a_o sermon_n on_o psal._n cxix_o v._o 57_o show_v wherein_o the_o good_a man_n portion_n and_o dependence_n consist_v by_o james_n davies_n m._n a._n rector_n of_o barton-mill_n in_o suffolk_n imprimatur_fw-la guil._n jane_n dec._n 6._o 1678._o london_n print_v for_o henry_n brome_n at_o the_o gun_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o west-end_n mdclxxix_o a_o sermon_n on_o psal._n cxix_o 57_o thou_o be_v my_o portion_n o_o lord_n i_o have_v say_v that_o i_o will_v keep_v thy_o word_n we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o david_n resolution_n and_o choice_n his_o choice_n be_v express_v in_o the_o former_a clause_n thou_o be_v my_o portion_n o_o lord_n his_o resolution_n in_o the_o latter_a i_o have_v say_v or_o i_o have_v promise_v that_o i_o will_v keep_v thy_o word_n from_o the_o former_a we_o may_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o special_a part_n of_o wisdom_n to_o have_v one_o choice_n well_o and_o thorough_o fix_v and_o particular_o to_o have_v it_o fix_v upon_o god_n so_o as_o to_o make_v he_o our_o portion_n first_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o a_o special_a part_n of_o wisdom_n to_o have_v one_o choice_n well_o and_o thorough_o fix_v that_o be_v to_o have_v one_o certain_a end_n propound_v to_o which_o all_o a_o man_n action_n may_v tend_v and_o all_o his_o other_o end_n be_v subordinate_a for_o as_o the_o moralist_n true_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o govern_v his_o action_n well_o who_o have_v not_o in_o the_o main_a direct_v his_o life_n to_o one_o certain_a end_n it_o be_v the_o observation_n of_o a_o great_a and_o wise_a man_n say_v he_o consider_v mankind_n consul_n your_o acquaintant_n or_o your_o read_n you_o shall_v find_v but_o a_o very_a few_o person_n who_o have_v direct_v their_o life_n to_o one_o certain_a and_o assure_a course_n which_o be_v the_o true_a drift_n of_o wisdom_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o mankind_n be_v general_o so_o defective_a for_o the_o avoid_n of_o which_o unsettledness_n and_o want_n of_o design_n in_o man_n action_n the_o advice_n of_o seneca_n be_v very_o material_a 71._o as_o often_o as_o 〈…〉_z what_o thou_o shall_v do_v or_o what_o thou_o shall_v avoid_v be_v sure_a to_o look_v for_o direction_n to_o that_o which_o thou_o have_v make_v thy_o chief_a end_n for_o to_o that_o whatsoever_o thou_o do_v ought_v to_o agree_v but_o then_o be_v sure_a that_o thou_o have_v first_o settle_v that_o for_o it_o be_v a_o error_n that_o we_o pretend_v to_o advise_v about_o particular_a end_n when_o we_o have_v not_o resolve_v upon_o nor_o settle_v the_o general_a end_n without_o which_o no_o man_n can_v arrive_v at_o any_o certainty_n or_o uniformity_n of_o live_v that_o thus_o to_o have_v settle_v one_o end_n and_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o one_o life_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n may_v be_v confirm_v from_o common_a observation_n and_o experience_n it_o be_v so_o in_o all_o the_o affair_n and_o undertake_n of_o men._n he_o who_o addict_v himself_o to_o the_o war_n and_o resolv'_v upon_o that_o kind_n of_o life_n be_v much_o more_o likely_a to_o do_v great_a thing_n in_o the_o martial_a way_n than_o he_o who_o only_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o soldier_n or_o be_v drive_v to_o it_o by_o necessity_n or_o he_o who_o intend_v for_o merchandise_n if_o he_o resolve_v to_o make_v it_o his_o business_n and_o bend_v his_o mind_n and_o thought_n that_o way_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o thrive_v and_o grow_v rich_a than_o he_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o resolve_v what_o profession_n to_o follow_v he_o who_o be_v thus_o loose_a and_o undetermined_a in_o his_o choice_n be_v like_a to_o do_v but_o little_a good_a in_o any_o thing_n he_o set_v about_o till_o he_o be_v better_o resolve_v even_o so_o it_o be_v in_o our_o christian_a profession_n he_o who_o hope_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o end_n of_o religion_n must_v make_v it_o