Chapter 45. Of Calling upon God.
WILLIAM PERKINS
Chapter 45. Of Calling upon God.
Thus much concerning the denial of ourselves. Now follows the profession of Christ. In this, we consider either Christ himself, or His members: namely, the faithful. Mat 25.40, Truly I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it unto me.
That profession which directly concerns Christ, is either continual, or only in time of danger.
Continual is calling upon the name of God, and should ever be performed by us, in the name of Christ
Jesus our Mediator. 1Cor 1.2, to the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, Saint by calling, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both their
Lord and ours. 164
Act 9.14, He has authority from the High Priest to bind all who call upon Your Name. Col
3.17, Whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.
Calling upon God's name is by prayer or thanksgiving. Phi 4.6, In all things, let your request be shown to God, in prayer and supplication, with giving of thanks.
Prayer has two parts: Petition and Assent. Mar 11.24, I say to you, whatever you desire when you pray, believe that you shall have it, and it shall be done unto you.
Petition is the first part of prayer, by which according to the rule of God's word, we ask His help to obtain such necessities as we lack. 1Joh 5.14, This is the assurance that we have in him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
In every petition, we must express two things: I. A sense of our wants. II. A desire for the grace of God to
A GOLDEN CHAIN
supply those wants. 1Sam 1.10, She was troubled in her mind, and prayed to the Lord, and wept sorely.
Dan 9.4-5, And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made my confession, say, We have sinned and have committed iniquity, etc. Verse 16, O Lord, according to Your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your wrath be turned from your city Jerusalem, etc. to the 20th verse. Psa 130.1, Out of the deep I called to you, O Lord. 1Sam 1.15, Then Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am but a woman troubled in spirit;
I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord, etc. to the 16th verse. Psa 143.6, I stretch out my hands to You, my soul desires after you, as the thirsty land.
Assent is the second part of prayer by which we believe and profess it before God, that in His due time,
He will grant to us our requests, which we have made before to His majesty. 1Joh 5.14-15, This is the assurance that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have desired from Him. Mat 6.13,
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, yours is the power, and yours is the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
As for the faithful, however they may betray many infirmities in their prayers, yet they no doubt have a notable sense of God's favour, especially when they pray zealously and often to Lord. Jas 5.16, Pray for one another, that you may be healed; for the prayer of a righteous man avails much, if it is fervent. Luk 1.13,
The Angel said to him, Fear not Zacharias, for your prayer is heard. Jon 4.1-2, It displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And Jonah prayed to the Lord, and said, I pray you, O Lord, was this not what I said, when I was yet in my country? Therefore, I prevented it to flee to Tarshish. For I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and You turn from the evil. Rom 8.26.
WILLIAM PERKINS
Gen 19.18, Lot said to them, do not do this, I ask you, my lords, etc. Psa 6.1, O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath, etc. verses 2-5;
Psa 8.9; Psa 20.5; Psa 35.9, 18, 28; Psa 16.7.
Thanksgiving is calling upon God's name, by which with joy and gladness of heart, we praise God for his benefits, either received or promised. Psa 45.1 My heart will utter forth a good matter; I will entreat in my words, about the King; my tongue is as the pen of a swift writer. Eph 5.2o, Giving thanks always for all things to God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Psa 36.7-8, How excellent is your mercy, O God! Therefore, the children of men trust under the shadow of Your wings. They shall be satisfied with the fatness of your house, and you shall give them drink out of the river of Your pleasures. Col 3.16.