The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Object. We pray not as commanded for any such things, if we pray not conditionally for them. Answ. But still the difficulty is, What is the condition to be inserted? whether it be, If God will? Or, If it be for our good? Or, If it be for the universal good of the world? If it were the last, then we might be sure of the salvation of all men, when we ask it; and the second cannot be the condition when we pray for others: and if it be the first, then it telleth us that the commanding Will of God is not it which is principally meant in the promise.

In this difficulty we must conclude, that the text respecteth Gods Will comprehensively in all these three forementioned respects; but primarily his promising Will in matters which fall under promise, and his decreeing Will in things which he hath thought meet to make no promise of: and then secondarily, his commanding Will to us; but this extendeth not only to prayer it self, but also to the manner of prayer, and to our conjunct and subsequent endeavours. And so this meeteth and closeth with the former Will of God: because we do not pray according to his commanding Will, unless we do it with due respect to his promising and decreeing Will. And so it is, as i• it were said [Of all those things which God hath promised or decreed, whatsoever you ask in my Name, in a manner agreeable to his command and do second your prayers with faithful endeavours; you shall obtain it; because neither his decrees or promises are nakedly, or merely to give such a thing; but complicately to give it in this way of asking.]

In this difficulty we must conclude, that the text respecteth Gods Will comprehensively in all these three forementioned respects; but primarily his promising Will in matters which fall under promise, and his decreeing Will in things which he hath thought meet to make no promise of: and then secondarily, his commanding Will to us; but this extendeth not only to prayer it self, but also to the manner of prayer, and to our conjunct and subsequent endeavours. And so this meeteth and closeth with the former Will of God: because we do not pray according to his commanding Will, unless we do it with due respect to his promising and decreeing Will. And so it is, as i it were said [Of all those things which God hath promised or decreed, whatsoever you ask in my Name, in a manner agreeable to his command and do scond your prayers with faithful endeavours; you shall obtain it; because neither his decrees or promises are nakedly, or meerly to give such a thing; but complicately to give it in this way of asking.]