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

I. To this may be objected, that many unregenerate and profligate wretches have obtained by Prayer, as scoffing Ismael, Gen. 21.17. nay Ahab, a man that sold himself to work wickedness, prevailed with God, for an adjournment of the Judgment denounced.

I. To this may be objected, that many unregenerate and profligate wretches have obtained by Prayer, as scoffing Ismael, Gen. 21.17. nay Ahab, a man that sold himself to work wickednesse, prevayled with God, for an adjournment of the Judgment denounced.

I answer 1. This was done by way of Common providence, or Gods Prerogative, not by way of promise, so that they could not reasonably expect that their Prayer should be heard.

2. God did this to honour the Ordinance of Prayer. As when our children come and tell us of some poor body, though we may not think it sit to relieve him in respect of his wants, yet we give him, for fear we should hinder our children from acts of Charity; for they not knowing our reasons of denying him relief, will expound it to be our neglect of the poor. So many times God may give to bad men, lest good men should be discouraged from Prayer.