further_a perfection_n of_o grace_n some_o do_v confute_v do_v theâ—_n gloss_n confute_v ans_fw-fr because_o the_o measure_n and_o degree_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o i_o will_v ask_v if_o a_o further_a measure_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o may_v bring_v forth_o more_o fruit_n that_o we_o may_v glorisie_n god_n more_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o more_o able_a to_o stand_v in_o the_o hour_n of_o temptation_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o necessary_a unless_o our_o desire_n be_v carnal_a and_o selfish_a they_o shall_v be_v no_o less_o but_o rather_o much_o more_o peremptory_a and_o absolute_a for_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o grace_n then_o for_o what_o be_v mere_o necessary_a for_o our_o salvation_n and_o happiness_n though_o we_o may_v dispense_v with_o our_o own_o comfort_n enlargement_n in_o duty_n gracious_a manifestation_n and_o heart-melting_a in_o ordinance_n peace_n joy_n assurance_n and_o all_o the_o consolation_n of_o the_o almighty_a as_o they_o be_v sweet_a and_o pleasant_a to_o our_o taste_n and_o be_v content_a to_o go_v mourning_n to_o zion_n if_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o lord_n and_o if_o thereby_o his_o name_n may_v be_v magnify_v yet_o we_o must_v not_o be_v slack_a and_o remiss_a in_o our_o desire_n concern_v that_o which_o may_v promove_v his_o service_n and_o whereby_o we_o may_v glorify_v he_o more_o we_o must_v not_o be_v easy_o put_v off_o and_o satisfy_v nor_o bargain_n and_o compone_v for_o a_o little_a or_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o in_o stead_n of_o that_o 2._o it_o be_v confute_v be_v the_o second_o evasion_n confute_v answer_v that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o absolute_o promise_v repl._n 1_o will_v know_v what_o such_o do_v mean_a by_o a_o absolute_a promise_n it_o be_v true_a such_o a_o measure_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o promise_v to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o but_o thus_o grace_v itself_o must_v not_o be_v absolute_o promise_v if_o by_o a_o absolute_a promise_n be_v understand_v a_o promise_n that_o do_v belong_v to_o every_o one_o yea_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o absolute_a promise_n in_o all_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n there_o that_o do_v belong_v and_o have_v be_v perform_v to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o though_o then_o it_o be_v a_o very_a usual_a yet_o it_o be_v a_o very_a gross_a mistake_n to_o confound_v a_o absolute_a and_o universal_a promise_n as_o if_o to_o be_v promise_v absolute_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o be_v promise_v universal_o and_o to_o all_o you_o will_v perhaps_o say_v though_o no_o promise_n belong_v to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o yet_o some_o promise_n belong_v to_o all_o believer_n and_o so_o have_v a_o limit_a kind_n of_o universality_n and_o according_o some_o sort_n of_o absoluteness_n ans_fw-fr if_o a_o limit_a universality_n will_v make_v a_o promise_n absolute_a that_o be_v not_o want_v in_o this_o case_n for_o all_o those_o who_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v to_o be_v tall_a cedar_n in_o his_o lebanon_n and_o to_o be_v strong_a man_n in_o his_o house_n must_v have_v the_o promise_n of_o increase_n perform_v unto_o they_o such_o shall_v be_v strong_a in_o grace_n but_o 2._o if_o believer_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o object_n of_o absolute_a promise_n so_o that_o these_o do_v belong_v unto_o and_o shall_v be_v perform_v towards_o they_o when_o they_o in_o faith_n do_v plead_v their_o accomplishment_n even_o thus_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o absolute_a promise_n for_o what_o promise_v they_o thus_o call_v absolute_a do_v nor_o can_v belong_v to_o believer_n but_o to_o the_o unconvert_v elect_a before_o they_o believe_v before_o the_o heart_n of_o stone_n be_v remove_v and_o the_o seed_n of_o grace_n sow_o in_o the_o heart_n for_o when_o this_o change_n