§. 117. Of praying alwayes.

THe next branch is concerning the Time,* which by the Apostle is limited with no distinct time, but indefinitely set downe vnder this generall particle Alwayes.

If this circumstance be simply taken without any limitation, it implieth not on∣ly a great inconuenience, but also a plaine impossibility. For is it not inconuenient that we should attend wholly and onely on prayer; and so neglect the Word, Sacra∣ments, and other duties of piety? yea, also all duties of iu∣stice, and charity to our neighbours? Is it possible that al∣wayes we should pray, and not eate, drinke, sleepe, and doe such other things as nature necessarily requireth?

Answ. If the true meaning of the Apostles phrase be obserued, no such incongruity or impossibility will fol∣low vpon it. In the originall it is thus set downe word for word,mIn euery season.

The Greekes make a difference betwixtnTime, and season: ando in the Scripture they are also distinguished, Time is more generall,*Season implieth that part of time which is fit for doing a thing. This phrase then being translated in euery season, implieth that as any iust occasi∣on is offered, we must pray.

Obiect. The Euangelist vseth the word which proper∣ly signifiethpAlwayes, and so doth the Apostle in layingPage  472 downe the point of thanksgiuing, and another phrase of the like extent, saying,qPray without ceasing:

Answ. 1. Generall phrases must bee expounded by particular and distinct phrases.

2 Those Generals doe sometime signifie no more then very often: so arerSalomons seruants said to stand euer, or continually before him. So wee say of a Student that is much in his study, he is alwayes or continually there: so of a woman that tarrieth much at home, shee is euer in her house. But more distinctly to shew the meaning of this circumstance,

1 It is to be taken inclusiuely, including euery part of time, and excluding none, neither day nor night, whether wee are alone or in company, in the middest of businesse, or free from businesse, at what time soeuer occasion is gi∣uen, we must pray.

2 It signifieth a daily and constant performing of this holy exercise: thus this sacrifice which vnder the Law was constantly offered vp euery day, morning and eue∣ning, is said to bee offered vpacontinually, and called a continuall burnt offering.

3 It implieth that besides our ordinary and set times of prayer, we must take extraordinary occasions to call vpon God.

4 It intimateth a continuall preparation of the heart alwayes, euen euery moment readie to be lift, vp to God in prayer. As the ayre with the least blast of winde is moued, and a feather with the least motion of aire is lif∣ted vp, so must our hearts in petition and thanksgiuing.

Thus this phrase being rightly taken, affordeth no iust ground to those heretikes called*Euchitae, who would seeme to spend so much time in prayer, as they neglected all other duties: like to whom were the Heretikes calledPage  473*Messalians. But it affordeth vnto vs many good instru∣ctions for prayer.

§. 118. Of praying euery day.

1 CHristians ought to haue set times of prayer euery day.* This is implied in the fourth Petition, where this day, is expressed, to shew that the next day wee must pray againe, and euery day say, this day. This is also prefigu∣red by that continual burnt offering, wherof I spake* be∣fore. bDauid exhorteth hereunto saying, Sing vnto the Lord, praise his name from day to day: and promiseth to per∣forme as much himselfe, saying,cI will blesse thee daily, and praise thy name for euer and euer.

1 We daily stand in need of Gods blessings,* both of the continuance of his old blessings, and also of bestow∣ing new blessings. Needfull it is therefore, that euery day we should pray for them.

2 The graces of God in vs are subiect euery day to decay: now prayer is as food, whereby those graces are preserued, reuiued and increased. Daily wee take bodily food? Daily also let vs vse this spirituall food.

3 Euery day we are subiect to assaults of our spirituall enemies, who are neuer wearied: and vnto many dan∣gers of soule and bodie. But prayer is the most principall meanes to keepe vs safe from all.

There are also like reasons for thankesgiuing alwayes, day after day.* For God ladeth vs daily with his blessings: euery day, yea euery houre, both Gods former blessings are continued and renewed, and also new blessings be∣stowed. Is thy life, health, libertie, or any other blessing, matter of thanksgiuing this day? Then if the same be re∣newed the next day, it is also matter of thanksgiuing the next day, and so day after day. Continuall matter ofPage  474 thanksgiuing, requireth continuall thanksgiuing.

§. 119. Of the fittest times for daily prayer.

Quest. HOw often a day is it meete we should pray,* and at what times?

Answ. Not to speake of sudden eiaculations, which we shall touch by and by, it is meete that solemne prayers be made at least twice a day. The fittest time for which is the morning and the euening. In the morning to praise God for our rest the night before, and to craue his prote∣ction ouer vs, and his blessing vpon vs the day following. In the euening to praise him for the blessings receiued that day, and to craue his protection in the night when we sleepe. Thus shall this spirituall sacrifice of theeCalues of our lippes be answerable to thatf daily outward sacrifice of lambes, vnder the Law, whereof one was to be offered in the morning, the other in the euening. This timegDa∣uid prescribeth saying to God, It is a good thing to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning, and thy truth at night: yeahDauid went further, and saith, Euening and morning, and at noone will I pray. Which times it is likely that Daniel obserued, for hee prayedithree times a day. Dauid yet further saith,kSeuen times a day doe I praise thee. But that I take to be meant of som extraordinary occasions, because his ordinary course was set downe before: or else aset number for an vncertaine, seuen times, that is, oftentimes, and so meant of sudden prayers.

