speculation_n hitherto_o i_o have_v court_v truth_n with_o a_o kind_n of_o romantic_a passion_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o difficulty_n and_o discouragement_n for_o knowledge_n be_v think_v so_o unnecessary_a a_o accomplishment_n for_o a_o woman_n that_o few_o will_v give_v themselves_o the_o trouble_n to_o assist_v they_o in_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o not_o consider_v that_o the_o meliorate_n of_o one_o single_a soul_n be_v a_o employment_n more_o worthy_a of_o a_o wife_n man_n than_o most_o of_o those_o thing_n to_o which_o custom_n appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o business_n and_o affair_n but_o now_o since_o you_o have_v so_o generous_o put_v into_o my_o hand_n a_o opportunity_n of_o obtain_v what_o i_o so_o greedy_o long_a after_o that_o i_o may_v make_v the_o best_a improvement_n of_o so_o great_a a_o advantage_n i_o give_v up_o myself_o entire_o to_o your_o conduct_n so_o far_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o a_o rational_a not_o blind_a obedience_n bring_v a_o free_a and_o 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that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n proceed_v from_o false_a notion_n of_o pain_n and_o pleasure_n and_o mistake_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n for_o will_v man_n be_v persuade_v that_o god_n be_v their_o only_a good_a so_o they_o may_v enjoy_v he_o they_o will_v not_o much_o regret_n the_o absence_n of_o other_o thing_n neither_o will_v they_o so_o greedy_o pursue_v the_o shell_n of_o pleasure_n nor_o fix_v their_o heart_n on_o sensible_a object_n which_o can_v never_o satisfy_v and_o be_v they_o but_o convince_v that_o nothing_o be_v so_o evil_a as_o sin_n they_o will_v not_o choose_v iniquity_n rather_o than_o affliction_n as_o therefore_o your_o account_n of_o pleasure_n do_v rectify_v the_o error_n of_o our_o love_n so_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o our_o aversion_n be_v better_o regulate_v than_o they_o usual_o be_v and_o that_o sin_n which_o though_o it_o be_v not_o the_o efficient_a be_v yet_o the_o moral_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o evil_n and_o displeasure_n be_v 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pure_o and_o entire_o from_o ourselves_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o i_o absolute_o allow_v and_o contend_v for_o concern_v the_o latter_a i_o distinguish_v when_o you_o say_v that_o all_o our_o evil_n be_v pure_o and_o entire_o from_o ourselves_o if_o you_o mean_v of_o moral_a evil_n i_o grant_v it_o but_o if_o you_o mean_v of_o natural_a evil_n than_o i_o must_v distinguish_v again_o upon_o the_o word_n from_o ourselves_o which_o may_v signify_v either_o a_o physical_a or_o moral_a or_o if_o you_o will_v a_o efficient_a or_o a_o meritorious_a causality_n we_o be_v certain_o the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o natural_a evil_n as_o bring_v they_o upon_o we_o by_o our_o sin_n but_o that_o we_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o any_o of_o they_o i_o deny_v as_o all_o our_o good_a be_v whole_o from_o god_n so_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v also_o our_o evil_n we_o have_v not_o the_o power_n to_o modify_v our_o own_o soul_n and_o can_v no_o more_o raise_v the_o sensation_n 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distinct_a from_o it_o yet_o it_o may_v occasional_o and_o consequential_o and_o so_o may_v come_v within_o the_o enclosure_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o do_v we_o good_a you_o think_v fit_a to_o confine_v my_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n pleasure_n to_o such_o only_a as_o be_v true_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n by_o which_o i_o suppose_v you_o mean_v those_o pleasure_n which_o be_v call_v rational_a and_o intellectual_a to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o evident_a and_o i_o think_v i_o have_v elsewhere_o make_v it_o so_o that_o god_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o