Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	ability_n	able_a	true_a	49	3	3.5707	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96372	A treatise of the power of godlinesse: consisting of three parts. 1 wherein it consists. 2 cautions against, and discoveries of, several mistakes and hinderances, most common to the people of God. 3 several means and helps for attaining of it. / By Thomas White, preacher of Gods Word in London.	White, Thomas, Presbyterian minister in London.	1658 (1658)	Wing W1848; Thomason E1848_1; ESTC R209711	168,479	438

upon_o we_o and_o the_o last_o to_o be_v do_v at_o night_n when_o we_o take_v a_o review_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o day_n chap._n xiii_o the_o ten_o help_n for_o the_o attainment_n and_o progress_n in_o holiness_n which_o be_v the_o choice_n of_o a_o faithful_a prudent_a director_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o only_a in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n we_o be_v negligent_a in_o such_o thing_n we_o account_v that_o a_o burden_n and_o disgrace_n which_o we_o do_v not_o so_o account_v in_o any_o thing_n else_o nay_o we_o pray_v and_o wait_v and_o pay_v for_o that_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n which_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n though_o we_o be_v entreat_v to_o receive_v free_o we_o refuse_v and_o if_o force_v by_o any_o church_n constitution_n we_o call_v it_o impose_v and_o tyranny_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o some_o few_o thing_n for_o our_o child_n we_o seek_v out_o the_o able_a most_o experience_a and_o strict_a schoolmaster_n so_o they_o be_v mild_a withal_o and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o careful_a and_o frequent_a in_o hear_v examine_v and_o direct_v our_o child_n we_o like_v they_o best_o we_o be_v at_o great_a charge_n for_o thei●_n education_n and_o indeed_o one_o can_v hardly_o be_v prodigal_a in_o that_o case_n always_o provide_v it_o be_v not_o in_o teach_v of_o they_o vanity_n as_o in_o dance_v travel_v to_o see_v fashion_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o in_o many_o year_n they_o attain_v to_o exactness_n in_o the_o tongue_n and_o art_n we_o think_v their_o time_n and_o our_o money_n well_o bestow_v and_o make_v much_o of_o their_o schoolmaster_n and_o tutor_n and_o they_o deserve_v it_o and_o their_o whole_a time_n they_o spend_v in_o the_o attainment_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o as_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n we_o think_v we_o can_v attain_v it_o without_o any_o tutor_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o they_o without_o spend_v any_o considerable_a time_n attention_n or_o money_n therein_o as_o if_o our_o soul_n only_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o we_o need_v not_o care_n for_o or_o can_v without_o any_o help_n furnish_v with_o piety_n and_o knowledge_n physician_n and_o lawyer_n how_o be_v their_o house_n and_o chamber_n frequent_v but_o for_o minister_n we_o think_v it_o enough_o if_o we_o hear_v they_o preach_v without_o desire_v any_o personal_a direction_n or_o instruction_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n which_o be_v notwithstanding_o as_o necessary_a and_o profitable_a for_o our_o progress_n in_o holiness_n as_o the_o former_a be_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o papist_n do_v press_v auricular_a confession_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o all_o the_o command_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o so_o have_v mix_v the_o advantage_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o endeavour_v to_o have_v from_o minister_n with_o so_o many_o superstition_n and_o so_o much_o will_v worship_v that_o it_o have_v make_v people_n neglect_v those_o benefit_n that_o they_o may_v reap_v that_o way_n and_o indeed_o people_n unwillingness_n to_o give_v that_o due_a honour_n and_o subjection_n that_o they_o owe_v to_o minister_n make_v they_o so_o much_o decry_v the_o superstition_n of_o popery_n that_o