ABRAHAM'S Humble Intercession for SODOM AND The LORD' 's gracious Concessions in Answer thereunto Containing sundry MEDITATIONS UPON GEN. XVIII from VER XXIII to the end of the Chapter Wherein many things are spoken of concerning Believers drawing near to God and the Efficacy of their Prayers and how they may be Princes and Prevailers with God and with what boldness they may come before him and what ground they may get of him by their Prayers and what sweet communing they have with him With sundry other things worthy of our most serious thoughts helping us to be more Spiritual and Heavenly which may prepare us for that everlasting Communion and Fellowship that we hope to arrive at and come to in a blessed state of Glory by Jesus Christ By SAMVEL WHITING Pastor of the Church of Christ at Lyn in N. E. Jam. 5.16 The effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 2.23 Abraham was called the friend of God Printed and Sold at Cambridge 1666. To the Reader MAny of the Patriarks and other holy men have been highly honoured and commended in Scripture for their several Excellencies Abel for his bounty in the service of God in bringing in his Oblation of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof and it is therefore called A more excellent Sacrifice then Cain 's was Gen. 4.4 with Heb. 11.4 Enoch and Noah for their constant Communion with God and taking their holy Walks and blessed Turns with him in those evil times wherein they lived Gen. 5.22 24. 6.9 Isaac for his Chastity in keeping himself to one wife whom he did so tenderly love Gen. 24.67 Jacob for his Princely Power that he had with God by weeping and supplication and those holy wrestlings that he had with him Gen. 32.24 28. with Hos 12.3 4 Moses for his Zeal and familiarity with the Lord and for his Meekness in his own cause though 〈◊〉 holy fire for God's Exod. 32.19 20. Numbers â—â— 7 8. David for Thankfulness and Prâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 The sweet Psalmist of Israel 2 Sam. 23.1 Now though all these were famous Believers and so reported of by God himself Heb. 11. yet above all Abraham is most renowned for his Faith Heb. 11.8 9 10 17 18 19. and in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians that Paul writ And this piece that is the subject of these following Meditations holds out no small part of his Faith and sweet familiarity and Prevailing Power that he had with God in the suits that he put up to him in behalf of those Righteous ones that he thought might be mingled with those vilest of Sinners The main drift of the Discourse is 1. To draw near to God in Prayer in a right manner that a gracious answer may be given in to our Prayers that so we may not pray in vain 2. To discountenance sin by the destruction that God will bring upon sinners both here and in another world without Repentance as we see in Sodoms Example 3. To bear up the heads and hearts of the Lords Righteous ones who live among bad Company that they shall not be burned in their fire but be instrumental to save the worst of sinners at least from temporal destruction as long as they continue with them To put all Believers upon fervent and im … Prayer for the worst of men if any considerable number of Righteous ones be found amongst them 5. To stir up the best to see their own vileness and to be very humble in drawing near to God when we pray to him 6. To meditate of Christ's being the Judge of all the Earth and plead with him to do right as being such a Judge and to consider what our duty is in our several places that must one day stand before this Judge 7. To besiege and beleaguer the Throne of Grace with suit after suit and to go away with all we can from God that is so ready to hear Prayer and to go as far as ever we can or dare in asking and to fear to provoke God then especially when we pray to him and to desire of God that he would not be angry with us nor with our Prayers 8. To go about our ordinary Employments when we have been with God as he allows taking in such Cautions as are duely to be observed 9. To be familiar with God and to commune sweetly with him in Prayer as he does with us in his gracious Answers Now what help may be afforded to these things by the following Treatise is with the Lord to give and with his Servants to pray for A Childe when lifted up upon a Giants shoulders may be carried for above his own strength A withered Hand may be stretched out if Christ say the word Weak things the Lord sometimes chuseth to bring mighty things to pass by If the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon go together what may not a little strength do An Host of three hundred men that lap water with their Pitchers and Lamps what an Army of Midianites may not fall before them I dare not say any thing of the Work nor of the success of the Work being in Gods hand onely shall pray That the blessing of the God of Heaven may go along with it That Christ may smile upon it and as Constantine would stoop so low as to kiss Paphnutius his Eye that he could not see with so that the Lord Jesus would be pleased to condescend so far as to give a sweet kiss of favour to this maimed Work I had not thought that any thing of mine should ever have seen the light more but the short Notes put forth before concerning that awfull Subject of The Last Judgement finding acceptance with some of the Saints here and with some elswhere though so unworthy of such a tremendous Subject yet I have adventured a little before I dye to set forth this as being the words of a dying man and of such an one as expects death daily if so be that such words may sink more deeply And if any Souls may be prevailed with to get nearer God and to have more sweet communings with his Majesty and prevail more through Christs Intercession by their faith in Prayer and thereby declare themselves the true and genuine Children of Abraham and my own heart be carried up more Heaven-ward and Christ-ward by it I have enough and shall judge that I have not lost my labour No words are lost no labour lost that bring us nearer God and nearer Heaven Reader The brief Heads of the following Discourse or at least the principal of them are hinted at in this short Epistle Reade them Learn them Pray for a blessing upon them distill them into the sweet water of the Practice of Godliness We know no more then we do The life of Reading is in the performance of our duty in what we learn Words are but empty sounds except we draw them forth in our lives Printed Books will do little good except
