love_n of_o this_o world_n strengthen_v and_o advance_v my_o reason_n elevate_v my_o mind_n to_o god_n and_o strain_n with_o the_o utmost_a force_n of_o my_o soul_n after_o this_o state_n of_o bliss_n which_o be_v alone_o desirable_a alone_o considerable_a etc._n etc._n and_o this_o with_o a_o steady_a and_o devout_a pursuit_n keep_v ever_o awake_a in_o my_o mind_n when_o it_o grow_v drowsy_a the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o what_o my_o faith_n propose_v and_o attest_v to_o i_o by_o the_o church_n deliver_v to_o i_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o faith_n be_v the_o argument_n of_o thing_n not_o yet_o see_v to_o wit_n by_o the_o clearness_n of_o its_o principle_n or_o ground_n likewise_o how_o it_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o thing_n to_o be_v hope_v by_o the_o firmness_n of_o its_o own_o foundation_n last_o how_o it_o be_v the_o groundwork_n of_o all_o devotion_n because_o the_o consideration_n of_o its_o truth_n render_v express_v to_o our_o thought_n make_v faith_n itself_o very_o lively_a and_o operative_a that_o be_v our_o judgement_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o very_o practical_a and_o ready_a for_o christian_a action_n in_o which_o that_o disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o we_o call_v devotion_n formal_o consist_v to_o proceed_v thus_o far_o and_o settle_v their_o judgement_n in_o these_o truth_n with_o the_o steady_a firmness_n and_o clear_a sight_n they_o can_v be_v advisable_v for_o those_o soul_n who_o pitch_n of_o reason_n make_v they_o inquisitive_a into_o the_o ground_n of_o thing_n and_o capable_a to_o comprehend_v they_o for_o such_o person_n will_v receive_v much_o comfort_n and_o profit_n by_o such_o kind_n of_o satisfaction_n it_o import_v not_o which_o way_n they_o take_v to_o this_o end_n whether_o they_o work_v it_o out_o by_o their_o own_o meditation_n or_o use_v the_o assistance_n of_o book_n or_o public_a or_o private_a and_o familiar_a discourse_n so_o the_o business_n be_v do_v it_o matter_n not_o how_o §_o 11._o if_o any_o particular_a difficulty_n which_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a ground_n of_o their_o belief_n come_v cross_v their_o thought_n and_o hazard_n in_o the_o least_o to_o shock_v their_o judgement_n it_o may_v be_v worth_a their_o pain_n sometime_o to_o see_v through_o that_o too_o but_o to_o amuse_v themselves_o with_o every_o objection_n and_o not_o to_o be_v quiet_a till_o they_o themselves_o can_v answer_v every_o thing_n which_o be_v or_o may_v be_v oppose_v i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o very_a unprofitable_a and_o very_o unsatisfiable_a curiosity_n the_o difficulty_n may_v sometime_o be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v solve_v without_o a_o deep_a insight_n into_o many_o science_n such_o as_o they_o neither_o have_v nor_o can_v hope_v to_o have_v for_o want_v of_o leisure_n or_o part_n again_o objection_n be_v endless_a and_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v satisfy_v of_o a_o truth_n till_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o be_v answer_v we_o shall_v never_o be_v satisfy_v of_o any_o truth_n at_o all_o but_o only_o of_o the_o very_a first_o principles_n shall_v all_o the_o objection_n yet_o ever_o think_v of_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n be_v answer_v to_o day_n as_o many_o more_o may_v be_v invent_v to_o morrow_n for_o wit_n and_o fancy_n have_v no_o bound_n and_o it_o be_v from_o the_o fertility_n of_o their_o invention_n that_o object_v proceed_v and_o after_o all_o it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a business_n of_o devotee_n it_o belong_v to_o controvertist_n to_o answer_v objection_n the_o only_a thing_n which_o import_v devout_a people_n of_o this_o pitch_n be_v to_o understand_v well_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o proceed_v in_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o life_n be_v firm_a and_o solid_a and_o such_o as_o they_o ought_v secure_o and_o