christ_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o derive_v unto_o his_o faithful_a member_n from_o he_o the_o head_n mention_v by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n chap._n 11._o such_o as_o quick_a understanding_n wisdom_n counsel_n may_v or_o fortitude_n knowledge_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o other_o distinct_a from_o these_o into_o which_o quarrel_n i_o will_v not_o now_o enter_v sure_o they_o be_v the_o special_a gift_n of_o god_n give_v unto_o man_n for_o his_o instruction_n direction_n guidance_n and_o assistance_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o soul_n sect_n vii_o of_o illumination_n reflexive_a whereby_o a_o christian_a soul_n come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o its_o self_n in_o its_o spiritual_a state_n 1._o by_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n a_o man_n attain_v to_o many_o rare_a and_o useful_a thing_n and_o especial_o of_o god_n and_o by_o common_a revelation_n in_o holy_a scripture_n may_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n and_o godliness_n be_v make_v know_v unto_o he_o all_o which_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v necessary_a and_o useful_a but_o scarce_o otherwise_o than_o as_o they_o lead_v he_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o the_o state_n of_o his_o soul_n towards_o god_n to_o which_o a_o twofold_a revelation_n be_v require_v the_o first_o common_a to_o all_o christian_n declare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o rule_n of_o holy_a life_n principle_n of_o well_o believe_v and_o do_v but_o the_o second_o we_o be_v teach_v to_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o first_o that_o be_v such_o a_o knowledge_n or_o rather_o sense_n of_o a_o man_n particular_a and_o inward_a man_n which_o tend_v to_o a_o censure_v and_o condemn_v himself_o or_o a_o peaceable_a and_o comfortable_a persuasion_n of_o such_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o god_n favour_n as_o end_n in_o immortal_a bliss_n 2._o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n christ_n say_v what_o will_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n to_o gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n so_o may_v we_o say_v what_o will_v it_o profit_v a_o christian_n to_o know_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o own_o soul_n for_o to_o know_v the_o heaven_n themselves_o and_o their_o nature_n and_o number_n and_o various_a motion_n be_v no_o heavenly_a knowledge_n and_o to_o know_v god_n himself_o by_o extraordinary_a speculation_n be_v no_o godly_a knowledge_n of_o itself_o but_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o man_n self_n in_o the_o particular_a relation_n he_o have_v to_o god_n and_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o himself_o especial_o for_o this_o knowledge_n god_n seem_v to_o reserve_v to_o himself_o to_o be_v communicate_v at_o his_o pleasure_n for_o as_o christ_n himself_o teach_v we_o matth._n 11._o 27._o no_o man_n know_v the_o son_n but_o the_o father_n and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o father_n save_o the_o son_n and_o he_o to_o who_o soever_o the_o son_n will_v reveal_v he_o it_o may_v no_o less_o true_o be_v say_v no_o man_n know_v himself_o in_o his_o religious_a or_o spiritual_a capacity_n but_o he_o to_o who_o god_n have_v reveal_v himself_o for_o this_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n a_o man_n be_v as_o averse_a to_o as_o he_o be_v prone_a to_o natural_a knowledge_n by_o industrious_a speculation_n for_o who_o desire_v to_o find_v a_o hole_n or_o spot_n in_o his_o own_o coat_n yea_o who_o can_v patient_o be_v tell_v of_o any_o blemish_n in_o his_o face_n that_o his_o nose_n be_v too_o big_a and_o that_o his_o eye_n be_v too_o little_a or_o that_o his_o face_n be_v pimple_v and_o high_a colour_v or_o that_o his_o mouth_n be_v too_o wide_a or_o that_o one_o leg_n be_v short_a than_o another_o or_o such_o like_a imperfection_n of_o nature_n or_o deformity_n and_o the_o