Selected quad for the lemma: heart_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	able_a	lord_n	zion_n	52	3	9.2779	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89587	The strong helper or, The interest, and power of the prayers of the destitute, for the building up of Sion. Opened in a sermon before the Honorable House of Commons assembled in Parliament, upon the solemn day of their monethly fast, April 30. 1645. / By Stephen Marshall, B.D. minister of Gods Word, at Finching-field in Essex.	Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.	1645 (1645)	Wing M790; Thomason E280_1; ESTC R200033	40,798	62

Zion But the second is the main Secondly The Lord doth then answer the prayers of his people when he builds up Zion because in truth the building up of Zion is the all in all of all his peoples prayers that is as Solomon saith Money answers all so whatsoever particular suites Gods people have offered up the building up of Zion hath been such a request that the answering of that answers all others whatsoever he denies them it skils not they have enough they are abundantly satisfyed they will clear all books and break all Tallies with God they will give in all other bills whatsoever if this be but done that this is so observe I beseech you wheresoever in the Scripture you read of the prayers of Gods people as by the way you shall hardly read of any godly man but you shall read of his prayer you will finde that the strain and the stream of all their prayers runs for Zion read Moses his prayers Joshuahs prayers goe on to David to Solomon to Ezra to Nehemiah and the severall Prophets read all their prayers and you shall finde that Zion is the bulk of them all In thy good pleasure doe good to Zion and though there are many particular suites to themselves yet what they beg to themselves is only begged as a means but when they beg for Zion they beg it as an end Thy Kingdome come to Gods people is next to Hallowed bee thy name It is more to them then all the rest of the Lords Prayer Give us our dayly bread Forgive us our trespasses Leade us not into temptation Deliver us from evill They are all inferiour to Thy Kingdome come the building up of Gods Church is that which hath swayed all with the Saints in all their prayers And it must be so it can be no otherwise with true godly men if you consider either the relation that the Church hath to God or that which they have to the Church First that of the Church to Christ it is his Love his Dove his Fair one his Spouse his Jewell that which he hath laid all his own glory upon one to whom he stands in all relations which argues intimative dearnesse and tendernesse what-ever is done to them is done to himself Yee did it to them therefore yee did it to mee The Churches cause is his Her rising is his glory her reproach is his dishonour Arise O Lord plead thy own cause remember how the foolish people reproach thee forget not the voyce of thy enemies when the Synagogues of the Church was pulled down when the Church was wasted And to themselves likewise it is their Mother in whose womb they have laine whose breasts they have sucked it is the Magazine wherein all their treasure is laid up a vessel wherein all their wealth sinkes and swims if the Church be safe they are safe and no thought of safety if it miscarry salva Ecclesia salva omnia as they were wont to say of Rome Salva Roma salva patria salva omnia so next unto God the Church is their all and therefore the building up of Zion the welfare of the Church of God must needs be the answer to all their prayers Give me leave to present you with a twofold Use of this Lesson and then I hasten to that which I chiefly intended First this Lesson may serve to every of you for one of the greatest discoveries of your owne spirits that can be whether in truth your hearts be right with God thinke how you could answer this one question Would the Lords building up of the Church the setling and establishing of Religion in purity and peace would that be to thy soule the answer of all thy prayers art thou able to say it before God Build but up Zion and I have enough No man under heaven can say it but a Saint and there is not a Saint upon earth but may say it I know it lies in the bottome of his soule But how shall we know it I le give you but one way of tryall If the welfare of Zion the building up of the Church be the summe of all thy prayers then it is likewise the summe of all thy endevours thy studies thy time thy wit thy parts thy interest what ever may be called thine are mainly laid out in promoving in helping forward the welfare of Zion This you shall finde cleare in the book of God that as all the prayers of Gods people run upon Zions welfare so now I say in the second place all the endevours of all that prayed for Zion run to help it forward Zion was the summe of all their prayers and of all their joyes and cares no joy to them like the joy they had in the prosperity of Zion when the Lord at any time turned back the captivity of his people they were like men that dreamed their mouth was filled with laughter and their tongue withjoy and no sorrow like that which was caused by the affictions of Jacob then they would even dye with griefe then they would name their children Ichabod then they would mourne and not be comforted and consequently all they had or could contribute was most readily afforded The Prophets and Apostles cold preach as well as pray and all their Sermons were for Zion Kings could plot project counsell c. as well as pray all their plots and projects were to build up Zion Souldiers could fight as well as pray all their warres were the warres of God Rich men could lay out money as well as pray all their wealth was a Sacrum to God a devoted thing to him when the Church needed it their penny went as willingly as their Pater noster other learned men if any man could write histories if any Poet could make songs all was laid our about the Church about furthering the welfare of it or if any were found among them who would professe love to it and joine in prayer for it yet mind their own affaires build their owne houses and let Gods house lye wast they are branded for degenerate hypocriticall ignoble spirits These were the Potters and those who dwelt among hedges there they dwelt with the King for his work a base people who would tarry in Babylon to get wealth and not go up with their brethren to build the house of God and even thus may we judge of our selves And therefore I say to you Honourable Senators that are Noble-men and Gentlemen engaged in this great work the present service you are called to if really you doe make the building of Zion to be the answer of your prayers it is the great Parliament project this day to settle the Church I know when Nehemiahs work was to build the walls of Hierusalem one halfe of his servants were faine to carry the Arms while the other built and many times those that built were faine to have a sword in one hand as well as a trowoll in the

other hand but the swords and atmes were to defend the trowell the work of the trowell was the great project So will it be with you you will with that Emperour Ezra 6. 7 8. provide that all things shall be provided speedily and care fully for this house of God that government be setled Ministers provided encouraged maintained the Sacraments and other Ordinances kept pure and not be at quiet till the Cap-stone be sot upon the head of this building I know Armies must be provided for and Garrisons secured yet they will be looked upon but as meaner Religion the establishing of it will be the end yea your Liberties will be but as meanes Religion will be the Cap-stone the Creame and Oile which swims on the top of all if your hearts be but right with God Therefore I beseech you consider in secret what answer you could make whether you can call in your soules to witnesse that after all your combustions labours losses if God would but establish England a beautifull habitatien the people made holy that the Lord might own them and the three Nations joyned in a Covenant might be one stick in the hand of the Lord in a holy plous religious way that the flocks might have every one their shepheard and the glory of God the defence on every congregation if for these things you sweat and toile and care it is an evident token your hearts are right with God And if any of you the rest of the Assembly do make account that the building of Zion is the answers of all your prayers then if it have your prayer it will have your penny you 'll goe ride run and travell and nothing will stick with you if this be your main suit Indeed in the true notion and interpretation of prayer it is nothing but the craving of Gods blessing upon our endevours in those things which he hath appointed us to do toward the obtaining of any mercy we little better then mock him if we onely pray and set not our shoulder to the wheele And were this carried close to mens consciences how sadly would it speak to many who can abundantly satisfie themselves with joyning in a few dry prayers for the Church and in the meane while they grudge the bestowing of any other cost they can find work enough to build their owne houses and drive on their owne projects let God if he please take care to build his house and do his owne work himself let all such hypocrites know that God will indeed doe his work without them and their formall prayers will returne not with comfort into their bosomes but with vengeance upon their heads But much more sadly doth it speak against those whose lives and subtle machinations retard this work who to their utmost hinder the work of reformation and would not have it goe on for feare their lusts should be yoaked and yet set out Prayers and themselves seeme to joyne with them that God would build up Zion this is most abominable hypocrisie I remember I have read of one of the Emperours of Germany that had taken the Pope prisoner who commanded throughout the Empire solemne prayers to be made to God for the Popes deliverance out of prison and he himself kept him in prison at the same time so these wretched men say O pray for the peace of Zion pray that God would build up Zion and themselves waste it some by their wicked lives others by their pernicious counsels some by their lusts some for feare the Word of God and Ordinances should yoke them they pretend to build the wals of it and yet endevour to undermine the foundations of it God in mercy grant that no such be found among our selves but if in truth this be our great care and study and endevour to see the work goe forward that we count nothing of ours so well disposed of as what is cast into this common treasury it speaks the heart indeed to be right with God Is it so that when God builds up Zion he answers all his peoples prayers even their private prayers as well as this great one then I beseech you let this move every one of you to help forward this work even out of holy self-love you doe not know what a water'd Garden God may make your soule and family when he builds up his Church Certainly if a man were sure not to get any good to his owne soule yet if he might see the prosperity of Zion and Jerusalem he should think it a very blessed sight so thought he who pen'd the 106 Psalme Remember me O Lord with the favour thou bearest unto thy people that I may see the good of thy chosen that I may rejoice with the gladnesse of thy Nation that I may glory with thine inheritance So thought John the Baptist though he was sure he should decrease when Christ did increase yet to him it was the fulfilling of his joy to see the people flow in unto Christ when as the Bridegrooms friend he could heare the Bride-groomes voice rejoicing with his Bride But which is more thy peace shall be concurrent with Zions peace the Lord will satiate every afflicted soule in the day when he refreshes Zion let this therefore draw out all your hearts and bowels Remember an argument God uses in the 29 of Jeremy to them that were captives in Babylon Seek the peace of the City whither I have caused you to be carried captives and pray unto the Lord for it for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace What must they pray for Babylons peace for Nebuchadnezzars peace that like a Dragon had swallowed them and like a Lion had crushed their bones Yes pray for the peace of that kingdome because in the peace of that Kingdome you shall have peace O how much more should every one help forward Zions peace thy mothers peace the Spouse of Christs peace because thy soule shall never have so much grace thou shalt never be so holy thy children never so blessed all about thee never made so happy as when the Lord God shall build up Zion therefore O pray for the Peace of Zion they shall all prosper who love her as he said there For my brethren and companions sake I will now say Peace be within thee So say thou for my owne sake for my children and companions sake I will seek to doe thee good especially let it prevaile with you Honourable and Beloved you noble Patriots and Parliament men further it with all your might Go up into the mountain cut downe wood build the house that God may take pleasure in it and prove God whether upon your selves and families he poure not out a blessing without measure you little imagine what a blessing the Lord will give when once this work is done it may shatter and hazzard some things carnall friends and secret enemies may fall off from you but your labour will be

