her_o duty_n to_o resist_v whatsoever_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o jesus_n christ_n 57_o reflect_v xvi_o that_o she_o shall_v associate_v herself_o with_o those_o person_n who_o true_o fear_v god_n and_o that_o she_o ought_v not_o to_o entangle_v herself_o again_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o world_n call_v state_n riches_n fortune_n and_o grandeur_n 63_o reflect_v xvii_o that_o charity_n to_o ward_n our_o neighbour_n oblige_v we_o careful_o to_o avoid_v not_o only_o every_o action_n which_o may_v be_v injurious_a to_o his_o life_n good_n and_o reputation_n but_o also_o detract_n speech_n and_o foolish_a jest_n 69_o reflect_v xviii_o that_o she_o ought_v to_o desire_v of_o god_n the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n the_o soul_n can_v make_v use_n of_o to_o confirm_v its_o waver_a resolution_n 74_o reflect_v xix_o what_o the_o nature_n of_o prayer_n be_v and_o how_o faithful_a a_o penitent_a soul_n ought_v to_o be_v to_o its_o resolution_n of_o constant_o perform_v this_o holy_a exercise_n 78_o reflect_v xx._n that_o the_o misery_n to_o which_o sin_n have_v reduce_v we_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o our_o prayer_n and_o that_o it_o be_v good_a to_o begin_v they_o with_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o stupendous_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n 84_o reflect_v xxi_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o pray_v because_o we_o do_v not_o find_v present_a comfort_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v faithful_a to_o our_o resolution_n and_o have_v recourse_n to_o this_o holy_a exercise_n when_o we_o be_v wrack_v by_o the_o great_a pain_n and_o distress_a by_o the_o severe_a affliction_n 87_o reflect_v xxii_o the_o in_o dispensable_a necessity_n of_o prayer_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v any_o serious_a thought_n of_o our_o salvation_n 93_o reflect_v xxiii_o she_o desire_v of_o god_n the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n that_o she_o may_v make_v death_n eternity_n and_o god_n judgement_n the_o subject_a of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o proper_a mean_n to_o season_v our_o soul_n with_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n 99_o reflect_v xxiv_o that_o she_o will_v every_o day_n offer_v up_o unto_o god_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o thanksgiving_n for_o open_v her_o eye_n and_o convert_v she_o unto_o himself_o that_o she_o will_v write_v down_o these_o resolution_n which_o she_o make_v at_o the_o time_n of_o her_o conversion_n to_o the_o end_n that_o she_o may_v be_v always_o mindful_a of_o these_o obligation_n she_o have_v lay_v upon_o herself_o and_o by_o which_o she_o must_v be_v judge_v at_o the_o last_o day_n 105_o a_o advertisement_n it_o be_v the_o say_n of_o a_o father_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o find_v out_o a_o man_n that_o have_v preserve_v his_o innocency_n from_o his_o baptism_n than_o a_o sincere_a and_o hearty_a penitent_n because_o few_o be_v convert_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v nevertheless_o god_n out_o of_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o compassion_n do_v from_o time_n to_o time_n turn_v the_o heart_n of_o some_o prodigious_a sinner_n demonstrate_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o be_v true_o a_o god_n of_o mercy_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o have_v be_v never_o so_o desperate_o wicked_a but_o he_o will_v receive_v he_o if_o he_o return_v with_o a_o heart_n true_o sensible_a of_o his_o offence_n he_o do_v not_o desire_v the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n for_o he_o come_v to_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o such_o but_o only_o that_o they_o will_v be_v convert_v and_o live_v