HAving thus discoursed concerning the nature of this Gift, together with the two extreams which on either hand do so much hinder mens proficiency in it; I shall in the next place briefly suggest some few arguments or motives to engage us upon the diligent enquiry after it.
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From the excellency of it in comparison to those other abilities, which are so much valued, and sought after in the world. As for Manual trades, men are content to bestow the labour of seven yeers in the learning of them. And so for the Liberal Ar[…]s, you know what numerous and large volumes are written concerning them: how much time and pains men will lay out in the study of them, counting their labour well bestowed, if after many tedious watchings they can attain to any kind of eminency in these professions; And yet these things can onely accommodate us with some outward conveniencies, and help us in our conversing with men; whereas this Gift of Prayer is of much higher, more universall efficacy, and does enable us to converse with God, and therefore may much better deserve our enquiry. ‘Tis counted a commendable thing for men to have any special skill in Arts that are meerly for recreation and diversion of the minde· How much more in this Gift, which is the chief refuge, and refreshment of the soul in all its dejections? ‘Tis a desirable thing to be expert in humane Oratory, whereby we are able in ordinary affaires, to perswade and prevail with men: How much more in this divine Oratory, which in matters of nearest and greatest concernment does give us power to prevail with God?
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From the suitablenesse, and necessity of it, in respect of that Religion which we professe; unto which this gift is of such great consequence, and has such immediate relation. An ingenuous man would be ashamed to pretend unto any Art or faculty, wherein he is grossely ignorant: So may that man be to professe Religion, who neglects to attain this Gift. A Christian that cannot pray, is like an Oratour that cannot speak, or a Travellour that cannot go; there being no other ability more necessary for us in our particular callings· as we are Artists, then this is for our general callings, as we are Christians. Now as a man would be loth either to be, or to be accounted ignorant in the mysteries of his profession, so should it be a shame to us to be very defective or negligent in this gift. ‘Tis part of our spiritual Armour; and for a Souldier to be without any skill in the use of his armes, is both an unsuitable and a dangerous condition.
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From the special advantages and fruits of this Gift, enabling a man upon all occasions to relate his condition, according to the special circumstances of it; to suite his desires and expressions according to several emergencies, which in the midst of all our dejections and tumultuous thoughts, will be a meanes to induce a quietnesse, and Serenity of minde, if a man can but pour out his soul, and lay open his case before God. So that by this meanes he may have a continual supply of comfort upon every occasion; besides those special raptures and elevations of spirit, which men that are much conversant in this duty, and inquisitive after this gift, shall sometimes be affected with.
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From the inconveniencies that a man shall be exposed unto by the want of it, when he is surprised by any sudden exigence, or lies under any great strait, wherein he cannot expect any help, but from the hand of God; (as who is there that can promise himself a continual freedome from such extremities, but that they may at some time or other befall him?) I say, that in such a case a man should not know how to relate his own condition, or to bespeak Gods assistance without having recourse to some prescribed forme, which perhaps hath no proper reference to the particular occasion; How inconvenient and prejudiciall would this be? Our liberty of recourse to God in such cases, is one of the greatest priviledges of a Christian, and therefore our ignorance in the due manner or proper way of this addresse, must needs be a great disadvantage; there being but little difference betwixt not having a medicine, and not knowing how to apply, or make use of it.
True indeed, the best men have sometimes found such a straitnesse upon their spirits, and such unaptnesse for expressions, that they have not been able to pour out their souls in this duty, but then they have still complained of this, as being a great discomfort and unhappinesse. (Isa. 38.14) So Hezekiah, I did chatter as a Swallow, and mourn as a Dove, mine eyes fail with looking upwards. And David, (Psal. 55.2) Behold, how I mourn in my prayer, and make a noise. And therefore it must needs be a much greater unhappinesse to be alwayes in this condition, and under a continuall disability of expressing our own wants and desires in this duty.
These particulars rightly considered cannot but inflame our hearts unto an earnest desire of this Gift.
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