True Christianity Part 41

23. And now, perhaps, thou wilt say, If these things are so, how comes it to pa.s.s that G.o.d does not hear and grant my pet.i.tions? I have often prayed, and called, and sighed, and all to no purpose.

24. Thus much, indeed, must be granted, that many a man prays a great while for that which he does not obtain; and thence we judge that his prayers are not heard. What then becomes of these our reasons for believing that prayer will a.s.suredly be heard? This is a very great trial, and has given much disturbance to many sincere and well-disposed souls.

25. But here we must observe, that the certainty of G.o.d's hearing our prayers, is incontestably proved by the arguments already produced, which are built upon an immovable foundation; whence it appears, that G.o.d does as certainly hear our prayers, as He is (1.) merciful, and a lover of mankind. (2.) As he is true in all his promises, yea, eternal truth itself. (3.) As he has a fatherly tenderness for us. (4.) As Jesus Christ is our mediator. (5.) As G.o.d and Christ dwell in us; which are all truths so certain and evident, that no believing heart ought to question them.

26. But we complain that G.o.d does not presently give us what we ask for, and, therefore, that our prayers are not heard. For this two reasons may be given: 1. That G.o.d hears our prayers, regarding more our happiness than our desires. 2. That he reserves to himself the liberty of bestowing the blessings which we ask, either upon our bodies or our souls, as he shall think most proper. Thus, perhaps, we ask of G.o.d some temporal blessings, who seeing them to be unfit for us, gives us spiritual ones; by which means we not only receive what we prayed for, but so much the more, as the good of the soul is to be preferred to that of the body. For as the soul is much more n.o.ble than the body, and spiritual blessings are more excellent than earthly; so much better is it for us, that G.o.d should give us his eternal and spiritual blessings rather than those transitory and fading enjoyments in which we are generally most delighted. He hears our prayers, not always with respect to our bodies, but to our souls; which is of far greater importance. If it should please G.o.d to visit you with some bodily disease, and you pray for health, doubt not; your prayers will be heard, and you shall certainly enjoy, if not the health of your body, yet the health of your soul, which is much to be preferred. Every man in his sound senses must think so. What advantage would it be to have the body in health, but a sinful, distempered soul, liable to eternal death? When it is well with the soul, a man may say with David, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but G.o.d is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." Ps. 73:25, 26. And with the suffering Job, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Job 19:25. And from Him the soul may derive life.

Therefore David, comparing spiritual blessings with earthly, tells us: "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." Ps. 119:72.

27. But, perhaps, you will say that you pray for both; the health of your soul as well as of your body; and for spiritual blessings, as well as temporal. To this the Lord himself answers thee, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Cor. 12:9); which was the reply given to St. Paul, though he had desired to be answered in his own way. And thus it appears, that G.o.d always hears our prayers, if not with regard to our bodies, yet certainly to our souls.

28. Besides, G.o.d has reserved to himself the liberty of accomplis.h.i.+ng our desires either in this world, or the next, as he shall deem most proper.

Wherefore if thou dost not receive the blessings for which thou prayest, consider that it is not good for thee to enjoy them here, but that the answer to thy prayers is reserved for the other life, which is more n.o.ble and durable, and more capable of pure enjoyments than this. There the Lord will bestow on thee a thousandfold, for all that He seemed to deny thee here. As He cannot forget our prayers, so He cannot fail to answer them graciously; if not in this life, yet certainly in that which is to come.

As many prayers as thou offerest up here, so many blessings shalt thou receive hereafter; for then "we shall reap if we faint not." Gal. 6:9.

Then will the Lord say to the believing soul, "Behold thy prayer which thou offeredst to me. See, here is that for which thou didst pray, and a thousand times more than thou didst desire." And for this time of retribution we must patiently wait.

29. That man would be a very foolish husbandman, who would expect to reap as soon as he had sown; and who, when he had done this, would cry out with tears, that he had sown much seed, but could see no sign of harvest. Thou fool! wait till the season of harvest arrives, and then thou shalt receive the fruits of thy labor with a blessed increase. These are the complaints which many people make: "I have prayed," says one, "so often; I have so often sighed from the bottom of my soul; but I see no prospect of being heard, so that all my prayers, and sighs, and tears, are in vain." Ah, impatient soul! Thou hast scarcely sowed, and dost thou already talk of harvest? Wait for the precious harvest of eternal life, and thou shalt reap an abundant crop of glory! "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7. There thou shalt gather with joy the fruit of the numerous prayers, which, as so many precious seeds, thou hast sown in tears. Psalm 126:5. This is the word and promise of G.o.d, which shall certainly be fulfilled, either here or in the other world. Thus, when thou art taking thy last sad farewell of a dying child, husband, wife, or friend, thou must consider that this is the season in which the bodies of thy friends, and thine own also, are, as it were, to be sown and committed to the earth; but that the harvest of the resurrection is at hand, when "the angels, the reapers, shall gather the sheaves, and put them into barns." Matt. 13:30, 39. There we shall find that our prayers, sighs, and tears were not lost, but only sent beforehand, to be received again with usury, finding all things in G.o.d that ever our souls could conceive or desire. So the promises of G.o.d, and the arguments produced to sustain them, shall stand firm and unshaken in Christ Jesus, to be eternally fulfilled to all believing souls, to their everlasting joy and salvation, for which we shall render eternal thanks and praises to G.o.d.

