CHAP. XXVI. Of the excellency of a free mind, which hum∣ble Prayer sooner gaineth than Reading.

CHristian. Lord, it is the work of a perfect Man, never to slack his mind from the attentive thought of heavenly things, and as it were to pass without care amongst many cares; not like a dull sluggard; but by the priviledge of a free mind, adhering to no creature with inor∣dinate affection.

2. I beseech thee, my most gracious God, preserve me from the cares of this Life, lest I should be too much entangled thereby: And for the many necessities of Page  175 the body, lest I should be caught by plea∣sure: And from whatsoever is an ob∣stacle to the Soul, lest broken with trou∣bles I should be overthrown. I say not from those things that worldly vanity so greatly desireth: But from those miseries, that as punishments and as the common curse of mortality, do weigh down and hinder the Soul of thy Servant, that it can∣not enter into freedom of Spirit, as often as it would.

3. O my God, the ineffable sweetness, embitter unto me all carnal comfort, which may draw me away from the love of eter∣nal things, and may wickedly allure me to it self by the beholding of some present de∣lightsome good. Let me not be over∣come, O Lord, let me not be overcome by flesh and blood. Let not the World and the short glory thereof deceive me. Let not the Devil and his subtil fraud supplant me. Give me strength to re∣sist, patience to suffer, and constancy to persevere. Give me instead of all the com∣forts of the World, the most sweet un∣ction of thy Spirit, and in lieu of car∣nal Love, pour into my Soul the Love of thy name.

Page  1764. Behold, Meat, Drink, Cloaths, and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body, are burdensome unto a fervent Spirit. Grant me to use such refreshments moderately, and not to be intangled with an over great desire of them. It is not law∣ful to cast away all things, for that nature is to be sustained: But to desire superflui∣ties, and those things that are rather plea∣surable, thy holy Law forbiddeth: For otherwise the flesh would Rebel against the Spirit. Herein, I beseech thee, let thy hand govern me, and teach me, that I may not exceed.