pleasure_n that_o be_v resent_v by_o man._n but_o you_o say_v you_o know_v not_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a god_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o please_a sensation_n which_o wicked_a man_n feel_v in_o what_o we_o call_v sinful_a pleasure_n but_o it_o be_v your_o mistake_n to_o suppose_v that_o sensual_a pleasure_n as_o such_o be_v evil_a or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o sinful_a pleasure_n proper_o speak_v as_o sin_n can_v be_v formal_o pleasant_a so_o neither_o can_v pleasure_n be_v formal_o sinful_a all_o pleasure_n in_o itself_o be_v simple_o good_a as_o be_v a_o real_a modification_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v the_o circumstantiate_a of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o evil._n and_o of_o this_o god_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n but_o the_o sinner_n who_o rather_o than_o forego_v such_o a_o agreeable_a sensation_n will_v enjoy_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o be_v not_o for_o his_o own_o or_o for_o the_o common_a good_a and_o therefore_o unlawful_a but_o concern_v this_o matter_n you_o may_v further_o satisfy_v yourself_o out_o of_o the_o letter_n between_o dr._n more_o and_o i_o and_o by_o read_v the_o first_o and_o second_o illustration_n m._n malebranch_n make_v upon_o his_o de_fw-fr la_fw-fr recharche_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr verity_n where_o he_o show_v you_o that_o god_n do_v all_o that_o be_v real_a in_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o motion_n without_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n there_o be_v two_o other_o passage_n in_o your_o letter_n which_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o assent_v to_o till_o i_o better_o comprehend_v they_o one_o be_v that_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n the_o other_o be_v that_o sin_n be_v the_o only_a true_a evil_n of_o man._n i_o can_v stay_v long_o upon_o these_o but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o beside_o that_o sin_n be_v a_o act_n and_o pain_v a_o passion_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o pain_n be_v a_o real_a modification_n of_o our_o spirit_n whereas_o sin_n in_o its_o formality_n be_v not_o any_o thing_n positive_a but_o a_o mere_a privation_n i_o say_v beside_o this_o if_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n how_o shall_v we_o distinguish_v sin_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o it_o and_o how_o shall_v a_o man_n repent_v for_o his_o sin_n for_o if_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n then_o to_o be_v sorry_a for_o one_o sin_n will_v be_v to_o commit_v another_o then_o as_o to_o the_o other_o part_v that_o sin_n be_v the_o only_a evil_n of_o man_n i_o grant_v it_o be_v the_o great_a but_o i_o can_v think_v it_o the_o only_a one_o for_o beside_o that_o mental_a pain_n be_v as_o i_o have_v show_v a_o evil_a distinct_a from_o it_o there_o be_v also_o a_o thing_n call_v bodily_a pain_n which_o i_o have_v also_o show_v to_o be_v a_o evil._n now_o madam_n as_o to_o what_o you_o request_v of_o i_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o your_o letter_n if_o you_o think_v that_o distinction_n of_o i_o of_o seek_v creature_n for_o our_o good_a but_o not_o love_v they_o as_o our_o good_a too_o nice_a i_o further_o illustrate_v it_o thus_o you_o be_v to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o those_o of_o the_o body_n the_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n ought_v not_o to_o tend_v but_o towards_o he_o who_o only_o be_v above_o she_o and_o only_o able_a to_o act_v in_o she_o but_o the_o movement_n of_o the_o body_n may_v be_v determine_v by_o those_o object_n which_o environ_v it_o and_o so_o by_o those_o movement_n we_o may_v unite_v ourselves_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a or_o occasional_a cause_n of_o our_o pleasure_n thus_o because_o we_o find_v pleasure_n from_o the_o fire_n this_o be_v warrant_n enough_o