]ork of the Spirit ad preces instigare, [...] stir up unto prayer, Et verba & [...]spiria suggerere, and to suggest [...]ords and breathings into them, [...]ch prayers God will grant which [...]e readeth written in the stile of his [...]wn Spirit.Ubicunque fa­ciem suam Deus contem­platur, illam meritò a [...]at, & honore habet. Calv. instit. l. 3. c. 13. The reason why God [...]ce [...]teth those prayers, is because [...]ey come from the Spirit, and are the [...]pressions of his own Image, which [...]od cannot chuse but love, where­ [...]ever he beholdeth it, as Calvin saith.

Now the Spirit enableth a man to [...]ray:

1. By convincing him of his sins, [...]nd of his miserable estate by them.

2. By working in him a desire to [...]e delivered from them, shewing [...]im withall the true and onely way [...] recover out of that estate, viz. by [...]esus Christ.

3. By begetting in him a true faith [...]nd sanctified nature, by which he [...]pprehendeth God to be his gracious [...]ather in Christ, willing to receive [...]im into the armes of his embrace­ments, [Page 32] upon his unfeigned repe [...] ance. And then

4. By stirring up spiritual desir [...] and earnest requests unto God in [...] heart, for putting words in [...] mouth, and so enditing his pray [...] for him, that they may be accep [...] ble; and this the Spirit doth ordin [...] rily in every mans first conversion [...] and afterwards upon occasion st [...] ring up his spiritual part; to po [...] out it self in supplication, out of [...] holy acquaintance and familiar [...] that it hath with God.

Hence you may see the grou [...] why the prayers of the Saints are [...] powerfull with God, viz. not on [...] because they are tendered and p [...] sented up in the name of Christ; b [...] also, because they are endited a [...] put into us by the Spirit, who tea [...] eth us to pray (both for matter a [...] manner) according to the will [...] God, Rom. 8.27. The Spirit on [...] knowing the mind of God, 1 Cor. 10, 11. and so God knoweth and a [...] proveth the voice of his own Spiri [...] thence it is,Crooks hypocr. part 1. chap. 21. that praying in the h [...] Ghost, Jude vers. 20. ‘They wr [...] stle [Page 33] with God, and overcome him with his own weapons, and being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, they do not onely encounter Devils, but also prevail with God, as a grave Di­vine noteth.’ And thence it is, that [...]heir prayers pierce the clouds, and [...]ave present accesse to the throne of Grace, entring into the ears of the Loord of Hosts. Our prayers are [...]he works of Gods Almighty Spirit, [...]nd therefore they have an omnipo­ [...]ent and irresistable power to prevail with him, Gen. 32.26. Exod. 32.9, 10. And therefore those that desire this gift of prayer, let them labour after [...]he assurance of this gift of Gods [...]anctifying Spirit, that so they may [...]ome into an holy familiarity with God by prayer and supplication, This Spirit is gotten by our constant [...]nd faithfull attendance on the Word [...]lainly and powerfully preached, Gal. 3.2. And as we prize that high and heavenly exercise of prayer, ha­ving the Spirit, let us be carefull we quench not, nor grieve the Spirit, by our carelesse neglecting the motions [Page 34] of it, nor resist it by our rebelli [...] against it, and so cause it in disple [...] sure to withdraw its influences fro [...] us, whereby we become secure, co [...] and dead, and so unfit for the ex [...] cise of all holy duties, especially t [...] of prayer. It is our duty theref [...] to stir up the gifts of God in us, t [...] all our prayers may be quickned this Spirit of supplication, and every petition pouring forth w [...] the Spirit suggesteth to us. The [...] which God would have burning [...] on the Altar, came from the L [...] from Heaven, Levit. 9.24. All ot [...] fires were strange fires, Levit. 10 and the Sacrifices not accepted, the sacrificer punished: Yet must a Christian give over this duty wh [...] ly to the Spirit of God, because Spirit enableth us to do it, but must rouze up our selves, and m [...] our selves (in what we can) fit the Spirits guidance, continuing the diligent use of all holy mea [...] that the Spirit may blow more a [...] more strongly upon us. The Sp [...] giveth abillity to pray, and in [...] citeth us to it, but we must pray [Page 35] [...]he Spirit. Many cry, Lord help, [...]ho quicken not themselves to this [...]uty; they think meerly upon the [...]ew of supply that cometh from the [...]pirit; but if you keep your seed in [...]he Garner, God will not encrease [...]our store; you must plow and sow, [...]nd then in your endeavours you may look for a blessing from Hea­ven. God hath said, he will meet his people, Isa. 64.5. but he ex­pecteth that you should be going and then he will come.Symonds de­serted Souls case and cure. ‘God dea­leth with his people (saith a good Divine) as men do with young swimmers, he will hold up your heads, but you must stretch out your limbs.’

CHAP. V. Sheweth, to whom we must pray.

Sect. 1.

NOw am I to shew, to whom our prayers are to be directed, and that is to God alone. Prayer (as a [Page 36] Father well saith) is a familiar co [...] ference with God; by it we talk wi [...] him (as it were) face to face: A [...] what greater dignity and priviled [...] can be vouchsafed to sinfull dust a [...] ashes, then familiarity to talk wi [...] so great a God, and daily to have free and easie admittance into [...] presence, to manifest our necessit [...] to him, and to crave his supply a [...] succour? God onely is to be pray unto; he is stiled in Scripture, [...] God hearing prayer, Vid. Sharpij cursum theo­logica. Tom. 2. Quaest. 5. Col. 42. & 51. Psalm 65.1. [...] thou that hearest prayer, unto thee sh [...] all flesh come. Not Angels, Sain [...] nor any other creatures are to be ca [...] led upon. David in his distresse ca [...] leth not upon any of the Patriarc [...] departed, not upon Samuel or Jon [...] than his dearly beloved frien [...] whereas had he been of the Popi [...] faith, he would have applied himself unto them; for that as the P [...] pists hold, as the Saints have a ge [...] neral care of the Church mili [...] tant, so more especially they at ready to befriend such as the [...] were acquainted withall in their li [...] time.

The Reasons to prove, that God [...]nely is to be prayed unto, are [...]hese.

We have a precept for this duty, Reas. 1 Psalm 50 15. God saith, Call upon [...]e in the day of trouble, and I will [...]eliver thee. Look as nature teach­ [...]th children to come to their Parents [...]or every thing they need, not to servants in house with them; so grace and Gods word, teacheth Gods children to come to him, and cry Abba Father, and to flie to him in their necessities. All others are ra­ther persons praying to God, than persons to be prayed unto as God.

Object. But, are we to pray onely to God the Father? (because our Sa­viour seems to direct us to pray onely to God the Father, After this man­ner pray ye, Our Father] and even Bellarmine and the Papists them­selves do except, that it is lawfull al­so to pray to the Sonne, and to the holy Ghost: For if the word [Father] were used exclusively, then might we deny praying to the Sonne, as to Angels and Saints.

Resp. It is not necessary, th [...] the word [Father] should be u [...]derstood personally, but rather esse [...]tially for the whole Deity. Call [...] man father on earth, for one is yo [...] Father which is in Heaven, Matt [...] 23.9. Thus the Godhead is o [...] Father, as well by Nature, as [...] Grace, by Creation, as Adoptio [...] Isai. 64.8. He is called the Fath [...] of spirits, Heb. 12.9 he being th [...] natural Father of Christ from a eternity; he also vouchsafeth f [...] [...]his sake to take us to be his sonn [...] by faith in Christ Jesus, Gal. 3.20 In this acception the Sonne is calle [...] a Father, Isa 53.10. an everlasting Father, Is [...] 9.6. Isa. 8.8. And thus the Spir [...] may be called Fa [...]her also,Unus potentia­liter, trinus personaliter. becau [...] by him we are regenerated, Joh [...] 3.5. whereas the Angels an [...] Saints cannot be called our Fa [...]thers, but our Brethren, Rev. 22 9 in the Deity we must think of thre [...] Persons, but one divine Essence, on [...] God.

2. If the word [Father] were to be understood personally, yet is not the inference the same; the [Page 39] Father is to be invocated, there­fore not the Son, nor the holy Ghost with these; therefore not the An­gels nor Saints: For there is no natural difference between the three Persons, for they are each the same one invisible God; and therefore all their work, ad extrà sunt indi­visa: but there is a natural and essential difference between the Fa­ther and the Angels, and also an external difference. And therefore the Ancients have observed, That when the Father is onely mention­ed, [...]. it is not to exclude the other two Persons, but only to difference the true God from those that are not gods by nature.

Object. 2. Bellarmine excepteth, That Christ in that prayer doth not teach his Disciples to whom they should pray (for that they knew well enough) but for what thing they should pray.

Resp. Christ taught his Disciples, not onely materialitèr, but forma­litèr, how they should pray; as appeareth by their request, Lord, teach us to pray; which request was [Page 40] general, as well of the form, as f [...] the matter; whereas if they h [...] meant of the materials, they shou [...] have framed their requests thu [...] Lord teach us for what things w [...] must pray. And although the knew he was to be prayed unto yet they were ignorant how the [...] should pray unto him; and ther [...] fore he taught them how to pra [...] which comprizeth both matter are manner; and therefore thereby yo [...] may observe,

1. That the Apostles intreat o [...] Saviour in general, how they ma [...] pray, and not in particular how t [...] pray to God; for then it migh [...] have seemed, there had been prayers distinctly, some for God, som [...] for the Saints; but this general reque [...] takes away all cavil.

2. Christ saith, Cum oratis, Who ye pray, answering to their genera [...] request; and therefore is as muc [...] as Quoties oratis, as often as y [...] pray. Now if Christ here gave a [...] general form to be used, then such as when they pray do not say, Our Father which art in Heaven, &c. [Page 41] [...]hey do not pray: But such as call [...]pon the Virgin Mary, Angels and [...]aints, dare they say, Our Father [...]hich art in Heaven? Therefore [...]hrist taught no other to be called [...]pon but God alone.

Resp. 2. Prayer is a part of Gods wor­ [...]hip; it is that which he requireth of [...]s, Hos. 14.2, 3. It is that wherin much [...]f his glory consisteth, and his glory [...]e will not give to another, Isa. 42.8. Now we glorifie God by nothing [...]ore than by praying to him, Psalm [...]0.15. Hereby we acknowledge [...]im to be the fountain of all mercies [...]nd blessings, we have or do desire; [...]raising him for his bounty and libe­ [...]ality towards us, as being both able [...]nd willing to help us in all our ne­ [...]essities. The Heathen that knew [...]ot the true God, and in what man­ [...]er he was to be worshipped, did [...]now by the light of nature, that God was to be called upon in all ne­ [...]essities; therefore the Mariners in a [...] storm, Jonah 1.5. Cried every man [...]nto his God. Now, 1. This was good that they prayed; for it's a tri­ [...]ute due to God, such a tribute as [Page 42] none can be excused for not payi [...] 2. Good also it was that they pray [...] when they were in trouble. 3. N [...] were they to be blamed for crying their prayers;Sub errore re­ligionis intel­lexerunt. Naurae, aliquid numen veren­dum esse. Hieron. so as it procee [...] from fervency of affection, and [...] from vain-glorious affectati [...] 4. It was good also that they joyed together in prayer: but h [...] was their fault, onely they pray [...] unto false gods; They cried e [...] man to his god. These Heather [...] mariners under a false Religi [...] understood that some Divine Po [...] er was to be adored, saith Jer [...] and therefore they cry also to [...] nas being asleep, Awake, O slee [...] and call upon thy God. The A [...] nians likewise set up an Altar w [...] this Inscription, To the unknown G [...] Acts 17.23.

Now as he is an Idolater, w [...] prayeth to those who by nat [...] are not gods; then is he to be t [...] counted godly, who prayeth he [...] tily to the true God: to him o [...] ly we are bound to pray, who [...] we must serve and worship: B [...] God alone is to be served a [...] [Page 43] worshipped by us, therefore to [...]im alone must we pray, Deuter. [...] 13.

Prayer is a spiritual Sacrifice; [...]ow under the Law, Sacrifice was [...]o be offered to God alone: Let [...]y prayer be as Incense, and the [...]ifting up of my hands, as the Eve­ [...]ing Sacrifice, Psalm 141.3. When [...]he Priest of Jupiter with the peo­ [...]le would have offered Sacri­ [...]ice to Paul and Barnabas, they [...]ent their cloathes, and cried out, [...]irs, why doe ye these things? Acts 4.12, 13, 14. The Rhemists Rhem. Annot. in Act. 14. on [...]hat place tell us, ‘That exter­nall Sacrifice is not to be offer­ed to man nor Angel, nor any creature, but to God alone.’ Now the Sacrifice of prayer is [...]n higher and more excellent Sa­ [...]rifice, than any outward Sacri­ [...]ice can be, and the offering up of [...]he calves of the lips, more acce­ [...]table than a calf out of the stall, [...]or a Bullock that hath hornes and [...]hoofs.

None ought to be called upon but Reas. 3 such as we beleeve in, Rom. 10.14. [Page 44] How shall they call upon him in wh [...] they have not beleeved? therefore pra [...] er must be made in faith: Psal. 5 2 [...] 2. therefore saith David, hearken u [...] the voice of my cry, my King, and God, for unto thee will I pray. Psal. 5 it is a wicked thing to derive fa [...] from any creature: Bellarmine Vid Jun. ani­mad v. in Bel­larm. to [...] clare the force of this reason, hath [...] jugle: He cannot, saith he, call [...] the Saints, who doth not beleeve [...] there are Saints, and in a manner hop [...] them: but the Scripture teach [...] that the Saints are in no manne [...] be beleeved in, but God alone. I [...] one thing, saith Mr. Ball, Ball's Treat. of Prayer. to have f [...] of the Saints, another to beleeve in Saints: he that holds not the fo [...] er, denies the communion of Sai [...] in the unity of the spirit; he t [...] affirmeth the other, hath not learned Christ or piety.

Reas. 4 He only that is [...], is to called upon; for prayer is often [...] inward groaning and desire of [...] heart alone: now he that must h [...] and grant our petitions, must disc [...] the sincerity of the persons prayi [...] to him; else the hypocrite may spe [...] [Page 45] [...]s well as the upright person, for he [...]an give as good words, and make as [...]air shews as the sincere: but this [...]he Lord only can do: God onely [...]noweth our hearts, and what we [...]nwardly desire. Jer. 17.9, 10. Acts 1. [...]4. God is omnipresent, and heareth [...]ll prayers in all places, and at all [...]imes; and as for mentall prayers, no Angels, much less can Saints know [...]hem; now the Lord is present in all [...]laces, filling heaven and earth; and [...]e onely is infinite in knowledge, [...]nd truth it self, who can not deceive, [...]or be deceived.

God onely is all-sufficient, and able Reas. 5 [...]o supply all our wants, therefore we [...]ust come to God onely in prayer, [...]s who is the all-sufficient God, the [...]ther of lights, from whom every [...]ood and perfect gift descendeth, [...]am. 1.17. who can irresistibly effect [...]hatsoever is good for us. Mr. John [...]radford Jo. Bradford. Meditat. in Orat. dominic. tells us, that three things [...]ust of necessity be in that party, to [...]hom prayers must be made: 1. He [...]ust be present in all places at once; [...]nd have such ears, as he may hear all [...]e world at once. 2. He must be [Page 46] so mercifull, as that he will par [...] all the faithfull that call upon hi [...] and deliver them that cry unto h [...] and bestow such things as he kno [...] eth best for them. 3. He must b [...] sufficient power to help all at onc [...]

Sect. 2.

BUt here it will be necessary to [...] swer divers Objections of Papists.

Object. 1. It is objected by th [...] that Jacob prayed unto an Angell i [...] behalf of Josephs sons. Gen. 48. The Angel which redeemed me fro [...] evil bless the lads, and let my na [...] named upon them.

Resp. By the Angell that deli [...] ed him is meant Christ, who is ca [...] an Angell, and the Angell of th [...] [...] venant. Basil. contr. Eun. lib. 2. Athanas. Orat. 4. contr. Cyril. thes. lib. 3. cap. 1. Hilar. in Psal. 122. Procop. Gaz. in Gen. 48. Mal. 3.1. he is set out b [...] sacerdotall office, as being he was covenanted for, or promised he that should administer the c [...] nant: and the Fathers are of op [...] on that this Angell was no cre [...] Angell, because he is joyned [...] God, mentioned verse 15. and as [...] [Page 47] called an Angell here, and Exod. 23. [...], 23. Behold I send an Angell before [...]ee. So is he called a man, Gen. 32. [...]4. because he was in a mans shape; [...]t was indeed true God, as appear­ [...]h by the name which was given to [...]acob, after he had prevailed with [...]im, vers. 28. and as himself did un­ [...]erstand, vers. 30.

2. When Jacob saith, Let my [...]ame be named or called upon the [...]ds, his meaning is, that Jacob would [...]ave Joseph's sons be counted for his [...]ns, and be called the sons of Jacob; [...]s appeareth Gen. 48.5. as afterward [...]ey were reputed, and the Hebrew [...]hrase doth import no other, as it is [...]sed, Isa. 4.1. and elsewhere: besides [...]ve never find, that ever they wor­ [...]hipped him after his death, but ra­ [...]her the contrary; as may be col­ [...]cted from Isa. 63.16. and why [...]hould Jacob require this of Joseph's [...]ons, rather than of his own chil­ [...]ren?

Object. 2. They object further out [...]f Job. 5.1. that speech of Eliphaz to [...]ob, Call now, if there be any that will [...]nswer thee, and to which of the Saints [Page 48] wilt thou turn? Job 5.1.

Resp. 1. This is meant rather of [...] Saints then living, than of the Sai [...] departed, by the scope of the pla [...] sc. those that were then present, that conference, or any other th [...] known unto him; to see if after [...] peal to them, any of them wo [...] maintain him in his cause, or t [...] the wrath of God did not at one ti [...] or other destroy the wicked man.

2. Or if it were meant of Sai [...] departed, his meaning is, that could not give instance of any [...] Saint in former ages, that ever s [...] fered the like with him; theref [...] they concluded, that he must ne [...] be an hypocrite.

3. If Eliphaz did exhort Job to [...] for aid to the Saints departed, it f [...] loweth not, that it was therfore la [...] full; for he that spake not the tri [...] in other particulars, as Iob 42.7. mi [...] the more likely offend in this: a [...] therefore Bellarmine granteth t [...] this is not a convincing argume [...] because Iob himself doth not say [...] but onely as it was the custome to do.

[Page 49]4. Some understand this of the Angels: Call to the Angels and see,Mascus in Ios. 5.13. Vatabl. Annot. Mercer. any of them will vouchsafe to an­ [...]er thee, which may be to thee an [...]rgument how vile thou art: and so is an Irony.

Object. 3. Psal. 139.17. where we [...]anslate, How pretious are thy thoughts me O God? Vulgat. in Ps. 139.17. the vulgar Latin turn­ [...]th thus; Mihi autem nimìs honori fi­ [...]iti sunt amici tui: Lord, thy friends [...]te wonderfully honoured of me: [...]ow these friends (say they) are [...]aints departed, and this honour is [...]vocation.

Resp. One of the originall words [...]gnifieth to be pretious, [...] and [Reang] [...]ough it sometime signifie a friend, [...]et it also signifieth a thought, and [...] so translated Psal. 139.2. by the [...]XX, and the vulgar Latin; so that [...] may very well be translated, How [...]etious are thy thoughts to me? and [...]us it would suit far better, if we [...]ompare it with the context. But 2. [...]et the translation be according to [...]heir mind, what force is in it? For [...]. It cannot be proved, that David [...]eant rather the Saints living than [Page 50] the Saints departed, according that Psal. 16.3. My goodness extend to the Saints that are on the earth, the excellent in whom is all my deli [...] Psal. 16.3. But 2. What if t [...] were dead, and he did honour th [...] yet what manner of honour this that he gave them canno [...] proved: We confess that the Sa [...] departed are to be honoured, not with the honour of invocat [...] neither is there the least groun [...] Scripture, that ever the Patriarc [...] Jews did ever honour the dead [...] if they did, this would prove, tha [...] should honour the Saints dead b [...] Christ, of whom the Papists (are otherwise mad enough with kind of adoration) make not [...] standing no account of ad [...] any of the Patriarchs dead b [...] Christ.

Object. 4. One creature may b [...] full to another, therefore we may p [...] to another.

Resp. 1. No creature of it self be helpfull to another, further God permits or enableth them: saith, Isa. 10.3. What will ye do i [...] [Page 51] [...]y of visitation, and in the desolation [...]hich shall come from far? to whom [...]ill ye flee for help? and where will ye [...]ave your glory? and Isa. 31.3. The [...]gyptians are men, and not God, and [...]heir horses flesh, and not spirit, when the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is hol­ [...]en shall fall down, and they all shall fail [...]ogether.

2. Its not a sufficient ground to move us to call upon another, be­cause it may be helpfull to us (for then might prayer be made to unrea­ [...]onable creatures:) We must know also; that he to whom we pray, heareth us, and is both able and wil­ling to help us; but this we cannot say of the Angels and Saints.

3. We must distinguish between civill and religious worship; the for­mer is done onely in civill respects, in such particulars, wherein we have some ground, that the party we re­quest can help us; as Ministers to in­struct us; Magistrates to protect us from wrong; Physitians to heal our diseases, and to these we are to re­pair onely as Instruments under God [Page 52] for our help, depending on G [...] and praying to him for blessi [...] Now when we sue unto men help, such prayer is not religio [...] for that is to be made with assurance of faith, which is on [...] proper to God, and therefore no creature. So that this A [...] gument is of no force or co [...] quence.

Sect. 3.

HOw then doth this condemn t [...] gross Idolatry and Will-worst of the Papists in divers particulars:Regina Coeli, mater miseri­cordiae, gratiae vita, dulcedo & spe [...] nostra. that they maintain the Doctrine Angel-worship, of adoration Saints, and of the Virgin Mary a canonized Saints, calling especia [...] on the Virgin Mary, as the Que [...] of Heaven, the mother of mer [...] the life of grace; the seed that shou [...] bruise the head of the Serpent, & and in their Liturgy they have a L [...] tany whereby they pray, 1. To he [...] 2. To the Arch-angels and Angel [...] 3. To Patriarchs and Prophets. 4. T [...] the Apostles and Evangelists. 5. T [...] [Page 53] the Martyrs. 6. To Fathers and Doctors. 7. To Popes and Con­ [...]ssors. 8. To Monks and Ere­ [...]ites. 9. To all the Saints, Vir­ [...]ins and Widows, that they would [...]oyn together to make Intercession [...]or them; and to these Saints they [...]ave their set Holy-dayes, to them [...]hey burn Tapers, perform Masses [...]nd Trentals: Each have their sun­ [...]ry Collects, Hymns, Prayers and Oblations; each have their sundry [...]ffices designed them. Some are [...]ver Cities and Countreys; some [...]re over trades; some are over di­ [...]eases; some have the special gift of [...]estowing Arts and Sciences. Now what is all this but to forsake the [...]ountain of living waters, and to hew [...]ut broken cisterns that can hold no water, as God complaineth in a like [...]ase? Jer. 2.12. And what's the [...]ise of all this, but from a prepo­ [...]terous admiration of Saints depart­ [...]d (or I may say of some of them [...]hey were rather Devils incarnate) [...]nd from the perverse opinion of [...]uch as make no difference between [...]ivil prayer to men living, and re­ligious [Page 54] prayer to Saints departe [...] Which errour hath been maintai [...] ed and heightned by the pertina [...] ous ambition, and great avarice the Popish Clergy; so that now Proverb among the French is without ground;Qu'on ne cog­noist Dieu plus entre les Saints. God knoweth more than the Saints. Thus h [...] they jumbled together God and Saints in a promiscuous manne [...] worship: Nay, to what an he [...] of madnesse are they run, in t [...] the very bones, ashes, and garme [...] of Saints departed are preserved them in boxes, and publickly a [...] red, by carrying them about in p [...] cession, falling down before the [...] and praying to them, kissing them, burning incense before the [...] and ascribing to them the po [...] er of working miracles, h [...] ing diseases, and driving aw [...] Devils.

Let us now therefore learn abhor all creature-adoration, b [...] in deed and desire; and pray o [...] ly to the true God: all others [...] but miserable comforters; as [...] our necessities, none can know the [...] [Page 55] [...]ut God onely; none will more [...]ity them than God, as Austin [...]ittily observeth out of the Para­ [...]le of Christ,Nullus de ja­nitoribus re­spondit, q. om­nes tenuerat somnus, nòn Angeli, nòn Propherae: at licet pueri tui dormiunt, tu nòn dormis qui custodis Israel. August. in Luc. 11. Vid. Lycer. Harmon. cap. 107. Luke 11.7, 8. where [...]nely the master of the house an­ [...]wered, and gave what was craved: None of the Porters answered; for [...]leep had held them all, neither Angels nor Prophets answered: But though thy children sleep; yet [...]hou never slumberest nor sleepest, who art the keeper of Israel. There­ [...]ore to the Lord alone let us seek, [...]et no pretence divert us from him: It were an ill excuse, for a wise to plead, she loved her husband dear­ly; and therefore in his absence she must have others, to see them and embrace them, and communi­cate her loves to them, as remem­brances of him; but the husband would loath it, and account it but a whorish love: Even so it would be far worse to give that worship to others that is due to God alone. Besides, in all [...]he Scriptures you shall not find, that any Patriarch, Prophet or Apostle, hath at any time put up any prayer to any An­gel [Page 56] or Saints departed. And, 2. [...] gels have refused this honour, [...] would not accept thereof, w [...] men would have worshipped th [...] Revel. 19.10. Revel. 22.9. The A [...] stles also have refused to be w [...] shipped, while they were living, [...] 10.25, 26. Acts 14.14, 15. And no [...] vel, for if it be true what is rep [...] ed of Olympias the mother of A [...] ander the Great, that hearing [...] he stiled himself the son of Jup [...] she wrote to him, desiring him forbear doing so any more, if [...] for his own sake, yet (at least) hers, because she feared the disp [...] sure of Juno: Much more had [...] Angels and Saints cause to fear [...] displeasure of Almighty God, if t [...] should adventure to assume to the [...] selves what was proper to him alo [...] Origen Origen. contra Celsum, lib. 8. teacheth us, that this was ancient Faith and Religion of Church, shewing that God onely to be worshipped, that Christians [...] make their pray [...]s onely to [...] by Jesus Christ: That althou [...] the Angels be so divine and exc [...] lent in nature, as that the Scriptu [...] [Page 57] sometimes calleth them gods, and [...]ey do bring unto us the gifts of [...]od, yet that we are not for all [...]at to worship them, or to do divine [...]onour unto them, but that all pray­ [...]s, all supplications, intercessions and [...]anksgivings are to be destinated [...]nto God the Lord of all things by [...]e Highpriest the living Word, [...]ho is God, greater than all Angels: [...]hat no man should dare to offer [...]rayers, but onely to the Lord God who alone is abundantly sufficient [...]r all) by our Saviour the Sonne of [...]od.Theodoret. in Colos. cap. 2. The Council of Laodicea also [...]creed, Ne praecarentur Angelos, that [...]en should not pray to Angels, [...]uch lesse did they intend that [...]en should pray to men, who know [...] not, and being only men, can be no [...]ediators for our prayers, and our [...]aying to them can no whit avail to [...]r salvation. No creature hath ears [...]ng enough to reach the complaints, [...]r stock large enough to supply the [...]ants of his fellow-creature: there­ [...]re to God alone must all flesh [...]me.

CHAP. VI. Sheweth in whose name we are pray.

Sect. 1.

NOw are we to shew in w [...] name we are to put up prayers to God, viz. in the n [...] of Christ. One of the Fathers [...] much pleasure in reading T [...] Hortensius, yet this at last made lay it aside, because he found not [...] name of Christ in it. As the n [...] of Christ is the ornament of B [...] and Sermons, so it is the essen [...] all prayers. Verily, verily I say you, whatsoever ye shall ask the F [...] in my name he will give it you, In nomine Christi id fieri dicitur, quod fit secundum ejus manda­tum & volun­tatem, invoca­to illius adjutorio, & ad gloriam ejus amplificandam: per [...] stum mediatorem & invocare Deum debemus, & gratias [...] postquàm Deus nos audiverit invocantes▪ Davenant. in Col. [...] our Saviour Christ, John 16.23. W [...] soever ye do, do all in the na [...] Christ, giving thanks to God th [...] him, Col. 3.17. Through him [Page 59] [...]oth Jews and Gentiles have entrance [...]o the Father by one Spirit. God [...]n himself is a consuming fire, but [...]a Christ he is a fire in the bush that [...]urneth not.

Reas. 1. We are of our selves indis­ [...]osed to draw nigh to God by nature. [...]rayer is a communing with God, [...]hich presupposeth a familiarity [...]ith him: In Christ we have bold­ [...]esse and accesse with confidence to come [...]nto the Father, Ephes. 3.12. By nature we are severed from Gods [...]resence; Our iniquities separate be­ [...]ween us and our God, Isa. 59.2. Un­ [...]er the Law, when people had sin­ [...]ed, they must offer a sin-offering [...]o take away their sinne, and after­ [...]ard they might bring their burnt- [...]ffering, Levit. 5.7, 8. so it is with [...]s, we have all sinned and gone [...]stray, and we must by faith in our [...]earts offer to God the Lamb ta­ [...]ing away our sins, then may we [...]ome boldly to the throne of grace, [...]nd offer up a holy Sacrifice to God [...]y Jesus Christ. As God by Christ [...]econciled the world to himself, so God by Christ discovereth himself [Page 60] to the world; for we cannot ha [...] any knowledge of the Father, b [...] by the Son: He is indeed entitul [...] Our Father, but it is first as he the Father of our Lord Jesus Chri [...] he looketh on his elect as parts Christ, and therefore they a [...] called the fullnesse of Christ, Eph [...] 1.28.

2. We cannot draw nigh to G [...] in prayer without Christ, becau [...] Gods promises ought to be t [...] ground of our prayers, and th [...] are all made unto us in Chri [...] and he that prayes without a p [...] mise, cannot hope to speed in [...] prayers. That which in the L [...] God commandeth, in the Gosp [...] he promiseth to give unto his pe [...] ple.Joseph com­mandeth his brethren, that if ever they would see his face with comfort, they must bring their brother Benjamine with them: So if ever we expect any com­fortable return of our prayers, we must bring our elder bro­ther Jesus Christ, and put up all our re­quests in his name. Tho. Stapleton prompt. morale. Now the Precepts and Pr [...] mises of God are the latitude of o [...] prayers. And as the promises co [...] from Christ, so they are all Yea [...] Amen in Christ, 2 Cor. 1.20. S [...] likewise the reward of our obed [...] ence cometh from Christ also, pa [...] sing in and through the hands [...] our Mediatour; through this gol [...] en Pipe the treasures of wisdo [...] [Page 61] [...]nd grace are conveyed into our [...]ouls.

3. Both the original of prayer [...]ometh from Christ, and the acce­ [...]ation of our prayers is in and [...]hrough Christ: He is the Altar [...]hat sanctifieth the gift, Matth. 3.19. Even the impure services, [...]nd weak endeavours of his people [...]e sanctified by him. In vain it [...] then to come to God without a [...]ediator, to procure accesse, audi­ [...]ce and acceptance for us; he it is [...]at sits in Heaven making interces­ [...]on to God for us.

Sect. 2.

HEre I shall propound divers Que­stions.

Quest. 1. What is the Intercession that [...]hrist now maketh for his people?

Quest. 2. For what is this Intercession Christ?

Quest. 3. For whom he maketh Inter­ [...]sion?

Quest. 4. To whom is Christ our Me­ [...]tor?

Quest. 5. When did Christ take upon [Page 62] him this Office of his Media [...] ship?

Quest. 1. What is the Inter [...] on that Christ now maketh for people?

Resp. This Intercession of Ch [...] in his glory for us, is not in being of his knees, corporal prosti [...] on, oral supplications for the el [...] as he often did in his estate humiliation upon earth; this seemeth not his glorious condit [...] But

1. In a glorious presentatio [...] himself, his perfect obedience, merits and sufferings in the [...] stial Sanctuary before the face God in the behalf of his redee [...] ones, Heb. 9 23, 24.

2. That as formerly upon e [...] by outward voice and expre [...] he earnestly prayed for them, 17.11, 15, 24. So now in h [...] ven by inward affections earnestly desireth the benefit his righteousnesse and satisfa [...] on may be effectually applied to them for their infallible sation.

Quest. 2. Consider for what is this [...]tercession of Christ?

Resp. 1. That our persons, pray­ [...]s, and all other our pious endea­ [...]ours, and holy services, (though [...]ixt with many corruptions and [...]perfections) may be accepted of him [...]ho is the beloved of the Father, [...]h. 1.6. Phil. 1.11.

2. That neither our daily fail­ [...]gs and infirmities, nor the ma­ [...]inations and oppositions of Sa­ [...] and his instruments, may sepa­ [...]te from the love of God, nor use our final Apostasie from the [...]e faith: Christ tells Peter, Satan [...]th desired to winnow thee, but I [...]ve prayed for thee that thy faith fail [...], Luke 22.31, 32. All which was [...]gantly typed out, Levit. 16. by [...]e High-Priests entring into the [...]ost holy place in the day of the [...]onement. For, 1. The expiato­ [...] Sacrifice was offered at the door [...] the Tabernacle of the Congre­ [...]tion, and afterward the bloud [...]s brought into the Sanctuary. Incense was offered up with the [...]ud, signifying the prayers and [Page 64] desires of the Saints, as it is plained, Revel. 8.3. And, 3. U [...] his shoulder and brest, he bare names of the twelve Tribes, whom the typical Propitiation made; signifying Jesus Ch [...] should be a Propitiation for a sinnes through faith in his blo [...] Rom. 3.24.

Quest. 3. For whom doth he [...] Intercession?

Resp. For his elect, such as in him: I pray not for the w [...] but for them which thou hast g [...] me, John 17.9. Yea for the c [...] not yet actually in him, that t [...] may not perish in their unrege [...] rate estate. As the benefits of redemption were available to fore-fathers before his incarnat [...] by their faith in him that was come; much more now after actual performance, even to th [...] that are elected, though not yet him; since Gods acceptance of is rather grounded on Christs rede [...] ption of us, than on any grace exist in us.

Object. But is not Christ an [...] tercessour [Page 65] for the whole world, since [...]he Apostle saith, If any man sinne, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the Propitiation for our sinnes, and not for ours only, but for the sinnes of the whole world, [...] John 2.1.

