sense_n of_o god_n and_o true_a religion_n and_o virtue_n in_o they_o it_o be_v well_o if_o they_o will_v but_o let_v nature_n alone_o in_o their_o child_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o they_o often_o place_v such_o about_o they_o who_o humour_v they_o in_o their_o worst_a inclination_n and_o give_v they_o a_o early_a taste_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n so_o that_o when_o they_o come_v into_o the_o world_n they_o run_v into_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n and_o commit_v it_o with_o greediness_n have_v so_o quick_a a_o relish_n of_o it_o and_o then_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n for_o that_o be_v to_o take_v shame_n and_o dishonour_v to_o themselves_o to_o say_v they_o have_v be_v fool_n and_o have_v do_v wicked_o and_o rather_o than_o do_v this_o they_o choose_v to_o go_v on_o in_o their_o impiety_n and_o treasure_n up_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n those_o who_o magnify_v the_o freedom_n of_o will_n in_o mankind_n in_o this_o degenerate_a state_n seem_v to_o consider_v they_o only_o in_o theory_n and_o speculation_n not_o as_o they_o be_v but_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v it_o be_v like_o that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o spring_n in_o some_o body_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o dilate_v and_o expand_v themselves_o but_o may_v be_v easy_o oppress_v with_o such_o a_o weight_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o enlarge_v themselves_o till_o it_o be_v remove_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n in_o mankind_n consider_v in_o itself_o a_o power_n of_o act_v according_a to_o reason_n which_o be_v the_o true_a freedom_n for_o a_o power_n of_o act_v otherwise_o be_v weakdness_n and_o folly_n but_o what_o through_o the_o natural_a propensity_n to_o evil_a what_o through_o the_o power_n of_o bad_a example_n what_o through_o the_o violence_n of_o some_o temper_n and_o passion_n what_o through_o the_o cloudiness_n of_o some_o understanding_n from_o bodily_a distemper_n what_o through_o the_o strength_n of_o evil_a habit_n and_o corrupt_a disposition_n there_o be_v scarce_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o freedom_n of_o will_n leave_v especial_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o salvation_n so_o that_o if_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o so_o plain_o express_v the_o necessity_n of_o divine_a grace_n for_o the_o conversion_n of_o sinner_n as_o it_o do_v the_o mere_a consideration_n of_o the_o state_n of_o human_a nature_n will_v make_v i_o believe_v it_o suppose_v that_o any_o part_n of_o mankind_n be_v design_v to_o be_v fit_v for_o heaven_n for_o although_o the_o difficulty_n be_v not_o alike_o in_o all_o yet_o of_o one_o kind_n or_o other_o they_o be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v overcome_v by_o ourselves_o without_o the_o power_n of_o divine_a grace_n exciting_a prevent_v and_o assist_v of_o we_o 2._o have_v thus_o show_v what_o difficulty_n there_o be_v which_o arise_v from_o the_o different_a circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o person_n i_o be_o now_o to_o consider_v those_o which_o arise_v from_o the_o term_n of_o salvation_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o person_n and_o time_n here_o we_o must_v suppose_v salvation_n to_o be_v the_o thing_n aim_v at_o as_o the_o chief_a end_n or_o happiness_n of_o such_o man_n and_o here_o be_v two_o kind_n of_o difficulty_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o 1._o such_o as_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o general_a pursuit_n of_o happiness_n 2._o such_o as_o immediate_o relate_v to_o this_o kind_n of_o happiness_n 1._o such_o as_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o general_a pursuit_n of_o happiness_n for_o happiness_n be_v not_o a_o thing_n of_o chance_n or_o necessity_n but_o a_o matter_n of_o choice_n and_o design_n it_o be_v a_o vulgar_a mistake_n and_o i_o wish_v it_o be_v only_o among_o the_o vulgar_a to_o account_v those_o happy_a who_o be_v fortunate_a but_o this_o notion_n of_o happiness_n be_v unanimous_o reject_v by_o all_o the_o ancient_a moralist_n some_o of_o they_o indeed_o have_v think_v it_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n to_o call_v those_o happy_a who_o be_v under_o great_a calamity_n i._n e._n who_o be_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n miserable_a but_o then_o they_o utter_o deny_v that_o the_o best_a outward_a circumstance_n can_v make_v a_o man_n happy_a for_o that_o must_v depend_v upon_o the_o temper_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n and_o his_o improvement_n in_o virtue_n these_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o the_o moralist_n agree_v in_o which_o may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o we_o for_o clear_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n in_o this_o matter_n about_o the_o difficulty_n of_o attain_v salvation_n 1._o that_o happiness_n do_v consist_v in_o one_o uniform_a design_n of_o life_n i._n e._n that_o a_o man_n must_v choose_v one_o proper_a and_o chief_a end_n to_o himself_o and_o so_o order_v his_o thought_n and_o action_n that_o he_o may_v attain_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o dissolute_a and_o careless_a liver_n that_o mind_n or_o think_v of_o nothing_o but_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o sleep_v and_o pass_v away_o his_o time_n be_v no_o more_o capable_a of_o happiness_n than_o a_o brute_n which_o exceed_v he_o in_o that_o which_o he_o account_v the_o happiness_n of_o life_n 2._o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o careful_a and_o attentive_a mind_n to_o pursue_v this_o design_n and_o that_o be_v by_o keep_v close_o to_o those_o maxim_n which_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o necessary_a to_o attain_v it_o for_o according_a to_o their_o different_a notion_n they_o have_v different_a maxim_n or_o rule_n of_o practice_n either_o as_o to_o virtue_n or_o pleasure_n and_o as_o man_n do_v observe_v these_o they_o be_v near_o to_o their_o happiness_n but_o if_o they_o break_v their_o rule_n they_o must_v blame_v themselves_o if_o they_o miss_v of_o it_o 3._o that_o any_o man_n who_o desire_v to_o be_v happy_a must_v above_o all_o thing_n take_v pain_n about_o himself_o for_o without_o that_o they_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v happy_a let_v his_o outward_a condition_n in_o the_o world_n be_v what_o it_o will_v for_o that_o be_v too_o uncertain_a a_o foundation_n to_o build_v such_o a_o structure_n upon_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o any_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o happiness_n to_o have_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o what_o conduce_v to_o it_o in_o his_o mind_n and_o to_o bring_v his_o passion_n into_o order_n for_o all_o the_o world_n can_v make_v one_o who_o passion_n be_v violent_a and_o extravagant_a to_o be_v happy_a no_o more_o than_o he_o to_o be_v a_o sound_n and_o healthful_a man_n that_o have_v a_o fever_n and_o a_o dropsy_n and_o convulsion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o violence_n of_o lust_n be_v a_o inward_a burn_a fever_n covetousness_n or_o a_o infatiable_a desire_n of_o riches_n a_o perpetual_a dropsy_n which_o increase_v the_o thirst_n by_o a_o endeavour_n to_o quench_v it_o and_o excessive_a anger_n be_v a_o convulsion_n of_o those_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v sedate_n and_o compose_v in_o any_o one_o who_o pretend_v to_o happiness_n but_o when_o they_o consider_v the_o force_n of_o natural_a inclination_n they_o find_v it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o make_v the_o unreasonable_a part_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o reasonable_a for_o the_o less_o of_o reason_n the_o more_o wilfulness_n and_o stubbornness_n and_o therefore_o the_o hard_a to_o be_v bring_v to_o reason_n and_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o it_o and_o herein_o lie_v the_o main_a difficulty_n and_o after_o all_o their_o argument_n and_o rule_n and_o direction_n humane_a nature_n be_v find_v too_o refractory_a to_o submit_v and_o the_o violence_n of_o man_n passion_n overthrow_v all_o the_o plausible_a scheme_n of_o happiness_n which_o the_o philosopher_n have_v set_v up_o to_o which_o i_o add_v 4._o that_o those_o who_o consult_v most_o the_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n of_o mankind_n be_v force_v to_o put_v man_n upon_o some_o hard_a and_o unpleasant_a thing_n to_o make_v any_o thing_n like_o happiness_n to_o consist_v in_o pleasure_n for_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o riot_n and_o excess_n all_o intemperance_n and_o luxury_n because_o the_o pain_n which_o follow_v exceed_v the_o pleasure_n and_o therefore_o they_o make_v temperance_n and_o chastity_n necessary_a to_o the_o true_a pleasure_n of_o life_n they_o reduce_v the_o happiness_n of_o pleasure_n to_o a_o fix_a and_o settle_a state_n and_o so_o take_v it_o off_o from_o that_o which_o be_v only_o sensual_a they_o bring_v man_n desire_v within_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n that_o the_o true_a lover_n of_o pleasure_n will_v abhor_v such_o confinement_n as_o they_o make_v necessary_a and_o although_o they_o can_v never_o conquer_v the_o fear_n of_o invisible_a power_n and_o of_o death_n yet_o they_o think_v no_o happiness_n be_v to_o be_v have_v without_o it_o so_o that_o all_o be_v agree_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a
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
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 these_o if_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v sincerity_n of_o repentance_n without_o through_o amendment_n we_o make_v a_o general_n repentance_n insignificant_a and_o make_v the_o condition_n of_o many_o good_a man_n desperate_a for_o none_o can_v be_v save_v without_o true_a repentance_n and_o if_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a repentance_n without_o actual_a forsake_v all_o such_o kind_n of_o sin_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o true_a repentance_n to_o be_v find_v but_o there_o be_v other_o sin_n of_o a_o more_o dangerous_a and_o malignant_a nature_n which_o argue_v a_o very_a bad_a mind_n such_o as_o malice_n and_o hatred_n a_o root_a aversion_n to_o what_o be_v good_a and_o a_o strong_a inclination_n to_o evil._n there_o be_v some_o sin_n that_o be_v gross_a and_o notorious_a of_o which_o st._n paul_n say_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v manifest_a i._n e._n such_o sin_n be_v easy_o know_v to_o be_v sin_n and_o man_n conscience_n condemn_v they_o even_o while_o they_o commit_v they_o such_o as_o murder_n adultery_n intemperance_n injustice_n