'Tis very observable, that in the Narrative of the Miracles by the Prophets, some Circumstances are ⟨p. 365⟩related, that declare they were done by the Divine Power. Sometime the Command of God was before the Performance: thus in all the astonishing Works done by Moses, the Command of God was the beginning. Take thy Rod, stretch out thy 1Hand, and others Orders that demonstrate the miraculous Actions not to proceed from an inherent Virtue in his Person, but from a superior and borrowed Power. Sometimes Prayer was adderest to God before the Miracles were done: Thus Joshua first speaks to the Lord, 2before he commands the Sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and the Moon in the Valley of Ajalon. Thus Elijah and 3Elisha revived the Dead by Prayer to the Lord of Life. This was declaratory, that the Prophets were but Instruments, and that God was the absolute Author of them. Accordingly in the Conversion of Souls, which is a Work as miraculous as any of ⟨p. 366⟩those illustrious Miracles, there must be the Divine Appointment of the Means, and ardent Prayer to God for his Blessing. 'Tis the great Encouragement of Ministers in their Service, that whatsoever is God's Ordinance shall effect that for which it is ordained: the Rod of Moses was powerful to subdue Egypt, to drown Pharaoh▪ and his Host in the Red Sea. Three hundred Soldiers with Gideon, only armed with Lamps and Pitchers, destroyed the numberless Army of the Midianites. Astonishing Victory! And the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation. But Prayer is requisite to obtain the holy Spirit, by whose Influence the Word is effectual to recover lost Souls to Heaven. And 'tis evident, that numerous and entire Conversions of Sinners have been by the Ministry of holy Men, who made it their great and earnest Request that they might be successful in ⟨p. 367⟩bringing Souls to Christ. Cold Formalities are unacceptable to God, and without Efficacy; but Prayer actuated with Life and holy Heat of Affection, ascends to Heaven and prevails. And what is more worthy of our constant and most ardent Desires; than the Salvation of precious and immortal Souls?
'Tis very observable, that in the Narrative of the Miracles by the Prophets, some Circumstances are ⟨p. 365⟩related, that declare they were done by the Divine Power. Sometime the Command of God was before the Performance: thus in all the astonishing Works done by Moses, the Command of God was the beginning. Take thy Rod, stretch out thy 1Hand, and others Orders that demonstrate the miraculous Actions not to proceed from an inherent Virtue in his Person, but from a superiour and borrowed Power. Sometimes Prayer was addrest to God before the Miracles were done: Thus Joshua first speaks to the Lord, 2before he commands the Sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and the Moon in the Vàlley of Ajalon. Thus Elias and 3Elisha revived the Dead by Prayer to the Lord of Life. This was declaratory, that the Prophets were but Instruments, and that God was the absolute Author of them. Accordingly in the Conversion of Souls, which is a Work as miraculous as any of ⟨p. 366⟩those illustrious Miracles, there must be the Divine Appointment of the Means, and ardent Prayer to God for his Blessing. 'Tis the great Encouragement of Ministers in their Service, that whatsoever is God's Ordinance shall effect that for which it is ordain'd: the Rod of Moses was powerful to subdue Egypt, to drown Pharaoh▪ and his Host in the Red Sea. Three hundred Souldiers with Gideon, only arm'd with Lamps and Pitchers, destroyed the numberless Army of the Midianites. Astonishing Victory! And the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation. But Prayer is requisite to obtain the holy Spirit, by whose Influence the Word is effectual to recover lost Souls to Heaven. And 'tis evident, that numerous and entire Conversions of Sinners have been by the Ministry of holy Men, who made it their great and earnest Request that they might be successful in ⟨p. 367⟩bringing Souls to Christ. Cold Formalities are unacceptable to God, and without Efficacy; but Prayer actuated with Life and holy Heat of Affection, ascends to Heaven and prevails. And what is more worthy of our constant and most ardent Desires; than the Salvation of precious and immortal Souls?
- 1Exod. 7. 16, 19. & 8. 5. & 16. 9.
- 2Josh. 10. 12.
- 31 Kings 17. 20, 21. 2 Kings 4. 33, 34.
