Practical Truths to Promote Godliness, Sermon 1

Practical Truths to Promote Godliness · Sermon 1

p. 1The Godly Man is a Praying Man:

Psal. 32. 6.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time wherein thou mayest be found.

THis Psalm is called Maschil of David. And it is the first Psalm which beareth that Inscription: possibly th…re was an Holy Song, used among the Hebrews of old that did begin with that word Maschil, and was therefore known by that name, whose Metre was observed in composing and singing this Psalm Likewise by that Title, the scope and main design of David therein seemeth to be intimated. For Maschil signifieth p. 2instruction or understanding. And that was Davids design in this (as in the other Psa…ms which bear the same Title) to instruct m…n, …nd give th…m to understand some use…ul mysterious Truths, which were not obvious un…o, or considered by ev…ry one. There are two D…ctrines which the Prophet do…h here in…ruct …e…n. One is concerning the difference between Righteous and Wicked men, the happiness of the one, and the misery of the other. ver. 10. The other Doctrine is that which the Psalm begins w…th, viz. That they are blessed Men whose sins are forgiven, ver. 1, 2. And it is worth… our observation, that David having propo…nded this Doctrine, he doth explain, confirm, and app…y it. 1. This Doctrine is explained by shewing …ho they are that have their sins forgiven, viz. They that make a sincere confession of them. ver. 2. In whose spirit there is no guile. h. e. one t…at is sincere and plain hearted in con…essing his in…quity. If men hide and excuse sin t…ats from guile and hypocrisie in the heart so when they make a free and full consession of it b…fore the Lord, and before men too, as God shall call thereunto, thats a good evidence of sinceri…y, …ven of one in whose spirit there is no r…igning guile. 2. This Doctrine is, confirmed by Instancing and producing Davids own experience. He declareth that whilst he … his si…, he w…s in a case must miserable, but when he was brought unto a free and full confession, God so gave him, ver. 3, 4, 5. And elsewhere we read, that when he made an humble, penitent acknow…edgem…nt of his evils, …he Prophet Natkan told him, that God had put away his sin, 2 Sam. 12, 13. 3. He maketh application of the Doctrine thus explained and confirmed, by an useful inference herefrom, in the 6. verse. The Use which he makes of it, is plainly this, That Men should be much in Prayer to God, and that every godly man will be so. For this (saith David) h. e. because of this: since it is so, that they are blessed whose sins are forgiven, and since it is so, that I upon a sincere confession of my sin, have found pardoning mercy with the Lord, every godly man will from my experience be encouraged to pray unto him.

In the Words before us, we have,

1. The Duty which should be done, viz. Prayer unto God.

2. The persons that will practise this Duty, every one that is Godly.

3. The time every man is concerned, to…d unto this Duty: viz. In a time wherein the Lord may be found.

There are especially two Doctrines which these words afford unto us,

p. 4Doct. 1. That to be much in Prayer unto God, is, as the duty of every Man, so the practice of every Godly Man.

Doct. 2. That Men ought not only to Pray unto God for Pardon and Salvation, but they should be sure to do this, in the time wherein He may be found.

Doct. 1. That to be much in Prayer unto God, is, as the Duty of every Man, so the practice of every Godly Man.

In order to the further prosecuting and clearing this D…ct…ine, there are three things to be enquired into. 1. What Prayer is? 2. Who are co…cerned in the performance of this Duty? 3 The Reasons why every Godly M…n doth and will Pray?

Q. 1. What is Prayer? Ans. Prayer is a mak…ng known …he d…sires of our hearts before God, in the Name of Jesus Christ, concerning things agreeable unto his will.

In this description of Prayer, there are four Particu…ars conta…ned, which express the nature of it; and may be spoken unto under so many distinct Propositions.

Prop. 1. Prayer is a making known our hearts desire before the Lord, Rom. 10. 1. My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Prayer doth not consist so much in p. 5words & outward expressions (though those are also sometimes necessary) as in hearty desires, which the Lord alone is witness of, Isai. 26. 8, 9. In the way of thy Judgements O Lord have we waited for t…ee. [the desire of our soul] is towards thy Name, [with my Soul have I desired thee] in the night, yea, with my spirit will I seek thee early. The Lords people there, make solemn profession that they did continue p…aying to God, and were resolved that t…ey would do so still, …o…h day and night continually, notwithstanding all the judgeme…ts they had bad experience of, they would not thereby be discouraged from praying and humble seek…ng to him. Hence Prayer is expressed by that of lifting up the heart, Lam. 3. 41. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the Heavens. And tis called a pouring out of the heart. Psal 62. 8. Pour out your heart before him. And a lifting up of the soul unto God, Psal. 25. …. and a pouring out of the soul before him, 1 Sam. 1. 15. all which expressions, shew, that in true Prayer the heart and the affections thereof are deeply eng…ged. Words without the heart, may be estee…ed Prayer by men, but not by the Lord, Psal. 17. 1. Therefore also, it is denoted by that of sighings and groanings, which are the work and motions of the heart, known unto the Lord alone. Rom. 8. 26. Moreover, it is the will of God, …h…t Men should manifest the desires of their hearts before him, Phil. 4. 6. Let p. 6your requests be made known unto God. The Lord expects that men should humbly declare before him what their desires are, by words and other signs that are expressive of the inward workings of the mind. Not but that God knoweth what Men would have before they express it; yea, what they will desire, long before any such motions arise in their hearts. He understands their thoughts afar off, th…t is to say, long before those thoughts come into their hearts, He knoweth that they will be the…e, Psal. 139. 2. Nevertheless the Lord will have Men to speak out their hearts to him, thereby to te…ifie …heir humility and sincerity in his sight. And in h…s, the duty of Prayer differs from that of hearing the word. They are both of them moral Duties required by the same Commandmen…, only in hearing the Word, God maketh known his mind and will to us, but in Prayer we make known our minds and humble desires before him.

Prop. 2. God is the only Object of Prayer. This is intimated in the Text, since it is said, unto thee, h. e. unto thee O Lord, and unto thee alone shall the godly man pray. Daniel and the three Worthies would rather expose themselves to the w…st miseries, that the malice and rage of their enemies could bring upon them, then be guilty of such Idolatry, as to pray unto any other God besides the Lord. He is the only Object of all religious Service, Psal. 76. 11. Bring presents to p. 7him that ought to be feared. When Men pray to God, then they fear h…m, and bring a present to him; and such presents are due to the Lord alone, Mat. 4. 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only thou shalt serve. Prayer is a special part of that …eligious service which Men ewe to God, therefore he only is to be prayed u…to. Prayer is a spiritual S…crifice, 1 Pet. 2. 5. Now Sac…ifice may not be offered unto any besi…es the on…y true God, Exod. 22. 20. Faith and Prayer are conjoyned as having the same object Rom. 10. 14. How shall they call on him, in w…om th…y have not believed? Men may believe in him, whom they may call upon or pray unto. They may trust in the object of Pray…r, but God is the only object of Faith, Jer. 17. 5. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man. Hence the Lord is stiled the Prayer-hearing God, Psal. 65. 2. That's one of his glorious titles and incommunicable properties. He alone is able to hear the Prayers of all men. The hearer of Prayer, must needs be infinite and omnipresent. No finite being is able to hear millions praying to him at the same time, and these (some of them) ten thousand miles distant from one another. Nor can any one else answer Prayer. The chi…f things which we are to pray for, viz. Grace, the pardon of Sin, the eternal Salvation of our Souls, the Lord alone is able to bestow those blessings upon us. The Object of Prayer must needs be p. 8om…ipotent as well as omnipresent. Therefore … wh…e Name alone is Jehovah, is the only object or Prayer.

