Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

That the impenitent cannot pray acceptably: would denie unto them nothing that is good , Pfal.84.Ir. Wherefore it behoveth every one that nameth the name of Chrifl to depart from iniquitie , 2.Tim.2. 19. and to purge his hands from fanner Jam 4.8. and to walk them in innocencie, Pfal. 26. that fo he may without doubting lift up holy hands unto the Lord, I.Tlm.2.8. c/r ko-9apas upJ1'as, 2.Tim.2.22. Heb. 10. 22. with true hearts fprinkled from an evil confei- ence: Mala confcientia januam nobis claudit , An evil confcience fhutteth the gate againft us, Caly. In- flitut.3.2o.7. 4. But againft this do1rine it may be objeled,That object. the Lord many times heareth the wicked when they call upon him ; and therefore that the promifes made to prayer are not peculiar to the godly, but common to them with the wicked. For anfwer hereunto we are to remember, That prayers are made unto God either for fpirituall God heareth bleflings belonging to a better life, or for tempo- not the wic- rail blefhngs apperteiningto this corporall life. The wall ble -ira former are peculiar to the children of God, as be- fings. longing to their inheritance,and are never bellowed on the wicked, who never have fo much grace as truly to defire them; and therefore if they do at any time ask them, they do pray in hypocrifie, asking with their lips that which they do not defire with their hearts nor labour for in their lives. That God As for temporali benefts,I cannot deny but that often hear - the Lord many times in refped of them doth grant kedt or}te - unto the wicked their hearts defire. But yet even in porall bcne- thefe alfo there is great difference betwixt the Lord fitsa,,; o and Q h his 47