§. 27. A Collection of the motives to Prayer.§. 27. A Collection of the motiues to Prayer.

§. 27. A Collection of the motives to Prayer.

§. 27. A Collection of the motiues to Prayer.

Thus we see what strong motives here be to urge this duty. If either Gods honour, or our own honour; if to please God, or to supply our own needs, and necessities; if our own profit & benefit be any motives hereunto, motives are not wanting. What exercise on earth so heavenly? and yet what, whereunto we are more dull? O that so rare and excellent a duty, should so rarely and slightly be performed, as commonly it is! Doth not this argue as the great corruption of our nature, so the subtle malice of the devil? For well he knoweth the vantage that man gaineth, and damage which cometh to him by Prayer. Let us be grieved and humbled for our dullness and carelessness herein. Let us rouse up our spirits and pray, that we may pray.

THus we see what strong motiues here be to vrge this duty. If either Gods honour, or our owne honour; if to please God, or to supply our own needs, and necessities; if our own profit & benefit be any motiues hereunto, motiues are not wanting. What exercise on earth so heauenly? and yet what, whereunto we are more dull? O that so rare and excellent a duty, should so rarely and slightly be performed, as commonly it is! Doth not this argue as the great corruption of our nature, so the subtill malice of the diuell? For wel he knoweth the vantage that man gaineth, and damage which cometh to him by Prayer. Let vs be grieued and humbled for our dulnesse and carelesnesse herein. Let vs rowse vp our spirits and pray, that we may pray.