save_v or_o otherwise_o i_o shall_v be_v damn_v and_o then_o all_o be_v plain_a before_o i_o for_o in_o this_o case_n i_o have_v nothing_o further_a to_o do_v but_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n which_o god_n afford_v i_o and_o to_o look_v into_o my_o own_o heart_n and_o life_n for_o my_o evidence_n of_o heaven_n thus_o as_o the_o wise_a persian_a who_o soon_o find_v the_o sun_n to_o be_v upon_o the_o horizon_n by_o turn_v himself_o towards_o the_o western_a hill_n than_o he_o that_o fix_v his_o eye_n upon_o the_o east_n expect_v to_o see_v the_o sun_n itself_o so_o we_o shall_v soon_o find_v the_o beam_n of_o divine_a favour_n in_o the_o reverse_n and_o reflection_n of_o they_o upon_o our_o own_o soul_n than_o by_o a_o presumptuous_a pry_n into_o his_o secret_a purpose_n and_o the_o consideration_n of_o this_o truth_n will_v engage_v man_n in_o all_o care_n and_o caution_n in_o all_o diligence_n and_o humility_n in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n till_o they_o gradual_o improve_v into_o a_o state_n of_o holiness_n and_o comfort_n here_o and_o to_o assurance_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n hereafter_o and_o this_o be_v the_o course_n which_o the_o apostle_n lead_v we_o to_o 2_o tim._n 2._o 19_o the_o foundation_n of_o god_n stand_v sure_a have_v his_o seal_n the_o lord_n know_v who_o be_v his_o and_o let_v he_o that_o name_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n depart_v from_o iniquity_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v it_o be_v true_a indeed_o god_n know_v from_o eternity_n who_o he_o intend_v to_o save_v and_o all_o such_o shall_v eventual_o be_v save_v and_o none_o else_o but_o our_o hope_n and_o comfort_n can_v be_v build_v upon_o unknown_a principle_n such_o as_o only_o be_v record_v in_o heaven_n but_o upon_o the_o counterpart_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n or_o a_o conformity_n to_o those_o condition_n which_o god_n have_v express_v in_o his_o gospel_n as_o a_o copy_n from_o the_o original_a keep_v in_o his_o own_o bosom_n 2._o the_o next_o dangerous_a mistake_n which_o we_o ought_v careful_o to_o avoid_v be_v concern_v the_o grace_n and_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n when_o man_n unreasonable_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v do_v all_o for_o they_o in_o the_o business_n of_o their_o salvation_n without_o their_o own_o endeavour_n upon_o pretence_n that_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o go_v about_o it_o our_o part_n be_v only_o to_o wait_v god_n time_n of_o work_v and_o when_o his_o holy_a spirit_n move_v the_o business_n will_v be_v do_v without_o more_o ado_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n all_o our_o diligence_n be_v discharge_v as_o impertinent_a and_o even_o our_o prayer_n too_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v consistent_a with_o itself_o for_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n if_o ever_o man_n come_v to_o heaven_n they_o must_v be_v drag_v thither_o by_o omnipotency_n as_o the_o disciple_n of_o mahumet_n expect_v to_o be_v by_o the_o hair_n of_o their_o head_n now_o though_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o all_o the_o good_a that_o be_v in_o we_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o father_n of_o light_n from_o who_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n come_v forasmuch_o as_o he_o work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v and_o therefore_o we_o can_v never_o magnify_v grace_n enough_o nor_o attribute_v too_o much_o to_o the_o holy_a spirit_n without_o make_v machine_n of_o ourselves_o and_o nonsense_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o sure_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o god_n need_v not_o that_o we_o shall_v tell_v a_o lie_n for_o he_o nor_o will_v have_v we_o slander_v his_o creation_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o regeneration_n since_o he_o do_v not_o destroy_v the_o man_n when_o he_o make_v a_o christian_n