Against this doe they offend, who neuer pray but at Church vpon Sabbath daies, or some other solemne daies, or if euer at home, onely then when some extraor∣dinary occasion is offered, as if they, or some of theirs be sicke, if they feare some iudgement, or want some great blessing. What hope can such haue to bee heard in theirPage  475 great needs, who otherwise would not call vpon God.

§. 120. Of constant keeping our set times of prayer.

2 SVch set times as are appointed for daily prayer,*would constantly be kept. Else we doe not in euery season al¦wayes without intermission pray. The Lord saith of the fore named daily sacrifice vnder the Law,lYee shall ob∣serue to offer vnto me in their due season mine offering, &c. implying thereby, that they should not faile nor misse of their due season and accustomed time. Feare of death could not turne Daniel from his course: he prayed (not∣withstanding the Kings contrary decree) three times a day, as he did afore-time. This phrase, as afore-time, implieth a constant course.

Great reason there is that we should be constant, for

1 There is in vs a naturall proanenesse to waxe cold and faint in prayer.* Water is not more proane to be cold, nor an heauy weight to fall downward, then we to waxe dull in this heauenly exercise. Wherefore as fire must constantly be put vnder water to keep it hot, and a weight must cōstantly be wound vp to keep it from the ground, so must wee by constant prayer quicken vp our soules, and keepe them aloft.

2 The Diuel wil take great aduantage by once omitting it, and moue vs to omit it againe and againe; and so by degrees bring vs to an vtter •is-vse of it. Assuredly they which once omit their course of praying, shall finde the next time they come to pray, a more then vsuall dulnesse thereto: which is partly thorow Gods iust iudgement, who thus punisheth our neglect of this duty, partly tho∣row our naturall indisposition thereto, and partly tho∣row the subtilty and malice of the Diuell, who thus see∣keth to diuert vs cleane from our course.

§. 121. Of Canonicall houres.

Quest. VVHat difference is there betwixt this con∣stant obseruing set times, and Popish ca∣nonicall houres of prayers?

Answ.* 1. Their canonicall houres are grounded on superstition, as the reasons which they themselues alledge doe shew: for they appoint seuen houres of prayer for euery day.* The first before day, because Christ was then taken. The second at the first houre, because then hee was led to Pilat. The third at the third houre, because then he was mocked. The fourth at the sixt houre: be∣cause then he was crucified. The fift at the ninth houre, because then he gaue vp the Ghost. The sixt in the eue∣ning, because then hee was taken from the Crosse. The seuenth in the completory, because then he was buried. These reasons are superstitious, no good grounds. In o∣ther houres wee may finde other things done to Christ, as his bringing to Annas, to Caiphas, to Herod, his accu∣sations, scourging, &c. and so make euery houre a cano∣nicall houre for prayer. Wee haue better reasons, as I shewed* before.

2 They place Religion in the very obseruing of set times.* We doe not so: for we set not the same continu∣ance for all, some may hold out an houre, same halfe, some but a quarter, some longer, some shorter. Neither doe we tye all to the same houre. A strong able person that vseth to rise betimes, may pray at three or foure, or fiue of the clock in the morning, as soone as heriseth. An∣other that is weake, and notable to rise so soone, may when he can rise.

3 They content themselues with saying ouer so ma∣ny prayers as may bee in such a set time,* though theirPage  477 hearts goe not with one word: for their prayers being in lattin, many cannot vnderstand what they pray. We ac∣count such prayers meere lip-labour. Neither doe wee measure our prayers by a set time, but wee measure our time by our deuotion and affection in prayer.

4 They appropriate their canonicall houres to eccle∣siasticall persons onely,* as Priests, Munks, Nunnes, &c. Wee make our dayly times of prayer common to all Christians: because prayer is a duty belonging to all.

5 Some of their houres,* namely, at mid-night, are very vnseasonable to be ordinarily and daily performed: they are neither meet for the health of mā (that being the most seasonable time to rest in) nor for the worshippe of God, which must needes at that time bee drousily performed. Our times are the most seasonable that may be.

6 Their houres are so many,* that other necessary bu∣sinesses must needs be omitted: they affoord not time enough for Ministers to study, and performe other mini∣steriall functions belonging to their place. Our times are such as may well bee affoorded to prayer, by those that haue the most and greatest imployments.

7 They are so superstitious on the one side in keeping their number and stinted houres,* and on the other side so carelesse in the due time, that they giue tollerations to ob∣serue all the seuen houres in one part of the day, and none in the other part. Wee affood no such tollerations. Euening prayer would not be performed in the morning, though a double taske of the Word may bee read at once.

§. 122 Of neglecting times of Prayer.

