The Power of Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Motives and Encouragements to pray, and continue in Prayer. Divers Objections answered, and many necessary cases of Conscience resolved.
Question: WHat Motives and Encouragements have we to pray?
A. 1. We have the examples of Christ, the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and all Saints provoking us to pray. The whole life of our Saviour, what was it but a continuall Prayer?Mar. 1.35. Mat. 14 23. Luk. 9.18. & 11.1. Joh. 11.42. & 12.28. Luk. 3.21. & 9.29. & 22.44. Heb. 5.7. Mat. 27.46. Luk. 23.34. Dan. 6.10, 11. Act. 1.14, 24. & 2.43. & 3.1. & 4.24. &. 6.4, 6. & 7.56. & 8.15. & 10.4, 12. & 13.3, 10. & 20.36. Luk. 2.37. Act. 9.14. 1 Cor. 1.2. 2 Tim. 2.22. Job. 33.26. Luk. 23.42. 2 Chro. 33.12, 13. Act. 9.11. Hence we read that often he departed into a private place to pray, that he went up into the Mountain to pray. He would not touch a bit of bread without blessing and giving thanks. He prayed at his Baptisme, transfiguration, in the Garden, at his death. It were infinite to name the Saints of God, that alone and with others, in peace and trouble, have sought the Lord by hearty Prayer. Not to stand upon particular instances, the practice is so general, that to be a Christian, and to call upon the Name of the Lord, is in substance one thing. Ananias saith, Paul had authority to bind all that call on the Name of the Lord. Thus Paul describeth the Saints, they call upon the Name of Jesus Christ out of a pure heart. When babes are born, they say, they cry presently: but when men are converted and made new creatures by the work of the Spirit, they presently cry. The Thief upon the Cross prayed, when he was brought to repentance. Manasses when he sought the Lord, humbled himself greatly and prayed. Paul began newness of life with supplication. It is the note of an Atheist, that he calleth not upon God; of an Hypocrite, that he prayeth in some conditions only; of a sound Christian, that he will alwaies call upon God. Prayer is the first thing wherewith a righteous life beginneth, and the last wherewith it doth end. For Prayer is the breath of Faith, and as we believe, so we pray. A temporary faith bringeth forth temporary Prayer; sound Faith, unfeigned constant Prayer: if Faith languish, Prayer is feeble; when Faith reviveth, Prayer is lively and working 2. A second Motive is, The sweet and comfortable Promises made to them that make known their requests unto God with supplication and thanksgiving. Call upon me, and I will hear thee. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Who is so dull, that is not quickned by these gracious allurements? So stubborn as not to be wonne? So timerous, as not to be encouraged by them? Who will not ask, when his request is so graciously accepted,Psal. 14.4. & 53.4. Job 27.10. Deut. 4.7. Psal. 91.15. Isa. 65.24. Jer. 29.12. Psal. 81.10. Isa. 41.17. Joh. 14.13, 14. & 16.23. Luk. 11.10, 11. & 15.7. Mat. 7.8. & 21.22. Psal. 34.17. Isa. 30.19. & 58.9. Joel 2.32. Act. 2.21. Rom. 10.12, 13. 1 Joh. 3.21, 22. 1 Ioh. 5.14, 15. Iam. 5.15. Mar. 11.24. so easily granted? 3. Dreadfull threatnings are denounced against them that pray not, or pray idly, carelessly, without life and power; and God hath severely avenged the omission of Prayer in his own people. Wo to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing City. She obeyed not the voice: Zeph. 3.1, 2. Isa. 30.1. Dan. 9.13. Isa. 43.22. Hos. 7.14. Ezek. 22.30, 31. Isa. 64.7.she received not correction: she trusted not in the Lord: she drew not near to her God. If the Lord be angry with them that pray not, should not this encourage us to seek unto him with all our hearts? 