Requests that we put up to him There 's no friend that is kinde to us in granting our desires but we judge worthy of thanks Oh how thankeful should we then be to God that hears and grants what we seek unto him for Psal 66.20 It is the Lords Tribute that he looks for and if we would not grudge to pay the King his Tribute being a commanded duty Rom. 13.7 then we should chearfully come off with the Lords Tribute and pay it in holy Praises to him The truth is we do but bungle at it here and do it not workman-like but we shall one day do it better when we are joyned in this heavenly melody with that innumerable company of Angels and blessed Souls in glory But in the mean time we must be doing something this way for all his bounties to us and if not so well as we would yet we are to do it as well as we can and long for the time when we shall perform it better 4. We see that though we have but a few friends on earth yet we have One in Heaven that will not fail us There is a friend Solomon sayes that sticketh closer then a brother Prov. 18.24 and such an one is a rare jewel and hardly to be found but though he be not to be found on Earth yet God is such a friend and will hear and grant what we sue unto him for 5. We see the truth of that in Psal 73.28 It is good for me to draw near to God it must needs be so considering what a God he is that we go unto that hears our Prayers grants us all that we ask of him We make account that it 's good to go to a Father or Friend to make our wants known that we may have a supply Oh how good is it then to go to such a Father and Friend as God is 6. We see what cause we have to delight in the Lord that we may have the desires of our hearts granted to us Seeing he is so willing to grant let us take the way that he prescribes for this and that is by delighting in him Psal 37.4 He that delights in his friend may have any thing of him how much more may they that delight themselves in the Almighty 7. We see that we can never come off with love enough to him who is a God hearing prayer granting our requests to us We would think that man worthy of our love that granted our desires in asking but Oh what love should he have that gives us all that we desire of him Our love is but a little Rivulet and Stream but he deserves a full Sea our love is but a little spark but he deserves that it flame forth our love is but a drop but he deserves that it should be a full flowing Fountain that 's never dry 8. We see how unwearied we should be in duty and obedience to him that thus hears and grants How loyal are Subjects to Royal Princes when they come off bountifully to them How dutiful and obedient are Servants to their liberal Masters they are ready at hand to ride run go do any thing for them Oh how loyal should we then be to such a bountiful King and how dutiful to such a liberal Master as God is that gives us what we ask of him 9. We see how we may be followers of God by bearing the cries of poor afflicted ones and granting their desires so does God to us and so should we to them Ephes 5.1 There are those that turn away from the cry of the poor but they shall cry and not be heard But seeing God hears us if we would follow him we must hearken and come off liberally to them Luke 6.38 10. We see that none of our Prayers shall be lost that we put up to him none of them shall miscarry We may go to men with our Suits and be put off and turned away and our Requests may be slighted and made nothing of but God dealeth not so with us when we come before him in Prayer he hears and grants and gives to all liberally and upbraideth not Jam. 1.5 Some Princes have torn in pieces what their Petitioners have brought before them as the Emperour Valens did to one of his noble Captains that had done him great Service as Theodoret relates of him Lib. 5. Hist but our God never does so to his Suppliants but they have a comfortable answer and a liberal grant they go to a Throne of Grace and finde grace to help in time of need their Prayers come loaden with blessings and they return home bringing their sheaves with them Naomi complained that she went out full but returned empty but we go out empty to him and return full Vse 2. for Terrour to those that God will not hear they are none of his they regard iniquity in their heart Psal 66.18 they are sinners that delight in sinful wayes Joh. 9.31 they are loathsome to him blacker then Ravens in his sight for he hears them when they cry to him Vse 3. for Humiliation to the people of God that pray much and get no grant surely there is some great cause either they are not earnest enough cry not loud enough or else slack their pace and are not constant enough or have given God cause to be angry with their prayers Psal 80.4 or have not been so sincere as they ought or have had unfixed hearts and been full of wandring thoughts that have marred the duty or something or other hath stepped between them and mercy and it is good for such to search what is the cause and remove it that God may not go out of his wonted way but may shew himself a God hearing prayer Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour God and to give him this noble Title of his when we pray to him and say He is a God hearing prayer He delights to hear himself so spoken of and we that finde the comfort of it should delight to mention it to his praise We honour an earthly King with his Titles how much more then should we do it to this glorious King 2. To bring our Petitions to him he will not throw them away nor tear them in pieces nor cast them at his feet in disdain but will have them in high esteem hang them upon the file in Heaven remember them give a grant to them We may be encouraged to come to him who is a God hearing prayer 3. To be humble for who are we that he should hear our Prayers we deserve that when we cry and shout he should not hear us and that he should cover himself with a cloud that our Prayers should not pass thorow It is nothing in us that moves him to hear and grant it is all of his Free-grace 4. To hear those that sue to us and give them that that they stand in need of if it be in the power of our hand to do it Why should we
