The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

Secondly, As Meditation, so the stirring up of thy graces is needful to further this duty. Meditation will do much towards it (as thou hast heard) I shall therefore speak the less to it. Every person that hath grace doth not always pour out his prayers rightly. Graces must be exercised in our duties. Grace may lie as fire under ashes upon the hearth of thy heart, and be so far from flaming, that it may not so much as glow, and how then canst thou expect any warmth from it, thy duty is therefore to stir up the coals, and endeavour that the fire may blaze out. It is the language of Canaan, communication seasoned with grace, which only is savoury to God. Cato being asked why he was so diligent to learn the Greek language in his old age, answered, I hear, the Gods speak Greek, and I would willingly speak to them in their own language, All the words of God are gracious, Its said of his Son, Grace is poured into thy lips Psa. 45.2. Those therefore that would not speak to God in an unknown language, a tongue with he understandeth not, must accent all their expressions to him with grace. It is the smell of the spice of grace in the Israelite, not of Garlic and Onions in the Egyptian, which is so pleasant and fragrant to God, ⟨p. 158⟩Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness like Pillars of smoke, perfumed with Myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the Merchant? Cant. 3.6. Some take the words to be the voice of the Angels, those friends of the Bride groom, admiring the Churches gracious expressions and continual ascensions of her soul, in her prayers to God, others take them to be the words of Christ, being ravished with the odoriferous smell of those graces which his Spouse acted in her Sacrifices he stood amazed at the beauty of her person, and the sweetness of her breath, the graciousness of her petitions: What lovely Lady, what woman is here? (so the Hebrew) What peerless Paragon is this, which sendeth up such Spiritual Sacrifices, such sweet Incense, kindled by the fire of Gods own Spirit; laid upon a meritorious Altar, ascending and fuming up like the rollings and agglomerations of smoke to the Lord himself, and more welcome and grateful then all the costly evaporations of myrrh and frankincense, and all powders of the Merchants. The Angel which ascended to heaven in the flame of the Altar, is said to do wondrously,