to flow forth with teares then a due consideration of Gods tender and mercifull dealing with man and his vngratefull and vngracious cariage towards God The feare of Gods wrath and iudgements and horror of hell may strike the heart with astonishment and amazement and make it as Nabals heart like a stone But griefe for displeasing a mercifull Father and sorrow for losse of Gods fauour is it which especially maketh the â—eart send forth and the eyes shed teares §. 98. Of extraordinary continuance in Prayer EXtraordinary Prayer further consisteth in long continuance when prayer is held out longer then at vsuall â—nd accustomed times Iacob continued a whole night â—n prayer so did Dauid and Christ Moses spent a day â—herein so did Ioshuah and the Elders of Israel Dauidâ—alled â—alled vpon God night day No doubt but Ionah spent â—he three dayes three nights that he was in the Whales â—elly in prayer It may be gathered that Daniel continued one and twenty dayes in prayer Not that without any intermission he so long prayed but that euery day in that time hee returned to extraordinary prayer for so long he was in heauinesse and eate no pleasant bread Now fasting and sorrow in the Saints are companions of prayer besides the Angell of God came to him at the end of those three weekes when his extraordinary prayers are to be supposed to end and said to him From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to vnderstand and to humble thy selfe before thy God thy words were heard Here he sheweth that with Daniels humiliation prayer was ioined else how could his words be heard Secondly that there were diuers daies spent therein else he would not say from the first day c. Now that first day being the beginning of the three weekes and the Angell comming at the end of the three weekes it is like he continued his extraordinary prayers so long Dauid indefinitely saith that he cried till he was weary till his throate was drie till his eies failed For extraordinary continuance he which prayeth must consider his owne strength and ability and not endeauour to goe beyond that for this is to prefer sacrifice before mercy which is against Gods will Neuer must this branch of extraordinary prayer be seuered from the other I meane continuance in time from feruency in heart For though prayer may be extraordinarily feruent when it is not long continued as Christs prayer yet ought not prayer long to continue except it be hearty and feruent for then will it be no better then that much babbling and p those long prayers which Christ reproueth Thus hauing in generall shewed what is extraordinary prayer for our better direction therein and stirring vp thereunto I will further declare First the occasions thereof Secondly helpes Thirdly motiues thereunto §. 99. Of the occasions of extraordinary prayer THe occaseons must be extraordinary and they may be drawne to two heads Blessings Iudgements For blessings if they be withheld extraordinary prayer must be vsed to obtaine them thus Annah obtained a sonne if they bee withdrawne and taken away to recouer them againe thus had Dauid the ioy of his saluation restored to him In these two examples wee see both temporall and spirituall blessings to be occasions of extraordinary praier Besides when we enterprise any thing that requireth an extraordinary blessing extraornary prayer is to be vsed As when we prepare our selues to sanctifie the Sabbath to partake of the holy Communion or to haue our childe baptized Likewise when wee marry enter into any waightie calling or office especially when Ministers are ordained or first set ouer vs. Christ prayed extraordinarily when hee chose his Apostles Luke 6. 12. 13. so did the Church when it sent forth Paul and Barnabas Acts 13. 3. And when they ordained Elders Acts 14. 2. Iudgements are either sinnes or punishments of sins In regard of sinnes extraordinary prayer is to be made either to free vs from temptations thereunto as Paul prayed with great ardencie saying O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death and againe he prayed thrice against a temptation yea Christ expresly commandeth his Disciples to watch and pray that they enter not into temptation or to pardon such sinnes as haue been committed and lye heauie vpon our conscience because they are in their kinde notorious or we haue long continued in them this mooued Dauid very earnestly to pray as also Peter and Manasseth Punishments of sinne are either threatned or inflicted They may by extraordinary prayer be preuented as the destruction of Niniueh threatned by Ionah was These may be remoued as Manasses captiuity was As ordinary prayer is to be made for others as well as for our selues so likewise extraordinary prayer is to be made for others as iust occasion is offered Moses his extraordinary prayer was for the sinne of the Israelites and for Gods iudgement threatned against them so was Ezraes prayer §. 