Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	pray_v	spirit_n	supplication_n	6,826	5	11.2274	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96951	The only sovereign salve for the wounded spirit: approved by the author in himself Delivered by him in several sermons after his recovery: and now, published for the glory of his most gracious restorer, and for the comfort and settlement of any afflicted soul, that doth, or may labour under that weighty burden. By Richard Wortley, minister of Christ in his church, in Edworth in Bedfordshire.	Wortley, Richard, d. 1680.	1661 (1661)	Wing W3642A; ESTC R231974	144,585	300

of salvation Inst Jerusalem had her day wherein she might have known the things which belonged unto her peace Luke 19. 42. Chorazin Bethsaida Capernaum had their time for repentance Mat. 11. 21 23. For Mercy Conferred Texts Exod. 12. 41. And it came to pass at the end of the Four hundred and thirty years even the self-same day it came to pass that all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the Land of Egypt Gal. 4. 4. When the Fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. Inst. Mordecai was advanced Hest 6. 10. When Haman had prepared the Gallows to hang him Hest 5. 14. The Snare was broken and the Church escaped when her proud Enemies were ready to swallow her up quick Psal 124. 3 7. For Mercy discovered Texts Eph. 3. 8 10. Unto me is this Grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ c. to the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Col. 1. 26. The Mystery hid from ages and generations is now made manifest unto the Saints Inst. When Jacob was under heavy affliction for his Son Joseph whom he believed to be dead for Simeon who was in bonds for his Darling Benjamin who was taken from him Gen. 42. 36. Then was that joyful Message brought unto him that Joseph was alive and Lord of all Egypt Gen. 45. 26. When Peter was in doubt whether he might go unto Cornelius it being unlawful for a Jew to converse with a Gentile then did the Lord reveal unto him the meaning of the Vision of the great sheet c. Shewing him that he should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10. 11. 28. Reas 1. God would be glorified in his Omniscience Rev. 2. 23. 2. He would have man to set a due value on his Mercies Psal 86. 12 13. 3. He would have them chearfully entertained Psal 35. 9 10. Use 1. Let not God fail of his end Psal 139. 1 17. 2. Accuse him not of delay●ng Psal 13. 1 2 3 Slight not the day of Grace Psal 95. 7 8. 4 W●lk wisely and redeem the time Col. 4. 5. Purchase oppor●unities so the word signifies for goodness at any rate Resol Though Mercy be deferred yet will I never think that long which once I shall certainly enjoy so sweetned and made welcome by its seasonableness when it comes Mark 16. 7. Ejac. Hear thy Servant who takes pleasure in the stones and favours the dust of thy Zion Arise Lord and have Mercy upon her for the time to favour her yea the set time is come Psal 102. 13 14. Paral. III. Circ The Mercy was not discovered until I prayed Obs God will be sued unto GOd is our Father ready to supply our wants He is our Heavenly Father able to supply them knowing what we have need of before we ask him Mat. 6. 8. My condition was not unknown unto him he could have setled me though I had not prayed unto him But it was his pleasure to be sought into Prayer is the souls conversing with God Being the Interpreter of those holy Desires therein stirred up by the Spirit of Supplication Zech. 12. 10. That the Lord is pleased to admit dust and ashes to speak unto him is an high honour Gen. 18. 27. Yet higher to be assured of his ear that he will hear and grant whatsoever we sue unto him for Mat. 21. 22. As it is a dignity to man so is it an honour to God himself which is the chief end why he would have man to pray unto him In Prayer we serve him Luke 2. 37. In Prayer we worship him Therefore is it compared to Incense Psal 141. 2. Sending up an acceptable savour unto him and sweetning all our other Services In Prayer we glorifie him in his Majesty Power Goodness Love and other his Gracious Attributes In our eyes waiting upon him Psal 123. 2. For the kinds of Prayer they are Four Deprecation of evil That it may be averted Dan. 9 16. That being upon us it may be removed Psal 25. 22. Or That it may be mitigated Psal 85. 4 5. This kind best suits the time of Affliction Jam. 5. 13. Petition of what is good That it may be conferred Psal 119. 34. That it may be established Psal 68. 28. That it may be encreased Luke 17. 5. Here the Rule must be that our Prayer be according to Gods Will 1 John 5. 14. Otherwise we are not like to speed Jam. 4. 3. Intercession for others For all men 1 Tim. 2. 1. For the Church Psal 122. 6. For Kings and all in authority 1 Tim. 2. 2. For the Ministry Rom. 15 30. For Sinners 1 John 5. 16. For our Enemies Mat. 5. 44. For this we have our Saviours Form Our Father c Give us Forgive us c. Which whosoever hath wholly laid by it is to be feared that with it he hath laid by true Christian Charity Thanksgiving For benefits received Psal 116. 