angry when we restrain prayer before him Some godly ones in temptation pray not neither in their Families nor in their Closets and they dare not as they think come before the Lord in that duty they are afraid to look him in the face but this is their sin and such had need be humbled for it for God will be angry at it and they will have cause to blush that they should deal so with God as not to call upon his Name Vse 2. for Terrour to all those that are wicked and go on in a way of wickedness If God be angry with the Prayers of his and they are justly afraid he may so be how angry will he be with the workers of iniquity he is angry with them every day Psal 7.11 12 13. If he turn not he will whet his sword he hath bent his bowe and made it ready He hath prepared for him the instruments of death he ordained his arrows against the persecutors God is so angry with them that all his weapons of destruction are in a readiness to destroy them speedily dreadfully and without remedy Vse 3. for Humiliation that we should give the Lord any cause to be angry with our Prayers and our selves cause to fear that so it is An ingenuous Childe will be troubled at his Fathers anger and so should we that we give our Father cause to be angry at our Prayers and that we have cause to fear that we have as in other things so in that duty provoked his displeasure against us This should lay us low before him Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be watchful in this duty that God may not be angry with our Prayers Watchfulness must ever be a companion to Prayer Coloss 4.2 1 Pet. 4.7 To be sure the enemy will watch when we are at the duty and throw in something that is either evil or not good at that time as Hushai said of Achitophels counsel 2 Sam. 17.7 and our own hearts yield store of evil thoughts which flie-blow the duty and if we watch not against these God will be angry and we have cause to fear that it will be no better with us 2. To meditate much of Christs Intercession for he it is that offers his Incense with the prayers of all Saints and mingles his with ours to perfume and sweeten them and make them acceptable so as God will not be angry with them Christs Intercession makes our Prayers so welcome that they are pleasant in his sight and he cannot be displeased with them 3. To be angry with our selves that we have any cause to fear that God may be angry at our Prayers for he is not angry for nothing he does not without cause what he does Ezek. 14.23 wherein he does express his anger towards us Such holy fire therefore would be pleasing to God and be a fruit of true Repentance 2 Cor 7.11 4. To call upon us to be thankeful when he does not express any tokens of his displeasure at our Prayers for we our selves fear that we give him cause to be angry at them If therefore he manifest no such thing but the contrary viz. That he is well-pleased in Christ with them Cant. 2.14 Oh what cause have we to be for ever thankful VVE now come to the second part of the Note and that is this That Believers desire of God that he would not be angry with them when they pray to him So did Abraham here Let not the Lord be angry So Gideon Judg. 6.39 Let not thine anger be hot against me When we make Supplication to a Prince we desire this that we may have the smiles of his face and that he may not be angry with us So do Believers when they make Supplication to the Lord they do and ought to desire that he would not be angry with them Reasons 1. From the Petitioners themselves 2. From the nature of his anger First From the Petitioners 1. They desire the acceptance of their Prayers and that they may be sweet and pleasing to him which they could not be if God should be angry with them Psal 141.2 Let my prayer come before thee as Incense Psal 10.14 2. They would be Princes with God and prevail with him as it is said of Jacob Gen. 32.28 and this cannot be if God be angry with them A Prince will not be prevailed with if he be angry with him that puts up his suit to him So we shall never prevail with God if he be angry with us when we pray to him 3. They see some just cause why he might be angry with them if he should be strict with them there are so many spots in the duty and these they earnestly desire that he would not take notice of to be angry with them Psal 130.3 4. They are afraid that they are too bold with him and therefore desire that he would not be angry with them So Abraham does here When we sue to men for some special favour we desire pardon for our boldness as fearing that we may offend by it so do they that make suit to the Lord. 5. They are conscious of their own integrity in the main though they may have their failings Psal 44.17 18. and therefore desire that he would not be angry with them 6. They expostulate with him in an humble way about his anger with their Prayers Psal 80.4 which shews that they see cause to desire of God that he would not be angry with them for such an expostulation contains the force of an earnest prayer that he would withdraw his anger from them Secondly From the nature of his Anger 1. It is like fire and therefore Gideon expresseth it Judg. 6.39 Let not thine anger be hot against me Gods anger is as hot as fire and therefore in Deut. 32.22 it is said A fire is kindled in mine anger that shall burn to the lowest hell Now being of such a fiery nature it is not to be marvelled at that they pray that God would not be angry with them 2. It is like the dreadful waves of the Sea Mic. 7.9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord The word translated indignation signifies such a raging as is in the raging waves of the Sea when they are lifted up on high and threaten drowning and overwhelming and therefore Jonah 1.15 the same word is used for the raging of the Sea in a sore storm and tempest and when the Sea rageth and is tempestuous the Marriners earnestly desire a Calm and that they might be quiet and the Sea might cease from her raging So Believers desire of God that the dreadful waves of the Sea of his anger may cease and that they may enjoy a quiet Calm 3. It is compared to smoke Dent. 29.20 Psal 74.1 and smoke is a stifling thing if it be in the extremity of it and cannot be endured and as men get out of a smoky house or room as not being able to bear it and desire to be as farre
