THe second is , that this Holy Exercise being thus begun , we beware that we gather all day for our accompt at night , referring every blessing received , and every sin , so much as in an observed thought committed , to its proper place against evening , that the accompts may be the more full , expediate , and easie : As for example , as soone as I finde I have done , or spoke , or thought any thing amisse , though amongst a Million of multitudes , let me bee sure to speake inwardly to my Soule in this , or the like wing'd ejaculation : Well , this word , or this thought , since ( O Lord ) it has pleased thee to discover it unto me , shal , I hope , cost mee many a bitter sigh at my night-accompts , before I dare to close my eyes : A very thought will doe it , even at any worke of our Calling ; though I confesse more or lesse should bee set apart , according as God has blest us with opportunity , that Devotion neither turne sloath , as the superstitious Cloister hath made it , nor a Ceremony of our security , as the Libertine would have it , nor Tyranny , as the fearefull weake Christian makes it : for in true Devotion all workes of our calling and family-affaires may be diligently observed , and yet our acts of Piety neverthelesse neglected ; nay , the more observed : with our moderate care God sanctifies the workes of our relative estate , wherein God has put us , as an extraordinary prevention of temptations , and as the great amunition in this and all other spirituall imploiments : because that besides the Prayer of workes , as the Wise man sayes , Prov. 14.10 . The Soule knowes its owne bitternesse , and a stranger shall not meddle with her joy : That is , a good soule , as it feeles many things for her sinnes , and yet complaines not unto the World , but unto God , who is able to comfort , by sighes and groanes which cannot be utter'd ; even then perchance , when the aspect lookes cheerefully upon all society ; so in her joyes conceiv'd quietly for mercy receiv'd , shee can send up thankes to God , when the world thinkes shee is about a more inferiour imployment , and so as the heart workes in secret , God sees in secret , and will , though not upon our merit , yet upon his owne free promise , reward us openly : this is intimated in that of Job : Job 4. So I received a thing secretly , and as some Translations reade it , My Eare received the Veines of his Whisper : And this is the second preparatory .

FIrst , it must be done ENTIRELY , totally , not by peece-meales ; some peculiar minuits must bee set apart , wherein this worke may bee entirely attended on , and because many living under the authority of ill-hour'd Masters , cannot be masters of their owne time , 't is safest to set that time apart , which immediately precedes our time of rest , and then make our bodies by this holy and Divine service , a true Temple unto the God of Israel : And this once begunne , Davids vow must bee every day every mans resolution : I will not suffer my eyes to sleepe , nor eyelids to slumber ; no , not the Temples of my head to take any rest , untill I finde a place for the Temple of the Lord , an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob : The heart may and must treasure up against night all the day long true and impartiall notes : but this must be the entire time for the generall accompts , and conferring Gods bookes and our owne together , so wee shall quickly by Gods helpe , see every thing that is amisse in us , and what wee finde extraordinary evill , learne to have an extraordinary sorrow for it , and an extraordinary care over it ; that although it chance not to be quite remov'd , yet every day may be sensible , or at least be hopefull of some abatement .

This is the first , that it be done entirely , without interruption , at some peculiar destin'd season .

