Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Knowledge required in prayer, 89 CHAP. XVII. of knowledge which is required neceff arily in prayer. Hus much of that which is generally required Tin the foul:Now let us fee what is more particu- larly required in the mind and in the heart. In the mind two things are required, Knowledge and Faith. Knowledge i. Of God to whom we pray, and Firít,we p y know of his will according to which we are to ra God. 2. Of that which we in our invocation do utter in the prefence of God. Firf , there is required knowledge and acknowledgement of the true God, and of Jefus Chrifc whom he hath fent : otherwife we are fubjeft to the cenfure of our Saviour given to the Samaritanes, Jan 4.2 2. You worfliipyou know not what. firft we muft know God before we can believe in him, and we muft believe in him or elfe we cannot call upon him , Rom. r o. 14. Therefore David exhorteth his fonne Solomon, i .Chron. 2g. 9. firft to know, then to worfhip the God of his fathers with a willing mind and an upright heart. For all worship of God which is not guided by knowledge is mere will - worship and fuperftition. Neither is that to be accounted religion or pietie which pro - ceedeth from ignorance; as the Papifts hold igno- rance to be the mother of devotion. But that de- votion is blind fuperftition. Knowledge is as it were the (tern which guideth us in the right way of ferving God according to his word , without which we wander into will - worship and fuperftiti- ous inventions. And therefore as of God there is knowledge