perish_v by_o multitude_n round_o about_o you_o and_o not_o once_o open_v your_o mouth_n to_o help_v they_o be_v this_o to_o love_v your_o neighbour_n as_o yourselves_o 3._o in_o a_o word_n i_o tell_v you_o it_o be_v your_o duty_n to_o take_v all_o opportunity_n wherever_o you_o come_v or_o with_o whosoever_o you_o converse_v to_o do_v good_a to_o soul_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o sacred_a thing_n shall_v be_v expose_v by_o rashness_n indiscretion_n or_o imprudent_a management_n nor_o pearl_n cast_v before_o swine_n who_o will_v turn_v again_o and_o rend_v you_o but_o one_o thing_n i_o will_v tell_v you_o as_o bad_a as_o the_o world_n be_v the_o name_n of_o holiness_n justice_n purity_n religion_n etc._n etc._n be_v still_o honourable_a among_o man_n and_o the_o contrary_a vice_n be_v account_v odious_a no_o man_n will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o impious_a profane_a unrighteous_a villian_n now_o this_o give_v you_o some_o advantage_n and_o a_o willing_a mind_n may_v find_v many_o ooportunity_n to_o bring_v in_o good_a discourse_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o woâ—st_n of_o man_n shall_v scarce_o dare_v to_o contradict_v it_o there_o be_v somewhat_o in_o serious_a religion_n which_o command_v awe_n and_o reverence_n even_o from_o they_o that_o hate_v it_o herod_n fear_v john_n the_o baptist_n know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o just_a man_n and_o a_o holy_a mark_n 6.20_o as_o for_o those_o that_o be_v civilise_a or_o moralize_v as_o some_o speak_v the_o difficulty_n be_v next_o to_o nothing_o to_o bring_v in_o some_o edify_a discourse_n among_o they_o and_o to_o leave_v some_o good_a savour_n behind_o you_o christian_n shall_v be_v the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n mat._n 5.13_o and_o to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o they_o seem_v to_o place_v it_o in_o can_v you_o not_o gentle_o and_o prudent_o reprove_v the_o sin_n of_o other_o where_o you_o think_v it_o may_v do_v good_a i_o know_v that_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n that_o go_v as_o much_o against_o the_o grain_n as_o almost_o any_o but_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a leu._n 19.17_o thou_o shall_v not_o hate_v thy_o brother_n in_o thy_o heart_n thou_o shall_v in_o any_o wise_a rebuke_n thy_o neighbour_n and_o not_o suffer_v sin_n to_o the_o upon_o he_o or_o as_o the_o word_n may_v be_v render_v that_o thou_o bear_v not_o sin_n for_o he_o you_o make_v yourselves_o partaker_n with_o other_o man_n in_o their_o sin_n if_o you_o endeavour_v not_o to_o prevent_v they_o in_o short_a god_n will_v own_v those_o that_o own_v he_o and_o stand_v up_o for_o his_o cause_n and_o if_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o see_v where_o you_o can_v find_v a_o better_a patron_n moreover_o as_o for_o those_o that_o be_v poor_a and_o low_a in_o the_o world_n you_o may_v make_v way_n for_o do_v good_a to_o their_o soul_n by_o show_v kindness_n to_o their_o body_n if_o you_o think_v it_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o be_v at_o any_o expense_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n i_o say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o grief_n can_v have_v any_o place_n in_o heaven_n this_o sure_a will_v be_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o to_o remember_v how_o little_o we_o have_v do_v for_o god_n on_o earth_n direct_v 6._o be_v much_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o those_o grace_n and_o duty_n which_o tend_v most_o direct_o heaven-ward_n and_o be_v near_a a_o kin_n to_o that_o bless_a state_n this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v you_o ripe_a for_o glory_n you_o need_v not_o stay_v for_o all_o of_o heaven_n till_o you_o come_v thither_o there_o be_v great_a foreta_v of_o it_o to_o be_v enjoy_v on_o earth_n if_o you_o be_v not_o want_v to_o yourselves_o you_o may_v feast_v your_o soul_n upon_o the_o provision_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v