¶ That the very best thing that Disciples of Christ, at taking leave one of ano­ther, can do one for another, is to turn their Cases into Prayers.

I shall endeavour by the Lords Help, to demonstrate this Doctrine from these three Considerations

1. That 'tis the best we can do, in that it is most highly Lawful, and always possible and practicable.

2 In that it is as Needful as Lawful.

3. In that it is the most powerful and suc­cessful of any thing that we can do.

First of all, It is most Lawful and Possi­ble. We have Precept, Promise and Example to convince us, that we may Lawfully as well as Possibly turn one anothers Cases into Pray­ers. I exhort saith Paul, by the Spirit, 1 Tim 2.1. that Intercessions be made for all men, [He intends not the Damned, nor such as have Sinned against the Holy Ghost:] All men that Christ Offers His Blood and Benefits unto, we ought to offer our Prayers for them; see verse 4, & 8. But especially, we may and must Pray, with and for the Brethren. Jam. [Page 12] 14, 16. Pray one for another. Although we are unworthy of liberty to make Petition for our selves, yet the Grace of God allows, yea injoyns us to put in requests for others also: Moses, and Samuel, and Daniel, may speak a good word for all Israel: & the Debt of Love to Jerusalem is to be discharged in the lawful and current Coin of Prayers. Psal. 122 6▪ Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, They shal [...] prosper that Love Her. If we are for Exam­ples; Look we to our Father Abraham, The first thoughts of Parting with his Son, are ful [...] of Prayer; Oh! that he may Live i [...] Th [...] Sight. Gen. 17.18. Isaac and Jacob part with Prayers. Gen 28.3, 4, 5. So Israel and His Sons. Gen. 43.14. God Almighty give you mercy. So Job and his Friends part friendly with Prayers and Sacrifices offered up at their Parting. Job 42 8, 9. And this was Paul [...] Custom. The Shore of Mile [...]um was Sancti [...]fyed [...] Knees and Tears, before the Shore [...] Tyre was; The Elders of Ephesu [...] being Witnesses; whom, at parting, as a choice part of his dear Charge, He Surrendred and Commended, unto the Tuition of Heaven ▪ Not expecting to see them or do for them, any more, upon the Earth. Acts 20.32, 36, 38. But Our Lord Jesus is an Example with [...]out Exception: And we have His Farewel [...] Prayer in the 17th. Chap. of John as well as [Page 13] His Farewell Sermon in the foregoing Chapters; Moreover, unto the Warranty of His own Pattern and Precept He hath graciously added the further Encouragements of His Promises, That He will even Pardon our Sins to us in answer to our Prayers one for another, 1 John 5.16. Yea, that if we joyn together in desi­ring and requesting of Him, any thing what­soever, that it shall be done for us by His Fa­ther which is in Heaven, Mat. 18.19, 20.

