whole_a heart_n psal_n 119.145_o so_o run_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o his_o people_n jer._n 29.13_o you_o shall_v seek_v and_o find_v i_o when_o you_o search_v for_o i_o with_o your_o whole_a heart_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v in_o brief_a what_o christ_n prescribe_v for_o the_o manner_n of_o your_o prayer_n now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n for_o the_o end_n of_o prayer_n that_o must_v be_v his_o glory_n we_o must_v aim_v at_o his_o end_n and_o not_o our_o own_o if_o we_o seek_v any_o thing_n my_o brethren_n mere_o for_o our_o own_o end_n to_o advance_v our_o own_o credit_n or_o our_o own_o profit_n we_o have_v no_o aim_n at_o all_o but_o self_n in_o our_o petition_n if_o we_o will_v have_v gift_n and_o grace_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o this_o that_o we_o may_v be_v applaud_v and_o observe_v if_o we_o will_v have_v wealth_n and_o riches_n in_o the_o world_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o this_o that_o we_o may_v strut_v and_o swagger_v and_o satisfy_v our_o own_o lust_n and_o so_o according_o we_o may_v conceive_v of_o other_o thing_n we_o have_v cause_n enough_o to_o doubt_v that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v leave_v we_o in_o such_o suit_n as_o these_o be_v yea_o though_o we_o be_v his_o own_o people_n but_o if_o we_o will_v have_v nothing_o from_o the_o father_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o his_o glory_n if_o we_o will_v have_v grace_n and_o if_o we_o will_v have_v outward_a thing_n that_o we_o may_v serve_v he_o the_o better_a that_o we_o may_v honour_v he_o the_o more_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o hope_v that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v second_v we_o in_o such_o request_n as_o these_o be_v now_o he_o will_v tell_v the_o father_n there_o be_v such_o a_o suit_n of_o such_o a_o member_n such_o a_o saint_n of_o i_o i_o pray_v thou_o hearken_v to_o it_o and_o dispatch_v it_o out_o of_o hand_n for_o it_o concern_v i_o aswell_o as_o he_o fain_o he_o will_v have_v more_o grace_n but_o i_o assure_v thou_o for_o i_o know_v his_o heart_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v proud_a or_o to_o be_v lift_v up_o himself_o but_o to_o lift_v up_o i_o with_o it_o and_o to_o glorify_v my_o name_n poor_a soul_n he_o never_o think_v he_o gloryfi_v i_o enough_o and_o therefore_o he_o will_v have_v more_o strength_n from_o thou_o to_o do_v it_o thou_o see_v how_o i_o be_o interest_v in_o this_o suit_n of_o he_o and_o therefore_o i_o beseech_v thou_o do_v not_o put_v he_o off_o but_o answer_v he_o for_o my_o sake_n it_o be_v thy_o great_a design_n to_o glorify_v i_o in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o thou_o will_v but_o give_v this_o saint_n of_o my_o more_o grace_n he_o will_v give_v i_o more_o glory_n come_v let_v i_o set_v thy_o treasure_n open_a and_o give_v he_o out_o a_o large_a share_n for_o i_o myself_o shall_v be_v a_o gainer_n by_o it_o and_o thus_o far_o i_o have_v show_v you_o how_o we_o may_v have_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v our_o advocate_n in_o our_o petition_n we_o must_v walk_v by_o his_o rule_n and_o pray_v according_a to_o his_o will_n as_o i_o have_v lay_v it_o open_a to_o you_o both_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o preparation_n and_o the_o supplication_n both_o for_o the_o matter_n manner_n and_o the_o end_n if_o thus_o we_o do_v we_o may_v be_v confident_a of_o the_o good_a word_n of_o christ_n for_o we_o but_o what_o if_o we_o fail_v in_o this_o i_o answer_v in_o a_o word_n and_o so_o a_o end_n if_o we_o fail_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n if_o that_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n such_o a_o petition_n and_o request_n as_o this_o we_o may_v resolve_v upon_o be_v lay_v by_o if_o we_o fail_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n