A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 2 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. Touching the Conditions required to ſuch manner of praying without ceaſing: and firſt of Faith in Prayer.
HAving ſpoken of the nature of the duty of prayer here injoyned, and of that which is implyed in the notion of praying without ceaſing, We come now to the third thing at firſt propounded to conſideration: namely, the conditions which are required in ſuch praying importunely, opportunely, or conſtantly. Now theſe conditions of inceſſant prayer are four. 1. Faith. 2. Humility. 3. Sincerity. 4. Watchfulneſſe.
Firſt then concerning Faith in prayer: this is a principle requiſite to prayer, it is even all in all in it; without this prayer is in effect no prayer unto the Lord, hence acceptable prayer is called the prayer of faith, Jam. 5. 15. The prayer of faith ſhal ſave the ſick. Its not ſo much a Chriſtians prayer, as his faith in prayer which prevaileth with God for a gracious anſwer. Whatſoever yee ask believing, yee ſhall receive. Matth. 21. 23. It is faith which maketh a mans perſon firſt acceptable, and no wonder then if ſuch an ones prayer prevaile. Cain and Abel both ſacrifice, hypocrites as well as upright ones pray. God had reſpect unto Abel, and unto his offering, yet not to Caine. Gen. 4 4.
But it was by faith that Abel offered a more excellent ſacrifice then Cain. Faith is The neceſſity of faith in prayer.the inſtrument whereby the ſpots and ſtains which elſe might blaſt us and our prayers are removed, both from our perſons and prayers. God purifies our hearts by faith, Act. 15. 9: We are ſanctified by faith. Act. 26. 19. Faith is a meanes to make the holineſſe of Chriſts perſon and prayers ours, and that muſt needs be acceptable to the Lord. My beloved is mine, all his holineſſe and righteouſneſs is mine, ſaith the believing Church. Cant. 2. 16. Faith intereſted the ſaints in all the ſuccouring attributes and titles of God, or offices and titles of Chriſt in the covenant of grace, and all the particular promiſes which we need to improve in prayer: & what then more needfull or uſefull in praier then faith? Faith ſheweth a godly ſoule, where all its ſuccour lyeth, and where all its ſtrength and life is to be had, and after that maketh the utmoſt improvement of all in prayer. Its faith which maketh the Saints keep their due diſtances in prayer. Giveth God and Chriſt their due, grace and mercy its due; our ſelves, and our ſpiritual enemies, which we complaine of, their due: It ſetteth, and (as I may ſay) placeth God and Chriſt in his proper place, ſeat, and throne, putteth us into an holy Athletique plight, ordereth the bounds, proportions, and motions of prayer, and then taketh its beſt ſeaſon, and holy advantages, both of God and of our ſelves, to effect and bring about the deſires which ſpring from our faith. Faith is a lively ſpark indeed, and putteth life, both into the ſuppliants, and into their ſupplications. Bee wee never ſo dead, dumb, ſapleſſe, and liſtleſſe in ſpirituals; if faith begin once to be ſtirring, it putteth life into the buſineſſe. Now for the better handling of this principall requiſite to inceſſant prayer, Conſider,
1. What faith in prayer is required, and why ſo?
2. What is the work of faith in praier?
3. What helpfull means and incouragements are uſefull to further faith in prayer?
4. What are the marks of faith in prayer?
Touching the firſt, we ſay that faith as There is requied in prayer Faith.requiſite & acting in prayer, either reſpecteth God more generally, both in his abſolute and relative nature, or Jeſus Chriſt more ſpecially, or the promiſes, or providences of God more particularly.
1. Faith in Gods nature, and in God abſolutely conſidered, is required, as in all other approaches to God, ſo in this of prayer. Hee that cometh to God muſt believe Heb. 11. 6-that he is, and ſo muſt believe in God abſolutely conſidered, and that he is a rewarder of thoſe that diligently ſeek him; and ſo believe in him, relatively conſidered.
But let's inſtance in ſome particulars herein.
1. Faith in the immenſity and omnipreſence 1 In Gods immenſitie.of God is required in prayer. True it is, faith in prayer doth and muſt look at God as in heaven, in reſpect of his more glorious manifeſtation and communication of himſelfe. Hence that, Our father which art Matth. 6.in heaven, &c. 2 Chron. 20. 6. Art not thou God in heaven? And 2 Chron. 6. 21. Hear in heaven thy dwelling place. It is a great help to an heavenly ſpirit in prayer, and to high and holy aimes. It is a notable curb to reſtraine carnall deſires and thoughts in prayer, to eye God as in heaven. But yet albeit, faith with its eager eye pierce the clouds, and behold the Lord as above all, yet alſo, as in all, and through all. Hee conceiveth of God as comprehending heaven it ſelfe, and not comprehended either of heaven or earth. So did Solomon by faith in that prayer, 1 King. 8. 27. eye God as one whom the heaven of heaven could not containe. Whereſoever the Saints are praying, they are praying as before God. Dan. 6. 10. Daniel prayeth and giveth thanks before God. So did Nehemiah, chap. 1. 4: Neither is any frame more ſutable to prayer then that lawfull working of heart which proceedeth from faith in Gods immenſity. And nothing more quickning to ſerious attention, and intention to the duty, and to comforble expectation of the iſſue, then a lively apprehenſion, that we ſpeak not to an abſent, but to a preſent deity, not to a friend out of hearing, but to one that is with us, and by us, when we are praying.