so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o as_o i_o have_v note_v before_o he_o charge_v we_o to_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n and_o to_o use_v all_o our_o diligence_n to_o make_v our_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a which_o plain_o imply_v that_o he_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o supersede_n our_o power_n when_o he_o repair_v our_o nature_n and_o that_o although_o he_o make_v we_o without_o our_o own_o activity_n yet_o he_o will_v not_o save_v we_o without_o our_o own_o endeavour_n and_o therefore_o the_o holy_a scripture_n always_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o way_n of_o god_n work_v good_a in_o our_o soul_n to_o be_v by_o exciting_a our_o spirit_n by_o assist_v and_o strengthen_v our_o faculty_n and_o by_o cooperate_n with_o we_o not_o by_o over-bearing_a our_o capacity_n and_o do_v all_o for_o we_o without_o we_o insomuch_o that_o that_o man_n who_o dream_v of_o be_v carry_v to_o heaven_n by_o omnipotency_n without_o his_o own_o concurrence_n be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o encouragement_n from_o the_o scripture_n to_o hope_v that_o ever_o he_o shall_v come_v there_o that_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a he_o shall_v never_o see_v that_o happy_a estate_n unless_o it_o please_v the_o divine_a mercy_n to_o make_v he_o so_o early_o sensible_a of_o this_o fatal_a error_n that_o he_o may_v timely_o repent_v and_o pursue_v the_o right_a way_n thither_o for_o he_o that_o expect_v to_o attain_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o miracle_n it_o will_v be_v a_o miracle_n indeed_o if_o he_o come_v thither_o and_o this_o fond_a opinion_n be_v as_o mischievous_a as_o it_o be_v unscriptural_a not_o only_o as_o it_o apparent_o deprive_v a_o man_n of_o all_o the_o comfortable_a reflection_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n upon_o whatsoever_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o have_v obtain_v forasmuch_o as_o it_o equal_v the_o condition_n and_o character_n of_o the_o most_o slothful_a epicure_n with_o that_o of_o the_o most_o generous_a and_o industrious_a but_o especial_o as_o it_o dispose_v man_n to_o slight_v all_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o god_n church_n and_o that_o upon_o good_a reason_n for_o if_o this_o opinion_n be_v true_a they_o be_v all_o insignificant_a and_o collusory_a it_o also_o tempt_v man_n to_o sin_n and_o that_o without_o regret_n or_o remorse_n under_o a_o pretence_n that_o they_o can_v help_v it_o and_o in_o short_a it_o perfect_o betray_v they_o to_o their_o own_o lust_n and_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o devil_n make_v way_n for_o whatsoever_o temptation_n he_o will_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o man_n of_o this_o persuasion_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v resistance_n be_v bind_v by_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o to_o save_v himself_o useless_a trouble_n to_o strike_v sail_n and_o surrender_v upon_o the_o first_o assault_n or_o summons_n 3._o a_o three_o dangerous_a opinion_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v caution_v against_o be_v a_o mistake_a notion_n of_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n this_o at_o first_o mention_n of_o it_o may_v seem_v of_o kin_n to_o that_o which_o i_o last_o speak_v of_o but_o as_o i_o intend_v it_o it_o be_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n viz._n when_o man_n do_v not_o altogether_o discourage_v their_o own_o endeavour_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o natural_a impotency_n in_o general_n but_o yet_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o some_o certain_a sin_n in_o particular_a be_v so_o necessary_a to_o they_o and_o unavoidable_a that_o god_n will_v allow_v of_o they_o under_o the_o favourable_a notion_n of_o infirmity_n and_o pardon_v they_o without_o repentance_n it_o be_v very_o true_a there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o pitiable_a infirmity_n which_o the_o