A01902:241
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.
In the fourth place, if the Scriptures had been utterly silent in examples, yet reason consonant to other principles, and grounds of Divinity, and of the Scriptures might persuade the same.
In the fourth place, if the Scriptures had beene utterly silent in examples, yet reason consonant to other principles, and grounds of Divinity, and of the Scriptures might perswade the same.
Reas. 1 1. If he may after the most serious, and through repentance fall again, into as grievous a sin of another kind, and return: why not into the same again? I confess there ⟨p. 341⟩is some disparity, which might make him more averse, and set him in some more remoteness, from the same sin he hath particularly repented of, then another; which shall be considered in its place. Yet, the difference, cannot be supposed such, as should make the one possible, and not the other: all true repentance working the heart, to an abominating every sin, as well as any; and therefore if it were true, it was for that particular sin, as sin; and then it would work the like against all, and every sin, according to the measure of the sinfulness; and though it may, ⟨p. 342⟩and doth work a more keen, and special hatred against that particular sin, a man hath been most stung with, yet still, this is but so far, as this aggravation, (to fall into the same sin again,) may cause such a relapse, to be more sinful then another sin: and so far, and upon that ground he is, and may be more set and strengthened against it, then against another sin. But then, if the supposition fall upon another gross sin, never before committed, the sole and single act of which, other circumstances make as heinous, even as this reiterated act of a sin formerly ⟨p. 343⟩committed, can be; then the one is equally as possible as the other. But however yet still the difference, is but in degrees; namely in that the heart is elongated a degree, or so, further from that sin formerly committed, then any other: which will not therefore so vary the case, (as magis & minus do not) that it should be made impossible to fall into the one, and not into the other.