THE second requires , that besides this , it also bee performed accurately , exactly ; not slightly , nor carelessely , but as that Royall Prophet us'd to doe it : Behold , O Lord , how I labour in my Prayer , and am vexed ; vexed , because after all my care and diligence , I finde such imperfections even in my Prayers : And in the 77. Psalme , verse 6. At night I commune and discourse with my owne heart , and examine or search out my Spirit , or ( as the word will beare it ) and sweep my Spirit : No wet finger worke , no slight businesse , no perfunctory imployment , no Exercise by the By : but attention , privacy , meditation , deepe study , recollection , examination , cleansing ( as with a Broome ) all , so much as filth and Dust in every angle of the heart , though it be never so tedious , and the stir'd dust flie up in our very eyes and nostrils : and yet there are some wayes of allaying this dust so farre , as it shall not flye so high as to hurt that eye that discovers it ; as wee see in our daily experience , a little water sprinkled will so unite so many of the little bodies together , that at length they grow so heavy , that they cannot ascend at all , but are swept out with pollutions of a greater size : if wee sweepe softly , commune with your hearts , and bee quiet , Psal . 4. 't is just so with the Soule in this case : the Devill , like his jugling vassals , would faine bee raising of mists , even from that which wee are sweeping out ; but wee must know that all he raises is on purpose to over-perplexe us at the sight of our owne pollutions : and therefore keepe but this dust from flying upwards , and all is well : a little blood or water out of our Saviours side will doe it , and keepe all so low , that nothing shall rise up , either to shame or trouble us : This being a speciall Caveat about this second Condition , that we take not so severely an exact account , that it should tend to dejection , or threaten a desperation : No , before ever wee looke upon the sinne that pollutes us , as we are Christians , let us bee provided of some of the immaculate Lambes blood , that has cleansed us from the Tyranny and condemning power of all sinne : so that if wee discover most high & hainous offences in our Soules , let the sight bee cause not of a sullen acedy , and lazy disconsolation , but of a quicke and lively remorse , rather a while Contemplating the greatnesse and glory of that mercy which has promis'd to pardon so great a sinne , and so great a number upon a true Repentance ; not that man may dare to presume , but that man should not dare to despaire , and that all sinnes should produce a pious humiliation , but never any impious Dejection , there being no sinne in all the World more dangerous to man , nor more derogatory from the glory of a God Saviour , than Desperation for any sinne whatsoever . The Devill often nicknames ungodly sorrow , and desperate thoughts by the faire Title of Mortification and Humility : but both grossely false , because Mortification alwaies workes by Faith : Humility submits in hope and love , but Desperation has lost all Faith and Hope : and surely unreligious Melancholy is directly opposite to Love , and Hope and Faith altogether : And therefore I adde a third Condition of a high and mysterious consequence .

THe third is , that all bee done affectionately , feelingly , with a lively sence both of godly joy for mercies receiv'd , and godly sorrow for sins detected ; that all our feares may bee of Love , and all our Loves season'd with Filiall Reverence , all our joyes , joyes of sacred teares , and all our sighes and sorrowings issues of joy : like good natur'd and pious children , who having falne into any offence against indulgent Parents , are sad and sure of pardon together ; nay , the certainty of the one , increases the dolour of the other , because to good soules offence is greater torment than punishment : so lovely is mercy to a penitent , and yet so foule is sinne to a religiously sad delinquent , because the abuse of Clemency in a Judge , aggravates the Lawes transgression above the act of the Peccant : wherfore take this as a mystery in this rare Art of dayly Tryall : It may and will doubtlesse fall out , that upon often practice of this duty , the nature of our dayes may differ ; and that upon some Accompts wee may , as wee shall alwayes , both more or lesse , finde more mercies bestowed than sinnes committed , so powerfull may grace by the gift of God bee : other times the sinnes may appeare farre above positive particular mercies , for that of preservation is continuall : if the first fall out , as our owne soules can onely testifie , then joy tryumphes ; if the last , then sorrow has got the Day . Wherefore have a care never to performe one without the other ; if joy for mercies beginne , let Religious sorrow for the very imperfections of thy good actions conclude the Meditation , for feare joy alone grow either proud or wanton , or daring : If sorrow for a multitude of fallings , before the Meditation cease , raise thy soule up with contemplation of that joy which ought to be in a sinner , though never so sinfull , because of a Saviour , for feare griefe grow desperate , and dishonour the infinite mercy of thy JESUS , and destroy thy peace here , and thy whole person hereafter . Let this bee retain'd as a Mystery , when thou enterest into thy privacies : but this is onely in particular , now for the generall , since Christ has made Mercy exalt it selfe against Justice , joy must be heire , and at last have a double portion : Every thing here , though it must bee done strictly and exactly , yet alwayes cheerefully : David in the 77. Psalme calls this Exercise his Song , as if it had beene his chiefe Recreation , and indeede so it is : And although the Devill may awhile trouble us , and our flesh loath it , yet at length length it will appeare to a well practis'd soule , a very sacred pastime , and continuall Jubilee , and every day shall bee as that awfull time at which they receive the Sacrament , a serious Holy-day : for the truth is , so long as Faith is strong in the Breast of any Christian , the very sight of our sinnes , the most ougly things in the World have a kinde of comfort : If as Nature had bestowed two eyes upon us , one to be cast upon a Saviour to love him , as the other upon the sinne to loath it : and as great a comfort it will be to see every day so many of our sinnes by this Triall apprehended , and condemned ; and slaine by Mortification ; as it was for the Israelites , before they slept to see all their blacke Aegyptian enemies lye dead upon the shore : however , if for Tryall sake it please God to permit a spirituall desertion to lye upon us , let us be quiet , still waiting for the gift of God in patience : for who are wee that God should bestow so great a blessing and spirituall joy upon us ? And above all things , in such a cause deferre not spirituall counsell one minuite : God works powerfully and miraculously in the accepted wayes of his owne Ordinance : and I would to God every one would know this : the very ignorance of it being so great and undiscern'd a sinne : in such cases , the 103. Psalme is of admirable use , and so is the 51 : In one word , mercies must be so rejoyc'd in , that they double our industry in pleasing their Author ; Sinnes must bee so lamented in Faith , that the griefe shall double both our experience of mercy , and caution of future transgression , which cannot bee , unlesse wee loath our sinnes at heighth in opposition to Gods purity , and cry out with Job : Since my eye has seene thee , I repented and abhorre my selfe , and repent in Ashes : that is , Works of mortification , hardnesse , want of delicacy , slender and course fare , watchfulnesse for a while , and the like , and in all constancy : that 's the fourth condition : all the act in generall must bee done constantly , no omission . Those who serve God , God loves them to the end ; and they who continue to love God , serve him to the end : If seven times fall , seven times rise againe : nay , if seventy seven times , seventy thousand times , as often repent , and be sure to continue thy Tryall , and care over all thy actions , remembring the Barre at which thou art to arraigne thy selfe , before Night shall give thee rest ; a little day of Judgement : so doubtlesse by the implored mercy of God , our continuall surveying of Gods mercies , and our owne sinnes constantly every day , cannot chuse but raise in us most admirable love towards the one , and most just hatred of the other , that wee shall arrive to an excellent temper of the soule , which wee shall manifest in Devotion to our God , in love to every man in Temperance and Chastity , and Sobriety to our owne soules and bodies . What an inutterable blessing is it , that Heaven should be thus on earth , and that every day wee should have so free accesse , and familiar intercourse with the King of Heaven and Earth ? Burne , and not consume , like Moses his Chappell in the Bush : for otherwise our God is a consuming fire .

THe last Condition follows , without which , Constancy may chance not to doe so much as shee ought ; and this is Aptitude , all must bee done fitly , conveniently , proportionably , or we lose a great part of the blessing : The meaning is this : No man we know , but as all have all , has some peculiar reigning imperfection , the Darling vice , and the tye of all the rest : some have it in thoughts , & musings of vaine-glory , and Castles in the Aire . Others in their words , oft swearing , jesting slanders , filthy discourse , &c. Others in grosse Actions of severall sorts : Now whatsoever it be , if thy hearts impartiall experience shall ( after Prayer to God how to finde it , since the Devill so strives to conceale it ) once finde by custome and selfe-love what & which it is ; then must the heart at time of Tryall take a double survey of all her particulars , lay a double weight of sorrowes Mortification upon all her Extravagances , set a double watch over all her by-pathes , avoyding every occasion that has heretofore but tended unto any of her acts ; and the more noted occasions , it were not amisse to take a peculiar Catalogue of them , by some Characters onely knowne unto our selves , that wee may meete with all her baites , & assure our selves , dissolve this knot , and you loosen every sinne in the body . Bosome sinnes are the very life of all the rest , take them away , and it is easie to remove the other , with this great promise , that this being but one exercise of a thousand , though truely , I thinke the best , wee lay no vertue or efficacy upon the exercise , but all upon the co-operating Grace , and blessing of God . And thus I have shew'd you briefly and plainely how the Triall must bee done : I must now shew you what must be done , and the severall parts of this Exercise , and all too with the same brevity .

