his_o people_n of_o old_a hos_fw-la 12.13_o true_o god_n have_v do_v all_o in_o new-england_n by_o his_o word_n as_o long_o as_o we_o hearken_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o prosper_v if_o we_o will_v now_o hearken_v all_o will_v be_v well_o 2_o chron._n 20.20_o 3._o that_o we_o do_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o recovery_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n with_o holy_a religious_a lively_a spiritual_a devotion_n to_o god_n in_o his_o worship_n more_o especial_o in_o his_o house_n the_o loss_n of_o which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v one_o great_a if_o not_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o religion_n for_o religion_n live_v much_o by_o such_o devotion_n to_o god_n in_o his_o worship_n and_o be_v keep_v alive_a by_o it_o religious_a devotion_n it_o be_v much_o of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n if_o we_o will_v then_o recover_v and_o preserve_v the_o life_n of_o religion_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v our_o soul_n raise_v unto_o a_o very_a high_a and_o dear_a esteem_n of_o and_o love_n unto_o a_o most_o sincere_a and_o fervent_a zeal_n for_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o all_o the_o interest_n and_o enjoyment_n thereof_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o understand_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o the_o blessedness_n and_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o only_o visible_a but_o a_o real_a spiritual_a interest_n and_o stand_v therein_o we_o must_v give_v up_o and_o devote_v ourselves_o our_o very_a soul_n unto_o god_n in_o a_o way_n of_o holy_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o in_o his_o house_n in_o all_o the_o way_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o uphold_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o life_n spirit_n and_o power_n of_o it_o we_o must_v have_v our_o heart_n enlarge_v to_o take_v in_o a_o fullness_n of_o the_o spiritual_a and_o gracious_a presence_n of_o god_n and_o raise_v unto_o live_a apprehension_n of_o that_o presence_n with_o spiritual_a pleasure_n delight_n soul-solace_n and_o satisfaction_n therein_o that_o our_o soul_n may_v be_v draw_v forth_o more_o &_o more_o after_o it_o with_o long_a desire_n &_o earnest_a prayer_n as_o the_o soul_n of_o saint_n of_o old_a be_v psal_n 27.4_o &_o 36.7_o &_o 42.1_o 2._o &_o 63.1_o 2._o &_o 84.1_o 2_o 10._o we_o must_v labour_v to_o keep_v the_o house_n of_o god_n pure_a and_o holy_a and_o all_o the_o service_n and_o administration_n of_o it_o and_o to_o obtain_v a_o spiritual_a soul-settlement_n therein_o psal_n 92.13_o those_o that_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v flourish_v in_o the_o court_n of_o our_o god_n if_o we_o will_v have_v religion_n live_v we_o must_v real_o dwell_v in_o the_o house_n for_o there_o and_o therein_o religion_n live_v by_o nothing_o have_v we_o more_o endanger_v and_o destroy_v the_o life_n of_o religion_n than_o by_o withdraw_v our_o heart_n from_o god_n in_o his_o worship_n in_o his_o house_n by_o our_o formality_n hypocrisy_n and_o spiritual_a idolatry_n therein_o by_o slight_v neglect_v profane_v and_o pollute_v thereof_o and_o by_o sin_v away_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n from_o it_o these_o evil_n be_v deadly_a they_o be_v death_n to_o religion_n so_o long_o as_o these_o evil_n remain_v and_o so_o long_o as_o we_o remain_v so_o estrange_v to_o the_o house_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n there_o will_v be_v no_o hope_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n neither_o shall_v we_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n effectual_o for_o the_o recovery_n and_o preservation_n of_o it_o 4._o that_o we_o do_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o recovery_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n with_o the_o special_a presence_n and_o under_o the_o