The Best Remedies for the Worst of Maladies, Receipt 4

The Best Remedies for the Worst of Maladies · Receipt 4

p. 165The Fourth Spiritual Receit.

4ly. The fourth ſpecial Receit and preſervative againſt this contagious diſeaſe, or which may be of excellent force and efficacy for the removal of it; is faithful and fervent Prayer. This is a tried receipt, an approved remedy; of which I may ſay, as David ſaid to Abimelech the Preiſt, concerning the Sword of Goliah, There is none like to it, 1 Sam. 21.9. A moſt incomparable weapon, if we have skill to uſe it.

Let us conſider a little then what Prayer is, as to the derivation and definition of it. I find that Prayer comes of a word in the Hebrew, which ſignifieth, p. 166Appeal; whereby we refer the Cauſe of our ſelves or others unto God, as unto the Supream Judge; calling upon him, appealing unto him for right, preſenting our ſelves and our cauſe unto him, as to one who hath power to determine Cauſes, and to whom appeals may be made. And if you would have a breif deſcription of it, it is the pouring out of the humble, penitent, beleiving ſoul before the Lord, 1 Sam: 1.15. Or as one very pithily defines it, It is Devotae animae cum Deo colloquium, that is, It is the talk or conference of the devout ſoul with God. For a man barely to ſpeak in the air, and his heart have no approaches unto God in it, this is no Prayer in Gods account. I cannot therefore let paſs, that excellent ſaying of Bernard, Cum oramus, cum Deo loquimur, cum legimus, Deus nobiſcum loquitur: Si vis cum Deo ſemper eſſe, ſemper ora, & ſemper lege; that is, When we pray, we ſpeak with God; when we read, God ſpeaketh with us: If thou wilt always be with God, then always pray, and always read. More plainly and fully: It is a work of the ſpirit of Chriſt in the beleiving ſoul, by which we deſire of God alone, things lawful and needful, with confidence to obtain them, through the alone mediation and interceſſion of Chriſt, to the praiſe and glory of his name.

So then, if thou wilt pray aright, and find acceptance with God therein; thou muſt pray to him, and to him alone; in the name, and through the alone mediation and interceſſion of Chriſt, by the powerful, and immediate help and aſſiſtance of his own ſpirit; and that beleivingly, from the heart, with underſtanding, and feeling of our p. 167wants, in fervency of ſpirit, forgivingly, reverently and perſeveringly: Without which ingredients, never think of putting up an acceptable Prayer unto God, with any confidence or aſſurance to be heard at the throne of grace.

I ſhall touch a little upon the particulars, for the help of ſuch poor ſouls, whoſe deſires are to grow into a more ſpiritual acquaintance with God.

Firſt then, If thou wilt pray aright, thou muſt pray to God, and to him only, and that in the name of Chriſt. God alone is to be invocated and prayed unto, not Saints, nor Angels. Chriſt in his prayer which he taught his Diſciples, would have us direct our Petitions unto God our Father which is in Heaven, Luk. 11.2. Mat. 6.9 And why to God alone?

1. Becauſe God onley is Omni preſent, every where preſent, in all places, and at all times. But this is inconſiſtent to any creature to be ubiquitary, or preſent in all places. But that God is ſo, ſee Jer. 23.23, 24. Am I a God at hand (ſaith the Lord) and not a God a far off? Can any hide himſelf in ſecret places, that I ſhall not ſee him, ſaith the Lord? Do not I fill heaven and earth, ſaith the Lord? ſee Pſal. 139.7, 8. God is not only the God of the hills, but of the valleys alſo, 1 King. 20.28.

2. Becauſe God as he is Omni-preſent, ſo he is Omniſcient; he knoweth all things; all the hearts of the Sons of men. So ſaid Solomon in the prayer he made at the Dedication of the Temple. For thou, even thou only knoweſt the hearts of all the children of men, 1 King. 8.39. So Jer. 17.9. I the Lord ſearch the heart, and try the reins. Neither is p. 168there any creature, that is not manifeſt in his ſight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him, with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.13. For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings, Prov. 5.21. Doth he not ſee my ways, and count all my ſteps, ſaith Job? Chap. 31.4. There is no darkneſs, nor ſhadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themſelves, Job 24.21, 22. So Pſal. 94.9, 10, 11. He that planted the ear, ſhall he not hear? he that formed the eye, ſhall he not ſee? he that teacheth man knowledge, ſhall not he know? the Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity.

