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Book III

Ch 5

Of Public Prayer
Prayer is one part of the saints' spiritual armour, and a principal one, though mentioned last, \\#Eph 6 !"\\ it has #een often of use against temporal enemies, and for o#taining $ictory o$er them% as the prayers of &sa, 'ehoshaphat, and others, sho(, \\#)Ch !* !!,!) )+ ,-5,))\\. It is reported of /ary, 0ueen of 1cots, that she dreaded the prayer of 'ohn 2no3, an eminent minister, more than an army of t(enty thousand men. &nd it is of use against the spiritual enemies of 4od's people, and for the $an0uishing of them. 1atan has often felt the force of this (eapon% resist the de$il, #y faith in prayer, and he (ill flee from you. 5hen the apostle Paul (as #uffeted and distressed #y him, he had recourse to it% he #esought the 6ord thrice that the temptation might depart from him% and had for ans(er, 7/y grace is sufficient for thee87 and indeed, as this part of the Christian armour is managed, so it goes (ith the saint, for or against him. In the (ar #et(een Israel and &malek, (hen /oses held up his hands, an em#lem of $igorous prayer, then Israel pre$ailed% #ut (hen he let do(n his hands, a token of remissness in prayer, &malek pre$ailed. Prayer has great po(er and pre$alence (ith 4od, for the remo$al or pre$ention of e$il things, and for the o#taining of #lessings. 'aco# had the name of Israel gi$en him, #ecause, as a prince, he had po(er (ith 4od, and pre$ailed, that is, #y prayer and supplication, \\#4e ,) )6,)"\\ see \\#9o !) ,,*\\. Eli:ah prayed earnestly, and his prayer (as a$ailing and effectual, \\#'as 5 !6-!"\\. Prayer is the #reath of a regenerate soul% as soon as a child is #orn into the (orld it cries, as soon as a soul is #orn again it prays% it is o#ser$ed of 1aul upon his con$ersion, 7Behold, he prayeth87 (here there is life there is #reath% (here there is spiritual life, there are spiritual #reathings% such souls #reathe after 4od, pant after him as the hart panteth after the (ater #rooks Prayer is the speech of the soul to 4od ;!<% a talking to him, a con$erse (ith him, in (hich much of its communion (ith 4od lies. Prayer is an address to 4od in the name of Christ, and through him as the /ediator, under the influence and #y the assistance of the 1pirit of 4od, in faith, and in the sincerity of our souls, for such things (e stand in need of, and (hich are consistent (ith the (ill of 4od, and are for his glory to #esto(, and therefore to #e asked (ith su#mission. =o( though it is pu#lic prayer, or prayer as a pu#lic ordinance in the church of 4od, I am in course to consider, yet I shall, !. >ake notice of the $arious sorts of prayer, (hich (ill lead on to that% for there is a praying (ith all prayer, (hich denotes many sorts and kinds of prayer. !a. >here is mental prayer, or prayer in the heart% and, indeed, here prayer should first #egin% so ?a$id found in his heart to pray, \\#)1a @ )@\\ and it is 7the effectual fer$ent7, or \Aenergoumenh\A, 7the in(rought prayer of the righteous man that a$aileth much7% (hich is (rought and formed in the heart #y the 1pirit of 4od, \\#'as 5 !6\\. 1uch sort of prayer (as that of /oses, at the Bed 1ea, (hen the 6ord said to him, 75herefore criest thou unto meC7 and yet (e read not of a (ord that (as spoken #y him%

Page ) of !, and of this kind (as the prayer of 9annah% 71he spake in her heart7, \\#!1a ! !,\\ and this may #e performed e$en (ithout the motion of the lips, and is (hat (e call an e:aculatory prayer, from the suddenness and s(iftness of its #eing put up to 4od, like a dart shot from a #o(% and (hich may #e done in the midst of #usiness the most pu#lic, and in the midst of, pu#lic company, and not discerned% as (as the prayer of =ehemiah in the presence of the king, \\#=e ) *,5\\ and such prayer 4od takes notice of, and hears% and, as an ancient (riter ;)< o#ser$es, DD>hough (e (hisper, not opening our lips, #ut pray in silence, cry in(ardly, 4od incessantly hears that in(ard discourse,'' or prayer to him, concei$ed in the mind !#. >here is prayer (hich is audi#le and $ocal. 1ome prayer is audi#le, yet not articulate and intelligi#le, or it is e3pressed #y inarticulate sounds% as, 7(ith groanings (hich cannot #e uttered7% #ut 4od kno(s and understands perfectly the language of a groan, and hears and ans(ers. But there is $ocal prayer, e3pressed #y articulate (ords, in language to #e heard and understood #y men, as (ell as #y the 6ord% 7I cried unto the 6ord (ith my $oice7, Ec. \\#Ps , * 5 ),,\\ and to this kind of prayer the church is directed #y the 6ord himself, \\#9o !* )\\. !c. >here is pri$ate prayer, in (hich a man is alone #y himself% to (hich our 6ord directs, \\#/t 6 6\\ an instance and e3ample of this (e ha$e in Christ, \\#/t !* ),\\ see also an instance of this in Peter, \\#&c !+ F\\. !d. >here is social prayer, in (hich fe( or more :oin together, concerning (hich, and to encourage it, our 6ord says, 75here t(o or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them7, \\#/t !" !F,)+\\ an instance of this social prayer (ith men is in \\#&c )+ ,6\\ and it is this social prayer (ith fe(er or more the apostle 'ude has respect unto, \\#'ude ! )+\\. !e. >here is family prayer, performed #y the head and master of the family in it, and (ith it. 'oshua set a no#le e3ample of family (orship, \\#'os )* !5\\ and an instance (e ha$e in ?a$id, \\#)1a 6 )+\\ and e$en Cornelius, the Boman centurion, #efore he (as ac0uainted (ith Christianity, (as in the practice of it, \\#&c !+ ),,+\\ and the contrary #eha$iour is resented, and the (rath and fury of 4od may #e e3pected to fall upon the families that call not on his name, \\#'er !+ )5\\ and it is #ut reasona#le ser$ice, since family mercies are daily needed, and therefore should #e prayed for% and family mercies are daily recei$ed, and therefore thanks should #e e$ery day returned for them. !f. >here is pu#lic prayer, (hich is performed in #odies and communities of men, (ho meet in pu#lic, unite and :oin together in di$ine (orship, and particularly in this #ranch of it% for prayer al(ays (as made a part of pu#lic (orship. !f!. Girst, this part of di$ine (orship (as set up in the days of

