The Christian Mans Calling, Treatise · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. How a Chriſtian may exerciſe himſelf to Godlineſs in Prayer. And firſt, of Prayer in general; and of the antecedents to it.
THe infinite and glorious God, though be be ſo high, that he humbleth himſelf to behold things in Heaven, and ſo holy that the Heavens are unclean in his ſight, is yet ſo gratious that he condeſcendeth to, and converſeth with poor ſinful duſt and aſhes; amongſt all thoſe ways which he hath appointed the children of men to walk with him in, Prayer is one of the faireſt and pleaſanteſt. In this duty the children of God whiſper him in the ear, open their minds, and unboſom themſelves to him, as his intimate friends and favourites. He hath been pleaſed to command it, not onelyonly out of his Dominion over them, and for his own glory (He that offereth praiſe glorifieth me) but alſo out of his compaſſion to them, and for their good, that by prayers (as men far diſtant do by letters) there might be a conſtant and uninterrupted intercourſe and correſpondence betwixt Heaven and earth.
Men by diſcourſing together come to be acquainted at firſt, and continue their acquaintance by ſending to and hearing from one another. Prayer which is the ſpeech of man with his Maker, is a ſpecial means whereby he comes to be acquainted with God, as alſo to increaſe and continue this acquaintance. Prayer indeed bringeth Heaven down to man, and prayer carrieth man up to heaven; It is the chief duty wherein all the graces meet, they ſhine brightly like ſo many glorious Stars in this Firmament.
Of all graces, faith obtaineth the crown, above all take the ſhield of faith; Other jewels are of great value, but this is the faireſt ſparkling Diamond. Among all duties prayer ſeems to challenge the garland of honour, Concerning the work of my hands command ye me. This is the Favourite in the Heavenly Court, to whom the King of Kings can deny nothing. This duty is of ſuch weight that it is frequently put for Gods whole worſhip, Seek ye the Lord ſeek his ſtrength, ſeek his face evermore. Pſa. 105.4, 5. Gods Temple which was the beauty of holineſs, the habitation of the moſt high, was baptized by God himſelf with this name, My Houſe ſhall be called of all Nations an houſe of prayer, Iſa. 56.7. Gods people which are higher then the Kings of the Earth are known to be nobly born by this practice. This is the generation of them that ſeek him, that ſeek thy face O Jacob, Pſa. 24.6. Nay God himſelf is pleaſed to wear prayers Livery, and to be diſtinguiſhed by the royal Robes of his relation to this duty, O thou that heareſt prayer, unto thee ſhall all fleſh come, Pſa. 65.1, 2. Pearles of a very high price, are never ſet but in gold, the choiceſt mettal. The Worſhip and people of God are more worth then all this World, but O how much is God worth! yet all theſe gliſter gloriouſly in the ring of prayer.
There is no duty in my obſervation which hath ſo many precepts for it, or promiſes to it, as prayer, and ſure I am, there is no duty which giveth more honour to God, or receiveth more honour from God then prayer.
Prayer hath a twofold preheminence above all other duties whatſoever. In regard of the univerſality of its influence, and opportunity for its performance. The univerſality of its influence. As every ſacrifice was to be ſeaſoned with Salt, ſo every undertaking, and every affliction of the creature muſt be ſanctified with prayer; nay as it ſheweth the excellency of gold, that its laid upon ſilver it ſelf, ſo it ſpeaketh the excellency of prayer, that not onelyonly natural and civil, but even Religious and ſpiritual actions are overlaid with prayer. We pray not onelyonly before we eat or drink our bodily nouriſhment, but alſo before we feed on the bread of the Word, and the bread in the Sacrament; prayer is requiſite to make every providence, and every ordinance bleſſed to us; Prayer is needful to make our particular callings ſuccesful, prayer is the guard to ſecure the fort royal of the heart, prayer is the Porter to keep the door of the lips, prayer is the ſtrong Hilt which defendeth the hands, prayer perfumes every relation, prayer helps us to profit by every condition, prayer is the Chymiſt that turnes all into Gold, prayer is the Maſter workman, if that be out of the way, the whole Trade ſtands ſtill, or goeth backward. What the Key is to the Watch, that prayer is to Religion, it winds it up and ſets it a going. It is before other duties in regard of opportunity for its performance. A Chriſtian cannot always hear, or always read, or always communicate, but he may pray continually. No place, no co…pany can deprive him of this priviledge. If he be on the top of a Houſe with Peter, he may pray, if he be in the bottom of the Ocean with Jonah, he may pray, if he be walking in the field with Iſaak, he may pray when no eye ſeeth him; if he be waiting at table with Nehemiah, he may pray when no ear heareth him. If he be in the mountains with our Saviour, he may pray; If he be in the priſon with Paul, he may pray; whereever he is, prayer will help him to find God out: Every Saint is Gods Temple; And he that carrieth his Iemple about him, ſaith Auſtin, may go to prayer when he pleaſeth. Indeed to a Chriſtian every houſe is an houſe of prayer, every cloſet a chamber of preſence, and every place he comes to, an Altar whereon he may offer the ſacrifice of prayer.
