Balm from Gilead, Sermon 17
Septembr. 7. 11. Day.
Come we now to the last Proposition, in this last prescript broken in peeces; and that is, when as the Lord sendeth the pestilence amongst his people, calling for, and prescribing turning from sinne, and turning vntounto God: Doct. That turning is from all sinnes and to God according vntounto eueryevery commandement: The words runne, and turne from their wicked wayes, Indefinites are all one and equipollent vntounto Vniuersalls. It is all one as if he had said, eueryevery euill way, vnderunder which the terme to which, answereth, and hath the same extent.
1 This in the first place is Gods Precept, Reason 1 in all the places named before, Abhorre euill, cease to do euill, eschewe euill, that is, all euill, the least degree of euill, and eueryevery act. And when he enioyneth, cleauing vntounto that which is good, learning to doe well, doing of good, the meaning is, eueryevery good; the power and exercise of it to eueryevery good worke is commanded. The Lord testified against Israel and Iudah, by all the Prophets, and by all the Seers, saying, Turne you from your euill wayes, and keepe my Commandements, and my Statutes. Marke, in this place you hauehave the testimony of the Prophets. What was it? turning from euill wayes and keeping my Commandements, theres compleat repentance: but yet we know not the rule in either of these; 2 King 17.13.that followeth according to all the Lawe which I commanded your Fathers, and which I sent you by my seruants the Prophets. There is no vice but it is particularly forbidden in Gods Law, nor vertue but it is particularly commanded in the same, and that is the rule: he that forbiddeth one forbrideth all; he that commandeth one cōmandeth all, there is but one law giuer, as the Apost James reasonet… in this case. God spake all these …ords, saith Moses in his Preface to the cōmandements, as an argument vntounto our obseruation of them all.
2 It is reasonable, Reason 2 because the promise of God is made vntounto, turning from all sinnes, and turning vntounto God, according to all his Commandements. And thus are wee to vnderstand where repentance turning from sinne, or turning to God, is any where called for with a promise: Isai. 56.2.Blessed is the man that keepeth his hand (saith the Prophet) from doing any euill▪ If thou shalt hearken diligently vntounto the voyce of the Lord thy God, to obserue and doe all his commandements (saith Moyses) suppose negatiue and affirmatiue, Deu. 28.1.2then all th…se blessings shall come vponupon thee, Esek. 18.21.and ouertake thee. The Prophet Ezekiel is cleare in this: If the wicked will turne from all his sinnes which he hath committed, and keepe all my statutes, &c. hee shall surely liue, and shall not die. In these words we hauehave a promise of freedome from death and of life; your condition is repentance: whats repentance? (a great question amongst some) turning from sinnes, all sinnes, turning to GOD, that is, keeping his statutes, all his statutes, both as essentiall parts are coupled together, and may not bee seuered. And therefore,
3 Because one sinne liued in without repentance, Reason 3 is a sufficient cause of the plague: and so is the want of one grace, or it exercise: Cursed is eueryevery one that abideth not in all the commaundements of the law, to doe them, man must not onelyonly heare, but doe, he must doe all, he must continue in doing of all, it is the duty of eueryevery man: hee that doth not, is accursed. Leuit. 26.14. & 15.If you will not doe all these commandements, then will the Lord send plagues seuen times so many more, and amongst the rest the pestilence. If thou wilt not hearken vntounto the Lord, to obserue and doe all his commaundements, &c. then all these curses shall come vponupon thee, Deu. 28.15and ouertake thee, and amongst the rest the pestilence, as wee hauehave heard before. And therefore,
4 Because its the turning, Reason 4 which is the meanes, and that is an ingredient vntounto all the other prescripts: one sinne liued in without repentance, regarded in the heart, is an enemie vntounto prayer, an enemie vntounto a mans seeking the face of the Lord, an enemie to Gods hearing, a barre to forgiuenesse of finnes: as in all the places wee hauehave often vrged before. It bereaueth a man of any portion in Gods promise, it keepeth him in danger of the curse; without a promise there can be no seeking or preauiling prayer.
