Gill John of Public Prayer

8/13/2019 Gill John of Public Prayer

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Book III Ch 5

Of Public Prayer Prayer is one part of the saints' spiritual armour, and a principalone, though mentioned last, \\#Eph 6!"\\ it has een often of use againsttemporal enemies, and for otaining $ictory o$er them% as the prayers of&sa, ehoshaphat, and others, sho(, \\#)Ch !*!!,!) )+-5,))\\. It isreported of /ary, 0ueen of 1cots, that she dreaded the prayer of ohn2no3, an eminent minister, more than an army of t(enty thousand men.&nd it is of use against the spiritual enemies of 4od's people, and for

the $an0uishing of them. 1atan has often felt the force of this (eapon%resist the de$il, y faith in prayer, and he (ill flee from you. henthe apostle Paul (as uffeted and distressed y him, he had recourse toit% he esought the ord thrice that the temptation might depart fromhim% and had for ans(er, 7/y grace is sufficient for thee87 and indeed,as this part of the Christian armour is managed, so it goes (ith thesaint, for or against him. In the (ar et(een Israel and &malek, (hen/oses held up his hands, an emlem of $igorous prayer, then Israelpre$ailed% ut (hen he let do(n his hands, a token of remissness inprayer, &malek pre$ailed. Prayer has great po(er and pre$alence (ith4od, for the remo$al or pre$ention of e$il things, and for the otainingof lessings. aco had the name of Israel gi$en him, ecause, as aprince, he had po(er (ith 4od, and pre$ailed, that is, y prayer andsupplication, \\#4e ))6,)"\\ see \\#9o !),*\\. Eli:ah prayed earnestly,and his prayer (as a$ailing and effectual, \\#as 5!6-!"\\. Prayer is thereath of a regenerate soul% as soon as a child is orn into the (orldit cries, as soon as a soul is orn again it prays% it is oser$ed of1aul upon his con$ersion, 7Behold, he prayeth87 (here there is life

there is reath% (here there is spiritual life, there are spiritualreathings% such souls reathe after 4od, pant after him as the hartpanteth after the (ater rooks Prayer is the speech of the soul to 4od;!ake notice of the $arious sorts of prayer, (hich (ill lead on to that% for there is a praying (ith all prayer, (hich denotes many

sorts and kinds of prayer.

!a. >here is mental prayer, or prayer in the heart% and, indeed, here prayer should first egin% so ?a$id found in his heart to pray, \\#)1a @)@\\ and it is 7the effectual fer$ent7, or \Aenergoumenh\A, 7the in(rought prayer of the righteous man that a$aileth much7% (hich is (rought and formed in the heart y the 1pirit of 4od, \\#as 5!6\\. 1uch sort of prayer (as that of /oses, at the ed 1ea, (hen the ord said to him, 7herefore criest thou unto me7 and yet (e read not of a (ord that (as spoken y him%

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and of this kind (as the prayer of 9annah% 71he spake in her heart7, \\#!1a !!\\ and this may e performed e$en (ithout the motion of the lips, and is (hat (e call an e:aculatory prayer, from the suddenness and s(iftness of its eing put up to 4od, like a dart shot from a o(% and (hich may e done in the midst

of usiness the most pulic, and in the midst of, pulic company, and not discerned% as (as the prayer of =ehemiah in the presence of the king, \\#=e )*,5\\ and such prayer 4od takes notice of, and hears% and, as an ancient (riter ;)< oser$es,

DD>hough (e (hisper, not opening our lips, ut pray in silence, cry in(ardly, 4od incessantly hears that in(ard discourse,''

or prayer to him, concei$ed in the mind

!. >here is prayer (hich is audile and $ocal. 1ome prayer is audile, yet not articulate and intelligile, or it is e3pressed y inarticulate sounds% as, 7(ith groanings (hich cannot e uttered7% ut 4od kno(s and understands perfectly the language of a groan, and hears and ans(ers. But there is $ocal prayer, e3pressed y articulate (ords, in language to e heard and understood y men, as (ell as y the ord% 7I cried unto the ord (ith my $oice7, c. \\#Ps * 5),\\ and to this kind of prayer the church is directed y the ord himself, \\#9o !*)\\.

