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
that_o he_o tempt_v not_o himself_o to_o flatness_n by_o a_o affect_a length_n of_o these_o holy_a duty_n for_o though_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o indevout_a temper_n to_o be_v too_o compendious_a and_o concise_a in_o they_o as_o if_o we_o grudge_v the_o time_n spend_v in_o god_n service_n and_o although_o it_o be_v also_o irreverent_a towards_o god_n to_o be_v so_o short_a and_o abrupt_a as_o if_o we_o brief_o dictate_v to_o he_o what_o we_o will_v have_v do_v yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fault_n to_o be_v impertinent_o tedious_a with_o he_o as_o if_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v we_o without_o many_o word_n or_o will_v be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o tedious_a importunity_n beside_o all_o this_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o often_o when_o the_o spirit_n be_v willing_a the_o flesh_n be_v weak_a and_o that_o our_o body_n can_v always_o correspond_v with_o our_o mind_n now_o in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o affect_v the_o prolong_n of_o our_o devotion_n be_v to_o lose_v in_o the_o intention_n what_o we_o get_v in_o the_o extension_n of_o they_o for_o it_o will_v be_v sure_a either_o to_o make_v we_o go_v unwilling_o to_o our_o duty_n or_o to_o perform_v it_o very_o superficial_o in_o either_o of_o which_o circumstance_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a we_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o god_n or_o be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o comfortable_a reflection_n afterward_o upon_o such_o performance_n the_o measure_n of_o devotion_n therefore_o be_v not_o express_o prescribe_v by_o god_n but_o be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o a_o prudent_a respect_n to_o the_o peculiar_a constitution_n of_o the_o person_n the_o condition_n of_o his_o affair_n and_o the_o extraordinariness_n of_o the_o occasion_n and_o to_o go_v about_o to_o exceed_v these_o bound_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o intemperate_a zeal_n which_o be_v never_o acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o be_v so_o far_o injurious_a to_o a_o man_n self_n that_o it_o manifest_o hinder_v what_o it_o pretend_v to_o promote_v to_o these_o i_o add_v four_o let_v not_o the_o devout_a man_n be_v very_o curious_a or_o sollicitious_a about_o the_o from_o or_o expression_n of_o his_o secret_a duty_n i_o mean_v whether_o his_o prayer_n be_v read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n or_o be_v the_o present_a conception_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v offer_v up_o from_o a_o understand_a soul_n and_o a_o humble_a and_o affectionate_a heart_n for_o these_o be_v all_o the_o thing_n that_o god_n look_v at_o and_o wherein_o his_o honour_n be_v direct_o concern_v and_o therefore_o as_o he_o have_v no_o value_n for_o eloquence_n of_o speech_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n so_o neither_o have_v he_o for_o strength_n of_o memory_n or_o for_o pregnancy_n and_o variety_n of_o fancy_n on_o the_o other_o but_o only_o as_o i_o say_v that_o we_o worship_v he_o with_o our_o understanding_n and_o do_v not_o like_a parrot_n utter_a word_n whereof_o we_o have_v no_o sense_n or_o notion_n that_o we_o bring_v a_o humble_a and_o contrite_a spirit_n as_o sensible_a of_o the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o he_o and_o we_o and_o a_o heart_n serious_o affect_v with_o his_o presence_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o value_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v conversant_a about_o it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o compose_a form_n be_v most_o suitable_a to_o public_a worship_n where_o as_o i_o note_v before_o the_o dignity_n and_o credit_n of_o religion_n be_v concern_v and_o that_o perhaps_o in_o private_a duty_n our_o present_a conception_n may_v most_o please_v and_o affect_v ourselves_o but_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n especial_o in_o these_o secret_a duty_n depend_v neither_o upon_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o but_o upon_o those_o inward_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n aforesaid_a wherefore_o let_v no_o man_n cheat_v himself_o into_o a_o opinion_n that_o those_o heat_n of_o fancy_n or_o transport_v of_o affection_n which_o sometime_o happen_v in_o conceive_a prayer_n be_v instance_n of_o real_a and_o extraordinary_a devotion_n or_o that_o because_o the_o use_n of_o a_o form_n or_o book_n may_v perhaps_o be_v destitute_a of_o such_o flight_n therefore_o those_o duty_n be_v dead_a and_o formal_a forasmuch_o as_o those_o service_n may_v be_v most_o acceptable_a to_o god_n which_o be_v less_o pleasant_a to_o ourselves_o