now_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n stand_v amaze_v at_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o prince_n who_o devotion_n be_v not_o surpass_v by_o the_o austere_a votary_n of_o the_o time_n he_o live_v in_o we_o have_v no_o less_o reason_n to_o admire_v this_o of_o a_o lady_n who_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n single_v out_o from_o a_o debauch_a age_n the_o affluence_n of_o all_o sinful_a pleasure_n to_o be_v a_o miracle_n of_o penitence_n for_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o judge_v by_o these_o pious_a reflection_n which_o be_v now_o make_v public_a and_o be_v compose_v after_o her_o retirement_n from_o the_o world_n and_o recovery_n from_o a_o dangerous_a fit_a of_o sickness_n that_o her_o soul_n be_v deep_o affect_v with_o a_o divine_a love_n and_o that_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o earnest_n she_o be_v in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o sinful_a pleasure_n and_o forgetful_a of_o her_o eternal_a welfare_n by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o she_o be_v at_o present_a inspire_v with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o desire_v life_n itself_o for_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o get_v a_o interest_n in_o her_o saviour_n merit_n and_o to_o blot_v out_o the_o infamy_n of_o her_o former_a life_n by_o a_o sincere_a repentance_n her_o name_n be_v conceal_v out_o of_o respect_n to_o her_o modesty_n and_o humility_n which_o will_v never_o have_v permit_v these_o paper_n to_o have_v be_v print_v have_v they_o not_o be_v convey_v away_o by_o a_o virtuous_a lady_n who_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a piece_n of_o injustice_n to_o withhold_v so_o profitable_a a_o help_n from_o those_o poor_a soul_n who_o be_v desirous_a to_o reform_v their_o life_n and_o bid_v adieu_n to_o their_o vicious_a conversation_n for_o though_o several_a book_n have_v be_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a yet_o she_o look_v upon_o this_o as_o the_o best_a model_v and_o pen_v with_o the_o most_o divine_a and_o move_a expression_n that_o ever_o she_o see_v god_n grant_v that_o they_o who_o read_v these_o line_n may_v be_v inspire_v with_o the_o same_o thought_n this_o devout_a soul_n be_v that_o those_o 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v guilty_a of_o thâ—_n same_o sin_n may_v imitate_v her_o repentance_n and_o husband_n that_o time_n which_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n have_v prolong_v to_o they_o in_o consider_v what_o will_v conduce_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o their_o immortal_a soul_n reflection_n on_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o form_n of_o prayer_n reflection_n i._o upon_o our_o obligation_n to_o consecrate_v that_o life_n to_o god_n glory_n which_o we_o hold_v from_o his_o mercy_n and_o the_o care_v you_o ought_v to_o take_v lest_o we_o shall_v be_v ensnare_v into_o sin_n what_o shall_v i_o render_v unto_o my_o god_n for_o give_v i_o life_n and_o health_n for_o reprieve_v i_o from_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n and_o preserve_v my_o soul_n and_o in_o short_a for_o all_o those_o favour_n which_o he_o have_v vouchsafe_v to_o i_o his_o poor_a servant_n shall_v it_o suffice_v o_o my_o god_n to_o acknowledge_v thy_o benefit_n will_v it_o be_v any_o recompense_n to_o employ_v the_o remainder_n of_o that_o time_n in_o thy_o service_n which_o hitherto_o have_v be_v spend_v in_o affront_a thy_o majesty_n or_o will_v the_o divorce_v those_o unlawful_a pleasure_n to_o which_o i_o have_v be_v former_o wed_v satisfy_v thy_o justice_n and_o blot_v out_o my_o transgression_n in_o short_a will_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o secure_v i_o from_o eternal_a misery_n that_o henceforward_o i_o will_v aspire_v after_o nothing_o