The

BIBLEANDTHECLOSETOR

HOWWEMAYREADTHESCRIPTURESWITHTHEMOSTSPIRITUALPROFIT,BYREV.THOMASWATSON;

AND

SECRETPRAYERSUCCESSFULLYMANAGED,BYREV.SAMUELLEE;

MinistersEjectedin1662.

EDITEDBY

JOHNOVERTONCHOULES.WITHARECOMMENDATORYLETTERFROM

REV.E.N.KIRK.

BOSTONGOULD,KENDALL&LINCOLN,

59WashingtonStreet.

1842Sourcetext:http://archive.org/details/bibleclosetorhow00wats

Updatedlanguage/syntaxandexplanatorynotes(inblue).©WilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.orgOctober2012

ScripturequotesareNewKingJames,ThomasNelson,Publishers.Originalpagenumbersandheadersareretainedintra-text.Someoriginalpage-breakshavebeenadjustedforreadability.

ContentsPREFACE.RECOMMENDATORYLETTERBIOGRAPHICALSKETCH.HOWWEMAYREADTHESCRIPTURESWITHTHEMOST

SPIRITUALPROFIT.BYREV.THOMASWATSON

SECRETPRAYERSUCCESSFULLYMANAGEDBYREV.SAMUELLEEBIOGRAPHICALSKETCHSECRETPRAYERSUCCESSFULLYMANAGED.EJACULATORYPRAYER.

PREFACE.Itisapropergroundforregret,thatapeoplewhoowetheirorigin,socialhabits,religiousprivilegesandnationalcharacter, tothePuritansandNon-conformistsof England, should manifest so little interest and curiosity, in regard to thenames,persons,manners,sufferings,andwritings,of theirancestry,asappearsto be the case at present in the United States. The members of the churchesproperlyattachedtothedoctrinesoftheNon-conformists,donothavethatlivelyimpression of gratitude and obligation to the struggles of the Puritans, whichshould characterizemen who enjoy inestimable blessings, purchased by cruelbonds, farexilements,andbloodydeath.Theyoungarealmost ignorantof thechurchhistoryofthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies;andwhentheydohearof the Puritans, it is probably from some infidel novelist or historian, whodescribes them as uncouth, sour, ignorant fanatics, or from the bigotedrepresentationsofhalf-popishecclesiastics,whoseemtoregardamputationfromRomeasasevereaffliction.The ordinations of the ministers in Congregational, Baptist, and Presbyterianchurchesusuallytakeplacewithoutanyreferencetothedistinctiveprinciplesforwhich our fathers contended, andwhich are now challenged and ridiculed bymen who call Hampden1 and Pym2 traitors, Archbishop Laud3 a saint, andCharlesI.4ablessedmartyr.Thecon-iv.sequence is, that our young people suppose these things are unimportant; andwhile they hear them assailed by fashionable and popular preachers, and norefutationisoffered,theynaturallyfearthatwehaveapoorcause.Ithasbecomea common thing with a certain clique of the press and pulpit, to deny piety,sound theology and literature to theNon-conformists.5 It is high time that theincomparableworksofthesemenbemadeknowntoourchurches,andtheywillappear an ample testimonial to their worth. It is probable that history cannotafford in any age or country a body of clergymen equal in virtue, talent, andaptness to teach, with that ejected from the Church of England by the act ofuniformity passed by Charles, in 1662. The world was called to witness therealityofreligiousprinciple,whenmorethantwothousandministers,describedbyJohnLockeas“worthy,learned,pious,orthodoxdivines,”sacrificedtheirall,rather than injure their consciences and desert the cause of civil and religiousliberty.ThecelebratedHarveyobserves:“IesteemthePuritansassomeof the

most zealous Christians that ever appeared in our land, to settle faith on itsproper basis— the meritorious righteousness of Christ; to deduce obediencefrom its trueorigin—the loveofGodshedabroad in theheart; to search theconscienceandconvincethejudgment;toawakenthelethargicandcomforttheafflictedsoul,withathoroughknowledgejoinedtoamasterlyapplicationofthedivineword.Thesearerealexcellences:theseenteredintothepreaching;these,ifweexamineimpartially,aretobefoundinthevwritingsofthePuritans.”Whitfieldbearsthesametestimony:“ThePuritansofthelastcentury,burningandshininglights,wroteandpreachedaftertheywerecastoutofthechurch,asmenhavingauthority;apeculiarunctionattendstheirwritingstothisday;andforthesethirtyyearspastIhaveremarkedthatthemorethetrueandvitalreligionhasrevivedathomeandabroad,themorethegoodoldpuritanicalwritingshavebeencalledfor.”BrownofHaddington,inhisgeneralhistory,hasthefollowingremarks:“Neverperhaps,sincetheapostolicage,wastheChristiansystembetterunderstoodthanbytheBritishdivinesunderCromwell.”“ThePuritans,”saysRobertHall,“areunquestionably the safest of all uninspired guides. The masculine sense, theprofoundlearning,therichandunequalledunctionofthefathersofthemodernchurch,exertapowerful influenceon themind,andgreatlycontribute to formandmaturethecharactersofmen.”Mr.Erskineveryfinelyobserves:“Thisclassofmen,inrespectofcharacterandservices,areuniversallyvenerated.By their sufferingsand labors they rescuedthekeyofknowledgefromtheunworthyhandsinwhichithadlonglainrusted,and been misused, and generously left it as a rich inheritance to all cominggenerations.They speakwith the solemndignity ofmartyrs; deep and solemnseriousnessisthecommoncharacterofthemall.Theyseemtohavefeltmuch;religionwasnotallowed to remainanunused theory in theirheads; theywereforcedtoliveuponitastheirvi.food;toliveuponitastheironlystrengthandcomfort;hencetheirthoughtsarenevergivenasabstractviews.Thesevenerableworthiesdonotmerelygiveusideas,butideascoloredbydeepaffections.Thisgivesusagreatinterestintheirwritings.Theyarerealmen,andnotbooksweareconversingwith.ThesewerethegreatmenofEngland;theywereindeedanoblearmy.”Itisproposedtopublish,inuniformstyle,andinclosesuccession,aselectionof

the writings of the Puritans andNon-conformists, whowere ejected from theChurchofEnglandin1662.Letitappeariftheywerenotofakindredspirittothosemartyrs recorded in the eleventh chapter ofHebrews, and ofwhom theSpiritofGodtestifiesthattheyweremen“ofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy.”Every volume will be complete in itself and it is designed to render thepublication not only profitable to the private Christian as a guide to hisdevotions, but useful to the clergy, by introducing them toworkswhich, fromtheir exceeding scarceness, can hardly be procured in England. As far aspracticable, there will be biographical notices of the authors affixed to eachreprint;fortoallowthememoryofsuchmentodie,isinjurioustoposterity.Thereader isearnestlyentreatedtoconsult the textswhicharesofreelyquoted;hewill find it a delightful task, andwithGod’s blessing upon it hewill become“mightyintheScriptures.”

JNO.OVERTONCHOULES.May,1842.

RECOMMENDATORYLETTERFROMTHE

REV.E.N.KIRK.UniversityPlace,NewYork.

MyDearBrotherChoules:Yourproposal torepublish the“MorningLectures,” indetachedportionsandacheap form, Imay saydelightsme.This class of publicationsmay supply themoststrikingdeficiencyinthepracticalreligiousliteratureofourday.Itwasthedefectofour fathers, that they thoughtefficientlywithoutefficientaction. It isours, that action, though rarely excessive, is yet generally disproportioned tothought. The problem of the age is, to unite profound biblical thought withintenseandjudiciousaction.Nowitistruethatwecannotthinkbyproxy;butitisalsotrue,ineverydepartmentofknowledge,thatothers8canfurnishustherichestmaterialofthought,andenableus,asitwere,almosttocommencewheretheyleftoff.Therearerichveinsofscripturalillustrationandof religious sentiment, buried in the tomes of the sixteenth and seventeenthcenturies, and it is a good service to the church of the nineteenth century toreopenthosemines.Ourneophytesneed it,andourministerialcorpsmayfindmodels which can be most profitably imitated in some points. The Americanpulpit is probably the most efficient in the world, in the great work ofconversion. But we fail just where the Mantons, the Howes, the Owens, theGodwinsexcelled:in“edifyingthebodyofChrist.”MaytheMasterapproveandblessyourwork.

Yourfellow-servant,EDW.N.KIRK.

BIOGRAPHICALSKETCH.TheRev.ThomasWatson,A.M.,ofEmanuelCollege,Cambridge,

andMinisterofSt.Stephen’sChurch,Walbrook.OftheearlylifeofMr.Watson,therearenotmanytraces.Itissaidthathewasahardstudent.RichardBaxter,inhisownhistory,editedbySylvester,says,p.95,part3: “Mr.Watson is sowellknown forhisabilityandpiety, that Ineednotdescribe him.” There is an interesting anecdote respecting his pulpitperformances. Once on a public lecture, in London, the learned BishopRichardsoncameintohearhim,and10wasmuchpleasedwith the sermon, and especiallywith the prayer after it; sothathecalledonhimathishouse,toreturnhimthanksandaskforacopyofit.“Alas,”saidMr.Watson,“thatiswhatIcannotgive,forIdonotpenmyprayers.Itwasnotastudiedtheory,bututteredasGodenabledme,fromtheabundanceofmyheartandaffections.”ThegoodBishopwassurprisedthatanymancouldpray in thatmanner extempore.Mr.Watson, after his ejectment, continued topreachinLondon,asProvidenceopenedadoor.It is worthy of note that he was one of the party arrested by the Rumpparliament, on the chargeof treason, for assisting the royal cause inScotland.Mr. Christopher Love was beheaded on Tower hill. Mr. Jenkin, the famouscommentatoronJude,diedinprison.Mr.Watsondeservedabettertreatment11fromCharlesthanhereceived.Thisfactisonlyasolitaryone,whileamassmaybe collected, to prove that the overturn of themonarchywas not thework ofPuritanministersalone—verymanyofwhomwereattachedtotheroyalfamily,andbitterlyregrettedthedeathofCharles;andaremonstrancesignedbysixty-nineoftheleadingministerswasaddressedtoCromwell,topreventthattragedy.(See Bennett’s Memorial, p. 227.) In the admirable collection of “FarewellSermons,”therearethreebyMr.Watson,inwhichheexemplifiesmuchofthespiritofthegospel,inrecommendinglovetoenemies.Inoneofthediscoursesheinsistslargelyon“theardentaffectionsofarightgospelministertowardshispeople.”Mr.Watsonisbestknownatthepresentdaybyhisfoliovolumeofonehundredand

12seventy-sixsermonsontheAssembly’sCatechism,recommendedbyDr.Bales,Mr.Howeandothers.Hispopularityasapreacherkepthimconstantlyengaged.Atlengthnaturegaveway,andheretiredintoEssex,andtherewasfounddeadinhisclosetatprayer.

HOWWEMAYREADTHESCRIPTURESWITHTHEMOSTSPIRITUALPROFIT.

BYREV.THOMASWATSON“Anditshallbewithhim,andheshallreaditallthedaysofhislife,thathemaylearntofeartheLordhisGod,tokeepallthewordsofthisLawandtodotheseStatutes.”—Deut.17.19.

WhatCicerosaidofAristotle’spolitics,maynotunfittinglybesaidofthisbookofDeuteronomy,itisfullofgoldeneloquence.Inthischapter,GodinstructstheJewsaboutsettingakingoverthem,andtherearetwothingsspecified,astohiselection,andhisreligion.1.Hiselection,verse15.“Youshallinanywaysethimkingoveryou,whomtheLord yourGod shall choose.”There is good reason thatGod should have thechoiceoftheirking,since“byhimkingsreign.”Prov.8.15.2.Hisreligion,verse18.“Whenhesitsonthethroneofhiskingdom,heshallwritehimacopyof this lawinabook,outof thatwhich isbefore thepriest.”Here14wasagoodbeginningofaking’sreign; thefirst thinghedidafterhesatuponthethrone,wastocopyoutthewordofGodinabook.Andinthetext,“Itshallbewithhim,andheshallreadit,allthedaysofhislife,thathemaylearntofeartheLordhisGod,tokeepallthewordsofthisLawandtodotheseStatutes.”“Itshall be with him.” The Book of the Law shall be hisVadeMecum, or dailycompanion.CharlestheGreatusedtosethiscrownupontheBible.IndeedtheBibleisthebestsupportofgovernment.“Andheshallreadit.”It isnotbelowthemajestyofaprincetoperusetheoraclesofHeaven;inthemarecomprisedsacredapothegms,Prov.8.6:“Iwillspeakofexcellentthings.”IntheSeptuagintitis“gravethings,”intheHebrew,“princelythings,”suchasarefitforaGodtospeakandakingtoread.NormustthekingonlyreadtheBookoftheLawathisfirstinstallmentintohiskingdom,buthe“shallreaditall thedaysofhislife.”Hemustnotleaveoffreading,tillhehasleftoffreigning.AndthereasonswhyhemustbeconversantinthelawofGod,areinthesubsequentwords:1.“Thathemay15learntofeartheLordhisGod.”ReadingthewordisthebestmeanstousherinthefearoftheLord,2.“ThathemaykeepallthewordsofthisLaw,todothem.”

3.“Thathemayprolonghisdaysinhiskingdom.”Ishallnowconfinemyself to thesewords,“Heshallreaditall thedaysofhislife;”i.e.theBookoftheLaw.

TheHolyScriptureis,asAustin6says,agoldenepistlesenttousfromGod.Thisis to be read diligently; ignorance of Scripture is the mother of error, not ofdevotion. Matt, 22.29: “You err, not knowing the Scriptures.” We arecommandedto“searchtheScriptures.”John5.39.TheGreekwordsignifies tosearchasforaveinofsilver.Howdiligentlydoesachildreadoverhisfather’swill and testament! and a citizen peruse his charter! With like diligence weshouldreadGod’sword,which isourMagnaChartaforHeaven.It isamercythattheBibleisnotprohibited.TrajantheemperorforbadetheJewstoreadintheBookoftheLaw.Letusinquireatthissacredoracle.Apolloswas“mightyintheScriptures.”Acts18.24.Melancthon,16whenhewasyoung, sucked the sinceremilkof theword.Alphonsus,KingofArragon,readovertheBiblefourteentimes.ThatRomanLady,Cecilia,hadbymuch reading of the word, made her heart the Library of Christ, as Jeromerelates.WeretheScripturesconfinedtotheoriginaltongues,manywouldpleadanexcusefornotreading;butwhentheswordof theSpirit isunsheathed,andthewordismadeplaintousbybeingtranslated,whatshouldhinderusfromadiligentsearchintotheseholymysteries?Adamwasforbiddenuponpainofdeathtotasteofthetreeofknowledge.Gen.2.17:“Inthedayyoueatof it,youshallsurelydie.”But thereisnodangeroftouchingthistreeofHolyScripture;ifwedonoteatof this treeofknowledgewe shall surely die. What will become of those who are strangers to theScriptures?Hosea8.12:“Ihavewritten tohim thegreat thingsofmy law,butthey were considered as a strange thing.” Many lay aside the Scriptures likerustyarmor.Jer.8.9.“Theyarebetter-readinromancesthaninPaul;theyspendmanyhoursbetweenthecombandtheglass,buttheireyesbegintobesore17whentheylookataBible.”EventheTurkswillriseupinjudgmentagainsttheseChristians.TheTurksreverencetheBooksofMoses;andiftheyfindjustaleafonwhichanythingofthePentateuchiswritten,theytakeitupandkissit.Thosewhoslightthewrittenword,slightGodhimself,whosestampitbears.Toslightthe king’s edict is an affront to the person of the king. Thosewho reject andvilify the Scriptures are in a state of condemnation. Prov. 13.13: “Whoever

despisesthewordshallbedestroyed.”NorisitenoughtoreadthewordofGod,butitshouldbeourcaretogetsomespiritualrewardandprofitbyit,sothatoursouls may be nourished in the words of faith. 1Tim. 4.6. Why else was theScripturewrittenbutthatitmightprofitus?Goddidnotgiveushiswordonlyasalandscapetolookat,buthedelivereditasafatherdeliversastockofmoneytohissontoimproveonit.‘Tissadnottoprofitbytheword,tobelikethebodyinconsumption,thatdoesnotthrive.Menwouldbeloathtotradeandgetnoprofit.The grand question I am to speak to is this.Howwemay read theScriptureswiththe18mostspiritualprofit.Inansweringthisquestion,IshalllaydownseveralrulesordirectionsaboutthereadingofScripture.1. If youwould profit by reading, remove those things that will hinder yourprofiting. That the bodymay thrive, obstructionsmust be removed.There arethreeobstructionsthatmustberemovedifyouwouldprofitbyScripture.

1. Remove the love of every sin. Let a physician prescribe ever so goodrecipes, if thepatient takespoison, itwillhinderthevirtueandoperationofthemedicine.TheScriptureprescribesexcellentrecipes,butsinthatislivedin, poisons all. The body cannot thrive in a fever, nor can the soul thriveunderthefeverishheatoflust.Platocallstheloveofsinmagnusdaemon,agreatdevil.Astheroseisdestroyedbythecanker7whichbreedsinit,soarethesoulsofmendestroyedbythosesinsinwhichtheyindulge.2.Takeheedof those thornswhichwill choke theword that is read.ThesethornsourSaviour expounds tobe the caresof thisworld.Matt. 13.22.By“cares”ismeantcovetousness.Acovetousmanhassuchdiversityofsecularemploymentthathecanscarcelyfindtimetoread,orifhedoes,whaterrorsdoeshecommit

19inreading?WhilehiseyeisupontheBible,hisheartisupontheworld;itisnot the writings of the Apostles that he is so much taken up with, as thewriting inhisaccountbooks. Is thisman likely toprofit?Youmayas soonextractoilandsyrupoutofaflint,asforhimtohaveanyrealbenefitoutofScripture.3. Take heed against jestingwith Scripture; this is playingwith fire. Somecannot bemerry unless theymake boldwithGod;when they are sad, theybring forth the Scripture as their harp to drive away the evil spirit, like a

drunkardwhohavingemptiedhiscups,callstohisfellows,“Giveusyouroil,for our lamps have gone out.” In the fear of God, beware of this. KingEdwardIVwouldnotallowhiscrowntobejestedwith,butexecutedanyonewhosaidhewouldmakehissonheirtotheCrown,meaningthesignoftheCrown on his tavern. Much less will God allow us to jest with his word.Eusebius relates about someonewho took a piece ofScripture to jestwith,thatGodstruckhimwithpanic.TheLordmayjustlygiveoversuchpersonstoareprobatemind.Rom.1.23.