THis third part then I 'le call Intercession , which must containe a briefe , but passionate desire unto Almighty God : first , to glorifie his owne name , in the wayes of his owne Will upon all flesh , though never so unpleasant to carnall Reason . Secondly , to have mercy upon all men , and to multiply meanes of effectuall conversion to all ungodly men , whether within , or without the pale of the Church . Thirdly , and in especiall manner , to blesse the universall Church , to heare the groanes of the Saints , and to come quickly , and to prepare every heart for his Comming : meane-while ( which is the fourth part ) to blesse , amongst other Christian Kingdomes , that wherein wee enjoy freedome of Religion , and therein to pray for the Lords Annoynted , the Queene , the blood Royall : likewise for all persons , of all sorts , in all places , that all may receive their measure of Grace , and serve God accordingly in their severall Callings : and in particular to desire God to bestow a double portion upon all our friends , and all those who have relation unto us in the bond of blood , affinity , or acquaintance . Fiftly , to labour for a blessing upon our enemies , and so the more earnestly to solicite God , the more averse wee finde perchance our Hearts from our Tongues ; and yet beware not to leave , but even with teares to aske , till we finde some flame of Charity in our soules , asking forgivnesse that wee finde so little ; for without this , all the Exercise is nothing : for this part is the very touch-stone of all true prayers , the very tryall of the Tryall : many a thousand will pray exceeding well till they come to this , which they either omit , or performe it perfunctorily and deceitfully , with reservations and distinctions , and so all their prayers turne into sinne , and their owne curse : a thing , I am affraid , which is a Canker in most Mens and Womens Devotions , who otherwise carry a great esteeme and fame of Piety : for seeing we are to conclude with the Lords Prayer , wherein wee pray God ( the phrase doubtlesse was put so by the Spirit on purpose ) to forgive us our Trespasses , as wee forgive them that trespasse against us ; if then wee retaine the least ill will , the least swelling of heart , the least motions of revenge , or disdaine , or neglect : it is our owne prayer , that God would doe the like by us ; oh the horrour and stupidity of such Devotion , curse , and damme our selves , for the least wrath of God reserved , excludes from Heaven , as well as his whole displeasure . I would to God all would lay this to heart ; for assure our selves , the Prophet speakes true , The Lord is not mocked . Sixtly , because sinnes of combination and society are the greatest sinnes , as wherein , like the Devill , wee turne Tempters , and as much as lies in us , strive to damme others also : For this cause I would have a peculiar remembrance of those , whom at any time wee have caused to sinne either by Temptation or Scandall ; and a desiring of God that he would blesse us with sacred opportunities , whereby wee might confesse our sinnes to one another , least the heart of one should be hardned , because it perceives not the heart of the other softned , especially when the tempted and seduced person has an opinion of the Tempters Piety or Knowledge , there the Tempter commits a double sinne , if hee imparts not at first opportunity , his remorse and repentance which God has bestowed upon him : and although some may pretend equality of transgression because of ones consent to the others allurement , or in two alike , willing to a fact : yet take this as a Rule , that one alwayes is in Gods esteeme unequal , and in Nature it cannot bee , but that either temptation , or at least mention , must set one transgressour formost ; nay , in the penitence both are bound , who have sinned by society , to esteeme themselves each as first in the breach of Gods Law , at least co-equals : This is a Mystery . Seventhly , there must be supplication made for all afflicted people , whether in minde , or body , or estate : especially for those who suffer for the Testimony of a good Conscience , as likewise for those who groane under a bad one : which would bee the necessary doome of every man living , did not God in mercy interpose the wounded body of a just Mediator betwixt our sinnes and us . Lastly , though God permits Charity a higher place , yet Humility accepts of this for our owne persons , wherein according to that power of utterance , which God shall bestow upon the soule , wee are to implore most earnestly , but briefly , first that God would glorifie himselfe in us , whether by life or death , and onely so farre grant our former Petitions , as they shall stand in conformity to his sacred will and pleasure : but withall , that since Iesus has suffered the just for the unjust , God would be pleased to glorifie himselfe in mercy , and for our Saviours sake , to grant us a lively Faith , by vertue of which wee may sincerely lament our sinnes , by whose power wee may indeed be thankfull for his mercies , most unfeignedly carefull to grow in piety and saving knowledge : and that all this might happily bee effected , pray unto God uncessantly for his grace and protection this Night , or this Day , and a dayly competency of his earthly blessings , so farre forth , that wee may attend upon Gods Worke without Distraction , still referring all to Divine pleasure , and beseeching God , that whatsoever in these our sinfull prayers , through unworthinesse we have not dar'd , or ignorance beene able to aske , or through any imperfection or sinne have either mistak't or omitted , his mercy would bee pleased to grant those things , to pardon that unworthinesse , and sinne , and ignorance , and make up that imperfection , for his sake who is his wisedome , our merit , and righteousnesse , and the perfection of all things , Jesus Christ , the righteous , to whom , with the father , & holy Spirit , three Persons , one God , be all glory and power for ever . So desiring God that wee may have leave to shut up our sinfull prayers , with that perfect forme which our Saviour taught us : Let us conclude all with the Lords prayer , and so compose our selves to rest , having committed all to Christ , as unto a faithfull Redeemer ; Morning must doe as much for the night , as the night did for the day .