Resp. 1. This one understandeth by the whole body of the Crea­tion: [...]o [...]ton. Expos. in 1 John cap. 2. for as by Adams [...]ll the whole world was cursed; so Christ by his death hath renewed the blessing to the world again, to the whole body of the Creation. Noah being a Type of Christ, and ma­king atonement for the world by Sacrifice, God smelt a sweet savour and promised, that he would no more [...]urse the earth for m [...]ns sake [...]: that which was done by type in him, [...]s perfectly procured by Christ; All the creatures are redeemed in him, Isai. 44.23. are become Christs ser­vants, subject to his dominion, he hath bought them all, Rom. 14.9. Christ is now Lord of all; he hath bought us, and all that we have, and he hath so purchased it, that the [Page 66] world, yea all the disorders a [...] tumults of the world shall be blessing to the Church. Christ ha [...] bought the bad as well as the goo [...] 2 Pet. 2.5. So that they are Chri [...] vassals, and are under his domin [...] on, as a slave is to be ruled by h [...] that hath bought him, and th [...] are bought for the Churches serv [...] to do them good. 2. ‘By all [...] world, saith Beza, Bez. annot. in locum. is meant, th [...] Christ is a Propitiation for all so [...] of faithfull people in the wor [...] of what condition, degree, a [...] or sex whatsoever they be.’ if he had said, Not only we of t [...] Jews have an Advocate with G [...] the Father, but all the faithfull so even among the Gentiles; he is the Propitiation for the sin [...] of all believers in the whole wor [...] To construe the words otherw [...] and affirm, That Christ in Heav [...] prayeth for all, good and bad, el [...] and reprobate promiscuously, co [...] tradicteth the expresse saying Christ himself John 17.9. who sai [...] he prayeth for his Apostles, and believers, and not for the wor [...] [Page 67] but for them whom his father had given him out of the world,Quantum ad sufficientiam pro toto mun­do, sed quan­tum ad effica­ciam, pro ele­ctis solis. Lyra in 1. Epist. Io­han. The smoak of the incense which came with the pray­ers of the Saints, Rev. 8.4. ascended up before God out of the Angels hand, this An­gel is Iesus Christ, this In­cense his merits; the mingling of the prayers of the Saints with this Incense, is the supplying, or covering the defects of their prayers, with the merits of Christ; and the ascending of this Incense with their prayers before God, is his acceptance of them, thus covered with Christ's merits: and the reason why the prayers ascended, was because the Incense ascended, that was their vehiculum, the pillar of smoak in whi [...]h they moun­ted up to Heaven: the prayers and good actions of men in Christ, are accepted of God, because they are perfumed, and their defects covered from the face of God, by the merits and intercession of Iesus Christ. Hoards Soul misery, &c. ver. 20. Yea Nicholas Lyra (though a Papist) upon that place of S. John's Epistle (that Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world) saith, ‘he laid down a sufficient price for all, but in respect of the efficaciousnesse thereof,’ it is for the elect onely: Christ's merits and satisfaction is suf­ficient, though not effectuall with­out faith; as a good medicine full of vertue is sufficient to cure, but it cannot be effectuall unlesse it be ap­plied unto the sore: therefore when S. Paul saith, God hath set forth Christ to be a propitiation, he addeth, through faith in his bloud, Rom. 3.25. now all men have not faith, 2 Thes. 3.2. nor do all men lay hold on Jesus Christ for an advocate and propitia­tion: [Page 68] universall propositions, mu [...] be understood according to the subject matter, as when Christ saith Whosoever asketh shall receive; the meaning is, whosoever asketh in faith.

Quest 4. To whom is Christ our m [...] diatour?

Resp. I answer, to God our Father he is a mediator between God an [...] man, 1 Tim. 2.5. We have an advoca [...] with the Father, 1 Joh. 2.1. again [...] God our father (especially) sin committed, Psal. 51.4. which [...] against the work of our creation which is originally ascribed to th [...] Father, the first person in Trinity Intercession is made directly and immediatly to the Father, and in hi [...] to the rest of the persons in the hol [...] Trinity, having all the same wil [...] being all the same one God.

Object. But o [...]n Christ be mediatou [...] between God and man, himself being God, so should he be mediatour to himself?

Resp. There are two things i [...] Christ; 1. His nature; so he is th [...] Son of God, and very God, and is in the forme of God, and thought it u [...] [Page 69] robbery to be equall with God. 2. His office, the office of a mediatour, God-man, man-God: As he is the Son of God, he is the par [...]y offended, as the Son of man also the party recon­ciling. 2. Though Christ be one with the Father in respect of his di­vine nature, yet there is a difference thus far, that the Father is not incar­nate, but Christ the Son: and it agre­eth to the divine nature of Christ to be mediatour, not simply as a divine nature, but existing in such a parti­cular manner, as agreeth not to the Father and the Holy Ghost.

Quest. 5. When did Christ take upon him this office of his mediatorship?

Resp 1.Christ was only slain once on the crosse above 1600 years a­gone by a reall s [...]ffering; yet he is in divers re­spects said to be slain before: 1. In God's e­ternall preordi­nation, viz. that he should be slain in the ap­pointed time. 1 Pet. 1.19, 20. 2. By promise, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head. 3. In belief of the Fathers, which was the sub­stance of things hoped for. 4. In the sacrifices of the Fathers, which sacra­mentally were the Lamb him­self. 5. In his members, as suffering in their sufferings. Thus Christ was slain in Abel; because (saith Lyra) the slaying of in­nocent Abel was a figure of the Lamb's slaughter. Pareus in Com­ment in Rev. 13.8. From the beginning of man's fall; before his incarnation he performed his Kingly, Priestly, and Prophetick offices; therefore called the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, Rev. 13.8. to shew that the efficacy of his death is extended to the very first beginning of the world, and so to all the faithfull from Adam to the end thereof: Christ is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck, Psal. 110.4. and now sits at the right [Page 70] hand of God for ever making inter­cession for his people: Iesus Christ is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever: as by vertue of his death the faithfull in all ages have entered into Heaven; so by vertue of his intercession, they have continuall access to the throne of grace, to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God through him, 1 Pet. 2.5. as he is, so he ever was, the way, the truth, and the life; as no man can come, so never any man could come to the Father but by him.

Sect. 3.

NOw the Lord Jesus Christ is our onely mediatour: there is but one God, and one mediatour between God and man, the man Christ Iesus, 1 Tim. 2.5. Angels cannot be our mediators, who are but ministring spirits, Heb. 1.14. Saints departed cannot, who are ignorant of our particular condition and necessities, Isa 63.16.

Object. The Papists object, That Christ is our chief advocate, but An­gels and Saints are secondary advo­cates.

Resp. St Austin will admit no such distinction, but saith, ‘He that teacheth so, is rather Antichrist than an Apostle:’ and Zanchy Zanch. in 1. Ep. Iohan-Perkins in Praefat. ante Orat. Domi­nic. up­on the Epistle of Iohn, and Perkins be­fore the Lords Prayer tell us; ‘That he that will be an advocation, must first be a reconciliation, and able to plead his righteousness bestowed upon us,’ as the words imply; but so can no Saints or Angels do. To the place 1 Tim. 2.5. the Papists re­ply, that Christ is our mediator of redemption; but Saints and Angels be mediators of intercession: To which I answer—This distinction will not hold; for S. Paul speaketh of intercession in that place, and com­eth not to redemption till the next verse: they therefore coyn another distinction; saying, that there is one mediator that payeth the creditor for the debtour; and so onely Bellar­mine Bellarm. confesseth Christ to be our Me­diatour; and there is another me­diatour [Page 72] desiring the creditour to be good to the debtour;It is an usuall Term among graduates in the Ʋniversity, Respondebit pro me Aristo­teles; Aristotle the eye of na­ture and heart of Philosophy shall answer for me: So we being not able to answer the great God of Heaven and earth; we have no other Anchor-hold but this; Respon­debit pro me Christus, that Iesus our bles­sed Saviour will interceed for us. Rob. Wilkins Mar­riage Sermon. Ano. 1616. and so they say, Saints and Angels are media­tours: but yet they prove not, that Angels and Saints, do either know our estates, or pray for any man in particular; yet this is more than many of their other Papists will yeeld; for sometimes they pray to the Saints as unto God, and place the Virgin Mary above her Son, en­treating her to command him; and to S. Peter, (whom they feign to be heavens porter) thus they say, San­cte pater, miserere mei, holy father have mercy upon me; Salva me, operi mihi aditum coeli, save me, open to me the passage into Heaven, what can they say more to Christ? If we should admit all the Saints in the Pope's Calendar, it would come to passe, that as the Athenians worship­ped an unknown God, so should we worship unknown men: for even many Papists do doubt, whether there were ever any S. George, S. Chri­stopher, and S. Katherine: Cardinall Bellarmine himself saith, that the Le­gends of these three are very uncer­tain; [Page 73] and why may not we suspect as much of many others, as they confess of these?

And to this I shall add, that the Saints on earth cannot be our Media­tors neither. For though they are bound to pray one for another; yet they cannot make intercession as Christ doth at the right hand of God; for they cannot pray in their own name, nor for their own merits, as they confesse of these.

That Christ is the only Mediator, was signified by types under the Old Testament.

1. The Jews were to pray before the Propitiatory or Mercy-seat, Exod. 25.22. and herein taught, [...]. that all their prayers should be accepted of God onely in and, through the me­diation of Christ, who is not one­ly a propitiation for our sins, 1 John 2.2. but the propitiatory it self, Rom. 3.25.

2. Because the people were not permitted to offer Sacrifice them­selves, nor enter into the holy place,Levit. 16.17. Luke 1.10. Heb. 13.15. but stand aloof off in the outer Court, and joyn in their prayers [Page 74] with the Highpriest, a type of Chri [...] They were taught hereby, that [...] Christs bloud they should have e [...] trance into the holy place, and [...] him to offer up the sacrifices [...] prayers and praises to God onely One upon those words [We have [...] advocate with the Father Jesus Chr [...] the righteous, Io. Wall Serm. in Hebr. 9.12. and he is the propitia [...] for our sins] saith, ‘The one sheweth the greatnesse of his Majest [...] the other sheweth the obedien [...] of his Ministry; while he tak [...] the censer of his flesh, and fills with the coals of the Altar, a [...] presents the supplications of [...] Church, and makes the smoa [...] of those spiritual odours asce [...] before the Lord, as from the ha [...] of an Angel.’

It was one of Arius his heresie to attribute the office of a Mediat [...] or Advocate to the holy Gho [...] and so to make more than one M [...] diator between God and man, a [...] so God to make intercession to Go [...] the holy Ghost being God. Inde [...] the Greek word which is render [...] Advocate, [...]. in the New Testamen [...] [Page 75] [...]s applied to the holy Ghost; but [...]here is a great difference between Christs being an Advocate, and the Spirits being an Advocate. Christ [...]ith to his troubled Disciples; If I [...]o not away, the Comforter, or the Advocate, will not come unto you, [...]hat is, the holy Ghost. Now one [...]hus distinguisheth well,Caryl on Job. The Spirit makes request for us by making us to make requests. Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8.26, 27. ‘Christ is an Advocate by way of impetra­tion; the Spirit is an Advocate by by way of application: Christ is an Advocate with the Father to procure mercy for us, the Spirit is an Advocate with us, to prevail on us to receive that mercy. Christ appeareth for us in Heaven, Heb. 9.24. he appeareth as our Attorney in the Court of Heaven; the Spirit cometh down from Heaven, and appeareth in us, and there maketh intercession for us. Christ began the work of his intercession upon earth, and perfecteth this work now in Heaven; He ever liveth to make intercession for his people: But the Spirits intercession is both be­gun and consummate here: The Spirit doth not properly plead for [Page 76] us, but make intercession in [...] the Spirit stirreth us up to pray, [...] Christ presenteth these prayers ours to God, his, and our Fathe [...]’

Sect. 4.

Object. 1. IT may be objected, [...] Moses was a Mediat [...] God for the Jews, Galat. 3.19. [...] Law was ordained by Angels in [...] hand of a Mediator. The word [...] is diversly translated, Pax sequestra. Tertull. Cajetan. Chrysost. Theophil. Ambros. Aquin. Lumbard. Gagna [...]s. Ep [...]an haeres. [...]6 [...]. apud [...]cholia. by some seq [...] ster, one that stands disposed, yet [...] different to both parties; by some [...] miator, a parter of stakes betw [...] two; by some an Intercessour; but word [...] signifieth a Mediator midler; and though many of the [...] thers understand it of Christ: yet [...] Divines understand it rather of M [...] ses, for the Law was given by M [...] ses, John 1.17. and the Apostle pro [...] ring Christ before Moses saith, He w [...] Mediator of a better Covenant, H [...] 8.6. And Moses saith of hims [...] Deut. 5.5. I stood between the Lo [...] and you, to shew you the word the Lord. And Epiphanius and G [...] nadius, [Page 77] men ancient and learned, were of the same opinion.

Resp. The Papists do unjustly from hence infer, that Angels and Saints can be Mediators: For,

1. Moses was appoinied by God to be a Mediator: but Angels and Saints have no commission.

2. He was present with whom he was a Mediator, these have no com­munion with us.

3. Moses was a Mediator but once, and in one thing; these are pretended to be Mediators at all times, and in all things.

4. He was a Mediator to the peo­ple from God, these are imploy­ed from the people to God, in all which they fail from their ground, and derogate from the mediation of Christ;Torshels 3. Quaest. as a judicious Divine hath observed.

Object. 2. Christ saith to his Disci­ples, John 16.24. Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: and tells them, In that day ye shall ask me nothing: Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you, [Page 78] vers. 23. Here seemeth to be a contradiction.

Resp. There is a two-fold asking an asking by way of interrogation o [...] question, and an asking by way [...] supplication: The former is an asking that proceedeth from doubting or ignorance, for a fuller information and satisfaction, the latter [...] an asking in order to reception fo [...] the supply of some want; when [...] is said, Ye shall ask me nothing, it [...] not meant of asking in prayer, bu [...] putting of doubts and questions to him, which was usual with them whilst Christ was upon earth: Before he told them, Yet a little whi [...] and you shall see me no more; an [...] they said, What is this that he sai [...] yet a little while? And Jesus kne [...] that they were desirous to ask him then he cleareth their doubt, an [...] tells them, in the day when h [...] would send down his Spirit upo [...] them, they should not need to as [...] him any questions, they shoul [...] have a teacher within them thi [...] should resolve all their doubt; an [...] then he falls upon this speech, Whosoever [Page 79] ye ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you; hitherto ye have asked nothing in my Name, ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. Things in Scripture are said to be nothing, or not to be done, when not so fully and perfectly done as afterward. As John 7.39. the holy Ghost was not yet given, be­cause Christ was not yet glorified, [...]hat is, not so fully given before Christs ascension as afterward: so the Disciples had hitherunto asked nothing in his Name, i. e. so ex­presly, particularly and plainly, because that which they did so weakly was nothing in compa­rison to what they should do af­ [...]erwards, when more cleer, light should break forth in them.

CHAP. VII. Sheweth the Necessity of Prayer.

Sect. 1.

WE are in the next place [...] set forth the necessity [...] prayer, which may thus be demo [...] strated:

1. Prayer is a duty commande [...] by God, 1 Thess. 5.17. Pray contin [...] ally. And all Gods Command [...] ments are necessarily to be performed: To pray is a branch of th [...] Moral Law, and moral precep [...] being perpetual, do alwayes bi [...] the conscience, therefore we mu [...] of necessity pray: It is the grea [...] design of the Devil to hinder [...] from the exercise of this holy duty or to make us remisse or neglige [...] therein. Satan would never labou [...] to keep us from this duty, were [...] not sensible that it is a duty of singular use and benefit to us, and w [...] should never be so backward to the [Page 81] doing of it, were it not an heavenly exercise.

2. We stand in daily need of many blessings from God:Two things necessitate prayer. 1. Our duty to worship.2. Our necessity and straits. Rutherford. Penury and poverty make the poor to use entreaties and supplications for re­ [...]ief. And although God doth not give his mercies because we pray, yet he giveth them to those that do pray. Though he promise many blessings to his Church and people, yet for all this he looketh to be enquired of by the house of Israel. And where this is wanting, the Lord complaineth by his Prophet, There is none that calleth upon thy Name, [...]here is none that stirreth up himself to [...]ake hold of thee, Isa. 64.7. The Prophet [...]here representeth God as some great person, that would bestow some be­nefit, and is ready to turn away himself, yet none layes hold of him, or desireth him to stay: So saith he, There is none that layes hold on God to keep him, that he go not away from us: he meaneth, there are none that pray earnestly, that God would stay among them: The way to stop the wrath of God, [Page 82] and to lay hold of him, and st [...] his hand when it is stretched o [...] against a people, is prayer: Pray [...] hath stopt God, Exod. 13. saith [...] to Moses, Let me alone. Prayer do [...] as it were (to speak with reverenc [...] bind the hands of God: Ezekiel 2 [...] God complaineth, that there was n [...] stood in the gap, intimating, had a [...] stood in the gap by prayer, wh [...] God was pouring out his wrath up [...] a people, his wrath might have be [...] stopt.

3. The being of every creatu [...] shews a necessity of his praying [...] his Creator; the young Rave [...] when they wander for lack of me [...] are said to cry unto God, Job 38. [...] They call unto him for relief, he g [...] veth to the beast his food, and to [...] young ravens which cry, Psalm 147 and shall not Gods children rep [...] their wants unto him? Be caref [...] for nothing, saith the Apostle, [...] in every thing by prayer and suppli [...] tion with thanksgiving, let your req [...] be made known unto God, Phil. 4. One observeth,Zanch. de rev. lib. 1. in praec. de invocat. ‘That there is n [...] thing in nature that groweth, b [...] [Page 83] that it hath a kind of a magnetick vertue, whereby it attracteth to it self such nutriment as it want­eth: so there is no soul that ever took increase of grace, but there was in it this appetite of heavenly desire, and attractive force of pray­er, by which it draws from God in Christ (as from its root) all things needfull for it: therefore prayer is not an arbitrary and indifferent thing, but a necessary duty.’

Sect. 2.

3. THe next consideration of the necessity of prayer, is the example of Adam, of Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints of God that have ever lived, whose holy ex­amples are necessary to be imi­tated.

1. The first Adam in the state of integrity, before his fall, albeit he had no need to pray for any bles­sings that he stood in need of, yet doubtlesse he prayed (as Divines think) for perseverance in grace:Jo. Smiths pat­tern of prayer. For that he kept the Law of God du­ring [Page 84] the time of his innocency, n [...] man can deny: and one part of th [...] Law is Prayer, as hath been sai [...] before. Wherefore if Adam ( [...] yet free from sinne, and all the punishments of sinne) did pray, whi [...] need then have we to pray, upo [...] whom both sinne, and the curs [...] of God for sinne hath taken such fas [...] hold?

2. We have the example of ou [...] Lord Jesus Christ, who knew n [...] sinne, in whose mouth there wa [...] no guile found: he prayed; an [...] being made under the Law for us there was a necessity he should pray he stood in our place, sustained ou [...] person, and therefore would giv [...] us an example. ‘That Christ [...] the onely begotten Sonne of God having no Superiour (saith a lear­ned man) and therefore owin [...] honour unto none, neither stand­ing in any need, should either give thanks, or make petition to God, were most absurd: but, as man, what could beseem him better, whether we respect his affection to Godward, or his own necessity, o [...] [Page 85] his love and charity towards man.’ And again, saith he; ‘Some things he knew should come to passe, and prayed for them notwithstand­ing, because he also knew, that the necessary means to effect them were his prayers; and instanceth in those words of the Father to him, set down Psalm 2.8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the Hea­then for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. That, saith he, which here God promiseth his Son, the Son prayeth for, John 17.1. Fa­ther, the hour is now come, glorifie thy Sonne, that thy Sonne also may glorifie thee, according as thou hast given him power over all flesh.’ We read that Christ prayed at his Ba­ptism, and while he was praying, The Heaven was opened to him, Luke 3.21. Likewise he spent a whole night in prayer, going up into a mountain to pray, Luke 6.12. and Luke 9.20. it is said, that Christ was alone praying, and his Disciples were with him; And about eight dayes after he took Peter, James and [Page 86] John, and went up into a mountain [...] pray, vers. 28. He prayed likewi [...] John 12.27. Now is my soul trouble what shall I say, Father save me fr [...] this hour? But for this came I i [...] this hour; Father, glorifie thy Nam [...] ‘Christ had never a greater bu [...] nesse in hand than now; he wa [...] to transact with God and divi [...] Justice, and the Law of God, the weighty bargain of paying of ransome of his most precious blou [...] to open the new way to Heave [...] as one observeth:’ Rutherf. Christ dying. He had to [...] with Devils, Principalities an [...] Powers, to subdue death, hell a [...] Devils, and he was to offer [...] himself a Sacrifice to God throug [...] the eternal Spirit, for the sins [...] all the elect, and he must use prayer in all this great work: ‘An [...] saith the same Author, thoug [...] Christ knew of his own deliverance, and was sure of it, yet h [...] will not have it,’ but by prayer likewise we read that going up t [...] the Mount of Olives, he exhorteth his Disciples to pray, and then with draweth from them about a stone [...] [Page 87] cast, and kneeleth down, and prayeth, Luke 22. [...]9, 40, 41. And this was not [...]he first time of his going up thi­ [...]her for this exercise; for the Text saith; He did this, as he was wont; whence we see how he usually spent his time, sc. the dayes in preaching, and much of the nights in prayer. Gregory saith, ‘That all his moral actions were our instructions; he did not walk in the fields for di­gestion, nor go into the garden for to gather flowers for his delight and pleasure; nor go to the river to bathe and wash himself for re­creation: Though I will not hence conclude, that to do these some­time is unlawfull, or condemn those that use lawfull recreations moderately, to refresh their dull and over-wearied spirits; but surely it condemneth the prophane customes of many persons in ma­ny places, who (their Tables be­ing removed,Qui remotis vel potiùs eversis mensis, ad aleas taxil­los, chartas, & tripudia ruunt. or rather over-turn­ed) runne presently to cards and dice, and dancing, like the Idola­trous Israelites, That ate and drank, and rose up to play, Exod. 32.6.’ [Page 88] Christ undertook nothing witho [...] prayer; and when he was in [...] agony he prayed more earnes [...] than before,When our Sa­viour prayeth, Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me, &c. Gods will was not abso­lutely impossi­ble; sed tan­tum ex hypo­thesi, sc. ex suppositione finis; and so it was necessary that Christ should drink of that cup. 1. In regard of the manifestation of Gods just. 2. His mercy. 3. His wisdome. 4. His hatred to sin. 5. [...] love to mankind.—See a Dialogue between Justice and T [...] at the one side accusing, and pleading against man; and m [...] and peace on the other side interceding and pleading for [...] and Wisdome moderating between both. Bosquier. The [...] patient. pag. 150, 151. Luke 22.44. his sw [...] being as it were great drops, or cl [...] of bloud trickling down to [...] ground: Before he had pray [...] Father, if it be possible, let this [...] passe from me, vers. 22. and now [...] prayeth more fervently; and [...] only in the garden, but also up [...] the crosse he prayeth for his en [...] mies. Now our Saviour thus prayin [...] how doth it behove us also to pr [...] for that which we would obtain at t [...] hands of God?

3. All the Saints that ever live have prayed, and had need to pra [...] Prayer, as it is a common-place so it hath been the common pr [...] ctice of all the Saints in all age [Page 89] Multitudes of examples there are in the Book of God, of the Saints that have prayed, sometimes alone, some­times with others, and in all con­ditions have sought the Lord by hearty prayer. I need not give particular instances, the practice is so general; that to be a Christian, and to call upon the Name of the Lord, is in effect one thing. Ananias said Paul had authotity to bind all that called on the Name of the Lord, Acts 9 14. Thus Paul describeth the Saints to be such that in every place do call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 2. As soon as a child is born, those that are about it, say presently, It crieth; so when men are regenerate and new-born, and renewed by the work of the holy Ghost, they presently cry,Psalm 53.4. Abba Father. It is the note of an Atheist not to call upon God, Psalm 14.4. and an hypocrite praieth but now and then, he hath not a stock or spring of prayer, and therefore will he not alwayes call upon God, Job 27.10. ‘Prayer (as one obser­veth) is the first thing, wherewith [Page 90] a holy life beginneth, and the li [...] wherewith it endeth: for prayer [...] the breath of faith, and as we b [...] lieve, so we speak:’ The hypocri [...] flattereth God with his mouth, Psal [...] 78.36. and crieth not to God wit [...] his heart, when he howseth upo [...] his bed, Hos. 7.11, 14. his praye [...] are moon-calves that are dum [...] and cannot speak: ‘Hypocrites [...] best do but lough as beasts,Crooks hypo­crite part 1. chap. 21. or ba [...] ble as Heathens, as a judicious D [...] vine noteth.’

CHAP. VIII.

Sect. 1. Of the matter of our prayers, or the thin [...] we are to pray for.

I Now come to consider the matt [...] of our prayers, or the things [...] ought to seek for at the hand [...] God, and they are all good thing such as may stand with Gods gl [...] ry, and our own eternal welfar [...] The things we are to pray for, a [...] things,

[Page 91]
Spiritual.
Temporal.

We ought in the first place to ask [...]uch things as concern Gods glory, [...]nd then those things that concern [...]ur own good, because Gods glory [...]s to be preferred before all things; [...]t is the end of our creation, and of [...]ur redemption, and the end that God propoundeth to himself, Prov. [...]6.4. and that which we ought also [...]o propound to our selves in all [...]hings, doing all to the glory of God, [...] Cor. 10.31.Hooker. Eccles. polit. lib. 5. ‘The faithfull have this comfort (saith a learned man) that whatsoever they rightly ask the same (no doubt) but they shall receive, so farre as may stand with the glory of God, and with their everlasting good, unto either of which two it is no vertuous mans purpose to seek or desire to obtain any thing pre­judicial.’

Now we are in the first place to [...]ek the kingdome of God, and the [...]ighteousnesse thereof, as our Saviour [...]xhorteth, Matth. 6.33. We are [...]bove all things to seek for the fa­vour [Page 92] of God in Christ, because t [...] grace is the cause of all other b [...] sings, Titus 3.7. Ephes. 2.8. Rom. 24. and therefore first to be pray for, for all spiritual blessings [...] from this grace, and all temp [...] blessings are appendixes of the sa [...] Ephes. 1.5, 6, 7. 1 Tim. 6.6. 1 [...] 3.22. Likewise, it is the most [...] cellent blessing of all other; how [...] nest is David in the book of the Ps [...] in praying for the favour of God, 80.7. Cause thy face to shine, and shall be saved, Psalm 27.8. Thou sa [...] seek my face, and my heart answe [...] thy face Lord will I seek. In all [...] prayers we should principally [...] the face and favour of God, par [...] of sinne, peace of conscience, [...] reconciliation by Jesus Christ: other things let us leave them to [...] wisdome of God, for if we h [...] the grace and favour of God we h [...] all. ‘As among men he that h [...] the favour of a great Prince,Dr Sibs Serm. in Psal. 27.8. d [...] not study this or that particu [...] thing, having his favour, he kno [...] eth he hath that which will sta [...] him in stead in all exigencies. T [...] [Page 93] favour of God is a store-house of [...] all good, and better than life it self, Psalm [...]3.3. as a grave Divine [...]ath well noted.’ David saith, Psalm [...].6, 7. There be many that say, who [...]ill shew us any good? shewing that [...]arthly minded persons look for hap­ [...]inesse onely from earthly things: But then he prayeth, Lord lift up [...]he light of thy countenance upon us; [...]s if he had said, Lord let me enjoy [...]hee, and that shall suffice: Then [...]e speaketh of the experience of that [...]atisfaction he had formerly found [...]rom God; Thou hast put more glad­ [...]esse into my heart than they had when [...]heir corn and wine encreased. The [...]ullest barns and wine-cellars can­ [...]ot yeeld that content to an earthly [...]eart that I have formerly found in [...]hee: Then he compareth the satis­ [...]action he had found in God not on­ [...]y with abundance of outward [...]hings, but with the encrease of [...]hem: for it is the increase of out­ward things that wins the hearts of the sons of men unto them. David finds more content in God than worldly men could find in the in­crease [Page 94] of corn and wine: Moreove [...] saith he, Thou hast put more glad [...] into my heart, then they have w [...] they abound with outward thing the joy that ariseth from Gods [...] vour is infused into the soul; Go [...] favour doth not only yeeld matter joy to a believer, and ground comfort; but gives as it were t [...] very affection of it to the so Earthly things infuse not joy into [...] heart of man; he that will have a [...] good from them must extract a [...] draw it out; and many times wh [...] the heart and the world do d [...] most, it finds no satisfaction fro [...] worldly things: If we had all lights and pleasures, and have [...] the favour of God, they will do no good. What became of the w [...] dome of Achitophel, the honour Haman, the riches of Dives? th [...] end was full of sorrow and miser [...] but the favour of God frees us fro [...] all evil, and gives us the possession all good.

Now all our prayers for spirit [...] and eternal things must be absolu [...] We must consider how God pro­ [...]eth [Page 95] his blessings, and accordingly we must make our prayers. Now God promiseth eternal life absolute­ [...]y, 1 John 2.25. and the means which [...]re necessary thereunto, are Faith [...]nd Repentance: therefore we are [...]o pray for both absolutely, because Gods promise is absolute as to these [...]hings; a'nd we cannot be happy without them, and this we must beg [...]bsolutely for others as well as for [...]ur selves. Many people say to [...]thers, God send you health, long [...]fe, good luck, well to do: but for [...]he pardon of their sins, and the [...]avour of God toward them, they [...]ray not for it, think not of it, but [...]aul in all his Epistles wisheth Grace, [...]ercy and peace to the Churches: And [...]ven those that are sanctified have [...]eed of more grace; they must be till prayed for, that grace may be multiplied upon them.

Sect. 2.

FUrthermore, it is lawfull for us to beg temporal things at the [...]ands of God. Our Saviour hath [Page 96] taught us to pray, Give us this [...] our daily bread: By which I unde [...] stand corporal food, and all go [...] means to preserve our temporall such as the good things of the bo [...] as health, due temperature, con [...] tution of body, food and raime [...] Physick and recreation: And o [...] ward good things concerning o [...] temporal estate: So we may pr [...] for all things necessary to our p [...] sons, places and callings; when [...] pray for these outward things, [...] must seek onely for necessaries, a [...] not seek superfluities or abundan [...] observing Paul's precept, Hav [...] food and raiment therewith to be [...] tent, 1 Tim. 6.8. and it was his o [...] practice, Phil 4.11, 12. I have le [...] in what state soever I am therewit [...] be content. Israel was not conte [...] with Manna, and would needs ha [...] flesh, and they had their desire a [...] desert withall, Num. 11.31, 33. the [...] fore we must not lust after evil thi [...] as they did, 1 Cor. 10.6. nor after go [...] things in an evil manner. When m [...] covet or desire more than God give [...] they draw Gods curse upon them, [...] [Page 97] [...]hose that would gather Manna un­ [...]easonably, had a worme in it that [...]orrupted it: But better is a little [...]ith the fear of the Lord, than great [...]easures, and trouble therewith, Psalm [...]7.16. What though men have [...]bundance? Yet mans life consisteth [...]ot in the abundance of the things he [...]ossesseth; neither temporal life, nor [...]piritual. Man liveth not by bread [...]lone, but by every word that proceed­ [...]th out of the mouth of God, Deut. [...].3. The life of man is not preserved [...]nely by meat, drink and apparel, [...]ut by Gods blessing on the means; which we must earnestly pray for:Sicut homines baculo inni­tuntur, ita vita nostra pane innititur, Bread in therefore said to strengthen mans heart, or [...]o uphold life, as a man is supported by his staffe, Psalm 104.15. Willet in Levit. 26. Gods blessing is an essential part of [...]ur daily bread that we are to pray [...]or; and this is evident, in that the [...]ord threatens to break the staff of [...]read, Levit. 26.26. and that they [...]hall eat, and not be satisfied.

Quest. Here a Question may be propounded, viz. Whether a man may [...]ray for riches, and an abundance of out­ward things?

Resp. I answer, he may not: 1. Because a desire to be rich occasionet [...] temptations and snares: They tha [...] will be rich, fall into divers tempt [...] tions, 1 Tim. 6.9. therefore we mu [...] not pray for occasions of sinne, b [...] avoid all occasions of evil.

2. Because a desire after rich [...] argueth covetousnesse, which is [...] inordinate desire and disconte [...] with our present estate; but that is fault, 1 Tim. 6.8. Let your conversati [...] be without covetousness, and be conte [...] with what you have, Heb. 13.5. ther [...] fore the fountain being evil, to stream cannot be good.

3. Agur prayes only for food c [...] venient, Prov. 30.8. that is, necess [...] ries for him and his; but pray against riches and poverty, and h [...] example is not contradicted by a [...] rule of Divinity, therefore a perp [...] tual rule of direction for us: pleased God well, that Solomon a [...] ed not long life, nor riches, nor t [...] lives of his enemies, 1 Kings 3.10, 1 [...] but onely a wise and understand [...] heart. Therefore neither pray s [...] riches, nor against them, but [Page 99] every man proceed in his calling, in­tending Gods glory, and if God send riches to be thankfull for them.

Sect. 3.

BUt for temporal things, as health, peace, deliverance out of such troubles, &c. and all things not necessary to salvation, we are to pray for them, not absolutely, but conditionally, because God so pro­miseth to bestow them: Go to God then as a poor patient to a Physician, that desireth health, and the means of health; but because he knoweth not what means is best for the recovery of his health, whe­ther bitter pils, or gentle potions, he referreth all to the discretion of the Physician. We are all sick of the surfeit of sin, we must go to God the spiritual Physician of souls for health and recovery of our spiritual ma­ladies, for which we must pray ab­solutely, because his promise is absolute in regard of the end, viz. to give us a Kingdome, Luke 12.32. and likewise the means leading to [Page 100] the end. He hath promised, H [...] will not suffer his people to be tempte [...] above what they are able to bea [...], 1 Cor. 10.13. Now the conditions that we are to use in praying fo [...] temporal things, are, If it may stan [...] with Gods glory, if it be agreeable with Gods will, if it may be for our good.

Object. But here it may be said, That to pray conditionally with [Ifs] and [Ands] is not in faith, but d [...]ubtingly, for he that prayeth so, is not perswaded, that God will her him, but hangeth in doubt and su­spense.

Resp. We may pray conditio­nally, and yet in faith; and though God give us not the same thing we ask, yet he will give us as good or better, Psalm 103.13. God is a compassionate Father, and very in­dulgent, sparing his people as a Father spareth his own sonne that serveth him, Malac. 3.17. Now what Father if his sonne ask him bread will give him a stone, &c? Luke 11.11, 12. eirher the father will give him that he asketh, or if that be [Page 101] not good for him, he will give something better, though it may not so well content him. God will give unum è du [...]bus, saith Bernard. I adde, that to ask temporal things absolutely, is not to ask in faith; because where there is no promise made to us, there can be no faith to believe, that God will bestow such or such a blessing upon us. Now there is no promise that God will grant particular requests for temporal things. A man in sick­nesse hath no particular promise that he shall have health; a man in danger and trouble hath no pro­mise of deliverance; and neither of them can certainly believe health or deliverance, because he hath no promise to rest on. God hath pro­mised to give good things to them that ask them, Matth. 7.11. and he hath, said Psalm 34.10. that they that fear the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good for them: but whether health or deliverance be good for us God knoweth; for though sicknesse and trouble for the present seem grievous, and [Page 102] not good, Because no chastisemen [...] for the present is joyous but grievou [...] Heb. 12.11. yet it may be goo [...] for us, producing good fruits in u [...] as David saith, Psalm 1.9. It [...] good for me that I was afflicted: There­fore in such things as these, we are to pray conditionally; If it see [...] good to the Lord; if it be his will▪ if it make for his glory, and for our salvation, then beg the resto­ring of health, deliverance from such a distresse, else rest contented and patiently bear the indignation of the Lord, because you have sinned against him.