Thus we have proved, that this Way is highly warrantable; and very Possible and Practicable also; for Ab Esse ad Pos [...] valet consequentia, That that hath actually been done, is possible to be done; Coelius [lib. 20▪ cap. 25.] Relates, that when Themistocles, upon a severe demand of Moneys from the Inhabitants of Andrios, told them that he brought two Gods with him unto them, viz. Persuasion and Force: They replied, that they had two great Gods among themselves, that hindred them, to wit, Poverty, and Impossibility. But as to the case in hand, the Saints are delivered from them both. But 'tis the best we can do, for (1.) 'Tis All that we can do, many times (2) It may Always be done. 'Tis (1) Only, (2) Constantly Possible. True Christians, Disciples, do belong to Christ; Now had they not the Spirit of Christ, they were [...]one of His. Rom. 8.9. They have there­fore [Page 14] His Spirit, and He teacheth and helpeth them to Pray, Rom. 8 15, 26. And there is no Chosen Vessel but upon his Conversion, it may be said, Behold he prays. Acts 9.11. If Nathanael be an Israelite indeed, Christ hath seen him Kneeling under the Fig-tree. John 1.47, 48. And in Prayer Jacob gets the name of Israel. Gen. 32.28. This therefore they can do for their Brethren, they can Pray for them, to the LORD; and many times they can do nothing else for them; their Wit, Strength, Purse, can't reach to Help them. The swel­ling Ocean may swallow up, or Enemies s [...]k them, or Sickness make an end of them long before we can hear of it, or reach them Help with our other Talents: But now, so long as they do but keep within the compass of THIS World, let them go as far as ever they can, they can never get out of the reach of Prayer. Would we have frequent Intelligence of their Welfare, we may in a New and Living way, draw near to Him, that is always near to them, and have it: Hannah's Son Sa­muel was very Remote, when she had her first satisfactory Intelligence concerning him, after which her face was no more sad 1 Sam. 1.11, 17, 18. Nor was that the only case where­in Prayer hath condescended to become an Informer Many Holy m [...]n of God in later Times, and some of them in New-England [...]o, have obtained upon their Knees, happy [Page 15] Tidings from Remote Countries, and strange Assurances of things to come. They perceiv­ed well the Information, beholding no Infor­mer, but Prayer in Faith. King Edward the Sixth asking news concerning one, that he highly Respected, was told, that there was no hope of his Life; but he instantly replied, that he was well assured he would recover, for he had that morning begg'd his Life of God: and he recovered accordingly. Daniel indeed had swift Information from an Angel, but it was obtained by Prayer. Dan 9.21, 22. Are some of our dear Brethren Removing to a great and wide Distance from us, of many hundreds of miles; yet I do not see what should hinder, but that, if the fault be not our own, we and they may daily meet at the same Throne of Grace, and interchange some com­fortable Intelligence. Why should we not trust Faith in Prayer, when it hath been making Friends with Gods Name and Pro­mise for Information? [Luk 16.7, 8] What though the Holy SPIRIT do more rarely afford the strong Pleadings of Faith, & mighty Assurances of particular Audience, as to outward Specialties of Persons and Cases, (notwithstanding 'tis not Enthysiastical to say, that the LORD is not wont, powerfully to bear in such persuasions of Audience after strong Cries, where he means to deny the Re­quest,) [Page 16] yet could we not double the Cape of Good Hope, although they were beyond Hercu­les Pillars? And when the Wings of Faith & Prayer have mounted our Souls to the top of the Promontory of Sacred and Surest Prospect, I mean the Promise, without doubt, the Eye of Hope, will have a mighty advantage for the making of its most unashaming and most com­fortable Observations. Truly, if the means used, have a kindly operation, 'tis a promising sign, to a sick Patient. And if the Decree have joyned [...]e [...]vent Prayers and gracious Answers together, as the appointed means to the ap­pointed and desired End, woe be to that Un­belief, that shall put them asunder. I remem­ber, when (Attending on the Colledge) I had been absent long from my nearest Relations, That HONORABLE PERSON, (with whom I Sojourned divers years, & from whom I my self, [as well as others, alike devoted to, and in Education for the Service of the Sanct­uary] received much of the kindness of GOD; which the LORD of His Grace, reward with Everlasting Kindness;) He was pleased to ask me, whether my Friends at Home were in good Health or no? And when I answered, that I could not tell; he seemed to wonder at it, inqui [...]ing whether I had not, that morning been fervent in Prayers of Faith on their be­half: signifying further, that although other [Page 17] ways of Intelligence wer [...] shut up, yet some comfortable satisfaction concerning them, might be obtained in such a way; Oh! may we All now prove the Experiment by that Excel­lent man of Prayer, suggested seasonably unto One! We shall neither mistake the Paradox, nor miss of the Consolation: May our Spiri­tual Experience, be but the Interpreter. This is indeed considerable, but this is not All; For we may Save their Lives, and Assist their Glo­rious Design, by our Prayers on their behalf: Luther s [...]ake it by Experience, Est quaedam Praecum Omnipotentia: Nothing is too hard for the Prayer of Faith: Jobs Prayers were able to break the Ice, to clear the Passage for his three Friends: Job 4.2.1—8. Who can tell or think how much Good that man may do, for his Absent Friend, that is himself an honest Favourite with an Earthly Prince, and that is unweariedly improving all Opportuni­ties for his Friends advantage? Brethren! we also may help our Brethren, if we bestir our selves to take hold on God for them in this way of Prayer. And as often 'tis the only thing, so always, it is the most constant thing that we can do, one for another: If other help may seldom reach them, (yet by the Assist­ance of the Spirit of God) we may afford them the Help of Prayer every day, and often in a Day. Thus did Paul to the Saints in [Page 18] Rome. Rom. 1.9. God is my witness whom I Serve in the Gospel of His Son, with my very Spirit, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; And thus also to Philemon, Phil verse 4 I thank my GOD, ma­king mention of thee always in my prayers: And I verily believe that those Holy Persons found the benefit of Pauls Prayers every Day. Thus 'tis Best, because most Lawful and Possible.

