those_o who_o have_v better_a opportunity_n for_o such_o performance_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o second_o impediment_n three_o some_o pretend_v that_o when_o they_o do_v endeavour_v to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o holy_a communion_n they_o find_v they_o can_v do_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o come_v to_o the_o several_a scruple_n of_o which_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o shall_v return_v brief_a and_o distinct_a answer_n some_o than_o do_v apprehend_v that_o they_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o come_v because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a and_o not_o well_o ground_v and_o instruct_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o indeed_o if_o a_o man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v ordinary_o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o every_o christian_a it_o be_v evident_o not_o fit_a that_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n until_o such_o time_n as_o he_o be_v better_o instruct_v but_o such_o instruction_n as_o this_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v have_v at_o least_o among_o we_o that_o it_o must_v be_v every_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n if_o he_o want_v it_o for_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o every_o man_n who_o either_o read_v the_o scripture_n or_o hear_v it_o read_v and_o expound_v in_o our_o congregation_n sufficient_o to_o learn_v all_o the_o great_a and_o necessary_a thing_n of_o christian_a religion_n as_o for_o example_n that_o god_n create_v all_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o to_o suffer_v for_o our_o redemption_n that_o after_o he_o have_v suffer_v he_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n where_o he_o remain_v for_o ever_o in_o the_o glory_n and_o majesty_n of_o god_n make_v eternal_a intercession_n for_o we_o and_o that_o he_o shall_v come_v again_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o judge_v both_o the_o live_n and_o the_o dead_a who_o shall_v at_o that_o time_n be_v raise_v again_o and_o to_o sentence_v every_o man_n either_o to_o everlasting_a happiness_n or_o eternal_a misery_n that_o every_o christian_a be_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n and_o that_o it_o be_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o be_v the_o giver_n of_o spiritual_a life_n unto_o we_o that_o we_o be_v alone_o enable_v to_o perform_v these_o duty_n and_o last_o that_o in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v command_v to_o eat_v of_o that_o bread_n and_o drink_v of_o that_o cup_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o which_o be_v the_o communion_n of_o his_o body_n and_o blood_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o do_v communicate_v in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o he_o offer_v and_o in_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o passion_n which_o he_o undergo_v in_o his_o body_n and_o by_o the_o shed_v of_o his_o blood_n for_o our_o sake_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v all_o this_o i_o say_v be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v learn_v and_o understand_v that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a shame_n for_o any_o one_o who_o live_v in_o a_o christian_a country_n to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o far_o instruct_v in_o his_o religion_n and_o endeavour_n according_a to_o his_o ability_n to_o increase_v his_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n and_o hereunto_o add_v the_o honest_a and_o sincere_a practice_n of_o what_o he_o understand_v needs_o never_o fear_v that_o god_n will_v reject_v he_o for_o want_n of_o more_o knowledge_n for_o although_o we_o must_v according_a to_o our_o capacity_n add_v to_o our_o virtue_n knowledge_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o abundance_n of_o knowledge_n but_o much_o honesty_n charity_n and_o true_a piety_n that_o render_v we_o acceptable_a and_o please_a to_o god_n see_v 1._o cor._n 1._o 19_o to_o the_o seven_o verse_n of_o the_o 2_o d._n chapter_n again_o some_o do_v find_v their_o faith_n to_o be_v weak_a and_o waver_a and_o perplex_v with_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o be_v afraid_a to_o come_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o indeed_o the_o strong_a and_o firm_a a_o man_n faith_n be_v so_o much_o the_o better_o and_o we_o ought_v to_o endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v that_o our_o faith_n may_v ever_o be_v build_v upon_o sure_a and_o solid_a principle_n as_o well_o for_o our_o