A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Of Humility required in Prayer.
WE have entred upon the diſcourſe of things propounded touching the conditions required for the inceſſant performance of the duty of prayer, and have diſpatched the firſt, namely, Faith. And now we are to ſpeak of the ſecond condition thereto required, and that is Humility. It is the deſire of the humble which the Lord heareth, Pſal. 10. 17. and his people that pray are to humble themſelves, and then the Lord promiſeth them hearing. 2 Chron. 7. 14. But Humility in prayer conſiſteth.for our better proceeding in handling this condition of prayer, Let us conſider,
1. Wherein that Humility which is required in prayer doth conſiſt?
2. When Humility expreſſed in prayer may be diſcerned to be ſaving?
3. Why this Humility is required to prayer?
4. What are uſefull helps and means furthering ſuch humility in prayer?
To the firſt, we ſay, Humility required in prayer conſiſteth in theſe ſix or ſeven things.
1. In low thoughts of our ſelves to attempt 1 In low thoughts of our ſelves as unmeet to pray.or ſet about ſuch a duty. When wee are going about it, we judge our ſelves moſt unmeet and unworthy in our ſelves to ſpeak to the Lord; as we are imployed in praying, ſtill the ſerious and ſenſible thoughts of our owne worthleſneſſe dwells with us, and works on us. That juſtified ſuppliant mentioned, Luke 13. 13, 14. ſtandeth a far off and would ſcarce lift up his eyes to heaven, he thinks he is not worthy to come nearer: let others goe as high as they pleaſe; as for himſelfe, hee will take the loweſt roome in Gods houſe. It is more then he is worthy of to be admitted to come there at all, and heaven is too glorious a place in a manner for him, a wretch as hee hath been to be ſo bold; he hath ſinned againſt heaven, it is better for him to look on the duſt, yea, to kiſſe and lick the duſt. In the words which the wiſeman ſpeaketh prayer-wiſe unto Chriſt) that Itheil, he that was his God, and that Ʋcall, that mighty one,) Prov. 30. 1, 7, 8, 9. You ſee how humbly hee prefaceth in his ſpeech (ſo far as directed to him in way of prayer) as verſe 2, 3. hee profeſſeth hee is more bruitiſh then any man; and hath not the underſtanding of a man, ſo unfit and unworthy doth he ſee himſelfe, to ſpeak either of Chriſt in an inſtructive way, as verſe 4, 5, 6. or to Chriſt in a ſupplicating way, ver. 7, 8, 9. The Diſciples having been at praier with Chriſt, they ſee ſo much weight in the duty, and ſo much excellency in the due exerciſe of the gift and grace of Chriſt in prayer, that they look at themſelves as moſt unfit to pray as they ought, and therefore intreat his help and direction, Lord teach us to pray. Luke 11. 1. The Pſalmiſt beginneth his prayer in a kind of expoſtulation with God, Pſal. 22. 1, 2. and preſſing of God with examples of his mercy to others in like caſes, verſe 4, 5. But if thou think hee is too bold with God, and keepeth not his due diſtance, hee will profeſſe that for his owne part, he is a worm and no man, verſe 6, 7. he judged himſelfe, as infinitely unworthy to ſtand upon termes with God, ſo even unfit to make compariſon with others, verſe 5, 6. But I am a worm, and no man: what ever our fathers were, yet I look at my ſelfe, as fitter to creep on the earth, and feed onelyonly upon the duſt, in reſpect of the guilt of ſinne laid upon me, (for if you apply it to Chriſt the antitype, God laid upon him the iniquity of us all, Iſai. 53. 6. but we intend it of the Pſalmiſt rather himſelfe:) then as a man to lift up my ſelfe to heaven; and therefore am juſtly made the reproach of men, ibid. No ſooner do the Saints eſſay to draw near unto God, but the beames of the glory of God reflect upon the faces of their ſouls, which doe thus awe and abaſe them; they ſee in the glaſſe of that excellency their owne vileneſſe.