they_o neglect_v their_o own_o duty_n when_o any_o one_o go_v to_o learn_v art_n or_o language_n he_o that_o teach_v they_o first_o by_o speak_v with_o they_o understand_v how_o far_o they_o have_v proceed_v and_o by_o that_o be_v enable_v to_o give_v they_o suitable_a direction_n he_o direct_v they_o what_o lesson_n and_o book_n they_o shall_v read_v and_o take_v a_o strict_a and_o frequent_a account_n of_o they_o and_o they_o be_v very_o exact_a in_o follow_v their_o method_n and_o direction_n so_o that_o though_o other_o book_n or_o lesson_n may_v seem_v more_o please_v to_o they_o yet_o they_o deny_v themselves_o as_o for_o example_n in_o music_n there_o be_v a_o method_n in_o teach_v first_o the_o plain_a note_n and_o long_a time_n after_o that_o short_a time_n and_o so_o give_v they_o lesson_n as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o they_o but_o those_o that_o rather_o choose_v the_o pleasant_a than_o the_o best_a way_n will_v rather_o learn_v some_o tune_n they_o know_v than_o to_o go_v on_o methodical_o and_o so_o never_o attain_v any_o perfection_n in_o the_o art_n so_o in_o arithmetic_n mathematics_n if_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o tutor_n be_v not_o follow_v they_o will_v find_v far_o more_o difficulty_n and_o uncertainty_n doubtless_o there_o be_v many_o inconvenience_n that_o come_v for_o want_v of_o direction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o religion_n some_o from_o open_a profaneness_n and_o ignorance_n fall_v upon_o the_o study_n and_o dispute_n of_o the_o high_a point_n of_o divinity_n at_o first_o and_o before_o they_o be_v in_o any_o measure_n ground_v in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n they_o fall_v upon_o point_n that_o be_v so_o knotty_a that_o minister_n of_o the_o great_a ability_n be_v not_o able_a to_o untie_v and_o new_a beginner_n be_v receive_v with_o such_o doubtful_a and_o difficult_a disputation_n it_o be_v no_o marvel_n that_o they_o turn_v either_o atheist_n or_o heretic_n it_o be_v true_a that_o those_o that_o be_v ground_v and_o establish_v christian_n do_v less_o want_v but_z i_o suppose_v be_v more_o desirous_a of_o further_a direction_n and_o instruction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n but_o sure_o for_o beginner_n there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n or_o great_a conveniency_n this_o way_n for_o sermon_n be_v somewhat_o too_o general_a and_o can_v meet_v with_o the_o personal_a particular_a case_n of_o every_o one_o but_o this_o way_n will_v but_o pride_n ignorance_n and_o profaneness_n make_v people_n loath_a to_o come_v to_o the_o light_n because_o their_o deed_n be_v evil_a and_o minister_n have_v lose_v that_o honour_n and_o authority_n that_o god_n have_v and_o people_n ought_v to_o give_v they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o people_n loss_n more_o than_o they_o for_o what_o care_n we_o for_o honour_n or_o dishonour_n if_o the_o work_n of_o god_n may_v go_v on_o as_o well_o with_o the_o one_o as_o with_o the_o other_o yet_o many_o caution_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v concern_v this_o matter_n 1._o as_o concern_v the_o person_n who_o we_o be_v to_o choose_v to_o be_v our_o spiritual_a tutor_n for_o great_a care_n need_v to_o be_v have_v who_o we_o choose_v especial_o for_o grow_v christian_n for_o as_o for_o other_o that_o be_v new_a beginner_n those_o that_o be_v of_o lesser_a knowledge_n and_o experience_n and_o prudence_n may_v serve_v and_o by_o a_o simile_n i_o shall_v set_v down_o most_o of_o the_o rule_n that_o concern_v this_o matter_n as_o those_o that_o can_v so_o much_o as_o read_v need_v not_o to_o go_v to_o school_n to_o the_o eminent_a scholar_n to_o teach_v they_o but_o those_o of_o inferior_a gift_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n so_o those_o that_o be_v very_o ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n may_v be_v instruct_v until_o they_o make_v a_o further_a progress_n by_o private_a christian_n which_o that_o minister_n who_o they_o shall_v choose_v for_o their_o