A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Of Watchfulneſs required to Prayer.
HAving handled three of the Conditions required to the inceſſant practice of this Duty of Prayer, we come now to ſpeak of the fourth and laſt Requiſite thereto, namely, Watchfulneſſe; which is threefold: 1. Watching unto prayer, Epheſ. Praier watching threefold.6. 18. 2. Watching in prayer, Coloſſ. 4. 2. 3. Watching after prayer, Pſalm 130. 1, 2, 5.
In which let us conſider ſeverally three things.
1 The Nature of the Duty in the three forementioned branches thereof.
2 The Reaſons and Motives urging to the practice thereof.
3 Some Helps furthering the performance of the ſame.
Watchfulneſſe unto prayer conſiſteth Watching unto praier conſiſts 1. In readineſs to take all praier ſeaſons.in theſe four particulars.
1 Being of a wakeful ſpirit, ready and fit to take the due ſeaſons of prayer, as the Lord requireth, Iſaiah 55. 6. Call upon him while he is near, as the Saints uſual practice is: and that is a part of their ſpecial priviledge for to do. They call upon God in a time wherein he may be found, Pſalm 32. 6. There is a morning of opportunity which David will take for prayer, Pſalm 5. 3. True it is, that God is up before us, he is ſtirring early for his peoples help, as ſoon as the face of the morning, or ſeaſon of ſhewing mercy to them appeareth, he helpeth them, Pſalm 46. 5. but yet wee may not be up in our ſpirits; we had need rowze up our hearts, as being too oft drowſie at ſuch times, and not watching for the firſt day-break of a ſeaſon of mercy. So that look as David did when to praiſe God, that are we to do when to pray to him, Awake early, Pſal, 57. 7, 8. There is much ſpiritual ſluggiſhneſſe cleaveth to the ſpirits of the beſt in ſpiritual ſervices: as ſometimes the eyes of their bodies were covered with ſleep when they ſhould have prayed, Mat. 26. 4. ſo is it too oft with our ſpirits when they are not in wakeful plight. That Godly Matron when to utter a Song of Praiſe to God, ſee how ſhe doubleth, and redoubleth the word Awake; Awake, awake Deborah, Awake, awake, utter a Song. Judg. 5. 12. It is not a little calling that will awake our ſlumbring, heavy eyed ſpirits. Sometimes they call up a ſleeping Jonah to ariſe and call upon his God, Jonah 1. 6. Zachary muſt be rowſed out of his ſleepineſſe to obſerve the Viſion, by the Angel, Zach. 4. 1. When the Lord Jeſus would hear his Doves voice in prayer, Cant. 2. 14. ſee how oft he calleth to her to ariſe and come away, verſe 10, 13. Sometimes the Spirit of God in their conſciences and ſpirits themſelves calleth them up to attend this holy imployment, if any morning light of approaching grace peepeth forth, or ſeaſon of doing the Lord ſervice in prayer is obſerved, as in Deborah, and David, and others of the Saints. If ever our ſpirits had need be up and ready, they had need be ſo when we are to pray. A ſleepy ſpirit will ſcarce ſpeak ſenſe (as I may ſay) to God in prayer. It is burthenſome to a friend to ſtand liſtning to a ſleepy broken diſcourſe, conſiſting of half words and ſentences indiſtinctly placed and uttered in his ears, albeit it be by his friend. So is it in a like ſpirituall, diſorderly drowſie praying and ſpeaking to the Lord: as men in a ſleepy fit, rather loſe ſomething they got in their hand, then get more unto the ſame by craving it in ſuch a drowſie ſort: So is it here, we are loſers and not gainers by prayers whereunto our ſpirits are not wakened to be fit to ſpeak to the Lord as becometh him & us.
2 In heeding to make uſe of all holy and 2 In taking all prayer advantages.ſpecial advantages unto prayer that Divine Providence offereth. When Chriſtians wait for ſuch items of Providence, ſuch ſpeaking invitations to Prayer, then they watch unto prayer indeed. As at other poſts of the doors of Chriſt, ſo at this are the Saints to watch and wait, Prov. 8. 33. 34. Albeit the Lord, in reſpect of his own diſpoſition to mercy, be alwayes ready to hear and help his people, yet he is not alwayes to be ſpoken withal for that end; neither are we ſo fit to ſpeak to him. At ſometimes againe it is in our hearts to pray to the Lord, as David ſaid, he found in his heart to pray that prayer to God, 2 Sam. 7. 27. At other times that advantage was to ſeek. It requireth much holy skill and care, to eſpie and diſcern advantages to praier. A wandring, watchleſſe, ſpiritleſſe, ſluggiſh eye obſerveth them not, eſpieth them not, diſcerneth not the ſame.
3 In obſerving narrowly & diſtinctly what In minding all praier occaſions.neceſſary & weighty occaſions of praier we have, ſearching our wayes for that purpoſe, and then lifting up heart and hand in praier, Lam. 3. 40, 41. Like Pleaders, Saints ought to be good Students, that they may bee the fitter to plead: we are to ſtudy our hearts and lives, and the caſes of both, before wee plead them. Or look as Trades men do look over and ſet their marks upon their parcels ere they do retail them: ſo in this caſe ought the Saints to look over the particulars of their hearts, and lives, before they do trade with God▪ in prayer about the ſame.
