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ground_n church_n faith_n true_a 5,913 5 5.6645 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A66401 Sermons and discourses on several occasions by William Wake ...; Sermons. Selections Wake, William, 1657-1737. 1690 (1690) Wing W271; ESTC R17962 210,099 546

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but_o too_o fatal_o successful_a for_o many_o say_v he_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n 2._o by_o reason_n of_o who_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n shall_v be_v evil_o speak_v of_o and_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n he_o go_v on_o to_o foretell_v the_o near_a approach_n of_o those_o judgement_n which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v so_o often_o denounce_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o which_o those_o comply_a christian_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n to_o be_v involve_v and_o by_o both_o these_o consideration_n he_o final_o in_o the_o close_a of_o all_o stir_v they_o up_o both_o to_o a_o care_n of_o themselves_o and_o to_o a_o constancy_n in_o their_o profession_n you_o therefore_o beloved_n see_v you_o know_v these_o thing_n before_o beware_v lest_o you_o also_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a fall_v from_o your_o own_o steadfastness_n but_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n to_o he_o be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n such_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o these_o word_n and_o the_o prosecution_n of_o they_o at_o this_o time_n will_v engage_v i_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n and_o to_o exhort_v you_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o two_o duty_n than_o which_o i_o know_v none_o more_o proper_a for_o our_o serious_a consideration_n growth_n in_o grace_n and_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n and_o from_o both_o which_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o seducer_n on_o every_o hand_n to_o turn_v we_o aside_o i_o shall_v pursue_v both_o in_o this_o follow_a order_n i._o i_o will_v show_v you_o what_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o that_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n be_v to_o which_o our_o text_n here_o exhort_v we_o ii_o by_o what_o motive_n especial_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n stir_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o who_o he_o write_v and_o that_o i_o will_v now_o crave_v leave_n to_o exhort_v you_o to_o such_o a_o steadfastness_n iii_o how_o high_o both_o 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will_v serve_v to_o discover_v even_o these_o also_o 5_o and_o to_o bring_v to_o light_v the_o most_o hide_a mystery_n of_o iniquity_n but_o though_o there_o be_v then_o nothing_o more_o obvious_a to_o a_o sincere_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n than_o to_o find_v out_o these_o artifices_fw-la of_o the_o devil_n yet_o alas_o a_o sad_a experience_n show_v we_o that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n in_o which_o man_n for_o the_o most_o part_n seem_v more_o to_o betray_v either_o their_o ignorance_n or_o their_o inadvertency_n whilst_o they_o suffer_v every_o the_o most_o ordinary_a temptation_n to_o overcome_v they_o and_o scarce_o a_o assault_n so_o weak_a can_v be_v make_v upon_o they_o but_o what_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v its_o effect_n and_o find_v they_o altogether_o unprepared_a to_o resist_v it_o to_o correct_v if_o it_o may_v be_v this_o careless_a and_o supine_n temper_v so_o dishonourable_a to_o god_n and_o so_o dangerous_a to_o our_o own_o soul_n i_o 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so_o satan_n get_v a_o advantage_n against_o he_o in_o short_a that_o there_o be_v here_o a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o public_a discipline_n both_o in_o the_o excommunicate_v of_o this_o incestuous_a corinthian_a and_o in_o the_o receive_v of_o he_o again_o into_o communion_n this_o we_o ready_o confess_v but_o for_o the_o new-invention_n of_o humane_a satisfaction_n to_o be_v make_v for_o sin_n and_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o pope_n to_o apply_v one_o man_n merit_n to_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o another_o man_n offence_n and_o all_o this_o after_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o upon_o such_o term_n as_o be_v now_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o all_o this_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n either_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o passage_n of_o holy_a scripture_n but_o much_o to_o the_o contrary_a as_o may_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v be_v i_o mind_v to_o enter_v on_o such_o a_o debate_n but_o it_o shall_v suffice_v i_o to_o have_v remark_v thus_o much_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o present_a place_n