Thus saith the Lord it was not really so 2 Thess 2. 11. God sends in a judicial way strong delusions that they should believe a lye It were not a delusion if better things were not held forth yea but indeed and in truth it s nothing else but a very lie though backed possibly with the Scripture of truth wrested and abused The divels Imps to seduce the better pretend the liberty of Jesus Christ but indeed and in truth its servitude to the flesh 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. So Satan himself would be beguiling of Christians with his delusive shadowes of Gods grace counsels comforts but they who hearken to such lying vanities forsake their own mercy Jonah 2. 8. But such things which the Holy Ghost suggesteth they are realities regularities solidities The Spirits suggestions carry a real port of divine Majesty and Soveraignty and many times in the very mentioning of them doth he effect what he represented to the mind Psal 42. 8 The Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time and not barely hint it yea so effectually that a Song of praise for it followeth And my Song shall be with me c. 4 Such motions in shew possibly Scripture 4. When any way crosse Scripture yet really suggested to crosse other Scripture counsels reproofs comforts commands or threats or coming crosse to principles of Faith or light or peace and experience received from God such motions are delusive and Satanical Such were those suggested to Christ whilst spiritually exercised in the wildernesse Matth 4. 6 crossing that Scripture vers 7. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God It s a deluding spirit it setteth the blessed harmonious Scripture against it self When Scriptures are set on the divels rack by himself immediately or by his Instruments mediately it s still divellish 2 Pet. 3. 16. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They put them on the Rack as they do other Scriptures albeit to the perdition of such hucksters Thus the Divel by the false Prophet pretends divine Authority and Warrant for that which was directly contrary to Divine Authority Jerem. 28. 11 14. Hannaniah saith Babels yoak shall be broken in two years and that the Lord saith it but God by Jeremiah saith No and as Satan doth thus mediately by his Instruments so he useth to do more immediately by himself But as for the Spirit of God he being a Spirit of Truth can suggest nothing but what is consonant unto truth What he heareth saith Christ that he shall speak Joh. 16. 13. And being a Spirit of Wisdom he cannot speak contradictions to what himself indited and inspired as he did the Scriptures 2 Pet 1. 21. he is a witness 1 Joh. 5. A faithful witness speaking the truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth and the same constantly As it s said of the true witness Prov. 21. 28. He that heareth speaketh constantly I deny not but that in some extraordinary cases God may say to Abraham That in Isaak shall thy seed be called c. Gen. 21. and yet chap. 22. bids Abraham kill that his Isaak before Isaak had any child and so seemingly crossing his Promise yea and his Precept too Thou shalt not kill but this was for trial sake Heb. 11. 17. By faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up Isaak Nor do such extraordinary cases crosse the tenure of ordinary rules which wee are to attend and by which we are to judg of the regularity or irregularity of suggestions or actions 5 Such motions which leave no impression 5. When leaving no holy impression upon the soul upon the mind but are forthwith forgotten they are delusive Satan is sometimes compared to lightning Luke 10. what lightsome motions he maketh they are but flashes soon gone the Spirits motions are abiding reflexions of Sun-like beams Satan as a fowle will be present at Religious exercises Matth. 13 4 19. compared the fowles attending the Sower are interpreted the wicked one attending the Ministers in their preaching and hearers in their hearing the Word But whatsoever flatterings he maketh in mens minds they are but vagrant and transcient movings but it s otherwise with suggestions truly divine When such a motion and word is spoken from heaven to Christ Thou art my Son c. Luke 3. 21 22. and the Spirit abideth upon him too that argued that it was indeed a divine attestation John 1. 32. When in keeping the Commandments of Christ from love to him as that command of Christ for prayer John 16 23 24. or the like the Lord so sheweth himself and his gracious counsels to us that he abideth with us the suggestions of such comfortable things to our hearts in prayer are of God indeed Joh. 14. 21. 23. I will manifest my selfe to him wee will come and make our abode with him When a word is so spoken once to us inwardly or outwardly that it is heard twice by us verily God spake that word to us indeed Psal 62. 