but_o eternal_a happiness_n the_o fruition_n of_o thyself_o and_o those_o ravish_a pleasure_n which_o be_v at_o thy_o right-hand_a for_o evermore_o grant_v that_o thy_o ray_n may_v enlighten_v my_o reason_n and_o that_o thy_o grace_n may_v penetrate_v my_o soul_n help_v i_o out_o of_o that_o deplorable_a estate_n into_o which_o i_o be_o fall_v and_o inspire_v i_o with_o faith_n to_o pray_v unto_o thou_o and_o good_a god_n suffer_v i_o not_o to_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o lethargy_n as_o may_v render_v i_o unmindful_a of_o my_o soul_n health_n or_o sleep_v the_o sleep_n of_o eternal_a death_n oh_o let_v i_o never_o forget_v that_o dreadful_a hour_n when_o thou_o cald'_v i_o to_o a_o account_n for_o my_o sin_n when_o i_o behold_v death_n ready_a to_o seize_v upon_o my_o soul_n and_o carry_v it_o into_o everlasting_a torment_n and_o let_v thy_o infinite_a compassion_n be_v deep_o engrave_v upon_o my_o memory_n which_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o judgement_n do_v remember_v mercy_n and_o rescue_v i_o from_o thy_o fiery_a indignation_n oh_o that_o the_o joy_n which_o fill_v my_o soul_n for_o the_o return_n of_o my_o health_n may_v not_o justle_v out_o thy_o grace_n and_o reconcile_v i_o to_o the_o world_n that_o those_o vain_a idea_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n may_v be_v quite_o raze_v ouâ—_n of_o my_o fancy_n and_o neverre-assumâ—_a the_o place_n of_o those_o solid_a truth_n which_o by_o thy_o mercy_n be_v writteâ—_n there_o reflect_v ii_o she_o pray_v unto_o god_n to_o strengthen_v her_o resolution_n and_o to_o enable_v she_o to_o approach_v unto_o he_o with_o a_o pure_a heart_n restore_v unto_o i_o o_o my_o god_n the_o health_n of_o my_o soul_n and_o enable_v i_o to_o desire_v of_o thou_o above_o all_o thing_n that_o holy_a joy_n which_o the_o
at_o the_o footstool_n of_o thy_o throne_n and_o let_v i_o not_o lie_v pore_v on_o a_o picture_n or_o repeat_v my_o prayer_n from_o a_o book_n which_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o let_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o devotion_n be_v my_o own_o want_n and_o whatsoever_o may_v render_v i_o more_o humble_a for_o i_o be_o too_o sensible_a of_o my_o own_o imperfection_n to_o distract_v my_o mind_n with_o other_o object_n beside_o my_o own_o misery_n and_o the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o my_o god_n reflect_v xx._n that_o the_o misery_n to_o which_o sin_n have_v reduce_v we_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o our_o prayer_n and_o that_o it_o be_v good_a to_o begin_v they_o with_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o stupendous_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n alas_o how_o can_v i_o meditate_v on_o my_o vileness_n who_o be_o puff_v up_o with_o pride_n who_o can_v only_o pray_v unto_o thou_o to_o break_v off_o my_o ambition_n and_o vainglory_n which_o like_o unmanagable_a horse_n precipitate_v my_o soul_n into_o the_o abyss_n of_o thy_o fiery_a indignation_n how_o can_v i_o hearken_v to_o thy_o word_n or_o taste_v the_o sweet_a comfort_n of_o thy_o holy_a spirit_n who_o be_o surround_v with_o a_o thousand_o passion_n a_o thousand_o vanity_n which_o distract_v my_o thought_n when_o i_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o thou_o what_o can_v i_o do_v more_o than_o groan_v within_o myself_o when_o as_o the_o royal_a psalmist_n have_v it_o my_o foot_n be_v hurt_v with_o the_o fetter_n of_o sin_n and_o i_o be_o in_o captivity_n to_o my_o unmortified_a affection_n until_o the_o gentle_a influence_n of_o thy_o grace_n create_v in_o my_o heart_n a_o love_n to_o thy_o law_n how_o can_v i_o lift_v up_o myself_o to_o heaven_n whilst_o my_o affection_n be_v grovel_v on_o the_o earth_n how_o can_v i_o contemplate_v thy_o greatness_n and_o thy_o excellency_n whilst_o my_o mind_n be_v distract_v by_o its_o