power_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n religion_n live_v only_o by_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o life_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o life_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o we_o have_v by_o our_o sin_n and_o miscarriage_n move_v our_o lord_n jesus_n to_o withdraw_v and_o withhold_v so_o much_o of_o his_o presence_n and_o power_n from_o we_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o suffer_v such_o a_o privation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n and_o unless_o we_o obtain_v a_o return_n thereof_o religion_n will_v die_v quite_o away_o that_o we_o may_v obtain_v the_o return_n of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n we_o must_v be_v sensible_a of_o and_o humble_v for_o those_o sin_n and_o evil_n whereby_o we_o have_v grieve_v and_o provoke_v he_o our_o unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n not_o subject_v to_o his_o spiritual_a rule_n and_o government_n and_o to_o the_o ministerial_a exercise_n of_o his_o power_n therein_o unfaithfulness_n to_o his_o cause_n interest_n and_o work_n dissension_n disorder_n and_o confusion_n in_o church_n the_o loss_n of_o our_o first_o love_n and_o life_n and_o the_o great_a dishonour_n to_o his_o holy_a name_n these_o evil_n must_v be_v repent_v of_o and_z removed_z unconverted_a sinner_n must_v receive_v he_o and_o give_v themselves_o to_o he_o by_o faith_n in_o a_o way_n of_o gospel-obedience_n christian_n must_v awake_v and_o rouse_v up_o their_o sleepy_a soul_n out_o of_o carnal_a ease_n and_o rest_n follow_v he_o and_o seek_v he_o until_o you_o have_v find_v he_o and_o repossess_v your_o soul_n of_o he_o with_o a_o fullness_n of_o spiritual_a joy_n pleasure_n and_o delight_n in_o your_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o as_o the_o spouse_n cant._n 3.4_o the_o church_n must_v give_v he_o free_a full_a and_o open_a entrance_n and_o entertainment_n in_o the_o great_a fullness_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o power_n recover_v their_o first_o life_n and_o love_n do_v their_o first_o work_n in_o maintain_v integrity_n of_o love_n peace_n union_n purity_n of_o communion_n regularity_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o order_n within_o themselves_o cleave_v to_o his_o cause_n interest_n and_o work_n full_o steadfast_o and_o faithful_o manage_v all_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o way_n of_o sincere_a soul-subjection_n to_o he_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o his_o name_n and_o glory_n o_o if_o christian_n and_o church_n can_v thus_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v themselves_o unto_o the_o return_n of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n they_o will_v soon_o feel_v themselves_o enable_v thereby_o to_o perform_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o recovery_n and_o preservation_n of_o religion_n the_o sad_a cause_n why_o we_o have_v hitherto_o fail_v in_o all_o our_o undertake_n be_v the_o want_n of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n o_o there_o be_v woeful_a evidence_n of_o the_o want_n of_o it_o until_o christ_n return_v it_o nothing_o will_v or_o can_v be_v do_v the_o return_n of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n will_v instant_o infer_v a_o happy_a resurrection_n of_o religion_n o_o let_v we_o seek_v it_o pray_v and_o cry_v for_o it_o under_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o our_o extreme_a necessity_n of_o it_o and_o of_o our_o woeful_a condition_n without_o it_o let_v we_o be_v move_v hereunto_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o gracious_a disposition_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n to_o return_v it_o be_v yet_o his_o voice_n to_o these_o as_o it_o be_v to_o those_o decline_a church_n after_o he_o have_v reprove_v charge_v threaten_v they_o very_o sharp_o and_o severe_o he_o conclude_v all_o rev._n 3.20_o behold_v