to_o approach_v it_o by_o a_o bodily_a movement_n but_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o love_v it_o for_o love_n be_v a_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o we_o be_v to_o reserve_v for_o he_o who_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o that_o pleasure_n which_o we_o resent_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o fire_n who_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v be_v no_o other_o than_o god._n by_o which_o you_o may_v plain_o perceive_v what_o it_o be_v i_o mean_v by_o say_v that_o creature_n may_v be_v seek_v for_o our_o good_a but_o not_o love_v as_o our_o good_n but_o after_o all_o i_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o as_o all_o our_o other_o duty_n be_v more_o intelligible_a than_o practicable_a though_o to_o render_v it_o so_o i_o know_v no_o other_o way_n than_o by_o long_a and_o constant_a meditation_n to_o free_v our_o mind_n of_o that_o early_a prejudice_n that_o sensible_a object_n do_v act_n upon_o our_o spirit_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o sensation_n careful_o to_o distinguish_v between_o a_o efficient_a cause_n strict_o so_o call_v and_o a_o occasion_n to_o attribute_v to_o god_n and_o the_o creature_n their_o proper_a part_n in_o the_o production_n of_o our_o pleasure_n to_o bring_v ourselves_o to_o a_o clear_a perception_n and_o habitual_a remembrance_n of_o this_o grand_a truth_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o morality_n that_o god_n only_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o good_a which_o when_o full_o convince_v of_o we_o shall_v no_o long_o question_n whether_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o only_a object_n of_o our_o love_n i_o be_o madam_n with_o great_a respect_n your_o humble_a servant_n j._n norris_n bemerton_n nou._n 13._o 1693._o if_o you_o be_v satisfy_v thus_o far_o i_o will_v desire_v you_o to_o go_v on_o to_o communicate_v what_o other_o thought_n you_o have_v concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v a_o subject_a i_o like_v and_o will_v willing_o pursue_v to_o the_o utmost_a letter_n v._o to_o mr._n norris_n sir_n so_o candid_a and_o condiscend_v a_o treatment_n of_o a_o stranger_n a_o woman_n and_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o one_o as_o myself_o show_v you_o to_o be_v as_o much_o above_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n in_o your_o practice_n as_o you_o be_v in_o your_o theory_n and_o
innocence_n so_o it_o make_v the_o best_a provision_n for_o our_o pleasure_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n may_v as_o well_o cease_v to_o be_v as_o cease_v to_o love_v something_o or_o other_o it_o must_v desire_v but_o so_o long_o as_o it_o move_v towards_o the_o creature_n it_o may_v amuse_v its_o crave_n but_o can_v never_o satisfy_v they_o how_o often_o will_v the_o object_n of_o our_o love_n be_v want_v how_o often_o will_v the_o object_n of_o our_o love_n be_v want_v how_o often_o will_v they_o be_v unkind_a and_o suppose_v they_o as_o present_v and_o as_o kind_a as_o we_o can_v wish_v they_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v as_o sick_a of_o our_o fruition_n as_o we_o be_v of_o our_o desire_n for_o what_o be_v there_o in_o the_o creature_n but_o emptiness_n vanity_n and_o vexation_n but_o the_o object_n of_o divine_a love_n be_v always_o essential_o present_a nothing_o can_v hide_v he_o from_o we_o but_o our_o own_o neglect_n if_o we_o do_v but_o fix_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n on_o and_o direct_v the_o motion_n of_o our_o will_n towards_o he_o we_o may_v always_o contemplate_v and_o enjoy_v his_o beauty_n may_v always_o assuage_v our_o thirst_n at_o this_o fountain_n and_o feast_v our_o hungry_a soul_n upon_o his_o never-failing_a charm_n which_o though_o they_o will_v still_o draw_v we_o on_o to_o pursue_v a_o further_a enjoyment_n because_o of_o their_o infinite_a amability_n and_o perfection_n yet_o all_o along_o they_o will_v satisfy_v and_o fill_v our_o soul_n with_o