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handle not, which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men? which things have, indeed, a shew of wisdom in will-worship. Col. ii. 8. 20-23.

We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how you ought to walk, and to please God, so ye would abound, &c.-1 Thess. iv. 1. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.-1 Thess. v. 21.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which ye have been taught; whether by word or our epistle.-2 Thess. ii. 15.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me.-2 Tim. i. 13.

Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of; knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures, &c.-2 Tim. iii. 14, 15.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.-Titus i. 14.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.-Heb. ii. 1.

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.-1 John ii. 24.

It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints: for there are certain men crept in, &c. -Jude 3, 4.

The children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, &c. and had walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom, &c. and of the kings of Israel, which they had made, &c. also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God; but walked in the statutes of Israel, which they made.-2 Kings xvii. 7, 8, 18, 19.

That which is highly esteemed

amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God.-Luke xvi. 15.

Some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come whose damnation is just.-Rom. iii. 8. SECT. VI.

To pray unto God: Of Prayer at large.

ABRAHAM prayed for Abimelech unto God; and God healed him and his.— Gen. xx. 17.

O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, &c. Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, &c.-Gen. xxiv. 12-14.

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And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren : and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebeccah his wife conceived.Gen. xxv. 21.

Jacob prayed unto God in his distress about Esau, and prevailed.— Gen. xxxii. 9-12.24-26.28. xxxiii. 4. Hosea xii. 4, 5.

Moses cried unto God for Pharaoh, to remove their plagues.-Exod. viii. 12, 13. ix. 33. x. 18.

Moses prayed hard and often for Israel, and prevailed.-Exod. xxxii. 11-14. 31, 32. Numb. xiv. 13—20. See the words of this Prayer. Deut. ix. 25, &c.

The forms Moses and Aaron, and his sons, used in blessing the people, and in their march.-Numb. vi. 23-26. x. 35, 36.

I besought the Lord at that time, saying, O Lord God, thou hast begun to shew thy servant, &c.—Deut. iii. 23, &c.

If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart, &c. Deut. iv. 29.

Joshua prayed when Israel had fled before the men of Ai.-Josh. vii. 5-9.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen: let them deliver, &c. Deliver us only, we pray thee, this day-Judges x. 14, 15.

Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of

God which thou didst send, come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child. And God hearkened unto the voice of Manoah.Judges xiii. 8, 9.

Sampson called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant, and now shall I die for thirst? And God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout.-Judges xv. 18, 19.

And Sampson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee; and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, &c. -Judges xvi. 28.

Hannah prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore, &c. She spake in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard, &c.—1 Sam. i. 10. 13-15.

As for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you.-1 Sam. xii. 23.

David prays that it might be with him and his house, as God had said to him by Nathan the prophet.-2 Sam. vii. 17-29.

While the child was alive, I fasted; and I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious?-2 Sam. xii. 22. Jonah iii. 8, 9. Exod. xxxii. 30. Acts viii. 21.

God said to Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon asked wisdom to govern. And God was pleased so with that, and in that he had not asked long life and riches, that God gave him wisdom, and understanding, and riches, and honour also. -1 Kings iii. 5—13.

King Solomon prayed at large, at the dedication of the temple; and God heard him.-1 Kings viii. 22, &c. ix. 2, 3. 2 Chron. i. 7, &c.

Elijah the prophet prayed that it might be made known that God was God in Israel, when others were for Baal and God heard him, and caused fire to come down and consume the sacrifice, 1 Kings xviii.36–38. xvii. 21, 22.

Seek the Lord, and his strength; seek his face continually.-1 Chron. xvi. 11.

If thou seek him, he will be found of thee.-1 Chron. xxviii. 9.

Judah, &c. sought him with their whole desire, and he was found of them.-2 Chron. xv. 15.

There are good things found in thee: thou hast taken away, &c. and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.2 Chron. xix. 3.

Asa prayed for help against the Ethiopian army of a thousand thousand men, and prevailed.-2 Chron. xiv. 10-12.

