Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The means, duties, ordinances, both secret, private and publike, for continuance and increase of a godly life, once begun, till we come to Heaven. Wherein are discovered many blessed medium's or duties, in their right method, manner and proceedings; that so a Christian (the spirit of Christ assisting) may walk on in the holy path, which leads from his new birth to everlasting life. / Drawn, for the most part, out of the most eminently pious, and learned writings of our native practical divines: with additionals of his own, by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes.

CHAP. XIII.

SECT. 1. Of preparation to PRAYER.

HItherto of all the duties in reference onely to secret, private or publike Ordinances; now follow such duties as have reference joyntly to all three, and they are either

• ordinary, as
  • Praying.
  • Reading the Word.
• extraordinary, as
  • Fasting.
  • Feasting.

The first of these duties is prayer, in which (as in the former) there is required some things,

• 1. Antecedent.
• 2. Concommitant.
• 3. Subsequent.

1. There is something required before, viz. Preparation; now this Preparation consists partly in

• Removing impediments.
• Using the means.

1. The Impediments to be removed are these:—

1. We must lay aside all carnal thoughts, and worldly cares, which might distract our mindes:* 1.1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to Gods house, saith Solomon; q.d. look with what affection and disposition thou comest to God in prayer.

2. We must put off our shoes (i.) remove our pollutions and corrupt affections, as carnal lusts, anger and doubting:* 1.2 I will that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

3. We must avoid surfeting and drunkenness, which makes the heart dull and heavy: Take heed to your selves,* 1.3 lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeting and drunkenness, and the cares of this world; with ordinary prayer we must joyn a mode∣rate diet, and with extraordinary, fasting.

* 1.44. We must cast off our sins: I will wash my hands in innocen∣cy, and so will I compass thine altar, O Lord.

5. We must draw off from prayer, from resting in it, or trust∣ing upon it; a man may pray much, and in stead of drawing nigh to God, or injoying sweet communion with Christ, he may draw nigh to prayer, his thoughts may be more upon his prayer, then upon God to whom he prays; and he may live more upon his cushion, then upon Christ: but when a man indeed draws nigh to God in prayer, he forgets prayer, and remembers God, and prayer goes for nothing, but Christ is all.

2. The means to be used are

• Prayer.
• Meditation.

1. Prayer; a little eating prepareth a weak stomack, and setteth an edge upon the appetite to eat more: To this purpose David prayed before prayer,* 1.5 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacri∣fice: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips.

2. Meditation, 1. On our own unworthiness, that so we may pray in humility:* 1.6 I am less then the least of all thy mer∣cies, said Jacob: O my God, I am ashamed and confounded to lift up mine eyes, said Ezra. 2. On the glorious majesty of God our Father:* 1.7 He that speaks to God, must remember that God is in Heaven; nay, what is prayer, but a coming before God, an approaching to God, a meeting of God? in prayer we have to to do with God, and this will teach us to speak to him in reve∣rence. 3. On the mediation and intercession of our Savior Christ, which is the very ground of our faith in prayer: What∣soever ye shall ask in my name,* 1.8 that I will do. 4. On the pro∣mises of God in Christ, made to our prayers: Thou, O Lord of hoasts,* 1.9 God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house, therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee:* 1.10—And deliver me, I pray thee (saith Jacob) from the hands of my brother Esau; Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good:* 1.11 Such promises have we all, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, &c.

SECT. 2. The general duties of the soul in prayer.

2. THe duties in prayer, are either internal or external: The former are the duties of the soul, the latter are the duties of the body.

1. The duties of the soul we shall consider

• in general.
• in particular.

The duty in general is to pray,

• In truth.
• By the Spirit.
• In the name of Christ.

1. In truth, (i.) in sincerity and uprightness of heart:* 1.12 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him in sincerity and in truth: Hence two faults are to be avoided.

1. Praying with feigned lips, this is to pray with an heart and an heart, as all hypocrites do: but 'tis otherwise with the Saints: Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry,* 1.13 give ear to my pray∣er, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2. Praying with wandring thoughts, arising partly from the flesh, and partly from the suggestions of Satan: The speech of the mouth must not go before, but always follow after the con∣ceit of the minde: Many times as a Musicians fingers will run over a song which he hath been used to play, although his minde be otherwise occupied; so many in prayer will run over that form of words they have been used to utter, though their mindes be roving about other matters: Such a prayer is called, Lip-la∣bor: O let the absurdity of the fault, breed in us a loathing of it; Do our mindes wander in prayer? endeavor we to joyn into one speech, the prayer of the mouth, and the speech of the heart, both which sound in Gods ears, and then consider whe∣ther we would make such a speech (I say not with Malachi,* 1.14 To our Prince, but) to any man whom we regard, which yet we are not ashamed to offer unto the Lord: I will not deny in such a case, if we be grieved for, and strive and pray against such wan∣drings; this infirmity through Gods mercy, and the intercession of Christ shall not be imputed unto us. It is good to distinguish of the cause whence these wandring thoughts may arise; if they come from weakness in our selves, or from the temptations of

Satan, the Lord will consider this, and deal mercifully with us; but if they arise from meer negligence, or voluntary admitting of loose thoughts, that is our sin, and we had need to repent and mourn for it.

* 1.152. By the help of the Spirit: It is the Spirit that helps our infirmities (saith Paul) for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered; q.d. when we put forth the graces of the Spirit in us, then the Spirit comes and helps, and what comes from us now, it comes from the breathings of the Spirit. This helping of the Spirit] is very Emphatical in the Original; as a man taking up an heavy piece of timber by the one end, cannot alone get it up, till some other man takes it up at the other end, and so helps him: So the poor soul that is a pulling and tugging with his own heart, he findes it heavy and dull, like a log in a ditch, and he can do no good with it, till at last the Spirit of God comes at the other end, and takes the heaviest end of the burthen, and so helps the soul to lift it up. In our prayers we should eye the Spirit of God, we should cast our souls upon the assistance of the Spirit, we should press the Lord with this Promise, Lord, thou hast said, that thy Spirit helps our infirmi∣ties, when we know not what we pray for, nor how to pray for any thing as we ought: Now make good this word of thine to my soul at this time, let me have the breathings of the Spirit of God in me; alas, the breathings of man, if it come from gifts and parts, thou wilt never regard, except there be the breathings of the holy Ghost in me.

[Quest.] But how should we know whether the Spirit of God come in, or no?

[Ans.] We may know it by this; The Spirit of God carries un∣to God, and it makes the prayer sweet and delightful, it leaves a savor behinde it. O the breath of the Spirit of God is a sweet breath, and it makes sweet prayers; it never comes into the soul, but after it hath done any work it came for, it leaves a sweet scent behinde: as Civit that is put into a little box, though you should take out the Civit, yet there will be a sweet sa∣vor left behinde; so though the Spirit of God, in respect of the present assistance, withdraws it self, yet it leaves a sweet savor behinde it.

3. In the Name of Christ:* 1.16 for Whatsoever you ask the Father in my Name, that I will do. There is a necessity of praying in Christs Name,

• 1. In regard of Admission.
• 2. In regard of Assistance.
• 3. In regard of Acceptance.

1. In regard of Admission: God is a consuming fire, and we are dryed stubble; there is no approaching to him, but in Christ, in whom we have access with boldness to the Throne of Grace: God will not look pleasingly on us, if we come without Christ, he is no Throne of Grace without him; it is Christ who makes that which was a Bar of Justice, a Bench of Mercy; in him we have admission: Do we fall upon the Duty of Prayer? do it not in the strength of man, but in the strength of Christ: say, Lord, I come alone in the Merits of Christ, to partake of the Me∣rits of the Lord Jesus: I have endeavored to prepare my self through thy grace, but I look not for admission through my pre∣parations or dispositions, but through the blood and mediation of Jesus Christ.

2. In regard of Assistance: We pray, but we have no strength to do it without Christ; we might as well be set to move Mountains, as to pray without the strength of Christ: Without me (saith Christ) you can do nothing; without union with Christ, without communion with Christ,* 1.17 we can do no∣thing: from Christ we must have both operating and co-ope∣rating strength, both inherent and assistant strength; otherwise though we have grace, we shall not be able to perform any work, nor exercise our own graces: it is he that must work all our works in us and for us, the inherent work of grace within us, and the required works of duty for us: And blessed be that God, who hath given to us what he requireth of us, and hath not onely made Precepts Promises, but Promises Per∣formances.

