Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	bear_v	great_a	king_n	1,542	5	3.5361	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54945	A discourse of prayer wherein this great duty is stated, so as to oppose some principles and practices of Papists and fanaticks; as they are contrary to the publick forms of the Church of England, established by her ecclesiastical canons, and confirmed by acts of Parliament. By Thomas Pittis, D.D. one of His Majesties chaplains in ordinary. Wherefore, that way and profession in religion, which gives the best directions for it, (viz. prayer) with the most effectual motives to it, and most aboundeth in its observance, hath therein the advantage of all others. Dr. Owen in his preface to his late discourse of the work of the Holy SPirit in prayer, &c.	Pittis, Thomas, 1636-1687.	1683 (1683)	Wing P2314; ESTC R220541	149,431	404

and_o last_o a_o constant_a demonstration_n of_o this_o affection_n throughout_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n especial_o in_o our_o confession_n prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n to_o god_n first_o then_o do_v we_o just_o contemplate_v the_o work_n of_o god_n when_o we_o make_v diligent_a search_n into_o they_o and_o fix_v our_o mind_n upon_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o orderly_a disposal_n for_o use_n and_o ornament_n when_o we_o consider_v both_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o more_o particular_o reflect_v upon_o ourselves_o as_o david_n do_v and_o see_v how_o fearful_o and_o wonderful_o we_o be_v make_v that_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v infer_v the_o wisdom_n goodness_n and_o power_n of_o god_n 2._o then_o do_v we_o perform_v the_o next_o thing_n preparative_n to_o prayer_n and_o adoration_n when_o upon_o the_o intellectual_a view_n of_o any_o of_o god_n work_n of_o creation_n or_o providence_n we_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v his_o glorious_a attribute_n thus_o render_v apparent_a to_o we_o because_o there_o be_v sufficient_a footstep_n of_o these_o in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n thus_o the_o heaven_n declare_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o firmament_n show_v his_o handy_a work_n day_n unto_o day_n utter_v speech_n and_o night_n unto_o night_n show_v knowledge_n psal_n 19.1_o 2._o and_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o he_o say_v st._n paul_n be_v clear_o see_v from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n rom._n 1.20_o 3._o we_o ascend_v another_o step_n of_o moral_a service_n when_o by_o due_a consideration_n we_o act_n with_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n upon_o the_o work_n of_o god_n infer_v from_o thence_o his_o glorious_a attribute_n and_o upon_o the_o contemplation_n and_o view_n we_o be_v proper_o and_o true_o affect_v with_o they_o as_o thing_n that_o mark_v out_o a_o most_o excellent_a be_v this_o affection_n will_v appear_v in_o our_o admiration_n love_n and_o awful_a regard_n to_o he_o in_o our_o humility_n of_o mind_n and_o dependence_n on_o he_o in_o our_o rejoice_v and_o confide_v in_o he_o and_o the_o like_a act_n of_o rational_a creature_n towards_o their_o great_a and_o sovereign_a creator_n and_o therefore_o last_o we_o must_v give_v all_o possible_a testimony_n of_o these_o affection_n throughout_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n by_o adore_v he_o who_o we_o have_v cause_n to_o fear_v by_o invoke_v he_o on_o who_o we_o depend_v by_o give_v thanks_o to_o he_o who_o be_v our_o great_a benefactor_n by_o continual_a call_n on_o his_o power_n for_o aid_n and_o pray_v his_o goodness_n to_o relieve_v we_o in_o our_o necessity_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a obedience_n to_o he_o who_o be_v our_o king_n and_o most_o supreme_a governor_n now_o though_o none_o almost_o who_o be_v endow_v with_o any_o reason_n and_o understanding_n can_v refuse_v from_o the_o prospect_n of_o this_o to_o conclude_v prayer_n to_o be_v both_o necessary_a and_o advantageous_a yet_o the_o disputer_n of_o this_o world_n especial_o when_o they_o like_v not_o the_o man_n that_o write_v it_o will_v not_o be_v so_o easy_o