202.Ifyouwouldprofit,prepareyourheartsforreadingtheword;theheartisaninstrumentthatneedstobetuned.1Sam7.3:“PrepareyourheartstotheLord.”Theheathen,asPlutarchnotes,thoughtitwasindecenttobetoohastyorrashintheserviceoftheirsupposeddeities.Thispreparationforreadingconsistsintwothings:

1.Insummoningourthoughtstogethertoattendtothatsolemnworkweareabouttodo.Ourthoughtsarestragglers;thereforerallythemtogether.2.Inpurgingthoseuncleanaffectionswhichindisposeustoreading.Beforewecometothewateroflife,letuscastawaythepoisonofimpureaffections.Many come rashly to the reading of theword; it is nowonder that if theycomewithoutpreparation,theygoawaywithoutprofit.

3.ReadtheScriptureswithreverence;thinkabouteverylineyouread;Godisspeakingtoyou.Thearkinwhichthelawwasput,wasoverlaidwithpuregold,andwascarriedonbars,sothattheLevitesmightnottouchit.Ex.25,Whywasthisifnottobreedinthepeopleareverenceforthelaw?WhenEhudtoldEglonhehadamessageforhim21from God, Eglon arose from his throne. Judges 3.20, The written word is amessagefromJehovah;weshouldreceiveitwiththatveneration.4.ReadthebooksofScriptureinorder.Thoughcircumstancesmaysometimesdivert ourmethod, yet, for aconstant course, it is best to observe an order inreading.Orderisahelptomemory.Wedonotbegintoreadafriend’sletterinthemiddle.5. Get a right understanding of Scripture. Psalm 119.73: “Give meunderstanding, that Imay learnyour commandments.”Though there are someknots inScripturewhich are not easily untied, yet theHolyGhost has plainlypointedouttousthingsessentialtosalvation.Theknowledgeofthesenseofthe

Scriptures is the first step to profit. In the Law, Aaron was first to light thelamps,andthentoburntheincense;thelampoftheunderstandingmustfirstbelightedbefore theaffectionscanbe inflamed.Getwhatknowledgeyoucanbycomparing scriptures, by conferring with others, and by using the bestannotators.8Withoutknowledge,theScriptureisasealedbook;everylineistoohighforus;andifthewordshootsaboveourhead,itcanneverhitourheart.226.Readthewordwithseriousness.IfonegoesovertheScripturecursorily,saysErasmus,thereislittlegoodtobegotbyit;butifheisseriousinreadingit,itisthesavorof life;andwemaywellbeseriousifweconsider theimportanceofthosetruthswhichareboundupinthissacredvolume.Deut.32.47:“Itisnotavain thing for you; it is your life.” If a letterwere to be opened and read, inwhichaman’swholeestatewereconcerned,howseriouswouldhebeinreadingit?IntheScripture,oursalvationisconcerned;itaddressestheloveofChrist,aserious subject.Christ has lovedmankindmore than the angels that fell.Heb.2.7.Theloadstone,indifferenttogoldandpearl,drawstheirontoit;thusChristpassedbytheangels,whowereofmorenobleextraction,anddrewmankindtohimself.Christlovedusmorethanhisownlife;indeed,thoughwehadahandinhisdeath,yethewouldnot leaveusoutofhiswill.This is a love thatpassesknowledge;whocanreadthiswithoutseriousness?TheScripturespeaksof23themysteryoffaith,theeternalrecompenses,andthepaucityofthosewhoshallbesaved.Matt.20.16:“Fewchosen.”Someonesaid thenamesofall thegoodemperors of Rome might be engraved in a little ring; and there are but(comparatively)fewnamesintheBookofLife.TheScripturespeaksofstrivingfor heaven as in an agony. Luke 13.24. It cautions us not to fall short of thepromised rest. Heb. 4.1. It describes the horrors of the infernal torments, theworm,andthefire.Mark9.44.Whocanreadthisandnotbeserious?Somehavelight,feathery,spirits;theyrunoverthemostweightytruthsinhaste(likeIsraelwhoatethePassoverinhaste);andsotheyarenotbenefitedbytheword.Readwith a solemn, composed spirit. Seriousness is the Christian’s ballast, whichkeepshimfrombeingoverturnedwithvanity.7.Labor to rememberwhat you read. Satanwould steal theword out of ourmind;notthatheintendstomakeuseofithimself,butlestweshouldmakeuseofit.Thememoryshouldbelikethechestintheark,wherethearkwasput.9Psa119.52:“Irememberedyourjudgmentsofold.”

24Jeromespeaksofthatreligiouslady,Paula,thatsheknewmostoftheScripturesbyheart;wearebid tohave“theworddwell inus.”Col.3.16,Theword isajewel;itadornsthehiddenman,andshallwenotrememberit?Iftheworddoesnot stay in thememory, it cannotprofit.Somecanbetter rememberapieceofnews than a line of Scripture; their memories are like those ponds where thefrogslive,butthefishdie.8.Meditate upon what you read. Psalm 119.15: “I will meditate on yourprecepts.”TheHebrewwordtomeditate,signifiestobeintenseinthemind.Inmeditation theremust be a fixing of the thoughts upon the object. Luke 2.19:“Mary pondered those things.” Meditation is the concoction of Scripture;readingbringsatruthintoourhead,meditationbringsitintoourheart;readingand meditation, like Castor and Pollux,10 must appear together. Meditationwithout reading is erroneous; reading without meditation is barren. The beesuckstheflower,andthenworksitintothehive,andsoturnsitintohoney.Byreading,wesuckthefloweroftheword;andbymeditation,weworkitintothehiveofourmind,andso25it turns to our profit. Meditation is the bellows of the affection. Psalm 39.3:“WhileIwasmusingthefireburned.”Thereasonwecomeawaysocoldfromreadingtheword,isbecausewedonotwarmourselvesatthefireofmeditation.9.Come to the reading of Scripture with humble hearts; acknowledge howunworthy you are that God would reveal himself in his word to you. God’ssecretsarewiththehumble.Prideisanenemytoprofiting.Ithasbeensaidthatthe ground onwhich the peacock sits is barren; that heart where pride sits isreallybarren.Anarrogantpersondisdains thecounselsof theword,andhatesthereproofs:ishelikelytoprofit?James4.6:“Godgivesgracetothehumble.”Themosteminentsaintshavebeenoflowstatureintheirowneyes;likethesunatthezenith,theyshowedleastwhentheywereatthehighest.Davidhad“moreunderstanding than all his teachers.” Psalm 119.99: but how humble he was.Psalm22.6:“Iamawormandnoman.”2610.Givecredencetothewrittenword;believeitisofGod;seethenameofGodineveryline.TheRomans,sothattheymightgaincreditfortheirlaws,reportedthat they were inspired by the gods at Rome. Believe the Scriptures to bedivinely inspired. 2Tim. 3.16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.”

WhobutGodcould reveal thegreatdoctrinesof theTrinity, the atonementofJesusChristforsinners,andtheresurrection?FromwherewouldtheScripturescome,ifnotfromGod?

1.SinnerscouldnotbetheauthorsofScripture.Wouldtheyindite11suchholylines,orinveighsofiercelyagainstthesinswhichtheylove?2.SaintscouldnotbetheauthorsofScripture;howcoulditstandwiththeirsanctitytocounterfeitGod’sname,andput“thussaystheLord,”toabookoftheirowndevising?3.AngelscouldnotbetheauthorsofScripture.Whatangel inheavendaresimpersonateGod,andsay,“IamtheLord?”

BelievethatthepedigreeofScriptureissacred,andthatitcomesfromtheFatheroflight.TheantiquityofScripturespeaksitsdivinity.NoextanthumanhistoryreachesfurtherthanNoah’sflood;buttheScriptureaddressesthingsbeforetime.Besidesthat,themajesty,profundity,purityandharmonyof27Scripture,showitcouldbebreathedfromnonebutGodhimself.Addtothistheefficacythatthewrittenwordhasuponmen’sconsciences.ByreadingScripture,theyhavebeenturnedintoothermen,asmaybeinstancedinAustin,Junius,andothers.Ifyouweretosetasealuponapieceofmarble,anditleftaprintbehind,youwouldsaytherewasastrangevirtueinthatseed;sothat,whenthewrittenwordleavesaheavenlyprintofgraceupontheheart,itarguesthatitisofdivineauthority.Ifyouweretoprofitbytheword,youmustbelieveitisofGod.SomeskepticsquestiontheverityofScripture.Thoughtheyhavethearticlesofreligionintheircreed,yettheydonothaveitintheirbelief.Unbeliefenervates12

thevirtueofthewordandmakesitabortive.13Whowillobeytruthsthathedoesnot believe? Heb. 4.2: “The word did not profit them, not being mixed withfaith.”11.HighlyprizetheScriptures.Psalm119.72:“Thelawofyourmouthisbettertomethanthousandsofgoldandsilverpieces.”Cansomeonebeproficient inanyart ifhe slightsanddepreciates it?Prize thisbookofGodaboveallotherbooks.Gregorycalls28theBibletheheartandsoulofGod.TheRabbiessaythatthereisamountainofsenseuponeverypointandtittleofScripture.Psalm19.7:“ThelawoftheLord

isperfect.”TheScriptureisthelibraryoftheHolyGhost;itisacodeofdivineknowledge,anexactmodelandplatformofreligion.TheScripturecontainsinittheCredenda, the thingswhichwe are to believe, and theAgenda, the thingswhichwearetopractise;itisabletomakeuswiseuntosalvation.2Tim.3.15.TheScriptureisthestandardoftruth,thejudgeofcontroversy;itisthepolestartodirectustoheaven.TheScriptureisthecompassbywhichtherudderofourwillistobesteered;itisthefieldinwhichChrist,thepearlofprice,ishidden;itisarockofdiamond;itisasacredCollyrium,oreye-salve;itmendstheeyesofthosewholookuponit;itisaspiritualopticglassinwhichthegloryofGodisresplendent;it isthepanacea,oruniversalmedicineforthesoul.TheleavesofScriptureare like“the leavesof the treeof life for thehealingof thenations.”Rev.22.2.TheScriptureisthebreederandfeederofgrace.Howistheconvertborn,butby29“thewordoftruth?”James1.18.Howdoeshegrowbutby“thesinceremilkoftheword?”1Peter2.2.Thewrittenwordisthebookoutofwhichourevidencesforheavenarefetched;itisthesea-mark14whichshowsustherocksofsin;itistheantidoteagainsterrorandapostasy;thetwo-edgedswordwhichwoundstheoldserpent. It isourbulwark towithstand the forceof lust, like theCapitolatRome,whichwasaplaceofstrengthandammunition.TheScriptureisthetowerofDavidonwhichtheshieldsofourfaithhang.Takeawaytheword,andyoudeprive us of the sun, said Luther. The written word is above an angelicalembassy,oravoicefromheaven.2Peter1.18:“Weheardthisvoicewhichcamefrom heaven; we also have a more sure word.” If Caesar so valued hisCommentaries, that inpreserving themhe losthispurple robe,howshouldweestimatethesacredoraclesofGod?Job23.12:“Ihaveesteemedthewordsofhismouth more than my necessary food.” King Edward VI, on the day of hiscoronation,hadthreeswordspresentedtohim,signifyingthathewasmonarchofthree30kingdoms.TheKingsaid therewasone swordmissing;beingaskedwhat thatwas,heanswered,“theHolyBible,whichistheswordofthespirit,anditistobepreferredbeforealltheseensignsofroyalty.”Robert,KingofSicily,soprizedGod’s word that, speaking to his friend Petrarch, he said, “I protest that theScripturesaredearertomethanmykingdom,andifImustbedeprivedofoneofthem,IwouldratherlosemydiademthantheScriptures.”12.Getanardentlovefortheword.Prizingsomethingrelatestothejudgment;

love relates to the affections. Psalm 119.159: “Consider how I love yourprecepts.”Heislikelytogrowrichwhodelightsinhistrade;aloveroflearningwillbeascholar.Austintellsusthatbeforehisconversionhetooknopleasureinthe Scriptures, but afterwards theywere his delights. David thought thewordwassweeterthanthehoneywhichdripsfromthecomb.Thomas`aKempisusedtosayhefoundnocontentmentexceptinacorner,withthebookofGodinhishand.DidAlphonsus,KingofSicily,recoverfromafitofsicknessbecauseofthe great pleasure he took in reading Quintus Curtius? 15 Then what infinitepleasure31weshouldtakeinreadingthebookoflife!Thereisenoughinthewordtobreedholysatisfactionanddelight; it isaspecimenanddemonstrationofGod’sholyloveforus.TheSpiritisGod’slove-token;thewordishisloveletter;andhowonerejoicestoreadoverhisfriend’sletter!Thewrittenwordisadivinetreasury,orstore-house.Truthisscatteredinit likepearls toadorntheinnermanofhisheart.Thewrittenwordisthetruemanna,whichhasallsortsofsweettasteinit.Itisasovereignelixir;itgiveswinetothosewithaheavyheart.IhavereadofanancientRabbi,who, inagreatconcourseofpeople,proclaimedasovereigncordialwhichhehadtosell.Manyresortedtohimandaskinghimtoshowit,heopened the Bible, and directed them to several places of comfort in it. HolyDaviddrankofthiscordial;Psalm119.50:“Thisismycomfortinmyaffliction;for your word has quickened me.” Chrysostom compares the Scripture to agarden; every line in it is a fragrant flowerwhichwe should notwear in ourpocketbutinourheart.Delightinthewordcausesprofit:andwemustnotloveonlythecomfortsoftheword,butthereproofs.Myrrhisbittertothepalate,butgoodforthestomach.3213.Come to thereadingof thewordwithhonesthearts.Christ speaksof the“honestheart.”Luke8.15.Whatisittoreadthewordwithanhonestheart?1.TocomewithaheartwillingtoknowthewholecounselofGod.Agoodheartwould not have any truth concealed, but says as Job did: “What I do not see,teachme.”Whenmenpickandchooseinreligion,theywilldosomethingsthatthewordenjoinsthemfrom,butnotothers.Theseareunsoundhearts,andtheyarenotbenefitedbyholywrit.Thesearelikeapatient,whohavingabitterpillprescribed,andamintjulep,hewilltakethejulep,butherefusesthepill.

2.Toreadthewordwithanhonestheartistoreadthatwemaybemadebetterbyit.Thewordisthemediumandmethodofsanctification,andwecometoitnotonly to illuminate but toconsecrate ourselves. John17.17: “Sanctify themthrough your truth.” Some go to the Bible as one goes to the garden to pickflowers,i.e.forfinenotions.Austinconfessesthatbeforehisconversion33hewenttohearAmbrose,morefortheelegantspeechandquaintnotions,thanfor thespiritualityof thematter.This is likeawoman thatpaintsher face,butneglects her health.But this is to have an honest heart:whenwe come to theScriptures as Naaman came to the waters of the Jordan, to be healed of ourleprosy.“O,”saysthesoul,“thattheswordofthespiritmaypiercetherockofmy heart; that this blessedwordmay have such a virtue in it as thewater ofjealousy,tokillandmakefruitful,thatitmaykillmysin,andmakemefruitfulingrace.”Num.5.27.16

14.Learn toapplyScripture; takeeverywordasspoken toyourselves.Whenthe word thunders against sin, think this way: God meansmy sins; when itpresses any duty, God intendsme in this word.Many put off Scripture fromthemselves, as if it only concerned those who lived in the time when it waswritten;butifyouintendtoprofitbytheword,thenbringithometoyourselves.Amedicinewilldonogoodunlessitisapplied.Thesaintsofoldtookthewordas if it had been spoken to them by name. When king Josiah heard thethreateningwhichwas34written in the book ofGod, he applied it to himself; he “rent his clothes andhumbledhissoulbeforetheLord.”2Kings22.11.15.Observe the preceptive part of the word, as well as the promissory. Thepreceptscarrydutyinthem,liketheveinswhichcarrytheblood;thepromisescarrycomfort in them, like thearterieswhichcarry thespirit.Makeuseof theprecepts todirectyou,andthepromises tocomfortyou.Thosewhokeep theireyeonthepromise,whileneglectingthecommand,arenotedifiedbyScripture;they look more for comfort than duty. They mistake their comforts, just asApolloembracedthelaureltreeinsteadofDaphne.17Thebodymaybeswelledwithwindaswellas flesh;amanmaybe filledwith falsecomfort,aswellasthatwhichisgenuineandreal.16.LetyourthoughtsdwellonthepassagesofScripturethatmatter.Thebeefastenson those flowerswhere shemay suck themost sweetness.Though the

wholecontextofScriptureisexcellent,yetsomepartsofitmayhaveagreateremphasis,andbemorequickandpungent.Readingthenamesof the tribes,ortheTHEBIBLE.35genealogiesofthepatriarchs,isnotofthesameimportanceasfaithandthenewcreature.Mindthe“greatthingsofthelaw.”Hosea8.12.Thosewhoreadonlytosatisfytheircuriosity,busythemselves,ratherthanprofitthemselves.Searchingtoo far into Christ’s temporal reign has weakened his spiritual reign in somemen’shearts.17.Compare yourself with the word. See how the Scripture and your heartsagree;howyourdialgoeswiththissun.Areyourhearts,asitwere,atranscriptand a counterpart of Scripture? Is the word copied out into your hearts? Thewordcallsforhumility;areyounotonlyhumbled,butalsohumble?Thewordcallsforregeneration:John3.7;doyouhaveachangeofheart?Istherenotonlya moral and partial change, but a spiritual change? Is there such a changewroughtinyou,thatitisasifanothersoullivedinthesamebody?1Cor.6.11:“Suchwere some of you, but you arewashed, you are sanctified.” Thewordcallsforlovetowardthesaints;1Peter1.22.Doyoulovegracewhereyouseeit?Doyoulovegraceinapoormanaswellasinarichman?Asonlovestoseehisfather’spicture,thoughhunginapoorframe.36Doyou lovegraceeven thoughit ismixedwithsomefailings, justaswe lovegold evenwhile it is in the ore?Bringing the rule of theword andour heartstogether, toseehowtheyagree,wouldproveveryadvantageous tous.By thiswecometoknowthetruecomplexionandstateofoursouls,andweseewhatevidencesandcertificateswehaveforheaven.18.TakespecialnoticeofthoseScriptureswhichspeaktoyourparticularcase.If apersonwithconsumption18were to readGalenorHippocrates,19 hewouldchieflyobservewhattheysaidaboutconsumption.GreatregardistobehadtothoseparagraphsofScripturewhicharemostappropriatetoone’spresentcase.Iwillnotethreecases:1.Affliction.2.Desertion.3.Sin.1.Affliction.HasGodmadeyourchainheavy?ConsulttheseScriptures.Heb.12.7: “If you endure chastening,God dealswith you as sons.” Isaiah 27.9:“By this the iniquity of Jacob shall be purged.” John 16.20: “Your sorrowshallbeturnedintojoy.”2Cor.4.17:“Ourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment,worksfor

37

usa farmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory.”The limner20 lays hisgoldondarkcolors;Godfirst lays thedarkcolorofaffliction,and then thegoldencolorofglory.2.Desertion.Areyourspiritualcomfortseclipsed?SeeIsaiah54.8:“InalittlewrathIhidmyfacefromyou,foramoment;butwitheverlastingkindnessIwillhavemercyonyou.”Thesunmayhideitselfinacloud,butitisnotoutof thefirmament;Godmayhidehis face,buthe isnotoutof thecovenant.Isaiah57.16:“Iwillnotbealwaysangry,forthespiritswouldfailbeforeme,and the souls which I have made.” God is like the musician; he will notstretchthestringsofhislutetoohard,lesttheybreak.Psalm97.11:“Lightissownfor the righteous.”Asaint’scomfortmaybehiddenasseed ishiddenundertheclodsofdirt;butatlastitwillspringupintoaharvestofjoy.3.Sin.

