Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

z z 6 of the Voice in prayer . alone,when the outward fpeech of the tongue can- not be ufed but that it fhall be heard or perceived of others. For private prayer muff be made in fecret, as Chriff commandeth Matth. 6.6. left we pray, or at leaff feem to pray,that we may be heard or feen of men. When as therefore we are occafioned to pray by our felves alone in prefence of others, we muff pray in the clofet of our heart, tiring no voyce nor making any outward thew of prayer: and the Lord which feeth the fecrets of the heart will reward openly. Thus Abrahams fervant flanding at the well,unto which was ordinary refort, prayed in his heart,Gen.24.45 and Mofes being among the peo- ple,Exod.14. t 5. and Nehemiah being in the Kings prefence, Neh. 2.4. and Annah the mother of Sa- muel in the prefence of Eli, I . Sam. i. 13. Other - wife in private prayer it is moli convenient, and in prayer with others, whether in the Church or fa- mily, it is neceffary that the voice in prayer fhould be ufed: for otherwife thofe that are prefent cannot content to our prayers and fay Amen ; neither can they be edified thereby unleffe they heare and un- derffand the prayer. Our duty is (as I have faid before) to worfhip God both in body and foul : And as we are to glo- rifie God with all our members and powers,fo efpe- cially by our tongue and fpeech: For therefore hath God given us the facultie of fpeech above other creatures, that we might not onely be the matter of his glory as they are, but alfo the inffruments to found forth his praife. And therefore is our tongue called our glory, Pfal. 16.7. and I o8.I. becaufe it is that