Prayer is an humble lifting up the heart, or pouring out the ſoul to God in the name of Chriſt: It is a crying Abba Father. As Scripture is Gods Letter wherein he openeth his mind to man, ſo Prayer is mans Letter wherein he openeth his mind to God. It is fitly reſembled to Jacobs Ladder, the bottom of which was on earth, but the top reached to Heaven: A thought can fly ſpeedily to the uttermoſt parts of the earth, ſo can prayer in a moment to the higheſt heavens. One of the Fathers compareth it to a chain, one end of which is tied to mans tongue, the other end to Gods ear. Another, Aſcenſus mentis ad Deum, A lifting up the mind to God. Paul calls it a making known our requeſts to God, Phil. 4. Jamblicus a prophane writer calleth prayer, Rerum divinarum ducem & lucem & copulam qua homines cum Deo conjunguntur; The guide and light of Divine truths, the band whereby God and man are joyned together; Clavis inſtarqua Dei penetralia aperiuntur, Like a key that openeth Gods ſecrets. Auſtin calls it, Dei ſacrificium, diaboli flagellum. & Chriſtiani ſubſidium; A ſweet ſavour to God, a terror to the Devil, and a ſhelter to a Chriſtian. Bernard calls it, Vinculum invincibilis, …he Conqueror of him who is invincible. Luther ſaith, It is omnipotent. Archimedes made ſuch an engine that ſaith he, Could I but finde where to faſten it, I would not doubt but to remove the whole earth with it. Such an engine is Prayer. By prayer fire hath been quenched, waters divided, the mouths of Lions ſtopped, iron gates opened, the bottles of heaven opened and ſtopped, the courſe of nature overturned, diſeaſes removed, health reſtored, ſin ſubdued, grace beſtowed, Kingdoms ſupported, Church enemies ſcattered, the blind reſtored, the dead enlivened, devils diſpoſſeſſed, and the bleſſed God himſelf conquered. The Jews have a proverb, Sine ſtationibus non ſtaret mundus, alluding to their ſtanding poſture in prayer; the World would not ſtand without prayer.
When a great fire in Conſtantinople had faſtned on a great part of the City, took hold of the Church, flamed in at ſeveral of the windows, the Biſhop ran into the Church, fell down on his knees, and would not riſe from prayer till the fire was vanquiſhed. And as prayer hath hindred fire, ſo it hath brought down water: The Legions of Chriſtians under Aurelius in a time of drought intreated rain of God and prevailed, for which they were called The lightening Legion.
Prayer is the Midwife to bring all thoſe mercies into the world to the Beleever, which are conceived in the womb of the Promiſes. It is the Chriſtians meſſenger which he ſends to Heaven for the ſupply of his neceſſities, and like Jonathans bow it never returneth empty. Oftentimes as the Eccho doubleth the voyce, ſo doth the anſwer the prayer; when the ſoul, like Gehezi asketh but one talent, God, like Naaman, forceth two upon it. The Lord is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10.12. Prayer is the Thames in which all ſorts of commodities are brought up for the releif of the Citizens of Zion. Some ſay of Cornucopia that it hath all things neceſſary for food in it. Prayer hath in it all things pertaining to this life and a better.
It is ſaid of the Pope, He can never want money while he can hold a pen, His writing of Pardons and Indulgencies filleth his coffers. It is more true of the Chriſtian, he need never want if he will but pray. Prayer is a key to Gods own coffers wherein there are infinite, and all ſorts of comforts. I have no friends, ſaid a good woman, but I have a prayer, and ſo long as I have a praying heart, God will find a pitying heart and a helping hand. It is but ask, and receive; ſeek, and find; knock, and it ſhall be opened. Matth. 7.7, 8. The child preſenteth his petition to his Father, and at the foot of it there is Fiat quickly written.
Prayer is like the Spaniards Plate fleet which returns home worth thouſands and millions. A Courtier will ſometimes get more by a petition to his Prince in a morning, then ſome Tradeſmen do all their lives. A regenerate perſon being in favour at Court gaineth more by a morning …, then a wicked man, though he works hard, gets while he liveth. I never ſaid to the ſeed of Jacob ſeek ye me in vain: Some asked but the cure of their bodies, when God healed their bodies and ſouls too; he hath forced many an unexpected favour upon an upright fervent prayer.
Prayer, is not onelyonly a Storehouſe of mercies, but a Fort-royal to defend the ſoul againſt miſeries; as ſome write of the herb Panaces, it is good for all diſeaſes. When Satan entred the field againſt Paul, the Apoſtle held up this ſhield of prayer to defend himſelf againſt his fiery darts; For this I beſought the Lord thrice, 2 Cor. 12.7. Prayer hath ſtormed and ſurpriſed more Cities, conquered and routed more Armies, then old mens heads or young mens hands, then all the policy and power on earth.
