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engine_n wherewith_o the_o adversary_n catch_v they_o that_o never_o be_v thorough_o subject_v into_o true_a humility_n mortification_n true_a self-denial_n or_o die_v with_o christ_n such_o though_o under_o profession_n of_o truth_n may_v make_v a_o great_a show_n and_o flourish_v for_o a_o time_n in_o outward_a appearance_n leave_n and_o blossom_n yet_o they_o bring_v not_o forth_o fruit_n unto_o perfection_n or_o ripeness_n in_o christ._n therefore_o beware_v of_o self-exaltation_n beware_v of_o a_o earthly_a spirit_n enter_v beware_v of_o covetousness_n which_o be_v idolatry_n let_v not_o the_o earth_n interpose_v betwixt_o any_o of_o your_o soul_n and_o the_o brightness_n of_o that_o divine_a glory_n which_o have_v appear_v even_o in_o our_o day_n and_o time_n spiritual_a gift_n may_v be_v lose_v or_o fall_v short_a of_o if_o the_o fountain_n of_o they_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o life_n itself_o be_v not_o diligent_o mind_v &_o follow_v and_o where_o love_n towards_o god_n and_o 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the_o way_n the_o truth_n and_o the_o life_n and_o there_o be_v a_o danger_n in_o be_v too_o early_o and_o forward_o to_o censure_v and_o judge_v other_o and_o in_o judge_v censure_v and_o undervalue_v other_o gift_n ministry_n and_o labour_n who_o god_n have_v call_v into_o his_o work_n and_o service_n for_o some_o whereby_o may_v either_o lose_v their_o own_o gift_n life_n and_o strength_n or_o fall_v short_a of_o those_o heavenly_a gift_n which_o otherwise_o they_o may_v attain_v to_o if_o they_o keep_v low_a and_o tender_a in_o humility_n love_n &_o society_n with_o their_o brethren_n whereby_o they_o may_v also_o be_v serviceable_a with_o they_o for_o i_o have_v see_v in_o my_o time_n some_o who_o never_o pass_v through_o judgement_n in_o themselves_o yet_o very_o censorious_a judge_v detract_n and_o whisper_n against_o their_o brethren_n slight_v they_o their_o ministry_n and_o labour_n who_o themselves_o have_v great_o lose_v by_o it_o
and_o helper_n in_o christ_n be_v take_v away_o and_o go_v to_o their_o everlasting_a rest_n have_v faithful_o serve_v out_o their_o day_n and_o generation_n fulfil_v and_o finish_v their_o testimony_n with_o joy_n and_o peace_n and_o obtain_v a_o crown_n of_o glory_n that_o shall_v never_o fade_v away_o and_o this_o very_a matter_n have_v be_v often_o serious_o upon_o my_o thought_n and_o weighty_a consideration_n what_o shall_v be_v the_o cause_n or_o reason_n why_o so_o few_o faithful_a labourer_n and_o clear_a gospel_n minister_n have_v be_v of_o late_o raise_v up_o or_o now_o bring_v forth_o though_o some_o be_v in_o a_o good_a lively_a testimony_n bless_a be_v the_o lord_n and_o it_o clear_o appear_v to_o i_o first_o that_o few_o be_v give_v up_o in_o their_o spirit_n for_o this_o weighty_a service_n as_o we_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n who_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n gift_v and_o qualify_v second_o few_o sincere_o seek_v the_o lord_n or_o have_v wait_v upon_o he_o with_o 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in_o heavenly_a meditation_n or_o spiritual_a contemplation_n in_o god_n pure_a and_o spiritual_a law_n way_n judgement_n and_o work_n or_o in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o open_v they_o but_o too_o many_o have_v their_o mind_n heart_n and_o affection_n take_v up_o with_o these_o fade_a object_n and_o thing_n below_o mind_v earthly_a thing_n or_o overcharge_v with_o the_o love_n of_o riches_n care_n and_o cumber_n of_o this_o life_n to_o compass_v the_o earth_n wherein_o many_o a_o good_a talent_n have_v be_v hide_v and_o poor_a soul_n bury_v in_o captivity_n whereas_o it_o require_v a_o inward_a and_o serious_a exercise_n of_o spirit_n towards_o god_n frequent_a and_o servant_n