Requests that we put up to him There 's no friend that is kinde to us in granting our desires but we judge worthy of thanks Oh how thankeful should we then be to God that hears and grants what we seek unto him for Psal 66.20 It is the Lords Tribute that he looks for and if we would not grudge to pay the King his Tribute being a commanded duty Rom. 13.7 then we should chearfully come off with the Lords Tribute and pay it in holy Praises to him The truth is we do but bungle at it here and do it not workman-like but we shall one day do it better when we are joyned in this heavenly melody with that innumerable company of Angels and blessed Souls in glory But in the mean time we must be doing something this way for all his bounties to us and if not so well as we would yet we are to do it as well as we can and long for the time when we shall perform it better 4. We see that though we have but a few friends on earth yet we have One in Heaven that will not fail us There is a friend Solomon sayes that sticketh closer then a brother Prov. 18.24 and such an one is a rare jewel and hardly to be found but though he be not to be found on Earth yet God is such a friend and will hear and grant what we sue unto him for 5. We see the truth of that in Psal 73.28 It is good for me to draw near to God it must needs be so considering what a God he is that we go unto that hears our Prayers grants us all that we ask of him We make account that it 's good to go to a Father or Friend to make our wants known that we may have a supply Oh how good is it then to go to such a Father and Friend as God is 6. We see what cause we have to delight in the Lord that we may have the desires of our hearts granted to us Seeing he is so willing to grant let us take the way that he prescribes for this and that is by delighting in him Psal 37.4 He that delights in his friend may have any thing of him how much more may they that delight themselves in the Almighty 7. We see that we can never come off with love enough to him who is a God hearing prayer granting our requests to us We would think that man worthy of our love that granted our desires in asking but Oh what love should he have that gives us all that we desire of him Our love is but a little Rivulet and Stream but he deserves a full Sea our love is but a little spark but he deserves that it flame forth our love is but a drop but he deserves that it should be a full flowing Fountain that 's never dry 8. We see how unwearied we should be in duty and obedience to him that thus hears and grants How loyal are Subjects to Royal Princes when they come off bountifully to them How dutiful and obedient are Servants to their liberal Masters they are ready at hand to ride run go do any thing for them Oh how loyal should we then be to such a bountiful King and how dutiful to such a liberal Master as God is that gives us what we ask of him 9. We see how we may be followers of God by bearing the cries of poor afflicted ones and granting their desires so does God to us and so should we to them Ephes 5.1 There are those that turn away from the cry of the poor but they shall cry and not be heard But seeing God hears us if we would follow him we must hearken and come off liberally to them Luke 6.38 10. We see that none of our Prayers shall be lost that we put up to him none of them shall miscarry We may go to men with our Suits and be put off and turned away and our Requests may be slighted and made nothing of but God dealeth not so with us when we come before him in Prayer he hears and grants and gives to all liberally and upbraideth not Jam. 1.5 Some Princes have torn in pieces what their Petitioners have brought before them as the Emperour Valens did to one of his noble Captains that had done him great Service as Theodoret relates of him Lib. 5. Hist but our God never does so to his Suppliants but they have a comfortable answer and a liberal grant they go to a Throne of Grace and finde grace to help in time of need their Prayers come loaden with blessings and they return home bringing their sheaves with them Naomi complained that she went out full but returned empty but we go out empty to him and return full Vse 2. for Terrour to those that God will not hear they are none of his they regard iniquity in their heart Psal 66.18 they are sinners that delight in sinful wayes Joh. 9.31 they are loathsome to him blacker then Ravens in his sight for he hears them when they cry to him Vse 3. for Humiliation to the people of God that pray much and get no grant surely there is some great cause either they are not earnest enough cry not loud enough or else slack their pace and are not constant enough or have given God cause to be angry with their prayers Psal 80.4 or have not been so sincere as they ought or have had unfixed hearts and been full of wandring thoughts that have marred the duty or something or other hath stepped between them and mercy and it is good for such to search what is the cause and remove it that God may not go out of his wonted way but may shew himself a God hearing prayer Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour God and to give him this noble Title of his when we pray to him and say He is a God hearing prayer He delights to hear himself so spoken of and we that finde the comfort of it should delight to mention it to his praise We honour an earthly King with his Titles how much more then should we do it to this glorious King 2. To bring our Petitions to him he will not throw them away nor tear them in pieces nor cast them at his feet in disdain but will have them in high esteem hang them upon the file in Heaven remember them give a grant to them We may be encouraged to come to him who is a God hearing prayer 3. To be humble for who are we that he should hear our Prayers we deserve that when we cry and shout he should not hear us and that he should cover himself with a cloud that our Prayers should not pass thorow It is nothing in us that moves him to hear and grant it is all of his Free-grace 4. To hear those that sue to us and give them that that they stand in need of if it be in the power of our hand to do it Why should we
that for their sakes will not destroy those that are devoted to ruine and destruction It is an honour to finde acceptance with God our selves but to be so much in favour with him that others of the worst sort should fare the better for our sakes this is great grace and favour and high honour put upon us Well may it be said He exalteth the horn of his people the praise of all his Saints Psal 148.14 2. We see how glad evil men may be that they have any Righteous ones living amongst them for it is for their sakes that they are spared were they but once removed from them which they hate and persecute they should quickly see what God would do with them and what wrath would break out against them but Righteous ones stay his hand from striking and hinde his arm from smiting keep back judgements and he is so gracious that he sayes He will spare such wicked ones for their sakes Such as are wicked sinners may think it well for them that they have some Righteous ones among them to stand in the gap and make up the hedge for them or else their destruction would overtake and overwhelm them speedily 3. We see how out of measure sinful they be that are enemies to them and do them all the despite they can in word and deed that are such friends to them that for their sakes God spares them and will not for the present destroy them while they are with them that are the Lords righteous ones Oh the unkindness and deep ingratitude that is in such men and how they will answer it another day it belongs to them seriously to consider of See Psal 109.4 5. 