director_n shall_v commend_v they_o to_o and_o this_o i_o will_v also_o have_v every_o one_o take_v special_a care_n of_o what_o minister_v it_o be_v who_o they_o choose_v for_o their_o tutor_n let_v he_o be_v one_o of_o good_a report_n of_o great_a prudence_n experience_n and_o leisure_n if_o it_o may_v be_v and_o one_o that_o be_v ready_a to_o teach_v and_o to_o instruct_v now_o as_o it_o be_v with_o moses_n it_o must_v be_v with_o minister_n they_o be_v to_o choose_v out_o of_o their_o congregation_n some_o that_o be_v so_o qualify_v viz._n prudent_a experience_a christian_n etc._n etc._n to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o commit_v the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n that_o they_o may_v hear_v case_n of_o lesser_a importance_n and_o instruct_v christian_n of_o weak_a ability_n and_o those_o case_n that_o be_v of_o great_a weight_n and_o difficulty_n be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o themselves_o and_o those_o elder_n like_o usher_n be_v to_o fit_v they_o for_o the_o minister_n further_a instruction_n of_o they_o so_o that_o as_o when_o scholar_n come_v to_o a_o school_n if_o the_o schoolmaster_n find_v they_o not_o to_o have_v learn_v so_o far_o as_o to_o fit_v they_o for_o those_o form_n that_o be_v under_o his_o immediate_a teach_n he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o teach_n of_o his_o usher_n till_o they_o be_v make_v fit_a for_o himself_o so_o a_o minister_n shall_v have_v divers_a to_o who_o he_o may_v commend_v those_o who_o have_v make_v little_a progress_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o spiritual_a truth_n who_o may_v build_v they_o up_o until_o they_o be_v make_v fit_a for_o himself_o for_o if_o all_o shall_v be_v under_o his_o immediate_a inspection_n the_o burden_n will_v be_v too_o great_a for_o he_o to_o

from_o duty_n or_o ordinance_n either_o by_o take_v up_o all_o thy_o time_n or_o by_o plead_v that_o thou_o be_v unworthy_a to_o come_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n when_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n hinder_v thou_o from_o come_v when_o he_o call_v thou_o all_o sorrow_n as_o to_o these_o effect_n be_v to_o be_v mortify_v 3._o if_o the_o sight_n and_o sorrow_n for_o thy_o sin_n discourage_v thou_o and_o make_v thou_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a thou_o shall_v never_o overcome_v such_o corruption_n such_o sorrow_n be_v not_o from_o god_n the_o apostle_n say_v that_o he_o forget_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v behind_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o must_v forget_v our_o sin_n and_o forget_v our_o grace_n that_o be_v we_o must_v not_o look_v upon_o our_o former_a sinful_a life_n from_o thence_o to_o draw_v such_o sad_a conclusion_n that_o our_o sin_n be_v too_o great_a to_o be_v pardon_v or_o of_o too_o deep_a a_o dye_n to_o be_v cleanse_v or_o our_o corruption_n too_o strong_a to_o be_v conquer_v neither_o must_v we_o look_v upon_o our_o former_a duty_n and_o grace_n as_o if_o now_o we_o may_v slack_v our_o pace_n chap._n vi_o of_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v loose_a upon_o we_o the_o first_o great_a impediment_n of_o holiness_n be_v that_o we_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v loose_a upon_o we_o they_o be_v not_o fasten_v by_o the_o master_n of_o the_o assembly_n as_o nail_n in_o a_o sure_a place_n few_o there_o be_v that_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o any_o other_o ground_n than_o because_o their_o parent_n and_o the_o nation_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o bring_v up_o have_v and_o do_v profess_v it_o but_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v this_o any_o further_a since_o it_o be_v do_v in_o that_o singular_a book_n pink_n trial_n of_o our_o sincere_a love_n to_o christ_n few_o there_o be_v that_o do_v true_o and_o real_o believe_v what_o they_o profess_v they_o be_v rather_o ashamed_a to_o deny_v those_o truth_n which_o all_o among_o who_o they_o live_v profess_v than_o that_o they_o in_o