HE that would pray wel , must know ●hat he desires , and with What mind . To pray s●ruently for things vnlawfull , is a thing vnlawfull : and to pray col●ly for things lawfull will proue but a cold suite , & the colder the Suiter , the greater the sinner . One man praies going and knéeles not , another praies ●néeling and goes not : Yet both are heard , if their soules doe bend , if their mindes attend , and if they burne their incense vpon the right Altar .

One praies and speakes not , another speakes and praies not . This mans voice though loud is not heard , because his praying is all in voice , and nothing in vertue , in outward sound , & not with inward sense : the former is heard , yet speakes not : for though his mouth be shut , yet his heart is open : his heart talkes , though his tong be tied vp , that 's loud , though this below .

One praies but kéepes no good order , yet gets his suit : another kéepes time and measure , & yet gaines nothing . This had the arte , but the other had the hart . The be●t minde is the best methode : and he praies orderly , that praies honestly .

One iustified himselfe in his praier , and yet went away condemned : another condemned himselfe , and went away absolued . I wil condemne my selfe , that I may be iustified : I will not iustifie my selfe , lea●● I be condemned . And though I did build an hundred frée●chooles , a thousand hospitals , ten thousand colledges , and al this for the loue of my Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus , and in loue of christianity & christians for Christ his sake , yet would I write in the foundation of all those Buildings , God be mercifull vnto me a sinner . And though I will condemne my selfe , least I should bée condemned of my Iudge , yet will I not thinke I deserue to be iustified , because I will not iustifie my selfe , but I will still pray for fauour , least the opinion of merit should hinder me from mercy , and least whiles I look to be iustified for condemning mine owne iustice , I méete with the sharpenesse of Gods iustice , forgetting the iustice of Christ , & idolizing with a iustice of mine owne conceiued for condemning my selfe of iniustice .

One praies for God , an other for goods , he obtains , for God is his goods : this is still poore and hauing : because goods are his God .

One praies for God , and another for goods , and it may be neither are heard : because the former wants his heart , and the latter his head . He that would finde God , let him séeke God for God , and other things vnder God .

God is found of one that sought him not , and an other séekes and craues him , but cannot finde him at the first . Why ? God will haue the former serue and praise him , and the other to séeke him still . Sometimes hée shewes vs the libertie of his grace , and sometimes he tries the strength of our faith , and the truth of our loue .

One man praies long , an other is but briefe , and both obtaine alike : for God measures his gifts by his loue and not by the length of our praiers , by his owne benignitie , and not by our breuitie .

One praies at length & loses for lacke of deuotion : another is but short , and yet receiueth : because his affection is ●arge & feruent .

One being long in his praiers is counted briefe , while another being briefe is counted tedious : the former is long , but vehement : the latter is short and shallow , as cold , as briefe , tedious and too-long , because his praier is too-short for deuotion , without sense & soule .

One is very violent and importunate , and another is not so earnest in appearance , and yet this second only is heard . Either for that the former knowes not Christ , or because his violence is rather from his strong sides , then true sense , or a labor of lip rather , than of loue ; or else perhaps caused by some horrid apprehension of hell , and not of loue to God , or godlinesse for God .

Two men pray for the kingdome of God , one importunatly , the other remisly : the violent caries it away : the cold suiter goes away empty . For God loues the laborious , and contemnes the lazie : if men pray , as if they praied not : he also will heare , as if hée heard not : pray féelingly if thou wouldest be heard fauourably : & if thou woullest taste of Gods beneuofence , be thou sure to presse him with all violence .

One praies chiefly for grace , and God giues him both grace and peace : another praies only for peace , and God giues him neither grace , nor peace : not peace , because hée wants grace to vse it : not grace , because peace is all the grace , hée cares for : not peace because hée will punish him for not begging or estéeming grace : and not grace , because he séekes not for it .

One praies for Gods blessing vpon his meat , drinke , physicke and labor , and God heares him not : another prospers in these things without praier . What is the reason ? Is it in vaine to pray ? No , pray for a blessing , and leaue the euent to God . It is sometimes a blessing to want such a blessing . By this dealing God shewes hée is tied to no man by desert , hée shewes he will do with his owne what he list himselfe , hée will exercise thy faith & fortitude , perhaps he meanes to hasten thée to better fauors : and for the other , that respects not praier , and yet prospers , God doth it to allure him to him , or else ( it may bée ) to fatten him vp for the slaughter : in which case that prosperitie is very aduersitie , and that séeming blessing a true curse .

