principia_fw-la et_fw-la documenta_fw-la vitæ_fw-la christianae_n golgotha_n matthew_n 16_o ver_n 24_o if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o f._n h._n van._n hove_n feciâ—_n 〈…〉_o precept_n and_o practical_a rule_n for_o a_o true_o christian_a life_n be_v a_o summary_n of_o excellent_a direction_n to_o follow_v the_o narrow_a way_n to_o bliss_n in_o two_o part_n write_a original_o in_o latin_a by_o john_n bona_z english_v by_o l._n b._n london_n print_v by_o m._n clark_n for_o h._n brome_n at_o the_o gun_n in_o s._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxviii_o to_o the_o reverend_n mr._n thomas_n ken_n prebendary_a of_o the_o church_n of_o winton_n etc._n etc._n sir_n you_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o person_n of_o a_o very_a charitable_a and_o generous_a spirit_n ready_a and_o desirous_a to_o oblige_v the_o public_a yet_o have_v you_o be_v aware_a your_o commendation_n of_o this_o book_n will_v have_v draw_v upon_o you_o the_o trouble_n of_o this_o address_n it_o may_v well_o be_v doubt_v whether_o you_o will_v not_o have_v keep_v it_o secret_a to_o yourself_o without_o promote_a its_o being_n divulge_v in_o our_o vulgar_a tongue_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o other_o but_o sir_n that_o you_o may_v not_o repent_v this_o good_a deed_n i_o will_v spare_v you_o as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a and_o leave_v it_o still_o to_o public_a fame_n to_o proclaim_v your_o great_a worth_n only_o pray_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o offer_v that_o to_o you_o to_o which_o you_o have_v most_o right_a it_o will_v not_o only_o be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n but_o a_o kindness_n also_o to_o they_o that_o love_v good_a book_n for_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a this_o be_v one_o when_o they_o shall_v know_v so_o pious_a and_o so_o learned_a a_o man_n have_v recommend_v it_o for_o such_o and_o i_o may_v well_o expect_v this_o will_v prevail_v with_o other_o to_o read_v it_o glad_o when_o it_o be_v that_o make_v i_o undertake_v the_o great_a trouble_n of_o translate_n of_o it_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o shall_v deprecate_v for_o the_o more_o than_o usual_a liberty_n i_o have_v in_o some_o place_n take_v but_o sir_n either_o i_o can_v not_o follow_v my_o reader_n in_o his_o too_o lofty_a flight_n or_o else_o i_o think_v plainness_n may_v be_v of_o a_o more_o general_a usefulness_n or_o it_o may_v be_v i_o judge_v it_o convenient_a that_o speak_v another_o language_n he_o shall_v somewhat_o alter_v his_o sentiment_n it_o may_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o win_v a_o jansenist_n not_o now_o biased_n by_o worldly_a consideration_n and_o however_o it_o be_v a_o good_a work_n to_o draw_v a_o good_a man_n from_o a_o bad_a party_n so_o that_o i_o be_o almost_o confident_a that_o what_o i_o have_v do_v in_o this_o will_v not_o only_o have_v your_o pardon_n but_o your_o approbation_n also_o and_o then_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v fear_v the_o censure_n of_o any_o judicious_a reader_n sir_n i_o be_o well_o assure_v your_o name_n will_v more_o than_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o this_o book_n on_o the_o account_n of_o its_o author_n as_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o if_o my_o translation_n be_v but_o tolerable_a it_o can_v but_o do_v good_a and_o be_v acceptable_a to_o all_o good_a christian_n i_o know_v it_o be_v your_o design_n it_o shall_v and_o i_o wish_v it_o may_v and_o that_o this_o dedication_n may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o testimony_n of_o my_o great_a respect_n for_o you_o worthy_a sir_n who_o unknown_a i_o honour_v as_o a_o person_n well_o know_v to_o deserve_v it_o remain_v sir_n your_o humble_a servant_n l._n b._n the_o translator_n preface_n to_o the_o reader_n i_o know_v we_o have_v great_a plenty_n of_o good_a book_n already_o but_o