their_o heart_n do_v believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a which_o appear_v partly_o by_o this_o that_o when_o sect_n and_o heresy_n be_v multiply_v and_o abundance_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o sname_v of_o hold_v such_o error_n be_v take_v off_o than_o they_o do_v own_o those_o error_n which_o before_o they_o believe_v but_o be_v ashamed_a to_o profess_v but_o especial_o by_o this_o that_o they_o deny_v those_o truth_n by_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n which_o they_o profess_v with_o their_o tongue_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o may_v be_v conviction_n without_o conversion_n nor_o can_v the_o understanding_n make_v the_o will_v love_v those_o truth_n as_o good_a which_o itself_o believe_v as_o true_a yet_o though_o conviction_n can_v work_v conversion_n yet_o doubtless_o general_o it_o will_v work_v reformation_n the_o way_n to_o gain_v firm_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n be_v to_o build_v our_o faith_n upon_o strong_a and_o irrefragable_a ground_n the_o chief_a if_o not_o the_o only_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n there_o be_v too_o few_o christian_n that_o if_o they_o be_v ask_v how_o they_o can_v prove_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n can_v not_o bring_v one_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v they_o therefore_o i_o do_v advise_v all_o christian_n to_o get_v two_o or_o three_o plain_a and_o evident_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o establish_v themselves_o in_o every_o truth_n they_o hold_v to_o which_o purpose_n i_o can_v but_o commend_v that_o singular_a and_o invaluable_a though_o low_o prize_v book_n the_o assembly_n confession_n of_o faith_n and_o large_a catechism_n for_o in_o the_o margin_n thereof_o be_v set_v down_o the_o choice_a place_n of_o scripture_n for_o proof_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n therein_o specify_v the_o second_o advice_n for_o the_o get_n of_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o begin_v with_o fundamental_o it_o be_v the_o devil_n policy_n to_o set_v we_o upon_o the_o pinnacle_n truth_n of_o the_o temple_n at_o first_o as_o some_o now_o do_v as_o soon_o as_o they_o think_v of_o religion_n they_o enter_v upon_o the_o point_n of_o election_n and_o reprobation_n by_o this_o mean_v they_o be_v dazzle_v and_o grow_v giddy_a and_o fall_v headlong_o into_o perdition_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o art_n trade_n or_o science_n but_o there_o be_v a_o method_n in_o teach_v of_o they_o the_o rudiment_n be_v first_o to_o be_v learn_v and_o afterward_o the_o high_a truth_n or_o practice_n as_o whosoever_o intend_v to_o learn_v upon_o the_o lute_n shall_v begin_v with_o the_o difficult'_v lesson_n at_o first_o will_v be_v discourage_v and_o disenable_v from_o proceed_v any_o far_o so_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n the_o plain_a and_o most_o fundamental_o be_v first_o to_o be_v learn_v and_o then_o those_o which_o be_v less_o fundamental_a the_o three_o advice_n be_v to_o venture_v something_o upon_o the_o truth_n you_o know_v and_o will_v strengthen_v your_o faith_n in_o they_o nay_o may_v i_o say_v unto_o you_o though_o you_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a but_o only_o think_v that_o they_o may_v be_v true_a do_v as_o those_o do_v who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n if_o the_o experiment_n will_v cost_v they_o but_o little_a and_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o he_o he_o will_v make_v experiment_n of_o it_o so_o in_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n will_v you_o know_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a or_o no_o our_o saviour_n tell_v how_o you_o may_v make_v the_o experiment_n keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n it_o will_v cost_v you_o but_o little_a so_o to_o do_v and_o then_o you_o shall_v know_v etc._n etc._n john_n 7.17_o so_o if_o you_o will_v know_v whether_o that_o say_n be_v true_a mark_v 