it 5. We shall finde our drawing near to God in this Duty a Pledge of our everlasting communion with him in another world Communion with God is Heaven begun and it will never cease till it fall into Eternity as the Rivers do into the Sea It is true our Communion with God is little here for what 's a little River to the Sea we are but now and then and but sometimes and but a little serious with him some acquaintance we have but not much but there is a time a coming when we shall ever be with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 when we shall see his face Rev. 22.4 and be with him where he is Joh. 14.3 17.24 and be like to him and see him as he is And this everlasting happy Communion follows upon our drawing near to God here 6. We shall finde that when we draw nearest unto God we have most his Image upon us for so it is in Glory 1 Joh. 3.2 We shall be like unto him for we shall see him as he is and so it is in Grace 2 Cor. 3.18 Look as Moses by being with God brought some of Heavens beauty down with him not onely in his face but also in his heart some of the bowels of God toward a sinning people Exod. 32.31 32. so it is with those that draw near to God in Prayer the Image of God looks fresh upon them it is to be seen who they have been with their Fathers face is so conspicuously beheld in them 3. From the Duty it self 1. It is that that Christ Jesus often exercised himself in especially upon weighty occasions yea sometimes spent the whole night in Prayer to God Luke 6.12 and we need not be ashamed to follow him Souldiers follow their Leader Sheep the Shepherds so here Joh. 10.27 They follow me 2. It is that whereby we become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 Hos 12.3 4. and who would not prevail with God though he get an halting by it 3. It is that that makes us prevail with men Gen. 32.28 If we can but be Princes with God men shall never be too hard for us Impotency shall not overcome where Omnipotency yields 4. It is that duty that gains great things for us What is it that may not be obtained by Prayer of Faith it's a Key that opens all doors the door of Heaven Jam. 3.17 18. the doors of the Sea Exod. 14. Neh. 9. the doors of the barren womb 1 Sam. 1. What Treasures are there that Prayer cannot come at fetch away and bring in its hand to us 5. It is that that God delights in Cant. 2.14 Prov. 15.8 it is a kinde of harmony and musick and melody in his ears Other fathers love to see their children playing but our Father loves to see his children praying 6. It is that that we begin our spiritual life with Acts 9. and must not cease with us till we come to glory 7. It is that that will issue in praises in another world our Requests now will be Songs then Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what honour God puts upon Believers when they pray to him They draw near to him It is great honour to draw near to a Princes Throne to put up a Petition now and then and to stand or kneel in his Presence Oh what honour then is it to araw near to God and to come to his Throne to present our Supplications before Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords all are not so dignified it is the priviledge of Believers onely they are they that have this Kings ear and heart they may come without check or controll it 's their honour to be in his Presence there 's no Law to inhibite them from coming as was sometimes in the great Persian Monarchs Kingdome Esth 4.11 they may come when they will and as often as they will this King hath an ear open and an hand ready to receive their Petitions that they present to him 1 Joh. 5.14 15. When they come most frequently they are welcome most cordially when they draw near as Abraham here they have the honour to kiss the Kings Hand and to come at any time into the Presence-Chamber without reproof Such honour have all his Saints and so it is with every one that this King delighteth to honour 2. We see that Believers are Favourites and Friends of God that they draw near to God Abraham is thrice in Scripture called the Friend of God 2 Chron. 20.7 Isa 41.8 Jam. 2.23 and when any thing is often spoken of God would have us minde that The truth is none are such friends of God as Believers nay none are friends but they To them this King holds out the golden Scepter of his Grace There are some that are said to be near the King Jer. 52.25 and of Zabud that he was King Solomons friend 1 Kings 4.5 Oh but how near are Believers to God what friends are they to him that may come with their Petitions to him at any time without repulse No Favourites of Princes have more liberty then they have to come into the Presence of the greatest Majesty of Heaven Julius and Augustus had their Favourites and so had Tiberius his Sejanus that he did call Friend and would write to him pro amicitia out of the friendship that he bore to him but none like Believers for friendship and favour with God that can come with such boldness to his Throne of Grace and draw near when they pray to him 3. We see that God humbleth himself above all other Princes in the world that will vouchsafe to admit such as we be into his Presence and to come so near him It 's great humility in the great God to behold things that are done in heaven to have respect to the service that Angels bring before him but for him to behold things done on earth to look at our services and prayers to regard our petitions and to let us have any room in his heart and our requests to have any admittance to his Throne Oh! who is like to the Lord that dwelleth on high that thus humbleth himself for our sakes Ps 113.5 6. Princes will sometimes stoop toward their Subjects as David and others have done but none like God Some Princes will scarce be seen once in a year of their Subjects they take such State upon them but our God and King does not so we may draw near to him when we pray to him 4. We see that by nature we are far from God for it is of faith that we draw near to him by nature we care not for praying to him for it is by grace that we come with our suits and supplications to him we may thank grace that ever we get near him Nature puts us far from God as East and West are in their distances one from another as soon may Arctick and Antarctick Poles meet as God and Nature meet together Adam when fallen would never have come
upon their Seats of Justice but there is no errour in him no obliquity no iniquity with the Lord no accepting of persons nor taking of gifts 2 Chron. 19.7 Bribes may blinde men and lead them out of the way of righteousness but God regards not gifts he cannot be blinded by them though men may He cannot erre in judgement 6. A Pitiful Judge Some Judges on Earth have been so pitiful as that they never condemned any but they have wept over them but no Judge on earth like him for pity See how he wept over Jerusalem when he foresaw her judgement afar off Luke 13.34 7. A Royal Judge such a Judge as is a King Mat. 25.34 Other Judges may be great men but they are not Kings but he is a King sitting in judgement 8. An All-seeing Judge that knows all hearts Rev. 2.23 and therefore cannot be deceived with vain pretexts and put off with excuses that have nothing in them 9. A Patient Judge that will hold on judging till the work be ended Hence the day of Judgement is called The great day as in other respects so in regard of the length of it as Junius observes which holds out the Judge's patience in seeing all done before he end the work Quest 4. Why is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. From the Father who 1. hath designed him to this work Acts 17.31 2. Knows when it will be Mat. 24.36 3. Hath committed all judgement to him Joh. 5.22 4. Aims at the honour of the Son in so doing ver 23. 