A Help to Holy Walking, Treatise · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Directions in Prayer.
THE next Duty I ſhall ſpeak unto is Prayer; which is not only Work, but Wages; not only a Duty, but a Priviledge. Now, Prayer is an Offering up our deſires unto God, in the Name of Chriſt, by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit, with Confeſſion of ſin, and thankful acknowledgment of God's Mercies received; Pſal. 92.8. John 18.23. Rom. 8.26. Pſal. 36.5,6. Dan. 9.4. Phil. 4.6. For the kinds of it you may take notice, there is Confeſſion, when we acknowledge our ſins to God: There is Petition, when we beg of God thoſe things neceſſary for Soul, or Body, for this Life, or that to come: There is Deprecation, when we beſeech God to turn away the evils felt, or feared; from our ſelves, or others: There is Interceſſion, when we pray for others alſo; and there is Thankſgiving, when we thankfully acknowledge the Mercies received. Now, Prayer is either publick in the Congregation, or private in the Family, or ſecret in the Cloſet: each of theſe ſhould have their time; each hath a Promiſe, and we may find Precepts for, and Example of them. That Prayer is a Duty, is acknowledged by moſt, and denyed by few, till of late Years, wherein ſome have argued themſelves above Ordinances; but the Scripture owns no ſuch thing, we have the Command of God for it, which is Authority ſufficient, and the only Rule to walk by: 'Tis a Divine Command that makes it Duty; read theſe following Scriptures, 1 Theſ. 5.17. Pray without ceaſing. Col. 4.2. Continue in Prayer, and watch in the ſame with thanksgiving. Rom. 12.12. Continue inſtant in prayer. Pſal. 59.15. Call upon me in the day of Trouble, &c. I might inſtance in many Promiſes made to it, and many threatnings to thoſe that neglect it, and ſhew you the Examples of the beſt of Saints; yea, of Chriſt himſelf, that ſpent whole nights in Prayer: All which ſufficiently prove that it is a Duty; and therefore let us ſet upon it with all alacrity: many are the encouragements unto this Duty; ſome from God, ſome from Prayer it ſelf, and ſome from our own Neceſſities: From God his Promiſes to hear and help, may encourage us, Pſal. 50.15. and many other places: his Attributes, this aſſures us he is able to help, and faithful in his Promiſes, and will do it. The Relation that is between God and a Believer gives him hopes; he is their Father, Chriſt their Elder Brother, their Head and Husband; yea, their Redeemer, and Interceſſor. The Experiences they have Recorded of all Ages: The Returns of Prayer, is no ſmall encouragement, which ſhews the Efficacy and Force of it, and how prevalent it hath been with God; and therefore one calls it the almoſt, if not altogether Omnipotent Grace of Prayer. I might give you a taſte of it thus. It hath changed the courſe of Nature; ſtopped the Sun in the Firmament, Joſh. 10.12. and brought it back ten degrees, 2 Kings 20.11. Quenched the Rage of the Fire, Dan. 3.27. Stopped the Mouths of Lyons, Dan. 6.22. Divided the Red Sea, that Iſrael paſſed through, Exod. 14.21. It hath prevailed over great Armies, and Potent Princes; as over Pharaoh, which it overwhelmed in the Sea, Exod. 14.21. Over Amalek, Exod. 17.12. Over Sennacherib, 2 Kings 19.32. It hath with-held Rain from the Earth, for a long time, and after procured it, James 5.17,18. It hath brought Angels from Heaven, for the help of man; thus to Daniel, Chap. 9.21. For Hezekiahs help, 2 Kings 19.35. where an Angel ſlew in one Night, in the Camp of Sennacherib, a hundred forty and five thouſand: And to Eliſha, 2 Kings 6.17. where the Mountain was full of Horſes and Chariots of Fire about Eliſha. It hath brought Fire from Heaven to conſume the Enemies, 2 Kin. 1.10.12. It hath procured Bears to devour thoſe Children that mocked the Prophet, 2 Kings 2.24. It is the way to caſt out Devils, Mat. 17.21. and to work ſtrange deliverances; as Jonah out of the Whales belly, Jonah 2.10. Peter out of Priſon, Acts 12.5, &c. By this the Widdows Oyl was increaſed, 2 King. 4.3. And Miracles might be wrought, Mark. 11.23. This is the way to recover the Sick, James 5.15. To divert Judgments felt, or feared; thus Moſes oft ſtood in the gap: This is the way to procure pardon of Sin, Luke 18.13. To avoid the Temptations of Satan, Mat. 26.41. To have deliverance out of Troubles, Pſal. 50.15. To procure the Spirit of God, Luke 12.13. To get Wiſdom, James 1.5. Who now would not ſet upon ſuch a Duty? Now, to perform this Duty well, take theſe Directions.
