Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	know_v	read_v	write_v	3,405	5	5.0561	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A27516	The interiour Christian, or, The interiour conformity which Christians ought to have with Jesus Christ divided into eight books, which contain most divine meditations, extracted out of the writings of a great servant of God of this age / translated out of the 12th edition in French.; Chrestien interieur. English	Bernières Louvigny, Monsieur de, (Jean), 1602-1659.; A. L.	1684 (1684)	Wing B2045; ESTC R18367	240,530	500

obscurity_n of_o faith_n she_o must_v therefore_o keep_v herself_o in_o a_o indifferency_n rise_v and_o fall_v according_a to_o the_o conduct_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n always_o esteem_v herself_o unworthy_a of_o the_o least_o grace_n and_o never_o pretend_v by_o force_v her_o spirit_n to_o the_o extraordinary_a favour_n of_o high_a contemplation_n but_o when_o she_o have_v a_o call_n to_o such_o elevation_n in_o prayer_n the_o way_n to_o arrive_v thither_o be_v by_o a_o perfect_a death_n to_o all_o thing_n and_o a_o faithful_a imitation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o crucify_a state_n of_o abjection_n and_o poverty_n with_o a_o love_n of_o solitude_n as_o much_o as_o our_o condition_n will_v permit_v there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o that_o light_n and_o fervour_n which_o be_v impart_v to_o a_o soul_n in_o the_o elevation_n of_o passive_a prayer_n and_o that_o light_n which_o be_v procure_v by_o the_o ordinary_a grace_n of_o meditation_n that_o be_v more_o in_o time_n and_o pierce_a and_o full_a of_o heavenly_a benediction_n this_o however_o suffice_v to_o acquire_v virtue_n and_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o state_n of_o our_o vocation_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o attend_v to_o our_o present_a condition_n with_o peace_n and_o humility_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o let_v god_n alone_o to_o order_n as_o he_o please_v the_o time_n of_o his_o visit_n and_o our_o manner_n of_o prayer_n sometime_o this_o will_v be_v by_o simple_a thought_n sometime_o by_o discourse_n sometime_o by_o faith_n alone_o and_o sometime_o by_o passive_a illumination_n but_o whatever_o be_v give_v we_o we_o must_v receive_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n with_o great_a respect_n and_o thankfulness_n acknowledge_v ourselves_o unworthy_a of_o the_o least_o good_a thought_n that_o which_o a_o soul_n ought_v to_o do_v both_o in_o and_o out_o of_o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v very_o attentive_a to_o god_n holy_a inspiration_n and_o follow_v they_o with_o courage_n and_o fidelity_n if_o she_o find_v that_o god_n elevate_v she_o to_o extraordinary_a contemplation_n let_v she_o yield_v to_o those_o divine_a impression_n if_o she_o be_v keep_v in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n let_v she_o there_o abide_v if_o she_o be_v leave_v in_o aridity_n let_v she_o also_o sit_v down_o without_o complain_v the_o great_a secret_a of_o a_o spiritual_a life_n be_v for_o a_o soul_n to_o purify_v herself_o so_o as_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o motion_n of_o god_n who_o be_v our_o alpha_n and_o omega_n our_o origen_n and_o final_a end_n there_o be_v thing_n sufficient_o declare_v as_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o the_o church_n the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o obedience_n charity_n or_o necessity_n there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o expect_v immediate_a light_n from_o god_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o only_o in_o such_o which_o be_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_a and_o in_o these_o great_a purity_n of_o soul_n be_v necessary_a to_o discern_v the_o motion_n of_o grace_n for_o fear_v we_o be_v deceive_v by_o our_o own_o imagination_n those_o saint_n who_o by_o the_o impulse_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n have_v write_v spiritual_a treatise_n to_o direct_v interiour_n christian_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n oftentimes_o affect_v we_o with_o their_o thought_n and_o