imprimatur_fw-la carolus_n alston_n r._n p._n d._n hen._n episc_n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la nou._n 20._o 1690._o a_o treatise_n of_o moral_a and_o intellectual_a virtue_n wherein_o their_o nature_n be_v full_o explain_v and_o their_o usefulness_n prove_v as_o be_v the_o best_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o decay_n be_v inquire_v into_o conclude_v with_o such_o argument_n as_o tend_v to_o revive_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o with_o a_o preface_n show_v the_o vanity_n and_o deceitfulness_n of_o vice_n est_fw-la modus_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la sunt_fw-la certi_fw-la denique_fw-la fine_n quos_fw-la ultrà _fw-la citráque_fw-la nequit_fw-la consistere_fw-la rectum_fw-la by_o john_n hartcliffe_n b._n d._n and_o fellow_n of_o king_n college_n cambridge_n london_n print_v for_o c._n harper_n at_o the_o flower-de-luce_n over_o against_o s._n dunstan_n church_n fleetstreet_n 1691._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a charles_n earl_n of_o maclesfeld_n lord_n president_n and_o lord_n lieutenant_n of_o the_o principality_n of_o wales_n lord_n lieutenant_n of_o the_o county_n of_o gloucester_n hereford_n and_o monmouth_n and_o of_o the_o city_n and_o county_n of_o bristol_n and_o one_o of_o the_o lord_n of_o their_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n the_o cause_n of_o virtue_n belong_v to_o great_a and_o brave_a man_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o my_o duty_n to_o lay_v this_o treatise_n at_o your_o lordship_n foot_n it_o will_v not_o much_o enlarge_v your_o thought_n or_o acquaint_v you_o with_o any_o new_a thing_n but_o i_o hope_v it_o may_v please_v the_o generosity_n of_o your_o temper_n to_o read_v the_o character_n of_o virtue_n the_o great_a ornament_n of_o that_o pure_a religion_n which_o your_o lordship_n have_v labour_v so_o much_o to_o recover_v from_o the_o knavery_n and_o base_a corruption_n as_o well_o as_o bondage_n of_o popery_n for_o the_o jesuit_n moral_n be_v as_o destructive_a of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o as_o pernicious_a to_o human_a society_n as_o their_o plot_n and_o their_o gunpowder_n i_o be_o very_a well_o satisfy_v that_o if_o i_o have_v seek_v a_o patron_n in_o all_o the_o list_n of_o noble_a person_n i_o can_v not_o have_v find_v a_o more_o proper_a or_o competent_a judge_n in_o a_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n because_o your_o lordship_n case_n and_o that_o of_o virtue_n itself_o have_v be_v much_o alike_o you_o have_v be_v both_o persecute_v for_o your_o integrity_n and_o truth_n but_o like_o truth_n you_o must_v and_o shall_v prevail_v in_o spite_n of_o the_o malicious_a and_o the_o false_a the_o parasite_n or_o the_o detractor_n i_o have_v not_o trouble_v your_o lordship_n with_o the_o fine_a and_o nice_a speculation_n in_o divinity_n because_o they_o have_v do_v our_o religion_n much_o dis-service_n by_o raise_v a_o multitude_n of_o question_n which_o neither_o advance_v true_a piety_n nor_o good_a manner_n but_o i_o present_v your_o lordship_n with_o the_o rule_n of_o naked_a truth_n and_o reason_n the_o free_a use_v whereof_o be_v as_o much_o our_o birthright_n as_o any_o thing_n else_o therefore_o your_o lordship_n name_n and_o the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o shall_v be_v have_v in_o everlasting_a remembrance_n who_o have_v place_v their_o majesty_n upon_o the_o throne_n whereby_o not_o only_o our_o property_n but_o our_o understanding_n be_v secure_v to_o we_o and_o a_o heal_a plaster_n be_v lay_v upon_o all_o our_o malady_n for_o we_o must_v needs_o say_v our_o nation_n be_v in_o a_o very_a distemper_a condition_n before_o it_o come_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o this_o wise_a and_o great_a prince_n william_n the_o three_o who_o breach_n in_o its_o manner_n as_o well_o as_o in_o its_o law_n may_v be_v make_v up_o by_o his_o seasonable_a application_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a remedy_n as_o its_o