stranger_n to_o themselves_o that_o they_o do_v not_o suspect_v themselves_o for_o those_o sin_n which_o other_o easy_o discern_v in_o they_o as_o be_v common_a in_o the_o case_n of_o â—ride_n and_o envy_n and_o covetousness_n and_o superstition_n it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o person_n shall_v so_o particular_o repent_v of_o such_o sin_n which_o they_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o but_o where_o self-love_n blindâ—_n it_o can_v excuse_v and_o where_o such_o evil_a habit_n prevail_v person_n must_v repent_v and_o search_v and_o examine_v themselves_o in_o order_n to_o a_o particular_a repentance_n there_o be_v other_o sin_n which_o be_v real_o perpetual_a burden_n to_o a_o good_a mind_n but_o it_o know_v not_o how_o to_o get_v rid_v of_o they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n such_o as_o inward_a motion_n to_o sin_n sudden_a heat_n and_o surprise_v mix_v infirmity_n coldness_n in_o devotion_n distraction_n in_o prayer_n and_o many_o omission_n of_o personal_a duty_n in_o such_o case_n as_o 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and_o pursue_v and_o desire_v and_o delight_n in_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o love_n of_o god_n where_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o affection_n and_o course_n of_o action_n run_v quite_o another_o way_n i_o mean_v to_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v say_v 15._o if_o any_o man_n love_v it_o the_o love_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o in_o he_o but_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a point_n for_o some_o degree_n of_o love_n to_o this_o world_n be_v allowable_a else_o how_o can_v we_o thank_v god_n for_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o and_o all_o person_n who_o know_v god_n do_v grant_v that_o his_o perfection_n be_v far_o above_o all_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o value_n and_o esteem_v for_o he_o above_o it_o we_o must_v here_o distinguish_v a_o notional_a esteem_n from_o that_o which_o be_v practical_a a_o notional_a esteem_n imply_v no_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a conviction_n that_o god_n must_v 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earth_n and_o filthiness_n to_o obstruct_v the_o free_a passage_n of_o they_o in_o their_o most_o proper_a course_n what_o can_v we_o meet_v with_o in_o this_o deceitful_a world_n that_o can_v bear_v the_o least_o proportion_n to_o such_o infinite_a goodness_n oh_o what_o a_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o our_o reason_n and_o our_o love_n we_o very_o believe_v that_o god_n deserve_v our_o love_n above_o all_o thing_n and_o yet_o how_o small_a a_o share_n have_v he_o in_o it_o we_o love_v what_o we_o profess_v to_o despise_v above_o all_o thing_n viz._n our_o sin_n and_o this_o vain_a world_n and_o we_o real_o too_o much_o despise_v what_o we_o still_o profess_v to_o love_v above_o all_o thing_n viz._n god_n and_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n o_o miserable_a
well_o do_v 19_o as_o unto_o a_o faithful_a creator_n and_o if_o they_o do_v think_v it_o hard_o for_o they_o to_o suffer_v these_o thing_n they_o ought_v to_o consider_v there_o be_v a_o wise_a director_n of_o they_o above_o who_o have_v beforehand_o appoint_v such_o a_o series_n of_o event_n that_o although_o their_o enemy_n rejoice_v to_o see_v they_o suffer_v in_o the_o first_o place_n yet_o their_o turn_n will_v come_v not_o long_o after_o and_o then_o these_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v feel_v the_o severity_n of_o god_n wrath_n and_o displeasure_n against_o they_o which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o forego_n verse_n for_o the_o time_n be_v come_v that_o judgement_n must_v begin_v at_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o if_o it_o first_o begin_v at_o we_o what_o shall_v the_o end_n be_v of_o they_o that_o obey_v not_o the_o gospel_n of_o god_n i._o e._n christ_n have_v foretell_v desolation_n and_o ruin_n to_o come_v upon_o the_o jewish_a nation_n for_o reject_v he_o when_o he_o come_v to_o save_v they_o but_o he_o withal_o say_v that_o before_o these_o thing_n 12._o they_o shall_v lay_v their_o hand_n on_o you_o