3. In regard of Acceptance: Our works, they are not onely impotent, but impure too, as they come from us: It is Christ that must put validity to them, it is Christ that must put his own odours to them, it is Christ that must put both Spi∣rit and Merit to them, his grace to work, and his blood to own them, for whatever comes from his Spirit, it is presented through his Merit: Here is great comfort: Do we look over

our performances, & wonder that ever God should accept them? so much deadness, so little life, so much coldness? consider then, that God looks upon them, not as ours, but as Christs, in whom not onely our persons, but our performances are accepted: Christ gives us his spirit, and Christ is willing to own what we present by his Spirit, and God is willing to own whatever is presented to him by Christ his Son. This rightly considered, it will cause us in every petition put up, to think our selves so much beholding to Christ, that we shall be ready to say in our hearts, when any petition is granted, I may thank Jesus Christ for this.

But what is it to pray in Christs name?

I answer, 1. To pray in Christs name, is to pray with reliance upon the grace, favor and worthiness of the merits of Christ, in whom we have believed,* 1.18 and have access with confidence, by the faith of him: Christs satisfaction is the ground of our interces∣sion, because Christs blood hath purchased this (we pray) there∣fore, O Lord, grant this.

2. To pray in Christs name, is to pray from his command, and according to his will; as when we send another in our name, we wish him to say thus,* 1.19 Tell him, I sent you, and that I desire such a thing of him; so when we take those words which the Lord puts in our mouthes, and desire those things onely that the Lord commands us to seek, whether absolutely, or conditionally, this is to pray in his name.

3. To pray in Christs name, is to pray for his ends, for the sake and use of Christ:* 1.20 Thus the phrase is used, To receive a prophet in the name of a prophet (i.) for this end and reason, because he is a prophet. Now let Christians observe, when they would have any thing of God, to what use and end, and for whose sake it is:* 1.21 You ask, and have not, because you ask amiss, to spend it on your lusts. A lust is properly such a desire (though for lawful things) wherein a man must have a thing,* 1.22 because it pleaseth him: Give us water, that we may drink (was the bruitish cry of Israel) not that we may live to him that gives it; holy de∣sires or prayers (opposed unto lusts) are such desires of the soul left with God, with submission to his will, as may best please him for his glory.

SECT. 3. The particular duties of the soul in prayer.

THe Duties of the soul in particular, are such as are—

• in the minde.
• in the heart.

1. In the minde, two things are required,

• Knowledge.
• Faith.

1. Knowledge

• of God to whom we pray.
• of that for which we pray.

1.* 1.23 We must know and acknowledge Jesus Christ whom he hath sent: Christ told the Samaritans, Ye worship ye know not what; far be it from Christians thus to do: Without this know∣ledge we shall wander into Will-worship, and superstitious inven∣tions;* 1.24 And therefore know thou the God of thy fathers (said Solo∣mon) and serve him with a perfect heart.

2. We must know and understand what we pray, otherwise we are subject to our Saviors reproof,* 1.25 You ask you know not what: two sorts of men are here condemned 1. Those that pray in an unknown tongue. 2. Those who pray in a known tongue, but understand not what they pray.

2. Faith,

• more general.
• more special.

1. Faith more general is such a faith, as apprehends the main promise of the Gospel concerning salvation by Christ.

2. Faith more special, is such a faith as apprehends the preci∣ous promises made to our prayers, whereby we are perswaded that our particular requests shall be granted unto us, onely with this distinction,—in matters spiritual, necessary to salvation, we are to ask absolutely, as being perswaded that God hath subor∣dinated our salvation to his own glory; and we are to believe absolutely, that the Lord will grant them unto us; yea, it is a good sign, if we desire any saving grace, that the same grace is begun in us: but in matters temporal or spiritual, not necessary to salvation, we are to ask them conditionally, so far forth as they may stand with Gods glory, and the good of our selves and our brethren; and we are to believe that he will so far forth

grant them:* 1.26 Thus our Savior prayed in the like case, O my Fa∣ther, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

2. In the heart three things are requisite,

• Humility.
• Reverence.
• Ardency of spirit.

1. Humility, which is derived ab humo, from the ground; in∣timating, that when we pray, we should humble our selves, as it were to the ground: Thus the Christians in the eastern Churches were wont to cast themselves down to the ground, when they called upon God:* 1.27 Thus Abraham acknowledged himself but dust and ashes; Thus Jacob confessed himself less then the least of all Gods mercies; thus David professed, that he would be vile before the Lord; thus Isaiah cryed out, I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips:* 1.28 Thus Ezra prayed, O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God, for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the Heavens: Thus the Centurion, Lord,* 1.29 I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof: Thus the woman of Sirophaenicia, confesseth her self a dog in com∣parison of the Israelites; and thus the Prodigal received to fa∣vor, confesseth himself unworthy to be called a son: Here's a cloud of witnesses, concluding that Humility in the heart is re∣quisite in prayer.

* 1.302. Reverence of the majesty of God: Serve the Lord with reverence, and rejoyce with trembling: The blessed Angels being in Gods presence, and sounding forth his praise, are described as having six wings, whereof two pair serve to cover their faces and their feet,* 1.31 hereby betokening their wonderful reverence of God: How much more should we, who inhabit these houses of clay, (subject to infirmities, and corrupted with sin) be stricken with an awful reverence of Almighty God? did we consider our selves to be in the midst of Angels, before the God of Angels, performing the like exercise as the Angels, how would this strike us with a reverence of this great King of Heaven?

3. Ardency, or fervency of spirit; this gives wings to our prayers, and causeth them to ascend before God; this sets on work all the graces of Gods Spirit, and the more fervent the prayer is, the more they are intended, actuated, increased: I

mean not thus of every fervency; there is a fervency of faith, and a fervency of meer natural desires: In this latter, there is no holiness, no fire of the Spirit, but in the former there is: When Christ lived upon earth, many came to him, and some were exceedingly importunate to be healed, or to have Devils cast out, &c. now if he answered their requests, his usual phrase was, Be it unto thee (not according to thy importunity and fer∣vency, but) according to thy faith; q.d. I heed not, I regard not this clamor and earnestness, if it be onely out of meer natural desires, but if it be out of Faith; if besides sence of need, you have in you a true hope of mercy, then be it unto thee according to that: This fervency is set out in the Word by divers significant phrases; sometimes it is called A crying unto the Lord, thus Moses cryed unto the Lord, and Samuel cryed unto the Lord,* 1.32 and Eliah cryed unto the Lord, and Isaiah cryed unto the Lord; sometimes a crying mightily: Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: sometimes a lifting up of our prayers; wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left, said Hezekiah to Isaiah: sometimes a pouring forth our souls before the Lord like water; O wall of the daughter of Zion,— pour out thy heart like water before the face of the Lord: Thus the Israelites drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord: sometimes a groaning in spirit, or groans of the spirit;* 1.33 The Spirit it self maketh intercession for us, with groanings which can∣not be uttered: sometimes a praying exceedingly; sometimes a praying fervently, sometimes a striving with God:* 1.34 Now I beseech you brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christs sake, and for the love of the Spirit,* 1.35 that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me: sometimes a wrestling with God: Thus Jacob wrestled with a man (i.) with God in form of a man, until the breaking of the day: —All these ••••rases do set forth the excellency, the ne∣cessity of this ardency, fervency of prayer, required in the text.

SECT. 4. The duties of the body in prayer.

* 1.36THus far of the duties of the soul in prayer; as for bodily ex∣ercise (of it self) it profiteth little: but if joyned with the soul,* 1.37 it is of great importance; Therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your Spirit, for both are Gods.

The duties of the body may be reduced to these two heads:

• The gesture of the body.
• The speech of the mouth.

