A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Touching more ſolemn and continued Prayer; and particularly of Publick Prayer.
WE have ſpoken of Ejaculatory Praier; proceed we now to conſider of Solemn and continued Praier, which is either Publick or Church Praier, Private or Family Prayer, Secret or Cloſet Prayer.
Begin we now with the conſideration of Publick or Church Praier, which is alſo included in this indefinite Precept, written to the Church of the Theſſalonians, collectively as wel as diſtributively conſidered, 1 Theſ 1. 1. Whence alſo in this Chapter hee exhorteth them to due eſteem of their Officers, verſ. 12. and verſ. 20 of the Ordinance of the Miniſterial Diſpenſation of the Word. So then, Publick or Church Prayer is a Duty alſo which we ought conſcionably to attend in the ſeaſon thereof, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Paul exhorts that in the firſt place Prayers Act. 16. 13.be made for all ſorts of men; namely, Publick Prayers; and maketh the ſame very good and acceptable in the ſight of God. It is emblematically ſet forth under the notion of four living Creatures, and four and twenty Elders met in way of worſhip of God, Rev. 4. 8. & 5 8, 10.
For our better proceeding herein, conſider 1. Of the requiſites to Publick Praier. 2. Of the Reaſons of it. 3. Of ſome Uſe of it.
Touching the firſt: Some things are Things required of ſuch as are to pour out publick praier.required to ſuch as are to bee the mouth of the Church in Praier; ſome things in ſuch as joine with them.
Of the former ſort of requiſites are,
1. A publick Call. So it was of old, Deut. 1. A publick Call.21. 5. The Prieſts the ſons of Levi ſhall come neer, for them hath the Lord thy God choſen to miniſter to him, and to bleſs in the name of the Lord; which was in Prayer-wiſe, as Num 6 23, 24. &c. On this wiſe ſhall ye bleſſe the children of Iſrael; ſaying, The Lord bleſs thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face to ſhine upon thee, and be gracious to thee, &c.
Now this Call to become the peoples mouth to God, as it reſpecteth God, ſo it is (amongſt other things) Gods fitting them with abilities, as for Preaching, ſo for Prayer; and his ſequeſtring them accordingly thereunto, as to their work: whence that Acts 6. 4. We will give our ſelves to Praier, and to the Miniſtry of the Word: namely, as we are Miniſters, and in an Authoritative way▪ both alike are Miniſterial acts, and gifting for the one as well as for the other, is a choice part of a Miniſterial Call. That which we render [conſecrate] Aaron and his Sons; namely for their work, Exod. 29▪ 9. It is foreign So Lev. 8. v. 22. The Ram of Conſecration of the Levites, is in Hebrew, foreign. The Ram of Fulneſs, or as it is in the Hebrew, Fulneſſes.
As if ſuch men by their Calling were very full men of all Abilities for their Miniſterial works; yea, as if it were one maine part of their Call, to be that way as complete as may be. Hence alſo the Annointing of the Prieſts, Exod. 28▪ 41. In taking of the holy unction of the ſpirit, and the gifts thereof in them, Joſhuah the Prieſt muſt have, as the garments of Righteouſneſs and Holineſs through Chriſt, with other Saints, Zach. 3. 4. ſo a fair Mitre upon his head, ver. 5. as one honoured above all others, in a manner, for his head Ornaments, and Abilities in his Miniſtry. The Elders in the Apoſtles dayes called to that Office, they were gifted upon any occaſion to make an inwrought Prayer. James 5. 14: Let them ſend for the Elders, and let them pray over him, and verſ. 16. foreign, the inwrought Prayer of a Righteous man availeth much. Both the Officers, yea, and Members alſo of pure Churches, in the dayes of the Goſpel (as thoſe four living Creatures, and twenty four Elders, graver Chriſtians) are repreſented as gifted for Prayer,—Having Vials filled with odours of Prayers, Rev. 5. 8. And ſurely, ſuch as are to be the Choſen conſtant Speakers of the Aſſembly to the Lord, they had need have choice skil in all holy and heavenly praying-oratory: ſuch as are to be the choſen champions (as I may ſay) of the Congregation to wreſtle it out with God on their behalf, they had need have the art of holy wreſtling or prayer. Such as are the choſen Solicitours for this or that corporation, as they had need to bee acquainted with the people well, that they may be able to make every ones prayer, and plea, and complaint, and the like; So had they need to have the choice skil, and holy art of pleading with the Lord, as cauſe ſhall require.