4 In obſerving wiſely the frame of ſpirit In minding the plight of our ſpirits when to pray.in which we are, when wee are to addreſſe our ſelves to prayer; how fit we are, or unfit for prayer; how far lively, or liſtleſſe or dead hearted; how far tender, or otherwiſe ſenſeleſſe; how far ſerious, or ſlighty; what faith is ſtirring, or what diſtruſts, doubts or temptations: and like other Muſicians, which when they are to play, as they are about to tune their Inſtruments, they make uſe of their muſical ear, attending how far each ſtring is in tune or no, too high or too low, too ſharp or too flat; So is it here in the Suppliants of God, which are Harpers, as wee have ſhewed, it is their peculiar property and gift above other men; they have (as I may ſay) a muſical ear, an attentive diſcerning ſpirit, and can tell when their ſpirits are prepared or unprepared, and how far forth prepared or not prepared to ſeek the Lord. David had not only a forelook to that, that his heart might bee prepared to praiſe God; but hee had a reflect look upon the ſame, and giveth his cenſure upon it, that as far as hee could judge, his heart was in indifferent good tune to praiſe God, Pſalm 57. 7. And the like obſervation did the Church make of her heart when to ſeek the Lord; ſtrong and lively deſires of God and his favour were ſtirring in her, and ſhe is reſolved to improve them that way to the utmoſt. How many people, which pretend to be ſeekers of God, are utterly careleſſe in making theſe obſervations, and being thus heart awaked for this duty? which I leave to their own conſciences ſeriouſly to conſider. But the people of God ought thus to watch unto prayer; it appeareth:We ought to watch unto prayer, becauſe 1 Its a ſpecial help to Pray.
1. In that it will be a ſpecial help to pray pertinently, awfully, ſeriouſly, and ſenſibly. If wee would pray in the ſpirit, with the help, life, and power of the holy Ghoſt in a ſpiritual and heavenly manner; we had need watch unto prayer, Eph. 6. 18. praying in the ſpirit, watching thereunto, &c.
2. In that it will much help ſpirituall 2 It helpeth inlargements in prayer.inlargements, and continuance in the act of prayer; and prevent ſtraitnings and inconſtancy, praying alway with all manner of prayer, and watching thereunto, are joyned; yea it will help our skil in prayer, we ſhall pray in the ſpirit in that ſenſe, even in and with the skil thereof. The beſt ſtudents are, or may, or will be the beſt pleaders in this way of prayer.
3. In that it will be a ſpecial meanes to 3 It helpeth ſucceſſe in prayer.make our prayers more availing, and ſucceſſeful, both in the exerciſe of our faith, and hope, and patience: ſuch watching unto prayer. Epheſ. 6. 18. Helpeth to farther that mentioned, ver. 15, 16, 17. as might be evinced in many particulars, if need were.
4. Watching in prayer conſiſteth in 4 Watching in Prayer conſiſteth in a wakeful ſpirit throughout the duty.the general, in a wakeful ſpirit throughout the duty. When the eyes of thoſe which ſee are not dim in this ordinance, as not in others, but are increaſed in a right carrying on of the duty, and making holy obſervations therupon. Iſai. 32. 3. So far as any ſluggiſhneſſe ſtealeth upon us we are ready to ſhake it off, and to rowſe and raiſe up our ſpirits in this holy work. Look as the good Prophet, even whilſt the Angel talked with him, was as one in a ſleep, and ſtood in need to bee waked to attention, Zech. 4 1, 2. So may it be with our ſpirits, whilſt we talk with the Lord in prayer: we ſhould indeed bee of wakefull ſpirits therein, but oft times wee are watchleſſe, and ſpiritually ſluggiſh.
1. In a careful heeding and ordering Particularly, 1 In heedfull ordering prayer expreſſions:our expreſſions in prayer. As not in vowing, ſo neither in praying, we are not to be raſh with our mouth, careleſſe what expreſſions we uſe unto the Lord. Eccleſ. 5. 2. As men that ſpeak to Kings and Princes, weigh all their words heedfully, leſt while they ſeeking to requeſt his favour, provoke him to diſpleaſure by any unſeemly and diſorderly expreſſions; ſo ought men to heed what they ſpeak to the great God of heaven. It is an argument of a ſtupid, and in a manner athieſtical ſpirit, not to heed what we utter before God in Prayer, ſo we fill up time with words. It is a high provocation and contempt of the holy One, when men will make ſo bold with his pure ear and eye, as to uſe ſuch expreſſions in ſpeaking unto God, which they would be loath, yea would bluſh to ſpeak in the hearing of mortal men. If of every idle, or frothy, impertinent, unprofitable, unneceſſary word ſpoken at other times, and that unto men, we muſt give account at the day of judgment, Matth. 12. 36. And that we muſt be juſtified or condemned according to the ſavourineſſe, ſolidneſſe, and ſpiritualneſs, or the contrary unſavourineſs, and unſutableneſſe of our words, verſe 37. What may we think will be the cenſure of idle, unſavoury, impertinent expreſſions uſed in prayers, if not ſoundly repented of, if we judge not our ſelves for them. if we reforme not the ſame by a more watchfull regard, what and how we ſpeak unto the Lord? When David is to pray, Pſ. 141. 2. He deſires the Lord himſelf to ſet a watch before his mouth, and to keep the doore of his lips. The Saints are very tender, and awful, and ſollicitous of what they ſpeak in prayer to the Lord; they are ſenſible of ſuch weight in this duty of watching in prayer, that they think it is a work which requireth the skil and wiſdom of God to help therein. David is very ſenſible that he runs many hazzards, if raſh and heedleſs therin, & yet ſeeth that he hath no ſufficiency to ſet or keep this holy watch at the doore of his lips, to take due care what expreſſions came out of that doore, and how many or how few; to reſtrain and keep in a doors any unſeaſonable and unſutable words, which with the firſt would be coming forth even then, when he ſhould be moſt ſavoury and ſpiritual. The Saints in prayer they are ſhooting and darting upwards, and had need to keep their eye on the work as well as on the mark; they had need obſerve what darts they direct thither, and how they levy them.