be_v wrought_v the_o promise_n be_v fulfil_v so_o that_o after_o conversion_n we_o can_v except_o upon_o a_o mistake_n of_o our_o estate_n and_o condition_n pray_v for_o grace_n as_o to_o its_o be_v and_o existence_n nor_o plead_v those_o absolute_a promise_n at_o the_o throne_n nay_o but_o we_o shall_v rather_o praise_v god_n for_o what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o and_o to_o our_o soul_n and_o say_v not_o that_o we_o may_v be_v 2._o be_v joh._n 15.1_o 2._o ingâ—eâ—ted_v in_o the_o true_a vine_n but_o that_o be_v in_o he_o we_o may_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n abundant_o and_o then_o 2._o since_o unbeliever_n have_v not_o faith_n they_o can_v pray_v in_o faith_n and_o so_o thus_o can_v pray_v absolute_o for_o faith_n but_o some_o will_v yet_o say_v though_o believer_n be_v not_o the_o object_n to_o which_o those_o promise_n belong_v yet_o the_o elect_n and_o all_o the_o elect_n have_v a_o interest_n in_o they_o ans_fw-fr 1._o yet_o the_o elect_n before_o their_o conversion_n can_v in_o faith_n which_o they_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o plead_v these_o promise_n and_o so_o they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o pray_v absolute_o for_o what_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o these_o promise_n and_o therefore_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o election_n must_v be_v impertinent_a for_o clear_v the_o present_a question_n but_o 2._o i_o can_v see_v in_o what_o propriety_n of_o speech_n or_o according_a to_o what_o ground_n or_o reason_n the_o absoluteness_n of_o the_o promise_n or_o of_o our_o petition_n can_v be_v explain_v by_o this_o kind_n of_o universality_n and_o what_o light_n can_v be_v bring_v from_o thence_o for_o determine_v this_o controversy_n you_o will_v then_o say_v but_o what_o call_v you_o a_o absolute_a promise_n for_o ans_fw-fr we_o will_v distinguish_v between_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o object_n of_o the_o promise_n not_o the_o object_n to_o which_o but_o whereabout_o it_o be_v conversant_a viz._n the_o thing_n promise_v albeit_o it_o be_v gross_a to_o confound_v these_o two_o yet_o the_o present_a debate_n appear_v to_o be_v occasion_v in_o great_a part_n by_o that_o mistake_n 1_o then_o as_o to_o the_o promise_n itself_o that_o must_v be_v account_v absolute_a which_o as_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o any_o condition_n require_v on_o our_o part_n and_o thus_o a_o absolute_a promise_n be_v oppose_v to_o a_o conditional_a promise_n and_o so_o these_o which_o we_o call_v promise_n of_o grace_n must_v be_v absolute_a because_o they_o do_v not_o suppose_v any_o gracious_a disposion_n in_o the_o subject_n that_o they_o may_v have_v their_o accomplishment_n and_o these_o which_o we_o call_v promise_n to_o grace_n must_v be_v conditional_a because_o they_o require_v and_o suppose_v some_o qualification_n and_o condition_n on_o our_o part_n that_o they_o may_v be_v perform_v to_o we_o but_o then_o 2._o the_o thing_n promise_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_a not_o because_o it_o abstract_v from_o any_o condition_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o we_o but_o because_o it_o abstract_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o person_n time_n place_n etc._n etc._n as_o to_o its_o goodness_n and_o conveniency_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o object_n of_o a_o promise_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o absoluteness_n must_v be_v measure_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o promise_n itself_o and_o not_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o performance_n and_o accomplishment_n and_o such_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_o promise_v because_o it_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o any_o other_o thing_n that_o it_o may_v become_v a_o fit_a material_a of_o a_o divine_a promise_n and_o a_o fit_a object_n for_o our_o prayer_n and_o desire_n that_o it_o do_v not_o borrow_v its_o goodness_n from_o without_o nor_o depend_v