One vertue denied (required by God) in the said prescripts before, is as a principall ingredient in the composition of the Apothicarie. It is more, it denieth all the rest: denie righteousnesse, or holinesse, or louelove, you denie faith: denie faith, you denie all other graces. Sauing graces, are all inseperably linked and chained together. They make the new creature perfect in regard of parts, where any part, or grace is wanting, there is a monster, partly belonging to heauen, partly to hell, euidences are vncontrouleably true of either. Neither can any man except against one grace, it necessity may easily be shewed. In all which respects, wee see it must bee a turning from all sinnes, and a turning vntounto God, according to all his commandements.
This seemeth an hard saying, Obiect. and who can abide it? the man that sinneth not, liueth not. If wee say wee hauehave no sinne, we deceiue our selues, and hauehave no truth in vsus, and all our righteousnesse is like a defiled cloath. Wee come short of whats commanded. It seemeth a thing impossible, and so an impossibility to escape.
I answere, Answer. it is not a thing impossible to answer the scope of the Lord, and so to escape. Suppose it were impossible, the fault is not in the Lord. The fault is not in the Physitian, if hee prescribe that vntounto thee which thou canst not get, when as nothing else will doe it. The fault in this case is in thy selfe: Hee made thee perfectly holy and happy, able to doe all, and may require all, thou hast lost that ability; the fault is in thy selfe, and thou must lay thine hand vponupon thine owne mouth.
But it is otherwise, this may bee and is performed (God assisting) by his Saints.
Theres a double doing of all, or perfection; one in regard of parts, the other in regard of degrees: Of parts; When as a man shall turne from eueryevery euill, and doe eueryevery good: that is, when as the power of eueryevery sinne is broken, and a congruous disposition in eueryevery faculty of soule, and part of body; so that though sinne bee in eueryevery part, it is not a Monarke, it is not allowed and approued, and wholy obaved, but in eueryevery part oppugned, lusted against: and so when as there is eueryevery grace present in the soule, it power and proportioned motions, so that though there be weakenesse, and wants in degrees, yet there is eueryevery grace and it motion, according vntounto it measure.
Perfection of degrees is, when as a man faileth not in any degree, turneth from sinne in eueryevery degree, either of it inward disposition or corruption, and vse or act; turneth vntounto God in eueryevery degree of the habit and acts.
When as the Lord calleth in this place for this turning, though hee require according to the law, perfection of degrees, yet in Iesus Christ (who hath fulfilled all righteousnesse, who is the Lord our righteousnesse) hee accepteth of the perfection of parts: prouided there bee withall, first his disposition to sinne, remaining it power or act, we come short in turning from: so farre as wee know it (and our prayer is for it discouery and endeauour) wee approue it not, we will it not with the whole will, we disallow it, wee abhorre it, wee hate it, according to our measure of grace; we also fight against it, confesse it, complaine of it, iudge our selues for it, and in the vse of his meanes before spoken of, labour its mortification, and vtter abolition. And in the next place his disposition vntounto the want of grace, as it is sinne present, wee are caried vntounto it, as before, liuing by faith in the sonne of GOD for redemption, remission of that, and all other sinnes, as it is whats required, willing its perfection, desiring it, hungring and thirsting after it, endeauouring it attainement in the vse of Gods meanes, praying thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen, and doing thereafter.
In this sense GOD accepteth the wil for the deed, and hearty endeauours in steed of sound performāce. This Dauid saw wel whē as he prayeth, Psal. 119.6.so let mee not be confounded, whilst I hauehave a respect vntounto all thy commandements: Wherein he implieth a promise to this respect, which I suppose that which I hauehave opened vntounto you.