Gods Spirit print them in our hearts Gods words written with Ink will not profit except they be also written with the Spirit of the Living God They are the blessed ones that know and do Joh. 13.17 and they ever know most that practise most A good understanding have all they that do his Commandments Psal 111.10 As for Brain-knowledge it may puff a man up and so bring him down low to destruction it may raise him high that he may have the deeper fall into Hell it may swell him like a bladder and when the bladder breaks then like an unskilful Swimmer he drowns It addes more fuell to Hell fire and causeth him except he do his Lords will to be beaten with many stripes Luke 12.47 What good have the Devils by all their knowledge they know enough of the will of God but do not any thing of it and this heats the Furnace for them and time will come that many a wicked man will wish that he had never known so much because he hath done so little for it is but Oyl to the flame Brimstone to the fire to make them burn more fiercely One word more and I have done If this Discourse of a Subject of this nature may be available for the Salvation of many or of any I shall have cause to bless God for ever and shall with more comfort lay down my head and rest in the Grave as in a perfumed Bed through Christ who hath sweetned it by his Buriall till the Resurrection at the last day Thine in the Lord Jesus Samuel Whiting ABRAHAM's Humble Intercession for SODOM And the LORD 's gracious Concessions in Answer thereunto Containing sundry MEDITATIONS UPON GEN. XVIII from Ver. 23. to the end of the Chapter Ver. 23. And Abraham drew near and said Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the City wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 26 And the LORD said If I finde in Sodom fifty righteous within the City then I will spare all the place for their sakes 27 And Abraham answered and said Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD which am but dust and ashes 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous wilt thou destroy all the City for lack of five And be said If I finde there fourty and five I will not destroy it 29 And he spake unto him yet again and said Peradventure there shall be fourty found there And he said I will not do it for fourties sake 30 And he said unto him Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak Peradventure there shall thirty be found there And he said I will not do it if I finde thirty there 31 And he said Bâ—hold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord Peradventure there shall be twenty found there And he said I will not destroy it for twenties sakes 32 And he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once Peradventure ten shall be found there And he said I will not destroy it for tens sake 33 And the LORD went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham and Abraham returned unto his place Verse 23. And Abraham drew near and said Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked IN these words to the end of the Chapter we have 1. The Prayer of Abraham in behalf of Sodom and the rest of the Cities that God destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven 2. Gods Answer that he gave to the several Petitions he put up to him in their behalf 3. The Issue of all which is set forth in the last Verse of the Chapter In the first part we have 1. What Abraham did He drew near the Text sayes ver 23.2 What he said and therein we have these things considerable 1. His desire that these sinners might be spared if it were possible or at least the righteous among them might not be destroyed with the wicked ver 23 25. 2. The Arguments that he useth to prevail with God that the righteous and the wicked may not be alike 1. Taken from the strangeness of the act Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked as if he should say This would be strange Lord and thou wouldst go out of thy wonted way so to do The 2. is taken from the vehemency of his wish that such a thing may never be which he repeats twice That be far from thee That be far from thee The 3. is taken from his honour as being Judge of all the earth and therefore for his Name must needs do right Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ver 25. 3. We have his wise insinuating himself into the Lord 1. By going from step to step and seeking to gain ground of the Lord going from fifty to five and forty and from five and forty to forty and from forty to thirty and from thirty to twenty and from twenty to ten 2. By humbling and abasing himself before the Lord ver 27. Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes 3. By desiring the Lord not to be angry with him for being so bold with him ver 30. 4. By his undauntedness in his Suit ver 31. Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord. 5. By his modest request at last in speaking but once more mixed with an holy fear of displeasing him ver 32. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speak but this once All this concerns the first part viz. Abraham's Prayer In the second part scil Gods Answer we have 1. The grace and favour of God towards him 1. In that he never denied him in any one of his Requests but granted all from fifty to ten So that if there had been but ten righteous in the place it had been spared 2. In that Abraham left off petitioning before the Lord left off granting wherein the exceeding greatness of his grace shewed it self The truth is we have done sooner in asking then God has in giving our desires are scant when his heart is large our requests are short when his hand is long we might have more could we ask more we spare to speak and therefore we lose much of what we might carry away with us from such a Bountiful Almner as God is In the last part we have 1. Gods leaving Abraham 2. Abraham's departing to his place 3. A Description of Prayer and Gods Answer He communes with us and we with Him Doct. I. THat Believers in praying to God draw near to him Heb. 7.19