12 13. Upon craving of new ones Col. 1. 3. When they are deferred When they are denied 1 Thes 5. 18. And this that the abundant Grace may through our Thanksgiving redound to Gods Glory 2 Cor. 4. 15. Our Infirmities in Prayer are such That we know not what to pray for as we ought Rom. 8. 26. That we know not how to pray Luke 11. 1. But the Spirit helps our Infirmities Directing us what to pray for in our Lords Form prescribed to his Disciples which we are to use either in those very words Luke 11. 2. Or framing all our Petitions according thereunto Mat. 6. 9. Assisting us in the manner of our Prayers helping Our backwardness by disposing of the heart unto the duty 2 Sam 7. 27. Our want of words by opening of our lips Psal 51. 15. Our wandring thoughts by scattering of them and keeping the heart attent unto Prayer Psal 68. 1. Our coldness By heating of the heart Psal 39. 3. By the Spirits making Intercession for us in others with groanings which cannot be uttered as some understand that Rom. 8. 16. By Christ's tears shed over his Church Luk. 19. 41. By his strong Cries offered up unto his Father in the daies of his flesh Heb. 5. 7. By his now interceding for us Rom. 8. 34. As for posture I speak of secret Prayer that is best so for the voice or silence which most may quicken devotion 1 Kings 18. 42. For Place holy hands are to be lifted up every where 1 Tim. 2. 8. Especially when thou art withdrawn from Company Devout Soliloquies have More of the Spirit Less of Temptation A Secret Observer An Open Rewarder Mat. 6. 6. For time Let it be the Key of the day the Bar of the night Let it ascend morning and evening as the Incense Psal 141. 2. Pray without ceasing whensoever occasion shall be offered 1 Thes 5. 17. The sense of our wants

Psal 42. 1 4. The remembrance of Gods Benefits Psal 103. 2 3. are two excellent means to quicken the soul unto Prayer which will ascend to Heaven with the more speed being carried up upon the wings of Fasting 1 Cor. 7. 5. Alms-giving Acts 10. 4. Provided that it be Reverend Fervent Constant Confident If thine be so qualified thou maist be assured that the Lord will not turn it away Psal 66. 20. Obs God will be sued unto And that With Reverence Fervency Constancy Confidence God will be sued unto Texts Psal 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble Mat. 7. 7. Ask and it shall be given you Inst Hezekiah in his sickness prayed unto the Lord Isa 38. 2. Cornelius's Prayers came up for a Memorial before God Acts 10. 4. With Reverence Texts Psal 95. 6. Let us worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 99. 5. Worship at his Footstool Inst Paul bowed his knees unto God in behalf of the Ephesians The foul and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped and cast their Crowns before him that sate on the Throne Rev. 4. 10. With Fervency T●x●s Psal 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide Psal 119. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee Inst. Moses cried unto God Exod. 14. 15. The King of Nineveh commanded his People to cry mightily unto God Jonah 3. 8. With Constancy Texts 1 Thes 5. 17. Pray continually Job 27. 10. Will the Hypocrite alwaies call upon God Inst David called daily upon the Lord Psal 88. 9. Christ spake a Parable to this end that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint Luke 18. ● With Confidence Texts Jam. 1. 6. Ask in Faith nothing wavering Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence Inst David assured himself that God would hear him Psal 4. 3. The Sons of God have the Spirit of Adoption whereby they cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15. Amen that Seal of our Prayers signifies as an earnest desire so a certain perswasion that God will hear us Col. 4. 18. Reas 1. By Reverend confident Prayer God is glorified in his Attributes Col. 1. 9. The word there signifies a devout lifting up of the mind unto God and our glorifying of him in his Majesty Power c. 2. Fervent Prayer puts the soul into a fit capacity for Mercy Psal 81. 10. 3. Constant Prayer manifests encreaseth strengthens Faith Psal 5. 3. Luke 18. 1. Use 1. Let God have his due Glory Psal 123. 2. 2. Let not thy Prayer want its due qualifications Jam. 4 3. 3. Cleanse thy soul from sin A wicked heart obtains nothing from God Psal 66. 18. 4. He that is only earnest for temporal things howls not praies Hos 7. 14. 5. Inconstancy in Prayer discovers a bad heart Job 27. 10. 6. The distrustful Prayer is sure to be denied Jam 17. Resol In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me Psal 86. 7. Ejac. Lord let thy Spirit help mine Infirmities hea● thou its groanings in me and for me Rom 8 26 ●7 Paral. IV. Circ The Mercy was discovered upon my Prayer Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing Power I Do not dare not arrogate any thing to my self as if my Prayer as mine had any the least power to encline God to hear me God is unchangeable man unworthy to be heard to be eyed to be minded The best Prayers have so much of self in them that in stead of an open ear unto them we might justly expect the dung of the Sacrifice of our polluted lips and hearts to be cast in our faces But we have to deal with a Gracious God who is not only ready to hear the weak desires of the reverent fervent constant faithful Suppliant but so far to submit his own Almightiness unto their so qualified Prayers that he cannot but hear them What is said of the wrath of man Jam. 1. 