prayer_n and_o supplication_n unto_o he_o a_o inward_a and_o diligent_a attention_n upon_o he_o who_o be_v the_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n to_o obtain_v both_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o a_o weighty_a live_a clear_a evangelical_n ministry_n for_o it_o be_v the_o sanctify_a heart_n and_o soul_n who_o true_o fear_v god_n into_o who_o only_a wisdom_n enter_v and_o make_v they_o friend_n of_o god_n and_o prophet_n the_o lord_n will_v have_v a_o inward_a spiritual_a sincere_a &_o zealous_a people_n oh_o inward_a watchfulness_n prayer_n and_o supplication_n to_o almighty_a god_n have_v be_v and_o be_v too_o much_o neglect_v by_o many_o i_o pray_v god_n they_o may_v serious_o examine_v and_o find_v out_o the_o cause_n in_o themselves_o with_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o bring_v all_o to_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n thereof_o four_o if_o any_o of_o the_o young_a sort_n who_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n endue_v with_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o knowledge_n do_v let_v up_o a_o slight_a and_o disesteem_n in_o their_o mind_n of_o their_o elder_a brethren_n who_o be_v experience_v in_o the_o work_n and_o service_n of_o god_n and_o keep_v not_o in_o society_n or_o union_n with_o they_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o love_n and_o of_o a_o sound_a mind_n but_o give_v way_n unto_o a_o singularity_n abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n not_o keep_v low_a and_o humble_a before_o the_o lord_n nor_o little_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n such_o neither_o grow_v in_o life_n nor_o in_o divine_a open_n nor_o increase_v in_o their_o gift_n nor_o come_v to_o attain_v to_o a_o weighty_a clear_a evangelical_n ministry_n and_o service_n but_o rather_o loose_a die_v and_o wither_v unless_o they_o come_v into_o true_a humility_n self-denial_n reconciliation_n love_n and_o union_n with_o their_o elder_a faithful_a brethren_n who_o in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n will_v tender_o help_v they_o and_o not_o hinder_v they_o in_o the_o work_n and_o service_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god._n it_o be_v both_o a_o great_a grief_n and_o scandal_n also_o to_o see_v many_o of_o the_o young_a sort_n who_o frequent_a our_o meeting_n and_o even_o of_o friend_n child_n also_o degenerate_v into_o pride_n and_o height_n of_o spirit_n and_o apparel_n so_o near_o to_o imitate_v and_o border_v upon_o the_o world_n as_o too_o to_o many_o do_v contrary_a to_o the_o gravity_n modesty_n sobriety_n plainness_n simplicity_n innocency_n and_o humility_n which_o truth_n require_v in_o example_n as_o well_o as_o in_o spirit_n and_o which_o truth_n at_o first_o lead_v many_o into_o and_o as_o still_o it_o do_v lead_v and_o order_v they_o that_o true_o love_v and_o obey_v it_o in_o which_o i_o pray_v god_n to_o settle_v and_o order_v his_o people_n and_o that_o no_o plea_n nor_o excuse_n may_v be_v make_v to_o maintain_v pride_n vanity_n or_o immodesty_n in_o apparel_n which_o only_o gratify_v vain_a airy_a mind_n and_o spirit_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o carnal_a eye_n and_o grieve_v the_o tender_a and_o give_v occasion_n of_o reproach_n and_o stumble_v to_o they_o that_o be_v without_o and_o to_o such_o as_o be_v sober_o &_o religious_o incline_v oh_o it_o be_v precious_a to_o keep_v low_a and_o humble_a before_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o walk_v as_o live_a example_n of_o christian_a humility_n a_o lowly_a mind_n be_v content_a with_o low_a thing_n and_o love_v plainness_n and_o this_o be_v observable_a that_o if_o never_o so_o much_o be_v true_o and_o sincere_o preach_v in_o public_a against_o pride_n and_o vanity_n in_o apparel_n etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v