Chapter x.x.xVIII.

Seven Helps Or Aids For Our Infirmities In Prayer.

_Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of G.o.d._-ROM. 8:26, 27.

Since our prayers are, alas! very weak and imperfect, let us see what a.s.sistance G.o.d has given us in his holy word, in order to help us in that duty.

2. The _first_ help is our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ, the Son of G.o.d. 1 John 2:2. He is our advocate, and pleads our cause before G.o.d, when we are hardly able to express what we want. He is therefore called the _Logos_, or the eternal _Word_ of the Father, because G.o.d by him has discovered his will to us; as He is also called the Mediator, because He pleads our cause before G.o.d. A type of Him we have in Moses, the mediator of the Old Testament; to whom the people, flying from the face of G.o.d in Mount Sinai, said, "Speak thou with us" (Exod. 20:19). And when Moses complained that he was slow of speech, and of a slow tongue, when he was commanded to appear before Pharaoh; G.o.d tells him, "Aaron, thy brother, can speak well. He shall be to thee instead of a mouth." Exod.

4:10, 14, 16. So we also, when we should pray, are dull and slow of speech, and therefore we must fly to Christ, our heavenly Aaron, who is to us instead of a mouth. The same thing is expressed to us by the mercy-seat. Exod. 25:17, 21. Therefore Christ commands us to pray in his name (John 16:23), who is our eternal High Priest, having an everlasting priesthood (Heb. 7:16), interceding for us (Rom. 8:34), "in whom we have boldness, and access with confidence by the faith of him." Eph. 3:12.

3. The _second_ help is G.o.d the Holy Ghost. "I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace, and of supplication." Zech. 12:10. This spirit is given us as a testimony of the divine grace, and of our adoption. Hence St. John says, "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, because he hath given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:13. And St. Paul, "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage, but the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of G.o.d." Rom.

8:15, 16. He was also typified by the anointing of the priests under the law. Exod. 28:41; 29:7. Thus G.o.d has anointed us with the Spirit of Christ (1 John 2:20); that we should offer to him daily the fruit of our lips.

Ps. 69:30, 31; Heb. 13:15. This Spirit of G.o.d is the author of all those devout aspirations which we meet with, such as: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do." Dan. 9:19.

4. The _third_ help to strengthen us in prayer, is found in _the promises of G.o.d_. "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee."

Ps. 50:15. "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him." Ps. 91:15. See also Ps. 145:19; Luke 11:11, 13, and 18. "Before they call, I will hear."

Isa. 60:24. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers." Ps. 34:16. "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." Joel 2:32. "Ask, seek, knock." Matt. 7:7.

"The Lord is rich (in mercy, Eph. 2:4) to all that call upon him." Rom.

10:12. See also Luke 11:11-13; 18:6, 7.

5. The _fourth_ help in prayer, is _the remembrance of the saints_, whose prayers G.o.d has heard. Look at the examples of the ancients, and be strengthened. And, indeed, we must needs be so, when we seasonably call to mind instances of G.o.d's providence and divine a.s.sistance. Upon this foundation all the prophets of old built their prayers. Thus, when G.o.d was angry with Israel for the sin of the golden calf, and said to Moses: "Let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them" (Ex. 32:10); "then Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach,"

as the Psalmist expresses it (Ps. 106:23), putting G.o.d in mind of his former mercies, saying, "Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say, For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people, etc. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." Exod. 32:11-14.

6. David had recourse to the same remedy in almost all his Psalms; putting G.o.d in mind, as it were, of his former mercies, goodness, and faithfulness. So Ps. 25:6, "Remember thy tender mercies." Ps. 77:5, etc., "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times," etc. Ps.

85:1-6, "Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sin. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath; thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O G.o.d of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us forever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

7. How admirably does the prophet Isaiah use the same form of supplication (chap. 63:10-16), putting G.o.d in mind of his former mercies, and opening, as it were, by this key, the immense treasures of his compa.s.sion. "Where is he that brought them up out of the sea, with the shepherd of his flock?

where is he that put his Holy Spirit within him? That led them by the right hand of Moses, with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? That led them through the deep, as a horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory; where is thy zeal, and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels, and of thy mercies towards me? Are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting."

