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experience_n but_o carnalist_n who_o conscience_n be_v sear_v and_o who_o experience_n never_o reach_v further_o than_o outward_a comfort_n nothing_o can_v sting_v they_o but_o sensible_a thing_n as_o illness_n after_o drink_v rottenness_n after_o whore_v and_o the_o like_a affect_v their_o body_n it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o spiritual_a fellowship_n with_o god_n it_o relish_v sweet_o at_o the_o present_a and_o in_o the_o reflection_n upon_o it_o a_o evidence_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o union_n to_o christ_n for_o although_o the_o degree_n of_o joy_n do_v not_o continue_v yet_o the_o reality_n of_o union_n abide_v and_o the_o new_a breathe_n of_o christ_n spirit_n in_o his_o ordinance_n revive_v the_o joy_n friendship_n that_o rational_a and_o most_o comfortable_a blessing_n in_o humane_a society_n be_v not_o now_o so_o common_a on_o the_o earth_n when_o sin_n abound_v the_o love_n of_o many_o wax_v cold_a and_o where_o it_o be_v it_o afford_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a satisfaction_n on_o earth_n but_o it_o be_v not_o complete_a want_v much_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v enjoy_v neither_o be_v it_o durable_a but_o upon_o a_o trifle_n change_v and_o former_a friendship_n make_v fuel_n to_o kindle_v and_o keep_v burn_v everlasting_a hatred_n and_o malice_n a_o sixteen_o experience_n of_o god_n method_n to_o train_v i_o into_o reliance_n upon_o himself_o have_v be_v by_o disappoint_v i_o of_o one_o favour_n great_o desire_v and_o expect_v on_o purpose_n to_o introduce_v a_o great_a the_o lord_n have_v often_o issue_v forth_o a_o marvellous_a mercy_n out_o of_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o disappointing-providence_n and_o can_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o experience_n be_v otherwise_o than_o to_o trust_n god_n for_o all_o event_n attend_v my_o life_n however_o bad_a they_o look_v at_o the_o present_a leave_v they_o to_o his_o will_n that_o so_o if_o a_o disappointment_n occur_v i_o may_v not_o immediate_o repine_v but_o by_o
his_o return_n of_o such_o prayer_n be_v great_o defer_v and_o as_o a_o condescend_v help_n to_o prevent_v despond_v anxiety_n quiet_a of_o mind_n concern_v the_o return_n to_o be_v defer_v always_o accompany_v my_o supplication_n and_o the_o lord_n leave_v i_o not_o to_o the_o dominion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n or_o of_o satan_n suggestion_n or_o if_o either_o have_v assault_v i_o the_o divine_a strength_n raise_v i_o to_o a_o actual_a resignation_n to_o his_o will_n at_o the_o time_n fortify_v i_o against_o they_o again_o a_o observe_v christian_n see_v so_o much_o of_o the_o depth_n of_o wisdom_n in_o god_n way_n concern_v they_o that_o it_o must_v be_v strange_a if_o he_o presume_v to_o confine_v god_n to_o one_o method_n when_o the_o variousness_n yea_o the_o contrariness_n of_o method_n to_o bring_v about_o the_o same_o end_n be_v one_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o wisdom_n a_o observe_a believer_n know_v that_o god_n try_v the_o strength_n of_o 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to_o pray_v to_o this_o i_o say_v spirituality_n in_o prayer_n be_v the_o alone_a gift_n of_o christ_n spirit_n and_o it_o come_v when_o he_o please_v but_o by_o sincere_a prayer_n we_o obtain_v this_o bless_a gift_n it_o be_v not_o the_o usual_a way_n of_o god_n to_o bestow_v it_o in_o more_o excellent_a degree_n without_o our_o sincere_a ask_n it_o in_o the_o humble_a sense_n of_o our_o need_n of_o it_o the_o quaker_n acknowledge_v as_o from_o converse_n with_o some_o of_o they_o i_o have_v hear_v they_o have_v a_o innate_a spirit_n by_o which_o they_o be_v act_v and_o according_a to_o its_o inward_a strive_v so_o they_o move_v in_o duty_n i_o know_v in_o we_o all_o there_o be_v that_o innate_a principle_n of_o corruption_n which_o reign_v make_v our_o faculty_n of_o soul_n and_o member_n of_o body_n move_v as_o it_o list_v to_o evil_a but_o a_o principle_n of_o grace_n that_o inspire_v we_o with_o new_a life_n in_o our_o duty_n come_v from_o heaven_n and_o be_v obtain_v in_o the_o 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beyond_o common_a seriousness_n which_o though_o