greatness_n and_o glory_n will_v ever_o be_v maintain_v by_o his_o wisdom_n power_n and_o courage_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o these_o royal_a virtue_n england_n methinks_v begin_v to_o recover_v its_o just_a temper_n apace_o and_o the_o old_a british_a genius_n revive_v so_o that_o in_o time_n it_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o a_o perfect_a health_n as_o strong_a body_n will_v work_v out_o the_o poison_n they_o take_v by_o degree_n that_o this_o deliverance_n which_o have_v be_v so_o wonderful_o wrought_v for_o we_o may_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o our_o country_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v at_o its_o first_o entrance_n into_o it_o when_o it_o do_v so_o quick_o turn_v the_o first_o inhabitant_n of_o this_o island_n who_o be_v uncivilized_a and_o barbarous_a into_o humble_a affable_a meek_a charitable_a modest_a prudent_a tender_a and_o compassionate_a creature_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n may_v be_v establish_v in_o these_o kingdom_n without_o which_o the_o firm_a government_n must_v dissolve_v because_o a_o regard_n to_o that_o will_v ever_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o the_o honour_n and_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o rule_n as_o well_o as_o upon_o the_o happiness_n and_o safety_n of_o those_o who_o obey_v and_o that_o your_o lordship_n may_v long_o enjoy_v the_o only_a sweetness_n of_o life_n a_o retreat_n from_o noise_n and_o disturbance_n that_o nothing_o may_v break_v or_o interrupt_v your_o thought_n in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n be_v the_o prayer_n of_o may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n j._n hartcliffe_n the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n the_o reason_n which_o move_v the_o author_n to_o publish_v these_o short_a character_n of_o moral_a virtue_n be_v a_o desire_n he_o have_v to_o revive_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v in_o a_o very_a degenerate_a age_n the_o world_n we_o know_v have_v ever_o have_v its_o vicissitude_n and_o period_n of_o virtue_n and_o wickedness_n and_o all_o nation_n have_v advance_v themselves_o to_o their_o power_n and_o grandeur_n by_o sobriety_n wisdom_n and_o a_o tender_a regard_n of_o religion_n this_o very_a remark_n have_v fill_v we_o with_o hope_n that_o upon_o this_o our_o late_a wonderful_a revolution_n the_o english_a nation_n may_v recover_v its_o ancient_a virtue_n that_o have_v be_v too_o long_o under_o the_o oppression_n of_o debauchery_n which_o have_v be_v a_o evil_a of_o so_o great_a malignity_n as_o to_o threaten_v ruin_n to_o the_o very_a constitution_n of_o the_o government_n therefore_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v send_v we_o a_o prince_n for_o our_o deliverer_n who_o piety_n be_v set_v off_o with_o the_o whole_a train_n of_o moral_a virtue_n who_o temperance_n be_v so_o great_a and_o impregnable_a amid_o all_o those_o allurement_n with_o which_o the_o palace_n of_o king_n be_v apt_a to_o meet_v even_o the_o most_o resolve_a mind_n that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o do_v both_o teach_v and_o upbraid_v the_o court_n who_o fortitude_n be_v more_o resplendent_a in_o the_o conquest_n of_o himself_o than_o when_o he_o strew_v the_o field_n with_o the_o army_n of_o rebel_n who_o gentleness_n and_o mercy_n be_v so_o remarkable_a that_o if_o ever_o the_o lion_n and_o the_o lamb_n dwell_v together_o it_o be_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o this_o royal_a person_n who_o personal_a virtue_n will_v in_o a_o little_a time_n render_v all_o vicious_a course_n unexcusable_a and_o will_v shed_v a_o suitable_a influence_n upon_o his_o government_n that_o not_o only_o the_o honour_n and_o plenty_n but_o the_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o english_a people_n may_v spread_v itself_o even_o to_o the_o envy_n of_o all_o neighbour_n nation_n nation_n 1._o irreligion_n the_o cause_n of_o ruin_n to_o a_o nation_n but_o