and_o have_v this_o assurance_n 6._o math._n 6._o seek_v first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n five_o it_o be_v no_o ill_a time_n to_o pray_v when_o we_o find_v our_o soul_n dispose_v with_o much_o alacrity_n thereunto_o and_o last_o the_o holy_a sabbath_n and_o other_o solemn_a season_n be_v fit_a time_n to_o be_v whole_o spend_v in_o prayer_n 2_o a_o place_n be_v also_o to_o be_v choose_v for_o this_o holy_a work_n and_o what_o place_n more_o fit_a than_o that_o more_o secret_a and_o free_a from_o the_o tumult_n of_o the_o world_n what_o place_n beside_o the_o house_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n fit_a then_o our_o private_a chamber_n that_o god_n hear_v in_o secret_a may_v reward_v we_o open_o 3_o be_v require_v compunction_n sorrow_n and_o repentance_n for_o our_o sin_n together_o with_o mortification_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n for_o the_o more_o we_o profit_v herein_o the_o better_a shall_v we_o speed_v in_o all_o our_o prayer_n 4_o the_o safe_a keep_v our_o sense_n chief_o the_o tongue_n the_o eye_n and_o ear_n for_o the_o curiosity_n of_o hear_v and_o see_v be_v the_o begin_n of_o all_o distraction_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n hinder_v devotion_n but_o the_o immoderate_a lavish_a of_o the_o tongue_n be_v much_o more_o hurtful_a abstinence_n and_o fast_v of_o all_o outward_a mean_n bring_v the_o great_a help_n to_o pray_v aright_o experience_n show_v in_o our_o own_o body_n that_o the_o body_n be_v fill_v with_o meat_n be_v make_v unapt_a and_o so_o make_v unapt_a the_o spirit_n to_o exercise_v her_o function_n therefore_o he_o that_o by_o prayer_n desire_v to_o be_v unite_v to_o god_n must_v be_v sober_a in_o meat_n and_o drink_v and_o have_v great_a care_n both_o of_o the_o quantity_n quality_n and_o manner_n of_o eat_v to_o the_o end_n that_o as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v he_o may_v repress_v and_o mortify_v sensuality_n and_o to_o persuade_v himself_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o true_a that_o the_o man_n who_o be_v give_v to_o take_v the_o solace_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o flesh_n shall_v never_o attain_v to_o learn_v aright_o the_o practice_n of_o prayer_n see_v the_o flesh_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v so_o adversant_a one_o to_o another_o but_o this_o sobriety_n be_v chief_o require_v at_o supper_n that_o the_o mind_n in_o the_o morning_n may_v be_v the_o free_a to_o the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n 6_o often_o re-collection_n of_o a_o man_n self_n and_o cogitation_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o man_n outward_a business_n and_o to_o this_o end_n often_o to_o use_v iaculatory_a and_o short_a prayer_n for_o use_v this_o when_o the_o set_a time_n of_o prayer_n come_v he_o shall_v not_o much_o need_n any_o other_o disposition_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o that_o be_v much_o distract_v when_o the_o time_n of_o prayer_n grow_v on_o shall_v hardly_o exclude_v the_o multitude_n of_o cogitation_n that_o then_o will_v thrust_v themselves_o upon_o he_o this_o multitude_n of_o business_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a impediment_n to_o prayer_n for_o whilst_o a_o man_n be_v divide_v thus_o precious_a time_n slip_v away_o distraction_n get_v possession_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o so_o the_o mind_n become_v altogether_o dry_a to_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a thingss_n 7_o and_o as_o the_o mortify_n and_o bridle_v of_o the_o outward_a sense_n be_v necessary_a so_o be_v the_o mortification_n of_o the_o inward_a passion_n therefore_o he_o that_o pray_v must_v take_v â—eed_o of_o all_o unquietness_n troubledness_n grief_n and_o all_o inordinate_a affection_n towards_o any_o creature_n and_o labour_n to_o keep_v himself_o in_o the_o true_a inward_a peace_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o to_o make_v such_o account_n