Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	let_v	pray_v	sick_a	2,056	5	9.3427	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62883	A brief testimony to the great duty of prayer shewing the nature and benefit thereof. To which is added, above one hundred eminent and select instances that God did answer prayer. Collected out of the record of Holy Scriptures. By J.T. one of the people call'd Quakers. With a postscript by J.F.	Tomkins, John, ca. 1663-1706.; Field, John, 1652-1723. Earnest perswasive, by way of postscript, for all to mind and receive God's Holy Spirit in their hearts.	1695 (1695)	Wing T1831; ESTC R222215	22,136	114

this great Duty they pray amiss having not a sense of what they pray for I say true Prayer is not only words the best of words for the Essence and Life of Prayer is that divine sense which is received thro' the preparation of the Heart by the Spirit of God and it is this sort of Prayer I recommend in this short Discourse and if People would be serious and kind to themselves as to consider how little they receive of that they ask for and how much they are daily found in a Contradiction to their own Prayers they would easily see how much they are out of the right way of true Prayer Our Lord commanded Watch and Pray therefore they that would pray aright must watch they that watch must wait And what must they wait for that God would please by his Spirit to prepare their Hearts to worship him acceptably Therefore no Man can prescribe Forms to the Holy Ghost For as the Holy Spirit begets sense of wants so many times wants beget words and such words have a Spirit and Life with them this is praying in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to wit in his Divine Power and Authority and therefore successful and that in all Ages as the following instances do evidence and illustrate Jacob wrestled with the Angel he wept and made (p) Gen. 32.25 Hos 12.3 Supplication and by his strength he had power with God and prevailed like a Prince (q) Ja. 5.17 God shut up Heaven at Elias Prayer for the space of three years and an half that there was a great Famine he prayed again and the Heavens gave Rain and the Earth brought forth Fruits At the Prayer (r) Josh 10.12 of Joshua the Sun and Moon stood still for the space of a whole day Samuel prayed and the Lord (s) 1 Sa. 7.9 10. discomfited his Enemies with a terrible Thunder Abraham prayed and obtained Promises of a Son (t) Gen. 15. to be his Heir and of the Land of Canaan for an Inheritance with the innumerable increase of his Seed Jacob prayed and escaped the edge (u) Jen. 32. and 33. Chap. of the Sword for he was greatly afraid of his Brother Esau but God turned the Heart of Esau that he imbraced him kindly and parted so Gideon in great weakness prayed (w) Judg. 6. to the Lord and was made strong and confirmed by signs and became a deliverer of Israel out of their Bondage Isaiah the Prophet and Hezekiah the King prayed (x) 2 Kings 19. because of the Threats and Blasphemy of Rabsheka General of the King of Assyrias Army and the Lord heard them and opened the mouth of his Prophet to foretell good unto Israel and sent his Angel who slew in one night 185000 Men of the Assyrians and Israel was delivered at that time At the Prayer (y) Gen. 20.17 of Abraham God healed Abimelech the King his Queen and Family At the intreaty (z) Gen. 25.21 of Isaac after twenty years Marriage God gave him two Sons Rebecca and Hannah both besought God concerning Children and their Prayers were answered Moses Aron and Phineas were lively (a) Gen. 25.22 1 Sam. 1.27 Types of our Lord Jesus the one Mediator between God and Men and were as Saviours to the People often making intercession and attonement for them when the Anger (b) Exod 32.11 ●4 Numb 25.13 and 16 43 to 50. of the Lord was kindled against them Christian Reader much might be said upon this Subject and many more Examples brought out of the Holy Scriptures of those wonderful things wrought by Prayer and Faith particularly of the many Supplications made to our Blessed Lord Jesus when on Earth upon which he raised (c) Mat. 9.25 the Dead healed (d) Mat. 8.5 to 13 verse the Sick and forgave (e) Luk 7.47 Sins To which Examples the Apostle James might allude when he exhorted the Primitive Christians to Prayer And if any be Sick let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him and the (f) Ja. 5.14 Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed Sins they shall be forgiven him But I shall say the less intending to annex hereunto above an Hundred Instances Collected out of the Holy Scriptures whereby in a short time one may see for incouragement those miraculous things wrought in former Ages which otherwise we cannot find in much reading being mixed in Scripture among other matters I thought to conclude here but must take notice of another great inducement we have to this Duty and it is the greatest Example of all that can be brought to wit Our Lord Jesus he who