own_o misery_n and_o astonish_v at_o that_o imminent_a danger_n which_o only_o give_v i_o space_n to_o beg_v thy_o mercy_n and_o to_o say_v with_o the_o apostle_n lord_n save_v we_o or_o we_o perish_v nevertheless_o o_o my_o lord_n since_o the_o remembrance_n of_o thy_o bitter_a passion_n ought_v to_o be_v deep_o engrave_v upon_o my_o soul_n grant_v o_o my_o god_n that_o the_o begin_n of_o my_o prayer_n may_v have_v a_o respect_n to_o that_o adorable_a mystery_n that_o my_o heart_n may_v be_v mollify_v by_o the_o consideration_n of_o thy_o suffering_n render_v more_o susceptable_a of_o the_o impression_n of_o thy_o love_n and_o thy_o grace_n and_o meditate_v with_o more_o benefit_n on_o its_o own_o vanity_n reflect_v xxi_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o pray_v because_o we_o do_v not_o find_v present_a comfort_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v faithful_a to_o our_o resolution_n and_o have_v recourse_n to_o this_o holy_a exercise_n when_o we_o be_v wrack_v by_o the_o great_a pain_n and_o distress_a by_o the_o severe_a affliction_n oh_o that_o i_o can_v be_v so_o constand_a in_o my_o resolution_n as_o every_o day_n to_o prostrate_v myself_o at_o the_o footstool_n of_o thy_o throne_n at_o that_o set-time_n which_o i_o have_v consecrate_v unto_o thou_o when_o thou_o be_v please_v to_o give_v i_o audience_n and_o that_o nothing_o may_v divert_v i_o from_o perform_v this_o one_o thing_n necessary_a let_v i_o constant_o throw_v myself_o at_o thy_o foot_n in_o whatsoever_o condition_n my_o soul_n may_v be_v to_o the_o end_n that_o when_o distraction_n and_o barrenness_n of_o mind_n hinder_v i_o from_o fix_v my_o thought_n upon_o thou_o or_o speak_v of_o any_o thing_n but_o those_o vanity_n which_o have_v take_v possession_n of_o my_o heart_n then_o the_o labour_n which_o i_o undergo_v those_o painful_a pang_n which_o i_o endure_v and_o those_o irksome_a attempt_n which_o i_o make_v to_o pour_v forth_o a_o prayer_n may_v render_v it_o more_o acceptable_a unto_o thou_o let_v i_o not_o fancy_n that_o thou_o have_v abandon_v i_o because_o my_o mind_n be_v sometime_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o load_n of_o my_o corruption_n because_o at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o this_o i_o can_v form_v so_o much_o as_o one_o good_a thought_n for_o i_o will_v still_o look_v up_o and_o pray_v unto_o thou_o i_o will_v say_v with_o that_o great_a king_n the_o holy_a david_n i_o be_o like_o a_o beast_n before_o thou_o without_o spirit_n without_o speech_n and_o without_o consideration_n though_o i_o can_v perform_v this_o duty_n with_o a_o steady_a intention_n of_o mind_n yet_o i_o will_v not_o depart_v from_o the_o footstool_n of_o thy_o throne_n i_o will_v pray_v unto_o thou_o with_o my_o heart_n and_o with_o my_o will_n i_o will_v put_v my_o trust_n in_o thy_o goodness_n and_o though_o thou_o may_v not_o for_o the_o present_a unite_v my_o soul_n unto_o thyself_o by_o the_o sweet_a influence_n of_o thy_o grace_n yet_o thou_o will_v accept_v of_o my_o endeavour_n in_o this_o deplorable_a condition_n and_o esteem_v it_o as_o a_o testimony_n of_o my_o sincere_a affection_n that_o it_o cleave_v unto_o thou_o as_o well_o when_o thou_o be_v please_v to_o withdraw_v thy_o comfort_n as_o when_o it_o enjoy_v thy_o ravish_a consolation_n but_o good_a lord_n let_v i_o not_o only_o pray_v unto_o thou_o with_o my_o understanding_n and_o with_o my_o tongue_n but_o also_o with_o my_o heart_n let_v i_o not_o only_o pray_v unto_o thou_o in_o my_o closet_n and_o in_o the_o church_n where_o the_o consideration_n of_o thy_o divine_a presence_n inspire_v i_o with_o devotion_n but_o grant_v o_o my_o god_n that_o by_o act_n of_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n i_o may_v consecrate_v unto_o thou_o the_o oratory_n of_o my_o heart_n in_o which_o i_o will_v offer_v