13.8 1 Kings 3.9 12. 1 Chron. 4.10 but because temporal blessings may be severed from the good will of God therefore we must judge of the answers of our Prayers from the grants we have in spiritual blessings as when we pray for a melting heart or a thirsting heart and have one given to us and we may judge of temporal blessings to be the fruits of Prayers answered when those blessings are used to a sanctified end 2. By the enlargement of the heart to holy desires Psal 10.17 Thou hast prepared their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear when a man hath a bag and he falls to stretching of it it s a signe he means to fill it so God enlarging the heart with more hunger and thirst longings and breathings then ordinary It s a sign he means to hear that prayer 3. When we behold the face of God in Prayer God sometimes answers the Prayers of his People with a cast of his countenance see Psal 27.7 8 9. also 22.24 as Petitioners may oft read their speeding in the amiable countenance of those they petition Job gaves an undeniable reason why God was his salvation Job 13.16 which was because an hypocrite did not come before him as Job did though every Creature come into his omnipresence yet into his special presence to behold his face in prayer and to come within the list of his countenance onely upright men come see Psal 104.13 4. When the Conscience is able to commend the Prayer setting aside the infirmities Jobs Conscience commended his Prayer to be pure Job 16.17 If thy conscience tell thee thy Prayers are rotten thy sins not purged thy heart not upright it is the voice of God in thy soul but if thy heart condemn thee not then hast thou confidence towards God 1 John 3.21 onely note sometimes the Conscience may be misinformed under a temptation to think God doth not hear them when he doth Job 30.20 Psal 22.1 2. Lam. 3.8 sometimes they were perswaded God heard their prayer as verse 46 57. sometimes they doubted thereof as verse 44. 5. When though God denies us what we ask yet God gives us a better thing Abraham prayed that Ishmael might live and God gave him a better even Isaac Gen. 17.18 19. David prayed for the life of the Child he had by Bathsheba and God gave him a better even Solomon 2 Sam. 12.22 6. By Gods drawing neer unto us in our Prayer God draws nigh to the Soul 1. By removing discouragements Lam. 3.57 Thou drawest neer in the day that I cryed unto thee thou saidst Fear not When God shall raise up the soul against discouragements from former scandalous sins from Gods justice from its own unworthiness from dumbness and barrenness of expressions from the sinning against knowledge from relapses from secret despair Psal 31.22 this drawing nigh argues an answer 2. God draws nigh by working meltings and brokenness of heart upon the soul so that as in old time God was wont to give answer to the prayers of his Servants by sending fire from Heaven to consume their Sacrifices 1 King 18.24 1 Chron. 21.26 2 Chron. 7.1 so doth he now testifie by his holy Spirit who was typified by that fire Mat. 3.11 working in prayer many passionate meltings that the heart melts under the displeasing such a loving God and the eye melts into tears Psal 6.8 blessed be God who hath heard the voice of my weeping how knew he he was heard why because he poured out weeping prayers to God Psa 39.12 hold not thy peace at my tears Isa 38.5 I have heard thy prayers and seen thy tears Jer. 31.9 I will lead them along with weeping and supplication Also Christ when he was heard offered up strong crying with tears Heb. 7.5 the like did Nehemiah when he prayed that God would give him favour in the sight of the King he wept in his prayer Nehem. 1.4 11. also Jacob wept and made supplication and found the Lord in Bethel Hos 12.3 4. yea the Saints of God generally have been thus crowned with answers in their prayers as Ezra c. 10.1 Iob c. 16 16 Iosiah 2 Chron. 34.27 Paul Acts 20.31 Ier. 9.1 13.17 Hannah 1 Sam. 1.10 Peter Mar. 14.72 not as if God did not draw nigh in other prayers wherein the eye melts not into tears for if the soul hath other signs of its prayers heard it ought not to be discouraged but this I say prayers poured out thus with inward meltings of heart so that the eye shall weep in prayer seem to me to be crowningly answered And so much the more when a person is not inclining to weep in other Cases as many women and some men are out of natural softness To conclude consider whether it be safe to be without such a frame of heart and eye in prayer as so many of the Saints in the word are recorded to have had and wherein they found such comfort and success 3. God draws nigh by chearing and inward comforting of the heart Phil. 4.6 7. inwardly warning it with the soul of his presence Now all these approaches of God to gracious souls are not alike for sometimes he gives a stronger sense of his favour in one prayer more then another and sometimes in