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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
love_n charity_n faith_n work_v 5,360 5 8.3567 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59239 Of devotion By J. S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1678 (1678) Wing S2585A; ESTC R220098 48,774 178

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care_n if_o such_o whirlwind_n and_o tempest_n turmoil_v this_o medium_n it_o will_v hazard_v to_o take_v the_o soul_n off_o the_o wing_n and_o throw_v she_o headlong_o to_o the_o earth_n wherefore_o if_o we_o intend_v a_o progress_n towards_o heaven_n by_o prayer_n we_o must_v first_o prepare_v a_o cheerful_a and_o unpassionate_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n ubi_fw-la pax_fw-la ibi_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_n where_o there_o be_v peace_n the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n the_o divine_a giver_n himself_o be_v not_o far_o absent_a at_o least_o there_o must_v be_v a_o steadiness_n in_o the_o soul_n be_v superior_a part_n or_o a_o full_a intention_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o all_o these_o passion_n for_o this_o lay_v first_o prayer_n itself_o will_v do_v the_o rest_n as_o shall_v be_v see_v hereafter_o §_o 5._o another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o consequent_o a_o encouragement_n to_o pursue_v it_o be_v that_o it_o include_v in_o itself_o at_o once_o all_o virtue_n not_o after_o a_o sluggish_a manner_n as_o they_o lie_v dormant_a as_o it_o be_v habitual_o in_o the_o soul_n but_o as_o they_o be_v consider_v in_o their_o most_o actual_a and_o best_a state_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o all_o virtue_n at_o once_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o those_o virtue_n we_o call_v moral_a be_v not_o at_o all_o meritorious_a and_o consequent_o not_o at_o all_o virtue_n but_o as_o they_o partake_v of_o that_o queen_n of_o virtue_n charity_n whosoever_o therefore_o have_v charity_n and_o consequent_o the_o two_o other_o theological_a virtue_n faith_n and_o hope_n have_v all_o the_o rest_n whence_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o love_n be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n §_o 6._o but_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o particular_n while_o we_o pray_v we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n in-many_a regard_n for_o we_o at_o once_o exercise_v our_o belief_n that_o god_n be_v the_o sovereign_a giver_n of_o all_o good_a and_o lord_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o be_v infinite_o wise_a to_o see_v the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n lay_v open_a then_o before_o he_o infinite_o powerful_a to_o accomplish_v all_o we_o can_v possible_o wish_v infinite_o good_a to_o admit_v we_o into_o his_o presence_n nay_o to_o exhort_v and_o even_o command_v we_o to_o come_v to_o he_o as_o also_o to_o bestow_v on_o we_o all_o that_o our_o condition_n and_o disposition_n can_v render_v we_o capable_a of_o infinite_o merciful_a to_o forgive_v all_o our_o sin_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o hearty_o repent_v and_o humble_o ask_v pardon_n again_o by_o our_o profound_a reverence_n we_o acknowledge_v and_o exercise_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o incomparable_a greatness_n and_o majesty_n by_o our_o submission_n and_o resignation_n of_o his_o wise_a providence_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o world_n last_o by_o our_o ask_n of_o he_o with_o due_a humility_n that_o he_o be_v our_o great_a creator_n we_o his_o poor_a indigent_a creature_n and_o mere_a nothing_o of_o our_o selus_fw-la also_o that_o he_o be_v our_o most_o liberal_a and_o bounteous_a benefactor_n infinite_o rich_a to_o supply_v and_o overflowing_o communicative_a of_o himself_o to_o relieve_v all_o our_o necessity_n so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v §_o 7._o again_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v our_o hope_n that_o he_o will_v hear_v our_o prayer_n and_o grant_v all_o we_o ask_v