Neglect of Prayer Condemned.
It is observable that among the worst men, Turks, and the worst of Turks, the Moors, it is a just exception against any witness by their law, that he hath not prayed six times in every natural day; it being usual with them, that before the day break, they pray for day; when it is day they give thanks for the day; at noon, they thank God for half the day past; after that they pray for a good sunset; after that, they thank God for the day past; and, lastly, pray for a good night after their day. Shall not such as these rise up against many Christians among us who suffer so many suns and moons to rise and set upon their heads, and never lift up their hearts to their Creator, to ask his blessing, or to acknowledge it; such as rush into the affairs of God, and of their calling, and thrust themselves into actions either perilous or important, without ever lifting up their eyes unto the God of heaven, as if they made good that slanderous speech which Surius the Jesuit cast upon Martin Luther, "This business was neither begun for God, nor shall be ended for him."—Sel.