This call of ſuch as are to be the officers, and more conſtant mouth of the Congregation in prayer, conſiſts in their free Election and full Approbation for that and other miniſterial work, ſome way manifeſted and expreſſed by the people, together with their owne free conſent thereunto. Thus the Levite ſet apart of God to the miniſtry of old, and amongſt other things therein, to bleſſe in the name of the Lord; or to pray and praiſe God publickly, Deut. 10. 8. The Elders of the Congregation, on the congregations behalfe are to impoſe hands upon them, Num. 8. 9, 10. in teſtimony of their ſolemne call of them to miniſterial work. God will have no one to bee the mouth of any Church, who ſhall be a burthen, or grievous to it; he will have none forced upon it; but rather have ſuch a mouth, as the body ſhall deſire gladly thereby to breath out its requeſts and deſires to the Lord. Nor was the Lord more tender of old of the orderly adminiſtration of his publick worſhip, then he is now; then the peoples call was Gods call, he ſet the Levites apart to bleſs in his name, in their ſetting them apart for that end. And ſo it is now, publick prayer is the publick act of the Church, there ſhould then bee a publick hand in it, not onelyonly in joynt conſent to the petitions, but by ſolemne call of him, which preferreth the ſame in their names to the Court of heaven. It is of great concernement to every one in the church, as what words, and how, ſo by whom the ſame are ſpoken in the Lords ears, as their words. They who draw ſo near to the Lord to deal in Chriſts name for ſo many others, had need be approved of God for that end; and that they are not, if not approved of his people. In a word, it is no ſmall incouragement to ſuch ſo called, againſt all inward and outward diſcouragements, and tentations, which they meet with in their work; that as they are in Gods way, ſo in the place, and about the work in ſpecial, to which the Lord by his people did call them.
A ſecond requiſite to him who is to 2d Requ. 2 Praying in the ſpirit.pray as the mouth of the aſſembly, is, that he pray in the ſpirit. Eph. 6. 18. praying with all manner of prayer (and ſo with publicke prayer alſo,) in the ſpirit; not alone with our hearts or ſpirits, but praying in the holy Ghoſt, Jude 20. Or by a gift, and by the immediate help of the holy Ghoſt. Even ſuch as are to edifie others in their moſt holy faith, privately, are to pray thus; and much more ſuch as are by office to give themſelves to the miniſtry of the word. There is great danger (to ſay no worſe of it) when this tabernacle, temple, Church-incenſe or prayer, is of humane compoſition, Exod. 30. 38. And in offering of ſo publick a ſacrifice with fire of mans kindling, and ſuch as cometh not downe from heaven, Levit. 10. 1, 2. but much indeed needeth not to bee ſpoken to this, now that the Lord by his grace, hath ſo cleared up his mind to his ſervants of all ſorts in theſe dayes. Yet let mee briefly confirm this truth, and thereby the hearts alſo of the Saints in the preſent truth: publick prayer muſt bee in the ſpirit, or by an immediate gift and help of the holy Ghoſt.
1. Becauſe publick prayer being part of Reaſons. It muſt be carryed on with moſt holy beauty.publick worſhip, it ſhould bee performed with greateſt beauty, Pſal. 29. 2. and 96. 8. It is twice repeated, Worſhip the Lord in the beautyes of holineſſe, (for manner as well as place, the Temple of old.) Now the Church in her beauty, Cantic. 7. 1. compared with verſe 9. The roofe of her mouth (both in prayer and preaching) is like the beſt wine, that goeth downe ſweetly, cauſing the lips of theſe which are aſleep to ſpeak. And ſurely experience ſealeth it, that there is more lively efficacy to ſuch as are preſent when prayers are put up to the Lord in the aſſembly, from the immediate help of the ſpirit, then any other way.
2 Becauſe by ſuch manner of praier God 2 God is moſt honoured by ithath moſt glory, (which is that, which in publick worſhip is mainely intended, Pſal. 29. 2.) for he hath moſt glory of the precious gifts of the ſpirit, inabling Miniſters to pray thus: of his glorious wiſedome alſo, in the variety of the meaſures thereof beſtowed upon his ſervants. Thoſe Church-officers which have their vialls full of ſuch odours, which as thoſe of old, were only of divine invention, compoſition and direction, they in ſpecial ſort have their harpes ſounding forth the praiſes of God, (Revel. 5. 8.) Theſe miniſterial ſtars in the firmament of the Church, (Revel. 1. 20.) doe then in ſpecial wiſe declare the glory of God, when they ſhine, as in preaching, ſo in prayer publickly, not with borrowed light from others, but by an innate and natural light, (as I may ſay) in them, conſidered as ſpiritual, and ſpiritually gifted of the ſpirit.