from_o these_o abuse_n as_o for_o those_o device_n which_o i_o be_o now_o to_o consider_v viz._n by_o what_o mean_n and_o motive_n it_o be_v that_o the_o devil_n after_o all_o our_o caution_n and_o engagement_n to_o the_o contrary_a nevertheless_o still_o continue_v to_o draw_v we_o into_o sin_n many_o there_o be_v and_o i_o can_v pretend_v in_o this_o discourse_n to_o comprehend_v more_o than_o a_o very_a small_a proportion_n of_o they_o i_o will_v take_v up_o those_o that_o seem_v most_o useful_a to_o be_v remark_v under_o these_o two_o consideration_n i_o sy_n of_o those_o device_n whereby_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o hinder_v we_o in_o the_o discharge_v of_o our_o duty_n two_o dly_z of_o those_o device_n whereby_o he_o lead_v we_o into_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n i_o begin_v with_o
the_o former_a of_o these_o the_o consideration_n i_o sy_n of_o those_o device_n whereby_o the_o devil_n be_v wont_a to_o hinder_v we_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v on_o those_o common_a and_o obvious_a method_n which_o every_o one_o know_v though_o few_o be_v so_o careful_a as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o prevent_v they_o such_o as_o carelessness_n and_o indifference_n in_o the_o concern_n of_o our_o salvation_n the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n and_o of_o the_o honour_n and_o pleasure_n and_o interest_n of_o it_o and_o which_o upon_o this_o account_n st._n paul_n call_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a 1_o tim._n vi_o 10_o and_o st._n james_n plain_o tell_v we_o be_v enmity_n with_o god_n james_n four_o 4_o the_o device_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v be_v such_o as_o have_v more_o of_o subtlety_n and_o contrivance_n in_o they_o and_o which_o by_o a_o show_n of_o somewhat_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v good_a seduce_v man_n many_o time_n into_o a_o neglect_n of_o that_o duty_n which_o alone_o real_o and_o true_o be_v so_o now_o four_o thing_n especial_o there_o be_v by_o which_o the_o devil_n be_v wont_a to_o discourage_v and_o hinder_v weak_a mind_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o duty_n viz_o 1_o sy_n by_o throw_v prejudices_fw-la in_o their_o way_n against_o it_o 2_o dly_z by_o instil_v into_o their_o mind_n false_a principle_n whereby_o to_o corrupt_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o 3_o dly_z by_o fill_v they_o with_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n to_o discourage_v they_o in_o their_o piety_n 4_o thly_a by_o engage_v their_o zeal_n in_o vain_a and_o fruitless_a strife_n and_o dispute_n about_o religion_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v employ_v on_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o 1_o sy_n it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o of_o the_o device_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o hinder_v man_n piety_n by_o throw_v of_o false_a prejudices_fw-la in_o their_o way_n against_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o i_o need_v not_o say_v what_o a_o frightful_a thing_n many_o look_n upon_o a_o christian_a course_n of_o life_n to_o be_v and_o how_o difficult_a and_o sometime_o even_o impossible_a they_o think_v it_o to_o fulfil_v that_o duty_n which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o they_o regard_v he_o as_o a_o hard_a and_o severe_a taskmaster_n that_o lay_v intolerable_a burden_n upon_o his_o servant_n and_o have_v prepare_v eternal_a punishment_n for_o the_o least_o defailure_n under_o they_o all_o their_o thought_n be_v take_v up_o with_o those_o strict_a command_n of_o mortification_n and_o self-denial_n of_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o forgive_a and_o love_a enemy_n of_o despise_v any_o loss_n shame_n or_o other_o difficulty_n they_o may_v at_o any_o time_n be_v expose_v to_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n thus_o they_o look_v upon_o christianity_n to_o be_v a_o religion_n make_v up_o of_o nothing_o but_o melancholy_a fear_n and_o amaze_a danger_n that_o allow_v of_o no_o pleasure_n suffer_v not_o the_o least_o appetite_n to_o be_v gratify_v but_o deny_v even_o the_o most_o innocent_a and_o reasonable_a enjoyment_n nor_o promise_v any_o happiness_n in_o another_o world_n but_o upon_o the_o severe_a condition_n of_o be_v despise_v and_o miserable_a in_o this_o and_o now_o when_o such_o be_v man_n apprehension_n of_o christianity_n what_o wonder_v if_o we_o see_v so_o few_o care_n to_o enter_v on_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o but_o bless_v be_v god_n who_o have_v not_o thus_o deal_v with_o we_o 14_o straight_o indeed_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o heaven_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o impassable_a from_o the_o very_a first_o enter_v it_o dilate_v its_o self_n and_o in_o a_o little_a while_n become_v no_o less_o pleasant_a but_o much_o more_o secure_a than_o that_o high_a road_n which_o