The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

What Faith is that, which except we have in Prayer, we must not think to obtain any thing of God?

James 1.6. But let him ask in Faith. —

James 1.6. But let him aske in Faith. —

For the Connection of these words with the former, since they will not give much light to the Question I am to handle, and the time will hardly permit things more necessary to be spoken, I shall wholly wave or very briefly speak to.

FOr the Connexion of these words with the former, since they will not give much light to the Question I am to handle, and the time will hardly permit things more necessary to be spoken, I shall wholly wave or very briefly speak to.

The Subject I am to speak to, is to show what is meant here by asking in Faith, or what Faith that is, which who so hath not, must not, or hath no reason to expect to receive any thing from God. God may bestow his mercies where and on whom he pleaseth; but is no way engaged by promise to bestow any mercy on such an one that asketh not in Faith. It is not said, that such an one should not expect any great matters from God, but not any thing at all, the least mercy is greater, then he hath any reason to think he shall receive, not only he shall not receive Wisdom, spoken of vers. 5. but not any thing. Wisdom he may get as Ahithophel did, and many other things without praying in Faith, or praying at all, but for Divine Wisdom or for any blessing from God, he may think what he will, but if the Apostle may be thought worthy to advise him, he would not have him think to receive any thing, except he ask, and ask in Faith. Therefore it much concerns us to know what is meant by asking in Faith, since the want of it makes our Prayers of none effect; if we pray without it, we may pray but you cannot justly expect any return of your Prayers, except it be as of an arrow