up_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n for_o the_o devotion_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a be_v not_o confine_v to_o word_n but_o extend_v itself_o unto_o his_o thought_n and_o action_n in_o all_o place_n and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n i_o will_v do_v this_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o worldly_a business_n nay_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o diversion_n when_o retire_v myself_o into_o that_o closet_n of_o my_o breast_n which_o be_v dedicate_v to_o thou_o alone_o where_o no_o eye_n but_o thou_o see_v i_o i_o will_v address_v my_o prayer_n unto_o thou_o when_o i_o find_v myself_o most_o expose_v to_o temptation_n when_o i_o have_v the_o great_a sense_n of_o my_o own_o weakness_n when_o self-love_n most_o tyrannizes_n over_o i_o and_o the_o sweet_a poison_n of_o pleasure_n most_o allure_v my_o soul_n then_o will_v i_o sigh_v most_o fervent_o unto_o thou_o and_o without_o wait_v for_o a_o suitable_a place_n or_o more_o convenient_a time_n i_o will_v present_o lay_v open_a the_o wound_n of_o my_o soul_n and_o implore_v thy_o help_n this_o shall_v be_v at_o the_o beginning_n and_o end_n of_o all_o my_o action_n in_o the_o morning_n and_o at_o night_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o journey_n my_o heart_n shall_v take_v thou_o for_o its_o polar_a star_n it_o shall_v rely_v upon_o thou_o in_o every_o condition_n yield_v itself_o up_o to_o thy_o conduct_n and_o implore_v the_o succour_n of_o thy_o grace_n and_o this_o will_v be_v do_v with_o the_o great_a ease_n because_o i_o shall_v better_o express_v my_o own_o want_v and_o my_o entire_a dependence_n on_o thy_o mercy_n by_o one_o single_a sigh_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o bottom_n of_o my_o oppress_a heart_n than_o by_o the_o most_o prolix_a devotion_n i_o will_v join_v with_o thy_o saint_n and_o praise_v thou_o in_o thy_o sanctuary_n with_o my_o lip_n and_o my_o with_o voice_n but_o i_o will_v also_o pray_v unto_o thou_o with_o sigh_n and_o groan_n unutterable_a in_o my_o great_a danger_n and_o under_o the_o most_o violent_a pain_n i_o will_v look_v up_o unto_o thou_o and_o in_o all_o the_o action_n of_o my_o life_n with_o holy_a david_n i_o will_v have_v thou_o always_o before_o my_o eye_n reflect_v xxii_o the_o indispensable_a necessity_n of_o prayer_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v any_o serious_a thought_n of_o our_o salvation_n what_o be_v that_o soul_n o_o my_o god_n who_o live_v in_o this_o world_n without_o prayer_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o those_o person_n who_o only_a mind_n their_o pleasure_n and_o provide_v for_o their_o body_n who_o be_v christian_n in_o name_n only_o and_o may_v be_v more_o fit_o rank_v among_o brute_n beast_n than_o reasonable_a creature_n but_o i_o mean_v those_o who_o frequent_o reflect_v upon_o themselves_o who_o consider_v to_o what_o end_n a_o rational_a soul_n be_v give_v they_o and_o dominion_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o creation_n who_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n i_o mean_v be_v convince_v that_o none_o but_o fool_n doubt_v of_o it_o who_o consider_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o those_o person_n
that_o these_o be_v the_o fruit_n worthy_a of_o repentance_n these_o be_v the_o restitution_n thou_o require_v of_o i_o and_o the_o choice_a victim_n my_o love_n can_v offer_v up_o reflect_v xviii_o that_o she_o ought_v to_o desire_v of_o god_n the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n the_o soul_n can_v make_v use_n of_o to_o corfirm_v its_o waver_a resolution_n o_o god_n who_o take_v delight_v in_o reward_v that_o servant_n who_o have_v be_v faithful_a in_o a_o few_o thing_n supply_v the_o indigency_n of_o my_o love_n out_o of_o the_o abundance_n of_o thy_o goodness_n