Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 3 · Sermon 4
JERUSALEMS REMEMBRANCERS UNFOLDED ON A SOLEMNE FAST DAY.
Upon Iſaiah 62. verſ. 6, 7. Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not ſilence, and give him no reſt, till he eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth.
UPON peruſall of the 1. verſ. We ſhall find that Sermon 4. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. Jan. 7. 1658.ſelfe ſame thing put into practice, which is earneſtly charged upon us, as our grand duty in the Text for Zions ſake, &c. Which words ſome learned expoſitors underſtand to be ſpoken of the Prophet Iſaiah, whoſe prayers were inceſſant in the behalfe of Jeruſalem: But I rather concurre with Scultetus, Scultet. Muſcul.Muſculus, &c. Who underſtand them ſpoken of God promiſing, and not of the Prophet praying. For the words are a prophecy of Iſraels deliverance out of Babylon, and of the glory and happineſſe that ſhall be put upon the Church of God. And Zion and Jeruſalem are a Type of the Chriſtian Church: So that God will neither let the world nor the Potentates therein reſt, untill there be a full, cleare, and conſpicuous deliverance, offered for the Church of God. Hence the Gentiles ſhall take notice of ſuch wonderfull works of God. Verſ. 2. The Gentiles ſhall ſee thy righteouſneſſe, Verſ. 2 and all Kings thy glory, &c. The Church that was ſo much afflicted, Verſ. 3 and diſtreſſed, ſhall be called by a new name, verſ. 3. No more termed deſolate; but Hephtzibah, and Beulah, verſ. 4. And the moving cauſe of all this is Amor complacentiae, For the Lord delighteth in Verſ. 4 them. Which delight is amplified by a ſimilitude, Verſ. 5. For as Verſ. 5 a young man marryeth a Virgin: ſo ſhall thy Sonnes marry thee. And as the Bridegroome rejoyceth over the Bride: So ſhall thy God rejoyce over thee. For the accompliſhment of this great work to make the Church a glorious Church, the Lord raiſeth up eminent Inſtruments, Verſ. 6. I have ſet watchmen upon thy walls, O Jeruſalem, Verſ. 6 Hieronym.which ſhall never hold their peace day nor night, &c. Jerome underſtands Angells, Prophets, Princes, Teachers. And ſome conceive that faithfull Governours, and faithfull Miniſters are here meant by the watchmen of the walls: even all ſuch as are in publick place and authority, who are diligent in their watch and importunate ſollicitors, ſuch as will have no nay, and will never ceaſe begging, but are conſtant day and night, as well in bad as good times in pouring out their hearts in prayer, in the behalfe of Jeruſalem.
Theſe things premiſed, I reſume the words of the Text, wherein there's offered to our conſideration, a charge of greateſt concernment unto the watchmen: For the Lord having promiſed ſuch eminently uſefull Inſtruments, for the effecting theſe great things promiſed to Jeruſalem, and the Lord having given a Character of their fidelity, that they ſhall never hold their peace: but ſhall be buſied in praying for, or inſtructing of the people of God in their duty: Now the Lord by an Apoſtrophe directs his ſpeech to thoſe watchmen, and chargeth them with the maine duty of the Text, Ye that make mention &c.
1, Wherein are three things to be obſerved.
1. The perrſons deſcribed by a note of diſtinction, to whom Diviſ.the charge is given yee that &c.
2. The ſubſtance of their charge ſet down Negatively in two expreſſions.
1. Keep not ſilence.
2. Give him no reſt.
3. The main end and deſigne intended, that Jeruſalem ſhould be made a praiſe in the earth.
4. The duration and continuance of this charge, or employment of theſe perſons that make mention of the Lord: keep not ſilence till Jeruſalem be eſtabliſht, (i. e.) Their prayer muſt ſo long continue, and they may not ceaſe till Jeruſalem be eſtabliſht, and the gracious promiſes accompliſht, in behalfe of the glorious condition of Jeruſalem.
Before I give you the Doctrines, I ſhall for explication of the words, reſolve a few Queries.
1. What is meant by thoſe that make mention of the Lord? Q. 1 Anſ.
Calvin underſtands them of the Miniſters that Preach the Word of God. The 70. renders the words foreign. And the vulgar edition renders it verbatim Qui reminiſcimini domini: Qui ad memoriam revacatis Dominum, Tig…r. Tran.So Jerome, Vatablus, Oſiander. And our Marginall note in our Engliſh tranſlation is, Ye that are the Lords remembrancers: ſome conceive this ſpeech to be an Alluſion to that ſtanding office in Kings Courts of Remembrancers: Corn. A. Lapide upon the place tells us Corn: A. Lap: in Loc.that the Kings of Judah had Maskirim, Admonitores whoſe office was to put the King in mind of weighty affaires. Junius renders the words, Qui commemoratis Jehovam. Rememorantes Dominum, So Vatablus and he gives a marginall note Qui reminiſci facitis Domini.
I ſhall not peremptorily determine, which is the beſt of theſe tranſlations. Neither ſhall I confine the duty of the Text only to Miniſters. They in an eminent manner are the Peoples mouth unto God, and Gods mouth unto the people. And this duty of being the Lords Remembrancers belongs to them: not that God needs any putting in mind or remembrance, but that he would have us do our duty by aſſiduous ſupplications: Yet we may not exclude any of Gods children from practiſing the duty of the Text, in preſenting prayers, making diligent addreſſes unto the Throne of grace. Though it belong unto all godly men, yet in a more ſpeciall manner to Miniſters. So *Quamvis haec ſententià ad pios omnes pertineat: tamen praecipue Sacerdotes attingit. Cal.Calvin on the place.
2. What's meant by not keeping ſilence, giving God no reſt? Q 2 Anſ.
Theſe two come to one and the ſame effect, implying that they ought to ſpeak, and continue importunate in ſpeaking: They ſhould ſpeak aloud, and never give over ſpeaking. The words are Metaphoricall took from thoſe who are indefatigable ſollicitors, and will take no deniall. Here's a Character of fervent prayer, which gives the Lord no reſt. (i. e.) earneſtly and inceſſantly plyeth the Throne of grace, and will take no repulſe. Of this more anon.
