p, 23. 4n Expofition upon the Toole of s O B. Verf,1 ,.. bath ; and yet prayer it felfe (in the fence here intended) 'cannot turrne God. We muff not thinke that we change God by our prayers, though when we pray God often makes a gracious change for u;. Wbatfoeverhis minds is to doe, he Both it, yea, though prayerflared in his way. We. may fay that the greateci= providential changes that were ever made in the world; Cody -flath made them upon the prayers of his people; yet he never c arg- d:his owne minds in the loft at the prayer ofhis people. The Lold calls his people earneflly to call upon him fo, and meeting him by prayer to flop him whenheir preparing to doe, Come great thing againfl them, or to bring fume great evil upon them. (Arnor 4, i2) Therefore thus.wilt I doe unto thee O Ifrae', and becaufe I will do ;hie ante thee, prepare to meet thy God O If- rael. We may take thole words prepare to mute thy God O Ifrael, not fo much for a challenge as for a dire&ion. But bow fhall If' rat/prepare-ta meet Gad ?. Nottwith .weapons ofwane, not with (word, and fpeare, thefe will make no defence againfl'God. Ñot hác with teares and .p,ayers,thefe are the armes and amunition of a Saint, there's nocontending with God, but onely by humbling our Pelves beforehim.. But you fay, prayer cannotrrtïrneGod. I aniwer ; prayer bath caufed and may taufe Godto turne from his outward a&.ngs and.difpenfations, only, itcannot turn God from anyofhis counfels or refolutions. And becaufe prayer bath fo great a.power uponGod,to turne him fromhis outward, difpenfations, therefore he fometimes bath forbidden prayer, when he was refolved not to turne from Inch threatned difpenfa- lions { Ter. 14. z i. :) Then faid the Lardunto ene, pray not for thio people fir their good. \As if the Lord had faid ; if any thing could prevaile with me,thy prayer would; But becaufe I am fully purposed to vifit their iniquities, therefore I will not have thy prayers run wafle.As for them let them pray, as long as they will, as .their prayers come,onely from theirneceflities, not from their hearts, fo they (hall notcome neeremine:; nor doe I care how long their prayers (which are butpudic water) run wafle; let them pray and (pare not; but let thembe fore of this,that though theypray I will not :!pare ; foit follows ( ver. z2,..) when they fa will not hear their cry, and when :bey (fir burnt e ffering,and : I data.oblati;», .1 will.not accept them y bstt:T willcorilienie them by.the fiord,,
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