Page , of !, Enos, for 7then #egan men to call upon the name of the 6ord7% that is, to pray in the name of the 6ord, as it is paraphrased in the >argum ;,<, of \\#4e * )6\\ not #ut that good men #efore this time prayed personally, and in their families% #ut no( families #ecoming more numerous and larger, they met and :oined together, in carrying on pu#lic (orship, and this part of it particularly% and so it continued during the patriarchal state. !f). 1econdly, under the /osaic dispensation, (hile the ta#ernacle (as standing, this practice (as used for the ta#ernacle (as called, the 7ta#ernacle of the congregation7% #ecause, as /unster o#ser$es, there the congregation of Israel met to pray and to sacrifice, \\#E3 )@ )!\\. /oreo$er, there (as another ta#ernacle (hich /oses pitched (ithout the camp, (hich seems to #e a temporary one, and (hich he called #y the same name, \\#E3 ,, @\\ and (hich, according to the >argum of 'onathan, (as not only a place for instruction in doctrine, #ut (here e$eryone (ho truly repented (ent and confessed his sins, and asked pardon for them, and had it. !f,. >hirdly, in the temple, #oth first and second, pu#lic prayer made a part of di$ine (orship% here at the dedication of the first temple, 1olomon prayed in pu#lic, all Israel present% and (here the people, in after times, (ere to pray and make supplication% and here 'ehoshaphat stood and prayed, and all the congregation of 'udah and 'erusalem (ith him and hence the temple (as called 7the house of prayer7, \\#Isa 56 @\\. 6ike(ise in the second temple, prayer (as (ont to #e made in it% (e read of t(o men going up to the temple to pray, and (hat they prayed, \\#6u !" !+\\ see \\#&c , !\\. It (as usual (ith the people to #e employed in prayer at the time the incense (as offered% so (hile Hechariah (as #urning incense in the temple, the people (ere praying (ithout% see \\#6u ! F,!+\\ hence prayer is compared to incense, and the prayers of the saints are called odours, and said to #e offered (ith much incense, \\#Ps !*! ) Be " ,,*\\ and &gatharcides ;*<, an heathen (riter, #ears this testimony to the 'e(s, (hile the temple (as standing, that they kept the se$enth day as a rest from la#our, and did no (ork in it, #ut continued in the temple, stretching out their hands in prayer unto the e$ening% and it should #e o#ser$ed, that there (ere a set of men at 'erusalem called 7stationary men7, (ho (ere the representati$es of the people in the country, (ho, #ecause they could not appear in the temple at the time of sacrifice, the residing of the la(, and prayer, these attended for them and represented them ;5<. !f*. Gourthly, pu#lic prayer (as a part of synagogue (orship, and (hich may #e learned from (hat our 6ord says of the hypocrites, (ho lo$ed to 7pray standing in the synagogues7, (here they might #e seen and heard of men, \\#/t 6 5\\ the 'e(s in general ha$e a great notion of pu#lic prayer, as #eing al(ays heard, and that therefore men should al(ays :oin (ith the congregation, and not pray alone% #ut should al(ays attend morning and e$ening in the synagogue% since no prayer