unspeakable_a delight_n though_o they_o do_v extinguish_v all_o desire_n yet_o they_o will_v remove_v all_o emptiness_n and_o at_o once_o replenish_v our_o faculty_n and_o enlarge_v they_o but_o these_o ravish_a delight_n which_o the_o enamour_a soul_n feel_v in_o every_o approach_n to_o her_o divine_a lover_n be_v better_o feel_v than_o express_v and_o when_o we_o have_v once_o taste_v of_o these_o most_o sapid_a pleasure_n we_o shall_v for_o ever_o disdain_v the_o muddy_a stream_n of_o sensual_a delight_n thus_o the_o love_n of_o god_n defend_v we_o from_o the_o uneasiness_n of_o pain_n and_o grief_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o make_v we_o happy_a in_o all_o our_o capacity_n it_o be_v so_o divine_a a_o cordial_n that_o the_o least_o drop_n of_o it_o be_v able_a to_o sweeten_v and_o outweigh_v all_o the_o trouble_n of_o this_o present_a state_n and_o render_v the_o most_o calamitous_a condition_n not_o only_o easy_a but_o joyous_a for_o it_o give_v a_o anticipation_n of_o those_o joy_n in_o which_o it_o will_v at_o last_o invest_v we_o bring_v down_o heaven_n into_o our_o bosom_n ere_o it_o carry_v we_o up_o thither_o and_o be_v it_o but_o large_o shed_v abroad_o in_o our_o heart_n we_o shall_v be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o fortune_n may_v slight_v and_o trample_v on_o all_o affliction_n though_o the_o arrow_n of_o pain_n and_o grief_n shall_v ruffle_v our_o skin_n they_o can_v not_o touch_v our_o heart_n or_o they_o may_v touch_v but_o can_v not_o hurt_v we_o final_o to_o what_o height_n of_o piety_n will_v not_o this_o divine_a principle_n elevate_v the_o amorous_a soul_n for_o what_o can_v be_v too_o difficult_a to_o do_v to_o acquire_v a_o more_o perfect_a enjoyment_n of_o what_o we_o love_v what_o can_v be_v too_o hard_a to_o suffer_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o object_n that_o have_v win_v our_o heart_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o that_o cramp_n our_o endeavour_n and_o slacken_v our_o industry_n after_o one_o of_o the_o bright_a crown_n of_o glory_n but_o the_o divide_v our_o love_n between_o god_n and_o mammon_n if_o a_o foolish_a ill-grounded_a passion_n can_v many_o time_n excite_v the_o soul_n in_o which_o it_o dwell_v to_o do_v thing_n beyond_o itself_o if_o the_o love_n of_o dirty_a clay_n or_o popular_a breath_n can_v reconcile_v we_o to_o fatigue_n and_o distress_n and_o many_o thing_n very_o uneasy_a to_o our_o animal_n nature_n shall_v not_o the_o most_o rational_a and_o become_a love_n that_o love_n which_o be_v the_o end_n and_o perfection_n of_o our_o being_n which_o be_v secure_v from_o disappointment_n jealousy_n and_o all_o that_o long_a train_n of_o pain_n and_o grief_n which_o attend_v desire_n when_o it_o move_v towards_o the_o creature_n set_v we_o above_o all_o difficulty_n render_v our_o obedience_n regular_a constant_a and_o vigorous_a refine_v and_o sublimate_v our_o nature_n and_o make_v we_o become_v angel_n even_o whilst_o we_o dwell_v on_o earth_n in_o the_o last_o place_n for_o the_o proposal_n i_o be_o to_o make_v when_o you_o think_v we_o have_v sufficient_o examine_v the_o subject_a we_o be_v upon_o i_o desire_v the_o favour_n of_o you_o to_o furnish_v i_o with_o such_o a_o system_fw-la of_o principle_n as_o i_o may_v rely_v on_o and_o to_o give_v i_o such_o rule_n as_o you_o judge_v most_o convenient_a to_o initiate_v a_o raw_a disciple_n in_o the_o study_n of_o philosophy_n least_o for_o want_n of_o lay_v a_o good_a foundation_n i_o give_v you_o too_o much_o trouble_v by_o draw_v conclusion_n from_o false_a premise_n and_o make_v use_n of_o improper_a term_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o add_v but_o my_o repeat_v thanks_o for_o that_o great_a condescension_n you_o continue_v to_o show_v to_o worthy_a sir_n your_o most_o oblige_a and_o humble_a servant_n december_n 12._o 1693._o letter_n vi_o mr._n norris_n answer_n madam_n it_o deserve_v neither_o your_o thanks_o nor_o your_o admiration_n that_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o be_v