either_o it_o be_v a_o total_a fail_n or_o a_o gradual_a fail_n if_o it_o be_v a_o total_a fail_n if_o we_o pray_v without_o faith_n without_o any_o faith_n at_o all_o without_o zeal_n and_o the_o like_a farewell_n to_o the_o success_n of_o such_o petition_n if_o it_o be_v but_o a_o partial_a fail_n and_o that_o fail_v strive_v against_o and_o pray_v against_o the_o case_n be_v very_o different_a by_o evangelical_n allay_v we_o do_v what_o we_o desire_v to_o do_v in_o god_n gracious_a acceptation_n we_o pray_v in_o faith_n if_o we_o desire_v to_o pray_v in_o faith_n we_o pray_v with_o zeal_n if_o we_o desire_v to_o pray_v with_o zeal_n we_o pray_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n if_o we_o desire_v to_o pray_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o if_o we_o pray_v according_a to_o his_o will_n but_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o this_o christ_n intercede_v and_o god_n hear_v our_o advocate_n strike_v in_o with_o we_o and_o beg_v his_o father_n to_o regard_v the_o matter_n and_o not_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n he_o be_v a_o intercessor_n for_o we_o to_o his_o father_n in_o reference_n to_o both_o these_o both_o to_o the_o thing_n desire_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v give_v the_o one_o and_o that_o he_o will_v forgive_v the_o other_o and_o thus_o far_o of_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o direction_n how_o to_o judge_v whether_o in_o the_o petition_n that_o we_o make_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n or_o no._n proceed_v we_o to_o the_o second_o sort_n how_o to_o determine_v whither_o we_o act_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n or_o no._n if_o in_o our_o prayer_n we_o act_v by_o christ_n spirit_n there_o be_v some_o measure_n and_o degree_n of_o fervency_n and_o zeal_n in_o they_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v frequent_o compare_v to_o fire_n in_o scripture_n he_o shall_v baptize_v you_o say_v john_n the_o baptist_n speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n that_o be_v with_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v not_o like_a water_n only_o but_o like_o fire_n too_o in_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v with_o it_o so_o that_o where_o the_o spirit_n be_v there_o be_v a_o holy_a heat_n in_o those_o that_o be_v partaker_n of_o it_o which_o show_v itself_o in_o prayer_n as_o in_o other_o duty_n they_o be_v fervent_a in_o spirit_n serve_v the_o lord_n and_o though_o their_o heat_n may_v be_v allay_v and_o cool_v sometime_o by_o outward_a mean_n like_o water_n cast_v on_o this_o fire_n yet_o still_o there_o be_v a_o inward_a strive_v and_o disposition_n to_o be_v fervent_a the_o holy_a ghost_n within_o they_o be_v like_o fire_n to_o this_o incense_n i_o mean_v the_o incense_n of_o their_o prayer_n and_o though_o it_o may_v be_v smother_v sometime_o that_o it_o can_v flame_v or_o burn_v up_o either_o by_o affliction_n or_o temptation_n or_o desertion_n yet_o it_o be_v never_o utter_o extinguish_v in_o the_o saint_n although_o there_o be_v not_o flame_n perhaps_o yet_o there_o be_v coal_n continual_o on_o the_o altar_n of_o their_o heart_n which_o though_o they_o may_v be_v rake_v in_o the_o ash_n now_o and_o then_o yet_o at_o some_o other_o time_n they_o burn_v amain_o their_o heart_n be_v hot_a within_o they_o and_o the_o fire_n kindle_v if_o we_o act_v by_o christ_n spirit_n our_o prayer_n be_v not_o pure_o natural_a but_o spiritual_a desire_n for_o you_o must_v know_v my_o brethren_n that_o a_o man_n may_v pray_v yea_o he_o may_v think_v that_o he_o be_v much_o assist_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o his_o prayer_n when_o all_o proceed_v from_o his_o own_o spirit_n and_o all_o his_o prayer_n may_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o mere_o natural_a desire_n as_o when_o a_o man_n perceive_v himself_o to_o