i_o here_o begin_v with_o life_n and_o divide_v this_o book_n into_o three_o section_n i_o will_v in_o the_o first_o discourse_n of_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o (null)_o life_n in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o right_a conduct_n or_o regulation_n of_o the_o two_o different_a kind_n of_o life_n active_a and_o contemplative_a in_o the_o three_o of_o the_o right_n husband_v (null)_o life_n by_o prolong_v and_o improve_n it_o sect_n i._o of_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o life_n chap._n i._n life_n a_o great_a blessing_n in_o itself_o prove_v a_o great_a evil_n to_o some_o and_o why_o happiness_n perfect_a only_o in_o heaven_n tho'_o life_n render_v we_o capable_a of_o pain_n as_o well_o as_o pleasure_n yet_o have_v it_o ever_o be_v value_v as_o the_o rich_a blessing_n the_o love_n of_o it_o be_v the_o early_a and_o the_o strong_a principle_n in_o we_o it_o move_v the_o infant_n before_o he_o know_v how_o to_o rate_v the_o pleasure_n of_o life_n or_o can_v apprehend_v any_o evil_n in_o death_n 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flow_v from_o the_o abuse_n and_o our_o happiness_n from_o the_o right_a use_n of_o life_n so_o do_v the_o abuse_n from_o false_a and_o the_o right_a use_n from_o true_a notion_n of_o it_o chap._n ii_o life_n what_o in_o a_o natural_a sense_n what_o in_o a_o moral_n life_n perfection_n and_o enjoyment_n inseparable_o unite_v more_o particular_o life_n consist_v not_o in_o sloth_n sensuality_n worldliness_n devilishness_n but_o in_o the_o regulation_n of_o all_o our_o action_n according_a to_o right_a reason_n life_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o in_o a_o natural_a or_o moral_a sense_n in_o the_o former_a acceptation_n what_o it_o be_v be_v a_o enquiry_n very_o abstruse_a and_o intricate_a like_o the_o egyptian_a nile_n tho'_o its_o stream_n be_v visible_a to_o every_o eye_n its_o source_n or_o fountain_n be_v conceal_v or_o like_o grace_n tho'_o we_o feel_v its_o energy_n and_o taste_v its_o fruit_n yet_o we_o can_v discover_v and_o define_v its_o essence_n but_o to_o carry_v our_o discovery_n thus_o far_o be_v accuracy_n enough_o in_o moral_a discourse_n who_o end_n be_v not_o speculation_n but_o happiness_n life_n then_o whatever_o it_o be_v in_o the_o fountain_n and_o essence_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v discern_v it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o force_n and_o vigour_n which_o move_v and_o act_v the_o man_n and_o to_o live_v speak_v in_o a_o natural_a sense_n be_v to_o exert_v the_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o nature_n according_a to_o which_o account_n of_o life_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o as_o many_o notion_n as_o be_v the_o different_a office_n it_o perform_v it_o be_v sense_n and_o motion_n in_o the_o body_n it_o be_v perception_n and_o fancy_n in_o the_o imagination_n it_o be_v knowledge_n in_o the_o understanding_n and_o love_n and_o hate_n with_o
the_o bed_n ill_o make_v when_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o uneasiness_n be_v in_o the_o body_n and_o last_o when_o i_o have_v reduce_v the_o evil_a to_o its_o own_o natural_a size_n general_o it_o be_v of_o such_o a_o pigmy_n dwarfish_a growth_n that_o i_o can_v secure_o slight_v it_o i_o can_v master_v it_o with_o very_o little_a trouble_n and_o industry_n or_o at_o worst_a with_o a_o very_a little_a patience_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v want_v here_o i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o task_n i_o be_o bear_v to_o as_o a_o inconvenience_n that_o i_o can_v no_o more_o shun_v than_o any_o natural_a defect_n in_o my_o body_n or_o my_o mind_n or_o than_o i_o can_v the_o care_n and_o fatigue_n of_o my_o call_v three_o i_o labour_v above_o all_o thing_n to_o fill_v my_o soul_n with_o great_a and_o ravish_a pleasure_n to_o inflame_v it_o with_o a_o generous_a ambition_n and_o in_o one_o word_n to_o possess_v it_o with_o that_o habitual_a poverty_n of_o spirit_n meekness_n purity_n charity_n commend_v to_o his_o disciple_n by_o our_o lord_n and_o master_n that_o i_o be_o general_o above_o the_o buzz_n and_o flutter_v of_o these_o rather_o impertinence_n than_o evil_n of_o (null)_o life_n and_o do_v often_o suffer_v they_o without_o be_v