There are these extraordinary cas [...] in which we may pray absolutely for temporal things, if such cases should happen to us.

1. If we have a special com­mand to ask such a thing at the hands of God, as Ahaz had, Isai 7.11. to whom the Lord said, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, ask it either in the depth, or in the height above: Now it was a sinne for him not to ask absolutely having such a command from God; but we [Page 103] have no such command now-a-dayes.

2. If we have a special promise of temporal deliverance, as Israel had for deliverance out of Babylon at the end of seventy years, then may we pray with Daniel for the accomplishment thereof, Daniel 9.2, 4. otherwise, if we have a gene­ral promise onely, with reference to time, place and manner of our deliverance, but no particular pro­mise who shall be our deliverer, nor when the time of our deliverance shall be, then may we not pray with Moses to see the good Land, but conditionally; for though God hath told us he will hear us, he hath not told us when he will hear us, nor in what, therefore it is in­definite, and made conditional, sc. if it be good for us, else he will neither hear nor help us; and thus in not hearing us, he doth most hear us, Nòn ad voluntatem, sed ad sanitatem, not in particular re­quests, yet in the general inten­tion.

3. We may ask some temporal [Page 104] blessing absolutely, for the confir­mation of some extraordinary cal­ling: as Gideon would prove whethe [...] God would save Israel by his hand, first if the dew should be on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the earth beside, the [...] if it be dry onely on the fleece, and ther [...] be dew on all the ground; and Go [...] gave him what he asked, Judges 6.37, 39.

4. We may ask some temporal thing absolutely for the confirmation of a fundamental truth; as when the people of Israel halted between God and Baal; Elijah the Prophet prayed, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Is­rael, let it be known this day, that th [...] art God in Israel, and that I am thy ser­vant, and that I have done all thes [...] things at thy Word; Hear me, O Lor [...] hear me, that this people may know th [...] thou art the Lord God, &c. 1 Kings 18.36, 37.

5. When it proceedeth from a [...] extraordinary heroical spirit. Thu [...] Joshua spake to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the A­morites before the children of Israel▪ and he said in the sight of all Israel [Page 105] Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou Moon in the valley of Ajalon, and they did so; and there was no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord hearkned to the voice of a man, Joshua 10.12, 13, 14. Thus Elijah calls for fire to come down from Heaven (being a man of God) to consume two Cap­tains with their fifties, 2 Kings 1.10, 11, 12. But these cases are all extra­ordinary.

Therefore seeing we know not what is good for us, let us leave cir­cumstances and substance to God, not limiting God to time nor means, nor manner, but to resign all to God; it is the readiest way to speed: As Da­vid, 2 Sam. 15.25, 26. said unto Za­dok the Priest, Carry back the Ark of God into the City: if I shall find favour in the sight of God, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his ha­bitation; but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee: behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him; not to do thus, is to capitulate, which little becometh beggars, to pray by indenture appointing when God shall hear us, and what he shall grant us; [Page 106] this is a limiting of God his counsai [...] and a tempting and provoking o [...] him.

Sect. 4.

Quest. HEre a Question may b [...] propounded, sc. Wheth [...] we may pray for temporall things for t [...] time to come, seeing our Saviour sait [...] when ye pray, say, give us this day ou [...] daily bread.

Resp. 1. We may with Joseph i [...] yeers of plenty provide against a tim [...] of scarcity, and as the Apostles pro­vided for the Church of Iudea again [...] the dearth that should come in th [...] daies of Claudius Cesar, Acts 11.28 Go thou sluggard to the Ant, con­side her waies, and be wise, she provideth her meat in summer again [...] winter, Prov. 6.6. He that provider not for his family is worse than an infid [...] 1 Tim. 5. Parents are to lay up for thi [...] children, 2 Cor. 12.14. Christ forbi [...] onely covetous, carking, inordinat [...] distrusting care, which sheweth [...] self; 1. In greedinesse. 2. In close [...] fistednesse. 3. In niggardlinesse. 1. B [...] getting goods by unlawfull means, [...] [Page 107] force, fraud, &c. 2. In keeping them, affecting and loving them too much when we have them, contrary to Psal. 62.10. 3. In parting with them unwillingly and basely — 2. Christ forbids an inordinate distrustfull care onely for to morrow, when he saith, Care not for to morrow; which inor­dinate care may thus be manifest: 1. When men provide so much for them and theirs, as might serve many families many ages, scrape as though they should never die; when they know no end of their wealth: the King may not multiply silver, Deut. 17.16, 17. 2. When men think so to settle [...]hemselves and their nests on high, [...]hat no judgement, chance, change [...]or casualty shall befall them; though God can soon send the famine, word, and pestilence to devour their [...]ubstance. 3. When men are care­ [...]ull to provide for to day and to mor­row, contrary to that of our Savi­our Matth. 6.34. Care not for the mor­ [...]ow: now if we be carefull for the morrow to day, we shall be forced [...]o care for it twice; nor do we need [...]o morrow, till to morrow cometh; [Page 108] this present day is only the season [...] our necessity;Fenner's Ex­posit. of the Lords Prayer. and God teacheth [...] to pray every day for the m [...] cies of the same, which merc [...] flow not from God all at on [...] but some to day, and some [...] morrow, as one hath well obs [...] ved.

Now our Saviour hath giv [...] us a rule about the seeking a [...] obtaining of temporall blessing First seek the Kingdom of God, [...] the righteousnesse thereof, and then [...] these things shall be ministred unto [...] Matth. 6.33. or given, [...]. One prayes for grace, and God gives him both grace and peace; another prayes only for peace, and God gives him nei­ther grace nor peace: not peace, because he wants grace to use it; not grace, because peace is all the grace he cares for; not peace, because he wlll punish him for not begging or esteeming grace; and not grace, be­cause he seeks not for it: many pray for outward blessings, and God hears them not; others prosper in these things without prayer: what is the reason? is it vain then to pray? surely no: pray for a blessing, and leave the event to God; it is sometimes a blessing to want such an outward blessing: by this dealing, God shewes us, he is tyed to no man by desert; he sheweth he will do with his own what he pleaseth; he will exercise thy faith and fortitude, peradventure he meaneth to hasten thee to better favours: and for the other that respecteth not prayer, and yet prospereth in outward things; God doth it to allure him to him, or else it may be to fat­ten him up to the slaughter, in which respect that prosperity is ad­versity, and that seeming blessing is a true curse. or cast over and above the bargain; Metephor being borrowed fro [...] merchants and tradesmen, w [...] use to give some overplus to the customers, either in number things sold by tale, or by draft things they sell by weight, or hea [...] to things they sell by measure: so we seek spirituall things, God w [...] cast in temporall things if we a [...] diligent in the use of lawfull mea [...] how justly then are they to be repr [...] ved, that regard their bodies in t [...] first place, their goods in the secon [...] [Page 109] and their souls in the last, and least, if at all.

Sect. 5.

MOreover! I shall add to this, that the matter of our prayers must be framed according to the will of God; and those are only good and lawfull which are agree­able to his will: a thing is not first good, and therefore willed of God, but therefore good, because it is wil­ [...]ed of God: God's will ought to be the rule and ground of our prayers: if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us, 1 Ioh. 5.14. that is according to his revealed will, [Page 110] for we must ask nothing but what he commandeth us to do, and there­fore have need to pray for it: wha [...] duty soever God requires of us, tha [...] we are to pray for: so did Davi [...] Psal. 119.4, 5. and when we pray according to Gods will, when he gran [...] our petitions, and doth our wills, h [...] doth his own will: we must no [...] therefore make our own affectio [...] the rule of our prayer, but the wi [...] of God only must be the rule o [...] them; hence our Saviour hath taugh [...] us to pray, thy will be done, Matth. 6▪10. and his practise was answerab [...] thereunto, Matth. 26.39. Father if [...] be possible let this cup passe, yet not [...] will, but thy will be done. By the w [...] of God, I mean not his hidden or s [...] cret will, this is to be adored, n [...] searched. Rom. 11.33. Acts 1.6. W [...] must not pray that this will of G [...] be done; 1. Because it is alwa [...] done, and cannot be resisted. Isa. [...] 10. My counsell shall stand? who h [...] resisted his will? Rom. 9.19. wher [...] his revealed will is generally resiste [...] I would, ye would not, saith Chri [...] Matth. 23.37. 3. Because we m [...] [Page 111] dissent from his secret will without sin, so we must submit to it, and rest in his revealed will, as is evident, in Abrahams praying for the Sodomites, Gen. 18.23, 27. and David for the life of his child, 2 Sam. 12.16. and Christ for the removall of his bitter cup; we must walk according to Gods revea­led will, which is good, acceptable, perfect. [Good] because he willeth that which is good, that which makes us good, tendeth unto good, Gods glory, and our eternall good. [Acceptable] because whatsoever we do according to his will, and word, is accepted of God; if we do it of our own wills it is will-worship, Col. 2. lat. and vain worship, Matth. 15 9. [Perfect] Because nothing can be added to it, nor taken from it, Deut. 4.1. and because it leadeth to perfection: therefore though Gods revealed will be sometime different from his secret and absolute will; yet we must walk according to the di­rection of Gods revealed will in his word: therefore even such prayers as are contrary to his secret will are allowed of him, when they are agree­able [Page 112] to his revealed will. An instance of this you have in Abraham, Gen. 17.18, 20. who not knowing h [...] should have any other child than Ishmael, that should be the child of the promise, prayeth earnestly in the be­half of Ishmael, Oh that Ishmael mig [...] live before thee: but then God tell [...] him that Sarah his wife should bear hi [...] a son, and he should call his name Isaac; and the Lord would establish his cove­nant with him for an everlasting cove­nant, and with his seed after him: an [...] in vers. 20. he saith; as for Ishmael I ha [...] heard thee, behold I have blessed him, an [...] will make him fruitfull, and multiply hi [...] exceedingly: God doth not disallo [...] the prayer of Abraham concernin [...] Ishmael, though it was not accordin [...] to his secret will, it being accordin [...] to his revealed will: and though h [...] gives him not what he desireth, ye [...] he gives him that which in his secre [...] will he had designed him for—ye [...] such prayers as are made contrary t [...] God's particular will revealed, a [...] approved of God, when they a [...] made according to his generall an [...] ordinary will revealed; especially [...] [Page 113] his speciall extraordinary will re­vealed, be not absolute and perem­ptory, but conditionall; as appear­eth in the case of the Ninevites, Jon. 3.4. Yet forty dayes and Nineveh shall be destroyed: yet ver. 10. we read that upon their repentance, God re­versed the sentence, and repented of the evil he had said he would do un­to them, and did it not: now ye are to know, that the will of God was not fully made known in the first part; and therefore Gregory saith of God;Deus mutat sententiam, consilium nunquàm. Gregor. ‘he sometimes changeth his sentence, but never changeth his purpose intended;’ and in such kind of sentences and threatnings there is alwaies a condition annexed to them, which is either exprest or un­derstood, which is (as the hinges of the door) to turn forwards or back­wards the whole matter: Yet forty daies and Nineveh shall be destroyed; yet not in twice forty yeers, if Nine­veh shall repent: So then Nineveh is not destroyed, because Nineveh is changed, and the unchangeable will of God ever was, that if Nineveh re­pented, it should not be destroyed: [Page 114] now he that discovereth his mind conditionally, may change his sen­tence, and yet not be taxt of inconstancy, and mutability. Let us go a step yet further: when the will o [...] God is absolute and peremptory, ye if it be not so revealed to us, we may pray even contrary to the absolut [...] will of God; as David (withou [...] doubt) did well in praying for hi [...] child, after he was threatned with th [...] death of it from the Lord, 2 Sam. 11 14, 16, 22. notwithstanding the decree of God was that the child should die, because we have ground of hope and help in such cases.

Quest. But what may we do that w [...] may pray according to the will of God?

Resp. Let us entreat the Lord t [...] frame our hearts and wills accordin [...] to the will of God, as well as ou [...] own will: it's an happy thing, whe [...] God's will and ours run both in on [...] wheel; then may we speed and hav [...] comfort in our prayers; but if w [...] walk sensually, prophanely, and con­trary to God's will, we must no [...] think that our prayers shall b [...] heard.

[Page 115]2. If we cannot bring our hearts to this holy habit, yet let us study the word of God, which is the reve­lation of God's will, and wherein we may rightly be directed, how we may frame our prayers, so as God shall accept them; and hence being truly informed, what is God's will, and taught how to pray; we must renounce our own spirit and will, and endite our prayers (contrary to our own carnall propensions) accor­ding to the direction of God's word, opposing the will and word of God against our own private and corrupt inclinations; and the more self-deniall there is in our prayers, the better the Lord will regard them.

3. Crave the spirits assistance in this holy exercise; it is he that help­eth our infirmities,1 Joh. 2.20, 27. and teacheth us to pray according to the will of God, Rom. 8.26, 27. the spirit teacheth us all things, and therefore what is the will of God; yea he searcheth the deep things of God, and therefore can direct us to what is according to his will: therefore let our prayers (especially in doubtfull cases) be li­mited [Page 116] with this clause, which Chri [...] hath taught us; Thy will be done.

CHAP. IX. A Question, Whether it be lawfull [...] use set forms of prayer; answered.

IN the next place it will be necessa­ry to answer a weighty question sc. Whether it be lawfull to use set form of prayer? This question is the more necessary, because many there a [...] that hold it unlawfull; that to rea [...] a prayer out of a book, is no bette [...] than praying on beades, a detestabl [...] idoll, a sacrifice of fools; apocryphall trumpery, Samaritan worship the Egyptian Calf, the smoak of th [...] bottomlesse pit.

Resp. 1. I answer, It's lawfull and I prove it, 1. By precept, becaus [...] God hath prescribed it to be used i [...] his Church. 1. God gave Aaron [...] prescript form, which he was to use and wherewith he was to blesse th [...] children of Israel, Numb. 6.23, 2 [...] 25. On this wise shall ye blesse the chil­dren [Page 117] of Israel, and say to them, The Lord [...]lesse thee, and keep thee, and make his [...]ace to shine upon thee, &c. 2. They were to use a set form of confession [...]nd thanksgiving, when they were [...]o bring their first-fruits to the Tem­ple, Deut. 26.3, 5. Thou shalt go unto the Priest that shall be in those dayes, and say unto him; I professe this day un­to the Lord thy God, that I am come un­to the Countrey which the Lord sware [...]nto our fathers to give us; and the Priest shall take the basket out of thy hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God; and thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God; a Sy­rian ready to perish was my father, and [...]he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a mighty nation and populous, &c. And vers. 15. they were thus to pray, Look down from Heaven thy holy habitation, and blesse thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, &c. 3. God himself bids the Church in the time of their defection; Take with you words, &c. and say to the Lord, Take away all our iniquity, and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of [Page 118] our lips. Ash [...]r shall not save us, & Hose. 14.2, 3, 4. John Baptist taug [...] his disciples a form of prayer; a [...] Christ is so far from misliking [...] that he teacheth his Disciples a [...] ther.

Object. 1. But these forms of pra [...] are prescribed, not to be used as praye [...] but as patterns and samples of prayer.

Resp. 1. That cannot stand; so Aaron is bidden to blesse the peopl [...] not with conceived prayer of h [...] own, but with a prescript form Thus ye shall blesse the children of Isra [...] and say unto them, the Lord blesse th [...] &c. using this set form: and th [...] the Son of Syrach saith;Ecclus. 36.17. Hear thou t [...] prayer of thy servants according to [...] blessing of Aaron over thy people; ther [...] by signifying, that the blessing wher [...]with Aaron blessed the people was set form; it was used in the Chu [...] ches of Saxony, saith Luther, after th [...] communion. And whereas sor [...] object, that the Lord's Prayer is rule and pattern according to whi [...] we are to pray, therefore no praye [...] I answer, the reason or argument not sound; it is as if a man shou [...] [Page 119] [...]ay, the Creed is a pattern of articles of faith, and confession of faith, there­ [...]ore it may not be used as a confes­sion of faith: the standard is the rule of all measures; therefore it ought principally to be regarded and used; and the Lords prayer being the pat­tern of all true prayer, is therefore the best prayer; for if measures be therefore just and true, because they agree with the standard, then the stan­dard is the truest: so if prayers be good, they are therefore good and ac­ceptable of God, because agreeable to the Lord's prayer.

Object. 2. That the Apostles who knew the meaning of our Saviour, and followed Christ's commandement, never used it as a prayer, but as a rule or pat­tern to pray by; nor did they teach it o­thers to say it over as a prayer, but ac­cording to their necessities to shew their requests to God.

Resp. 1. It's a bold and blind as­sertion, it's an argument negatively from authority; we read not that they used it, therefore they did not, nòn sequitur: if this be good what may it not conclude? we read not [Page 120] that the Apostles baptized infa [...] nor prayed before their Sermons, [...] prayed in the name of the Fathe [...] Son, and holy Ghost; therefore sh [...] we think they did none of these.

2. Though it be granted, that t [...] Apostles never commanded it to said as a prayer, it is sufficient th [...] Christ did, especially considerin [...] that no Apostle did ever forbid t [...] use thereof.

3. They contradict the anti [...] Fathers of the Church;Hieron. contra Pelag. Gregor. Jerom sait [...] that Christ taught his Apostles, orationem dominicam dicerent super s [...] crificio corporis: and Gregory the gr [...] saith it was the custom of the Ap [...] stles, ut ad ipsam solummodò oratio [...] dominicam oblationis hostiam consec [...] rent: no other liturgy nor praye [...] but the Lord's prayer.

Object. No man can conceive p [...] ticulars in the Lords prayer, they a [...] infinite, ergo the Lords prayer is not to used as a prayer.

Resp. 1. It is true, that there are i [...] finite things in the Lords prayer, a [...] that our conceits are finite. Y [...] 2. It therefore follows not: we m [...] [Page 121] use it as a prayer, though we con­ceive not particulars of every peti­tion, as when David, Psal. 51. pray­eth to God, wash me from mine iniqui­ties, it was a true prayer, yet he con­ceived not all particular sins, for he knew them not. Psal. 19.12. Who can understand his errors? When Paul wisheth grace, mercy, and peace to the Churches, he comprehends more in that prayer than he was able par­ticularly to conceive. 3. This makes as well against conceived prayer, for when we desire God to be mercifull to us, to pardon our sins, to take away our guilt, and to re­move our punishment, we cannot conceive the hundreth part of those particular mercies for which we pray, nor of those sins against which we pray: if this therefore be good reason, then may we not pray at all, because we cannot conceive parti­culars; nor may we read the Scri­tures, because we know and under­stand but in part, and cannot reach to the depth of the doctrine deli­vered.

Sect. 2.

2. TO use set forms of prayer ha [...] been the practice of t [...] Church of God in all ages, both the Old and New Testaments: M [...] ses used a set form of prayer at t [...] removing of the Tabernacle, a [...] another at the pitching and resti [...] thereof. When the Ark went forward, he was to use this form [...] prayer: Arise, O Lord, and let thi [...] enemies be scattered, and let them th [...] hate thee flee before thee: And when rested, he said, Return, O Lord to t [...] many thousands of Israel, Numb. 1 [...] 35, 36. The first is as if he had sai [...] O gracious God who hast promis [...] to be present with us, and given [...] this Ark, for an outward sign a [...] assurance thereof, I beseech thee g [...] before us, scattering and causing [...] flee all those thine enemies, whic [...] would hinder us from entring in the Land of Canaan. And for th [...] second, it is thus much in effect: [...] Lord now thou hast been mercifu [...] and gone before us, destroying o [...] [Page 123] enemies, as we prayed:Babingt. in Numb. 10. hear us again, and return to our tents, grant­ing us thy servants peace and rest. When David brought forth the Ark, Asaph and his brethren, praised the Lord in a form of words, and sang great part of Psalm 105. and all the 96 Psalm, and that by the appoint­ment of David, 1 Chron. 16.4, 7. which was Gods Commandment, 2 Chron. 29.25. When King Heze­kiah repaired the Temple, he com­manded the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David, and of Asaph the Seer, 2 Chron. 29.30. The 92 Psalm was penned by the holy Ghost to be sung on the Sabbath-day; and the 22 Psalm to be sung every day: and Psalm 102. is stiled, A prayer of the afflicted, or for the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pour­eth out his complaints before the Lord.

It was also the practice of the New Testament, for both parts of Invocation, [...]. Petition and Thanks­giving. For Petition: Christ useth a set form of Prayer; Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe. Then he [Page 124] went again the third time, and sai [...] the same words, Mark 14.39. The [...] for Thanksgiving, after his last Sup­per, he and his Disciples sang an Hym [...] or Psalm, Matth. 26.30. The Gree [...] Hallelujah consisting of six Psalme viz. the 113, and five followin [...] The fourth Council of Toledo Concil. Toled. decree [...] ‘Ʋt unus ordo esset orandi atque Psa [...] lendi per totam Hispaniam; tha [...] there should be one order of pray [...] and singing throughout all Spai [...]’ And the Council of Milevi Concil. Milevit. (whe [...] Austin was present) decreed, ‘Th [...] no prayers should be used in th [...] Church, but such as were approve by the Council, giving this reaso [...] for it, lest (say they) any thin [...] in them should be against fait [...] or good manners.’

Sect. 3.

I Shall proceed to set down dive [...] Objections made against set form [...] of prayer, and answer them.

Object. 1. A set form limiteth, an [...] quencheth the Spirit.

Resp. It doth neither: As fire [...] [Page 125] extinct or put out two wayes, either when no fuel is put to it to feed it, or when water is poured on it to quench it: So the Spirit, that is, the gifts of the Spirit, as knowledge, faith, hope, humility, charity, are extinct either through sloth, when fuell is not put to the fire, when we doe not [...], stirre up the gifts and graces of the Spirit in us; by reading, prayer, meditation, and conference the billows alwayes blow: or by entertaining heretical opinions and wicked motions, which like water quench them, and like thorns do choak them, but a set prayer doth neither, but is a means to kindle sparks of grace and devo­tion; as he that preacheth a penned Sermon, or readeth one Chapter, and no more, is not said to quench the Spirit; no more is he that reads a prayer, or saith the Lords prayer, or any premeditated pray­er committed to memory: He quencheth not the Spirit, that ut­ters not what the Spirit putteth in­to his heart, but that entertaineth wicked thoughts contrary to the in­spirations [Page 126] of the Spirit.

2. It doth not limit God, his power neither, imagining God can­not do this or that, as the Israelites did, Psalm 78 19. nor prescribe God what to do; as to yeeld to thi [...] motion put into the mind, not to that: He that prayeth a set praye [...] limiteth not God: for though h [...] is tied to set words, sentences an [...] notions, so that he cannot expresse the desire that is happily suggest [...] by the Spirit; yet if he pray, an [...] desire it in heart, though he express [...] it not with his lips, it is no limitin [...] of God. I say the Lords praye [...] and when I say, Give us this day o [...] daily bread, this motion is suggeste [...] Give me contentedness; it's a particular of the general.

Object. 2. In true prayer, W [...] know not what to pray as w [...] ought, Rom. 8.28. But in a s [...] form of prayer we know what to pu [...] Ergò.

Resp. It's a mistaking and ab [...]s [...] of Scripture; the meaning is, w [...] know not what to pray for as w [...] ought, neither in set forms, nor co [...] ceived [Page 127] prayer, unlesse the Spirit make request, that is, prepare and touch our hearts, by giving us the spirit of prayer and supplication: This therefore is against conceived, as well as Book-prayer, whether way soever we pray it's true; For we know not what to pray as we ought. Not but that a man of parts know­eth what words and sentences to use, but that we cannot call on God in truth, except he help our infirmities and make request, that is, cause us to make request to God.

Object. 3. Thus a man may buy his prayers at a Stationers-shop, and fetch cause of sorrow from other mens writings, but absurd, for prayer com­eth from the Spirit of God within us, teaching us to say, Abba, Father, Rom. 8.15.

Resp. If by prayer we mean the form and frame of prayer, the tenor of words and sentences, we may buy them, as we do Common-prayer Books at Stationers-shops: And is this strange? Do we not buy Ser­mons that we read, and buy the [Page 128] holy Scriptures also? If by prayer [...] you mean groans and desires of the heart, these cannot be bought: thei [...] money perish with them, that think t [...] buy the gifts of the holy Ghost; Act. 8.20. ye [...] are those gifts much excited an [...] helped by Book-prayer. And whe [...] you say, that we would have me [...] fetch cause of sorrow from other mens writings, you mistake and de­ceive your selves; Fallacia nòn cau­sae, that is a cause that doth bu [...] manifest the cause. The cause of sorrow is nothing without us, but our sins within us, the greatnesse of which is displayed better in s [...] forms, than otherwise; as he that is touched in conscience at the preach­ing of the Word, doth not fetch his cause of sorrow from the Sermon but from his sins discovered in tha [...] Sermon.

Object. 4. It's a part of the wor­ship of Antichrist, maintaining superstition, and a dumb Ministry.

Resp. If outward worship be used in Popery, true set prayers are a part, but not therefore unlawfull▪ for so reading the Scriptures, singing [Page 129] of Psalmes, preaching the Word, and conceived prayers themselves should be unlawfull, because used in Popery. If they say, that Anti­christ invented it, and brought it in­to the Church, they erre egregiously many wayes: For,

1. Set forms of prayer in the Old Testament were appointed by God,As is before proved. and by our Saviour Christ in the New Testament; and there were Liturgies in Churches before Antichrist was revealed.

2. But suppose they had been brought in by Antichrist, yet not therefore unlawfull. A thing may have a Popish original, yet a good and profitable use; as the assembling of people together to our publick Congregations by the sound of a Bell, was brought in by Pope Sabinian, an enemy to Gregory the great; if all things that had a Popish original, should be taken away, then Bells, Steeples, Temples or Churches that we meet in, should all be demolish­ed and destroyed, and we should assemble together in private houses, at the sound of a Trumpet, as the [Page 130] Jews did,Who knoweth not the matter of many pre­script formes of prayer to be lawfull, good and necessary for all men? for all our pray­ers are not laid open in the prayers which are conceived by the Minister or Governor of the Family, and yet no man judgeth them unlawfull, though they be imperfect. He that confesseth it possible to give thanks aright i [...] a set forme of words devised by others, cannot deny the same i [...] requests with any shew of truth, or colour of reason: It is lawfull to ask common blessings daily in a set forme of words, therefore it is not unlawfull to use a set forme of prayer, and if to pronounce [...] be lawfull, then to read it also. As pronouncing cannot make a [...] evil matter good; no more can reading make a good matter evil: pronouncing and reading being adjuncts of prayer both indifferen [...] Balls Treat. of Prayer. and every Sexton of a Parish to be a Trumpeter; or by loud voice of a Stentor, as among the Turkes; and every Clerk to be a Crier. An oath had an impure ori­ginal, sc. deceit and double dealing; yet is it Gods ordinance, and the en [...] of strife; and so for a set forme of prayer, it had a Popish original (which it had not) yet were it not (therefore) unlawfull.

Sect. 4.

YEt all this while I do not speak against conceived prayer, i [...] those to whom God hath given the spirit of supplication, and are able in significant words to expresse th [...] desires of their hearts, this is a choice [Page 131] gift, especially in a Minister, hous­holder, or other that is to be the mouth of the company in prayer: though the use of set forms of prayer be very lawfull, as I have proved, yet must we look to it, that we be not more for form than substance, more for the outward ornament than the body, and more for the body, than for the spirit of prayer and supplication; and if there be not the life and power of faith in our prayers, bodily exercise will profit us but little. Let us take heed we make not a formal businesse of set forms of prayer, resting on it, because it is more facile and easie to perform than conceived prayer; let us not be lazy, but be willing to take pains with our own hearts, to find out the state of our own souls; then shall we be the better able to draw up our pe­titions to God, and to lay open our hearts in a close and particular con­fession of our sins, which multitudes of men, being sluggish, are unwil­ling to do, and therefore they rest on general formes of prayer, and take no further pains with them­selves. [Page 132] Two men may pray, th [...] one conceiving, the other reading the one may frame words to hi [...] mind,Vid. Pract. of the faithfull. which is more easie, the other may frame his mind to his words, which is not so easie; yet both the one, and the other prayeth, if they pray with good understanding, and godly affections. A man may pray without book and misse; he may pray by a book, and obtain; for he that prayes by heart without heart doth nothing but talk; whenas he that prayes by book with his heart, doth both read and pray with devo­tion. One reads prayers, and pray­eth not, who prayeth without un­derstanding and affection; and ano­ther likewise speaks, but doth not pray, that uttereth words rashly, not pondering what he saith, not heartily wishing the things he praye [...] for, or speaks of. Some condemn the use of one prayer often at one time; and it deserveth censure, if the heart repeat not with the tongue; but if there be an ingemination of affections, as well as of supplicati­ons, it is not to be reproved: We [Page 133] can double the same sins in the com­mitting of them, why may we not? Nay, why ought we not ingeminate [...]ursuits and requests for the remissi­on of them?

CHAP. X. Sheweth, for whom we are to pray.

Sect. 1.

NOw come we to consider the persons, for whom we are to pray. And to this purpose, St Paul exhorteth, That first of all supplica­tions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 1 Tim. 2.1. Calvin tells us, ‘That there­fore the Apostle used so many se­veral words to the same purpose, the more to provoke us to diligence in the duty, and to condemn our negligence, if we are slack and slow therein.’ Now for the extent of our prayers, it is to all men; that is, to all sorts of men, but not to every particular and singular man. [Page 134] Philo the Jew discoursing of Aaron Ephod,Joh. Plant a vit. Florid. Rab­binic. which he put on when h [...] went to pray, saith, it was [...], a representation o [...] the whole world, having in it a colours to represent the conditio [...] of all estates of all people whatsoever; this was Aarons practice: An [...] a learned Divine of ours saith ‘We erre not more grosly in any thing,Joh. Whites Serm. An. 1616 than in wiping mens name and conditions out of our prayer [...] as if our private affections wer [...] the Calendar of every mans salva­tion. Now’

1. We must pray for all the faith­full, so Paul exhorts the Ephesian [...] to pray for all Saints, and for him all Ephes. 6.18, 19. we must begin a them with whom we are joyne in the bond of faith, and in th [...] obedience of the Gospel. We ar [...] commanded James 5.16. to pray [...] for another. And the Apostle Ephe 1.16. saith, I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in [...] prayers: He being but one praye [...] for all the Saints: therefore in th [...] Lords Prayer, we do not say, A [...] [Page 135] Father, but our Father; nor give me, but give us, because the master of Christianity would that prayers should be made for others, as well [...]s for our selves. Necessity com­pels every man to pray for him­self, but brotherly love exhorts him to pray for others.Non mi pater, sed pater no­ster: nec da mihi, sed da nobis, quia Christianitatis magister no­luit privatim preces fieri, ut sc. quis pro se tantum prece­tur, pro se orare necessi­tas quemlibet cogit, pro aliis autem charitas fraternitatis hortatur: Dulcior autem apud Deum est illa oratio, nòn quam necessitas transmittit, sed quam charitas fraternitatis commendat. Chrysost. sup. Matth. Si pro te tantum rogas, pro te tantum rogabis: sin pro omnibus rogas, omnes itidèm pro te rogabnut. Ambros. ‘That prayer is more acceptable with God, not which necessity trans­mitteth, but which brotherly love commendeth, saith Chrysostome. If thou prayest onely for thy self, thou shalt onely have the benefit of thine own prayers, but if thou prayest for all the faithfull, they also will pray for thee, saith Am­brose.’

It hath been usual in all ages, for men of the best rank to crave and call for the prayers of their brethren. Thus Hezekiah sends to Isaiah, when Rabshakeh blasphemed; Wherefore lift [Page 136] up thy prayer for the remnant that [...] left, Isa. 37.4. So Daniel about th [...] interpreting of King Nebuchadnezzars dream, desired Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah his companion [...] That they would desire mercies of h [...] God of Heaven, concerning this secre [...] Daniel. 2.17, 18. Is any man se [...] among you, let him call for the elde [...] of the Church, and let them pray ou [...] him, &c. and the prayer of faith sha [...] save the sick, and the Lord shall rais [...] him up, James 5.14, 15. As th [...] members of the body are ready t [...] do all good offices one for another so the members of the mystical body must perform all offices of lo [...] one to another, of which prayin [...] one for another is not the lea [...] Be a man of never so excellent part yet this doth not exclude him fro [...] the Communion of Saints, as th [...] beauty and comelinesse of any pa [...] of the body doth not exclude it fro [...] the fellowship of other membe [...] now prayer one for another is [...] part of this communion: Beside if a man be enricht with excelle [...] gifts, and be eminent in grace, [Page 137] hath a treasure hard to be kept; and therefore saith Basil, Basil. exhort. ad Bapt. ‘A man had need to be the more watchfull, and he adviseth to take three adju­tors, Jejunium, Psalmodiam, Ora­tionem, Fasting, singing of Psalms and Prayer; and not onely our own prayers, but the prayers of others also.’

Some there are indeed (and they [...]o be reproved) that think they [...]ave no need of the prayers of others; their own private prayer is sufficient. Of such St Jerome speaketh, ‘That some think they need not publick teaching, they can instruct them­selves well enough, with reading good books at home; and some regard not the Churches prayers; of themselves they can prevail with God.’ But the best men have [...]ver desired the assistance of others with them in prayer: as Moses took Anon and Hur when he went to [...]ay against Amalek, being consci­ [...]s to himself of his own infirmi­ [...]ies. The benefit is not small, O Lord, [...]hat thou shouldst be praised by many [...]f us, and prayed unto by many for us, [Page 138] saith Austin. Aug. confes. lib. 10. c. 4. For a man shall re [...] benefit by the prayers not of a few but of many hundreds and thou [...]sands; and if one faithfull ma [...] prayer prevail much, James 5.1 [...] how much more of many? So sha [...] a man have an interest in the fellowship of the Saints, whereever they are, and his graces the better flo [...] rish, and the better keep what h [...] hath; for the best Christian her must not imagine himself to be al­ready a burning and shining ligh [...] within the house of Heaven,Sic ardens & lucens non­dùm in domo, se confidat, ubi sine omni tempore ven­torum accen­sum lumen deportatur, sed meminerit se esse subdio, & utraque manu studeat operire quod portat, nec credat aeri, etiamsi videat esse tranquillum. Repentè enim, & [...] quâ nòn putârunt, murabitur, & si vel modicum mu [...]remiserit, lumen extinguetur. Bern. Serm. 3. in Vigil. N [...] Dom. 1. whe [...] once kindled, there is no danger o [...] any wind to blow it out; but ma [...] remember, that he is yet in the ope [...] air, and must cover and defend th [...] light he carrieth with both hand [...] nor be confident, though the a [...] seem to be calme, for sooner tha [...] he is aware, if he take awa [...] his hand, his light may be pa [...] out.

