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

SECT. VIII.

OCcasionall Ejaculations are such, as are moved upon the presence of some such ob∣ject as carries a kinde of relati∣on or analogy to that holy thought which we have enter∣tained. Of this nature I finde that, which was practised in

S. Basils time; that, upon the lighting of candles, the manner was to blesse God in these words, Praise be to God the Fa∣ther, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; which that Father says was anciently used; but who was the Authour of it he pro∣fesseth to be unknown: to the same purpose was the Lucerna∣rium, which was a part of the evening office of old; For which there may seem to be more colour of reason, then for the ordinary fashion of appre∣cation, upon occasion of our sneesing; which is expected, and practised by many, out of civi∣lity: Old and reverend Beza was wont to move his hat with the rest of the company, but to say withall, Gramercy Madame la Superstition; Now, howsoe∣ver in this, or any other pra∣ctice, which may seem to carry with it a smack of superstition, our devotion may be groundless

and unseasonable, yet nothing hinders but that we may take just and holy hints of raising up our hearts to our God. As when vve doe first look forth, and see the heavens over our heads, to think, the Heavens declare thy * 1.1 glory, O God. When we see the day breaking, or the Sun rising, The day is thine, and the night is * 1.2 thine, thou hast prepared the light and the Sun. When the light shines in our faces, Thou deckest * 1.3 thy self with light as with a gar∣ment; or, Light is sprung up for * 1.4 the righteous. When we see our Garden imbellisht with flowers, The earth is full of the goodnesse * 1.5 of the Lord. When we see a rough sea, The waves of the sea rage horribly, and are mighty; but * 1.6 the Lord that dwelleth on high, is mightier then they. When we see the darknesse of the night, The * 1.7 darknesse is no darknesse with thee. When we rise up from our bed, or our seat, Lord thou knowest

my down-sitting, and my uprising; * 1.8 thou understandest my thoughts afar off. When we wash our hands, Wash thou me, O Lord, and * 1.9 I shall be whiter then snow. When we are walking forth, Oh hold thou up my goings in thy paths, * 1.10 that my footsteps slip not. When we hear a passing bell: Oh teach * 1.11 me to number my days, that I may apply my heart to wisdome: or, Lord, let me know my end, and * 1.12 the number of my days.

Thus may we dart out our holy desires to God, upon all occasions; Wherein, heed must be taken that our Ejaculations be not, on the one side, so rare, that our hearts grow to be hard and strange to God, but that they may be held on in continu∣all acknowledgement of him, and acquaintance with him; and, on the other side, that they be not so over-frequent in their perpetuall reiteration, as that they grow to be (like that of

the Romish votaries) fashiona∣ble; which if great care be not taken, will fall out, to the utter frustrating of our Devotion. Shortly, let the measure of these devout glances be, the preserving our hearts in a constant ten∣dernesse, and godly disposition; which shall be further actuated upon all opportunities, by the exercises of our more enlarged, and fixed Devotion: Whereof there is the same variety that there is in Gods services, about which it is conversant.

There are three main busi∣nesses wherein God accounts his service, here below, to con∣sist; The first is, our addresse to the throne of Grace, and the pouring out of our souls before him in our prayers: The second is, the reading and hearing his most holy Word; The third is, the receit of his blessed Sacra∣ments; In all which there is place and use for a setled Devotion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ps. 19. 1.
• * 1.2

  74. 17.
• * 1.3

  97. 11.
• * 1.4

  36. 9.
• * 1.5

  39. 5.
• * 1.6

  93. 5.
• * 1.7

  139. 11.
• * 1.8

  Ps. 139. 2.
• * 1.9

  51. 7.
• * 1.10

  17. 5.
• * 1.11

  90. 12.
• * 1.12

  39. 5.