Page * of !, is heard #ut (hat is put up in the synagogue ;6<% and they say, in (hatsoe$er place are ten Israelites, they are o#liged to fit up a house (here they meet for prayer, at e$ery time of prayer, and this place is called a synagogue ;@<% and (hich some take to #e the same (ith, though others think they differ from, the 7proseucha7, oratory, or place (here prayer (as (ont to #e made, into (hich Paul and 1ilas (ent near Philippi, and spoke to those (ho resorted thither% and in one of these it is thought our 6ord continued a (hole night praying, \\#&c !6 !, 6u 6 !)\\ in (hich the 'e(s met for instruction, as (ell as for prayer, especially on 1a##ath days% as is o#ser$ed #y Philo ;"< and 'osephus ;F<, and (as an ancient custom. !f5. Gifthly, under the =e( >estament dispensation, prayer (as al(ays a part of pu#lic (orship in the se$eral churches% as in that at 'erusalem, the first Christian church. 5hen the disciples returned thither after our 6ord's ascension, they continued in 7prayer and supplication7, (ith the (omen and others, (ho constituted that first church% and it is o#ser$ed, in commendation of those that (ere added to it, that they continued steadfastly 7in prayer7, in the pu#lic prayers of the church, (hene$er they met together% and (here there (as sometimes a remarka#le appearance of the di$ine presence% and it (as to this part of ser$ice, as (ell as to the ministry of the (ord, the apostles ga$e themsel$es continually, \\#&c ! !* ) *) * ,! 6 *\\. 1uch (as the prayer made #y this church, (ithout ceasing, for Peter, (hen in prison, and (as remarka#ly heard, \\#&c !) 5\\ so in the church at Corinth, pu#lic prayer (as a part of di$ine (orship% for it is (ith respect to that the apostle gi$es directions to men and (omen praying, that is, attending that part of pu#lic ser$ice, the one (ith their heads unco$ered, the other (ith their heads co$ered, \\#!Co !! *,5\\ and it is (ith respect to his o(n practice in pu#lic that he says, 7I (ill pray (ith the spirit7, Ec. \\#!Co !* !5,!6,!F\\. >he se$eral directions and e3hortations to the churches to attend to the duty of prayer, does not regard them merely as indi$iduals, #ut as #odies and communities, :oining together in that ser$ice, \\#Eph 6 !" Php * 6 Col * ) !>h 5 !@\\ and pu#lic prayer seems to #e chiefly intended #y the apostle, \\#!>i ) !,),"\\ and this (as foretold of gospel times, \\#/al ! !!\\. =o( this practice o#tained in the earliest times of Christianity, and is still continued in Christian assem#lies% so 'ustin /artyr says ;!+<, that after reading the scriptures, and preaching, (e all rise up in common, and send up prayers% and after the administration of the supper, he o#ser$es, the president or pastor of the church, according to his a#ility, pours out prayers and thanksgi$ings, and all the people aloud cry 7&men7% and so >ertullian ;!!<, DD5e come together in the congregation to 4od, and as it (ere (ith our hands #y prayer compass him a#out% this force is grateful to 4od (e also pray for emperors, for their ministers, Ec.''

Page 5 of !, &nd from 'ustin, as (ell as from Irigen, Cyprian, and others, (e learn, that the gesture of the ancients in pu#lic prayer (as 7standing7% nay, >ertullian ;!)< says, DD5e reckon it unla(ful to fast on the 6ord's day, or to (orship on the knees%'' and it (as ordered #y the council of =ice, DDthat (hereas there (ere some (ho #ent their knees, it seemed right to the synod that they should perform their prayers standing.'' =o( though my su#:ect is pu#lic prayer, yet as all prayer agrees in the o#:ect of it% and in the main as to the matter and manner of it, and in persons and things to #e prayed for, I shall proceed to consider, ). >he o#:ect of prayer% (hich is not a mere creature, animate or inanimate% it is the grossest a#surdity to set up the (ood of a gra$en image, and pray unto it, (hich cannot sa$e% to pray to idols of gold and sil$er, the (ork of mens' hands, (hich cannot speak, see, nor hear% are una#le to gi$e any help, or #esto( any fa$our upon their $otaries nor to saints departed% for the dead kno( not anything of the affairs of men in this (orld% nor can they assist them in them% their sons come to honour, and they kno( it not% they are #rought lo(, #ut not percei$ed #y them% &#raham is ignorant of his sons, and Israel ackno(ledges them not% it is in $ain to turn to any of the saints, or direct prayers unto them nor to angels, (ho ha$e al(ays refused (orship from men, of (hich prayer is a considera#le part% the angel in$oked #y 'aco# (as not a created, #ut the increated one, \\#4e *" !6\\. 4od only is and ought to #e the o#:ect of prayer% 7/y prayer7, says ?a$id, 7shall #e unto the 4od of my life7, (ho gi$es life and #reath to all% he upholds their souls in life, and in him they li$e, mo$e, and ha$e their #eing% he is the Gather of mercies, and the 4od of all grace, (ho only can supply (ith temporal mercies and spiritual #lessings, and from (hom e$ery good and perfect gift comes% he only can hear the prayers of his people% he only kno(s men and their (ants, and he only is a#le to help and relie$e them% he is 4od all sufficient, needs nothing for himself, and has enough for all his creatures% he is a 4od at hand and afar off, and is nigh to all that call upon him, and is a present help in time of need% he is good to all, and his tender mercies are o$er all his (orks% he is gracious and merciful, a#undant in goodness and truth. &ll (hich, as it makes him to #e a proper o#:ect of prayer, and recommends him as such, so ser$es greatly to encourage men in their addresses to him. 4od in his >hree Persons is the proper o#:ect of prayer% Gather, 1on, and 1pirit% (ho are the one true 4od% and it is la(ful to address either of them in prayer, though not one to the e3clusion of the others. 1ometimes the Gather is prayed unto singly, and as distinct from the 1on and 1pirit% 7If ye call upon the Gather7, \\#!Pe ! !@\\ as he may #e called upon as a distinct di$ine Person in the 4odhead, of (hich (e ha$e instances in \\#Eph ! !6,!@ , !*-!6\\ the second Person, the 1on of 4od, is said to #e in$oked #y all the saints in

