The returne of prayers A treatise wherein this case how to discerne Gods answers to our prayers is briefly resolved, with other observations vpon Psal. 85.8. concerning Gods speaking peace, &c. By Tho: Goodvvin. B.D.
Goodwin, Thomas, 1600-1680.
Page [unnumbered]
THE TABLE.
- CHAP. 1. The maine observation: That
Gods people are diligently to observe
the answers of their prayers. Pag. 5.
- The sinfulnes of the neglect hereof demon∣strated
by seven reasons. 7
- 1▪ reas. An ordinance of God taken in vain ibid.
- 2. reas. Gods attributes taken in vain. 12
- 3. reas. God in answering made to speake in vaine 16
- 4. reas. God provoked not to answer. 19
- 5. reas. We shall not returne thanks. 21
- 6. reas. We shall lose much experience. 23
- 1. Of Gods faithfulnesse ibid
- 2. Of our own wayes towards him. 25
- 7. reas. We shall lose much comfort. 28
- The sinfulnes of the neglect hereof demon∣strated
by seven reasons. 7
- CHAP. 2. Three Cases: The first concer∣ning
prayers for such promises as may bee
accomplished in ages to come. 32
- 1 § Such prayers the Church to come doth reape 33
- 2 § Yet wee at present may have an answer about them. 39
- 3 § In heaven, and at the last day wee shall rejoyce for their accomplishment. 40
- Page [unnumbered]CHAP. 3. Second Case: Concerning pray∣ers
made for others of our friends, &c.
How answered. p. 42
- 1 § Such prayers oft granted. 44
- 2 § Yet not alwayes in the very thing
prayed for. 46
- Such promises but indefinite. 49
- As all temporall promises are 51
- Our faith towards them not required to be assurance. 53
- Vnlesse God give a speciall faith 58
- 3 § Such prayers returned into our owne bosomes. 61
- 4 § God in the end casts some out of our prayers 65
- 5 § Those prayers answered in some o∣thers. 68
- CHAP. 4. Third Case: How the influence
of our owne prayers, when others pray also
for the same thing with us, may bee dis∣cerned.
72
- 1 § If our hearts are affected with the
same holy affection 73
- Vnbeknowne each to other. 75
- 2 § By some speciall endeavor: as,
- 1 Some notable circumstance. 76
- 2 By joy in the accomplishment. 79
- 3 By thankfulnesse for the accomplish∣ment. 81
- Page [unnumbered] 3 §. This lesse to be doubted when the thing prayed for by us doth concerne our owne particular. p. 82
- 1 § If our hearts are affected with the
same holy affection 73
- CHAP. 5 Common directions helpfull in all
cases, and prayers: taken first from obser∣vations
from Before and In praying. p. 85
- 1 § BEFORE: when God prepares the
heart. 86
- Difference between Satans motions to prayer and Gods. 89
- 2 § IN prayer: Gods speakings in prayer
are evidences of hearing: and discer∣ned
by 4 things. 93
- 1 Giving a quietnes by praier about the thing prayed for. ibid
- 3 § 2 By revealing his love, in and upon
such petitions. 99
- A caution herein. 103
- Reasons why God draws nigh when he grants not the thing 104
- 4 § 3 God sometimes gives a particular
assurance. 107
- A caution herein. 111
- 5 § 4 By giving a restlesse importunity to pray for a particular mercy. 117
- 1 § BEFORE: when God prepares the
heart. 86
- CHAP. 6 Observations made upon the di∣sposition
of the heart AFTER prayer:
Vntill the ISSVE of the thing prayed for
p. 119
- Page [unnumbered] 1 § When God gives an obedient depen∣dant heart. pag. 119
- 2 § when God gives an heart waiting for and expecting it. 123
- CHAP. 7 Observations made AFTER
prayer Vpon the ISSVE: first If Accom∣plisht:
whether as the fruit of prayer, or
of common providence. 125
- 1 § God sometimes answers the prayer in the very thing and maner desired. 126
- 2 § Directions to discerne that things thus
obtained are in answer to prayers. 134
- 1 From the maner of Gods performance.
