A30241:1053
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 41: Of Praying both for the Godly and the Wicked, With the Reasons and Motives thereof.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. To speak exactly, Gods Decree about Events is not the Rule of our Prayer, but his Word is; And therefore though it should be revealed that God would not do such or such things, yet it may be our duty to pray for them; As Austin instanceth, If it should be revealed that my Father must die of such a disease, yet I might lawfully, though with submission, pray for his life, because it's my duty to use all means for my Fathers Life; Thus though Nathan the Prophet had told David His Child should die, yet David humbleth himself, and by fasting seeketh to God for his Child's life; So it's lawful to pray that God would wholly mortify sin in us, yet God will not do it in this life; Thus also though Christ told Peter he should deny him, yet Peter was bound to pray for Faith and perseverance.
3. To speak exactly, Gods Decree about Events is not the Rule of our Praier, but his Word is; And therefore though it should be revealed that God would not do such or such things, yet it may be our duty to pray for them; As Austin instanceth, If it should be revealed that my Father must die of such a disease, yet I might lawfully, though with submission, pray for his life, because it's my duty to use all means for my Fathers Life; Thus though Nathan the Prophet had told David His Childe should die, yet David humbleth himself, and by fasting seeketh to God for his Childes life; So it's lawfull to pray that God would wholly mortifie sinne in us, yet God will not do it in this life; Thus also though Christ told Peter he should deny him, yet Peter was bound to pray for Faith and perseverance.
4. We are to distinguish between a simple affection expressed conditionally in prayer and an absolute petition; It's lawful even for all men, though reprobated, and formalitèr as so, to express our desires and affections with this condition, if it were the Will of God; Even as Christ when he knew that it was Gods decree he should suffer, and that he came into the world for that very hour, yet conditionally he expresseth himself, If it be possible let this Cup pass away, Mat. 26.39