2 In attending carefully to the manner of the working of our hearts and ſpirits 2 In obſerving the workings of our ſpirits in Prayer.in prayer. David obſerved his whole heart to be ſtirring in his prayer, Pſal. 119. 58. 145. and what ſtrength of deſires he had therein, verſe 131. Pſal. 17. 1. He obſerved how intire and ſincere his heart was in his prayer: a watchfull Chriſtian will obſerve whoſe hands are to the ſouls petition, whether the ſeveral affections, the mind, &c. do joyne therein. And as Muſicians improve their muſical eare in tuning to play; ſo whilſt playing, they liſten what ſtrings ſound harmoniouſly, and which are not touched, and ſound not at all; ſo it is here in praying.
3. In obſerving carefully and ſeaſonably what want there is of meet ſtirring of 3 In minding what is wanting or amiſſe in prayer.heart in prayer, and what impediments, and unmeet thoughts, and ſuggeſtions, or affections, are ſtirring therein: the Church and people of God obſerved, that their ſpirits were hardned, ſtreightned, and wandring, and complaine thereof: Why haſt thou hardned our hearts from thy feare? Hezekiah obſerved, what diſtruſtful thoughts were working with him in his ſickneſſe, albeit he prayed then for recovery. Iſai. 38. 2, 3. compared with ver. 9, 10, 11. &c. Aſaph obſerved carefully all the paſſages of his diſtempered ſpirits workings, and the diſtempered reaſonings which hee had whilſt he ſought the Lord, as Pſal. 77. from the 1. to the 11th verſe. and Pſalm 116. 4. 11. Albeit he prayed for deliverance, yet then he perceived the diſtempered ſpeeches of his diſtruſtfull heart▪ and the like. Pſal. 31. 22. A watchfull Chriſtian obſerveth what jarrings are in the harp-ſtrings, the heartſtrings (as I may call them) whilſt hee is harping, whilſt he is praying, or prayſing God. He obſerveth who would be fingering the inſtrument of his ſpirit, or the pins or ſtrings of it, whileſt he is playing, or rather praying; he marketh who cometh in to interrupt his ſpirit whilſt it is ſpeaking to God in prayer. Some intruder will aſſuredly be crowding in upon the people of God, in their retired diſcourſes with the Lord, but a wakeful ſpirit eſpieth and rebuketh them.
4. In a heedfull and wiſtly obſerving, 4. In obſerving the hints of grace given in Praier.and viewing, and prying into ſuch ſpiritual hints, Items and motions of God, which he giveth and maketh unto us in prayer, or any divine beames of grace, or glimpſes, or ſmiles of favour, which even in a tranſient way, we meet withal therein. Albeit the the Lord, the Saviour of his people be but as a way-faring man, who maketh very ſhort ſtages with them, yet a watchful Jeremiah obſerveth and improveth ſuch journeying, travelling calls and ſtages of the Lord. Jer. 14. 8. Sometimes whilſt the people of God are asking, the Lord ſpeaketh to them to ask on; and a watchfull David will heare that, Pſal. 27. 7. he was crying, ver. 8. the Lord bids him ſeek his face; he heareth and doth it. verſe 9. &c. If but a harbinger, or any Poſt of heaven do but call upon ſuch watchful Chriſtians, they eſpy them, and inquire more of them. Whilſt that Generation are ſeeking the face of the God of Jacob, Pſal. 24. 6. a motion is made for preparation to entertaine the King of glory in his ordinance. Lift up your heads yee gates, and the King of glory ſhall enter in. verſe 7. They heare what was ſpoken, and inquire farther about the ſame, verſe 8. Who is the King of glory? Now how many drowſie formaliſts neglect this holy watch in prayer, in all the ſeveral particulars, we may eaſily gueſſe: but I ſhall leave them to he awakened by the Lord.