3. God is ſtiled a God hearing prayers, Pſal. 65.2. and this David could ſpeak experimentally; Verily, God hath heard me: he hath attended to the voice of my prayer: bleſſed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me, Pſal. 66.19, 20.

4. As he is a God hearing prayer, ſo he is moſt able to help, Pſal, 52.2. I will cry unto God moſt high: unto God that performeth all things for me He ſhall ſend from heaven and ſave me, Eph. 3.20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us: Ʋnto him be glory in the Church by Chriſt Jeſus, throughout all ages world without end, Amen. So Aſa, when a mighty hoſt came againſt him, in his prayer, lays hold on Gods power and ability to help. Lord (ſaith he) it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us O Lord God, for we reſt on thee, and in thy name we go againſt this multitude, 2 Chron. 14.11. So Jehoſaphat, when a great multitude of the Moabites and p. 169Amonites came againſt him, he ſets himſelf to ſeek the Lord, as able and all-ſufficient to help him. And ſaid, O Lord God of our Fathers, art not thou God in heaven, and ruleſt not thou over all the kingdomes of the Heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, ſo that none is able to withſtand thee? O our God, wilt not thou judge them? for we have no might againſt this great company that cometh againſt us, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon the? 2 Chron. 20.6, 12.

5. Prayer is a Divine Worſhip and a Spiritual Sacrifice. God would have us to call upon him in the day of trouble, Pſal. 50.15. And if we ſhould be ſeeking help from any other, he will take it very ill at our hands. If we have forgotten the name of our God, or ſtretched out our hands to a ſtrange god (ſaith the Church) ſhall not God ſearch this out? for he knoweth the ſecrets of our hearts, Pſal. 44.20, 21. In every place Incenſe ſhall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering (ſaith the Lord.) Mal. 1.11. So Pſal. 141.2. Let my prayer be ſet forth before thee as incenſe: and the lifting up of mine hands as an evening ſacrifice. There was given to the Angel that ſtood at the Altar, having a golden cenſer, much incenſe, That he ſhould offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar, which was before the throne of God. And the ſmoke of the incenſe, which came with the prayers of the Saints, aſcended up before God, out of the Angels hand, Rev. 8.3, 4. By this Angel, we are to underſtand Chriſt our Mediator, called the Angel or Meſſenger of the Covenant, or the Angel of Gods preſence, Mal. 3.1. and Iſa. 63.9. who alone is the High Preiſt of Heaven, and offereth and preſenteth p. 170our prayars with the incenſe of his merits and interceſſion upon the golden Altar, that is, upon himſelf, unto God, for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour, as is teſtified, Rom. 8.34. Eph. 5.2. Heb. 14.14. See alſo Rev. 5:8.

6. In God onelyonly we ought to beleive, therefore he onelyonly is to be called upon. He that commeth to God muſt beleive that he is, &c. Heb. 11.6. The ſame Lord who is ever all, is rich unto all that call upon him. For whoſoever ſhall call upon the name of the Lord ſhall be ſaved, Rom. 10.12, 13. Again, we are to pray unto God in the name of Chriſt, which is not rudely and cuſtomarily to ſay theſe words, Through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, &c. but in confidence of the merits and interceſſion of Chriſt to call on God our heavenly Father: For ſince the fall of man none are called to come to God, or have promiſe to ſpeed, but in the name of a Mediator. I am the way, the truth and the life, ſaith Chriſt, no man commeth to the Father but by me, Joh. 14.6. And there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Tim. 2.15. John calls him the Advocate (he who pleads our cauſe) with the Father, 1 Joh. 2.1. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them, Heb. 7.25. In Chriſt alone we have acceſs to the throne of grace; Or as the Apoſtle expreſſeth it, Through him we hauehave an acceſs by one ſpirit unto the Father, Epheſ. 2.18. In whom we have boldneſs and acceſs with confidence by the faith of him, Eph. 3.12. And what ſaith Chriſt himſelf? Whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my name he will give it you, Joh. 16.23. So Col. 3.17. p. 171Whatſoever ye do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jeſus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by him. Angels or Saints departed do not, nor cannot preſent our prayers before God. Abraham is ignorant of us, Iſa. 63.16. Chriſt onelyonly is our Mediator and High Prieſt, who getteth an acceptatation of our prayers before God, Heb. 4.14. Rev. 8.3.