sentiment_n because_o they_o pray_v in_o heaven_n for_o this_o blessing_n on_o their_o labour_n on_o earth_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v beneficial_a to_o read_v their_o book_n to_o advance_v our_o devotion_n but_o do_v what_o we_o can_v we_o shall_v never_o know_v what_o that_o prayer_n be_v by_o what_o those_o book_n write_v of_o it_o unless_o by_o the_o practice_n and_o light_n of_o the_o same_o prayer_n we_o know_v well_o enough_o in_o general_n that_o prayer_n be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o virtue_n in_o the_o soul_n who_o leave_v that_o off_o fall_v into_o lukewarmness_n and_o imperfection_n prayer_n be_v a_o holy_a fire_n that_o warm_v the_o heart_n and_o affection_n which_o without_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n grow_v cold_a in_o devotion_n in_o health_n or_o sickness_n joy_n or_o sorrow_n we_o must_v always_o pray_v except_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o fall_v from_o grace_n to_o our_o utter_a ruin_n chap._n iii_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v indifferent_a to_o what_o manner_n of_o prayer_n god_n be_v please_v to_o give_v we_o we_o ought_v to_o shun_v two_o extreme_n equal_o vicious_a the_o one_o be_v to_o covet_v more_o grace_n and_o perfection_n than_o god_n intend_v we_o so_o as_o to_o be_v trouble_v and_o disgu_v to_o see_v other_o more_o elevate_v in_o gift_n of_o prayer_n than_o ourselves_o the_o other_o be_v not_o to_o cooperate_v faithful_o with_o the_o grace_n vouchsafe_v we_o either_o for_o want_v of_o courage_n in_o the_o difficulty_n that_o occur_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n or_o of_o attention_n to_o observe_v the_o motion_n of_o grace_n or_o be_v observe_v by_o too_o easy_o divert_v ourselves_o to_o other_o matter_n and_o so_o neglect_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n when_o a_o soul_n be_v well_o purify_v and_o have_v experience_n of_o the_o impulse_n of_o grace_n in_o she_o and_o can_v distinguish_v they_o from_o the_o motion_n of_o nature_n she_o must_v give_v free_a ingress_n to_o the_o ray_n of_o this_o light_n from_o heaven_n that_o she_o may_v be_v thorough_o illuminate_v and_o warm_v in_o her_o devotion_n for_o to_o do_v otherwise_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o humility_n and_o fear_n of_o deception_n be_v not_o to_o yield_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o god_n spirit_n who_o inspire_v when_o and_o who_o he_o please_v it_o be_v then_o our_o duty_n to_o be_v entire_o passive_a that_o god_n may_v full_o work_v his_o will_n in_o we_o when_o these_o divine_a illumination_n be_v withdraw_v from_o a_o soul_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o her_o good_a and_o so_o leave_v in_o darkness_n or_o when_o her_o own_o imperfection_n have_v make_v she_o not_o so_o capable_a of_o supernatural_a light_n she_o must_v rest_v content_v with_o these_o privation_n till_o it_o please_v the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n to_o shine_v upon_o she_o a_o purify_a soul_n be_v satisfy_v and_o resign_v on_o such_o occasion_n because_o god_n only_o be_v her_o joy_n and_o not_o his_o gift_n which_o he_o by_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n communicate_v to_o she_o when_o he_o please_v and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o she_o love_v not_o her_o inward_a peace_n and_o joy_n when_o she_o be_v deprive_v of_o heavenly_a irradiation_n and_o gift_n in_o prayer_n he_o who_o give_v himself_o up_o to_o his_o prince_n for_o his_o sole_a interest_n and_o satisfaction_n without_o seek_v his_o own_o peculiar_a concern_v and_o contentment_n do_v not_o much_o matter_n what_o service_n he_o render_v and_o what_o reward_v he_o receive_v provide_v his_o prince_n be_v well_o please_v and_o satisfy_v if_o he_o keep_v he_o near_o his_o person_n to_o caress_n he_o he_o be_v content_a not_o that_o he_o be_v caress_v but_o because_o it_o be_v his_o prince_n pleasure_n if_o he_o employ_v he_o afar_o off_o in_o troublesome_a affair_n he_o be_v content_a not_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o his_o person_n and_o in_o a_o hazardous_a employment_n but_o because_o this_o be_v the_o pleasure_n