When Moab, &c. came against Jehoshaphat, he stood in the congregation, in the house of the Lord, and prayed for help and God heard, and answered.-2 Chron, xx.5-12.15.24. Hezekiah being sick, prayed.— 2 Chron. xxxii. 24.

Nehemiah, when he heard of the affliction of the Jews, he wept, and mourned, and fasted, and prayed.Neh. i. 4, &c.

So again, when Israel were building and in danger of enemies.-Neh. iv. 4, 5. 9.—Ezra viii. 21. ix.

I would make supplication to my judge.-Job ix. 15.

My God; for unto thee will I pray : my voice shalt thou hear in the morning: O Lord, in the morning will I direct unto thee, and look up.-Ps. v. 2, 3.

He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.-Ps. ix. 12. x. 17.

Our fathers, &c. prayed; and thou didst deliver.-Ps. xxii. 4, 5.

I acknowledge my sin, &c. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found.-Ps. xxxii. 5, 6.

They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing, &c. His ears are open unto their cry.-Ps. xxxiv. 10. 15.

Call upon me in the time of trouble; I will deliver thee, &c.-Ps. 1. 15. Though Nathan had told David, his sin was forgiven him, yet he prays

earnestly to be delivered from bloodguiltiness, &c.-Ps. li. 1-15.

As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.-Ps. lv. 16, 17.

I will cry unto God most high; unto God, that performeth all things for me.-Ps. lvii. 2, &c.

O thou that hearest prayer: unto thee shall all flesh come.-Ps. lxv. 2. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But verily, God hath heard.—Ps. lxvi. 18, 19. Isa. lviii. 6-9. lix. 1-3. i. 11, &c. Ezek. xiv. 3. xx. 31.

The saints plead with God their relation to him, and the opposite state of their enemies.-Ps. lxxix. Isa. lxiii. 15, &c. lxiv. 8, &c.

Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, &c. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee; for thou wilt answer me.-Ps. lxxxvi. 5-7.

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. Ps. cii. 17. x. 17.

I am thine; save me. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know, &c. I cried with my whole heart, &c. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried.Ps. cxix. 94. 125. 145. 147.

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In my distress, I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.-Ps. cxx. 1. 2 Sam. xxii. 7. Ps. xxxiv. 4. 6.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.Ps. cxxii. 6.

The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him; to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.-Ps. cxlv. 18, 19. Neh. i. 11.

Because I have called, and ye refused, &c. They shall call upon me, but I will not answer.-Prov. i. 24, &c. The sacrifice of the wicked, is an

abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight, &c. He heareth the prayer of the righteous.-Prov. xv. 8. 29.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.-Prov. xxviii. 9.

Be not rash with thy mouth; and be not hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.-Eccles. v. 2.

My dove, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice.-Cant. ii. 14. When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers (or multiply prayers) I will not hear your hands are full of blood. Wash ye, &c.--Isa. i. 15, 16. lix. 1—3. lxvi. 3.

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In trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer (or secret speech) when thy chastening was upon them.-Isa. xxvi. 16.

Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob.-Isa. xliii. 22.

Thus saith the Lord, &c. Ask me of things to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands; command ye me, &c. I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.-Isa. xlv. 1. 19. Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call ye upon him while he is near.-Isa. lv. 6.

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee.-Isa. lvii. 13.

Loose the bands of wickedness, &c. then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, &c.-Isa. lviii. 6, 7. 9.

For Zion's sake, will I not hold my peace; and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth, &c. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace, day nor night. Ye that make mention of the Lord (or are the Lord's remembrancers), keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.-Isa. lxii. 1. 6, 7.

The church's prayer for the Lord's return unto them. Isa. Ixiii. 1519. Ixiv.

I am found of them that sought me not.-Isa. lxv. 1.

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me for 1 will not hear thee. Seest thou not what they do? &c. Jer. vii. 16, 17.

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not; and upon the families that call not on thy name.Jer. x. 25. Ps. xiv. 4.

