A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 2 · Chapter 1

A Practical Discourse of Prayer · Discourse · Part 2 · Chapter 1

p. 172CHAP. I. Touching the modification of the exerciſe of Prayer: and therein of Importunity in Prayer.

HAving diſpatched the Diſcourſe about the nature, ſorts and parts of Prayer, We come to conſider of the modification of the exerciſe of Prayer, injoined and implyed in the word, foreign, which implyeth praying importunely, opportunely, and indeſinently Some Interpreters make account, that Paul hath reference herein unto that ſpeech of Chriſt, Luke 18. 1 p. 173that men ought to pray always, and not to faint; namely, through ſpiritleſneſs ſluggiſhneſs, or ſlightneſſe, ſo here, pray, foreign, without giving out, giving over, leaving off, or intermitting any ſpace of time, which muſt needs imply importunate praying; as that of the widowes plying that unjuſt Judg with earneſt Suites for Juſtice, notwithſtanding any ſeeming diſcouragements or denyals. And indeed ſuch as pray importunately, earneſtly, and ſervently, when they do pray, they in Gods intent and account, do pray continually, or without ceaſing.

Now for our better handling this Duty of praying importunately, conſider we, 1. Wherein importunity of Prayer conſiſteth? 2. The Qualifications of it. 3. The Reaſons inforcing it. 4 Some Helps furthering it. 5 Some Marks diſcovering that importunity of Prayer which the Lord meaneth.

Touching the firſt Quere, Wherein importunity Importunity of praier conſiſteth 1. In the utmoſt improvement of mind & heart, and the gifts and graces of the Spirit therin, in Prayer.of Prayer conſiſteth? I anſwer, It conſiſteth

1. In the extenſiveneſs and intenſiveneſs of the mind and heart, and of each praying Grace of a godly Suppliant in his prayer. Our new Tranſlation rendreth that in Acts 12. 5. by a like phraſe as this in the Text, Prayer was made [without ceaſing.] but the word there in the Greek is foreign, then was Prayer made which was ſtretched out upon p. 174the Tenters; not ſo much, namely, in the length and largeneſs of the interceſſions of ſuch as put up the ſame, as in reſpect of the thoughts, holy affections, and exerciſe of the graces of the ſpirits of thoſe godly Suppliants in their prayer. So in Acts 26. 7. prayer was one ſpeciall piece of that ſervice intended in that there mentioned, Our twelve Tribes inſtantly ſerving God day and night. The words are foreign, in a ſtretched out manner ſerving God. Pſal. 119. 145. I cryed with my whole heart. Davids whole heart acted in that prayer with all earneſtneſſe; his prayer was the common cry of all that was within him; his deſire, love, hope, and all the graces of his ſpirit in his heart put forth themſelves in his prayer. So Rom. 12. 12. Continuing inſtant in Prayer; foreign, continuing with all your might in prayer. The acceptable prayer is foreign, an inwrought praier. A prayer wherein all the active hands within the ſuppliant are ſet on work, according as there it is ſaid of him, Coloſſ. 4 12. Alwayes labouring fervently in prayer for you, foreign, wreſtling for you in Prayers. A fervent Suppliant doth Wreſtler-like, bend and writhe, and ſtrain every joynt of the new man in their ſouls; yea, of their whole mind and heart, ſo far as ſanctified, that they may take all helps and advantages of the Lord to prevaile with him in prayer. All our lines muſt meet in this center of Prayer; our p. 175whole man muſt wait upon this as the creature of the holy Ghoſt: as it will ſhare in this bleſſing, ſo it muſt act in begging it; and then it will put on the garment of prayſes alſo for it. Like as before, the whole man went as it were in mourning weeds in the want of that bleſſing: ſo the mercy will be ſweeteſt to the whole man when it is thus holily imployed in the begging of it; or if the mercy be delayed, yet it can the more quietly ſit downe in the want of it, when it hath uſed Gods means for it. A gracious Chriſtian that prayeth much, can want much, hee hath that inward peace that guards his heart and mind from diſcontent. Phil. 4. 6, 7. Make your requeſt knowne to God, and the peace of God ſhall keep your hearts.

