Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

I3 of Bdttologie in prayer; Davids Pfalmes. Not to (peak now of that Ladies Pfalter; in which what is fpoken in Davids Pfalmes of God or Chrift our Lord, is transferred to the virgin Mary moll facrilegioufly and blafphemoufly: to the faying whereof divers Popes have given large indulgences, which in all arife to threefcore thoufand yeares pardon. What then? is it not lawfull to make long praiers? I anfwer , That prayer is not condemned of batto- logie or too much prolixity, wherein nothing is fu- perfluous, neither is made with that opinion that for the lengths fake it shall be heard. Where is varie- ty of good matter uttered with the attention of the mind and vigour of affection, there the longer we continue in prayer the better it is. We are exhorted in the Scriptures to c ontinue in prayer, and to watch in the f me with thankfgiving, Col. 4. 2. and our Savi- our himfelf, to give us example, fometime con - Spi1. 2I. tinued in prayer whole nights. Abfit ab oratione, faith ta?,'4 °3 Auguftine, multalocutio;fed non defit multaprecatiofi fervens perfeverat intentio: Let much fpeech be ab- fent from prayer ; but let not much praying be wanting if the intention perfevere to be fervent. But we are to moderate the length of our prayers according to the meafure of grace received, offaith and devotion,appearing both in the attention ofthe mind and intention of the affe&ions: for, as Augu- IÜid.paa,4o2, ftine faith, Intentiò flew- non efl obtundenda fi perdu - rare non poteff , itá fi perduraverit non citó efl relin- quenda: As the intention is not to be dulled ifit can - not hold out, fo if it can laft it is not to be eafily lefr. How-