4. We see that they must needs rush into great danger that malign and hate the Righteous and requite evil for good to them Psal 109.5 6. Satan stands at the right hand of such and it is worthy to be had in memory that Solomon speaks He that rewardeth evil for good evil shall not depart from his house Prov. 17.13 Oh that such would consider of this that forget God and what their duty is to Righteous ones It 's bad to requite evil for evil and forbidden Rom. 12.17 but to requite evil for good this is that that argues great wickedness and will bring the severest wrath with it But many men are too willing to undo themselves and theirs that go this way 5. We see how thankeful the Lords Righteous ones should be to him for whose sakes he is willing to spare a wicked people Were it that they had but so much mercy shewed to them to be spared themselves it would be that that they have cause for ever to be thankeful for but that the Lord should extend this further mercy to them that others that are the worst of men should be spared for their sakes this calls for greatest thanks See Gen. 19.19 20 21. 6. We see what great delight we should have in the Lord that so delighteth in his Righteous ones that for their sakes he will spare the worst of places and the worst of men We would delight in a friend that so delighteth in us as to spare others for our sakes Oh how then should we delight in the Lord Psal 37.4 7. We see that surely God will not cast away his own people that will for their sakes spare the worst of men They may think so in time of temptation as some have Psal 31.22 Lam. 3.18 Jonah 2.4 but they need not fear it for he that hath them in such esteem that others fare the better for their sakes how can it then be that he should so forsake them as to cast them utterly out of his sight 8. We see that the prayers of the Righteous that they put up for others are not lost for they keep off judgements even from the wicked themselves how bad soever they be There 's great energie and efficacy in the prayers of Righteous ones Jam. 5.16 But I would but give a touch of this we have occasion often to make mention of it 9. We see what love Righteous ones should come off with to the Lord that for their sakes will spare a multitude of the worst of men We cannot think what love we own him if our hearts were as full of it as the Sea is of water it were far too little for him The love of Angels is too scant for him how much more ours which is but a mite to their talents a drop to their rivers 10. We see what longings we should have to enjoy him for ever that hath such respect to us here that for our Prayers and Presence the worst of men shall escape that destruction that they could not otherwise look for Oh who would not be with him that is so full of love and sweetness to us here His steps as they drop fatness here so they will pour out love and sweetness there Vse 2. for Terrour to those that hate the Righteous that live with them and are never well but when they are joring at them how would such do if they were all gone mischief upon mischief would surely come upon them they should see that to their cost the Righteous were taken away from them Vse 3. for Humiliation to those that say God is gone utterly from them and hath forsaken them Say not so for the Righteous please God so that they prevail for others and if so God will not utterly cast them off Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour the Lord that thus honours us as for our sakes to spare even wicked men Princes are exalted when they spare grievous Malefactors for their sakes that sue to them how much more should the Lord be exalted by us that does thus of his grace for our sakes 2. To do any thing for his sake that he calls for from us that does so much for our sakes to others The most difficult work we should come off with for his sake Heb. 11.8 17 35 36 37. 3. To give up our selves and all we are and have to him Does he for our sakes spare wicked places then let us be wholly his 1 Cor. 6.19 20. 4. To love him heartily that out of love to us does not onely spare us but others also for our sakes Mat. 22.37 5. To be without fear of the hatred of wicked men for the mischief of it for rewarding evil for good will fall upon their own pates 6. To long for everlasting enjoyment of him If he so favour us here while we are among evil men what will he do when we come in Heaven Vse 5. for Consolation 1. That he will not cast away any Righteous ones alwayes as Psal 77.7 8 9. 2. That if he esteem them so here much more in glory Verse 27. And Abraham answered and said Behold now I have taken upon me speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes IN these words we have Abrahams second humble Address to the Lord in further interceding
that in our Prayers that we cannot see our selves He sees sin where we see none he hath a quick eye to look into the obliquities and iniquities of our Prayers A little blemish is seen in the face so if there be but any blot or spot upon the face of the duty his pure eyes spies it out Psal 44.20 21. there is not the least mote but he takes notice of not the least spot but his eye is upon and that wherein we think we do well he knows to be evil James and John thought they did well in desiring that they might do as Elias did to call for fire from heaven to consume those that would not receive their Master and ours but what sayes he to them Ye know not what spirit you are of He saw that that they thought zeal to be wilde-fire he knew that that which they judged to come from love to their dear Master was but a spark of their own kindling and no love in the bottom of it neither to Christ nor themselves much less to those men that they wished so ill to And may not Believers be justly afraid that God will be angry with such Prayers 2. He hath been angry with the Prayers of others and long angry Psal 80.4 and therefore they fear he may be angry with their prayers When Princes are angry with some that sue to them others are afraid that they may be angry with their suits also so it is in this case between God and us If a father be angry with some of his Children he may be angry upon the like grounds with the rest so may God and that may make the rest to fear that he may be angry with them 3. He withdraws himself sometimes from his people when they pray to him Lam. 3.8 44. and that 's a ground of his being angry at their prayers and this makes them afraid that he is angry with them Job complained of this Job 30.20 I cry unto thee and thou dost not hear me I stand up and thou regardest me not When a Prince withdraws from a Suppliant and regards him not it is a sign of his anger and he fears he is displeased with him so it is in this case between God and us 4. He sees that we too often restrain prayer before him and thereby cast off fear Job 15.4 and that makes him angry and when we consider of it that makes us afraid that he is angry with our Prayers that we are so slack in Solomon sayes As vineger to the teeth and smoke to the eyes so is a slothful messenger to him that sends him If our Prayers which are the Souls messengers be slothful and we slack our pace in them God will be displeased and we may well fear that he will be angry with them Secondly From our selves that pray 1. We sometimes distrust Gods power and that makes him angry and makes us afraid that he is angry with our Prayers Mark 9.22 he doubted of Christs power to heal his son 2. We sometimes distrust his will as the Leper did though he did believe his power Mat. 8.2 and that is a just ground of his anger and that that makes us afraid that he may be angry with our Prayers 3. We sometimes ask that that God resolves he will never give Thus Moses did that desired God that he might go over Jordan and see that good Land which God was angry with him for Deut. 3.25 26. Two things hindred the granting of his desire 1. God was provoked at the Waters of Strife and threatned he should not bring his people into that Land