phariseeâ—_n â—_z not_o in_o show_n and_o pomp_n but_o in_o real_a worth_n and_o divine_a esteem_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v discourage_v because_o they_o that_o do_v so_o much_o be_v cast_v out_o since_o though_o we_o find_v not_o those_o heat_n and_o specious_a thing_n in_o ourselves_o which_o we_o observe_v in_o they_o yet_o if_o we_o be_v more_o meek_a and_o modest_a and_o patient_a and_o charitable_a and_o humble_a and_o just_a our_o case_n be_v better_a and_o we_o have_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n when_o they_o be_v but_o the_o form_n and_o we_o who_o they_o account_v alien_n and_o enemy_n shall_v enter_v while_o they_o the_o presume_a friend_n and_o domestics_n shall_v be_v shut_v out_o but_o 2._o i_o expect_v it_o shall_v be_v again_o object_v against_o this_o severity_n of_o discourse_n that_o our_o saviour_n say_v mat._n xi_o 20_o that_o his_o yoke_n be_v easy_a and_o his_o burden_n be_v light_a which_o place_n seem_v to_o cross_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v about_o the_o difficulty_n of_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v true_a it_o have_v such_o a_o appearance_n but_o it_o be_v no_o more_o for_o the_o word_n look_v as_o cross_v to_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o same_o divine_a author_n concern_v the_o straightness_n of_o the_o gate_n and_o narrowness_n of_o the_o way_n as_o to_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v deliver_v from_o those_o infallible_a say_n therefore_o to_o remove_v the_o semblance_n of_o contrariety_n which_o the_o object_v text_n seem_v to_o have_v to_o those_o other_o and_o to_o my_o discourse_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o when_o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o his_o yoke_n be_v easy_a the_o word_n we_o read_v easy_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v very_o good_a excellent_a gracious_a and_o the_o meaning_n i_o suppose_v be_v that_o his_o precept_n have_v a_o native_a beauty_n and_o goodness_n in_o they_o that_o they_o be_v congruous_a and_o suitable_a to_o our_o reasonable_a nature_n and_o apt_a instrument_n to_o make_v we_o happy_a in_o which_o sense_n this_o expression_n have_v no_o antipathy_n to_o the_o text_n or_o to_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v and_o whereas_o it_o be_v add_v my_o burden_n be_v light_a i_o think_v by_o this_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o his_o command_n be_v not_o of_o that_o burdensome_a nature_n that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v those_o be_v very_o cumbersome_a and_o have_v nothing_o in_o their_o nature_n to_o make_v they_o pleasant_a and_o agreeable_a whereas_o his_o religion_n have_v no_o expensive_a troublesome_a rite_n appendant_a to_o it_o nor_o do_v it_o require_v any_o thing_n but_o our_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n which_o eternal_a reason_n oblige_v we_o to_o and_o which_o of_o ourselves_o we_o shall_v choose_v to_o live_v under_o be_v we_o free_v from_o the_o entanglement_n of_o the_o world_n and_o interest_n of_o flesh._n so_o that_o neither_o do_v this_o objection_n signify_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o scope_n of_o my_o discourse_n chap._n iu_o inference_n from_o the_o whole_a concern_v 1_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o nature_n 2_o the_o great_a design_n of_o religion_n to_o perfect_v humane_a nature_n 3_o the_o agreement_n and_o oneness_n of_o christianity_n and_o morality_n 4_o the_o method_n of_o of_o grace_n on_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n 5_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o animal_n religion_n 6_o the_o certain_a mark_n whereby_o to_o know_v our_o state_n 7_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o form_n of_o it_o sect_n i._o and_o now_o i_o be_o at_o liberty_n to_o descend_v to_o the_o improvement_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v and_o the_o thing_n i_o have_v to_o add_v will_v be_v comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o general_n 1_o inference_n and_o a_o plain_a 2_o advice_n in_o order_n to_o practice_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o inference_n and_o corollary_n that_o arise_v from_o the_o whole_a discourse_n and_o 1_o we_o may_v collect_v what_o be_v the_o state_n of_o nature_n and_o what_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n we_o have_v see_v that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a business_n of_o religion_n to_o overcome_v evil_a inclination_n and_o the_o prevail_a influence_n of_o sense_n and_o passion_n and_o evil_a custom_n and_o example_n and_o worldly_a affection_n and_o therefore_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n consist_v in_o the_o power_n and_o prevalency_n of_o these_o this_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n call_v the_o old_a man_n eph._n four_o 22_o the_o image_n of_o the_o earthy_a 1_o cor._n xv_o flesh_n gal_n v._n 17_o death_n rom._n seven_o 24_o darkness_n john_n iii._o 19_o and_o old_a leaven_n 1_o cor._n v_o 7_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o state_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o state_n of_o sincere_a strive_v against_o they_o which_o if_o it_o keep_v on_o end_v in_o victory_n and_o this_o be_v call_v conversion_n act_v three_o 19_o and_o renovation_n while_o it_o be_v in_o its_o first_o motion_n and_o the_o divine_a nature_n 2_o pet._n i_o 4_o the_o image_n of_o the_o heavenly_a 1_o cor._n xv_o 20_o the_o spirit_n gal._n v._n 16_o light_n ephes._n v._n 8_o and_o life_n 1_o joh._n three_o 14_o when_o it_o be_v arrive_v to_o more_o compleatness_n and_o perfection_n for_o our_o full_a understanding_n this_o we_o may_v consider_v that_o grace_n be_v take_v 1_o for_o divine_a favour_n 2_o for_o christian_a virtue_n as_o it_o signify_v divine_a favour_n so_o it_o be_v use_v 1_o for_o those_o help_n and_o aid_v god_n afford_v we_o viz._n the_o gospel_n joh._n i._n 17_o and_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n twelve_o 9_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n by_o baptism_n viz._n we_o be_v entitle_v to_o divine_a help_n which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o regeneration_n for_o we_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o impotence_n and_o weakness_n and_o destitution_n of_o spiritual_a assistance_n this_o be_v the_o world_n of_o mere_a nature_n but_o then_o in_o baptism_n we_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v be_v put_v under_o its_o influence_n and_o be_v assure_v of_o its_o aid_n and_o so_o be_v moral_o bear_v again_o not_o that_o this_o regeneration_n alone_o will_v save_v we_o without_o our_o endeavour_n it_o import_v only_o a_o external_a relation_n and_o right_a to_o privilege_n and_o by_o these_o we_o may_v be_v powerful_o assist_v in_o our_o strive_n if_o we_o use_v they_o but_o then_o 2_o grace_v too_o as_o it_o signify_v divine_a favour_n imply_v his_o special_a love_n and_o kindness_n such_o as_o he_o vouchsafe_v to_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a man_n so_o that_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o distinction_n between_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n a_o state_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o former_a sense_n be_v a_o condition_n assist_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o all_o baptize_v person_n be_v in_o that_o but_o if_o they_o use_v not_o those_o help_n they_o be_v not_o in_o god_n special_a favour_n and_o so_o not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n but_o when_o those_o assistance_n be_v due_o employ_v and_o join_v with_o our_o sincere_a endeavour_n than_o the_o person_n so_o use_v they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n also_o and_o in_o god_n special_a love_n and_o favour_n thus_o of_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n as_o take_v for_o divine_a favour_n 2_o the_o word_n be_v also_o use_v for_o christian_a virtue_n 2_o peter_n three_o 18_o and_o virtue_n be_v call_v grace_n