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receive_a christianity_n we_o have_v no_o praevious_a engagement_n to_o alienate_v our_o mind_n from_o it_o nay_o it_o be_v our_o interest_n to_o be_v of_o that_o religion_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o so_o that_o certain_o a_o less_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o will_v be_v as_o convince_a to_o we_o as_o a_o much_o great_a will_v have_v be_v to_o those_o to_o who_o our_o saviour_n first_o preach_v nay_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a that_o this_o thing_n be_v due_o consider_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o our_o argument_n for_o christianity_n draw_v from_o tradition_n will_v be_v more_o convince_a to_o think_v man_n among_o we_o than_o those_o argument_n they_o have_v from_o sense_n and_o experience_n can_v be_v to_o they_o but_o three_o if_o to_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o add_v the_o several_a argument_n for_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o we_o now_o have_v at_o this_o distance_n that_o they_o have_v not_o nor_o can_v have_v that_o be_v our_o saviour_n immediate_a disciple_n we_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v that_o in_o point_n of_o evidence_n we_o have_v indeed_o much_o the_o advantage_n of_o they_o we_o have_v now_o several_a stand_a proof_n of_o our_o religion_n which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v and_o which_o be_v so_o strong_a and_o conclusive_a that_o they_o do_v more_o than_o compensate_a for_o the_o want_n of_o that_o evidence_n of_o sense_n which_o they_o have_v and_o we_o have_v not_o i_o brief_o instance_n in_o these_o three_o follow_v first_o the_o strange_a propagation_n and_o success_n of_o our_o religion_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o be_v effect_v that_o a_o poor_a despise_a crucify_a person_n shall_v in_o a_o few_o year_n draw_v all_o the_o roman_a empire_n after_o he_o and_o that_o without_o any_o visible_a mean_n except_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o cause_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o the_o sincerity_n and_o constancy_n of_o his_o disciple_n not_o in_o fight_v for_o their_o master_n but_o in_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o he_o and_o this_o against_o all_o the_o power_n and_o all_o the_o art_n and_o stratagem_n that_o the_o devil_n or_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n can_v invent_v to_o stifle_v and_o suppress_v his_o name_n this_o be_v so_o strong_a a_o argument_n that_o this_o cause_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o that_o his_o providence_n be_v particular_o concern_v in_o the_o promote_a of_o it_o that_o he_o must_v seem_v little_a to_o be_v sensible_a either_o of_o god_n or_o providence_n that_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o it_o if_o christianity_n have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o strain_n that_o the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n be_v have_v be_v as_o well_o calculate_v for_o man_n lust_n and_o worldly_a interest_n as_o that_o
careless_a unchristian_a liver_n that_o ever_o they_o be_v i_o appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o true_a and_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v it_o will_v fare_v otherwise_o with_o we_o if_o god_n shall_v send_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o reclaim_v we_o that_o very_a miracle_n will_v not_o convince_v our_o understanding_n more_o than_o they_o have_v be_v convince_v already_o and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v it_o will_v work_v more_o upon_o our_o will_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o this_o discourse_n be_v this_o that_o how_o prevail_a soever_o we_o may_v imagine_v such_o a_o experiment_n as_o the_o rich_a man_n here_o offer_v to_o abraham_n for_o the_o conversion_n of_o his_o brethren_n will_v be_v upon_o we_o yet_o a_o sensual_a man_n that_o be_v unwilling_a to_o give_v up_o himself_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o religion_n may_v easy_o find_v out_o way_n to_o avoid_v the_o force_n that_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v upon_o his_o mind_n nay_o more_o easy_o perhaps_o than_o he_o have_v hitherto_o resist_v the_o motive_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v certain_o conclude_v with_o abraham_n in_o the_o text_n that_o they_o that_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n or_o to_o put_v it_o into_o our_o own_o language_n they_o that_o hear_v not_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n neither_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a nothing_o now_o remain_v but_o that_o i_o draw_v two_o or_o three_o inference_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v and_o so_o conclude_v in_o the_o first_o place_n from_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v