mind_n and_o soul_n be_v more_o near_o unto_o we_o and_o value_v by_o we_o than_o our_o visible_a part_n much_o more_o trouble_v be_v we_o when_o any_o defect_n be_v in_o they_o note_v for_o as_o it_o be_v observe_v that_o nature_n have_v make_v all_o man_n handsome_a enough_o in_o their_o own_o opinion_n as_o to_o their_o outward_a person_n so_o have_v it_o make_v all_o man_n wise_a enough_o virtuous_a enough_o and_o holy_a enough_o and_o though_o a_o current_a principle_n of_o religion_n teach_v many_o man_n sometime_o and_o upon_o some_o occasion_n in_o a_o manner_n to_o acknowledge_v their_o weakness_n and_o imperfection_n yet_o if_o another_o affirm_v the_o like_a thing_n of_o they_o they_o be_v much_o molest_v and_o offend_v conceive_v some_o ill_a will_n or_o spite_n to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o censure_n and_o man_n do_v natural_o but_o jest_n with_o themselves_o to_o other_o when_o they_o undervalue_v themselves_o in_o hope_n and_o expectation_n that_o such_o as_o hear_v they_o will_v take_v a_o occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o refute_v they_o by_o the_o return_n of_o praise_n and_o commendation_n of_o their_o worth_n for_o that_o very_a thing_n in_o which_o they_o disparage_v themselves_o more_o than_o recompense_v such_o defect_n 3._o religion_n then_o and_o that_o not_o in_o book_n but_o write_v in_o the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o affect_v rather_o than_o advise_v can_v alone_o sufficient_o imprint_v in_o a_o man_n the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o towards_o god_n to_o which_o notwithstanding_o a_o good_a preparation_n be_v make_v by_o god_n word_n until_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o illumination_n true_o supernatural_a shall_v open_v more_o full_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o understanding_n as_o saint_n paul_n speak_v to_o a_o more_o perfect_a sense_n of_o a_o man_n self_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o five_o thing_n what_o we_o be_v not_o what_o we_o be_v what_o we_o be_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o what_o we_o certain_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o 4._o by_o what_o we_o be_v not_o i_o mean_v that_o once_o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o which_o divine_a revelation_n have_v only_o infallible_o teach_v we_o and_o determine_v above_o the_o philosophy_n of_o some_o and_o against_o the_o philosophy_n of_o other_o and_o once_o it_o be_v that_o not_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o loin_n of_o nature_n man_n be_v to_o be_v find_v as_o all_o we_o at_o present_a may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o loin_n of_o adam_n before_o we_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n for_o adam_n himself_o be_v not_o where_o among_o natural_a cause_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o most_o slender_a be_v of_o all_o until_o god_n have_v produce_v he_o absolute_o nothing_o of_o itself_o produce_v only_a nothing_o and_o be_v worse_o than_o that_o vile_a lump_n of_o earth_n out_o of_o which_o man_n be_v shape_v all_o these_o thing_n concur_v to_o humble_a man_n upon_o the_o review_n of_o his_o base_a extraction_n by_o his_o mother_n side_n and_o be_v no_o better_o by_o his_o father_n side_n god_n creator_n of_o all_o thing_n than_o other_o ugly_a and_o odious_a creature_n in_o his_o eye_n but_o much_o the_o worse_o as_o the_o mass_n of_o humane_a flesh_n be_v leaven_v with_o the_o vain_a cogitation_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o inordinate_a concupiscence_n and_o affectation_n corrupt_v himself_o above_o other_o creature_n and_o by_o that_o contagion_n infect_v he_o with_o what_o great_a blush_n and_o confusion_n than_o shall_v we_o reflect_v upon_o our_o frustrate_v god_n design_n and_o order_n which_o be_v to_o be_v exemplary_a in_o virtue_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n unto_o other_o inferior_a creature_n have_v render_v they_o more_o vile_a and_o disorderly_a and_o