Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Is a sudden short breathing of the soul towards Heaven upon instant and surprising emergencies. In holy persons it's quick and lively, rising from a vehement ardour of spirit. swifter than the flight of eagles and keeps pace with a flash of lightning. It flies upon the wings of a holy thought into the third Heavens in the twinkling of an eye, and fetches auxiliary forces in times of straits.
Is a sudden short breathing of the soul towards Heaven upon instant and surprizing emergencies. In holy persons it's quick and lively, rising from a vehement ardour of spirit. swifter than the flight of eagles and keeps pace with a flash of lightning. It flies upon the wings of a holy thought into the third Heavens in the twinkling of an eye, and fetches auxiliary forces in times of straits.
There are many presidents recorded in sacred page upon great and notable occasions, with strange success. When good magistrates are busy in the work of reformation, 1let them imitate Nehemiah when redressing the profanation of the Sabbath, Remember me O my God concerning this, &c. When Generals and Captains go forth to war,2 observe Israel's apprecation to God, rather than acclamations to men, The Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses. In time of battles or pursuit of the enemy, valiant Joshua darts up such a prayer as this, O that the Lord would lengthen this triumphant day, and the
may be strong to labour; no breaking in or going out, nor no complaining in our streets. It sanctifies the plough as Jerome said of the fields of Bethlehem [quocunque te verteris,
arator stivam teneus, Alleluia decantat, &c. The tillers of the field and the dressers of vineyards, sang David's psalms, it keeps the shop and inclines the hearts of customers, it bars the doors, it quenches fire, it blesseth thy children
storm rises at sea it gives strength to Anchors in roads and prosperous gales to the venturous Merchant. When in the palace at dinner Nehemiah presents the cup to his prince, he presents also a Michtam a golden
prayer to the King of Heaven, at the reading of the law Josiah was heard as to some secret cries to Heaven. At a holy conference in a journey the Disciples occasionally pray, Lord increase our faith. Jacob on his dying pillow predicting future events to his children, falls into a holy rapture, I have wait ed for thy salvation O Lord.
There are many presidents recorded in sacred page upon great and notable occasions, with strange success. When good magistrates are busie in the work of reformation, 1let them imitate Nehemiah when redressing the profanation of the Sabbath, Remember me O my God concerning this, &c. When Generals and Captains go forth to war,2 observe Israel's apprecation to God, rather than acclamations to men, The Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses. In time of battels or pursuit of the enemy, valiant Joshuah darts up such a prayer as this, O that the Lord would lengthen this triumphant day, and the(c) Lord heard his voice. The tribes beyond Jordan in a(d) battel with the Hagarites, Jehoshaphat in a sore strait(e) at Ramoth Gilead, Sampson ready to perish at Lehi (f)with thirst, and when blind, exposed to contempt in the Temple of Dagon. David near(g) stoning at Ziglag, and when flying from Absalom in the ascent of(h) Mount Olivet. Elisha at Dothan compast with a Syrian host(i) Lord open the young man's eyes. In the midst of lawful and laborious callings, Boaz to the reapers,(k) the Lord be with ⟨p. 291⟩you, we may pray that our Oxen(l) may be strong to labour; no breaking in or going out, nor no complaining in our streets. It sanctifies the plow as Jerom said of the fields of Bethlehem [quocunque te verteris, 12arator stivam teneus, Alleluja decantat, &c. The tillers of the field and the dressers of vineyards, sang David's psalms, it keeps the shop and inclines the hearts of customers, it bars the doors, it quenches fire, it blesseth thy children(m) within thee, it preserves thy going out and coming in(n). Jacob found it to rest upon his children going a journey(a) to Egypt, it closes the eyes with(b) sweet sleep, it(c) given Songs in the night and wakens the soul in the arms of mercy. It sits at the helm when a(d) storm rises at sea it gives strength to Anchors in roads and prosperous gales to the venturous Merchant. When in the palace at dinner Nehemiah presents the cup to his prince, he presents also a Michtam a golden(e) prayer to the King of Heaven, at the reading of the law Josiah was heard as to some secret cries to Heaven. At a holy conference in a journey the Disciples occasionally pray, Lord increase our faith. Jacob on his dying pillow predicting future events to his children, falls into a holy rapture, I have wait ed for thy salvation O Lord.