particular_o civil_a to_o a_o person_n of_o your_o extraordinary_a worth_n and_o accomplishment_n which_o indeed_o appear_v so_o great_a and_o so_o beyond_o what_o i_o ever_o yet_o find_v or_o can_v imagine_v as_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o command_v and_o lessen_v the_o high_a respect_n and_o deference_n that_o can_v be_v show_v to_o you_o your_o hypothesis_n as_o you_o now_o explain_v and_o rectify_v it_o run_v clear_a and_o unperplext_v and_o have_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o equitable_o understand_v challenge_v my_o full_a consent_n and_o approbation_n the_o defect_n of_o it_o before_o lay_v partly_o in_o your_o suppose_v god_n not_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o mental_a pain_n and_o that_o because_o you_o make_v mental_a pain_n to_o be_v all_o one_o with_o sin_n and_o partly_o in_o your_o suppose_v sensible_a pain_n of_o which_o you_o allow_v god_n to_o be_v the_o author_n not_o to_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o real_a evil._n but_o now_o both_o these_o fault_n be_v mend_v and_o all_o be_v right_a and_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v for_o whereas_o before_z when_o you_o confound_v mental_a pain_n with_o sin_n you_o plead_v thus_o against_o our_o hate_v and_o for_o our_o love_a god_n notwithstanding_o the_o pain_n which_o he_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o inflict_v upon_o we_o mental_a pain_n be_v true_o a_o evil_a but_o such_o as_o god_n do_v not_o cause_n sensible_a pain_n god_n do_v cause_n but_o then_o that_o be_v not_o true_o a_o evil._n now_o distinguish_v mental_a pain_n from_o sin_n and_o substitute_a sin_n in_o the_o room_n of_o mental_a pain_n you_o make_v your_o apology_n for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n run_v thus_o sin_n which_o be_v true_o a_o evil_a god_n do_v not_o cause_n and_o as_o for_o mental_a and_o sensible_a pain_n whereof_o god_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n they_o be_v not_o true_o and_o proper_o evil_n by_o which_o latter_a clause_n i_o presume_v you_o mean_v not_o as_o you_o seem_v to_o do_v at_o first_o that_o they_o be_v not_o true_o and_o proper_o evil_n in_o their_o own_o formal_a nature_n and_o as_o simple_o in_o themselves_o consider_v for_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v evil_n as_o be_v as_o such_o against_o the_o happiness_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o a_o think_n and_o self-conscious_a nature_n but_o only_a as_o in_o that_o particular_a supposition_n juncture_n or_o circumstance_n wherein_o they_o be_v inflict_v by_o god_n who_o have_v a_o through_o comprehensive_a view_n of_o our_o whole_a condition_n and_o so_o know_v what_o upon_o all_o consideration_n be_v best_a for_o we_o think_v it_o adviseable_a sometime_o to_o molest_v and_o trouble_v our_o repose_n with_o mental_a or_o sensible_a pain_n not_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n or_o that_o he_o be_v delight_v in_o they_o as_o such_o any_o more_o than_o we_o ourselves_o be_v but_o in_o order_n to_o our_o good_a and_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a mean_n to_o avoid_v some_o great_a evil._n in_o which_o respect_n both_o pain_n and_o grief_n though_o evil_a in_o their_o inward_a formal_a nature_n do_v relative_o consider_v so_o far_o put_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o good_a as_o to_o be_v true_o eligible_a and_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o be_v actual_o will_v and_o choose_v by_o we_o for_o ourselves_o as_o by_o god_n for_o we_o if_o we_o have_v the_o same_o view_v and_o prospect_n of_o thing_n