upon_o this_o argument_n we_o may_v discover_v the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o pitch_v upon_o that_o method_n he_o have_v do_v for_o the_o bring_v man_n to_o virtue_n and_o happiness_n namely_o by_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o we_o may_v perceive_v this_o method_n be_v every_o way_n more_o accommodate_v for_o that_o end_n than_o if_o god_n shall_v be_v every_o day_n work_v miracle_n for_o the_o reclaim_n particular_a person_n as_o it_o be_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o other_o method_n of_o god_n providence_n to_o the_o way_n that_o he_o have_v choose_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v by_o the_o settle_a stand_v law_n of_o motion_n leave_v natural_a cause_n to_o produce_v their_o natural_a effect_n and_o not_o interpose_v his_o omnipotency_n but_o upon_o especial_a extraordinary_a occasion_n so_o also_o as_o we_o have_v see_v be_v it_o much_o more_o effectual_a for_o the_o covince_a man_n understanding_n and_o the_o work_n upon_o their_o will_n than_o the_o other_o method_n of_o private_a miracle_n and_o revelation_n will_v be_v we_o have_v see_v how_o many_o way_n the_o force_n of_o a_o argument_n draw_v from_o one_o appearance_n from_o the_o dead_a may_v be_v evade_v but_o now_o none_o of_o these_o pretence_n can_v be_v make_v against_o the_o evidence_n of_o a_o public_a revelation_n so_o attest_v and_o confirm_v and_o convey_v down_o to_o we_o as_o that_o of_o christianity_n be_v and_o beside_o there_o be_v many_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o such_o a_o revelation_n to_o show_v the_o credebility_n of_o it_o which_o be_v altogether_o want_v to_o such_o a_o private_a miracle_n as_o we_o speak_v of_o second_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o hence_o what_o little_a need_n there_o be_v of_o any_o new_a modern_a miracle_n for_o the_o confirm_v to_o we_o any_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v long_o ago_o in_o all_o the_o article_n of_o it_o so_o well_o attest_v by_o the_o illustrious_a miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o more_o especial_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o hence_o what_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o those_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v wrought_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v real_o contrary_a to_o that_o revelation_n of_o our_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o be_v sure_a that_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n he_o have_v so_o public_o and_o so_o convince_o set_v his_o seal_n to_o all_o their_o doctrine_n and_o we_o be_v sure_o likewise_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o and_o consequent_o must_v be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n also_o and_o therefore_o if_o any_o doctrine_n or_o article_n of_o religion_n be_v at_o any_o time_n recommend_v to_o our_o belief_n that_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o these_o holy_a write_n or_o do_v contradict_v they_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o plain_a unavoidable_a consequence_n we_o may_v be_v equal_o sure_a that_o that_o doctrine_n can_v be_v true_a nor_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o though_o we_o be_v tell_v of_o never_o so_o many_o private_a miracle_n that_o have_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o our_o rule_n in_o these_o case_n be_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n to_o the_o public_a and_o undoubted_a oracle_n of_o god_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n whatever_o doctrine_n can_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o they_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o embrace_v it_o without_o a_o new_a miracle_n on_o the_o other_o side_n whatever_o doctrine_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o they_o we_o must_v reject_v it_o though_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n or_o one_o from_o the_o dead_a shall_v come_v and_o preach_v it_o to_o we_o three_o from_o hence_o we_o see_v the_o vanity_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o those_o man_n that_o not_o content_a with_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o grace_n be_v always_o wish_v for_o extraordinary_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o of_o we_o that_o will_v be_v save_v by_o method_n of_o our_o own_o choose_n otherwise_o we_o will_v not_o be_v save_v at_o all_o as_o it_o be_v in_o st._n paul_n time_n the_o jew_n they_o require_v a_o sign_n the_o greek_n they_o be_v for_o wisdom_n and_o philosophy_n and_o perhaps_o a_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v for_o another_o kind_n of_o mean_n of_o conviction_n so_o it_o be_v among_o we_o here_o be_v one_o man_n will_v have_v a_o particular_a miracle_n wrought_v for_o his_o conversion_n if_o he_o can_v see_v a_o spirit_n or_o