Thomas Fuller · 73 of 228

VII. Extemporary Prayers.

IN extemporary prayer, what men most admire God least regardeth. Namely, the volubility of the tongue. Herein a Tertullus may equal, yea exceed, Saint Paul himself, whose speech was but mean. [2 Cor. x. 10.] O, it is the heart keeping time and tune with the voice which God listeneth unto. Otherwise the nimblest tongue tires, and loudest voice grows dumb, before it comes half-way to heaven. Make it, said God to Moses, in all things like the pattern in the mount. [Heb. viii. 5.] Only the conformity of the words with the mind, mounted up in heavenly thoughts, is acceptable to God. The gift of extemporary prayer, ready utterance, may be bestowed on a reprobate, but the grace thereof (religious affections) is only given to God’s servants.