CHAPTER. H. l47 dueregard to the occasion, and the persons present ; the neg- lect of which-hath been attended with indecencies and indiscre- tions.Some have used themselves to mutter a few words with so low a voice, as thoughby some secret charm they were to con- secrate the food alone, and there was no need of the rest to join with them in the petitions. Others have broken out into so vio- lent a sound, as though they were bound to make a thousand people hear them.Some perform this part of worship with so slight and familiar an air, as though they had no sense of the great God to whom they speak : others haveput on an unnatural solemnity, and changed their natural voice into so different and aukward a tone, not without some distortions of countenance, that have tempted strangers to ridicule. It is the custom of some, to hurry over a single sentence or two; and they have done before half the company are prepared to lift up a thought to heaven. And some have been just heard to bespeak a blessing on the church and the king, but seem to have forgot they were asking God to bless their food, or giving thanks for the food they have received. Others again have give themselves a loose into a long prayer, and among a multitude of other petitions, have not had one that related to the tablebefore them. The general rules of prudence, together with a due observa- tion of thecustom of the place where we live, would correct all thesedisorders; and teach us that a few sentences suited to the oc- casion, spoken with an audible and proper voice, are sufficient for this purpose, especially if any strangers are présent. Ifwe are abroad in mixed company, many times it is best for each person to lift up a petition to God in secret for himself ; yet in a religi- ous family, or where all the companyare of a piece, and no other circumstance forbids it, I cannot disapprove of a pious soul some- times breathing out a few more devout expressions than arejust necessary to give thanks for the food we receive ; nor is it impro- per to join any other present occurrence of providence together with the table- worship. Here I would alsobeg leave to add this, that when a person is eating alone, I do not see any necessity of rising always from his seat, to recommend his food to the blessing of God, which may be clone in any posture of body with a short ejaculation; yet when he eats in company, I amof opinion that the present custom of standing up is more decent and honourable than of sitting down, just before we give thanks, which was too much practised in the former age. Thus I have delivered, my sentiments concerning the ges- tures proper for prayer. And I hope they will appear useful and proper to maintain the dignity of the worship, and to pay honour to God with our bodies, as well as our souls. As we must not make ourselves mere statues,snd lifeless engines of prayer, so it 2
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