Prayer is like the ring which Queen Elizabeth gave to the Earl of Eſſex, bidding him if he were in any diſtreſs ſend that ring to her, and ſhe would help him: God commandeth his people if they be in any perplexity to ſend this ring to him; Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will hear thee, and thou ſhalt glorifie me, Pſa. 50.15.
O what a priviledge doſt thou enjoy Reader, in having freedom of acceſs to the Throne of Grace. The Perſian Kings took ſtate upon them, and enacted that none ſhould come uncalled upon pain of death: But the gates of Heaven, as the Aediles at Rome are always open: Thou haſt liberty night and day of preſenting thy petitions in the name of …hriſt to the King of the whole earth, and needſt not fear (ſo thy prayers be according to Scripture directions) ſo much as a chiding for thy preſumption: The poets ſay that Litae, Prayers, are Jupiters Daughters, and always about the Throne. If it be eſteemed ſuch a favour to have an earthly Princes ear, what a favour art thou inveſted with, that haſt the ear of the bleſſed and onelyonly Potentate? Eliſha offered his courteous Hoſt a great kindneſs, when he asked her, wilt thou be ſpoken for to the King? 2 Kings 4.13. Some purchaſe that liberty, as the chief Captain his Roman freedom, with a great ſum, but thou mayſt ſpeak to the King of Kings thy ſelf, and be welcome, and needſt not be at the charge of having either Saints or Angels thy mediatours, or any of thoſe Heavenly Courtiers, to bring thee into the Kings preſence. The Son of God himſelf will do it for thee gratis. In him we have boldneſs, Epheſ. 3.12. foreign liberty of ſpeech, freedom to ſpeak all thy mind, to lay open thy very inwards to God. If thou art in doubts about thy ſpiritual eſtate, and about thy title to the inheritance of the Saints in light, thou mayſt by prayer go to him who is marvellous in counſel, and have his advice for nothing. If any diſeaſe appear in thy ſoul, which (thou feareſt) may endanger its life, at leaſt hinder its peace and health, thou mayſt by prayer knock up the true Phyſician at mid-night, and prevail with him to haſten to thy help and cure. If thou art ſurrounded with many and bloody Enemies, that thou knoweſt not what to do, nor where to go, thou mayſt by prayer ſend poſt to Heaven, and thou needſt not fear but Chriſt will meet the Meſſenger half was, and come in timely to thy reſcue. If thou art bound wi…h the bond of iniquity, and like Peter watched narrowly night and day, nay though thou art encompaſſed round with the black guard of Hell, leſt thou ſhouldſt make an eſcape, yet prayer without ceaſing would knock off thy chains, break open the Priſon doors, and in ſpight of all the Legions of Devils that kept thee, ſet thee at liberty. If thou art like the Pſalmiſt over-whelmed with ſorrow, this ſighing into Gods eares by prayer will eaſe thy heart. When the Glaſs of thy ſoul is ſo full of thoſe ſtrong ſpirits, fear and grief, that it threatneth to burſt, thou mayſt give it vent by prayer to God and there will be no danger. Whilſt thou art in this valley of teares, thou art encompaſt with Enemies, haſt many and urgent neceſſities, doubts and dangers, but prayer, like Moſes, will go before thee (ingage him on thy ſide that will) overcome them all, and guide thee all the way through the Wilderneſs of this World, to the very borders of Canaan, and never leave thee till thou comeſt to enter into the place of prai…e.
But Reader, the more richly this Veſſel of prayer is laden, the more careful and skilful muſt the Pilot be that ſteers it, leſt it ſuffer Ship-wrack. Queens that have great heirs in their wombs, muſt be tenderly uſed, leſt they miſcarry. If prayer be ſo bountiful a friend (as thou haſt heard) thou oughteſt to be the more fearful of abuſing it. Princes who allow firourites their eares, yet expect that they ſhould know their diſtance, and ask in ſuch a ma… as they appoint, and ſuch things for the matter as will be conſiſtent with their honour to give, or elſe inſtead of a grant they may meet with a repulſe, and a ſharp reproof. Haman though he were ſo intimate with the King, that he had his Hand and Seal at pleaſure, found by woful experience what it was to abuſe the Kings favour, by deſiring the ſatisfaction of his own luſt, in that which was exceedingly to the Kings loſs.
The Incenſe under the Ceremonial Law was a tipe of prayer; Let my prayer come before thee like Incenſe, but if it had not been made exactly, both for matter and manner according to Gods own preſcription, (who himſelf gave ſpecial direction about it, Exod. 30.34.35, 36.) as ſweet as the Spices were, it had been loathſom and unſavoury to him, the burning of Incenſe had been but as the bleſſing of an Idol, Iſa. 66.3. I ſhall therefore for thy right management of this duty which is of ſuch weight and importance to thee, ſpeak to theſe three particulars.
