A plain discourse upon uprightness showing the properties and privileges of an upright man…A plain discourse upon uprightness shewing the properties and priviledges of an upright man…

Object. Ah, but then I fear my state, and doubt of my sincerity, in that I have prayed long for such a child, for a better memory, for strength against some sins, and have received no answer; and so may conclude my self a very hypocrite.

Object. Ah, but then I fear my state, and doubt of my sincerity, in that I have pray'd long for such a child, for a better memory, for strength against some sins, and have received no answer; and so may conclude my self a very hypocrite.

Answ. 1. God often delights in prayer, ¹when he seems to deny it, and never denies his servants but when the deni• is better then a grant. You must distinguish between delaying and denying: our God delays, to try us, not to deny us, to make us cry the louder; so he put off Jacob to whet him on the more; seemed to be weary of his company, but he would not pass so; lames him, yet he'll pray, and wrestle on one leg rather then give out: So the woman of Canaan. ⟨p. 96⟩Drink is more welcome, when very thirsty; and when the Lord sees you cannot be without a mercy, you shall have it. And then the Greatness of the mercy, shall pay for the length of its stay; and like money at Interest, so your pray•s which have been long on the file, shall bring the greater increase back again.

Answ. 1. God often delights in prayer, ¹when he seems to deny it, and never denies his servants but when the deni• is better then a grant. You must distinguish between delaying and denying: our God delayes, to try us, not to deny us, to make us cry the louder; so he put off Jacob to whet him on the more; seem'd to be weary of his company, but he would not pass so; lames him, yet hee'l pray, and wrestle on one leg rather then give out: So the woman of Canaan.