785 / 808
(V
E
R.IO.
Ephefians,Chap.
6.
(Hering
furniture , from top to
toe: And
this
doth
(hew
unto
us
the
mutter
of
fuch glorious fpirituall forces.
In this
eighteenth verle,
and
the
two
following,
are
let
downe
three
things
concerning
prayer.
Firth,
the
duty
it
felfe;
Pray
alwaies,
with
all
manner
of
prayer, &c.
Secondly, the manner, partly from
a
vertue
that
muff
accompany
it:
and partly from
a
property
of
perfeverance.
Thirdly,
the object or
parties let
downe generally
in
this
verfe;
particularly
in
the
verfe
following. This
is
the
fumme
of the
verfe.
The
duty hath
his
amplificadon from the generality
of
it
[with
all
prayer,]
which
is
all
the
kinds
of
prayer,which
are
opened,/ Tim.z.
T.
I
exhort therefore,
&c. Firff,
deprecative,
or
prayers,
that
aske
remo-
vall
of
evils.
a.
Petitions,
or
wipes,
of
good things.
3.
Intercefrion,for
others.
4.
Thankkving.
Sécondly,
the duty
isfet
downe for
cir-
cumftance
of
time
[alwaies,]
which
doth not
note
that
we fhould
be
daily, or
unceffantly occupied
in
prayer
;
but that ever
and anon
,
in
fit
opportunities
,
wee thould betake our
felves
to
prayer.
Wee
have
elfe
-where the
fame
manner
of
phrafe, t
Thef.5.
r6.
Rejoyce alwaies,
not that
we fhould
be
like Democritus alwaies
laughing; but when oc-
cafion
is
offered, thew
that rejoycing;
as
otherwhiles,
we
mutt
weepe
with them that weepe.
The
like
phrafe,
2
Samuel
9.7. cm
ephibofhetb
did
alwaies cate
bread
at
Davids table
:
that
is,
daily at
the homes
of
eating, he did remaine
at
the
Kings
board. Thirdly,inthe
fpirit:
figni-
fying the
fountaine, whence
it
mutt
fpring
;
from our
fpirits
moved
by
the
fpirit
of God,
which
is
the inditer ofprayer. Thefe
are
opened,
as
having
in
them force
difficulty.
Now
to
retorne
:
Firth,
to the
generals
handling
ofthis
t8.
verfe.
Secondly,
to the particular.
Prayer
is
an
opening
of
the heart
to God,
in
making requifls and
offering
thanks through
ChriP.
For the
nature
of
it
is
nothing but
a
motion
of
the
foule
in
defire and thankfgiving
:
called
the
lifting
up
of, or the rearing
up
of
the
foule.
The
ufe
of
it is
not to
fatisfie,
or merit.
Beggers
pay no
debts,
bat
con_
feffeinfttfficiency. Dan
.9.5. It
pleadeth
all
guilty,
and unworthineffe:
and
how
can he
demerit with
prayer,that
cannot
requiteought
hehath
received
r
We
are leffe
then the
leaft
of
his
mercies:
as
David,
Pfal.
r
/6.
12.
What
fhall I give
the Lord for
all his
benefits
unto
met
The
of
ofit
may
be
branched
out.
In regard
of
God :
It doth
glorifie
him, by
acknowledging him the father
of
lights
,
the
fountaine
of
all
good
we
have
and would have.
In regard
of
men,
the helping
of
them through
love,
by
being
fuiters at
the throne
of
grace for
them
through
Chrift.
Secondly,
in
regard
of
our
felves,the
ufe
is
manifold:
but here thofe
sifts
ofprayer
ore molt
pertinent,which
do reff+ell
the warfare
wee
have in hand.
Firft,
it
doth make
us
win the
day
without
firiking
a firoake :
For
it
keepeth
the Devill
out
,
that
he cannot have leave to
throw
a
dart
againft us.
t...144/.2
6.4z
.
Pray that
ye enter not into
temptation.
Lake
21.36. Pray that
you may
efcape
thefe things ,
that
(hall
come
to
paffe,and
that
you may
Rand
beige
the
Son
of
man.
Second-
805
z.
3.