1. To the Antecedents, or thoſe things which muſt go before prayer.
2. To the Concomitants, or thoſe things which muſt accompany prayer.
3. To the Conſequents, or thoſe things which muſt follow after prayer.
1. To the Antecedents of prayer. Preparation is neceſſary before prayer. Zopher acquainteth Job how his prayers might come to be prevalent. If thou prepare thine heart, and ſtretch out thine hand unto him, Job 11.13. The heart is the Forge where theſe Veſſels for the Sanctuary are formed and faſhioned, and made in ſecret; the tongue is but the thop wherein they are expoſed to publique view; therefore the heart muſt do its work well before the tongue can commend its ware; the heart muſt indite a good matter, before the tongue will be as the pen of a ready writer.
God commandeth us both to look to our hearts and mouths when we are in his houſe; be not raſh with thy mouth to utter any thing before God, and keep thy feet when thou art in the Houſe of God, Eccleſ. 5.1, 2. The former is a bridle for our mouths and expreſſions, the latter is a guard for our hearts and affections.
In reference to the Antecedents. 1. Some things which will further the duty muſt be uſed. 2. Some things which will hinder the duty muſt be refuſed.
Firſt, Thoſe things which will further the duty, are meditation, and the ſtirring up of grace. Meditation will be helpful to the matter of prayer; The quickning and ſtirring up of grace, will be hel…ful to the manner of the duty.
Firſt, Meditation; Meditation fits the ſoul for ſupplication. Meditation fils the ſoul with good liquor, and then prayer broaches it, and ſets its a running. David firſt muſed, and then ſpake with his tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, Pſa. 39.3.4. Nay to aſſ…re us that meditation was the Mother which bred and brought forth prayer, he calls the child by its parents name, Give ear to my words, O Lord, conſider my meditation, Pſa. 5.1. Meditation is like the chargeing of a piece, and prayer the diſcharging of it. Iſaac went into the field to meditate. Gen. 24.63. The Septuag. the Geneva tranſlation, and Tremelius (in his marginal Notes on it) read it to pray, and the Hebrew word Suach uſed there, ſignifieth both to pray and meditate, whereby we may learn, that they are very neer a kin, like twins they lie in the ſame womb, in the ſame word, meditation is the beſt beginning of prayer, and prayer is the beſt concluſion of meditation. When the Chriſtian, like Daniel, hath firſt opened the windows of his ſoul by contemplation, then he may kneel down to prayer.
Prayer is a building which reacheth up to Heaven, meditation layeth in all the coſtly materials which are requiſite for this building. He that would make any riddance of his work, muſt take care that all his materials be brought in beforehand; if they be to fetch when he comes to work, he will make long and tedious Churchwork indeed.
Something thou art to meditate on, relating to thy ſelf, ſomthing relating to God.
Thoſe things which relate to thy ſelf, are thy ſins, wants and mercies; There are three parts of prayer (though I know ſome reckon the firſt rather an adjunct) Confeſſion, Petition, and Thanksgiving: Now meditation gives each of theſe the work which they are to do, like a faithful Steward it gives every one their proper and peculiar portion. Meditation on our ſins helpeth in confeſſion; Meditation on our wants helpeth in petition; Meditation on our mercies helpeth in thanksgiving. A Chriſtian ought to keep a Catalogue, at leaſt in the Table book of his heart of theſe three particulars, David did ſo: He Regiſtred his unrighteouſneſs, or the wrong he had done to God, my ſin is ever before me, Pſa. 51.3. He thought much upon his wants and ſufferings; He often cryeth out, I am poor and needy, Pſa. 109.21. Pſa. 25. my ſorrow is ever before me. Pſa 38.17. And for Gods mercies he did not write them in the Sand, but he treaſured them up in his memory. Thy loving kindneſs is before mine eyes, Pſa. 26.3. And though ſome of them were ſtale (ancient mercies) yet they were not ſowre to Davids taſte, he did not throw them away as Old Almanacks out of date, I will remember the days of old, the years of antient times, Pſa. 77. Rather then God ſhould not be paid his thanks, for favours to his Fore-fathers, David would take the Debts from their ſcore, and ſet them upon his own File.
Confeſſion of ſin muſt be with ſhame and ſorrow; petition for mercy muſt be with faith and fervency; Thanksgiving muſt be with admiration of God, and delight in God; Now it is meditation of our ſins, wants and miſeries, which provides fuel for the fire of theſe graces to work upon, and which they break out into an Heavenly flame.
