care_n if_o such_o whirlwind_n and_o tempest_n turmoil_v this_o medium_n it_o will_v hazard_v to_o take_v the_o soul_n off_o the_o wing_n and_o throw_v she_o headlong_o to_o the_o earth_n wherefore_o if_o we_o intend_v a_o progress_n towards_o heaven_n by_o prayer_n we_o must_v first_o prepare_v a_o cheerful_a and_o unpassionate_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n ubi_fw-la pax_fw-la ibi_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_n where_o there_o be_v peace_n the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n the_o divine_a giver_n himself_o be_v not_o far_o absent_a at_o least_o there_o must_v be_v a_o steadiness_n in_o the_o soul_n be_v superior_a part_n or_o a_o full_a intention_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o all_o these_o passion_n for_o this_o lay_v first_o prayer_n itself_o will_v do_v the_o rest_n as_o shall_v be_v see_v hereafter_o §_o 5._o another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o consequent_o a_o encouragement_n to_o pursue_v it_o be_v that_o it_o include_v in_o itself_o at_o once_o all_o virtue_n not_o after_o a_o sluggish_a manner_n as_o they_o lie_v dormant_a as_o it_o be_v habitual_o in_o the_o soul_n but_o as_o they_o be_v consider_v in_o their_o most_o actual_a and_o best_a state_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o all_o virtue_n at_o once_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o those_o virtue_n we_o call_v moral_a be_v not_o at_o all_o meritorious_a and_o consequent_o not_o at_o all_o virtue_n but_o as_o they_o partake_v of_o that_o queen_n of_o virtue_n charity_n whosoever_o therefore_o have_v charity_n and_o consequent_o the_o two_o other_o theological_a virtue_n faith_n and_o hope_n have_v all_o the_o rest_n whence_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o love_n be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n §_o 6._o but_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o particular_n while_o we_o pray_v we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n in-many_a regard_n for_o we_o at_o once_o exercise_v our_o belief_n that_o god_n be_v the_o sovereign_a giver_n of_o all_o good_a and_o lord_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o be_v infinite_o wise_a to_o see_v the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n lay_v open_a then_o before_o he_o infinite_o powerful_a to_o accomplish_v all_o we_o can_v possible_o wish_v infinite_o good_a to_o admit_v we_o into_o his_o presence_n nay_o to_o exhort_v and_o even_o command_v we_o to_o come_v to_o he_o as_o also_o to_o bestow_v on_o we_o all_o that_o our_o condition_n and_o disposition_n can_v render_v we_o capable_a of_o infinite_o merciful_a to_o forgive_v all_o our_o sin_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o hearty_o repent_v and_o humble_o ask_v pardon_n again_o by_o our_o profound_a reverence_n we_o acknowledge_v and_o exercise_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o incomparable_a greatness_n and_o majesty_n by_o our_o submission_n and_o resignation_n of_o his_o wise_a providence_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o world_n last_o by_o our_o ask_n of_o he_o with_o due_a humility_n that_o he_o be_v our_o great_a creator_n we_o his_o poor_a indigent_a creature_n and_o mere_a nothing_o of_o our_o selus_fw-la also_o that_o he_o be_v our_o most_o liberal_a and_o bounteous_a benefactor_n infinite_o rich_a to_o supply_v and_o overflowing_o communicative_a of_o himself_o to_o relieve_v all_o our_o necessity_n so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v §_o 7._o again_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v our_o hope_n that_o he_o will_v hear_v our_o prayer_n and_o grant_v all_o we_o ask_v if_o we_o ask_v wise_o and_o humble_o that_o he_o will_v keep_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v we_o to_o that_o purpose_n that_o he_o will_v merciful_o pardon_v our_o sin_n protect_v we_o from_o danger_n and_o in_o a_o word_n as_o we_o use_v to_o phrase_n it_o that_o he_o will_v hear_v all_o our_o prayer_n which_o according_a to_o his_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o