because_o it_o be_v wrought_v in_o we_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v divine_a favour_n and_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v to_o be_v a_o virtuous_a man_n which_o suppose_v divine_a aid_n and_o entitle_v to_o divine_a love_n these_o thing_n i_o have_v take_v a_o occasion_n thus_o brief_o to_o state_n and_o i_o have_v do_v it_o because_o there_o be_v ofttimes_o much_o confusion_n in_o man_n discourse_n about_o grace_n and_o nature_n from_o which_o much_o trouble_n and_o many_o controversy_n have_v arisen_a and_o by_o what_o i_o have_v say_v also_o in_o these_o brief_a hint_n the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n in_o the_o office_n of_o baptism_n may_v be_v understand_v clear_o and_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v very_o sound_a and_o true_a notwithstanding_o the_o petty_a exception_n of_o those_o that_o understand_v not_o what_o they_o say_v nor_o whereof_o they_o affirm_v sect_n ii_o two_o i_o may_v infer_v that_o the_o great_a design_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o perfect_v humane_a nature_n the_o perfection_n of_o our_o nature_n consist_v as_o i_o have_v intimate_v in_o the_o subjection_n and_o
come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o offer_v and_o promote_v it_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v powerful_a and_o ready_a to_o assist_v our_o endeavour_n we_o be_v make_v for_o happiness_n and_o we_o seek_v it_o and_o lord_n be_v there_o few_o that_o be_v save_v the_o text_n be_v christ_n return_n to_o the_o question_n strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o straight_a gate_n for_o many_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o will_v seek_v to_o enter_v and_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a in_o which_o word_n we_o have_v three_o thing_n ay_o a_o answer_v imply_v straight_o be_v the_o gate_n two_o a_o duty_n express_v strive_v to_o enter_v iii_o a_o consideration_n to_o engage_v our_o great_a care_n and_o diligence_n in_o the_o duty_n for_o many_o will_v seek_v to_o enter_v and_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a by_o the_o gate_n we_o may_v understand_v the_o entrance_n and_o all_o the_o way_n oâ—_n happiness_n and_o that_o be_v religion_n by_o the_o straightness_n of_o it_o the_o difficulty_n we_o be_v to_o encounter_v by_o strive_v earnest_a and_o sincere_a endeavour_n by_o seek_v a_o imperfect_a strive_n and_o from_o the_o word_n thuâ—_n brief_o explain_v these_o proposition_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n i._o there_o be_v many_o and_o great_a difficulty_n in_o religion_n the_o gate_n be_v straight_o ii_o the_o difficulty_n may_v bâ—_n overcome_v by_o strive_v strive_v tâ—_n enter_v iii_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o strive_v that_o will_v not_o procure_v a_o entrance_n for_o many_o will_v seek_v to_o enter_v in_o and_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a chap._n i._o there_o be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o religion_n religion_n be_v not_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v the_o difficulty_n arise_v 1_o from_o the_o depravity_n of_o our_o nature_n 2_o from_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o sense_n 3_o from_o the_o disorder_n of_o our_o passion_n 4_o from_o the_o power_n of_o custom_n 5_o from_o evil_a example_n and_o 6_o from_o worldly_a interest_n and_o engagement_n sect_n i._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o in_o order_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v many_o and_o great_a difficulty_n in_o religion_n and_o to_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v about_o it_o i_o premise_v this_o negative_a consideration_n that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o the_o understanding_n religion_n be_v a_o plain_a thing_n and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v it_o be_v no_o deep_a subtlety_n or_o high-strained_a notion_n it_o be_v no_o gild_a fancy_n or_o elaborate_a exercise_n of_o