Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

of Faith required generally in prayer. Chrifl. On the will of God, i. in generall, appear- x. rhejf;. in; in his commandments injoyning this dutie, and 17). : his gracious promifes. For if God hath command- ed us to call upon him,and hath gracioufly promifed to heare us, why fhould we doubt but that this our fervice is acceptable unto him r I. Theft. 5.17, IS. Pray continually; in all things give thanks: for this is the will of God(the acceptable will of God in Chrifl) concerningyou. But chiefly on the promifes of God is our faith to be grounded : Which promifes are either generall ; and thofe not onely that he will heare and accept, but alto gracioufly reward this exercife of piety performed to him, Matth. 6.4. Godlinef hath the promifè both of this life-and of that which is to come: or fpeciall, for the granting of that which we deli re, as Gen. 32. 9, r 2. Exod. 32. 13. 2.Sam 7. 27, 28. rChron. 17. 25. Secondly, in particular, that the thing which we either pray or praife be good;as being referred to Gods glory and our good. For if it be not good, we are neither, if we have it nor, to defire ir, and much leffe to pray for it, nor if we have it to praife God as the authour and giver of it. We muft have warrant in Gods word that the thing for which we call upon God be fuch as God bath promifed to give, otherwife our prayer is turned into finne. And in this fenfe the Apoftle faith, Let every man beperfwadedin his mind: for whatfóever is not of faith is finne, Rom. 14.23. Likewife our faith muft be grounded on the love of God and goodneffe : Firfl, in generall , that is, Pfal.5.7. his bounty and readinefï'e to heare and re- ward all thofe that call upon him. Heb. z 1.6. Wiph- H 4 out