satisfy_v for_o 1._o some_o have_v conjecture_v thing_n to_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n and_o fortune_n deny_v god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n by_o providence_n 2._o other_o have_v introduce_v a_o stoical_a fatality_n conclude_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v necessary_a banish_v what_o we_o call_v contingency_n now_o whether_o this_o be_v say_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o concatenation_n of_o second_o cause_n by_o the_o fatality_n of_o star_n or_o by_o reason_n of_o absolute_a and_o irrespective_a decree_n this_o principle_n like_o the_o former_a take_v away_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o regard_v the_o procure_a benefit_n to_o ourselves_o and_o render_v our_o petition_n useless_a and_o in_o vain_a if_o god_n be_v inexorable_a and_o have_v so_o tie_v himself_o up_o by_o his_o own_o decree_n that_o he_o will_v not_o be_v entreat_v by_o the_o most_o profound_a and_o sincere_a devotion_n nor_o the_o most_o affectionate_a humble_a and_o hearty_a prayer_n of_o man_n who_o he_o have_v yet_o command_v to_o petition_v he_o oh_o what_o a_o strange_a be_v do_v some_o man_n make_v he_o this_o suppose_v he_o to_o be_v so_o unlike_a to_o the_o great_a maker_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o universe_n that_o a_o man_n of_o but_o a_o tolerable_a nature_n and_o ingenuity_n will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o such_o a_o description_n of_o himself_o now_o though_o it_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o objection_n raise_v from_o such_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a principle_n to_o expose_v the_o proposition_n upon_o which_o such_o inference_n be_v build_v yet_o because_o it_o will_v too_o much_o swell_v this_o discourse_n i_o shall_v rather_o do_v it_o with_o reference_n unto_o prayer_n by_o this_o more_o short_a and_o ready_a method_n 1._o by_o show_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o dark_a and_o most_o secret_a decree_n god_n have_v promise_v to_o hear_v and_o grant_v man_n lawful_a petition_n 2._o that_o he_o have_v do_v so_o even_o when_o he_o have_v seem_v to_o determine_v thing_n opposite_a to_o what_o they_o ask_v and_o 3._o by_o give_v some_o reason_n for_o this_o duty_n of_o prayer_n which_o will_v determine_v the_o point_n how_o great_a soever_o the_o objection_n against_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v first_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o hear_v and_o grant_v man_n lawful_a petition_n offer_v to_o god_n thanksgiving_n and_o pay_v thy_o vow_n unto_o the_o most_o high_a and_o call_v upon_o i_o say_v god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n i_o will_v deliver_v thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v glorify_v i_o psal_n 50.14_o 15._o when_o solomon_n have_v finish_v that_o glorious_a temple_n devout_o dedicate_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n the_o great_a jehovah_n signify_v to_o he_o the_o acceptance_n both_o of_o his_o prayer_n and_o dedication_n together_o with_o the_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o place_n for_o a_o house_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o then_o he_o make_v this_o solemn_a promise_n if_o i_o shut_v up_o heaven_n that_o there_o be_v no_o rain_n or_o if_o i_o command_v the_o locust_n to_o devour_v the_o land_n or_o if_o i_o send_v a_o pestilence_n among_o my_o people_n if_o my_o people_n upon_o who_o my_o name_n be_v call_v shall_v humble_v themselves_o and_o pray_v and_o seek_v my_o face_n and_o turn_v from_o their_o wicked_a way_n then_o will_v i_o hear_v from_o heaven_n and_o will_v forgive_v their_o sin_n and_o will_v heal_v their_o land_n and_o my_o eye_n shall_v be_v open_a and_o my_o ear_n attent_a unto_o the_o prayer_n that_o be_v make_v in_o this_o place_n 2_o chron._n seven_o chap._n 13_o 14_o 15._o and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v unreasonable_o think_v that_o such_o promise_n only_o concern_v the_o jew_n when_o the_o thing_n which_o it_o be_v quote_v to_o prove_v be_v equal_o as_o to_o the_o main_a substance_n a_o duty_n and_o a_o encouragement_n