a_o perfect_a christian_n p._n 319._o chap._n v._o the_o splendid_a entertainment_n or_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n that_o by_o the_o feast_n upon_o the_o fat_a calf_n those_o be_v intend_v p._n 324._o several_a figurative_a expression_n of_o that_o state_n in_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n paradise_n rest_v a_o city_n a_o kingdom_n a_o feast_n p._n 329._o a_o essay_n of_o describe_v the_o felicity_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n especial_o in_o four_o particular_n 1._o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n the_o wonderfullness_n and_o comfortableness_n whereof_o although_o it_o be_v not_o doubt_v but_o soul_n be_v happy_a before_o p._n 331._o 2._o the_o perfection_n of_o all_o the_o power_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o suitable_a object_n to_o all_o those_o power_n p._n 336._o 3._o the_o eternity_n of_o that_o state_n p._n 345._o 4._o the_o bless_a and_o glorious_a society_n of_o god_n the_o holy_a jesus_n angel_n and_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a p._n 349._o chap._n last_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n in_o all_o the_o aforesaid_a dispensation_n or_o in_o his_o thus_o treat_v penitent_a sinner_n p._n 357._o the_o parable_n s._n luke_n chap._n xv._n verse_n 11._o a_o certain_a man_n have_v two_o son_n 12._o and_o the_o young_a of_o they_o say_v to_o his_o father_n father_n give_v i_o the_o portion_n of_o good_n that_o fall_v to_o i_o and_o he_o divide_v unto_o they_o his_o live_n 13._o and_o not_o many_o day_n after_o the_o young_a son_n gather_v all_o together_o and_o take_v his_o journey_n into_o a_o far_a country_n and_o there_o waste_v his_o substance_n with_o riotous_a live_n 14._o and_o when_o he_o have_v spend_v all_o there_o arise_v a_o mighty_a famine_n in_o that_o land_n and_o he_o begin_v to_o be_v in_o want_n 15._o and_o he_o go_v and_o join_v himself_o to_o a_o citizen_n of_o that_o country_n and_o he_o send_v he_o into_o his_o field_n to_o feed_v swine_n 16._o and_o he_o will_v fain_o have_v fill_v his_o belly_n with_o the_o husk_n that_o the_o swine_n do_v eat_v and_o no_o man_n give_v unto_o he_o 17._o and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o himself_o he_o say_v how_o many_o hire_a servant_n of_o my_o father_n have_v bread_n enough_o and_o to_o spare_v and_o i_o perish_v with_o hunger_n 18._o i_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o my_o father_n &_o will_v say_v unto_o he_o father_n i_o have_v sin_v against_o heaven_n and_o before_o thou_o 19_o and_o be_o no_o more_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v thy_o son_n make_v i_o as_o one_o of_o thy_o hire_a servant_n 20._o and_o he_o arise_v and_o come_v to_o his_o father_n but_o when_o he_o be_v yet_o a_o great_a way_n off_o his_o father_n see_v he_o and_o have_v compassion_n and_o run_v and_o fall_v on_o his_o neck_n and_o kiss_v he_o 21._o and_o the_o son_n say_v unto_o he_o father_n i_o have_v sin_v against_o heaven_n and_o in_o thy_o sight_n and_o be_o no_o more_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v thy_o son_n 22._o but_o the_o father_n say_v to_o his_o servant_n bring_v forth_o the_o best_a robe_n and_o put_v it_o on_o he_o and_o put_v a_o ring_n on_o his_o hand_n and_o shoe_n on_o his_o foot_n 23._o and_o be_v hither_o the_o fat_a calf_n and_o kill_v it_o and_o let_v we_o eat_v and_o be_v merry_a 24._o for_o this_o my_o son_n be_v dead_a and_o be_v alive_a again_o he_o be_v lose_v and_o be_v find_v and_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v merry_a 25._o now_o his_o elder_a son_n be_v in_o the_o field_n and_o as_o he_o come_v and_o draw_v nigh_o to_o the_o house_n he_o hear_v music_n and_o dance_n 26._o and_o he_o call_v one_o of_o the_o servant_n and_o ask_v what_o these_o thing_n mean_v 27._o and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o thy_o brother_n be_v come_v and_o thy_o father_n have_v kill_v the_o fat_a calf_n because_o he_o have_v receive_v he_o safe_a and_o sound_a 28._o and_o he_o be_v angry_a and_o will_v