Prop. 3. Prayer is to be presented before God, in the alone Name of Jesus Christ. Men having …nned, they must to have to do with God, but in and throu…h the Mediator. As Josep… said unto his Br…thren, Gen. 43. 5. You shall not see my face except your Brother be with you; so doth the Lord say un…o sinners you shall not see my face except you come in the N…me of Jesus Christ. Both prayers and praises, both petitions and thanksgivings for mercy, are to be offered unto God in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ. Heb. 13, 15. J…h. 14. 13. 14. Fo… it is through him, that we find any acceptance with the holy and glorious God. If our pers…ns are accepted or if our prayers and service are so, it is upon Christs acc…unt, Eph. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Now there are severals t…ings implyed in praying, through the …e of Christ.

1. That in Prayer we are to look immediately upon Chr…, and so unto God, Rev. 8. 4. The smoke of the Incense which came with the prayers of Saints, ascended up before God out of the Angels hands. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Angel of the everlasting Covenant; we are to put our prayers into his hands, that so th…y may become as incense before the Lord. Of old, if a man had a Sacrifice to offer, he might not bring it to p. 9God immediately, but by the Priest Lev. 17. 3. 4, Thus must we come unto God by Jesus Christ, bringing our Spiritual Sacrifices unto him, that he may present them to the …ather. Heb. 7. 25. Christ the Mediator, is the next object of devine Worship, God the altimate object thereof.

2. When in Prayer, we act Faith upon the merit and mediation of the Lord Jesus, then do we pray in his Name. The Lords Servants of old, were to pray, looking towards the Temple or Tabernacle, 1 King. 8. 47, 48. Psal. 138. 2. J…. 2. 4. because that was a type of Christ; so that by looking thereunto, they testified their hopes of acceptance through his merit and mediation. We must bear wh…lly upon Christs Interest, for access and success before the throne of Grace, Eph. 3. 12.

3. In these dayes of the New-Testament, praying in Christs N…me …impli…th a seeking for mercy on account of the satisfact…on which Christ hath already made unto divine Justice. Christ told his Disciples they had as yet asked nothing in his Name. Joh. 16. 24. that is to say on the … count of his death and satisfaction thereby made unto divine Justice. For the Saints of God; alwayes expected answers of Prayer on Christs account, and so prayed in his Name before he came into the world. The Prophet Daniel prayed that God would hear him for the Lords sake, Dan. 9. 17. But in the times of the Old Testament p. 10mercy was prayed and hoped for, because of that which Christ should do he…ea…ter, whenas in the times of the Gospel we pray for audience on the account of what Christ h…th already done. This is implied in praying i… his Name.

And thus to do is essential unto prayer: yea, thus doth every one that is godly pray As for Pagans that pray unto God without a…y Mediatour; and Papists that pray unto him through other Mediators besides Christ; that make Saints and Angels their Mediators, thereby turning Christ out of his office, so far as is in in them to do; their prayers are as …o prayers: yea when they offer Incense it is an abomi…a…ion to the Lord.

Prop. 4. As for the matter of prayer, it is to …e for things agreeable to the Will of God. 1 Joh. 5. 14. The holy Incense appointed under the Law, (which signified Prayer, Mal. 1. 11) was to be made exactly according to divine prescription, Exod, 30. 34, 35. so must prayer be, as to the m…tter of it. Whatever is promised in the covenant of grace, is fit matter for prayer: even temporal blessings, so far as the Lord hath promised to bestow them, but especially spiritual and eternal blessings, (they being the c…ings spoken of in the Covenant) are to …ed for. And above all, we are to pray that God may have glory, and that the Kingdome and Interest p. 11of the Lord Jesus Christ may be advanced. All this we see in that Rule or Platform of Prayer, (commonly called the Lords Prayer) which the Lord Christ hath given to his Disciples for their direction and imitation. To present unlawful desires before God, is a great transgression of the Rule of prayer. It is to offer a dead polluted thing upon the Lords Altar: yet we find that sometimes godly men have offended this way. So did the Sons of Zebedee, when imagining that Christ would have a pompous temporal dominion, they prayed for great enjoyments in the world. What warrant had they from any word of God, to come before the Lord with such a request as that was? so when persons under deep affliction do out of the impatiency of their Spirits, pray and wish for Death, thats an unlawful desire: thus did godly Job, sometimes miss it in his prayers, Chap. 6, 7, 8. O (saith he) that I might have my request! and that God would grant me this thing that I long for, even that it would please God to destroy me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off. So Jonah, He was afraid that some would look upon him as a false Prophet; and rather then undergo a little disgrace from men; in a fullen pang of discontent, he beseecheth God to take away his life from b…, Chap. 4. 3. God delights not in such requests as these are. They are not as Incense before him.

p. 12Thus have we done with the first thing propounded to be spoken unto, namely, what prayer is!

We came to the second enquiry, viz. Who are concerned in the performance of this duty?

Ans. To pray unto the Lord is every mans duty: though to pray aright, is only the godly mans practice, yet it is that which all men are bound unto, as appears:

1. In that Prayer is a part of Natural, Moral Worship. There are two sorts of Worship due to God, viz. Natural and Instituted worship. As for Instituted worship, it depends wholly upon the will of God, and therefore only some men, and in some ages are obliged to at end thereto, according as God shall please to reveal of h…s will unto them. Natural worship is that which if a man doth understand any thing concerning the nature of the blessed and glorious God, he cannot but know that such worship is due unto him. Hence all men, and that in all ages are concerned therein. And of this sort is prayer: hence not only Men but holy Angels pray unto the Lord. Yea the Saints in glory pray, and will do so, for ever. They praise God, & thats one sort of prayer, Rev. 5. 11, 13.

2. Prayer is a duty required in the fi…st Commandment: although the publick stated dispensation of the duty is e…joyned in the second Commandment, nevertheless, when in the first Commandment it is said, thou shalt have the Lord to be p. 13thy God, part of the meaning is, thou shalt worship him, …nd pray to him. As all men are bound by vertue of that Commandm…nt to love the Lord and to fear him, so are they no less bound to pray unto him: that being one way whereby they express both their love unto, and their fear of his great Name.

3. If we consi…er the several sorts of men that …re in the World, we shall see that Prayer is every mans duty. All men are divided into these two sorts, godly and ungodly; regenerate and unregenerate. Both these ought to pray unto the Lord. As for godly men, the Text speaks expresly. And the Lord Jesus Christ taught his Disciples both that they ought, and how they ought to pray. And as for unregenerate men, they are not exempted from their obligation unto this duty, though they be unable to per…orm it aright. The unconverted are bound to pray that converting grace may be given to them. Christ tells the Woman of Samaria, … unconverted, that she should ask for living w… Joh. 4. 10. Those that have not as yet a … heart, are bid to pray that the Lord would bestow it on them, Ezek. 36. 37. such as never ye… found God, but are out of his favor, are commanded to seek his face and favour. Isai. 55. 6, 7: The whole Nation of the Jews, (wherein were few godly men comparatively) are commanded to pray in the most solemn manner, Zeph. 2. 1. … mon p. 14Magus when in the gall of bitterness, and under the bond of iniquity, was by the Apostle called upon to pray for the pardon of his sins, Act 8. 22. Are not ungodly men bound to repent? Where the Gospel is Preached, they are so. Act. 17. 30. And therefore to pray: For confession of Sin, and begging for mercy, is one thing in Repentance and in Prayer. And the Lord out of his infinite goodness, doth sometimes so far hear unregenerate men praying and crying unto him, as to deliver them from temporal judgements, thereby to encourage them to seek unto him for greater mercies: as we see in Rehob…am, in Ahab, and in the Ninivites. If prayer were not their duty, the Lord would not so far manifest respect to them, as to bestow a temporal Reward, or remove temporal judgements from them upon their praying to him. It is objected by some, that the prayers of the wicked, are an abomination, and how then is prayer their duty? ought they to do that which is a… …bomination? Ans. … is indeed most true, that a corrupt tree ca…ing forth good fruit. All the actions of ungodly men are abominable in the Lords sight, as proceeding from them, who are his enemies, Hag. 2. 14. but will any man therefore say, that such men must be altogether idle, and attend no duty, neither of their general, nor of their particular callings. The plowing of the wicked is sin. Must he now abuse p. 15the Scripture, and say that his plough shall stand …; his reading the Scriptures, or hearing the Word preached to him, is as much an abomination in the Lords sight, as his praying. F…r without Faith it is impossible to please God. Must he then neither read nor hear the Word? God forbid that Men should so wrest the Scripture unto their own destruction. The reason wh… the prayers of an ungodly man are an abomination, is not because prayer is not his duty, but because he doth not so perform that his duty as he should do.

