A81199:1419
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the sum of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastor of the congregation there.An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastour of the congregation there.
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1655
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.
I answer; prayer hath caused and may cause God to turn from his outward actings and dispensations, only, it cannot turn God from any of his counsels or resolutions. And because prayer hath so great a power upon God, to turn him from his outward dispensations, therefore he sometimes hath forbidden prayer, when he was resolved not to turn from such threatened dispensations (Jer. 14.11.) Then said the Lord unto me, pray not for this people for their good. As if the Lord had said; if any thing could prevail with me, thy prayer would; But because I am fully purposed to visit their iniquities, therefore I will not have thy prayers run waste. As for them let them pray as long as they will, as their prayers come, only from their necessities, not from their hearts, so they shall not come near mine; nor do I care how long their prayers (which are but puddle water) run waste; let them pray and spare not; but let them be sure of this, that though they pray I will not spare; so it follows (ver. 12.) When they fast I will not hear their cry, and when they offer burnt offering, and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them, by the ⟨p. 435⟩sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. Their own prayers had no power in them to turn God; and he who had a power to stop God by prayer, is himself stopped from prayer, as in the place last quoted, so once before (Jer. 7.16) Therefore pray not for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me, for I will not hear thee. And as the Lord stopped Jeremiah from prayer for them, so he professeth that if they who in former ages had been most prevailing with him, should now again manage their suite before him, yet he would not be moved by it. (Jer. 15.1.) Then said the Lord unto me, though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people. As if the Lord had said; Though they should get my chief favourites, to solicit their cause, and plead on their behalf, yet they should find me in one mind, and that even they could not turn me. Jesus Christ never solicited any cause but he sped in it, but the best of men may be earnest solicitors and not speed. For though good men will not solicit a bad cause before God, or pray against his revealed will, yet they do not always hit his secret will. And God who saith to his people generally (