Concerning the first; in publike prayer we are to follow the custom of the Church wherein we live, if it be without scandal and superstition: In private prayer we may take our liberty, so that our gesture be correspondent to the affections and disposi∣tions of the soul.—In Scripture we read of these several gestures: 1. Standing, which is a token of reverence and service, 2 Kings 5.25. 1 Sam. 16.21. 1 Kings 10.8. Job 29.7, 8. Gen. 18.22. 2 Cor. 20.5. Psal. 134.1. Luke 18.13. Mark 11.25. 2. Kneeling, which is a token of our humility and earnestness in prayer, Psal. 95.6. 2 Chro. 6.13. Dan. 6.10. Acts 7.60. and 9.40. and 20.36. Luke 22.41. 3. Prostration, or falling on the ground, or fal∣ling on the face, a gesture of the greatest humiliation, though not used amongst us in these parts of the world, Numb. 16.22. Josh. 5.14. Ezek. 9.8. and 11.13. Mat. 26.39. 4. Sitting, lying, walking, riding, journeying, in some cases, 2 Sam. 7.18. 1 Kings 19.4. Isa. 38.2. Psal. 6.6. Gen. 24.26. 2 Chron. 18.31. 5. Ʋn∣covering of the head in men, covering of the head in women, which is a token of subjection, 1 Cor. 11.7, 10. Rev. 4.10. 6. Lift∣ing up, and casting down of the eyes, the former being a token of faith, the latter of dejection and hum••••••••tion, Psal. 123.1. Mat. 14.19. John 11.41. and 17.1. Luke 18.13. 7. Lifting up, or stretching forth of the hands; expressing humility and earnest affection; and knocking them on the breast, which betokens guilt, and earnest desire of pardon, Exod. 9.33. Psal. 143.6. 1 Kings 8.22. Psalm 134.2. Lam. 3.41. Luke 18.13. Luke 23.48.

Concerning the second; viz. The voice or speech of the

mouth; it is necessary in Church or family, and most conveni∣ent in private: Now the voyce used in prayer, is either

• Inarticulate.
• Articulate.

1. The inarticulate, is that which is uttered in sighing, groan∣ing and weeping: Lord, all my desire is before thee;* 1.38 and my groaning is not hid from thee, saith David; and Hezekiah pro∣fesseth, That he did chatter like a crane or a swallow, and did mourn like a dove;* 1.39 And the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered.

2. The articulate voyce, is the external speech it self, where∣by the prayer is expressed, wherein three things are conside∣rable,

• Quantity,
• Quality.
• Form.

1. For Quantity, we must not affect prolixity, as if for mul∣titude of words we looked to be heard: When ye pray,* 1.40 use not vain repetition, as the heathen do: The Heathen thought, that their gods did not always hear, as being otherwise imployed (so Elias told Baals Priests) and therefore they used to repeat the same things often, that if they did not hear them at one time, they might hear them at another time; thus Christians must not pray, they must not lengthen their prayers, as con∣ceiving that either God hears not, or that he will hear for the lengths sake; but on the other side, where is variety of good matter, uttered with the attention of minde, and vigor of af∣fection, there the longer we continue in prayer, the better it is.

2. For Quality, we need not be curious in respect of the stile, God looking to the heart, rather then the speech: As it is not the lowdness of a Preachers voice, but the weight and holiness of the matter, and spirit of the Preacher, that moves a wise and intelligent hearer; so not gifts, but graces in prayers, are they that move the Lord: The reason, prayer moves not God as an Orator, but as a childe moves his Father: two words of a childe humbled, and crying at his fathers feet, will prevail more then penn'd orations: it is the meaning of the spirit that God looks unto, more then the expressions, for the

groans are said to be unutterable, Rom. 8.26. yet must we not be more careless and negligent for the maner of speech, then we would be, if we were to speak to a mortal man: If ye offer the blinde for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy Governor, will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts, Mal. 1.8.* 1.41

3. For the Form: We are not tyed to any set form, nor are we so tyed to conceived prayer, as that it must be without all study or meditation, either against the instant, or in former times: A man may conceive a prayer ex tempore, and yet with∣out Euthusiasms, or extraordinary revelations; viz. by the help of his former studies and Meditations: and that I may afford some help that way, I shall in conclusion of this Chapter, lay down a directory for prayer, together with a form of pray∣er (though broken) in Scripture phrases.

SECT. 5. Duties after Prayer.

3. THe Duties subsequent, which follow after prayer, are these:—

1. Quietly to rest in the good will and pleasure of God, not doubting but the Lord hath heard our Prayers, and in good time shall grant that which shall be most for his glory and our good; and this is the meaning of the word Amen, where∣with we seal up our prayers.

2. Diligently to use all good means for the obtaining of our suits; as if I pray for faith, or any other spiritual Grace, I must besides prayer, use all good means carefully, which the Lord hath ordained for the begetting and increasing of those graces in us, as hearing the Word preached, receiving the Sa∣crament, reading the Word, and meditating on it, otherwise our prayers are a tempting of God, as if he must grant, not by means, but by miracles.

3. Carefully to look after our prayers, and to cast up our comings in, and gainings by prayers, otherwise we are like foolish

Venturers, who have a great stock a going, but look not after their returns: In the morning I will direct my prayers,* 1.42 and look up:] There are two military words in the verse, David would not onely pray, but marshal up his prayers, put them in array; and when he had done so, he would be as a spy upon a tower, to see whether he prevailed, whether he got the day: For the bet∣ter unfolding this mystery of grace, I shall propound and give Answer to some Quaeres or cases of Conscience as:—

1. Suppose I have prayed, how shall I assuredly know that God hears, and will answer in his own time?

2. Suppose the thing I desired shall not be answered, how may I assuredly know that God notwithstanding doth hear my prayers?

3. Suppose after prayer I observe all I can, I can by no means discern, that either God will answer, or doth hear my prayers, what shall I do then?

4. Suppose the thing I desire is answered, how may I as∣suredly know it was at my prayers, or out of common pro∣vidence?

5. Suppose that others joyned with me in those prayers now answered, how shall I know that my prayers had an hand in ob∣taining those answers, as well as any others?

6. Suppose I am assured upon former observations, that God hath heard and answered my prayers in their particulars, what must I do then?

SECT. 6. The first Case: Suppose I have prayed, how may I assured∣ly know that God hears, and will answer in his own time?

VVE may resolve this case, by some observations before prayer, in prayer, and after prayer.

1. Before prayer: When God prepares the heart to pray, when he pours upon a man a Spirit of Grace and Supplication, a praying disposition; when he puts in motives, suggests argu∣ments and pleas unto God, as materials for prayer; all which

you shall finde to come in readily, and of themselves; and that likewise with a quickning heat, and inlargement of affections, with a lingring, and longing, and restlesness of spirit, to pour out the soul unto God: This is a sign that God lends his ear, and will return answers: Thou wilt prepare their heart; thou wilt cause thine ear to hear;* 1.43 q. d. Thou fashionest the heart, and com∣posest it into a praying frame, and that is a sign, Lord, that thou meanest to hear.

2. In prayer: As 1. when God draws nigh, and reveals him∣self to thy soul, in and upon such or such a particular petition, when God smiles upon thee, welcoms thee, falls about thy neck and kisseth thee; when no sooner thou comes into his pre∣sence to inquire of him, but he says, Here I am, as the promise is, Isa. 58.9.* 1.44 this thou art to observe as a sign that he hears thy prayer,* 1.45 and accepts both thee and it: Hear me speedily (saith David) and that I may know thou hearest me, draw nigh unto my soul, Psal. 69.17. 2. When God doth put a restless importuni∣ty into the heart, maugre all discouragements, for this or that mercy; and when this importunity is joyned with a subjection to Gods will, and runs along with it, then hath God stirred it up, and then look for something to come: You know the pa∣rable,* 1.46 how the unjust Judge heard the widow, for her impor∣tunities sake: So when God puts this importunity into the heart, it is a sign God means then to hear and answer.

3. After prayer: This will appear in several particulars; as—

1. When God quiets and calms the heart after prayer, by speaking something to the heart, though what is spoken be not always discerned; as when you see an earnest or importunate suitor going in to a great man, exceeding anxious, but coming out very chearful, contented, and quiet in spirit, you would conceive that certainly something hath been said to him, which gave him incouragement: So when thou goest to God, and hast been importunate in a business, and thy desires were exceedingly up for it, and then thou risest up with thy minde, calmed and sa∣tisfied, and thou feelst the anxiousness, the solicitude of thy heart, about the thing taken off and dispelled; this is a good sign that God hath heard, and will return answer to the full: When Hanna out of much bitterness, and with strong desires,

had poured her soul out unto the Lord, it is said,* 1.47 That she looked no more sad; And then God gave her a son, a son of her de∣sires.

2. When God gives an obedient, dependent heart, in walk∣ing before him, when that consideration still comes in as a curb unto sin: If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me:* 1.48 When God doth still after praying, keep the soul in a more obe∣dient frame of spirit; when he keeps thee from using ill means, &c. it is a sign that God hath heard thy prayers, and thou shalt have returns: David praying for his life, Hear my prayer,* 1.49 O Lord, give ear to my supplications; in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness:—Presently after he prays for ho∣liness, knowing that sin would enervate and spoil all his prayers; Cause me to know thy way, wherein I should walk:* 1.50—Teach me to do thy will.* 1.51

3. When God after prayer, strengtheneth the heart to wait and expect for the mercy desired; when a man after prayer, be∣gins to wait rather then pray (though he prays still) because he looks now God should perform; in this case, and at this time he may look for some good answer from God: David having prayed, says to his soul, Wait on the Lord, be of good courage,* 1.52 and he will strengthen the heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

SECT. 7. The second Case: Suppose the thing I desire shall not be answered, how may I assuredly know that God notwithstanding doth hear my prayers?