We must pray for all the Elect, whether those that be now actually converted, and called to Faith and Repentance, or those that shall be thereafter. Our Saviour Christ did so, I pray for them, &c. And ver. 20. I pray not for them alone, but for all them that shall believe through their word.

Sect. 2.

2. WE are also to pray for every particular person, that shall stand in need of our prayers;Some say that S. Stephens prayer procured S. Pauls con­version: Si Stephanus nòn orasset, Eccle­sia Paulum è Saulo nòn habuisset. Aug. Thus we are to pray for Papists, He­reticks, Schismaticks, that God would convert them; though we are not to pray with them, as per­sons out of the Communion of Saints; yet are we to pray for them, be­ing of our own flesh: we know not how God hath decreed concern­ing them.

Yea we are to pray for our very enemies: Our Saviour hath com­manded us, That we should love our enemies, and blesse them that curse us, [...] do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despightfully use [Page 140] us, and persecute us, Matth. 5.44 David fasted and prayed for his ene­mies, Psalm 35.13. So did Stephen, Acts 7. ult. That God would not lay that sinne of theirs in murdering him to their charge. So did Christ pray for his persecutors, Father forgive them, they know not what they du, Luke 23.34. and he prayeth for the forgivenesse of their sins, one of the choicest and most needfull blessings in the world, for in it standeth true blessednesse, Psalm 32.1. Hence it appeareth, that he prayed not for them that persecuted him malicious­ly, Ex odia & invidia contra consci­entias, Stella in Luc. 23. Verisimlle est, Christum nòn orasse pro omnibus pro­miscuè, sed tantùm promiserâ plebe, quam zelus inconsidera­tus, nòn autem deliberata impietas ra­piebat. Calvin. ad loc. out of hatred and envy against their consciences, as Stella noteth; but for such ignorant souls as being seduced, and misled by their blind guides, the Scribes and Pharisees, of blind zeal thought they did well in crucifying him the Lord of glory, which was the case of St Paul, Acts 9. and was converted (as 'tis thought) by St Stephens prayer. So, saith Cal­vin, ‘very probable it is, that Christ did not pray for all promiscuously, but onely for the miserable people, [Page 141] who were carried away more by inconsiderate zeal, than deliberate impiety:’ Such were some both of the rulers and people, Acts 3 17. and that this prayer of his was available, appeareth both by the conversion of the thief on the crosse, as also by that company converted at St Peters Ser­mon, Acts 2.41. Pendebat, & tamen petebat, as Austin speaks; ‘Christ prayed when he hung upon the crosse, and by that prayer procu­red of God his Father, that within fifty five dayes, eight thousand of his enemies should be converted:’ Of whom Chrysostome saith thus;Christi sangui­nem quem anteà saeviendo fundebant, tùm demùm credendo bi­bebant. Chrys. ‘They at length drunk that bloud of Christ by believing, which by raging against Christ they had be­fore poured out.’ Our prayers also for our enemies may be a means of their conversion; much good comes to us many times by enemies. One saith, ‘That enemies are the work­men that fit and square us for Gods building, they are the rods that beat off the dust from our souls, were it not for enemies, how could we exercise those excellent graces [Page 142] of love and charity, of patience and brotherly-kindnesse? Had it not been for enemies, where had been the crown of Martyrdome? Yea, enemies are the fire that purifieth; the water that cleanseth the drosse and filthinesse of our hearts,Petrar. Dialog. much good cometh to us every way by enemies, therefore it is advantagious to pray for them.’ And this I shall adde, that the praying for our enemies fits us the better to pray for our selves.

Sect. 3.

Quest. HEre now cometh a que­stion to be answered, viz. Whether we are at no time to pray against our enemies?

Resp. 1. We may pray against the sins of wicked enemies; as David doth; O let the wickednesse of the wic­ked come to an end, Psal. 7.9. 2. We may pray against the plots, counsels, and enterprizes of the wicked: thus David prayes, that God would turn the counsell of Achitophel into foo­lishnesse, 2 Sam. 15.31. and the Apo­stles, [Page 143] Acts 4.29. who pray that God would behold the threatnings of their enemies. And David Psal. 5 10. prayes, that God would destroy his enemies, and let them fall by their own counsels: that God would scatter them by his power and take them in their own pride, Psal. 59.11, 12.

Object. But we read that David prayeth for the confusion of his enemies, Psal. 109.7, 8. praying that his enemies may be condemned, and that their pray­er become sin, and that their dayes be few, &c. and Psa. 59.13. he prayes thus; Consume them in thy wrath, con­sume them that they may not be.

Resp. 1. This kind of prayer of David here, and of Jeremiah, Chap. 18.21. savoureth of a peculiar zeal which they had, but are not to be imitated by every Christian now: and therefore our Saviour (to them that in all hast would have fire come down from Heaven, to consume the Samaritans that refused him, and pleaded Elias his example to that purpose) saith, ye know not of what manner of spirit ye are, for the Sonne of [Page 144] man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them, Luk. 9.55. and yet Da­vid, Jeremiah, and S. Paul, 1 Cor. 16.22. pronounced not those curses, vindictae livore, Greg. Moral. lib. 4. cap. 5. sed judicio justiciae, upon a spleen to be revenged, but in judg­ment and justice, for that they had a discerning spirit, and knew by the holy Ghost, that those persons on whom they pronounced those cur­ses, were rejected of God, as one of the Fathers speaketh. 2. S. Augu­stine takes those words to be rather prophesies than prayers, as else­where he speakes of Davids curse in particular, ‘that they were not, stomacatio maledicentis, sed praedi­ctio prophetantis.’ Of the Prophets in generall he saith thus; ‘By the imprecations they made against the enemies of God,Per impreca­rionem quid esse [...] futurum cecinerunt, nòn op [...]antis voto, sed spi­ritu praevi­dentis. Aug. de Tempore. Serm. 50. Gossen's Trum­pet of War. they shewed what was to come, not by way of wishing, but by the spirit of pro­phecying:’ the persecuting Hea­then Emperors, were great moun­tains, that stood very high and stiff in the Churches way, but the faith and prayers of the Church, accor­ding to the Promises of the word, [Page 145] hath removed them, as a good Di­vine hath noted.

Sect. 4.

NOw let us speak more particu­larly concerning the persons for whom prayers in speciall are to be made; and first of all for Kings, and all that are in authority over us, 1 Tim. 2. [...]. both for supreame and subordi­nate; and great reason there is [...]ereof.

1. By reason of the weight and [...]urthen that lies upon them,People are to pray for Kings and Rulers, that God would give them judgement and righteousnesse, Psalm 72.1. for justice is so necessary in them, that Austin saith, justice being removed, what are Kingdoms but great rob­beries. Tertul­lian saith, we pray alwayes for all Empe­rours, that th [...]y may have a long life, a peaceable go­vernment, a safe family, strong armies, a faithfull Councell, an honest people, a quiet country, and whats [...]ever is desired of men and Cesar. Tertul. apolog. l. 30. if they be carefull and conscionable to do their duties, as appeareth, Exod. 18.13. where it is said of Moses, that be sat to judg the people, the people stand­ing by him, from the morning unto the coming: and so great was his bur­then, that he professeth, that he was not able to bear them himself alone, Deut. 1.9. What the government of [...] Kingdom is, Solomon was very sensible, when coming to sit on his fathers throne, he thus speaks unto God; and now O Lord my God thou hast made thy servant God, &c. and I am [Page 146] but a little child, I know not how to g [...] out nor come in, and thy servant is in the midst of a great people that cannot be numbred; give therefore thy servant a [...] understanding heart to judg thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judg this thy so great a people? 1 King. 3.6, 7, 8, 9. This even some of the heathen have confessed; and therefore one said, ‘That a King from the day he cometh to his Kingdom, he begins to live to others, and die to himself, laying down as it were his own person, and assuming the person of the Common-wealth:’ This Epami­nondas knew right well, therefore he would many times watch and walk about the walls of the City, when his souldiers and subjects slept: so like­wise, Pelopidas another worthy Ge­nerall, going to the wars, and being admonished and advised by his wise to look to himself, gave her no other answer but this, ‘that, that belong­ed to private persons, but it was the duty of an Emperour, and part of a Prince, to look well to his souldiers: the consideration here­of [Page 147] happily might make Saul to hide himself among the stuff, 1 Sam. 10.11. when he was called to be King of Israel.’ Seeing therefore their bur­den is great, there is great reason they should be assisted with the pray­ers of many, that they may be en­ [...]bled to bear it.

2. Because they are most in dan­ger, and most assaulted by enemies both temporall and spirituall. 1. For [...]emporall enemies: the Philistines [...]end and spend the brunt of their [...]tell upon Saul and his sons, 1 Sam. Chap. ult. and the King of Syria com­manded his thirty two Captains, to fight neither with small nor great, but with the King of Israel, 1 King. Chap. 22.31. the reason surely was, because they knew, that if they could vanquish Saul and Ahab that were the leaders, the rest of the people would quickly yeeld. 2. Satan, the arch enemy of all mankind, and our spirituall adversary, as he laboureth the destruction of all, so especially of the chiefest: he knoweth, that if he can make Jeroboam an Idolater, and he set up two Calves, the one at [Page 148] Dan, the other at Bethel, all Isra [...] will run after the commandement o [...] the King, and quickly worship them, Hose. 5.12. he knoweth by long experience, that

Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbi [...]
—& mobile mutat
semper cum principe vulg [...],

As the King is, so the Court will be▪ as the Court is so the country will follow; therefore they being in mo [...] danger, have most need of defence, and prayer is a principall one, it is one of the pieces of the spirituall ar­mour, mentioned Eph. 6.

3. Because upon their safety de­pendeth the good of the whole King­dom, both Church and Common­wealth;Isai. 49.23. for its their part and duty to be nursing fathers for the Church and to enact good laws for the peace­able government of their people. S. Augustine tells us, ‘that every King and governour hath two callings; one private, whereby [...]e is bound to serve God as a Chri­stian; and another publique wherein he must serve God as King, whereof he saith;’ ‘[Page 149]Reges tùnc serviunt Deo, ut Reges,August. quando ita serviunt, ut servire nòn possent, nisi Reges.’

‘This is by making of good Laws, and making their power a means to advance Christ's Kingdom in their Kingdoms:’ to this they be [...]xhorted, Psal. 2.10, 11. these things [...]e Apostle coucheth together, say­ [...]g when he exhorts us to pray for Kings, that we under them may lead a [...]uceable and quiet life in all godlinesse [...]d honesty: this cannot be done but [...]y the help of Magistrates, and Ma­ [...]strates shall not do it without God's blessing, and they cannot ex­ [...]ect that, without their own and their people's prayers, as Calvin [...]heweth, by the similitude of the [...]rth, not bringing forth fruit with­out rain, and the rain ordinarily not [...]alling, but being procured by prayer.

Sect. 5.

Quest. IT will easily be granted, that Christian Princes must be prayed for; but all the doubt is, that shall be done if they be hereticks, [Page 148] [...] [Page 149] [...] [Page 150] and infidels, and Tyrants, and prof [...] enemies of the Church, must such [...] prayed for?

Resp. Surely they must: for su [...] a one was Nebuchadnezzar, yet [...] must be prayed for, and his wellfar [...] God commandeth the children of I [...] rael that were carried away captive [...] from Jerusalem to Babylon: Seek [...] the peace of the City, whither I ha [...] caused you to be carried away captiv [...] and pray unto the Lord for it, for in th [...] peace thereof, ye shall have peace, Jerem [...] 29.7. and Paul saith, that the Heathen Emperors must be prayed for for such they were in his time: a [...] great reason,Si mali sint, rogandus est Deus, ut bonos faciat. Calvin. ‘for if they are evi [...] we are to intreat God to ma [...] them good, saith Calvin:’ y [...] though themselves be bad & vitiou [...] both hereticall for matter of judgment, & wicked and profane for li [...] yet they may make good Laws for the government of others, as dive [...] wicked Emperours and bad Princes have done, and as our own Chronicle [...] do report of Richard the third King [...] England, that he was a bad man, b [...] a good Prince; making good a [...] [Page 151] wholesome Laws for the good of the Nation: it is a misery to live in a [...]yranny, under an evil governour, [...]ut it is thrice more miserable to live [...] an Anarchy where there is no [...]ing at all: for without Laws and government, neither house nor vil­ [...]age, nor Town, nor City, nor any [...]tate can stand or continue: there is [...]o judgment like no government.

Now if Kings and Princes must be [...]tayed for, then surely the Papists [...]old a false position, viz. that Pro­ [...]estant Princes that in Ecclesiasticall [...]atters will not put their hands un­ [...]er the Popes girdle, may be forsaken [...]f their subjects, exposed to dangers, [...]e anathematized, yea deposed from [...]heir Crowns and Kingdoms: this [...]s the devilish doctrine of new Rome, much degenerated from the ancient doctrine of old Rome in S [...] Pauls and Peters time, yea in Elutherius his time, who lived about two hundred yeers after Christ, no such matter was hatcht or heard of: for thus [...]iteth he to Lucius King of Eng­land, ‘that beins Custos utrius (que) Ta­bulae, and having both the old and [Page 152] new Testaments for his directio [...] he might out of them by the a [...] vice of his learned Councell, a [...] help of his own Clergy, make Law for the good and pious gover [...] ment of his Kingdom, witho [...] any approbation of them fro [...] Rome: and Gregory sometime B [...] shop of Rome,’ confesseth, that Maritius the Emperour had power ov [...] the souls of his subjects, and that n [...] only over souldiers, but Bishops a [...] Priests also: and S. Bernard writi [...] to an Archbishop of France, tel [...] him, ‘that if every soul must b [...] subject to the higher Powers; the [...] if he and his Clergy had souls, the [...] must be subject to the Emperou [...] by St Paul's authority, Rom. 13.1.’

Sect. 6.

ANd as Magistrates, so Minister also are to be pray'd for: T [...] like the Apostle begs of the Hebr [...] Heb. 13.18. and of the Thessaloni [...] 1 Thess. 5.25. Brethren, pray for [...] See what arguments he useth to i [...] treat the Romans to pray for hi [...] [Page 153] [...]m 15.30. I beseech you brethren, for the [...]nd Jesus sake, and for the love of [...]e Spirit, that you strive together in [...]r prayers to God for me. If you [...]ve any love to Jesus Christ, and as [...]ver you felt Christ to do good unto [...]ou, and felt the efficacy and working [...]f the Spirit in you, strive and wre­ [...]e with God in prayer for me; and [...] in every Epistle he begs their [...]nyers. This hath been the pra­ [...]ice of the people of God of old for [...]e faithfull Ministers. When Peter [...]s in prison, earnest prayer was made [...] the Church of God for him, Acts [...].5. And when Paul and Silas [...]ent forth to preach, They were [...]mended of the brethren to the [...]eace of God, namely by prayer, Acts [...]5.40.

Now where a people want a faith­ [...]ll Minister, they are to pray for [...]e. Thus did Christ give in charge, Math. 9.38. Pray ye the Lord of the [...]rvest, that he would send forth la­ [...]rers into his harvest. That it is [...]ecessary to pray for able Mini­ [...]ers, may appear by the Titles [...]herewith the Scripture stileth [...]em.

[Page 154]1. They are called Seers, 1 Samu [...] 9 9. and therefore they must see t [...] themselves, and for others, seekin [...] out the will of God, and making [...] known to them.

2. They are called Speculators Watchmen, Ezek. 3.1. they mu [...] therefore keep Sentinel, and sta [...] upon their Watch-tower, to admonish the people of dangers approaching, unlesse they prevent them b [...] forsaking their sins.

John 21.15.3. They are called Shepherds, E [...] 34.2. they must therefore feed Go [...] reasonable sheep committed to thei [...] charge, in the green pastures of h [...] Word, and lead them forth by th [...] wholesome waters of spiritual co [...] fort.

4. They be Husbandmen, the [...] must not thetefore be loiterers, b [...] labourers, painfully plowing up t [...] fallow-ground of mens hearts, an [...] sowing the immortal seed of Go [...] Word in the furrows thereof.

5. They be Gods Gardeners an [...] Vine-dressers, therefore they mu [...] pluck up the briars, thorns a [...] thistles, prune and lop away all [...] [Page 155] [...]erfluous branches of sinne and im­ [...]iety, and plant, set and sow in the [...]om thereof the seeds of Vertue, Religion and Honesty.

6. They be Gods Factors: There­ [...]ore they must not wrap up their [...]asters money in a napkin, and bu­ [...] it in the earth with the unprofita­ [...]le servant, Matth. 25.18. but im­ [...]oy and improve to the uttermost [...]hose gifts of Nature and Grace, [...]herewith God hath endewed [...]hem to his Glory, and the Churches good.

7. They be Stewards of Gods house; and it behoves them to be faithfull [...]d wise, that they may have both [...]ill and skill, to give every one of [...]heir fellows their portion, and pro­portion of their masters provision, and that in due season, as our Savi­our saith, Luke 12.42. And hereby, [...]all Interpreters observe,Tritici mensu­ram vetus Interpres: inos olîm erat, ut cuiliber serio quolibet mense quaterni modii tritici admetiebantur, viz. Somewhat lesse than four pecks, as the Notes on the Geneva Bible tell us. he under­standeth, that heavenly incorrupti­ble food of the soul, whereof he speaketh by his Prophet Isaiah 55.1. [Page 156] This is the food that must be given [...] our fellow-servants, and it mùst [...] given them in due season: We mu [...] fit both our Texts, and the manne [...] of handling them, to every circum­stance of Place, Time and Perso [...] and the Auditories capacity: Som [...] must be fed with milk, some with strong meat; to some we must b [...] like James and John, Boanerges, de­nouncing the threatnings of the Law against the obstinate; and sometim [...] again, like Barnabas and Barjona th [...] sonnes of consolation, to comfor [...] Jerusalem at the heart, and pronounce the sweet promises of the Go­spel to penitent sinners. Sometim [...] we may handle points of Contro­versie among the Learned, and sometime we must handle points o [...] Catechism among the unlearned, and we must evermore be guided by a good conscience in both: Some­time truth must be confirmed, some­time falshood must be confuted: Some must mildly be admonished, as the weak Corinthians; others must sharply be reproved, as the frowar [...] and foolish Galatians. This wa [...] [Page 157] St Pauls course, as he testifieth of himself, 1 Cor. 9.22. not that he [...]ecame Apolypus, Protaeus, or Came­ [...]m, turning with the tide and time [...]o serve his own turn, but he did [...]hese things in godly wisdome and dis­ [...]tion, for the advantage of the [...]use, and furthering his Masters bu­ [...]nesse.

8. They be also called Fathers, [...] Cor. 4.14, 15. St Paul tells them, [...]hat he wrote not those things (viz. [...]e base account and mean esteem [...]imself and his fellow-labourers, [...]ere had in of the world, as ap­ [...]ars by the Context) to shame them: [...]t (saith he) as my beloved sonnes I [...]rne you, to beware of running into [...]e same fault; then he renders them [...]is reason, For though ye have a thou­ [...]d instructors in Christ, yet have ye [...]t many fathers, for in Christ Jesus [...] have begotten you through the Gospel. To the same purpose he speaketh [...]so to the Galatians, Chap. 4.19. Thus likewise St Ambrose was wont [...]o call the faithfull of Millain his [...]hildren, and other godly Bishops [...]ave done the like. What reason [Page 158] then have we to pray for our Mini­sters? For if Alexander could con­fesse himself more indebted to Ari­stotle his master for his breeding and making him a civil man and a Scho­lar (which he calls his bene esse) than to Philip his father for his birth, ma­king him a natural man, leaving him a Kingdom, all which he calls but his [...]sse; What would he have said (think we) had he lived in a time where he might have had means to become religious, and a Christian man? Ministers ought to tender their people more than Pa­rents do their children, because they have the soul, the more principa [...] part to care for, which most Paren [...] (though falsly) think themselve [...] discharged of. Possidonius Possidon. in vit. Aug. reporte [...] of Valerius the good old Bishop o [...] Hippo, that being a Graecian, and s [...] not able roundly to speak Latine c [...] the benefit of his people, and percei­ving Austin to be a towardly youn [...] man of good hope, he made him hi [...] Coadjutor in the execution of h [...] office, and in processe of time, perceiving him to be faithfull and pai [...] full, [Page 159] and that the people profited well by him,There were many in St Gregories time, of whom he saith, Ecce mundus sacer­dotibus plenus est, & tamen in messe Do­mini rarus inveni [...]ur operarius: then he renders the reason of it, saying: Officium sacerdotale omnes suscipi­mus; opus autem nòn implemus: Multi curati sunt, sed pauci rem Domini curant; & pauci precari quidèm inveniuntur, qui habent sanctam vitam cum sana doctrina conjunctam. Gregor. he resigned his Bisho­prick to him: hereby as a good spi­ritual Father, he shewed the care that he had of his peoples souls: A good president for such as are able to live without a Church, and unable or unwilling to preach in a Church; let such (at least) both for consci­ence towards God, and their credit [...]owards men, get them sufficient as­sistants to help ease them of that bur­then, which otherwise cannot chuse but sit heavy upon them. Now that Ministers may be able in good measure to perform the duties which those titles and relations call for, they have need of peoples prayers.

Sect. 7.

NOw let us consider, what are the things we are to pray for in the behalf of our Ministers.

1. Pray that your Ministers may be men of ability, that they may be [Page 160] men fitted and furnished for the dis­charge of their duties, and that God would give a blessing to their labours, One observeth, ‘That Caleb said to his men,Josh. 15.18. Jacob. Mar­chantii hortus pastorum. I will bestow my daugh­ter upon one of you, but he that wil have her, must first winne Kiriath-Sepher, that is, a City of Books, he must quit himself like a man in­deed; and he that will be a true Minister of Gods word, must not runne before he is sent; he must not be a man of zeal without knowledge to guide it; but one that is furnisht by God, that hath lain long before Kiriath-Sepher, and been train'd up in the Schools of the Prophets; such a one is a f [...] dispencer of Gods Word and Sacra­ments.’ All sufficiency in every kind comes from God, 2 Corinth. 3.5, 6. ‘There is no man fit to preach the Word of God,Nullus aptus ad praedicatio­n [...]m verbi divini nisi per ejus gratiam, & qui ab eo missus, & aliquo modo aptatus, licet nòn immediatè, media [...] tamen. Lyra in Luc. 10. but by the grace of God, saith Lyra, and although a man be not sent from God im­mediately, yet if God fit him [Page 161] by any meanes for the work of the Ministry, he is one sent of God.’

2. Pray that they may have a [...]oor of utterance, and that they may have liberty of speech to speak the mystery of Christ, Colos. 4.3. For there are many things that usually stop the mouths of Ministers. 1. Ig­norance and presumptuous sinnes in a Minister; for polluted lips be no lips of utterance; a Ministers lips must be toucht with a coal from the Altar, and he must have his infirmi­ty taken away, and his sinne purged, Isai. 6.6, 7. 2. Sometime the sins of the people do stop the Preachers mouth, and make him dumb, as Ezek. 3.25, 26. God oftentimes gives words to the teacher for the grace of the hearer,Propter malum populum, etiam bonis tollitur sermo doctoribus. Gregor. and sometime for the fault of the hearer, speech is taken away from the teacher; by reason of an evil people, speech is taken away from good teachers, saith Gregory.

3. Ye are to pray that with all courage and boldnesse your Ministers may deliver the Word of God, that [Page 162] couragiously they may reprove sins and rebuke sinners, and reveal God counsel without fear of any man face, Jerem. 1.8. Lifting up thei [...] voices like Trumpets, and shewin [...] Gods people their sinnes, Isa. 58.1 When men are like the deaf Adder, that will not hear the voice o [...] the Charmer, Isa. 58.5. Yea whe [...] they are dead asleep in sinne, they had need be rouzed up with th [...] Trumpet of the Word. Mitio hi [...] mildnesse, and Eli's softnesse wil [...] not reclaim children past grace Ministers must not alwayes spea [...] in a soft and still voice, as God to Elias, [...] Reg, 19.12, 13. but they may and must sometime use the rod, Jerem. 23.13, 2 [...] There was to be used among the Sacrifices salt and vinegar. In [...] word, a Minister must resembl [...] the Cock, who alters his tone an [...] crowing according to the time of the night.

4. Pray that they may delive [...] the pure word of God; and nothing else, putting nothing to Gods word and taking nothing from it. Th [...] chopping and changing the Wo [...] [Page 163] of God, Chrysostome compareth to falsifying the Kings coyn, which is done, either by mingling baser met­al among it, or else by clipping and [...]aring away part of it, and so im­ [...]airing the weight and worth of it; [...]e least of which faults is treason [...]gainst the King, and is deservedly made death, by the Lawes of our [...]and: And saith that Father, the mingling of the Scriptures, and the mangling of our own devices with [...]hem, is no lesse than high treason [...]gainst God; and how ill he takes [...]t, and severely punisheth it, we may read Revel. 22.18, 19. I would not be mistaken, as if I thought it to be unlawfull, to make use of hu­mane learning, or alledge humane Authors in Sermons by way of illu­stration and amplification, or the like. Let Hagar take her place, and at­ [...]nd on Sarah her Mistresse; why [...]all not the Israelites use and wear the spoils of Aegypt, that God hath given them? But that which I say, [...] this, that nothing is of force to [...]ove any point either dogmatical or moral, but what is either ex­presly [Page 164] contained in the Scriptures, or may by necessary consequence be collected from them.

5. Pray likewise that all faithfull Ministers may have a free exercise of their Ministry; that the Gospel may have a free and full passage, 2 Thess. 3.1. notwithstanding the rubs and impediments which the Devil and his Instruments oppose to the same, Paul was in prison when he makes his request to the Colossians to pray for him, Col. 4.3, 4. either it was at Ephesus, as some think, or at Rome, as Cajetan Bifield in Col. Cajetan. and others, and is most probable, by the Postscript: And when Peter was in prison, the Church prayed for him, and God sent an An­gel that enlarged him, Acts 12, 5. the want of liberty in regard of his Ministry, and the exercise thereof, to a good Minister, is more trouble­some than his bodily restraint, or to be in bonds: and if Ministers be at any time causlesly impri­soned or persecuted, it's a peo­ples duty to pray for them, that they may be delivered from absurd and unreasonable men, 2 Thes. 3.1, 2.

[Page 165]6. We are to pray, that Ministers may preach profitably to their hearers, that they make the Gospel manifest, as [...]t becomes them, Colos. 4.4.Sanctum nòn est, quod san­ctum geritur, nisi quod san­ctè peragatur. Cyprian. Luther saith, ‘God loves Adverbs better than Verbs: For as in naturall things, their excellency depend­eth upon the forme, and the forme is preferred before the matter: So in moral things, the manner of doing the thing is better than the thing done. So Cyprian saith, That thing is not holy which is account­ed holy, but that which is done ho­lily, as in praying, reading, medita­ting, conference, &c.’

7. Pray that Ministers may be holy persons, and be cloathed with righteousnesse, Psalm 132.9. Pray that those that teach you well may live well themselves, that they may be burning and shining lights, not on­ly in their doctrines, but also in their conversations: Pray that they nay be men of fervent spirits. A Minister should be the best pattern of [...]al that a people can have. What Nazianzen reporteth of Basil, is a fit emblem for a true Minister, a pillar [Page 166] of fire with this motto, Talis est Ba­silius, such a one is Basil. Pray that your Ministers may be men of indu­strious spirits, willing to take pains among you, and may endure hard­nesse (as good souldiers of Jesus Christ) if they are called unto it, i [...] is but equity that you should pray for your Ministers, seeing they pray for you; nay they should account it their sinne, if they should not pray for you, 1 Samuel 12.23. Besides, all the good that cometh by a peoples prayer for their Ministers, it is retur­ned into the common treasury of the Gospel, 2 Thess. 3.1. The Go­spel it self fares the better by such prayers, the current of the Gospel is opened, it runnes strongly, and the Gospel is glorified; it is like the fal­ling of abundance of rain from the hils into the vallies, that makes the riversswell and runne over. And to this I shall adde, That all your pray­ers for Gods Ministers, shall return into your own bosomes with advan­tage: As it is with a mans sonne that worketh abroad, and earns so much money by the week, he brings [Page 167] [...]ome his money at the weeks end to his parents; but in effect, he work­eth for himself: for when his father [...]ies, or gives over his trade, he posses­eth all that his father hath: So when you pray for Gods Ministers, your prayers do fill up the bag, and when the bag is opened, it shall return to your own advantage; therefore God doth endew his Ministers with so much learning and knowledge, it is for their peoples sake, —and in that people are to pray for their Ministers, and that Ministers have so much desired their peoples pray­ers; yea St Paul himself, though an extraordinary man: Hence we may note, That the greatest in the Church may need the prayers of the meanest, and that God is no accepter of persons,Orat Aposto­lus pro plebe, plebs pro Apostolo: prose omnia membra orant; capur pro om­nibus interpel­lat. Aug. but heareth the prayers of the meanest Christian, as of the greatest Apostle. ‘The Apostle prayes for the people, the people for the Apostle or Minister; all the members pray for them­selves, and the Head prayeth for them all, saith Austin.’

Sect. 8.

ANd as people must pray for their Ministers; so likewise must Ministers pray for their people: Thus the Priests of old were com­manded of God, to blesse the people, and pray for them, Numb. 6.23, 24. And in the New Testament, Paul prayes for the Ephesians, Ephes. 3.14, 16. That they might be strengthen­ed with might by his Spirit in the inner man: So likewise for the Phi­lippians, he saith, That in every prayer of his for them all, he made request with joy, for their fellowship in the Gospel, Phil. 1.4, 5. So likewise he prayes for the Thessalonians, That the God of peace would sanctifie them thoroughout, 1 Thessal. 5.23. Like­wise he prayeth for the Romans, That God would grant them to be like-minded one to another, and that with one mind and mouth they might glorifie God, Rom. 15.5. So Eli prayes for H [...] ­nah, The Lord God of Israel grant thy request, 1 Sam. 1.17. and she present­ly found her prayer answered. And [Page 169] as they are to pray for all manner of blessings upon a people, so are they to pray against approaching judge­ments ready to fall upon them: So did Moses beseech God with strong arguments to forgive Israels sinne, and to turn away his wrath, and spare their lives, Exod. 32.11, 12, 13, 32. and after the people had worshipped the Calves, he prayes earnestly for them, That God would forgive their [...]nne. So Joshua and the Elders of Israel, lie upon their faces, put dust [...]pon their heads, and pray earnestly to God, not to deliver them into the hands [...]f the Amorites, and to remember his great name, Joshua 7.6, 7, 9. This [...]s commanded as a duty to be done [...]y the Ministers: Let the Priests, the Ministers of the Lord, weep between the Porch and the Altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the Heathen should rule over them, &c. I [...]el 2.14.

But especially Ministers are to pray for the people, that their Mi­nistry may be blest to them: For [...]aul may plant, and Apollos water, [Page 170] but it is God that giveth the increase. Ministers are not only to exhort, re­prove, admonish and beseech a peo­ple, and not onely to propound good wholesome doctrines and instructi­ons to holy duties, but also earnestly to beseech God to give his blessing thereunto, that God would ena­ble them to understand, embrace and practice what they teach them: and good reason there is for this;

1. Because every thing and per­son is sanctified by the word of God and prayer; I mean not onely i [...] publick, but also in private. To the publick preaching and prayers, Mi­nisters must joyn private prayer also for a people: When they cease to preach to them, yet they are not t [...] cease praying for them; when th [...] work of preaching is done, the wor [...] of prayer is not done: God forbid that I should cease to pray for you [...] saith Samuel for the people, 1 Sam 12.23. This is the stile of Moses Aaron, Samuel, Job and D [...] niel, that they were such as ca [...] led upon Gods Name, standi [...] [Page 171] up, and pleading with God, for the people, with whom they did converse.

2. It is one great part of the office Reas. 2 of the Ministry, Acts 6.4. when the question was put about the relief of the widows in the daily ministra­tion, the twelve Apostles would not leave their work to intend that, but bid the Church look out men of good report, that might intend that busi­nesse: For, say they, we will give [...]ur selves continually to prayer, and to [...]he ministry of the Word. One Chri­ [...]tian ought in charity to pray for another, and doing it they do it ex [...]haritate, from that love that they mutually bear one to another; but a Minister doth it ex officio: it's part of his Ministry: for as Ministers are the mouth of God to speak to the people, so they are the mouth of the people to speak to God; and lay open the wants and necessities of the peo­ple committed to their charge. Hence we find them in Scripture stiled the lords remembrancers, and watch­men upon the walls of Jerusalem, Isai. 62.

[Page 172] Reas. 3 3. Because most people are very negligent to pray for themselves. O [...] how many houses, families and per­sons are there that call not upon Gods Name, that never look into the state of their own hearts, that are no [...] sensible of their sinnes, and of their spiritual wants, they see not their disease, and therefore seek not to the Physician to heal their soul-maladies; therefore Ministers must pity them, and pray for them.

Reas. 4 4. Because when Ministers find little successe by their preaching and la­bours, yet they find relief by their prayers, and obtain that by them which they could not effect by their preaching. A Minister preacheth long among a people, and hath fre­quent cause to complain with the Prophet Isai. 49.4. I have laboured i [...] vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; but they that seek the face of the Lord, shall not seek his face in vain: Therefore God doth not give successe to many Ministers in their labours, because their labours are not steeped i [...] prayers.

[Page 173]5. Because the Devil doth make Reas. 5 it his master design to hinder Mini­sters in the preaching of the Gospel, or to make their labours ineffectual, therefore they had need to be more instant in prayer for their people. Satan seeth that faithfull Ministers are Gods standard-bearers, the Cap­tains in Gods army, and therefore if they stand, they stand not alone, if they fall, they fall not alone, many fall with them: and there is no cal­ling under Heaven by which God conveyes so much grace, and so much good to a people, as by this ordinance, therefore they had need [...]o be mighty in praier.

Hence people when they have any weighty case and important busi­nesse, they should commend it to the prayers of Gods faithfull Mini­sters. So Hezekiah (when Sennache­rib had invaded Judah, and sent to Hezekiah to Jerusalem, &c.) he send­eth Eliakim, Shebnah and the Elders of the Priests, covered with sack­cloth, unto Isaiah the Prophet, say­ing unto him, Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left, Isai. 37.4. [Page 174] So St James exhorteth, Jam. 5.14. Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And we find in Scri­pture, that men notoriously wicked have been mindfull of this duty: How often did wicked Pharaoh send to Moses and Aaron to pray for him, Exod. 9.28. when the plagues of thunder, fire, and hail came upon Aegypt, then he sent to them (con­fessing his sinne and acknowledging Gods justice) that they would intreat the Lord that there might be no more mighty thundrings and hail, promi­sing to let Israel go; and when after this, he yet hardened his heart, and the Lord brought other judgements upon him; upon the plague of the Locusts, he sends for Moses and Aaron again, Exod. 10.17. and saith unto them, I have sinned against the Lord your God and you; now therefore for­give I pray thee my sinne onely thi [...] once, and intreat the Lord your God that he may take from me this deat [...] also: And Moses went from Phara [...] [Page 175] and intreated the Lord. So Jeroboam, 1 Kings 13.6. when he stretcht out his hand against the Prophet that prophecied against the Altar, and his hand withered; the King speaks to the man of God to pray for him; Intreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me that my hand may be restored me again; and the man of God did so, and the Kings hand was restored, and became as it was before. So likewise Simon Ma­gus, when Peter cursed him in the [...]ame of the Lord (Thy money perish [...]ith thee) and tels him, That he was [...]n the gall of bitternesse, &c. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which you have spoken come up­on me, Acts 8.24. How much more then should the people of God make conscience of this duty, to beg the prayers of Gods Ministers for them.