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard it that power belongeth to God When Solomon is praying in his dreame and the while precious and sweet motions are suggested to him to ask what God shal give him when he asks wisedome it s said to him that hee hath that granted and more 1 Kings 3. 5 9 10 11 12. with ver 15. and this doth nor vanish as a dream but leaveth such an impression upon him that when he awoke the light heat and life thereof abideth so that he must to Jerusalem and offer sacrifice there in regard thereof this was indeed of God So in that Item of God to Paul whilst he was praying 1 Cor. 12. 8 9. He sayd to me my grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weaknesse this so stuck with Paul and so warmed him that he breaketh out thus most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities c. he rightly therefore concluded that the Lord sayd thus unto him Whilst Jacob is wrestling with the Lord that is told him that he should prevail with men Gen 32. 28. and the motion clave to him and in confidence of the truth of it he now dareth to meet his brother Esau verse 32. of whom before he was so afraid 6. Such motions which leave the 6 When leaving the heart barren heart barren when yet they swim aloft in the braine plentifully are delusive as those lying Items suggested to the eare from Satans instruments they please but profit not Jer. 23. 32. Therefore they shall not profit this people at all So these of Satan leave the heart fruitlesse Satans sweet bits they nourish no more the soule then those of that dissembling Churle doe the bodies of his guests Prov. 27. 8. Like his sorcery of bringing a fair woman to anothers bed which in the morning proved a carcasse Satans flattering motions when ever suggested are but as other flatteries a pleasing song and chearing blaze but ending soon after in
time approaches when the promised mercies to the poor blinded Jewes shall be accomplished and what more seasonable work of love can we do for the Lord or them then to be now much in praying Oh that the salvation Psalm 14. 7. of Israel were come out of Zion In a word Let all the enemies of England old or new to Commonwealth or Church know that Churches of praying Believers are terrible as so many Armies with Banners as so many thundring Legions Let them tremble to think that what ever breaches they have occasioned amongst the Lords people yet that there is a considerable stand of resolute ones left right bred Israelites notable good wrestlers and as special prevailers with God I believe that the Churches enemies the Prelates and others of Englands enemies to their Civil State have been forced to see or feel the force of Saints Prayers We may set God to work pardon the expression in these dangerous times to Church and Commonwealth by our Prayers as hee did of old in like case Psalm 119. 126. It is time for thee Lord to work for they make void thy Law Wherefore Christian Reader albeit others have written worthily about this Subject of Prayer in their times yet let it not seem unseasonable to thee or bee unaccepted by thee that I also though the most unfit and unworthy to attempt so great a work do at this time likewise bring in Evidence with other Witnesses to the same Truth concerning the Nature Necessity Excellency and Efficacy of holy and spirituall Prayer and that I also according to that small measure of Light and Grace received of the Lord doe hereby endeavour to stir up thy pure mind by way of Remembrance that thou mayest bee mindfull not alone 2 Pet. 3. of their Writings but especially of the words before spoken both by the Prophets and Apostles concerning this Subject of Prayer that as in Preaching upon it here the Lord was pleased to blesse that Discourse of Prayer to sundry Souls so if it may be his gracious pleasure it may bee of lively and effectual use to thy souls welfare and peace Which shall bee his prayer who is Thine in the Lord Jesus THOMAS COBBET Lyâ— in New-England the 24. of October 1653. The Heads of the Chapters the particular Contents whereof stand in the Margin of the Book at their proper places which they refer to PART I. Chapt. 1. THe several Reasons of prayer taken from God Christ and the Holy Spirit and from Saints themselves also from the necessities of and engagements unto prayer Chap. 2 Ejaculatory prayer is described the excellency of it is showen in that it is the Saints first and last holy breathing the Alpha and Omega of Solemn prayer Chap. 3. The Requisites unto publick prayer are handled Chap. 4. The duty of Family-prayer is handled Chap. 5. Handling the duty of Closet-praier Chap. 6. The Rules about praying for others is handled and also of prayer of Imprication against others PART II. Chap. 1. Is shewne wherein Importunity in prayer consisteth Chap. 2. Handling the Opportunities of praier Chap. 3. Sheweth what it is to pray indesinently and not to give out in prayer Chap. 4. Touching