1. Direct. There are ſeveral Qualifications requiſite to every one that would rightly perform this Duty of Prayer, in an acceptable manner, without which a Bleſſing cannot be expected; for though Chriſt bids ask, and we ſhall have; ſeek, and we ſhall find; knock, and it ſhall be opened to us. Yet St. James tells us, we ask, and have not, becauſe we ask amiſs. It is neceſſary, in the firſt place, that thou be a Child of God, and have the work of Grace wrought upon thy Heart, or otherwiſe thou haſt no aſſurance of being heard: The blind man, John 9.31. could ſay, God heareth not Sinners. I know 'tis the Duty of others to pray; and the Apoſtle incourageth Simon Magus to the Duty, if, perhaps, the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven: But, till the Heart be brought over to God, we have no aſſurance that God will hear us: the Sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to God; till then, we cannot comfortably call God Father, nor come with boldneſs to the Throne of Grace; neither will Chriſt Mediate, or Intercede for us, while we remain his Enemies; neither will the Spirit of God aſſiſt us in the Duty, Rom. 8.15. It is in Chriſt, and through Faith, that we have boldneſs and acceſs with Confidence to God, Eph. 3 12. 'Tis neceſſary alſo, that we hate ſin, if we come to God; for he is a devouring Fire to his Enemies, and will not be reconciled to thoſe that are reconciled to Sin: How can we heartily pray againſt Sin, and for Holineſs, if we love Sin, and hate Holineſs? As all unconverted Sinners do. This is diſſembling with God, when the Heart is not with him; If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, ſaith David, God will not hear my Prayers, Pſal. 66.18. Yea, God, who is Holineſs it ſelf, requires Holineſs in all thoſe that draw near to him; and he being a Spirit, will be Worſhipped in Spirit and in Truth: Without Holineſs no man ſhall ever ſee God with Comfort, Heb. 12.14. Knowledge alſo is requiſite, for God cannot abide the Blind, and the Lame in Sacrifice; without this the mind cannot be good, nor the Service acceptable: without this a man knows not what to pray for, or what to pray againſt; what to ſeek, or what to ſhun; what is ſin, or what is Duty; what he wants, or what he hath; and what blind worſhip is he like to offer, he can never Pray as he ought. Self-denial alſo is neceſſary; he ſhould in all things ſubject his will to the will of God. A notable Example we have in Chriſt himſelf, whoſe Meat and Drink it was to do his Fathers Will. So when he had prayed that that bitter Cup might paſs from him; yet adds, not my Will, but thine be done: and thus he hath taught us to pray, Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Faith alſo is require…; for if thoſe ſhafts of Prayer, are not headed by Faith, they will never reach Heaven; this is the Condition required, whatſoever you ask believingly, you ſhall receive, and without Faith 'tis impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6. Nay, further, Patience is alſo required; we muſt wait for an Anſwer, not like thoſe ſhort-winded Bethulians, that ſet God a time, and will wait no longer: but refer all to his Will, who beſt knows his own time; yea, the beſt time, and fitteſt Seaſon. He ought alſo to be an Humble man; for God reſiſteth the Proud, and giveth Grace to the Humble: He that hath not low ſelf-denying thoughts of himſelf, God will have low thoughts of his Service; he fills the hungry with good things, but the Rich he ſends empty away. He muſt alſo beg for the power and aſſiſtance of the Spirit, Rom. 8.26. God knows the voice of his Spirit: Come not in thy own ſtrength. Thou muſt alſo be painful, and Laborious; not only pray for Mercies, but endeavour for them; a few faint wiſhes will not ſerve turn: Sin muſt be fought againſt, as well as pray'd againſt: endeavours muſt be uſed.