1.Areyoudrawnawaywithlust?ReadGal.5.24;James1.15;1Peter2.11:“Abstain from fleshly lusts,whichwar against the soul.”Lust killswithembracing. Prov. 7.10, 22, 23; Prov. 22.14: “Go to the waters of thesanctuarytoquenchthefireoflust.”

382.Are you under the power of unbelief?Read Isaiah 26.3: “Youwill keephiminperfectpeacewhosemindisstayedonyou,becausehetrustsinyou.”Mr. Boltor speaks of a distressed soul who foundmuch comfort from thisScriptureonhissickbed.2Samuel22.31:“ThewordoftheLordistested;heisabucklertoallthattrustinhim.”John3.15:“Thatwhoeverbelievesinhimshould not perish.” Unbelief is a God-affronting sin. 1John 5.10: “He thatdoesnotbelieveGodhasmadehima liar.” It isasoul-murderingsin.John3.36:“HethatdoesnotbelievetheSonshallnotseelife,butthewrathofGodabidesonhim.”Thus,inreading,observethoseScriptureswhichtouchuponyourparticularcase.AlthoughalloftheBiblemustberead,yetbesuretoputaspecialstaruponthosetextswhichpointmostdirectlytoyourcondition,.

19.Take special notice of the examples in Scripture; make the examples ofotherslivingsermonstoyou.1. Observe the examples of God’s judgments upon sinners. They have beenhangedupinchains,asaterror.HowseverelyGodhaspunishedproudmen!39

Nebuchadnezzarwasturnedtoeatgrass;Herodwaseatenupwithvermin.HowGodhasplagued idolaters!Numbers25.3,4,9;1Kings14.9,10.Whataswiftwitnesshehasbeenagainstliars!Acts5.5,10.Theseexamplesaresetupassea-markstoavoid.1Cor.10.11;Jude7.2.ObservetheexamplesofGod’smercytosaints.Jeremiahwaspreservedinthedungeon; the three children in the furnace; Daniel in the lion’s den. Theseexamplesarepropstoourfaith,andspurstoholiness.20.DonotstopreadingintheBible,tillyoufindyourheartswarmed.Psalm119.93: “I will never forget your precepts, for you have made me alive withthem.”Readthewordnotonlyasahistory,butstrivetobeaffectedwithit.Letitnotonlyinformyou,but inflameyou.Jer.23.29:“Isnotmywordlikeafire?”saystheLord.Donotgofromthewordtillyoucansayasthosedisciplessaid,Luke24.32:“Didourheartsnotburnwithinus?”21.Begin the practice of what you read. Psalm 119.66: “I have done yourcommandments.”Astudentinmedicinedoes40notsatisfyhimselftoreadoverasystemorbodyofmedicine,buthebeginsitspractice.Thelife-bloodofreligionliesinthepracticalpart.Soitisinthistext:“Heshallreadinthebookofthelawallthedaysofhislife,sothathemaylearnto keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.”ChristiansshouldbewalkingBibles.XenophonsaidmanyreadthelawsofLycurgus,21butfewobservedthem.Thewrittenwordisnotonlyaruleofknowledge,butaruleofobedience;itisnotonlytomendoursightbuttomendourpace.DavidcallsGod’sworda“lamp tohis feet.”Psalm119.105. Itwasnotonlya light tohiseyes to see by, but to his feet towalk by; by practice we trade the talent ofknowledge,andturnittoprofit.ThisisablessedreadingoftheScriptures,whenweflyfromthesinswhichthewordforbids,andespousethedutieswhichtheword commands.Readingwithout practicewill be but a torch to lightmen tohell.22.MakeuseofChrist’spropheticaloffice.HeisthelionofthetribeofJudah,towhomitisgiventoopenthebookofGod,andlooseitsseals.Rev.5.5.41

Christ so teaches, as he enlivens. John8.12.22 The philosopher says, light andheatincreasetogether.Itistruehere:whereChristcomesintothesoulwithhislight,thereistheheatofspirituallifegoingalongwithit.Christgivesusataste

ofhisword:“Youhavetaughtmehowsweetyourwordsaretomytaste.”Psalm119.102,103.Itisonethingtoreadapromise,andanothertotasteit.Thosewhowould be proficient in Scripture, let them getChrist to be their teacher. Luke24.45: “Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand theScriptures.” Christ not only opened the Scriptures, but he opened theirunderstanding.23. Tread often upon the threshold of the sanctuary.Wait diligently upon arightly constituted ministry. Prov 8.34: “Blessed is the man who hears me,watchingdailyatmygates.”MinistersareGod’sinterpreters;itistheirworktoopen and expound dark places in Scripture. We read of pitchers and lampswithinthosepitchers.Judges7.16.Ministersareearthenpitchers.2Cor.4.7.Butthesepitchershavelampswithinthemtolightsoulsinthedark.4224.PraythatGodwillmakeyouprofit.Isaiah48.17:“IamtheLordyourGod,who teaches you to profit.”MakeDavid’s prayer: “Openmy eyes, that Imaybeholdwondrousthingsoutofyourlaw.”Psalm119.18.PraytoGodtotaketheveilofftheScriptures,sothatyoumayunderstandit;andtheveilonyourheart,sothatyoumaybelieveit.PraythatGodwillnotonlygiveyouhiswordasaruleofholiness,buthisgraceasaprincipleofholiness.ImploretheguidanceofGod’s Spirit. Neh. 9.20: “You gave them your good Spirit to instruct them.”Thoughtheshiphasacompasstosailby,andastoreoftackle,yetwithoutagaleofwinditcannotsail.Thoughwehavethewrittenwordasourcompasstosailby,andwemakeuseofourendeavorsasthetackle,yetunlesstheSpiritofGodblowsonus,wecannot sailwithprofit.When theAlmighty is likedew tous,then“wegrowasthelily,andourbeautyisliketheolivetree.”Hosea14.5,6:bytheanointingoftheHolyGhost.Onemayseethefiguresonasun-dial,buthecannottellhow43thedaygoesunlessthesunshines.WemayreadmanytruthsintheBible,butwecannotknowthemsavinglytillGod’sSpiritshinesintooursouls.2Cor.4.6.TheSpirit is a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Eph. 1.17. When Philip joinedhimselftotheeunuch’schariot,thentheeunuchunderstoodtheScriptures.Acts8.35.WhenGod’sSpirit joinshimself to theword, then itwill be effectual tosalvation.These rules being observed, thewrittenwordwould, throughGod’sblessing,becomean“engraftedword.”James1.21.Agoodshootgraftedintoabadstock,changesthenatureofthestock,andmakesitbearsweetandgenerousfruit.Sowhenthewordisgraftedsavinglyintomen’shearts,itsanctifiesthem,

andmakesthembringforththesweet“fruitsofrighteousness.”Phil.1.11.Thus I haveanswered thisquestion,howwemay read theScriptureswith themostspiritualprofit.Inconclusion,1.DonotcontentyourselveswiththebarereadingoftheScriptures,butlabortofindsomespiritualimprovementandprofitfromit.Getthewordtranscribedintoyourhearts.Psalm37.31:“ThelawofhisGodisinhisheart.”44ThosewhoprofitbyreadingthebookofGodarethebestChristiansalive;theyanswerGod’scost,theycreditreligion,andtheysavetheirsouls.2.ThoseofyouwhohaveprofitedbyreadingtheHolyScriptures,adoreGod’sdistinguishinggrace.BlessGodthathehasnotonlybroughtthelighttoyou,butopened your eyes to see it; that he has unlocked his hidden treasure, andenrichedyouwithsavingknowledge.SomeperishbynothavingScripture,andothersbynotimprovingit.BlessGodthatheshouldpassbymillions,andthelotof his electing love should fall upon you; that the Scripture, like thepillar ofcloud,shouldhaveadarksidetoothers,butalightsidetoyou;thattoothersitisadeadletter,buttoyouitisthesavoroflife; thatChristshouldnotonlyberevealed to you,but in you;Gal. 1.16.—You shouldbe in anholy ecstacyofwonder,andwish thatyouhad theheartsofseraphimsburning in love towardGod,andthevoicesofangelstomakeheavenringwithGod’spraises!Butsomeofthegodlymaysaytheyfearthattheydonotprofitbythewordtheyread.Asinthebody,whenthevitalspiritsbecomefaint,45

cordials23areemployed.Soletmeapplyafewdivinecordialstothosewhoarereadytofaintunderthefearoftheirnon-proficiency[intheScriptures].1.Youmayprofitbyreadingtheword,eventhoughyoucomeshortofothers.Thegroundwhichbroughtforththirty-foldwasgoodground.Matt.13.8.Donotsayyouobtainednoprofitbecauseyouarenotequalwithothereminentsaints;theothersamongDavid’sworthieswereconsideredhisstrongmen,eventhoughtheydidnotattainthehonorofthefirstthree.2Sam.23.19.2. You may profit by reading the word, even though you are not quick toapprehend.Some impeach themselvesbecause theyareslowofunderstanding.WhenourblessedSaviourtoldofhissufferingstocome,theapostlesthemselvesdidnotunderstand,anditwashiddenfromthem.Luke9.45.Theauthor to theHebrewsspeaksofsomewhoweredullofhearing.Heb.5.11.Thosewhohave

weaker judgments may have stronger affections. A Christian with a littleknowledgemaybekeptfromsin,likeamanwithweaksightmaybekeptbyalittleknowledgefromfallingintothewater.463. You may profit by reading Scripture, although you do not have excellentmemories.Manycomplain that theirmemories leak.Christian,areyougrievedthatyoucannolongerremember?Thenforyourcomfort,

1. You may have a good heart, even though you do not have so good amemory.2.Thoughyoucannotrememberallyouread,yetyourememberwhatmattersmost, andwhatyoumostneed; at a feastwedonot eat everydish,butwetakeonlysomuchasnourishes.ItiswithagoodChristian’smemoryasitiswithalamp:thoughthelampisnotfullofoil,yetithasenoughoiltomakethe lampburn; thoughyourmemory is not full of Scripture, yet you retainenoughtomakeyourlovetowardsGodburn.

Sothen,beofgoodcomfort.Youprofitbywhatyouread,andyoutakenoteofthat encouraging Scripture, John 14.26: “The Comforter, which is the HolyGhost,heshallbringallthingstoyourremembrance.”Amen.

SECRETPRAYERSUCCESSFULLYMANAGED

BYREV.SAMUELLEE

BIOGRAPHICALSKETCHTheRev.SamuelLee,A.M.,ofWadham

College,Oxford,ministerofSt.Botolph,Bishopsgate.

TheRev.SamuelLeewasborn inLondon, in1627;hisfatherwasaneminentcitizen,greatlyesteemedforhisprivatevirtues,andlivedtoagoodoldage.Heappearstohavebeenamanofconsiderableproperty.SamuelwaseducatedatSt.Paul’s School, under Dr. Gale, and then entered Wadham College, where hestudied under the direction ofDr.Wilkins, afterwards the excellentBishop ofChester.Hemadegreatattainmentsinknowledgeandpiety,andwasso50highly esteemed as to be chosen fellow of his college and proctor of theuniversity.Nodoubtcanbeentertainedrespectinghisreligionorliterature,whenit is stated that he served as proctor in 1656, when Dr. Owen was ViceChancellor.InthefollowingyearhecomposedhisTempleofSolomon,whichheprintedinfolio,attherequestandexpenseoftheUniversity.HisreputationasapreacherledhimtoLondon,andhewasinductedtothelivingofSt.Botolph,therectoryofwhichwas£355perannum.Herehelaboredwithusefulnessandacceptancetohisparish,tillhisejectmentin1662,bytheBartholomewAct.Mr.Leewas,inhisviewofChurchdiscipline,aCongregationalist,buteminentforthedisplayofcharityandcatholicspirit.Afterthistrialwefindhimministerofanindependentcongregation,atNewingtonGreen,nearLondon.Butthe51persecution of theChurch party continuing, he determined to escape from thetendermerciesofthecruel,andin1686,heembarkedforNewEngland,wherehe was received with attention and respect, and soon became pastor of theChurchatBristol,R. I.,wherehe laboredfor threeyears.Uponhearingof theglorious revolution of 1688, and wishing to enjoy its fruits, and obtain hisvaluable estate, he became so desirous to return, that he embarked with hisfamily inmidwinter.He sailed fromBoston for England in theDolphin,with

Capt. John Foy. The passage was very tedious, owing to the prevalence ofeasterlywinds;andatlength,onthecoastofIreland,theyfellinwithaFrenchprivateer.After a severe resistance, andwhen in great danger of sinking, theywere compelled to surrender; and the Dolphin was carried as a prize to St.Maloes,inFrance.52Aftersomedetention,hiswifeanddaughterandtwoservantsweresenttoEnglandbytheking’sorder,whilehewasretainedaprisoner.Griefatthelossofhisfamily,andhissolitaryconditioninastrangeland,broughtonafeverofwhichhediedinafewdays,aged64.

SECRETPRAYERSUCCESSFULLYMANAGED.“Butwhenyoupray,enterintoyourcloset,

24andwhenyouhaveshutyourdoor,praytoyourFatherwhich

isinsecret,andyourFatherwhoseesinsecret,shallrewardyouopenly.”—Matt.6.6.

We have here our blessed Lord’s instructions for the management of secretprayer,thecrownandgloryofachildofGod.I.Thedirectionprescribesthreethingsforourdeportmentinthissecretduty:

1. Enter your closet; this word signifies a secret or recluse habitation, andsometimesitisrenderedahidingplacefortreasure.2. “Shut your door’’ or lock it, as the word intimates. The Greek wordfurnishes the term“key,”asappearsbyRev.3.7,and20.1,3, implying thatwemustbarorboltit.3. “Pray to your Father which is in secret.’’ “Father.” Tertullian notes thisname as intimating holypiety andpower; “your Father” denoting intimacyandpropriety.

54II.[Itis]agraciouspromisewhichmaybebranchedintothreeparts:

1.BecauseyourFatherseesyouinsecret,hiseyeisuponyouwithagraciousaspectwhenyouarewithdrawnfromalltheworld.2. He will reward you. The word used here is sometimes translated asrendering,Matt.22.21,Rom.2.6;13.7;asdelivering,Matt,27.53;Luke9.42;asyielding,oraffording,Heb.12.11;Rev.22.2.Allofwhichcomes to this:hewillreturnyourprayersoryourrequests,amplyandabundantlyintoyourbosom.25

3.Hewilldo itopenlyandmanifestly–before theworld sometimes–andmost plentifully and exuberantly before men and angels at the great day.Secretprayersshallhaveopenandpublicanswers.

III.Hereisademonstrationofsincerity,fromtherightperformanceofthedutyset forth by the antithesis in the fifth verse. “But you shall not be as thehypocrites,fortheylovetopraystandinginthesynagoguesandinthecornersofthestreets,sothattheymaybeseenbymen.”Donotenteryourhouseonly,oryourcommonroom,butyourcloset–themostsecretandretiredprivacy,sothatothersmayneitherdiscernyouthere,norrushin55

suddenly upon you. God will answer you and perform your request, as agraciousresponsetoyoursecretsincerity.Godispleasedbyhispromisetomakehimselfadebtortosecretprayer.SuchprayerbringsnothingtoGodbutemptyhandsandnakedhearts.Thisistoshowthatreward,inaScripturalsense,doesnot flow in on the streams of merit, but it flows out of grace. It is monkishdivinitytoassertotherwise;forwhatmerit,strictlytaken,cantherebeinprayer?MerelyaskingformercycannotmerititatthehandsofGod.Malachi2.3.Ourmostsincerepetitionsareimpregnatedwithsinfulmixtures.Wehalt,likeJacob,bothinandafterourbestandstrongestwrestlings.ButsuchisthegraceofourheavenlyFather,whoseesthesincerityofourheartsinsecret,thatheispleasedtoacceptusinhisBeloved,andtosmellasweetsavorinthefragrantperfumesandaromasofHisintercession.ThoughImightdrawmanynotesfromthis,Iwilltreatonlyone,containingthemarrowandnervesofthetext:thatsecretprayer,dulymanaged,isthemarkofasincereheart,andithasthepromiseofagraciousreturn.56

Prayeristhesoul’scolloquy26withGod,andsecretprayerisaconferencewithGod upon admission into the privy chamber of heaven.When you have shutyourowncloset,whenGodandyoursoularealone,withthiskeyyouopenthechambers of paradise, and enter the closet of divine love. When you areimmured27 as in a curious labyrinth, apart from the tumultuous world, andenteredintothatgardenofLebanoninthemidstofyourcloset;yoursoul,likeaspiritualDaedalus,28 takes to itself thewingsof faithandprayer,and flies intothemidstofheaven,amongthecherubims.ImaycallsecretprayertheinvisibleflightofthesoulintothebosomofGod;outofthisheavenlyclosetrisesJacob’sladder, whose rounds are all of light; its foot stands upon the basis of theCovenantinyourheart,itstopreachesthethroneofgrace.Whenyourinnerselfhas instructedyou in thenight seasonwithholypetitions,whenyour soulhasdesired God in the night, then you will you seek him early with your spiritwithin.Whenthedoorofyourheart isshut,andthewindowsofyoureyesaresealedupfromallvainandworldlyobjects,thenupyoumount;and57youhaveaplacegivenyoutowalkamongtheangelsthatstandbythethroneofGod.Zech.3.7.Insecretprayer,thesoul,likeMoses,isintheback-sideofthedesert,andittalkswiththeangelofthecovenantinthefierybush.Ex.3.Here’sIsaac in the field at dusk,29 meditating and praying to the God of his father