the_o number_n of_o the_o bad_a one_o increase_v daily_a and_o we_o must_v not_o suffer_v the_o tare_n to_o choke_v the_o good_a seed_n for_o the_o new_a one_o be_v read_v and_o inquire_v after_o though_o for_o nothing_o but_o mere_o novelty_n i_o know_v likewise_o that_o for_o the_o best_a of_o modern_a author_n we_o need_v not_o be_v behold_v to_o stranger_n we_o have_v many_o of_o our_o own_o more_o excellent_a than_o any_o can_v come_v from_o abroad_o but_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v greedy_a of_o such_o foreign_a thing_n as_o minister_v to_o vanity_n and_o neglect_v such_o as_o advance_v true_a goodness_n why_o shall_v we_o teach_v poet_n and_o romancer_n to_o speak_v the_o english_a tongue_n and_o not_o acquaint_v christian_a philosopher_n with_o the_o grace_n of_o it_o if_o i_o want_v apology_n for_o this_o translation_n such_o as_o these_o will_v sufficient_o plead_v for_o it_o but_o indeed_o i_o rather_o want_v word_n to_o set_v forth_o its_o due_a praise_n for_o it_o be_v very_o good_a in_o itself_o and_o design_v to_o a_o good_a end_n i_o mean_v the_o instruction_n of_o it_o which_o if_o attend_v to_o can_v but_o be_v very_o serviceable_a in_o promote_a holiness_n and_o true_a religion_n i_o know_v some_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o ask_v with_o nathaniel_n john_n 1.46_o can_v there_o any_o good_a thing_n come_v out_o of_o nazareth_n but_o i_o answer_v with_o st._n philip_n come_v and_o see_v believe_v not_o my_o report_n but_o come_v and_o satisfy_v thyself_o and_o judge_v as_o thou_o shall_v find_v cause_n it_o be_v true_a we_o may_v not_o go_v to_o school_v to_o the_o devil_n but_o we_o may_v receive_v truth_n from_o whencesoever_o it_o come_v i_o mean_v only_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o seek_v to_o dissenter_n to_o learn_v from_o they_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o disagree_v but_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v true_a we_o may_v use_v their_o counsel_n and_o their_o assistance_n and_o we_o be_v all_o agree_v that_o unfeigned_a holiness_n and_o christian_a virtue_n be_v absolute_o requisite_a to_o make_v we_o true_a christian_n and_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a we_o may_v therefore_o use_v all_o such_o mean_n as_o tend_v to_o this_o end_n without_o inquire_v whence_o they_o come_v israelites_n may_v go_v down_o to_o the_o philistine_n to_o sharpen_v their_o mattock_n their_o share_n and_o their_o axe_n and_o where_o we_o know_v the_o right_a way_n there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o be_v forward_v therein_o by_o any_o stranger_n help_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v many_o doctrine_n very_o injurious_a to_o god_n and_o destructive_a of_o holiness_n and_o true_a piety_n but_o withal_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o many_o of_o her_o member_n admit_v not_o of_o the_o direful_a consequent_n but_o still_o believe_v and_o press_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o gospel-precept_n and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o good_a man_n to_o live_v in_o so_o erroneous_a and_o so_o corrupt_a a_o society_n but_o however_o fear_v not_o to_o read_v and_o to_o follow_v the_o christian_a direction_n contain_v in_o this_o book_n for_o it_o have_v pass_v through_o such_o hand_n as_o will_v not_o have_v make_v it_o public_a but_o for_o a_o public_a advantage_n and_o withal_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o author_n composure_n as_o his_o collection_n from_o ancient_a and_o more_o orthodox_n writer_n but_o bless_a god_n how_o different_a be_v the_o temper_n and_o procedure_v of_o man_n not_o a_o few_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v grieve_v for_o and_o very_o sensible_a of_o the_o corruption_n creep_v in_o and_o establish_v among_o they_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v meek_a and_o peaceable_a silent_a and_o subject_a under_o their_o