if_o we_o ask_v wise_o and_o humble_o that_o he_o will_v keep_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v we_o to_o that_o purpose_n that_o he_o will_v merciful_o pardon_v our_o sin_n protect_v we_o from_o danger_n and_o in_o a_o word_n as_o we_o use_v to_o phrase_n it_o that_o he_o will_v hear_v all_o our_o prayer_n which_o according_a to_o his_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o world_n aught_o to_o be_v second_v with_o performance_n §_o 8._o last_o while_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n of_o charity_n as_o it_o signify_v love_n of_o god_n by_o call_v upon_o he_o and_o look_v on_o he_o as_o a_o father_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a as_o endow_v with_o all_o those_o ravish_a quality_n which_o among_o we_o use_n to_o beget_v love_n such_o as_o be_v bounty_n kindness_n mercy_n tender_a compassion_n fidelity_n of_o word_n friendliness_n pure_a intellectual_a light_n infinite_a beautifulness_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o most_o of_o all_o as_o he_o be_v our_o chief_a and_o final_a our_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a good_a and_o our_o only_a bliss_n in_o who_o our_o soul_n must_v either_o for_o ever_o repose_v after_o all_o the_o fond_a toy_n of_o the_o world_n we_o so_o dote_v on_o leave_v we_o or_o else_o remain_v eternal_o miserable_a let_v we_o lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o then_o reflect_v how_o sublime_a a_o excellency_n be_v find_v in_o prayer_n which_o at_o once_o exercise_n and_o interior_o execute_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n all_o virtue_n at_o once_o sect_n ii_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v the_o actual_a fulfil_v all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o when_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n ask_v our_o bless_a saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n his_o answer_n be_v keep_v the_o commandment_n now_o if_o prayer_n be_v suppose_v it_o make_v as_o it_o ought_v the_o keep_v all_o the_o commandment_n nay_o a_o actual_a exercise_v they_o all_o at_o once_o then_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o vary_v the_o phrase_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n without_o alter_v his_o sense_n and_o to_o say_v if_o thou_o will_v have_v eternal_a life_n apply_v thyself_o to_o prayer_n and_o this_o be_v another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o a_o great_a one_o too_o that_o every_o time_n we_o exercise_v it_o we_o be_v exercise_v the_o fulfil_n all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o §_o 2._o to_o understand_v which_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o no_o external_n act_n be_v meritorious_a or_o demeritorious_a before_o god_n but_o as_o it_o spring_v from_o deliberate_a will_n or_o intention_n and_o though_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n command_n do_v exterious_o increase_v merit_n too_o yet_o it_o be_v because_o the_o intention_n itself_o be_v better_v or_o strengthen_v habitual_o to_o some_o degree_n by_o the_o outward_a exercise_n or_o because_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n perhaps_o to_o be_v overcome_v in_o the_o perform_v the_o outward_a action_n hence_o the_o intention_n to_o do_v this_o pursue_v resolute_o to_o a_o actual_a execution_n be_v better_a than_o else_o it_o will_v have_v be_v by_o the_o very_a conquer_a the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n a●_n we_o may_v say_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v a_o thing_n notwithstanding_o any_o difficulty_n occur_v be_v better_a than_o a_o intention_n simple_o to_o do_v it_o again_o the_o outward_a action_n increase_v our_o merit_n be-because_a it_o beget_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o hope_n in_o we_o that_o our_o inward_a intention_n be_v not_o a_o counterfeit_a one_o for_o the_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o have_v perform_v many_o such_o good_a deed_n especial_o if_o not_o do_v in_o the_o world_n eye_n and_o therefore_o not_o for_o its_o sake_n but_o