A51845:157
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Heartless speaking, filling up the Time with Words; when the Tongue out-runs the Heart; when Men pour their Breath into the Air, but their Hearts are dead and sleepy, or their Hearts keep not time and pace with their Expressions. We oftener pray with our Tongues, than with our Minds; and from our Memories, than our Consciences; and from our Consciences, ⟨p. 60⟩than our Affections; and from our Affections, as presently stirred, than from our Hearts renewed, bended and inclined towards God. Be the Prayer long or short, the Heart must keep pace with our Tongues. As the Poet said, Disticha longa facit, his Distichs were tedious; so it is tedious and irksome to God, unless we make Supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6. 18. Remember, God will not be mocked.
3. Heartless speaking, filling up the Time with Words; when the Tongue out-runs the Heart; when Men pour their Breath into the Air, but their Hearts are dead and sleepy, or their Hearts keep not time and pace with their Expressions. We oftner pray with our Tongues, than with our Minds; and from our Memories, than our Consciences; and from our Consciences, ⟨p. 60⟩than our Affections; and from our Affections, as presently stirred, than from our Hearts renewed, bended and inclined towards God. Be the Prayer long or short, the Heart must keep pace with our Tongues. As the Poet said, Disticha longa facit, his Disticks were tedious; so it is tedious and irksom to God, unless we make Supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6. 18. Remember, God will not be mocked.
4. When Men rest in outward Vehemency, and loud Speech. Saith Tertullian, Quibus Arteriis opus est, si pro streno audiamus? What Lungs and Sides must we have, if we be heard to speak to Heaven, by the Noise and Sound? In some there is a natural vehemency and fierceness of Speech, which is rather stirred up by the heat and agitation of the bodily Spirits, than any vehemency of Affection. There is a Contention of Speech, which is very natural to some, and differeth much from that holy Fervour, the Life and Power of Prayer, which is accompanied with Reverence, and Child-like Dependence upon God. It is not the loud Noise of Words, which is best heard in Heaven; but the fervent affectionate Cries of the Saints, are those of the Heart, rather than of the Tongue.