hereof_o that_o for_o nothing_o in_o this_o world_n he_o will_v loose_v it_o 8_o add_v unto_o these_o the_o read_n of_o godly_a and_o devout_a book_n as_o the_o undevided_n companion_n of_o prayer_n where_o first_o the_o holy_a scripture_n must_v have_v precedence_n of_o all_o other_o and_o among_o these_o chief_o the_o four_o evangelist_n the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n peter_n james_n and_o john_n job_n the_o proverbe_n ecclesiastes_n and_o other_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n second_o not_o to_o be_v inconstant_a now_o read_v one_o and_o then_o another_o but_o to_o continue_v the_o book_n begin_v until_o it_o be_v end_v except_o it_o be_v to_o avoid_v tediousness_n or_o upon_o occasion_n of_o some_o temptation_n or_o for_o that_o the_o mind_n may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n better_o dispose_v to_o that_o book_n than_o another_o and_o then_o the_o course_n may_v be_v change_v so_o that_o they_o return_v again_o to_o the_o former_a book_n three_o they_o must_v come_v to_o read_v with_o a_o right_a intention_n not_o of_o curiosity_n or_o mere_a desire_n of_o know_v not_o to_o adorn_v their_o tongue_n but_o first_o to_o stir_v up_o the_o mind_n in_o devotion_n and_o to_o profit_v in_o the_o spirit_n second_o they_o must_v not_o read_v hasty_o but_o slow_o and_o devout_o that_o the_o word_n read_v may_v be_v ruminate_v &_o chew_v three_o if_o any_o excellent_a or_o profitable_a sentence_n be_v fall_v upon_o there_o to_o stay_v a_o while_n and_o ponder_v it_o add_v some_o short_a prayer_n four_o the_o more_o elegant_a sentence_n be_v to_o be_v note_v in_o the_o memory_n or_o commit_v to_o writing_n that_o when_o need_n be_v there_o may_v be_v use_v make_v of_o they_o and_o for_o the_o time_n that_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o this_o read_n first_o it_o must_v be_v when_o the_o mind_n feel_v any_o appetite_n or_o inclination_n to_o read_v second_o when_o the_o mind_n be_v dry_a and_o devoide_a of_o devotion_n three_o on_o the_o sabbath_n and_o solemn_a feast_n four_o before_o and_o after_o the_o holy_a communion_n fift_o ofttimes_o also_o before_o prayer_n and_o meditation_n that_o the_o mind_n may_v be_v stir_v up_o to_o devotion_n and_o find_v matter_n of_o meditation_n 9_o discretion_n be_v here_o very_o available_a not_o to_o vex_v the_o heart_n with_o draw_v out_o of_o tear_n or_o sit_v one_o the_o knee_n till_o one_o be_v tire_v but_o sweet_o and_o humble_o to_o behave_v one_o self_n say_v with_o the_o prophet_n i_o will_v hear_v what_o the_o lord_n god_n will_v say_v concern_v i_o beside_o as_o to_o all_o other_o action_n so_o to_o this_o it_o behove_v to_o bring_v a_o right_a intention_n that_o they_o do_v not_o seek_v themselves_o and_o their_o own_o taste_n and_o consolation_n but_o the_o only_a honour_n and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n 10_o simplicity_n must_v not_o be_v want_v for_o such_o as_o do_v not_o curious_o seek_v themselves_o be_v most_o capable_a of_o heavenly_a illumination_n nor_o humility_n and_o reverence_n as_o well_o outward_a as_o inward_a whereby_o a_o man_n put_v himself_o before_o god_n in_o body_n and_o mind_n remember_v himself_o to_o be_v ever_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o divine_a majesty_n and_o join_v hereunto_o purity_n of_o conscience_n and_o sanctimony_n of_o life_n 5._o math._n 5._o for_o these_o have_v a_o promise_n to_o see_v god_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o who_o be_v of_o a_o loose_a conscience_n and_o regard_v not_o slight_a fault_n do_v never_o profit_v in_o prayer_n 11_o last_o to_o confer_v with_o godly_a and_o devoute_a man_n be_v of_o much_o use_n for_o such_o conference_n of_o devotion_n do_v inflame_v the_o mind_n as_o we_o read_v of_o the_o disciple_n talk_v with_o jesus_n as_o they_o go_v to_o emaus_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n 24._o luk._n 24._o their_o heart_n burn_v within_o they_o for_o who_o neglect_v such_o holy_a conference_n