day_n and_o month_n and_o year_n but_o by_o activity_n and_o enjoyment_n by_o the_o rational_a act_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n then_o sure_o i_o may_v bold_o conclude_v that_o the_o more_o regular_o and_o constant_o we_o pursue_v the_o proper_a business_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o more_o active_o and_o vigorous_o we_o be_v carry_v on_o towards_o that_o which_o be_v our_o proper_a good_a so_o much_o the_o more_o we_o live_v so_o much_o the_o more_o rich_a and_o racie_n the_o more_o true_a natural_a and_o pure_a be_v life_n and_o all_o this_o be_v no_o other_o philosophy_n than_o what_o the_o wiseman_n have_v long_o ago_o advance_v for_o honourable_a age_n be_v not_o that_o which_o stand_v in_o length_n of_o time_n nor_o that_o be_v measure_v by_o number_n of_o year_n but_o wisdom_n be_v the_o gray_a hair_n unto_o man_n and_o a_o unspotted_a life_n be_v old_a age_n wisdom_n 4._o 8_o 9_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o truth_n of_o too_o vast_a a_o importance_n to_o be_v a_o new_a one_o for_o be_v it_o but_o once_o thorough_o imbibe_v it_o will_v relieve_v all_o the_o pressure_n and_o redress_v all_o the_o grievance_n of_o (null)_o life_n we_o complain_v of_o life_n that_o it_o be_v dull_a and_o nautious_a we_o impeach_v it_o a_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n of_o shortness_n and_o uncertainty_n how_o will_v this_o one_o notion_n well_o pursue_v soon_o silence_v all_o these_o complaint_n he_o will_v never_o think_v life_n too_o short_a who_o where_o ripe_a for_o death_n he_o will_v never_o complain_v that_o life_n be_v uncertain_a who_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o die_v he_o will_v not_o accuse_v life_n of_o dulness_n and_o nauseousness_n who_o be_v daily_o advance_v his_o discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o enlarge_a his_o possession_n of_o good_a nor_o will_v he_o ever_o charge_v it_o with_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n be_v his_o action_n still_o wise_a and_o rational_a for_o thus_o every_o act_n of_o life_n will_v be_v a_o act_n of_o fruition_n too_o be_v both_o agreeable_a to_o nature_n and_o attend_v by_o a_o delightful_a approbation_n and_o complacency_n of_o conscience_n by_o this_o time_n it_o be_v plain_a what_o the_o design_n of_o this_o chapter_n be_v namely_o to_o compensate_a the_o shortness_n by_o the_o excellence_n of_o life_n and_o redress_v the_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n of_o it_o by_o its_o perfection_n a_o design_n i_o confess_v worthy_a of_o a_o more_o comprehensive_a mind_n and_o a_o more_o elevate_a fancy_n than_o i_o a_o design_n demand_v all_o the_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n of_o a_o active_a and_o all_o the_o thought_n and_o learning_n of_o a_o contemplative_a life_n a_o design_n in_o a_o word_n that_o require_v at_o once_o the_o prudence_n of_o old_a age_n and_o the_o vigour_n of_o bloom_a year_n that_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o contribute_v the_o little_a i_o can_v towards_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o sense_n of_o its_o be_v a_o duty_n i_o owe_v myself_o and_o mankind_n let_v i_o not_o therefore_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o grandeur_n of_o my_o subject_n and_o the_o expectation_n of_o my_o reader_n i_o promote_v the_o good_a of_o mankind_n in_o my_o way_n and_o as_o i_o be_o able_a it_o be_v a_o crime_n if_o i_o do_v not_o and_o it_o will_v be_v injustice_n to_o expect_v more_o from_o i_o beside_o i_o purpose_v not_o here_o to_o lay_v out_o my_o whole_a strength_n tho'_o this_o be_v little_a have_v destine_v a_o entire_a volume_n to_o (null)_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o shall_v here_o discourse_v but_o very_o brief_o and_o in_o very_o general_a term_n of_o the_o improvement_n of_o life_n all_o the_o advice_n i_o shall_v offer_v here_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n first_o that_o we_o endeavour_v to_o perfect_v and_o exalt_v our_o