2. Faith in Gods omniſcience is alſo 2 In Gods omniſcience.required in prayer. Thus David in his, and Jeremiah in his, and Solomon in his prayer, look at God as one that tryeth the heart and the reynes: 1 Chron. 29. 17. Jer. 32. 16. 19. 1 King. 8. And faith in prayer cometh not to bring light to God, but rather to borrow light from him in all the buſineſſe of praier. It knowes his all-ſeeing eye, as well as his all-hearing eare. Faith maketh a ſincere heart the more free and bold with God, becauſe it eyeth him as one who is privy to all it hath to think or ſpeak in prayer. Nothing more terrible to ſinners thoughts in their wayes, then that God ſeeth them. But nothing more comfortable to godly ones then this perſwaſion, that now they are before an all-ſeeing one; they are glad that they ſerve ſuch a Maſter, and ſpeak to ſuch a father, who doth throughly know them, and watchfully eyeth them. The ſuppliants of God have ſecret things, in ſecret corners to commit to the eares of God, and oh, how well is it for them in their eſteeme that they may pray to God which ſeeth in ſecret! Matth. 6. 6. Pray to thy Father which is in ſecret, (ſaith Chriſt.) Suppliants are to ſeek Gods face about matters carryed on by Gods and their own enemies, ſecretly and ſlyly, and had need eye the Lord as one who ſeeth what is contrived and done in the dark: yea, ſometimes they are ſo ſorely aſſailed, and charged by the wily enemies of their ſoules, that they have no way left them, but to appeale in prayer to the Lords all-ſeeing eye, to judge of the falſe charges of men, and divels; and ſometimes of their corrupted tempted conſciences, accuſing them when they ſhould excuſe, diſquieted when they ſhould reſt in God; Hence, why art thou ſo ſad O my ſoul, and why art thou diſquieted within me? trust ſtill in God. Pſal. 42. 5. and verſe 7. Deep calleth to deep. and verſe 8. My prayer ſhall bee to the God of my life. That Tepilla, or appeale prayerwiſe unto the Lord as one that heareth, where the right lieth, helped much. Sometimes we know not what to ask as we ought, but the ſpirit it ſelf maketh interceſſion for us with ſighs and groans that cannot be uttered, Rō. 8. 26, 27. and he that ſearcheth the heart, knoweth what is the mind of the ſpirit. So ſaid Pauls faith, ſo ſaith the faith of each gracious ſuppliant.
3. Faith in Gods all-ſufficiency is requiſite, 3 In Gods allſufficiency.wherefore Chriſt teaching us to pray, teacheth us to look at God, as one whoſe is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Mat. 6. 9, 13. compared. Hence, the loweſt room, and one days reſidence in Gods houſe of prayer, is deſirable to David. Pſ. 84. 10. He believed that God is a ſun and a ſhield, and would withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. verſe 11. Moſes prayeth to the Lord for mercy, as one whoſe mercy would fill all the deſires and corners of their ſoules. Pſal. 90. 14. O ſatisfie me early with thy mercy. None are more ſelfe-empty and needy then true ſuppliants, and therefore faith in Gods all ſufficiency is moſt needfull to them. None are more ſenſible of their utter inabilitie to withſtand the force and guile of their ſoules enemies, and ſo need ſuch a faith the more: yea, the truth is, true ſuppliants uſe not to ſeek of God this or that ſo much, as God and Chriſt in that which they ſeek of him; God in a ſpouſe, in a friend, in liberty, in health, in ordinances, in comforts, and the like; and therefore they muſt needs eye the Lord as all in all, and all without him to be nothing; yea, in a barren land where no deſirable comforts are; and can then in ſeeking him by faith be ſatisfied with him, as with marrow and fatneſſe, Pſal. 63. 1, 2, 3, 5. &c.
4. Faith in Gods Almightineſſe is requiſite in prayer. Paul, who bowed his knees 4 In Gods Almightineſs.(or prayed) unto the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Epheſ. 3. 14. hee looketh on him, as one who was able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ver. 20. So Jehoſhaphat in his prayer, argueth by faith with God thus, (2 Chron. 20. 6.) And in thy hand is not there power and might? that is, there is. So Jeremy in his prayer, Chap. 32. 16, 17. I prayed unto the Lord, ſaying, Ah Lord, behold thou haſt made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and outſtretched arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Sometimes Gods ſuppliants are put hard to it in the courſe of their prayers; the laſt grain of their faith and patience ſeemeth to be put into the ſcale: their preſſures are ſuch, that they even ſqueeze them to the laſt drop of their faith and patience; there appeareth but ſome ſmall ſpark thereof under the aſhes: they ſeem to ceaſe in ſome fainting fits, to be even departing, onelyonly ſome gaſping, panting ſymptomes left of life therein; namely, ſome workings of faith in Gods Almightineſſe, that he is yet able to help and ſuccour them. A may be, a poſſibility in reſpect of Gods Almightineſſe, is eyed by faith, and that carryeth them out in prayer. Sometimes the very faith of Gods ſuppliants is at a ſtand, at a non plus, in regard of Gods will, it is an [if] to them whether he will help; yet they beleeve he can help, and therefore pray; as hee did, Matth. 8. 2. Lord [if] thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean: and ſuch a faith in the Lords Almightineſſe doth great things by prayer: For hence that, I will, be thou clean, ſaith Chriſt, & immediately his leproſie was clenſed. v. 3. He who prayeth in faith of Gods power, ſhall have beyond his faith the benefit of his gracious and energetical will. So the Centurion in his prayer to Chriſt believeth that if he but will his ſervants cure, hee can work it, he can even command it by his ſoveraigne word. Matth. 8. 8. Speak the word onelyonly, and my ſervant ſhall be whole. He is not ſure that he will give out that energaticall word, but if he would but ſpeak the word, he concludeth that hee hath power over all deſirable bleſſings, as ſervants at his command even as his ſouldiers were at his beck, v. 9, 10. And Chriſt approveth of this his faith in his ſoveraigne power, ſaying, Verily, I have not found ſo great faith, no, not in Iſrael. So the man mentioned, Mark 9. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. he maketh a requeſt to Chriſt for his child, but at firſt queſtioned Chriſts power, ſaying, If thou canſt doe any thing, help us; and ſo long his requeſt took not; but being quickned up by Chriſts word to faith in his power, that hee could doe any thing for them, and to expect any thing from him in ſuch a way of believing, if thou canst believe, (namely, that I can doe any thing for you) all things are poſſible to him that ſo believeth; then the man cryeth out with teares, Lord I believe, (namely, that thou canſt do any thing for us) and ſo getteth the bleſſing he prayed for: where prayers are put up in faith, believing all things are poſſible to the Lord believed in, and attainable upon believing in him; there all things are poſſible and attainable to ſuch a faiths-requeſt. Sometimes the ſuppliants of God deale with God in prayer about intricacies, where the determinations of the will of God ſeeme or are hid, and obſcure, yea for ſuch good things as come within the reach of his power; and herein it were ſad with them, if faith in Gods power might not, or did not relieve them. Yea, ſometimes they deal with God about caſes wherin the Lord cometh to expreſſe his will and mind to the contrary, and yet faith in Gods Almightineſſe putteth words into their mouthes, and biddeth, and incourageth them to ſpeak, and to pray to him, and to try it out with him, even in ſuch caſes. When God telleth Moſes that he will ſmite the people, and diſinherit them. Num. 14. 11, 12. Yet becauſe Moſes believed the greatneſſe of Gods power, which might elſe be diſhonoured, hee pleadeth that the nations will ſay, that becauſe the Lord was not able to bring them into the promiſed land, therefore he ſlew them, and then betaketh him to this hold; Let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou haſt ſpoken: the Lord is long ſuffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity, &c. He looked at him as now able to fulfill the other part of his revealed will, even to be a God pardoning his peoples ſins. This ſet the Ninivites a praying, when yet God had ſaid, yet forty dayes and Niniveh ſhal be deſtroyed. Jonah 3. 3, 4, 5. Yet for ought any knew to the contrary, God might ſhew them mercy, verſe 8, 9. who can tell if God may not turne and repent of his fierce anger, that we periſh not, and their prayers tooke effect, verſe 10 God repented of the evill that he had ſaid. Beſides, true ſeekers of God are continually ſenſible of mighty, adverſe powers of darkneſſe againſt them, ſo that if they had not faith in Gods almightineſs overmatching thoſe powers, they would not pray without ceaſing.