and_o persecute_v you_o deliver_v you_o up_o to_o the_o synagogue_n and_o into_o prison_n be_v bring_v before_o king_n and_o ruler_n for_o my_o name_n sake_n which_o imply_v a_o severe_a persecution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n begin_v by_o the_o jew_n but_o carry_v on_o by_o the_o governor_n of_o kingdom_n and_o province_n and_o therefore_o say_v the_o apostle_n although_o the_o time_n be_v now_o come_v that_o judgement_n begin_v at_o the_o house_n of_o god_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o end_v there_o but_o that_o which_o be_v only_o a_o cup_n of_o tremble_v and_o astonishment_n to_o they_o shall_v be_v a_o cup_n of_o fury_n and_o destruction_n to_o the_o obstinate_a and_o impenitent_a jew_n the_o case_n be_v hard_o to_o the_o poor_a christian_n but_o it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o severe_a towards_o their_o cruel_a persecutor_n for_o 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friend_n and_o relation_n and_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o life_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o loathsome_a prison_n and_o more_o loathsome_a company_n in_o they_o to_o be_v in_o continual_a expectation_n of_o such_o cruel_a usage_n and_o torment_n as_o make_v death_n be_v look_v on_o as_o their_o best_a friend_n and_o most_o seasonable_a deliverer_n if_o suffering_n do_v not_o rise_v so_o high_a yet_o when_o man_n can_v keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n without_o hazard_v the_o loss_n of_o what_o mankind_n be_v apt_a to_o set_v too_o great_a a_o value_n upon_o their_o ease_n and_o riches_n and_o expectation_n in_o this_o world_n even_o these_o make_v it_o hard_o for_o such_o person_n to_o get_v to_o heaven_n because_o sincerity_n and_o constancy_n be_v the_o necessary_a condition_n of_o it_o which_o may_v be_v try_v much_o more_o in_o some_o than_o it_o be_v in_o other_o we_o must_v all_o have_v the_o same_o journey's-end_n if_o we_o hope_v to_o get_v to_o heaven_n but_o some_o 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at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o temptation_n of_o the_o suffer_a side_n be_v apt_a to_o alarm_n awake_v and_o rouse_v up_o the_o sleepy_a power_n of_o the_o soul_n whereas_o the_o gentle_a and_o easy_a condition_n of_o life_n either_o lay_v they_o asleep_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o intoxication_n or_o so_o divert_v they_o from_o all_o serious_a thing_n as_o put_v they_o out_o of_o the_o very_a way_n to_o heaven_n for_o the_o first_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v a_o steady_a and_o serious_a resolution_n of_o mind_n to_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o they_o to_o go_v thither_o which_o can_v never_o be_v do_v without_o a_o true_a consideration_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n how_o please_v soever_o and_o a_o fix_a and_o settle_a judgement_n prefer_v the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n before_o all_o the_o most_o allure_a pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n so_o that_o the_o different_a circumstance_n of_o life_n do_v make_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n more_o difficult_a to_o some_o than_o to_o other_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o make_v it_o more_o difficult_a to_o some_o than_o to_o other_o which_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n some_o temper_n be_v more_o flexible_a and_o pliable_a than_o other_o more_o capable_a of_o harken_v to_o reason_n and_o more_o apt_a to_o reflect_v on_o their_o own_o action_n whereas_o other_o be_v natural_o stiff_a and_o obstinate_a who_o stick_v as_o fast_o to_o a_o opinion_n or_o prejudice_n which_o they_o have_v once_o take_v up_o as_o if_o they_o be_v fatal_o determine_v to_o it_o and_o such_o as_o these_o can_v hardly_o ever_o be_v convince_v they_o be_v in_o a_o error_n unless_o by_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o nature_n some_o again_o be_v very_o easy_o convince_v of_o a_o fault_n but_o very_o hardly_o reclaim_v for_o that_o facility_n of_o temper_n which_o make_v they_o easy_a to_o be_v convince_v lay_v they_o open_a to_o the_o next_o temptation_n which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o