The dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in several treatisesThe dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in severall treatises

We may ask some things too earnestly, which are more profitably denied, then granted. As Solomon said of Adonijahs request, so I may say of many of ours: We ask our lives, we desire our Bane, such things as would hurt us, and undo us. And are not those things mercifully denied, which without hurt cannot be granted? This is to cross us with a Mercy. A child desires a knife of the Father, The Child sees no hurt in it: but the Father doth. And shall we not then submit to the Wisdom of our Father?

Wee may ask some things too earnestly, which are more profitably denyed, then granted. As Solomon said of Adonijahs request, so I may say of many of ours: Wee ask our lives, wee desire our Bane, such things as would hurt us, and undo us. And are not those things mercifully denyed, which without hurt cannot bee granted? This is to cross us with a Mercy. A child desires a knife of the Father, The Child sees no hurt in it: but the Father doth. And shall wee not then submit to the Wisdome of our Father?

A man may desire this evil to be taken away; this cross, this affliction to be removed; this temptation, this corruption to be taken away. God denies it, seeing it best for a man to be exercised with them. And Faith will submit.

A man may desire this evil to bee taken away; this cross, this affliction to bee removed; this temptation, this corruption to bee taken away. God denies it, seeing it best for a man to bee exercised with them. And Faith will submit.

Again, a man desires this outward mercy; it may be Riches, may be Honours, the great things of the World: And thinks (it may be) if God did raise him, he would raise God: if God would make him great, he would make God great.