Numb 20.12 2. He appointed Joshua to be the man wherein was a mystery for he was a Type of Jesus Christ that brings us into Heaven that Canaan was a Type of Now for Moses to desire that that God upon such just grounds denied it could not but displease him and make him angry and so may we well fear that God will be angry with our Prayers when we desire that of him that he is resolved not to give us 4. We desire that sometimes that is not good for us and that will make God angry with our Prayers for no good thing he will withhold from us Psal 14.11 and 34.10 but if we ask any thing that is not good for us and he sees it will hurt us rather then do us good he will be angry with our Prayers Thus for Jonah to desire once and again that God would take away his life from him Jonah 4.3 8. which could not be good for him could not but displease him and when we ask that which is not good for us we have ground to fear that he will be angry with our Prayers 5. We sometimes desire that that will be hurtfull to others as it would have been to the Ninevites if Jonah had had that that he desired for then they had all been destroyed So James and John if they had had their desire what would have become of those non-entertainers of Christ Luke 9. and if we do so and desire the hurt of others may we not justly be afraid that God will be angry with our Prayers 6. They sometimes desire that that may be satisfaction to their own lusts as Jonah desired Ninevehs destruction rather then that they should be spared upon their repentance because his Credit lay at the stake having denounced the overthrow of it within forty dayes Here the lust of Pride was too predominant in the good Prophet Jonah 4.1 and can we wonder that God should be angry with such Prayers Pride stepping in to such a duty marres the duty and makes God angry Thus many will pray against such and such men wherein they vent their pride and passion and how can God be pleased with such Prayers they may well fear he will be angry with them If a man should be proud before a Prince when he comes to Petition to him would not the Prince be angry with such Petitions So here Vse 1. for Information 1. We see that there is no cause for us to glory in our prayers that we bring before the Lord for if we look seriously into them we may see cause to fear that God may justly be angry with them or if we our selves should not see such cause yet Gods pure eye cannot but see enough in the best Prayers we make for which he may be displeased with us There would be no standing if he should mark what we do amiss when we pray to him Ps 130.3 there will be some blot cleaving to the best service we present him the best fire will bring some smoke and soot and when our Prayers are most fervent with the fire of the Spirit they have some defilement like soot and smoke that comes from it 2. We see how humble we should be and how low we should lye before the Lord both before we pray and in prayer and after we have done the duty for we may well fear that
everlasting destruction 6. Remedilesly there 's no remedy but God must destroy wicked men he knows not how to spare them any longer 2 Chron. 36.16 Prov. 6.15 24.1 When the Disease is so desperate that there 's no healing for it the case is sad such is their case that are destroyed without remedy that no Balm can cure that no Medicine can do any good upon 7. Strangely so were the Sodomites destroyed fire descended contrary to the nature of it they had sinned contrary to nature by their fiery lusts and gone after strange flesh and were in a strange manner destroyed So Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord and were destroyed in a strange manner Lev. 10.1 2. So Obad. ver 5. the Prophet cannot tell how to express Edoms destruction it was so strange he stands as it were amazed at it How art thou cut off See Job 31.3 8. Lamentably so as others shall bewail their destruction Thus the Prophets did lamentably bewail Moabs destruction Isa 16.9 Jer. 48.31 32. So Christ bewailed the destruction of Jerusalem Luk. 19 41-44 Thus Rome shall be destroyed lamentably so as all her Merchants and Traders with her shall bewail her bitterly Rev. 18. weeping and wailing and crying out for her lamentable destruction Quest 3. Why will God thus destroy the wicked Ans 1. From himself 2. From them First From himself 1. He is a just Lord Zeph. 3.3 and from that Justice does execute judgement upon them and destroy them Just Judges on earth will not suffer notorious persons to live how much more the just Lord 2. He is a God of purer eyes then to behold evil viz. without loathing and detestation and cannot look upon iniquity viz. with any approbation and this purity of his Nature puts him upon destroying wicked ones 3. He sees all their wickedness more open or more secret Jer. 7.11 23.24 Job 34.21 22. There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves and therefore destruction shall be their portion 4. He is a God to whom vengeance belongeth Deut. 32.35 Psal 94.1 and the Lord God of Recompences will surely requite Jer. 51.56 Secondly From the wicked 1. They are devoted to destruction Jer. 12.3 Pluck them out as sheep for the slaughter prepare them for the day of slaughter 2. Their sins are very great and very provoking as the Sodomites sins were and such as God will not pardon 3. They are of so long continuance that he is weary of repenting Jer. 15.6 4. They do some of them sin against the holy Ghost as some of the Pharisees did Mat. 12.31 32. and that sin cannot be repented of Heb. 6.4 5 6. and for such there remains no more sacrifice but a fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10.27 Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the woful estate of wicked men living and dying such God will destroy them They may brave it for a season and flourish and seem to carry all before them and think to do great things against the Lord and his Saints but woe to them the reward of their hands shall be given them and this reward shall be destruction Isa 3.11 The Sodomites carried it highly against the Lord and braved it against just Lot Gen. 19. but within a little time showers of fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all Haman braved it against the Jews and thought to have destroyed them all but he procured his own destruction by it An high house falls sometimes with the weight of it so does an high and proud heart 2. We see that we have no cause to fret or be envious at them for they shall soon be destroyed Psal 37.1 2. Godly men are apt to it I was envious at the foolish sayes Asaph Psal 73.3 So Jer. 12.1 2. but there 's no cause if we consider their end Psa 73.17 18. Destruction is their deserved punishment See Psa 37.35 36. the highest Towers have the deepest falls so they that are in highest dignity Princes Favourites are not onvied because when they come down their fall is great so it was with Haman and with other Favourites Sejanus that Tiberius Caesar made such account of but when he came down his ruine was great And this sad Catastrophe have all wicked men though they may spread their Plumes for a little time and therefore there is no cause to fret because of the wicked nor to be envious at the workers of iniquity a sad blow at last kills them 3. We see what reason there is why we should not chuse any of their wayes Prov. 3.31 lest we have a minde to be destroyed with them They that go together in a way of sin ever go together to destruction except mercy step in to save some of them Prov. 13.20 A bundle of Drunkards a bundle of filthy persons as the Sodomites were a bundle of Blasphemers and so of the rest they shall be all bound up in bundles to be burned together They that chuse the same way go to the same sad journeys end 4. We see what a dreadful God we have to do with and what cause we have to fear before him that will thus destroy the wicked How should we fear before him Children fear when Slaves are beaten so should we 5. We see the great mercy of God to any of us that when we went on in a way of wickedness and deserved to be destroyed that yet he would spare us Psal 103.10 As no sinners were like us so no God is like him Mic. 7.18 How easily and justly might he have destroyed us and rendred to us according to our deserts his mercy hath been great that he hath not dealt with us as we have dealt with him and as we have deserved from him 6. We see that we need not be troubled when such men bring their wicked devices to pass and prosper in their way of evil for after all they must be destroyed when they have run their run they will come to ruine Psal 37.7 8 9. 