2. In abaſed thoughts of our ſelves 2 In low thoughts of our ſelves when heard.when we do get any thing of the Lord by prayer. True it is, humble ones do ſpeed beſt of all others in prayer: but yet, as mercyes of prayer found them, ſo they leave them humble. When Abraham hath gained upon the Lord by prayer, Gen. 18. 26. yet then, nay then eſpecially is Abraham loweſt and vileſt in his owne eſteeme, then verſe 27. he ſaith, and ſeeth he is duſt and aſhes. He then conſidereth what he is in himſelfe, whence he came, and whither he muſt, notwithſtanding the favour which hee findeth with the Lord; he knoweth no cauſe which ſhould move the Lord to give any anſwer of mercy to ſo meane an one as himſelfe, but his rich grace, (What is in duſt to move reſpects in God to it?) and ſecretly preſenteth it as a plea to continue ſuch undeſerved mercy to ſuch an one, from that which moved the Lord to begin to reſpect his prayer. Thus David Pſal. 34. 4 when hee had gained by his prayer, and God was found of him, yet verſe 6. hee putteth an humble Emphaſis upon the matter, this poore man cryed. That they, verſe 5. (even better men then he, ſuch as had walked worthy of God, and of his grace,) looked unto the Lord in prayer, and were incouraged by anſwers of favour, was no wonder; but that this poor man, that he poor wretch, as he eſteemeth himſelfe, one that (as in the title of the Pſalm) ſaith, he changed his favour and was not like himſelfe, in that caſe at Gath, 1 Sam. 21. 13, yet he to cry unto the Lord, and be heard, this is a wonder of grace to him. After Ephraim hath prayed for turning grace from God, Jer. 31. 18. and is anſwered, v. 19. then is he abaſed, yea more abaſed in his own ſight then before. When the Church upon her requeſt is drawn unto her beloved, Cant. 1. 4. then ſhe cryeth out of her blackneſſe. verſe 5. Humbleſt Chriſtians are the ſoundeſt and healthieſt in ſpirit, and as ſhowres and blaſts of affliction and temptation doe not much annoy them, ſo neither doe warming gleames and ſhines of mercy diſtemper them, ſtill they are humble; they are ſquare men, nothing comes amiſſe to them, they will fall right which way ever they are caſt, if lowly. Look as veſſells whoſe ſayls are filled, if well ballaſted, they run a more ſteady courſe; ſo is it here with the Saints, when they pray with full ſayled joy of faith, yet when this holy ballaſt of humility is in the hold of the heart, and not meerly aloft in ſhew above decks, appearing to men: they are not ſoon lifted up with every good ſucceſſe they meet with, but keep low, and deep, and carry it evenly with the Lord, as humbly, if not more humbly then before. The Saints know well they are but beggers, and ſtand in need of much; they prayſe not their good prayers, but their good Maſter for the almes of grace which they get: Not unto us, and becauſe once was too little to ſet forth their owne unworthineſſe of any mercy, they repeat it againe, not unto us, but to thy Name give glory, &c. Pſal. 115. 1. Liitle cauſe to be proud of a trade or art of ſuch holy begging, albeit through the bounty of God it proves gainfull.
3. In affectionate amplifications of 3 In affectionate amplifications of our vileneſſe, and of Gods grace.our owne vileneſſe, and Gods mercy and excellency. As beggars which uſe to make very lamentable relations of their owne miſeries, but yet giving their benefactors all their titles to the full. So thoſe in Pſal. 115. 1. ingeminate the expreſſion of their owne utter unworthineſſe. Not unto us, not unto us. And the Publican in his prayer ſpeaks of himſelfe, as a ſinner, none elſe ſuch a one as he, Luke 18. 13, 14. So the Prodigall in his requeſt to his father, acknowledgeth his extreame and unparallelled ſinne, and unworthineſſe. Luke 15. 18, 19. So thoſe converts, Jer. 31. 18, 19. Do the like: ſuch like amplifications being as ſo many forcible arguments in their prayer, with themſelves, to further compunction, and contrition in them; and with God, to further their participation of the benefit of his compaſſions. Out of the abundant heart-abaſement the mouth ſpeaks. As pride is large in ſpeaking for ſelfe, ſo is humility in declaring againſt ſelfe.
4. In framing all our pleas in our petions formâ pauperum, in the manner of poor 4 In framing all our petitions formâ pauperum.undone perſons; and pleading for mercy in regard of our extreame miſery. That wee are under wofull captivity and oppreſſion, not of Turks, and ſuch like, but even of ſpirituall enemies of our ſoules, corruptions of nature, temptations of Sathan, &c. which are far more grievous. That we have ſuſtained loſſes in ſoule that are almoſt inreparable, loſt the goodly patrimony in our firſt parents of Gods favour and image, which never can be ſufficiently bewailed; yea haply have loſt that little light, and life, and comfort of grace through ſome ill courſe we tooke ſince the Lord ſet us up againe, and truſted us with a new ſtock of grace; yea, are ſtrangely runne behind hand with God; yea, we are extreamely in debt by our ſinne to divine juſtice; yea, we are afflicted with many ſpiritual diſeaſes and diſtempers, and ſorely wounded in our ſpirits, through ſome ſad foils of the enemies of our ſouls, and in all wee are utterly inſufficient to recover our ſelves, yea, and helpleſſe, and ſhiftleſſe, in the very uſe of ſuch means as might tend thereunto. Wee ſee indeed, that if we could believe, that would ſuccour us, but yet are not able; if wee could ſo earneſtly wreſtle for, and breath after help of God in Chriſt, we might have relief; but ſee alſo that of our ſelves wee cannot doe ſo much, but as wee are able through the might of God. Wee tell him of our grievances, and plead our miſeries, and ſpread them before him, and his people, if they may move to mercy, and ſo wait his gracious leiſure for the ſame. Jeremiah pleads for mercy to him and his people, becauſe their backſlidings were many. Jer. 14. 7. David pleads for pardon becauſe his ſin is great, Pſalm 25. 11. and craveth mercy becauſe a poor ſhiftleſſe ſtranger, and ſadly gone to decay, Pſal. 39. 12, 13. So Pſal. 38. 1, 2. intreateth the Lord to forbear to go on to afflict him, becauſe his arrows ſtick faſt in him; he is ſorely wounded already, ver. 2. he is ſick in body and ſpirit. ver. 3. he is already fallen under a burden that is too heavy for him, ver. 4. and ver. 6. his back is already ready to crack under his preſſures, and ſo on with ſuch like ſad pleas taken from his forlorn condition, he preſſeth God for mercy in that Pſalm.