withstand_v these_o be_v always_o repent_v and_o amend_v and_o begin_v to_o reform_v but_o without_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n not_o able_a to_o go_v through_o with_o it_o some_o be_v modest_a and_o bashful_a sinner_n who_o fear_n and_o shame_n may_v restrain_v other_o be_v so_o harden_v and_o impudent_a in_o their_o wickedness_n that_o they_o deny_v even_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o morality_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n and_o not_o only_o refuse_v to_o hearken_v to_o reproof_n but_o reject_v it_o with_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n work_v on_o man_n mind_n in_o a_o way_n suitable_a to_o they_o shall_v have_v as_o easy_a a_o admittance_n into_o one_o as_o into_o the_o other_o for_o the_o one_o be_v like_o a_o house_n with_o door_n shut_v but_o easy_o open_v the_o other_o like_o a_o house_n not_o only_o shut_v but_o bolt_v and_o barricado_v again_o some_o have_v have_v the_o advantage_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o religious_a education_n by_o which_o the_o principle_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n have_v make_v a_o early_a impression_n on_o their_o mind_n and_o have_v be_v a_o continual_a check_n upon_o evil_a inclination_n and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v too_o weak_a to_o subdue_v they_o yet_o they_o have_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o prevent_v their_o extravagancy_n or_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o speedy_a repentance_n and_o to_o take_v up_o firm_a resolution_n and_o such_o be_v more_o easy_o bring_v to_o themselves_o and_o settle_v in_o a_o virtuous_a course_n of_o life_n but_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n through_o a_o wretched_a carelessness_n mind_v not_o the_o early_a improvement_n of_o their_o child_n in_o what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o education_n they_o give_v they_o tend_v to_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o the_o plant_v the_o
to_o attain_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o happiness_n without_o some_o real_a difficulty_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v undergo_v although_o the_o success_n be_v uncertain_a 2._o let_v we_o now_o consider_v the_o difficulty_n relate_v to_o salvation_n or_o that_o happiness_n which_o christian_n expect_v and_o here_o i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v far_o more_o reasonable_a to_o go_v through_o difficulty_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o 2._o that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o but_o that_o we_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v to_o overcome_v they_o 1._o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n for_o the_o more_o excellent_a and_o desirable_a the_o happiness_n be_v the_o more_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o while_n for_o we_o to_o take_v pain_n about_o it_o especial_o when_o there_o be_v a_o certainty_n of_o attain_v it_o the_o moralist_n have_v but_o very_o dark_a and_o confuse_a and_o uncertain_a notion_n of_o happiness_n something_o they_o see_v but_o with_o a_o very_a glimmer_a light_n they_o find_v that_o all_o man_n desire_v it_o and_o wise_a man_n seek_v after_o it_o but_o wherein_o it_o lay_v and_o how_o to_o be_v attain_v they_o can_v not_o agree_v the_o most_o consider_v man_n be_v convince_v it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o best_a part_n of_o ourselves_o and_o that_o be_v our_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o great_a perfection_n of_o that_o viz._n virtue_n and_o goodness_n but_o they_o meet_v with_o insuperable_a difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o and_o the_o best_a among_o they_o sad_o lament_v the_o state_n of_o humane_a nature_n after_o all_o the_o pain_n and_o endeavour_n they_o have_v use_v to_o rectify_v their_o opinion_n and_o to_o subdue_v their_o passion_n for_o they_o find_v it_o too_o restiff_n and_o untractable_a too_o much_o under_o the_o sway_n and_o dominion_n of_o the_o sensitive_a appetite_n for_o they_o ever_o to_o hope_v by_o the_o mere_a power_n of_o reason_n to_o bring_v it_o into_o such_o