Abraham. Gen. 24.63. Here’s Elijah under the juniper tree at Rithmah in thewilderness, andshortlyafter in thecave,hearkening to the still smallvoiceofGod.1Kings19.4,12.Here’sChristandthespousealoneinthewine-cellar,andthebannerof loveoverher,andsheuttersbuthalf-words,havingdrunkofthesoberexcessofthespirit.Cant.2.4.Eph.5.18.HerewefindNathanielunderthefig-tree, thoughitmaybeatsecretprayer,yet it isunderabeamof theeyeofChrist. John 1.48. There sits Austin in the garden alone, sighing with thePsalmist, “How long,OLord,” and listening to the voice ofGod, take up theBibleand read. (Confessions,1stbook,8thchapter.) It is true,hypocritesmaypray, and pray alone, and pray long, and receive their reward fromwhicheverobservations they desire; but a hypocrite takes no sincere delight in secretdevotion;58hehasnospringofaffectiontowardGod.ButOmydovethatisinthecleftsoftherock,saysChrist,letmehearyourvoice,foritsmelodyissweet.Aweepingcountenance and a wounded spirit are most beautiful prospects to the eye ofheaven –when a broken heart pours out repentant tears like streams from therock struck by the rod ofMoses’ law, held in the hand of amediator.O howamiableinthesightofGodisthecry,“OutofthedepthshaveIcrieduntoyou;”whichChrysostomglossesthus: to“drawsighsfromthefurrowsoftheheart.”Letyourprayerbecomeahiddenmysteryofdivinesecrets,likegoodHezekiahuponthebedwithhis face to thewallso thatnonemightobservehim;or likeourblessedLord,thatgrandexample,whoretiredintomountainsandsolitudesapart,andsawbynighttheillustriousfaceofhisheavenlyFatherinprayer.Thereasonswhysecretprayeristhemarkofasincereheart,areasfollows:1. Because a sincere heart busies itself about heart work, to mortify sin, toquicken grace, to observe and resist temptation, to secure and advance hisevidences;thereforeitisvery59conversantwith secret prayer. The glory of the king’s daughter shineswithin,arrayedwith clothes of gold,Ps 45.11-13 but they are the spangled and glitteringhangings of the closet of her heart when she entertains communion with herLord.Themoreasaintconverseswithhisownheart, themorehesearcheshisspiritualwants,andfeelshisspiritualjoys.2.Becauseasincereheartaimsat theeyeofGod,heknowsthatGod,beingaspirit,lovestoconversewithourspirits,andtospeaktotheheartmorethanto

the outward ear. He labors to walk before God as always in his sight, butespeciallywhenhepresentshimselfatthefootstoolofmercy.AninvisibleGodis delighted with invisible prayers, when no eye sees but his. He takes mostpleasureinthesecretglancesofaholyheart.But nomore of this; let us descend to the question deducible from the text, aquestionofno less importance thandailyuse, andofparticularconcern to thegrowth of every Christian. How to manage secret prayer so that it may beprevalentwithGod,tothecomfortandsatisfactionofthesoul?60Formethod’ssake,Ishalldivideitintotwobranches.I.Howtomanagesecretprayer,sothatitmayprevailwithGod.II.How todiscernanddiscoveranswers to secretprayer, so that the soulmayacquiesceandbesatisfiedthatithasprevailedwithGod.BeforeIhandlethese,IwouldbrieflyprovetheDUTYANDITSUSEFULNESS,leavingsomecasesaboutitsattendantsandcircumstancestowardstheclose.AstotheDUTYitself,thetextisplainanddistinctinthepoint;yetfurtherobserveinSolomon’sprayer,thatifanymanapartfromthecommunityofthepeopleofIsrael presents his supplication to God, he prays there for a gracious andparticularanswer;andweknowSolomon’sprayerwasansweredbyfire,30andsowelearnthereisapromisegiventopersonalprayer.1Kings8.38,39.2Chr.6.29,30.2Chr.7.1.Andthatisbesidesthemanyspecialandparticularinjunctionstoindividualpersons,suchasJob22.27,and33.26.Psalm32.6.31Wivesaswellashusbandsaretoprayapart,Zech.12.14,solitary,bythemselves.James5.13.61WemayarguethispointfromtheconstantpracticeoftheholysaintsofGodinallages,butespeciallyofourblessedLord;anditisourwisdomtowalkintheway of goodmen, and to keep the paths of the righteous, such as Abraham,Eliezer, Isaac, Jacob,Moses,Hannah,Hezekiah,David, andDaniel. The timewouldfailmetobringinthecloudofwitnesses.WesometimesfindourLordatprayer inadesert, inamountain, inagarden;Corneliuswas inhishouse,andPeterwasuponthehouse-top,insecretsupplicationtoGod.There is the experience ofGod’s gracious presence, and answers that are sentupon secret prayer, as in the stories of Eliezer, Jabez, Nehemiah, Zechariah,CorneliusandPaul.Forthisreason,becauseDavidwasheard,everyonethatisgodlywillpraytohim.

I might urge the USEFULNESS, no, in some cases the necessities, of secretapplicationstoGod.1.ArewenotguiltyofsecretsinsinthelightofGod’scountenance,thatcannot,andoughtnottobeconfessedbeforeothers,becausenearrelationsareexhortedto62

secretandsolitaryduties?Zech.12.12.1Cor.7.4.32

2.Aretherenotpersonalwantsthatwewouldpreferto[expressto]Godalone?3.Are there not some specialmercies and deliverances that concern our ownpersons more peculiarly, which should engage us to commune with our ownhearts,andofferthesacrificesofrighteousnesstoGod?4.Maytherenotbefoundsomerequests tobepouredoutmoreparticularlyinsecret,astootherpersons,andastotheaffairsofthechurchofGod,whichmaynotbeconvenientlyinsisteduponincommon?5.Donotsuddenandurgentpassionsspringoutofthesoulinsecret,thatwouldbeunbecominginsocialprayer?6. To argue from the text, may not the soul’s secret addresses about inwardsorrowsandjoysbeasweettestimonyofthesincerityandintegrityoftheheart,whentheheartknowsitsownbitterness,andastrangerdoesnotinterferewithhisjoy?PerhapsamanhasanIshmael,anAbsalom,aRehoboam,toweepfor,and therefore he gets into an inward chamber,where behold hiswitness is inheaven,andhisrecordisonhigh,andwhenothersmayscornorpity–hiseyepoursouttearstoGod.63Toendthis,whenaholysouliscloseinsecret,whatsatisfactionittakeswhenithasboltedout theworld,and retired toaplace thatnoneknowsof, tobe freefrom the disturbances and distractions that often violate family communion.WhenthesoulisinthesecretplaceoftheMostHigh,andintheshadowoftheAlmighty,Ohowsafe,andhowcomfortableitis!Norcan Inow insistuponsecretprayerunder thevarietyofmentalandvocal[restrictions], or enlarge upon it as sudden, occasional, or ejaculatory prayer,referringsomeofthistotheend.Imustremarkthattherearesomethingswhichaptlybelongtosecretprayer,yettheyarecoincidentwithallprayer,whetherpublic,social,orsecret.Itisproper

to address those types which are important to our present duty; and I mustthereforerefertoadoublehead.I.HOWWILLWEMANAGE SECRET PRAYER,AS IT ISCOINCIDENTWITH PRAYER INGENERAL,SOTHATITMAYPREVAIL?1.Usesomepreparationbeforeit;donotrushsuddenlyintotheawfulpresenceof God. Sanctuary preparation is necessary to sanctuary communion. SuchsuitablepreparatoryframesofmindcomedownfromGod.64Itwasagoodsayingofone,“Heneverpraysardentlythatdoesnotpremeditatedevoutly.”ItissaidofDaniel,whenhemadethatfamousprayer,“hesethisfacetoseektheLord.”Dan.9.3.JehoshaphatalsosethimselftoseektheLord.2Chr.20.3. The church in her soul desires the Lord in the night, and then in themorningsheseekshimearly.Desiresblownbymeditationarethesparksthatsetprayer alight in flame.Theworkofpreparationmaybe castunder fiveheads,whenweapplytosolemn,setprayer.

1.TheconsiderationofsomeattributesinGodthatarepropertotheintendedpetitions.2.Adigestionofsomepeculiarandspecialpromisesthatconcerntheaffair.3.Meditationonsuitablearguments[tobemade].4.Emotionalexclamationsforassistance.5.Engagingthehearttoaholyframeofreverence,andkeepingtothepointinhand.

ThiswasgoodadvicefromCyprian:“Letthesoulthinkuponnothingbutwhatitistoprayfor,”andheaddsthatthereforetheministersofoldpreparedthemindsofthepeoplewith“letyourheartsbeabove.”ForhowcanweexpecttobeheardbyGodwhenwedonothearourselves,andwhentheheartdoesnotwatchwhilethetongueutters?65Thetonguemustbelikethepenofareadywriter,tosetdownthegoodmatterwhichtheheartindites.Takeheedoframblings.Topreachortellpiousstories,whileprayingtothegreatandholyGod,isabranchofirreverenceandacarelessframeofspirit.Heb.12.22-23.2.Humblyconfessthosesinswhichconcernandreferprincipallytotheworkinhand.Our filthygarmentsmust beput awaywhenwe appearbefore theLord

whohaschosenJerusalem.Zech.3.4.“Lookuponmyafflictions,”saysDavid,and“forgiveallmysins.”Therearecertainsins thatoftenrelate toafflictions.First“delivermefromtransgression,thenhearmyprayer,OLord.”Thisistheheavenly method; he first forgives all our iniquities, and then heals all ourdiseases.Psalm103.3.Aforgivensoulisahealedsoul.Whileamanissickatheart with the qualms of sin unpardoned, it keeps the soul in dismay that itcannotcrystronglytoGod;andthereforehemustdischargehimselfofparticularsinsinholygroans.ThisiswhatDaviddidinthatgreatpenitentialpsalm,Psalm51.Sin,likeathickcloud,hidesthefaceofGod,sothatour66prayerscannotenter.Isaiah59.2.WemustblushwithEzra,andourfaceslookredwiththeflushingsofconscience,ifweexpectanysmilesofmercy.Ezra9.6.Ourcrimsonsinsmustdyeourconfessions,andthebloodofoursacrificesmustsprinkle the horns of the golden altar,Lev 8.15 before we receive an answer ofpeacefromthegoldenmercyseat.Whenourpersonsarepardoned,oursuitsareaccepted,andourpetitionsarecrownedwiththeolivebranchofpeace.3.Haveanarguingandpleadingspiritinprayer.ThisisproperlywrestlingwithGod;humbleyet earnest expostulationsabouthismind towardus. “Whyhaveyoucastusoffforever;whydoesyourangersmoke?Donotbesorelyangry,OLord;donotrememberour iniquityforever;see,webeseechyou,weareyourpeople.”Psalm74.1;Isaiah64.9.Ifso,thenwhyisitthus,asaffrightedRebekahflees out into prayer? Gen. 25.22.33 An arguing frame in prayer, cures andappeasesthefrightsofspirit,andtheninquiresofGod.Thetempleofprayeriscalledthesoul’sinquiringplace.ImustreferyoutoAbraham,Jacob,andMoses;Joshua,David,andDaniel,andhowtheyusedargumentswithGod.Sometimes[theyargued]:67

fromthemultitudesofGod’smercies;Psalm5.7,and6.4,and31.16.fromtheexperienceofformeranswers;Psalm4.1,and6.9,and22.4.fromtheirtrustandrelianceuponhim;Psalm9.10,and16.1.fromtheequityofGod;Psalm17.1.fromtheshameandconfusionthatGodwillputhispeopletoifnotanswered,andthatotherswillbedrivenawayfromGod;Psalm31.17,and34.1;andlastly,fromthepromiseofpeace;Psalm20.5,and35.18.

We find these and many similar pleadings in Scripture as patterns in prayer.

BeingsuggestedbytheSpirit,kindledfromthealtar,andperfumedwithChrist’sincense, they riseup likememorialpillarsbefore theoracle.Letusobserve inone or two particular prayers,what ready arguments holymen have used andpressedintheirperplexities.WhataneffectiveprayerJehoshaphatmade,takingpleasfromGodscovenant,dominion,andpowerfulstrength;fromhisgiftofthelandofCanaan,anddrivingouttheoldinhabitants(ancientmercies!);fromhissanctuary,andhispromise toSolomon; from the ingratitudeand ill requitalofhisenemies,withan68appeal to God’s equity in the case, and a humble confession of their ownimpotency;andyetthatintheiranxiety,theireyeswerefixeduponGod.2Chr.20.10-12.34Youknowhowgloriouslyitprevailedwhenhesetambushesaroundthecourtofheaven,andtheLordturnedhisargumentsintoambushesagainstthechildrenofEdom.Yes,thisissetasaninstanceofhowGodwilldealwiththeenemies of his church in the latter days, Joel 3.2 ff. Another instance is thatadmirableprayerof theangelabout thecovenant toGod for the restorationofJerusalem, Zech. 1.12,35 in which he pleads from the length of time and theduration of his indignation for seventy years; from promisedmercies and theexpirationofprophecies–andbeholdananswerofgoodandcomfortablewordsfromtheLord.AndIaskyoutoobservethatwhenargumentsinprayerareverycogent from a sanctified heart, being drawn from the divine attributes, frompreciouspromises,andthesweetexperiencesofGod’sformerlove,thenitisarare sign of a prevailing prayer. It was an ingenious remark of ChrysostomconcerningthewomanofCanaan:thepoordistressedcreaturewas69turnedintoanacutephilosopherwithChrist,anddisputedformercyfromhim.Oit isablessedthingtoaspiretothisheavenlyphilosophyofprayer, toargueblessingsout of thehandofGod.Here is a spacious field. I havegivenbut asmall prospect, where the soul, like Jacob, enters the inclination withomnipotency,andbyholyforceobtainstheblessing.4.Ardent affections in prayer, evidencing a deeply sensitive heart, are greatlyprevalent[inScripture].Acryingprayerpiercesthedepthsofheaven.WedonotreadawordthatMosesspoke,thatGodwasnotmovedbyhiscry.Ex.14.15.Ido not mean an obstreperous noise,36 but melting moans of the heart. Yetsometimesthesoreandpinchingnecessitiesanddistressesofspiritextortevenvocalcriesfromus,thatarenotunpleasanttotheearofGod.“IcriedtotheLord

withmyvoice,andheheardmeoutofhisholyhill.”Ps3.4AndthisencouragesDavidtoafreshonset:“Hearkentothevoiceofmycry,myKingandmyGod;Ps5.2giveeartomycry;donotholdyourpeaceatmytears.”Ps39.12Anothertimehe makes the cave echo with his cries: “I cried, attend to my cry, for I ambroughtverylow.”Ps142.6Andwhatistheissue?Faithgetscouragebycrying;70histearswateredhisfaithsothatitgrewintoconfidence;andsoheconcludes,“you shall deal bountifully with me, and the righteous shall crown me asconqueror.”Psalm142.1,5,6,7.Plentiful tearsbringbountifulmercies,andacrying suitor proves a triumphant praiser.Holy Jacobwas such a suitor at thefordsofJabbok;heweptandmadesupplication,andprevailedwiththeangel.Gen32.22-28 The Lord told Hezekiah he had heard his prayer, for he had seen histears.Isa38.3-5SuchprecedentsmaywellencouragebackslidingEphraimtoreturnand deplore himself, and then the heart of God will be concerned for him.Indeed,wehaveaholywomanalsoweepingsorelybefore theLord inShiloh,andthenrejoicinginhissalvation.1Sam.1.9-10,2.1.37Thecriesofthesaintsarelike vocal music joined with the instrumental of prayer; they make heavenlymelodyintheearsofGod.Thebridegroomcallstohismourningdove,“letmehear your voice, for it is pleasant.” What Gerson38 says about the sores ofLazarus,wemay sayabout sighs: “asmanywounds, somany tongues.”CriesandgroansinprayeraresomanyeloquentoratorsatthethroneofGod.715. Insistence and diligence in prayer are highly prevalent. It is not that weshouldlengthenourprayerwithtediousandvainrepetitions,astheheathendidof old, butwe should be frequent and constant in prayer: asChrist bids us toprayalways,andtheapostlePaultopraywithoutceasing,welearnthedutyofconstancyinprayer.Asthemorningandeveningsacrificeatthetempleiscalledthecontinualburntoffering;Numb,28.4,6;asMephiboshethissaidtoeatbreadcontinuallyatDavid’stable,andSolomon’sservantsaresaidtostandcontinuallybeforehim,thatis,atthesetandappointedtimes–soitisrequiredofustobeconstantanddiligentatprayer,andtoofferourprayerswithperseverance.Whenthesoulperseveresinprayer,itisasignofperseveringfaith;andthosemayhavewhat theywantat thehandofGodwhen theyareprayingaccording todivinedirection. John 16.23.39 Indeed, urgent prayer is a token of a mercy at hand.WhenElijahprayedseventimesforrain,oneafteranother,thecloudspresentlymarchedupoutoftheseaatthecommandofprayer.1Kings18.43.“Askofme

thingstocome,andcommandmeconcerningtheworksofmyhands,”saystheLord.Isaiah45.11.40

72Whenweputforthourutmoststrengthinprayer,anddonot,asitwere,receiveany“no”fromHeaven, thenourprayersmustbelike thecontinualblowingofthesilvertrumpetsoverthesacrifices,foramemorialbeforetheLord.Numbers10.10.LikethewatchmenonthewallsofJerusalemwhoneverheldtheirpeacedayornight,wearecommandednot tokeepsilence,norgivehimrest. Isaiah62.6-7.Indeed,Godseemsoffendedatanothertimewhentheydidnotlayhandsonhim,sothattheywouldnotbeconsumedintheiriniquities.Suchprayersare,asitwere,aholymolestationofthethroneofgrace.Isaiah64.7.Itissaidofthemanthatroseatmidnighttogiveoutthreeloavestohisfriend,thathedidnotdoit for friendship’s sake,butbecausehewaspressing,andso importunateas totrouble him at such a time as twelve o’clock at night. Luke 11.8. Our Lordapplies theparable to insistentprayer. Itwas the samewith the successof thewidow and the unjust judge, because she troubled andmolested himwith hersolicitations.Luke18.5.Butofallthese,thepatternofthewomanofCanaan73is the most admirable. Although the disciples wanted her to be dismissedbecauseshetroubledthembycryingafterthem,shepersisted.Matt.15.23.MayI say it reverently, Christ delights in such a troublesome person. Augustineobserves,bycomparingbothevangelists,41thatfirstshecriedafterChristinthestreets.ButourLordtakingtoahouse,shefollowshimthereandfallsdownathisfeet;butasyethedidnotanswerheraword.ThenwhenourLordleft thehouse again, she followed with even stronger importunity, and argued in herheart for mercy. Christ ascribed it to the greatness of her faith. To knock atmidnight is not considered an incivility at the gate of heaven. An energeticprayer is likely to be an efficacious prayer. Cold petitioners must have coldanswers. If thematter of prayer is right, and the promise ofGod is ferventlyurged,thenyouarelikelytoprevaillikeprincelyIsrael,whoheldtheangelandwouldnotlethimgountilhehadblessedhim.Query.ButcanGodbemovedbyourarguments,oraffectedwithourtroubles?He is the unchangeableGod and he dwells in the inaccessible light;with himthereisnovariablenessorshadowofturning.74Reply.Theseholymotionsupontheheartsofsaintsinprayerarethefruitsofhis

love toward them, and the appointed ushering in of mercy. God graciouslydeterminestogiveapraying,arguing,warm,affectionateframeastheforerunnerof a decreed mercy. That is the reason that carnal men can enjoy no suchmercies, because they pour out no such prayers. The spirit of prayerprognosticatesmercynearathand.WhentheLordbyJeremiahforetoldtheendof the captivity, he also predicted the prayers that would open the gates ofBabylon.CyruswasprophesiedtodoGod’sworkforhisservantJacob’ssake,andIsraelhiselect.Yettheymustaskhimconcerningthosethingstocome;andtheywouldnotseekhiminvain.Isa.45.1,2,4,19.ThegloryofthelatterdaysinthereturnofIsrael,isforetoldbyEzekiel;butthen“theLordwillbeinquiredof by the house of Israel to do it for them.” Ezek. 36.24, 37. The coming ofChristispromisedbyGod;yet“thespiritandbridesaycome,andhethathearsmust saycome;” andwhenChrist says hewill “come quickly,”wemust add,“evenso,comeLordJesus.”Rev22.20