Again, We are to pray in the name of Chriſt through the ſpirit: Likewiſe the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it ſelf maketh interceſſion for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that ſearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, becauſe he maketh interceſſion for the Saints according to the will of God, Rom. 8.26, 27. But ye beloved, building up your ſelves in your moſt holy faith, praying in the Holy ghoſt, Jude ver. 20. Praying always with all prayer and ſupplication in the ſpirit, Epheſ. 6.18. No praying aright but in and by the Spirit; God is a Spirit, and they that worſhip him muſt worſhip him in ſpirit and in truth, Joh. 4.14. And prayer ſurely is a principal part of his ſpiritual worſhip. Is it not ſad then to conſider how carnal and formal worſhippers do deride and make a mock at the Spirit of God! O ſay they, you cannot pray, but by the ſpirit.

So for Faith, that alſo is a neceſſary ingredient in prayer. James ſpeaks of the prayer of faith that ſhall ſave the ſick, Jam 5.15. So alſo 1 Tim. 2.8. and Matth. 21.22. And all things whatſoever ye ſhall ask in prayer, beleiving ye ſhall receive; Now this faith will work to the purifying of the heart. For if we regard iniquity in our hearts, p. 172God will not hear us, Pſa. 66.18. We haveing therefore gracious promiſes from God that he will grant our requeſts, that he will be very gracious unto us at the voyce of our cry, Iſa. 30.19. That when we call he will anſwer, Iſa. 58.9. and deliver us out of all our afflictions, Pſal. 34.19. We muſt come unto God, beleiving his word, for that he is true and faithful; as Sarah, who received ſtrength to conceive ſeed, and was delivered of a child, when ſhe was paſt age; becauſe ſhe judged him faithful who had promiſed, Heb. 11.11. But if hope to ſpeed does not accompany our prayers they are vain. Let not the doubting and wavering man think that he ſhall receive any thing of the Lord, Jam. 1.6, 7. Yet know withal, that this hope ſometimes is very weak and feeble, and many times ſeems to be overwhelmed in the godly, Pſ. 13.1, 2.31.22. and 77.7, 8, 9.

Again, As it muſt be a prayer of Faith, ſo it muſt be from the heart, with fervency of ſpirit. Prayer is not a lip labour, nor a formal devotion; but it is the ſighs and groans of a broken and penitent heart. Hanna ſpake in her heart when her voyce was not heard, 1 Sam. 1.13. Moſes is ſaid to cry unto the Lord, when we find not one word that he uttered with his mouth, Exod. 14.15. Hence is the exhortation that we be fervent in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord, Rom. 12.11. And it is ſaid, that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, Jam. 5.16. As the things we beg are of more excellent uſe for us, ſo muſt we be more eager and importunate with the Lord for the obtaining of them. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voyce unto the Lord did I make my ſupplication. p. 173I poured out my complaint before him. I ſhewed before him my trouble, Pſal. 142.1, 2. This ſhewed the earneſtneſs and ferventneſs of his ſpirit in prayer. So Pſ. 80.1. Give ear, O ſhepherd of Iſrael, thou that dwelleſt between the cherubims, ſhine forth. Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manaſſeh, ſtir up thy ſtrength and come and ſave us: This ariſeth from the conſideration of the neceſſity and excellency of what we deſire, as alſo from a burning zeal of Gods glory, and hearty love of our brethren, in oppoſition to a ſpirit of hypocriſie, formality, ſluggiſhneſs and vain-babling; Thou ſhalt ariſe and have mercy upon Zion: For the time to favour her, yea, the ſet time is come. And what then? For Sions ſake I will not hold my peace, and for Jeruſalem ſake I will not reſt, until the righteouſneſs thereof go forth as brightneſs, and the ſalvation thereof as a lamp that burneth, Pſ. 102.13. com. with Iſa. 62.1.