a_o ghost_n he_o will_v believe_v there_o be_v another_o world_n if_o god_n will_v send_v a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n to_o preach_v to_o he_o he_o think_v he_o shall_v become_v a_o new_a man._n here_o be_v another_o will_v believe_v the_o gospel_n if_o every_o point_n of_o it_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o reason_n and_o a_o clear_a and_o plain_a account_n be_v give_v of_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o it_o but_o till_o that_o be_v do_v he_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o philosopher_n here_o be_v another_o man_n wait_v for_o immediate_a impulse_n and_o inspiration_n the_o ordinary_a assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o acccompany_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n will_v not_o do_v his_o business_n but_o let_v we_o not_o deceive_v ourselves_o all_o these_o imagination_n be_v vain_a and_o foolish_a if_o god_n shall_v grant_v we_o our_o several_a desire_n and_o give_v one_o of_o we_o a_o sign_n another_o of_o we_o a_o demonstration_n another_o of_o we_o a_o powerful_a conviction_n upon_o our_o mind_n from_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o that_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n yet_o it_o be_v still_o very_o doubtful_a whether_o for_o all_o this_o the_o business_n of_o our_o conversion_n will_v be_v effect_v none_o be_v more_o confident_a than_o the_o rich_a man_n in_o the_o parable_n that_o if_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v superad_v a_o new_a miracle_n his_o brethren_n will_v certain_o be_v persuade_v but_o yet_o you_o see_v our_o saviour_n affirm_v the_o direct_a contrary_n oh_o let_v we_o all_o close_a with_o the_o stand_v public_a method_n which_o god_n have_v 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more_o loose_o but_o both_o party_n especial_o the_o more_o moderate_a of_o both_o seem_v to_o drive_v at_o muchwhat_a the_o same_o thing_n though_o by_o different_a way_n as_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o be_v interrogated_a concern_v the_o consequence_n of_o their_o several_a opinion_n they_o general_o agree_v in_o admit_v or_o reject_v the_o same_o but_o four_o another_o thing_n that_o will_v make_v for_o peace_n be_v this_o never_o to_o charge_n upon_o man_n the_o consequence_n of_o their_o opinion_n when_o they_o express_o disow_v they_o this_o be_v another_o thing_n that_o do_v huge_o tend_v to_o widen_v our_o difference_n and_o to_o exasperate_v man_n spirit_n one_o against_o another_o when_o have_v examine_v some_o opipinion_n of_o a_o man_n or_o party_n of_o man_n and_o find_v very_o great_a absurdity_n and_o evil_a consequence_n necessary_o to_o flow_v from_o it_o we_o present_o throw_v all_o those_o into_o the_o dish_n of_o they_o that_o hold_v the_o opinion_n as_o if_o 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of_o it_o that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o man_n hold_v it_o and_o true_o if_o man_n will_v leave_v this_o impertinence_n we_o may_v hope_v for_o a_o better_a issue_n of_o our_o religious_a debate_n but_o whilst_o man_n will_v forsake_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o unmanly_a fall_n to_o rail_v and_o disparage_v man_n person_n and_o scrape_v together_o all_o the_o ill_a that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o they_o they_o blow_v the_o coal_n of_o contention_n they_o so_o embitter_v and_o envenom_v the_o dispute_n that_o it_o rankle_v into_o incurable_a distaste_n and_o heartburning_n christian_n will_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v that_o these_o mean_a art_n of_o expose_v man_n person_n to_o discredit_v their_o opinion_n be_v very_o much_o unworthy_a the_o dignity_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o most_o of_o all_o mis-becoming_a the_o sacredness_n and_o venerableness_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o contend_v for_o and_o beside_o no_o cause_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o they_o but_o such_o a_o 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much_o as_o we_o can_v all_o the_o fault_n and_o even_o the_o very_a indiscretion_n of_o other_o the_o six_o and_o last_o thing_n i_o shall_v recommend_v to_o you_o as_o a_o expedient_a of_o peace_n be_v a_o vigorous_a pursuit_n of_o holiness_n do_v but_o serious_o set_v yourselves_o to_o be_v good_a do_v but_o get_v your_o heart_n deep_o affect_v with_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o your_o head_n and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n but_o you_o will_v be_v all_o the_o son_n of_o peace_n we_o may_v talk_v what_o we_o will_v but_o real_o it_o be_v our_o not_o practise_v our_o religion_n that_o make_v we_o so_o contentious_a and_o disputatious_a about_o it_o it_o be_v our_o emptiness_n of_o the_o divine_a life_n that_o make_v we_o so_o full_a of_o speculation_n and_o controversy_n be_v