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It is a very notable testimony that the apostles and these who were believers in the time of the primitive kirk received, when it is said of them at the time of the first establishing of the gospel into the world, that they continued, or endured, in prayers and supplications unto God; because it is no small matter for to endure in prayers and supplications. It contains two things, 1. It contains fervency or earnestness, for the word has a certain strength in it. 2. It contains constancy. Divide these two, and then prayer is an easy matter. For the first, who is there who will not be zealous for a while in prayer? but incontinent they fall aiF it again: and again, it is an easy thing to be constant in prayer, where there is no earnestness. And so fervency and falling back in prayer may be together; and slowness and slackness in prayer and perseverance may be joined together; but to make this conjunction,—to be fervent and constant in prayer, it is no easy matter. Surely, except we have both these, (and these who has faith has them both, and according to the measure of faith so will the measure of these be), there is no possibility for us to attain our desires from God. And therefore when we pray to God at any time, let us take heed what we pray for to God; but even also take heed how we pray: and in the hearing of the word, let us not only take heed what we hear, but let us also take heed how we hear. For what, albeit the word of God be preached unto us according as he has commanded, and in the simplicity thereof, if so be we hear it not as it becomes us? or what, albeit these petitions that we put up be lawful, and warranted by him, if so be we put them not up as it becomes? Princes and great men will not be content that petitions and supplications be put up to them, which are not according to their will, both in matter and in manner; should we not then take heed that our supplications to that great King be right, both in matter and in manner? Therefore learn to pray to God in faith, in constancy, and in earnestness; and then we may say confidently, as David says, Psalm 141:2, “That our prayers shall be before the Lord as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice.” There was never any incense that was offered, under the law, in the morning, nor no sacrifice that was offered in the evening, more acceptable to God than thy prayer shall be, when it is offered up in faith for these things which are commanded: and [if thou] prays in earnestness and constancy, then thou may resolve that what thou seeks shall be found. And although, as the pillar of incense did not stand still continually, but was blown to and fro, and did agitate, yet still the smoke of the incense ascended upward, and was acceptable; so albeit thou be tosted (tossed) to and fro thus with divers afflictions, yet if thou pray thus to God, thy prayers shall ascend up to heaven: and when they shall ascend, then we may be sure that we shall receive a comfortable answer, both for the refreshing of our souls, and also for continuing the light of the gospel, in the purity thereof. And therefore let us now fall down before the Lord our God, and seek unto him thus, that so he may be found of us, etc.