8. This prayer of the prophet is founded upon these arguments: (1.) Because the love of G.o.d is _eternal_, therefore it will not be withheld from _me_. (2.) I acknowledge myself to be a sinner but, at the same time, I remember that thy grace has been extended to sinners who repented.

"Remember not the sins of my youth." Ps. 25:7. (3.) My sins have been very great, but let thy mercy also be great. (4.) Remember that I am the work of thine own hands. "Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit." Job 10:9, 12.

9. The _fifth_ comfort in prayer is, _the tender love of G.o.d_ to mankind, and his promises to help the afflicted. "Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." Ps. 25:18. Again, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him." Ps. 34:6. Thus we are a.s.sured that G.o.d does not despise the miseries of the distressed, although proud men may do it. For G.o.d judges not as corrupt man judges; he has not eyes of flesh, nor doth he see as man seeth. Job 10:4. And as it generally happens among us, that the more need a man has of friends, the fewer he finds; so, on the other hand, G.o.d has a more tender and particular regard for him that is dest.i.tute and afflicted. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Ps. 34:18. "Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless." Ps. 10:14. And, indeed, such are the proper objects of divine mercy. To enhance the comfort and certainty of these promises, the Psalmist mentions various cla.s.ses of the afflicted; so that none who are in distress may despair: "The Lord executeth judgment for the oppressed; which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners; the Lord openeth the eyes of the blind; the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down; the Lord loveth the righteous; the Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widows." Ps. 146:7-9. To this may be referred what the prophet Isaiah says, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word." Isa.

66:2. And "The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever." Ps.

9:18. And "He will regard the prayer of the dest.i.tute, and not despise their prayer." Ps. 102:17.

10. The _sixth_ help is, the consideration of _G.o.d's unspeakable compa.s.sion_. He puts a better construction upon our prayers than we intended, and understands our necessities more perfectly than we can express them. He makes merciful allowance for our infirmities in prayer; according to the words of Abraham, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak." Gen. 18:30. Hence St. Paul says, "Blessed be G.o.d, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the G.o.d of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation." 2 Cor. 1:3. Compare this with Ps. 103:8. By virtue of this compa.s.sion of G.o.d, none of our prayers are in vain. G.o.d keeps an exact account of all our sighs and tears (Ps. 56:8), for the sake of those tears which Christ our blessed Saviour shed, who, in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. Heb. 5:7.

11. The _seventh_ help in prayer, is the remembrance of the _covenant of grace_, which G.o.d has made with us. "This shall be the covenant," etc.

Jer. 31:33. And, "The covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee." Isa. 54:10. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come! I will make an everlasting covenant with you." Isa. 55:1, 3. In this covenant of grace the a.s.surance that our prayers shall be heard is contained. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Isa. 55:6.

12. What we have said upon this head, is most happily exemplified in the prayer of Daniel. "O Lord, the great and dreadful G.o.d, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.-And now, O Lord our G.o.d, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day." (Here is the putting G.o.d in mind of his former mercies.) "Hear, O our G.o.d, the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to s.h.i.+ne upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake." (This is pleading the name and merits of Jesus the Messiah.) "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do." (These are the groans of the Holy Spirit.) "O my G.o.d, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations" (in regard of his promise); "because for our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us." (Here is a confession of sin, and an acknowledgment of misery.) "For we do not present our supplications before thee, for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies" (this is an acknowledgment of man's unworthiness, and of G.o.d's mercy, which is followed with a remembrance of the covenant); "For thy city and thy people are called by thy name." Dan. 9:4, 15, 17, 18, 19, 16.

Chapter x.x.xIX.

The Conversation Of A Believing Soul With G.o.d.

_Wilt thou be angry with us forever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation._-PS. 85:5-7.

These words contain the familiar discourse of the devout and faithful soul with G.o.d. Who would venture to talk so freely to an offended prince? But so indulgent is G.o.d to a believing soul, that he gives liberty to come freely and without restraint into his presence. As soon as the believer enters, G.o.d asks, "What is thy desire? come near, and be not afraid." This is represented to us in the case of Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:16), going into the presence-chamber of king David, and making her pet.i.tion. Upon which, the king sware unto her with an oath. So also in that of Esther, whom, so soon as she came into his presence, the king touched with his golden sceptre. Est. 5:1.