not_o go_v in_o therefore_o come_v his_o father_n out_o and_o entreat_v he_o 29._o and_o he_o answer_v say_v to_o his_o father_n lo_o these_o many_o year_n do_v i_o serve_v thou_o neither_o transgress_v i_o at_o any_o time_n thy_o commandment_n and_o yet_o thou_o never_o give_v i_o a_o kid_n that_o i_o may_v make_v merry_a with_o my_o friend_n 30._o but_o as_o soon_o as_o this_o thy_o son_n be_v come_v which_o have_v devour_v thy_o live_n with_o harlot_n thou_o have_v kill_v for_o he_o the_o fat_a calf_n 31._o and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o son_n thou_o be_v ever_o with_o i_o and_o all_o that_o i_o have_v be_v thou_o 32._o it_o be_v meet_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v merry_a and_o be_v glad_a for_o this_o thy_o brother_n be_v dead_a and_o be_v alive_a again_o and_o be_v lose_v and_o be_v find_v the_o parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_a son_n part_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o peculiar_a excellency_n of_o this_o parable_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o touch_v parable_n in_o general_n the_o content_n §_o i._o the_o curious_a scheme_n and_o admirable_a structure_n of_o this_o parable_n the_o special_a design_n of_o it_o and_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o author_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o handle_v it_o §_o ii_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o gentile_a oracle_n old_a philosopher_n and_o ancient_a writer_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o the_o allegory_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o figurative_a way_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a §_o iii_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o pagan_a obscurity_n and_o of_o the_o figure_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n especial_o of_o our_o saviour_n so_o much_o use_n of_o parable_n §_o iv._o of_o the_o danger_n of_o allegorical_a interpretation_n the_o peculiar_a advantage_n and_o security_n of_o do_v it_o in_o this_o parable_n the_o caution_n of_o the_o author_n therein_o §_o i._o i_o very_o persuade_v myself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o intelligent_a person_n who_o shall_v happen_v to_o read_v the_o passage_n of_o holy_a scripture_n now_o before_o we_o but_o will_v present_o and_o at_o the_o first_o prospect_n of_o it_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o very_a beautiful_a and_o affect_a scene_n of_o thing_n represent_v to_o he_o wherein_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a for_o he_o to_o determine_v whether_o the_o variety_n of_o matter_n just_a proportion_n of_o the_o particular_n or_o decent_a and_o natural_a order_n of_o thing_n do_v more_o vie_v with_o each_o other_o or_o more_o equal_o conspire_v to_o fill_v his_o imagination_n and_o affect_v his_o heart_n for_o in_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o this_o parable_n he_o will_v see_v describe_v first_o the_o benignity_n indulgence_n and_o condescension_n of_o a_o father_n to_o his_o son_n together_o with_o the_o folly_n and_o licentiousness_n of_o youth_n then_o the_o gradual_a progress_n and_o sad_a catastrophe_n of_o a_o course_n of_o debauchery_n after_o this_o the_o usual_a misgiving_n of_o heart_n and_o change_n of_o mind_n upon_o such_o change_n of_o affair_n the_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o and_o late_a repentance_n of_o such_o folly_n then_o again_o a_o description_n of_o parental_a affection_n the_o exorableness_n of_o a_o father_n upon_o his_o son_n submission_n the_o profuseness_n of_o his_o kindness_n upon_o his_o reformation_n and_o last_o the_o transport_v of_o his_o joy_n upon_o his_o plenary_a recovery_n and_o indeed_o the_o most_o powerful_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v here_o draw_v with_o that_o admirable_a skill_n as_o to_o equal_v the_o very_a life_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o pronounce_v at_o adventure_n by_o the_o learned_a hugo_n grotius_n but_o agreeable_o to_o his_o usual_a sagacity_n