20. may be said of all the rest of the Passions when transgressing the workings of Reason they work not the righteousness of God and so render the soul unfit for Prayer Yet Abraham Jacob Moses Joshuah Elijah Hezekias though men subject to like passions as we are Jam. 5. 17. their Prayers were most powerful and effectual Their Power in Prayer was from God their passionate weakness of themselves which being by them taught to wait upon Reason and their sense of it keeping of them humble was a means to preserve that power Abraham was afraid of the Egyptians Gen. 12. 12. Of the men of Gerar Gen. 20. 11. that they would have slain him for his Wives sake Yet he had so prevailed with God upon his Intercession for Sodom that had there been but ten righteous persons in it it had not been destroyed Gen. 18. 32. Jacob though encouraged by a Vision of Angels greatly feared his Brother Esau coming against him Gen. 32. 7 11. Yet wrestling with God by Prayer had such power over him that he would not let him go before he had blessed him Gen. 32. 26. 28 29. Moses feared when he knew that his killing of the Egyptian was discovered and fled Exod. 2. 14 15. Yet by Prayer held Gods hands that he could not destroy the people when so highly provoked by their making and worshipping of the Golden Calf Exod. 32. 10. Joshua envied Eldad and Medad who prophesied in the Camp Numb 10. 29. Yet at his Prayer the Sun and Moon were stayed in their course Josh 10. 13. Elijah upon Jezebels threatnings Message fled for his Life 1 Kings 19. 2 3. Yet upon his earnest Prayer it rained not on the earth for three years and a half Jam. 5. 17. And Fire came down from Heaven and destroyed the Captains with their Fifties 2 Kings 1. 10 12. Hezekias was much grieved at that Message of death brought unto him by the Prophet yet upon his Prayer the Sun went backward ten degrees Isa 38. 1 2 3 8. With what confidence may now the humble Supplian● whose Prayer hath its due qualifications say I know that whatsoever I ask according to his Will I have my Petitions which I desired of him 1 John 5. 14 15. When by these examples he sees and is confirmed in the experience and assurance of the effectualness of it which is such that it hath power not only Over the Elements Jam. 5. 17. 2 Kings 1. 10. Over the Fabrick of Heaven Josh 10. 12. Over earthly Forces Exod. 17. 11. Over Death Isa 38. 5. Over Devils Mat. 17. 21. Over Angels 2 Kings 6. 17. But Over God himself Exod. 32. 10. O the prevailing power of a rightly qualified Prayer It takes Heaven by violence it overcomes the Invincible and binds the Almighty Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing power Texts Jam. 5. 16. The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much Exod. 32. 10. Let m● alone that my wrath may wax hot c. And Moses besought the Lord. Inst Jacob when the man

that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. ● 17. ●eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ej●c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hi● ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lon● as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new ● humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of h● Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid up●● me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were so●● yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court G●n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should

absent nothing but good is to be spoken He that would not speak ill of any will not dares not curse the deaf Levit. 19. 14. There is but one of them that I hear of yet living for whom I pray heartily as Moses did for his Sister Miriam Heal her now O God I beseech thee Numb 1● 13. Could outward Performances set up Christ's Throne there wanted not here discoveries enough of a ready submission to his Laws The Incense of Prayer private secret ascending Morning and Evening Constant hearing of the Word on the Lords day on week-dayes at home abroad Penning of Sermons Reading them or some Divine Tractate every day twice at set hours An open hand to the poor c. And yet notwithstanding all this when I was brought by my Apprehender to the Gate there the Jaylor was found as Master of the House and there I left him when I fled for my safety Charity teacheth me to hope the best 1 Cor. 13. 7. This is that I shall only say God would not hide his purpose from Abraham concerning Sodom because he knew that he would command his Children and his Houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. And I tremble to think of the sharp punishment inflicted upon too-indulgent Eli and his Sons 1 Sam. 4. 