Holy rules and helps to devotion both in prayer and practice In two parts. The fourth edition. Written by the right reverend father in God, Bryan Duppa, late Lord Bishop of Winton, in the time of his sequestration.

THere is no clearer glass to see the ex∣cellencies of Pray∣er in, than that very Prayer which our Savi∣our thought fit to teach his Disciples. Where the first entrance presents you with that unvaluable Priviledge, to call God your Father; that therefore you come not to treat with him as a Slave with his Master, or a Vassal with his Prince, but as a

Son with your Father: God infusing into you by Prayer that Spirit of Adoption by which you cry to him, Abba Father. This being (saith St. Chrysostome) the highest excellency of the Creature to treat familiarly as a Son with his Creator. A Dig∣nity that raiseth us poor Worms of the Earth to a kind of equality with the Angels themselves; for though in Nature they are above us, yet this duty makes us equal: For Quid potest inveniri sanctius iis qui cum Deo commercium habent? Saith the same Father; What can be more holy than he who is admitted to treat fa∣miliarly with God? Moses

by talking with God, had such a brightness shed upon his face, that they who look∣ed upon him were dazled with it: For if they who have the ear of Princes, as Favourites, having freedom of access, and opportunity at all times of presenting their Petitions, cannot want the splendor of Worldly things, which consequently will follow them; much less can the beams of an higher glory be wanting unto them, who live as if they were al∣ways in the presence of God, talking with God by Prayer, and God with them by holy Inspirations. What can they want who are admitted to this Privacy? And it is your

fault if you are not. For there are neither doors nor locks, nor any greater Fa∣vourite to keep you out. He that gives you leave to call him Father, cannot exclude his Son, that cries, Father, I have sinned.