circumstance of his civill state whereby he is set out unto us the place of his dwelling at Cesarea There were two famous Cities of this name amongst the Iewes one the elder which was called Turris Stratonis but being amplified by Herod the Great and adorned with many workes worthy the sight was called by him Cesarea to winne the favour of Augustus Caesar as reporteth Iosephus lib. 1. de bello Iud cap. 16 and lib. 15. Antiq. cap. 13. As also from the Emperours daughter Iulia this Herod built Iulias on the farther side of Iordan Hiero. in Matth. 16. And it was scituate on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea betweene Dora and Ioppa The other being later was scituate in Iturea in Trachonitis a Countrey of Galile or Phoenicia at that part of Mount Libanus where the two Rivers Ior and Dan meete together and make the River Iordan Hier. vbi suprà It was anciently called Paneas of a River of that name which ranne by it and reckoned in the number of the famous Cities of Decapolis but being afterward increased and beautified by Philip sonne of Herod the Great and Tetrarch of Galilee Luke 3. it was called by him Cesarea in honour of Tiberius Caesar and for distinction sake Cesarea Philippi Afterwards Agrippa to flatter Nero called it Neronias Ioseph lib. 20. antiq cap. 8. Of these the former is here meant Now this rocke is not so stonie but if we strike it the waters will gush out from the verball denomination of this place we may haue a reall observation to note the vaine pride and proud vanitie of the sonnes of men the Princes of this world and their followers and flatterers in calling houses and Cities after their owne names And I speake not this according to man In terminis terminan tibus it is the Holy Ghosts censure of them in expresse termes They call their lands after their owne names Psal 40.11 And this pride is none of the new upstart fashions of yesterday it is as old as the ancientest Citie that was built Cain the first builder of a Citie for Seth and Enoch built none but lived in Tents to shew that they had none abiding City here called the name of it after the name of his sonne Enoch Gen. 4.17 That one Citie Constantinople sometimes Heathen afterward Christian now Turkish hath changed its names as often as Laban did Iacobs wages to flatter the great ones of the earth at first it was called Lygo then Byzantium Plin. lib. 4. cap. 11. afterwards new Rome In the time of Severus the Emperour and his sonne Antonius Antonia afterwards of Constantine the Great Constantinopolis till it came to the Turkes possession who tooke it Ann. Dom. 1453. Philip of Macedone as Diodorus Siculus relateth of him increasing the City Crenidae with store of Inhabitants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 changed the name of it into Philippi so calling it of himselfe And Alexander the Great his sonne in divers places where he obtained victories erected Cities calling them by his name Alexandria or Alexandropolis the famousest of all which was Alexandria in Egypt But I cannot waste time in running into particular instances in this kinde and they would make me keepe silence for better matter If any one aske to what end The Holy Ghost that censures their fact Cui bono sheweth their end in it It was that they might be as an Absoloms piller to keepe their names in remembrance 2 Sam. 18.18 Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all generations they call their lands after their owne names Psal 49.11 And as the Holy Ghosts imputation layeth this upon them so their owne profession expresseth such an intention Let us say the first builders of the towne of Babel build us a Citie and a Towre whose top may reach unto heaven and let us make us a name least we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth Gen. 11.4 And such a spirit will be found in Nebuchadnezzar a successor of theirs in Babâ—l one that had made it great Is not this great Babylon that I haue built for the house of the Kingdome by the might of my power for the honor of my majestie Dan. 4.30 Howbeit this their way is but their folly Psal 49 13. In vaine doe they labour to eternize their names in this world which passeth away the figure therof 1 Cor. 7.31 that which now is in the dayes to come shal be forgotten Eccl. 2.16 they must depart in darkenesse and their names be covered with darkenesse Eccl. 6.4 The builders of Babel are confounded in language and scattered upon the whole earth before their tower could be erected Gen. 11. and Babylon it selfe growing afterwards to be the glory of kingdomes and the beauty of the Chaldees excellency must be ouerhrowne as when God ouerthrew Sodom and Gomorrah it