3. Becauſe ſuch manner of praying in 3 It is the Churches perfection.the ſpirit, conſiſteth beſt with the Churches perfection. The lips of ſuch a Spouſe or Church of Chriſt which is moſt fair and compleat, they drop (both in publick prayer and preaching) as the honeycomb, Cantic. 4. 10, 11. There is an immediate inward principle, there is an holy ſtore of ſweet and ſavory graces of the ſpirit within, ſuch as are the Churches mouth, when without ſtint, reſtraint or conſtraint, they doe freely drop out wholeſome expreſſions, ſweet to the taſte of the Lord Jeſus. When the Church in the 45th Pſalme is (under the notion of Solomons Egyptian wife, a Gentile,) ſet forth in her glorious ornaments, verſe 14. She is ſaid to be brought to the King (Jeſus Chriſt) in garments of needlework. The Churches garments, as they are the glorious robes of the righteouſneſſe of faith, and graces of the Spirit, (which are viſible to the Lord, though more inviſible to men) ſo are they the ordinances too, wherewith ſhee is (as it were) inveſted, when ſhe cometh near the Lord in the Aſſembly: now ſuch Church ornaments as preaching and prayer in ſpecial, they are needlework wrought on both ſides, (as I may ſay) the inward work of the ſpirit, reſpecting the gifts and graces therein exerciſed. The outward work thereof, the very expreſſions, not wrought by men to our hands, ſo much as by the ſpirit, framing and directing the ſame in publick as well as private prayer, as before was hinted from the Greek phraſe in James 5. 16. in ſinging of Pſalmes; wherein not one alone as in preaching and prayer, acteth in the name of God, or others, but every one inſtructeth each other perſonally. It ſufficeth that for the matter, it be the word of Chriſt the Prophet of his Church, ſpeaking the ſame, Col. 3. 16. and for the manner of expreſſion, ſuch as by the help of a gift of the ſpirit, is expreſſed outwardly, in the words of the ſpirit (as near as may be) and uttered from ſutable workings of the ſpirit in the hearts of all inwardly.
4. Becauſe ſuch a way of carrying on 4 Its moſt ſutable to the Churches liberty.publick prayer, is moſt ſutable to the Churches liberty, and to the ſpiritual liberty alſo of the officers of the Church, as part thereof. The Church is now no bond-woman, but a free-woman, and ſo are her children ſharers with her in that freedom, (Gal. 4. 26. 31.) as from ceremonial injunctions, which ſometimes God ordained, ſo much more from humane inventions, which the Lord never inſtituted. The Churches miniſterial mouthes, have moſt bold liberty of ſpirit in ſuch conceived prayer, to receive ſuch drops of the ſpirit of prayer poured out upon the Saints, and the renewed influences thereof. Yea to improve the holy variety of ſeaſonable motions, even then made by the ſpirit interceding in them; wherein ſome particular caſes of ſundry poor ſoules preſent, haply unknowne to the Miniſters, are to the life repreſented, even as if the parties had informed them thereof. Yea they are more free to improve the various meaſures of their gift of prayer received, which in divers Miniſters are very various; yea they are freer to expreſſe the various ſtatures (as it were) or pitch of their reſpective Churches, being not all of one ſize, but ſome more eminent for grace then others. Yea they are freer to expreſs the various conditions and failings of their Churches, which as the Moon, are ſubject to various aſpects. (Cantic. 6. 10.) The Churches, and her Miniſters liberty, is in both alike preſerved entire, when they are left to the free uſe of all holy liberty, to utter the mind and caſe of the Church to the Lord, as when left to like liberty to ſpeak and deliver the Lords minde to the Church.
5. Becauſe that way of prayer is moſt 5 Its moſt acceptable to the Lord.ſutable to the nature of acceptable and prevailing prayer; as is in-wrought prayer, as before ſhewed from Jam. 5. 16. That prayer which is the very ſuppliants owne meditation by the help of the ſpirit, (Pſal. 5. 1.) Give eare to [my words,] conſider [my meditation;] That prayer which is the pouring out of the very ſuppliants hearts or ſouls, 1 Sam. 1. 15. I have poured out my ſoul to the Lord; that is made each ones prayer. So Pſal. 62. 8. Poure out your hearts to him, or pray. That which is a ſerving of God with the ſuppliants ſpirit. Rom. 1. 9. My God whom I ſerve with my ſpirit.
6. Becauſe ſuch prayer is moſt coſtly 6 Its moſt coſtly.to him who is the Churches mouth, and ſo a Sacrifice moſt ſutable to a Saints own deſire, and beſt accepted of the Lord: ſuch an one will ſay as David in another caſe (2 Sam 24) I will not offer to the Lord that which coſt me nothing; The Tabernacle and Temple-Incenſe (reſembling alſo Church Prayer) as in the matter coſtly, ſo in the manner; it coſt much pounding and beating. Exod. 30. 36. the Mincah for the Congregation, as well as that for any particular perſon, was to be of fine flower, Levit. 28. Church Praier alſo reſembled thereby, would coſt the Officers thereof much ſifting. The lips of that Spouſe, or Church of Chriſt, which is fo fair, Cant. 4. 7. they are (ver. 3) like a thred if Scarlet fine ſpun, and twice dyed, in the wool, and in the thred: very coſtly, whether ſpeaking in Prayer or Preaching.
7 Becauſe ſuch as are the called, officed 7 Its ſutable to the gifts of called Officersmouthes of the Church, they are (as hath been ſhewed) gifted for publick prayer in their names, as well as preaching (as Gods mouth) to them; wherefore they ought upon all occaſions to be exerciſing that one Talent as well as the other. True it is, that ſome of theſe Stars differ from other in the glory of their light and brightneſs; but yet every of the Stars in Chriſts hand, ſhine from an inward light in ſuch publick Worſhip of God: Each ones Vial is not of the ſame capacity; yet each Church Officers Vial and Veſſel hath its proportionable fulneſs of ſuch holy odors of praier, Rev. 1. 20 & 5. 8.
