The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...

§. 78. Of preparation before prayer.

THat this kinde of prayer may bee the better perfor∣med,* 1.1 preparation is very needefull, which the Prea∣cher implyeth saying,a 1.2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to vtter any thing before God.

In preparation vnto prayer two things are to bee per∣formed. First we must empty our foules of al such things as may hinder prayer. Secondly fill them with such things as may be helpfull thereunto.

The things that hinder are either wicked or worldly.

Wicked things are against God, or against man.

Against God are all sinnes,* 1.3 and transgressions of his Law. These we must search out, and hauing found them out, set our selues with a full and honest purpose of heart vtterly to forsake them.b 1.4 If we regard wickednes, God will not heare our prayer. Whereupon saithc 1.5 Dauid I will wash mine hands in inocency, O Lord, and compasse thine alter.

Against man are wrath, anger, malice, and such like re∣uengeful affections, in regard whereof the Apostle exhor∣teth tod 1.6 lift vp pure hands without wrath. Ande 1.7 Christ cōmanded to be reconciled before the gift be offered. In a word then, that we may empty our soules of al such wic¦ked things both against God and man, which would hin∣der our praiers, these two things are needfull▪ First repen∣tance towards God: secondly, reconciliation with man.

Worldly things are such cares, as concerne the things of this life: our temporall estate, & earthly affaires, which though at other times they may be warantable, commen∣dable, and needfull, yet may be an incumberance & hin∣derance vnto praier. This was prefigured vnder the Law▪ by that ritef 1.8 of plucking off shooes when men appeared before the Lord. Shooes are lawfull to be worne, yea very needfull, yet in approching before the Lord they must be put off. So moderate care concerning the businesse & affairs of this world are lawfull and needful, yet when we goe to prayer, they must be laid aside, and our soules emp∣tied of them. For they are as heauy burdens, and clogs which will hold downe our hearts, and keepe them from flying vp into heauen. Now note the counsell of the A∣postle, g 1.9 Cast away euery thing that presseth downe.

If our soules be onely emptied of these things, they are like thath 1.10 empty house which the vnclean spirit finding, entreth into with seauen other spirits. Wherfore that we may bee prepared to prayer, wee must be filled with such spirituall matters as fit prayer: which are concerning God and our selues. Gods greatnesse is to be meditated of, to strike our hearts with reuerence: and his goodnesse to breed faith in vs. Yea also his blessings bestowed to fill our mouths with praise. Our wretchednesse is duely to be weighed, that wee may bee truely humbled: and our

wants are to be obserued, that wee may know what to aske. Thus are we to come prepared to composed praier.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Preparation needfull.
• a 1.2

  Eccle. 5. 2.
• * 1.3

  Hinderances of prayer.
• b 1.4

  Psal. 66. 18.
• c 1.5

  and 26. 6.
• d 1.6

  1 Tim. 28.
• e 1.7

  Mat. 5. 24.
• f 1.8

  Exo. 3, 5. Iosh, 5. 15.
• g 1.9

  Heb. 12. 1. Helps to prayer.
• h 1.10

  Mat. 12. 44. 45.