17 18. What other Title Satan had for possession if he had any other I leave it to God the alone-searcher of the heart Use Let David be thy President for the ordering of thy Family Psal 101. Resol As for me I and my House we will serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. Ej●c I am now of his Houshold Eph. 2. 19. And one day in thy Courts is better then a thousand Let me rather be a door-keeper in the House of my God then dwell in the Tents of wickedness Psal 84. 10. Paral. VII Circ The Prisonstood at the Entrance of Westminster-Hall Obs The Course of the Law to some is the mouth of Hell THere is no Calling though never so lawful but it may be abused In ours some have preached Christ even of envy and strife Phil 1. 15. The Profession of the Law in it self is honest and honourable but bo●h the Law and its Profession may be unlawfully used when that which was given for a Rule is made for a Snare It is hard that men cannot walk by it but they must be intangled in it It is mans Corruption that makes it necessary and indeed in case of necessity it would only be used When no other means will serve to preserve Life and recover health then the Physitian will venture to minister Poyson For my self though God from the beginning had kept up in my soul an averseness unto that course yet it being by my Parents looked upon as the then rising way they would needs put me into it I had often before had warnings enough to shun it and this was now the fifth time of my being taken off from it In those few years which I had spent in it I was too forward a proficient in bad wayes More I saw and more I should soon have learned It is opportunity and secrecy that inv●tes and make● a Thief Had the offered Favour been accepted I had not wanted plentiful temptations which with security confidence and thanks might have been put in practise to my exceeding great advantage But my infinitely merciful God when my soul was upon those Confines of ruine kept me from falling into the Pit whose very brink I was upon O what a seared Conscience in short time I should have had How crusty How callous How hardned in the wayes of deceit That course would have been no other unto me then the very mouth and entrance into Hell And when I had lost my Soul what would wealth and Honour which would have been heartily endeavoured for me and it is possible might have followed What would these have profited Mat. 16. 26. What it would have been to me it is I fear to too many others Obs The Course of the Law to some is the Mouth of Hell Texts Prov. 6. 16. These six things the Lord hates c. a proud look a lying tongue c. and him that soweth discord among Brethren Gal. 5. 15. If ye devour one another take heed ye be not consumed one of another Inst Tertullus the Orator with a bad tongue defended the bad cause of the Jews against Paul charging him with many things that were false Acts 24. 1. 5. Reas The temptations are stro●g They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 6. 9. Use 1. Wickedness is somtimes in the place of Judgment and iniq●ity in the place of righteousness Eccles 3. 16. 2. Let Judgment run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty Stream Amos 5. 24. 3. With God is strength and wisdom the deceived and the deceiver are his He leadeth Counsellers away spoyled and maketh the Judges Fools Job 12. 16 17. 4. Set your Children in such wayes where they may be least exposed to Temptations 5. Endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4. 3. ● 6. Forbear one another and forgive one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 13. 7. If any hath a matter against another let it be referred to the Saints who shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 3. Resol Thou hast O Lord in great mercy taken me off from that soul-endangering course of the Law I will now meditate in thy Precepts I will delight my self in thy Statutes and encline my heart to perform them alwayes even unto the end Psal 119. 15 16 112. Ejac. Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not unto covetousness Psal 119. 36. Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God Mat. 5. 9. Paral. VIII Circ The Voice saying It was the Gate-house Obs The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants THE in-each-part●cular likeness of the Prison unto the House wherein I had lived with that Noble Personage in the Ga●es Lodge inward Buildings Windows excepting the Grates and that grated one on the side of the Gate house placed there so near mine eye that I might be sure it was a Prison as also in the Court-Yard in the Front toward the River was enough to have assured me that that was likewise intended in the Visson I began notwithstanding to s●●ple at the distance in respect of their scituation being a good way off asunder Mans weak Belief is too apt to raise needless doubts Joseph interpreting the Butlers Dream made no scruple at the Vine's budding blossomming and bearing ripe Grapes at the same time Gen. 40. 10. Upon my former unsettlement touching those missed secular expectations Gods Will was that I should first p●ay unto him in this he was pleased