A17412:912
Sermons upon the ten first verses of the third chapter of the first Epistle of S. Peter Being the last that were preached by the late faithful and painful minister of Gods word, Nicolas Byfield. Wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. Published since the authors death by William Gouge.
London: printed by H. Lownes for George Latham, 1626
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2 From the place of prayer: some prayers are public, some private; and a Christian must use both: Some are alone, some with others.
2 From the place of prayer: some prayers are publicke, some private; and a Christian must use both: Some are alone, some with others.
3 From the form; and so we have the prayer of Christ, as the pattern and rule for all prayers, and the prayers of Christians agreeable to that pattern. We must not rest upon saying over the words of the Lords prayer, and neglect all other prayers. Again, some prayer is conceived, some is in a set form used. A set form is fittest for the public, and for such weak Christians as are not yet able to express their own desire to God in their own words: nor are conceived forms unfit or unlawful for such as are able and desirous to perform prayer according to the rules of prayer; as is apparent by the examples of all sorts of prayers in both Testaments.
3 From the forme; and so we have the prayer of Christ, as the pattern and rule for all prayers, and the prayers of Christians agreeable to that patterne. We must not rest upon saying over the words of the Lords prayer, and neglect all other prayers. Againe, some prayer is conceived, some is in a set forme used. A set forme is fittest for the publicke, and for such weake Christians as are not yet able to expresse their owne desire to God in their owne words: nor are conceived formes unfit or unlawfull for such as are able and desirous to performe prayer according to the rules of prayer; as is apparant by the examples of all sorts of prayers in both Testaments.
4 From the object of prayer; and so some prayers are made daily at set times: and thence it was that the Church of the Jews had their hours of prayer, Act. 3.1. and some are uttered suddenly, according to some special occasion. And of ⟨p. 174⟩this sort are ejaculations, short petitions put up to God expressing the present motion in the heart.
4 From the object of prayer; and so some prayers are made daily at set times: and thence it was that the Church of the Iewes had their houres of prayer, Act. 3.1. and some are uttered suddenly, according to some speciall occasion. And of ⟨p. 174⟩this sort are ejaculations, short petitions put up to God expressing the present motion in the heart.
Doct. 10. It is a great loss or inconvenience to have our prayers interrupted. This is plain from the Text. And there may be many reasons assigned of it; I will instance but one or two: first, because for that time a man is thrust out of the presence of the King of heaven: To pray, is to stand before his face. Secondly, because while prayer stands still, our spiritual trade stands still: while we pray not, we thrive not. Thirdly, if it were nothing else but the respect of others, it must needs be a great inconvenience to omit prayer; because thereby we withdraw our aides from the Church: and that is as bad as in evil times of war, to withdraw our succours from the house of Israel.
Doct. 10. It is a great losse or inconvenience to have our prayers interrupted. This is plaine from the Text. And there may be many reasons assigned of it; I will instance but one or two: first, because for that time a man is thrust out of the presence of the King of heaven: To pray, is to stand before his face. Secondly, because while prayer stands still, our spirituall trade stands still: while we pray not, we thrive not. Thirdly, if it were nothing else but the respect of others, it must needs be a great inconvenience to omit prayer; because thereby we withdraw our aydes from the Church: and that is as bad as in evill times of warre, to withdraw our succours from the house of Israel.
Quest. But how many ways can prayer be interrupted?
Quest. But how manie wayes can prayer be interrupted?
Answ. Prayer may be interrupted either in heaven, or in earth; either in the hearing of it, or in the making of it.
Answ. Prayer may be interrupted eyther in heaven, or in earth; eyther in the hearing of it, or in the making of it.
1 If the person making it lye in any sin, without repentance, Prov 15.8. Isa. 59.2. Lam. 3.44. Psal. 66.18. 2. Tim. 2.19. 1. John 3.22.
1 If the person making it lye in any sinne, without repentance, Prov 15.8. Isa. 59.2. Lam. 3.44. Psal. 66.18. 2. Tim. 2.19. 1. Iohn 3.22.
2 If it be not made in faith, that is, if we believe not that we shall have what we ask. Matth. 11.24. Jam. 1.6.
2 If it be not made in faith, that is, if we beleeve not that we shall have what we aske. Matth. 11.24. Iam. 1.6.
3 If not made in the name of Christ. John 16.23.
3 If not made in the name of Christ. Iohn 16.23.
4 If it be made carelessly and coldly; if a mans head be full of distractions, so as he regards uot what he prays, he is not likely to be heard: for how shall God hear him, when he hears not himself? and how shall God heed what he says, when he heeds not what he says himself?
4 If it be made carelesly and coldly; if a mans head be full of distractions, so as he regards uot what he prayes, hee is not likely to be heard: for how shall God heare him, when he heares not himselfe? and how shall God heed what he sayes, when he heeds not what he sayes himselfe?
6 If a man be not in charity with his neighbour, and will not forgive him his trespass. Matt. 6 14.
6 If a man be not in charitie with his neighbour, and will not forgive him his trespasse. Matt. 6 14.
7 If a man be unmerciful, and will not hear the cries of the poor. Esa. 58.7. Prov. 21.13.
7 If a man be unmercifull, and will not heare the cryes of the poore. Esa. 58.7. Prov. 21.13.
1Thus prayer is interrupted in the hearing of it.
Prayer is interrupted in the making of it, when men are indisposed ⟨p. 175⟩to prayer, and so omit the performance: and thus prayer is interrupted;