2. From Christ himself 1. He hath suffered and is therefore thus honoured Phil. 2.8 9.2 He had the promise of this made to him long before he suffered Isa 53.11 12. 3. He is the one Law-giver and therefore the whole Scripture is called The word of Christ Col. 3.16 and being the Law-giver it 's meet he should be Judge also 4. He is our Advocate with the Father and is called Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 and the more righteous he is the fitter he is to be the Judge Obj. But how did Abraham know him to be the Judge of all the Earth so long before his Incarnation Ans 1. Why not as well as Enoch that was long before him Jude ver 14 15. 2. Abraham was called the friend of God Jam. 2.23 and had it revealed to him as we reveal much to friends 3. The Lord knew not how to hide other secrets from him Gen. 18.17 and therefore not this 4. Abraham was an heavenly-minded man Heb. 11.10 that had in his eye a blessed state of glory and could not but know that there was a judgement to come and that He it was that was the Judge of all the Earth Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the great dignity that the Lord Christ is exalted to after his deep humiliation He is the Judge of all the Earth the Father highly honours him After sufferings comes the greatest dignity they usher in glory Luke 24.26 the Father as a reward of his deep abasement advanceth him to this height of honour to be Judge of all the Earth 2. We see that all the Earth had need stand in awe of him for he is the Judge of all the earth especially all wicked ones of the earth Guilty Malefactors fear their Judge so should all the guilty ones of the earth fear this great Judge and not onely they but others also that expect favour from him Psal 4.4 3. We see that the greatest Kings and Judges of the Earth had need be wise and submit themselves to him that is the Judge of all the Earth Psal 2.10 11 12. for he will one day call them to an account and they must stand before the Judge of all the Earth He respecteth not the person of Princes but will call them to the Barre of his Tribunal as well as other men They are all the work of his hands and he will be a Judge to them all He will make no difference between Silks and Leather between Cloth of Gold and the vilest Raiment Men may make difference between great ones and others but the Judge of all the Earth cannot will not they must bow the knee to him as well as other stoop to him kiss him and make obeisance to him 4. We see that the Patriarks of old did not onely know that there was to be a day of judgement but had serious thoughts and meditations of it and knew who the Judge of all the Earth was Thus Abraham and Enoch the seventh from Adam even in the beginning of the world prophecieth of the End of the world and of the Day of Judgement Jude ver 14 15. and if they had such serious thoughts of that day how much more should we upon whom the ends of the world are come We are upon the last hour as John calls it 1 Joh. 2.18 and therefore our thoughts and looks and longings and breathings should be after that and we should meditate much of this Judge's coming They that have but a short time to think of a serious matter had need to think intensely and seriously of it so we of the Judges coming 5. We see what preparation we should all make to meet the Judge at his coming There is great preparation for the coming of other Judges at the Assize Oh how then should we prepare for his coming who is Judge of all the Earth especially considering that the time is short that is allotted to us They that have a great work to do and a very little time to do it in had need bestirre themselves so had we in this solemn work of fitting our selves for the coming of this great Judge we should not let him finde us without our dress but be in readiness Mat. 24.44 A Spouse prepares for her Husbands coming so should we for Christs coming 6. We see that all the Earth have need to make Supplication to their Judge All sorts and ranks of men upon earth had need desire and earnestly intreat that he may be a merciful Judge to them and in this day of grace that they may find grace in his sight There are those that at the Assize will supplicate the Judge and earnestly cry Good my Lord Good my Lord shew mercy to a poor Prisoner but they speak too late So at the last day there will be those that will say Lord Lord and intreat for mercy Mat. 7.21 22 23. but the time is past they come too late and so finde no favour That that we must do in this kinde must be done while the day of grace lasts as it is 2 Cor. 6.2 Heb. 3.7 If the door be shut if the date be out it is not Lord Lord open unto us that will serve the turn Vse 2. for Terrour to all the Earth that have no interest in this Judge that do nothing but provoke this Judge and cast reproach upon him how will they do to stand before him in the great day of his appearing
dares not ask any thing that is dishonourable to the Name of God but though he take upon him to speak to the Lord yet it is an holy boldness he requests for nothing but that that may well stand with holiness to desire and with Gods holiness to grant 8. It is a boldness full of love to those we pray for Abraham was bold with God but his love carried him out to make so bold with him he was earnestly desirous that Sodom might be spared and it was out of tender love to the Righteous that he thought might be amongst them Quest 3. Why may Believers be thus bold with God in praying to him Ans 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers themselves First From the Lord. 1. He hath bidden us come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 2. He hath given Christ Jesus to be a great High Priest and one that is tenderly sensible of our infirmities and therefore encourageth us to be bold in our suits to him ver 14 15. 3. He hath shewed himself willing to hear Prayer as here to Abraham so Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come 4. He hath promised that we shall obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 We shall not lose our labour but have what we come for at the best time Secondly From Believers 1. They are friends of God as Abraham and therefore may be bold with him 2. They shall have all that they ask in Christs Name Mat. 21.22 John 16.23 3. They have an Advocate with the Father to plead for them 1 John 2.2 and that perfumes their prayers with his intercession Rev. 8.3 4. They are near to him and therefore may be bold with him Psal 148.14 Thirdly From their Prayers 1. They delight him Prov. 15.8 Cant. 2.14 and therefore may be bold with him 2. They are better to him then all Ceremonies though never so costly Psal 50. 