unsatiable_a and_o inordinate_a love_n of_o the_o world_n must_v possess_v your_o soul_n when_o you_o lift_v it_o up_o to_o god_n for_o you_o can_v never_o perform_v aright_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o prayer_n unless_o your_o heart_n be_v penitent_a and_o your_o affection_n pure_a the_o holiness_n of_o your_o person_n make_v the_o prayer_n holy_a and_o the_o savour_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n sweet_a in_o god_n nostril_n but_o if_o any_o wilful_a sin_n lie_v at_o the_o door_n it_o stop_v the_o passage_n of_o prayer_n and_o hinder_v it_o from_o be_v gracious_o hear_v put_v away_o then_o the_o evil_a of_o your_o do_n and_o remove_v your_o inward_a impurity_n and_o be_v whole_o consecrate_a to_o god_n service_n and_o then_o shall_v your_o prayer_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o his_o sight_n as_o the_o incense_n and_o the_o lift_n up_o of_o your_o hand_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o evening_n sacrifice_n psal_n 141.1.2_o for_o though_o you_o shall_v outward_o appear_v never_o so_o pure_a and_o so_o carry_v yourself_o that_o no_o spot_n can_v be_v see_v upon_o the_o surface_n of_o your_o action_n yet_o if_o you_o regard_v iniquity_n in_o your_o heart_n the_o lord_n will_v not_o hear_v you_o psal_n 66.18_o so_o that_o in_o short_a your_o preparation_n to_o prayer_n consist_v in_o your_o repentance_n for_o all_o the_o sin_n whereof_o upon_o the_o most_o diligent_a scrutiny_n you_o find_v yourself_o to_o be_v guilty_a for_o every_o sin_n whereof_o you_o do_v not_o repent_v will_v hinder_v the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o your_o prayer_n and_o it_o will_v be_v with_o you_o as_o it_o be_v with_o joshua_n who_o prayer_n for_o israel_n god_n utter_o refuse_v because_o they_o have_v take_v of_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v devote_v unto_o he_o and_o which_o have_v bring_v a_o curse_n upon_o they_o josh_n 7.10.11_o chap._n viii_o grace_n necessary_a to_o prayer_n and_o when_o you_o have_v thus_o sweep_v the_o house_n and_o cast_v all_o the_o filth_n and_o rubbish_n out_o of_o door_n your_o next_o business_n be_v to_o see_v it_o decent_o furnish_v for_o you_o be_v not_o only_o to_o cleanse_v your_o heart_n from_o noisome_a lust_n and_o passion_n but_o get_v it_o replenish_v with_o such_o grace_n and_o virtue_n quality_n and_o disposition_n as_o be_v require_v to_o prayer_n now_o faith_n be_v the_o first_o of_o these_o grace_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o use_n of_o faith_n in_o prayer_n worship_n you_o have_v hear_v be_v that_o great_a duty_n which_o you_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o by_o which_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n you_o acknowledge_v his_o godhead_n and_o this_o worship_n you_o be_v to_o perform_v both_o in_o soul_n and_o body_n for_o both_o be_v he_o and_o in_o both_o he_o will_v be_v glorify_v and_o worship_v now_o prayer_n be_v the_o soul_n part_n of_o this_o worship_n and_o be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o faith_n or_o otherwise_o it_o will_v not_o please_v god_n he_o that_o come_v or_o pray_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o which_o text_n imply_v that_o you_o be_v not_o only_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o essence_n of_o god_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o infernal_a fiend_n but_o also_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v give_v what_o you_o due_o beg_v of_o he_o and_o bountiful_o recompense_v your_o diligence_n in_o the_o search_n and_o performance_n of_o his_o will._n and_o believe_v this_o you_o can_v find_v nothing_o fit_a to_o tempt_v you_o to_o neglect_v god_n service_n and_o although_o your_o sincerity_n and_o faithfulness_n therein_o shall_v cost_v you_o dear_a yet_o you_o be_v assure_v that_o whatsoever_o pain_n or_o expense_n you_o bestow_v in_o his_o service_n it_o will_v be_v abundant_o reward_v by_o your_o