2. Importunity in prayer, conſiſteth in 2 In frequent renewing of our ſuits.a frequent renewing of our ſuits when wee are at this holy work, early and late; the Pſalmiſt was at it early, when hee ſayd, Pſal. 88. 13 My prayer ſhall prevent thee. and 119. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning▪ and cryed, &c. He was a good husband▪ and earneſt in this holy work, who was at it ſo early; a lively Chriſtian will be up in his ſpirit, and hard at this work, when other lazy and drowzy profeſſours are not ſtirring this way. And verily hee had need be up betimes, who preventeth the Lord with his prayer, whoſe uſe it is before we call, to anſwer us, Iſai. 65. 24. p. 176Pſal. 21. 3. The importunate ſuppliant alſo will be late at it, come for bread at midnight, when he might have it inwardly ſuggeſted to him, that he cometh unſeaſonably, as that parable holdeth fotth, Luke 11. 5. 8. He will pray with the firſt and with the laſt too, he will pray againe and againe. For this I beſought the Lord thrice, 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8. His freſh ſuits freſhen up the ſuppliants praying graces; put a new gloſſe upon his faith, love, feare, zeal, holy deſires, and the like. Sometimes the heart is more praying ripe then at other times; importunity tryeth concluſions, ſeeth how our hearts prayer-pulſes beat at all times; the heart is ſometimes more full of holy motions and workings, much more reſolute, more fixed upon God and good, much more tender and ſenſible. Importunity taketh all advantages of the heart of a Chriſtian; an importunate ſuppliant is wont to bee alwayes taking the skales and ballances into his hand, and in his thoughts putteth in the mercies hee needeth and longeth for, in the one skale; and all his prayers, pleas, and tears for the ſame in the other. And perceiving the mercies to weight downe all his praiers, he then layeth in more prayers and ſighs, and yet alas, they are not weight, which makes him ſtill to be laying weight after weight, prayer upon prayer al his days. Prayer is the ſouls meſſenger, which it ſpeedeth to heaven, there to relate in the eares of its p. 177God and King, the various caſes which do concern it; and as good ſpeeding meſſengers, are the moſt ſerious, and the moſt ſerious meſſengers ſpeed beſt, ſo it is in the caſe of prayer; yea, as meſſengers are ſent againe and againe till their errand bee fully told, and their buſineſſe diſpatched, or ſufficient order raken for it, ſo it is here: Prayer after prayer is ſent up to heaven, until either the Lord doe what is deſired, or that which is equivalent to it; as in Pauls caſe; 2 Cor. 12. 7. hee ſaid unto me, my grace is ſufficient for thee; my ſtrength is made knowne in weakneſſe. An importunate ſuppliant hath the art of praying, and ſo hath his divers ſpiritual topick places, (as I may call them,) whence he frameth variety of holy arguments and pleas in prayer, which is an holy reaſoning with God (as it is called) he hath a great deal of ſpiritual eloquence, and holy rhetorick, ſo that hee is ſeldome nonpluſt in prayer, but with ſweet and apt variety of ſupplications, is againe and againe preſſing upon the Lord for mercy: and when ordinary prayer ſeemeth not to prevail, importunity in prayer will bee expreſſing it ſelfe in an extraordinary way, faſting ſhall be joyned to crying mightily, as Jonas 3. 6. and if our prayers alone prevail not, it will make us goe another way to work with God, even to ſet others on work to ſeek God with us and for us. Cant. 5. 6, I ſought him, but found him not, p. 178verſe 8. If you find my beloved, tell him I am ſick of love.

3. It conſiſteth in a holy impatience 3 An holy impatience of delay or denyall of an anſwer.of delay, or of denyal of our holy requeſts; it maketh a gracious ſuppliant to ſtand (as we ſay) upon thornes: the captive exile haſteth to be delivered, Iſaiah 51. 14. The Church is even ſick of love for want of the deſired preſence of Jeſus Chriſt. Cant. 5. 8. Heare me ſpeedily (ſaith David) my ſpirits fayle, leaſt I be like to one of thoſe that go down to the pit. Pſal. 147. 7. it is even death to ſuch to be delayed, much more to be denyed, hence thoſe frequent ingeminations, How long Lord, how long? Pſ. 13. every day, week, or month, is as ſeven to importunity: love in the ſoul to the Lord, his favours and fellowſhip, keepeth due and true account how long he hath held us off, and therefore calleth upon the ſoule, Go againe to him, renew thy ſuits, ſpeak, why doſt not thou ſpeak for a ſpeedy anſwer? and faith whiſpers the ſoul in the eare, be not put off, the Lord hath that by him for which thou comeſt, it is not for his honour to bid thee goe and come againe to morrow, when he hath that pardon, and peace, and grace by him for which thou comeſt: yea, Sathan and unbeliefe will be charging ſuch preſent pay of ſpiritual debts, or elſe to priſon; and therefore feares and jealouſies are raiſed by them both in the Saints, and many times will poſt and haſte the ſoule upon deſires of ſpeedy p. 179reſolutions and anſwers from the Lord, what he meaneth to doe for them at theſe dead lifts.

4. It conſiſteth in a ſtrong reſiſting of 4 In a reſolute breaking through diſcouragements in prayer.diſcouraging ſuggeſtions whenceſoever ariſing, tending to beat the ſoule off from prayer, If the anſwer from within be, trouble me not, I am in bed, Luke 11. 7, 8. yet the ſuit is continued, and for importunities ſake the friend ariſeth, and ſupplieth with bread: If the angel ſay to importunate wreſtling Jacob, Let me goe: nay, I will not let thee goe, till thou bleſſe me, (ſaith hee) Gen. 32. 26, 27, 28. hee will hold his hold whoſoever ſaith no. Exod. 32, 11, 12, 13. Let me alone ſaith he to Moſes, (or leave off thy prayer, as the Chaldee paraphraſe readeth it,) but the event ſhewed hee would not, he did not let him alone. Pſal. 80. 4. Though God carry it towards his people, ſometimes as angry, yet they pray; why art thou angry at the prayer of thy people? Lamentations 3. when his prayer is ſhut out, yet he knocketh, Pſal. 61. 1, 2. From the ends of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher then I: let his diſtances bee never ſo great, hee is reſolved to cry after the Lord, and if he get but his head never ſo little above water, the Lord ſhal hear of him. Pſal. 69. 1, 3. One would think his diſcouragements ſuch, as he were paſt crying any more, the waters entred into his ſoule, in p. 180deep waters the ſtreams running over him: hee ſticketh fast in the mire where is no ſtanding, (he is at the very bottome, and there faſt in the mire,) he is weary of crying, yet verſe 6, 13. But Lord, I make my prayer to thee: and as he recovers breath, ſo breathes out freſh ſupplications to the Lord; if men or devils would be forbidding to pray, as the multitude ſometimes did the poore blind man, to cry after Jeſus; yet as he, ſo an importunate ſuppliant will cry ſo much the more, Jeſus thou Sonne of David, have mercy on me. Mark 10. 47, 48. When diſtruſt and diſtempers would bee pulling ſuch a ſuppliant by the ſleeves as he is going to the throne of grace, and ſay, what, thou go thither? alaſſe poor tattered creature, wilt thou goe thus in thy raggs? Hath the Lord nothing elſe to doe but to wait upon ſuch as thou art? Doeſt thou poore prodigal think that he will be ſpoken with by ſuch an one as thou art? Go pay thy debts firſt to divine juſtice, thou knoweſt what an one thou art, and haſt been. It is for ſuch as are ſo fruitfull, ſo faithfull, ſo zealous, ſo mortified, ſo ſelfe-denying, ſo ſincere, ſo ſerviceable to God and others, ſuch as have kept ſo cloſe to God, that have not runne into ſuch and ſuch ſinnes againſt light, ſuch as can confidently ſtay upon God; and not for thee who haſt failed in all theſe, to draw near to him: yea, but ſtrength and importunity in prayer will gather ſtrength p. 181by theſe preſſings and oppoſitions, theſe guſts wil but kindle the fire of holy deſires, and make them flame out the more in prayer; and conclude, that it concerneth the ſoul the more to beg and ſeek for mercy. Sometimes the guilt of ſome ſpecial ſin would ſtop the ſouls mouth this way; but that alſo maketh it to roare out its complaints the more, and preſſe the harder for pardon. Sometimes the world in the occaſions of it would withdraw the ſoul to ſpeak a few words to it of concernment; but importunity packeth that away with indignation. Importunate David will chide out all manner of diſquieting ſuggeſtions; Why art thou diſquieted within me, O my ſoul? Pſal. 42. 5. and break through an army of diſcouragements to ſpeak to the Lord: if he muſt ſwimme for it through a tempeſtuous ſea of difficulties, hee is at a point for that, he will make his prayer to the God of his life. verſe 7, 8. In this holy buildingwork, oppoſition maketh not ſerious builders lay by their trewell, but take their ſword rather in the other hand ready to reſiſt ſuch as oppoſe it: ſuch holy beggars have no other trade to live upon, but ſuch begging, it is even death to them to leave it.