his_o business_n he_o must_v remember_v above_o all_o thing_n whither_o he_o be_v design_v there_o be_v many_o thing_n that_o will_v interpose_v and_o require_v some_o of_o his_o time_n and_o thought_n but_o that_o which_o be_v chief_a in_o his_o heart_n must_v be_v that_o he_o may_v gain_v that_o pearl_n of_o great_a price_n and_o arrive_v at_o that_o happiness_n which_o he_o have_v make_v his_o choice_n as_o merchant_n in_o their_o voyage_n touch_v at_o divers_a port_n to_o cleanse_v and_o victual_n and_o perhaps_o trade_n for_o some_o small_a matter_n but_o their_o chief_a care_n and_o drift_n be_v that_o they_o may_v get_v with_o safety_n to_o the_o port_n whither_o they_o be_v bind_v so_o it_o be_v with_o every_o diligent_a christian_a he_o converse_v with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d because_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o in_o his_o voyage_n he_o touch_v upon_o the_o care_n and_o 〈◊〉_d of_o this_o life_n because_o they_o be_v in_o his_o way_n 〈◊〉_d he_o can_v well_o avoid_v they_o but_o his_o heart_n be_v chief_o 〈◊〉_d that_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v above_o and_o his_o principal_a care_n and_o endeavour_n be_v that_o he_o may_v get_v with_o safety_n thither_o now_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o all_o age_n the_o great_a and_o last_o end_n of_o man_n be_v happiness_n and_o among_o we_o christian_n there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o happiness_n consist_v in_o the_o favour_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n such_o a_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o in_o this_o life_n as_o this_o life_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o immediate_a fruition_n of_o he_o in_o heaven_n this_o therefore_o be_v our_o main_n end_n this_o we_o ought_v to_o fix_v upon_o as_o the_o principal_a object_n of_o our_o choice_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o our_o great_a business_n in_o this_o world_n that_o god_n may_v be_v our_o portion_n this_o be_v the_o second_o branch_n of_o the_o proposition_n that_o it_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o every_o man_n and_o woman_n to_o make_v god_n their_o choice_n and_o portion_n what_o it_o be_v to_o make_v god_n our_o portion_n be_v plain_a enough_o from_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n portion_n which_o signify_v a_o shame_n in_o the_o division_n of_o any_o thing_n special_o of_o estate_n and_o inheritance_n such_o a_o share_n as_o parent_n use_v to_o give_v their_o child_n which_o be_v the_o necessary_a foundation_n of_o their_o subsistence_n in_o the_o world_n they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o their_o main_a dependence_n so_o ought_v god_n to_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o every_o faithful_a soul_n that_o be_v he_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o comfort_n the_o treasure_n the_o main_a dependence_n of_o every_o faithful_a person_n but_o how_o can_v the_o infinite_a incomprehensible_a god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o a_o creature_n we_o must_v know_v that_o the_o expression_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o god_n personal_o or_o essential_o for_o so_o no_o creature_n can_v comprehend_v contain_v or_o possess_v he_o but_o it_o be_v speak_v according_a to_o the_o familiar_a style_n of_o scripture_n and_o may_v be_v explain_v by_o other_o place_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n as_o where_o god_n call_v abraham_n his_o friend_n and_o tell_v he_o i_o be_o thy_o shield_n and_o thy_o exceed_a great_a reward_n gen._n 15._o 1._o and_o where_o david_n call_v god_n his_o comfort_n and_o his_o joy_n his_o hope_n his_o rock_n his_o fortress_n and_o the_o like_a which_o expression_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o literal_a but_o in_o a_o analogical_a sense_n so_o that_o the_o particle_n thou_o must_v be_v understand_v either_o exclusive_o or_o causal_o first_o exclusive_o thou_o and_o none_o other_o in_o comparison_n