3. What is meant by Jeruſalem? Q 3 Anſ.
For Anſwer, Jeruſalem is either taken litterally for the place and Metropolis of Judea, or rather by a Meton…mia continentis, as it ſignifies the whole body of the Inhabitants there: or elſe Miſtically for that Jeruſalem which cometh down from above. And this is either univerſall or particular. The univerſall Church is the whole body of believers, diſperſed through the whole world. The particular Church is that wherein we live: And this according to judicious Carthwrights diviſion, is of one Nation, or of a narrrower compaſſe. And the ſame Learned Author gives diſtinct definitions of them both. A Church (ſaith he) of one Nation is that which is gathered under one politick civill government. A V. Carthw. Catech.Church of a more narrow compaſſe, is ſuch a particular Church or Parriſh, that dwelling in one place, may conveniently at one time, be taught by the mouth of one Miniſter. Now both for the Church in generall, and for the particular Church eſpecially wherein we live we ought to pray, and make frequent ſupplications to the Throne of grace. For the whole body of Chriſt (i. e.) the univerſall Church we muſt pray: for the Nationall Church wherein we live, under the viſible Miniſtry and diſpenſation of viſible Ordinances, and where there are viſible Profeſſours. We may not ſtraighten our prayers, nor confine the Church of Chriſt (as the Donatiſts did of old) only to a narrow compaſſe in Africa. Although in a true Church, where are true Miniſters, true Sacraments, and God hath bleſt the Miniſtry with converting of Soules, yet there may be many rotten profeſſours, many formaliſts, many hypocrites: yet we muſt labour to reforme what we can, and pray▪ inceſſantly for amendment of what is amiſſe, but we may not ſeperate from a true Church: We muſt ſeparate from Heathens, and from Antichriſt. We are to come out from amongſt them, but we may not gather Churches out of Churches, that were to make a ſchiſme between the members, amongſt themſelves, and to ſubdivide the body of Chriſt, and make a ſeparation, where we ought to endeavour an union.
4. What is meant by eſtabliſhing Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth? Q. 4
To make the Church a praiſe is all one (as Calvin obſerves) Anſ. as to make it glorious, for that the Lords remembrancers muſt pray that Jeruſalem may be the ſubject, and matter of praiſe, that Chriſt may rule and ſettle his Ordinances there, fill it with knowledge, make it eminent for graces, that as verſ. 1. The righteouſneſſe thereof may go forth as brightneſſe, and the ſalvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Then may Jeruſalem be ſaid to be a praiſe in the earth. But of this more largely in the application.
To ſumme up all. Though principally this charge is given to Miniſters: yet in a larger ſence, I ſhall take it according to the judgment of good Expoſitors, as taking in Miniſters and people both, injoyning to both the duty of remembring the Church of God before the Throne of grace: And in an eſpeciall manner (though the Univerſall Church muſt be remembred) the Particular Church or Nationall Church wherein we live muſt be remembred: And this remembrance muſt be a fervent, inceſſant, and diligent remembrance, till the Lord be pleaſed to ſettle it as a naile in a ſure place, and bring forth the top ſtone of Jeruſalem with acclamations crying, Grace, grace unto it. This concernes Zach. 3. 7.us all, both Miniſters and people: We muſt all pray for the eſtabliſhment of Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth.
Which words thus opened, containe one Principall Doctrine, which in it's latitude, and compaſſe, takes in the whole ſence of the words.
That it is the obliged duty of all the Children of God, to he earneſt Doct. 1 and aſſiduous ſuitors at the Throne of grace, in the behalfe of the Church of God. More briefly: We ſhould all as one man continue praying to God, that he would eſtabliſh Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth?
1. In unfolding of this point my method ſhall be,Method.
1. To illuſtrate the truth propounded by parallel examples.
2. To prove it by variety of precepts, inculcating ſo great a duty.
3. To confirme it by ſtrength of Reaſons.
And 4. To conclude all with ſome uſefull Application.
1. For the reſuming of what I firſt propounded, time would 1. The Doctrine illuſtrated by Examples.faile me to enlarge my ſelfe in ſo great a cloud of witneſſes. Some of the chiefe i'le mention, and leave the reſt to be ſupplyed in your ſerious meditations. How earneſt was Moſes for Iſrael, the people where God was named, above all the people of the earth. When Amaleck was fighting againſt Iſrael, Moſes his hands were lifted up, and Iſrael returned Conquerours: when God threatned the utter ruine of that people and offered to make Moſes a greater Nation than they: O how zealous was Moſes in their behalfe, Moſes beſought the Lord his God, and ſaid, Lord why doth thy Exod. 32. 11, 12.wrath waxe hot againſt thy people, which thou haſt brought forth out of the Land of Egypt with great power, and à mighty hand? Wherefore ſhould the Egyptians ſpeak and ſay: For miſchiefe did he bring them out, to ſlay them in the Mountaines, and to conſume them from the face of the earth? Turne from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evill againſt thy people, &c. So Numb. 14. 18, 19. The Lord is long-ſuffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity, &c. Pardon I beſeech thee, the iniquity of this people, according unto the greatneſſe of thy mercy, and as thou haſt forgiven this people from Egypt even untill now. Pſalm. 106. verſ. 23. Therefore he ſaid he would deſtroy them, had not Moſes his choſen ſtood before him in the breach, to turne away his wrath, leſt he ſhould deſtroy them.
