Concerning Prayer.

ALBEIT we possess so many, and such mighty helps, with which to How to use enlighten the understanding, and inflame the will, yet all such supplication. will avail but little, except the grace of God prosper it; for the vessel of the soul, so to speak, will be kept back through our most wretched infirmity and weariness: but if the spirit of the Lord breathe on us and we co-operate with God's grace, we shall be wafted into the eternal haven, singing cheerily glad songs of thanksgiving. Now what would the mariner do, with a vessel fully equipped, when there is no wind blowing; would he not distrust himself, and ask of Him Who bringeth the winds out of His treasures? Let us imitate such an one in the frequency of our petitions and supplications for ourselves and others.

On the Affections of Prayer in general.

OBSERVE Well, that it is by the will only that our souls can deserve a good reward, that only if that be holy can we please God. Take notice therefore, that there is no merit, and little use in any sort of meditation and devout reflections, except acts and affections of the will be exercised at the same time. Certain it is, that an act of the will is of more account with God, than the knowledge of all the world. For what is a man profited, if he should know, yea, gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? This I say, that in all thy prayers thou shouldst attend prayer to be especially to the affections, and above all to love. But the especially at- way to attend to the affections in prayer, is by following the How to treat guidance of the Holy Spirit, as often as He breathes upon thy soul. But when He breathes not on thee, then must thou speak, of devout thought, and either use book, or else exercise thyself with the

Affections in

tended to.

them.

spread the sails, that I may so the sacred ejaculations of this more prolonged act of affection.

Observe therefore, that the chief ad

God's presence to be

such affec

in

vantage rests in the affection; for one act of charity or of contrition makes a man so far God's son and blessed. These therefore be familiar with, and yet neglect not the others. But of this beware, that Not to pass lightly from thou pass not from one affection into another, with the rest- one to anlessness of a magpie, but rather oughtest thou to drink deeply other. of some one, especially of charity, humbleness, long-suffering A sense of and the like. Among the affections may be reckoned also a sense of God's presence, which in every prayer of thine, but included especially in beginning thy prayers, thou oughtest to quicken tions. within thee; and therefore the more readily, because the soul The soul of of the righteous man is the temple of God, and the seat of the righteous Wisdom. With the Prophet therefore say; Yet Thou, O ple. Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by Thy Name; leave us not, O Lord our God: or with the Psalmist, If I do not Ejaculatory remember Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth: prayers for a or ponder that saying, Lo, I am with you alway even unto presence. the end of the world; or that other, For in Thee we live and move and have our being. But in like manner as other affections How to enmay be enlarged, so in this case: for example, first, by affir- large the afmation together with lively faith; secondly, by reprehension of self and contrition; thirdly, by questioning oneself on some point.

God's tem

sense of God's

fections.

Observe that from the love of God thou must descend to the love of thy neighbour, and that this also is to be frequently exercised. Yea, and to have enlarged in the soul the affections of the principal graces profiteth exceedingly, to this end, that if at any time occasion ariseth for them, they may with the more ease be exercised, and rooted in the soul. Now the principal graces are a sense of God's presence, humbleness, poverty, patience, purity of purpose, and contempt of worldly things, which, as well as patience, hath its perfection summed up in that saying, Bear and forbear; and it is the sentence of the Holy Ghost, Let patience have its perfect work, by which alone we can possess our souls. But since the principal graces may embrace almost all the rest, thou hast here given thee below a short exercise of each of them, that as often as in thy meditation some motive to one or other arises, it may be of service in rooting that particular grace more firmly in the soul.

Concerning the Affection of a lively Faith, and the Method of exercising it.

How important this is is evident, since it is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It includes, first, the

devout affection towards God, and eternal truth, wherewith a man assenteth with the heart to Him everywhere present, and cleaveth to, and adoreth Him.

Secondly, it includes that humbleness of mind, wherewith, all arguments opposed to it being rejected, we bring the understanding into captivity to the obedience of Christ and of God, not only in one point, but in all the things which are to be believed.

Thirdly, the constancy wherewith, let the world caress or persecute As did the us, we cleave with the whole heart unto the truth, to the Martyrs. things which, whether in the way of precept or of counsel, are set forth unto us by God most Good.

Fourthly, it is very useful to ponder well arguments drawn from probable evidence, since for this purpose reason is given, and the light of God's countenance is stamped upon us.

Fifthly, take notice that in all our prayers it is very profitable to quicken our Faith, and both to work and to frame holy desires in accordance with it.

monies wor

lieved.

A Short Exercise of Faith.