i_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_n if_o any_o man_n hear_v my_o voice_n and_o open_v unto_o i_o i_o will_v come_v in_o by_o open_v to_o christ_n we_o shall_v do_v all_o and_o obtain_v all_o salvation_n 5._o that_o we_o do_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o recovery_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n quick_o there_o must_v be_v a_o sudden_a quick_a dispatch_n of_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n it_o must_v be_v do_v present_o instant_o without_o delay_n as_o we_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n for_o our_o life_n when_o in_o utmost_a and_o extreme_a danger_n if_o we_o do_v not_o do_v what_o we_o have_v to_o do_v quick_o it_o may_v be_v quick_o too_o late_o and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v god_n infinite_a mercy_n if_o it_o be_v not_o already_o too_o late_o as_o it_o be_v to_o they_o luk._n 19.42_o mat._n 23.37_o o_o we_o have_v linger_v and_o delay_v upon_o utmost_a peril_n already_o it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n more_o than_o time_n if_o we_o mean_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n hos_fw-la 10.12_o it_o be_v time_n to_o seek_v the_o lord_n till_o he_o come_v god_n be_v now_o cry_v to_o day_n while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n after_o so_o long_a a_o time_n psal_n 95.7_o heb._n 4.7_o god_n call_v for_o present_a haste_n he_o be_v every_o way_n hasten_v of_o we_o the_o die_a state_n of_o religion_n and_o
how_o many_o protestant_a church_n in_o saxony_n bohemia_n hungaria_n poland_n france_n and_o other_o place_n have_v be_v dissipate_v and_o unchurch_v and_o that_o because_o of_o their_o decay_n either_o as_o to_o the_o profession_n or_o practice_n of_o religion_n if_o the_o professor_n thereof_o be_v general_o grow_v formal_a and_o lifeless_a it_o be_v a_o sad_a prognostic_n that_o a_o terrible_a persecution_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n upon_o which_o account_n wise_a man_n do_v with_o some_o dread_n behold_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o protestant_a interest_n in_o the_o world_n the_o name_n of_o those_o that_o be_v indeed_o alive_a be_v so_o very_a few_o as_o for_o the_o church_n in_o this_o wilderness_n i_o be_o persuade_v christ_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v make_v a_o desolation_n as_o yet_o though_o israel_n be_v deep_o revolt_v from_o the_o holy_a way_n of_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o jehoahaz_n it_o be_v say_v 2_o king_n 13.23_o and_o the_o lord_n be_v gracious_a unto_o they_o and_o have_v compassion_n on_o they_o and_o have_v respect_n unto_o they_o because_o of_o his_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o will_v not_o destroy_v they_o nor_o cast_v he_o they_o from_o his_o presence_n as_o yet_o nevertheless_o shake_v trial_n may_v come_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o expect_v they_o and_o god_n prepare_v we_o for_o they_o for_o great_a sin_n be_v now_o common_a in_o new-england_n which_o be_v rare_o if_o at_o all_o hear_v of_o but_o thirty_o year_n ago_o profaneness_n grow_v bold_a and_o be_v not_o easy_o suppress_v there_o be_v much_o hypocrisy_n and_o formality_n among_o professor_n nay_o and_o wise_a virgin_n be_v asleep_a too_o it_o be_v beyond_o controversy_n that_o the_o late_a judgement_n which_o new-england_n have_v be_v bleed_v under_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o divine_a anger_n provoke_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o men._n but_o since_o god_n have_v merciful_o remove_v his_o hand_n those_o very_a sin_n the_o lord_n have_v be_v contend_v for_o be_v commit_v as_o much_o nay_o more_o than_o ever_o before_o it_o be_v a_o most_o awful_a and_o tremble_a consideration_n that_o the_o holy_a lord_n god_n almighty_a who_o though_o he_o may_v bear_v long_o will_v not_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v abuse_v always_o have_v be_v mock_v and_o dally_v with_o more_o than_o once_o