To Moſes, I'le adde Samuel, as he himſelfe was a Son of prayer, ſo he was a praying man, 1 Sam. 7. verſ. 9. He cryed unto the Lord for Iſrael, and the Lord heard him. 1 Sam. 12. 23. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I ſhould ſinne againſt the Lord in ceaſing to pray for you, but I will teach you the good, and the right way. Moſes and Samuel have Characters of honour put upon them, for praying perſons, Jer. 15. 1. Moſes, Aaron, …nd Samuel, are al… three joyn'd together. And Pſal. 99. verſ. 6. Moſes and Aaron among his Prieſts, and Samuel among them that call upon his Name. Theſe were noted for choice Interceſſours with God. So likewiſe David was a man made up of affections towards the Church of God. Pſal. 14. 7. O that the Salvation of Iſrael were come out of Sion? when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob ſhall rejoyce, and Iſrael ſhall be glad. Pſal. 137. 5. If I forget thee, O Jeruſalem, let my hand forget her cunning. Pſal. 51. 18. Do good in thy good pleaſure unto Sion, build thou the wal…s of Jeruſalem Pſal. 25. 26. Redeem Iſrael, O God, out of all his troubles. How doth Daniel urge the moſt prevailing arguments, in the behalfe of Jeruſalem. Dan. 9. 18, 19. O my God, incline thine eare, and heare: open thine eyes, and behold our deſolations: and the City which is called by thy name &c. O Lord heare, O God forgive, O Lord hearken and do, deferre not for thine owne ſake, O my God: for thy City and thy people are called by thy name. I might inſtance in Iſaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra and Nehemiah, who all were much upon their knees for the publick, and made the very burthen of their prayers (as it were verſus intercalaris frequently repeated) the eſtabliſhment of Jeruſalem, upon the ſure baſis of truth and peace.
If we paſſe from the old Teſtament unto the New, we ſhall find the whole Church earneſt for one man, Act. 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in Priſon, but prayer was made without ceaſing of the Church unto God for him, foreign, Intentae, So Beza referring to the ardor of the mind. Sine intermiſſione, ſo Eraſmus. And how ſpeed theſe prayers, Verſ. 7. The Angell of the Lord came upon him, and a light ſhined in the Priſon, and he ſmote Peter on the ſide, and raiſed him up: ſaying, Ariſe up quickly. And his chaines fell off from his hands. Upon this Scripture il'e give you that obſervation of an excellent Divine, lately gone Dr Harris Pet. Enlargement.from us to heaven, in that rare Sermon called Peters enlargement. The Enemies (ſaith he) ſhuts the Priſon dore, the Church opens Heavens dores, ſo there's old tugging for the priſoner, but the Church will not let him go; ſaith God, if you will take no deniall, there he is. And as the whole Church prayed for the Apoſtle: ſo did one Apoſtle Paul, pray much for the whole Church, Rom. 1. 9. For God is my witneſſe, whom I ſerve with my ſpirit, in the Goſpell of his Son, that without ceaſing I make mention of you alwaies in my prayers. And Eph. 1. 16, 17. I ceaſe not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of glory may give unto you the ſpirit of wiſdome, and revelation in the knowledge of him.
2. To theſe examples il'e adde in the next place Scripture precepts for Proofe. Miniſters are in a peculiar manner in joynd this 2. The Doctrine proved by Scripture Precepts.duty, Joel. 2. 17. Let the Prieſts, the Miniſters of the Lord, weep between the porch, and the Altar, and let them ſay, ſpare thy people O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the Heathen ſhould rule over them: wherefore ſhould they ſay among the people, where is their God? All are in joyn'd Pſal. 122. 7. Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem, they ſhall proſper that love thee: peace be within thy walls, and proſperity he within thy Palaces. And James 5. 16. Confeſſe your faults one unto another, and pray one for another, &c.
In the third place il'e aſſign ſome grounds, and reaſons for confirmation: and theſe I ſhall reduce unto three Heads.3. The Doctrine confirmed by Reaſons.
1. In reſpect of God.
2. Of prayer.
3. Of Jeruſalem. All theſe are ſtrong Arguments to perſwade.
1. In reſpect of God, who both expects and promiſeth a bleſſing R. 1. In reſpect of God.upon the meanes. The Lord ſo expects prayer, as that he will not grant great mercyes unto his Church, but in and by his peoples prayers: God hath ingaged himſelfe in a Bond. His promiſe is his Bond, and he will have it put in ſuit before he pay it: See what God promiſeth, Pſal. 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou ſhalt glorify me. And Jer. 33. 6. Behold I will cure them, and reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cauſe the captivity of Judah, and the captivity of Iſrael to returne, and will build them as at the firſt. So Zeph. 3. 20. In that time I will bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: For I will make you a name, and a praiſe among all people of the earth, when I turne back your captivity before your eyes, ſaith the Lord. What a glorious Church is Prophecied, and what tranſcendent beauty will the Lord put upon them. Iſai. 54. 11, 12. O thou afflicted, toſſed with tempeſt and not comforted, behold I will lay thy ſtones with faire colours, and lay thy foundation with Saphirs, and I will make thy windowes of Agates, and thy gates of Carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleaſant ſtones. By all theſe Hyperbolicall ſimilitudes is ſet forth the glorious condition of the Church in the daies of the Goſpell. Theſe are great Beauties and excellencies propheſied of the Church: yet as they are worth praying for, ſo in good earneſt they muſt be ſought of God: Jer. 33. 3. Call unto me and I will anſwer thee, and ſhew thee great and mighty things, which thou knoweſt not, c. 36. Ezek. 37. Thus ſaith the Lord, I will yet for this be enquired of by the Houſe of Iſrael to do it for them, I will increaſe them with men like a flock. Now prayer is Gods Ordinance, the language of his Spirit: the muſick which he loveth, no Melody in Gods account, like unto the prayers of his people. Wherefore though God promiſeth great things unto his people, who will not faile one jot of his word: yet he will have his Children plye the Throne of grace. He is the great Maſter of Requeſts and loves to ſee his Court full of Suitors. He is the great God that heareth prayers, and delighteth in prayers, and it is his pleaſure that his people ſhould be his remembrancers, even to ſpread before him the condition of his Church. For though it's beſt known to him already: yet he will have them call, cry, and ſeek with Importunity, for the accompliſhment of thoſe good and great things, which he intends for his own people. Though deliverance was promiſed out of the Babyloniſh captivity at the expiation of 70 yeares: yet they muſt pray for it, Pſal. 126. verſ. 4. Turne again our captivity, O Lord, as the ſtreames in the South.
A ſecond Reaſon ſhall be taken from the great benefit of prayer. R. 2. From the great Benefit of prayerIt is an inſtrumentall meanes under God, to obtain a bleſſing. By ſome it is called Clavis viſcerum Dei, virtus omnipotens. Their intentions are good (I doubt not) who uſe theſe expreſſions: yet it is not ſafe to uſe them, without an explanation of their ſence. Without queſtion great help comes by prayer, yet the help depends not upon what we do, but upon God that gives to will and to do. It is our duty to pray, and the praiſe and glory of the ſucceſſe and iſſue coming of prayer, we muſt aſcribe wholly unto the Lord, that heareth prayers.
Now what helpes prayer affords, may be repreſented in theſe following particular Inſtances.
1. Prayer is an Univerſall help. It's Solomons foreign: 1. Prayer is an univerſall help.when raine is wanting, when enemies get the victory, when there is death, famine, and peſtilence, then is a ſpeciall time to pray, and God promiſeth audience, 1 Chron. 7. 13, 14. If I ſhut up Heaven that there be no raine, or if I command the Locuſt to devour the Land, and if I ſend Peſtilence among my people: If my people which are called by my name, ſhall humble themſelves and pray, and ſeeke my face, and turn from their wicked waies, then will I heare from Heaven, forgive their ſinne, and heale their Land. This is a Soveraigne medicine of Gods owne appointment for all diſeaſes: This God preſcribes as the meanes, and the bleſſing of God makes it effectuall. This is the poore mans medicine, the ſick mans medicine, the oppreſſed mans medicine. Nay both rich and poore, ſick and healthy, honourable and diſhonourable, each muſt go to God and ſeeke his face in prayer. Every one in this caſe is a licenſed Phyſitian. Every man cannot contribute money, but every man muſt contribute prayers, and teares for the good of Jeruſalem. Every one hath not ſtrength of body, to oppoſe the Churches enemies, but every one muſt put up ſighs, and ſupplications at the Throne of grace, in the behalfe of the Church.
2. Prayer is an inviſible help: It paſſeth through Ambuſcades, 2. Prayer is an Inviſible help.Courts of guard, ſtrong-holds, and fortifications. There was a ſtrong guard ſet over Peter: Yet the prayer of the Church prevailed with God, to ſend an Angell for his deliverance. The Angell came inviſibly, and took away Peters chaines, threw open the Iron gate, and delivered the Priſoner. So Paul and Silas were caſt into Priſon, put into the inner Priſon, their feet faſt in the ſtocks. Here's impriſonment upon impriſonment: yet their hearts were inlarged, though their bodies were impriſoned, Acts 16. verſ. 25. At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ſung praiſes unto God: and the Priſoners heard them. The Nightingale warbles out her moſt melodious notes when her breaſt is upon a Thorn. I am ſure amidſt ſore afflictions Gods people in joy ſweet conſolations. So that as outward comforts abound, divine comforts ſuperabound. God ſettles the tranquillity of the inward man, amidſt the ſufferings of the outward man. It is reported that Archimedes made engines whereby he vexed his enemies at a great diſtance off. Prayer I am ſure, millions of miles off can reach the Church as an Inſtrumentall meanes for its defence, and an offence unto its enemies. Upon Hezekiah's prayer Senacherib was diſcomfited, upon J…hoſhaphats prayer Moab and Ammon were overthrown, upon Moſes his prayer Pharaoh and Amaleck were deſtroyed. And yet all theſe enemies did not know who hurt them. The prayers of the faithfull did rout the enemies ſooner, then all their weapons of warre. Hereupon Mary Q…een of Scots, was afraid V. Hiſt. of Scotland.of John Knox his prayers. She profeſt ſhe ſtood more in feare of that Miniſters prayers, than an Army of men. This help of prayer is ready, when help from earth failes: when we ſee no viſible way to ſuccour us, this Inviſible meanes from Heaven, under God, worketh great things for us. Of all people even enemies themſelves are moſt afraid of a praying people: They meet with them at a diſtance and wound them, and ſtrike inviſibly and give them deadly blowes, not knowing who hurts them. Although Achitophel falls a plotting, yet David falls a praying, and ſo counterplots all his plots. Hence it came to paſſe, that all the counſells of Achitophel were turned into fooliſhneſſe. So when a huge Army came againſt Aſa, he betook himſelfe to prayer, and they were diſcomfited. Prayer will fruſtrate the ſecreteſt cabinet Counſells of Polititians, and diſappoint them. What ſhall I adde more? The ſecreteſt hidden deeds of darkneſſe, through prayer are manifeſted and laid naked, and blaſted even in the bud.
3. Prayer is a ſpeedy help, Dan. 9. verſ. 20, 21. Whiles I was ſpeaking, praying and confeſſing my ſinne, and the ſinne of my people 3. Prayer is a ſpeedy help.Iſrael, and preſenting my ſupplication before the Lord my God for the holy Mountain of my God, yea whiles I was ſpeaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel whom I had ſeen in the viſion at the beginning, being cauſed to flye ſwiftly touched me &c. Before we ſpeak God knowes our thoughts, and what we would have: and while we are ſpeaking he promiſeth to anſwer us, Iſai. 65. verſ. 24. It ſhall come to paſſe that before they call I will anſwer, and whiles they are yet ſpeaking I will heare? Before Ammunitions, mony, counſells of men can come time enough, our prayers may come at the Throne of grace, and God may give a gratious Anſwer.
But then a queſtion will be moved. If prayer be ſuch a preſent help, how comes it to paſſe that anſwers to prayers are not returned, Q. the chariot wheeles of deliverance are long a coming?
For anſwer, we muſt know there's no delay, no tarrying in Gods decree: though according to the execution thereof we may apprehend Anſ. delayes, Hab. 2. verſ. 3. For the viſion is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it ſhall ſpeak and not lye, though it tarry, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come, it will not tarry. But God fo…beares to anſwer, that we may cry the lowder: and opens not, that we may knock the harder. Wherefore our prayers ſhould have more vigour and fervency: they ſhould be rowſing prayers as we read, Pſal. 51. 1. Have mercy upon me, O God according to thy loving kindneſſe, &c. Pſal. 51. 1. Heare my cry O God, attend unto my prayer. Pſal. 64. 1. Here my voyce, O God, in my prayer. Pſal. 80. 1. Give eare O ſhepheard of Iſrael, thou that leadeſt Joſeph like a flock, and that dwelleſt between the Cherubims, ſhine forth. Not but that God alwaies heareth: For his eare is never weary that it cannot heare, but that God loveth the earneſt and importunate ſupplications of his Children.