it 3. To prize those that are powerful Pleaders with the Lord in behalf of others they are the children of Abraham and shall be blessed with him We prize those that plead other Causes strongly Oh how should they then be prized that plead strongly with the Lord 4. To be earnest for those that are dear to us for those that are our bone and flesh and our very bowels If Abraham pleaded so for those in Sodom that were Righteous how should we for those that are so near and dear to us the strength of our hearts should be put forth in our Requests for them 5. To call upon us to pray earnestly for England the Land of our Nativity the place of our Fathers Sepulchres Who have we cause to pray for if not for our Mother that bare us and bred us and dandled us upon her knees and nursed us by her sides Oh that England might yet live in Gods sight Oh that the Righteous there may not be forgotten nor destroyed but that the Arm of the Lord may be made bare and be mighty for them 6. To love the Lord that stirs up any to plead for us and to shew their love in being earnest with God on our behalf It is grace and love in the Lord towards us and our love in the utmost extent and latitude of it should be drawn out to him Our hearts should be filled with love that sets his Abrahams to plead for us his fire should kindle ours and cause it to flame and fly upwards Verse 25. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right Doct. VII THat the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge of all the Earth So he is styled here in the Text. For opening of which let me shew 1. How it does appear that he is the Judge 2. In what respects he is the Judge of all the earth as Abraham styles him 3. What manner of Judge he is 4. Why he is such a Judge 5. The Vses Q. 1. How does it appear that he is the Judge Ans 1. A Judge rides in Circuit as it is said of Samuel 1 Sam. 7.16 and so other Judges do So does the Lord Jesus he goes his Circuit and judgeth in all places there 's no place on Earth or Sea but he attends the Office of a Judge in it even in this world he is judging some or other every day and is going in Circuit all the world over But this is not mainly nor principally intended though not altogether excluded in this Title that Abraham gives unto the Lord for Psal 94.2 the Psalmist prayes Lift up thy self thou Judge of the earth render a reward to the proud Even in this world he judgeth every where 2. A Judge judgeth at the place of judgement so does Christ and that is in the Clouds Mat. 26.64 there his Throne is to be expected and it will be a glorious Throne Mat. 25.31 3. A Judge judgeth at the time appointed for judgement so does Christ Acts 17.31 and so Rom. 2.16 he speaks of the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Hence also it is that so frequent mention is made of the Day of Judgement and the Last day Joh. 12.48 and the judgement of the great day Jude 6. 4. A Judge hears all Evidences and judgeth according to them so does Christ according to the evidence of mens Conscience accusing or excusing Rom. 2.15 16. 5. A Judge judgeth according to Law so does Christ judge at the last day according to the Law that he hath given Rom. 2.16 Joh. 12.48 The word that I speak to you shall judge you at the last day 6. A Judge passeth Sentence of Absolution and of Condemnation according to the condition of the persons that are judged so does Christ Mat. 25.34 41. 7. A Judge sees to the putting of his Sentence in Execution so does Christ Mat. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the Righteous into life eternal Quest 2. In what respects is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. In that all Nations of the Earth that ever were are or shall be shall be gathered before him Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 2. In that all Souls and ranks of men upon the Earth in what Age of the world soever they have lived shall be judged by him the greatest Kings and Emperours of the Earth shall not escape Rom. 14.10 3. In that every particular man must give an account of himself to God Rom. 14.12 which shews that he is the Judge of all the Earth none are exempted 4. In that all of each Sex shall come to judgement the weaker Sex as well as the stronger women as well as men the word All comprehends them as well as others 5. In that all of all Ages must stand before him old and young children youth men of riper years yea those that stoop for age This the word All holds out also 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 11.9 6. In that all of all Callings must appear before him Magistrates Ministers Merchants Tradesmen Marriners Husbandmen Lawyers all of every Vocation Occupation and Calling to this or that Imployment must stand before him Paul told the Scholars at Athens that they must be judged Acts 17.31 7. In that all that live idlely without a Calling must appear The Athenians and strangers there spent their time in hearing and telling some new thing and in nothing else Acts 17.21 and these Paul tells Christ will be Judge to ver 31. So all other idle persons that spend their time in gaming and other loose walking must come to judgement 8. In that all of all conditions good and had the righteous and the wicked must be judged by him Eccles 3.17 9. In that all that have been corrupt Judges and have passed unrighteous Sentences in Judgement-seats must be judged by him as Eccles 3.16 17. Judges on Earth must be judged another day and if in the place of Righteousness there hath been Wickedness that will be reserved for another hearing where Bribes will take no place 10. In that all the nearest and dearest Relations must compeer before him Husbands and Wives Parents and Children Ministers and People Masters and Servants Tutors and Pupils and whatever other Relations can be named all must have Him to be their Judge So that Abraham might well style him The Judge of all the Earth Quest 3. What manner of Judge is he Ans 1. A Righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 hence Acts 17.31 He shall judge the world in Righteousness 2. A Dreadful Judge to his enemies Luke 19.27 He will speak dreadfully look dreadfully deal dreadfully with them Mat. 25.41 3. A Comfortable Judge to his friends to those he is a Friend and Saviour to Mat. 25.34 4. A Wise Judge There are some wise Judges upon earth but none like him Solomon was a wise Judge 1 Kings 3 24-27 but none like him for wisdome that styles himself Greater then Solomon 5. An Vnerring Judge Other Judges may erre
