intense, and so he tastesmore sweetness in the mercy ; also, because such mercies give disappointment to the Christian's many fears : when God tarries, we are prone to question whether he will come or no. ' Will the Lord cast off for ever? and v.'ill he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore?' Psa. Ixxvii. 7, 8. See how many sad thoughts gathered about this good man's heart ; which though they did not overthrow his chariot of prayei', yet clogged his wheels, and made him drive with a heavy heart. Now, for a mercy to break out of so dark a cloud, must needs bring such a glory with it, as to ravish the soul with joy, and enlarge it into thank- fulness. Those judgments dispirit sinners most, which come after long peace and prosperity, when they think the danger is over, and the bitterness of death is even past : as in Haman's case, who was sent to the gallows after he had vaunted how he was invited to the queen's banquet ; this strange turn made it a double death to him : so mercies that surprise the saint after he hath prayed long, and can hear no tidings that they are on their way, O, how it affects his heart with joy and gratitude ! The church had prayed without ceasing for Peter in prison, but still he remained there even to the veiy time when Herod would have brought him forth, probably to his execution. Now, when he came him- self to bring them the joyful news that their prayers were heard, (while they were instant at the work,) it is said 'they were astonished,' Acts xii. IG. Fourthly, Such mercies are usually more holily used and improved ; for God holds his people long at prayer for a mercy, many times for this very end, to prepare and season their hearts, that, when they have it, they may know the better how to employ it for his glory, and their own good. Hannah prayed long for a son, but none was given ; this made her add a vow to her prayer ; ' If thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life,' 1 Sam. i. IL Happy was it for this good woman she had not her desire sooner ; if she had received him at first, perhaps she had never given him back to God again. The Lord sometimes foi-bears to give a mercy to us, only to make us more earnest in glorifying him when we have it.
The last advantage that comes to the Christian by perseverance in prayer, is when the mercy is at last denied ; and it is this, — it will enable and dispose him to bear the denial more meekly and holily than another. He that is impatient, and cannot wait on God for a mercy, will not easily submit to him in a denial ; whereas he that keeps up a spirit of prayer for it, when God comes to take away the subject of his prayer, will acquiesce, now he sees that God hath fully declared his will in the thing. Job lets not a day pass without prayer for his children : and how does the man behave himself when they are slain ? Doth he fret and fume? Doth he curse God for making them a sacrifice, for whom he had offered so many sacrifices ? No, he meekly submits to his holy will, he opens not his mouth against him, but in praises to him. So David, when his child was dead, (for whom while living he ceased not passionately to pray,) to show how well satis- fied he was with Divine Providence, he washeth his cheeks, puts off his mourn- ing, and goes to the house of God to worship, 2 Sam. xii. 20. Prayer is a great heart-easer ; it breathes out those distempered passions, which being bound up in others, break out, when God at any time crosseth them in- their will.
Section III. — Having shewn why we are to persevere in prayer, I come now to press the duty home. Christ bestowed a parable on his disciples for this veiy end, to shew that men ought always to pray, and not to faint ; siu'ely then it deserves an exhortation. Now to enforce it, take five particulars. First, The prevalency of perseverance in prayer. This is emphatically expressed by that question of our Saviour in his parable upon this subject, Luke xviii. 7, ' Shall not God avenge his own elect, that ciy night and day unto him, though he bear long with them?' As if he had said. Can you think that God will send away those who are so near and dear to him, his own elect, with a denial ; and that, when he hath made full proof of their faith and patience, in waiting long upon him for an answer? ' I tell you,' saith Christ, ' that he will avenge them speedily," ver. 8. Men seek to please their constant customers; so will God those that are constantly trading with him at the throne of grace. * They that wait upon the Lord shall not be ashamed.' David is careful, for our encourage- j.nent, to let us know how well he succeeded after his long waiting at God's
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