Section I. — For reproof of those that are wholly unacquainted with this kind of praying. Tlieir heart is a bow bent indeed, and their quiver full of arrows, but all are shot beside this mark : the world is their butt, at this they let fly all their thoughts. God is so great a stranger with them, that they hardly speak to, or think of him from morning to night, though they travel all day in his company : and is it not strange that God, who is so near his creature, should be so far from his thoughts? Where canst thou be, or what can thy eye light upon, that may not bring God to thy remembrance, and give thee an occasion to lift up thy heart to him ? He is present with thee in every place and company ; thou canst use no creature, enjoy no mercy, feel no affliction, and put thy hand to no work, which will not prompt thee either to beg liis counsel, seek his* blessing, crave his protection, or give him praise for his gracious providence over thee. The very beast thou ridest on, could it speak, (as once Balaam's ass did,) would reprove thy atheism, who goest plodding on thy way, and takest no notice of him that preserveth both man and beast. But God speaks once, yea, twice, and brutish men perceive it not. Well may Solomon say, 'The heart of the wicked is little worth,' when ' God is not in all his thoughts.' AVhat can that heart be worth, that is stuffed with that which is worth nought, at least which, within a while, will be so ; for, in that moment wherein these poor wretches die, all their thoughts perish, and come to nothing. Truly, though ye were so many kings, yet, if the stock of your thoughts be spent all the day long upon earthly projects, (never flying so high as to lead you into communion with God,) you are but like those vermin, that are buried alive in some stink- ing dunghill : the food your souls live upon is low and base, and such must the temper of your souls needs be. Oh, how many are there in the world, who devote their whole attention to the body, to the neglect of the soul ! The body, which is the beggar, is mounted on horseback ; and the soul, which is the prince, walks on foot, preferred to no higher employment, than to hold her slave's stirrup, being made to bestow all its thoughts and cares how to provide for that, and allowed nothing for itself. Yet these are cried up for the only happy men in the woi*ld ; whereas, some poor creatures are to be found (though their outward garb in the world renders them despicable) who enjoy more of heaven and true comfort, by the frequent commerce they have with God, in one day than the others do in all their lives, for all their jjomp. What account will such give to God for the expense of their thoughts, the first-born of their souls? What pity is it, that strangers should devour them; the highest im- provement whereof is to send them in embassies to heaven, and to converse with God! lie who gave man a countenance erect, to walk, (not creep, as some other creatures, with their back towards heaven, and their mouth to the earth,) never intended his soul should stoop so below itself, and lick the dust for its food ; but rather, that it should look up to God, and enjoy herself in enjoying communion with him, who is the Father of spirits. If it be so sad a spectacle, to behold a man bowed down through the deformities or infirmities of his body, as to go like a beast on all four ; much more, to see a soul so crippled with sensual aflections, that it cannot look up from the earth where it lies, to converse with God its Maker.
Section II. — It reproves those who do, indeed, shoot now and then to heaven some of these darts of ejaculatory prayers; but in so profane a way, as makes both (Jod and gracious men to nauseate them. Did you never hear a vile wretch load his discourse with a strange medley of oaths and prayers? — make use of an oath, and send out a vain prayer in the midst of his carnal discourse? God forgive us ; God Mess us ; God be merciful to us ; — such forms of speech many have got, and they come out when they do not mind what they say. Now, which do you think is likely first to get to heaven, their oaths or their jirayers ? It is hard to say whether their swearing or their praying be the worst. What base and low thoughts have these wretches of the great God, to make so bold with his holy and reverend name, which should not be thought
(378 PKAYING ALWAYS, ETC.