for_o your_o present_a support_n and_o more_o especial_o upon_o those_o discovery_n which_o he_o have_v give_v you_o of_o the_o glory_n intend_v for_o you_o and_o you_o have_v need_v so_o to_o do_v lest_o you_o faint_v by_o the_o way_n i_o may_v say_v to_o you_o as_o the_o angel_n to_o elijah_n 1._o king_n 19.7_o arise_v and_o eat_v because_o the_o journey_n be_v too_o great_a for_o thou_o 1._o live_v by_o faith_n upon_o the_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n whereby_o the_o heavenly_a glory_n be_v make_v sure_a unto_o true_a believer_n realize_v those_o promise_n there_o remain_v a_o rest_n for_o the_o people_n of_o god_n blessed_n be_v the_o dead_a that_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n if_o any_o man_n serve_v i_o let_v he_o follow_v i_o and_o where_o i_o be_o there_o shall_v also_o my_o servant_n be_v if_o any_o man_n serve_v i_o he_o will_v my_o father_n honour_n these_o be_v the_o true_a say_n of_o god_n rev._n 19.9_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o be_v no_o more_o consider_v and_o live_v upon_o what_o tho_o at_o present_a we_o have_v not_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o immediate_a intuition_n know_v you_o not_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v instead_o of_o sight_n till_o we_o come_v to_o heaven_n heb._n 11.1_o but_o alas_o how_o apt_a be_v we_o to_o take_v up_o with_o some_o dark_a dream_v confuse_a notion_n and_o thought_n instead_o of_o the_o lively_a exercise_n of_o such_o a_o faith_n 2._o labour_v to_o stir_v up_o in_o yourselves_o earnest_a long_n after_o this_o bless_a state_n how_o can_v we_o say_v we_o love_v our_o lord_n if_o our_o hearâ—s_n be_v not_o with_o he_o shall_v we_o not_o set_v our_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o where_o christ_n sit_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n col._n 3.1_o 2._o ouâ—_n lord_n be_v there_o our_o inheritance_n be_v there_o many_o of_o our_o friend_n and_o acquaintance_n be_v go_v before_o how_o ill_o do_v it_o become_v we_o to_o suffer_v our_o heart_n to_o flag_n as_o if_o we_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o we_o follow_v they_o or_o no_o sure_o we_o shall_v groan_v earnest_o desire_v to_o be_v clothe_v upon_o with_o our_o house_n which_o be_v from_o heaven_n 2_o cor._n 5.2_o do_v but_o observe_v how_o eager_a and_o intent_n worldling_n be_v upon_o empty_a vanity_n thing_n that_o can_v profit_v and_o shall_v we_o be_v so_o cold_a and_o heartless_a in_o the_o tendency_n of_o our_o soul_n towards_o that_o happiness_n which_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a be_v our_o heart_n more_o set_v upon_o heaven_n it_o will_v put_v life_n and_o savour_n into_o all_o our_o duty_n it_o will_v support_v we_o under_o affliction_n and_o enable_v we_o to_o baffle_v temptation_n it_o will_v be_v a_o evidence_n of_o our_o sincerity_n and_o raise_v we_o above_o the_o slavish_a fear_n of_o death_n but_o i_o proceed_v 3._o be_v much_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o a_o lively_a well_o ground_v hope_n faith_n present_v the_o heavenly_a glory_n to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o soul_n desire_n reach_v forth_o towards_o it_o hope_n lay_v hold_v upon_o it_o to_o this_o we_o be_v beget_v again_o 1_o pet._n 1.3_o by_o this_o we_o be_v save_v rom._n 8.24_o see_v first_o that_o your_o hope_n be_v right_o ground_v and_o then_o that_o they_o be_v due_o exercise_v 4._o and_o now_o it_o be_v time_n that_o your_o soul_n shall_v be_v affect_v with_o spiritual_a joy_n faith_n and_o hope_n must_v both_o contribute_v to_o this_o thus_o we_o read_v of_o joy_n in_o believe_v and_o of_o rejoice_v in_o hope_n read_v psal_n 32.11_o phil._n 4.4_o 1_o thess_n 5.16_o you_o be_v over_o and_o over_o command_v to_o rejoice_v it_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o you_o as_o a_o matter_n indifferent_a it_o be_v as_o true_o a_o duty_n in_o its_o place_n as_o godly_a sorrow_n humiliation_n and_o repentance_n be_v in_o