world_n aught_o to_o be_v second_v with_o performance_n §_o 8._o last_o while_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n of_o charity_n as_o it_o signify_v love_n of_o god_n by_o call_v upon_o he_o and_o look_v on_o he_o as_o a_o father_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a as_o endow_v with_o all_o those_o ravish_a quality_n which_o among_o we_o use_n to_o beget_v love_n such_o as_o be_v bounty_n kindness_n mercy_n tender_a compassion_n fidelity_n of_o word_n friendliness_n pure_a intellectual_a light_n infinite_a beautifulness_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o most_o of_o all_o as_o he_o be_v our_o chief_a and_o final_a our_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a good_a and_o our_o only_a bliss_n in_o who_o our_o soul_n must_v either_o for_o ever_o repose_v after_o all_o the_o fond_a toy_n of_o the_o world_n we_o so_o dote_v on_o leave_v we_o or_o else_o remain_v eternal_o miserable_a let_v we_o lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o then_o reflect_v how_o sublime_a a_o excellency_n be_v find_v in_o prayer_n which_o at_o once_o exercise_n and_o interior_o execute_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n all_o virtue_n at_o once_o sect_n ii_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v the_o actual_a fulfil_v all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o when_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n ask_v our_o bless_a saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n his_o answer_n be_v keep_v the_o commandment_n now_o if_o prayer_n be_v suppose_v it_o make_v as_o it_o ought_v the_o keep_v all_o the_o commandment_n nay_o a_o actual_a exercise_v they_o all_o at_o once_o then_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o vary_v the_o phrase_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n without_o alter_v his_o sense_n and_o to_o say_v if_o thou_o will_v have_v eternal_a life_n apply_v thyself_o to_o prayer_n and_o this_o be_v another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o a_o great_a one_o too_o that_o every_o time_n we_o exercise_v it_o we_o be_v exercise_v the_o fulfil_n all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o §_o 2._o to_o understand_v which_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o no_o external_n act_n be_v meritorious_a or_o demeritorious_a before_o god_n but_o as_o it_o spring_v from_o deliberate_a will_n or_o intention_n and_o though_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n command_n do_v exterious_o increase_v merit_n too_o yet_o it_o be_v because_o the_o intention_n itself_o be_v better_v or_o strengthen_v habitual_o to_o some_o degree_n by_o the_o outward_a exercise_n or_o because_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n perhaps_o to_o be_v overcome_v in_o the_o perform_v the_o outward_a action_n hence_o the_o intention_n to_o do_v this_o pursue_v resolute_o to_o a_o actual_a execution_n be_v better_a than_o else_o it_o will_v have_v be_v by_o the_o very_a conquer_a the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n aâ—_n we_o may_v say_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v a_o thing_n notwithstanding_o any_o difficulty_n occur_v be_v better_a than_o a_o intention_n simple_o to_o do_v it_o again_o the_o outward_a action_n increase_v our_o merit_n be-because_a it_o beget_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o hope_n in_o we_o that_o our_o inward_a intention_n be_v not_o a_o counterfeit_a one_o for_o the_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o have_v perform_v many_o such_o good_a deed_n especial_o if_o not_o do_v in_o the_o world_n eye_n and_o therefore_o not_o for_o its_o sake_n but_o for_o god_n will_v stand_v we_o in_o good_a stead_n at_o our_o last_o hour_n and_o strengthen_v our_o soul_n with_o hope_n and_o consequent_o with_o love_n which_o always_o go_v proportion_v to_o it_o when_o we_o be_v to_o appear_v before_o our_o great_a judg._n but_o abstract_v from_o these_o case_n and_o speak_v of_o outward_a action_n without_o any_o regard_n or_o rapport_v to_o the_o soul_n they_o be_v pure_o