Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

and wandring thoughts . majefly of God to whom we fpeak, nor fenfe of thofe things whereof we (peak : For if we confider- ed that we are fpeaking to the mofi mighty and glo- - rious God,could we imagine that we ought to think of any thing rather then of that which we fpeak un- to him Do not men ( as it were) gather their wits and cogitations together, fo that no part thereof be derived to any thing elfe, when they do fpeak be- fore any whom they do reverence Or if our affe- &ions were unfeignedly fet upon thofe heavenly things whereof we fpeak, would we fuffer our co- gitations to wander about trifles on the earth Wherefore as at all other times fo efpecially when we pray we muff (as theWife man adviíeth)above all obfervations obferve and keep our hearts, Prov. 4.23. that they wander not from God, ( for, as Bernard faith , nihil corde fugacius, nothing is more fugitive then the heart) and that with David, 2. Sam. 7.27. we may find our heart to call upon God. And to the fame purpofe let us pray, that as at all times fo efpe- cially in prayer the Lord would knit our hearts unto him, Pfa1.86. i i. that they go not affray after vani- ties. Let us refift the fuggeftions of Satan, let us (hake off our own fluggifhneffe; and to that end let us fet before us the infinite majeflie of God to whom we fpeak, the excellencie and necefsitie of thofe graces for which we pray and give thanks: let us alto pray with David, Pfal. 141.3. that the Lord wouldfet a watch before our mouthes, anJkeep the doore of our lips, that neither our minds go a whoring af- ter vanities, nor our tongues,which fhould be as the pen ofa ready writer, be rafh to utter any thing before G 3 Gods