in_o the_o day_n of_o our_o late_a trouble_n several_a thing_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v provoke_v evil_n and_o reformation_n in_o respect_n of_o they_o confess_v to_o be_v necessary_a which_o since_o be_v make_v light_n of_o austin_n do_v in_o his_o time_n wish_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o synod_n call_v to_o consider_v of_o some_o effectual_a course_n for_o the_o suppression_n of_o that_o sin_n of_o drunkenness_n among_o man_n in_o those_o day_n these_o church_n have_v in_o a_o very_a solemn_a manner_n meet_v together_o by_o their_o representative_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o lord_n displeasure_n and_o the_o expedient_n for_o reformation_n there_o be_v a_o gracious_a presence_n of_o christ_n guide_v his_o servant_n in_o those_o inquiry_n but_o what_o do_v it_o all_o come_v to_o more_o than_o to_o leave_v the_o present_a generation_n inexcusable_a before_o the_o world_n and_o before_o posterity_n and_o before_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o plead_n with_o those_o that_o have_v know_v their_o master_n will_n but_o have_v not_o do_v it_o the_o infinite_o patient_a god_n have_v wait_v for_o fruit_n three_o year_n since_o that_o endeavour_n and_o pretence_n to_o reformation_n be_v publish_v our_o english_a historian_n have_v record_v that_o when_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o time_n bring_v heavy_a judgement_n upon_o our_o forefather_n above_o nine_o hundred_o year_n ago_o a_o synod_n do_v convene_v in_o order_n to_o the_o redress_v of_o those_o evil_n there_o be_v thirty_o minister_n then_o find_v faithful_a who_o give_v their_o testimony_n but_o it_o will_v not_o be_v hearken_v to_o so_o that_o god_n quick_o send_v the_o cruel_a dane_n who_o for_o a_o long_a time_n bring_v the_o land_n into_o miserable_a bondage_n and_o slavery_n what_o hour_n of_o temptation_n may_v come_v upon_o we_o we_o know_v not_o our_o case_n be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a and_o the_o judgement_n impend_v like_a to_o be_v the_o more_o dreadful_a when_o if_o repentance_n prevent_v not_o at_o last_o they_o shall_v fall_v down_o in_o that_o god_n have_v stir_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o servant_n in_o the_o ministry_n full_a many_o a_o time_n and_o with_o great_a earnestness_n to_o protest_v against_o the_o sin_n and_o apostasy_n of_o the_o time_n and_o to_o press_v for_o reformation_n before_o the_o decree_n bring_v forth_o but_o alas_o hitherto_o with_o little_a success_n the_o word_n of_o that_o honourable_a man_n of_o god_n dr._n owen_n in_o his_o late_a sermon_n in_o luk._n 13.1_o 2_o 3._o page_n 77._o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o truth_n and_o weight_n in_o they_o let_v we_o not_o say_v he_o pretend_v that_o the_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n call_v for_o respect_v the_o public_a enormous_a sin_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o atheism_n profaneness_n sensuality_n luxury_n pride_n oppression_n hatred_n of_o the_o truth_n contempt_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o like_a they_o do_v so_o indeed_o but_o not_o only_o they_o respect_v also_o the_o decay_n in_o faith_n love_n zeal_n with_o love_n of_o the_o world_n conformity_n unto_o it_o lukewarmness_n that_o be_v find_v among_o the_o most_o eminent_a professor_n of_o religion_n this_o be_v our_o present_a wound_n here_o lie_v our_o weakness_n namely_o in_o the_o want_n of_o a_o quick_a active_a zealous_a ministry_n to_o call_v and_o stir_v up_o magistrate_n and_o people_n to_o effectual_a repentance_n and_o turn_n to_o god_n unless_o this_o be_v give_v unto_o we_o i_o fear_v we_o can_v be_v save_v if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o if_o we_o have_v a_o ministry_n that_o real_o do_v attend_v unto_o their_o duty_n in_o this_o matter_n than_o i_o shall_v think_v it_o the_o most_o pregnant_a sign_n of_o approach_a destruction_n see_v it_o be_v apparent_a unto_o