by_o word_n it_o be_v almost_o inexplicable_a so_o as_o to_o make_v the_o unexperience_a christian_a comprehend_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v easy_o perceive_v by_o the_o experience_a christian_a in_o this_o raise_a frame_n of_o the_o soul_n either_o in_o solemn_a or_o ejaculatory_a prayer_n there_o be_v such_o heavenliness_n of_o thought_n as_o if_o the_o soul_n be_v already_o in_o heaven_n enjoyment_n and_o for_o the_o comfort_n of_o young_a observer_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o my_o spirituality_n of_o frame_n in_o prayer_n the_o real_a preparation_n of_o christ_n spirit_n to_o ask_v and_o certain_o evidential_a of_o god_n return_n be_v at_o first_o observe_v to_o be_v much_o less_o in_o degree_n though_o the_o same_o in_o nature_n than_o now_o it_o be_v one_o degree_n of_o experimental_a knowledge_n prepare_v for_o far_a degree_n this_o bring_v to_o my_o thought_n the_o gradual_a rise_n of_o christian_n meetness_n for_o heaven_n by_o christ_n spirit_n in_o his_o common_a way_n of_o work_v by_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n of_o which_o observe_v christian_n be_v sweet_o sensible_a second_o another_o mark_n of_o christ_n spirit_n be_v intercession_n in_o prayer_n as_o token_n of_o god_n acceptance_n thereof_o and_o his_o return_n thereto_o be_v when_o with_o a_o address_n so_o spiritual_o perform_v go_v along_o a_o comfortable_a quiet_n of_o mind_n concern_v the_o event_n though_o the_o praying-believer_n be_v encompass_v with_o affliction_n a_o calm_a composure_n of_o mind_n in_o our_o trust_n upon_o the_o gracious_a will_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o dispose_v of_o all_o thing_n concern_v we_o be_v our_o duty_n but_o it_o be_v the_o gift_n and_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n who_o be_v style_v the_o comforter_n we_o must_v observe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n what_o he_o command_v we_o to_o do_v he_o promise_v to_o enable_v we_o to_o do_v he_o command_v we_o that_o sin_n shall_v not_o reign_v in_o our_o mortal_a body_n and_o he_o have_v promise_v that_o sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o we_o in_o like_a manner_n god_n command_v we_o to_o be_v careful_a for_o nothing_o but_o by_o supplication_n to_o lay_v our_o request_n before_o god_n and_o certain_o freedom_n from_o anxiety_n and_o disquiet_n and_o a_o full_a possession_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o patience_n concern_v any_o thing_n in_o commend_v our_o affair_n to_o god_n by_o prayer_n be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n and_o not_o from_o the_o natural_a temper_n and_o stayedness_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o where_o the_o christian_a actual_o experience_n it_o in_o prayer_n he_o may_v safe_o conclude_v himself_o influence_v by_o a_o divine_a spirit_n not_o only_o in_o raise_v his_o frame_n to_o ask_v but_o leave_v it_o at_o god_n footstool_n as_o to_o the_o event_n and_o that_o as_o presage_v of_o god_n return_v favour_n and_o introductive_a of_o his_o blessing_n the_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o trust_n psal_n 37.5_o commit_v thy_o way_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o shall_v bring_v it_o to_o pass_v the_o habit_n of_o resignation_n may_v be_v in_o the_o soul_n but_o it_o be_v draw_v forth_o into_o exercise_n by_o the_o renew_a influence_n of_o the_o spirit_n three_o you_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o intercession_n of_o christ_n spirit_n in_o your_o soul_n in_o address_v god_n by_o prayer_n by_o the_o passage_n of_o providence_n that_o bring_v about_o the_o return_n of_o this_o prayer_n in_o the_o observation_n whereof_o the_o speciality_n of_o a_o divine_a hand_n in_o the_o providence_n bring_v the_o return_n about_o be_v as_o discoverable_a as_o immediateness_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n influence_v the_o soul_n to_o ask_v with_o calm_a and_o resign_v submission_n as_o to_o the_o event_n the_o observe_a christian_n do_v often_o see_v these_o two_o join_v together_o and_o each_o illustrate_v one_o another_o where_o other_o do_v not_o or_o hardly_o be_v at_o the_o 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the_o private_a christian_n witness_n for_o