Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

ÍI 44 That the impenitent cannot pray acceptably. But how (hall they callupon him in whom they have not believed? And whereas our Saviour faith , That whatfoever ye fball ask in my name the Father will grant it, John i 6. 23. that allo is reflrained in the r. epiftle of John 3. 22. to the righteous ; Whatfee_ ver we ask we receive of him, decamp we keep his con. mandments ,and do thole things which arepleafing in his fight. And fo our Saviour, John i'. ''. If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what ye will and it ¡ball be done unto you. As for the wicked, the Lord denieth to heare them, though they cry loud in his cares, and make many prayers unto him : Ifa. r. r 5. When ye fpread forth y our hands (faith the Lord to the impenitent Jews) /will hide mine eyes from you; yea, whenye make many prayers I will not heare : whom notwithftand- ing upon their repentance he promifeth to heare and to receive into favour, v. r 6, i 7, r 8. So in Ezek. 8.18. Though they cry in mine cares with a loud voice, yet will I not heare them. Pfal. i 8.4r. &Micah 3.4. They fhall cry unto the Lord, but he will not heare them- he will even hide his face from them for their wicked - nc[e. Jer. r4.12. When they fall I will not heare their cry. Neither doth he onely refufe to heare them, but the godly alto praying for them, r.Sam.r6. i. Jer. i 5. i. Ezek. 14. 14, 20. and therefore forbid - deth many rimes the godly to pray in their behalf, Jer. 14. r r. or if they do he protefteth that he will not heare them, Jer. 9. 16. and i r. 14. When as therefore impenitent fanners do call upon God and are not heard, let them not think that the Lord is not able to heare or help them. Behold, faith the Prophet