so_o many_o prefer_v before_o it_o to_o be_v plain_a i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o a_o state_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v that_o four_o disagreeable_a state_n man_n common_o apprehend_v it_o to_o be_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v the_o only_a state_n that_o be_v attend_v with_o a_o real_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n godliness_n be_v its_o own_o reward_n even_o in_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o it_o 8_o it_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v as_o well_o as_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o whosoever_o will_v but_o serious_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o discharge_n of_o it_o will_v soon_o be_v convince_v upon_o how_o good_a ground_n the_o wise_a man_n once_o pronounce_v concern_v it_o 17_o that_o her_o way_n be_v way_n of_o pleasantness_n and_o all_o her_o path_n peace_n as_o for_o that_o frightful_a idea_n which_o so_o many_o entertain_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v whole_o found_v on_o their_o own_o mistake_n of_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o design_n of_o it_o for_o 1_o st_z it_o be_v utter_o false_a that_o christianity_n deny_v we_o any_o of_o those_o enjoyment_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v even_o desire_v to_o indulge_v it_o allow_v whatever_o be_v true_o fit_v for_o we_o and_o restrain_v only_o those_o brutish_a excess_n which_o even_o natural_a reason_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a morality_n forbid_v we_o to_o pursue_v nor_o 2_o dly_a do_v man_n any_o more_o true_o represent_v god_n than_o they_o do_v his_o religion_n they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o one_o who_o require_v great_a thing_n of_o we_o but_o they_o forget_v that_o he_o who_o require_v these_o thing_n do_v also_o promise_v that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v in_o our_o own_o endeavour_n he_o will_v give_v we_o grace_n and_o strength_n and_o ability_n to_o fulfil_v they_o they_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o most_o severe_a and_o just_a judge_n but_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v that_o his_o mercy_n be_v as_o infinite_a as_o his_o justice_n and_o that_o he_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o make_v allowance_n for_o our_o infirmity_n and_o pardon_v those_o sin_n we_o unwilling_o commit_v as_o to_o punish_v those_o offence_n which_o our_o malice_n and_o our_o negligence_n expose_v we_o to_o that_o for_o this_o he_o have_v send_v his_o own_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o be_v himself_o the_o propitiation_n for_o our_o sin_n and_o to_o open_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n by_o a_o gospel_n of_o repentance_n see_v we_o can_v not_o attain_v to_o it_o by_o any_o way_n of_o a_o perfect_a and_o unsinning_a obedience_n so_o that_o now_o then_o let_v a_o christian_a be_v but_o upright_a and_o sincere_a let_v he_o but_o love_n god_n and_o delight_n in_o his_o service_n and_o strive_v and_o labour_v as_o far_o as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o fulfil_v it_o if_o he_o sin_v let_v he_o repent_v of_o it_o let_v he_o confess_v his_o wickedness_n and_o be_v sorry_a for_o his_o sin_n and_o humble_o implore_v god_n mercy_n to_o forgive_v he_o and_o then_o how_o weak_a and_o impotent_a soever_o he_o be_v he_o shall_v certain_o find_v not_o only_a pardon_n but_o acceptance_n too_o with_o his_o bless_a saviour_n for_o ever_o and_o then_o 3_o dly_z for_o what_o concern_v those_o severe_a duty_n of_o christianity_n and_o upon_o which_o the_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la be_v common_o raise_v against_o it_o beside_o that_o they_o be_v thing_n infinite_o excellent_a in_o themselves_o and_o by_o a_o divine_a assistance_n far_o from_o be_v burdensome_a to_o we_o nay_o when_o put_v in_o the_o balance_n with_o the_o reward_n of_o eternal_a glory_n not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o duty_n be_v not_o require_v either_o of_o all_o christian_n or_o at_o all_o time_n how_o few_o be_v there_o for_o instance_n now_o a_o day_n that_o have_v any_o occasion_n to_o put_v in_o practice_n that_o severe_a precept_n of_o all_o which_o our_o religion_n require_v of_o we_o viz_o 24_o to_o deny_v ourselves_o and_o take_v up_o our_o cross_n and_o follow_v christ_n these_o be_v the_o trial_n only_o of_o some_o singular_a person_n and_o at_o some_o certain_a season_n and_o whenever_o god_n see_v fit_a to_o call_v any_o good_a man_n to_o they_o he_o never_o fail_v upon_o their_o earnest_a prayer_n to_o he_o to_o furnish_v they_o with_o strength_n and_o grace_n proportionable_a to_o bear_v they_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a it_o appear_v that_o all_o these_o prejudices_fw-la be_v only_o the_o device_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o discourage_v man_n from_o their_o duty_n and_o by_o the_o false_a apprehension_n of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o imaginary_a difficulty_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n now_o to_o precipitate_v they_o into_o real_a and_o eternal_a misery_n hereafter_o but_o 2_o dly_a a_o second_o way_n whereby_o he_o hinder_v man_n progress_n in_o piety_n be_v by_o instil_v such_o principle_n into_o they_o as_o