Page 6 of !, e$ery place, \\#&c F !* !Co ! )\\ he is sometimes singly prayed unto% as #y 1tephen at his death% 76ord 'esus recei$e my 1pirit87 and #y the apostle 'ohn, for his second coming% 7E$en so, come, 6ord 'esus87 \\#&c @ 5F Be )) )+\\ and sometimes con:unctly (ith the Gather% as (hen 7grace and peace7 are prayed for, as in almost all the epistles, 7Grom 4od our Gather, and from the 6ord 'esus Christ7, \\#Bo ! @\\, Ec. and sometimes in prayer he is set #efore the Gather% and sometimes the Gather #efore him, to sho( their e0uality, \\#!>h , !! )>h ) !6\\ the third Person, the 1pirit of 4od, is also sometimes singly prayed to, and as distinct from the Gather and 1on, \\#)>h , 5\\ and the #lessings of grace are prayed for from all three together, \\#)Co !, !* Be ! *,5\\. >he first person in the 4odhead is usually addressed in prayer, under the character of a Gather% so Christ taught his disciples to pray% 7Iur Gather, (hich art in hea$en7, Ec. as he is the Creator and the Gather of spirits, and the author of their #eings% so the church in the times of Isaiah, \\#Isa 6* "\\ and also as he is the Gather of Christ, and our Gather in Christ% as such is he fre0uently addressed, \\#)Co ! , Eph ! ,\\. =o( the reason (hy the address in prayer is generally made to him, though it may #e made e0ually to either of the other t(o persons, is, #ecause of the priority of order he has, though not of nature, in the deity, and #ecause he #ears no office% (hereas the other t(o persons do #ear an office, and an office (hich is concerned in the #usiness of prayer. Christ is the /ediator #et(een 4od and men, #y (hom (e approach to 4od, and offer up our prayers to him% there is no approaching to 4od in any other (ay% 4od is a consuming fire% the flaming s(ord of :ustice stands #et(een 4od and sinners% there is no day's man #et(een them to lay his hands on #oth, #ut Christ% none can come to the Gather #ut #y him% he has opened a (ay to him through the $ail of his flesh, and through his precious #lood, (hich gi$es #oldness to enter into the holiest of all% through him there is an access #y one 1pirit unto the Gather% he is the (ay of acceptance (ith 4od, as (ell as of access unto him% it is #y him (e offer up the sacrifice of prayer and praise, (hich #ecomes accepta#le to 4od through the incense of his mediation. >he encouragement to prayer is taken chiefly from him% and the pleas at the throne of grace for #lessings of grace are founded on his person, #lood, righteousness, sacrifice, and intercession% from his #eing an ad$ocate (ith the Gather for us, and the propitiation for our sins, and from our ha$ing such and so great an 9igh Priest, that is passed into the hea$ens, and is o$er the house of 4od% (e are encouraged to come #oldly to the throne of grace, to dra( near (ith true hearts, and e$en in full assurance of faith, \\#!'o ) !,) 9e# * !*,!6 !+ )!,))\\ #elie$ing, that (hatsoe$er (e ask in his name the Gather (ill gi$e it to us% yea, that Christ himself 7(ill do it7% (hich sho(s his e0uality (ith his Gather, and that he has the same po(er of doing (hat he does, \\#'oh !* !,,!* !6 ),,)*\\. >he 1pirit of 4od has also a great concern in prayer% he is the author and enditer of it% he is the 71pirit of grace and of supplication7, (ho forms it in the heart% and therefore it is called 7in(rought prayer7% he creates di$ine #reathings, and holy desires after spiritual things in men% yea, puts (ords into their mouths,

Page @ of !, and #ids them take them (ith them% he impresses their minds (ith a feeling sense of their (ants, and fills their mouths (ith arguments, and puts strength into them to plead (ith 4od% he helps them under their infirmities, (hen they kno( not (hat to pray for, nor ho(% and makes intercession for them according to the (ill of 4od% he gi$es freedom to them (hen they are so shut up that they cannot come forth% (here he is there is li#erty% he is the 1pirit of adoption, (itnessing to their spirits that they are the children of 4od% ena#les them to go to 4od as their Gather, and to cry &##a, Gather% and as the 1pirit of faith, encourages them to pray in faith and (ith fer$ency. /oses, (hen he prayed for Israel, (hen engaged in #attle (ith &malek, represented a praying saint in its conflict (ith spiritual enemies% a stone (as put under him, on (hich he sat, (hile lifting up his hands, an em#lem of Christ, the E#en EJer, the stone of help in time of need% &aron and 9ur, the one on one side, and the other on the other, held up his hands, and stayed them% &aron, (ho could speak (ell, (as a type of Christ the ad$ocate and spokesman, of his people, #y (hose mediation they are encouraged and supported in prayer% and 9ur is a name (hich has the signification of li#erty, and may point to the 1pirit of 4od, (ho is a 7free 1pirit7, and as such upholds and supports the saints in the e3ercise of grace and discharge of duty. >he ne3t to #e considered are, ,. >he parts of prayer, of (hich it consists% the apostle, in \\#Php * 6\\ uses four (ords to e3press it #y% and (hich are commonly thought to design distinct species or parts of prayer% (hich are comprehended under the general name of 7re0uests7, or petitions, as 7prayer and supplication (ith thanksgi$ing7 and he also uses four (ords for it ;!,<, (ith some little difference, in \\#!>i ) !\\ 71upplications, prayers, intercessions, and gi$ing of thanks7% #y (hich one and the same thing may #e signified in different (ords, according to the different respects (hich it has ;!*<% #ut if these ha$e different senses, and are different species or parts of prayer, Irigen's ;!5< account of them seems as good as any% that 7supplication7 is for some good that (e stand in need of% 7prayer7 for greater things, (hen in great danger, that is, deli$erance from it% 7intercession7 is e3pressed (ith more freedom, familiarity, and faith, (ith greater confidence of ha$ing (hat is asked of 4od% and 7thanksgi$ing7 is an ackno(ledgment of good things o#tained of 4od #y prayer. But to proceed, and more particularly consider the parts of prayer, of (hat it consists% and I mean not to prescri#e any form of prayer, #ut to direct to the matter and method. &nd, ,a. In prayer there should #e a cele#ration of the di$ine perfections% and it is proper to #egin (ith this% (e should declare the name of the 6ord to (hom (e pray, and ascri#e greatness to our 4od% (e should #egin (ith some one or other of his names and titles, e3pressi$e of his nature, and of the relation he stands in to us as creatures, and ne( creatures% and make mention of some one or more of his perfections, (hich may ser$e to command an a(e and re$erence of him% to engage our affections to him% to strengthen our faith and confidence in him, and raise our e3pectations of #eing heard and ans(ered #y him, as #efore o#ser$ed% as of his purity, holiness, and righteousness% of his omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence% and of his immuta#ility and faithfulness, lo$e, grace, and mercy.