local_a motion_n or_o mere_o natural_a not_o moral_a one_o and_o so_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o merit_n or_o demerit_n wherefore_o put_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v any_o good_a as_o resolute_o bend_v to_o do_v it_o and_o to_o overcome_v all_o difficulty_n that_o may_v occur_v and_o to_o that_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o the_o other_o gain_v by_o extend_v itself_o to_o action_n last_o such_o as_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o heartiness_n and_o honest_a sincerity_n with_o other_o circumstance_n gain_v the_o same_o comfort_n to_o the_o soul_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v execute_v outward_o it_o be_v equal_o meritorious_a as_o the_o other_o insomuch_o that_o whosoever_o firm_o and_o resolute_o intend_v any_o good_a so_o that_o nothing_o need_v but_o a_o opportunity_n actual_o to_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n do_v already_o execute_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o before_o god_n as_o if_o he_o have_v perform_v it_o exterior_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o our_o b._n saviour_n say_v that_o the_o poor_a widow_n when_o she_o give_v a_o mite_n give_v more_o than_o all_o the_o rich_a vaunter_n for_o though_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o yet_o
be_v be_v full_a as_o much_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n accept_v it_o as_o such_o because_o he_o see_v her_o hearty_a good_a intention_n be_v such_o that_o can_v she_o have_v do_v it_o she_o will_v have_v give_v more_o than_o they_o all_o do_v §_o 3._o this_o be_v once_o settle_v it_o be_v easy_o see_v that_o prayer_n exercise_v as_o it_o ought_v be_v in_o true_a theology_n a_o keep_n at_o once_o all_o the_o commandment_n and_o consequent_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o church_n too_o which_o be_v all_o involve_a in_o the_o four_o for_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o first_o commandment_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o injunction_n to_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n as_o this_o last_o signify_v love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n as_o also_o to_o sovereign_a honour_n and_o profound_a reverence_n as_o they_o be_v peculiar_o due_a to_o god_n likewise_o that_o the_o second_o be_v but_o a_o extension_n of_o the_o reverence_n due_a to_o himself_o to_o his_o name_n or_o a_o conformity_n in_o word_n and_o conversation_n to_o the_o esteem_v we_o ought_v to_o bear_v he_o in_o our_o mind_n and_o the_o three_o a_o determination_n of_o a_o circumstance_n of_o prayer_n to_o which_o he_o that_o be_v give_v to_o prayer_n must_v needs_o be_v easy_o conformable_a and_o what_o care_v he_o who_o be_v exercise_v actual_o the_o virtue_n we_o show_v before_o be_v all_o find_v in_o right_o make_v prayer_n and_o especial_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n what_o care_v he_o i_o say_v for_o pretend_v to_o worldly_a power_n great_a than_o other_o for_o resent_v injury_n or_o for_o gain_v worldly_a pleasure_n or_o profit_n in_o which_o consist_v all_o those_o of_o the_o second_o table_n whereas_o if_o he_o be_v in_o prayer_n that_o be_v if_o his_o mind_n be_v elevate_v to_o god_n and_o this_o frequent_o and_o fervent_o he_o must_v needs_o despise_v in_o his_o heart_n nay_o be_v habituate_v to_o despise_v all_o these_o sublunary_a trifle_n in_o his_o heart_n i_o say_v or_o superior_a part_n of_o his_o soul_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o recur_v to_o his_o principle_n which_o dwell_v and_o govern_v there_o however_o the_o inferior_a which_o feel_v some_o trouble_n will_v have_v some_o natural_a grudge_n and_o repine_n but_o these_o be_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o god_n commandment_n but_o rather_o a_o advantage_n to_o virtue_n or_o a_o occasion_n of_o merit_n so_o the_o superior_a part_n by_o strength_n of_o christian_a principle_n and_o supernatural_a consideration_n or_o motive_n keep_v they_o from_o grow_v moral_a one_o that_o be_v keep_v those_o natural_a consideration_n