5 In much inward brokenneſs and relentings 5. In heart brokenneſs thereinof ſpirit. Hence that ſmiting upon the breſt in the Publicans prayer, Luk. 18. 13, 14. There, there lay his ſin and miſery, there was his wound and burden; little did men think what he felt and ſaw. Ah that breſt of his, how had it harboured rebellion formerly againſt God! his heart within was ſmitten for it, whereof his breſt ſmiting was but a ſhadow. Pſal. 51. 17. A broken and contrite ſpirit is the all of his Sacrifice and prayer. Surely that heart is low in prayer, and brought down to the duſt, which is broken as it were to duſt. What ever ſpeech humble ones have in prayer, it is ſure they have ſighes attending. If the Dove-like Spirit of Chriſt breaths in them, they will bee breathing out Dove-like moanes and groans in the ears of God. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh not ſo much of Gods hearing of the words of the humble, as the deſires; he heareth the deſire of the humble: If they do fall ſhort at any time through ſome occaſional impediments of expreſſions, yet broken hearted deſires, expreſſed in groans are preſent and ſtirring, and they are to God as prayers, Pſal. 10. 17. The groanings of the priſoners are the prayers of the afflicted and deſtitute, Pſal. 102. 17, 20. in Gods account.
6 In a meek and quiet ſubmiſſion, and 6. In a quiet ſubmitting to the Lord amidſt diſcouragements.bearing all diſcouragements without quarrelling againſt God, nay, awfully clearing the Lord therein. If rated like beggars, if rebuked, if upbraided, if delayed, if denyed, yet putting up all contentedly. The reproachful name of a dog moveth not the humble ſuppliant; ſhe taketh it very well, and maketh good uſe of it, and doth not mutiny againſt the Lord Jeſus for it. Mat. 15. 27. They in Judges 10. hear and bear, and take all that well, which the Lord in a holy upbraiding way ſpeaketh. Judges 10. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. They yeild to all, as ſo, and juſt, if worſe with them from the hands of God then it is: but yet with the leave of his mercy, they crave his favourable acceptance of their requeſt, ibid. If humble ones come to Chriſt in prayer or otherwiſe, ſurely they come with holy diſpoſitions to ſtoop to any yoak and burden of Chriſt, which he will lay upon them, as wel as deſire to have their own burdens taken off by him, Matth. 11. 28, 29. They may indeed plead with God, why he carryeth it ſo towards them: as Pſal. 22. 1, 2. but they are clear in it, that he cannot but carry it well, albeit the particular cauſe they know not: So Pſalm 22. 3. But thou art holy: and however it cometh about, that ſuch divine forſakings are occaſioned, yet ſtill thou art holy and ſpotleſſe, and pure in all thy diſpenſations.
7 In a real preferring others prayers before 7. In a real preferring others prayers before ones ownour own. Thus the humble Centurion in his requeſt he had to make to the Lord Jeſus, he thought better of the Jewes prayers then of his own, as being in his own ſight a moſt unworthy Gentile, Luke 7. 3, 7. Not that under this pretence men ſhould in a way of voluntary humility repaire to deceaſed Saints, that is idolatrous humility; yea, even the madneſſe of perſons then living. So Hezekiah preferreth Iſaiahs prayer before his own, and therefore ſends ſolemnely to him to lift up his prayer in the caſe of Judah, Iſaiah 37. 1, 2, 3, 4. So the Church preferreth the praiers even of her young daughters (not ſo well inſtructed as her ſelf) before her own, in that Cant. 5. 8. And the Pſalmiſt reckoneth the prayers of his fathers as far more excellent then his, Pſalm 22. 2, 5, 6. And the like did David in comparing his owne prayers with others, Pſal. 34. 5, 6. True it is, Pride and Hypocriſie will counterfeit this, as they that preferred Jeremiahs prayer before their owne, and therefore ſo earneſtly do ſeeme to deſire it, Jerem. 42. 2. and the proud falſe hearted Simon Magus doth the like in regard of Peters prayers, Acts 8. 24. But this was but an extorted act, wreſted from horror of heart: and others in a complemental way, and for faſhions ſake, or that they might ſeem to be humble perſons may carry it thus too; but it is not inwrought in their ſpirits.
Touching the ſecond, When humility Marks of humility in praier as ſavingin prayer may be called ſaving?
