Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Duties which ought to be performed in prayer. 30 finne maketh a fiparation between God andrtis, Ifai.59. I. and maketh us fubjeet both to the curfe of God in this life and after; and therefore above all things in the world we are to defire freedome from our finnes, without which our efiate is moil miferable, &c. and without which we cannot be faved. Con - trariwife, in remifiion off nne confifleth happineffe, Pfal.3 2. r,t. Secondly, of faith, without which the 2. benefits of Chrift are not effetuall to our juftifica- tion, fantification, or falvation. By it we are made partakers of all the benefits of Chrift to our juflifi- cation and falvation. In which refpdt the fame be- nefits in the Scriptures which proceed from Chrift are alfo afcribed unto faith. Upon which follow re- conciliation , peace with God, and joy in the holy Ghofi, and the beginning of eternal' life it Pelf in this life. As we muff pray for the forgiveneffe of our fins in fervencie, fo alto in faith: that as we unfeignedly defire pardon of finnes & reconciliation with God, fo we are truly to believe that the Lord will heare our prayer, that he will receive us unto mercy, and at the length grant unto us the certificate of his Spi- rit the Spirit of adoption. For that which he hath commanded us to ask he bath promifed to give. He commandeth us to ask remiífion of finnes, juftifica- tion, the Spirit of adoption, &c. therefore confe- quently we are fledfaflly to believe that we fhall obtein them. The forgiveneffe of finnes is a chief part of the covenant of grace, Heb. ro. r .The Spi- rit of adoption is expreffely promifed to thole that ask him, Luke r i. r 3. B b There offaZték