the_o brain_n it_o be_v not_o place_v in_o the_o cloud_n of_o imagination_n nor_o wrap_v up_o in_o mystical_a clothing_n but_o it_o be_v obvious_a and_o familiar_a easy_a and_o intelligible_a first_o preach_v by_o fisherman_n and_o mechanic_n without_o pomp_n of_o speech_n or_o height_n of_o speculation_n address_v to_o babe_n and_o plebeian_n head_n and_o incend_v to_o govern_v the_o will_n of_o the_o honest_a and_o sincere_a and_o not_o to_o exercise_v the_o wit_n of_o the_o notional_a and_o curious_a so_o that_o we_o need_v not_o mount_v the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n to_o fetch_v religion_n from_o the_o star_n nor_o go_v down_o to_o the_o deep_a to_o fetch_v it_o up_o from_o thence_o for_o it_o be_v with_o we_o and_o before_o we_o as_o open_a as_o the_o day_n and_o as_o familiar_a as_o the_o light_n the_o great_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v clothe_v in_o sunbeam_n and_o be_v as_o visible_a to_o the_o common_a eye_n as_o to_o the_o eagle_n upon_o the_o high_a perch_n it_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o wit_n or_o subtlety_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n nor_o will_v it_o require_v much_o study_n or_o learned_a retirement_n to_o understand_v the_o religion_n we_o must_v practice_v that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v know_v of_o god_n be_v manifest_a to_o the_o very_a heathen_a rom._n i._n 19_o the_o law_n be_v light_a say_v solomon_n prov._n vi_fw-la 13_o and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o single_a pass_a glance_n on_o the_o eye_n but_o it_o be_v put_v into_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o promise_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v all_o know_v he_o from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o least_o our_o duty_n be_v set_v up_o in_o open_a place_n and_o shine_v upon_o by_o a_o clear_a beam_n it_o be_v write_v of_o old_a upon_o the_o plain_a table_n of_o habakkuk_n hab._n two_o 2_o so_o that_o the_o run_a eye_n may_v see_v and_o read_v and_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o h._n jesus_n like_o himself_o come_v into_o the_o world_n with_o ray_n about_o its_o head_n religion_n i_o say_v be_v clear_a and_o plain_a and_o what_o be_v not_o so_o may_v concern_v the_o theatre_n or_o the_o school_n may_v entertain_v man_n wit_n and_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o dispute_n but_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o religion_n it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o interest_n of_o man_n soul_n religion_n be_v once_o a_o mystery_n but_o the_o mystery_n be_v reveal_v and_o those_o thing_n that_o we_o yet_o count_v mystery_n be_v plain_o enough_o discover_v as_o to_o their_o be_v such_o as_o we_o believe_v they_o though_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o manner_n how_o and_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o religion_n to_o inquire_v into_o that_o but_o rather_o it_o injoin_v we_o meek_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o plain_a declaration_n of_o faith_n without_o bold_a scrutiny_n into_o hide_a thing_n in_o short_a then_o i_o say_v the_o difficulty_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o in_o the_o understanding_n in_o prompto_fw-la &_o facili_n est_fw-la aeternitas_fw-la say_v the_o father_n the_o affair_n of_o eternity_n depend_v on_o thing_n easy_a and_o familiar_a and_o i_o premise_v this_o to_o prevent_v dangerous_a mistake_n but_o though_o religion_n be_v so_o facile_a and_o plain_a a_o thing_n to_o be_v understand_v yet_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v no_o broad_a or_o easy_a path_n the_o gaâ—_n be_v straight_o enough_o for_o all_o that_o anâ—_n i_o now_o come_v to_o show_v what_o be_v thâ—_n real_a difficulty_n of_o religion_n anâ—_n whence_o they_o arise_v sect_n ii_o one_o great_a difficulty_n arisen_a from_o the_o depravity_n of_o ouâ—_n nature_n the_o scripture_n intimatesâ—_n that_o we_o be_v conceive_v in_o sinâ—_n psalm_n lv_o 5_o trangressour_n