Reaſons moving the people of God Reaſons of watching in Prayer. 1. Becauſe God hath fitted his Saints for it.to watching in prayer, may be theſe:
1. In that the Lord hath gifted his Saints and people with eyes within, fitting them to obſerve themſelves, as in all other actions, ſo moſt of all in the acts of his worſhip; hence thoſe living creatures in the Church are repreſented with eyes within, when about the worſhip of God, Revel. 4. 8. &c. They are fools, which when religiouſly exerciſed, conſider not what evil they do therein, how vain, or ſlight, or ſtupid their ſpirits are therein, Eccleſ. 5. 1. But the Saints are the wiſe ones, which have their eyes in their heads, fit to improve them in diſcerning of what paſſeth, Eccleſ. 2. 13. The watch-man in the ſoul of a natural man and hypocrite is blind, or at beſt ſleeping, and therefore obſerveth not who paſſeth to and again through the ſoul; but the conſcience of a Regenerate man ſitteth upon the Watch-Tower, the candle of the Spirit is lighted up, his eye is ſingle, he hath a ſeeing eye from the Lord.
2 In that the Lord is a glorious, heavenly, 2. The Lord is an All ſeeing God.and All-ſeeing God, and well may we then mind what wee ſpeak and think in prayer before him. If that we our ſelves do not obſerve our hearts, how, or whither, or to what they are carried out in prayer, yet he doth, and he will diſcover us to our ſhame, how our ſpirits were excerciſed in our prayers, Pſalm 78. 34, 35 36, 37. and James 4, 2 3.
3 In that God breatheth, or anſwereth, 3, The Lord is free in his workings and anſwers.or ſmileth when he pleaſeth. Sometimes when we are addreſſing our ſelves to pray, he will hear before we call, Iſaiah 65. 24. He will meet him that gladly worketh righteouſneſs; even in the half way will hee meet ſuch a one. A Suppliant had need then be a man which mindeth and remembreth the Lord in his wayes, Iſai. 64. 5. The Prodigal himſelf when about to ſolicit and ſue for his Fathers favour, ſhall perceive his Father coming to meet him, Luke 15. 18, 19, 20. Sometimes whilſt we are ſpeaking in praier, the Lord giveth gracious anſwers in the items, and motions, and perſwaſions of his ſpirit in ours, Iſai. 65. 24. Wee had need then in this part of our courſe, obſerve the gale of the Spirit of God, and how it wheeleth about this way or the other, how it turneth or returneth in the breathing of it; that we may be ready to catch this proſperous wind in the ſails of our ſpirits, and keep ſtil our ſails full.
4. In that the enemies of our ſouls and 4. Our ſouls enemies then watch us an ill turn.ſupplications, do then watch their opportunities to annoy and diſturb us in prayer, and to tempt, and to diſtract us with troublous perplexing thoughts, or to delude us with groundleſſe comforts. The Fowles will be lighting on Abrahams Sacrifice, but a watchful Abraham ſoon eſpyeth them, and driveth them away, Gen. 15. 10, 11.
5 In that our hearts are naturally 5. Our hearts are then very apt to ſtart aſide.ſlight and ſlippery, and falſe in the performance of this, as in the practice of other holy duties; they are apt to ſtep aſide from the track of ſuch a ſtrait path in the way of Grace. David was privy to it, and therefore deſireth the Lord to order his ſteps in the word, Pſalm 119. 133. Sometimes the heart ſeemeth to be brought to ſome good bent to God and good, and yet then is apt to crack and ſtart aſide; as was ſaid, Pſal. 78. 57. David ſaith, he found in his heart that he might pray to God. 2 Sam. 7. 27. Hee light of ſuch a heart by hap, (as we ſay) or upon ſerious and long ſeeking of ſuch a heart, for the Hebrew word wil bear both. It is one of the holy chances (if I may ſo call it) that any of us overtake a heart filled with holy praying diſpoſitions. It is ſo ſlippery this way, that if we look not ſtrictly to it, when we think we have got hold and made ſtay of our wandring ſpirits (ſuch they are as far as carnal) yet they will then ſteal away from us, and leave us; and when they are but a little while gone aſide, it is very difficult to recover ſight or hold of them again for ſuch holy imployment: albeit we ſhould ſeem to lay a lock and chain upon them, by our holy reſolutions and vowes; yet verily our hearts have their pick-locks, and the divel for a ſhift will lend them a file: there is no keeping of them from their natural wandrings, without a very ſtrict hand and vigilant eye kept over them. That ſlippery flitting diſpoſition of heart, which ruleth in hypocrites, doth at leaſt dwell in the dear children of God, ſo that it is partly in them, which is abundantly fulfilled in hypocrites: their goodneſſe, good thoughts and workings in the wayes and Ordinances of God, are ſometimes too like unto morning clouds, which mount heaven-ward in appearance, but forthwith vaniſh out of ſight, Hoſ. 6. 4.
