The spiritual favourite at the throne of grace. By the late learned, and reverend…The spirituall favorite at the throne of grace. By the late learned, and reverend…

But how are the truth of these desires known?

But how are the truth of these desires knowne?

I will name a few signs.¹ The truth of those desires ⟨p. 39⟩may be tried thus,² if they §1be constant desires, and not flashes: for then they come from a new nature. Nature is strong and firm: Art is for a turn, to serve a turn: when men personate a thing they do it not long; creatures that are forced to do so and so, they return to their own nature quickly: but when a man doth a thing naturally, he doth it constantly. So constant desires argue a sanctified frame of soul and a new creature; they argue that the image of God is stamped upon the soul. Thereupon we may know that they are holy desires, that ⟨p. 40⟩that they spring from a holy soul, if they be constant, if they be perpetual desires, and not as a torrent that is vented for the present on a sudden, and then comes to nothing after: they are constant.

I will name a few signes.¹ The truth of those desires ⟨p. 39⟩may be tryed thus,² if they §1be constant desires, and not flashes: for then they come from a new nature. Nature is strong and firme: Art is for a turne, to serve a turne: when men personate a thing they doe it not long; creatures that are forced to doe so and so, they returne to their own nature quickly: but when a man doth a thing naturally, he doth it constantly. So constant desires argue a sanctified frame of soule and a new creature; they argue that the image of God is stamped upon the soule. Therupon wee may know that they are holy desires, that ⟨p. 40⟩that they spring from a holy soule, if they be constant, if they be perpetuall desires, and not as a torrent that is vented for the present on a sudden, and then comes to nothing after: they are constant.

1. 1Trial of desires whether true.Tryall of desires whether true.
2. 2If constant

And likewise,¹ if these desires be hearty strong desires, and not only strong but growing desires; desire upon desire; desire fed with desire still, never satisfied till they be satisfied. Strong and growing desires argue the truth of desires: as indeed a child of God hath never grace enough, never faith enough, never love enough, or comfort enough, till he come to ⟨p. 41⟩heaven. They are growing desires more & more: the Spirit of God that is the spring in him, springs up still further and further, till it spring to everlasting life, till it end in heaven, where all desires shall be accomplished, and all promises performed, and all imperfections removed, till then they are growing desires still. We desire to fear thy Name, and to please thee in all things.

And likewise,¹ if these desires be hearty strong desires, and not onely strong but growing desires; desire upon desire; desire fed with desire still, never satisfied till they be satisfied. Strong and growing desires argue the truth of desires: as indeede a childe of God hath never grace enough, never faith enough, never love enough, or comfort enough, till he come to ⟨p. 41⟩heaven. They are growing desires more & more: the Spirit of God that is the spring in him, springs up still further and further, till it spring to everlasting life, till it end in heaven, where all desires shall be accomplished, and all promises performed, and all imperfections removed, till then they are growing desires still. Wee desire to feare thy Name, and to please thee in all things.

1. 1If strong and growing.

True desire is carried to §4grace as well as glory, ¹and the desire of heaven it self. ⟨p. 44⟩A true spirit, that is touched with grace, with the Spirit of God; it desireth not heaven it self so much for the glory, and peace, and abundance of all contentments, as it desires it, that it is a place where it shall be freed from sin, and where the heart shall be enlarged to love God, to serve God, & to cleave to God for ever: and as it is a condition wherein he shall have the image and resemblance of Jesus Christ perfectly upon his soul: Therefore we pray Thy Kingdom come, that is, we desire that thou wouldest rule more and more largely in our souls, and subdue ⟨p. 45⟩all opposite power in us, and bring into captivity all our desires and affections, and let thy Kingdom come more and more. Let thy will be done by us, and in us more and more, In earth as it is in heaven. Here is a sweet prayer now serving to the first petition, the hallowing of Gods name, when we desire more to honour God, and to that purpose that he may rule in us more, and make us better: these desires argue an excellent frame of soul, as we see in Nehemiah, our desire is to fear thy §5Name.²