gracious_a master_n and_o your_o belief_n of_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o your_o entrance_n on_o god_n worship_n and_o perseverance_n in_o it_o and_o as_o you_o may_v best_o show_v your_o faith_n by_o your_o observance_n of_o prayer_n so_o you_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v little_a or_o no_o faith_n if_o you_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o at_o your_o devotion_n but_o if_o once_o your_o come_v steadfast_o to_o believe_v the_o power_n wisdom_n justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o almighty_a you_o can_v want_v no_o motive_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n annex_v to_o any_o prayer_n but_o what_o be_v make_v in_o faith_n and_o for_o this_o you_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o great_a master_n who_o tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o they_o shall_v receive_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o they_o ask_v in_o prayer_n if_o they_o believe_v matth._n 21_o 22._o not_o that_o christ_n by_o those_o word_n give_v you_o toleration_n to_o ask_v whatsoever_o shall_v come_v in_o your_o fancy_n for_o prayer_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o faith_n and_o faith_n must_v not_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o word_n but_o our_o lord_n forbid_v you_o to_o trust_v and_o confide_v in_o yourself_o and_o to_o rely_v on_o your_o own_o strength_n and_o ability_n for_o the_o get_n of_o what_o you_o want_v he_o will_v have_v you_o by_o prayer_n to_o apply_v yourself_o to_o god_n the_o father_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n the_o son_n and_o firm_o to_o believe_v that_o what_o you_o beg_v in_o christ_n name_n will_v be_v grant_v you_o according_a to_o his_o word_n in_o s._n mark_n 11.24_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o what_o thing_n soever_o you_o desire_v when_o you_o pray_v believe_v that_o you_o receive_v they_o and_o you_o shall_v have_v they_o believe_v in_o this_o place_n have_v respect_n to_o the_o promise_n christ_n make_v to_o all_o who_o call_v upon_o god_n in_o his_o name_n and_o it_o signify_v your_o be_v thorough_o persuade_v that_o god_n will_v grant_v the_o thing_n you_o beg_v of_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n through_o who_o alone_o your_o prayer_n be_v effectual_a and_o prevail_a if_o any_o of_o you_o lack_v wisdom_n let_v himask_n of_o god_n that_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_o and_o upbraid_v not_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o but_o let_v he_o ask_v in_o faith_n nothing_o waver_v jam._n 1.5_o 6._o if_o any_o man_n pray_v let_v he_o pray_v with_o confidence_n to_o be_v hear_v and_o with_o a_o mind_n resolve_v to_o stick_v fast_o to_o god_n and_o steadfast_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n to_o christianity_n and_o do_v thus_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v doubtful_a of_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o protection_n the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v save_v the_o sick_a and_o the_o lord_n shall_v raise_v he_o up_o and_o if_o he_o have_v commit_v sin_n they_o shall_v be_v forgive_v he_o jam._n 5.15_o here_o be_v display_v two_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o those_o prayer_n which_o proceed_v from_o faith_n in_o christ_n first_o they_o prevail_v with_o god_n for_o the_o recovery_n and_o restore_a of_o the_o sick_a to_o his_o former_a health_n unless_o god_n have_v purpose_v to_o dispose_v of_o it_o otherwise_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o infirm_a and_o his_o own_o glory_n next_o they_o shall_v prevail_v for_o the_o pardon_n of_o the_o sin_n for_o which_o he_o be_v chastise_v of_o god_n with_o sickness_n if_o upon_o his_o recovery_n he_o amend_v his_o life_n but_o still_o in_o grant_v your_o prayer_n god_n have_v respect_n to_o his_o own_o glory_n and_o your_o benefit_n and_o when_o the_o grant_v