6 In that God and Chriſt watch then 6. The Lord then doth watch to help and hear us, and Angels to obſerve and help us.to give us a lift in prayer, that our ſpirits may be more and more elevated, and to be then whiſpiring items of Grace to us, to reſcue us from oppoſitions of the wily enemies of our ſouls and the like: he waiteth to be gracious to us then, in hearing and helping us at the voice of our cryes, Iſaiah 30. 18, 19. He obſerveth carefully the reſiſtances made by Satan againſt his Joſhuahs, Zach. 3. 1, 2. As he ſaith of vowing, we may ſay of praying, Say not before the Angel, it was an errour. a careleſſe raſh expreſſion of our minds. Wee ſhould ſo carry it before Chriſt the Angel of the Covenant, in ſuch Religious acts, as thoſe that have been conſcienciouſly heedful, the rather therein; yea in that when we are Religiouſly exerciſed in prayer, and ſuch like worſhip of God, ſome of the bleſſed Angels are then and there waiting and obſerving of us, what we do, and how we carry it; and they are waiting on the Lord there, ready to be imployed in any ſervice for our good. As when Joſhuah is ſo employed, as Chriſt was there ready for his ſuccour; ſo were there ſome which ſtood before him, ſome bleſſed Spirits ready to be commanded in any ſervice for Joſhuah, Zach. 3. 1, 2; 4. verſes compared. There is an Angel of God ready at hand whilſt Daniel is praying to miniſter incouragement to him. Dan. 9. 20, 21. May not we then well watch in prayer, when the Lord himſelf thus waiteth upon us, and the bleſſed Angels are watching the grant of a Commiſſion from God for our good?
7 In that watchings in praier much helpeth 7. It much helpeth our comfort and confidence in and after prayer.both our comfort and confidence, in and after prayer, when hereby we become more aſſured of our conſcionableneſſe in our praying unto God. Paul had obſerved how he was carried in prayer, and that his ſpirit was duly imployed in that ſervice, and therefore dareth to appeal boldly unto the Lord, and call him to witneſſe, in what ſort he had mentioned the Romans in his prayer, Rom. 1. 9. Our waitings in this way of crying and calling upon God, is a pledg and fruit of Gods waitings to be gracious unto us. Iſaiah 30. 18, 19. verſes compared. We may beſt know the ſtate of our ſouls, by obſerving what we are uſually in our prayers. David gathers by this, he was one of thoſe godly ones ſet apart for God, Pſal. 4. 3. Look as skilful perſons may gather the ſtate of the body by the beatings of the pulſes, ſo may a wiſe, and judicious, and vigilant Chriſtian, by obſerving how his ſpirit uſually worketh in prayer.
Watchfulneſſe after prayer doth likewiſe conſiſt in theſe four particulars.3. Watching after prayer conſiſteth
1. In diligent attention to keep up ſuch 1 In due care to keep up praying diſpoſitions after prayer.praying diſpoſitions freſh and lively, which were operative in us, in our prayers. It is a great part of a Chriſtians wiſedome, when he hath gotten an advantage againſt a ſlight or formal ſpirit, or any enemies to prayer, now to ſtand his ground, and manage this holy victory; and when his heart is got upon the wings, ſo to keep it; but neither will be effected without a watchfull heed thereto. When David was in that praying and praiſing frame, as one ſuſpecting the fidelity of his owne ſpirit, and his owne ſufficiency to maintaine the ſame, he intreateth the Lord to keep the ſame in his ſervants heart for ever. 1 Chron. 29. 18. A praying frame is ſo ſweet, that gracious hearts would ever bee in ſuch a plight, if it might be, and they take all the care they can that they may bee ſo; they therefore crave and improve the faithfulneſſe and wiſedome of God for that end. Great is the inſufficiency and inability of the beſt to keep up their owne ſpirits therein. Even praying Moſes, albeit he held up long, and ſtrongly in prayer, yet his hands waxe heavy; ſuch is the infirmity of the beſt, that they are not able to hold it out long with ſtrength of elevation of ſpirit in any holy exerciſes. Care muſt be taken both to keep and hold ſuch a ſublimity of ſpirit. Exod. 17. 12. A ſtone is brought to beare up Moſes hands, the ſtrength and ſtability of that tried ſtone, 1 Peter 2 4, 5, 6, 9. Is to be improved by ſuch, which as a holy Prieſthood, would hold on offering acceptable ſacrifice of prayer or prayſe. And as this care is to be took, that whilſt we are actually praying it may be thus; ſo even afterwards, wee are to look well to it, that our praying ſpirit be not weakned, and grow weary, that it flag not, flack not, faile not; (as the force of the Greek word beareth, Luke 18.) When a motion is made by the Lord to David, to hold on yet ſeeking of God as he had already done, he was awake to heare, and improve, and followed the motion. For ſuch is that which is implyed in that mentioned paſſage, Pſal. 21. 8, 9. compared.