!c. >here is pri$ate prayer, in (hich a man is alone y himself% to (hich our ord directs, \\#/t 66\\ an instance and e3ample of this (e ha$e in Christ, \\#/t !*)\\ see also an instance of this in Peter, \\#&c !+F\\.

!d. >here is social prayer, in (hich fe( or more :oin together, concerning (hich, and to encourage it, our ord says, 7here t(o

or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them7, \\#/t !"!F,)+\\ an instance of this social prayer (ith men is in \\#&c )+6\\ and it is this social prayer (ith fe(er or more the apostle ude has respect unto, \\#ude !)+\\.

!e. >here is family prayer, performed y the head and master of the family in it, and (ith it. oshua set a nole e3ample of family (orship, \\#os )*!5\\ and an instance (e ha$e in ?a$id, \\#)1a 6)+\\ and e$en Cornelius, the oman centurion, efore he (as ac0uainted (ith Christianity, (as in the practice of it, \\#&c !+),+\\ and the contrary eha$iour is resented, and the (rath and fury of 4od may e e3pected to fall upon the families that call not on his name, \\#er !+)5\\ and it is ut reasonale ser$ice, since family mercies are daily needed, and

therefore should e prayed for% and family mercies are daily recei$ed, and therefore thanks should e e$ery day returned for them.

!f. >here is pulic prayer, (hich is performed in odies and communities of men, (ho meet in pulic, unite and :oin together in di$ine (orship, and particularly in this ranch of it% for prayer al(ays (as made a part of pulic (orship.

!f!. Girst, this part of di$ine (orship (as set up in the days of

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Enos, for 7then egan men to call upon the name of the ord7% that is, to pray in the name of the ord, as it is paraphrased in the >argum ;argum of onathan, (as not only a place for instruction in doctrine, ut (here e$eryone (ho truly repented (ent and confessed his sins, and asked pardon for them, and had it.

!f. >hirdly, in the temple, oth first and second, pulic prayer made a part of di$ine (orship% here at the dedication of the first temple, 1olomon prayed in pulic, all Israel present% and (here the people, in after times, (ere to pray and make supplication% and here ehoshaphat stood and prayed, and all the congregation of udah and erusalem (ith him and hence the temple (as called 7the house of prayer7, \\#Isa 56@\\. ike(ise in the second temple, prayer (as (ont to e made in it% (e read of t(o men going up to the temple to pray, and (hat they prayed, \\#u !"!+\\ see \\#&c !\\. It (as usual (ith the people to e employed in prayer at the time

the incense (as offered% so (hile Hechariah (as urning incense in the temple, the people (ere praying (ithout% see \\#u !F,!+\\ hence prayer is compared to incense, and the prayers of the saints are called odours, and said to e offered (ith much incense, \\#Ps !*!) e ",*\\ and &gatharcides ;*


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is heard ut (hat is put up in the synagogue ;6h 5!@\\ and pulic prayer seems to e chiefly intended y the apostle, \\#!>i )!,),"\\ and this (as foretold of gospel times, \\#/al !!!\\. =o( this practice otained in the earliest times of Christianity, and is still continued in Christian assemlies% so ustin /artyr says ;!+ertullian ;!!


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&nd from ustin, as (ell as from rigen, Cyprian, and others, (e learn, that the gesture of the ancients in pulic prayer (as 7standing7% nay, >ertullian ;!)< says,

DDe reckon it unla(ful to fast on the ord's day, or to

(orship on the knees%''

and it (as ordered y the council of =ice,

DDthat (hereas there (ere some (ho ent their knees, it seemed right to the synod that they should perform their prayers standing.''