worst_a constitution_n and_o this_o pure_a of_o church_n the_o church_n of_o england_n against_o which_o nothing_o reasonable_a can_v be_v object_v be_v clamour_v against_o tear_v and_o distract_v even_o by_o some_o that_o will_v be_v think_v the_o best_a of_o protestant_n there_o they_o impose_v a_o heavy_a yoke_n and_o teach_v thing_n apparent_o design_v to_o gratify_v their_o pride_n and_o their_o ambition_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v obey_v here_o the_o church_n be_v indulgent_a and_o plain_o aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v rebel_v against_o and_o persecute_v and_o i_o profess_v but_o that_o the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v slight_v and_o heaven_n not_o care_v for_o i_o must_v eternal_o wonder_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o love_v and_o reverence_v and_o most_o glad_o follow_v by_o all_o that_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o live_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o her_o enclosure_n but_o i_o say_v this_o wonder_n must_v cease_v when_o we_o consider_v that_o man_n can_v stand_v out_o against_o the_o mercy_n of_o their_o
without_o work_n be_v dead_a and_o except_v our_o conversation_n be_v suitable_a to_o our_o profession_n the_o most_o glorious_a name_n and_o title_n shall_v avail_v nothing_o life_n and_o manner_n as_o well_o as_o faith_n make_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o believer_n by_o work_v the_o distinction_n be_v make_v betwixt_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o false_a for_o what_o manner_n of_o faith_n be_v they_o who_o so_o believe_v in_o god_n that_o they_o despise_v and_o reject_v his_o command_n be_v they_o not_o like_o the_o devil_n who_o believe_v and_o tremble_v or_o rather_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o they_o be_v no_o worse_o for_o his_o faith_n beget_v a_o awe_n and_o terror_n but_o these_o boast_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o fear_v god_n chap._n iii_o that_o original_a sin_n be_v the_o spring_n whence_o all_o evil_a proceed_v 1._o now_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o this_o wickedness_n none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o have_v but_o hear_v of_o the_o transgression_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n for_o by_o their_o fall_n original_a righteousness_n be_v lose_v human_a nature_n utter_o deprave_v and_o shut_v up_o under_o condemnation_n their_o offspring_n fall_v into_o evil_n of_o all_o sort_n so_o great_a and_o so_o many_o that_o they_o can_v be_v neither_o express_v nor_o number_v hence_o that_o deep_a and_o dreadful_a ignorance_n which_o like_o a_o black_a cloud_n darken_v the_o mind_n and_o lie_v upon_o it_o hence_o that_o brutish_a and_o untamable_a lust_n which_o like_o a_o heavy_a weight_n sink_v the_o soul_n to_o the_o ground_n and_o there_o keep_v it_o fast_o hence_o that_o aversion_n from_o god_n and_o conversion_n to_o thing_n perish_v hence_o those_o anxious_a care_n and_o foolish_a joy_n those_o dissension_n quarrel_n and_o enmity_n those_o perverse_a heresy_n greedy_a sacrilege_n and_o unsatiable_a lust_n and_o hence_o the_o eternal_a ruin_n and_o damnation_n of_o all_o mankind_n for_o this_o be_v the_o just_a vengeance_n of_o man_n impious_a disobedience_n and_o rebellion_n that_o god_n shall_v forsake_v he_o who_o by_o pride_n lift_v up_o himself_o against_o god_n that_o he_o that_o will_v not_o when_o he_o can_v make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o his_o free_a will_n shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o it_o and_o become_v uncapable_a of_o do_v what_o be_v infinite_o his_o duty_n and_o his_o interest_n to_o perform_v except_o he_o be_v prevent_v and_o assist_v by_o the_o divine_a grace_n and_o mercy_n 2._o thus_o man_n leave_v to_o himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n be_v by_o self-love_n draw_v to_o himself_o seek_v himself_o only_o