nd of graces. It is
the joint exercise of all a Christian's graces; seasoned with all. Every
one of them gives some peculiar fragrancy to it, as humility, faith,
repentance, love, &c. The acting of the heart in supplication, is a kind
of compend and result of all these, as one perfume made up of many
simples. But above all, as the incense, our prayers must be kindled by
fire on the altar. There must be some heat and fervour, some warmness,
conceived by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, which may make our spices send
forth a pleasant smell, as many spices do not till they get heat. Let us
lay this engagement on our hearts, to be more serious in our addresses to
God, the Father of spirits; above all, to present our inward soul before
him, before whom it is naked and open, though we do not bring it. And
certainly, frequency in prayer will much help us to fervency, and to keep
it when we have it.

Sermon XL.

Verse 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

All that know any thing of religion, must needs know and confess that
there is no exercise either more suitable to him that professeth it, or
more needful for him, than to give himself to the exercise of prayer. But
that which is confessed by all, and as to the outward performance gone
about by many, I fear is yet a mystery sealed up from us, as the true and
living nature of it. There is much of it expressed here in few words,
"whereby we cry, Abba, Father." The divine constitution and qualifications
of this divine work, are here made up of a temper of fervency, reverence,
and confidence. The first I spoke of before; but I fear our hearts were
not well heated then, or may be cooled since. It is not the loud noise of
words that is best heard in heaven, or that is constructed to be crying to
God. No, this is transacted in the heart more silently to men, but it
striketh up into the ears of God. His ear is sharp, and that voice of the
soul's desires is shrill, and though it were out of the depths, they will
meet together. It is true, the vehemency of affection will sometimes cause
the extension of the voice; but yet it may cry as loud to heaven when it
is kept within. I do not press such extraordinary degrees of fervour as
may affect the body, but I would rather wish we accustomed ourselves to a
solid calm seriousness and earnestness of spirit, which might be more
constant than such raptures can be, that we might always gather our
spirits to what we are about, and av