without_o fear_n of_o deceit_n rely_v on_o which_o do_v they_o must_v be_v true_a to_o themselves_o and_o act_n with_o a_o vigour_n proportionable_a to_o that_o degree_n of_o cleverness_n with_o which_o their_o speculativeness_n discern_v they_o to_o be_v true_a join_v with_o such_o a_o concern_v as_o faith_n tell_v we_o the_o matter_n deserve_v nor_o need_v they_o distrust_v god_n providence_n in_o this_o which_o have_v furnish_v his_o church_n with_o mean_n suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n §_o 12._o again_o when_o upon_o certain_a ground_n they_o have_v give_v admittance_n to_o a_o truth_n they_o shall_v stand_v to_o it_o and_o trouble_v themselves_o no_o more_o for_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v or_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o if_o this_o be_v true_a what_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o be_v not_o true_a whether_o i_o be_v able_a to_o make_v so_o much_o out_o or_o no._n and_o upon_o this_o they_o may_v secure_o rest_v in_o truth_n this_o waver_a inconstancy_n this_o quiver_a irresolution_n which_o keep_v we_o from_o own_v hearty_o what_o we_o do_v see_v for_o fear_v of_o what_o we_o do_v not_o see_v be_v a_o blamable_a weakness_n lose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o we_o shall_v work_v out_o our_o salvation_n upon_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n and_o put_v we_o into_o the_o condition_n which_o st._n paul_n reprehend_v in_o the_o woman_n of_o his_o time_n semper_fw-la discentes_fw-la &_o nunquam_fw-la ad_fw-la scientiam_fw-la veritatis_fw-la pervenientes_fw-la always_o learning_n &_o never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n §_o 13._o since_o then_o a_o know_v devout_a soul_n seek_v only_o or_o only_o shall_v seek_v so_o much_o knowledge_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o devotion_n let_v she_o if_o she_o be_v able_a faithful_o and_o severe_o pursue_v her_o inquiry_n till_o she_o arrive_v at_o such_o a_o certainty_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o concern_v she_o i_o mean_v such_o as_o will_v give_v solid_a ground_n for_o virtuous_a christian_a life_n and_o for_o the_o rest_n remain_v satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v some_o deceit_n in_o whatever_o be_v say_v against_o truth_n let_v she_o a_o god_n name_n first_o discover_v that_o to_o be_v truth_n which_o she_o embrace_v as_o truth_n to_o which_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o judge_v upon_o good_a ground_n the_o church_n be_v infallible_a but_o after_o this_o it_o be_v lose_v time_n if_o she_o spend_v any_o in_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o deceit_n it_o be_v enough_o she_o know_v it_o be_v deceit_n and_o need_v not_o know_v what_o kind_n of_o one_o it_o be_v in_o our_o particular_a case_n she_o may_v reflect_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n or_o tradition_n be_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o we_o build_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v christian_n which_o only_o in_o a_o manner_n among_o we_o be_v call_v in_o question_n they_o who_o deny_v the_o force_n of_o tradition_n must_v by_o consequence_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v before_o our_o day_n and_o because_o nature_n assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v irrational_a it_o assure_v we_o likewise_o that_o who_o object_n on_o this_o manner_n go_v against_o nature_n and_o so_o all_o they_o can_v say_v be_v no_o other_o than_o witty_a talk_n handsome_a flourish_n and_o plausible_a quibble_n without_o real_a force_n or_o solid_a ground_n and_o indeed_o they_o plain_o discover_v themselves_o irrational_a and_o lead_v by_o passion_n who_o obstinate_o oppose_v tradition_n because_o they_o maintain_v a_o evident_a contradiction_n for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o affirm_v that_o faith_n be_v true_o certain_a and_o on_o the_o other_o deny_v faith_n have_v any_o ground_n true_o certain_a and_o this_o