to_o the_o christian_n let_v he_o quit_v the_o old_a testament_n in_o point_n of_o controversy_n and_o we_o will_v present_o make_v use_v only_o of_o the_o new_a but_o then_o some_o jesuited_a protestant_n might_n many_o time_n lose_v their_o cause_n if_o they_o have_v not_o prophecy_n to_o retire_v to_o in_o the_o dark_a and_o will_v have_v nothing_o but_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n to_o guide_v they_o yet_o however_o let_v we_o peruse_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o promise_n in_o this_o case_n will_v appear_v more_o large_a and_o comprehensive_a where_o we_o have_v the_o blood_n of_o sprinkle_v speak_v better_a thing_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n that_o plead_v strong_o for_o the_o acceptance_n of_o christian_n lawful_a petition_n where_o we_o have_v the_o mediator_n of_o a_o better_a covenant_n who_o continual_o appear_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n present_v both_o his_o suffering_n and_o his_o triumph_n and_o in_o virtue_n of_o his_o sacrifice_n upon_o the_o cross_n now_o live_v to_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o and_o therefore_o our_o prayer_n through_o his_o hand_n ascend_v as_o incense_v when_o we_o offer_v our_o spiritual_a sacrifice_n by_o he_o our_o intercessor_n do_v sufficient_o consecrate_v they_o in_o who_o name_n we_o be_v exhort_v to_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n that_o we_o may_v obtain_v mercy_n and_o find_v grace_n to_o help_v we_o in_o time_n of_o need_n heb._n 4.16_o nay_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o incourage_v all_o his_o disciple_n to_o make_v their_o petition_n to_o almighty_a god_n ask_v say_v he_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v you_o seek_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v knock_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v open_v unto_o you_o for_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v receive_v and_o he_o that_o seek_v find_v and_o to_o he_o

in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o water_n especial_o over_o such_o fish_n as_o carry_v money_n in_o their_o mouth_n if_o they_o do_v not_o in_o plain_a term_n endeavour_v to_o make_v party_n in_o the_o church_n that_o their_o own_o may_v at_o last_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o great_a by_o whatever_o under_o the_o pretext_n of_o religion_n convey_v delight_n by_o that_o variety_n which_o please_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n why_o shall_v they_o not_o as_o well_o preach_v extempore_o as_o pray_v so_o in_o their_o sermon_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o be_v wont_a to_o use_v all_o the_o art_n and_o study_v that_o they_o can_v accommodate_v their_o doctrine_n and_o expression_n too_o that_o their_o pain_n may_v bear_v proportion_n to_o their_o auditory_a and_o the_o fashion_n and_o example_n of_o those_o who_o be_v in_o great_a repute_n among_o they_o and_o i_o can_v divine_v what_o may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o different_a regard_n to_o prayer_n and_o preach_v unless_o they_o have_v more_o care_n in_o those_o speech_n they_o direct_v unto_o man_n than_o they_o take_v about_o those_o which_o they_o present_v unto_o god_n for_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v no_o great_a promise_n of_o a_o assistance_n from_o heaven_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o one_o than_o they_o have_v also_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o do_v they_o think_v that_o text_n in_o the_o eight_o to_o the_o roman_n prove_v effectual_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n assist_v they_o in_o their_o prayer_n because_o the_o apostle_n have_v deliver_v that_o likewise_o the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n because_o we_o know_v not_o what_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v well_o weigh_v and_o consider_v with_o the_o context_n it_o will_v only_o evidence_n our_o saviour_n most_o earnest_a and_o wise_a intercession_n for_o we_o in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o always_o accompany_v he_o the_o support_n of_o our_o mind_n under_o the_o great_a pressure_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o this_o world_n or_o most_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v dictate_v by_o the_o spirit_n have_v give_v we_o direction_n for_o the_o proper_a head_n and_o ●●●●er_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o resolve_n still_o by_o some_o benign_a and_o secret_a influence_n which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o describe_v to_o other_o to_o proportion_v our_o affection_n and_o elevate_v our_o mind_n to_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o concernment_n we_o pray_v for_o and_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o majesty_n to_o who_o we_o petition_v and_o because_o if_o i_o be_v the_o great_a critic_n in_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v always_o abhor_v the_o sound_n any_o necessary_a doctrine_n upon_o the_o signification_n of_o a_o word_n in_o scripture_n which_o word_n we_o know_v as_o in_o profane_a author_n be_v frequent_o equivocal_a and_o restrain_v according_a to_o the_o compass_n of_o that_o matter_n in_o which_o they_o be_v therefore_o i_o say_v nothing_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o nor_o concern_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d neither_o but_o if_o man_n be_v resolve_v for_o end_n that_o will_v not_o serve_v they_o at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n to_o which_o they_o refer_v many_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v end_v here_o to_o make_v these_o word_n against_o their_o own_o will_n in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o think_v man_n that_o be_v not_o either_o knavish_a or_o mad_a to_o express_v a_o promise_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a assistance_n from_o the_o spirit_n now_o in_o our_o invention_n of_o matter_n and_o word_n in_o prayer_n unto_o god_n they_o may_v as_o well_o rely_v if_o they_o be_v please_v with_o such_o way_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n upon_o that_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n make_v to_o the_o apostle_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o preach_v and_o write_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n john_n 16.13_o howbeit_o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o because_o there_o be_v divine_a inspiration_n at_o the_o first_o which_o be_v necessary_a if_o god_n will_v deliver_v a_o law_n by_o the_o mouth_n or_o writing_n of_o any_o select_v out_o of_o the_o race_n of_o man_n our_o gift_a brethren_n may_v if_o they_o please_v take_v occasion_n from_o the_o 10_o of_o st._n matthew_n vers_n 19_o and_o 20_o to_o attempt_v any_o thing_n without_o premeditation_n or_o study_v and_o then_o to_o be_v sure_a we_o shall_v be_v hard_o enough_o for_o they_o since_o our_o saviour_n there_o inform_v his_o disciple_n that_o they_o need_v take_v no_o thought_n what_o or_o how_o the_o shall_v speak_v because_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v they_o in_o that_o hour_n i._n e._n when_o they_o may_v have_v occasion_n and_o he_o use_v a_o argument_n to_o raise_v and_o to_o confirm_v their_o belief_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o you_o that_o speak_v say_v he_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o your_o father_n which_o speak_v in_o you_o and_o yet_o i_o fancy_v that_o if_o our_o extempore_o man_n be_v in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n and_o put_v under_o those_o condition_n which_o this_o text_n suppose_v and_o be_v accuse_v of_o something_o capital_a before_o a_o magistrate_n they_o will_v not_o only_o study_v all_o way_n of_o clear_v themselves_o to_o avoid_v the_o punishment_n what_o ever_o at_o last_o become_v of_o the_o guilt_n and_o this_o they_o will_v endeavour_v by_o all_o the_o mean_n that_o a_o close_a consultation_n with_o their_o own_o thought_n can_v possible_o suggest_v and_o not_o only_o with_o seriousness_n prepare_v a_o answer_n to_o any_o accusation_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o i_o believe_v too_o they_o will_v condescend_v to_o advise_v with_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n that_o they_o may_v if_o