A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Ans. Those holy motions upon the hearts of Saints in prayer are the fruits of the unchangeable decrees of his love to them and the appointed ushers of mercy. God graciously determines to give a praying, arguing, warm, affectionate frame, as the prodromus and forerunner of a decreed mercy. That's the reason that carnal men can enjoy no such mercies, because they pour out no such prayers.¹ The spirit of prayer prognosticates mercy ensuing. Wherefore when the Lord by Jeremiah foretold the end of the Captivity, he also pre-signifies the prayers that should open the gates of Babylon. Cyrus was prophesied of to do his work for Jacob his servants sake and Israel his elect; but yet they must ask him concerning those things to come and they should not seek him in vain. The glory of the latter days in the return of Israel is foretold by Ezekiel; ²but yet then the Lord will be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. The Coming of Christ is promised by himself: but yet the Spirit and bride say come, and he that heareth must say come, and when Christ says he vvill come quickly: Even so come Lord Jesus. Divine grace kindles these ardent affections when the mercies promised are upon the wing.³ Prayer is that intelligible chain, as Dionysius calls it, that draws the souls up to God and the mercy down to us, or like the Cable that draws the ship to land, though the shore it self remain unmoveable. Prayer has its ⟨p. 277⟩kindlings from heaven,⁴ like the ancient sacrifices that were inflamed with celestial fire.

Ans. Those holy motions upon the hearts of Saints in prayer are the fruits of the unchangeable decrees of his love to them and the appointed ushers of mercy. God graciously determines to give a praying, arguing, warm, affectionate frame, as the prodromus and forerunner of a decreed mercy. That's the reason that carnal men can enjoy no such mercies, because they pour out no such prayers.¹