4. Prayer is a prevalent help, Ex. 33. 10. Let me alone that my wrath may wax hot againſt them, &c. And Moſes beſought the Lord 4. Prayer is a prevalent help.his God, and ſaid why doth thy wrath wax hot againſt thy people? &c. What ſaith the Apoſtle? Read James 5. 17. Elias was a man ſubject to like paſſions as we are, and he prayed earneſtly that it might not raine, and it rained not on the earth by the ſpace of three yeares and ſix moneths, &c. We are to underſtand that there's no merit in our prayers, neither may we underſtand it: as if any humane ſtrength, or ability were in the leaſt to be preferred before the ſtrength of God. But theſe words ſet forth the wonderfull condeſcention of God to his people, as if it were to ſuffer himſelfe to be overcome by the fervency and faithfulneſſe of their ſpirits. Thus Jacob prevailed by prayer. He wreſtled with the Angell and prevailed, Gen. 32. 25, 28. He wreſtled with God, and God ſaid, thy name ſhall no more be called Jacob, but Iſrael, for as a Prince haſt thou power with God, and with men, and haſt prevailed. Compare this with Hoſ: 12. verſ. 4. Yea he had power over the Angell and prevailed: he wept and made ſupplication unto him, he found him in Bethel, and there he ſpake with us. So Hannah poured out her Heart with all fervency, and went away with comfort, and received Samuel a Son of prayers. Devout prayer never goes away with a repulſe: As Saul (in his moſt ſober thoughts) ſaid of David. So ſay I of prayer, it ſhall do great things and alſo ſhall prevaile.
3. A third reaſon ſhall be drawn from Jeruſalem, and that upon R. 3. Drawn from Jeruſalem.a double ground, becauſe Jeruſalem needs our prayers, and likewiſe deſerves our prayers.
1. Jeruſalem the type of the Church needs our prayers: It is 1. Jeruſalem needs our prayers.militant on earth. It reſembleth Noahs Ark on the ſurface of the waters toſt up and down, it's like to that ſmoaking furnace ſhewed to Abraham, Gen: 15. 17. The Church is like the buſh that Moſes ſaw burning, but not conſumed. It ſtandeth among the Mirtle Trees in the bottome, Zech: 1. 11. The Church may take up that ſelfe ſame complaint, Pſal: 129. 1, 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Iſrael now ſay, many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed againſt me. It is neceſſarily then an incumbent duty upon us all, to remember Zion, and pray for the proſperity of Jeruſalem. However Papiſts lay down Proſperity to be a mark of the true Church: yet all the Saints and Martyrs from generation to generation by their ſufferings and perſecutions have abundantly confuted the groundleſneſs of their opinion. The Church of God meets with various diſpenſations ſutable to that prophecy, Zech: 6. 6, 7. Where were white, black, griſled, and bay horſes: And for the moſt part Gods deareſt Children drink deepeſt of the cup of afflictions, and have a full cup of the waters of Marah wrung out to them. The title of the 22. Pſal: is Aijeleth Shahar, the hind of the morning, intimating the continuall hunting, and perſecuting of the People of God. However it ſhall go well with the righteous, it ſhall go well with them that feare the Lord. God hath founded Zion, the gates of Hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it: Chriſt is ever preſent with them, and though the Dragon caſt out flouds againſt the woman yet ſhe ſhall eſcape. And though there are Hornes to puſh the Church, yet God ſends Carpenters to cut them off. In the mean Zech. 1. 21.time how ſhould we unite and pray for Zion, that it may be delivered and eſtabliſhed in glory. This meanes of prayer God expects, God bleſſeth and maketh ſucceſſefull. Gebal, Ammon, Amaleck, and Philiſtines, all the enemies that Hell can raiſe, are confederate againſt Jeruſalem. The ſeed of the Serpent is at continuall enmity, even deadly feud with the ſeed of the woman. We read of their conſultation, Pſal. 83. 3, 4. They have taken crafty counſell againſt thy people, and conſulted againſt thy hidden ones. They have ſaid, come, let us cut them off from being a Nation, that the name of Iſrael may be no more in remembrance. We read of their aſſociations, Iſaiah 8. 10. Aſſociate your ſelves, O yee people, and ye ſhall be broken in pieces, gird your ſelves and ye ſhall be broken in pieces. Take counſell together and it ſhall come to naught: ſpeak the word, and it ſhall not ſtand: For God is with us. Of what neceſſity then are aſſiduous prayers, and importunate Applications unto God in the behalfe of Zion.
2. The Church of God deſerves our prayers. What high Epi…hites are aſcribed unto it: It is called the Citie of God, Heb. 12. 2. Jeruſalem deſerves our prayers.22. The houſe of God, 1 Tim. 3. 15. The delight of God, Iſa. 62. 4. The love, the dove, the ſpouſe, the undefiled, Cant. 5. 2. A crown of glory, and a royall Diadem in the hand of God, Iſa. 62. 3. The body of Chriſt, Eph. 1. 23. And doth it not in all theſe reſpects deſerve our prayers? Should not we honour where God honours.
I ſhall adde no more for confirmation. I now proceed to Application, Ʋſe 1. For Reprehenſion.and ſhall inſiſt only upon foure uſes.
1. For Reprehenſion.
2. Exhortation.
3. Direction.
And 4. Conſolation.
1. For Reproofe. This Doctrine in the firſt place, breaths terrour unto all the enemies of the Church of God. If God put ſuch an high honour, and eſtimate upon his Church, as to ingage his people to pray with all earneſtneſſe for it, what ſhall we ſay of ſuch as are ſo farre from praying for the Church as they oppoſe it, and ſet themſelves in battle aray againſt it. They mourn when it goeth well, and rejoyce when it goeth ill with Jeruſalem. And thus they tread Antipodes to divine Providence. Multitudes there are of Samballats and Tobiah's temper, who have a ſpirit of contradiction, againſt the waies of Reformation. Many hate the power of Godlineſſe, and cannot abide circumſpect walking but reproach it, like the ſpies that brought an evill report of the promiſed Land They calumniate & revile thoſe who walk moſt cloſely with God.
