A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.

Of Gods hearing our praiers.

HItherto we haue spoken of the making of praier to god, a word or twain of Gods hearing our praiers.

Quest. How many waies doth God heare mens praiers? Ans. Two waies. The first in his mercie, when he graunts the requests of such as call vpon him in the feare of his name. Secondly, hee heares mens praiers in his wrath. Thus he gaue the Israelites Quailes according to their desire. Psal. 78.29.30.31. Thus often men curse themselues, and wish that they were hanged or dead: and accordingly they haue their wish.

Quest. 2. Why doth God deferre to heare the praiers of his seruants? Ans. First, to prooue them by delay. Secondly, to exercise their faith. Thirdly, to make them acknowledge that the things which they receiue are Gods gifts, & not frō thēselues. Fourthly, that graces quickly giuen might not be lightly e∣steemed. Fiftly, that an hungring after grace might be sharpned & increased.

Question. 3. After what manner doth God heare his seruants prayers? Answer. Two waies. First, by graunting the thing which was asked accor∣ding to his will. Secondly, by denying the thing desired, and by giuing some∣thing proportionall to it. Thus God denies temporarie blessings, and in the roome therof giues eternal in heauen. Thus he refuseth to remooue the crosse from his seruants, and giues in stead therof strength and patience. Christ prai∣ed that the cuppe might be remooued. It was not remooued, yet he in his mā∣hood was inabled to beare the wrath of God. When Paul praied three times that the pricke in the flesh might be remooued, it was answered, My strength is sufficient for thee.

Quest. 4. Why doth not God alwaies heare mens praiers? Ans. There be many causes of this. The first, because oftentimes we know not to aske as we ought, Math. 20.22. The second, because we aske amisse, Iam. 4.3. The third, because otherwhiles the things which we aske, though they be good in them∣selues, yet they are not good vnto vs, and for that cause are withheld. 2. Cor. 12.7. The last, because God will for some long time deferre the granting of that which we aske, that he may stirre vp our faith and hope, and our dili∣gence in praier: and that we might the better esteeme of the gifts of God when we haue them, and shew our selues more thankfull.