best_a of_o man_n can_v be_v altogether_o free_a from_o and_o which_o infinite_a goodness_n therefore_o so_o far_o consider_v as_o to_o make_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o wilful_a or_o presumptuous_a sin_n pardon_v the_o former_a upon_o a_o general_a repentance_n whereas_o he_o require_v a_o very_a particular_a repentance_n for_o and_o reformation_n of_o the_o latter_a but_o the_o mischief_n which_o i_o seek_v here_o to_o prevent_v be_v when_o man_n cheat_v themselves_o into_o a_o persuasion_n that_o some_o voluntary_a sin_n or_o other_o be_v necessary_a to_o they_o and_o therefore_o must_v come_v under_o this_o estimate_n of_o infirmity_n and_o consequent_o need_n neither_o be_v repent_v of_o nor_o forsake_v from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o ordinary_o the_o sin_n which_o have_v be_v most_o customary_a and_o habitual_a to_o they_o because_o it_o easy_o beset_v they_o and_o they_o find_v it_o not_o easy_a or_o pleasant_a to_o they_o to_o forgo_v it_o be_v therefore_o encourage_v under_o the_o favourable_a name_n of_o infirmity_n for_o thus_o they_o say_v every_o man_n have_v his_o infirmity_n and_o this_o be_v i_o and_o so_o the_o mouth_n of_o conscience_n be_v make_v up_o as_o if_o a_o pardon_n of_o course_n be_v due_a to_o it_o without_o the_o solemnity_n of_o reformation_n they_o will_v allow_v such_o
hinder_v he_o in_o devotion_n but_o will_v rather_o consider_v his_o own_o strength_n viz._n how_o much_o care_n and_o labour_n he_o can_v undergo_v without_o depression_n of_o his_o spirit_n or_o debase_v his_o mind_n and_o will_v weigh_v the_o danger_n and_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n against_o the_o pleasure_n and_o all_o urement_n of_o riches_n this_o will_v also_o incline_v he_o prudent_o to_o methodize_v his_o affair_n and_o to_o put_v that_o business_n which_o seem_v necessary_a into_o the_o best_a order_n that_o so_o it_o may_v take_v its_o due_a place_n in_o subordination_n to_o his_o great_a concern_v and_o not_o supplant_v or_o interfere_v with_o they_o to_o which_o purpose_n also_o if_o he_o have_v any_o considerable_a matter_n to_o dispose_v of_o he_o will_v think_v it_o convenient_a to_o set_v his_o house_n in_o order_n as_o well_o as_o his_o business_n and_o have_v always_o his_o will_n make_v not_o only_o that_o thereby_o he_o may_v be_v the_o more_o effectual_o admonish_v of_o his_o mortality_n and_o be_v provide_v against_o the_o surprisal_n of_o death_n but_o that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n he_o may_v have_v the_o less_o solicitude_n upon_o his_o spirit_n and_o may_v the_o more_o single_o and_o undistract_o apply_v himself_o to_o his_o main_a business_n and_o then_o 4._o in_o the_o four_o place_n let_v he_o attend_v to_o the_o counsel_n of_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o syrach_n ecclus._n 2._o 1._o my_o son_n if_o thou_o come_v to_o serve_v the_o lord_n prepare_v thy_o soul_n for_o temptation_n that_o be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v whensoever_o thou_o undertake_v a_o course_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o imagine_v thou_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o accomplish_v it_o without_o sweat_n and_o difficulty_n or_o so_o secure_a as_o to_o think_v of_o obtain_v the_o crown_n without_o a_o conflict_n but_o expect_v to_o meet_v with_o temptation_n of_o several_a kind_n and_o arm_v thyself_o according_o especial_o in_o thy_o first_o entrance_n on_o such_o a_o course_n thou_o must_v look_v for_o the_o sharp_a encounter_n for_o thy_o enemy_n be_v not_o so_o soon_o vanquish_v as_o defy_v nor_o be_v they_o either_o so_o fair_a and_o civil_a as_o to_o give_v thou_o scope_n to_o harden_v and_o fortify_v thyself_o in_o thy_o enterprise_n or_o so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o slip_v the_o opportunity_n of_o thy_o weakness_n and_o security_n together_o beginning_n in_o all_o such_o case_n be_v attend_v with_o the_o great_a hazard_n and_o difficulty_n the_o devil_n rage_v most_o at_o first_o out_o of_o indignation_n