but_o that_o once_o firm_o root_v in_o we_o these_o weed_n and_o excrescency_n of_o religion_n will_v present_o dry_v up_o and_o wither_v we_o shall_v loathe_v any_o long_a to_o feed_v upon_o such_o husk_n 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he_o be_v not_o only_o to_o profess_v his_o faith_n in_o christ_n death_n and_o resurrection_n but_o he_o be_v also_o to_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o oblige_v in_o correspondence_n therewith_o to_o mortify_v his_o former_a carnal_a affection_n and_o to_o enter_v upon_o a_o new_a state_n of_o life_n and_o the_o very_a form_n of_o baptism_n do_v lively_o represent_v this_o obligation_n to_o they_o for_o what_o do_v their_o be_v plunge_v under_o water_n signify_v but_o their_o undertake_n in_o imitation_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o burial_n to_o forsake_v all_o their_o former_a evil_a course_n as_o their_o ascend_v out_o of_o the_o water_n do_v their_o engagement_n to_o lead_v a_o holy_a spiritual_a life_n this_o our_o apostle_n do_v more_o than_o once_o declare_v to_o we_o thus_o rom._n vi_fw-la 4._o we_o be_v bury_v say_v he_o with_o christ_n by_o baptism_n unto_o death_n that_o like_a as_o christ_n be_v raise_v up_o from_o the_o dead_a by_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o father_n even_o 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head_n you_o be_v his_o member_n and_o therefore_o since_o he_o no_o long_o lead_v a_o life_n of_o this_o world_n it_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n become_v you_o to_o live_v like_o worldling_n or_o epicure_n but_o be_v rise_v with_o he_o as_o the_o member_n ought_v to_o do_v with_o the_o head_n to_o mind_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v above_o where_o he_o be_v to_o set_v your_o affection_n as_o he_o go_v on_o on_o the_o thing_n above_o and_o not_o on_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o you_o be_v dead_a and_o your_o life_n be_v hide_v with_o christ_n in_o god_n these_o thing_n plain_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n as_o a_o practical_a doctrine_n as_o a_o point_n which_o if_o christian_n believe_v as_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o will_v engage_v they_o to_o mortify_v their_o lust_n to_o die_v to_o the_o world_n to_o place_v their_o affection_n on_o spiritual_a thing_n to_o have_v their_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n where_o christ_n 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and_o will_n of_o man_n in_o order_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n i_o say_v all_o this_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n vitimate_o be_v resolve_v into_o the_o article_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n for_o this_o resurrection_n of_o his_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o do_v now_o and_o ever_o will_v ascertain_v mankind_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n religion_n this_o be_v and_o will_v be_v for_o ever_o the_o convince_a evidence_n that_o what_o jesus_n teach_v be_v true_a doctrine_n that_o what_o he_o command_v be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n that_o what_o he_o promise_v or_o threaten_v he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a if_o christ_n have_v not_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a but_o have_v for_o ever_o be_v detain_v in_o the_o grave_a notwithstanding_o all_o that_o may_v be_v urge_v from_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o the_o inuncency_n of_o his_o life_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o miracle_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n though_o yet_o very_o strong_a and_o conclude_a proof_n these_o be_v i_o doubt_v it_o will_v hardly_o have_v meet_v with_o that_o ready_a entertainment_n in_o the_o world_n that_o we_o find_v it_o do_v but_o a_o great_a many_o both_o then_o and_o now_o will_v have_v make_v the_o same_o objection_n against_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n that_o the_o pharisee_n do_v of_o old_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o all_o his_o great_a work_n and_o miracle_n be_v do_v by_o sorcery_n and_o magic_n and_o that_o as_o for_o the_o innocency_n of_o his_o life_n and_o the_o great_a virtue_n and_o strictness_n that_o he_o express_v in_o his_o conversation_n that_o be_v only_o use_v as_o a_o trick_n and_o a_o artifice_n the_o more_o easy_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o now_o when_o it_o appear_v that_o jesus_n who_o teach_v this_o holy_a religion_n who_o do_v those_o miracle_n who_o live_v that_o virtuous_a life_n do_v after_o he_o be_v put_v to_o a_o cruel_a death_n rise_v again_o to_o life_n and_o converse_v upon_o earth_n for_o forty_o day_n together_o and_o after_o that_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o many_o spectator_n do_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n