1 Let vsus put this proposition to vse. And first, it serueth for reproofe of many in these times, who answer not Gods call, who vse not this meanes, who turne not from all sins, who turne not vntounto God according to all his commandements. All those that are partiall in their mindes, wills, affections, mouthes, actions, in turning from sinne, in turning to God. Though they pretend conscience of words & works, make none of vaine thoughts, of wicked thoughts. Though they can boast of good heart, and will, and intention, hauehave neither good words nor works, at least not all. Such as are zealous in paying man his due, at his time, to a farthing: they glory in this, that they pay eueryevery man his owne (though iudeede they knowe not what it is they owe, and so cannot care to pay it) and yet are infinitely indebted to God, promise him, and take day, and breake euer with him, such are those that glory in the seruice of God, and pretend much that way, and yet hauehave no care nor conscience of dutie to men, in giuing their owne to men: Such as pretend great conscience in great matters, and hauehave none in lesser, such as are very zealous againe in those lesser, and hauehave no respect vntounto the greater; such as can speake of many sinnes, sinnes of others with detestation, it may bee small ones and yet are silent in others their owne, though neuer so great: Such are all those that reserue some one course or trade of sinne, lesser or greater, turne not from it, reforme not: the good Lord must be mercifull to them in that. It is the saying of sinners of all sorts, Vsurers, Swearers, Cursers, Contemners of the publique worship of GOD, Drunkards, Lyars, Deceiuers, and the rest; and good Lord how many such men are there to bee found amongst vsus conuicted in Conscience, or by the euidence of a course in notorious facts, or which may bee, (will they but spend a little time in examination, in searching and trying their waies by that golden rule, the word of God)
To helpe thee in this examinatiō, that we may goe through with our worke. Consider, whether there be not (I say not some infirmity, such as to thy griefe, thou art sometimes ouertaken with) some course and trade of sinne in which thou liuest, of which thy friends tell thee, thy husband, or wife, or christian neighbour, or at least thine enemie, which with an angry word, to thy disgrace he twiteth thee, and putteth thee in the teeth.
Consider whether (liuing vnderunder a plaine dealing Minister) or by occasion hauing to do with the Ministry of such, there be not some sins thou dost more especially feare that minister at that time wil meet with.
Consider, whether there be not some sinne, which if that Minister neeteth with discouering it, and Gods iudgements against the same; these worke vponupon thee more then ordinarily; suppose trouble or heauinesse, or discontent, if not a plaine opposition, and its effects, great thoughts of heart, grudgings, and surmisings against that Minister, with a readinesse of venting the same, if there might be any plausible reason, Note. as a shooe-horne to drawe it on, and that to the face of that Minister; or at least, at home, and among companions.
Consider, whether there bee not some sinne, in regard of the opposition, of which by such a Minister, of any man else, thou wilt not stand to, or appeale to the iudgement of him in it descision: thou wilt not heare him of any man: Thy soule hateth him as Ahab did Micaiah, as one that euer prophesieth euill to thee and not good: And whether thou hast not a resolution, that if thou dye, such a man shall not preach at thy Funerall, least hee should speake of that sinne, and some disgrace redound vntounto thee from thence: whether there be not such a prouiso in thy breast, if not in thy will.
Consider, whether there bee not some sinne for which Conscience doth most of all smite thee, now and then twich thee, or giuegive thee a checke; somewhat thou omittest that is commanded, or committest which is forbidden.
Consider, whether (if thou hast beene vnderunder Gods hand, in extremitie of sickenesse, such as hath called on thee to order thy house, and expect death) there hath not beene some sinne aboue other in which thou hast liued, whose remembrance causeth sadnesse at the heart, casting downe the countenance, if not confession to thy friends, and minister, with teares.
Examine thy selfe, I say, and put eueryevery one of these as quaeries or questions to thy soule; it is a matter of waight and moment, the life of thy body, I of thy soule may depend vponupon it. If vponupon examination thou findest all right and faire, that there are sinnes indeede, but all hatred abhorred, disallowed, deprecated, declined in thine heartie endeauours; That thou hast laboured to keep a good Conscience in althings; that what thou hast failed in, or come short of in innocence, thou hast l…boured to make good againe by penitence, that thou hast app…oued, and liked; and blessed God for, and su…mitted vntounto Gods discouering hand, in his Ministery, I, the mouth of a cursing Shemei an enemy. If vponupon ex…mination thou canst finde these particulars, with those spoken of in the answere of the obiection before, according to thine vprightnesse in Gods sight, thou mayest hauehave peace and comfort in the mercies of God, through Iesus Christ: at all times, in these infectious times; thou mayest expect hearing, and forgiuenesse, and healing the Land: thou art a man conformed to Gods prescript, and qualified vntounto his promise.