what_o you_o pray_v for_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o either_o of_o these_o he_o merciful_o withhold_v his_o hand_n from_o give_v it_o and_o see_v this_o faith_n whereof_o we_o now_o speak_v be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n humble_o beseech_v he_o to_o pour_v this_o most_o excellent_a gift_n into_o your_o heart_n and_o to_o work_v in_o you_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o may_v be_v as_o a_o hand_n to_o receive_v all_o his_o favour_n be_v careful_a not_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o a_o dead_a ineffectual_a effectual_a faith_n but_o in_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o show_v its_o self_n in_o good_a work_n and_o which_o inable_v you_o to_o overcome_v the_o world_n and_o to_o conform_v to_o his_o will_n in_o who_o you_o believe_v to_o the_o end_n that_o you_o may_v pray_v aright_o take_v care_n when_o you_o enter_v upon_o this_o service_n to_o entertain_v your_o mind_n with_o the_o serious_a thought_n of_o god_n excellency_n and_o perfection_n that_o his_o mercy_n be_v over_o all_o his_o work_n and_o endure_v for_o ever_o that_o he_o be_v faithful_a and_o without_o all_o variableness_n or_o shadow_n of_o change_n that_o his_o promise_n be_v yea_o and_o amen_o that_o he_o be_v nigh_o to_o all_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o faithful_o and_o that_o he_o will_v one_o way_n or_o other_o fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o with_o these_o and_o the_o
concern_v matter_n of_o high_a importance_n in_o a_o grave_n and_o learned_a assembly_n will_v he_o not_o rather_o if_o he_o may_v choose_v to_o come_v prepare_v and_o compose_v and_o weigh_v every_o word_n and_o period_n before_o he_o venture_v to_o speak_v lest_o he_o expose_v himself_o by_o any_o rude_a and_o indigested_a expression_n this_o will_v be_v but_o a_o become_a piece_n of_o respect_n at_o least_o and_o the_o want_n of_o it_o be_v condemn_v as_o no_o small_a presumption_n now_o in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v only_o so_o much_o strong_a than_o it_o can_v be_v put_v in_o any_o worldly_a concern_v as_o there_o be_v so_o much_o more_o of_o awe_n due_a to_o the_o person_n we_o be_v to_o speak_v to_o and_o the_o business_n we_o come_v upon_o be_v of_o far_o great_a moment_n than_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v mere_o temporal_a can_v pretend_v to_o you_o that_o fray_v be_v but_o a_o worm_n dust_n a_o shadow_n a_o bubble_n nothing_o nay_o worse_o sinful_a pollute_a and_o abominable_a he_o to_o who_o you_o pray_v be_v the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n who_o be_v able_a eternal_o to_o destroy_v your_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o hell_n the_o thing_n you_o may_v pray_v for_o be_v not_o of_o a_o inferior_a but_o of_o the_o great_a moment_n even_o the_o salvation_n of_o your_o soul_n grace_n in_o this_o life_n and_o glory_n in_o the_o next_o and_o when_o you_o have_v mature_o consider_v these_o thing_n i_o leave_v you_o to_o make_v your_o own_o conclusion_n as_o to_o the_o preparation_n now_o speak_v of_o and_o whether_o reason_n do_v not_o convince_v you_o of_o its_o necessity_n but_o if_o your_o great_a oracle_n reason_n be_v dumb_a in_o this_o case_n yet_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o express_v to_o the_o purpose_n they_o teach_v you_o not_o to_o come_v before_o god_n without_o have_v first_o fit_v yourself_o for_o so_o dreadful_a a_o presence_n and_o this_o you_o may_v collect_v from_o god_n command_n to_o aaron_n which_o be_v that_o neither_o he_o nor_o his_o son_n shall_v enter_v upon_o divine_a service_n till_o they_o have_v wash_v their_o hand_n and_o foot_n in_o the_o laver_n appoint_v for_o that_o end_n exod._n 4._o a_o ceremony_n that_o among_o other_o thing_n do_v certain_o imply_v that_o all_o aught_o pious_o to_o compose_v and_o order_v themselves_o for_o the_o celebration_n of_o religious_a doubt_n and_o to_o