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

SECT. VII.

NOw as these many monitors both outward and inward, must elevate our hearts very frequently, to God; so those raised hearts must not entertain him with a dumb contemplation, but must speak to him in the language of spirits: All occasi∣ons therefore must be taken of sending forth pious and heaven∣ly

ejaculations to God; The devout soul may doe this more then an hundred times a day, without any hinderance to his speciall vocation: The Hus∣wife at her Wheel, the Weaver at his Loom, the Husbandman at his Plough, the Artificer in his Shop, the Traveller in his way, the Merchant in his Warehouse may thus enjoy God in his bu∣fiest imployment; For, the soul of man is a nimble spirit; and the language of thoughts needs not take up time; and though we now, for examples sake, cloath them in words, yet in our practice we need not. Now these Ejaculations may be either at large, or Occasionall: At large, such as those of old Jacob, O Lord I have waited for thy salvation; or that of David, O save me for thy mercies sake: And these, either in matter of Humiliation, or of Imploration, or of Thanks∣giving. In all which, we cannot

follow a better pattern then the sweet singer of Israel, whose heavenly conceptions we may either borrow, or imitate.

In way of Humiliation, such as these. Heal my soul, O Lord, for I have sinned against thee. Oh remē∣ber * 1.1 not my old sins, but have mercy upon me. If thou wilt be extream to * 1.2 mark what is done amisse, O Lord who may abide it? Lord thou knowest the thoughts of man that * 1.3 they are but vain; O God, why * 1.4 abhorrest thou my soul, and hidest thy face from me?

In way of Imploration. Vp * 1.5 Lord, and help me O God; Oh let my heart be sound in thy sta∣tutes, * 1.6 that I be not ashamed. Lord, * 1.7 where are thy old loving mercies? Oh deliver me, for I am helplesse, and my heart is wounded within me. Comfort the soul of thy ser∣vant, * 1.8 for unto thee, O Lord, due I lift up my soul. Goe not far from * 1.9 me O God. O knit my heart unto thee that I may fear thy Name.

Thou art my helper and redeemer, * 1.10 O Lord make no long tarrying. Oh be thou my help in trouble, for * 1.11 vain is the help of man. Oh guide * 1.12 me with thy counsell, and after that receive me to thy glory. My * 1.13 time is in thy hand, deliver me from the hands of mine enemies. Oh withdraw not thy mercy from * 1.14 me, O Lord. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousnesse because of * 1.15 mine enemies. O let my soul live, * 1.16 and it shall praise thee.

In way of Thankesgiving: Oh * 1.17 God, wonderfull art thou in thine holy places. Oh Lord, how glorious * 1.18 are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Oh God, who is like * 1.19 unto thee! The Lord liveth, and * 1.20 blessed be my strong helper. Lord, thy loving kindnesse is better then life it self. All thy works praise * 1.21 thee, O Lord, and thy Saints give thanks unto thee. Oh how mani∣fold * 1.22 are thy works! in wisedome hast thou made them all. Who is * 1.23 God but the Lord, and who hath

any strength except our God? We * 1.24 will rejoyce in thy salvation, and triumph in thy Name, O Lord. Oh that men would praise the * 1.25 Lord for his goodnesse. Oh how plentifull is thy goodnesse, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee! Thou Lord hast never * 1.26 failed them that seek thee. In thy presence is the fulnesse of joy, and * 1.27 at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore. Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him? Not * 1.28 unto us Lord, not unto us, but unto * 1.29 thy Name give the praise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ps. 41. 4.
• * 1.2

  79. 8.
• * 1.3

  130. 3.
• * 1.4

  94. 11.
• * 1.5

  3. 7.
• * 1.6

  89. 48.
• * 1.7

  109. 21.
• * 1.8

  86. 4.
• * 1.9

  71. 10. 86. 11.
• * 1.10

  Ps. 70. 6.
• * 1.11

  60. 11.
• * 1.12

  71. 23.
• * 1.13

  31. 17.
• * 1.14

  40. 14.
• * 1.15

  5. 8.
• * 1.16

  119. penul.
• * 1.17

  68. 35.
• * 1.18

  92. 5.
• * 1.19

  71. 17.
• * 1.20

  18. 47. 63. 4.
• * 1.21

  145. 10.
• * 1.22

  104. 25.
• * 1.23

  18. 31.
• * 1.24

  Ps. 20. 5.
• * 1.25

  107. 8: 31. 21.
• * 1.26

  9. 10.
• * 1.27

  16. 12.
• * 1.28

  8. 4.
• * 1.29

  115. 1.