LII. But if, after long waiting, our sense neither understands what advance we have made by praying, nor experiences any advantage resulting from it, yet our faith will assure us, what cannot be perceived by sense, that we have obtained what was expedient for us, since the Lord so frequently and so certainly promises to take care of our troubles when they have been once deposited in his bosom. And thus he will cause us to possess abundance in poverty, and consolation in affliction. For though all things fail us, yet God will never forsake us; he cannot disappoint the expectation and patience of his people. He will amply compensate us for the loss of all others, for he comprehends in himself all blessings, which he will reveal to us at the day of judgment, when his kingdom will be fully manifested. Besides, though God grants our prayers, he does not always answer them according to the express form of the request; but seeming to keep us in suspense, shows by unknown means that our prayers were not in vain. This is the meaning of these words of John: “If we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”[438] This seems to be a feeble superfluity of expression, but is in reality a very useful declaration, that God, even when he does not comply with our desires, is nevertheless favourable and propitious to our prayers, so that a hope depending upon his word can never disappoint us. Now, this patience is very necessary to support believers, who would not long stand unless they relied upon it. For the Lord proves his people with heavy trials, and exercises them with severity; frequently driving them to various kinds of extremities, and suffering them to remain in them a long time before he grants them any enjoyment of his grace; and as Hannah says, “The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.”[439] In such distresses must they not inevitably faint in their minds, and fall into despair, unless, in the midst of their affliction and desolation, and almost death, they were revived by this reflection, that God regards them, and that the end of their present evils is approaching? But though they rely on the certainty of this hope, they at the same time cease not to pray; because, without constant perseverance in prayer, we pray to no purpose. Footnote 262: Rom. x. 13, 14, 17. Footnote 263: Rom. viii. 15, 26. Footnote 264: 1 Kings xviii. 42, &c. Footnote 265: Psalm cxlv. 18. Footnote 266: Psalm xxxiv. 15. Footnote 267: Psalm xxv. 1. Footnote 268: Psalm lxii. 8. Footnote 269: Psalm cxlv. 19. Footnote 270: 1 John v. 14. Footnote 271: Rom. viii. 26. Footnote 272: Jude 20. 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Footnote 273: James v. 13. Footnote 274: Psalm xxxii. 6. Footnote 275: Ephes. vi. 18. Footnote 276: Isaiah i. 15. Footnote 277: Jer. xi. 7, 8, 11. Footnote 278: Isaiah xxix. 13. Footnote 279: James iv. 3.