whenever_o man_n contemn_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o be_v loose_a in_o all_o their_o conversation_n they_o will_v certain_o decline_v into_o softness_n and_o effeminacy_n on_o the_o other_o side_n when_o they_o be_v virtuous_a and_o upright_a in_o their_o action_n they_o be_v unmoveable_a like_o a_o house_n build_v upon_o a_o rock_n for_o this_o be_v the_o circle_n of_o human_a affair_n and_o when_o atheism_n or_o a_o neglect_n of_o virtue_n have_v be_v at_o the_o great_a height_n as_o it_o be_v very_o late_o they_o have_v certain_o bring_v on_o change_n and_o dissolution_n because_o the_o principle_n of_o irriligion_n do_v unjoynt_v the_o sinew_n of_o all_o government_n if_o this_o be_v so_o methinks_v all_o mankind_n shall_v be_v ready_a to_o weigh_v and_o examine_v all_o the_o argument_n for_o virtue_n shall_v careful_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o credibility_n of_o the_o scripture_n when_o they_o have_v do_v this_o i_o be_o confident_a they_o will_v think_v themselves_o as_o effectual_o oblige_v in_o prudence_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n by_o the_o possibility_n as_o by_o the_o certainty_n of_o thing_n for_o whatever_o they_o
ear_n be_v tender_a and_o can_v hardly_o endure_v they_o that_o be_v wont_a mordaci_fw-la radere_fw-la vero_fw-la therefore_o my_o lord_n bacon_n say_v it_o ask_v a_o strong_a wit_n and_o a_o strong_a heart_n to_o know_v when_o to_o tell_v truth_n and_o to_o do_v it_o so_o that_o they_o be_v the_o weak_a sort_n of_o politician_n who_o be_v the_o great_a dissembler_n but_o if_o a_o man_n have_v that_o pierce_a judgement_n which_o the_o virtue_n we_o now_o treat_v of_o will_v produce_v he_o will_v discern_v what_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v open_a what_o be_v to_o be_v keep_v secret_a and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v show_v at_o half-light_n to_o who_o and_o when_o these_o be_v the_o art_n of_o state_n as_o tacitus_n call_v they_o and_o these_o be_v the_o art_n of_o life_n but_o nakedness_n be_v uncomely_a as_o well_o in_o the_o mind_n as_o in_o the_o body_n and_o it_o add_v no_o small_a reverence_n to_o man_n manner_n and_o action_n if_o they_o be_v not_o altogether_o open_a especial_o the_o discovery_n of_o a_o man_n self_n by_o the_o tract_n and_o line_n of_o his_o countenance_n be_v a_o great_a betray_n because_o his_o face_n be_v frequent_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o believe_v than_o his_o word_n in_o short_a the_o magnanimous_a man_n will_v never_o act_v the_o hypocrite_n because_o it_o be_v a_o vice_n that_o rise_v either_o from_o natural_a falseness_n or_o fearfulness_n whereby_o a_o man_n be_v deprive_v of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o principal_a instrument_n for_o action_n which_o be_v trust_n and_o belief_n three_o he_o be_v not_o apt_a to_o wonder_v at_o every_o thing_n for_o what_o can_v such_o a_o one_o admire_v at_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o who_o nothing_o appear_v great_a neither_o be_v he_o apt_a to_o remember_v injury_n nor_o be_v he_o incline_v to_o revenge_n but_o think_v to_o give_v and_o to_o forgive_v donare_fw-la &_o condonare_fw-la be_v the_o best_a and_o the_o worthy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n therefore_o solomon_n say_v it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o a_o man_n to_o pass_v by_o a_o offence_n for_o he_o be_v but_o even_o with_o his_o enemy_n when_o he_o take_v his_o revenge_n on_o he_o but_o in_o pass_v the_o injury_n over_o or_o in_o pardon_v it_o he_o be_v superior_a to_o he_o and_o those_o man_n be_v base_a and_o crafty_a coward_n who_o be_v like_o the_o arrow_n that_o fly_v in_o the_o dark_a but_o the_o brave-spirited_n man_n who_o deal_v aboveboard_n with_o mankind_n delight_v not_o so_o much_o in_o punish_v the_o party_n that_o have_v wrong_v he_o as_o in_o make_v he_o repent_v four_o he_o abhor_v that_o secret_a spite_n which_o we_o see_v to_o be_v in_o most_o man_n whereby_o they_o make_v the_o