5 Faith in the gracious nature, and diſpoſition of God, as in his love, mercy, bounty, compaſſion, long-ſuffering, goodneſſe, is required. Nothing more uſuall with the Saints in their prayers mentioned throughout the ſcripture, then to ſet their faith on worke in prayer upon the gracious nature of God. I need not mention the ſcriptures. In this ocean faith can freely ſwim, and bear up all the ſuppliants burdens, and packets. In this holy chancery court, and court of grace, it can have right in any caſes, which concerne the ſoule. Nothing more ſutable to the hungring and thirſting deſires of ſuppliants, and nothing more ſweet, and ſatisfying, then the marrow and fatneſſe of Gods loving kindneſſe, Pſal. 63. 1. to 5. The upright remember the love of the Lord more then wine, Cant. 14. A poore ſuppliant ſeeeth here by an eye of faith the true riches which his ſoule needeth, and that it is here ready for him, that God is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. So did David, Pſal. 86. 41. This is a ſpirituall all-heale to the poore diſeaſed, wounded ſoule, crying to God for cure: therein it ſeeth, and eyeth the particular ſalves, that are moſt ſutable to the ſeverall ſores of which it complaineth: when the people of God are toſſed with tempeſts of troubles, and temptations, as they were Iſai. 44. 11. yet they eye this as a ſweet and ſafe harbour; if they can but put in here, they are ſheltred in all weathers; if they can but caſt the anchor of faith and hope here, they can ride it out ſecurely, and without hurt or loſſes from any windes which blow:
6. Faith in Gods ſimplicity is required. 6 In Gods ſimplicity.Solomon in his prayer looketh at God as alwayes acting, and all act, one whoſe eyes were open night and day. 1 King. 8. 29 ſo the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 65▪ 2. and thou that art hearing (ever hearing) prayers, to thee ſhall all fleſh come. The like faith in the eternity, and immutability of God, and in his faithfulneſſe in what he is to his poore redeemed ones, and in what he ſaith to them, and doth for them in a way of grace and favour, is needfull. Habbakuk in his prayer maketh uſe of the eternity of God, Hab. 1. 12. Art not thou from everlaſting, oh Lord my God, my holy one? wee ſhall not dye. Nehemiah in his prayer improveth Gods faithfulneſſe, chap. 1. 4. O God, that keepeſt Covenant and mercy for them that love him. Thoſe afflicted ſoules mentioned Pſal. 102. doe in their prayer improve by faith Gods unchangeableneſſe. Thou art the ſame, and thy yeares have no end, verſe 24, 25, 26, 27. The ſuppliants themſelves, and their caſes vary much, and ſuffer many changes, but faith in theſe incourageth them to hold on in inceſſant prayer to the Lord. We might have inſtanced in the particulars of faiths improvements of the relative nature of God, in prayer: as that of a Father, of a Saviour, Redeemer, and the like, as is often mentioned in Scripture, as Jer. 14. 8. Eſa. 63. 15, 16, 17. and 64. 8. &c. but I ſhall forbear: proceed we therefore 7. In the Lord Jeſus.to the ſecond branch of faith required in prayer, namely Faith in the Lord Jeſus, Heb. 7. 23. Chriſt is able to ſave ſuch to the uttermoſt which come unto God by him. Out of Chriſt God is a conſuming fire, and if we eye him as ſuch a one only, wee are driven from him rather than drawn to him. Daniel craveth all things for the Lords ſake, Dan. 9. 17. David requeſteth mercies of the Lord for his words ſake, or as in 1 Chron. 11. 9. for his ſervants ſake; the ſaints of old looked in their prayers towards the temple. 1 King. 8. 29, 30. 35, 38. So Jonah chap. 2. 4. Now the temple was a type of Chriſt, Chriſt ſpake of the temple of his body, Joh. 2. It was not enough for the Iſraelites to cry out of wounds, nor for Moſes to pray with them, or for them, but they muſt look to the brazen Serpent, Numb. 21. 7, 8, 9. which in Joh. 3. 13, 14, 15. is made a type of Chriſt: Chriſt is the altar whereon wee offer all our ſpirituall ſacrifices, if acceptable, Heb. 11. 12. And if we doe in offering them but touch this bleſſed altar by faith, that ſanctifieth them. Exod. 29. 37. The beſt incenſe of our prayers needeth ſprinkling with Chiſts bloud. As was typed in that Exod. 30. 10. No intercourſe twixt God and us but by the meanes of this bleſſed ladder whoſe foot is on earth, and top reacheth unto heaven, Gen. 28. 12. with Joh. 1. end.
A third branch of faith required in 8 In Gods promiſes.prayer, is faith in Gods promiſes; eſpecially in ſuch promiſes as doe reſpect our perſonall and particular caſes and complaints. Jehoſaphat in his prayer maketh uſe of a ſutable promiſe, reſpecting the preſent caſe about which he then beſought the Lord, 2 Chron. 20. 6, 7, 8, 9. ſaying, if when evill cometh upon us, as the ſword, &c. we ſtand before this houſe, and in thy preſence, and cry in our afflictions unto the…, then thou wilt hear and help. When David alſo is to ſeek the Lord for mercy upon his houſe, he improveth a promiſe of God made to that end, 2 Sam. 7 27. For thou O God haſt revealed it unto thy ſervants, ſaying, I will build thee an houſe: therefore hath thy ſervant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. The Lord is ſo abundant as in goodneſſe, ſo in truth, Exod. 34. 6, 7. that at every paths end, in the way of grace, and race of godlineſſe he hath placed ſome well of ſalvation, ſome ſpring of conſolation, quickning and incouragement in Chriſt to goe therein without fainting. All his Ordinances, and precepts, have their promiſes annexed to the faithfull obſervance thereof, and no one ordinance hath more gracious promiſes made to the conſcionable attendance thereupon then this of prayer.
