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

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 ⟨p. 335⟩shot up to Heaven upon your own head to your wounding. Of this Question I shall speak very plainly, as the Lord shall enable me in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit, Comparing Spiritual thing• with Spiritual things.

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 Achitophel 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