3. They come up as a memorial before him Acts 10.4 4. They are spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 and therefore we may well be bold with him in our prayers to him Vse 1. for Information 1. We see how delightful Believers are to God seeing they may be so bold with him in the Prayers that they put up to him They that are bold with Princes as Favourites be are the delights of those Princes else they durst not be so bold with them So Believers must needs be Gods delight seeing they are and may be so bold with him in praying to him Cant. 7.6 How fair and pleasant art thou O love for delights Hence it is that the Lord calls his Church Hephzibah My delight is in her and Beaulah that is Married for as a Bridegroom delighteth over his Bride so he delighteth over his people Isa 62.4 5. They have his heart and are his delight they are the desire of his eyes and that which his heart is set upon It is so with a mans wife and much more with Believers that are espoused and married to the Lord. 2. We see what great honour God puts upon Believers that are and may be so bold with him Every one may not be bold with a King to present their Suits and Supplications before him they are honourable ones and such as he delighteth to honour that may be so bold as to take upon them to speak to him Oh how honourable then are they in the sight of God and how does he delight to honour Believers that take the boldness to take upon them to speak to the Lord They are the Noble ones and the great Peers of his Kingdome how-ever they be little in their own eyes and style themselves but dust and ashes yet they are great in his account and he styles them Excellent and Honourable ones Psa 16.2 3. and Prov. 12.26 farre above other men they are the Grandees in his Court and Kingdome 3. We see that when they come to glory they will be farre greater then now they are for here their honour is much veiled by sin they are black and the Sun hath looked upon them and their honour is stained by the afflictions they suffer the Devil and the World cast all the dishonour they can upon them as they did upon Christ Jesus as he sayes Joh. 8.49 but God honours them here and if so much more will he honour them when they come in Heaven Here they are bold with God and it is their honour so to be but no honour like to that when they shall be ever with him and see his face and by that Beatifical Vision shall be made like to him and bear the Image of the heavenly one 1 John 3.2 1 Cor 15.49 4. We see how marvellously the Lord condescends to dust and ashes that they that have that style may be so bold with him as to take upon them to speak to the Lord Oh how low does he stoop to such no humility like his This is not the manner of men this is not the manner of great Princes to come thus low but God would teach them and teach us all to condescend and become low and shews himself a pattern of humility that we may be the more ashamed of our pride and learn to stoop of such a great one as he is Psal 113. 5. We see a reason why some Believers have made so bold with some great men in some cases and have spoken so freely to them as Dan. 3.16 5.17 2 Chron. 16.7 8 9. 25.16 They that may be so bold with God and take upon them to speak to him may be bold much more with men when called to it if with the potter then with the clay if with the great God in our suits to him much more with the greatest of men when there 's cause for it 6. We see that when at any time we are to pray to him we should alwayes bear this in our minde That we go to a gracious King and a kinde Father and therefore may be humbly and and reverendly bold with him as Abraham was We do not go to a Prince that will terrifie us with his looks that will fright us with his words that will drive us from his presence but to such an one as does encourage us to be bold with him in Christs Name He is that Friend at Court that we are more bold then welcome and that he will see to it that we shall have a gracious answer Joh. 14.13 14. Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers they are no friends of God and therefore cannot be bold with him they have no acquaintance with him but are strangers and enemies to him and how should they take upon them to speak to him Vse 3. for Humiliation 1. That we are too rude and come with less reverence then becomes us in his Presence with whom we have
honourably of them do honourably by them put them in our hearts lay them in our bosoms give them all the honour that 's fit for men and under God let them have the highest room in our hearts who have this honour from God to draw so near unto God 4. To pray that when we come before him we may indeed as Abraham did draw near to him If we bring our Petitions near him and our hearts be somewhere else we do but mock God and do not draw near to him if our lips go and our hearts gad if our tongues waver and our hearts wander if our mouthes utter and our hearts scatter we do but lose our selves and lose the duty and all the good we might have by it Pray therefore for such an heart as David had Psal 57.7 My heart is fixed O Lord my heart is fixed we have naturally unfixed hearts unstable hearts such hearts as will give us the slip and give God the slip but if we would indeed draw near to God we must desire a fixed heart 5. To long for heaven where we shall be near him indeed We have through his grace some near approaches to him especially when he makes us serious and lively in the duty even in this life but it is but a little yet whatever it is it is his mercy that we may come any whit near him as it is in Psal 148.14 that he shuts us not quite out of his presence but when we come in glory we shall be near indeed Oh! how near are the blessed Angels and blessed Souls in glory they have his ear they have his heart they are in his Presence-Chamber in his bosom lye near his very Soul no nearness like that which they enjoy and we shall in a state of glory and this we are to long and breathe for 6. In the mean time to be as near him as we can and as often with him as we may the oftner the better the more walks we have with him the more of the rayes of his beauty will be seen upon us the more frequent our addresses be to him the more of heavens glory will be put upon us God will be seen in our very faces something of God in our very countenances all that see us will say Doubtless these men have met with God and God hath met with them they have drawn near to him indeed there is such radiancy of the divine beauty upon them See Exod. 34.29 30. Vse 5. for Consolation 1. Against our loss of near Relations Brethren Sisters Fathers houses nearest and dearest Friends we in this Country have left these but if we can get nearer God here he will be in stead of all more then all to us he hath the fulness of all the sweetest Relations bound up in him We may take that out of God that we forsook in Father Mother Brother Sister and Friend that hath been as near and dear as our own Soul 2. Against loss of our own Country which is to be esteemed as a mans self Luke 4.23 and should be very dear to us but if we be put far from that and draw near to God all is well he will bring us to an heavenly Country and to that that 's better then what we left 3. Against loss of Life here which is dear to us and goes near to our hearts but if we get near God and have more frequent recourse to him by Prayer of faith his presence that we have enjoyed here is more then life