Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Of Heartine( required in pràyer. I5 then our fenfes apprehend, and that we want thofe eyes of faith which Mofes had, Heb. r 1.27. where- by we might be moved to behave our felves in the prefence of God tis feing him that is invifible. Now ro move us both to humilitie and reve- rence, let us confider , as Solomon advifeth Eccles 5.1,2. that God to whom we fpeak is in the heaven, full of majefiie and power; ( which confideration our Saviour allo teacheth us to have in the begin- ning of our prayer, Matth.6.9.) and we which do fpeak are on the earth, bate and vile, not onely in re- fpet of our mould, being but duff and afhes, bue efpecially in refpea of our finnes , whereby we have made our felves unworthy to appear in his pre - fence. And unto both thefe we are excited Pfal.95. which is prefixed as a preparative to our Liturgie, v. 6. Come let us worfhip andfall down, let us kneel be- fore the Lord our maker : For he is our God; and we are the people of his peure , and the f beep of his hands. The third thing is heartineffe, devotion, or ar- Of I,eartí= dour of the mind, when we are throughly aífeted ven ece and with thofe things whereof we fpeak, calling upon devoiion re- God with our whole hearts. For if that be good g°ired'tt counfel which the wife Solomon giveth, That what prayer. we do rre do it with all our might, Eccles 9.10. it is efpecially to be followed in prayer, wherein we are not to be cold or careleffe. This heartineffe in prayer is fervencie or earnefineffe of defire ; in thankfgiving,alacritie and chearfulne ffe: the former arifing from the fenfe of our want, the latter from the fenfe and experience of Gods goodneffe to- wards us : And it is that which giveth wings to our I 2 prayers,