subjection_n as_o to_o pretend_v to_o a_o total_a conquest_n and_o those_o who_o refine_a pleasure_n so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v it_o a_o happiness_n fit_a for_o mankind_n to_o own_o do_v make_v a_o happiness_n just_a as_o they_o make_v their_o god_n viz._n a_o fine_a subtle_a airy_a pleasant_a nothing_o or_o that_o have_v no_o solidity_n in_o it_o for_o the_o epicurean_a happiness_n with_o all_o its_o refinement_n be_v rather_o a_o matter_n of_o speculation_n than_o practice_n and_o after_o all_o be_v not_o worth_a so_o much_o pain_n about_o it_o but_o like_o the_o gourd_n which_o after_o its_o pare_n and_o cleanse_v and_o dress_v be_v fit_a only_a to_o be_v cast_v upon_o the_o dunghill_n but_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o happiness_n offer_v to_o christian_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n for_o it_o be_v real_o the_o best_a the_o most_o valuable_a and_o desirable_a good_a not_o promise_v to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o this_o mean_a despicable_a and_o uncertain_a state_n of_o life_n but_o reserve_v for_o a_o more_o free_a spiritual_a and_o continue_a state._n 4._o so_o our_o apostle_n call_v it_o a_o inheritance_n incorruptible_a and_o undefiled_a and_o that_o fade_v not_o away_o reserve_v in_o heaven_n for_o you_o such_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o world_n without_o we_o here_o and_o of_o the_o passion_n and_o infirmity_n within_o we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o expect_v a_o true_a happiness_n to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o this_o life_n the_o utmost_a we_o can_v hope_v for_o be_v to_o be_v prepare_v for_o a_o better_a and_o god_n know_v there_o be_v difficulty_n enough_o in_o that_o we_o have_v heart_n so_o vain_a and_o sensual_a so_o addict_v to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o impertinency_n of_o this_o world_n so_o prepossess_v with_o the_o object_n of_o sense_n that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o bring_v they_o so_o much_o as_o in_o earnest_a to_o consider_v of_o another_o world._n but_o it_o be_v yet_o hard_o to_o fix_v the_o thought_n of_o it_o upon_o our_o mind_n so_o as_o to_o make_v a_o deep_a impression_n upon_o they_o as_o they_o must_v do_v if_o we_o make_v the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n our_o chief_a end_n and_o design_n suppose_v that_o paradise_n be_v still_o upon_o earth_n in_o its_o first_o glory_n and_o to_o be_v find_v by_o the_o description_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o a_o man_n may_v think_v often_o concern_v it_o where_o it_o lie_v what_o the_o river_n be_v by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v discover_v but_o all_o this_o amount_v but_o to_o a_o mere_a speculation_n but_o suppose_v that_o he_o take_v up_o a_o resolution_n to_o go_v thither_o what_o other_o kind_n of_o thought_n have_v he_o then_o about_o it_o as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o place_n and_o the_o way_n that_o lead_v thither_o and_o the_o difficulty_n he_o be_v like_a to_o meet_v with_o which_o make_v another_o kind_n of_o impression_n than_o the_o former_a dry_a speculation_n do_v if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o think_v heaven_n worth_n all_o the_o pain_n and_o difficulty_n which_o lie_v in_o our_o way_n to_o it_o he_o never_o yet_o have_v one_o serious_a and_o become_a thought_n concern_v it_o for_o the_o happiness_n propose_v be_v real_o so_o great_a and_o invaluable_a that_o the_o more_o we_o think_v of_o it_o the_o more_o we_o shall_v esteem_v it_o and_o the_o more_o we_o shall_v despise_v and_o triumph_v over_o the_o great_a difficulty_n in_o order_n to_o it_o it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o perfect_a enjoyment_n of_o the_o most_o perfect_a good_a in_o a_o most_o perfect_a state_n of_o life_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v desire_v by_o humane_a nature_n great_a than_o this_o 2._o the_o difficulty_n in_o our_o way_n to_o salvation_n be_v not_o such_o but_o we_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v to_o overcome_v they_o i._n e._n if_o we_o set_v ourselves_o about_o it_o otherwise_o a_o very_a mean_a difficulty_n will_v appear_v too_o