enforce_v it_o and_o indeed_o since_o love_n do_v so_o powerful_o influence_n all_o our_o motion_n since_o all_o our_o endeavour_n all_o our_o operation_n and_o variety_n of_o act_v tend_v to_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o desire_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a and_o decorous_a that_o all_o our_o desire_n shall_v fix_v on_o he_o who_o we_o be_v and_o for_o who_o glory_n we_o be_v create_v to_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n we_o may_v further_o add_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o and_o that_o upon_o a_o double_a account_n first_o because_o this_o be_v the_o only_a vital_a principle_n of_o holiness_n the_o only_a effectual_a mean_n of_o secure_v our_o obedience_n and_o consequent_o of_o prepare_v we_o for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god._n there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o unite_n ourselves_o to_o god_n but_o by_o keep_v his_o commandment_n for_o then_o and_o not_o otherwise_o do_v we_o dwell_v in_o he_o and_o be_v in_o we_o since_o therefore_o obedience_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o happiness_n that_o which_o be_v the_o only_a true_a principle_n of_o obedience_n must_v be_v of_o equal_a necessity_n and_o that_o without_o love_n there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a obedience_n and_o wherever_o obedience_n be_v find_v it_o be_v a_o certain_a criterion_n of_o love_n be_v plain_o evident_a from_o our_o saviour_n discourse_v in_o the_o 14._o and_o 15._o chapter_n of_o st._n john_n so_o that_o to_o derive_v universal_a obedience_n from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n or_o to_o argue_v from_o that_o obedience_n to_o the_o entire_a love_n of_o god_n be_v as_o sound_v a_o way_n of_o argumentation_n as_o to_o prove_v any_o other_o effect_v by_o its_o cause_n or_o cause_n by_o the_o effect_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v how_o every_o particular_a duty_n be_v necessary_o consequent_a to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n how_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o and_o do_v natural_o spring_v from_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o enter_v into_o the_o detail_n i_o will_v only_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o management_n of_o our_o thought_n because_o on_o they_o depend_v our_o word_n and_o action_n and_o derive_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o entire_a love_n of_o god_n from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o govern_v our_o thought_n as_o we_o ought_v without_o it_o now_o this_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o what_o we_o love_v will_v be_v uppermost_a in_o our_o mind_n there_o be_v no_o better_a diagnostic_n to_o discover_v our_o love_n than_o by_o observe_v what_o be_v the_o most_o frequent_a subject_n of_o our_o thought_n for_o thought_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o some_o certain_a object_n which_o she_o desire_v either_o to_o contemplate_v or_o enjoy_v a_o form_n in_o herself_o the_o image_n and_o representation_n of_o what_o she_o delight_v in_o or_o contrive_v how_o she_o may_v obtain_v it_o and_o remove_v what_o stand_v betwixt_o she_o and_o it_o and_o therefore_o wherever_o the_o weight_n of_o our_o desire_n rest_v the_o stream_n of_o our_o thought_n will_v follow_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o drive_v they_o away_o for_o though_o we_o may_v for_o a_o while_o put_v a_o force_n on_o they_o they_o will_v insensible_o steal_v back_o again_o so_o that_o if_o we_o mean_v to_o keep_v our_o heart_n with_o all_o diligence_n the_o only_a way_n to_o secure_v our_o outward_a demeanour_n we_o must_v above_o all_o thing_n take_v care_n to_o regulate_v our_o desire_n since_o it_o be_v by_o this_o that_o we_o fall_v into_o destruction_n if_o therefore_o our_o heart_n be_v too_o busy_a about_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n i_o know_v no_o other_o way_n to_o cure_v that_o disorder_n but_o by_o rectify_v our_o desire_n let_v we_o cease_v to_o love_v it_o and_o we_o shall_v easy_o restrain_v our_o heart_n from_o be_v inordinate_o busy_v about_o it_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o force_n of_o temptation_n alas_o all_o that_o the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n can_v offer_v to_o bribe_v our_o heart_n be_v paltry_a and_o inconsiderable_a