[ 1172] Not the length, but the fervency of Prayer, required.
IT is said of Alcibiades,* 1.1 that he was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one that could talk much, but speak little; but, O quam multa quam paucis! Oh how much in a little! said Tully of Brutus his Epistle. On the other side, Corniculas citius in Africa, &c. That Jack-dawes are sooner to be found in Africa, then any thing of worth in the writings of Turrianus,* 1.2 was the censure of Berengarius. So may we say of the Publicans prayer, much more of the Lords prayer, set in flat opposi∣tion to the Heathenish Battologyes, and vain repetitions of some, that would be held good Christians.* 1.3 It is not the length, but the strength of Prayer, that is required; not the labour of the lip, but the travell of the heart▪ that prevails with God. The Baalites prayer was not more tedious, then Eliah's short, yet more pitthy then short. Let thy words then be few,* 1.4 (saith Solomon) but full,* 1.5 to the purpose. Take unto you words, saies the Prophet, neither over-curious, nor over-carelesse, but such as are humble, earnest, direct to the point, avoiding vain ••ablings, needlesse and end∣lesse repetitions, heartlesse digressions, tedious prolixities, wild and idle impertinen∣cies: such extemporary petitioners, as not disposing their matter in due order by premeditation, (and withall being word-bound) are forced to go forward and backward, just like hounds at a losse; and having hastily begun, they know not how handsomly to make an end.