One praieth conceiuing , an other reading : the one frames words to his mind , which is more easie : the other frames his minde to words , which is not so easie : yet both the one and the other praieth & obtaineth , if they pray with good vnderstanding , and godly affections .

A man may pray without booke and misse , he may pray by a booke , and get : for he , that praies by heart without heart , does nothing , but talke : whereas he that praies by book with his heart , doth both reade and pray with deuotion .

He reades a praier but praieth not , who reades without vnderstanding , or affection ● and ●● likewise speakes ▪ but praies not , that vtters wordes , and yet weies not , nor heartely wishes not the things , he speakes of .

Two desire grace : one of them obtaines , the other gets it not . Is God partiall ? or respects he persons ? No , but one desires grace , and vseth the meanes and ordinances of grace , as the word and Sacraments . and obtaineth : another would haue grace , but cares not for these meanes , and is reiected .

Some condemne the saying of one prayer often at one time : and so it may , if the hart repeat not as wel , as the tongue . But if there be an ingemination of affection , as well as of the supplication , it is not to be reproued . We can double our sinnes , why can wee not , why should wee not double our suites for the pardon of them ?

One prayes weeping , another cannot shedds a teare : yet both may bee heard : for the sobbes and sighes of the soule are as sensible to Gods eare , as teares are to the eye : and the soule can shed teares , though the eyes be dry . As also the eye can water , when the soule is not wet . The best teares are the throbs of a broken and bléeding heart .

Some imagine that they can make Powerfull prayers , thinking with their words and arguments to preuaile with God Almightie : wheras in truth , if any man bee heard , it is not for the swéetnesse of words , the variety of matter , the multiplicity of reasons , but through the intercession of Christ , who doth make God propitious to vs , and to accept our poore and humble prayers .

If my prayers be heard , I will ascribe it to Gods dignation , and not to nay dignitie , to Gods benig●●ty , and not to my prayers excellencie , to his eare , and not to my tongue .

Praying and wishing is not all one . He that wishes doth not alwaies expresse or define a person , from or of whom hee wisheth some good vnto himselfe : but he , that prayeth , prayeth to some body .

But whether men wish , or pray for any grace , it is no signe of sauing grace , except the meanes of grace be loued : neither shall that grace be granted , whiles these meanes are neglected . Those meanes can do nothing without God : and God , to wit , ordinarily will doe nothing without them .

Some are wide — mouth ed , but close-fisted : they wil promise much but performe little , part with nothing : but God is open handed and open hearted : his promises are performances , and his wordes workes . He is Verity , and cannot lye : hee is Vertue , and cannot faile : his power is able to make good his promise . Amongst men promises are often as weightlesse as the winde : some would performe , and cannot : some could , but wil not : but God both can , and will : his will is not larger then his power : but what God doth will , that God doth work : and whatsoeuer he is able to will , he is able to worke . It is pittie then but that hee should want , that may haue for asking .

Hautinesse is abhominable in a Suiter , but humilitie pleaseth : yet all that talke of humilitie are not truely humble . Some are humble-proud , proud of humblenesse : but indéed he , that is proud of humilitie , doth want humilitie , and swels with insolencie . I would haue all men pray humbly : yet let no man thinke he deserues to bee heard for his humilitie : the opinion of such a merits wil stop the passage of mercie .

Others forsooth will néeds be so humble , as that they will not goe only and alwaies to God directly , but with the craued aide of Saints departed . Truely I desire to bee humble : but I would not bee humbler then my God requireth : such humilitie is eyther pride of hart , or ignorance of head . I confesse I am not worthy of my selfe to present my selfe and my suites vnto so high a Maiestie : but his precept and promise doth embolden me : and what I want in my selfe , it is supplyed in my Sauiour : his merites doth co●er all my denierites .