7. We see how much better it is to cut off right hands and right feet and to pluck out right eyes sins as dear as these members rather then to be thus miserably destroyed Mark 9 43-46 Vse 2. for Terrour to all wicked ones how will they bear destruction when it cometh for if they continue and live and dye such there 's nothing else to be expected but destruction and were it onely to be destroyed out of the land of the living here it were something if it were a fruit of Gods displeasure but Oh the misery of those that are and shall be everlastingly destroyed no tongue can express nor heart can conceive what calamity there is in such destruction the wicked Sodomites now feel it Jude ver 7. Vse 3. for Humiliation that we pity them no more for how can we endure to see them so destroyed we would pity a
but will deal unrighteously when it is in the power of their hand to help and succour helpless ones The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right Oh how little then do these resemble him He shines with the rayes and beams of his Righteousness but they have not so much as one beam of this Sun to shine forth with but are black and dark all over and covered with Injustice as the sky is covered with thick Clouds and darkness In stead of putting on righteousness and being clothed with it as Job speaks Job 29.14 and making judgement a robe and a diadem they put on unrighteousness and tye it fast as a garment to them Many such there are in the world but they have nothing of the Image of Christ upon them The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right 2. We see that this Judge will cause all unjust Judges to stand before His Judgement-seat and pass a righteous Sentence upon them Though they would do no right yet they shall have right and justice from him at the great day of his appearing Then he will reckon with them for all their cruelty and injustice for all the wrong that they have done to his poor ones for all the tricks and querks that they have devised to put off Law and Justice and Equity then they shall hear his righteous Sentence pronounced upon them and feel the stroke of his righteous hand against them The Judge of all the Earth that doth right will pay them for all their wrong they have done and the proudest of them shall know it Eccles 3.16 17. 3. We see what all their Bribery will come to that they have perverted justice by and all the Gifts they have been blinded with to go out of the way of Righteousness with the Judge of all the Earth that doth right will reward them according to their works Those Bribes that they have taken will be fire to consume all they leave behinde them Job 15.34 and kindle hell fire by the breath of God against them to consume them to all eternity Bribes are to them as the Worm was to Jonas's gourd that smote it and withered it they smite and wither their Estates Names Families Bodies and Souls and bring ruine and destruction upon them for ever 4. We see what need Kings and all the Judges of the Earth have to be wise and to kiss the Son for he that is Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right and they shall have right and justice from him as well as other men If they honour him not obey him not yield not homage and subjection to him live not according to his Laws lay not down their Crowns and Scepters and Robes at his feet if their Laws be contrary to his and their Sentences that they pronounce in their judgement-seats come cross to the right Rules of his holy Word in clearing the guilty and oppressing the innocent without a cause let them know that this Judge will do right to them in condemning them and there is no respect of persons with him 5. We see that surely he will not slay the Righteous with the Wicked in the day of the destruction of the Wicked for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right he will put a difference between the one and the other he will not consume Gold and dross together But of that we spake before 6. We see that we may not marvel though sometimes temporal afflictions befall the righteous and wicked ones escape for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right in all his dispensations to his own dear ones Something he sees that it is just with him to afflict them for and it is in love and faithfulness to them and they see it Psal 119.75 and for the wicked that escape these there 's more behinde for them and they shall have right done them in another manner they are reserved men to another day and for another time 2 Pet. 2.9 Job 21.30 and those afflictions of the Righteous are but as the prickings of a pin compared with the punishment of the damned in Hell which shall be stung with Scorpions to all eternity 7. We see what love we owe to the Lord Jesus that is the Judge that cannot but do right All men love such a Judge as does right to every man Oh what love then is this Judge worthy of that cannot but do right to all Every one sayes Solomon shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer Prov. 24.26 and if so how should we in way of love kiss those blessed lips that as a Judge gives a right answer and cannot but do right in all his dispensations of himself to us 8. We see what cause we have to speak good of his Name All men speak well of such a Judge as does right to all his name is renowned all the Country over his fame spreads all a Kingdome over Oh how well should we then speak of the Judge of all the Earth how renowned should his Name be how should his Fame spread all the world over that cannot but do right to all we should make his Name to be remembred to all generations Psal 45.17 9. We see that if we would be like to him we must do right to all we converse with do right to them in their Names take need we wrong them not there Exod. 23.1 Thou shalt not raise a false report Do right to them in their Estates take heed we wrong them not there 1 Thess 4.6 Do right to them in their Families take heed of wronging them there Do right to them in their Consciences take heed of wronging them there impose nothing upon them there that Conscience cannot bear Conscience like the Eye is a tender thing and may not be touched too hard beware of this Do right to them in their Callings and Conditions of life give Magistrates that that is their due in honour obedience homage and support in their places Titus 3.1 Give Ministers their due 1 Tim. 5.17 take heed we wrong them not in reference to their Callings and so we are to do them right every way if we would be like to the Judge of all the Earth that cannot but do right 10. We see that they that do not right shall not have him a Friend to them be they who they will be They that wrong their Brethren in their Names Estates Families or any other way shall be sure to have him to be an Avenger to them He cannot be a Friend to any but such as do right to every one that they have occasion to converse with and to have the Judge of all the Earth to be our Friend will be worth something at the great day of his appearing Vse 2. for Terrour 1. To all injurious wrongful-dealing persons that know not how to do right but all the wrong that ever they can invent they are willing to do against those that deserve well at their hands Oh
