A01902:261
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
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.
And as, those doubts they were most troubled with once, (which though they had at times some light against, yet by fits did still arise) are yet in the end, so overcome, as they arise no more, but they enjoy the greatest freedom from them: So is it often herein. And these strivings to not overcoming, I resemble to the thawings of the Ice, in a great frost, as when in the day time, the Sun shines, and in the Sunshine it thaweth a little: but yet, so as at night, or in the shade it freezeth; when sometimes, the weather also begins to change for a night, and yet falls a ⟨p. 387⟩freeing again: so here, there is not such a thorough shedding abroad the love of God in the heart, as should make a thorough general thaw, to the purpose as we say; and so, when the heat of that is withdrawn, it freezeth again: but in the end there comes a more thorough and general thaw, and change that carries all away, melts the heart, and so alters the temper and constitution of the weather, (as I may so speak) as it freezeth no more. And such a thawing of his heart had David, when Nathan came to him, and not afore; though it may be he had those lesser ⟨p. 388⟩relentings often before.
And as, those doubts they were most troubled with once, (which though they had at times some light against, yet by fits did still arise) are yet in the end, so overcome, as they arise no more, but they enjoy the greatest freedome from them: So is it often herein. And these strivings to not overcomming, I resemble to the thawings of the Ice, in a great frost, as when in the day time, the Sunne shines, and in the Sunshine it thaweth a little: but yet, so as at night, or in the shade it freezeth; when sometimes, the weather also begins to change for a night, and yet falls a ⟨p. 387⟩freeing againe: so here, there is not such a thorow shedding abroad the love of God in the heart, as should make a thorow generall thaw, to the purpose as wee say; and so, when the heat of that is withdrawen, it freezeth againe: but in the end there comes a more thorow and generall thaw, and change that carries all away, melts the heart, and so alters the temper and constitution of the weather, (as I may so speake) as it freezeth no more. And such a thawing of his heart had David, when Nathan came to him, and not afore; though it may bee hee had those lesser