sue for He is abundant in goodness Exod. 34.6 and this way shews it It is observed of Solomon that he gave the Queen of Sheba all that she asked besides what he gave her of his royal bounty 1 Kings 10.13 and he honoured himself in so doing How then does God honour himself in giving us all our desire and what we ask there 's no Royal bounty like his he grants like a King and like Himself Other Kings have their Royal Grants but none such as his are Secondly From his Servants 1. They expect his hearing of their Prayers and a grant of their desires from him and wait patiently upon him and this gets a grant Psal 40.1 I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry There 's nothing lost by patient waiting at the Courts of Kings the desires of such are granted at last much less is any thing lost by waiting upon the Lord he will come with a full hand at last and we shall have a full grant of what we sue for The Husbandman waits for the precious fruits of the earth and at length hath them so shall we by waiting have the precious blessings of Heaven brought in to us 2. They believe that they shall be heard and a Royal Grant bestowed upon them and this prevails Mat. 21.22 Faith is a Key that opens all Locks though Mercies should be locked up from us yet this Key will make way for the bringing them forth to us Knock and it shall be opened to you Mat. 7.7 The door of Mercy may be fast barred and locked but a knock by Faith will open it to us and open all the Treasures of his bounty for us that we may share in them 3. They are unwearied in their desires and that gets a grant The woman of Canaan would not be discouraged nor faint at so many denials and repuâ—ses but went on in an unwearied course of suing and pleading and this got a grant of what she asked and what she would Mat 15.28 They that are not weary in their desires may have what they will God cannot tell how to deny such If we be not weary of asking God will not be weary of giving and granting This crowns our Desires and brings in all to us We want not blessings so long as we want not knees to bow to him 4. They wrestle for a grant of their desires and so prevail and become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 and what that wrestling was we see Hos 12.3 4. They that wrestled in the Olympick Games if they got the Victory were crowned much more shall they be crowned with a Royal Grant from Heaven that wrestle and prevail with God 5. They ask according to his will 1 Joh. 5.14 15. and that prevails Our Requests when bounded within the compass of Gods will obtain every thing at Gods hand Esthers Petitions were bounded within the compass of the Kings will If it please the King and If I have found favour in the sight of the King grant me this and that Esth 5.8 7.3 and whatever she thus asked she had a grant of it So when we pray and frame all our Petitions according to his will he hears and grants all that we thus sue unto him for 6. They ask earnestly and fervently and that prevails Jam. 5.16 How earnest and fervent was Elias and what an answer had he from Heaven 1 Kings 18.36 37 38. Fervent Prayer like fire ascends to Heaven and gets a grant there of all we ask and of all that is the desire of our hearts we need never doubt of the speeding of our Prayers if offered up with this fire This Incense as it is Psal 141.2 will ascend to God and to his Throne and finde acceptance Thirdly From the Duty of Prayer 1. It is a Sacrifice Heb. 13.15 1 Pet. 2.5 and the Sacrifices that were offered up under the Leviticall Law were accepted and were of asweet smelling savour unto God and so is this of Prayer by Jesus Christ His Incense perfumes our Prayers Rev. 8.3 2. It is the lifting up of the Soul Psal 25.1 and this holds out desire and delight and earnest expectation and hope of having what is sued for as Deut. 24.15 the poor man is said to lift up his soul to his hire and wages which is translated He sets his heart upon it so in Prayer we lift up our soul to God to have those things we ask granted to us and such a lifting up of the soul to God gets a grant from him 3. It is compared to the Incense Psal 141.2 Let my prayer come before thee as the Incense now that was of a sweet savour and ascended upward So our Prayers are sweet to God and ascend unto his Throne are accepted and get a grant 4. It is compared to the Mincah or Offering that was boiled in the Frying-pan Psal 141.2 which was boiled in oyle and offered in the evening Our Prayers being boiled in the oyle of the Spirit and we praying in the holy Ghost Jude ver 20. these Prayers are accepted of God and get a grant of all we ask through Jesus Christ Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what a broad difference there is between our God and the Idols that others pray unto Our God is a God hearing Prayer but Idols cannot hear Baal's worshippers 1 Kings 18.26 called from morning to noon saying O Baal hear us but there was no voice nor any that answered So Isa 16.12 Moab shall go to his sanctuary to pray but shall not prevail Idols have ears but they hear not Ps 115.6 but our God that we pray to hath an hearing ear and grants us all that we sue unto him for never any had cause to say that he turns a deaf ear to them when they pray aright his ears have alwayes been open to their Prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 2. We see what great encouragement we have to come to him Psal 65.2 we may go when we will and be sure to speed we may pray as often as we will and have our desires granted he will not turn away from us but give us what we come for Some Princes will chide away those that sue to them as Pharaoh did the oppressed Israelites Exod. 5.17 18. but our God that we sue unto never discourageth them that make suit and supplication to him but gives them all the encouragement that may be is found of them when they seek him when they search for him with all their hearts Jer. 29.13 they shall never go away empty from his doors but go loaden with their laps full with their hearts full and all their defires like the widows vessels 2 Kings 4.6 shall be filled full we shall never say we have gone to God but we have got something there 's a rich Treasury in Heaven and we have carried away not a little from it 3. We see what cause we have to bless the Lord for his bounty to us in granting our