put_v away_o all_o filthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n ere_o they_o do_v enter_v upon_o so_o momentous_a a_o solemnity_n you_o read_v in_o esay_n 1._o that_o god_n will_v not_o look_v upon_o israel_n when_o they_o spread_v out_o their_o hand_n unto_o he_o which_o be_v a_o ancient_a manner_n of_o pray_v nor_o harken_v when_o they_o make_v many_o prayer_n because_o their_o hand_n be_v full_a of_o blood_n and_o their_o action_n full_a of_o injustice_n but_o if_o they_o will_v wash_v and_o make_v themselves_o clean_o and_o put_v away_o the_o evil_a of_o their_o do_n and_o retract_v their_o fault_n than_o he_o will_v incline_v his_o ear_n to_o their_o supplication_n and_o be_v find_v of_o they_o when_o they_o seek_v unto_o he_o but_o till_o this_o be_v do_v all_o their_o sacrifice_n prayer_n and_o oblation_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n whilst_o israel_n love_v to_o wander_v and_o will_v not_o refrain_v their_o foot_n whilst_o they_o continue_v in_o their_o vice_n and_o will_v not_o give_v over_o their_o wicked_a course_n god_n do_v not_o only_o reject_v their_o own_o prayer_n but_o also_o the_o prayer_n that_o other_o make_v in_o their_o behalf_n for_o he_o positive_o forbid_v the_o prophet_n to_o pray_v for_o they_o jer._n 7.16_o and_o 14.12_o 11._o declare_v that_o he_o will_v not_o hear_v their_o cry_n when_o they_o fast_v nor_o accept_v they_o when_o they_o offer_v burn_v offering_n and_o oblation_n and_o those_o cruel_a prince_n that_o pluck_v the_o skin_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o flesh_n from_o their_o bone_n who_o chop_v they_o in_o piece_n for_o the_o pot_n and_o as_o flesh_n for_o the_o cauldron_n when_o they_o cry_v unto_o the_o lord_n he_o will_v not_o hear_v they_o because_o they_o be_v wicked_a in_o their_o do_n mich._n 3.2_o 3_o 4._o though_o they_o cry_v in_o my_o ear_n say_v the_o lord_n with_o a_o loud_a voice_n yet_o i_o will_v not_o hear_v they_o ezek._n 8.18_o my_o eye_n shall_v not_o spare_v neither_o will_v i_o have_v pity_n you_o have_v then_o no_o hope_n that_o god_n shall_v accept_v your_o service_n whilst_o you_o continue_v impenitent_a your_o heart_n must_v be_v furnish_v with_o sincere_a piety_n if_o you_o expect_v your_o prayer_n shall_v be_v regard_v in_o god_n sight_n or_o that_o any_o other_o part_n of_o worship_n shall_v be_v seasonable_a and_o welcome_a to_o he_o without_o repentance_n all_o the_o religious_a act_n you_o can_v possible_o execute_v be_v but_o illusion_n and_o hypocrisy_n inward_a wickedness_n hide_v under_o the_o cloak_n and_o wizard_n of_o outward_a sanctity_n till_o therefore_o you_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n by_o a_o free_a confession_n of_o your_o sin_n and_o by_o a_o lively_a conversion_n fly_v to_o his_o mercy_n you_o can_v neither_o feel_v the_o effect_n of_o pardon_n nor_o the_o acceptation_n of_o your_o prayer_n whilst_o your_o silver_n be_v dross_n and_o your_o wine_n mix_v with_o water_n whilst_o your_o life_n and_o action_n that_o shall_v be_v pure_a continue_v corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a all_o you_o do_v in_o religion_n in_o stead_n of_o appease_v will_v incense_v the_o divine_a displeasure_n chap._n vii_o preparation_n to_o prayer_n practise_v by_o the_o jew_n etc._n etc._n and_o what_o be_v now_o speak_v concern_v this_o preparation_n be_v no_o novel_a or_o upstart_a doctrine_n but_o a_o ancient_a orthodox_n truth_n teach_v and_o practise_v by_o man_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o reject_v by_o none_o but_o the_o lewd_a and_o miscreant_n and_o first_o as_o to_o the_o ancient_a jew_n aristaeus_n report_v that_o it_o be_v their_o custom_n to_o wash_v before_o they_o pray_v hist_o 72._o and_o the_o modern_a jew_n live_v in_o the_o eastern_a country_n observe_v the_o same_o custom_n of_o wash_v as_o a_o preparative_a to_o prayer_n and_o read_v the_o shemaah_o and_o no_o doubt_n they_o do_v this_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o