Page " of !, ,#. >here should #e an ackno(ledgment of our $ileness and sinfulness, of our meanness and un(orthiness in oursel$es% (e should come #efore a pure and holy 4od under a sense of the depra$ity and pollution of our nature, and of our un(orthiness to #e admitted into his presence, and to (orship at his footstool% (hen (e take upon us to speak unto the 6ord, (e should o(n, (ith &#raham, that (e are #ut 7dust and ashes7% not only frail and mortal creatures, #ut sinful and impure% and (ith 'aco#, that (e are not 7(orthy of the least of all the mercies7 sho(ed us, nor of recei$ing any fa$our from 4od% and therefore do not present our supplications to him 7for our righteousnesses, #ut for his great mercies7. ,c. >here should #e a confession of sin% of the sin of our nature, of original sin, of ind(elling sin% of the sins of our li$es and actions% of our daily transgressions of the la( of 4od in thought, (ord, and deed this has #een the practice of saints in all ages% of ?a$id, ?aniel, and others, \\#Ps ,) 5 5! ,-5\\ and (hich is encouraged, \\#!'o ! F\\. ,d. >here should #e a deprecation of all e$il things, (hich our sins deser$e% so our 6ord taught his disciples to pray% 7?eli$er us from all e$il7% and this seems to #e the meaning of the saints oftentimes (hen they pray for the forgi$eness of their o(n sins and those of others ;!6<, that 4od (ould deli$er them out of present distress, of (hat kind soe$er, remo$e his afflicting hand, (hich lies hea$y upon them, and a$ert those e$ils (hich seem to threaten them, and pre$ent their coming upon them% in (hich sense (e are to understand many of the petitions of /oses, 'o#, 1olomon, and others, \\#E3 ,) ,) =u !* !F,)+ 'o# @ )! !2i " ,+,,*,,6,,F,5+\\. ,e. &nother part or #ranch of prayer is, a petition for good things, (hich are needed% for temporal mercies, such as regard the sustenance of our #odies, the comfort, support, and preser$ation of life% so our 6ord has taught us to pray% 74i$e us this day our daily #read7% (hich includes all the necessaries of life. &gur's prayer (ith respect to this is a $ery (ise one, and to #e copied after, \\#Pr ,+ @-F\\. 1piritual #lessings are to #e prayed for% (hich, though laid up in co$enant, and are sure to all the co$enant ones, (hat 4od has promised, and (ill #e performed% and (e may ha$e this confidence in him, that (hatsoe$er (e ask, according to his (ill, (e shall ha$e% #ut then they must #e asked for% seeing, for (hat he has promised, and (ill do, he (ill 7yet for this #e in0uired of #y the house of Israel, to do it for them7, \\#EJe ,6 ,@\\. ,f. Prayer should al(ays #e accompanied (ith thanksgi$ing% this should al(ays #e a part of it% since, as (e ha$e al(ays mercies to pray for, (e ha$e al(ays mercies to #e thankful for, \\#Eph 6 !" Php * 6\\. ,g. &t the close of this (ork it is proper to make use of do3ologies, or ascriptions of glory to 4od% of (hich (e ha$e many instances, either of (hich may #e made use of, \\#/t 6 !, Eph , )! !>i ! !@\\ \\#'ude ! )*,)5 Be ! 5,6\\ (hich ser$e to sho( forth the praises of 4od, to e3press our gratitude to him, and our dependence on him,

