514 CHAP y. ifnExpofition von the Vax. 17. Gen.:Y.zt. a t King.z2.42. t lama} 1. FDan.9.t5. obtained by the prayers of his Saints. Betides this, In the fignifications of Gods fccret will, from which we gather the order thereof, we haue promi- fes and precepts ioyned together ;yea,nothing promifed without a prefcript of duty to obtaine the promife; and that to req.tired, that if the duty commanded bce negleaed, the blcllingpromiled is not obtained. And Ihall we now fay, Prayers are vnneceffary, which by hi`s precept we ga: :her to bee included in his lecret apoint- mcnts ? God forbid. TheSaints we find,where they had greaten certaintie ofobtaining, molt initant and lenient in praying. To Ifaac was the promife of a blefTcd feede renewed; yet C prayer he God inilanrly, to remouethe 6arrenne ffe of his ': fe R E s E C o A. To via, God had re- uciled his purpofe of fending raine,after fo long drought in Ifrael; yet how d buckles hehimlelfe in innanceco ob- taine it ? 2Kimirunr fciebat, faith Gregory, that God fo promifeth his blefliings, that he will haue them obtained by prayer. Wherefore alto it is faid; a 7"e bane trot, be- caufeye ask! not. There is a third fort; and they pretred with confcence oftheir own vilencire and vnworthineife,out of a nimium of humility and a kinde ofmanncrly prophaneneffe,neg- leEt the duty ; who are wee that wee Ihould dare prrffe into Gods prefence, or prefume to beg any blefling of him ? Vnworthy, I contcire, wee are all of to high a fa- uour, ifwe refpea our felues. But if God hauevouchfa- led vs this honour, to be his orsitorit a and in his mercy de- mitred himfelfe fo low, as to afford vs, bale creatures, audience ; let vs take heede, left this íhem of burmilitte, as Paul calls ir, make vs guiltie of vnrhankfulnetfe or difo- bedience. Befides, our cuttome is not to prefent our prayers vnto God in oxr owne righteoufnefe or worth:but in confidence of his tr vr, ffeakettble mercy, and benignitie; and though it be true, as Bernard Inch ir, great is our in- iquity, yet greater, O Lord, is thy pious loue and benig- nities
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