5. It conſiſteth in a patient▪ bearing and 5 In ſubmiſſive bearing croſſe occurrences in praieroverlooking adverſe occurrences in our ſeeking of the Lord. Gen. 32▪ 25. The Angel touched the hollow of Jacobs thigh, p. 182and it was out of joynt as he wreſtled with him, but yet he muttered not; hee mindeth his work: and verſe 26. I will not let thee goe except thou bleſſe me: let him criple him and bruiſe him if he pleaſe, but bleſſe him hee muſt ere they part. The importunate Canaanitiſh woman doth not regard, or any wayes ſtomack the taunt of Chriſt, (if it may be ſo called) in his calling her dog; It is not meet to take childrens bread, and caſt it to dogs, but ſhe owneth the worſt name he can give her as her due, Truth Lord, ſaith ſhe, &c. Matth. 15. 26, 27. Theſe people of Chriſt will be ſeeking of him, Cant, 5. 6. I ſought him, but could not find him, I called upon him, but he gave me no anſwer; yea, they bear it quietly: yea, but the watchmen and thoſe upon the walls abuſe his people. verſe 7. They put up that alſo, but follow their ſuit for the recovering of Chriſts favour towards them. ver. 8. If you find my beloved, tell him (in your prayers) that I am ſick of love. Such beggers winch not much for the barking, yea or for ſome ſnaps of dog-like enemies to prayer, nor care ſuch beggars what they are ſecretly termed, the worſt name is welcome, ſo that they may have but the almes of mercy for which they come. They meet with many a wrinch, and many a cruſh, in preſſing through crowds of diſcontentments, with their petitions to their Kings gracious throne; but earneſtneſſe of their deſires, makes them p. 183quietly to bear all. In thoſe ſoul wooings of Chriſt, ſuch like diſcouragements are all nothing, if at laſt they may but winne Chriſt, and gaine true ſpiritual conjugall fellowſhip with him: if they find ſuch a pearl, they weigh not any coſt they are at in ſeeking it. If they may but gaine the paſſages of the ſtreight gate to life, they can very well bear the dry blows they meet with, in fighting to enter in, as the force of that Phraſe, (Luke 13. 22.) foreign, holdeth forth fighting; as thoſe of old in the Grecian exerciſes, ſome whereof were with fiſts, and batts. Brave ſpirits are up in the ſoul, when a ſpirit of importunity in prayer is ſtirring, and they will make ſuppliants bear any thing: ſo much alſo the force of the word foreign, (uſed both, Col. 4. 21. and Rom. 12. 12. For continuing inſtant in prayer,) holdeth forth; continuing therein with much patient bearing of incumbrances or moleſtations.

6. It conſiſteth laſtly, in being in a holy In holy inſatiableneſſe with mercies received.wife, unſatisfied with ſmaller meaſures of prayer-bleſſings, preſſing ſtill on for more, Importunate Abraham hath his additionall requeſts to the former, when they are granted, Gen. 18. 17, 20, 30. So Moſes, when heard for Iſraels pardon, ſo far forth: Exod. 32. 10, 11, 12, 13. yet hee wants, and muſt have the Lords gracious preſence along with him: and then Exod. 33. 12, 13, 17. when that is granted, yet he wanteth a further light of Gods glory, v. 18. And when p. 184he hath got that, yet chap. 34. 8, 9. he hath a further requeſt for Iſrael againe, verſe 8, 9. Gideon hath ſcarſe ever done asking one ſigne and token of Gods gracious preſence with him, after another granted him, Judg. 6. 17, 18, 37, 38, 39. compared. Thoſe earneſts make them preſſe harder for the receipt of farther and larger ſums of grace; thoſe gracious recoveries makes them to renew their ſuits and pleas; thoſe taſtes do but whet their appetites after more of ſuch ſpiritual cheare; ſuch firſt-fruits make them long the more, for gathering in more of that bleſſed harveſt; now and then a view and kiſſe of their beloved at their requeſt, makes them more enamoured with love-deſires after more.