8. Becauſe this way of Praier, as it hath cleareſt warrant from the Word, as before 8 Its leaſt offenſive to the Saints.proved, ſo is of leaſt ſcandal to the choiceſt of the Saints, as experience of former and later times abundantly witneſſeth.
A third Requiſite unto ſuch as are the 3 Requiſite Holy wiſdom.mouth of the Aſſembly in Prayer, is holy wiſdom and diligence, in obſerving, as their owne ſouls ſpecial occaſions, ſo thoſe of the Congregation. Thoſe four living Creatures reſembling Church Officers, Revel. 4. 6, 8. they are full of eyes, for that end, to look through both themſelves and others, as they are publickly to worſhip the Lord.
A fourth Requiſite is ſympathizing affection 4 Sympathy.with the people in their caſes, as if their own. So the people of old, Hebr. 5. 1 Other Requiſites might be mentioned, but I forbear.
Requiſites of the ſecond ſort in ſuch as Requiſites in the people. 1. Aſſent of faith.joyn in Publick Prayer, are
1. Aſſent of faith, with oneneſs of mind and heart, ſutable thoughts and affections. All the precious ſtrings of the gracious minds and hearts of ſuch as are preſent, ſhould be tuneable (as it were,) and ſymphonize in this Leſſon of their chief Muſician, Matth. 18. 19. if they agree in one, or ſymphonize (as the Greek phraſe is.) Thoſe holy Suppliants, in Acts 2. 14. They continued with one accord in Prayer. Hence that reſounding of a redoubled Amen at the publick Bleſſing, Nehem. 8. 6. Hence ſuch care had, that publick Prayer may be expreſſed in a Language underſtood by all, that the people may annex their Amen thereunto, 1 Cor 14. 16.
2. A gracious and ſerious attention and 2 Attention.intention of ſpirit thereon. God putteth ſuch of his officed ſolicitours upon the mention of the ſeveral caſes of his people preſent, and every one had need attend the calling out, and handling (as it were) of his caſe, not neglecting others. Each ones ſpirit hath need to write (as I may ſay) his name to ſuch a Corporation-Petition, and be ready in heart to ſay, Lord, this indeed is the deſire of my ſoul, this is my very grievance and burden, Lord, &c. If poor ſouls who haply have lien ſpiritually wind-bound, meet with any holy gale of the Spirit therein, they had need be ready to hoiſe their ſail, to catch it and improve it.
3 Amity and ſweetneſs of ſpirit and of affection, both towards him which prayeth 3 Amityin their ſteads, and them which joyn with them therein in publick Prayer, all and every one muſt lift up pure hands without wrath and doubting, 1 Tim. 2. 8. for then all are as one in their joint deſires, and are as perſons put in each others ſteads and caſes, expecting the love and forgiveneſſe of God for each other, and had need be in ſuch a frame as to yeild love and forgiveneſſe each to other, Matth. 6. 12. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
4. Holineſſe and heavenlineſſe of heart. 4 HolineſſePublick Praier muſt have pure hearts as well as hands, 1 Tim. 2 8. and James 4. 8. the vials from which both Officers and Members of the Congregation offer up ſuch odours, muſt bee golden Vials, Revel. 5. 8.
5 Faith: 1 Tim. 2. 8. Hands lifted up (in publick prayer) without doubting: Every 5 Faithone ſhould put to his Amen of Faith, as well as of aſſent or deſire.
Laſtly, Reverence. Hence in that repreſentation 6 Reverence.of publick Church Worſhip, all fal down and worſhip, Rev. 4. 9, 10 Pſal. 95. 6. O come let us worſhip and bow down, and let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
What geſture is moſt meet in publick Queſt. prayer?
Such a geſture as may beſt expreſs much Anſw. holy reverence, as kneeling or ſtanding Touching the geſture. Kneeling or ſtanding, not ſittingup, not ſitting. And that for theſe Reaſons:
1 In that in publick prayer, there is a more ſolemn preſence of God and of his holy Angels. We are in ſpecial wiſe before the Lord our Maker, and regard is to be had to our carriage in Prayer, becauſe of the Angels, 1 Cor. 11. 4. 10. compared. The very Angels cover their faces when the Lord is in his Temple, as on his Throne, Iſai. 6. 1, 2, 3. much more cauſe have we, who in publick prayer do all come a begging, to come with a publick Petition to our glorious King, to offer it up to him upon our bended knees, to be very reverend in our geſture.
