A01902:235
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.
Yea: 2. In Scripture we meet with such passages and promises, as may undoubtedly uphold any soul, that hath so fallen after peace received, into the same sin, and preserve him from apprehending himself excluded therefore from mercy and the state of grace: As Hosea 14. 4. I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely; unless they had fallen after repenting & former healing, it could not have been called backsliding, and yet this he promises to heal, & withal shows the ground that moved him to it, his loving them ⟨p. 327⟩freely: for if in any thing his free love is shown to any of his children and drawn out, it is in healing again such a backsliding soul after recovery and peace given. For the falling into the same sin, which hath been repented of and healed, provokes God more then a thousand other acts of sins formerly committed though of the same kind. And therein also to show his free love, that he can pardon even the abuse of love it self, he leaves some thus to sin after his love shed abroad in their hearts. Some he shows his free love unto, in keeping them from ⟨p. 328⟩sinning, others in pardoning them, and giving them repentance: they are but several ways of drawing it forth; so that if in any thing, herein his free-love is shown, for if it were not free, it would never endure it self to be abused. And likewise the sure mercies of David are then shown, when God multiplies to pardon: so Isaiah 55. 3. having mentioned the promise of the sure mercies of David, He promises to multiply to pardon, as it is in the Original verse 7: which are thus joined, both because the sureness of his Covenant, is therein shown, and because we might haply multiply ⟨p. 329⟩to sin; and at least it supposeth the possibility of it again. God likewise runs upon such a supposition in that expression of his, to his own people, Jere. 3. 1, 2. They say if a man put away his wife, and she becomes another mans, shall not the Land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me, saith the Lord.