sue for He is abundant in goodness Exod. 34.6 and this way shews it It is observed of Solomon that he gave the Queen of Sheba all that she asked besides what he gave her of his royal bounty 1 Kings 10.13 and he honoured himself in so doing How then does God honour himself in giving us all our desire and what we ask there 's no Royal bounty like his he grants like a King and like Himself Other Kings have their Royal Grants but none such as his are Secondly From his Servants 1. They expect his hearing of their Prayers and a grant of their desires from him and wait patiently upon him and this gets a grant Psal 40.1 I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry There 's nothing lost by patient waiting at the Courts of Kings the desires of such are granted at last much less is any thing lost by waiting upon the Lord he will come with a full hand at last and we shall have a full grant of what we sue for The Husbandman waits for the precious fruits of the earth and at length hath them so shall we by waiting have the precious blessings of Heaven brought in to us 2. They believe that they shall be heard and a Royal Grant bestowed upon them and this prevails Mat. 21.22 Faith is a Key that opens all Locks though Mercies should be locked up from us yet this Key will make way for the bringing them forth to us Knock and it shall be opened to you Mat. 7.7 The door of Mercy may be fast barred and locked but a knock by Faith will open it to us and open all the Treasures of his bounty for us that we may share in them 3. They are unwearied in their desires and that gets a grant The woman of Canaan would not be discouraged nor faint at so many denials and repuâ—ses but went on in an unwearied course of suing and pleading and this got a grant of what she asked and what she would Mat 15.28 They that are not weary in their desires may have what they will God cannot tell how to deny such If we be not weary of asking God will not be weary of giving and granting This crowns our Desires and brings in all to us We want not blessings so long as we want not knees to bow to him 4. They wrestle for a grant of their desires and so prevail and become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 and what that wrestling was we see Hos 12.3 4. They that wrestled in the Olympick Games if they got the Victory were crowned much more shall they be crowned with a Royal Grant from Heaven that wrestle and prevail with God 5. They ask according to his will 1 Joh. 5.14 15. and that prevails Our Requests when bounded within the compass of Gods will obtain every thing at Gods hand Esthers Petitions were bounded within the compass of the Kings will If it please the King and If I have found favour in the sight of the King grant me this and that Esth 5.8 7.3 and whatever she thus asked she had a grant of it So when we pray and frame all our Petitions according to his will he hears and grants all that we thus sue unto him for 6. They ask earnestly and fervently and that prevails Jam. 5.16 How earnest and fervent was Elias and what an answer had he from Heaven 1 Kings 18.36 37 38. Fervent Prayer like fire ascends to Heaven and gets a grant there of all we ask and of all that is the desire of our hearts we need never doubt of the speeding of our Prayers if offered up with this fire This Incense as it is Psal 141.2 will ascend to God and to his Throne and finde acceptance Thirdly From the Duty of Prayer 1. It is a Sacrifice Heb. 13.15 1 Pet. 2.5 and the Sacrifices that were offered up under the Leviticall Law were accepted and were of asweet smelling savour unto God and so is this of Prayer by Jesus Christ His Incense perfumes our Prayers Rev. 8.3 2. It is the lifting up of the Soul Psal 25.1 and this holds out desire and delight and earnest expectation and hope of having what is sued for as Deut. 24.15 the poor man is said to lift up his soul to his hire and wages which is translated He sets his heart upon it so in Prayer we lift up our soul to God to have those things we ask granted to us and such a lifting up of the soul to God gets a grant from him 3. It is compared to the Incense Psal 141.2 Let my prayer come before thee as the Incense now that was of a sweet savour and ascended upward So our Prayers are sweet to God and ascend unto his Throne are accepted and get a grant 4. It is compared to the Mincah or Offering that was boiled in the Frying-pan Psal 141.2 which was boiled in oyle and offered in the evening Our Prayers being boiled in the oyle of the Spirit and we praying in the holy Ghost Jude ver 20. these Prayers are accepted of God and get a grant of all we ask through Jesus Christ Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what a broad difference there is between our God and the Idols that others pray unto Our God is a God hearing Prayer but Idols cannot hear Baal's worshippers 1 Kings 18.26 called from morning to noon saying O Baal hear us but there was no voice nor any that answered So Isa 16.12 Moab shall go to his sanctuary to pray but shall not prevail Idols have ears but they hear not Ps 115.6 but our God that we pray to hath an hearing ear and grants us all that we sue unto him for never any had cause to say that he turns a deaf ear to them when they pray aright his ears have alwayes been open to their Prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 2. We see what great encouragement we have to come to him Psal 65.2 we may go when we will and be sure to speed we may pray as often as we will and have our desires granted he will not turn away from us but give us what we come for Some Princes will chide away those that sue to them as Pharaoh did the oppressed Israelites Exod. 5.17 18. but our God that we sue unto never discourageth them that make suit and supplication to him but gives them all the encouragement that may be is found of them when they seek him when they search for him with all their hearts Jer. 29.13 they shall never go away empty from his doors but go loaden with their laps full with their hearts full and all their defires like the widows vessels 2 Kings 4.6 shall be filled full we shall never say we have gone to God but we have got something there 's a rich Treasury in Heaven and we have carried away not a little from it 3. We see what cause we have to bless the Lord for his bounty to us in granting our
dares not ask any thing that is dishonourable to the Name of God but though he take upon him to speak to the Lord yet it is an holy boldness he requests for nothing but that that may well stand with holiness to desire and with Gods holiness to grant 8. It is a boldness full of love to those we pray for Abraham was bold with God but his love carried him out to make so bold with him he was earnestly desirous that Sodom might be spared and it was out of tender love to the Righteous that he thought might be amongst them Quest 3. Why may Believers be thus bold with God in praying to him Ans 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers themselves First From the Lord. 1. He hath bidden us come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 2. He hath given Christ Jesus to be a great High Priest and one that is tenderly sensible of our infirmities and therefore encourageth us to be bold in our suits to him ver 14 15. 3. He hath shewed himself willing to hear Prayer as here to Abraham so Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come 4. He hath promised that we shall obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 We shall not lose our labour but have what we come for at the best time Secondly From Believers 1. They are friends of God as Abraham and therefore may be bold with him 2. They shall have all that they ask in Christs Name Mat. 21.22 John 16.23 3. They have an Advocate with the Father to plead for them 1 John 2.2 and that perfumes their prayers with his intercession Rev. 8.3 4. They are near to him and therefore may be bold with him Psal 148.14 Thirdly From their Prayers 1. They delight him Prov. 15.8 Cant. 2.14 and therefore may be bold with him 2. They are better to him then all Ceremonies though never so costly Psal 50. 