and_o by_o often_o call_v upon_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o holy_a mary_n 3._o by_o have_v a_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a confidence_n in_o her_o patronage_n 9_o amid_o the_o great_a of_o our_o inward_a conflict_n with_o sensuality_n and_o outward_a tribulation_n from_o the_o adverse_a casualty_n of_o this_o life_n 4._o by_o induce_v enormous_a sinner_n to_o this_o firm_a confidence_n in_o the_o eminent_a power_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o jesus_n 10._o to_o redress_v the_o great_a of_o their_o evil_n and_o misery_n by_o their_o be_v under_o her_o protection_n 5._o by_o refer_v all_o the_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o our_o predestination_n to_o glory_n ibid._n election_n by_o grace_n and_o redemption_n from_o sin_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n to_o the_o excellent_a perfection_n of_o mary_n as_o a_o most_o effectual_a mean_n of_o all_o 6._o by_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o some_o set_a form_n of_o devotion_n daily_o to_o be_v practise_v in_o honour_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o jesus_n 12._o and_o last_o by_o enter_v a_o solemn_a covenant_n with_o holy_a mary_n to_o be_v for_o ever_o her_o servant_n client_n and_o devote_n ibid._n under_o some_o special_a rule_n society_n or_o form_n of_o life_n and_o thereby_o dedicate_a our_o person_n concern_v action_n and_o all_o the_o moment_n and_o event_n of_o our_o life_n to_o jesus_n under_o the_o protection_n of_o his_o divine_a mother_n choose_v she_o to_o be_v our_o adoptive_a mother_n patroness_n and_o advocate_n and_o entrust_v she_o with_o whatever_o we_o be_v have_v or_o do_v or_o hope_v in_o life_n death_n and_o through_o all_o eternity_n such_o be_v the_o public_a and_o private_a devotion_n teach_v by_o they_o to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n i_o may_v very_o much_o have_v increase_v the_o number_n of_o these_o reflection_n shall_v i_o have_v pursue_v all_o these_o extravagancy_n that_o they_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o in_o this_o kind_n for_o indeed_o who_o can_v repeat_v all_o the_o legend_n of_o her_o miracle_n the_o excess_n of_o her_o votary_n the_o numerous_a and_o too_o often_o scandalous_a story_n of_o her_o action_n and_o apparition_n to_o they_o what_o kindness_n she_o have_v show_v to_o her_o servant_n and_o what_o civility_n she_o have_v permit_v they_o to_o show_v to_o she_o i_o may_v to_o these_o have_v add_v the_o flight_n of_o their_o poetry_n and_o sometime_o of_o their_o most_o solemn_a devotion_n to_o she_o nay_o and_o have_v show_v you_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o all_o the_o high_a and_o noble_a strain_n of_o devotion_n to_o god_n express_v in_o they_o by_o a_o strange_a impiety_n turn_v all_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n nay_o the_o very_a creed_n of_o the_o church_n burlesque_v to_o her_o service_n but_o these_o be_v thing_n that_o can_v neither_o be_v speak_v or_o hear_v by_o any_o christian_a without_o sorrow_n and_o indignation_n at_o such_o wild_a and_o endless_a freak_n of_o superstition_n great_a be_v the_o corruption_n certain_o of_o that_o church_n which_o not_o only_o suffer_v these_o abuse_n but_o avow_v and_o encourage_v they_o and_o as_o we_o have_v see_v at_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o discourse_n revile_v we_o for_o not_o believe_v and_o practise_v such_o abomination_n but_o upon_o what_o just_a ground_n it_o be_v that_o we_o herein_o depart_v from_o they_o if_o the_o very_a mention_n only_o of_o these_o impiety_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v you_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v but_o most_o plain_o to_o show_v in_o my_o three_o and_o last_o point_n now_o to_o be_v consider_v wherein_o i_o be_o iii_o three_o to_o offer_v some_o of_o those_o reason_n for_o which_o we_o think_v such_o a_o worship_n as_o this_o to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o therefore_o refuse_v to_o give_v it_o to_o she_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v do_v according_a to_o the_o order_n i_o have_v hitherto_o observe_v 1._o with_o reference_n to_o their_o opinion_n concern_v the_o bless_a virgin_n 2._o to_o their_o practice_n consequent_a to_o these_o opinion_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o former_a of_o these_o consideration_n i._o whether_o the_o opinion_n before_o mention_v wherein_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n differ_v from_o we_o as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o