A Tractate to Further Christians in Prayer, Table of contents
A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS.
THe Introduction and opening of the Text. pag. 1
Two Doctrines from it, viz. Firſt, That when we have to do with God in prayer, it is our duty to make uſe of fervency. Secondly, that righteous mens prayers are powerful and effectual. 5
The firſt point opened and proved. 6
Prayer deſcribed to be a fervent expreſſion of holy deſires to God only, by Jeſus Christ. 7
This deſcription of Prayer explained in the ſeveral branches of it, viz. 1. It is a fervent expreſſion] Wherein is enquired, Firſt, What this fervency is? Anſwered in three particulars. Secondly, When are men ſaid to be fervent in prayer? p. 10. Anſwered in ſeven things. Thirdly, Why men muſt be thus zealous? p. 19. Made good by eight reaſons following. 1. Not becauſe God like man ſtands in need of it. 2. Becauſe the Lord loves an importunate ſutor. 3. Becauſe he that asketh any thing coldly, asketh a denial. 4. The matter about which you are emploied, is weighty. 5. There are many and prodigious ſins crying. 6. By this means we declare at what rate we value Gods mercies. 7. Fervent-prayer is moſt effectual. 8. There are other reaſons why the Lord will have it ſo. Firſt, So much the more to aſtoniſh the Devil. Secondly, To give good example to the Church. Thirdly, To bring the hear… into a better temper. p. 26
The Doctrine farther cleared by Scripture-Preſidents. p. 27. Fourthly, How may a man keep his heart i… this height of heavenly fervor and tha… conſtantly, for ſometimes it is ſo? Anſwered. 28
Uſe 1. To condemn the Roman ſociety: and too many formal Protestants. 33
A formal Chriſtian deſcribed in five particulars. 1. He is deſtitute of ſpiritual life and heat. 2. He ſaith or repeats prayers often, but without zeal. 3. He is taken up with ſelf-ſeeking and variety of diſtracting cares. 4. He is oppreſſed with corruption, and carried away with a violent ſtream of wordly cares. 5. He is not in charity with his neighbour.
Uſe 2. To excite men to the duty of fervent prayer. p. 35
Directions for that purpoſe, in three things. To which are annexed three ſerious motives. 38
One weighty Objection anſwered, viz. Theſe fervent expreſſions are not always ſucceſſeful, a time may come when a Moſes and a Samuel may not be heard. 42
The ſecond branch of the deſcription of Prayer, viz. Of holy deſires] how to be underſtood. They muſt be holy for Perſon, Principle, Matter and End. 43
First, The Perſon muſt be holy: Farther explained by enquiring firſt, What an holy heart is? Secondly, Why prayer muſt come from an holy heart? 46
Secondly, The Principle muſt be holy. Ʋnder which head is diſcovered, Firſt, Why Prayer muſt come from a ſpiritual principle? Secondly, How Prayer coming from the Spirit may be diſcerned? 49, 51
Thirdly, Deſires muſt be holy for the Matter of them, and that 1. In the ground. 2. In the matter, inſtanced in ſeveral particulars. p. 53
Fourthly, Deſires must be holy for the end. Where is diſcovered, 1. When a mans end is holy? 2. Why it muſt be ſo? To which reaſons are given, both Philoſophical and Theological. 56, 57
Uſe 1. For correction of thoſe that pray, but in a cold manner. ib.
Marks of ſuch indiſpoſedneſſe to prayer. 60, 61
Uſe 2. For instruction in two things 1. All prayer will not ſerve the turn. 2. Learn the art of praying. 62
The third branch of the d…ſcription of Prayer—Ʋnto God] 65
Prayer muſt be directed to God only. Reaſons of it. 66
—Only by Jeſus Chriſt.] …8
Where is enquired, Firſt, What it is to offer up prayers by Christ? Secondly, Why it muſt be ſo?
Uſe 1. Shews the miſery of graceleſſe perſons in that they cannot pr…y. See it diſcovered in two things.
Uſe 2. To ſhew the duty of all to amend their praying. 74
To wh… are annexed Objections to be anſwered, viz.
Firſt, What need this ado? leſſe pains may ſerve the turn; God knows our wants, and he will do what ſeemeth good in his ſight. 75
Secondly, Some ſay they cannot pray, or at leaſt not according to this deſcription of Prayer. 76
Thirdly, Many that have uſed thus to pray, have proved counterfeits? Ergo, &c. 81
Fourthly, Many we ſee have bleſſings of all ſorts, who yet never did, nor could pray thus for them? 82
Fifthly, Should we practiſe this duty every day, as is preſſed, it would waſte and ſpend our ſpirits, hinder us in our callings, and expoſe us to the deriſion of others? 84
Caſes of Conſcience to be reſolved, viz. Firſt, What ſhould a man do that cannot utter his minde? he wants fit words for ſuch a preſence. 89
Secondly, What ſhould he do that findes his heart unfit and altogether indispoſed for prayer, especially with ſuch holy fervency. 92
Thirdly, I am diſtracted with vain thoughts, and terrified with ſtrange fears, especially when alone and in the dark: what ſhall I do? 98
Fourthly, I finde not any ſucceſſe in my prayer, but am rather croſſed in them, therefore I fear it is in vain to pray. 96
Fifthly, What ſhould a man ſettle his minde upon while he is framing and directing his prayer? 100
Sixthly, But when I do, m…thinks my own unworthineſſe doth ſo much the more preſent it ſelf, and make me ready through fear to ſink. 101
Conditions required that pra…er may be accepted. 103
First, The Perſon muſt be ri…htly qualified; and that ſtanding in a threefold relation, viz.
1. To God. ibid.
2. To Men. 104
3. To it ſelf. 104, 105
Five properties of perſons thus qualified. 105
Queſt. It ſeems by this that wicked, unrighteous perſons may no… pray; or if ſo, their prayers will …e to little or no purpoſe, ineffectual. 108
Secondly, All the graces mu…t be ſet on work, viz. Faith; where is enquired, how may a man know when he prayeth in faith? 110
Repentance, which gives occaſion to conſider, How true penitency in gracious ſouls may be diſcerned from feigned ſorrow in graceleſſe perſons? 114, 115
Humility. Q. How this grace may be diſcerned? 117
Motives to fervent prayer drawn
1. From the Lord. 120, 121
2. From Men. 125
3. From prayer it ſelf. 130
Object. Anſwered with respect to ſuch perſons as were effectual in prayer. 132
Second Doctrine, 134
Proved by Scripture. ibid.
Explained by enquiring,
Firſt, Wherein they are ſo prevailing? 135
Secondly, Why they are ſo prevalent? 139
Uſe 1. To let us ſee what to expect from the prayers of too many among us, unrighteous, unholy. 142
Uſe 2. To ſhew us what to do that we may be powerful and effectual in prayer, viz.
Firſt, get the qualification in the Text. 143
Secondly, Pray in a time while he may be found. p. 144
When theſe two are joined, prayer never failed.
1. When they are joined in Perſons.
2. When they are joined in a Nation. 145
Obj. When will that be? 146
A.
1. It hath been often promiſed.
2. This is the way whereby …ll thoſe that belong to God may be brought in. ibid.
Cauſes diſcovered, why prayers have been ſo ineffectual. 147
Directions how to prevail more. 151