and frequent here, he is well, a decay in this is a woful symptom
of a dangerous and dwining(515) condition. This is the fountain of the
spirit of life, and the Spirit's breath. For the Spirit helps our
infirmities with groans which cannot be uttered, (Rom. viii. 26, 27) and
according as the Spirit of God dwells in a man, in so far is he a good
Christian. If, then, ye would ask how ye should walk here, and thrive in
true Christianity, we would only say this, pray fervently and without
ceasing. Pray and prosper, and daily be strong, and the Lord shall be with
you. He will never fail nor forsake you. Again, consider, 6. That prayer
is not so much a duty as a privilege, and if saints knew this, prayer
would not so often be a burden unto them. Is there any privilege like
this? For prayer is an admission into the secrets of God, it is an
emptying of the heart into his bosom. It is a great part of our
correspondence with heaven. It is a swift messenger sent thither, that
never comes back with ill news. It never returns empty, but accomplishes
its intent. Prayer is as it were speaking with God face to face, as a man
speaks to his friend, and is it not an honourable privilege, that
believers are admitted to him, and may boldly come to him under all their
necessities, and have such a sympathizing friend as Jesus? What is
wonderful in scripture is, that God hath put that honour upon prayer to be
instrumental in obtaining the greatest blessings. Did not the Lord, at the
prayer of Moses, dry up the Red sea? Did he not, at the prayer of Elias,
withhold and give rain? Did not the prayer of Joshua make the sun to stand
still, till he had vanquished his enemies? Wherefore was all this? Could
he not have done it unasked? Certainly, but the Lord would put that honour
and respect upon prayer in all ages, that it might be a demonstration to
all ages and generations, how ready and propense(516) God was to hear
prayer. Nay, to speak with reverence, God will submit his own omnipotence
to prayer. Command, ask of me, and command me, says the high and holy One,
Isa. xlv. 11. O but "the effectual fervent prayer" of the righteous avails
much, 1 James v. 16. It does a man's business, and upon less expenses; it
gives a reward in the hand, and the hope of the things sought. Withal,
prayer is like Jacob's getting that within doors, without much toil, which
careful Esau goes about all the fields for, and toils all day to obtain.
Prayer is the most compend