Three tractates by Jos. Hall, D.D. and B.N.

SECT. III.

THere is commonly much mistaking of Devotion as if

it were nothing but an act of vo∣call prayer, expiring with that holy breath, and revived with the next task of our invocation; which is usually measured of ma∣ny, by frequence, length, smooth∣nesse of expression, lowdnesse, vehemence; Whereas, indeed, it is rather an habituall dispositi∣on of an holy soul, sweetly con∣versing with God, in all the forms of an heavenly (yet awful) familiarity; and a constant inter∣tainment of ourselves here be∣low with the God of spirits, in our sanctifyed thoughts, and af∣fections; One of the noble exer∣cises whereof, is our accesse to the throne of grace in our pray∣ers; whereto may be added, the ordering of our holy attendance upon the blessed word and sacra∣ments of the Almighty: Nothing hinders therefore, but that a stammering suppliant may reach to a more eminent devotion, then he that can deliver himselfe

in the most fluent and pathetical forms of Elocution; and that our silence may be more devout then our noise. We shall not need to send you to the Cels or cloysters for this skill; although it will hardly be beleeved, how far some of their contemplative men have gone in the Theory hereof; Per∣haps, like as Chymists give rules for the attaining of that Elixir, which they never found; for sure they must needs fail of that per∣fection they pretend, who erre commonly in the object of it, always in the ground of it, which is faith; stripped, by their opini∣on, of the comfortablest use of it, certainty of application.