be_v in_o great_a distress_n and_o see_v no_o way_n or_o mean_n to_o be_v deliver_v from_o it_o and_o be_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v that_o god_n can_v save_v he_o notwithstanding_o this_o extremity_n of_o danger_n in_o such_o a_o case_n these_o supposition_n be_v make_v he_o may_v enlarge_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o prayer_n and_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v stir_v and_o quicken_v to_o it_o by_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o spirit_n which_o be_v natural_o carry_v to_o the_o use_n of_o any_o mean_n which_o it_o conceive_v may_v be_v effectual_a to_o such_o a_o end_n as_o this_o be_v so_o that_o this_o man_n for_o all_o his_o earnestness_n may_v not_o act_v by_o christ_n spirit_n but_o his_o own_o as_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a those_o wretch_n do_v who_o when_o they_o see_v themselves_o environ_v round_o about_o with_o danger_n and_o think_v that_o none_o but_o god_n can_v help_v they_o cry_v vehement_o to_o the_o lord_n exod._n 14.10_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o succeed_a verse_n it_o appear_v what_o they_o be_v they_o show_v themselves_o in_o their_o own_o colour_n but_o when_o a_o man_n be_v carry_v high_a in_o prayer_n upon_o
themselves_o proceed_v we_o to_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o second_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o high_a concernment_n for_o christ_n disciple_n to_o be_v at_o near_a unity_n among_o themselves_o as_o of_o wondrous_a difficulty_n so_o of_o very_o great_a concernment_n it_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n beg_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n that_o they_o may_v be_v one_o and_o pray_v his_o father_n to_o effect_v it_o by_o his_o own_o almighty_a power_n holy_a father_n keep_v they_o through_o thy_o own_o name_n that_o they_o may_v be_v one_o as_o we_o be_v by_o which_o he_o show_v that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n so_o it_o be_v a_o choice_n thing_n a_o thing_n of_o special_a consequence_n worthy_a the_o put_v forth_o of_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n about_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n paul_n will_v have_v we_o strain_v ourselves_o to_o get_v it_o and_o preserve_v it_o to_o do_v as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o we_o even_o to_o the_o utmost_a as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o do_v to_o set_v all_o our_o ability_n and_o all_o our_o faculty_n a_o work_n to_o procure_v and_o keep_v peace_n rom._n 12.18_o and_o to_o this_o end_n have_v persuade_v the_o colossian_n to_o adorn_v themselves_o with_o mercy_n kindness_n humbleness_n of_o mind_n and_o with_o the_o habit_n and_o the_o act_n of_o meekness_n and_o long-suffering_a as_o with_o glorious_a robe_n he_o persuade_v they_o at_o length_n to_o put_v on_o love_n which_o be_v a_o unite_n grace_n a_o bond_n of_o perfectness_n the_o uppermost_a garment_n as_o it_o be_v and_o so_o the_o large_a fair_a rich_a and_o most_o precious_a piece_n of_o the_o new_a clothing_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o therefore_o put_v a_o special_a emphasis_n upon_o his_o exhortation_n to_o it_o above_o all_o these_o thing_n put_v on_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o perfectness_n which_o will_v unite_v and_o join_v you_o perfect_o together_o they_o be_v not_o grace_n of_o the_o mean_a rank_n that_o paul_n commend_v to_o the_o colossian_n in_o the_o former_a verse_n yet_o have_v run_v through_o all_o of_o they_o and_o be_v come_v at_o length_n to_o this_o unite_n grace_n as_o to_o the_o top_n and_o chief_a of_o all_o he_o set_v the_o finger_n of_o a_o hand_n against_o it_o to_o point_v it_o out_o as_o supereminent_a above_o all_o these_o thing_n put_v on_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o perfectness_n how_o be_v the_o