Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

of Preparation unto prayer: í ditation : in which regard David calleth his prayer his meditation, Pfal. 5 . i . that is to fay, that which he had meditated of, Pfal. 142.2. Efundam coram ee ,neditationem meam, I will poure out my meditation before him. There is fuch affinity between medita- tion and prayer, that the Hebrew word rnw fignifi- eth either of both, to meditate, or to pray: and there- fore Gen. 24.63. fome reade that Ifaac went out to meditate; others, to pray : And it is likely that he did both; firft meditate, and then pray. Now the end of this preparation being to make Meditation us fit to perform fuch duties as are required in required be- prayer, our meditation muff be referred thereunto fore prayer. , And firft if we find our felves backward in the duty it felf, we may meditate on thole reafons which before we ufed to this purpofe. And that we may perform it in an holy manner, we muff flirre up our hearts,as David doth in many places,as Pfal .103. t. that fo we may call upon God with our hearts. And if our knowledge be fo fmall that we are not able to conceive a prayer of our felves but mull be fain to ufe a formprefcribed by others,we muff beforehand meditate thereof, that we may be able both to un- derftand it and to ufe it aright. And that we may pray in faith, we are to meditate on the promifes of God made to our prayers, and on the mediation and interceffion of our Saviour Chrift, on which our faith is to be grounded. Likewifewe are to me- ditate on our own unworthinffe,that fo we may pray in humilitie; of the glorious Majeflie of God our heavenly Father, that we may call upon him in re- verence; of the excellency,profit, neceffitie ofthofe bleflings 3