=o( though my su:ect is pulic prayer, yet as all prayer agrees in the o:ect of it% and in the main as to the matter and manner of it, and in persons and things to e prayed for, I shall proceed to consider,

). >he o:ect of prayer% (hich is not a mere creature, animate or inanimate% it is the grossest asurdity to set up the (ood of a gra$en image, and pray unto it, (hich cannot sa$e% to pray to idols of gold and sil$er, the (ork of mens' hands, (hich cannot speak, see, nor hear% are unale to gi$e any help, or esto( any fa$our upon their $otaries nor to saints departed% for the dead kno( not anything of the affairs of men in this (orld% nor can they assist them in them% their sons come to honour, and they kno( it not% they are rought lo(, ut not percei$ed y them% &raham is ignorant of his sons, and Israel ackno(ledges them not% it is in $ain to turn to any of the saints, or direct prayers unto them nor to angels, (ho ha$e al(ays refused (orship from men, of (hich prayer is a considerale part% the angel in$oked y aco (as not a created, ut the increated one, \\#4e *"!6\\. 4od only is and ought to e the o:ect

of prayer% 7/y prayer7, says ?a$id, 7shall e unto the 4od of my life7, (ho gi$es life and reath to all% he upholds their souls in life, and in him they li$e, mo$e, and ha$e their eing% he is the Gather of mercies, and the 4od of all grace, (ho only can supply (ith temporal mercies and spiritual lessings, and from (hom e$ery good and perfect gift comes% he only can hear the prayers of his people% he only kno(s men and their (ants, and he only is ale to help and relie$e them% he is 4od all sufficient, needs nothing for himself, and has enough for all his creatures% he is a 4od at hand and afar off, and is nigh to all that call upon him, and is a present help in time of need% he is good to all, and his tender mercies are o$er all his (orks% he is gracious and merciful, aundant in goodness and truth. &ll (hich, as it makes him to e a proper o:ect of prayer, and recommends him as such, so ser$es

greatly to encourage men in their addresses to him.

4od in his >hree Persons is the proper o:ect of prayer% Gather, 1on, and 1pirit% (ho are the one true 4od% and it is la(ful to address either of them in prayer, though not one to the e3clusion of the others. 1ometimes the Gather is prayed unto singly, and as distinct from the 1on and 1pirit% 7If ye call upon the Gather7, \\#!Pe !!@\\ as he may e called upon as a distinct di$ine Person in the 4odhead, of (hich (e ha$e instances in \\#Eph !!6,!@ !*-!6\\ the second Person, the 1on of 4od, is said to e in$oked y all the saints in

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e$ery place, \\#&c F!* !Co !)\\ he is sometimes singly prayed unto% as y 1tephen at his death% 7ord esus recei$e my 1pirit87 and y the apostle ohn, for his second coming% 7E$en so, come, ord esus87 \\#&c @5F e )))+\\ and sometimes con:unctly (ith the Gather% as (hen 7grace and peace7 are prayed for, as in almost all

the epistles, 7Grom 4od our Gather, and from the ord esus Christ7, \\#o !@\\, c. and sometimes in prayer he is set efore the Gather% and sometimes the Gather efore him, to sho( their e0uality, \\#!>h !! )>h )!6\\ the third Person, the 1pirit of 4od, is also sometimes singly prayed to, and as distinct from the Gather and 1on, \\#)>h 5\\ and the lessings of grace are prayed for from all three together, \\#)Co !!* e !*,5\\.

>he first person in the 4odhead is usually addressed in prayer, under the character of a Gather% so Christ taught his disciples to pray% 7ur Gather, (hich art in hea$en7, c. as he is the Creator and the Gather of spirits, and the author of their eings% so the church in the times of Isaiah, \\#Isa 6*"\\ and also as he is the Gather of Christ, and our Gather in Christ% as such is he fre0uently addressed, \\#)Co ! Eph !\\. =o( the reason (hy the address in prayer is generally made to him, though it may e made e0ually to either of the other t(o persons, is, ecause of the priority of order he has, though not of nature, in the deity, and ecause he ears no office% (hereas the other t(o persons do ear an office, and an office (hich is concerned in the usiness of prayer.