shall neuer be inhabited neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation Isaiah 13.19.20 Nebuchadnezzar for his pride must be put from his Kingdome and made know that the Lord is able to abase them that walke in pride Dan. 4.28.37 And those great houses that are built that men may dwel alone in the earth haue either this curse upon them that they shall be desolate and without inhabitant Isa 5.8.9 or else to be smitten till they be consumed I will smite the winter house with the summer house and houses of Iuory shall perish and of the great houses there shall be an end saith the Lord Amos 3.15 But on the otherside the generation of Gods children even in these denominations of places haue not sought their owne glory but Gods they whether they eate or drinke or whatsoever they doe doe all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 have rather desired to build to his name then to get themselves a name When God looked upon Abraham and prouided him a Ramme to Sacrifice in stead of his sonne he called the name of that place Iehova yreh the Lord will see or provide Gen. 22.14 Iacob called the place where the Lord appeared unto him in a dreame at his going into Padan-Aram Bethel the house of God Gen. 28.19 and where he wrestled with him at his comming backe from thence Penuel the face of God Gen. 22.30 And David the first thing that he thought upon after God had given him rest from his enemies round about was to build an house to Gods name 2 Sam. 7. insomuch that he voweth that he would not come into the tabernacle of his house nor goe up into his bed that he would not give sleepe to his eyes or slumber to his eye-lids untill he had found out a place for the Lord an habitation for the mighty God of Iacob Psal 1.32.2.3.4.5 Oh how farre have oursacrilegious times degenerated from the ancient and primitiue zeale of those worthies For now we are so farre from erecting consecrating and conferring any thing to Gods name and worship that
1 Pet. 1.4 undefiled like the stone Amiantus and unfading like the flower Amarantus Againe for Religion He was a devout man and one that feared God you are therein a true Israelite without guile a constant Professour of the Orthodoxe faith and Religion professed in this Church because it is in your conscience Gods truth and the right way of serving him and not for any temporising respects of swimming with the streame nor for any feare or favour of men He feared God with all his family It hath ever bin your Fathers and your own resolution and course with that brave leader of Israel Ioshua to serve God with your whole houshould (b) Ios 24.15 as thinking with the Emperour Constantius of his servants that they could not keepe their faith inviolate towards him that were perfidious to Almighty God (c) Euseb de vita Constan li. 1. ca. 11. and to see that they be present at the set times of prayer yea to compell them to come on the solemne dayes and times into Gods house that it may be full He if he had any wife in that houshold to oversee their wayes could not be happier in her then you are in your loving and religious Consort who so sympathizeth with you that whither you goe she will go where you lodge she will lodge your people are her people and which is best of all your God is her God and that nothing but death can part you her as Ruth saith to Naomi (a) Ruth 1.16 He gave much almes to the people round about him you not only like Abraham and Lot entertaine yea invite and entreat into your house your neighbours friends and strangers but also daily at your gates breake your bread and open your almes basket to the poore of the Parishes round adjoyning and refresh their hungry bowelles The Lord grant unto you that you may finde mercy of the Lord in that day He with his pitty and charity towards men joyned piety towards God praying to God continually and you do not onely serve God in righteousnesse and mercifulnesse towards men but also in holinesse towards him invocation of his name you have a Church in your house and an Oratory to serve God in and you have your stata tempòra set times which upon none occasion you omitte or intermitte And I have this confidence in you that you have also your secret times of entring into your Closet and praying to your Father in secret (a) Mat. 6. of communing with your owne heart upon your bedde and in private retirednesse (b) Psal 4. Now then macte virtute good lucke have thou with thine honour ride on still like a good plant in the house of the Lord flourish still in the Courts of our God bring forth still these fruits amongst your other fruits of Christianity both in your mature and old age (d) Psal 92.14 be stedfast