Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

But because they who pray oftentimes obtaine not that which they aske is the praier in vaine, or God to be said not to heare?

In no wise, because God sometime denyeth the things asked, not because he despiseth our prayers: but because those things which we aske are not profitable for vs. Hitherto belongeth that of Iames 4. vers. 3. ye aske and receiue not, because ye aske amisse, that ye might consume it on your lustes. Wherupon Augustine saith, Saepe non exaudit ad voluntatem, vt exaudiat ad salutem. That is, oftentimes he heareth not according to our wil, that he may heare for our safetie. In like manner he saith, Si non dat ad horam, exer∣cet quaerentem, sed non contemnit petentem. That is, if he giueth not af∣ter a while, he doth exercise him that seeketh, but despiseth not him that asketh. And god deferreth to giue those things which he will giue. 1 That he may trye his owne. 2 That he may the more kindle their faith. 3 That he may make his gifts more ac∣ceptable. 4 Least the thing soone giuen should be of little account 5 That we may keepe the things giuen in his feare. 6 That wee may be inflamed more and more vvith a desire of praying. So he doth heare, vvhiles he seemeth not to heare. But there is besides with God a double manner of hearing, outvvard and invvard for sometime outwardly he sheweth manifest help, after which maner he heard the three childrenc 1.1: and Danield 1.2. Sometime, he assisteth by the vertue of his holy spirit, least being ouercome with euils we should faint. So he heard Stephene 1.3, & infinite martyrs at all times. And to Paul complaining, that he besought God thrise, it was aunswered, my grace is sufficiēt for the. 2. Cor. 12.9. From hence a rule is to be made, that it is the grace of God, if God by & by heareth not thē which pray deuoutly. For the Lord giueth to them which pray deuoutly somthing which is better, that is, the strēgth of the spirit, that those things which do grieue thē may turne to their good. Wherfore the hearing of our praiers is to be measured not by sense but by faith

Notes

• c 1.1

  Deu. 3.27.
• d 1.2

  Dan. 6.22. and in other places often. Esay. 37.36
• e 1.3

  Act. 7.55.