Reason. The Reason is strong, because they are the motions of his own Spirit which he stirs up in ⟨p. 127⟩us. For, he dictates this Prayer unto them: Take with you words, &c. and say unto the Lord, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. So that, where God stirs up holy desires by his Spirit, he will answer exactly, there shall not a sigh be lost. Likewise (saith the Apostle) the Spirit also helps our infirmities: 1for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it self makes intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. Therefore there cannot a groan be lost, nor a darting of a sigh, whatsoever is spiritual must be effectual, though it cannot be vented in words.2 For God hath an ear not only near a mans tongue to know what he saith, but also in a mans heart, to know what he desires, or would have. As the observing careful tender mother many times knows what the child would have though it cannot speak: so God he knows the desires, sighs, and groans of the heart when we cannot speak. For, sometimes there may be such a confusion upon the soul, by reason of divers disturbances, that it cannot express nor vent it self in words, therefore the Spirit vents it self then in sighs and groans which are heard and accepted: because they are the desires of his own Spirit. This much the Prophet David excellently showeth.3 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. God he first prepares the heart to pray, then his ear to hear their prayers and desires. If this will ⟨p. 128⟩not encourage us to be much in suit to God, and put up our petitions to him,4 to labour for a spirit of prayer; I know not what will prevail: when we know that no petition shall be turned back again unanswered. When we are to deal with Princes upon earth, they oftentimes regard neither the persons nor their petitions, but turn their backs upon both. O! but a Christian hath the care of God and Heaven open unto him: such credit in Heaven, that his desires and groans are respected and heard. And undoubtedly a man may know that he shall be heard, when he hath a spirit of prayer, in one kind or other, though not in the particulars, or kinds we ask; hear he will for our good.
Reason. The Reason is strong, because they are the motions of his owne Spirit which he stirs up in ⟨p. 127⟩us. For, hee dictates this Prayer unto them: Take with you words, &c. and say unto the Lord, take away all iniquity, and receive us gratiously. So that, where God stirs up holy desires by his Spirit, hee will answer exactly, there shall not a sigh be lost. Likewise (saith the Apostle) the Spirit also helpes our infirmities: 1for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it selfe makes intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. Therefore there cannot a groane be lost, nor a darting of a sigh, whatsoever is spirituall must bee effectuall, though it cannot be vented in words.2 For God hath an eare not onely neere a mans tongue to know what he saith, but also in a mans heart, to know what he desires, or would have. As the observing carefull tender mother many times knowes what the child would have though it cannot speake: so God he knowes the desires, sighs, and groanes of the heart when we cannot speake. For, sometimes there may be such a confusion upon the soule, by reason of divers disturbances, that it cannot expresse nor vent it selfe in wordes, therefore the Spirit vents it selfe then in sighs and groanes which are heard and accepted: because they are the desires of his owne Spirit. This much the Prophet David excellently sheweth.3 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine eare to heare. God he first prepares the heart to pray, then his eare to heare their prayers and desires. If this will ⟨p. 128⟩not incourage us to be much in suit to God, and put up our petitions to him,4 to labour for a spirit of prayer; I know not what will prevaile: when we know that no petition shall be turned backe againe unanswered. When we are to deale with Princes upon earth, they oftentimes regard neither the persons nor their petitions, but turne their backes upon both. O! but a Christian hath the care of God and Heaven open unto him: such credit in Heaven, that his desires and groanes are respected and heard. And undoubtedly a man may know that he shall be heard, when he hath a spirit of prayer, in one kind or other, though not in the particulars, or kindes we aske; heare he will for our good.
- 1Rom. 8.26.
- 2That God hath an ear in mans heart.That God hath an eare in mans heart.
- 3Psal. 10.17.
- 4A strong motive to draw us before God in Prayer.
