Thus much of the definition of prayer; now let us see what use may be made of this commandment, Pray ye thus. Seeing our Saviour commandeth his Disciples, and so even us also to pray to God; it is our duty, not only to present our prayers to God, but also to do it cheerfully and earnestly. Rom. 15. 30. Also, brethren I beseech you ⟨p. 17⟩that ye would strive with me by prayers to God for me. What is the cause, why the Lord doeth oft defer his blessings after our prayers? No cause, but that he might stir us up to be more fervent, & more earnestly to cry unto the Lord. Exod. 32. 10. When Moses prayeth to God in the behalf of the Israelites, the lord answers, Let me alone, as though his prayers did bind the Lord, and hinder him from executing his judgments. Wherefore this is good advise, for all Christian men to continue and to be zealous in prayer. If thou be an ignorant man, for shame learn to pray; seeing it is Gods commandment, make conscience of it. We see that there is no man unless he be desperately wicked, but will make some conscience of killing & stealing: and why is this? because it is Gods commandment; Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal. Well ⟨p. 18⟩then; this also is Gods commandment to pray. Let this consideration breed in thee a conscience of this duty: and although thy corrupt nature shall draw thee away from it, yet strive to the contrary, and know it certainly, that the breach of this command, maketh thee as well guilty of damnation before God as any other. Furthermore, this must be a motive to prick thee forward to this duty, that as God commands us to pray, so also he gives the spirit of prayer, whereby the commandment is made easy unto us. If the Lord had commanded a thing impossible, then there had been some cause of discouragement, but commanding a thing through the grace of his spirit, very easy and profitable: how much more are we bound to the obedience of the same? Again, prayer is the key whereby we open the treasures ⟨p. 19⟩of God, and pull down his mercies upon us. For as the preaching of the word, serves to declare and to convey unto us Gods graces: so in prayer we come to have a live lie feeling of the same in our harts. And further, this must move us to prayer, seeing in prayer we have familiarity with Gods Majesty. It is an high favour for a man to be familiar with a Prince;
Thus much of the definition of praier; now let vs see what vse may be made of this commandement, Pray yee thus. Seeing our Sauiour commandeth his Disciples, and so euen vs also to praie to God; it is our dutie, not only to present our praiers to God, but also to doe it cheerefully and earnestlie. Rom. 15. 30. Also, brethren I besech you ⟨p. 17⟩that yee woulde striue with me by praiers to God for me. What is the cause, why the Lord doeth oft defer his blessings after our praiers? No cause, but that hee might stirre vs vp to be more feruent, & more earnestly to crye vnto the Lord. Exod. 32. 10. When Moses praieth to God in the behalfe of the Israelites, the lord answers, Let me alone, as though his praiers did bind the Lord, and hinder him frō executing his iudgments. Wherefore this is good aduise, for all Christian men to continue and to be zealous in praier. If thou be an ignorant man, for shame learne to praie; seeing it is Gods commandement, make conscience of it. We see that there is no man vnlesse he be desperatly wicked, but wil mak some conscience of killing & stealing: and why is this? because it is Gods commandment; Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steale. Well ⟨p. 18⟩then; this also is Gods commandement to pray. Let this consideration breed in thee a conscience of this dutie: and although thy corrupt nature shall drawe thee away from it, yet striue to the contrary, and know it certainely, that the breach of this command, maketh thee as well guiltie of damnation before God as any other. Furthermore, this must be a motiue to prick thee forward to this dutie, that as God commandes vs to pray, so also he giues the spirite of praier, whereby the commaundement is made easie vnto vs. If the Lord had commanded a thing impossible, then there had bene some cause of discouragemēt, but commanding a thing through the grace of his spirite, verie easie and profitable: howe much more are we bound to the obedience of the same? Againe, praier is the key whereby wee open the treasures ⟨p. 19⟩of God, and pull downe his mercies vpon vs. For as the preaching of the word, serues to declare and to conuey vnto vs Gods graces: so in praier we come to haue a liue lie feeling of the same in our harts. And further, this must moue vs to praier, seeing in praier we haue familiaritie with Gods Maiestie. It is an high fauour for a man to bee familiar with a Prince;
