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. 7. The second Case: Suppose the thing I desire shall not be answered, how may I assuredly know that God notwithstanding doth hear my prayers?

VVE may resolve this case, if 1. we observe these parti∣culars:

1. Whether thy prayer was framed in a right maner? didst thou not pray absolutely for such blessings, as were never abso∣lutely promised? if so, no wonder thy prayer is denied; or didst thou pray conditionally (as Christ prayed, If it be possible, &c.) then thy prayer may be heard, and yet the things denyed;

for otherwise Christ had not been heard, when yet the text says, He was heard in that he feared.

2. Whether there be not a reservation in that denial, for some greater mercy, whereof that denial was the foundation? if we had many of our desires, we should be undone: If the childe had lived for which David so earnestly prayed, he would but have been a living monument of his own shame; God therefore denyed his prayer, but after he gave him a Solomon.

3. Whether God doth not answer thee still according to the ground of thy prayer? Now the ground and intent of thy prayer, is after Gods glory, the Churches good, thy own par∣ticular comfort; it may be God denies the particular mercy thou desirest, and yet he answers the ground of thy prayer, his glory shall be advanced, his Church preserved, thy comfort made up (even for that prayer of thine) some other way.

4. Whether God yields not far to give thee satisfaction, as if he were tender of denying thee? So the Lord answered Abraham, when praying for Ishmael, O let Ishmael live in thy sight! God went as far in answering his request as might be, I have heard thee (said God) and I have blessed him, and I will make him fruitful, and multiply him exceedingly, and he shall be∣get twelve Princes; but my covenant I will establish with Isaac.

5. What effects that denial hath upon thy heart? as—

1. Whether thy heart be inlarged to acknowledge God to be holy and righteous in his dealings with thee, and thine own un∣worthiness the cause of his denying thee? I cry in the day time (saith David) but thou hearest not:—Yet thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

2. Whether God fills thy heart with holy contentment in the denial?

3. Whether thou canst be thankful to God out of faith, that God hath ordered all for the best, though he hath denyed thee?

4. Whether thy heart be not discouraged, but thou canst pray still, at least for other things? it moves ingenuous natures to see men take repulses and denials well, and so it moves God: Now if the case be thus, if upon observation thou canst say, that thy prayers, though denyed, were conditional [if God will] that thou perceivest a reservation in Gods denial, for some greater mercy; that God answered thee, at least, according to the

ground of thy prayers, that God yielded far to thee; as if he were loath to deny thy prayers; that thou feelest such effects of denial upon thy heart, as these:—1. An inlargement, to ac∣knowledge God holy and righteous. 2. An holy contentment in the denial. 3. A thankful heart. 4. An heart not dis∣couraged howsoever. Surely then God hears, or God hath heard thy prayers, although the particular suits are not accom∣plished.

Notes

• Heb 5.7.
• Gen. 17.18, 20.
• Psal. 22.2, 3.