May 18

But let him ask in faith.—James 1:6.

"Ask in faith;" that is, attribute unto God that he is almighty, and can do above all that we can ask or think: consent to his truth, that he is faithful in his promises: for he that believeth not those, makes God a liar. Acknowledge his mercy and goodness through Christ, that he will withhold no good thing from them that live a godly life. Let there be no wavering, no disputing about these attributes of God, lest we be condemned out of our own mouth. So much faith, so much efficacy, so much confidence, so much comfort in prayer.

Then will a solicitous Christian reply, "What will become of me? I have not that plenitude of faith; at least, in sundry occasions, I have it not to ascertain myself that I shall prevail with God." No more had Abraham himself a perfect faith without any flaw. Excellent things are spoken of him, "who against hope believed in hope; and that he staggered not at the promise, but was strong in faith." Yet see how he stooped a little: "Shall a son be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? O that Ishmael may live!" God is not extreme to mark what is done amiss in every convulsion of faith: which appears, "I said in my haste, I am cast out of thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried unto thee." You must be sure that, in general, David subscribed to the power, and truth, and goodness of God: but there was a temptation upon him at that time, in some particular case, in which he distrusted, or doubted that there was no likelihood to prevail. But if there be such a one that says, "I will pray, but I know I shall never be the better," he is an infidel, and mocks God: in that bad mind he did well to say, "he should be never the better;" for he did usurp the form of godliness, and denied the power thereof.

He is the right suppliant, but a very rare one, that hath no staggering or diffidence in his heart, that comes close up to our Saviour's rule, "Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Yet the Lord will not cast them off, who are but in the next form, and do not resolutely promise success unto themselves in the instant of their present supplications: but bear it thus between faith and doubting, "whether I shall succeed in this or that, I am not confident, but of this I am most assured, that I shall be the better for my prayers. And I would it were thus and thus, because I conceive it would be best for me: but I am certain it will be better than the best that I can imagine, which the Lord knows to be most expedient."

Another, perhaps, may wrangle himself into an error, and say, "How do the heathen and wicked obtain good things, if nothing will prevail with God but the prayer of faith?" Consider that even a pagan and idolater would never pray, but that they have some kind of belief to obtain fruit by their prayers. The king of Nineveh had a solemn fast at the hearing of Jonah's prophecy; "for" says he, "who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" None but a lunatic would ask for relief from them, that hath neither knowledge of his case, nor power to redress it.—"O, but the prayers of such are not grounded on the faith that we speak of." It is true, such a faith as possessed idolaters, is not that which obtains mercy from God. Then I say, neither Jews, nor Mahometans, nor wicked men, get any thing by that prayer, to which the promise is made, "Ask, and ye shall have." For whether they pray or not, all that they obtain had come to pass, though they had held their peace. It is for our sins, and to scourge us, that they have kingdoms, and victories; it is not their motley faith that did purchase them. And for all manner of store and plenty that the earth yields them, it is but as God gives fodder to the cattle, and meat to the young ravens that call upon him.