great_a for_o we_o therefore_o we_o must_v suppose_v not_o only_o a_o willing_a mind_n but_o a_o firm_a resolution_n to_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o we_o and_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n to_o show_v that_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o overcome_v they_o 1._o that_o the_o most_o difficult_a duty_n be_v in_o themselves_o reasonable_a to_o be_v perform_v by_o we_o 2._o that_o god_n offer_v his_o gracious_a assistence_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o 1._o that_o the_o most_o difficult_a duty_n be_v in_o themselves_o reasonable_a i_o mean_v such_o who_o difficulty_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o accidental_a outward_a circumstance_n but_o from_o a_o respect_n to_o the_o present_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n such_o as_o 1._o true_a repentance_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o hard_a work_n of_o a_o man_n life_n when_o he_o have_v be_v long_o engage_v in_o a_o course_n of_o sin_v against_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o hard_o for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o be_v make_v sensible_a that_o he_o have_v do_v amiss_o for_o he_o that_o act_n against_o his_o judgement_n be_v as_o aristotle_n observe_v 13._o apt_a to_o repent_v i._n e._n to_o find_v fault_n with_o himself_o for_o his_o own_o action_n and_o to_o resolve_v to_o amend_v there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o displeasure_n against_o sin_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o which_o be_v call_v by_o the_o casuist_n attritio_fw-la impoenitentium_fw-la but_o they_o say_v it_o be_v without_o a_o purpose_n of_o forsake_v it_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o purpose_n that_o they_o say_v be_v attritio_fw-la poenitentium_fw-la but_o if_o it_o be_v a_o ineffectual_a purpose_n the_o scripture_n no_o where_o call_v it_o repentance_n for_o as_o long_o as_o the_o habitual_a practice_n continue_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o man_n love_n to_o his_o sin_n exceed_v his_o hatred_n of_o it_o and_o what_o repentance_n can_v that_o be_v which_o be_v consistent_a with_o a_o prevail_a love_n of_o sin_n when_o person_n be_v first_o make_v christian_n their_o repentance_n be_v easy_o discern_v whether_o true_a or_o false_a because_o it_o be_v a_o public_a and_o solemn_a renunciation_n of_o all_o their_o former_a sin_n but_o when_o man_n have_v accustom_v themselves_o to_o sin_n under_o a_o profession_n to_o renounce_v their_o sin_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v out_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o repentance_n as_o to_o those_o sin_n and_o here_o a_o difference_n must_v be_v make_v as_o to_o the_o nature_n and_o kind_a of_o sin_n for_o there_o be_v some_o sin_n which_o all_o agree_v to_o be_v sin_n yet_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o convince_v person_n that_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o they_o such_o as_o hypocrisy_n schism_n and_o idolatry_n which_o man_n will_v find_v something_o to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o notwithstanding_o the_o clear_a evidence_n against_o they_o some_o be_v such_o
condition_n of_o humanity_n make_a to_o be_v happy_a and_o yet_o fond_a of_o misery_n loving_n what_o be_v vain_a and_o yet_o despise_v vanity_n hate_v what_o be_v good_a and_o yet_o account_v it_o best_o and_o therefore_o fit_a for_o our_o choice_n and_o love._n the_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o those_o who_o do_v it_o lest_o approve_v it_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a employment_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o those_o that_o do_v it_o most_o think_v they_o fall_v short_a of_o what_o god_n deserve_v from_o they_o the_o more_o we_o know_v of_o god_n the_o more_o we_o know_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o love_n and_o delight_n in_o he_o and_o all_o our_o difficulty_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o can_v never_o make_v we_o think_v it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o love_v he_o above_o all_o thing_n without_o who_o nothing_o can_v make_v we_o happy_a and_o who_o