A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

1. It concerneth them very much, that would in Prayer own God as a Father, and pretend a respect to his Glory and Kingdom, to see that his Will be done here upon Earth.

I shall prove it:

First, By the Arguments intimated in the Point.

(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;