priest_n who_o enter_v not_o upon_o perform_v any_o religious_a office_n in_o the_o sanctuary_n unless_o they_o have_v first_o wash_v and_o it_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o this_o custom_n that_o david_n will_v not_o come_v to_o the_o altar_n till_o he_o have_v wash_v his_o hand_n in_o innocency_n that_o be_v till_o he_o have_v prepare_v himself_o to_o worship_n god_n be_v well_o assure_v that_o he_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o receive_v the_o divine_a protection_n or_o any_o gracious_a answer_n to_o the_o prayer_n wherein_o he_o do_v not_o join_v purity_n to_o devotion_n and_o have_v a_o heart_n as_o clean_o as_o the_o hand_n he_o have_v wash_v and_o that_o his_o thought_n and_o action_n be_v as_o purify_v as_o his_o body_n and_o though_o it_o be_v common_a with_o the_o jew_n in_o any_o solemn_a business_n to_o wash_v their_o hand_n in_o protestation_n of_o their_o innocency_n yet_o this_o ceremony_n be_v especial_o use_v before_o they_o say_v their_o prayer_n which_o show_v the_o great_a esteem_n they_o have_v for_o that_o duty_n and_o that_o they_o think_v it_o of_o such_o holiness_n and_o purity_n as_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v right_o perform_v without_o a_o preparation_n answerable_a thereunto_o and_o this_o you_o may_v further_o collect_v from_o the_o several_a rule_n prescribe_v by_o the_o rabbin_n to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o come_v to_o pray_v and_o 1._o the_o master_n forbid_v any_o to_o enter_v the_o temple_n with_o shoe_n on_o their_o foot_n which_o prohibition_n they_o found_v on_o those_o word_n of_o god_n to_o moses_n exod._n 3.5_o put_v thy_o shoe_n off_o thy_o foot_n for_o the_o place_n whereon_o thou_o stand_v be_v holy_a ground_n which_o command_n be_v also_o give_v to_o joshua_n 5.15_o by_o the_o captain_n of_o the_o lord_n host_n god_n do_v not_o bid_v they_o to_o put_v off_o their_o shoe_n as_o if_o the_o ground_n whereon_o they_o stand_v be_v holy_a by_o a_o internal_a or_o perpetual_a quality_n but_o because_o of_o god_n presence_n which_o he_o be_v please_v at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o place_n in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n to_o exhibit_v and_o from_o this_o injunction_n give_v to_o these_o two_o worthy_n solomon_n likely_a give_v that_o general_n rule_n namely_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v take_v heed_n to_o his_o foot_n when_o he_o enter_v the_o house_n of_o god_n which_o text_n the_o targum_fw-la explain_v thus_o thou_o son_n of_o man_n take_v heed_n to_o thy_o foot_n when_o thou_o enterest_n into_o the_o sanctuary_n to_o
now_o recommend_v as_o a_o excellent_a help_n against_o the_o wander_a of_o your_o thought_n in_o prayer_n which_o be_v a_o fault_n whereof_o you_o can_v not_o be_v guilty_a when_o you_o pray_v with_o spiritual_a affection_n with_o ardent_a desire_n with_o a_o fervent_a mind_n and_o with_o a_o heart_n inflame_v with_o that_o zeal_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n kindle_v in_o it_o god_n regard_v not_o the_o prayer_n which_o you_o offer_v when_o you_o do_v not_o stir_v up_o your_o affection_n and_o chafe_v your_o desire_n and_o move_v your_o mind_n into_o a_o warmth_n the_o great_a ruler_n of_o the_o world_n will_v not_o listen_v to_o cold_a lukewarm_a devotion_n such_o prayer_n can_v never_o reach_v heaven_n which_o want_n zeal_n and_o love_n the_o only_a wing_n that_o shall_v carry_v they_o thither_o be_v careful_a then_o when_o you_o approach_v god_n to_o raise_v up_o your_o soul_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n that_o you_o be_v able_a and_o because_o that_o of_o yourself_o you_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v this_o beseech_v the_o divine_a omnipotence_n to_o inflame_v your_o heart_n with_o the_o heavenly_a fire_n of_o devotion_n and_o when_o it_o be_v obtain_v beware_v of_o quench_v it_o with_o wilful_a sin_n or_o let_v it_o go_v out_o