3. They come up as a memorial before him Acts 10.4 4. They are spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 and therefore we may well be bold with him in our prayers to him Vse 1. for Information 1. We see how delightful Believers are to God seeing they may be so bold with him in the Prayers that they put up to him They that are bold with Princes as Favourites be are the delights of those Princes else they durst not be so bold with them So Believers must needs be Gods delight seeing they are and may be so bold with him in praying to him Cant. 7.6 How fair and pleasant art thou O love for delights Hence it is that the Lord calls his Church Hephzibah My delight is in her and Beaulah that is Married for as a Bridegroom delighteth over his Bride so he delighteth over his people Isa 62.4 5. They have his heart and are his delight they are the desire of his eyes and that which his heart is set upon It is so with a mans wife and much more with Believers that are espoused and married to the Lord. 2. We see what great honour God puts upon Believers that are and may be so bold with him Every one may not be bold with a King to present their Suits and Supplications before him they are honourable ones and such as he delighteth to honour that may be so bold as to take upon them to speak to him Oh how honourable then are they in the sight of God and how does he delight to honour Believers that take the boldness to take upon them to speak to the Lord They are the Noble ones and the great Peers of his Kingdome how-ever they be little in their own eyes and style themselves but dust and ashes yet they are great in his account and he styles them Excellent and Honourable ones Psa 16.2 3. and Prov. 12.26 farre above other men they are the Grandees in his Court and Kingdome 3. We see that when they come to glory they will be farre greater then now they are for here their honour is much veiled by sin they are black and the Sun hath looked upon them and their honour is stained by the afflictions they suffer the Devil and the World cast all the dishonour they can upon them as they did upon Christ Jesus as he sayes Joh. 8.49 but God honours them here and if so much more will he honour them when they come in Heaven Here they are bold with God and it is their honour so to be but no honour like to that when they shall be ever with him and see his face and by that Beatifical Vision shall be made like to him and bear the Image of the heavenly one 1 John 3.2 1 Cor 15.49 4. We see how marvellously the Lord condescends to dust and ashes that they that have that style may be so bold with him as to take upon them to speak to the Lord Oh how low does he stoop to such no humility like his This is not the manner of men this is not the manner of great Princes to come thus low but God would teach them and teach us all to condescend and become low and shews himself a pattern of humility that we may be the more ashamed of our pride and learn to stoop of such a great one as he is Psal 113. 5. We see a reason why some Believers have made so bold with some great men in some cases and have spoken so freely to them as Dan. 3.16 5.17 2 Chron. 16.7 8 9. 25.16 They that may be so bold with God and take upon them to speak to him may be bold much more with men when called to it if with the potter then with the clay if with the great God in our suits to him much more with the greatest of men when there 's cause for it 6. We see that when at any time we are to pray to him we should alwayes bear this in our minde That we go to a gracious King and a kinde Father and therefore may be humbly and and reverendly bold with him as Abraham was We do not go to a Prince that will terrifie us with his looks that will fright us with his words that will drive us from his presence but to such an one as does encourage us to be bold with him in Christs Name He is that Friend at Court that we are more bold then welcome and that he will see to it that we shall have a gracious answer Joh. 14.13 14. Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers they are no friends of God and therefore cannot be bold with him they have no acquaintance with him but are strangers and enemies to him and how should they take upon them to speak to him Vse 3. for Humiliation 1. That we are too rude and come with less reverence then becomes us in his Presence with whom we have
something may come or hath come from us for which God may be angry with our Prayers and when God hath any occasion given him to be angry we have cause to fall down humbly before him When a King is justly angry the Subject stoops and abaseth himself if a Father be angry all the Children carry themselves submissively so should we It is said of Henry the Eighth King of England That when he was angry as he often was the chief Peers of his Kingdome would stoop humbly to him how much more should we stoop humbly to the Lord when he is angry at our Prayers who is the great King over all the earth 3. We see the truth of that Rom. 7.21 When I would do good evil is present with me When we go to pray it is good that we do and a commanded duty but even then evil is present with us and we have cause to fear that something may or hath broken from us in the duty for which God may be angry with us When a man thinks to go a right step he takes a wry step that makes him stumble and fall when a man would give a right stroke his instrument sometimes slips and the stroke is wrong when a man would make good musick a String breaks or a Pegge slips and makes an harsh sound So it is when we pray and would tread right in the duty and strike a right stroke and make a pleasant sound like melody in the Lords ears then we tread awry and strike amiss and make such an harsh sound that God is not delighted but angry with our Prayers 4. We see that if we be afraid that God may be angry with our Prayers what cause then have we to fear that he will be angry with us for our other sins that we do too often provoke him with If he hath so much against us for our duties Oh what hath he then against us for our other evils in thought word and deed whereby he is displeased we should be afraid that he will be angry for these If he will be angry with wry steps and trips Oh how angry will he be for deep falls and great provocations if for spots we may fear his displeasure how much more for fouler sins A Schoolmaster if he see a Scholars blots in writing he will be angry but if he see him blurre and blot his hands and face and foul his clothes he will be much more angry So we have cause to be afraid of his anger for grosser evils if he be angry at our Prayers 5. We see what cause we have to breathe after an immortal estate in glory where neither we nor any of our services shall have any blot or spot upon us or them Here we are afraid that God may be angry at our Prayers and that he may see just cause for it our best duties being defiled but when we come in Heaven there will be no blot cleave to any of our services we shall give him no cause to be angry nor shall we fear his anger to be expressed toward us Here in our best duties we sin our beauty is stained our face gathers blackness we have something of Ethiopian hue some spots and speaks are upon us some wrinkles of the old man appear in the face of the best of our performances but in Heaven we shall be faultless Jude ver 4. without spot or wrinkle or any such thing Eph. 5.27 nothing shall then be seen upon us like