100. Of the sundry kinds of Fasts THe helps affoorded to extraordinary prayer are especially two Fasting Vowing To Fast according to the notation of the Greeke words signifieth to abstaine from foode In this generall and large acceptation a Fast is diuersly taken For there is a physicall politicke inforced morall spirituall extraordinary hypocriticall supersticious hereticall and religious fast 1 A physicall fast is when for health sake a man forbeareth foode In many cases Physitians giue direction to their Patients to abstaine from eating and drinking for a time 2 A politicke fast is when somtimes of abstaining from foode are enioined for the preseruation of plenty and preuention of penury 3 An inforced and necessary Fast is when men haue not sufficient for ordinary meales as in a City besieged or in a ship on Sea farre from Land prouision being very scarse men are forced to take but one meale a day or to make euery other day a fasting day Thus many poore folke are forced often times to fast because they haue nothing to eate 4 A morall fast is when men eate and drinke sparingly not so much as their appetite desireth but onely so much as may preserue nature and maintaine health and strength that their wanton and lustfull flesh may not be pampered but rather kept vnder to which purpose tendeth this exhortation of Christ Take heed to your selues lest at any time your hearts be ouercharged with surfetting and drunkennesse This is not properly a fast because something is taken but onely respectibly because something is forborne 5 A spirituall fast is when men abstaine from vice which is as food to their corrupt nature Hereof the Lord speaketh where he saith Is not this the fast which I haue chosen to loose the bonds of wickednesse This is called
spoken before Now we will more distinctly consider the particular person mentioned in this place for whom prayers are most especially to bee made this is set downe vnder the Apostles person For me saith he Saint Paul was by vertue of his calling a Minister of the Gospell euen a publike Minister vnto the whole world by reason of his Apostleship yet more particularly in those places where he planted Churches and where his Ministery was powerfull and effectuall he was a peculiar Minister as himselfe saith to the Corinthians If I be not an Apostle to other yet doubtlesse I am to you for ye are the seale of mine Apostleship in the Lord. Among other Churches that at Ephesus to whom he wrote this Epistle was planted by him he was the spirituall father of that people and an especiall Minister vnto them As a Minister of the Gospel yea and as their Minister he requesteth this duty to pray for him and so much is cleere by that which he would haue them pray for in his behalfe namely vtterance and liberty to preach the Gospell From this particular I may raise this generall doctrine People are especially to be mindfull of their Ministers in their prayers to God As Paul and other Ministers haue desired this of their people so wee reade that when Peter was in prison Earnest prayer was made of the Church for him and when Paul and Sylas went forth to preach they were commended of the brethren to the grace of God namely by Prayer This did Christ giue in charge saying Pray the Lord of the haruest that he would send forth labourers into his haruest §. 152. Of motiues to pray for Ministers VVAighty motiues there bee to presse this duty for Ministers especially 1 Of all callings the Ministers is the most excellent necessary and profitable for it respecteth the soule for which Ministers watch yea the spirituall heauenly and eternall good of body and soule 2 It is of all the most difficult whereupon the Apostle with great emphasis saith Who is sufficient for thes◠things difficult it is in two respects 1 Of the worke it selfe 2 Of the persons who are deputed to that worke The function of a Minister is to quicken such as a◠dead in sinne to raise vp and restore such as are falle◠backe againe to comfort those that are troubled in conscience to strengthen the weake to encourage the faint hearted to confound the obstinate to stand against all aduerse power together with many other like things all which are aboue humane straine more then flesh and blood can doe yet the persons to whose ministery these great workes are deputed are flesh and blood sonnes of men Men subiect to the like common passions that all other men are in consideration whereof many being called to this function haue sought to decline it as Moses Ieremiah Ionah and others and Elisha when he was to succeede Eliah desired that the spirit of Eliah might be doubled