A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Qu. 5. Whether we may be vocal in secret prayer, if we can't so well raise or keep up affection or preserve the heart from wandering without it?

Ans. No doubt; but yet there must be used a great deal of wise caution about extending the voice.¹ That of Tertullian counselling persons at prayer [ne ipsis quidem manibus sublimius elatis, &c. Ne vultu quidem in audaciam erecto: Sonos etiam vocis subjecios esse oportet, aut quantis arteriis opus est, si pro sono audiamur, &c. qui clarius adorant, proximis obstrepunt imò prodendo orationes suas quid minùs faciunt quam si in publico orent.] Advises that both hands and countenance and voice should be ordered with great reverence and humility: What arteries need we, if we think to be heard for noise! and what else do we by discovering our prayers, than if we prayed in public? yet surely if we can obtain some very private place, or when others are from home, and the extension of the voice be found to some persons by long experience to be of use: such may lawfully improve it to their private benefit.

Ans. No doubt; but yet there must be used a great deal of wise caution about extending the voice.¹ That of Tertullian counselling persons at prayer [ne ipsis quidem manibus sublimius elatis, &c. Ne vultu quidem in audaciam erecto: Sonos etiam vocis subjecios esse oportet, aut quantis arteriis opus est, si pro sono audiamur, &c. qui clarius adorant, proximis obstrepunt imò prodendo orationes suas quid minùs faciunt quam si in publico orent.] Advises that both hands and countenance and voice should be ordered with great reverence and humility: What arteries need we, if we think to be heard for noise! and what else do we by discovering our prayers, than if we pray'd in publick? yet surely if we can obtain some very private place, or when others are from home, and the extension of the voice be found to some persons by long experience to be of use: such may lawfully improve it to their private benefit.