Heaven taken

The Majesty of God with whom we ¹have to do. He sees how it is with us in prayer, whether we are deeply affected with those things we pray for. The King came in to see the guests, Mat. 22. 11. So when we go to pray, the King of glory comes in to see in what frame we are: he hath a window which looks into our breasts, and if he sees a dead heart, he may turn a deaf ear. Nothing will sooner make Gods anger wax hot than a cold prayer.

1. 11.

Prayer without fervency and violence, ¹is no prayer; it is speaking, not praying. Lifeless prayer is no more prayer, than the picture of a man is a man. To say a prayer, is not to pray, Aschanius taught his Parrot the Lords Prayer. St. Ambrose saith well, It is ⟨p. 37⟩the life and affection in a duty that baptizeth ²it, and gives it a name. 'Tis the violence and wrestling of the affections that makes it a prayer, else it is no prayer. But a man may say as Pharaoh, I have dreamed a dream, Gen. 41. 15.

Prayer without fervency and violence, ¹is no prayer; it is speaking, not praying. Liveless prayer is no more prayer, than the picture of a man is a man. To say a prayer, is not to pray, Aschanius taught his Parrot the Lords Prayer. St. Ambrose saith well, It is ⟨p. 37⟩