unmooveable alwayes abounding in these workes of the Lord (e) 1 Cor. 15. as you beleeve against all the enemies of grace that the seed of grace sowne in the good ground bringeth forth fruit with patience and perseverance (f) Luk. 8.15 the originall word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth both and that the Lord who is faithfull will stablish his children in every good word and worke (g) 2 Thes 3.3 and 2 17. and confirme them unto the end (h) 1 Cor. 1.8 And that God who hath begun his good worke in you wil finish it until the day of Christ as he doth make you perfect stablish strengthen and settle you in every good worke so your reward shall be great in Heaven with him he will abundantly recompence his owne gifts and good works in you and crowne them with that crowne of righteousnesse which is laid up for all them that love the appearing of Iesus Christ in which blessed company that you may ever be found shall be the servent prayers of Your devoted Servant in Christ Iesuse BARTHOL PARSONS From my Rectory at Ludgershall in the County of Wilts the 30. March 1634. A Romane Centurion becomming a good Souldier of IESVS CHRIST SECTION I. Acts cap. 10. vers 1 2. 1 There was a certaine man in Cesares called Cornelius a Centurion of the Band called the Italian Band 2 A devout man and one that feared God with all his house which gaue much almes to the people and prayed to God alway IN the eight Chapter of this Booke there appeares unto us certaine glimmering sparkles or flashes as it were of Gods purpose to call the Gentiles out of darkenesse to his marveilous light both in the turning of the Samaritanes with whom before this time the Iewes might not meddle for they had no dealings with the Samaritanes Iohn 4.9 and into whose wayes the Apostles at their first sending out might not goe into any City of the Samaritanes enter yee not Math. 10.5 from the power of Satan to God and also in giving the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ unto the Eunuch that came to Ierusalem to worshippe But in this the resplendent beames of Gods good pleasure in giving unto the Gentiles repentance unto life shine cleerely unto us in an heavenly vision both instructing and authorising Peter that he being a Iew might enter in to Cornelius and the other Gentiles with him and preach Christ Iesus unto them This whole Chapter then containing a narration of the full illuminating of Cornelius with the knowledge of the Messias alreadie come In these two verses proposed is premised a description of the person of Cornelius either in his civill state Vers 1. There was a certaine man in Cesarea called Cornelius a Centurion of the Band called the Italian Band or his religious both affections and actions Vers 2. A devout man and one that feared God with all his house which gave much almes to the people and prayed to God alway In the former he is set out 1. By the place of his dwelling at Cesarea 2. By his profession and calling Hee was a Centurion of a Band which Band is also particularly described by the Countrey whence it came the Italian Band. In the latter his religious both affections and actions are declared generally or particularly generally He was a devout man which is also amplified by an equivalent phrase for fuller expression and one that feared God and also secondly by an adjoyned association with all his house-hold Particularly by the fruits of his Religion either in his charitie towards his brethren or his pietie towards God his charitie in giving almes amplified 1. by the measure much almes 2. by the persons to the people His pietie towards God in his prayers and supplications Hee prayed which are also set out by the circumstance of the person to whom He prayed to God 2. of the time He did it alway To prosecute these particulars in their order I begin first with the first
woman nor the woman of Canaan when shee requested thee nor the woman taken in adulterie nor the Publican praying unto thee nor the Disciple that denyed thee nor yet him that persecuted thy Disciples in the odor of these we runne after thee Now the instruction is both generall and particular Generall to all of us that wee despaire of no man though he seeme to us to be never so deepe in the snare of Satan much lesse censure him to bee a reprobate and cast out of the sight of God though in our seeming he be in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquitie yea a tree without fruit twice dead and plucked up by the rootes for as the Apostle said of the naturall branches broken off that God was able to graffe them in againe Rom. 11.23 so he is able to seeke and saue that which was lost to make the savagest wolfe