Medicina Animæ or, the lamentation, and consolation of a sinner. Together with the severall collections out of the Holy Scriptures. By Joshua Mullard.

A Preparative to Prayer.

WHen to thy God thou speak'st, O creature mean, Lift up pure hands, lay down all foul desires; Fix thoughts on heaven, present a conscience clean, Such holy Balme to mercies throne aspires; Confesse faults guilt, crave pardon for thy sin: Tread holy Paths, call grace to guide therein.

It is the spirit, with reverence must obey

Our Makers will, to practise what he taught: Make not the flesh thy Councell when thou pray, 'Tis enemy to every vertuous thought: It is the foe we dayly feed and cloath; It is the Prison that the soule doth loath,

Even as Elias mounting to the sky, Did cast his mantle to the earth behind; So when the heart, presents the prayer on high, Exclude the world from traffique with the minde. Lips neare to God,

and ranging hearts within, Is but vain babling, and converts to sin.

Like Abraham, ascending up the Hill To sacrifice, his servants left below, That he might act the great Commanders Will, Without impeach to his obedient blow; Even for the soule remote from earthly things, Should mount salvations shelter, mercies wings.

Nothing more gratefull in the highest eies; Nothing more firme

in danger to protect us: Nothing more forcible to pierce the skies, And not depart, till mercy do respect us; And as the soule life to the body gives: So prayer revives the soule, by prayer it lives.