Three sermons upon the sacrament of the Lords Supper. By the late faithful and…Three sermons vpon the sacrament of the Lords Supper. By the late faithfull and…

The fourth and last condition is,¹ That we refer the time, the manner, the measure of granting our petitions to the Lord. That is, we must not think to be our own carvers, to think if it be not granted in such a manner, such a measure, or such a time, presently the Lord hath rejected our petitions; No,^t he that believes makes no hast: That is, he waits upon God, he stays himself upon God, he is content to have it in ⟨p. 64⟩that time, in that manner and measure, as best pleaseth the Lord: For the truth is, we know not our selves what is meet for us; we are unto the Lord just as the Patient is to the physician. The patient is importunate with him, for such things to refresh and ease him; But the physician knows what best belongs to him, and when to give him such things, in what manner, and in what measure: So the Lord knows best what to do: Many times he doth the same things that we desire, though he do it not in the same manner: Even as the physician he quencheth often the thirst with Barberries, or with such kind of conserves; what though it be not with drink, is it not all one so the thirst be quenched? Is it not all one whether a man be hindered from striking me, or if I have a helmet to defend the blow? Sometimes the Lord keeps not off the enemy; but then he gives us a helmet to keep off those blows, to bear those injuries and evils that are done to us: he is a wise physician, he knows what manner, what measure, and what time is best, therefore that must be referred to him: Now these conditions being observed, you must know that this great privilege belongs to every Christian, That whatsoever prayers he makes on earth, he is sure to be heard in heaven; It is a wondrous privilege, that which we have all cause to stand amazed at, that the Lord should so far regard the sons of men, to grant them such a Charter as this; no ⟨p. 65⟩more but ask and have, and whatsoever you pray for, it shall be done to you. But a man is ready to say secretly in his heart when he hears it, This is too good to be true, That whatsoever I ask, I shall have. My Beloved, I confess, it is a hard thing to believe it as we ought to do: and therefore before we come to apply this, we will spend a little time in endeavouring to convince you of the truth of it, that you may not doubt of it that what prayers you make to the Lord, he is ready to hear them.