Now being by these reasons persuaded to the daily practice of this duty; let us in the next place consider how we may so perform it, as that 1it may be acceptable unto God, and profitable for our own salvation. And unto this many things are required, before, in, and after our prayers. Before, is required preparation: for as David speaketh of praising God, so may we of prayer in all kinds, our hearts must be prepared, and so must our tongues, before we can pray. And as they that mean to make any good music, do first set their instruments in tune; so must we, before we can make any sweet melody in Gods hearing, tune our hearts, that they may be fit for this action. And if we will not speak unto our Prince rashly and unadvisedly, but prepare our selves by due meditation, both in respect of the matter, and manner of our speech; how much more should ⟨p. 224⟩2we avoid rashness of mouth, and hastiness of speech, when as we speak to the sovereign King of heaven and earth? Now in this preparation we must examine our sins, that we may afterwards humbly confess them and crave pardon; especially we are to search out those, whereby we have most displeased God, and wounded our own consciences, and whereunto our corrupt nature is most inclined; and also labour to find out our special wants, and those gifts and graces in which we are most defective, or of which, in respect of our present occasion, we most stand in need; that accordingly we may frame out suits, and press them unto God with more efficacy and fervency of desire. Secondly, we must look to our feet, that is, to our affections, as the Wise-man exhorteth, and examine 3with what disposition we come unto prayer, whether as earnest suitors that will have no denial, or after a cold, careless, and formal manner, for custom, rather then conscience sake: especially we must be careful to banish out of our minds and hearts, all worldly and wandering 4thoughts, carnal lusts, wrath, doubting, maliciousness, &c: and that we be heavenly-minded, and have our hearts fraughted with holy desires, hungering and thirsting after the gifts and graces which we intend to beg at Gods hands. Finally, we must take heed, that we do not present our selves before God in our impenitency; but if we be guilty of any sin, 5we must bewail it, and promise amendment.
Now being by these reasons perswaded to the daily practice of this duty; let vs in the next place consider how we may so performe it, as that 1it may be acceptable vnto God, and profitable for our owne saluation. And vnto this many things are required, before, in, and after our prayers. Before, is required preparation: for as Dauid speaketh of praising God, so may we of prayer in all kindes, our hearts must bee prepared, and so must our tongues, before wee can pray. And as they that meane to make any good musicke, doe first set their instruments in tune; so must wee, before we can make any sweet melody in Gods hearing, tune our hearts, that they may be fit for this action. And if we will not speake vnto our Prince rashly and vnaduisedly, but prepare our selues by due meditation, both in respect of the matter, and manner of our speech; how much more should ⟨p. 224⟩2we auoyd rashnesse of mouth, and hastinesse of speech, when as we speake to the soueraigne King of heauen and earth? Now in this preparation wee must examine our sinnes, that wee may afterwards humbly confesse them and craue pardon; especially we are to search out those, whereby we haue most displeased God, and wounded our owne consciences, and wherunto our corrupt nature is most inclined; and also labour to finde out our speciall wants, and those gifts and graces in which we are most defectiue, or of which, in respect of our present occasion, wee most stand in need; that accordingly wee may frame out suits, and presse them vnto God with more efficacie and feruency of desire. Secondly, we must looke to our feet, that is, to our affections, as the Wise-man exhorteth, and examine 3with what disposition we come vnto prayer, whether as earnest suiters that will haue no deniall, or after a cold, carelesse, and formall manner, for custome, rather then conscience sake: especially wee must bee carefull to banish out of our minds and hearts, all worldly and wandring 4thoughts, carnall lusts, wrath, doubting, maliciousnesse, &c: and that wee be heauenly-minded, and haue our hearts fraughted with holy desires, hungring and thirsting after the gifts and graces which we intend to beg at Gods hands. Finally, we must take heed, that wee doe not present our selues before God in our impenitency; but if wee be guilty of any sinne, 5we must bewaile it, and promise amendment.
- 1Psal. 108. 1.
- 2Eccles. 5. 1, 2.
- 3Eccles. 5. 1.
- 41. Tim. 2. 8.
- 5Prou. 28. 9. Psal 66. 18. Esa. 59. 1, 2.
