Answ. 1The main force of all these reasons resteth in God.2 For 1 where Abram, Isaac, Israel, and David are named, Gods Covenant made to them is intended: so as no worth in their persons, but Gods truth in keeping his Covenant made with them, is pleaded. 2. where mention is made of his servants Oath and Vow, the honour and glory which by their oath and vow was covenanted to God, is meant: so as not the worth of the oath and vow, as mans work, but the matter thereof, which tended to Gods glory, is pleaded. The praise of God is in this form of the Lords Prayer chiefly intended: andu oft by the Saints expressed and pleaded in their prayers,4 to enforce the same.5 3. Where the integrity and uprightness of any of Gods Saints is produced in prayer, it is to be considered as an effectual work of Gods Spirit, and an undoubted evidence of Gods favour; so as no desert of man, but the stamp of Gods own work, and pledge or seal of his own favour & grace is pleaded. Besides respect hereby may be had to the truth of Gods Covenant: as in Hezekiahs case. For God had made a ⟨p. 284⟩Covenant with David, 6and confirmed it by oath, that his children, even the fruit of his body, if they kept Gods Covenant, should sit upon his Throne for evermore. Now Hezekiah being lineally descended from David, and having endeavoured in all sincerity to keep Gods Covenant, was so sick as he received the sentence of death before he had a child to succeed him on the Throne of David. 7Wherefore for sparing of his life, at least till he might have issue, and Gods Covenant thereby be verified, he pleaded his integrity, which was the condition required of God: he pleaded it, I say, not as a matter of merit, but as an evidence that the God of truth would make good his own word. Gods truth and faithfulness therefore is the ground of Hezekiahs plea. 4. Where the miseries, afflictions, and desolations of Gods people are urged in prayer, there Gods pity is especially aimed at. For misery is the object of mercy and pity. That object is laid forth, to give assurance that the God of pity will afford succour where so fit an object for succour is presented before him. Yea in this kind of plea, Gods truth, and power is also aimed at. For the greater the distress is, the more evidently is Gods power manifested in giving deliverance.
Answ. 1The maine force of all these reasons resteth in God.2 For 1 where Abram, Isaak, Israel, and Dauid are named, Gods Couenant made to them is intended: so as no worth in their persons, but Gods truth in keeping his Couenant made with them, is pleaded. 2. where mention is made of his seruants Oath and Vow, the honour and glory which by their oath and vow was couenanted to God, is meant: so as not the worth of the oath and vow, as mans worke, but the matter thereof, which tended to Gods glory, is pleaded. The praise of God is in this forme of the Lords Prayer chiefly intended: andu oft by the Saints expressed and pleaded in their prayers,4 to enforce the same.5 3. Where the integritie and vprightnesse of any of Gods Saints is produced in prayer, it is to be considered as an effectuall worke of Gods Spirit, and an vndoubted euidence of Gods fauour; so as no desert of man, but the stampe of Gods owne worke, and pledge or seale of his owne fauour & grace is pleaded. Besides respect hereby may be had to the truth of Gods Couenant: as in Hezekiahs case. For God had made a ⟨p. 284⟩Couenant with Dauid, 6and confirmed it by oath, that his children, euen the fruit of his body, if they kept Gods Couenant, should sit vpon his Throne for euermore. Now Hezekiah being lineally descended from Dauid, and hauing endeauoured in all sinceritie to keepe Gods Couenant, was so sicke as he receiued the sentence of death before he had a child to succeed him on the Throne of Dauid. 7Wherefore for sparing of his life, at least till hee might haue issue, and Gods Couenant thereby bee verified, hee pleaded his integritie, which was the condition required of God: hee pleaded it, I say, not as a matter of merit, but as an euidence that the God of truth would make good his owne word. Gods truth and faithfulnesse therefore is the ground of Hezekiahs plea. 4. Where the miseries, afflictions, and desolations of Gods people are vrged in prayer, there Gods pittie is especially aimed at. For misery is the obiect of mercie and pittie. That obiect is laid forth, to giue assurance that the God of pittie will afford succour where so fit an obiect for succour is presented before him. Yea in this kinde of plea, Gods truth, and power is also aimed at. For the greater the distresse is, the more euidently is Gods power manifested in giuing deliuerance.
- 1—44. 13, 14.
- 2—80. 6.
- uPsal. 22. 21, 22.
- 4—79. 13.
- 5—119. 175.
- 6Psal. 132. 11, 12.
- 71. Kin. 20. 1, &c.