I anſwer, firſt Negatively, and then Affirmatively.
1. Negatively. 1 That expreſſion of 1. Not to deſire others praiers.Humility is not alwayes ſaving, when a perſon queſtioning the worth and validity of his own prayers, doth deſire the benefit of others prayers; for then that act of Pharaoh in deſiring Moſes prayers, and Jeroboam the Prophets prayers (1 King. 13. 6) had been ſaving.
Nor 2. Is that alwayes ſaving when 2 Not in words to aſcribe all our good to the Lord.one carryeth it ſo in prayer, as aſcribing all to the Lord in what good he partaketh of. The unjuſtified Phariſee will in words attribute all to God, that he is not as other men are, Extortioner, &c. Luke 18. 10. 14. yet with a proud ſpirit diſdaining others, which in his eſteem are not ſo good as himſelf.3. Not to be afraid to come before the Lord.
Nor 3. Is that alwayes ſaving, when one is fearful to come to God in prayer, out of ſenſe of great diſtance betwixt God and him; as the ſlothful ſervant which durſt not trade thus with God in prayer, (as well as otherwiſe) Luke 19. 21. Or like him whom the fear of the Majeſty, Word, Preſence and Juſtice of God, as a King, ſtriketh him ſpeechleſſe, Matth. 22. 11. hee cannot, dare not open his mouth to plead for his mercy.
Nor 4 Is that alwayes ſaving, when any 4. Not meerly to make large confeſſion of ſin, or mournful complaints, to faſt, to be of dejected countenance, to weep in praier.prayer doth expreſſe ſeveral ſemblances of Humility: as when any is large in confeſſion of their ſin: as many of thoſe that are brought in as confeſſing their ſin in ſuch a ſort; as Iſaiah 59. 12, 13. yet few or none of them ſavingly interceding and pleading with God in prayer; hence that wonder, that he found no Interceſſour. v. 16. or when any utter before the Lord many ſad complaints of themſelves, and their miſery, and that in a mournful manner: in their prayers in appearance they will roar like Beares, and mourn ſore as Doves, as ſundry of thoſe did mentioned, Iſai. 59. 11, 16. and ſuch like were many of them that did not ſavingly complain or bewail their ſins, albeit they did as Ezek. 7. 16. compared with the 17, 18, 19. and chap. 8. 18. Nor when perſons ſet apart ſolemn dayes, and that frequently, for a more ſeemingly humble ſeeking of God in prayer; as that proud Phariſee and unjuſtified perſon did faſt twice a week, Luke 18. 12. Nor when ſad countenances and dejected looks are adjoyned in ſuch ſolemne times of prayer. There is an hypocritical affected ſadneſſe of countenance charged upon thoſe falſe hearted profeſſors in their dayes of faſting and praier, forbidden to ſincere ones, Matth. 6. 16. No nor when teares and weepings are joyned to ſuch prayers, are they alwayes expreſſions of ſaving humility therein required: albeit ſome of thoſe were ſincere, yet ſurely ſome of that people which wept ſo ſore, upon that confeſſion of ſins made, Ezra 10. 1. and in that ſolemn time wherein all Iſrael were gathered to Miſpeh to pray, 1 Sam. 7. 5, and there even poured out waters, ſo abundantly did they weep on that faſt day, ver. 6. were not ſincere therein, but many of them did it from common principles, and not ſaving.
2. I anſwer, Affirmatively. Humility expreſſed in prayer is then ſaving.
1. When a gracious Chriſtian abaſeth But 1. Self abaſement in prayer.himſelfe in prayer; and is not meerly abaſed: when he is a ſtirring agent, by the lively power of the graces of God in him to abaſe himſelf; he uſeth meanes, layeth many Arguments together for that purpoſe, and is not barely a Patient therein. Thus did the Publican in his prayer, he ſmote on his breſt, and that not to ſeem to be humbled; but as one outward help to himſelf to be abaſed, Luk. 18. 13. Hence the concluſion of Chriſt in ference to the humble manner of ſeeking of Gods face, He that humbleth himſelf ſhall be exalted. The Phariſee he layeth all ſuch materials together in his prayer. ver. 11, 12. as did rather tend to lift up his ſpirit, which was high enough in it ſelf, and needed not ſuch ſtirrups. When humility is wrought in prayer, as out of the fire, yea, gained out of much contrary oppoſition, a Chriſtian finding his heart ſenſeleſs, unaffected, and unbroken, he taketh ſuch pains with his heart in prayer, and wreſtles ſo with God and his own ſpirit, that it relenteth, and melteth, and falleth before God. Thus did thoſe of Ephraim, they ceaſe not bemoaning themſelves, and charging their ſtiffneckedneſſe, and unbrokenneſſe ſo deeply upon themſelves, and preſſing the Lord for a more ſerious and through bringing of their hearts to a relenting, repenting frame, Jerem. 31. 18. whilſt that they prevail with God, and their owne ſoules, and are more throughly abaſed, aſhamed, and confounded in their own ſight before the Lord, v. 19.