Page F of !, and e3pectation of recei$ing from him (hat (e ha$e #een praying for% and the (hole may #e concluded (ith the (ord 7&men7, as e3pressing our assent to (hat has #een prayed for, our (ishes and desires for the accomplishment of it, and our full and firm persuasion and #elief of our ha$ing (hat (e ha$e #een asking for, according to the (ill of 4od. *. >he persons to #e prayed for may #e ne3t considered. =ot de$ils% for as 4od has not spared them, nor pro$ided a 1a$iour for them, nor is any mercy promised to them, so none can #e asked for them. But men% yet only the li$ing, not the dead% for after death is the :udgment, (hen the final state of men is ine$ita#ly fi3ed% and there is no passing out of one state into another nor those (ho ha$e sinned the sin unto death, the unpardona#le sin, \\#!'o 5 !6\\ yet those (ho are dead in sins, uncon$erted sinners, may #e prayed for, \\#Bo !+ !\\ (e may pray for uncon$erted friends and relations, for our children in a state of nature, as &#raham did for Ishmael% and especially (e may pray in faith for the con$ersion of 4od's elect, as our 6ord himself did, \\#'oh !@ )+\\ and it is an incum#ent duty, to pray 7for all saints7% of e$ery country, of (hatsoe$er denomination they may #e, and in (hatsoe$er circumstances% and therefore (e are to pray to 4od as 7our Gather7 and theirs, as the Gather of us all% and for all that are his children, that lo$e the 6ord 'esus, #ear his image, are called #y his name, and call on his name% particularly for the ministers of the gospel, that they may speak the (ord #oldly and faithfully, as they ought to speak it% that the (ord of the 6ord, ministered #y them, might ha$e a free course, and #e glorified, and #e #lessed for con$ersion, comfort, and edification% and that the 6ord (ould raise up and send forth other la#ourers into his $ineyard yea, (e are to pray 7for all men7% for all sorts of men, 7for kings, and all in authority7, for ci$il magistrates, that they may #e terrors to e$ildoers, and a praise to them that do (ell% and that the time may hasten on (hen kings shall #e nursing fathers and 0ueens nursing mothers to the church and people of 4od (e are to pray for the peace and (elfare of the inha#itants of any city or country in (hich (e d(ell, since in the peace thereof (e ha$e peace. =ay, (e are to pray for our enemies, (ho despitefully use and persecute us% this is en:oined us #y Christ, and of (hich he has set us an e3ample, \\#/t 5 ** 6u ), **\\ and so 1tephen prayed for those that stoned him, \\#&c @ 6+\\. 5. >he manner in (hich prayer is to #e performed is (orthy of attention. 5a. It must #e done 7(ith7 or 7in the 1pirit7% 7I (ill pray (ith the 1pirit7, says the apostle, \\#!Co !* !5\\ ;!@< #y (hich he either means the e3traordinary gift (hich he and other apostles had, of speaking (ith $arious tongues, (hich he determined to make use of, yet only (hen he could #e understood #y others% or the ordinary gift of the 1pirit, his grace, influence, and assistance, (hich are necessary in prayer% and is the same (hich the apostle 'ude calls, 7praying in the 9oly 4host7% and the apostle Paul, 7supplication in the 1pirit7, \\#'ude ! )+ Eph 6 !"\\. >he concern the 1pirit of 4od has in prayer, and the need there is of his grace and assistance in it, and the use thereof, ha$e #een o#ser$ed already% #ut it does not follo( from hence that men

Page !+ of !, ought not to pray #ut (hen they ha$e the 1pirit, and are under his influences for prayer is a natural duty, and #inding on all men, (ho are to pray as (ell as they can, though none #ut spiritual men can pray in a spiritual manner% and yet e$en such are not al(ays under the gracious influences of the 1pirit, and such, (hen destitute of them, should pray for them% for 7our hea$enly Gather (ill gi$e the 9oly 1pirit to them that ask him7% and (hen men are in darkness and distress, (ithout the light of 4od's countenance, the communications of his grace, and the influences of his 1pirit, they stand in the more need of prayer, and should #e more constant at it, \\#Ps !,+ ! 'on ) ),*,@\\. 5#. It should he performed 7(ith the understanding also7, as in the forementioned place% (ith an understanding of the o#:ect of prayer, 4od in Christ% or other(ise men (ill pray unto and (orship they kno( not (hat, an unkno(n 4od% and (ith an understanding of the (ay of access unto him, Christ, the /ediator #et(een 4od and man% and (ith a spiritual understanding of the things prayed for, ha$ing their understandings enlightened #y the 1pirit of 4od #y (hom they are taught (hat to pray for, and ho( to pray as they ought, and kno( that (hat they ask according to the (ill of 4od, that they ha$e the petitions they desire of him. 5c. It must #e done in faith, (ithout (hich it is impossi#le to please 4od in this or in any other duty% (hat (e ask (e should 7ask in faith, nothing (a$ering7% it is the 7prayer of faith7 that is effectual% for our 6ord assures us, 7all things (hatsoe$er ye shall ask in prayer, #elie$ing, ye shall recei$e7, \\#/t )! ))\\. 5d. Ger$ency in spirit is re0uisite to prayer% (e should #e fer$ent in spirit, 7ser$ing the 6ord7 in e$ery #ranch of duty, and so in this prayer% for it is 7the effectual fer$ent prayer of the righteous man (hich a$aileth much7, \\#'as 5 !6\\. Prayer, (hich is compared to incense, like that, #urns s(eetly, (hen kindled #y the fire of the 1pirit, and the flame of lo$e% such earnest, fer$ent, and importunate prayer (as made #y the church for Peter incessantly% and (e ha$e an instance of earnest, intense, and fer$ent prayer in our 6ord, (hose prayers and supplications (ere (ith 7strong crying7 and tears% and #eing in an agony, prayed the more earnestly and fer$ently, \\#6u )) ** 9e# 5 @\\. 5e. Prayer should #e put up to 4od in sincerity% it should go forth, 7not out of feigned lips7, #ut from the heart% men should dra( nigh to 4od (ith true hearts, and call upon him in truth% that is, in the sincerity of their souls% for (hen they cry not to him (ith their hearts, it is reckoned no other than ho(ling on their #eds, \\#9o @ !*\\. 5f. It should al(ays #e made (ith su#mission to the (ill of 4od, as our 6ord's (as (hen he prayed so earnestly so (hen (e (ant to ha$e a fa$our conferred, or an affliction remo$ed, it #ecomes us to say, 7the (ill of the 6ord #e done7, \\#6u )) *) &c )! !*\\. 5g. It should #e performed (ith assiduity and (atchfulness% there should #e a 7(atching thereunto (ith all perse$erance7,