vpon him 3 Of all sorts of men faithfull Ministers are most opposed by Satan and his instruments so soone as Christ was publikely set apart to performe his ministeriall function Satan set vpon him in the wildernesse and euer after the Scribes Pharisies Saduces Herodians and other limmes of the Diuell persecuted him from time to time When Iehoshua stood before the Angell of the Lord to receiue his commission Satan stood at his right hand to resist him When the Apostles were to be sent forth to preach then Satan desired to winnow them as wheat The hystory of the Acts of the Apostles sheweth what storms haue continually beene raised against the Apostles while they were diligently occupied in their ministeriall function one trouble came vpon the necke of another as waue vpon waue Other hystories testifie as much of other Ministers our times are not without too euident demonstrations of this point As Christ while he liued a priuate life so others liue quietly in comparison of the following times but when they beginne faithfully to exercise their ministery then arise the stormes for Satan well knoweth that if the shepheard be smitten the sheepe will soone be scattered therefore he vseth the King of Arams policy he bendeth all his forces against the Captaines of the Lords army 4 Their failing in their duty is most dangerous If they perish many perish with them For they are like the Admirall ship which carrieth the lanthorne whereby the whole fleete is guided if in a stormy and darke night that sinke whither will the rest of the nauy When Peter stept out of the way many Iewes and Barnabas also went astray with them That very Apostle prophesying of false teachers that should bring in damnable heresie saith Many shall follow their damnable wayes How did Arrius in his time seduce the greatest part of Christendome Neuer were there any Ministers corrupt in life or doctrine but many were drawne into perdition with them Are not now prayers hearty and earnest prayers to be made for Ministers especially Oh pray that the Lord would send forth faithfull Labourers and pray for a blessing on them which are sent forth Doe this in publike doe it in priuate let vs your Ministers neuer be forgotten We well know the power of faithfull prayer and the need we haue thereof You know the benefit of faithfull preaching and the neede you haue thereof Wee to our poore power are mindfull of you Our mouth is opened vnto you our heart is enlarged Now for recompence in the same be ye also enlarged You reape the fruit and benefit of that blessing which God bestoweth on our labours Hitherto of the person who is to be prayed for §. 153. Of the things which are to be prayed for in the behalfe of Ministers IT remaineth to shew both what is to be prayed for in the behalfe of Ministers and why That which is to be prayed for is in one word Vtterance which is amplified first by the manner secondly by the end The manner is declared in two branches First Opening the mouth Secondly Liberty of speech The end is to make knowne the mystery of the Gospell The reasons why the Apostle would haue those things prayed for in his behalfe are two One taken from his Office he was an Ambassador for the Gospell The other from his present condition he was in bonds Hereupon he repeateth againe the thing to be prayed for in these words That therein I may speake boldly and the manner in these as I ought to speake §. 154. Of Ministers inability in themselues ALL the things which are here set downe the Apostle desireth to be giuen vnto him because hee well knew he had them not of himselfe Here then first note Ministers haue no ability to performe their Ministeriall function except it be giuen them For we are not sufficient of our selues to
2. 14. 15. r 1. Tim. 3. 16. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vse 1. It requireth study and prayer Vse 2. The knowledge of it affordeth no matter of boasting but of thanksgiuing a Mat. 11. 25. b 16. 17. Vse 3. No maruell so many erred in it c Mat. 11. 25. d 2. Cor. 4. 4. Vse 4. A preposterous conceit to think other books coÌ„tain more profouÌ„d matter then the Gospell which is a mystery d Vid. Bez annot maiores in Mat. 15. v. 2. 3. e 35. Trid. Synod omnes lib. tam vet quan noui Test nec non traditiones ipsas paripietatis affectu suscipit Ses 4. dec â— Caluin Instit lib. 1. cap. 9. f 1. Cor. 2. 14. g and 3. 19. h and 2. 7. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obser 14. Euery one sâ—ekâ— to discharge his charge a 1 Kin. 3. 7. 9 b Psal 72. 1 c Acts. 13. 2 3 d Acts 20. 28 c Col. 4. 17 f 1 Tim. 6. 20 Reason g Mat. 25. 19. Vse Euery one haue an eye to his particular office h Tit. 1. 7 i 1 Cor. 4. 1 k 3. 8 9 10 l 1 Tim. 3. 1 m Ier. 23. 2 n Ezec. 3. 