indulge_v or_o conive_v at_o at_o home_n in_o child_n or_o young_a person_n by_o parent_n guardian_n or_o overseer_n all_o preach_a instruction_n and_o warn_v prove_v to_o they_o but_o as_o water_v spill_v upon_o the_o ground_n and_o take_v no_o impression_n whilst_o through_o such_o encouragement_n &_o indulgence_n at_o home_n they_o embrace_v a_o spirit_n of_o pride_n &_o irreverence_n towards_o god_n &_o disregard_n to_o his_o truth_n and_o people_n and_o though_o some_o formality_n and_o something_o of_o the_o form_n of_o truth_n they_o may_v have_v by_o outward_a education_n it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o work_n of_o regeneration_n for_o it_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n that_o real_o come_v in_o at_o that_o door_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v have_v often_o a_o godly_a fear_n upon_o i_o of_o the_o spring_a up_o of_o degenerate_a plant_n among_o we_o and_o a_o degenerate_a generation_n to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o truth_n and_o our_o holy_a profession_n after_o our_o day_n and_o it_o be_v they_o who_o be_v incline_v and_o get_v into_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n and_o liberty_n out_o of_o the_o truth_n who_o live_v not_o in_o humility_n nor_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n that_o give_v secret_a strength_n to_o a_o apostate_n turbulent_a spirit_n which_o have_v be_v the_o church_n exercise_n of_o late_a year_n and_o that_o be_v most_o easy_o catch_v with_o that_o apostate_n spirit_n and_o feign_a word_n of_o the_o instrument_n thereof_o who_o work_n be_v to_o sow_v discord_n and_o make_v division_n schism_n and_o separation_n which_o be_v fruit_n of_o the_o flesh_n for_o if_o all_o have_v be_v faithful_a to_o the_o light_n and_o keep_v in_o humility_n and_o love_n of_o truth_n and_o one_o another_o there_o have_v be_v no_o enmity_n one_o towards_o another_o nor_o smite_v of_o fellow-servant_n but_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n will_v have_v preserve_v they_o out_o of_o those_o snare_n of_o death_n which_o that_o spirit_n of_o discord_n lead_v into_o howbeit_o i_o be_o well_o satisfy_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o will_v never_o suffer_v a_o general_a or_o final_a apostasy_n or_o degeneration_n the_o brightness_n of_o our_o day_n and_o glory_n of_o our_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n shall_v never_o be_v extinguish_v although_o too_o many_o through_o the_o adversary_n subtlety_n and_o temptation_n together_o with_o their_o own_o carnal_a and_o corrupt_a inclination_n be_v apt_a to_o degenerate_v and_o their_o mind_n to_o be_v exalt_v and_o alienate_v from_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n from_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n from_o humility_n
and_o lowliness_n of_o mind_n from_o true_a and_o conscientious_a tenderness_n from_o love_n to_o the_o brethren_n from_o innocency_n plainness_n and_o simplicity_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n both_o in_o their_o spirit_n language_n and_o habit_n who_o therefore_o ought_v to_o be_v faithful_o admonish_v and_o tender_o instruct_v by_o which_o mean_v together_o with_o a_o meek_a and_o gentle_a behaviour_n many_o have_v be_v gain_v and_o many_o may_v yet_o be_v recover_v out_o of_o the_o snare_n of_o satan_n who_o have_v be_v take_v captive_a at_o unaware_o have_v compassion_n of_o some_o make_v a_o difference_n have_v often_o reach_v the_o tender_a part_n in_o they_o and_o in_o relation_n to_o other_o more_o deep_o prejudice_v i_o remember_v a_o cautious_a say_n of_o a_o ancient_a and_o faithful_a brother_n decease_v viz._n where_o we_o can_v make_v they_o better_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n we_o do_v not_o make_v they_o worse_o the_o lord_n keep_v his_o people_n in_o