Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

1. Most of the Private Christians, among us, live very Remote from those People, who have not, as yet, entertained the Gospel. And so, They cannot be helpful unto them, by Personal instruction, or counsel: Neither can they attract them by the Example of their holy conversation. And yet, they may greatly contribute toward the promoting of the entertainment of the Gospel among them. And that they may do, several ways, e. gr.

1. They may, and ought to pray in Faith. That the Gospel may be sent among them. That it may be Received by them. And be blessed to the Conversion, and Salvation, of all that are ordained to Eternal life, among them. For such Prayers, being according to the Will of God, They may be confident, that he heareth them, 1 Joh. v. 14. And that God requireth, and expecteth such Prayers from them, cannot be unknown to any, who acquaint themselves with the Scriptures. For, (1.) Our Lord Jesus Christ recommendeth this matter to the Prayers of private Christians, Matth. ix. 37, 38. Then, saith he unto his Disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the Labourers are few. Pray ye therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth Labourers into his harvest. Here we may take notice, (1.) That by the Metaphor, or Allegory of an Harvest our Saviour ⟨image 127⟩would instruct us, That, as when the Corn is ripe, Men use to employ Reapers, to cut it down, and gather it in: So there are some blessed Seasons, wherein God hath decreed, to send the Gospel among a People, and accordingly prepares, and disposeth them for the Reception of it, and raiseth in them a propensity, and strong affection toward it. Thus it was, when John the Baptist came, and Preached, That the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, Matth. iii. 2. and it follows in verse the 5th, Then went out unto him, Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan. And our Saviour sets a special remark upon that time,