We must have died where-ever we had been and if it be our lot to die in a strange Land we are not a whit the further off from God by it our Souls are as soon carried to heaven as if we had died elsewhere HAving shewed what Abraham did in drawing near to God in Prayer we come now to what he said and handle the words as they lye in the Text Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked Doct. II. THat even among the most wicked Sinners there may be found some Righteous This Abraham presupposeth and it was not without ground for Lot there was whom he knew to be a righteous man and so the Holy Ghost styles him 2 Pet. 2.7 8. There was Obadiah in wicked Ahabs Court 1 Kings 18.3 4. Prime Saints there were in cruel Nero's Household Phil. 4.22 at Pergamus where Satans Throne was there were righteous ones Rev. 2.13 So in the old World The world of the ungodly as it is called when all flesh had corrupted their wayes 2 Pet. 2.5 Gen. 6.12 there was a Righteous Noah Gen. 6.9 So Enoch in that wicked Age he lived Jude 14 15. a blessed man that constantly walked with God as the Hebrew Verb in the Conjugation Hithpael holds out and so Junius and Tremelius render it indesinenter ambulabat Some good there are among the worst and vilest among men some Corn among the Chaff some Wheat among the Tares some Gold mingled with the Dross some Sheep with the Goats some sweet Flowers and Herbs growing with the Weeds some fruitful Trees among Briars and Brambles Thorns and Thistles some Jewels among the Sands some Pearls among a multitude of Shells some gracious Saints among the Wicked Reasons 1. From God 2. From the righteous themselves 3. From the wicked 1. From God 1. He would leave the wicked hereby without Excuse that have had some good examples before their eyes some paterns of piety to follow and yet they would be vile when they had such eminent gracious ones amongst them This leaves them wholly without excuse they can make no apologie for themselves That Servant that is idle and riotous when his fellow-servants have been diligent in their work must needs have his mouth stopt his Master will take no excuse So our Master that is in Heaven will take no excuse from such as having good examples before them will yet be wicked when they might be better Mat. 25.24 25 26 27. 2. He makes these Righteous ones more eminent in holiness by living among such wicked ones Who so famous as Enoch and Noah were that lived among the wicked in their times who so eminent as Obadiah in Ahabs house who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord 1 Kings 21.25 If we look into 1 Kings 18.3 it is said that Obadiah feared the Lord greatly What rare Jewels were found upon such a dunghill as Nero's Court Phil. 4.22 The most excellent of Saints have been found amongst the most wicked sinners their black makes the godlies white more conspicuous How eminent was Lot in Sodom 2 Pet. 2.7 8. their darkness makes the Saints light shine more brightly their deformity makes the Saints beauty more to be admired they often prove the rarest men that live amongst the worst of men 3. He permits them to be together till the harvest and at the end of the world he will say to the Reapers which are the Angels Gather up the Tares and binde
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
take so much from God and return so little to his Saints his bounty should provoke to duty Prov. 3.27 28. 5. To love him exceedingly that hears our Prayers what love is sufficient for him If we could pour out our Souls into his bosome all were too little for him We think no love sufficient for a friend that gives us what we ask Oh what love then is enough for him that hears our Prayers and grants us what we ask of him 6. To rejoyce that we go to such a God as both can and will hear and grant When power and will meet together what should hinder us from rejoycing to go to such an one 7. To believe when we pray that we shall be heard for this noble Title calls us to awake our Faith when-ever we pray to him Jam. 1.5 6 7. 8. To pray so humbly fervently sincerely constantly as that we may be sure to be heard and a grant given out to us for what we ask Luke 18.13 Jam. 5.16 Psal 17.1 1 Thess 5.17 Vse 5. for Consolation 1. That our labour shall not be lost 2. That though men fail us God will not Verse 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 Doct. X. THat the Lord sometimes gives unto his Servants the very same thing that they ask of him Abraham desired this That if there were fifty Righteous in Sodom that the place might be spared and God here grants him the very same thing and sayes If there be so many found there he will spare all the place for their sakes So he desired a Childe and God gave him Isaac Gen. 15.2 3 4. with 21.2 So Isaac prayed for Rebekahs fruitfulness and the Lord made her fruitful Gen. 25.21 So Jacob prayed for deliverance from Esau his Brother and God gave him the same thing Gen. 32.11 with 33.4 Hannah desires a man-childe and God gave her her Request and granted the very thing she asked of him 1 Sam. 1.11 20 26 27. So Jabez prayed 1 Chron. 4.10 and God granted him his petition in the kinde of it We see the like in Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah David Solomon and many others that had the same things granted that they desired Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From his believing ones 3. From the efficacy of Prayer First From the Lord. 1. From his Power there is nothing too hard for him Gen. 18.14 Job 42. I know sayes Job thou canst do every thing and therefore though there may seem to be an impossibility in nature that the same thing should be granted yet what cannot the Omnipotent One do With him all things are possible Jer. 32.17 27. It was the speech of an Indian amongst us to some of our Rulers Command me some difficult thing and it shall be done And if so what difficult thing is there that we at any time ask that God cannot do for us 2. From his Promise Joh. 15.7 If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what you will and it shall be done to you the very same thing in kinde as well as others he will never â—â—say in his deed what he hath said in word but fulfill with his hand what he hath spoken with his mouth 1 Kin. 8.24 If he say We shall have what we will the thing in kinde that we ask this King is not he that can deny it to us 3. He hath ordained us to be fruitful and that our fruit should remain that whatsoever we ask God may give it to us Joh. 15.16 It hath reference to the Apostles and Ministers principally but yet reacheth fruitful Christians also 4. From his Love that he bears to us Joh. 16.26 27. A friend that loves him that comes to sue to him will give him the same thing that he desires of him how much more will our Friend and Father give us the same thing we ask of him if it be good for us Psal 84.11 5. From his Glory which is exalted in giving in kinde the same thing that we prayed for Thus did Hannah lift up his Name and Praise by giving her the same mercy that she asked of him 1 Sam. 2. God loseth not in his glory when we have what we ask