If I be Codly: §1Then here I see infinite reason, why I should be much in Duty; not only pray, but be much in prayer. Why? for the Lord Christ taketh all, and carries all into the bosom of the Father, mingles his own odours, ⟨p. 71⟩intercessions with it, although it be but a sigh, and a groan. The Apostle upon this account, makes this use of it; having spoken of Christ our High-Priest; Therefore (saith he) let us come with boldness unto the Throne of grace. 1The word signifies, to speak all ones mind; let us come speaking all. Having such an High-Priest indeed, as will carry all into the presence of God the Father, for acceptance, every sigh, and every groan; then, who would not be much in prayer? speak all to Christ, be free with Christ, come with boldness? There's many a poor soul, that is much discouraged, and he dares not go to prayer, many times, afraid to go to the Throne of grace. The reason is, because he looks upon his Prayer, or Duty, as it lies upon his own heart, or as it comes from himself. Whereas, my beloved, 'tis with your Prayers, and Duties, as it is with fire: Your kitchen fire is troubled with abundance of smoke, and there is filth about it; fire upon the hearth hath much smoke: but fire above, in the Element of fire, there's no smoke. So, your Prayer, when it lies upon your own hearth (as I may say) there's a great deal of smoke; but when it gets once into the hands of Jesus Christ, there's it's Element, and it is freed from all it's smoke. Or as it is with a mans Body: so long as he lives here upon the earth, he is feeble, and weak, and many times sickly: as soon as he is come into Heaven, all his weakness is taken away, and his body being in Heaven, 'tis presently glorified, and strength put upon it, and all his diseases are gone. So 'tis with our Prayers: So long as they are here below, in our own bosoms, they are full of weakness; but as soon as our Prayer is out of our mouth, 'tis in the hand of Christ, 'tis in Heaven, 'tis glorified, the weakness is now done away; Oh! 'tis a glorified Prayer; when once 'tis gone from you, 'tis in the hand of Christ. And therefore, this is a mighty encouragement unto all those that are godly, to be, not only in Prayer, but to be much in Prayer, come with boldness unto the Throne of grace.
If I be Codly: §1Then here I see infinite reason, why I should be much in Duty; not only pray, but be much in prayer. Why? for the Lord Christ taketh all, and carries all into the bosom of the Father, mingles his own odours, ⟨p. 71⟩intercessions with it, although it be but a sigh, and a groane. The Apostle upon this account, makes this use of it; having spoken of Christ our High-Priest; Therefore (saith he) let us come with boldness vnto the Throne of grace. 1The word signifies, to speak all ones mind; let us come speaking all. Having such an High-Priest indeed, as will carry all into the presence of God the Father, for acceptance, every sigh, and every groan; then, who would not be much in prayer? speak all to Christ, be free with Christ, come with boldness? There's many a poor soul, that is much discouraged, and he dares not go to prayer, many times, afraid to go to the Throne of grace. The reason is, because he looks upon his Prayer, or Duty, as it lies upon his own heart, or as it comes from himself. Whereas, my beloved, 'tis with your Prayers, and Duties, as it is with fire: Your kitchin fire is troubled with abundance of smoake, and there is filth about it; fire upon the hearth hath much smoake: but fire above, in the Element of fire, there's no smoke. So, your Prayer, when it lies upon your own hearth (as I may say) there's a great deal of smoke; but when it gets once into the hands of Jesus Christ, there's it's Element, and it is freed from all it's smoke. Or as it is with a mans Body: so long as he lives here upon the earth, he is feeble, and weak, and many times sickly: assoon as he is come into Heaven, all his weakness is taken away, and his body being in Heaven, 'tis presently glorified, and strength put upon it, and all his diseases are gone. So 'tis with our Prayers: So long as they are here below, in our own bosoms, they are full of weakness; but assoon as our Prayer is out of our mouth, 'tis in the hand of Christ, 'tis in Heaven, 'tis glorified, the weakness is now done away; Oh! 'tis a glorified Prayer; when once 'tis gone from you, 'tis in the hand of Christ. And therefore, this is a mighty incouragement unto all those that are godly, to be, not only in Prayer, but to be much in Prayer, come with boldness unto the Throne of grace.
- 1Heb. 4.16
