A Golden Chain

The last point is the event of the prayer, which is to be heard, as the author of the Hebrews saith,¹ Christ Jesus in the days of the flesh, did offer up unto his father prayers, and supplications, with strong cries and tears, unto him that was able to save him: and was also heard in that thing which he feared. But some will say, how was Christ heard, seeing he suffered death and bare the pangs of hell, and the full wrath of God? if he had been heard he should have been delivered from all this. Answ. We must know that God hears our prayers two ways: I. when he directly grants our request. II. when knowing what is good for us, he gives not us our requests directly, but a thing answerable thereunto. And thus was Christ heard: for he was not delivered from suffering; but yet he had strength and power given him, whereby his manhood was made able to bear the brunt of Gods wrath. And in the same manner God heareth the prayers of his servants upon earth. Paul prayed to be delivered from the angel Satan that buffeted him: but the Lord answered that it should not so be, because his grace whereby he was enabled to resist his temptation was sufficient: and Paul finding the fruit of his prayers on this manner,² protests hereupon that he will rejoice in his infirmities. Others pray for temporal blessings, as health, life, liberty, &c. which notwithstanding God holds back, and gives in stead thereof spiritual graces, patience, faith, contentation of mind. Augustine saith, God hears not our prayers always according to our wills and desires,³ but according as the things asked shall be for our salvation. He is like the Physician, who goes on to launch the wound and hears not the patient though he cry never so, till the cure be ended.

The last point is the euent of the prayer, which is to be heard, as the author of the Hebrewes saith,¹ Christ Iesus in the daies of the flesh, did offer vp vnto his father prayers, and supplications, with strong cries and teares, vnto him that was able to saue him: and was also heard in that thing which he feared. But some will say, how was Christ heard, seeing he suffered death and bare the pangs of hel, and the full wrath of God? if he had beene heard he should haue beene deliuered from all this. Answ. We must know that God heares our praiers two waies: I. when he directly graunts our request. II. when knowing what is good for vs, he giues not vs our requests directly, but a thing answerable thereunto. And thus was Christ heard: for he was not deliuered from suffering; but yet he had strength and power giuen him, whereby his manhood was made able to beare the brunt of Gods wrath. And in the same manner God heareth the praiers of his seruants vpon earth. Paul praied to be deliuered from the angel Satan that buffeted him: but the Lord answered that it should not so be, because his grace whereby he was inabled to resist his temptation was sufficient: and Paul finding the fruit of his prayers on this manner,