for_o god_n will_v stand_v we_o in_o good_a stead_n at_o our_o last_o hour_n and_o strengthen_v our_o soul_n with_o hope_n and_o consequent_o with_o love_n which_o always_o go_v proportion_v to_o it_o when_o we_o be_v to_o appear_v before_o our_o great_a judg._n but_o abstract_v from_o these_o case_n and_o speak_v of_o outward_a action_n without_o any_o regard_n or_o rapport_v to_o the_o soul_n they_o be_v pure_o local_a motion_n or_o mere_o natural_a not_o moral_a one_o and_o so_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o merit_n or_o demerit_n wherefore_o put_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v any_o good_a as_o resolute_o bend_v to_o do_v it_o and_o to_o overcome_v all_o difficulty_n that_o may_v occur_v and_o to_o that_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o the_o other_o gain_v by_o extend_v itself_o to_o action_n last_o such_o as_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o heartiness_n and_o honest_a sincerity_n with_o other_o circumstance_n gain_v the_o same_o comfort_n to_o the_o soul_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v execute_v outward_o it_o be_v equal_o meritorious_a as_o the_o other_o insomuch_o that_o whosoever_o firm_o and_o resolute_o intend_v any_o good_a so_o that_o nothing_o need_v but_o a_o opportunity_n actual_o to_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n do_v already_o execute_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o before_o god_n as_o if_o he_o have_v perform_v it_o exterior_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o our_o b._n saviour_n say_v that_o the_o poor_a widow_n when_o she_o give_v a_o mite_n give_v more_o than_o all_o the_o rich_a vaunter_n for_o though_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o yet_o
be_v be_v full_a as_o much_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n accept_v it_o as_o such_o because_o he_o see_v her_o hearty_a good_a intention_n be_v such_o that_o can_v she_o have_v do_v it_o she_o will_v have_v give_v more_o than_o they_o all_o do_v §_o 3._o this_o be_v once_o settle_v it_o be_v easy_o see_v that_o prayer_n exercise_v as_o it_o ought_v be_v in_o true_a theology_n a_o keep_n at_o once_o all_o the_o commandment_n and_o consequent_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o church_n too_o which_o be_v all_o involve_a in_o the_o four_o for_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o first_o commandment_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o injunction_n to_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n as_o this_o last_o signify_v love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n as_o also_o to_o sovereign_a honour_n and_o profound_a reverence_n as_o they_o be_v peculiar_o due_a to_o god_n likewise_o that_o the_o second_o be_v but_o a_o extension_n of_o the_o reverence_n due_a to_o himself_o to_o his_o name_n or_o a_o conformity_n in_o word_n and_o conversation_n to_o the_o esteem_v we_o ought_v to_o bear_v he_o in_o our_o mind_n and_o the_o three_o a_o determination_n of_o a_o circumstance_n of_o prayer_n to_o which_o he_o that_o be_v give_v to_o prayer_n must_v needs_o be_v easy_o conformable_a and_o what_o care_v he_o who_o be_v exercise_v actual_o the_o virtue_n we_o show_v before_o be_v all_o find_v in_o right_o make_v prayer_n and_o especial_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n what_o care_v he_o i_o say_v for_o pretend_v to_o worldly_a power_n great_a than_o other_o for_o resent_v injury_n or_o for_o gain_v worldly_a pleasure_n or_o profit_n in_o which_o consist_v all_o those_o of_o the_o second_o table_n whereas_o if_o he_o be_v in_o prayer_n that_o be_v if_o his_o mind_n be_v elevate_v to_o god_n and_o this_o frequent_o and_o fervent_o he_o must_v needs_o despise_v in_o his_o heart_n nay_o be_v habituate_v to_o despise_v all_o these_o sublunary_a trifle_n in_o his_o heart_n i_o say_v or_o superior_a part_n of_o his_o soul_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o recur_v to_o his_o principle_n which_o dwell_v and_o govern_v there_o however_o the_o inferior_a which_o feel_v some_o trouble_n will_v have_v