the_o old_a religion_n demonstrate_v in_o its_o principle_n and_o describe_v in_o the_o life_n and_o practice_n thereof_o jerem._n vi_fw-la 16._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n stand_v you_o in_o the_o way_n and_o see_v and_o ask_v for_o the_o old_a path_n where_o be_v the_o good_a way_n and_o walk_v therein_o and_o you_o shall_v find_v rest_n for_o your_o soul_n london_n print_v by_o j._n m._n for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o amen-corner_n mdclxxxiv_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o pious_a reader_n good_a reader_n thou_o be_v here_o present_v with_o a_o new_a book_n concern_v the_o old_a religion_n as_o therefore_o thou_o be_v not_o to_o expect_v thy_o curiosity_n shall_v here_o be_v gratify_v with_o new_a notion_n for_o i_o be_o not_o describe_v a_o new_a way_n to_o heaven_n but_o direct_v thou_o in_o the_o good_a old_a way_n which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v mark_v out_o and_o which_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n have_v all_o along_o walk_v in_o so_o neither_o be_v thou_o to_o think_v thyself_o disappoint_v if_o thou_o meet_v not_o with_o a_o discourse_n modish_o dress_v up_o with_o all_o the_o fashionable_a ornament_n of_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n for_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o tell_v thou_o though_o that_o will_v have_v be_v acceptable_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o age_n and_o perhaps_o may_v without_o any_o great_a difficulty_n have_v be_v comply_v with_o yet_o it_o will_v neither_o have_v suit_v so_o well_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_n i_o be_o upon_o nor_o especial_o have_v fit_v the_o person_n for_o who_o sake_n this_o little_a book_n be_v write_v that_o therefore_o which_o i_o here_o pretend_v and_o which_o i_o hope_v thou_o will_v not_o fail_v of_o in_o the_o paper_n before_o thou_o be_v first_o a_o brief_a but_o plain_a and_o substantial_a proof_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n second_o a_o discovery_n and_o confutation_n of_o several_a vulgar_a opinion_n which_o deform_v the_o beauty_n and_o defeat_v the_o efficacy_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a and_o last_o a_o clear_a description_n a_o rational_a deduction_n and_o a_o serious_a inculcation_n of_o the_o most_o important_a duty_n of_o that_o religion_n wherein_o either_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n our_o own_o comfort_n or_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n be_v principal_o concern_v as_o for_o the_o management_n of_o these_o point_n though_o i_o have_v not_o give_v countenance_n to_o this_o discourse_n by_o citation_n of_o author_n nor_o either_o adorn_v the_o text_n with_o fine_a say_n nor_o the_o margin_n with_o great_a name_n yet_o i_o hope_v thou_o will_v find_v a_o vein_n of_o sound_a reason_n in_o it_o and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n run_v quite_o through_o it_o i_o assure_v thou_o i_o have_v deal_v sincere_o and_o conscientious_o herein_o i_o have_v impartial_o consult_v the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o best_a understanding_n god_n have_v give_v i_o and_o i_o here_o set_v before_o thou_o though_o not_o the_o product_n yet_o the_o result_n of_o many_o year_n observation_n consideration_n and_o experience_n and_o so_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o god_n blessing_n and_o thy_o candid_a acceptance_n farewell_o the_o content_n part_n i._o a_o introduction_n to_o a_o holy_a and_o comfortable_a life_n chap._n i._n the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n p._n 9_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o reward_n of_o religion_n in_o another_o world_n p._n 21_o chap._n iv._o of_o the_o great_a influence_n and_o mighty_a efficacy_n of_o believe_a heaven_n and_o hell_n or_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o another_o world_n p._n 38_o chap._n v._o of_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o religion_n or_o what_o particular_a religion_n a_o man_n shall_v apply_v himself_o to_o p._n 55_o chap._n vi_o more_o particular_a direction_n for_o the_o settle_v a_o man_n mind_n in_o religion_n p._n 71_o chap._n vii_o caution_n against_o some_o opinion_n which_o be_v hindrance_n both_o of_o a_o holy_a and_o of_o a_o comfortable_a life_n p._n 85_o chap._n viii_o direction_n for_o the_o effectual_a prosecution_n of_o religion_n p._n 139_o part_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o holy_a and_o comfortable_a live_n chap._n i._o of_o secret_a devotion_n and_o particular_o of_o secret_a prayer_n p._n 181_o chap._n ii_o of_o several_a other_o instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n