Q. What things are they?—A. Faith, hope, love, joy, peace, a new heart, the Holy Ghost, sanctification. See James 2:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Ezekiel 36:26,27.
Q. What do you mean by the needy?—A. Those whose souls long and cannot be satisfied without the enjoyment of these blessed things (Psa 63:1, 119:20).
Q. Will God hear the prayers of such?—A. Yes; 'For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness' (Psa 107:9).
Q. How shall I know that I am one of those to whom God will give these things?—A. If thou seest a beauty in them beyond the beauty of all other things (Psa 110:3).
Q. How else shall I know [that] he heareth me?—A. If thou desirest them for their beauty's sake (Psa 90:14,17).
Q. How else should I know I shall have them?—A. When thy groanings after them are beyond expression (Rom 8:26).[19]
Q. How else should I know, and so be encouraged to pray?—A. When thou followest hard after God in all his ordinances for the obtaining of them (Isa 4:1,3, 64:5).
Q. How else should I know?—A. When thou makest good use of that little thou hast already (Rev 3:8).
Q. Are here all the good signs that my prayers shall be heard?—A.
No; there is one more without which thou shalt never obtain.
Q. Pray what is that?—A. Thou must plead with God, the name and merits of Jesus Christ, for whose sake only God giveth thee these things. If we ask any thing in his name, he heareth us, and whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, saith Christ I will do it (John 14:13,14).