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

4. Ardent affections in prayer betokening a heart deeply sensible, are greatly prevalent.¹ A crying prayer pierces the depths of heaven. We read not a word that Moses spake, but God was moved by his cry. I mean not an obstreperous noise, but melting moans of heart. Yet sometimes the sore and pinching necessities and distresses of spirit extort even vocal cries not displeasant to the inclined ears of God. I cried to the Lord with my voice, says David, ²and he heard me out of his holy hill, and this encourages to a fresh onset: hearken to the voice of my cry, my King and my God. Give ear to my cry, hold not thy peace at my tears, another time he makes the Cave Echo with his cries: I cried, I cried, attend to my cry, for I am brought very low, and what's the issue, Faith gets courage by crying: his tears watered his faith that it grew into confidence,³ and so concludes, thou shalt deal bountifully with me, and the righteous shall crown me for conqueror. Plentiful tears bring bountiful mercies, and a crying suitor proves a triumphant praiser. Holy Jacob was just such another at the fords of Jabbok he prevailed with the Angel, for he wept,⁴ and made supplications to him. Hezekiah may bring up the rear for the Lord told him he had heard his prayer, for he had seen his tears. Such presidents may well encourage backsliding Ephraim to return and bemoan ⟨p. 275⟩himself, and then the bowels of God are troubled for him. Nay, we have a holy woman likewise weeping sore before the Lord in Shiloh, ⁵and then rejoicing in his salvation. The cries of Saints are like vocal music joined with the instrumental of prayer; they make heavenly melody in the ears of God. The bridegroom calls to his mourning dove, let me hear thy voice, for that's pleasant. ⁶What Gerson says of the sores of Lazarus, Quot vulnera tot linguas habuit, as many wounds, so many tongues; we may say of sighs, cries and groans in prayer, so many eloquent orators at the throne of God.