accompany and secure our Exit out of this Life and the bowing of his Head to us at that time is an Invitation to us to lift up our Hearts to him Inclinato capite emisit spiritum Ah my dearest Saviour I receive with the most profound Submission possible with the greatest Veneration thy Holy thy Divine Spirit I embrace it as bequeath'd me by my most tender Master I 'le cherish this sacred Depositum this divine Pledge of an infinite Love I 'le carefully preserve it to the end of my days for 't is then I desire to die when I cease to Pray 2. If Prayer came from Heaven as we must needs allow since it was brought us from thence by the Worlds Redeemer it glories in a Prerogative more to our advantage that is it leads and conducts to us Heaven 'T is the property of Water to remount to a Level with its Sourse or Origin Prayer therefore taking its rise in Heaven we must attribute to it an Excellency common to it and Grace Omnis qui bibit ex aqua hac fiet in eo fons aquae salientis in vitam aeternam If any one drink of that delicious Spring which pious and religious Souls so frequently refresh themselves with in the holy Exercise of Prayer it shall become in him a Fountain whose Waters shall reascend as high as their Origin as high as Heaven to that inexhaustible Ocean of ever-living Waters Quid est oratio says to this purpose the great St. Augustin nisi ascensio animae de terrestribus ad coelestia inquisitio supernorum invisibilium desiderium For what is Prayer but an elevation of the Soul from terrestrial to celestial Cogitations an inquisition or search into supernatural Concerns a fervent desire of purchasing that Happiness which is as yet out of sight 'T is for this Reason that Prayer is compar'd to the Ladder Jacob the Patriarch saw in a Vision As that gave an ascent from Earth to Heaven as those mysterious Rounds bore the mounting Angels to their Sovereign Lord so Prayer wings our earthly lumpish Nature that we can soar aloft to the Region of Spirits and to this purpose it refines our Humanity from all dregs of Mortality As our Lord was seen leaning upon the utmost Rounds of this mystick Ladder or rather as the Septuagint give a more congruous Construction as the Ladder was seen leaning upon our Lord that supported it so Prayer derives its efficacy its vigour and force from the gracious assistance of an all-powerful God who both raises and draws its Votaries to himself Finally as there were in Jacob's Vision seen ascending and descending Angels they are yet upon the same Concern for Christians devoted to Prayer They carry our Petitions as St. Hilary saith to the Throne of Glory they return to minister for us in the great work of our Salvation The Soul likewise upon the Wings of Prayer takes her flight to Heaven she enters into the Palace of her Lord without controul or disturbance Prayer being the Key of Paradise saith S. Augustin which gives her admittance into the Royal Bed-Chamber where she freely entertains her self with an infinite Majesty she becomes familiar with her God she not only obtains his Blessing as her Father disarms his just Indignation against her own and the Worlds Offences atones for her self and others but addresses her self to him as her dearest Friend appropriates him to her as her Beloved with the Spouse in the Canticles Dilectus meus mihi ego illi Insomuch that our Sovereign infinitely delighted with such familiar Addresses invites encourages and engages the Soul to continue her languishing Desires Fac me audire vocem tuam Let me hear thee speak Vox enim tua dulcis For thy Voice is sweet and charming Labia tua sicut vitta coccinea Eloquium tuum dulce Thy Lips are like a Thred of Scarlet thy Speech is sweet and grateful Such was the Prayer of Moses upon the Mount where he made up to God as to his best of Friends Discoursed with him face to face so much to the advantage of the glorious Saint that one would have thought the Almighty had interchanged Properties with him for he seems to tie the Hands of an Omnipotent God that was ready to dart his revenging Thunder at the criminal Heads of the rebellious Jews Dimitte me saith the Almighty ut irascatur furor meus Let me alone that I may give way to my anger As if he were unable to resist the Influence of the Prayers of Moses 3. But we have not only the advantage of being conducted to Heaven by Prayer 't is also blessed with a singular Priviledge that it makes us find Heaven upon Earth To evidence this Truth let us settle our serious Consideration let us fix our Regards upon such devout Christians as are given to Prayer We see they are disencumbred from the Bustle or troublesom Concerns of this World we see they are intirely divorc'd from the Creature totally united to the Creator we see they are dead to the Life of the World living a divine or supernatural Life dead to