of_o his_o prince_n who_o content_a he_o only_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o in_o give_v himself_o up_o unto_o his_o service_n this_o be_v the_o true_a case_n of_o a_o soul_n that_o desire_v to_o serve_v god_n pure_o for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n if_o god_n caress_n she_o in_o prayer_n with_o visit_n full_a of_o sweetness_n she_o be_v content_a because_o this_o be_v his_o pleasure_n if_o he_o afford_v not_o his_o presence_n but_o leave_v she_o in_o darkness_n she_o be_v content_a because_o it_o be_v the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n if_o god_n call_v she_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o charity_n in_o a_o life_n more_o active_a and_o laborious_a than_o the_o contemplative_a she_o be_v content_a because_o this_o be_v the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n she_o seek_v and_o desire_v in_o his_o service_n this_o indifferency_n dispose_v a_o soul_n to_o receive_v great_a grace_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v she_o sometime_o arrive_v to_o a_o total_a oblivion_n of_o herself_o and_o all_o creature_n without_o any_o reflection_n on_o her_o own_o interest_n temporal_a or_o eternal_a have_v nothing_o in_o her_o eye_n but_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n and_o desire_v he_o alone_o insomuch_o that_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o self_n creep_v in_o at_o any_o time_n as_o soon_o as_o she_o discover_v it_o it_o be_v distasteful_a to_o she_o this_o be_v a_o state_n of_o great_a nakedness_n and_o entire_a mortification_n and_o a_o perfect_a disposition_n to_o most_o sublime_a prayer_n whether_o god_n elevate_v a_o soul_n who_o he_o see_v ready_a to_o submit_v

understand_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o book_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o author_n i_o have_v describe_v as_o much_o of_o the_o qualification_n of_o that_o excellent_a person_n as_o i_o can_v collect_v from_o the_o french_a preface_n the_o perusal_n whereof_o i_o assure_v thou_o good_a reader_n be_v worth_a thy_o pain_n and_o consideration_n the_o author_n life_n extract_v out_o of_o the_o french_a preface_n the_o worthy_a author_n of_o this_o excellent_a treatise_n be_v a_o person_n who_o life_n be_v answerable_a to_o his_o write_n a_o true_a interiour_n christian_n elevate_v by_o god_n holy_a spirit_n to_o sublime_a contemplation_n make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o have_v his_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n while_o he_o be_v upon_o earth_n it_o be_v say_v of_o moses_n that_o after_o he_o have_v converse_v familiar_o with_o god_n and_o descend_v from_o the_o mount_n that_o his_o face_n do_v shine_v with_o a_o extraordinary_a glory_n so_o this_o excellent_a christian_a come_v from_o his_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v from_o heaven_n all_o inflame_a with_o divine_a love_n raise_v a_o holy_a fire_n in_o their_o breast_n who_o enjoy_v the_o happiness_n of_o his_o conversation_n but_o his_o goodness_n be_v more_o diffusive_a for_o many_o of_o his_o absent_a friend_n receive_v wonderful_a benefit_n and_o advancement_n in_o a_o spiritual_a life_n by_o his_o heavenly_a instruction_n and_o divine_a letter_n which_o be_v so_o many_o as_o that_o from_o those_o write_n be_v extract_v this_o interiour_n christian_n not_o long_o after_o he_o have_v leave_v man_n to_o live_v with_o angel_n by_o a_o person_n of_o worth_n and_o quality_n who_o be_v so_o touch_v to_o the_o heart_n by_o read_v some_o of_o his_o letter_n that_o he_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o charity_n to_o make_v they_o public_a for_o the_o common_a good_n especial_o in_o this_o corrupt_a age_n wherein_o alas_o we_o find_v more_o formal_a than_o interiour_n christian_n and_o doubtless_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o heaven_n this_o treatise_n shall_v not_o lie_v hide_v but_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n have_v in_o a_o short_a time_n enrich_v the_o heart_n of_o many_o with_o inestimable_a good_a who_o entertain_v it_o with_o great_a joy_n and_o satisfaction_n he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n