2 When a Chriſtian is in a holy wiſe aſhamed 2. Inward holy ſhame even to look God in the face.before God in prayer, even ſo much as to look him in the face. That humble Publican that was ſo aſhamed in his prayer, in the ſenſe of his extreme vileneſs, and unworthineſſe in himſelf, he is juſtified, Luke 18. 13, 14. he thought earth and hell below were more ſutable to his caſe and deſerts, and the judgement of God there (and thence looketh downe thitherwards) then heavens glory and grace. Thus that precious Suppliant Ezra in his prayer profeſſeth, he was aſhamed, and bluſheth to lift up his face to heaven, Ezra 9. 6. Thus the Publican, and converted Prodigall, he is even aſhamed to owne the name of a ſonne; to be called, or be as an hired ſervant is too good for him, he thinketh, and ſpeaketh ſo in his prayer. Luke 15. 19. The woman that came to Chriſt, ſhe is even aſhamed to come before him, to behold his bleſſed countenance, but ſtandeth behind him. Luke 7. 38. And ſhe ſped well in the deſire of her ſoul, for the comfortable manifeſtation of her pardon, ſhee ſecretly ſought for. Saith Chriſt, verſe 48, 50. Thy faith hath made thee whole.
3. When a man in or upon his prayer 3 A holy awe in and after prayer.is affected and awed with much holy trembling: thus that humble Suppliant in Luke 18. 13. He is even afraid to lift up his eyes to heaven, durſt not doe it, ſuch awfull rayes in the glorious purity, majeſty and excellency of the Lord did he behold by an eye of faith, and he is juſtified therein, verſe 14. That godly Prophet in his Prayer, Hab. 3. 1, 2. and in the mention of divers things touching God his providence and proceedings, his belly (he ſaith) trembled, and rottenneſſe entered into his bones, verſe 17. Thence that believing Centurion, after hee had ſent to Chriſt to intreat his gracious preſence, and coming for the help of his ſervant, as in a holy wiſe jealous of himſelf, and what he had done, whether he, ſo unworthy an one, had not made too bold with the Lord Jeſus, to deſire him to come under his roofe; he ſendeth a ſecond meſſage, therein profeſſing his unworthineſſe that Chriſt ſhould condeſcend ſo far to the deſire of ſo unworthy an one as he judged himſelf to be, Luke 7. 3. compared with verſe 6, 7.
4. When a man in prayer is much in begging pardon of ſinne, and the reconciliation 4 Greateſt earneſtneſſe in begging pardon of ſin, the benefit of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, &c.of his ſoul to God in Jeſus Chriſt. Thus the Publican, juſtified in that way of prayer mentioned, Luke 18. the maine and in a manner only matter of his deſires was, that God would be propitious to him a ſinner; for ſo the Greek word ſignifies, or be reconciled to him, and have mercy on him, in covering all his ſinnes in Chriſt, the favour and mercy of God in Chriſt Jeſus, as a propitiation for ſinnes, is all in all with him. When a child of God is in great afflictions of outward as well as inward man, yet the favourable remembrances, and mercifull reſpects of Chriſt to a poore converted ſinner, even in tortures, it is all in all. The converted thiefe deſireth not to be ſaved or exempted from any juſtly deſerved cenſures of God or man, but onelyonly favour with Jeſus Chriſt. Luke 23. 39, 41, 42. The other wretch was all for his owne eaſe, and for to continue in the world; he careth not for the favour of Chriſt, as ſometimes the Pſalmiſt did, Pſal. 63. 1, 3. The loving kindneſſe of God in any condition is better then life; to live in the love and favour of Chriſt, is more then ten thouſand lives to him: yea, ſo the Lord will be mercifull to him in the maine of his ſoule, hee careth not what becomes of his bodily life, when called to ſacrifice the ſame. An humble child that cryeth out when he is whipped, yet careth more for his fathers favour, then is troubled about his whipping.
