N01545:39
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1716
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The Ears of the LORD are open to the Prayers of the Righteous.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Lords Servants complain that He turns a deaf Ear upon them, and will not hear their Prayers. How then is it said, that His Ears are open to the Prayers of the Righteous? ⟨p. 18⟩Does not holy Job say, I cry unto thee and thou doest not hear me, I stand up, viz to Pray, for, standing as well as kneeling is a Praying posture, & thou regardest me not, Job 30.20. Do not the Lords People make a sorrowful complaint: Psal. 30.4. How long wilt then be angry against the Prayer of thy People. And is it not among the Churches Lamentations, When I cry and shout, he shutteth out my Prayer; Thou hast covered thy self with a cloud that our Prayer should not pass through ▪ Lam. 3.8, 44.
Answ. The Lord does many times hear the Prayers of His People, when they themselves are not sensible of it.
For, 1. He does not always give the thing Prayed for immediately, when their Prayer is graciously accepted, and in due time they shall receive what they have begged for. Sometimes indeed God hears the Prayers of His Servants, and answers them ⟨p. 19⟩forth-with. They no sooner speak but speed. Nay, it may be when they do but purpose to Pray, He is so gracious as to prevent them with His blessings. Isai. 65.24. Before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear. So it was with Daniel, While he was speaking & praying & presenting his supplication before God, yea, whilst he was speaking in Prayer, God sent an Angel to acquaint him that his Prayer was heard,