A01902:211
The Return of Prayers
The return of prayers A treatise wherein this case how to discern Gods answers to our prayers is briefly resolved, with other observations upon Psal. 85.8. concerning Gods speaking peace, &c. By Tho: Goodwin. B.D.The returne of prayers A treatise wherein this case how to discerne Gods answers to our prayers is briefly resolved, with other observations vpon Psal. 85.8. concerning Gods speaking peace, &c. By Tho: Goodvvin. B.D.
London: printed by M. Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reas. 1 1. If we consider but, who this God is, that is to speak peace, I will hear what God the Lord will speak; he is the Lord, and therefore able to speak what pleaseth him; he is peculiarly the God of peace, and therefore willing to speak peace. Now, 1. when it is said, he is the God of peace, and the God of comfort, the meaning is, he is full of it, infinitely full of it, and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks; thoughts of peace, and love to his, ⟨p. 280⟩do boil within him, as hatred, or malice doth in a malicious man towards his enemy; so as he cannot contain and forbear expressing it towards him; that as David says, his thoughts did burn within him, and at last, brake forth; so in God, I know the thoughts I think towards you (says he to them of the captivity) Jer. 29. 11. They are thoughts of peace, and not of evil. And 2. besides that these his thoughts of peace are taken up of himself, his Son also hath bespoken peace for us; and therefore God will speak it, Even as Joseph, though he spake roughly a while to ⟨p. 281⟩his brethren, yet could not in the end contain, Gen. 45. 1. so nor God.
Reas. 1 1. If wee consider but, who this God is, that is to speake peace, I will heare what God the Lord will speake; he is the Lord, and therfore able to speak what pleaseth him; he is peculiarly the God of peace, and therefore willing to speake peace. Now, 1. when it is said, hee is the God of peace, and the God of comfort, the meaning is, hee is full of it, infinitely full of it, and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speakes; thoughts of peace, and love to his, ⟨p. 280⟩doe boile within him, as hatred, or malice doth in a malicious man towards his enemy; so as hee cannot containe and forbeare expressing it towards him; that as David sayes, his thoughts did burne within him, and at last, brake forth; so in God, I know the thoughts I thinke towards you (saies hee to them of the captivity) Ier. 29. 11