of_o thou_o as_o if_o the_o holy_a psalmist_n have_v say_v i_o value_v my_o interest_n in_o thou_o far_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n all_o other_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v infinite_o below_o thou_o so_o i_o do_v not_o think_v they_o deserve_v to_o be_v name_v in_o comparison_n with_o thou_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v most_o full_o and_o affectionate_o express_v psal._n 〈◊〉_d where_o david_n seem_v at_o first_o to_o have_v admire_v riches_n and_o prosperity_n to_o have_v think_v they_o a_o valuable_a portion_n and_o therefore_o to_o have_v envy_v the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o when_o he_o better_o consider_v and_o see_v the_o vanity_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o their_o condition_n be_v destitute_a of_o the_o fear_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n he_o retract_v his_o opinion_n and_o alter_v his_o choice_n then_o he_o prefer_v god_n before_o all_o vers_n 25_o 26._o who_o have_v i_o in_o heaven_n but_o thou_o and_o there_o be_v none_o upon_o earth_n that_o i_o desire_v in_o comparison_n of_o thou_o my_o flesh_n and_o my_o heart_n fail_v but_o god_n be_v the_o strength_n if_o my_o heart_n and_o my_o
all_o the_o haste_n that_o be_v possible_a he_o list_v not_o to_o loiter_v nor_o to_o gaze_v but_o he_o bestir_v himself_o with_o all_o his_o might_n because_o the_o goal_n be_v in_o his_o eye_n and_o the_o honour_n and_o reward_n of_o overcome_v be_v in_o his_o thought_n so_o it_o be_v likewise_o in_o this_o case_n he_o who_o have_v not_o settle_v this_o in_o his_o heart_n that_o religion_n be_v his_o business_n and_o that_o god_n alone_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o that_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v but_o vain_a or_o at_o the_o best_a but_o indifferent_a will_v be_v apt_a to_o turn_v aside_o to_o those_o vanity_n which_o he_o have_v not_o yet_o learn_v to_o disesteem_a but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v be_v not_o so_o like_a to_o go_v astray_o but_o have_v fix_v his_o end_n and_o that_o so_o wise_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o proceed_v more_o even_o and_o regular_o towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o if_o any_o thing_n happen_v to_o 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and_o much_o worse_a to_o have_v it_o settle_v on_o a_o wrong_a object_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o vicious_a and_o ungodly_a man_n for_o either_o such_o man_n do_v not_o prefix_v to_o themselves_o any_o certain_a end_n but_o live_v at_o large_a like_o the_o irrational_a creature_n that_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o enjoy_v what_o be_v before_o they_o without_o consider_v any_o far_a end_n of_o their_o be_v or_o else_o they_o addict_v themselves_o to_o some_o particular_a vice_n or_o vanity_n which_o instead_o of_o ease_v and_o comfort_v the_o mind_n afflict_v and_o confound_v it_o when_o a_o man_n come_v to_o reflect_v on_o the_o miserable_a choice_n he_o have_v make_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n nothing_o can_v contribute_v more_o to_o a_o state_n of_o rest_n and_o inward_a satisfaction_n than_o to_o have_v one_o choice_n settle_v and_o to_o have_v it_o fix_v so_o happy_o as_o upon_o god_n this_o set_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o a_o man_n life_n at_o a_o stay_n and_o free_v he_o from_o the_o solicitude_n of_o his_o thought_n and_o from_o the_o trouble_n of_o far_a consultation_n it_o answer_v his_o mind_n as_o to_o the_o great_a question_n of_o happiness_n and_o so_o settle_v his_o spirit_n and_o put_v he_o into_o such_o a_o condition_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o easy_a matter_n to_o disturb_v the_o repose_n and_o happiness_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v likewise_o high_o beneficial_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o in_o every_o condition_n if_o the_o lord_n be_v our_o portion_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o