all_o that_o their_o endeavour_n have_v neither_o fruit_n nor_o success_n true_o with_o we_o it_o have_v be_v so_o they_o that_o have_v approve_v themselves_o faithful_a unto_o christ_n and_o their_o own_o conscience_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v indeed_o inward_a peace_n yet_o they_o can_v but_o be_v sensible_a that_o they_o lose_v the_o good_a word_n and_o good_a will_n of_o some_o man_n and_o be_v expose_v to_o obloquy_n and_o reproach_n for_o as_o the_o excellent_a person_n but_o now_o mention_v say_v page_n 90.91_o the_o hard_a and_o most_o difficult_a service_n that_o ever_o god_n call_v any_o of_o his_o minister_n unto_o except_v only_a jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v be_v in_o the_o endeavour_v the_o reformation_n of_o backslide_v or_o spiritual_o decay_a church_n these_o be_v the_o two_o witness_n which_o in_o all_o age_n have_v prophesy_v in_o sackcloth_n such_o be_v the_o ministry_n of_o elijah_n which_o bring_v he_o unto_o that_o conclusion_n and_o a_o earnest_a longing_n to_o be_v deliver_v by_o death_n from_o his_o work_n and_o ministry_n 2_o king_n 19.4_o so_o be_v that_o of_o jeremiah_n in_o the_o like_a season_n whereof_o he_o complain_v chap._n 15.10_o john_n the_o baptist_n in_o the_o same_o work_n lose_v first_o his_o liberty_n than_o his_o life_n and_o in_o after_o age_n chrysostom_n for_o the_o same_o cause_n be_v hate_v by_o the_o clergy_n persecute_v by_o the_o court_n and_o at_o length_n drive_v into_o banishment_n where_o he_o die_v most_o man_n care_v not_o how_o little_a a_o share_n they_o have_v in_o such_o a_o work_n as_o this_o who_o reward_n will_v reach_v they_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o their_o engagement_n in_o it_o all_o church_n all_o person_n almost_o will_v willing_o be_v let_v alone_o in_o the_o condition_n wherein_o they_o be_v they_o that_o will_v press_v they_o unto_o due_a reformation_n ever_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v look_v on_o as_o their_o troubler_n nevertheless_o god_n have_v give_v a_o spirit_n of_o courage_n zeal_n and_o faithfulness_n unto_o several_a of_o his_o ambassador_n to_o discharge_v their_o duty_n in_o bear_v their_o testimony_n and_o so_o to_o leave_v the_o success_n and_o their_o own_o name_n also_o with_o that_o god_n who_o they_o be_v and_o who_o they_o serve_v and_o in_o special_a this_o worthy_a minister_n of_o christ_n who_o eminent_a accomplishment_n be_v know_v unto_o all_o unto_o who_o he_o himself_o be_v know_v have_v a_o long_a time_n approve_v himself_o singular_o faithful_a unto_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n herein_o the_o strain_n of_o his_o ministry_n in_o that_o congregation_n where_o he_o that_o hold_v the_o star_n have_v see_v meet_a to_o place_v he_o have_v be_v to_o urge_v conversion_n
any_o more_o from_o thy_o filthiness_n until_o i_o have_v cause_v my_o fury_n to_o rest_v upon_o thou_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o i_o will_v do_v it_o i_o will_v not_o go_v back_o neither_o will_v i_o spare_v neither_o will_v i_o repent_v if_o a_o people_n will_v not_o be_v heal_v and_o save_v they_o must_v be_v they_o shall_v be_v destroy_v o_o that_o we_o understand_v how_o much_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o discern_v know_v and_o improve_v the_o present_a time_n lest_o the_o harvest_n shall_v be_v pass_v and_o the_o summer_n end_v and_o the_o thing_n of_o our_o peace_n of_o our_o temporal_a spiritual_a and_o eternal_a welfare_n shall_v be_v hide_v from_o our_o eye_n 3._o that_o we_o do_v wait_v earnest_o upon_o god_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n of_o humiliation_n and_o supplication_n under_o the_o administration_n of_o his_o word_n and_o worship_n for_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o of_o convert_v grace_n no_o hope_n no_o possibility_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o religion_n otherwise_o than_o by_o such_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n