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god_n who_o have_v create_v we_o only_o to_o serve_v he_o be_v please_v by_o a_o singular_a goodness_n so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o we_o can_v serve_v he_o without_o save_v ourselves_o he_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n design_v our_o eternal_a happiness_n in_o create_v we_o for_o his_o glory_n &_o see_v that_o eternal_a happiness_n be_v no_o otherwise_o propose_v then_o as_o a_o reward_n our_o whole_a life_n be_v give_v we_o only_o that_o we_o may_v deserve_v it_o by_o obedience_n to_o those_o law_n and_o commandment_n which_o he_o have_v make_v for_o that_o end_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o happiness_n which_o be_v natural_a to_o every_o man_n do_v as_o it_o be_v by_o instinct_n advertise_v we_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o our_o disorder_n that_o we_o be_v place_v in_o the_o world_n only_o to_o work_v out_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n in_o heaven_n the_o check_n of_o our_o conscience_n which_o be_v hardly_o ever_o quite_o stifle_v cry_v loud_o to_o we_o that_o we_o put_v ourselves_o in_o 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unblamable_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o if_o our_o virtue_n be_v not_o more_o solid_a and_o more_o perfect_a than_o they_o we_o shall_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v agreat_a matter_n to_o stifle_v our_o revenge_n it_o be_v yet_o great_a to_o for_o give_v injury_n but_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o obtain_v salvation_n if_o we_o will_v be_v save_v we_o must_v love_v even_o those_o who_o persecute_v we_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o abhor_v allwicked_a action_n we_o must_v abhor_v the_o least_o ill_a thought_n we_o be_v not_o only_o oblige_v not_o to_o covet_v our_o neighbour_n good_n we_o must_v bestow_v our_o own_o on_o those_o who_o be_v in_o want_n true_a humility_n which_o be_v the_o essential_a character_n of_o a_o christian_a will_v not_o admit_v of_o ambition_n or_o vanity_n though_o you_o labour_v never_o so_o much_o if_o god_n be_v not_o indeed_o the_o end_n of_o your_o labour_n you_o will_v have_v no_o thanks_o for_o 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argument_n to_o convince_v i_o that_o thou_o desire_v my_o salvation_n thanthi_v very_o fear_v which_o thou_o have_v imprint_v in_o my_o soul_n lest_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o thy_o choose_a i_o have_v often_o render_v my_o best_a thought_n useless_a but_o my_o god_n i_o have_v reason_n to_o hope_v that_o this_o resolution_n which_o i_o now_o make_v to_o work_v out_o my_o salvation_n with_o all_o the_o earnestness_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v effectual_a and_o because_o i_o have_v have_v too_o much_o experience_n that_o these_o pious_a design_n be_v easy_o forget_v i_o will_v begin_v this_o moment_n to_o turn_v to_o thou_o 76.11_o dixi_fw-la nune_n coepi_fw-la haec_fw-la mutatio_fw-la dexterae_fw-la excelsi_fw-la ps_n 76.11_o &_o to_o devote_v myself_o entire_o to_o thy_o service_n and_o i_o rely_v upon_o thy_o goodness_n for_o strength_n to_o persevere_v second_o meditation_n of_o sin_z first_o point_n of_o mortal_a sin_n second_o point_n of_o venial_a 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christ_n can_v redeem_v one_o soul_n and_o after_o all_o this_o soul_n shall_v be_v damny_v for_o one_o mortal_a sin_n all_o the_o flame_n of_o hell_n those_o eternal_a flame_n can_v never_o cleanse_v the_o least_o sinful_a spot_n can_v we_o believe_v this_o and_o live_v one_o moment_n in_o sin_n and_o notwithstanding_o this_o extreme_a danger_n continue_v to_o sin_n and_o to_o expose_v ourselves_o every_o day_n to_o the_o occasion_n of_o commit_v it_o this_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v imagine_v how_o shall_v we_o reconcile_v our_o faith_n with_o our_o practice_n how_o shall_v we_o make_v our_o practice_n and_o