we_o can_v want_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a for_o we_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v want_v in_o other_o kind_n be_v abundant_o make_v up_o in_o he_o his_o love_n and_o favour_n and_o blessing_n and_o assistance_n the_o consideration_n of_o his_o gracious_a providence_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o glorious_a promise_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o happy_a whatsoever_o our_o outward_a condition_n be_v there_o will_v be_v concussion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o trouble_v in_o man_n particular_a affair_n sad_n casualty_n sickness_n disappointment_n loss_n calumny_n defamation_n oppression_n and_o violence_n these_o be_v the_o common_a entertainment_n with_o which_o the_o world_n treat_v its_o guest_n at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o all_o which_o though_o they_o be_v grievous_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o that_o powerful_a nor_o malignant_a influence_n upon_o those_o who_o trust_v in_o god_n that_o they_o have_v upon_o other_o who_o live_v on_o themselves_o if_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v surprise_v at_o the_o first_o approach_n of_o trouble_n they_o soon_o recall_v and_o recover_v themselves_o they_o know_v they_o have_v a_o friend_n and_o they_o look_v up_o to_o he_o and_o that_o like_o our_o saviour_n presence_n with_o his_o disciple_n on_o the_o sea_n calm_v and_o still_v the_o rage_n of_o their_o trouble_n and_o furnish_v they_o with_o such_o consideration_n as_o these_o what_o though_o my_o friend_n be_v take_v from_o i_o yet_o god_n be_v with_o i_o who_o take_v i_o out_o of_o my_o mother_n womb_n and_o have_v sustain_v i_o ever_o since_o i_o be_v bear_v what_o though_o my_o health_n be_v impair_v and_o my_o body_n grow_v feeble_a so_o that_o i_o can_v enjoy_v myself_o as_o former_o alas_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n on_o which_o i_o depend_v this_o weakness_n may_v bring_v i_o near_o to_o that_o which_o be_v my_o main_a end_n of_o which_o if_o i_o secure_v my_o duty_n i_o be_o sure_a neither_o pain_n nor_o age_n nor_o any_o other_o accident_n can_v deprive_v i_o what_o though_o my_o portion_n in_o the_o world_n be_v small_a yet_o i_o have_v the_o creator_n and_o disposer_n of_o it_o though_o i_o be_o low_a he_o be_v high_a above_o all_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a his_o providence_n take_v a_o care_n of_o i_o i_o be_o rich_a enough_o if_o i_o can_v but_o keep_v patience_n and_o integrity_n lord_n thou_o be_v my_o portion_n oh_o make_v i_o happy_a in_o a_o faithful_a adherence_n to_o thou_o and_o in_o the_o communication_n of_o thy_o love_n and_o goodness_n to_o i_o and_o i_o have_v enough_o this_o have_v always_o be_v the_o refuge_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n to_o retire_v to_o he_o and_o there_o to_o hide_v and_o shelter_v themselves_o from_o the_o storm_n of_o this_o present_a evil_a world_n this_o bear_v up_o iob_n spirit_n and_o help_v he_o to_o get_v above_o the_o misery_n of_o his_o condition_n i_o know_v that_o my_o redeemer_n live_v etc._n etc._n job._n 19_o 25._o the_o same_o be_v david_n constant_a refuge_n who_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o great_a danger_n and_o distress_n when_o he_o have_v nothing_o leave_v to_o secure_v he_o but_o god_n protection_n thought_n himself_o safe_a in_o that_o than_o in_o the_o security_n of_o castle_n and_o fence_a city_n and_o therefore_o he_o so_o often_o call_v god_n his_o refuge_n and_o strong_a hold_n his_o castle_n and_o deliverer_n not_o only_o because_o he_o trust_v that_o he_o will_v deliver_v he_o out_o of_o his_o trouble_n but_o because_o he_o find_v that_o he_o support_v he_o under_o they_o and_o give_v he_o such_o comfort_n as_o make_v his_o condition_n happy_a when_o in_o outward_a appearance_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v desperate_a of_o this_o we_o have_v many_o instance_n in_o the_o story_n of_o his_o life_n particular_o after_o