We come now unto the third thing proposed to be enquired into, viz. the Reasons why every godly man doth and will pray.

Reas. 1. Because godly men have the spirit of God, 1 Joh. 3. 24. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us. Every true Believer hath received the spirit: Rom. 8. …. If any man hauehave not the spirit of Christ, he is … of his. The Soul of a godly man is become the everlasting habitation of the spirit of God. Now the holy Spirit, when he dwells in the heart, doth incline unto prayer, he causeth the grace, the habit of prayer to be in the Soul. Hence is that expression in the Scripture of a spiri…, Zech. 12. 10. when a man hath an hab… nation unto prayer, wrought in his heart … holy Spirit of God; then hath he the … prayer. And the holy Spirit doth ena… p. 16one is godly to pray. He helps them with matter, and helpeth them by stirring up affections, and fervency therein: Rom. 8. 26. Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered.

Reas. 2. Every godly man is sensible of his wants and miseries. They that feel their wants will cry for relief: so do all that are godly. Therefore are they called the Humble, Psal. 10. 17. The humble man is sensible of his own emptiness and nothingness, and that he needs continual supplies of Grace from God by Jesus Christ. The more grace every man ha…h the more doth he feel his want of grace, and that s…ts him a praying for it. He that hath the grace of knowledge is sensible of his …gnorance, and therefore prayes for more wisdome, Jam. 1. 5. He that hath the grace of Faith is sensible of his unbelief, and therefore prayeth against it: Mar. 9. 24. The Apostles having saith, were sensible that they stood in need of more, and o… much Faith, and that made them pray, Lord, increase our Faith, Luk. 17. 5. he that hath the grace of Repentance, is sensible of the hardness of his own heart, and therefore prayeth against it, Isai, 63. 17.

Reas 3. Every Godly man hath Faith. The Godly man, and the true Believer on Christ are the same. Now by his Faith, he doth see and p. 17apprehend these t…ings which set him a praying. He seeth that in God which doth e…courage him to pray unto him. By Faith he seeth that the Lord is able to supply all the necessities o… his poor creatures, and to help them whatever their distresses may be, 2 Chron. 20. 12. Also by his Faith he seeth that God is willing as well as able to save those that seek unto him. That he is a God full of mercy, ready to forgive those that unfeignedly repent of their sins, a…d that's a marvellous encouragement unto Prayer, as is in the Context intimated. I confessed my sin (saith David) and then the Lord forgave mine iniquity; and therefore every godly man that shall hear of this, will be encouraged to pray unto so gracious a God. He that doth not believe and not pray. Rom. 10. 14. But he that doth believe will pray, Psal. 116 10. I believed, therefore have I spoken. He believed that God would save him, and that caused him to speak and pour out his heart in Prayer before the Lord.

Reas. 4. Every godly man doth love the Lord, Jam. 2. 5. Hence he delig…ts in communion with him. A man will be free to unbosome himself, and to open his heart unto a dear and faithful friend, whom he loveth and delights in. Thus the Saints of God love him dearly, and therefore they cannot live without prayer u…to him. I… they be kept from communion with God in that way, though but for a few hours, they think that time p. 18long until they can have an opportunity of holy converse with him again. David loved the Lord; therefore would he call upon him as long as … had a day to live, Psal. 116. 1, 2.

Use. 1. For Conviction and Awakening unto prayerless Sinners. O that there were not many such. But alas! that which was most injuriously charged upon Job, when Eliphaz said to him, thou restr…nest prayer before God, may be truly and sadly charged upon many poor creatures. Are there not some, that are grown unto men and womens estates, that hardly ever prayed in their lives? how lamentable is their condition? Now that such may be convinced of their sin and misery, lay to heart a few Consi…erations.

1. Thou that art prayerless, art amongst the Ʋngodly. For my Text saith, That every one that is godly will pray; they then that live without Prayer, are ungodly ones. There is not a spark of Grace in thy soul. Nay, thou art not so much as in the way, thou hast not taken the first step towards Conversion. For, when the Lord cometh to convert a Soul, one of the first thi…gs is. He sets him a Praying; as we see in Paul, whilst he was in the pangs of the new-birth, it was said concerning him, Behold he prayeth, Act. 9. 11. As for thee a sinful wretch, behold thou prayest not. The Lord looketh down from heaven upon thee, from day to day, behold he seeth thee sinning, p. 19but doth not see thee p…aying? then thou art far from any Conversi…n? Thou art amongst the number of the ungodly; and what a case then is …hy soul in? and what wilt thou …oi… the Judgem…nt that is to come? Psal. 1. 5. The ungodly shall not stand in the Judgement, nor sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous.

2. Thou art guilty of Atheisme. Prayerless Creatures are no better then Atheists. At leastwise thou art a practical Atheist. Thou livest as if thou hadst no Soul to save; and as if there were no God to serve. If thou believest indeed that there is a God, then why dost thou not pray unto him? Psal. 10. 4. The wicked will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. All his thoughts, all his wishes are, O …hat there were no God. There is not a prayerless creature in the World, but he wisheth there were no God. And he saith plainly and practically; the Lord shall not be his God. By living in the neglect of Prayer, t…ou hast rejected the Lord, and said, He shall be no God over thee. And wilt …h…u persist in this neglect? Then hear thy Doom and tremble at it, Psal. 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God. They that forget Prayer, forget God, and therefore being amongst the wicked, they must be turned down into Hell.

3. There is not the least hope of thy Salvation, as long as thou continuest thus in a careless neglect p. 20of God, and of thy own Soul. It is very true that men may practise the duty of Prayer after a so…, and for all that not be saved. The Pharisees would pray …ter a formal manner; yet Christ said to his Disciples: Except your righteousness shall … that of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdome of …. Ma…. 5. 20. But it is no less true, that If men … not pray, they shall not be saved. Can the workers of Iniquity be saved? will not the Lord Jesus say unto all such at the last day. Depart from …. Now the Scripture saith, The workers of iniquity call not upon the Lord, Psal. 14. 4.

4. You will be most inexcusable before the Lord. For you cannot plead ignorance, you cannot say, Lord, I was never told that it was my duty to pray. Will not the Minister of God that hath been speaking in his Name, stand forth and witness against you at the last day, that you have been called upon, and earnestly told of your duty, full many a time? yea, and do you not go with convinced Consciences, that you ought to pray u…to the Lord? And yet will you not do it? what will you say for your selves? or, how will you be able to stand in the day of the Lords pleading with you?

Use 2. Of Exhortation unto all, but especially unto those that are godly, to be much in the practice p. 21of this duty of Prayer into God. In the prosecution of this Use, we shall 1. Lay down some Motives to perswade. 2. Mention some Rules to direct in the due performance of this duty.

For Motives: Consid. 1. That every mans Religion is according unto what his Prayers …. Godliness implieth Religion. 1 Tim. 3. 16. …reat is the Mystery of godliness, … of Religion, Where there is no Prayer, there is no true Religion. They are Heathen People that do not call upon the true God, Psal 79. 6. Prayerless m…n are not worthy of the name of Christians, Act. …. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 2. They that are only formal in Prayer, are no better then Formalists in Religion, as the Jews were, who wou… …raw nigh unto God with their lips when their hearts were … from him, Mat. 15. 8. 2 Tim. 3. 5. And the truly Religious are a generation of sincere seekers of the face of God, Psal. 24. 6. Hence the work of Conversion is in the Scripture expressed by that of …ns being set a praying in good earnest, Zech. 12. 10. & 8. 21. 22. And they that are eminent in god… ness will be much in Prayer, as we see in Jacob, David, Daniel, Paul, al of them men that had much grace, & they were abundant in Prayer unto God.