I will bring evil upon them, &c. and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Therefore pray not thou for this people, &c. for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.--Jer. xi. 11. 14. xiv. 11, 12. Jeremiah prays for Israel, when he prophesied of the dearth.-Jer. xiv. 7-9.18-22.

The Lord said unto him, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, my mind could not be towards this people, &c.--Jer. xv. 1.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.-Jer. xxix. 12, 13.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty (or hidden) things, which thou knowest not. Jer. xxxiii. 3.

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God, in the heavens, &c. Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayers should not pass through.-Lam. iii. 41. 44.

When God had promised many things that he would do for his, he saith, I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. Ezek. xxxvi. 24-37.

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Daniel desired his companions that they would ask mercy of the God of heaven, concerning the secret of the king's dream; that Daniel and his

fellows should not perish, &c. And it was revealed to him.-Dan. ii. 17-19.

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 aforetime. -Dan. vi. 10, 11.

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication: and I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, forgive, &c. for the Lord's sake, for thine own sake, for thy mercy's sake.-Dan. ix. 3, 4. 17. 19.

They shall go with their flocks, and with their herds, to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him ; he hath withdrawn himself from them. They have dealt treacherously against the Lord.-Hosea v. 6, 7.

They have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds.-Hosea vii. 14.

By his strength he had power with God: yea he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept and made supplication unto him.-Hosea xii. 3, 4. Gen. xxxii. 24-27.

Sanctify a fast, &c. and cry unto the Lord: Alas for the day, &c.— Joel i. 14, &c.

Sanctify a fast, &c. let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, &c. and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over (or use a by-word against) them: wherefore should they say amongst the people, Where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people, &c. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered.-Joel ii. 15-18.32. Acts. ii. 21.

Seek ye me, and ye shall live, &c. seek the Lord, and ye shall live, &c. I hate, I despise your feasts, &c.

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Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness, &c.-Amos v. 4. 6.

21. 24.

When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.-Jonah ii. 7.

Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God, &c. Who can tell if God will turn? &c. And they prevailed.-Jonah iii. 8-10. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, &c. it may be, ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.Zeph. ii. 3.

As he cried, and they would not hear, so they cried, and I would not. hear, saith the Lord of hosts.-Zech. vii. 13. Prov. i. 24, 25. 28.

The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily (or continually be going) to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also.-Zech. viii. 20, 21.

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain: the Lord shall, &c. -Zech. x. 1.

I will pour upon the house of David, &c. the spirit of prayer and supplications.-Zech. xii. 10.

Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.-Matt. v. 44.

When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, &c. but thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet; and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, &c. And when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speak ing, &c. Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, &c.-Matt. vi. 5-13. Luke xi. 1, &c.

Ask and it shall be given your seek and ye shall find: knock and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh, receiveth, &c. What

man is there of you, whom, if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? &c. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Fa ther which is in heaven, give good things to them who ask him?-Matt. vii. 7-11. Luke xi. 9—13.

Christ looking up to heaven, he blessed the bread and fishes, &c. Hé went up into a mountain apart to pray, &c. Peter said, Lord, save me. Matt. xiv. 19. 23. 30.

The woman of Canaan would not leave off asking till she had obtained. Matt. xv. 22-28.

If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven, &c.Matt. xviii. 19.

Ye know not what ye ask, said Christ unto the mother of Zebedee's children, &c. the two blind men would not cease crying till they were heard. -Matt. xx. 21, 22. 30-33.

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All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt. xxi. 22. Mark xi. 24. James i. 5-7.

Christ fell on his face and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, &c. watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, &c. He prayed again and again, &c. He kneeled down and prayed.-Matt. xxvi. 39. 41, 42. 44. Luke vi. 12. xxii. 41. 46.

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.-Luke x. 2.

And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, &c.— Luke xi. 1, 2.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.-Luke xvii. 5.

And he spake a parable unto them, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city, a judge, &c. Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, &c. I tell you

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