The saints daily exercise A treatise concerning the whole duty of prayer. Delivered in…The saints daily exercise A treatise concerning the whole dutie of prayer. Delivered in…

I say, it is enough to believe that God is a father, that he is ready to hear, and not ¹only that he is ready to hear, but that he is ready to do that which is best for me, in such a particular: for both are required, that you believe him to be well affected towards you, as a father, as one that tenders your good, and not only so, but that he will do that, in that particular, that shall be most for his own glory, and for your good: and, if you do so, you pray in faith; though, for the particular, you know not, whether it shall be granted, or no. Indeed, if we had a particular promise, as Elijah had that it should not rain, &c. in that case, we were bound to believe in particular, but not having that, we are not tied unto it: for the promise is the object of faith, and the habit is ⟨p. 100⟩not to work beyond the object; for the object is the rule, and the limit of the habit; therefore you may pray in faith, when yet you have no ground to believe, and to think, that that particular thing should be granted. For example, if a father pray, that his son may have grace wrought in his heart, that his soul may be saved, it may be the Lord will never do it; or, if one friend pray for another to the same purpose, though the thing be not done, yet the prayer returns into his bosom, he is no looser by it, there is a reward belongs to him, for seeking to God in sincerity, it is his duty, that he should do so. The like I may say for every particular case. And this encouragement you may have, that there is never any particular prayer put up, wherein you seek things, that are not granted, but you mistake in it: for, if you believe thus far, as I said to you, be sure, that your prayers are accepted, God will do that, which is best for you, and your prayers shall not be lost. So much also for that.

I say, it is enough to beleeue that God is a father, that hee is readie to heare, and not ¹onely that hee is readie to heare, but that hee is readie to doe that which is best for mee, in such a particular: for both are required, that you beleeue him to bee well affected towards you, as a father, as one that tenders your good, and not onely so, but that hee will doe that, in that particular, that shall bee most for his owne glory, and for your good: and, if you doe so, you pray in faith; though, for the particular, you know not, whether it shall be granted, or no. Indeed, if we had a particular promise, as Elias had that it should not raine, &c. in that case, we were bound to beleeue in particular, but not having that, wee are not tyed vnto it: for the promise is the obiect of faith, and the habit is