our_o reason_n agree_v we_o refuse_v no_o pain_n to_o oblige_v a_o friend_n we_o be_v wonderful_o exact_a in_o every_o punctilio_fw-la of_o good_a breed_n but_o stupid_o careless_a in_o the_o important_a duty_n be_v of_o a_o christian_a life_n we_o own_o that_o most_o affliction_n be_v the_o punishment_n of_o our_o sin_n we_o be_v all_o afraid_a of_o hell_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o 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i_o this_o time_n for_o repentance_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o give_v many_o other_o and_o to_o begin_v immediate_o second_o point_n consider_v that_o venial_a sin_n seem_v small_a only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v little_a faith_n and_o less_o love_n they_o who_o love_n god_n true_o look_v upon_o all_o sin_n with_o horror_n and_o be_v more_o afraid_a of_o it_o than_o of_o the_o grear_a misery_n a_o venial_a sin_n be_v indeed_o a_o small_a sin_n but_o it_o be_v not_o a_o small_a evil_n as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n it_o be_v agreat_a evil_a than_o a_o general_a desolation_n of_o the_o whole_a universe_n and_o therefore_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n have_v always_o judge_v it_o all_o the_o creature_n ought_v to_o think_v themselves_o happy_a if_o they_o can_v prevent_v one_o venial_a
dispose_v our_o self_n to_o fall_v in_o to_o mortal_a sin_n &_o of_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o those_o irregularity's_n which_o be_v often_o the_o ginning_n of_o the_o reprobation_n of_o many_o who_o appear_v eminent_a for_o piety_n consider_v what_o be_v our_o thought_n of_o venial_a sin_n have_v we_o full_o resolve_v in_o all_o our_o confession_n to_o mend_v they_o for_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o by_o frequent_a confess_v the_o same_o venial_a sin_n we_o too_o oftenrender_v our_o confession_n at_o best_a useless_a for_o want_v of_o contrition_n let_v we_o no_o long_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o little_a thing_n there_o be_v but_o few_o thing_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o fear_v so_o much_o let_v we_o examine_v ourselves_o strict_o &_o according_o regulate_v our_o practice_n third_z meditation_n of_o the_o sentiment_n we_o shall_v have_v at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n see_v the_o three_o meditation_n for_o the_o month_n of_o january_n april_n &_o october_n first_o meditation_n that_o we_o aught_v not_o to_o delay_v our_o conversion_n first_o point_n if_o we_o delay_v our_o conversion_n we_o thereby_o put_v ourselves_o into_o a_o evident_a danger_n of_o be_v never_o convert_v second_o point_n if_o we_o delay_v our_o conversion_n we_o thereby_o put_v our_o ourselves_o under_o a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n of_o be_v never_o convert_v first_o point_n consider_v that_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n who_o have_v not_o some_o time_n or_o other_o desire_v to_o turn_v sincere_o to_o god_n there_o be_v certain_a happy_a moment_n wherein_o by_o a_o inward_a light_n we_o discover_v on_o a_o sudden_a so_o many_o fault_n in_o creature_n we_o find_v so_o little_a solidity_n in_o every_o thing_n on_o the_o earrh_n and_o be_v so_o disgu_v with_o what_o seem_v most_o charm_a that_o we_o can_v avoid_v confess_v that_o to_o neglect_v the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o madness_n our_o reason_n be_v convince_v but_o our_o passion_n be_v too_o strong_a and_o wehave_v not_o resolution_n enough_o to_o oppose_v they_o there_o before_o self-love_n find_v a_o expedient_a to_o flatter_v both_o it_o satisfy'_v our_o reason_n by_o persuade_v we_o to_o resolve_v on_o conversion_n and_o please_v our_o sloth_n by_o engage_v we_o to_o defer_v it_o and_o to_o retain_v our_o former_a habit_n but_o here_o it_o apparentiy_n deceive_v we_o for_o this_o delay_n put_v we_o in_o to_o a_o evident_a danger_n of_o never_o be_v convet_v time_n grace_n and_o a_o willing_a mind_n be_v