froâ—_n the_o womb_n isaiah_n xlviii_o 8_o anâ—_n child_n of_o wrath_n ephes._n two_o 3_o anâ—_n we_o find_v by_o experience_n that_o we_o brinâ—_n vile_a inclination_n into_o the_o worlâ—_n with_o we_o some_o be_v natural_o cruelâ—_n and_o injurious_a proud_a and_o imperiâ—ous_a lustful_a and_o revengeful_a oâ—thers_n covetous_a and_o unjust_a huâ—moursome_a and_o discontent_v treacherous_a and_o false_a and_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o instance_n of_o habitual_a vice_n or_o villainy_n but_o some_o or_o other_o be_v addict_v to_o it_o by_o their_o particular_a make_n and_o nature_n i_o say_v their_o nature_n for_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o true_a what_o some_o affirm_v to_o serve_v their_o opinion_n in_o contradiction_n to_o experience_n that_o vice_n be_v not_o in_o man_n natural_a propension_n but_o instil_v by_o corrupt_a education_n evil_a custom_n and_o example_n for_o we_o see_v that_o those_o who_o education_n have_v be_v the_o same_o do_v yet_o differ_v extreme_o from_o each_o other_o in_o their_o inclination_n and_o some_o who_o breed_n have_v be_v careless_a and_o loose_a who_o have_v see_v almost_o nothing_o else_o but_o example_n of_o vice_n and_o be_v instruct_v in_o little_a beside_o the_o art_n of_o vanity_n and_o pleasure_n i_o say_v there_o be_v such_o who_o notwithstanding_o these_o their_o unhappy_a circumstance_n discover_v none_o of_o thosâ—_n vile_a inclination_n and_o propensionâ—_n that_o be_v in_o other_o who_o educatiâ—â—_n have_v be_v very_o strict_a and_o advantâ—â—geous_a this_o i_o think_v be_v enough_o tâ—_n show_v that_o many_o of_o our_o evil_a hibbit_n be_v from_o nature_n and_o not_o from_o custom_n only_o and_o yet_o i_o can_v say_v that_o hâ—â—mane_a nature_n be_v so_o debauch_a thâ—â—_n every_o man_n be_v incline_v to_o every_o euâ—â—_n by_o it_o for_o there_o be_v those_o who_o bâ—_n their_o temper_n be_v averse_a to_o somâ—_n kind_a of_o vice_n and_o natural_o dispon_v to_o the_o contrary_a virtue_n somâ—_n by_o their_o constitution_n be_v incline_v to_o hate_v cruelty_n covetousness_n lie_v impudence_n and_o injustice_n and_o be_v bâ—_n temper_v merciful_a liberal_a modest_a truâ—â—_n and_o just_a there_o be_v kind_n of_o viâ—ces_n which_o our_o nature_n almost_o uniâ—versally_o rise_v against_o as_o many_o bestâ—â—alities_n and_o some_o horrid_a cruelty_n and_o all_o man_n except_o monster_n in_o humane_a form_n be_v dispose_v to_o some_o virtue_n such_o as_o love_n to_o child_n and_o kindness_n to_o friend_n and_o benefactor_n all_o this_o i_o must_v confess_v and_o say_v because_o experience_n constrain_v i_o and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v why_o systematick_a notion_n shall_v sway_v more_o than_o that_o but_o notwithstanding_o these_o last_o concession_n it_o be_v evident_a enough_o
complexion_n and_o particular_a nature_n this_o be_v a_o great_a work_n and_o will_v require_v strong_a faith_n and_o many_o prayer_n and_o much_o time_n and_o great_a watchfulness_n and_o invincible_a resolution_n employ_v these_o hearty_o and_o though_o thou_o now_o and_o then_o may_v receive_v a_o foil_n yet_o give_v not_o off_o so_o but_o rise_v again_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o god_n implore_v new_a aid_n and_o â—ortifie_v thyself_o with_o more_o consideration_n and_o deep_a resolve_n and_o then_o renew_v the_o combat_n upon_o the_o encouragement_n of_o divine_a assistance_n and_o christ_n merit_n and_o intercession_n and_o the_o promise_n that_o sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o we_o rom._n vi_fw-la 14_o remember_v that_o this_o be_v the_o great_a work_n and_o the_o big_a difficulty_n if_o this_o be_v not_o overcome_v all_o our_o other_o labour_n have_v be_v in_o vain_a and_o will_v be_v lose_v if_o this_o root_n remain_v it_o will_v still_o bear_v poisonous_a fruit_n which_o will_v be_v matter_n for_o temptation_n and_o occasion_n of_o continual_a fall_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v reconcile_v again_o to_o our_o old_a sin_n and_o