upon_o any_o extrinsecall_n and_o variable_a circumstance_n nor_o upon_o any_o end_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v conducible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v intrinsical_o and_o of_o itself_o and_o thus_o absolute_o and_o indispensable_o good_a and_o desirable_a and_o thus_o such_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_o promise_v because_o it_o be_v absolute_o good_a albeit_o the_o performance_n of_o such_o a_o promise_n depend_v upon_o some_o condition_n and_o qualification_n in_o he_o to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v and_o such_o a_o promise_n may_v thus_o viz._n objective_o be_v call_v absolute_a and_o thus_o grace_n with_o every_o degree_n and_o further_a measure_n of_o it_o both_z as_o to_o its_o be_v and_o gradual_a perfection_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_o promise_v albeit_o upon_o another_o consideration_n and_o if_o we_o have_v reference_n unto_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o performance_n grace_n itself_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_o promise_v and_o the_o increase_n of_o it_o conditional_o but_o you_o will_v then_o say_v since_o the_o promise_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o grace_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v conditional_o promise_v
either_o the_o further_a degree_n of_o our_o affection_n towards_o they_o and_o desire_v good_a thing_n to_o they_o or_o that_o we_o desire_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o these_o thing_n unto_o they_o then_o unto_o other_o these_o thing_n be_v premise_v we_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v a_o revelation_n concern_v the_o reprobation_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n yet_o we_o may_v lawful_o pray_v for_o they_o albeit_o that_o general_a command_n to_o pray_v for_o all_o man_n do_v not_o oblige_v we_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v the_o main_a motive_n be_v remove_v and_o a_o infallible_a intimation_n be_v make_v that_o no_o success_n can_v be_v get_v thereby_o it_o can_v be_v no_o more_o use_v as_o a_o mean_a and_o we_o will_v not_o find_v that_o any_o where_o it_o be_v enjoin_v as_o a_o mere_a duty_n and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o sole_a ground_n why_o that_o command_n be_v relax_v as_o to_o those_o who_o have_v sin_v against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v because_o there_o 27._o there_o heb._n 10.26_o 27._o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n to_o be_v offer_v for_o such_o but_o a_o certain_a fearful_a looking-for_a of_o judgement_n and_o therefore_o since_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o success_n in_o the_o one_o case_n more_o than_o in_o the_o other_o the_o command_n seem_v to_o expire_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o case_n but_o yet_o our_o obligation_n may_v arise_v from_o another_o ground_n as_o our_o special_a yea_o perhaps_o general_a relation_n to_o such_o a_o person_n which_o may_v by_o just_a consequence_n bring_v we_o under_o the_o bond_n of_o another_o command_n warrant_v the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n and_o thus_o when_o we_o compare_v the_o general_a relaxation_n with_o this_o special_a obligation_n the_o result_n will_v be_v this_o that_o when_o we_o look_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n and_o consider_v that_o our_o prayer_n will_v not_o prevail_v we_o may_v forbear_v to_o offer_v up_o such_o a_o vain_a as_o to_o the_o good_a of_o such_o a_o person_n oblation_n and_o yet_o when_o we_o look_v upon_o the_o miserable_a state_n of_o such_o a_o person_n especial_o if_o stand_v under_o some_o near_a relation_n to_o he_o we_o may_v pity_v he_o and_o may_v pour_v our_o complaint_n in_o his_o behalf_n to_o the_o lord_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o many_o do_v approve_v that_o ancient_a say_n or_o 24._o or_o si_fw-mi de_fw-fr aliquibus_fw-la ita_fw-la certa_fw-la esset_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la ut_fw-la qui_fw-la sunt_fw-la