2. An holy importunity is known by this, That it makes a man more earnest for spiritual, then temporal mercies. This hath been the temper of Gods people, Psal. 4. 6. There be many that say: Who will show us 1any good; but Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Observe the difference, between Davids and wicked mens tempers: Their great question and desire was, Who would show them any good, any temporal good; Who would give them the increase of corn and wine: But Davids heart breathed after other things, after Gods favour, and the light of his countenance. So Psal. 143. 6, 7, 8. I stretch forth mine hands unto thee,—my soul thirsteth after thee— 2Psal. 63. 1. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where 3no water is. David was in a wilderness, he wanted water: One would have ⟨p. 36⟩thought he should have sought God for water; But you see Davids desires run in another channel; he thirsted more for God then for water; he more desired spiritual advantages, then temporal enjoyments. This importunity, makes a man more to endeavour against sin then affliction; more to desire saving, grace, then common mercies. But now the heart of an hypocrite, is more desirous of temporal then spiritual mercies. You read in Hosea 7. 14. They have not 4eryed unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. They howled, for what? Was it for grace and spiritual blessings? No, it was for corn, and wine and oil; not for grace, not for acquaintance with God. Another instance you have, Acts 8. Simon Magus offered money to purchase the Holy Ghost. What 5was his end in desiring the Holy Ghost? Was it to obtain a spiritual mercy? No, but it was that he might work miracles. And further, when Peter put him upon the begging of a spiritual mercy, vers. 22.—pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee. But Simon Magus followed not Peters rule, he had no great desire of the pardon of sin, or any spiritual mercy; but he prays, That none of those things, which Peter had spoken might come upon him, vers. 24. That is, that his money ⟨p. 37⟩might not perish, nor he perish with it, that his gifts might not perish; this was his great request and desire.
2. An holy importunity is known by this, That it makes a man more earnest for spiritual, then temporal mercies. This hath been the temper of Gods people, Psal. 4. 6. There be many that say: Who will shew us 1any good; but Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Observe the difference, between Davids and wicked mens tempers: Their great question and desire was, Who would shew them any good, any temporal good; Who would give them the increase of corne and wine: But Davids heart breathed after other things, after Gods favour, and the light of his countenance. So Psal. 143. 6, 7, 8. I stretch forth mine hands unto thee,—my soul thirsteth after thee— 2Psal. 63. 1. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where 3no water is. David was in a wildernesse, he wanted water: One would have ⟨p. 36⟩thought he should have sought God for water; But you see Davids desires runne in another channel; he thirsted more for God then for water; he more desired spiritual advantages, then temporal enjoyments. This importunity, makes a man more to endeavour against sin then affliction; more to desire saving, grace, then common mercies. But now the heart of an hypocrite, is more desirous of temporal then spiritual mercies. You read in Hosea 7. 14. They have not 4eryed unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. They howled, for what? Was it for grace and spiritual blessings? No, it was for corn, and wine and oyl; not for grace, not for acquaintance with God. Another instance you have, Acts 8. Simon Magus offered money to purchase the Holy Ghost. What 5was his end in desiring the Holy Ghost? Was it to obtain a spiritual mercy? No, but it was that he might work miracles. And further, when Peter put him upon the begging of a spiritual mercy, vers. 22.—pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee. But Simon Magus followed not Peters rule, he had no great desire of the pardon of sin, or any spirituall mercy; but he prayes, That none of those things, which Peter had spoken might come upon him, vers. 24. That is, that his money
- 1Psal. 4. 6.
- 2Psal. 143. 6, 7, 8.
- 3Psal. 63. 1.
- 4Hos. 7. 14.
- 5Act. 8.