themselves animated with the Life of God Ah happy Death Happy end of a Life well lost Thrice happy beginning of a Life that must never end The union of Body and Soul is the Life of a Man the separation of the Body and Soul is the Death of a Man The union of the Body and Soul with the World is the Life of a Worldly Man the Death of a Christian The separation of the Body and Soul from the World is the Death of a Man as to the present World but the Life of a Man in reference to the World to come Men living with the Life of the World are dead to Heaven Men living or leading their Lives in Prayer find Heaven even in this World inasmuch as they are dead to the World to live with God to live with the Angels with the Life of God they are penetrated with God they are absorpt in God they are chang'd by a thrice happy Transformation into God himself But this Death to the World ought rather to be stil'd a Resurrection then a Death A Resurrection with their divine Original Christ Jesus from the Grave of this World Those that are risen with Christ have their Affections taken off from the things here below they savour nothing but what 's above Those by consequence that are devoted to Prayer are risen with Christ have a Heaven upon Earth with Christ not yet ascended will mount with Christ from Earth to Heaven If the Angels our Guardian-Angels to whose care and custody Man as yet a Traveller is recommended by God if they that keep us in all our ways that direct our steps through the Mazes of this World if they that are so much taken up with our Concerns as that they are continually upon the Watch upon the Guard to secure us from that roaring Lyon the Devil seeking to devour
to the Saint attentive to his Prayers and granting his Petition The Prayers of St. Stephen wrought the entire Conversion of St. Paul St. Augustine whom we likewise must needs acknowledge a perfect Convert at the Prayers and Tears of Monica his holy Mother St. Augustine I say once the labour of her Womb now the delight of her Soul whom she brought forth a Sinner and made a Saint introduces our B. Saviour addressing himself thus to the great St. Paul before his Conversion O Saule olim quidem te perdere debui sed Stephanus meus oravit pro te Saul I should have destroy'd thee long ago had not my Stephen's Prayers prevail'd so far as to disarm my Anger against thee O Saul why dost thou persecute me Thou art blindly bent against me and mine and yet at the Intercession of Stephen I 'le create thee my Servant O Saule lupe rapax O Saul thou ravenous Wolf thou hast devour'd my Sheep Expecta paulisper digeres Stay a while and thou shalt digest what as yet over-loads thy Conscience Dicam plane continues the great S. August S. Augustine a most delicious Flower sprung likewise from the Root of Prayer Elisus est filius perditionis erectus est vas electionis The Son of perdition is thrown down to rise up a Vessel of Election Nam si Stephanus sic non orasset Ecclesia Paulum non haberet For if Stephen had not Pray'd in this manner the Church had never been honour'd with the Merits of Paul Sed ideo erectus est Paulus But Paul was thus rais'd to that sublime Sanctity and Perfection Quia in terra inclinatus exauditus est Stephanus Because St. Stephen with bended Knees call'd not for Vengeance but Mercy for Paul Sic auditus est Stephanus ut ejus oratione deleretur peccatum quod commisit Saulus Heaven so far condescended to the Intercession of Stephen that it granted an ample Pardon to the Crimes which Saul had committed I think after such an Example none ought to doubt of the absolute Necessity of Prayer of Praying for our selves of Praying for the good of others Heaven that acquiesc'd to the Prayers of S. Stephen for St. Paul's Conversion we may justly hope will never deny any thing that conduces to the good of our own or Neighbours Souls Petite accipietis Ask and you shall receive Si quid petieritis Patrem in nomine meo dabit vobis If you shall ask any thing of the Father in my Name says the Son he 'l grant it to your Prayers But since he intimates here a Method of Prayer to be true to my Promise and to render this Discourse as prosicuous as my Time will permit I 'le supersede a farther Explication of St. John Damascen's Definition to leave you in a few words the Manner how to Pray Si quid petieritis Patrem in nomine meo dabit vobis If you ask the Father any thing in my Name he 'l grant it you Many Christians notwithstanding the several Admonitions the several Incitements they have received to addict themselves to this devout this holy Exercise of Prayer notwithstanding that they are well instructed in the Manner are still plung'd so far in the Cares and Concerns of this World that they will not so much as afford themselves a Moment of their Time though they steal whole Hours for Pleasure or Pastime for