The Return of Prayers

CHAP. 1. The main observation: That Gods people are diligently to observe the answers of their prayers. Pag. 5. The sinfulness of the neglect hereof demonstrated by seven reasons. 7 1▪ reas. An ordinance of God taken in vain ibid. 2. reas. Gods attributes taken in vain. 12 3. reas. God in answering made to speak in vain 16 4. reas. God provoked not to answer. 19 5. reas. We shall not return thanks. 21 6. reas. We shall lose much experience. 23 1. Of Gods faithfulness ibid 2. Of our own ways towards him. 25 7. reas. We shall lose much comfort. 28 CHAP. 2. Three Cases: The first concerning prayers for such promises as may be accomplished in ages to come. 32 1 § Such prayers the Church to come doth reap 33 2 § Yet we at present may have an answer about them. 39 3 § In heaven, and at the last day we shall rejoice for their accomplishment. 40 ⟨image 15⟩CHAP. 3. Second Case: Concerning prayers made for others of our friends, &c. How answered. p. 42 1 § Such prayers oft granted. 44 2 § Yet not always in the very thing prayed for. 46 Such promises but indefinite. 49 As all temporal promises are 51 Our faith towards them not required to be assurance. 53 Unless God give a special faith 58 3 § Such prayers returned into our own bosoms. 61 4 § God in the end casts some out of our prayers 65 5 § Those prayers answered in some others. 68 CHAP. 4. Third Case: How the influence of our own prayers, when others pray also for the same thing with us, may be discerned. 72 1 § If our hearts are affected with the same holy affection 73 Unbeknown each to other. 75 2 § By some special endeavour: as, 1 Some notable circumstance. 76 2 By joy in the accomplishment. 79 3 By thankfulness for the accomplishment. 81 ⟨image 16⟩3 §. This less to be doubted when the thing prayed for by us doth concern our own particular. p. 82 CHAP. 5 Common directions helpful in all cases, and prayers: taken first from observations from Before and In praying. p. 85 1 § BEFORE: when God prepares the heart. 86 Difference between Satan's motions to prayer and Gods. 89 2 § IN prayer: Gods speakings in prayer are evidences of hearing: and discerned by 4 things. 93 1 Giving a quietness by prayer about the thing prayed for. ibid 3 § 2 By revealing his love, in and upon such petitions. 99 A caution herein.

CHAP. 1. The maine observation: That Gods people are diligently to observe the answers of their prayers. Pag. 5. The sinfulnes of the neglect hereof demonstrated by seven reasons. 7 1 reas. An ordinance of God taken in vain ibid. 2. reas. Gods attributes taken in vain. 12 3. reas. God in answering made to speake in vaine 16 4. reas. God provoked not to answer. 19 5. reas. We shall not returne thanks. 21 6. reas. We shall lose much experience. 23 1. Of Gods faithfulnesse ibid 2. Of our own wayes towards him. 25 7. reas. We shall lose much comfort. 28 CHAP. 2. Three Cases: The first concerning prayers for such promises as may bee accomplished in ages to come. 32 1 § Such prayers the Church to come doth reape 33 2 § Yet wee at present may have an answer about them. 39 3 § In heaven, and at the last day wee shall rejoyce for their accomplishment. 40