sensible_a of_o they_o but_o i_o can_v never_o often_o enough_o put_v the_o world_n in_o mind_n of_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o fit_n and_o habit_n of_o these_o virtue_n what_o we_o can_v do_v in_o a_o pious_a humour_n that_o we_o shall_v always_o do_v be_v but_o the_o weak_a impression_n once_o convert_v into_o nature_n the_o short-lived_a passion_n change_v into_o steady_a habit_n but_o it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o pursue_v my_o design_n i_o be_o almost_o afraid_a i_o dwell_v so_o long_o upon_o a_o head_n that_o the_o most_o pertinent_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n may_v now_o and_o then_o look_v like_o digression_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v after_o the_o cheerfulness_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v second_o the_o health_n of_o the_o body_n life_n do_v so_o apparent_o depend_v on_o this_o that_o in_o the_o vulgar_a notion_n it_o signify_v much_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v notorious_a life_n decay_v and_o expire_v with_o the_o health_n and_o strength_n of_o the_o body_n and_o when_o it_o be_v protract_v after_o these_o be_v go_v it_o scarce_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o life_n any_o more_o than_o the_o noise_n of_o a_o ill-strung_a and_o ill-tuned_a instrument_n do_v that_o of_o music_n but_o i_o need_v not_o teach_v any_o body_n the_o value_n of_o health_n or_o press_v they_o to_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o body_n i_o shall_v be_v sufficient_o oblige_v to_o the_o world_n if_o i_o can_v teach_v it_o any_o art_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o that_o blessing_n which_o it_o enjoy_v before_o the_o flood_n a_o long_a life_n of_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n but_o i_o know_v no_o art_n that_o can_v raise_v nature_n above_o its_o own_o law_n or_o retrieve_v its_o youth_n if_o it_o be_v now_o in_o its_o decrepitude_n one_o thing_n i_o know_v that_o we_o too_o common_o debauch_v and_o corrupt_a nature_n first_o and_o then_o load_v she_o with_o our_o reproach_n and_o accusation_n we_o shall_v undoubted_o live_v much_o long_o and_o this_o life_n will_v be_v more_o healthy_a and_o verdant_a that_o be_v more_o vital_a than_o it_o be_v do_v we_o but_o observe_v the_o dictate_v of_o religion_n the_o law_n of_o virtue_n and_o not_o prefer_v before_o they_o those_o of_o lust_n and_o fancy_n how_o much_o soever_o man_n complain_v of_o the_o shortness_n of_o life_n it_o be_v little_a to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o most_o man_n do_v notwithstanding_o shorten_v it_o themselves_o by_o some_o crime_n or_o error_n or_o other_o if_o we_o can_v consult_v the_o sickly_a crazy_a part_n of_o mankind_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v so_o in_o the_o middle_n or_o almost_o begin_v of_o their_o year_n and_o demand_v of_o they_o what_o blast_v their_o beauty_n and_o impair_v their_o strength_n what_o thus_o violate_v and_o contaminate_v their_o nature_n we_o shall_v soon_o be_v resolve_v to_o what_o original_a their_o disease_n be_v owe_v if_o at_o least_o their_o shame_n and_o blush_n will_v give_v they_o leave_v to_o inform_v we_o and_o if_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o trace_v the_o death_n of_o most_o of_o those_o who_o be_v go_v hence_o before_o their_o time_n back_o to_o their_o first_o cause_n i_o do_v not_o think_v but_o that_o our_o search_n will_v soon_o end_v in_o some_o vice_n or_o folly_n or_o other_o this_o man_n drink_v too_o much_o the_o other_o too_o much_o indulge_v his_o appetite_n one_o be_v devote_v to_o his_o lust_n and_o another_o putrify_a in_o his_o sloth_n all_o of_o they_o in_o our_o common_a phrase_n do_v live_v too_o fast_o but_o in_o truth_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n die_v too_o fast_o for_o since_o life_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o act_v by_o reason_n every_o deviation_n from_o it_o be_v a_o approach_n towards_o death_n but_o to_o proceed_v it_o be_v not_o unusual_a to_o see_v pride_n kill_v one_o passion_n another_o avarice_n and_o ambition_n a_o three_o while_o to_o gratify_v these_o affection_n the_o body_n be_v either_o expose_v to_o danger_n or_o wear_v out_o by_o labour_n now_o if_o we_o can_v general_o find_v the_o