4. The publike calamities that be upon the Church, the private crosses that afflict, the continuall want and danger wherein we live, the daily stratagems of Satan, whereby he seeks to destroy all these and many more, call upon us to seek unto the Lord in hearty Prayer with thanksgiving. What refuge against the temptations of Satan, but earnest Prayer?Psal. 25.16, 17. & 38.2. Psal. 38.1, 2, &c. Jam. 5.13. Hos. 6.1, 2. Judg. 10.0, 15. Psal. 107.6. Ex. 14.10, 15. Judg. 2.4. & 3.9. & 10.10, 15 & 4.3. & 20.23. What means to procure encrease of grace, freedom from judgments, the sanctified use of present afflictions, but Prayer? Is any tempted, afflicted, in danger, distressed, sick, weak in faith, beset with the snares of Satan and allurements of the world; let him pray? God fears us with danger, to drive us unto him: keeps us under with wants, to awaken from security; scourges us with rods of love, that we might cry aloud to be delivered. 5. In Christ Jesus God is become our mercifull Father, and hath erected a Throne of Grace to which we might fly for succour. Let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace. Mercy is the gate of Prayer, which being set open to the miserable and needy; How should this encourage them to sue for help and succour? 6. Christ is our Advocate and Intercessour, who doth plead our cause, and present our Prayers before the Father.Ezr. 8.23. Psal. 18.6. & 81.7. & 120.1. & 77.2. & 102.1, 2. & 1.8.5. & …16.2. Isa 26.16. Lam. 5.1. Jon. 1.6. Ps. 25.16, 17. & 86.1. Heb. 4.16. Eph. 3.12. Heb. 10.19, 22 1 Joh. 2.2. Psal. 3.5. & 4.1, 7. Act. 8.22. Luk. 18.13, 14 Mat. 26.41. Eph. 6.18. Psal. 18.3. & 25.15. Luk. 21.36. Zeph. 2.3. Exo. 17.11. Jer. 26.19. Jam. 5.18. Psal, 19.13. & 119.133. Luk. 11.13. Phil. 4.6. Jam. 5.17. Having such an High Priest, who is set over the house of God, Let us draw near with a true heart. Having such a friend in the Court of that authority and esteem, who will not ply the Throne with Petitions early and late? specially when we seek unto him that hath pleasure in our supplications. 7. The effects and benefits of Prayer, should put heart and courage into us. It is not a dead work that brings no profit with it: but most gainfull and commodious. By Prayer, we obtain pardon of sinnes, put Satan to flight, winne the day of enemies, spiritual and corporal, without striking a stroke, escape the calamities that shall come upon the world, It doth get us supply of strength if we come to the encounter. Look how Captains fighting abroad for their Countries, send their Letters, and so have men, munition, victuals, money, &c. So Prayer is the Messenger of a faithfull soul, and fetcheth every thing from God. Prayer doth strengthen us in faith and hope. For look as if we commune often and familiarly with a man, we have more confidence towards him: so if we by often Prayer speak with our God, it doth imbolden us, and breed more liberty and confidence towards him, than if we were estranged. Let us pray, and God will give the Spirit to lead us into all truth and holiness, to support and strengthen in all tryals, to enable to all duties of piety or mercy. Pray, and the peace of God shall like a watch-tower keep our hearts Prayer getteth all our other Armour fitted about us; we being not able to buckle it on, further than our heavenly Father doth help us on with it. Prayer hath opened the Windows of Heaven, stopped the mouth of the Lyon, quenched the force of fire, loosed iron bands, and cast out Devils. It is a notable means for the strengthening of our faith and affiance, for the inflaming of our hearts with love. It increaseth our cummunion and fellowship with God, and maketh our minds to soare aloft in heavenly meditations. It assures us that we are the Children of God, and Heires of the heavenly Inheritance. In a word, he can want nothing that is good, no evil can come nigh his dwelling that doth sincerely call upon the Lord. Ask, and have in abundance.