2 In that God giveth it in moſt ſpecial charge in publick Worſhip of Prayer, that it be very reverent; for that charge of each other, recorded Pſal. 95. 6. Let us bow down & kneel before the Lord our Maker, reſpecteth not any other part of Worſhip ſo properly as publick prayer, as is evident: and that mutual charge of Gods people, each of other, is but the eccho and reſult of Gods charge, firſt given to them ſo to do. If Daniel in ſecret prayer will be kneeling, much more ſhould we in publick prayer. Dan. 6. 10. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, &c
3 In that the examples of the Saints exerciſed in publick prayer, is either ſtanding, 2 Chron. 20. 3, 6. And Jehoſhaphat ſtood in the Congregation, and ſaid, O Lord, &c. or (moſtly) kneeling, 1 Kings 8. 54 The King roſe up from kneeling on his knees. Acts 20. 36. Paul kneeled down and prayed; and ſo chap. 2. 5. He kneeled down and prayed; and in ſecret prayer it was his conſtant geſture: Hence putting bowing of his knees for prayer, For this cauſe I bow my knees unto the Father, &c. that is, I pray; and leſſe reverence ſhould not be expreſſed in publick prayer.
4 In that in publick prayer we ſhould all edifie one another by our reverence in geſture, as being too apt naturally to commonneſs and ſlightneſs therein. Hence Gods people are preſented as calling one upon another, to bow downe and kneel before the Lord their Maker. Pſal. 95. 6.
5 In that all care ſhould be had by the Saints, that they give no occaſion of ſtumbling to others, who ſavingly know not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Our unreverent geſtures before them, will harden them in their careleſs, yea, haply affected, unreverent geſtures and carriages.
David ſate before the Lord, 2 Sam. 18. Object.
That was private Prayer of himſelf alone, Anſw. 1 none elſe (that we read of) joyning with him therein; and in ſundry caſes more liberty may be uſed in our geſtures in private then in publick prayer.
2 The Hebrew word is oft uſed for ſtaying and abiding; and ſo it may ſeeme here to hold forth rather the time of his continuance in Prayer, then his geſture. Of the uſe of the word foreign, ſee Gen. 22. 5. and 24. 55. and 27, 44. and 38. 11. and 29. 14. Exod. 24. 14. Levit. 14: 8. Numb. 20. 1. and 22. 19. 1 Sam. 20. 19. and 2 Sam. 10. 5. and 11. 12, 1 Kings 15. 16. and 2 Kings 22. 46. and 14, 10. Judges 6. 18. Pſalm 101. 7 and elſewhere.
3 It is not probable that he who profeſſeth (Pſalm 109. 24.) that his knees were weak through faſting or praying on Faſt dayes, that he did now ſit in prayer. At the beſt then, this inſtance of Davids ſitting, is but a may be, and no other inſtance, that I know of, of the like in Scripture: but both rules and examples of the other geſtures, are clearly ſet down in Scripture; therefore theſe are moſt ſafe and ſutable geſtures, in ordinary courſe in publick prayer; extraordinary caſes of bodily infirmities (wherein mercy pleaſeth God rather then the ſtrictneſs of this or that geſture in ſacrificing or praying) not varying or nullifying the ordinary Rule.
Come we now to the Reaſons enforcing Reaſons for publick praierthis Duty of publick prayer.
Publick Ordinances being ſanctified alſo, Reaſ. 1 (as are other things) by prayer, 1 Tim. 4. 4 Publick Ordinances ſanctified by it.Call for Publick Prayer. Wherefore Gods Houſe of publick Worſhip, is called an Houſe of Prayer, as if that were one moſt choice part thereof, Iſaiah 56. 7. Acts 2. 42. They continued as in the Apoſtles Doctrine (attending upon preaching) and breaking of Bread (partaking of the Lords Supper) and in prayer, ſanctifying the reſt.
Becauſe publick occaſions call to it. Reaſ. 2 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2▪ The caſes of publick perſons Publick occaſions call to it.in Commonwealths, of Churches, &c. call thereto. Publick wants call for publick Petitions; publick ſins for publick confeſſions. The plaiſter muſt be as large as the ſore, the Land muſt repent. Jer. 18. 7. ſo every Congregation in it muſt down on their knees to ask the Lord forgiveneſs. Members of Congregations muſt ſomtimes give themſelves to Church faſting and prayer, as well as Family or Cloſet faſting and prayer, 1 Cor. 7. 5.
Becauſe gracious perſons are of a publick Reaſ. 3 ſpirit. God be merciful to us, was the Churches Gracious perſons are of publick ſpirits.Prayer of old, Pſalm 67. 1. 2 wherein? Make thy way knowne to all Nations. Cant. 8. 8. The Church moveth Chriſt to do ſomething for her ſiſter Church, being ready, for her part, for them otherwiſe: what ſhall we do for our ſiſter? &c. Chriſt teacheth all to pray plurally, Give us this day, forgive us our treſpaſſes, and lead us not into temptation, &c. As holy Prieſts in Chriſt, Rev. 1. 5, 6. they offer up ſeverally and jointly Sacrifices of Prayer and praiſes reſpecting oothers, the publick good. By the bleſſing of the upright (on the prayer of the upright, pleading and prevailing for a bleſſing that way) the City is exalted, Prov. 11. 11. Now in publick prayer there is a holy confluence of the breathings of ſuch publick ſpirits, and the Lord in Wiſdome, Faithfulneſſe and Mercy to all ſorts, will have this for a ſtated Ordinance, that ſuch gracious diſpoſitions in his owne, may be exerciſed and exerted.