and_o in_o his_o wretched_a self_n alone_o set_v his_o rest_n and_o his_o satisfaction_n this_o be_v a_o sad_a truth_n and_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v all_o christian_n do_v well_o consider_v and_o understand_v it_o for_o if_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o weakness_n and_o impotency_n how_o uncapable_a they_o be_v of_o themselves_o to_o do_v any_o good_a then_o it_o be_v like_a they_o will_v daily_o by_o fervent_a prayer_n beg_v his_o gracious_a help_n that_o work_v in_o we_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v from_o who_o come_v all_o our_o light_n our_o strength_n and_o our_o sufficiency_n but_o alas_o too_o many_o in_o a_o deep_a deathlike_a sleep_n rest_n in_o carnal_a security_n and_o unhappy_o abuse_v by_o vain_a delusion_n love_v their_o blindness_n and_o their_o disease_n too_o dream_v that_o they_o be_v safe_a and_o sound_a because_o they_o have_v no_o sense_n of_o their_o distemper_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o occasion_n and_o drift_n of_o this_o book_n 1._o while_o i_o often_o think_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o bitterness_n of_o my_o soul_n call_v to_o mind_n the_o lose_a year_n of_o my_o life_n i_o be_v grieve_v and_o perplex_v both_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v past_a and_o of_o that_o which_o shall_v follow_v hereafter_o look_v backward_o on_o those_o day_n which_o be_v go_v and_o examine_v serious_o how_o i_o have_v spend_v they_o i_o be_v seize_v upon_o with_o horror_n at_o the_o sight_n of_o my_o many_o soul_n prevarication_n against_o the_o law_n of_o my_o gracious_a god_n and_o my_o great_a unfaithulness_n to_o christ_n my_o saviour_n in_o the_o breach_n of_o those_o sacred_a vow_n i_o make_v when_o i_o give_v up_o my_o name_n to_o he_o in_o holy_a baptism_n i_o be_v ashamed_a and_o confound_v to_o have_v thus_o requite_v my_o god_n and_o abuse_v his_o grace_n and_o when_o i_o turn_v myself_o to_o the_o future_a to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v come_v upon_o i_o i_o can_v not_o but_o dread_v the_o dreadful_a judgement_n of_o my_o offend_a god_n and_o tremble_v exceed_o at_o the_o greatness_n of_o my_o danger_n and_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o that_o pardon_n i_o want_v and_o be_o so_o much_o unworthy_a of_o in_o these_o strait_n i_o resolve_v by_o god_n help_n first_o to_o help_v myself_o and_o then_o other_o that_o be_v in_o the_o same_o case_n to_o prescribe_v what_o may_v easy_o be_v have_v and_o yet_o be_v effectual_a thing_n ready_a at_o hand_n which_o be_v often_o read_v and_o consider_v may_v be_v remember_v and_o follow_v that_o they_o that_o serious_o design_n to_o be_v happy_a and_o to_o take_v the_o safe_a way_n that_o lead_v to_o heaven_n may_v find_v it_o here_o without_o the_o trouble_n of_o a_o long_a and_o laborious_a search_n 2._o now_o because_o physician_n have_v their_o aphorism_n and_o philosopher_n their_o axiom_n or_o sentence_n and_o in_o all_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n we_o must_v begin_v at_o certain_a principle_n which_o be_v short_a and_o comprehensive_a and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o seed_n and_o marrow_n of_o the_o whole_a discipline_n therefore_o i_o purpose_v in_o this_o little_a book_n to_o lay_v down_o brief_o and_o clear_o those_o chief_a rule_n and_o instruction_n for_o to_o lead_v a_o holy_a and_o a_o religious_a life_n which_o more_o at_o large_a be_v scatter_v in_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o divine_a scripture_n and_o in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o other_o good_a author_n for_o when_o all_o be_v do_v this_o be_v our_o first_o and_o our_o great_a concern_n that_o one_o necessary_a thing_n on_o which_o all_o depend_v to_o know_v how_o to_o live_v well_o to_o live_v like_o christian_n for_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n be_v profit_v if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n