75Divinegracekindlestheseardentaffectionswhenthemerciespromisedareuponthewing. Prayer is that chain, asDionysius calls it, that draws the soul up toGod, and themercydown tous; or like the cable that draws the ship to land,thoughtheshoreitselfremainsunmovable.Prayerhasitskindlingfromheaven,liketheancientsacrificesthatwereinflamedwithcelestialfire.6.Submissiontotheall-wiseandholywillofGod.Thisisthegreatbenefitofasaint’scommunionwiththeSpirit,thathemakesintercessionforthemaccordingtothewillofGod.Whenweprayforholiness, thereisaconcurrencewiththedivinewill; for“this is thewillofGod,evenyoursanctification.”1Thess.4.3.Whenwepraythatourbodiesmaybepresentedalivingsacrifice,acceptabletoGod, we then prove “what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.”Rom.12.1-2.Inthecovenantofgrace,Goddoeshispartandourstoo.AswhenGodcommandsus topray inoneplace,hepromises inanotherplace“topouroutuponusaspiritofgraceandsupplication.”Zech.12.10.76Godcommandsus torepentand turn tohim.Ezek.14.6. Inanotherplace,Jer.31.18,“turnmeandIshallbeturned,foryouaretheLordmyGod.”Andagain,“turnus toyou,OLord,andweshallbe turned.”Lament.5.21.Andagain,“Iwillgiveyouanewheart,andIwillputanewspiritwithinyou,andcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes.”Ezek.36.26-27.AndPaulsays,“forthiscauseIdonotceasetoprayforyou,thathewouldworkinyouthatwhichiswell-pleasinginhissight.”Col.1.9-10.Heb.13.21.“Workoutyourownsalvation,foritisGod

that works in you, to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 2.12-13.Precepts,promisesandprayerareconnectedlikesomanygoldenlinks,toexcite,encourage and assist the soul in spiritual duties. But in other cases, as totemporal and temporarymercies, let all yourdesires inprayerbe formedwithsubmission,guidedbyhiscounselandprostrateathisfeet,andactedbyafaithsuitedtothepromisesofoutwardblessings;andthenitshallbetoyouevenasyouwill.Gersonsaiditwell:“Letallyourdesiresastotemporalsturnuponthehingeofthedivinegoodpleasure.”77ThemanthatresolvestomakeGod’swillhis,shallhavehisownwill.Godwillcertainly bestow what is good for his people. One great point of ourmortification lies in this: tohaveourwillsmelted intoGod’s;and it isagreattoken of spiritual growth,whenwe are not only content but joyful to see ourwillscrossed,sothathiswillmaybedone.Whenourwillsareasacrificeofholyprayer,wemanytimesreceivechoicerthingsthanweexpresslyaskfor.Itwasagood saying, “Godmany timesgrants notwhatwewouldhave inour presentprayers,so thathemaybestowwhatwewouldratherhave,whenwehave theprayermoregraciouslyansweredthanwepetitioned.”Weknownothowtoprayasweought,buttheSpirithelpsusoutwithgroansthatsecretlyhintacorrectionofourwillsandspiritsinprayer.Ingreatanxietiesandpinchingtroubles,naturedictatesstronggroansforrelief.Butsustaininggraceandparticipationofdivineholiness dictate mortification from earthly comforts, excitation of the soul tolong for heaven; they dictate being gradually weaned from the wormwoodbreastsoftheirsublunary,transientandunsatisfying78pleasures,andfromthetimingofourheartsfor theseasons inwhichGodwilltimehisdeliverances–thesearesweetermerciesthantheimmediatereturnofaprayer for an outward good.What truly holy person would lose that light ofGod’s countenancewhich he enjoyed by glimpses in a cloudy day, for a littlecorn andwine? Indeed, inmany cases open denials of prayer prove themostexcellent answers; and God’s not hearing us is the most signal audience.Therefore at the foot of every prayer subscribe “yourwill be done,” and youshallenjoypreventingmerciesthatyouneversought,andconvertingmerciestochangeallforthebest.Restconfidentinthis,thathavingaskedaccordingtohiswillhehearsyou.7.Andlastly,placeitall intothehandsofChrist.Thiswassignifiedofoldbyprayingtowardthetemple,becausethegoldenmercyseattypifyingChristwas

there. 1Kings 8.33. Heb. 8.3. Christ is ordained by God to offer gifts andsacrifices,andthereforeitisnecessarythatheshouldhavesomethingfromustooffer,beingthehighpriestoverthehouseofGod.Heb.10.21.79WhatdoesChristdoonourbehalfatthethroneofgrace?PutsomepetitionintothehandsofChrist;hewaitsforourofferingsatthedooroftheoracle;leavethesighs and groans of your heart with this compassionate intercessor who istouched with the feelings of our infirmities, who sympathizes with ourweaknesses.He that lies in theFather’sbosom,andhasexpounded thewillofGodtous,John1.18,addsmuchincensetotheprayersofallsaintsbeforethethroneofGod,andexplainsourwillstoGod,sothatourprayers,perfumedbyhis,aresetforthasincensebeforehim.Rev.8.3.Ps.141.2.Heistheday’s-man42

theheaven’s-man43betweenGodandus.Job9.23.Whateverweaskinhisnameheputsintohisgoldencenser,sothattheFathermaygiveittous.John15.16,and 16.23. When the sweet smoke of the incense of Christ’s prayer ascendsbeforetheFather,ourprayersbecomesweetandamiable,andcauseasavorofrestwithGod.ThisI take tobeonereasonwhytheprevalenceofprayer issooftenassignedtothetimeoftheeveningsacrifice,pointingatthedeathofChristabouttheninthhouroftheday,80nearthetimeoftheeveningoblation.Matt,27.46.Acts3.1;10.30.Henceitwastoo, that Abraham’s sacrifice received a gracious answer, being offered aboutsunset. Gen. 15.12, and 24.63. Isaac went out to pray at even tide. Elijah atMount Carmel prays and offers at the time of the evening sacrifice. 1Kings18.36.Ezrafelluponhiskneesandspreadouthishandsattheeveningsacrifice.Ezra9.5.Davidpraysthathisprayermaybevirtualinthepoweroftheeveningsacrifice.Ps.141.2.Danielatprayerwastouchedbytheangelaboutthetimeofthe evening sacrifice. Dan. 9.21. These are all to show the prevalence of ouraccesstothethroneofgracebythemeritoftheintercessionofChrist,whoistheacceptable evening sacrifice. Yes, and therefore we are taught in our Lord’sprayertobeginwiththetitleofafather;inhimweareadoptedtobechildren,andtousethatprevalentrelationasanargumentinprayer.Therearesomeotherparticularsinrespecttoprayeringeneral,asitmaybeconnectedandcoincidentwith secret prayer, such as stability of spirit; freedom from distraction bywanderingthoughts;theactingoffaith;theaidsoftheSpirit;allofwhichIwillpassby,andcomenowto,

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DIRECTIONS,SPECIALANDPECULIAR,44TOSECRETPRAYER.1.BesureofanintimateacquaintancewithGod.Canwepresume,whoarebutdustandashes,togoupintoheavenandboldlyenterthepresencechamber,andhavenofellowshipwiththeFatherorwiththeSon?“Acquaintyourselfwithhimandbe at peace; thenyou shall haveyourdelight in theAlmighty, and lift upyourfacetoGod.Youshallmakeyourprayertohim,andheshallhearyou.Thedecreesofyourheartshallbeestablishedforyou,andthelightshallshineuponyour ways.” Job 22.21, 26-28. First shining acquaintance, and then shininganswers.CanyousetyourfacetowardtheLordGod?Thenyoumayseekhimbyprayer;firstDanielsetsandshowshisfacetoGod,andthenheseekshimbyprayer and supplication.Daniel 9.3.DoesGod know your face in prayer?Doyouoftenconverse inyourclosetswithhim?Believe it: tomeethim insecretandwithdelightmustbethefruitof intimateacquaintancewithGod.CanyoucometoGodasachildcomesfamiliarlytoitsfather,82consideringyour ownvileness,meanness, or unworthiness compared toGod’sdivinelove,theloveandaffectionsofaheavenlyfather?Suchafather,thefatheroffathers,andthefatherofmercies–howsweetlytheapostlelinksit!2Cor.1.2-3.GodisourfatherbecauseheisthefatherofourLord;andbecauseheishisfather, so he is our father; and therefore he is the father of mercies. O whatgenerations of mercies flow from this paternity! But we must plead for thisaccess to the Father through Christ by the Spirit. Eph. 2.18. We must begradually acquaintedwith all three; firstwith theSpirit, thenwithChrist, andlastwiththeFather.FirstGodsendsthespiritofhisSonintoourhearts,andthenthrough theSonwecryAbbaFather.Gal.4.6;Eph.1.4.Thedepthsofmercyfirstbeingwrought in theFather towardus,hechoseus inChrist,andthenhesendshisSpirit todrawustoChrist,andbyChristhedrawsustohimself.DoyouhavethisaccesstoGodbytheSpirit?Bosomcommunionflowsfrombosomaffections.IfyoursoulsaretrulyinlovewithGod,hewillgraciouslysaytoyourpetitions,‘letitbetoyouaccordingtoyourlove.’paraph.Mat9.29

832. The times of findingGod.A godlyman prays in seasons of finding.WhenGod’sheartandearareinclinedtoanaudience,thenGodissaidtobowdownhis ear.There are special seasonsofdrawingnear tohim, andwhenhedrawsneartous–timeswhenhemaybefound.Whenyour“belovedlooksoutatthe

window, and shows himself through the lattice.” Ps. 31.2. Isa. 55.6. Ps. 32.6.Cant.2.9.ThatisatimeofgracewhenGodknocksatthedoorofyourheartbyhisSpirit.MotionsupontheheartarelikethedovesoftheEast,sentwithlettersaroundtheirnecks.ItissaidofBernard,thatheknewwhentheHolySpiritwaspresentwithhimbythemotionsofhisheart.WhenGodrevealshimselftotheheart,heopenstheearsofhisservantsforsomegraciousmessage.WhenGodbidsus toseekhisface, thenthesoulmustanswer,“OnethinghaveIdesired,thatwill I seek after.”Ps 27.4 Holy desireswarm the heart, and set the soul onseeking; they are like messengers sent from heaven to bring us into God’spresence.TakeheedthenofquenchingtheSpiritofGod.HethatisbornoftheSpiritknowsthevoiceoftheSpirit.John3.8.84When the soul ismelted by theword, or softened by affliction, or feels someholygroansandsighsexcitedbytheSpirit,thatisawarmtimeforprayer.Thenwe enjoy the intimacies of the presence of God. Romans 8.27. Or whenpropheciesareneartoexpire,thatiswhentheheartsDaniel,Zechariah,SimeonandAnnawere greatlyworking and searching; orwhen some promise comeswith thepower toapply it, “thereforeyour servanthas found it inhisheart topray thisprayer toyou, foryouhavepromised thisgoodness toyourservant.”2Sam.7.27-28.Whenwefindpromisesdroppedintothesoullikewine,itcausesthelipsofthosewhoareasleeptospeak.Cant.9.9.

3.Keepyourconscienceclearandcleanfromsecretsins.Howcanwegotoafriendtowhomwehavegivenanysecretaffront?Andwillyoubesoboldastocomebefore theGodofheavenwhenheknowsthatyoumaintainsomesecretsininyourhearts?DoyoudarebringaDelilahwithyouintothissacredcloset?ThatremarkofTertullianistrue:“ThosethatturntheirearfromGod’sprecepts,ifGodturnshisholyearsfromtheircry,mustshuttheirmouthinthedust.”85Whenoursecretsinsareinthelightofhiscountenance,wemayinsteadexpecttobeconsumedbyhisangerandterrifiedbyhiswrath.Ps.90.7-8.But perhaps it is objected, ‘Then who may presume and venture into secretcommunion[withGod]?’True;ifGodweretostrictlymarkwhatwedowrong,thenwhocould stand?Davidwas sensibleof thisobjection,buthe answers ithumbly:“Thereisforgivenesswithyou,sothatyoumaybefeared.”Ps.130.4.Ifwecomewithholypurposes,Godhaspromisedtopardonabundantly.Isa.55.7.His thoughtsandwaysarenot likeourways;guiltmakesusfleehispresence.

Butproclaimingpardoninggracetoawoundedsoulthatcomesforstrengthfromheaven tosubdue its iniquities, sweetlydraws thatsoul to lieatGod’s feet formercy.Whilewearestillunderthewoundingsenseofguilt,wecannotbeasfreeas formerly;yetwhenhe“restores tous the joyofhissalvation,hewillagainupholduswithhisfreespirit.”Ps.51.12.Yetbewareofscarsuponthesoul.Godknowsourfoolishness;andourguiltinessisnothiddenfromhim;yetwecome[tohim]forpurgingandcleansingmercy.86A godly man may sense the divine displeasure for some iniquity he himselfknows,as theLordspokeofEli;1Sam3.13yet theway tobecured isnot to runfromGod,butlikethedistressedwoman,comefearingandtrembling,andfallathisfeet,andtellhimallthetruth.Butifprayerhascuredyou,thensinnomore,lestaworsethingcomeuponyou.Matt.5.33.Forifwe“regardiniquityinourheart,theLordwillnothearus;”buttheguiltmaystareconscienceinthefacewithgreatamazement.Ps.66.18.Thereisastoryofsomeonewhohadsecretlystolen a sheep; it ran before his eyes in prayer, so that he could have no rest.Howstrangelymemorywill ring thebell in theearsofConscience ifwehaveany secret sin, or if (after our peace-offering)we but glancewith desires andsecret thoughts toobtainourbeloved lusts again.This is dangerous.Godmayjustly allow such persons to throw awaywhat is good, and to cleave to theiridols, and let them alone. But if the face of the heart is not knowingly andwillinglyspottedwithanysinandlust(exceptinginfirmitieswhichyoumournunder),thenyourcountenancethroughChrist87will be attractive in the eye ofGod, andyour voicewill be sweet in his ears.[Augustine]said,“hewhoprayswell,liveswell;”soaholylifewillbewalkingincontinualprayer;suchalifeisaconstantpetitionbeforeGod.

4.Ownyourpersonal interestwithGod,andplead ithumbly.Considerwhomyougotoinsecret;“praytoyourFatherwhoseesinsecret.”Canyouproveyouare in covenant?What you can prove, you may plead, and you may have itsuccessfullyissued.InprayerwetakeGod’scovenantintoourmouths.ButtheLordchallengesthosewithoutarealinterest,askingwhattheyhavetodowithit.Ps.50.15-16.45Godnevergraciouslyhears,unless it isbaseduponan interest.Solomon presses this argument in prayer: “for they are your people and yourinheritance.”1Kings8.51.Davidpleads:“YouaremyGod;hearthevoiceofmysupplication.”Ps. 140.6. “I amyours, saveme.”Ps. 119.94. “Truly I amyour

servant,”Ps.116.16.Asa turns thecontestheavenwards:“OLord,youareourGod;donot letmortalmanprevail against you; you takeme for the sheepofyourfold,andtheservantofyourhousehold;thereforeseekme.”2Chr.14.11.46

88WhenIsrael is refinedassilverand triedasgold,“theyshallcallonhisnameand he will hear them. I will say it is my people, my tried, refined, goldenpeople, and they shall say theLord ismyGod.”Ps. 119.176, andZech. 13.9.When you can discern the print of the broad seal of the covenant upon yourheart,andthehiddensealoftheSpirituponyourprayers,andcanlookupontheSon of God in a priestly relation to you, then you may come boldly to “thethroneofgraceintimeofneed.”Heb.4.16.5. Be very particular in secret prayer, as to sins, wants, and mercies. If youexpectapardon, thenhidenoneofyour transgressions.Donotbeashamed toexposeallyournecessities.Davidargues thathe ispoorandneedy.Ps.40.17;70.5; 86.1 109.22. Four separate times he presses his wants and exigenciesbeforeGod,likeanearnestbutholybeggar.AndbeforeGod,Davidshowedhistrouble,andpresentedhisraggedconditionandsecretwounds;justasJobsaidhewould“orderhiscausebeforehim.”Job23.4.Therewemayspeakourmindsfully,andnamethepersonsthatafflict,affront,andtroubleus;89and woe to those whom a child of God, upon a mature judgment, names inprayer. Idonot find thatsuchaprayer inScripture returnedempty.Jacob inagreatstrait47said,“Delivermefromthehandofmybrother,Esau.”Gen.32.11.David in the ascent of theMount Olives said, “O Lord, I pray you, turn thecounselofAhitophelintofoolishness.”2Sam.15.31.PrayertwistedtheropeforhimatGiloh.ThusJehoshaphatinhisprayernamesAmmon,MoabandEdomconspiring against him. 2Chr. 20.10. Thus Hezekiah spreads the bitter letterbefore the Lord. Isa. 37.14. And the Psalmist takes them all into a roundcatalogue that counselled against Israel. Ps. 83.6, etc. Thus the church in herprayernamesHerodAntipasandPontiusPilate,ofwhichthefirstwassentintoperpetualbanishment,and the latterkilledhimself. Josephus,L.18.c.9.Euseb.Chr.L.2,p.159.Itisofgreatuseinprayertoaccompanysomespecialcaseorsingle request with suitable arguments and affections. “For this cause,” saysPaul,“Ibowtheknee.”Eph.3.14.Supposeagraceisdeficientinitsstrength;90“Lord, increaseour faith.”Luke17.5.Or supposea temptation isurgent; “For

thisIprayedtotheLordthreetimes.”2Cor.12.8.Agreatreasonwhywereapsolittlebenefitbyprayerisbecauseweresttoomuchingenerals;andifwehavesuccess,itisbutdark,sothatoftenwecannottellwhattomakeoftheoutcomesofprayer.Besides, to beparticular inour petitionswouldkeep the spirit fromwanderingmuchwhenweare intentuponaweightycase;and theprogressofthesoulingracewouldmanifestitsgradualsuccessinprayer.