the_o sack_n of_o ziklag_n 1_o sam._n 30._o 6._o where_o the_o text_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v great_o distress_v for_o the_o people_n speak_v of_o ston_a he_o but_o it_o be_v add_v in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o verse_n but_o david_n encourage_v himself_o in_o the_o lord_n his_o god_n the_o like_a he_o declare_v of_o himself_o ps._n 142._o 4_o 5._o i_o look_v on_o my_o right_a hand_n and_o behold_v but_o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o will_v know_v i_o refuge_n fail_v i_o no_o man_n care_v for_o my_o soul_n i_o cry_v unto_o the_o o_o lord_n i_o say_v thou_o be_v my_o refuge_n and_o my_o portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n the_o same_o be_v the_o comfort_n of_o the_o three_o child_n when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o prospect_n but_o that_o of_o death_n and_o a_o burn_a fiery_a furnace_n our_o god_n who_o we_o serve_v be_v able_a to_o deliver_v we_o dan._n 3._o 17._o to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o believer_n who_o life_n be_v a_o continual_a warfare_n yet_o they_o be_v more_o than_o conqueror_n they_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o evil_n on_o every_o side_n but_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v distress_a or_o cast_v down_o at_o it_o that_o they_o joy_v in_o god_n and_o rejoice_v in_o their_o tribulation_n they_o have_v nothing_o yet_o have_v he_o for_o
his_o own_o choice_n without_o any_o far_a direction_n let_v he_o turn_v back_o and_o see_v of_o what_o nature_n those_o thing_n be_v about_o which_o he_o have_v be_v busy_v all_o this_o while_n let_v he_o ask_v his_o soul_n whether_o he_o have_v find_v comfort_n or_o satisfaction_n in_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v hunt_v after_o with_o the_o neglect_n or_o gross_a violation_n of_o his_o duty_n what_o good_a any_o of_o his_o sin_n ever_o do_v he_o and_o whether_o he_o have_v any_o reasonable_a hope_n that_o they_o will_v do_v he_o good_a in_o the_o end_n whether_o he_o can_v think_v that_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v see_v or_o enjoy_v or_o addict_v himself_o to_o in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o fit_a portion_n for_o a_o immortal_a creature_n whether_o he_o have_v meet_v with_o any_o object_n that_o be_v able_a to_o make_v he_o substantial_o happy_a and_o to_o secure_v he_o in_o that_o happy_a state_n he_o must_v be_v more_o than_o a_o ordinary_a wretch_n that_o will_v pretend_v to_o affirm_v any_o such_o thing_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o object_n here_o to_o be_v find_v he_o may_v be_v sure_a he_o have_v be_v wrong_a all_o this_o while_n and_o it_o concern_v he_o now_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a and_o a_o better_a choice_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o do_v but_o due_o attend_v to_o they_o our_o own_o mind_n will_v point_v and_o direct_v we_o to_o god_n they_o natural_o incline_v towards_o he_o as_o thing_n do_v towards_o their_o centre_n and_o place_n of_o rest_n he_o be_v the_o supreme_a good_a of_o our_o soul_n and_o therefore_o he_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o all_o other_o thing_n to_o be_v neglect_v and_o despise_v in_o comparison_n of_o he_o second_o if_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o that_o we_o have_v make_v this_o choice_n it_o shall_v engage_v we_o to_o exercise_v great_a degree_n of_o patience_n and_o contentment_n and_o help_v to_o moderate_v our_o fear_n and_o sorrow_n for_o other_o thing_n for_o why_o if_o god_n be_v our_o portion_n be_v it_o not_o enough_o be_v not_o he_o alsufficient_a can_v he_o make_v we_o happy_a unless_o the_o world_n also_o smile_v upon_o we_o indeed_o we_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o think_v so_o but_o it_o be_v for_o want_v of_o faith_n and_o a_o holy_a dependence_n upon_o god_n if_o we_o can_v live_v up_o to_o the_o effect_n of_o have_v god_n for_o our_o portion_n it_o will_v mighty_o raise_v and_o enable_v our_o spirit_n and_o