and_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n give_v in_o exchange_n for_o his_o soul_n mat._n 16.26_o nothing_o more_o perverse_a and_o unreasonable_a can_v be_v imagine_v than_o to_o own_v ourselves_o christ_n disciple_n and_o live_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o example_n and_o the_o precept_n of_o christ_n the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a will_v avail_v nothing_o where_o the_o life_n be_v antichristian_a chap._n v._o the_o cause_n why_o so_o many_o learn_v the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n and_o follow_v they_o not_o 1._o many_o without_o difficulty_n can_v read_v and_o learn_v the_o gospel-precept_n and_o even_o often_o think_v of_o they_o but_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o few_o understand_v well_o their_o force_n and_o their_o full_a importance_n we_o easy_o grant_v that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o heaven_n lie_v through_o self-denial_n fast_v watch_v and_o pray_v keep_v under_o the_o body_n and_o go_v patient_o through_o many_o tribulation_n but_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o action_n we_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n we_o can_v ready_o say_v and_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o christian_n duty_n cheerful_o to_o endure_v reproach_n and_o persecution_n torment_n and_o even_o death_n itself_o but_o when_o these_o evil_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o our_o life_n come_v to_o be_v in_o danger_n than_o thing_n appear_v not_o as_o they_o do_v before_o we_o can_v see_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o resignation_n and_o sufferance_n what_o before_o be_v a_o very_a clear_a case_n be_v now_o at_o the_o best_a but_o very_o doubtful_a we_o can_v be_v humble_a when_o no_o body_n revile_v we_o and_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o vexation_n than_o we_o be_v patient_a we_o assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o severe_a injunction_n when_o we_o be_v not_o concern_v but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o regard_v we_o and_o press_v upon_o we_o a_o present_a duty_n than_o the_o enticement_n of_o lust_n and_o worldly_a vanity_n alter_v our_o resolution_n and_o disturb_v our_o mind_n and_o by_o a_o corrupt_a gloss_n or_o lazy_a interpretation_n we_o elude_v the_o unpleasing_a precept_n 2._o truth_n be_v as_o it_o be_v wrap_v up_o in_o a_o cloud_n and_o man_n hate_v it_o because_o it_o reprove_v they_o their_o sinful_a deprave_a nature_n can_v abide_v its_o rigour_n and_o austerity_n they_o find_v in_o virtue_n something_o
rough_a and_o bitter_a and_o in_o sin_n a_o mixture_n of_o sweetness_n that_o offend_v and_o this_o gratify_v their_o distemper_a palate_n and_o they_o brutish_o follow_v the_o bait_n run_v into_o all_o dissolution_n and_o so_o reject_v truth_n to_o embrace_v a_o lie_n if_o at_o any_o time_n they_o give_v ear_n to_o a_o honest_a and_o plain_a monitor_n who_o lay_v the_o truth_n open_a before_o they_o and_o be_v so_o far_o work_v upon_o as_o to_o be_v sensible_a that_o they_o be_v in_o darkness_n and_o to_o have_v some_o desire_n after_o light_n yet_o like_o man_n that_o will_v fain_o awake_v but_o be_v oppress_v by_o a_o heavy_a slumber_n and_o so_o present_o fall_v to_o sleep_v again_o they_o soon_o after_o close_v their_o eye_n and_o exclude_v the_o light_n to_o return_v to_o their_o belove_a darkness_n 3._o no_o wonder_n therefore_o if_o we_o propound_v to_o do_v many_o thing_n and_o effect_v nothing_o for_o we_o not_o foresee_v the_o difficulty_n which_o common_o occur_v in_o well-doing_n when_o we_o come_v to_o meet_v with_o they_o we_o present_o draw_v back_o and_o our_o courage_n fail_v again_o we_o trust_v in_o our_o own_o strength_n more_o than_o in_o the_o divine_a help_n and_o assistance_n and_o when_o temptation_n grow_v strong_a we_o lose_v heart_n and_o be_v soon_o worsted_n and_o learn_v