Sect. 9.

THis duty of prayer also belong­eth unto Parents, who are to pray for their children. Thus Noah [Page 176] prayes for Shem and Japhet his sonnes, Gen. 9.26. that God would blesse them and enlarge them. Thus Isaac prayes for Jacob his sonne; God give thee of the dew of Heaven, and the fatnesse of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine, let people serve thee, and Nations bow down to thee; be Lord over thy brethren, &c. Gen. 27.28, 29. Thus Jacob blessed Joseph his sonne, and said, God before whom my fa­thers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named upon them, &c. Genes. 48.15, 16. So David be­sought God for his sick child, and fasted and went in, and lay all night upon the earth, 2 Samuel 12.16. So David prayes for Solomon his sonne, That God would give unto him a per­fect heart to keep the commandments and statutes of God, and to build the palace for which he had made pro­vision, 1 Chron. 29.19. So Job, After the dayes of his children feasting were gone about, he sent an [...] sanctified them, and rose up ear­ly [Page 177] in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be my sonnes have sinned, and cursed God in their heart: thus did Job continu­ally, Job 1.5. Nor is it sufficient for Parents to pray in general, but they ought to pray particularly for them: As Parents who have many children, provide meat, drink and cloathing according to the number of them all, and have a particular eye and are over every one of them, and provide portions for them all: So they ought to put up particular re­quests to God for every one of them, suing out some speciall bles­sings to come down upon the head of each of them. Thus doubtlesse Job did, when the Sacrifice for eve­ry sonne was made, he sent up a prayer to God, for the pardon and acceptance of every sonne,Caryls expos. on Job 1.5. as a ju­dicious Divine hath noted. This even Heathens have done for their children; we read, that Cornelia visited the Temples for her sonnes Tiberius and Caius, and offered Sa­crifices to their gods for them, [Page 178] when they were in the warres of Africk; for thus she saith in an Epi­stle she wrote to them: Your Fa­ther bequeathed you nothing but wea­pons, Jo. Benthams Christian conflict. and from me you shall inherit nothing but books; for I had rather leave my children good doctrine, where­by they may live, than evil riches whereby they may perish: I doe not cease to visit the Temples to pray for your health, nor yet to offer Sacrifice to the gods for your honour. Mark this all ye Christian Parents; and be tender of the good of your chil­drens souls, and be carefull of bring­ing them up in the nurture and ad­monition of the Lord, and in pray­ing to God daily for them, else even Heathens will one day rise up in judgement against you.

Moreover, Masters of Families, and Housholders are to pray with, and for their Families. King He­zekiah prayeth for the people, That the Lord would pardon every one that prepared his heart to seek God, though he were not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary, 2 Chron [Page 179] 30.19. First, God commandeth that [...]en should pray every where, lifting [...]p pure hands, 1 Tim. 2.8. therefore [...] the family. When God promi­seth to pour out the spirit of grace and [...]upplication upon his people, he saith, That every family shall mourn for their [...]imes apart; the family of the house [...]f David apart, and their wives apart; [...] family of the house of Levi apart, [...]nd the family of Shimei apart, and [...]eir wives apart, Zech. 12.10, [...]2, 13.

Secondly, It is set down as one [...]eason why Husbands should dwell with their Wives, sc. that their do­ [...]estical prayers be not hindred, 1 Pet. 3.7.

Thirdly, Adam set up the worship of God in his family, how else could Abel know what to sacrifice, and in what manner, Genes. 4.4. This pra­ctice was also renewed by the care of Seth, being decayed, and corru­pted by the posterity of Cain; in his [...]ime and by his means, Men began to call on the Name of the Lord, Genes. 4.26.

Fourthly, Our Lord Jesus him­self, [Page 180] when he was on earth, praye [...] with his Disciples which were hi [...] family: we reade, That he was alon [...] praying, and his Disciples were with him, Luke 9.18.

Object. How could he be alone, and yet have his Disciples with him?

Resp. He was not simply alone, but in comparison; the multitude being now dismissed, and sent away: So a great man may be said to be private and retired, when he hath onely his own family about him; from which practice of our Saviour Christ we have a good precedent and pattern for prayer in, and with our families. It is said of David, That morning and evening, and at noon-day he prayed, and praised the Lord. And of Cornelius we reade, That he was a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, and prayed to God alway, Act. 10.2.

Fifthly, Because the families of the godly are called Churches, Rom. 16.5. therefore they should be as the Temple, where morning and evening Sacrifice was offered up to God every day; therefore every [Page 181] mans house should be a house of prai­ [...] to that family.

Sixthly, Every family is subject [...] particular wants, and prayer is [...]e means God hath appointed us to [...]ave these wants supplied.

Seventhly, In our families we [...]ay be most free from distractions in [...]ur devotions; therefore Christ will [...]ot so much pray among the mul­ [...]tude, as with his Disciples, lest [...] might be disturbed and inter­ [...]pted.

Lastly, God curseth such families [...]s call not upon his name, Jer. 10.25. [...]very family is to offer up the Sacri­ [...]ce of prayer day by day.

Sect. 10.

YEt there are some persons that are not to be pray'd for:

1. Not all men in general are to [...]e pray'd for, that are, or shall be: [...]. Because it is not the will of God, [...]at all mankind should be saved: for those we may not pray, con­cerning whom we have Gods re­ [...]ealed will that they shall not be [Page 182] saved: If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1 Joh. 5.14▪ Now his will is not that all me [...] should be saved, therefore it is no [...] his will that we should pray for al [...] men.

Object. But the Apostle tells us, That it is the will of God, that all men should be saved. The A­postle exhorteth 1 Tim. 2.1. That prayers, supplications and intercessi­ons be made for all men; and give [...] the reason of it, ver. 4. That God would have all men to be saved.

Resp. St. Paul's meaning is not, that God's will is to save every par­ticular man, but that all men (now in the time of the Gospel) should have the means of salvation offer­ed to them, as the next words do explain it, and come to the knowledge of the truth. 2. Our Lord Jesus Christ would not pray for all man­kind, therefore we may not: I pray not for the world, saith he, John 17.9. now his example must be our warrant and direction. 3. The Prophets are forbidden to pray for certain men, whom they knew by [Page 183] revelation from God to be rejected [...] the Lord. God is offended with [...]muel for praying for Saul, 1 Sam. [...].1. And the Prophet Jeremiah is [...]bidden to pray for the Israelites, [...]r. 7.16 Pray not thou for this peo­ [...], neither lift up a cry nor prayer [...] them, neither make intercession to [...], for I will not hear thee, Jerem. [...].16.

2. We are not to pray for such [...]s we know do sinne against the [...]oly Ghost, whether wicked An­ [...]s or men, 1 Iohn 5.16. There is [...] sinne that is unto death, I say not [...]t a man should pray for it: And [...]ccording to this direction, the Church prayed not for the conver­ [...]on of Julian the Apostate, but [...]r his confusion, because they knew that out of meer malice he perse­ [...]ted known truths unto his death. Every sinne is mortal, and no sinne is venial, Rom. 6.23. Every sinne deserveth death; but yet there is a s [...]ne not unto death, that is, there is [...]o ordinary sinne but may be for­given; but that is a sin unto death, [...]hat not onely deserveth death, but [Page 184] that doth certainly and inevitably procure death. The Pharisees sinned this sinne, Mark 3.28, 30 where it appears that this sin agains [...] the holy Ghost is a malicious reviling, and wilfull opposition o [...] Christ, and of the known truths [...] God. The Pharisees out of envy and malice against our Saviour contrary to the knowledge they ha [...] of him, said, He had an unclea [...] spirit; and though they knew th [...] miracles he wrought were don [...] by the finger of God, and by hi [...] Spirit, yet they attributed thos [...] miracles of his, not to the holy Spirit of God, but to the Devi [...] that unclean spirit. Now if w [...] know any to commit this sinne, w [...] are not to pray for them. Mr Cotton Cottons expos. in 1 John chap. 5. gives divers reasons why suc [...] persons are not to be prayed for.

Reas. 1 1. From the spight such person [...] do to the chief means and help o [...] prayer, one is the Spirit of grace an [...] supplication. Now these men sinn [...] in despight of the Spirit of grace Heb. 10.29. and the Spirit is [...] grieved, that it will not assist [...] [Page 185] [...]n any praier made for such men. 2. From the like despight they of­ [...]er to Christ, in whose name we are [...]o pray. Upon these two wings our [...]rayers flie up to Heaven, the me­diation of Christ, and the Spirit of grace, and with these two they do [...]revail: Now those that commit [...]his sin, they make a scorn of Christ, [...]hey trample under foot his bloud, [...]nd put him to open shame and [...]unishment, as the most notorious [...]alefactour, as one that suffered [...]ot for other men's sins, but for his [...]wn.

2. Where Christ is not a Sa­ [...]rifice Reas. 2 of Propitiation for sinnes, [...]here he cannot be expected to be [...] Intercessour for such, if the Sa­ [...]ifice of Christ reach not to such, then will he never make Interces­ [...]on for them; and if Christ will [...]ot intercede for such, then may not we pray for them that com­mit this sinne unto death, Hebr. [...]0.27.

3. We are not to pray for the dead: For,

1. In Scripture, there are nei­ther [Page 186] Commands nor Promises, no [...] approved Examples to warran [...] prayer for the dead: As for tha [...] place in Macchabees, where Jud [...] is commended for praying for th [...] dead, which died in the sinne o [...] Idolatry, it is not Canonical Scr [...] pture, and to be excepted against▪ Yea, the Papists themselves a [...] low not prayers to be made fo [...] such.

2. It is vain to pray for th [...] dead, whose spirits the Lord hat [...] disposed of, and their judgeme [...] is past; For after death cometh judgement: ‘Prayer after death then is like a pardon after death, an [...] pleading after sentence,D. Willet in Levit. 16. saith [...] learned man’ And as Chrysosto [...] saith, Nequè gubernator postqua [...] navis submersa est, nequè medic [...] postquam aegrotus obiit, quicquam pr [...] desse potest: Chrysost. hom. 75. sup. Matth. Neither the Pilot afte [...] the Ship is drowned, nor a Phys [...] cian when a man is dead, can profit any thing: So when men ar [...] dead, if their souls be in Heave [...] they cannot be in a better estate our prayers can adde nothing t [...] [Page 187] their happinesse; if in Hell,Look but on one that playes at bowls, who no sooner than he hath deliver­ed his bowl, he screweth his [...]ly this way, and that way, calling after it, that it may be either short nor over, nor wide on either side; but all in vain; [...] bowl keepeth on his course, and reacheth to the place, not where [...]e mind, but the strength of the bowler sent it: Thus it is with [...]se that pray for the dead, they pray and call unto God, sing [...]iems and diriges for the souls of men departed, that they may [...]e sent to purgatory, not hell: a course unwarrantable, unavailable: [...] as the body is laid down in the dust, so the soul is gone to God [...] gave it, there to receive according to the deeds done here in [...] flesh, whether good or evil. Dr Wincop Serm. Anno 1627. they [...]annot redeem them, nor asswage [...]heir torments, therefore no way [...]arrantable, because no way avail­ [...]ble.

CHAP. XI. [...]heweth, what Gestures may be used in prayer.

Sect. 1.

If it be demanded now, What ge­sture is to be used in prayer?

I answer, That no special rules [...]an be given hereof, inasmuch as we [...]ave neither commandment to use [...]his or that gesture, nor promise that [Page 188] in so doing we shall the rather be heard; nor example which ties us necessarily to this gesture rather than to that. Some pray standing, as the ten Lepers, Luke 17.12, 13. and the Publican, Luke 18.13. Others kneel­ing, as Solomon in the Temple, 1 Kings 8 54. Stephen for his enemies, Acts 7.60. Peter for the restoring of Ta­bitha, Acts 9.40. Others lying, as David, who lay all night on the ground, when he prayed for the life of his child, 2 Sam. 12.16. and Hezekiah upon his bed praying for his own life, Isai. 38.2. Others groveling, as Moses, Deut. 9.18. and Joshua, Ch. 5.14. And lest any man should think they did amisse herein, we have an example beyond all excep­tion, sc. the example of Christ him­self, who prayed sometime standing, as when he raised up Lazarus, John 11.41. sometime kneeling, as in his agony in the garden, Luke 22.41. sometime grovelling with his face to the ground, as in Gethsemane, Matth. 26.39. Hence there are confuted two errours: 1. The errour or here­sie (as Damascen calls it) of the Ag­noclitae, [Page 189] who thought it unlaw­full to pray any way, but standing.Damascen. de haeresib. Contra Scrip­turam fecerit, siquis in Ca­thedra aut subsellio se­dens oraverit. Tertul. 2. Of Tertullian, who thought it unlawfull to pray sitting; for if it might be lawfull to pray lying (as I have shewed by the examples of David and Hezekiah) much more is it lawfull to pray sitting; in that sitting is a position of the body, wherein we shew more reverence than in lying along. Besides, we have the examples of holy men for our warrant. When Jacob was rea­dy to die, and had sworn Joseph to bury him in Canaan, he worshipped God towards the beds head, and sitting [...]p in his bed, and leaning on his staff, Heb. 11.21. When the Prophet Nathan came with a message to David from the Lord, and told him, That he should not build an house to his Name, but that his sonne [...]ould build it: David went and [...]e before the Lord, and prayed; Who am I O Lord? 2 Sam. 7.18. Vaije­ [...]eb] which though it be taken by some to be a Catachresis, and that sedit is put for resedit, yet I see not but it may be taken in its proper [Page 190] sense for sitting: for so the LXX. translate it, [...]. Sept. Aug. ad sim­plic. lib. 2. Quaest. 4. and the Vulgar Latine, sedit coram Domino, and the English, he sate before the Lord. And Austin from this place concludeth, That it is lawfull to pray sitting. The Greek Church in old time were wont to pray standing, Constrictis ad pectus manibus, their hands being bound to their brests;Vid. respon. Nicol. l. ad Consul. Bulgar. cap. 54. which custome some have approved; for they did there­by sentence or condemn themselves, that they might not be condemned of the Lord; as the King of Syria and his Captains, put ropes about their necks, to testifie they had de­served death, and submitted them­selves to the Kings pleasure in that pittifull sort. We read in the Go­spel, of some bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darknesse; therefore the Grecians bound their hands to their brests when they prayed, as if they should say, Domine ne manus meas ligari praecipias, ut mittar in te­nebras exteriores, quoniàm jàm ego eas ligavi, & ecce ad flagella paratus sum.

Now as no special rule can be gi­ven [Page 191] of the gesture of the whole bo­dy, so neither of any part or mem­ber thereof; as of the hand, or of the eye. Moses is said to have lifted up his hands when he prayed for Israel against Amalek, Exod. 17.12. and Solomon in his prayer at the De­dication of the Temple, 1 Reg. 8 22. whereas the Publican is said, To have smitten his brest with his hand, Luke 18.13. Christ is said to have looked up to Heaven, when he pray­ [...]d, Matth. 14.19. And David saith, I lift up mine eyes to the hils, &c. Psalm 121.1. whereas the Publican [...]s commended that he did not [...]o much as lift up his eyes to Hea­ [...]en, when he went to pray, Luke 18.13.

Object. 1. But it may be said, That [...] are commanded to pray kneeling, Psalm 95.1. O come let us fall [...]own and kneel before the Lord [...]ur maker. We have likewise the ex­ [...]mples of many devout persons, con­ [...]tantly using this gesture of kneeling in prayer. Greg. NazianzenGreg. Nazianz. saith of [...]is sister Gorgonia, that her knees [...]ere as it were even growne to the [Page 192] ground by continual praying. And Gre­gory saith, That his aunt Thrasilla had elbows as hard as horn by leaning on a desk when she prayed. Gregor. Dialog. Hieron. in vit. Pauli Erem. Hier. Epist. ad Marcel. And Jerom writing the life of Paul the Eremite, saith, That he was found dead on his knees, holding up his hands and eyes to Heaven: for saith he, Etiam mor­tui cadaver officioso gestu precaba­tur. Likewise we are sometimes com­manded to lift up our hands in prayer; Lift up your hands to the Sanctua­ry, and praise the Lord, Psalm 134.2. I will that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, 1 Tim. 2.8.

Resp. The meaning of the holy Ghost in bidding us fall down and kneel before the Lord, is not to enjoyn this gesture of kneeling more than any other; but that we wholly sub­ject and submit, that we dedicate and consecrate our selves to his ser­vice and worship, using such come­ly gestures as may best expresse the reverence and humility of the heart [...] otherwise we are bound no more t [...] kneel when we pray, than to trem­ble and quake; because it is said [Page 193] Tremble before him all the whole earth, Psalm 96.9. And by lifting up our hands, is meant metonymically the lifting up of our hearts by prayer, as Psalm 141.2. Let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening Sacrifice, that is, let my supplication which I te­stifie outwardly by lifting up of my hands, let that be as an evening Sa­crifice.

Object. 2. But some may say, Doth [...]ut our Saviour command, that when [...]e stand and pray, we should forgive, and it shall be forgiven us; therefore [...]t may seem we are bound to pray stand­ [...]ng, Mark 11.25.

Resp. Some restrain these words onely to prayer in the Temple, where men were wont to pray standing; as [...]e may see in the example of the Publican, and of the Pharisee, who both went up into the Temple to pray, [...]nd both stood and prayed, Luke 18.10, 11, 13. But I rather think, that [...]he word [stand] is used by the ho­ly Ghost, for the framing, compo­sing, and setting our selves to pray­er; standing being put for any ge­ [...]ture, whether kneeling, lying, or [Page 194] sitting, either because it is the chief­est position, or that it was most used by the Jewes in the Temple, to whom Christ here applieth hi [...] speech;Mais quand vous vous pre­senterez pour faire naison, pardonnez, &c. Fren. and thus the French tran­slate these words, cum statis (i.) si­stitis vos, when ye present or set your selves to pray, forgive.

Sect. 2.

ALbeit we are not to put any great Religion in outward gestures, and though it be not much material, what manner of gesture, or positi­on of the body we use (so the mind be well disposed) seeing bodily ex­ercise, and so bodily gesture availeth little; yet because we are to glorifie God, as well in our bodies, as in our spirits, as the Apostle commandeth us, 1 Cor. 6.20. And forasmuch as that part of Gods outward worship doth consist in these bodily gestures, as in kneeling, in lifting up the hands and eyes, &c. So also considering, that the Scripture makes so often mention hereof; necessary it is, that we have some generall Rules for [Page 195] our direction herein; the first shall [...]e this:

1. In publick prayer we are to [...]ollow the lawfull and laudable custome of the Church wherein we live. I say Lawfull:] for some ge­ [...]tures used by the old hereticks, the Gnosticks, were not lawfull, as being [...]o obscene, that they cannot once be [...]amed with modesty. And I adde laudable] because there be some more lawfull, that are not laudable; either in that they are not decent, or not profitable, serving for edifi­ [...]ation. I say also in Publick:] for [...]hat a man in private, being in his closet alone, is free to use what come­ [...]y gesture he pleaseth: but in pub­ [...]ick, whether in the Congregation or a family, he is to conform himself to the custome of that place: for if he [...]hall kneel when other men stand, or [...]and when others kneel (as some among us are wont to sit when others kneel, it cannot chuse but give offence, breed disorder, and haply be the cause of schism and dissention in the Church.

2. We are to use such gestures as [Page 196] will best stirre up devotion, an [...] strike us with the greatest reverence▪ We have this rule in a lively manne [...] exemplified by the practice of the Saints in all ages: some kneeling [...] others lying in sackcloth and ashes▪ others grovelling with their faces to the ground; others knocking their brests; and all to the end they might hereby be affected with the great­er reverence, when they came into the presence of God, and with a more lively sense and feeling of their own unworthinesse. Moses and Joshua are commanded to put their shoes off their feet, when they came into the presence of God, to work in them (doubtlesse) a more reve­rent opinion of Gods excellent Ma­jesty, his Holinesse, and sanctity, and a baser conceit of themselves, their unworthinesse and insufficien­cy; the which examples, though we are not bound to follow, and in particular (as the superstitious Priests among the Jews do, when they go into their Synagogues, as is reported) and the Turkes when they go into the Temple of S. So­phia, [Page 197] because we have no such par­ [...]cular commandment: yet in ge­ [...]eral, we are to follow them, in [...]sing such gestures,Moses Gerar­densis. as may best help [...]nd further devotion, reverence, [...]umility, and the like: for if such [...]oly and devout men as they were, [...]ed such outward Ceremonies to [...]ork reverence, and kindle devoti­ [...]n; how much more have we that [...]e so cold and prophane in compa­ [...]son of them? They therefore that [...]orn, disdain, or neglect these out­ [...]ard gestures, have either a pro­ [...]hane or proud heart; for they ei­ [...]her think them to be but idle Cere­monies, or that themselves are so devout, holy, Angelical, that they have no need thereof.

3. The gesture of the body is to be fitted to the grace and disposition of [...]he heart, and so farre forth used, and no further, than as it serves to testifie the same: The rule hath two parts, 1. That the gesture fit the affection and disposition of the mind; for if it be accounted a so­ [...]oecism in action, to speak of Hea­ven, and point to the Earth; much [Page 198] more is it in manners, more in Religion, most of all in prayer; whe [...] the heart and hand agree no bette [...] than harp and harrow; the hear [...] affecting one thing, the hand expressing another; therefore when w [...] come before God with cheerfulness [...] and confidence, we are to lift up ou [...] hands and our eyes to Heaven, a [...] Solomon is said to have stretched ou [...] his hands to Heaven; and Stephen to have stedfastly looked into Heaven but coming with grief and sorrow o [...] heart, we are to cast down our eyes as the Publican, who would not so much as look up to Heaven. 2. The gesture of the body is no further to be used, then as it serveth to testifi [...] the grace and disposition of the heart [...] for if the outward gesture be with­out the inward affection, it is nothing but hypocrisie, the outward man be­lying the inner man of the heart: as when the Jewes drew neer unto God with their mouths, but their hearts were farre from him; when they lifted up washen hands with un­washen hearts; therefore the out­ward action is never to be severed [Page 199] from the inward affection: Let us [...]t up our hearts with our hands to [...] in the Heavens, saith the Church, [...]. 3. Hence it is, that the holy [...]host puts the outward action for [...]e inward affection; the lifting up [...] our hands for the lifting up of our [...]arts, Psalm 141.3. [Bereck] signi­ [...]th not onely the bowing of the [...]e, but of the heart by blessing [...]d praising the name of God in [...]yer.

Again, As the outward action is [...]t to be severed from the inward [...]ection; so it is never to go before [...], but alwayes to follow it: the [...]sture of the hand, eye and out­ [...]ard man, being moved, cordis quasi [...]ctro, being framed, and as it were [...]ted by the action of the inner man; [...]h [...]refore with Manasses, we must [...]ow the knees of our hearts before [...]e knees of our bodies; and with [...]e Church, Lament. 3. we must lift [...] our hearts with our hands; first [...]r hearts, then our hands; first our [...]arts must be enditing a good matter, [...]hen must the tongue be the pen of a [...]ady writer: the heart is to be rent, [Page 200] before the garment, and to be humbled before the outward man; neither is this rule contrary to the former, which saith, the outward gesture is to stirre up the devotion o [...] the heart, for they are concausae; th [...] devotion of the heart first framer [...] the gesture of the body, and tha [...] again stirreth up the devotion of th [...] mind. S• Augustine speaks very we [...] to this purpose:Nescio quo­modo ut cor­dis affectus qui ut fie­rent, ista prae­cessit, quia facta sunt, crescit. August. de cura pro mortuis. cap. 5. ‘I know not, sait [...] he, how it cometh to passe, tha [...] the affection of the heart whic [...] caused them, is encreased b [...] them.’

Sect. 3.

Object. BUt haply some may her [...] object the precept of th [...] Apostle, who enjoyneth one set kind o [...] gesture to men when they pray, and t [...] women another, 1 Cor. 11.4, ad 10.

Resp. We are to know that th [...] precept of the Apostle (vers. 7. tha [...] a man ought not to cover his head and vers. 10. Therefore a woman ough [...] [Page 201] [...] have power on her head, that is, a [...]ail to testifie the power of her hus­ [...]and, if she be married, and man in [...]eneral hath over her) it is no mo­ [...]al precept, of absolute necessity to [...]e kept of all men in all places; but [...]nely a rule of decency or civility, [...]nd that onely in such countreys, as [...] the East, especially where women [...]f old, and at this day use to wear [...]ng vails to cover their faces, chiefly [...] publick Assemblies, or in the pre­ [...]nce of their husbands, in token of [...]bjection. Abimelech alluding to [...]is custome, telleth Sarah, That Abraham is a vail or covering for her [...]es, or of her eyes, Genes. 20.16. [...]hat is, that he is her husband, and [...]o hath power over her and hers, as [...]ing her Head, and that he was to [...]otect her, and that she was his [...]ife, and therefore to be subject [...]nto him, and to be guided by him: [...]d which are signified by the vail: [...]. I say it denotes mans superiority [...]er her, in which respect it is said, [...]hat Rebekah seeing Isaac, lighted off [...]n Camel, and covered her self with a [...]il, Gen. 24.65.—2. His prote­cting [Page 202] of her; in which sence the Lawyers say, ‘That every married woman is under Covert-Baron, or Coverture, and so not liable to suits of Law, he being to answer for her.’ 3. Her subjection in all modesty and reverence to her hus­band: for hence it is that the Ro­mans in old time, and the Germans at this day, cover the new married Bride with a vail, whence cometh the word Nubere, Nubere quasi velare caput vel obnubilare. Festus. which properly signifies to cover the head, as Festus saith, and by a Metonimy, to be given in marriage, in that she was given to the man covered or vailed. And hence it is, that the Apostle saith, That the woman ought to have power over her head, vers. 10. where by the word power (by a Metonimy of the subject) is meant a vail, which signified, that she was under the power and authority of the man: Neither is this true of married wo­men onely, but of maids also, who were not to pray, nor come in pub­lick without a vail, they being infe­riour to man, and as yet under the power of their Parents, as Ter­tullian [Page 203] shews at large in his Book concerning the covering of Vir­gins.Tertul. lib. de Veland. virgi­nib.

Now that this practice is not a rule of absolute necessity, to be used every where, and that it is not simply un­lawfull for a man to pray or preach with his Hat or Cap on, but a matter onely of decency and civility, accor­ [...]ing to the custom of the place where [...] man doth live, may appear by these Reasons:

1. From the drift and scope of the [...]postle in that place; whose mean­ [...]ng in forbidding men to pray cover­ [...]d, is not to forbid all covering of [...]he head in prayer, as well Hat as Cap, but such onely as women used [...]o wear among the Corinthians in Greece, and the greatest part of the [...]ist, namely vails, which covered [...]heir faces, which a man we [...]r­ [...]g could not be discerned from [...] woman; for so much the word [...] signifieth, and there­ [...]re it is not so well translated, A [...]an ought not to cover his head, as [...]n the old translation, and as Beza Vir nòn debet velare cuput [...] Beza. [...]ith it, A man ought not to vail his [Page 204] head: so that if a man doth but Caput tegere, or aliquid in capite ge­stare, so that he do not Caput velare, and thereby take away the outward note of distinction between man and woman, he doth not offend against the Apostles rule.

2. In that the Apostle appealeth to the judgement of the Corinthians, bidding them judge, whether it b [...] comely for a woman to pray uncovered▪ vers. 13. he gives us to understand▪ that he urgeth it no further, then as a matter of decency, and that tha [...] gesture which is generally used of all▪ and so thought decent and seemly, may lawfully be used, though i [...] seem to others never so absurd — Divers Countreys have diver [...] and different customes, and differen [...] customes breed different opinion [...] touching what is seemly, and wha [...] unseemly: so that if men in every Countrey keep their own customes behaviour and attire, not bringin [...] in strange fashions, nor confoundin [...] the distinction that ought to be between the man and the woman, the [...] shall not violate the precept of th [...] [Page 205] Apostle; though men pray covered, women uncovered, because they use [...]hat gesture or attire which to them­ [...]elves seems most decent: We hold [...]t a seemly thing for women in pub­ [...]ick Assemblies to go without a vail, [...]ecause it is the custom of our Coun­ [...]rey, whereas in Turkey, and in all [...]he East, it is and alway hath been [...]ccounted a shame for a woman [...] whether maid or matron) to shew [...]er self abroad without her vail. [...]bekah seeing Isaac covered her self [...]ith a vail. We judge it an un­ [...]emly thing for a Minister to preach [...]ith his hat on, and that a little [...]ore reverence would become him [...]etter; whereas in the French Church [...]at is held to be the seemliest ge­ [...]ure of all, most agreeable to the [...]ecept of the Apostle, who bids [...]t us, to teach, exhort, rebuke with [...] authority, [...]. Tit. 2.15. and most [...]deeming the person which he su­ [...]ineth, being the Embassadour of [...]od. For if the Embassadour of an [...]athly Prince is not to be bare when [...]e delivereth his message, much lesse [...]ay they) is the Minister, Gods Em­bassadour [Page 206] in delivering his.—Most men at this day think, that the most reverent gesture for a man to pray is bare-headed, or uncovered, and women covered: whereas the an­cient Romans, as Plutarch [...]. Plutarc. sheweth, made supplication to their gods with their heads covered, testifying their humiliation by covering their heads; for by this gesture of covering their faces two things are meant: 1. They did hereby acknowlege themselves guilty malefactours, worthy to die; for persons condemned to die had their faces covered, not onely among the Romans (as we may perceive by the saying of Cicero: I lictor, manus ligato, caput obnubiro, ar­bori infoelici suspendito. Cicero pro Rabirio. when one was condemned to die, the Judge said to the Sergeant: ‘Go thou Serge­ant, bind his hands, cover his head, hang him upon the gallows) but also among the Persians, as we may see S [...]ct. 7, 8. where when the servants of Ahasuerus heard him say to Haman, Will he force the Queen be­fore me in the house?’ knowing there was mischief prepared for him of th [...] King, covered his face. 2. The ac­knowledgement of the exceedin [...] [Page 207] great glory and majesty of God in whose presence they stood, that it was such, and so great, that they could not behold the same. When God spake to Moses out of the bush, and bad him put off his shooes, it is said, that Moses hid his face, Exod. 3.6. and durst not behold it, Acts 7.32. When God spake to Elias in Mount Horeb in a soft and still voice, [...]t is said, He covered his face with his mantle, 1 Reg. 19.31. Nay the holy Angels themselves are said to cover their faces with their wings, as not able to behold the brightnesse of his glory, Isa. 6.2.

2. That the Apostle doth not simply forbid a man to pray covered, may appear by the like; for look how he forbids men to wear long hair, so he forbids them to pray co­vered; for both these prohibitions are of the same nature, delivered in the same place, and upon the same ground: now he forbids not long hair, as a thing simply unlawfull, but so farre forth onely, as it con­foundeth the Sex, or as it is unseem­ly, swerving from the custome of [...] [Page 210] God, 2 Chron. 6.8. God approveth of his intention; but the accom­plishment of that work is devolved upon Solomon his sonne: there be di­vers actions which have special re­ferences unto typical ends, such an action was the building of the Tem­ple, the founder thereof must be a type of Christ: Davids person will not correspond with the prefigurati­on of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, he being vir sanguinis, a man of bloud: as for those actions which concern all men generally (as Invo­cation, Adoration, and the like) they alway require a haec facite, a present dispatch; but as for such actions as are individual, ceremo­nial, or have dependance upon some type, there consideration must be had of the circumstances of person, time and place; such an action was the building of this Temple: Solo­mon having built the Temple, it was called by the name of God, Jerem. 7.11. and God said his Name should be there, 2 Reg. 8 [...]9. thither all the Jews out of their several tribes as­sembled themselves three several [Page 211] times every year to celebrate those [...]hree solemn Feasts instituted, Exod. [...]3. viz. the feast of the Passeover, [...]he feast of Pentecost, and the feast of Tabernacles; in this Temple Christ [...]esus was presented to the Lord, Mary was purified;Luke 2. here it was that [...]nna served God with fastings and [...]rayers night and day; here likewise [...]is parents found him disputing with [...]he Doctors, being but twelve years [...]ld; here he often taught the people, [...]ter he taught publickly: from [...]ence he drove out those that sold Oxen, and Sheep,Joh. 2. Lightf. harmon. Evangel. Sigonius. and Doves and the [...]hangers of money sitting; these [...]ere sold for Sacrifices, Lambs for [...]he Passeover, and Bullocks for the [...]stival after, and the Doves for the [...]effering of those women, and those [...]epers cleansed that were poor and [...]ot able to buy a Lamb, as a Learned [...]an noteth. At these times there [...]eing like to be great store of Sacri­ [...]ces, they caused a Market to be kept [...] Je [...]usalem, in the Court of the Temple, that those that came from [...]arre to the Passeover, or to the [...]ther Festivals, as Christ did with [Page 212] his company at this time, might n [...] be forced to bring their Lamb o [...] Bullock for Sacrifice, but might bu [...] them for their ready money, whe [...] they came to Jerusalem. Twice di [...] Christ whip out these prophaners o [...] the Temple, once at the beginnin [...] of the execution of his Prophetica [...] office, John 2.15. and the secon [...] time toward the end and expiratio [...] thereof, Luke 19.45. and in thi [...] fact of his, there did plus quam hu­manum apparere, Gualter. in Luc. 19. appear more than a humane power; for I have read▪ that the year following, Pilat [...] bringing the Image of Caesar into th [...] Temple to be set up, was resisted by the people, notwithstanding hi [...] place and great authority among them; as also going about to take away certain monies out of the Tem­ple to imploy to make a water-course for the use of the City, he was like to be torn in pieces. Now the reason why our Saviour deals thus sharply with these men, is set down Luke 19.46. he said unto them it is written, My house is th [...] house of prayer, but ye have made it [...] [Page 213] den of thieves. Christ justifies his [...]ct from the Scripture, Isai. 56.7. [...]nd Jerem. 7.11. in the former of [...]hich places it is said, That his house [...]all be called a house of prayer to [...]ll people or nations: which words must not be taken and construed li­ [...]erally, as if all the world should go [...]o Jerusalem, and there pray, and do [...]heir devotions in the Temple; but mystically and metaphorically fore­ [...]lling the calling of the Gentiles, and [...]eir admission into the Covenant of Grace, who were by nature aliens [...]im the Commonwealth of Israel; he [...]ith, they shall be joyned in society with the rest of the children of Abra­ [...]am, and joyn with them in the true worship and service of the true God, which was conveyed from Jerusalem [...]nd the Temple to other places;Zech. 14.8. ac­ [...]ording to that of the Prophet, Isai. [...].3. Ezekiel 47 9. In the latter place, sc. Jerem. 7.11. he reproveth [...]hem for prophaning and perverting [...] evil purposes, what was set apart for holy uses: yea he deals plainly with them, telling them they had made his house (a house of prayer) to [Page 214] become a den of thieves; by way [...] allusion; because as thieves and robbers, are commonly most impuden [...] and audacious, when they be nee [...] their dens and caves, where they ca [...] take covert, and hide themselves so they under the cloak of Religion covered their covetousnesse an [...] other impieties; for they had thes [...] things to sell in the Temple, an [...] that by permission, to the end tha [...] all the people that dwelt farre off might there buy, whatsoever they would to offer, which should tur [...] to the profit of the Priests. But [...] shall digresse no further. My hous [...] shall be called a house of prayer, saith our Saviour; here we must remem­ber, that both the Prophet Jeremy and Christ alledging his testimony▪ do use a Synecdoche, and by one part of Gods worship, understand the rest; for it were an idle and senslesse conclusion, to say, that therefore it's not a house of preaching too: it were as good an argument, as to say, such a man is quick-sighted, or can see well; therefore he heareth very ill or not at all: now in the service o [...] [Page 215] God every duty must have its due [...]ace: for prayer in the Temple we [...]ave Gods precept in the fore-cited [...]ace, Isai. 56.7. for preaching there, was Christs constant practice; He [...]ught daily in the temple, Luke 19. [...]. This the Evangelist noteth in [...]e next words to that, where Christ [...]id, It is written, My house is the [...]use of prayer; now what God hath [...]ed together, let no man put asunder; [...]reaching must not thrust prayer out [...] the Church; for it's an Oratory, [...] house of prayer; nor must prayer [...]uffle preaching out neither, for it's [...]n auditory, and place for preaching: [...]nely this we may note in a word, [...]hat prayer is well-pleasing to God, [...] that both here and elsewhere [...]t is put for the whole worship of God.

