The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

Answ. 1. You must distinguish between wicked men as actually wicked and going on in the prosecution of their wickedness; and wicked men as they have some good in them, or are doing some good, or are attempting a return to God. 2. You must distinguish between real Prayer and seeming prayer. 3. You must distinguish between full Acceptance of Prayer, when God delighteth in them, and an Acceptance only to some particular end, not intimating the Acceptance of the person with his prayer: And between Acceptance fully Promised (as certain) and Acceptance but half-promised (as ⟨p. 61⟩Probable:) And upon these distinctions I shall answer your objection in the Conclusions.

1. When wicked men pray God to prosper them in their wickedness, yea or to pardon them while they intend to go on in it, and so to give them an indulgence in sin; or when they think with a few prayers for some Good which they can endure, to put by that Holiness which they cannot endure, and so to make a cloak for their rebellion, these prayers are all an abomination to the Lord.

2. When men use the words of a Prayer without the desire of the thing asked, this is no Prayer, but equivocally so called, as a carcass is a man: and therefore no wonder if God abhor that Prayer, which truly is no Prayer.

2. When men use the words of a Prayer without the desire of the thing asked, this is no Prayer, but equivocally so called, as a carkasse is a man: and therefore no wonder if God abhor that Prayer, which truly is no Prayer.