Page !! of !, \\#Eph 6 !"\\ for a fit opportunity of doing it, and for the proper and suita#le time of need, and (hen the 6ord is nigh to #e found and there should #e a (atching in the same 7(ith thanksgi$ing7, \\#Col * )\\ for the aid and assistance of the 1pirit% that the heart #e lift up (ith the hands% that it does not (ander in it, nor enter into temptation and there should #e a (atching after it, for an ans(er to it, and a return of it% 7In the morning7, says ?a$id, 7(ill I direct my prayer unto thee, and look up7 for the #lessing or mercy prayed for% and again, 7I (ill hear (hat 4od the 6ord (ill speak7, \\#Ps 5 , "5 "\\. 6. >he time of prayer, (ith the continuance in it, and duration of it% it should #e 7al(ays7% 7Praying al(ays (ith all prayer7, \\#Eph 6 !"\\ hence these e3hortations% 7Continue in prayer% Pray (ithout ceasing7, \\#Col * ) !>h 5 !@\\. =ot that men are to #e al(ays on their knees, and e$er formally, praying ;!"<% for there are many ci$il duties of a man's calling in life (hich are to #e attended to% and other religious duties, #esides prayer, (hich are not to #e neglected% one duty is not to shut out another, (hether on a ci$il or sacred account #ut it is desira#le to #e al(ays in praying frames, and the heart to #e ready for it on all occasions% it should #e daily, since there is daily need of it, daily cases call for it% (e (ant daily #read for our #odies, and the in(ard man needs to #e rene(ed day #y day. >emptations are daily% our ad$ersary, the de$il, goes a#out continually like a roaring lion, seeking (hom he may de$our% and therefore (e should pray daily that (e enter not into temptation. >he a#o$e e3hortations are opposed unto, and strike at such (ho either pray not at all, :udging it to #e $ain and fruitless, \\#'o# )! !5\\ or (ho ha$e prayed, #ut ha$e left off praying, (hich 'o# (as charged (ith, though (rongly, \\#'o# !5 *\\ or (ho discontinue it #ecause they ha$e not an immediate ans(er% our 6ord spoke a para#le to this end, 7>hat men ought al(ays to pray, and not to faint7% to continue praying, and not #e discouraged, #ecause their prayers seem not to #e heard at once% and gi$es an instance of the success of the importunate (ido( (ith the un:ust :udge, \\#6u !" !\\, Ec. or (ho pray only (hen in distress% it is right to pray at such a time, \\#'as 5 !, Ps 5+ !5\\ #ut this is (hat graceless persons, (ho are in a state of distance and alienation from 4od, and (hat carnal professors and careless souls (ill do, \\#Isa )6 !6 9o 5 !5\\. >he 'e(s had stated times in the day for prayer. ?aniel prayed three times a day% and (hat these times (ere (e learn from ?a$id% 7E$ening, and morning, and at noon7, \\#Ps 55 !@\\. >he prayer in the morning, according to /aimonides ;!F<, (as from sunrising to the end of the fourth hour Kor ten o'clockL (hich is the third part of the day% see \\#&c ) !5\\. >he prayer at noon, (as at the si3th hour Kor t(el$e o'clockL, at (hich time Peter (ent up to the housetop to pray, \\#&c !+ F\\. >he e$ening prayer (as at the ninth hour Kor three o'clock in the afternoonL, a#out the time of the e$ening sacrifice% at (hich time, (hich (as the hour of prayer, Peter and 'ohn (ent up to the temple to pray% at this time (e find Cornelius at prayer, \\#&c , ! !+ ,\\ and this practice o#tained among Christians in early times. 'erome ;)+< speaks of it as a tradition of the church, that the third, si3th, and ninth hours are times for prayer% and it is a practice lauda#le enough, (here there is leisure from other la(ful e3ercises% and (hen no stress is laid on the