4. Becauſe publick prayer is a publick Reaſ. 4 profeſſion and confeſſion of God, of the 4 A publick profeſſion and confeſſion of Godonelyonly true God, and that one Mediatour Jeſus Chriſt; yea of the oneneſſe of the Saints with each other in the ſame Father and Saviour. When the Apoſtle Rom. 10. 10. had ſpoken of confeſſion to the Lord with the mouth. ver. 12, 13. hee inſtanceth, in calling upon God as one ſpecial branch of it.
Nor is it the leaſt honour to the Lord, as a great King, to have ſo many ſeveral companies of ſubjects waiting on him with petitions for his royal favour: it is an holy joynt homage and ſervice, for many to joyne as one man in prayer. Calling upon the name of the Lord, and ſerving him with one ſhoulder, are joyned, Zeph. 3. 9. Publick prayer is a publick profeſſion and expreſſion of one and the ſame faith, of many in one and the ſame Father, in one and the ſame Mediatour of the covenant, and in one and the ſame covenant of grace; it is a joynt cry of one and the ſame ſpirit, in and from many childrens hearts, calling one Abba Father; it is a common meeting of the ſeveral deſires of ſeveral good hearts in this one common center. It is a holy burning-glaſs, wherein the ſeveral bright and warme rayes of the faith of many ſuppliants being in an holy wiſe contracted in one point (as it were) breaketh forth into a holy fire of love-expreſſions to the Lord, and their own and others ſoules welfare; it is a joynt outcry by reaſon of a ſerious ſenſe of the ſame grievances of many: if others ſorrowes, ſufferings, wants, burthens, be not the ſame with thine or mine; yet in praying thus, wee make each ones ayls ours, as they doe make ours theirs. Wee come to pray in publick with variety of caſes, differing from each other in ſundry reſpects: but in publick prayer each ones ſoule is put (as it were) in anothers ſtead; publick prayer is a publick hue and cry made out by the joynt conſent of this or that imbodied people, againſt ſome common enemies of their ſoules, and dangerous enemies to their bleſſed King, his crowne, and his dignity. Publick prayer, it is a publick condemnation, therefore voiced by our owne mouths againſt any private diſcords, and diviſions, if any ſuch ſhould be amongſt us. Reaſon 5
5. Becauſe publick prayer is in a ſpecial 5 Its very delightfull to the Lord.ſort delightful to the Lord, hee putteth his people in ſpecial wiſe upon it, Pſal. 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide (in prayer) and I will fill it: hee is therefore troubled if publick prayer as well as private be neglected. Eſay 43. 22. Thou haſt not called upon me, O Jacob. Jeſus Chriſt is very ready to preſent and perfume publick, as well as more private prayers of his Saints. Rev. 8. 3. The Lord is ready to reward it in his people. Let all the people, or Gentiles, prayſe thee, was the Churches prayer, Pſal. 67. 5. and verſe 6. Then ſhall God, even our God, bleſſe us: they praying for a bleſſing upon others, triumph for a bleſſing as upon others, ſo upon themſelves. It is good and acceptable to him that publick prayer bee made for all Saints, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Chriſt took it kindly, that the multitude opened their mouthes to beſeech mercy for one that had an imperfection in his ſpeech, and beſeech him to lay his hands upon him. Mark 7. 32. Ʋpon which he cured him. verſe 33, 34, 35. Reaſon. 6
6. Such manner of approaches of Aſſemblies 6 Its a fruit of Chriſts death, and repreſents his publick ſpirit.to the Lord, are a fruit of Chriſts purchaſe; that way to Gods throne, i… made by the rending of the vaile of Chriſts fleſh, Heb. 10. 19, 20, 22, 25. compared: it repreſents the very ſpirit of Chriſt, which is all for the publick good of his people. There are in publick prayer the ſpecial influences of the ſpirit, which were ſcattered in many, compacted and gathered as it were in one; the waters of various graces running in ſeveral gracious hearts, as in ſundry channels, doe here disburthen themſelves as in one pleaſant and mighty ſtreame▪ One inſtrument alone well tuned, will make good muſick in Gods eares: but he delights much in theſe praiers in conſort; where ſundry, two or three ſymphonize in what they ask, it ſhall be done. Matth. 18. 19. For there is Chriſt in the midſt of them when thu… gathered together in his name; verſe 20. Reaſon. 7
7. Becauſe publick prayer is a publick Its a publick ingaging and uniting of heartsengaging and compacting of the hearts and ſpirits of Gods faithful ones. Acts 2. 42. They continued ſtedfaſtly in prayers, ver. 44▪ And all that believed were together, and hal… all things common. Zeph. 3. 9. That they may all call upon him to ſerve him, with one conſent, or one ſhoulder, (as it is in the Hebrew.) As if the former were meanes of the latter. The joynt exerciſes of mutuall graces in the common work breedeth and feedeth love and mutual reſpect. As it is with any two or three Miniſters or other godly perſons uſing to pray moſt together, they love and cleave moſt together: as Muſicians that uſe to play often in conſort together, they uſe to be moſt friendly to each other. So is it in an aſſembly of perſons conſcionably exerciſed in publick prayer. Let us now apply the conſideration of this of publick prayer as our duty.