perjury_n and_o such_o like_a of_o which_o the_o apostle_n after_o declare_v that_o they_o who_o do_v such_o thing_n shall_v never_o come_v to_o heaven_n 6._o therefore_o as_o to_o they_o such_o a_o repentance_n be_v necessary_a as_o imply_v not_o mere_o a_o dislike_n and_o sorrow_n for_o they_o but_o a_o thorough_a change_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n and_o the_o course_n of_o his_o life_n with_o respect_n to_o they_o and_o sure_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o new_a mould_n the_o temper_n of_o one_o mind_n and_o to_o turn_v the_o tide_n of_o our_o action_n to_o break_v off_o our_o belove_a sin_n and_o to_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n worthy_a of_o repentance_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o hard_a work_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o most_o reasonable_a work._n it_o be_v hard_a but_o it_o be_v like_o the_o take_n violent_a physic_n in_o some_o disease_n where_o the_o humour_n must_v be_v purge_v out_o or_o the_o party_n must_v die_v the_o uneasiness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v but_o the_o necessity_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o mind_n can_v be_v at_o ease_n till_o it_o be_v do_v so_o that_o the_o very_a difficulty_n of_o repentance_n lay_v the_o foundation_n for_o great_a peace_n of_o mind_n afterward_o and_o who_o will_v think_v much_o of_o such_o a_o difficulty_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o peace_n with_o god_n and_o his_o own_o conscience_n 2._o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v above_o all_o thing_n this_o be_v so_o fundamental_a a_o duty_n that_o we_o can_v place_v our_o happiness_n in_o god_n without_o it_o for_o if_o we_o do_v not_o love_n god_n above_o all_o thing_n we_o must_v love_v somewhat_o else_o so_o and_o whatever_o we_o love_v above_o all_o thing_n that_o we_o make_v our_o happiness_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n love_v all_o thing_n above_o he_o for_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o man_n love_n and_o esteem_v by_o what_o they_o court_v 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 exceed_v all_o the_o excellency_n which_o be_v scatter_v in_o the_o creature_n but_o a_o practical_a esteem_n be_v when_o the_o act_n of_o our_o soul_n towards_o he_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o apprehension_n we_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n concern_v he_o when_o we_o adore_v his_o infinite_a perfection_n and_o delight_n in_o the_o meditation_n of_o they_o when_o we_o desire_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n please_v to_o he_o and_o avoid_v what_o we_o know_v to_o offend_v he_o when_o we_o believe_v and_o hope_v and_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o his_o conduct_n in_o this_o world_n in_o hope_n of_o be_v happy_a with_o he_o in_o another_o this_o be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n but_o alas_o where_o be_v this_o love_n of_o god_n to_o be_v find_v it_o be_v no_o very_o hard_a matter_n to_o work_v up_o a_o heat_a and_o devout_a imagination_n to_o the_o fancy_n of_o rapture_n and_o ecstasy_n and_o mystical_a union_n 3._o but_o after_o all_o this_o be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n that_o we_o keep_v his_o commandment_n as_o the_o true_a love_n of_o a_o prince_n be_v not_o to_o flatter_v and_o admire_v he_o and_o watch_v for_o his_o smile_n but_o to_o observe_v his_o direction_n and_o obey_v his_o order_n and_o to_o do_v what_o be_v most_o for_o his_o service_n and_o although_o such_o a_o love_n of_o god_n be_v hard_a to_o those_o who_o heart_n be_v full_a of_o carnal_a affection_n and_o be_v take_v up_o with_o the_o folly_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n yet_o we_o can_v take_v one_o true_a step_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n without_o the_o love_n of_o god._n for_o even_o those_o who_o have_v most_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n of_o repentance_n do_v confess_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a contrition_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o love_n of_o god_n as_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o and_o however_o they_o have_v dangerous_o flatter_v and_o deceive_v those_o who_o be_v so_o weak_a to_o believe_v they_o that_o attrition_n with_o the_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v man_n into_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n yet_o st._n peter_n key_n must_v have_v a_o extraordinary_a virtue_n if_o they_o can_v change_v nature_n into_o grace_n or_o fear_v into_o love_n or_o mere_a horror_n of_o conscience_n into_o true_a repentance_n but_o although_o such_o a_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o hard_a a_o thing_n to_o mind_n prepossess_v with_o the_o love_n of_o other_o thing_n yet_o no_o one_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a duty_n in_o the_o world._n the_o very_a thought_n of_o god_n if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v imply_v that_o he_o be_v the_o best_a the_o wise_a the_o most_o perfect_a be_v and_o therefore_o the_o most_o amiable_a and_o desirable_a object_n and_o whither_o then_o shall_v the_o most_o natural_a stream_n of_o our_o affection_n run_v but_o towards_o he_o what_o do_v we_o mean_v to_o suffer_v so_o much_o 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