that for their sakes will not destroy those that are devoted to ruine and destruction It is an honour to finde acceptance with God our selves but to be so much in favour with him that others of the worst sort should fare the better for our sakes this is great grace and favour and high honour put upon us Well may it be said He exalteth the horn of his people the praise of all his Saints Psal 148.14 2. We see how glad evil men may be that they have any Righteous ones living amongst them for it is for their sakes that they are spared were they but once removed from them which they hate and persecute they should quickly see what God would do with them and what wrath would break out against them but Righteous ones stay his hand from striking and hinde his arm from smiting keep back judgements and he is so gracious that he sayes He will spare such wicked ones for their sakes Such as are wicked sinners may think it well for them that they have some Righteous ones among them to stand in the gap and make up the hedge for them or else their destruction would overtake and overwhelm them speedily 3. We see how out of measure sinful they be that are enemies to them and do them all the despite they can in word and deed that are such friends to them that for their sakes God spares them and will not for the present destroy them while they are with them that are the Lords righteous ones Oh the unkindness and deep ingratitude that is in such men and how they will answer it another day it belongs to them seriously to consider of See Psal 109.4 5. 4. We see that they must needs rush into great danger that malign and hate the Righteous and requite evil for good to them Psal 109.5 6. Satan stands at the right hand of such and it is worthy to be had in memory that Solomon speaks He that rewardeth evil for good evil shall not depart from his house Prov. 17.13 Oh that such would consider of this that forget God and what their duty is to Righteous ones It 's bad to requite evil for evil and forbidden Rom. 12.17 but to requite evil for good this is that that argues great wickedness and will bring the severest wrath with it But many men are too willing to undo themselves and theirs that go this way 5. We see how thankeful the Lords Righteous ones should be to him for whose sakes he is willing to spare a wicked people Were it that they had but so much mercy shewed to them to be spared themselves it would be that that they have cause for ever to be thankeful for but that the Lord should extend this further mercy to them that others that are the worst of men should be spared for their sakes this calls for greatest thanks See Gen. 19.19 20 21. 6. We see what great delight we should have in the Lord that so delighteth in his Righteous ones that for their sakes he will spare the worst of places and the worst of men We would delight in a friend that so delighteth in us as to spare others for our sakes Oh how then should we delight in the Lord Psal 37.4 7. We see that surely God will not cast away his own people that will for their sakes spare the worst of men They may think so in time of temptation as some have Psal 31.22 Lam. 3.18 Jonah 2.4 but they need not fear it for he that hath them in such esteem that others fare the better for their sakes how can it then be that he should so forsake them as to cast them utterly out of his sight 8. We see that the prayers of the Righteous that they put up for others are not lost for they keep off judgements even from the wicked themselves how bad soever they be There 's great energie and efficacy in the prayers of Righteous ones Jam. 5.16 But I would but give a touch of this we have occasion often to make mention of it 9. We see what love Righteous ones should come off with to the Lord that for their sakes will spare a multitude of the worst of men We cannot think what love we own him if our hearts were as full of it as the Sea is of water it were far too little for him The love of Angels is too scant for him how much more ours which is but a mite to their talents a drop to their rivers 10. We see what longings we should have to enjoy him for ever that hath such respect to us here that for our Prayers and Presence the worst of men shall escape that destruction that they could not otherwise look for Oh who would not be with him that is so full of love and sweetness to us here His steps as they drop fatness here so they will pour out love and sweetness there Vse 2. for Terrour to those that hate the Righteous that live with them and are never well but when they are joring at them how would such do if they were all gone mischief upon mischief would surely come upon them they should see that to their cost the Righteous were taken away from them Vse 3. for Humiliation to those that say God is gone utterly from them and hath forsaken them Say not so for the Righteous please God so that they prevail for others and if so God will not utterly cast them off Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour the Lord that thus honours us as for our sakes to spare even wicked men Princes are exalted when they spare grievous Malefactors for their sakes that sue to them how much more should the Lord be exalted by us that does thus of his grace for our sakes 2. To do any thing for his sake that he calls for from us that does so much for our sakes to others The most difficult work we should come off with for his sake Heb. 11.8 17 35 36 37. 3. To give up our selves and all we are and have to him Does he for our sakes spare wicked places then let us be wholly his 1 Cor. 6.19 20. 4. To love him heartily that out of love to us does not onely spare us but others also for our sakes Mat. 22.37 5. To be without fear of the hatred of wicked men for the mischief of it for rewarding evil for good will fall upon their own pates 6. To long for everlasting enjoyment of him If he so favour us here while we are among evil men what will he do when we come in Heaven Vse 5. for Consolation 1. That he will not cast away any Righteous ones alwayes as Psal 77.7 8 9. 2. That if he esteem them so here much more in glory Verse 27. And Abraham answered and said Behold now I have taken upon me speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes IN these words we have Abrahams second humble Address to the Lord in further interceding
