The Return of Prayers

And by the way let me give this note of difference, between these ⟨p. 90⟩speakings to the heart, and those whereby Satan puts us upon such duties at unseasonable hours and times; as when we are otherwise necessarily to be employed in our callings, to eat, or to sleep, &c. then to put upon praying, is a device of his he useth, to tire out new converts with. The difference will appear in this, the devil comes in a violent imperious manner upon the conscience, but enlargeth not the heart a whit unto the duty: but whensoever God at such extraordinary by-times doth call upon us, he fits and prepares the heart, and fills the soul with holy suggestions, ⟨p. 91⟩as materials for the duty; for whatsoever he calls to, he gives abilities withal to the thing he calls for.

And by the way let me give this note of difference, betweene these ⟨p. 90⟩speakings to the heart, and those whereby Satan puts us upon such duties at unseasonable houres and times; as when we are otherwise necessarily to be imployed in our callings, to eate, or to sleepe, &c. then to put upon praying, is a device of his he useth, to tire out new converts with. The difference will appeare in this, the devill comes in a violent imperious manner upon the conscience, but inlargeth not the heart a whit unto the duty: but whensoever God at such extraordinary by-times doth call upon us, hee fits and prepares the heart, and fills the soule with holy suggestions, ⟨p. 91⟩as materialls for the duty; for whatsoever he calls to, he gives abilities withall to the thing he calls for.

And thus usually, when he will have any great matters done & effected, he sets mens hearts a work to pray, by a kind of gracious pre-instinct; he stirs them up and toucheth the strings of their hearts, by his Spirit sent down upon them: Thus against the return of the captivity he stirred up Daniels heart,