[2.] Ordinary, and this several ways : —
(1.) Either by granting the mercy prayed for; as to Hannah: 1 Sam. i. 27, ' For this child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me the petition I asked of him.' So to David : Ps. xxi. 2, ' Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.' So often to his people, when they have humbly sought to him. Some- times instantaneous, at the very praying: 1 Sam. vii. 9, 10, 'And Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel ; and the Lord heard him, and as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel, and the Lord discomfited the Philistines.' Or by degrees, when God is preparing instruments, before he giveth con- summate deliverance : Acts vii. 34, ' I have heard their groanings, and I will send thee into Egypt.' Their escape was some while after.
(2.) By giving in spiritual manifestations to the soul, though he doth not give the particular mercy prayed for; as when upon the prayer he reviveth the soul of him that prayeth : Job xxxiii. 26, ' He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable to him, and he shall see his face with joy/ The Lord giveth them the light of his counte- nance, and special discoveries of his love or support till the mercy come : Ps. exxxviii. 3, ' In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in myx soul.' Support is an answer ; such an answer had Paul : ' My grace is sufficient for thee.' Or when the heart is quieted ; though we do not know what God will
\rER. 145.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 51
do with our requests, yet satisfied in the discharge of our duty, and that we have commended the matter to God. So it is said of Hannah, i When she had prayed, her countenance was no more sad/ 1 Sam. i. 18 ; and Phil. iv. 6, 7, ' Be careful for nothing ; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God ; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Jesus Christ.' Sometimes by a secret impression of confidence, or a strong inclination to hope well of the thing prayed for : Ps. vi. 8, ' The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.' Or experiences ; as they that travelled to Jerusalem, pass- ing through the valley Baca, they met with a well by the way, Ps. lxxxiv. 6 ; a sweet refreshing thought, or some help in the spiritual life, by serious dealing with God ; some consideration to set you a-work, or some new engagement of the soul to God, as the recompense of the duty ; some principles of faith drawn forth in the view of conscience, not showed before. Some truth or other presented with fresh life and vigour upon the heart.
(3.) Sometimes by way of commutation and exchange ; and so God doth answer the prayer, though he doth not give the mercy prayed for, when he giveth another thing that is as good, or better for the party that prayeth ; though not in kind the same, yet in worth and value as good. This commutation may be three ways — (1.) In regard of the person praying. David fasts, and humbleth and melteth his soul for his persecutors, Ps. xxxv. 13, ' And it returned into his own bosom,' was converted to his own benefit. His fasting had no effect upon them, but his charity did not lose its reward. David prayeth for his first child by Bathsheba, but that child dieth, and God giveth Solomon instead thereof , 2 Sam. xii. 15. Noah, Daniel, Job shall save their own souls, Ezek. xiv. 14. Your peace shall return to you again, Luke x. 5, 6 ; the comfort of discharging their duty. (2.) In regard of the matter, carnal things are begged, and spiritual things are given : Acts i. 6, 7, ' The apostles asked him, Wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel ? ' They did not receive the kingdom to Israel, but received the promise of the Spirit. Moses would fain enter into Caanan with the people : Deut. iii. 23, 24, ' And God said, Let it suffice thee ; speak no more of this matter ; ' but God gave him a Pisgah sight, and ease of the trouble of wars. We would have speedy riddance of trouble, but God thinketh not fit ; as showers that come by drops soak into the earth better than those that come in a tempest and hurricane. We ask for ease in troubles, and God will give courage under troubles : Lam. iii. 55-57, ' I called upon thy name, 0 Lord, out of the low dungeon : thou hast heard my voice ; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry : thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee ; thou saidst, Fear not.' His gracious and powerful presence in trouble was enough. Christ ' was heard in that he feared,' Heb. v. 7 ; not saved from that hour, but supported and strengthened in it. Job sacrificed, prayed for his children when they were feasting, Job i. 5 ; and though they were all destroyed, God gave him patience, ver. 22 ; for in all that befell him ' he sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.' (3.) In regard of means. We pray such means may not miscarry ; God will use others. As Abraham would