The Jewes had but one Temple which was at Jerusalem, where (and [...]o where else) Sacrifices might be offered. 1. To teach us that there Christ was to offer himself an all-sufficient Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. 2. As also to put us in mind, that there was but one faith [Page 216] and Religion, and that particul [...] Congregations might not separat [...] themselves from their mother Church: But lest Barbarism migh [...] over-spread other places, it was pro­vided that they had Synagogues i [...] their Towns and Villages, wher [...] the Levites, (dispersed over thei [...] Tribes) served, and whither th [...] people inhabiting those places assem­bled themselves, to hear the Word read and preached, and to pray to­gether: In these places Christ often preached on the Sabbath-dayes▪ 1.Bonum quò communius eò meliùs. That he might do the more good by the publicknesse of the place, whi­ther the more frequent concourse of people resorted. 2. That if his Do­ctrine were cavilled at, it might have this for its defence, that it was not taught in corners, as he told Pilate, John 18.20. by his practice commending the custome of those Countreys, where are publick places appointed for publick meetings. Indeed we read in the book of Num­bers, That God commanded his people when they should come into the promi­sed Land, not to let a grove, an altar, [Page 217] or a Temple stand: but this precept is [...]ot moral, but political, and there­ [...]re bindeth us not, it had a particu­ [...] reference onely to that people: [...]ey were to have a Temple of their [...]wn in this Land, and that Temple [...]s to be a type of our onely Media­ [...]r Jesus Christ: and that it may be [...]one, all other according to that [...]recept must down: our Temples [...]re not typical, therefore that precept [...]eacheth not us.

Therefore the Church or publick [...]eeting place ought to be frequented [...]y us for these Reasons:

1. That we might make a pub­ [...]ck confession of our faith before the [...]eople, to shew that we are not asha­ [...]ed of the Gospel and profession of Christ.

2. To shew our charity and unity [...]e with another, by meeting in the [...]ame place to pray together with the [...]ime-affection, and for the same [...]hing.

3. Because here it is possible we may sooner obtain our requests at the hands of God than elsewhere. For it is a Principle both in Nature [Page 218] and Policy, Vis unita sortior, for [...] and strength united receiveth mor [...] strength: It holdeth likewise in Divinity: If the prayer of one righte [...] man availeth much, than much mo [...] the prayers of many righteous me [...] will avail with God. If the Rule of the Synagogue obtained his sui [...] which he made for his daughter much more the Church and Congre­gation of Christ shall obtain for he [...] children, Etsi duo magna possunt quantò magìs plures? If where two or three be gathered together in th [...] Name of Christ, he will be in th [...] midst of them, then much more in [...] the midst of a great Congregation▪ and multitude of Gods people, i [...] whom there is one heart, one soul▪ one tongue, as if they were all but one man. Let us ever then frequen [...] the house of God, and say with the Prophet,Psal. 122.2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem; for there is a blessing annexed to the publick place of devotion, Exod. 20.24. In all pla­ces where I record my Name (or se [...] up my publick worship) I will com [...] to thee, and bless thee, saith the Lo [...] [Page 219] unto his people: thus Zachariah the father of John Baptist prayeth in the temple with, and for the people who were all praying without, Luke 1.10, 11. so Peter and John go up into the temple at the ninth hour, being [...]he hour of prayer, Acts 3.1. that was one of the solemn times when the people assembled themselves to­gether: let us not then draw one another, the left hand down-hill way [...]o Jericho or Beth-aven, to vice or va­ [...]ity; but the right hand up-hill way [...]o Jerusalem and Bethel, not to the ta­ [...]ern but to the temple, not to the [...]rofits and pleasures of the world, [...]ut to the worship and service of God.

But here,We read Luke 24.53. that the Apostles and Disciples were daily in the Temple praising and blessing God: I then inferre, had Temples as publick been unlawfull, they [...]ad neither been so credited by Christ, nor frequented by his Apostles. quis tam faerreus ut teneat [...]e? how is it possible a man should [...]alke the taxation of that impiety, wherewith our temples are pestered? what are they but idol synagogues? what needs all these expences and charges about them? now that Chur­ches being used revoke not Judaism, will appear, if we consider the two [Page 220] different ends of the Jewish temple: one was that it might figuratively by way of pedagogy, teach them Christ [...] this end of temples the coming of Christ hath disanulled; ours are not instituted for signification: a second use of the temple was, that being a convenient receptacle, it might be accommodated to the more oppor­tune and decent dispatch of Gods publick worship and service: this end was no way ceremoniall, and to this end we use all our temples.

A second sort there are that quar­rel with them, and they are close fi­sted Atheists, crying out, Quorsùm perditio tanta? what needs all this expence about them? we read that the Doricks dedicating their temples to Minerva, Mars, and Hercules, built them incuriously strong, and so pre­senting in their neglected beauty vi­rilem majestatem, a masculine maje­sty: the Corinthes dedicating theirs to Venus, Flora and the Nymphes, builded them exquisitely polished, and so presented in their affected beauty, muliebrem levitatem, a femi­nine levity: but the Jönes, a third [Page 221] [...]ort of Grecians dedicating theirs to [...]no and Liber, built such, as neither night, Horrorem ipsa operis simplici­ [...]te prae se ferre, nor yet enervatam [...]llitiem ex ornamentorum luxuria [...]mmonstrare: our temples ought [...]either be too despicably rude for [...]ant of trimming, nor fantastically [...]dundant with the excess thereof: [...]ey should neither be too gaudy, [...]at will not suite with the gravity [...]f their employment; nor too slo­ [...]nly plain that will not answer the [...]ajesty of God whose houses they [...]e. When Constantine, that worthy [...]mperor had built some temples [...]ore than ordinarily magnificent, [...] did beseem both the author and [...]ose times, some stood up and de­ [...]aimed against his fact, untill a Sy­ [...]d of holy Fathers then congrega­ [...], condemned both them, and all [...]ch as should plead for a necessary [...]temptibility of publique meeting [...]aces: a time there was when the [...]vice done to G [...]d, was mostly in [...]ivate oratories; but afterward [...]hen he had raised up Kings and [...]mperors to be nursing Fathers to [Page 222] his Church, then the Church looked about, how they might not only safe­ly, but fitly also execute their divine worship, and then every mans devo­tion even in building temples, set it self plentifully on work.

Sect. 2. Of private Prayer.

I Am now in the next place to trea [...] of private prayer; and touching this St Paul saith, I will that men pra [...] every where, lifting up holy hands, &c 1 Tim. 2.8. prayer saith Jerome, i [...] Christiani armatura, the Christia [...] mans armour; therefore as it behoveth not a souldier to be unarmed, no more should a Christian b [...] unprepared to pray;Ubicun (que) sunt pericula, & u­bicun (que) Dei auxilio ege­mus, ubi oran­dum. Hieron. Ubicun (que) pius fuerit, & fer­vens inter pel­lantis affectio, oratio vim su­am habebit. Chrysost. wheresoeve [...] there are dangers, and wheresoeve [...] we want the help of God, there mus [...] we pray; and in what place soever a godly man shall be, and the ferven [...] affection of him that prayeth, ther [...] prayer shall have its force and efficacy: Thus one saith, ‘As the whol [...] world is (as it were) Gods Cathedrall Church, so every mans hea [...] is his private Chappell.’ Thus L [...] [Page 223] prayed in the wilderness, Daniel in [...]he Lions Den, Paul and Barnabas in [...]rison, David on his bed, Jonas in [...]he whales belly, Peter on the house­ [...]op. Acts 10.19. our Saviour went often into mountains to pray, Luke [...], 12. Luke 22.39, 42, 44. and that [...]e might pray privately, he with­ [...]rew himself from his Disciples a­ [...]out a stones cast:Ab hominum conspectu sub­ducti, meliùs sensus nostros colligimus, & magis intenti sumus ad id quod agimus: magis (que) fami­liaritèr sese denudat fide­lis anima & simpliciùs vo­ta sua, genitus, curas, pavores spes & gaudia in Dei sinum exonerat. Cal­vin. Com­ment. in Luc. Calvin on these [...]ords saith, ‘That being with­drawn from the sight of men, we do the better collect our senses, and are the more intent upon what we do: and the more familiarly doth the faithfull soul lay open it self to God, and more plainly un­burthen his desires, cares, fears, sighs, hopes, and joyes into the bosome of God:’ and if prayer be he elevation of the mind to God, as [...]ath been said, then is the mind the [...]ater elevated, Cum qui orat, recedit, [...] à mundi strepitu, & tumultu se sepe­ [...]a; when he that prayeth, goes a­ [...]de from the noise and tumult of [...]he world; as Stella noteth: also in [...]rivate, theres least fear of vain-glo­ [...]y: upon this ground it is, that he [Page 224] bids his Disciples to enter into their Chambers to pray, and to shut their doores upon them,Claude ostium tuum; hoc est noli sermo­nem clamare, nec diffunde­re orat. onem tuam, nec ja­ctare per po­pulos: sed in secreto suo o­ra seculus, ut te in secreto possit audire, quoniam pidet & audit uni­versa. Ambros. apud Arbore­um. Oratio privata debet esse so­litaria. Lyra. Si ipse filius Dei hoc adminiculum nòn neglexit, plus­quàm insana superbia foret, nòn idem in usum nostrum transferre. Calvin. and to pray to their Father in secret; this was gi­ven in charge to cross the fashion o [...] the hypocrites, who used to stand and pray in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets to be seen o [...] men, Matth. 6.5, 6. it is not inten­ded thereby to condemn prayers i [...] synagogues, or in corners of th [...] streets, or market places, or upon the house tops, but to take away their end, which was not to be hear [...] and obtain, but only to be seen o [...] men: Christ would have us ente [...] into our closets, and in our devotions especially approve our selves t [...] God, and so order the matter (i [...] thou canst) to hide thy self from th [...] world: for as a man may pray in se­cret in an open place, as the Publican Luk. 18. so a man may pray for ostentation in a secret place, even unde [...] many locks and keys, and with ma­ny doors shut upon him; if he withdraw himself, to the end he may b [...] observed: Private prayer, saith Lyr [...] ought to be solitary. Solitariness i [...] [Page 225] threefold. 1. Solitudo mentis, the [...]olitariness of the mind, by which [...]e may be alone conversing with God in the midst of a multitude; [...]aving our minds remote from all [...]cular cares and businesses; but this [...]s rare, and hardly performed, and [...]appy they that can attain unto it. [...] Solitudo corporis, the solitariness [...]f the body, when our bodies onely [...]e withdrawn from the company of [...]hen, and our hearts are busied a­ [...]out earthly things; now this is no­ [...]hing but hypocrisie, and not requi­ [...]ed of us. 3. Solitudo mentis & corpo­ [...], the solitariness of the mind and [...]ody; when having withdrawn our [...]odies from company, we also re­ [...]all our thoughts and retire our [...]elves, ut orationi vacemus, that we [...]ay apply our selves to prayer: this [...]d Christ for our example, Luke [...]2.41. Great reason there is men [...]ould be carefull to perform private [...]ray [...]r.

1. Private prayer hath much fa­ [...]iliarity with God, and is the truest [...]yal of a Christian; and to neglect [...]his, is as it were a living without [Page 226] God, it argues a man to be estran­ged from any one, with whom he cares not to converse.

2. Private prayer constantly and faithfully performed, keeps the heart of a Christian in a soft and tender frame; where the duty of private prayer is neglected, the heart will soon grow more hard and brawny; we sinne daily, and if every day we humble not our selves, and seek the face of God for the pardon of our sins, our hearts will be the more har­dened.

3. Without private prayer we cannot expect a sanctification of the particular and private occurrences of the day; for all things are sanctified to us by prayer, 1 Tim. 4.4.

4. In private prayer, a man may both ask those blessings, and confess those sins, which he cannot so con­veniently do in publick: in private we may rip up our whole life, with a particular confession of our sins, ag­gravated with all circumstances, and this cannot be so safely, nor so de­cently, nor so effectually done in publick, as in private: commodiùs ista [Page 227] intùs transiguntur; these parts are not to be acted on the stage, but within [...]he hangings; he that acts these on [...]he stage, will have the person of [...]n hypocrite put upon him, Matth. 6.5. Besides

5. As Christ hath commanded us [...]o pray in secret, so he hath promised [...]o hear, accept, and to reward such prayers, ver. 6. thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly: [...]he Lord heareth the very desires of [...]he humble, Psal. 10.17. so he heard Daniel in the Lions den, Dan. 6.27. [...]nd Jonah in the Whales belly, Jon. [...].1, 2. God takes special notice of Pauls private prayer after his conver­sion; for saith he to Ananias; behold [...]e prayeth, Acts 9.11. he sends A­ [...]anias to him to open his eyes, and to reveal the truth more clearly to him.

6. Private prayer is a great ad­vantage to our growth in grace; praying in the holy Ghost is a speci­all means to build us up in our most holy faith, Jude ver. 20. What Solo­mon saith of wisedom, Eccles. 8.1. sc. that it makes a mans face to shine, [Page 228] the same may be said of private prayer: we read that as Christ pray­ed, the fashion of his countenance wa [...] altered, and his raiment was white and glistering, Luke 9.29. The Learned note, he had then the same glory in essence and substance, wherein he will come to judgement, though it differed in measure, being but a glimpse onely and so much, as those that were with him at his tranfigu­ration were able to behold with mor­tall eyes, and in time and continu­ance being now but transient, which shall then be permanent, and we then able to behold it in the full perfecti­on, and see him as he is, 1 Joh. 3.2. that Christ should pray for himself there was no need, his divinity be­ing alwayes able (if it pleased him to shew it) to support and su [...]ply all helps t [...] is humanity: and yet he will pra [...] in private divers times for himself, Matth. 26.39. and for Pe­ter Luke 22.32. and for all the faith­full, Joh. 17. and surely if he would pray, that was God as well as man, and therefore could want nothing; what must we do that be miserable [Page 229] [...]nd wretched men, and have no­ [...]hing? In private prayers consider [...]hese five things.

1. You are to confess your parti­ [...]ular sins, which you do most rea­ [...]ily and frequently commit, and [...]hose which were last committed by [...]ou, Psal. 51.4.

2. You must pray for particular [...]trength against those particular cor­ruptions; thus did Paul, 2 Cor. 12. [...], 8. when there was given to him a [...]horn in the flesh (which some think to be the thorn of the flesh) to assault him, he prayed thrice for this thing, that it might depart from him.

3. You must consider what parti­cular graces you want, and these you must pray for, both for the gift of them and the increase of them, Psal. 119.18.32.

4. You should consider what you are going about every day, and in private beg the assistance of God: thus Abrahams servant being sent to fetch a wife for his Masters Sonne, prayeth unto God: O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, Gen. 24.12.

Lastly, In rhe close of every day consider what blessings you have re­ceived for your selves that day, and for these you ought to give thank particularly unto God.

Object. But many men are ready to object and say, We have so much publick business and employment in the world, that we cannot spare time for pri­vate prayer.

Resp. 1. Those that have had as great employment and as much bu­siness as any of us, have redeemed time for the performance of this duty of private prayer. David was a King, yet he tells us, Seven times a day will I praise thee, O Lord, because of thy righteous judgements. And Daniel, a man of publick employment in the Court of Darius, yet he misseth not to pray in private in his chamber three times a day, Dan. 6.10.

2. Because the more business a man hath, the more he may fear mis­carriage therein, if God doth not bless it, Psal. 127.1. Daniel was assi­duous in private prayer, though he endangered his life thereby.

3. If we pray not before we set [Page 231] upon worldly businesses, we shall be a danger to be entangled by them: [...]erefore, before you undertake any [...]mployment, pray with that holy [...]an; Let the beauty of the Lord our [...]id be upon us, and establish thou the [...]ork of our hands upon us; yea, the [...]ork of our hands establish thou it, [...]sal. 90.17. To conclude! let publick [...]rayers be feasts, but private prayer [...]ur ordinary.

CHAP. XIII. Of the time of Prayer.

Sect. 1.

ORder will require that I now speak of the time of prayer: con­cerning which we may say with Ba­sil, Basil. Orandi tempus tota vita, the whole [...]ife of a Christian is the time of pray­er; the Apostle exhorts the Ephesi­ [...]ns to pray alwayes, with all manner of prayers and supplications in the spirit, Eph. 6.18, 19. and bids the Thessalo­nians to pray continually, 1 Thess. 5.17. [Page 232] or without ceasing: but by these pla­ces we must not understand, that we must do no thing else but pray; for that is an impossibility; nor is it con­venient and requisite, that we should wholly attend to this duty, and neg­lect all other duties of Religion, and that we should alway pray, and not eat, drink, or sleep, and do such other things as nature necessarily requi­reth: there were a sort of hereticks in Austin's time, called Messalians, and Euchitae, who would seem to spend so much time in prayer, as to neglect all other duties whatsoe­ver.

Now the Greek word [ [...]] signifies such a performance of the duty, as that we cease not to do it, at such times as God requires it at our hands; so then

1. A man is said to pray continu­ally, when he prayeth, when he ought to pray: the Philosophers judg a man idle, when he doth not what he ought, in the time wherein he should work: so a man may be said not to pray continually, when he neglects praying when he ought [Page 233] to pray; when we would have a [...]ing frequently done, we use to say, [...]e that ye be alwayes doing of it: [...]ose phrases of praying alway and [...]aying without ceasing, do com­ [...]only signifie no more than very [...]equently: as Solomons servants are [...]id to stand ever before him, or [...]ntinually, 1 Kings 10.8. as we say [...] a tradesman that keeps much at [...]ome, that he is ever in his shop: [...] this purpose the Apostle exhorteth [...]e Colossians to continue in prayer, [...]los. 4.2.

2. Prayer is to be considered, as respecteth the cause which is a cer­ [...]in vehement desire of charity; and [...]in mind and spirit it is perpetuall, Quia fide, spe, & charitate, continu­ [...]i desiderio sempèr oramus, because [...] faith, hope, and charity, with a [...]ontinued desire, we do alwayes [...]ny; as Austin said, cited by Ursi­ [...]s: Ʋrsin Catech. The spirit helpeth our infirmities, [...]d maketh intercession for us, with [...]oans which cannot be expressed: and [...]us every Christian man may say, [...]ith the Church in the Canticles; I [...]ep, but my heart awaketh; for though [Page 234] a Christian doth not alway pray with his tongue, yet his desires do alwayes speak unto God; The desire o [...] his soul is to his name, and to the remembrance of him, Isai. 26.8. and therefore we say,

Aliud est sermo multus,
Aliud est diuturnus affectus.

it is one thing to speak alway, an [...] another thing to desire continually and it is one thing to pray in voic [...] and tongue, another thing to pra [...] in mind and spirit, for that in hear [...] and affection we should be alwa [...] crying in the ears of God; but i [...] voice and tongue we are not enjoyned alway to pray, but to keep ou [...] appointed times both in publick an [...] private prayers, and as often as a [...] extraordinary occasion shall be offered, to betake our selves to our extraordinary prayers: our heart should always be in a praying frame we should be evermore disposed an [...] fitted thereunto, and exercise it upo [...] every occasion, either by words, o [...] sighs, or groans sent up to God.

Sect. 2.

Quest. BUt here it may be deman­ded, How shall a man keep [...] heart in a praying frame?

Resp. 1. Be much in meditation; deditation is a great advantage [...]ereunto; when the soul (like the [...]e) is alwayes sucking honey out [...] the sweet flowers of Gods promi­ [...], when it can dwell upon the con­ [...]mplation of Gods word, works [...]d attributes, then will his lips [...]ke those of the Spouse) drop as the [...]ney-comb. What we digest by me­ [...]ation, is drawn out by prayer: [...]e reason why most people are so disposed to prayer, is, because they [...]e strangers to meditation; Let the [...]rds of my mouth, and the meditati­ [...] of my heart be acceptable in thy [...]ht, O Lord, Psal. 19. ult. saith Da­ [...]l; his prayers were the products of [...]us meditations.

2. Obey all impulses of spirit un­ [...] prayer: when the wind of the spi­ [...] blows upon thy soul, than hoise [...] sails Heaven-ward, Quench not [Page 236] the Spirit in his motions and excita­tions unto prayer: This was Davids course, to answer every impulse to prayer, Psal. 27.8. When thou saidst, Seek my face, my heart answered, thy face Lord will I seek: it was a mo­tion upon his heart, and his hear [...] eccho's to it again. One observeth, ‘That suitors at Court observe, Mollissima fand. [...]empora, their times of begging, when they have the Prince in a good mood which they will be sure to take the advan­tage of: but especially if they should find the Prince of himsel [...] begin to speak of the businesse which they would have of him that season they lay hold of, and seldome come off, but with good successe:’ Thus when God by hi [...] Spirit secretly speaks to the heart to pray, observe such a time, and neg­lect it not; strike while the iron is hot, for thou knowest not whereve [...] thou maiest have the like again when God prepares his peoples heart he will cause his ear to hear, Psalm 10.17. such a time must needs be th [...] best time of prayer, when God put [Page 237] holy desires into his peoples hearts; [...]rst they are derived from him, and [...]hen presented to him, then they shall [...]e accomplished by him.

Quest. Here a Question will arise, Whether or no a man may not pray, [...]at when the Spirit moves him to [...]ayer; what shall a child of God do [...]hen the Spirit of God doth not [...]ve, but seems to withdraw from [...]im?

Resp. 1. I answer with some di­ [...]inctions: we are to distinguish be­ [...]ween the sensible motions of the [...]pirit, and the secret motions of the [...]pirit: the Spirit sometimes moves, [...]nd we perceive it not: as Jacob said, [...]he Lord was here, and I was not ware. It is sometime with the im­ [...]ulses of the Spirit, as with the pul­ [...]es of the body; sometime they beat [...]enuously, and sometime so slow­ [...], as if not at all: so the motion of [...]e Spirit, is scarce perceptible by us, [...]cause we do not enquire after it: [...]ere be some strong motions in the [...]ul, which yet are not the motions [...]f the Spirit; there may be a wind, [...]nd yet the Lord not in it; a fire, [Page 238] and yet the Lord not in that fire; the Lord may be in a still and soft voice, in secret motions of the Spirit which are hardly discerned.

2. We must distinguish between the preventing and subsequent moti­ons of the Spirit, between those that go before duty, that bring on the soul to the performance of it, and those that appear in duty: the heart many times hangs the wing, and drives on heavily before it comes to prayer, but in praying finds much enlargement, even beyond imagi­nation. It is in this case with a Christian, as with a vessel putting forth to Sea, it gets out of the Ha­ven with much tugging, rowing to and fro; but when once it comes into the main, the wind takes it, and away it goes.

3. We must distinguish betwee [...] the constant and arbitrary influence of the Spirit: some motions of th [...] Spirit are alwayes moving to keep the main work going on, though with a flower pace, and it is neve [...] so withheld from any true Chri­stian, but it strengthens and keep [...] [Page 239] the grace of God alive in him, al­ [...]eit to such an altitude it may be su­ [...]pended.

4. We are to know that the Spirit [...] to be considered; First, As the [...]uthour of duty; Secondly, as the [...]bject of duty. We may sometime [...]ray by the Spirit, and sometime [...]ray for the Spirit: besides, there is double performance of this duty [...]f prayer, both for comfort, and in [...]bedience.

These things being premised, con­ [...]der, 1. That it is a great advan­ [...]ge to the soul, to be carried with [...]ind and tide in this exercise of [...]ayer. 2. It is a great disadvantage [...]hen the Spirit withdraws, when either wind moves, nor starre ap­ [...]ars, and the Spirit that should as­ [...]t us moves us not: Yet, 3. In such [...]ithdrawings of the Spirit, a Chri­ [...]an is to set upon the exercise of [...]ayer, and this he is bound to [...] at such times, for these Rea­ [...]ns:

1. Because we are commanded to [...]re up the grace of God in us, Reas. 1. [...], 2 Tim. 1.6. it is an allu­sion [Page 240] to the Priests that were to stirre and keep in the fire that came from Heaven; grace lies hid sometime like fire under ashes, which with blowing revives again. A Christian must work upon his heart, stirring up his whole man, and awakening it to the exercise of prayer, as David stirreth up himself to praise the Lord, Psalm 103.1. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, prais [...] his holy Name: for want hereof the Prophet complaineth, There is non [...] that stirreth up himself to take hold o [...] thee, Isa. 64.7.

2. Without this there were n [...] difference between a regenerate, an [...] an unregenerate man; if a livin [...] Christian by an intrinsecal activit [...] had no power to pray, nor to stirr [...] up himself to lay hold of God. No [...] it is said of unregenerate men, Th [...] they are dead, and without strength Rom. 5.9. but the regenerate ar [...] quickned, have vital graces in them and therefore have strength to pray the faculties of the soul are not d [...] stroyed in the new creation, as if th [...] Spirit of God should act and mov [...] [Page 241] instead of them: for though Christ [...]ke down the old frame, and raise a [...]ew structure for himself; yet the [...]ones of that edifice are ours; the [...]atter is ours, but the workmanship [...] Gods: indeed in the first work we [...]e meerly passive, in the renewing [...] our minds and altering of our [...]ils, but afterwards we are agents [...]l our dayes, therefore we must [...]ir up our selves to lay hold on God.

3. There is the same reason for [...]e duty as for all, and the same [...]eed of the Spirits assistance in all [...]ties, as in any: for if we are not [...] pray but when the Spirit moves [...]; then may we not hear the Word, [...]or meditate, nor perform any other [...]ty of Religion, nor withstand any [...]nne, nor resist any temptation, but [...]hen the Spirit moves us: and I [...]ust no man will say, that a man [...]ay blaspheme, oppresse, commit [...]cest or Sodomy, lie, or be drunk, [...]hen the Spirit is suspended, with­ [...]ut fault of his own, what ground [...]hen has any man to neglect prayer, [...]hen the Spirit seemes to be with­ [...]rawn?

[Page 242]4. This is no other than a carnal and fleshly principle; for, first, it leads men to live by sense, and not by faith. Secondly, it serves for little other use than for a poor excuse to a lazie heart; whereas he is wil­ling to serve God at as poor a rate as he can, and therefore to save his pains, and muzzle his conscience, he cries; the Spirit is gone, and I can­not pray without the assistance of the Spirit; but there is no entring in at the streight gate without striving, and no crowning without fighting, and what hath a Christian to fight withall, but Satans temptations, and the incumbrances of his own spirit? And when you say, you cannot pray without the Spirit; this I am sure ye can do, ye may go into your closets, and fall upon your knees, and sigh and groan after a praying Spirit, and though there be some stiffnesse upon a living man when he first be­gins to move, yet a little motion makes him more agile. ‘If a man, (saith a learned Divine) were to runne a race,Dr Preston Sermon on [...] Thess. 5.17. or to do any bodily exercise, there must be strength of [Page 243] body, he must be well fed, that he may have ability; but the use of the very exercise it self, the very particular act which is of the same kind with the exercise, is the best thing to fit him for it: So in this duty of prayer; it's true, to be strong in the inner man, to have much knowledge, to have much grace, makes a man fit and able for the duty: but if you speak of the im­mediate preparation for it, I say, the best way to prepare us for it, is the very duty it self, as all actions of the same kind increase the habits, so prayer makes it fit for prayer.’ Thus he. Therefore when the Spi­ [...]it seems to be withdrawn, set thy self to prayer, and what knowest [...]hou, oh man, but when thou art [...]n the way of God, and about the work of God, but the Spirit may meet thee there? Isa. 64.5. And to encourage thee hereunto, consider, [...]hat although you have not the pre­venting motions of the Spirit, yet you may have the subsequent motions of the Spirit, though you come sad­ly on, you may go sweetly off from [Page 244] the performance of this duty of prayer; and though you cannot se [...] about the duty comfortably, yet this will comfort you when you do it in obedience to Gods command. A Christian may serve God acceptably, when he cannot serve him comforta­bly.

Sect. 3.

Quest. IF now you shall ask me, how often we must pray.

Resp. I answer, Twice a day at least. This was shadowed out under the Law, by offering up the morning and evening Sacrifice in the Temple, 2 Chron. 13.11. Thus God comman­ded the children of Israel, Numb. 28.2. Ye shall observe to offer unto me mine offerings in their due season, and what this season was that God requireth as his due, is expressed, vers. 3, 4. Two Lambs of the first year day by day, for a continual burnt-of­fering; the one Lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other in the evening, and this is called, a conti­nual burnt-offering, vers. 6. God hereby limited every Sacrifice to his [Page 245] proper day and season, which if it [...]ere let slip, that oblation might [...]ot at any time be offered: therefore [...]e Jews had a common Proverb,Gnabar Ze­ban, Gnabar Corban. [...]f the time be past, the oblation is past. [...]ow this typeth out unto us, that [...]e should at least morning and eve­ [...]ing come before the Lord in pray­ [...], to offer up our morning and eve­ [...]ing Sacrifices of prayer and thanks­ [...]iving. The very Birds twice a day, [...]oth morning and evening are sing­ [...]ng and lifting up their notes unto [...]heir maker: Evening and morning, [...]nd at noon will I pray, and make a [...]ise, and he shall hear my voice, saith David, Psalm 55.17. Tertullian [...]rayed three times a day, at the [...]hird, sixth and ninth hours. Au­ [...]in's usual wish was, ‘That Christ when he came, might find him, aut precantem, aut praedica [...]tem, ei­ther praying or preaching.’ S [...] Ber­ [...]ard was so frequent in prayer day and night, that his knees grew so [...]eeble, that they were scarce able to uphold his body: And Vitus Theodo­rus thus wrireth of Luther, ‘That no day passed him, wherein Lu­ther [Page 246] spent not three hours at least i [...] prayer.’ Daniel prayed three times a day, and this was his con­stant practice, Dan. 6. Yea the ve­ry Scribes and Pharisees (whom we should scorn not to match for devo­tion) prayed [...], (as a Father saith) oft and long, thrice a day was ordinary, at nine, twelve and three a clock; they divided their day into three parts; whereof one was spent in prayer, the next on the Law, the third on their work: See here a great shame to us Christians; God hath two parts of three, them­selves but one: Oh how many among us that can scarce get leave of their worldly imploiments to be­stow one hour in a day in prayer to God. Notable is the example of Alfred, sometime King of England, who flourished about 872 years after Christ, and about two hundred years before the Conquest; he is fa­mous for this, that dividing the day natural into three even parts, he spent eight hours in hearing and de­termining the matters of State be­longing to his place, and but eight [Page 247] and no more) for the provision for [...]s body by meat, drink and sleep, [...]d other necessaries, and the [...]her eight hours in reading, wri­ [...]ng and praying. Great reason [...]ere is we should be constant in [...]ayer: For

1. We sinne daily, we all offend [...]any times a day, and many in all: [...]e most righteous in his happiest day [...]lleth seven times, therefore we [...]ave need to humble our souls before [...]e Lord day by day; we are apt to [...]nne continually, therefore are we [...]o pray every day for the pardon of [...]ur sins.

2. We are subject to daily wants, [...]nd stand in need of a continual sup­ [...]ly from Heaven; Gods mercies do [...]ot flow from him all at once, some [...]ow from him to day, and some to [...]orrow, he is said daily to load us [...]ith his benefits, Psal. 68.19. there­ [...]ore we should sue to him continually [...]or supply.

3. If once you neglect, and are [...]ot constant in this duty of prayer, [...]ou will find your selves much indi­ [...]posed to it; you are at a constant [Page 248] losse while you are inconstant in prayer. Christians have a rich stock of grace, and every day they trade not with Heaven, they are at a con­stant losse; it is but a few daies we have to trade in, and what we sow that shall we reap; they that are carelesse in this duty are at an un­speakable losse, their graces are much weakned; God seems to be lost from that soul that seeks him never or but seldome; consider what it is you traffick with God for, it is for God and Heaven, and that brings in un­speakable profit to the soul: and i [...] you neglect the present season, you may lose that which you may never have the like again.

4. If we pray not constantly, God can soon deprive us of what we have; some think they need no [...] pray for what they have already; yet Christ bids us pray for our daily bread▪ thou hast bread now, thou maist be deprived of it anon, and if God give thee bread, and deny thee his word of blessing, thy bread may be thy bane: Pray therefore for bread, as though thou wantedst bread, and [Page 249] though thou knowest thou hast God, [...]et still seek him as if thou hadst not [...]ound [...]im.

3. Let us beware we lose not one [...]pportunity of praying, lest if we will not pray when we may, [...]e shall not be able when we would.

6. If we come to the throne of [...]race in the Name of Jesus Christ, [...]e shall find we have an advocate [...]ith the Father, who ever liveth [...] make intercession for us, Heb. 7.25.

