Moreover, inasmuch as, naturally we are but little inclined, or rather utterly ⟨image 13⟩careless, of these spiritual exercises, it will not be amiss, if we restrain our selves, to prayer, at certain hours of the day: not for superstition, but to withstand our sloth, slackness, and other worldly matters, which otherwise might induce us, to overslip diverse days, without any practise of this duty. David bearing upon his shoulders the burden of a great Kingdom, prayed, morning, at noon, and at night: yea seven times a day, did he sing praises to God, day and night meditating in his Law. Now therefore (gentle Readers) feeling my self toward the declining ⟨image 13⟩evening of my days, with a taste of so many solid, and permanent joys, as are daily to be found in prayer: & withal, being inflamed with a desire, to finish the rest of my course, in this sweet labour, which I find to be accompanied, with so large a recompense, I have here formed for my self, and for any other, that list to read it, this small manual, of holy, short, and familiar prayers, grounded upon the texts of scriptures, such as are indeed, to instruct, comfort, and make us perfect, in faith, love, constancy, and to be short, in all christian life. Be of good cheer then, (all ⟨image 14⟩godly souls) and let us unite all our petitions, in this so devout, and profitable an exercise, of all true faithful people. Let us pray, and meditate, if not incessantly, yet at the least, daily at certain set hours, and as often as we may, as well in the congregation, as in our families, morning, and evening amongst our household, as also in our secret chambers. Thus shall we with our lips, upon the Altars of our hearts, offer up, many acceptable sacrifices of sweet savour before his presence, whereof, the benefit will redound to our selves, in that God will bless us, in our ⟨image 14⟩vocations, works, and labours. Oh, how happy shall these men then be, whom the Lord shall find thus watching, and praying! for they shall depart unto him in peace, in the contemplation of his glory; which grace, God grant unto us all. Amen.
Moreouer, in asmuch as, naturally wee are but little inclined, or rather vtterly ⟨image 13⟩carelesse, of these spirituall exercises, it will not be amisse, if we restraine our selues, to praier, at certaine houres of the day: not for superstition, but to withstand our slouth, slackenesse, and other worldly matters, which otherwise might induce vs, to ouerslippe diuerse dayes, without any practise of this duetie. Dauid bearing vppon his shoulders the burden of a great Kingdome, prayed, morning, at noone, and at night: yea seauen times a day, did he sing praises to God, day and night meditating in his Lawe. Nowe therefore (gentle Readers) feeling my self toward the declining ⟨image 13⟩euening of my dayes, with a taste of so many solide, and permanent ioyes, as are daily to be found in prayer: & withall, being inflamed with a desire, to finish the rest of my course, in this sweete labour, which I finde to be accompanied, with so large a recompence, I haue here formed for my selfe, and for any other, that list to reade it, this small mannell, of holy, short, and familiar prayers, grounded vpon the texts of scriptures, such as are indeed, to instruct, comfort, and make vs perfect, in faith, loue, constancy, and to be short, in all christian life. Be of good cheere then, (all ⟨image 14⟩godly soules) and let vs vnite all our petitions, in this so deuoute, and profitable an exercise, of all true faithfull people. Let vs pray, and meditate, if not incessantly, yet at the least, dayly at certaine set houres, and as often as wee may, as well in the congregation, as in our families, morning, and euening amongst our houshold, as also in our secret chambers. Thus shall wee with our lippes, vpon the Altars of our hearts, offer vp, many acceptable sacrifices of sweete sauor before his presence, whereof, the benefite will redound to our selues, in that God will blesse vs, in our ⟨image 14⟩vocations, workes, and labors. Oh, how happy shall these men then be, whom the Lord shall finde thus watching, and praying! for they shall depart vnto him in peace, in the contemplation of his glory; which grace, God graunt vnto vs all. Amen.