from_o settle_v into_o intention_n which_o be_v the_o true_a touchstone_n how_o far_o these_o or_o such_o motion_n belong_v to_o nature_n and_o how_o far_o they_o relate_v to_o morality_n §_o 4._o but_o you_o will_v say_v we_o do_v not_o experience_n while_o we_o pray_v that_o we_o practise_v distinct_o any_o one_o of_o these_o virtue_n now_o speak_v of_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o any_o of_o those_o commandment_n nay_o many_o of_o they_o seem_v most_o exceed_o remote_a from_o our_o thought_n when_o we_o be_v in_o prayer_n and_o a_o quite_o different_a kind_n of_o object_n it_o be_v answer_v there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o divers_a thing_n may_v be_v include_v in_o another_o the_o one_o be_v call_v formal_o or_o be_v formal_o there_o so_o that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o thing_n retain_v its_o own_o form_n and_o nature_n as_o wood_n and_o stone_n be_v include_v in_o the_o fabric_n of_o a_o house_n ink_n and_o paper_n be_v include_v in_o writing_n where_o each_o preserve_v its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o other_o notwithstanding_o their_o concurrence_n in_o a_o common_a subject_n the_o other_o be_v call_v eminential_a which_o happen_v when_o all_o be_v there_o indeed_o not_o single_o as_o in_o themselves_o or_o as_o remain_v yet_o in_o their_o own_o different_a nature_n but_o as_o contain_v in_o some_o three_o or_o common_a excellency_n which_o have_v in_o it_o the_o virtue_n of_o all_o and_o yet_o be_v single_o no_o one_o thus_o the_o sunbeam_n include_v light_a and_o heat_n thus_o reason_n include_v in_o itself_o though_o in_o a_o inferior_a degree_n to_o prayer_n all_o imaginable_a act_n of_o virtue_n thus_o the_o force_n of_o each_o body_n in_o nature_n be_v include_v as_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o centre_n in_o the_o indivisible_a be_v and_o operativeness_n of_o a_o spirit_n thus_o last_o all_o perfection_n and_o virtue_n be_v comprise_v in_o the_o most_o simple_a and_o most_o uncompounded_a essence_n of_o the_o divinity_n in_o which_o justice_n mercy_n power_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o find_v in_o their_o several_a distinct_a nature_n single_v out_o a_o part_n but_o in_o one_o most_o perfect_a formality_n call_v god_n essence_n who_o incomparable_a excellency_n comprehend_v eminent_o both_o all_o these_o and_o infinite_a other_o which_o our_o low_a pitch_n of_o knowledge_n can_v reach_v or_o even_o think_v of_o without_o diffect_v it_o piecemeal_n as_o it_o be_v by_o our_o understanding_n and_o consider_v each_o little_a morsel_n a_o part_n §_o 5._o now_o this_o manner_n of_o contain_v other_o be_v by_o far_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o former_a and_o it_o be_v thus_o that_o prayer_n comprehend_v all_o virtue_n and_o the_o several_a distinct_a act_n of_o fulfil_n each_o of_o the_o commandment_n §_o 6._o for_o prayer_n be_v a_o elevation_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o god_n and_o this_o not_o after_o a_o mere_a speculative_a way_n as_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o aristotle_n will_v think_v and_o discourse_v dry_o of_o the_o first_o be_v without_o any_o far_o concern_v than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o curiosity_n beyond_o the_o ordinary_a reach_n but_o after_o a_o affective_a way_n endeavour_v and_o aim_v by_o the_o affection_n which_o be_v the_o wing_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o by_o such_o thought_n as_o we_o be_v already_o possess_v of_o to_o raise_v ourselves_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o divine_a love_n and_o by_o it_o of_o union_n with_o our_o dear_a god_n hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o prayer_n be_v in_o its_o best_a and_o most_o essential_a part_n a_o actual_a exercise_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n build_v up_o in_o we_o on_o the_o best_a foundation_n and_o principle_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v imagine_v viz._n on_o those_o motive_n which_o faith_n propose_v and_o actual_o raise_v