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The Return of Prayers
The return of prayers A treatise wherein this case how to discern Gods answers to our prayers is briefly resolved, with other observations upon Psal. 85.8. concerning Gods speaking peace, &c. By Tho: Goodwin. B.D.The returne of prayers A treatise wherein this case how to discerne Gods answers to our prayers is briefly resolved, with other observations vpon Psal. 85.8. concerning Gods speaking peace, &c. By Tho: Goodvvin. B.D.
London: printed by M. Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1636
THE RETURN OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 7THE RETVRNE OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 7
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Or secondly, when it is the most acceptable and every way the fittest time to have the thing granted. At that time, 1. when thou hadst most need, and 2. when thy heart was most fit for it. For in answering prayers, God aims especially at two things: 1. To show his mercy, that a man might magnify and exalt that: ⟨p. 151⟩And 2. To have the heart satisfied and filled with joy and contentment in his answer, and the thing made sweet, and a mercy indeed to him: in brief, that his goodness might be delighted in, and his mercy exalted. 2And for these two purposes he culls out such times, when we have most need; and also when our hearts are most subdued, and our lusts mortified. For then we are fittest to relish his goodness alone, and not to be drawn away with the carnal sweetness that is in the thing. The one you have expressed, Isaiah 30. 18. He waits to be gracious to have his mercy exalted. The second ⟨p. 152⟩intimated James 5. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, to consume upon your lusts; Such prayers, whilst the heart is in this temper, the Lord denies, or defers in mercy till the heart be weaned.
1Or secondly, when it is the most acceptable and every way the fittest time to have the thing granted. At that time, 1. when thou hadst most neede, and 2. when thy heart was most fit for it. For in answering prayers, God aimes especially at two things: 1. To shew his mercy, that a man might magnifie and exalt that: ⟨p. 151⟩And 2. To have the heart satisfied and filled with joy and contentment in his answer, and the thing made sweet, and a mercy indeed to him: in briefe, that his goodnesse might be delighted in, and his mercy exalted. 2And for these two purposes he culs out such times, when we have most need; and also when our hearts are most subdued, and our lusts mortified. For then we are fittest to rellish his goodnesse alone, and not to bee drawne away with the carnall sweetnesse that is in the thing. The one you have exprest, Esay 30. 18. Hee waits to bee gracious to have his mercy exalted. The second