PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Christian in Complete Armour
William Gurnall, 1617–1679 · 726,331 words · 834 reading sections
(35(3 PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
thirsted for, and therefore his request was denied with so much disdain. Look that when thy petition is loyal, there he not treason in thy end and aim ; if there be, he will find it out. Wiien shall I know that I aim at God or self in prayer .' This will eonunonly appear hy the posture of our heart, when God delays or …
858 wordsSECTION 662PUAYINU ALWAYS, ETC. 557
at night? Alas ! thy cowardice and sloth will get to heaven before thy prayei-, and put thee to shame, when thou comest on such an errand. The saint's prayer may miscarry from some secret grudge that is lodged in his heart against his brother. Anger and wrath ai-e strange fire to put to oiir incense. It is a law writte…
894 wordsSECTION 663(358 PKAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
also that have fallen in with them, or rather sprung from them, and which drew so sad a sword among us, as for many years could find no other sheath but the bowels of this then miserable nation. Oh what grudges, animosities, and heart- burnings have these two produced! The sword, blessed be God, is at last got into its…
858 wordsSECTION 664PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. 059
claimed but in his name, because they are both made to him, and performed for him. They are made to him, the covenant being struck with him : ' In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began,' Tit. i. 2. And there was none then existing but Christ to whom the promise could be made.…
902 wordsSECTION 665(J(30 PKAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
what he will ? Secondly, It takes hold of the faithfulness of God to perform the promise ; we are directed, in committing ourselves to him, to eye his faithfulness; 'As unto a faithful Creator,' 1 Pet. i v. 19. The saints' faith hath heen remarkable in staying themselves on this, while yet the mercy prayed for lay asle…
835 wordsSECTION 666(J(30 PKAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
we deal with a man whose ability or faithfulness we have in doubt, then we labour to make sure of him by tying him up to our terms ; but if we stand assured of their power and truth, we leave them to themselves. Thus the patient sends for the physician, desires his help, but leaves him to write his own bill. The mercha…
919 wordsSECTION 667QQ2 PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
a fruitful year. Sometinips the jihysiciau appoints a powder to be taken in wine or beer. Now, it is not the beer or wine tliat does the cure, but the powder, whicli they are only used to convey and carry into the stomach. Thus mercy is lianded over to us by the blessing of God in the use of means, yet thiniv not the m…
865 wordsSECTION 668CHAPTER XXIV.
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.' As a merchant finding his precious gain coming in, converts his whole estate into stock; so David devotes himself wholly to prayer; ' For my love, they are my adversaries : but I was in prayer.' This was the only weapon I lifted up for my defence against all their dart…
820 wordsSECTION 669CHAPTER XXV.
encouraged by thee. This granted, for thy comfort know, they arc not so offensive to God, as to thyself. Thy prayers pass such a refining in Christ's mediation, that their ill scent is taken away. Doth thy scruple arise from the sinful failings of thy daily conversation and Christian course ? To remove this, observe ho…
790 wordsSECTION 670PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. (3(35
some begging errand) likes the motion, his heart doseth with it, and a grant is there passed ; but he takes his own time to send his despatch, and let his son know it. Princes have their books of remembrance, wherein they write the names of their favourites whom they intend to prefer, haply some years before their gi'a…
863 wordsSECTION 671QQQ PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
science, diligently listened to, doth witness that thou art sincere in thy course, though compassed with many failings. If it overtakes thee in any runaway voyage with Jonah, or rambling course with the prodigal from thy Father's house, then, indeed, thou hast reason to question ; j'ea, it is beyond all question, that …
914 wordsSECTION 672PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. (357
Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.' That is, Whenever I stir up a soul to pray, and empower him with my Spirit to perform it feelingly, fervently, and after a holy manner, it is always to purpose. God never said thus to any, ' Seek ye me in vain.' Section III. — The third thing from which Satan takes his advantage, to breed s…
887 wordsSECTION 673PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. (357
that will make thee so happy in heaven, where few of this worlds enjoyments shall be seen, cannot he make thy life comfortable on earth withont some of them? Secondly, Consider how thou prayedst when thoii didst meet with this denial. Didst thou pray peremptorily, and absolutely, or conditionally, with submis- sion to …
916 wordsSECTION 674PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. QQ()
kingdom instead of them? The holy women that went to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus with their spices, did not lose their labour, though they found him risen. What are all the enjoyments of the world to the spiritual mercies and comfort of the promises which thou findest in thy at- tendance on God ? Not so m…
805 wordsSECTION 675THE FIRST IMPORTANCE OF ' PRAYING ALWAYS ' SHEWN TO AMOUNT TO AS MUCH AS PRAYING IN EVERYTHING; AND WHY ALL OUR AFFAIRS AND ACTIONS ARE TO BE ENCIRCLED WITHIN THE DUTY OF PRAYER.