coloribus_fw-la when_o he_o say_v this_o parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_a son_n be_v the_o most_o remarkable_a of_o all_o those_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o our_o saviour_n as_o be_v the_o most_o passionate_a and_o affect_a set_v out_o and_o adorn_v with_o the_o most_o lively_a colour_n and_o beautiful_a similitude_n all_o which_o be_v discernible_a upon_o the_o most_o transient_a glance_n upon_o it_o but_o he_o that_o 20._o not_o content_v himself_o with_o so_o superficial_a a_o view_n shall_v defix_v his_o thought_n and_o mature_o consider_v the_o intendment_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o this_o figure_n will_v partly_o by_o the_o occasion_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v and_o partly_o by_o the_o thread_n of_o the_o parable_n itself_o most_o assure_o be_v lead_v into_o a_o apprehension_n of_o some_o great_a mystery_n therein_o contain_v for_o take_v his_o view_n from_o such_o station_n and_o thence_o attentive_o survey_v the_o whole_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o this_o scripture_n he_o will_v find_v in_o the_o general_n that_o herein_o be_v trace_v out_o the_o journey_n from_o egypt_n a_o state_n of_o servitude_n to_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n through_o a_o troublesome_a and_o disconsolate_a wilderness_n or_o the_o
presence_n of_o a_o grave_n and_o virtuous_a man_n carry_v that_o awe_n as_o that_o the_o sinner_n be_v render_v impotent_a to_o his_o purpose_n as_o if_o he_o be_v under_o a_o charm_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o we_o see_v confirm_v by_o frequent_a experience_n how_o much_o more_o must_v needs_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o omni-present_a majesty_n a_o all-seeing_a eye_n a_o holy_a and_o righteous_a judge_n cool_v the_o heat_n abate_v the_o courage_n and_o stop_v the_o career_n of_o a_o sinner_n to_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v the_o observation_n of_o several_a learned_a man_n upon_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n 14._o 1._o the_o fool_n have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n they_o conceive_v that_o it_o may_v as_o well_o and_o as_o consistent_o with_o the_o original_a be_v render_v the_o fool_n have_v say_v to_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n i._n e._n wicked_a man_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o they_o may_v go_v on_o the_o more_o comfortable_o and_o uncontrol_o in_o their_o sin_n will_v fain_o persuade_v themselves_o there_o be_v no_o god_n but_o to_o speak_v a_o little_a more_o close_o and_o particular_o to_o this_o matter_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o note_v even_o now_o from_o s._n jerome_n that_o god_n be_v a_o infinite_a majesty_n we_o can_v neither_o approach_v he_o nor_o depart_v from_o he_o strict_o and_o local_o there_o be_v therefore_o these_o three_o way_n by_o which_o according_a to_o the_o language_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o can_v come_v near_o to_o god_n viz._n either_o 1._o by_o act_n of_o immediate_a worship_n as_o prayer_n and_o praise_n and_o the_o like_a or_o 2._o by_o live_v under_o a_o quick_a sense_n of_o his_o providence_n or_o 3._o by_o yield_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n which_o three_o thing_n in_o conjunction_n make_v up_o the_o whole_a nature_n of_o true_a piety_n and_o religion_n and_o in_o respect_n to_o these_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a such_o as_o enoch_n noah_n abraham_n etc._n etc._n be_v say_v to_o have_v walk_v with_o god_n that_o be_v they_o frame_v themselves_o to_o obedience_n to_o all_o his_o command_n they_o compose_v themselves_o to_o a_o submission_n unto_o and_o compliance_n with_o his_o providential_a dispensation_n and_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o they_o may_v be_v assist_v and_o animate_v in_o both_o those_o they_o constant_o address_v themselves_o to_o he_o by_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o his_o influence_n and_o