they_o and_o it_o be_v more_o noble_a as_o appertain_v to_o the_o primitive_a and_o principal_a part_n of_o holiness_n whereas_o the_o other_o belong_v to_o the_o medicinal_a heal_a part_n thereof_o 5._o above_o all_o thing_n strive_v to_o keep_v up_o the_o warmth_n and_o vigour_n of_o holy_a love_n to_o god_n and_o your_o redeemer_n let_v every_o other_o grace_n do_v its_o part_n to_o promote_v this_o labour_v still_o to_o get_v near_o to_o god_n more_o inward_a with_o he_o and_o that_o your_o heart_n may_v move_v more_o natural_o towards_o he_o god_n be_v love_n direct_v 7._o observe_v narrow_o the_o temper_n and_o behaviour_n of_o those_o person_n who_o seem_v ripe_a for_o heaven_n and_o take_v they_o for_o your_o example_n converse_v much_o with_o such_o he_o that_o walk_v with_o the_o wise_a shall_v be_v wise_a in_o such_o you_o may_v observe_v manifold_a appearance_n of_o those_o inward_a gracious_a principle_n by_o which_o they_o be_v act_v in_o they_o you_o may_v observe_v great_a humility_n and_o condescension_n towards_o such_o as_o be_v their_o inferior_n great_a tenderness_n for_o the_o honour_n and_o interest_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n great_a delight_n in_o make_v mention_n familiar_o of_o those_o that_o be_v go_v to_o heaven_n before_o they_o a_o excellent_a composure_n of_o gravity_n and_o cheerfulness_n a_o weighty_a seriousness_n and_o warmth_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o god_n holy_a worship_n in_o a_o word_n you_o may_v see_v plain_o enough_o whether_o they_o be_v go_v and_o how_o beautiful_a a_o thing_n holiness_n be_v thus_o grow_v up_o towards_o its_o perfection_n finis_fw-la
uneasy_a to_o ourselves_o and_o to_o all_o about_o we_o till_o we_o be_v reduce_v and_o set_v right_o again_o so_o then_o this_o sensual_a corrupt_a self-love_n must_v be_v mortify_v but_o lawful_a and_o just_a self-love_n must_v be_v improve_v as_o be_v say_v before_o 6._o in_o assign_v the_o notion_n of_o our_o chief_a or_o ultimate_a end_n god_n glory_n and_o our_o own_o salvation_n must_v not_o be_v separate_v for_o our_o intention_n must_v take_v in_o both_o but_o then_o the_o latter_a must_v be_v consider_v as_o in_o full_a subordination_n to_o the_o former_a we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o desire_v our_o own_o eternal_a happiness_n that_o god_n may_v be_v glorify_v therein_o who_o be_v well_o please_v and_o delight_v in_o the_o welfare_n and_o perfection_n of_o his_o holy_a one_o our_o supreme_a end_n must_v fall_v in_o with_o he_o who_o make_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o that_o he_o alone_o may_v have_v the_o glory_n 7._o therefore_o to_o love_n god_n only_o or_o chief_o for_o ourselves_o as_o a_o mean_n to_o our_o own_o happiness_n be_v great_o to_o affront_v and_o dishonour_v he_o by_o prefer_v ourselves_o before_o he_o the_o creature_n before_o the_o creator_n the_o silly_a interest_n of_o a_o crawl_a worm_n before_o the_o glorious_a all-comprehending_a interest_n of_o the_o supreme_a infinite_a majesty_n it_o be_v to_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n while_o we_o make_v ourselves_o the_o end_n and_o consider_v he_o but_o as_o a_o mean_n in_o order_n thereto_o as_o if_o we_o be_v better_o or_o more_o amiable_a than_o he_o or_o our_o happiness_n more_o valuable_a than_o his_o glory_n such_o profaneness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v but_o abhor_v know_v you_o not_o that_o the_o whole_a creation_n have_v no_o worth_n in_o it_o but_o what_o be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o its_o relation_n to_o he_o 8._o to_o love_n god_n with_o a_o pure_a raise_v transcendent_a superlative_a love_n for_o himself_o as_o the_o most_o amiable_a and_o perfect_a good_a from_o by_z and_o to_o who_o we_o and_o all_o thing_n else_o be_v and_o then_o to_o love_v ourselves_o and_o all_o other_o object_n for_o he_o as_o the_o supreme_a ultimate_a end_n of_o all_o this_o be_v the_o true_a method_n of_o holy_a love_n towards_o great_a measure_n