alone_o can_v do_v it_o 3._o universal_a holiness_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n if_o this_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n our_o apostle_n will_v not_o have_v press_v it_o with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o he_o do_v 16._o as_o obedient_a child_n not_o fashion_v yourselves_o according_a to_o the_o former_a lust_n in_o your_o ignorance_n but_o as_o he_o which_o have_v call_v you_o be_v holy_a so_o be_v you_o holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n because_o it_o be_v write_v be_v you_o holy_a for_o i_o be_o holy_a 11._o again_o dear_o belove_v i_o beseech_v you_o as_o strangers_z and_o pilgrim_n abstain_v from_o fleshly_a lust_n which_o war_n against_o the_o soul._n 2._o and_o again_o that_o he_o no_o long_o shall_v live_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o time_n in_o the_o flesh_n to_o the_o lust_n of_o man_n but_o to_o the_o will_n of_o god._n this_o be_v a_o hard_a say_n to_o mankind_n who_o part_n with_o nothing_o so_o hardly_o as_o with_o their_o sin_n yet_o these_o must_v be_v part_v with_o if_o ever_o we_o hope_v to_o get_v to_o heaven_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o a_o perfection_n in_o holiness_n be_v require_v for_o that_o be_v to_o suppose_v happiness_n in_o this_o world_n since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o perfect_a holiness_n without_o it_o but_o there_o must_v be_v a_o constant_a uniform_a and_o sincere_a endeavour_n after_o it_o by_o avoid_v all_o know_a and_o wilful_a sin_n and_o do_v all_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o our_o conscience_n can_v charge_v we_o with_o gross_a neglect_n or_o insincerity_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n we_o can_v say_v be_v downright_a sin_n yet_o if_o they_o lead_v to_o they_o if_o they_o indispose_v our_o mind_n to_o god_n and_o his_o service_n if_o they_o tend_v to_o lightness_n and_o vanity_n and_o make_v we_o more_o easy_a to_o entertain_v the_o devil_n temptation_n we_o ought_v to_o avoid_v they_o as_o the_o snare_n of_o the_o devil_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o we_o can_v say_v be_v plain_a and_o express_v and_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o keep_v up_o the_o life_n and_o spirit_n of_o it_o that_o a_o general_a design_n of_o holiness_n be_v enough_o to_o recommend_v they_o as_o to_o positive_a duty_n of_o religion_n we_o can_v exact_o fix_v the_o time_n and_o measure_n and_o season_n of_o their_o performance_n which_o must_v vary_v according_a to_o circumstance_n but_o this_o we_o can_v say_v that_o the_o more_o person_n set_v themselves_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n and_o the_o great_a preparation_n they_o make_v for_o another_o world_n the_o more_o they_o will_v delight_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o god_n service_n and_o the_o more_o ready_a to_o embrace_v any_o opportunity_n for_o it_o those_o who_o will_v have_v all_o religious_a duty_n determine_v as_o to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o they_o be_v like_o man_n who_o will_v have_v punctual_a rule_n set_v down_o how_o often_o two_o friend_n shall_v converse_v with_o each_o other_o and_o how_o long_a time_n they_o be_v to_o stay_v together_o true_a friendship_n will_v need_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n but_o will_v incline_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o best_a opportunity_n for_o mutual_a conversation_n lest_o too_o long_a distance_n beget_v a_o coldness_n first_o and_o then_o the_o friendship_n dissolve_v it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o pray_v as_o far_o as_o word_n go_v but_o to_o pray_v with_o zeal_n and_o devotion_n to_o attend_v upon_o god_n with_o that_o seriousness_n of_o mind_n we_o ought_v to_o do_v will_v require_v our_o utmost_a attention_n and_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o keep_v our_o mind_n compose_v and_o fit_a to_o converse_v with_o god_n in_o prayer_n and_o other_o solemn_a duty_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o hard_o as_o this_o appear_v to_o we_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a and_o reasonable_a that_o we_o shall_v do_v it_o for_o what_o a_o