nature_n second_o that_o we_o begin_v to_o live_v betimes_o or_o if_o we_o can_v now_o do_v that_o our_o year_n be_v far_o spend_v that_o we_o begin_v to_o live_v immediate_o three_o that_o we_o avoid_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v enemy_n to_o our_o true_a life_n sect._n 1_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o perfect_a and_o exalt_v our_o nature_n the_o necessity_n of_o this_o will_v be_v very_o conspicuous_a to_o any_o one_o who_o shall_v consider_v that_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o act_n depend_v upon_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o power_n just_a as_o the_o pleasure_n of_o see_v do_v on_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o eye_n or_o that_o of_o hear_v on_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o ear_n so_o much_o and_o much_o more_o do_v the_o beauty_n of_o (null)_o action_n and_o the_o gust_n of_o all_o our_o enjoyment_n depend_v upon_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o judgement_n the_o rectitude_n of_o the_o will_n and_o the_o vigour_n of_o our_o passion_n to_o render_v this_o argument_n yet_o more_o visible_a and_o palpable_a let_v we_o consider_v how_o mean_a a_o thing_n man_n be_v and_o how_o contemptible_a life_n without_o cultivation_n or_o improvement_n the_o body_n be_v but_o a_o heap_n of_o dust_n something_o there_o needs_o to_o stamp_v a_o value_n upon_o it_o something_o there_o must_v be_v to_o give_v sweetness_n to_o the_o eye_n charm_v to_o the_o tongue_n and_o grace_n to_o motion_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a machine_n alike_o capable_a of_o be_v make_v the_o instrument_n of_o cruelty_n or_o mercy_n of_o lust_n or_o chastity_n of_o avarice_n or_o charity_n it_o be_v religion_n must_v purge_v and_o sanctify_v it_o it_o be_v wisdom_n must_v conduct_v and_o guide_v it_o and_o make_v it_o the_o happy_a instrument_n of_o great_a and_o glorious_a action_n the_o spirit_n within_o we_o be_v a_o volatile_a mutable_a unsteady_a thing_n capable_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o impression_n suspend_v as_o it_o be_v between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n float_v between_o the_o different_a shore_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a knowledge_n and_o virtue_n form_n it_o into_o angel_n stamp_v a_o sort_n of_o divinity_n upon_o it_o for_o we_o be_v not_o bear_v but_o make_v great_a it_o be_v wisdom_n that_o imprint_n it_o with_o bright_a idea_n that_o impregnate_v it_o with_o noble_a passion_n and_o determine_v its_o tendency_n towards_o its_o true_a good_a and_o supreme_a felicity_n our_o conversation_n with_o the_o world_n be_v natural_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o dull_a intercourse_n of_o form_n and_o ceremony_n and_o civility_n a_o nauseous_a circulation_n of_o the_o same_o tasteless_a and_o superficial_a entertainment_n a_o tedious_a and_o repeat_v pursuit_n of_o vain_a mistake_v end_n and_o often_o baffle_v design_n it_o be_v virtue_n and_o knowledge_n that_o give_v gust_n and_o relish_v to_o our_o enjoyment_n and_o life_n and_o spirit_n to_o all_o our_o action_n that_o lead_v we_o on_o towards_o excellent_a end_n and_o inspire_v we_o with_o immortal_a hope_n our_o fortune_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n be_v natural_o a_o fluctuate_a unstable_a agitation_n make_v up_o of_o a_o confuse_a and_o motley_n variety_n of_o event_n knowledge_n and_o virtue_n fix_v the_o float_a island_n and_o give_v light_a and_o beauty_n to_o the_o chaos_n i_o can_v never_o carry_v this_o argument_n too_o far_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v yet_o a_o little_a more_o particulary_a consider_v what_o accession_n or_o increase_n of_o life_n we_o derive_v from_o perfect_v our_o nature_n do_v life_n consist_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o faculty_n true_a life_n than_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o active_a and_o industrious_a the_o dull_a and_o heavy_a motion_n of_o the_o sluggard_n