I believe Thee, O Truth, O Goodness, Who art here and everywhere most present unto me, and that both these things, and whatever else have been writtena, or done, or said by Thee, were for my learning; and I avouch them in Thy presence to be most certain, and that I am without excuse if I believe them not, and shew not my faith, through Thy grace, by my works. Thou art most Mighty, most Wise, most Good, and shall I not believe God's testi- Thee? or shall I not embrace these testimonies of Thy will? thy to be be- of a truth, very worthy are they to be believed and loved by me; whether I look and listen to wise men, or the nature of things. Oh that I had always hearkened unto Thee, Thou Sum of all good, and had never offended Thee! Would that I had honoured Thee by my course of life, and by my patience had shewn my faith. But henceforth I will eternally believe and love Thee in deed and in truth. Do with me ever what seemeth Thee good, Resignation. and I by Thy grace will do Thy will, so far as I know it, out of a most hearty love toward Thee; and whatsoever Thou hast revealed for my salvation, and all that Thou dost, will I gladly embrace, O my Life, and Sum of all good. Amen.

Contrition.

a Rom. xv. 4.

Concerning the affection of Admiration and the manner of

exercising it.

THIS is ordinarily awakened, first, by meditation on the Divine perfections, and the mysteries of our faith.

Secondly, by meditation on sin, and man's misery and vanity; for these two things, when thus considered in contrast to one another, are deep calling unto deep.

Thirdly, the book of creation affords ample matter for admiration.

Fourthly, the plentifulness of God's benefits towards us, and especially in the Passion of Christ the Lord; for if when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, there was no more spirit in here, what ought the soul to do, which seeth Life dying for its sake? And take notice, that it is most meet, that from one ground of Admiration offered to the soul, it enter in unto the mighty acts of the Lord, and go on to other things wherein He is to be admired.

A Short Exercise of Admiration.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, Who hath His dwelling so high, yet beholdeth the humble things that are in heaven and earth? O how great Thy majesty, O how great Thy goodness, how great Thy power! O how great Thy mercy unto me, who am truly a worm and no man, a vapour, and as nothing. Whatsoever I see or hear, speaketh to me of the splendour of Thy holiness, and declareth Thy wonderful things. Truly doth the Apostle cry out, that God is rich in mercy and of great love, Who when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us in Christ, that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. Truly, truly, is infinite bounty seen in them, and weight, and number, and measure, and Thy love towards men, O my Saviour; and my want is known unto Thee; my infirmities to the Physician of my soul. It is enough that Thou knowest them. For dost Thou love, and wilt Thou leave destitute? Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O my God, and Thy glory above all the earth. I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, because Thou art magnified terribly; marvellous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well; for I have considered these things and am astonished, 1 Kings x. 4, 5. d Psalm cxxxix. 13.

b Psalm xlii. 9.

above all have I considered Thy most surpassing charity, for which I love Thee above all things, and will love Thee eternally, since Thou wilt be unto me all in all. Amen.

Concerning the Affection of Sympathy, and the method of
exercising it.

THIS may and ought to be exercised most chiefly in meditating on the Lord's Passion, although in divers passages of the life of our Lord Christ, there is like room for its being called forth, and whenever we consider what wrongs He received at the hands of sinners. In order to this, consider first, Who it is That suffereth. Secondly, in what manner thou oughtest to feel these things in thyself, as united to Him, by patient love, by kindred, and other infinite titles. Thirdly, how by amendment of sins and frailties thou mayst prevent His suffering afresh, Him Who is our God, to Whom we owe this mighty debt. Fourthly, offer thyself in return to endure whatever shall seem fit to the Divine goodness, and give thanks; and This so great Benefactor (great, I say, for to suffer for any one is more than to do somewhat for him), embrace thou with a mighty love.

A Short Exercise of Sympathy with Christ's sufferings.

my

What do I see ? what do I hear ? The God and Author of Nature, King, and Lord, and Shepherd, suffereth for me! Do I contain myself and yet believe this? To see God suffering for me, the earth groans, heaven puts on mourning, the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly, and rocks are rent with sorrow, and the veil of the temple is torn asunder, and am I scarcely moved? Still do mine eyes not drop with tears, do I not make mourning over Thee, as a mother useth for an only son1? Be qstonished, O ye heavens, at this8. My King, and my God, and my Father, and my dearest Friend, the Bridegroom of my soul, undergoeth such unworthy, and such manifold sufferings, and do I not suffer in sympathy;-a son with a Father, a servant with my Lord, a soldier with my Immortal King;-Who for me is made mortal, that I may enjoy everlasting pleasures, Who suffereth that I may be freed from everlasting torments, and

● Isaiah xxxiii. 7.

f Jer. vi. 26.

g Jer. ii. 12.