p._n 209_o chap._n iii_o of_o private_a devotion_n or_o family-piety_n in_o general_n p._n 235_o chap._n iv._o of_o family_n duty_n in_o special_a p._n 254_o chap._n v._o of_o family-discipline_n or_o by_o what_o mean_v a_o family_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o observance_n of_o religion_n p._n 281_o chap._n vi_o of_o public_a piety_n and_o particular_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o church_n and_o public_a assembly_n of_o christian_n p._n 301_o chap._n vii_o of_o civil_a piety_n or_o how_o a_o man_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o promote_v god_n honour_n and_o the_o public_a good_a of_o the_o parish_n consider_v only_o as_o a_o civil_a society_n or_o neighbourhood_n p._n 346_o a_o introduction_n to_o a_o holy_a and_o a_o comfortable_a life_n chap._n i._n the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o book_n of_o book_n and_o treasury_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n express_v itself_o thus_o concern_v religion_n psal_n iii_o v._n 10._o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o wisdom_n and_o a_o good_a understanding_n have_v all_o they_o that_o keep_v his_o commandment_n eccles_n 12._o 13._o let_v we_o hear_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n fear_v god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n for_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a duty_n or_o business_n of_o man_n s_o t_o luke_n 13._o 23._o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n for_o many_o shall_v seek_v to_o enter_v in_o and_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a phil._n 2._o 12._o work_v out_o your_o own_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a etc._n etc._n 2_o pet._n 1._o 10._o give_v diligence_n to_o make_v your_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a s_o t_o mat._n 6._o 33._o seek_v you_o first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v add_v to_o you_o s_o t_o john_n 6._o 27._o labour_v not_o for_o the_o meat_n that_o perish_v but_o for_o that_o meat_n which_o endure_v to_o eternal_a life_n s_o t_o mat._n 16._o 26._o what_o shall_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n by_o all_o which_o and_o abundance_n of_o other_o such_o like_a passage_n it_o appear_v that_o religion_n be_v as_o much_o our_o interest_n as_o our_o duty_n and_o that_o piety_n and_o care_n of_o another_o world_n be_v not_o only_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o his_o imposition_n upon_o we_o but_o the_o upshot_n and_o result_n of_o the_o best_a and_o true_a wisdom_n for_o wisdom_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o sceptical_a jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n but_o in_o a_o determinate_a knowledge_n and_o resolution_n what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v not_o in_o a_o superficial_a smattering_n of_o many_o thing_n but_o in_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o the_o just_a nature_n value_n and_o moment_n of_o they_o not_o in_o a_o endless_a hunt_n after_o curiosity_n but_o to_o know_v where_o to_o stick_v and_o fasten_v not_o in_o pill_v a_o flint_n or_o laborious_a beat_n out_o of_o unprofitable_a difficulty_n but_o in_o apply_v a_o man_n self_n to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v savoury_a and_o useful_a not_o in_o trick_n of_o wit_n sophistry_n or_o eloquence_n and_o least_o of_o all_o in_o a_o jest_n or_o a_o repartee_n but_o to_o discover_v what_o be_v fit_a to_o propound_v to_o a_o man_n self_n as_o his_o end_n and_o design_n and_o by_o what_o mean_v to_o attain_v it_o to_o have_v great_a thing_n in_o a_o man_n thought_n and_o to_o despise_v and_o scorn_v little_a and_o petty_a design_n in_o a_o word_n to_o see_v a_o great_a way_n before_o he_o and_o to_o be_v well_o provide_v for_o the_o future_a now_o all_o this_o be_v verify_v in_o religion_n more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o here_o a_o man_n mind_n be_v take_v up_o with_o the_o great_a thought_n and_o sublimest_n object_n god_n and_o eternity_n he_o take_v care_n to_o secure_v the_o main_a stake_n his_o own_o soul_n he_o employ_v himself_o about_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o consequence_n by_o inquire_v about_o another_o world_n he_o give_v proof_n of_o the_o great_a foresight_n in_o consider_v of_o it_o he_o give_v evidence_n of_o a_o sagacious_a temper_n in_o resolve_v upon_o it_o he_o show_v judgement_n in_o pursue_v it_o by_o the_o mean_v appoint_v he_o