5. When a Suppliant of God doth not propound to him in his prayer matters too 5 Praiſing of the leaſt degrees or portion of mercy.high for him, things that are above his reach, or his meaſure, or his condition, or his calling, or the preſent neceſſity whereof he is ſenſible; but he will bee glad of ſmalleſt mercy, childrens crummes, yea, ſuch as are to others refuſe, deſpicable bleſſings, are in high eſteeme with him in his deſires: crummes that fall from the childrens table ſhe craveth in Matth. 15. 26. and is accepted and approved in the manner of her praying. verſe 28. Some children it may bee will ſcorne to have onelyonly bread for their food in the fathers houſe; but the humble Prodigal in his penitent motion which hee meaneth to make to his father, will bee glad of that, yea of the courſeſt of the houſhold bread, and fare in the houſe, hirelings bread yea hee would bee glad to have of the refuſe, and leavings, and ſpare even of hirelings bread. Luke 15. 17. Make mee as one of thy hired ſervants, namely, in their allowances, as well as ſervices; as one of them, albeit as the meaneſt kitchin-boy, (as it were) the pooreſt, moſt deſpiſed cutter of wood, and drawer of water, &c. Beggers ask but a piece of dry-bread, a cup of ſmall beer, or water; any old caſt clothes, and the like mercies and bleſſings in God his houſe, which others it may be account too ſlightly of, theſe humble ſuppliants wil highly prize, and earneſtly crave of the Lord: and whatſoever they preſs after in ſpiritual bleſſings in Chriſt, yet in temporals they uſe to be very modeſt; neither poverty, nor riches, but Lechem Chukki, the bread of his portion, & dimenſion, that is the matter of humble Agars prayer. Prov. 30. 7, 8. So Jacob, if God, or (prayer-wiſe,) O that God would give mee bread to eat, and raiment to put on. Gen, 28. 20. In ſpirituals indeed they are ſtill more needy, and craving, hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe, that is their moſt ordinary, uſual and continual daily deſire, like hunger and thirſt, the ordinary and daily affections in the body. Matth. 5. 6.
6. When a Chriſtian amidſt all vilifiings of himſelfe in prayer, is ready to exalt 6 An acknowledgement of greateſt love in ſmalleſt mercies.the Lord, and to acknowledge much love and mercy of God, even in the ſmalleſt fruits and benefits thereof: whatſoever ſtout vagrants and bedlams doe, which will diſdainfully caſt ſcraps at their feet, yet poore hunger-bitten beggers will not doe ſo, but be very thankfull for ſmalleſt courteſies. So it is here, the guiding of a faithfull Eleazar in his way, will make him bow his head in way of thankfulneſſe to the Lord, that ſo graciouſly anſwered his prayer therein. Gen. 24. 48. O how will Gods humble Suppliants exalt and magnifie the Lord for bleſſings of a meaner nature, even temporal as well as ſpiritual bleſſings! as David for promiſed bleſſings to his houſe, cryeth out, who am I, and what is my houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? 2 Sam. 7. 18, &c. and 1 Chron. 24. 11, 12, 13, 15, 16. Hee exceedingly amplifieth the kindneſſe of God to him and his people, even in regard of temporall bleſſings hee wonders at the greatneſſe of God his mercy to him and them, even therein ibidem verſe. 14, 15. And when ſuch of God his Suppliants doe not fare ſo well at the doore of mercy, as they could deſire, and as ſometimes they have done, yet they will not goe away muttering, but even then will ſpeake well of God, and grace, and mercy, and the covenant and way of God, &c. The Pſalmiſt, in Pſ. 89. 49. cryeth out, Lord where are thy former loving kindneſſes? yet concludeth, (verſe 52.) thankfully, notwithſtanding all the ſad paſſages of providence before mentioned. Bleſſed be the Lord for evermore, Amen, and Amen.
7, When a Suppliant having prayed pathetically, 7 Looking through all our meltings unto meere Grace for the ſucceſſe.with much fervency and brokenneſſe of heart, yet as one which ſeeth the emptineſſe of his prayer, even at the beſt, he goeth out of that, reſteth not therein; but as if he had not prayed in ſuch ſort, he runneth to the Name of the Lord, he looketh for nothing, but from the rich and free grace of God in the Lord Jeſus, as Daniel Ch. 9. 3. 4. He is at it with God in ſuch like humble proſtrating his ſouls deſires to him, but in the cloſe profeſſeth the ſupplicaons which were preſented, (though with much brokenneſſe of heart doubtleſſe) yet were not for any righteouſneſſe of their own, (whether of perſon, or performances, or prayers,) but for his mercies ſake. v. 18. And v. 17. deſireth audience for the Lord ſake, for Chriſts ſake. And ver. 19. for his name ſake; ſo Ezra, albeit he had been weeping and caſting himſelf down before God in praier, Ch. 10. 1. yet ch. 9. laſt, he concludeth, that he and the people in reſpect of themſelves, are before God in their treſpaſſes, and cannot ſtand before him, by reaſon of the breach of covenant with God, which he had then bewayled. verſe 14.
