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and grace towards us ? Is this the highest boon we can beg of God, that we may be thoroughly and universally good? And when we find ourselves improving herein, and making any advancement towards that perfection to which we aspire, is it the greatest pleasure to us of all other? Are we abundantly satisfied in this thought, that by God's grace and goodness to us, every thing shall do us good? Are our hearts set upon rectifying all disorders in our souls, and provided we can but feel an amendment, are we quiet and in peace, and less concerned about external things, which we cannot rectify according to our desires? Then it is certain our prayers have been truly devout, and highly acceptable to God; as we may perceive by this blessed change in our hearts.

Which if we do not yet feel, let it not quite discourage us; but only quicken our spirits to more frequent and fervent Prayer: with greater intention of mind, and due consideration what it is we ought most to desire in our prayers to God. And if we do not content ourselves

barely with so many prayers; but long and labour till they have their effect, in such an alteration as I have mentioned, in our hearts: they will at last procure this blessing, if we be restless and earnest in our desires after it.

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And therefore let us not slacken our endeavours herein; but setting our hearts, upon those graces which we ask of Him, let us pray to him among other things, that He would enable us every day to pray better, and to more purpose; with stronger affections, and more eager desires: such as will work our hearts into a more exact conformity with Himself, and with our blessed Saviour; and both make us pure, and more in love with purity of mind and body; more heavenly-minded, and entirely satisfied in our heavenly acquaintance with Him and with our Lord, and in the hope we have at last to come unto Him, in that happy place where there will be nothing left for us to desire; but all our prayers be turned into praises of Him, and thanksgiving to Him, Who hath accomplished our wishes and fulfilled our petitions, by bringing us into His celestial

palace, and there providing mansions for us, wherein we shall attend upon Him for ever. Thus I have given a brief account of the efficacy of Prayer to make us truly good.

Which is so evident a truth that St. Chrysostom confidently saith, "when I see a man neglect this duty of Prayer, or that he hath no love to it, no fervour in it, it is manifest to me that he is owner of nothing worthy or excellent but when I behold a man unwearied in the service of God, and that doth not reckon constant attendance upon God in Prayer, among his greatest losses, I make account he is a steadfast practiser of all virtue, and the very temple of God. For it expels all vile and base thoughts out of the mind; it persuades us to reverence God, and the dignity to which He advanceth us; it teaches us to repel all the enchantments of the evil one; and raises our mind so high, that we look down with despisal and scorn upon pleasure for this is the only pride that becomes the worshippers of Christ, not to submit to the service of any filthiness; but to preserve the freedom and liberty of

their souls in a pure life. Which it is impossible to do without prayer: for who can exercise any virtue, that doth not come and fall down before Him frequently, who is the giver of it? Who can so much as desire to be sober or just, that doth not delight to converse with Him, who requires these, and far greater things from us ?

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Part II.

OF PUBLIC PRAYER.

CHAPTER X.

PUBLIC PRAYER MOST NECESSARY OF ALL OTHER.

T is confessed by all who have a sense of

IT

God the author of their being, that they were made to glorify Him. Which, in the Scripture language, is another word for God's worship and service; consisting in those praises, thanksgivings, and petitions, which make up the body of our prayers. By the first of which we acknowledge God to be what He is in Himself, every way most excellently perfect by the second, we acknowledge the

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