Q. God will do that which shall seem good unto him; neither can his will be altered by my Prayers.
A. But it must be remembred, that God, before he granteth any good thing unto his Elect, is wont usually to kindle their minds with an exceeding desire to obt…in those things. Further, when he will do any thing, he stirreth up those that are his, to desire that, which otherwise he would have done; to the intent that for honour sake, he might attribute the same unto their Prayers. This also is another cause: for that Gods benefits are then the more acceptable, when they are craved and desired. Moreover, in praying our minds are more joyned unto God: yea, and those vows and holy desires seem to be nothing else, but ladders and degrees whereby we ascend up unto God, and certain waies and spaces, whereby we come to that which we earnestly desire. Finally, we pray not in any case to the intent we may change God, which thing we should attempt in vain, seeing he is immutable: but rather, that we our selves should be changed; for so much as in praying we are made capable of the benefits of God. A faithfull and spiritual Prayer puts the heart in a better disposition, so that a man is now made ready to receive a blessing, which before he was not: So that when we think we draw God nearer by our arguments, indeed we draw nearer unto him.
2 Cor. 12.8.Q. Prayers do not alwaies speed, therefore they seem to be in vain. For this I besought the Lord thrice, saith Paul; yet he missed of that he sought: much more we in temporall things.
A. That is not in vain, which doth not alwaies presently get the thing we would have: aboue which we must learn these things. First, that prayer doth often obtain what we would have, as Moses prayed for victory, and had it. Hannah for a sonne, and had him. Secondly, when it doth not obtain the things themselves, it gets something, that may be worth the seeking as though it doth not quite remove evils, yet it prevails so farre, as to have mercy mingled with judgments, our evils asswaged. Though we get not the things we wish,2 Cor. 12.7, 8. it getteth some grace proportionable; as in Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee. Thirdly, Though it get not deliverance according to desire, yet it alwaies procures issue for salvation. Fourthly, we must not alwayes expect, that God should straightway answer our petitions. And if he shall defer them, we must thus comfort our selves; He hath not yet fulfilled our requests, howbeit he will do the same in due time. In the mean while he will after this manner exercise our faith. It is not seldome, that God seemeth he would nothing less, then what he hath promised and threatned. He promised the kingdome to David, but with what miseries did he exercise him before he fulfilled his promises? When our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was to be born of the Virgin Mary, the Angel promised that he should have the Throne of his father David; and yet until the thirty year of his age, he lived in small shew of the world: After that he was envied of the high Priests, Pharisees and Scribes,Isa. 28.16. Heb. 10.36. and at the last hanged upon a tree; Therefore Esay doth very well admonish, that He which believeth, must not be hasty. For God will performe in due time those things which he hath promised: but in the mean time our part is to prescribe nothing unto him. The very same thing also must we say of the threatnings: God said, that he would overthrow the Babylonians; yet did they flourish and triumph, yea and led the people into captivity. Wherefore God would not fulfill his threatnings presently, yet did he performe them when he saw a time convenient.
Q. What if my heart tell me, that God will not hear my Prayers, or I feel inwadly such an answer?
Judg. 10.13.A. Yet must we not cease to pray, but stirre up our faith to believe, sharpen our desires, and encrease our repentance. The Lord saith, he will not be an help to the Israelites, not that he might drive them from him, but awaken them to a more serious consideration of their waies, and desire of mercy. The Lord said unto Moses; Exo. 32.10. Num. 14.12, 13. Mat. 15.23, 24Suffer that my wrath may be kindled, and I will destroy them at once. This he said to inflame Moses desire in behalf of the people, and to set … edge on his Prayers, not that he determined to destroy them. The Woman of Chanaan cryed unto Christ, but he passed by in silence, as though he heard her not. Afterward, she being instant in Prayer, he said; I am not sent, but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel: and when as she ceased not, he called her dog: And yet he was minded to help her, but first he would have her faith to come to light. And in another place, under the Parable of him that asked bread, he saith; Unto whom the good man of the house that was within, said;Luk. 11.7. I and my children be laid in bed. And when the other had made earnest suite, by his importunity, he obtaineth as many leaves as he would. Wherefore if our heart accuse us, let us convert our selves unto Christ, and stirre up our selves more confidently to seek for mercy in his name: this is that which God approveth.
