3. If we consider the several sorts of men that are in the World, we shall see that Prayer is every mans duty. All men are divided into these two sorts, godly and ungodly; regenerate and unregenerate. Both these ought to pray unto the Lord. As for godly men, the Text speaks expressly. And the Lord Jesus Christ taught his Disciples both that they ought, and how they ought to pray. And as for unregenerate men, they are not exempted from their obligation unto this duty, though they be unable to perform it aright. The unconverted are bound to pray that converting grace may be given to them. Christ tells the Woman of Samaria, whilst unconverted, that she should ask for living water, Joh. 4. 10. Those that have not as yet a new heart, are bid to pray that the Lord would bestow it on them, Ezek. 36. 37. such as never yet found God, but are out of his favour, are commanded to seek his face and favour, Isai. 5•. 6, 7. The whole Nation of the Jews. (wherein were few godly men comparatively) are commanded to pray in the most solemn manner, Zeph. 2. 1. Simon ⟨p. 14⟩Magus when in the gall of bitterness and under the bond of iniquity, was by the Apostle called upon to pray for the par•on of his sins, Act 8. 22. Are not ungodly men bound to repent? Where the Gospel is Preached, they are so, Act. 17. 30. And therefore to pray: For confession of Sin, and begging for mercy, is one thing in Repentance and in Prayer. And the Lord out of his infinite goodness, doth sometimes so far hear unregenerate men praying and crying unto him, as to deliver them from temporal judgements, thereby to encourage them to seek unto him for greater mercies: as we see in Rehoboam▪ in Ahab, and in the Ninevites. If prayer were not their duty, the Lord would not so far manifest respect to them, as to bestow a temporal Reward, or remove temporal judgements from them upon their praying to him. It is objected by some, that the prayers of the wicked, are an abomination, and how then is prayer their duty? ought they to do that which is an abomination? Ans. It is indeed most true, that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. All the actions of ungodly men are abominable in the Lords sight▪ as proceeding from them, who are his enemies▪ Hag. 2. 14. but will any man therefore say, that such men must be altogether idle, and attend no duty, neither of their general, nor of their particular callings.
3. If we consider the several sorts of men that are in the World, we shall see that Prayer is every mans duty. All men are divided into these two sorts, godly and ungodly; regenerate and unregenerate. Both these ought to pray unto the Lord. As for godly men, the Text speaks expresly. And the Lord Jesus Christ taught his Disciples both that they ought, and how they ought to pray. And as for unregenerate men, they are not exempted from their obligation unto this duty, though they be unable to perform it aright. The unconverted are bound to pray that converting grace may be given to them. Christ tells the Woman of Samaria, whilst unconverted, that she should ask for living water, Joh. 4. 10. Those that have not as yet a new heart, are bid to pray that the Lord would bestow it on them, Ezek. 36. 37. such as never yet found God, but are out of his favor, are commanded to seek his face and favour, Isai. 5•. 6, 7. The whole Nation of the Jews. (wherein were few godly men comparatively) are commanded to pray in the most solemn manner, Zeph. 2. 1. Simon ⟨p. 14⟩Magus when in the gall of bitterness and under the bond of iniquity, was by the Apostle called upon to pray for the par•on of his sins, Act 8. 22. Are not ungodly men bound to repent? Where the Gospel is Preached, they are so, Act. 17. 30. And therefore to pray: For confession of Sin, and begging for mercy, is one thing in Repentance and in Prayer. And the Lord out of his infinite goodness, doth sometimes so far hear unregenerate men praying and crying unto him, as to deliver them from temporal judgements, thereby to encourage them to seek unto him for greater mercies: as we see in Rehoboam▪ in Ahab, and in the Ninivites. If prayer were not their duty, the Lord would not so far manifest respect to them, as to bestow a temporal Reward, or remove temporal judgements from them upon their praying to him. It is objected by some, that the prayers of the wicked, are an abomination, and how then is prayer their duty? ought they to do that which is an abomination? Ans. It is indeed most true, that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. All the actions of ungodly men are abominable in the Lords sight▪ as proceeding from them, who are his enemies