faith in prayer and the necessity of it and what faith is required in prayer Chap. 5. Sheweth wherein Humility in prayer consisteth Chap. 6. Sheweth wherein Sincerity in praier consisteth Chap. 7. Sheweth a threefold watchfulnesse in praier is required and wherein it consisteth PART III. Chap. 1. Touching unregenerate persons prayer and that they are bound to pray Chap. 2. Touching distraction in prayer and the causes thereof and what distractions nullifie prayer Chap. 3. Shewing that things materially good suggested in prayer may be delusions Chap. 4. Shewing what means are to be used in praier Chap. 5. About the time that is to be spent in prayer which is to be much Chap. 6. Shewing the necessity of pleading in prayer Chap. 7. Shewing the causes of straitnings in prayer Chap. 8. About inlargements in prayer which are saving Chap. 9. About meltings in prayer which are from saving principles Chap. 10. Shewing how to conceive of God in prayer Chap. 11. In what order we are to direct our prayers to God GOSPEL INCENSE OR A DISCOURSE About PRAYER Delivered in sundry Lecture Sermons from 1 Thes 5. 17. Pray without ceasing PART I CHAP. I. Touching Prayer in General NOT to spend time in analysing the Chapter In this Text you have two parts 1. The Duty enjoyned Pray 2. The modification of the Duty Without ceasing In the former also you have 1. The Soveraign commanding this Duty even God the Father yea Jesus Christ his Son who by his Spirit sent Paul his Apostle to deliver this piece of Message 1 Thess 1. 1. 2. The Subjects injoyned this Duty the Church of Thessalonica jointly and severally and so in in them all other Churches of Christ and Members of them yea all Christians whatsoever whence observe That Incessant Prayer or Prayer without Doctr. ceasing is a duty which the Lord requireth of all and every one of his people in a special manner Luk. 21. 36. Pray alwaies Luke 18. 1. He spake a Parable to the end that men ought alwayes to pray Rom. 12. 12. Continuing instant in Prayer Col. 4. 2. Continue in Prayer Eph. 6. 18. Praying alwayes c. For the better and fuller handling of this weighty service of Prayer consider 1. Of the Duty it self Prayer 2. Of the Modification of the performance of it scil Without ceasing 3. Of the conditions required to such incessant Praying 4. Of some cases of Conscience respecting that incessant exercise of our selves in it Touching the Duty it self Prayer let it be considered 1. More Generally in the nature of it both as held forth in several names given to Prayer in Scripture and in a short definition thereof 2. More Particularly 1 In the sorts and species of it as 1. Sudden or ejaculatory Prayer 2. Set and solemn Prayer and that either publick or Church Prayer private or family Prayer secret or closet Prayer 2. In the parts of Prayer which albeit many yet wee shall briefly only consider of Prayer 1. Of Intercession 2. Of Imprecation Prayer is a duty very many wayes enobled and honoured of God and his people and as that which is of large use and extent whose worth is not knowne nor easily decyphered whose nature is not readily conceived or described and yet that which should be most familiar to the Saints it is set forth in Scripture by many names Let us then read over the Titles of this royal work It is called an Offering Zeph. 3. 10. My 1 Prayer an Offering Suppliants shall come and bring mine Offering or they shal in a solemn reverent and cheerful manner pray unto the Lord even as the Godly use to bring the Lords Offering to him Isaiah 19. 21. The converted Egyptians will do Sacrifice and Offering make Prayer their spiritual work and businesse And Prayer
closer with God Take two Professors the one careless in this the other conscionable in attending to it Alas what sad rushes bruises and falls upon the very shadow of a temptation if he get some kind of hold of a Promise this sword of the Spirit hangs loose and dangling as it were like Amasa's sword 2 Sam. 20. 8. yea all the rest of his Spiritual armor is answerable yea but the other keepeth himself that the evil one toucheth him not enters not into temptation He hath Gospel Promises made known and made over to him to use at any time he hath them by him he keepeth a holy edg upon them by which he cutteth asunder many temptations He hath his faith and hope in its strength his bow abides in his strength and his armes are not broken Gen. 48. If temptations to unrighteous or guileful dealings begirt him his heart cryeth out God forbid O Lord how dare I so sin against thee If foiled at any time he presently cryeth O Lord ah my vile heart Lord Lord help or if unexpected afflictions be ordered to him he hereby tyeth his shooes of Peace ever and anon closer Patience Lord do me good hereby and so is not galled or grieved as the other when meeting with such stubby and hard wayes Paul was much that way with God learned contentment