" So that want of unity and
charity hinders even our particular prayers and devotions.
This hindered the prayers and fastings of the people of old from
finding acceptance; Isa. lviii. 3. The people ask the reason
wherefore they fasted, and God did not see nor take notice of them.
He gives this reason, Because they fasted for strife and debate, and
hid their face from their own flesh. Again, Isa. lix., the Lord
saith, his hand was not shortened, that he could not save; nor his
ear heavy, that he could not hear: but their sins had separated
between their God and them. And among those many sins they stood
chargeable with, this was none of the least, viz., that the way of
peace they had not known. You see where peace was wanting, prayers
were hindered, both under the Old and New Testaments.
The sacrifice of the people, in the 65th of Isaiah, that said,
"Stand by thyself, I am holier than thou," was a smoke in the
nostrils of the Lord. On the other hand, we read how acceptable
those prayers were that were made with one accord, Acts iv. 24,
compared with verse 31. They prayed with one accord, and they were
all of one heart, and of one soul: And see the benefit of it, "They
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spoke the word with all
boldness;" which was the very thing they prayed for, as appears
verse 29. And the apostle exhorts the husband to dwell with his
wife, that their prayers might not be hindered; 1 Pet.
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