2. In looking heedfully and hopefully 2 In liſtning after the returnes of our prayers.after our prayers, and liſtning ſtill when God will anſwer us by his word and ſpirit, and accordingly obſerving how far forth he doth not anſwer us, David he is carefull to order his prayer rightly, ſo when he hath done, to look up, to wait and ſee what becometh thereof. Pſalm 5. 3. and Pſalm 85. 8. The Pſalmiſt will hearken (after he had prayed, as verſe 7. &c.) what God the Lord will ſpeak. Watching after our prayers and the ſucceſſe thereof, is as the watching of the night-watchman watching for morning. Pſal. 130. 1, 2, 5. O how eagerly do ſuch of the Saints deſire the day-ſpring of the leaſt ſhews and out-breaking of the light of the Lord Jeſus! how earneſtly doe they attend the ſcattering of the night miſts and clouds of their troubled, tempted ſpirits? How oft doe they look out to eſpy the leaſt peep of the dawning and the leaſt out-lookings of the day-break and morning light? When they have knocked at the door of grace, they liſten after the leaſt moving of the doore of grace, the leaſt noiſe, or news, or ſigne, or pledge of the gracious approaches of the Lord to them. Hence is it that on the one hand, when the Lord is ſilent, or when the prayers of the Saints take not according to the deſires of the Saints, they obſerve it, and acknowledge it; as the Prophet Lament. 3. 8. perceiveth that the Lord giveth not ſuch gracious entrance and entertainement to his and the Churches prayers. And Pſal. 80. 4 they obſerve the frowns of the Lord, notwithſtanding their prayers. And Iſai. 26. 16, 18, they obſerve that no ſuch deſired deliverances were wrought by their prayers. On the other hand Paul he obſerveth how long the Lord was ſilent; he kept true account how oft he ſought God without anſwer given, and then he mindeth the anſwer which at length was given. 2 Cor. 12. 8, 10. They that love the Lord Jeſus their Spouſe will look after their love-letters wch they have ſent, and carefully attend and await the anſwer returned. If our heavenly Father ſhould by his ſpirit put the queſtion in our hearts, what we have done with our petitions, where we have left them? we may upon obſervation and knowledge anſwer, that wee have left them in the hand of the Lord Jeſus our elder Brother. And if we be queſtioned how wee have diſpoſed of our ſacrifices, we may confidently anſwer, we have delivered them, and left them in the hand of our bleſſed High-Prieſt, and do await the ſucceſſe.3 In a judicious eying, examining and owning after gracious Items
3. In a judicious eying, examining and owning of after Items, or occurrents, wherein an anſwer of our prayers is involved, as in ſecret pacifying of the heart amidſt his ſad ſtormy griefe of ſpirit. He thence gathered that the Lord had heard the voice of his weeping. Pſal. 6 8, 9. Hee obſerved that after he had prayed againſt his enemies plots and whiſpers, they did not triumph in the attaining of their intended miſchievous deſires, and gathers that the Lord did therefore hear his prayer. Pſal. 41. 5, 7, 10, 11. compared. David obſerves the ſweet quiet of ſpirit which he had after his prayer againſt the rage of his enemies, and gathers thereby that the Lord hath heard him Pſal. 3. 1, 4, 5, 6. Paul ſeeth and feeleth ſtrength in and from the Lord againſt his temptations, and gathereth therefore that God had heard his prayer againſt the ſame, albeit the temptations were not removed 2 Cor. 12. 8, 9. David being in a pit of feare, and reſcued and freed of his horrors, and his ſpirit more eſtabliſhed in the wayes of God, he ſeeth that he waited not for his anſwer of prayer in vaine, but that he got it at laſt, Pſalm 40. 1, 2. he obſerveth how he is quickned and ſtrengthned with the might of God in his ſpirit, and by that perceiveth God had heard his cry, Pſal. 138. 3 When before prayer he was, as in outward diſtreſſe, ſo in inward ſtreſſe and perplexity, and after he had prayed, he perceiveth how he is every way outwardly and inwardly enlarged, he concludeth, that the Lord hath heard him, Pſal. 118. 5. and ſundry other like inſtances might be given hereof. As Lovers will be opening the boxes wherein are their Letters, and reading, as the ſuperſcription and direction on the outſide, ſo that which is written within: ſo will the Saints be looking into the providences of God, and ſee and hearken what they ſpeak, and what of Gods mind and grace in anſwer to their prayers they may perceive. Or as Petitioners to earthly Lords, will be enquiring of every one of his Attendants and Servants which comes from his preſence after their Petitions have been carried unto them, what the Lord ſaith touching their requeſts, whether he hath read it, how he accepteth it, whether they bring not the anſwer thereof from him, and the like? So is it here, Heavens Petitioners will be examining and enquiring into, and of all, after providences occurrent without them, and motions made within, What news from heaven?