gospel sense, nor God graciously bid thy prayer welcome ; for the spirit of prayer is a covenant grace, and interest in the mediation of Christ, a covenant privilege ; without both which no prajer is accepted. God hears not any that have not his Spirit to pray in them, and his Son to pray for them ; and none liave thes…
854 wordsSECTION 676THE FIRST IMPORTANCE OF ' PRAYING ALWAYS ' SHEWN TO AMOUNT TO AS MUCH AS PRAYING IN EVERYTHING; AND WHY ALL OUR AFFAIRS AND ACTIONS ARE TO BE ENCIRCLED WITHIN THE DUTY OF PRAYER.
To pray always, is as much as if he had said, Pray in everything, according to what the same apostle says in another epistle : ' In everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.' Prayer is a catholic duty, with which, like a girdle, we are to be encompassed in all …
912 wordsSECTION 677THE SECOND IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING IN ALL CONDITIONS ; AND WHY THIS DUTY IS SO TO BE PERFORMED.
moniing till night ! Secondly, No passage of tky life is so small wherein thou mayest not fall into some great danger. How many have been choked with their food at their own table, — received their deadly wound by a beam from their own house ! Knowest thou what will be the end of any action when thou beginnest it? Jose…
850 wordsSECTION 678THE THIRD IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING ALWAYS TO BE AS MUCH AS PRAYINQ DAILV; AND WHY WE ARE TO PRAY DAILY.
enjoyments, are like luscious wine : we cannot drink little of them, they are so sweet to our carnal palate ; and we cannot bear much of them, because they are strong and heady, fuming up in pride and carnal confidence. Now prayer is an excellent preservative against the evil of this state. First, As it spiritualizes o…
893 wordsSECTION 679THE THIRD IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING ALWAYS TO BE AS MUCH AS PRAYINQ DAILV; AND WHY WE ARE TO PRAY DAILY.
THE THIRD IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING ALWAYS TO BE AS MUCH AS PRAYINQ DAILV; AND WHY WE ARE TO PRAY DAILY. To pray always, is to pray daily. When the Christian keeps a constant, daily exercise of this dut)', prayer is not a holy-day, bnt every-day work: 'Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thee for ever and ever.…
917 wordsSECTION 680PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. (57'5
Caution. — Beware, that thy constant daily performance of this duty doth not degenerate into a lifeless formality. What we do commonly, we are prone to do but slightly. He is a rare Christian that keeps his com'se in prayer, and yet grows not to pray of mere course. The power of religion cannot be preserved without an …
812 wordsSECTION 681PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC. (57'5
was despatching his sons back again to Egypt, and with the greatest prudence provided for their journey, (by furnisliing them with double money, and a choice present in their hand to appease the governor of tlie land,) that he might engage Heaven on their side, he breathes forth this cjaculatory prayer, ' God Almighty …
877 wordsSECTION 682CHAPTER XXXI.
when heaven takes the alarm ; as when thieves are about a house to rob it, and they within give a sudden shriek to call in help, presently they flee ; and if God, for thy trial, should not come at first call to rid thee of these imwelcome guests, yet thy very crying out will prevent thy consenting to their villany. Sec…
884 wordsSECTION 683(378 PKAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
Section I. — For reproof of those that are wholly unacquainted with this kind of praying. Tlieir heart is a bow bent indeed, and their quiver full of arrows, but all are shot beside this mark : the world is their butt, at this they let fly all their thoughts. God is so great a stranger with them, that they hardly speak…
829 wordsSECTION 684AN EXHORTATION TO THE FREQUENT USE OF EJACULATORY PRAYER, WITH TWO OR THREE HELPS THEREUNTO.
