Chap. 3 3. An Fxpofstion "spot the Book,of J o B. Verf. 26. ing mercies, theycome upon usbefore we ask ; fuch is the mercy of out vocation, c©nverfon or turning to God ; we are naturally fo far from praying while we are in the flue of nature, that We are continually blafpheming or difhonouring thename of God; bur, as for perfons converted, (whoare eminently calledheires ofthe promife, that is, of the good in thepromife) if they will have any good out of a promife, theymuff aske it. When the Prophet had declared manyprophefies ofgood and greatand glo- rious things which Godwould doe for his people, he concludes with this dire&ion from the Lord. (Ezek, 36. 37.) I will yet for this be enquired ofblthe houfe of Irraelto doe itfor them. As if theLord had faid, Iwill notdoe theft things unasked, as you Tooke I thould doe tiefe things for you, fo I lookyoudhould prayunto me that they may be done. A promife wasmade to Abraham (Gen. 22. i7.) that his feed fhould be multiplyedas the Stars of Heaven ; nowmight not Jfaac hisSonhave faid, God hath pro- mifedme children, what need I pray for them ? but Ifaac knew better, he küeiv that the promifewas tobe brought to the birth by prayer, therefore he entreated the Lord that he mighthave children. r `Fifthly, from thefe words Et iha11 pray compared with the next, andhe (that isGod) will befavourable tohim. Obferve. TheLord is ready to heerwhen avepray, ready togivewken we ask. As prayer ishonourable and delightful!to God, fo fruitful! to man..Ask.and ir_hall begivenyou, fcek, and you (hall find ( Math. 7..7.) Helhallprayunto God, andhe willbe favourable,unto him. Prayer (hall not be loll, nor varîifh into°aire. There was neverany faithful! prayer loft ; though the prayers of manyhave no: been anfwered inkind, that is, they have` not had the verything they asked for ; yet theyhavehad an anfwer to their prayers ; °and thoughprayer be not alwayes anfwered in Our time, yet there is a time wherein all faithful! prayers fhallbe anfwered ; one age reaps the fruit of thole players which another age hath fowne. The feed time is one age, theharvefl;in another. Latter Genera- tions get good by the prayersof the former. Though wewho pray fee not the"fruitaf it, 'yet many !hall find the fruir ofit ; and how Iii often 415
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