Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

16 That prayer is neceffarie ramus firmiits, ÉJ° defideramtes ardentiús, But we are little and firait to receive : For that which is ve- ry great we take more capacioufly when as we do more faithfully believe,, and more firmly hope, and more ardently deliire. objet7.2. The fecond objection is taken from the decree of Gods providence. For whereas we teach that all things come to paffe according to the counfel of Gods will, Ephef. 1. i r. which is unchangeable becaufe it is alwayes the belt, hereupon fome ob- Hunnius, jeé that we take away the ufe of prayer : For if all Providentia. things come to paffe according to the immutable counfel of God, then to pray for any thing is needlefle or bootleffe : Needleffe, if God have already appointed that which we delre : bootleffe, if he have determined the contrary ; for we may not think that by our prayer we can alter his de- Infrv, cree which cannot be changed. cf4nfrv. It may well be that fome do thus abufe the doFtrine of Gods providence, as many do to the like purpofe the doftrine of predeftination, falling into the er- roneous conceit of the Predeflinatours. For if I be elected (fay they) a godly life is needleffe ; if nor, it is bootleffe. But the fame anfwer will ferve for both : z. Where God bath appointed any thing as the end, he bath alto preordained the means Irii't.,Phyr.2. whereby it is obteined. Finis imponit necefsitatem his quæ font ad finem, The end .irnpofeth a neceffï- tv unto thofe means which conduce to the end. Wherefore as it is neceffary in refped of Gods de- cree, that the end appointed !hall come to paffe; fo is it as neceffarie in refpec`I of the fame decree, that it Awl