which_o be_v more_o lamentable_a as_o it_o be_v most_o shameful_a in_o the_o state_n degencrate_v into_o which_o man_n be_v fall_v by_o his_o free_a frailty_n for_o man_n to_o be_v more_o puff_v up_o and_o fancy_n to_o himself_o a_o empire_n even_o while_o he_o be_v tyrannize_v over_o by_o the_o rebel_n of_o his_o own_o breast_n this_o be_v that_o which_o require_v his_o severe_a examination_n and_o judicature_n of_o he_o and_o not_o as_o the_o common_a manner_n be_v with_o modest_a christian_n to_o shuffle_v up_o account_n between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n other_o taking_z little_a notice_n of_o one_o way_n or_o other_o their_o past_a perfection_n or_o present_a imperfection_n and_o to_o confess_v we_o be_v all_o to_o blame_v we_o have_v all_o sin_v and_o be_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o that_o we_o general_o carry_v about_o we_o a_o body_n full_a of_o spiritual_a infirmity_n and_o subject_a to_o fail_n and_o fall_n but_o these_o thing_n touch_v we_o not_o more_o particular_o or_o that_o beside_o the_o confuse_a mass_n of_o sin_n acknowledge_v to_o dwell_v in_o we_o we_o have_v some_o proper_a and_o special_a passion_n or_o addiction_n to_o sin_n this_o we_o either_o can_v discern_v in_o ourselves_o or_o through_o selfe-conceitednesse_a natural_a to_o all_o
the_o method_n and_o mean_n to_o a_o true_a spiritual_a life_n consist_v of_o three_o part_n agreeable_a to_o the_o ancient_a way_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a matthew_n scrivener_n vicar_n of_o haselingfield_n in_o cambridge-shire_n clear_v from_o modern_a abuse_n and_o render_v more_o easy_a and_o practical_a feb._n 1._o 1688._o imprimatur_fw-la jo._n batte_o london_n print_v for_o james_n knapton_n at_o the_o queen_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1688._o to_o the_o reader_n consider_v with_o myself_o and_o lament_v the_o many_o polemicall_a or_o contentious_a discourse_n about_o religion_n and_o that_o christian_a this_o unhappy_a age_n have_v produce_v it_o may_v be_v fear_v that_o through_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o old_a serpent_n such_o strife_n may_v have_v the_o mortal_a event_n upon_o too_o many_o of_o like_v no_o religion_n at_o all_o to_o prevent_v or_o obviate_v so_o great_a a_o evil_a i_o find_v myself_o incline_v very_o much_o to_o treat_v of_o such_o a_o subject_a as_o might_n by_o god_n blessing_n conduce_v much_o as_o well_o to_o the_o oblige_v of_o man_n mind_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n in_o general_a as_o to_o reconcile_v christian_n one_o to_o another_o rather_o than_o divide_v they_o far_o or_o increase_v animosity_n between_o they_o but_o i_o must_v confess_v a_o more_o special_a reason_n hereunto_o exciting_a i_n how_o insufficient_a soever_o i_o find_v myself_o to_o the_o worthy_a performance_n of_o so_o good_a work_n be_v the_o consideration_n of_o some_o person_n of_o our_o communion_n i_o mean_v the_o establish_a religion_n in_o this_o isle_n who_o though_o shine_a with_o piety_n and_o devotion_n towards_o god_n to_o the_o eclipse_v of_o fantastic_a light_n late_o appear_v do_v keep_v up_o that_o temper_n of_o spirit_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v affix_v this_o beatitude_n matth._n 5._o bless_a be_v they_o who_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n for_o they_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v for_o as_o gregory_n the_o great_a have_v it_o in_o a_o homily_n on_o the_o gospel_n herein_o differ_v the_o delight_n of_o the_o body_n and_o the_o soul_n that_o bodily_a pleasure_n while_o we_o have_v they_o not_o enkindle_v in_o we_o a_o sore_a desire_n of_o they_o but_o so_o soon_o as_o we_o devour_v they_o greedy_o they_o turn_v to_o loathe_v through_o satiety_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a spiritual_a pleasure_n be_v only_o loathe_v when_o we_o have_v they_o not_o and_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o thirst_v after_o by_o how_o much_o more_o they_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o