proficiency_n or_o by_o our_o extraordinary_a fervency_n first_o by_o daily_a proficiency_n we_o discover_v the_o life_n of_o grace_n in_o our_o heart_n as_o we_o discern_v a_o plant_n to_o be_v alive_a because_o we_o see_v it_o grow_v second_o by_o extraordinary_a fervency_n as_o when_o perhaps_o a_o man_n have_v not_o have_v time_n to_o give_v proof_n of_o himself_o by_o a_o long_a course_n of_o grow_v daily_o better_a and_o better_o he_o may_v yet_o demonstrate_v a_o vital_a principle_n of_o good_a in_o his_o soul_n by_o such_o generous_a effort_n of_o zeal_n as_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o in_o consideration_n of_o which_o it_o be_v therefore_o not_o only_o sordid_a and_o ingrateful_a towards_o god_n but_o very_o uncomfortable_a to_o ourselves_o to_o inquire_v for_o the_o mere_a essence_n of_o grace_n and_o to_o stand_v upon_o strict_a and_o precise_a term_n of_o duty_n but_o perhaps_o these_o man_n think_v a_o pretence_n of_o modesty_n will_v countenance_v they_o against_o any_o imputation_n of_o cowardice_n or_o hypocrisy_n for_o they_o will_v say_v they_o be_v content_v with_o the_o low_a seat_n in_o heaven_n and_o so_o they_o may_v arrive_v at_o that_o state_n they_o be_v ambitious_a of_o no_o more_o silly_a man_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o culpable_a ambition_n to_o endeavour_v to_o be_v very_o good_a as_o if_o supreme_a happiness_n can_v be_v modest_o or_o remiss_o desire_v or_o that_o he_o either_o understand_v or_o true_o desire_v heaven_n who_o will_v modest_o compliment_v other_o to_o enter_v before_o he_o no_o no_o the_o chief_a good_a be_v desirable_a for_o itself_o and_o the_o natural_a manner_n of_o desire_v it_o be_v to_o do_v it_o without_o measure_n and_o bound_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o he_o therefore_o that_o have_v these_o modest_a desire_n of_o heaven_n be_v either_o a_o stark_a hypocrite_n or_o have_v no_o true_a notion_n of_o that_o state_n at_o all_o beside_o if_o it_o be_v or_o can_v be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v modest_a and_o good_a in_o this_o sense_n i_o mean_v to_o love_v heaven_n but_o moderate_o and_o yet_o to_o comethere_o notwithstanding_o it_o can_v not_o be_v without_o great_a folly_n and_o danger_n for_o a_o man_n to_o set_v himself_o too_o low_a a_o mark_n in_o so_o high_a a_o concern_v for_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o we_o see_v it_o be_v almost_o constant_a with_o man_n to_o shoot_v below_o their_o aim_n and_o nothing_o more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o their_o practice_n to_o fall_v short_a of_o their_o speculation_n and_o therefore_o every_o man_n that_o will_v not_o miscarry_v in_o his_o design_n take_v care_n to_o direct_v himself_o high_a enough_o according_o in_o this_o great_a affair_n of_o religion_n he_o that_o yield_v to_o such_o a_o fainthearted_a temper_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o modesty_n will_v not_o only_o never_o be_v very_o good_a but_o scarce_o ever_o be_v tolerable_a or_o good_a at_o all_o for_o if_o his_o projection_n be_v mean_a his_o performance_n will_v be_v worse_o in_o regard_n the_o deceitfulness_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n the_o reluctancy_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o devil_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o get_v some_o ground_n upon_o he_o and_o when_o abatement_n be_v make_v for_o all_o such_o disadvantage_n what_o a_o pitiful_a dwarfish_a sanctity_n will_v this_o over_o modesty_n arrive_v to_o at_o last_o but_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o some_o perhaps_o will_v be_v find_v so_o silly_a as_o to_o think_v or_o so_o disingenuous_a as_o to_o pretend_v to_o a_o suspicion_n at_o least_o that_o such_o extraordinary_a work_n as_o we_o have_v be_v now_o recommend_v may_v savour_v of_o merit_n or_o supererogation_n very_o likely_a if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v so_o absurd_a as_o to_o attribute_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o they_o but_o sure_o he_o that_o take_v his_o measure_n of_o thing_n from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v be_v in_o little_a danger_n of_o such_o a_o gross_a mistake_n especial_o while_o we_o be_v express_o tell_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v we_o be_v still_o but_o unprofitable_a servant_n for_o can_v a_o mortal_a man_n oblige_v his_o maker_n can_v infinite_a perfection_n become_v a_o debtor_n to_o dust_n and_o ash_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n require_v and_o deserve_v that_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o soul_n and_o heart_n and_o strength_n it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v love_v he_o too_o much_o but_o great_a danger_n we_o shall_v love_v he_o too_o little_a it_o can_v therefore_o choose_v but_o be_v the_o wise_a and_o safe_a course_n to_o incline_v to_o the_o side_n of_o