Some imagin they néed not pray for that , which they know they haue : yet our Sauiour bids vs pray dayly for our Bread . Thou hast bread now : thou maist be depriued of it by and by : or what if God deny it his word of blessing ? If he do , thy bread may be thy bane , it may rot , it may hurt , and not help . I will pray for bread , as though I wanted bread . Though I were very rich , yet would I pray as poore . Though I knew I had God , yet wold I stil seeke him , as if I had not found him . Though I were holy , and knew my selfe to be in the state of grace , yet would I pray that God would accept and sanctifie me , as though I were vn holy , and felt my selfe most miserable .

There are some , that , because they haue beene grieuous and long sinners , doe thinke it is too late so● them , and that they are not worthy n●w to pray f●● mercy . Surely they think not wrong , if they respect their owne desert : yet would I haue them pray for ●arden , because Gods mercie is greater then their misery , and ●e will remit , if they will repent . I will n●t ●e ●eter●d from crauing mercy , though my merits are worthy nothing , but endlesse misery : I will pray for grace , thogh I haue beene too too gracelesse , because God is gracious and bids me pray , because Christ is pit●full and bids me Come , and because the Scripture saith , Hee that confesseth his sinne sand forsaketh Pro. 28. ● 4. them , shall find mercie .

Some pray for remission , but care not for repentance : they desire a blessing , but yet absteuie not from that , which p●●ureth cursing . These pray in vaine , because their practise is vaine . For God heareth Saints , not Sinners , and granted his pardon to the penitent onely , and not to such , as perseuere impenitent . He therfore , that would obtaine pardon , let him abstaine from ssnne , which might deteine his pardon . He that would not that sinne should damne him , must not indure sinne to dominere with in him . Though this be true that no man is pardoned , because he is penitent , yet this is true that No man is pardoned but he , that is penitent . If thou wilt not mortifie sin , sinne shall mortifie thée : if thou wilt not dye to it , thou shalt dye for it . If thou wilt not that it should dye in thee , thou shalt dye in it .

Some seeme to couet nothing more then a ioyfull resurrection after death : yet shall they not attaine to a ioyfull resurrection of their bodies after death , because they labour not the resurrection of the soul before death . There are two resurrections : the first of the ssoule from the sléepe of sinne in this life : the second of the body from the sleepe of death , in the life to Reu. 20 come . Woe be vnto him , that riseth not t●ise : for if he rise but once , he shal rise but from death to death ▪ from sleepe to sorrow ; his body shall rise from the earth , and fall into hell . But hee , that riseth from the death of sinne in this world , shall bee raised vp to the life of happinesse in the world to come . I will therefore pray for a ioyfull resurrection of my body to glorie , and will not forget ( whiles I liue ) the resurrection of my soule to grace , as knowing that if I will not study to be gracious , I shall not attain to be glorious .

I haue heard some desire to dye , and some desire to liue : neither durst I condemne the desires of either . I will desire to l●ue , till I haue learn'd to dye : I will desire to die when I haue learn'd to liue . For a bad death cannot follow a good life : and hee hath learn'd to dye , that hath learned well to liue . If I can gain Christ in my life , Christ will not loose mee at my death . If the loue of Christ liue in mee , whiles I liue , I cannot but liue in the loue of Christ , when I dye .

There are many , that often pray they were in heaued , which yet I dare not say they shall go to heauen . For he , the praies for heauen and goes in the way to hel , shall not ascend whether he wisheth , but descend whether he walketh : hee shall gee , whether his féet doth lead him , & not whether his fooilsh fancie flatters him .

There are some pray for death , yet cannot dye : others dye ; and would not . And God by crossing both doth punish both : For to the one nothing seemes swéeter then death , and to the other nothing seemes swéeter then life : to the one it séemeth death to liue , to the other the very thought of death is a verie death , accounting it the only heauen to liue alwaies vpon the earth .

Some pray they may dye , and may dye to their cost , if they pray without care , and liue without conscience . If the heauinesse of crosses , and not the hope of a crowne , if the losse of libertie , and not the lothing of lust , if the sustaining of sorrowes , and not the wearisomenesse of sin , if the feeling of paines , and not the fellowship of Christ doth make a man desire to dye , his desire is naught , and his death not good . For those onely desire well , and dye well , that are mooued more with sinne then sickenesse , with heauenly comforts , then earthly crosses , with Christ , then with all calamities . Before thou pray to dye , first pray for the death of sinne , which is the sting of death : and when thou dost desire to die , let it be rather to be dis●nede●ed of thy sinnes , then of thy sorrowes , and to liue with Christ rather , then to be deliuered of thy crosses .