since_o it_o be_v not_o those_o sudden_a flash_n but_o a_o constant_a and_o even_a servour_n of_o piety_n which_o he_o have_v regard_n to_o and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o another_o advice_n namely_o five_o let_v the_o pious_a man_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o pray_v without_o cease_v and_o that_o he_o be_v never_o to_o lay_v aside_o or_o intermit_v the_o regular_a course_n of_o a_o daily_a devotion_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o but_o especial_o not_o upon_o the_o absurd_a pretext_n of_o await_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n for_o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n cease_v not_o to_o move_v man_n to_o their_o duty_n the_o way_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v not_o to_o move_v sensible_o and_o to_o make_v violent_a impression_n upon_o we_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o suspend_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n till_o he_o be_v so_o jog_v and_o stir_v up_o to_o it_o will_v never_o pray_v at_o all_o and_o indeed_o what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o expect_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o what_o need_n of_o it_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o know_a duty_n if_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o some_o extraordinary_a service_n than_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o expect_v some_o special_a mandate_n or_o impulse_n upon_o our_o spirit_n from_o he_o which_o may_v both_o warrant_v the_o enterprise_n and_o quicken_v we_o in_o the_o prosecution_n but_o in_o ordinary_a duty_n the_o motion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v sufficient_a and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o be_v stir_v up_o by_o that_o do_v but_o pretend_v to_o wait_v for_o a_o spirit_n in_o excuse_n of_o his_o own_o atheism_n unbelief_n or_o intolerable_a slothfulness_n and_o in_o so_o do_v lay_v himself_o open_a to_o a_o evil_a spirit_n who_o design_n it_o be_v to_o check_v and_o withdraw_v man_n from_o religion_n and_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o sad_a and_o common_a experience_n that_o from_o wait_v for_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n man_n very_o usual_o grow_v first_o to_o frequent_a omission_n then_o to_o carelessness_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o at_o last_o to_o a_o total_a neglect_n of_o it_o therefore_o let_v not_o any_o man_n slight_a a_o regular_a and_o methodical_a devotion_n as_o a_o mere_a formal_a and_o customary_a thing_n since_o this_o be_v the_o very_a attainment_n of_o piety_n when_o that_o which_o be_v matter_n of_o duty_n become_v also_o in_o a_o good_a sense_n customary_a and_o habitual_a and_o he_o that_o out_o of_o such_o a_o temper_n perform_v the_o duty_n of_o religion_n constant_o and_o reverent_o give_v far_o great_a proof_n of_o sincere_a christianity_n than_o he_o that_o seem_v to_o himself_o to_o do_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n and_o transport_v but_o needs_o from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o be_v jog_v and_o provoke_v to_o the_o performance_n six_o to_o all_o these_o i_o add_v in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o it_o be_v very_o advisable_v though_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o in_o these_o secret_a devotion_n a_o man_n shall_v where_o it_o may_v be_v do_v with_o privacy_n and_o without_o ostentation_n or_o such_o other_o impediment_n pray_v vocal_o and_o audible_o for_o although_o god_n know_v our_o heart_n and_o observe_v all_o our_o thought_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o our_o affection_n before_o we_o express_v they_o and_o therefore_o need_v not_o that_o we_o shall_v interpret_v our_o mind_n to_o he_o by_o word_n yet_o it_o be_v fit_a we_o shall_v employ_v all_o the_o power_n and_o capacity_n we_o have_v in_o his_o service_n our_o body_n as_o well_o as_o our_o soul_n and_o our_o lip_n as_o well_o as_o our_o heart_n beside_o though_o we_o can_v affect_v god_n with_o the_o tone_n and_o accent_n of_o our_o speech_n yet_o we_o often_o time_n affect_v our_o own_o heart_n the_o more_o and_o raise_v they_o a_o note_n high_o in_o concord_n with_o the_o elevation_n of_o our_o voice_n but_o that_o which_o i_o principal_o intend_v be_v this_o viz._n by_o the_o harmony_n of_o our_o tongue_n and_o voice_n our_o heart_n be_v as_o it_o be_v charm_v into_o the_o great_a composure_n and_o intention_n upon_o that_o we_o be_v about_o and_o so_o whereas_o it_o be_v the_o usual_a complaint_n especial_o of_o melancholy_a and_o thoughtful_a person_n that_o their_o heart_n be_v apt_a to_o rove_v and_o wander_v in_o these_o secret_a duty_n of_o religion_n by_o this_o mean_v we_o have_v it_o very_o much_o in_o our_o power_n to_o keep_v