4 In a vigilant care to keep with us what 4. In a due care to keep the experimental ſucceſſes of our prayers by us, for our holy uſe.anſwers and Trophees of prayer we have gained, in ſafe cuſtody, and lively and freſh vigour, ſweetneſſe, and efficacy. The Lovers of the Lord Jeſus, they wil keep ſuch Love-letters and Anſwers by them, and will ever and anon be reading them over with as much delight and content as at the firſt, and haply at a ſecond peruſal and review, they take notice of ſome precious, pithy paſſages, that at the firſt more curſory looking over, they obſerved not; and it may be at a third time ſtill they perceive, it breatheth more love▪ and more in this or that pathetical expreſſion, then at a firſt, yea, or ſecond view they were aware of. Anſwers of prayer are like to friendly tokens of the Lords ſpecial love to them, and how every vigilant friendly ſeeker of Jeſus Chriſt, he owning and looking over and over theſe bowed pieces of his coyn, which at this or that time he hath ſent them by ſuch or ſuch a good hand, in ſuch or ſuch an Ordinance, or Providence, or work of his Grace. How will they make conſcience of keeping the love of the Lord Jeſus ingraven upon their hearts, if he was lately with them, and ſpake kindly to them in prayer? Oh how they will familiarize with him by reviewing and reviving, and ſpeaking over in their hearts his laſt expreſſions which he uſed; a word ſpoken to them in mercy is carefully kept by them, Luke 8. 15. incorporated into their very hearts, James 1. 21 Hence alſo the Church who had ſo wiſhed for Chriſts company, Cant. 8. 1. O that thou wert as my brother, &c. verſe 4. profeſſeth her care to keep Chriſt with her, and that nothing provoke him to be gone from her, verſe 4. I charge you O daughters of Jeruſalem, that you ſtir not up nor awake my Love til he pleaſe. Paul, long after that anſwer mentioned before, 2 Cor. 12. 9. he kept the joy of it, witneſſe that joy of his in his tryals, verſe 10. Therefore I take pleaſure in reproaches, &c.
Reaſons to move the godly thus to watch Reaſons of watching after prayer. 1. We are the Lords children, ſubjects, ſervants.after prayer, may be theſe.
1. In that our condition is the condition of children, ſubjects, ſervants, beggars, and therefore we may well attend the good pleaſure of our heavenly Father, Lord and Maſter, to give anſwer to our requeſts: the poor are Expectants, Pſal. 9. 18 David praying to the Lord as his King, Pſalm 5. 3. ſaith, ver. 3. He will look up. Pſal. 123. 2. As the eyes of ſervants look unto their maſters hand, ſo our eyes wait upon the Lord, &c.
2. In that it is certain God will give an 2. Its certaine God will ſeaſonably hear.anſwer of grace to his Saints praiers, albeit it may be long firſt; yea, in that the Lord oft-times deferreth his anſwers, it the rather calleth for our waiting. Habakkuk having praied againſt the Churches enemies, chap. 1. 12, 13. &c. Wherefore lookeſt thou upon them that deal treacherouſly? &c. chap. 2. 12 ſaith, I will ſtand upon my Watch-Tower, and will watch to ſee what he will ſay unto me: He will uſe all pains, patience, and vigilancy to obſerve the iſſue of his requeſts; and verſe 2 he hath ſome anſwers, The Lord ſaid unto me, Write the Viſion, &c. verſe 3 The viſion is yet for an appointed time, though it tarry, wait for it; and verily, ſooner or later faithful prayers do ſpeed. Iſai. 45. 19. I ſaid not to the ſeed of Jacob, Seek my face in vain. Pſalm 85. 8. I will hearken what God the Lord will ſpeak, for hee will ſpeak peace to his Saints. Micah 7. 7. I will wait for the God of my ſalvation, my God will bear me. God hath wiſely appointed hearing times, when anſwers are moſt ſutable and grateful to his Saints, and honourable to him and to his Grace, therefore we may well attend the ſame. Pſalm 5. 3. My voice ſhalt thou hear in the morning (that is ſeaſonably) and in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will …ook up. None are Ioſers by being the Lords waiting men or women. The expectation of the poor ſhall not periſh (or fail) for ever, Pſal. 9. 18.
3 In that ſuch watching, and waiting 3. Its a ſign of mercy towards us, and of grace in us.after our prayers, it is a comfortable pledg of Mercy to us, and Grace in us. Anſwers of prayer are aſſuredly neer us when wee have hearts to wait for them earneſtly, and attentively. Habakkuk ſtandeth, and ſitteth not long upon his Watch-Tower, is not long in that waiting poſture, without his anſwer, as before ſhewed from Hab. 2. 12, 13. The ſpeaking Viſion will come, if we wait for it, and they only whoſe faith telleth them that God will hear, and will ſpeak peace to his Saints, they hearken, they wait for him, Micah 7. 7. Pſalm 85. 8. It is a ſign that we do truly and fenſibly feel the pinching wants of mercy, and that the deſires of grace have ſome ſtrength as well as truth in them, when we are ſo induſtriouſly heedful and attentive in liſtning for anſwers of prayer; they come not idling to mercies doors, or as men who have no weighty ſoul buſineſſes to diſpatch: for them well they might ſtay there, as men do in a formal courſe of prayer, but they would not wait. Waiting Chriſtians make not light of their prayers, but look at them as precious, in that they in ſuch ſort look after their returnes, and the anſwers of ſuch Meſſengers.