VVE may resolve this case, if 1. we observe these parti∣culars:

1. Whether thy prayer was framed in a right maner? didst thou not pray absolutely for such blessings, as were never abso∣lutely promised? if so, no wonder thy prayer is denied; or didst thou pray conditionally (as Christ prayed, If it be possible, &c.) then thy prayer may be heard, and yet the things denyed;

for otherwise Christ had not been heard, when yet the text says, He was heard in that he feared.* 1.53

2. Whether there be not a reservation in that denial, for some greater mercy, whereof that denial was the foundation? if we had many of our desires, we should be undone: If the childe had lived for which David so earnestly prayed, he would but have been a living monument of his own shame; God therefore denyed his prayer, but after he gave him a Solomon.

3. Whether God doth not answer thee still according to the ground of thy prayer? Now the ground and intent of thy prayer, is after Gods glory, the Churches good, thy own par∣ticular comfort; it may be God denies the particular mercy thou desirest, and yet he answers the ground of thy prayer, his glory shall be advanced, his Church preserved, thy comfort made up (even for that prayer of thine) some other way.

4. Whether God yields not far to give thee satisfaction, as if he were tender of denying thee? So the Lord answered Abraham,* 1.54 when praying for Ishmael, O let Ishmael live in thy sight! God went as far in answering his request as might be, I have heard thee (said God) and I have blessed him, and I will make him fruitful, and multiply him exceedingly, and he shall be∣get twelve Princes; but my covenant I will establish with Isaac.

5. What effects that denial hath upon thy heart? as—

1. Whether thy heart be inlarged to acknowledge God to be holy and righteous in his dealings with thee, and thine own un∣worthiness the cause of his denying thee? I cry in the day time (saith David) but thou hearest not:—Yet thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.* 1.55

2. Whether God fills thy heart with holy contentment in the denial?

3. Whether thou canst be thankful to God out of faith, that God hath ordered all for the best, though he hath denyed thee?

4. Whether thy heart be not discouraged, but thou canst pray still, at least for other things? it moves ingenuous natures to see men take repulses and denials well, and so it moves God: Now if the case be thus, if upon observation thou canst say, that thy prayers, though denyed, were conditional [if God will] that thou perceivest a reservation in Gods denial, for some greater mercy; that God answered thee, at least, according to the

ground of thy prayers, that God yielded far to thee; as if he were loath to deny thy prayers; that thou feelest such effects of denial upon thy heart, as these:—1. An inlargement, to ac∣knowledge God holy and righteous. 2. An holy contentment in the denial. 3. A thankful heart. 4. An heart not dis∣couraged howsoever. Surely then God hears, or God hath heard thy prayers, although the particular suits are not accom∣plished.

SECT. 8. The third Case: Suppose after prayer, I observe all I can, and can by no means discover, that either God will answer or hear my prayers, What shall I do then?

VVE may resolve this case by laying open the duties apper∣taining to such a soul: Canst thou not discern Gods deal∣ings? spy no returns of thy prayers? it is then thy duty—

1. To examine what is the cause; and if the fault be in our prayer, because we did ask amiss,* 1.56 we must endeavor by Gods grace to amend; or if the fault be in our selves, because we are impenitent, we must first repent, and then renew our prayers unto God.

2. To persist and persevere in our prayers, without fainting,* 1.57 Continue instant in prayer, as Hanna, and David, and Daniel, and Bartimeus, and that importunate widow.

3. To expect the Lords leisure:* 1.58 I waited patiently for the Lord (saith David) and he enclined unto me, and heard my cry.

4. To rest in the good-will and pleasure of God: Let him do what seemeth him good: Who can tell, but God in time may give thee a sign of his good-will towards thee, and that he hath heard thy prayers? howsoever, it is the Lord that gives or denies, let him do what he please.

SECT. 9. The fourth Case: Suppose the thing I desire is an∣swered, how may I assuredly know it was by my prayers, and not out of common providence?

VVE may resolve this case by giving these directions to the soul, whereby it may be inabled to discern when and how things prayed for, come in by prayer; As

1. From the maner of Gods performance: When God gives any thing in answer to prayers, he often discovers a more then ordinary hand of providence i•• it: As

1. By bringing it to pass through many difficulties: Thus Peter was delivered out of prison at the prayers of the Church;* 1.59 and we finde 1. He was sleeping between two Soldiers, if they had wakened, he had been discovered. 2. He was in chains, but they fell off. 3. The Keepers stood before the door, but they minded him not. 4. When one watch is past, he passeth quietly through another. 5. When both those were past, an iron gate flies open of its own accord: Now such difficulties are there in many businesses, which yet in the end are accom∣plished by prayer; iron chains fall off, iron gates, enemies hearts fly open of their own accord, and though not in that miraculous maner, by the means of an Angel, yet no less won∣derful.

2. By facilitating all means, and causing them to conspire to accomplish the thing prayed for; thou hast wind and tide, and a fair day, and all the way paved and plain before thee; there falls out a great conjunction and meeting of many circumstances together to effect it, which had influence into it, wherefore if any one had been wanting, haply the thing had not been done: Thus when Israel went out of Egypt (which was the accom∣plishment of their prayers,* 1.60 their cry came up unto God (saith the Text) how were all things facilitated? the Egyptians that detained them, then came and intreated them to go out, Rise up,* 1.61 and get you forth amongst my people, said Pharaoh; Yea, they were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the

Land; yea, They hired them to go out with their jewels of silver,* 1.62 and jewels of gold, and raiment,* 1.63 and Pharaoh parts himself loving∣ly and fairly with them, and desires their prayers, Bless me also; yea, to shew there was no resistance, the Text saith,* 1.64 A dog did not move his tongue; the bruit creatures did not disturb them, though at midnight, when these creatures use to be most obstre∣perous through noises, especially at Travellers.

3. By bringing it to pass suddenly and unexpectedly; as the return of the captivity of Babylon, which was the conclusion of many prayers, was done in a trice; they were as men in a dream,* 1.65 they could scarce believe it was so, when it was done.

4. By doing above what was desired, with addition of other mercies; so Solomon asked wisdom,* 1.66 and God gave him more then he asked, Peace, Riches and Honor: When prayers are answered, usually mercies come thick; the thing we prayed for, comes not alone.

5. By adding some special circumstance, as a token of Gods special hand in it; such a token as a man himself often takes no∣tice of, yea, and others also often takes notice of it;* 1.67 Shew me a token for good (saith David) that others that hate me may see it, and be ashamed: So when Abraham and Isaac, and Abra∣hams servant, had prayed for a wife for Isaac; see by what a token God shewed that he had heard their prayers; Rebekkah was the first that came out,* 1.68 and if she be the woman appoint∣ed for Isaac (prays the servant) let her offer me drink, and my camels also, and thereby shall I know thou hast shewed kindeness to my Master; and God gave him the token, and therefore the servant bowed at it, and worshipped the Lord:* 1.69 If we take notice of the sign, it was such as argued in her a kinde, cour∣teous disposition, which therefore (it may be) he singled out as a token of a meet wife, especially to be looked at in the marri∣age choice.

2. From the time, wherein the thing prayed for is accom∣plished: God who doth all things in weight and measure, shews his wisdom and love as much in the season, as in giving the thing it self: God considereth all times of thy life, and still chooseth the best and fittest to answer thy prayers in:* 1.70 In an acceptable time have I heard thee (saith God) As—

1. It may be at the very time when thou art most instant and

earnest in prayer:* 1.71 Whiles they are yet speaking (saith God) I will hear; a time cull'd out on purpose, that they might rest assured it was an answer to their prayers.

2. At that time when thou hast most need, and when thy heart is most fitted for mercy (l.) when thy heart is most sub∣dued, and thy lusts mortified, for then thou art fittest to relish his goodness alone, and not to be drawn away with the carnal sweetness that is in the thing;* 1.72 Thou wilt prepare thine heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear, thou wilt prepare thine heart in taking it off from the thing desired, in making it quieted and contented with God in the thing, and then thou wilt hear] this is the fittest time.