delight_v to_o spend_v the_o time_n in_o other_o relation_n never_o come_v to_o the_o grace_n of_o pray_v aright_o so_o that_o to_o end_v this_o point_n two_o thing_n above_o all_o other_o be_v necessary_a to_o he_o that_o will_v benefit_n by_o prayer_n first_o diligent_a preparation_n before_o prayer_n of_o which_o something_o shall_v be_v say_v anon_o second_o perseverance_n in_o prayer_n with_o great_a trust_n in_o god_n and_o diffidence_n in_o one_o self_n till_o the_o last_o gasp_n with_o no_o difficulty_n to_o be_v interrupt_v for_o we_o must_v ever_o pray_v and_o never_o wax_v faint_a 18._o luk._n 18._o now_o ensue_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o point_n follow_v namely_o what_o we_o be_v to_o do_v before_o in_o and_o after_o prayer_n first_o therefore_o before_o prayer_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o every_o one_o diligent_o prepare_v themselves_o 18._o syr._n 18._o and_o not_o to_o be_v as_o one_o that_o tempt_v god_n for_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o must_v enter_v into_o our_o chamber_n even_o the_o secret_a chamber_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o dispose_v thing_n there_o before_o we_o pray_v this_o preparation_n consist_v in_o these_o
not_o proper_o require_v it_o but_o the_o whole_a thing_n itself_o without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o representation_n be_v do_v by_o the_o understanding_n and_o according_a to_o these_o two_o manner_n of_o meditation_n the_o presence_n of_o god_n be_v distinguish_v first_o a_o imaginary_a presence_n according_a to_o the_o first_o kind_n of_o meditation_n second_o a_o intellectual_a presence_n according_a to_o the_o second_o kind_n now_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n be_v a_o certain_a application_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o affection_n to_o god_n and_o heavenly_a thing_n conceive_v either_o after_o a_o imaginary_a or_o intellectual_a manner_n which_o application_n be_v most_o necessary_a in_o all_o our_o meditation_n now_o come_v we_o to_o show_v those_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o say_v before_o be_v principal_a help_n to_o those_o that_o will_v meditate_v aright_o and_o those_o be_v the_o matter_n and_o method_n or_o form_n of_o meditation_n 1_o that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v destitute_a of_o most_o fit_a matter_n to_o be_v take_v into_o our_o meditation_n brief_o survey_v these_o point_n follow_v as_o most_o necessary_a subject_n to_o exercise_v our_o holy_a meditation_n upon_o 1._o meditate_v upon_o those_o foute_z inevitable_a destiny_n and_o divine_a determination_n of_o god_n concern_v man_n death_n judgement_n hell_n torment_n and_o heaven_n glory_n 2._o of_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o whole_a world_n and_o the_o most_o glorious_a thing_n therein_o and_o the_o infinite_a misery_n of_o man_n life_n 3._o meditate_v on_o the_o sin_n of_o thy_o fore-spent_a life_n 4._o on_o the_o life_n passion_n and_o death_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n the_o mystery_n of_o his_o most_o holy_a supper_n and_o sacrament_n institute_v of_o he_o to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o these_o 5._o on_o the_o benefit_n of_o god_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v 6._o on_o the_o bless_a virgin_n &_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o glory_n 7._o on_o all_o virtue_n and_o vice_n but_o especial_o such_o virtue_n whereof_o thou_o find_v thy_o soul_n most_o barren_a &_o such_o vice_n to_o which_o thou_o know_v thyself_o most_o incline_v 8._o the_o book_n of_o the_o creature_n 9_o the_o divine_a perfection_n &_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o mercy_n justice_n wisdom_n etc._n etc._n 10._o all_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n but_o chief_o the_o 4._o evangelist_n and_o book_n of_o the_o psalm_n 11._o the_o lord_n prayer_n ten_o commandment_n the_o creed_n 12._o thou_o may_v meditate_v