by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o immediate_a disposition_n imaginable_a viz_o hope_n daily_a experience_n tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o move_v we_o so_o effectual_o to_o pursue_v any_o thing_n which_o we_o conceit_n to_o be_v a_o eminent_a good_a as_o the_o hope_n we_o have_v to_o arrive_v at_o it_o as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o let_v the_o thing_n be_v never_o so_o excellent_a and_o allure_a a_o object_n in_o itself_o unless_o we_o have_v hope_v it_o will_v or_o at_o least_o may_v be_v attain_v by_o we_o we_o may_v perhaps_o gaze_v at_o it_o in_o our_o thought_n as_o a_o fine_a thing_n but_o never_o desire_v it_o or_o work_v for_o it_o that_o be_v never_o effectual_o love_v it_o §_o 7._o prayer_n then_o be_v the_o best_a exercise_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o this_o love_n include_v in_o itself_o eminential_o all_o virtue_n and_o be_v as_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o the_o fulfil_n of_o all_o the_o commandment_n it_o follow_v first_o that_o prayer_n be_v such_o likewise_o as_o including_z in_o itself_o that_o sovereign_a quality_n actual_o and_o in_o the_o best_a manner_n exercise_v which_o comprehend_v eminential_o all_o the_o rest_n it_o follow_v next_o that_o this_o manner_n of_o include_v they_o eminent_o be_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o instance_n we_o bring_v before_o of_o god_n essence_n include_v all_o perfection_n by_o far_o more_o sublime_a than_o the_o other_o prayer_n be_v even_o in_o this_o regard_n of_o a_o most_o incomparable_a excellency_n and_o the_o best_a manner_n imaginable_a of_o keep_v the_o commandment_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o action_n shall_v be_v which_o be_v of_o it_o be_v own_o nature_n a_o approach_n to_o the_o divinity_n sect_n iii_o a_o three_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n in_o unite_n we_o to_o god_n intellectual_o but_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o take_v so_o near_o a_o view_n of_o prayer_n as_o we_o may_v much_o of_o our_o former_a discourse_n especial_o at_o the_o beginning_n run_v upon_o the_o metaphor_n as_o our_o low_a dull_a pitch_n of_o knowledge_n oftentimes_o oblige_v we_o when_o the_o thing_n we_o intend_v to_o explicate_v be_v very_o spiritual_a and_o very_a sublime_a we_o now_o come_v to_o close_a discovery_n of_o its_o nature_n by_o look_v with_o a_o literal_a consideration_n into_o its_o proper_a effect_n which_o immediate_o and_o necessary_o spring_v from_o it_o §_o 2._o that_o
strive_v by_o continual_a prayer_n make_v after_o that_o weak_a manner_n at_o least_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o improve_v those_o imperfect_a will_n into_o perfect_a one_o and_o groan_v under_o the_o slavery_n they_o now_o full_o experience_n at_o once_o sigh_n and_o tremble_v before_o their_o just_o offend_a god_n which_o kind_n of_o exercise_n in_o this_o case_n be_v more_o profitable_a and_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o use_v than_o love_n of_o god_n of_o which_o their_o heart_n yet_o full_a of_o filth_n be_v at_o present_a uncapable_a yet_o their_o utmost_a industry_n must_v be_v employ_v by_o faith_n and_o some_o degree_n of_o hope_n which_o be_v here_o the_o only_a actor_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v these_o good_a motion_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n not_o yet_o within_o they_o but_o only_o move_v they_o to_o towards_o that_o grace_n by_o which_o the_o same_o holy-ghost_n enter_v into_o their_o heart_n and_o inhabit_v there_o the_o hard_a struggle_n be_v at_o first_o till_o the_o scale_n begin_v to_o turn_v which_o do_v all_o be_v easy_a to_o we_o if_o we_o pursue_v our_o victory_n but_o for_o those_o who_o be_v in_o this_o state_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o mortification_n go_v along_o with_o prayer_n to_o wean_v deter_v and_o divert_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o noxious_a gust_n she_o take_v in_o sinful_a object_n 14._o last_o we_o may_v hence_o admire_v the_o wise_a method_n and_o matchless_a bounty_n of_o