that in our Prayers that we cannot see our selves He sees sin where we see none he hath a quick eye to look into the obliquities and iniquities of our Prayers A little blemish is seen in the face so if there be but any blot or spot upon the face of the duty his pure eyes spies it out Psal 44.20 21. there is not the least mote but he takes notice of not the least spot but his eye is upon and that wherein we think we do well he knows to be evil James and John thought they did well in desiring that they might do as Elias did to call for fire from heaven to consume those that would not receive their Master and ours but what sayes he to them Ye know not what spirit you are of He saw that that they thought zeal to be wilde-fire he knew that that which they judged to come from love to their dear Master was but a spark of their own kindling and no love in the bottom of it neither to Christ nor themselves much less to those men that they wished so ill to And may not Believers be justly afraid that God will be angry with such Prayers 2. He hath been angry with the Prayers of others and long angry Psal 80.4 and therefore they fear he may be angry with their prayers When Princes are angry with some that sue to them others are afraid that they may be angry with their suits also so it is in this case between God and us If a father be angry with some of his Children he may be angry upon the like grounds with the rest so may God and that may make the rest to fear that he may be angry with them 3. He withdraws himself sometimes from his people when they pray to him Lam. 3.8 44. and that 's a ground of his being angry at their prayers and this makes them afraid that he is angry with them Job complained of this Job 30.20 I cry unto thee and thou dost not hear me I stand up and thou regardest me not When a Prince withdraws from a Suppliant and regards him not it is a sign of his anger and he fears he is displeased with him so it is in this case between God and us 4. He sees that we too often restrain prayer before him and thereby cast off fear Job 15.4 and that makes him angry and when we consider of it that makes us afraid that he is angry with our Prayers that we are so slack in Solomon sayes As vineger to the teeth and smoke to the eyes so is a slothful messenger to him that sends him If our Prayers which are the Souls messengers be slothful and we slack our pace in them God will be displeased and we may well fear that he will be angry with them Secondly From our selves that pray 1. We sometimes distrust Gods power and that makes him angry and makes us afraid that he is angry with our Prayers Mark 9.22 he doubted of Christs power to heal his son 2. We sometimes distrust his will as the Leper did though he did believe his power Mat. 8.2 and that is a just ground of his anger and that that makes us afraid that he may be angry with our Prayers 3. We sometimes ask that that God resolves he will never give Thus Moses did that desired God that he might go over Jordan and see that good Land which God was angry with him for Deut. 3.25 26. Two things hindred the granting of his desire 1. God was provoked at the Waters of Strife and threatned he should not bring his people into that Land Numb 20.12 2. He appointed Joshua to be the man wherein was a mystery for he was a Type of Jesus Christ that brings us into Heaven that Canaan was a Type of Now for Moses to desire that that God upon such just grounds denied it could not but displease him and make him angry and so may we well fear that God will be angry with our Prayers when we desire that of him that he is resolved not to give us 4. We desire that sometimes that is not good for us and that will make God angry with our Prayers for no good thing he will withhold from us Psal 14.11 and 34.10 but if we ask any thing that is not good for us and he sees it will hurt us rather then do us good he will be angry with our Prayers Thus for Jonah to desire once and again that God would take away his life from him Jonah 4.3 8. which could not be good for him could not but displease him and when we ask that which is not good for us we have ground to fear that he will be angry with our Prayers 5. We sometimes desire that that will be hurtfull to others as it would have been to the Ninevites if Jonah had had that that he desired for then they had all been destroyed So James and John if they had had their desire what would have become of those non-entertainers of Christ Luke 9. and if we do so and desire the hurt of others may we not justly be afraid that God will be angry with our Prayers 6. They sometimes desire that that may be satisfaction to their own lusts as Jonah desired Ninevehs destruction rather then that they should be spared upon their repentance because his Credit lay at the stake having denounced the overthrow of it within forty dayes Here the lust of Pride was too predominant in the good Prophet Jonah 4.1 and can we wonder that God should be angry with such Prayers Pride stepping in to such a duty marres the duty and makes God angry Thus many will pray against such and such men wherein they vent their pride and passion and how can God be pleased with such Prayers they may well fear he will be angry with them If a man should be proud before a Prince when he comes to Petition to him would not the Prince be angry with such Petitions So here Vse 1. for Information 1. We see that there is no cause for us to glory in our prayers that we bring before the Lord for if we look seriously into them we may see cause to fear that God may justly be angry with them or if we our selves should not see such cause yet Gods pure eye cannot but see enough in the best Prayers we make for which he may be displeased with us There would be no standing if he should mark what we do amiss when we pray to him Ps 130.3 there will be some blot cleaving to the best service we present him the best fire will bring some smoke and soot and when our Prayers are most fervent with the fire of the Spirit they have some defilement like soot and smoke that comes from it 2. We see how humble we should be and how low we should lye before the Lord both before we pray and in prayer and after we have done the duty for we may well fear that