10.30_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o it_o leave_v something_o for_o christ_n if_o ever_o occasion_n be_v leave_v land_n house_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o extraordinary_a time_n of_o persecution_n fall_v not_o in_o thy_o day_n so_o that_o thou_o shall_v have_v no_o opportunity_n to_o make_v such_o a_o experiment_n yet_o leave_v thy_o lust_n and_o unlawful_a game_n and_o pleasure_n the_o esteem_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n require_v it_o of_o thou_o and_o try_v whether_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o hundred_o fold_v advantage_n to_o thou_o even_o in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v true_a it_o may_v be_v god_n will_v pay_v thou_o in_o diamond_n which_o thou_o lay_v out_o in_o farthing_n in_o peace_n of_o conscience_n in_o spiritual_a grace_n or_o comfort_n whereas_o that_o which_o thou_o do_v part_v with_o for_o his_o sake_n be_v it_o may_v be_v some_o worldly_a profit_n pleasure_n or_o credit_n or_o that_o which_o be_v much_o worse_o some_o filthy_a lust_n but_o concern_v further_a direction_n for_o the_o beget_n and_o strengthen_v of_o our_o faith_n and_o to_o preserve_v we_o from_o error_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o preface_n of_o my_o annotation_n upon_o the_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o chapter_n of_o matthew_n chap._n vii_o the_o next_o impediment_n be_v want_v of_o consideration_n the_o second_o great_a impediment_n of_o holiness_n be_v want_v of_o consideration_n there_o be_v many_o truth_n not_o only_o such_o glorious_a truth_n as_o the_o gospel_n but_o even_o such_o truth_n that_o even_o the_o very_a heathen_a themselves_o do_v and_o do_v believe_v the_o bare_a knowledge_n whereof_o though_o it_o have_v little_a excellency_n in_o itself_o yet_o if_o they_o be_v true_o consider_v and_o improve_v will_v be_v of_o singular_a use_n and_o advantage_n to_o we_o who_o be_v there_o among_o we_o that_o know_v not_o that_o he_o must_v die_v yet_o how_o few_o do_v consider_v and_o improve_v this_o plain_a truth_n we_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v by_o we_o and_o store_v they_o up_o as_o divers_a lady_n do_v their_o rarity_n and_o curiosity_n in_o their_o closert_n only_o to_o show_v they_o to_o those_o that_o come_v to_o see_v we_o so_o we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o discourse_v of_o they_o and_o rather_o as_o matter_n of_o ostentation_n to_o boast_v of_o and_o pride_n ourselves_o in_o than_o as_o thing_n by_o the_o improvement_n whereof_o we_o may_v gain_v everlasting_a life_n or_o as_o great_a person_n do_v of_o their_o garden_n sometime_o to_o walk_v in_o they_o and_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o beauty_n and_o send_v of_o the_o flower_n that_o grow_v there_o than_o as_o the_o bee_n do_v to_o draw_v honey_n from_o they_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a kingdom_n that_o revolt_v from_o their_o prince_n and_o stand_v in_o open_a defiance_n against_o he_o

thou_o must_v never_o think_v to_o have_v any_o great_a measure_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n as_o long_o as_o thou_o stand_v in_o this_o uncertainty_n and_o irresoluteness_n as_o a_o woman_n as_o long_o as_o she_o be_v court_v by_o two_o and_o will_v not_o give_v a_o absolute_a denial_n to_o one_o of_o they_o can_v enjoy_v either_o as_o a_o husband_n etc._n etc._n &_o so_o want_v that_o communion_n that_o she_o may_v have_v with_o the_o one_o so_o that_o indeed_o both_o visit_v she_o but_o she_o dwell_v with_o neither_o so_o while_o thou_o be_v thus_o doubt_v and_o waver_v thou_o may_v have_v many_o visit_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v not_o dwell_v in_o thou_o thou_o lose_v those_o unspeakable_a advantage_n both_o of_o grace_n and_o joy_n which_o come_v by_o the_o co-habitation_n of_o the_o spirit_n therefore_o make_v religion_n thy_o business_n and_o follow_v god_n full_o as_o joshuah_n do_v and_o follow_v hard_a after_o god_n as_o david_n do_v and_o press_v forward_o to_o the_o