[Vse] LEt vs bee carefull and conscionable as in setting vn∣to our selues fit times of prayer, so also in keeping ofPage  478 them. Many suffer euery small occasion, the least busines, a matter of little gaine, yea, a matter of pleasure and sport to interrupt their course: They are farre fromaDaniels minde. If they could truly feele and discerne the sweet∣nesse and comfort of prayer, they would bee otherwise minded then they are. For our parts let vs preferre it to all things, and let all things whatsoeuer giue place to it. Thus shall wee manifest our reuerend and high account of God, of his worshippe, and of his blessing. If in the morning necessary businesse bee to be performed, let vs rise so much the sooner to pray, rather lose of our sleepe then omit that exercise: so at night, if extraordinary busi∣nesse hold thee vp late, sit vp a little the longer for prayer sake. They who conscionably and constantly vse it, think not themselues safe in a morning, till they haue commen∣ded themselues by prayer to God: they are much dis∣quieted, if by any occasion it bee omitted: some dare not eate, nor drinke in a morning till they haue prayed, nor at euen goe to bed till they haue prayed againe. A good re∣ligious minde.

§ 123. Of praying in all affaires.

3 VVHatsoeuer we goe about,*or wheresoeuer we are, we must pray. If we goe about any religious exer∣cise, any work of our calling, any duty of loue, any honest & lawful recreation, we must pray: when we goe to meat, to sleep, to walk abroad, to ride a iorney pray, at home, in the field, in our Inne, in prison, on the sea, in a forren coun∣try, in time of prosperity, in time of aduersity, in season, at our times appointed, out of season, at other times, night and day pray. So much implieth the Apostleb where he willeth men to pray in euery place, and these phrases, al∣waies, at al times, cōtinually, without ceasing, imply as much.

Page  479 1 Prayer sanctifieth euery thing,* euery place, as wee shewed in the fift branch of the necessitie of prayer.

2 We cannot expect a blessing in any thing, except by prayer we craue it.*It is in vaine to rise early, aud to lye downe late without prayer. ThereforecMoses prayeth that God would establish the workes of their hands.

[Vse] No maruell wee prosper so little in the holy and ciuill things we take in hand, and that euery where in euery thing we meete with many crosses and vexations. The means of making things prosper, and of preuenting cros∣ses is rarely vsed. No maruell also that God oft with-hol∣deth many good things from vs; due praise is not giuen for such good things as he giueth.

§. 124. Of continuall Eiaculations.

4 OVr hearts ought euery moment to be ready,*and prepa∣red to be lift vp to God: euen when we haue not op∣portunity of time and place to vtter any prayer with our mouthes, in heart we must pray, as*Moses and Nehemiah. This is that mentall and sudden prayer whereof I spake be∣fore. Concerning this kind, if any shall aske (as Peter in an∣other case did) how oft shall I pray in a day; seuen times,* as Dauid did? I answer (as Christ did to Peter) I say not to thee vnto seuen times,*but vnto seuentie times seuen times: euen euery moment, as the least occasion is offe∣red, and so often as the Spirit of God moueth. If we ob∣serue our selues or others to stand in need of any blessing, instantly let our hearts be lift vp to God: when any of Gods blessings come to our minde by the relation of o∣thers, by our owne cogitation, by any present fruition, or by any other meanes, presently (in heart at least) blesse God: learne of the little birds, which lift vp their bils to heauen, so oft as they take a little water into them.

§. 125. Of giuing thankes alwayes.

VVEE haue an excellent patterne hereof in that man that wasaA man after Gods owne heart, thatbsweet Singer of Israel: as he was very frequent vp∣on all occasions in making petition to God, so also in thanksgiuing: many Psalmes he beginneth and endeth with praise: yea euery verse ofc some Psalmes begin∣neth with an exhortation hereunto: and euery verse of d other Psalmes end with a thankfull acknowledgement of Gods mercie:e Diuers verses in many Psalmes both beginne and end with praising God. There is nothing which that booke of Psalmes more tumbleth vp and downe (repeating it very often againe, and againe) then this clause, Praise yee the Lord: yea his Psalmes of humi∣liation, which hee beginneth with sobs and teares, hee en∣deth with praise. A worthy patterne to follow: the more frequent we are in thanksgiuing; the more doe we resem∣ble the triumphant Church in heauen,f which cease not day nor night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almightie.g In the booke of Reuelation, it is oft noted that the hea∣uenly Spirits, so soone as any occasion was offered, pre∣sently fell on their faces and gaue glory to God.h They doe after an holy manner rebound vp and downe this word,*Hallelu-Iah, one from another. Thus doe they alwayes giue thankes. It well beseemeth them: how can it then but well beseeme vs? wee must endea∣uor to be like them: onely heere lieth a difference betwixt them and vs, that all teares are wiped away from their eyes, so as they haue not such matter of supplication as we haue: we must mixe petition and thanksgiuing toge∣ther: so giue thankes alwayes, as wee make supplicationPage  481alwayes: for to both these parts of prayer is this extent to be applied: one must not exclude another: neither must either of them exclude any other duetie.