cause_n of_o most_o early_a death_n in_o man_n vice_n when_o so_o little_a of_o other_o man_n life_n come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n what_o think_v you_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v if_o we_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o retirement_n and_o penetrate_v all_o the_o secret_n of_o mankind_n how_o many_o hide_a passion_n do_v gnaw_v the_o heart_n how_o many_o secret_a sin_n do_v waste_v and_o consume_v the_o strength_n where_o not_o only_a concealment_n exclude_v the_o eye_n but_o a_o show_n of_o probity_n nay_o a_o real_a and_o eminent_a practice_n of_o some_o particular_a virtue_n exclude_v even_o suspicion_n and_o jealousy_n if_o then_o immorality_n do_v often_o contract_v the_o term_n of_o life_n it_o be_v evident_a what_o be_v to_o be_v prescribe_v for_o the_o prolong_n it_o religion_n or_o virtue_n be_v the_o best_a physic_n it_o have_v often_o mend_v a_o ill_a constitution_n but_o never_o spoil_v a_o good_a one_o when_o do_v ever_o chastity_n impoverish_v the_o body_n or_o deflower_v the_o face_n when_o do_v ever_o temperance_n inflame_v the_o blood_n or_o oppress_v the_o spirit_n when_o do_v ever_o industry_n or_o vigilance_n four_o the_o humour_n and_o enfeeble_v the_o nerve_n no_o crudity_n no_o plethory_n no_o obstruction_n no_o assidity_n no_o stagnation_n extravasation_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o hard_a name_n and_o hard_a thing_n derive_v themselves_o from_o virtue_n or_o religion_n it_o be_v true_a a_o man_n may_v be_v righteous_a overmuch_o he_o may_v entitle_v his_o folly_n his_o melancholy_n his_o particular_a fancy_n or_o his_o particular_a completion_n or_o constitution_n religion_n and_o this_o may_v prove_v mischievous_a to_o he_o to_o his_o health_n to_o his_o strength_n but_o then_o this_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o religion_n but_o the_o man_n and_o to_o speak_v proper_o this_o be_v not_o righteousness_n nor_o religion_n tho'_o it_o be_v call_v so_o but_o it_o be_v fancy_n and_o folly_n or_o a_o ill_a constitution_n disguise_v under_o the_o garb_n and_o the_o mien_n of_o religion_n virtue_n then_o be_v the_o most_o probable_a way_n to_o a_o long_a life_n or_o if_o not_o so_o at_o least_o to_o a_o more_o comfortable_a and_o honourable_a death_n for_o where_o a_o early_a death_n be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o providence_n not_o a_o crime_n we_o must_v needs_o meet_v it_o with_o less_o amazement_n ourselves_o and_o our_o friend_n behold_v it_o with_o less_o regret_n and_o affliction_n three_o the_o three_o way_n of_o prolong_v life_n be_v to_o engage_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o its_o preservation_n if_o all_o the_o promise_v god_n have_v make_v the_o virtue_n of_o a_o long_a life_n do_v real_o signify_v nothing_o i_o can_v see_v how_o we_o can_v put_v up_o any_o request_n to_o god_n relate_v to_o temporal_a protection_n with_o faith_n or_o fervour_n or_o as_o much_o as_o sincerity_n but_o if_o they_o signify_v any_o thing_n then_o sure_o they_o must_v signify_v that_o his_o providence_n be_v active_o employ_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o virtuous_a man_n and_o how_o great_a a_o security_n be_v this_o what_o can_v be_v impossible_a to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o governor_n and_o creator_n of_o the_o world_n in_o who_o disposal_n all_o create_a mean_n be_v and_o in_o who_o power_n it_o be_v if_o these_o be_v unsufficient_a to_o create_v new_a one_o to_o he_o who_o unerring_a law_n can_v never_o miss_v of_o those_o end_n he_o aim_v at_o or_o if_o they_o can_v
their_o temporal_a effect_n seem_v to_o equal_a wisdom_n and_o folly_n and_o level_a righteousness_n with_o wickedness_n assert_v the_o promiscuousness_n of_o all_o event_n to_o the_o virtuous_a and_o vicious_a all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o there_o be_v one_o event_n to_o the_o righteous_a and_o to_o the_o wicked_a to_o the_o good_a and_o to_o the_o clean_a and_o to_o the_o unclean_a to_o he_o that_o sacrifice_v and_o to_o he_o that_o sacrifice_v not_o as_o be_v the_o good_a so_o be_v the_o sinner_n and_o he_o that_o swear_v as_o he_o that_o fear_v a_o oath_n eccles_n 9.2_o and_o this_o be_v extend_v as_o far_o as_o death_n itself_o how_o die_v the_o wise_a