6.MakeholyandhumbleappealsbeforetheLordinsecret,whenthesoulcansubmissively and thankfully expose itself todivine searching.The soul cannotdwellinthepresenceofGodundertheflashingofdefilement,norwilltheHolySpirit own a defiled soul. But when a person can humbly, modestly andreverentlysay,“Searchmeandtrymyheart,andseeifthereisanywickedwayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting,”Psalm139.23,itwillbethemeansoftheexpressionsandoutpouringsofjoyfulaffectionsandmeekconfidenceatthefootstool of grace, especially in pleas of deliverance from wicked and proudenemies.91WhenDavidcanpleadinthecasestated,betweenhisenemiesandhimself,“forI amholy,”Ps. 86.2, 14, 17, it is a tokenof his goodness.OrwhenwepleadagainsttheassaultsofSatan,areweconsciousthatwehavewatchedandprayedagainstentering into temptation?When in themainwecanwashourhands ininnocence, then we may comfortably encompass God’s altar. In case ofopposition and injustice: “He rewarded me (says David in the case of Saul)accordingtomyrighteousnessandthecleannessofmyhandsbeforehim.”Ps.18.20.OraboutthetruthofthelovethatisinthehearttoGod:“Youthatknowall things know that I love you.” John 21.17. As to zeal for the worship andordinancesofGod,Nehemiahsoprayed:Neh.13.14,22.Astotheintegrityofalifewell-spent,Hezekiahsoprayed:Isa.38.3.Orifwecannotrisesohigh,yetasthe church did: “The desire of our soul is for your name and for theremembranceofyou.” Isa.26.8.Or lastly,whenwecanunfeignedlyplead theusefulnessofamercythatisentreatedforthedivineglory;92suchas,whenaminister,or thechurchofChristonhisbehalf,prays forgiftsandgraces–forsuchknowledgeandutterance–thathemaywinsoulstoChrist,andtheycanappealthatthisishisprincipalaim,thenthisisglorious!Eph.6.19.Col.4.3.7.PrayfortheSpirit,thatyoumayprayinandbytheSpirit.“Awakenthenorth

windandthesouth,toblowuponyourgarden,sothatitsspicesmayflowforth.”Cant.4.16.ThenyoumayinviteChrist:“Letmybelovedcomeintohisgardenand eat his pleasant fruit,” that the soul may enjoy him and hold sweetcommunionwithhim.AllsuccessfulprayerisfromthebreathingoftheSpiritofGod,whenhe inspires and indites,whenhedirects theheart as tomatter, andgoverns the tongue as toutterance.Godgraciouslyhears the sighsof his ownSpiritformedinus.HesendsforthhisSpirit,and“thewatersflow.”Ps.147.13.ThewatersofcontritionflowuponthebreathingoftheSpirit,andthesoulis,asitwere,allafloatbeforethethroneofgrace,whentheselivingwatersissuefromunder thethresholdof thesanctuary.Ezek.47.1.Devout tearsdropdownfromtheSpirit’sinfluences.93Melting supplications follow the infusions of grace by the Spirit. “Then theyshallmournforthepiercingofChrist,”saystheprophet,“andbeinbitternessasforafirst-born,”likethemourningatthetownofHadad-Rimmon,whereJosiahwas slain. Zech. 12.11. Then, in that day, Zech. 13.1, 2, 4, and 14.8, whatinundations ofmercy shall refresh the church,when the Lordwill extend herpeace like a river, and the glory of theGentiles like a flowing stream– greatthingstothechurch,andgraciousthingstothesoul!Holysighsinprayergiveintelligenceaboutgreatmercies to follow.Onemeans topowerfullywithstandallthewilesofSatanistoconsecrateeverypartofthespiritualarmorbyprayerintheSpirit.Eph.6.18.8. Apply special promises to special cases in prayer. For God has and willmagnifyhiswordofpromise,aboveallhisname.Whenweareunderthewordofcommandforaduty,wemustlookforawordofpromise,andunitetheminprayer. John 12.28.48 When a promise of aid is suited to the precept, then itrenders prayer victorious, and obedience pleasant.Whenwe come intoGod’spresencewithhisownwords,94whenwetakehiswordswithus,thathewould“takeawayalliniquity,”thenhewill“receiveusgraciously.”Hosea14.2.JacoburgesGodtobidhimtoreturnfromhiscountryandkindred.Gen.32.9.49Solomonurgesthewordofpromiseto David. 1Kings 8.24. Jehoshaphat urges the word of promise to Solomon.2Chr. 20.8-9. Daniel fills his mouth with the promise given to Jeremiah; hereads,andthenapplies it inprayer.Dan.9.2-3.FirstsearchtheBibleandlookforapromise,andwhenfound,openitbeforetheLord.Paulteachesustotake

thepromisegiventoJoshua,andthentosayboldly‘theLordisourhelper.’Heb.13.5-6.Thespecialgroundoftheanswerofprayerliesintheperformanceofapromise. Ps. 50.15, and 65.24. Simeon lived upon a promise, and expiredsweetly in the arms of a promise, in the breathings of a prayer. Luke 2.29.Sometimesthesouldependsonananswerbyvirtueofthecovenantingeneral;such as, “I will be your God.” Gen. 17.7. Sometimes it is by the greatRemembrancerdrawingwateroutofsomewellofsalvation;John14.26;50butinbothcases,God’sfaithfulnessisthesoul’ssurety.95Hence it is thatDavid inprayersooftenarguesupon theveracityand truthofGod; and the church in Micah is so confident that the mercy promised toAbrahamandconfirmedintruthtoJacob,shouldbeplentifullyperformedtohispeopleIsrael.Micah7.20.51

9.SoberandseriousresolutionsbeforeGodinprayer.The119thPsalmisfullofthese.“Iwillkeepyour statutes. Iwill run thewayofyour testimonies. Iwillspeakofyourtestimoniesbeforekings.Ihaveswornandwillperformit,thatIwillkeepyour righteous judgments.”Andelsewhere:“quickenusandwewillcall upon your name.” Ps. 80.18. “Owhenwill you come tome? Iwillwalkwithin my house with a perfect heart.” Ps. 101.2. Thus the soul makes holystipulationsandcompactsofobediencetoGod.ThusJacobsays,“ifGodwillbewithme,thentheLordshallbemyGod,”andheresolvesuponahouseforGod,andtoreserveatenthofallhisestateforhisserviceandworship.Gen.28.22.52

Andthisconjunction“if”isnottobetakenasacondition,asthoughifGoddidnotbestowwhatheaskedfor,thenGodwouldnotbehisGod.96Thatwouldbeagreatwickedness.Rather, it isarationalsettingforthoforderand time. Because, or since, God is graciously pleased to promise, I willacknowledgehimtobetheGodwhomIadore,byerectingatempleandpayingtithestomaintainhisworship.ButwhateveritisthatthesoulindistressofferstoGodinpromise,donotbeslacktoperformit,formanytimesanswersofprayermay be delayed till we have performed our promises. Ps. 96.13, 19. Davidprofessestopaywhathislipshadutteredintrouble,forGodhadheardhim.Ifwe break ourwords toGod, then it is nowonder thatwe feelwhat the LordthreatenedtoIsrael,thattheywouldknowhisbreachofpromise.Numb.14.34.53

10. A waiting frame of spirit in prayer. “I waited patiently for the Lord; heinclined to me and heard my cry.” Ps. 40.1. The Hebrew word signifies, “I

expectedwithexpectation.”—Hewalkedupanddowninthegalleryofprayer.ThisissetforthinhopetillGodhears:“Inyou,OLord,doIhope;youwillhear,OLordmyGod.”Ps.38.15.SaywithMicah:“IwilllookuntotheLord;IwillwaitfortheGodofmysalvation.”Micah7.7.97Hoping,expecting,trusting,livinguponthepromiseandlookingforananswerofpeace,aswhenanarchershootsanarrowhelooksafteritwithhisglasstoseehowithits themark;sosaysthesoul,‘IwillpayattentionandwatchhowmyprayerfliestowardthebosomofGod,andwhatmessagesreturnfromheaven.’The seamanwhen he has set sail, goes to the helm and the compass, and hestandsandobserves thesunor thepole-star,andseeshowtheshipworks,andhow the landmarks form themselvesaccording tohischart.Soyoushoulddo:whenyouhavebeenatprayer,markyourship,howitmakestheport,andwhatrichgoodsare loadedbackagain fromheaven.Mostmen lose theirprayers inthemistsandfogsofnon-observationorforgetfulness.Andthuswearriveatthesecondquestion.

II.HOWTODISCOVERANDDISCERNANSWERSTOSECRETPRAYER,SOTHATTHESOULMAYBESATISFIEDTHATITHASPREVAILEDWITHGOD.Letusnowconsidertheconditiontoprayerinthetext.Hewillreturnitintoyourbosoms; this is so when themercy that is sought is speedily and particularlythrown intoyourarms.Ps.104.28;54147.9.This is like the irrationalcreatureswhich,intheirnaturalcries,98seek their food fromGod, and gatherwhat he gives them, and are filledwithGod.WhenGodopenlyreturnstohischildren,thereisnofurtherdispute;fortheworstofmenwillacknowledgethedivinebountywhenhefillstheirheartswithfoodandgladness.Acts14.17.55

I.Butwhencasesaredubious,observetheframeandtemperofyourspiritinprayer;howtheheartworksandsteersitscourseinseveralparticulars.

1.Aholy libertyof spirit isusuallyanexcellent signofanswers – a copious56

spirit of fluentness57 to pour out requests, as out of a fountain. 2Cor. 1.17.AsGodshutsupopportunities,soheshutsupheartswhenheisnotinclinedtohear.The heart is sometimes locked up so that it cannot pray, or if it does, and itpresseson,thenitfindsastraitness,58asiftheLordhadspokenasheoncedidtoMoses;“Speaknomore tomeof thismatter.”Deut.3.26.OrasGodspoke toEzekiel,Ez.14.14,7.2,and7.11.EventhoughNoah,DanielandJobentreatedforanation,when the timeofalarmhadcome, therewasnosalvationbut fortheirsouls.WhenGodintendstotakeawaynearrelations,oranyofhissaintstohimself,itoftenhappens99that neither the church of God nor dear friends have apt reasons or hearts toenlarge.Thebowofprayerdoesnotabideinstrength.GodtookawaygraciousJosiah suddenly. 2Chr. 35.25. The church had time to write a book oflamentation, and tomake it an ordinance in Israel, but therewas no time fordeprecation59ofthedivinedispleasureinit.InHezekiah’scase,therewasbothareasonandaheartenlargedinprayer,andtheprophetcriedforasignofmercy.2Kings 20.11.Holy Jamesmight be quickly dispatchedby theword ofHerodAgrippa,butthechurchhadtimeforsupplicationinbehalfofPeter,Acts12.2,12. When the Lord is graciously pleased to grant a space of time and anenlargement of heart, it is a notable sign of success. “You have enlarged me

whenIwasindistress,”saysDavid,Psalm4.1, thoughitmeantdeliverance, itmaybeapplied toprayer,as theholyprophet seems todo. Indeed, though thesoulmaybeundersomesenseofdispleasureandinextremities,yetitliftsupacry.Psalm18.6.Whenconscienceshutsthemouthsofhypocrites,theyshunandfleethepresenceofGod.1002.Ablessedserenityandquietcalmnessofspiritintimeofprayer–especiallywhenthesoulcomestotheLordtroubledandcloudedatfirst,whileitpoursoutitscomplaintsbeforehim;butat length,thesunshinesforthbrightly.It issaidaboutHannahthatshewasnolongersad;hercountenancewasnolongerintheoldhue,castdownandsorrowfulbecauseofherrival.ThustheLorddealtwithDavid, though not fully answered, yet filledwith holy fortitude of spirit, andrevivedinthemidstofhistrouble.1Sam.1.18.Prayerdispelsanxioussolicitude,and chases away black thoughts from the heart. Psalm 138.3, 7. It eases theconscience,andfillsthesoulwiththepeaceofGod.Phil.4.6-7.3.Ajoyfulframeofspirit.Godsometimesmakeshispeoplenotonlypeaceful,butjoyfulinhishouseofprayer.ThusitwaswithHezekiah,Isaiah56.7,whenhis crane-like chatterings were turned into swan-like songs, and his mournfulelegies60were turned intogloriouspraisesupon ten-stringed instruments in thehouseoftheLord.61ThelipsofHabbakukquiveredandhisbellytrembled;butbeforehefinished,hisvoicewasvolubleinholysongsandhis101fingerswerenimbleontheharp.Hab.3.16.ThusatSolomon’sprayer;whenthefirecamedown, thepeoplewerewarmedatworship,andwentawaygladandmerry at heart. 2Chr. 7.1, 10.David’s experienceof this sent himoften to thehouseofGodforcomfort;and thushechideshissoulwhen it iscastdownatanytime;“IamgoingtothealtarofGod,toGodmyexceedingjoy;whyareyoudisquietedwithinme? “Psalm 43.4-5.His old harp that had cured Saul of hismalignantdumps,onwhichtemplesongsareplayed,nowcureshisownspiritualsadness.WhenwelookuponGodwithaneyeoffaithinprayer,itenlightensourfaces with heavenly joy. When Moses came down off the mount fromcommunionwithGod, how illustrioushis facewas from that heavenlyvision.Thisiswhyprayerfordivinemercyandcomfortsometimesexhibitsitselfinthislanguage: “Make your face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved,” Psalm83.3;andinthiswaythepriestsofoldweretoblessthechildrenofIsrael:“TheLordmakehisfacetoshineuponyou,andbegracioustoyou.”Numbers6.25.

TheseandsimilarexpressionsinScripture,102

import62thatsometimestheLordwaspleasedtogiveforthashininggloryfromtheoracle,andtherebymadeknownhispresencetohispeople,andfilledthemwithawfulimpressionsofhismajestyandmercy.Ex.40.34.Lev.9.23.Numb.16.19.ThisjoyfullightofGod’scountenanceislikethesunrisinguponthefaceof the earth. It chases away the dark fears and discouragements of the night.Such heavenly joy shows the strength of faith in prayer, and the radiantappearancesofGod; indeed,allprayer shouldbedirected to thisend, thatourjoymaybefull.John16.24.4.AsweetnessofaffectionforGod–whenthesoulhasgracioussentimentsofGod in prayer. Clouds of jealousy, and suspicions of divinemercy, as if Godwereahardmaster,aremarvellouslyunbecomingasoulthatwouldgotoGodasafather.Andhence,torestrainprayerbecauseofsuchunsuitablethoughtsofhisinfinite mercy, is greatly provoking [to God]. Whereas the apprehension ofGod’s excellent goodness shouldwork the heart into lovely thoughts of God.Man, but especially a saint, is an accumulated heap of divine favors, and thegiftsofdivinemercyshouldattractourhearts.103Whenthesoulcomestoperceivethateverythingflowsfromthefountainofhiseternallove,itfillsprayerwithholydelightandjoy;theecstaciesofloveoftenriseuponthesoulinsecret,andwithsuchdivineaffectionthatitcarriesthesoulbeyond itself. Let the profaneworld saywhat theywillwhen spiritual ardors,likesomanyfragrantspices, flowoutof thesoul.“I love theLord, forhehasheardmysupplication.”Psalms116.1.Asanswerstoprayerflowfromtheloveof the father, so suitable workings of holy affections flow from the hearts ofchildren.John16.27.Whenthesoulisfilledwithgraciousintimations,likethoseof the angelicvoice toDaniel, “ODaniel, greatlybeloved,”or like that to theHoly Virgin, “Hail, you that are highly favored,” how greatly it inflames thehearttowardGod.Dan.10.11;Luke1.23.5. Inwardencouragements sometimes spring inupon theheart inprayer, fromthe remembrance of former experienceswhichmightily animate the soulwithfervency.WhenMosescallstomindthatGodhadforgivenanddeliveredthemfromEgypt,therefollows104

immediately a sweet intimation ofGod’smercy.Numb. 14.19-20.63When thesoul considers the days of old, the years of ancient times, and calls toremembrance its former songs in the night, he draws an argument out of thequiverofhisexperience:“WillGodbefavorablenomore?Canheforgettobegracioustome?Canheinangershutuphistendermercies?”Psalm77.5-6,7,9-10.6.Areadyheartforthankfulnessandservice.TheheartisbrimfulandreadytoflowoveringratefulmemorialsofGod’smercy.“WhatshallIrendertotheLordfor all his benefits towardsme? “Psalm116.12.Asof old at temple sacrificestherewasmusic,soitoughttobenow:whilethemercyisbeingprayedfor,theheartmustbewoundupandtunedforpraise.Rev.5.8.Psalm107.1.Thevialsfullofthearomasofprayerarejoinedwithharpsforaheavenlymelody.Whentheheartisfixedorprepared,thensongsandpraisefollow.Thisstreamsfromasenseofdivinelove;andloveisthefountainofthankfulness,andofallsprightlyand vigorous services. Any prayer that does not end in cheerful obedience iscalledbyCyprian,105“barrenandunfruitful,nakedandwithoutornament.”Andsowemayglanceattheexpression inJames5.16,“theeffectual, ferventprayer.”Aprayerworkingwithin,willbeworkingwithout,anddemonstratethelaboroflove.II.Observetheprincipalsubjectmatterofprayer;markthatwhilethearrowofprayer is shot at the target it aims for, there is usually some special sin thatremains unconquered, some untamed corruption, some defect, some pressingstraitthatdrivesthesoultoprayer;andthisisthemainburdenofthespirit.Takenotice how such a sin withers, or such a grace flourishes, or such a need issupplied upon the opening our hearts in prayer. Watch for prayer, watch toperformit,1Peter4.7,andthenexpoundthevoiceofthedivineoracle,toknowthat you are successful. Cry to your soul, by way of holy soliloquy,64

“Watchman!Whatofthenight?”Is.21.11.III. Observe ensuing providences. Set a vigilant eye upon succeedingcircumstances;examinethemastheypassbeforeyou;setawakefulsentinelattheportsofwisdom.“Hisnameisnear,hiswondrousworksdeclare.”Psa75.1;hisnameoftruth;Joh14.6hisglorioustitleofhearingprayer.Psa65.2