an Employment as obligatory as proficuous As many if not more so predominant is Ignorance now adays over Spiritual Concerns fall short of the Method know not how to Pray the most that do find not Heaven to answer their Expectations because they correspond not with their Prayers to its Desires That I may not be wanting to the Necessities of all upon so great an Exigency I shall in the Conclusion of this Discourse Excite those to Pray that do not I shall inform those of the Manner that know not how I shall to the best of my Endeavours rectifie the false Measures others have taken of Praying amiss To this purpose you flaming Seraphins that veil your Eyes with your Wings as not being able to bear that inaccessible Brightness that is darted from the Countenance of an infinite Majesty That shroud with Wings your Feet in awe and acknowledgement of the Greatness of God That have two Wings more to be ready upon Command That cover your Eyes with two your Feet with two that Fly with two Give me leave to adapt your Wings to Prayer to fit it for its appearance before the Throne of the God you adore Let Prayer be a Seraphin amongst you place her in your Quire when her Wings likewise are fitted to her when she burns with that Love you are inflamed with Seraphins by Nature are all in Love in Love with God their Love is incompatible is inconsistent with Sin That Prayer therefore admit not of Sin is the first Condition Seraphins veil their Faces veil their Feet in Consideration of Gods infinit Greatness of their own infinit Littleness or Lowness in respect of his infinit Height which is the Second Condition necessary to Seraphical Prayer Seraphins ask nothing for us but what conduces to the Honour and Glory of God what tends to the Salvation of our Souls the Third Condition Seraphins Present their Petitions in the Name through the Merits of Jesus the Fourth Condition Seraphins are always upon the Wing Duabus volabant the Fifth and Last Condition to make Prayer a Seraphin First then that Prayer may fit it self for a Seraphin Sin must be banish'd out of the Soul Si cor nostrum saith St. John a Seraphin for Love for the Love of Jesus non reprehenderit nos fiduciam habemus ad Deum quicquid petierimus accipiemus ab eo If our Hearts or Consciences do not check or accuse us if our Souls are not defil'd with Sin Fiduciam babemus we may have Confidence we need not fear our Petitions shall be granted our Desires crown'd our Prayers heard we shall obtain whatever we ask Our Consciences reprehend us saith St. Gregory as often as we Sin as often as we swerve from the Commandments of God Our B. Saviour states the Condition for the Advantage of Prayer Si manseritis in me If you dwell in me If you live by Grace or Charity a Member of my Body Quodcunque volueritis petetis fiet vobis Ask what you please you shall obtain it Do not therefore D. Christians rely upon your Prayers if your Prayers are not grounded on the Innocence of your Lives Ne offeratis ultra sacrificium frustra Offer not up any more your Sacrifice in vain said God to the Jews by the Mouth of his Prophet Isaiah Your Incense is an abomination to me If you lift up your Hands to Heaven I 'le turn away my Face because your Hands are full of Blood Lavamini mundi estote auferte malum cogitationum vestrarum Wash purge and cleanse your selves from the Defilements
Christians of the Excellency of Prayer of the Advantages we may reap from the constant Exercise of Prayer We are convinc'd I suppose of the Necessity of Prayer We have been furnish'd with the Conditions requisite for Prayer If we admire it for its Excellency we should embrace it as an Advantage Nay we ought to comply with so necessary an Obligation since we are not ignorant of the Manner how to discharge our selves I was not Master of Ceremonies my self when I plac'd Prayer amongst the Seraphins A Learned Author tells us That a Person constantly addicted to so pious an Employment has not only the Love of a Seraphin but likewise enjoys the Perfection of each Hierarchy of every Quire He is a Cherubin in his Knowledge a Throne inasmuch as his Soul is the Seat or Residence of God the Temple of the Holy Ghost A Domination in the Government of his Passions A Power in the Dominion over the Infernal Spirits A Vertue in his miraculous Life in his Life of Miracles An Archangel in his Heroick Enterprizes An Angel in his Prompt Obedience to the Commands of his Sovereign A Person in fine devoted to Prayer is a wonderful Epitome of all Heaven Who would not after this addict themselves to Prayer That holy Bishop of Geneva St. Francis Sales taxes those that will not of the want of common Sense But the foolish and unwise shall perish saith the Psalmist Simul insipi ens stultus peribunt Men may be asham'd of their supine Neglect in a Business of such Moment and Concern while