1. Betake your selves to God by fervent Prayer and Supplication. Let me say of these times, as Holy Mr. Perkins did of his, Non sunt ista litigandi, sed orandi tempora, These are no times for Christians to contend and strive one with another, but with their united cries to strive with God, and, among other requests, strongly to enforce and follow home, that of David, Psal. 71. 2, 3. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape, incline thine ear unto me, and save me, be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort. That's a true and weighty Observation of Austine, Non facilè inveniuntur praesidia in adversitate, quae non fuerint in pace quaesita. A refuge is not to be found in trouble, except it be provided before-hand in peace. For this, saith the Psalmist, shall every one that is godly, pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found, surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him, Psal. 32. 6. Had not Noah prepared and secured himself in the Ark, before the floods of great water came, he had not sate, as he did, Medis tranquillus in undis: Sleeping quietly, when others were perishing in the waters. Gather your selves therefore together, before the Decree bring forth; seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, be more frequent, and more fervent in Prayer, now than ever; you have all the encouragements in the world, to incite you to this duty: the nature of your God is exceeding pitiful▪ tender, and compassionate, Jam. 5. 11. The endeared relations betwixt God and you, gives singular encouragement of success: Shall not God hear ⟨p. 275⟩his own Elect, which cry unto him day and night? Luk. 18. 7. The sweet returns and answers of former Prayers, are so many motives and encouragements, to follow close that thriving trade, Psal. 52. 1, 2, 3. And above all, your prevalent Advocate in the heavens should encourage you, to come frequently, and boldly, to the throne of Grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace, to help in the time of need, Heb. 4. 16. In two things, I shall briefly offer a little Direction here: viz.
of Prayer.
1. As to the matter
2. As to the manner
1. Betake your selves to God by fervent Prayer and Supplication. Let me say of these times, as Holy Mr. Perkins did of his, Non sunt ista litigandi, sed orandi tempora, These are no times for Christians to contend and strive one with another, but with their united cryes to strive with God, and, among other requests, strongly to enforce and follow home, that of David, Psal. 71. 2, 3. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape, incline thine ear unto me, and save me, be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort. That's a true and weighty Observation of Austine, Non facilè inveniuntur praesidia in adversitate, quae non fuerint in pace quaesita. A refuge is not to be found in trouble, except it be provided before-hand in peace. For this, saith the Psalmist, shall every one that is godly, pray unto thee, in a time when thou maist be found, surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him, Psal. 32. 6. Had not Noah prepared and secured himself in the Ark, before the floods of great water came, he had not sate, as he did, Medis tranquillus in undis: Sleeping quietly, when others were perishing in the waters. Gather your selves therefore together, before the Decree bring forth; seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, be more frequent, and more •ervent in Prayer, now than ever; you have all the encouragements in the world, to incite you to this duty: the nature of your God is exceeding pitiful▪ tender, and compassionate, Iam. 5. 11. The endeared relations betwixt God and you, gives singular encouragement of success: Shall not God hear ⟨p. 275⟩his own Elect, which cry unto him day and night? Luk. 18. 7. The sweet returns and answers of former Prayers, are so many motives and encouragements, to follow close that thriving trade, Psal. 52. 1, 2, 3. And above all, your prevalent Advocate in the heavens should encourage you, to come frequently, and boldly, to the throne of Grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace, to help in the time of need, Heb. 4. 16. In two things, I shall briefly offer a little Direction here: viz.
of Prayer.
1. As to the matter
2. As to the manner