3. From the effects upon thy heart that prayest: As —

1. If the thing granted by thy prayers, draw thy heart more near unto God: Things granted out of ordinary providence onely, do increase our lusts, and are snares to us; but if thou findest Gods dealings with thee, to be a kindely motive to cause thee to mourn for sin, and to be a restraint against sin, it is a sign it was a fruit of thy prayer:* 1.73 Away from me ye workers of iniqui∣ty (saith David) God hath heard the voyce of my weeping; or,

2. If thou findest Gods dealings with thee, to be a kindely motive, to cause thee to rejoyce in God, more then in the thing obtained, it is a sign it was a fruit of thy prayer. Hanna blessing God for her childe,* 1.74 My heart rejoyceth in the Lord, saith she: She rejoyceth not so much in the gift, as in the giver, not so much in her childe, as in his favor that answered her prayer.

2. If the mercy obtained by thy prayer, inlarge thy heart with thankfulness: Self-love makes us more forward to pray, then to give thanks, for nature is all of the craving and taking hand; but where Grace is, there will be no eminent mercy got∣ten with much strugling, but there will be a continual, particular thankful remembrance of it a long while after, with much in∣largement: Great blessings won with prayer, are worn with thank∣fulness; such a man will not ask new, but withal, he will give thanks for old: Thankfulness of all duties proceeds from pure Grace, therefore if thy spirit stirs thee to it, it is a sign he made the prayer: See Hanna's song when she had her desire, 1 Sam. 2.1.

3. If the mercy gotten by thy prayer, doth incourage thee to go to God another time, to pray again more confidently and fervently, it is a sign thou hast gotten the former mercy that way:* 1.75 The Lord hath heard me (saith David) and I will call upon him as long as I live.

4. If the thing obtained by thy prayer, doth make thee care∣ful to perform thy vows made in prayer:* 1.76 I will pay thee my vows (saith David) which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in my trouble; and the reason follows, because that verily God hath heard me, when I cryed to him; and so Eliphaz in Job, doth connect and hang these two together, Thou shalt make thy prayer to him, and he shall hear thee,* 1.77 and thou shalt pay thy vows.

5. If the thing granted by thy prayer, prove a real and stable mercy; if the curse be taken out, and it have few thorns and vexations in it: When the blessing of God maketh rich,* 1.78 he addeth no sorrow with it: It may be the heart was put to some trou∣ble in the deferring, but its recompenced by the more setled; constant, immixt sweetness in the injoying.

6. If the mercy obtained brings with it assurance of Gods love, and an evidence of his favor: I need not make that a sign, for when this comes with a mercy, it carries its own evi∣dence; you will then know well enough that it is the fruit of prayer.

SECT. 10. The fifth Case: Suppose that others joyn with me in those prayers now answered, how should I know that my prayers had an hand in obtain∣ing those answers, as well as any others?

VVE may resolve this case by these observations: As—

1. If thy heart did sympathize and accord in the same holy affection with those others in praying, then it is certain thy

voyce hath helped to carry it:* 1.79 If two of you shall agree on earth, (saith Christ) as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven: If two of you shall agree (the word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) q.d. if you harmonially agree to play the same tune (for prayers are musick in Gods ears,* 1.80 and so called melody to God) if you agree not onely in the thing prayed for, but in your affections, for it is the affections that makes the consort and melody: If the same holy affections were touch'd and struck by Gods Spirit in thy heart, that was in others, then didst thou help to make up the consort, and with∣out thee it had been imperfect; yea, without thee the thing might not have been done, for God sometimes stands upon such a number of voyces (as when he named ten persons in Sodom) and so one voyce may cast it.

2. If thy heart be filled with joy in the accomplishment of what was prayed for, it is an evident argument that thy prayers did move the Lord to effect it, as well as the prayers of others. When good old Simeon saw his prayers answered in sending the Messiah into the world, he was even willing to dye through joy, and thought he could never dye in a better time: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,* 1.81 according to thy word.

3. If the thing concern others, and thy heart be thankful for a blessing on others, prayed for by thee with others, it is a sign thy prayers had some hand in it: Thus Paul prayed for the Thessalonians,* 1.82 and when Timothy came, and brought him good tidings of their faith and charity, he was not onely comforted, but in his ravishment he cryes, What thanks can we render again to God for you?

4. If the thing concern thy self which was prayed for by others, helping thee in their prayers, what cause hast thou but to think it was granted for thy own prayers, and not for theirs onely? It may be indeed that God heard thee the sooner through the help of their prayers:* 1.83 I know this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayers, said Paul: but if God stirs up thy heart to pray for thy self, as well as others pray for thee, then God that gave thee an heart to pray, hath heard thy prayers also, and hath had a respect to thee as well (if not more then) to others, because it concerneth thy self especially, as being a more special mercy to thee then to others.

SECT. 11. The sixth Case: Suppose I am assured upon former ob∣servation, that God hath heard and answered my prayers in their particulars, what must I do then?

VVE may resolve this Case, by laying open the duties apper∣taining to such a soul: Art thou now assured of answer and return of thy prayers, it is thy duty then—

1 To be thankful to God for his goodness:* 1.84 Blessed be the Lord (saith David) because he hath heard the voyce of my sup∣plications.

2. To love God the more, and to resolve with confidence to call upon him so much the more: I love the Lord,* 1.85 because he hath heard the voyce of my supplication; because he hath enclined his ear to me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3. To have such a deportment and demeanor ever after, as is suitable to such who have commerce and intercourse with God; as, To depart from sin, to apply our hearts to obedience,* 1.86 and to pay all our vows: Away from me ye workers of iniquity, God hath heard the voyce of my weeping:—And I will pay thee my vows which my lips have uttered;—For God hath heard me.* 1.87

SECT. 12. A Directory for Prayer.

I Promised in conclusion of this Chapter, to lay down a Di∣rectory, and a broken or interrupted Scripture-form of prayer: For the former, I shall draw this Scheame.

• In Prayer, observe ••e
  • The Preface to it, w^ch consists of
    • a description of God by his
      • ...Attributes.
      • ...Promises.
    • a craving of
      • ...Audience.
      • ...Acceptance.
  • The Parts of it,
    • Confess••••••
      • Of sin.
        • 1. Of the sin of o•••• f••rst Parents.
        • 2. Of O••••••inal pollution.
        • 3. Of a••••u∣al Tra••••¦gression
          • In th••••••••t, word, deed
            • before Conversion.
            • since Conversion.
          • Against
            • Light of Knowledge.
            • Checks of Con〈7 letters〉〈7 letters〉.
            • Lo••g 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••nce of God.
            • Tend•••• M••••cies.
            • ...〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••••ents.
            • ...〈…〉〈…〉
            • Frequent Promises.
            • Multiplied Vows.
          • 〈…〉〈…〉 age, sex, constitution, relations, &c.
          • Se•••••• ••••en, bo••om ••us••, Ag•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 Against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gospel of Christ; as
            • Our not ••••••sting after Christ
            • Ou•• not relying on Christ.
            • Our grieving Gods Spirit.
            • Our continued impenitency.
          • In their aggravations by circumstances of
            • The person against whom.
            • The number of them.
            • The time, place, maner, &c.
      • Of the judgement and condemnation we ••••serve for sin.
    • Pe••••••••
      • For our selves.
        • Apprecati∣on for
          • Pardon of sin, for his
            • Names sake.
            • Promise sake.
            • Mercies sake.
            • Christs sake.
          • Sealing of this pardon to our Consciences.
          • Peace of Conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost.
          • Justifying and lively faith.
          • Rep•••••••••••• unto life.
          • Saving knowledge.
          • Lo•••• to God, Saints, E••••mies.
          • L••vely hope, a dent z••al, filial fear, &c.
          • Growth in grace.
          • Means conducing; as,
            • The Word preached.
            • The Sacraments.
            • The Sabbaths.
          • A blessing on our outward Calling.
          • Sanctifying of all afflictions to us or others.

