Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	cast_v	devil_n	fast_v	3,166	5	10.2336	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A04220	An exposition of the second epistle of the apostle Paul to Timothy, the first chapter Wherein 1 The text is logically into it's parts resolved ... 4 The seuerall doctrines thence arising deduced. ... All which is accompanied with familiar and delightfull similitudes ... Lastly as the matter requireth: there is vsed, definitions, distributions, subdiuisions, trialls, motiues, and directions, all which be of great vse in their proper order. By Iohn Barlovv ...	Barlow, John, b. 1580 or 81.	1625 (1625)	STC 1434; ESTC S100861	328,113	454

by Christ and none other Fiftly That faith is not idle but beleeueth more or lesse And Lastly That it is not vnprofitable For the end of faith is that we might obtaine salvation In the second place according to promise wee will proceed to lay downe some proper notes of faith whereby we may the better know it and if that it dwell in vs as it did in Loïs Ennice and Timotheus 1. Let it be remembred that vnfeigned faith hath two 2. degrees of faith Luk. 17. 6. Rom. 4. 19. degrees the one is little compared to a graine of Mustard-seede the other great likened to a ship that is caried with a full gale Againe Note that there bee some things that are common to both of these degrees whether great or litle and others that are proper but to the one of them Those that be common to either be these 1. Faith whether strong or weake is seated in an humble Sixe properties of faith in generall strong or vveake hart It groweth not in any other ground it is not to be foūd in an hard and vntilled soile but in such as the Lord hath humbled and broken to pieces by the plow and harrow of the law Proud hearts and high minds possesse it not Mat. 8. 8. 10. Luk. 15. 21. 2. Againe where it is there will be prayer This tree will haue its fruit this fire will either be burning or smoking and tho a strong faith send out strong cries yet a weake in some modell will not be wanting Euery true beleever is a Prayer Act. 9. 14. 16. 16. Mark 9. 24. 3. Moreouer it will purge the heart where it inhabiteth Faith is like barme it will purifie and cleanse the person into whom it is infused by its proper nature from the filthines of the flesh and spirit or in that it assureth the soule that no vncleane thing shall inherit heauen Therefore it moueth man to be holy Acts. 15. 9. 2 Cor. 7. 1. 4. These two degrees agree in their obiect For they neuer rest vntill they come to God in Christ This is the way they both walke and the onely stay that they both rely and depend on Psal 20. 7. Io. 14. 1. 6. 5. Besides a true faith will apply the promises in particular it resteth not in an implicit or confused kind of beleeving but as the vnderstanding doth distinctly discerne them so doth faith seuerally yet distinctly apply them otherwise to doe were papisticall Iob. 19. 25. Io. 2. 28. 6. Lastly Faith neuer separates the end and the meanes Gen. 32. 28. that tend to it A strong faith will not faile in thus doing nor a weake faith either A false faith doth put iustification Col. 3. 2. 3. and Sanctification mercy and iustice Christ a Sauiour and Christ a Lord a sunder these all be common both to 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 3. the one and the other whether weake faith or strong And those that finde not these in themselues haue no true faith at all A greatfaith hath some excellent properties and effects which are not so proper to a weaker 1. One is to praise God in the greatest affliction Iob. 1. 21. Properties of a great faith 2. Another not to make hast out of troubles but with patience to stay the Lords leysure being assured that great and long afflictions shall do them more good than if they were lesser shorter Isa 28. 16. 3. To indure no deniall in praier vntill the request bee granted to aske feruently Gen. 32. 28. Mat. 15. 24. c. 4. To beleeue beyond all hope or reason in regard of naturall meanes that might produce the effect they looke for Rom. 4. 18. 5. Boldly to preach and professe the truth in the hottest 2 Cor. 4. 13. skirmish of persecution and if neede bee to resist vnto bloud 6. Finally to long and looke for the comming of Christ Phil. 1. 23. vnto iudgement and desiring to be loosed which is best of all These be some attendants that accompanie a great faith For a weake faith is often impatient in small trials forward to make hast both in respect of time and in vsing vnlawfull meanes now and then It liueth too much by sight and sence and doth not mount on high is easie and apt to take a deniall in prayer feareth death iudgment and hell therefore cryeth stay thine hand a while that I may gather Psal 39. vlt. strength before I goe hence and be no more seene They then that boast so much of the greatnes of their faith may here see if they be not deceiued Dost thou prayse the Lord in the greatest troubles with patience stay his leasure in all things admitt of no deniall of thy requests to God in prayer beleeve the promise aboue hope beyond hope and past all hope in the greatest opposition for the loue of the truth shew the most resolution and in a sound apprehension of the vanitie of this world and the excellencie of that to come wishest to be with Christ as the chiefe obiect of thy blessednesse why then it is with thee as it seemeth otherwise not The weake vnfeined faith hath these things to be found Properties of a weake faith with it 1. A true and cleere sight of the want of it Luk. 17. 