(1.) As we would express a Reality and Sincerity in Prayer. They mock God, that pray they might do his Will, yet have no care to do it; that declaim against their Lusts, yet hug them, and keep them warm in their Bosoms. We oftener pray from our Memories, than our Consciences; and oftener from our Consciences, than our Affections: from our Memory, as we repeat Words by rote, without sense or feeling, or Consideration of the Importance of them. From our Consciences, rather than Affections. Austin observes of himself; while he was under the Power of his Lusts, he would pray against Concupiscence, but his Heart would say, at noli modo, timebam enim ne me exaudiret Deus; but, Lord, not yet, for I am afraid lest God should hear me. Conscience tells us that such things must be done, and asked; thus we put a little of our Conscience in Prayer, but nothing of Affection and serious Desire. Many would be loth God should take them at their words, when they seem to resign up themselves to his Will, and think of parting with their Lusts, it is bitter and irksome to them; as Phaltiel (Michal's Husband) went after her, going and weeping; 2 Sam. 3. 16. Now if we would manifest our Prayers to be real, we should labour to perform the same, otherwise we are but like those Soldiers which spate upon Christ, and buffeted him, yet cried, Hail, King of the Jews; so it is but a mockage to say, Thy Will be done, yet have no care to do it. Matth. 15. 8. This People draweth nigh unto me with their Mouth, and ⟨p. 257⟩honoureth me with their Lips; but their Heart is far from me. There is no Reality in the Prayer, whatever be in it, if the Heart be not in it. Some Men's Prayers are but the Fruit of Wit and Memory, others but the result of their Judgments, what is fit to be done, rather than of their Hearts, what they desire to be done; and they are only good so far as they do more solemnly express God's Right, not their inward Desires.
(1.) As we would express a Reality and Sincerity in Prayer. They mock God, that pray they might do his Will, yet have no care to do it; that declaim against their Lusts, yet hug them, and keep them warm in their Bosoms. We oftner pray from our Memories, than our Consciences; and oftner from our Consciences, than our Affections: from our Memory, as we repeat Words by rote, without sence or feeling, or Consideration of the Importance of them. From our Consciences, rather than Affections. Austin observes of himself; while he was under the Power of his Lusts, he would pray against Concupiscence, but his Heart would say, at noli modo, timebam enim ne me exaudiret Deus; but, Lord, not yet, for I am afraid lest God should hear me. Conscience tells us that such things must be done, and asked; thus we put a little of our Conscience in Prayer, but nothing of Affection and serious Desire. Many would be loth God should take them at their words, when they seem to resign up themselves to his Will, and think of parting with their Lusts, it is bitter and irksome to them; as Phaltiel (Michal's Husband) went after her, going and weeping; 2 Sam. 3. 16. Now if we would manifest our Prayers to be real, we should labour to perform the same, otherwise we are but like those Souldiers which spate upon Christ, and buffeted him, yet cry'd, Hail, King of the Iews; so it is but a mockage to say, Thy Will be done, yet have no care to do it. Matth. 15. 8. This People draweth nigh unto me with their Mouth, and ⟨p. 257⟩honoureth me with their Lips; but their Heart is far from me. There is no Reality in the Prayer, whatever be in it, if the Heart be not in it. Some Men's Prayers are but the Fruit of Wit and Memory, others but the result of their Iudgments, what is fit to be done, rather than of their Hearts, what they desire to be done; and they are only good so far as they do more solemnly express God's Right, not their inward Desires.