I sée much hardnesse of hart amongst men , and but a little mercy . I suppose such persons impl●re not , pray not much for Gods mercy . For it cannot bée that any man should bée without mercie to his neighbour , who doth truly pray for Gods mercy to himselfe .

There are in the world , which pray God to pardon them , yet will they not forgiue their neighbours . These are not men , but monsters , which would receiue mercie of God , but wil shew no mercie to men for God , which would haue God forgiue them , but will not forgiue others . Such cannot say the Lords Praier , but they pray to the Lord against themselues , & make their truest friend their greatest for . For wrath without pardon belongs to them , that wil not pardon . I will forgiue , and I will pray to be forgiuen . I would not that any man should néede my pardon : but if he doe desire it , God grant I may not denie it .

The rich and the poore pray together , and both do obtain ; the rich being poore in spirit , and the poore being rich in faith . Thus would I bée poore , that I way be rich : thus would I be rich , least I should bée poore .

The rich & the poore both pray , and neither are heard ; the rich , because he is poore in humilitie ; the poore , because he is rich in pride ; the rich because he hath no pity ; the poore , because he hath no patience ; the rich , because hée contemnes the poore , the poore because he enuies the rich . I will labor therefore to be rich in humilitie and poore in hautinesse : I wold be pitifull and patient , courteous and contented .

There are many , that cry Lord help , whom the Lord wil not help . Hée that would haue help of God , let him not deny his helpe to Man : hée that would haue God help him , let him not forget to help himselfe . For God helpes the helpefull , such as are ready to helpe themselues , and others to . T is pitty but that thou shouldest lie and die in the ditch , that saiest Lord help , but will vse no meanes ( if thou maiest ) to helpe thy selfe . I will therefore pray for helpe , and yet vse the meanes of helpe , and pray that God would help me in those meanes of helpe , and blesse them to mée .

There are many , which desire Christ might bée their Sauiour , which yet shall not be saued : because they would bée saued , but will not serue their Sauiour : they like his saluation , but they loue not his seruice : he may suffer , or do what he will for them , but they will neither suffer nor doe ought for him . His merits they pray for , but his lawes they care not for . Now hée will not bée their Sauiour , because they will not be his seruants : for hée will saue none but such , as will serue him .

I will therefore suffer him to be my Lord , as I doe desire him to be my Sauiour . Two graces I desire of him , grace to serue him , & grace to be saued by him .

Some neither fast nor pray , some fast and pray , some fast & pray not , some pray and fast not : but I would both fast and pray .

Some thinke that th● place doth sanctifie praier : others thinke that praier doth sanctifie the place : I think that Christ doth sanctifie both , and that any place may serue to pray in , if the heart be prepaired : yet of the twaine , I doe thinke that the place is sanctified by praier rather , than the praier by the place . I loue the Temple , yet in case my study , mine house , the field , the high-waies shall bée my Temple , and my chiefest care shall be to cary a Temple alwaies with me , in me .

Some pray saying , some singing ▪ whether a man sing or say , it skils not , if he truly pray , and crosse not order .

Some aske their parents blessing , but seriously think not of Gods blessing : others ask God blessing , but care not for their parents . But I will aske my father blessing , that I may haue Gods : and I will aske God blessing , that I may haue my fathers . I will aske my father blessing , that he may commend me to God : I wil aske God blessing , that he may commend me to my father . I will aske them both , because I would not be condemned of vndutifulnesse to either ; but especially God , because he is mine especiall father , and is able to blesse both mée and my father , me to my father , and my father to mée , and vs both to himselfe .

Some are common and importunate beggers to Princes : but if they were as instant with god , I suppose they would not bée so great as good : and I thinke Princes would haue more gold in their coffers , & they also more grace in their hearts , though perhaps lesse goods in their houses .

