First, Importunity. The power of the importunity of Faith our Saviour hath marvellously set out, Luke 11. 8, 9, 10. as also, Chap. 18. 1. Importunate prayer is certainly prevailing. And importunity is as it were made up of these two things: frequency of interposition, and variety of arguings. You shall have a man that is importunate come unto you, seven times a day about the same business, and after all, if any new thought come into his mind, though he had resolved to the contrary, he will come again. And there is nothing that can be imagined to relate unto the business he hath in hand, but he will make use of it, and turn it to the furtherance of his plea. So is it in this case. Men will use both frequency of interposition, and variety of arguings, Psal. 86. 1. I cry unto thee daily, or rather, all the day. He had but that one business, and he attended it to the purpose. By this means we give God no rest, Isa. 62. 7. which is the very character of importunity. Such souls go to God; and they are not satisfied with what they have done; and they go again; and somewhat abideth still with them, and they go to him again; and the heart is not yet emptied; they'll go again to him; that he may have no rest. What variety of arguments are pleaded with God in this case, I could also manifest in the same David. But it is known to all; there is not any thing almost that he makes not a plea of; the Faithfulness, Righteousness, Name, Mercy, Goodness and kindness of God in Jesus Christ; the concernment of others in him, both the friends and foes of God; his own weakness, and helplessness, ⟨p. 42⟩yea, the greatness of sin it self: Be merciful to my sin, saith he, for it is great. Sometimes he begins with some Arguments of this kind; and then being a little diverted by other considerations, some new plea is suggested unto him by the Spirit, an he returns immediately to his first employment and design, all arguing great intension of mind and spirit.
First, Importunity. The power of the importunity of Faith our Saviour hath marvelously set out, Luke 11. 8, 9, 10. as also, Chap. 18. 1. Importunate prayer is certainly prevailing. And importunity is as it were made up of these two things: frequency of interposition, and variety of arguings. You shall have a man that is importunate come unto you, seven times a day about the same business, and after all, if any new thought come into his mind, though he had resolved to the contrary, he will come again. And there is nothing that can be imagined to relate unto the business he hath in hand, but he will make use of it, and turn it to the furtherance of his plea. So is it in this case. Men will use both frequency of interposition, and variety of arguings, Psal. 86. 1. I cry unto thee daily, or rather, all the day. He had but that one business, and he attended it to the purpose. By this means we give God no rest, Isa. 62. 7. which is the very character of importunity. Such souls go to God; and they are not satisfied with what they have done; and they go again; and somewhat abideth still with them, and they go to him again; and the heart is not yet emptied; they'l go again to him; that he may have no rest. What variety of arguments are pleaded with God in this case, I could also manifest in the same David. But it is known to all; there is not any thing almost that he makes not a plea of; the Faithfulness, Righteousness, Name, Mercy, Goodness and kindness of God in Jesus Christ; the concernment of others in him, both the friends and foes of God; his own weakness, and helplesness, ⟨p. 42⟩yea, the greatness of sin it self: Be merciful to my sin, saith he, for it is great. Sometimes he begins with some Arguments of this kind; and then being a little diverted by other considerations, some new plea is suggested unto him by the Spirit, ane he returns immediately to his first employment and design, all arguing great intension of mind and spirit.
