The Return of Prayers

for Though they rebelled, yet when they were afflicted he was afflicted, Isaiah 63. 9, 10. As when a Father that is a Magistrate, or as one that maintains a Student in a College, if either punisheth a child, or pupil in his purse, he punisheth himself, so must God afflict himself to afflict you. Put not the Lord into these straits if you have any love in you. And 2. as thou art therefore to fear God most then, so thy self most, and to be more watchful over thy own heart; thou art then apt to return to ⟨p. 314⟩folly, if thou takest not heed; as when a man hath been very hot, or sweat much, he is apt to take the greatest cold. Hezekiah, after GOD sealed peace to him and answered his prayers, and renewed the lease of his life, his heart got cold, he did return to folly. The reason is, because then the heart is apt to grow less watchful, and to think it self fortified enough against any tentation. As S. Peter having seen Christ transfigured in the Mount, grew confident in his own strength. And know that the Devil watcheth such an opportunity most, for he gets a great victory if ⟨p. 315⟩he can foil thee then, after he hath been foiled himself, and when thou art most triumphing over him; how many battles have been lost through security of victory and recoiling of the enemy? and besides our corrupt nature so far as unrenewed, is apt to gather heart to it self, to slight sin, as thinking its pardon easily gotten.

for Though they rebelled, yet when they were afflicted hee was afflicted, Esay 63. 9, 10. As when a Father that is a Magistrate, or as one that maintaines a Student in a Colledge, if either punisheth a childe, or pupill in his purse, he punisheth himselfe, so must God afflict himselfe to afflict you. Put not the Lord into these straits if you have any love in you. And 2. as thou art therefore to feare God most then, so thy selfe most, and to be more watchfull over thy own heart; thou art then apt to returne to ⟨p. 314⟩folly, if thou takest not heed; as when a man hath beene very hot, or sweat much, hee is apt to take the greatest cold. Hezekiah, after GOD sealed peace to him and answered his prayers, and renewed the lease of his life, his heart got cold, he did returne to folly. The reason is, because then the heart is apt to grow lesse watchfull, and to thinke it selfe fortified enough against any tentation. As S. Peter having seene Christ transfigured in the Mount, grew confident in his own strength. And know that the Devill watcheth such an opportunity most, for hee gets a great victory if