own_o comfort_n &_o satisfaction_n as_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a upon_o occasion_n to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o who_o shall_v ask_v we_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o we_o 1._o pet._n 3._o 15._o but_o when_o a_o man_n have_v do_v what_o he_o can_v to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v his_o faith_n if_o it_o still_o continue_v infirm_a and_o weak_a yet_o if_o he_o be_v honest_a and_o pious_a in_o his_o life_n and_o practice_n he_o be_v never_o the_o less_o acceptable_a to_o god_n for_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o faith_n for_o strength_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o thing_n in_o our_o own_o power_n and_o therefore_o not_o so_o much_o a_o duty_n in_o we_o as_o a_o reward_n which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o bestow_v in_o such_o a_o measure_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a upon_o those_o who_o be_v sincere_a and_o diligent_a in_o his_o service_n and_o he_o that_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n may_v yet_o be_v a_o very_a good_a christian_n and_o fit_a to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n although_o he_o be_v not_o qualify_v for_o doubtful_a disputation_n ro._n 14._o 1._o as_o long_o as_o a_o tree_n continue_v to_o bring_v forth_o plenty_n of_o fruit_n we_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v alive_a nor_o do_v we_o present_o cut_v it_o down_o and_o cast_v it_o into_o the_o fire_n because_o it_o be_v not_o altogether_o so_o well_o fix_v at_o the_o root_n and_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o be_v shake_v by_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o the_o weak_a faith_n if_o it_o produce_v abundance_n of_o good_a work_n shall_v be_v accept_v by_o god_n when_o the_o strong_a faith_n if_o barren_a and_o unfruitful_a shall_v be_v reject_v and_o set_v at_o nought_o by_o he_o see_v jam._n 2._o 14._o etc._n etc._n whenever_o therefore_o a_o honest_a and_o well_o dispose_v man_n find_v his_o faith_n to_o be_v any_o way_n weak_a and_o waver_a let_v he_o take_v up_o the_o good_a man_n speech_n in_o the_o gospel_n lord_n i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n mar._n 9_o 24._o and_o let_v he_o never_o fear_v but_o that_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_o gracious_a and_o merciful_a will_v accept_v of_o he_o some_o again_o be_v afraid_a that_o they_o do_v not_o love_n god_n as_o well_o as_o they_o ought_v and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o fear_n be_v because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v in_o themselves_o such_o warm_a and_o affectionate_a motion_n of_o their_o mind_n towards_o he_o as_o they_o apprehend_v to_o be_v suitable_a to_o his_o infinite_a excellency_n and_o goodness_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n they_o dare_v not_o venture_v to_o come_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o indeed_o the_o more_o ardent_a and_o affectionate_a our_o love_n to_o god_n be_v so_o much_o the_o better_a be_v that_o as_o well_o as_o our_o faith_n for_o be_v strong_a and_o unshaken_a but_o as_o our_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o its_o fruitfulness_n rather_o than_o its_o firmness_n as_o i_o have_v just_a now_o show_v so_o the_o holy_a scripture_n teach_v we_o that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n consist_v altogether_o in_o keep_v his_o commandment_n 1._o joh._n 5._o 3._o some_o people_n be_v natural_o of_o such_o a_o temper_n as_o more_o easy_o to_o be_v move_v with_o a_o passionate_a affection_n towards_o those_o they_o love_v then_o other_o be_v and_o yet_o other_o who_o do_v not_o find_v such_o warm_a motion_n within_o themselves_o may_v be_v as_o ready_a and_o willing_a as_o they_o to_o do_v act_n of_o kindness_n where_o they_o profess_v a_o friendship_n nor_o be_v the_o love_n of_o the_o late_a sort_n ever_o the_o less_o to_o be_v value_v because_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v seat_v and_o fix_v more_o in_o the_o judgement_n and_o will_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o less_o alteration_n than_o the_o affection_n as_o the_o true_a love_n of_o a_o wife_n to_o her_o husband_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v by_o her_o readiness_n to_o obey_v and_o please_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n much_o rather_o then_o by_o the_o fondness_n which_o she_o express_v to_o his_o person_n if_o therefore_o a_o man_n find_v himself_o steadfast_o
