The saints inheritance and the worldlings portion representing the glorious condition of a child…

Again, further thou thinkest it is in vain, because God sometimes denies in granting, and grants in denying. ⟨p. 270⟩Many times God grants that we pray for in denying it, and denies that we pray for in granting it: our denials are grants to us. Woe to us, if all were granted to us that we pray for. Much good may be gotten out of Gods denials: and God denies us to do us good, and to prepare us for mercies: therefore it is not in vain that thou hast fought God, because it is not in vain that thou art denied.

Again, further thou thinkest it is in vain, because God sometimes denies in granting, and grants in denying. ⟨p. 270⟩Many times God grants that we pray for in denying it, and denies that we pray for in granting it: our denyals are grants to us. Wo to us, if all were granted to us that we pray for. Much good may be gotten out of Gods denyalls: and God denyes us to do us good, and to prepare us for mercies: therefore it is not in vain that thou hast fought God, because it is not in vain that thou art denyed.

But further, it may be God delights more in thy praying, then in thy praising voice, therefore though thou have not that thou hast sought for, give leave to God to delight in thee which way he pleaseth. There is the praying, and the praising voice of Gods people, thou delightest that God should hear thy praising voice, it may be God delights to hear thy praying voice, and it may be he should not if thou haddest what thou wouldest have. Saith God to the Church, Let me hear thy voice, for it is sweet. There is no man that will think the King denies his petition, as long as the King ⟨p. 271⟩loves to read it. If one present a petition to the King, he doth not say he will presently do it: but if he read it, and when he hath read it, calls for it again, and again, will any man think it in vain that he hath put up that petition? as long as the King hears it, and delights to read it, it is not in vain. So, as long as God loves to hear thy voice, and to read thy petition it is not in vain. As for thy praising voice, God shall have enough of that in heaven, but he shall have none of thy praying voice: therefore why shouldest thou not be willing that God should have more of thy praying voice here? All that ever God shall have of thy praying voice it is in this world, and after a little time God shall never hear us pray more. Therefore let us be willing to go on, and continue in prayer, and not to wonder why God keeps us on in a way of praying, because all the time that ever God shall have to delight himself in the praying voice of his people it is in this world: and for our praising voice, we would fain