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

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 s•cond 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.]

And as to the Objections in the beginning, I answer, 1. Where only Gods decreeing Will is the measure of the matter to be granted, the text intendeth not to us a particular assurance of the thing; but the comfort that we and our prayers are accepted, and they shall be granted if it be not such a thing, as God in his wisdom and eternal counsel, hath secretly determined not to do. As if you pray for the conversion of the Kingdom of China, of Japan, of Indostan, of Tartary, &c.