True desire is carried to §4grace as well as glory, ¹and the desire of heaven it selfe. ⟨p. 44⟩A true spirit, that is touched with grace, with the Spirit of God; it desireth not heaven it self so much for the glory, and peace, and abundance of all contentments, as it desires it, that it is a place where it shall be freed from sinne, and where the heart shall be inlarged to love God, to serve God, & to cleave to God for ever: and as it is a condition wherein he shall have the image and resemblance of Iesus Christ perfectly upon his soule: Therefore wee pray Thy Kingdome come, that is, we desire that thou wouldest rule more and more largly in our soules, and subdue

True desires are likewise to the means of salvation▪ ⟨p. 46⟩and to the means of salvation as they convey grace, as sincere milk; as you have it 1 Pet. 2.¹ As new borne babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word. Where a man hath holy desires of any grace, and hath them in truth, he will desire those means, whereby those graces may most effectually be wrought in his heart: therefore he will hear the word, as the word of God; he comes not to hear the Word because of the eloquence of the man that delivers it, that mingles it with his own parts, he comes not to hear it as the tongue of man: but he ⟨p. 47⟩sees God in it; it is the powerful Word of God, because there goes the efficacy of the Spirit with it, to work the graces he desires.

True desires are likewise to the meanes of salvation▪ ⟨p. 46⟩and to the meanes of salvation as they convay grace, as sincere milke; as you have it 1 Pet. 2.¹ As new borne babes, desire the sincere milke of the Word. Where a man hath holy desires of any grace, and hath them in truth, hee will desire those meanes, whereby those graces may most effectually bee wrought in his heart: therefore hee will heare the word, as the word of God; hee comes not to heare the Word because of the eloquence of the man that delivers it, that mingles it with his owne parts, hee comes not to heare it as the tongue of man: but he ⟨p. 47⟩sees God in it; it is the powerfull Word of God, because there goes the efficacie of the Spirit with it, to worke the graces he desires.

Therefore a man may know by his taste of divine truth, whether he desire grace: he that desires grace, desires the means that may convey grace, and especially so far as they convey grace. As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the Word. You cannot still a child with any thing but milk, he desires no blending or mixing, but only milk: so a true Christian desires divine truths most; because ⟨p. 48⟩the Spirit of God is effectual by them, to work grace and comfort in him. I will not enlarge my self in the point.

Therefore a man may know by his tast of divine truth, whether he desire grace: hee that desires grace, desires the meanes that may convay grace, and especially so farre as they convay grace. As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word. You cannot still a childe with any thing but milke, he desires no blending or mixing, but onely milke: so a true Christian desires divine truthes most; because ⟨p. 48⟩the Spirit of God is effectuall by them, to worke grace and comfort in him. I will not inlarge my selfe in the point.

The comfortable observation hence is this,¹ that weak Christians,² that find a debility, and faintness, and feebleness in their performances; hence they may comfort themselves, by their desire to fear God, and to worship God, and to serve him: if their desires be true. Therefore in Isaiah 26. the Church allegeth it to God, in the way of thy judgements have we sought thee, &c. The desire of our souls is towards thy Name: ⟨p. 49⟩they bring it as a prevailing argument to God. So when we come to God, The desire of our souls is toward thy Name. Lord our endeavours are weak and feeble, but the desire of our souls is to thy name, and thou wilt not quench the smoking flax: therefore we come to thee with these weak and poor desires that we have: The Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him, Psal. 145.³ If they be but desires, if they be true, and growing, and constant desires, and desires of grace as well as of happiness, as I showed before.