• ...
  • ...
    • ...
      • ...
        • Deprecati∣on against
          • All evil; of sin especially.
          • The Devil, and all his assaults.
          • The World, and all its temptations.
          • Our own Flesh, with all the lusts of it.
          • Our darling Corruptions, Dalilah sins.
          • All judgments
            • National.
            • Personal
              • bodily
                • Diseases.
                • Plagues.
              • ghostly
                • Terror of Con∣science.
                • Spiritual deser∣tions.
          • The sting of death, and horror of the grave.
        • Thanksgi∣ving for blessings
          • Spiritual
            • Election, with all the golden chain of Graces hanging thereon; us,
              • ...Redemption.
              • ...Vocation.
              • ...Justification.
              • ...Sanctification
              • ...Hope of glory
            • Word, Sacraments, Sabbaths, Ordi∣nances, labors of the learned.
            • Power over sin, Satan, our own selves.
          • Temporal
            • Creation.
            • Continual preservation.
            • Life, health, peace, prosperity, plenty, &c.
            • Deliverance from judgements, National and Personal.
            • Victory over the Churches enemies.
      • For others.
        • All belonging to Gods electi∣on, though as yet uncalled, as
          • Jews.
          • Pagans, Infidels.
          • Prophane or ignorant Chri∣stians.
          • Persecutors themselves.
        • All in the bosom of the Church
          • In forreign Countreys.
          • In our own Kingdom,
            • King.
            • Queen.
            • Seed Royal.
            • Parliament.
            • Synod of Divines.
            • Nobility.
            • Magistracy.
            • Ministery.
            • Gentry, Commonalty.
            • Friends, Enemies.
            • All afflicted in
              • Soul.
              • Body.

SECT. 13.

§. 1. A form of prayer in Scripture-phrase.

IN this form observe,—

1. A description of God.

O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh.* 1.88—

Who hast created the heavens, and stretched them out,* 1.89 who hast spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it, who givest breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk there∣in: See Nehem. 1.5. Isa. 37.16. Jer. 23.24. Dan. 9.4. Psal. 65.2. 1 Tim. 1.17. & 6.16, &c.

2. A begging of Audience.

Look down from heaven thy holy habitation:* 1.90—

Have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servants, to hearken to the cry, and to the prayer which thy servants pray before thee:— See Nehem. 1.6. Psal. 102.1, 2. Isa. 37.17. Dan. 9.17, &c.

3. A confession of the sins of our first Parents.

We confess, O Lord,* 1.91 thou createdst our first parents in thine own image, but the Serpent beguiled them, and they did eat of the forbidden fruit:—See Rom. 5.12.

4. Confession of Original pollution.

We are risen up in our fathers stead,* 1.92 an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord towards us:— See Psal. 51.5. Rom. 7.14, 23. Lam. 5.7. Ezek. 16.4, 6, &c.

5. A confession of actual transgressions in thought, word, deed.

The words of our mouth are iniquity and deceit:* 1.93—

We have whet our tongues like swords, and have bent our bows to shoot out arrows, even bitter words.—

We have done deeds unto thee, that ought not to be done:—See Gen. 6.5. Isa. 6.5. Dan. 9.5. Mat. 12.36. and 15.19. Tit. 3.3. Ezek. 16.8, 15, 23, 25, &c.

6. Acted against light of knowledge.

We have trusted in our wickedness, we have said,* 1.94 None seeth us; our wisdom and our knowledge hath perverted us:—See Neh. 9.14, 16. Isa. 47.10. Jer. 6.16. Rom. 1.22. and 2.18. Tit. 1.16, &c.

7. Against checks of Conscience.

* 1.95Our very Consciences have born witness, and our thoughts in the mean while have accused us:—See Rom. 7.15, 18, 19, &c.

8. Against long forbearance of God.

* 1.96Many a year hast thou forborn us, and testified against us by thy Spirit in thy prophets, yet would we not give ear:—See Eccles. 8.11. Rom. 2.4, &c.

9. Against tender mercies.

* 1.97Surely Lord, thy goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life—

* 1.98But we have observed lying vanities, and forsaken our own mercy:—See Deut. 32.15. Neh. 9.25, 26, 27, 28. Psal. 106.43. Isa. 63.9, 10, &c.

10. Against terrifying judgements.

* 1.99Thou hast caused judgement to be heard from heaven:—

* 1.100But we have not trembled at thy word:—See Deut. 29.19. Psal. 78.31, 32. Jer. 5.3, 5. Rom. 2.5, &c.

11. Against frequent Purposes, Promises, Vows of better Obedience.

* 1.101We have not done according to our promise,—Nor payed that which we have vowed;—Nay Lord, they have been sin unto us:— See Deut. 29.25. 1 Kings 19.10. Psal. 78.10, 37. Jermiah 2.20.

12. Sins of our Age, Sex, Constitution, Relation and Calling.

* 1.102We have found by experience, that foolishness is bound in the heart of a childe:—

* 1.103O remember not the sins of our youth:—See Gen. 42.21. Neh. 9.34, 35, &c.

13. Secret and open sins, our most beloved lusts.

* 1.104We have sitten in the lurking places of the villages, in the se∣cret places have we murthered the innocent, our eyes are privily set against the poor;—Nay, we have sinned openly in the sight of the sun; we have sinned without shame:—

* 1.105We lodge within us many bosom lusts, right hands, and right eyes, and we are loath to cut them off, or pluck them out:—See Psal. 19.12. and 90.8. Jer. 6.15. Isa. 3.9. Mat. 19.22, &c.

14. Sins against the Law of God.

* 1.106We have erred, and not observed all these Commandments, which

the Lord hath spoken:—See Nehem. 1.7. Ezra 9.10. Rom. 7.15, 19, 20, &c.

15. Sins against the Gospel of Christ.

We have not obeyed the Gospel;—How then should we escape,* 1.107 if we neglect so great Salvation: See 1 Pet. 4.17, &c.

16. Our not thirsting after Christ.

Our souls break not for the longings that they should have unto Christ at all times:—See Psal. 42.1, &c.* 1.108

17. Our not relying on Christ his merits and promises.

We have relyed on the King of Syria (outward helps and means) and not on the Lord: See Heb. 3.12, 13.* 1.109

18. Our grieving Gods Spirit.

We have grieved thy holy Spirit,* 1.110 and turned the graces of God into lasciviousness:—See Mark 3.5. Heb. 3.10, 17. Genesis 6.6, &c.

19. Our continual impenitency, notwithstanding all means of Grace.

We have despised the pleasant Land,* 1.111 we have not believed thy word, but murmured in our tents, and hearkned not unto the voyce of the Lord:—See Isaiah 1.6. and 5.4. and 28.13.

20. Aggravations of sin by the person against whom.

Against thee, thee onely, have I sinned,* 1.112 and done this evil in thy sight: See Numb. 21.7. Heb. 6.6. Heb. 10.29, &c.

21. By the number of them, time, place, &c.

Innumerable evils have compassed us about;* 1.113—They are m••e then the hairs of our head:—See Psal. 38.4. Ezra 9.6. Job 9.3. Ifa. 26.10, &c.

22. An accusing, judging, and condemning our selves.

Shouldst thou whet thy glittering sword,* 1.114 and thy hand take hold on judgement,—Thou mightest make thy arrows drunk with blood, and thy sword might devour flesh from the beginning of revenges: See Dan. 9.7, 8, 9. Neh. 9 33. Lam. 5.16. Isa. 28.17. Jer. 5.9.— 50.15, 25. Ezek 5.15.—14.8.—15.7.23, 33.—25.17. Rev. 4.5, &c. Thus for Confession.

§. 2. The 2^d part of prayer is, Petition for

• our selves.
• others.

1. We petition for pardon of sin.

* 1.115LOrd, pardon our iniquities, and our sins, and take us for thine inheritance: See 2 Sam. 24.10. Neh. 4.5. Psal. 119.132. Isa. 1.18. Isa. 44.2, &c.

For his holy Names sake.

* 1.116Do it Lord, for thy names sake:—See Ezek. 14.22. and 20.44. Psal. 25.11, &c.

For his Promise sake. * 1.117Thou hast said, In those days, and in that time, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found, for I will pardon them whom I reserve:—See Neh. 9.17. Isa. 55.7. Jer. 5.1. and 33.8. and 50.20. Mic. 7.18.

For his Mercies sake. * 1.118Make thy face to shine upon thy servants; O save us for thy mercies sake:—See Psal. 25.7. Psal. 79.8, &c.

For Christs sake. * 1.119O that God for Christs sake would forgive us our sins:—See John 1.29 Psal. 51.7. Isa. 55.7. Jer. 33.20, &c.

2. For sealing of this pardon in our Consciences.

* 1.120Shew us the salvation of God: — See 2 Cor. 1.22. Exod. 14.13. and 33.13, 18. Psal. 35.3, &c.

3. For Peace of Conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost.

* 1.121Give us joy in the holy Ghost:—And the answer of a good Conscience towards God:—See Psal. 51.8, 11, 12. Rom. 8.15, 16, &c.