2. Direct. Before thou come to this Duty of Prayer, prepare thy Heart to meet the Lord thy God, in ſo ſolemn a Duty. Wert thou but to meet ſome Prince, or Noble Man, thou wouldſt make ſome Preparation; much more ſhouldſt thou when thou art to meet the great God, one that knows the Secrets of thy Heart, and thy Ends and Motives in the Duty. What buſineſs of Concernment is there, but needs ſome preparation? Much more, when the Soul is ſo deeply concerned in it. Examine therefore what Relation thou ſtandeſt in to God; whether he be a Friend, or an Enemy. Who can come with boldneſs to him, that hath offended him, and is not Reconciled? If thou haſt not a Mediator to Intercede for thee, and a Surety to undertake thy Debt, how dareſt thou approach to the Creditor, to whom thou oweſt ten thouſand Talents, and canſt not pay a Farthing? How dar'ſt approach this Conſuming Fire, that art but Chaff, and Stubble? And what hopes haſt of ſpeeding, if thou be not within the Covenant? The promiſe belongs not to thee. But when thou canſt find an Intereſt in God, and in the Covenant, and in Chriſt; canſt call God Father, yet ruſh not rudely into his Preſence, but ſtudy well what things he hath promiſed; for thoſe thou maiſt boldly ask: Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs, but his Word ſhall not paſs, till it be fulfilled. But if thou ask amiſs, that is, what he never promiſed, no wonder if thou receive it not; acquaint thy ſelf well with the Attributes of God; his Power, Goodneſs, Juſtice, and Truth, &c. This will be an Excellent Foundation for thy Faith. And when thou art come before him, ſet thy ſelf as in his Preſence, and let thy Heart be affected with awful Reverence of him, who is the Searcher of the Heart, and Tryer of the Reins. There's many that come to him in prayer, and little conſider with whom they have to do. Come alſo with a full purpoſe, and Reſolution, (or elſe never come) to leave, and forſake all thoſe ſins thou ſhalt confeſs; For if thou regard Iniquity in thy Heart, God will not hear thy Prayer, Pſal. 66.18. 'Tis a vain thing to think to get pardon for thoſe ſins thou wilt not leave; or a diſpenſation to Sin. Meditate before hand of the Number, Nature, and Quality of thy Sins: Of the Purity of God's Law, the Juſtice of God, his Threatnings againſt Sin, and Sinners, and the puniſhments he hath brought upon the World for ſin; the little Good that Sin hath done thee, and the great hurt, &c. Theſe Conſiderations may work in thee a loathing of ſin, when thou ſeeſt that it is the cauſe of all thy Miſeries, then wilt thou put up real deſires to have it Mortified; and till then thou wilt but dally with God. Study well before-hand what are thy wants, which thou wouldſt have ſupplyed by God. Let it be thy daily work, to think what Sin, and Corruption is ſtrong in thee, and what Grace is weak or wanting, and what thou wouldſt beg at God's hands; and have not thy Errand to ſeek, when thou ſhouldſt do it. Study well alſo what Mercies thou haſt received, and forget not to render to God the Tribute of Praiſe: Thankfulneſs for one Mercy, is a real Petition for another. Many, like the Lepers, will come in a Petition for Mercies they want, but few in Thankſgiving for Mercies received: Moſt men are like the Swine under the Tree, they eat the Crabs, or Acorns, but look not up from whence they come: And where as 'tis a Commanded Duty to Pray one for another, 'tis neceſſary that we ſympathize one with another. Mourn with thoſe that Mourn, and Rejoyce with them that Rejoyce: It was Nehemiah's practice (and he ſhould herein be our Preſident) when all went well with him in his own particular, the Afflictions of the Church could wring Tears from his Eyes, Nehem. 1.4. And if any jarr be between thee and another, be Reconciled, this is Chriſt's Counſel, Mat. 5.23. Mark 11.26. Come thus prepared, and there is great hopes of ſpeeding.