hunger_a soul_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o hunger_n observe_v to_o increase_v in_o they_o by_o converse_v with_o spiritual_a book_n write_v by_o other_o i_o conceive_v my_o general_a office_n and_o particular_a obligation_n to_o such_o person_n in_o a_o manner_n demand_v of_o i_o a_o endeavour_n to_o gratify_v such_o religious_a appetite_n and_o hereupon_o i_o choose_v rather_o to_o publish_v my_o own_o inability_n than_o to_o frustrate_v the_o expectation_n of_o such_o christian_a spirit_n intend_v hereby_o to_o divert_v they_o with_o a_o mean_a view_n and_o sense_n of_o heavenly_a thing_n which_o as_o saint_n paul_n speak_v ephes_n 1._o 4._o be_v the_o earnest_n of_o our_o inheritance_n until_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o purchase_a possession_n unto_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o glory_n but_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o method_n i_o have_v here_o choose_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o my_o proceed_n in_o this_o discourse_n that_o it_o be_v not_o my_o principal_n much_o less_o only_o design_v to_o be_v useful_a to_o great_a person_n or_o sublime_a christian_n but_o to_o the_o low_a and_o mean_a of_o both_o order_n i_o have_v lay_v my_o foundation_n so_o low_a as_o the_o weak_a may_v rest_v on_o and_o improve_v by_o and_o so_o raise_v themselves_o by_o orderly_a gradation_n to_o a_o more_o considerable_a height_n which_o course_n i_o have_v take_v not_o out_o of_o affectation_n of_o singularity_n as_o some_o may_v conjecture_v who_o be_v either_o whole_o ignorant_a that_o this_o be_v of_o very_o long_o stand_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o do_v know_v that_o book_n of_o devotion_n in_o our_o mother-tongue_n have_v very_o rare_o if_o at_o all_o insist_v on_o this_o subject_a or_o tread_v the_o same_o path_n with_o i_o and_o they_o of_o the_o unreformed_a church_n who_o have_v often_o treat_v of_o this_o matter_n have_v very_o seldom_o handle_v all_o these_o part_n of_o piety_n together_o but_o pass_v over_o light_o the_o illuminative_a and_o purgative_n part_n of_o religion_n have_v ambitious_o to_o my_o apprehension_n strive_v to_o abound_v and_o excel_v in_o the_o unitive-way_n and_o their_o mystical_a theology_n soar_v very_o high_a if_o not_o exorbitant_o towards_o heaven_n and_o gain_v to_o themselves_o and_o church_n no_o small_a estimation_n for_o divine_a contemplation_n strange_a notion_n and_o language_n as_o if_o they_o have_v themselves_o be_v wrap_v up_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n as_o be_v saint_n paul_n and_o be_v privilege_v to_o do_v what_o be_v deny_v he_o viz._n to_o utter_v those_o unspeakable_a word_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o 2_o corinth_n 12._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o utter_v and_o exalt_v contemplation_n to_o the_o undervalue_v of_o operation_n and_o active_a life_n under_o pretence_n that_o marie_n who_o sit_v still_o not_o attend_v christ_n be_v present_a choose_v the_o better_a part_n and_o martha_n the_o inferior_a in_o serve_v of_o christ_n which_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v and_o applaud_v by_o scholastical_a as_o well_o as_o mystical_a doctor_n auntienter_fw-la and_o late_a seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v no_o otherwise_o true_a than_o as_o mary_v represent_v the_o state_n of_o bliss_n hereafter_o consist_v altogether_o of_o contemplation_n and_o affection_n and_o martha_n the_o state_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o this_o life_n in_o which_o unactive_a contemplation_n and_o barren_a in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v scarce_o laudable_a and_o as_o the_o quietist_n be_v say_v to_o magnify_v it_o not_o tolerable_a they_o among_o other_o notorious_a error_n charge_v upon_o they_o exclude_v divine_a meditation_n from_o their_o contemplation_n by_o too_o great_a niceness_n though_o we_o ourselves_o have_v in_o this_o treatise_n distinguish_v they_o as_o degree_n