his_o holy_a fear_n 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riches_n puff_v any_o up_o or_o exalt_v they_o above_o their_o brethren_n nor_o any_o brother_n of_o high_a degree_n in_o earthly_a enjoyment_n slight_a or_o contemn_v their_o brethren_n of_o low_a degree_n some_o sincere-hearted_n and_o serviceable_a friend_n and_o brethren_n have_v enjoy_v plenty_n of_o the_o world_n good_n and_o yet_o through_o loss_n suffering_n disappointment_n or_o other_o unjust_a deal_n by_o they_o be_v bring_v low_o in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v esteem_v when_o in_o prosperity_n it_o will_v be_v very_o unchristian_a and_o sinful_a to_o slight_a or_o disesteem_n they_o in_o their_o adversity_n which_o be_v their_o trial_n the_o poor_a of_o this_o world_n who_o be_v rich_a in_o faith_n who_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v near_o unto_o he_o their_o faith_n be_v the_o more_o try_v by_o their_o poverty_n and_o lowness_n and_o how_o soon_o that_o may_v be_v the_o trial_n of_o many_o that_o be_v rich_a they_o know_v not_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o unsafe_a for_o any_o to_o trust_v in_o uncertain_a riches_n or_o to_o be_v exalt_v or_o lift_v up_o because_o of_o they_o but_o rather_o humble_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o live_a god_n and_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o love_n &_o esteem_v their_o brethren_n in_o truth_n how_o mean_a and_o low_a soever_o in_o this_o world_n know_v that_o with_o god_n there_o be_v no_o respect_n of_o person_n not_o with_o they_o who_o true_o bear_v his_o image_n and_o pray_v friend_n keep_v out_o all_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n which_o some_o busy_a spirit_n in_o the_o world_n be_v incident_a unto_o as_o about_o outward_a revolution_n government_n state-affair_n and_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n let_v not_o their_o division_n divide_v you_o nor_o their_o strife_n and_o contention_n about_o the_o outward_a court_n and_o form_n religion_n earthly_a kingdom_n and_o crown_n that_o will_v fade_v influence_n any_o among_o you_o to_o contend_v or_o become_v party_n about_o they_o but_o quiet_o serve_v and_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o your_o place_n and_o station_n where_o he_o have_v set_v you_o and_o submissive_o leave_v all_o to_o his_o overrule_a power_n wisdom_n and_o providence_n to_o do_v or_o suffer_v thing_n to_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o he_o please_v for_o none_o may_v say_v to_o he_o what_o do_v thou_o though_o man_n man_n may_v be_v warn_v as_o god_n shall_v require_v and_o he_o know_v what_o be_v best_a for_o his_o people_n and_o will_v cause_v all_o thing_n to_o work_v together_o for_o good_a to_o they_o that_o love_v he_o his_o kingdom_n come_v more_o and_o more_o his_o bless_a will_n be_v do_v in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n who_o be_v judge_n of_o all_o and_o see_v all_o heart_n intent_n and_o design_n of_o man_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world._n and_o you_o know_v that_o as_o we_o can_v make_v flesh_n our_o arm_n nor_o therewith_o sight_n for_o one_o or_o another_o stillness_n and_o quietness_n innocency_n and_o goodwill_n towards_o all_o man_n according_a too_o our_o christian_a principle_n be_v therefore_o the_o best_a and_o save_v state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o we_o all_o may_v approve_v ourselves_o as_o the_o lord_n be_v hidden_a one_o and_o of_o they_o that_o be_v quiet_a in_o the_o land_n be_v still_o and_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v god_n and_o that_o he_o will_v be_v exalt_v in_o his_o everlasting_a kingdom_n and_o dominion_n over_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o man_n neither_o let_v the_o world_n confusion_n confound_v you_o nor_o the_o