Vol 16 - THE FIRST EXERCISE.

THE FIRST EXERCISE.
Pray always.
THIS Exercise is enjoined by Him, who "came to call sinners to repentance." See Luke 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18. By praying always, I mean, that we should bring ourselves to that habit of praying, to that disposition and temper, which shall put_ us upon praying wherever we are,' whatever company we are in, and whatever we are doing, though not with our lips, yet in our lives and understandings. This is an Exercise of so much consequence, that this praying frame is one of the chief pillars and supporters of a Christian life. To this purpose ST. EPHREM gives this excellent rule, " Whether you work, or are going to he down; whether you stand still, or are on a journey; whether you eat, or drink; whether you are going to sleep, or are waking; take heed that you do not forget to pray: whether you are at church, or at home, or in the field; whether you are at a feast, or otherwise engaged; still pray, and converse with GOD."
These are the prayers which TERTULLIAN calls " prayers without a retinue of words; "fiery desires of the heart, and wishes of importunate supplication, which are shot up to heaven, wound a great way off, fly with great swiftness, keep the enemy from coming too near, and sometimes at one stroke enervate his temptations, when he approaches;—for seeing the presence of GOD in these ejaculations, he is struck with horror, and departs.
And this rule I earnestly entreat you to think of, and put in practice. Before any honest attempt, or enterprise, say in thy mind,—" LORD, establish you the work of our hands upon us; or if it may not tend to thy glory, let it not succeed according to my desires." If thy design be honest and lawful, why should you be does to recommend thy endeavors to the conduct of Providence Try it, and you wilt find what comfort it will yield in the end. When you hearest the clock, strike, let thy mind immediately mount up to heaven, and say,—" LORD, so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." When you art dressing thyself,—" Clothe my soul with salvation; and deck me with white raiment, that the shame of my nakedness may not appear." When washing, thy hands and face,—" Cleanse my soul by the blood of JESUS, and purify my heart from all iniquity." When walking,—" O LORD, cause me to walk in the way of thy testimonies; and let me not wander from thy commandments." When in company,—" O when will that joyful day come, in which my soul shall be gathered to the innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to the spirits of just men made perfect!" When writing,—" LORD, put thy laws in. my heart, and write them upon my mind." When reading," O make, me to understand the way of thy precepts, so shall I talk of thy wondrous works." When rising,—" O let me awake unto righteousness, and arise from the dead, that CHRIST may give me light." When lying, down,—" O cause me to he down in the green pastures of thy mercy; and lead me beside the still waters of thy comforts." When kindling a fire,—" O shed abroad thy love in my heart; and raise such flames within, as may burn up all my dross." When lighting a candle,—" O give me the spirit of wisdom and understanding; and enlighten mine eyes, that I may see what is the hope of my calling:" When eating or drinking,—" O let it be my meat and drink to do thy will; feed me with the bread which came down from heaven; and give me to drink of that water, whereof whoever drinks, shall never thirst again." When riding out,—" O you that ridest upon the wings of the wind, show thyself; conquer my corruptions; and trample all my sins under thy feet." When taking the air,—" Come, HOLY SPIRIT, blow upon my garden, that the spices may flow out; make my mind calm, serene, and quiet; breathe upon me, and revive me with the light of thy countenance." When visiting a sick neighbor,—" O do you make all his bed in his sickness; give me grace to speak a word in season to him; and cause all thy goodness to pass before him."