in all conditions knew how to be full and how to be hungry to abound and to want and to glory in infirmities 2 It is a special means to fit us for more solemne and continued Prayer They 2 To sit us for solemn Praier are ever good Proficients in that holy Art of Pleading they are ever and anon thus plodding upon it their minds thus exercised in it upon all occasions Such as wil be ever and anon thus whetting their praying spirits and graces will make work of it when they come to it They that are good at these running pulls and trips are surely good wrestlers with God It is no new or strange work to such to pray that when they come to pray more solemnly they know not how to set about it their hearts are not so out of kilter as we say as it is with idle Professors No these that have been so oft in a day at work with God this way have not their Tooles to seek but at hand and all in good plight fit for use Praying thoughts and desires are in a holy readinesse they familiarize with them 3. It is a meanes to meet oft with God 3 To meet oft with God If Abrahams servant be thus walking with God in his journey God will be with him he will meet him No sooner hath he done speaking to God in his heart but he discerneth that God is with him and accordingly blesseth him that being in the way he led him c. Gen. 24. 12 27 45 47. God is oft with the Minister in his Study who is thus praying oft in his heart for good speed in his work oft with the labouring man in the field whilst at his work if thus employed spiritually Now let us make some brief Use hereof and close this with some Cautions Let it humble us that we are so careless and barren in lifting up such Ejaculatory Vse Praiers to the Lord upon every occasion Evils of the neglect hereof Strangeness to God What strangeness groweth oftentimes betwixt God and our souls for want of these more transient and occasional talkings with the Lord How many precious things in private communion of Saints and edifying Loss of many holy advantages in the Ordinances discourses are lost for want of some forelifts and present lifting up of our hearts for the presence of God therein and blessing of God thereupon How many precious words of grace spoken by God to us will warm and affect us at present hearing of them yet are lost in respect of the abiding light and life of them for want of serious and thankful committing of them to the Lord by such short Ejaculatory Prayer that he might keep them for us Moses did otherwise when God spake home to him he hasteth to bow before him and by a short praier improveth that particular spoken that God was one pardoning iniquity Exod. 34 6 7. Let my Lord pardon our iniquitie and our sin ver 8 9. He presently retaileth and putteth to holy use that blessed treasury of Grace delivered of God to him But wee oftentimes intending haply to tell God of it more solemnly in the meane time lose it for want of present improving of it this way Yea many affecting providences respecting In providence our selves or others which are unexpectedly ordered lose their kindly work upon us for want of a present lifting up of our hearts in some sutable though short Ejaculations How much of God in our particular Callings In our particular Callings how many quickning motions of the Spirit suggested to us therein are in a manner lost for want of maintaining hereby an holy discourse with the Lord yea how many snares in want hereof doe wee meet with and are intangled thereby even in our lawful labors and recreations In the night season also how much precious time In the night season and advantage of conversing thus with God which is even cast and forced upon us for want of sleep or the like yet is all even lost Whilst we are lifting and revolving our selves too and againe in our beds and yet seldome or never lifting up our hearts thus unto the Lord And surely all these things seriously considered may justly humble us A second Use serveth for Exhortation Vse to stir us all up to make more conscience of Be wee stirred up to it this Dutie of Ejaculatory Praier those groundless pretences against continued and solemn Prayer Such as expence of too much time let of other occasions c. have No loss of time hereby here no place Boaz his harvest men may work hard and yet lift up their hearts for a blessing upon Boaz and the like Ruth 2 4. Nehemiah amidst his weighty imployments may be often at this holy work Lord remember me concerning this c. chap. 13. 13 14 21 22. Isaiah amidst his Ministerial exercises may make such holy Apostrophes in way of appeal to the Lord or the like as Isai 53. 1. Lord who hath believed our report So may Ezekiel chap. 20. 49. Ah Lord God they say Doth he not speak Parables Many occasions of it As intricate passages and occurrents Yea do not they as well as others in their way meet with such intricacies as by way of holy Apostrophes they must say as Zachary to Christ that Angel What meane these Zach. 7. 4. Do not they then with Amos in his work hear of or behold more unwonted unexpected judgments approaching and had need make such holy Apostrophes Unwonted judgments as Amos did on like occasion Amos 7. 1 2 4 5. O Lord God Forgive Arise we beseech thee