Firſt, in way of reproofe of ſuch who Ʋſe 1 come not conſtantly, or if they doe they Evils of not; or late coming to publick prayer.come not ſeaſonably to publick praier; but they come dropping in when the duty is halfe or almoſt finiſhed. Theſe write not after their copy ſet them in that repreſentative of pure worſhip in Goſpel-Churches, Revel. 4. 8, 9, 10. When the foure living creatures (repreſenting the officers) are to lead the reſt, and to begin and carry on the publick worſhip, the reſt of the Congregation (repreſented by twenty four Elders for their gravity and experience in matters of the Goſpel) they are alſo preſent, ready to fall downe, in teſtimony of their joynt accord in the worſhip. And obſerve it, none of the number are wanting. There is not a third, or fourth part, or half, or three parts of the company, (as too oft with us, when to give glory to God in prayer and thankſgiving) but there are the whole aſſembly of Gods ſpiritual Prieſts by profeſſion and holy calling, the whole twenty foure. This alſo is not according to the expreſſe pattern of the Primitive Church and the members there, they continued ſtedfaſtly as in other parts of worſhip, ſo in praier: and the word [foreign] noteth their ready attendance upon the ſame, as well as their continuance therein. The ſame word is uſed Acts 10. 7. for the Souldiers waiting upon Cornelius, and of Rulers attending on their work. Rom. 13. 6. But for the further whetting and ſharpning this admonition, Conſider
Firſt, that it is a ſinne of omiſſion, ſuch 1. It is a ſin of omiſſion.doe not joine in a duty of publick worſhip, to which each of the aſſembly are bound: being therefore publick, as that which concerneth all, ſuch doe not give the Lord this holy ſacrifice in the time of it▪ God is not now leſſe intereſted in the time of his worſhip, as well as in the worſhip it ſelfe, then of old, Numb. 28. 2. You ſhall obſerve to offer them in due ſeaſon. The very Prince, who of all other hath weightie occaſions lying upon him to withdraw or delay his coming into the aſſembly in the time of publick worſhip under the Goſpel, (alluſively repreſented under notions proper to that of the Law) yet Ezek. 46. 10. And the Prince in the midſt of them when they goe in, ſhall goe in, and when they goe forth, ſhall goe forth. He is to be there with the firſt, and ſtay till the laſt: all the profeſſed ſubjects and lovers of Jeſus Chriſt are to watch dayly at his gates, and wait at the poſts of his doors. Prov. 8. 33, 34. They are therefore to be in readineſſe, as thoſe who watch and wait for any holy opportunitie of Chriſts publick ordinances and worſhip, and ſo of this of praier among the reſt, or elſe they break rule, neglect their duty. How unſutably doe ſuch walk to the example of other godly people abroad, mentioned in Luk 1. 21. The people were there al waiting til Zachary had done offering incenſe: and Exod. 35. mention is made of troops of women aſſembling at the doore of the Tabernacle. 1 Sam. 2. 22. Yet women in regard of family occaſions of children, and the like, (if any) might have been excuſed. Peter and John went to the Temple at the houre of prayer. The Tabernacle and Temple then (where they were wont to aſſemble) had publick prayers offered up among other ſervices: And not leſs diligence in ready attending publick worſhip & prayer, among the reſt, is prophecied of, as in theſe dayes of the Goſpel; witneſs that, Pſal. 110. 3. Thy people ſhall bee willing (or free and forward ſacrificers) in the day of thy power. Eſay 60. 8. Who are theſe that flye like doves to the windowes? Zach. 8. 21. Let us goe ſpeedily to pray before the Lord (ſay the Gentiles) and to ſeek the Lord: I will go alſo.
2. It is a ſcandalous evil it; offendeth the 2. Its matter of juſt offence to others.godly part of the aſſembly, which are there ſeaſonably to joine in the duty. And the officers alſo, whoſe ſpirits they are not to grieve. Heb. 13. 17. For the unſeaſonable coming in of ſome, and then of others, diſturbeth Miniſters and people preſent, and occaſionally hindereth their continued fervency, and interrupteth attention upon that worſhip in hand; it occaſionally hardneth luke-warme and back-ſliding Chriſtians in their neutrality of reſpect to the parts of publick worſhip, and profaner perſons in their groſſer neglects and contempts thereof. When they ſee Profeſſours, haply of note and name, bee ſo ſlack and ſlighty in their attendance thereon.