3. Direct. Wouldſt thou put up a prevailing Prayer? See that thou make it to God alone, and not to Saints, or Angels, or any Creature whatſoever. This is that Homage which he hath reſerved to himſelf, and that Honour that he will not give to another. Many are the Commands which are in Scripture for this Duty, Pſal. 50.15. Call upon me in the day of Trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou ſhalt Glorifie me. And Chriſt bids us go to our Father in Secret, and our Father which ſeeth in Secret will reward us openly, Mat. 6.6. This was the Refuge which the Godly run to in all their ſtreights: Hither Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob went, Gen. 18.27. & 28.3. & 32.11. Hither Moſes goes, when God threatned Iſrael, Exod. 39.11. Yea, Joſhua, Hannah, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Jehoſhaphat, Hezekiah, Peter, and Chriſt himſelf, and thus he taught us to do, Mat. 6.9. Our Father, which art in Heaven. Many are the Promiſes which are made to thoſe that go to God, in the Name of Chriſt; and many are the Experiences which Believers have had of the Return of Prayers made to God. But in the whole Book of God there is not one Precept for, or approved Example, of any one, that ſought either to Saint, or Angel; nor any Promiſe to any that do ſo, or any Experience that any have had any Return to their Prayer; no, nor encouragement to provoke us to believe that God approves it, but the contrary. There is nothing in Scripture to ground our Faith upon, and what is not of Faith, is Sin. We may find God himſelf ſtiled, A God, Hearing Prayers; A Title given to no Creature, in Heaven, or in Earth. God is Omniſcient, and knows all things; the very thoughts, and wiſhes, the ſighs and breathings, the longings, hungrings, and pantings of a broken Heart, are known to him; and he knows when Prayers proceed from unfeigned Lips; he is Hoker Lebh, Scutator Cordis; The Searcher of the Heart, Jer. 17.10. And 'tis a Priviledge, that no man on Earth can claim; neither have we any aſſurance, that Saints, or Angels in Heaven can do it. Again, he is every where preſent, at all times, and in all places (which the Angels themſelves are not, being finite Creatures) and therefore is always in a readineſs to help. We know he hears our Prayers, but have no aſſurance that the others do: He is Omnipotent, and able to help us; he is, El ſhaddai, God All-ſufficient, Gen. 17.1. Able to remove all rubs out of the way; but the Creature cannot help us, they are but the Ciſtern, he is the Fountain, they have no more than what he puts into them. Yea, all Religious Worſhip is due to him alone, whereof Prayer is a principal part, and cannot be given to another without offence. 'Tis from him that we receive every good and perfect gift, James 1.17. and therefore unto him we ſhould go to beg it, who keeps the diſpoſe of them in his own hands, and will be ſought unto before he part with them. God is the Object of our Faith, and ſhould be of our Prayers; for, How can we call upon him, upon whom we have not believed, Rom. 10.14. The very Heathen, by the Light of Nature, acknowledge this Priviledge; this Duty was due to God alone: they put up their Petitions, to thoſe they eſteemed gods, as the Mariners in Jonah's Ship, called every man upon his god, and adviſed Jonah to do ſo alſo, Jonah 1.5. And God himſelf threatens the Families that call not upon his Name, Jer. 10.25. And in their diſtreſs threatens to ſend them to the gods they ſerve. How much then are thoſe to blame that Pray to Saints, and Angels, as the Papiſts; or offer up Religious Worſhip to any other but to God alone, but till they can prove it a Duty by direct precept, or approved Example; till they can prove they are Omnipreſent, always at hand; Omniſcient, and know all things; Omnipotent, and can help us in all our ſtraits, which they will never do; lets us never leave the Fountain that is all this, and go to the Ciſtern that cannot help us.
