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Every promise of Scripture (made to any duty) contains in it a vertual command, (as every command contains a pro∣mise k): else, if that be not done, which is the conditi∣on of the promise, the promise will lie unperformed, and so come to nothing. Now the promise is, that, If two a∣gree together on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them in Heaven; for where two or
three are gathered together in my Name, (saith Christ) there am I in the midst of them l. It's true, that as the words stand in the Context, they have a respect to Church-disci∣pline, and are (in their more particular Application) a Confirmation of that; but, yet the words (being gene∣ral) they are justly applyed to the religious meetings of Gods people in a generality; As otherwhere therefore (saith Calvin m,) God promiseth to lend a gracious ear to the private prayers of every one of his Servants; so here Christ adorns, and honours publike Prayers with a singular Promise, that thereby he may more earnestly draw us to a regard of them; which may appear, because Christs speech is so large, as that he saith [touching any thing they shall ask]: so that he doth not appropriate the promise to that particular case which is there spoken to; but extendeth it to any other thing which shall be presented to God, (according to his will) in the united Petitions of his united Servants n. Hence I argue, that if there be two or three (more or fewer) in a Family, if they will challenge the benefit of this promise, they must come together, (yea, by this gracious promise, they are call'd together) to pray and seek God together; for it is union in duty, and particularly in Prayer, that our Saviour in that Text and Promise doth allure and en∣courage us unto. And what two or three are there (who have any acquaintance with God) that would be without more of God for want of coming and praying together, the more to enjoy him?
Psal. 19. 11.
Mat. 18. 19, 20.
Mat. 18. 19.
Auxesia habet quod dicit [De omni re] q. d. non solum in eo casu de quo jam loquu∣tus sum, sed in re quacun{que} Musculus in loc.