CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Use of Instruction, From this order of Christs, learn we in Preaching,¹ and you in hearing what we ought to do, know it must be Prayer that will sanctify every Sermon; According as thou hast laid up Prayer beforehand, so do thou expect to speed; What a woeful thing will it be if God make this Heaven brass and iron, these helps of salvation furtherances to damnation, and all because thou dost not carefully seek to him. Canst thou pray in other things and not here? Is not every Sermon of eternal consequence? Is not heaven or hell delivered at this time, why then are we such stupid blocks as not to lay fast hold on God, and say, I will not let thee go till thou givest me a blessing; It's taken up as a sad Question, Why in these latter days the Word preached makes no more wonderful works? At first Propagation of the Gospel, so many fish were caught in the Net, that it was ready to break; And at the first Reformation out of Popery, the Kingdom of God suffered violence, but now he that is profane is profane still, the blind are blind still, the proud proud still: What is the matter? Is not the Word of God as powerful as ever? Is not the Lords arm as strong as ever? Yes, but the zeal of people is grown cold; There are not such fervent prayers, such high esteems of the means of grace; Men do not besiege Heaven, giving God no rest day or night till he come with salvation into their souls, and truly the Spirit of prayer is a sure fore-runner of spiritual mercies to be bestowed, Optat dare qui mandat orare, when God will bless the Word and Ministry to thee, he will stir up thy appetite, make thee hungry and thirsty, fill thee with daily pantings after his grace. And thus much of the order.

Ʋse of Instruction, From this order of Christs, learn we in Preaching,¹ and you in hearing what we ought to do, know it must be Praier that will sanctifie every Sermon; According as thou hast laid up Praier beforehand, so do thou expect to speed; What a wofull thing will it be if God make this Heaven brasse and iron, these helps of salvation furtherances to damnation, and all because thou dost not carefully seek to him. Canst thou pray in other things and not here? Is not every Sermon of eternall consequence? Is not heaven or hell delivered at this time, why then are we such stupid blocks as not to lay fast hold on God, and say, I will not let thee go till thou givest me a blessing; It's taken up as a sad Question, Why in these latter daies the Word preached makes no more wonderfull works? At first Propagation of the Gospel, so many fish were caught in the Net, that it was ready to break; And at the first Reformation out of Popery, the Kingdom of God suffered violence, but now he that is prophane is prophane still, the blinde are blinde still, the proud proud still: What is the matter? Is not the Word of God as powerfull as ever? Is not the Lords arm as strong as ever? Yes, but the zeal of people is grown cold; There are not such fervent praiers, such high esteems of the means of grace; Men do not besiege Heaven, giving God no rest day or night till he come with salvation into their souls, and truly the Spirit of praier is a sure fore-runner of spirituall mercies to be bestowed, Optat dare qui mandat orare, when God will blesse the Word and Ministery to thee, he will stir up thy appetite, make thee hungry and thirsty, fill thee with daily pantings after his grace. And thus much of the order.