Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

P"" Duties refpec ing the matter of our obedience. 317 that we pray in truth, being not willing to obtein that which we our felves do ask. Duties refpec`íing the matter. And therefore, as it is the duty ofevery one to make this prayer, fo none of us ought to think our felves exempted from doing the will of God: Nei- ther may we think it fufficient in words to profeffe God, and in prayer to crave good things of him, unleffe we be carefull in our lives to do his will. Aot every one that faith, Lord, Lord, &c. Matth. 7. 21. yea thofe that make a profeffion of religion and obedience, as though they would perform obedi- ence to Gods will, and yet do it not, are many times further from falvation then open finners: as appear - eth by the parable ofthe two fonnes, and the appli- cation thereof; Matth. 21. 28,29, 3o. Neither may we think that we fhall obtein our prayers, unleffe we be defirous to perform Gods will. For if we will not do his will, why fliould we think that he will do ourse Prov. 28.9. John 9. 31. We know that God heareth not finners: but if any man be a wor. flipper of God and cloth his will, him he heareth. If we ask any thing, faith S. John, I. Epift, 3.2 2. we receive it from him, becaufe we keep his commandments, and do thole things whielrare acceptable in his fight. If there= fore we be defirous and carefull to obey Gods will, we need not doubt, having thofe teftimonies of a true faith, but that both we and our prayers are ac- ceptable unto God. For our felves, our Saviour af= firmeth, that thofe be his brothers andfillers that do the will of his Father that is in heaven, Matth. 12.50. And the holy Ghoft giveth this teftimony unto Da- vid,