Doct. 2. The exercise of prayer is not only a part of Gods service,1 but it is an excellent part, a chief part, that which much excels. Which may appear: First, by the nature of it: It is an exercise, in which a mortal creature talks with the immortal Creator. Secondly, by the antiquity of it: It is an exercise that godly men have be taken themselves to with great devotion, from the first times of the world, Gen. 4 26. & 21, 33. Thirdly, by the efficient cause of it: God pours out his own Spirit upon his people, of purpose to make them able to pray; and therefore is called, The Spirit of prayer, Zach. 12.11. Joel 2.28. Rom. 8.26. Fourthly, because they are things so precious, as Christ takes them, and presents them to God, covering our imperfections, and making them acceptable, Rev. 8.3. Fifthly, by the great privileges this exercise enjoys. For fir st, God is greatly delighted in it, Pro. 15.8. and therefore one of his titles is, that he is a God that heareth prayer, Psal. 65.1. and hears with great attention: his ears are open, Psal. 34.15. and will not despise prayer, for the infirmities of his servants, Psal. 102.17. nor reproach them, Jam. 1.5. Secondly, any man of any condition, that hath an honest heart, may be regarded with God in prayer, Mar. 7.7. Luk. 11.10. Thirdly, whatsoever is asked, is obtained; which is an unspeakable benefit, Mark. 11.24. Psal. 85.5. Lastly, God hath promised salvation to all them that call upon his name, Joel 2. ult. And this point should be a great encouragement to all true Christians, to be much in prayer, and to resist all dullness in themselves, or temptations and objections against the exercise of prayer.
Doct. 2. The exercise of praier is not onely a part of Gods service,1 but it is an excellent part, a chiefe part, that which much excells. Which may appeare: First, by the nature of it: It is an exercise, in which a mortall creature talkes with the immortall Creator. Secondly, by the antiquity of it: It is an exercise that godly men have be taken themselves to with great devotion, from the first times of the world, Gen. 4 26. & 21, 33. Thirdly, by the efficient cause of it: God poures out his owne Spirit upon his people, of purpose to make them able to pray; and therefore is called, The Spirit of prayer, Zach. 12.11. Ioel 2.28. Rom. 8.26. Fourthly, because they are things so precious, as Christ takes them, and presents them to God, covering our imperfections, and making them acceptable, Rev. 8.3. Fiftly, by the great priviledges this exercise enjoyes. For fir st, God is greatly delighted in it, Pro. 15.8. and therefore one of his titles is, that he is a God that heareth praier, Psal. 65.1. and heares with great attention: his eares are open, Psal. 34.15. and will not despise praier, for the infirmities of his servants, Psal. 102.17. nor reproach them, Iam. 1.5. Secondly, any man of any condition, that hath an honest heart, may bee regarded with God in prayer, Mar. 7.7. Luk. 11.10. Thirdly, whatsoever is asked, is obtained; which is an unspeakeable benefit, Mark. 11.24. Psal. 85.5. Lastly, God hath promised salvation to all them that call upon his name,
- 1The excellency of prayer appears in many respects.The excellency of prayer appeares in many respects.