prophet_n david_n carry_v out_o beyond_o himself_o and_o even_o ravish_v in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o this_o precious_a unity_n among_o the_o saint_n and_o therefore_o call_v other_o to_o join_v in_o admiration_n with_o he_o psal_n 133.1_o behold_v how_o good_a and_o pleasant_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o brethren_n to_o dwell_v together_o in_o unity_n the_o admirable_a and_o surpass_a excellency_n of_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n many_o way_n if_o god_n will_v promise_v any_o special_a mercy_n to_o the_o church_n it_o shall_v be_v this_o isa_n 11.6_o the_o wolf_n and_o lamb_n shall_v dwell_v together_o the_o leopard_n shall_v lie_v down_o with_o the_o kid_n and_o the_o lion_n with_o the_o calf_n and_o a_o little_a child_n shall_v lead_v they_o and_o great_a shall_v be_v the_o peace_n of_o thy_o child_n isa_n 54.13_o if_o he_o will_v give_v they_o any_o choice_a blessing_n the_o lord_n will_v bless_v his_o people_n with_o peace_n psal_n 29.11_o if_o we_o will_v pray_v for_o any_o favour_n worth_n strive_v for_o it_o must_v be_v for_o church-peace_n and_o unity_n among_o the_o saint_n pray_v you_o for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n psalm_n 112.7_o that_o it_o may_v be_v like_o a_o city_n that_o be_v at_o unity_n within_o itself_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o earnest_a for_o it_o as_o it_o be_v for_o life_n and_o death_n the_o god_n of_o peace_n give_v you_o peace_n always_o and_o by_o all_o mean_n by_o which_o he_o intimate_v that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o wondrous_a difficulty_n so_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o christ_n disciple_n to_o be_v at_o unity_n among_o themselves_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v lay_v open_a to_o you_o in_o a_o few_o paaticulars_n it_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o the_o growth_n of_o christ_n disciple_n and_o to_o their_o thrive_a in_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n it_o be_v observe_v of_o the_o church_n act_v 4.32_o that_o they_o be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o soul_n and_o that_o which_o follow_v present_o be_v this_o great_a grace_n be_v upon_o they_o all_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v in_o the_o increase_n and_o the_o thrive_a hand_n by_o this_o mean_n where_o there_o be_v great_a peace_n among_o the_o saint_n there_o be_v great_a grace_n too_o much_o union_n bring_v forth_o much_o communion_n and_o much_o communion_n bring_v forth_o much_o holiness_n and_o much_o grace_n when_o christian_n walk_v on_o in_o a_o sweet_a and_o amicable_a way_n they_o can_v choose_v but_o grow_v exceed_o but_o when_o dissension_n make_v they_o to_o reserve_v themselves_o this_o be_v extreme_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o increase_n in_o holiness_n which_o otherwise_o will_v be_v among_o they_o that_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v very_o notable_a to_o this_o purpose_n col._n 2_o 19_o and_o not_o hold_v the_o head_n from_o which_o all_o the_o body_n by_o joint_n and_o band_n have_v nourishment_n minister_v and_o knit_v together_o increase_v with_o the_o increase_n of_o god_n be_v knit_v together_o it_o make_v increase_v it_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n as_o to_o the_o growth_n of_o christ_n disciple_n so_o also_o to_o their_o comfort_n that_o they_o be_v at_o near_a unity_n among_o themselves_o it_o be_v a_o notable_a expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n to_o this_o purpose_n col._n 2.2_o that_o their_o heart_n may_v be_v comfort_v be_v knit_v together_o in_o love_n there_o be_v the_o mercy_n wish_v they_o that_o their_o heart_n may_v be_v comfort_v and_o then_o the_o requisite_a condition_n and_o qualification_n to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o this_o comfort_n be_v knit_v