5. 2. A prizing it aboue all earthly things Mat. 13. 46. 3. An earnest longing after it Acts. 16. 30. 4. A carefull and constant vse of the meanes to obtaine it Acts 10. 33. 5. A resolution to sinne no more Iohn 9. 36. 6. A great sorrow they found the want of faith no sooner Ier. 31. 19. yet mixed with some ioy that now at the last before it bee too late they haue espied it not without this resolution neither that let God doe what seemeth best to his Maiestie yet they will still sue vnto him for mercie He that findeth these things in himselfe findeth a good thing for assuredly vnfeigned faith is rooted in his heart and though for the present it be but as a seed yet before long in the daily vse of Gods ordinances it will spring spread and proue as a great and large Cedar This must comfort those that be weake in the faith that they bee not for the present vntill faith grow stronger in their owne apprehension swallowed vp of ouermuch heauines Now in the third place the lets that hinder men from obtaining Hinderances of faith in the Preacher of this vnfeigned faith are to bee discouered and they are partly to be found in the Preacher partly in the people In the preacher 1. When he doth not preach at all but lie and sleepe and delight in sleeping Of whom I may say as Christ did somtimes of the dumbe Diuell that this kind is not to be cast out but by prayer and fasting Mark 9. 29. 2. When men preach yet rarely as Papists come to Church according to the statute but more to saue their liuings than their owne soules and

the gifts of grace from stirring growing Thus hauing remoued the quench-coale from oppressing 1 Cor. 9. vlt. the fire of the spirit like an ouer-laded beast eased of his burden we will adde some incentines to blow and stirre it vp that it may kindle flame and ascend and they be either publike or priuate 1. Goe not my friend from Ierusalem to Iericho where Helpes to stir vp grace in vs. though the situation is good the waters are nought but plant thy selfe vnder a powerfull ministerie and then diligently attend to the word When Paul had said quench not the spirit hee addes immediately despise not Prophecyings Preaching will 1 Thes 5. 19. like a mightie wind cause this spirituall fire to kindle and burne within vs. 2. The sacraments The one puts vs in minde of our promise the other of the comming of our Lord in glorie Will not the least token from a friend cause our hearts to leape within vs Did not the babe spring in his mothers wombe when the mother of Christ came neere him and shall not grace bestirred vpin consideration that he is at the verie dores 3. Good companions Saul will Prophecie among the prophets and the greenest wood burne being bound with the dry one coale will kindle many and diuerse litle brands set one another on burning when Silas came to Paul did he not burne in spirit 4. Diligence in our particular callings This will constraine vs to stirre vp the grace that is in vs for the actions thereof are like so many instruments without which wee cannot set this fire a working and through idlenesse doe not our gifts lye dead rust and canker 5. Singing of Psalmes When we ioyne with others in this action how will grace flame within vs euery word will lift vp the minde and each period leaue a sweete relish behind it that will glad the spirit Loue-songs doe noe more inflame lust than the song of songs will grace in the hart 6. Lastly admonition it will worke wonderfully if it bee performed with circumstance and in season It s like oyle that makes the face shining and glorious or the morning dew that waters the tender plants Where this fals grace wil sprout and flourish The priuate helpes are 1. Reading either the scriptures or other holy writings This being done in a corner will refresh the spirit It s like foode to the fainting Passenger 2. Meditation he that sits long by the fire shall haue his body to grow hot and his cold spirits to become actiue nimble Let this be done thorowly and it will make grace to stretch it selfe beyond its ordinary wont and the Christian to be rapt out of himselfe He that viewes the sunne will soone cast downe his head so hee that thinkes seriously of the sonne of God will cry I haue ioy enough 3. Praier who euer in his secret chamber went to God by praier but hee was rauisht in minde and in the strength of that action spent all that day without wearines God giueth the greatest gifts in secret and like man reueileth himselfe a not such a one possesse the place of one that 's lawfully sent and called of God and man and make the ground of the Church barren Let them then who assume to themselues this office of dignitie Vse 1. take heed what they doe The person ordinated must be of good report well qualified For otherwise it may and will be the very bane and pestilence of the Church when men vnfit not furnished with convenient gifts are ordinated inducted What saith our Lord If the blind lead the blinde doe not both fall into the ditch Mat. 15. 