upon the Epiflle of JAM I s. We learn hence, r. That that argument againR prayer is vain : GO'd lz.nows our re1uejfs alrMdJ; andGods Decreesare irnnltitable,afltd cannot be altered by our prayers. So argul!'drofe>ld Maxirmu TJ– rim, an Heathen Phil·ofopher ; al'ld fo many Libenines il'l odr days. I anfwer,Prayer is not for qod1 i~tformat-ion, but the ereatures f ub– mij]lon; we pt:ay that we may have his leave. And aga-in, Gods 'Decrees do .not exclu.de the duty of creatures, and the workof fe.. · cond Caufes: E;;.ek-_36 ?i7· l'rri/1Jtt f6r t-hid be enquired·after bl the Hot~{e ofJfratl: Se {er. 2.9• I 1, 1 1. I k~wow the thrmghfs o'f pe11.ce that !have towttrdsyou, yetye foal! ctdl upon me, a~r.J I »ill hearyou. z. That no arhons mufr be takeFJ in hand., but fuch as we can commend toGod inprayer;. fuch recrea-tions as we areaiha– med to ask a bleffimg upon, mufi not be ufed ;1fl!lcb C:Flterprifes w~ mu~ not engage in,aswe da1:e.not c(i)mmunicace toG0&in our fup. plications: Ifai.•. 2'9• I).•Woe Hnto·them thdt {ct~dcep to hi·de thei·r coHnfelfrom the.Lord; chat IS,. defign their enterprifes, andnever enquire after the-Will of God, or CGrnmunic~te their purpe>fe to bim in p~ayer, V~rfe 3· reMk..,and re.cei1Jt n~t, hecttufeye 114./t..ttm'i[s, ttJilt ye m11ycon[ume it upon your lufls. 4H In this Verfe he anticipa.teth and prevente~h an Ohj.celion ; they .mighday, Wedoask_, andgotoGod (fuppofe) bjd'aylypray:a·s. The Apofile anfwereth, You tisk._indeed,/mt' bctJt.tufe·ojyourvicio11s intentionyouCtlnntJt co,,.pf~tin ofnot being heard; WOtJ!dyoumak.e G•d a[erv11nt to your laffs r For to convince them, he lheweth what was the aymof their prayers, the conveniencies of a fldhly life; Ye Ask.,, that yemay confume it upon your i~tfts·, or l: plea. Z T,M~ n Jo ~ fures. vdt{. · There are feveral Points notable in this Verfe,. they maybe re.· duced to thefe three. · 1. That We praJ·amifs, When our ends and aims are not right in-pr~&yer. 2· Tht:rt our ends. and aims 11re Wr"ng, Wh~n 'We ~Jsk.,bk]]inz.r for the.ufo 11nd encouragement •f ~ur /ajfs. 3·· Th~tt pr~tyers fo· frt~meJ· arre u-fually fucc'e fl-ifs; We mpfs when \\1-e ask_ ilmifs. . . t.l besin_witb th~firfi, . That We prtty M»i[.s, w:he-n our entkand Obfervat~ 1: Kk k 2. airm
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