take hold of God Isa 64.7 and they that take hold of one another and take one another by the hand are in a fit posture to commune one with another so here 5. In that when we pray to God we are Princes and Provailers with him Gen. 32.28 with Hos 12.3 4. and that shews that we commune with the Lord in the duty 6. In that when we pray to God we plead with him and that holds out our communing with him They that plead at the Barre before a Judge commune with him so they that plead with God Job said Job 16.21 O that one might plead for a man with God as a man pleadeth for his nightbour and 23.3 4. O that I knew where I might finde him that I might come even to his seat I would order my cause before him and fill my mouth with arguments Prayer is pleading and argumenative pleading that way we commune with God But how does it appear that God communes with us in granting our Requests A. 1. In that when he grants our requests he listens to what we say when we pray and answers us and so commines with us so does one man to another and so does God to us 2. In that when he grants us our requests he smiles upon us and accepts our prayers as men do that commune one with another 1 Pet. 2.5 3. In that when he grants our requests he draws near to us Jam. 4.8 as they do that have colloquy and communing one with another 4. In that when he grants our requests he is pleased with us as they are that commune lovingly together one with another See Gen. 33.10 5. In that when he grants our requests he loves our company and fellowship and gives us a pledge of it hereby as they do that commune one with another God and Believers are good company Believers when they pray shew that they love Gods company and God when he grants their requests shews that he loves theirs 6. In that when he grants their requests he declares that he respects and accepts their persons as they do that lovingly converse together and commune one with another Gen. 4.4 Eph. 1.6 Princes will not grant their Petitions whose persons are not in favour with them but when they are accepted and in favour they may have any thing So here Q. 2. What manner of communing is it A. 1. It is a serious communing we are serious with God when we pray to him and do not trifle with him and he is serious with us when he grants us what we sue unto him for he does not word it with us but is very real with us and sayes no more then he will certainly do for us he will fulfil with his hand what he speaks with his mouth 1 Kings 8.24 Even Balaam when guided by a better Spirit then his own could say Num. 23.19 God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good Men may say in word and unsay what they have said in their deed so trifling and vain and false they are but it is not so with God he is serious in what he sayes and will make good all he sayes in a promising way to us If a Kings grant be given out it is for his honour to see it performed Ezra 6.12 I Darius have made a decree let it be done with speed how much more will the Lord be serious with us when he gives out any grants to us 2. It is a sweet and comfortable communing when we pray we sweetly converse with him sweet is thy voice Cant. 2.14 and when he grants our requests he sweetly converseth with us Never was there any sweetness between the dearest relations like that that is between the Lord and us when we pray to him and he grants our requests that we put up to him There is much sweetness between husband and wife between father and childe in their communing together but no sweetness like to that that is betwixt the Lord and us when we pray to him and he grants our requests to us Our prayers are sweet Odours Rev. 5.8 and his grants are so many sweet smiles of his face and so many sweet kisses of his mouth and so many amiable and sweet glances and casts of his eye towards us or so many sweet words of his mouth that like sweet wine chear our hearts 3. It is an holy communing if ever we be holy it is so with us when we pray to the Lord we lift up holy hands to him 1 Tim. 2.8 and holy hearts 1 Sam. 4.8 holiness becomes us at all times but then more especially when we pray to the holy One and when the Lord grants our requests as he is alwayes holy so he remembers his holy promise to us and that holy Covenant that he hath made with us and so our mutual communing is an holy communing When two gratious ones are speaking and communing together Oh what holy breathings are there uttered forth between them their speeches are seasoned with holiness and argue holy hearts but when God and we commune together there is no holiness like that an holy God and an holy Soul breathe out much holiness in communing one with another 4. It is a friendly communing we are friends to God if believers Jam. 2.23 and when we pray in faith we friendly commune with him and God is a friend to us and when he grants our requests he does like a friend to us and in a friendly manner does commune with us There is no friendship on earth in all the communings that are between men and men comparable to that friendly communing that is between God and us when we pray to him and when he grants our desires to us Great hath been that friendship that hath been between some men as both sacred and heathen stories tell us and their communings together have been very friendly Jonathan and David were very friendly 2 Sam. 1.26 1 Sam. 23.16 20.41 So Heathen Authors tell us of Damon and Pithias of Pilades and Orestes that have been great friends and been full of love one to another but no friendship like to that that is between the Lord and the believing Soul no friendly communings like theirs when the soul is in a praying frame and when the Lord grants the desires of such a soul 5. It is an humble communing when we pray we humble and lay our selves low before God as Abraham did that looked at himself as vile dust and ashes humility does alwayes become us but never more then when we pray to the high God we never behave our selves so humbly as when we speak to such a Prince as he is and when God grants our requests he humbleth himself in condescending to look at such vile worms as we are and to have respect to the petitions that we put up to