A30241:1062
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.
4. There is hope to speed in praying for a godly man, because there is a good Foundation already laid by God; God hath begun with many hopeful dispensations to those that are his, and we may not think he will have the reproach of the unwise Builder that began to build and could not make an end; Thus the Apostle encouraged himself, The Lord hath delivered and will deliver from every evil work, 2 Tim. 4.17. Let therefore the gracious workings of God upon those that are his people, be so many strong Invitations to pour out thy prayers for them.
4. There is hope to speed in praying for a godly man, because there is a good Foundation already laid by God; God hath begun with many hopeful dispensations to those that are his, and we may not think he will have the reproach of the unwise Builder that began to build and could not make an end; Thus the Apostle encouraged himself, The Lord hath delivered and will deliver from every evil work, 2 Tim. 4.17. Let therefore the gracious workings of God upon those that are his people, be so many strong Invitations to pour out thy praiers for them.
But you will say,1 May we then only pray for those that are already godly, must we like the Priest and the Levite pass by all wicked men? God forbid; Though there be not such comfort and hope in praying for them, yet it's our duty, 1 Tim. 2.7. to pray for all men:2 There are no sorts of persons excepted but such as have sinned that sin unto death; Indeed God is angry with Samuel for praying any more for Saul, and God commands Jeremiah to pray no more for that people,