a_o answer_n to_o all_o the_o excuse_n and_o pretence_n which_o man_n ordinary_o make_v for_o their_o not_o come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n fit_v for_o the_o mean_a capacity_n and_o very_o proper_a to_o be_v give_v away_o by_o such_o as_o be_v charitable_o incline_v price_n 3_o penny_n by_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o second_o edition_n correct_v london_n print_v for_o richard_n sare_n at_o gray's-inn-gate_n in_o holborn_n 1697._o a_o answer_n to_o all_o the_o excuse_n and_o pretence_n which_o man_n ordinary_o make_v for_o their_o not_o come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n a_o certain_a man_n make_v a_o etc._n luk._n 6._o etc._n etc._n great_a supper_n and_o bad_a many_o and_o send_v his_o servant_n at_o supper_n time_n to_o say_v to_o they_o that_o be_v â—idden_v come_v for_o all_o thing_n be_v now_o reaâ—y_o and_o they_o all_o with_o one_o consent_n begin_v â—o_n make_v excuse_n etc._n etc._n â—he_v design_n of_o this_o parable_n be_v to_o represent_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o â—â—e_z people_n of_o the_o jew_n upon_o their_o reâ—â—cting_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o refuse_v to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v send_v and_o command_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o preach_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o they_o and_o to_o invite_v they_o to_o come_v and_o partake_v of_o that_o blessing_n and_o happiness_n which_o be_v offer_v they_o by_o god_n through_o faith_n in_o and_o obedience_n unto_o his_o son_n christ_n jesus_n but_o they_o general_o have_v their_o heart_n whole_o in_o a_o manner_n addict_v to_o the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n have_v no_o inclination_n to_o receive_v so_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a a_o institution_n and_o do_v not_o only_a themselves_o reject_v but_o also_o persecute_v other_o for_o embrace_v the_o christian_a profession_n despise_v and_o tread_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o count_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherewith_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v sanctify_v a_o unholy_a thing_n and_o even_o do_v despite_n unto_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n which_o will_v have_v wrought_v upon_o their_o heart_n in_o order_n to_o their_o conversion_n as_o therefore_o the_o man_n in_o this_o parable_n who_o make_v the_o supper_n be_v offend_v with_o those_o who_o do_v not_o come_v when_o they_o be_v invite_v and_o therefore_o whole_o exclude_v they_o from_o his_o table_n and_o send_v his_o servant_n to_o call_v other_o in_o their_o room_n as_o you_o may_v find_v it_o in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o it_o so_o do_v almighty_a god_n cast_v off_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n upon_o their_o obstinate_a reject_v of_o jesus_n christ_n give_v they_o up_o to_o be_v destroy_v and_o scatter_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o command_v the_o apostle_n to_o go_v out_o into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o gather_v a_o church_n and_o a_o peculiar_a people_n unto_o he_o from_o among_o the_o gentile_n but_o my_o present_a aim_n in_o reflect_v upon_o this_o parable_n lie_v clear_v another_o way_n namely_o to_o represent_v and_o reprove_v those_o excuse_n and_o pretence_n which_o so_o many_o man_n do_v make_v for_o their_o gross_a neglect_n of_o the_o holy_a communion_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n notwithstanding_o that_o god_n by_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o minister_n do_v so_o frequent_o call_v and_o earnest_o invite_v they_o thereunto_o and_o indeed_o this_o matter_n be_v in_o so_o lively_a a_o manner_n represent_v in_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o it_o that_o i_o think_v it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o draw_v a_o more_o exact_a parallel_n for_o here_o in_o the_o first_o place_n we_o have_v almighty_a god_n make_v a_o supper_n for_o we_o for_o the_o feed_n and_o nourish_v of_o our_o soul_n in_o virtue_n and_o piety_n through_o the_o passion_n and_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n jesus_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v for_o ever_o to_o be_v commemorate_a by_o our_o eat_v of_o this_o bread_n and_o drink_v of_o this_o cup_n in_o remembrance_n of_o he_o to_o this_o supper_n we_o be_v not_o once_o only_o but_o often_o bid_v by_o the_o frequent_a admonition_n and_o exhortation_n of_o god_n minister_n address_v unto_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v come_v and_o be_v partaker_n of_o this_o holy_a communion_n and_o as_o the_o guest_n who_o be_v invite_v