necessary_a to_o conversiow_n if_o we_o put_v it_o off_o but_o for_o one_o day_n how_o can_v we_o promise_v ourselves_o that_o one_o day_n if_o we_o have_v that_o day_n be_v we_o sure_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o willing_a to_o improve_v it_o and_o who_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v then_o be_v assist_v with_o amore_fw-la efficacious_a graee_n than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o resist_v be_v any_o thing_n more_o uncertain_a than_o time_n how_o many_o have_v be_v surprise_v by_o death_n while_o they_o be_v deliberate_v and_o will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o dismal_a thing_n to_o die_v full_a of_o design_n for_o a_o future_a conversion_n we_o think_v it_o be_v not_o now_o a_o fit_a time_n to_o quit_v our_o dangerous_a conversation_n to_o avoid_v the_o occasion_n of_o sin_n to_o reform_v our_o life_n and_o to_o live_v more_o retire_v &_o more_o like_a christian_n alas_o what_o time_n will_v we_o have_v we_o be_v for_o stay_v till_o the_o heat_n of_o youth_n be_v past_a till_o age_n and_o experience_n have_v disabused_a u_fw-mi '_o as_o to_o those_o trifle_n which_o take_v we_o up_o now_o and_o then_o every_o thing_n will_v contribute_v to_o our_o conversion_n thus_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n argue_v about_o their_o project_n of_o conversion_n for_o no_o man_n pretend_v to_o die_v unconvert_v but_o do_v they_o reason_v well_o do_v we_o find_v many_o of_o these_o resolver_n convert_v before_o they_o die_v we_o accept_v say_v s._n augustin_n their_o penance_n who_o defer_v their_o conversion_n to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n but_o we_o make_v no_o great_a account_n of_o such_o conversion_n no_o my_o brethren_n add_v that_o great_a saint_n i_o dare_v not_o deceive_v you_o and_o therefore_o must_v declare_v that_o we_o make_v no_o great_a account_n of_o they_o we_o refuse_v to_o be_v convert_v now_o what_o ground_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o willing_a here_o after_o if_o we_o find_v difficulty_n now_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o great_a than_o they_o increase_v with_o our_o passion_n which_o will_v then_o be_v strong_a and_o instead_o of_o youthful_a amusement_n which_o take_v up_o our_o time_n now_o we_o shall_v then_o find_v that_o multitude_n of_o business_n will_v be_v a_o great_a hindrance_n do_v not_o flatter_v yourselves_o that_o you_o may_v be_v convert_v at_o any_o time_n who_o have_v tell_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v at_o all_o time_n be_v capable_a of_o conversion_n if_o we_o refuse_v to_o be_v convert_v when_o god_n invite_v we_o now_o when_o our_o ill_a habit_n be_v but_o weak_a &_o few_o can_v we_o reasonable_o expect_v to_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o here_o after_o when_o they_o be_v multiply_v and_o grow_v inveterate_a god_n will_v be_v weary_a of_o wait_v his_o solicitation_n will_v diminish_v as_o our_o resistance_n of_o his_o grace_n increase_v so_o that_o we_o be_v force_v to_o own_o that_o we_o run_v the_o great_a hazard_n in_o the_o woild_v by_o delay_v and_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o a_o afraid_a to_o venture_v be_v it_o ever_o hear_v that_o a_o condemneed_a malefactor_n be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v his_o pardon_n &_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v defer_v to_o another_o time_n god_n offer_v we_o his_o friendship_n he_o tender_v his_o pardon_n to_o we_o and_o we_o be_v unwilling_a to_o have_v it_o yet_o we_o desire_v he_o to_o stay_v till_o we_o be_v in_o humour_n to_o receive_v it_o he_o solicit_v we_o and_o we_o bid_v he_o 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will_v think_v by_o their_o tear_n that_o he_o be_v go_v to_o make_v himself_o unhappy_a or_o at_o least_o to_o hazard_v his_o life_n and_o his_o soul_n too_o but_o if_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o world_n they_o do_v not_o think_v so_o many_o