This of prayer; as it is that which in ſpeciall putteth much honour upon God, ſo the Lord hath honoured it with many goodly, glorious, incouraging promiſes; now faith maketh uſe of this bleſſed treaſury, bequeathed in the Lords Teſtament to prayer, or to his ſuppliants prayings: Faith wiſely layeth out and beſtoweth this holy ſtock, here and there, in this and that caſe, as need requireth: hardly any prayer caſe to bee ſuppoſed, but there are promiſes here and there ſcattered in the word of God, which ſpeak to that very caſe, if not directly yet by neceſſary conſequences: Now by that grace of Faith, the godly make ſutable improvement thereof, and where the caſe requireth, drawing ſuch ſpirituall concluſions from them, as put them upon the pleading ſuch holy maximes before the Lord, the Lord ſeeth it meet to bound the peoples deſires within theſe holy limits of his promiſes, and it is faith that helpeth us to keep within compaſſe in our prayers. And ſurely there is no language more ſweet and acceptable to God then to ſpeak to him in our prayers, in this holy language of his ſpirit and word, in his own language: if we ſpeak in our prayers no otherwiſe then the Lord himſelfe ſpeaketh in his promiſes, there ſhall bee a ſweet conſort of voice begun by the ſpirit in the promiſes, ſeconded by the ſpirit of faith in the Saints prayers, and anſwered by God in his providences.
4. The laſt branch of faith required in prayer, 9. In Gods providences.was faith in God his providences; the Saints in their prayers mentioned in ſcripture have uſed thus by faith to improve the providence of God, as Pſal. 22. 4, 5. Our fathers called upon thee, and were delivered. Iſai. 64. The reall reſpects which the Lord beares to his peoples prayers, are practically demonſtrated in the providence of God, providences of mercy reſpecting prayer caſes, are but the promiſes of God made thereto, acted and executed: Every ſuch providence is an Oracle of God inſtructing or incouraging us. Faith is a ſpirituall recorder in the ſoule and conſcience ſanctified, it regiſtreth, writeth and noteth downe by the finger of the ſpirit on the table of the heart, ſuch obſervable and uſefull paſſages; and faith calleth for conſcience to read them over, as need requireth. There are no caſes now, but what in ſubſtance have been heretofore, there is nothing new under the Sun. And the Lord in like caſes cannot vary, but ever carrieth it like himſelfe, ſo that faith makes great advantage hereof in prayer; the ſpirit of God hee leadeth ſuppliants in the ſame track of holy requeſts for the ſubſtance of them, and what wonder if the ſame anſwers, and iſſues are, may be, muſt be by faith expected: preſidents in prayer caſes, as they are rules to us, ſo are they arguments with God in our holy pleadings with him in our prayers for his mercy. It is ſo with men in their Courts and pleas, Preſidents in ſuch and ſuch a Kings reigne, in ſuch a ſuite, thus and thus iſſued, according to ſuch or ſuch a Statute, not repealed, are caſting matters in law ſuits; and ſo it is verily in our ſuites in heavens Court, for this or that reliefe which wee crave: preſidents of providences improved by faith are a currant Goſpel plea.
The ſecond thing propounded comes The worke of faith in prayer.now to be handled, namely what is the worke and buſineſſe of faith in prayer? Prayer is called the prayer of faith, James 5. 15. as if faith were and indeed is the chief inſtrument of the holy Ghoſt in the ſoules of the ſuppliants to doe all in prayer. Let us inſtance in ſome particular good offices which faith doth do in and for the ſouls of Gods poor ſuppliants in this work and buſineſs of Prayer.
1. Faith is a monitor, to inſtruct and 1. It inſtructeth▪inform the ſoul truly and throughly of ſuch things as are moſt ſutable and helpfull to this holy work: Hence we read of the Pſalmiſt, in his ſecret lifting up of his heart to the Lord in the night ſeaſon, he ſaith, His reins inſtructed him, Pſal. 16. 7. This knowing grace of faith in his heart, was the Spirits inſtrument to teach him. Faith is called the wiſdom of the juſt, Luke 1. 17. the wiſdome of juſtified perſons by Chriſt, to which they were to be converted, there ſpoken of: and as other wiſdome, ſo this in ſpeciall is profitable to direct our mindes and mouthes: It is faith which giveth the ſoul the trueſt ſurvey which it hath faithfully made of its emptineſſe and needineſſe. It is faith which moſt fully and convincingly informeth the ſoul of the fulneſſe and freeneſſe of the riches of Grace in God and Chriſt, and of his ſutableneſs to us, conſidering our caſes and conditions: It is faith that telleth the ſoul of its intereſt and incouragements in the mercies of God, and merits of Chriſt, and in the Covenant of grace, and any particular branch thereof, ſo far as the ſame doth concern its perfect caſes about which the ſoule comes to God in Prayer.
Faith in Prayer acteth as a Queen, and 2. It injoineth.(as I may ſay) a mother grace, to order, and injoyn, and excite each praying grace unto its proper work therein. When Faith is ſtirring, it doth in a manner ſpeak, and charge Deſire to do its office; reach out thy hand, open thy mouth wide, inlarge thy ſelf (O Deſire) to crave theſe and theſe mercies which the ſoul needeth, which the Lord is ready to give. And Love, do thou the like, never a more lovely object preſented to thee from one who ſo dearly loveth the ſoul wherein thou art. Zeal, be thou fervent, put an edge upon Deſire and Love; the caſe ſo requireth, the mercies are neer, its pity they ſhould be loſt for want of putting to a little more ſtrength to wreſtle for them. Humility, ſtoop thou the heart, fall down, be low and vile before one that is ſo glorious. Fear, awe thou the heart, let it tremble in the preſence of the holy One of Iſrael. Joy, do thou enlarge the heart in the ſenſe of mercies already gotten by prayer, and more mercies are at hand. Hope, ſtand thou on tiptoe, and look up, and look out; for verily mercy is not far off: the Lord is neer ſuch ſecret motives and whiſpers of faith that are in the ſouls of Gods ſuppliants; their ſpirits are incouraged and moved variouſly to act in prayer from that faith which they have in the Lord when it is exerciſed. Look as Davids faith in the love of God towards him, occaſioned & made that ſpeech in his ſoul, when to praiſe God; ſo that David from the ſtrength of his faith therein ſpeaketh to his ſoul, And all that is within him to praiſe his Name, Pſalm 103. 1. The like ſpeech doth faith occaſion in a gracious heart, when to pray, requiring all within the ſame to be imployed in furthring the work. So when David is to make his prayer to the God of his life, in faith that God will command loving kindneſs to him, Pſalm 42. 8. here is a charge given in his heart to attend it patiently and hopefully, and diſtempers are commanded to ſtand by the while, v. 11.
