(From the Gospel Banner, June, 1909.)
THERE are three things in the Scriptures which make a cry; the sins of the wicked, the sufferings and blood of God’s people when oppressed and martyred. Prayer, too, is said to have a cry, Luke xviii. 7. Prayer hath a loud and long cry; it cries day and night from generation to generation. It cries until the cause and quarrel of the elect be avenged, and the mercies prayed for obtained. Though prayer may sound no more than a tear on earth, yet it sounds like a trumpet in heaven. The prayers of God’s people go up to heaven with the smoke of incense; but they make a report and recoil with a loud echo, and voices like terrible thunders and earthquakes, Rev. viii. 3-5. The believer’s God makes much, yea, makes most of the least of prayer. If His people do but sigh on earth, in a dungeon, He hears it on His throne of glory. O believers! what a God have you! that a sigh should awake Him, and bring Him down from the throne to the foot-stool, to help His sighing, praying, and crying people, Ps. lxxix. 11. Luther used to say, “The least sigh of a contrite heart so fills heaven with noise, that there is no noise of anything in heaven or earth heard at that time but the noise of prayer.” Eli could not hear the voice of Hannah, though standing near her on earth; yet her voice was heard in heaven by her gracious God. O the power of prayer! When Paul knew no other way to break his chains, he questioned not but this engine of prayer could do it: “But withal, prepare me a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.” This engine hath shut up heaven, and opened it again; hath stopped the sun and moon in their courses until the people had conquered their enemies. Moses with this engine could tie up the omnipotent arms of Jehovah, that he could not destroy the children of Israel, Exod. xxxii. 10, 11. Prayer hath much intimacy, and goes hand in hand with the invisible God. It is one of God’s glorious attributes that He heareth prayer! Blessed be God for this engine of prayer! It is a portable engine; that is, it can be carried about from place to place. Noah could carry this with him into the ark, and use it upon the mighty waters too. Abraham could carry it into a strange country. Isaac into the field; Jacob could carry it with him on his journey, and though he was made to go halting with using it, yet, lame as he was, he could carry this engine of prayer along with him. Moses could take it with him to the top of the mount; and the Old Testament believers could all carry this with them into the caves and the dens of the earth. Jeremiah took it with him into the miry dungeon, Daniel into the den of lions, and Jonah into the whale’s belly. This engine of prayer the apostles took with them into prison, and the martyrs into the bishops’ dark coal-house. O take it up believers, and make use of it!
It is a hidden engine; it can be placed in secret, and be used in secret likewise. It hath many occult properties and qualities in its mysterious workings, that the enemy with the greatest inspection and policy cannot descry. When Herod stretched forth his hand openly, and raised a battery against the church, and digged deep to blow it up, Peter was cast into prison, and chained fast in prison also. The church got together in private, and made prayers without ceasing; their prayer went secretly to heaven, and took a courtier by the hand, and brought him down to the prison; he unbolt the doors, looseth the chains, and brings forth Peter; he goes to Herod the king, and smites him down to the earth with death. When Peter and John were apprehended, and convened before the rulers and elders, they threatened them, and strictly charged them to preach no more in Christ’s name; they took no notice of this, but returned to their company, reported what was done, and how matters went on, and also set their engine of prayer a-going, to counter-work the enemy’s rage; the prison shook; an angel comes by night, and opens the prison doors, brings them forth, bids them go into the temple, and preach “all the words of this life.” O, little doth the world know what is in the prayers of the saints! O the mystery of prayer, which the world understands nothing of, yet babes and sucklings have it revealed unto them!—STEPHEN COVEN. One of those worthy confessors ejected on the 24th August, 1662. He was deprived of the Rectory of Sanford Peverel, Devonshire.
The late Mr. Eric Ross, Golspie.—We regret to notice this month the death of Mr. Eric Ross, elder, Golspie, Sutherlandshire, who died on the 21st July, at the ripe age of 78 years. Mr. Ross was well-known as an experienced Christian and an edifying speaker at Communions in his native county, and his removal is a real loss to the Church of God in the north. We hope to have a fuller sketch in a future issue.