i_o say_v when_o this_o appear_v as_o god_n be_v thank_v it_o be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n here_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o all_o pretence_n of_o imposture_n do_v perfect_o vanish_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o consider_a man_n to_o believe_v christ_n resurrection_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n for_o thus_o let_v we_o reason_n christ_n over_o and_o over_o again_o tell_v his_o apostle_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n but_o after_o that_o he_o will_v within_o three_o day_n rise_v again_o matth._n xuj_o 21._o xvii_o 22._o john_n xuj_o 16._o nay_o he_o tell_v this_o not_o only_o to_o the_o apostle_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n nay_o more_o than_o that_o he_o give_v this_o as_o a_o token_n as_o a_o evidence_n to_o they_o whereby_o they_o shall_v know_v and_o be_v convince_v that_o he_o be_v what_o he_o give_v himself_o out_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o great_a prophet_n and_o saviour_n that_o be_v to_o come_v john_n two_o 19_o nay_o in_o the_o last_o place_n he_o not_o only_o refer_v the_o jew_n to_o his_o resurrection_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o his_o be_v the_o christ_n but_o as_o the_o last_o and_o great_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v to_o give_v and_o such_o as_o if_o they_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o they_o must_v expect_v no_o other_o matth._n twelve_o 39_o 40._o our_o saviour_n now_o lay_v such_o a_o mighty_a stress_n upon_o this_o point_n of_o his_o resurrection_n put_v his_o whole_a cause_n as_o i_o may_v speak_v upon_o this_o issue_n i_o ask_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o imagine_v that_o god_n almighty_n shall_v make_v these_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n good_a if_o he_o be_v not_o real_o what_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v if_o christ_n have_v be_v a_o impostor_n it_o have_v be_v the_o easy_a matter_n in_o the_o world_n to_o have_v stifle_v all_o his_o pretence_n for_o ever_o it_o have_v but_o be_v to_o have_v let_v he_o moulder_a to_o dust_n in_o his_o grave_n as_o all_o other_o man_n do_v and_z as_o he_o without_o the_o help_n of_o omnipotency_n will_v have_v do_v and_o then_o all_o the_o world_n will_v have_v see_v that_o he_o be_v a_o deceiver_n but_o now_o when_o in_o stead_n of_o perish_v in_o the_o grave_a he_o be_v after_o three_o day_n restore_v to_o life_n again_o as_o he_o have_v foretell_v the_o people_n nay_o to_o a_o gloririous_a immortal_a life_n what_o be_v we_o to_o conclude_v from_o
our_o spiritual_a life_n consist_v as_o meat_n and_o drink_n be_v to_o preserve_v the_o union_n between_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o which_o our_o natural_a life_n consist_v and_o we_o may_v every_o whit_n as_o reasonable_o expect_v to_o keep_v our_o body_n alive_a without_o the_o constant_a and_o daily_a use_n of_o eat_v and_o drink_v as_o we_o can_v expect_v to_o keep_v our_o soul_n alive_a to_o god_n without_o the_o constant_a and_o daily_a exercise_n of_o devotion_n this_o may_v to_o some_o appear_v strange_a doctrine_n but_o i_o do_v believe_v i_o may_v appeal_v to_o experience_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o nay_o i_o dare_v put_v the_o question_n to_o any_o one_o that_o ever_o take_v any_o serious_a care_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o live_v virtuous_o and_o to_o please_v god_n whether_o he_o have_v not_o find_v the_o matter_n to_o be_v so_o as_o i_o have_v represent_v have_v not_o such_o always_o find_v that_o so_o long_o as_o they_o keep_v up_o the_o fervour_n and_o vigour_n of_o their_o devotion_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v constant_a and_o diligent_a in_o their_o prayer_n and_o other_o holy_a exercise_n so_o long_v nothing_o can_v hurt_v they_o so_o long_o they_o have_v always_o maintain_v their_o post_n and_o rather_o grow_v better_o than_o worse_o and_o though_o they_o have_v sometime_o be_v foul_o overtake_v by_o some_o sin_n that_o they_o resolve_v against_o yet_o that_o relapse_n have_v do_v they_o no_o mischief_n their_o continuance_n in_o their_o prayer_n have_v be_v a_o antidote_n against_o the_o malignity_n of_o the_o sin_n and_o they_o have_v present_o weather_v it_o out_o and_o suffer_v no_o ill_a consequence_n by_o it_o but_o it_o have_v rather_o make_v they_o more_o watchful_a over_o themselves_o and_o more_o careful_a of_o their_o action_n afterward_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n have_v they_o not_o always_o find_v that_o when_o once_o they_o begin_v to_o abate_v of_o the_o fervour_n of_o their_o devotion_n when_o once_o they_o begin_v to_o pray_v seldomer_n or_o with_o more_o coldness_n and_o indifference_n they_o than_o begin_v to_o live_v more_o loose_o and_o careless_o to_o be_v more_o dull_a and_o sluggish_a