136__ Clvtp x3 11n :tpo:tîon upLn the Baokof JO B. Vert 13. is, I. oriel; fee what bis difpenfations are. And if fo, I may pray againtl the minde or purpofe of God ; I may aske for the remo- ving or taking away of thar,which he is purpofed (hail continue; and I may ask the gift of that, which he is relolved not to be- flow. To till. I anfwer ; riri$, That though the minde of God to give us filch a mercy,or to withdraw Inch analidtion, be a lecret to us , yet this is revealed, that it is our duty to pray about thele things. W hat God will give or doe for us when we pray is a fe. Bret: ; but this is revealed, that in all things we ought to pray. That's the Apofiles rule (Phil. 4. 6.) Be carefull in nnthirg, tut in everything byprayer and fuprlicatiof with thanksgiving make pour requejlskrowne unto god. Secondly, Suppose the things we pray about,whether for the having, or removing of them,be Inch as it is not the mind of God either to give or to remove. Yet we may pleafeGod, in praying. for the attainement of thole things,which it is r0. his pleaaure to give, and in praying for the taking away of thole things,which it is not his pleafute to remove. We doe not offend God,by asking that which he will not give, if the thing be lush, as is in the gene- ral! nature of it according to his will. The Lord takes it well at our hands that we pray, and is well pleafed to heare us pray,when: he is not pleafed to heare (that is, to grant) our prayers, Thirdly, Be not turned from prayer, becaufe pray er cannot turneGod, for it is a great argument that the mindeor _ purpofe of God and his decree is to give fuch a mercy, or to remove fuch an evill, ifwe have an heart to pray much for or about ir. For God who hath laid. Iwill be fought unto, that I may doe it for. them (Ezek. 36.) loath notPaidunto the feedof 7acob, feeke ye me in vaine (Ifa. 45. 19. ) And when God flirres up his people to pray, it is an argument he is ready to hearc. Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cauje thine eare to heare (Pfal. lo. 17.) So that as God takes it well at our hands that we pray for many things which he bath no purpofeto give us;fo it is a good ground offaith that he hath a purpofe to do fuch or fuch things for us, when he puts it into our hearts to pray for them. Liftly, Let not any fumble at the duty of prayer, becaufe of Codsunchangeableneffe; for wepray, not tochange the minde tJi God . but to fulfill it ; we pray for the fu lfilling ofhis de- crees'
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