let_v its_o shallow_a stream_n be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o vast_a ocean_n of_o thy_o divine_a charity_n lose_v themselves_o in_o it_o and_o be_v mix_v with_o it_o that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v always_o conformable_a unto_o thou_o for_o i_o confess_v my_o frailty_n that_o my_o heart_n be_v a_o ungrateful_a and_o barren_a soil_n produce_v nothing_o but_o brier_n and_o thorn_n unless_o cultivate_v by_o thy_o grace_n water_n it_o therefore_o o_o lord_n with_o the_o dew_n of_o heaven_n which_o give_v fruitfulness_n to_o the_o plant_n and_o paint_v the_o flower_n which_o incline_v our_o will_n and_o affect_v our_o heart_n which_o after_o it_o have_v produce_v in_o our_o soul_n work_v worthy_a of_o repentance_n protect_v they_o from_o those_o scorch_a beam_n the_o flame_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o preserve_v they_o safe_a unto_o the_o harvest_n this_o be_v the_o comfortable_a hope_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o thy_o poor_a servant_n that_o which_o sustain_v he_o in_o this_o tedious_a pilgrimage_n whilst_o he_o languish_v with_o expectation_n of_o the_o beatifical_a vision_n but_o that_o thy_o inspiration_n may_v have_v the_o desire_a effect_n upon_o my_o soul_n that_o i_o may_v receive_v they_o with_o suitable_a affection_n that_o i_o may_v prepare_v my_o heart_n for_o so_o great_a favour_n which_o thou_o be_v please_v to_o bestow_v upon_o it_o with_o my_o eye_n and_o hand_n lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n i_o will_v meet_v these_o blessing_n i_o will_v forsake_v every_o sin_n which_o unfit_v i_o for_o they_o and_o do_v all_o the_o good_a thy_o grace_n shall_v enable_v i_o to_o perform_v and_o that_o the_o stream_n of_o thy_o mercy_n may_v never_o fail_v i_o a_o poor_a thirsty_a sinner_n i_o will_v continual_o increase_v they_o with_o my_o tear_n that_o be_v to_o say_v lord_n by_o a_o hearty_a repentance_n and_o a_o affectionate_a grief_n for_o have_v so_o often_o offend_v thou_o and_o since_o prayer_n be_v the_o channel_n by_o which_o thou_o convey_v thy_o grace_n and_o thy_o light_n into_o our_o soul_n since_o it_o be_v the_o most_o fragrant_a incense_n i_o can_v offer_v up_o unto_o thou_o for_o obtain_v of_o fresh_a mercy_n teach_v i_o to_o pray_v unto_o thou_o with_o reverence_n with_o the_o adoration_n of_o all_o my_o faculty_n and_o with_o my_o whole_a heart_n and_o that_o i_o may_v the_o more_o devout_o perform_v this_o duty_n show_v i_o the_o necessity_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o it_o take_v away_o their_o surprise_n which_o the_o very_a name_n of_o prayer_n be_v apt_a to_o produce_v in_o i_o and_o show_v i_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o difficult_a so_o tiresome_a a_o duty_n as_o some_o person_n represent_v it_o to_o themselves_o who_o be_v ignorant_a that_o as_o in_o thy_o house_n there_o be_v many_o mansion_n so_o there_o be_v different_a way_n of_o converse_v with_o thou_o some_o of_o which_o require_v only_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o heart_n reelect_a xix_o what_o the_o nature_n of_o prayer_n be_v and_o how_o faithful_a a_o penitent_a soul_n ought_v to_o be_v to_o its_o resolution_n of_o constant_o perform_v this_o holy_a exercise_n it_o be_v true_a lord_n that_o the_o prayer_n of_o a_o devout_a soul_n who_o have_v retire_v himself_o from_o the_o world_n and_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o joy_n of_o thy_o holy_a spirit_n be_v like_o a_o box_n of_o precious_a ointment_n which_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o it_o approach_v the_o fire_n send_v forth_o a_o fragrant_a odour_n and_o that_o the_o croan_n of_o a_o poor_a creature_n who_o lie_v grovel_v on_o the_o earth_n who_o only_o crawl_v on_o in_o the_o path_n of_o virtue_n be_v like_o trouble_a water_n which_o must_v be_v distil_v