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And when you find your Heart duly furnished with Faith toward God, and (the proper effect thereof) Charitie toward man, you must once more go down into your Soul, to see if it have that holy and heavenly temper called Devotion; which is a Grace so sutable to the recei∣ving
of the Sacrament, that it seems to make up the whole Office. And if Devotion be not so warm and vigorous in your Soul as it ought, and you would have it to be, you must enquire into the Impediments thereof, in order to their speedy remo∣val. Now amongst the fatal hindrances of Devotion, the Cares of the World are with too great Justice chiefly to be rec∣kon'd: for they naturally fasten your Thoughts to the Earth, and set your Affections on things below; and are as so many depressing weights upon the Soul, which unluckily keep her from those Transports of Devo∣tion, by which she would soar to Heaven. And therefore upon your coming to the Sacrament, you had need to allow your self some time wherein to withdraw from worldly Business, and to cast off earthly Thoughts, and
by holy Meditation to lift up your heart unto the Lord, and to give your self unto Prayer; which is indeed the principal in∣stance of that Devotion now spoken of. And your Prayer must at this time be chiefly for Pardon of by-past sins, for strength against them for the future, and that God would grant you all those Graces which he now requires at your hands when you come to the Sacrament. Be sure then to be diligent in this Dutie: for should your other Endeavours be never so vigorous and constant, regular and uniform; yet without Pray∣er for Gods blessing and assi∣stance, you appear to trust to your own arm, and to rely up∣on your own strength; not considering that all your suffici∣encie is from God, that he gives you the Will and Power to do well: and therefore unto him direct your Prayer with humi∣litie,
sinceritie, and zeal, to assist you with his Spirit, that you may come so prepared to the Holy Table, as that you may partake of the benefits there reacht out to every worthy Re∣ceiver.