The Return of Prayers

And yet because,¹ although we have the very things we did ask and desire, such is the jealousy & infidelity of our hearts, that we often discern not, nor acknowledge that it was our prayers, that obtained them from God: but we are apt, when once we have them, either to look but to things below, and the second causes of them, though before we did earnestly seek them of God, or else still distrustfully to question whether or no it was at our prayers that he granted them, or out of common providence. Thus Job in ⟨p. 133⟩his distemper, Job 9. 16▪ although I had called, and God had answered me, yet (says he) I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice, that is, not that he did it in respect to my prayer and request, because he now deals so severely with me, For he breaketh me with a tempest, Ver. 17. And thus do our distrustful hearts, (which are apt to be unsatisfied with all the clearest pledges of Gods favour, and still to misconstrue and pervert them,) although God doth answer us upon our calling upon him, yet we will not believe that he hearkened to our prayer in it. ⟨p. 134⟩Therefore that you may be further enabled to discern, how, and when things you prayed for, come in by prayer; I give you these further directions.

And yet because,¹ although we have the very things wee did aske and desire, such is the jealousie & infidelity of our hearts, that we often discern not, nor acknowledge that it was our prayers, that obtained them from God: but we are apt, when once wee have them, either to look but to things below, and the second causes of them, though before wee did earnestly seeke them of God, or else still distrustfully to questiō whether or no it was at our prayers that hee granted them, or out of common providence. Thus Iob in ⟨p. 133⟩his distemper,