who_o say_v loquere_fw-la ut_fw-la te_fw-la videam_fw-la if_o once_o i_o hear_v you_o speak_v i_o shall_v know_v what_o you_o be_v for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o read_v this_o book_n without_o some_o knowledge_n of_o the_o eminent_a perfection_n of_o the_o author_n for_o what_o soul_n unless_o irradiate_v with_o extraordinary_a beam_n of_o heavenly_a light_n can_v make_v such_o discovery_n or_o give_v such_o direction_n in_o spirituality_n it_o be_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o humiliation_n and_o dolorous_a bloody_a suffering_n of_o jesus_n christ_n so_o terrible_a to_o nature_n do_v appear_v to_o he_o with_o a_o ravish_a beauty_n be_v take_v with_o nothing_o more_o in_o his_o devotion_n than_o jesus_n suffer_v for_o he_o have_v a_o singular_a devotion_n to_o the_o humiliation_n of_o jesus_n and_o think_v himself_o a_o person_n cull_v out_o by_o providence_n to_o honour_v his_o suffering_n he_o do_v much_o affect_v to_o lead_v his_o life_n in_o abjection_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o his_o profound_a humility_n he_o be_v much_o esteem_v and_o admire_v by_o all_o who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o know_v his_o virtue_n though_o he_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o a_o unprofitable_a servant_n yet_o god_n be_v please_v to_o treat_v he_o as_o a_o faithful_a friend_n though_o he_o desire_v the_o bitterness_n and_o rigour_n of_o the_o cross_n yet_o god_n do_v oftentimes_o so_o visit_v his_o soul_n with_o extraordinary_a consolation_n that_o sometime_o he_o will_v cry_v out_o when_o then_o good_a jesus_n shall_v i_o suffer_v for_o you_o though_o he_o desire_v to_o follow_v jesus_n on_o mount_n calvary_n yet_o god_n be_v please_v to_o lead_v he_o to_o mount_n tabor_n and_o vouchsafe_v he_o the_o glimmering_n of_o glory_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n though_o too_o many_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o find_v out_o way_n to_o please_v their_o sensuality_n he_o make_v his_o body_n a_o continual_a victim_n of_o mortification_n hardly_o abstain_v from_o austerity_n when_o his_o weakness_n require_v a_o relaxation_n he_o earnest_o desire_v that_o after_o the_o example_n of_o jesus_n he_o may_v finish_v his_o life_n on_o the_o cross_n and_o on_o the_o day_n the_o church_n celebrate_v the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n god_n be_v please_v to_o rob_v the_o world_n secret_o of_o so_o great_a a_o treasure_n lest_o if_o his_o sickness_n have_v be_v know_v public_o the_o holy_a importunity_n of_o many_o prayer_n may_v have_v prevail_v with_o heaven_n to_o defer_v his_o happiness_n he_o want_v no_o long_a preparation_n for_o his_o death_n by_o a_o languish_v disease_n but_o be_v fruit-ripe_a for_o the_o harvest_n of_o glory_n by_o the_o constant_a dew_n of_o heaven_n and_o fervour_n of_o charity_n upon_o short_a warning_n with_o wonderful_a content_a commend_v his_o soul_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o saviour_n he_o joyful_o embrace_v death_n to_o live_v eternaly_n this_o show_v the_o extraordinary_a triumph_n he_o have_v make_v over_o the_o world_n and_o himself_o by_o the_o power_n of_o grace_n for_o though_o some_o even_o great_a saint_n who_o have_v leave_v the_o world_n for_o christ_n sake_n to_o avoid_v its_o contagion_n seem_v timorous_a at_o their_o death_n yet_o he_o with_o a_o invincible_a generosity_n contemn_v the_o world_n without_o forsake_v it_o do_v conquer_v satan_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o temptation_n and_o smile_v on_o death_n as_o a_o friend_n to_o his_o happiness_n though_o he_o change_v not_o his_o secular_a habit_n yet_o he_o have_v full_o banish_v the_o world_n from_o his_o heart_n and_o without_o engage_v in_o any_o other_o profession_n than_o that_o of_o a_o perfect_a christian_a he_o spend_v his_o day_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o most_o austere_a religious_a and_o this_o be_v more_o admirable_a in_o he_o than_o in_o those_o fountain_n which_o conserve_v their_o sweetness_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o salt_n water_n because_o he_o do_v not_o only_o keep_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n