consistent_a one_o with_o another_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v act_n of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n we_o now_o live_v for_o according_a to_o our_o present_a subject_n we_o first_o not_o without_o good_a advice_n consider_v simple_a intelligence_n or_o knowledge_n of_o god_n acquire_v by_o illumination_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n whereby_o a_o christian_a come_v to_o a_o right_a belief_n of_o god_n and_o a_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o a_o discerner_n in_o good_a measure_n of_o spirit_n and_o fallacious_a vision_n and_o revelation_n this_o be_v competent_o attain_v unto_o dispose_v the_o soul_n to_o right_a reformation_n of_o itself_o from_o the_o inveterate_a evil_n of_o sin_n corrupt_v and_o afflict_v it_o which_o be_v the_o purgative_n way_n every_o true_a christian_n shall_v exercise_v himself_o in_o until_o he_o have_v purge_v out_o the_o old_a leaven_n and_o cast_v out_o the_o old_a man_n of_o which_o saint_n paul_n speak_v with_o the_o affection_n and_o lust_n and_o because_o it_o suffice_v not_o to_o deny_v and_o even_o to_o die_v unto_o worldly_a lust_n if_o this_o may_v be_v suppose_v unless_o we_o also_o live_v the_o life_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v true_o unite_v unto_o god_n through_o he_o and_o that_o by_o those_o proper_a help_n and_o ascent_n prescribe_v by_o he_o and_o in_o some_o manner_n by_o we_o describe_v here_o therefore_o do_v we_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o state_n of_o a_o christian_a common_o call_v the_o unitive_a wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v that_o true_a rest_n of_o the_o soul_n promise_v by_o christ_n not_o so_o as_o to_o cease_v from_o a_o possibility_n of_o sin_v or_o suffer_v perturbation_n as_o late_a quietist_n be_v also_o report_v wicked_o to_o maintain_v but_o so_o as_o to_o prefer_v god_n and_o godliness_n above_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o love_n of_o and_o delight_n in_o they_o to_o persevere_v immutable_o to_o perfect_a consummation_n in_o bliss_n hereafter_o and_o have_v thus_o give_v thou_o christian_a reader_n a_o brief_a account_n and_o prospect_n of_o my_o present_a design_n i_o commit_v myself_o to_o thy_o favourable_a acceptance_n and_o commend_v thou_o to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o word_n of_o his_o grace_n which_o be_v able_a to_o build_v thou_o up_o and_o to_o give_v thou_o a_o inheritance_n among_o all_o such_o as_o be_v sanctify_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o first_o part._n sect_n i._o previous_a advice_n concern_v the_o necessity_n reasonableness_n and_o usefullnesse_n of_o be_v true_o religious_a page_n 1_o sect_n
they_o present_o feel_v most_o grievous_a torment_n and_o this_o i_o rehearse_v very_o believe_v that_o god_n by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n do_v elevate_v some_o man_n so_o extraordinary_o as_o that_o they_o exceed_v humane_a order_n in_o contemplation_n and_o sensation_n heavenly_a and_o that_o evil_a spirit_n may_v counterfeit_v notable_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o their_o servant_n and_o hereupon_o i_o leave_v these_o few_o rule_n to_o all_o sober_a faithful_a and_o devout_a christian_n tend_v to_o the_o discern_a of_o spirit_n good_a and_o evil_a 5._o first_o they_o who_o pursue_v the_o great_a mean_n ordain_v of_o god_n to_o arrive_v at_o the_o height_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n unite_n they_o to_o god_n and_o cause_v a_o acquiescence_n and_o rest_n in_o he_o so_o that_o in_o effect_v their_o reason_n and_o sense_n natural_a inconsi_v with_o such_o perfection_n shall_v be_v lose_v in_o god_n and_o in_o christ_n and_o they_o live_v in_o the_o world_n undisturbed_a by_o it_o be_v laudable_o and_o safe_o extaticall_a 6._o second_o that_o they_o who_o may_v have_v surpass_v other_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o christian_a virtue_n and_o the_o unitive_a way_n with_o god_n and_o no_o way_n aim_v