A01902:154
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 9THE RETVRNE OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 9
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.
13 Observe if there be to a transmutation and a translation or turning of •he thing desired into some other greater blessing of the same kind: for ⟨p. 194⟩God (all whose ways are mercy and truth to His people) doth improve, husband, and lay out the precious stocks of their prayers, to the best advantage, in things, whereby the greatest returns and gains may accrue: as old Jacob laid not his Hand of blessing as Joseph would have guided them, but laid the right hand upon the younger Son, whom Joseph did set at his left: So often doth God take off his hand of blessing from the thing we prayed for, and lays & discovers it in another more for our good: and as God giving Isaac the power and privilege to bless a son, though ⟨p. 195⟩Isaac he intended it for Esau, yet God unbeknown to him transmitted it to Jacob, yet so, as the blessing was not lost: Thus is it in our prayers for blessings both upon our selves and others. There is often a transmutation, never a frustration of them: which may as truly and directly be called an answer to the prayer; As if a factor beyond Sea, when the owner sends for such and such commodities, supposing them more vendible and advantageous, but the Factor knowing the state of things, and the prices, sends him •ver in stead of them, such as shall sell better, ⟨p. 196⟩and bring in more profit, may be said to answer his letters, and that better, then if he had sent those very commodities he writ for; Thus Abraham's prayers for Ishmael were turned for Isaac: Davids for the Child to Solomon.
13 Observe if there be to a transmutation and a translation or turning of •he thing desired into some other greater bles•ing of the same kind: for ⟨p. 194⟩God (all whose wayes are mercy and truth to His people) doth improve, husband, and lay out the precious stocks of their prayers, to the best advantage, in things, whereby the greatest returns and gains may accrue: as old Iacob laid not his Hand of blessing as Ioseph would have guided them, but laid the right hand upon the yonger Sonne, whom Ioseph did set at his left: So often doth God take off his hand of blessing from the thing we prayed for, and laies & discovers it in another more for our good: and as God giving Isaac the power and priviledge to blesse a sonne, though