The graces that we should pray for, are many of them briefly summed up together, in several Scriptures. But for our more full and distinct apprehension of them,1 they may be more particularly considered, according to their distinct relations, either to the Law. Gospel.
The duties enjoyned by both these, may be easily collected from those vices, and failings mentioned in our Confession.
The first Table in the Law, doth concern our duty to God.
The first Commandment doth enjoyn us to have Jehovah alone for our God; that is, in all respects to behave our selves towards him as our God. So that by this we are directed to pray for these graces and duties, viz. Knowledge and Belief of him, Trust and Hope in him, Love towards him, Zeal for him, Rejoycing in him, Gratitude towards him, Patience under him, Obedience to him, Fear of him, Being humble before him.
Because it is not good that the soul should be without knowledge,2 we should therefore pray that he would be pleased to incline our ears unto wisdome, and apply our hearts to understanding: That he would open our eyes to behold the wonderous things of his Law: (Ps. 119.18) That he would give unto us the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him; (Eph. 1.17.18) that the eyes of our understandings being inlightened, we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, and what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward, who believe according to the working of his mighty power: That he would enable us to be more inquisitive after those sacred truths revealed in the Word; more diligent to acquaint our selves with his holy attributes, and works; more mindefull of his Holinesse, Justice, Truth, Power, Omnipresence; that he is about our paths, (Psal. 139.3) and beds and acquainted with all our wayes. He does search and know us, understanding our thoughts afar off, all things being naked, and open in his sight.
(Col. 1.9, 10)That we may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisedome, and spirituall understanding; that we may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing; being fruitfull in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, that we may follow on to know the Lord.
(Hos. 6.3)That he would sanctifie to us the knowledge we have already attained, that it may not be idle, and ineffectual; but may produce in our lives answerable obedience, that we do not with-hold any truth in unrighteousnesse. (Rom. 1.18)
That he would open our hearts to believe all those truths revealed in his Word; (Belief) that he would inable us to take diligent heed, (Heb. 3.12) lest there should be in any of us an evill heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God; That we may firmly assent unto his promises and threats; and as we do professe our selves to believe in God, so we may be carefull to maintain good works. (Tit. 3.8)
(Trust)That we may not rely on such outward means as cannot help us; but in all our wants and troubles, we may place our chief confidence on him, as knowing that he is infinitely wise, powerful, merciful, both able and willing to succour us; that when we know not what to do, our eyes may be upon him: (2 Chron. 20.12) That in our greatest exigences, when we are in a state of darknesse, and can see no light, we may then trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon our God. (Isa. 50.10) That we may still cast our burden upon him,3 and abide under the shadow of the Almighty: Committing our wayes unto the Lord: Being careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplications, make our requests known unto God, who careth for us, and will never leave, or forsake us.
That we may labour to stirre up, and strengthen our hope in him, (Hope) such hope as may be well grounded, and will not make us ashamed, of which we may be alwayes able,4 and ready to give answer to every man that asketh us a reason. That we may look more at the things which are not seen, (2 Cor. 4.18) then at those things which are seen. That in times of fear and danger we may fly for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us;5 which hope may be as an Anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast. That no condition,6 or temptation may make us cast away our confidence; That we may give all dilligence to make our callings and elections sure; To clear unto our selves, the evidences of our own everlasting well-beings.