Again, when we pray, we muſt pray with underſtanding, 1 Cor. 14.15. Blind devotion is no way pleaſing to God. The ſoul without knowledge is not good, Prov. 19.2. God will not be ſuperſtitiouſly and ignorantly worſhipped, Acts 17.22, 23. The blind and the lame was not to come into the houſe of God. If ye offer the blind for ſacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and ſick, is it not evil? Offer it unto thy Governour, will he be pleaſed with thee, or accept thy perſon? Mal. 1.8. God requires to be ſerved with the mind, Matth. 22.37. We muſt therefore know the will of God, as he hath revealed it unto us, by his commandments, promiſes, threatnings, the approved practices of the Saints, and that we muſt deſire and pray for, and onelyonly ſo as we know Gods word doth warrant p. 174us. This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1 Joh. 5.14. And whatſoever we ask we receive of him, becauſe we keep his commandments, and do thoſe things that are pleaſing in his ſight, 1 John 3.22. So ſaid the blind man that had his ſight reſtored to him again; Now we know that God heareth not ſinners, but if any man be a worſhipper of God and doth his will, him he heareth, Joh. 9.31.

Again, We muſt pray with a feeling of our wants. Chriſts invitation to come unto him, is to all that labour and are heavy laden, Matth. 11.28. In prayer we ſhould feel ſin as a burden, and mourn under the ſenſibility of our want of grace. So Ephraim bemoued himſelf, Jer. 31.18. And the Church, Iſa. 63.17. O Lord, why haſt thou made us to err from thy ways? and hardned our heart from thy fear? return for thy ſervants ſake, the Tribes of thine inheritance. So David being made very ſenſible of his great fall, after what manner is his ſpirit led forth in prayer? Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right ſpirit within me. Caſt me not away from thy preſence, and take not thy holy ſpirit from me. Reſtore unto me the joy of thy ſalvation, and uphold me with thy free ſpirit, Pſal. 51.10, 11, 12. Now this ariſeth from the conſideration of Gods judgements due to ſin, and of the neceſſity of ſaving grace. So Ezra; O my God I am aſhamed, and bluſh to lift up my face to thee, my God, for our iniquities are encreaſed over our heads, and our treſpaſs is grown up unto the heavens, Ez. 9.6. And the Apoſtles being ſenſible of the imbicility and weakneſs of their faith, pray unto the Lord for the increaſe of it. And for this thing, ſaid Paul, I beſought the p. 175Lord thrice that it might depart from me. So ſenſible was he of the thorn in the fleſh, the meſſenger of Satan that buffeted him, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8.

Again, our Prayer muſt be accompanied with a ſpirit of love and forgiveneſs, Mark 11.25. And when ye ſtand praying, forgive, if ye have ought againſt any man, that your Father alſo which is in Heaven, may forgive you your treſpaſſes: For if ye forgive men their treſpaſſes, your heavenly Father will alſo forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their treſpaſſes, neither will your father forgive your treſpaſſes, Mat. 6.14, 15. And as we muſt forgive our enemies, and ſuch as have offended us, ſo muſt we bear a hearty affection to the Children of God, Epheſ. 4.32. and Colloſ. 3.12, 13.