Consider 2. How necessary a duty Prayer is. There is nothing more inculcated in the Scripture then this great duty. It is a greater Duty then many others, which yet may not be omitted. Heno… the Apostle speaks, as 1 Tim. 2. 1. I Exhort p. 22that [first of all] Supplications, Prayers, …t…. be made. q. d. above other things I commend this duty to you. The Apostle seemeth to give the preference to Prayer. Yea it is an indi…p…n…ible duty; such a duty as that though men should forbid us the practice of it, and that upon the severest penalties; it ought nevertheless to be attended. Therefore the Prophet Daniel chose rather to endanger his life, then to neglect his duty toward, God in this respect, Dan. 6. 10. And it is necessary as a means for th… obt…ining of go…d. Saving good and mercy is not to be expected but in a way of Pra…er, Rom. 10. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. If men would have Salvation, they must pray for it. If they would have pardoning mercy they must pray for it. Therefore Peter said to Simon Magus, Pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven, Act. 8. 22. All promised mercies come to the Lords people upon their praying to him. God delights to b…stow his Blessings in that way. He hath engaged in hi… holy and gracious Covenant to give Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal Blessings; but that notwithstanding, Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israeli… do it for them, Ezek. 36. 37. ye…, Prayer is necessary in order to a sanctified enjoyment of temporal blessings, 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be p. 23refused if it be received with thanks-giving, for it is sanctified by the Word and Prayer. Food, Raiment, Health, whatever temporal mercies we may …hink of, are not sanctified unto any that enjoy them, except they be received with th…nks-giving and Prayer. We therefore read in the Gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ, when he was upon Earth, would not suffe… men to eate Meals mea… without prayi…g over it, or desiring a …lessing from God upon it, Mat. 14. 19, 20.

Consi…er 3. That to pray unto God is our priviledge as well as our duty. It is our honour and ou… happiness, t…at we may do so. For when we pray, we come into the Lords presence; and thats an high favour to be admitted into the gracious presence of the Majesty of Heaven.

We then approach into his Courts, Psal. 96. 8. In Prayer, there is a arawing nigh unto God: godl… men come nigh unto God, i. e. pray unto him, before the blood cometh unto them, as the Psalmist here speaketh: And it is our happiness that we may do so, Psal. 73 28. It is good f… me to draw near to God. It is not only in it self good, but its good for me, saith David; much for my benefit that I may have access unto his glorious Majesty. In Prayer, we have communion with God. Yea, godly men have sometimes intimacy of communion with God, and with Jesus Christ, in that duty of Prayer. Now that's a great priviledge; a singular honour and savour. The p. 24praying Believer may say with the Spouse, Cant▪ 14. The King hath brought me into his chambers. What a gracious favour is it, that th… King of Heaven should admit us into his pres…nce Chamber, and there let us converse and be humbly familiar with him. Prayer is an Heavenly work, Lam. 3. 41. … us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in … Heavens. By that especially there is a blessed en…ourse maintained between Heaven and Earth, God and Men. Is it hot an happy thing to d…ive a Trade for Heaven? so do praying Saints do every day. Nay, it is part of the work of Heaven. The Saints and Angels there, are alwayes praying, i. e. a…wayes praising God. The Host of Heaven doth worship him, Ne…. 9. 6. The multitude of the Heavenly Host are praising God, saying Glory to God in the highest, Luk. 2. 13, 14. Is it not our honour and happiness, that whilst on Earth, we may be imployed in the same work with the Angels of Heaven, and Saints in glory? Moreover, hereby God is glorified, when his Servants and Suppliants come and present humble petitions before the Lord that sits upon a …hro…e of Grace ready to receive them, they give unto him the glory that is due unto his Name, Psal. 29. 1, 2. Now we are not capable of greater happiness than this is, actively to honour God or to be made use of as instruments of glory unto his Name.

p. 25Consider 4. That men (especially they that are godly) have great encouragement to be at this work… to be much in the practice of this great duty. There is g…eat reason for them to hope that they shall not lose their labour. He hath not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Many things might be me…tioned here, the consideration whereof is a marvellous encouragement and inducement unto prayer: e. g. The gracious nature of the blessed God. When poor Creatures cry unto him, he will hear: for he is gracious. He is infinitely gracious, and thence ready to forgive those that hav… been the greatest rebels against him, if they confess their …niquity, and humbly pray & seek unto him for mercy, Be…hadaas servants were encouraged in their supplication, because they had heard, that the Kings of Israel were merciful Kings. We know that the God and King of Heaven is a merciful God, and shall we not then pray unto him? He is a sin pardoning God, and that consideration should move us unto Prayer. It is the very motive which the Psalmist in this Context maketh use of, to excite every one that is godly to pray. So in Psal. 86. 4, 5. Ʋnto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul, for thou art ready to … give, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee, give ear O Lord unto my Prayer. As for the Apostate Angels, they do not pray unto God, because he never proclaimed his mercy to them, they have no hopes p. 26of a pardon if they should pray for it, never so earnestly; but it is otherwi…e with the Children of men. The Lord from Heaven declareth unto them, that though their sins have been nev…r so many, and never so great, if they do i… a way of Repentance seek unto him, he will ab…ndantly pardon them. Isai. 55. 6, 7.

Again, that consideration of a Mediator for sinne…s; (that the Son of God is be…om… their Mediator) is a glorious encourag…ment u…to Prayer. To this purpose doth the Ap…stle speak 1 Tim. 2. 1. with ver. 5. Let prayers be made for all men, for there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. There is a Mediator (saith he) for all sorts of men, and there…ore pray for all …orts of men. And this consideration is elsewhere improved by the same Apostle as an encouragement unto pr…yer. In Heb. 4. 14. Seeing, that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God; it is added in ver. 16. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of grace. Since we have such an one as the Son of God to be our Mediator in Heaven, therefore let us with humble boldness ply the Throne of grace continually. Christ the Mediator hath satisfied divine justice for the …ns of Believers: And he doth intercede with God for them, that their Souls may be saved, and their Pray…rs heard. While the Priest executing his Office did burn Ince…se, being en…red in…o the T…mple p. 27of the Lord, the people w…re praying without, Luk. 1. 9, 10. Thus while Believers are praying on Earth, Christ is interceding in Heaven for them. Moreov…r, as for godly men, they are the Favouri…es of Heaven, therefore they should be much in Prayer. The Lords ear is open to their cry, Psal 34. 15. even as the ears of a Prince are open to the requests of his special Favourites, The godly man hath the King of Heavens ear, he is willing to hear the Petitions of such as those are. He tak…s singul…r delight in hearing them p…ay to him. The p…ayer of the upright is his delight, …rov. 15. 8. A broken hea…ted prayer is Musick in the Lords ears. Yea, it …'en ravisheth h… heart, when the penitent Believer doth pour out the prayer of Faith before him. What wo…derful expressions are in the Canticles to this purpose? Chap. 2, 14. Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice, and again Chap. 4. ver. 9. Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes. The voice of Prayer, if there be an eye of Faith looking up to God in Jesus Christ, how sweet, how ravishing is it to the Lords heart?

There are also precious and glorious pr…mises belonging to such; which should encourage unto Prayer. The Lord hath prom…sed, that if they ask they shall receive. Yea, though they beg for the greatest savours they shall obtain them: if they open their mouths wide, he will p. 28fill them. What a sweet promise is that, Joh: 16 23, 24. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you, ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full.