But if it be otherwise, that vponupon examination there be found euill waies, courses and trades of sinne; but one liued in, approued, allowed, as Vsury, Sabbath-breaking, Swearing, Drunkenn…sse, &c. If there be one sinne, as a Dalilah, as an Herodias, in which thou si…test downe, in regard of which thou art reserued; and criest, in effect, Lord be mercifull to me in this: Thou art the man reproued by God thou answerest not his call, vsest not his meanes, thou canst not expect the effect: The prescript of the Lord is, Turning from eueryevery wicked way vntounto the Lord according to all his Commandements.
Let it bee therefore in the next place, an vse of exhortation vntounto vsus all to answere the Lord, and to vse his meanes, if we will turne, let it be from eueryevery sinne, let it be according to eueryevery Commandement: let vsus not allow our selues in any sinne, Let our respect be to al Gods Commandements: Cease not vntill thou art at peace with God in this respect: and so in couenant with his word and ministrie, and conscience, and whatsoeuer quick-sighted enemie, vntill thou hast a purpose and practise, endeauouring to please GOD in all things: and to moue thee.
Consider, this is that repentance called for in the word of God: it is not deuised nor imposed by man, any idlely and vainely scrupulous or precise, but God.
Consider, the Lord is reasonable in it, it is no more then thou wast made able to performe. In the day of thy creation thou wast perfectly holy and righteous, there was a sweet harmony & consent betweene body and soule, and God: the body was as an instrument at hand for all offices imposed by the soule, the inferiour parts were naturally submitted vntounto the superiour parts of the soule, the superiour parts in all things vntounto God: there was no discord at all, no neede of a golden bridle: grace was connaturall; male and female was created in Gods image: God made man iust, he saw that all his workes were good. In this prescript therefore the wayes of the Lord are equall, hee requireth not what hee gaue not first, reapeth not where hee did not first sowe, gathereth not where hee did not strawe: so that hence it will follow: if thou answer him not, thy mouth shall bee stopped, thou hast no word in defence.
Consider that which the Lord calleth for, is no more then what thou hast yeelded other Lords, thou art by corrupt nature of thy father the deuill, and thou hast done his workes; without reseruation thou hast beene the seruant of sinne: all the imaginations of the thoughts of thine heart hauehave beene euill onelyonly and continuall; though thou hast professed the knowledge of God, in thy workes thou hast denied it, thou hast beene abominable, and vntounto eueryevery good worke reprobate: Thy body and soule hauehave beene obedient vntounto sinne in the lusts thereof, …hou hast giuen thy members as weapons to and for sinne: Thou hast beene as the vine in Ezechiel, as any tree in the forrest, as any Gentile, vnfit for any good worke, no, not to make a pinne to hang a thing on, good for nothing but to burne: thou hast beene a very drudge, and packhorse vntounto the world, risen early, gone late to bed, denied thy selfe meate, and drinke, and sleepe; been without God, not once calling vponupon his name in the day, and all out of faithfulnesse to that Master.
Equity requireth of vsus Christians by profession, such as hauehave giuen vp our names vntounto GOD in baptisme, that our care and industrie bee no lesse in the seruice of this Lord, th…n it hath beene for those, as wee hauehave obayed them in all, and giu…n vp bodies and soules as instruments and weapons in all, so we should God, Rom. 6 I hope the Lord hath bene as good I, better when ye did him no seruice, when you did others all) and may bee at last as those others: if you could giuegive him better seruice, there is a cause, I suppose (in common reason) you cannot but giuegive him as much.
Consider that which the Lord requireth, is that wee be not conformed vntounto sinne, the world, and the deuill, that wee be conformed to his holy law, to Christ to himselfe. The former in it selfe vgly, odious, lothsome, …o be abhorred; the latter in …self amiabl…, louely, appetible, most of all to bee desired. Did the Lord require any thing, his iust and holy will ought to be vntounto vsus a law, when as hee requireth these things, he is to be obayed much more.