illi_fw-la etiam_fw-la nosset_n qui_fw-la licet_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la vita_fw-la sunt_fw-la constituti_fw-la tamen_fw-la praedestinati_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o aternun_n ignem_fw-la ire_n cum_fw-la diabolo_fw-la tam_fw-la pro_fw-la cis_fw-la non_fw-la oraret_fw-la quam_fw-la nec_fw-la pro_fw-la ipso_fw-la august_n de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la lib._n 21._o cap._n 24._o augustine_n that_o if_o we_o know_v who_o be_v reprobat_n we_o shall_v no_o more_o pray_v for_o they_o then_o for_o the_o devil_n and_o damn_a in_o hell_n which_o 5.16_o which_o lyra_n in_o 1_o joh._n 5.16_o lyra_n appli_v to_o those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o unpardonable_a sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o we_o hope_v before_o we_o close_v the_o disparity_n between_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n and_o those_o who_o be_v judge_v and_o send_v unto_o their_o place_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a and_o here_o we_o may_v allege_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o great_a divine_a 256._o divine_a d._n twiss_n vind_z part_n 2._o dig_v 7._o ad_fw-la §_o 23._o &_o in_o corvin_n def_n armin_n animad_fw-la pag._n 256._o dr._n twisse_n confirm_v bilyew_o pregnant_a instance_n in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o pray_v that_o the_o cup_n may_v pass_v from_o he_o and_o weep_v and_o lament_v over_o jerusalem_n say_v o_o that_o thou_o have_v know_v in_o this_o thy_o day_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v unto_o thy_o peace_n and_o yet_o christ_n know_v that_o his_o father_n have_v decree_v that_o he_o shall_v drink_v that_o cup_n and_o that_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o i_o will_v ask_v if_o the_o lord_n do_v intimate_fw-la his_o decree_n of_o reprobation_n and_o that_o he_o will_v never_o show_v mercy_n to_o such_o a_o man_n may_v not_o and_o ought_v not_o such_o a_o one_o notwithstanding_o of_o that_o reveal_v decree_n pray_v for_o mercy_n and_o use_v the_o mean_n whereby_o he_o may_v escape_v the_o wrath_n of_o the_o almighty_a you_o will_v say_v it_o may_v be_v question_v if_o any_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o revelation_n as_o hold_v out_o a_o peremptoty_n and_o irrevocable_a sentence_n and_o not_o rather_o as_o a_o threaten_a imply_v a_o proviso_n and_o condition_n and_o a_o virtual_a promise_n of_o mercy_n upon_o repentance_n since_o all_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o word_n though_o as_o to_o the_o letter_n they_o appear_v to_o be_v most_o absolute_a and_o peremptory_a yet_o admit_v a_o suitable_a condition_n limitation_n and_o exception_n ezek._n 33.13_o 14_o 15._o nay_o but_o stand_v to_o the_o supposition_n the_o lord_n preserve_v we_o from_o such_o a_o sad_a and_o desperate_a case_n i_o think_v it_o can_v hardly_o be_v deny_v that_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v use_v the_o mean_n and_o who_o dare_v blame_v he_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v lord_n thy_o decree_n and_o unsearchable_a counsel_n be_v a_o depth_n i_o dare_v not_o bark_v against_o the_o heaven_n but_o lord_n keep_v i_o from_o sin_v against_o thou_o and_o from_o blaspheme_v thy_o holy_a name_n lord_n give_v i_o grace_n to_o do_v my_o duty_n and_o to_o submit_v unto_o thy_o holy_a will_n lord_n do_v thou_o unto_o i_o what_o thou_o will_v but_o lord_n keep_v i_o from_o sin_v against_o thou_o and_o thus_o he_o may_v pray_v and_o attend_v the_o ordinance_n resist_v temptation_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o such_o a_o sentence_n be_v not_o give_v out_o against_o he_o but_o you_o will_v perhaps_o reply_v can_v a_o reprobat_fw-la do_v these_o thing_n ans_fw-fr the_o question_n be_v not_o what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v but_o what_o be_v be_v his_o duty_n and_o albeit_o that_o be_v not_o the_o way_n to_o fulfil_v the_o reveal_v decree_n but_o rather_o to_o escape_v that_o sad_a sentence_n yet_o such_o a_o revelation_n do_v not_o make_v