whereof_o the_o best_a of_o we_o shall_v be_v ever_o aspire_a be_v it_o not_o high_o reasonable_a that_o he_o who_o be_v best_a shall_v be_v most_o love_v that_o he_o who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o our_o being_n shall_v be_v our_o end_n that_o we_o shall_v aim_v at_o and_o intend_v he_o in_o all_o in_o a_o word_n that_o the_o love_n of_o ourselves_o shall_v be_v subject_v to_o the_o high_a and_o pure_a love_n of_o god_n urge_v these_o thing_n upon_o yourselves_o take_v pain_n with_o your_o own_o heart_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o such_o a_o frame_n plead_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n with_o your_o soul_n till_o the_o fire_n kindle_v and_o you_o be_v carry_v up_o above_o self_n to_o he_o and_o all_o by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o he_o need_v not_o you_o nor_o your_o love_n neither_o can_v you_o be_v profitable_a to_o he_o thereby_o job_n 22.2_o 3._o your_o goodness_n extend_v not_o to_o he_o psal_n 16.2_o the_o advantage_n be_v like_a to_o be_v your_o own_o and_o shall_v not_o the_o glory_n be_v he_o as_o carnal_a inordinate_a self-seeking_a be_v no_o better_a than_o self-destroying_a so_o to_o go_v our_o of_o ourselves_o and_o to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v estrange_v i_o from_o and_o lose_v to_o ourselves_o that_o we_o may_v seek_v god_n live_v in_o he_o and_o enjoy_v communion_n with_o he_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o true_a way_n to_o advance_v our_o own_o interest_n while_o we_o seem_v to_o overlook_v it_o because_o by_o this_o mean_n we_o shall_v find_v ourselves_o and_o our_o all_o in_o god_n with_o infinite_a advantage_n how_o much_o some_o of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n have_v be_v carry_v out_o in_o holy_a zeal_n for_o his_o honour_n â—bove_o their_o own_o particular_a self-interest_n you_o may_v see_v exod_a 32.32_o numb_a 14.12_o rom._n 9.3_o which_o place_n i_o must_v not_o now_o stay_v to_o enlarge_v upon_o 9_o but_o here_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o god_n be_v immaterial_a and_o invisible_a be_v not_o a_o object_n of_o sense_n nor_o direct_o of_o sensitive_a passionate_a love_n therefore_o the_o heart_n may_v be_v inward_o deep_o predominant_o and_o therefore_o sincere_o for_o god_n though_o as_o to_o the_o passionate_a part_n we_o may_v find_v ourselves_o more_o sensible_o carry_v out_o towards_o other_o object_n because_o the_o nearness_n and_o sensibleness_n of_o the_o creature_n promote_v such_o sensible_a working_n in_o the_o low_a sensitive_a faculty_n and_o corporeal_a spirit_n as_o for_o example_n a_o sincere_a christian_a may_v be_v more_o feel_o affect_v towards_o a_o dear_a friend_n or_o relation_n or_o some_o other_o creature-enjoyment_n than_o towards_o god_n himself_o yet_o do_v it_o not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o his_o heart_n be_v more_o for_o these_o thing_n than_o for_o god_n because_o be_v he_o put_v to_o trial_n he_o will_v forsake_v all_o these_o enjoyment_n rather_o than_o forsake_v god_n or_o quit_v his_o interest_n in_o he_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n be_v more_o for_o god_n though_o the_o low_a sensitive_a appetite_n work_v most_o feel_o towards_o sensible_a object_n 10._o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o holiness_n to_o love_n god_n for_o himself_o as_o our_o absolute_o ultimate_a end_n and_o therefore_o better_a than_o ourselves_o yet_o there_o may_v be_v some_o secret_a conception_n or_o beginning_n of_o this_o love_n in_o a_o soul_n long_o before_o the_o person_n in_o who_o it_o be_v perceive_v it_o because_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o judge_n of_o ourselves_o by_o what_o appear_v most_o sensible_o in_o we_o and_o to_o overlook_v what_o lie_v more_o deep_a and_o inward_a now_o as_o be_v say_v before_o love_v to_o self_n and_o to_o the_o creature_n operate_v in_o a_o more_o sensible_a passionate_a feel_a manner_n than_o holy_a intellectual_a