3. The ordinary practiſe of ſuch careleſſe coming 3. Its a ſymptom of a bad eſtate.to joine in publick prayer before other publick worſhip performed in the aſſembly, is a ſpeaking ſymptome of an evill eſtate in perſons guilty of it. Chriſt hath had little power on their hearts, who are no more ready and forward ſacrifices. Pſalm. 110. 3. Such upon whom he hath power, being willing and forward that way, it ſtrongly argueth that ſuch want a publick ſpirit, love to the publick good, through ſenſe of publick evils▪ and that they have little love to publick ordinances, or delight in publick fellowſhip with the Saints, as being ſo conſtantly careleſſe of ſeaſonable addreſſing themſelves to publick prayer, wherein all thoſe are to the life expreſſed.
4. Such cannot ſo groundedly expect a 4. Strips us of a publick bleſſing.bleſſing upon other Publick ordinances then diſpenſed, as the word preached, or the like; which regard not to joyne in Publick Prayer for the ſame. Wherefore let all ſuch who profeſſe the feare of God, be afraid any more to grieve his ſpirit, or the ſpirits of his Saints, by any ſuch remiſsneſſe and ſlackneſſe in attending upon an ordinance ſo precious and prevailing with the Lord; yea let them bluſh, that in Popiſh times of ſuperſtitious blindneſſe, ſo many ſhould from blind zeal bee ſo forward in awaiting Latine ſervice, (to ſay nothing of other ſervice, & Common-Prayer lately diſcarded, in attending whereupon too many have placed their main Religion,) and Chriſtians in theſe precious times of Goſpel, light and liberty, ſhould bee no more forward to improve that liberty of pure worſhip of God, (as other wayes) ſo in Publick Praier, which both Chriſt hath purchaſed ſo dearly, and for which the Saints have wreſtled ſo much with God, and conflicted with ſo many difficulties with men.
The ſecond Uſe therefore may ſerve to The ſecond uſe of exhortation to attend upon publick prayer.exhort all the people of God to ſeaſonable, conſcionable attendance upon Publick Prayer preſented in an holy manner in his Churches, by ſuch as the Lord calleth thereunto: let not God have any cauſe to complain, that Publick calling upon God is out of requeſt with us. Eſay 43. 22. he accounteth we are weary of him, if neglectful of that. Thou haſt not called upon me, O Jacob, but thou haſt been weary of me, O Iſrael. Surely, the Lord hath magnified his faithfulneſſe in bringing us ſtrangers into his holy mountain, according to Iſaiah 56. 7. and is as ready to make us joyfull in his houſe of Prayer, if we are not wanting to our owne ſoules. God honours this part of his worſhip before others; and therfore by a ſynechdoche putteth it for his whole worſhip; his houſe of worſhip he calls an houſe of yrayer, as being a choice part of his worſhip. Neglect that, neglect all; as being that which inſtrumentally putteth life and luſtre into all other parts of worſhip, their burnt offerings (ſaith God there) ſhall be accepted; For my houſe ſhall be called an houſe of Prayer: Look then that wee put ſpecial honour upon this ordinance. Yea, theſe inſtrumentally occaſion more honour to God; Prayers made in Zion have their anſwers: God is a God honouring Church-Prayer alſo, and therefore hath Church-Prayſes too, Prayſe waiteth for him in Zion. Pſal. 65. 1, 2. As gifts are beſtowed by occaſion of many, ſo thanks come to be given by many. 2 Cor. 1. 11. And who would not then (if they love the Lord) bee ready to give a lift to ſuch honour of his name? Yea, wee ſhall come to have more abundant honour by it in the eyes of others, to be ſtiled and owned as (under God) helpers to them in the attaining of ſuch and ſuch begged bleſſings; you alſo helping by your Prayers (ſaith Paul) to the Church of Corinth. In a word, it is the priviledge of the Saints, purchaſed at a deare rate by Jeſus Chriſt, by whoſe cauſe it is that their enmity being ſlaine, Eph. 2. 16. both ſuch as were nigh, and ſuch as were a farre off, verſe 17. through him have both an acceſſe by one ſpirit, unto the Father. verſe 18. and are fellow-Citizens. verſe 19. And as ſuch, they trade with God publickly, as well as privately in praier, for the furtherance of the whole Cities good, and every part thereof. There is a City treaſury of Prayers, from which oft times, even other decayed Citizens (inſtrumentally) get relief. Many a decayed Pariſh (as I may call it) in the great City of God, in the Church univerſal, is raiſed againe by it, and many a back-ſliding Chriſtian raiſed up againe by it; as others keep that bleſſed ſtock going for us, ſo ſhould we for them.
And as a means the more to farther us this way, let every gracious perſon make conſcience to quicken up each other to this duty. So theſe converts do. Zach. 8. 21. Come let us go ſpeedily to pray before the Lord: I will goe alſo.