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HE that duly, and with true vnder-standing, considereth the force and
effect of faithfull prayer, and how vaine and vnprofi∣table it is, to powre forth a multitude of words, with∣out spirituall feeling of his owne necessities; As the causes mouing him to pray, the matter wherefore hee praieth, the parties to whom and in whom hee prayeth, and with what zeale and af∣fection he praieth without•• consideration of these hee may feare to presse into Gods presence, presuming without premeditation, de∣liberation & holy prepara∣tion, to approch the maie∣sty of God. Wee shame to approch a King or great personage, without recoun∣ting before hand how to behaue our selues, as touch∣ing our gestures; and how
to place our speech to be seene formall in all the cir∣cumstances of our behaui∣our, fearing least we should be obserued vnciuill, rash, or defectiue in our cariage. How dare wee then thrust our selues abruptly into the presence of the King of kings without diuine preparati∣on•• Our words and gestures must be agreeable to a holy and sanctified affection; our hearts must be humble, o∣therwise wee cannot come as petitioners, but rather as insolent and proud vsurpers although our words seeme neuer so milde. For if the heartfrom whence ought to proceed our requests, be not truely humbled, and rightly qualified; God will neuer haue respect vnto our pray∣ers.
And therefore if wee duly consider;* 1.1 That, Prayer is an humble request made vnto God, in Christ, with the liuely and feeling affection of the heart, faithfully beleeuing to receiue what we religiously desire: we cannot but blush to come vnto God as the Pharisie did, arrogating vn∣to our selues such perfection as if God were rather be∣holden to vs for our fasting, tything, almes, and prayer, then that wee needed to bow our hearts in humble∣nesse before his maiesty cra∣uing pardō for our sin: when we pray therefore, we must leaue behind vs all presump∣tion and conceit of self-me∣rit: And in al humility aske, beleeuing to receiue: other∣wise our praier wll become
vnprofitable in not obtay∣ning, and sinfull in not be∣leeuing. And therefore the Prophet Esay, forewarneth vs to take heede that wee come not neere vnto God with our lippes, namely to vse many and good words, and yet our hearts, wherein consisteth the force or frail∣ty of fai••h and prayer, be far from him.
The deffini∣tion of pray∣er.