Again, our Prayer muſt be accompanied with fear and reverence, in reſpect of the purity and Majeſty of that preſence we come into. So ſaith Solomon, Be not raſh with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be haſty to utter any thing before God; for God is in Heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few, Eccleſ. 5.2. And we are to ſerve God acceptably with reverence, and godly fear, Heb. 12.28. Surely, did we ſeriouſly conſider Gods moſt excellent Majeſty, we ſhould not raſhly conceive, or utter any thing before him, but with reverence. So Abraham, Behold ſaid he, I have now taken upon me to ſpeak unto the Lord, which am but duſt and aſhes, Gen. 18.27. This reverential fear, is an unfeigned abaſement of the mind, proceeding from a conſideration of Gods divine Majeſty, and our own indignity. So the Prodigal, Father I have ſinned againſt Heaven, p. 176and in thy ſight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son, Luk. 15.21. So Jacob, I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant, Gen. 32.10. Job abhorred himſelf, and repented in duſt and aſhes, Job 42.6. The Prophet Iſaiah cries out he is undone, woe unto him, for his eyes had ſeen the King, the Lord of Hoſts, Iſa. 6.5. and Ezra alſo, he did bluſh and was aſhamed to lift up his face to God, for that their iniquities were encreaſed, and their treſpaſſe grown up unto the heavens, Ezra. 9.6.

Laſtly, our Prayer muſt be with perſeverance, without ceaſing, 1 Theſ. 5.17. The Parable concerning the importunate Widow, was to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint, Luk. 18.1. That is, that we ſhould be conſtant and earneſt in prayer, uſe all importunity with the Lord, and not to faint; this is that which will diſtinguiſh us from being Hypocrites, and falſe-hearted before the Lord; For what is the hope of the Hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his ſoul? will God hear his cry when trouble commeth upon him? Will he delight himſelf in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? No, he will not, Job 27.8, 9, 10. But the gracious ſoul loves to draw nigh to God, and takes delight always in his approaching to him.

Thus having ſpoken of the ſeveral ingredients that will make up an acceptable Prayer unto the Lord; I ſhall ſpeak a little as to the ſingular worth excellency, and efficacy of it; and the worth and excellency of it appears in this: Becauſe, it p. 177is a ſweet priviledge which Chriſt hath purchaſed of the Father for us, Epheſ. 2.18. It is through him that we have an acceſs unto the Father, ſo as to come with boldneſs unto the throne of his grace, Heb. 4.16. Hereby we do and may continually commune with the Lord after a familiar manner, and lay open our griefs into his boſome.