as_o it_o provoke_v we_o to_o address_v ourselves_o to_o he_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o to_o trust_v in_o he_o to_o walk_v humble_o and_o thankful_o before_o he_o and_o it_o be_v of_o mighty_a advantage_n to_o ourselves_o as_o it_o strengthen_v and_o fortify_v our_o weak_a spirit_n by_o the_o contemplation_n of_o that_o mighty_a providence_n we_o be_v under_o and_o that_o we_o be_v protect_v by_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a and_o powerful_a be_v who_o nothing_o can_v be_v too_o hard_a for_o and_o who_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o surprise_n or_o mistake_v as_o it_o assure_v we_o that_o nothing_o befall_v without_o he_o and_o therefore_o every_o thing_n be_v ordain_v for_o wise_a end_n and_o shall_v be_v turn_v to_o good_a in_o the_o conclusion_n this_o also_o enable_v we_o to_o be_v content_v in_o every_o condition_n secure_a against_o all_o fear_n and_o to_o arrive_v at_o such_o a_o evenness_n of_o spirit_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v toss_v with_o every_o accident_n hurry_v by_o every_o emergency_n but_o possess_v ourselves_o in_o patience_n and_o tranquillity_n and_o consequent_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a worthy_a entertainment_n of_o our_o retirement_n and_o such_o as_o deserve_v and_o require_v the_o application_n of_o our_o mind_n to_o it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o this_o persuasion_n and_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v to_o ourselves_o the_o atheistical_a objection_n against_o it_o to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o intricacy_n and_o obscure_a passage_n of_o providence_n without_o some_o skill_n in_o which_o it_o will_v be_v very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o walk_v either_o pious_o or_o comfortable_o but_o by_o this_o exercise_n we_o hold_v continual_a conversation_n with_o god_n we_o live_v and_o walk_v with_o he_o he_o be_v always_o at_o hand_n to_o we_o to_o awe_v we_o to_o support_v and_o comfort_v we_o and_o our_o heart_n become_v not_o only_o a_o temple_n where_o we_o solemn_o offer_v up_o our_o service_n at_o set_a time_n to_o he_o but_o a_o altar_n where_o the_o holy_a fire_n never_o go_v out_o but_o send_v up_o constant_o the_o sweet_a odour_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_n to_o he_o 4._o another_o exercise_n of_o secret_a devotion_n be_v to_o premeditate_v our_o conversation_n and_o so_o to_o forecast_v the_o occurrence_n of_o life_n that_o we_o may_v conduct_v ourselves_o both_o with_o safety_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o to_o the_o best_a advantage_n of_o our_o spiritual_a interest_n forasmuch_o as_o he_o that_o live_v ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la as_o we_o say_v and_o unpremeditately_a will_v neither_o be_v able_a to_o avoid_v the_o danger_n which_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o encounter_v he_o nor_o to_o improve_v the_o opportunity_n which_o may_v offer_v themselves_o to_o he_o in_o our_o converse_n in_o this_o world_n we_o must_v expect_v temptation_n from_o the_o devil_n allurement_n from_o sensual_a object_n provocation_n from_o the_o folly_n or_o malice_n of_o evil_a man_n vexation_n by_o unhappy_a accident_n and_o above_o all_o abundance_n of_o evil_a example_n to_o debauch_v and_o corrupt_v we_o and_o that_o man_n will_v most_o certain_o be_v surprise_v by_o some_o or_o all_o of_o these_o that_o do_v not_o forecast_v they_o and_o arm_v himself_o against_o they_o and_o therefore_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o adventure_v to_o go_v abroad_o and_o take_v in_o the_o infectious_a air_n of_o the_o world_n till_o he_o have_v antidote_v himself_o against_o the_o danger_n by_o the_o advantage_n of_o retirement_n and_o the_o secret_a exercise_n of_o devotion_n to_o this_o purpose_n he_o will_v before_o he_o go_v out_o of_o his_o closet_n not_o only_o consider_v the_o common_a calamity_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reign_a sin_n of_o the_o age_n but_o the_o especial_a difficulty_n of_o his_o call_n and_o profession_n and_o the_o peculiar_a infirmity_n of_o his_o own_o temper_n and_o withal_o will_v forethink_v and_o prepare_v himself_o against_o such_o effort_n as_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o of_o these_o may_v be_v make_v upon_o he_o if_o he_o can_v foresee_v that_o he_o shall_v unavoidable_o fall_v into_o evil_a company_n he_o will_v first_o endeavour_v to_o warm_v and_o affect_v his_o heart_n with_o the_o quick_a sense_n of_o religion_n that_o he_o may_v not_o only_o take_v no_o hurt_n himself_o but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a imprint_v some_o sense_n of_o good_a upon_o those_o