A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

3. To an exemplary conversation add faithful, fervent, humble, constant supplication. Paul without ceasing makes mention of his heart's desire, and his prayer to God for Israel was, that they might be saved. Ministers, like spiritual Priests, should not fail to offer their daily Sacrifices for their people, confess their iniquities, bewail their misery, and cry mightily to God for his mercy.

All our instructions without prayer will do no good: Go to God to sanctify all. By prayer carry thy children, servants, to the blessed Jesus in the Arms of Faith, and beseech him to bless them, by laying on his hands on them, as Isaac did,¹ Gen. 27.1. and 48.9, 14. with Matth. 19.13. and Mark 10.16. How pathetically did Abraham plead with God for Ishmael? Oh that Ishmael might live before thee, Gen. 17.18. Bathsheba calls for Solomon the Son of her Vows, Prov. 31.2. Austin the Child of Monica's prayers and tears. O pray then, pray earnestly, O that this my Son, Daughter, Servant, might not dye for ever. Thou Lord art the Prince and Lord of Life; O speak powerfully to their poor Souls, that these pieces of my bowels, that are now dead in trespasses and sins, may hear thy voice and live. Cry out to God with that poor man in the Gospel, Lord have mercy on my Son, Matth. 17.15. If a Mother, do as the Woman of Canaan did, Have mercy on me, O Lord, my Daughter is grievously vexed with a Devil. If he seem not to hear, and to be silent, go nearer to him by Faith, and cry, Lord help me, Lord help me: If his Answer seem to be a repulse, do not thou desist, but rather gather Arguments from his denial as she did; and conclude, that if he once open his mouth, he will not shut his hand: and if importunity may prevail with an unrighteous man, then much more it will obtain with a gracious God. Never leave him therefore, till by laying hold on his own strength thou hast overcome him. At last thou mayst