First, for the glory of God, that should be the chief matter that we are to pray for; so Christ when he teacheth us to pray, he begins the the very first Petition, Matth. 6.9, 10. hallowed be thy name; thy Kingdom come; thy Will be done: First begin with the glory of God, mind that in the chief place, above all other things. God gives you leave to pray for outward things; but first for the glory of God, minding that before your own benefit: before the pardon of sin, and your daily bread: how few do sanctify Gods Name in this? people have little mind to pray, but when they are in outward afflictions, when they are upon their sick beds then they will pray; or at sea in storms then they will pray, then it seems that the main matter of your prayer is only for your selves; but how hath the matters of the glory of the great God, and the good of the Churches taken your hearts all this while? how have your hearts been affected with this, that the Name of God hath been so little sanctified in the world, and that the Kingdom of God hath not come, and that the will of God hath not been done, have these things taken up your hearts in prayer, the matters of the glory of God and the good of Churches, though your selves have not any particular interest in them? if these things did but take up your hearts in prayer, then, when you are at sea you would remember the cause of the Churches, as ⟨p. 277⟩much as your selves; the Church is as it were in the midst of the sea, tossed up and down and in a great storm; now why do not you pray as earnestly for the Kingdom of Christ among his Churches, as for your selves when you are in a storm at sea? yea and spiritual things should be the chief matter of your prayer; for they are the nearest to the glory of God; though God hath his glory from other things, yet spiritual things are nearest the glory of God; now in these days of prayer, many will come to pray, that they might be freed from danger, that they might have outward peace; this is good; but spiritual things are the chief things; and therefore the strength of your spirits should be thus poured forth to God; Oh that I could get my heart to God, and the assurance of the love of God! O that I could get the shine of his face! O that I could get power over such and such corruptions.
First, for the glory of God, that should be the cheife matter that we are to pray for; so Christ when he teacheth us to pray, he begins the the very first Petition, Matth. 6.9, 10. hallowed be thy name; thy Kingdome come; thy Will be done: First begin with the glory of God, mind that in the cheif place, above all other things. God gives you leave to pray for outward things; but first for the glory of God, minding that before your own benefit: before the pardon of sin, and your dayly bread: how few do sanctifie Gods Name in this? people have little mind to pray, but when they are in outward afflictions, when they are upon their sick beds then they will pray; or at sea in stormes then they will pray, then it seemes that the maine matter of your prayer is only for your selves; but how hath the matters of the glory of the great God, and the good of the Churches taken your hearts all this while? how have your hearts been affected with this, that the Name of God hath been so little sanctified in the world, and that the Kingdome of God hath not come, and that the will of God hath not been done, have these things taken up your hearts in prayer, the matters of the glory of God and the good of Churchs, though your selves have not any particular interest in them? if these things did but take up your hearts in prayer, then, when you are at sea you would remember the cause of the Churches, as ⟨p. 277⟩much as your selves; the Church is as it were in the midst of the sea, tost up and down and in a great storme; now why do not you pray as earnestly for the Kingdome of Christ among his Churches, as for your selves when you are in a storme at sea? yea and spiritual things should be the cheife matter of your prayer; for they are the neerest to the glory of God; though God hath his glory from other things, yet spiritual things are neerest the glory of God; now in these daies of prayer, many will come to pray, that they might be freed from danger, that they might have outward peace; this is good; but spiritual things are the cheife things; and therefore the strength of your spirits should be thus powred forth to God; Oh that I could get my heart to God, and the assurance of the love of God! O that I could get the shine of his face! O that I could get power over such and such corruptions.
