chap. 42. an Expostion upon the Kook of J o ï. Verf. t o. Hence take thefe two Inferences. Firs}, If when we pray for friends, for.ssni¡ndfriends, Cdód be ready to do no good, then be will be muchmore ready; to do us good, when we (.as he bath commanded us) pray for pro,, fefed or real enemies. The worfe they are (if not fobad as to be pall prayer, by the Apoflles rule, t John 5. 16.) for whom we pray, the better are our prayers, and enargument, as of our greater faith in God, fo of our greater love toman. Yet this isnot to be underfiood, as if we ihould prayfor the profperityof enemies, or evil men, in their evil purpofes or pra- &ices (this were to pray at once for the mifery of Sion, for the downfal of Jerúfalem, and the dishonour of God. fOar prayer for enemies, should only be, that God would change their hearts, and pardon their fns, as was touched before. I grant, we may (in force cafes) pray, Lord, overturn, overturn them ; or (as Da- vidagainll Achitophel)Lord,turn their cotonfels intofoolifhnefo ; yet even then we should afro pray (with refpeec to their perfons)Lard turn them, tarn them. The Gofpel teacheth us to do fo ( Luke 6. 28.) Blefr then, that merleyou, pray for them that defpitefully tefe you : Not that we should pray tor a blefliing on them as they are curlers and defpifers, but that they may repent, and give over their curled curlings and defpï.teful ufages. The Apoflie is full for this (Rom. ta. 14.) Blefs them that perfecters you, blefs and carrfa not (verf. 19.) Avenge not yourfelves.,A.,nd aswe should not avenge our felves, fo we fhould be fparing in prayer, that God would takevengeance ; and if ever we put up fuch prayers, beware they flow not from a fpirit of revenge. We, indeed, are fometimes afraid co be over- gentle and kind-hearted to,vards them that offend us ; and this bad Proverb is too much remem- bred, If weplay the Sheep, the wolf will eat no up, as if to do our duty, were to run further into danger, and that it muff needs turn toour wrong, not to avenge our wrongs. But know,if we carry it meekly like (beep, we have a great Shepheard, who will take care of us, and is able to preferveus from the Wolf. Confider thefe two things in praying for enemies, or for chofe that have any way wronged us. Firfi, If by prayer we gain them ('tis pofï'ible by prayer to turn a Wolf into a Sheep)then it will.be well with us,th :y will be our friends. Sri "7 t
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=