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

2. Some things which will hinder the duty must be refused.

All sin in general, sin regarded in the soul, makes prayers disregarded of God, If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear my prayer, Psa. 66.18: He that expecteth pardon, must throw down his Weapons of Rebellion. The Child that asketh forgiveness of his Oaths, must not desire it of his Father with Curses in his mouth? When dust clogs the Wheel of the Watch or Clock, they cannot strike true; when sin hampereth and clogs the Wheels of the affections, the mouth will never speak true or right in its Petitions. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination, Pro. 28.9. It is high impudency, for him that will not hear God, to look that God should hear him.

When the sin of the petitioner is before Gods eyes, his petitions cannot enter into Gods ears. ⟨p. 160⟩The wide mouth of sin out-crieth the voice of his prayers; as the Fish called the Remora, though it be but little, will stop a great Ship in its full career, truly so the smallest sin loved and liked will hinder the course of prayer, though it be never so instant and vehement. The Lords ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquities separate between you and your God, Isa. 59.1, 2. Men by falls sometimes lose their speeches, men by fin lose their prayers.

When the sin of the petitioner is before Gods eyes, his petitions cannot enter into Gods ears.