txb AnExpofitionof the27. Pftime. Vert one .ofthefe three wayes, at all times. Either it prevents their attempts,as theformer examples Phew fullyand plain- ly : orelfeit procures deliverance out oftheenemieshands, after fome time oftriall and correetioñ by them, as it did for Peter, when he was kept in prifonby Herod, with pur- pole to put him to death, Ails I z. 5, 6. &c. and for I(raél to procure their deliverance out of Egypt, Exod. 2.23,24. or at leaft, it procures ftrength ofgrace,to bear theviolence and the cruelty ofthe enemy, though he proceed to inflift upon themmolt violent death : as we may fee in Steven, AEts 7. c 9. 6o. and in the Saints of God, that would not be delivered, that they might obtain a better refurre61ion, Heb. i I. 35. For indeed, when the godlydo fincerely per- form this duty, though theoutward man perifh, yet the in- ward man is renewed daily, 2 Cor. 4.16. and in death it felf, the childof God is more then conqueror, Rom. 8. ;7. Let usnot therefore beweary ofthis duty, the effeEtuallfer- vent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, Jam. 5. t 6. while c)Ztofes his handswere lifted up, ?ofhuah prevailed , but when they were let down, flmalekprevailed. Exod. a 7. z I. God is much moved byprayer, it ftayes the wrath of God again hispeople, asExod. 33. I o, I I . &c. Pfal. 106. 23. Dent. 9. 1 8,19,20. And therefore, when God is re- folved to bringa judgement, he forbids Veren<ie to pray for the Jewes, ver. 7. i6. and I I . 14. and 14. I Alt. Is thisall wehave to doe topray in time of dan- ger ? Anf W. No, we mull likewifeferve Gods providence in the ufeofordinarymeans,and withall ufe prayer, for Gods bleffing thereon. So Mofes did for 7ojhuah,when he fought againft Amalek: and (Mordecai prayed for Ether, when the went unto Afhuerus in the behalfe of the ?ewes. And betides thefe,we mutt have due regard to our eltate, and be- haviour, when we perform this duty, andpray: and name- ly, firft we muff fee, that wehand rightly in covenant with God, and be hispeople, through faith in Chri,ft : for then we have a promife of prutedion, as PJal, , 3, 20, 21,22 and.
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