of him it leaves an impression of thankefulness upon our spirits 6. From his Greatness in his bounty for when he gives the same thing we ask he commonly gives something more with it He gave Solomon wisdome and understanding which he asked but he gave him more he added Riches and Honour to it 1 Kin. 3 9-13 He gave Hannah a man-childe that she asked but something more also was given the barren bare seven 1 Sam. 2.5 So Abraham desired an Heir and God gave him such a Son of whom Christ should come Secondly From the Believers 1. They desire that that is pleasing to God 1 Kin. 3.9 c. and he cannot tell how to deny them that 2. They are willing to return the blessing to God again that he hath given at their desire 1 Sam. 1.27 28. They improve the blessing well and God cannot but give them such a blessing as he gives them an heart to improve for him 3. They ask it conditionally if the Lord see it good for them and if it be his will 1 Joh. 5.14 and modest suiters are often speeders with men much more with the Lord. 4. They are content to stay the Lords time till the blessing come Isaac waited twenty years for his wives fruitfulness Gen. 25.20 26. and they that so wait cannot be denied 5. They believe the accomplishment of what God promiseth upon their Prayer Gen. 15.4 5 6. and Faith will carry all before it it will get any thing at the hands of God 6. They love the Lord for giving them what they asked of him Psal 116.1 Solomon loved the Lord that gave him his desire 1 Kin. 3.3 Thirdly From the Efficacy of Prayer 1. It obtains any thing at the hands of God Mat. 7.7 It makes men Princes with God to prevail for any thing Gen. 32.28 2. It is the Souls Ambassador to God that returns with good tidings and does negotiate in Heaven for any thing for us 3. It is that whereby we come near to God Jam. 4.8 and they that are near the King may have in kinde what they ask of him much more may we that are near to God 4. It is that that hath got great things in former times as we see in the Prayers of Moses Ezra Nehemiah the good Prophets and Kings that have obtained what they asked and we go to the same God still and repair to the same Fountain 5. It comes into Gods holy Habitation into Heaven 2 Chron. 30.27 and there is all to be had that we would there is a rich Treasury of all we desire 6. It is that that is persumed with Christs Intercession Rev. 8.3 His Incense offered up with the prayers of all
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit c. and that in Psal 34.18 The Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken heart It must needs be so for they pray in humility of heart before him 7. We see that they that are truly godly cannot but be humble in Prayer it is their property and they look at it as their duty so to be 8. We see that they that flant it in their Prayers with quaint words and curious expressions they know not what faith and godliness mean it 's ill in Preaching so to do 1 Cor. 2.1 2 4. but much worse in Prayer Eloquent Beggars are not regarded by men much less flanting Beggars before the Lord. Vse 2. for Reproof 1. Of those that use such gestures in Prayer as savour not of humility and reverence sitting sleeping gazing upon vain objects some have much to answer for the two latter both which argue high contempt of God and being frequent great profaneness of heart 2. Against those that confess not their own vileness and unworthiness nor so abase themselves as humble Suppliants ought Vse 3. for Exhortation To pray in humility Motives 1. Such are justified ones and thereby exalted Luke 18.13 14. 2. Such gather upon God and gain upon him Gen. 18. from 24 to 33. as Abraham 3. Such shall have difficult things done for them Mark 9 24.-29 4. Such shall be saved out of all their troubles Psal 34.6 5. Such are the friends of God Jam. 2.23 Helps 1 Be apprehensive of Gods greatness 2 Grow in faith nothing humbleth us more then it 3 Look to the multitude of our debts 4 Be poor in Spirit such pray humbly 5 Be sensible of the Lords mercy we are never more humble then when most apprehensive of that 6 Gather what we can against our selves daily Vse 4. for Examination whether we pray in humility Marks 1 Humility is free and full in confessing particular sins 1 Chron. 21.17 2 It aggravates sin Ezra 9.6 7 13. 3 It changeth all sorts with sin Dan. 9.7 8 10 11. 4 It bears hard words Matth. 15.27 from others 5 It layes load upon our selves Psal 73.22 6 It makes us silent before the Lord Job 40.4 5. 7 It makes us loath and abhorre our selves Ezek. 36.31 Job 42.6 Verse 27. Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Doct. XIV THat Believers are and may be bold with the Lord in praying Thus was Abraham bold with God here Behold sayes he I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord c. For opening of which let me shew 1. Wherein this boldness does consist 2. Why they may be so bold with the Lord in praying to him 3. The Vses Quest 1. Wherein does this boldness consist A. 1. In speaking freely all that we have to say to him So the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holds out Heb. 4.16 it properly signifies A liberty to speak all that we can speak or A freedome to speak all our minde Men may sometimes cut us off and make us break off before we have spoken all we would and bid us forbear as 2 Chron. 25.16 Amaziah did to the Prophet but the Lord would have us so bold with him as to speak all we have to say in his ears he will not interrupt us or break off our speech but give us liberty to speak all our minde to him That 's the first 2. It consists in an humble taking upon us to speak in his Presence so did Abraham here sayes he I have taken upon me though but dust and ashes to speak to the Lord that is I have been bold to speak to him or I have freely begun to speak to him as the Hebrew word is sometimes taken 3. It consists in seeking to gather and gain upon God in our requests that we put up to him Thus bold was Abraham here he seeks to gain upon God in his addresses to him as we shall shew more hereafter if the Lord will 4. It consists in coming frequently and as often as may be into his Presence They that go often into the Kings Presence are bold with him as Favourites use to be so they that are often with the Lord are bold with him So were Enoch and Noah that had their constant walks with God Gen. 5.22 24. 