blessing_n and_o again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o evil_a man_n who_o be_v say_v to_o depart_v from_o god_n be_v such_o as_o either_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o his_o obedience_n or_o live_v without_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o superintendence_n or_o lay_v aside_o the_o care_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o which_o be_v further_a observable_a these_o three_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v find_v separate_a from_o one_o another_o because_o of_o the_o reciprocal_a influence_n they_o have_v upon_o each_o other_o for_o as_o in_o the_o former_a triad_n or_o instance_n of_o piety_n whosoever_o live_v under_o a_o sense_n of_o a_o providence_n will_v endeavour_v to_o propitiate_v the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o himself_o by_o all_o worshipful_a dutiful_a observance_n and_o he_o that_o make_v conscience_n of_o that_o can_v ordinary_o be_v so_o absurd_a as_o to_o hope_v for_o the_o favour_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o holy_a majesty_n by_o the_o mere_a importunity_n of_o his_o devotion_n without_o conscience_n of_o obey_v his_o command_n with_o respect_n to_o which_o it_o be_v well_o say_v by_o a_o pious_a man_n in_o way_n of_o advice_n leave_v not_o off_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o either_o pray_v will_v make_v thou_o leave_v sin_v or_o continue_v to_o sin_n will_v make_v thou_o desist_v pray_v again_o he_o that_o worship_v and_o obey_v a_o god_n most_o certain_o live_v under_o a_o sense_n of_o he_o for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v give_v no_o account_n to_o himself_o why_o he_o shall_v put_v himself_o to_o the_o trouble_n of_o worship_n and_o the_o care_n of_o obedience_n and_o then_o for_o the_o other_o triad_n or_o the_o three_o instance_n of_o impiety_n he_o that_o live_v wicked_o will_v in_o time_n lose_v all_o sense_n of_o a_o providence_n and_o consequent_o all_o conscience_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o worship_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o that_o extinguish_v either_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n or_o in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o it_o cast_v off_o all_o care_n of_o religious_a worship_n will_v not_o fail_v to_o run_v riot_n in_o his_o life_n when_o he_o have_v rid_v himself_o of_o those_o awful_a principle_n that_o do_v curb_v and_o restrain_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o which_o we_o have_v a_o memorable_a example_n gen._n 4._o cain_n have_v betray_v a_o great_a remisseness_n in_o religion_n by_o the_o carelessness_n of_o his_o sacrifice_n whereas_o abel_n who_o believe_v firm_o in_o god_n think_v nothing_o too_o good_a for_o his_o service_n bring_v of_o the_o fat_a and_o best_a of_o his_o flock_n to_o god_n cain_n think_v any_o thing_n will_v serve_v turn_n and_o according_o carry_v away_o the_o token_n of_o god_n displeasure_n and_o disdain_n but_z vers_n 8._o he_o invite_v his_o brother_n abel_n into_o the_o field_n where_o as_o the_o samaritan_n version_n intimate_v some_o discourse_n pass_v between_o they_o and_o the_o jerusalem_n targum_fw-la tell_v we_o particular_o that_o cain_n stiff_o deny_v a_o providence_n which_o abel_n as_o strenuous_o assert_v and_o this_o doctrine_n of_o cain_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o his_o negligent_a worship_n before_o and_o his_o exsecrable_a practice_n after_o for_o from_o this_o denial_n of_o a_o providence_n he_o present_o proceed_v to_o the_o murder_n of_o his_o brother_n and_o not_o long_o after_o that_o vers_n 16._o we_o read_v cain_n go_v out_o from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o now_o agreeable_o to_o those_o principle_n and_o consequent_o of_o such_o villainous_a practice_n cast_v off_o renounce_v and_o defy_v religion_n and_o the_o text_n further_o add_v he_o go_v and_o sojourn_v in_o the_o land_n of_o nod_n which_o who_o so_o list_v to_o interpret_v allegorical_o will_v very_o agreeable_o to_o the_o series_n