A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Secondly; For the other word [Greek or Hebrew], or much speaking. Every long Prayer is not forbidden; for our Lord Jesus himself continued all Night in Prayer, Luke 6. 12. And in extraordinary Duties of fasting, Length seems to be very necessary; Esther 4. 16. They fasted and prayed together for three days and nights, without eating any Bread. And Solomon prayed long at the Dedication of the Temple.

Secondly; For the other word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, or much speaking. Every long Prayer is not forbidden; for our Lord Jesus himself centinued all Night in Prayer, Luke 6. 12. And in extraordinary Duties of fasting, Length seems to be very necessary; Esther 4. 16. They fasted and prayed together for three days and nights, without eating any Bread. And Solomon pray'd long at the Dedication of the Temple.

But that which is forbidden, is, when Men speak Words without need, and without Affection; a needless lengthening out of Prayer, and that upon a Conceit that it is more acceptable to God.

1. In the General, Prayer should be short, as all Examples of Scripture teach us; and the Lord's Prayer you see how concise and short it is, for presently upon this our Lord teacheth his Disciples to pray. For Prayer is a spending rather then a feeding Duty. Those which affect long speaking, many times run into this, they make it a feeding Duty, for they mingle Exhortations