be_v but_o a_o faint_a imitation_n or_o resemblance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o disease_a languish_a thing_n a_o compound_n or_o mixture_n wherein_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v more_o of_o death_n than_o life_n do_v life_n consist_v in_o fruition_n how_o dark_a and_o dismal_a be_v those_o of_o the_o wicked_a compare_v to_o the_o calm_a and_o bright_a day_n of_o the_o good_a for_o what_o can_v there_o be_v like_o enjoyment_n to_o that_o man_n who_o dare_v make_v no_o reflection_n on_o the_o past_a nor_o can_v entertain_v any_o just_a hope_n of_o the_o future_a and_o who_o mind_n concur_v not_o with_o his_o present_a passion_n and_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o the_o senseless_a design_n he_o be_v upon_o do_v life_n last_o consist_v as_o i_o have_v prove_v it_o do_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n and_o love_n of_o goodness_n how_o scanty_a narrow_a and_o beggarly_a be_v the_o life_n of_o the_o fool_n and_o sinner_n compare_v to_o that_o of_o the_o wise_a and_o virtuous_a tully_n say_v one_o virtuous_a day_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o a_o sinful_a immortality_n this_o be_v true_a in_o the_o present_a sense_n and_o notion_n of_o life_n error_n and_o ignorance_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o disease_n or_o state_n of_o insensibleness_n and_o death_n to_o the_o understanding_n the_o mind_n that_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a of_o object_n worthy_a of_o it_o have_v nothing_o to_o employ_v
life_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o gain_v the_o whole_a world_n for_o he_o who_o lose_v his_o soul_n or_o to_o be_v intent_n in_o preserve_v or_o advance_v the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o public_a for_o he_o who_o mind_n be_v fill_v with_o disorder_n and_o gild_n i_o do_v therefore_o suppose_v all_o the_o action_n of_o the_o day_n so_o conduct_v as_o to_o become_v instance_n of_o christian_a virtue_n i_o suppose_v justice_n and_o integrity_n courage_n and_o bounty_n patience_n and_o gentleness_n mingle_v themselves_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o every_o civil_a business_n and_o then_o the_o religion_n for_o which_o i_o demand_v some_o vacant_a moment_n be_v that_o of_o public_a and_o private_a devotion_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o great_a man_n either_o to_o preserve_v reputation_n without_o or_o peace_n within_o public_a devotion_n be_v not_o only_o a_o act_n of_o worship_n due_a to_o god_n but_o in_o a_o gentleman_n a_o testimony_n of_o the_o honour_n which_o he_o have_v for_o the_o community_n he_o be_v of_o and_o a_o expression_n of_o charity_n towards_o those_o who_o be_v influence_v by_o his_o example_n nor_o be_v private_a devotion_n less_o necessary_a than_o public_a not_o only_o least_o public_a without_o private_a degenerate_a into_o formality_n into_o a_o mere_a show_n without_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n nor_o yet_o because_o every_o man_n reputation_n flow_v first_o from_o his_o domestic_n who_o can_v have_v no_o great_a veneration_n for_o he_o who_o appear_v to_o have_v none_o for_o his_o god_n tho'_o even_o these_o reason_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v contemn_v but_o especial_o because_o every_o man_n have_v particular_a want_n and_o particular_a obligation_n and_o none_o more_o than_o the_o great_a one_o and_o therefore_o must_v offer_v up_o to_o god_n his_o particular_a petition_n and_o prayer_n i_o can_v therefore_o tell_v how_o to_o think_v that_o he_o who_o do_v not_o begin_v and_o close_v the_o day_n with_o prayer_n to_o god_n can_v believe_v there_o be_v one_o he_o that_o do_v not_o invoke_v providence_n seem_v to_o defy_v it_o and_o he_o who_o sacrifice_v not_o to_o god_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o sacrifice_v only_o to_o his_o own_o net_n as_o to_o meditation_n it_o be_v so_o essential_a a_o part_n of_o religion_n and_o so_o indispensible_a a_o preparative_n