they shew themselves so eager in the pursuit of Toys and Trifles If its charming Excellency do's not invite us let its Advantages engage us let its Necessity oblige us For its Advantages saith St. Ambrose Vberior est gratia quam precatio semper enim Dominus plus tribuit quam rogatur God is more liberal of his Grace then we of our Prayers he always confers more upon us then we require then we look for or expect Abraham desir'd a Son and obtain'd over and above the Measure of his Petition a numerous Progeny from his Loyns a Progeny as numerous as the Stars Obtain'd a Blessing never to be mention'd but with Joy The Redeemer of the World came from the propagation of his Seed Jacob the Patriarch beg'd God would be pleas'd to furnish him with Necessaries with Aliments for the Body and was stor'd with Riches in abundance was honour'd with the Company of Ascending and Descending Angels Solomon Pray'd for Wisdom and receiv'd Omnia bona pariter cum ea An affluence of all good things with it Ezechias Pray'd for his own Recovery when sick to death which was granted with an addition of Fifteen Years and the Promise of a glorious Victory over his Enemies The Samaritan desir'd Water but obtain'd Grace The Centurion beg'd of our Blessed Saviour to restore his Servant's Health Our Lord cur'd the Body of the Servant and the Soul of the Master The Thief upon the Cross desir'd only to be remembred when our Saviour came to his eternal Kingdom whereas our most gracious Lord promis'd him on that very Day to place him in Paradise Add now to these Advantages with those above mention'd the strict Obligation the pressing Necessity A Soul without Prayer is like a City in time of War without Guards without Walls without either Food or Ammunition which the Enemies may take and Plunder as they please S. Augustin and St. Ambrose the greatest and Learnedst Doctors of the Church both center in this Opinion That a Person stands in as much need of Prayer as of Grace to attain Salvation St. Ambrose farther assures us That Prayer is as much the Life of the Soul as the Soul is the Life of the Body Hence I rationally and evidently conclude That as the Soul is essential to the Life of the Body Prayer is as essential to the Life of the Soul The Body without a Soul is but a foul and ugly Carcass the Leavings of a Man the Food of Worms and the Grave The Soul without Prayer is dead detestable in the sight of God and his Angels whose Grave will be the nether Hell whose Worms those Stings of Conscience which shall never die As we take all Care possible therefore to preserve Nature the union of the Soul and Body since we are not ignorant of the Means we ought to take all Care possible to preserve Grace by a constant Exercise of Prayer Should you deny your Body its necessary Food the Soul takes Wing and leaves the Skeleton Should you deprive your Soul of the Sustenance of Prayer Grace quits the barren the unhospitable Soil the roaring Lion the ravenous Wolf the infernal Serpent each from Hell every Beast of Prey Omnes bestiae sylvae do not pass through only but inhabit there Let us Pray therefore always D. Christians as our Blessed Saviour has enjoyn'd us Sempe rorare not always upon our Knees with Hands erected with Eyes lifted up to Heaven that Ceremony at all times is neither necessary nor convenient Let us Pray always by a constant union of our Souls always with God Let us Pray always by doing what we do for the sake of God Let us Pray always by bearing our Sufferings for God Let us Pray always by desiring what we desire may redound to the Honour of God Let us Pray always by loving what we love for the love of God Let us Pray always in fine by rendring our Thoughts Words and Works constant Effects of Faith Hope and Charity Prayer then and Grace will be individual Companions Grace will be acquir'd at the Instances of our Prayers Glory will be the due Reward of Grace Gratiam enim Gloriam dabit Dominus For the Lord says the Psalmist will give Grace and Glory Which God of his infinit Mercy grant to the Prayers of your most Sacred Majesty to my Prayers and to the Prayers of all that hear me In Nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti Amen FINIS Jo. 13.34 Matth 19.25 Chrysost Hom. 23. in Matth. I. Part. Matth. 21.18 Job 22 14. Joan. 13.15 Luc. 6.12 Luc. 23.34 Luc. 23.46 Joan. 4.14 Cant. 2.16 8.13 Cant. 2.14.4.3 Exod. 32.10 II. Part. Job 14.1 Matth. 10.36 Psal 49.15 Rom. 7.24 Rom. 6.6 2 Cor. 12.7 2 Cor. 11.26 Psal 41.5 Eccl. 35. Chrysost Hom. 5. de Incompr Dei Natura Acts 9.4 Acts 9.1 Aug. Ser. 1. de Sanctis 4. I. Condition 1 Joan. 3.21 S. Greg. Mor. l. 17. c. 11. Joan. 15.7 Isa 1.13 S. August Conc. 3. in Psal 30. II Condition Psal 122.2 III. Condition IV. Condition Joan. 15.5 August in Manual cap. 21. V. Condition Matth. 11.12 2 Tim. 2.5 Psal 43.11 Luc. 18.1 Psal 18.1