Secondly: Because it is as Needful as Lawful, that Parting or Parted Disciples should turn their several Cases into Prayers. Such as stay at Home have Need to Pray for Them that go abroad: Yea, a nec [...]ssity lyeth on them; and Wo unto Them if they do it not: They cannot Prove the Sincerity of their Obedience to God, or Love to the Saints, or obtain any comfortable Token and Evidence of their own future Prosperity, that do not Pray for their Brethren who make a part of the Church; in Praying for whom, they Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Psal 122.6. And sup­pose, their Brethren should miscarry through the weakness or for the want of their Pray­ers, what horrible Guilt will unavoidably be incurred. And they need One anothers Prayers, in that, The Divine Order hath so Link't Men together, as that the one (under Heaven) must be beholden to (because, de­pendent [Page 19] on) the other, for Preservation: None but a Cain will make it a Question, Am I my Brothers Keeper? How often doth the Lord permit the Devil to execute the Curses of Witches on their Neighbours, although, blessed be GOD, Balaam cannot Curse, nor yet Satan Execute when and where they sometimes could rejoyce to do it. Micah 6 5. How often doth the Lord fulfill the Blessings of the Saints? They that are blessed of the Godly man, shall inhe­rit the Earth. Psal. 37.22. 'Tis Promised, that, One day, the Saints shall be inthroned as Co [...]ss [...]ssors with the Lord Jesus Christ, to Judge the World; And verily He seems loath to do any great thing without their Sufferage now: They Bless and then He Blesseth. Jobs Friends must be beholding to Jobs Prayers for their acceptance with the Lord, as hath been said. And Abimeleck to Abraham's, Gen. 20.7. [He shall Pray for thee, and thou shalt Live] And Peter to the Churches Pray­ers Acts 12 5, 12. And Paul to Philemon's Prayers, Philem. v.22. And to the Prayers of Others.

And the Benedictory Options of such Saints as stand near the Gate of Heaven, have been allowed by the Lord, to have a more peculiar hand in the Distribution of Divine Benefits. As Elijah's to Elisha 2 King. 2 9. Elisha's to King Joash; 2 King. 13.17. So Isaac's to [Page 20] Jacob of Old; Gen. 28.1, 3. Jacobs to His Sons, Gen. 49.1. And Moses's to Israel Deut. 33.1. Yet Our own Single Prayers for our selves, have not so great and extensive an Effi­cacy as the Prayers of Many others for us may have, in which more Grace is Exercised, by more Subjects, the Lord being also more Glorifyed when after the Prayers, He receives the Praises, nor of One but of Many Saints, for the Mercys which He hath bestowed.

But more particularly to accommodate this Article to the Case of our now Parting B [...]ethren. It will evidently appear that Our jo [...]t Prayers are Needfull for them, if we duly weigh these following Considerations. As Namely:

[1.] Our Prayers are Needfull to them, in regard of Those by Whom they are sent forth upon the Work of the Lord, and Wh [...]m they are departing from: They are of Us. We and They are of One People of God; They and we are likely to stand and fall to­gether. Now, One Achan may trouble all Israel. A man not long since in a Neigh­bouring Colony had one Leg cut off: and when, in another Room▪ the Chirurgeons slashed the Leg that was cut off, to make a more perfect discovery, The poor man felt the Pains of the Gashes, and Roared dreadfully [Page 21] for Anguish, until they left off: Even so, if it should fare ill with them, we should Cry out, and if we should Desert them and Sin in Ceasing to Pray for them, they would feel it bitterly. Brethren! Our Sins, are their Danger, and our Holy Devotion, may concur and conduce, not a little to their Safety and Prosperity. It may fare with the Hoste Abroad, even as the People that send them do demean themselves at Home: Hence the Lord gives a strict Caution, Deut. 23.9. When thine Host goeth forth—then keep thee from every Wicked thing. Some Parents have had so strange a Sympathy with their Children, many Scores yea Hundreds of Miles▪ distant from them; and some Veruous Wives, with their Husbands; as that no considerable danger or distress hath happ'ned to their Husbands or Children, but they have been distressed and in Agonys themselves, with a strange fear on their Spirits, concerning their Relations, that were in distress at the same Moments of Time. Some such Instances are recorded in faithful History, and more are ready at hand to be produced. Even so our Prayerlessness, as it will Indanger our selves and State, so we may fear, they, that may be Abroad, may Feel it and Rue it.