for_o devotion_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v place_v it_o here_o by_o itself_o do_v i_o not_o extend_v its_o design_n something_o further_o meditation_n be_v that_o act_n which_o of_o all_o other_o do_v most_o delight_n and_o nourish_v the_o mind_n which_o of_o all_o other_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o raise_v and_o to_o strengthen_v it_o in_o other_o action_n we_o seem_v to_o move_v mechanical_o in_o this_o alone_a rational_o in_o all_o other_o our_o reason_n seem_v confine_v and_o fetter_v by_o i_o know_v not_o what_o prescription_n custom_n and_o circumstance_n in_o this_o alone_a it_o seem_v to_o enjoy_v its_o native_a freedom_n and_o liberty_n ramble_v with_o a_o uncontrolled_a impetus_fw-la and_o with_o delight_n stretch_v and_o delate_v itself_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n the_o mind_n seem_v to_o be_v impress_v and_o mould_v by_o the_o matter_n and_o business_n about_o which_o it_o be_v conversant_a but_o in_o this_o it_o give_v what_o form_n and_o circumstance_n it_o please_v to_o both_o in_o this_o it_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o creative_a or_o productive_a power_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o sort_n of_o despotic_a sovereignty_n in_o a_o word_n he_o who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o force_n of_o meditation_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o true_a pleasure_n of_o (null)_o life_n to_o the_o most_o useful_a take_n and_o natural_a act_n of_o the_o (null)_o soul_n but_o i_o forget_v what_o i_o main_o intend_v which_o be_v to_o tell_v you_o that_o the_o use_n of_o meditation_n consist_v either_o in_o reflection_n or_o preparation_n as_o regard_v alike_o yesterday_o and_o to_o morrow_n it_o be_v high_o necessary_a that_o he_o look_v back_o upon_o his_o day_n past_a who_o lie_v under_o so_o many_o temptation_n to_o waste_v it_o that_o he_o who_o action_n be_v of_o so_o much_o great_a importance_n than_o those_o of_o private_a man_n and_o fall_v avoidable_a under_o a_o more_o general_a and_o severe_a censure_n do_v the_o more_o careful_o scan_v they_o over_o nor_o be_v preparation_n less_o necessary_a than_o reflection_n for_o this_o give_v order_n to_o your_o affair_n and_o form_n the_o mind_n into_o a_o fit_a and_o just_a disposition_n it_o prevent_v surprise_v remove_v difficulty_n and_o give_v beauty_n and_o steadiness_n to_o your_o whole_a conduct_n as_o to_o friendship_n and_o diversion_n i_o shall_v treat_v of_o they_o full_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n and_o therefore_o shall_v speak_v but_o a_o word_n of_o they_o here_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n it_o may_v be_v for_o great_a man_n to_o have_v sincere_a friend_n but_o this_o be_v a_o purchase_n of_o so_o great_a a_o value_n deserve_v they_o shall_v lay_v out_o all_o their_o art_n and_o interest_n upon_o it_o for_o beside_o the_o advantage_n of_o friendship_n in_o every_o condition_n that_o it_o clear_v our_o notion_n correct_v our_o error_n confirm_v our_o virtue_n enlarge_v our_o joy_n and_o lessen_v our_o trouble_n it_o be_v to_o man_n in_o a_o eminent_a station_n more_o peculiarly_a necessary_a both_o as_o the_o ornament_n and_o support_v of_o their_o fortune_n as_o to_o diversion_n it_o ever_o must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o person_n or_o the_o urgency_n of_o his_o employment_n such_o as_o may_v not_o lessen_v his_o character_n or_o waste_v his_o time_n such_o as_o may_v refresh_v and_o recruit_v nature_n and_o from_o which_o he_o may_v return_v to_o his_o business_n with_o new_a vigour_n and_o new_a appetite_n and_o it_o be_v very_o well_o if_o diversion_n be_v so_o wise_o contrive_v that_o they_o may_v at_o once_o delight_n and_o improve_v the_o mind_n i_o shall_v therefore_o think_v that_o physic_n or_o husbandry_n the_o principle_n of_o any_o curious_a mechanic_n performance_n music_n architecture_n and_o such_o like_a may_v be_v proper_a entertainment_n of_o vacant_a hour_n but_o if_o