Consid. 5. The Lords Servants, have ever found him to be a Prayer-hearing God. Psal. 65. 2. O thou that hearest P…ayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. All flesh Believers, in all ages have experi…nced the truth of this. Unto which of the Saints can you turn you, but they will every one say, this is truth, my Soul knoweth it right well. God hath been as ready to hear as they have been to pray for mercy. Thus Daniel found it, that whiles he was speaking and praying, and presenting his Supplication before the Lord his God; an Angel was sent from Heaven, who informed him, that from the beginning of his supplication, he was accepted. Chap 9. 20. 23. Yea, the Lord is more ready to give, then his Chilbren are to ask; and therefore doth many times, best…w those blessings upon them, wh…ch they intend to pray for, be…ore they have an opportunity actually to seek his face, Isai. 65. 24. Before they call I will answer, and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear. We rea… much concerning this in the Scripture; how God hath had respect to the Prayers of his People. And humane as well as divine Story abou…ds with instances to this purpose, as I have elsewhere noted. And may not we our selves set our Seals to this truth? p. 29where is the godly man, but may do so? May we not say after Jacob, Gen. 35. 3. God answered me in the day of my distress? a…d after David, 2 Sam. 22. 7. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God, and he did hear my voice out of his Temple, & my cry did enter into his Ears. And as for those publick solemn Prayers which have been poured out before the Lord, have not our eyes seen, that it hath not been in vain. In times of Drought, we have sought the Lord; and he hath sometimes sent a plentiful Rain, on the very day when his People were earnestly praying before him for that mercy. In the late War with the Heathen amongst whom we live, what great things hath the Lord done for us, in answer to Prayer? That mortal Contagion wherewith so many Families were afflicted but two years ago! Prayer hath prevailed with the Lord to remove it, and to heal this Land. Let us then resolve with David; (surely every godly praying soul hath cause to say, as he did.) Psa. 116. 1, 2. I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications, because he hath enclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I shall live.

Wherefore, Consider 6. The great things that may be done by Prayer. This is the way for a man to be and to do, as Saul said of David, 1 Sam. 26. 25. Thou shalt both do great things; and shalt also still prevail. How came it to pass, that David p. 30did great things; and that he did still prevail? the reason of it was his being a ma… t…at was much in Prayer. He gave himself to prayer, Psal. 109. 4. This is certainly the best way for a man to prosper in his undertakings, ever follow them with constan… and …ervent Prayer. It is reported concern…ng Dr Preston, that when some said, he was esteemed a great Polititian; because he usually car…ied on the designs he took in hand with go…d success: his Reply was, That is not the re…s…n of my matters succeeding well, but I work by an Engine, which the world thinks …at of, i. e. by Prayer. W…en I undertake a busi…ess, I follow it with earnest Prayer to God, and he make…h it to become successful. And indeed Prayer is a marvellous Engine. Godly men m…y hereby bring about strange changes in the World. Yea, they may undermine (as David did by one Prayer) the deep and hellish counsels of Achitophels. Nay, they may e'en do and have what they will, that is not contrary to the will of God. One said of Luther, Iste vir potuit quodcunque voluit, That man could by his Prayers obtain from God any thing that he desired. It is a wonderful expression, which we find, Rev. 11. 6. where it's said concerning the two Prophets, They can smite the Earth with all Plagues as often as they will. And how do they smite the Earth, but by sending Prayer to Heaven? And what mercy can there be thought of, p. 31but the godly man, may by prayer obtain it? he may in that way procure mercies (spiritual as well as t…mporal) for his own soul▪ Yea, and m…rcy for his Family; grace and everlasting salvation for his Children. An holy man once, after i…ti…a…e communion with God in secret p…ayer, could say to a familiar friend of his; I have this …ay obtained mercy of God for my self and for all mine. And as for those, that g…ve themselves un…o prayer, God useth to bless them much in their Children. They and their offspring with them are known to be the blessed of the Lord. Y…t more; godly men may by prayer obtain mercy for the Land wherein they live. A whole Town and Country fareth the better for the sake of a few praying ones, that are therein, who day and night are plying the Throne of Grace. The innocent by li…ting up pure hands of prayer delivers the Island, as Eliphaz speaks. Job. 22. 30. Yea, sometimes, a whole Countrey fareth the better for one wrestler with God, as all the land of Israel did, for the prayers of one Elijah, though he was a man subject to like passions as we are, Jam. 5. 17, 18. Yea, and a few godly men, may by their prayers procure and hasten judgement, upon those that are the subjects of Imprecation, that is to say, upon the implacable enem…es of God, and of his Servants. We may see for this that Scripture, Rev. 16. 1. I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying, to the p. 32seven Angels, go your wayes, and pour … of the …rath of God upon the ear…. Now the Temple was the place of prayer. It is praye… that pulls down con…ding vi…ls of … upon the Antich…istian generation. And … that man who …, that shall have many prayer… of God▪ Serv…nts …ngaged against him, I tell you, …ay the Lord … you, that though God may seem to forbear him long, vengea…ce shall come upon him speedily. And the true reason of all this which hath been spoken, is, because the omnipotent God himself is overcome by prayer? And then what cannot godly praying ones do, if omni…cy himself be overcome by them? Thus do we read concerning Jacob, that by his strength he had power with God; yea, when he wept and made supplication to him, he had power over the Angel and prevailed, h. e. over the increated Angel of the everlasting Covenant, the Et…rnal Son of God, that Angel, who is the Lord of Hosts, the Lord i… …is …, Hos. 12. 3, 4, 5. In a word▪ prayer doth as it were hold the Lords hands, when he is ready to strike his people, who have by their sins provoked him. Therefore the Lord said to Moses Let …e alone that I may consume them, Exod 32. 10. A marvallous expression! it is as if the Lord had said, I would fain be at this people, and strike them a blow that should kill them suddenly, because they have suddenly departed from me; but thou p. 33Moses by thy Prayers dost hold my hands, that I cannot tell how to smite them, until thou are silent; therefore let me alone. And Prayer doth as it were jogg his Almighty Arm, and cause him to awake unto Judgement against the Adversaries of his people, when before prayers and cries went up to Heaven, the Lord seemed as if he were asleep or unconcerned with the sorrows and distresses of his Servants. Hence is that, Isai. 51. 9. Awake, awake, put on strength O arm of the Lord, awake as in the antient dayes, in the generations of old. The cry of prayer, especially when many of his Servants, do at the same time, and with the same heart cry unto him; it awakens the Lord, so that he stirreth up himself, and his glorious Arm doth great things in answer unto those prayers and cries.

Consider, 7. The present times. The day we live in, is such as calleth upon every one that is godly to pray. Never more need of prayer then at this time. I may say this day, as one of the Martyrs said, when he was going to die. Pray, pray; pray, never more need then now. Clouds and Thunders, Storms and Tempests, are ready to crack and break upon a sinful and miserable world; and will you not pray? shall we be worse then the old ungodly world? When they saw that the flood was indeed a coming did they not pray think you? Behold! we may see it at this day. The floods of great waters, are coming p. 34and hastening upon the world; yea, upon this generation; and shall we not pray? did not they cry An Ark an Ark! that we perish not in the …ood▪ and wilt not thou then cry, a Christ, a Christ▪ to save my poo… soul, that I perish not in the deep and dark waters of infinite wrath. Other considerations have been mentioned to quicken and encourage the godly, bu… this should Awaken the ungodly unto prayer also▪

Quest. What s…all … done that so the Lord may accept of us, if we pray unto him?

Ans. …. If a man would have his …r…ye…s …ade a…dience and acceptance in Heaven, the … must look …o his state. God doth not respect …rst the prayer, and then the person, but f…st the person and then the prayer. He that is …to his state a true Believer, and so in C…rist, his prayers are acceptable before the Lord. Why did Abels offering …nd acceptance with the L…d▪ rather then Gains? it was bec…e Abel had …ith, but Cai… had none; and without that, …o is …possible to please God▪ Heb. 11. …. …f a man … as to his spiritual sta…e a truly … man, th…n God h…reth his prayer as my … doth intimate. If he be sincere, then he may be …ure tha… God wi… respect his prayer, Heb. 10. …. Let us … with a true heart, in full …. If there be a true, i. e. a sincere heart in the …ght of God, a man may draw near to him in prayer, with the assurance of Faith for gra…ious acceptance▪ p. 35God heareth not sinners: but sincere worshippers, and such as do his will, them he heareth, Joh. …. 31. If there be no sin which a man doth love or live in, then his Prayers are pleasing and precious before the Lord, otherwise they are not so: therefore David speaketh as i… Psal. 66. 20. If I regard iniquity in my heart, th… Lord will not hear me.

