The Return of Prayers

Again,¹ 3. If God doth give you an answer, if you mind it not, you let God speak to you in vain, when you do not listen to what he answers: if two men walk together, and the one, when himself hath said, and spoke what he would, listens not, but is regardless of what the other answers, he exceedingly slights the man: As non respondere pro convitio est, not to answer again is contempt, so non attendere, not to attend to what one ⟨p. 17⟩says: Now our speaking to God by prayers, and his speaking to us by answers thereunto, and to study out his dealings with us, by comparing our prayers and his answers together, which are as Dialogues between us and him, is one great part of our walking with God. It is said of Samuel's prophecy,² that not a word of it fell to the ground: and so it may be said of our prayers; and so it ought to be of Gods answers, not a word of them should fall to the ground: as there doth, if you by your observation, and listening thereunto catch them not (as Benhadad's servants are said to do Ahab's words,) ⟨p. 18⟩apprehend, and observe them not: & by the same reason, that you are to observe the fulfilling of Gods promises, you are of your prayers also: now, 1. Kings 8. 56. it is said, not one word failed of all he promised, Solomon had observed this by a particular survey, and register made of all that God had spoken and done for them, and found not a promise unperformed: and there is the like reason both of answers to prayers, (for prayers are but putting promises into suite;) and for our observing of them: and therefore Solomon brings those words in there, to this very purpose, to confirm ⟨p. 19⟩firm their faith in this, that no prayers made, would fail, being grounded on a promise, thereby o encourage others, and his own heart to diligence herein, as also as a motive unto God to hear him; for vers. 59. he infers upon it, Let my words be nigh thee, &c. Seeing thou always thus performest thy good word unto thy people.