Q. I have asked long and not received: wherefore I fear it is in vain to pray.
A. First, We must examine whether our continuing in some lust, do not hinder the effect of our Prayer. Ye ask and have not, because ye ask amiss. Jam. 4.3. If the angler stay long, and catch nothing, he takes up the bait, and amends it, then waits: so must we, &c.As for vain glory, ambition, delicateness, &c. and this may be known by the effect how these things are spent. And then if we amend our Prayers, God will amend our speeding. Secondly, We must know that God doth deferre us, to try how we will persevere in Prayer; as a friend when he meaneth to do this or that, doth detract it at the first, to see if the other will importune him. Thirdly, He doth not forthwith bestow what we crave, that we might know the worth of things, and have our joy doubled in receiving them. Fourthly, It is a token God will give us more abundantly, the longer he doth hold us in request. The wider one openeth any thing, it is a token he meaneth to put the more in. God intendeth not our hinderance, in causing us to wait: nor purposeth to weary us, by putting delaies. It is not in vain therefore to ask, though we be not presently answered; seeing God doth on so good occasions delay us in our suits. And let us be sure of this, that he that botleth up our teares, files up our Prayers, putting them on record before him,Mal. 3.6. Then spake they that feared the Lord, every one to his neighbour, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a Book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his Name.
Q. I am unworthy to come before so glorious a Majesty. Hab. 1.13. Joh. 9.…1. Psal. 66.18.God is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity. God heareth not sinners. If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear my Prayer.
A. No mans unworthiness should drive him from Prayer. The Commandement is universall, Ask, seek, knock. Joel 2.32. Est. 4.11.Therefore as they might boldly come into the inner Court of the King of Persia, to whom he held forth the golden Scepter: so may we confidently speak unto God, having his allowance and Commandement. David took hold of this Scepter in great distress of mind; Thou saidst, Psal. 27.8.Seek my face; this takes away all fear, and makes me bold. What if we be ununworthy? he is gracious, and loveth freely.Isa. 34.2…. For mine own sake I will be favourable unto thee. Nor do we come as servants in our own names, to be respected of desert: but as sonnes in the Name of Christ, to be heard of grace. The Commandement of God, his sweet Promises, bountifull Invitations, amiable Titles,Prov. 15 8. Prov. 28.9. Psal. 66.18. Isa. 59.…. Job 27.9. Psal. 119.7. Jer. 11.11. Ezek 8.18. P. Martyr. par. 4. cap. 12. sect. 20. Psal. 79.8, 9. and effectual Intercession of Christ, must be opposed to the sense of our unworthiness. 2. Sinners are of two sorts; weary, laden, and repentant, or careless and impenitent. They that love to live in sinne, or go on carelesly therein, and hate to be reformed, they shall not be heard when they cry: nay, their Prayers are abhomination and sinne: But the laden and penitent sinner is called to come, and shall be graciously accepted in Jesus Christ. He shall not be regarded, that looketh upon iniquity with favour, delight, or indulgence: he cannot pray for mercy, that doth not see many sinnes in him self to be bewailed. He needs not pardon, who knowes not himself guilty; he will not crave supply or increase of grace, who is not privy to his own weakness and imperfections: Were we not unworthy, we could not beg to be relieved of meer grace and mercy. 3. Even temporary believers are accepted and heard in Prayer according to their repentance. Their heart was not right with him (that is with God,) neither were they stedfast in his Covenant: Psal. 78.34, 37, 38.But he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not.
Q. May not the faithfull by indulgence to some sinne, hinder the course of their Prayers for a time?
A. They may, and often do; for being distempered or fallen into sinne, they cannot pray in faith actually or virtually till by repentance they set faith again in the Throne. Conscience of sinne doth stop our mouthes, stifle our Prayers, shake our confidence, and ecclipse our comfort: which Satan oft aimeth more at then the sinne it self unto which he tempteth us. The exhortation of the Apostle is this;1 Pet. 3.7. Psal. 34.15.16, 17. Prov. 15.9, 21. Likewise, ye Husbands dwell with your Wives, as men of knowledge, giving honour unto the Woman, as unto the weaker vessel, even as they which are heirs together of the grace of life, that your Prayers be not interrupted. For when the conscience is defiled, we are so pricked in the foot, that we cannot go to God in Prayer, and are not able comfortably to discharge it: we either neglect it, or prophane Gods name in rushing upon it. We must therefore take heed of sinne, as we would with comfort return to Prayer: But our failing in one thing, must not excuse us in another: when the duty lies on us, we have no dispensation to be negligent in it.