3 Faith in Prayer is a moderation to regulate 3. It doth regulate.and rectifie the ſouls pleas; yea, to dictate Arguments to back thoſe holy pleas. Prayers of Faith uſe to be pleading prayers, filled and carryed on in lively reaſonings with the Lord. And becauſe oft-times the ſpirit of a Suppliant may be even non-pluſt almoſt, and not know how to carry it on, by reaſon of ſecret cavils raiſed in the heart, whether from Satan, or diſtruſt, or otherwiſe; Faith then ſtepping forth, and whiſpering ſome ſpiritual and ſutable anſwers, cleareth up the miſt upon the Spirit, and the miſtake and ſophiſme, and ſo the ſoul is a freſh carryed on in his pleading with God. Pſalm 77. 7. Will the Lord caſt off? &c. this was ſecretly whiſpered by diſtruſt, as if God would caſt him off: but will he do it for ever? and ſo ver. 8, 9. David his ſpirit was pinched in theſe reaſonings and cavils; at preſent he could not poſitively anſwer that God would not do ſo: the cavil of diſtruſt became a real queſtion to his tempted, deſerted ſpirit, by reaſoning ſo much with that whilſt he was crying to the Lord, ver. 1 but faith gave light to the caſe, and upon diſcovery hee perceived that theſe were but cavils of an infirm ſpirit of his own. ver. 10. The caſe is reſolved and determined through the help and light of Faith exerciſed, and acted and ſtanding up, which before ſate ſilent; and he concluded this was his infirmity. Faith is a Second to the ſoul in its holy wreſtlings and pleadings with God to ſuccour it in its ſuits, both in point of aſſiſtance perſwading with the heart, that the Lord will prepare the heart to ſeek him, and ſo the rather to prevail, Pſal. 10. 17. And in point of Aſſurance, 1 John 5. 15. it is the ſpeech of faith, We have what we ask of God. It is as ſure as if it were already granted. And ſo in point of Acceptance, ver. 14. We know he heareth. ver. 7. Now when at any time the ſpirit of a Suppliant beginneth to give out, when any fainting fit is upon it, then faith reneweth the charge upon the Lord, taketh up the holy weapons which the ſpirit of the Saints began to lay by, the Arguments which it was ready to forgo, and now the ſoul gathers up it ſelfe afreſh, and plyeth the Lord with renewed ſtrength of holy requeſts: at this paſſe was Jonah chap. 2. 4, 7. he ſaid, he was caſt out, yet would look again to the Lord; and ver. 7. when fainting, and when faith minding him afreſh of ſomething in the Lord, he is revived, and ſends up many Supplications to him. What, give out? wil Faith ſay, nay fie for ſhame. It claps the ſoul on the back, (as I may ſay) and bids it chear up, wreſtle one bout more, purſue once again; it may be, nay, it is likely thou wilt prevail, nay, thou ſhalt indeed prevail.
4. Faith in prayer is an Agent for the 4. It pleadethſoul to improve and plead all the foregoing principles, and ſpiritual Topick places mentioned. That of Gods gracious diſpoſition it is a large field and very fruitful in prevailing Arguments, when improved by faith: ſo is that of God his All-ſufficiency, Allmightineſs, Eternity, Immutability: and ſo is that of Chriſt conſidered in his Offices, Merit, Mediation, and Interceſſion: the Promiſes of God likewiſe are ſeveral heads of holy pleas: Faith improveth them wiſely, and ſeaſonably, and ſutably, as the caſes of the ſame require. It would bee improving them all, in and through the Lord Jeſus, for the ſouls ſuccour and ſupport in this Ordinance of Prayer, verifying that Iſai. 12. 3. Drawing water out of the wells of Salvation.
5 Finally, Faith in prayer becometh (as it were) the common pledge between the 5. It undertaketh.Lord and the Suppliant; that each ſhall do right in all that hath been pleaded. Faith undertakes to become bound, and to be a pawne to the ſoul, that the Lord for his part will do what is meet, and what becometh him for the ſoul. And againe it ingageth it ſelfe to the Lord, that by his help the ſoul ſhall attend to its duty, which concerneth it. See Pſalm 55. 3. Davids faith you ſee there, pawneth its credit that the Lord will not, ſhall not ſay him nay; My voice ſhalt thou hear, O Lord: and then faithfully promiſeth on Davids behalf, that he will and ſhall rightly order his prayer, and ſo wait and leave it with the Lord, and unto thee will I direct my prayer, and look up.
3. In the third place we come to conſider of ſome uſeful Helps unto ſincere Suppliants Helps to ſaith in prayer.Faith in prayer. The Helps and Encouragements to faith in Prayer may be ſuch as theſe.
1 Let us take and make all holy advantage of the leaſt may be of Mercy, where on 1. Improve every may be of mercy.we may ground an expectation of a gracious ſucceſſe and anſwer of our prayers. We may, yea muſt do thus. Meek ones muſt ſeek the Lord, hoping for his mercy when there is but a may be of being hid from the Lords anger, Zeph. 2. 3. Thus did the Ninivites: no body could tell they ſhould bee delivered, nor aſſure them of mercy if they did ſue for it; but yet none could tell the contrary, none could ſay peremptorily they ſhould periſh without remedy. If it be but a Who can tell, it is a ground of mighty prayers, and may cheriſh a ſpark of hope therein of ſucceſſe, Jonah 3. Iſaiah muſt lift up his prayer, albeit it be but a may be, that God would hear the blaſphemous ſpeeches of Rabſhekah, againſt which he was to bend his prayers on Iſraels behalf, 2 Kings 19. 4. A very peradventure of prevailing in prayer will ſet Moſes a praying, Exod. 32. 30. No Scripture telleth thee that thou art a caſt-away, many Scriptures give thee grounds of a may be at leaſt of ſalvation. Let that therefore raiſe thee, though troubled ſore, to look and wait for a gracious anſwer of thy prayer.