4. Direct. If thou wouldſt ſpeed in Prayer, then go to God in the Name of Chriſt; if thou take him not along with thee, thou wilt not be welcom; if thou come not cloathed in thy Elder Brothers Garments, thou wilt return without the Bleſſing. We are by Nature Enemies to God, and he is a conſuming Fire to his Enemies, and Chriſt muſt be the Skreen, to keep us from burning; 'tis he alone that can Reconcile us to his Father: 'Tis he in whom he is well pleaſed, and through him he cannot be offended: He is the High-Prieſt, that Offers up the Prayers of his People, when he hath perfumed them with the Incenſe of his own Righteouſneſs, Rev. 8.3. 'Tis he that preſents their Prayers to God, and makes them acceptable, which otherwiſe would be abominable: He is the Altar, whereon a broken Heart muſt Offer up the Sacrifice of Prayer, and Praiſe. Now, when I ſpeak of going to God in the Name of Chriſt, I do not only mean uſing Chriſt's Name to God, or Concluding our Prayers with ſuch words, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen. Though this is Lawful, if ſerious, yet not ſufficient; we read of ſome, Mat. 7.22. that had Preached in his Name, and in his Name had caſt out Devils, and in his Name had done many wonderful works; and 'tis probable, they had prayed in his Name alſo, and yet he would not own them. But thoſe that come in his Name, muſt believe in him for Salvation; roul themſelves upon him, lay hold upon him by a Lively Faith, for their Lord and Saviour; for their Head, and Husband; for their Mediator, and Advocate; and give up themſelves wholly unto him: Take him upon his own terms, as he is offered in the Goſpel; to love him above all, and forſake all others for him; to obey him in all, though all the World be offended at it; to reſign up our ſelves, and all we have to be at his diſpoſe; to be willing to be any thing, do any thing, ſuffer any thing, he would have us; and ſo to come with Confidence to God, truſting in the Merits of Chriſt; believing that for his ſake we ſhall have our ſins pardoned, our wants ſupplyed, and our Souls ſaved. He is the only way to the Father, and without him we can have no Admittance; he opens the doors, and brings us into the Preſence-Chamber, Eph. 2.18. He is the only Mediator between God and Man, Heb. 9.14. 1 Tim. 2.5. Now, God never gave any ſuch Honour to the Saints, nor Angels, in the Scripture, though he denies them none that is their due. Many Promiſes we have, that whatſoever we ask in Chriſt's Name, ſhall be given us, John 14.13. But no promiſe in Scripture of prevailing in any other Name: Nay, the contrary; for if Noah, Daniel, and Job departed Saints, whom God dearly Loved, could not be heard for Son or Daughter, Ezek. 14.14, &c. What hopes can we have of others? Perhaps, the Papiſts will tell us, they do not pray to Saints, or Angels, that they ſhould help them, but only Mediate for them; but who made them Mediators? There is only one Mediator between God and Man, even the Lord Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Tim: 2.5. And there is no other qualified for the Office: 'Tis neceſſary that he muſt be both God, and Man; that is, to Mediate between God and Man, and that he be perfectly Righteous, which no Son of Adam, Chriſt excepted, ever was: All others have Oyl little enough, and none to ſpare. Neither doth the Scripture make mention of any other; nay, excludes all other: For Chriſt is called the only Mediator. None can make our imperfect prayers acceptable to God, but he; none can be preſent in all places, to receive all Petitions, but he. The Saints and Angels are but finite Creatures, and cannot be in all places at once; and what aſſurance can we have, when we pray that they are preſent, and hear all prayers, and underſtand all Languages: How can Peter, or the Virgin Mary, at the ſame time, be preſent at Rome, Venice, London, and ten thouſand places at once, if they are not Infinite? As we have no Precept in Scripture, to make theſe our Mediators; no more have we Examples of any that did, though there were many Saints then dead, Job 5.1. To which of the Saints wilt thou turn? 'Tis Chriſt alone that knows that meaning of the Spirit, in the hearts of the Faithful, Rom. 8.27. And in his Name we muſt go to God, if we would be heard.