the_o health_n of_o the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o pleasure_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v aim_v at_o in_o diversion_n it_o be_v well_o to_o have_v always_o ready_a some_o wise_a friend_n by_o who_o help_n and_o conversation_n the_o time_n you_o bestow_v upon_o the_o health_n of_o the_o body_n may_v not_o be_v utter_o lose_v to_o the_o mind_n i_o be_o sensible_a i_o have_v be_v guilty_a in_o this_o discourse_n of_o the_o same_o fault_n which_o all_o who_o write_v moral_n with_o any_o spirit_n do_v general_o fall_v into_o that_o be_v propose_v a_o great_a perfection_n than_o be_v common_o attainable_a and_o of_o form_v my_o model_n and_o idea_n rather_o by_o speculation_n than_o the_o practice_n of_o mankind_n but_o this_o will_v be_v easy_o pardon_v by_o such_o as_o remember_v that_o the_o copy_n will_v ever_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o original_a and_o that_o man_n will_v easy_o of_o themselves_o bend_v and_o accommodate_v the_o exact_a rule_n to_o the_o frailty_n and_o imperfection_n of_o (null)_o life_n nor_o do_v i_o again_o forget_v when_o i_o press_v gentleman_n to_o the_o noble_a height_n of_o virtue_n that_o they_o be_v expose_v to_o more_o numerous_a and_o more_o violent_a solicitation_n to_o vice_n than_o other_o man_n i_o know_v it_o but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o remember_v too_o that_o they_o always_o pretend_v to_o a_o high_a spirit_n and_o a_o more_o refine_a education_n that_o their_o virtue_n always_o shine_v with_o a_o double_a lustre_n it_o be_v own_o and_o that_o of_o their_o fortune_n so_o that_o moderate_a attainment_n in_o they_o make_v a_o great_a show_n than_o the_o more_o perfect_a and_o accomplish_v in_o man_n of_o a_o low_a sphere_n and_o final_o that_o those_o advantage_n and_o prerogative_n which_o they_o enjoy_v by_o their_o birth_n and_o station_n do_v put_v they_o in_o a_o better_a condition_n than_o other_o man_n to_o defend_v their_o true_a liberty_n and_o to_o pursue_v those_o method_n which_o reason_n and_o virtue_n dictate_v chap._n iii_o of_o the_o trade_n or_o negotiate_v life_n sect._n 1_o rule_n relate_v to_o success_n in_o trade_n first_o that_o the_o trader_n be_v industrious_a second_o that_o he_o be_v not_o above_o his_o profession_n sect._n 2._o rule_n relate_v to_o his_o religion_n first_o the_o trade_n must_v be_v a_o lawful_a one_o second_o it_o must_v be_v manage_v with_o justice_n truth_n and_o charity_n three_o it_o must_v not_o interfere_v with_o religion_n four_o the_o trader_n ought_v to_o propose_v to_o himself_o wise_a and_o rational_a end_n such_o be_v a_o competency_n for_o himself_o and_o family_n the_o charitable_a assistance_n of_o other_o a_o timely_a retirement_n or_o
on_o to_o the_o three_o thing_n propose_v sect._n 3_o the_o regulation_n of_o a_o contemplative_a life_n which_o regard_v either_o first_o the_o time_n second_o the_o place_n or_o three_o the_o exercise_n and_o employment_n of_o retirement_n first_o as_o to_o time_n tho'_o contemplation_n more_o or_o less_o aught_o to_o enter_v into_o every_o part_n of_o our_o life_n yet_o the_o most_o seasonable_a time_n of_o give_v ourselves_o more_o entire_o up_o to_o it_o be_v the_o evening_n of_o life_n the_o declension_n of_o our_o age_n we_o have_v then_o have_v our_o fill_n of_o the_o world_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v like_a to_o hanker_v after_o it_o we_o have_v see_v the_o emptiness_n of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v more_o like_a to_o fix_v upon_o solid_a good_a we_o shall_v value_v our_o peace_n and_o calm_a the_o more_o after_o we_o have_v be_v long_o toss_v by_o storm_n beside_o we_o shall_v set_v ourselves_o more_o serious_o to_o the_o meditation_n of_o death_n and_o judgement_n when_o we_o be_v come_v within_o ken_n of_o they_o and_o shall_v be_v apt_a to_o examine_v the_o intrinsic_a good_a and_o evil_n of_o thing_n with_o more_o impartiality_n when_o the_o heat_n of_o youth_n and_o the_o boiling_n of_o our_o passion_n be_v