But why, then, may we not desire the prayers of the deceased saints, for the same purpose that we desire the prayers of those that live yet with us ? First, We have no precept or example for this in the word ; and what is unbidden there, in duties of worship, is forbidden : we must not ' be wise above what is written.' Not to use the means which God hath appointed, is a great sin, which was Ahaz's case : but to invent ways or means more than God hath appointed, is worse. It is bad enough for a subject not to keep the king's laws, but far worse for him to presume to frame a law of his own.
Secondly, We have no way of expressing our thoughts to saints departed. Why should we pray to them who cannot hear what we say ? O, where is the messenger to send our minds by ; or the scripture that saith, they hear in heaven what we pray on earth ?
Thirdly, It is the prerogative of Christ to be the only agent in heaven for his saints on earth. To which of the angels or saints did God say. Sit thou at my right hand? In the outward temple, we find the whole congregation praying, but into the holy of holies entered none but the high priest with his perfume. Every saint is a priest to offer up prayers for himself and others on earth ; but Christ only as our High Priest intercedes in heaven for us. The glorious angels and saints there, no doubt, wish well to the clnu'ch below ; but it is Christ's office to receive the incense of his militant saints' prayers, which they send up from this outward temple below to heaven, and offer it up with all their desires to God ; so that to employ any in heaven besides Christ to pray for us, is to put Christ out of office.
Section IV. — First, It reproves those into whose hearts it never yet came, to beg prayers for their own souls. Surely they are great strangers to them- selves, and ignorant what a privilege they lose : as Christ said to the woman of Samaria, ' If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.' Did poor souls know who the saints are, what favourites with God, and how prevalent their prayers are with him, they would not will- ingly be left out of their remembrance. I never knew any, but, as soon as God began to work upon them, thought this worth the desiring. It is natural for a sei'vant or child, when master or father is displeased, if they know any that have an interest in their favour, to entreat them to become suitors for them. When hunger and want pinch the pool', if they have any neighbour to be their friend, he shall soon hear of them ; now, were the sense of their wants, or troubles, of a higher nature, would they not be as earnest to desire prayers for their souls? Well, you that fear God, and live among such, do your dvity, though they have not hearts to desire it at your hands ; pray over their senseless souls before the Lord. When a friend is sick, and his senses are gone, you do not stay to send for the physician till he comes to himself : you had need make more haste to God for such as these. Secondly, Those who desire prayers of God's people, but hypocritically, and set others on work, but pray not for themselves, shew a certain sign of a bad heart. Thus Pharaoh often called for Moses to pray for him, but we read not that ever he made any address himself to God ; whereas a gracious soul will be sure to meet him he employs at the work : ' I beseech you,' saith Paul, ' to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me ;' he did not slip the collar off his own neck, to put it on another's, but drew together with them in it ; else they that pray for thee, may pray the mercy away from thee. Thirdly, Such that desire prayers of others, but only in some great pinch. If their chariot be set fast in some deep slough of affliction, then they send in all haste for some to draw them out with their prayer ; who at another time change their thoughts of the saints, their prayers, yea, and of God himself: the frogs once gone, and Moses hears no more of Pharaoh till another plague rubs up his memory. The consciences of many are soft and tender whilst steeping in affliction, but hard and stout when that is removed. Pharaoh, that so often called Moses up to prayer, at last could not endure the sight of him. O, take heed of this : when once the wretch came to that pass, as to drive Moses from him, that had so often bailed him out of the hands of Divine vengeance, then he had not long to live ; for he removed
AM) FOR MK. 791