some one or more Petitions of the same prayer then in other Petitions thereof yet when God draws nigh to thy soul in a particular request it is not certain that that request shall be granted in that manner you desired as when a man prays for the life of a sick friend and God draws nigh in that Petition and yet the friend dies but it is evidential to thee that thy prayer is heard and that the thing thou askest is according to the approving will of God though not according to his decreeing will All these drawings nigh to the soul evidence the hearing of prayers as appears Psal 69.17 hear me speedily but what signe doth he desire why verse 18. he saith Draw nigh to my soul 7. Thou mayest know thy prayers are answered by having a spirit of perseverance in prayer Psal 66.20 138.3 when a Petitioner comes to a Prince or Nobleman if the Prince embolden him in his speech and let him speak all he would it s a sign the Prince means to grant that man his Petition because otherwise he would not have endured to have heard him so long but would have commanded him to be gone so when the soul comes to God in prayer if God dispatch it out of his presence that the soul hath no heart to continue its suit and prayes deadly and dully and is glad it hath said its prayers and hath done it s a fearful sign that God answers not those prayers though poured out by a godly man but if thou prayest and God gives thee a spirit to hold out in prayer if thou prayest and hast not done in thy prayers but God doth further and further put in thee a warmth and heat of affection that
confession of Christ c. wherein we have in those signes by all deep engagement obliged our selves Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving A. In stead of receiving to comfort Satan hath a greater posession of such persons as in Judas if he were at the Supper as many learned men think who Luke 22.3 had Satan entring into him before his going to the High-Priests and receiving the sop but after the receiving the sop the Devil entred further into him John 13.27 and v. 30. having received the sop he went out immediately and came to a thorow resolution to betray Christ besides good men receiving in part unworthily receive temporal judgements as sickness weakness death 1 Cor. 11.30 and wicked men having a total unworthiness receive eternal damnation Q. What is the manner of Christ his presence in the Lords Supper A. He is present spiritually to the Faith of the receiver to increase by his Spirit the Union Communion of the soul with Christ Ephes 3.19 1 Cor. 10.16 Ephes 4.15 16 1 Cor. 12.13 he is also present by grace and operation of feeling in the hearts of his as the Sun is present with us by his light and influence though in Heaven he is also present in the promise Mat. 26.26 Take eat this is my body and my blood as if he should say I promise you in the use of this Ordinance you shall receive the vertue of my quickening death and merit thereof as verily as you receive bread and wine Q. What think you of that opinion that the body of Christ is present in with or under the bread after an unperceivable manner A. It is an erroneous opinion It is against the Article of Christ his ascension into heaven Act. 3.21 2. Hereby they destroy the nature and truth of a humane body which is both finite and visible making it infinite and invisible Q. Whether is the body of Christ really and substantially contained under the kindes of bread and wine in the same space where bread and wine were contained before A. No for 1. Bread in the Supper is six times after consecration called bread still 1 Cor. 10.15 16. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. 2. The truth of Christs flesh is proved by sight and touching Luk. 24.39 but in the Supper it cannot he touched therefore it is not substantially or fleshlily present 3. It s a contradiction that one whole body should be whole together in divers places Mat. 28.6 he is risen he is not here the consequence had proved nothing if a whole body might be whole in divers places Q. How oft are we to receive the Supper A. Often our own decayes of grace requires often receiving the Apostles indeterminate Command Do this as often admits of no other limitation then want of occasion and opportunity Q. But there are some that are not in charity with me may I receive A. Yes supposing the uncharitableness on their parts their sin cannot debar us of the priviledges and benefits Christ hath purchased for us if the sin be on our part we must lay aside our wrath lest we double our sin by absenting from Ordinances and retaining wrath Q. Who are the persons to be received to the Supper A. Onely Church-Members 1 Cor. 10.13 1 Cor. 11.20 holy things are not to be given to Dogs Mat. 7.6 in exposing the signs of the Covenant to those concerning whom we have no ground to believe God promises any thing we prophane them they are not to be acknowledged for Covenanters