of_o my_o present_a discourse_n say_v mean_v that_o he_o vagrant-like_a wander_v on_o in_o a_o course_n of_o dissoluteness_n have_v now_o lose_v all_o card_n and_o compass_v to_o direct_v he_o but_o what_o need_v we_o far_o evidence_n in_o so_o plain_a a_o case_n to_o which_o our_o own_o experience_n and_o the_o observation_n of_o all_o the_o world_n give_v testimony_n for_o what_o be_v it_o that_o encourage_v any_o man_n in_o a_o generous_a undertake_n where_o the_o exercise_n of_o virtue_n be_v attend_v with_o hazard_n and_o difficulty_n with_o labour_n and_o trouble_v with_o patience_n and_o self-denial_n but_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n what_o bear_v he_o up_o that_o the_o privacy_n of_o the_o fact_n abate_v not_o his_o edge_n nor_o the_o tediousness_n of_o accomplishment_n weary_v out_o his_o endeavour_n nor_o the_o opposition_n quail_v his_o spirit_n but_o only_o this_o that_o he_o see_v he_o that_o be_v invisible_a and_o have_v god_n before_o he_o think_v himself_o upon_o the_o most_o ample_a theatre_n and_o be_v sure_a of_o success_n and_o reward_n and_o what_o be_v there_o that_o keep_v alive_a this_o sense_n of_o god_n and_o providence_n that_o neither_o atheistical_a suggestion_n debauch_v his_o principle_n nor_o multitude_n of_o ill_a example_n cool_v his_o heat_n and_o corrupt_v his_o resolution_n but_o his_o approach_n to_o god_n by_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n whereby_o he_o refresh_v the_o worthy_a notion_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o have_v they_o as_o it_o be_v new_o engrave_v and_o make_v more_o legible_a upon_o the_o table_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o go_v by_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n like_o moses_n into_o the_o mount_n of_o god_n and_o return_v with_o the_o table_n of_o god_n law_n write_v a_o fresh_a by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n such_o a_o man_n be_v ashamed_a of_o sin_n and_o disdain_v every_o ungenerous_a action_n come_v new_o from_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n the_o approach_n of_o such_o a_o glory_n diffuse_v some_o ray_n upon_o he_o and_o his_o face_n shine_v as_o the_o same_o mose_n do_v upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n in_o short_a he_o can_v without_o great_a violence_n to_o himself_o condescend_v to_o entertain_v the_o devil_n into_o his_o bosom_n which_o be_v yet_o warm_a with_o that_o divine_a guest_n the_o holy_a ghost_n contrariwise_o take_v a_o man_n that_o live_v without_o a_o sense_n of_o god_n and_o he_o have_v no_o care_n of_o nor_o value_n for_o himself_o he_o have_v not_o a_o mind_n large_a enough_o for_o any_o generous_a design_n he_o be_v poor_a spirit_v hurry_v by_o every_o fear_n baffle_v by_o every_o danger_n surprise_v and_o carry_v away_o by_o every_o temptation_n the_o vigorous_a
that_o the_o say_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v especial_o and_o most_o remarkable_o verify_v in_o the_o charity_n of_o parent_n that_o it_o bear_v all_o thing_n hope_v all_o thing_n believe_v all_o thing_n for_o they_o ready_o believe_v well_o of_o their_o child_n because_o they_o so_o passionate_o desire_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o notwithstanding_o the_o son_n can_v not_o think_v his_o father_n so_o soft_a and_o easy_a as_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o with_o word_n and_o ceremony_n and_o himself_o be_v not_o now_o so_o ill_o nature_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o abuse_v so_o much_o goodness_n if_o it_o it_o have_v be_v in_o his_o power_n wherefore_o the_o text_n say_v vers_fw-la 20._o so_o he_o arise_v and_o come_v to_o his_o father_n i._n e._n he_o do_v not_o only_o change_v his_o note_n his_o address_n his_o countenance_n but_o he_o change_v his_o course_n he_o return_v to_o his_o father_n and_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o son_n and_o we_o have_v under_o this_o type_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o it_o see_v describe_v the_o preface_n and_o introduction_n to_o repentance_n