A remedy against private contentions A godly and fruitful sermon on James, 4.1. &c.…A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c.…

Use 1 For the reproof of our great negligence, unbelief, and coldness in prayer: thence it is that we have many wants, because we want the spirit of prayer, and seek unto other helps rather then unto our heavenly Father. If children should run from their parents to servants, and still be crying and complaining to them, their parents would not endure it: and if such children should be still bewailing their case, that never any were in such misery as they, none would pity them: have they not a good and a rich father, (would men say) that would have them to seek unto him for relief and maintenance, and cannot endure that they should seek unto others? If it be thus, with natural parents, how much more is it with our heavenly Father, who is far more ready to hear and help, then the nearest friends in the world? For when they will not afford us relief, he will: and when they are unkind, he will show himself most kind unto us; and therefore have we unkindness from men, that we might draw near to God himself, and go from those broken Cisterns which can hold no water, to the fountain of living waters where we may drink freely without restraint, and have all our wants abundantly supplied.

Ʋse 1 For the reproofe of our great negligence, vnbeleefe, and coldnesse in prayer: thence it is that wee haue manie wants, because we want the spirit of prayer, and seeke vnto other helpes rather then vnto our heauenly Father. If children should runne from their parents to seruants, and still be crying and complaining to them, their parents would not endure it: and if such children should bee still bewailing their case, that neuer any were in such miserie as they, none would pitie them: haue they not a good and a rich father, (would men say) that would haue them to seeke vnto him for reliefe and maintenance, and cannot endure that they should seeke vnto others? If it be thus, with naturall parents, how much more is it with our heauenly Father, who is farre more ready to heare and helpe, then the nearest friends in the world? For when they will not afford vs reliefe, hee will: and when they are vnkind, hee will shewe himselfe most kind vnto vs; and therefore haue we vnkindnesse from men, that wee might draw neare to God himselfe, and goe from those broken Cesternes which can hold no water, to the fountaine of liuing waters where we may drinke freelie without restraint, and haue all our wants abundantly supplied.