6.9 5. It consists in our familiarity and acquaintance with God and in that fellowship and friendship that we have with him Job 22.21 1 Joh. 1.3 Abraham was the friend of God Jam. 2.23 and so was bold with him A friend to a man will take more boldness upon him then a stranger so they that are friends of God 6. It consists in asking great things of him That man is bold with his Prince that desires great things of him as sometimes a Prince's Favourite will thus bold may Believers be with God they may ask great things of God even the holy Ghost himself Luke 11.13 Quest 2. What manner of boldness is it wherewith Believers may be bold with him Ans 1. An humble boldness they may be humbly bold with him Abraham takes upon him to speak to the Lord but acknowledgeth in an humble manner that he is but dust and ashes Petitioners that are bold with their Princes yet they ask upon their knees for what they have a desire to have So here 2. It is a familiar boldness we may be familiarly bold with him Abraham familiarly communed with God and God with him Gen. 18.33 3. It is a reverend boldness we pray to him as to a Father and therefore must give him reverence as other Children do to their Fathers Heb. 12.28 Let us have grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear 4. It is a comely boldness we must not be rude in his Presence but pray in comely manner beseeming the Presence of the great God They that Petition to Princes carry themselves in a beseeming manner and according to the Majesty they come before So must we we may be bold with the Lord in praying to him but so as to consider who we are before and who we have to deal with we do it so as becomes such a Majesty as God is Thus Abraham did he was bold but he was not rude 5. It is a boldness that keeps it's distance Abraham was bold with the Lord but looks at him as Jehovah as the Lord infinitely above him that was vile and base dust and ashes So may we be bold in praying to him but look that we know our distance we must look at God as he is and look at our selves as we are 6. It is a boldness that exalts Gods grace that we may be so bold with him Abraham in all the boldness that he used aimed at this that the grace of God might be exalted in not destroying but sparing Sodom that wicked place and people Such should our boldness be 7. It is an holy boldness Abraham does not
cannot come too often to him in our suits and this puts us upon it to follow him with our requests and to speak to him in Prayer yet again as Abraham did here 3. He hath not stinted us nor put any bounds to our lawful desires but hath bidden us ask what we will and as often as we will to ask great things and many things Jer. 33.3 Joh. 15.7 and this encourageth Believers not to stint themselves or to say to themselves Hitherto we will go and no further and when we have got this and that and the other we will ask no more 4. He hath promised that we shall have all we ask according to his will 1 Joh. 5.14 15. and therefore we may well go again and again to him and not give over though we have got our renewed suits granted to us Princes promises encourage Subjects Addresses to them as we see in the Promises of Ahasuerus to Esther and Herods to his Dancing Minion how much more then will Gods promises encourage us in our prayers to him 5. He desires to hear us speaking to him Cant. 2.14 Let me see thy countenance let me hear thy voice and if he desire this we may well be encouraged to come again We may well let him have his desire that lets us have ours 6. He takes pleasure in our often coming Cant. 2.14 Sweet is thy voice Our Prayers are musick and melody in his ears Hence also the Prayers of Believers are compared to Incense Psal 141.2 and that had a fragrant sweet smell Such are Believers Prayers they are sweet-scented fragrant savour well in his nosthrils they are delightsome to him and this may well put us upon it to follow him with our suits that are so acceptable to him in Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Secondly From Believers 1. They are and may be bold with God as I said before and from that holy boldness do go again and again to him Heb. 4.16 They that have leave to be bold with Kings as Favourites have may go as oft as they will to them and though they have got their renewed grants yet they will come again so it is with Believers that are in favour with God 2. Though they have many desires granted and many of their suits hearkned to yet their wants are many still and will be while they are in this world and if some be supplied yet they need more and therefore cannot but come again We are made up of wants and when we have got something we need more when this and that favour hath been brought in to us still we are lacking something further and therefore cannot but go to him again for supplies Phil. 4.19 3. They know they go to a liberal one that gives to all liberally Jam. 1.5 and therefore though they have received this and that and the other benefit from him yet if they speak yet again and ask on he will not deny them and this puts them on to sue for further favour 4. They do not use to deny their friends that sue to them though they come often and therefore cannot but judge that they fall infinitely short of God who is rich in mercy Eph. 2.4 and this puts them upon it to go often to the Throne of Grace and again and again to ask for further favour though they have prevailed in their suits before 5. They have engaged themselves to call upon God as long as they live Psal 116.2 and this obligation of theirs puts them upon it to make frequent addresses to him and though they have got their desires in some things yet they cannot there make a stop but must ask further as Abraham here did 6. They are the more welcome the oftner they come and the more suits they bring Some men will say to their friends That the oftner they come the more welcome they be and some say it feignedly and others in truth and reality but however it is with men it is so with God he is best pleased with us when we are most frequently with him we are most welcome to him when he hears us oftnest with him It 's said of Enoch that walked constantly with God Gen. 5.22 and followed his suits hard that he had this testimony that he pleased God Heb. 11.5 and so it is with them that come again they are welcome and that puts them upon coming Vse 1. for Information 1. We see that Believers are restless in their motions towards the Lord they are like the Heavenly Bodies that cannot stand still Though they have got much at the Lords hands by bringing their suits before him yet they cannot rest there but must try the Lord yet further and get something more their Suits must go on their Prayers must not have bounds set to them but when new grants have been made yet they must pray further and speak yet again as Abraham here did That man that ceaseth Prayer though he hath got much walketh not in the steps of the faith of Abraham or at least keeps not pace with him in a way believing 2. We see that Believers have great interest in God for they make many suits to him yea when they have got much yet cannot stop there but will ask for more and try the Lord for more grace be given in to them Great is their interest in Princes that can do so and such and much more is Believers interest in the Lord God is theirs and therefore they are emboldened to ask so much of him Psal 119.94 118.28 3. We see that they that sit still and quiet themselves in grace received and do not come again as need is but restrain prayer as they cast off fear Job 15.4 so they are not of the faith of Abraham for though he had suit after suit granted yet he sued still and spake yet again 4. We see that a Believers restless motion in praying comes near Angelical work for the Angels cease not night nor day in praising God Rev. 4. and Believers here cease not to call upon God and though they have obtained much yet they rest not there but must have more and who would not be like the Angels who would not follow those Celestial Spirits it is a rare thing to imitate those glorious Heroes and to serve our King like those noble Courtiers that wait continually upon him and alwayes behold his face 5. We see what longing desires we should have to be in Heaven where we shall be alwayes in his Presence and never cease serving of him Rev. 22.3 4. Here we do something like the service of God there in that we cease not our suits to him onely here is the difference that what we do here is imperfect service and we have our clogs and hindrances in what we best do but in Heaven as we shall be more constant so we shall never be interrupted in our service nor have any clog or hindrance at all and therefore we should long for that blessed place
