Occasional intercession is when we pray for such persons as suffer under any special trouble or affliction in whose behalf we may petition in the general;1 That God would give them patience under their afflictions, Profit by them, and in his good time ease and Deliverance from them.
That God would enable them with quietnes and contentment to submit themselves unto every condition which he shall think fittest for them, as beleeving and considering
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That he is the author of all the miseries which we suffer. Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, (Job 5.6) neither doth trouble spring out of the ground.
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That he makes every thing beautiful and seasonable; (Eccl. 3.11) whatsoever comes to pass by his wise providence, is far better then human wisdom could possibly contrive it, even those events which do most of all thwart our private hopes and desires (could all circumstances be duly considered) would appear to be most comly and beautiful, and therefore we have reason, with lowlines & humility to submit unto his wise providence, and in all our troubles and confusions, to acknowledge, that great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just & true are thy ways, (Rev. 15.13) thou King of Saints. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments, are right, and that thou in faithfulnes hast afflicted me.
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We have most justly deserved all that we suffer. (Ps. 119.75) Thou, O Lord, art just in all that is brought upon us, (Neh. 9.33) for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly. The least mercy we enjoy is far greater then our deserts, and the greatest misery we suffer is far lesse then our sins. Shall we receive good from the hand of God, and shall we not receive evill? (Job 2.10)
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That these afflictions are the signs and effects of his love for whom he loveth he chasteneth, (Heb. 12.6) and correcteth every sonne whom he receiveth.
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That every thing shall in the issue prove for the best to them that love him. And that though all chastening for the present be grievous,2 neverthelesse afterwards it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnes to them that are exercised thereby.
That they may labour to make the right use of their troubles, to search and try their ways and turn to the Lord. (Lam. 3.40) To humble themselves under his mighty hand, that he may exalt them in due time. (1 Pet. 5.6, 7) To cast all their care upon him, because he careth for them. To finde out those particular failings, which he aims at in his corrections. To observe and understand his meaning in the troubles that befal us, that we may accordingly apply our selves to meet him in his ways.
These occasions for particular intercession, are distinguishable into several kindes, comprehending all manner of inward or outward exigences, all difficulties and doubts, in respect of any weighty businesse, or temptation, but the two chief kinds of them are troubles of conscience, sicknesse of body.
- If the occasion be trouble of Conscience, and spiritual desertions, in such cases the petitions & arguments before-mentioned in our deprecation against the guilt of sin are fitly applyable,3 to which may be added such other desires as these.
That God would inable them to beleeve and consider, that feares, and doubts, and temptations are an unavoidable part of our Christian warfare, that not only his dearest servants, Job, David, &c. but also his only Sonne Christ himself hath suffered under them. That he being touched with a feeling of our infirmities, (Heb. 4.16) might be ready to help us in the time of need.
That God is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, (1 Cor. 10.13) but will with the temptation also make away to escape, that we may be able to bear it. He hath promised that he will not contend for ever, (Isa. 57.16) nor be alwayes wroth, lest the spirits of men should fail before him, & the souls which he hath made;4 that though for a small moment he doth forsake us, yet with great mercies will he gather us; though in a little wrath he doth hide his face from us for a moment, yet with everlasting kindnes will he have mercy upon us. (Ps. 145.14) The Lord upholdeth those that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. (Ps. 34.18) He is nigh unto them that be of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.