cool_v and_o slack_v and_o final_o this_o be_v a_o seasonable_a time_n to_o correct_v and_o repair_v the_o error_n of_o the_o past_a life_n and_o to_o state_n our_o account_n for_o the_o last_o audit_n but_o tho'_o i_o thus_o prefer_v age_n as_o most_o fit_a for_o a_o retire_a life_n i_o do_v not_o dissuade_v the_o young_a from_o it_o provide_v it_o be_v virtue_n not_o softness_n the_o love_n of_o another_o world_n not_o a_o cowardly_a decline_v the_o duty_n of_o this_o which_o prompt_v they_o to_o it_o otherwise_o it_o be_v sure_o much_o better_a that_o the_o young_a sort_n through_o the_o vigorous_a season_n of_o life_n shall_v be_v engage_v and_o take_v up_o by_o business_n nay_o shall_v contend_v even_o with_o the_o care_n trouble_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o make_v choice_n of_o retirement_n to_o be_v the_o scene_n of_o a_o voluptuous_a lazy_a and_o unprofitable_a life_n for_o in_o the_o one_o case_n something_o be_v every_o day_n learn_v something_o do_v in_o the_o other_o nothing_o in_o the_o one_o the_o man_n live_v neither_o dishonourable_a to_o himself_o nor_o unuseful_a to_o his_o country_n but_o in_o the_o other_o herot_n and_o consume_v away_o inglorious_o and_o unprofitable_o second_o as_o to_o place_n solitude_n have_v ever_o be_v deem_v a_o friend_n to_o meditation_n and_o a_o retirement_n from_o the_o world_n very_o serviceable_a to_o a_o conversation_n with_o heaven_n and_o this_o opinion_n be_v much_o strengthen_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o nazerite_n prophet_n and_o devout_a person_n in_o the_o best_a time_n it_o be_v remark_v of_o isaac_n that_o when_o he_o will_v meditate_v he_o go_v out_o into_o the_o field_n and_o when_o moses_n meet_v god_n it_o be_v in_o the_o desert_n without_o question_n a_o private_a retreat_n afford_v we_o many_o convenience_n and_o advantage_n to_o a_o contemplative_a life_n leisure_n and_o silence_n settle_v and_o compose_v the_o thought_n and_o the_o mind_n augment_v its_o strength_n and_o vigour_n by_o rest_n complacency_n and_o collection_n within_o itself_o and_o in_o this_o state_n of_o serenity_n it_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o reflect_v upon_o itself_o or_o enter_v into_o a_o survey_n of_o the_o rest_n and_o peace_n of_o glorify_a spirit_n and_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o its_o own_o hope_n by_o retirement_n we_o at_o least_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n free_a and_o disengage_v ourselves_o from_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v apt_a either_o to_o soften_v or_o disturb_v we_o and_o to_o breed_v in_o we_o either_o vanity_n or_o vexation_n and_o i_o can_v tell_v but_o the_o fineness_n of_o air_n the_o openness_n of_o prospect_n the_o regularity_n and_o moderation_n of_o diet_n rest_v and_o exercise_n may_v have_v that_o influence_n upon_o our_o body_n as_o to_o dispose_v and_o prepare_v they_o to_o be_v the_o fit_a instrument_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o all_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o variety_n beauty_n and_o use_v of_o all_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n do_v insensible_o and_o almost_o unaware_o raise_v in_o we_o a_o admiration_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o invite_v we_o to_o adore_v his_o power_n and_o goodness_n but_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o it_o must_v ever_o be_v remember_v that_o retirement_n do_v not_o so_o much_o consist_v in_o solitude_n of_o place_n as_o in_o freedom_n from_o secular_a business_n and_o trouble_n from_o the_o allurement_n distraction_n and_o vexation_n of_o the_o world_n if_o if_o we_o put_v these_o off_o we_o may_v find_v retirement_n enough_o in_o the_o most_o populous_a city_n but_o if_o we_o carry_v these_o with_o we_o into_o the_o country_n we_o shall_v reap_v little_a benefit_n from_o change_n of_o place_n or_o air_n and_o under_o the_o name_n of_o retirement_n we_o shall_v be_v persecute_v with_o all_o the_o evil_n and_o mischief_n with_o