commanded us to Watch and Pray set us himself for a Pattern And tho' the Father always (g) Joh. 11.41 42. heard him yet for the sake of others He cried with a loud voice It is said in another place tho' he was (h) Heb. 5.7 a Son yet in the days of his Flesh he offered up Prayers and Supplication with strong Crying and Tears unto him that was able to save him from Death and was heard in that he feared He sought (i) Luk. 4 4● and 5.16 solitary places praying (k) Mat. 14.23 Luk. 9.18 alone unto the Father until (l) Mark 6.48 midnight yea sometimes (m) Luk. 6.12 all night For what were these things done and the Records thereof preserved till now but for our Learning We have great need of it for we can have nothing but what we receive and tho' God be good and a full fountain of all Blessings he will be sought unto for these things Therefore let us be faithful in doing what is his will and refusing whatsoever is contrary thereunto and we need not doubt but God will hear us when we call upon him as the Scripture saith If any Man be a Worshipper (n) Joh. 9.31 of God and doth his will Him he heareth London 29 11. Month 1654 5. John Tomkins INSTANCES OF THE Answer of Prayer 1. ABraham the Father of the Faithful being Childless prayed unto the Lord for an Heir complaining that Eliezer the Steward of the House was like to be his Heir And the word of the Lord came to Abraham promising he whom he supposed should not be his Heir but he that shall come forth out of his own Bowels shall be thine Heir whose Seed he promised should be for number like the Stars in the Firmament Gen. 15.2 3 4 5. 2. Abraham Prayed for Ishmael his Son and God answered him and repeated the abovesaid Promise of giving him a Son by his Wise Sarah and said as for Ishmael I have heard thee behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly twelve Princes shall he beget and I will make him a great Nation Gen. 17.18 19 20 which was fulfilled see Gen. Chap. 25.13 14 15 16 18. 3.

Burnt-Offering and Sacrifices and the Glory of the Lord filled the Temple so that the Priests could not enter in and God also appeared to Solomon by night and said I have heard thy Prayer and gave him many Promises upon Condition that he and his People should observe his Statutes and Judgments 1 King 8. 2 Chro. 6. Chap. 7.1 12. to the end 49. At the Prayer of the Man of God the Arm of Jeroboam King of Israel which was dryed up for holding it out against the Prophet was restored again and became as it was before 1 King 13.6 50. Elijah prayed earnestly that it might not Rain upon the Earth and it rained not for the space of three years and six months 1 King 17.1 James 5.17 18. 51. Elijah prayed again and the Heavens gave Rain and the Earth brought forth her Fruit after three years and six months Drought 1 King 18.42 Jam. 5.18 52. At the Prayer of Elijah the Son of the Widow of Zarephath was raised from the Dead 1 King 17.20 21. 53. The Reubenites Gadites and half Tribe of Mannasah went out to War against the Agarites and they cryed to the Lord in Battle and he was intreated of them because they put their trust in him and God gave their Enemies into their hands an exceeding prey viz. 50000 Camels 250000 Sheep 2000 Asses and of Men 100000 1 Chron. 5.20 21. 54. At the Prayer of Elijah the Fire of the Lord fell and consumed the Burnt-Sacrifice and the Wood c. to convince the Idolaters that the Lord was God 1 King 18.36 to 39. 55. Elijah being persecuted by Jezabel fled into the Wilderness and there prayed to the Lord as he was asleep an Angel awaked him and bid him arise and eat for there was a Cake ready baked on the Coals and a Cruise of Water at his head and he eat and drank and lay down again and the Angel awaked him the second time to eat and he did eat and in the strength of that Meat travelled forty days and nights to Horeb the Mount of God 1 King 19.4 to 8. 56. At the Prayer of Elisha the Shunamite's Child was raised from the Dead 2 King 4. and 33 34. 57. At the Prayer of Elijah the Lord opened the Eyes of Elisha's Servant and he beheld how his Master was defended and surrounded with Horses and Chariots of Fire at the same time when the Host of the Syrians had encompassed the City to take the Prophet 2 King 6.13 to 17. 58. At the Prayer of Elisha the Host of the Syrians was smote with blindness for they were sent to apprehend him 2 King 6.18 59. They the Host of the Syrians being blind the Prophet Elisha led them to Samaria even into the hands of their Enemies and he prayed the Lord to open their Eyes and they saw and behold they were in the midst of Samaria but he would not suffer the King of Israel to hurt them but caused him to prepare Provisions for them and they went safe home to their Master the King of Syria and came no more into the Land of Israel 2 King 6.17 to 23. 