god_n almighty_n and_o to_o favour_v his_o interest_n against_o the_o sensuality_n deadness_n and_o deceitfulness_n of_o our_o own_o heart_n o_o but_o may_z some_z man_n say_v will_v it_o not_o at_o least_o be_v will-worship_n to_o affect_v uncommand_v instance_n of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o zeal_n of_o his_o glory_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v if_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v with_o neglect_n of_o those_o expression_n of_o love_n and_o zeal_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o appoint_v for_o this_o look_n as_o if_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o be_v wise_a than_o god_n himself_o and_o so_o will_v undertake_v to_o choose_v for_o he_o what_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v with_o but_o now_o if_o neither_o his_o appointment_n in_o special_a be_v supersede_v by_o these_o voluntary_a performance_n nor_o these_o voluntary_a performance_n be_v unagreeable_a to_o those_o stand_n and_o general_a rule_n he_o have_v give_v we_o there_o can_v be_v no_o danger_n that_o divine_a goodness_n shall_v ill_o interpret_v they_o especial_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n why_o he_o that_o be_v please_v with_o a_o free-will-offering_a under_o the_o law_n shall_v be_v offend_v with_o the_o like_a under_o the_o gospel_n where_o above_o all_o thing_n he_o require_v a_o free_a cheerful_a generous_a and_o reasonable_a service_n wherefore_o let_v the_o man_n who_o real_o believe_v there_o will_v be_v reward_n of_o well-doing_n in_o another_o world_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o obtain_v they_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o every_o good_a work_n and_o cheerful_o embrace_v the_o opportunity_n wherein_o he_o may_v perform_v a_o costly_a or_o a_o difficult_a service_n and_o let_v he_o take_v care_n that_o no_o tradition_n of_o man_n nor_o superstitious_a conceit_n of_o his_o own_o head_n neither_o the_o example_n of_o other_o man_n careless_a life_n nor_o the_o too_o natural_a remissness_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n prevail_v upon_o he_o to_o neglect_v such_o instance_n whereby_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n may_v be_v most_o advance_v and_o his_o own_o comfort_n assure_v part_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o holy_a and_o comfortable_a live_n jer._n 6._o 16._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n stand_v you_o in_o the_o way_n and_o see_v and_o ask_v for_o the_o old_a path_n where_o be_v the_o good_a way_n and_o walk_v therein_o and_o you_o shall_v find_v rest_n for_o your_o soul_n the_o practice_n of_o holy_a and_o comfortable_a live_n chap._n i._o of_o secret_a devotion_n between_o god_n and_o a_o man_n be_v own_o soul_n and_o particular_o of_o prayer_n hitherto_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o little_a book_n we_o principal_o design_v these_o four_o thing_n first_o to_o discover_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o reality_n importance_n and_o necessity_n of_o it_o second_o to_o settle_v man_n judgement_n and_o determine_v they_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o profession_n of_o religion_n in_o particular_a three_o to_o give_v caution_n against_o certain_a common_a but_o dangerous_a mistake_n which_o may_v otherwise_o undermine_v and_o disappoint_v the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o religion_n four_o and_o last_o to_o lay_v down_o some_o general_a direction_n necessary_a to_o be_v premise_v in_o order_n to_o the_o effectual_a prosecution_n of_o a_o religious_a design_n and_o all_o this_o we_o comprise_v under_o the_o title_n of_o a_o introduction_n but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o build_v upon_o those_o foundation_n and_o more_o particular_o and_o plain_o to_o draw_v out_o the_o line_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o comfortable_a life_n here_o therefore_o it_o may_v seem_v expedient_a that_o we_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n consider_v the_o extent_n and_o whole_a compass_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v take_v for_o such_o a_o narrow_a and_o stingy_a thing_n as_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n represent_v it_o namely_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a scuffle_n about_o opinion_n nor_o a_o cant_v with_o peculiar_a phrase_n neither_o a_o club_a into_o a_o distinct_a party_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n or_o select_a society_n nor_o yet_o