possible_o avoid_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o judge_n nay_o in_o such_o case_n whether_o they_o will_v fee_v bribe_n or_o make_v the_o great_a friend_n they_o can_v i_o leave_v to_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o experience_n that_o i_o may_v say_v nothing_o of_o make_v public_a commotion_n to_o save_v themselves_o and_o as_o in_o business_n of_o this_o nature_n gift_a man_n be_v incline_v to_o think_v that_o such_o promise_n of_o assistance_n be_v only_o intend_v for_o a_o short_a time_n and_o not_o to_o reach_v this_o present_a age_n so_o though_o the_o apostle_n act_n 2._o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n begin_v to_o speak_v with_o divers_a language_n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v they_o utterance_n they_o will_v submit_v their_o spirit_n and_o condescend_v to_o the_o contrivance_n of_o head_n of_o matter_n and_o mode_n of_o expression_n when_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n though_o they_o be_v to_o speak_v in_o no_o other_o than_o their_o mother_n tongue_n now_o why_o shall_v this_o great_a care_n be_v have_v in_o their_o sermon_n to_o the_o people_n when_o they_o usual_o have_v so_o slender_a a_o regard_n to_o what_o they_o utter_v in_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n of_o time_n and_o season_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n for_o sure_o preach_v as_o well_o as_o pray_v be_v a_o ordinance_n to_o continue_v till_o the_o elect_n be_v gather_v and_o that_o will_v not_o be_v till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n unless_o they_o will_v affirm_v and_o give_v we_o too_o apparent_a a_o argument_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o spirit_n have_v so_o order_v matter_n that_o less_o pain_n and_o diligence_n be_v to_o be_v use_v when_o we_o address_v to_o god_n than_o when_o we_o speak_v only_o to_o the_o people_n and_o if_o any_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o talk_v thus_o i_o hate_v to_o refute_v such_o nonsense_n and_o blasphemy_n both_o together_o for_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o such_o man_n must_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o rebuke_n which_o the_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n receive_v from_o our_o saviour_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n john_n chap._n 12.43_o who_o though_o they_o believe_v on_o he_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o because_o they_o love_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n more_o than_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n and_o let_v their_o ear_n be_v never_o so_o much_o circumcise_v they_o render_v themselves_o opposite_a to_o the_o true_a circumcision_n who_o praise_n be_v not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n rom._n 2.29_o and_o how_o far_o such_o contrivance_n may_v comport_v with_o sincerity_n and_o be_v distant_a from_o that_o hypocrisy_n which_o have_v so_o many_o woe_n attend_v it_o i_o shall_v leave_v to_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o adjust_a and_o content_v myself_o with_o that_o direction_n which_o the_o great_a author_n of_o our_o most_o excellent_a religion_n have_v

can_v reasonable_o give_v a_o check_n to_o our_o devotion_n or_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o invoke_v the_o deity_n especial_o if_o in_o the_o last_o place_n we_o consider_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o objection_n there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o determine_v we_o in_o this_o point_n and_o fix_v prayer_n as_o a_o duty_n upon_o we_o for_o 1._o admit_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v predetermine_v by_o their_o creator_n not_o only_o in_o the_o general_n but_o in_o particular_a too_o in_o what_o order_n they_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o world_n what_o regard_n they_o shall_v bear_v to_o each_o other_o nay_o the_o minute_a circumstance_n of_o person_n and_o thing_n yet_o since_o all_o must_v be_v accomplish_v by_o a_o wise_a and_o powerful_a application_n of_o active_n to_o passives_n by_o invigorate_n cause_n to_o produce_v their_o effect_n