322 How mg we Pray in Faith i Serma4, I. To this may be obje&ed, that many unregenerate and profl igate Wretches have obr ai ned by Prayer, as fcoffing l fhmaed, Gen.21. t 7.nay Ahab, a man that fold hirnfelf to work wickednefs, prevailed with God, for an adjournment of t he Judgtnent denounced. I anfwer, r .This was done by way of Common providence, or Gods Prerogative, not by way of promife, fo chat they could not reafonably expedt that their` Prayer fhould be hèard. .2.God did this to honour the Ordinance of Prayer.As when our chil- dren come and tell us of fome poor body, though we may not think it fit ro relieve him in refpe& of his wants, yet we give him, for fear :ve fhould hinder our children from as of Charity ; for they not knowing our reafons of denying him relief, will expound it to be our negleá of the poor. So many rimes God may give to bad men, left good men fhould be difcouraged from Prayer. 3. God gives to wicked men when they pray, oft -times for the flrengthning of his peoples Faith ; for they may be lure if God hears the Croakings of Ravens, he will hear the Mourningsof Doves. II. You may farther fay, are wicked men bound to pray, fnce their Prayers are an abomination, and they cannot ask in Faith ? I anfwer, r. Inability to pay a debt, doth not acquit one from it, nor Cancel the Obligation. If one blows out the Candle,onecinnot excufe ones felf for not working, by faying that they could not work in the dark ; nor can a boy excufe himfelf from laying the Leffon he bath torn out of his Book. 2. Becaufe wicked men break others of Gods Commandments, it cannot juftifie them in the breaking of this, fin doth fuper- inducea new Obligation, viz.to punifhment, but Both not cancel their former, viz.. to Duty. 3. Wicked men fin not in praying, but in praying fo. 4. Doubtlefs the wickedeft man in the World is bound to delire Grace. III. But loth not this make God a relpe&er of perfons,lnce he will hear none but his o.vn Children, and them that love him i if a Judge fhould favour his relations in Judicature, he fhould be unjult. I anfwer No, God is no refpe6er of perlons, by doing thus. r. Becaufe the Prayers of Saints are better, as well as their perlons nearer, for the Prayers of the wicked are lazy,irreverent, brurifh, wan - ton Prayers, Haf.7.14. if Gods People fhould pray fo, God would not hear t hem reichar. 2. If Unbelievers could pray better than Saints, yet God might ac- quit
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