The zealous Christian taking heavenThe zealovs Christian taking heaven

2. This importunity is wanting in our prayers, when we know and allow our selves in any one sin, and let it lie upon our hearts unrepented of. Hildersham gathers from the 51 Psalm, that all the while that David did lie in that sin of adultery, all the time that sin was unrepented of, the heart of David was shut up that he could not pray, as he was wont to do before, and as he did after he had repented of that sin, at which time he writ that penitential Psalm. You had ⟨p. 50⟩need look to your hearts, that there do not lie there any sin encouraged, and unrepented of; for be sure of this, if thy prayer do not make thee leave sinning, thy sin will make thee leave praying. That is the second reason of the want of importunity.

2. This importunity is wanting in our prayers, when we know and allow our selves in any one sin, and let it lie upon our hearts unrepented of. Hildersham gathers from the 51 Psalme, that all the while that David did lie in that sin of adulterie, all the time that sin was unrepented of, the heart of David was shut up that he could not pray, as he was wont to doe before, and as he did after he had repented of that sin, at which time he writ that penitentiall Psalme. You had ⟨p. 50⟩need looke to your hearts, that there doe not lie there any sin incouraged, and unrepented of; for be sure of this, if thy prayer doe not make thee leave sinning, thy sin will make thee leave praying. That is the second reason of the want of importunity.

3. Another reason is this, because many take unfit seasons for the performance of duty. It is the judgement of that learned and reverend man of God, Mr Bolton, that the taking of unfit seasons for the performance of prayer, doth more obstruct, and hinder this holy importunity in prayer, then all the suggestions and instigations of Satan.

3. Another reason is this, because many take unfit seasons for the performance of dutie. It is the judgement of that learned and reverend man of God, Mr Bolton, that the taking of unfit seasons for the performance of prayer, doth more obstruct, and hinder this holy importunity in prayer, then all the suggestions and instigations of Sathan.