2. The other thing which is propounded here, is God's Reward: And he will reward thee openly. How doth God reward our Prayers? Not for any Worth or Dignity which is in them. What Merit can there be in begging? what doth a Beggar deserve in asking Alms? But it is out of his own Grace and Mercy, having by Promise made himself as it were a Debtor to a poor faithful and believing Supplicant. But He will reward thee openly; how is that? Either by a sensible Answer to thy Prayers, as he doth often to his Children, by granting what they pray for; as when Daniel was praying in secret, God sent an Angel to him, Dan. 9. 20. Or by an evident Blessing upon their ⟨p. 13⟩Prayers in this World, for the conscionable Performance of this Duty. Abraham, Isaac; and Jacob, that were Men of much Communion with God, were eminently and sensibly blessed; they were rewarded openly, for their secret Converse with him. Or it may be, by giving them Respect externally in the Eyes of others. A praying People dart Conviction into the Consciences of Men. It is notable, that Pharaoh in his Distress sent for Moses and Aaron, and not for the Magicians. The Consciences of wicked Men are open at such a time, and they know God's Children have special Favour, and great Audience with him; and he having the Hearts of all Men in his hands, can manage and dispose Respect, according as he pleaseth: And when they are in Distress, this Honour God hath put upon you, they shall send for you to pray with them; and those which honour him, tho but in secret, God will openly put Honour upon them, 1 Sam. 2. 30. But chiefly this is meant at the Day of Judgment; then those which pray in secret, their heavenly Father will reward them openly. When thou relievest the Poor, and showest Comfort to the Needy, they cannot recompense thee; but then thou shalt be recompensed, at the Resurrection of the Just, Luke 14. 14. There's the great and most public Reward of Christians. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Then he will bring to Light the hidden Things of Darkness, and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart; and then shall every Man have Praise with God: That is, every Man that is praise-worthy, however he be mistaken, and judged of the World; for the Apostle speaks it to comfort them against the Censures of Men. And mark, this is opposed ⟨p. 14⟩to the reward which the Pharisees pleased themselves with:
2. The other thing which is propounded here, is God's Reward: And he will reward thee openly. How doth God reward our Prayers? Not for any Worth or Dignity which is in them. What Merit can there be in begging? what doth a Beggar deserve in asking Alms? But it is out of his own Grace and Mercy, having by Promise made himself as it were a Debtor to a poor faithful and believing Supplicant. But He will reward thee openly; how is that? Either by a sensible Answer to thy Prayers, as he doth often to his Children, by granting what they pray for; as when Daniel was praying in secret, God sent an Angel to him, Dan. 9. 20. Or by an evident Blessing upon their ⟨p. 13⟩Prayers in this World, for the conscionable Performance of this Duty. Abraham, Isaac; and Iacob, that were Men of much Communion with God, were eminently and sensibly blessed; they were rewarded openly, for their secret Converse with him. Or it may be, by giving them Respect externally in the Eyes of others. A praying People dart Conviction into the Consciences of Men. It is notable, that Pharaoh in his Distress sent for Moses and Aaron, and not for the Magicians. The Consciences of wicked Men are open at such a time, and they know God's Children have special Favour, and great Audience with him; and he having the Hearts of all Men in his hands, can manage and dispose Respect, according as he pleaseth: And when they are in Distress, this Honour God hath put upon you, they shall send for you to pray with them; and those which honour him, tho but in secret, God will openly put Honour upon them, 1 Sam. 2. 30. But chiefly this is meant at the Day of Iudgment; then those which pray in secret, their heavenly Father will reward them openly. When thou relievest the Poor, and shewest Comfort to the Needy, they cannot recompence thee; but then thou shalt be recompensed, at the Resurrection of the Just, Luke 14. 14. There's the great and most publick Reward of Christians. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Then he will bring to Light the hidden Things of Darkness, and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart; and then shall every Man have Praise with God: That is, every Man that is praise-worthy, however he be mistaken, and judged of the World; for the Apostle speaks it to comfort them against the Censures of Men. And mark, this is opposed ⟨p. 14⟩to the reward which the Pharisees pleased themselves with:
