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
resolve_v with_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n to_o cleave_v unto_o god_n and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o do_v what_o he_o command_v ever_o prefer_v the_o please_a of_o he_o before_o any_o or_o all_o the_o honour_n profit_n or_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n he_o may_v assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v a_o real_a and_o true_a lover_n of_o god_n nor_o need_v he_o absent_v himself_o from_o the_o holy_a communion_n for_o want_v of_o that_o ardency_n and_o liveliness_n of_o affection_n to_o god_n which_o the_o very_o best_a of_o man_n perhaps_o do_v often_o wish_v for_o than_o enjoy_v or_o find_v within_o themselves_o other_o there_o be_v who_o fear_v they_o be_v not_o in_o perfect_a charity_n with_o all_o the_o world_n they_o have_v sometime_o have_v to_o do_v with_o man_n of_o base_a and_o unjust_a deal_n who_o have_v break_v their_o promise_n and_o it_o may_v be_v their_o oath_n and_o thereby_o betray_v they_o who_o have_v depend_v on_o they_o or_o have_v otherwise_o be_v guilty_a of_o wicked_a and_o unworthy_a practice_n and_o although_o in_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n they_o will_v not_o do_v any_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o revenge_n even_o against_o these_o very_a man_n yet_o as_o often_o as_o they_o see_v they_o or_o do_v but_o think_v of_o they_o they_o find_v their_o very_a blood_n to_o rise_v against_o they_o and_o can_v possible_o suppress_v that_o anger_n and_o indignation_n which_o spring_v up_o in_o their_o mind_n against_o such_o person_n and_o therefore_o they_o fear_v that_o their_o charity_n be_v defective_a and_o so_o dare_v not_o come_v to_o the_o holy_a communion_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o our_o charity_n towards_o man_n as_o well_o as_o our_o love_n to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n of_o our_o will_n and_o our_o action_n consequent_a thereto_o and_o not_o by_o the_o sudden_a motion_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o affection_n which_o in_o the_o case_n above_o mention_v may_v be_v scarce_o so_o much_o in_o our_o power_n as_o whole_o to_o be_v conquer_a and_o stifle_v by_o we_o but_o whatever_o passionate_a resentment_n may_v force_v themselves_o into_o our_o mind_n upon_o such_o occasion_n as_o these_o if_o we_o do_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o break_v out_o into_o bitter_a and_o reproachful_a expression_n or_o malicious_a and_o revengeful_a action_n and_o if_o in_o spite_n of_o our_o anger_n we_o do_v firm_o resolve_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n to_o return_v good_a and_o not_o evil_a for_o evil_a in_o a_o word_n if_o as_o st._n paul_n direct_v we_o when_o we_o be_v angry_a we_o take_v care_n and_o watch_v over_o ourselves_o that_o we_o sin_n not_o eph._n 4._o 26._o which_o be_v certain_o in_o our_o power_n through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n &_o our_o own_o endeavour_n we_o need_v not_o fear_v that_o any_o such_o inward_a motion_n of_o our_o passion_n as_o we_o can_v whole_o suppress_v but_o yet_o do_v not_o suffer_v to_o break_v out_o into_o any_o sinful_a word_n or_o action_n shall_v ever_o be_v impute_v to_o we_o as_o a_o breach_n of_o charity_n other_o again_o be_v afraid_a that_o they_o be_v not_o sorrowful_a enough_o for_o the_o sin_n which_o they_o have_v commit_v because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v their_o grief_n so_o quick_a and_o pungent_a as_o they_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v nor_o strong_a enough_o even_o so_o much_o as_o to_o bring_v a_o tear_n from_o their_o eye_n and_o therefore_o they_o dare_v not_o venture_v to_o come_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o true_a it_o be_v indeed_o that_o we_o can_v never_o grieve_v too_o much_o for_o our_o sin_n whereby_o we_o have_v offend_v our_o good_a and_o gracious_a god_n and_o if_o even_a river_n of_o tear_n can_v run_v down_o our_o eye_n on_o this_o occasion_n they_o will_v all_o be_v but_o little_a enough_o but_o yet_o after_o all_o our_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o passionateness_n of_o it_o which_o be_v soon_o over_o or_o the_o tear_n it_o produce_v which_o be_v as_o soon_o dry_v up_o but_o be_v altogether_o to_o be_v estimate_v by_o the_o amendment_n which_o it_o cause_v in_o our_o life_n it_o be_v a_o never_o fail_a rule_n which_o st._n paul_n give_v we_o to_o know_v godly_a sorrow_n by_o which_o be_v that_o it_o work_v repentance_n 1_o cor._n 7._o 10._o if_o then_o a_o man_n have_v so_o true_a and_o serious_a a_o sense_n of_o his_o sin_n as_o that_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o