Some are deuoted to praier , and some to preaching : I loue them both well : I wil preach for praying , & pray for preaching . He that can not finde in his heart to come to the church to heare nothing but praier , by my consent he should not be suffered to come into the Church to heare nothing but preaching . Gods house is the house of preaching , and of praying to . There may wée speake to God , and heare him speake to vs . And as occasion serueth , I will goe thither either for both , or for either . And I hold him vnworthy to receiue a blessing with the people of God , that refuses to goe with them thither , though it bée not to heare a Sermon , but only to pray for his blessing .

Some pray and worke not , and some worke and pray not : the one would séeme to be all for heauen , & the other is set wholly on the earth . But I will both worke and pray : for God hath made Munday as wel , as Sunday , and hath giuen me an earthly body as wel , as an heauenly soule . But yet this is not all ; I will sometimes pray , when I will not work : but I would neuer worke , but I will also pray , pray before my worke , and in my worke , and when I haue done my worke .

I haue heard some extoll preaching , and others magnific praying . I doe magnifie them both , but am loath to compare them : I sée not how the one can wel stand without the other . This will say ; hée that is not fit to pray , is not fit to preach : and he that hath not a good care to héere , can not haue a good heart to pray : & he that hath no deuotion to pray , hée cannot haue a deuout affection to heare : for surely hée , that with a good will can speake vnto God , will also with a good will heare God speak vnto him : and hée , that hath an attentiue and obedient care for the voice of God , cannot want an honest and humble heart to poure out his praiers vnto God . In like manner also he , that is fit to bée Gods mouth to his people , is not vnfit to bée the peoples mouth vnto God : and hée that is vnfit for this , cannot but bée vnfit , for that .

Some pray being halfe a sléepe , but Christ saith , Watch and pray . I thinke a man may do well to pray , when others sléep , and that a man in case may sléepe , when others pray . But certainely , he that praies sléepily , shall be heard sléepily . If thy heart be dead , Gods eare is deafe : his eare is much after our heart . I wil therefore watch , when I pray , and pray when I watch .

One , when hée praies , cries a loud , another speakes very low . But both are loud enough , if their hearts be loud : but if their hearts open not , both are too low .

Some pray for this , and some for that , but I will pray for God . For hée that hath God , wants nothing : but hée , that wants God , hath nothing .

A man may giue so much , as that he may leaue himself nothing : but God , though hée giue neuer so much , is nothing the poorer . A man may perhaps turne away beggars , lest hee should begge himselfe : but God delightes in the number of beggars , if their behauiour be good , and can giue content to all without detriment vnto himselfe . I will therefore goe with my pitcher to this well , that can neuer bée drawne dry : I will borrow my light at this sunne , that cannot but continue : I wil begge of this King , whose Exchequer is neuer but full , & whose gates are alwaies open for any of his Subiects , that ●ue vnto him .

There are some , that hearing the fourth commandement read vpon the Sabbath day , ▪ do pray that God would haue mercy vpon them , and incline their hearts to kéepe that law , which yet doe commonly transgresse that commandement , and profane the Sabbath day by glouzing and gaming , or by buying & selling ( themselues , or their Seruants ) euen in those few houres , that are appointed for the solemne and publike seruice of Almightie God . Of whom it may be said , they loue their owne gaine more , then Gods glorie , their own pleasures more , then his precepts , and that they are more fearefull of their own losse , then trustfull to his prouidence . But I will pray and practise to kéepe the Sabbath , because God doth bid me kéep it , and as knowing that he , that sets light by the Lords Sabbath on earth , shall not celebrate a Sabbath with the Lord in heauen , and that they , that make so small account of the assembiies of his Saints in this life , are vnworthy to liue in the assemblies of ●is Saints in the life to come . I would not haue men forget the Market-day for their bodies : and I would haue them likewise remember the Market-day for their Soules .

Being sicke we pray for the health of our bodies : seeing then wee be sinfull , why should we not pray for the health of our soules . Because God hath giuen me a Soule and a Body , my prayer and and labour shall be that I may haue an healthy Soule in an healthy Bodie .

Some mens prayers are abominable , some mens are accepted . The reason is this ; some men are out of fauour , therefore their suites are scorned : some men are in grace , therfore their prayers are heard . I had therefore rather bee in grace with God , then haue all the grace in the world without the grace of God .

