Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

46 . That the impenitent cannot pray acceptably. the law, his prayer hall be abominable. For as we fpeak unto the Lord in prayer, fo the Lord fpeaketh unto us in the preaching ofthe word:and therefore good reafon it is that if we will not heare the Lord when he fpeaketh unto us, he fhould not heare us when we fpeak unto him, as the Prophet Zacharie faith,chap. 7.13. It is come to pa, that he cried and they would not heare,fi they cryed and I would not heare, faith the lord. On the other fide, If the word of Chrift abide in us, we may ask what we will and it 'hall be granted us, John 15. 7. If men harden their hearts againfl the word of God,the wifdome of God hath threat - ned not to heare them, Prov. i.24.. He covereth him - ff with a cloud that our prayerfhouldnotpaye through, Lam.3.44. But if men humble themfelves before God and tremble at his word, being of humble and contrite hearts, the Lord hath promifed to heare, Pfal.66.2. and 34.18. and 51.17. The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds , Ecclus 35. 17. If men choofe not the fear of the Lord, the Lord will not have them, Prov. 1.28,29. on the other fide, Hewillfu fll the delre of them that fear him; he will a f heare their cry andwill rve them, Pfa1.145.19. Neither doth the Lord refufe to heare thofe alone who are open and notorious finners, but thofe alto which making outward profeßîon of pietie do play the hypocrites : Job 27.9. Will God heare the cry ofthe hypocrite when trouble comethupon him? To which purpofe there is a notable faying of David, Pfal.66. r 8. If I regard wickedneffe in my heart, faith he, the Lord will not heare me. Whereas contrariwife, if men would walk uprightly before God, he would