A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

(3.) A due Meditation on Gods glorious Excellencies, tends greatly to the cherishing of this gracious Gift of the Holy Spirit. There is no example that we have of Prayer in the Scripture, but the entrance into it consists in Expressions of the Name, and most commonly of some other glorious Titles of God; whereunto the Remembrance of some mighty acts of his Power, is usually added. And the nature of the thing requires it should be so. For besides that God hath revealed his Name unto us, for this very purpose that we might call upon him by the Name which he owns and takes to himself, it is necessary we should by some external description determine our minds unto Him, to whom we ⟨p. 172⟩make our Addresses, seeing we cannot conceive any Image or Idea of him therein. Now the End hereof is twofold, (1.) To ingenerate in us that Reverence and Godly fear, which is required of all that draw nigh to this infinitely Holy God, Lev. 10. 3. Heb. 12. 29. The most signal encouragement unto Boldness in Prayer and an Access to God thereby, is in Heb. 10. 19, 20, 21, 22. with Chap. 4. 16. Into the Holy place we may go with Boldness, and unto the Throne of Grace. And it is a Throne of Grace that God in Christ is represented unto us upon. But yet it is a Throne still, whereon Majesty and Glory do reside. And God is always to be considered by us as on a Throne. (2.) Faith and confidence are excited and acted unto a due Frame thereby. For Prayer is our betaking our selves unto God as our shield, our Rock, and our Reward, Prov. 18. 10. Wherefore a due previous consideration of those Holy properties of his Nature, which may encourage us so to do, and assure us in our so doing, is necessary. And this being so great a part of Prayer the great Foundation of Supplication and Praise, frequent Meditation on these holy Excellencies of the Divine Nature, must needs be an excellent ⟨p. 173⟩preparation for the whole Duty, by filling the Heart with a sense of those things, which the Mouth is to express, and making ready those Graces for their exercise, which is required therein.