Now of the ſecond thing propounded. Importunity in prayer muſt not be 1 Unſeaſonable.What manner of importunity is required? To which I anſwer, 1. Negatively. 2. Affirmatively. Negatively alſo two wayes. 1. Look that it be not unſeaſonable importunity, but a ſeeking of Chriſt early, in the day time of grace, not in the evening, the cloſe and ending of that day. Prov. 1. 28. Thou ſhalt ſeek me early, and not find me, when the door of grace is ſhut, to cry, Lord, Lord, open to us, it is in vaine, Luke 13. 25. when men have wearied out the Lord with knocking at their hearts, and with calls, and they anſwer not him, they ſhall (cry) ſaith the Lord, but I will not heare.

p. 1852. Looke that it be not an inordinate 2 Inordinate, or for a luſt.importunity, an importunity of ſome luſts, like Rachels wraſtling (in prayer alſo) with great wraſtling for a ſon.

Queſt. How may Inordinacy of affection Queſt. or luſt, be diſcerned to be the ſpring, and give riſe to importunity in prayer?

1. Anſw. When importunity in prayer Anſw. 1 for mercies which we want, is uttered with Markes of earneſt prayer when from our luſt. 1 Undervaluing of mercies received.undervaluing of the bleſſings wee already have, or with diſcontentment at them. Numb. 11. 4. You fell a luſting, and wept, ſaying, who will give us fleſh? and verſe 6 We can ſee nothing but this Man. Like children, that whileſt crying for an apple from their fathers hand, will fling away the cake that is in their owne, and ſo get a whipping rather then a pippin (as wee ſay;) ſo ſuch get a laſhing, rather then their longing, which argueth an inordinacy in ſuch children.

2. When ſuch importunity in ſeeking ſuch 2 Valuing of things deſired even with a bad eſtate.or ſuch things from God, is accompanied with a priſing of a very bad eſtate, in the enjoyment of the things we ask: as we remember, ſay they, the fleſh we did eat in Egypt, Numb. 11. 4, 5. they are ſo eager for fleſh, that Egypt it ſelfe, where they had ſuch fleſh, hath now an honorable memoriall with them, and they could even be glad of Egypt againe upon condition they had but fleſh enough as formerly: A place of bondage, a place where ſacrificing to the p. 186Lord was an abomination to the Egyptians, would be a welcome place, with that deſired fleſh they crave. Luke 15. 12. The younger ſaid, father give me the portion of goods which falleth to me: he will have it though he want his fathers preſence, and the communion of his family, and be left to himſelfe to ſhift for a living. The Iſraelites will have a King, though they are told from God, that they will be in a farre worſe condition under their tyrannous uſages, then ever they were under the government he appointed over them, even under their Judges; 1 Sam. 11. 11. to the 18. And verſ. 18. And you ſhall cry out in that day, becauſe of your King which you ſhall have choſen you, and the Lord will not hear you in that day, verſe 19. Nevertheleſſe the people refuſed to obey the voice of Samuel, and they ſaid, nay, but we will have a King over us. Like ſome young men, that againſt all their fathers wholſome admonitions will needs have ſuch an one for their wife, and night and day ſollicit their father to let them have her; though told that they will but undoe themſelves by it.3 Asking things unſutable to our condition.

3. When we aske things of God, that are unſutable for our condition: as for the younger ſonne to ask his father to have all at his own diſpoſe, when no way fit to manage it: Luke 15. 12, 13. So for Iſrael in a wilderneſſe to deſire quailes, a meat altogether unſutable for their place, and eſtate; So p. 187for James and John, to deſire that one might ſit at his right hand, and the other at his left hand in the Kingdome of heaven, Mark. 10. 35. 37. before they are fitted to ſuffer with Chriſt, or for him; to be riding on horſeback ere they are able to goe on foot.4 Raſhneſſe in asking.

4. When wee are raſhly importunate, as James and John were Mark 10. 36. You aske you know not what: they conſidered not, underſtood not what they asked: or as in that requeſt for fire to come down from heaven, to conſume thoſe Samaritanes, Luke 9. 54. Chriſt told them, you know not what ſpirits you are of: they conſidered not from what ſpirit they were moved in that requeſt. When we waite not for Gods counſell, adviſe not with the Lord about what we are to aske; or not ſeaſonably, before our hearts are growne inordinate with their deſires, Pſalm. 106. 13, 14. They waited not for his counſel; they luſted in the wilderneſſe: when deſires prevent, or outrun deliberate judgement, they are not right; or when judgement the miſtreſſe, muſt waite upon theſe her maids, there is diſorder: When your princely minde muſt go on foot, whileſt ſervantly affections ride on horſeback, there is confuſion; when underſtanding muſt only dance after affections pipes, there muſt needs be great miſcarrying.

5. When we are not willing to waite 5 Haſtineſſe for getting things deſired.the Lords leaſure for the affecting of what we ask of him: but will be asking of him p. 188in wayes full of hazard, or with meanes of our own deviſing to attaine our deſires: As Rachel, who wreſtled in prayer for a child, Gen. 30, 8. but whileſt delayed, gave her maid to Jacob to attain her deſire of a childe: or like David, deſiring the waters of Bethlehem, which could not be had, without the life-blood of ſuch as fetcht it: 2 Sam. 23. 15, 16, 17. Like feveriſh perſons, flying out of their beds for the drink they ask: the Iſraelites deſire to goe up to Canaan then when God ſaid nay, was a luſt: Numb. 14. 40, 41. 44. There were luſts in that Kings extraordinary ſeeking of God for ſupplies of bread, by faſting and prayer: 2 Kings 6. 30. That in delayes of ſupplie, lets drive at the Lord himſelfe, verſe 33. Behold, this evill is of the Lord, what ſhould I waite on the Lord any longer. Iſa. 58. 3. Wherefore have we afflicted our ſoule, and thou takeſt no knowledge: thoſe breathings that are ſo ſhort winded, they are not divine inſpirings.