to_o suffer_v the_o prey_n to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n whereas_o when_o he_o be_v past_a hope_n of_o recover_v it_o he_o have_v more_o wit_n than_o to_o labour_n in_o vain_a and_o will_v not_o so_o much_o trouble_v himself_o to_o tempt_v when_o he_o see_v no_o likelihood_n of_o success_n but_o he_o be_v more_o resolute_a than_o quick_o to_o despair_v or_o give_v over_o his_o siege_n upon_o the_o first_o denial_n of_o his_o summons_n no_o he_o will_v storm_v and_o batter_v thou_o night_n and_o day_n and_o cast_v in_o all_o his_o bomb_n and_o fiery_a dart_n to_o affright_v and_o compel_v thou_o to_o a_o surrender_n and_o for_o the_o flesh_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o first_o check_n which_o be_v give_v to_o sensual_a inclination_n be_v harsh_a and_o go_v most_o against_o the_o grain_n because_o they_o have_v use_v to_o take_v their_o full_a scope_n and_o swinge_n indeed_o when_o a_o man_n have_v accustom_v they_o to_o denial_n in_o their_o importunity_n they_o by_o degree_n and_o in_o time_n grow_v tame_a and_o submit_v to_o the_o yoke_n of_o reason_n as_o fire_n be_v extinguish_v by_o be_v suppress_v or_o as_o a_o violent_a torrent_n that_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o new_a channel_n and_o restrain_v its_o ancient_a course_n at_o first_o rage_n and_o foam_n and_o swell_v against_o those_o new_a bank_n though_o at_o length_n it_o cease_v its_o tumult_n and_o run_v along_o quiet_o within_o its_o boundary_n it_o be_v not_o one_o overthrow_n will_v dishearten_v the_o old_a man_n he_o must_v be_v baffle_v and_o vanquish_v over_o and_o over_o before_o he_o will_v cease_v to_o rebel_v nor_o must_v you_o think_v to_o find_v virtue_n easy_a till_o you_o have_v accustom_v yourself_o to_o it_o for_o nothing_o but_o custom_n can_v entire_o subdue_v custom_n wherefore_o till_o that_o be_v introduce_v you_o must_v never_o be_v secure_a but_o always_o upon_o your_o guard_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o world_n the_o first_o rejection_n of_o that_o out_o of_o a_o man_n heart_n be_v perform_v with_o as_o great_a difficulty_n as_o any_o of_o the_o former_a when_o a_o man_n have_v once_o cast_v overboard_o that_o luggage_n which_o otherwise_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v sink_v he_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v be_v glad_a of_o the_o exchange_n and_o despise_v what_o before_o he_o admire_v but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a matter_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o unburden_v the_o vessel_n and_o a_o long_a dispute_n before_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o lose_v any_o thing_n for_o heaven_n it_o require_v a_o great_a sagacity_n to_o see_v the_o empty_a pageantry_n of_o the_o world_n so_o as_o to_o slight_a fame_n applause_n riches_n ease_n and_o pleasure_n a_o hard_a piece_n of_o self-denial_n to_o abridge_v himself_o of_o the_o liberty_n other_o man_n take_v a_o great_a mastery_n of_o a_o man_n self_n to_o be_v deaf_a to_o all_o the_o charm_n and_o insensible_a of_o all_o the_o caress_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o keep_v a_o man_n eye_n and_o thought_n steady_o fix_v upon_o another_o life_n therefore_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v count_v upon_o difficulty_n in_o the_o undertake_n of_o religion_n lest_o when_o it_o come_v upon_o he_o unforeseen_a he_o turn_v recreant_a and_o come_v off_o with_o shame_n and_o loss_n beside_o all_o this_o there_o be_v something_o more_o which_o i_o apprehend_v the_o wise_a man_n intend_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a advice_n namely_o that_o he_o that_o resolve_v to_o be_v a_o virtuous_a man_n must_v fortify_v his_o mind_n as_o well_o against_o the_o persuasion_n example_n and_o discouragement_n of_o his_o less_o considerate_a friend_n and_o acquaintance_n as_o against_o the_o bitter_a scoff_v and_o reproach_n of_o his_o enemy_n that_o neither_o the_o insensible_a insinuation_n of_o the_o one_o dissolve_v he_o into_o lukewarmness_n