The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Corollary. 2.

Again hence we learn,* 1.1 that Argumentative prayers are ex∣cellent prayers. The strength of every thing is in its joints. There lies much of the strength of prayer also. How strongly jointed, how nervous, and argumentative was this prayer of Christ? Some there are indeed that think we need not argue and plead in prayer with God, but only present the matter of our prayers to him, and let Christ alone (whose office it is) to plead with the Father. As if Christ did not present our pleas and argu∣ments, as well as simple desires to God. As if the choisest part of our prayers must be kept back, because Christ presents our prayers to God. No, no, Christs pleading is one thing, ours another.* 1.2 His and ours are not opposed, but subordinated. His pleading doth not destroy, but makes ours successful. God calls us to plead with him,* 1.3 Isai. 1.18. come now, let us reason toge∣ther. God (as one observes) reasoneth with us by his word and providences outwardly, and by the motions of his Spirit inward∣ly: but we reason with him by framing (through the help of his Spirit,) certain holy arguments, grounded upon allowed princi∣ples, drawn from his nature, name, word or works. And it is condemned as a very sinful defect in Professors, that they did not plead the Churches cause with God.* 1.4 Jer. 30.13. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou maist be bound up. What was Ia∣cobs wrestling with the Angel, but his holy pleading, and impor∣tunity with God? And how well it pleased God, let the event speak.* 1.5 As a Prince he prevailed, and had power with God. On which instance a Worthy thus glosseth. Let God frown, smite or wound, Iacob is at a point, a blessing he came for, and a blessing he will have; I will not let thee go (saith he) unless thou bless me. His limbs, his life might go; but there is no going for Christ without a pawn, without a blessing. This is the man, now what is his speed? the Lord admires him, and honours him to all generations. What is thy name saith he? q. d. I never met with such a man, titles of honour are not worthy of thee. Thou shalt be called, not Iacob a shepherd with men, but Iacob a Prince

with God. Nazianzen said of his sister Gorgonia, that she was modestly impudent with God. There was no putting her off with a denial. The Lord on this account hath honoured his Saints with the title of his Recorders, men fit to plead with him, as that word [mazkir] signifies.* 1.6 Isai. 62.6. Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, give him no rest; it notes the office of him that recorded all the memorable matters of the King, and used to suggest seasonable Items, and Memorandums of things to be done.

By these holy pleadings the King is held in his Galleries: as it is Cant. 7.5. I know we are not heard either for our much speak∣ing, or our excellent speaking; 'tis Christs pleading in Heaven, that makes our pleading on earth available: but yet surely when the spirit of the Lord shall suggest proper arguments in prayer, and help the humble suppliant, to press them home believingly and affectionately:* 1.7 when he helps us to weep and plead, to groan and plead; God is greatly delighted in such prayers. Thou saidst I will surely do the good. Said Iacob Gen. 32.12. It's thine own free promise. I did not go on mine own head, but thou bidst me go, and encouragest me with this promise. O this is taking with God. When by the spirit of Adoption we can come to God, crying,* 1.8 Abba, Father. Father hear, forgive, pity and help me: am I not thy Child? thy Son, or Daughter? to whom may a Child be bold to go, with whom may a Child have hope to speed, if not with his Father? Father hear me. The Fathers of our flesh are full of bowels, and pity their children, and know how to give good things to them, when they ask them: when they ask bread, or cloaths, will they deny them? And is not the Father of Spirits more full of bowels, more full of pity? Father hear me. This is that kind of prayer which is melody in the ears of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cor. 2.
• * 1.2

  Subordinata ••on pugnant.
• * 1.3

  Mr. Cobbet of prayer.
• * 1.4

  Hos. 12.4. Gen 32.24.
• * 1.5

  Dr. Har is in his Serm. on Luk. 18.6, 7, 8.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rememorantes vel. Qui remi∣nisci facilis Do∣mini. Mont.
• * 1.7

  Plus gemitibus, quàm Sermoni∣bus; plus fletu, quàm affatu; cor clamat ad Dominum. Aug.
• * 1.8

  Mr. R.A. vindic.