among_o the_o infection_n of_o a_o corrupt_a age_n but_o without_o any_o great_a noise_n he_o make_v notable_a conquest_n over_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n see_v by_o his_o pious_a endeavour_n he_o change_v many_o carnal_a man_n into_o spiritual_a christian_n we_o may_v say_v without_o vanity_n that_o the_o world_n never_o have_v a_o more_o dangerous_a enemy_n he_o stay_v in_o it_o the_o better_a to_o discover_v its_o design_n and_o convert_v worldling_n expose_v himself_o to_o combat_v its_o allurement_n that_o their_o weakness_n may_v be_v know_v and_o to_o testify_v to_o the_o world_n that_o one_o may_v be_v a_o perfect_a christian_a in_o despite_n of_o this_o great_a enemy_n of_o god_n and_o godliness_n his_o example_n have_v make_v it_o manifest_v to_o all_o person_n of_o quality_n that_o one_o may_v live_v like_o a_o hermit_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o city_n and_o may_v love_v evangelical_n poverty_n though_o not_o practice_v it_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o riches_n and_o that_o true_a self-contempt_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o such_o who_o birth_n or_o employment_n have_v advance_v they_o to_o honour_n and_o that_o without_o be_v a_o apostle_n or_o preacher_n one_o may_v be_v a_o evangelist_n and_o last_o that_o thorough_o to_o establish_v the_o maxim_n of_o christianity_n solid_a practice_n be_v more_o efficacious_a than_o thunder_a eloquence_n and_o though_o the_o grace_n which_o beautify_v his_o soul_n do_v most_o incline_v he_o to_o deep_a retirement_n and_o contemplation_n yet_o he_o be_v so_o wonderful_o dexterous_a in_o the_o affair_n of_o god_n service_n abroad_o that_o his_o eye_n fix_v on_o heaven_n do_v not_o hinder_v he_o from_o afford_v a_o help_v hand_n to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o neighbour_n neither_o be_v his_o zeal_n herein_o confine_v to_o one_o only_a kingdom_n his_o piety_n be_v so_o ingenious_a that_o he_o find_v out_o way_n to_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n one_o of_o the_o great_a solitary_n and_o yet_o much_o engage_v in_o the_o labour_n of_o they_o who_o endeavour_v the_o enlargement_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n his_o way_n of_o express_v himself_o be_v conform_v to_o his_o thought_n and_o both_o of_o they_o to_o the_o gospel_n where_o such_o who_o chief_o hunt_v after_o eloquence_n and_o vain_a curiosity_n will_v find_v nothing_o that_o will_v please_v their_o palate_n but_o a_o soul_n which_o relish_v evangelical_n truth_n can_v but_o find_v a_o gust_n in_o the_o expression_n of_o this_o book_n which_o breathe_v forth_o nothing_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n and_o god_n grant_v that_o they_o who_o take_v it_o into_o their_o hand_n may_v find_v it_o work_v

the_o interiour_n christian_n or_o the_o interiour_n conformity_n which_o christian_n ought_v to_o have_v with_o jesus_n christ_n divide_v into_o eight_o book_n which_o contain_v most_o divine_a meditation_n extract_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o a_o great_a servant_n of_o god_n of_o this_o age._n non_fw-la magna_fw-la loquimur_fw-la sed_fw-la vivimus_fw-la st._n cyprian_n not_o our_o tongue_n but_o our_o life_n speak_v the_o excellency_n of_o christianity_n translate_v out_o of_o the_o 12_o edition_n in_o french_a antwerp_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1684._o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o reader_n christian_n reader_n in_o this_o unhappy_a age_n of_o contention_n about_o religion_n wherein_o the_o heat_n of_o controversy_n have_v so_o much_o cool_v the_o fervour_n of_o true_a devotion_n among_o we_o that_o even_o some_o great_a pretender_n to_o piety_n have_v only_o a_o outward_a form_n of_o godliness_n without_o the_o inward_a power_n like_o guild_a sepulcher_n full_a of_o dead-men_n 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please_v he_o constant_o and_o have_v rather_o die_v than_o wilful_o by_o mortal_a sin_n break_v friendship_n with_o he_o there_o be_v no_o devil_n he_o hate_v worse_a than_o hypocricy_n his_o chief_a care_n be_v to_o be_v real_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n