2. The prayer of such a man made in faith. For so was this prayer of Moses. The holding up of his hand implied the steadiness of his faith: and St. James giveth this title to effectual prayer, Prayer of faith, Jam. 5. 15. Much in Scripture is spoken of the dpower of prayer; and all is spoken of such prayer as is here meant. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. 8. The upright use to pray in faith: the wicked cannot do so. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice (Heb. 11. 14.) then Cain. Many and admirable are the things which the Saints in all ages have done by faith, Hebr. 11. But where faith hath failed, the divine power hath been stinted, Mat. 13. 58. & 17. 20. Heb. 3. 19. Not without cause therefore doth the Lord put in this proviso of faith, where he speaketh of prevailing by prayer, Mar. 11. 24. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe ⟨p. 259⟩that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. So his Apostle, Jam. 1. 5, 6. If any man lack, let him ask of God, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. The faith of those who sought and found help of Christ in the days of his flesh, giveth good proof hereof. Mat. 8. 13. & 9. 2, 22. & 15. 28. Mar. 9. 23. Luk. 7. 50. It is recorded of the Christians 2in the Primitive times of the Church that When Marcus Antoninus waged war against the Germans, his army was brought to a desperate case, through great and long thirst: and that the legion of Christian soldiers fell on their knees after their accustomed manner, praying and craving help of God; and that that thing, as a new and unaccustomed matter, struck a great terror into the enemies. And that, while the Christians prayed, another greater matter fell out beyond their imagination and expectation. For, the enemies were stricken down with many strokes of thunder: and the army being even ready to perish with thirst and want of water, was refreshed. So effectual surely were the prayers of Christians. Profane Historians, who have written of the Roman Emperors, have related as much. I have the rather transcribed this history, because it is somewhat pertinent to the pattern of Moses here noted in the text.
2. The prayer of such a man made in faith. For so was this prayer of Moses. The holding up of his hand implied the steddinesse of his faith: and St. Iames giveth this title to effectuall prayer, Prayer of faith, Iam. 5. 15. Much in Scripture is spoken of the dpower of prayer; and all is spoken of such prayer as is here meant. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. 8. The upright use to pray in faith: the wicked cannot do so. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice (Heb. 11. 14.) then Cain. Many and admirable are the things which the Saints in all ages have done by faith, Hebr. 11. But where faith hath failed, the divine power hath been stinted, Mat. 13. 58. & 17. 20. Heb. 3. 19. Not without cause therefore doth the Lord put in this proviso of faith, where he speaketh of prevailing by prayer, Mar. 11. 24. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe ⟨p. 259⟩that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. So his Apostle, Iam. 1. 5, 6. If any man lacke, let him ask of God, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. The faith of those who sought and found helpe of Christ in the dayes of his flesh, giveth good proofe hereof. Mat. 8. 13. & 9. 2, 22. & 15. 28. Mar. 9. 23. Luk. 7. 50. It is recorded of the Christians
- dSee The whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 18. Treat. 3. Part. 1 §. 22, &c.
- 2Niceph Calist. Ecclesiast. Hist. lib 4. cap. 12. citat hanc historiam ex Apologiâ quae à Tertulliano edita est pro fide ad Senatum. Rom. Vide Oros. lib. 7. cap. 15.
