A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Then the Pattern of Christ is very encouraging: For whatever Christ did, he sanctified in that respect; his Steps in every Duty leave a Blessing. Look as Christ sanctified Baptism by being baptized himself, and made the Water of Baptism to be saving and comfortable for us; and the Lord's-Supper, by being a Guest himself, and eating himself at his own Table; So he sanctified private Prayer; when he prayed, a Virtue went out from him, he left a Strength to enable us to pray. And it is encouraging in this respect, because he hath experimented this Duty; he knows how soon human Strength is spent and put to it, for he himself hath been wrestling with God in Prayer with all his Might. His submitting to these Duties, gave him Sympathy; he knows the Heart of a praying Man when wrestling with God with all Earnestness; therefore he helpeth us in these Agonies of Spirit. Again, his praying is an Encouragement against our Imperfections. Christians, when we are alone with ⟨p. 17⟩God, and our Hearts are heavy as a Log and Stone, what a Comfort is it to think Christ himself prayed, and that earnestly, and was once alone wrestling with God in human Nature: Matth. 14. 23. and when the Enemy came to attach him, he was alone striving with God in Prayer; he takes all occasions for Intercourse with God; and if you have the Spirit you will do likewise.

3. I might argue from God's end in pouring out the Holy-Ghost; wherefore hath God poured out his Spirit? Zech. 12. 11, 12, 13, 14. I will pour out the Spirit of Grace, and of Supplication, &c. He poureth out the Spirit, that it may break out by this Vent; the Spirit of Grace will presently run into Supplication; the whole House of Israel shall mourn, there's the Church, they have the Benefit of the pouring out of the Spirit; and every Household hath benefit, that he and his Family may mourn apart, and every Person apart; that we may go and mourn over our Case and Distempers before God, and pour out our Hearts in a holy and affectionate manner. This Argument I would have you to note, that this was God's end in pouring out his Spirit, for a double reason; both to take off Excuses, and to quicken Diligence.