precaution_n necessary_a nor_o do_v they_o require_v so_o much_o time_n to_o resolve_v they_o know_v this_o vocation_n be_v much_o more_o perilous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o exact_v so_o long_a a_o trial_n instead_o of_o aggravate_v the_o difficulty_n they_o study_v to_o disguise_v they_o and_o to_o palliate_v those_o real_a evil_n wâ—â—ch_v they_o can_v not_o hide_v with_o what_o pleasure_n do_v they_o see_v a_o only_a son_n of_o great_a hope_n engage_v himself_o in_o the_o world_n they_o never_o trouble_v themselves_o to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o have_v think_v sufficient_o of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o fear_v nothing_o so_o much_o as_o his_o entertain_v the_o design_n of_o leave_v it_o what_o can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o can_v salvation_n be_v better_a secure_v in_o the_o world_n no_o certain_o but_o the_o true_a reason_n be_v that_o salvation_n be_v general_o the_o last_o thing_n man_n think_v of_o when_o they_o be_v deliberate_v what_o course_n of_o life_n to_o choose_v of_o the_o false_a idea_n which_o man_n have_v of_o holiness_n it_o be_v exceed_o strange_a every_o man_n consider_v holiness_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o station_n in_o which_o he_o be_v not_o and_o but_o few_o apply_v themselves_o to_o acquire_v that_o holiness_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o their_o own_o station_n the_o poor_a be_v take_v up_o with_o think_v on_o the_o opportunity_n the_o rich_a have_v to_o be_v save_v and_o the_o rich_a be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o sanctify_v one_o self_n when_o one_o be_v free_a from_o the_o obstacle_n that_o proceed_v from_o wealth_n the_o young_a think_v no_o reason_n so_o proper_a to_o work_v for_o salvation_n as_o old_a age_n youth_n say_v they_o be_v a_o time_n of_o pleasure_n we_o will_v think_v of_o salvation_n another_o time_n and_o the_o age_a continual_o regret_n the_o mean_n of_o sanctification_n which_o they_o enjoy_v in_o their_o youth_n and_o find_v themselves_o incapable_a of_o many_o good_a work_n which_o they_o can_v have_v do_v then_o secular_o place_n holiness_n in_o the_o austerity's_n peculiar_a to_o a_o religious_a life_n and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v their_o condition_n unfit_a for_o it_o and_o the_o religious_a often_o loose_a courage_n in_o the_o way_n of_o perfection_n which_o they_o have_v choose_v because_o they_o consider_v sanctity_n only_o in_o hair_n shirt_n and_o sackcloth_n and_o in_o those_o heroic_a action_n which_o we_o admire_v in_o the_o live_v of_o some_o great_a saint_n and_o thus_o by_o frame_v a_o false_a idea_n of_o holiness_n the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n be_v disgui_v with_o it_o and_o live_v as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o sanctity_n proper_a for_o their_o station_n my_o god_n how_o many_o mischief_n proceed_v from_o this_o mistake_n of_o the_o sanctity_n proper_a for_o every_o station_n every_o man_n shall_v examine_v what_o sanctity_n be_v require_v of_o he_o in_o the_o station_n to_o which_o god_n have_v call_v he_o 4.2_o haec_fw-la est_fw-la voluntas_fw-la dei_fw-la sanctificatio_fw-la vestra_fw-la 1._o these_o 4.2_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v saint_n but_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v saint_n if_o we_o be_v not_o exact_v in_o the_o discharge_n of_o those_o particular_a duty_n be_v which_o belong_v to_o our_o condition_n the_o virtue_n require_v of_o a_o general_n be_v not_o proper_a for_o a_o tradesman_n the_o duty_n of_o a_o magistrate_n or_o of_o a_o master_n of_o a_o family_n be_v very_o different_a from_o those_o which_o god_n expect_v from_o a_o hermit_n that_o virtue_n which_o be_v proper_a for_o secular_o will_v not_o suffice_v for_o religious_a man_n even_o their_o perfection_n have_v different_a degree_n the_o virtue_n of_o a_o beginner_n differ_v exceed_o from_o that_o which_o god_n exact_v