Gal. z zo. Eph. 6. 18, ,glory, e?Jerlaftingnef{e, a~d Jm~l~~-;,"lbi-;;;;ellc~Jcies oftha.t immortn! Cronw, wbitb c~:r dear Redeemer holds f vr him in his !utud.~ re.:dy _ro Jet t:pon hu head, tvhen he jluz/L b~ dijfoh·ed from tbis vale of tean ; Me thu;/z: z.t lVtre abLe fo to dulL the edge) ,and dijfv~ve the droJ]ineJlecf all earthly defrn, that they ]heHid never be able to heat or harden hts heart all] more. . . 3 . Concerning Religious achons, as. M tduating, H earing, RutdirJg, Faj/ing, Pray– ing, ,A/mf-giving, 6 L obfcrve thefe Dtrccbons : j 1. In general. · . .. ( 2. In lpecial. L In geucral, obferve? .That we draw and derive from Chrifl: by the attradive force of faith, Spectal ab•ht1es. 1. To perform all Dut1es. 2. To exemfe all guces. 3 • To refifl and overcome all Temptations and Corruptions which fhall befal us: To this purpofc arc thofe Pronufcs of Grace and Strength, lfa. 4 + 3. Ez..tk., 36. z 7 • Zcch. 10. I2. John I. I6. And thefe are Securities given us from God, that we fhall receive grace through Duties, which are the Conduitpipcs or inllruments of conveying the fame into the foul from Chrill:. this is tO do all in the ftJength ofChriJf, and to rake forth a great deal ofChrifl into the fouk, fo that not I, but Chnj/ ma]'live in me. 2 . In fpecial, obferve thefe DireClions: 1. T)lat before the doing of Duties, we remove all lets and impediments which may hinder, and improve all occafions which may forward us thereunto. 2. That in doing of them, we behave our felves well and wifely, performing them rightly and religioufly. 3. After all is done, that we be careful all be not loll: through our own vilenelfe, and vicioufnelfe, privy pride, or fecret hypocrifie. For in(bnce, Would we watch unto Prayer, as the Apofllc injoyns us? I. Then, before we fall on our knees, let us fhake off thrca impoyfoning and heavy hindrances, which othcrwife will clog and clip the wings of our prayers, that they will never be able to afcend up into heaven ; as, Anger, and Dtj/rttjl : and let us polfdfe our felves of three excellent helps and cnflaming furthcrances ; the firft is, a right apprehenfion of God's Dreadfulnefs, Purity,Power, &c. The ftcond is, a true fence of our own Vilenefs, Abominablcnefs, Nothingn$!fs, &c. T)le third is, an hearty furvey of the Infinitcnefs, and uncxprefliillnefs of Gods Bounty, Bleffings, andcompaffionate forbearance towards us. 2. After we are down on our knees, firll: repel with an undaunted Spirit Satans Blafphemous injedions: Secondly, watch over the world with care and timely oppofition, that (if it be poffible) not an earthly thought may creep into our heart all the while: Thirdly, ll:rive to hold our hearts in heat, as well in Confeffion as De– precation, in Deprecation as Petition; as well for purity of heart, as for pardon offinne throughout: Prayer is the creature ofthe holy Gholl:, every part whereofwe fhould heartily wifh, and earncftly wreflle for, That he would proportionably animate and enliven, even as the foul cloth the body. · 3 . After we have rifen offour knees, Firfl; T,akc heed of refling in the Duty, take heed of privy pride, and fecrct hypocrifie, take heed ofreturning with the dog to his vomit:Secondly,purfue and prelfe after the_things prayed for, by a timely apprehenfion, fruitful exercife, and utmoll: improvement of all occafions, and heavenly offers, which may any ways concur to the compaffing of them: but of this I fhall fpeak more largely, when l come to the Dmy ofPrayer. Thus muchof WatthfHineffe, CHAP.
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