As David, Who am I O Lord God, and what is my houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? And is this the manner of man O Lord God? 2 Sam. 7.18. So again, From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher then I, for thou haſt been a ſhelter for me, and a ſtrong Tower from the enemy, Pſa. 61.2, 3. Hereby we teſtifie our dutiful affection to him, as the Prodigal to his Father, Luk. 15.18. And become helpers to others, Rom. 15.30. Phil. 1.19. Col. 4.12. 2 Theſ. 3.1. This adds ſtrength to our faith, and gives life to the graces of God that are in us. By it we obtain at the hand of God whatever good we ſtand in need of, Mat. 7.7. Iſa. 65.24. And do grow into a better acquaintance with God. As Abraham, Gen. 18.23, 27. For ſuch is the Promiſe, that if we draw nigh to God, he will draw nigh to us, Jam. 4.8. By it we fight manfully againſt our in bred unmortified corruptions, Epheſ. 6.18. By it Croſſes are prevented, removed, or ſanctified, yea, all things are ſanctified unto us, and we are ſo kept and preſerved, that we fall not into temptation, 1 Tim. 4.5. Mat. 26.41. Yea, often times we obtain much more good then we deſire or expect. Solomon begged onelyonly of the p. 178Lord, an underſtanding heart, and God gave him both riches, and honour, which he asked not, 1 King. 3.13. So able is the Lord to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, Epheſ. 3.20. So that of Prayer, we may ſay, it is a Key to open the door of Gods treaſure houſe, a preſent remedy for an oppreſſed mind, a giver of ſtrengh to the weak, and an eſpecial means to make a man fit to live knowingly, fruitfully, and ſerviceably to God in every ſtate and condition, Col. 1.9, 10. What ſhall I ſay of it? but as one ſaith well and truly; It is, Conſolatio flentium, cura dolentium, & ſanitas aegrotoraem. A Comfort for them that mourn, the joy of the ſorrowful, and health for thoſe that … force and efficacy what will … hath it not done? It goes through the … and ceaſeth not until it come unto the Lord; and if entreaties will not do, it will (with reverence be it ſpoken) lay commands upon him, Iſa. 45.11. Yea, it doth as it were, bind up the hands of the Lord, and hinder him from executing his judgements, overcoming him that overcometh all things, Let me alone, ſaith the Lord to Moſes, or ſuffer me that my wrath may wax hot againſt them, (to wit) the Iſraelites, that I may conſume them, Exod. 32.10. Abrahams prayer had ſaved Sodom from being deſtroyed, had there been found ten righteous perſons therein, Gen. 18. Yea, it is very obſervable, that the Lord did not leave granting, till Abraham left off petitioning. By prayer Jacob was delivered from the wrath and fury of his Brother Eſau, Gen. 32.11. Jonah out of the Fiſhes belly, Jonah 2.10. The three p. 179Children from the fiery Furnace; Daniel from the Lions Den, Dan. 3.6. Jonahs, and Pauls Mariners from the danger of the Seas; and Joſeph, and Paul, and Silas, and Peter, and others out of Priſon, Act. 5.16. By Prayer Eliah ſtayed the Rain three years and ſix months, and again obtained Rain, ſo that the earth yeilded her fruit, James 5.17. By Prayer Eliſha had the ſpirit of Eliah doubled upon him, and procured Bears to deſtroy the mocking Children, 2 King. 2. raiſed from death to life the Shunamites Son, So Chap. 4. Had the eyes of his Servant opened, ſo that he ſaw Mountains full of Horſes, and Chariots of fire round about him, and ſmote the Syrians with blindneſs, which came to take him, Chap. 6. By Prayer Joſhua commanded the Sun to ſtand ſtill in the midſt of Heaven, until the people had avenged themſelves upon their enemies, Joſh. 10.12, 13. By Prayer Iſaiah brought back the Sun ten degrees in the Dial of Ahaz, 2 King. 20 11. By Prayer David fruſtrated the wicked counſel of Achitophel, and often put his enemies to flight, 2 Sam. 15.31. and 16.23. and Pſa. 56.9. by Prayer Hezekiah was delivered from the King of Aſſyria, and his health reſtored unto him again, Iſa. 37. and 2 King. 18. The Ninevites were delivered from the judgements threatned againſt them, Jonah 2. Peter raiſed Tabitha, and Paul Eutichus, that had fallen down by ſleeping, Act. 9.40. and 20.10. The Cent…rians Servant, the Cananites Daughter, and Lunatick perſons were healed; men blind received their ſight; the ſtammering and deaf were made to hear and ſpeak; Lepers p. 180were clenſed, and certain perſons being dead, were reſtored to life again. So much availeth Prayer with the Lord, if it be ſervent. But to bring it a little more cloſe as to the preſent viſitation of the Lord; See of what force and efficacy it hath been with the Lord to appeaſe his wrath, and ſtay the execution of his judgments. When the Children of Iſrael fell a murmuring, and had greatly provoked the Lord by their unbelief, inſomuch that, the Lord threatned to ſmite them with Peſtilence, and diſinherit them; Moſes falls a pleading and interceeding with the Lord for them. Pardon I beſeech thee, the iniquity of this people, according unto the greatneſs of thy mercy, and as thou haſt forgiven this people from Egypt, even until now. And the Lord ſaid, I have pardoned according to thy word, Numb. 14.12, 19, 20. So that only thoſe men who brought up the evil report upon the land, dyed by the Plague before the Lord, verſ. 37. So in the caſe of Korah Dathan and Abiram, when the Congregation of the Children of Iſrael murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron, ſaying, they killed the people of the Lord, This ſo greatly incenſed the Lord, that he bad them go up from the congregation, that he might conſume them in a moment; Hereupon the Text ſaies, they fell upon their faces, and Aaron according to the command of Moſes, takes his Cenſer and puts fire therein, from off the Alter, and put on Incenſe, and made an attonement for the people, for there was wrath gone out from the Lord, the Plague was begun. And Aaron ſtood between the dead and the living, and the Plague was ſtaid, Numb. 16, 45, 46, 47. This ſheweth how p. 181greatly the Prayers and actions of Gods Servants do prevail with him, when they are faithful, fervent, and according to his will, Jam. 5.16. 1 John 5.14. and foreſhewed alſo the power and efficacy of Chriſts meditation for poor ſinners, who is repreſented by the Angels ſtanding at the Altar, having a golden Cenſer, and much Incenſe given unto him, to offer it with the prayers of all Saints, Rev. 8.3.

