Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

144 of the duties tobeperformeclafter prayer: bleffings for which we either pray or give thanks, that fo we may pray with fervencie and give thanks with alacrity. And further, if we conceive a prayer before not ufed, we are to meditate not onely of the matter but alfo of the manner and order of our fpeech, that we may be able to fay with David, My Pfal. i08. i. heart is prepared, fó is my tongue; I will now call upon the name of the Lord. And thus much of Prepara- tion. II. Of the After the alion there ought to be fuch a difpofi- duties to be tion as the feverall kind of invocation doth efpeci- a£rer prayer. ally require: Whereof in due place. In the mean time this admonition in generali may be given, That when we have at any time called upon God, we take heed that we do not end our prayers as we end epifiles, with a Yale, bidding the Lord Farewell till the time of prayer come again, as though we had then ended our task and had performed all the fervice we ow unto God , in the mean time neither thinking of God or godlineffe, but following our own corrupt wayes. For howfoever we ceafe to fpeak unto God for a time, yet we ceafe not to be in his fight and prefence; and therefore cannot do as untoward children and unchaft wives, who though in abfence they have behaved themfelves lewdly, yet approve themfelves to their parents and huf- bands by their demure carriage in prefence : But we are continually in Gods fight and prefence; and therefore if after we have called upon God we play the lewd children even in his fight, and go a who- ring after vanities in his prefence, how cannot this but greatly amaze us againft we fhall pray again, and