The zealous Christian taking heavenThe zealovs Christian taking heaven

LUKE 11. 8. I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity, he will give unto him as many as he needeth.

¹MY Text is the conclusion of a familiar Parable used by Christ, whereby he instructs his Disciples touching the Doctrine and use of prayer. The occasion offered ²to Christ-to fall upon this Subject, is intimated ver. 1. of this chapter, One of his ⟨p. 2⟩Disciples said unto him, Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples. Whether it was a one of the twelve Apostles, or one of the seventy Disciples that propounded the question is not easy to determine, nor is it material to know; Hereupon Christ gives them a pl•• for me or directions for prayer, to direct them about the matter; and withal, gives them a parable to inform concerning the manner of praying. For the matter of it, you have it in these ³words, when you pray, say Our father, &c. Not as though it were a command from Jesus Christ, that always when we pray, we should use that form of speech which is here set down. Jesus Christ indeed intended it for a platform, or a pattern to direct us in the making of our prayers; for there is nothing we stand in need of, and go to God for; but it is to be found in these words; but he never intended to tie up his people to this form. And that I will prove by some reasons.

¹MY Text is the conclusion of a familiar Parable used by Christ, whereby he instructs his Disciples touching the Doctrine and use of prayer. The occasion offered ²