world_n distraction_n distract_v you_o or_o any_o of_o you_o nor_o the_o remove_n of_o mountain_n in_o the_o earth_n remove_v you_o from_o the_o lord_n mountain_n nor_o the_o unstable_a water_n or_o toss_a wave_n toss_v you_o or_o influence_n any_o of_o you_o to_o discompose_v or_o hurry_v you_o from_o your_o peaceable_a habitation_n but_o keep_v in_o your_o strong-hold_a your_o rock_n and_o foundation_n christ_n jesus_n nor_o let_v any_o thing_n divert_v you_o from_o mind_v his_o kingdom_n of_o peace_n above_o all_o which_o be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n out_o of_o which_o man_n lust_n and_o the_o ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o war_n and_o fight_a be_v exclude_v for_o in_o salem_n be_v his_o tabernacle_n oh_o let_v all_o quiet_o wait_v upon_o the_o all-seeing_a righteous_a holy_a god_n to_o see_v his_o good_a end_n through_o all_o and_o his_o righteous_a determination_n and_o decision_n of_o the_o controversy_n among_o man_n and_o keep_v in_o innocency_n and_o peaceable_a conversation_n towards_o all_o and_o innoffensive_o under_o and_o towards_o the_o civil_a government_n give_v no_o real_a occasion_n of_o offence_n but_o as_o become_v true_a christian_n walk_v in_o love_n and_o goodwill_n towards_o all_o both_o high_a and_o low_a for_o herein_o have_v be_v and_o will_v be_v our_o safety_n and_o confidence_n through_o all_o our_o trial_n be_v preserve_v by_o the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n as_o his_o peculiar_a people_n who_o be_v our_o stay_n our_o rock_n and_o refuge_n bless_a be_v his_o name_n forever_o o_o forget_v not_o to_o praise_v the_o lord_n for_o all_o his_o tender_a mercy_n and_o peculiar_a favour_n and_o goodness_n in_o our_o preservation_n until_o this_o day_n know_v also_o that_o they_o who_o sincere_o and_o steadfast_o trust_v in_o his_o name_n and_o power_n shall_v be_v as_o mount_n zion_n that_o shall_v never_o be_v remove_v and_o that_o as_o his_o servant_n david_n declare_v it_o be_v better_a to_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n then_o to_o put_v confidence_n in_o man_n it_o be_v better_a to_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n than_o to_o put_v confidence_n in_o prince_n psal._n 118._o 8_o 9_o i_o pray_v god_n keep_v all_o his_o people_n in_o a_o steady_a dependence_n upon_o he_o and_o confidence_n in_o he_o to_o the_o end_n final_o my_o tender_o belove_a friend_n and_o brethren_n have_v thus_o far_o clear_v my_o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n in_o the_o live_a sense_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o counsel_n in_o these_o matter_n as_o relate_v to_o several_a state_n and_o danger_n i_o recommend_v all_o to_o the_o faithful_a and_o true_a witness_n in_o themselves_o to_o make_v the_o particular_a and_o just_a application_n and_o to_o make_v every_o one_o sensible_a of_o the_o weight_n and_o lively_a impression_n of_o these_o and_o all_o other_o christian_a caution_n and_o warning_n proceed_v from_o thence_o through_o any_o of_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o safety_n and_o peace_n of_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n among_o we_o even_o to_o the_o least_o and_o low_a of_o his_o flock_n and_o those_o convince_v among_o we_o who_o be_v call_v by_o his_o grace_n to_o the_o confession_n of_o his_o holy_a name_n and_o truth_n the_o god_n of_o peace_n be_v with_o you_o all_o and_o bless_v you_o and_o increase_v righteousness_n peace_n love_n and_o union_n among_o his_o people_n every_o where_o that_o all_o may_v be_v steadfast_a in_o the_o truth_n true_a and_o faithful_a in_o their_o day_n and_o time_n to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o day_n amen_o amen_n london_n the_o 28_o of_o the_o seven_o month_n 1689._o your_o faithful_a friend_n and_o brother_n in_o christ_n george_n whitehead_n the_o end_n