Now touching the third thing propounded, Humility required in prayer, Becauſe 1 Humble prayers ſpeed beſt.why this humility in prayer is required? I anſwer briefly;
1. Becauſe prayers put up in and with ſuch humility, they doe ever ſpeed beſt. Mark 7. 29. For this ſaying, go thy waies, the divell is gone out of thy daughter, for what ſaying? namely, that verſe 26. wherein ſhe taketh the name of a dog ſo quietly, and meekly & craveth the very portion of dogs in a manner, the mercies ſlighted by the children: The Lord will not look at what the proud bring to him, but hath reſpect to the lowly, to ſtrengthen them with grace and peace in their ſoules. Pſal. 138. 3. 6. to perfect all that concerns them; verſe 8. The lowly ſtrangers ſee how the Lord welcomes them in prayer, Iſai. 56. ver. 6, 7. The penitent Prodigall that ſpeaks in ſuch a vilifying way of himſelfe to God his father, Luke 15. 18, 19. ſees how royally and richly he is entertained by the Lord, like as by that father, verſe 22, 23. the coſtlieſt robes of grace, and delicateſt of mercy in Chriſt, are readily brought forth to ſuch; greateſt mercies are granted to ſuch, as pardon of ſinne, and the like. Luke 18. 13, 14. Yea, in ſuch a lively and convincing manner exhibited, as that they ſhall carry it home with them, the ſight and light thereof ſhall ſtick by them; he went home juſtified: they ſhall in a holy triumphant wiſe carry home the garland of grace and peace, for which they wreſtled with God in praier: wheras in defect of Humility no praiers, nor tears of a proud Eſau ſhal avail. Heb. 12. 17. The Phariſees repair ſo diligently to pray to the temple is to little purpoſe, whilſt he doth not humble, but rather exalt himſelf therein. Luke 18. 10, 14. God will not approve of any ſuch mens perſons, or praiers; and ſuch a non-juſtified eſtate is a ſad abaſing of ſuch, ibid. as the gracious acceptance of the perſons and prayers of humble ones in Chriſt Jeſus, is an high degree of honour and exalting to them.
2. Becauſe the ſervants of God are 2 Then are humble ones themſelves.never more themſelves, as ſuch, then when humble in a way of ſeeking the face of God. When the converted Prodigall, and Publican cometh to rights, to himſelfe, then in that frame, hee betaketh himſelfe to this work. Luke 15. 17, 18, 19. Aſſuredly penitent diſpoſitions work then ſtrongly, zeal and holy indignation againſt ſinne, and our ſelves for it, are then ſtirring, then is faith, and love doubtleſſe active, and putting forth themſelves in our ſoules.
3. Becauſe an humble frame of heart 3 It putteth moſt honour upon God and Chriſt.in prayer putteth moſt honour upon God, and Chriſt, and mercy, and grace, as all in all. Aga… in that frame thinketh that it will put the largeſt heads, and ripeſt wits in the world to it, to conceive or expreſs the glory of God in Chriſt. Proverb. 30. 2, 3. compared with the 4•h. And he wil magnifie the purity, perfection, and ſtability of his word. verſe 5. ſee verſe 1, 7, 8, 9. Aſaph when in that frame of heart, Pſal. 73. 22. then who but the Lord of heaven and earth with him, and in his deſire! verſe 25. and if ſuch a poor ſoule get any mercy by praier, of all others hee will uſe it beſt, and give God the moſt glory of it, and for it, as might be ſhewed in divers inſtances.
4 Becauſe ſuch a kind of ſpirit in 1. It fitteth us moſt for mercy.prayer, it doth fit us moſt for the mercies of prayer. Hence it is compared to hunger, which as it is good ſawce to the body, and prepareth it well for its meat, ſo doth it fit the ſoul for its deſired food of grace and mercy. Hence is that oppoſition Luke 1. 53. betwixt the hungry and the rich, and yet rich is rather oppoſed to poor, becauſe indeed the pooreſt in ſpirit, the beggars in ſpirit are the moſt hungry. Look as the emptying of a veſſel fitteth it for being filled with precious liquor; ſo humility by emptying the heart of all ſelf-ſtrength, ſelf-confidence, ſelf-ſufficiency, ſelf-righteouſneſſe, ſelf-willedneſſe, and ſelf-conceit, it fitteth the ſoul in prayer for what it doth pray for. The heart of the humble is a prepared heart; as to pray to God, ſo likewiſe to receive and improve the mercies which it ſeeketh in prayer; ſuch an one is moſt flexible and ready both to uſe the beſt means to obtain the mercies deſired, and to walk worthy of them when obtained. So Job 7. 20. I have ſinned, what ſhall I do to thee, O thou Preſerver of men?
As touching the laſt thing propounded; Helps to humility in prayer.namely, What Helps and Means we ſhould uſe to further ſuch Humility required in prayer? I anſwer,
1. Set faith on work, as we ſhewed at 1. Faith in the Lord.large the laſt Lecture. Faith in Gods Promiſe and Providence made David pray ſo humbly, as one not worthy to ſpeak more to God, or receive more from him, 2 Sam. 7. 18, 19, 27. That made the Prodigal to throw down himſelf in ſuch ſort, and humbly to ſeek his fathers favour, conſidering in him a fathers bowels, yea which poſſibly might move towards him; he is apprehenſive likewiſe that he hath all hee needeth, and that moveth and furthereth him therein, Luke 15. 17, 18, 19. So it is here, the Publicans faith in that propitiatory merit and mercy cauſeth him ſo to ſpeak, as Luke 18. 13. It was faith that ſet the woman a begging, in that humble and lowly, as well as earneſt manner, Matth. 15. 26, 27, 28, The faith of that woman was the inſtrumental meanes of her ſalvation, Luke 7. 50. that was the means of that her ſilent, humble approach to the Lord, ver. 38. It is faith which taketh a true meaſure, both of God and of our ſelves, and thereby furthereth ſuch humility.
