Jacobs ladder, or, The devout souls ascention to Heaven, in prayers, thanksgivings, and praises in four parts ... : with graces and thanksgivings : illustrated with sculptures / by Jo. Hall.

What Devotion is.

DEvotion is the hearts warmth, or rather the life-blood of Reli∣gion: It is a sacred bond knitting the Soul unto God: It is a Spiritual Muscle moving only upward, and lifting the heart, eyes, and hands continually to Heaven.

Whosoever desires to make a Di∣vine Prayer, must by Premeditation frame in his mind,

First the Form which must be,

1. Short, or conceived in as few words as may be.

2. Conformable in all things to the Pattern, the Lords prayer.

Secondly, The Matter, which con∣sists of three parts.

1. Humble Confession.

2. Confident Invocation, Petition or Supplication.

3. Hearty Thanksgiving.

1. In humble Confession set before thee.

1. God, his terrible name, glori∣ous

Majesty, All-seeing-Eye, Infinite Purity, strict Justice, Fierce wrath a∣gainst Sin.

2. Man his vileness, wretchedness, sinfulness, wants and inability.

2. In the second part, Invocation, and Petition, fix thy thoughts.

1. On God, his love to man, his mercy and long suffering, his graci∣ous promises, and his omnipotent goodness.

2. On Christ his perfect obedience, his plenary satisfaction, his perpetu∣al Intercession.

In the third, which is hearty Thanksgiving, recount Gods benefits.

1. Spiritual, as Election, Creation, Redemption, Vocation, Justificati∣on, Sanctification, and hope of Glo∣rification.

2. Temporal, as Health, Strength, Wealth, Liberty, good Name, Friends, and Safety.

Some Texts of Scripture, which may be orderly applyed to every one of the forego∣ing particulars.

When you pray, use not vain Repe∣titions, as the Heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking, Matt. 6. 7.

After this manner pray ye, Mat. 6. 9.

I said I will confess my Transgres∣sions to the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psal. 32. 5.

Let them praise thy great and ter∣rible Name, for it is holy, Psal. 99. 3.

Who is the King of glory, even the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of glo∣ry, Psal. 24. 10.

Mine eyes are upon all their ways, they are not hid from my face, nei∣ther is their Iniquity hid from my eyes, Jer. 16. 17.

And one cryed to another and said, Holy, Holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts, Isai. 6. 3.

Who will render to every man ac∣cording to his works, Rom. 2. 6.

Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry? Psal. 76. 7.

Surely every man is altogether va∣nity, Psal. 39. 11.

O wretched ma•• that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death, Rom. 7. 24.

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our Righteousness is as filthy rags, Isai. 64. 6.

Without me ye can do nothing, John 15. 5.

All things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall re∣ceive, Mat. 21. 22.

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but should have everlast∣ing life, John 3. 16.

The Lord is merciful, and Graci∣ous, slow to anger, and plentiful in mercy, Psal. 103. 8, 11.

Come unto me all ye that are wea∣ry and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Mat. 11. 28.

Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like Crimson, they shall be as wool, Isai. 1. 18.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, Psal. 126. 5.

To him that is able to do exceed∣ing abundantly, above that we ask or think, be glory, &c. Eph. 3. 20.

Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, by thy blood, Rev. 5. 9.

Christ is entred into Heaven, now to appear in the presence of God for us, Heb. 9. 24.

Giving thanks always, for all things to God, and the Father, Eph. 5. 20.

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits, Psal. 116. 12.

God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to Salvation through san∣ctification of the spirit, &c. 2 Thes. 2. 13.

Thy hands have made me, and fa∣shioned me, Psal. 119. 73.

Blessed be the Lord, for he hath visited and redeemed his people Luke 1. 68.

I am not come to call the Righte∣ous, but sinners to repentance, Mat. 9. 13.

Being justified by his grace, we shall be made Heirs, according to the hope of eternal life, Tit. 3. 7.

Such were some of you, but ye are washed, ye are sanctified, 1 Cor. 6. 11.

Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel, and afterward receive me to Glory, Psal. 73. 24.

Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his benefits, Psal. 103. 2.

The Lord killeth and maketh a∣live, he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up, 1 Sam. 2. 6.

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect, Psal. 18. 32.

Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, Job ult.

Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in thrall, Psal. 4. 1.

And these all having obtained good report, through Faith, receive not the promise, Heb. 11. 39.

Ointment and Perfume rejoyce thy heart, so doth the sweetness of a mans friend by hearty Counsel.

Thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety, Psal. 4. 8.

The Lord shall preserve thee from evil, he shall preserve thy Soul, Psal. 121. 7.