Christ is the /ediator et(een 4od and men, y (hom (e approach to 4od, and offer up our prayers to him% there is no approaching to 4od in any other (ay% 4od is a consuming fire% the flaming s(ord of :ustice stands et(een 4od and sinners% there is no day's man et(een them to lay his hands on oth, ut Christ% none can come to the Gather ut y him% he has opened a (ay to him through the $ail

of his flesh, and through his precious lood, (hich gi$es oldness to enter into the holiest of all% through him there is an access y one 1pirit unto the Gather% he is the (ay of acceptance (ith 4od, as (ell as of access unto him% it is y him (e offer up the sacrifice of prayer and praise, (hich ecomes acceptale to 4od through the incense of his mediation. >he encouragement to prayer is taken chiefly from him% and the pleas at the throne of grace for lessings of grace are founded on his person, lood, righteousness, sacrifice, and intercession% from his eing an ad$ocate (ith the Gather for us, and the propitiation for our sins, and from our ha$ing such and so great an 9igh Priest, that is passed into the hea$ens, and is o$er the house of 4od% (e are encouraged to come oldly to the throne of grace, to dra( near (ith true hearts, and e$en in full assurance of faith, \\#!o )!,) 9e *!*,!6 !+)!,))\\ elie$ing,

that (hatsoe$er (e ask in his name the Gather (ill gi$e it to us% yea, that Christ himself 7(ill do it7% (hich sho(s his e0uality (ith his Gather, and that he has the same po(er of doing (hat he does, \\#oh !*!,!* !6),)*\\.

>he 1pirit of 4od has also a great concern in prayer% he is the author and enditer of it% he is the 71pirit of grace and of supplication7, (ho forms it in the heart% and therefore it is called 7in(rought prayer7% he creates di$ine reathings, and holy desires after spiritual things in men% yea, puts (ords into their mouths,

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and ids them take them (ith them% he impresses their minds (ith a feeling sense of their (ants, and fills their mouths (ith arguments, and puts strength into them to plead (ith 4od% he helps them under their infirmities, (hen they kno( not (hat to pray for, nor ho(% and makes intercession for them according to the (ill of 4od% he gi$es

freedom to them (hen they are so shut up that they cannot come forth% (here he is there is lierty% he is the 1pirit of adoption, (itnessing to their spirits that they are the children of 4od% enales them to go to 4od as their Gather, and to cry &a, Gather% and as the 1pirit of faith, encourages them to pray in faith and (ith fer$ency. /oses, (hen he prayed for Israel, (hen engaged in attle (ith &malek, represented a praying saint in its conflict (ith spiritual enemies% a stone (as put under him, on (hich he sat, (hile lifting up his hands, an emlem of Christ, the Een EJer, the stone of help in time of need% &aron and 9ur, the one on one side, and the other on the other, held up his hands, and stayed them% &aron, (ho could speak (ell, (as a type of Christ the ad$ocate and spokesman, of his people, y (hose mediation they are encouraged and supported in prayer% and 9ur is a name (hich has the signification of lierty, and may point to the 1pirit of 4od, (ho is a 7free 1pirit7, and as such upholds and supports the saints in the e3ercise of grace and discharge of duty. >he ne3t to e considered are,

. >he parts of prayer, of (hich it consists% the apostle, in \\#Php *6\\ uses four (ords to e3press it y% and (hich are commonly thought to design distinct species or parts of prayer% (hich are comprehended under the general name of 7re0uests7, or petitions, as 7prayer and supplication (ith thanksgi$ing7 and he also uses four (ords for it ;!i )!\\ 71upplications, prayers, intercessions, and gi$ing of thanks7% y (hich one and the same thing may e signified in different (ords, according to the different respects (hich it has ;!*


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. >here should e an ackno(ledgment of our $ileness and sinfulness, of our meanness and un(orthiness in oursel$es% (e should come efore a pure and holy 4od under a sense of the depra$ity and pollution of our nature, and of our un(orthiness to e admitted into his presence, and to (orship at his footstool%

(hen (e take upon us to speak unto the ord, (e should o(n, (ith &raham, that (e are ut 7dust and ashes7% not only frail and mortal creatures, ut sinful and impure% and (ith aco, that (e are not 7(orthy of the least of all the mercies7 sho(ed us, nor of recei$ing any fa$our from 4od% and therefore do not present our supplications to him 7for our righteousnesses, ut for his great mercies7.

c. >here should e a confession of sin% of the sin of our nature, of original sin, of ind(elling sin% of the sins of our li$es and actions% of our daily transgressions of the la( of 4od in thought, (ord, and deed this has een the practice of saints in all ages% of ?a$id, ?aniel, and others, \\#Ps )5 5!-5\\ and (hich is encouraged, \\#!o !F\\.