7. It is a note of an hypocrite to [...]e inconstant in prayer: Will the [...]ypocrite delight himself in the Al­ [...]ighty? Will he alway call upon God? [...]b 27.10. the meaning is, he will [...]ot; a sincere Christian is constant [...] the duty of prayer, but an hypo­ [...]rite prayeth when he seeth his own [...]me, and stinteth God in time, as [...]ell as in measure: When an hypo­ [...]rite is in trouble, he prayes earnestly [...]ke Pharaoh to be delivered out of [...]ouble, but when the storm is over, he [...]ves over praying; besides he will be [...]ry earnest in praying, while he finds [...]e gets by it, but let him receive no [Page 250] further benefit by his prayer, if God give him not his hearts desire, then saith he (like those in Job) What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have if we pray unto him? Job 21.15.

8. God will not cease answering, till we cease praying. When Queen Elizabeth demanded of Sir Walter Rawleigh, when he would give over begging of her; he answered her, when your Majesty ceaseth giving. We have a Proverb, Spare to speak, and spare to speed. Christ taught a para­ble to his Disciples, to the end, that men ought alway to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18.1. God would not have us weary of praying, nor faint in our minds, when we receive not an answer presently to our minds. Gods ears are alwaies open to his peo­ples prayers, Psal. 34.15. or as some render it, His ears are in their pray­ers; intimating, that if our prayers be weak, and cannot ascend to him, he will bow his ear, and descend to them, Exod. 8.13. Exo. 17.6. Jud. 10.16.

Sect. 4.

WE hold, that it is fit, that cer­tain times be set apart, as [...]or publick, so for private prayer, to [...]he end, that at those times men may leave all other affairs, to attend [...]heir private prayers; therefore do [...]he RhemistsRhem. Annot. in Act. 10. Sect. 6. falsly charge us Prote­ [...]ants, that we account all set seasons [...]f prayer superstitious: But these [...]hings our Divines mislike in Po­ [...]ish Canonicall houres. 1. They [...]ppoint too many of them; Antonine Antonin. 2. P. Tit. 9. cap. 12. sect. 1. [...]aketh seven, Bellarmine nine, the [...]ur Vigils of the night, and five [...]oures in the day. 2. They only [...]ep the names of these houres, but [...]ot the times themselves; their day- [...]oures they shufle together and per­ [...]rm before noon, and their nocturns [...]ey joyn with their matutines. [...]. They place Religion in the very [...]oures, placing a certain kind of [...]oliness in them; to this purpose [...]here was a book written in Spanish, [...]rinted at Paris, by William Merlin, H ras de n [...]e­stra. Seniora. [...]nno 1556. stiled, The Hours of our [Page 252] Lady. 4. In confining themselves to such and such houres, they often pray without any due preparation of the heart, or intention of the spirit; but then are we fittest to pray, when we pray with a prepared heart; pray­er is not to be tied to a fixed hour, but to be poured out by a fixed heart. 5.The Athenians and Persians would not wage war, before the one had called on their Mon­tes, and the o­ther on their Magi to be in­structed by them as by o­racles. Baal & Ashta­roth lingua pu­nica signifi­cant Jovem & Junonem. Aug. sup. Judic. Col. 303. D. They tye themselves to say over so many Pater Nosters, and so many Ave Maries, which any person may do, both void of understanding and devotion, saying them over in a strange tongue, sc. in Latine, which many Papists understand not; and so transgressing the rule of our Savi­our, who forbiddeth vain repetiti­ons, and idle babling used in prayer, Matth. 6.7. When ye pray, saith our Saviour, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking: by which we see that heathens have prayed unto their Gods, as Baals Priests crying from morning to e­vening, Baal hear us, and the Mar­riners in Jonah, (being in a storm) crying every man to his God, Jon. 1.5. and afterward to the true [Page 253] God, 14. vers. Thus divers heathens [...]ave made prayers before they have gone to their wars, and after their [...]ictories have given thanks: Thus Ovid In nova fert animus muta­tas dicere for­mas, corpora, Dij caeptis (nam vos mu­tatis & illas) Aspirare meis. Ovid. Ovid. Mata­mor. lib. 1. the Poet begins his Metamorpho­ [...]s with a prayer: it were a foul [...]hame for Christians to come behind [...]hem, and not do so much as they [...]ave done: But what was their er­ [...]or that we must avoid, and the [...]ult that Christ here findeth with [...]hem? not the matter that they [...]ayed, but the manner of their pray­ [...]ng, viz. that in their prayers they [...]sed vain repetitions, or superfluous [...]nd superstitious multiplying of [...]ords: for repetitions of the same [...]etitions are not unlawfull; David [...]sed it, Psal. 51.1. and Daniel useth [...], Dan. 9, 7, 10, 19. much less are [...]ng prayers unlawfull, for Christ [...]ent a whole night in prayer, Luke [...].12. and we need not doubt, but Moses and Elias, and He also spent [...]uch time in their forty daies fast in [...]rayer, and haply often iterated the [...]me request.

Ferus Ferus in Mat. 6. upon these words of Christ [...]ith, Non dixit salvator, multum pre­cari, [Page 254] sed multum loqui, our Saviour said not, do not pray much, but do not speak much, nor doth he con­demn the outward praising of God, than which nothing is more divine: why doth the kingly Prophet by a Prosopopeia exhort heaven and earth, and all creatures in them both to praise God, Psal. 148. but to excite men to do the same, and shame them if they be backward thereunto? and why else hath God given us tongues and mouthes, and endued us with reason and speech, but to employ them in praying to him, and prai­sing of him? and how else shall we be conformable to the Saints, de­parted (our fellow-Citizens) alrea­dy in actuall possession of what we have onely in spe, they in re? Its not then long prayers proceeding from true devotion, but many idle words uttered in superstition, that our Sa­viour reproveth; When men honour God with their lips, and their hearts are far from him, as the Jews, Isai. 29.13. and the Pharisees, Matth. 23.14. and the ignorant Papists that num­ber their prayers, but ponder not [Page 255] what they pray; and this was the sin of the heathens, who endeavou­red rather to exercise their tongues, than cleanse their hearts,Numerantes nòn ponde­rantes preces: operam enim Gentes da­bant, potius linguis exer­cendis, quam cordibus mun­dan dis. Aug. ad probam. as Austin speaketh. In a word, St Jerom goes to the pith of the point, saying, Ab­ [...]t in oratione multa locutio, in prayer [...]et much babling be far from us, Sed [...]on desit multa precatio, but let not much intercession be wanting; and David saith, Trust in God at all times [...]e people, pour out your hearts before him, Psal. 62. v. 8. hypocrites (like the heathen before spoken of) think the [...]onger they pray, that they shall be heard for their much speaking, al­though they repeat over the same [...]hings again and again, not out of [...]ffection, but from affectation: But [...]herein two gross errors are discover­ [...]d. 1. They think by many words, [...]o enforce God to hear them, as the [...]awling Priests of Baal, 1 King. 18.26. [...]. They thought God must be enfor­med and instructed of their wants, [...]lse he knew them not, nor could [...]upply them: this false reason our Saviour confuteth with a true [...]ound one to the contrary, saying, [Page 256] Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him: nor doth he barely know his peoples wants, but considereth how to sup­ply them: And Chemnitius Chemnit. in Matth. 6. noteth, the word is of the plurall number [ [...] quibus,] to teach us, That he will not only give us what we ask, but whatsoever he knows we need, whe­ther we expresly mention it or not, Deut. 4.7.

Sect. 5.

Object. 1. BUt it may be said, If God know our wants before we ask him, Non narrato­res, sed roga­tores apud Deum agimus, aliud enim est ignoranti ali­quid narrare, aliud scientem aliquid pere­re: in illo est judicium, in hoc obsequi­um: ibi fideli­tèr judicamus, hie miserabili­tèr obsecra­mus. Hieron. why then do we pray?

Resp. To this Jerome answereth, ‘When we come to God, we act not the part of informers, but of supplicants; it is one thing to de­clare a thing to one that is igno­rant, it is another thing for a knowing man to beg any thing:’ in that there is judgement; in this obedience; there we judg faithfully, here we intreat miserably: And Chrysostome tells us, ‘That in prayer we do not, docere Deum, sed infle­ctere, [Page 257] teach God, but cause him to incline towards us: that he needs not informing, himself tells us, Isai. 65.24.’ where he saith to his people, Before they call I will answer, and whiles they are yet speaking I will [...]ear: but by praying we testifie our obedience to his commandments, and faith in his promises, Heb. 4.16. Psal. 50.15. Psal. 37.5. Psal. 55.22. [...]ikewise to humble us and teach us our own weaknesses, and to whom [...]o have recourse for the supply of all our wants, James 1.17. 1 Cor. 4.7. [...]nd also that there may by this means be the more familiarity and [...]cquaintance between God and us.

Object. 2. Seeing God knoweth what [...]e want, and will give it us, if he pur­ [...]se so to do, and it be his pleasure, what [...]ed we to trouble him, or our selves, for [...]t is immutable, and his purpose shall [...]and?

Resp. 1. Although God knoweth [...]ll our wants, and will give us what [...]e purposeth, and though himself [...]e immutable; yet God is said to be moved by the prayers of his people; [...]nd they are said to wrestle with [Page 258] him, and prevail with him; now when they come to the throne of grace, they do not only spread their Petitions before the Lord, but they strengthen them with many strong and forcible arguments; now all their pleadings and arguments do not work any change at all upon God; we may not imagine that up­on our prayers God takes up any new thoughts, or puts any new resolves to do this or that;Quamquam Deus à nullo modo potest moveri, ad ali­quid volen­dum de novo, cùm sit immu­tabilis: tamen sicut volunta­te aeterna pro­ducit aliquid in tempore; ita ab aeterno voluit modum producendi. for what we ob­tain from God by prayer this day, God purposed to give us before the world was, therefore, Gods purpo­ses are not changed by our prayers; but God may be said to be moved by his peoples prayers, or to do this for them, or to bestow that mercy upon them, when they pray, because he doth what he purposed to do for them when they should ask it at his hands: Besides, God frequenty in Scripture speaks of himself after the manner of men: now as men usual­ly bestow favours, when they are moved thereunto by supplications and perswasions, even to do that, which a day before they never [Page 259] thought to do: so God is said to do his or that upon the prayers and [...]arnest supplications of his people, [...]hich [indeed] he intended to do [...]om everlasting.

Sect. 6.

MOreover! albeit we must pray unto God at all times, and [...]ek his face by prayer upon all occa­ [...]ons, yet there are some speciall sea­ [...]ons of prayer, and they are these that [...]ollow.

1. When you are to undertake [...]ny weighty business, begin it with [...]rayer:Invocandi sunt Dij ante­quam operi manus apponi­mus. Hesiod. Vide exemp. Ajacis & Aga­memnonis. Plut. Mor. 1. p. 388. Vide Homer Iliad. 1. Abrahams servant being in­ [...]usted to seek a wife for Isaac, com­ [...]ends the success of the whole busi­ [...]ess to God by prayer, Gen. 24.12. Nehemiah being about to restore Re­ [...]gion, and build the Temple, pray­ [...]th earnestly to the Lord to prosper [...]im in that great business, Nehem. 1. [...], 11. So when Solomon came to the [...]hrone, he earnestly begs of God a wise and understanding heart, to [...]udge the people committed to his [...]harge, 1 Reg. 3.9. When Christ was [Page 260] baptized, and was entring into his ministry, he prayed at the bank o [...] Jordan, Luke 3.21. Christ underta­king this great work, goes to his Fa­ther for a blessing upon it, and suc­cess in it, and at his prayer the hea­vens were opened to him: and the Spirit descended then like a Dove upon him; to teach us, that our hea­venly Father will give the holy Ghost to them that ask him:Augustus Cae­sar missurus Caium Caesa­rem filiae fili­um in Armeni­am precatus est à Dijs, ei gratiam Pom­peij, audaciam Alexandri, & fortunam su­am concedi. Plutar. A Jove prin­cipium musae, &c. So when Christ chose the twelve Apostles, he spent a whole night in prayer, Luke 6.12. Thus did the Apostles, they prayed at the choice of Matthias in­to the room of Judas, Acts 1.2, 4, and at the election of the seven Dea­cons, Acts 6.6. no man therefore is to undertake any weighty business without invocation on the name of God: Commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to passe, Psalm 37.5.

2. We are to seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near, Isai. 55.6. Esau came too late with his venison, when his Fa­thers blessing was bestowed, and could not be recalled, Gen. 27. it was [Page 261] [...]o late for the foolish virgins to go [...]y oyl, and cry, Lord open to us, [...]hen the bridegroom is gone, and [...]e doors be shut, Matth. 25. it was [...]o late for the rich glutton to call [...]nd cry for mercy in hell; he should [...]ve remembred that upon earth, [...]uke 16. Jerusalem knew not her [...]ay of Gods visiting her in mercy, [...]nd therefore dayes of vengeance [...]me upon her; God hath a day to [...]isit those in justice, who refuse his [...]isitation in mercy: there is a day [...]f grace, when God will be found [...]f those that seek him: but Gods [...]pirit shall not alway strive with [...]an, Gen. 6.3.

3.Judas Maccha­beus ever pray­ed, except twice, once a­gainst Eupator, and then he lost the field, and once against Alcimus, and Bacchides, and then he lost his life. In times of danger and afflicti­ [...]n: howbeit prayer be a duty not to [...]e neglected or omitted, at any time [...]r in any place; yet affliction and [...]mes of trouble are aptest to draw [...]nd drive us hereunto, and God [...]alls upon us to call upon him in time [...]f trouble, Psal. 50.15. Is any man [...]fflicted let him pray? saith St James, [...]ames 5.13. At that day shall a man [...]ook to his maker, and his eyes shall have [...]espect to the holy one of Israel, Isa. 17.7. [Page 262] And Job saith, I will not refrain my mouth, I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitter­ness of my soul, Job 7.11. And God himself saith of his people, In their af­flictions they will seek me early, Hos. 5.13.Euseb. Eccles. hist. l. 2. c. 4. Eusehius tells us of that renown­ed Christian Emperor Constantine, ‘That he never went into the field to battel, but he prepared himself by prayer, knowing that the God of battle was the author of victory; and whereas other Princes used to have their Pictures stampt upon their Coyn, sometimes riding on horseback for pleasure, sometimes sitting on their chaires of estate for their pomp and port:Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 5. he (that he might testifie his devotion) would be Pictured praying.’ When Mar­cus Aurelius was in hot wars against the Germans and Sarmatians, and his army almost ready to perish with thirst; certain of his Christian Soul­diers falling down upon their knees, betook themselves to prayer, which it pleased God to hear; for immedi­ately God sent a comfortable showre to refresh them, and a most terrible [Page 263] thunder to affright their enemies; [...]hereupon that legion was ever af­ [...]rward called legio fulminea, the [...]undering legion. And Origen Origen. sup. Exod. 17. tells [...]s, ‘That one godly man may do more good by praying, than an hundred, yea, a thousand sinners can do by fighting:’ Jacob in extre­mity prayeth, and is delivered from [...]is angry brother Esau, Gen. 32. Mo­ [...]es prayeth, and both he and his peo­ [...]le are delivered from Pharaoh and [...]is host, Exod. 14. and from the Ama­ [...]ekites, Exod. 17. Elijah also prayeth, [...]nd is delivered from Ahab and Jeze­ [...]el; and Hezekias prayed, and was [...]elivered from Sennacherib; and Je­ [...]osaphat prayed, and is delivered from [...]he Moabites, Ammonites, and inha­bitants of Mount Seir; Manasses [...]rayed in his affliction, and God was [...]ntreated of him, and restored him [...]o his Kingdom▪ In a time of gene­ [...]all judgment, it is our duty to pray [...]or others as well as our selves; Jere­mias was instant in prayer to God for [...]he King and People of Judah, Re­member (saith he to the Lord) that I [...]ood before thee to speak good for them, [Page 264] and to turn away thy wrath from them, Jer. 18.29. When the Ark of God was taken, and Israel received a great rout by the Philistines, it is said, The word of Samuel came to all Israel, 1 Sam. 4.1.Tho. Coleman Serm. ad lo­cum. or (as one translateth) the word of Samuel was for all Israel; His daily words and prayers, saith he, were for that people, and for their good.

4. In the time of sickness, and in the hour of death, then especially are we to commend our souls to God, as to a most faithfull Creator: and as at all times, so more especial­ly when death approacheth, have we need to pray; for then Satan (our sworn enemy) will be most busie to assault us, and we then (for the most part) least able to make resistance: and that we may be the better able to pray when that day cometh, let us inure our selves to the exercise thereof, in the mean time before it cometh;Ut qui viven­tes obliviscun­tur Dei, mo­rientes obli­viscantur sui. Aug. otherwise, saith Austin, ‘It is just with God, that those persons should at their death forget them­selves, who through the course of their lives, were not care­full [Page 265] to remember God.’

Let therefore the men of this world so busily employ themselves [...] the affairs of this life, that they [...]either can, nor will spare so much [...] a quarter of an hour in a day for [...]rayer; let wicked Atheists, delu­ [...]ed by the Prince of darkness, despe­ [...]ately jeer and deride this heavenly [...]uty; let all sottish, sensuall, and se­ [...]ure Christians slight this serious ex­ [...]cise as a matter of no moment, or [...]se it as a customary complement, [...]hen they have nothing else to do, [...]t say over a few words dreamingly [...]etween sleeping and waking; let [...]ypocrites neglect the private per­ [...]ormance of this holy duty, practi­ [...]ng it only in publick, pharisaically [...]o be seen of men, using it as an en­ [...]ne only to screw themselves into [...]e peoples affections, and to win po­ [...]ular applause, and be esteemed men [...] singular devotion; But let us bre­ [...]ren, pray alwayes with all manner of [...]ayers and supplications in the spirit, [...]atching thereunto with all perseverance. One man may pray long, and ano­ [...]er be but brief; yet both may ob­tain [Page 266] alike; God measureth his gifts by his love, not by the length of our prayers, by his own bounty, not by our brevity; one man may pray long and miss for lack of devo­tion, another may be short, and yet obtain; because his affection is large though his prayers be short; one may be long in prayer, yet seem to be brief, because he prayeth fervent­ly; whiles another is short, and yet be accounted tedious; it is not so much the length, as the strength of prayer, and the affection of him that prayeth, that God regardeth.

CHAP. XIV. Sheweth the excellency and profit of Prayer.

Sect. 1.

LEt us now proceed to set forth the excellency and great benefit that cometh by prayer.

1. Prayer enlightneth the mind with divine light, and quickneth our [Page 267] wills with the heat of divine love: it is very effectual to purge our under­standings of ignorance, and our wills from their depraved customs; it is that holy water by which the roots of good desires do spring and bud forth.Struther. obser­vat. Cent. 1 [...] Some spiritual exercises aug­ment light, as reading, hearing, con­ference: other exercises increase life and affection, as meditation and praise: but prayer is for both, it openeth the mind to see more clearly, [...]t makes the heart tender, and more sensible; it brings a man to see God [...]nd himself in his light; it fixeth the mind upon him, and draweth [...]he heart unto him, the more clearly we see him, the more we love him; [...]t sets all the powers of the soul on God, and pours out it self upon him, [...]eceiving sweet influences from all [...]is revealed properties.

2. Prayer is the most immediate worship of God, wherein we draw [...]igh to the throne of grace, it is the [...]adder of our ascension to Heaven. ‘Prayer is nothing else but the souls travelling to God,Nazianz. saith one of the Fathers; it is our faithfull messen­ger [Page 268] sent to the throne of God, which never returns in vain.’ What fruit canst thou expect from all thy labours, unlesse thou dost first wor­ship God? And canst thou worship him better than by praying to him? And the more frequently thou stand­est before him, the better thou wilt love him, and render thy self abso­lutely to him.

3. Prayer is the strength of the soul: it fortifies a man against all assaults, it is our buckler of defence; it is of that force and efficacie, that Chrysostome calls it, A well-fortified guard, a great bullwark of the Church which cannot be battered down. 1. It fortifies a man against temporal ene­mies; the prayer of David turneth the Oracle-like wisdome of Achito­phel into foolishnesse, 2 Sam. 15.31. The prayer of the Jews, and of Queen Hester lifted up Haman on the same gallows which he had prepa­red to hang Mordecai upon, Esth. 7.9. The prayer of Daniel not onely stopt the Lions mouths, but also brought destruction upon his adversaries, Dan. 6.22. That vision mentioned [Page 269] Revel. 4.5. is a description of the Church of God on earth, and there is [...] throne in it, and round about the [...]hrone the twenty four Elders sate: the whole company of believers (typified by the twenty four orders of Priests in the Old Testament) are [...]ound about the throne, praying, and ready for an answer; And out of [...]he throne cometh thundrings, light­nings and voices, that is, God retur­neth dreadfull answers upon his ene­mies in answer to his peoples prayers. Prayer hath been very powerfull with God when other means have [...]ailed. When one told Numa, say­ [...]ng, O Numa, the enemies prepare warre against thee; he cheerfully an­ [...]wered, But I sacrifice: implying [...]hat the force of enemies is more bro­ [...]en by fervent prayer than by our [...]wn forces. 2. Prayer is a good [...]uckler of defence against all spi­ [...]itual enemies; ‘we must fight against the Devil and his weapons by our prayers, saith Hilary. Hilar. in Psal. 65. It is an unshaken munition or rampier, and dreadfull to the Devil; it is that which keeps off temptation [Page 270] from us.’ Pray, saith our Saviour to his Disciples, that ye enter not in­to temptation, Luke 22. Austin saith, That prayer is a sacrifice to God, a succour to the supplicant, and a whip to drive the Devil away. And Chry­sostome saith, That as a City without walls may easily be entered by the enemy; so a soul not guarded, nor fenced by prayer, is easily surprized by Satan, and laid open to his temptati­ons: and as thieves and robbers will not very soon set upon an house well fortified with men and weapons; no more will the Devil be bold or busie with that man that is accustomed to fervent prayer. Prayer is one of the pieces of the spiritual armour, Eph. 6. and must be joined to it. We cannot furnish our selves with, nor fitly use the same without prayer; we must pray for our armour, and this our armour must be fitted and exercised by prayer: Be holy and pray; be patient and pray, believe and pray, hope and pray; use th [...] sword of the Spirit and pray: Prayer buckleth on all the pieces of th [...] spiritual armour about us, and set [Page 271] them on their proper work: Prayer is the most necessary weapon; the force of prayer hath quenched the force of fire, hath repressed the rage of Lions, hath ap [...]eased wars, hath removed battels, hath taken away tempests, hath chased away Devils, hath broken the chains of death, hath turned away sicknesse, and abolished judgements, or remo­ved them falling from Heaven, the subtilties of men and Devils, and all evils have been removed by prayer.

4. A praying Christian is a living Christian; and whosoever doth not pray unto God daily, nor doth de­sire to converse with God by fervent and constant prayer; he is dead; and doth wholly want soul and sense. And as this our body, when the soul [...]s wanting, is dead and soon stink­ [...]th; so the soul not given to prayer [...] dead and miserable; and that we [...]re to account it more grievous than [...]eath to be bereaved of prayer; that [...]oly man Daniel sheweth, in that he was more willing to die,Chrysost. Tom. 5. de precat. than [...]o be hindered but a few daies from [Page 272] praying to his God, as Chrysostome noteth.

5. There is nothing more power­full with God than fervent prayer, it availeth much, saith St James. There is nothing stronger here than a man rightly praying. Luther calls pray­ers and praises, Christianorum bom­barda, the Christians artillery and gun-shot, whereby Heaven is said to suffer violence, and by a kind of bat­tery to be taken by force: that which neither riches, nor humane Policie, nor Physical skill, nor haughtinesse of mind, nor multitudes of helpers, could be able to effect, that the pray­er of one poor and needy one hath been able to do. And saith Chryso­stome; If a woman by her importu­nity could appease the fury of that un­just Judge, who neither feared God, nor regarded man, much more shall h [...] provoke God to be favourable to him who sticks to continual prayer. Chry­sostome saith, That prayer is the key to unlock the treasury or exchequer of Gods mercies. And St Austin saith Ascendat oratio, descendat gratia Let prayer ascend, and let grace de­scend. [Page 273] Prayer is a means whereby we have accesse continually into the presence of God. Without God we can do nothing, and all our hope and help is in God, and his help is ob­tained by prayer: Let us therefore come boldly unto the th [...]one of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and finde grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.16. God heareth Abraham to the sixth request, and would have spa­red Sodome at his intreaty, had there been but ten righteous persons in it, Genes. 18.32. he heareth Lot, and spareth Zoar at his request, Genes. 19.20, 21. He heareth Isaac for Rebekah, and removeth her barrennesse, cau­sing her to conceive and bear him children, Genes. 25.21. He heareth Jacob, and delivereth him from his brother Esau, Genes. 32. He hear­eth the distressed Israelites, and deli­vereth them out of their Aegyptian bondage, Exod. 2. Exod. 12. he hear­eth Samson, and giveth him water out of the jaw-bone of an Asse, Judg. 15. God will have an ear to hear, while Saints have a tongue to speak unto him.

Sect. 2.

YEa many times God not only gi­veth his people what they ask, when they ask it, but even more than they ask, and before they ask it. Hannah the mother of Samuel begs but a sonne of the Lord, 1 Sam. 1.11. and the Lord gave her an excellent Prophet. And Solomon asked onely wisdome, and the Lord gave him over and above riches and honour, and all things belonging to the part of a Prince, in such ample manner, as there was never the like before him or since, 1 King. 3. chap. Like­wise Monica the mother of St Augu­stine, prayed onely that her sonne might be converted, and become a Christian, and it pleased God to make him an excellent instrument of the conversion of many others. Likewise the woman of Canaan prayed only for her daughters health, and obtained also a singular com­mendation of her own faith,Accedens ad Christum canis voca­tur, disce­dens à Chri­sto mulier vocatur: ip­sa mutavit affectum, & ipse mutavit vocabulum. August. Vox humilis, sed celsa fides, vel ipsum omnipoten­tem vincere valuit. Se­duli [...]. Coelestis au­sae janua sem­per paret, & quò saepiùs illam pre­cibus pul­saus, eò vis Deo gratior. Tertull. Matth. 15. [...]8. whereupon one saith, ‘She shewing her self by her faith and [Page 275] patience, and importunate wrest­ling with God, to be no Canaanite, but an Israelite, he ceaseth to call her dog, and calleth her daughter, or woman.’ See here the fruit of de­vout importunity. She knew, and was well acquainted [it seemeth] [...]hat it went not in the Court of Hea­ven, as things are many times carried [...]n earthly Courts: here many times Kings and great Personages will be offended to be importuned; but the gate of Heaven alwayes stands open, [...]nd the more frequently thou knock­est at that gate by thy prayers, so much the more shalt thou be accepta­ [...]le to God, saith Tertullian. And God, the more ardently he is desi­ [...]ed by us, so much the more vehe­mently is he delighted of us.

Sect. 3.

Object. BUt it will be objected; If prayer be so powerfull a [...]eans to procure Gods blessings; how [...]meth it to passe, that so many speak, [...]nd so few speed, so many put up [...]heir petitions, and so few obtain their [...]uits?

Resp. St. James answereth the Que­stion, who tells us, That we ask and receive not, because we ask amisse; be­cause we ask what or how, and when we should not; there's some­thing faulty, either in the matter, manner, or end of our prayers, and therefore they are not granted, Jam. 4.3.

1. For the matter; some are so impu­dent, as to ask absolutè mala, things ab­solutely evil and unlawfull, and hurt­full, as skill in poisoning, sorcery, witchcraft, charming, conjuring, or the like: of which sort of things, St. Austin saith,Nòn petuntur in nomine sal­vatoris, quae petuntur con­tra rationem salutis. August. They are not asked in the name of a Saviour, which are aske against the reason of our salvation▪ and no marvel, if God deny such requests; as an earthly father wil [...] not give his child a Serpent to sting o [...] poison him, for Fish to feed upon; o [...] a stone to break his own teeth, or his brothers head, for bread to eat; so God will not give any of his children things hurtfull for them, or thing [...] evil in their own nature: we mus [...] ask things lawfull only; to pray fo [...] things unlawfull, is altogether un­lawfull.

[Page 277]2. Others there are, that ask such [...]hings as are not good for them: This was the case of David, desiring [...]he life of the child that Bathsheba bare him, 2 Samuel 12.16 and of St. Paul desiring the removal of Sa­ [...]ans messenger sent to buffer him, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8. therefore he was not heard, [...]hat God might exercise his patience, and keep him from spiritual pride, being apt to be puft up above mea­ [...]ure by the abundance of his revela­tions. God knoweth that as Bees be drowned in honey, and preserved in vinegar; so his children are many times best affected when most afflict­ed; as was the case of Job, who be­haved himself better on the dunghill [...]han Adam in Paradise; for the one amidst his pains resisted and stood, [...]ut the other in all pleasure yeelded [...]nd fell: thus it was with David, Psalm 119. who saith, Before I was [...]fflicted, I went astray, but now I have kept thy Word. Thus the Father will not give the Prodigal his full portion, [...]est he spend it all in riot, but reser­veth something for him against a wet day, Luke 15. nor will he alwayes [Page 278] give us health and strength of body, lest we abuse them to the hurt of our souls: thus he many times suffereth the outward man to be sick, that the inward man may be the more sound, and increaseth the sores of our bodies, that he may decrease the sinnes of our souls; in a word, the Physician better knows what may be beneficial to the sick man, than the sick man himself doth, and God doth not alwayes hear his people at their pleasure, that he may alwayes hear them for their profit: therefore we must never beg these things but with condition, alwayes submitting our wils to Gods will, and in these requests never ask but what may make most for Gods glory and our own good.

3. Some there are whose petitions are framed, not according to the wis­dom of God, but they arise out of the ignorance of their own estate, and then, aut fiet quod petitur, aut expedit nòn fieri; either God will grant their desires, or else a denial shall be better than a grant: How ex­ceedingly did the Apostles desire [Page 279] Christs bodily presence alwayes to [...]e with them on earth? John 16.5, 6. [...]ut Christ tells them it was expedi­ [...]nt they should be crossed in their [...]esire; It is expedient for you that I [...]o away, for unless I go away the com­ [...]orter will not come.

4. Many requests of Gods people may arise from carnal distempers of [...]heir spirits, and be no works of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them, and therefore no wonder, if the Lord deny them in those desires, wherein they ought to deny themselves. Jo­ [...]as desired that all Niniveh should be destroyed together, after he had pro­claimed, Yet fourty dayes and Nini­veh shall be destroyed: This arose from self-love, and in regard of his own credit, for fear of being ac­counted a false Prophet, therefore God denied him in his request. When those two sons of Zebedee with [...]heir mother desired preheminence above the rest of the Apostles, Christ crosseth this desire of theirs, and reads them a lecture of the Crosse, and falls a discoursing of the cup of affliction.

[Page 280]5. The people of God may de­sire things good in themselves, yet things that they are not fitted for, and suited unto; as when that hor­rible villany was committed in Gi­bea contrary to the Law of God and man, and rules of nature, the rest of the Benjamites stood to maintain it, and the other Tribes resolved to revenge it, and had the worst of it in two battels, their desires were just and noble, therefore they spent a whole day in prayer to humble themselves before the Lord: they needed more humiliation for their own sinnes, before they were fit in­struments to punish the sinne of Gibeah.

6. Others there are that aim at wrong ends in their prayers, though they ask things good or indifferent. Some desire to be great and rise in the world that they may keep their neighbours down, and make them little: whereas if we may desire the goods of the world, it must be to do good in the world. Some desire health and strength of body, not to serve God and their Countrey, but [Page 281] the Devil and their own lusts, by gi­ving their strength to women, and by being strong to drink wine, and [...]our in abundance of strong drink. Some desire learning and knowledge, [...]nd to be great Clerks, not to teach [...]nd edifie themselves and their bre­ [...]hren, but to advance themselves, [...]nd rise to high places, yea many [...]imes to disturb the peace of the Church and Commonwealth, as he­ [...]eticks and schismaticks use to do. Now in these and such like cases it's [...]n usual thing with God to send curst Kine short horns, as the Proverb saith, [...]o dismisse such impudent beggars without an almes, lest they might [...]buse it.

Sect. 4.

Object. 2. IT will be further object­ed; If God be so quick [...]f hearing, and so easie to be intreat­ [...]d, as the Scripture tells us he is; [...]w cometh it then to passe, that God [...]oth deferre to answer his people's [...]rayers?

Resp. God doth not ever hear and [...]rant their suits at first, though he [Page 282] intend to do it at last, for these Rea­sons:

1. Lest if he should presently yeeld to their suits, and grant their requests, upon the first moving and making of them, they might ima­gine prayer to be nothing hut a mat­ter of course, and that he did rather grant their requests of fatal necessity, than of his fatherly bounty. So, saith St Ambrose, Si semper ex­audiret omnes, nòn tàm ex voluntate libe­râ, quam ex quadam ne­cessitate facere videretur. Ambros. ‘If God should hear all men alwayes, he might seem to do it not so much of free­will, as from a certain necessity: but it's not opus operatum, that will do the deed.’

2. God deferreth answering his peoples requests, to make his bles­sing the more welcome to them when they come, than if they had them presently; God dealeth with his children, as Laban did with Ja­cob, Genes. 29. who made him stay long for Rachel, not that he should not have her, but that when he had her, he might prize her the better thus God makes as if he sometime slept, to make us to awaken him by our prayers, and he often defers us [Page 283] not that he meaneth alwayes to deny us, but to make his gifts the more welcome to us. A Father many [...]imes makes his child ask him often for what he meant he should have at the first, to make him value it the more, and esteem it the better when he hath obtained it, by how much [...]he more hardly he seemeth to ob­ [...]ain it.

3. Although Gods will is full­filled in his own time, yet the de­ [...]ires of his people are not granted [...]n the time that they determine, [...]ut as God determineth. Moses [...]xpecteth that Israel should be pre­ [...]ently delivered, as soon as he went [...]n to Pharaoh, and delivered his message from God, and therefore [...]e complaineth, Exod. 5.22. Why is [...], O Lord, that thou hast sent me? Moses's time was now up, and he [...]xpected the work should be now [...]one: now the Lord would give [...]im his desire, but not at that time, [...]ut in a fitter time for the benefit [...]f his people, the Lord would take [...]ime to shew his power upon Pha­ [...]aoh, and that the enemies of his [Page 284] Church might be ripened for de­struction: but on the other side, it was performed exactly, at the time that God had determined, Exodus 12.41. At the end of four hundred and thirty years, the very self same day in Gods own time, though not in Moses time, all the Host of Israel came out of the Land of Ae­gypt.

