CHAPTER II.

_That truth speaketh inwardly, without noise of words._

*_Christian._ SPEAK, Lord, for thy servant heareth.

*I am thy servant, grant me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

*Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth. Let thy speech distil as the dew.

The children of Israel said unto _Moses_, _Speak thou unto us, and we will hear thee: let not the Lord speak unto us, lest we die_.

*Not so, Lord, not so, I beseech thee; but rather with the prophet Samuel, I humbly and earnestly intreat, _Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth_.

*Let not Moses speak unto me, nor any of the prophets; but do thou rather speak, O Lord God, the inspirer and enlightner of all the prophets; for thou alone, without them, canst perfectly instruct me; but they, without thee can profit nothing.

2. They, indeed, may sound forth words, but they cannot give spirit.

They speak well; but if thou be silent, they inflame not the heart.

They teach the letter, but thou openest the sense.

They bring forth mysteries, but thou unlockest the meaning of them.

They declare thy commandments, but thou helpest to fulfil them.

They shew the way, but thou givest strength to walk in it.

They work only outwardly, but thou instructest and enlightnest the heart.

They water, but thou givest the increase.

They make a noise with words; but thou givest to understand them.

*3. Let not therefore Moses speak unto me, but thou, my Lord God, the everlasting truth; lest I die, and prove unfruitful, if I be warned outwardly only, and not inflamed within.

Let not the word heard and not fulfilled, known and not loved, believed and not observed, turn to my condemnation.

Speak therefore, Lord, for thy servant heareth; for thou hast the words of eternal life.

*Speak, unto me, to the comfort of my soul, and to the amendment of my whole life, and to thy praise and glory, and everlasting honour.