14. This also from the rule of relation must teach them who Vse 2. enterprize this high calling to be carefull to enter in an holy manner at Gods doore not the deuills window Such can neither expect the protection or blessing of God They sit like a man on the toppe of a mast the least gust makes them subiect to drowning Some assume this place as a theefe an vntamed horse backe him with much a doe ride him in a sweat and come downe with a mischiefe It may be iustly said to such friend how camest thou in hither who sent thee or requireth this at thine hands Whereas Timotheus his gifts were increased by prayer Prophecy and imposition of hands wee may conclude that The ordinances of God are not without profit if rightly practised Doct. 7. Who euer vsed any in an holy manner but preuailed for a blessing Was not the plague stayed when Aaron tooke a censer put fire thereon from the altar and incense according to Moses command and did not the blood of the Paschall Lamble stay the Angel which destroyed the Aegiptians from touching the Israelites When was preaching or praier vaine in the Lord if duly performed Numb 16. 8. Exod. 12. 23. 2 Sam. 24. 16. Acts 2. 41. and 4. 31. and 16. 14. Ia. 5. 16. 2. Chro. 30. 20. Isa 38. 5. For hath not each ordinance a special promise Aske and Reas 1. ye shall haue Seeke and ye shall finde Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you And shall wee thinke that the condition on our part performed the Lord will faile on his word Let not such a thought once creepe into our minde Mat. 7. 7. What if our best actions be imperfect is not the sinne Reas 2. remoued by the blood of Christ Iesus shall he not present them to his father without spot without rinckle When our Lord hath corrected our errours cut off the superfluitie supplied the defects of our doings then shall they appeare good before God and receiue a recompence of reward Rev. 8. 3. Away then with that old and no lesse profane complaint Vse 1. Isa 58. 3. We haue fasted and thou seest not afflicted our soules and thou regardest not and what profit is there in seruing Iob 21. 15. the almightie Was not Ahabs humiliation rewarded Iehues zeale commended and in some sort recompenced Yet were they not Hypocrites reprobates Their word was the Lord of hosts but their proper scope the praise of men the safetie of themselues not the glory of God rather their proiects were an earthly kingdome Shall wee thinke then that sinceritie in Gods service is without reward that his ordinances are not being in an holy manner performed profitable euery way to his faithfull servants What stronger motiue can be in the world to induce men Vse 2. to be frequent in good duties than this consideration Humble thy selfe the Lord shall lift thee vp Preach the Saints shal then be gathered the body of Christ edified Fast and pray and thou shalt prosper Commune with the best of Gods seruants bee a companion to them that feare him Come often to the Lords table and corruption shall wither dye the fruite of the Spirit grow flourish and waxe strong within thee For is not the promise of God true doth not his word stand for euer

which is that When we haue done all we can to confesse our selues vnprofitable seruants Let vs neuer dispute with our Maker plead perfection or by our selues iustifie our selues or expect the least reward Surely he that is well acquainted with his owne inward corruption and actuall transgressions will neuer boast of his owne worthines And no one point which the Papist doth defend hath caused me to doubt more of their finall good estate then this For if they were borne againe of the water and spirit they by their owne frailty would haue learned experience to haue beene farre from the least thought of merit Wherefore in thy best condition say Lord thy mercy is my merit thy free fauour my felicity Where Paul in the twelfth verse and now againe in this maketh mention of the last day we note that A good mans minde is often carried to thinke on the day of Doct. 5. iudgement Iob. 19. 25. Psal 17. vlt. 2 Cor. 5. 