106Whenprayerhasgoneupbythehelpof theSpirit,markhow“all thingsworktogether for good.” Rom. 8.28. Note the connexion there; working things

together follows the intercessionof theSpirit forall saints.Rom.8.27.God isoftenpleasedtospeaksoclearlybyhisworks,asifhesaid,“HereIam,Iwillguideyoucontinually,andyoushallbelikeawateredgarden,whosewatersdonot fail.” Is.58.9,11.Secretpromisesanimateprayer,andoftenprovidentiallyexpoundit.CyruswaspromisedtocomeagainstBabylonforthechurch’ssake.Is. 45.4, 11, 19.65But Israelmustask it ofGod, and theywere told that theywould not ask his face in vain; then followsBabylon’s fall in the succeedingchapter.WhenwecrytotheLordintrouble,hesendshiswordofcommand,andheals us. Psalm107.19-20.There is a set timeofmercy, a timeof life.WhenAbrahamhadprayedforason, theLordtoldhim“at thetimeappointedIwillreturn.”Gen.15.2;18.14.Inagreatextremity,afterthesolemnfastofthreedaysbytheJewsinShusan,andthequeenwasinherpalace,onthefourthday,107atnightthekingcouldnotsleep,andhemustheartheChroniclesofPersia;thenfollowsHaman’sruin.Est.4.16,and6.1.Prayerhasastrangevirtuetogivequietsleep sometimes, as toDavid.Psalm3.4-5.And sometimeshegives awakingpillow for the good of the church. Mat. 24.42 66 When Jacob had finishedwrestling,andtheangelhadgoneatdawn,thenthegoodmansawtheangelofGod’spresenceinthefaceofEsau.SometimesProvidenceisnotsoquick; themartyr’sprayer,astoacompleteanswer,isdeferredforaseason,Rev.6.11,butlongwhiterobesaregiventoeveryone–atriumphantframeofspirit;andtheyaretoldtheyshouldwaitbutalittleseasontilldivinejusticewouldworkouttheissueofprayer.The thunderuponGod’senemiescomesoutof the temple; thejudgmentsroaroutofZion,theplaceofdivineaudience.Rev.11.19.Joel3.16.Butthemeans,methods,andtimesofGod’sworkingarevarious;wegivethemlittleforethought.Submiteverythingtohisinfinitewisdom;donotprescribe,butobserve the embroidery of Providence; it is difficult to spell its characterssometimes,108but it is a rare employment. Isa. 64.5. Psalm111.2.Eccl. 3.11.Hisworks aresearchedintobythosewhodelightinhisprovidences,forallthingsarebeautifulinhisseason.IV. Observe your following communionwithGod. Inward answersmake thesoul vegetative and lively, like plants that after a rain, when the sun shines,2Sam. 23.4, lift up their heads and shoot forth their flowers.A saint inGod’sfavordoeseverythingwithdelight.Answeredprayerislikeoiltothespirits,and

beauty for ashes; the sackcloth of mournful fasting is turned to a weddinggarment.Hegrowsmore free,andyet ishumbly familiarwithheaven.This issomeone I wouldwish you to pick an acquaintancewith, who can come andhavewhathewillatcourt.John16.23.TheLordoncetoldakingbynightthatAbrahamwasaprophetandwouldprayforhim–thathewasacquaintedwiththeKingofheaven.Gen. 20.7.Oblessedperson! I hope there aremany suchpersonsamongyou,whose life isaperpetualprayer,asDavidgavehimself toprayer. Psalm 109.4. (The literal Hebrew expression, “but I prayer,”67 is veryforcible).He isprayerallover:hepraysat risingandpraysat lyingdown;hepraysashewalks;109andheisalwaysreadyforprayer.Heislikeaprimefavoriteatcourtthathasthegoldenkeytotheprivatestairs,andcanwakehisprincebynight.Therearesuch(whatever thedrunken andprofaneworlddreams),whoare ready for spiritualascentsatallseasons,besidesthefrequencyofsetcommunions.Hiswingsneverweary,hiswillingspiritisflyingcontinually,andhemakesGodtherockofhisdwellingintowhichhemay,uponallassaults,haveholyretirements.Butenough for themainquestionwith itsbranches.Therearemanyparticularqueriesofsomeweightthatmayattendthesubject.TotheseIshallbrieflyreply.Query1.Whatisthepropertimeforsecretprayer?Variousprovidences,differenttemperamentsandframesofspirit,motionsfromheaven,andopportunities,variouslydictatethepropertime.Somefinditbestatevening;othersinthenightwhenallissilent;othersatmorningwhenthespiritsare freshest. I think with respect to others, that conscientious prudence mustguidetheminsuchcases,butitshouldbewhenothersareretired,68andthespiritisinthebestframeforcommunion.110Query2.Howoftenshouldweprayinsecret?Ifweconsultscripturalprecedent,wefindDavidatprayerinthemorning.Psalm5.3.OurblessedLord,early,beforeday,inthemorning.Mark1.35.Chrysostomadvises, “Wash your soul before your body, for as the face and hands arecleansedbywater,sothesouliscleansedbyprayer.”AtanothertimeourLordwenttosecretprayerintheevening,Matt.14.23,andIsaacwentoutatdusktomeditate.Gen.24.63.DavidandDanielprayedthreetimesaday,Psalm55.17;Dan. 6.10; and once it ismentioned thatDavid said, seven times a day Iwill

praiseyou;thatis,“Iwilldoitoften.”Psalm119.164.Suchcasesmayhappenthatrequirefrequentaccessestothethroneofgraceinaday.ButIhumblythinkwe should go there at least once a day, which seems to be imported by thatpassage inourLord’sprayer, “Giveus thisdayourdailybread;” for afterourLord’sappointmentofsecretprayerinthetext,hegivesthisprayerasapatterntohisdisciples.111Query3.Whenpersonsareundertemptationsordisturbancebypassions,isitexpedienttopraythen?Sinceweareenjoinedto“liftupholyhandswithoutwrath,”1Tim.2.8,Ijudgethat it is not so proper to run immediately to prayer, but with some prayingejaculationsforpardonandstrengthagainstsuchexcesses,andwhencooledandcomposedinsomemeasure,thenspeedtoprayer.Takeheedthesundoesnotgodownonyourangerwithoutholypurgingbyprayer.Eph.4.26.ThoughImustconfessthataChristianshouldalwaysendeavortokeephiscourseandheartinsuch a frame as not to be unfit for prayer upon small warnings. The veryconsideration of our frequent communion with God should be a great bar toimmoderateandexuberantpassions.Query4.Whetherwemayprayinsecretwhenothersmusttakenoticeofourretirement?Imust confess, in a small house, andwhen a person canmany times find nooccasions except those that will be observed, I think he ought not to neglectsecretdutyforfearofthenoticeofothers;wemust112prevent itasmuchasmaybe,andespeciallywatchourheartsagainstspiritualpride,andGodmaygraciouslyturnittoatestimonyandexampletoothers.Query5.Whetherwemaybevocalinsecretprayer, ifwecan’traiseorkeepupouraffectionsowell,orpreservetheheartfromwanderingwithoutit?No doubt; yet a great deal ofwise cautionmust be used about extending thevoice.Tertullianadvises thathands, countenance, andvoice shouldbeorderedwithgreatreverenceandhumility.Whatdifferencewouldtherebeinrevealingourprayersbythis,thanifweprayedinpublic?Yetifwecanobtainsomeveryprivateplace,orwhenothersareawayfromhome,suchmaylawfullyincreaseittotheirprivatebenefit.Query6.Howtokeeptheheartfromwanderingthoughtsinprayer?

Although it is exceedingly difficult to attain so excellent a frame, yet byfrequently remembering and reflecting upon the eye of God in secret; byendeavoringtofixtheheartwithallpossiblewatchfulnessuponthemainscopeoftheprayerinhand;bybeingverysensibleofourwantsand113

indigences;69 by not studying70 an impertinent length of time, but rather beingmorefrequentandshortinprayer;byconsideringthatGodisinheavenandweareonearth;andalsobytheexerciseofholycommunion;wemay,throughtheimploredassistanceof theSpirit, attain somesweetnessand freedom,andalsomoreofafixedspiritinouraddressesbeforetheLord.Query7.Whatifpresentanswersdonotseemtocorrespondtoourpetitions?Wemustnotconcludebyandbythat it isatokenofdispleasure,andsaywithJob,“Whydoyoucontendwithme?”Job10.2;butweshouldacknowledgethesovereigntyofdivinewisdomand love in thingswhichseemcontrary tous inour petitions for temporal mercies; and submit to the counsel of Elihu (Job33.13),71sinceGodgivesnoaccountofanyofhismatters.Norcanwefindouttheunsearchablemethodsofhisholywaystoanysatisfaction.

Thereareothercasesandscruples72thatmightbeaddressed;suchasprescribedformsofprayerinsecretprayer,towhichIneedsaylittle,sincethosewhoaretrulyconverted,Gal.4.6;theyhavethepromiseoftheSpiritofGodtoassistandenablemen.114Those thathave the fountaindonotneed todrink fromanotherman’sbucket,norusestiltsandcrutchesthathavespiritualstrength;norarewordsandphrasesthenervesofprayer–faithandholygroansare.Rom.8.26.Zech.12.10.Acts9.11.Yet,forsomehelptoyoungbeginners,itisofusetoobservethestyleofthe spirit, as well as the heavenly matter of several prayers in the HolyScriptures.Nor do I need to press frequency to a holy heart that has fallen in lovewithspiritualcommunion,forhedelightstobewithGodcontinually;thethoughtsofGodaresoprecioustohimthathissoulissickfromaffection,anditpraystobestayed with more of “the flagons,” and comforted with “the apples” in evengreaterabundance.Cant.2.5.Tosome,butIfearveryfew,itmaybenecessarytosayhowfaritmaybeexpedienttowithdrawfromprayerfortheneedsoftheirfrail body in this vale of tears. It may be said to them, that the Lord is very

pitying and gracious toward our frailties; he would rather have mercy thansacrificeinsomecases.ThoughIdoubtthesephoenixes,73whichareveryrare,areindangerofexpiringinprayer,asmartyrsofholylove,asGersonexpressesit.115Havingnowfinished the foregoingquerieswithwhatbrevity Icould, I shouldaddress short, sudden, occasional prayers, commonly called ejaculations; butindeed that requiresa setdiscourse.Yetbecauseofapromise recitedearlier, Ishallgiveafewhints,andthenconcludewithsomeapplication.

EJACULATORYPRAYER.EjaculatoryPrayerisasudden,shortbreathingofthesoultowardheavenuponaninstantandsurprisingemergency.Inholypersonsitisquickandlively,risingfromavehement ardorof spirit, swifter than the flight of eagles, and it keepspacewithaflashoflightning.Itfliesuponthewingsofaholythoughtintothethirdheavensinthetwinklingofaneye,anditfetchesauxiliaryforcesintimeofneed.There are many precedents recorded in the sacred page on great and notableoccasions,withunusualsuccess.Whengoodmagistratesarebusyintheworkofreformation, let them imitate Nehemiah when redressing the profaning of theSabbath: “Rememberme,OmyGod, concerning this thing.”Neh. 13.14, 22.Whencaptainsandgeneralsgotowar,observeIsrael’sappealtoGodratherthanacclamationstomen:117“TheLordyourGodbewithyou,ashewaswithMoses.”Josh.1.17.Intimesofbattle,orinpursuitoftheenemy,valiantJoshuadartsupsuchaprayerasthis:“OthattheLordwouldlengthenthistriumphantday,”Josh.10.12;andtheLordheardhisvoice.The tribesbeyondJordan inabattlewith theHagarites:1Chr.5.10,20.WhenJehoshaphatwasinasorestrait,2Chr.18.31.Samson,readytoperishatLehiwiththirst,andwhenblindandexposedtocontemptinthetempleofDagon, Judges15.18;16.28.ElishaatDothansurroundedbyaSyrianhost,prayed,“Lord,openthisyoungman’seyes.”2Kings6.17.Davidnearlybeingstoned atZiklag, 1Sam. 30.6, andwhen flying fromAbsalom in the ascent ofMountOlivet.2Sam.15.31.Inthemidstoflawfulandlaboriouscallings,Boazsaidtothereapers,“TheLordbewithyou.”Ruth2.4.Itsanctifiestheplough,asJeromesaidofthefieldsofBethlehem:“Thetillersofthefieldsandthedressersof the vineyards sang David’s psalms.” It keeps the shop, and it inclines theheartsofcustomers;itbarsthedoors;itquenchesfires;itblessesyourchildrenwithinyou;itpreservesyourgoingoutandcomingin.118Jacob found it to rest upon, as his childrenwent on a journey toEgypt.Gen.43.14.Itclosestheeyewithsweetsleep,Psalm3.5,givessongsinthenight,andwakens the soul in the arms ofmercy. Job 35.10. Psalm 139.18. It sits at thehelm when the storm rises at sea; it gives strength to anchors in roads, andprosperous gales to the venturous merchant. Psalm 107.28. Jonah 1.6. When

Nehemiahpresentsthecuptohisprinceinthepalaceatdinner,healsopresentsaMichtam,agoldenprayertotheKingofHeaven.Neh.2.4.Atthereadingofthe law, Josiah was heard in secret cries to Heaven. 2Chr. 34.27. At a holyconferenceona journey, thedisciplesprayed,“Lord, increaseour faith.”Luke17.5. Jacob, on his dying pillow, predicting future events to his children, fallsintoaholyrapture:“Ihavewaitedforyoursalvation,OLord.”Gen.49.18.Athissacreddeathinmartyrdom,Zechariahcriesout,“theLordlookuponitandrequire it.”2Chr.2.4.AndStephenunderashowerofstonesmelts intoprayerforthestonyheartsthatflungthem.“Lord,donotlaythissintotheircharge.”Acts7.60.119AndourblessedSaviourinhisgreatestagonies,makesatender-heartedprayer:“Father, forgive them,”etc.Luke23.34.And lastly, in thedistressesofothers,EliputsupasuddenprayerforHannah:“TheGodofIsraelgrantyourpetition.”1Sam.1.17.In these andmany similar cases, theHolyWord supplies uswith patterns forejaculationinallextremities,whichIcannotnowdigestandimprove.Onlyinafewwords,letustakeaviewoftheusefulnessofsuchasuddenflightofthesoultoheaven.

1. It helps us to a speedy preparation for all our duties; with such anejaculationletusliftupourhandstoGodintheheavens.Lam.3.41.2.Itisaguardagainstsecretsinsintheirfirstrising,andinthefirstassaultsoftemptation.3. It does not allow divine mercies to slip by unobserved in a wakefulChristian,anditprovesafruitfulmotherofgratitudeandpraise.4.Itsanctifiesallourworldlyemployments;itfastensthestakesinthehedgeofdivineprotection;anditturnseverythingtoablessing.1Tim.4.4-5.

5.Itisasaint’sbuckler74againstsuddenaccidents,apresentantidoteagainstfrightsandeviltidings.Itisgoodatalloccasions,anditconsecratestousnotonlyourmeals,buteverygaspofair,etc.

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6. It isa sweetcompanion that the severestenemiescannotabridge.75Theymay cut off our outward ordinances and even our closet duties; they maypluck out the little nail in the holy place. Ezra 9.8.76 But no labyrinth, no

prison, not the worst of company can hinder this; in the very face ofadversarieswemayliftoursoulstoGod.

Letusconcludewithsomeuses:Use1. To convince others of their dangerous state if they neglect their secretduties, or have no heart for communion, and who draw no water out of thesealed fountain.But everything they do is only in public.This is a suspicioustokenofhypocrisy,sincethekernelandsoulofreligionliessomuchintheheartandinthecloset.Markthephraseinthetext.God’seyeisopenuponyouinthecloset,andifyoureyeisopenuponhiseye,youmayseeagloriousbeauty.Theexcellenceofgraceliesinmakingusconsciousofsecretsinsandsecretduties.121Use2.Toexamine thosewhoperformtheirsecretduty,butnot fromasincereprinciple,likeAmaziah.Heprays,butnotwithaperfectheart.2Chr.25.2.LikeAhab,theymournonlywithcrocodiletears;thosewhodoitonlybecausetheyfindapreceptoranexampleforit,andthereforetoquiettheirconscience,theyconverse only in the shell and trunk of a duty; they rest in the nakedperformance.Butitdoesnotmatterwhethertheytasteofthesweetstreamsthatflowinfromheaveninthegoldenpipeofanordinance.Whataccountcantheyrenderwhentheygointotheircloset,butlikeDomitian,itisonlytocatchflies–andwhenthedoorsareshuttotheworld,theirheartsareshuttoheavenandtocommunionwithGod?He that sees in secretbeholds theevil frameof suchaheart;andonedayhewillopenlypunishit.Use3.Toexciteandawakeneveryonetothisexcellentduty,andtomanageitinanexcellentmanner.Wouldyoulivedelightfully?Wouldyoutranslateheaventoearth?Thenkeepupcommunion insecretprayer, toknowGod, todiscernhisface,tobeholdthelustreofhiseyethatshinesinsecret.Rememberthegloriouspersonthatmeetsinyourcloset.Alltheworldyieldsnosuchglitteringbeauty122asagraciouspersonseeswhenheisinahappyframeatsecretprayer.Shutyoureyeswhenyoucomeout, forallotherobjectsarebutvileandsordid,andnotworththeglancesofanoblesoul.OthesweetnessofthehiddenmannathatthesoultasteswheninlivelycommunionwithGod!Itisapartofwhatislaidupforthesaintsinglory;letusrelishoursoulswithitalittle.

1. Consider what affectionate agonies the soul delights to conflict with insecret; fears that raise confidence, humility that exalts, tremblings thatembolden, bright clouds that shine upon the Israelites in the night, and

darkness that enlightens, solitudes full of heavenly company, and tearsbrimfulofjoy,andholysighs,likeacoolingwindinharvest,sickfitsthataresymptoms of health, and holy faintings that are the soul’s cordials, aweariness to the flesh that is the healthful exercise of it, and vigor to thespirit,andacontinualmotionthatnevertires.AsAustinsaidofdivinelove:“Itistheweightofmysoul,itcarriesmeupanddowninallthatIspeakandact.”

1232. Consider its ecstacies and heavenly raptures, which allure and draw theheart fromearthlyvanities.The soul shuts its eyes toworldlydelights, andwithSolomonitsaysoflaughter,Itismad,andofmirth,whatareyoudoing?Thesoulcan’twarmitsthoughtsatthecracklingofthornsunderapot,orbejoyfulinthehouseofafool.Ecc.2.2;7.64.Itisthesoul’spleasuretoloathpleasureitself;thereisnonesobeautifultohimasChrist,thechiefestoftenthousand;Sol5.10thereisnosweetnesslikethatofthetreeinthemidstofthewood,thetreeoflifeinthemidstoftheparadiseofGod.Hesitsunderitwithgreat delight, while it drips sweeter than honey into his closet. Rev. 2.7.1Sam.14.26.3.Consideritsadmirableprophecies:prayerstandsuponMountZionwithadivining,presaging77spirit.Itforetellsgreatthingstothechurch’sjoy,andtoitsenemies’terror.ElijahatprayerinHorebreceivesanansweroftheruinofthehouseofAhab,andheisbidtogoandanointJehuthesonofNimshikingover Israel. 2 Kings 9.2-3. The two witnesses under the Roman defectionhavethepowertostriketheearthwithplaguesasoftenastheywill,Rev.11,consonant78 with what Tertullian said of old, “The prayers of Christiansconfoundedthenations,”andsoitwillshortlyprove;

124thedoomofBabyloncomesoutofthetemple.Whenthesanctuaryisfullofthesmokeoftheincenseofprayer,thesevenangelscomeoutwiththesevenlastvials full of thewrathofGod topour themoutupon the anti-Christianworld. Rev. 15.7-8; 16.1. Prayer calculates and hastens the ruin of Rome.Oncethespiritofprayerispouredout,itbringsdeliverancetoMountZion,andgathersthenationsintothevalleyofJehoshaphatforjudgment.Joel2.23,32, and 3.1-2. Let us never be discouraged; if prayer falls to work andawakens Christ in the ship of the church, then her storms will cease in ahalcyon79calm.Luke8.24.80

4.Consideritscomfortingevidences:secretprayerwhichisdulymanagedisanotableevidenceofouradoption.PraytoyourFatherwhoisinsecret,andsees in secret, and knows the secrets of your heart.Your groanings are nothidden fromhim; nonebut a child of promise has this sweet freedomwithGodasaFather.5.Consideritsrewardsandreverences:nothingrevivesandcheersthespiritso much as answers of love and mercy from heaven. As it feasts theconsciencewiththeroyaldelicacies

125ofsincerity, so it setsa lustreuponeverymercy, suchasbeing thechildofprayer; our closets exert an influenceuponour shops, our ships, our fields,andallthatweenjoy,sothattheysmellofthedivineblessing.AsDavidsaidoftheprecepts,thesoulmaysay,“ThisIhavebecauseIurgedthepromises.”Psalm119.56.