what_o he_o appear_v to_o be_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n yea_o he_o be_v more_o inward_o than_o he_o seem_v outward_o as_o well_o consider_v that_o god_n who_o see_v our_o heart_n will_v reward_v we_o according_o we_o may_v say_v of_o the_o interiour_n christian_n what_o our_o bless_a saviour_n say_v of_o nathanael_n ecce_fw-la verè_fw-la israelita_fw-la in_fw-la quo_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la dolus_fw-la behold_v 1._o joh._n 1._o a_o true_a israelite_n in_o who_o be_v no_o deceit_n and_o he_o may_v true_o say_v of_o himself_o with_o good_a hezekiah_n o_o lord_n i_o have_v walk_v before_o thou_o in_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a 38._o isa_n 38._o heart_n and_o have_v do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a in_o thy_o sight_n and_o he_o may_v say_v also_o with_o st._n paul_n herein_o do_v i_o exercise_v myself_o to_o have_v a_o conscience_n 24._o act_n 24._o void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o men._n and_o therefore_o may_v safe_o say_v with_o the_o same_o saint_n elsewhere_o vivo_fw-la ego_fw-la jam_fw-la non_fw-la ego_fw-la vivit_fw-la verò_fw-la in_o i_o christus_fw-la it_o be_v not_o so_o mueh_a i_o that_o live_v as_o 2._o gal._n 2._o christ_n who_o live_v in_o i_o make_v i_o a_o new_a creature_n by_o internal_a sanctification_n whereby_o i_o become_v crucify_a to_o my_o lust_n and_o dead_a to_o the_o world_n that_o i_o may_v live_v to_o he_o who_o die_v for_o i_o now_o we_o must_v know_v that_o there_o be_v infinite_a degree_n of_o internal_a sanctification_n and_o the_o least_o degree_n be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v we_o in_o god_n favour_n and_o the_o state_n of_o salvation_n and_o make_v we_o real_o interiour_n christian_n as_o the_o least_o pigmy_n be_v as_o much_o essential_o a_o man_n 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of_o glory_n and_o those_o joy_n which_o may_v be_v feel_v but_o be_v inexpressible_a such_o contemplation_n and_o union_n with_o god_n be_v rare_a and_o admirable_a other_o in_o their_o recollection_n and_o mental_a prayer_n receive_v from_o heaven_n divine_a visit_n and_o wonderful_a illumination_n which_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o purify_v their_o heart_n more_o and_o more_o and_o to_o advance_v in_o piety_n and_o godliness_n these_o be_v great_a proficient_n and_o walk_v in_o a_o region_n of_o light_n above_o ordinary_a christian_n but_o if_o god_n holy_a spirit_n have_v not_o vouchsafe_v we_o these_o special_a gift_n and_o grace_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v discourage_v in_o our_o pious_a endeavour_n but_o rest_v content_v with_o our_o present_a state_n in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o devotion_n if_o upon_o severe_a examination_n of_o our_o conscience_n we_o find_v that_o with_o zakariah_n and_o elizabeth_n we_o real_o endeavour_v to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o 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thou_o wherein_o thou_o find_v most_o gust_n and_o spiritual_a profit_n to_o thy_o soul_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o whatever_o order_n thou_o observe_v they_o will_v high_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n they_o be_v write_v namely_o to_o withdraw_v our_o heart_n from_o the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o advance_v our_o union_n with_o god_n by_o take_v up_o our_o cross_n to_o follow_v jesus_n this_o be_v the_o spirit_n and_o soul_n of_o this_o book_n and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v it_o may_v work_v these_o effect_n in_o every_o reader_n in_o the_o perusal_n whereof_o remember_v in_o thy_o prayer_n thou_o in_o christ_n jesus_n a._n l._n advertisement_n i_o think_v good_a courteous_a reader_n to_o explain_v some_o term_n frequent_o occur_v in_o this_o treatise_n to_o prevent_v mistake_n in_o such_o who_o be_v not_o accustom_v to_o such_o expression_n the_o word_n annihilation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v physical_o but_o moral_o now_o a_o moral_a annihilation_n be_v to_o acknowledge_v 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