some_o natural_a grudge_n and_o repine_n but_o these_o be_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o god_n commandment_n but_o rather_o a_o advantage_n to_o virtue_n or_o a_o occasion_n of_o merit_n so_o the_o superior_a part_n by_o strength_n of_o christian_a principle_n and_o supernatural_a consideration_n or_o motive_n keep_v they_o from_o grow_v moral_a one_o that_o be_v keep_v those_o natural_a consideration_n from_o settle_v into_o intention_n which_o be_v the_o true_a touchstone_n how_o far_o these_o or_o such_o motion_n belong_v to_o nature_n and_o how_o far_o they_o relate_v to_o morality_n §_o 4._o but_o you_o will_v say_v we_o do_v not_o experience_n while_o we_o pray_v that_o we_o practise_v distinct_o any_o one_o of_o these_o virtue_n now_o speak_v of_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o any_o of_o those_o commandment_n nay_o many_o of_o they_o seem_v most_o exceed_o remote_a from_o our_o thought_n when_o we_o be_v in_o prayer_n and_o a_o quite_o different_a kind_n of_o object_n it_o be_v answer_v there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o divers_a thing_n may_v be_v include_v in_o another_o the_o one_o be_v call_v formal_o or_o be_v formal_o there_o so_o that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o thing_n retain_v its_o own_o form_n and_o nature_n as_o wood_n and_o stone_n be_v include_v in_o the_o fabric_n of_o a_o house_n ink_n and_o paper_n be_v include_v in_o writing_n where_o each_o preserve_v its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o other_o notwithstanding_o their_o concurrence_n in_o a_o common_a subject_n the_o other_o be_v call_v eminential_a which_o happen_v when_o all_o be_v there_o indeed_o not_o single_o as_o in_o themselves_o or_o as_o remain_v yet_o in_o their_o own_o different_a nature_n but_o as_o contain_v in_o some_o three_o or_o common_a excellency_n which_o have_v in_o it_o the_o virtue_n of_o all_o and_o yet_o be_v single_o no_o one_o thus_o the_o sunbeam_n include_v light_a and_o heat_n thus_o reason_n include_v in_o itself_o though_o in_o a_o inferior_a degree_n to_o prayer_n all_o imaginable_a act_n of_o virtue_n thus_o the_o force_n of_o each_o body_n in_o nature_n be_v include_v as_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o centre_n in_o the_o indivisible_a be_v and_o operativeness_n of_o a_o spirit_n thus_o last_o all_o perfection_n and_o virtue_n be_v comprise_v in_o the_o most_o simple_a and_o most_o uncompounded_a essence_n of_o the_o divinity_n in_o which_o justice_n mercy_n power_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o find_v in_o their_o several_a distinct_a nature_n single_v out_o a_o part_n but_o in_o one_o most_o perfect_a formality_n call_v god_n essence_n who_o incomparable_a excellency_n comprehend_v eminent_o both_o all_o these_o and_o infinite_a other_o which_o our_o low_a pitch_n of_o knowledge_n can_v reach_v or_o even_o think_v of_o without_o diffect_v it_o piecemeal_n as_o it_o be_v by_o our_o understanding_n and_o consider_v each_o little_a morsel_n a_o part_n §_o 5._o now_o this_o manner_n of_o contain_v other_o be_v by_o far_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o former_a and_o it_o be_v thus_o that_o prayer_n comprehend_v all_o virtue_n and_o the_o several_a distinct_a act_n of_o fulfil_n each_o of_o the_o commandment_n §_o 6._o for_o prayer_n be_v a_o elevation_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o god_n and_o this_o not_o after_o a_o mere_a speculative_a way_n as_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o aristotle_n will_v think_v and_o discourse_v dry_o of_o the_o first_o be_v without_o any_o far_o concern_v than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o curiosity_n beyond_o the_o ordinary_a reach_n but_o after_o a_o affective_a way_n endeavour_v and_o aim_v by_o the_o affection_n which_o be_v the_o wing_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o by_o such_o thought_n as_o we_o be_v already_o possess_v of_o to_o raise_v ourselves_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o divine_a love_n and_o by_o it_o of_o union_n with_o our_o