in_o this_o parable_n have_v frame_v some_o weak_a and_o impertinent_a excuse_n for_o their_o not_o come_v one_o have_v buy_v a_o piece_n of_o ground_n another_o five_o yoke_n of_o ox_n and_o a_o three_o have_v marry_v a_o wife_n none_o of_o which_o thing_n need_v to_o have_v hinder_v they_o from_o accept_v of_o the_o good_a man_n kindness_n just_o so_o we_o when_o from_o month_n to_o month_n and_o from_o year_n to_o year_n we_o continual_o turn_v our_o back_n upon_o god_n holy_a table_n have_v yet_o some_o sort_n of_o pretence_n wherewith_o we_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v our_o conscience_n and_o to_o excuse_v this_o gross_a and_o scandalous_a neglect_n of_o which_o we_o be_v guilty_a that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n jesus_n die_v for_o our_o sin_n that_o it_o be_v only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o merit_n and_o suffering_n that_o we_o can_v hope_v for_o pardon_n and_o eternal_a life_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n that_o before_o his_o death_n he_o leave_v this_o command_n with_o all_o that_o shall_v be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n that_o they_o shall_v eat_v of_o this_o bread_n and_o drink_v of_o this_o cup_n in_o remembrance_n of_o he_o whereby_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o show_v forth_o his_o death_n until_o his_o second_o come_v and_o last_o that_o this_o ordinance_n be_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n or_o in_o other_o term_n the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o do_v communicate_v in_o the_o benefit_n of_o that_o sacrifice_n which_o christ_n offer_v and_o in_o the_o merit_n of_o that_o death_n and_o passion_n which_o he_o undergo_v in_o his_o body_n and_o by_o the_o shed_v of_o his_o blood_n for_o we_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o receive_v hereof_o if_o due_o perform_v be_v not_o only_o our_o duty_n but_o also_o a_o great_a advantage_n and_o benefit_n unto_o we_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v be_v so_o universal_o own_v by_o all_o who_o profess_v christianity_n that_o i_o need_v not_o offer_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o they_o or_o any_o part_n of_o they_o but_o then_o sure_o one_o will_v think_v that_o when_o man_n who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v do_v so_o often_o and_o for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n absent_v themselves_o from_o this_o ordinance_n there_o must_v be_v some_o insuperable_a difficulty_n and_o obstacle_n in_o their_o way_n which_o it_o be_v beyond_o their_o strength_n or_o power_n to_o remove_v or_o else_o that_o they_o will_v never_o at_o the_o same_o time_n both_o neglect_n their_o duty_n and_o forego_v their_o interest_n and_o yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o plain_o as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o we_o can_v at_o any_o time_n pretend_v as_o a_o hindrance_n of_o our_o come_n to_o the_o holy_a communion_n but_o what_o either_o be_v real_o or_o aught_o to_o be_v no_o hindrance_n at_o all_o or_o else_o be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n by_o that_o grace_n and_o assistance_n which_o god_n never_o deny_v to_o those_o who_o seek_v it_o whole_o to_o remove_v and_o put_v out_o of_o the_o way_n to_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n then_o and_o that_o i_o may_v proceed_v in_o a_o orderly_a method_n i_o shall_v reduce_v all_o the_o impediment_n which_o man_n do_v ever_o allege_v for_o their_o not_o come_v unto_o the_o holy_a communion_n to_o these_o five_o head_n that_o be_v to_o say_v either_o first_o that_o they_o be_v sinner_n and_o therefore_o dare_v not_o come_v or_o second_o that_o they_o be_v so_o continual_o engage_v and_o take_v up_o with_o business_n that_o they_o have_v not_o time_n to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o it_o or_o three_o that_o when_o they_o do_v endeavour_v to_o prepare_v themselves_o they_o find_v they_o can_v do_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v or_o four_o that_o have_v former_o receive_v the_o communion_n they_o find_v themselves_o never_o the_o better_a for_o it_o and_o therefore_o think_v it_o to_o no_o purpose_n to_o come_v again_o or_o last_o that_o they_o be_v not_o well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o celebrate_v administer_a and_o receive_v this_o ordinance_n in_o our_o church_n and_o therefore_o can_v join_v with_o our_o congregation_n in_o it_o nor_o be_v there_o i_o think_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v urge_v by_o way_n of_o excuse_n for_o not_o come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n but_o what_o i_o shall_v