2. He that would have his prayers acceptable▪ must look to his walking. He must be careful to walk closely with God; and take heed of offending him by giving way to sin, lest the Lord turn a deaf ear upon all his prayers. After that Saul had sinned, and departed from God, his enquiries after the Lord were not regarded, 1 … 28. 6. When Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not. And not only a Saul; but one that i… as to his state a godly man, may by his loose and careless walking, provoke the Lord … frown …pon his prayers. Hence the Church complain… that as a just fruit of their transgressing against the Lord, He …ad covered himself with a clo… that their prayer should not pass through. L… …. 42, 44. God clouds his face from his …wn Children, that they see no answer to their prayer▪ and many times some Sin or other which they have been guilty of, is the cause of it: Wherefore, if at any time through temptation, a godly …n shall fall in…o sin, so as to break his peace with God, let him be sure to renew his repentance p. 36and let not iniquity be found with him; so will the Lord[edit] hear his prayer. If iniquity be in thine hand put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle. If thou hast committed any sin thy self, or if there be any evil in thy Family, repent of it; and reform what is amiss, then will God hear thy prayer, Job 11 13, 14. If thou shalt repent of former backsti…lings and endeavour to walk in all well pleasing before the Lord for the time to come, Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, here I am, at hand ready to help thee, Isai. 58. 9.

3. Let us look to the manner as well as to the matter of our prayers. He that would find acceptance with God, must look well to the frame of his heart in prayer. Let him on the one hand, have a care, that he doth not offer strange fire before the Lord, 1 Tim. 2. 8. I will that Men pray every where, lifting up holy hands without wrath. And yet let him not on the other hand give way to deadness and formality in prayer. To be …ervent in Prayer is the way to prevail. If we put fire to the incense of Prayer, it will find acceptance in Heaven. Jam. 5 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man and … Elijah prayed earnestly, and God hear… …. O then let us wrestle in Prayer. Then are we … …eed of Jacob, and shall not seek the Lords face in vain.

p. 374. If a man would have the Lord hear his Prayer, then let him persevere therein. Eph. 6. 18. Praying alwayes watching thereunto, with all perseverance. Alas! if men have prayed once or twice, or a few …es, and no answer cometh, they are apt to be discouraged, and to think that they shall never be heard: but say not so. It may be God delays to answer thy prayer at present, because he delights to hear thee praying, or that so he may try thy Faith and Patience. Remember the Woman of Canaan, the Lord seemed not to regard her prayers for a while; that he might see whither she would be put off with a denial; but when she continued praying still; a blessed answer came at last. Who knoweth, but that it may be so with thee? if God put it into thy heart to resolve that thou wilt never leave praying for such a mercy, until thou hast obtained, that's a sign that he intends to bestow that mercy on thee at last.

5. Pray in time. As the Psalmist here speaketh, let every one pray unto the Lord, in a time wherein he may be found.

Men cannot pray too soon; but they may pray when it is too late. And O that prayerless … would think sadly of that. The sooner you come to God, the sooner and the better a… you like to speed. If thou wouldst seek unto God …, and make thy supplication unto the Almighty, … he would now awake for thee, Job 8. 5, 6 p. 38O then, Up every Soul and be doing. And that before floods of great water come: before the black waves of death are upon thee; yea, before the waters of great affliction overtake thee. And if thou dost sincerily, constantly, …ervently seek unto God now in the time of thy prosperity, thou mayest be sure, and in his Name be it spo…o thee, God will remember thee in the day of Adversity.

And this brings to the second Doctrine, which is,

That men ought, not only to pray unto God for the pardon of their sins, and the salvation of their Souls, but they should be sure to do this in the time wherein the Lord may be found.

In the Doctrin I handling of this Truth, two thing… may be enquired into: 1. What is impli…n this expression of finding the Lord. 2. When is the time wherein he may be found.

Q. 1. What is implied in this expression of finding the Lord?

A. 1. The expression doth intimate, that God may as to his gracious presence be absent from men, even gone from them, so as that they cannot find him, or ob…ein a gracious mee…ing with him. Indeed as to his essential presence, he is alwayes and every where to be found. We cannot look any where but God is there, Psal. 139. 7. Whither p. 39shall I flee from thy presence; if I ascend up into Heaven behold thou art there, if I make my bed in Hell, behold thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning (if I we…e able to fly as swift as the Sun beams from East to west) and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, So that as to his power and essential presence, God is …o where excluded, all places being comprehended under that enumeration of Heaven, Hell, Earth and Sea. Thus then he is near to every one. As Paul said to the Athenians, Act. 17. 27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him though he be …or f…r from any of us. But as …o his gracious presence, he is far from some; indeed from all Christless sinners. They are afar off, until made nigh by the blood of Christ, Eph. 2. 3…. And therefore it is that they are in a perishing estate Psal. 73. 27. For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish. Yea, and sometimes the Lord doth withdraw his gracious presence from his own Children, so as that they seek him, but cannot find him, Cant. 5. 6. My Beloved had withdrawn himself; I sought him, but I could not find him, I called him, but he gave me no answer.

2. Finding God, doth imply the obtaining his favour together with the special fruits and effects thereof. Pray unto him in a time wherein he may be found, that is to say, in a time wherein his favour may be obtained. In this sence, the p. 40Phrase is often used in the Scripture, Hos. 5. 8. They shall go with their flocks, and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him. Meaning that they should not by all their Sacrifices, obtein the Lords favour. The day will come when the enemies of Christ shall be glad of his favour, but they shall not find it: therefore he saith, Joh. 7. 34. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me. Also, the special effects and fruits of divine favour, are implyed in this Finding the Lord. e. g. Audience of prayer, is a sign of the Lords savour, 1 Job. 5. 15. when the Lord accepts of mens Prayers, then he is found of them. There is a time wherein God will hear men, if they pray unto him; That is a finding time: and there is time when the Lord becomes in…norable, that all prayers and cries will be in vain, Then finding time is past and gone. The pardon of sin is an effect of Gods favour. Wherefore they whose sins are forgiven, do find the Lord: And of that is the Psalmist speaking in this context. Yea, life and the enjoyment of all desirable good, proceeds from the favour of God, Psal. 30. 5. In his favour is life. And therefore in finding the Lord, the obtaining of life and happiness is implyed, Prov. 8. 35. Whoso findeth …e, findeth life, and shall obtein favour of the Lord.

Quest. 2. When may the Lord be found?

Ans. 1. Life time is finding time. There are some, that their finding time doth continue as p. 41long as they themselves are in this world. The Lord … pleased all that time to be making offers of grace and salvation to them, Isai. 65. 2. I have spread out my hands all the day long, i. e. presen…ed gracious tenders of mercy and life, unto a …eh…llious people. But when death hath overtaken a sinner, his finding time is gone. Men cannot pray as to their bodies, when once the grave …th opened its mouth and swallowed them up, Eccles. 9. 10. There is no work in the grave whith… thou goest. There is no work then as to any mans particular, nor yet as to his general calling, Psal. 6 5. In death there is no remembrance of thee, in the grave who shall gave thee thanks. It is the place of silence. And if poor damned creatures should cry to the Lord, as to their woful souls after death, should they then cry unto him with tears of blood, except before death they obtein an interest in his favour through Jesus Christ; it will be in vain. The Lord will then have no more regard unto them, then Abraham had to Di…es, when he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, I am tormented in this flame, and yet could not by all his doleful prayers and cries, obtein so much as one drop of water, to cool his torments, Luk. 16. 25.

