venly joy in this duty, as I am not able to describe. For who can doubt, that He frequently illuminates their minds, and strengthens their thoughts, to understand and perceive His Divine perfections, more clearly and lively, than they could of themselves: and thereby raises up their love, and their hope, and their joy, to a greater height of satisfaction? Which He increases also by secret touches upon their hearts; exciting all these beyond the pitch to which our highest thoughts would advance. them.

But omitting this, I shall conclude this head with the words of St. Chrysostom which will serve also for an introduction to the next.

"Prayer is the employment of angels; and much exceeds even their dignity: as appears by this, that they approach with great reverence into the Divine presence; teaching us to address ourselves to God, with the like fear mixed with joy. With fear, lest we should prove unworthy of this favour; with joy, at the greatness of the honour that is done us mortals, in permitting us to converse continually with God. By

which we get out of this mortal and temporary state, and pass over to immortal life for he that converses with God, must necessarily get the better of death and corruption. Just as those things that were always enlightened with the rays of the sun, cannot remain in darkness; so it is impossible that they who enjoy familiarity with God, should continue mortal. For if they who are taken into the society of a king, and advanced to honour by him, cannot be poor; how much more impossible is it that they who by Prayer have familiarity with God, should have mortal souls ? Ungodliness and an irregular life is the death of the soul; therefore the worship of God, and a conversation suitable to it, is its life. Now Prayer leads us to a holy life, becoming the worship of God: it marvellously stores our souls with the most precious treasures. Whether a man be a lover of virginity, or study purity in a married estate, whether he would suppress anger, or purge himself from envy, or do any other good thing; Prayer is his conductor, and smoothing the way for him, makes the course

nay,

96 PLEASURE OF PERFORMING THIS DUTY.

of virtue ready and easy. For it cannot be that they who ask of God Temperance, Righteousness, Meekness and Goodness, should not obtain their petition."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GREAT BENEFITS WE RECEIVE BY SERIOUS PRAYER TO GOD.

HAT force there is in Prayer, both to

WHAT

make us and preserve us such as we ought to desire to be, may be understood in great part, by what hath been already discoursed on the two foregoing heads. Wherein I have represented, how it raises, spiritualizes, widens, and greatens our minds; filling us with high thoughts; possessing us with heavenly affections; satisfying us in the love of God; putting us into the Divine protection; securing us against all events; and drawing down upon us the Divine blessing. In short, it is a vast improvement of our minds, by lifting them up above themselves, as well as above this world: and that not only for the present, but tying us fast to God by a constant sense of Him, which

it is apt to leave upon our minds, it puts us into a pious temper, and constantly disposes us both to do aright, and to judge aright also.

will put a stop to us Nay, so great a power we perceive the good

For if we would know whether a thing be good for us to have, we need but consider whether we dare pray for it or no : and whether a thing be lawful to be done we understand, by considering whether we dare recommend it to the Divine blessing, and beg His presence and concurrence with us in it. This is commonly a good direction; and in all bad proceedings. there is in Prayer, that it doth us, even before we receive that which we come to ask. "For no sooner doth a man lift up his hands to heaven," as St. Chrysostom's words are, "and call upon God, but he is snatched from this world, and translated into the other, if he pray with care and diligence; so that if anger boil in him, it is presently quieted; if lust burnt, it is quenched; if envy gnawed, it is easily expelled. For as the Psalmist observes that when the sun arises, all the beasts of the forests lay them down