that_o course_n to_o become_v sinful_a and_o unlawful_a nor_o do_v it_o liberat_fw-la him_z from_o any_o point_n of_o duty_n to_o which_o as_o a_o rational_a creature_n be_v yet_o on_o the_o way_n he_o be_v oblige_v viator_n oblige_v qua_fw-la viator_n though_o his_o condition_n be_v hopeless_a yet_o he_o be_v not_o remove_v from_o the_o mean_n nor_o state_v in_o and_o bring_v to_o his_o place_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n though_o make_v know_v to_o we_o be_v not_o as_o have_v be_v show_v art_n 1._o the_o rule_n of_o our_o duty_n especial_o when_o they_o do_v not_o import_v the_o suturition_n of_o sin_n but_o be_v conversant_a a_o bout_n the_o state_n and_o final_a portion_n of_o sinner_n but_o it_o may_v be_v inquire_v if_o such_o a_o one_o as_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o use_v the_o mean_n so_o may_v look_v after_o the_o end_n and_o pray_v for_o life_n and_o salvation_n ans_fw-fr albeit_o submission_n be_v the_o duty_n of_o sufferer_n and_o there_o be_v no_o punishment_n due_a to_o sin_n though_o never_o so_o great_a albeit_o the_o pain_n and_o torment_n of_o hell_n that_o shall_v cause_v sinner_n murmur_v and_o blaspheme_v yet_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n concern_v event_n not_o be_v our_o rule_n do_v not_o lay_v a_o obligation_n on_o we_o to_o conform_v our_o way_n and_o desire_n thereunto_o as_o we_o may_v resist_v temptation_n to_o sin_n though_o we_o with_o peter_n have_v a_o revelation_n concern_v the_o futurition_n of_o it_o so_o we_o may_v use_v the_o mean_n to_o escape_v a_o reveal_v judgement_n and_o pray_v against_o that_o stroke_n and_o what_o be_v it_o to_o desire_v and_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n but_o upon_o the_o matter_n and_o by_o just_a interpretation_n to_o seek_v after_o wish_v and_o desire_v salvation_n which_o be_v the_o 1.9_o the_o 1_o pet._n 1.9_o end_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v that_o we_o shall_v labour_v endeavour_n and_o be_v diligent_a in_o use_v the_o mean_n and_o that_o yet_o we_o may_v not_o desire_v and_o pray_v for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o they_o that_o they_o may_v prove_v effectual_a and_o be_v subservient_fw-fr for_o obta_v the_o end_n augustins_n case_n mention_v sect_n 1._o concern_v the_o wicked_a son_n comply_v with_o the_o decree_n in_o desire_v his_o father_n death_n and_o the_o godly_a son_n pray_v though_o with_o submission_n that_o his_o father_n may_v recover_v and_o use_v albeit_o he_o have_v no_o hope_n all_o lawful_a mean_n for_o that_o end_n may_v serve_v for_o clear_v our_o case_n
belong_v to_o this_o place_n and_o we_o shall_v only_o name_v these_o few_o obj._n obj._n and_o 1._o some_o may_v object_v and_o say_v the_o lord_n know_v what_o we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o mat._n 6.32_o wherefore_o shall_v we_o then_o labour_v to_o make_v our_o request_n 4.6_o request_n phil._n 4.6_o know_v to_o he_o by_o prayer_n ans_fw-fr ans_fw-fr ans_fw-fr we_o do_v not_o pray_v to_o god_n that_o we_o may_v inform_v he_o of_o our_o want_n but_o that_o we_o may_v obtain_v a_o supply_n of_o our_o want_n though_o a_o father_n know_v what_o his_o son_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o yet_o he_o will_v have_v he_o to_o ask_v that_o thereby_o he_o may_v testify_v his_o subjection_n to_o reverence_n of_o and_o dependence_n on_o his_o father_n you_o will_v say_v but_o why_o then_o do_v the_o apostle_n exhort_v we_o to_o make_v our_o request_n know_v to_o god_n ans_fw-fr 1._o with_o ibid._n with_o zanch_n in_o phiâ—_n 4.6_o cajet_fw-fr ibid._n zanchius_n and_o cajetan_n that_o the_o apostle_n speak_v not_o there_o of_o simple_a knowledge_n but_o of_o such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o import_v a_o approbation_n and_o thus_o christ_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n will_v say_v to_o hypocrite_n depart_v from_o i_o i_o know_v you_o not_o and_o then_o the_o sense_n will_v be_v let_v your_o request_n be_v such_o as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v accept_v and_o approven_v