Now the Churches Enemies will appeare eſpecially in times of Triall, when it comes to ſuffering, loſſes, diſgrace, poverty &c. Then all the Enemies to religion will make that wicked choice to chuſe ſinne rather than affliction, as Job ſpeaks.Job. 36. 21.
But a ſecond ſort are to be reproved who are negligent, careleſs, Indifferents, of Gallioes temper, they care for none of theſe things, They are ſecure, ſetled upon their lee's, at eaſe in Zion, and are no whit affected with the afflictions of Joſeph. How many are there that never in good earneſt, put up a prayer for the Church of God in all their lives. They look upon theſe things as not concerning them. They plainly ſhew themſelves to be a body without the ſpirit to animate it: a carcaſe only, painted men, not living members of Jeſus Chriſt: For in Chriſts body, when one member ſuffers the other doth Sympathize: They are foreign, and conferre ſubſidiary forces for the mutuall ſuccour of each other: but where there is no Sympathy, and no fellow-feeling of each others afflicted condition, This is a ſigne that the members of that body are rotten, dead, like withered branches cut off from the Vine.
3. A third ſort to be reproved, are all ſuch who pray but faintly and ſlightly, and do not put forth their utmoſt ſtrength for Jeruſalem. Some pray now and then, when the humor takes them, but they flagge and hold not out: they are not wraſtlers with God as Jacob, they are not ſuch Remembrancers as will give him no reſt, that will never leave of praying. Now it's an uſuallſaying Q…i…timide rogat, docet negare. Cold prayer, dead prayer, and drouſy prayer are no better than Gehazi'es touching of the Shunamites child. He went on in a careleſſe negligent manner, and laid his ſtaffe on the Child, but it was not awakened, whereas when Eliſha in good earneſt with all his might laid out himſelfe, and put his mouth vponupon the childs mouth, and his hands upon the childs hands, and his eyes upon the childs eyes, then the Child revived: ſo you may read the Hiſtory, 2 King. 4. 34. We read 1 Chron. 10. 14. That Saul enquired not of the Lord: yet we read 1 Sam. 28. verſ. 6. That Saul enquired of the Lord. Theſe places may thus be reconciled, Though Saul did after a manner enquire: yet not in truth and faith, his enquiring was after a ſlight manner, after an hypocriticall formall way, like that of Balaam, Numb. 23. 10. Let me dye the death of the righteous, and let my laſt end be like unto his: and like unto Iſraels howling, Hoſ. 7. 14. And they have not cryed to me with their hearts, when they howled upon their beds, they aſſembled themſelves for corne and wine, &c. Wherefore then ſhould we give God a ſlight ſervice. He requireth the Male, the beſt of the flocks and theres a dreadfull Curſe, Mal. 1. 14. Curſed be the deceiver which hath in his flock a Male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing.
But in the ſecond place here is a word of exhortation that we Ʋſe 2. For Exhortation.would all unite our forces for the Church in generall, even the whole body of Chriſt, however diſperſed and diſtreſſed throughout the world. How many of Chriſts body ſuffer hard things? Some are impriſoned we muſt pray for the priſoners enlargement. Some are under Antichriſtian Tyranny, and Chriſt hath a Church even where Satan dwells, we muſt pray that they may hold faſt their profeſſion without wavering. Great things God hath granted to a praying people, and he is the ſame God, ſtill as good and as gracious as ever. The Army called foreign, prayed and raine was poured down in abundance, to refreſh the Pagan Army of the Emperour, Inſomuch ex ore adverſariorum, it was confeſt great was the God of the Chriſtians. Conſtantine that excellent Eccl. Hiſt. Euſeb.Prince and Patron of Chriſtians, would not after the example of his Predeceſſours, ſuffer his picture to be drawn ſtanding in a ſtately poſture but kneeling, for he aſcribed his victories to the anſwer of prayers. Let us remember likewiſe all the diſtreſſed Churches beyond the Seas, ſuch as are in miſery, where their enemies are the chiefe, we ſhould give them the Charity of our prayers, counſells, compaſſions, purſes, & our Bowells ſhould be opened wide towards their releaſe. Polonia & other places cry out in the language of Job, to his friends, Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me. To ſuch as are afflicted pitty Job. 19. 21.ſhould be ſhewed: We ſhould all imitate the Apoſtle being alike affected with our Brethren, rejoycing with them that rejoyce &c. We ſhould make their caſes our own, of this excellent temper was the Apoſtle. Who is weake and I am not weake? who is offended and I 2 Cor. 11. 29burn not? as if all the burthens of the Saints, were laid upon his ſhoulders, he was willing to beare them all. Jerome writing a commentary upon Ezekiel, and hearing of the ſacking of Rome, a place where he formerly lived, was ſo affected that a long time he could think of nothing elſe: He laid to heart ſo much the ſuffering of Gods people there, as he imagined himſelfe to be in their ſtead.
Furthermore in a more particular manner, let us remember in our prayers the Land of our Nativity, the Church of England, Scotland and Ireland. We expect ſhortly a Parliament, and we hope in the multitude of Councellours, there may be ſafety. Formerly we have been fruſtrated of our expectations: High-raiſed hopes have been diſappointed. That of the Prophet may truely be applyed to this purpoſe: Haſt thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy Jer. 14. 19.ſoule loathed Zion, why haſt thou ſmitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, and there is no good, and for the time of healing, and behold trouble. We have been juſtly croſt in our hopes, becauſe we have Idolized men, and relyed too much upon an arme of fleſh. We are to call upon the great counſell as the man of Macedonia did, Come and help us, and they likewiſe call upon us, help us with your prayers. We may hope to ſpeed the better, if we pray the more. Let us pray as one man, that the Lord would inſtruct the Counſelllours after his own will, and teach the Senators wiſdome.
What farther I ſhall ſpeak in this uſe, ſhall come under theſe two heads.
1. What ſpeciall things we muſt pray for, that our Jeruſalem, our Church of England may be eſtabliſhed a praiſe in the earth.