THus the prescription of the whole duty being finisht , I le suppose Your Honour , Madam , in the faire Hopes of those Prayers , which I promise to send to Heaven every Day for Your successe , a happy Proficient in this Rare Exercise ; and heereupon I dare prophesie of two temptations that will sieze uppon you : for Sathan being as it were thus rejected , and dayly exorcis'd by these Acts of Devotions , and therefore mad to see a Soule out of his reach , tempts backe againe at Distance , with all his force and policy : Two extreames are his fatall baits . First , ( which lightly is the most impious ) he 'le perswade to a kinde of horrour in the Exercise , and consequently a loathing of it ; so that perchance a double feare may seize upon you ; one if You omit it , suggesting that You have lost Your former Love ; another , if you performe , suggesting that the sinners prayers are vain , and that you superstitiously worship God in a way that hee has not required : but now observe it , and you shall find both false : for first , I have shewed that this Exercise must be enterd upon as a priviledge , not an injunction , because it is neither our power nor merit that we can performe so rare a worke , but the indulgence of God our Father . Secondly , that our sinnes appeare so plaine to God ; so much the better , so long as Man presumes not , the Mercies of God are the more magnified : Nor is there any feare of Superstition , since God has commanded the Duty and the manner both : both which God hath done partly by explicite command , partly by implicite in all those places where hee commands us to walke circumspectly , to trye our wayes , to call to remembrance our misdeeds and his mercies , to search our spirits , to Examine our hearts : This is the very duty Consonant to the Text , and the manner not repugnant ; so that praier to God for cheerefulnesse in his service , and humility , will lay the Devill by Gods assistance , as soone as it is rais'd . Wherefore the next time bee appeares , it shall be in quite contrary shape , and so set a worke his e cond extreame , which tends as much to Presumption , as the other to Desperation : The Suggestions are these , that You are exceeding happy in the Practice , that GOD is Your Debtor for this supererogation , & that all Men are Your inferiours , because scarce one so holy as Your selfe , that this Exercise hath some inherent rare quality , and the like : but all this also is quickly answered , if you remember that it is the gift and power of GOD , not your owne , that ever you perform'd , or so much as thought upon so sacred an Exercise , and yet that the Exercise is not to bee Idoliz'd , because of it selfe it works nothing , merits nothing , thing , moves nothing ; onely as GOD blesses his owne Instrument , which any Exercise may doe as well as this , if God please ; onely this is a Duty drawne in conformity to his revealed Will , which makes God blesse it the better ; not for the exercises sake , but for Christs sake , in whose Name wee pray ; To which it is not dissonant , and yet consonant to the fate of man ; so then selfe-denial , or one thought of originall impurity , dashes this Cockatrice in the Egge . This I thought good to forewarne your soule of , because I would fore-arme it : I shal pray to God , that any of my Labours may advantage Your Honour in Your course of Religion ; and so rest , with a pious ambition of being still thus imploy'd .