Page !) of !, punctual performance of it at these precise times% and is not made a term and condition of acceptance (ith 4od% (hich (ould #ring us #ack to the co$enant of (orks, ensnare our souls, and entangle us (ith a yoke of #ondage. 5hat Clemens of &le3andria ;)!< o#ser$es, is (orthy of notice% some, says he, appoint stated hours for prayer, the third, si3th, and ninth hours% #ut DDthe 4nostic K(ho is endued (ith the true kno(ledge of 4od and di$ine thingsL prays throughout his (hole life% his (hole life is an holy con$ocation, a sacred festi$al '' yea it is said of 1ocrates, the heathen philosopher, to the shame of Christians, DDthe life of 1ocrates (as full of prayer.'' Grom the (hole of this (e learn, that at least a day should not pass o$er (ithout prayer. I proceed to o#ser$e, @. >he encouragement to prayer, and the ad$antages arising from it. 1aints may #e encouraged to it. @a. Grom the concern (hich 4od, Gather, 1on, and 1pirit ha$e in it% (hich has #een taken notice of already. 4od the Gather, as the 4od of all grace, sits on the throne of grace, holding forth the sceptre of grace% in$iting men to come thither, (here they may find grace and mercy to help them in their time of need Christ is the /ediator, through (hom they ha$e access to 4od, audience of him, and acceptance (ith him% Christ is their &d$ocate (ith the Gather, (ho pleads their cause, and makes intercession for them% he introduces them into the presence of 4od, and as the &ngel of his presence presents their prayers to 4od, perfumed (ith his much incense. &nd the 1pirit of 4od is the 1pirit of grace and of supplication, (ho supplies them (ith grace, and assists them in their supplications to 4od% and #y (hom, through Christ, they ha$e access to 4od as their Gather. @#. Grom the interest saints ha$e in 4od, to (hom they pray, they ha$e encouragement to it% he is their Gather #y adopting grace, (hose heart is full of lo$e, pity, and compassion% his heart is to(ards them, his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries% he is their co$enant 4od and Gather, (ho has pro$ided #lessings in co$enant for them, and is ready to distri#ute them, upon their application to him #y prayer, \\#Php * !F\\. @c. Grom the call of 4od in pro$idence, and #y his 1pirit, to it, and his delight in it, saints may take encouragement to #e found in the performance of it, \\#Ps )@ "\\ he delights to see the face, and hear the prayers of his people, \\#Pr !5 " Ps !+) !@\\. @d. /any promises are made to praying souls% as of deli$erance from trou#le, Ec. \\#Ps 5+ !5 F! !5\\. Gor their encouragement it is said, 7&sk, and it shall #e gi$en7, Ec. \\#/t @ @\\ yea, 4od has ne$er 7said to the seed of 'aco#, 1eek ye me in $ain7, \\#Isa *5 !F\\. @e. >he e3perience the people of 4od in all ages ha$e had of ans(ers

Page !, of !, of prayers, either to themsel$es or others, ser$e greatly to animate them to this duty this (as the e3perience of ?a$id, and he o#ser$ed it in others, \\#Ps *+ ! ,* 6\\ and this (as not the case only of a single, and of a pri$ate person, #ut of good men in times past, in all ages, \\#Ps )) *,5\\. @f. It is 7good for saints to dra( nigh to 4od7% it is not only good, #ecause it is their duty% #ut it is a pleasant good, (hen they ha$e the presence of 4od in it, and their souls are dra(n out to(ards him% and it is a profita#le good to them, (hen 4od o(ns it as an ordinance, for the 0uickening the graces of his 1pirit, su#duing the corruptions of their hearts, and #ringing them into nearer communion and fello(ship (ith himself. Praying souls are profita#le in families, in churches, in neigh#ourhoods, and common(ealths% (hen prayerless ones are useless, and o#tain nothing, neither for themsel$es nor others. If all the fruits (hich faith produces in Christians, says BeJa ;))<, prayer, that is, calling on the name of 4od, through Christ, is the principal one. ;!< \Aomilia pro$ ton yeon h euch\A Clem. &le3. 1tromat. l. @. p. @)), @*). ;)< Clemens &le3. ut supra. ;,< In Beg. 9isp. Bi#l. ;*< &pud 'oseph. contra &pion. l. !. c. )). ;5< /aimon. Cele 9amikdash, c. 6. s. !, 5. 1ee 6ightfoot's >emple 1er$ice, c. @. s. ,. p. F)*, F)5. ;6< /aimon. 9ilchot >ephillah, c. ". s. !. ;@< I#. c. !!. s. !. ;"< ?e Mita /osis, l. ,. p. 6"5. et de 6eg. ad Caium, p. !+!*. ;F< In Mita e:us, s. 5*. ;!+< &polog. ). p. F,. ;!!< &pologet. c. ,F. ;!)< ?e Corona /il. c. ,. ;!,< >hey seem to ans(er to four (ords used #y the 'e(s, of prayer, \Nhn3t hlpt h$0# hkr#\N Mid. Mitringam de 1ynagog. $et. par. ). l. ,. c. !,. p. !+)5. E c. !F. p. !!+,. ;!*< 5itsius de Irat. ?omin. E3ercit. !. s. ), *. ;!5< \Aperi euch$\A, c. **. Ed. I3on. ;!6< If Praying for the Pardon of 1in% see the Body of ?octrinal ?i$inity, $ol. ii. #. 6. c. @. p. ,5*. \\1ee on topic !+!,\\. ;!@< 1ee a ?iscourse of mine on this te3t. \\1ee 4ill on 7!Co !* !57\\. ;!"< >here (ere a sort of heretics in the fourth century, called Euchetae and /essalians% (ho, neglecting all #usiness, pretended to pray continually, ascri#ing their (hole sal$ation to it, &ug. de 9aeres. c. 5@. E ?anaeus in i#. ;!F< 9ilchot >ephillah, c. ,. s. !. ;)+< Comment. in ?an. fol. )@+. /. ;)!< 1tromat. l. @. p. @)), @)". /a3imus >yrius apud 5itsium in Irat. ?omin. E3ercitat. ). s. !F. p. *,. ;))< Confessio Gidei, c. *. art. !6. p. ,*. --- End of Chapter ---

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