2. The time wherein the means of grace is vouchsafed and continued. This finding time which I am speaking of, is the same with the day for men to know the things of their peace. Now such p. 42a day do they enjoy that have the Gospel and the means of grace vouchsafed to them. If thou hadst known in this thy… day the things that belong unto thy peace, Luk. 19. 42. Whilst Christ and his Messengers were treating with them, about the great and everlasting concernments of their souls, that was their day. This finding time is the accepted time, and the day of Salvation; 2 Cor. 6. 2. Now when the Gospel is Preached, thats a day for men to look after their Salvation, and a time wherein God will accept of them if they pray unto him, as they should do. It is a fit season for men to be at work whilest the …ight shineth upon them. So should we be at work about our Salvation, whilst we have the light of the Gospel afforded unto us for that end. The Gospel is compared unto light, Eph. 5. 8. Walk as Children of the light. h. e. as becometh the Gospel. Hence Christ said to the J…ws, Joh. 12 35. Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk whilest you have the light, lest darkness come upon you; intimating not only that the Lord himself would depart from them, but that the Gospel, and means of grace should be removed from that people. The light of the Gospel sheweth men the way to find the Lord. Yea … Lord is near then. He cometh in the Gospel and offers himself to them, saying, Behold … behold … if they will but turn their eyes and look after him. Wherefore the Apostle tells the Ephesians that Christ came, (i. e. in the chariot of the Gospel) and preached peace to them. Eph. 2. 17. This then, is the time to find the Lord in. To this purpose doth the Prophet Isaiah speak (Chap. 55. 6.) saying, Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: q. d. No… is the time when the Lord is near unto you: … no… whilest God is sending his Messengers to reprove and exhort you; n…w the Lord is near to you, therefore now is a finding time, and should be a praying time. The Lord is then at th… very door: Rev. 3. 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock. While the Sermon is Preaching Christ is standing at the door of thy hears, knocking there; so that there is a blessed … tunity to find him, and to enjoy him for ever.

3. Times of the Spirits striving. There are some seasons when the Holy Spirit doth … upon the hearts of men, in a more peculiar manner. Convictions of sin and misery are the st… vings of Gods Spirit, Job. 16. 8. He shall convince the World of sin. Sometimes a mans Conscience is convinced that he liveth in the practi… such …n evil or in the omission of such a … suppose Prayer in his Family, or in secret… for which neglects his own heart condemns him; Now these troubles and convictions are from the holy Spirit, especially …f convictions rise so high, as to cause terrors and tremblings of heart; as it was with F…lix, Act. 24. 25. who trembled as he p. 44heard Paul preaching concerning Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgement to come. He … convicted in his own Conscience, that he had …een guilty of much unrighteou…ness & in…mperance, and that therefore without Repentance, and Faith in Christ; in the judgement to come, a sentence of eternal death must be p…st upon him. Now was the Spirit of God, moving upon his heart. And therefore then was his …ret have prayed, and to have …ound mercy with God So when good purposes, and strong affections are raised in the hearts of men and women, the holy Spirit is striving with them; as it was with Agrippa, when he was almost perswaded to be a Christian, Act. 26. 28. There are who have at times, serious and affectionate thoughts of …orsaking all for Christ, they could e'en find in their hearts to forsake their sins, and old companions in sin, and to close with Christ upon the Terms of the Gospel; Gods Spirit is mightily striving with such a Soul: And never did poor c…eature pray unto God with his whole heart, whilest the Holy Spirit continued striving, but the Lord was found of him. Finding time is the same with the day of grace; and as long as the Spirit continueth striving, the day of Grace is not done. Therefore if God by the secret motions of his Spirit, say unto the hearts of the children of men, Seek ye my face, it highly concern… every such Soul to answer again, Thy face Lord, will I seek. Psal. 27. 8.

p. 454. The time of prosperity. Even before the floods of great water come: The miserable Jews are ruined because they knew not the time of their visitation. Luk. 19 44. As long as the offers of Grace lasted; and whilest they enjoyed dayes of external peace, that was the time of their visitation, and the …ay for them to have known the things of their pe…ce. Had they prayed then, as they should have done, they might have been happy for ever. Men will be most likely to be sincere i… their praying to God, if they do so in the time of their prosperity, and therefore most li… to find him then. There are some, that when trouble is upon them, they will pour out a Prayer, yet the Lord accepts not of them, because they do it not with a sincere heart. Hos. 7. 14. They have not cried unto me with their hearts, they howled upon their beds, they assemble themselves for Corn and Wine, & they rebell against n…. When Drought, and Caterpillars, and Famine was upon them, they would pray; and if the Judgement were removed, they would sin, and rebell as bad as ever; so that their … were not right in the sight of God, and therefore he did not accept of them, but compares their Prayers to Howlings, thereby to signifie how odious and abominable they were in the ears of the Holy God of Truth. Wherefore, the Lord calls upon men, that if they would find mercy, or prevent misery from coming upon themselves, they should p. 46pray unto him, before the day of adversity come upon them, Jer. 13. 16. Giver glory to the Lord your God before he cause darkness, before your feet stumble upon the dark Mountains. As yet (saith the Prophet) you have a day of prosperity, pray before that Sun be set upon you. Give glory to God by confessing your sins, and humble seeking his face and favour, before your enemies come, and drive you away before them over the dark mountains of Israel, into a long-lasting Captivity. And this had been the way to have prevented their Captivity.

5. The time wherein the Lord is threatning to bring heavy judgements upon men, is a finding, and should be a praying time. The time that is between the Sentence and the Execution. When the Lord writeth over men a Sentence of Death, and is awfully threatning to execute his sore judgements upon them, those threatnings are conditional: sc. If they do not pray as they should do: But if they do pray in earnest, before the day of Execution cometh, 'tis possible they may find mercy and salvation with the Lord, Jer. 36. 3, 7. It may be the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them. It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, that I may forgive their sin: When God by his word, or by his works, is threatning judgement, there is for all that, A may be of mercy, in case he be humbly prayed unto. It may be a Finding, and p. 47therefore should be a Praying time: Zeph. 1. 1, 2, 3. Gather your selves together before the d…re… bring forth, before the day of the Lords anger come upon you; seek ye the Lord, it may be ye shall be hi… in the day of the Lords anger. The Lords declared end in his threatnings, is, that so men might be awakened to pray unto him, before it be too late. Therefore the great design of the prophets was to call upon the People to seek unto the Lord for mercy before his judgements came down from Heaven upon them, Ho…. 10. 12. It is time to seek the Lord. This was the great voice of the Prophets, Since God is threatning to bring such and such judgements, it is high time …or yo… to seek the Lord; that threatned evils may be diverted, and the mercy of Heaven obtained.

6. The time of Youth. Firstfruits are acceptable unto God, Gen. 4. 4. There is a great and solemn Commandment of God, requiring young men to pray unto him, Eccles. 12. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth. And … most gracious promise to encourage them, Prov. 8. 17. They that seek me early shall find me. They that pray whilst they are young, seek the Lord early, and may therefore hope that they shall find him. Hence David said unto his Son Solomon, 1 Chron 28. 9. Know thou the God of thy Father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: If thou (who art a young man) seek him, he will be found of thee. There are p. 48instances in the Scripture, of many, that have prayed unto God in the time of their youth; & he hath been found of them. And there is not so much as one Example to be produced in all the Book of God, concerning one that did in the dayes of his youth, set himsel… to seek the Lord, that did not find acceptance wi…h him. As for praying young men, I tell you truly, the God of Heaven doth wonderfully delight in them.