mark_n as_o paul_n do_v and_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n as_o our_o saviour_n command_v chap._n xvi_o the_o next_o great_a impediment_n be_v worldly_a company_n the_o twelve_o great_a impediment_n be_v worldly_a company_n such_o as_o have_v no_o acquaintance_n with_o god_n but_o talk_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o turk_n and_o heathen_n do_v talk_v of_o as_o well_o as_o they_o when_o a_o saint_n have_v be_v in_o private_a ravish_v with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n and_o meet_v with_o company_n which_o speak_v not_o one_o word_n of_o such_o matter_n nor_o can_v what_o a_o damp_n be_v it_o and_o quench_v as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o we_o how_o sapless_a juiceless_a and_o without_o relish_n be_v such_o discourse_n and_o the_o people_n of_o god_n do_v general_o loose_v more_o by_o worldly_a man_n that_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o conversation_n be_v somewhat_o blameless_a than_o they_o lose_v by_o wicked_a and_o profane_a man_n for_o their_o company_n they_o utter_o avoid_v but_o the_o other_o they_o converse_v withal_o they_o suffer_v much_o from_o it_o be_v general_o in_o every_o one_o mouth_n that_o we_o have_v three_o grand_a enemy_n the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n but_o few_o there_o be_v that_o deal_n with_o the_o flesh_n or_o with_o the_o world_n as_o enemy_n but_o they_o endeavour_v too_o much_o to_o please_v both_o which_o they_o do_v not_o use_v to_o do_v to_o enemy_n nay_o we_o suffer_v very_o much_o many_o way_n mere_o because_o we_o will_v not_o displease_v the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n i_o know_v a_o excellent_a christian_a a_o woman_n of_o quality_n who_o spend_v most_o of_o her_o time_n in_o private_a and_o secret_a duty_n a_o woman_n of_o the_o great_a eminency_n for_o that_o as_o i_o know_v she_o when_o person_n of_o great_a quality_n come_v to_o see_v she_o will_v not_o omit_v she_o set_v time_n but_o will_v as_o they_o call_v rude_o take_v she_o leave_v of_o they_o rather_o than_o omit_v her_o communion_n with_o god_n alas_o what_o good_a can_v conference_n with_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n do_v we_o though_o they_o talk_v of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n their_o discourse_n be_v unprofitable_a and_o unsavoury_a for_o one_o may_v see_v that_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n they_o understand_v not_o and_o have_v no_o experience_n of_o they_o speak_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o west-indies_n that_o be_v never_o there_o alas_o they_o be_v neither_o able_a to_o comfort_v one_o nor_o to_o advise_v one_o concern_v spiritual_a matter_n the_o less_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o they_o the_o better_a chap._n xvii_o the_o next_o impediment_n be_v abundance_n of_o worldly_a employment_n the_o next_o impediment_n be_v abundance_n of_o worldly_a employment_n and_o business_n many_o there_o be_v that_o never_o think_v they_o can_v exceed_v this_o way_n and_o they_o put_v it_o all_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o their_o particular_a call_n and_o grasp_v so_o much_o business_n that_o they_o can_v have_v no_o leisure_n or_o communion_n with_o god_n nay_o that_o time_n which_o they_o do_v spend_v in_o private_a their_o head_n and_o heart_n be_v so_o distract_v with_o the_o thought_n of_o their_o employment_n that_o god_n have_v little_a of_o they_o but_o their_o bodily_a presence_n and_o lip-labour_n for_o what_o with_o the_o business_n they_o be_v involve_v in_o before_o duty_n and_o that_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o have_v do_v there_o be_v such_o a_o throng_n of_o worldly_a thought_n in_o their_o head_n and_o heart_n that_o they_o do_v find_v it_o a_o hard_a matter_n to_o get_v their_o heart_n so_o much_o as_o in_o tune_n the_o time_n be_v so_o little_a they_o can_v spare_v for_o such_o matter_n then_o all_o must_v be_v excuse_v they_o must_v provide_v for_o their_o family_n or_o else_o