6. When wee keep not due proportions in our deſires, being more importunate 6 Inequality in deſires.in corporall matters, and thoſe of leſſe conſequence, then in thoſe ſoule matters of greateſt concernment: like thoſe in Hoſea 7. 14. Who can howle upon their beds for corne and wine, and yet without heart to ſeeke reconciliation with God: verſe 10, 11. Lukewarme at the beſt in ſpiritual matters; a cake halfe baked, verſe 8. Like fooliſh children, p. 189hardly ever ſpeaking of choice matters, and yet ever and anon filling the houſe with cries for rattles and baubles.

7. When we flie in the face of this or that Creature, lay cauſeleſſe blame upon 7 Quarrelling with inſtruments.ſuch or ſuch perſons, or things, if not anſwered of God, in things that we crave of him: thus Rachel wraſtled with God for a childe, but whilſt delayed, quarrells with Jacob, Give me children, or elſe I dye: Gen. 30. 1, 2. 8. compared. Like diſtemper'd patients, angry with their attendants, becauſe they may not have ſuch, or ſuch things, albeit forbidden by their Phyſician: or like children falling out with the executors of their fathers will, becauſe they doe not at their times, in their wayes and proportions, pay them in what they deſire.

8. When our deſires in prayer tend to a luſt, and the ſervice of it, they ſpring 8 Asking for a luſt.from a luſt; and if luſt be laſt in execution of our deſire, it is the end of them, and ſo the firſt in Intention. Our prayers are in their Geneſis, as they are in their Analyſis: when their reſolution and diſſolution is into Inordinacies, their beginnings were aſuredly ſome inordinacy. Such prayers and deſires as have earth and fleſh for their Center, were aſſuredly earthly and carnal in their principles: Such as their Omega is, ſuch was their Alpha. The Prodigall who p. 190ſpent what he asked of his father upon harlots, ſurely had ſome inordinate luſt, which ſet him on worke to aske the ſame of his father. Luke 15. 12, 13. For this it is that the Apoſtle James condemneth theſe profeſſors: Ye aske amiſſe, that you may James 3. 3.Jas 3:3conſume it upon your luſts.

9. When the fruition of the things ſo earneſtly deſired, proveth afterwards ſome 9 A blaſt upon the thing deſired.way burdenſome to us: Geneſis 19. 20. How earneſt is Lot for Zoar, Is it not a litle one? and my ſoule ſhall live: but verſe the 36. He is weary of Zoar: Lot went up from Zoar: thus the Iſraelites quailes over earneſtly asked become loathſome to them. Numb. 11. 18, 20. So did they at length cry out as much upon a King, as ever they did cry out for one: 1 Sam. 1. 8, 18. This paſſing from one extreame to another, argueth Inordinacy in the heart. Now we come more briefly to anſwer affirmatively.

1. Then look that your importunity Importunity in prayer muſt bein prayer be cauſed and guided by faith: ſo it was with the importunate Petitioner, 1. From faith,Matth. 15. 25. 28. compared. He ſaith not, oh woman, great is thy importunity, and yet it was ſuch; but, great is thy faith; faith doth ballaſt the heart aright in prayer, and keeps the ſwift ſailing deſires thereof, in their due courſe.

2. Look that it be with filial meekneſs, 2 With meekneſſe and ſubmiſſion.ſubmiſſion: Chriſt offered up prayers with p. 191ſtrong cryes, and teares. Heb. 5. 7. but annexeth, not my will, but thine be done; Matth. 26. 39, 42. and Luk. 22 42, 44. compared.

3. Look it be done with ſutable earneſtneſſe 3 With like earneſtneſſe in uſe of means.and ſeriouſneſſe in holy indeavours, in the uſe of lawfull meanes to attaine our ſpirituall deſires, Canticles 3. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Touching the third thing, the Reaſons calling for importunity in prayer: though we might name many; as the Lords importunity in calling upon us; the fiery fervent nature of the ſpirit of God in us; the importunity of the wicked in their deſires; the prevailing force of ſuch holy importunity with the Lord. Yet wee ſhall inſiſt upon this one Reaſon, taken from the evil of careleſneſſe, remiſſeneſſe, or ſlightineſſe in prayer which is croſſe to importunity in the ſame, w^ch may ſuffice to awaken us all to the contrary duty of importunity in prayer. Let us onelyonly hint ſome particulars of the evils Evils of ſinne in ſlightineſſe in prayer.both of ſinne and ſorrow which attend ſuch ſlightineſſe and remiſſeneſſe in prayer. Conſider we firſt of the evils of ſinne in ſuch ſlightineſſe in prayer.

1. A ſlighty prayer is a blind ſacrifice: the 1 Inconſiderateneſſe in prayer.mind of ſuch a one that ſo praieth, is not wont to conſider, or obſerve what he doth therein. He that is careleſſe of the manner of his approach to God, looketh not to his feet, conſiders not that he doth evil. Eccleſ. 5. 1.

p. 1922. It is a lame ſacrifice; it is not a compleat praier. Like the ſacrifices of thoſe careleſſe 2 Incompl… neſſe in praier.ſlighty Jewiſh Prieſts of old, Mal. 1. 8. ſuch a ones affections to God and good, are corrupted. Such an ones expreſſions in prayer, are very unfit and unſutable oftentimes unto what he is ſpeaking of. Prayer in ſuch an ones mouth, is as a parable in a fools mouth, which in expreſſion is very unequal. Prov. 26. 7. The Prayer-expreſſions of a drowſie, ſlighty ſpirited profeſſour, are like the ſpeeches of one halfe aſleep, halfe awake, full of impertinences. The mind alſo of ſuch one is cripled halteth: witneſſe the many diſtractions conſtantly accompany ſuch an ones prayer. The mind of ſuch being not ſerious in prayer, and taken up in talking with God, will eaſily admit ſpeech with other objects, which will be calling the mind forth to mentall diſcourſes about them whilſt praying. As it is in ſeeking of ſomething which we have loſt, if wee mind it not ſeriouſly, we ſhall have trifles enough in veiw to draw our eyes to them: ſo is it in ſlighty ſeeking to God in prayer.