on_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n from_o the_o one_o end_n of_o the_o catechism_n to_o the_o other_o beside_o thou_o may_v often_o meditate_v to_o what_o end_n this_o noble_a creature_n man_n and_o this_o glorious_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n be_v make_v for_o that_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o salvation_n and_o perfection_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o herein_o be_v amiss_o to_o follow_v the_o wisdom_n and_o direction_n of_o our_o church_n insist_v in_o her_o step_n for_o our_o help_n in_o this_o godly_a exercise_n this_o we_o shall_v do_v if_o on_o the_o solemn_a day_n of_o prayer_n and_o holy_a exercise_n we_o shall_v diligent_o weigh_v with_o ourselves_o such_o mystery_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v on_o those_o day_n propose_v to_o be_v read_v and_o expound_v to_o the_o people_n if_o on_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n we_o revolve_v in_o our_o mind_n their_o life_n death_n virtue_n and_o memorable_a act_n together_o with_o the_o glory_n they_o have_v now_o happy_o attain_v if_o upon_o the_o aduent_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n we_o shall_v due_o consider_v the_o mystery_n of_o his_o holy_a incarnation_n and_o nativity_n if_o in_o and_o during_o the_o lent_n we_o serious_o meditate_v on_o the_o holy_a gospel_n appoint_v to_o be_v read_v daily_o if_o upon_o the_o lord_n day_n we_o consider_v with_o ourselves_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n or_o the_o general_a resurrection_n of_o all_o man_n and_o the_o happiness_n which_o those_o that_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n shall_v attain_v unto_o which_o the_o lord_n day_n do_v represent_v unto_o we_o or_o the_o benefit_n of_o god_n or_o the_o gospel_n of_o that_o day_n or_o do_v so_o dispose_v of_o these_o four_o point_n that_o every_o month_n contain_v four_o lord_n day_n we_o at_o once_o perform_v these_o allot_v unto_o every_o lord_n day_n these_o several_a point_n if_o also_o on_o such_o day_n wherein_o we_o receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n we_o enter_v into_o diligent_a meditation_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o that_o heavenly_a sacrament_n or_o of_o the_o passion_n and_o death_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n whereof_o that_o be_v institute_v a_o memorial_n if_o at_o such_o season_n as_o these_o and_o also_o when_o we_o shall_v have_v be_v present_a at_o sermon_n we_o present_o after_o or_o within_o a_o convenient_a time_n enter_v into_o meditation_n and_o repetition_n of_o thing_n hear_v and_o conceive_v then_o shall_v we_o make_v right_a use_n of_o the_o church_n wisdom_n and_o direction_n and_o find_v most_o apt_a matter_n for_o meditation_n and_o let_v we_o know_v this_o withal_o that_o every_o christian_n ought_v very_o often_o to_o handle_v and_o meditate_v on_o that_o virtue_n which_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o stand_v most_o in_o need_n of_o and_o on_o that_o vice_n which_o he_o chief_o desire_v to_o have_v extinguish_v in_o himself_o for_o as_o the_o body_n do_v more_o desire_o seek_v after_o and_o more_o profitable_o and_o ready_o digest_v those_o meat_n which_o be_v most_o pleasant_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o palate_n and_o taste_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o soul_n shall_v more_o frequent_o meditate_v and_o as_o it_o be_v feed_v itself_o with_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o it_o more_o tasteful_a &_o profitable_a for_o i_o be_o full_o perfwade_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o physician_n be_v as_o true_a in_o spiritual_a thing_n as_o in_o coporall_a quod_fw-la sapit_fw-la nutrit_fw-la that_o which_o be_v savoury_a to_o the_o taste_n be_v nourish_v to_o the_o stomach_n only_o to_o end_v this_o point_n let_v these_o three_o thing_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o meditation_n first_o that_o