dwell with the lambe yea to turne him into a lambe and to bring into his familie the prodigallest child that is gone farthest from home Vpon this ground the Apostle would haue us that are of the houshold of faith to shew meekenesse to all men because we our selues sometimes before wee tasted of grace were foolish disebedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envie hatefull and hating others Tit. 3.2.3 Even Iudas himselfe was more the childe of hell by despairing of the mercy of God then by delivering the sonne of God into the hands of sinfull men by his impenitencie then by his trecherie by refusing the grace of Christ then by betraying the person of Christ The Apostles indeede had in greater measure the gift of discerning of spirits 1 Cor. 12.10 then now men have and could censure men to be the children of the Devill as Paul did Elimas Act. 13.10 but for our part howsoever we may judge the wayes and actions of wicked men to bee sinfull and damnable yet wee may not pronounce sentence of their persons that they are reprobates Who art thou that judgest another mans servant to his Master be standeth or falleth Rom. 14.4 The particular instruction is to Martiall men to learne to joyne pietie to their profession the using of the sword of the Spirit with the materiall sword to become good Souldiers of Iesus Christ aswell as of their earthly Masters and to fight his battels aswell as their earthly Masters quarrels Wee see here that a Martiall profession and a godly disposition may meete together as Hieroms said of Cornelius His Souldiers coat and belt and company of attendants hurt not this Souldier Nil nocuit militanti paludamentum balteus apparitorum cetervae quia sub habiâ—â— alterius alteri militabas Epist ad Salvinam de viduitate servanda because under the habit of one hee was a Souldier to another The military men of our age are glad to heare their calling justified by Cornelius his office but care not to have their lives reformed after his example wee may see and rejoyce that a Roman Souldier here was so religious but wee may see and sorrow that our Christian Souldiers every where are so vicious Hee was devout and feared God with all his family they thinke pietie no part of their profession yea that is is want of spirit and courage in them not to bee at defiance with God and all godlinesse and not onely with Esau to haue their hands against all men but even with Rabshekah to fight against God and to raile upon him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 King 18. and to thunder out their oathes and execrable blasphemies He opened his hands in the workes of mercie to the needie with him their feete are as swift to shedde bloud as ever Herods Souldiers who killed the infants of Bethlehem at his sending Math. 2. He relieved the poore with his plentifull almes they pill them with their rapines and neither abstaine from things hallowed nor prophane He was diligent and daily prayer their mouthes are full of cursing and bitternesse Christ is not in their hearts nor mouthes but to sweare by his crosse passion heart bloud wounds and what not Hee fell downe at Peters feete to giue him honour their irreverent profanenesse is such that they are as readie to offer as great indignitie to Christs Ministers and Messengers as Herod and his men of warre as Pontius Pilate and his Souldiers did to Christ in his person Math. 27.27 28 29 30 31. In a word he dedicated himselfe to the workes of charitie and pietie they like the Souldiers of the Amalekites giue themselues to nothing but to eating drinking dancing and revelling 2 Sam. 30.16 He then of this calling that having so little light walked so worthily as a childe of light shall one day rise in judgemen against them of his profession that having so great light shining to them doe so wickedly as children of darkenesse Now this band over which he was set is particularly described by the countrey whence it came the name which it bare the Italian band For the Romanes sometimes mustered Souldiers out of the Provinces subject unto them sometimes out of Italie it selfe and the territories thereof But what maketh the Italian hand at Cesarea here what doe the Heathen amongst Gods Inheritance the Italian troupe amongst the Iewish people Assuredly Beloved the people of the Iewes were a precious people unto God aboue all the people of the earth Deut. 7.6 his chosen portion and his peculiar treasure Psal 135.4 unto whom he would suffer none to doe wrong but reproved even Kings for their sakes saying touch not mine annointed and doe my Prophets no harme Psal 105.14.15 Yea the Lord hath chosen Sion and loved to dwell in it saying This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 132.13.14 He shewed his word unto Iacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any Nation Psal 147.19.20 To them pertained the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Rom. 9.4 In Iudah is God knowne his name is great in Israel in Salem also is his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion Psal 76.1.2 But when this faithfull City became an harlot when her silver was turned into drosse Esa 1.21 22. when they did evill in the sight of the Lord forsooke the Covenant of the Lord their God and followed after strange Gods and served them his anger was hot against them and he delivered them into the hands of spoylere that spoyled them and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies Iudg. 2.12 13 14. when they were disobedient and rebelled against him and cast his Law behinde their backes and slew his Prophets which testified against them to turne them to him and wrought great provocations he delivered them into the hands of their enemies who vexed them in
sooner forsweare by all the gods then by Caesars Angellonely If the greater number amongst us depart from evill doe any good Gods feare is not the motive the feare of men shame of the world danger of lawes popular applause and vaine glory worke upon them but let them be free from these and they will not feare God as Dalilah said to Sampson how canst thou say I love thee when thine heart is not with me Iud. 16.15 So may God to us how can we say we are religious worshippers of him serue him with feare and reverence when we are slow of heart to beleeve either his promises or threatnings when we say that he will doe neither good nor evill when we will not forsake our least pleasure or profit for his sake undertake the least persecution a litle evill-speaking against us for his cause when we are ready to take our brethren by the throate for the least farthing and cannot be content to part with a cup of cold water the least kindnes that is to a Prophet in the name of a Prophet Nay wee are so farre from the nature of being religious devout men such as feare God that the very name is flouted at abhorred amongst us Mis-creants are ready to reproach those that feare and serue God with those names that should be a crowne of rejoycing Those are say they in disgrace of them that seeke to serue God holy brethren zealous followers men of the spirit devout Disciples and professours forsooth But as Iob said if mine adversary would write a booke I would take it upon may shoulder and binde it as a crowne to me Iob 31.35.36 So wee say if Godlesse men would load us with names of this nature we would weare them as ornaments not beare them as crosses I speake not this to patronize any that serue not God in the peace of his Church I am knowne well enough to be no follower of their follies but I complaine of the litle religion and feare of God that is in them that would upbraid either the true or seeming worshippers of God with the names of their holy profession as though they would make that their shame which is or should be their glorie But I passe to the next amplification by the adjoyned association he feared God with all his family His religion was not a candle put under a bushell but on a candlesticke that it might give light to all that were in his house Tanquam sol radiis suis illustrans minorafidera he was as the Sunne inlightening with his beames the lesser Starres Hic quotquot familias negligimus saith Chrysostome Let us heere beed all of us that neglect our families Hee would not have his family like a motley cloath or a medley colour some of one die some of another some religious others prophane or idolatrous some honest and sober others swaggerers and unthrifts some civill peaceable others cut-throates and rak-hels but he would have them all in one livery uniforme and sutable not like the image that Nebuchadnezar saw whose head was of fine gold his breast and his armes of silver his belly and his thighes of brasseâ— his legs of iron his feete part of iron and part of clay Dan. 2.32.33 He giveth us an example then of that duty which the Master of the family oweth to his houshold whether children or servants he must be that in the body politicke of his own house which the heart is in the naturall body of man as it communicateth life and vitall spirits to the rest of the members so must the Master of the houshold impart the spirituall life of grace to all that are members of his body politicke and his house in the exercises of religion and practise of piety must be a Church as Philemons was for so S. Paul speaketh to him the Church that is in thy house verse 2. Augustine