3. Careleſneſſe and ſlightineſſe in 3 Inſtability in prayer.prayer, breedeth and feedeth inconſtancy, and inſtability in prayer. Any, yea ſometimes no occaſion ſhall cauſe a ſleighty Profeſſour to neglect his praying. Any pretence that will but ſeemingly ſerve to ſtop conſcience its mouth, or any diſcouragement p. 193will put him by praying; it is verified in ſuch an one, Job. 27. 10. Will hee alwayes call upon God? (that is) hee will not doe it on conſtantly. Their goodneſs in ſeeking God in prayer alſo, is but as the early dew which goeth away, Hoſea 5. laſt, and 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. compared. Nor will it be onelyonly an occaſional omiſſion ſometimes of Prayer, but an habituated inſtableneſſe in Prayer, now off, now on; now having a mind, & now no mind to pray; until at length ſuch an one waxeth weary of prayer, which did not call upon God, to wit ſeriouſly, Iſaiah. 43. 22. Thou haſt not called upon me, (namely importunately) but thou haſt been weary of me, O Iſrael. As it is with the ſluggard, Prov. 6. 10. yet a little ſlumber, and yet a little ſleep, and as one ſleep and ſlumber ſtealeth upon another, ſo one ſleighty prayer begetteth another, at leaſt a diſpoſition thereunto: and one ommiſſion of Prayer occaſioneth another, though it may be, an awakened conſcience would faine have it otherwiſe; or as it is with a ſleighty workman, if he doe but now and then forbear working, labour groweth tedious to him, or at leaſt hee cannot hold out to any conſtancy in working. The like befalleth him that is ſleighty in Praying, he cannot be conſtant in Praying. Such an one will rather run any hazards, to ſhark and ſhift for comfort otherwiſe, then bee conſtant in labouring in Prayer for it.

p. 1944. Slightineſſe in prayer, it rather ſtrengthens then weakens the ſinnes wee pray againſt. When Profeſſours grow remiſſe in praier, then corruptions preſently gather head, and get the better; if Moſes his hands grow heavy and remiſſe in praier, flying, yea and wounded Amalakites will rally, and give a fiercer and more victorious charge. Exodus 17. 11. Whilſt a Chriſtian Souldier handleth this weapon of praier careleſly, he leaveth an open mark for an enemy and luſt to foile and wound him, if not mortally and irrecoverably. Should a Chriſtian traveller, though like another traveller, with his piſtols in his holſters, and his ſword by his ſide, be well weaponed, yet if careleſſe, and as good as aſleep by the way ſide, he is a fit prey to any luſt to ſpoil and rob him of his treaſure; or if ſuddenly awakened in conſcience, to ſee his danger, yet he is but as one ſuddenly awakened in a kind of amazement, and hardly in caſe to reſiſt and fight againſt any ſuch robber. Yea ſleightneſſe in praier laies a Chriſtian open to all manner of temptations. It even tempts that arch-robber and murderer of ſoules, the Devil, to bee making a booty of ſuch ſleighty profeſſours. Mark 14. 37, 38. Watch and pray leſt you enter into temptation. The diſciples careleſneſs of praier made the more ready way to Sathan to tempt them to forſake their maſter. And it was an ominous preſage to Peter in ſpecial, of p. 195his ſad fall ſoon after. Simon, ſleepeſt thou? watch and pray leſt yee enter into temptation.

Supineſs and ſleightneſs in prayer is an 5 It is an inlet to deluſionsin-let to deluſive fancies and conceits. The ſleighteſt Chriſtians in holy performances are moſt haunted with groundleſs and vaniſhing toyes and hopes; as is evident in hypocrites, who are habituated in ſuch a ſleighty way of prayer, and other religious exerciſes. Joh. 8. 11, 12. 13. As it is with other perſons who are betwixt ſleeping and waking, they are ſubject to dreames, ſo is it with ſuch like Chriſtians.

6. Such Sleightneſs in prayer, is an 6 It brings in Apoſtacy.in-let and ſad forerunner of Apoſtacy, if not ſeaſonably redreſsed. The profeſsours in Joſiahs time that ſo ſoon turned back from God, were ſuch as did not ſeek God, namely to any purpoſe, but at moſt, formally and careleſly. Zeph. 1. The fooliſh virgines who for faſhion and forme ſake, goe out to meet Chriſt in his ordinances, making it their great care to get ſo much oyle of grace, as would make them ſhine in religious exerciſes, their oyle at length failed them, and their profeſſion and religious performances ended in a ſnuffe and in ſmoak. Matth. 25. 8.

Chriſtians come not from one extreame of raſh and hypocritical zeal and fervency, to the other of utter contempt and neglect of God and good, but by this midling p. 196temper of ſleightneſs; from hot they come to bee quite cold by this lukewarmeneſs; when Chriſtians are once beginning to take from the heighth and ſteep of fervency, they then haſte downeward apace, and if the Lord prevent not, they ſtay not till they fatally fall into the bottomeleſs pit. When Chriſtians grow indifferent in their deſires of grace, they grow as indifferent in their indeavours after it; and when once indifferent whether they do work for God or no, they are fitteſt to bee hired to doe ſome worſe work. When Chriſtians through careleſneſſe in driving this holy trade of prayer, do not thrive, but go downe the wind amaine, 'tis twenty to one but they will be taking up ſome other trade: it may bee of covetous perſons, it may be of time-ſervers, it may be of drunkards, it may be of adulterers, it may be of hereticks, or opinioniſts, or the like.