since_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v certain_a but_o in_o virtue_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o ground_n by_o which_o the_o certainty_n be_v make_v out_o be_v to_o say_v that_o faith_n be_v and_o be_v not_o true_o certain_a to_o this_o they_o be_v force_v by_o the_o heat_n of_o opposition_n for_o they_o will_v not_o grant_v tradition_n have_v the_o virtue_n to_o make_v a_o thing_n true_o certain_a because_o they_o be_v aware_a it_o be_v against_o they_o and_o by_o deny_v it_o they_o leave_v no_o true_o certain_a ground_n for_o faith_n at_o all_o for_o as_o all_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n past_o long_a ago_o must_v at_o last_o depend_v on_o testimony_n or_o tradition_n if_o tradition_n itself_o be_v not_o secure_a nothing_o can_v be_v so_o which_o depend_v on_o it_o and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o they_o must_v speak_v out_o at_o last_o and_o say_v plain_o as_o they_o do_v that_o all_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a §_o 14._o i_o will_v not_o be_v mistake_v here_o to_o advise_v any_o they_o shall_v not_o believe_v till_o they_o have_v this_o evidence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n but_o i_o presuppose_v they_o already_o faithful_a and_o intend_v only_a to_o comfort_v their_o faith_n by_o look_v into_o
its_o ground_n every_o one_o that_o be_v convince_v whether_o upon_o solid_a or_o slight_a ground_n god_n have_v say_v a_o thing_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v it_o else_o he_o sin_v mortal_o in_o disbelieve_v god_n who_o be_v essential_a truth_n much_o less_o do_v i_o absolute_o require_v this_o of_o they_o but_o upon_o supposition_n that_o their_o own_o speculative_a and_o acute_a genius_n make_v themselves_o require_v it_o i_o exhort_v they_o to_o it_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v to_o such_o soul_n a_o mean_n to_o increase_v their_o devotion_n and_o can_v no_o way_n shock_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o passionate_a and_o precipitate_a lest_o of_o all_o do_v i_o tell_v they_o that_o in_o look_v into_o their_o ground_n they_o ought_v to_o go_v to_o work_v like_o doubter_n or_o seeker_n but_o quite_o contrary_a suppose_v they_o firm_a in_o faith_n by_o their_o rely_v on_o the_o sure_a rock_n of_o the_o church_n and_o strengthen_v in_o that_o reliance_n by_o the_o practical_a evidence_n that_o the_o virtue_n she_o exhort_v we_o to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o right_o practical_a reason_n or_o conscience_n and_o that_o the_o mean_n she_o propose_v and_o enjoin_v to_o attain_v they_o be_v effectual_a towards_o that_o end_n i_o bid_v they_o rest_v secure_a that_o if_o god_n together_o with_o a_o earnest_a desire_n to_o advance_v in_o devotion_n have_v also_o give_v they_o a_o pierce_a eye_n to_o discern_v truth_n as_o he_o have_v to_o many_o many_o thousand_o in_o the_o vast_a extent_n of_o the_o church_n god_n goodness_n have_v provide_v such_o ground_n proportion_v and_o penetrable_a by_o every_o capacity_n and_o they_o among_o the_o rest_n as_o will_v if_o look_v into_o render_v their_o faith_n more_o lively_a and_o their_o devotion_n more_o fervent_a and_o solid_a but_o who_o be_v of_o this_o pitch_n and_o so_o to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o method_n lest_o the_o overween_n of_o their_o own_o private_a and_o perhaps_o partial_a fancy_n shall_v make_v they_o strain_v beyond_o their_o force_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o spiritual_a director_n who_o we_o be_v to_o suppose_v fit_v by_o education_n as_o well_o as_o design_v by_o office_n to_o be_v the_o proper_a discerner_n of_o spirit_n and_o know_v when_o to_o administer_v st._n paul_n milk_n and_o solid_a food_n according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o soul_n they_o be_v to_o nourish_v we_o in_o devotion_n for_o those_o perfecti_fw-la be_v already_o faithful_a the_o reason_n then_o of_o his_o discourse_v wise_o with_o they_o be_v their_o pitch_n bear_v it_o to_o make_v