20 I R 2. The Rel/Jltton betwzxt God and aSaint. ~I. The conve~iency ~fprivPlcy for PrdJet~ 4· ea. 3•. Gods Omnifciente, feeing in {ecret. , -4· (/od.s Munificence, rewarding. · t. The._~reat conveniency there is inprivacyfor Prayer and the good providence of God, beltowing upon priva're Rooms \Vhich implicitly call usto the perfor ance of that duty. For there is in retirement a great vantage for the managing of any work of wifdom Prov. ~ 8. 1. 1hrottghde{ire a man having fe_parated hi Jelf, [etk!th and intermeddleth with all rvifdom, i.e. that is really ftudious of true Piety, will voluntarily quefter hhnfelf to pro(ecure it:. This was anciently well~ meaning defign of a. Monaftick life, which fin hathbeen wofully abufed; But yet c~rtainl y there is verygreat advantage in folirarinefs for Garryingon a ligious bufine!s: Take. only two at prefent.,' which advantages particularly referring to this duty of Pra er whereunto fec'recy contributes. I I. Se!f-e.rpoftult~tions, and folf abafi~tt ge/lur.es exprc!Jions: when a Chri fi: ian in Prayer finds his h hard, dead; dull, difl:racted, or any w~yout of orde~, he may in fecret make a pauie, ~ and begin to cornmu •with his ownheart,.· examine the matter, lament t caufe, chide his untoward hea~t, and charge his wanto fpirit to keep dofe to hi~ Ood in duty: Thu~ ~Dav · Why Art thou caft dorpn, 0 mySoul?. Awake·P{~tltery Harp., I my_ fe!fi will awak.§early : My foul. wait thou on God. Nothiog'morefamiUar in the Pfalmsthan [1 intercifions and diverfions from the work in hand, raife up ·the heart to an higher tune in Prayer a Pra~fes. · And this maybe offingula~ ufe ; for by fu heart- reafonings and debates a Saint may wind up fpirit, and get better prepared for the remaining
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