Chapter I
The main observation : That God s people are diligently to observe the answers of their prayers,
. . . . .360 The sinfulness of the neglect hereof demonstrated by seven reasons
Beason 1. An ordinance of God taken in vain, . . 360 Beason 2. God s attributes taken in vain, . . v . 361 Beason 3. God in answering made to speak in vain, . 361
XVI CONTENTS.
PAGE Eeason 4. God provoked not to answer, . . . 362 Reason 5. We shall not return thanks, . . .362 Reason 6. We shall lose much experience
(1.) Of God s faithfulness, . . .362
(2.) Of our own ways towards him, . . . 363 Reason 7. We shall lose much comfort, . . . 363
CHAPTER II. Three cases propounded
1. The first, concerning prayers for such promises as maybe accom
plished in ages to come, . . . . .365
(1. Such prayers the church to come doth reap,
. . 365
(2. Yet we at present may have an answer about them, . 366
(3. In heaven, and at the last day, we shall rejoice for their ac
complishment, . . . . ,366
swered, ....... 367 First consideration Such prayers oft granted, . . 367 Second consideration Yet not always in the very thing prayed for, . ..... 367 Such promises but indefinite, as all temporal promises
CHAPTER III. The second case
2. Concerning prayers made for others, of our friends, &c. ; how an
are, . . . .368 Our faith towards them not required to be assurance, unless God give a special faith, . . . 369 Third consideration Such prayers returned into our own bosoms, ...... 370 Fourth consideration God in the end casts some out of our
_ prayers,^ ; .... 370 Fifth consideration Those prayers answered in some others, 371
CHAPTER IV. The third case
3. How the influence of our own prayers, when others pray also for the same thing with us, may be discerned, . . 372
(1.) If our hearts are affected with the same holy affection, 372 Unbeknown each to other, . . . .372
(2.) By some special evidence ; as
[1.] Some notable circumstance, . . 372
[2.] By joy in the accomplishment, . . 373
[3.J By thankfulness for the accomplishment, . 373
(3.) This less to be doubted when the thing prayed for by us
doth concern our own particular, . . . 373
CHAPTER V. Common directions helpful in all cases and prayers ; taken first from observations from before and in praying, . . . 375
First, Before; when God prepares the heart, . . 375 Difference between Satan s motions to prayer and God s, 375 Secondly, In prayer ; God s speakings in prayer are evidences of
hearing, and discerned by four things
THE RETURN OF PRAYERS.
PAGE
1. Giving a quietness by prayer about the thing prayed for, 376 2. By revealing his love, in and upon such petitions, . 377 A caution herein, . . . . .377 Reasons why God draws nigh when he grants not the
thing, ...... 378
4. By giving a restless importunity to pray for a particular mercy, ..... . 379
3. God sometimes gives a particular assurance, . . 378 A caution herein, . . . . .379