d. >here should e a deprecation of all e$il things, (hich our sins deser$e% so our ord taught his disciples to pray% 7?eli$er us from all e$il7% and this seems to e the meaning of the saints oftentimes (hen they pray for the forgi$eness of their o(n sins and those of others ;!6i !!@\\ \\#ude !)*,)5 e !5,6\\ (hich ser$e to sho( forth the praises of 4od, to e3press our gratitude to him, and our dependence on him,

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and e3pectation of recei$ing from him (hat (e ha$e een praying for% and the (hole may e concluded (ith the (ord 7&men7, as e3pressing our assent to (hat has een prayed for, our (ishes and desires for the accomplishment of it, and our full and firm persuasion and elief of our ha$ing (hat (e ha$e een asking for,

according to the (ill of 4od.

*. >he persons to e prayed for may e ne3t considered. =ot de$ils% for as 4od has not spared them, nor pro$ided a 1a$iour for them, nor is any mercy promised to them, so none can e asked for them. But men% yet only the li$ing, not the dead% for after death is the :udgment, (hen the final state of men is ine$italy fi3ed% and there is no passing out of one state into another nor those (ho ha$e sinned the sin unto death, the unpardonale sin, \\#!o 5!6\\ yet those (ho are dead in sins, uncon$erted sinners, may e prayed for, \\#o !+!\\ (e may pray for uncon$erted friends and relations, for our children in a state of nature, as &raham did for Ishmael% and especially (e may pray in faith for the con$ersion of 4od's elect, as our ord himself did, \\#oh !@)+\\ and it is an incument duty, to pray 7for all saints7% of e$ery country, of (hatsoe$er denomination they may e, and in (hatsoe$er circumstances% and therefore (e are to pray to 4od as 7our Gather7 and theirs, as the Gather of us all% and for all that are his children, that lo$e the ord esus, ear his image, are called y his name, and call on his name% particularly for the ministers of the gospel, that they may speak the (ord oldly and faithfully, as they ought to speak it% that the (ord of the ord, ministered y them, might ha$e a free course, and e glorified, and e lessed for con$ersion, comfort, and edification% and that the ord (ould raise up and send forth other laourers into his $ineyard yea, (e are to pray 7for all men7% for all sorts of men, 7for kings, and all in authority7, for ci$il magistrates, that they may e terrors to e$ildoers, and a praise to them that do (ell% and

that the time may hasten on (hen kings shall e nursing fathers and 0ueens nursing mothers to the church and people of 4od (e are to pray for the peace and (elfare of the inhaitants of any city or country in (hich (e d(ell, since in the peace thereof (e ha$e peace. =ay, (e are to pray for our enemies, (ho despitefully use and persecute us% this is en:oined us y Christ, and of (hich he has set us an e3ample, \\#/t 5** u )**\\ and so 1tephen prayed for those that stoned him, \\#&c @6+\\.

5. >he manner in (hich prayer is to e performed is (orthy of attention.

5a. It must e done 7(ith7 or 7in the 1pirit7% 7I (ill pray (ith the 1pirit7, says the apostle, \\#!Co !*!5\\ ;!@< y (hich he either

means the e3traordinary gift (hich he and other apostles had, of speaking (ith $arious tongues, (hich he determined to make use of, yet only (hen he could e understood y others% or the ordinary gift of the 1pirit, his grace, influence, and assistance, (hich are necessary in prayer% and is the same (hich the apostle ude calls, 7praying in the 9oly 4host7% and the apostle Paul, 7supplication in the 1pirit7, \\#ude !)+ Eph 6!"\\. >he concern the 1pirit of 4od has in prayer, and the need there is of his grace and assistance in it, and the use thereof, ha$e een oser$ed already% ut it does not follo( from hence that men

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ought not to pray ut (hen they ha$e the 1pirit, and are under his influences for prayer is a natural duty, and inding on all men, (ho are to pray as (ell as they can, though none ut spiritual men can pray in a spiritual manner% and yet e$en such are not al(ays under the gracious influences of the 1pirit, and

such, (hen destitute of them, should pray for them% for 7our hea$enly Gather (ill gi$e the 9oly 1pirit to them that ask him7% and (hen men are in darkness and distress, (ithout the light of 4od's countenance, the communications of his grace, and the influences of his 1pirit, they stand in the more need of prayer, and should e more constant at it, \\#Ps !+! on )),*,@\\.