A more then ordinary hand discovered
in things accomplisht by prayer, instan∣ced
in 5. particulars. ibid
- 1 By bringing it to passe through dif∣ficulties. 135
- 2 By facilitating all meanes. 137
- 3 Effecting it suddenly. 139
- 4 With addition of other mercies a∣bove what was desired. 141
- 5 By some speciall circumstance as a token of his hand in it. 142
- 1 From the maner of Gods performance.
A more then ordinary hand discovered
in things accomplisht by prayer, instan∣ced
in 5. particulars. ibid
- 3 § 2 From the Time, wherein it is ac∣complisht.
146
- As first when we were most instant in prayer. 147
- 2 In the fittest time for us. Then, 150
- Page [unnumbered] 1 When we have most need. 151
- 2 When the heart was best prepared to receive it. 154
- 4 § 3 From the proportion which may bee observed betwixt Gods dealings in the accomplishment, and our prayers. 158
- CHAP. 8. Seven observations more, from
the Effects, which the accomplishment of
the mercy hath upon the heart. 163
- 1 § If it draw the heart nearer to God. ibid
- 2 § Enlargeth the heart with thankful∣nesse. 166
- 3 § And encourageth the heart the more to pray, for other things. 169
- 4 § If it makes more carefull to performe the vowes made to obtaine it. 170
- 5 § If by faith a man sees and acknow∣ledgeth Gods sole hand in the accom∣plishment. 174
- 6 § By an assurance which comes some∣times with the mercy. 178
- 7 § By the event: Things obtained by prayer prove stable mercies. 179
- CHAP. 9. Considerations, to quiet us, and
to helpe to discerne an acceptation of the
prayer, when the thing is Not Accom∣plisht.
183
- 1 § The thing not alwayes granted, when
yet the prayer is heard. ibid.
- Page [unnumbered] An objection answered. 186
- 2 § Some blessings not absolutely promi∣sed,
nor absolutely to be prayed for. 188
- In which a deniall is to bee interpre∣ted as best for us in Gods judge∣ment. 190
- 3 § There may be a reservation in the de∣niall, for some greater mercy. ibid
- 4 § There may bee a transmutation into some other blessing of the same kind. 193
- 5 § God when hee denies, yet answereth to the ground of our prayers. 196
- 6 § And yeelds farre in it, to give satis∣faction to his child. 203
- 7 § Wee may know that the prayer not∣withstanding
is accepted, by the effects
upon the heart, which are 4. 206
- 1 If we acknowledge God righteous in the deniall. ibid.
- 2 If God fills the heart with content∣ment in the deniall. 207
- 3 If the heart bee thankfull out of faith. 209
- 4 If not discouraged, but prayes still. 210
- 1 § The thing not alwayes granted, when
yet the prayer is heard. ibid.
- CHAP. 10. Application: A reproofe of
them that pray, but looke not after the
Returnes of their prayers: The causes
of this neglect: are 212
- Page [unnumbered]
1 Temptations: 1 From want of assu∣rance
that our persons are accepted, 216
- 2 From the weaknes of our prayers: three answers to it. 221
- 3 From not obtaining what wee formerly prayed for, answered by 4. things. 227
- 2 More sinfull discouragements as, 231
- 1 From slothfulnesse in praying. 232
- 2 Looking at prayer as a duty only, and not as a meanes to obtaine. 236
- 3 Falling into sinne after prayers. 240
- Page [unnumbered]
1 Temptations: 1 From want of assu∣rance
that our persons are accepted, 216
- Sixe Observations more out of the Text.
- 1 Observ. That God doth sometimes not speake peace to his owne people. 245
- 2 Obser. The cause thereof some folly. 251
- 3 Observ. God only can speak peace. 258
- 4 Observ. God easily can give peace. 267
- 5 Observ. God will certainly speak to his people. 278
- 6 Observ. After peace spoken his people should returne no more to folly. 283
- The sin and folly of relapsing shewne by 7. reasons. 29•
- Temptations from relapse into the same
sinne after peace spoken, answered
- By Scriptures. 32•
- By 3 Examples. 33•
- By 4 Reasons. 34•
- 5 Cautions. 36•
FINIS.