Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

(2.) Nearer we cannot come to God while we dwell in Flesh, then by lifting up the heart to him in fervent prayer, this is the intimate converse and familiarity of a loving soul with God; therefore it is called a lifting up the heart to God, he will not come down to us, therefore we lift up the heart to him, Lament. 3. 41. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the Heavens, so Psal. 25. 1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul, and Psalm 86. 4. Rejoice the soul of thy servant, for unto thee do I lift up my soul, so Psalm 143. 8. cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee. All these places show that there can be no sincerity and seriousness in this Duty, unless there be this Ascension of the soul ⟨p. 35⟩to God, it is an act of spiritual Friendship, therefore called an acquainting our selves with God, Job 22. 21. now as acquaintance is kept up by frequent visits, so prayer is called a giving God a visit, Isa. 26. 16. In their trouble they have visited thee. Well then here is the greatest intimacy we have with God. In the word God speaks to us by a proxy and Ambassador, another speaketh for him: in the Lords Supper we are feasted at his cost and remember him, but we are not admitted into his immediate presence, as those that are feasted by the King in another room then he dineth in, but prayer goeth up to God and speaketh to himself immediately, and therefore this way of commerce must needs bring in much of God to the soul.

(2.) Nearer we cannot come to God while we dwell in Flesh, then by lifting up the heart to him in fervent prayer, this is the intimate converse and familiarity of a loving soul with God; therefore it is called a lifting up the heart to God, he will not come down to us, therefore we lift up the heart to him,