man_n as_o the_o fool_n eccles_n 2.16_o innumerable_a be_v the_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n but_o one_o only_o fit_v my_o purpose_n which_o be_v plain_o this_o that_o these_o be_v rhetorical_a exaggeration_n of_o (null)_o vanity_n wise_a and_o good_a man_n as_o well_o as_o other_o have_v their_o natural_a passion_n and_o therefore_o divine_a write_n have_v their_o figure_n as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o be_v pure_o (null)_o these_o therefore_o and_o the_o like_a speech_n design_v not_o to_o derogate_v from_o the_o efficacy_n of_o virtue_n or_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o the_o divine_a promise_n but_o to_o humble_v the_o vanity_n of_o man_n and_o convert_v his_o fondness_n for_o this_o world_n into_o a_o great_a for_o a_o better_a and_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o such_o a_o general_a and_o unlimited_a sense_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a with_o respect_n to_o temporal_a good_a and_o evil_a life_n and_o death_n but_o only_o thus_o that_o the_o righteous_a be_v not_o so_o universal_o exempt_a from_o temporal_a evil_n but_o that_o some_o or_o other_o of_o they_o in_o all_o age_n be_v liable_a to_o they_o even_o to_o a_o untimely_a death_n itself_o but_o what_o then_o such_o extraordinary_a instance_n of_o a_o inscrutable_a providence_n ought_v no_o more_o to_o derogate_v from_o the_o excellence_n of_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n or_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n than_o some_o few_o shipwreck_n ought_v to_o discredit_v navigation_n or_o the_o fail_n of_o some_o few_o trader_n disparage_v art_n and_o industry_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o the_o experience_a and_o skilful_a the_o careful_a and_o diligent_a do_v general_o sail_v and_o trade_n successful_o and_o this_o may_v in_o part_n suffice_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o another_o objection_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o this_o only_o that_o this_o relate_v to_o all_o event_n in_o general_a but_o the_o objection_n follow_v to_o a_o particular_a one_o if_o long_a life_n be_v a_o great_a blessing_n at_o present_a and_o recommend_v man_n to_o great_a afterward_o and_o if_o religion_n and_o virtue_n be_v on_o both_o these_o account_n entitle_v to_o it_o whence_o be_v it_o that_o a_o immature_n death_n snatch_v away_o sometime_o the_o best_a of_o man_n that_o it_o stop_v they_o in_o the_o very_a progress_n of_o their_o virtue_n and_o in_o a_o full_a career_n towards_o perfection_n and_o glory_n i_o answer_v 1._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a his_o judgement_n be_v unsearchable_a and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o 2._o i_o can_v believe_v that_o this_o early_a death_n which_o intercept_v the_o fruit_n of_o a_o grow_a virtue_n shall_v bereave_v the_o virtue_n of_o any_o degree_n of_o that_o future_a glory_n to_o which_o such_o fruit_n will_v have_v entitle_v they_o i_o shall_v rather_o think_v with_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n that_o have_v complete_v their_o perfection_n in_o a_o little_a time_n they_o have_v in_o a_o little_a time_n finish_v their_o course_n and_o by_o what_o they_o do_v do_v give_v such_o plain_a proof_n of_o what_o they_o will_v do_v that_o god_n reward_v their_o purpose_n as_o he_o do_v the_o action_n of_o other_o and_o therefore_o hasten_v to_o take_v they_o to_o himself_o but_o however_o this_o matter_n be_v i_o be_o content_a to_o believe_v 3._o that_o as_o god_n order_v all_o the_o particular_a event_n of_o life_n to_o the_o good_a of_o those_o that_o love_v he_o so_o much_o more_o must_v he_o dispose_v this_o big_a event_n that_o befall_v a_o mortal_a man_n that_o be_v death_n to_o their_o interest_n and_o benefit_n and_o therefore_o this_o immature_n death_n be_v doubtless_o to_o the_o righteous_a better_a than_o life_n tho'_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v why_o they_o die_v in_o their_o perfection_n their_o glory_n yet_o unsullied_a their_o felicity_n unstained_a no_o vile_a temptation_n no_o misfortune_n have_v yet_o triumph_v over_o they_o a_o advantage_n which_o we_o much_o admire_v when_o we_o see_v great_a and_o good_a man_n surprise_v or_o overpowr_v by_o weakness_n and_o