by_o a_o sad_a experience_n that_o when_o we_o overcome_v it_o be_v not_o by_o our_o own_o virtue_n but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n grace_n last_o we_o give_v much_o to_o notion_n and_o speculation_n and_o take_v little_a care_n to_o affect_v our_o will_n and_o affection_n the_o christian_a law_n of_o well-living_a we_o learn_v as_o a_o science_n rather_o than_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o conscience_n we_o study_v divinity_n not_o to_o obedience_n and_o conformity_n to_o god_n will_n but_o to_o vain_a glory_n and_o ostentation_n now_o it_o be_v altogether_o in_o vain_a to_o learn_v wisdom_n and_o yet_o live_v foolish_o chap._n vi_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o evangelical_n perfection_n be_v intend_v for_o all_o christian_n 1._o many_o that_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n by_o live_v according_a to_o the_o strict_a precept_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n pretend_v that_o they_o belong_v not_o to_o they_o but_o only_o to_o clergyman_n or_o such_o as_o be_v shut_v up_o and_o recluse_n from_o the_o world_n this_o be_v their_o excuse_n and_o their_o plea_n but_o as_o i_o shall_v soon_o make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v altogether_o void_a of_o truth_n and_o vain_a for_o though_o it_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o some_o by_o new_a vow_n and_o engagement_n be_v more_o particular_o devote_v to_o god_n and_o under_o great_a obligation_n to_o live_v religious_o and_o tend_v to_o perfection_n yet_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o all_o christian_n tend_v to_o the_o same_o end_n though_o their_o way_n may_v differ_v in_o some_o circumstance_n and_o as_o to_o what_o regard_v the_o practice_n of_o christian_a virtue_n contempt_n of_o the_o world_n poverty_n in_o spirit_n and_o the_o love_a and_o bear_v of_o the_o cross_n they_o be_v all_o equal_o concern_v they_o have_v the_o same_o gospel_n and_o be_v equal_o oblige_v to_o obey_v its_o dictate_v charity_n which_o be_v the_o band_n of_o perfection_n comprehensive_a of_o all_o other_o duty_n god_n require_v of_o all_o christian_n alike_o and_o lust_n or_o self-love_n which_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a be_v likewise_o general_o forbid_v no_o exception_n of_o person_n no_o difference_n be_v make_v betwixt_o any_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v injon_v we_o shall_v abstain_v from_o idle_a word_n of_o which_o a_o account_n shall_v be_v render_v in_o the_o great_a day_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v angry_a with_o our_o brother_n nor_o covet_v what_o belong_v to_o he_o he_o make_v no_o distinction_n betwixt_o clergyman_n or_o layman_n or_o person_n of_o any_o rank_n or_o call_n nor_o yet_o when_o he_o say_v woe_n unto_o you_o that_o laugh_v and_o bless_a be_v you_o that_o mourn_n nor_o when_o he_o teach_v that_o we_o must_v always_o pray_v that_o we_o must_v forsake_v all_o and_o follow_v he_o that_o we_o must_v hate_v our_o own_o life_n deny_v ourselves_o suffer_v injury_n patient_o and_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o straight_a gate_n in_o these_o consist_v christian_a perfection_n and_o yet_o from_o these_o he_o exclude_v no_o man_n 2._o saint_n paul_n likewise_o write_v to_o all_o christian_n such_o as_o be_v cumber_v with_o worldly_a affair_n and_o have_v the_o care_n of_o large_a family_n give_v they_o this_o strict_a ascetic_a rule_n to_o be_v content_a with_o food_n and_o raiment_n 1_o tim._n 6.8_o than_o which_o nothing_o more_o be_v ever_o require_v of_o any_o hermit_n saint_n peter_n also_o exhort_v all_o believer_n to_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n as_o he_o that_o have_v call_v they_o be_v holy_a 1_o ep._n 1.15_o so_o do_v saint_n james_n 1.4_o to_o be_v perfect_a and_o entire_a want_v nothing_o and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n before_o they_o all_o preach_v to_o the_o