A. By praying for such things as we know to be promised. Gods promises are the true and proper ground of a sound faith. Whatsoever is supposed to be believed without a promise, is but supposed, or rather presumed: it is not rightly and truly believed.1 The Psalmist having desired God to remember his promise made unto him, thus saith, Upon it thou hast caused me to hope, or to trust. The ground then of his confidence was Gods promise.2 Now because Gods promises are of divers kinds (some things being absolutely promised, others but conditionally) as Gods promises be made, so must our faith be ordered. Absolute promises must be believed absolutely: conditional promises, with submission to Gods wisdom in granting, or not granting what we pray for. S. Paul having prayed for the Philippians, and knowing that he prayed for such things as God had absolutely promised, thus manifesteth his steadfast faith,3 I am confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you, 4will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 5But when he desired to come to the Romans, he referred that matter to the will of God, to be ordered therein, as it should seem good to God.6 So did David in his desire of returning to his kingdom, and to the Tabernacle and Ark of God, when by the treason of Absalom he was forced from all.
A. By praying for such things as we know to be promised. Gods promises are the true and proper ground of a sound faith. Whatsoeuer is supposed to bee beleeued without a promise, is but supposed, or rather presumed: it is not rightly and truly beleeued.1 The Psalmist hauing desired God to remember his promise made vnto him, thus saith, Vpon it thou hast caused me to hope, or to trust. The ground then of his confidence was Gods promise.2 Now because Gods promises are of diuers kinds (some things being absolutly promised, others but conditionally) as Gods promises be made, so must our faith be ordered. Absolute promises must be beleeued absolutly: conditionall promises, with submission to Gods wisedome in granting, or not granting what we pray for. S. Paul hauing prayed for the Philippians, and knowing that he prayed for such things as God had absolutely promised, thus manifesteth his stedfast faith,3 I am confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good worke in you, 4will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. 5But when he desired to come to the Romans, he referred that matter to the will of God, to be ordered therein, as it should seeme good to God.6 So did Dauid in his desire of returning to his kingdome, and to the Tabernacle and Arke of God, when by the treason of Absolom he was forced from all.
- 1Psal. 119. 49.
- 2Of absolute and conditional promises, and of the use of faith in them, See the whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 16. Treat. 2. Part▪ 6. §. 75. 76. 77. Of Faith.Of absolute and conditionall promises, and of the vse of faith in them, See the whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 16. Treat. 2. Part▪ 6. §. 75. 76. 77. Of Faith.
- 3Phil. 1. 6.
- 4Rom. 1. 10.
- 5—15. 32.
- 62. Sam. 15. 25, 26