they_o from_o extravagancy_n and_o at_o once_o to_o make_v our_o devotion_n the_o less_o tedious_a to_o ourselves_o and_o the_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n chap._n ii_o of_o several_a other_o instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n though_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o general_a duty_n of_o religion_n the_o common_a instrument_n of_o all_o piety_n and_o the_o most_o immediate_a address_v to_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n to_o make_v it_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n for_o there_o be_v several_a other_o of_o great_a moment_n among_o which_o i_o reckon_v in_o the_o next_o place_n 2._o study_n and_o meditation_n not_o only_o to_o direct_v and_o assist_v our_o prayer_n of_o which_o i_o say_v something_o before_o but_o especial_o to_o cultivate_v and_o improve_v our_o own_o mind_n that_o we_o may_v be_v wise_a and_o consequent_o both_o more_o capable_a of_o do_v god_n better_a service_n in_o this_o world_n and_o also_o fit_a for_o the_o society_n of_o angel_n and_o the_o conversation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a in_o the_o other_o world_n for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o god_n almighty_n have_v set_v a_o mighty_a value_n upon_o our_o soul_n in_o redeem_v they_o by_o no_o less_o a_o price_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o only_a son_n and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v be_v intolerable_o ingrateful_a towards_o he_o if_o we_o bestow_v no_o cost_n upon_o they_o but_o live_v as_o if_o we_o be_v mere_a matter_n and_o body_n and_o take_v care_n only_o to_o please_v and_o gratify_v our_o sense_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n abandon_v our_o mind_n to_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n to_o sloth_n and_o superstition_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v also_o that_o the_o same_o infinite_a goodness_n have_v by_o the_o same_o purchase_n deliver_v we_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o eternal_a death_n which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v keep_v we_o in_o perpetual_a bondage_n and_o so_o have_v contract_v our_o spirit_n and_o render_v our_o very_a self_n so_o inconsiderable_a to_o ourselves_o that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v have_v the_o heart_n to_o take_v any_o care_n of_o himself_o but_o will_v be_v tempt_v to_o have_v live_v like_o a_o beast_n because_o he_o expect_v to_o die_v like_o one_o or_o worse_a but_o now_o that_o we_o be_v make_v to_o hope_v for_o immortality_n and_o to_o live_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n a_o man_n shall_v spare_v no_o cost_n no_o labour_n and_o pain_n about_o himself_o since_o he_o may_v reap_v the_o fruit_n and_o enjoy_v the_o comfort_n of_o so_o do_v in_o the_o better_a enjoyment_n of_o himself_o a_o thousand_o age_n hence_o and_o to_o all_o eternity_n moreover_o the_o same_o divine_a goodness_n have_v design_v we_o to_o a_o glorious_a estate_n of_o happiness_n in_o his_o own_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n a_o state_n of_o intellectual_a pleasure_n and_o the_o most_o sublime_a ingredient_n of_o felicity_n which_o a_o dull_a sottish_a and_o sensual_a soul_n can_v never_o be_v capable_a of_o perceive_v if_o he_o be_v place_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v more_o than_o brutish_a that_o do_v not_o dispose_v himself_o so_o that_o he_o may_v be_v meet_a to_o partake_v of_o that_o inheritance_n with_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n to_o all_o this_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o general_a apostafy_a of_o mankind_n have_v weaken_a our_o nature_n cloud_v our_o understanding_n and_o disorder_v all_o our_o power_n and_o together_o herewith_o the_o foolish_a opinion_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o world_n have_v abuse_v and_o deceive_v we_o yet_o more_o and_o more_o so_o that_o we_o must_v be_v most_o silly_a and_o unhappy_a creature_n if_o we_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o deliver_v and_o disengage_v ourselves_o from_o both_o these_o calamity_n and_o the_o case_n be_v not_o total_o irreparable_a in_o respect_n of_o either_o of_o these_o mischief_n if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o for_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o we_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n recover_v ourselves_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o give_v we_o time_n to_o consider_v in_o privacy_n and_o retirement_n from_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o world_n that_o we_o may_v recollect_v ourselves_o he_o have_v set_v before_o we_o his_o work_n and_o providence_n to_o meditate_v upon_o we_o have_v his_o holy_a scripture_n to_o enlighten_v our_o mind_n and_o guide_v we_o out_o