Conſider wee now of ſome evils of puniſhments Evils of ſorrow accompanying ſlightneſſe in Prayer.and ſorrow attending this; for this being in Gods account the guiſe of deceivers, That when we have a male in our own flock, as ſometimes the Lord ſpake, Mal. 1. 8. 14.—we have ſerious ſpirits in other matters of the world, or the like; Yet offer ſuch an accurſed thing, as careleſſe and ſlighty prayers; a curſe of God is wont to A blaſt upon the gifts.attend it, God is wont to blaſt ſuch in their ſpirits and gifts; ſo that their very gift of prayer is by degrees taken away from them: p. 197there is a ſecret moth that eateth out the ſtrength and beauty of it, and it is too often found, that whilſt ſuch are ſlightly hapething and trifling about the greater matters of their ſouls, the Lord leaveth offering his rich mercies to them, and whilſt they are making ſome complemental ſuits to Divine forſakings.Chriſt, hee at length will be woed no more by them, and that ſad curſe of God threatned againſt them in Jer. 44. 26 And the Lord will be no more named by any mouth of the men of Judah, cometh to be fulfilled in ſuch looſe-hearted profeſſours. Prayer is caſt out of their families and cloſets, as ſome refuſe ſervice, as is to be ſeen in theſe later dayes in too too many: or if by ſome awakening afflictions ſent upon them, they come to be rouſed; yet it is too often their juſt doome to be earneſt indeed, but without any regard thereunto by the Lord. They ſhall cry, but I will not hear. Zeph. 7. 11. Iſai. 65. 13, 14 But at beſt any degree of ſuch a ſlighty ſpirit in prayer, will become very grievous to us, if truely gracious: whence that way of complaint, Iſai. 64. 7. There is none that calleth upon God, no not one that ſtirreth up himſelfe to take hold of Saddeſt heartgreifs.God. It is as grievous to ſuch ſoules to have their ſpiritual joynts either bound or benummed, as it is in a like caſe to men when their body hath its numb palſie; when in prayer a gracious heart is ever reaching out to take an approaching mercy, and then p. 198through a little incogitancy & remiſneſs the mercy is let ſlip, and the advantage at that time loſt, it muſt needs bee grievous to the godly.

To the fourth Query.

Queſt. What means we ſhould uſe to be Queſt. 4 importunate in prayer?

I anſwer, get thee more abundant Anſw. knowledge of God and of our ſelves, but Helps to importunity in prayer. 1 Diſtinct knowledge of the Lord.eſpecially acquaint our ſelves with Gods friendly and mercifull diſpoſition towards us. Luke 11. 7, 8, 5. verſes compared, Hee who was importunate for bread knew he was at a friends door: like the Syrians, hearing that the Kings of Iſrael were mercifull Kings, this quickned them up to that earneſtneſſe in ſeeking their favour, 1 Kings 20. 31. It will make a beggar earneſt for an almes when he knoweth where a bountiful perſon liveth, who is not wont to ſend any beggar away empty.

2. Cheriſh wee, hope of the Lords 2 Lively hope of mercy.mercy to us. Jonah 3. Let them cry mightily to the Lord: verſe 9. Who can tell if God will turne and repent? the poſſibility that the Lord was within hearing, and might open to the Ninivites, made them knock ſo hard at his doore of grace.

3. See wee bee ſenſible of our utter deſtituteneſſe 3 Senſe of our owne helpleſneſſe.of what we are to ask of God, and our ſhiftleſneſſe to get it any other where or way. Luke 11 3 6. Lend me three leaves, for a friend of mine is come and I have n…thg p. 199to ſet before him. Luke 15. 17, 18, 19. I periſh for hunger, I will ariſe, and goe to my father, and ſay, make me as one of thy hiredſervants. Pſal. 143. 4. My heart is deſolate within me. ver. 6. My ſoul thirſteth after thee. When all other meanes and doors fail ſuch ſpiritual beggars, & that one only door of grace is left for their reliefe, or elſe they muſt famiſh, how earneſtly will it cauſe them to knock there? Jer. 3. 21. A voice of weeping and ſupplication was heard. verſe 23. Truly in vaine is ſalvation hoped for from the hills. Truely in the Lord our God is the ſalvation of Iſrael.

4. Look that we account highly of the 4 High eſteem of what is deſired in prayer.mercies we ask in prayer. Prov. 2. 3. If thou cryeſt after knowledge, and lifteſt up thy voyce after underſtanding. verſe 4. If thou ſearcheſt for her as ſilver, and ſearcheſt for her as for hidden treaſure. The Church was ſick of love, Cant. 5. 8. and uſeth all meanes to find him; and no wonder, her beloved was the chiefeſt of ten thouſand to her, ver. 10.

5. Take we holy advantages of the gales 5 Opportunity of prayer.and movings of the ſpirit in prayer, and of Chriſts approaches to us: opportunity helps importunity in prayer. Mat. 20. 30. And behold two blind men ſitting by the way ſide, when they heard that Jeſus paſſed by, cryed out, ſaying, have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Sonne of David. And verſe 32. And Jeſus ſtood ſtill and called them, and ſayd, what will you that I doe unto you? verſe 33. they ſay to p. 200him, Lord that our eyes may be opened. When Chriſt by his ſpirit calleth us to him, puteth us upon asking, and when hee ſtands ſtill waiting to be gracious to us, now let him not goe till hee bleſſe us. When beggars come whilſt a bountifull perſon is giving out his dole to the poore, or in dinner time, when victuall is ſtirring, they will not away without ſomething; ſo if we perceive the Lord to bee on the giving hand, put in hard for a bleſſing.

6. Improve we former advantages gotten 6. Improve experiences.of God in and by prayer. I will cry to God moſt high, unto God who performes all things for me: when we ſee crying will doe, it will put us on not to ſpare for crying. Now in this holy ſearch after experimental knowledge of Gods grace, wee now and then light upon a ſmaller vain of ſuch treaſure, we will not ſpare any pains in digging; when in our daily woing of Chriſt in praier, we meet now and then with a ſmile, and kiſs, and love-token, it will make us follow our ſuit cloſe.

