Of Prayer.
There is no greater argument in the world of our spiritual
danger and unwillingness to religion, than the backwardness which most men have
always, and all men have sometimes, to say their prayers — so weary of their length,
so glad when they are done, so witty to excuse and frustrate an opportunity: and
yet all is nothing but a desiring of God to give us the greatest and the best things
we can need, and which can make us happy — it is a work so easy, so honourable,
and to so great purpose, that in all the instances of religion and providence (except
only the incarnation of his Son) God hath not given us a greater argument of his
willingness to have us saved, and of our unwillingness to accept it, his goodness
and our gracelessness, his infinite condescension and our carelessness and folly,
than by rewarding so easy a duty with so great blessings.