great_a care_n be_v use_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o every_o week_n or_o month_n in_o prepare_v of_o fit_a and_o sufficient_a matter_n of_o meditation_n which_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o whole_a time_n second_o if_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o any_o day_n that_o just_a occasion_n of_o change_v our_o appoint_a matter_n of_o meditation_n be_v offer_v as_o sermon_n or_o solemn_a exercise_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o like_a than_o we_o must_v defer_v the_o meditation_n of_o that_o day_n until_o the_o next_o day_n follow_v three_o albeit_o there_o be_v much_o benefit_n arise_v from_o a_o settle_a course_n of_o prefix_v to_o ourselves_o certain_a matter_n to_o be_v meditate_a on_o from_o week_n to_o week_n and_o month_n to_o month_n yet_o may_v every_o one_o meditate_v on_o other_o matter_n in_o one_o &_o the_o same_o day_n and_o because_o these_o few_o matter_n of_o meditation_n follow_v seem_v to_o be_v more_o profitable_a and_o necessary_a to_o every_o christian_a then_o the_o rest_n every_o christian_n may_v beside_o other_o matter_n of_o meditaon_n take_v every_o week_n these_o in_o order_n into_o his_o meditation_n namely_o first_o to_o meditate_v on_o monday_n upon_o death_n second_o on_o tuesday_n upon_o the_o last_o judgement_n three_o on_o wednesday_n upon_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n four_o on_o thursday_n upon_o the_o glory_n of_o heaven_n five_o on_o friday_n upon_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n sixthly_a on_o saturday_n upon_o his_o sin_n and_o seventh_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n upon_o the_o benefit_n of_o god_n bestow_v on_o mankind_n thus_o have_v brief_o lay_v open_a the_o chief_a subject_n and_o matter_n of_o every_o christian_a meditation_n it_o be_v require_v that_o we_o descend_v to_o the_o second_o consideration_n namely_o the_o method_n and_o form_n of_o meditation_n for_o it_o be_v to_o small_a purpose_n it_o a_o man_n have_v never_o so_o many_o good_a material_n for_o building_n if_o he_o want_v the_o skill_n to_o use_v they_o in_o building_n and_o little_a benefit_n or_o none_o be_v have_v by_o know_v the_o matter_n whereon_o we_o ought_v to_o meditate_v unless_o we_o also_o know_v the_o manner_n how_o to_o meditate_v on_o they_o ambr._n ambr._n for_o ignorantia_fw-la ordinis_fw-la &_o modi_fw-la quibus_fw-la operandum_fw-la est_fw-la plurimum_fw-la turbat_fw-la meriti_fw-la qualitatem_fw-la the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o order_n and_o manner_n wherewith_o a_o man_n must_v work_v do_v very_o much_o trouble_v the_o quality_n of_o a_o man_n desert_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v think_v that_o we_o have_v attain_v the_o full_a knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n albeit_o we_o know_v what_o we_o
sin_n of_o one_o man_n and_o no_o more_o who_o can_v be_v so_o ignorant_a meditate_v this_o but_o easy_o will_v arise_v from_o the_o dungeon_n of_o despair_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o heart_n conceive_v un-repellable_a hope_n this_o reason_n be_v able_a not_o only_o to_o give_v health_n to_o the_o sick_a but_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a 3_o reason_n beside_o the_o most_o unspeakable_a love_n of_o god_n exhibit_v to_o we_o in_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o hope_n christ_n himself_o have_v speak_v in_o the_o gospel_n many_o thing_n to_o stir_v up_o our_o hope_n ask_v and_o you_o shall_v receive_v etc._n etc._n but_o above_o all_o that_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v ask_v believe_v that_o you_o shall_v receive_v it_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v unto_o you_o these_o word_n to_o stir_v up_o our_o mind_n and_o beget_v hope_n be_v most_o forcible_a i_o say_v unto_o you_o as_o if_o christ_n have_v give_v his_o obligation_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o to_o bind_v himself_o to_o unworthy_a