Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

Consider 4. That men (especially they that are godly) have great encouragement to be act his work; to be much in the practice of this great duty. There is great reason for them to hope that they shall not lose their labour. He hath not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Many things might be mentioned here, the consideration whereof is a marvellous encouragement and inducement unto prayer: e▪ g. The gracious nature of the blessed God. When poor Creatures cry unto him, he will hear: for he is gracious. He is infinitely gracious and thence ready to forgive those that have been the greatest rebels against him, if they confess their iniquity, and humbly pray & seek unto him for mercy Benhadad's servants were encouraged in their supplication, because they had heard, that the Kings of Israel were merciful Kings. We know that the God and King of Heaven is a merciful God, and shall we not then pray unto him? He is a sin-pardoning God, and that consideration should move us unto Prayer. It is the very motive which the Psalmist in this Context maketh use of, to excite every one that is godly to pray. So in Psal. 86. 4,5. Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul, for thou art ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee, give car O Lord unto my Prayer. As for the Apostate Angels, they do not pray unto God, because he never proclaimed his mercy to them, they have no hopes ⟨p. 26⟩of a pardon if they should pray for it, never so earnestly; but it is otherwise with the Children of men. The Lord from Heaven declareth unto them, that though their sins have been never so many, and never so great if they do in a way of Repentance seek unto him he will abundantly pardon them. Isai. 55. 67.

Consider 4. That men (especially they that are godly) have great encouragement to be act his work; to be much in the practice of this great duty. There is great reason for them to hope that they shall not lose their labour. He hath not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Many things might be mentioned here, the conideration whereof is a marvellous encouragement and inducement unto prayer: e▪ g. The gracious nature of the blessed God. When poor Creatures cry unto him, he will hear: for he is gracious. He is infinitely gracious and thence ready to forgive those that have been the greatest rebels against him, if they confess their iniquity, and humbly pray & seek unto him for mercy Benhadads servants were encouraged in their supplication, because they had heard, that the Kings of Israel were merciful Kings. We know that the God and King of Heaven is a merciful God, and shall we not then pray unto him? He is a sin-pardoning God, and that consideration should move us unto Prayer. It is the very motive which the Psalmist in this Context maketh use of, to excite every one that is godly to pray. So in