4. In their anſwers of prayer, which by this holy watch are met withall, and 4. Its many wayes helpful to us in our praiſes, faith, and courage.obſerved: They are of all others moſt precious and uſeful to us; they greatly inlarge to praiſe God, and walk worthy of him. Continue in prayer, watching therein with thankſgiving, Col. 4. 2. Who more thankful then ſuch watching Suppliants, who obſerve how and wherein God hath heard them? Pſalm 22. 24. When the afflicted cryed to him, he heard, verſe 25. My praiſe ſhal be of thee; and Pſalm 116. 1. I love the Lord becauſe he hath heard my voice, &c. Anſwers of prayer heeded and obſerved. greatly ſtrengthen and arm a gracious perſon againſt Satans wily cavils and rebukes, Hab. 2. 1. I will watch to ſee what he will ſay to me, and what I ſhall anſwer when I am reproved. Its pity to ſee how many precious ſoules, which out of ignorance or mindleſneſſe of this duty of Watching, or out of improvidence and negligence in oft reading over theſe lines of Gods love, written and ſent in, are foiled in temptations. Anſwers of prayer attentively obſerved, they ſtrengthen our faith for the future, and much encourage us to pray in greateſt ſtraits, and ſaddeſt hours. Pſalm 6. 9. The Lord hath heard my Supplication, the Lord will hear my prayer. Pſalm 118. 56. I called upon the Lord in diſtreſſe, and he anſwered me; the Lord is on my ſide, I will not fear what man can do unto me. When we look not after our prayers, both we and others alſo loſe much of the benefit thereof. Anſwers of Prayer are in Gods intent of publick uſe. God ſpake with us, (ſay they) when yet he ſpake with wreſtling Jacob, Hoſ. 12. 4. Gods hearing of the prayer of the deſtitute, concerneth all others in like caſe, Pſalm 102. 17, 18. He will regard the prayer of the deſtitute, ver. 18 This ſhall be written for the generation to come. Much ſadder would the caſe of many an afflicted ſoul have been, if godly David and others had not been watchful had not obſerved, and by the Spirits guidance had not recorded the varieties of their prayer caſes, carriages, conflicts, comforts, anſwers and iſſues?
5 In that its the part of the more wiſe 5. Its our wiſdom▪ & means of increaſe of experimental knowledgeand judicious of the Saints ſo to do, and that by doing whereof they grow moſt in experimental knowledg of the Lords giving. As the wiſeſt men with men, are thoſe that take moſt heedful obſervations of the carriages and iſſues of humane Tranſactions, ſo are they the wiſeſt and experimental knowing Chriſtians, who moſt attentively mind theſe holy Tranſactions betwixt them and God, and God and them. Hence the Pſalmiſt among other paſſages, ſpeaking of manifold anſwers of prayer in Pſal. 107. 6. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivereth them; ſo ver. 13, 19, 28. he cloſeth the Pſalm with this, Who ſo is wiſe and will obſerve theſe things, even they ſhall underſtand the loving kindneſs of the Lord. To conclude, we would have God to mind our prayers, and deſires of anſwers, wherefore look that we heed our anſwer of praiers, if worth the waiting for, Prov. 13. 12. When the deſire cometh it is a tree of life. Harveſt anſwers of ſeed prayers will fully recompence our pains and patience, and therefore as other ſeedſ-men we may well wait for the precious fruit thereof.
Now for the third thing propounded. Helps to ſuch holy watching.The Helps of ſuch holy Watching, are:
1. Sobriety, which is joyned to prayer▪ 1. Sobriety.watchfulneſs. 1 Pet. 4. 7. Be ſober and watch unto prayer. Spiritual drunkards, diſtempered perſons with Luſts, they regard not what they ſay, even to God himſelf. Such as are moſt moderate and mortified in their thoughts about common matters here below, have little elſe to mind then their ſouls, how they proſper in their holy converſe and commerce with the Lord.
2. Bodily watchfulneſs: both are aimed 2. Bodily watchfulneſſe.at under that Mat. 26. 40, 41. Watch and pray leſt ye enter into temptation. The eyes of the mind are hardly watching, when the eyes of the body are ſcarce waking. Now for this end uſe ſeaſonable hours for prayer, neither too early nor too late.
3. An heavenly frame of ſpirit. Angels are 3. An heavenvenly frame.very vigilant, Mat. 18. 10. Their Angels are always beholding the face of my heavenly Father. A godly mans Watch-Tower is a ſublimer ſtation and condition then is uſual; earthly, ſenſual, worldly ſpirits are not fit to keep this holy watch.
4. A wiſe and awful frame of heart, apprehenſive 4. Holy prudence.of the weight and worth of prayer, of the glory and greatneſs of God; an holy ability and skil to eſpy, diſcern, and judg of things that differ, whether workings, or motions: the wiſer Chriſtians (as I ſaid) are moſt obſerving of ſuch things, Pſal. 107. 4.
5. Compoſedneſs of mind and thought, together with earneſtneſs of deſires and deep 5. Compoſedneſs of mind.ſenſibleneſs of our preſent pinching, and preſſing neceſſities. David praying in deeps, brings in a night Watchers caſe, often expoſed to extremities; is in a night watchers poſture, watcheth for morning break of gracious anſwers and items from God, Pſal. 130. 15.
6 An holy keeping our ſelves in a conſtant 6. Keep up this holy watch in other thingsand general watch of ſpirit in other things and paſſages of our Chriſtian work and way. Watch unto, in and after hearing the Word and reading of it, conference about it, meditation upon it, and practiſing of it, &c. Deut. 6. 25. We muſt obſerve all the Commandments of the Lord.
PART. III.
1 Theſ. 5. 17.
Pray without ceaſing.