They therefore have no small Need, that we duly seek the Lord on their behal [...]. There [Page 22] were some of whom the Apostle John Writes 1 Joh. 2.19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: But of these our Beloved Brethren, it will rather be spoken, They were of us and went, as they were sent forth by us▪ 2 Cor. 8 23 All Extraordinary Calling unto the Service of the Kingdom of Christ, was not so immediately from God, as ever, to exclude th [...] Ministry of Man; as appears in the History o [...] the Calling of E [...]izeus and Matthias. Wickliff [...] Luther, Zwinglius, and other Reformers an [...] Restorers of the Church, were neither Prophets▪ Apostles, nor Evangelists, to speak properly but having received singular Gifts from God such as the Lord saw His Church stood in need of, and living in the time when all good Order was disturbed and so being Necessi [...]tated and Spirited, to act some things besid [...] and beyond the Common Order; their Action and Successes somewhat, though but a littl [...] resembling what was performed by Prophet [...] and Apostles of old; therefore we find them by some Godly Writers Metonimically called Extraordinary and Apostolical Ministers o [...] the Church of God: Truly they had some Uncommon Seals set unto their Ministry, bu [...] neither were Miracles necessary to attend Thei [...] Ministry, nor yet the Ministry of all such o [...] old as had a Proper Extraordinary Calling, a [...] the Examples of many Old Testament Prophets [Page 23] and of John the Baptist do shew. And al­though the Church Militant, is now without the Apostles Cares to spread and Propagate the Gospel, all over the World; Yet it is not the will of Christ, that that Work should fall to the Ground: But as there is an Ordi­nary Ministry, which hath its whole Direction from the will of God revealed in the Scrip­tures, and from those Media which God hath appointed in His Church, one deriving Power of administring Divine things alone immedi­ [...]tely from God, though their Call is by man, from [...]he Lord, who also (not without good Education by men for the most part) hath qualify'd and fitted them for their Calling: I say, as [...]here is such a Ministry for the building up of [...]he Church Catholick in the several similary Visible particular Parts of it, viz. Particular Congregational Churches, so there is an Incum­ [...]ency of Duty on this Ministry and these [...]hurches to expend and bestow both Pray­ [...]rs and Pains for the stretching forth the Curtains of their increa [...]ed Solomon, and the [...]athering of others, [...]ven of Strangers, into the [...]heep fold of Jesus Christ, and Settlement of Gospel Order and Ordinances among them. It was meet that first the Law should go forth of [...]ion, and the Word of the Lord from Jeru­ [...]lem, by the Ministry of the Apostles; but [...]fterward the Gentiles must Call one another, [Page 24] and spread it from Nation to Nation; Isai. 2.1 — 5. and from Neighbourhood to Neigh­bourhood. As Leaven is first laid in, and then it diffuseth, and spreads it self gradually▪ Mat. 13.33. And as from one grain of Mustard-seed, a whole Field of it is propaga­ted at length: So 'tis as to the Glorious City of God; time was, when it had but one House in it, but Zerubbabel holds the Plummet till it b [...] fully Built to the very Suburbs: The World is carried on by Him that gives Gifts unto men, and Pastors and Teachers to build up the Body of Christ, till we all come, &c. Eph. 4 10— 13. And the Word is to be committed to faithful men, who are to transmit it further, [...] Tim. 2.2. Thus, the Temple is often built even in Troublous Times; Dan. 9 25. and i [...] the Church begin to neglect to disperse the Gos [...]pel abroad, in comes Persecution, & disperseth the Church, to the wonderful Increase of Be­lievers in the World. Acts 8.4, 5, 6. [...] Candle may serve to light up many more▪ and One Church may lend materials to the fur [...]nishing of Another. Cant. 8.8, 9, 10. Th [...] Candlestick that holds the Candle must no [...] Monopolize its light and influence: Our Le [...]banon is not for our selves only, but to enclos [...] others with Doors of Cedar. Our Mines & Treasures must stand open to our Solomon t [...] Build more Palaces of Silver with. Th [...] [Page 25] Church that is already Organized, is with Christ, of Common Council, Care and Endea­vour, for the Communication of what may tend to the New Up-springing & Maturity of Sister Churches. Yea every Believer hath some degree of a Catholick Spirit in him, wishing that all the World, and striving to the utmost of his Influence, that all that are near him, may become altogether such as he is [ex­cept his Bonds,] Acts 26 29.

