A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God

Object. How can this desire of being dissolved stand with the unchangeable decree of God concerning the appointed time of mans death?

Obiect. How can this desire of being dissolued stand with the vnchangeable decree of God concerning the appointed time of mans death?

Answ. This kind of prayer rather showeth what we could desire, if the will of God were so, then what we would whether it were Gods will or no. Neither is it made to alter Gods determined purpose, but to manifest our longing desire after that which God in his eternal counsel hath purposed for us. Thus did many of the faithful Israelites, ¹that lived long before the Messiah was exhibited,² desire to see him. An absolute desire of present death (as was the desire of Elijah, and Jonah) is not warrantable, but a longing after death to be in the kingdom of Glory (as was the desire of Paul) is very commendable.³

Answ. This kind of prayer rather sheweth what we could desire, if the will of God were so, then what we would whether it were Gods will or no. Neither is it made to alter Gods determined purpose, but to manifest our longing desire after that which God in his eternall counsell hath purposed for vs. Thus did many of the faithfull Israelites, ¹that liued long before the Messiah was exhibited,² desire to see him. An absolute desire of present death (as was the desire of Eliah, and Ionah) is not warrantable, but a longing after death to be in the kingdome of Glorie (as was the desire of Paul) is very commendable.³