A01902:229
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.
Therefore when thou art tempted, labour often to renew those thoughts, which thou hadst of thy sin at that time, when thou wert suing for peace, before thy peace was gotten; when thou wouldest have given a world for ⟨p. 316⟩Gods favour; & also what thoughts thou hadst of it, when God spake peace, how thou didst abhor it, yea, thy self, & look what sin was most bitter to thee & an enemy to thy peace; as if uncleanness, Idleness, neglect of prayer, ill company, &c. and preserve in thy heart those bitter apprehensions of it, & say of it, thou hast bin a bloody sin to me, as Moses wife said of her husband: and though I have got peace, & my life saved, yet it was a bloody sin to Christ, his blood was shed to purchase this my peace, & shall I return to it?
Therefore when thou art tempted, labour often to renew those thoughts, which thou hadst of thy sinne at that time, when thou wert suing for peace, before thy peace was gotten; when thou wouldest have given a world for ⟨p. 316⟩Gods favour; & also what thoughts thou hadst of it, when God spake peace, how thou didst abhorr it, yea, thy self, & look what sin was most bitter to thee & an enemy to thy peace; as if uncleannesse, Idlenes, neglect of prayer, ill company, &c. and preserve in thy heart those bitter apprehensions of it, & say of it, thou hast bin a bloody sin to me, as Moses wife said of her husband: and though I have got peace, & my life saved, yet it was a bloody sin to Christ, his blood was shed to purchase this my peace, & shal I return to it?
And when tempted to it again, have recourse to the kindness God showed thee ⟨p. 317⟩in pardoning, and say, how shall I do this, and sin against God? say as he said, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? 2. Sam. 16. 16. and what, shall I Absalom-like, now I am new reconciled to my Father, fall a plotting treason again? what, shall I make more work for prayer, more work for God, break my bones again, & lie roaring again? Think thus, I was burnt in the hand afore, I shall be racked surely now. Sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee.