Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.

§. 44. Of continuing to pray.

II. * 1.1 BY continuance in faithfull prayer divine succour is continued. Thus much an Angell from heaven te∣stifieth, when he saith to Daniel, a 1.2 From the first day that thou didst set thy selfe to humble thy selfe before thy God, thy words were heard. This, as it is true in regard of long holding out, and continuing prayer at one time by reason of the need of present and continued succour from God, so also is it true in regard of frequent and constant returning unto prayer

time after time. b 1.3 The morning and evening incense which was constantly to be offered every day unto the Lord, prefi∣gured as much. c 1.4 Paul being long buffeted by Satan, prayed thrice, that is, oft, and all the while found sufficient assi∣stance. d 1.5 Prayer being made of the Church for Peter, he found assistance all the while he was in prison, and delive∣rance out of prison. e 1.6 Christ continued to pray all the while he was in his agony, and returned to prayer againe and againe, and found sufficient supportance, f 1.7 He was heard in that he feared.

The delight which God taketh in faithfull prayer, the de∣sire which he hath to give evidence of his fatherly accep∣tance of his childrens conformity to that order which he hath prescribed, his faithfulnesse in performing to the utter∣most his promises for hearing prayer, together with other motives arising from his owne goodnesse, are the causes of his ordering and disposing his blessings according to his Saints prayers.

As * 1.8 before we were taught by prayer to seeke succour of God, so here we are further directed for continuance of suc∣cour to continue in prayer. g 1.9 Of long continuance in prayer at one time: h 1.10 Of praying every day, and keeping our set times for prayer: Of i 1.11 all perseverance in prayer, I have spoken else∣where. It shalbe sufficient here to propound some cases whereunto such continuance, as is here in my text implied, may be applied.

1. If any be in sight of an army as Moses here was, they must do as Moses here did. * 1.12

2. If an army of land-souldiers, or a fleet of sea-souldiers be sent forth, prayer more then ordinary must be daily conti∣nued for them, till we heare of the issue.

3. If a Parliament, or any other solemne assembly do meet about weighty matters, while that assembly continu∣eth, prayer for it must be continued.

4. If King, or other Magistrate of good note and name, of good use and proofe: if a faithfull and powerfull Minister; if parent, husband, wife, master, or any to whom

we are by any speciall relation bound, be in any danger by sicknesse or otherwise, prayer is to be continued for them, till we see some issue.

5. If any by reason of the stone, gangrene, cancer, sistula, or any other torturing and dangerous disease be under the Chyrurgians hand to be cut, or to have any member cut off, prayer for Gods assistance and blessing is to be continued.

6. If children be put forth to be trained up to any calling, or if we be about any mariage for them, for continuance of gods blessing, continuall prayer must be made.

So in sundry other cases like unto these.

Intermitting, or ceasing prayer before it is meet, doth oft prove * 1.13 very prejudiciall. It was such an occasion that made Elisha the Prophet angry with Ioash King of Israel for smi∣ting but thrice with his arrowes on the ground. k 1.14 Thou shouldest (said he) have smitten five or six times: then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it. 2 King. 13. 19. Here in this place we see that Moises could not overcome the enemy, till with stedfastnesse he persevered holding up his hands with the rod of God in them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See § 42.
• a 1.2

  Dan. 10. 12.
• b 1.3

  Exo. 30. 7, 8.
• c 1.4

  2 Cor. 12. 8, 9
• d 1.5

  Acts 12. 5.
• e 1.6

  Luke 22. 42, 43, 44.
• f 1.7

  Heb. 5. 7.
• * 1.8

  §. 27.
• g 1.9

  The whole Ar∣mour of God, on Eph. 6, 18. Treat. 3. Part. 2 §. 98.
• h 1.10

  Ibid. §. 118, 120.
• i 1.11

  Ibid §. 137, &c.
• * 1.12

  Cases wherein prayer is to be continued.
• * 1.13

  See The whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 18. Treat. 3. Part. 2. §. 116.
• k 1.14

  Moyses vincere adversarium non potuit; nisi post∣quam stabilis in signo allevatis ju∣giter manibus perseveravit. Cypr de Ex∣hort. Martyr. cap 8.