good_a name_n of_o other_o the_o subject_n of_o their_o table-talk_a misreport_v their_o action_n and_o aggravate_v their_o mistake_n or_o if_o they_o speak_v well_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o spoil_v it_o with_o some_o reservation_n querulous_a he_o be_v not_o querulous_a neither_o be_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d querulous_a or_o apt_a to_o complain_v but_o make_v that_o of_o otho_n the_o emperor_n his_o especial_a character_n de_fw-fr nemine_fw-la queri_fw-la for_o all_o humorous_a and_o peevish_a person_n go_v astray_o out_o of_o the_o plain_a way_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n but_o our_o virtuous_a man_n be_v ever_o well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o government_n of_o providence_n therefore_o his_o thought_n be_v at_o rest_n and_o whilst_o other_o be_v very_o free_a in_o their_o jeer_n and_o ill_a censure_n he_o take_v a_o wise_a course_n to_o suppress_v rather_o a_o piece_n of_o wit_n or_o a_o foolish_a passion_n than_o do_v the_o least_o hurt_n by_o vent_v it_o nay_o there_o be_v so_o exact_a a_o order_n in_o his_o life_n that_o the_o very_a motion_n of_o his_o body_n be_v decent_a and_o regular_a not_o too_o swift_a nor_o too_o slow_a his_o speech_n not_o too_o loud_a nor_o too_o soft_a for_o the_o small_a thing_n in_o this_o kind_n of_o person_n be_v well_o worth_a our_o observation_n one_o of_o the_o extreme_n of_o magnanimity_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o which_o we_o have_v no_o name_n either_o in_o latin_a or_o english_a unless_o we_o listen_v to_o call_v it_o pride_n which_o be_v a_o foolish_a humour_n some_o man_n have_v who_o be_v of_o mean_a worth_n have_v neither_o sense_n nor_o power_n yet_o will_v boast_v after_o the_o spanish_a fashion_n as_o if_o they_o can_v do_v the_o great_a thing_n like_o that_o gentleman_n in_o rome_n by_o name_n senecio_n who_o fancy_n it_o be_v to_o have_v all_o thing_n great_a great_a servant_n to_o wait_v on_o he_o great_a plate_n to_o be_v serve_v in_o a_o great_a woman_n for_o his_o concubine_n ridiculous_a affectation_n of_o grandeur_n be_v ridiculous_a great_a outlandish_a fig_n for_o his_o diet_n and_o will_v always_o speak_v great_a word_n for_o which_o whimsy_n he_o get_v the_o name_n of_o senecio_n grandio_n this_o man_n be_v a_o lively_a emblem_n of_o the_o vice_n we_o now_o treat_v of_o a_o fantastical_a affectation_n of_o grandeur_n which_o be_v a_o swell_a of_o the_o mind_n that_o hold_v nothing_o but_o corrupt_a and_o putrid_a matter_n which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o let_v out_o will_v infect_v the_o most_o hale_v constitution_n and_o the_o sound_a temper_n of_o mind_n as_o for_o that_o other_o extreme_a pusillanimity_n i_o shall_v not_o say_v much_o of_o it_o nor_o run_v it_o down_o as_o the_o philosopher_n do_v for_o fear_v i_o shall_v put_v any_o the_o least_o slur_n upon_o the_o most_o excellent_a virtue_n among_o christian_n humility_n honour_n in_o aristotle_n opinion_n be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o magnanimity_n now_o honour_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n great_a honour_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o magnanimous_a and_o lesser_a the_o manage_n whereof_o belong_v to_o a_o virtue_n for_o which_o he_o can_v find_v no_o name_n but_o some_o petty_a virtue_n or_o other_o must_v be_v seek_v for_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o moderate_v our_o desire_n after_o small_a honour_n have_v aristotle_n thorough_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o virtue_n in_o man_n of_o virtue_n bring_v credit_n to_o the_o office_n they_o be_v in_o he_o will_v have_v find_v as_o much_o power_n in_o it_o for_o the_o manage_n of_o petty_a honour_n as_o of_o great_a for_o when_o the_o theban_n to_o put_v a_o affront_n upon_o epaminondas_n that_o renown_a captain_n have_v choose_v he_o into_o a_o mean_a and_o base_a office_n it_o behoove_v i_o say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o execute_v the_o