Some pray for an almes , which yet will giue no almes , they would receiue good , but they will doe no good , they would not be denyed in their own desires , but they will not sticke to crosse the desires and good déeds of others : but doubtlesse hée , that will giue no almes to man , is vnworthy to receiue an almes of God : he that can without pitty sée the wants of christians , deserues that his owne wants should be vnpittied of Christ . ●ee that crosseth the good desires and good déedes of others , deserues a crosse to his owne , and a curse to himselfe . I will therefore doe good , that I may find good : I will heare the cry of others , that I may be heard my selfe : I will not denie my good will to man , least God should deny his good will to me . I will not crosse men in their lawfull desires , least that God should deny me mine .

Euery man wil pray for his friendes : but few for their enemies : yet he , that will not heartily pray for his enemies , ( as our Lord did , and Saint S●euen ) hee shall not be partaker of the prayer of our Sauiour , nor the praise of his Saintes . For Christ prayed onely for those , that should haue his Spirit : and those onely haue the spirit of Christ , which doe resemble Christ . And indéed it is iust that he , that will not pray for his enemies , should be debarr'd of Christ , who out of his loue did pray for his foes , & doth make them his friends .

The Psalmist saith , I● I incline vnto wickednes with my heart , the Lord will not Psal ▪ 〈◊〉 . heare me . For in déed Gods eare inclineth to vs , as our hart inclineth to him : and if we decline from him , and with our hearts incline to wickednes , we mooue him to decline from vs , and to incline to wrath . If we regard not him in our harts , why should hée lend vs his eares ? If we wil listen vnto that , which hee would haue vs loath , why should not he loath that , to which we would haue him listen ? I will therefore expell my sinnes , least God should repell my suites . I wil wash ●al 26. ● . mine hands in innocencie , O Lord , and so will I goe to thine altar .

Not to pray , or to contemne ●al . 14. ●● 21. ● 15 prayer is a certain signe of a wicked man . I will therefore prouoke my selfe to pray , that I may be assured that the Spirit of God is in me , and that the miscrie of the wicked belongs not to me , assuring my selfe that they , that wil not pray to God , make themselues a prey vnto the Diuell .

It is a rule of wisedome , To serue the season , and wisely to bee followed of them , that delight in prayer . For there is a time , in which God is neere , and ready to bee found . Let vs therefore séeke him , whiles he may bee found , and call vpon him whiles he is near ; or otherwise we may call , and not be heard , wee may séeke him , and yet not find him . There is also a time ▪ in which a man may be better disposed to pray , then at an other : let vs therefore beware we loose it not , lest if we will not pray , when we may , we shall not be able , when we would .

I haue heard some complaine of their dulnes , and bewaile their in disposition to pray : Let them but lengthen their complaint and lamentation , & strike their rockie hearts with a serious remembring of their owne miseries , and Gods mercies to them , and by the grace of God prayers shall gush out of their harts , as waters did out of Psal. 105 the Rock . Neither despair , though thou feelst thy selfe as dead : for it is a true tokēn of the life of the spirit , to séel and lament the deadnesse of spirit .

Some imagine , if God heare them not as soone as they desire , that he will not heare them at all , and that they are of no reckoning with him : in which they are iniurious to themselues , and to God ; to themselues , because this fansie doth quench their feruencie , and hinder their perseuerance : and to God , who doth not alwaies hate , when hée makes as though he heares not . For by séeming to neglect vs , and by denying our suites at the first , he● wold rouze vp our spirits , he would try our patience , and exercise our saith , hee would shewe vs that not our merits , but his owne mercy moues him to heare vs , and finally he would instruct vs to make more account of his benefits , when they come . For commonly things lightly obtained , are lightly estéemed .

Many men pray for things , that are hurtfull to them . I will therefore beg temporal blessings , as they may be blessings to mee : and whatsoeuer I pray for , I will submit my selfe to his wisedome , and desire him to heare me , not to my prayer , but to my profit : not as I thinke , but in what hee knowes to bee fitting for me .