love_n do_v because_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n be_v not_o so_o near_o to_o our_o sense_n and_o passion_n as_o the_o creature_n be_v therefore_o because_o i_o will_v not_o make_v sad_a the_o heart_n of_o any_o who_o god_n will_v not_o have_v make_v sad_a ezek._n 13.22_o nor_o give_v a_o advantage_n to_o satan_n to_o disquiet_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o weak_a sincere_a christian_n let_v i_o say_v to_o such_o as_o follows_z suppose_v that_o you_o be_v satisfy_v that_o god_n as_o god_n be_v infinite_o more_o amiable_a than_o yourselves_o and_o that_o he_o be_v your_o absolute_o supreme_a chief_a or_o ultimate_a end_n and_o therefore_o that_o you_o ought_v to_o love_v he_o as_o such_o above_o yourselves_o again_o if_o you_o do_v earnest_o desire_v that_o happiness_n which_o consist_v in_o so_o love_v he_o above_o any_o other_o happiness_n whatsoever_o though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n you_o dare_v not_o say_v that_o you_o love_v god_n for_o himself_o above_o yourselves_o but_o be_v it_o may_v be_v more_o sensible_o and_o feel_o concern_v for_o your_o own_o welfare_n that_o you_o may_v escape_v the_o wrath_n to_o come_v than_o for_o his_o glory_n yet_o you_o he_o wail_v this_o and_o desire_v a_o heart_n to_o love_n god_n more_o for_o himself_o and_o to_o refer_v your_o own_o interest_n and_o all_o to_o he_o why_o if_o the_o case_n be_v thus_o with_o you_o i_o will_v not_o have_v you_o be_v discourage_v or_o cast_v down_o for_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o you_o have_v the_o seed_n and_o beginning_n of_o this_o holy_a love_n to_o god_n for_o himself_o whereof_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v and_o our_o lord_n will_v not_o break_v the_o bruise_a reed_n nor_o quench_v the_o smoke_a flax._n let_v i_o therefore_o earnest_o beseech_v you_o to_o pray_v hard_o for_o further_a influence_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o love_n and_o take_v pain_n with_o your_o own_o heart_n to_o raise_v they_o more_o above_o self_n unto_o god_n that_o your_o spark_n may_v become_v a_o flame_n and_o that_o you_o may_v be_v even_o swallow_v up_o of_o holy_a love_n so_o will_v you_o find_v that_o comfort_n peace_n and_o assurance_n which_o you_o be_v so_o pensive_o seek_v and_o inquire_v after_o o_o learn_v at_o length_n to_o pore_v less_o upon_o your_o own_o poor_a dark_a droop_a soul_n and_o look_v more_o at_o he_o who_o be_v light_n and_o in_o who_o there_o be_v no_o darkness_n at_o all_o as_o for_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o the_o ignorant_a pretender_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o holiness_n all_o this_o will_v seem_v to_o they_o more_o ado_n than_o needs_o nor_o be_v it_o difficult_a to_o confound_v their_o pretence_n without_o go_v thus_o high_a
our_o soul_n towards_o god_n and_o the_o serious_a discharge_n of_o religious_a duty_n to_o conclude_v this_o head_n be_v not_o so_o intent_n upon_o any_o one_o part_n of_o duty_n as_o to_o overlook_v the_o rest_n then_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v ashamed_a when_o we_o have_v respect_n unto_o all_o god_n commandment_n psal_n 119.6_o i_o esteem_v thy_o precept_n concern_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v right_a and_o i_o hate_v every_o false_a way_n vers_fw-la 128._o 4._o continue_v instant_a in_o prayer_n the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v call_v in_o scripture_n a_o generation_n of_o seeker_n psal_n 24.6_o so_o psal_n 27.8_o when_o thou_o say_v seek_v you_o my_o face_n my_o hâ—aâ—t_n say_v uâ—to_fw-mi thou_o thy_o face_n lord_n will_v i_o seek_v how_o 〈◊〉_d do_v we_o find_v this_o duty_n press_v upon_o we_o pray_v always_o pray_v and_o faint_v not_o watch_v unto_o prayer_n pray_v to_o your_o father_n which_o see_v in_o secret_a pray_v every_o where_o pray_v without_o cease_v etc._n etc._n yea_o we_o find_v the_o holy_a person_n frequent_o employ_v in_o this_o holy_a duty_n psal_n 55.17_o evening_n and_o