5. Direct. If thou wouldſt put up prevalent Prayer at the Throne of Grace, look well to the matter of them; ask nothing of God but what thou haſt ſome ground to believe thou ſhalt receive from God. Every thing will no more bear a Prayer, than every ſtream will a Ship. Thou oughteſt not to pray for thoſe things which are againſt the Glory of God, the Edification, and good of the Church, and thy own, and others Salvation: They are rather Curſes, than Prayers, that are poured out by wicked men for the Extirpation of a Faithful Miniſtry, and the rooting out of the Godly, or the power of Godlineſs; and theſe will prevail for a Curſe upon the Head, and Heart of the Imprecator. Thou muſt not pray for a Commiſſion to break thy Sovereign's Laws; this will not be granted: Or, to do things contrary to his revealed, or for any thing evil in it ſelf; or that which is contrary to God's Nature to grant; or contrary to his Eternal decree. Thou muſt not pray for a diſpenſation to ſin, and for aſſiſtance in the Act of Sin; or to reconcile God and Mammon, or Chriſt and Belial; or for Salvation without Sanctification; or for Pardon of Sin, without Faith and Repentance. Neither oughteſt thou to pray for Trifles, and things of ſmall concernment; 'tis not fit for a Subject to go to his Prince, to beg a Point, or a Pin. Neither ſhouldeſt thou pray for that which thou wilt not endeavour to get: Many could wiſh for Heaven, that will not work for Heaven. But thou maiſt pray for all thoſe good things; for Soul, or Body; for this Life, or that to come; for thy ſelf, or others; which are neceſſary, which God hath Commanded thee to ask, or promiſed in his Word to give. Thou haſt a good Foundation for thy Faith, to ask what Divine Writ Warrants thee to ask, or promiſes ſhall be given. And thou muſt beg them as they are promiſed; what is abſolutely promiſed thou maiſt beg abſolutely: And what is conditionally promiſed, beg it if God ſee it good for thee: Ye ask, and have not, ſaith the Apoſtle, becauſe ye ask amiſs The Apoſtles are reproved, that would have asked Fire from Heaven, to burn up the unprofitable Samaritans, Luke 9.54. Every Petition ſhould be grounded upon the Word of God, and not upon Carnal Conceits: We ſhould ask what God thinks fit, and not what we our ſelves think fit: It was an unanſwerable Petition of the Mother of Zebedee's Children, that her Sons might ſit, one at Chriſt's Right Hand, and the other at his Left, in his Kingdom. If we ask any thing according to his Will, he will grant it us, 1 John 5.14. Where God Commands us to ask, and promiſes us to give; here is a double ground of aſſurance. Now, the good things we ſhould beg of God for our ſelves, or others, are either Spiritual; or Temporal: Thoſe which are Spiritual, are abſolutely neceſſary to Salvation, or they are not; thoſe that are, are theſe, or the like: The Spirit of God, Faith, Repentance, and the reſt of the Graces of God's Spirit; theſe we muſt beg abſolutely, becauſe they are not promiſed upon Condition: Others are not ſo neceſſary to the Being, but the well-being of a Chriſtian: As Peace of Conſcience, Aſſurance, Joy in the Holy Ghoſt, &c. And theſe, as they are not abſolutely promiſed, nor abſolutely neceſſary, ſhould be asked with ſubmiſſion to the Will of God, as he ſees it beſt for us. Temporal Bleſſings, as Meat, Drink, Cloaths, Health, Peace, Proſperity, &c. We muſt beg in ſubmiſſion to God's Will; as we have Chriſt for an Example, Not my Will, but thine be done. Every Prayer muſt be grounded upon Faith, when the promiſe is conditional, you ſhall have them, if they be good for you, you muſt pray, Lord give them, if they be good for me; and for the Circumſtances, we muſt not limit the Holy one of Iſrael, to time, place, manner, meaſure, or ſuch like: And in Deprecation of evils, Spiritual, or Temporal; obſerve alſo this Rule, that which hinders Salvation, pray abſolutely it may be removed; if not, ſubmit unto the Will of God: Theſe Rules obſerved, thou maiſt expect an Anſwer.