with God who are his enemies Q. How are wicked men partaking guilty of the body and blood of the Lord A. 1. They are guilty of rejecting it 2. Because they prophane the signes that represent Christs body as they that despise Christs Servants despise himself Luk. 10.16 1 Thes 4.8 or as a reproach done to the Ambassadors redounds to the Prince or as he that commits Treason against a Princes Seal commits it against himself Concerning Prayer Q. WHat is prayer A. A pouring forth of the Soul to God 1 Sam. 1. Psalm 62.8 Q. What are the parts of prayer A. They are three 1. Confession of sins so Daniel c. 9.6 7 8 c. and Nehemiah c. 1 6.7 2. Petition for grace Mat. 6.9 3. Thanksgiving for benefits 1 Tim. 2.1 Phil. 4.6 Q. What qualifications are requisite that we may pray comfortably A. 1. We being bankrupt in Heaven must come in the name of Christ Iohn 16.23 24. 2. For things according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5.14 3. With a heart purposing against all sin Psal 66.18 Iohn 9 41. Iob. 11.13 4. With a fervent heart Iam. 5.16 crying mightily to God Jon. 3. as a Malefactor doth for life before a Judge 5. In Faith Jam. 1.6 7. believing we shall have from God so far as his promise reacheth as a begger never goes from a door so long as he believes he shall have an Almes Mat. 7.7 21.22 to persons praying in faith the thing desired is done or else it s better for them not to be done 6. With an humble and broken heart Psal 34.17 content not your selves with prayers void of humiliation and melting of heart so Abraham Gen. 18.27 the Prodigal Luk. 15.18 If Satan fright thee from prayer because thou art unworthy say then Nay but I will pray because I am unworthy 7. With watchfulness against distractions both those that come from Satan Zach. 3. and those which come from spiritual fluggishness especially Col. 4.2 and watchfulness against drouziness Luk. 21.36 as a begger is all awake when he begs so must we be when we beg of God 8. With sighes and groanes though words answer very barely Rom. 8.26 Gal. 4.6 God answers not that which is in the froth of wolds alone but that which is in the sigh or groan Psalme 145.19 9. Pray with the Spirit Jude 20. Ephes 6.18 which is not onely to have the gift of Prayer which artificial Christians may have and not without some show of spiritual life being full of fit expressions from abundance of notions but also to have the grace of prayer whereby the soul hath many sighes against the sproutings of lusts and wrastlings for the removals of corruptions and secret springings of heart upon the receipt of spiritual blessings Psal 103.1 that such Prayers come from the Spirit appears because when the Spirit intermits or forbears working the souls of the best become dull Rom. 8.15 10. Let thy Person be holy Psal 86. 2 John 15.7 no natural man can pray acceptably John 9.13 yet may there be passions in a soul and yet that soul holy and that Prayer accepted as in Elia's Case Jam. 5.16 Q. How shall a poor soul know whether God hears his Prayers A. He shall know it by these signs 1. When he hath the thing granted he prayed for the Church prayed for Peter and had him given when they were praying Act. 12.5 Hanna prayed for a son and had one 1 Sam. 1.27 see for this Gen. 20.17 Jud.
thy heart is emboldened in its Petitions and thou desirest further Communion with God that thou art as it were loath to leave off the words of prayer much less the suits of prayer it is a signe God will grant thy prayer to thee 8. Thou mayest know thy prayers are heard when in the close of thy prayer thou hast some comfortable answer suggested unto thee from God for example God by his Spirit comes to some suggesting on this wise when they pray powerfully viz. I will be thy God I will not fail thee nor forsake thee I will do thee much good I will be an everlasting God unto thee so God suggested to Paul at the end of his prayer 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee Lam. 3.5.7 when the Church was discouraged out of sence of her unworthiness God drew neer and said Fear not so Luther in Gen. c. 44. saith O that I could call upon God with the same fervency as oft as I would for when I pray in this manner meaning fervently this answer seems sensibly to be given unto me Fiat quod petis let the thing be done which thou desirest No man saith he can contemn this prayer which proceeds from inward bowels and affection much less can it be in vain with God for this last signe I am confident some of Gods Children have it but whether all have it I leave it to further enquiry 9. The manner of the falling out of things evidenceth prayer-hearing when God brings a thing to pass through many difficulties contriving all the passages in a business whereof if any of them had been wanting the business had not been effected so when the Church was delivered in answer to the Prayers of Esther and Mordecai so when Peter was brought out of prison beyond expectation it plainly appears it was the fruit of prayer when God makes the way easie and plain after prayer and the course of things begins to change and we meet with comforts in stead of former crosses it appears it is from prayers answered Esth 4.16 Acts 12.12 13. Of Gods with-drawments from the Soul Q. WHether may not God with-draw from his own Children A. Yes if God forsake Christ his onely begotten Son Mat. 26.38 in respect of comfort and joy though not in respect of union of natures then Believers must not look to go free Q. Why doth God with-draw from his children A. Careless and negligent use of means of grace or an overly performance of duties of Religion Song 5.2 2 3 4. 