morning_n and_o at_o noon_n will_v i_o pray_v and_o cry_v aloud_o and_o he_o shall_v hear_v my_o voice_n psal_n 109.4_o i_o prayer_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n as_o if_o he_o be_v make_v up_o of_o prayer_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o heap_v up_o more_o example_n but_o i_o forbear_v o_o sir_n it_o be_v on_o our_o knee_n that_o we_o must_v get_v strength_n to_o walk_v with_o god_n the_o actuate_a of_o holy_a desire_n and_o present_v they_o to_o god_n must_v needs_o tend_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o strengthen_v those_o habit_n of_o grace_n from_o which_o such_o desire_n proceed_v beside_o as_o it_o be_v the_o performance_n of_o a_o undeniable_a duty_n shall_v not_o a_o people_n seek_v unto_o their_o god_n a_o most_o reasonable_a piece_n of_o service_n so_o a_o answerable_a blessing_n may_v be_v expect_v upon_o it_o god_n be_v the_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o open_v thy_o mouth_n wide_a and_o i_o will_v fill_v it_o psal_n 81.10_o ask_v for_o great_a thing_n and_o with_o great_a earnestness_n come_v not_o with_o mean_a poor_a narrow_a thought_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n be_v not_o cold_a nor_o lazy_a in_o your_o request_n bless_a be_v they_o that_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n for_o they_o shall_v be_v fill_v mat._n 5._o a_o learned_a divine_a mention_n secret_a prayer_n in_o the_o forefront_n of_o those_o duty_n to_o which_o our_o soul_n be_v natural_o most_o backward_o mr._n baxter_n now_o one_o will_v think_v our_o own_o necessity_n shall_v even_o constrain_v we_o to_o it_o alas_o how_o shall_v we_o live_v without_o it_o and_o how_o much_o do_v it_o concern_v we_o to_o strive_v against_o our_o indisposition_n to_o it_o how_o sweet_a be_v a_o duty_n when_o rescue_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o difficulty_n o_o sir_n whence_o be_v it_o that_o god_n hear_v no_o often_o from_o we_o and_o with_o no_o great_a fervency_n sure_o frequent_a and_o earnest_a approach_n to_o the_o most_o holy_a god_n will_v be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o make_v we_o more_o like_o he_o remember_v god_n have_v way_n enough_o to_o bring_v you_o to_o your_o knee_n what_o if_o dark_a cloud_n shall_v arise_v upon_o you_o or_o some_o sharp_a affliction_n befall_v you_o then_o it_o be_v likely_a you_o will_v come_v cry_v after_o he_o and_o seek_v he_o early_o hos_fw-la 5.15_o but_o why_o not_o without_o so_o much_o ado_n why_o shall_v not_o gentle_a method_n prevail_v with_o you_o be_v but_o acquaint_v with_o your_o own_o heart_n and_o you_o need_v not_o want_v either_o matter_n or_o motive_n for_o this_o great_a duty_n never_o expect_v to_o grow_v in_o grace_n without_o keep_v up_o life_n and_o fervency_n in_o prayer_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o shut_v up_o this_o head_n with_o a_o passage_n which_o i_o late_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o life_n of_o the_o excellent_a mr._n philip_n henry_n to_o the_o publisher_n whereof_o i_o here_o return_v my_o most_o humble_a thanks_o it_o be_v as_o follows_z pag._n 75._o be_v sure_o you_o look_v to_o secret_a duty_n keep_v that_o up_o whatever_o you_o do_v the_o soul_n can_v prosper_v in_o the_o neglect_n of_o it_o apostasy_n general_o begin_v at_o the_o closer-door_n secret_a prayer_n be_v first_o neglect_v and_o careless_o perform_v then_o frequent_o omit_v and_o after_o a_o while_n whole_o cast_v off_o and_o then_o farewell_n god_n and_o christ_n and_o all_o religion_n 5._o learn_v the_o art_n of_o holy_a meditation_n it_o be_v by_o this_o that_o we_o draw_v in_o life_n strength_n and_o sweetness_n from_o those_o great_a gospel-truths_n which_o inconsiderate_a person_n lay_v by_o as_o if_o they_o be_v dead_a or_o useless_a thing_n it_o be_v this_o that_o enlarge_v our_o knowledge_n and_o clear_v our_o apprehension_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n and_o set_v on_o work_v our_o resolution_n affection_n and_o all_o