6. Direct. Wouldeſt thou put up a pleaſing, and prevailing Prayer unto God, then thou muſt regard the manner of it, as well as the matter. Every Prayer, good for the Matter, is not acceptable to God, becauſe 'tis exceeded in the manner of the performance. A wicked Man may put up a good Petition, when God regards it not. Balaam's wiſh was good, to dye the Death of the Righteous, and that his laſt end might be like his. Now, as it muſt proceed from a Right Fountain; a Heart purified by Faith: So every Petition muſt be pointed by Faith, or it will never pierce Heaven. Nay, 'tis not enough to have Faith in the Habit, but it muſt be in the Excrciſe alſo, and drawn out into the Act, without Faith we cannot pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6. No wonder then, if many mens prayers are rejected, for all men have not Faith. Now, Faith helps a man to a Foundation to build upon, the Promiſes, and Attributes of God; this keeps the Heart from wavering, and the Soul from fluctuating. It points us out to Chriſt, the Mediator, ſitting at the Right hand of God; which offers up our prayers, and brings us an Anſwer of peace. Now, though Faith be abſolutely neceſſary, yet 'tis not ſufficient; there muſt be Repentance alſo, and hatred of ſin: If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, God will not hear my Prayer, Pſal. 66.18. Non prodest medicam ſalum, dum ferrum in vulnere, let every Sin thou confeſſeſt, draw ſorrow from thy Heart; and, if poſſible, Tears from thine Eyes; ſuch prayers are likelieſt to prevail with that God that cannot behold Iniquity with approbation. So likewiſe Zeal, and fervency is a neceſſary Qualification; 'tis not every cold Petition will get Admittance at the Throne of Grace, or pierce the Ears of God; he hears not ſluggiſh prayers, this puts denials into his Mouth: Every one can deny a cold Suitor. Had the Woman of Samaria been of this Temper, ſhe had gone away without an Anſwer. We ſhould be fervent in Spirit, ſerving God, Rom. 12.11. 'Tis God's complaint, Hoſ. 7.14. They have not cryed unto me with their Heart. Prayer is a part of God's Worſhip, and a Curſe is threatned to them that do the Work of the Lord negligently. The buſineſs is of great Concernment, and therefore ſhould not be ſlightly performed. If a Man were to beg for his Life, how earneſt would he be? He would uſe all the Arguments he could, and beg heartily. Now, this is for thy Life, and the Life of thy Soul; if thou prevail, well and good; if not, thou art undone; Men, or Angels cannot help thee, thy Diſeaſes are ſo many, and thy wants ſo great. Theſe Zealous Prayers are ſometimes called, the renting of the heart, Joel 2.13. Sometimes wraſtling with God; and thus Jacob wraſtled, and prevailed: And in Scripture 'tis ſometimes expreſſed by the Motions of the Body; Hannah moved her Lips, Solomon ſpread abroad his Hands, the Publican beat his Breaſt, and Christ fell upon the Ground. Sometimes 'tis expreſt by deep Sighs, and Groans, which cannot be expreſt, Rom. 8.26. Sometimes by loud Crys, Pſal. 32.3. Sometimes by often repeating the ſame Words, as in Chriſt, Mat. 26.30. And ſometimes by bitter Tears, as in Peter, Mat. 26.75. Heb. 5.7. Who in the days of his fleſh, when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with ſtrong Crys and Tears, &c. Yet this is not enough, we muſt alſo watch and pray, or watch in prayer, 'tis Chriſt's own Command. Now, Watching is the proper Act of the Body, 'tis but Metaphorically Attributed to the Soul: Now, both are required; if the Body ſleep, the Soul cannot watch; and if the Soul ſnort in Security, Bodily Exereiſe profite… little. Watch that there be no ſin lying upon thy Conſcience, or Lived, or delighted in; that there be no paſſion predominant in the Soul, no Temptation of Satan entertained, no Worldly thoughts foiſted in to ſpoil thy Duty, no drouſineſs creeping upon thee; watch that thy Heart grow neither Cold nor Lazy, in the performance, or ſteal away from the Duty; that Pride, nor ſelf appear there; that no roving Imagination, vain thoughts, or needleſs tautologies appear there: But above all, take heed thou come not in thine own ſtrength, but by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God, perform the Duty which is given to this end, Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8.26. Jude 20. Praying in the Holy Ghoſt, this illuminates the heart, diſcovers what is ſin, and what is Duty; what a Man is, what he hath, and what he wants; what a God he hath to deal with, what he requires, and worketh in us, both the will, and the Deed.
