The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

There is no duty in my observation which hath so many precepts for it, or promises to it, as prayer, and sure I am, there is no duty which giveth more honour to God, or receiveth more honour from God then prayer.

Prayer hath a twofold preeminence above all other duties whatsoever. In regard of the universality of its influence, and opportunity for its performance. The universality of its influence. ⟨p. 139⟩As every sacrifice was to be seasoned with Salt, so every undertaking, and every affliction of the creature must be sanctified with prayer; nay as it showeth the excellency of gold, that its laid upon silver it self, so it speaketh the excellency of prayer, that not only natural and civil, but even Religious and spiritual actions are overlaid with prayer. We pray not only before we eat or drink our bodily nourishment, but also before we feed on the bread of the Word, and the bread in the Sacrament; prayer is requisite to make every providence, and every ordinance blessed to us; Prayer is needful to make our particular callings successful, prayer is the guard to secure the fort royal of the heart, prayer is the Porter to keep the door of the lips, prayer is the strong Hilt which defendeth the hands, prayer perfumes every relation, prayer helps us to profit by every condition, prayer is the Chemist that turns all into Gold, prayer is the Master workman, if that be out of the way, the whole Trade stands still, or goeth backward. What the Key is to the Watch, that prayer is to Religion, it winds it up and sets it a going. It is before other duties in regard of opportunity for its performance. A Christian cannot always hear, or always read, or always communicate, but he may pray continually. No place, no company can deprive him of this privilege. If he be on the top of a House with Peter, he may pray, if he be in the bottom of the Ocean with Jonah, he may pray, if he be walking in the field with Isaac, he may pray when no eye ⟨p. 140⟩seeth him; if he be waiting at table with Nehemiah, he may pray when no ear heareth him. If he be in the mountains with our Saviour, he may pray; If he be in the prison with Paul, he may pray; wherever he is, prayer will help him to find God out: Every Saint is Gods Temple; And he that carrieth his Jemple about him, saith Austin, may go to prayer when he pleaseth. Indeed to a Christian every house is an house of prayer, every closet a chamber of presence, and every place he comes to, an Altar whereon he may offer the sacrifice of prayer.