Besides all this, we should do it for our 1own sakes, if we consider what use we have of this duty for our selves. Is it not the key that openeth all Gods treasures? when heaven was shut up, was not this the key that opened? when the wombs were shut up, was not this it that opened? you know, Elijah prayed for rain, so we may say for every other blessing. All Gods treasures are locked up, to those that do not call upon his name, this opens the door to them all, whatsoever they be that we have occasion to use, this is effectual; it doth it better then any thing besides. If a man be sick, I will be bold to say it, a faithful prayer is more able to heal his disease then the best medicine, The prayer of faith shall heal the sick. Jam 5. you know, the woman that 2had the bloody issue, when she had spent all upon Physicians, and could do no good; Then she comes to Christ, and offered faithful prayer to him, that did it, when so many years physic could not do it, beloved, if there be a Prince or a great man, whose mind we would have turned towards us, a faithful prayer will do it sooner then the best friends. So it was with Nehemiah; you know 3his request, That the Lord would give him favour in the fight of the man, if we be in any strait, as it was in Josephs case, if we have any difficult matter to bring to pass, this prayer and seeking to the Lord will expedite, and set us at liberty sooner, it will find a way to bring it about more then all the wits in the world; because it set• God on work. You have no power to do any ⟨image 14⟩Certainly a praying Christian that is prevalent and potent with God (that seeks to him) he is able to do more then all the riches in the world, they set the devil a work; but prayer sets God a work, it sets him a work to do us good; and to heal us, and to deliver us out of extremities, and therefore, I say for our own sakes, even out or self. love; and for common comforts, you have need to use this. Certainly, if these things were believed (but you hear them, you give us the hearing for the time; but if they were believed,) many would be more frequent in this duty, they would not be so negligent in it, or come in so careless a manner to it.
Besides all this, wee should doe it for our 1owne sakes, if wee consider what vse we haue of this duty for our selues. Is it not the key that openeth all Gods treasures? when heaven was shut vp, was not this the key that opened? when the wombes were shut vp, was not this it that opened? you know, Eliah prayed for raine, so wee may say for every other blessing. All Gods treasures are lockt vp, to those that doe not call vpon his name, this opens the doore to them all, whatsoever they be that we haue occasion to vse, this is effectuall; it doth it better then any thing besides. If a man be sicke, I will be bold to say it, a faithfull prayer is more able to heale his disease then the best medicine, The prayer of faith shall heale the sicke. Iam 5. you know, the woman that 2had the bloody issue, when she had spent al vpon Phisitians, and could doe no good; Then shee comes to Christ, and offered faithfull prayer to him, that did it, when so many years phisick could not do it, beloued, if there be a Prince or a great man, whose mindwe would haue turned towards vs, a faithfull prayer will doe it sooner then the best friends. So it was with Nehemiah; you know 3his request, That the Lord would giue him favor in the fight of the man, if we be in any strait, as it was in Iosephs case, if we haue any difficult matter to bring to passe, this prayer and seeking to the Lord will expedite, and set vs at libertie sooner, it will finde a way to bring it about more then all the wittes in the world; because it set• God on work. You haue no power to do any ⟨image 14⟩Certainely a praying Christian that is prevalent and potent with God (that seekes to him) hee is able to doe more then all the riches in the world, they set the diuell a worke; but prayer sets God a worke, it sets him a worke to doe vs good; and to heale vs, and to deliuer vs out of extremities, and therefore, I say for our owne sakes, even out or selfe. loue; and for common comforts, you haue need to vse this. Certainely, if these things were beleeved (but you heare them, you giue vs the hearing for the time; but if they were beleeved,) many would be more frequent in this duty, they would not be so negligent in it, or come in so carelesse a manner to it.
- 13. Mot.
- 2James 5:Iames 5:
- 3Nehem:: 12:
