A60194:1176
A learned commentary or exposition
A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Gray's-Inn, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the public good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoke-Newington, near London.A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Grayes-Inne, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the publick good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoake-Newington, near London.
London: printed by J.L. for N.B., 1655
A COMMENTARY upon the first CHAPTER of the second Epistle of S. PAU… › Commentary on verse 11
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I will name but some of later times, what hath not prayer done? Let us not be discouraged: prayer can scatter the enemies, & move God to command the winds, and the waters, and all against his enemies. What cannot prayer do, when the people of God have their hearts quickened, and raised to pray? Prayer can open heaven, prayer can open the womb; prayer can open the Prison, and strike off the fetters, it is a pick-lock. We see in Act. 16. when St. Paul was cast in Prison, he prayed to God at midnight, and God shakes the foundations of the Prison, and all flies open. So St. Peter was in Prison, he prays, and the Angel delivers him. What cannot prayer do? it is of an omnipotent power, because it prevails with an omnipotent and almighty God.
I will name but some of later times, what hath not prayer done? Let us not be discouraged: prayer can scatter the enemies, & move God to command the winds, and the waters, and all against his enemies. What cannot prayer do, when the people of God have their hearts quickned, and raised to pray? Prayer can open heaven, prayer can open the womb; prayer can open the Prison, and strike off the fetters, it is a pick-lock. We see in Act. 16. when St. Paul was cast in Prison, he prayed to God at midnight, and God shakes the foundations of the Prison, and all flies open. So St. Peter was in Prison, he prayes, and the Angel delivers him. What cannot prayer do? it is of an omnipotent power, because it prevails with an omnipotent and almighty God.
Oh that we were persuaded of this! but our hearts are so full of Atheism naturally, that we think not of it: we think not that there is such efficacy in prayer: but we cherish base conceits, God may if he will, &c. and put all upon him, and never serve his providence and command, who commands us to call upon him, and who will do things in his providence, but he will do them in this order; we must pray first to acknowledge our dependence upon him. If we were throughly convinced of the prevailing power of prayer, what good might be done by it, as there hath been in former times? certainly, we would beg of God above all things the spirit of supplication. And if we have the spirit of prayer, we can never be miserable: if a man have the spirit of prayer, whatsoever he want he causeth it from heaven, he can beg it by prayer: and if he want the thing he can beg contentation, he can beg patience, he can beg grace, and beg acquaintance with God: and acquaintance with God it will put a glory upon him.