Ver.27. the 8th Chapter to the R,O m AN S. 65 Ir. With conformity to bis revealed and commanding will; that we ask nothing unjnfi and unholy, as if we would have God to.blefs us in fome unlawful purpofe, or being by affed by envy, revenge, or any corrupt and carnal affe &ion, ask any thing contrary tei éry, juflice, charity, or that holy, meek fpirit which íhòuld be in Chriftians. Unlawful delres vended in prayer are á double evil, as they are contrary to Gods commmanding will, and as they are prefented to him in prayer, tò accorhplith what we deffre by his help, as we would have him accommodate his providence to fulfil our lufts. 2. With a due refervation of, and fubmicn to, his floret and decreeing will, The things we ask of God are'ofthree forts. 1: Barely lawful; fo is every indifferent thing, as when Mofes wòuld fain enter into Canaan. We cannot fay God will give us fuch things : God denied it to. Mofes ; Let ii fufftce thee, fpeak no more of this matter. Deut. 3. 22. God would only give him Fifgah fight. 2. Not only lawful, kit commanded ; fuck a thing as may fall within the compafs of our duty ; as when parents ask the converfion of their children; or' children beg the continuance of their parents life,'tisnot only lawful, but commanded ;yet God difpofetfi of the event as it pleafeth him. 3. Some things are abfolutely good and neceffary for us, as the gift Of holy f irit, Luke z I. 13. fach God will give. But in the two former things, we mull ufe the means, but refer the event to God, who can bell difpofe of us to his own glory for though the .thing be lawful, though it be good, yet it beareth thefe exceptions. n. if it be not contrary to any decree of God, and crits.ót the harmony of his provi- dence ; Would we have God refcind and difordet his wife counfels for our fake. 2. /fit be not inconvenient and hrsrtfkl fouro; but of that God will be judg; fume prefent temporal good may be a cattle of future inconvenience; and fomething bitter now, may be afterward found wholefome. God knoweth whether life or death be belt, a prefent riddance of troubles, or a continuance of them; therefore it followetli, verfe 28. All things (hall work together for good to them hat love God. That whicli is apprehended as evil, may turn to good ; therefore thefe things Ibould not be perento rtly asked, but with limitation and exception of Gods will, as our Lord Chritt, Maiali. 26. 39. And he went a little further, andfell on his face and prayed, flying, O my Father, ifit be poifible let this cup pafs from me; neverthelef, nót as I will, but as thou wilt. Ti 's one thing to believe for certain, that God will grant our petition, with this condition, if the grant be for his glory and our good ; and another thing to believe abfoltuely that he will not deny the particular thing we ask of him, without fach exception and refer - vation. 'Tis not for us to determine, what is molt conducing to Gods glory, and de- firabie for us. We mull commit and fubmit to God, to our Heavenly Father, Who is' never backward to our good, and will certainly guide all things feti the bell._ 2. The manner. z. With faith. What faith have we in prayer? With refpei to God, that he is,able and willing to help his people, that we need not run to other Ihifts, and be divided bè- tween God and carnal means, Jam. I. 6, 7, 8. As to the acceptance of our perfons, we mutt pray that we do not weaken our confidence by any allowed fin, r John 3. 20, 2 i. For if our hearts condemn us not, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things ; if our hearts condemn asnot, then have we confidence towards God: We fin away our peace, and then cannot come cheerfully to God. As to the particular bleffings asked, neceffi- ry , that are abfolutely promifeel, mutt be abfolutely expected : But the promife of the common bleffings of this life, is not abfolute; darle things are difpenfed as ihall be for Gods glory, and our good. The faints themfelves exprefsthemf Ives with Tomeheltancy about thefe things, though inclined to hope the belt, as David, 2 Sam.12. 22. Who can tell whether the Lord will not. be gracious to me, that the child may live ? God knoweth what we molt really Want, and what is molt agreeable to our delires, being able to choofe for us, better than we can for our felves. Joel 2. 14. Who knoweth if he will return and leave a bleffing. 2. With fervency, or that life and ferioufnefs which will become addreffes tö God; Match. 7. 7. A,k, feek, knöck; we are not its good earnefl,'unlef we let our felves to feek the Lord, Dan. g. 3. Chrifi taught us to pray in two parables; one fór the fpirit, Luke r t. By a man coming to bis friend for loaves at midnight. For 'tight done to the Church, Luke 18. 1. In the parable of the widow and unjult Judg. Perfevere till prayer 9L ls
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