5. It should he performed 7(ith the understanding also7, as in the forementioned place% (ith an understanding of the o:ect of prayer, 4od in Christ% or other(ise men (ill pray unto and (orship they kno( not (hat, an unkno(n 4od% and (ith an understanding of the (ay of access unto him, Christ, the /ediator et(een 4od and man% and (ith a spiritual understanding of the things prayed for, ha$ing their understandings enlightened y the 1pirit of 4od y (hom they are taught (hat to pray for, and ho( to pray as they ought, and kno( that (hat they ask according to the (ill of 4od, that they ha$e the petitions they desire of him.

5c. It must e done in faith, (ithout (hich it is impossile to please 4od in this or in any other duty% (hat (e ask (e should 7ask in faith, nothing (a$ering7% it is the 7prayer of faith7 that is effectual% for our ord assures us, 7all things (hatsoe$er ye shall ask in prayer, elie$ing, ye shall recei$e7, \\#/t )!))\\.

5d. Ger$ency in spirit is re0uisite to prayer% (e should e fer$ent in spirit, 7ser$ing the ord7 in e$ery ranch of duty, and so in

this prayer% for it is 7the effectual fer$ent prayer of the righteous man (hich a$aileth much7, \\#as 5!6\\. Prayer, (hich is compared to incense, like that, urns s(eetly, (hen kindled y the fire of the 1pirit, and the flame of lo$e% such earnest, fer$ent, and importunate prayer (as made y the church for Peter incessantly% and (e ha$e an instance of earnest, intense, and fer$ent prayer in our ord, (hose prayers and supplications (ere (ith 7strong crying7 and tears% and eing in an agony, prayed the more earnestly and fer$ently, \\#u ))** 9e 5@\\.

5e. Prayer should e put up to 4od in sincerity% it should go forth, 7not out of feigned lips7, ut from the heart% men should dra( nigh to 4od (ith true hearts, and call upon him in truth% that is, in the sincerity of their souls% for (hen they cry not to him

(ith their hearts, it is reckoned no other than ho(ling on their eds, \\#9o @!*\\.

5f. It should al(ays e made (ith sumission to the (ill of 4od, as our ord's (as (hen he prayed so earnestly so (hen (e (ant to ha$e a fa$our conferred, or an affliction remo$ed, it ecomes us to say, 7the (ill of the ord e done7, \\#u ))*) &c )!!*\\.

5g. It should e performed (ith assiduity and (atchfulness% there should e a 7(atching thereunto (ith all perse$erance7,

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\\#Eph 6!"\\ for a fit opportunity of doing it, and for the proper and suitale time of need, and (hen the ord is nigh to e found and there should e a (atching in the same 7(ith thanksgi$ing7, \\#Col *)\\ for the aid and assistance of the 1pirit% that the heart e lift up (ith the hands% that it does not (ander in it, nor

enter into temptation and there should e a (atching after it, for an ans(er to it, and a return of it% 7In the morning7, says ?a$id, 7(ill I direct my prayer unto thee, and look up7 for the lessing or mercy prayed for% and again, 7I (ill hear (hat 4od the ord (ill speak7, \\#Ps 5 "5"\\.

6. >he time of prayer, (ith the continuance in it, and duration of it% it should e 7al(ays7% 7Praying al(ays (ith all prayer7, \\#Eph 6!"\\ hence these e3hortations% 7Continue in prayer% Pray (ithout ceasing7, \\#Col *) !>h 5!@\\. =ot that men are to e al(ays on their knees, and e$er formally, praying ;!"he prayer at noon, (as at the si3th hour

Kor t(el$e o'clockL, at (hich time Peter (ent up to the housetop to pray, \\#&c !+F\\. >he e$ening prayer (as at the ninth hour Kor three o'clock in the afternoonL, aout the time of the e$ening sacrifice% at (hich time, (hich (as the hour of prayer, Peter and ohn (ent up to the temple to pray% at this time (e find Cornelius at prayer, \\#&c ! !+\\ and this practice otained among Christians in early times. erome ;)+< speaks of it as a tradition of the church, that the third, si3th, and ninth hours are times for prayer% and it is a practice laudale enough, (here there is leisure from other la(ful e3ercises% and (hen no stress is laid on the

