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.
Thomas Goodwin 1600–1680London: printed by M. Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1636
[34], 396 p. · 46k words · STC 12041.3 · ESTC S117577
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.
6. Though he may return, yet not presently: Luke 5. last. He that hath tasted old wine, doth not straightway drink, and desire new: not whilst the love of God, and the taste, and relish of it is fresh in his mouth: when the impression is worn out indeed, and begins to be forgotten, then haply he may return.
6. Though he may returne, yet not presently: Luke 5. last. Hee that hath tasted old wine, doth not straightway drinke, and desire new: not whilest the love of God, and the tast, and relish of it is fresh in his mouth: when the impression is worne out indeed, and begins to bee forgotten, then haply he may returne.
Use. To conclude with the use of this point; If it be folly to run into the same sin, though we repent of it afterwards: then, what folly is it in them that utterly fall away? ⟨p. 393⟩and after they have been enlightened, and tasted of the good word of God, then fall again to the pleasures of sin and never repent of them? as many do; that come, and try a little, what is in religion, and the ways of God, and then return again to their vomits, and never return to piety again. Foolish souls, who hath bewitched you? are ye so foolish, that having begun in the spirit, ye end in the flesh? as Gal. 3. 3. Folly indeed: to spend the harvest of your time, in seeking God, and then to leave him, when you are about to take leave of the pleasures of sin. Alas ⟨p. 394⟩poor souls, whither will ye go? do you ever think to have such a God again? Thou hast the words of eternal life, said the Disciples to Christ: and as Saul said to his servants, to keep them from falling away unto David; Can the son of Jesse give you vineyards, and make you Captains of thousands?
: So, can the world give you that peace, that I can give you, may Christ say to you; yea and heaven besides hereafter? Is the devil, with all the wages of sin, you post after, able to make you amends? you thereby dishonour God in returning to sin,
⟨p. 395⟩
and bring an evil report upon the good land; and discredit your Master, in changing your service; but withal you befool your selves most: you return to folly. For even that, which you think to gain, the worlds good word and opinion by, even that you lose: for, though they make a spoil of you, and triumph in such, and glory in their flesh a while: yet they never inwardly think well of such a one; nor truly love him. A back-slider, is like luke-warm water, having been once heated, which good men spue out, and evil men regard not; for what use, can indeed be
⟨p. 396⟩
made of it? Like salt that hath lost its savour it is good for nothing, but the dunghill. Like one that hath been married, but lives divorced; she is undone for her marriage ever after. Such is the condition of those that fall away and repent not: You who have but turned unto folly and are not grown to a despising and despiting Gods ways, Return, Oh Shulamite, return.
Vse. To conclude with the use of this point; If it be folly to runne into the same sinne, though we repent of it afterwards: then, what folly is it in them that utterly fall away? ⟨p. 393⟩and after they have beene enlightned, and tasted of the good word of God, then fall againe to the pleasures of sinne and never repent of them? as many doe; that come, and try a little, what is in religion, and the wayes of God, and then returne againe to their vomits, and never returne to piety againe. Foolish soules, who hath bewitched you? are yee so foolish, that having begun in the spirit, yee end in the flesh? as Gal. 3. 3. Folly indeed: to spend the harvest of your time, in seeking God, and then to leave him, when you are about to take leave of the pleasures of sinne. Alas ⟨p. 394⟩poore soules, whither will yee goe? doe you ever thinke to have such a God againe? Thou hast the words of eternall life, said the Disciples to Christ: and as Saul said to his servants, to keep them from falling away unto David; Can the sonne of Iesse give you vineyards, and make you Captaines of thousands? 1. Sam. 22. 7: So, can the world give you that peace, that I can give you, may Christ say to you; yea and heaven besides hereafter? Is the devil, with all the wages of sinne, you post after, able to make you amends? you thereby dishonour God in returning to sinne, ⟨p. 395⟩and bring an evill report upon the good land; and discredit your Master, in changing your service; but withall you befoole your selves most: you returne to folly. For even that, which you thinke to gaine, the worlds good word and opinion by, even that you lose: for, though they make aspoile of you, and triumph in such, and glory in their flesh a while: yet they never inwardly think well of such a one; nor truely love him. A back-slider, is like luke-warme water, having been once heated, which good men spue out, and evill men regard not; for what use, can indeed bee ⟨p. 396⟩made of it? Like salt that hath lost its savour it is good for nothing, but the dunghill. Like one that hath beene maried, but lives divorced; she is undone for her mariage ever after. Such is the condition of those that fall away and repent not: You who have but turned unto folly and are not grown to a despising and despiting Gods wayes, Returne, Oh Shulamite, returne.