they_o be_v worse_o than_o infidel_n whereas_o they_o shall_v withal_o think_v of_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o for_o the_o soul_n of_o their_o family_n and_o their_o prayer_n with_o they_o for_o they_o and_o instruction_n of_o they_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v enough_o how_o that_o christ_n blame_v martha_n for_o be_v busy_v about_o many_o thing_n though_o they_o be_v not_o only_o domestical_a employment_n but_o such_o as_o belong_v to_o she_o and_o be_v undertake_v for_o the_o immediate_a service_n and_o entertainment_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o christ_n blame_v the_o multitude_n of_o her_o employment_n thus_o qualify_v how_o much_o more_o will_v he_o blame_v they_o they_o shall_v also_o consider_v that_o those_o child_n thrive_v best_a for_o the_o most_o part_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n and_o especial_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n who_o have_v so_o much_o leave_v they_o as_o they_o may_v with_o their_o own_o reasonable_a endeavour_n and_o industry_n live_v well_o else_o not_o and_o these_o man_n if_o they_o can_v but_o find_v a_o place_n of_o scripture_n or_o two_o which_o enjoin_v they_o to_o take_v up_o some_o call_n or_o other_o they_o rejoice_v and_o quiet_a themselves_o as_o if_o their_o greedy_a and_o covetous_a desire_n be_v justify_v by_o it_o why_o do_v they_o not_o also_o consider_v how_o earnest_a the_o scripture_n be_v in_o set_v down_o the_o danger_n and_o deceitfulness_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o riches_n insomuch_o we_o scarce_o read_v of_o any_o rich_a man_n that_o be_v holy_a except_o he_o be_v holy_a first_o and_o those_o that_o we_o read_v of_o that_o be_v holy_a they_o get_v their_o riches_n not_o by_o such_o worldly_a employment_n as_o now_o adays_o be_v use_v but_o such_o wherein_o they_o have_v abundance_n of_o leisure_n to_o serve_v god_n for_o they_o be_v general_o shepherd_n and_o their_o riches_n consist_v in_o cattle_n so_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n job_n david_n they_o shall_v also_o think_v with_o themselves_o how_o much_o the_o scripture_n press_v we_o to_o have_v our_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n and_o there_o to_o lay_v up_o our_o treasure_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v frequent_a in_o prayer_n meditation_n and_o closet_n duty_n for_o without_o frequency_n in_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v heavenly_a mind_v in_o earthly_a employment_n he_o need_v frequent_o to_o take_v antidote_n that_o converse_v nay_o live_v with_o those_o that_o have_v the_o plague_n why_o do_v not_o man_n put_v bound_n to_o their_o desire_n of_o grow_v rich_a they_o put_v bound_n to_o their_o charity_n and_o to_o their_o time_n for_o solemn_a duty_n and_o why_o not_o to_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n xviii_o the_o next_o great_a impediment_n be_v to_o have_v a_o carnal_a opinion_n that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v religious_a another_o great_a impediment_n be_v to_o think_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o be_v religious_a and_o that_o one_o need_v take_v no_o pain_n but_o that_o we_o may_v go_v to_o heaven_n upon_o a_o bed_n of_o rose_n or_o at_o least_o now_o and_o then_o to_o pray_v and_o to_o read_v some_o good_a book_n to_o hear_v sermon_n and_o repeat_v they_o and_o other_o such_o outward_a work_n of_o religion_n be_v abundant_o enough_o alas_o alas_o the_o work_n of_o religion_n be_v within_o it_o be_v neither_o the_o ear_n that_o hear_v nor_o the_o tongue_n that_o pray_v but_o the_o heart_n do_v both_o it_o be_v true_a the_o body_n by_o consent_n and_o sympathy_n may_v suffer_v somewhat_o insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n to_o pray_v as_o we_o ought_v upon_o a_o full_a stomach_n without_o be_v sick_a and_o if_o one_o have_v something_o that_o we_o must_v obtain_v of_o god_n and_o intend_v to_o wrestle_v with_o he_o for_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o our_o