of_o god_n ask_v only_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v lawful_a and_o honest_a 2._o it_o be_v ibid._n be_v apud_fw-la zanch._n ibid._n answer_v that_o the_o apostle_n there_o condemn_v pharisaical_a boast_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v let_v it_o suffice_v that_o your_o request_n be_v know_v to_o god_n when_o you_o pray_v do_v not_o like_o the_o pharisee_n sound_v a_o trumpet_n mat._n 6.5_o 6._o but_o as_o to_o the_o present_a difficulty_n we_o will_v rather_o answer_v 3._o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o 〈◊〉_d by_o per_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v know_v do_v not_o hold_v forth_o any_o kind_n of_o information_n but_o a_o simple_a representation_n and_o intimation_n of_o our_o request_n to_o the_o all_o see_v eye_n of_o god_n from_o who_o nothing_o can_v be_v hide_v and_o thus_o to_o make_v know_v to_o god_n import_v only_o a_o communication_n and_o lay_v out_o of_o our_o desire_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o expression_n may_v be_v 1._o because_o such_o a_o communication_n and_o representation_n among_o man_n do_v often_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o some_o light_n and_o information_n 2._o because_o on_o our_o part_n there_o be_v a_o readiness_n and_o willingness_n that_o god_n shall_v know_v and_o search_v our_o heart_n but_o that_o the_o lord_n omniscience_n be_v no_o discharge_n nor_o discouragement_n to_o pray_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o notable_a engagement_n and_o motive_n thereto_o may_v appear_v from_o that_o conclusion_n which_o our_o bless_a lord_n immediate_o subjoin_v mat._n 6.33_o and_o who_o shall_v we_o think_v to_o reason_n best_o and_o whether_o shall_v we_o hearken_v to_o his_o inference_n or_o to_o that_o which_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o the_o objection_n after_o he_o have_v tell_v that_o our_o father_n know_v our_o want_n and_o need_n he_o exhort_v we_o to_o laboribus_fw-la to_o quaerite_fw-la ore_fw-la &_o opâ—re_n preeibus_fw-la &_o laboribus_fw-la seek_v and_o show_v after_o what_o order_n and_o manner_n we_o shall_v seek_v the_o consideration_n of_o god_n infinite_a knowledge_n shall_v strong_o draw_v we_o in_o to_o he_o ah_o who_o will_v not_o come_v to_o he_o who_o know_v who_o we_o be_v what_o be_v our_o condition_n and_o what_o will_v do_v we_o good_a and_o who_o will_v hear_v we_o whensoever_o we_o call_v upon_o he_o but_o what_o a_o comfortless_a work_n must_v it_o be_v for_o poor_a pagan_n to_o run_v to_o their_o idol_n who_o have_v eye_n but_o see_v not_o and_o ear_n but_o hear_v not_o ps_n 115.5_o 6_o 8._o but_o again_o 9_o obj._n 9_o you_o will_v say_v the_o lord_n have_v from_o all_o eternity_n appoint_v and_o determine_v what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o time_n what_o he_o will_v do_v unto_o or_o bestow_v upon_o the_o child_n of_o man_n and_o his_o purpose_n and_o decree_n be_v unalterable_a and_o therefore_o prayer_n must_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n it_o can_v neither_o be_v better_a nor_o worse_o with_o we_o whether_o we_o pray_v or_o not_o for_o god_n purpose_n what_o ever_o it_o be_v must_v stand_v job_n 23.13_o ps_n 33.11_o prov._n 19.21_o isa_n 46.10_o heb._n 6.17_o etc._n etc._n the_o great_a moralist_n seneca_n propound_v the_o same_o objection_n in_o the_o name_n of_o those_o who_o plead_v for_o blind_a fortune_n and_o a_o inevitable_a necessity_n in_o all_o sublunary_a event_n thus_o etc._n thus_o aut_fw-la futurum_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la prâ—caris_fw-la aut_fw-la non_fw-la si_fw-la futurum_fw-la est_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la non_fw-la susce_fw-la peris_fw-la vota_fw-la fiet_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la futurum_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la susceperis_fw-la vota_fw-la non_fw-la fiet_fw-la huâ—c_fw-la dilemmati_fw-la respondit_fw-la seneca_n mediam_fw-la inter_fw-la ista_fw-la exceptionem_fw-la praeteriri_fw-la futurum_fw-la iuquit_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la