wickedness_n that_o he_o have_v commit_v and_o to_o live_v the_o remainder_n of_o his_o day_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o good_a work_n do_v that_o which_o be_v lawful_a and_o right_a and_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o failure_n yet_o at_o last_o continue_v and_o persevere_fw-la therein_o that_o even_o such_o a_o person_n as_o this_o shall_v save_o his_o soul_n alive_a ezek._n 18._o 27._o although_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o stand_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o great_a a_o man_n sin_n have_v be_v and_o the_o often_o he_o have_v relapse_v into_o they_o the_o deep_a his_o sorrow_n and_o the_o more_o laborious_a his_o repentance_n must_v be_v in_o order_n to_o obtain_v his_o pardon_n but_o since_o a_o possibility_n of_o pardon_n there_o be_v even_o in_o this_o case_n itself_o we_o must_v not_o make_v the_o contrary_a fear_n a_o pretence_n for_o keep_v ourselves_o back_o from_o any_o of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o from_o a_o more_o immediate_a and_o intimate_a communion_n with_o he_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o impediment_n but_o second_o some_o man_n pretend_v that_o they_o be_v so_o continual_o engage_v and_o take_v up_o with_o business_n that_o they_o have_v not_o time_n to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o come_v to_o it_o to_o such_o man_n as_o these_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o business_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v either_o lawful_a business_n or_o unlawful_a if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a business_n and_o such_o as_o can_v be_v follow_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n it_o must_v be_v renounce_v and_o whole_o lay_v aside_o and_o to_o plead_v this_o as_o a_o reason_n for_o not_o come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n be_v altogether_o to_o aggravate_v instead_o of_o excuse_v our_o neglect_n but_o if_o the_o business_n be_v itself_o lawful_a and_o follow_v in_o a_o lawful_a way_n if_o it_o neither_o contain_v nor_o engage_v we_o in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v dishonest_a or_o any_o way_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n such_o business_n as_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o unqualify_a a_o man_n that_o real_o it_o rather_o render_v he_o the_o more_o fit_a to_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n for_o as_o idleness_n be_v itself_o a_o sin_n and_o the_o mother_n or_o at_o least_o the_o nurse_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n so_o honest_a and_o lawful_a business_n be_v a_o duty_n which_o every_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o be_v diligent_a in_o 1._o thess_n 4._o 11._o eph._n 4._o 28._o and_o certain_o the_o performance_n of_o a_o man_n duty_n will_v never_o render_v he_o the_o less_o acceptable_a to_o god_n or_o unfit_a to_o draw_v near_o unto_o he_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o ordinance_n but_o there_o be_v one_o particular_a sort_n of_o business_n in_o which_o some_o man_n think_v that_o while_o they_o be_v engage_v they_o can_v be_v well_o prepare_v for_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o that_o be_v a_o law_n suit_n but_o to_o this_o the_o very_a same_o answer_n must_v be_v give_v that_o be_v already_o return_v to_o the_o pretence_n of_o business_n in_o general_n if_o a_o man_n engage_v in_o a_o suit_n of_o law_n with_o a_o design_n to_o wrong_v or_o defraud_v another_o if_o in_o the_o management_n of_o it_o he_o have_v recourse_n to_o any_o base_a and_o wicked_a art_n or_o contrivance_n if_o not_o content_v fair_o to_o try_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n he_o strive_v by_o all_o way_n to_o cast_v personal_a reflection_n upon_o his_o adversary_n or_o in_o a_o word_n if_o herein_o he_o proceed_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v contrary_a either_o to_o justice_n or_o charity_n such_o a_o law_n suit_n as_o this_o i_o confess_v render_v a_o man_n altogether_o unfit_a to_o approach_v unto_o god_n in_o any_o way_n whatsoever_o not_o only_o while_o he_o be_v engage_v in_o it_o but_o also_o until_o he_o have_v make_v restitution_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o power_n for_o all_o the_o wrong_n which_o he_o have_v thereby_o do_v to_o his_o neighbour_n but_o then_o why_o will_v any_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o christianity_n engage_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n as_o this_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o