- or spoken of without feai* and trembling ! The legs of the lame are not equal ; so is a parable in the mouth of fools ; that is, it is uncomely. The name of God doth not fit a profane mouth ; the discourse is not proper. One step in hell and another in heaven, is too great a stride at once to be taken. To shoot one d…
837 wordsSECTION 685AN EXHORTATION TO THE FREQUENT USE OF EJACULATORY PRAYER, WITH TWO OR THREE HELPS THEREUNTO.
going, from morning to night, and thereby lose much of the pleasm^e of our journey, should then have it in a manner always before us, as a joyful prospect in our eye to solace us in the difficulties of our pilgrimage, and make us gather up our feet more nimbly in the ways of holiness, when we shall see whither they lea…
938 wordsSECTION 686SECRET PRAYER IS A DUTY INCUMBENT ON US, AND WHY'.
and again, ver. 5, ' My month shall praise thee with joyful lips.' See how he goes over and over the same note. Joy can no more be hid than ointment; as tliat betrayeth itself by its sweet perfumes, so doth holy joy make its own report in the praises it sounds forth to God. It behoves thee, therefore, to be as choice o…
837 wordsSECTION 687(332 PRAYING ALWAYS, ETC.
to seek some seci'et place, where he might more freely, with deep meditation, compose himself for this work. Gen. xxiv. 6',i. Neither was Rebekah a stranger to this duty, who, upon the babes' struggling in her womb, went to inquire of the Lord, Gen. xxv. 22; which, saith Calvin, was to pray in secret. Jacob is famous f…
912 wordsSECTION 688CHAPTER XXXIV.
men ' understand and seek God ?' Secondly, In regard of ourselves, the more to prove our sincerity. I do not say that to pray in secret amounts to an in- fallible character of sincerity ; for hypocrisy may creep into ovu- closet, when the door is shut closest, as the frogs did into Pharaoh's bedchamber ; yet this is no…
845 wordsSECTION 689AN EXHORTATION TO THE SAINTS TO KEEP UP SECRET PRAYER, AND DIREC- TIONS AS TO THEIR MANAGEMENT OF IT.
liarly with a great king, who, while all his courtiers stand bare before him, takes him into his embraces, and lets him familiarly whisper in his ear, might it not excite our wonder at such an act of grace from majesty to a beggar ? This is the glorious privilege of every saint on earth, who, when he prays, hath libert…
871 wordsSECTION 690THE DOTT OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CHARGE OF A FAMILY TO SET UP THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN IT.
fidence. We go boldly into his house whom Ave often visit. Secondly, Let it be true secret prayer, and not have its name for nought ; take heed no noise be heard abroad of what thou doest in secret. ' Enter into thy closet,' said Christ, ' and when thou hast shut thy door, pray.' Be sure thou shuttest it so close that …
900 wordsSECTION 691THE DOTT OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CHARGE OF A FAMILY TO SET UP THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN IT.
THE DOTT OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CHARGE OF A FAMILY TO SET UP THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN IT. The second kind of composed prayer is that which is performed in joint communion with others ; and this is double, either private or public. First, famil}- prayer. By a family, I mean a society of certain persons, in mutual relatio…
797 wordsSECTION 692WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 687
The master's praying with his family, will teach them how to pray when by themselves. The confessions he makes, petitions he puts up, and mercies he acknowledgeth in his family duty, are an excellent means to furnish them with matter for their devotion. How comes it to pass that many servants and children, when they co…
847 wordsSECTION 693WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 687
blessing upon their joint labours for the good of the whole. 'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.' And is it not fit that they who join in the work should join in a prayer for a blessing on their endeavour? There are family mercies that the whole society share in ; and is it not meet tha…
899 wordsSECTION 694A REPROOF TO THOSE THAT UNNECESSARILY THROW THEMSELVES TO LIVE IN SUCH FAMILIES WHERE THE WORSHIP OF GOD IS NOT SET UP.