2. Labour to be ſtored with ſutable Promiſes to your prayer caſes: it will bee our 2. Store up ſutable promiſes to prayer caſeswiſdom to lay up ſuch knowledge of ſuch words of Grace, Prov. 10. 14. Jehoſaphat was not to ſeek of a Promiſe ſutable to that he was to pray for, 2 Chr. 20. Nehemiah had a like promiſe ready written on the table of his heart, Nehem. 1. 8, 9, 10. And be we well acquainted with the Attributes of God, which are vertually Promiſes and props to our faith in Prayer. Moſes in his prayer maketh uſe of them for that end, Num. 14. 17, 19. And the Saints oft elſewhere in the Scripture.
3. Improve we former experiences, both of our owne and others of the gratious 3 Improve former experiences.dealings of God with us in way of prayer, for meerly (as well as otherwiſe) they worke hope. Pſal. 6. 9. The Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping, he will heare my prayer. Davids experience of Gods mercifull and faithfull performance of all the deſires of his ſoul for him, will make him cry to him with much confidence, Pſal. 57. 1, 2. Wee may not reſt in mercies and bleſſings received, but we may and muſt be incouraged from them to reach after and waite for more, if we never had taſted of his goodneſs to us, when we ſought him, yet were we to expect and waite for his gracious anſwer: but taſting and ſeeing how good the Lord is by experience, it is then a bleſſed thing to truſt in him. Pſ. 34. 4. 8. We may well truſt him and reſt on him as a God hearing prayers, when we have tryed him to be ſuch a one; or elſe it will be a ſhame, if ſpeaking it in his word that he is ſuch a one, and then ſpeaking it over ſenſibly in his workes that hee is ſuch a one, yet hee cannot be believed. If any, ſurely ſuch as by experience know the name of God (have proofe of that or any other title or Attribute or word of his wherein hee maketh himſelfe knowne to us) they will truſt in him. Pſal. 9. 10. Gratious anſwers of prayer given to the Saints, are precious pledges of our intereſt in the covenant of grace, and in God as our God, and ſo we are to look at them, and be encouraged by them, Zach. 13. 9. We are alſo to quicken up our confident expectations of a gracious iſſue of our prayers from other experiences therein: ſo the Saints uſed to do in their prayers mentioned in Scripture, Pſal. 74. 1. 13, 14. and oft elſewhere; for indeed the Lord in giving anſwers of Grace to any of his children, hath regard to the good and encouragement of them all: that which the Lord did for, and ſpake to ſupplicating, wreſtling Jacob, (Gen. 32.) hee eyed others that were to come after him therein. Hoſea 12. 4. He had power over the Angel, &c. and there he (that Angel the Lord himſelf) ſpake with [us,] not with him alone. The regard which the Lord hath to the prayers of deſtitute ones, is written and recorded for the generation to come, to make a comfortable uſe thereof, Pſalm 102. 17, 18. if one of Gods choſen ones fare well in their holy approaches to God, the Prophet will put it plurally in the concluſion; he draweth from thence, Pſal. 65. 4. (the former part of the verſe compared with the latter part) we ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſs of thy houſe.
4 Improve we conſcionably the Interceſſion 4. Improve Chriſts Interceſſion.of the Lord Jeſus for us. When he was on earth he prayed for us, as you may ſee in John 17. To bee ſanctified by his Truth, to be kept from the evil of ſin, Apoſtaſie: we pray for union and communion with the Lord Jeſus, ſuch as is very ſtrong, comfortable, and conſtant whilſt we are here, and the eternal enjoyment of the Lord Jeſus in another world, but fear leſt our ſins might intercept and fruſtrate our prayers; but Chriſt telleth us (and for our comfort, that our joy may be full,) Joh. 17. 13. what is the ſum of what hee intercedeth with the Father for on the behalf as of his Apoſtles, ſo of all Believers, verſ. 20, &c.
We will and muſt needs confeſſe, that Chriſts prayers were without exception, and that the Father alwayes heard him, John 11. How well is it then for us that the Lord Jeſus hath with acceptance prevented us, and theſe mercies are already begged by Chriſt, and granted of God to our hands? Surely, the Lord hath heard Chriſt in the deſires which hee as Mediatour expreſſed to the Lord, that we and our ſervices, and ſo our prayers might be accepted; of which that in Iſaiah 49. 8. is prophetically ſpoken, compared with 2 Cor. 6. 2. we may well expect that in our holy approaches and makings out to God for mercy, we come in a time of acceptance, ſince the Lord hath heard Chriſt beſpeaking of it: if the Lord the rather honour the Lord Jeſus, becauſe in the dayes of his fleſh he made interceſſion for Tranſgreſſours, Iſaiah 13. 12. (therefore ſhall he divide the ſpoil, &c. becauſe he did ſo) ſurely we may well expect the ſucceſs thereof, and to ſhare in thoſe ſpoiles, if wee are ſtrong and earneſt wreſtlers with God in his name for the ſame. Solomons requeſt for the grant of their prayers, in their ſeveral caſes, which are mentioned 1 Kings 8. and which are granted, chap. 9. 3. were ſhadowing Types of what the Lord will condeſcend to in all his ſuppliants caſes, at the requeſt of this our bleſſed Solomon, Pſalm 72. but eſpecially improve his preſent Interceſſion and appearing before God for us now in Heaven, Heb. 7. 25. Look as whilſt the people were praying without, the Prieſt was offering Incenſe within the Temple, Luke 1. 9. 10. So is Chriſt in that glorious Temple above appearing before God for us, whilſt we are a praying. That was a ſhadow of this, Heb. 8. 5. the Saints Prayers are committed to him there, as his charge, according to his Office to which the Lord hath appointed him, to offer them up with the Incenſe of his own meritorious ſufferings, Rev 8. 1, 3. they cannot then but ſucceed well. At that time when the Lord ſhould be corporally abſent from his Diſciples, hee made account that was a ſpecial ſpeeding time in their Prayers, John 16. 26, 27.
5 Contemplate and let your ſpirits dwel 5. Contemplation upon the eight following particulars 5. Conſider that God is a God hearing praiers.much upon theſe conſiderations.