sed_fw-la si_fw-la vota_fw-la suscepta_fw-la fuerint_fw-la etc._n etc._n what_o you_o will_v pray_v for_o be_v either_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o not_o if_o it_o be_v future_a whether_o you_o pray_v or_o not_o it_o must_v be_v and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o decree_v and_o to_o come_v thy_o prayer_n will_v not_o mâ—ke_v it_o to_o be_v to_o which_o dilemma_n he_o answer_v that_o the_o three_o member_n which_o be_v true_a be_v leave_v out_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v to_o câ—me_v to_o pass_v if_o thou_o pray_v and_o so_o not_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o thou_o pray_v not_o and_o thus_o say_v est_fw-la say_v ita_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la hoc_fw-la contra_fw-la fatum_fw-la sed_fw-la ipsum_fw-la quoque_fw-la in_o fato_fw-la est_fw-la he_o our_o prayer_n fall_v as_o well_o under_o fate_n and_o destiny_n as_o other_o event_n which_o answer_n be_v purge_v from_o the_o pagan_a dialect_n will_v serve_v our_o turn_n we_o must_v not_o separat_fw-la the_o from_o the_o mean_n as_o if_o the_o one_o do_v not_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o fall_v under_o the_o counsel_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n and_o as_o if_o his_o purpose_n be_v not_o as_o infallible_a concern_v the_o mean_n as_o concern_v the_o end_n concern_v thy_o pray_n as_o his_o give_v what_o thou_o desire_v and_o this_o objection_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n but_o these_o two_o most_o gross_a error_n viz._n 1._o that_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o eternal_a counsel_n have_v decree_v the_o end_n but_o not_o the_o mean_n 2._o that_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o appoint_v and_o fix_v a_o connexion_n between_o the_o mean_n and_o the_o end_n we_o will_v not_o so_o far_o digress_v as_o to_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o both_o those_o principle_n but_o these_o be_v reject_v as_o unworthy_a to_o be_v own_v by_o any_o who_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n yea_o or_o to_o know_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o discharge_v we_o of_o our_o duty_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o notable_a encouragement_n thereto_o and_o particular_o as_o to_o prayer_n thus_o daniel_n know_v not_o only_o that_o the_o lord_n have_v determine_v the_o time_n of_o israel_n captivity_n but_o also_o what_o that_o time_n be_v take_v encouragement_n from_o thence_o to_o pray_v for_o the_o free_a mercy_n dan._n 9.2_o 3_o 16._o etc._n etc._n and_o though_o we_o have_v no_o particular_a revelation_n as_o to_o the_o event_n yet_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n and_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n counsel_n we_o may_v very_o confident_o go_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n expect_v that_o he_o who_o have_v appoint_v nothing_o in_o vain_a have_v put_v a_o word_n in_o our_o mouth_n will_v also_o fill_v our_o hand_n and_o his_o decree_n be_v immutable_a and_o he_o have_v appoint_v prayer_n to_o be_v a_o mean_a for_o obtain_v what_o we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o and_o promise_a success_n thereto_o we_o need_v not_o fear_n lest_o he_o cause_v we_o 45.19_o we_o isa_n 45.19_o seek_v his_o face_n in_o vain_a why_o then_o shall_v we_o vex_v ourselves_o with_o unwarrantable_a and_o needless_a question_n concern_v god_n decree_n or_o ask_v whether_o he_o have_v decree_v to_o give_v or_o withhold_v such_o a_o mercy_n thou_o be_v beyond_o thy_o sphere_n and_o will_v find_v no_o place_n to_o rest_n so_o long_o as_o thou_o wander_v in_o this_o wilderness_n the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v a_o depth_n thou_o can_v not_o fathom_v secret_a thing_n belong_v unto_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n but_o he_o have_v reveal_v to_o we_o our_o duty_n that_o we_o may_v do_v all_o the_o word_n of_o his_o law_n deut._n 29.29_o let_v we_o not_o then_o be_v anxious_a concern_v event_n the_o lord_n know_v