again_o for_o want_v of_o fuel_n or_o stir_v up_o and_o employ_v it_o and_o there_o want_v no_o motive_n to_o beget_v in_o you_o this_o fervency_n in_o prayer_n when_o you_o consider_v god_n wonderful_a kindness_n and_o carry_v the_o thought_n thereof_o through_o your_o whole_a devotion_n for_o to_o think_v that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o good_a by_o nature_n but_o also_o in_o communicate_v his_o benefit_n that_o he_o be_v ready_a upon_o your_o repentance_n to_o blot_v out_o your_o transgression_n and_o to_o be_v merciful_a to_o your_o sin_n such_o thought_n as_o these_o be_v good_a inward_a motive_n to_o raise_v your_o heart_n into_o zeal_n when_o you_o lift_v up_o your_o voice_n and_o call_v upon_o the_o lord_n either_o in_o his_o house_n or_o your_o own_o and_o first_o when_o you_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n house_n to_o join_v in_o public_a prayer_n you_o have_v a_o good_a opportunity_n to_o show_v your_o earnestness_n and_o zeal_n god_n have_v promise_v a_o special_a blessing_n to_o the_o joint_a request_n which_o the_o faithful_a make_v in_o his_o house_n and_o that_o he_o will_v be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o bestow_v his_o mercy_n and_o set_v mark_n of_o favour_n on_o they_o when_o they_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o your_o absence_n from_o the_o public_a prayer_n can_v be_v excuse_v without_o a_o important_a occasion_n for_o if_o it_o be_v wilful_a and_o deliberate_a you_o cut_v yourself_o off_o from_o the_o church_n and_o from_o the_o partake_n of_o those_o prayer_n wherein_o all_o be_v in_o common_a concern_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v you_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o yourself_o even_o a_o sort_n of_o excommunication_n which_o be_v never_o inflict_v by_o the_o church_n but_o in_o case_n of_o the_o most_o heinous_a offence_n the_o same_o zeal_n and_o attention_n be_v also_o requisite_a in_o the_o prayer_n make_v in_o your_o family_n which_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o common-prayer_n because_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o household_n join_v therein_o and_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n careful_o to_o provide_v for_o this_o office_n and_o to_o see_v nothing_o be_v want_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o their_o soul_n who_o be_v under_o his_o government_n for_o the_o family_n be_v heathenish_a where_o god_n be_v not_o worship_v and_o where_o the_o master_n do_v not_o resolve_v with_o joshua_n that_o he_o and_o his_o house_n will_v serve_v the_o lord_n josh_n 24.15_o and_o as_o to_o the_o prayer_n you_o make_v apart_o when_o you_o be_v solus_fw-la cum_fw-la solo_fw-la and_o have_v no_o witness_n of_o what_o you_o do_v but_o only_o god_n and_o your_o conscience_n yet_o because_o that_o even_o here_o you_o be_v subject_a to_o wander_v and_o distraction_n as_o well_o as_o you_o be_v in_o company_n you_o have_v need_n of_o the_o same_o zeal_n and_o attention_n to_o correct_v it_o in_o your_o private_a devotion_n you_o may_v be_v more_o particular_a according_a to_o your_o personal_a necessity_n and_o you_o may_v use_v therein_o a_o great_a freedom_n both_o in_o word_n and_o gesture_n than_o you_o can_v in_o public_a but_o still_o the_o devotion_n of_o the_o heart_n be_v therein_o require_v as_o be_v that_o which_o god_n principal_o regard_v and_o as_o it_o be_v your_o duty_n to_o perform_v all_o these_o sort_n of_o prayer_n so_o it_o be_v likewise_o your_o duty_n to_o be_v zealous_a and_o attentive_a at_o they_o all_o prayer_n in_o your_o family_n and_o closet_n will_v not_o excuse_v your_o prayer_n at_o church_n all_o be_v require_v all_o be_v necessary_a and_o one_o must_v not_o be_v take_v in_o exchange_n for_o the_o other_o and_o whosoever_o be_v diligent_a in_o public_a prayer_n and_o yet_o negligent_a in_o private_a it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v he_o rather_o seek_v to_o