Praier is when divers godly acquaintance of sundry families doe meet in some one family to pray and to edifie one another unto which such places look Mal. 3. 16. Jude 20. Col. 4. 12. James 5. 13 14 15 16. of which I might declare the manifold precious uses and benefits but I forbear that which we intend chiefly to speak to as our duty implicitely here injoined is not that which is Praier in the family but that which is properly oeconomical or Praier of the Christian family Eph. 6. 18. Pray with all Family prayer proved to be a duty Rom. 16. 3. 5. Col. 4. 15. manner of Prayer reacheth also this manner of Praier by the family Christian families are or should be Churches wherein the Master of the family should offer up acceptable Praiers and Praises to God Paul writing to Philemon in his Epistle verse 19. mentioneth not his Praier alone but others with him I trust through your prayers I shal be given to you ver 22. and ver 2. hee mentioneth the Church in his house Cornelius is commended for his prayer alwaies or upon all occasions Acts 10. 2. He prayed to God alway viz. as in his house alone so with his family hence such care had that the prayers of man and wife bee not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. meaning their joint praiers together in the family as well as those severally made in their closets Pour out thy wrath upon the families which call not on thy Name Jer. 10. 24. Which notion of families comprehendeth housholds as Joshuah 7. 14. The families shall come by housholds and a sad curse then is upon the houshold which are not conscionable of this duty of houshold or family praier God would have the houses of his people dedicated Deut. 20. 5. namely to holy uses and this of houshold prayer especially and Psalme 30. Title David therefore mentioneth the dedication of his house hence such care also in the godly Patriarchs in the removals of themselves and houshold still to be building Altars to call upon God so Abraham Gen. 12. 8. 13. 18. And thus did Isaak Gen. 26. 25. Thus did Jacob. Gen. 33. 20. and 35. 1. God chargeth Jacob to goe up to Bethel and there make an Altar to him and verse 2. 3. Jacob applyeth the charge to his houshold saying Let us arise and goe up to Bethel and as a godly man Jacob must pray alone and did Gen. 32. 25 26 27 28. with Hos 12. 3. 4. he made supplication but considered as a Master of a family it is not enough to send away his houshold over Jabbock and make supplication alone but he must pray and offer up sacrifice with his family yea in that sense Jacob rightly expoundeth the charge of God bidding him to arise and goe up to Bethel to refer to his houshold too let us goe up to Bethel Gen. 35. 1 3. compared his whole houshold wives children sojourners servants all must goe up to Bethel and joine in the worship none must be absent Reasons inforcing this duty 1. Because Gods promised actual respects Reasons why 1. From Gods acceptance acceptance of his peoples praiers indifinitely are extendable to his peoples praiers with the family as well as congregation or those in their closets while they speak there also he will heare Esay 65. 24. His eares are open to their cryes there also Psal 34. 11. Cornelius his prayers then also came up in remembrance before God Act. 10. 1 2 3 4. Paul is given to the prayers of Philemon and his houshold-Church Philem. 1 2 22. compar'd 2. Because the Lord poureth out a spirit of grace supplication to be exercised with the several housholds in their Tribes as well as alone by the husbands and wives apart Zach. Reas 2. From Gods fitting his Saints for that service 12. 11 12. They shall mourne in their prayers which with contrite hearts they poure out the families apart and their wives apart whether in an extraordinary way of prayer with fasting or in an ordinary 3. Because family occasions being also sanctified by prayer 1 Tim. 4. call for it as Saul with his militarie family would first Reas 3. seek God for good successe 1 Sam. 13. 11 From family occasion 12. So should the guides of other families before their families set about their occasions Yea family sins call for this plaister to be as large as the sore out of fear Job would sanctifie his family day by day when to go abroad a feasting Job 1. 