Consider that reseruation of thy selfe, or liuing in any sinne, is but the spice of hypocrisie, and that which proclaimeth thee an hypocrite to the world, thou art no better: an hypoc…ite may abstaine from some euils, and doe some contrary good things in his manner, in regard of appearance and shew. Herod heard Iohn the Baptist, often, gladly, Mark. 6.20the Text saith, hee did many things, and yet an hypocrite. I discouered to be so, being put to the putting away his brother Philips wife, Herodias. Hee will neither heare nor doe, Iohn must to prison, and if the Damosell please to aske it, shee shall hauehave his head.
Jehu, very Zealous for the Lord (if you beleeue himselfe) Ionadab must see his Zeale, hee pretended the word of the Lord by the Prophet Eliah, for all he did: not a word of that must fall to the ground, concerning the house of Ahab, 2. King. 10.10. Hee was zealous against Baal, hee destroyed him out of Jsrael, and yet an hypocrite, discouered to be so by his idolatry, hee departed not from all idolatry, hee worshipped the Calues in Dan and Bethel: he did but chop and change idolatry. The Pharisie, a grosse hypocrite, could say, hee was no adulterer, extortioner, or vniust person, he did fast and pray, and pay tythes of all that hee did possesse. They did tythe, Mint, and Cummin, and Annis, and yet discouered many wayes to bee hypocrites, they left vndone the greatest things of the Law. They could straine all Gnats, and swallow Camels. Be thou whatsoeuer, abstaine from many euils, doe many good things so long as thou art not vniuersall; thou art a nominallist, an hypocrite: thy speech and curtold practises doe betray thee.
Consider, so long thou art a man open to all the curses of the Lord: thou art but an hypocrite, and must looke for thy portion with them. The word of God like thunder soundeth, Cursed is eueryevery one that abideth not in all the commandements of God, to doe them. Jf thou shalt not obserue all these commandements, all these curses shall light vponupon thee, and ouertake thee: Hee that keepeth the whole law, and yet faileth in one, is guilty of all. One sinne is sinne, as well as a thousand, an offence against the chiefest good, an infinite God, and its wages is death, temporall, spirituall, eternall.
Tell mee in reason, will not one Th…fe in thine house, with one key to thy ch…st or treasurie vndoe thee, being suffered, as well as a thousand? Will not one mortall wound produce death as well as a thousand? One leake in a ship suffered, sinke the same, as wel as a thousand? Is not one by path …nough to misleade thee from thi…e intended p…ace, as well as a thousand? These particulars thou wilt graunt, and there is the same reason for a life in any one sin…e.
Sinne in thy bosome, is as a thiefe to thine estate, as the wise man of adultery, I may say of any sinne: It will consume all that euer thou hast.
It is a wound, a mortall wound, it wages is death; it is a leake in a ship, and will sinke the soule to the neathermost hell. It is in a word, a by-path, destruction and miserie is in that way. A thousand sinnes liued in, deserue greater punishments in hell then one, one deserueth hell: that thou liuest in one (if it were possible) may exempt thee from so much torment, it cannot exempt thee from all.
And let me tell thee, if conscience happen to awake, one sin will be as a thousand, and equally affright thee in these times of mortality: I hauehave had experience of some terrified in conscience, for the remembrance of one sinne. I hauehave seene some tremble for one sinne, afraid least GOD should take them away liuing in it. Their speech in that respect hath beene vntounto me; Sir, what shall I doe to bee saued, as sometimes the trembling Iaylor did: a wounded conscience who can beare? That one wound wil be sufficient, except the Lord heale it. When as the Lord willeth vsus to cut off right hands, and to plucke out right eyes offending, and sheweth as a reason, that it is better to enter into heauen maymed, then with all to bee cast body and soule into hell. He doth intend to shew vsus the danger of beloued and darling sinnes, the not parting with one sinne as deere as a member of the body, will endanger all, and cast all into hell.