duty_n of_o this_o place_n that_o i_o may_v leave_v it_o one_o of_o the_o most_o honourable_a post_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o he_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o man_n to_o put_v himself_o into_o what_o sphere_n of_o authority_n he_o please_v but_o wheresoever_o he_o be_v employ_v it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n so_o to_o behave_v himself_o therein_o as_o to_o add_v credit_n to_o it_o and_o so_o by_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o make_v the_o manage_n of_o small_a honour_n a_o part_n of_o magnanimity_n for_o man_n of_o large_a capacity_n and_o wise_a thought_n bring_v a_o reputation_n to_o whatsoever_o place_n they_o bear_v and_o when_o a_o person_n of_o mean_a account_n have_v present_v artaxerxes_n with_o a_o apple_n of_o extraordinary_a bigness_n the_o king_n give_v he_o this_o commendation_n certain_o this_o man_n be_v he_o well_o employ_v of_o a_o little_a city_n will_v make_v a_o great_a one_o one_o of_o the_o vice_n opposite_a to_o this_o virtue_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ambition_n which_o be_v a_o humour_n that_o make_v man_n active_a and_o stir_a but_o very_o troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a to_o all_o about_o they_o it_o be_v true_a to_o forbid_v a_o soldier_n the_o use_n of_o it_o be_v to_o pull_v off_o his_o spur_n but_o if_o it_o get_v into_o the_o roll_a seat_n it_o can_v never_o keep_v thing_n steady_a have_v not_o that_o ballast_n of_o temperate_a and_o sober_a wisdom_n without_o which_o the_o ship_n of_o the_o state_n will_v roll_n too_o much_o and_o be_v in_o danger_n often_o of_o oversetting_n because_o the_o counsel_n that_o be_v to_o direct_v it_o be_v too_o hasty_a and_o precipitate_a but_o our_o virtuous_a man_n have_v no_o other_o ambition_n but_o to_o prevail_v in_o great_a and_o good_a thing_n he_o seek_v to_o be_v eminent_a only_o among_o worthy_a man_n whereby_o he_o do_v good_a to_o the_o public_a but_o he_o who_o plot_v to_o be_v the_o only_a figure_n among_o cipher_n be_v the_o decay_n of_o a_o whole_a age_n whereas_o honour_n have_v three_o thing_n in_o it_o 1._o the_o advantage-ground_n to_o do_v good_a 2._o the_o approach_n to_o king_n 3._o the_o raise_v of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o fortune_n he_o
arise_v these_o be_v the_o rub_v in_o our_o way_n which_o make_v a_o virtuous_a course_n so_o difficult_a at_o first_o because_o to_o cast_v off_o old_a habit_n of_o vice_n and_o folly_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v long_o accustom_v be_v that_o at_o which_o man_n be_v general_o gall_v for_o a_o state_n of_o vice_n and_o of_o virtue_n be_v not_o like_o two_o way_n that_o be_v just_o part_v by_o a_o line_n so_o as_o that_o a_o man_n may_v step_v out_o of_o the_o one_o full_a into_o the_o other_o when_o and_o how_o he_o please_v but_o they_o be_v like_o two_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o two_o very_a distant_a place_n one_o where_o happiness_n be_v the_o other_o where_o destruction_n so_o that_o they_o be_v as_o far_o separate_v as_o heaven_n and_o hell_n be_v for_o the_o far_a a_o man_n have_v travel_v in_o the_o way_n of_o vice_n he_o be_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o those_o of_o virtue_n so_o that_o it_o require_v time_n and_o much_o strive_v too_o to_o pass_v from_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o it_o be_v a_o long_a and_o severe_a conflict_n to_o master_n evil_a habit_n the_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o flesh_n will_v rally_v and_o make_v head_n again_o after_o they_o have_v be_v beat_v off_o notwithstanding_o these_o difficulty_n the_o seed_n of_o virtue_n under_o the_o influence_n and_o care_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n will_v get_v the_o better_a and_o grow_v up_o to_o such_o a_o strength_n as_o will_v conquer_v they_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a unpleasant_a sight_n for_o a_o vicious_a person_n to_o look_v into_o himself_o or_o to_o