Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Critics have observed an elegant Paronomasia in those words [Greek or Hebrew]; therefore I have lent him to the Lord, 1 Sam. 1.28. Samuel was first Shaiil meel, Asked of God; and then Shaiil leel, lent or returned to God. Those Blessings, which are drawn down by ⟨p. 374⟩Prayer, lie not dead here below, but are sent back again in Praise. Sometimes the Prayer returns another way, though it be not heard ad voluntatem, it is ad utilitatem: The answer is in some thing that profits us, though not to the express desire of our Hearts; it may be it is in the sweet composure of the Heart. Upon Prayer God comes in, and rebukes the Winds and Seas of Passion, and there is a calm and Divine serenity in the Soul. Hannah before Prayer was a Woman of a sorrowful spirit; but her Soul being poured out unto God, returned with a Divine sweetness; Her countenance was no more sad, 1 Sam. 1.18. It may be there is an inward support which is tantamount to the Blessing desired. Our Saviours Prayer against the Cup of Wrath was heard, in that he was enabled to drink and overcome it. And St. Paul's against the Thorn in the Flesh, in that he had sufficient Grace to withstand it. Preclarè nobiscum agitur, dum adest Dei Gratia quae nobis subveniat, saith Reverend Calvin. In the Supports of Grace there is a signal answer of Prayer; it may be, over and above the Support, the Beams of Gods Love break in upon the heart: This is a little Heaven here below, and richly transcends all this world. Bellarmin tells us a Story of an old Man, who used to rise from Duty with these words; Claudimini, Oculi mei, claudimini; nihil enim pulchrius jam videbitis: Be shut, O my Eyes, be shut; for I shall never behold a fairer Object than Gods Face, which I have now beheld. The ⟨p. 375⟩Love of God irradiating a Prayer is a ravishing sight, far better than life and all its comforts. It may be there is a transmutation of the Blessing into another; such as God, who improves the stock of Prayer to the best advantage, knows to be better for us. David prayed earnestly for his sick Child, and the return of it was in a Solomon, a Jedidiah beloved of God. One way or other the Believers Prayer returns into his bosom, being answered at least secundum cardinem, according to the main hinge and scope of it, which is Gods glory and Mans comfort or happiness.