unbecoming_a thing_n it_o be_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o a_o careless_a trifle_a perfunctory_a manner_n as_o though_o nothing_o less_o deserve_v the_o employ_v the_o vigour_n of_o our_o mind_n about_o than_o the_o service_n of_o god._n but_o how_o can_v we_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n if_o we_o do_v not_o serve_v he_o with_o all_o our_o mind_n and_o strength_n 4._o resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n this_o the_o apostle_n call_v cast_v all_o our_o care_n upon_o he_o 7._o this_o be_v a_o very_a wise_a duty_n if_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o it_o because_o it_o ease_v our_o mind_n of_o many_o fear_n and_o perplexity_n both_o as_o to_o ourselves_o and_o other_o but_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a thing_n to_o set_v our_o mind_n free_a from_o solicitous_a thought_n about_o possible_a evil_n we_o can_v mend_v our_o condition_n nor_o prevent_v what_o be_v determine_v by_o our_o most_o anxious_a care_n but_o we_o may_v enjoy_v ourselves_o with_o far_o great_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n if_o we_o can_v be_v content_a to_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o the_o best_a conduct_n and_o that_o be_v of_o he_o that_o govern_v the_o world._n and_o whatever_a struggle_n we_o may_v find_v within_o ourselves_o about_o it_o yet_o the_o more_o we_o search_v and_o weigh_v and_o consider_v thing_n the_o more_o we_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n as_o to_o all_o our_o concernment_n in_o this_o world_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o calm_v our_o passion_n to_o abate_v our_o fear_n to_o prevent_v our_o impatience_n and_o so_o to_o attain_v to_o that_o ornament_n of_o a_o meek_a and_o quiet_a spirit_n 4._o which_o be_v with_o god_n of_o great_a price_n but_o if_o all_o these_o duty_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o our_o be_v save_v and_o we_o lie_v under_o such_o difficulty_n as_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o their_o appear_v to_o be_v reasonable_a make_v our_o condition_n so_o much_o worse_o for_o to_o find_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o do_v what_o we_o be_v convince_v be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o be_v do_v be_v one_o of_o the_o worst_a circumstance_n of_o our_o condition_n it_o be_v true_a we_o do_v not_o want_v faculty_n of_o understanding_n and_o will_n but_o what_o then_o if_o our_o moral_a indisposition_n make_v these_o useless_a to_o our_o spiritual_a advantage_n a_o man_n that_o be_v like_a to_o be_v stifle_v in_o a_o large_a vessel_n full_a of_o downy_a feather_n can_v complain_v of_o the_o hardness_n of_o what_o he_o lie_v upon_o for_o all_o thing_n feel_v soft_a and_o easy_a about_o he_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v stifle_v with_o they_o our_o evil_a habit_n and_o corrupt_a inclination_n have_v nothing_o that_o feel_v hard_a or_o troublesome_a to_o we_o but_o if_o we_o can_v overcome_v they_o they_o will_v certain_o ruin_n and_o destroy_v we_o there_o be_v therefore_o a_o necessity_n of_o a_o high_a principle_n of_o divine_a grace_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o break_v through_o all_o these_o difficulty_n which_o grace_n be_v so_o abundant_o promise_v by_o the_o gospel_n to_o those_o who_o seek_v it_o that_o it_o come_v at_o last_o to_o be_v our_o own_o fault_n if_o we_o be_v not_o save_v ii_o and_o this_o help_v we_o to_o reconcile_v the_o difficulty_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o easiness_n of_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o that_o which_o be_v not_o only_o hard_a but_o impossible_a to_o we_o in_o our_o own_o strength_n may_v by_o the_o mighty_a power_n of_o divine_a grace_n become_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o easy_a to_o we_o and_o withal_o those_o thing_n be_v account_v easy_a which_o bring_v ease_n and_o that_o be_v a_o light_a burden_n which_o rid_v one_o of_o a_o far_o hard_a and_o thus_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n however_o hard_o in_o themselves_o to_o we_o yet_o be_v consider_v with_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o bless_a effect_n of_o inward_a peace_n