a spot or like a wrinkle all our imperfections will then be done away there shall not be a wemme in our garment not a blemish in our face not a speck in our services not any blot cleaving to our hearts and hands there will be no deformity no infirmity no scar no scurf no mole nor any the least defilement shewing it self but we shall be all glorious within and without all fair in respect of Sanctification as well as of Justification all over bespangled and bedecked with those rich and royall graces of the Spirit as becomes such a place and such company as we shall ever be with then never a frown will appear in his face never a lowring look in his countenance never a wrinkled brow shew it self but all smiles and kisses and hearty embraces and amiable aspects of his favour and acceptance of what we perform to him and who would not long for such a day and such a time as this will be it will be the happiest day that ever our eyes saw the sweetest time that ever we could desire the joy of our hearts the Crown of our Glory the Light of our Life the Confluence of all our Comforts the Haven of our Desires after our tossings with tempest here the bright Sun-shine after our rain and storms and mists of darkness here When Paul and his company were tossed in the Adriatick Sea and no small tempest lay upon them neither Sun nor Stars appearing for many dayes and no hope left that they should be saved it 's said that they wished for the day Acts 27.20 29. So after all our troubles and tossings here we should wish for this day wherein we shall see the face of God and shall never see him angry with us any more This is a desireable day indeed 6. We see that if we be afraid that God will be angry with our Prayers here then how may they be afraid of that anger of his that will cast them into the bottomless pit for ever how should such be afraid of the wrath to come Gods anger burns hot here but Oh how will it burn in Hell it's inconceiveable unutterable we are not able to think what his anger will there be Moses in Psal 90.11 challengeth any to tell what this anger is Who knoweth the power of thine anger even when he smites his people here the power of his anger is not known Oh but if so who is able to tell what it is in another world who can tell how hot Hell is and what that Breath is that like a stream of brimstone kindles the fire of it 7. We see what need we have to get Christ to bear the iniquities of our holy things as Aaron did in type of old for the best of us may be afraid that God may be angry with our Prayers Our holy things even our pure prayers have something cleaving to them that we may justly fear God is displeased with and therefore great need we have of that great High Priest to bear as all our other sins so the iniquities of our holy things even of the holiest Prayers that at any time we offer up to God He is that Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world Joh. 1.29 and in him as our persons Eph. 1.6 so our spirituall sacrifices are acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 8. We see that if we may be afraid that God will be angry with our Prayers then may we much more be afraid that he will be
all eternity Vse 3. for Humiliation to the Saints that are not so afraid of displeasing him and do not so pray as they ought that God would not be angry with them these forget Abraham their father and what a gracious spirit he was of Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To pray that God would not be angry with us when we pray to him but that as at other times so then we may have the smiles of his face and the light of his countenance lifted up upon us Psal 119.135 2. To do nothing when we come to pray before him that may provoke him Take heed of all Prayer-sins 1. Of unwashen hands and hearts Jam. 4.8 1 Tim. 2.8 2. Of Irreverence Psal 89.7 3. Wrath 1 Tim. 2.8 4. Doubting ibid. Jam. 1.6 7. 5. Vain thoughts wandring imaginations unfixed hearts Psal 108.1 6. Drowsiness Mat. 26.40 41. 7. Of unpreparedness to the duty Psal 10.17 3. To please him when we pray to him Q. How A. 1. By praying in faith Mat. 21.22 2. In love to those we pray for so Abraham did 4. In humility Luke 7.7 8. 15.18 19. 3. In fervency Jam. 5.16 4. To long to be with him when we shall never displease him more 5. To be thankefull when he accepts them Psal 86. 6. To love him when he is pleased with us and them Verse 30. And he said unto him Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak c. Doct. XX. THat Believers when they have prayed that he would not be angry with them are encouraged to speak more in prayer to him So Abraham here sayes Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak Petitioners to Princes when they are not angry are encouraged to speak in way of suit to them so may we be encouraged to speak to the Lord when we have desired that he would not be angry with us Reasons 1. From the Lords anger 2. From the Believers themselves 3. From their Prayers First From the Lords anger 1. If it should kindle against us there would be no speaking to him There 's no wise man that would Petition to a Prince when he is angry with him but if he be calm and his spirit be appeased and no anger appear in his face or in his words or gesture he will then be encouraged to speak and bring his Petition before him So if God be angry there is no speaking to him but if he be appeased toward us then we may freely speak what we have to say to him as Abraham here does 2. His anger is a fierce anger Nah. 1.6 and that must needs stop any mans mouth from speaking If a man be fierce in his anger it is in vain to speak to him so here But if he be perswaded to lay aside his fierceness then he may be spoken to so it is with us in speaking to the Lord. 3. His anger is such that none can stand before it Nah. 1.6 and therefore there is no speaking in way of suit till it be removed but when this is gone then we may have free access to him and speak what we will in his ears 4. His anger is as a Cloud that he covers himself with Lam. 3.44 that our prayers cannot pass thorow and therefore so long as that cloud remains there 's no speaking in Prayer to him but when it is taken away then our Prayers may come before him and be accepted 5. His anger is long ere it be removed Ps 80.4 God is slow to anger not easily provoked but when once he is angry he is not quickly pacified and that will hinder our Prayers but now when this is removed then we may speak as Abraham here does 6. His anger is an unknown anger Psal 90.11 we may know other things but we do not know the force of this and being so powerful it will stop our mouthes but if this be removed then we may speak all our minde Secondly From Believers 1. They may prevail with God for any thing Matth. 