For God heareth him always, John 11.40. And he it is that makes interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors, Iſa. 53.12. and is the attonement or propitiation for our ſins, 1 John 2.1. and for his ſake God before whom the Peſtilence goeth, in wrath remembreth mercy, Hab. 3.2, 5. And as the blood of the Paſchal Lamb (figuring the blood of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 5.7.) ſtayed the Angel which deſtroyed the Egyptians from touching the Iſraelites, Exod. 12.23. Heb. 11.28. So the ſmoke of Aarons incenſe (figuring the meditation of Chriſt, Pſa. 141.2. Rev. 8.4. Stayed the Plague here from the Iſraelites which ſurvived. That as it is written of the Peſtilence in Davids time, The Lord repented him of the evil, and ſaid to the Angel that deſtroyed the people; It is enough, ſtay now thy hand, 2 Sam. 24.16. So in this verſe, the further efficacy and effect of faithful fervent prayer, for the removal of this ſore viſitation of the Lord, is clearly held forth in that Prayer of Solomon at the Temples dedication; If there be in the Land Famine, if there be Peſtilence, whatſoever Plague, whatſoever Sickneſs there be, what Prayer and Supplication ſoever be made by any man, or by all thy people Iſrael, p. 182which ſhall know every man the plague of his own heart, and ſpread forth his hands towards this houſe. Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, &c. 1 King. 8.37, 38, 39. And the Lord gave approbation to this prayer of his, as you have heard. Thus you ſee in what way the Lord hath uſually been found for the diverting of his judgments, and in which he hath ingaged himſelf to hear, and to be entreated.

Shall we conſider a little then, what is the general ſpirit of the Nation at this time; now that the hand of God lies ſo heavy upon it. Is there any preparation now of meeting God, in this way of humble and faithful ſupplication? O England where are thy tears, where are thy ſtrong crys unto unto the Lord? Will not the King of Nineveh riſe up in judgment againſt thee, and condemn thee? He commanded that Man and Beaſt ſhould be covered with ſackcloth, and cry mightily unto God, and turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that was in their hand; and God was entreated, and turned away from his fierce anger, that they periſhed not.

What thinkeſt thou, O England, of thy ſins? Have they not been crying ſins? May not the Lord ſpeak unto thee, and ſay, as unto Cain; Who ſlew his Brother, what haſt thou done? The voice of thy Brothers blood cryeth unto me from the ground, Gen. 4.10. Or as James in his time, to the rich ungodly men of that generation: Behold the hire of the Labourers, which have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cryeth, and the cries of them which have reaped, are entred into the ears of the Lord of Sabboth. Ye have lived in pleaſure p. 183on the earth, and been wanton: ye have nouriſhed your hearts as in a day of ſlaughter: Ye have condemned and killed the juſt, and be doth not reſiſt you, James 5.4, 5, 6.

May it not be ſaid of thy ſins, as is ſaid of the ſins of Babylon, That her ſins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembred her iniquities, Rev. 18.5. Surely thy ſins have been crying ſins, they have entred into the ears of the Lord, they have reached unto heaven: God hath heard thy hideous Oaths, thy new helliſh invented Oaths, thy horrid execrations and curſings, thy revilings and blaſpemings. But whom haſt thou reproached and blaſphemed? and againſt whom haſt thou exalted thy voice? and lifted up thine eyes on high? may it not be ſaid of thee, as of railing Rabſhekah; Even againſt the holy one of Iſrael? And if thy ſins have cryed ſo loud, mayſt thou not think that thy tears and crys for pardon ſhould found as loud in the ears of God?

