Christian directions, showing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…Christian directions, shewing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…

4 But if notwithstanding thou findest, that in praying thy mind and heart hath been sometimes taken up, and possessed with worldly thoughts and distractions, it will be a good course, in thy private prayers, to repeat that again which so coldly and carelessly passed from thee, labouring in thy repetition to repel all wandering thoughts, and to pour forth those petitions again after a more hearty manner; For, by imposing this task upon thy self, thou wilt become more wary and watchful over thy thoughts, lest otherwise thou be enforced to continue long at that exercise, unto which, through the depravation of thy nature, thou art so backward and averse.

4 But if notwithstanding thou findest, that in praying thy mind and heart hath been sometimes taken up, and possessed with worldly thoughts and distractions, it will be a good course, in thy private prayers, to repeat that again which so coldly and carelesly passed from thee, labouring in thy repetition to repel all wandring thoughts, and to pour forth those petitions again after a more hearty manner; For, by imposing this task upon thy self, thou wilt become more wary and watchful over thy thoughts, lest otherwise thou be enforced to continue long at that exercise, unto which, through the depravation of thy nature, thou art so backward and averse.

II. As preparation is necessary before Prayer, so in prayer divers things are required; as,

1 Faith; Prayer must be made in faith; which our Saviour plainly expresseth,¹ where he saith, Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Believe, that as God is able, so willing to grant whatsoever thou prayest for, so far forth as in his wisdom he seeth it to be good for thee.