of_o the_o perplex_a state_n of_o thing_n we_o enjoy_v the_o public_a ministry_n and_o abundance_n of_o good_a book_n to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v those_o scripture_n and_o above_o all_o we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n against_o the_o weakness_n and_o confusion_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n and_o great_a necessity_n that_o we_o shall_v apply_v ourselves_o to_o study_v and_o meditation_n so_o we_o have_v as_o great_a encouragement_n to_o hope_v for_o success_n in_o so_o do_v for_o by_o application_n of_o ourselves_o to_o the_o mean_n aforesaid_a we_o may_v not_o only_o rid_v ourselves_o of_o that_o wildness_n and_o freity_n which_o be_v ordinary_o upon_o our_o nature_n but_o outgrow_a vulgar_a opinion_n and_o tradition_n and_o come_v to_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o true_a estimate_n of_o thing_n set_v before_o we_o we_o may_v greaten_v our_o spirit_n so_o as_o to_o despise_v those_o little_a thing_n which_o silly_a man_n dote_v upon_o we_o may_v free_v our_o mind_n of_o childish_a fear_n and_o unaccountable_a superstition_n we_o may_v understand_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o religion_n the_o loveliness_n of_o virtue_n and_o in_o a_o word_n have_v worthy_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o clear_a apprehension_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o although_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o all_o man_n be_v not_o alike_o capable_a of_o these_o improvement_n either_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o the_o unhappy_a constitution_n of_o their_o body_n or_o the_o perplex_a condition_n of_o their_o outward_a affair_n yet_o certain_o god_n almighty_n have_v by_o the_o mean_v aforesaid_a put_v it_o into_o every_o man_n power_n to_o be_v wise_a than_o he_o be_v if_o he_o will_v but_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o let_v the_o devout_a man_n be_v sure_a to_o make_v the_o experiment_n to_o further_o he_o the_o more_o wherein_o let_v he_o to_o all_o the_o consideration_n forego_v add_v these_o two_o follow_v first_o that_o forasmuch_o as_o he_o be_v make_v in_o god_n image_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o contempt_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o cultivate_a and_o adorn_v that_o part_n of_o himself_o wherein_o he_o especial_o resemble_v his_o maker_n and_o consequent_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v a_o very_a fit_a and_o proper_a instance_n of_o worship_n towards_o god_n to_o improve_v his_o own_o soul_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v here_o just_o place_v among_o the_o expression_n of_o devotion_n second_o let_v he_o consider_v that_o the_o great_a game_n of_o eternity_n be_v but_o once_o to_o be_v play_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o retrieve_v of_o our_o neglect_n and_o carelessness_n afterward_o therefore_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n that_o we_o shall_v play_v it_o intent_o and_o wary_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o redeem_v time_n from_o folly_n and_o sensuality_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o he_o that_o do_v so_o and_o beg_v god_n blessing_n upon_o it_o will_v undoubted_o find_v his_o mind_n enlarge_v his_o life_n more_o regular_a and_o his_o spirit_n more_o comfortable_a which_o be_v all_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o devotion_n 3._o the_o next_o instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n for_o i_o be_o not_o curious_a in_o what_o order_n i_o place_v they_o shall_v be_v the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n in_o god_n and_o dependence_n upon_o he_o in_o pursuance_n of_o a_o acknowledgement_n that_o he_o alone_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o the_o frame_v a_o man_n heart_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o he_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o he_o and_o stay_v itself_o upon_o he_o in_o all_o exigency_n and_o accident_n and_o passage_n whatsoever_o that_o he_o may_v impute_v nothing_o to_o chance_n fate_n or_o the_o star_n but_o possess_v himself_o with_o a_o deep_a and_o settle_a apprehension_n of_o the_o great_a interest_n of_o god_n in_o all_o revolution_n or_o occurrence_n this_o be_v a_o point_n of_o great_a and_o real_a honour_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n as_o it_o set_v god_n always_o before_o we_o and_o place_n he_o continual_o in_o our_o eye_n as_o it_o bring_v we_o to_o a_o entire_a resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o his_o dispose_n and_o put_v we_o into_o a_o constant_a gravity_n and_o a_o reverence_n towards_o he_o