7. The present time is finding time. Now is the accepted time, therefore all …he holy Prophets did earnestly urge those unto whom they spake in the Name of the Lord, un…o present Repentance, and seeking …he face of God, without any further d…ay, Jer. 25. 4 5. The Lord hath sent unto you all his Servants the Prophets, they said, Turn ye again, [now] every one from his evil way. They did not say, if you will pray to…morrow, you may neglect God and your own Souls to day. No, but now turn unto him. Psa. 95. 7. To day if you will hear his voice; Then you may hope to find acceptance with him but if thou dost harden thy heart against the voice of God, one day longer, if thou dost neglect Prayer, but one day longer, it may be the Lord will never hear thy voice, nor hearken to thy Prayer throughout the dayes of Eternity.

Use 1. It is matter of bleeding Lamentation, p. 49that Praying time, and Finding time is so much neglected, and by so many. O that my head were a fountain of Tears, that I might weep day and night in secret places because of this thing. What shall I say! Alas! if we look over all the particulars mentioned, we may mourn before the Lord to think how miserable Creatures are neglecting and sinning away their day of grace for ever. Are there not many (Oh! how many) that their whole life time hath been misimproved? they live to no end as to soul-saving purposes. They live as if there were no other life but this; as if they had no souls to save, or should never enter upon Eternity. They spend … their dayes in mirth and madness, and after that they go to the dead. Are there not some that have lived it may be twenty years, and yet never prayed in earnest for the pardon of their sins, and the salvation of their Souls, in all their lives? Alas for such poor creatures, their case is lamentable! And are there not many, who regard not the offers of Christ in the Gospel? How often would the Lord Jesus have saved them, but they would not be saved by him? how many Sermons have been lost upon them? thou hast heard it may be a thousand Sermons, and all in vain? this is a lamentable sign, that the Lord intends to cast thee off for ever; yea, that thou art nigh unto cursing, Jer. 6. 29, 30. Heb. 6. 7 8 And this will be the sting of Hell, when a forlorn creature p. 50shall think with himself for ever, I might have had Christ, and mercy, and pardon, and salvation: I heard Sermons about these things; a…d all was freely offered to me in the Gospel, but I regarded it not, until i… was too late. An… are there not some that have sinned away the blessed strivings of the Spirit of God from their Souls? It may be thou hast had sorrow…ul convictions & awakenings of Conscience when time was. Yea, so as to make known the anguish of thy So I unto this or that servant of God, begging for the help of Prayers: and are all these troubles of spirit come to nothing? If eve… poor creature had the black tokens of eternal death upon him, thou art such an one. Dost thou not know, that the Woman whose Travelling pains leave her, and return not; will die must certai…ly? hast thou seemed to be in the pangs of the new birth; but have thy throws of Conscience left thee. O tremble lest the Lord say unto thee, as Ezek. 24. 13. Because I purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged any more. It had been better for thee never to have been born, then that thou shouldest live to provoke the Lord so to speak, and so to resolve against thee. And are there not many, who neglect God in the time of their prosperity? whilest they enjoy dayes of-peace, and health, and strength God calls upon them to …epent & pray, & believe but they let their golden season slip away p. 51without improving it to seek the Lord until they find him. Like him whom the Lord compl…i…s of, Jer. 23. 21. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst I will not hear. And are there not many who never mind the solemn warnings of God▪ They regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of h…s hands. The Lord giveth …hem awful warning by a fearful sight in Heaven, but they regard it not. The Lord giveth w…rning by Judgements in other lands, the report whereof we hear. When God did cut off the Narions, and make their Towns desolate, he said of Jerusalem, Surely thou wilt fear me, and receive instruction, Zeph. 3. 6, 7. We hear of a City that was in great part destroyed by a sudden Earth-quake, not many Mone…hs ago. We hear of a sweeping Plague in d…vers places in Europ…; which though afar off the Lord giveth us warning thereby. Yea, and so he doth by fa…se rumors amongst our selves. When there was a false report ra…sed the other day, as if the Pl…gue were brought near unto us; how were people amazed? God ha…h an holy hand in such Rumors; and he would have men ma…e this use of it, to pray unto him …hat such judgements may be prevented: And the Lord hath given warning by many sud…en deaths of late, how many have …here been with…n this twelve-monethmonth that when God sent the Messenger of Death unto them, they had not so much as an p. 52hours time to pray in? O the hardness of the stupid and stony hearts of men, that do not pray for all this? And is not the time of youth a time wherein God is for gotten? Are there not young men that seldome pray to God? This is for a Lamentation. For it is possible that the Time of your youth will be your only finding time. There are many who die in youth, and if they were such as did not Pray, their Souls are gathered amongst the Ʋnclean, even with the souls of those Sodomites, who are now suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, Job. 36. 14. As for those that live under the Gospel, (though we may not limit God, who calls home his Elect, some at one age, and some at another, yet) commonly it is so; that if they do not find God in youth, they never find him. Think sadly of it, in the fear of God; you that are thirty, it may be forty years old, and yet in a natural estate to this day. And do not many neglect the present opportunity of seeking the face of God in Jesus Christ? like Felix, who said to the Apostle, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee, Act. 24. 25. But alas! he never saw (for ought that doth appear) such another opportunity as that was. Foolish creatures neglect the present time, and by that means their Souls drop into Hell e're they are aware, and then they make a most doleful and eternal lamentation; O the seasons of Grace, p. 53and hopes of mercy which once we had, are lost and gone for ever. Men delay their duty, thinking with themselves hereafter we will pray. And because of this one thing, millions of immortal Souls are in Hell, where the bars of the Pit, & the gates of Death are everlastingly shut upon them.

Use 2. As you love your Souls, or as you desire Salvation, let finding time, be praying time. Do but consider two things,

1. As yet you have a Finding time. Be that known to every Soul before the Lord this day. Say not; I would pray, but I doubt my time to find the Lord is past and gone. As yet thou hast a day of grace. …ehold now is an accepted, now is a day of Salvation. Thy body is on this side the Grave, and thy soul on this side Hell; therefore tis possible thou mayest find the Lord. I have somewhere read of a childe that was in danger of being devoured by a wild Beast; but he cried to some that were near to come in and rescue him, saying Help! help! I am yet alive, I am yet alive; so I say to thee, help for thy soul is not too late, for thou art yet alive; and therefore pray & cry to God for help, as one that doth believe that thou hast an eternal life, & an immortal soul lying at the stake God is once more offering Salvation to thee. To you that hear the Gospel this day, is the word of Salvation sent, Act. 13. 26.

Consider 2. Thy finding time may soon he gone. It will not last alwayes, Gen. 6. 3. God saith, My p. 54spirit shall not alwayes strive. It may be after this Sermon is ended, Hee'l never strive with thy rebellious heart more; and then thy Finding time is gone▪ Pray…r will come too late then. A m…n that had been g…il…y of great back slidings f…om God, whe… any word of comfort was applied un…to him, c…ed out, All too late now. if …t was said to him, you must make sure of an …n…erest in Christ, …e would answer, all too late, i… any did e…hort him to pray for the pardon of hi… sin…, he would make the same Reply, All too late. So it will be with the…, if thou neglect Prayer …n…l Finding time be expired and gone. Remember that Scripture, Luk. 13. 24, 25. strive to enter in at the strait Gate, for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. How cometh that to pass? truly because they seek when it is too la…e. After the Master of the house hath shut the door they began to stand without & to knock, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But the door of mercy is no… opened to them. Had you come and k…ocke sooner, you had f…und mercy, the strait Gate of life had been opened to you. But n…w knock…ng, calling, praying, crying will be in vain▪ O Consider of it, thou poor sinful creatu…e: within a little time thy Soul will be out of thy body. And if thou hast not obtained an interest of Christ, and in the favour of God through Christ, before that hour come upon thee, the floods of great waters, will overwhelm thee: p. 55The waves of death will swallow thee up; thy Soul will be thrown into the dead Sea, amidst the roaring floods of Fire and Brimstone which are there forever. Then will Finding time be gone, a…d Pray…r come too late.

Now then pray unto God in a time wherein he ma… be …ound, a…d do it with t…y whole heart, remembring that S…ripture for thy encouragement. Jer. 29. 12, 13. You shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you, ye shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.