2 Get our hearts filled with love to the Lord. Love is a ſtooping grace, it will 2. Love to the Lord.make a Chriſtian think meanly of all he ſaith or doth in behalf of Chriſt whom he loveth, that he never ſpeaketh nor doth enough for him. Love will make a man amplifie his worth and excellency, and glory, and even be ſpeaking well, even the beſt of him; and that wil ſurely make him carry it ſubmiſſively to him, as very loath to diſpleaſe or diſhonor him; and when at any time a Chriſtian wrongeth or offendeth the Lord, Oh how will love occaſion ſelf-loathing and diſpleaſure, and diſtaſte, and trouble for it! The Lord Jeſus in giving that anſwer in that poor womans hearing, Luke 7. 47. Her ſins which are many, are forgiven her, for ſhe loved much; ſheweth, that love alſo ſet her on work in ſuch humble and melting ſort to expreſſe the ſecret deſires of her ſoul unto him, touching the conſerving and clearing of her Juſtification, ver. 38.
3 Be we ſincere in heart in our prayers 3. Sincerity.which we make. The ſincere hearted Publican will humble himſelf in ſeeking of Gods favour by prayer, when the leaven of hypocriſie, will heave and puff up that Phariſee whilſt he is praying, Luke 18. Sincerity will make us in prayer ſpeak all freely and ingenuouſly on the part of God, and Chriſt, in way of good; and on our own part in way of our evil and emptineſs; it will make men of yeilding and flexible tempers, and cauſe perſons to be open and plain hearted with the Lord; and that they ſhall not refuſe or be unwilling to take any ſhame before God.
4 Improve we the thoughts and ſerious 4. Thoughts of our need, and Gods greatnesconſiderations of our needy conditions, as likewiſe of the greatneſſe of God. The Saints are ſtiled ſuch as are beggers in ſpirit. Matth. 5, 3. hungry, ver. 6. Luke 1. 53 Deſtitute ones, Pſal. 102. 17. ſuch as whoſe beſt habilements are rags, Iſaiah 64. 6. Clay veſſels, the Lord our potter, ver. 8. Duſt, Gen. 18. 27. and ſuch like: the conſideration whereof kept thoſe Saints of God, as Abraham and the reſt, humble in their praiers. When we look at this ragged condition of ours, it will make us remember our ſelves, and keep us humble in our Supplications.
5 Spread we much our own and Anceſtors 5. Thoughts of our Anceſtors ſins.ſins before the Lord when we are to pray. And thus did Daniel, chap. 9. thus did Ezra, chap. 9. The very ſerious mention and meditation of an offence of a child of God againſt his Father, will make a Regenerate nature begin to work, and then will iſſue ſuch holy bluſhes in the face of an ingenious Chriſtian. If through the wily ſlights of Satan, and our deceitful hearts, we ſhould begin to gaze on our goodly feathers, and have ſome riſings of ſpirit in way of pride, yet at the ſight of this black foot of ours we ſhould then aſſuredly fall in our ſpirits.
6 Take we all holy advantages of ſuch 6. Taking advantage of melting workings in our ſelves.melting, weeping plights, in which we are ſometimes above others. Davids heart being in that humble plight upon occaſion of a good word of the Prophet, ſent to him from God, then David goeth in and prayeth, and then he carryeth it ſo humbly, 2 Sam. 7. 18, 19, &c. When Ezra upon the hearing of the evils among them, was put into that abaſed frame, Ezra 9. 3. then he falleth into that humble ſort to pray before the Lord, ver. 5, 6. &c. So whilſt Nehemiahs heart was even broken at the preſent hearing of the ſad newes, he forthwith ſetteth himſelf in ſolemn wiſe to pray and weep before the Lord, Nehem. 1. 2, 3. compared with verſe 4, 5. &c. Albeit ſuch melting deſires and inclinations ſhould haply be raiſed from other cauſes, or ſpiritual miſeries, yet being ſtirring already they may the better be ſpiritualized. There are times when we are ſo ſtrangely ſtupified, that ſcarce any thing will affect us, but when affected ſeriouſly with any thing, it is an advantrge (if improved wiſely) to turn ſuch waters, (the ſluces being now opened) into the right channel.
7 In our ſecret approaches to the Lord, 7. Premeditation.ſpend ſome time in ſerious premeditations, it will help to put us into a more ſerious frame of ſpirit, and that is the next neighbour to an humble and ſenſible plight. It will add plummets to fleety, lofty ſpirits; eſpecially if we ſeriouſly conſider of his Majeſty and Soveraignty before whom wee come; ſurely that will help to bring us on our knees: The ſight of the Kings Colours will doubtleſſe make all, but ſome preſumptuous, careleſſe, ſtout ſpirits to lower their ſails, even when they are going on full ſail'd in prayer.