The thirteenth question, shall be of the converts doubting what to think, when he compareth his disposition to pray∣er, and Gods dispensation toward him in prayer.

SUndry converts, when they compare their own di∣vers dispositions to prayer, with the divers dispen∣sations of God toward them in prayer, they are at a stand what to think. Sometime (saith one) albeit I be very hardly drawn to pray at all, yet when after wrestling, the conscience of the duty doth set me on work, my prayer goeth on as I could wish, light is furnished to me what to confesse, what to thank for, what to seek both for my self and others; whereby I gather, for the time, that the Lord is pleased with my person in Christ, and hath accepted my prayer. Some∣time it fareth otherwayes with me: for, when time, place, and leisure for prayer concur, and I am now about to make use of opportunity, and do fall down before the Lord to speak, on a suddain, I have nothing to say; matter, words and light do fail me, dark∣nesse and confusion falleth on my mind, and my pray∣er suudry times is stopped, and closeth with a sigh or groan; which dispositions of my heart and dispensa∣tions of the Lord when I compare, I am in doubt what to think.

2. For answer, in the first case, concerning the Lords blessing of the aiming at duty, the matter is clear and speaks for it self; for, God will have us to aim at a right frame of spirit when we are about the discharge of any part of his worship, but not forbear to do the duty, if we cannot reach that fitnesse of spirit which we desire; let us strive against all impediments, and God will help us to fight, will give the victory and reward it for our encouragment to set upon our duty.

Page  520 As for the other case of setting on the duty, and missing, of furniture to discharge it, let us consider, that God in this dispensation is teaching us, that both the discharge of any duty, and the successe thereof, do not depend upon him that willeth, or on him that run∣neth, but upon God that sheweth mercy; yea, he teacheth us by experience, that to will and to do are two distinct gifts, the one whereof sometime he will give and not the other, and sometime he will give both, that we may learn not to limit the Lord in any case, but really acknowledge that every good gift it from him, that we may aim at our duty and depend on him for the blessing.