our_o good_a god_n in_o allure_a we_o by_o so_o many_o motive_n to_o apply_v to_o he_o by_o prayer_n that_o so_o we_o may_v arrive_v at_o true_a happiness_n and_o give_v we_o by_o the_o very_a ask_n that_o be_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o ask_v all_o that_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a good_a or_o all_o we_o can_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n hearty_o beg_v of_o he_o you_o will_v say_v it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o if_o one_o immediate_o ask_v heaven_n he_o shall_v have_v it_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v the_o same_o manner_n of_o fond_a petition_n but_o far_o more_o high_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o ask_v the_o virtue_n of_o our_o lady_n or_o the_o apostle_n without_o think_v of_o put_v first_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o have_v it_o which_o be_v to_o press_v god_n to_o do_v a_o miracle_n for_o our_o sake_n a_o thing_n true_a humility_n &_o reverence_n the_o requisite_n to_o a_o right_o make_v prayer_n will_v scarce_o allow_v and_o so_o still_o our_o general_a principle_n remain_v firm_a to_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o obtain_v what_o we_o pray_v for_o when_o we_o ask_v for_o our_o true_a good_a so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v now_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o heaven_n be_v love_n of_o god_n if_o we_o pray_v for_o the_o mean_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a both_o to_o obtain_v this_o and_o heaven_n too_o which_o be_v our_o end_n by_o it_o which_o secure_v to_o we_o the_o effect_n of_o our_o prayer_n or_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o our_o wish_n though_o it_o come_v not_o to_o we_o after_o our_o own_o foolish_a manner_n but_o according_a to_o the_o method_n our_o infinite_o wise_a god_n have_v appoint_v that_o be_v that_o all_o thing_n even_o in_o super-naturals_a except_o in_o some_o few_o case_n be_v carry_v forward_o from_o connatural_a cause_n or_o disposition_n to_o proper_a effect_n which_o consequence_n of_o the_o effect_n out_o of_o their_o proper_a cause_n be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n merit_n so_o misrepresent_v by_o our_o adversary_n only_o superad_v that_o god_n have_v promise_v this_o certain_a effect_n shall_v follow_v and_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a work_n out_o of_o that_o consideration_n or_o out_o of_o a_o reliance_n on_o god_n promise_n without_o know_v perhaps_o how_o this_o promise_n be_v bring_v about_o or_o perform_v to_o we_o which_o yet_o when_o know_v by_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v it_o must_v needs_o add_v a_o strange_a degree_n of_o comfort_n and_o a_o exceed_a courage_n to_o employ_v themselves_o in_o prayer_n whence_o may_v be_v easy_o collect_v that_o i_o only_o concern_v myself_o with_o that_o kind_n of_o impetrative_a virtue_n by_o which_o right_o make_v prayer_n obtain_v certain_o of_o god_n our_o true_a spiritual_a good_a that_o by_o show_v the_o connatural_a efficacy_n of_o it_o and_o with_o how_o necessary_a a_o consequence_n the_o attainment_n of_o virtue_n spring_v from_o it_o i_o may_v excite_v my_o reader_n to_o pursue_v that_o best_a duty_n and_o withal_o by_o the_o way_n instruct_v they_o how_o to_o perform_v it_o what_o other_o virtue_n prayer_n have_v of_o obtain_v many_o thing_n of_o god_n for_o ourselves_o and_o our_o neighbour_n by_o oblige_v his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n so_o to_o contrive_v and_o order_v thing_n that_o not_o one_o prayer_n of_o the_o just_a be_v leave_v unavailable_a as_o far_o as_o can_v possible_o consist_v with_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o universe_n nay_o even_o so_o far_o as_o if_o the_o prayer_n be_v make_v with_o a_o perfect_a faith_n confidence_n and_o firm_a reliance_n upon_o he_o to_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n by_o miracle_n for_o such_o a_o prayer_n sake_n of_o these_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o treat_v at_o present_a it_o be_v out_o of_o