XIII. If you was here again to make short remembrances in _writing_, of the chief things which rendered you indisposed for prayer, and frequently to read and reflect upon them, you would have a faithful information of what you are most to avoid. If you find that _impertinent visits_, _foolish conversation_, or a day idly spent in _civil compliances_ with other people, have rendered your mind _dull_ and _indisposed_, and less _affected_ with devotion, then you will have found that impertinent visits, and ceremonious compliances in spending our time, are not _little indifferent_ things; but are to be daily watched and guarded against by all those who desire to be daily alive unto God. XIV. They who are for short prayers, because God does not _need_ much intreaty, ought also to shew, that man does not need much prayer; does not _need_ that strength, and light, and help, which arises from _much praying_. For unless this be the state of our hearts, we shall want much prayer to _move_ and _awake_ ourselves; how little soever we suppose necessary to _excite_ the goodness of God. If therefore men would consider prayer, not only as it is an _invocation_ of God, but also as it is an _exercise of holy thoughts_; as it is an endeavour to _feel_ and be affected with the great truths of religion, they would soon see, that tho’ God is so good as not to _need_ much calling upon; yet that man is so weak as to need much assistance, and to be under a constant necessity of that help, and light, and improvement which arises from praying much. When therefore we would know how much we ought to pray, we must consider how much our hearts want to be altered, and remember that the great work of prayer is, to work upon ourselves; it is not to _move_ and affect God, but it is to move and affect our own hearts, and fill them with such tempers as God delights to reward. XV. *Now prayer never so corrects and amends the heart as when we extend it to all the _particulars_ of our state, enumerating all our wants, infirmities, and disorders; not because God needs to be informed of them, but because by this means we inform ourselves, and make our hearts in the best manner acquainted with our true condition. When our prayers thus descend to all the circumstances of our condition, they become a faithful glass to us; and so often as we pray, so often we see ourselves in a true light. Don’t be content therefore with confessing yourself to be a _sinner_, or with praying against sin in _general_: for this will but a little affect your mind; it will only shew you to yourself in such a state as all mankind are in: but if you find yourself out; if you confess and lay open the guilt of your own _particular sins_; if you pray constantly against such particular sins as you find yourself most subject to, the _frequent sight_ of your own sins, and your _constant deploring_ of their guilt, will give your prayers entrance into your hearts, and put you upon measures how to amend.