The Power of Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Shewing that Liberty to pray is a singular and rare Priviledge.
Question: LEt us now hear in what respects Liberty to pray is a singular and rare Priviledge.
A. 1. It is no small favour that the creature is allowed to commune with his Creatour, the redeemed with his Saviour. It is a liberty purchased by the blood of Christ. Men are glad of a faithfull friend, into whose bosome they might poure out their cares, with whom they might sweetly conferre upon occasion. Oh! what cause have we to rejoyce in this, that the Lord vouchsafeth us leave to talk with him, who of all friends is the most faithfull and constant? We cannot pierce the secrets of mans heart, they are unsearchable. But we know the mind of God, that he is more loving, than love it self: more faithfull, than faith it self. Friends often lack wisdom to consider of our case, mercy to compassionate, power to help, judgment to weigh it, specially when we are not able to lay it open; and faithfulness to keep in mind or conceal what is committed to their trust; all which things diminish the comfort of their love and fellowship. But our God is most infinite in wisdom, rich in mercy, great in power; most ready to help, able to succour, exactly knowing our distress, our strength, when help is meet, what aid is fit, and what is good for us better than we our selves. 2. Other duties have their season, but Prayer is never out of season. Men cannot alwaies hear the Word, read the Scriptures, give Almes; they want ability and opportunity to these purposes. But Prayer may be used at any time, night or day, in any place, upon any occasion, nothing being required thereunto but lifting up of the heart unto God, Rom. 1.9, 10. 1 Thes. 5.17. Luk. 18.1.which may be done in light or darkness, alone or in company, at home or abroad. 3. This liberty is the greater, because perpetuall, at all times, and in every moment of time. Distance of place may hinder the communion of friends by speech or writing; necessary occasions and infirmities may interrupt it when they live together, that when the one needs, the other cannot afford his presence, or the comfort of it. But God is every where present, alwaies ready to be found if we seek unto him. A man may be driven into banishment, shut up close prisoner that no friend can have access unto him: The enemies may pluck out his eyes, that he shall not read; cut out his tongue, that he shall not speak; deprive him of the benefit of hearing the Word, and Assembly of the Saints: But liberty to pray can no man take from them; In banishment, imprisonment, trouble, they may cry unto God, and he will hear them. The malice of men may drive Christians with more speed and earnestness to cry unto the Lord, and him to send aid and help from above: But to hinder their Prayers for one moment, or to withhold succour from them, they are not able. 4. We cannot enjoy the presence and comfort of friends without travell and cost; and sometimes they are so distempered with passions, that they cannot or will not vouchsafe that contentment which we expect and stand in need of. But in any distress we may go unto God without any trouble; it requires not motion of the body, but sending up the thoughts, which may be done in an instant: and coming to him, we shall ever find what we desire. He will never turn from us, if we depart not from his Testimonies. In the society of our best friends many things may fall out on their behalf, that minister occasion of grief: But with the Lord nothing is to be found, which offers not abundant matter of joy and comfort. 5. The knowledge is small which we have on earth, concerning things that are done in Heaven. Notwithstanding, thus much we know even of the Angels in Heaven, that they praise the Lord. And therefore Prayer being a work common unto men with Angels, what should we think but that so much of our lives is celestial and divine as we spend in the exercise of Prayer. For which cause we see that the most comfortable visitations, which God hath sent men from above, have taken especially the times of Prayer as their most natural opportunities.Dan. 9.20. Act. 10.13. Prov. 19.7. The friends of the poor go farre from him, &c. No man might enter into the Court of Abasucrus clothed in Sack-cloth, Est. 4.2. but the gate of Heaven is wide open unto them. 6. This Royalty is common to all Believers, poor and rich, weak and strong, bond and free, in peace or trouble. Great men only have access into the presence-Chamber of Princes: but the gate of Heaven stands open for all of what sort or condition soever, if they be weary of their sin, and desire to be received into favour. There is none so weak and unworthy in his own eyes, who is not allowed to call God Father: the poor and needy shall find audience as soon as the rich and mighty. 7. If any man might be long and much conversant with a man endued with vertues and knowledg, there is no doubt, but that he should become the better, and also the learneder. But how much more excellent a thing is it, to be conversant and to talk with the most excellent God? Surely the more we commune with him by Prayer, the liker shall we be unto him in holiness and righteousness. 8. On others, what more easie, and yet what more fruitfully bestowed then our Prayers? If we give counsell, they are the simpler only that need it; if almes, the poorer only are relieved; but by Prayer we do good to all. When we are not able to do any other thing for mans behoof, when through maliciousness or unkindness they vouchsafe not to accept any other good at our hands, Prayer is that which we alwaies have in our power to bestow, and they never in theirs to refuse. Wherefore God forbid, saith Samuel, 1 Sam. 12.23.speaking unto a most unthankfull people, a people weary of the benefit of his most vertuous Government over them, God forbid that I should sinne against the Lord, and cease to pray for you. By Prayer the simple may benefit the wise, the weak the strong, the poor such as be rich in this world, the sick and feeble them that be healthfull and lusty: yea, thereby we may do good to our enemies, and winne their hearts, whether they will or no.
Q. What followes from hence?
A. He that can and doth pray, is a man of singular respect, honour and Authority. 1. He is held to be the greatest favourite, that is most familiar with the Prince: How great is that man, who is in familiarity with the King of Kings? That Lawyer is in most request, who is most inward with the chief Judg of the Court. Doth not he deserve esteem with men, that is in account with God, who is the absolute and supream Judg of the whole world? 2. In Christ Jesus he is made a spiritual Priest to offer up the well-pleasing Sacrifice of supplication and thanksgiving; which is no small dignity, if things be weighed according to their worth. 3. If men be to preferre a Petition to the High Court of Parliament, the Prince or supream Governour, they will use the advice of some learned man to direct how it should be framed. The chiefest Oratours are chosen to give entertainment to great Nobles, Ambassadours, or such like. How excellent are his gifts who can draw Petitions, frame Meditations acceptable to God, pleasing to the Highest Majesty! 4. The excellency of a man that can pray is further manifested in this, that he may prevail with God for others, the Family, Country, and Kingdom wherein he liveth. A wise man is had in honour, Psal. 106.12.because of the good he may do to the Church or Common-wealth: but herein the most politick must give place to him that doth pray with an honest heart.