christianity_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o notional_a and_o erroneous_a apprehension_n of_o the_o arminian_n socinian_n and_o deist_n of_o the_o age_n with_o the_o easy_a and_o true_a mean_n lead_v the_o profane_a mere_a professor_n and_o lazy_a christian_a to_o the_o same_o experience_n as_o preservative_n against_o the_o infection_n of_o each_o and_o against_o the_o ill_a example_n of_o the_o practical_a blemish_n in_o lazy_a christian_n conversation_n london_n print_v for_o thomas_n cockerill_n at_o the_o three_o leg_n in_o the_o poultry_n 1697._o the_o preface_n by_o a_o friend_n of_o the_o author_n be_v since_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n by_o his_o rebellious_a sin_n he_o incur_v the_o forfeiture_n of_o his_o felicity_n that_o principal_o consist_v in_o communion_n with_o god_n the_o divine_a goodness_n be_v like_o a_o seal_a fountain_n all_o comfort_a emanation_n be_v obstruct_v divine_a justice_n be_v a_o consume_a fire_n to_o all_o 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his_o own_o strength_n can_v afford_v yet_o he_o shall_v not_o attain_v that_o height_n of_o free_a utterance_n so_o heavenly_a a_o style_n or_o so_o familiar_a and_o near_o a_o approach_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n as_o sometime_o sudden_o in_o the_o twinkle_n of_o a_o eye_n he_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o and_o that_o by_o the_o blowing_n afresh_o of_o christ_n divine_a influence_n i_o have_v myself_o while_o under_o no_o other_o power_n than_o that_o of_o education_n stand_v in_o a_o maze_n to_o hear_v minister_n express_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o duty_n the_o influence_n of_o christ_n spirit_n and_o the_o like_a imagine_v these_o as_o word_n choose_v to_o set_v off_o religion_n and_o to_o make_v it_o the_o more_o amiable_a to_o soul_n till_o experience_n discover_v the_o reality_n thereof_o and_o since_o the_o discovery_n thereof_o to_o myself_o i_o have_v often_o with_o great_a concern_v of_o soul_n hear_v christ_n spirit_n mock_v at_o emanation_n and_o influence_n from_o he_o 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the_o gradual_a growth_n of_o all_o the_o young_a tender_a branch_n in_o his_o vineyard_n and_o in_o train_v up_o his_o babe_n in_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o he_o feed_v the_o one_o with_o milk_n and_o the_o other_o with_o meat_n know_v well_o what_o each_o stand_n in_o need_n of_o and_o can_v bear_v either_o of_o his_o smile_n or_o correct_v stripe_n order_v each_o by_o degree_n to_o the_o perfect_a of_o grace_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o make_v it_o meet_v for_o eternal_a glory_n the_o experience_n whereof_o help_v the_o soul_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n of_o some_o serious_a christian_n but_o not_o exact_a observer_n who_o will_v reply_v upon_o impart_v a_o particular_a method_n of_o god_n with_o a_o soul_n by_o way_n of_o caution_n you_o must_v be_v careful_a not_o to_o depend_v upon_o that_o particular_a way_n god_n act_n with_o you_o in_o lest_o satan_n make_v it_o a_o temptation_n to_o unbelief_n and_o distrust_n of_o god_n and_o yourselves_o when_o he_o shall_v please_v to_o walk_v in_o another_o road_n with_o your_o soul_n but_o general_a and_o strict_a observer_n find_v god_n way_n to_o be_v thus_o that_o according_a to_o the_o infancy_n or_o manhood_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o christianity_n or_o according_a to_o the_o different_a step_n of_o advance_v the_o soul_n towards_o this_o manhood_n so_o god_n way_n to_o be_v various_a and_o according_a to_o his_o different_a end_n so_o his_o course_n lead_v thereto_o usual_o to_o be_v different_a marvellous_a argument_n indeed_o of_o infinite_a wisdom_n love_n and_o compassion_n in_o our_o great_a god_n instruction_n enough_o to_o make_v we_o stand_v off_o from_o prescribe_v method_n according_a to_o our_o inclination_n or_o expectation_n but_o instruction_n to_o keep_v ourselves_o close_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o his_o way_n in_o continual_a prayer_n for_o a_o sight_n of_o his_o design_n and_o the_o obtain_v the_o establishment_n of_o faith_n though_o the_o method_n of_o god_n be_v never_o so_o 