2. What moving inducements may be aſſign'd, to incourage us in the duty of prayer.
For the firſt, Above all we muſt pray for the advancement of Religion, for the eſtabliſhing the power of Godlineſſe. It is Religion that beautifies and adorns a Nation: the Kings daughter, Gods Church and People are glorious within, their decking is of pure gold. Grace ennobles and puts a glorious luſtre upon a people. To name a few particulars.
1. Let us in an eſpeciall manner, pray for the encreaſe of Godly 1. Pray for Magiſt…ates.Magiſtrates, Reprovers in the gate, ſuch as will do judgment and juſtice. There is a great promiſe made in thoſe Goſpell daies, Iſaiah 49. 23. Kings ſhall be thy nurſing Fathers, and their Q…eens thy nurſing Mothers, they ſhall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick the duſt of thy feet, &c. Our duty is to pray for them, ſo runs the Apoſtles command, 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort therefore that firſt of all ſupplications, prayers, interceſſions, and giving of thanks, be made For all men, for Kings &c. Godly Rulers are a bleſſing to a Nation, Jer. 5. 1. Run ye to and fro thorough the ſtreets of Jeruſalem, and ſee now, and know, and ſeek in the broad places thereof, if yee can find a man if there be any that executeth judgment, that ſeeketh the truth, and I will pardon it. So Amos 5. 15. Hate the evill and love the good, and eſtabliſh judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hoaſts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joſeph. Where ſuch Magiſtrates are, we muſt pray for their continuance, and for a ſupply of their mortality, that the Lord would ſend continually ſuch as may diſpence juſtice impartially, and may be a terror unto evill doers, and a praiſe to them that do well.
2. Pray for faithfull ſoul-ſaving Miniſters. Many ſuch in mercy 2. Pray for Miniſters.the Lord hath given us. We muſt pray that the Lord would increaſe the number of them. But the Prophets live not for ever, wherefore we muſt pray for a Godly ſucceſſion of Miniſters, that ſuch may be incouraged, who are workmen that needeth not to be aſhamed, and ſuch may be removed as unſavory ſalt, who make the ſacrifice of God to be abhorred. There are yet left a faithfull remnant, ſound in the faith, and holy in life (who are as farre from Antichriſtianiſme, as their falſe accuſers are from Charity) who labour in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, and are willing to ſpend, and be ſpent for the ſalvation of ſoules. Theſe in an eſpeciall manner muſt be incouraged by our prayers, that the Lord would give them The ſeale of their Apoſtleſhip, and make their Miniſtry inſtrumentall to convert and build up ſoules unto Jeſus Chriſt. And we muſt likewiſe be foreign Advocates and Patrons of their maintenance. It was the ſaying of an eminent Gentleman in Sr. Benjamin Rudiard.the long Parliament, that a ſcandalous maintenance would cauſe a ſcandalous Miniſtry. It's to be obſerved that Diocleſian did not do ſo much miſchiefe to the Miniſtry it ſelfe as Julian did. Diocleſian put many to death, which was an horrid wickedneſſe. But the Devill put another deſigne into Julians head, to take away all the maintenance of Miniſters, and put downe Schooles of Learning, and Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories will informe us, that by conſequent, Julian did the greater miſchiefe. For though ſome particular perſons were took out of the way through Diocleſian's perſecution, yet there aroſe up others in their ſtead. But the taking away of all their lands, and revenues, did hinder a ſucceſſion of Miniſters. And the robbing of Schooles of learning, diſcouraged many from the ſtudy of learned Arts and Sciences.
3. Let us all pray for the continuance of Goſpell Ordinances 3. Pray for the Continuance of the Goſpell.in their Liberty and purity. This is that which made Iſrael praiſeworthy in the eyes of the Nations: Deut. 46. 7. Keep therefore and do them for this is your wiſdome, and your underſtanding in the ſight of the Nations, which ſhall heare all theſe ſtatutes and ſay, ſurely this great Nation is a wiſe, and underſtanding people. For what Nation is there ſo great, who hath God ſo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things, that we call upon him for? …he Goſpell of Chriſt, the Word and Sacraments adminiſtred in their purity, the Sabbath kept ſtrictly, all theſe will be the praiſe and glory of our Nation.
4. Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem, both for Civill and Eccleſiaſticall peace. Pray for Civill peace: It's to me a great wonder that 4. Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem.amidſt all the concuſſions, and revolutions of theſe times, we in joy peace, that we …it under our own Vines, and Fig-trees, that meum & tuum are in ſome meaſure preſerved, that publick Courts of Juſtice are opened, and that the ſword is not put to the deciſion of all controverſies. We ſhould pray that peace may be continued, that all our Officers may be peace and exactors righteouſneſſe I know none that hath his eyes in his head, or grace in his heart that is willing to imbroyl Iſai. 60. 17.the Nation in another civill war. We know by ſad experi…n…e the Calamities of War, how thankfull ought we to be for the peace we yet in joy, and how ought we to pray for the continuance of it, that Peace may be extended as a river, and righteouſneſſe like a mighty ſtreame. For Eccleſiaſticall peace we muſt pray: there are two great Prophecies, Zeph. 3. 9. Then will I turn to the people, a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to ſerve him with one conſent. And Zach. 13. 9. I will bring the third part through the fire, Iſai. 66. 12.and will r…f…ne them as Sylver is refined, and trye them as Gold is tryed, they ſhall call upon my name, and I will heare them, I will ſay it is my people, and they ſhall ſay the Lord is my God. There is an Unity of the ſpirit, which we muſt endeavour to keep, and there are ſeaven Ones mentioned, Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6. One body, one ſpirit, one hope, one God, one faith, one baptiſme, one God and Father of all, &c. I remember a patheticall ſpeech, which Luther uſeth to the Paſtors of the Church of Strusburg, Vobis oro perſwadeatis &c. (i. e.) I pray you (ſath he) be perſwaded that I ſhall alwaies be as deſirous to embrace unity, and concord, as I am deſirous to have the Lord Jeſus to be propitious to me: Martin Bucer writes to a Godly Miniſter Quis non vitâ etiam ſua redimat ſubmorum iſthuc infinitum diſſidii ſcandalum? Bucer.very high expreſſions. Who would not ſaith he purchaſe with his life, the removing of that infinite ſcandall that comes by diſſention? Wherefore let us ſtudy the things that make for peace and edification. Let dividing names be laid aſide amongſt ſound Chriſtian: Quirites once named, Ceſars ſouldiers were pacified. O that Chriſtian being named, union and reconciliation might be obtained!
