Observations on the Disposition of Our Hearts after Prayer

Further observations to be made on the dispositions and carriage of our hearts after prayer, until the issue of the thing prayed for.

Next: after thou hast prayed, observe what God doth towards thee.

As first, how he doth guide thy feet and heart after praying: there is much in that: that which was the spirit of supplication in a man when he prayed, rests upon him as the spirit of obedience in his course; so as that dependance he hath upon God for the mercy he seeks for, is a special motive and means to keep him fearful of offending, and diligent in duty; to look to his paths, to walk and behave himself as becomes a suitor, as well as to come and pray as a suitor. Thus David, he walked by this principle, Psal. lxvi. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, God loill not hear me; that consideration still came in as a curb unto sin; and without this a man provokes God, and so casts himself behind-hand again, and by sinning loseth what ground he had got by praying. Therefore David, Psal. cxlv. 8, 9, 10, when he was to pray, even as for his life, (as then he did, it being a deliverance from his enemies he sought) he specially prays God to direct him and keep him, that he might not sin against him; for he knew by sinning he should enervate and spoil all his prayers: not only hear me speedily (says he) but also cause me to hnow the way wherein I should walk; teach me to do thy will; this he especially prays for, and more than for deliverance, for else he knew God would not hear him. Therefore when thou art in treaty with God for any mercy, observe, doth God still after praying keep thee in a more obedient frame of spirit? it is a sign he intends

Chap. 6.

Chap.

2.
When
God gives
a heart to
wait for
and expect the
mercy.

to answer thee; as in like manner, when he keeps thee from using ill means, &c. When he meant to give David the kingdom, he kept him innocent, and his heart tender, that it smote him but for cutting off the lap of Saul’s garment: he was not so tender after. Therefore in Psal. xviii. when he was delivered from all his enemies, he says, God dealt with him according to his uprightness: for I kept myself from mine iniquity. So also Psal. xxvii. 11.

2. When God after prayer strengtheneth the heart to wait for the mercy, so Psal. xxvii. ult., David having prayed, says to his soul. Wait on ilie Lordf be of good courage, and he will strengthen thy heart. Honest men, when they nourish hopes in one that is in dependance on them, who waiteth and is obsequious upon the hopes he hath of a suite, use not to deny him: it were dishonesty in them to keep a man underhand, and then frustrate his expectations; therefore, when God keeps thy soul after praying in such a dependant frame, look for some good answer. And indeed when a man hath prayed long, in the end he begins to wait (as I may so say) rather than pray (though he pray still) because now he looks God should perform: before, and at first, he told the Lord he desired it, but now he can with some boldness tell him, that he waits for it and expects it. The hope of a godly man and his expectation should make him ashamed if it were not answered, therefore in this case answers use to come.

Both these two last we have together joined Psal. xxxvii. 34, Wait on the Lord, and keep his ways, and he shall exalt thee.

Chap. 6.

Chap. 7.

Sect. 1.
God
sometimes answers the
prayer
fully in
the way
and manner desired.