But where are thy repentings and mournings? where are thy weepings and ſupplications? Surely, I tremble to think, what ſtill mine ears do hear and mine eyes ſee, how few of thoſe ſins are left, which cauſe the Land to mourn, and the Lord to have a controverſie with the inhabitants thereof. May it not be laid to thy charge, even now when thouſands are ſwept away by this deſtroying judgement, that when God calls to weeping and mourning, to faſting and praying; behold, joy and gladneſs, ſlaying oxen and killing ſheep, eating fleſh and drinking wine, playing and gaming, ranting and roaring, curſing and ſwearing, pride and voluptuous living? And what ſaid the Lord? Surely p. 184this iniquity ſhall not be purged from you, till ye dye, Iſa. 22.12, 13, 14. Nay, is it not moſt ſad and lamentable to conſider, as it is very credibly reported, that ſome under the hand of Gods viſitation, do dye ſwearing and curſing, in a moſt dreadful and deſperate manner.

Well then, conſider this ye that forget God, leſt he tear you in peices, and there be none to deliver, before the whole land be devoured by the fire of his jealouſie, and that he make a ſpeedy riddance of all ſuch as dwell in the land. But for you, who have received an anointing from the holy one, and are acquainted with the divine art of prayer, and holy conference and familiarity with God; be much in the exerciſe of this heavenly skill, be now improving to the utmoſt your intereſt in God; lift up your voice with ſtrength, ſtir up your ſelves and take hold of him. And if your conſciences tell you, you have fallen by your iniquities, even in the late Apoſtacy. Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord, ſay unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly. Say unto him, Aſhur ſhall not ſave us, we will not ride upon horſes, neither will we ſay any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods, Hoſea 14.1, 2, 3. Say unto him, O Lord, though our iniquities teſtifie againſt us, do thou it for thy names ſake, for our back-ſlidings are many, we have ſinned againſt thee. O the hope of Iſrael, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why ſhouldſt thou be as a ſtranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man, that turneth aſide to tarry for a night? Why ſhouldſt thou be as a man aſtoniſhed, as a mighty man that cannot ſave? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midſt of p. 185us, and we are called by thy name, leave us not, Jer. 14.7, 8, 9. Say, We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteouſneſs are as filthy raggs, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away; But yet, O Lord, thou art our Father: we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand. Be not wroth very ſore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, ſee we beſeech thee, we are thy people, Iſa. 64.6, 8, 9. Thine enemies roar in the midſt of the Congregation, they ſet up their enſigns for ſigns: They have eaſt fire into thy Sanctuary, they have defiled, by caſting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. They ſaid in their hearts, let us deſtroy them together: O God, how long ſhall the Adverſary reproach? ſhall the enemy blaſpheme thy name for ever? Why withdraweſt thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy boſome. Wilt thou refrain thy ſelf for theſe things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very ſore, Pſal. 74. And let the Preiſts, the Miniſters of the Lord weep between the Porch and the Altar, and let them ſay, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the heathen ſhould rule over them: wherefore ſhould they ſay among the people, Where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people, Joel 2.17, 18. Yea, let the Lords Watchmen, whom God hath ſet upon the Walls of Jeruſalem, never hold their peace day nor night; even thoſe who make mention of the Lord, and are the Lords remembrancers, let them not keep ſilence. And give him no reſt, till he eſtabliſh and make his Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 62.6, 7. Till the heavens drop down from above, and the skies p. 186pour down righteouſneſs, and the earth open, and bring forth ſalvation, and righteouſneſs ſpring up together, Iſa. 45.8. Till the Lord of Hoſts be exalted in judgement, and God that is holy be ſanctified in righteouſneſs, Iſa. 5.16. Thus much for the fourth ſoveraign Receipt.