or_o withdraw_v their_o force_n or_o by_o new_a mixture_n alter_v their_o nature_n as_o may_v best_o comport_v with_o the_o particular_a end_n of_o the_o eternal_a decree_n since_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o mean_n be_v use_v by_o the_o supreme_a governor_n to_o bring_v about_o the_o design_n of_o his_o providence_n who_o know_v but_o prayer_n may_v be_v one_o especial_o since_o it_o infallible_o operate_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n beyond_o any_o rhetorical_a exhortation_n in_o the_o world_n to_o cause_v they_o to_o change_v evil_a resolution_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o most_o wise_a be_v although_o it_o can_v not_o incline_v he_o to_o alter_v any_o decree_n that_o be_v go_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n nor_o break_v any_o link_n in_o the_o fix_a and_o determine_v chain_n of_o providence_n nay_o we_o may_v with_o great_a reason_n conclude_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o 2._o we_o consider_v that_o we_o be_v command_v to_o pray_v by_o god_n himself_o who_o infinite_a wisdom_n never_o design_v such_o great_a solemnity_n to_o no_o purpose_n nor_o can_v he_o only_o appoint_v it_o in_o honour_n to_o himself_o when_o he_o have_v declare_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v beneficial_a unto_o we_o how_o can_v we_o otherwise_o understand_v st._n james_n chap._n 5.13_o be_v any_o among_o you_o afflict_v let_v he_o pray_v be_v any_o man_n sick_a among_o you_o let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o let_v they_o pray_v over_o he_o and_o the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v save_v the_o sick_a st._n paul_n have_v petition_v to_o no_o purpose_n when_o satan_n stir_v up_o some_o potent_a lust_n in_o his_o own_o flesh_n or_o the_o malice_n of_o his_o severe_a adversary_n to_o buffet_v he_o if_o prayer_n have_v not_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o convey_v relief_n to_o he_o and_o yet_o we_o find_v he_o thrice_o intercede_v in_o his_o own_o behalf_n for_o the_o removal_n of_o this_o afflict_a evil_n 2_o cor._n 12.8_o and_o though_o he_o may_v not_o obtain_v the_o particular_a thing_n which_o he_o pray_v for_o yet_o instead_o of_o that_o he_o gain_v grace_n and_o strength_n to_o support_v he_o in_o his_o misery_n and_o in_o the_o end_n to_o triumph_v over_o his_o infirmity_n and_o snare_n but_o what_o matter_n be_v it_o how_o great_a and_o formidable_a objection_n be_v by_o which_o carnal_a and_o indevout_a man_n quarrel_v that_o which_o they_o find_v to_o be_v a_o duty_n inconsistent_a with_o their_o loose_a and_o ungodly_a temper_n as_o long_o as_o we_o find_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v endeavour_v from_o a_o natural_a instinct_n to_o appease_v the_o deity_n and_o render_v god_n propitious_a to_o they_o as_o long_o as_o any_o outward_a revelation_n have_v be_v legible_a to_o the_o world_n we_o find_v prayer_n a_o ingredient_n in_o man_n worship_n it_o be_v the_o practice_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n command_v both_o by_o moses_n and_o christ_n what_o shall_v we_o then_o regard_v fallacious_a and_o ill-grounded_a argument_n for_o against_o so_o solemn_a and_o universal_a a_o duty_n when_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v teach_v we_o to_o pray_v and_o promise_v that_o we_o shall_v receive_v what_o we_o ask_v for_o if_o we_o ask_v not_o amiss_o when_o we_o read_v those_o precept_n of_o the_o inspire_v and_o bless_v apostle_n st._n paul_n pray_v without_o cease_v continue_v instant_a in_o prayer_n and_o the_o like_a when_o we_o know_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n be_v constant_a and_o zealous_a in_o their_o prayer_n and_o from_o they_o it_o have_v be_v derive_v downward_o as_o a_o duty_n to_o we_o through_o all_o the_o intermediate_v age_n of_o the_o church_n nay_o unless_o final_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o sacred_a text_n to_o be_v apocryphal_a phil._n 4.6_o in_o every_o thing_n by_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n with_o thanksgiving_n let_v your_o request_n be_v make_v know_v unto_o god_n and_o who_o will_v willing_o