Meditate on thy ſins; Thy duty in prayer is to Indict, Arraign, and Condemn, and Execute thoſe Malefactors and Tranſgreſſors of the Royal Law, which can never be done till they are apprehended. If thou wilt kill thoſe Foxes that ſpoil the Vine, thoſe luſts which hinder thy regenerate part from thriving; thy care muſt be by meditation to hunt them out of their lurking holes, and take them. Thy wounds which ſtink and are ſo unſavoury to God, muſt by ſerious conſideration be ſearched and felt, before they can be healed. When thou art going to prayer, do as Jehu when he went to ſacrifice to Baal, ſend out and f…ch…n all thy falſe Worſhippers; thoſe Enemies of the true God, that deny his ſupremacy, and bowed the knee to the World or the fleſh, and then by an humble penitential confeſſion, and ſelf judging, cut them off. Who ever bewailed his ſins, that did not know their ſinfulneſs, or who ever was aſhamed that did not ſee his own nakedneſs. When the Jews came to know that they were the betrayers and Murderers of the Lord Jeſus, then they were pricked to the heart; O do that for thy ſelf which God will do for many others, ſet thy ſins in order before thine eys, thine original and thine actual, thine omiſſions and commiſſions, thy perſonal and relative, thy ſecret and publique, thy ſins about natural, civil, or ſpiritual actions, thy ſins under mercies and againſt afflictions. Say to thy conſcience as Samuel to Jeſſe, Are all thy Sons here; Are all thy …ins here; if any be wanting to thy knowledge, cauſe it to be ſent for, and brought, and ſit not down to Sacrifice before it come; when this is done, put them all into their own colours, accent them with their ſeveral aggravations, conſider what light, what love, what motions of Gods ſpirit, what convictions of thy own ſpirit, they were committed againſt.
Above all, meditate on the infinite Majeſty, Purity and Mercy of that God againſt whom thou haſt ſinned. Thoſe three Attributes duly weighed would like Moſes three ſtrokes fetch water out of a rock: Ah couldeſt thou that haſt heard of this God by the hearing of the ear, but ſee him with the ſeeing of the eye, thou wouldeſt quickly abhor thy ſelf in duſt and aſhes. How ugly, how loathſom would ſin be, couldſt thou behold the Glory, Holineſs and Grace of that God whom thereby thou haſt offended? Ah how great an evil muſt that be which is ſo oppoſite and offenſive to the greateſt good? Think alſo on the blood of the deareſt Jeſus, which was let out by thy luſts; and ſurely when thou beholdeſt thoſe knives before thee which made thoſe bloody mortal wounds in his bleſſed body, Anger and Grief will both ſtrive within thee for the maſtery.
Meditate on thy wants. He that is ignorant what he ailes cannot complain, at leaſt ſo as to be relieved. The meſſenger who knoweth not the errand upon which he comes, muſt expect to be ſent back as wiſe as he came. Do as the good Huſwife when ſhe is going to market where proviſion is to be had doth; Firſt, ſhe conſidereth with her ſelf what her family needs, what food, what cloaths, what her Husband, what her Children, what her ſelf, and accordingly diſpoſeth her mon…y at Market; ſo when thou art going to God by pr…yer, who is able to ſupply all thy neceſſities, conſider what thou wanteſt, what pardoning mercy, what purifying mercy, what ſin thou didſt lately foil, and art afraid it will recover again, that thou mayſt beg ſtrength to purſue the victory; what l…ſt lately got the better of thee, that thou maiſt intreat pardon of it, and power againſt it; what grace thou art defective in, either in reference to thy calling, or relations, or any condition, that thou mayſt requeſt God to beſtow it on thee; what new providence hath befallen thee, or new work is laid upon thee, that thou mayſt beſeech God to give the ſutable grace and power.
This conſideration of thy wants, with the weight of them, will make thee more urgent and inſtant with God for ſupply; they that feel hunger how hard will they beg for bread? poor priſoners that are ready to famiſh for want of food, how earneſt are they for relief? Bread, bread for the Lords ſake; Remember the poor priſoners for the Lords ſake. Confideration of thy ſoul-neceſſities, and of what infinite concernment the releif of them is to thee, will make thee feel thy wants, and then thou wilt be importunate with God for mercy. A man that conſidereth not his indigencies, is like a full ſtomack that loaths the honey comb.
Conſider thy Me…cies, meditate on the ſeveral particular paſſages of Gods providence towards thee from thy birth to this moment; how many devils thou haſt been delivered from, how many journeys thou haſt been preſerved in that ſeaſonable ſuccour God hath ſometimes ſent thee in dangers, what ſutable ſupport he hath afforded thee in diſtreſs, what counſel he hath given thee in doubts, what comforts he hath vouchſafed thee in ſorrows and darkneſs. Make paſt mercies, by meditation preſent with thee. How many years haſt thou lived, and every moment of thy life haſt breathed in mercy? Do not forget former favours beſtowed on thee or thine. The Civet box when the Civet is gone ſtill retains it ſcent; the veſſel when the liquor is gone hath ſtill a ſavour of it: So when thy mercies are paſt and ſpent, thou ſhouldeſt ſtill have the ſcent and ſavour of them in thy ſpirit.