4. For justifying and lively faith.

* 1.122Give us ever that gift of God, a soul-saving and justifying faith: See Ephes. 6.16. Phil. 3.9. Tit. 1.1. Heb. 11.1. Mat. 6.39.— 7.20, &c.

5. For repentance unto life.

* 1.123Give us to repent, and to turn our selves from our idols:—See Psal 6.6. Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27. Mat. 11.21. Acts 11.18. 2 Cor. 7.10. Rev. 2.21, &c.

6. For saving knowledge.

Give us the Spirit of truth, who will guide us in all truth:* 1.124—

Incline our ears to wisdom, and our hearts to understanding, that we may understand the fear of the Lord, and finde the know∣ledge of God, that we may be enabled to cry unto thee our God, We know thee:—See Hab. 2.14. Eph. 1.17, 18. Psal. 25.14. 1 John 2.20. Ephes. 3.17, 18, 19.

7. For love to God, Saints, Enemies.

Thou hast said, Thou wilt circumcise our hearts,* 1.125 and the hearts of our seed, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, and with all our soul:—Give us also to love one another, as Christ hath loved us:—Cause us to love our very enemies, to bless them that curse us:—Luke 7.47. Ephes. 3.17, 18, 19. Phil. 1.9, &c.

8. For lively Hope, ardent Zeal, filial Fear, Patience, Perseverance, &c.

Give us to set our hope in God,* 1.126—to be zealously affected al∣ways in every good thing:—Let the fear of the Lord be upon us;— Make us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith:—Help us to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering:—See Prov. 14.32. Psal. 146.5. John 2.17. 2 Cor. 9.2. 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. Rom. 8.18. Phil. 1.29. Prov. 37.23, 24. Isa. 46.4. Psal. 48.14, &c.

9. For growth in Grace.

Guide us continually, and satisfie our souls in drought: O make fat our bones, that we may be like a watred garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not: See Mal. 4.2. Prov. 4.18. Hosea 14.5, 6. Isa. 44.3, 4, &c.* 1.127

10. For the means of Grace, as the Word, Sacra∣ments, Sabbaths.

Let the word of God grow mightily and prevail:* 1.128—Teach us to keep thy Sabbaths, and to reverence thy Sanctuary:—See Psal. 19.7. Prov. 20.12. Isa. 55.10, 11. and 50.4. and 53.10. Psal. 36.8. Isa. 26.8. Heb. 4.12, &c.

11. For a blessing on our outward callings.

Establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea,* 1.129 the work of our hands establish thou it:—See Gen. 28.20, 21. 1 Chron. 4.10. Neh. 1.11. Psal. 91.11, 12. Jer. 10.23, &c.

12. For sanctifying of all afflictions to us.

O Lord, see our afflictions,* 1.130—and let our tribulations workout

patience,* 1.131 and patience experience, and experience hope: See Psal. 68.20. Zech. 2.5. Heb. 12.20. Jer. 46.28. 1 Cor. 10.13. Isa. 27.9. 2 Cor. 4.16, &c.

13. Against all evil of sin, the Devil, World, Flesh, our special sins.

* 1.132O Lord, deliver us from evil,—from all the wiles of the Devil,— from the worlds allurements; for what will it profit us to gain the whole world, and to lose our souls?—from all the filthiness of the flesh,—especially from our darling lusts: See Rom. 6.11, 12, 22. 2 Cor. 10.5. 1 John 5.18. John 16.33. 1 John 5.4. Rom. 8.8. Psal. 13.1, 2, &c.

14. Against all evil of punishment

• National.
• Personal.

* 1.133Thou hast plagued our Nation; The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep, and none of the men of might have found their hands:—O heal the Land;—Let no evil befall us, nei∣ther let any plague come nigh our dwellings:—Our souls are among Lyons, our soul also is sore vexed, but thou, O Lord, how long? See Psal. 57.3. and 6.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and 25.16, 17, 18. Mat. 26.39.

15. For all that belong to Gods election, though un∣called as yet.

* 1.134Look upon Zion the City of our solemnities.—Call home the Jews; thou hast revealed that they shall be graffed in again, and thou art able to graff them in again:* 1.135—Bring in the Gentiles; thou had said, I will lift up my hands to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people,* 1.136 and they shall bring their sons in their arms, and their daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders:—Convert prophane and ignorant Christians,* 1.137 search thy sheep, and seek them out,— that there may be one fold, and one shepherd:—See Isa. 49.16, 17. A•• 1.—5.15. Ezek. 34.12, 13. Isaiah 2.2. and 60.3, 5, 8. and 54.1, 2. and 60.18, 19, &c.

16. For those called in forreign Countreys.

* 1.138Awake, ••wake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old:—Jer. 12.9, 10, 11. Psal. 17.7, 8, &c.

17. For our own Churches.

* 1.139Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness, and of thy glory; where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels, and of thy mercy towards us?—See Jer. 14.

19, 20, 21. Daniel 9.19. Jer. 12.7. Amos 9.11, 12. Mic. 2.12. Psal. 5.12, &c.

18. For our King, Queen, Seed-royal.

Let thy mercy and truth preserve our King,* 1.140 and let his throne be holden up with mercy:—See Psal. 72.1. Prov. 22.6. 2 Sam. 25.19. Psal. 89.29.

19. For Magistracy, Ministery, People.

Set godly Magistrates and Judges amongst us,* 1.141 which may judge according to the Laws:—Give the Ministers fully to preach the word of God, even the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to thy Saints:—Bless all from Dan to Beershebah,* 1.142 call them thy holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord: — See Proverbs 11.14. Isaiah 11.2. 2 Chron. 23.20. Psalm 105.22. Amos 5.24. & 6.12. Isaiah 53.10. 2 Samuel 17.11. Eccles. 12.10, 11. Isaiah 62.6, 7, &c.

20. For all afflicted in soul or body.

Give power to the faint, and to them that have no might:* 1.143— Let them wait on thee, and renew their strength, and mount up with wings as Eagles:—See Isaiah 40.29. Psalm 41.31. — 68.20. — 79.11. Isaiah 30.26, &c. Thus far Pe∣tition.

§. 3. The third part of Prayer, is Thanksgiving for blessings

• Spiritual.
• Temporal.

1. VVE bless God for our election, with all the golden chain of Graces hanging on it.

We give thanks to God,* 1.144 and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby we are beloved for the Fathers sake, and for that golden chain of Graces hanging thereon, having predesti∣nated us to the adoption of Children, by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will;* 1.145 — Having accepted us in the beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood;— Having given us the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace;* 1.146 — Having quickned us who were dead in trespasses and sins: — Walking in times past according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power

of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobe∣dience:* 1.147— But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickned us together with Christ:* 1.148—And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,* 1.149—That in ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace unto us:—See Col. 1.12, 21. Rom. 11.7, 28. 1 Thes. 1.4.* 1.150 Rom. 8.15, 23. Gal. 4.5. Ephes. 1.5. Psal. 111.9.— 130.7. Rom. 3.24. Heb. 9.12, 15. Col. 1.14. Rom. 4.7. Eph. 4.32. 1 John 2.12, &c.

2. We bless God for his Word, Sacraments, Sabbaths, labors of the learned, &c.

* 1.151Thou hast shewed thy word unto Jacob, thy statutes and thy judgements unto Israel: Thou hast not dealt so with all nations, and as for thy judgements, they have not known them:—Thou hast been pleased by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe, by preaching at the first or second rebound, by lively voyce, or printed Sermons:—See Acts 2.41. Tit. 1.3. 1 Pet. 1.25. Jer. 15.16. Ezek. 20.46.—21.2. 2 Cor. 5.19. Phil. 2.16. Col. 1.5. 2 Pet. 1.19. &c.

3. We bless God for any power over sin, Satan, or our own corruptions.

* 1.152We acknowledge, Lord, to thy glory, that all our strength is in thee, and in the power of thy might: See Hosea 10.8. — 12.8. Rom. 5.20. and 6.6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Acts 26.18. Rom. 16.20, &c.

4. We bless God for our creation, preservation, life, health, peace, deliverance, victories.

* 1.153We bless thee for our creation after thine own image;—for our preservation, by thy loving kindeness and truth;—for our life once and again redeemed from destruction;—for our health once again restored;—for our liberty, prosperity, peace in our walls and pallaces;—for our food and raiment convenient for us;—for deliverance from judgements national and personal, for a little moment didst thou forsake us, but with great mercies hast thou gathered us:* 1.154—For all the victories over thine and thy Churches enemies, well may we sing, The Lord is our strength and our song, and he is become our salvation; he is our God, and we will prepare him an habitation, our fathers God, and we will

exalt him:—Awake, awake, O my soul, awake, awake,* 1.155 utter a song:—Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people; sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, and talk of all his wondrous works; glory in his name, let the heart of them rejoyce that seek the Lord:—Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoyce, and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mer∣cy endureth for ever:—Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever, and let all the people say Amen, praised be God: See Psal. 22.9, 10.—71.14, 15, &c. Isa. 12.1, 2.—42.10, 11, 12.—44.26, 27, &c. Thus much of Prayer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eccles 5.1.
• * 1.2

  1 Tim. 2.8.
• * 1.3

  Luke 21 34, 53.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 26.6.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 141.2, 3.
• * 1.6

  Gen 32.10. Ezra 9.6.
• * 1.7

  Eccles. 5.2.
• * 1.8

  John 14.13.
• * 1.9

  2 Sam. 7.27, 28, 29.
• * 1.10

  Gen. 32.11, 12.
• * 1.11

  Mat 6.6.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 145.18
• * 1.13

  Psal. 17.1.
• * 1.14

  Mal. 1.8.
• * 1.15

  Rom. 8.26.
• * 1.16

  Iohn 14.13.
• * 1.17

  Iohn 15.5.
• * 1.18

  Eph. 3.12.
• * 1.19

  Hosea 14.3.
• * 1.20

  Mat. 10.41.
• * 1.21

  Iames 4.3.
• * 1.22

  Exod. 17.2.
• * 1.23

  Iohn 4 22.
• * 1.24

  1 Chron. 28.9.
• * 1.25

  Mat. 20.22.
• * 1.26

  Mat. 26.39.
• * 1.27

  Gen. 18.27. and 32.10. 2 Sam. 6.22. Isa. 6.5.
• * 1.28

  Ezra 9.6.
• * 1.29

  Mat. 8.8.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 2.11.
• * 1.31

  Isa. 6.2.
• * 1.32

  Exod 8.12. 1 Sam 7.9. 1 King. 17.20, 21. 2 Kings 20.11. Ionah 3.8. Isa. 37.4. Lam. 2.19. 1 Sam. 7.6.
• * 1.33

  Rom. 8.26. 1 Thess. 3.10. Col. 4.12.
• * 1.34

  Rom. 15.30.
• * 1.35

  Gen. 32.24.
• * 1.36

  1 Tim 4.8.
• * 1.37

  1 Cor. 6.20.
• * 1.38

  Psal 38.9. Isa. 38.14.
• * 1.39

  Rom. 8.26.
• * 1.40

  Mat. 6.7.
• * 1.41

  Mal. 1.8.
• * 1.42

  Psal. 5.3.
• * 1.43

  Psal. 10.17.
• * 1.44

  Isa. 58.9.
• * 1.45

  Psa. 69.17, 18.
• * 1.46

  Luke 18.5.
• * 1.47

  1 Sam. 1.18.
• * 1.48

  Psal. 66.18.
• * 1.49

  Psal. 143.1.
• * 1.50

  8.
• * 1.51

  10.
• * 1.52

  Psal. 27.14.
• * 1.53

  Heb 5.7.
• * 1.54

  Gen. 17.18, 20.
• * 1.55

  Psal. 22.2, 3.
• * 1.56

  Iam. 4.3.
• * 1.57

  Luke 18.1. Rom. 12.12.
• * 1.58

  Psal. 40.1.
• * 1.59

  Acts 12.6, 10.
• * 1.60

  Exod. 2.23.
• * 1.61

  Exod. 12.13.
• * 1.62

  33.
• * 1.63

  35.32.
• * 1.64

  Exod. 11.7.
• * 1.65

  Psal. 126.1.
• * 1.66

  1 Kings 3.12, 13.
• * 1.67

  Psal. 86.17.
• * 1.68

  Gen. 24 14.
• * 1.69

  26.
• * 1.70

  Isa 49 8.
• * 1.71

  Isa. 65.24.
• * 1.72

  Psal. 10.17.
• * 1.73

  Psal. 6.8.
• * 1.74

  1 Sam. 2.1.
• * 1.75

  Psal. 116.2.
• * 1.76

  Psa. 66.13, 14
• * 1.77

  Iob 22.27.
• * 1.78

  Prov. 10.22.
• * 1.79

  Mat. 18.19.
• * 1.80

  Ephes. 2.19.
• * 1.81

  Luke 2.29.
• * 1.82

  2 Thess. 3.6, 7, 9.
• * 1.83

  Phil. 1.19.
• * 1.84

  Psal. 28.6.
• * 1.85

  Psal. 116.1, 2.
• * 1.86

  Psal. 6.8.
• * 1.87

  Psal. 66.13, 14, 19.
• * 1.88

  Num. 16.22.
• * 1.89

  Isa. 42.5.
• * 1.90

  Deut. 26.15. 1 Kings 8.28
• * 1.91

  Gen. 1.26. and 3.6.
• * 1.92

  Num. 32.14.
• * 1.93

  Psal. 36.3. and 64.3. Gen. 20.9.
• * 1.94

  Isa. 47.10.
• * 1.95

  Rom 2.15.
• * 1.96

  Neh 9.30.
• * 1.97

  Psal. 23.6.
• * 1.98

  Ionah 2.8.
• * 1.99

  Psal. 76.8.
• * 1.100

  Isa. 66 2.
• * 1.101

  Neh. 5.12. Eccles 5 4. Deut. 29.21.
• * 1.102

  Prov. 22.15.
• * 1.103

  Psal. 25.7.
• * 1.104

  Psal. 10.8. 2 Sam. 12.11.
• * 1.105

  Mat. 5.29, 30.
• * 1.106

  Numb. 15 22
• * 1.107

  Rom. 10.16. Heb. 2.3.
• * 1.108

  Psal. 119.20.
• * 1.109

  2 Chro. 16.7.
• * 1.110

  Eph. 4.30. Iude 4.
• * 1.111

  Psal. 106.24, 25.
• * 1.112

  Psal. 51.4.
• * 1.113

  Psal. 40.12.
• * 1.114

  Deut. 32.41, 42.
• * 1.115

  Exod. 34.9.
• * 1.116

  Ezek. 20 9.
• * 1.117

  Ier. 50.20.
• * 1.118

  Psal. 31.16.
• * 1.119

  Eph. 4.32.
• * 1.120

  Psal. 50.23.
• * 1.121

  Rom. 14.17. 1 Pet. 3.21.
• * 1.122

  Eph. 2 8.
• * 1.123

  Ezek. 14.6.
• * 1.124

  Iohn 16.13. Prov. 2.2, 3, 5.
• * 1.125

  Deut. 30 6. Iohn 13.34. Mat. 5.44.
• * 1.126

  Psal. 78.7. Rom 12.11. 2 Chro. 19.7. Heb. 12.1, 2, 3. and 10.23.
• * 1.127

  Isa. 58.11.
• * 1.128

  Acts 19.20. Lev. 19.30.
• * 1.129

  Psal 90.17. Iob 10 15.
• * 1.130

  Iob 10.15.
• * 1.131

  Rom. 5.3, 4.
• * 1.132

  Mat. 6 13. Eph. 6 11. Mat. 16.26. Cor. 7.1.
• * 1.133

  Psal. 76.5. 2 Chro 7.14. Psal. 91.10. and 6 3.
• * 1.134

  Isa 33.20.
• * 1.135

  Rom. 11.23.
• * 1.136

  Isa. 49.22.
• * 1.137

  Ezek. 34.11. Iohn 10.16.
• * 1.138

  Isa. 51.9.
• * 1.139

  Isa. 63.15, 16.
• * 1.140

  Prov. 20.28.
• * 1.141

  Col. 1.25, 26.
• * 1.142

  Isa. 62.12.
• * 1.143

  Isa. 40.29, 31.
• * 1.144

  C••l. 1.3. Rom. 11.••8.
• * 1.145

  Eph 1.5. and 1.6, 7.
• * 1.146

  Ephes. 2.1.
• * 1.147

  2.
• * 1.148

  4,
• * 1.149

  5, 6,
• * 1.150

  7.
• * 1.151

  Psal. 147.19, 20. 1. Cor. 1.21.
• * 1.152

  Eph. 6.10.
• * 1.153

  Gen. 1.27. Psal. 40.11. and 103.4. Ier. 30.17. Psal. 122.7. Prov. 30.8. Isa. 54.7. Exod. 15.2.
• * 1.154

  Iudges 5.12.
• * 1.155

  1 Chro. 16.8, 9.10, 31, 34, 36.