and_o remissness_n nor_o the_o rough_a attack_n of_o the_o other_o sink_v his_o spirit_n and_o shake_v his_o resolution_n opposition_n from_o each_o of_o these_o he_o must_v expect_v to_o meet_v with_o from_o the_o former_a out_o of_o folly_n or_o else_o in_o their_o own_o defence_n that_o such_o a_o man_n zeal_n may_v not_o reproach_v their_o negligence_n from_o the_o other_o out_o of_o malice_n and_o as_o assailant_n that_o they_o may_v reek_v their_o spite_n upon_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a way_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v provide_v for_o both_o against_o the_o soft_a insinuation_n of_o injudicious_a person_n he_o must_v be_v provide_v by_o be_v gird_v about_o with_o truth_n and_o have_v on_o the_o breastplate_n of_o righteousness_n as_o the_o apostle_n advise_v eph._n 6._o 14._o that_o be_v he_o must_v establish_v his_o heart_n in_o a_o undoubted_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n on_o his_o side_n by_o consider_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n the_o example_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n and_o hence_o be_v able_a to_o render_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o he_o with_o meekness_n and_o fear_n and_o if_o this_o do_v not_o ease_v he_o of_o their_o fond_a importunity_n he_o must_v then_o put_v on_o some_o degree_n of_o morosity_n and_o resolve_v with_o david_n 2_o sam._n 6._o 22._o that_o if_o this_o be_v to_o be_v vile_a he_o will_v yet_o be_v more_o vile_a against_o the_o rude_a treatment_n of_o lewd_a and_o malicious_a man_n he_o must_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n advise_v eph._n 6._o 16_o 17._o take_v the_o shield_n of_o faith_n whereby_o he_o shall_v repel_v all_o the_o fiery_a dart_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o for_o a_o helmet_n the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n and_o in_o contemplation_n of_o the_o object_n of_o both_o those_o he_o will_v be_v able_a generous_o to_o contemn_v all_o obloquy_n and_o reproach_n as_o disdain_v to_o be_v hector_v out_o of_o salvation_n in_o a_o word_n for_o altogether_o he_o must_v always_o remember_v that_o self-denial_n be_v the_o first_o lesson_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o he_o that_o have_v not_o so_o learn_v it_o as_o to_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v christ_n can_v be_v his_o disciple_n 5._o in_o the_o five_o place_n let_v the_o candidate_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n take_v care_n that_o he_o do_v not_o precipitate_v himself_o into_o temptation_n
they_o from_o extravagancy_n and_o at_o once_o to_o make_v our_o devotion_n the_o less_o tedious_a to_o ourselves_o and_o the_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n chap._n ii_o of_o several_a other_o instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n though_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o general_a duty_n of_o religion_n the_o common_a instrument_n of_o all_o piety_n and_o the_o most_o immediate_a address_v to_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n to_o make_v it_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n for_o there_o be_v several_a other_o of_o great_a moment_n among_o which_o i_o reckon_v in_o the_o next_o place_n 2._o study_n and_o meditation_n not_o only_o to_o direct_v and_o assist_v our_o prayer_n of_o which_o i_o say_v something_o before_o but_o especial_o to_o cultivate_v and_o improve_v our_o own_o mind_n that_o we_o may_v be_v wise_a and_o consequent_o both_o more_o capable_a of_o do_v god_n better_a service_n in_o this_o world_n and_o also_o fit_a for_o the_o society_n of_o angel_n and_o the_o conversation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a in_o the_o other_o world_n for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o god_n almighty_n have_v set_v a_o mighty_a value_n upon_o our_o soul_n in_o redeem_v they_o by_o no_o less_o a_o price_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o only_a son_n and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v