together_o in_o love_n much_o union_n much_o comfort_n little_a union_n little_a comfort_n no_o union_n no_o comfort_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o pleasant_a thing_n for_o brethren_n to_o live_v together_o in_o unity_n but_o it_o be_v a_o bitter_a thing_n to_o live_v in_o discord_n and_o dissension_n it_o eat_v out_o all_o the_o joy_n and_o comfort_n of_o a_o man_n and_o fill_v his_o spirit_n with_o vexation_n when_o man_n be_v over_o head_n and_o ear_n in_o controversy_n and_o contention_n especial_o saint_n with_o saint_n it_o make_v their_o life_n unquiet_a and_o uncomfortable_a to_o they_o you_o shall_v observe_v how_o restless_a such_o man_n be_v who_o be_v embroil_v in_o trouble_n and_o who_o be_v deep_a in_o controversy_n and_o contention_n they_o can_v eat_v they_o can_v sleep_v they_o can_v talk_v they_o can_v do_v nothing_o cheerful_o and_o free_o they_o be_v so_o clog_v and_o cumber_v with_o their_o own_o impatient_a and_o perplex_a thought_n listen_v to_o they_o and_o you_o shall_v hear_v they_o ever_o and_o anon_o complain_v that_o every_o one_o be_v vex_v they_o and_o trouble_v and_o molest_v they_o so_o that_o they_o can_v live_v in_o peace_n their_o wife_n their_o child_n and_o their_o servant_n can_v be_v at_o quiet_a for_o they_o they_o be_v in_o such_o a_o pelt_a humour_n upon_o every_o light_a occasion_n their_o family_n be_v like_o the_o middle_a region_n of_o the_o air_n continual_o rend_v and_o tear_v with_o storm_n and_o thunder_n and_o tempestuous_a stir_n which_o rise_v at_o first_o of_o a_o thing_n of_o nothing_o a_o thin_a invisible_a fume_n draw_v up_o from_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o dissension_n that_o they_o have_v with_o other_o which_o take_v away_o the_o meekness_n of_o their_o spirit_n and_o with_o that_o their_o quiet_a too_o and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v find_v a_o meek_a and_o quiet_a spirit_n join_v together_o and_o make_v the_o chief_a adorn_v of_o a_o christian_a 1_o pet._n 2.4_o who_o adorn_v let_v it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o hide_a man_n of_o the_o heart_n even_o the_o adorn_v of_o a_o meek_a and_o quiet_a spirit_n it_o it_o be_v meek_a it_o will_v be_v quiet_a if_o enrage_a it_o will_v be_v trouble_v it_o will_v be_v like_o the_o sea_n that_o can_v rest_v who_o water_n cast_v up_o mire_n and_o dirt_n it_o be_v of_o so_o great_a concernment_n as_o to_o the_o growth_n and_o comfort_n of_o christ_n disciple_n that_o they_o be_v at_o unity_n etc._n etc._n so_o also_o to_o their_o keep_n in_o with_o god_n himself_o they_o must_v have_v peace_n among_o themselves_o if_o they_o will_v have_v peace_n with_o god_n if_o they_o be_v angry_a one_o with_o another_o god_n
respect_n they_o be_v sensible_o decay_v and_o they_o be_v nothing_o like_o the_o man_n that_o they_o be_v in_o former_a time_n fall_v into_o discourse_n with_o they_o alas_o their_o wont_a faculty_n be_v go_v either_o you_o shall_v find_v they_o dead_a and_o stupid_a as_o it_o be_v not_o have_v any_o savoury_a word_n to_o say_v in_o any_o matter_n that_o concern_v religion_n or_o else_o they_o talk_v be_v so_o far_o of_o so_o barren_a so_o unprofitable_a that_o it_o administer_v no_o grace_n no_o benefit_n at_o all_o to_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o follow_v they_o into_o their_o house_n and_o there_o you_o shall_v observe_v that_o many_o holy_a exercise_n and_o religious_a household_n duty_n which_o have_v be_v former_o set_v up_o and_o constant_o perform_v perhaps_o for_o divers_a year_n together_o be_v either_o utter_o neglect_v or_o else_o discharge_v in_o such_o a_o cold_a and_o formal_a manner_n that_o there_o be_v no_o life_n in_o they_o inquire_v of_o other_o man_n who_o know_v they_o in_o their_o first_o beginning_n and_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o all_o be_v go_v their_o wont_a heat_n and_o zeal_n and_o forwardness_n be_v come_v