he_o converse_v with_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v likely_a to_o happen_v that_o will_v strike_v he_o with_o melancholy_n he_o will_v first_o go_v to_o god_n by_o prayer_n for_o strength_n and_o constancy_n of_o mind_n and_o endeavour_v to_o fix_v his_o heart_n so_o intent_o upon_o another_o world_n as_o that_o the_o occurrence_n of_o this_o may_v not_o discompose_v he_o if_o he_o be_v likely_a to_o meet_v with_o that_o which_o may_v provoke_v he_o to_o anger_n he_o will_v compose_v himself_o to_o as_o great_a a_o coolness_n as_o possible_o he_o can_v that_o no_o passage_n may_v inflame_v he_o if_o any_o allurement_n to_o sensuality_n present_v itself_o he_o will_v consider_v how_o he_o may_v retreat_v into_o grave_a company_n or_o earnest_a business_n that_o so_o he_o may_v decline_v that_o which_o be_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v withstand_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n concern_v opportunity_n of_o do_v or_o receive_v good_a forasmuch_o as_o every_o wise_a man_n be_v sensible_a that_o the_o season_n of_o thing_n be_v no_o more_o in_o his_o power_n than_o the_o time_n of_o his_o life_n be_v that_o no_o enterprise_n succeed_v well_o which_o be_v not_o nick_v with_o a_o fit_a season_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o recall_v it_o when_o it_o be_v slip_v by_o therefore_o the_o pious_a man_n will_v forethink_v what_o may_v offer_v themselves_o probable_o in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o he_o stand_v in_o lest_o he_o shall_v overlook_v they_o when_o they_o present_v and_o so_o he_o lose_v a_o advantage_n of_o do_v glory_n to_o god_n or_o good_a to_o man_n and_o of_o promote_a the_o interest_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o according_o will_n dispose_n his_o heart_n in_o secret_a to_o apprehend_v they_o and_o to_o improve_v they_o he_o examine_v his_o capacity_n and_o stir_v up_o his_o attention_n and_o project_n the_o mean_n either_o how_o he_o may_v reap_v some_o benefit_n by_o good_a and_o wise_a company_n or_o how_o he_o may_v seasonable_o interpose_v a_o word_n on_o god_n behalf_n in_o common_a conversation_n or_o how_o he_o may_v do_v some_o good_a thing_n that_o will_v turn_v to_o account_v another_o day_n 5._o but_o if_o either_o by_o the_o neglect_n of_o such_o opportunity_n as_o aforesaid_a the_o pious_a man_n omit_v the_o do_n of_o some_o good_a he_o may_v have_v do_v or_o by_o security_n of_o conversation_n he_o fall_v into_o any_o of_o those_o danger_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v watch_v against_o then_o there_o be_v a_o five_o great_a work_n for_o private_a devotion_n for_o in_o this_o case_n there_o lie_v a_o double_a care_n upon_o he_o first_o that_o he_o slight_v not_o his_o danger_n and_o second_o that_o he_o despair_v not_o of_o remedy_n but_o be_v both_o deep_o sensible_a of_o his_o miscarriage_n and_o also_o rise_v again_o with_o indignation_n and_o resolution_n first_o that_o he_o slight_v not_o his_o fault_n as_o general_o man_n do_v by_o the_o plea_n of_o example_n or_o the_o pretence_n of_o humane_a infirmity_n and_o so_o harden_v himself_o in_o his_o sin_n but_o feel_v a_o deep_a remorse_n and_o conceive_v a_o mighty_a displeasure_n against_o himself_o for_o it_o second_o that_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o aggravate_v not_o his_o guilt_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o to_o preclude_v repentance_n by_o despair_v of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n but_o present_o flee_v to_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o implore_v god_n pardon_v with_o settle_a purpose_n never_o to_o offend_v in_o the_o like_a kind_n again_o now_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v do_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o in_o retirement_n viz._n when_o a_o man_n have_v opportunity_n of_o deal_v impartial_o between_o god_n and_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o therefore_o especial_o because_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o often_o happen_v be_v just_o reckonable_a as_o a_o part_n of_o closet_n devotion_n and_o according_o they_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o holy_a psalmist_n psal_n 4._o 4._o stand_v in_o awe_n and_o sin_n not_o common_a with_o your_o own_o heart_n in_o your_o chamber_n and_o be_v still_o etc._n etc._n wherefore_o let_v every_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o god_n upon_o he_o be_v thorough_o persuade_v to_o set_v some_o time_n apart_o for_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o may_v rummage_v his_o own_o heart_n and_o find_v out_o all_o the_o evil_n of_o his_o life_n and_o when_o he_o have_v discover_v any_o particular_a guilt_n upon_o his_o soul_n let_v he_o not_o forsake_v