which_o vanity_n disorder_n and_o distraction_n be_v wont_a to_o disquiet_v a_o active_a and_o busy_a life_n this_o be_v right_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o our_o circumstance_n ought_v to_o govern_v we_o in_o choose_v the_o place_n of_o our_o retreat_n but_o especial_o a_o regard_n to_o such_o duty_n wherein_o we_o propose_v to_o spend_v the_o big_a portion_n of_o our_o time_n three_o the_o exercise_n and_o employment_n of_o a_o contemplative_a life_n be_v now_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o here_o these_o several_a thing_n offer_v themselves_o immediate_o to_o my_o thought_n business_n diversion_n friendship_n meditation_n as_o comprise_v all_o the_o several_a act_n of_o a_o contemplative_a life_n and_o measure_v out_o the_o several_a period_n of_o the_o ascetick_n time_n first_o of_o business_n i_o have_v before_o say_v that_o a_o life_n of_o mere_a contemplation_n be_v above_o the_o nature_n and_o state_n of_o man_n and_o when_o i_o consider_v how_o few_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o long_a or_o regular_a contemplation_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o wise_a way_n for_o most_o be_v not_o to_o discharge_v and_o free_v themselves_o from_o all_o temporal_a engagement_n but_o only_o from_o such_o as_o will_v disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o a_o retire_a life_n and_o yet_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o their_o growth_n and_o improvement_n in_o knowledge_n and_o goodness_n may_v be_v their_o main_a business_n and_o employment_n so_o many_o indeed_o be_v our_o error_n and_o sin_n so_o frail_a tender_a and_o weak_a our_o virtue_n that_o to_o correct_v the_o one_o and_o confirm_v the_o other_o be_v business_n enough_o and_o may_v of_o itself_o easy_o take_v up_o the_o whole_a of_o life_n if_o we_o pursue_v diligent_o all_o the_o method_n of_o the_o improvement_n and_o advancement_n of_o life_n we_o shall_v need_v no_o other_o art_n or_o employment_n to_o spend_v or_o divert_v our_o time_n he_o that_o beside_o a_o constant_a attendance_n upon_o public_a devotion_n sacrament_n and_o sermon_n bestow_v some_o time_n each_o day_n on_o bewail_v his_o sin_n and_o blessing_n god_n for_o his_o mercy_n on_o examine_v his_o present_a state_n and_o establish_v his_o future_a hope_n he_o that_o spend_v each_o day_n but_o a_o few_o thought_n on_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n his_o redeemer_n on_o the_o vanity_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n but_o religion_n and_o virtue_n or_o final_o on_o death_n and_o judgement_n and_o withal_o on_o the_o various_a art_n by_o which_o sin_n and_o folly_n be_v wont_a to_o cheat_v or_o surprise_v he_o to_o tempt_v or_o deceive_v he_o will_n i_o believe_v find_v but_o few_o hour_n to_o waste_v especial_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v how_o much_o time_n the_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o indispensible_a duty_n we_o owe_v to_o some_o relative_n or_o other_o take_v up_o and_o this_o call_v to_o my_o mind_n the_o vigilance_n and_o industry_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o other_o as_o well_o as_o to_o our_o own_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o office_n of_o charity_n to_o which_o humanity_n and_o our_o christian_a profession_n if_o we_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o church-membership_n do_v oblige_v we_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n the_o preservation_n of_o law_n the_o promote_a public_a piety_n the_o instruction_n of_o the_o ignorant_a the_o relief_n of_o the_o needy_a the_o comfort_n of_o the_o afflict_a the_o protection_n of_o the_o injure_v these_o and_o such_o like_a occasion_n will_v never_o be_v want_v to_o rouse_v our_o zeal_n and_o employ_v our_o charity_n and_o these_o be_v work_n which_o will_v turn_v to_o as_o good_a if_o not_o a_o better_a account_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v than_o solitary_a virtue_n and_o certain_o they_o turn_v to_o