Meditate upon the number of thy preſent mercies, perſonal, domeſtical, national, temporal, ſpiritual: How many are the mercies which thou enjoyeſt in bed, at board, at home, abroad? Thy houſe, thy barns, thy children, thy body, thy ſoul, are all full of bleſſings; thou haſt many poſitive, many privative mercies. Many, O Lord, my God are thy wonderful works which thou haſt done, and thy thoughts to us ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare and ſpeak them, they are more then can be numbered, Pſal. 40.4. Think of them particularly; meat ſwallowed down whole doth not yield ſuch nouriſhment as when it is cut into ſmall pieces. If jewels are bundled up together, their riches and worth are hid, they muſt be viewed and conſidered one by one, then their value will appear.
Meditate on the nature of them how freely they are beſtowed: When thou waſt Gods enemy he fed thee, and cloathed thee, and maintained thee; as when a man turneth his back upon the Sun, the Sun even then refreſheth him with his beams; ſo when thou didſt depart away from God, he even then followed thee with goodneſs; like the fountain, he giveth his pleaſant ſtreams to thee gratis. For alas thou art leſs then the leaſt of all Gods mercies, worſe then any loathſome Toad, or poiſonous Serpent: This will be an excellent file to ſet off the mercies of God in their lively, lovely colours: that David ſo great a King ſhould do ſo much for ſuch a dead Dog as Mephiboſheth, did exceedingly affect his heart, 2 Sam. 7. So do thou think with thy ſelf, What am I, and what is my Fathers houſe, that the Lord ſhould do ſo much for me.
Meditate upon the fulneſs and greatneſs of thy mercies: What diſtinguiſhing mercies are thy Body-mercies? they are more then God oweth thee, and more then he beſtoweth upon others. Alas, many want health, liberty, food, rayment, ſleep, limbs, ſenſes, reaſon, and poſſibly thou enjoyeſt them all. But Oh! of what concernment are thy Soul-mercies, the image of God, the blood of Chriſt, eternal Life, the Goſpel of thy Salvation, Sabbaths, Sacraments, and ſeaſons of grace: God hath not dealt ſo with every people, as with this Nation; nor with every perſon, as with thee: Thou art, as the Pſalmiſt phraſeth it, laden with benefits, haſt ſuch a weight, ſuch a burthen of benefits upon thy back, that thou canſt hardly ſtir or ſtand under them. Haſt thou not bleſſings of the womb, bleſſings of the field, bleſſings of the Throne, bleſſings of the foot-ſtool, bleſſings in thy going out, bleſſings in thy coming in, which way canſt thou look and not ſee bleſſings? where canſt thou tread and not ſtand on bleſſings? thy whole life is in this reſpect a bundle of bleſſings; theſe thoughts before prayer may ſtir thee up to bleſs the giver. If thou ſhouldſt bleſs men when they curſe thee, much more ſhouldſt thou bleſs God, when he bleſſeth thee.
Meditate on the God to whom thou art to pray, Conſider his Majeſty and greatneſs, Nehemiah calls him, The great and terrible God, Nehem. 1.5. He is ſo great, the Heavens and heavens of heavens cannot contain him, that the Earth, Heavens and Ocean, are in compariſon of him as nothing; yea, leſs then nothing, and vanity. Think of his attributes and infinite excellencies. God is in Heaven and thou art on Earth, therefore let thy words be few, Eccleſ. 5.2. As God riſeth in our thoughts ſelf falleth. That Sun diſcovereth all our duſt. O how are we aſhamed of our drops, when we ſtand by this Ocean. This ſerious apprehenſion of thy diſtance will quicken thee to reverence. Gods greatneſs and mans vileneſs, are both arguments to make man humble and wary in the Worſhip of God. Couldſt thou behold God in Heaven, in what Majeſty he there appeareth on his Throne of glory, how his heavenly Courtiers vail their faces in his preſence, lay their Crowns at his feet, and ſerve him, though joyfully, yet humbly and awfully, with what reverence and holy fear, wouldſt thou go to prayer?
Meditate on his mercy and goodneſs, what promiſes he hath made to prayer, how bountiful he is to his ſuppliants. He doth more then they can ask or think, he gives liberally without upbraiding. It was ſaid of Severus the Emperor, that he was more troubled that men asked nothing, then that he gave much. God delighteth both to be ſought and found. This is neceſſary to ſtrengthen the faith. He that commeth to God, muſt beleive that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him, Heb. 11.6. He that would pray and obtain a bleſſing, muſt beleive Gods being, that he is, and Gods bounty, that he is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him. Meditate on his rich bounty, Abraham asked but one Son, God gives him ſeed like the Stars in the Heavens for multitude; the Debtor deſires but forbearance, and he freely forgives the whole Debt. The ſhekel of the Sanctuary is double to the ordinary ſhekel.
