SAINTS coMPARED To soL ·o I E R s. Book IV. . 3· Bow, viz. ( 1.) In the Spir't. (2.) With Diligence. (3.) Confbntly. 4· Fo whom; ( 1.) For all Saints. (2.) More particularly for the Preachers of the Gofpel. Note. Soldiers of Chrifl ought to pray, in the Spirit, to pray for tbemjelves, to be much in Prayer, to pray always, to praJ and to pray for others alfo. Firft; Though we are to pray always: Yet there are fome fpecial Times for this Duty. Ptayer h twofold, t. O~tl!nary. 2. Extraordmary. We mull m fame Seafons more efpecially be at this Duty, to pray hard, to pray mightily, &c. §!..rujl. Vi'hat is meant by praying alwap? Anfw. I. his as much as to lay, Pray in every 'I'hing, according to that Word, Phi/. iv. 6. In every Thing, by Prayer and Supplication, let your I<eque;1s be made known to the Lord. Some pray in nothing they do. In all thy tVays ac<nowkdge him. z. In all ConditiOns, in a full State, in a naked State, in Poverty, m Plenty, in Sicknefs, in H ealth, in Profperity, and in Advedity. 3· For every Thing we need, for Spirituals, for Temporals, fo far as God feeth them good for us. 4· Daily, frequently, Morning and Evening. David faid to M ephibojheth, 'J'hou jhalt eat B1·ead at my Table continually, 2 Sam. vii. 7· He cann •t mean, thou fhalt do nothing but ear, he would not have him to be fuch a Cormorant, but commonly, every Day, &c. 5· To have a Heart always for this Duty, to be always fit and ready for this facred .Ordinance. ff<!!efl. · What are thofe Jpecial '!'ime~ and SeajoltJ for Prayer P or wben is extraordinary Prayer to be made? Anfw. 1. When a Saint bath any great 'vVork to do for God, or eminent BuGnefs .and Service for his Church. See Nehem. i. 5· Ails iv. 2, 9· When Abraham's Ser– vant had fpecial Work to do for his Mafia, he was much in Prayer. z. When a Saint is in the dark concerning any one Trmh of God, and cannot get Satisfaction, then it is a Time for extraordinary Prayer. When Daniel was at a lofs ·about the Time of Deliverance out of Captivity, how much did he give himfelf to Prayer, Dan. ix. I, 2, 3, &c. 3· When a graciotJs Soul is under any fore and grievous AfRiction. David in his Difhefs and AfRiction cried mightily ro God. Is an)' a./fiifled? let him pray; that is, let him be more abundantly in that Oury, James v. '3· 4- When Sin abounds, or in a Day of great Rebuke and Blafphemy: When Hell {eems to be let loofe, or the Flood Gates ot Wickcdnefs opened wide in a Nation, then it is a Time for the Godly to be much in Prayer, Jer. xiii. rg. !fa. xxxvii. 23. 5· In Times of ereat Oiftrefs upon the Church; when the Danger is imminent, as at this Day; this is a Time for extraordinary Prayer. See !fa. xxii. When many Nations came up againft Judah, then jehojhaphat cried mightily to Heaven, 2 Chron. xx. 12. When Raman plotted to deftroy ell rhe Jews, and cut off Ifi·ael at once, and the Writings were fealed and fent (onh, then E;1her and the godly Ones prayed mightily. Thus did Jacob, when his Brother was coming to meet him, fearing he would cut off. the Mother with the Child; how did he then wreftle with God ! Gen. xxxiii. 6. In rimes of Tempt.mon. When Chrift was afr:1ulted, and his Hour was come he prayed harJ, he !"pent a whole Night in Prayer, Matt. xxvi. 44· And what faith he tp his OiiCiples? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into 'I'emptation. When Paul had that '!'born in the Fie/h, the Mef!enger of Satan to buffet him, he befought the Lord thrice, that he might depart from him, lvlatt. xxvi. 40, 41. 2 Cor. xti. That three times, as fome conclude, might be thrcefcore times~ 7· Laftly; ln a Time of great ExprB:ation, when great Things ar< near, and much looked for. When Daniel expeCted ;;reat Things, underftanding by Books, Oeliver– .ance to the Church was at hand, he fet himfelf tO feek GoJ, Dan. ix. 2. Secondly; Confider, Prayer is a great Ordinance. And that cloth appear, I. In refpett of God; it give him the Glory of three great Attributes. (I.) Of !1i, Omnifciency.: We hereby acknowledge, that he knows our Wants and 1 Necdiities:
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