An exposition of the Lords Prayer made in diuers lectures, and now drawne into questions and answers for the greater benefite of the simpler sort: whereunto is prefixed a briefe treatise of prayer for all men. Published at the request of diuers godly and well disposed: by W. B. minister of the Word at Reading in Barkshire.

The fourth Condition.

Q. WHat is the fourth?

A. It is also required that our prayers be neither cold, nor fainting, but zealous and earnest, not comming onely from our lippes, but from the bot∣tom of our hearts.

Q. What reason haue you for that?

A. Because it is as odious, and vnseem∣ly a thing for a mans heart to be led away in prayer, as for a man that is making his sute to the Prince, to turne his backe vpon him, or to turne his side to talke to ano∣ther, as though he regarded him not: for our secreta 1.1 thoughtes are so visible vnto him, as outward gestures are vnto man.

And againe:* 1.2 Cold prayers haue colde entertainment, for he that craueth coldly,

doth but teach the other to denie him his request.

Q. What if wée want this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prayer, or would haue this 〈…〉〈…〉 and zeale encreased in vs, how may it be done?

A. It may be done two waies.

• 1. Our hearts must bee in wardly tou∣ched with the want of those things which we craue, and for this end, we are serious∣ly and duly to consider by our selues, how necessary those things are which we ••ske, and how miserable we are without them.
• 2. We are to consider our owne wants, our pouertie, weakenes, and inabilitie to accomplish those things which wee aske, without the blessing of God: for if wee care not for those things which we aske, or put any confidence in secundary causes, as strength, friends, riches, &c. it is no mer∣uaile though our prayers be cold.

Q. What other reason haue you for this?

A. Hee that desireth meroy must bee touched with the feeling of his miserie, or els, for want of this, our wordes are but winde, our prayers are but pratlings, and

our pitifull shewe of mourning is but a shamefull mocking of GOD: this may 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Q. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how for example?

A. As thus, to say (as many doe com∣monly and customably say, by the booke of common prayer,) That it may please thee to giue us grace to amend our liues ac∣cording to thy holy word, &c. Yet meane nothing lesse, neither doe they knowe wherein they doe amisse, though the wordes in themselues bee good, yet in them that so say them, it is a meere moc∣king of GOD, and prophaning of his name.

Agayne: to say, Pitifully beholde the sorrowes of our heartes: when their hearts be no whit sorrowfull for their sinnes, it is the like.

Likewise, to say: O Lorde let thy mer∣cie bee shewed vpon vs, as wee trust in thee: when wee trust in GOD no further then wee see outwarde meanes to helpe vs withall: though the wordes bee good, yet to them that so vse them, they bee not so: and so I might say of manie moe such prayers.

Q. 〈…〉〈…〉 such kinde of prayers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and condemned in the worde of God?

A. 〈…〉〈…〉 22. the Lorde sayth thus: Your free offring shall 〈…〉〈…〉 blemish shal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in it: blinde, or broken, or maimed, or hauing a wenne, or skur••i••, or skabbed, these shall ye not offer vnto the Lord, &c.

Q. But this concerneth the sacrifi••••ces of the Iewes, what is this to our prayers?

A. Yes, and it toucheth vs & our pray∣ers too, for vnder those offerings of beasts commanded to the Iewes, were shadow∣ed and figured out the praiers of the faith∣full vnder the Gospel,* 1.3 which are called by the needs of sacrifices,* 1.4 and calues of the lipp••••. And therefore wee are to knowe hereby, that as he then could abide no sa∣crifice that was of the blinde, or broken, or maimed, skuruie, or skabbed, &c. to haue it offered vpon his Altar: so nowe hee can as ill abide our ignorant prayers, or prophane, or cold, or sluggish, or coun∣terfeite prayers to bee offered vnto him: for he accounteth of them, but as of lame,

and skuruie sacrifices, &c. but as then the Lord looked for the best, so doth he 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Psal. 139. 1. 2. 3. 4.
• * 1.2

  Heb. 4. 13.
• * 1.3

  Prou. 15. 8.
• * 1.4

  Hos. 14. 3.