to_o nothing_o and_o in_o they_o the_o proverb_n be_v verify_v the_o dog_n be_v turn_v to_o his_o own_o vomit_n and_o the_o sow_n that_o be_v wash_v to_o she_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n use_v 4_o be_v it_o so_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n by_o which_o he_o sanctifi_v his_o people_n not_o only_o in_o a_o way_n of_o inchoation_n but_o also_o in_o a_o way_n of_o augmentation_n here_o than_o we_o see_v what_o we_o must_v do_v if_o we_o desire_v to_o thrive_v in_o holiness_n to_o make_v a_o daily_a progress_n and_o increase_v in_o grace_n we_o must_v attend_v upon_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o true_o there_o be_v little_a hope_n that_o we_o shall_v ever_o grow_v as_o christian_n without_o the_o use_n of_o this_o mean_n the_o tree_n that_o spread_v and_o flourish_v and_o bring_v forth_o much_o fruit_n be_v say_v by_o david_n to_o be_v plant_v by_o the_o water_n side_n psal_n 1.3_o even_o so_o the_o thrive_a and_o the_o grow_a christian_a must_v be_v plant_v by_o the_o mean_n he_o must_v be_v near_o the_o word_n of_o god_n those_o water_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n as_o the_o prophet_n call_v they_o that_o save_v doctrine_n must_v drop_v down_o upon_o he_o as_o the_o rain_n it_o must_v distil_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o dew_n and_o as_o the_o small_a rain_n upon_o the_o herb_n and_o as_o the_o shower_n upon_o the_o grass_n as_o moses_n speak_v deut._n 32.2_o or_o else_o he_o will_v be_v like_a in_o time_n to_o wither_v and_o decay_n and_o come_v to_o nothing_o use_v 5_o be_v it_o so_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n by_o which_o he_o sanctifi_v his_o people_n not_o only_o in_o a_o way_n of_o inchoation_n but_o also_o in_o a_o way_n of_o augmentation_n then_o certain_o those_o man_n be_v in_o a_o ill_a condition_n who_o though_o they_o constant_o enjoy_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o do_v not_o thrive_v nor_o grow_v by_o it_o they_o hear_v it_o sabbath_n after_o sabbath_n yea_o and_o perhaps_o repeat_v it_o with_o their_o family_n and_o yet_o be_v not_o a_o jot_n the_o better_a for_o it_o any_o way_n look_v at_o what_o point_n they_o be_v for_o knowledge_n practice_n and_o obedience_n many_o year_n ago_o at_o the_o very_a same_o they_o stay_v they_o be_v the_o very_a same_o man_n there_o be_v no_o alteration_n on_o they_o they_o have_v not_o gain_v any_o ground_n on_o their_o corruption_n they_o be_v not_o grow_v a_o jot_n more_o constant_a and_o fervent_a in_o religious_a duty_n then_o in_o former_a time_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o the_o gospel_n produce_v not_o its_o genuine_a effect_n in_o these_o man_n and_o that_o it_o bring_v forth_o no_o augmentation_n no_o increase_n of_o inward_a grace_n or_o outward_a obedience_n the_o fault_n be_v not_o in_o the_o inefficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n simple_o consider_v in_o itself_o but_o in_o the_o hardness_n and_o deadness_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v of_o ground_n that_o be_v manure_v and_o dress_v and_o water_v much_o if_o it_o yield_v no_o increase_n that_o it_o be_v very_o barren_a ground_n just_o so_o we_o may_v conclude_v of_o these_o man_n and_o certain_o their_o case_n be_v fearful_a if_o they_o so_o continue_v as_o the_o apostle_n show_v we_o in_o the_o same_o similitude_n heb._n 6.7_o the_o earth_n that_o drink_v in_o the_o rain_n that_o come_v oft_o upon_o it_o and_o bringth_n forth_o herb_n meet_v for_o they_o by_o who_o it_o be_v dress_v receive_v blessing_n from_o god_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o which_o bring_v brier_n and_o thorn_n be_v reject_v and_o nigh_o unto_o curse_v who_o end_n be_v to_o be_v burn_v and_o therefore_o i_o beseech_v you_o my_o belove_a as_o increase_v and_o growth_n in_o grace_n be_v one_o effect_n in_o god_n word_n so_o let_v it_o bring_v