Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

God may hear Prayer when he doth not Answer.¹ He may lend us his Ear, when he doth not show us his Face. The Text saith, the Lord hearkened and heard. 'Tis not said he gave an Answer, but he hearkened. It becomes suitors to wait. Faith stays upon God, Patience stays for God, Psal. 123.2. As the Eyes of Servants look unto the hand of their Masters, so our Eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have Mercy upon us.

God may hear Prayer when he doth not Answer.¹ He may lend us his Ear, when he doth not shew us his Face. The Text saith, the Lord hearkened and heard. 'Tis not said he gave an Answer, but he hearkened. It becomes suitors to wait. Faith stays upon God, Patience stayes for God, Psal. 123.2. As the Eyes of Servants look unto the hand of their Masters, so our Eyes wait upon the Lord our God, untill he have Mercy upon us.

1. 1Answ.

See the difference between God and men:¹ God takes Notice of the good in his people; the Wicked pass by the ⟨p. 136⟩good in the Godly, and take Notice only of their failings. If they can spy any indecency or blemish in them, they upbraid them with it; Like those children, 2 King 2.23. who reproached Elisha for his Baldness, but took no Notice of the Prophets Miracles. Erasmus speaks of one, who observed all the lame Verses in Homer, but passed over the good.