Our own hand hath saved us He will have such instruments of whom he will be sure they shall not offer to lay claime to his glory Now brethren God is wholly confident of Prayer that it will never undermine him in his glory he hath no jealousie of it but what he doth to the weeping eye and the mourning heart at their humble request when they have got the thing all the glory which they will desire is to come back again and cry Grace Grace all was grace all was favour Thus praying David when he had dedicated one thousand three hundred cart load of silver and gold toward the building of Gods house all the glory he took to himself was but to admire Gods goodnesse in giving him a heart to offer it and that God was pleased to accept it at his hands who am I Lord that I should have a heart to give any thing to thee of thy own have I given thee Thus will Prayer give God all the glory But when mercies are not fetched in by prayer ordinarily God hath little praise for them either they are imputed to chance or industry friends or wit or one creature or other these rather wears the glory then God but mercies wone by prayer are worne with thankfulnesse it alwayes layes the creature low and exalts free grace highly This is one reason why prayer is so effectuall in this great work Another is Hereby hee doth greatly honour his people hee puts a great deale of glory upon his Servants when he is pleased as at their request to lay the foundation of a new Heaven and a new Earth This is a great honour to them to be thus owned by him to be such powerfull advocates When Job friends came to make their peace with God and God would not accept them untill Job prayed for them Goe to my Servant Job and he shall pray for you for him will I accept else I shall deale with you according to your folly Was not this a mighty honour put upon Job When God told Abimelech that he and his house were but dead men unlesse Abraham prayed for them did he not thereby highly honour his servant When Ahashuerosh takes Queen Esther to him and bids her ask to the half of his Kingdome and at her request grants her her life and the lives of all her people it was a great honour he put upon her So God hereby magnifies his love to his that they may have his eare and be able to doe such great things with him And besides as it is a glory to them so it makes the building up of Zion infinitely more comfortable and usefull to them any thing that a gracious heart hath obtained by prayer it prizes so much the more we will know how wee part with what wee came hardly by When Moses could tell the people such a time I fell down before God for you forty dayes and forty nights and such a time I besought the Lord for you hee knew the worth of those mercies and tasted the comfort of them When the Saints can say this we begged at Gods hands and this wee sought God for it will infinitely ingage their spirits to value it and walk worthy of it And not onely so but their sweetnesse and comfort in the use of it will be the greater when they shall see the travaile of their soule it is a great satisfaction to them Bathsheba much rejoyced in Solomon and Hannah in Samuel and Sarah in Isaac because they were the Sons of their vows of their prayers as well as of their womb Many excellent Uses may be made of this Doctrine I shall indevour to presse two or three which are most seasonable and then I have done Is the building up of Zion the fruit of Gods peoples prayers Is prayer the great Master-builder on earth then I beseech you learn to whom and what under God we may most of all attribute the severall mercies and deliverances which we have received It is true God only hath been our help every stone which hath been laid into this building is an Eben-Ezer we may write upon every stone Hitherto God hath helped us but among all our friends on earth none to be compared with prayer God hath poured out a Spirit of prayer upon his people Old men Maids and Servants as well as Ministers and Gentle-men and Noble-men all that feare God have been knocking at heaven gates with all intensenesse of Spirit with all earnestnesse that God would save poor England and build up his Church amongst us and give me leave to say it without derogating from any of your worth under God we have been most beholding to prayer Mistake me not I know there are worthy ones amongst us that have done excellently many of our Nobles have done worthily many of this honourable Assembly have been excellent instruments many of our Souldiers Counsellors Ministers Citizens and Commons have willingly put all they have into this great Lottery and when the Lord comes to reckon up his helpers not one of them shall be forgotten not a night they have watched not a journey you have took not a drop of blood they have spent not an estate any of you have hazzarded not any paines you have took which the Lord God will forget but he will remember all and your selves in heaven and it may be your posterity on earth shall know that God hath associated you with himself to help forward this great work but for all this when all is done let us say Saul hath slaine his thousands but David his ten thousands All these have done worthily but among all prayer hath done the greatest of all the rest How often hath prayer fetched God into our Armies and rallied them againe after they were routed and given us the day after we had lost it How often have Moses hands lift up upon the Mount helped Joshua fighting in the valley and covered his head in the day of battell How often hath prayer brought God amongst our Counsellours when they have been at a losse and directed them and discovered some desperate plot turned the counsels of Achitophel into foolishnesse How many in every place who have served the Lord in this great work hath prayer helped at a dead lift Prayer hath hitherto saved the kingdome I remember a proud boast of our enemies when we had lost Bristoll and the Vies they then sent abroad even into other kingdoms a triumphant paper wherein they concluded all was now fubdued to them and among many other confident expressions there was one to this purpose Nil restat superare Regem c. which might be construed two wayes either thus There remaines nothing for the King to conquer but onely the prayers of a few fanatick people or thus There is nothing left to conquer the King but the prayers of a few fanatick people every thing else was lost all was now their owne And indeed we were then in