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

Direction II.

2. Direct. When you are present at Family Prayer, give diligent attention, and mind what confessions of sins are made, what petitions are put up, and what praises are returned to God for mercies received. The Devil will be striving that you may be absent in Prayer, when you are^* present at Prayer; absent in mind when present in body. God is not pleased with the prostrating of the body, when your hearts join not in the work. Do not so dissemble on your knees with God and man. Are you then desiring the mercies prayed for, whether pardon of sin, strength ⟨p. 337⟩against sin, love to God, repentance for sin, an interest in Christ, and evidences thereof, when your minds and thoughts are wandering about other things? Which if they do, let Conscience call to thee to mind the^* work thou art about; for is not this to sin against God, when you pretend to be serving of him? and to be provoking of him, when you should be praying to him to be reconciled unto you, and turn away his anger from you? Conjunct Prayer should be made with one mouth, and with one mind: Acts 1.14. They prayed together with one accord^*: which word is translated Rom. 15.6. one mind; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God: — but where your thoughts are wandering in Family Prayer, though there be but one mouth, there be many minds: these persons do not accord in Prayer, which is great discord before God.