man_n require_v only_o this_o condition_n of_o we_o that_o we_o hold_v a_o good_a opinion_n and_o faith_n of_o his_o goodness_n that_o he_o will_v give_v we_o what_o we_o ask_v and_o how_o consonant_n to_o reason_n be_v this_o be_v there_o any_o prince_n that_o promise_v faithful_o he_o will_v give_v to_o some_o that_o ask_v he_o a_o piece_n of_o silver_n so_o they_o ask_v faithful_o that_o perform_v no_o this_o promise_n or_o do_v any_o doubt_n of_o it_o that_o be_v wise_a if_o then_o that_o most_o high_a potentate_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o can_v loof_o any_o of_o his_o riches_n nay_o who_o the_o more_o he_o give_v tho_o rich_a he_o be_v do_v promise_n to_o give_v to_o they_o that_o ask_v faithful_o be_v able_a to_o do_v what_o he_o listen_v with_o a_o beck_n who_o be_v so_o mad_a that_o do_v not_o undoubted_o hope_v and_o ask_v nay_o which_o do_v ask_v and_o do_v not_o obtain_v now_o than_o if_o god_n who_o be_v most_o propense_a to_o do_v good_a as_o the_o first_o reason_n prove_v and_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n send_v his_o son_n his_o only_o beget_v son_n deliver_v he_o to_o most_o bitter_a death_n that_o i_o may_v by_o he_o obtain_v what_o i_o ask_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o second_o reason_n and_o to_o conclude_v the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o both_o god_n and_o man_n my_o redeemer_n have_v bind_v himself_o by_o promise_n most_o ample_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o himself_o to_o give_v unto_o i_o what_o i_o faithful_o ask_v as_o in_o the_o three_o reason_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o i_o must_v not_o only_o swerve_v from_o all_o christianity_n but_o even_o from_o the_o right_a use_n of_o reason_n or_o else_o most_o constant_o hope_v for_o the_o eternal_a good_a thing_n of_o salvation_n which_o i_o pray_v for_o the_o four_o day_n journey_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o heaven_n be_v holiness_n of_o life_n this_o indeed_o be_v the_o full_a complement_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n with_o judgement_n to_o meditate_v upon_o divine_a mystery_n with_o diligence_n and_o to_o pray_v unto_o god_n with_o devotion_n be_v to_o small_a purpose_n except_o there_o follow_v practice_v and_o application_n of_o all_o these_o in_o the_o life_n our_o labour_n then_o must_v be_v in_o this_o discourse_n first_o to_o give_v some_o general_a precept_n how_o to_o acquire_v those_o virtue_n that_o help_v to_o the_o sanctification_n of_o life_n and_o to_o root_v up_o the_o vice_n which_o hinder_v the_o increase_n of_o godliness_n in_o our_o heart_n second_o to_o propose_v a_o daily_a method_n of_o practise_v such_o holy_a duty_n as_o be_v perform_v will_v make_v our_o whole_a life_n a_o sweet_a smell_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n 1_o the_o ignorance_n of_o a_o sure_a method_n and_o mean_n to_o beget_v the_o seed_n of_o virtue_n in_o man_n heart_n be_v the_o cause_n that_o so_o few_o do_v arrive_v at_o the_o haven_n of_o perfection_n in_o any_o measure_n insomuch_o that_o hardly_o shall_v one_o find_v one_o man_n in_o all_o his_o life_n that_o have_v attain_v to_o any_o competent_a habit_n of_o any_o one_o virtue_n all_o virtue_n as_o the_o learned_a do_v well_o observe_v be_v either_o infuse_v into_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o only_a grace_n of_o god_n which_o give_v all_o good_a thing_n or_o else_o be_v acquire_v by_o the_o industry_n and_o labour_n of_o man_n be_v help_v thereunto_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o which_o let_v he_o consider_v these_o point_n follow_v 1_o he_o that_o will_v attain_v to_o any_o virtue_n as_o humility_n or_o the_o like_a must_v know_v these_o five_o thing_n to_o be_v very_o necessary_a 1_o a_o earnest_n and_o great_a desire_n of_o that_o virtue_n which_o be_v engender_v first_o by_o ponder_v the_o glorious_a beauty_n nobility_n excellency_n and_o necessity_n of_o that_o virtue_n second_o