2. For grieving his Spirit Isa 63.10 either by scandalous sins Psal 51.11 or treacherous denial of Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 Christ will deny to such comfort as well as owning 3. Not esteeming Gods presence Iob 15.11 we prize things in their absence 4. To make us grow in a hatred of sin as of that which deprives us of Communion with God Isa 57.17 5. That we may know what Christ underwent for us in the absence of Gods presence Luk. 22. 6. To try whether we will trust in God in the want of feeling Job 13.15 Q. What may comfort a soul when God withdraws comfortable feeling and influence of his presence which the soul hath formerly felt in Prayer and other Ordinances A. There are divers comforts as 1. Thy sadness for his absence doth argue a former enjoyment of his presence and being once Christs thou art ever Christs John 13.1 2. A man may fear God and have part in Christ and yet feel little or no comfort Isa 50.10 3. As in the gloomiest day there is so much light whereby we may know it to be day and not night so a Christian whom God hath in part forsaken may discern himself to be sincere because he hath a love to God and his glory 1 Sam. 4.18 vehement desires after grace and Gods presence Psal 63.1 and an absolute purpose against sin though he should dye without comfort Psal 44.17 18. 4. Consider a Christian in a forsaken Estate breathing out sighs and groans for the return of Christs presence may be as dear to God as he that enjoyes Gods presence Job 13.15 5. Absence of accustomed feelings then onely argue a back-sliding heart when they are suffered in the soul without sorrow and grief Psal 28.1 143.7 yet are not thy groans and sorrows the causes of Gods return but the dispositions of persons to whom he doth return 6. Christ in his withdrawment as well as in his return aimes at his souls good for upon his withdrawment the soul is stretched with desire after him Psal 42.1 7. God withdraws from the spirits of Saints onely in crowning graces as joy peace feeling not in saving graces as faith repentance self-denial c. these God never takes away Q. But why do you say Faith repentance self-denial c. are never taken away are they not Creatures and every Creature is subject to perish A. Grace of it self considered may dye for it is a Creature but consider it as united to Christ so it cannot dye Joh. 4.14 If believers were cut off from Christ grace should wither as the branch being cut off from the root doth but being knit to him the sap must be in the branches because it is in the root and life will be in the members because it is in the head waters will never dry up so long as there is a Fountain to maintain them Q. How may I recover the feeling of the Lords love to my soul A. 1. Cry mightily for his presence Psal 4.6 7. 27.9 2. Enquire when where and why God with-drew Jer. 14.8 as we do concerning dear friends when they absent themselves from us 3. Converse in all Ordinances wherein there is any in-comes of God Some receive comfort in reading 2 Reg. 22.11 19. others in Baptism Act. 8.39 others in hearing Act. 10.44 others in conference Luk. 24.32 4. Be humble and afflicted under Gods withdrawment Luke 1.53 vallies are blest with the happiest influence of Heaven 5. Call to remembrance thy former times of comfort Psal 77.5 6. assuring thy self thou hast to deal with an unchangeable God Though in winter the sap in plants goes into the root yet will it at Spring spread it self in the branches 6. Count no condition in the world too much though it were banishment imprisonment reproach or poverty so thou maist recover Gods countenance Many are so dainty that they will not suffer any thing for God and therefore God inflicts that which is the greatest of sufferings that is the with-drawment of himself 7. Beware of resting contented in the comfort of any Creatuâ—e without God and his sweet presence the whole earth is a barren Wilderness without himself Psal 63.1 8. Give not way to spiritual drouziness Q. But my heart is drouzy how shall I keep it awake A. Use wakeful considerations as of the shortness of life the eternity of glory the danger of back-sliding Psal 39.3 c. 2. Keep your selves in the light darkness makes men