at_o such_o perfection_n or_o desire_v they_o as_o at_o the_o best_a not_o make_v the_o soul_n more_o good_a but_o more_o great_a rather_o and_o not_o more_o dear_a or_o acceptable_a to_o he_o which_o shall_v be_v every_o prime_a christian_n study_n and_o endeavour_v may_v have_v exaltation_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o importunate_o covet_v may_v provoke_v god_n to_o deliver_v they_o over_o to_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n 7._o three_o see_v counterfeit_a ware_n come_v too_o often_o under_o the_o countenance_n and_o resemblance_n of_o what_o be_v pure_a and_o pass_o good_a the_o soundness_n of_o the_o faith_n profess_v by_o such_o be_v not_o prove_v by_o such_o excess_n but_o such_o excess_n must_v be_v rather_o judge_v by_o the_o law_n and_o testimony_n of_o god_n as_o isaiah_n speak_v chap._n 8._o upon_o which_o faith_n be_v ground_v and_o by_o which_o it_o be_v direct_v for_o no_o otherwise_o true_a be_v that_o description_n of_o ecstasy_n give_v by_o that_o ancient_a author_n call_v dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n that_o ecstasy_n be_v a_o wisdom_n put_v a_o man_n beside_o himself_o than_o that_o suspension_n or_o absorption_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n be_v occasion_v by_o the_o dominion_n of_o divine_a irradiation_n true_o so_o call_v so_o that_o this_o excess_n of_o light_n and_o love_n must_v be_v itself_o subject_a to_o trial_n and_o that_o twofold_a principal_o the_o one_o take_v from_o the_o antecedent_n and_o the_o other_o from_o the_o consequent_a circumstance_n for_o if_o soberness_n of_o believe_v and_o divinenesse_n of_o behave_v ourselves_o lead_v not_o to_o these_o ecstasy_n they_o be_v spurious_a and_o dangerous_a again_o if_o such_o transport_v mind_n thereupon_o fall_v into_o unreasonable_a unjust_a or_o ridiculous_a action_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o gravity_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n there_o suppose_v it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o suspect_v the_o scene_n to_o be_v manage_v by_o idle_a spirit_n for_o rapt_n of_o a_o royal_a stamp_n be_v such_o as_o gerson_n describe_v a_o experimental_a knowledge_n of_o god_n obtain_v by_o a_o conjunction_n of_o spiritual_a affection_n which_o unitive_a and_o experimental_a knowledge_n may_v be_v have_v without_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o natural_a understanding_n and_o may_v also_o dissetle_v it_o so_o as_o to_o depend_v for_o some_o time_n whole_o upon_o god_n supportation_n and_o transportation_n and_o that_o especial_o in_o the_o estimation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o common_a judgement_n for_o thus_o be_v christ_n judge_v to_o be_v mark_v 3._o 21._o and_o that_o by_o his_o own_o friend_n beside_o himself_o and_o saint_n paul_n also_o by_o festus_n and_o by_o some_o other_o believer_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o 2_o corinth_n 5._o 13._o sect_n iv_o of_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n with_o god_n by_o divine_a contemplation_n and_o meditation_n with_o some_o instance_n of_o particular_a subject_n of_o this_o latter_a 1._o when_o meditation_n and_o contemplation_n be_v distinguish_v as_o sometime_o they_o be_v contemplation_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v direct_v immediate_o to_o god_n and_o the_o fix_v of_o the_o mind_n and_o heart_n on_o he_o and_o from_o and_o through_o he_o to_o cast_v a_o eye_n on_o the_o creature_n and_o the_o various_a act_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o which_o he_o be_v see_v also_o with_o a_o evening_n light_n and_o knowledge_n as_o he_o be_v with_o a_o morning_n light_n as_o saint_n austin_n be_v wont_a to_o speak_v by_o that_o immediate_a intuition_n which_o yet_o proper_o be_v to_o be_v attain_v only_o in_o heaven_n but_o meditation_n be_v the_o consideration_n of_o create_a thing_n not_o so_o much_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o employment_n of_o natural_a philosopher_n but_o as_o they_o