4. He deferreth, and seemeth sometime to turn a deaf ear to­wards us, to awaken our zeal, and make us the more earnest in ask­ing: Thus our Saviour Christ dealt with the woman of Canaan, he makes three great stops and stayes upon her request, in the first whereof he delayes and defers her,Matth. 15. as seeming to neglect and not re­gard her: he answered her not a word; this strange dealing of his might have put her quite out o [...] patience had it not been strong. In the second he seems quite to deny her and her suit, and his Disciples speaking for her, whether moved with pity and commiseration to­wards her, or whether to be rid of [Page 285] her, because she was troublesome to them, by her importunity, the Text being silent, I will say no­thing: but for Christs answer it seems a flat denial: I am not sent, but to the lost sheep of the house of Is­rael: She holds the canclusion stif­ly, and presseth the point hard, and came and worshipped him, saying, Lord help me; as if she had said; Thou camest to seek and save that which was lost, Luke 19.10. and I am in misery, there­fore Lord I beseech thee shew me thy mercy: But our Saviour an­swered, and said unto her, It is not meet to take the childrens bread, and give it unto dogs; This is the sharpest repulse of all the rest; be­fore he did but simply reject her; but now he doth reproach her, for [this terme] signifieth one of a most base and servile condition, [...]elling her in effect, her turn was not yet come, the children must be first fed and filled, perhaps some [...]crap might fall to her share at last, as yet she was too hasty: Is­rael was the first-born, and must [Page 286] have the benefit of his birth-right, but she was an alien from the Commonwealth of Israel; a stran­ger to the Covenant of promises. —Now how doth she digest this bitter pill? Surely she swalloweth it; and however a man would have thought these three repulses should have broken the heart of her; yet her faith continueth constant, and getteth new force; yea she ta­keth advantage from the very worst word that Christ had given her; Truth Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the childrens table: as if she had said, Seeing I am no better than a dog, I shall be contented to be served like a dog; I deserve not to sit at table with thy first born and ancient people, nor to be fed either before or with the children; a little scrap or a crumb shall serve me, that am a poor Gentile: I deserve not a loaf of bread, but a crumb of mercy, I leave thy great miracles for thine own peculiar people the Jewes; let me have one mercy, one little mi­racle wrought for me that am a [Page 287] Gentile; and if I am a dog, I am thy dog, and will not cease crouch­ing, I will be importunate, till thou hear me, and heal my daughter; then Jesus answered, and said unto her, O woman great is thy faith; be it unto thee as thou wilt; he then gives her more than she asked; ac­cording to that of the Apostle, Ephes. 3.20. He giveth abundantly above what we are able to ask or think: for her daughter was made whole, or the Devil went out of her, and de­parted from her; at her coming home, she found her lying upon the bed, Nòn per aegritudinem, aut infirmita­ [...]em, not by reason of sicknes or weak­ness; but this quiet, peaceable gesture of hers is opposed to those powerfull pangs she had formerly had whiles [...]he Devil possessed her.

Sect. 2.

HEre we may see the benefit of importunate prayer; what [...]hough the Lord doth seem some­ [...]ime to bear a dull ear, yet we should not distrust of the successe of our [Page 288] prayers, perseverance and importu­nity will at last draw him to audi­ence; if our former requests be weak and infirm, fainting in the way to the mercy of God, yet the latter may ascend, and draw down his blessings; the Apostle requireth us to use all perseverance in prayer, Eph. 6. What if God delay, yet must we still like Jacob wrestle with God, and not let God go till he give us the blessing; and like those remembran­cers of Sion, give him no rest, till he accomplish our desire. This perseverance in prayer is like showers of the first and latter rain, and if the one faileth of watering the earth, the other moi­steneth it sufficiently; and if thou hast made thy prayers to God for a blessing once or twice without success, pray again and again; cease not till he heareth thee. One saith, ‘That as seed which is the longest cover­ed,Baine's Expos. on Ephes. 6. riseth the first with most in­crease: so do those prayers which God seemeth to bury in forgetfull­nesse a long time, if we persevere, they shall spring out with the great­est blessing.’ The longer Abraham [Page 289] talked with God, the more he ob­tained; he brought God from the whole number to fifty, and from fifty to ten before he left him: Behold, saith he, I have begun to speak unto my Lord, and am but dust and ashes; let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak again; and once more I have begun to speak; and once more, let not my Lord be offended: Once more and again, you see are able to send away clouds of fire and brimstone; and so far was God from being angry with his instant request, that he gave him both patience and a gracious answer; If ten be found there, saith he, I will not destroy it: Far is it from him to be angry, or to command us to be driven back, when we are importu­nate; no, he commandeth us to be importunate, and will be angry, if we be not importunate. In the Pa­rable of the wicked Judge,Luke 18. and the importunate widow, he teacheth us, That importunity may get any thing at the hands of God. God will at last avenge his elect of their enemies, if night and day they cry unto him: So in the similitude of the man that [Page 290] came to his friend at midnight to desire him to lend him three loaves, and his friend answered him, his door was shut, and his children and servants in bed, and he could not rise himself to give them to him, at length he still continuinging in knocking, and that for him neither he, nor any of his might rest; to be rid of his importunity, (not for that he was his friend) he rose up, and gave him as many as he needed: Thus it pleaseth the heavenly Majesty to be long in­treated; therefore though at your first call he seemeth not to hear, yet you must call again; and though he doth yet suspend your desires in expectation, yet cease not praying, and your importunity at last will draw him to audience: it delighteth the Lord to hear our redoubled requests.

CHAP. XV. Sheweth what manner of person he is that can pray aright.

IN the next place, I shall shew who they are that can pray ac­ceptably, sc. they that have the spi­rit of adoption, it is they that can cry Abba Father; The sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. He that turn­eth away his eares from hearing the Law, even his prayers shall be an abo­mination, Prov. 28.9. And, John 9.31. the man that was born blind saw this truth, That God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a wor­ [...]hipper of him, and doth his will, him [...]e heareth. And David saith, If I re­ [...]ard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me, Psal. 66.18. but in the next verse he tells us, That verily God had heard him, and attended to [...]he voice of his prayer. Indeed Gods [...]ar enclineth to us, as our heart [Page 292] enclineth to him, and if we decline from him, and encline to wicked­nesse with our hearts, we move him to decline from us, and in­cline to wrath; why should God lend any man his ears, that regar­deth not him in his heart? such may expect to be answered, as God answered the Jewes, Isai. 1.15. When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; the reason followeth, because your hands are full of bloud: none can pray aright, but such as are endued with the Spirit of God, to direct them how to form and frame their prayers, that they may have access to God, and acceptance in Gods Court of audience; but this none but the godly and regenerate have; therefore only such can pray aright, and as they ought.

Object. 1. But we read in Scrip­ture that the wicked do sometimes pray unto God: they are said to cry to God, and call upon him, Job 27.9, 10. Prov. 1.28.

Resp. 1. Such prayers are not [Page 293] true prayers, they are but lip-devo­tions, drawing nigh to God with their mouths, and honouring him with their lips, when their hearts are farre from him, Matth. 15.8. they are like instruments, and bells out of tune, that make much noise, but there is no melody at all. 2. They are but the expressions of their own private spirits, and not the fruits of Gods Spirit in them. 3. There is nothing but flesh in their prayers, they are bad trees, and cannot bring forth good fruit. 4. They are but a shadow of pray­er, therefore the Lord regardeth them not, he counteth their pray­ers but as the howling of beasts, and not as the voice of his Spirit, Hos. 7.14. because when they had spent a whole day in prayer and fasting, yet the Lord counted it as not done to him, because their heart was not towards God nor the good duty, but like brute beasts they how­led for corn and wine.

Object. 2. But wicked men may con­ceive many excellent forms of prayer, and shew much zeal, &c.

Resp. Prayer standeth not in the copy of words, nor noise of the voice, but in the holy desire and disposition of the heart: they have often burning lips, the words of prayer, yet pray they do not; they want those sighs and groans of the spirit, which the Spirit of God worketh in the hearts of the faith­full: its the voice of the regene­rate part, animated, informed, and quickned by Gods Spirit, that God heareth, and knoweth the meaning of, that God accepteth, and rewar­deth: hypocrites have the wood and frankinscence, but they want fire to cause heat, and a sweet sa­vour, their prayers are dead and live­less.

Object. 3. It may be further said, That God heareth the wicked some­times, and granteth their requests: thus God heard the voice of Hagar and Ishmael, when they were ready to perish for thirst, and opened the eyes of Hagar to see a well of water, Gen. 21.17. When King Rehoboam had establisht the Kingdome and strength­ned himself and forsook the Law of [Page 295] the Lord his God: the Lord stirred up Shishak King of Aegypt against him who took their fenced Cities, whereupon the King and Princes of Israel humbled themselves, and the Lord granted them some deliverance.

Resp. 1. I answer, That whenso­ever God granteth the requests of wicked men; its not for their sakes, but for the promise that he hath made to his own ordinance, and to commend that: Item, we shall still observe, that they be temporall blessings and no other, that they obtain, that he bestoweth upon them, as we may see in Ahab, 1 Kings 21.29. who when he heard the words of the Prophet denoun­ced against his house; he humbled himself before the Lord, therefore brought not the evill threatned in his daies, but in his sonnes daies: [...]s for these outward blessings, God many times bestoweth them upon wicked men; thus he gave Aegypt [...]or a reward to Nebuchadnezzar for his service to God against Tyrus, Ezeck. 29.18, 19.

2. God sometime heareth the cry, [Page 296] of beasts, Jon. 3.8. compared with Jon. 4.11. man and beast was co­vered with sackcloath in Nineveh, and cryed mightily to God, and the Lord had compassion on them, and heard them; now who will say that they pray? Lyra Lyra in Jon. 3.8. expound­eth it well of their roaring, bray­ing, lowing and bleating, every one making a noise in their seve­rall languages, for lack of food; yea, haply they put up and pent the young ones from their dammes, and then what a pitifull cry there would quickly be; we may easily see, but by keeping calves from the kine, and lambs from the ewes awhile: the young ravens are said to cry to God for food, and he fee­deth them, Psal. 147.9.

3. God heareth the wicked some­time in his wrath, but never in his mercy, and therefore it were bet­ter he did not hear; quia poenam pro [...] munere poscunt: thus he gave the old Israelites (weary of his ordi­dinance) a King in his wrath: thus when they lusted for quailes, he gave them their requests, but sent [Page 297] leanness into their souls, Psal. 160.15. Sometimes what he gives to the wicked, is given but in com­mon mercy, as they are his crea­tures; The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works, Psal. 145.9. his spirituall blessings are bestowed onely upon the faith­full.

Therefore there must be in him that prayeth, an earnest desire to forsake all sinnes: prayer is a sacri­fice whereby we labour to appease Gods wrath conceived against us for our sinnes, now if we do this with a purpose to continue in our sinnes, we cause God with indig­nation to reject our prayers. There is no adulteress so shamelesly im­pudent, as to desire pardon of her jealous husband, having her lover still in her armes, with whom she hath often had wanton dalliance in times past, and is resolved to have the like for the time to come. ‘If any be so shameless to make suits in this odious manner,Jo. Down­hams Christi­an Warfare. saith one, they are sure to be repul­sed, and find wrath and venge­ance [Page 298] where they look for grace and mercy: but thus do they behave themselves toward God, saith he, who remaining pollu­ted with their sinnes, do offer up their prayers unto him; for they bring their accusers, even their defiled consciences, and cry­ing sinnes, which continually ac­cuse and condemn them, calling for that due punishment which they have deserved.’ I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I com­pass thine altar, O Lord, Psal. 26. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you, saith Christ, Joh. 15.7.

CHAP. XVI. Laying down directions how we ought to pray in a right manner.

Sect. 1.

IN the last place, I shall lay down divers directions to teach us in what manner we ought to pray to God, when we draw near to God in prayer; let us come before him as we ought to do.

Direct. 1. Let us not come rash­ly into the presence of God, there ought to be in him that cometh to the throne of grace, animus bene compositus, a mind well composed and disposed thereunto; we must not pray unadvisedly, without con­sidering with the mind what the tongue is to offer, lest we reap a curse instead of a blessing: what is it to offer the sacrifice of fools, but rashly and unadvisely to pour out our prayers to God, not consi­dering [Page 300] what,Greg. Moral. l. 26. c. 29. or how, or to whom we speak? ‘What is nearer to us than our heart, saith St Gregory, and yet if once it be set a wan­dring, what thing is it in the whole world that is in a trice so farre from us?’ Away then with all perfunctory prayers, which is the practice of too many in our daies, who utter a form of words, as is the manner of hypocrites, or the Gentiles was, or as the Parret of Ascanius recited the Creed, ra­ther of custome than zeal, flatter­ing God with their mouthes, and dissembling with him with their tongues: when we are at our pray­ers, let not our minds be roving after our worldly affairs; when we bow the knees of our flesh, let the knees of our hearts bow also, and let not our prayers go out of feign­ed lips: that the mind should be well composed in prayer, some e­ven of the heathens have seen;Orontis est nil nisi coelestia cogitare. and therefore one saith; It becometh him that prayeth, to think of nothing but heavenly things. Drexelius tells us of a vision, that a religious man [Page 301] had at prayers in the Congregati­on:Drexelius. ‘He saw a severall Angel at the elbow of every one present, ready to write down his suits and requests: those who prayed heartily, their Angels wrote with gold; such as prayed but coldly, their Angels wrote too, but it was but with water; such as pray­ed customarily onely, but from the teeth outward, theirs seemed seemed to write too, but it was but with a dry pen, no ink in it; such as slept, their An­gels laid their pens by; such as had worldly thoughts, their Angels wrote in dust; and such as had malicious thoughts, their Angels wrote with gall: the mo­ [...]all (at least) is of use: for if God, as Job Job 14.17. saith, hath a bagg for our sinnes, and a bottle for our tears, [...]s David saith:Psal. 56.8. then he hath a [...]ook for our prayers too,Lierle's Serm­on P [...]al. 95.1. as one well noteth; if we shall answer for every idle word we speak one to ano­ther, much more for every idle word we speak to God.’

Direct. 2. We must pray in hu­mility; [Page 302] the prayer of him that hum­bleth himself pierceth the clouds, and will depart, till God heareth it, saith the sonne of Syrach: the chiefest motive that can humble us, is a double meditation, one of God, a­nother of our selves; God so infi­nitely great and holy, and we in­finitely base and evill: God is in­finitely great both in respect of his majesty, and also of his mercy; the consideration of both these hum­bled Job even to dust and ashes; therefore, saith he, I abhor my self, and repent in dust and ashes, Job 42.5. So Isaiah coming near to God, cries out, Woe is me, for I am undone, I am a man of polluted lips, Isai. 6. So the poor justified Publican stands afar off, and would scarce lift up his eyes to heaven, but smites on his breast, crying, God be mercifull to me a sinner, Luke 18.13, 14. So wise Agur speaking to God in pray­er, see how he directeth his speech to him,Cobbet Treat. of Prayer. Prov. 30.1, 2. The words of Agur the sonne of Jakeh, even the prophecy the man spake unto Ithiel, e­ven unto Ithiel and Ueal: Ithiel sig­nifieth, [Page 303] he that is my God; and U­cal that mighty one; and you see how humbly he speaketh to him, vers. 2, 3. Surely I am more brutish than any man, I have not the under­standing of a man in me, nor have I the knowledge of the holy; he looks upon himself as most unworthy to speak of God in way of instructi­on to others, and to speak to God himself in way of supplication: wherefore as one was wont to say to Caesar: Qui apud te O Caesar au­dent dicere, magnitudinem tuam ig­norant, qui non audent, humanita­tem tuam nesciunt: they that dare speak to thee O Caesar, do not know thy greatness, they that durst not, are ignorant of thy humanity and weakness: I may say farre better, our Saviour is meek and lowly in heart, that we may speak unto him, but he is so great in majesty and power, that we ought to speak in all humility; let us then fall low before his footstool, and not come into his presence without great reverence: our blessed Savi­our prostrated himself upon the [Page 304] ground, when he prayed to his Fa­ther; Et prostratus in terra orat me­dicus, & nòn inclinatur aegrotus? Shall this heavenly Physitian kneel, and shall we think much to stoop to that infinite Majesty, who is high­er than the highest on earth? Be­hold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes, saith Abraham interceding for Sodom, Gen. 18. the considera­tion of Gods greatness and holi­ness will abase and humble us, and such a humiliation will be a means to lift us up to glory and blessed­ness.

Sect. 2.

Direct. 3. LEt us pray in faith: faith indeed is requisite to bring us near to God: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assu­rance of faith, Heb. 10.22. an un­believing heart departeth from God, Heb. 3.12. but faith brings us into the presence of God; he that com­eth to God must believe, Heb. 11.6. that God is, and that he is a re­warder [Page 305] of them that seek him: hence ariseth the ground of our confidence, when we know that God is both able and willing to help us: this we signifie saying, Our Father which art in heaven, this St James requireth, James 1.6. Ask in faith nothing wavering; for he that wavereth, is like a wave of the Sea, driven with the wind and tossed, if we have not faith in our prayers, we cannot chuse but shake and trem­ble when we come before the Lord: saith makes a person to come with boldness to the throne of grace, Eph. 3.12. all our prayers must be grounded on Gods promises, which are in Christ Yea and Amen, i. e. they have their foundation and per­fection, their beginning and end­ing, in, and upon Christ,Habent fun­damentum & complemen­tum principi­um & finem. Rolloc. in Psal. 32. as Rollock noteth. Now we cannot apprehend either of him, or any promise made to us in him, but onely by faith: yea, this is a condition required alwaies in all our prayers, 1 John 5.13, 14. yea, in all our actions, Rom. 14.23. Heb. 11.6. the defect and want hereof made St Austin [Page 306] pronounce of all the moral virtues of heathen men, that they were but splendida peccata: Aug. in Psal. 83. for saith he, ‘As birds lose their young ones being chilled and killed with cold, and that fall out of their nests; so all those things that we commonly call good works come to no­thing, if they be not bred and brought forth in the nest of faith:’ a faithfull prayer returnes not emp­ty, But as it goeth rightly up, carri­ed with the wings of faith, so it comes heavily down laden with blessings: Therefore, 1. We must believe that our persons are accepted in Christ. 2. That our suits are well­come with our persons, Isai. 45.19. I believed, and therefore have I spo­ken, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 116.10. no sooner had he laid hold on faith, but his tongue was presently exercised in prayer: let faith then (I say) be the ground of our pray­er, the first round of the ladder whereby we ascend unto God, Et juxta mensuram fidei erit mensura im­petrandi, the more faith we have in our hearts, the more favour [Page 307] shall our prayers finde in Gods eares. This is manifestly proved unto us from the examples of them that came to Christ. The Ruler of the Synagogue believed, that if Christ came and laid his hands upon his daughter, she should be healed. The woman with the bloudy issue believed, that if she might but touch the hemme of his garment she should be healed. The Centurion said, but Dic verbum, Doe but speake the word, and my servant shall be whole: Each one had his desire according as he believed: What­soever ye aske in prayer, if ye be­lieve ye shall receive it, saith Christ, Matth. 21.22. For indeed we mock God to pray unto him, and to doubt that we shall not have our requests granted us, or that our prayers shall not be heard: Therefore Christ, teaching us to pray, directeth us first to say Our Father, to make us confident of obtaining, and concludeth with Amen, to signifie, that we shall un­doubtedly receive what we faith­fully [Page 308] desire: therefore whenso­ever we pray to God, let us lift up holy hands without doubt­ing.

To this Section I shall also adde, That as we must pray in faith, so also must we pray with under­standing; blind devotions God regardeth not: For without know­ledge the minde cannot be good, Prov. 19.2. A blind Priest, and a blind Sacrifice are abominable, Leviticus 21.18. Malachi 1.8. Hosea. 4.6. Affection dependeth upon the un­derstanding; we must not pray for we know not what, as the Papists do in their Latine service. Such men as are not rational in their worship, They worship they know not what, as Christ said to the woman of Samaria, John 4.22. as we must labour to know whom we have believed, so likewise to know whom and what we worship.

Sect. 3.

Direct. 4. IF we will pray so that we may be heard, we must pray with zeal and fervency; a fer­vent suitor cannot but have audience when he speaks unto his God, and when at any time our prayers want successe, the defect is in our selves. Gods answer is according to the vigour of our prayers, if the cryes we send up come not from the very fervency of the heart, they sound not in the ears of God: The prayer of the righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent, saith St. James; else even the prayers of the just, if they be perfunctory and cold, ra­ther of custome, than of devotion and piety, they avail not but to condemnation, they procure us not audience from God, but rather shall be answered by God as the prayers of those Idolaters in Ezek. 8. Though they cry in mine ear with a loud voice, I will not hear them, saith the Lord. Whereas many times we find that an earnest seek­ing [Page 310] with the heart hath prevailed without any words uttered by the tongue: He that heareth without ears can interpret our prayers without tongues, and the voice of the one is not more audible to him than the in­tention of the other.

That all our prayers ought to be made with earnestnesse of affecti­ons, and enflamed with the fire of an ardent zeal, the Scripture shew­eth us by the several termes by which fervent prayer is set forth unto us: sometimes it is called a crying unto God, Exod. 14.15. Exod. 17.4. Jonah 2.2. a wrestling with God, Gen. 32.24. compared with Hosea 12.4. a striving with God, Rom. 15.30 a taking hold of God, Isai. 64.7. Prayer is typed by in­cense in the old Law, that gave no sweet smell, till the fire came to it: so prayer is nothing without the fire of zeal, it maketh no sweet savour before the Lord: And good Reason there is for it:

1. Because all religious duties ought to be performed with our choicest and chiefest affections, Deut. [Page 311] 6.5. Eccles. 9.10. and therefore this of prayer which is a principal duty of Religion

2. Because in fervent prayer we pour out our hearts before the Lord, which God requireth, Lam. 3.19.

1. This condemneth the simple practice of the Lay-Papists, who think that God regardeth their vain repeating over so many Pa­ter nosters and Ave Maries, and other Latine prayers by their Beads, though they understood not what they say, nor respect how they runne them over, so they be said, they care not how they be said with how litttle devotion.

2. This condemneth also the Opinion and Doctrine of their Clergy, who ascribe vertue to their Opus operatum in prayer, and other good works.

3. It gives a check to the cold­nesse and stupid lazinesse of many amongst us, who do so slightly, and so hastily, and sleepily slubber over this duty of prayer, both pub­lickly and privately, without any [Page 312] manifestation of the least measure of zeal and affection. Some con­tent themselves (though they be in health) with two or three words carelesly, heartlesly, and foolishly bolted forth, while they lie in their beds between sleeping and waking; some pray as they are a making themselves ready or unready; some are so far from praying fervently that they pray not at all.

Therefore when we pray, let us pray fervently, for,

1. The thing that we pray for are of absolute necessity, viz. the glory of God, the justification of our per­sons, the sanctification of our na­tures, the salvation of our souls, therefore we must go about them, as about matter of life and death, and beg of God as a condemned per­son for his life of his Judge.

2. He that prayes coldly, seems to be carelesse whether he be heard or not, and teacheth God to deny him his request.

3. Those that be dull in prayer will much more be dull in giving thanks: we should therefore pray, [Page 313] as those that mean to speed, and be so eager, as those that will take no denial.

4. This is the reason why so many find so little comfort and suc­cesse in their daily prayers, name­ly want of zeal, they have not the answer of God upon their spirits, who pray without life and affecti­on: our zeal herein should be like the fire that the vestal Virgins kept in Rome, or rather like the sacrifi­cing fire upon the Altar under the Law, that ever burnt, and never went out: ‘As loathing of meat and painfulnesse of speaking are two symptomes of a sick body, so carelesnesse of hearing, and irksomnesse of praying, are signs of a sick and diseased soul, saith a Learned man.’

Sect. 4.

Direct. 5. LEt confession of sinne be joyned with prayer: Confession is sometime put for pray­er, Dan. 9.4. I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession. Many are the benefits of penitent confession of sin.

1. Confession openeth the wounds of sinne, and prepareth a passage for the medicine to be applied to the malady,Confessio aperit vulnus peccati. Gregor. saith Gregory. And Origen saith, ‘It is the vomit o [...] the mind that cleanses the sto­mack, and unloads the consci­ence of sinne. And another saith The Church by confession doth with the thief on the Crosse, lif [...] up her self from Earth to Hea­ven:O latronem laudabilem, mirabilem, imitabilem; nos vocem la­tronis, si nolu­mus esse latro­nes. August. O thief worthy of praise worthy of admiration, worthy of imitation, saith St Austin: wor­thy of praise, for praising him that was praise-worthy, saying This man hath done nothing amisse worthy of admiration, for con­fessing [Page 315] the truth against himself: We receive things due to our de­serts, Luke 23.41, 42. and con­trary to the expectation of all that were present, he confesseth to Christ as a Lord, then set in the lowest degree of a servant: to Christ as a Mediator, then and there to suffer as a malefactor: to Christ as a King, though crown­ed before his eyes with a crown of thorns: notwithstanding all this, he confesseth and prayeth in these words, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom [...] and worthy he is of imitation, not in the parts of his life, but at the point of his death; not in his actions, but at his execution.’ Let us then take up this saying of the thief, lest we prove thieves to our own souls.

2. Confession of sinne, makes a man sensible of the nature of sinne, and engageth the heart strongly against it.

3. Confession of sinne glorifieth God: not that he needeth our con­fessions to inform him what our sins [Page 316] are: for he knoweth all our sinnes, 2 Kings 19.27. My sonne give glory to God, and confesse thy sinne, saith Joshua to Achan, Josh. 7.19. by a free confession we give God the glory of his power and authority over us, if he should shew his strength against us.

4. Confession is a great ease to the conscience: David tells us, Psalm 32.3, 4. that when he kept silence, that is, did not confesse his sinne, consenuerunt [...]ss [...], his bones waxed old, and the marrow and moisture of his body consumed and dried away through the greatnesse of his sor­row, which drew from him an un­accustomed crying, making him roar and bellow like a beast, and that without intermission, even all the day, or day by day, and yet neither silent nor crying findes he any ease, till he easeth himself by a free confession of his sin.

5. There are many virtues in this grace of confession: ‘It is the hope of believers, the glory of sinners, the expeller of all vice, [Page 317] it keeps the soul within the com­passe of obedience, it is the lan­guage of unfeigned repentance, it shuts the pit of hell, it opens the gate of Paradise, because it open­eth the way to the mery of God,Dr. Holdsworth ex Augustino. as a learned man noteth out of the Fathers.’

6. Confession of sinne makes way for pardoning grace: If we confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive them, 1 John 1.9. Da­vid had but a thought of confession, Psalm 32.5. and God saved him the labour of a farther expression, on the resolution of confession, there is a resolution of pardon: I said I will confesse, or I purposed within my self so to do: Some of the learned say, that in the He­brew tongue, the same word signi­fieth both to speak and to think; to teach us that our mouths should be the faithfull messengers of our minds: Confession of sinne is not only grounded upon Gods mercy, but also upon Gods truth, and therefore upon his justice, which [Page 318] leadeth him to pardon penitent con­fessing sinners: we should be asha­med to commit a sinne, but not be ashamed to confesse it: as men should sear to take surfeits, and cast themselves into sicknesses and dis­eases, but not to take physick, whereby they may be cured again, and recover their health. Thus David, Manasses, Mary Magdalen, Peter, Paul, Theod [...]sius the Emperor, and others of the faithfull, have not been ashamed to confesse their sinnes, nor should any of us at any time.

This reproves such as are ready enough to creep into other mens consciences, but will take no no­tice of their own naughtinesse, be­ing not unlike certain Witches cal­led Lamiae, of whom Seneca Senec. Epist. ad Lucil. wri­teth in one of his Epistles, That when they went abroad, they would put their eyes in their heads, yea sometimes take them in their hands; so curious and critical they were to prie into others actions, and espie small faults abroad; but [Page 319] coming home again, they either put them in their pockets, or lock­ed them up in their cupboards, be­cause they would not see their own sluttishnesse or nastinesse. There be too many such that are sharp and severe enough to censure others, but if it happen that themselves be guilty of the same, or as great a fault, then the case is altered, an example hereof we have in Judah, who when his daughter in Law Thamar is accused of whoredome, will have justice done upon her, and according to the Law she must be burnt presently, Genes. 38.24. but when she had proved that she was with child by himself, though he confessed the fault, yet is he well enough content to remit the punishment, and talk no more of burning: both we and our prayers are vile and unclean, Job 40.4. but expresse confession is necessary,Fenners Gate­chisin. when the conscience is fouled with guilt, as one well noteth.

Sect. 5.

Direct. 6. IN all our prayers, let us expresse the grounds of them; and use such reasons unto God, as may most move him to grant our requests: not as though God needed any reasons to inform him of our necessities, or to move him to supply them, for he know­eth them better than our selves, and is more ready to help than we to ask, but he delighteth that his children should plead with him in prayer: besides this is an evidence of the graces of God in us.

1. Of our knowledge: an ig­norant man is not able to plead his cause with another; this argu­eth a knowing Christian, when he thus pleadeth with God.

2. This is an evidence of our faith; he that pleads with God in prayer for any mercy, sheweth that he is confident of an answer. Now herein the Lord taketh plea­sure, and therefore he will have us [Page 321] reason it out with him. Thus Christ dealt with the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.22,—28. as hath already been shewed. This is manifest likewise from the na­ture of prayer, which is called a standing in the gap, Ezekiel 22.30. a wrestling with God, Genes. 32.24. The strong reasons of faith doe much prevail with God, and this is one principal part of the efficacy of prayer, by which we prevail, and our supplications become effe­ctual, viz. in laying down such strong reasons as may move God to grant our reque [...]. In prayer we put our case into Gods hand; you know if a man be wronged and oppressed among men, when he cometh to a Judge or an Ad­vocate, that he thinketh will un­dertake his businesse, and do him right, will he not use many reasons and arguments to him? Now when men apprehend that God is a migh­ty God, both ready to hear, and able to help his people in time of need, this makes them cry migh­tily [Page 322] to God. This advice Eliphaz gives to Job, Chap. 5.8. I would seek unto God, and to God commit my cause; True prayer is a putting our case to the Lord, and a plead­ing with him, and this requireth strength of reason and argu­ments. Now when we come to God, it is not enough to pray by pro­posing our desires; but we must pray enforcing and pressing our desires, backing them with good reasons, such as may make them warrantable and accepta­ble, not such as are made for vain respects, Jam. 4.3. and to this purpose:

1. Let us be thorowly sensible of the want of those blessings we pray for; then shall we begge hard for them: if a beggar be stript of all, and have not a bit of bread, and be ready to starve, how will he plead for some re­lief?

2. Get spiritual ingenuity. Wis­doms scholars are not fools; where true grace is, it will make [Page 323] the soul quick and sagacious in holy reasoning, as is evident in the woman of Canaan, Matthew 15.27. It is Satan's language, as well as the Scripture's, to tell a Christian, that he is the chief of sinners; but even then may he argue from his condition, as Saint Paul did, 1 Timothy 1.15. I am the chief of sinners, yet one whom Christ came into the world to save: Thou art one of the lost ones, saith the Devil; Oh then say, Christ came to seek and save that which was lost: his seeking denoteth his diligence, his saving denoteth his power, and [both] his love.

Yet let us not think or ima­gine that words and arguments of themselves are powerfull with God; for if any man be heard, it is not for the sweetnesse of words, the variety of matter, the multiplicity of reasons, but through the intercession of Jesus Christ, which maketh God propi­tious to us, and to accept our [Page 324] poor and humble prayers: If therefore our prayers be heard, let us ascribe it to God's dignati­on, not to our dignity, to God's benignity, not to the Rhetorique or excellency of our prayer's; to to God's ear, and not to our tongue.

To conclude; let us be sure, that when we are wide-mouthed to ask of God, we are not close-fisted to those that ask of us: Many will ask much from God, and part with nothing to others; yea many will promise much, and performe little: But God is open-handed and open-hearted, his promises are performances, and his words are workes; he is truth, and cannot lie; vertue, and cannot faile, and his power is sufficient to make good his pro­mises. Among men promises are often as empty as the winde; some would performe and can­not; some can and will not: but God both can and will; his will is not larger than his [Page 325] power; but what God doth will that doth God work, and whatsoever God is able to will, he is able to work also.

FINIS.

These several Books following are Print­ed, and to be sold by Francis Tyton at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet.

Large Folio.

  • BIshop Andrews Sermons.
  • Perkins first volume.
  • Hammond on the New Testament.
  • History of the Wars of Italy, from 1613, to 1644. translated by the Earl of Monmouth.

Small Folio.

  • Dr Hammond on the Psalms.
  • Lawsons Body of Divinity.
  • Bishop Gawdens Ecclesia Anglicana.
  • Browns Vulgar Errors.
  • Pemble's Works.
  • Burton's Melancholy.
  • Morrice on the Sacrament.
  • Cooks English Law.
  • Petavius History of the World.
  • Renodeus Dispensatory.
  • Habbington's Edward the Fourth.
  • Leigh's Description of the Temple of Solomons.
  • Gwilliam's Heraldry.

Large Quarto.

  • Hugh's Monotomia.
  • Abridgments of Acts & Ordinances.
  • Jacksons Annotations on Job, Psalms, &c.

Small Quarto.

  • Strong's Jesus Christ, Gods shepherd.
  • Spelman de Sepultura.
  • Catalogue of Chancellors.
  • Blackwoods Commentary on Matth.
  • Hammond's Dispatcher Dispatched.
  • Refuter, Refuted.
  • Sedgwick on Faith.
  • Gilbert's Pathway to Heaven.
  • Sovereign antidote against error.
  • Libertine Schooled.
  • Blessed Peace-maker.
  • Hollioks Tree of Life.
  • Gwild on Samuel.

Large Octavo.

  • A Discourse of the Mystery of Dreams
  • Allin's Henry the Seventh.
  • Chirologia, or the language of the hand.
  • Gearing's Arraignment of Pride.
  • Turkish History continued to 1660.
  • Book of Judgments.
  • [Page]Heylin's Examen Historicum.
  • Robinson's Eudoxa.
  • Harrison's Spiritual Pleadings.
  • Lawson against Hobbs.
  • Patrick's Mensa Mystica, or, A Trea­tise on the Lords Supper.
  • Jewish Hypocrisie, wherein is shewn both the false and true way to a Na­tions or Persons compleat happines, from the sickness and recovery of the Jewish State: unto which is added a Discourse upon Mic. 6 8. belonging to the same matter. By S. Patrick.

Small Octavo.

  • Lawrence's Christs power over bodily diseases.
  • Gearing on Gods Providence.
  • Mount of holy Meditation.
  • Habbingtons Observations on History.
  • Haughton's Rice, growth, and fall of Antichrist.
  • Eurialus and Lucretia—
  • Perkins Catechism.
  • Wards three Theological Graces.
  • Sydenham for Infant-Baptism.
  • Swaffield's Failings of the Saints.
  • Orders of Chancery.
  • [Page]Dornford's Gospel-light and life. Discovery of Sincerity.

Twelves Large and Small.

  • Academy of Complements.
  • Esop Greek.
    • Greek and Latine.
  • Greek Psalter.
  • Owens Epigrams.
  • Martials Epigrams.
  • Seneca's Tragedies with Farnaby.
  • Wollebius Compend.
  • Pierce's Calvinists Cabinet unlockt.
  • Skilfull Physician.
  • Harris three-fold State of man.
  • Barton's Psalms.
    • His Scripture-Hymns.
  • Biddle Dispossest, an Answer to his Catechise.
  • Spanish Inquisition.
  • Bradshaw of Justification.
  • Vine's Saints neernesse to God.
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