Use4.Topitythemiserableblindworldthatdoesnotknowwheretruecomfort,joyand strength are tobe found, that seesnobeauty in thewaysofGod, andfeelsnosweetnessincommunionwithhim,thatfindsnopleasureinclosetsbutinplay-houses (whichTertullian called thedevil’s churches), that cryoutwithEsauthattheyhaveenough.Gen.33.9.Alas!Whatcanbeenoughinthecreatureunless it is enough of noise, rattle, and vanity! O how ignorant they are ofheavenly treasures, of that fountain of mercies fromwhich prayer drinks andrefreshesthespiritofasaint;whodonotknowthatblessed“enough”ofwhichJacob speaks, thatoceanof all those things that are tobe found inGod!Gen.33.11.NowletEuropebeinflames,andtheveryarkbeindanger,aprayerlessmandoesnotcare,thoughtheoneisburntandtheotherisinashes,solongas126he is safe.And if his concerns catch fire, thenhe canonly repair toEndor orEkron. 1Sam. 28.7;81 2Kings 1.2.82 They have no acquaintance with God, nohopefromGod,nointerestinthekeeperoftheirsouls.Theworldisadeplorablehospital,thegreatLazarhouse83ofsick, lameandimpotentpersons,asGersontermsit.Theyhavenofaceorhearttogotothephysicianofsouls.Butah!mostlamentableisthestateofsomeprofligatewretchesofouragethatare,Ifear,almostincurablygonewithspiritualulcersintheirlungs,andputridcancers on their tongues, that breathe nothing but venom, and openly spit outtheir rottenatheistic jeersagainst thespiritofprayer,andmockatcommunionwithGod.TheyscoffatwhatGodhaspromisedasoneofthechoicesttokensof

his love for the church, and at the symptoms of the glory of the latter times,Zech. 12.10. Joel 2.23, 32. Rom. 10.13. This is when God will turn suchIshmaels into the desert, and their drunken songs shall expire in dreadfulhowlings.Theyaremoreprofanethanmanyheatheninprimitivetimeswhohadsome reverence for Christian worship, though they persecuted [the church].Amos8.10;Job30.31.127But those of this adulterousRoman age, like brute beasts, speak evil ofwhattheyareignorant,andareindangerofperishingintheircorruption.2Peter2.12.Pity such persons if there is yet hope, and commend their condition toGod’smercy,andtopenitentsorrow,thattheymayweepherewheretearssmart,notinhellwheretheyscaldandburnandswellthatriverofbrimstone.In themeantime,Oyou that fear theLord,bediligent toobserveand interpretmessagesaftersecretprayer,forthelifeandjoyofaChristianisimprovedbyit.Godhasdeclaredthatheisgraciouslypleasedwithsecretprayer,soastosendanangel, thatgloriouscreature, to fly intoDaniel’schamber, andbeingwearywith flying, hemoved so swiftly, as the original text expresses it. Dan. 9.21.Whatahighexpression this is, thatevenangelsare representedaswearywithhasty flights tobringsaints theiranswers!Andofwhatgreataccountdoes theLord esteem his praying people, that angels are said to be tired in bringingtidingsofmercy!1286.Meditate on thegloryof heaven,where all our prayers shall be turned intopraises,wheneverysighbelowshallbeanaccenttotheheavenlymusicabove,andthetearsofthevalleyshallbeturnedintoorientgemsinthediademofglory.Herewe live inwantsanddesires,but there shallbepalms in thehand;whiterobesandeverlastingjoyareupontheheadsandheartsofthesaints.

Notes

[←1]JohnHampden(ca.1595–1643)WhentheEnglishCivilWarbegan,hewasappointedamember

of the committee for safety, and levied a regiment ofBuckinghamshiremen for theparliamentarycauseagainstthetyrannyoftheCatholiccrown(CharlesI).

[←2]JohnPym,(1584-1643)Leaderof thepoliticalopposition toCharles I in theLongParliament,

andprimaryarchitectofParliament’svictoryintheFirstEnglishCivilWar.

[←3]William Laud (1573–1645) Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. He opposed

Puritanism, persecuting the Puritanswith theAct ofUniformity, using it to eject them from theirpulpitsin1662(‘TheGreatEjection’).

[←4]Charlesbelievedhehadadivineright(license)torule,andnotjustadivineappointment.Many

ofhisEnglishsubjectsopposedhisinterferenceinthechurches,andlevyingtaxesonthemwithoutparliamentaryconsent.

[←5]ThosewhowouldnotconformtotheActofUniformitywhichimposedRomanCatholictheology

andpracticeontheProtestantchurches.

[←6]AugustineofHippo(354-430).

[←7]Thatis,fungus.

[←8]Thatis,commentatorssuchasCalvin,MatthewHenry,JohnGill,etc.

[←9]Refersto1Sam6.4-8;thearkandthechestcontainingthegoldguiltofferingswerekepttogether.

[←10]InGreekandRomanmythology,CastorandPolluxwere twinbrothers, togetherknownas the

Dioscuri.CastorwasthemortalsonofTyndareus,kingofSparta,andPolluxwasthedivinesonofZeus.InLatinthetwinsareknownastheGemini.WhenCastorwaskilled,PolluxaskedZeustolethimsharehisownimmortalitywithhistwintokeepthemtogether,andtheyweretransformedintotheconstellationGemini.

[←11]Indite:toproduce,compose,orwrite.

[←12]Enervate:Toreducethestrengthorenergyofsomething;debilitate.

[←13]Abortive:Failingtoaccomplishanintendedresult.

[←14]Seamark:anelevatedobjectservingasabeacontomarinersofrockyshoals.

[←15]ProbablyQuintusCurtiusRufus,a1stcenturyRomanhistorianwhowrotetheLifeofAlexander

theGreat.

[←16]Num5:27`Whenhehasmadeherdrinkthewater,thenitshallbe,ifshehasdefiledherselfand

behavedunfaithfullytowardherhusband,thatthewaterthatbringsacursewillenterherandbecomebitter, andherbellywill swell, her thighwill rot, and thewomanwill becomea curse amongherpeople.

[←17]InGreekmythology,ApolloinsultedtheyounggodErosforplayingwithbowandarrows.Eros

took twoarrows,onegold to incite love,andother lead to incitehatred.HeshotDaphnewith theleadarrow,andApollowiththegold.ApollowasseizedwithloveforthebeautifulDaphne,butsheabhorredhim.ApollochasedhereverywherebutDaphne fled fromhim.Sheaskedher father, theRiverGod, to change her form so she could stop running.He transformed her into a laurel tree.Apollostillembracedherbranches,buteventhebranchesshrankfromhim.

[←18]Thatis,tuberculosisorotherwastinglungdisease.

[←19]FamousphysiciansofRomeandGreecerespectively.

[←20]Anilluminator:apainterwhooverlayshisartworkorportraiturewithgoldpaint,thusgildingit.

[←21]XenophonwasaGreekhistorianofAthensca.400B.C.;LycurguswasthelawgiverofSpartaca.

800B.C.,whoestablishedthemilitary-orientedreformationofSpartansociety.AllhisreformsweredirectedtowardsthethreeSpartanvirtues:equality(amongcitizens),militaryfitness,andausterity.

[←22]John8:12ThenJesusspoketothemagain,saying,“Iamthelightoftheworld.Hewhofollows

Meshallnotwalkindarkness,buthavethelightoflife.”

[←23]Cordial:astronghighlyflavoredsweetliquor,usuallydrunkafterameal.

[←24]“Closet”referstoaninnerprivateroom,orsecludedchamber,thatmaybeclosedofffromother

rooms.

[←25]The “heart;” the place where secret thoughts are kept; a close affectionate and protective

acceptance.

[←26]Colloquy:aformalconversation.

[←27]Confinedorlockedaway;hereitmayalsosuggestlost,inagoodsense–ormesmerized.

[←28]Greek mythology: Daedalus was an Athenian inventor who built the labyrinth of Minos; to

escapethelabyrinthhefashionedwingsforhimselfandhissonIcarus(whosewingsmeltedwhenheflewtooclosetothesun).

[←29]Originally,‘eventide.’

[←30]i.e.TheScriptureisclearthatSolomon’sprayerwasacceptabletoGodbecausethesacrificewas

accepted.

[←31]Job22:27YouwillmakeyourprayertoHim,Hewillhearyou,Andyouwillpayyourvows.

Job33:26HeshallpraytoGod,andHewilldelightinhim,HeshallseeHisfacewithjoy,ForHerestores tomanHis righteousness.Psalm32:6For thiscauseeveryonewho isgodlyshallpray toYouInatimewhenYoumaybefound;SurelyinafloodofgreatwatersTheyshallnotcomenearhim.

[←32]Zech12:12“Andthelandshallmourn,everyfamilybyitself:thefamilyofthehouseofDavid

byitself,andtheirwivesbythemselves;thefamilyofthehouseofNathanbyitself,andtheirwivesbythemselves;1Cor7:4Thewifedoesnothaveauthorityoverherownbody,butthehusbanddoes.Andlikewisethehusbanddoesnothaveauthorityoverhisownbody,butthewifedoes.

[←33]Gen25:22Butthechildrenstruggledtogetherwithinher;andshesaid,“Ifalliswell,whyamI

likethis?”SoshewenttoinquireoftheLORD.

[←34]2Ch20:10-12“Andnow,hereare thepeopleofAmmon,Moab,andMountSeir--whomYou

wouldnotletIsraelinvadewhentheycameoutofthelandofEgypt,buttheyturnedfromthemanddidnotdestroythem–11“heretheyare,rewardingusbycomingtothrowusoutofYourpossessionwhichYouhavegivenustoinherit.12“OourGod,willYounotjudgethem?Forwehavenopoweragainstthisgreatmultitudethatiscomingagainstus;nordoweknowwhattodo,butoureyesareuponYou.”

[←35]Zec1:12-13ThentheAngeloftheLORDansweredandsaid,“OLORDofhosts,howlongwill

YounothavemercyonJerusalemandon thecitiesofJudah,againstwhichYouwereangry theseseventyyears?”13AndtheLORDansweredtheangelwhotalkedtome,withgoodandcomfortingwords.

[←36]Obstreperousnoise:Noisilyandstubbornlydefiant.

[←37]1Sam1:9-10SoHannaharoseaftertheyhadfinishedeatinganddrinkinginShiloh.NowElithe

priestwas sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of theLORD. 10And shewas inbitternessofsoul,andprayed to theLORDandwept inanguish…1Sam2:1AndHannahprayedandsaid:“MyheartrejoicesintheLORD;Myhorn1isexaltedintheLORD.Ismileatmyenemies,BecauseIrejoiceinYoursalvation.”

[←38]Probably Jean Gerson (1363-1429), a theologian and mystical writer of the Middle Ages.

ChancelloroftheUniversityofParisfrom1395,widelyknownforhiseffortstowardchurchunityafterthewesternSchismof1378.

[←39]John16:23“Andin thatdayyouwillaskMenothing.Mostassuredly, Isay toyou,whatever

youasktheFatherinMynameHewillgiveyou.”Also1Joh5.14,“ifweaskanythingaccordingtoHiswill,Hehearsus.”

[←40]Thatis,ofthingstocomethathavebeenpromisedbyGod,wemayinasense“command”their

fulfillmentinourprayers,becauseGodhasalreadychosentofulfillthemaccordingtoHiswill.

[←41]Thatis,theaccountinMatthewwiththeaccountinLuke.

[←42]Anumpire,arbiter,orjudge.FromtheLatindiemdicere,i.e.,tofixadayforhearingacause.

[←43]Thatis,therepresentativeofheaventous,whostandsbetweenheavenandearthtoreconcileus

toGod.

[←44]Peculiar:specificorunique.

[←45]Psalm50:15-16“CalluponMeinthedayoftrouble;Iwilldeliveryou,andyoushallglorify

Me.” 16But to thewickedGod says: “What righthave you to declareMy statutes, Or takeMycovenantinyourmouth?”

[←46]Noticethedifferentwording:2Chr14:11AndAsacriedouttotheLORDhisGod,andsaid,

“LORD,itisnothingforYoutohelp,whetherwithmanyorwiththosewhohavenopower;helpus,OLORDourGod,forwerestonYou,andinYournamewegoagainstthismultitude.OLORD,YouareourGod;donotletmanprevailagainstYou!”

[←47]Strait:anarrowway;“inabind.”

[←48]John12:28“Father,glorifyYourname.”Thenavoicecamefromheaven,saying,“Ihaveboth

glorifieditandwillglorifyitagain.”

[←49]Genesis32:9ThenJacobsaid,“OGodofmyfatherAbrahamandGodofmyfatherIsaac,the

LORDwhosaidtome,‘Returntoyourcountryandtoyourfamily,andIwilldealwellwithyou’:…”SpokenasJacobisabouttocrosstheJordantoreturnhome,whichisEsau’shome.Jacobpraysfor protection against Esau based onGod’s precept to return home – ifGod commanded it, thensurelyHewillprovideeverythingnecessarytofulfillit.

[←50]John14:26 "But theHelper, theHolySpirit,whomtheFatherwillsend inMyname,Hewill

teachyouallthings,andbringtoyourremembranceallthingsthatIsaidtoyou.

[←51]Micah7:20YouwillgivetruthtoJacobandmercytoAbraham,WhichYouhavesworntoour

fathersfromdaysofold.

[←52]Genesis28:22“AndthisstonewhichIhavesetasapillarshallbeGod'shouse,andofallthat

YougivemeIwillsurelygiveatenthtoYou.”

[←53]Numbers14:34 `According to the number of the days inwhich you spied out the land, forty

days, foreachdayyoushallbearyourguiltoneyear,namelyfortyyears, andyoushallknowMyrejection.

[←54]Psa104:25-28Thisgreatandwidesea,inwhichthereareinnumerableteemingthings…Thereis

thatLeviathanwhichYouhavemade toplay there.27These allwait forYou, thatYoumaygivethemtheirfoodindueseason.28WhatYougivethemtheygatherin;YouopenYourhand,andtheyarefilledwithgood.

[←55]Acts14:17“NeverthelessHedidnotleaveHimselfwithoutwitness,inthatHedidgood,gaveus

rainfromheavenandfruitfulseasons,fillingourheartswithfoodandgladness.”

[←56]Copious:abundant.

[←57]Fluentness:anunconstrainedandsmoothflowing.

[←58]Straitness:arestriction,binding,orrestraint.

[←59]Deprecation:Aprayertoavertorremovesomeevilordisaster.

[←60]Amournfulpoem;alamentforthedead.

[←61]Isa56:7Even themIwillbring toMyholymountain,Andmake themjoyful inMyhouseof

prayer.TheirburntofferingsandtheirsacrificeswillbeacceptedonMyaltar;ForMyhouseshallbecalledahouseofprayerforallnations.

[←62]Import:carrywithitasecondarymeaningorimplication.

[←63]Num14:19“Pardontheiniquityofthispeople,Ipray,accordingtothegreatnessofYourmercy,

justasYouhaveforgiventhispeople,fromEgyptevenuntilnow.”20ThentheLORDsaid:“Ihavepardoned,accordingtoyourword;”

[←64]Aspeechyoumaketoyourself.

[←65]ForJacobMyservant'ssake,AndIsraelMyelect,Ihaveevencalledyoubyyourname;Ihave

namedyou,thoughyouhavenotknownMe…11ThussaystheLORD,TheHolyOneofIsrael,andhisMaker:“AskMeofthingstocomeconcerningMysons;AndconcerningtheworkofMyhands,youcommandMe…19Ihavenotspokeninsecret,Inadarkplaceoftheearth;IdidnotsaytotheseedofJacob,`SeekMeinvain';I,theLORD,speakrighteousness,Ideclarethingsthatareright.

[←66]ThecitationinthesourcetextwasGen.24.15,whichseemsinappropriate.

[←67]Thisisvariouslytranslated:Iamamanofprayer,Icontinuetopray,Igivemyselftoprayer,Iam

inprayer.

[←68]Not asleep necessarily, but withdrawn (retired) from your presence so they will not be a

distraction.

[←69]Indigence:Astateofextremepovertyordestitution.

[←70]Studying:thinkingintentlyandatlength,asforspiritualpurposes.

[←71]Job33:12-14“Look,inthis you arenot righteous. Iwill answeryou,ForGod is greater than

man.13WhydoyoucontendwithHim?ForHedoesnotgiveanaccountingofanyofHiswords.14ForGodmayspeakinoneway,orinanother,yetmandoesnotperceiveit.”

[←72]Scruple:Anethicalormoralprinciplethatgovernsorinhibitsaction.

[←73]Phoenix–AbirdinEgyptianmythologythatlivedinthedesertfor500yearsandthenconsumed

itselfbyfire,latertorisefromitsashes,renewed.

[←74]Buckler:armorcarriedonthearmtointerceptblows;ashield.

[←75]Abridge:tolessen,diminish,orcurtail.

[←76]Ezr9.8AndnowforalittlewhilegracehasbeenshownfromtheLORDourGod,toleaveusa

remnanttoescape,andtogiveusapeginHisholyplace,thatourGodmayenlightenoureyesandgiveusameasureofrevivalinourbondage.

[←77]Presaging:seeingsignsofsomethingtocome,esp.somethingimportant,whethergoodorbad.

[←78]Consonant:inkeepingwith,orinagreementwith.

[←79]Idyllicallycalmandpeaceful.

[←80]Luke8:24AndtheycametoHimandawokeHim,saying,"Master,Master,weareperishing!"

ThenHearoseandrebukedthewindandtheragingofthewater.Andtheyceased,andtherewasacalm.

[←81]1Sam28:7ThenSaulsaidtohisservants,“Findmeawomanwhoisamedium,thatImaygoto

herandinquireofher."Andhisservantssaidtohim,"Infact,thereisawomanwhoisamediumatEnDor.”

[←82]2Kings1:2NowAhaziahfellthroughthelatticeofhisupperroominSamaria,andwasinjured;

sohesentmessengersandsaidtothem,Go,inquireofBaal-Zebub,thegodofEkron,whetherIshallrecoverfromthisinjury.

[←83]Alepercolony,leprosarium,orlazarhouseisaplacetoquarantineleprouspeople.