Learn hence wisely to observe what is evil in any thing,1 and accordingly pray against it: yea as it is more or more evil, so more instantly and earnestly pray against it. Of all evils sin is the greatest: greatest in the kind and nature of it: greatest also in the effects and fruits of it. It is the cause of all evil. Nothing but that which is effected or infected by it, is evil. The ⟨p. 232⟩devil, the world, wicked men, and other creatures of God which are styled evil, are infected therewith. All manner of punishments and pains which are indeed evil, whether temporal, spiritual, or eternal are caused by it. Of all other evils this ought most of all to be prayed against. All things also that are causes hereof, or occasions hereto are to be prayed against, as being in this respect evil. Thusa temptations, andb afflictions are to be prayed against: not simply and absolutely: for cSaint James willeth us to account it all joy, when we fall into divers temptations: and thed Apostles rejoiced in their sufferings: yea eJob expressly blesseth God for taking away, as well as for giving. For by the good and wise providence of God, temporal crosses do oft turn to our good and profit.f It is good for me that I have been afflicted (saith the Psalmist)g God chasteneth us for our profit (saith the Apostle.) In regard of this fruit which by the over-ruling providence of God, ariseth out of afflictions they are indeed matter of thanksgiving, when God doth so order them: and therefore they are not simply and absolutely to be prayed against. Yet because through the weakness of our flesh they oft cause discontent, impatience and other sins (in which respect they are evil) so far forth as they cause any such evil effect they may be prayed against: at least we must pray that they bring not forth any sin in us. Thus are we to pray against company keeping, against feasting, against pleasures and pastimes, and against all other things that are usual occasions of sin. Yea against the abuse of every good thing. For the abuse of a good thing is evil. And because wicked men are oft made Satan's instruments of working much evil, we may also pray against all their evil plots and practises, not against their persons:
Learne hence wisely to obserue what is euill in any thing,1 and accordingly pray against it: yea as it is more or more euill, so more instantly and earnestly pray against it. Of all euils sinne is the greatest: greatest in the kinde and nature of it: greatest also in the effects and fruits of it. It is the cause of all euill. Nothing but that which is effected or infected by it, is euill. The ⟨p. 232⟩diuell, the world, wicked men, and other creatures of God which are stiled euill, are infected therewith. All manner of punishments and paines which are indeed euill, whether temporall, spirituall, or eternall are caused by it. Of all other euils this ought most of all to be prayed against. All things also that are causes hereof, or occasions hereto are to bee prayed against, as being in this respect euill. Thusa temptations, andb afflictions are to be prayed against: not simply and absolutely: for cSaint Iames willeth vs to account it all ioy, when we fall into diuers temptations: and thed Apostles reioyced in their sufferings: yea eIob expressely blesseth God for taking away, as well as for giuing. For by the good and wise prouidence of God, temporall crosses doe oft turne to our good and profit.f It is good for me that I haue bene afflicted (saith the Psalmist)g God chasteneth vs for our profit (saith the Apostle.) In regard of this fruite which by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God, ariseth out of afflictions they are indeed matter of thanksgiuing, when God doth so order them: and therefore they are not simply and absolutely to bee prayed against. Yet because through the weakenesse of our flesh they oft cause discontent, impatiencie and other sinnes (in which respect they are euill) so farre forth as they cause any such euill effect they may be prayed against: at least we must pray that they bring not forth any sinne in vs. Thus are wee to pray against companie keeping, against feasting, against pleasures and pastimes, and against all other things that are vsuall occasions of sinne. Yea against the abuse of euerie good thing. For the abuse of a good thing is euill. And because wicked men are oft made Satans instruments of working much euill, wee may also pray against all their euill plots and practises, not against their persons:
- 1Observe what is evil in any thing.Obserue what is euill in any thing.
- aMat. 26. 41.
- bPro. 38. 8. Afflictions how they are matter of deprecation and thanksgiving.Pro. 38. 8. Afflictions how they are matter of deprecation and thanksgiuing.
- cJam. 1. 2.Iam. 1. 2.
- dActs 5. 41.
- eJob 1. 21.Iob 1. 21.
- fPsal. 119. 71.
- gHeb. 12. 10.