in Psal 50. speaketh to his auditory Regite domos vestras regite filios vestros regite familias vestras Quomodò ad nos pertinet in Ecclesia loqui vobis sic ad vos pertinet in doÌ„mibus vestris agere ut bonam rationem reddaâ—s de his qui vobis sunt subditi 2. Governe your houses governe your sonnes governe your families As it belongeth to us to speake to you in the Church so it belongeth to you to handle the matter so in your houses that you may give a good account of those that are under you It was not the prayse of men but the prayse of God himselfe concerning Abraham I know that he will command his children and houshold after him to doe justice and judgement Gen. 18.19 And Iacob his grand-childe walking in the steps of the faith of his father Abraham is not content at his going up to Bethel at the Lords Commandement to build an altar there to worship God sincerely himselfe and suffer the dregs of idolatry to sticke upon his family but hee speaketh to them to put away the strange gods that are among you and be cleane and change your garments Gen. 35.2 Ioshua being doubtfull what the body of the people Israel would doe maketh a resolute profession not onely for himselfe but also for his house that they would serue the Lord Iosh 24. 15. Bathsheba was neither priviledged by her sexe being a woman nor by her dignitie being a Queene from teaching her sonne but wee finde a prophecy of king Lemuel which his mother taught him Pro. 31.1 Lois the grand-mother and Eunice the mother having the faith dwelling in them teach Timothy the holy Scriptures from a childe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 3.15 The father amongst the Israelites must shew his sonne why he keepeth the seruice of the Passeover Exod. 12.28 Why the feast of unleavened bread Exod. 13.8 Why he consecrateth the first borne unto the Lord vers 13 and generally he must rehearse all the words of Gods law to his children Deut. 6.7 as the Psalmist saith he established a testimony in Iaacob and appointed a Law in Israell which he commanded our fathers that they should make them knowne to their children Psal 78.5 And that wee may not thinke this a legall precept abolished in the time of grace the Apostle giveth a generall charge to all Christian parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6.4 as no doubt but that those children of the elect Lady walking in the truth were seasoned by her with saving knowledge Nee ideò laudanda es quia filios hobes sed quia piè nutrire atque educare studes cap. 14. Non est paxuiapud deum meriti benè siâ—ios educare Hiero. ad Salvinam de vidu Servandâ 2 Epist Ioh. 4. That same booke de bono viduitati whether Austine or any others saith the widowe to whom it was written thou art not therefore to be praysed because thou hast children but because thou indevourest to nurture and to bring them up godly and
5.7 I neede not relate particulars they are so well knowne I cannot insist upon them they are so many in number Never was any of this family that did not aske good gifts of the father of this houshold Non viviturexemplis solùm But in this point weerely not on examples onely that which wee doe herein wee may doe upon warrant sealed unto us The King of heavens mandate is gone out to this purpose Seeke yee my face Psal 27.8 Call upon mee Psal 50.15 Seeke the Lord while hee may be found call upon him while hee is neere Isa 55.6 Aske seeke Knocke Matth. 7.7 Come unto me all that travell are heavie laden Mat. 11.28 Watch and pray Mark 13.33 Pray alwayes Luk. 21.36 Pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit Eph. 6.18 and 1 Tim. 2.1 So writeth so chargeth Paul almost in every Epistle And to stirre up our pure minde heereunto wee have a cloud of motives I will single out some of the principall and those either in respect of our selves or in respect of God in respect of our selves our necessity to pray for stand we not still in want of temporâ—all or spirituall blessings in feare of evill falling upon us in sorrow through evills already falne upon us What have wee before wee have received it all commeth from Gods hand Wee are that man in the parable that having a friend come to him hath nothing to set before him and must fly to our heavenly father and friend for supply of our wants Luke 11.5 Oratio non est nisi indigentium Aug. in Psa 36. Prose oraâ—enecessitas cogit Chrys in Matt. Who will not supply us without asking for to that condition hee hath tyed his grants Matth. 