Then, besides the absolute attributes of God, consider his relative attributes: he is a father, and a Master: it is a strong argument, that is taken from these. If we go to the Lord, and say, Lord, thou art a father, thou art a Master, thou art a husband, whither should the children go, but to their father? whither should the wife go, but to their father? whither should the wife go, but to her husband? whither should the servants go, but to their Master, to their Lord? Lord, thou hast commanded us to provide for our own, and he is worse then an Infidel that provides not for his own. Lord, we belong to thee, we are thine. We see, David useth this Argument, that God hath made him. You have it oft in the Psalms, that God hath made him, not only his Creature, but had made him again, he was his servant, I am thy Servant, he oft useth this Relative, that God was his God, and that he was Gods servant, one that did belong to him, and that did depend upon him. And surely (my Beloved) dependence, and seeking to God, is a great means to win him to us. When we see an other depend upon us, one that is our•, that is an effectual motive with men: the same is as prevalent with God, and therefore may strengthen our faith. Now, when I say these Arguments prevail with God, the meaning is indeed, that they prevail with us, they strengthen our faith, they enable us to believe, that God is ready to ⟨p. 113⟩help us, and, when we believe it, and trust upon him, then indeed God is ready to second it; because, then we are prepared, we can then put up our desires in the prayer of faith; otherwise, they are put up with doubting, and that makes them unacceptable to God, and uneffectuall. And now, as I have showed you the way, so likewise, in a word, we will show you, when we 1do pray in faith, (for, that is a thing that is very useful) you shall know it by this (for I add that, because I see the Scripture requires it, as such a main condition, without which a man cannot be accepted, be it done to thee according to thy faith, it is every where inculcated) you shall know it by the quietness of your mind, and your security. When a man calls upon God, and his mind is quiet in it, it is a sign that he believes, and trusts in him, it is a prayer of faith. […], you know, in that case, she looked no more sad, because she trusted in God;
Then, besides the absolute attributes of God, consider his relatiue attributes: he is a father, and a Master: it is a strong argument, that is taken from these. If we goe to the Lord, and say, Lord, thou art a father, thou art a Master, thou art a husband, whither should the children goe, but to their father? whither should the wife goe, but to their father? whither should the wife goe, but to her husband? whither should the servants goe, but to their Master, to their Lord? Lord, thou hast commanded vs to provide for our owne, and he is worse then an Infidel that provides not for his owne. Lord, wee belong to thee, wee are thine. We see, David vseth this Argument, that God hath made him. You haue it oft in the Psalmes, that God hath made him, not onely his Creature, but had made him againe, hee was his servant, I am thy Servant, he oft vseth this Relatiue, that God was his God, and that hee was Gods servant, one that did belong to him, and that did depend vpon him. And surely (my Beloved) dependance, and seeking to God, is a great meanes to winne him to vs. When wee see an other depend vpon vs, one that is our•, that is an effectuall motiue with men: the same is as prevalent with God, and therefore may strengthen our faith. Now, when I say these Arguments prevaile with God, the meaning is indeed, that they prevaile with vs, they strengthen our faith, they enable vs to beleeue, that God is readie to ⟨p. 113⟩helpe vs, and, when wee beleeue it, and trust vpon him, then indeede God is readie to second it; because, then wee are prepared, weo can then put up our desires in the prayer of faith; otherwise, they are put vp with doubting, and that makes them vnacceptable to God, and vneffectuall. And now, as I haue shewed you the way, so likewise, in a word, we will shew you, when wee 1doe pray in faith, (for, that is a thing that is very vsefull) you shall know it by this (for I adde that, because I see the Scripture requires it, as such a maine condition, without which a man cannot be accepted, bee it done to thee according to thy faith, it is every where inculcated) you shall know it by the quietnesse of your minde, and your securitie. When a man calls vpon God, and his minde is quiet in it, it is a signe that hee beleeues, and trusts in him, it is a prayer of faith. 〈…〉, you know, in that case, she looked no more sad, because she trusted in God;
- 1How we may know that we pray in faith.