Consider, it is an inseparable property of a Christian indeede, to turne from eueryevery wicked way, and to turne vntounto God, according to all his commandements. Dauids profession was; Psal. 119.104. Vers. 101.I hate eueryevery euill way: I hauehave refrained my feete from eueryevery euill way: So let me not be confounded, whilst I hauehave respect vntounto eueryevery one of thy Commaundements Iosiah turned vntounto the Lord with all his heart, Vers. 6.and with all his soule, 2 King. 23.25.and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses Zacharie and Elizabeth were both iust before God, Luke 1.and walked in all the commandements of GOD without reproofe, 1 Cor. 1.5.&c. Of the Corinthians Saint Paul, that they were enriched in eueryevery thing &c. and that they did come behinde in no gift. Vers 7.Of a vessell of honour hee is one that is sanctified, 2 Tim. 2.21and meete for the Masters vse, prepared vntounto enery good worke.
Indeede as Gods promise is, to saue from all vncleanenesses, to take away the hard heart, to giuegive a new heart, to cause to walke in his statutes and commandements, and to doe them, &c. so grace appearing to saluation, teacheth (with efficacie) to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts indefinitely, and so to liue a godly, righteous, and a sober life: If any man bee in Iesus Christ, hee is a new creature: all olde things are past, all things are become new, The blood of the euerlasting couenant maketh perfect vntounto eueryevery good worke, and worketh in vsus whatsoeuer is pleasing in Gods sight: Where the spirit is, there is liberty, in regard of guilt and power of sinne, &c. It is working liberty from the staine also, there are all the fruites of the spirit. If thou hast this, thou mayest make good the spirit, fellowship with Christ, the fauour of God, that thou art a Christian indeede, when as on the contrary thou hast no part, nor portion as yet in this businesse.
Finally: Consider all the promises of God are made vntounto this, reade those blessings, Deut. 28. it may be some one or other of those blessings may as yet preuaile with thee. All thine impellments to sinne (if thou ballance this matter) are not to be compared with one of those blessings, much lesse withall: amongst the rest, there is deliuerance from the pestilence; who is the man now that will liue long, and see happy dayes: That will be deliuered in this perillous time? Who will not? Not a man but will answer, I: Consider Gods voyce and prescript. Turne from eueryevery euill way, turne vntounto God according to all his commandements. If otherwise, all the world cannot secure thee in these times: thou hast sufficient matter, the causes of death in thee: Thou canst looke for no other; and if thou escape now thou shalt die for thy sinnes: Thy wife hath but a short husband of thee: thy child a short father, thine house and goods, &c a short Master: Thy life is as a little water spilt on the ground; thou must die, and then commeth iudgement. In that day thou must giuegive an account of eueryevery sinne: Verily I say vntounto you, that for eueryevery idle word you shall giuegive an account in the day of iudgement. Behold, saith Enoch, the seauenth from Adam (as St. Iude relateth it) hee commeth, hee commeth to execute iudgement vponupon all, and to conuince all, of all vngodly deedes, which they hauehave vngodly committed, and of all hard speeches which vngodly sinners hauehave spoken, Ver. 14. All vngodly men for all vngodly deedes: not one man, not one deed, not one vngodly deede, not one vngodly word shall bee past by: the plague may be the meanes this very day, this very day these words may bee executed in part. Knowing the terrour of this day, I beseech you to repent, obay Gods prescript, turne from eueryevery euill way to the Lord, according vntounto eueryevery one of his commandements. And so much for the meanes which are to bee vsed and performed by vsus.
COme wee now to the meanes preuious vntounto this effect in God, Hearing and forgiuenesse: And hence gather, that the Lord may beale the Land of the plague, he must first heare our prayers. Hearing is not giuen properly to God, neither hath God eares … hee onelyonly in these speeches condesc…nd…th to our infirmities: it denoteth his readinesse to receiue our prayers, and to graunt our requests: As Salomon prayeth, that God will heare and forgiue, so the Lords p…omise is in that order, I will heare, Exod. 6.5.and forgiue, and heale the land: First, God heard the groanes of Israel in Egipt, and then helped them: I sought the Lord, Psal. 34.4.hee heard mee, and deliuered mee. Vers. 6.This poore man cried, the Lord heard him, and sa…ed him out of all his trouble. The righteous crie, and the Lord heareth and deliuereth them out of all their trouble. I will stand no longer in the proofe of it, but put it to vse.