21.22 and therefore may well be encouraged to speak to him when he is not angry with them he cannot say them nay in what they sue for 2. They are his friends Jam. 2.23 and friends may speak freely to God especially when they have prayed to him that he would not be angry with them 3. They are his favourites they finde grace in his sight as it is said of Moses Exod. 33.12 and they may speak what they will in the ears of their Prince 4. They are the Sons of God Joh. 1.12 and they may be bold to ask any thing of their Father especially when he is not angry with them 5. They are his Jewels Mal. 3.17 his peculiar Treasure Psal 135.4 and they that are so precious to him may be encouraged to speak to him 6. They are they that he hath given his own Son Christ unto Rom. 8.32 and therefore they may speak and have any thing given to them Thirdly From their Prayers 1. They are put up to him who is a God hearing prayer Ps 65.2 2. They are made to him that commands us to ask Mat. 7.7 3. They are brought before him who Psal 81.10 bids us open our mouthes wide c. 4. They are directed to him who is God All-sufficient that can do every thing Jer. 32.17 27. Job 42.2 5. They are delightful to him Prov. 15.8 6. They are mingled with Christs intercession Rev. 8.3 and accepted in him 1 Pet. 2.5 All which considered they may be encouraged to speak and pray to him Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what cause we have to look to it that God be not provoked by us when we go to pray to him for if he be we shall not be able to speak to any purpose in his ears 2. We see that they that come to a reconciled God may speak their mindes freely to him 3. We see that if God be angry there 's no speaking to him 4. We see that wicked men cannot speak in Prayer to God with whom he is angry every day Psal 7.11 5. We see that they are happy that have Gods anger turned from them as Hos 14.4 for such may be encouraged to speak as Abraham here did 6. We see that there 's no going to an angry God What can any man look for from an angry Prince 7. We see how precious Christ should be to us 1 Pet. 2.7 who makes us and our prayers acceptable to God Ephes 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 8. We see that if we would go with courage to pray before the Lord we must first prevail with him not to be angry with us 9. We see that as there is enough in Gods anger to stop any mans mouth in Prayer so when he is appeased there 's enough in that to open any mans mouth to pray to him 10. We see that none but those that have interest in Christs reconciling grace can make an effectuall Prayer Vse 2. for Terrour to those that anger God with their
12.4 and Psal 51.17 they prevail 4. They are importunate prayers so were Abrahams here and they are granted to the utmost Luke 11.8 5. They are modest prayers I will yet speak but this once sayes Abraham 6. They are awfull prayers Oh let not the Lord be angry sayes Abraham And such prayers shall be heard to the utmost of our desires Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what great encouragement we have to pray and not to faint Luke 18.1 for God grants their desires to the utmost that are believing Suppliants Abraham had to the utmost of his desires granted to him 2. We see that the Lord is a full Treasury and rich Store-house of all we need and will give us in all our desires that we ask of him 3. We see how dear Believers are to the Lord that have all granted that they ask even in the full latitude of their desires 4. We see how unwearied we should be in granting the desires of those that sue to us God is not weary of our desires and he is our Pattern to follow 5. We see what cause we have to think that we can never be obedient enough to him that comes up to us in the utmost of our desires that we put up to him 6. We see what cause we have to trust him to the utmost in all stresses and straits in all troubles and in sixes and sevens of them when they come thick upon us when they come rolling one in the neck of another like the waves of the Sea now it 's good trusting him to the utmost that grants our desires to the utmost Lam. 3 54-57 7. We see what cause we have to love him to the utmost that fulfils our desires to the utmost no love is sufficient for him Psal 116.1 8. We see what reason we have to stick to him to his Truth and Testimonies Josh 28.8 Psal 119.31 to his Christ and Cause to the utmost for he grants our desires to the utmost 9. We see that we may well suffer to the utmost for him the utmost scorns wrath fury flames rage of enemies persecutors devils against us for he grants the utmost of our desires to us 10. We see that we may well praise him to the utmost we can never do it enough Neh. 9.5 Hence David calls up Angels to this when his Soul and all within him could not reach it Psal 103.20 21. Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers they get nothing Vse 3. for Humiliation that we pray not as Abraham did Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To joy in him 2. To delight in him 3. To long to with him 4. To do all we can for him 5. To prize him Psal 7.10 Verse 32. And he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once c. Doct. XXVIII THat even the best of Believers leave Petitioning before the Lord leave granting So did Abraham here when he came so low as to desire that if there were but ten Righteous in Sodom the place might not be destroyed and had a gracious answer given in to him he then ceased to ask any further and left off suing before God left off giving Had he gone yet lower and desired for five whatever the Jewish Rabbins say for ought either they or I know God might have granted his desire in that also Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers First From the Lord. 1. He hath not stinted us nor set any bounds to our Prayers that hitherto we shall go and no further and here our desires shall stay though he hath so bounded the Sea Job 38.11 yet he hath not so limited and bounded our Prayers but if we ask in faith and desire any thing according to his will he heareth us Matth. 21.22 1 Joh. 5.14 15. and therefore we must needs leave off suing before he leave off granting 2. As he hath set no bounds to our Prayers so he hath not turned away our prayer nor his mercy from us Psal 66.20 Men sometimes do so to those that ask of them but God never does we may go as often as we will and for what we will if it be lawful that we ask and may receive it and therefore we leave off asking before he leaves off to give 3. He could not else take this noble Title to himself to be A God hearing Prayer Psal 65.2 if he should not be as ready to grant as we are to ask if he should cease to grant before we cease to ask that Title would be blotted out but he will be ever known by that Title it is his Name and though some men have forgotten their own names yet he will never forget his but will have it known all the world over that he is A God hearing Prayer 4. He findes fault with us that we ask no more Isa 43.22 Thou hast not called upon me O Jacob but hast been weary of me O Israel and 64.7 the Prophet complains There is none that calleth upon thy Name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee and if this displease him so then sure we leave off to sue before he to grant 5. He encourageth us to ask by his Promises that he makes to us Mat. 7.7 8. Joh. 16.23 As Solomon said to Bathsheba Ask on my Mother for I will not say thee nay 1 Kin. 2.20 So the Lord does encourage us to ask on and if so then it is not he but we that fail if we ask not we leave off petitioning before he leave granting 6. He hath his doors ever open his Mercy-seat and Throne of Grace ever set up that we may repair to Heb. 4.16 and therefore our desires fail sooner then his will to grant because his doors are never shut nor his Mercy-seat never barred up but we may go to it when we will Secondly From the Believers themselves 1. We have narrow hearts and our desires are scant and are not so full as his hand is in giving He opens his hand wide but we shut our hearts Narrow mouth'd vessels receive in little though it rain abundantly such vessels are our hearts were they more open and more capable to receive we might have more but the narrowness of our desires and hearts makes us leave off petitioning before he leave giving even Abraham himself though he had a larger heart then other men yet had it more straitned then Gods hand was to give 2. We are apt to stint our selves and to set bounds to our desires I will speak yet but this once sayes Abraham here And we stinting our selves hence it comes to pass that we sooner cease to make our requests then the Lord to give out his grants 3. We are afraid that he may be angry with us for asking him so much as Abraham here was and that shortens our desires and bars up our requests so that we have sooner done petitioning then the Lord hath in granting The fear of a Princes anger stops his mouth that