dear_a god_n hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o prayer_n be_v in_o its_o best_a and_o most_o essential_a part_n a_o actual_a exercise_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n build_v up_o in_o we_o on_o the_o best_a foundation_n and_o principle_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v imagine_v viz._n on_o those_o motive_n which_o faith_n propose_v and_o actual_o raise_v by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o immediate_a disposition_n imaginable_a viz_o hope_n daily_a experience_n tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o move_v we_o so_o effectual_o to_o pursue_v any_o thing_n which_o we_o conceit_n to_o be_v a_o eminent_a good_a as_o the_o hope_n we_o have_v to_o arrive_v at_o it_o as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o let_v the_o thing_n be_v never_o so_o excellent_a and_o allure_a a_o object_n in_o itself_o unless_o we_o have_v hope_v it_o will_v or_o at_o least_o may_v be_v attain_v by_o we_o we_o may_v perhaps_o gaze_v at_o it_o in_o our_o thought_n as_o a_o fine_a thing_n but_o never_o desire_v it_o or_o work_v for_o it_o that_o be_v never_o effectual_o love_v it_o §_o 7._o prayer_n then_o be_v the_o best_a exercise_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o this_o love_n include_v in_o itself_o eminential_o all_o virtue_n and_o be_v as_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o the_o fulfil_n of_o all_o the_o commandment_n it_o follow_v first_o that_o prayer_n be_v such_o likewise_o as_o including_z in_o itself_o that_o sovereign_a quality_n actual_o and_o in_o the_o best_a manner_n exercise_v which_o comprehend_v eminential_o all_o the_o rest_n it_o follow_v next_o that_o this_o manner_n of_o include_v they_o eminent_o be_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o instance_n we_o bring_v before_o of_o god_n essence_n include_v all_o perfection_n by_o far_o more_o sublime_a than_o the_o other_o prayer_n be_v even_o in_o this_o regard_n of_o a_o most_o incomparable_a excellency_n and_o the_o best_a manner_n imaginable_a of_o keep_v the_o commandment_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o action_n shall_v be_v which_o be_v of_o it_o be_v own_o nature_n a_o approach_n to_o the_o divinity_n sect_n iii_o a_o three_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n in_o unite_n we_o to_o god_n intellectual_o but_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o take_v so_o near_o a_o view_n of_o prayer_n as_o we_o may_v much_o of_o our_o former_a discourse_n especial_o at_o the_o beginning_n run_v upon_o the_o metaphor_n as_o our_o low_a dull_a pitch_n of_o knowledge_n oftentimes_o oblige_v we_o when_o the_o thing_n we_o intend_v to_o explicate_v be_v very_o spiritual_a and_o very_a sublime_a we_o now_o come_v to_o close_a discovery_n of_o its_o nature_n by_o look_v with_o a_o literal_a consideration_n into_o its_o proper_a effect_n which_o immediate_o and_o necessary_o spring_v from_o it_o §_o 2._o that_o
more_o agreeable_a to_o we_o take_v we_o as_o we_o be_v thus_o dispose_v render_v the_o soul_n more_o operative_a for_o it_o which_o active_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o pursue_v any_o thing_n it_o judge_v agreeable_a or_o good_a we_o use_v to_o call_v love_n §_o 2._o whence_o again_o be_v see_v two_o considerable_a advantage_n in_o prayer_n in_o which_o also_o the_o sum_n of_o our_o christian_a life_n be_v contain_v viz._n to_o beget_v a_o fervent_a and_o hearty_a love_n of_o god_n in_o our_o heart_n and_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o overcome_v all_o temptation_n both_o which_o be_v perform_v by_o render_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o good_n of_o the_o other_o life_n very_o lively_a and_o as_o it_o be_v bright_a in_o our_o mind_n for_o this_o do_v they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o work_v love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n in_o our_o heart_n if_o they_o be_v not_o that_o very_a love_n itself_o which_o will_v efface_v or_o at_o least_o dim_a with_o their_o far_a more_o resplendent_a lustre_n the_o