A80611:597
Christ the fountain of lifeChrist the fountaine of life
Christ the fountain of life: or, Sundry choice sermons on part of the fifth chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.Christ the fountaine of life: or, Sundry choyce sermons on part of the fift chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.
London: printed by Robert Ibbitson, 1651
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.
Object. You say, But doth not many a man pray for his brethren, and yet is not heard and accepted, did not Abraham pray for Ishmael? And what think you of Samuel's prayer for Saul, and yet saith God, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, 1 Sam. 17.6. I have cast him off, mourn no more for him; so that sometimes a man may pray for his brethren, and that earnestly, and yet his prayers fall to the ground in vain?
Object. You say, But doth not many a man pray for his brethren, and yet is not heard and accepted, did not Abraham pray for Ishmael? And what think you of Samuels prayer for Saul, and yet saith God, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, 1 Sam. 17.6. I have cast him off, mourne no more for him; so that sometimes a man may pray for his brethren, and that earnestly, and yet his prayers fall to the ground in vaine?
Answ. First, it would be considered whether a man be a brother or no; Abraham did not pray for one that was already gracious, that did belong to the election of grace, and the text doth not reach to such a brother; but I understand it of such as are either called, or belong to the election.
Secondly, Suppose you do not know whether he belong to the election of grace or no, it may be you pray for them whom you have not used other means to heal them, I doubt not but David prayed for Absalom, and Adonijah, but not using other means, his prayers are rejected, these are not prayers of faith, when other good means are not used.
Secondly, Suppose you doe not know whether he belong to the election of grace or no, it may be you pray for them whom you have not used other means to heal them, I doubt not but David prayed for Absalom, and Adonijah, but not using other meanes, his prayers are rejected, these are not prayers of faith, when other good means are not used.