1 What a ſutable name the Lord aſſumeth, and by his own dictate, writing and ſeal alloweth to be challenged; namely, A God hearing Prayers, Pſalm 65. 2. Hearing prayer, ſhewing it is his uſual work, his conſtant exerciſe, his inſeparable property; nor ſaith hee whoſe prayers, as excluding thine or the prayers of any other poor ſoul which in truth deſire to ſeek him. It is recorded of Auguſtus, That he never ſent away any Petitioner ſad from him; and doſt thou think, that the Lord of bowels, that is rich in mercy to all that call upon him, Pſal. 86. 5 can or will?
2 To whoſe requeſts the Lord hath given 2. Whoſe cries and praiers he doth hear(at leaſt) ſome audience? even to the rude moans of beaſts and other dumb creatures, Pſalm 145 15, 16. Job 38. 41. And as Chriſt reaſoneth thence, Luke 12. 14. God feedeth the Ravens, and are not you much better then they? So may I ſay here, God heareth the Ravens cryes, will he not hear the Righteous cryes? It is but Righteous, as well as an act of grace in him ſo to do. Pſal. 145. 15, 16 He filleth the deſire of every living thing; and ver. 17. Is righteous in all his wayes. No wonder then if as ver. 18, 19 he be nigh unto all ſuch as call upon him to fulfil their deſires. The cryes of meer natural men, as they are his creatures, and in helpleſſe conditions, look out to him for ſuccor, as many rude Mariners are ſo heard, Pſalm 107. 23, 28 he will give ſome audience even to hypocrites prayers, Pſalm 78. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. and ſurely he that out of his overflowing bounty will hear (as far as he may) ſuch perſons prayers, they ſhall have that benefit of his common audience and providence, albeit not of his peculiar and ſaving reſpects of grace. He is not unwilling to hear his peoples requeſts, when not ſo rightly principled, as that noble Jew, who would ſcarce believe without ſignes ſhewed, yet was ſo heard in his requeſts for his ſon, Joh. 4. 48, to 53. or if rightly, yet not ſo throughly principled as Cornelius, who yet was not ſo cleared in that great Article of faith then in queſtion, that that Jeſus of Nazareth was the Meſſiah: hence that Acts 11. 13, 14. with Acts 10. 2, 3, 4, 5. or if ſo principled, yet at preſent under much diſtemper of corruption; and yet when praying, even then God hath overlooked all that, and judged of them by their better part, and taken their prayers then made kindly. Such was Davids ſecret prayer at that inſtant, when changing his behaviour, or favour, as if he had not been the man he was, yet accepted, Pſalm 34. title, with ver. 4. Thoſe that in their affliction are ſo diſtempered with infirmities of diſtruſt or diſcontent, it may be that they cannot ſpeak freely to God in prayer, but ſigh; yet heard, Rom. 8. 18, 26, 27. Moſes when in ſuch a pet, yet the Lord picketh out what he would have craved, and granteth it, Exod. 5. 22, 23. compared with chap. 6. 1. and Numb. 11. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. with ver. 16, 17. their cry was with much diſtemper, as appears by their words to Moſes, Exod. 14. 10, 11. yet heard and granted; and God the rather ſhewed all thoſe after ſignes and wonders on the Egyptians, in anſwer even to that diſtempered cry to him by the Iſraelites, many whereof were truly godly: ſee Nehemiah. 9. 9, 10. halting Jacob, yet wreſtling in prayer, though lamely, is heard: yea when too curious in his inquiry, Gen. 32. 28, 29. yet is bleſſed in regard of his prayer before. Sparks of grace amongſt an heap of aſhes are acceptable.
3. Conſider what kind of prayers have 3. What kind of prayers hee heareth.found ſpecial acceptance with God: ſuch as have been rather ſighs and groans, then expreſſe prayers; he hears the priſoners groans, Pſal. 102. 20. the needies ſighs, Pſal. 12. 5. Such as have been but Ejaculatory liftings up of the ſoul unto God in mental deſires, Pſalm 145. 18, 19. Jonah 2. 1. Such as have been but a poor chattering and muttering of ſomething in the ears of God, Iſaiah 38. 5, 14. Such which have been but an abrupt and broken expreſſion or two from a truly broken ſpirit, as the contrite Publicans, Be propitious to me a ſinner, Luke 18. 13, 14. The converted Thief's, Lord remember me in thy kingdom, Luke 23. 42, 43. but a long look of the body and ſoul towards God; They looked to thee and were not aſhamed, Pſa. 34. 4, 5 And Jonahs look towards God in Chriſt, typed by the Temple, Jonah 24. 7. that took well with God; yea Prayers of the Saints in a dream, as was that of Solomons, have found good acceptance, 1 Kings 3. 5, 9, 10, 11, 12. after that Solomon awoke, ver. 15. Not that any ſhould think it enough to ſigh or groan and not utter their ſouls in words to the Lord; but if, like the Shunamite the ſoul of any be troubled within them, that they cannot utter their hearts, 2 Kings 4. 27. or like David, ſo troubled in ſpirit that they cannot ſpeak, Pſal. 77. then it is comfortable to conſider, that yet in ſuch caſes ſighs are ſucceſsful. Neither may any abuſe what we ſaid of the Publican and the converted thief, and to content themſelves to ſpeak ſome few words conſtantly, and there reſt as if all were well: no, but if we are younglings in Chriſtianity, babes in Chriſt, know that our heavenly Father alſo, (as other fathers do in theirs) he delighteth as much and ſometimes more, in the broken language and liſpings of his little ones, and of his ſick ones, though elder in prayers, craving this or that in their broken faſhion, and rather making ſignes for what they would have, then able fully and plainly to expreſs their mind to him; then he doth in the more fluent expreſſions of ſundry others: not but that he uſeth in his owne ſeaſon to inable ſuch ſtammerers alſo to ſpeak more plainly, Iſai. 32. 4.
4 Conſider what account God doth 4. Conſider what eſteem God hath of prayer.make of his people: they are his choice allowed Suppliants, Zeph. 3. 10 his royal Prieſts, 1 Pet. 2. 9. perſons ſequeſtrated for ſuch holy ends. Pſalm 4. 3. Zach. 13, 9. his beloved ones. Hence that ſtrong expreſſion of Chriſt, encouraging to expect hearing of our prayers, I ſay not that I will pray to the Father for you, (namely, as now whilſt on earth) for the Father himſelf loveth you, John 10, 26, 27. as if that were that ſtrong motive, which will farther his gracious audience of his ſervants prayers. What will not love grant?