gay_a appearance_n of_o false_a and_o transitory_a good_n and_o so_o preserve_v the_o soul_n from_o be_v delude_v by_o she_o three_o spiritual_a enemy_n for_o which_o reason_n they_o that_o be_v in_o temptation_n be_v as_o much_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o prayer_n as_o a_o man_n in_o danger_n to_o lose_v his_o life_n by_o a_o distemper_n he_o feel_v grow_v upon_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o help_n as_o physic_n assist_v we_o with_o nay_o rather_o much_o more_o according_a as_o the_o great_a concern_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o great_a certainty_n of_o the_o success_n and_o cure_n be_v more_o powerful_a motive_n to_o make_v they_o act_v and_o endeavour_v to_o seek_v a_o remedy_n §_o 3._o now_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n be_v thus_o wrought_v in_o our_o mind_n by_o prayer_n and_o love_n be_v unitive_a of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o object_n belove_v according_a to_o the_o common_a say_n dictate_v by_o our_o natural_a thought_n that_o if_o two_o love_n one_o another_o they_o be_v all_o one_o it_o be_v far_o discover_v how_o incomparable_o prayer_n dignify_v and_o ennoble_v the_o soul_n &_o this_o to_o a_o great_a degree_n beyond_o what_o mere_a knowledge_n that_o be_v knowledge_n stay_v in_o speculation_n and_o not_o render_v efficacious_a by_o considerative_a prayer_n can_v have_v effect_v if_o then_o every_o power_n receive_v a_o different_a degree_n of_o nobleness_n in_o proportion_n to_o the_o object_n it_o be_v employ_v about_o nay_o if_o in_o our_o case_n it_o become_v it_o intellectual_o and_o be_v in_o a_o more_o intimate_a manner_n unite_v to_o it_o by_o love_n and_o the_o object_n of_o the_o soul_n while_o in_o prayer_n be_v god_n own_o infinite_a essence_n it_o follow_v that_o prayer_n which_o be_v at_o once_o studious_a and_o affective_a perform_v both_o these_o advance_v a_o soul_n to_o so_o high_a a_o pitch_n of_o dignity_n that_o not_o all_o the_o potentate_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o learn_v of_o the_o wise_a nor_o riches_n of_o both_o the_o indies_n conspire_v together_o no_o not_o the_o whole_a innumerable_a host_n of_o angelical_a nature_n join_v all_o their_o force_n can_v raise_v she_o to_o that_o height_n of_o dignity_n that_o vicinity_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o prayer_n can_v do_v who_o then_o that_o love_v true_a nobility_n and_o the_o solid_a perfection_n of_o his_o soul_n but_o will_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o mean_n of_o gain_v so_o high_a preferment_n and_o how_o strange_o be_v the_o indevout_a part_n of_o the_o world_n frantic_a who_o look_v upon_o prayer_n as_o a_o idle_a bigottery_n and_o fruitless_a entertainment_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o airy_a conceit_n without_o any_o far_a effect_n or_o benefit_n §_o 4._o for_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o soul_n unemployed_a in_o prayer_n and_o so_o unconcern_v to_o frame_v lively_a idea_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o heaven_n blissful_a state_n that_o be_v how_o beautify_v and_o ennoble_v a_o object_n god_n essence_n be_v but_o make_v some_o creature_n the_o study_n of_o its_o affective_a thought_n and_o first_o love_n of_o its_o will_n become_v that_o creature_n though_o never_o so_o base_a and_o wretched_a and_o never_o advance_v high_a she_o be_v marry_v as_o it_o be_v to_o that_o mean_a object_n by_o her_o give_v it_o her_o love_n and_o be_v debase_v or_o raise_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o vileness_n or_o dignity_n as_o be_v find_v in_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o she_o be_v espouse_v if_o it_o be_v earth_n she_o be_v earthy_a if_o it_o be_v flesh_n she_o be_v carnal_a if_o money_n she_o be_v no_o more_o worth_a than_o shine_a dirt_n be_v if_o honour_n she_o be_v empty_a and_o airy_a and_o just_o too_o since_o she_o have_v the_o mean_n to_o advance_v herself_o by_o prayer_n and_o rather_o choose_v to_o lie_v grovel_v on_o the_o ground_n and_o wallow_v in_o the_o dirt_n than_o