Duties respecting the matter.

And therefore, as it is the duty of every one to make this prayer, so none of us ought to think our selves exempted from doing the will of God: Nei∣ther may we think it sufficient in words to professe God, and in prayer to crave good things of him, unlesse we be carefull in our lives to do his will. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, &c. Matth. 7. 21. yea those that make a profession of religion and obedience, as though they would perform obedi∣ence to Gods will, and yet do it not, are many times further from salvation then open sinners: as appear∣eth by the parable of the two sonnes, and the appli∣cation thereof, Matth. 21. 28, 29, 30. Neither may we think that we shall obtein our prayers, unlesse we be desirous to perform Gods will. For if we will not do his will, why should we think that he will do ours? Prov. 28. 9. John 9. 31. We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a wor∣shipper of God and doth his will, him he heareth. If we ask any thing, saith S. John, 1. Epist. 3. 22. we receive it from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are acceptable in his sight. If there∣fore we be desirous and carefull to obey Gods will, we need not doubt, having these testimonies of a true faith, but that both we and our prayers are ac∣ceptable unto God. For our selves, our Saviour af∣firmeth, that those be his brothers and sisters that do the will of his Father that is in heaven, Matth. 12. 50. And the holy Ghost giveth this testimony unto Da∣vid, Page  318 that he was a man according to Gods own heart, who would do all his will, Acts 13. 22. And elsewhere the Scriptures ascribe blessednesse to those that do the will of God, Luke 11. 28. For our prayers; John 15. 7. Psal. 34. 15, 17. And as we are to do the will of God in generall, so more especially those branches of his will which after a more speciall manner are called his will. His will is, if we would be saved, we should come to the knowledge of his truth, and not live in ignorance, 1. Tim. 2. 4. that we should turn unto him, and not go on in our sinnes, Ezek. 33. 11. that we should believe in Christ, 1. John 3. 23. that we should be sanctified, dying unto sinne, and living unto righteousnesse, 1. Thess. 4. 3. Mich. 6. 8. 1. Pet. 2. 15. that we should be patient in troubles, and thankfull unto him in all things, 1. Thess. 5. 18. And as we are to do the will of God, so must we deny our own wills and renounce the desires of the world.