repentance_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o a_o thorough_a and_o last_a reformation_n of_o his_o life_n this_o sorrow_n though_o it_o never_o affect_v he_o in_o a_o passionate_a way_n or_o draw_v any_o tear_n at_o all_o from_o his_o eye_n yet_o be_v certain_o true_a godly_a sorrow_n and_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v accept_v by_o god_n because_o it_o work_v repentance_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n for_o which_o godly_a sorrow_n be_v either_o require_v or_o value_v other_o yet_o again_o there_o be_v who_o complain_v that_o when_o they_o will_v set_v themselves_o to_o prepare_v for_o the_o holy_a communion_n they_o in_o a_o little_a time_n grow_v so_o tire_v with_o the_o length_n of_o those_o devotion_n which_o be_v thereunto_o require_v that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o accomplish_v what_o they_o propose_v and_o when_o they_o will_v even_o force_v themselves_o to_o continue_v their_o prayer_n and_o meditation_n they_o can_v with_o all_o their_o care_n keep_v their_o mind_n fix_v and_o attentive_a upon_o what_o they_o be_v about_o but_o their_o thought_n will_v unavoidable_o wander_v upon_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v idle_a and_o impertinent_a and_o this_o they_o apprehend_v to_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n with_o their_o mouth_n and_o honour_v he_o with_o their_o lip_n when_o their_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o he_o isai_n 29._o 13._o and_o therefore_o they_o dare_v not_o come_v unto_o his_o holy_a table_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o whenever_o we_o address_v ourselves_o unto_o god_n in_o prayer_n we_o ought_v certain_o to_o use_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n so_o to_o fix_v and_o compose_v our_o mind_n as_o that_o our_o thought_n may_v not_o wander_v and_o go_v astray_o if_o we_o can_v possible_o hinder_v they_o and_o he_o who_o pretend_v to_o pray_v with_o his_o lip_n and_o do_v not_o withal_o strive_v that_o his_o heart_n and_o mind_n may_v be_v devout_o affect_v be_v undoubted_o guilty_a of_o a_o great_a slight_n put_v upon_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n &_o may_v just_o be_v tax_v with_o some_o part_n of_o that_o sin_n which_o i_o but_o just_a now_o make_v mention_n of_o but_o when_o a_o man_n have_v do_v the_o best_a he_o can_v to_o fix_v his_o thought_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o mind_n from_o wander_v in_o prayer_n if_o after_o all_o this_o idle_a and_o impertinent_a imagination_n do_v against_o his_o will_n crowd_n themselves_o upon_o he_o and_o like_o fly_n tho'continual_o beat_v off_o yet_o still_o return_v again_o and_o molest_v he_o in_o this_o case_n he_o may_v well_o assure_v himself_o that_o god_n who_o be_v gracious_a and_o merciful_a will_v never_o impute_v that_o to_o he_o as_o a_o sin_n which_o with_o all_o his_o endeavour_n he_o can_v help_v but_o it_o shall_v only_o be_v reckon_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o his_o infirmity_n against_o which_o indeed_o he_o must_v ever_o strive_v but_o it_o may_v be_v shall_v never_o be_v able_a whole_o to_o conquer_v they_o as_o long_o as_o he_o live_v but_o there_o be_v one_o piece_n of_o advice_n which_o i_o think_v very_o proper_a to_o offer_v unto_o those_o that_o be_v in_o these_o circumstance_n which_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v comprise_v their_o private_a devotion_n in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o convenient_o they_o can_v and_o then_o they_o will_v neither_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o be_v tire_v nor_o their_o thought_n to_o wander_v therein_o as_o when_o they_o be_v draw_v out_o to_o a_o great_a length_n it_o be_v not_o much_o speak_v that_o make_v our_o prayer_n the_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n or_o the_o soon_o hear_v by_o he_o mat._n 6._o 7._o and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o comprehend_v all_o that_o be_v ordinary_o necessary_a to_o be_v say_v in_o prayer_n in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o lord_n prayer_n be_v but_o short_a and_o yet_o very_o full_a and_o certain_o a_o form_n most_o acceptable_a to_o god_n the_o publican_n god_n be_v merciful_a to_o i_o a_o sinner_n luk._n 18._o 13._o be_v as_o well_o receive_v come_v from_o a_o sincere_a and_o honest_a heart_n as_o if_o he_o have_v make_v his_o confession_n in_o more_o word_n and_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o doubt_n but_o that_o short_a and_o devout_a ejaculation_n frequent_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n by_o a_o true_o pious_a soul_n shall_v effectual_o prevail_v at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n