raise_v her_o head_n by_o it_o to_o the_o glorious_a fountain_n of_o all_o true_a excellency_n §_o 5._o from_o what_o be_v say_v may_v be_v collect_v also_o what_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o soul_n by_o their_o devotion_n to_o angel_n and_o saint_n in_o heaven_n first_o they_o that_o intend_v to_o benefit_n themselves_o by_o this_o way_n aught_o to_o frame_v in_o their_o thought_n a_o most_o exact_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o happy_a state_n the_o bless_a enjoy_v how_o full_a of_o conformity_n to_o god_n will_v and_o thence_o how_o not_o only_o inclinable_a but_o unchangeable_o fix_v to_o follow_v right_a reason_n and_o act_n according_a to_o high_a virtue_n in_o all_o thing_n how_o boundless_o their_o soul_n be_v enlarge_v by_o charity_n to_o embrace_v all_o the_o world_n and_o wish_v they_o from_o their_o heart_n and_o unenuious_o all_o the_o good_n they_o see_v they_o can_v possible_o be_v capable_a of_o even_o though_o they_o see_v it_o will_v be_v great_a than_o their_o own_o how_o their_o understanding_n power_n be_v replenish_v with_o a_o most_o incomparable_a glory_n or_o surround_v with_o ray_n of_o most_o pure_a and_o most_o bright_a light_n of_o knowledge_n and_o their_o will_n most_o indissoluble_o unite_v with_o and_o immerse_v most_o intimate_o in_o the_o boundless_a ocean_n of_o all_o goodness_n by_o which_o mean_v those_o happy_a person_n become_v deify_v or_o raise_v to_o such_o a_o dignity_n that_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n put_v together_o be_v empty_a beggary_n and_o worthless_a trash_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o noble_a and_o close_a relation_n to_o the_o divinity_n or_o which_o be_v more_o union_n with_o it_o §_o 6._o particular_o of_o the_o saint_n it_o be_v fit_a devout_a person_n first_o choose_v those_o who_o state_n here_o be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o to_o some_o degree_n then_o attentive_o read_v their_o life_n sober_o write_v regard_v more_o their_o solid_a virtue_n propose_v there_o to_o their_o imitation_n than_o the_o esclat_a of_o their_o miracle_n which_o be_v but_o the_o likely_a sign_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o need_v a_o eminent_a and_o constant_o practise_v virtue_n accompany_v they_o to_o make_v they_o such_o since_o the_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n prophesy_v and_o the_o like_a have_v be_v grant_v even_o to_o heathen_n on_o some_o occasion_n as_o st._n hierom_n and_o the_o father_n inform_v we_o have_v thus_o gain_v a_o lively_a character_n of_o the_o particular_a spirit_n that_o such_o a_o saint_n have_v if_o we_o cultivate_v it_o in_o our_o mind_n with_o a_o high_a esteem_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o saint_n as_o endow_v with_o such_o and_o such_o virtue_n and_o so_o let_v it_o sink_v into_o our_o will_n and_o grow_v a_o desire_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o all_o this_o be_v heighten_v and_o make_v more_o lively_a and_o more_o efficacious_a by_o apply_v to_o the_o saint_n himself_o by_o prayer_n or_o invoke_v he_o to_o obtain_v of_o god_n goodness_n that_o portion_n of_o his_o virtuous_a spirit_n which_o he_o see_v fit_v for_o we_o we_o shall_v at_o length_n be_v wrought_v up_o a_o endeavour_n to_o imitate_v he_o go_v along_o into_o the_o very_a genius_n of_o that_o saint_n and_o as_o it_o be_v become_v he_o and_o make_v his_o merit_n we_o not_o by_o extrinsecal_n imputation_n as_o if_o because_o we_o daily_o ask_v virtue_n for_o the_o saint_n sake_n without_o any_o other_o disposition_n on_o our_o part_n they_o be_v share_v out_o to_o we_o and_o as_o it_o be_v extrinsecal_o apply_v to_o our_o will_n and_o so_o better_a our_o interior_a let_v none_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o such_o hope_n for_o catholic_n faith_n admit_v no_o extrinsical_a imputation_n of_o christ_n merit_n much_o less_o of_o those_o of_o the_o saint_n but_o this_o be_v perform_v by_o propose_v their_o virtuous_a example_n as_o a_o object_n which_o by_o be_v penetrate_v lively_a and_o thence_o desire_v hearty_o