Learne hence the neces…ity of prayer, in this time of prayer to God, such prayer as hee promiseth hearing vntounto: This was a sufficient ground of that publique iniunction of prayer, of our p…rseuerance in the solemne performance of it, and stirring vsus vp vntounto this worke: to pray and not to be wearie: There is great hope that at length our Land shall be healed if we pray, God is a God that heareth prayer.
Howsoeuer it be true, that GOD heareth not sinners: Will God (saith Iob) heare his crie when trouble commeth vponupon him: hee will not; Iob 27.9.Surely the Lord will not heare vanity: Iob 53.13.They called, but there was none to saue them, yea vponupon the Lord, Psal. 18.41but hee answered them not; Yet it shall be otherwise, God will heare the prayers of his people; the promise of the Lord is, if they pray, J will heare; hearing prayer, is one of Gods holy attributes: All flesh shall resort vntounto thee A God hearing prayer. Psal. 65.2.By it hath God beene made knowne, and hee intendeth the same. Of Manasses it is said, that (being in misery) hee prayed vntounto the Lord, 2 Chron. 33.13.and that the Lord was entreated, and brought him againe vntounto his Kingdome. And it is added, that then Manasses knew that the Lord he was God; and so when Israel halted betweene God and Baal; by Gods hearing the prayer of Eliah, 1 King. 18.37.38.they knew, and cried out, The Lord hee is God. There are many amongst vsus that know not the Lord, the best know him but in part, and so serue him. That the Lord may now gaine some soule belonging vntounto him, that the word preached may be effectuall to that end, that the Lord may roote, and ground, and establish his owne, there is good hope hee will heare our prayers.
The Lord greatly desireth our faith in him, it encrease, our louelove, our walking before him, our prayer, our praise. It is his end in all his ordinances, next vntounto his owne glory, and the glorifying of his Sonne; it is Indeede our saluation, and will bee wanting in no good meanes that may stirre vsus vp vntounto the same: Hearing of prayer being a meanes, he will not be now wanting to vsus in the same: experience of Gods dealing with others, in this respect, is a great encouragement. For this shall eueryevery man that is godly pray vntounto thee: Psal. 32.6.J sought the Lord and he heard me, as Dauid, Psal. 34.3.to encourage others: How much more experience of Gods hearing vsus? I louelove the Lord, saith Dauid, because hee hath heard my voyce, and my supplication; because hee hath enclined his eare vntounto mee, Psal. 116.1.2therefore will I call vponupon him as long as J liue. VponUpon this ground he will louelove, hee will continue and perseuere in louelove and prayer: his resolution is, to walke before the Lord, to giuegive thanks to God, to pay his vowes in the congregation: He is at a nonplus; what shall I render vntounto the Lord? And else where, Blessed be the Lord that hath not turned away his eare from my prayer.Psal. 66. vlt.
Wh… doe I speake of these things brethren? Surely a (in these times wherein wee walke in the middest of the valley of the shadow of death, when as the sorrowes of death compasse vsus about) to dispose vsus to gratitud… in the particulars b… Dauids example, when as the Lord shall heare vsus, and to engage vsus more by promises, and vowes of seruice vntounto the Lord so to encourage eueryevery soule in this duty of prayer, eueryevery of the obserued particulars hath great force; we begin to bee weary, the Lord would hauehave vsus to hold out: the more hee disposeth our hearts to pray, the more doth he prepare his eare to heare. The former found in vsus, may bee an euidence of the latter in him, and a pledge: Gods hearing is disposing to that, the healing of our land, wee continuing in prayer, the Lord, will at length heare, and forgiue, and heale the Land.