A01902:250
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.
Caution 1 1. There are two sorts of corruptions. First, more gross corruptions, which Saint Peter calls, [Greek or Hebrew], the defilements of the world, 2. Pet. 2. 20. they being the common mire, or kennel, wherein the unclean swine of this world wallow, and which the Apostle calls such works of the flesh as are manifest, Gal. 5. 19. even to the light of Nature; such as are adultery, fornication, drunkenness, &c. and by those two expressions do they distinguish them from a sort of more spiritual and refined lusts. For secondly, ⟨p. 361⟩there are corruptions more spiritual, as pride, secret love of the world. Now, for those gross corruptions, which are contrary, even to common honesty, and (to use Jobs phrase) are punished by the Judges, 31. Job 11. which profane men wallow in, a godly man hath more strength against them, so as it is not so ordinary for him to be entangled again and again with these; for where but moral principles are, these are abstained from, as we see in the Pharisee, I am no adulterer, &c. therefore, where grace is, much more. And some sins are more opposite to the spirit ⟨p. 362⟩of holiness, and less compatible with grace, as uncleanness, of which Saint Paul says, God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness, 1 Thes. 4. 7. it is in an especial manner, there opposed to holiness: and such as these are works of the flesh which are manifest, even to Nature, to civill men: and therefore when they are often fallen into, they do manifest, that the heart is but flesh. And although the limits, how seldom or how often, cannot be set concerning relapses into these, or any sins; yet, in an ordinary course it may be said, that few godly men fall into such ⟨p. 363⟩sins again and again: God keeps them from such in an ordinary providence, that scandals should not arise: they being sins which all the world takes notice of. But those other sins of rash anger, and love of the world, and spiritual pride, &c. these being less manifest, and sitting more close to our spirits, godly men are more subject unto.