common_a honesty_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n or_o if_o unadvised_o he_o have_v engage_v himself_o before_o he_o know_v what_o he_o do_v why_o do_v he_o not_o withdraw_v and_o forbear_v to_o prosecute_v a_o unjust_a cause_n or_o a_o just_a one_o in_o a_o unjust_a way_n why_o do_v he_o not_o make_v satisfaction_n to_o his_o neighbour_n if_o he_o have_v do_v he_o any_o wrong_n and_o how_o can_v he_o think_v to_o plead_v that_o as_o a_o excuse_n for_o not_o come_v to_o god_n holy_a table_n which_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o lay_v aside_o and_z to_o remedy_n whenever_o he_o please_v but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o he_o design_v no_o more_o but_o fair_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n who_o be_v ordain_v of_o god_n either_o to_o defend_v or_o recover_v what_o in_o conscience_n he_o be_v very_o persuade_v be_v his_o just_a and_o lawful_a right_n if_o in_o the_o mannagement_n of_o his_o business_n he_o proceed_v honest_o and_o without_o any_o fraud_n or_o juggle_v and_o last_o if_o he_o bear_v no_o malice_n nor_o offer_v any_o way_n to_o vent_v his_o spleen_n against_o the_o person_n of_o his_o adversary_n but_o be_v always_o free_a and_o ready_a to_o do_v he_o any_o reasonable_a office_n of_o kindness_n or_o friendship_n in_o such_o a_o law_n suit_n as_o this_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a nor_o consequent_o any_o thing_n which_o need_v be_v in_o the_o least_o a_o hindrance_n to_o his_o come_n to_o the_o holy_a communion_n but_o some_o perhaps_o will_v say_v that_o although_o there_o be_v nothing_o sinful_a or_o unlawful_a either_o in_o the_o business_n they_o be_v about_o or_o in_o their_o way_n of_o manage_v or_o follow_v it_o yet_o their_o time_n be_v so_o whole_o take_v up_o thereby_o that_o they_o have_v not_o leisure_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o solemn_a and_o particular_a devotion_n which_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o their_o due_a preparation_n nay_o such_o may_v be_v the_o condition_n of_o some_o that_o they_o have_v not_o it_o may_v be_v so_o much_o as_o a_o place_n of_o retirement_n for_o their_o private_a devotion_n which_o may_v be_v the_o case_n of_o many_o servant_n and_o private_a soldier_n and_o such_o like_a and_o how_o can_v they_o prepare_v themselves_o as_o they_o ought_v or_o how_o shall_v they_o venture_v to_o come_v if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o prepare_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n which_o some_o well_o mean_v man_n have_v entertain_v that_o they_o think_v they_o must_v not_o venture_v to_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n except_o they_o say_v so_o many_o prayer_n and_o spend_v so_o many_o hour_n in_o retirement_n and_o meditation_n for_o some_o day_n immediate_o before_o the_o celebration_n of_o it_o where_o a_o man_n indeed_o be_v at_o his_o own_o command_n and_o master_n of_o his_o own_o time_n he_o be_v much_o to_o be_v approve_v of_o and_o commend_v if_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o this_o he_o spend_v more_o hour_n than_o at_o other_o time_n in_o private_a prayer_n read_v and_o meditation_n that_o he_o may_v trim_v his_o lamp_n before_o he_o go_v to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o cleanse_v and_o adorn_v his_o wedding_n garment_n before_o he_o come_v to_o the_o marriage_n feast_n but_o where_o the_o public_a service_n of_o a_o man_n country_n or_o the_o private_a necessity_n of_o himself_o or_o his_o family_n do_v engage_v he_o in_o so_o much_o business_n as_o that_o he_o have_v not_o such_o leisure_n for_o retirement_n if_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o affair_n he_o ever_o take_v care_n to_o have_v god_n in_o his_o thought_n and_o often_o to_o lift_v up_o his_o heart_n to_o he_o by_o private_a ejaculation_n and_o when_o he_o have_v neither_o chamber_n nor_o closet_n garden_n nor_o field_n to_o withdraw_v himself_o into_o if_o he_o but_o serious_o retire_v into_o his_o own_o thought_n which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v in_o any_o place_n upon_o his_o bed_n at_o midnight_n and_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o great_a crowd_n in_o the_o day_n time_n and_o there_o inquire_v into_o his_o past_a sin_n and_o renew_v his_o resolution_n of_o amendment_n and_o if_o all_o this_o proceed_v from_o a_o honest_a and_o well_o mean_v heart_n true_o and_o affectionate_o dispose_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n no_o doubt_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v as_o well_o accept_v by_o god_n as_o the_o more_o solemn_a devotion_n of_o