their_o faith_n lively_a and_o their_o virtue_n more_o solid_a and_o to_o enable_v they_o also_o to_o convert_v other_o to_o faith_n and_o advance_v they_o in_o virtue_n or_o devotion_n §_o 15._o the_o bottom-ground_n of_o all_o devotion_n be_v thus_o lay_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o faith_n many_o other_o comfortable_a light_n will_v break_v out_o and_o cherish_v and_o strengthen_v the_o liveliness_n of_o it_o in_o such_o person_n as_o we_o have_v speak_v of_o and_o to_o a_o great_a degree_n in_o other_o also_o such_o be_v the_o consideration_n what_o wise_a order_n for_o a_o world_n the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v what_o universal_a mischief_n will_v succeed_v if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v omit_v and_o how_o the_o well-being_n of_o mankind_n both_o as_o to_o this_o life_n and_o the_o next_o be_v pithy_o comprise_v in_o these_o few_o head_n which_o as_o it_o argue_v a_o infinitly-wise_a contriver_n comprehend_v and_o provide_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o human_a nature_n so_o it_o likewise_o become_v a_o infinite_a goodness_n command_v his_o poor_a and_o indigent_a creature_n nothing_o but_o what_o be_v their_o own_o true_a good_a and_o tend_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o complete_a happiness_n §_o 16._o next_o the_o consideration_n how_o conformable_a the_o more_o elevae_v point_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o right_a reason_n exceed_o comfort_n a_o understanding_n captivate_v itself_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n for_o as_o on_o the_o one_o side_n nothing_o be_v more_o rational_a than_o that_o those_o high_a truth_n which_o elevate_v we_o to_o heaven_n shall_v be_v place_v above_o the_o pitch_n and_o endeavour_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v knowable_a by_o principle_n pure_o natural_a so_o likewise_o truth_n by_o be_v truth_n and_o proceed_v all_o from_o the_o author_n of_o truth_n must_v needs_o be_v ally_v one_o to_o another_o and_o bear_v some_o resemblance_n and_o proportion_n together_o those_o above_o nature_n and_o reason_n to_o those_o discoverable_a this_o way_n although_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o they_o but_o depend_v on_o god_n authority_n reveal_v and_o the_o church_n propose_v they_o these_o thing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o divine_n of_o which_o such_o will_v be_v choose_v as_o serve_v best_a to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o divine_n and_o show_v the_o conformity_n of_o religion_n to_o reason_n most_o clear_o for_o those_o which_o with_o great_a show_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n only_o dispute_v matter_n plausible_o on_o both_o side_n be_v not_o proper_a for_o this_o purpose_n who_o understand_v not_o latin_n or_o though_o he_o do_v be_v perhaps_o to_o seek_v in_o those_o term_n in_o which_o schoolman_n usual_o express_v themselves_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o some_o good_a divine_a who_o may_v select_v such_o point_n as_o be_v most_o proper_a for_o the_o person_n with_o who_o he_o deal_v and_o deliver_v they_o in_o term_n which_o may_v be_v intelligible_a to_o he_o §_o 17._o beside_o these_o book_n &_o discourse_n which_o increase_n dovotion_n in_o intelligent_a soul_n by_o enlighten_v their_o understanding_n there_o be_v other_o which_o work_v immediate_o on_o the_o will_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o of_o other_o by_o the_o way_n of_o affection_n without_o the_o help_n of_o reason_n and_o though_o these_o be_v perhaps_o more_o proper_a for_o the_o other_o way_n of_o devotion_n yet_o no_o assistance_n shall_v be_v neglect_v and_o they_o be_v very_o compatible_a with_o this_o and_o no_o less_o if_o not_o more_o efficacious_a for_o be_v make_v up_o of_o expression_n come_v from_o a_o mind_n full_a of_o and_o overflow_a with_o devout_a thought_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o transsuse_v as_o it_o be_v affection_n