towards_o god_n namely_o the_o sinner_n bewail_v his_o sin_n take_v shame_n to_o himself_o under_o agony_n of_o mind_n prick_v to_o the_o heart_n humble_o implore_v the_o divine_a favour_n and_o cry_v earnest_o for_o mercy_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o that_o repentance_n mean_v the_o principal_a part_n of_o it_o be_v yet_o behind_o viz._n actual_a reformation_n this_o be_v that_o which_o every_o awaken_v conscience_n in_o its_o agony_n promise_n and_o resolve_v upon_o this_o god_n expect_v and_o every_o sincere_a convert_n real_o perform_v for_o without_o this_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o empty_a pomp_n and_o pageantry_n and_o mere_a hypocrisy_n as_o we_o shall_v show_v anon_o but_o when_o this_o be_v add_v to_o the_o former_a such_o a_o person_n from_o thenceforth_o be_v a_o new_a man_n and_o in_o a_o new_a estate_n he_o have_v complete_o make_v his_o return_n to_o god_n as_o the_o son_n in_o the_o text_n be_v say_v to_o have_v actual_o return_v to_o his_o father_n i_o have_v note_v heretofore_o that_o all_o irreligion_n and_o profaneness_n be_v wont_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v express_v by_o the_o phrase_n of_o depart_v from_o god_n or_o go_v out_o from_o he_o or_o forsake_v he_o and_o so_o the_o whole_a practice_n of_o religion_n be_v contrariwise_o set_v forth_o by_o draw_v nigh_o to_o or_o come_v to_o god_n particular_o hebr._n 11._o 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n q._n d._n he_o that_o become_v a_o proselyte_n to_o religion_n for_o from_o thence_o do_v that_o word_n proselyte_n take_v its_o original_n wherefore_o now_o we_o will_v first_o observe_v what_o be_v employ_v by_o this_o phrase_n of_o the_o son_n be_v return_v or_o come_v to_o his_o father_n and_o in_o proportion_n thereto_o describe_v this_o most_o important_a business_n of_o the_o penitent'_v return_v to_o god_n which_o be_v his_o actual_a conversion_n or_o reformation_n and_o in_o the_o former_a these_o three_o thing_n seem_v plain_o to_o be_v comprehend_v 1._o that_o the_o son_n now_o return_v home_n to_o his_o father_n family_n and_o presence_n 2._o that_o he_o return_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o son_n by_o obedience_n and_o compliance_n with_o his_o father_n command_n 3._o that_o he_o submit_v to_o his_o father_n government_n and_o provision_n therefore_o in_o the_o latter_a namely_o conversion_n to_o god_n these_o three_o thing_n must_v semblable_o be_v imply_v 1._o that_o the_o penitent_a put_v himself_o under_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n and_o life_n in_o a_o constant_a practice_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n 2._o that_o he_o frame_v himself_o to_o universal_a obedience_n to_o all_o god_n command_n 3._o that_o he_o give_v himself_o up_o to_o the_o divine_a disposal_n and_o entire_o submit_v to_o his_o providence_n and_o government_n 1._o concern_v the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a or_o remarkable_a to_o all_o experience_n and_o observation_n than_o the_o great_a fervour_n of_o devotion_n in_o all_o true_a convert_v from_o a_o evil_a life_n insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v not_o that_o man_n to_o be_v find_v under_o such_o a_o character_n but_o present_o with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o seriousness_n he_o set_v up_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n to_o which_o purpose_n we_o find_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4._o worshipper_n or_o devout_a person_n to_o be_v the_o common_a name_n by_o which_o convert_v to_o religion_n be_v express_v and_o these_o act_v 13._o 48._o be_v say_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d candidate_n of_o eternal_a life_n or_o put_v into_o order_n and_o dispose_v for_o salvation_n compare_v vers_fw-la 43._o with_o 48._o more_o particular_o it_o be_v observable_a of_o st._n paul_n that_o when_o from_o a_o superstitious_a pharisee_fw-mi and_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n he_o be_v reclaim_v and_o make_v a_o