Q I have been overtaken with infirmity, the time of Prayer draweth on, what shall I do?
A. First, Thou must not neglect it, for this is to heap one sinne upon another.Mat. 5.24. Leave there thine offering before the Altar, and gothy way, first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then come and offer thy gift. We have an absolute Commandement to pray, and the breach of one precept, will not excuse the neglect of another duty. A particular offence doth not offend so much, as if we grow strangers to God. As in a Child, it is worse to runne away from his Father, then to commit a particular trespass against him. It is dangerous to let the breach of conscience, which sin hath made, to lie open, for that is the way to bring in more sin, and let forth grace. To stay in this case is dangerous, for the heart growes more hard by continuance: The conscience is most tender immediatly after the sinne commited: and the heart sooner hardened if you take the advantage presently after the sinne is committed.Psal. 2.11. & 5.7. Heb. 12.28. 2 Tim. 2.8. Psal. 26.6. Lev. 10.2, 3. Josh. 24.19. Secondly, Thou must not, when thou hast offended God, rush boldly on him. Serve the Lord with fear. Lift up pure hands without wrath. This was Davids care, I will wash mine hands in innocency, and so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord. God will be sanctified in them that draw near unto him. Memorable is the saying of Joshua to the Children of Israel; Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God, and therefore must be served after an holy manner. It is noted of the Israelites, They worshipped every man a farre off in the door of his Tent. Exo. 33.10. Numb. 12.…4.If a mans Parent should be so offended, as to spet on him; durst he appear before him for seven daies? And shall we be so bold, having offended the Father of Spirits, presently to come into his sight without consideration? In the third place, A man must gather himself together,1 Reg. 8.47. We must come unto God with a disposition turned from sinne, and brought home to God. Job 11.13, 14. Isa. 1.15.1…. 2 Chro. 30.19. and let his heart smite him in that he hath done; the rather to think what streights he hath brought himself into, either in neglecting his duty, or prophaning the Name of his God. They that by sinne have gone astray, must bethink themselves, and repent, and make supplications: If the party be at hand (as the man and wife) let there be mutuall confession; if otherwise, let their be a purpose of it: and having this purpose, and being in any measure touched, though nothing so well as we wish, and were meet; we may come to God, and he will accept us, and heal us.
Q. The Devil will labour to prevent us, or break us off in this duty by distractions; this thing, and that thing calling us away.
A. We must be resolute against distractions.Mat. 6.33. First seek the Kingdom of Heaven. If we promise at this or that houre to meet a man, when the Clock smiteth, whosoever we are with, we crave pardon, we are to go. Make not more bold with God then you would with man. Is it not better to lose some sleep, or to cut short the time of daily repast, than to deprive our souls of communion with God in that holy duty? What shift will men make to spare some time for conference with a godly kind friend? Now to redeem time for Prayer, we must learn to be diligent in our callings, and go about our labours with heavenly-mindedness, spending no needless houres in thinking or speaking of earthly things, out of carnal affection that we bear unto them. He that takes no more work in hand then God allowes, is wise to order his affairs with discretion, delights not to think or speak of earthly businesses superfluously, and with diligence observe… …he season that offers it self for the dispatch of his work; he, if he will contend and wrestle against difficulties, shall find convenient time for Prayer.