And, as for New-England, Let our ancient Charter speak, what our Fathers Professed Intention a [...]d Design was in coming hither, Ʋiz Not only purely and peaceably to Enjoy, but also generously and charitably to Spread and Propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to direct the blind Pagans in the way to blessedness for ever. Some that have seen our first Times, can Remember, how much the Indian Work was then in the Hea [...]ts and Prayers of the Saints, and how it Flourished, and how many of those American Converts have had a Triumphant Passage into Glory; but since that Work is grown out of our Hearts and Prayers, 'tis dolefull to observe what dark and deadly Symptoms, in most places, do appear upon the face thereof. When Gods Times to favour a People are come: His Saints do greatly pitty their Stones and Dust, Psal. 102, 13, 14. But when the Lords [Page 26] Remembrancers hold their peace, The Lord Himself also holds His Hand, as if He had for­gotten His Work; for, His stated Order, He will observe, and stands upon His Honour and Glory, of being sought unto by the House of Israel to do it for them, Ezek. 36.37. The Lord recover and revive that work, and our Prayers for it, for His Holy Name sake. Amen. But to proceed, were not our Fathers a Ge­neration of Witnesses and Confessors of the Lord Jesus Christ? Did not God the Father of Christ, put His Son into Possession of these Ends of the Earth, by livery and seizin, when He cast out many of the Heathen, and planted His Peo­ple here, in their stead? And were not these Churches of Christ Jesus to be Pillars for the Truth, 1 Tim. 2.15? When Israel Apostatiz­ed to Idolatry, many of Asher, forsook their Inheritances, and came and dwelt in Judah for Religions sake, and when Prophecy was restored to Israel, behold a Prophetess of the D [...]ughters of Phanuel of that Tribe: Luk. 2.36. And are the Days near for the Illumination of the Dark Parts of the World? May we not humbly Hope, that New-England (though Sinful) shall have an hand therein? What if the Lord will have His Word go forth along into this America, from His Jerusalem here? and that too, whilest our Sins and His Judgments are upon us, that so no flesh may [Page 27] glory in His sight? And if the Lord have de­signed these Churches unto such work▪ Suppose, we should be [...]l [...]ck & negligent herein, Quere, whether God may not find out ways to scatter and disperse us abroad, and compel us to At­tend it? Acts 8.4, 6