multitude_n that_o follow_v he_o be_v you_o perfect_a say_v he_o as_o your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a mat._n 5.48_o thereby_o recommend_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o holiness_n to_o all_o that_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n that_o as_o many_o as_o be_v repute_v child_n of_o god_n by_o grace_n and_o adoption_n may_v live_v according_o endeavour_v after_o the_o example_n and_o perfection_n of_o their_o heavenly_a father_n and_o so_o have_v our_o bless_a lord_n lay_v upon_o all_o christian_n infinite_a obligation_n to_o live_v holy_a life_n to_o be_v strict_a and_o virtuous_a to_o the_o high_a measure_n and_o possibility_n which_o they_o may_v not_o neglect_v without_o forfeit_v his_o favour_n and_o exclude_v themselves_o from_o his_o heavenly_a kingdom_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o book_n with_o a_o exhortation_n to_o follow_v after_o perfection_n 1._o now_o then_o let_v we_o despise_v and_o forsake_v all_o those_o thing_n wherein_o worlding_n place_v their_o felicity_n and_o make_v it_o our_o only_a study_n to_o pursue_v after_o the_o prize_n of_o our_o high_a call_n the_o height_n of_o christian_a perfection_n in_o follow_v the_o bless_a step_n of_o our_o bless_a redeemer_n this_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o this_o little_a volume_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v design_v all_o the_o instruction_n here_o lay_v down_o that_o we_o may_v overcome_v the_o temptation_n and_o allurement_n of_o sense_n attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o so_o return_v in_o some_o manner_n to_o our_o primitive_a station_n that_o paradise_n wherein_o we_o be_v create_v to_o triumph_v over_o sin_n and_o at_o last_o reign_n to_o eternity_n the_o child_n of_o this_o world_n will_v fain_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o that_o perfection_n or_o sincerity_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o come_v by_o and_o hardly_o to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o man_n live_v thereby_o endeavour_v to_o make_v christian_n faint_v and_o remiss_a loath_a to_o venture_v upon_o a_o attempt_n which_o they_o will_v have_v they_o think_v be_v whole_o impossible_a whereas_o nothing_o be_v difficult_a to_o he_o that_o be_v true_o resolve_v and_o willing_a and_o whatever_o be_v hard_a in_o itself_o be_v make_v easy_a by_o that_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o assist_v we_o 2._o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o delicious_a beauty_n in_o virtue_n and_o righteousness_n so_o ravish_v a_o joy_n in_o a_o glimpse_n of_o heavenly_a light_n so_o glorious_a a_o brightness_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n eternal_a truth_n that_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o these_o for_o one_o day_n may_v just_o be_v prefer_v to_o many_o age_n of_o the_o great_a pleasure_n this_o world_n can_v afford_v for_o one_o day_n in_o thy_o court_n be_v better_a than_o a_o thousand_o as_o the_o psalmist_n say_v psal_n 84.10_o 3._o now_o here_o will_v i_o caution_n my_o reader_n not_o to_o wonder_v if_o perchance_o he_o find_v the_o same_o thing_n repeat_v more_o than_o once_o in_o this_o little_a book_n for_o that_o can_v be_v avoid_v there_o be_v so_o close_a a_o connexion_n and_o affinity_n betwixt_o the_o precept_n of_o several_a virtue_n and_o withal_o it_o may_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o great_a power_n of_o truth_n that_o the_o near_o we_o view_v it_o the_o often_o we_o be_v draw_v to_o review_v it_o likewise_o if_o something_o herein_o seem_v too_o angelical_a and_o high_a or_o more_o harsh_a and_o difficult_a than_o the_o frail_a nature_n of_o man_n can_v well_o bear_v let_v he_o remember_v that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n suffer_v violence_n and_o that_o the_o suffering_n of_o this_o present_a time_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v