into_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o reader_n and_o if_o that_o reader_n be_v beforehand_o satisfy_v in_o the_o principle_n which_o ground_n those_o affection_n he_o be_v excellent_o dispose_v to_o receive_v they_o those_o principle_n then_o be_v habitual_o possess_v by_o the_o reader_n they_o will_v experience_n their_o will_n inflame_v by_o the_o ardent_a love_n which_o those_o expression_n breath_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o lively_a expression_n of_o any_o passion_n beget_v the_o same_o passion_n in_o another_o especial_o if_o possess_v with_o the_o same_o concern_v which_o be_v to_o both_o the_o ground_n of_o those_o passion_n hence_o they_o find_v such_o book_n full_a of_o spirit_n and_o as_o it_o be_v of_o sap_n connatural_o nourish_v and_o dilate_v their_o soul_n which_o other_o not_o thorough_o satisfy_v of_o those_o principle_n couch_v underneath_o as_o their_o foundation_n find_v sapless_a and_o disrelish_v though_o yet_o sometime_o it_o happen_v otherwise_o and_o that_o without_o any_o fault_n or_o defect_n §_o 18._o but_o general_o such_o expression_n be_v like_o meat_n already_o chaw_v and_o need_v nothing_o to_o become_v present_o nutritive_a but_o a_o heart_n dispose_v by_o affection_n of_o the_o same_o kind_a to_o receive_v it_o as_o new_a drop_n of_o water_n without_o more_o ado_n cling_v together_o and_o increase_v the_o bulk_n of_o these_o some_o be_v use_v for_o prayer_n direct_o other_o for_o entertainment_n of_o the_o mind_n with_o devout_a read_n but_o both_o work_n by_o the_o way_n of_o affective_a impression_n the_o best_a without_o all_o comparison_n be_v the_o psalm_n of_o david_n which_o some_o find_v relish_v more_o when_o they_o be_v take_v asunder_o and_o then_o piece_v of_o verse_n take_v one_o here_o another_o there_o as_o seems_z most_o proper_a and_o those_o obscure_a part_n which_o darken_v the_o sense_n leave_v out_o divers_a devout_a person_n have_v labour_v in_o this_o kind_n and_o who_o will_v labour_v for_o himself_o perhaps_o will_v find_v it_o no_o unuseful_a employment_n beside_o these_o i_o will_v commend_v st._n augustine_n confession_n some_o piece_n of_o st._n bernard_n and_o s._n bonaventure_n the_o imitation_n of_o christ_n the_o love_n of_o god_n by_o st._n francis_n sales_n st._n teresa_n work_n and_o ejaculatory_a prayer_n the_o sermon_n of_o of_o st._n thomas_n de_fw-fr villa_n nova_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o the_o best_a book_n of_o devotion_n be_v those_o of_o prayer_n and_o prayer_n be_v a_o elevation_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o god_n and_o the_o mind_n consist_v of_o understanding_n and_o will_n those_o prayer_n be_v the_o best_a which_o work_n on_o
generality_n be_v there_o the_o same_o application_n of_o mind_n use_v to_o improve_v spirituality_n as_o be_v employ_v in_o acquire_v temporal_a thing_n i_o can_v also_o avail_v myself_o of_o the_o example_n of_o a_o neighbour_a nation_n which_o put_v even_o those_o author_n that_o treat_v deep_a point_n father_n among_o the_o rest_n into_o the_o common_a language_n of_o the_o country_n as_o for_o the_o manner_n i_o observe_v in_o handle_v my_o matter_n i_o guide_v myself_o much_o by_o the_o experience_n i_o have_v of_o what_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o temper_n of_o divers_a spirit_n i_o observe_v some_o exceed_a scrupulous_a they_o be_v not_o devout_a and_o yet_o they_o not_o only_o intend_v but_o strain_n with_o all_o their_o power_n to_o be_v so_o lest_o such_o well-meaning_a soul_n conscious_a to_o themselves_o they_o do_v their_o utmost_a and_o yet_o fear_v they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o duty_n they_o aim_v at_o shall_v as_o there_o be_v danger_n lose_v their_o hope_n i_o endeavour_v to_o up-hold_a it_o by_o show_v they_o that_o a_o intention_n firm_o bend_v to_o god_n service_n can_v fail_v of_o render_v they_o true_o devout_a other_o conceit_n they_o want_v knowledge_n requisite_a to_o attain_v it_o wherefore_o to_o humble_v the_o pride_n of_o humane_a