2. Phil. 3. vlt. For when they cast their eye on the poore creatures the Reas 1. which groane for our sinnes and shall not be freed vntill that time how should a good man who is mercifull to his beast but remember that day wherein they shall be deliuered into the liberty of Gods sonnes Gods children haue many false tales father'd on them and Reason 2. with strange aspersions are they besprinkled the which as vpon Eagles wings fly through towne and tauerne country and citie Gath and Ascalon vnder the great broad seale of good fellowship neuer to be reuerst or contrould vntill the Ancient of daies the searcher of all hearts that impartiall iudge haue the hearing of the case which must be at that day The faithfull feele and find in themselues many great infirmities Reason 3. of soule and body the which shall neuer be perfectly cured till Christ shall appeare So that the very losse of a tooth or of the least member will carry a good mans minde to that day wherein he beleeueth to be made perfect And he is so affected with his Sauiour he hath such a secret Reason 4. loue to all the Saints of God the which he neuer saw and a desire to behold the great possession his Father hath prepared for him the which he shall not fully behold and in soule and body absolutely pertake of and ioyntly enioy vntill Iesus come to iudge the world that his minde is often carried thither And is it not the great day of reaping the yeere of Iubilee and the marriage of the Lambe and his beloued Shall not the Diuell and all his soule spirits that haue persecuted the Saints of God be rewarded according as they haue rewarded vs and all the faithfull take possession of that glorious and immortall kingdom where they shal all with one tongue and heart with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious sing glory to God praise to the Lambe without the least inward opposition or interruption the which is their chiefe desire that heere on earth they ayme at that wherein their greatest blessednesse consisteth for euermore So that wonder not then if the faithfull haue their mindes often carryed to thinke on the day of iudgement And if this bee thus as it is indeede What shall wee Vse 1. thinke of such who neuer minde this day verily they are much affected with earthly pleasures and profits and haue little regard of the greatest good Many men in the Inne of this world are like the swaggerers and prodigals in a Tauerne who call freely eate and drinke laugh and are fat but neuer minde either the reckoning or the time of haruest for they haue sowne no good seed neither haue wherewith to discharge the shot therefore suffer these things willingly to slip and absent themselues out from their mindes because they haue or can expect no commodity by either But the faithfull man is of a contrary mind for he is sparing in expence and hath scattered much good graine the which will bring a goodly crop at his Masters appearing the great day of reaping both of which cause him often to looke vpward And by this Doctrine wee may proue whether wee bee Vse 2. like minded or not to the most faithfull person Doest thou againe and againe thinke on this day Is thy minde often carried to this obiect So arest thou on high with the wings of faith and a sound eye to this hill why then thou art a right bird truely bred and not of the bastard brood Euery crosse base imputation false report ach in the ioynts corruption in the flesh and spirit each good action faithfull prayer motion of true affection towardes Christ and his members heauen and holinesse will carry the mind of him or her that's truely religious vpright hearted to this Mountaine Marriage day and time of refreshing So that findest thou this in thy selfe then be of good cōfort for thou art of the Brides company and one that shall see the euerlasting light sit downe and reape ioy and gladnes life and glory in the largest fields of Gods goodnesse the heauenly Canaan the new Ierusalem which is aboue But if thou art destitute of these kinde of motions eleuations then striue for these properties that are the inseparable breathings and mouings of an holy heart sound minde and blessed person The very frame of nature stretcheth forth her necke and peepeth vpward to this season And shall the Eagles of the Churches owne breeding neuer flutter with their wings and cast vp their piercing eyes to this rich prey but stand a pruning that were a thing incredible Therefore haue this in thy selfe and bee blessed for euer We may further collect where Paul prayeth for mercy against that day that All our prayers are to be grounded on Gods promises Gen. 23. Doct. 6. 9. 12. 2 Sam. 7. 25. 1 King 8. 25 c. For our Apostle knew full well that such a time would come and that the Lord would reward euery good worke at that season by vertue of his former promises Because that they are all Yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Reas 1. not one but shall be performed sooner or latter Againe otherwise wee can haue no hope to bee heard Reas 2. For no faculty can or ought to extend it selfe beyond its adequate and proper obiect it is limited by its peculiar Rules The eye of the vnderstanding and foote or hand of faith may leade vs to God the first Ens and cause of all things but beyond that they cannot passe for there is nothing further to act or rest on Hee therefore that prayeth without a promise denyeth his owne request What madnes then is it for the Papist to pray to Saint Vse 1. and Angell Can they make promises in Christ or haue we any such ground giuen vs of God Vaine wishes are reprehended hence as when men pray for impossibilities and this doth meete with those that vse vnlawfull imprecations and also the blind devotion of