And I will add this further, Hath the Lord made the Offers of the Gospel by the Ministers of these Churches, Acceptable unto any Consi­derable Places [sometimes deeply prejudiced a­gainst us and our way of Worshipping the Lord, by occasion of Auncient Severities] and opened a Door unto us, to shew them the Kindness of God, for their Everlasting Good? And hath the Lord In­clined some other Places more remote, to send hither for Spiritual Help, rather than to other Lands? And hath the Lord Inclined the Hearts of sundry of our Dear Brethren, both Ministers and other Christians, to accept of Missi [...]n unto such Service; and are they now going [...]orth, [One of them having been lately Separated to the Pastoral Office, over a Little Church, with Fasting and Prayer, by the Reve­rend E [...]ders and Messengers of divers of our Churches] And shall we not Kneel for them before the Lord? What we All owe to God and to His Kingdom, we have Sepa­rated them to discharge it for us, and they are New Englands Offering to the LORD JE­SƲS [Page 28] CHRIST, for the Service of His King­dom: and how shall we Sanctifie them other­wise, than by Prayer? 1 Tim. 4 5. And are we not more peculiarly obliged to be much in fervent Supplications for them, than the Churches of God in other Countries are, since they are peculiarly Ours, and our Offering to the LORD? Do we not yet know that we stand but in ill Terms with the Lord our God, and that an Offering will not be easily Accepted from declined and pro­voking New-England? And have we not the greater need to use what humble Importunity we can? Paul desires the Brethren to pray for Him, that his Charitable Offerings and Services might be accepted of the Saints; Rom. 15 31. But verily we have need also to pray hard, that our poor Oblations may be ac­cepted of the Lord: For if our hearts be not much in, and our Prayers with our Gratula­tory Sacrifice to the Lord, how can we ex­pect, that he should regard it at all? Qui frigide orat, docet negare. Our dear Brethren, now going forth from us, have a greater depen­dance (under Christ) upon our poor Pray­ers for them, than we can easily apprehend, for, if we desert them, considering their relati­on to us, they may fear, that the Lord will also; But His Ways and His Thoughts are high above ours, as the Heavens are above [Page 29] the Earth, which is, through Christ Jesus, our only hope and stay, when we see the Glory of His Paternal Holiness and Severity, and our own Vileness. Well, I will be humbly bold to say, that a Price is this day put into our Hands, may we have Hearts to improve it. 'Tis too sadly evident, to be conceal'd or dissemb [...]d, that we have lost much of our wonted frequency and ancient intimacy with the Lord, and that a lamentable estrangedness of Spirit is grown between the Lord and New England; Now, as wise Courti­ers when under a Cloud, seek, and make much of some Ingratiating Errand into the presence of their Prince, especially some matter of migh­ty Consequence to the Realm and State; So were we wise Christians, we should prize highly any good Errand, into the Presence of the Lord, especially such an Important Errand as this, wherein the Great Affairs of His King­dom and Glory and o [...] the Souls of men are con­cerned. May we obtain such Grace, that the Lord may see our hearts once purely and throughly concerned, and warmly engaged a­b [...]u [...] such things as are chiefly in the Lords Eye and Heart; as [...]hereby, Religion may begin to be Revived within us, so a fair way will be pa [...]ed for us, by His Infinite Grace, for our Returning into His Favour and Ac­quaintance again. Our Brethren then, that [Page 30] have so earnestly desired our Prayers this Day, might use the words of the Apostle in another case, and say, We ask Your Prayers, not only, or not so much, that we desire and need the Gift, and the Help thereof, but, that FRUIT may abound unto YOUR ac­count, bo [...]h now, and in the day of Christ. Your Applications to the Throne of Grace for us, shall further Your Own We come at that Throne, as well as Ours; and moreover, whatsoever we shall obtain and prevail to do, by the force of your Prayers (next under CHRIST) and by the force of New Englands Prayers 'twill be accepted as if New-England and you had done it your selves.

[2] As our Prayers are needful for them in Regard of Our selves that send them, so also [...] Regard of Themselves that are sent; The Places they are sent unto, The Work they are sent upon, and the great dependance that will be upon their Success therein.

As for some of the Plantations which they are sent unto, is not their Mode of Settlement an high Provocation to the Lord? Who can justify their laying out of, and s [...]parate Settling upon such large, Scattered, distant Plantations, and Farms, as Bid Defiance unto Civil Cohabitation in convenient Vicinity, and so not only to Religion and the Worship of God, not so to [Page 31] be attended and maintained, but even to Civility it self? And who then can much wonder if many of the Rising Generation should grow Atheistical, Ignorant, Erroneous, Profane, Profligate, and Abominable, having no such Publick Spiritual Means to restrain them from Vice, and to have promoted their Conversion, as in other Places is Enjoyed? Is not World­liness a Reigning Sin among them? Now the Friendship of the World is Enmity to God; and he that Loveth the World, the Love of the Father is not in him, 1 Joh. 2.15. And how many are grown Old in a custom of Sinning? and can they change? Can they learn to do well, who are accustomed to do evil? And how inveterate have some been in their Prejudices against even Godliness it self, because of the Vices of some, that have made a Profession thereof! As if Christ and His Family were to be abhorred because there was one Horrible Judas there. Such Great Sins will not be Pardoned, without Great Suit at the Throne of Grace. One, that was meditating in the Field in one of those Places, was much surprised and affected, when he suddenly met with a great Parcel of milk white Dry Bones, an Embleme of the Dead Souls that Ezekiel was Commanded to Prophecy over, that they might live. Verily their Spiritual Resurrection will not be obtained without Prayer. The [Page 32] Lord will be sought to for the Life of such [...]ouls, Ezek. 36.26, 37. Yet at the Faith and Prayer of others for them, God can Par­don mighty Sins, Mat 9 2. And cast out Monstrous Devils and Lusts, that will not otherwise be ejected but by Fasting and Prayer, Mark 9.29. Oh! Can we endure to see the Destruction of so many English People, and not make an Out-cry of Prayer to the Lord on their behalf? [Esther 8.6.]