The comfortable observation hence is this,¹ that weak Christians,² that finde a debilitie, and faintnesse, and feeblenesse in their performances; hence they may comfort themselves, by their desire to feare God, and to worship God, and to serve him: if their desires bee true. Therefore in Isaiah 26. the Church alledgeth it to God, in the way of thy judgements have we sought thee, &c. The desire of our soules is towards thy Name: ⟨p. 49⟩they bring it as a prevailing argument to God. So when we come to God, The desire of our soules is toward thy Name. Lord our indeavours are weake and feeble, but the desire of our soules is to thy name, and thou wilt not quench the smoaking flax: therefore wee come to thee with these weake and poore desires that we have: The Lord will fulfill the desires of them that feare him,

The reason why God ⟨p. 50⟩accepts them, is partly because they spring from his own spirit: these desires they are the breathings of the spirit. ¹For even as it is in places where fountains and springs are digged up,² they are known and discovered by vapours, the vapours show that there is some water there, some spring, if it were digged up: so these desires, these breathings to God for grace and comfort, these spiritual breathings, they show that there is a spring within, and spirit within, whence these vapours and desires come; therefore they are accepted of God, because they spring from ⟨p. 51⟩his own Spirit.

The reason why God ⟨p. 50⟩accepts them, is partly because they spring from his owne spirit: these desires they are the breathings of the spirit. ¹For even as it is in places where fountaines and springs are digged up,² they are knowne and discovered by vapors, the vapors shew that there is some water there, some spring, if it were digged up: so these desires, these breathings to God for grace and comfort, these spirituall breathings, they shew that there is a spring within, and spirit within, whence these vapors and desires come; therefore they are accepted of God, because they spring from ⟨p. 51⟩his owne Spirit.

1. 1Why God accepts of desires. Because they are the breathings of his Spirit.
2. 2Simile.

And because they are pointed to heaven-ward,¹ to show that a man is turned; for it is put here instead of turning, Turn ye to me, saith the Lord; and he answereth here instead of turning, My desire is to fear thy name. Because, when the desire is altered, then the frame of the soul is altered, a man is turned another way; the desire is the weight of the soul. What carries the soul, but desire? Now when the soul is carried another way then before, it argues an alteration of the frame, therefore it pleaseth God to accept of them.

And because they are pointed to heaven-ward,¹ to shew that a man is turned; for it is put here instead of turning, Turne yee to me, saith the Lord; and he answereth here instead of turning, My desire is to feare thy name. Because, when the desire is altered, then the frame of the soule is altered, a man is turned another way; the desire is the weight of the soule. What carries the soule, but desire? Now when the soule is carried another way then before, it argues an alteration of the frame, therefore it pleaseth God to accept of thē.

1. 1Because they manifest the change of the soul.Because they manifest the change of the soule.

I beseech you let us often enter into our own souls, and examine what our desires are, which way the bent of our souls is; what cause we would have to flourish and prevail in the world, Christs, or Antichrists, for God esteems us by the frame of our desires: Who desire to fear thy Name.

I beseech you let us often enter into onr owne soules, and examine what our desires are, which way the bent of our soules is; what cause we would have to flourish and prevaile in the world, Christs, or Antichrists, for God esteemes us by the frame of our desires: Who desire to feare thy Name.

And prosper I pray thee thy servant this day.

Now he comes to his petition, Prosper I pray thee thy servant this day. He doth not capitulate with God for particular matters much, (for he knew he had to deal with an all-wise God) but he commends his petition in general, Prosper I pray thee thy servant, &c. He was to attend the King, and he was in his attendance to mind the state of the ⟨p. 54⟩Church, for the re-edifying the walls and gates of Jerusalem: now saith he in general, Prosper thy servant, he leaves it to God, how, and in what manner, being to deal (as I said) with an infinite wise God: only he prays in general, prosper thy servant this day.

NOw he comes to his petition, Prosper I pray thee thy servant this day. Hee doth not capitulate with God for particular matters much, (for he knew hee had to deale with an all-wise God) but hee commends his petition in generall, Prosper I pray thee thy servant, &c. He was to attend the King, and he was in his attendance to mind the state of the ⟨p. 54⟩Church, for the re-edifying the walls and gates of Ierusalem: now saith he in generall, Prosper thy servant, he leaves it to God, how, and in what manner, being to deale (as I said) with an infinite wise God: onely he prayes in generall, prosper thy servant this day.