towards_o every_o good_a work_n till_o perhaps_o by_o degree_n the_o true_a sense_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n have_v be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v off_o from_o their_o spirit_n and_o they_o in_o a_o manner_n have_v return_v to_o a_o worldly_a and_o sensual_a life_n nay_o have_v they_o not_o often_o find_v that_o when_o it_o have_v be_v their_o misfortune_n to_o break_v loose_a from_o their_o duty_n and_o sink_v for_o some_o time_n into_o a_o state_n of_o carelessness_n and_o forgetfulness_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o own_o vow_n and_o resolution_n as_o it_o have_v sometime_o happen_v to_o very_o good_a man_n i_o say_v have_v they_o not_o often_o find_v that_o this_o their_o go_v backward_o in_o goodness_n be_v occasion_v pure_o and_o sole_o by_o the_o intermission_n of_o their_o devotion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a reason_n or_o account_v to_o be_v give_v of_o this_o their_o fall_n but_o only_o that_o through_o sluggishness_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n they_o have_v neglect_v to_o pray_v to_o god_n so_o earnest_o and_o so_o frequent_o as_o they_o use_v to_o do_v i_o be_o confident_a a_o great_a many_o can_v say_v this_o out_o of_o their_o own_o experience_n so_o that_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n that_o be_v at_o present_a in_o a_o good_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o have_v good_a hope_n towards_o god_n it_o concern_v he_o as_o he_o love_v his_o soul_n as_o he_o will_v not_o lose_v all_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o past_a labour_n and_o endeavour_n in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n by_o all_o mean_n possible_a to_o keep_v his_o heart_n in_o a_o devout_a frame_n and_o whatever_o come_v of_o it_o not_o to_o grow_v cold_a or_o languid_a in_o his_o prayer_n or_o to_o omit_v or_o disuse_n they_o either_o in_o public_a or_o private_a upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o but_o three_o and_o last_o to_o conclude_v all_o there_o be_v this_o far_a to_o be_v say_v for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n to_o persevere_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n namely_o that_o whoever_o make_v conscience_n of_o say_v his_o prayer_n frequent_o and_o hearty_o and_o continue_v so_o to_o do_v though_o he_o be_v not_o good_a at_o the_o present_a yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o long_o to_o continue_v bad_a he_o will_v at_o last_o certain_o get_v the_o victory_n over_o all_o his_o lust_n and_o evil_a habit_n and_o attain_v to_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n this_o necessary_o follow_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v a_o course_n of_o prayer_n and_o a_o course_n of_o sin_n can_v consist_v together_o one_o will_v necessary_o destroy_v the_o other_o pray_v will_n either_o make_v a_o man_n leave_v sin_v as_o a_o pious_a man_n of_o our_o own_o use_v to_o say_v or_o sin_v will_v make_v a_o man_n leave_v pray_v but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o prayer_n that_o be_v put_v up_o to_o god_n with_o great_a seriousness_n and_o heartiness_n and_o out_o of_o a_o sense_n of_o duty_n and_o conscience_n for_o as_o for_o those_o formal_a prayer_n that_o be_v make_v out_o of_o custom_n or_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o education_n or_o for_o the_o serve_v some_o worldly_a end_n of_o interest_n or_o reputation_n or_o the_o like_a god_n respect_v they_o no_o more_o than_o the_o impertinent_a tattle_n of_o fool_n all_o those_o of_o we_o therefore_o that_o mean_a and_o design_n to_o be_v good_a though_o we_o be_v not_o so_o already_o let_v we_o above_o all_o thing_n take_v care_n to_o mind_v our_o prayer_n let_v we_o pray_v to_o god_n in_o private_a let_v we_o pray_v to_o god_n with_o our_o family_n and_o let_v we_o join_v as_o oft_o as_o we_o can_v with_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o public_a assembly_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v the_o best_a method_n we_o can_v take_v for_o the_o reform_v our_o life_n and_o for_o the_o gow_n in_o all_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n and_o the_o more_o we_o practise_v it_o the_o better_a we_o shall_v like_v it_o and_o if_o we_o persevere_v therein_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o comfort_n of_o it_o both_o in_o the_o grace_n and_o assistance_n we_o shall_v receive_v from_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o the_o vanquish_a all_o our_o lust_n and_o corruption_n and_o in_o the_o blessing_n we_o shall_v procure_v from_o god_n both_o to_o our_o self_n and_o our_o family_n and_o all_o our_o affair_n and_o concernment_n and_o last_o in_o the_o everlasting_a salvation_n of_o our_o soul_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o who_o etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la