the act of prayer upon him as a sin, but liis remissness therein ; much less will he impute to thee another's sinful frame of heart, with whom thou joinest in prayer. Pray thou in faith, and his unbelief shall not prejudice thy faith, nor his jjride tliy humility. Thou joinest with him in the duty, but hast no com- mun…
853 wordsSECTION 6952 Y
Secondly, Be the more in thy secret communion witli God. If thou hadst to live with a niggard, who pinched thy belly, wouldst thou not, though thou hadfit but a penny in thy purse, lay it out for broad rather than starve? Thou liadst need have a bit the more in a corner, because thou art cut short of thy daily bread in…
839 wordsSECTION 696WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. (391
SecoiuU}^, See tliat, yon improve this spiritual advantage, or else it will go worse with you tlian others. Rebellions Isr-acl is told, they shall know that they had a prophet among them ; the meaning is, they shall know it to their cost ; and so shall those that have lived in families, under such governors, who went b…
853 wordsSECTION 697TO THOSE GOVERNORS OF FAMILIES THAT TERFORM THIS DUTY.
in tlij'f^rave witli thee ; no, thoulcavcst others behind to keep it alive. O, how dismal is it to lay the foundation of a sin to many generations ! The children unborn may rise up and curse such. If I had heard my father praj', may the cliild say, (in a dying hour,) or had been led into the acquaintance of the worshij…
902 wordsSECTION 698TO THOSE GOVERNORS OF FAMILIES THAT TERFORM THIS DUTY.
Section 111. — Preserve peace and unity in thy family : a brawling family cannot be a praying family. The apostle exhorteth husband and wife to love and unite, lest their prayers be liindered, ] Pet. iii. 7. Contentions in a family both binder the spirit of prayer, and also the answer to prayer. First, They binder the …
926 wordsSECTION 699(394. WITH ALL PRAYKR AND SUPPLICATION.
Section VI. — Observe the fittest seasons for duty in thy family, when with most freedom and least disturbance it may l)e jjcrformed. In the morning, take the opportunity, before the throngof worldly business crowds in upon thee. In .some families I have observed, where they are in great employments, that if duty be de…
740 wordsSECTION 700(394. WITH ALL PRAYKR AND SUPPLICATION.
Section II. — Prayer is part of that religious worsliip, which the church is to perform to God in her public assemblies; yea, a principal part, and is therefore frequently put for the whole ; Zech. viii. 21, 22 : ' The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying. Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and …
862 wordsSECTION 701(394. WITH ALL PRAYKR AND SUPPLICATION.
serve God always, but cannot always worsliip, tlieretore they have stated times appointed tlieni. Now to cast olF the worsliip of (iod, is to renounce God himself, and connnunion with his church both on earlh and in heaven. ' Ye are they that forsake the Lord, and forget my holy mountain,' Isa. Ixv. 11. Tiiey did not g…
883 wordsSECTION 702TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC PRAYER ANSWERED.
it she may be protected in time of a danger ; Cant. i. 7 : 'Tell me, O thou whom my sonl loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon? For why should I be as one that tm-neth aside by the flocks of thy companions V Fourthly, Because of the great delight he takes in the joint prayers and prais…
924 wordsSECTION 703TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC PRAYER ANSWERED.
Section II. ^Whether a set form of prayer be lawful to be used in the church? If it be unlawful, it is because, by the use of a set form in prayer, some commaiul of God is transgressed ; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Now it will trouble those who decry all set forms, how holy soever the matter of…
845 wordsSECTION 704WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. QQ'J
and his brethren.' This was the first he appointed to be sung in the public service, the several parts whereof were afterward nnich enlarged, as you may see by comparing the 105th Psalm with the former part of the song in the place fore-quoted, and Psalm cxvi., with the latter part of it. At the dedication of the templ…
816 wordsSECTION 7057Q0 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
upon his worship, walk contrary to the A'ery end of their creation ? If tlie bells whicli call us to the worship of God were to give them notice of a drunken wake, O how soon should we have them flock together ! What should we impute this irreligion of multitudes among us to ? Surely it proceeds from a criminal conscie…
882 wordsSECTION 706OF F.XTRAOKDINARY PRAYFR, ITS NATURE, AND I5Y WHOM TO BF. PERFORMED.