to_o undo_v all_o and_o so_o our_o latter_a end_n will_v be_v worse_a theâ—_n our_o beginning_n 2_o pet._n two_o 20_o or_o at_o least_o though_o we_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n and_o satisfy_v ourselves_o with_o that_o yet_o though_o we_o be_v content_v our_o condition_n be_v not_o safe_a if_o we_o will_v endeavour_v to_o any_o purpose_n of_o duty_n or_o security_n we_o must_v proceed_v still_o after_o our_o lesser_a conquest_n till_o the_o sin_n of_o complexion_n be_v lay_v dead_a at_o our_o foot_n he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n sin_v not_o and_o he_o can_v sin_v 1_o joh._n three_o 9_o till_o we_o come_v to_o this_o we_o be_v but_o struggle_v in_o the_o birth_n such_o a_o perfection_n as_o be_v mortify_n of_o vicious_a temper_n be_v i_o hope_v attainable_a and_o it_o be_v no_o doubt_n that_o which_o religion_n aim_v at_o and_o though_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a height_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o sit_v down_o this_o side_n at_o least_o we_o must_v be_v always_o press_v on_o to_o this_o mark_n if_o providence_n cut_v off_o our_o day_n before_o we_o have_v arrive_v to_o it_o we_o may_v expect_v acceptance_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o endeavour_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o he_o have_v procure_v favour_n for_o those_o sincere_a believer_n and_o endeavourer_n who_o day_n be_v do_v before_o their_o work_n be_v complete_v this_o i_o mean_v of_o subdue_a the_o darling_n sin_n of_o their_o particular_a nature_n but_o then_o if_o we_o rest_v and_o please_v ourselves_o with_o the_o little_a victory_n and_o attainment_n and_o let_v these_o our_o great_a enemy_n quiet_o alone_a it_o be_v a_o argument_n our_o endeavour_n be_v not_o sincere_a but_o much_o short_a of_o that_o strive_n which_o will_v procure_v a_o entrance_n into_o the_o straight_a gate_n the_o nâ—xt_a thing_n and_o it_o be_v the_o last_o i_o shall_v mention_v which_o be_v employ_v in_o strive_v be_v iu_o to_o furnish_v ourselves_o through_o divine_a grace_n with_o the_o habit_n and_o inclination_n of_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n for_o goodness_n to_o become_v a_o kind_n of_o nature_n to_o the_o soul_n be_v height_n indeed_o but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o may_v be_v reach_v the_o new_a nature_n and_o new_a creature_n gal._n vi_fw-la 15_o be_v not_o mere_a name_n we_o have_v observe_v that_o some_o man_n be_v of_o a_o natural_a generosity_n veracity_n and_o sweetness_n and_o they_o can_v act_v contrary_a to_o these_o native_a virtue_n without_o a_o mighty_a violence_n why_o now_o shall_v not_o the_o new_a nature_n be_v as_o powerful_a as_o the_o old_a and_o why_o may_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_v by_o a_o active_a faith_n and_o endeavour_n fix_v habit_n and_o inclination_n on_o the_o soul_n as_o prevalent_a as_o those_o no_o doubt_n it_o may_v and_o do_v upon_o the_o divine_a soul_n for_o who_o to_o do_v a_o wicked_a or_o unworthy_a action_n it_o will_v be_v as_o violent_a and_o unnatural_a as_o for_o the_o meek_a and_o compassionate_a temper_n to_o butcher_v the_o innocent_a or_o for_o he_o that_o be_v natural_o just_a to_o oppress_v and_o make_v a_o prey_n of_o the_o fatherless_a and_o the_o widow_n i_o say_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v aim_v at_o heb._n vi_fw-la 1_o and_o we_o shall_v not_o sit_v down_o and_o slacken_v our_o endeavour_n on_o this_o side_n it_o in_o order_n to_o our_o aim_v to_o the_o happy_a pitch_n we_o be_v to_o use_v frequent_a meditation_n on_o the_o excellency_n and_o pleasure_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n and_o earnest_a prayer_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o diligent_a attendance_n upon_o the_o public_a worship_n and_o pious_a company_n and_o converse_v for_o this_o great_a design_n these_o help_n be_v requisite_a and_o if_o we_o exercise_v ourselves_o in_o they_o as_o we_o ought_v they_o will_v fire_v our_o soul_n