be_v intolerable_o ingrateful_a towards_o he_o if_o we_o bestow_v no_o cost_n upon_o they_o but_o live_v as_o if_o we_o be_v mere_a matter_n and_o body_n and_o take_v care_n only_o to_o please_v and_o gratify_v our_o sense_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n abandon_v our_o mind_n to_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n to_o sloth_n and_o superstition_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v also_o that_o the_o same_o infinite_a goodness_n have_v by_o the_o same_o purchase_n deliver_v we_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o eternal_a death_n which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v keep_v we_o in_o perpetual_a bondage_n and_o so_o have_v contract_v our_o spirit_n and_o render_v our_o very_a self_n so_o inconsiderable_a to_o ourselves_o that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v have_v the_o heart_n to_o take_v any_o care_n of_o himself_o but_o will_v be_v tempt_v to_o have_v live_v like_o a_o beast_n because_o he_o expect_v to_o die_v like_o one_o or_o worse_a but_o now_o that_o we_o be_v make_v to_o hope_v for_o immortality_n and_o to_o live_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n a_o man_n shall_v spare_v no_o cost_n no_o labour_n and_o pain_n about_o himself_o since_o he_o may_v reap_v the_o fruit_n and_o enjoy_v the_o comfort_n of_o so_o do_v in_o the_o better_a enjoyment_n of_o himself_o a_o thousand_o age_n hence_o and_o to_o all_o eternity_n moreover_o the_o same_o divine_a goodness_n have_v design_v we_o to_o a_o glorious_a estate_n of_o happiness_n in_o his_o own_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n a_o state_n of_o intellectual_a pleasure_n and_o the_o most_o sublime_a ingredient_n of_o felicity_n which_o a_o dull_a sottish_a and_o sensual_a soul_n can_v never_o be_v capable_a of_o perceive_v if_o he_o be_v place_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v more_o than_o brutish_a that_o do_v not_o dispose_v himself_o so_o that_o he_o may_v be_v meet_a to_o partake_v of_o that_o inheritance_n with_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n to_o all_o this_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o general_a apostafy_a of_o mankind_n have_v weaken_a our_o nature_n cloud_v our_o understanding_n and_o disorder_v all_o our_o power_n and_o together_o herewith_o the_o foolish_a opinion_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o world_n have_v abuse_v and_o deceive_v we_o yet_o more_o and_o more_o so_o that_o we_o must_v be_v most_o silly_a and_o unhappy_a creature_n if_o we_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o deliver_v and_o disengage_v ourselves_o from_o both_o these_o calamity_n and_o the_o case_n be_v not_o total_o irreparable_a in_o respect_n of_o either_o of_o these_o mischief_n if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o for_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o we_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n recover_v ourselves_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o give_v we_o time_n to_o consider_v in_o privacy_n and_o retirement_n from_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o world_n that_o we_o may_v recollect_v ourselves_o he_o have_v set_v before_o we_o his_o work_n and_o providence_n to_o meditate_v upon_o we_o have_v his_o holy_a scripture_n to_o enlighten_v our_o mind_n and_o guide_v we_o out_o of_o the_o perplex_a state_n of_o thing_n we_o enjoy_v the_o public_a ministry_n and_o abundance_n of_o good_a book_n to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v those_o scripture_n and_o above_o all_o we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n against_o the_o weakness_n and_o confusion_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n and_o great_a necessity_n that_o we_o shall_v apply_v ourselves_o to_o study_v and_o meditation_n so_o we_o have_v as_o great_a encouragement_n to_o hope_v for_o success_n in_o so_o do_v for_o by_o application_n of_o ourselves_o to_o the_o mean_n aforesaid_a we_o may_v not_o only_o