Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

That prayer is neceffary novit mutare confalium, yet novit mutare nten- tiar/s, knoweth not to change his counfel, yet he knoweth to change his fentence. The threatnings of God are conditionally to be underftood, namely if we do not ufe the contrary means, Ezek. 33. I z Jer.18.7,8. Jon.3. Joe12.I2,13,14. When Heze- kiah was fick unto the death , the Prophet Ifaiah brought this meffage from the Lord, Set thy houfe àn order, for thou Publt die and not live: notwithfaand= ing by effetuall prayer he obreined the prolonging of his life , Ifa. 38. r, 2, 5. So Judg. i o. 13, 16, Math. 15. Secondly,For granting by petitions and promifes. For Daniel though he knew' by reading yer.2 .II,1z the prophefie of Jeremie, that the captivitie'of the Jews in Babylon fhould continue but feventie yeares; yet when the feventy yeares were expired he thought it his dutie to beg the deliverance of the people by facing and prayer, Dan.9. z, 3. To Ifaac was the promife made of Seed in which all the na- tions Mould be bleffed; and yet he prayeth to the Lord that he might have feed, Gen. 25. To Elias the Lord had revealed hispurpofe concerning rain, which Elias believed, and in the name of God pro - mifed to Ahab; and yet notwithlanding he goeth up into the mount Carmel to beg it of God: And the obteining of this rain after the long drought, though purpofed and promifed by God , is afcri- bed to the efficacie of Elias his prayers, Jam. 5. r 6, 18. Conferre Ads 27. 24, 25, 31. God bath pro - mifed and purpofed to give good things,fed ropanti, quxrenti, pulfanti,to him that asketh,feeketh,knock eth, and not to thofe who tempt him, in the neglect of