honour_n to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v such_o as_o we_o may_v warrantable_o entertain_v of_o any_o mere_a creature_n and_o because_o i_o will_v now_o reduce_v my_o discourse_n within_o as_o narrow_a bound_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n will_v allow_v of_o i_o shall_v examine_v this_o matter_n in_o three_o instance_n only_o and_o to_o which_o the_o most_o considerable_a difference_n between_o we_o may_v be_v refer_v viz._n 1._o of_o her_o capacity_n to_o understand_v all_o the_o prayer_n that_o be_v every_o where_o make_v to_o she_o 2._o of_o her_o right_a and_o title_n to_o intercede_v for_o we_o and_o 3._o of_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o give_v she_o those_o title_n and_o ascribe_v to_o she_o that_o authority_n which_o in_o their_o public_a address_n they_o allow_v to_o she_o and_o first_o let_v we_o inquire_v 1._o whether_o we_o may_v warrantable_o ascribe_v to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n a_o capacity_n to_o understand_v all_o the_o prayer_n that_o be_v every_o where_o make_v to_o she_o it_o be_v a_o subject_a that_o have_v long_o entertain_v the_o mind_n and_o exercise_v the_o pen_n of_o the_o votary_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o the_o saint_n how_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o they_o understand_v all_o the_o prayer_n that_o be_v any_o where_o make_v to_o they_o by_o any_o of_o their_o suppliant_n on_o earth_n and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o either_o they_o yet_o be_v or_o seem_v at_o all_o likely_a ever_o to_o be_v agree_v on_o this_o point_n but_o thus_o far_o they_o appear_v to_o be_v all_o of_o they_o well_o assure_v that_o by_o whatever_o mean_v it_o be_v their_o prayer_n be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o most_o certain_o convey_v to_o they_o because_o that_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v a_o most_o senseless_a and_o absurd_a practice_n to_o call_v upon_o they_o 83._o i_o shall_v not_o here_o dispute_v the_o power_n of_o god_n what_o he_o can_v do_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n or_o what_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v he_o may_v do_v at_o some_o time_n and_o on_o some_o certain_a occasion_n in_o extraordinary_o reveal_v many_o of_o those_o thing_n to_o the_o saint_n above_o which_o be_v do_v by_o we_o here_o below_o it_o be_v plain_a this_o can_v be_v no_o sufficient_a foundation_n of_o constant_a prayer_n to_o they_o in_o all_o place_n and_o on_o all_o occasion_n 15._o that_o god_n may_v possible_o sometime_o communicate_v some_o thing_n to_o they_o unless_o we_o can_v be_v sure_a what_o thing_n and_o at_o what_o time_n and_o to_o what_o saint_n he_o do_v this_o god_n may_v if_o he_o please_v communicate_v what_o i_o speak_v here_o to_o my_o friend_n abroad_o in_o another_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o he_o will_v hardly_o be_v think_v very_o well_o in_o his_o wit_n who_o shall_v on_o this_o possibility_n every_o day_n in_o a_o very_a solemn_a manner_n entreat_v his_o prayer_n or_o ask_v some_o courtesy_n of_o he_o to_o render_v all_o the_o prayer_n of_o all_o man_n 20._o at_o any_o time_n or_o in_o any_o place_n a_o wise_a and_o rational_a service_n it_o be_v plain_a they_o must_v suppose_v that_o the_o saint_n above_o and_o in_o particular_a that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n have_v a_o certain_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o action_n word_n and_o even_o of_o the_o most_o secret_a thought_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o allow_v of_o mental_a as_o well_o as_o vocal_a prayer_n to_o she_o of_o all_o man_n here_o upon_o earth_n but_o to_o ascribe_v such_o a_o power_n to_o she_o be_v to_o raise_v she_o above_o the_o state_n of_o a_o mere_a creature_n to_o invest_v she_o with_o some_o of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o incommunicable_a attribute_n of_o god_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o make_v what_o some_o of_o they_o stick_v not_o free_o to_o style_v she_o a_o goddess_n of_o she_o which_o certain_o can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o very_a great_a impiety_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n require_v the_o service_n of_o prayer_n from_o we_o because_o the_o very_a exercise_n of_o it_o keep_v up_o in_o our_o mind_n the_o most_o lively_a idea_n of_o his_o infinite_a nature_n his_o unbounded_a providence_n and_o his_o incomprehensible_a perfection_n whilst_o by_o call_v every_o where_o upon_o he_o we_o do_v in_o effect_n acknowledge_v the_o immensity_n of_o the_o godhead_n which_o be_v every_o where_o present_a by_o lift_v up_o the_o aspiration_n of_o our_o heart_n towards_o he_o we_o profess_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o omniscience_n that_o he_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o know_v the_o secret_n of_o all_o the_o child_n of_o man_n by_o