And now that the Gospel in the pure and powerful Dispensation of it, is advancing to them, and their Eternal State is put upon the Turning Point; What a Precipice of Infan­dous Ruine stand they upon; and how shall they escape if they neglect so great Salvation? and when the Lord once puts them thus upon the Wheel, (and God knows whether as to many of them, it may not be the last proba­tion time, that ever they shall have) our hearts should tremble for them, least that they be M [...]rred in the hands of the Potter: and now that they are Brought to the Birth, why should Precious Immortal Souls perish, in any part, for want of the Sacred Midwifery of Prayer▪ Do not some Fields among them promise well, and seem white already for the Harvest; But then also our Duty remains upon us, Luk. 10.2. To Pray to the Lord of the Harvest, &c.

[Page 33]Dares any man presume to say or think, that he hath one spark of true Grace in his Heart, that can forbear to pray now?

Again, the weakness of these our Dear Bre­thren that are Sent doth bespeak our Prayers on their behalf. Though the Lord hath sig­nally preserved them from Spots, (Blessed be His Holy Name! yet Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Have they not been born and bred in the very depth of the Apo­stacies of these Churches? However, it is with them personally, yet doth not Publick Guilt involve them as well as others? As for Satan (whose Kingdom they are sent to de­stroy, in the Name of Christ) He will stand at theirs (as He did at Joshua's) Right-hand, to resist them: Not only with cursed Tempta­tions; but also with cruel Accusations; May He but see them Cloathed with filthy Raiment be­fore the Angel: Now, If the Lord mark Iniqui­ty, they cannot stand: And oh! how much Faith and Holiness do they and we want? The Babe wants of the Stature of Manhood, much more than He hath already atteined: So it is with the New Creature at first: Oh! How much is lacking in Faith, hope, love, zeal, purity; and what is wanting of Perfect­ion of Sanctification, is doubtless made up with Imperfection and Corruption: But they ought to be extraordinarily holy, abstaining, [Page 34] not from Evil only, but even from all appea­rance of Evil, that adventure upon such Ex­traordinary Service, and most strictly must they walk, that [...] and so many E [...]es upon them, that will judge of [...] Re­ligion, wholly by their Conversations? If Sa­tan should trip them (and he will be sure to do the utmost that he shall be permitted to­wards it) what a scandal would arise to Re­ligion, what an incurable ruine to that Work under their hands! Say then uprightly, Do not they stand in need of Prayers? Again, the D [...]vil bearing them such a cruel spite: Though there be an open Door, yet they must ex­pect many Adversaries: The many monstrous Militant Members of Satan Mystical will be rallyed up against them, if God restrain them not; and do not they need Prayers then, that must do well and h [...]ar ill, and must adventure all for Jesus Christ? and so more than Figh [...] with Beasts at Ephesus. Besides, they are young and inexperienced, and in that respect have this principally to comfort them: Judg. 7.2, 4. That It may be they are not to [...] many for God to work by Prayers o [...] Saints were most needful to the Apostles them­selves, much more unto These Our Brethren ▪ For,

1. Then, the Spirit was more plentifully poured out, but l [...]ss now.

[Page 35]2. They had Miracles to confirm their Of­fice and Doctrine, which are not ordinarily to be expected now▪ And

3. Souls are as sorely prejudiced, blinded, and hardened now, as ever in the Apostles Dayes: Do we indeed understand the Perils and Toils and Tryals that the Work will unavoi­dably expose them unto, that we do our part to ingage them in, and can we find in our hearts to leave them in the lu [...]ch now, and so sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for them? God forbid it should be so.

