A01902:90
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
THE RETURN OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 5THE RETVRNE OF PRAYERS. › Chapter 5
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.
12. If whilst thou art a praying, God doth draw nigh to thy soul, and revealeth himself to it, in and upon such, or such a particular petition. As in case thou didst mainly intend when thou diddest begin to pray, to set thy self to beg some temporal mercy at his hands, some great matter for the good and prosperity of the Church (as Daniel, Chap. 9. did set himself to seek God for the return of the Captivity:) and even before thou comest ⟨p. 100⟩to ask it, or in asking it, God smiles upon thee, welcomes thee: falleth about thy neck and kisseth thee: This thou art to observe as a sign he hears thy prayer, and accepteth both thee and it; when there is such a strong sense of Gods favour, and presence, whilst thou art upon such a suit and request, more then at other times, or then in other passages of the same prayer, this is a token God hears thee, in that particular, and thou art to observe this his speaking to thy heart: When thus thou shalt no sooner come into his presence to enquire of him, but ⟨p. 101⟩he says, Here I am, as the promise is, Isaiah 58. 9. Therefore, Psal. 69. 17, 18. Hear me speedily says David; and (that I may know thou hearest me) draw nigh to me: therefore when God draws nigh to thee, it is a sign he hears thee. Daniel having fasted and prayed for three weeks together, Dan. 10. 2, 3: Then an Angel came, and one of the three Persons came and told him, he was a man greatly beloved, ver. 11 and 19. when in like manner God by his Spirit comes down, and meets thee, and tells thy heart in secret that thou art His beloved, and He is thine, ⟨p. 102⟩then thy prayers are certainly heard: for if he accepts thy person, much more thy prayers, 1. John 5. 19, 20. Men, false men, (false upon the balance, as David speaks, when they come to be tried and weighed,) they will out of cunning use suitors most kindly then, when they mean to put them off, and deny them their requests: But God who is truth and faithfulness it self, doth not use so to deal, but when he means to answer the prayer, He withal sometimes reveals his free grace most, to the end they may see and acknowledge the fountain of all, to be his everlasting