how_o it_o please_v god_n that_o a_o man_n be_v adorn_v with_o that_o virtue_n three_o what_o example_n and_o admonition_n christ_n leave_v of_o that_o virtue_n four_o how_o displease_v and_o detestable_a to_o god_n the_o contrary_a vice_n be_v five_o how_o far_o i_o be_o yet_o from_o that_o virtue_n and_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o 2_o prayer_n whereby_o with_o most_o earnest_a supplication_n he_o must_v beg_v that_o virtue_n of_o god_n 3_o frequent_a meditation_n upon_o that_o virtue_n in_o which_o he_o must_v revolve_v with_o himself_o these_o four_o point_n first_o how_o please_v this_o virtue_n be_v to_o god_n second_o how_o excellent_a in_o itself_o three_o how_o necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n four_o what_o worthy_a benefit_n and_o fruit_n it_o briuge_v with_o it_o 4_o a_o continual_a exercise_n and_o use_v as_o well_o of_o the_o inward_a as_o outward_a act_n of_o that_o virtue_n 5_o examination_n whereby_o to_o discuss_v himself_o daily_a touch_a his_o defect_n against_o this_o virtue_n 2_o albeit_o all_o virtue_n be_v desirable_a yet_o the_o more_o easy_o to_o gain_v the_o habit_n of_o they_o we_o must_v take_v some_o one_o by_o the_o space_n of_o a_o month_n or_o as_o shall_v be_v needful_a wherein_o to_o exercise_v ourselves_o and_o so_o long_o to_o frequent_v the_o act_n thereof_o until_o we_o have_v gain_v some_o habit_n therein_o else_o we_o shall_v hardly_o ever_o come_v to_o a_o wish_a end_n 3_o before_o all_o thing_n those_o virtue_n be_v most_o to_o be_v love_v and_o labour_v for_o which_o be_v of_o most_o moment_n and_o which_o every_o one_o know_v to_o be_v most_o necessary_a for_o he_o the_o rest_n by_o little_a and_o little_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o and_o sure_o to_o speak_v general_o two_o virtue_n seem_v to_o be_v chief_a and_o most_o necessary_a for_o all_o man_n humility_n and_o charity_n 4_o it_o be_v profitable_a in_o acquire_v of_o virtue_n to_o read_v some_o book_n or_o chapter_n write_v of_o that_o virtue_n we_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o and_o of_o the_o contrary_a vice_n 5_o and_o it_o will_v bring_v no_o small_a furtherance_n to_o gather_v some_o choice_a sentence_n from_o scripture_n and_o father_n and_o profane_a writer_n to_o be_v commit_v to_o memory_n and_o and_o often_o to_o be_v repeat_v 6_o last_o it_o be_v most_o profitable_a to_o propose_v the_o example_n of_o some_o saint_n of_o god_n who_o have_v excel_v in_o that_o virtue_n but_o chief_o the_o example_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v imitate_v but_o before_o i_o depart_v from_o these_o instruction_n how_o to_o acquire_v necessary_a virtue_n for_o sanctification_n of_o life_n let_v i_o reveal_v unto_o you_o the_o rule_n of_o two_o devout_a and_o learned_a man_n which_o they_o advise_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o this_o affair_n the_o one_o be_v saint_n bernard_n who_o give_v two_o rule_n very_o profitable_a for_o the_o attain_n unto_o perfection_n aquavitae_fw-la ber._n libel_n de_fw-fr formula_fw-la hon._n aquavitae_fw-la if_o say_v he_o thou_o will_v full_o obtain_v what_o thou_o intend_v two_o thing_n be_v necessary_a first_o that_o thou_o withdraw_v thyself_o from_o all_o transitory_a and_o earthly_a thing_n that_o thou_o regard_v they_o no_o more_o than_o if_o they_o be_v not_o second_o that_o thou_o so_o give_v up_o thyself_o to_o god_n as_o that_o thou_o neither_o say_v nor_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o that_o which_o thou_o constant_o believe_v be_o please_a unto_o god_n 1_o the_o first_o thou_o shall_v by_o this_o mean_n attain_v unto_o 1_o by_o all_o mean_n which_o thou_o be_v able_a to_o do_v thou_o shall_v vilify_v thyself_o repute_v thyself_o to_o be_v nothing_o and_o believe_v all_o other_o man_n to_o be_v good_a better_o than_o thyself_o and_o more_o please_v unto_o god_n 2_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v hear_v or_o see_v in_o man_n profess_v religion_n except_o it_o be_v