5. Hee sent and sanctified them and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all for Job said it may be that my sonnes have sinned and cursed God in their hearts Thus did Job continually 4. Because family prayer is a special Reas 4. meanes to season the family with a religious fear and respect to God and his ways Act. 10 From family piety promoted 2. Cornelius a devout man and one that feared God with all his house he prayed to God alway Godly Onesiphorus house is a very seminarie to the Church He who is so much exercised this way hath a Church in his house as before shewed A godly praying Abraham the Master will come to have a gracious praying Eleazar the servant who is the fittest for choicest service Gen. 24. 12. 5. Family Praier is a special means to Reas 5. prevent family disorders and to keep every one therein in their station and duty When the Apostle Col. 3. 18 to Chap. 4. 1. had From family disorders prevented injoined husband wife father child Master and servants the several parts of the family their general duties he closeth all with this as an help and means to all the first Colos 4. 2. Continue in Prayer c. When each one in the family heareth their several sinnes confessed pardon thereof begged grace against them pleaded for it is a quickning admonition and help against them It helps to wean their hearts from inordinacies in matter of cares fears or desires the like respecting worldly matters or occasions Let your moderation appeare to all men Bee careful for nothing saith Paul Phil. 4. 5 6 But what meanes should wee use for that end In every thing by prayer make your request known to God ver 7. The peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds These are sacred fruits of prayer in the family as well as congregation or closet 6. Because servants Reas 6. usually want frequent opportunities of From want of opportunities to servants secret praier and this way by the advantage of family prayer they are much helped 7. Because Christ himselfe is a patterne Reas 7. herein of whom as we read that hee was From Christs example oft exercised in secret Praier alone So twice it is recorded of him as thus praying with his family privately or with his Disciples which ordinarily abode with him Luke
and suggesting is played by divers Spiritual Harpers this holy harmony of spirits seeking to the Lord that he would loose in heaven some poor sinning persons formerly bound but now repenting this argueth the presence and acceptance of the Lord. What ye loose on earth is loosed in Heaven that is If you shall agree or symphonize on earth as touching any thing you shall ask it shall be done c. Matth. 18. 18 19 20. 5 When God carryeth out some of his 5. If those praiers are importunate servants in Prayers for others very earnestly resolutely and constantly as those who will have no nay God assuredly as a fruit of such holy importunity in Intercessions maketh that Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isai 62. 6 7. Paul who alwayes in every Prayer of his is stirred up to mention the Philippians Phil. 1. 4. is confident that God will go on with his work in them ver 6. and he thinketh it meet to bee so confident of it because the Lord hath put them thus oft into his heart in prayer for them ver 7. Such earnest incessant prayers of the Church for an imprisoned Peter are not denyed there being most of the Spirit in such Prayers 6 When God stirreth up the faith of such 6 When such pray in faith for others which pray and plead for others to listen attend wait and expect yea and to bee perswaded of their answers as the Psalmist in Psal 85. 8. who expecteth peace as an answer of those praiers for others of the Saints I will hearken what God the Lord will say for he will speak peace to his people and his prayers for them are mentioned in the former verses When the Church in praying for the King is perswaded that they shall have the joy thereof Psal 20. 1 2 3 4. and ver 6. she concludeth the same from her faith That God will shew mercy to the King according to her desire ver 6. Faith ever speeddeth in its Suits and in this our holy trading with God it s the Lords earnest penny that he will give us sutable and seasonable returnes 7. When mercies begged for others are 7 When the mercies beg'd for them come in suddenly and strangely suddenly and strangely brought about upon our Prayers yea and as suddenly brought to our knowledge Acts 12 5 12. c. Peter is sent in unto them as set at liberty from his chains whilst they are praying for him wherein the providence of God would as it were speak to them thus There is the Mercy here is the man for whom you make so much a do since you will needs have it so and will have no nay and the ears of the Lord are so filled with your cryes take it and be thankful 8 When we are in especial wise enlarged 8. When as large in praises for mercies to them and quickned in thanksgiving for Gods merâ—yes upon others The many which gave thanks to God for his gift bestowed were surely of the many by means of whose helping prayings it was bestowed 2 Cor. 1. 11. Eli prayed for Hannah 1 Sam. 1. 