Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The means, duties, ordinances, both secret, private and publike, for continuance and increase of a godly life, once begun, till we come to Heaven. Wherein are discovered many blessed medium's or duties, in their right method, manner and proceedings; that so a Christian (the spirit of Christ assisting) may walk on in the holy path, which leads from his new birth to everlasting life. / Drawn, for the most part, out of the most eminently pious, and learned writings of our native practical divines: with additionals of his own, by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes.

SECT. 5. Duties after Prayer.

3. THe Duties subsequent, which follow after prayer, are these:—

1. Quietly to rest in the good will and pleasure of God, not doubting but the Lord hath heard our Prayers, and in good time shall grant that which shall be most for his glory and our good; and this is the meaning of the word Amen, where∣with we seal up our prayers.

2. Diligently to use all good means for the obtaining of our suits; as if I pray for faith, or any other spiritual Grace, I must besides prayer, use all good means carefully, which the Lord hath ordained for the begetting and increasing of those graces in us, as hearing the Word preached, receiving the Sa∣crament, reading the Word, and meditating on it, otherwise our prayers are a tempting of God, as if he must grant, not by means, but by miracles.

3. Carefully to look after our prayers, and to cast up our comings in, and gainings by prayers, otherwise we are like foolish

Venturers, who have a great stock a going, but look not after their returns: In the morning I will direct my prayers,* 1.1 and look up:] There are two military words in the verse, David would not onely pray, but marshal up his prayers, put them in array; and when he had done so, he would be as a spy upon a tower, to see whether he prevailed, whether he got the day: For the bet∣ter unfolding this mystery of grace, I shall propound and give Answer to some Quaeres or cases of Conscience as:—

1. Suppose I have prayed, how shall I assuredly know that God hears, and will answer in his own time?

2. Suppose the thing I desired shall not be answered, how may I assuredly know that God notwithstanding doth hear my prayers?

3. Suppose after prayer I observe all I can, I can by no means discern, that either God will answer, or doth hear my prayers, what shall I do then?

4. Suppose the thing I desire is answered, how may I as∣suredly know it was at my prayers, or out of common pro∣vidence?

5. Suppose that others joyned with me in those prayers now answered, how shall I know that my prayers had an hand in ob∣taining those answers, as well as any others?

6. Suppose I am assured upon former observations, that God hath heard and answered my prayers in their particulars, what must I do then?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 5.3.