be_v effect_n of_o a_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a power_n and_o design_v to_o the_o assistance_n of_o dull_a and_o weak_a eye_n which_o be_v not_o able_a to_o behold_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o as_o man_n do_v the_o beauty_n of_o the_o sun_n in_o water_n and_o yet_o from_o hence_o ascent_n be_v make_v to_o a_o faithful_a and_o fruitful_a apprehension_n of_o god_n himself_o where_o the_o soul_n mount_v as_o be_v peter_n james_n and_o john_n at_o the_o transfiguration_n of_o christ_n desire_v to_o abide_v and_o have_v its_o residence_n for_o ever_o 2._o but_o grace_n and_o goodness_n here_o be_v in_o their_o minority_n yea_o and_o under_o tutor_n and_o governor_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v galat_n 4._o 2._o we_o be_v not_o to_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o promise_a and_o expect_a inheritance_n in_o this_o life_n but_o the_o method_n hereunto_o be_v this_o which_o we_o find_v exemplify_v in_o david_n speak_v thus_o psalm_n 17._o i_o will_v behold_v thy_o face_n in_o righteousness_n here_o when_o i_o awake_v i_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v with_o thy_o likeness_n for_o as_o saint_n paul_n also_o say_v 1_o corinth_n 13._o 12._o 2_o corinth_n 3._o 18._o we_o all_o with_o open_a face_n behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v change_v as_o into_o the_o same_o image_n from_o glory_n to_o glory_n even_o as_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n meaning_n hereby_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n concur_v with_o the_o glass_n of_o god_n creature_n and_o his_o reveal_v word_n give_v we_o a_o true_a but_o a_o distant_a and_o so_o dim_a representation_n of_o god_n as_o through_o perspective_n and_o these_o to_o improve_v to_o the_o best_a degree_n and_o advantage_n be_v the_o great_a business_n of_o our_o present_a state_n here_o as_o whereby_o we_o be_v daily_o wrought_v to_o a_o conformity_n to_o the_o image_n of_o christ_n and_o god_n deface_v in_o we_o and_o return_v unto_o his_o likeness_n and_o a_o like_n of_o he_o which_o two_o be_v both_o unitive_a of_o we_o to_o god_n and_o actual_a union_n with_o he_o according_a to_o our_o present_a capacity_n for_o it_o be_v true_a in_o religion_n what_o philosophy_n in_o her_o sphere_n teach_v that_o the_o understanding_n be_v make_v all_o thing_n answerable_a to_o its_o object_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n wonderful_o conform_v itself_o to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v bring_v unto_o it_o by_o the_o ear_n or_o eye_n and_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n figure_v by_o they_o as_o we_o see_v that_o water_n admit_v any_o body_n more_o solid_a than_o itself_o into_o itself_o give_v way_n to_o it_o and_o receive_v the_o shape_n thereof_o within_o itself_o as_o do_v the_o air_n also_o though_o not_o so_o visible_o to_o our_o sense_n so_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n contemplate_v and_o conceive_v god_n and_o divine_a matter_n be_v form_v or_o conform_v to_o the_o same_o moral_o lose_v its_o natural_a shape_n and_o posture_n and_o propensity_n which_o be_v thus_o express_v by_o saint_n paul_n rom._n 12._o 2._o and_o be_v not_o conform_v to_o this_o world_n but_o be_v transform_v by_o the_o renew_n of_o your_o mind_n that_o you_o may_v prove_v what_o be_v that_o good_a that_o acceptable_a and_o perfect_a will_n of_o god._n for_o instance_n a_o man_n hear_v and_o take_v pleasure_n in_o absurd_a riotous_a and_o obscene_a discourse_n or_o book_n as_o be_v in_o part_n note_v before_o be_v conform_v thereunto_o and_o corrupt_v therewith_o the_o image_n of_o thing_n so_o imbibe_v or_o impress_v be_v with_o great_a difficulty_n to_o be_v remove_v and_o with_o great_a facility_n and_o promptitude_n stir_v up_o or_o at_o least_o yield_v to_o sinful_a temptation_n as_o occasion_n shall_v be_v offer_v agreeable_o and_o so_o in_o man_n read_v of_o the_o history_n of_o far_a and_o unknown_a country_n and_o the_o strange_a fruit_n of_o