forth_o this_o effect_n in_o you_o and_o that_o it_o may_v so_o do_v i_o shall_v prescribe_v you_o some_o direction_n remove_v those_o impediment_n that_o hinder_v growth_n and_o profit_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o they_o be_v principal_o such_o as_o follow_v 1._o the_o first_o be_v pride_n and_o loftiness_n of_o heart_n and_o spirit_n for_o when_o a_o man_n be_v puff_v up_o with_o a_o self_n opinion_n of_o his_o own_o sufficiency_n and_o think_v he_o know_v as_o much_o as_o all_o the_o preacher_n in_o the_o world_n can_v tell_v he_o how_o can_v he_o profit_v by_o the_o gospel_n he_o be_v so_o full_a that_o when_o the_o water_n of_o the_o word_n be_v pour_v upon_o he_o either_o it_o run_v over_o and_o be_v spill_v upon_o the_o ground_n or_o else_o return_v back_o upon_o the_o face_n of_o he_o that_o pour_v it_o if_o therefore_o you_o desire_v to_o thrive_v by_o it_o come_v to_o hear_v it_o my_o belove_a with_o teachable_a and_o humble_a spirit_n the_o lord_n will_v teach_v the_o humble_a his_o way_n 2._o infidelity_n or_o unbelief_n for_o if_o we_o give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o we_o believe_v not_o the_o report_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o arm_n will_v never_o be_v reveal_v to_o we_o we_o shall_v not_o benefit_n nor_o profit_n by_o it_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v yield_v as_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o a_o whit_n the_o better_a for_o the_o word_n heb._n 4.2_o the_o word_n do_v not_o profit_v they_o not_o be_v mix_v with_o faith_n in_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o 3._o the_o three_o impediment_n be_v strong_a passion_n for_o as_o obstruction_n in_o the_o stomach_n hinder_v growth_n by_o bodily_a and_o outward_a food_n so_o vehement_a and_o headstrong_a passion_n do_v keep_v we_o from_o receive_v growth_n and_o nourishment_n and_o augmentation_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n you_o shall_v observe_v it_o common_o that_o man_n that_o have_v such_o furious_a and_o unbridled_a passion_n in_o they_o that_o will_v not_o be_v subdue_v by_o reason_n nor_o by_o scripture_n do_v seldom_o profit_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n no_o it_o must_v be_v receive_v with_o meekness_n if_o we_o mean_v to_o grow_v by_o it_o jam._n 1.12_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n yield_v it_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o corinthian_n can_v not_o bear_v strong_a meat_n substantial_a solid_a truth_n their_o stomach_n be_v not_o able_a to_o digest_v they_o they_o be_v so_o cloy_v with_o these_o obstruction_n 1_o cor._n 3.2_o 4._o prejudice_n against_o the_o gift_n or_o person_n of_o the_o teacher_n this_o will_n exceed_o abate_v the_o power_n and_o hinder_v the_o success_n and_o profit_n of_o his_o teach_n if_o once_o the_o heart_n be_v prepossess_v with_o jealousy_n and_o sinister_a thought_n and_o disaffection_n to_o the_o minister_n there_o be_v but_o little_a hope_n of_o any_o benefit_n that_o such_o a_o man_n will_v reap_v by_o his_o labour_n these_o be_v the_o let_n which_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o remove_v if_o we_o desire_v to_o thrive_v and_o grow_v by_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o we_o desire_v to_o grow_v and_o to_o increase_v by_o it_o we_o must_v not_o hear_v it_o only_o but_o labour_v to_o digest_v it_o too_o a_o man_n shall_v never_o thrive_v and_o prosper_v by_o the_o meat_n he_o eat_v if_o he_o digest_v it_o not_o unless_o there_o be_v concoction_n and_o assimilation_n of_o it_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o person_n that_o be_v nourish_v let_v such_o a_o person_n feed_v as_o plentiful_o as_o he_o will_v there_o will_v be_v no_o augmentation_n so_o let_v we_o hear_v as_o much_o and_o as_o often_o as_o we_o will_v if_o we_o do_v not_o digest_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o