The Return of Prayers

¹1 Slothfulness in prayer, when we do not put to all our might in praying, and then no wonder, we do not only not obtain, but that our own hearts misgive us, that we look for little success and issue of such prayers, Qui frigidè rogat, docet negare; he that shows himself cold in a suite, teaches him he sues to to deny him; if we see one seeking to us faintly, and slightly, we are not then solicitous to deny him, but think he will be easily put off, and not think much; so accordingly when we shall observe so much by our ⟨p. 233⟩selves, and see our selves slothful in praying, and praying as if we prayed not, no wonder if by reason of that consciousness, we look not after the success of such prayers, which in the performance we slighted; when we pray, as if we were willing to be denied, we knowing that the Scripture says, that the fervent prayer only prevails, that prayer which is [Greek or Hebrew], that sets all the faculties on work, James 5. 16. How should we then expect that God should grant any good thing to us? For though God sells nothing to us for our prayers, but gives freely, ⟨p. 234⟩yet he would have his gifts accepted: now without large desires, and longings they would not be accepted: and what is fervent prayer, but the expression of such fervent desires? Jacob wrestled when he obtained: many seek to enter, says Christ, but you must strive. Now when we know these things, and yet are slothful, how can we expect any answers at all? will not the consciousness of it quell all our expectations? and hence it comes to pass that God proportioning his dealings with us to our prayers, because we seem to pray, and yet pray not to purpose, ⟨p. 235⟩therefore God he sometimes seems like one asleep, and then sometimes to wake, and make fair offers to help, and yet falls as it were asleep again, because we were thus drowsy in our prayers; those prayers that awaken God, must awaken us: Those prayers that stir God, must first stir us to lay hold on God as Isaiah speaks: as obedience strengthens faith and assurance, so fervency in prayer begets confidence of being heard. In all other things slothfulness doth discourage and weaken expectation: doth any man expect that riches should come upon him