There are certaine men deuoted to their wicked lusts , that stick not sometimes to say that they care not , so they may haue halfe an houre before their death to repent them of their sinnes , and to pray to God for mercie . These men by their presuming of mercy are in great danger to féele the seueritie of iustice . They speake as if they had repentance in a string , as if they could pray when they listed , and as if they could haue God to heare them , when they would themselues . But I will repent and pray for mercy in my youth , least I should be reiected in mine age : I wil cry now , that I may bée heard now : I will not refuse to séeke him now , least I should not find him anon : I will sue vnto him for his grace , whiles I am like to liue , that I may not be refused , when I am like to die . I will die , whiles I liue , that I may liue when I am dead : and I wil pray whiles I may , least I cannot when I would . I will liue , whiles I liue , that I may not die when I die : I will sue for grace now , whiles it is offered , least for contemning grace now , I should bée denied grace hereafter .

Because God hath set downe all things in an vnchangeable and eternall decrée , and hath determined from eternitie what gifts hee will giue vnto the sonnes of men , therefore some imagine that it is to little or no purpose for a man to pray . This is a profane , and foolish fansie ▪ ; profane , because it drawes a side the heart from dutie . For the rule of our obedience is not the secret decrées of God , but his reuealed pleasure . Now Psal. 150. 1. Thes. 5. his will , which he hath disclosed to vs , is , that wée ought to pray vnto him , and that continually . I say again , it is a foolish fansie : for as God hath ordained the end , so hée hath appointed meanes vnto it : as hée hath ordained to giue men these and these gifts , so hée hath ordained & commanded that men should aske them . And if hée giue temporall things to any man , that is not deuout , pious , and vnderstanding , know that such things , which should haue béene for his good , doe make for his destruction by reason of his corruptions . But this is a certain truth , God giues nothing to any , which is a true blessing vnto him , but he giues him grace truly to desire it . I will therefore aske , least I should not receiue , I will séeke , least I shold not find , I wil knock , lest the gates of grace should not bée opened to me . I wil sincerely , instantly , and incessantly pray for glorie , that I may haue hope that God will vouchsafe me glorie .

These things ( good Reader ) I haue written for thy profit , which I commend to thée , and thée to God , farewell in Christ .

Trin-vni Deo gloria , Thine in Christ T. T.

CERTAINE NECESSARIE Rules to be remembred of euerie Christian concerning Praier , viz.

IF thou wouldest make such a praier as God may bée pleased to heare , thou must repent thée of thy sinnes , and so daily renue thy repentance as thou renuest thy sins , as Isay 1. 15. Dan. 9. 5. 6.

2. Before thou makest thy praier to almighty god , thou must bee or at least desire to bée reconciled to those , whom thou hast offended , as néede requireth Math. 5. 23. Mark . 11. 25.

3. Thou must prepare thy selfe both in heart and minde as one that is to speake familiarly vnto god Eccles. 5. 1.

4. Euery petition thou makest , must procéede from a liuely sence and féeling of thine owne wants , & of thy spirituall pouertie ; for otherwise no praier can bée powerfull and harty and consequently acceptable vnto God .

5. Thou must endeuor that thy praier do procéede from an earnest desire of that grace thou wantest , and this desire indéede before God is praier it selfe , Exod. 14. 15. Rom. 8. 26.

6. Thy praier must procéede from sauing and true iustifying Faith , because it is impossible that either thy person or thy praier or any other dutie thou performest , should bée pleasing vnto God without Faith Heb. 11. 6.

7. It must be grounded vpon Gods word , and not framed after the carnall opinion and fancie of thine owne braine as 1. Epist. Iohn 5. 14.

8. Thou must present thy praier to God alone , & to none other , for none else can héere all men , in all places , and at all times , but he only .

9. It must be presented to God in the name , merit and meditation of Christ alone , for we our selues are not worthy of any thing but shame and confusion , Coloss. 3. 17. Iohn 16 23.

10. Thy affections should be instant and perseuere in praier and that not only in the time of praier , but also afterward and till the thing asked bée granted Luke 18. 1. Esay 62. 7.

11. Euery praier should ordinarily haue in it , if it bée set and solemne , some thanks-giuing vnto God for his benefits both for soule and body Phil. 4. 6.

12. When praier is ended thou must haue a particular Faith whereby thou maiest depend vpon God for the granting of thy particular requests so far forth as god shall sée them fitting for thée Marke 11. 24.

13. Lastly , thou must labour to doe and practise that which thou praiest for , and not only to pray for blessings : but to vse all lawfull meanes whereby those blessings which thou askest may be obtained .