The Godly Man's Picture

11. A spiritual prayer is accompanied with the use of means; there must be [Greek or Hebrew] as well as [Greek or Hebrew]: When Hezekiah was sick, he did not only pray for recovery, but he laid a lump of figs to the boil, Isa. 38. 21. Thus it is in case of the soul, when we pray against sin, and avoid temptations; when we pray for Grace, and improve opportunities, this is the laying a fig to the boil, which will make us recover: To pray for holiness, and neglect the means, is like winding up the Clock, and pulling off the weights.

11. A spiritual prayer is accompanied with the use of means; there must be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 as well as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: When Hezekiah was sick, he did not only pray for recovery, but he laid a lump of figs to the boyl, Isa. 38. 21. Thus it is in case of the soul, when we pray against sin, and avoid temptations; when we pray for Grace, and improve opportunities, this is the laying a fig to the boil, which wil make us recover: To pray for holiness, and neglect the means, is like winding up the Clock, and pulling off the weights.

12. A spiritual prayer is that which leaves a spiritual frame behind upon the heart; a Christian is better after prayer, he hath gotten more strength over sin, as a man by exercise gets strength: The heart after prayer keeps a tincture of holiness, as the Vessel savours and relisheth of the Wine that is put into it. Moses having been with God on the Mount, his face shined; so having been on the Mount of prayer, our Graces shine, and our lives shine: This is the sign of a godly man, he prays in the spirit: This is the right kind of praying; the gift of prayer is ordinary, like Culinary fire; but spiritual prayer is more rare and excellent, like Elementary fire which comes from heaven.