christian_a the_o assurance_n that_o god_n give_v to_o ananias_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o conversion_n be_v act_n 9_o 11._o behold_v he_o pray_v and_o so_o of_o manasses_n 2_o chron._n 33._o 18._o among_o the_o instance_n of_o his_o real_a reformation_n the_o scripture_n take_v especial_a notice_n of_o the_o prayer_n that_o he_o pray_v and_o this_o be_v so_o universal_a a_o truth_n that_o i_o think_v from_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o those_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n hypocritical_o to_o put_v on_o the_o guise_n and_o appearance_n of_o religion_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v notable_o careful_a in_o this_o point_n for_o so_o the_o pharisee_n cloak_v all_o their_o villainy_n with_o this_o garb_n of_o piety_n now_o hypocrisy_n will_v miss_v altogether_o of_o its_o design_n if_o it_o do_v not_o resemble_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o usual_o their_o over_o solicitude_n and_o over_n herein_o betray_v they_o to_o act_v a_o part_n only_o in_o religion_n but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n which_o the_o true_a penitent_n express_v his_o conversion_n by_o though_o this_o be_v by_o some_o too_o fantastical_o call_v duty_n as_o if_o all_o piety_n consist_v in_o that_o only_a for_o as_o the_o literal_a prodigal_a return_n to_o his_o father_n house_n and_o family_n so_o the_o mystical_a return_n to_o god_n house_n which_o be_v his_o church_n and_o associate_n himself_o with_o god_n servant_n in_o all_o the_o office_n of_o religion_n viz._n in_o hear_v the_o word_n read_v meditation_n sacrament_n etc._n etc._n now_o he_o think_v a_o day_n spend_v in_o god_n court_n better_a than_o a_o thousand_o and_o have_v rather_o be_v a_o doorkeeper_n in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n then_o to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o the_o wicked_a this_o one_o thing_n he_o desire_v of_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v most_o passionate_a in_o that_o he_o may_v dwell_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n to_o behold_v the_o beauty_n of_o the_o lord_n 4._o and_o to_o inquire_v in_o his_o temple_n and_o he_o so_o high_o value_v the_o privilege_n of_o god_n church_n that_o no_o private_a opinion_n no_o trifle_a scrupulosity_n nor_o petty_a disgust_n shall_v ever_o alienate_v he_o from_o it_o here_o he_o find_v himself_o fortify_v and_o encourage_v by_o the_o great_a example_n of_o holy_a man_n his_o prayer_n strengthen_v by_o the_o concurrence_n of_o all_o good_a people_n here_o he_o be_v under_o the_o public_a dispensation_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o knowledge_n the_o very_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o which_o he_o now_o with_o the_o great_a convert_n st._n austin_n value_v and_o admire_v more_o than_o all_o the_o greek_a or_o roman_a eloquence_n of_o speech_n or_o subtlety_n of_o philosophy_n to_o which_o every_o thing_n else_o seem_v flat_a and_o insipid_a before_o above_o all_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n put_v he_o into_o a_o ecstasy_n in_o this_o he_o think_v himself_o in_o god_n presence_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n and_o admit_v a_o guest_n at_o his_o table_n the_o crumb_n of_o which_o he_o think_v himself_o unworthy_a of_o here_o he_o refresh_v his_o hungry_a soul_n with_o the_o bread_n of_o life_n and_o his_o wound_a conscience_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o crucify_a saviour_n and_o in_o both_o he_o think_v he_o see_v his_o provoke_v but_o compassionate_a father_n stand_v with_o open_a arm_n to_o receive_v he_o this_o he_o approach_v with_o great_a reverence_n with_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n for_o his_o sin_n past_a together_o with_o faith_n and_o hope_n in_o god_n mercy_n and_o will_v therefore_o never_o be_v negligent_a of_o it_o in_o these_o and_o all_o other_o duty_n of_o religion_n both_o public_a and_o private_a the_o convert_n express_v such_o a_o excellent_a spirit_n and_o extraordinary_a