if_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n cancel_v such_o a_o duty_n which_o beside_o the_o inward_a satisfaction_n man_n conversant_a in_o it_o receive_v in_o the_o performance_n be_v devout_o and_o orderly_o act_v towards_o god_n through_o the_o merit_n of_o our_o saviour_n it_o obtain_v temporal_a spiritual_a and_o eternal_a blessing_n elijah_n pray_v for_o rain_n in_o a_o time_n of_o drought_n and_o the_o heaven_n quick_o relent_v weep_v 1_o king_n 18_o chap._n hannah_n petition_v god_n for_o a_o son_n and_o then_o bring_v forth_o samuel_n for_o this_o child_n say_v she_o i_o pray_v and_o the_o lord_n give_v i_o my_o petition_n that_o i_o ask_v of_o he_o 1_o sam._n 1.27_o ephraim_n bemoan_v himself_o and_o pray_v that_o he_o may_v be_v convert_v from_o the_o error_n of_o his_o way_n and_o god_n soon_o grant_v the_o request_n for_o i_o will_v sure_o have_v mercy_n on_o he_o say_v the_o lord_n jer._n 31.20_o so_o reasonable_a be_v that_o exhortation_n of_o saint_n james_n chap._n 1.5_o if_o any_o of_o you_o lack_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v it_o of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_o and_o upbraid_v not_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o david_n at_o once_o acknowledge_v his_o sin_n and_o beg_v pardon_n and_o god_n forgive_v he_o the_o iniquity_n of_o his_o sin_n psal_n 32.5_o and_o therefore_o he_o most_o just_o infer_v a_o conclusion_n from_o it_o to_o encourage_v other_o to_o this_o sacred_a duty_n for_o this_o say_v he_o shall_v every_o one_o that_o be_v godly_a prey_n unto_o god_n in_o a_o time_n when_o he_o may_v be_v find_v last_o we_o find_v the_o thief_n upon_o the_o cross_n by_o his_o short_a prayer_n obtain_v this_o answer_n verily_a say_v our_o saviour_n i_o declare_v to_o thou_o that_o to_o day_n thou_o shall_v be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n luke_o 23.48_o so_o that_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n in_o this_o case_n by_o which_o we_o may_v determine_v our_o duty_n as_o plain_o there_o be_v yet_o when_o two_o probability_n appear_v it_o be_v most_o rational_a to_o make_v our_o choice_n in_o thing_n where_o one_o must_v become_v our_o option_n according_a to_o the_o weight_n of_o argument_n to_o incline_v we_o and_o if_o this_o be_v a_o fair_a and_o equal_a standard_n we_o can_v possible_o neglect_v or_o recede_v from_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n since_o the_o objection_n against_o it_o if_o they_o can_v not_o otherways_o be_v solve_v be_v neither_o proportionate_a for_o weight_n or_o number_n to_o the_o reason_n which_o have_v be_v urge_v for_o prayer_n especial_o if_o 3._o we_o consider_v that_o in_o this_o we_o offer_v a_o resignation_n of_o ourselves_o and_o all_o our_o concern_v to_o the_o god_n that_o make_v we_o that_o prayer_n cause_v we_o to_o put_v a_o guard_n upon_o ourselves_o by_o our_o discovery_n of_o those_o weakness_n and_o breach_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n or_o age_n in_o sin_v or_o want_v of_o repair_n by_o virtue_n and_o religion_n have_v make_v and_o enlarge_v upon_o we_o and_o in_o this_o we_o also_o discern_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n the_o common_a infirmity_n of_o our_o own_o nature_n and_o how_o accident_n in_o the_o world_n betray_v we_o into_o misfortune_n against_o all_o which_o we_o pray_v for_o aid_n and_o petition_n for_o relief_n and_o thus_o it_o become_v a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o cause_v we_o to_o order_v our_o conversation_n aright_o that_o we_o may_v at_o last_o see_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n nay_o some_o man_n though_o i_o know_v not_o well_o upon_o what_o certain_a foundation_n build_v the_o great_a use_n and_o advantage_n of_o prayer_n upon_o this_o thing_n but_o by_o this_o they_o pass_v it_o into_o a_o exhortation_n only_o and_o seem_v as_o it_o be_v to_o transubstantiate_v it_o and_o abate_v not_o only_o from_o the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o duty_n that_o convey_v knowledge_n and_o raise_v affection_n but_o from_o the_o advantage_n we_o receive_v by_o it_o one_o observe_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o human_a