God delighteth to ſee men joyful in his houſe of prayer, Iſa. 56.7. to ſee their countenances commend his chear: now meditation of his Royal bounty, how he giveth like a King, like a God, will help thee to this hearty chearfulneſs. Beleive before thou prayeſt, that thy hand of prayer ſhall not knock at Heavens gate in vain, that God will not ſend thee away ſad. It is reported of the Emperor Flavius, that he ſhould ſay, I am ſorry that any man ſhould preſent a petition to me as if he were offering meat to an Elephant, with a trembling hand. Conſider not onelyonly his habitation, which art in Heaven, but alſo his relation to thee, Our Father; before thou calleſt he will anſwer, and when thou ſpeakeſt he will ſay, here am I, Iſa. 65.24. Thus when thou haſt by meditation cut the Sacrifice in peices, put the wood in order, and laid all upon the Altar, thou mayſt by prayer put fire to them, and offer up a Sacrifice to God of a ſweet ſmelling ſavour.
Secondly, As Meditation, ſo the ſtirring up of thy graces is needful to further this duty. Meditation will do much towards it (as thou haſt heard) I ſhall therefore ſpeak the leſs to it. Every perſon that hath grace doth not always pour out his prayers rightly. Graces muſt be exerciſed in our duties. Grace may lie as fire under aſhes upon the hearth of thy heart, and be ſo far from flaming, that it may not ſo much as glow, and how then canſt thou expect any warmth from it, thy duty is therefore to ſtir up the coales, and endeavour that the fire may blaze out. It is the language of Canaan, communication ſeaſoned with grace, which onelyonly is ſavoury to God. Cato being asked why he was ſo diligent to learn the Greek language in his old age, anſwered, I hear, the Gods ſpeak Greek, and I would willingly ſpeak to them in their own language, All the words of God are gracious, Its ſaid of his Son, Grace is poured into thy lips Pſa. 45.2. Thoſe therefore that would not ſpeak to God in an unknown language, a tongue wich he underſtandeth not, muſt accent all their expreſſions to him with grace. It is the ſmell of the ſpice of grace in the Iſraelite, not of Garlick and Onions in the Egyptian, which is ſo pleaſant and fragrant to God, Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderneſs like Pillars of ſmoke, perfumed with Myrrhe and frankincenſe, with all powders of the Merchant? Cant. 3.6. Some take the words to be the voice of the Angels, thoſe friends of the Bride groom, admiring the Churches gracious expreſſions and continual aſſentions of her ſoul, in her prayers to God, others take them to be the words of Chriſt, being raviſhed with the odoriferous ſmell of thoſe graces which his Spouſe acted in her Sacrifices he ſtood amazed at the beauty of her perſon, and the ſweetneſs of her breath, the graciouſneſs of her petitions: What lovely Lady, what woman is here? (ſo the Hebrew) What peerleſs Paragon is this, which ſendeth up ſuch Spiritual Sacrifices, ſuch ſweet Incenſe, kindled by the fire of Gods own Spirit; laid upon a meritorious Altar, aſcending and fuming up like the rowllings and agglomerations of ſmoak to the Lord himſelf, and more welcome and grateful then all the coſtly evaporations of myrrhe and frankincenſe, and all powders of the Merchants. The Angel which aſcended to heaven in the flame of the Altar, is ſaid to do wonderouſly, Judg. 13.19, 20. It was wonderful both to Chriſt and his friends, to behold the acceptance of his Spouſes gracious performance, how it aſcended to Heaven, elationibus fumi, like pillars of ſmoak, and came up for a memorial before God. The deſire of nature in prayer, is like ſparks which fly out of the tunnel of the chimney, and then vaniſh; but the deſire of grace in prayer, is like pillars of ſmoak, which mounteth up to the higheſt Heavens.
When Jacobs ſons went down to Egypt to fetch corn, they carried ſome along with them to ſupport them by the way; when the Chriſtian goeth to Chriſt by prayer for more ſpiritual food, he muſt carry ſome along with him to ſtrengthen him in the duty: A little water poured into the pomp, will fetch up much: a little grace acted in a duty, may help thee to much more. As the ſhip is ſometimes wind-bound, that it cannot move towards its haven; ſo without the exerciſe of grace, the ſoul is wind-bound, there is no ſtirring towards Heaven. A graceleſs man in prayer (as was ſaid of Alcibiades) may talk much, but ſpeaketh little.
2. Some things which will hinder the duty muſt be refuſed.
All ſin in general, ſin regarded in the ſoul, makes prayers diſregarded of God, If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear my prayer, Pſa. 66.18: He that expecteth pardon, muſt throw down his Weapons of Rebellion. The Child that asketh forgiveneſs of his Oaths, muſt not deſire it of his Father with Curſes in his mouth? When duſt clogs the Wheel of the Watch or Clock, they cannot ſtrike true; when ſin hampereth and clogs the Wheels of the affections, the mouth will never ſpeak true or right in its Petitions. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer ſhall be an abomination, Pro. 28.9. It is high impudency, for him that will not hear God, to look that God ſhould hear him.
