314 Queffions, andCafes ofConfcience Chap. 36' Examples, and Scriptures for all thefe are : that of c. Wores, Exod. 32.32. So fudg.5.2 3. r Sarrs.4.19. 2 S,tm. t 1. l r. ?foil. 20.5.and 5 T. r S.and 5 3.6.and102. 1 . Ifa.6a. r ,8.9.3.2 Corar.2S. Phil.i.18.Col. 2.5. liefl. But whymutt we thus pray for thepeaceof theChoreh? I Anfw. Firft, confider what the Church is, and that a: In relation to God, its hishoufe, the Spoufeof Chrift, and there cannot be a dearer relation to put a deepernga,ement uponus then this. 2. In that relation that the hath to us. She is the t)Ylother of au all,ánd there- fore we fhould fympathize inher weale, and woe: II Secondly, Confider that peace is thefumme of all blefhngs : Hence the An- cients painted peacewith a borneof plenty. For r. Peace nourifheth all Arts, Sciences, Trades, &c. 2. Its a very careful, andufeful nurce to cherifhReligion, Ads 9.3 r . there is no hearing of the LawofGod, nor the Lawof ]ufîice , when men have their fwords intheir hands. Arma filent Leges. III. Thirdly, confider the nature ofprayer, both in the efficacy, and neceffityofit. ç a¡Pgt'f2s 1. Its a molt efficacious Engine : the fumme of all Policies fora Chriflan to , to ï ,6-01,,work by,for Peace : Its God that rules all the world : bath all hearts in his hands, } can make a mans enemies,yea the veryflones to be at peacewith him : and prayer rules God, he fuffers himself to be overcome by it. Let me alone, fth God, Exoé.32. 10. 2. Its of great necefFty alfo : For God .twill not bellowbleflìngs, till we reek and fue whim for them, and the reafon is, becaufe otherwifehe (hall have little honour by it : If it come without feekin toGod for it, we fhould afcribe it to o- ther means, and thinf.s Iv Fourthly, confider the nature c,f a Chriflian, and we (hall fee that its the molt prope:work for him. For 1. He is the Son of the t''.u:ïch, and it becomes him ( at leaf] ) to pray hard for his Mother, as Ga to ñsdumb : :on did for his Father. z. He is a Son of Peace, a Son of the God ofPeace , a Sonne of the Gofpel of peace : and the Spiris liven him is a fpirit ofPeace. 3. He is a Son of prayer : It ,lhoula be the element in which he draws his breath, to run wardsGod, and towards ; :eaven in a way of peace : befides, he is enabled topray when others cannot, he is fenfible of the condition of the Church whichothers are not. Queft.But how maywefo pr r '?r thepeace or the Church,as to before toprevail? Aufw. Firfl, we mull pray in Faith, believing Gods Woad, and his promifes made to hisChurch. II. Secondly, In fincere charity, in a true ;,enuine love to the Church. III. Thirdly, In repentance, lifting up pure hands to God. God will not hear our IV prayers, ifwe will not hear his commands. Fourthly, Pray withfervency,and earnellnefs offpirit ; A fearfullbeDer teaches how to Brie. a denial. God loves a kindof violence, to dafh our prayers againft Heaven, , d the throne of grace with an holy zeal offpiritwhich prevailes much with God : we muft make our prayers fat with falling ( faith Tertullian) which are ordinarilyflarved with formality. V. Fifthly, Pray cunftandy : though God feem not to regard our Prayers, yet we muff not give over, but holdout, and wait upon him. Qucfl. wi''hat meaner may we life to help aas in the ferions performance of this duty. Anfw. We muff lay alide all our carnal fecurity, and lay things to heart : ob- ferve the (late ofthe Church, and lay it to heart. Let not the world ( as the Ivy deals with the Oake) twill about thy heart, which will make Chriflianrty dye within thee : Be not toobuhe with worldly affairs, leak they choke all thoughts a- bout bettr matters. Dr. Stoughton. Quefr
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