Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

What we are to think of extemporall prayer in our hearts, Alba , Father, that is , teacheth us to pray in faith, and to call upon God as our Father in Chrift, Rom.8.15,16. Gal.4.6. Moreover, where they fay that they mull pray as the Spirit moveth them, they Teem with the Enthu- faRs to look for extraordinary infpirations, and are in the number of thofe which tempt God : for this conceit of theirs as well taketh away all meditation and preparation beforehand as fet prayers. But we are to follow the counfel of the Wife man, Ecclus 1 8.23. Before thou prayefl prepare thy felf, and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. The promife made the faithful!, that they fhould nòt need to Rudy beforehand what they fhould fpeak,but that they fhould fpeak as the Spirit fhould move them, is to be underftood of the extraordina- ry gift of Gods Spirit wherewith they were fil- led in infpiring them in their preachings, apologies and prayers, without their own Rudy and indufry. Wherefore as in preaching, to neglect Rudy, and to expea extraordinary infpiration of the Spirit., that we may fpeak ex tempore as the Spirit moveth, when a man is not upon fome prefent exigent and neceffity put to it, is to tempt God ; fo likewife in prayer. And therefore we muR not prefume (unleffe it be upon fome prefent neceffity) to con - ceive a long prayer, efpecially prayer ex tempore, without force former Rudy and meditation ufed ei- ther againff the infant or in former times ; but we muff come prepared either with force fet form ( which notwithftanding with help of meditation we are to vary upon occafions) or with fuch a form as I37