wit_n and_o comfort_v their_o honest_a simplicity_n i_o show_v how_o their_o frequent_a application_n to_o pious_a duty_n join_v with_o a_o sincere_a well-meaning_n go_v beyond_o all_o the_o high_a knowledge_n of_o the_o acute_a understanding_n if_o the_o will_v be_v never_o so_o little_o less_o perfect_a other_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o the_o mean_n to_o attain_v devotion_n which_o therefore_o i_o propose_v suitable_o to_o every_o one_o respective_a pitch_n last_o i_o have_v observe_v many_o either_o neglect_v total_o or_o less_o use_v prayer_n and_o that_o too_o but_o faint_o out_o of_o a_o apprehension_n ground_v on_o a_o ill-principled_n humility_n that_o they_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v and_o so_o all_o they_o do_v in_o that_o kind_n be_v in_o vain_a as_o be_v once_o s._n teresa_n case_n which_o she_o afterward_o so_o feel_o bewail_v in_o herself_o and_o of_o which_o she_o so_o charitable_o forewarned_a other_o such_o person_n therefore_o i_o strive_v to_o encourage_v by_o lay_v open_a the_o excellency_n and_o utility_n of_o prayer_n and_o how_o connatural_o prayer_n for_o our_o true_a good_a virtue_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o so_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o render_v we_o worthy_a to_o be_v hear_v at_o once_o let_v they_o see_v that_o no_o address_n to_o our_o infinite_o bountiful_a lord_n can_v be_v put_v up_o in_o vain_a and_o also_o thence_o exhort_v they_o to_o that_o devout_a importunity_n and_o struggle_v with_o heaven_n so_o much_o recommend_v by_o our_o saviour_n which_o by_o the_o constant_a and_o ordinary_a course_n of_o supernatural_a cause_n lay_v by_o providence_n can_v fail_v of_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n pray_v for_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o injure_v faith_n or_o abate_v its_o efficacy_n that_o it_o exceed_o comfort_n and_o strengthen_v it_o by_o let_v we_o see_v how_o certain_o god_n unchanged_a in_o himself_o perform_v his_o promise_n to_o those_o who_o use_v the_o mean_n he_o have_v lay_v and_o command_v to_o be_v use_v to_o effect_v those_o happy_a change_n in_o us._n hence_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o remark_n that_o in_o this_o treatise_n i_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o efficaciousness_n of_o prayer_n for_o other_o nor_o with_o other_o strange_a effect_n of_o it_o nay_o sometime_o even_o miraculous_a one_o which_o by_o mean_n of_o a_o firm_a faith_n and_o reliance_n on_o god_n be_v bring_v to_o pass_v nor_o last_o do_v i_o treat_v of_o prayer_n or_o devotion_n as_o they_o depend_v on_o god_n '_o be_v grace_n or_o the_o secret_a work_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n as_o i_o hint_n also_o in_o the_o treatise_n itself_o p._n 60._o which_o i_o from_o my_o heart_n acknowledge_v to_o give_v we_o ability_n to_o begin_v continue_v and_o consummate_v both_o prayer_n and_o every_o good_a act_n that_o be_v supernatural_a though_o a_o imbitter_v adversary_n of_o i_o will_v needs_o throw_v that_o scandal_n upon_o i_o to_o deny_v it_o what_o i_o concern_v myself_o with_o be_v that_o part_n of_o our_o christian_a action_n or_o that_o co-operation_n of_o we_o with_o god_n grace_n that_o stand_v under_o our_o endeavour_n which_o i_o strive_v through_o the_o whole_a to_o encourage_v and_o particular_o in_o discourse_v of_o prayer_n i_o meddle_v only_o with_o those_o effect_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o ordinary_a and_o necessary_a consequent_n of_o a_o fervent_a and_o constant_a address_n to_o god_n for_o our_o soul_n be_v true_a good_a virtue_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v many_o and_o various_a temper_n of_o spirit_n in_o god_n church_n among_o which_o my_o experience_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n tell_v i_o there_o be_v not_o a_o few_o so_o natural_o speculative_a and_o give_v to_o look_v into_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o thing_n that_o they_o find_v most_o comfort_n