7. Direct. If thou wouldeſt ſpeed well at the Throne of Grace, be ſure to demean thy ſelf well after the Duty; if thou miſcarry, then thou wilt loſe all thy Labour; think not that the Duty is over when thou art off thy Knees; no, there is good part behind: Call thy Heart to an Account, how it hath carried it ſelf in the Duty; if this were duly done, it durſt not wander, as it uſually doth, for fear of a check; and having found out it's carriage, be affected accordingly; if well, rejoyce, and bleſs God for it; it was he that kept it in Order: If ill, check it, and make it ſmart for it, and ſtir it up by ſome rouſing Conſiderations. Examine alſo what aſſiſtance thou haſt had from the Spirit of God, God promiſes the aſſiſtance of his Spirit, in the Inditing their prayers, and teaching them what to ask; if he have made good this promiſe, bleſs God for it, and be encouraged by it for the future; and expect the fulfilling thoſe deſires that the Spirit aſſiſted in the powring out: If thou haſt not met with this aſſiſtance, 'tis, doubtleſs, thy own fault; for God never breaks his promiſe, if we keep the Condition; ſearch out the fault, and amend for the future; ſet Faith on work for the return of thy prayers, for no doubt, if thou prayeſt according to God's Will, thou ſhalt receive the Mercy prayed for. Many deal by their prayers, as fooliſh Children by their Arrows; they ſhoot at Rovers, and mark not where they light: Moſt Men loſe their prayers, and heed not whether God hears them, or not; Anſwers them, or not; they make prayer the end of prayer; and reſt ſatisfied, if the work be done, without on Anſwer; they obſerve not where they light, or what comes of them. If thy Petition be Lawful, expect an Anſwer; if it come, be ſure that which is gotten by prayer, be worn with Thankſgiving; be not like the unthankful Lepers, go away, and let God hear no more of you. And when thou prayeſt againſt any ſin, be ſure to ſet Heart and Hand on work, to Mortifie that ſin. And when thou prayeſt for any Mercies, be ſure to Labour what thou canſt, in the uſe of means to attain that Mercy; 'tis a vain wiſh which is not ſeconded with endeavours: 'tis but a mocking of God, that will not be mocked; and a ridiculous thing to pray for that he will not endeavour for: As if a man ſhould pray to come to London, and will not ſet a ſtep that way. If thou prayeſt for Spiritual Bleſſings, uſe means to obtain them; and if for Temporal things, be diligent in the uſe of a Lawful Calling: 'tis the hand of the diligent that makes Rich. When thou prayeſt for thy Neighbour, be as willing to help him, to thy power, as to pray for him. Many men ſhew more Divinity in their Words, than Humanity in their Actions; one penny is more hardly got from them than thrice God help you. And when thou haſt put up thy Requeſts, then with patience wait for an Anſwer; as Hannah, when ſhe had poured out her Soul to God, ſhe depended upon him, and looked no more ſad, 1 Sam. 1.18. It may be, though God hath promiſed, and will perform; yet he will not give it at the firſt asking; he will make thee ſeek again, and wait alſo. When Peter was in Priſon, and the Church prayed for his deliverance, it was the laſt Night, before God granted their Petitions, Acts 12.5,6. But be it ſooner, or later, when the Mercy comes, give God his Tribute of praiſe; this he requires, Pſal. 50.15. And this was David's practice, Pſal. 116.2. And Chriſt chargeth this upon the Lepers, as their fault. If he deny thy Requeſt, ſeek out what is the cauſe, and, perhaps, thou maiſt find ſome ſin un-repented of, and then no wonder if God hear thee not; reſolve, with Saul, it ſhall dye, though it be thy Jonathan, 1 Sam. 4.37. Deſtroy that Achan that offends God, and troubles Iſrael. Or, perhaps, the Petition required is not ſutable; or thou failedſt either in the manner, or end: if ſo, be more wary the next time. If neither of theſe wait for an Anſwer, ſet upon the Duty with ſtronger reſolutions, if prayer be not ſtrong enough, joyn Faſting: Some ſins, like ſome Devils, come not out but by prayer, and faſting. If thou canſt not do it thy ſelf, call in help; take theſe Directions, and thou wilt find the banefit of prayer.