1. Hereby first we learn that Romish pilgrimages, whereby men went from place to place to worship God, are vain, and foolish. The God to whom we must pray is in heaven. Now let men travel to what place• or ⟨p. 537⟩country they will, they shall not come the nearer to heaven, or nearer to God by travelling, seeing the earth is in every part alike distant from heaven.
2. Secondly; this overthrows popish idolatry, as worshipping of crosses, crucifixes, roods, &c. used to put men in mind of God and Christ. We are taught to lift up our eyes to heaven; seeing God is there: and how can we do this, as long as our minds and eyes are poring upon an image made by mans art?
3. Again, we are here admonished to use the action of prayer with as great reverence as possible may be, and not to think of God in any earthly manner. Well reasons Solomon, Eccles. 5.1. Be not rash with thy mouth to speak a word before God. Why? He is in heaven, thou art in earth: therefore let thy words be few. This reverence must appear in holiness of all our thoughts and affections, and in all comeliness of gesture. And for this cause all wandering by-thoughts, & all vain babbling is to be avoided, but how goes the case with us, that on the times appointed come to the assemblies to pray? Many, by reason of their blindness pray without understanding. Many, when they are present at prayer, yet have their hearts occupied about other matters, about their goods and worldly business: such men have no joy or gladness in praying; it is a burden to them. Many come to the assembly for custom only, or for fear of punishment, if they might be left free they could find in their hearts not to pray at all. But let all such men know, that this manner of praying is a very grievous sin, nay greater then mocking of father or mother, killing or stealing, for it is directly against God, the other against men. This sin because it is against the first table, and therefore more hard to be discerned, it is lightly esteemed, and it less troubles the consciences of ignorant men: yea as it is in deed, so it is to be esteemed as a disgrace and plain mockery of Gods majesty. Wherefore seeing God is in heaven, away with all drowsy and dead praying, let us come with reverence in our hearts before the Lord.
4.
1. HEreby first we learne that Romish pilgrimages, whereby men went from place to place to worship God, are vaine, and foolish. The God to whome we must pray is in heauen. Now let men trauell to what place• or ⟨p. 537⟩countrey they will, they shall not come the nearer to heauen, or nearer to God by trauelling, seeing the earth is in euery part alike distant from heauen.
2. Secondly; this ouerthrowes popish idolatrie, as worshipping of crosses, cruci•ixes, roodes, &c. vsed to put men in minde of God and Christ. We are taught to lift vp our eyes to heauen; seeing God is there: and how can we doe this, as long as our minds and eyes are poaring vpon an image made by mans arte?
3. Again, we are here admonished to vse the action of prayer with as great reuerence as possible may be, and not to think of God in any earthly manner. Well reasons Salomon, Eccles. 5.1. Be not rash with thy mouth to speake a word before God. Why? He is in heauen, thou art in earth: therefore let thy words be few. This reuerence must appeare in holinesse of all our thoughts and affections, and in all comelines of gesture. And for this cause all wandring by-thoughts, & all vaine babbling is to be auoided, but how goes the case with vs, that on the times appointed come to the assemblies to pray? Many, by reason of their blindnes pray without vnderstanding. Many, when they are present at praier, yet haue their hearts occupied about other matters, about their goods and worldly busines: such men haue no ioy or gladnes in praying; it is a burthen to them. Many come to the assembly for custome onely, or for feare of punishment, if they might be left free they could find in their hearts not to pray at all. But let all such men know, that this maner of praying is a very grieuous sinne, nay greater then mocking of father or mother, killing or stealing, for it is directly against God, the other against men. This sinne because it is against the first table, and therefore more hard to be discerned, it is lightly esteemed, and it lesse troubles the consciences of ignorant men: yea as it is in deede, so it is to be esteemed as a disgrace and plaine mockerie of Gods maiestie. Wherefore seeing God is in heauen, away with all drowsie and dead praying, let vs come with reuerence in our hearts before the Lord.
4.
