A77988:615
Gospel-Worship
Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughs, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Cripple-gate, London.Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in generall. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughes, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Criple-gate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole and R.W., 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Answ. To that I answer, first, take it absolutely considered, we may not pray that God would afflict us, because affliction ⟨p. 278⟩is in its self materially an evil thing, and a fruit of the curse, therefore we may not (I say) absolutely pray for it: but thus far we may pray for afflictions, disjunctively, conditionally, comparatively.
Answ. To that I answer, first, take it absolutely considered, we may not pray that God would afflict us, because affliction ⟨p. 278⟩is in its selfe materially an evill thing, and a fruit of the curse, therefore we may not (I say) absolutely pray for it: but thus farre wee may pray for afflictions, disjunctively, conditionally, comparatively.
Disjunctively thus, Lord, either grant unto me a sanctified use of such a mercy, or otherwise let me rather be without it; let me have a sanctified use of my sickness, or otherwise let my sickness be continued to me; thus now you may pray for continuing in sickness.
Disjunctively thus, Lord, either grant unto me a sanctified use of such a mercy, or otherwise let me rather be without it; let me have a sanctified use of my sicknesse, or otherwise let my sicknesse be continued to mee; thus now you may pray for continuing in sicknesse.
Or thus, conditionally, Lord, if thou seest that my heart be so vile and wretched that I will abuse (through my corruption) such and such mercies, Lord rather take them from me, and let me be without them; if thou seest that there be no way to break this proud heart of mine, but such a way, Lord let that be thy way to break it, if thou seest it according to thy will as the fittest way.