At sacred death in martyrdom Zechariah cries out, the Lord look upon it and require it, and Stephen under a shower of stones, melts in prayers for the stony hearts that slung them, Lord lay not this sin unto their charge: and our blessed Saviour in his greatest agonies makes a tender hearted prayer. Father forgive them, they know not what they do,1 and lastly in the distresses of others, Eli puts a sudden petition for Hannah, the God of Israel grant thee thy petition.
At sacred death in martyrdom Zechariah cries out, the Lord look upon it and require it, and Stephen under a showr of stones, melts in prayers for the stony hearts that slung them, Lord lay not this sin unto their chage: and our blessed Saviour in his greatest agonies makes a tender hearted prayer. Father forgive them, they know not what they do,1 and lastly in the distresses of others, Eli puts a sudden petition for Hannah, the God of Israel grant thee thy petition.
In these and many like cases, the holy word stores us with patterns for ejaculation in all extremities, which I cannot now digest and improve, only in a few words lets take a view of the usefulness of such a sudden flight of the soul to Heaven.
5. Its a Saints buckler against sudden accidents, a present antidote against frights and evil tidings. Its good at all occasions and consecrates to us not only our meals, but every gasp of air, &c.
6. Its a sweet companion, that the severest enemies can't abridge us of. Outward ordinances and closet duties they may cut off: the little(a) nail in the holy place they may pluck out. But no labyrinth, no prison, not the worst of company can hinder this, coelo restat iter: in the very face of adversaries we may lift our souls to God. No more of this, lets briefly conclude with some uses.
Use. 1To convince such of their dangerous state that neglect sacred duties: that have no heart-communion, that draw no water out of this sealed fountain. But all they do, is in public only: it's a suspicious token of hypocrisy, ⟨p. 292⟩since the kernel and soul of religion lies so much in the heart and closet; mark the phrase in the text, how it varies: thy Father that is in secret, be sees in secret. God's eye is open upon thee in the closet, and if thy eye be open upon his, thou mayst see a glorious beauty. The excellency of grace lies in making conscience of secret sins and secret duties.
Ʋse. 1To convince such of their dangerous state that neglect sacred duties: that have no heart-communion, that draw no water out of this sealed fountain. But all they do, is in publick only: it's a suspicious token of hypocrisie, ⟨p. 292⟩since the kernel and soul of religion lies so much in the heart and closet; mark the phrase in the text, how it varies: thy Father that is in secret, be sees in secret. God's eye is open upon thee in the closet, and if thy eye be open upon his, thou mayst see a glorious beauty. The excellency of grace lies in making conscience of secret sins and secret duties.
2. To examine such as perform secret duty, but not from a sincere principle; like Amaziah, 1that prays, but not with a perfect heart; like Ahab, they mourn, but with Crocodile tears: such as do it only because they find precept or example for it and therefore to quiet conscience will into secret; but converse only in the shell and trunk of a duty: that rest in the naked performance, but matter not whether they taste of the sweet streams that flow in from heaven in the golden pipe of an ordinance; what account can such render that go into their closets but like Domitian to catch flies only,2 and when the doors are shut to the world, their hearts are shut to heaven and communion with God? He that sees in secret beholds the evil frame of such a heart, and will one day openly punish it.
2. To examine such as perform secret duty, but not from a sincere principle; like Amaziah, 1that prays, but not with a perfect heart; like Ahab, they mourn, but with Crocodile tears: such as do it only because they find precept or example for it and therefore to quiet conscience will into secret; but converse only in the shell and trunk of a duty: that rest in the naked performance, but matter not whether they tast of the sweet streams that flow in from heaven in the golden pipe of an ordinance; what account can such render that go into their closets but like Domitian to catch flies only,2 and when the doors are shut to the world, their hearts are shut to heaven and communion with God? He that sees in secret beholds the evil frame of such a heart, and will one day openly punish it.