Q. Such mists of darkness, such swarmes of wandering idle thoughts come before our minds, that we are much discomforted.
A. It is no doubt a great fault, and exceeding hindrance of Christian comfort, that the heart is wandering after vanity when it should be attent upon God. We cannot endure our Children should look up and down, here and there, when they speak unto us. And is it not a misery and sinne, that we should carry our selves more rudely in the presence of God, then we would or durst in civil converse with men? But for the thing it self; First, We must enquire whether letting loose our hearts all day, do not cause this unfitness at night: and if it be so, we must help the matter with watchfulness. If vanity possess the mind at our first awaking in the morning, and we suffer the heart to rove about idly all day long, and grow into distemper and earthly-mindedness, it will hardly be brought to attend upon God in the duty of Prayer and thanksgiving. A trifling fellow that wanders up and down, will not easily be tied to any sore work. It is death to the soul, after our roving fits, to be kept to any supernaturall work that is above it self. But daily custome makes that easie, which at first was tedious. If the heart be held to what is good, and kept within compass at all times: it will readily attend upon God in the time of Prayer. The best way to prevent roving, is to keep our heart in tune and rightly disposed: As when a man is to use his Horse, he will have him under bridle. It is good to meditate on that glorious presence before whom we stand, the necessity, profit, and excellency of those gifts and graces we beg of God in Prayer. Secondly, We must know that the Saints have felt both these things, darkness and wandrings. For there is a double wandering of the mind: one of carelesness, negligence, and contempt, when we intend not holy dutyes, come not unto them with carefulness: such as is in many in the Church, that pray and their minds are a wooll-gathering; they say, Amen, but know not to what. There is another wandering of the mind, which is through infirmity and temptation of Satan. As a man that aims at a mark, may have a shaking hand, or be jogged by another, that he cannot shoot streight. Now this being felt, is grievous unto us, though we cannot overcome it. Thirdly, This is a Rule, We must not cease to do any Commandement, because of our imperfection in doing it. The frailties that cleave unto us must be striven against with all diligence: but the duty it self is not to be forborn.
Q. God heareth not such as doubt of his mercy and love. Jam. 1.5, 6.But I am weak in faith?
A. There is a reigning unbelief, and there is a doubting, or unbelief, which is a weakness left in the Saints, for their exercise. The first is in Heathens and Unbelievers: the latter which is a doubting which is in the soul that would be rid of it, and fights against it by Prayer of Faith; this doth not hinder us from being heard.Mat. 9.22. Mat. 14.31. Psal. 31.22. But if thou canst do any thing, help us; Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? I said in my haste I am clean cast off, nevertheless thou heardst my Prayer. If faith be weak, we must not cease to pray, but pray the more that we might be confirmed. For by earnest Prayer we come to be assured of Gods favour, and faith by asking obtaineth what she doth desire. Yea, say a man were destitute of that faith that justifieth, he is allowed and bound to seek it of God by earnest Prayer, which is not altogether unacceptable; because it proceedeth from a faith that stirreth up desire of firm union and communion with Christ. As for the place alledged, by wavering or doubting, hypocriticall halting or division of heart, not doubting of Gods mercy towards us by reason of our sin, or weakness of faith, seemeth to be understood.