and_o improvement_n in_o these_o discourse_n that_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o from_o their_o principle_n to_o such_o person_n as_o those_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v when_o call_v upon_o write_z agreeable_o to_o their_o genius_n and_o pitch_n not_o blame_v but_o hearty_o applaud_v those_o pious_a man_n who_o accommodate_v themselves_o to_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o imagine_v or_o expect_v that_o every_o manner_n of_o handle_v a_o subject_a will_v suit_v with_o every_o capacity_n so_o it_o be_v no_o less_o to_o conceit_n that_o any_o kind_n of_o discourse_v so_o it_o be_v true_a and_o agree_v with_o christian_a principle_n can_v be_v such_o as_o suit_n with_o none_o chap._n i._n of_o devotion_n in_o common_a its_o kind_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o attain_v it_o sect_n i._o of_o the_o nature_n of_o devotion_n in_o common_a devotion_n be_v a_o word_n transplant_v into_o our_o language_n from_o the_o latin_a and_o derive_v from_o the_o primitive_a vovere_fw-la to_o vow_n it_o import_v among_o the_o heathen_n a_o steady_a and_o fix_a resolution_n or_o rather_o tie_v obligatory_a but_o yet_o voluntary_a and_o that_o of_o unusual_a strength_n such_o as_o carry_v they_o to_o the_o most_o difficult_a action_n it_o keep_v the_o same_o notion_n among_o christian_n the_o object_n only_o or_o motive_n of_o the_o resolution_n change_v for_o whereas_o false_a glory_n be_v heretofore_o the_o most_o dazzle_a and_o most_o prize_a end_n of_o the_o action_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o nothing_o be_v think_v more_o glorious_a than_o to_o die_v for_o their_o country_n they_o be_v say_v devote_v who_o voluntary_o in_o circumstance_n particular_o remarkable_a throw_v themselves_o for_o its_o sake_n upon_o a_o certain_a death_n so_o codrus_n among_o the_o athenian_n curtius_n and_o the_o decci_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v remember_v for_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o their_o several_a country_n perhaps_o their_o resolution_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o some_o solemn_a vow_n to_o their_o idol_n but_o since_o we_o come_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o notion_n and_o incline_v to_o the_o pursuit_n of_o true_a glory_n and_o true_a good_a devotion_n have_v get_v another_o object_n and_o keep_v the_o same_o steadiness_n and_o promptness_n and_o strength_n in_o its_o notion_n as_o heretofore_o be_v apply_v only_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n it_o signify_v then_o a_o resolution_n or_o addiction_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n but_o strong_a and_o prompt_a such_o as_o set_v all_o the_o power_n of_o man_n efficacious_o a_o work_n in_o all_o occasion_n that_o occur_v it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o one_o kind_a for_o we_o say_v a_o man_n give_v alm_n fast_n visit_v the_o sick_a or_o afflict_a go_v on_o pilgrimage_n etc._n etc._n out_o of_o devotion_n that_o be_v exercise_n devotion_n in_o all_o these_o action_n but_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a and_o most_o frequent_a act_n by_o which_o man_n use_v to_o serve_v god_n devotion_n be_v most_o ordinary_o understand_v of_o prayer_n and_o when_o we_o hear_v of_o a_o devout_a man_n we_o general_o apprehend_v a_o man_n who_o pray_v frequent_o and_o well_o for_o these_o two_o quality_n enter_v too_o into_o the_o notion_n of_o devotion_n we_o not_o think_v he_o devout_a who_o pray_v but_o seldom_o or_o careless_o §_o 2._o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v the_o nature_n of_o devotion_n may_v be_v understand_v and_o we_o may_v perceive_v it_o be_v a_o quality_n or_o disposition_n in_o man_n strong_a and_o always_o efficacious_a which_o move_v all_o his_o power_n to_o act_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n ac-according_a to_o their_o several_a nature_n both_o with_o frequency_n and_o perfection_n §_o 3._o hence_o may_v be_v gather_v first_o that_o