calamity_n for_o than_o we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o if_o death_n have_v come_v soon_o it_o have_v be_v much_o kind_a for_o they_o have_v be_v gather_v into_o the_o storehouse_n of_o the_o dead_a like_a corn_n into_o the_o granary_n before_o unseasonable_a or_o immoderate_a rain_n have_v corrupt_v it_o or_o any_o malignant_a vapour_n blast_v it_o last_o i_o know_v not_o how_o heaven_n have_v deal_v with_o these_o its_o favourite_n peradventure_o it_o be_v in_o the_o moral_a as_o in_o the_o political_a world_n some_o be_v bear_v to_o that_o greatness_n which_o other_o acquire_v with_o labour_n he_o never_o die_v to_o soon_o who_o die_v ripe_a and_o perfect_a and_o if_o these_o divine_a soul_n come_v into_o the_o world_n enrich_v with_o more_o light_n and_o beauty_n with_o more_o impetuous_a inclination_n to_o virtue_n than_o those_o of_o other_o of_o other_o man_n if_o their_o short_a life_n be_v so_o innocent_a so_o bright_a that_o out_o of_o a_o particular_a grace_n god_n think_v fit_a to_o exempt_v they_o from_o the_o misery_n of_o this_o life_n or_o that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o particular_a preeminence_n they_o need_v not_o pass_v through_o the_o trial_n the_o discipline_n and_o purgation_n of_o it_o on_o either_o of_o these_o supposal_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o commiserate_v but_o revere_a their_o fate_n chap._n iii_o of_o improve_n life_n or_o live_a much_o in_o a_o little_a time_n what_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o improve_n or_o exalt_v life_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o this_o notion_n three_o way_n of_o improve_n life_n sect._n 1_o by_o perfect_a nature_n man_n and_o life_n mean_v thing_n till_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n stamp_v a_o value_n on_o they_o this_o particular_o exemplify_v with_o respect_n to_o knowledge_n and_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o affection_n sect._n 2._o by_o beginning_n to_o live_v betimes_o or_o at_o least_o immediate_o no_o objection_n against_o become_v present_o wise_a and_o happy_a but_o the_o difficulty_n of_o become_v so_o a_o exhortation_n address_v 1._o to_o the_o young_a 2._o to_o those_o advance_v in_o year_n close_v with_o a_o reflection_n on_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n sect._n 3_o by_o avoid_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v injurious_a to_o life_n as_o sloth_n impertinence_n remissness_n or_o coldness_n in_o religion_n levity_n and_o inconstancy_n some_o other_o direction_n defer_v to_o the_o follow_a treatise_n to_o understand_v aright_o what_o it_o be_v i_o here_o aim_v at_o what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o improvement_n or_o exaltation_n of_o life_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o life_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o beginning_n that_o it_o be_v the_o right_a use_n of_o all_o our_o power_n and_o faculty_n the_o rational_a exercise_n the_o wise_a employment_n of_o our_o whole_a nature_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o live_v just_a as_o much_o as_o we_o act_n and_o enjoy_v i_o mean_v always_o rational_o that_o as_o we_o advance_v and_o grow_v up_o towards_o a_o perfection_n of_o nature_n the_o more_o be_v life_n also_o raise_v and_o refine_a thus_o if_o the_o life_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v to_o think_v to_o discover_v and_o contemplate_v truth_n and_o goodness_n then_o sure_o its_o life_n be_v enlarge_v with_o knowledge_n if_o the_o life_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n i_o mean_v his_o will_n and_o affection_n be_v to_o choose_v and_o pursue_v admire_v and_o love_v true_a good_a then_o certain_o our_o life_n be_v perfect_v with_o our_o virtue_n and_o augment_v with_o our_o religion_n in_o a_o word_n if_o the_o life_n of_o man_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o motion_n of_o animal_n spirit_n but_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o rational_a power_n and_o faculty_n if_o the_o true_a health_n of_o man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o regularity_n of_o his_o pulse_n but_o the_o harmony_n of_o his_o affection_n if_o final_o the_o thing_n call_v life_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o hour_n and_o