drop_n by_o drop_n before_o they_o will_v afford_v any_o useful_a liquor_n nevertheress_n o_o my_o god_n it_o seem_v most_o reasonable_a that_o since_o prayer_n be_v only_o a_o lift_n up_o of_o our_o heart_n unto_o thou_o in_o which_o we_o lie_v before_o thou_o our_o want_n and_o beg_v supply_n i_o say_v it_o seem_v most_o reasonable_a to_o i_o that_o she_o who_o be_v tormoil_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n who_o find_v herself_o in_o a_o languish_a condition_n harrass_v by_o a_o thousand_o misery_n and_o surround_v with_o a_o thousand_o danger_n be_v under_o a_o more_o press_a necessity_n of_o pray_v to_o thou_o than_o the_o religious_a person_n who_o be_v hedge_v about_o with_o thy_o mercy_n it_o appear_v high_o reasonable_a to_o i_o not_o only_o that_o she_o be_v under_o a_o great_a necessity_n but_o also_o that_o she_o be_v better_a dispose_v to_o perform_v this_o duty_n of_o prayer_n than_o one_o who_o be_v more_o habitual_o devout_a because_o she_o can_v choose_v but_o do_v it_o whether_o she_o think_v of_o it_o or_o no_o for_o if_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o a_o poor_a man_n to_o ask_v a_o alm_n for_o a_o sick_a man_n to_o bemoan_v himself_o and_o for_o one_o in_o danger_n to_o lift_v up_o his_o eye_n towards_o heaven_n how_o much_o more_o natural_a be_v it_o for_o that_o soul_n to_o pray_v unto_o his_o god_n who_o be_v continual_o press_v with_o these_o three_o calamity_n who_o be_v always_o poor_a always_o sick_a and_o always_o in_o danger_n the_o three_o chief_a hinge_n upon_o which_o this_o duty_n turn_v therefore_o that_o i_o may_v delight_v myself_o in_o this_o angelic_a exercise_n teach_v i_o o_o my_o god_n that_o prayer_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o please_a converse_n between_o the_o soul_n and_o its_o creator_n a_o torch_n which_o dispel_v the_o darkness_n of_o its_o understanding_n and_o a_o glass_n which_o true_o represent_v all_o its_o imperfection_n a_o eloquent_a preacher_n who_o imprint_n the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n a_o faithful_a guide_n who_o conduct_n we_o safe_o through_o the_o strait_a way_n of_o our_o salvation_n a_o sweet_a sleep_n which_o give_v the_o soul_n repose_v in_o the_o arm_n of_o god_n providence_n a_o holy_a joy_n which_o render_v sinful_a pleasure_n nauseous_a and_o all_o senful_a delight_n insipid_a in_o comparison_n with_o those_o of_o the_o cross_n a_o comfortable_a contemplation_n of_o our_o latter_a end_n which_o tame_v our_o appetite_n with_o the_o thought_n of_o death_n which_o sweeten_v his_o approach_n with_o the_o expectation_n of_o eternity_n and_o a_o ardent_a desire_n of_o the_o beatifical_a vision_n last_o it_o be_v the_o crucifixion_n of_o our_o passion_n the_o mortification_n of_o our_o self-love_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o our_o soul_n prepare_v therefore_o the_o palate_n of_o my_o soul_n o_o my_o god_n that_o it_o may_v relish_v this_o delicious_a manna_n for_o the_o only_a way_n to_o persevere_v to_o the_o end_n in_o thy_o commandnient_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o crooked_a and_o perverse_a generation_n to_o slight_v the_o world_n and_o all_o its_o vanity_n and_o to_o love_v thou_o above_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o converse_v with_o thou_o by_o prayer_n not_o only_o as_o with_o our_o father_n and_o our_o god_n but_o as_o with_o our_o most_o affectionate_a and_o familiar_a friend_n i_o will_v say_v lord_n the_o only_a way_n to_o lay_v before_o thou_o all_o those_o passion_n which_o tyrannize_v in_o our_o mind_n all_o those_o terrible_a object_n which_o fright_v we_o all_o those_o frailty_n which_o humble_v we_o all_o those_o sorrow_n which_o consume_v we_o all_o those_o grief_n which_o rend_v we_o and_o to_o delineate_v all_o the_o confusion_n 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