God hath prepared a golden altar for thee to offer thy prayers and
tears upon, coming sinner. A golden altar! It is called a _golden
altar_, to show what worth it is of in God's account; for this
golden altar is Jesus Christ--this altar sanctifies thy gift, and
makes thy sacrifice acceptable.
This altar then makes thy groans golden groans, thy tears golden
tears, and thy prayers golden prayers, in the eye of that God thou
comest to.
BENEFIT OF PRAYER.
Pray often; for prayer is a shield for the soul, a sacrifice to God,
and a scourge for Satan.
Look yonder! Ah, methinks mine eyes do see Clouds edged with silver,
as fine garments be; They look as if they saw the golden face That
makes black clouds most beautiful with grace.
Unto the saints' sweet incense of their prayer, These smoky curled
clouds I do compare; For as these clouds seem edged or laced with
gold, Their prayers return with blessings manifold.
Prayer is as the pitcher that fetcheth water from the brook,
therewith to water the herbs: break the pitcher and it will fetch no
water, and for want of water the garden withers.
The godly have found all other places, the throne of grace excepted,
empty, and places that hold no water. They have been at mount Sinai
for help, but could find nothing there but fire and darkness, but
thunder and lightning, but earthquakes and trembling, and a voice of
killing words.
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