When beholding trees, and plants, and flowers,—" LORD, how wonderful are all thy works! in wisdom Nast you made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. O make me as a tree planted by the rivers of water, which may bring forth its fruit in due season." When going to speak to a great man,—" Overawe me with thy presence, LORD; that I may not comply with any evil, but may fear thee more than men." When going by water,—" O satisfy my soul with the fatness of thy house; and make me to drink of the river of thy pleasures." When buying or selling,—" LORD, enable me to keep a conscience void of offence towards GOD and towards man." When standing in thy shop,—" How amiable are thy tabernacles, LORD of Hosts! O let me ever love the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwells." When hearing thy neighbor curse or swear,—" O LORD, lay not this sin to his charge: Father, forgive him, for he knows not what he doth." When hearing any good of thy friend or acquaintance," O let him grow in grace, and go on from virtue to virtue; and make him fruitful in every good word and work." When seeing any one that is blind, or lame, or dumbs-" O LORD, make these distressed creatures amends for these defects; make the eye of their faith quicker, their inward man stronger, and their hope more lively; and visit them more powerfully with thy salvation." When looking upon a dunghill,-" O make me to know myself, and discover to me my false, deceitful heart, and the odiousness and loathfulness of my sins, that I may hate them with a perfect hatred." When beholding the sun,—" O you Sun of Righteousness, rise upon me with healing under thy wings, and warm my soul with thy radiant beams, that I may love thee better than father and mother, better than all that is dear to me here below." When looking upon a house,—" O my GOD, make me to be in love with that city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD. O when shall this earthly house of my tabernacle be dissolved, and I received into that building of GOD, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." When seeing other men laugh at any sin,—" LORD, let rivers of tears run down my eyes, because men keep not thy law; O give me such tenderness of heart, that I may be concerned at other men's sins, as well as mine own." When beholding any children,—" O Lon D, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings do you prepare praises unto thyself; let these children grow up as the lilies, and spread their branches as the cedars of Lebanon." When going to visit a friend,—" LORD, make him thy friend; and that he may be so, encourage and assist him to do/whatsoever you corirmandest him." When reproved,—" LORD, let this reproof be as an excellent oil to me give me grace to take it in good part; let my soul thrive by it; let it heal my wounds; and make me thankful for this opportunity." When receiving any injury, or ill language,—" O JESUS, give me grace to follow thy example, and to tread in thy steps; who, being reviled, didst not revile again, and when you was threatened, sufferedst it, committing thyself to him that judges righteously." When seeing it snow,—" Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." When seeing it rain,—" O visit me with the former and latter rain of thy favor; and make my heart rich with thy showers, that I may bring forth the fruits of the SPIRIT." When despised for righteousness' sake,—" O let inc esteem the reproach of CHRIST greater riches than all the treasures of the world." When it thundereth,—" O Lo RD, the power of thy thunder who can understand! Let the world take notice of the voice of GOD, and the inhabitants of the earth learn righteousness."
Sirs, if ever you would learn to converse with GOD, or to have your conversation in heaven; if ever you would get a foretaste of the joys to come; if ever you would make religion your business; if ever you would conquer the lusts of the flesh; if ever you would extinguish vain and evil thoughts; if ever you would arrive at a sound mind, and that inward and spiritual worship of GOD, without which CHRIST says none can please him; if ever you would learn to conquer temptations; if ever you would have your souls become strong and vigorous in the ways of GOD;—this is the way, even this " Praying without ceasing." This is the best antidote against sin, the best medicine to cure all spiritual diseases: and it does not hinder you in the works of your calling, but rather furthers and sanctifies them.
THE PRAYER.
O GOD, gracious and merciful, who givest power to the weak, and strength to the feeble; who knows the backwardness of my heart, and the unwillingness of my soul to engage in spiritual duties; who understand all my wants, and art acquainted with all my weaknesses; behold how does my soul is to have her conversation in heaven, and what excuses my flesh makes to hinder my mind from frequent addresses to thy mercyseat. I entreat thee to apply thy healing hand to my sickly soul, and to fill it with spiritual desires. O give me a praying spirit, and let my soul follow hard after thee! Teach me to make a spiritual use of every thing, and instruct me to see the Creator in the creature. LORD, free my spirit from the bondage of the flesh, that it may mount up cheerfully to thy throne. Direct my mind to look up in all my actions; and let me take notice of the operations of thy hand in all occurrences. Let thy good SPIRIT help my infirmities, and, when I know not what to say, suggest unto me how to fill my mouth with arguments. Acquaint me with the art of extracting good out of every thing. O that I had that spiritual temper, which might incline me to think of GOD, whenever I behold the works of Creation and Providence. O let no company be so pleasing to me as thine! Make me to embrace all opportunities of reflecting on thy perfections and excellencies. You have both commanded and promised spiritual wisdom: O bestow upon me that excellent gift, that I may know how to glorify thee in this world, and attain at last that glory which you have promised to them that overcome, and continue faithful unto death, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.