The last Rule for Contentment is, Be much in Prayer. Beg of God that he will work our hearts to this blessed frame; Is any man afflicted, let him pray:*. So, is any man discontented, ⟨p. 275⟩let him pray. Prayer gives vent. The opening of a vein, lets out the bad blood: When the heart is filled with sorrow and disquiet prayer lets out the bad blood. The key of prayer oiled with tears*, unlocks the heart of all its discontents. Prayer is an holy spell or charm to drive away trouble; Prayer is the unbosoming of the soul, the unloading of all our cares in Gods breast, and this ushers in sweet contentment. When there is any burden upon our spirits by opening our mind to a friend, we find our hearts finely eased and quieted. It is not our strong resolutions, but our strong requests to God which must give the heart case in trouble; by Prayer the strength of Christ is brought into the soul; and where that is, a man is able to go through any condition. Paul could be in every state content; but that you may not think he was to do this of himself, he tells you, that though ⟨p. 276⟩he could want and abound, and [Greek or Hebrew], do all things*; yet it was through Christ strengthening, him Phil. 4. 13. 'Tis the child that writes, but it is the Scrivener guides his hand. St. Paul arrived at the hardest duty in Religion, viz. Contentment; but the Spirit was his Pilot, and Christ his strength, and this strength was ushered in by holy prayer. Prayer is a powerful Orator, Constantine the Emperor, as he did write Christs Name upon his door, so he did invoke his Name in his closet*. Prayer is an exor••• with God, and an exorcist against sin. The best way is to pray down discontent▪ What Luther faith of Concupiscence I may say of Discontent; Prayer is a sacred Leech* to suck out the venom and swelling of this passion. Prayer composeth the heart, and ⟨p. 277⟩brings it into tune. Hath God deprived you of many comforts? bless God that he left you the Spirit of Prayer.
The last Rule for Contentment is, Be much in Prayer. Beg of God that he wil work our hearts to this blessed frame; Is any man afflicted, let him pray:*. So, is any man discontented, ⟨p. 275⟩let him pray. Prayer gives vent. The opening of a vein, lets out the bad blood: When the heart is filled with sorrow and disquiet prayer lets out the bad blood. The key of prayer oiled with teares*, unlocks the heart of all its discontents. Prayer is an holy spell or charme to drive away trouble; Prayer is the unbosoming of the soule, the unloading of all our cares in Gods brest, and this ushers in sweet contentment. When there is any burden upon our spirits by opening our minde to a friend, we finde our hearts finely eased and quieted. It is not our strong resolutions, but our strong requests to God which must give the heart case in trouble; by Prayer the strength of Christ is brought into the soule; and where that is, a man is able to go through any condition. Paul could be in every state content; but that you may not think hee was to do this of himself, he tells you, that though ⟨p. 276⟩he could want and abound, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, doe all things*; yet it was through Christ strengthening, him Phil. 4. 13. 'Tis the childe that writes, but it is the Scrivener guides his hand. St. Paul arrived at the hardest duty in Religion, viz. Contentment; but the Spirit was his Pilot, and Christ his strength, and this strength was ushered in by holy prayer. Prayer is a powerfull Oratour, Constantine the Emperour, as he did write Christs Name upon his door, so he did invoke his Name in his closet*. Prayer is an exor••• with God, and an exoroist against sin. The best way is to pray down discontent▪ What Luther faith of Concupiscence I may say of Discontent; Prayer is a sacred Leech* to suck out the venome and swelling of this passion. Prayer composeth the heart, and
- *Jam. 5. 13.
- *[…] lachrymis egeritúrque dolour.〈…〉 lachrymis egeritúrque dolor.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost.
- *Eusebius.
- *Oratio est hirudo animae.
