[ 973] To be servent in Prayer.
AN Arrow,* 1.1 if it be drawn up but a little way, it goes not far, but if it be pull'd up to the head, it flies strongly, and pierceth deeply. Thus Prayer, if it be but dribled forth of carelesse lips, it falls down at our feet; It is the strength of ejacula∣tion that sends it up into Heaven, and fetches down a blessing thence. The child hath escaped many a stripe, by his loud cry; and the very unjust Iudge cannot en∣dure the widow's clamour. Heartlesse motions do but be speak a denyall, whereas fervent suits offer a sacred violence both to Earth and Heaven. It is not the Arith∣metick of our prayers, how many they are; nor the Rhetorick of our prayers, how eloquent they be; nor the Geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the Mu∣sick of our prayers, the sweetnesse of our voice; nor the Logick of our prayers, and the method of them; but the Divinity of our prayers, which God so much affecteth: He looketh not for any Iames, with horny knees, through assiduity of prayer; nor for any Bartholomew,* 1.2 with a century of prayers for the Morning, and as many for the Evening; but St. Pauls frequency of praying, with f••rvency of spirit; that's it which availeth much, Iam. 5. 16.