7.7 Aske and yee shall receive c. prayer cannot proceede but from men in want saith Austin and very necessity compelleth every one to pray for himselfe saith Chrysostome Thus as Davids necessity made him flie to the bosome of his heavenly father Psal 18 4.5.6 The sorrowes of death compassed me round about and the floods of ungodly men made mee afraid The sorrowes of hell compassed mee the snares of death prevented me In my distresse I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God so he pleadeth his misery to move God to mercy turne thee unto mee and have mercy upon mee for I am desolate and afflicted The trouble of my heart are enlarged O bring thou mee out of my distresses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 25.16.17 The very heathen Poet could bid us pray for all men have neede of God But if we had nothing but our owne neede to in courage us we might have but cold comfort For many with Lazarus make shew of neede enough to the rich Churles of the world and cannot speede many with the diseased man at the poole of Bethesda lye in distresse and none will put them into the curing poole Iohn 5. Therefore as on our side there is need so on Gods side there is good speed that wee might have strong consolation It is not with suitours that come to him as Absolom traduced his fathers government that none was deputed of the King to heare them a Sam 16. Nor as it was with Baals Priests which cryed from the morning to the evening and had no answer nor any to regard them 1 King 18 he answereth not as Philip of Macedone with an I am not at leasure Non vacat but when they cry with their voyce unto him hee heareth out of his holy mount Psal 3. His eares are open unto their prayers Psal 34. his proper stile is the God that heareth prayer Psal 65.3 therefore all flesh shall come unto him Nay hee is so forward herein that Isa 65.24 It shall come to passe that before they call hee will answer and while they are yet speaâ—ing hee will heare and his hearing and speeding goe together this is the confidence that wee have in him that if wee aske any thing according to his will hee heareth us and if we know that he heares us whatsoever wee aske wee know that wee have the petitions that wee desire of him 1 Ioh. 5.13.14 Whatsoever wee aske the father in Christs name hee will doe it Iohn 14 13. The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles Psal 34.17 Looke at the generation of old and see did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded or did any abâ—de in his feare and was forsaken or whom dâ—d hee ever despise that called upon him Eccles 2.10 How should this kindle a zeale of prayer in us how should it set an edge upon our devotions that â—ay upon this that God had forgiven David his sinnes when hee prayed and confessed them hee inferreth for this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto the Lord in time when hee may be found surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal 32.6 the negligence of the asker is worthily reprehended where there is no doubt of the mercy of the giver saith Chrysostome Petentis negligentia reprehenditur ubide dantis misericordia non dubitatur Chrys Nil potentius homine orante Oratio justi est quasi clavis coeli c. Aug. ser 135 detemp Quando fidelis humilis fervens oratio suerit sine dubio caelum penetrabit unde certum est quòd van 2 redire non postir Bern. Orario oranti est subsidium deo sacrificium daemonibus flagellum Aug. Oratio est animae sanctae praesidium Angelo bono solatium diabolo supplicium gratum deo obsequium Aug. Gravis nobis est inimici tentatio sed longè graviorilli nostra oratio Bern. serm de dedic Eccl. As Sampsons strength lay in his haire so a Christians in prayer and as Chrysostome saith nothing is more powerfull then a man that prayeth The effectuall fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much Iam. 5. And like Iacob wrestling in prayer with God For hee wept and made supplication hee had power over the Angell prevailed Hos 12.3.4 will not suffer him to depart without a blessing Gen. 32. Prayer so prevailed for Sodome that Abraham ceased praying for it afore the Lord ceased granting it both opened and shut the wombe nay it both opened and shut the heaven in Eliahs time it removed the Plagues of Egypt freed the Israelites of the fiery Serpents healed the Leprosie of Miriam vanquished the Amalekites caused the sunne to stand a whole day Iâ—s 10. obtained water for Sampson in his thirst strength in his neede to be revenged on his enemies Iud. 16. Brought thunder and lightening from heaven in Samuels time fire in Eliahs time healed the sicke cast out the Divells opened the prisones for Gods servants to come forth raised the dead obtained remission of sinnes Iam. 5.14.15 and eternall life Psal 21. So true is it that the Prayer of the righteous is as the key of heaven prayer goeth up