[COPY OF THE TITLE PAGE OF THE FIRST EDITION.] A PRACTICAL DISCOURSE OF PRAYER. Wherein is handled, The Nature, the Duty, the Quali- With the Necessity of, and Ingage- Together, with sundry Cases of Conscience about it. . By THOMAS COBBET, Minister of the Psal. 141. 2. Let my Prayer bee set forth before thee as Incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the Evening Sacrifice. Imprimatur, EDM. CALAMY. LONDON, Printed by R. I. for Thomas Newberry at the three Lions in Cornhill, near the Exchange. 1657. I have adventured twice already into the press, in matters controversial, and (through grace) what I have written has found good acceptance in the eyes of the godly wise; and now upon the earnest persuasion of godly and worthy friends here, unto the Lord, and unto me, I am sending forth this discourse, which respects a matter practical. It is not a little exercise unto godly minds, and much more grievous is it in the sight of the God of truth and peace, that there is so great and confused a noise of axes and hammers now-a-days in the Lord's temple; and ah! when will that blessed time come, when unto all the Lord's people whatsoever, "there shall be but one Lord, and his name one." Verily, it is strange to see, that in these days the Lord according to his promise, should so graciously afford to his people the means; even turn to the people a pure lip, a pure ministry; and yet the promised end thereof is not attained, namely, the serving of the Lord with one shoulder, or with one consent. I know there are many lets thereunto, but surely this is not the least, that the word held forth by the purer ministry thereof, has not had such effectual force upon their hearts, who enjoy the same, as to bring them to be conscionable in calling upon the name of the Lord, which is the more immediate end of such a ministry. For so saith the Lord, I will turn to the people a pure lip or language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord; for then the next effect would follow, which there also is promised, they would come to serve the Lord with one consent. But the subtle enemy to all purity and power of godliness, bestirs himself what in him lies, |