my_o road_n as_o depend_v on_o principle_n which_o lie_v very_o remote_a from_o my_o present_a design_n as_o be_v say_v former_o in_o a_o like_a case_n concern_v prayer_n to_o saint_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o section_n i_o shall_v end_v this_o discourse_n with_o those_o most_o expressive_a word_n of_o st._n james_n if_o any_o one_o want_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o abundant_o and_o without_o grudge_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o but_o let_v he_o ask_v in_o faith_n nothing_o doubt_v for_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v like_o a_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o be_v move_v and_o toss_v about_o by_o the_o wind._n let_v not_o then_o such_o a_o man_n think_v that_o he_o shall_v obtain_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o lord_n where_o we_o be_v to_o note_v first_o that_o by_o wisdom_n be_v not_o mean_v speculative_a knowledge_n but_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a spiritual_a good_a and_o of_o which_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v the_o beginning_n as_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v its_o accomplishment_n or_o perfection_n next_o he_o assure_v we_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o that_o without_o grudge_v or_o upbraid_v any_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v enough_o already_o but_o abundant_o without_o stint_n so_o they_o dispose_v themselves_o by_o prayer_n to_o receive_v it_o three_o he_o put_v the_o disposition_n to_o receive_v it_o to_o be_v a_o firm_a hope_n faith_n or_o confidence_n in_o god_n overflow_a goodness_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o know_v that_o what_o we_o ask_v be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o holy_a will._n last_o he_o declare_v that_o the_o want_n of_o this_o confidence_n in_o ask_v render_v our_o whole_a prayer_n ineffectual_a for_o the_o wish_n can_v be_v strong_a and_o efficacious_a to_o work_v the_o soul_n into_o a_o hearty_a and_o habitual_a love_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v hold_v beforehand_o as_o it_o ought_v that_o it_o can_v be_v have_v without_o god_n give_v it_o and_o the_o asker_n think_v that_o let_v he_o ask_v virtue_n how_o he_o will_v it_o be_v yet_o a_o obscure_a kind_n of_o mystery_n lie_v in_o god_n breast_n and_o depend_v on_o his_o mere_a will_n whether_o he_o will_v please_v to_o give_v he_o any_o virtue_n or_o no_o and_o that_o let_v he_o pray_v for_o it_o how_o he_o will_v there_o be_v yet_o no_o determinate_a or_o certain_a cause_n lay_v in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o supernatural_a providence_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o thence_o come_v to_o doubt_v whether_o he_o shall_v ever_o obtain_v any_o virtue_n or_o none_o at_o all_o which_o be_v very_o uncomfortable_a whereas_o be_v it_o know_v and_o well_o penetrate_v that_o god_n will_n be_v already_o as_o to_o that_o point_n determine_v by_o his_o wisdom_n govern_v and_o promote_a soul_n by_o prayer_n to_o virtue_n and_o by_o virtue_n to_o heaven_n as_o by_o proper_a disposition_n to_o those_o effect_n according_a to_o that_o say_v of_o the_o psalmist_n they_o shall_v rise_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n till_o they_o see_v the_o god_n of_o god_n in_o zion_n also_o be_v it_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o a_o unwavering_a and_o thence_o efficacious_a prayer_n or_o wish_n strengthen_v by_o direct_v it_o to_o god_n be_v the_o proper_a disposition_n or_o mean_n effectual_o and_o necessary_o as_o we_o may_v say_v to_o gain_v virtue_n it_o will_v become_v impossible_a to_o want_v courage_n to_o ask_v it_o hearty_o and_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o waver_v or_o want_v assuredness_n in_o our_o ask_n it_o impossible_a our_o wish_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o become_v a_o efficacious_a mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o last_o impossible_a we_o shall_v not_o obtain_v what_o we_o ask_v soli_fw-la deo_fw-la gloria_fw-la finis_fw-la