set_v we_o much_o above_o the_o reach_n of_o worldly_a success_n and_o event_n too_o great_a concernment_n about_o these_o be_v a_o disparage_n of_o our_o choice_n and_o discover_v worldliness_n irresolution_n and_o folly_n it_o be_v to_o imitate_v the_o folly_n of_o that_o miser_n who_o pine_v for_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o smoke_n when_o his_o coffer_n be_v full_a and_o his_o fortune_n over-flowed_n last_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o choose_v god_n for_o our_o portion_n so_o ought_v we_o to_o live_v continual_o in_o the_o view_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o choice_n we_o have_v make_v that_o so_o we_o may_v neither_o forget_v our_o engagement_n nor_o contradict_v what_o we_o have_v do_v nor_o frustrate_v ourselves_o of_o our_o main_a end_n by_o any_o contrary_a intermediate_v action_n every_o way_n of_o wickedness_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o choice_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v but_o dissemble_v &_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o truth_n or_o reality_n in_o it_o for_o how_o can_v any_o one_o say_v that_o god_n be_v his_o portion_n when_o he_o prefer_v other_o thing_n how_o can_v thou_o without_o blush_v and_o confusion_n say_v to_o god_n thou_o be_v my_o portion_n when_o thy_o heart_n go_v another_o way_n and_o thou_o follow_v thy_o own_o will_n and_o way_n and_o inclination_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o will_n and_o the_o rule_n and_o law_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v thou_o may_v not_o think_v that_o he_o will_v be_v thy_o portion_n ever_o the_o more_o for_o such_o a_o nominal_a pretend_a superficial_a choice_n what_o therefore_o must_v we_o do_v we_o must_v keep_v close_o to_o our_o choice_n and_o see_v that_o our_o behaviour_n may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o it_o we_o must_v often_o call_v it_o to_o mind_n and_o keep_v it_o as_o it_o be_v always_o in_o our_o eye_n and_o by_o the_o view_n of_o that_o as_o of_o our_o port_n we_o shall_v be_v direct_v the_o better_a to_o steer_v our_o course_n we_o shall_v likewise_o often_o recollect_v and_o call_v to_o mind_n our_o settle_a religious_a principle_n we_o shall_v thus_o commune_v with_o our_o heart_n i_o have_v determine_v long_o ago_o that_o nothing_o in_o this_o world_n be_v to_o be_v depend_v on_o for_o happiness_n i_o will_v therefore_o use_v and_o enjoy_v every_o thing_n here_o as_o though_o i_o do_v it_o not_o i_o believe_v and_o by_o experience_n find_v that_o god_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v my_o soul_n my_o business_n therefore_o shall_v be_v to_o serve_v he_o and_o seek_v his_o favour_n i_o be_o satisfy_v that_o the_o great_a business_n and_o concernment_n of_o every_o one_o be_v so_o to_o order_v their_o life_n that_o they_o may_v die_v well_o and_o live_v with_o god_n for_o ever_o when_o this_o minute_n of_o life_n be_v expire_v and_o be_v thus_o convince_v and_o persuade_v i_o know_v i_o ought_v not_o to_o go_v against_o my_o own_o sentiment_n but_o to_o live_v according_a to_o my_o principle_n and_o according_a to_o my_o aim_n and_o expectation_n i_o have_v choose_v god_n for_o my_o portion_n which_o be_v the_o high_a privilege_n any_o creature_n be_v capable_a of_o i_o be_o therefore_o bind_v to_o walk_v worthy_a of_o this_o high_a calling_n as_o far_o as_o i_o be_o able_a and_o so_o to_o exercise_v and_o accustom_v myself_o that_o i_o may_v be_v the_o better_o fit_v for_o the_o holy_a presence_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n such_o principle_n imprint_v on_o the_o heart_n and_o often_o resort_v to_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o infer_v and_o produce_v such_o good_a effect_n the_o good_a god_n give_v every_o one_o of_o we_o the_o wisdom_n to_o choose_v the_o better_a part_n and_o the_o grace_n so_o to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v take_v away_o from_o we_o amen_n finis_fw-la epist._n 71._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d