(5.) This praying without ceasing is to be interpreted of the univer- sality and the frequency of the return of the occasions and opportunities of prayer ; and we may be said to do that without ceasing which we do very often. So that though the act of prayer be intermitted, the course of prayer should not be interrupted ; for we are to pray at all times, in all conditions, and in all businesses and affairs.
{1st.) At all times, never omitting the seasons of prayer, stated or occasional. There are stated times of prayer; something must be done every day. Thus our Lord directeth us to pray : Mat. vi. 11, ' Give us arjfxepov, this day our daily bread.' Though it be mentioned but in one petition, yet it referreth to all the rest. We need daily bread, daily pardon, daily strength against temptations. Yea, there seemeth to be a double standing occasion ; every day in the morning for direction, in the evening for protection ; as God appointed a morning and evening sacrifice : Num. xxviii. 4, ' The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even.' If any be contentious, let me tell you, it is an ill spirit that doth dispute away duties rather than practise them. So there are occasional times when God by his providence inviteth us to it, as by some special afflic- tion : Ps. 1. 15, ' Call upon me in the day of trouble,' or some business in hand, wherein we are to ask his leave, counsel, and blessing : Ezra, viii. 21, 'Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us and our little ones.'
(2d) In all estates and conditions, afflicted and prosperous. In an adverse or afflicted estate : James v. 13, ' Is any among you afflicted ? let him pray.' That gives vent to our sorrow, and turneth it into a spiritual channel. In a prosperous estate we are to pray that we may not forget God. Carnal men never come to him but when they have extreme need of him : Jer. ii. 27, ' But in the time of their trouble they will sa}'. Arise, and save us.' That our hearts may not be cor- rupted, but our joortion sanctified to us, for everything is ' sanctified by the word of God and prayer,' 1 Tim. iv. 5. Thus God must hear from us, sick and sound, in pain and well at ease, whether we are abased or abound.
(3d) In every business, civil or sacred; 'In all thy ways acknow- ledge him, and "he shall direct thy paths,' Prov. iii. 6. In business secular. Abraham's servant beggeth success in his errand : Gen. xxiv/
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12, ' 0 Lord God of my master Abraham ! I pray thee send me good- speed this day.' In matters sacred : 2 Thes. iii. 5, ' The Lord direct yonr heart into the love of Grod.' So that a serious sensible christian seldom wanteth an errand to the throne of grace, and if we be not strangers to ourselves, we cannot be strangers to God.
2. To the other extreme we now come, when men are rare and un- frequent with God, upon the pretence that they are not bound to pray always, and the time of duty is not exactly stated in the New Testa- ment. To these we oppose other considerations.
[1.] Though there be not an express rule particularly set down how often we should be with God, yet duties are required in the strictest and most comprehensive terms, and God's expressions about them are very large. For here God saith, ' Pray without ceasing ; ' and Eph. vi. IS, ' Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance." So Col. iv. 2, ' Con- tinue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.' So Ps. Ixii. S, ' Trust in the Lord at all times, ye people ; pour out your hearts before him.' So Luke xxi. 36, ' Watch ye, therefore, and pray always.' So that here is no gap opened to loose and vain spirits to countenance them in their neglect of God. The scriptures rather speak over than under. Nature is apt to encroach upon grace, as the sea upon the banks, and sloth and strangeness to God will soon creep upon us ; therefore the crooked stick is bent the other way. Eather pray always than be always in the world, and always in pleasures ; at least take the due occasions. Though these expressions be not to be understood as if we should do nothing else but pray, yet they imply frequency in this duty, at all times when opportunity calleth for it.
[2.] The examples of the saints should move us. David prayed three times a day, at morning, noon, and night : Ps. Iv. 17, ' Evening and morning and noon will I pray, and cry aloud.' So did Daniel, and would not omit it in times of persecution : Dan. vi. 10, ' Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afore time.' Now, though every one's necessities, abilities, or condition of life will not permit him to do so much, yet in the general we must conclude from thence that we miTst be constant in our daily worship and attendance upon God.