Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

of conceived prayers dnd fet forms. 139 to be preferred before fuck an extemporall prayer. Firft, becaufe it wanteth due reverence of God, Rea,1 - when men dare fpeak to God quicquid in 6uccam venerit, whatfoever firfl cometh into the mouth, when as if they were to (peak to their prince or any whom they reverenced, they would ufe prepa- ration; and dìrctly againft the advice of Salomon, Eccles 5. i. Secondly, becaufe it is joyned with 2; the prefumptuous fanfie of the Enthufiafis and tempting of God. Thirdly, becaufe in prayers ?' rafhly and fuddenly made many times things are ut- tered which befeem not the majeftie of God nor are expedient for men. Such fudden prayers are of the mind rather then of the heart. Fourthly, 4. Though the thing uttered were good without ex- ception, yet that good which is uttered upon pre - meditation and mature deliberation is more accep- table unto God then that which proceedeth from a fudden motion. If they fpeak of a prayer conceived upon due meditation, I diflinguifh again,in refped of private prayer of one, and that which is common and publick. For private prayers, that courfe is to be followed for which moft do find themfelves belt qualified, being alwayes careful! to avoyd thofe inconveniences to which either a fet form or a con- ceived prayer is more fubje61. The fer form is more fubjeh to wandering thoughts and want of attention of mind ; the conceived, to want of affe- dion, the powers of the foul being wholly occu- pied in invention. But for the moft this will be found the moft behooffull courfe , to have a fet. form