A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Direction 7.

¹7. Direct. Be laborious and importunate in your prayers. If your thoughts do wander call them in, if your thoughts be dull stir them up. An Heathen advised to do as becomes a man, like a Roman; and should not you pray as becomes Christians to do? but that is not in a dull and sluggish manner. Labour at your prayers together, as you use to do at your worldly work together, and more too; for in this you are concerned more. Strive and wrestle with joint fervency and faith, as becomes a society to do that are all a praying for their lives, for their souls, for the pardon of their sin, for the favour and the love of God, as becometh those that are praying against everlasting flames and for eternal happiness. Pray together as persons desirous that you may live in Heaven all together, and praise God in Heaven for his love and mercy to you all together. But pray not coldly and lukewarmly together, lest you be damned and hereafter lye in scorching flames all together. You must be instant in this work: You will meet with opposition from the Devil, and the world, and your own hearts: You must then strive, and tug, and labour hard, or else your prayer will be spoiled, Col. 4.2. the word there is very significant: Be present at your work in heart as well as body, attend your work and stand to it, continue in prayer, not only with continuance of time, but of earnest importunity, till you prevail with God, and get the victory over sin and Satan.

¹7. Direct. Be laborious and importunate in your prayers. If your thoughts do wander call them in, if your thoughts be dull stir them up. An Heathen advised to do as becomes a man, like a Roman; and should not you pray as becomes Christians to do? but that is not in a dull and sluggish manner. Labour at your prayers together, as you use to do at your worldly work together, and more too; for in this you are concerned more. Strive and wrestle with joynt fervency and faith, as becomes a society to do that are all a praying for their lives, for their souls, for the pardon of their sin, for the favour and the love of God, as becometh those that are praying against everlasting flames and for eternal happiness. Pray together as persons desirous that you may live in Heaven all together, and praise God in Heaven for his love and mercy to you all together. But pray not coldly and lukewarmly together, lest you be damned and hereafter lye in scorching flames all together. You must be instant in this work: You will meet with opposition from the Devil, and the world, and your own hearts: You must then strive, and tug, and labour hard, or else your prayer will be spoiled,