He comes again with his relation of servant, ¹to teach us alway when we come to God, to look in what relation we stand to him, whether we be true servants or no: what work we do for him, in what reference we do what we do, whether we do it to please him as servants, or ⟨p. 55⟩no. I said something of the relation of servant before: I will add a little here, because he repeats it four or five times in this short prayer.

He comes againe with his relation of servant, ¹to teach us alway when wee come to God, to looke in what relation we stand to him, whether we be true servants or no: what work we doe for him, in what reference we doe what we doe, whether we doe it to please him as servants, or ⟨p. 55⟩no. I said something of the relation of servant before: I will adde a little here, because he repeates it foure or five times in this short prayer.

1. 1The true knowledge of our relation to God a means to strengthen faith in prayer.The true knowledg of our relation to God a meanes to strengthen faith in prayer.

In all our services we should look to God: for our aim in our works show what they are,¹ whether they come from servants, or no. As the stamp upon a token makes it, if there be a good stamp on it, it is not the matter that makes it current. A stamp on silver makes it current as well as gold, though the metal of gold be better. So when things are done, because God commands them, to please God, ⟨p. 56⟩as a service to him: this makes it good that we are servants indeed, that the relation is good. When we go about the service of the Church or Country, or place we live in, to think I do God service here, and do it as a service to God, who will be honoured and served in our service to others: herein I am a good servant, though the matter of my service be a common, base, and mean matter; yet it hath a stamp upon it, it is Gods will, God hath placed and planted me here, and he will be served of me in this condition at this time, though the matter ⟨p. 57⟩of it be an ordinary thing. I know it may help the good of the Church: it hath reference to the will of God, and the good of the Church. Thus if we do what we do with an eye to God in the place where he hath set us, that we do it as to him, we are Gods servants whatsoever the work is.

In all our services wee should looke to God: for our ayme in our workes shew what they are,¹ whether they come from servants, or no. As the stamp upon a token makes it, if there be a good stamp on it, it is not the matter that makes it current. A stamp on silver makes it current as well as gold, though the metall of gold be better. So when things are done, because God commands them, to please God, ⟨p. 56⟩as a service to him: this makes it good that we are servants indeed, that the relation is good. When we goe about the service of the Church or Country, or place we live in, to thinke I doe God service here, and doe it as a service to God, who will be honoured and served in our service to others: herein I am a good servant, though the matter of my service be a common, base, and meane matter; yet it hath a stamp upon it, it is Gods will, God hath placed and planted mee here, and he will be served of me in this condition at this time, though the matter

And let us remember oft to think of it, to bring it in our prayers: Master (say they when they were ready to be drowned) dost thou not care that we perish? They put him in mind of the relation they were in to him. So ⟨p. 58⟩when we can put God in mind of our relation, Father, we are thy children, Lord, we are thy servants; it will strengthen our faith and hope of all good. Will a Master suffer his servant to miscarry in his service? surely God will never turn away true hearted servants, that have served him a long time. It puts us in mind of our duty, and serves to strengthen our faith: for as it is a word of service on our part, so it is a promising word of all good from God. Doth he expect, that Masters should be good to their servants because they have a Master ⟨p. 59⟩in heaven, and will not the great Master of Heaven be good to his servants? you see how he follows the relation.

And let us remember oft to thinke of it, to bring it in our prayers: Master (say they when they were ready to be drowned) dost thou not care that we perish? They put him in minde of the relation they were in to him. So ⟨p. 58⟩when we can put God in minde of our relation, Father, we are thy children, Lord, we are thy servants; it will strengthen our faith and hope of all good. Will a Master suffer his servant to miscarrie in his service? surely God will never turne away true hearted servants, that have served him a long time. It puts us in minde of our duty, and serves to strengthen our faith: for as it is a word of fervice on our part, so it is a promising word of all good from God. Doth he expect, that Masters should bee good to their servants because they have a Master ⟨p. 59⟩in heaven, and will not the great Master of Heaven be good to his servants? you see how he followes the relation.