When the ſin of the petitioner is before Gods eyes, his petitions cannot enter into Gods ears. The wide mouth of ſin out-cryeth the voice of his prayers; as the Fiſh called the Remora, though it be but little, will ſtop a great Ship in its full career, truely ſo the ſinalleſt ſin loved and liked will hinder the courſe of prayer, though it be never ſo inſtant and vehement. The Lords ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquities ſeparate between you and your God, Iſa. 59.1, 2. Men by falls ſomtimes loſe their ſpeeches, men by fin loſe their prayers.
When the Ninivites prayed and turned from their evil ways, then God granted their requeſts, Jonah 3. The Iſraelites cryed to God but in vain (he bid them go to the Gods whom they had ſerved) till they put away the ſtrange Gods from among them, then his ſoul was greived for the miſery of Iſrael, Judges 10.10, to 17. Reformation is a good uſher to go before ſupplication. When the Duke of Saxony prepared War againſt the Biſhop of Magdenburg, the Biſhop hearing of it, falls to praying and reforming, ſaying, At ego curabo eccleſiam meam & Deus pugnabit pro me, I will take care to reforme my Church, and God will take care to fight for me. When the Duke heard this, he Disbanded his forces with this ſpeech, I am too weak for him that caningage God on his ſide.
Be ſure Reader to put away iniquity far from thee, when thou art drawing neer to the throne of grace, then ſhalt thou make thy prayer unto God, and he ſhall hear, Job 22.23, 27. Prayer is (as it were) a plaiſter to heal a man that is wounded. Now as a plaiſter to one peirced with an Arrow or Bullet will do no good, till the Dart or Bullet be taken out of the body, ſo prayer will not be healing and prevalent till ſin (in regard of love and delight) be taken out of the ſoul.
As all ſin in general moſt be laid by, ſo Worldly thoughts and wrath in particular. Wrath; Anger like Leven ſowreth the acrifice; I will that men lift up holy hands without wrath, 1 Tim. 2.8. He that beggeth peace at Gods hands, muſt not do it with war in his own heart. How canſt thou think that God will forgive thee many millions, when thou wilt not for give thy b…other one mite. God is peremptory that he will reſerve for them his wrath, who will not remit their wrongs, Mat 6.15. Cont. Vig…l.Hierom confeſſed of himſelf that when he had been angry, he durſt not enter into the Church, but totum animo & corpore contremuiſſe, he did tremble very much both in body and mind: Chriſtians muſt be ſingular as in their principles, ſo in their practices; It is more comfortable to love a friend, but this an Heathen may do, it is more honourable to love an Enemy, and this every Chriſtian muſt do.
There are two things in forgiving thoſe that wrong us. Firſt, An inward remiſſion of the fault, ſo much as it concerneth us, or a removal of wrath and revengeful deſires towards the perſon wronging us; and this if we do not, we loſe our prayers. A ſtormy troubled Sea, caſteth up mire and dirt, ſo when there is a ſtorm of paſſions in the ſoul, the heart foameth up its own ſhame in prayer, it bubleth up a great deal of filth. Secondly, In forgiveneſs there is an outward profeſſion of this inward remiſſion, and this muſt be done when the party acknowledgeth his fault. If the offender ſay, I repent; the offended maſt ſay, I remit: Surely did men but conſider the infinite wrongs they do, and affronts which they offer to the glorious God every day, and yet how they expect to be pardoned, they would, when abuſed ſay, as Francis the firſt King of France (to one that begged pardon for a friend of his, who had uſed ill ſpeeches againſt his Majeſty) Let him for whom thou art a Suitor learn to ſpeak little, and I will learn to pardon much. The Spouſe of Chriſt is compared to a Dove, which (ſome ſay) is ſine-felle, without Gall; The very Heathen when they offered Sacrifice, threw the Gall of the Beaſt away; and Reader, wouldſt thou offer to God the Gall of malice, revenge wrath and bitterneſs with the Sacrifice of thy prayers? Remember where the Gall is broke the fleſh taſteth bitter, and when the ſtrings jar, the Inſtrument will make but harſh Muſick, Mat. 5.24.
Worldly thoughts muſt alſo be laid by. Our Saviour when he taught us to pray, by the preface to the Petitions telleth us where our affections in prayer ſhould be; Our Father which art in Heaven. Our hearts in prayer muſt be in Heaven, the eys of our minds muſt look up thither, as well as the eyes of our bodies. The Mahometans in India when they begin their devotion ſtop their ears, and fix their eyes, that nothing may diſturb their minds, or divert their thoughts. When the meat is fly-blown, it quickly corrupts; when our petitions to God are blown upon by worldly thoughts, and mingled with mental diſcourſes with men, they loſe their ſweetneſs.
Some poor people whoſe houſes are troubled much with Vermine, have ſometimes a great part of their ſmall proviſion eaten up of Rats and Mice; truly, ſometimes a poor Chriſtian loſeth half a meal by theſe Vermine of Worldly thoughts, they devour ſometimes half his prayer. Reſolve before thou prayeſt to watch thy heart narrowly, that theſe may not hinder thee in prayer.