Q. I am kept under with dulness and dead-heartedness, that I am afraid to pray.
A. There is a two-fold dulness; one of feebleness, which is accompanied with the abjectness of the heart, when the spirits are wasted with labour and sorrow; the other of sloth joyned with presumption. Both must be striven against, but are not alike dangerous, nor to be remedied after one manner. If dulness arise from feebleness and wasting of the spirits, we must bring our selves into the sunne-shine of Gods love, and cheer up our souls with the remembrance of his free mercies, gracious promises and tender compassions: for the straightned spirit is re…ived with comfort, as joynts benummed with cold gather strength when they receive warmth. The best way to fit our selves for this duty, is to fall presently to the duty: and the very doing of the duty doth fit to the duty. As all actions of the same kind increase the habits: so Prayer, makes us fit for Prayer. The way to godliness, is in the compass of godliness: the way to grow in grace, is the exercise of grace. By setting himself upon the work, he shall gather fitness, though he were unfit at the first. As joynts benummed, get life, being used. If dulness proceed from the other extream, we must stirre up our spirits by calling to mind the charge that God hath laid upon us to pray, the threatnings denounced against them that neglect or contemn it, the judgments executed upon them that have not called upon the Name of God. We must also meditate, what brands of disgrace are fastened upon them that deal sluggishly in the service of God; what benefits they are justly deprived of by their own folly? and what indignity they offer to the Lord himself. Further, we must make our sloth odious, and shame our selves that we should deal with a slack hand in a matter of so high and excellent nature, whereby we might have reaped much profit and comfort to our souls. And having thus wrestled with our selves to shake off such chilness as we have caught by idleness, we must cry to him that is the quickning Spirit, not being quiet till we get some warmth into our spirits. Thus dulness is to be driven away by Prayer, and earnest contention; but we must not cease to pray because we are dull. Notwithstanding any dulness of spirit, the duty is to be performed. We have never more need to pray, then when we are most indisposed: for then a man is exposed to temptation, apt to be overcome, fit for nothing. Again, all dulness doth not hinder the success of our Prayers, but that which is allowed, delighted in, or not striven against, as hath been mentioned. If thou spare no labour to get thy heart upon the wing, and do it as well as thou canst, it shall be accepted.
Q. By what Arguments or Considerations should a man further strengthen himself, that he may constantly carry forth this duty?
A. First, If we might be familiarly admitted to the Kings presence, we would easily accept it. In faithfull Prayer thou maist commune with God. Secondly, How worthy are we to miss good things, that will not open our mouths for what we lack, nor return thanks for what is freely given? When God bids us ask and have, how unthankfull and unworthy wretches are we, that neglect such kindness, and will not prove him that is so gracious? When thankfulness for what is received, is crowned with second favours, how injurious are we to our selves, unmindfull of God, if we look not to him the giver of every good and perfect gift? Thirdly, There is no duty so acceptable to God: for that God being the chief good, and so ready to communicate hi… blessings, we in Prayer desire what he specially delighteth in. And furthermore, Prayer is to Grace, as pouning is to sweet Spices; it maketh Grace, as Faith, Love, Reverence, Poverty of spirit, &c. cast a fragrant smell, as which (indeed) is nothing but the chafing of them. Fourthly,Psal. 65.2. It is good to muse often on the stile of God. He is a god that heareth Prayer. If Princes will not lose any part of their Royal Title, God will maintain his. Fifthly, It is our selves that gaine by Prayer: and if we lay it down,Job 35.7. we shall have the loss of it. If thou be righteous, what givest thou unto him? Yea, we must be so farre from being offended at Gods not answering, at our own want of comfort and liberty, that we must hold, even this,1 Chro. 29.14. that we are allowed to speak unto God, such a Priviledge as we are unworthy of. What am I, or my people, that we should offer thus? What are we that we should speak unto God, or have access to the Highest Majesty? Sixthly, To consider against all want…, that we are accepted according to that we have,2 Cor. 8.12. Mal. 3.17. when there is a ready mind. He spares as a Father doth his Children. They will hear with delight the lisping and stammering voice of their Children: Yea, because the soul is sick, the service is twice welcome. If a sick Child reach us up a thing, we count it more then to send another of laborious errands. Lastly, For all wants and discouragements, labour to see that thou canst not pray, if God by his Spirit help thee not: the more thou comest to be poor in spirit, the more freedom and strength thou shalt have in performing thy duty.
Q. May a man rest in the work done?
A. In no sort: for cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently. Powerless Prayer is a prophanation of the great Name of God, and notorious abuse of his incomprehensible love. Neither let such as ask carelesly, think to obtain any thing at the hands of God. He that asketh coldly, teacheth to deny. Men look to be sought unto by them that expect favour from them, and that in good earnest: they think a former kindness should not be forgotten, if a second be hoped for: How should we hope for good to come by our drowsie and sottish Prayers, which provoke his Highness, are no waies pleasing unto him? Prayer in a customary manner, warmes not the heart, amends not distempers, removes not sinne, weanes not from the world; pierces not the Heavens.