it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o unavoidable_a infirmity_n of_o our_o nature_n which_o have_v not_o such_o a_o aversion_n to_o god_n as_o we_o pretend_v but_o it_o be_v the_o defect_n of_o our_o love_n our_o wilful_a misplace_n that_o divine_a affection_n our_o voluntary_a hankering_n after_o the_o creature_n that_o set_v we_o at_o distance_n from_o the_o creator_n for_o let_v any_o one_o who_o have_v be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o the_o movement_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n tell_v i_o whether_o he_o do_v not_o find_v that_o all_o the_o strong_a gust_n of_o temptation_n blow_v from_o the_o quarter_n whilst_o he_o due_o contemplate_v the_o divine_a perfection_n look_n on_o god_n as_o his_o true_a and_o only_o good_a and_o desire_n he_o according_o be_v not_o his_o obedience_n prompt_v and_o ready_a do_v not_o his_o mind_n move_v with_o alacrity_n and_o unwearied_a vigour_n and_o be_v not_o all_o its_o motion_n regular_a and_o please_a but_o no_o soon_o do_v his_o desire_n step_n into_o a_o by-path_n and_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o dote_v on_o the_o creature_n but_o all_o be_v unhinged_a and_o fall_v into_o disorder_n the_o wheel_n of_o his_o chariot_n move_v slow_o his_o thought_n wander_v his_o devotion_n languish_v his_o passion_n grow_v unruly_a his_o intention_n corrupt_v and_o his_o good_a action_n become_v lame_a and_o break_a let_v we_o not_o therefore_o complain_v of_o our_o listlessness_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n our_o coldness_n and_o wander_n in_o his_o service_n how_o much_o labour_n it_o cost_v we_o to_o raise_v up_o our_o heart_n to_o heaven_n and_o put_v they_o in_o a_o right_a tune_n but_o rather_o let_v we_o complain_v of_o our_o want_n of_o love_n for_o that_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o this_o untowardness_n all_o our_o sin_n and_o infirmity_n our_o moral_n mistake_v and_o imperfection_n proceed_v from_o nothing_o else_o but_o this_o let_v we_o 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not_o be_v afraid_a of_o do_v amiss_o we_o shall_v run_v the_o race_n that_o be_v set_v before_o we_o with_o cheerfulness_n and_o vigour_n in_o a_o direct_a line_n and_o with_o a_o unwearied_a constancy_n for_o when_o love_n be_v arrive_v at_o its_o zenith_n when_o god_n be_v all_o in_o all_o then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o shall_v we_o be_v consummate_v and_o the_o great_a progress_n we_o make_v in_o this_o love_n whilst_o we_o stay_v on_o earth_n the_o near_a approach_n do_v we_o make_v to_o perfection_n can_v we_o love_v god_n as_o entire_o as_o he_o love_v himself_o we_o shall_v then_o be_v perfect_a as_o our_o heavenly_a father_n be_v perfect_a one_o way_n whereby_o the_o love_n of_o god_n mighty_o facilitate_v our_o obedience_n and_o secure_v the_o performance_n of_o it_o be_v this_o it_o reduce_v our_o duty_n to_o a_o very_a narrow_a compass_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o difficulty_n but_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o our_o task_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v neglect_v we_o can_v say_v of_o any_o particular_a duty_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a and_o yet_o through_o the_o shortness_n of_o our_o view_n and_o narrowness_n of_o our_o power_n it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o some_o of_o our_o devoirs_fw-fr be_v unperformed_a but_o though_o a_o man_n can_v attend_v to_o many_o thing_n at_o once_o yet_o sure_o he_o can_v to_o this_o one_o to_o love_v the_o lord_n his_o god_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o move_v towards_o he_o with_o all_o the_o force_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o though_o i_o can_v say_v this_o will_v secure_v he_o from_o all_o pitiable_a infirmity_n yet_o i_o dare_v venture_v to_o affirm_v it_o will_v from_o all_o imputable_a transgression_n and_o keep_v he_o asfree_a from_o sin_n as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o imperfection_n