approve_v himself_o to_o man_n than_o to_o god_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o command_v you_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n in_o secret_a and_o from_o he_o alone_o to_o expect_v your_o reward_n and_o not_o from_o the_o vain_a praise_n of_o men._n you_o have_v be_v often_o tell_v that_o prayer_n be_v that_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o the_o soul_n be_v to_o pay_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o you_o have_v also_o be_v tell_v with_o what_o circumspection_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v perform_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o conclude_v this_o particular_a with_o observe_v that_o though_o prayer_n be_v a_o spiritual_a duty_n and_o the_o proper_a business_n of_o the_o soul_n yet_o the_o body_n have_v its_o share_n and_o part_v therein_o for_o both_o be_v god_n workmanship_n and_o purchase_n both_o aught_o to_o give_v he_o homage_n and_o observance_n now_o the_o observance_n the_o body_n ought_v to_o pay_v unto_o god_n in_o prayer_n consist_v in_o such_o lowly_a decent_a and_o reverend_a gesture_n as_o may_v testify_v the_o humility_n and_o reverence_n of_o the_o soul_n bowing_n prostration_n and_o the_o like_a external_a act_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v a_o particular_a right_a belong_v to_o god_n before_o who_o you_o be_v to_o fall_v down_o and_o kneel_v for_o he_o be_v your_o maker_n your_o shepherd_n your_o protector_n the_o royal_a author_n of_o the_o 95._o psalm_n do_v affectionate_o call_v upon_o every_o one_o joint_o to_o adore_v worship_n and_o pray_v unto_o god_n and_o to_o make_v the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n the_o partner_n and_o witness_n of_o the_o real_a devotion_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o to_o join_v inward_a and_o outward_a reverence_n together_o that_o the_o submissive_a and_o lowly_a gesture_n of_o the_o body_n may_v serve_v to_o express_v and_o signify_v the_o sincere_a humility_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o though_o the_o humble_a external_a bodily_a gesture_n be_v the_o least_o considerable_a thing_n in_o prayer_n as_o have_v little_a or_o no_o proportion_n to_o the_o necessary_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n yet_o they_o be_v of_o such_o moment_n that_o if_o you_o pray_v without_o they_o it_o look_v as_o if_o you_o do_v not_o consider_v or_o know_v what_o a_o weighty_a business_n you_o be_v about_o nor_o have_v a_o sense_n of_o god_n dignity_n or_o of_o your_o own_o vileness_n but_o in_o these_o bodily_a gesture_n you_o be_v careful_o to_o avoid_v whatsoever_o be_v vain_a fantastical_a and_o superstitious_a and_o to_o keep_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o decency_n and_o prudence_n and_o your_o gesture_n be_v thus_o conduct_v they_o will_v help_v to_o heighten_v inward_a devotion_n in_o yourself_o and_o be_v a_o happy_a mean_n to_o raise_v the_o devotion_n of_o other_o but_o i_o leave_v the_o far_a prosecution_n of_o this_o particular_a to_o consider_v of_o the_o frequency_n you_o ought_v to_o use_v in_o prayer_n chap._n xii_o of_o frequency_n in_o prayer_n though_o prayer_n be_v a_o duty_n which_o you_o be_v never_o to_o neglect_v yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o text_n in_o scripture_n that_o determine_v how_o often_o you_o be_v to_o use_v it_o the_o inspire_a word_n positive_o command_v you_o to_o call_v upon_o god_n but_o it_o have_v leave_v it_o to_o your_o conscience_n how_o frequent_o you_o be_v to_o do_v it_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v most_o peremptory_a in_o this_o particular_a be_v 1_o thes_n 5.17_o where_o s._n paul_n exhort_v to_o pray_v without_o cease_v by_o which_o text_n you_o be_v certain_o oblige_v to_o these_o two_o thing_n viz._n 1._o not_o to_o grow_v restive_a in_o prayer_n but_o therein_o to_o be_v constant_a and_o persevere_v it_o be_v a_o homage_n you_o be_v to_o pay_v