VI.

CHrist I find before his pas∣sion, * repeateth the same prayer thrice,* Father if it be possible &c. which yet is so far from a Tautology, that there is in it the divinest Art of Rhe∣torick. For the reiteration is a great evidence of the strong intention and affection of the mind: as it was the overflowing of compassion, which doubled the Compellation in that, O Page  15 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets; and of love, in that, Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to sift thee: and the sweet Singer of Israel is no where more Patheticall, then where he twice doubles the Note, Sing praises to our God sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises; all crowded within the compasse of one verse: he found so much melody on that string, that he could not leave harping on it. Heaven cannot be proof against a Peti∣tion so often darted towards it, it pierceth the more forcibly where it is so by renewed ap∣plications driven home. In a strong Prayer a force is used up∣on Heaven, the violent take it by force, and when the strokes Page  16 come so thick, and are so ur∣ged by redoubling, there can be no resistance. But further I observe likewise that our Sa∣viour's latter prayer is some∣what longer then the rest (as the wave which comes last swells highest) his mind was inflamed to a greater fervency in the progresse; insomuch that at last his ardency brake out into a sweat, a sweat of bloud. But how often do I find that my vigor and fervency rather loose then gain ground of my deadnesse and coldnesse in the continuance; my hands fall and my desires sinke; the sailes flagge, which at first setting out (it may be) seemed to have a full gale. This yeildeth suspicion, that the work is not Page  17 so naturaliz'd to me as it should be: for •ll naturall mo∣tions increase their swiftnesse the more near they draw to their pe∣riod.