17. worshippeth being answered in prayer ver 28. The same Spirit moving to praise God did assuredly stir up to prayer before It is a sign of peculiar interests in those mercies of others when the Spirit of God moveth us in such thankful sort to owne the same Let us now speak a little more largely to the other branch being somewhat more intricate and not so often spoken to Prayer in way of Imprecation is that part of Prayer wherein the Saints do not barely complaine of the indignities done by Gods and his peoples enemies against him and them but crave Divine Justice against them Let us first clear this to be a Duty of the We may and in case must pray against Gods and his peoples enemies Saints in case to pray even against such as hate God and his people Judg. 5. 23. Curse ye Meros c. Deut. 27. the Levites were to pray against divers kinds of sinners and the people to joyne in those imprecations by saying Amen The Scripture holds forth many examples of such Imprecations as Lament 3 64 65 66. Psalm 144. 5 6 7 8. and many other Scriptures Reasons enforcing the Saints to it are 1 Their love to God out of love to Reasons 1 From our love â—o God whom they may and must say as he did Do not I hate them that hate thee c. Psalm â— 39. 20 21 22. The converted Princes shal hate the Antichristian Harlot Revel 17. 16. and if the Saints may and must hate the enemies of God they may pray against them 2 Their respect to Christ and his Kingdome 2 From our respect to Christ and his Kingdom which we are taught to pray that it may come as well in the confusion of some as the conversion of other of his enemies Psalm 45. 5. Let thine arrowes be sharp in the heart of the Kings enemies whereby people fall under thee Psalm 99. 1 2. O thou to whom vengeance belongeth shine forth let the glorious beams of thy Soveraignty as a King and equity as a Judge appear lift up thy self thou Judge of the earth render a reward to the proud 3 Their respect to the Church and people of God and their peace and good 3. From our respect to the Church whence those Imprecations Psalm 137. 7. Remember O Lord the children of Edom c. Psalm 129. 5 6 7 8 Let them all be confounded that hate Zion c. But because our natures as carnal are principled rather with dispositions to curse then blesse a carnal mans mouth is full of cursing Rom. 3. 14. so that herein we need not spurs so much as bit and bridle to curb and guide us And because even the dearest of the Saints have fouly miscarried this way yea even when they least suspected the same as James and John Luke 9. 54 55. would have been requiring fire to come downe from heaven upon those Samaritans as Elias sometimes did but were rebuked for it though they seeme to ask Christs counsel in it Wilt thou that we command fire from heaven to exalt Christs soveraign power in it if that he willed it they in his name might command it and to be zealous of his honour injured by those Samaritans yet checked as persons who knew not of what spirit they were of Now considering such like things we had need to have aime given us and to have the Mark described at which wee must shoot Consider we then 1 In what way we Cautions Imprecations must not be may not imprecate and pray against others 2. In what way wee must pray against Gods enemies 3. Against what enemies 1 We may not curse nor pray against the 1. Against the Righteous the Righteous upon any pretence whatsoever no not of sharp harsh high or continued opposition against us There was a sharp contention betwixt Paul
9. 18. As he was alone in a certaine place praying when he had done one of his Disciples said to him Lord teach us to pray c. It is a signe that his Disciples were with him then in private at his Praier and that his praying in such sort was a lively means to doe them more good and to quicken and enamour them with holy desires to pray in like sort Now let us proceed to consider of some cases and questions touching this Quest Who must pray in the family Quest 1 Answ The Master of the familo in special Who must pray in family It s the Masters duty wise Husbands must dwell with their wives as men of knowledge that their prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 2. Namely by any defects of theirs in the businesse of praying with them as well as otherwise for want of abilities that way Coloss 4. 1. The Apostle writing to Masters of their duty Coloss 4. 1. adjoineth in the next place as nextly concerning them as heads of the family Continue in prayer Onely Cornelius of all the house who feared God is mentioned as praying alwayes Acts 10. 2. If the rest feared God surely they prayed oft alone But in the family Cornelius himselfe was more constantly imployed as the mouth of the rest For indeed every gracious Master of a family is an holy Priest to God Revel 16. not as a gracious man only For he is or should be an holy Priest to offer for himselfe but as a gracious Master also in relation to his family to offer up sacrifice of praier and praise on their behalfe And the Priests of old as Masters of families had their offerings for themselves and families Levit. 