until_o god_n shall_v pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n from_o on_o high_a isai_n 32.15_o until_o the_o spirit_n be_v pour_v upon_o we_o from_o on_o high_a and_o the_o wilderness_n be_v a_o fruitful_a field_n that_o de_fw-fr struction_n and_o desolation_n be_v to_o remain_v upon_o they_o until_o god_n shall_v work_v a_o general_a work_n of_o conversion_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o religion_n thereby_o they_o be_v to_o remain_v dead_a and_o bury_v in_o their_o grave_n until_o god_n shall_v accomplish_v that_o great_a fundam_fw-la ental_a covenant_n promise_n ezek._n 36.26_o 27._o a_o new_a heart_n will_v i_o give_v you_o and_o a_o new_a spirit_n will_v i_o put_v within_o you_o and_o i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n within_o you_o so_o ezek._n 37.13_o 14._o when_o i_o have_v open_v your_o grave_n and_o bring_v you_o up_o out_o of_o your_o grave_n and_o shall_v put_v my_o spirit_n in_o you_o and_o you_o shall_v live_v therefore_o it_o be_v high_a time_n for_o we_o to_o seek_v the_o lord_n until_o he_o rain_v righteousness_n hos_fw-la 10.12_o of_o if_o god_n shall_v please_v to_o pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o our_o seed_n and_o his_o blessing_n upon_o our_o offspring_n then_o there_o will_v be_v a_o glorious_a resurrection_n of_o religion_n with_o the_o rise_a generation_n they_o shall_v spring_v up_o as_o among_o the_o grass_n and_o as_o willow_n by_o the_o watercourse_n isai_n 44.34_o o_o that_o we_o can_v approve_v ourselves_o a_o humble_a penitential_a prayerful_a people_n prepare_v for_o such_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o wait_v upon_o god_n under_o the_o promise_n of_o it_o 4._o that_o we_o strengthen_v the_o thing_n which_o remain_v that_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v this_o be_v our_o lord_n jesus_n his_o direction_n in_o term_n rev._n 3.2_o keep_v alive_a and_o cherish_v that_o of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v leave_v the_o remain_v of_o it_o o_o christian_n let_v die_a religion_n have_v a_o revive_v and_o a_o resurrection_n in_o your_o heart_n and_o life_n live_v it_o up_o to_o life_n again_o there_o be_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n keep_v in_o the_o world_n than_o what_o be_v preserve_v and_o uphold_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o few_o and_o they_o be_v comparative_o but_o a_o very_a few_o living_n and_o lively_a christian_n there_o never_o have_v be_v nor_o ever_o be_v but_o a_o little_a of_o religion_n in_o the_o life_n spirit_n and_o power_n of_o it_o in_o this_o low_a world_n it_o be_v a_o very_a choice_n rare_a thing_n in_o the_o best_a of_o time_n but_o there_o be_v never_o less_o of_o it_o than_o when_o sincere_a christian_n be_v fall_v into_o a_o frame_n and_o way_n of_o declension_n nothing_o more_o deadly_a to_o religion_n than_o the_o declension_n of_o christian_n which_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a heart_n and_o life_n of_o it_o so_o much_o the_o more_o shall_v you_o labour_v to_o rise_v to_o the_o utmost_a height_n of_o attainment_n in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n even_o unto_o a_o conspicuous_a eminency_n therein_o that_o religion_n may_v not_o only_o live_v but_o shine_v in_o all_o your_o converse_v throughout_o your_o whole_a conversation_n that_o you_o may_v shine_v as_o light_n in_o the_o world_n phil._n 2.15_o 16._o christian_n if_o you_o do_v not_o thus_o revive_v and_o raise_v religion_n in_o your_o heart_n and_o life_n before_o you_o die_v you_o may_v not_o expect_v that_o it_o will_v long_o survive_v you_o though_o religion_n can_v die_v so_o long_o as_o you_o live_v yet_o if_o you_o suffer_v religion_n to_o live_v a_o die_a life_n in_o you_o you_o may_v fear_v that_o though_o it_o can_v die_v in_o you_o it_o may_v notwithstanding_o die_v with_o you_o 5._o that_o we_o set_v our_o heart_n unto_o and_o upon_o religion_n make_v it_o our_o high_a our_o dear_a even_o