from_o the_o most_o perfect_a the_o sure_a &_o most_o efficacious_a way_n to_o be_v a_o saint_n be_v to_o seek_v perfection_n only_o in_o our_o station_n it_o be_v for_o this_o end_n that_o the_o church_n set_v before_o we_o the_o example_n of_o great_a saint_n of_o all_o age_n and_o condition_n the_o wise_a woman_n who_o the_o scripture_n celebrate_v with_o so_o much_o applause_n become_v a_o saint_n in_o look_v after_o her_o family_n saint_n lovis_n upon_o the_o throne_n saint_n isidore_n at_o the_o plough_n saint_n elzear_n at_o court_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v never_o want_v to_o we_o every_o man_n may_v if_o he_o will_v arrive_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o state_n and_o call_v of_o small_a fault_n he_o who_o despise_v little_a thing_n shall_v fall_v by_o degree_n â—â—_o qui_fw-fr spernie_n modica_fw-la paulatim_fw-la decidet_fw-la eceles_n 19_o â—â—_o say_v the_o author_n of_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la upon_o which_o a_o eminent_a servant_n of_o god_n remark_n that_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o those_o word_n be_v of_o great_a importance_n to_o all_o the_o world_n especial_o to_o those_o who_o aspire_v to_o perfection_n for_o great_a matter_n recommend_v themselves_o so_o that_o we_o be_v natural_o more_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o they_o but_o little_a thing_n be_v easy_o neglect_v because_o we_o think_v they_o of_o no_o consequence_n but_o we_o deceive_v ourselves_o the_o danger_n be_v great_a than_o we_o imagine_v it_o be_v this_o negligence_n in_o those_o small_a thing_n that_o have_v hinder_v so_o many_o from_o become_v eminent_o virtuous_a and_o perfect_a in_o their_o station_n saint_n bernard_n observe_v that_o they_o who_o commit_v the_o most_o horrid_a impyety's_n begin_v at_o first_o with_o little_a fault_n summus_fw-la a_o minimis_fw-la incipiunt_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o maxima_fw-la proruunt_fw-la nemo_fw-la repent_v fit_a summus_fw-la no_o man_n be_v excessive_o wicked_a on_o a_o sudden_a the_o disease_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v like_o those_o of_o the_o body_n contract_v by_o degree_n if_o a_o little_a cold_a a_o light_a indisposition_n have_v be_v take_v in_o time_n when_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o cure_v it_o the_o die_a man_n have_v be_v now_o in_o perfect_a health_n so_o when_o you_o see_v a_o servant_n of_o god_n fall_v into_o some_o scandalous_a sin_n you_o may_v besure_n add_v that_o great_a saint_n that_o this_o be_v not_o his_o first_o fault_n it_o be_v rare_a to_o see_v a_o man_n whâ—_n have_v preserve_v the_o piety_n of_o a_o innocent_a life_n for_o a_o great_a while_n together_o sudden_o commit_v a_o grievous_a sin_n if_o he_o have_v take_v a_o little_a care_n at_o first_o he_o may_v exsy_o have_v prevent_v the_o progress_n of_o sin_n but_o because_o man_n despise_v the_o danger_n while_o it_o be_v small_a be_v cause_n they_o slight_a and_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o little_a imperfection_n hence_o proceed_v the_o terrible_a fall_n of_o those_o who_o have_v live_v so_o well_o before_o the_o consideration_n that_o so_o many_o soul_n be_v ruin_v by_o such_o small_a beginning_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o wonder_v and_o tremble_v will_v to_o god_n man_n be_v thorough_o persuade_v of_o this_o important_a truth_n on_o which_o depend_v the_o salvation_n or_o at_o least_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n the_o devil_n be_v too_o cunning_a to_o tempt_v a_o servant_n of_o god_n to_o a_o violation_n of_o essential_a duty_n at_o first_o he_o will_v have_v but_o small_a success_n if_o he_o begin_v with_o solicit_v a_o fearful_a soul_n to_o commit_v a_o mortal_a sin_n and_o therefore_o he_o insinuate_v himself_o by_o such_o small_a thing_n till_o he_o have_v get_v foot_v before_o the_o soul_n perceive_v it_o these_o infidelity_n in_o small_a thing_n be_v always_o punish_v with_o