Divine consolations, or, The teachings of God in three parts ... with an answer to the objections made against it, and Doctor Crips [sic] booke justified against Steven Geree / by Samuel Richardson.

Concerning Prayer.

Prayer is a precious priviledge, and of great use; Aske, and it shall be given you, Mat. 7. 7. see Is••. 50. 15. J••mes 1. 5. Luk. 11. 13▪ It's a remedy of all evills, Joh. 3. 8. 10. Psal.

107. Prayer fits us for those good things wee need, Exod. 14. 15, 16. Jona. 2. 1. 10. Acts 12. 5, 6, 7. Josu. 10. 12. Hos. 14. 3, 4. Song 2. 14. Therefore prize prayer, and frequent it.

Preparation to prayer is a duty, Levit. 10. 3. Prepare to meete thy God, Amos 4. 12. 1 Sam. 7. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 21. The Saints have practised it; Jehosapbat prepared his heart to seeke God, 2 Chron. 19. 3. see Ezra 7. 10. Thou wilt prepare their hearts, O God. Psal. 10. 17. in the use of meanes.

Promises annexed to preparation; see Job 11. 13. 15. to 20.

It's an evill not to doe it, 2 Chron. 12. 14.

It's a holy consideration of God, and what may best compose our hearts, craving his strength: when thou prayest, forgive, consi∣der Psal. 66. 18. Mark. 11. 25. Mat. 5. 24.

For time and place to pray, Pro. 18. 1. Mark. 1. 35. or a closet, Mat. 5. Be private. Psal. 119. 147.

Consider, what may raise thy heart to God, what be thy wants, lets, temptations, corrup∣tions, with sutable promises; let your ends be holy, and right placed, James 4.

Consider the attributes of God, Exod. 34. Have high thoughts of God, and low ones of thy selfe, Gen. 18. 27.

Goe to God with a large and chearfull heart, in assurance of person and prayer accepted, hate hard thoughts of God, Psal. 65. 2. & 77. 4. 7.

Imbrace that season that God and thy heart sends thee to pray, and quickly im∣brace the motion of the Spirit.

Pray to God to teach thee and inable thee to pray: pray not in print.

Reade and meditate before prayer, if time will permit, they fit to pray in prayer.

Fix thy minde upon God in Christ, and thy interest in him, and union with him.

Pray in knowledge, Joh. 5. 14.

Pray in faith, Heb. 11. 6. James 16. Rom. 8. 38. Mark 9. 22.

Pray as thy present state and frame of spi∣rit requires: strive against sloathfulnesse and vanitie of minde: strive for the best affections in prayer, serve the Lord with all thy might servently; pray briefly, and often, Mat. 26. 39. Minde the time, season, occasion, and per∣sons, what they can beare. In long prayers, take heed of custome, superstition, and am∣bition; in short, take heed of coldnesse and carelesnesse: long or short, pray with affecti∣on, be sutably sensible, with joy, desire, or griefe: see if the heart be as thy mouth.

Consider God in his greatnesse, &c. be thankfull for what you have received, 1 Chron. 15. 13. Observe order, aske spirituall things before earthly: let mourning flow from faith, Zach. 12. 10.

Be as large in thankfulnesse, as in request.

Be loth to be sent empty away: the life of

prayer consists in servent desires, Rom. 15. 30. & 8. 16. Psal. 143. 6. Lord give me what I come for.

Pray, as 2 Cor. 12. 10. Acts 7. 60.

After prayer.

As soone as the dutie is ended: if inlarged, and before others, eye one or more of thy de∣fects in prayer, to humble thee; see how the dutie was inwardly performed, what faith, desires, comforts, God gave thee: Be not over-sensible of thy defects in prayer.

Consider, My strength is made perfect in weaknesse: most gladly therefore will I glory, that the power of Christ may rest upon mee, 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10.

Whether inlarged or straightened (be thankfull) inward or outward: be the same, because Christ is the same, Heb. 13. 8. If in∣larged, and faith strengthened, be thankfull; presse after what thou hast prayed for; use the meanes, as, Pro. 2. 3, 4, 5. We tempt God to aske, and not to use the meanes; see Pro. 20. 4. It's for hypocrites to pray, and then to sin freely, as if they intended to have libertie to sinne.

Expect and waite patiently for an answer of prayer, Psal. 40. 1. Rev. 3. 10. Hab. 2. 2, 3. We should be loath to loose our prayers, eye the promise, least yee faint, Psal. 147. 1••. Take not a delay, for a deniall: God knowes the fittest season to doe us good in: we waite

to see what God will doe; eye the event of your prayers, and be thankfull for any answer of prayer.