2. There are promises that have universal particles annexed ; as John xiv. 13, 14, ' Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.' So John xv. 7, ' If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you/ So John xv. 16, ' Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he shall give it you.' The same is repeated, John xvi, 23, * Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.' And many more such expressions there are in the word of God. Not that men have a lawless liberty allowed them, to give vent to all their desires, how unjust and unrea- sonable soever they be, and that God's power shall lackey upon their vain fancies and appetites. No ; these large and universal offers admit of limitations propounded in scripture, which must be regarded, that we may not make promises to ourselves, and set God a task by our self-con- ceitedness and vain fancies, and think him engaged beyond what he is pleased to bind himself unto. And the use of these universal particles is to encourage us against the straits and diffidence of our own hearts : though we ask things so great for their worth, difficult to compass, and which we are so unworthy to receive, yet none of these things should discourage us, and straiten our expectations, that when we come to God, if our requests be just and equal, he will grant them for Christ's sake.
II. To state the case ; how must we ask, that we may be sure to speed ?
1. The first thing to be observed is the qualification of the person ; for unless you put yourselves into a receiving posture, according to the terms of the promise, you cannot expect to speed. Now none are in a receiving posture but such as are in grace and favour with God, such as are justified and sanctified, and live in obedience to him : Prov. xv. 8, ' The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord ; but the prayer of the upright is his delight; ' John ix. 31, ' God heareth not sinners ; but if any be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth ; ' James v. 16, ' The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much ; ' Ps. Ixvi. 18, ' If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me.' These and many other places show that if we would have our prayers heard and accepted with God, we must be righteous, not live in the open practice of any known sin, nor secretly foster it in our hearts. And therefore though prayer should be maed with the greatest earnestness and confidence, yet if the consciences of men reprove them of any looseness and lightness of spirit, that they
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have served God by halves, and are off and on with hini in their prac- tice, if they be not heard in the evil day, they cannot challenge God for breach of promise, but themselves of neglect of duty ; for if they will not hear God, why should God hear them ? This reason is given, Prov. XX. 9, ' He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.' Not only his vile practices, but his prayers. Therefore, if you would have God's ear, obey him and hearken to his voice ; and then for the asking you may obtain anything which a good conscience will permit you to ask of him ; and upon other terms you must not deal with God. Keep close to God's will, and he will give you your will. Surely it is a profitable thing to obey God. Do you do that which God requireth of you, and God will do that which you ask of him,
2. The next thing to be regarded is the matter of our prayers and requests, and there we have the limitation : 1 John v. 14, 15, 'And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.' All the business is, what is the meaning of that, ' According to his will ? '
[1.] With conformity to his revealed will.
[2.] With due submission and reservation of his secret will.
[1.] Surely with conformity to his revealed and commanding will, that we ask nothing that is sinful or unjust ; as if we would seek to entice God to our lure, and to avenge our quarrels ; as Balaam built altars and offered sacrifices to draw God to curse his people ; or when we would have God to bless us in some unlawful undertaking or pur- pose, or are biassed by envy, revenge, or any corrupt and carnal affection, and to ask things contrary to charity, or that meek spirit that should be in christians. Unlawful desires put into prayer are a double evil, as contrary to God's law, and as presented in prayer. The wills of God's children are limited by his word and will. The Spirit in them maketh intercession according to the will of God, Eom. viii. 27. When we mingle our lusts with our prayers, we make this pure stream muddy, and would put dross into Christ's golden censer, as if he should mediate that our lusts should be fulfilled, and sins accomplished.