consider_v on_o his_o bad_a course_n therefore_o he_o labour_v all_o he_o can_v to_o stifle_v his_o reason_n that_o he_o may_v not_o think_v himself_o a_o vicious_a person_n be_v a_n very_a unpleasant_a sight_n to_o himself_o what_o will_v be_v the_o sad_a issue_n of_o a_o ungodly_a life_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o all_o man_n find_v some_o bitterness_n in_o cast_v off_o their_o lust_n according_a to_o the_o progress_n they_o have_v make_v in_o vice_n for_o if_o we_o intend_v to_o lead_v a_o virtuous_a life_n we_o must_v consider_v that_o many_o virtue_n be_v to_o be_v practise_v before_o the_o contrary_a vice_n will_v be_v subdue_v we_o have_v many_o irregular_a passion_n to_o bring_v into_o order_n and_o must_v root_v out_o all_o the_o power_n of_o evil_a custom_n we_o have_v a_o body_n of_o sin_n to_o put_v off_o which_o cling_v close_o to_o we_o and_o be_v bind_v to_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o filthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n and_o to_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n to_o increase_v and_o improve_v our_o virtue_n that_o be_v add_v to_o our_o faith_n knowledge_n temperance_n patience_n brotherly_a kindness_n and_o charity_n to_o abound_v in_o all_o the_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n which_o be_v by_o jesus_n christ_n to_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n this_o change_n can_v be_v wrought_v without_o some_o trouble_n this_o new-birth_n can_v be_v bring_v about_o without_o some_o bitter_a pang_n a_o thorough_a reformation_n of_o manner_n be_v a_o work_n that_o require_v much_o time_n deliberation_n and_o labour_n to_o effect_v it_o however_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v discourage_v for_o so_o soon_o as_o we_o have_v begin_v a_o good_a course_n of_o life_n spirit_n a_o good_a course_n of_o life_n be_v always_o under_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n spirit_n we_o be_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o god_n will_v help_v we_o in_o and_o if_o we_o pursue_v our_o advantage_n we_o shall_v every_o day_n gain_v ground_n and_o the_o work_n will_v grow_v easy_a upon_o our_o hand_n and_o though_o we_o may_v be_v a_o little_a dishearten_v at_o first_o at_o the_o hardship_n of_o virtue_n yet_o after_o a_o little_a while_o we_o shall_v be_v enable_v to_o run_v the_o way_n of_o god_n commandment_n with_o pleasure_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o hurtful_a to_o a_o virtuous_a and_o holy_a life_n than_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n require_v those_o thing_n of_o we_o that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o strength_n to_o perform_v whereas_o god_n take_v delight_n in_o bestow_v the_o gift_n of_o his_o spirit_n upon_o we_o nothing_o be_v more_o please_v to_o he_o than_o that_o we_o shall_v partake_v of_o his_o divine_a nature_n and_o be_v make_v holy_a as_o he_o be_v holy_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v bring_v back_o to_o that_o state_n wherein_o we_o be_v when_o we_o come_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n therefore_o one_o of_o the_o great_a discouragement_n to_o a_o virtuous_a life_n be_v a_o false_a and_o unworthy_a representation_n of_o god_n life_n a_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n be_v a_o great_a discouragement_n to_o a_o virtuous_a life_n as_o if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v real_o destitute_a of_o any_o ability_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o his_o gospel_n require_v and_o yet_o shall_v be_v condemn_v for_o not_o do_v they_o these_o be_v hard_a thing_n to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o best_a be_v in_o the_o world_n of_o one_o who_o we_o believe_v to_o have_v infinite_o more_o goodness_n in_o he_o than_o be_v among_o all_o the_o son_n of_o man_n so_o that_o s._n james_n 1.5_o say_v if_o any_o man_n lack_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v it_o of_o god_n who_o give_v liberal_o and_o