60. Vzziah sought the Lord and God made him to prosper and helped him against his Enemies and made the Philistines Arabiaas and Ammonites Tributaries to him but he grew proud with the Success that was given him and invaded the Priests Office and assumed to offer Incense in the Temple for which he was a Leper to the day of his Death and was deposed the Kingdom and his Son Jotham reigned in his stead 2 Chron. 26. and 2 King 1.5 61. The Idolatry of Israel was so great the Lord suffered the Kings of Syria to oppress them sorely and Jehoahaz besought the Lord and the Lord hearkened to him and gave Israel a Saviour so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians 2 King 13.2 to 5. 62. Now for a long time Israel had been without the true God and without a reaching Priest and without Law In those times there was no Peace to him that went out nor to him that came in but great Vexations were upon all the Inhabitants of the Countries and Nation was destroyed of Nation and City of City for God did vex them with all Adversity and they repented and put away the abominable Idols out of Land and sought the Lord with their whole Desire and he was found of them and gave them Rest round about 2 Chron. 15. 63. Sennacherib King of Assyria sent a blasphemous threatning Letter to good Hezekiah King of Judah and Hezekiah went up into the House of the Lord and spread the Letter before the Lord and prayed unto the God of Israel and the Lord sent the Prophet Isaiah to comfort him letting him know he had heard his Prayer and would defend Jerusalem and save it for his own sake and his Servant Davids sake And it came to pass that Night the Angel of the Lord slew 185000 of the Assyrian Host So Sennacherib departed home to Nineveh and his Sons killed him as he was worshipping his Idol Nisroch 2 King 19. 2 Chron. 32.20 21. 64. Huldah the Prophetess foretelling the Destruction of Jerusalem But said she in the Name of the Lord tell the man that sent you to me Josiah King of Judah because thy Heart was tender and thou hast humbled thy self before the Lord when thou heardst what I speak against this Place and the Inhabitants thereof that they should become a Desolation and a Curse and hast rent thy Clothes and wept before me I also have heard thee saith the Lord therefore thou shalt go to thy Grave in Peace and thy Eves shall not see all the Evil which I will bring upon this Place 2 King 22.15 to 20. 65. Hezekiah receiving the Message of Death from the Prophet Isaiah turned his Face to the Wall and prayed to the Lord and the Lord sent the same Prophet back to tell him he had heard his Prayer and seen his Tears and would add to his Days Fifteen Years and the King went abroad in Three days after 2 King 20. 66. Jehosaphat King of Judah being in great Distress because of the Army of the Moabites Ammonites and Edomites who came to Invade the Land he went to the Temple and prayed to God with all Judah their Wives and little Ones and the Lord sent his Prophet Jehaziel to comfort them and let them know they should not need to fight against them for the Lord caused Moab and Ammon to fight against Mount Seir and when they had destroyed them every one helped to destroy one another 2 Chron. 20. 67. Hezekiah prayed for the People in as much as they had eaten of the Passover and we not cleansed according to the Law and the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah and healed the People 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. 68. Manasseh that idolatrous and wicked King who filled Jerusalem with Blood for his great and many Impieties God suffered the King of Assyria to carry him

cannot do any thing acceptable to God This is the Comsorter that teacheth all things the word of Faith nigh in the Heart (t) Rom. 10.8 and in the Mouth It is also called the word (v) Acts 20.32 of Grace which is able to build us up and give us an Inheritance among them which are sanctified through Faith which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This Word Spirit Light or Grace which came by Jesus and and thro' him is extended unto all Men is a remedy which God hath in Mercy provided for Man and it is as universal as the disease For as by the Offence of one Adam (†) Rom. 5.18 Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation even so by the Righteousness of one Jesus Christ the free Gift came upon all Men unto justification of Life This is the Christians guide and teacher in all things especially in things immediately relating to God and as this Spirit sanctifies the Heart and brings forth a pure Offering out of it God accepts thereof he regards Truth in the inward Parts not outside appearances only but the sincerity of Heart It was his demand of Old (w) Prov. 23.26 Son give me thine Heart Not a multitude of words without this will prevail with God Our Lord reproved (x) Mat. 23.14 the Pharisees for their long Prayers when their Hearts went after their Covetousness yet thought like the (y) Mat. 6.7 Heathen to be heard for their much speaking or vain repititions but he commended the poor Publican who in the sense of his Sins made a full Confession but a short Prayer (z) Luk. 18.13 God be merciful to me a Sinner and pronounced him rather justified than the Pharisee And because we dare not offer up Prayers to God until we feel our Hearts moved thereunto by his Spirit which maketh (a) Rom. 8.26 intercession for us according to the will of God no more can we joyn with those who pray without the sense of this Spirit and fear of God and can immediately turn from their vain and idle Discourses to Prayer and from their Prayers back again to their Discourses We have been convinced not only that such Prayer availeth nothing with God but also that he is displeased with it for he hath said (b) Exod. 20.7 I will not hold them Guiltless that take my Name in vain The Publick Prayers put up to God in the name of Jesus in our Solemn Assemblies for the Worship of God as many Thousands can bear us witness are evident Proofs that we do not only own but use true Prayer 2dly It is our Spiritual Interest to be frequent in this Practice for we daily reap the benefit thereof If God take care of Sparrows (c) Luk. 12.24 to 28. cloath the Grass and array the Lilies and feed the Ravens (d) Job 38.41 when their young Ones cry unto him will not he regard us and hear our Prayers and Cries when we make Supplication to him in the Name of his Son in whom he is well pleased (e) Mar. 1.11 and for whose sake he is pleased with Man and grants us supplies suitable to our Necessities We have good reason to love Prayer even from the Experience we have felt thereof in our selves And truly as the case stands with us we should be very unhappy without this priviledge It is well known manifold and cruel have been the Sufferings of this People whom Men have persecuted reviled and spoken all manner of Evil against falsly for the sake of Christ and the Righteousness of his Kingdom as our Lord foretold long since (f) Mar. 5.10 11. would be the portion of his followers and they have not only patiently born what was permitted to come upon them from unreasonable Men but Satan also by himself hath used great and manifold endeavours if possible to drive them from their Faith and Obedience in Christ to effect which hath raised Enemies within and we have often found it to be as our Lord said a Man's Enemies (g) Mat. 10.36 are those of his own House Inward Assaults Temptations and Buffettings The Devil envied and raged at them the World hated and persecuted them what sad Condition should we be in if we had not this priviledge to fly to God and seek his Face like Children when they are apprehensive of Danger run with great boldness to their Parents and tho' sometimes they cannot express themselves to relate their fears and troubles yet their Parents have Compassion and receive them with open Arms and ready to defend them to their utmost How much more as our Lord said (h) Luc. 11.13 Joh. 10.29 Shall our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him None is able to pull us out of his Hands he is greater than all It cannot be related what immediate Comfort and divine Aid such have received who truly sought his Face whereby they have many infallible Proofs that there is a God (l) Psal 65.2 who heareth Prayer and lifts up the Light of his Countenance upon his Children whereof their Souls are more joyful than those (m) Psal 4.7 whose Corn and Wine increaseth and they have been thereby so strengthened and filled with Heavenly Joy that they have esteemed all their Sufferings Tribulations Slanders and Reproaches as Riches being so many tokens of their Discipleship to Jesus whom they desire to follow that they may receive the Promise (n) Mat. 5.12 Great shall be your reward in Heaven Therefore let none slander nor defame us with this false Charge of denying Prayer for we do faithfully declare as above that we sincerely own and practise it and have good cause to continue therein both our own Experience and the Examples of others Holy Men and Women as they are recorded in Holy Scriptures in the several Ages of the World they prayed to God upon many Occasions and Exigents I shall give some instances of such who prayed and the Lord did signally appear and granted them their Requests Let us pray in Faith as they they did and our Petitions shall be heard for God is the same as ever he was as willing to hear and as powerful to save as in former Ages My Hand is not shorten'd that I cannot (o) Isa 59.1 and 10.2 save neither is my Ear heavy that I cannot hear saith the Lord. But before I shall mention those places of Scripture that regard the vertue and power of Prayer I would be well understood what I mean by Prayer true Prayer is a desire of the Soul whether express'd by words or not from a sense of the want of that the Soul prays for which sense no Man can give himself It is the Spirit of God alone and to those this Spirit of Prayer is given who in some measure obey the Spirit turning at its reproof from the evil and that which is reproveable in the sight of God and this is the true reason why so many miss in