Let us all labour to approve our ſelves members of the Church of Jeſus Chriſt, as living ſtones in that building. The Apoſtle blames the Corinthians for ſiding, and making partyes, 1 Cor. 1. 11, 12. It hath been declared to me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the Houſe of Cloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I ſay, that every one of you ſaith, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollo, and I of Cephas, and I of Chriſt. The name of Chriſtian ſhould ſwallow up names of diviſion.
Now for Motives, the ſecond thing propounded, here I ſhall 1 Motive God will make Jeruſalem a praiſe.adde two only.
1. That God will make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth.
For firſt, Believe it God will not faile one tittle of his word. All the promiſes made unto Jeruſalem, ſhall every one be fulfilled 1. Becauſe he promiſeth.in their ſeaſon: Pſal. 48. 1, 2. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praiſed in the City of our God, in the mountain of his Holyneſſe, beautifull for ſituation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the ſides of the North, the City of the great King. And Pſal. 50. 2. Out of Sion, the perfection of beauty, God hath ſhined. For Inſtance: Greater ſhall be the light of knowledge of the Church in the Goſpell. Iſai. 11. 9. The earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea, Iſai. 60. 1, 19. Ariſe, ſhine for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee. Verſ. 19. The Sun ſhall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightneſſe ſhall the Moon give light unto thee, but the Lord ſhall be unto thee an everlaſting light, and thy God thy glory. Theſe great Promiſes referre unto the Goſpell.
2. The Church ſhall be enlarged: Iſai. 51. 1, 2, 3. Hearken unto me ye that follow after righteouſneſſe, ye that ſeek the Lord, look to the rockes whence ye are hewen &c. Look unto Abraham your Father, and Sarah that bare you, for I called him alone and bleſſed and increaſed him. For the Lord will comfort Zion, he will make her wilderneſſe like Eden, and her deſert like the garden of God, &c.
3. Holyneſſe ſhall be improved: Deut. 26. 18, 19. The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, &c. To make thee high above all Nations, which he hath made in praiſe, in name and in honour, that thou mayeſt be an holy people unto the Lord thy God as he hath ſpoken.
2. Conſider thoſe that pray moſt for Jeruſalem, ſhall reape 2. Mot. Thoſe that pray for Jeruſalem ſhall reap the greateſt comfort.the greateſt comfort in Jeruſalem's eſtabliſhment. They that have ventured moſt in the flock, ſhall receive moſt in the return. In Jeruſalem's peace we ſhall have peace: Our fraught is imbark… in this ſhip. As we have ſowen, ſo ſhall we reape. We have had a wet ſeed time, and have wept and faſted for the Church, but we ſhall have a joyfull harveſt. Wherefore confirme the weak knees, and ſtrengthen the feeble hands.
But I proceed to a third uſe for Direction. How muſt we give Ʋſe 3. For Direction.God no reſt? After what manner, Muſt we thus preſent our ſupplications to the Throne of grace?
Amongſt many I ſhall fix only on three properties of ſuch a prayer, as conſiſts in giving God no reſt according to the Text, and they are Faith, Fervency, and perſeverance.
1. We muſt pray in faith. The promiſe is that what we ask believing 1. We muſt pray in faith.we ſhall receive. No prayer unleſſe coming from a Principle of faith, can obtain acceptance, Heb. 11. 6. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God: And whatſoever is not of faith is ſinne. All prayers muſt be put up in faith, believing in Chriſt and expecting from him only help and comfort. In all our approaches to the Father let us come in the name of Chriſt, believing, and relying only on his merits. Chriſt is the Bridegroom, and the Church his ſpouſe. Chriſt is the Head, the Church his body. Faith is an Inſtrument of Union to unite the members unto the Head.
2. We muſt pray with fervency as Jacob wraſtled, Hannah 2. We ſhould pray with fervency.poured out her Heart. We muſt imitate the Importunate widdow, Luk. 18. 1. Chriſt ſpake a Parable to this end, that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint. The woman of Canaan, who would have no nay: And ſo Luk. 11. 8. Though he will not riſe and give him becauſe he is his friend: yet becauſe of his Importunity he will riſe &c. foreign. We muſt beſiege Heaven, and offer an holy Violence to the Throne of grace. The violent take it by force, and the effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5. 16. foreign, an inward working, or an inwrought prayer. Thoſe that were foreign, did great things.
3. We muſt pray with perſeverance. We muſt pray and not faint 3. We muſt pray with perſeverance.foreign, Luk. 18. 1. The Word (as Euſtathius obſerves) is derived foreign, à cedendo, from ſhrinking back as ſome cowardly Souldiers do in time of danger. Our duty is to pray without ceaſing, 1 Theſ. 5. 19. Job makes it the mark of an Hypocrite that he will not pray alwaies, he will not alwaies call upon God.
The fourth and laſt Uſe, is a word of Conſolation to praying Ʋſe 4. For Conſolation.Chriſtians. Such as are much in Prayer, who tugg hard at the Throne of grace, and in joy frequent Communion with God in this Ordinance: They uſe prayer not only as a duty commanded, but as a meanes to obtaine a bleſſing. Their Hearts are heated, their affections warmed, and prayer is their Priviledge, as well as ſervice: For they have acceſſe unto the Throne of grace, they cry Abba Father, they pray from a ſpirit of Adoption, they come to God as Children to a Father, and ſuch have ſtrong hopes to ſpeed. The Lords ſecret is with the Righteous, they are his jewells, & his peculiar treaſure. Now the Prayers of the righteous availe much for themſelves, and for the publick: wherefore O Chriſtians hold on praying, lift up your Hearts with your Hands to God in the Heavens, continue to be Jeruſalems Advocates, and what ever things you ſee coming as the Anſwers of Prayers, thoſe will be moſt highly valued. Go on then, pray for Jeruſalem, faſt and weep for Jeruſalem, and in Gods good time you ſhall ſee Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth.