1 Many come to prayer, and of custom resort to the Sacraments, who either do not1 at all hear the word preached; or else they hear at their leisure; or else they do2 it bu• in ceremony without understanding; or if they do understand it, they do not3 practise it; or if they practise it, it is done coldly, and not in power, and yet their own4 practise in some things is somewhat strange. They will grant that to come to the Sacrament5 requireth a more solemn preparation: and yet they dare boldly adventure on6 prayer and on hearing of the word, without any preparation at all. But certainly as the abuse of the Sacrament bringeth judgement; so the abuse of prayer and the word will procure it: for as the prayer of faith is a sweet oblation to the Lord; so the prayer of the unbeliever is an abomination to the Lord. We must not only bring the ear of understanding, but we must also bring the ear of remembrance, and of practise, and beware that the word by little and little wax not less precious unto us, as honey to the mouth that is satisfied.7 And this is sure, when & how much the word preached doth prevail, so much our prayers & sacrifices do prevail: look how much the word preached doth profit, so much do we profit in prayer, and in the Sacraments. And whensoever our delights in the word wax faint, our prayers and all good exercises are like shortly to decay. Prayer bringeth a8 feeling, and the Sacraments a more confirming of that which we have in the word. We must beware therefore that we be not too quiet in sin, that we please not our selves in a general good, and in a persuasion we have heard enough, but still let us labour for the word: for I dare say that all our power in prayer cometh from the word, even as the life that is in a tree is invisible, and yet by the fruits coming out in due season is discerned9 of all: and as the life of a child is a thing not seen, but by moving, going and feeling is10 easily perceived; so the life of faith is a thing very secret, and yet by the effects of it at one time or other is discerned of good men. There may seem to be works, and yet not faith; and there may be faith, and yet not works by and by following. Many men think the word now preached not to be the right word, because few men are brought to the obedience of God by so long preaching of it. But we must rather reason the contrary:
1 MAny come to prayer, and of custome resort to the Sacraments, who either do not1 at all heare the word preached; or else they heare at their leisure; or else they do2 it bu• in ceremonie without vnderstanding; or if they doe vnderstand it, they doe not3 practise it; or if they practise it, it is done coldly, and not in power, and yet their owne4 practise in some things is somewhat strange. They will graunt that to come to the Sacrament5 requireth a more solemne preparation: and yet they dare boldly aduenture on6 prayer and on hearing of the word, without any preparation at all. But certainly as the abuse of the Sacrament bringeth iudgement; so the abuse of prayer and the word wil procure it: for as the prayer of faith is a sweet oblation to the Lord; so the prayer of the vnbeleeuer is an abomination to the Lord. We must not onely bring the eare of vnderstanding, but we must also bring the eare of remembrance, and of practise, and beware that the word by little and little waxe not lesse pretious vnto vs, as honey to the mouth that is satisfied.7 And this is sure, when & how much the word preached doth preuaile, so much our prayers & sacrifices do preuaile: looke how much the word preached doth profit, so much doe we profit in prayer, and in the Sacraments. And whensoeuer our delights in the word waxe faint, our prayers and all good exercises are like shortly to decay. Prayer bringeth a8 feeling, and the Sacraments a more confirming of that which we haue in the word. We must beware therefore that we be not too quiet in sinne, that we please not our selues in a generall good, and in a perswasion we haue heard enough, but still let vs labour for the word: for I dare say that all our power in prayer commeth from the word, euen as the life that is in a tree is inuisible, and yet by the fruites comming out in due season is discerned9 of all: and as the life of a childe is a thing not seene, but by mouing, going and feeling is
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- 6Preperation to the word and Sacraments.
- 7Of profiting in holy exercises.
- 8All our power in prayer cometh from the word.All our power in prayer commeth from the word.
- 9Simile.
- 10Simile.
