A01902:65
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
THE RETURN OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 3THE RETVRNE OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 3
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.
Of the like nature are all other promises of things temporal and outward,1 (of which we herein speak) as when God promiseth to give long life to them that honour their parents; riches and honours to them that fear Him; the tenor and purport of which promises is not, as if absolutely, infallibly, & universally God doth always perform these to those that are yet truly qualified with the conditions specified in those ⟨p. 52⟩promises; The contrary both Scripture, instances, and common experience shows: they are therefore indefinitely meant, and so to be understood by us; for, because when ever God doth dispense any such mercies to any of his, he would do it by promise; All his ways to His being truth, that is, the fulfilling of some truth promised; and also God having purposed in his outward dispensation of things here in this world, to bestow riches and honours upon some that fear him, (though not upon all, for how then should all things fall alike to all? 2Poverty and contempt upon ⟨p. 53⟩them that fear God, even as well as those that fear him not.) He hath therefore indefinitely expressed His gracious dispensation herein:3 requiring answerably an act of saith (which principle in us is suited to a promise, as a faculty is to its proper object) suitable to that his meaning in the promise; That as he intended not in such promises an absolute, infallible, universal obligation of himself to the performance of them to all that fear him: so the act of faith which a man is to put forth toward this promise, in the application of it for his own particular, is not required ⟨p. 54⟩to be an absolute, infallible persuasion, and assurance that God will bestow these outward things upon him, having these qualifications in him; but only an indefinite act (as I may so call it) of recumbency and submission; casting and adventuring our selves upon him for the performance of it to us, not knowing but he may in his outward dispensations make it good to us, yet with submission to His good pleasure, if otherwise He disposeth it.