21. 11. as well as officers to the Church they had their offerings for the Congregation verse 15. 2. In that prayer being one special part 2. To undertake in matters for God for the family of Gods service and worship a godly Master undertakes for himselfe and houshold to attend it Josh 24. 15. But as for me and my house wee will serve the Lord namely jointly as well as severally and so to pray together as well as asunder And if the Master be the chiefe undertaker that way it is fit he should be the chiefe actor in it 3. In that Masters of families ought to 3. He is to be a Prophet in his family teach their children diligently the word and precepts of God and speak of them in their house when they ly downe and when they rise up namely the first that they do dayly at morning and the last thing at evening Now if to be so in instructing their family then to be a praying too for a blessing on that and other exercises and endeavours Deut. 6. 7. Yea practically they will instruct them in obedience to the first and fift commandements when they give such good examples to their families of praying to the Lord with them and for them Abraham had both wayes instructed his family Gen. 18. 19. And so had Christ and John Baptist also their respective families Luke 11. 1 2. Teach us to pray as John taught his Disciples practically as well as doctrinally Quest May not yea must not the wife in some cases pray with the family Quest Answ Yes In case of absence or sickness In what cases the wife must pray in the family even in cases 1 Of husbands absence or sicknesse of her husband for she is to be a help like him Gen. 2. 18. Namely in all such communicable duties and services respecting the family So is the law of kindnesse to bee in the good wifes mouth to instruct them as occasion is offered Prov. 31 26. In which as in sundry other respects her husband may and must trust to her verse 11. If God call him from home hee hath a gracious wife to whom he can safely leave the trust of his family for matters of Religion such as family worship of God is as well as those of this life If that an adulterous wife can pretend this as a part of her religion that when the Goodman was not at home she had payed that day her vowes Prov. 7. 14. Godly Matrons should really make conscience of that which the other doth hypocritically pretend The godly wife will look well to the wayes of her houshold Prov. 31. 27. that they be well exercised this way as well as any other way The wife is compared to the Moon the husband to the Sun Gen. 37. 9. So Jacob and his family are represented Now the wife then as the Moon may and must chiefly give forth her spiritual light and influence in the family in the absence of her husband who is as the Sun thereto 2. In case of the unregeneracy and spiritual inabilities of the husband she is to supply his defects Quest Whether may not a godly servant performe this duty of prayer Quest 1 Answ Yes first in case of the absence or sicknesse of both the family guides A A godly servant may also do it in some cases godly Onesimus may this way amongst many others be profitable to his Master Philem. 11. Secondly in case of special praying abilities given such an one and denyed the guides of the family In this respect also such a servant may be owned and improved as a brother Philemon 16. This way also God may and often doth make such of his Saints a blessing to the places and houses where they are Ezek. 34. 26. Zach. 8. 13. Quest May not one not of the family bee occasionally desired to pray in it Quest 2 Answ Yes every ones spiritual gift being given of God with respect to others A godly stranger may do it in some cases good as well as their owne and members being to lend help to the rest as occasion is offered yea as Pauls and Cephas and Apollos gifts are the Saints to improve occasionally so are other gifts likewise Many were met together praying Acts 12. 12. Now one and then another of other Families prayed by course in Marks mothers Family Only as the Church in that case intimateth her case to those shee would have seek the Lord for her Cant. 5. 8 10. some hints would be given to such of some special things respecting the family which they should in prayer with them commend to the Lord. Who must be present at family prayer Quest with the Master thereof praying All the whole family must joyn with the All of the family should be present at praier Master of it as wife children servants or sojourners none should ordinarily be absent All Jacobs houshould were to join with him set themselves to worship God with him in Bethel Gen. 35. 1 2 3. only he is principally to act therein ver 3. Arise let us go up to Bethel and there I will build an Altar to the Lord c. Reasons hereof 1. From the care of all and each of their souls which lyeth