5 Conſider what account the Lord makes 5 What eſteem he hath of his Saints prayers.of his peoples prayers. They are his delight, Prov. 15. 8. as ſweet muſick in his ears, Revel. 5. 1. They are memorials before him, ever in his eye, minding him of what is meet to be done for his people, Acts 10. 4. They are as a Recompence to him, he liketh to be paid in his dues in prayers alſo. Pſal. 116. 12, 13. he thinketh we never pray enough, John 16 13, 14. Hitherto you have asked nothing, (namely, in compariſon,) open thy mouth wide. Pſal. 81. Mercy accompanieth prayer; if the Lord would turne away the one, yet not the others pleas, Pſalm 66. 20.
6 Conſider what meaſures the Lord 6. What meaſures he keepeth in his reſpects to praierkeepeth in his reſpects to prayer: He heareth ſometimes before we call; preventeth his people with goodneſſe, Iſaiah 65. 24. Sometimes even whilſt praying they have anſwers of grace, ibid. Sometimes when his people ſeek him for pardoning grace, and the manifeſtation thereof, he ſheweth mercy even above their thoughts, Iſaiah 55. 6, 7, 8, 9. giveth them, as above what they ask, ſo beyond their thoughts and expectations, Eph. 3. 20. Wherefore raiſe up our expectations in this way of ſeeking the face of God, touching his gracious diſpoſition to hear and help us, and when we have got up our thoughts therein to the higheſt, yet believe it, he hath mercy and anſwers of grace for us above our thoughts.
7 Conſider what method God continually and infallibly uſeth in his reſpects to 7. What method he obſerveth in his reſpects to praierprayer: namely, firſt to incline hearts to be cordial and ſerious in prayer, and then to give his promiſed mercies, Pſalm 10. 17. Jerem. 29. 11. 12. The nearer and ſurer mercies are, the more praying motions and workings there are then in our hearts. Both are to the ſame mercy, as one works to help to pray, and to hear prayer. Mercy would not be at work with us in the one, if the other part of God's mercies work were not to be effected.
Laſtly, That we may clear up our fainting 8. Conſider the Parable Luk, 18 1. to 9.ſpirits and drooping hearts, in expectation of faith, that our prayers ſhall not fail of good ſucceſſe from God, conſider of that Parable of our Lord Jeſus, which he for this purpoſe propoundeth, Luke 18. 1. ad 9. A Judge, a man, comes off to hear a poor ſuppliants requeſt; and will not God, a Father, do much more for his? An unjuſt Judg hears, and will not a juſt and righteous God hear the cryes of his poor ones? One that was a hater and diſregarder of men, and of his own name, yet hears; and will not God and Chriſt hear, whoſe delight is to be with men? Prov, 8. One that was utterly averſe from hearing, [He would not hear:] one to whom asking was a trouble, [This widow troubleth me] yet at length grants the requeſt of her which ſought to him. How much more will the Lord, to whom prayer is a delight, and whoſe property it is to be hearing, (even ready to hear) prayers? ſurely he will hearken to his ſuppliants requeſts much more. One that while he denyed and delayed his Petitioner, conſidered it not till afterward, [Then he conſidered with himſelf,] and he cometh off: How much rather will the Lord, who wiſely weigheth all circumſtances and inconveniences in caſe of too long delay to hear? Iſai. 57. 17. He will ſurely fulfil his peoples deſires. One that in granting his Petitioners deſire, meerly to avoid diſquiet, (Leſt ſhe ſhould weary him out with her out-cryes) he hearkens; and will not God, who delighteth in mercy, do much more for his precious ones? One that is ſolicited by (a certain widow) one no way allyed to him, (coming to him without any other Interceſſour to plead her cauſe) yet he cannot deny her Petition: and can or will the Lord deny his own deare children, which come to him in the name of him in whom he is well pleaſed; yea, and have the Lord himſelfe to intercede for him?
Touching the laſt thing propounded, very briefly. The Marks of one praying in faith Marks of praiing in faith.are theſe.
1 When a ſoul is borne up, and carryed 1. Praying amidſt diſcouragements.on in praying, amidſt diſcouragements to pray. If he pray without ceaſing when yet there are ſo many things ſometimes which may ſeem to occaſion ceaſing to pray, ſave that he prayeth in faith. When we are hindred and oppoſed in it by Satan and others, yet a Joſhuah ſtands before the Angel notwithſtanding Satans reſiſtance, Zach. 3. 1. or like him in Mark 10. 47, 48, 51, 52. we continue crying, Jeſus have mercy on us, even when others would forbid us: when we are delayed and held off from our deſired anſwers, and left in ſome deeps of affliction in the interim. and yet truſting in the Lord in Prayer, We will wait, Pſalm 136. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. When the Lord is long ſilent, yet we will not be ſilent, but plead, How long Lord? Pſal. 13. 1, 2. When denyed of God as the woman of Canaan, as if we had no part in the mercy we ask, it were not for us, yet we continue asking, Matth. 25. 25. 26, 27. Surely there is faith emboldning thereunto, verſe 28. When we ſeem to be curbed and ſilently rebuked, as the friend wiſhed not to trouble his friend, yet will not give over his ſuite, Luke 11. Surely he thinks he ſpeaks to a friend within, or elſe he could not, would not then continue asking.
2 When we pray with ſome more then 2 Praying with boldneſſeuſual boldneſſe and liberty of ſpeech▪ as ſometimes in an awful and ſpiritual manner, we are wondrous free to plead with God, more then at other times, now is faith ſtirring in ſuch a Prayer, 1 John 3. 21, 22. Eph. 3. 12.
3 When we pray with a kind of delightful 3 Praying with heart calmneſscalmneſs and ſtilneſſe of ſpirit, not toſſed like waves in prayer, through the power of unbelief, Jam. 1. 6.
4 When in ſetting our ſelves ſometimes to pray to the Lord, and petition him, 4. Prayers turned into praiſeswe are even ready to make a holy digreſſion and diverſion, and turning our intended Petition into melting, admiring praiſes of God; as oft times ſpiritual Chriſtians have experiences thereof, ſurely then faith is ſtirring. So Chriſt turning himſelfe to approach to God, John 11. 41, 42. ſaith, I thank thee Father,—that thou alwayes heareſt me.