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punctual performance of it at these precise times% and is not made a term and condition of acceptance (ith 4od% (hich (ould ring us ack to the co$enant of (orks, ensnare our souls, and entangle us (ith a yoke of ondage. hat Clemens of &le3andria ;)!< oser$es, is (orthy of notice% some, says he, appoint stated hours for prayer,

the third, si3th, and ninth hours% ut

DDthe 4nostic K(ho is endued (ith the true kno(ledge of 4od and di$ine thingsL prays throughout his (hole life% his (hole life is an holy con$ocation, a sacred festi$al''

yea it is said of 1ocrates, the heathen philosopher, to the shame of Christians,

DDthe life of 1ocrates (as full of prayer.' '

Grom the (hole of this (e learn, that at least a day should not pass o$er (ithout prayer. I proceed to oser$e,

@. >he encouragement to prayer, and the ad$antages arising from it. 1aints may e encouraged to it.

@a. Grom the concern (hich 4od, Gather, 1on, and 1pirit ha$e in it% (hich has een taken notice of already. 4od the Gather, as the 4od of all grace, sits on the throne of grace, holding forth the sceptre of grace% in$iting men to come thither, (here they may find grace and mercy to help them in their time of need Christ is the /ediator, through (hom they ha$e access to 4od, audience of him, and acceptance (ith him% Christ is their &d$ocate (ith the Gather, (ho pleads their cause, and makes intercession for them% he introduces them into the presence of 4od, and as the &ngel of his presence presents their prayers to 4od, perfumed

(ith his much incense. &nd the 1pirit of 4od is the 1pirit of grace and of supplication, (ho supplies them (ith grace, and assists them in their supplications to 4od% and y (hom, through Christ, they ha$e access to 4od as their Gather.

@. Grom the interest saints ha$e in 4od, to (hom they pray, they ha$e encouragement to it% he is their Gather y adopting grace, (hose heart is full of lo$e, pity, and compassion% his heart is to(ards them, his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries% he is their co$enant 4od and Gather, (ho has pro$ided lessings in co$enant for them, and is ready to distriute them, upon their application to him y prayer, \\#Php *!F\\.

@c. Grom the call of 4od in pro$idence, and y his 1pirit, to it,

and his delight in it, saints may take encouragement to e found in the performance of it, \\#Ps )@"\\ he delights to see the face, and hear the prayers of his people, \\#Pr !5" Ps !+)!@\\.

@d. /any promises are made to praying souls% as of deli$erance from troule, c. \\#Ps 5+!5 F!!5\\. Gor their encouragement it is said, 7&sk, and it shall e gi$en7, c. \\#/t @@\\ yea, 4od has ne$er 7said to the seed of aco, 1eek ye me in $ain7, \\#Isa *5!F\\.

@e. >he e3perience the people of 4od in all ages ha$e had of ans(ers

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of prayers, either to themsel$es or others, ser$e greatly to animate them to this duty this (as the e3perience of ?a$id, and he oser$ed it in others, \\#Ps *+! *6\\ and this (as not the case only of a single, and of a pri$ate person, ut of good men in times past, in all ages, \\#Ps ))*,5\\.

@f. It is 7good for saints to dra( nigh to 4od7% it is not only good, ecause it is their duty% ut it is a pleasant good, (hen they ha$e the presence of 4od in it, and their souls are dra(n out to(ards him% and it is a profitale good to them, (hen 4od o(ns it as an ordinance, for the 0uickening the graces of his 1pirit, suduing the corruptions of their hearts, and ringing them into nearer communion and fello(ship (ith himself. Praying souls are profitale in families, in churches, in neighourhoods, and common(ealths% (hen prayerless ones are useless, and otain nothing, neither for themsel$es nor others. f all the fruits (hich faith produces in Christians, says BeJa ;))

Gill John of Public Prayer

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Transcript of Gill John of Public Prayer