led the people into a snare, when he bade them beware of the leaven of the Pharisees' doctrine, yet bade them hear them preach, Matt, xxiii. 3. Section III. — Of exhortations. First, Make conscience of joininj^ with the church in her public worsliip. Do not think th'ou art left to thy liberty whether thou wilt or not,…
899 wordsSECTION 7077Q2 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
Section I. — Prayer may he called extraordinary in a douhle respect. First, lu regard of the time set aj)art for the performance of it: it is extraordinary when some more than ordinary portion of our time is set a])art for the work. Thus we find Jacob wrestling' till break of day, Clcn. xxxii. 21 ; and Joshua with the …
806 wordsSECTION 7087Q2 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
his people, in their exti'aordinary humiliations, do the same, that nature may not put grace to shame. Thirdly, By this abstinence, especially from food, we tame and subdue our wanton flesh, and so have a greater advantage for mor- tifying those sensual lusts which receive the fuel that feeds and inilames them. A full …
885 wordsSECTION 709-JQ^, WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
duty ; but a day of prayer and fasting, wluM-cin they are to pinch themselves a little, this will not go down. But is there no feast except that which goes down the throat, and satisfies hunger ! Certainly this blessed duty deserves not the ill name it hath given unto it by men of sensual spirits. It is indeed to carna…
830 wordsSECTION 710WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 705
escape the fury of his enemies? Dotli he desire a band of the Persian king to l)e their guard? No ; he hath gloried so much in tliat God wliom they served, tluit he is ashamed the king shoukl think ho was not willing to east himself upon his protection ; hut he goes to fasting and jirayer, Ezra viii. 21 ; then they tak…
924 wordsSECTION 711WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 705
Section III. — When the Christian is under any great affliction. Now is a fit season, if he is able for the work: * Is any among you afflicted? let him pray,' James v. 13 ; that is, let him then be more than ordinary in this duty ; for he must, yea, will, if a Christian, pray when he is not aiHicted : but the meaning i…
855 wordsSECTION 712WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 7QY
which words, God is presented sitting in heaven as a temple, for their encourage- ment, I conceive, in such a desperate state of affairs, to direct their prayers thither for deliverance. And certainly this hath heen the engine that hath been instrumental, above any, to restore this poor nation again, and set it upon th…
835 wordsSECTION 713703 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
thorn by his extraordinary proceedings intended against them, to take the hint, and apply themselves to the solemn practice of repentance, and humbling of their souls, as a suitable posture to meet God in, and keep off the storm of his wrath. Is it not high time for a nation to betake themselves to their defensive arms…
820 wordsSECTION 714703 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
have tliey reason to be very careful in the management of this service, the issue whereof cannot be ordinary, because the dut)' is extraordinary. Now the coini- sel to be given must be divided into three general heads : something shoidd be directed as preparatory to this undertaking ; something to be observed in its pe…
895 wordsSECTION 715■7]0 AVITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
the grand importance of the approacluiig service. Tlioii art going to stand be- fore the great God, and tliat very near, in an extraordinary duty, wherein tliou wilt eitlier sanctity or profane Ids reverend name in a higli degree ; and ac- cordingly art to expect his love or wratii, in some elioice jjlessing or dreadfi…
867 wordsSECTION 716WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 711
trice' egg under the very wing of God, and make use of this his solemn ordinance, as an expedient to hatch their wicked designs. The fox, they say, wlien hard put to it, will, to save hhnsclf, fall in among the dogs, and hunt among them as one of the company. Thus the hypocrite, the better to conceal his wicked project…
881 wordsSECTION 717•712 "WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
called ])viests, ' to offer up spivitiuil sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ,' 1 Pet. ii. 5. There is iudeed another end for which ordinances are ap- pointed, namely, for the conveyance of all kind of blessings from God unto us : but this is to be subordinate to the former, or else we make the glory of God s…
923 wordsSECTION 718WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. 713
First, For the sins thou hast committed. The great business of a faat lies in the practice of repentance, and this cannot be done without a narrow scrutiny of the heart: ' Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord,' Lam. iii. 40. The thief must be found before he can be tried, and tried before he is co…
846 wordsSECTION 719714 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
wants. Before the tradesman goes to the fair, he h)oks over his shoj), that he may know what commodity he is most in want of. Thou goest to this duty to furnish thyself with the graces and mercies thou necdest : is it not necessary to see what thy present store is ; — what thy personal, and what thy relative needs are?…
845 wordsSECTION 720714 WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
hand while thou stvetchest it out in prayer ? — make thy tongue falter when thou wouldst make use of it ? — yea suffer a sudden damp to fall upon thy spirits that shall chill all thy affections, and leave thy heart as cold as a stone, in thy bosom? ' Siu-ely man, at his best estate, is vanity!' And this in regard of th…
914 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical work by William Gurnall, 1617–1679. OCR from an original historical scan hosted by Internet Archive; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.