The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Letter · Prayer 2
A Prayer.
GOod God! what a mighty felicity is this to which we are called? How graciously hast thou joyn'd our Duty and Happiness together, and prescribed that for our work, the performance whereof is a great reward? And shall such silly worms be advanced to so great a height? Wilt Thou allow us to raise our eyes to Thee? Wilt thou admit and accept our affection? Shall we receive the impression of thy Divine Excellencies by beholding and admiring them, and partake of thy infinite Blessedness and Glory, by loving Thoe, and rejoycing in them? O the happiness of those Souls that have broken the fetters of Self-love, and dis-intangl'd their affection from every narrow and particular good, whose Understanding; are inlightned by thy Holy Spirit, and their wills inlarged to the extent of thine, who love thee above all things, and all Mankind for thy sake! I am perswaded, O God, I am perswaded that I can never be happy, till my carnal and corrupt affections be mortify'd, and the pride and vanity of my spirit be subdued, and till I come seriously to despise the world, and think nothing of my self. But O when shall it once be? O when wilt Thou come unto me, and satisfie my Soul with thy likeness, making me holy as thou art holy, even in all manner of conversation? Hast thou given me a prospect of so great a felicity, and wilt thou not bring me unto it? Hast thou excited these desires in my Soul, and wilt thou not also satisfie them? O teach me to do thy Will, for thou art my God, thy Spirit is good, lead me unto the Land of Uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Names sake, and perfect that which concerneth me: Thy Mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever, forsake not the works of thine own hands.