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weakness_n and_o strength_n of_o divine_a love_n establish_v their_o trust_n to_o himself_o and_o try_v their_o reliance_n upon_o he_o as_o a_o comfortable_a evidence_n of_o that_o strength_n of_o grace_n and_o thereby_o to_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o continual_a praise_n admiration_n and_o love_n to_o he_o how_o different_a be_v christ_n carriage_n to_o the_o leper_n from_o his_o act_n with_o the_o woman_n of_o canaan_n who_o faith_n far_o exceed_v the_o other_o the_o leper_n much_o weak_a in_o faith_n have_v the_o return_n of_o his_o prayer_n immediate_o but_o she_o much_o strong_a in_o faith_n have_v the_o return_n great_o defer_v with_o the_o intermixture_n of_o many_o try_v passage_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o own_o silence_n to_o her_o own_o petition_n and_o with_o his_o call_v she_o a_o dog_n as_o if_o she_o be_v unworthy_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o much_o less_o to_o receive_v of_o
account_n receive_v have_v exact_o answer_v the_o petition_n and_o utterance_n actual_o put_v forth_o and_o not_o to_o they_o only_o design_v to_o be_v express_v in_o prayer_n a_o nine_o experience_n of_o certainty_n of_o access_n to_o god_n and_o of_o his_o spirit_n be_v breathe_v power_n on_o the_o soul_n to_o ask_v what_o he_o know_v be_v to_o be_v return_v have_v be_v concern_v a_o design_n of_o three_o different_a endeavour_n at_o one_o time_n and_o prayer_n for_o guidance_n a_o mean_v make_v use_n of_o i_o have_v find_v all_o shadow_n of_o spiritual_a enlargement_n in_o prayer_n concern_v it_o strong_o withhold_v and_o so_o indeed_o have_v the_o least_o degree_n of_o successful_a endeavour_n but_o for_o the_o second_o enlargement_n only_o once_o suitable_a to_o which_o successful_a endeavour_n in_o one_o circumstance_n thereof_o and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n do_v occur_v and_o for_o the_o three_o such_o heavenliness_n of_o frame_n in_o petition_v not_o only_o once_o but_o all_o 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way_n of_o return_n thereto_o the_o soul_n posture_n have_v be_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o self-debasement_n and_o exultation_n of_o and_o dependence_n upon_o christ_n spirit_n for_o produce_v such_o a_o marvellous_a change_n in_o the_o soul_n without_o the_o least_o exalt_v think_v of_o self_n i_o remember_v that_o one_o day_n in_o conversation_n with_o that_o holy_a saint_n mention_v before_o i_o express_v myself_o concern_v to_o know_v the_o reality_n of_o my_o grace_n to_o which_o he_o humble_o reply_v i_o have_v not_o have_v the_o least_o cloud_n as_o to_o my_o interest_n in_o heaven_n but_o shall_v rejoice_v to_o experience_n that_o measure_n of_o confirm_v passage_n of_o god_n special_a love_n as_o i_o know_v you_o have_v enjoy_v the_o effect_n whereof_o i_o find_v some_o quiet_n of_o mind_n but_o by_o the_o wise_a overrule_a hand_n of_o god_n be_v follow_v with_o such_o cloudy_a darkness_n of_o mind_n lest_o satan_n have_v excite_v self-exultation_n or_o sinful_a security_n 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answer_v to_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v to_o help_v wander_a thought_n in_o duty_n which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n my_o mind_n be_v hurry_v withal_o then_o the_o thing_n christ_n spirit_n be_v help_v i_o to_o petition_v strength_n against_o and_o to_o which_o he_o be_v give_v return_n with_o sensible_a supply_n and_o with_o this_o passage_n of_o providence_n quiet_v my_o mind_n and_o as_o a_o help_n to_o forward_o my_o endeavour_n and_o victory_n over_o it_o his_o word_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o complaint_n common_a to_o all_o believer_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v a_o sense_n and_o concern_v for_o it_o the_o christian_n be_v not_o overcome_v by_o it_o go_v therefore_o on_o not_o only_o strive_v against_o it_o but_o beg_v the_o lord_n aid_n to_o vanquish_v it_o four_o previous_a to_o a_o sensible_a change_n in_o myself_o as_o to_o watchfulness_n in_o conversation_n against_o reproach_v of_o other_o sudden_o and_o undesigned_o and_o for_o some_o continue_a time_n my_o soul_n be_v carry_v
