Heaven on Earth

Thirdly, You must distinguish between Answ. 3 ¹delays and denials: God may delay us, when he does not deny us; he may defer the giving in of a mercy, and yet, at last, give the very mercy begged. Barren Hannah prays, year after year, for a mercy. God delays her long, but at last gives her her desire; and the Text says expressly, that her countenance was no more sad, 1 Sam. 1. 18. After many prayers and tears, the Lord comes in, and assures her, that she should have the desire of her soul; and now she mourns no more, but sits down satisfied, comforted and cheered. After much praying, waiting, and weeping, God usually comes with his hands, and his heart ⟨p. 149⟩full of mercy to his people. He loves not to come (Vacuis manibus) empty handed to those that have sate long with wet eyes at Mercies door. Christ tries the faith, patience, and constancy of the Canaanite woman, he deferred² and delayed her, he reproached and repulsed her; and yet, at last, is overcome by her, as not being able any longer to withstand her importunate requests. O woman, great is thy faith, Be ³it unto thee, even as thou wilt. Christ puts her off at first, but closes with her at last; at first, a good word, a good look is too good for her, but at last, good words, and good looks are too little for her, Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. At first, Christ carries himself to her as a churlish stranger, but at last, as an amorous lover; though at first, he had not an ear to hear her, yet at last he had a heart to grant her, not only her desires, but even what else she would desire over and above, what she had desired. God heard Daniel at⁴ the beginning of his supplications, and his bowels of lo•• was working strongly towards him, but the Angel Gabriel doth not inform Daniel of this ⟨p. 150⟩till afterwards. Praying souls, you say that you have prayed long for assurance, and yet you have not obtained it. Well, pray still, O pray and wait, wait and pray, the Vision is for