7. Goe we about prayer as our onelyonly 7. Make praier our only buſineſſe.buſineſſe, which then wee have to doe, ingaging our ſelves to attend it. Saints are ſpiritual ſolicitours by their calling as Saints. That which made Abraham ſo urgent in his requeſt, Gen. 18. 27. is this, Behold now I have taken upon me to ſpeake to the Lord.

8. Chide we our ſelves ſadly, and bee p. 201wee ſeriouſly abaſed for any ſleightineſſe, 8 Chide our ſelves out of ſleightineſſe in prayer.at any time in prayer, as the Prophet complaining thereof: Iſa. 64. We have now called upon thy name, nor ſtirred up our ſelves to take hold of thee: and Iſa. 63. 17. Why haſt thou hardned our hearts from thy feare? As Eliſha was wroth with Joaſh for ſmiting but thrice, and then ſtaying: 2 Kings 13 18, 19. Saying, thou ſhouldeſt now have ſmitten five or ſix times: or as they did chide ſleeping Jonah, when hee ſhould have been praying, Jonah chap. 1. 6. Awake thou ſleeper, and call upon thy God. So chide we our ſleighty ſpirits to awaken unto prayer.

9. Set we the examples of the moſt 9 Set before us the beſt examples of importunity in prayer.importunate ſuppliants of God before our eyes, James 5. 17. Elias prayed earneſtly that it might not raine, and it rained not; a very dullard will pluck up his feet when he ſeeth how nimble his leaders are.

Laſtly, take heed of all ſuch things as are enemies and impediments to Importunity Lets to importunity in prayer. 1 Inordinate deſires after other things.in prayer. Such as are inordinate deſires after other things: we cannot to any purpoſe follow ſeverall ſuits at once, in ſeverall Courts: we cannot ply the worlds court and Gods too. The meſſengers are ſent out another way which ſhould importune heaven, and they cannot be here and there too: whilſt our winged deſires are haſting after other things and booties, we are ſloweſt in moving heaven-ward with wings as Angels.

p. 2022. Immoderate intentneſs even upon our lawful occaſions: when our ſpirits are 2. Too much eagerneſſe upon lawfull things or occaſions.even rivited to our occaſions, they wil not be eaſily got free for prayer, they muſt be even filed off againe, no ordinary pulling at them will doe: when we are too too buſy all the day long in ſpeech with ſuch occaſions, they will be calling even in prayer for a word with us.

3. Inconſiderate rovings of minde 3 A wandring minde before.in the interims betweene our praying ſeaſons; when wee let our fleet thoughts flie hither and thither without reſtraint, they will not be ſo eaſily lured by us and come at our call, to become fixed in prayer.

4. Admiſſion of wandring thoughts in prayer, and too eaſie yieldings to ſleightineſſe 4 Diſtraction in prayer.therein; they grow unmannerly bold, when in the leaſt entertained.

5. Reſting in graces and comforts 5 Reſting in grace received.received, in, and by prayer: we are ſure to become remiſſe in praying the next time, if wee ſeed our thoughts too much upon what we got the laſt time we prayed, or if ſleighty once in prayer; becauſe ſecretly thinking to make amends the next time, we ſhall be then alſo the more ſleighty.

6. Miſgiving Apprehenſions touching Diffidence.God and his grace; That thought (Job 21. 15.) What profit ſhould we have, if we pray to him? maketh them careleſſe of coming near the Lord. A petitioner muſt p. 203needs be heartleſſe in his ſuit, if he think that the King is wroth with him. And a beggar hath no minde to ſtand begging at a known churles doore.

Queſt. To the laſt querie: touching Queſt. 5 the markes of right and acceptable importunity in prayer.

Anſw. I anſwer, wee may diſcerne Anſw. our importunity in prayer to be acceptable, Marks of acceptable importunity. 1 Selfe abaſement in prayer.when our importunnity is the importunity of a ſuppliant, of a beggar in ſpirit: when it is attended with much ſelfe abaſement, as the importunate Canaanite, who looked upon her ſelfe as a dog. Matth. 15. 26, 27. Truth Lord, yet the dogs take of the crummes under the table. Importunate Abraham looketh at himſelfe as duſt and aſhes. Geneſis 18. 27, 29.

2. Anſw. When our hearts in prayer are Anſw. 2 well warmed, fire hot, then the end of prayer, 2 Holy warm…h in prayer.fervent prayer is attained; when our hearts wax warme by it, and the meanes is acceptably uſed, then Gods ends in the uſe thereof are attained.

3. When we are in ſpeciall wiſe attent, as to the work wee are in hand with, 3 Holy waiting for an anſwer.ſo to the ſucceſſe thereof: as that woman that beſought Chriſt in an acceptable way of importunity: you may ſee, ſhe lay at catch, for ſhe picketh out ſomething for her holy advantage, out of even that word which Chriſt let fall in way of Anſwer: Matth. 15. It is not meet to take childrens p. 204bread, and give it to dogs: truth Lord, yet the dogs take of the crums falling from their maſters tables: that prayer was full of holy pleas, and ſo are importunate prayers. Pſalme 58. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. And the Prophet beleeveth it was acceptable: verſe 8. He will ſpeak peace unto his people: but withall, he was in a lifting poſture after his anſwer, I will hear what God the Lord will ſpeak.

4. When we are as earneſt and ſerious 4 Hearty prayſes afterward.in returning praiſes for mercies received and begged, as we were in begging for them. Luke 17. 12, 13. The Samaritan among the other leapers, he alſo lifted up his voyce with them, ſaying, Jeſus, Maſter, have mercy on us: and verſe 15, 16. he is as earneſt and loud in his prayſes: and one of them, when he ſaw he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down at Jeſus feet, giving him thanks, and he was a Samaritane: and verſe 19. Chriſt himſelfe juſtifieth his importunity as a fruit of his faith, Goe thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.