2. There is an allowed trying of God in some cases, I cannot say it is a Duty, because ⟨p. 92⟩it is only warrantable by Gods special indulgence and dispensation; and I cannot say it is a sin, because of Gods gracious condescension to his People, Judges 6. 39. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once; Let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece, let it be now dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. The request was not of distrust and malice, but of infirmity and from a weak Faith; not out of Infidelity to tempt God, but out of Humility, being sensible of his own weakness, he desired this help, for the further confirmation of his Faith concerning his calling to this work, as an Instrument authorized, and the issue and success of it; and also to assure others who followed him. To this head I refer Thomas his proof and trial, Joh. 20. 25. Except I see in his hand the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Here was weakness in Thomas, to suspend his Faith upon such a condition, but an Apostle was to be [Greek or Hebrew], an Eye-witness of those things which were done, especially of his Resurrection; and therefore Christ meekly condescended to his request, ver. 27. Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, ⟨p. 93⟩and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless but believing. I put it among infirmities, he alloweth him his trial of sense, but with some rebuke. To this head may be referred that of Hezekiah, who when he was sick of a mortal disease, and the Lord had extraordinarily promised him on his mourning, that he should be recovered again, he asks a sign for the confirmation of his Faith, and God grants it him, 2 Kings 20. 8, 9. And the instance of Ahaz, who when the Prophet bid him ask a sign, he said, Isa. 7. 12. I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. He believed nothing of what the Prophet had spoke, and was resolved to go on in his way, but he pretended a reverend and religious respect to God. This kind of tempting God is tolerable, being an act of condescension in God to the weakness of his People.
2. There is an allowed trying of God in some cases, I cannot say it is a Duty, because ⟨p. 92⟩it is only warrantable by Gods special indulgence and dispensation; and I cannot say it is a sin, because of Gods gracious condescension to his People, Iudges 6. 39. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once; Let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece, let it be now dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. The request was not of distrust and malice, but of infirmity and from a weak Faith; not out of Infidelity to tempt God, but out of Humility, being sensible of his own weakness, he desired this help, for the further confirmation of his Faith concerning his calling to this work, as an Instrument authorized, and the issue and success of it; and also to assure others who followed him. To this head I refer Thomas his proof and trial, Ioh. 20. 25. Except I see in his hand the print of the nailes, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Here was weakness in Thomas, to suspend his Faith upon such a condition, but an Apostle was to be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, an Eye-witness of those things which were done, especially of his Resurrection; and therefore Christ meekly condescended to his request, ver. 27. Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, ⟨p. 93⟩and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless but believing. I put it among infirmities, he alloweth him his trial of sense, but with some rebuke. To this head may be referred that of Hezekiah, who when he was sick of a mortal disease, and the Lord had extraordinarily promised him on his mourning, that he should be recovered again, he asks a sign for the confirmation of his Faith, and God grants it him, 2 Kings 20. 8, 9. And the instance of Ahaz, who when the Prophet bid him ask a sign, he said, Isa. 7. 12. I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. He believed nothing of what the Prophet had spoke, and was resolved to go on in his way, but he pretended a reverend and religious respect to God. This kind of tempting God is tolerable, being an act of condescension in God to the weakness of his People.