rid_v ourselves_o of_o that_o wildness_n and_o freity_n which_o be_v ordinary_o upon_o our_o nature_n but_o outgrow_a vulgar_a opinion_n and_o tradition_n and_o come_v to_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o true_a estimate_n of_o thing_n set_v before_o we_o we_o may_v greaten_v our_o spirit_n so_o as_o to_o despise_v those_o little_a thing_n which_o silly_a man_n dote_v upon_o we_o may_v free_v our_o mind_n of_o childish_a fear_n and_o unaccountable_a superstition_n we_o may_v understand_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o religion_n the_o loveliness_n of_o virtue_n and_o in_o a_o word_n have_v worthy_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o clear_a apprehension_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o although_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o all_o man_n be_v not_o alike_o capable_a of_o these_o improvement_n either_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o the_o unhappy_a constitution_n of_o their_o body_n or_o the_o perplex_a condition_n of_o their_o outward_a affair_n yet_o certain_o god_n almighty_n have_v by_o the_o mean_v aforesaid_a put_v it_o into_o every_o man_n power_n to_o be_v wise_a than_o he_o be_v if_o he_o will_v but_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o let_v the_o devout_a man_n be_v sure_a to_o make_v the_o experiment_n to_o further_o he_o the_o more_o wherein_o let_v he_o to_o all_o the_o consideration_n forego_v add_v these_o two_o follow_v first_o that_o forasmuch_o as_o he_o be_v make_v in_o god_n image_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o contempt_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o cultivate_a and_o adorn_v that_o part_n of_o himself_o wherein_o he_o especial_o resemble_v his_o maker_n and_o consequent_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v a_o very_a fit_a and_o proper_a instance_n of_o worship_n towards_o god_n to_o improve_v his_o own_o soul_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v here_o just_o place_v among_o the_o expression_n of_o devotion_n second_o let_v he_o consider_v that_o the_o great_a game_n of_o eternity_n be_v but_o once_o to_o be_v play_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o retrieve_v of_o our_o neglect_n and_o carelessness_n afterward_o therefore_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n that_o we_o shall_v play_v it_o intent_o and_o wary_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o redeem_v time_n from_o folly_n and_o sensuality_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o he_o that_o do_v so_o and_o beg_v god_n blessing_n upon_o it_o will_v undoubted_o find_v his_o mind_n enlarge_v his_o life_n more_o regular_a and_o his_o spirit_n more_o comfortable_a which_o be_v all_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o devotion_n 3._o the_o next_o instance_n of_o secret_a devotion_n for_o i_o be_o not_o curious_a in_o what_o order_n i_o place_v they_o shall_v be_v the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n in_o god_n and_o dependence_n upon_o he_o in_o pursuance_n of_o a_o acknowledgement_n that_o he_o alone_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o the_o frame_v a_o man_n heart_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o he_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o he_o and_o stay_v itself_o upon_o he_o in_o all_o exigency_n and_o accident_n and_o passage_n whatsoever_o that_o he_o may_v impute_v nothing_o to_o chance_n fate_n or_o the_o star_n but_o possess_v himself_o with_o a_o deep_a and_o settle_a apprehension_n of_o the_o great_a interest_n of_o god_n in_o all_o revolution_n or_o occurrence_n this_o be_v a_o point_n of_o great_a and_o real_a honour_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n as_o it_o set_v god_n always_o before_o we_o and_o place_n he_o continual_o in_o our_o eye_n as_o it_o bring_v we_o to_o a_o entire_a resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o his_o dispose_n and_o put_v we_o into_o a_o constant_a gravity_n and_o a_o reverence_n towards_o he_o