the_o faculty_n and_o power_n of_o our_o soul_n it_o be_v a_o soul-improving_a duty_n indeed_o nor_o can_v you_o want_v matter_n for_o such_o meditation_n if_o you_o will_v but_o see_v your_o thought_n at_o work_n and_o keep_v they_o close_o to_o it_o meditate_v upon_o the_o glorious_a excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o bless_a god_n his_o power_n wisdom_n goodness_n holiness_n truth_n all-sufficiency_n think_v i_o say_v on_o these_o and_o think_v again_o till_o become_v impression_n be_v wrought_v upon_o your_o own_o spirit_n change_v you_o from_o glory_n to_o glory_n 2_o cor._n 3.18_o think_v not_o upon_o god_n in_o a_o slighty_a or_o ordinary_a manner_n but_o with_o the_o great_a reverence_n and_o admiration_n lest_o you_o take_v his_o name_n in_o vain_a whereof_o you_o may_v be_v guilty_a in_o thought_n as_o well_o as_o in_o word_n let_v every_o thought_n of_o god_n be_v mighty_a upon_o you_o and_o participate_v in_o some_o suitable_a measure_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o its_o almighty_a object_n think_v much_o on_o your_o bless_a redeemer_n who_o he_o be_v what_o he_o do_v what_o he_o suffer_v and_o why_o as_o also_o what_o he_o have_v further_a promise_v to_o do_v thus_o let_v christ_n dwell_v in_o your_o heart_n think_v on_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o grace_n call_v to_o mind_v his_o influence_n and_o operation_n upon_o your_o soul_n how_o infinite_o you_o be_v oblige_v to_o he_o how_o much_o you_o have_v still_o to_o do_v with_o he_o how_o direct_a and_o explicit_a you_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o your_o act_n of_o faith_n upon_o he_o as_o well_o as_o upon_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o how_o careful_a you_o shall_v be_v to_o carry_v becoming_o towards_o he_o think_v on_o the_o holiness_n purity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n how_o sweet_a how_o reasonable_a how_o advantageous_a that_o obedience_n be_v which_o god_n have_v require_v of_o we_o o_o how_o i_o love_v thy_o law_n it_o be_v my_o meditation_n all_o the_o day_n psal_n 119.97_o think_v on_o the_o heavenly_a perfection_n what_o the_o saint_n in_o glory_n and_o the_o bless_a angel_n be_v do_v what_o they_o be_v enjoy_v till_o your_o soul_n be_v on_o the_o wing_n long_v to_o be_v join_v to_o that_o holy_a and_o happy_a society_n think_v on_o the_o grace_n wherein_o you_o be_v most_o defective_a consider_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o they_o and_o how_o ill_o you_o can_v live_v without_o they_o or_o without_o great_a degree_n of_o they_o plead_v the_o cause_n of_o every_o grace_n with_o your_o own_o heart_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o your_o meditation_n lift_v up_o your_o eye_n and_o your_o soul_n to_o heaven_n for_o help_v therein_o o_o that_o you_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o try_v this_o course_n to_o engage_v yourselves_o in_o the_o frequent_a and_o solemn_a exercise_n of_o this_o great_a duty_n of_o meditation_n the_o advantage_n will_v be_v great_a every_o way_n and_o that_o you_o may_v be_v the_o fit_a for_o this_o more_o state_v exercise_n of_o meditation_n it_o will_v be_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o your_o employment_n and_o business_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v often_o send_v up_o a_o thought_n or_o ejaculation_n towards_o heaven_n direct_v 3._o if_o your_o endeavour_n thus_o far_o prove_v successful_a so_o that_o you_o find_v more_o grace_n and_o strength_n come_v in_o thereby_o lay_v out_o yourselves_o so_o much_o the_o morâ—_n for_o god_n much_o be_v expect_v from_o they_o to_o who_o much_o be_v give_v your_o talent_n be_v to_o be_v trade_v with_o noâ—_n hide_v in_o a_o napkin_n as_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n abound_v towards_o you_o you_o must_v endeavour_v to_o abound_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o the_o grace_n bestow_v upon_o you_o be_v not_o in_o vain_a 1_o cor._n 15.10.58_o sure_o it_o