bold with him Isa 64.7 5. He makes account that such cast off fear as restrain prayer and are not bold with him Job 15.4 and Believers are loth to have that imputed to them for faith and fear go together Heb. 11.7 6. He alwayes makes us the more welcome the more bold we are with him when we pray to him Abraham lost nothing by taking upon him to speak unto the Lord and being further bold with him A bold friend findes hearty welcome from men much more from the Lord they that sue oftenest speed the best Secondly From our selves 1. We sue to a God who hath said that we shall not seek his face in vain Isa 45.19 and therefore may be bold with him and make further bold 2. We sue to him who hath given out that great word Isa 45.11 Ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands command me which none of us durst have thought of had not he spoken it 3. We sue to him that hath said Psal 81.10 that if we be so bold as to open our mouthes wide and enlarge our desires he will fill and satisfit them 4. We go to him who is the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 and therefore can supply us abundantly What cannot that God of all grace bring in to us All grace is more then Rich grace A man may be Rich and yet not have All but God is not onely Rich in grace but the God of all grace and therefore can make all grace to abound towards us 5. We sue to him who will never send us empty away who turns none away from his doors without relief His suiters shall never go sad away from him He sends the rich empty away that think they need nothing Luke 1.53 but filleth the hungry with good things 6. We go to him that hath said that Every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Mat. 7.8 and therefore we may be bold and further bold with him We may be bold to think that he will not be harder to us then he is to every one Thirdly From the nature of Believers boldness 1. It draws us nearer unto God and that God delighteth in we get near to the Throne of Grace 2. It makes a man go out of himself more and see what need he hath of supplies from Heaven and that 's a gracious frame of heart 3. It lets us see our own unworthiness Gen. 32.10 11. Luke 15.21 and that God takes pleasure in 4. It holds up our friendship with God and assureth us that we are his friends in that we make so bold with him Jam. 2.23 5. It is the very Suburbs and Gate of Heaven for they in Heaven can be holily bold with the Lord Dan. 4.17 6. It is a blessed fruit of Christs Ascension Heb. 4.14 16. Upon all which grounds Believers may be bold and further bold with him Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what a gracious God we sue to that we may be bold and further bold with in our requests that we put up to him He proclaimed his Name thus of old The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious Exod. 34.6 2. We see that Believers have great interest in him that may be so bold with him as to take upon them to speak again and again thus to him 3. We see that great is the friendship that is between God and Believing Souls Great hath been the friendship that hath been between some men but none like this between God and his believing ones 4. We see that to be bold with God and to be further bold with him in our requests that we put up to him is an argument that God is very near to us and we very near and dear to him 5. We see that surely we shall be near indeed to him in heaven when faith is turned into vision 6. We see that if we make so bold with him here in praying to him Oh what holy boldness shall we have with him when he clasps us in his Everlasting Arms and puts us into his Bosome to all Eternity 7. We see that though Believers are the modestest men that are yet they are the boldest men also for they can take upon them to speak to God and to be further bold with him 8. We see that no men nor Devils shall be able to dash them out of countenance for they can be bold with God himself 9. We see a reason of that in Ephes 6.16 That that makes us bold with God will make us victorious over the wicked one 10. We see how bold we should be in a good cause and for a good conscience as Peter and John Acts 4. Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers they cannot be bold this way though they make too bold with him by sin Vse 3. for Humiliation to those that are not so bold with him as they may Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be holily bold 2. Believe 3. Fear him 4. Be friends to him 5. Apply Christs Ascension 6. Walk with him 7. Love Christ Verse 31. Peradventure there shall twenty be found there Doct. XXIV THat Believers in making suit to the Lord improve Gods bounty and mercy all that ever they can in behalf of others that they sue for Abraham found God merciful to Sodom that if there had been fifty Righteous within the City he would have spared the whole place for their sakes then afterwards if there had been five and forty then if there had been forty then if there had been thirty and had a grant so far and now having obtained so much mercy he improves it yet further to twenty Peradventure there shall twenty be found there he will try yet further what the Lord will do Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers themselves 3. From their Prayers First From the Lord. 1. He is Rich in mercy Eph. 2.4 Rom. 10.12 and that Riches of his mercy is inexhaustible we cannot empty the treasure of it nor draw the fountain of it dry it is a Spring that is alwayes full and therefore we may improve it all that ever we can A rich Myne may be digged into and a rich Treasure may be made use of and a full Fountain drawn So here 2. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think Eph. 3.20 and therefore we may improve it to the utmost and ask high of him Our desires are scant our thoughts are narrow to that large bounty and mercy that he can impart to us 3. He is such a full one that the whole earth is full of his mercy Psal 119.64 and that that fills the whole earth we may well improve for those that we pray for We may have enough of that that the whole earth is full of 4. His thoughts and wayes of mercy are not like our thoughts and wayes but as the heavens are higher then the earth so are