2. It is held to be an act of singular grace and favor, if a king vouchsafe to talk familiarly with his subjects. It was upon this account that the Roman emperor t.i.tus was called _The delight of mankind_, for his gracious treatment of all who were near him, filled them with joy. But how much greater favor and happiness is it, that G.o.d, the Lord of lords, and King of kings (whom the Psalmist calls, "The most high and terrible Lord, a great King over all the earth"), (Ps. 47:2), should not only talk with miserable men, who, as Abraham says, "are but dust and ashes" (Gen.

18:27); but should even converse kindly with rebellious sinners, who are at enmity with him through sin. Isa. 59:2. So that when a Christian considers, on the one hand, the greatness and majesty of G.o.d; and the impurity, corruption, misery, and vileness of human nature on the other hand, he cannot but cry out with David, "What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Ps. 8:4. The most righteous man living must acknowledge himself to be unworthy to converse with G.o.d. This was the sentiment of the devout Abraham, who therefore excuses his presuming to intercede with G.o.d for the Sodomites, saying, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak" (Gen. 18:30, 32): and yet every time that Abraham speaks, G.o.d vouchsafes to answer. And as he is the father of "them which are of faith" (Gal. 3:7), he gives us a notable example of the devout soul's conversation with G.o.d.

3. It is therefore a most certain and undoubted truth, that whensoever the faithful soul calls upon G.o.d by prayer, he never fails to answer by the divine consolations of his Spirit. An instance of this we have, where the Psalmist calls upon G.o.d in these words: "Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Wilt thou not revive us again? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what G.o.d the Lord will speak." Ps. 85:1, etc. The answer he received in his heart; therefore he says: "His salvation is nigh them that fear him."

Ver. 9. And as he here prays, that he may hear what the Lord G.o.d will say concerning him; G.o.d answers him, "Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee." Ps. 50:7. The afflicted soul prays, "O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger." Ps. 6:1. To which G.o.d answers, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Ps. 103:8. The soul says, "Whither shall I flee from thy presence?" Ps. 139:7. To which the Lord answers, "Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. The soul says, "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh, to direct his steps." Jer. 10:23. To which it is answered, "I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye." Ps. 32:8. The believing soul prays, "Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth." Ps. 86:11. To which the Lord answers, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6); the _way_, if thou wouldest not wander; the _truth_, if thou wouldest not be deceived; the _life_, if thou wouldest avoid eternal death. The believing soul complains, "There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones, because of my sin. My wounds stink and are corrupt, because of my foolishness." Ps. 38:3, 5. To which it is answered, "The chastis.e.m.e.nt of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5. The devout soul says, "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: save me, and I shall be saved." Jer. 17:14. It is answered, "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Ps. 103:3.

The soul complains, and cries out: I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. To which G.o.d answers by the prophet Isaiah, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins." Isa. 43:25; 44:22. The soul cries out, Alas! I am a grievous sinner. And Jesus Christ answers, "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt. 9:13. The soul prays, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions." Ps. 25:7. To which G.o.d answers, "If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him." Ezek. 18:21, 22. The soul cries out, "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Ps. 51:3. To which G.o.d answers, "Though your sins be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18. "Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." Ps. 143:2. To which it is answered, "G.o.d sent not his Son into the world, to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned." John 3:17, 18. The soul prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O G.o.d, and renew a right spirit within me." Ps. 51:10. To which it is answered, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes." Ezek. 36:26, 27. The soul says, "I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." Ps. 38:6. To which it is answered, "The Lord hath sent me to comfort all that mourn." Isa. 61:2. It is said, "Look upon mine affliction and my pain." Ps. 25:18. And it is answered, "To him will I look, that is poor, and of a contrite spirit." Isa. 66:2. "Thou tellest my wanderings." Ps. 56:8. To which the Lord answers, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matt. 10:30. The soul cries out, "When shall I come and appear before G.o.d?" Ps. 42:2. To which is answered, "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." John 12:26. The soul complains, "How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me? forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?" Ps. 13:1, 2. To which is answered, "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee." Isa. 54:7, 8.

Compare thy present suffering with G.o.d's eternal grace. Wait for the promise, which, though late, will surely be fulfilled at last. Hab. 2:3.

The soul says, "Thou art my G.o.d; be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help." Ps. 22:10, 11. To which it is answered, "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him." Ps.

91:15. The soul prays, "Lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death."

Ps. 13:3. To which it is answered, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death." Hosea, 13: 14. The soul says, "I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ." Phil. 1:23. To which Christ answers, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43.

4. In a word, the Holy Scripture is nothing else but a conversation of the devout soul with G.o.d. Whenever the soul raises itself to G.o.d, and spreads its misery and complaints before him, then G.o.d answers it by some internal comfort, or by the words and promises of the Holy Scriptures.

Chapter XL.