upray_v not_o by_o which_o wisdom_n be_v mean_v all_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n for_o so_o s._n james_n have_v describe_v it_o that_o it_o be_v first_o pure_a then_o peaceable_a gentle_a easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v full_a of_o mercy_n and_o good_a work_n indeed_o when_o we_o think_v of_o our_o own_o weakness_n the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o strength_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o the_o malice_n of_o our_o spiritual_a adversary_n we_o be_v apt_a to_o despond_v like_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n when_o they_o hear_v of_o the_o son_n of_o anak_n in_o their_o passage_n to_o the_o holy_a land_n but_o if_o we_o will_v look_v beyond_o ourselves_o and_o our_o enemy_n as_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n do_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o shall_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o weakness_n become_v strong_a and_o put_v to_o flight_v the_o army_n of_o the_o alien_n for_o we_o read_v 2_o king_n 16.13_o of_o elisha_n servant_n that_o he_o come_v to_o his_o master_n in_o great_a perplexity_n of_o mind_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o alas_o master_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v behold_v a_o host_n have_v encompass_v the_o city_n both_o with_o horse_n and_o chariot_n but_o when_o he_o have_v open_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o young_a man_n he_o behold_v the_o mountain_n full_a of_o horse_n use_v chariot_n of_o fire_n about_o elisha_n thus_o if_o our_o eye_n be_v open_v to_o view_v the_o secret_a aid_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o join_v we_o in_o the_o course_n of_o virtue_n our_o fear_n will_v soon_o vanish_v and_o we_o shall_v take_v courage_n against_o all_o the_o enemy_n that_o do_v assault_v we_o not_o only_a flesh_n and_o blood_n but_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o spiritual_a wickedness_n in_o high_a place_n for_o say_v our_o saviour_n s._n luke_n 19.26_o to_o every_o one_o that_o have_v shall_v be_v give_v and_o from_o he_o that_o have_v not_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o that_o which_o he_o have_v which_o be_v a_o proverbial_a speech_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o signify_v thus_o much_o that_o he_o who_o improve_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n shall_v have_v more_o and_o from_o he_o who_o make_v no_o use_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o that_o which_o he_o have_v make_v no_o improvement_n of_o for_o no_o man_n who_o enjoy_v the_o gospel_n be_v destitute_a of_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n salvation_n the_o gospel_n afford_v to_o all_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n if_o he_o be_v not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o want_v to_o himself_o to_o what_o end_n else_o do_v we_o persuade_v man_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o term_n of_o it_o to_o repent_v and_o believe_v to_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n when_o we_o know_v they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o do_v what_o we_o exhort_v they_o to_o and_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o withdraw_v from_o they_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o these_o purpose_n for_o if_o a_o man_n think_v that_o god_n give_v that_o grace_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v save_v only_o to_o a_o few_o and_o that_o he_o always_o work_v upon_o those_o to_o who_o he_o give_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o they_o can_v resist_v why_o then_o shall_v we_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o religion_n because_o unless_o we_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o god_n have_v decree_v to_o work_v effectual_o upon_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o towards_o the_o get_a salvation_n and_o if_o we_o be_v of_o that_o number_n we_o need_v