our_o heart-interest_n our_o whole_a our_o all_o as_o to_o interest_n and_o enjoyment_n in_o this_o world_n that_o which_o we_o live_v for_o that_o which_o we_o live_v by_o that_o which_o be_v our_o life_n viz._n because_o it_o be_v that_o whereby_o we_o live_v to_o with_o and_o upon_o god_n in_o christ_n let_v our_o soul_n therefore_o be_v draw_v forth_o after_o and_o engage_v unto_o religion_n in_o esteem_n love_n zeal_n desire_n delight_n that_o our_o mind_n may_v be_v so_o exercise_v unto_o the_o doctrinal_a practical_a and_o experimental_a knowledge_n of_o it_o as_o that_o we_o may_v be_v raise_v to_o real_a spiritual_a discovery_n and_o apprehension_n of_o the_o excellency_n glory_n and_o perfection_n of_o it_o with_o a_o transcendency_n above_o all_o the_o glory_n and_o perfection_n of_o this_o low_a world_n that_o we_o may_v account_v all_o worldly_a interest_n and_o enjoyment_n but_o loss_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o as_o the_o holy_a apostle_n do_v phil._n 3.8_o and_o may_v by_o faith_n also_o apprehend_v our_o own_o interest_n in_o it_o with_o most_o certain_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v we_o our_o own_o and_o that_o nothing_o be_v so_o or_o so_o much_o we_o our_o own_o as_o our_o religion_n that_o be_v our_o god_n our_o christ_n and_o our_o religion_n as_o it_o be_v and_o because_o it_o be_v our_o life_n o_o if_o we_o can_v thus_o devote_v ourselves_o to_o religion_n become_v true_a real_a votary_n to_o religion_n religion_n will_v then_o revive_v and_o live_v 6._o that_o we_o set_v ourselves_o in_o whatsoever_o we_o have_v be_v or_o can_v do_v in_o a_o full_a and_o direct_a subserviency_n to_o the_o propagation_n and_o advancement_n of_o religion_n lay_v out_o ourselves_o improve_v all_o time_n strength_n and_o gift_n grace_n and_o estate_n power_n authority_n interest_n influence_n unto_o our_o utmost_a capacity_n and_o possibility_n for_o religion_n and_o that_o with_o utmost_a care_n conscience_n zeal_n courage_n faithfulness_n in_o a_o way_n of_o steadfast_a perseverance_n through_o all_o encounter_n and_o conflict_n to_o the_o last_o make_v of_o it_o our_o main_a design_n our_o whole_a work_n and_o business_n in_o all_o our_o transaction_n both_o with_o god_n and_o man_n that_o we_o therefore_o labour_v servent_o and_o instant_o with_o god_n in_o prayer_n that_o for_o zions_n sake_n we_o do_v not_o hold_v our_o peace_n and_o for_o jerusalem_n sake_n we_o do_v not_o rest_v that_o we_o never_o hold_v our_o peace_n day_n nor_o night_n give_v he_o no_o rest_n until_o he_o establish_v and_o make_v jerusalem_n a_o praise_n in_o the_o earth_n isai_n 62.1_o 6_o 7._o that_o we_o henceforth_o transact_v with_o god_n and_o one_o with_o another_o with_o religious_a sincerity_n in_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o and_o about_o that_o great_a and_o most_o important_a business_n of_o reformation_n in_o suppress_v all_o the_o great_a and_o general_a sin_n and_o perform_v the_o great_a and_o general_a duty_n of_o the_o time_n that_o we_o trifle_v dissemble_v falsify_v no_o more_o therein_o as_o heretofore_o we_o have_v too_o much_o do_v and_o as_o the_o people_n of_o old_a do_v to_o their_o own_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n jer._n 3.10_o nothing_o hasten_v their_o utter_a defection_n and_o destruction_n more_o than_o their_o formal_a hypocritical_a reformation_n that_o we_o also_o labour_v to_o retrieve_v and_o raise_v the_o visible_a interest_n of_o religion_n and_o advance_v it_o above_o the_o head_n of_o our_o chief_a joy_n psal_n 137.6_o that_o we_o do_v cleave_v by_o a_o heart-engagement_n to_o the_o word_n worship_n ordinance_n administration_n ministry_n order_n rule_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n to_o the_o whole_a cause_n interest_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n that_o we_o keep_v the_o word_n of_o his_o patience_n and_o do_v not_o deny_v his_o name_n but_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o we_o