with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o goodness_n and_o so_o at_o last_o all_o christian_a virtue_n will_v become_v as_o natural_a to_o we_o as_o sin_n be_v before_o and_o to_o one_o that_o be_v so_o prepare_v the_o gate_n of_o happiness_n will_v be_v open_a and_o of_o easy_a entrance_n the_o difficulty_n be_v overcome_v and_o from_o henceforth_o the_o way_n be_v pleasant_a and_o plain_a before_o he_o prov._n iii._o 17_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o the_o formidable_a difficulty_n may_v be_v overcome_v and_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o how_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a course_n i_o have_v direct_v that_o will_v not_o puzzle_v your_o understanding_n with_o needless_a nicety_n nor_o distract_v your_o memory_n with_o multitude_n walk_v in_o this_o way_n and_o do_v it_o constant_o with_o vigour_n and_o alacrity_n and_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n but_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o god_n through_o the_o merit_n and_o mediation_n of_o his_o son_n you_o will_v overcome_v and_o at_o last_o enter_z sect_n iv._o i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o this_o general_a head_n but_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o note_v three_o thing_n here_o 1._o those_o instrument_n of_o our_o happiness_n which_o we_o must_v use_v in_o strive_v viz._n faith_n prayer_n and_o active_a endeavour_n must_v all_o of_o they_o be_v employ_v not_o any_o one_o single_o will_v do_v the_o great_a work_n nor_o can_v the_o other_o if_o any_o one_o be_v want_v if_o we_o believe_v and_o do_v not_o pray_v or_o pray_v and_o do_v not_o endeavour_v or_o endeavour_v without_o those_o the_o difficulty_n will_v remain_v and_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o enter_v 2._o we_o must_v be_v diligent_a in_o our_o course_n if_o we_o do_v not_o exercise_v faith_n vigorous_o and_o pray_v hearty_o and_o endeavour_v with_o our_o whole_a might_n the_o mean_n will_v not_o succeed_v and_o it_o be_v as_o good_a not_o at_o all_o as_o not_o to_o purpose_v the_o difficulty_n will_v not_o be_v overcome_v by_o cold_a faith_n or_o sleepy_a prayer_n or_o remiss_a endeavour_n a_o very_a intense_a degree_n of_o these_o be_v necessary_a 3._o our_o strive_v must_v be_v constant_a we_o must_v not_o begin_v and_o look_v back_o heb._n x._o 38_o or_o run_v a_o while_n and_o stop_v in_o mid_a course_n 1_o cor._n ix_o 24_o and_o content_v ourselves_o with_o some_o attainment_n and_o think_v we_o have_v arrive_v phil._n iii._o 14_o if_o we_o do_v so_o we_o shall_v find_v ourselves_o dangerous_o mistake_v the_o crown_n be_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o warfare_n and_o the_o prize_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o race_n if_o we_o will_v succeed_v we_o must_v hold_v on_o the_o life_n of_o one_o that_o strive_v as_o he_o ought_v must_v be_v a_o continual_a motion_n forward_o always_o procee_v always_o grow_v if_o we_o strive_v thus_o we_o can_v fail_v if_o any_o of_o these_o qualification_n be_v want_v we_o can_v but_o miscarry_v and_o hence_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v that_o many_o that_o seek_v to_o enter_v shall_v not_o be_v able_a and_o the_o presume_a son_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v shut_v out_o mat._n viij_o 12_o they_o seek_v and_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o be_v admit_v they_o do_v some_o thing_n and_o strive_v but_o their_o strive_n be_v partial_a or_o careless_a or_o short_a by_o reason_n of_o which_o defect_n they_o do_v not_o overcome_v and_o shall_v not_o enter_v this_o be_v a_o dangerous_a rock_n and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v as_o many_o undo_v by_o cold_a and_o half_o strive_v as_o by_o not_o strive_v at_o all_o he_o that_o have_v do_v some_o thing_n presume_v he_o be_v secure_a he_o go_v the_o round_a of_o ordinary_a duty_n but_o advance_v nothing_o in_o his_o way_n he_o overcome_v none_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n none_o of_o