Thus we have seen that it is most needful. Consider we in the last place, that 'tis the most powerful and successful thing that we can do for our Brethren, to put in daily for them at the Throne of Mercy. When did the Lord say unto the Seed of Jacob, that they should seek his Face in vain! Are not fervent Suppli­ants such Favourites, as cannot possibly miscar­ry in their well grounded Suits for Grace? [...] Joh▪ 5 14, 15 If King David stood so much upon His Honour, that H [...] would not recal His banished (though his Heart was set upon it) until one of his most noble Peers, did supplicate Him for it: Well may the Lord do so too; But God is of one mind: Can Prayer turn Him? Verily His invariable mind and d [...]ree is, that His outward Works shall turn upon the Wheel of Prayer, Mat. 6.6. [Page 36] and that our hearts and desires within us shall bear the Counter part unto His Will and Designs without us, referring to what desira­ble good shall come to pass, and be wrought in the World. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, and teaches us to Pray, Rom. 8. The Lord therefore can no more be out of Love with Evangelical Prayer, than with His own Will and Work▪ And if the Spirit helps our infirmities, Our infirmities (no more than El [...]as his Passions) shall no [...] hinder the Success of our Prayers, any more than the acceptance of our Persons in Christ Jesus. 'Though we have Dross in our most golden Prayers, yet we have a curious and careful Refiner at the Altar of Incense into whose Golden Censer they must pass, before they pass unto the Father. We are Intercessours, but not of Mediation, we are Priests unto God, yet (saith Judicious Ames,) not so much as Subordinate to Christ in His Priestly Office He offers, He presents and pleads His own Blood and Merits in the holiest of all; w [...] stand without, and desire to receive His be [...]nefits; we open our Mouths wide (by H [...] Spirit) and stand in the capacity of Reciever [...] ▪ whereas He stands alone in the high Quality of a Mediatorial Procurer of Blessings. Bu [...] how is the Grace and Blessing in the Ne [...] Covenant most Free, when as it is not to [...] [Page 37] attained without much Pains in Prayer? Yet what can be more free and easy than to Ask and Receive? How can we take in much Mercy, if we don't open our Mouths wide? If we open them wide, what doth God gain by it? If He fills them, Is it not of Grace? What is this mite of Duty, and Acknowledg­ment, to the Millions Per Annum, that it is re­payed withal? And whence have we this poor mite also? Doth not the same bountiful Hand that bestows the consequent Blessings, Create and Assist the antecedent Prayers for them? Is not Gospel [...]Prayer a part of Salvation, and a good step into it, making way for further steps and degrees of Salvation. Gods Decrees are Absolute, His Gifts free and absolute, without the Scientia Media, & the moral conditionateing Terms on which the first Grace & all Salvation some say is to be had, and without the won­derful Merits of Condignity and Supererroga­tion or of Congruity and the other Paradoxes of the Jesuites. You will say then, wherein consists the Efficacy of Prayer? Since if we do but what is duty to do, what thanks do we deserve; and what Obligations in any wise can we lay the Lord under thereby? Yea in our best Prayers we c [...]me short of our Duty? I Answer, In that, the Grace and Exercise also of Prayer in the up grown, is given in Con­ [...]unction with other Mercys inseparably, for [Page 38] the Jewel of Salvation is set in the Gold-Ring of Prayer: He that calleth on the Name of the Lord shall be Saved: Hold fast the Ring and you secure the Jewel. In the bails and bundle of Life and Blessings; the Covering that all is bound up in, is Prayer. If you come not a [...] that to lay it open, you can come at no other particulars of the Invoice of Salvation. The Lord Jesus hath sent us the Treasures of His Goodness Lockt up in the Glorious Cabinet of the New Covenant and Promise, and in the Lock thereof is put the Key of Prayer; now God hath Ordained such an Order and Me­thod in the Application of the benefits, that we shall first take and use the Key and thereby come at further Mercys: and the Eternal Decree is so Absolute, that we can no more fail of the means set down in that decree, than we can fail of the end; and therefore they speak what is not meet to be spoken of God▪ that say, They and their Brethren shall do well enough, if it be so decreed, whether they Pray or no; as if God had certainly decreed the End without the Means. And they Blas­pheme the Lord Jesus Christ, who look to Prayer, more than unto Christ Himself; when as Prayer without Christ is worse than nothing. 'Tis CHRISTS NAME mainly and not our Prayers that hath Power wi [...]h God and with Christ Joh. 14 23. Whatever [Page 39] yee Ask in MY NAME, I will do it. Christians! If when you stand in need of Atonement, Pardon & other Blessings, you fly to your Pray­ers, but neglect Christ, His Blood and Inter­ [...]ssion, and free Promise of Grace to Sinners; God may break your Prayers to pieces and make them Nehush [...]ans, and you shall be so shut up, that you shall not be able to Pray, till you mend that Great Fault. But if you carry Christ and His Name, in the Vessel of your Prayers, you shall arrive at your de­sired Port in Safety. The Promises Assure us of the Prevalency of Prayer, and Innumerable Experiences of Saints are so many Seals to the Assurance. What frequency and fervency of Prayer was used by the Fathers of New-Eng­land, and Oh with what Glorious Successes! Time would fail to mention other Instances, faithfully Recorded by one of our Reverend [...]eers, in his precious Book, Intituled, The Pre­ [...]a [...]ency of Prayer, to which I refer you.

So much shall suffice for the Demonstra­tion of the DOCTRINE.