A35439:182
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of the book of Job being the sum of thirty two lectures, delivered at Magnus near the bridge, London / by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty two lectures, delivered at Magnus neer the bridge, London / by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by A. Miller for Henry Overton, 1647
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.
In the next words God awakes, Jam. 5.16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Fervency of prayer effects nothing, unless the person praying be righteous, God is not melted into compassion by the heat of our words, but by the holiness of our hearts. In the prayer of a righteous man there is strength, prevailing strength, such, as God himself yields to. As a Prince thou hast power with God, and hast prevailed, saith he to Jacob when he wrestled with him. Observe,
In the next words God awakes, Jam. 5.16. The effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Fervency of prayer effects nothing, unlesse the person praying be righteous, God is not melted into compassion by the heat of our words, but by the holinesse of our hearts. In the prayer of a righteous man there is strength, prevailing strength, such, as God himself yeelds to. As a Prince thou hast power with God, and hast prevailed, saith he to Jacob when he wrestled with him. Observe,
Thirdly, It is no way contrary to the doctrine of free-grace to say we must be holy, if we desire to be heard.
Bildad's doctrine is an excellent piece of Divinity, Though he said before, Thou must seek unto God, and make supplication to him, that out of his free-grace he would bestow a blessing upon thee, yet he adds, If thou were pure and upright. Though we are not heard, because we are pure and upright, yet none can come with a warrantable confidence to be heard in their impurity and hypocrisy: if they do, God will reject their confidences, and they shall not prosper in them. It is impudence, not confidence, to make supplication to God with a reserve, or a resolve in secret, to go on in sin. The greatest sinners in the world may come to God, they that are most impure and filthy, may find favour; yet every man that cometh unto God, must come with this desire, to have his impurities removed, and his backslidings healed, Unto the wicked, saith God, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or to take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee,