On Prayer

The Lord regards not words, we may
Be silent, and yet pray:
'Tis the intention of the heart,
That doth our zeal impart.
Tho' vocal prayers be daily us'd,
Our sighs are not refus'd;
And our good deeds for prayers do go,
'Cause God esteems them so.
Our Charity and Mercy shown,
Will plead our Cause alone:
Such acts of our obedience,
Is the best eloquence.
And does in Heav'n gain more regard,
For pardon and reward,
Than a whole age was ever known
To get by words alone.
Our alms do double use obtain,
And multiply our gain;
When penitence does plead for sin,
And gratitude steps in,
Acknowledging the grace we have,
Must raise us from the grave,
And put us in a decent frame
To call upon God's Name;
These practick Prayers will do the deed,
And help us at our need;
Much better than a story told
In language rude and bold;
Such as rash fancies do throw out,
From wants, from fears, or doubt
Of our Condition, which may be
Words without modesty.
When pious works fail not to bring
Us Blessings from the King
Of Heaven, the Searcher of our hearts,
Beyond the reach of arts
In language, by him all disguis'd
Formalities despis'd,
And the poor holy Ignorant,
Will sooner get a grant
Of his desire, than thou or I,
With all our Orat'ry.
When our good works and words agree,
They both accepted be.