17 Obser 15. A Ministers function is the office of an Ambassadour o 2 Cor. 5. 20 p 1 Cor. 1. 1 Other Ambassadors besides Paul a Gal. 5. 2 b Eph. 3 1 c Phil. ver 19. The Apostles were speciall ambassadours Other Ministers ambassadours also d Ephe. 4. 11. e Reu. 1. 20. Obser 16. The dignity of the Ministry f 1 Pet. 5. 1. g Heb. 13. 17. h Act. 20. 28. i 2 King 13. 14 k 1 Cor. 3 8 10 l Reu. 1. 20. m Mat. 5. 14. Instruction for people how to esteeme their Ministers n Gal. 4. 14 Mat. 10. 40 o Iohn 13. 20 Vse 2. Reproofe of such as disgrace Ministers p Luke 10. 16 q 1 Sam. 8. 7 r Mal. 3. 8 f Mat. 10. 15 a Psa 105. 15 b Mat. 23. 37 c 1. Cor. 4. 13 Vse 3. Comfort and encouragement to Gods Ambassadors Duties of Ministers Obser 17. 1 Worthy walking d Col. 1. 10 e Phil. 1. 27 f Ephe. 4. 1. g 1 Tim. 4 12 h 1 Sam. 2. 30. Obser 18. 2 Faithfulnes k Pro. 13. 17. l Heb. 3. 1 2. m Num. 12. 7. n 1 Cor. 4. 2. Wherein a Ministers faithfulnesse consisteth 1 Nothing to be deliuered but what is receiued o Ioh. 7. 16 17. q 1 Cor. 11. 13. r Ier. 14. 1 Å¿ Mal. 1. 1 t Isa 50. 1. u Ezek. 3. 17 * Mat. 28. 20 x Ier. 23. 16 21 2 Gods whole message to be deliuered See §. 163. y Ier. 1. 17 * Mat. 28. 20 z 1 Kin. 22. 14 * Ier. 42. 4 Gods Word to be deliuered as Gods Word a 1 Pet. 4. 11 1 With grauitie See §. 163. 2 With authority a Tit. 2. 15 b Mar. 1. 22 c 1 Thes 2. 13 3 With sincerity d 2 Cor 2. 17 Expounded * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pseudopostolos tangit humanum sensum diuinae praedicationi miscentes vnde Esayas ait Caupones tui miscent vino aquam Hieron c 1 Pet. 2. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f 1 Tim. 3. 1 g 2 Tim. 2. 15. h 1 Cor. 3. 9. i Ezec. 3. 17. k Ier. 23. 4 l Cor. 4. 5. m 1 Cor. 3. 5 n Tit. 1. 7 Obseru 19. 3 Gods mercy in appointing Ambassadors 1 Mans weakenesse succoured o Isa 6. 2 p Exod. 20. 18 q Deut. 5. 25 r Verse 27. Å¿ Acts 14. 15 2 â—ans faith supported t 2. Cor. 5. 20. Vse Reiect not the Gospell because it is preached by man u Gal. 4. 14. * 1 Thes 2. 13 x 2 Chr. 20 20 y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Act. 28. 16 31. How Paul was chained Lipsius in lib. Taciti 3. c Acts 28. 16. Obseru 20. Christs Ministers vsed as malefactors d 2 Tim. 2. 9 e Acts 12. 4. 6. f Mat. 26. 47. 55. Reason g 1 Pet. 2. 22. h Rom. 1. 14. i Iam. 3. 17. Obser 21. Persecution no matter of shame k 2 Tim. 1. 8. 12. 1 Pet. 4. 16. Reason l Mat. 5. 12. m Phil. 1. 29. Ibi erat Christus â—vbi latrones Similis paena sed dissimilis causa Aug. ser 50. de sanc * Luk. 23. 14 Obseru 22. The cause of persecution is that which honoureth it Causa non paena facit martyrem Aug. epist 61. Reason What is it that causeth comfort in persecution a Mat. 5. 10 b Gen. 39. 12 c Heb. 11. 25 d Dan. 6. 10 e Mar. 3. 6 Iohn 5. 16 f Acts 4. 2 3 g Acts 9. 2 h Mat 5. 11 i 1 Pet. 4. 14 k Mat. 10. 33 Try the cause in all persecution l 1 Pet. 4. 15 m 2 Tim. 2. 12 a ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obser 23. Christs Ambassadours worse dealt withall then others Ambassadours o Mat. 23. 37 p Acts 7. 52. Reason 1. Their message irksome q Ephe. 5. 8 r Mat. 5. 14 f Mat. 10. 35. Reason 2. Their Master of another world a Iohn 18. 36. b Acts 20. 24. c Ion. 1. 2 3. Obser 24. Ministers must vse what libertie they can d Acts 16. 32. e 1. Cor. 9. 16. Reason Whether Ministers inhibited may preach f Act. 5. 40 42. g Amos 7. 12. c. Vse 1 h Prou. 22. 13. Obser 25. Ministers restrained to be prayed for i Heb. 13. 19. k Act. 12. 5. Reason 1. g Acts 12. 7. c. Reason 2. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obser 26. Boldnesse needfull Obseru 27. Foure commendable vertues in the Apostle 1 His iealousie of his own weakenesse c Heb. 12. 11 2 His earnest desire of well performing his function d Acts 20. 24. 3 His inuincible resolution e Heb. 12. 4. 4 His strong affiance f Ephe. 4. 8. g 2 Tim. 2. 9. Vse a Mat. 13. 21. b 2 Tim. 4. 16. Obseru 28. To preach the Gospell boldly a necessary thing c 1 Cor 9. 16. Obseru 29. The Word to be preached after a right manner e 1 Pet. 4. 11. Reason Obser 29. Ministers must carry themselues according to their present condition d Mat. 10. 16. e Acts 15. 29. f Act. 19. 9 10. g vers 26. h vers 8. i vers 24 25 c. Vse Pray for the spirit of wisdome k Ephe. 1. 17. l Phil. 1. 10. m Mat. 10. 19 20. n Luk. 11. 13. o Rom. 12. 3. p Act. 4. 29. Matth. 12. 22. Vers 24. Vers 26. Vers 25. Vers 27 Vers 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doct. 1. The sinnes of impudent sinners are to be plainly discouered a Isa 58. 1. b Titus 1. 13. Reasons 1 This may be a meanes to reclaime them c Act. 2. 37. Tit. 1. 13. 2 Others may bee warned thereby to take heed of the like sins Ier. 44. 16. Ezec. 3. 7. Malac. 3. 16. 3 They are made more inexcusable and God more iustified Dan. 9. 5. Vers 6. Vers