in_o this_o ordinance_n that_o i_o may_v feel_v therein_o what_o other_o do_v or_o what_o i_o have_v feel_v in_o other_o duty_n i_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v if_o i_o shall_v never_o enjoy_v it_o there_o again_o unbelief_n still_o work_v in_o i_o it_o please_v god_n in_o his_o wonderful_a condescension_n to_o comply_v with_o this_o desire_n and_o thereby_o to_o discover_v the_o greatness_n of_o my_o weakness_n as_o well_o as_o the_o advantage_n of_o reliance_n upon_o god_n in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n without_o limit_v he_o to_o our_o desire_n for_o in_o the_o participate_v of_o the_o next_o sacrament_n i_o be_v admit_v to_o such_o a_o sweet_a ravish_a enjoyment_n that_o i_o never_o have_v before_o experience_v in_o that_o duty_n which_o persuade_v i_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o have_v often_o hear_v but_o such_o a_o disquiet_v darkness_n be_v consequent_a both_o in_o my_o mind_n and_o outward_a affair_n that_o i_o by_o the_o rich_a mercy_n and_o power_n of_o god_n be_v then_o 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our_o covenant_n with_o christ_n in_o this_o ordinance_n will_v endear_v he_o to_o we_o and_o engage_v we_o to_o live_v to_o he_o who_o die_v for_o we_o and_o the_o warm_a impression_n of_o his_o love_n will_v be_v maintain_v in_o our_o soul_n which_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o cool_v and_o decline_v unless_o feed_v and_o revive_v by_o the_o frequent_a contemplation_n of_o our_o crucify_a saviour_n seven_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o celebration_n of_o this_o ordinance_n i_o have_v oft_o be_v in_o a_o cold_a frame_n but_o at_o the_o approach_n of_o the_o element_n this_o frame_n have_v change_v and_o my_o soul_n have_v be_v sweet_o carry_v forth_o to_o petition_n for_o the_o impart_v the_o privilege_n of_o christ_n body_n break_v and_o benefit_n annex_v to_o it_o and_o i_o have_v find_v from_o receive_v the_o element_n the_o strengthen_v power_n of_o the_o spirit_n verify_v our_o saviour_n word_n that_o his_o flesh_n be_v meat_n indeed_o and_o his_o blood_n drink_v indeed_o this_o have_v 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attainable_a can_v you_o have_v easy_a mean_n inward_a religion_n afford_v no_o lesson_n for_o emaciate_a your_o body_n with_o outward_a fast_n but_o command_v a_o rational_a and_o moderate_a support_n of_o our_o body_n sit_v they_o the_o more_o for_o serve_v god_n we_o be_v not_o enjoin_v to_o be_v pilgrim_n and_o to_o take_v wearisome_a journey_n as_o a_o penance_n for_o sin_n christian_a society_n and_o communion_n will_v make_v we_o more_o watchful_a against_o sin_n the_o gospel_n do_v not_o enjoin_v severity_n and_o nicety_n in_o outward_a conversation_n which_o rather_o discourage_v than_o invite_v those_o who_o be_v without_o but_o allow_v a_o civil_a sweetness_n to_o all_o but_o there_o be_v season_n of_o retirement_n and_o recollection_n from_o the_o business_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n which_o a_o christian_a ought_v to_o improve_v for_o more_o immediate_a fellowship_n with_o god_n there_o be_v choose_v hour_n wherein_o the_o soul_n ascend_v to_o god_n by_o solemn_a 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no_o other_o foundation_n than_o deprave_a reason_n and_o little_a other_o design_n than_o self-applause_n and_o the_o character_n of_o learned_a or_o leader_n of_o such_o a_o party_n let_v it_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o minister_n to_o preach_v those_o truth_n whereby_o we_o may_v have_v communion_n with_o the_o lord_n crucify_v here_o and_o with_o he_o glorify_a hereafter_o and_o thereby_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o people_n will_v be_v confirm_v in_o the_o bless_a hope_n god_n have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o obey_v yea_o to_o be_v try_v and_o the_o more_o strict_a and_o particular_a the_o enquiry_n be_v the_o more_o certain_a of_o our_o profession_n here_o and_o of_o our_o privilege_n hereafter_o it_o be_v superficial_a knowledge_n of_o religion_n that_o occasion_n uncertainty_n in_o ourselves_o but_o a_o inward_a serious_a sense_n of_o its_o power_n will_v fortify_v we_o against_o all_o the_o fiery_a dart_n of_o satan_n be_v at_o 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