VIII. THEIR CAUSELESS SCANDAL.

SOME lay it to the charge of extemporary prayers, as if it were a diminution to God’s majesty to offer them unto him, because (alluding to David’s expression to Oman the Jebusite) [2 Sam. xxiv. 24.] they cost nothing, but come without any pains or industry to provide them. A most false aspersion.

Surely preparation of the heart (though not premeditation of every word) is required thereunto. And grant the party praying at that very instant fore-studieth not every expression, yet surely he hath formerly laboured with his heart and tongue too, before he attained that dexterity of utterance properly and readily 149to express himself. Many hours in night no doubt he is waking, and was by himself practising Scripture phrase, and the language of Canaan, whilst such as censure him for his laziness were fast asleep in their beds.

Suppose one should make an entertainment for strangers with flesh, fish, fowl, venison, fruit, all out of his own fold, field, ponds, park, orchard, will any say that this feast cost him nothing who made it? Surely, although all grew on the same, and for the present he bought nothing by the penny, yet he, or his ancestors for him, did at first dearly purchase these home accommodations, whence that this entertainment did arise.

So the party who hath attained the faculty and facility of extemporary prayer (the easy act of a laborious habit), though at the instant not appearing to take pains, hath been formerly industrious with himself, or his parents with him (in giving him pious education), or else he had never acquired so great perfection, seeing only long practice makes the pen of a ready writer.