therefore_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o crowd_v my_o thought_n without_o method_n together_o lest_o order_n and_o connection_n shall_v take_v up_o more_o paper_n than_o the_o thing_n themselves_o a_o good_a beginning_n be_v more_o than_o half_a the_o work_n be_v a_o proverb_n no_o where_n true_a than_o here_o for_o meditation_n will_v be_v like_a to_o end_v very_o unprofitable_o if_o we_o enter_v not_o upon_o it_o in_o a_o good_a disposition_n and_o devout_a frame_n and_o if_o we_o do_v it_o seldom_o succeed_v ill_a the_o soul_n therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v sedate_n calm_a untouched_a by_o any_o worldly_a concern_v pure_a and_o unsullied_a by_o any_o carnal_a image_n fill_v with_o the_o desire_n of_o spiritual_a influence_n possess_v with_o the_o awe_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n yet_o may_v sudden_a and_o extraordinary_a act_n of_o meditation_n be_v ingraft_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o our_o natural_a passion_n however_o first_o raise_v thus_o a_o trouble_a mind_n betake_v itself_o to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n or_o upon_o the_o error_n of_o life_n and_o corruption_n of_o nature_n may_v enlarge_v itself_o in_o a_o great_a many_o very_a fine_a affect_v and_o edify_a thought_n till_o the_o storm_n dissolve_v into_o a_o soft_a and_o fruitful_a shower_n thus_o the_o mind_n a_o little_a gay_a with_o satisfaction_n or_o joy_n will_v easy_o overflow_v into_o halelujah_n if_o it_o enter_v into_o the_o meditation_n of_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n the_o love_n and_o beauty_n of_o god_n the_o triumph_n of_o the_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n in_o all_o meditation_n we_o ought_v to_o have_v more_o regard_n to_o edification_n than_o learning_n to_o charity_n than_o knowledge_n to_o devout_a passion_n than_o fancy_n or_o curiosity_n let_v none_o despise_v pious_a heat_n and_o transport_v because_o these_o short_a passion_n often_o repeat_v will_v grow_v into_o habitual_a holiness_n and_o steady_a devotion_n those_o argument_n which_o we_o find_v most_o effectual_a to_o the_o repress_v a_o inordinate_a affection_n or_o to_o the_o cherish_v a_o weak_a and_o pine_a virtue_n be_v to_o be_v often_o ruminate_v not_o only_o that_o they_o may_v be_v always_o ready_a but_o also_o because_o they_o be_v general_o more_o successful_a than_o other_o which_o may_v yet_o be_v in_o themselves_o of_o great_a strength_n and_o force_n for_o sin_n like_o the_o slave_n in_o justin_n be_v often_o more_o easy_o defeat_v by_o whip_n and_o scourge_v than_o by_o sword_n the_o principle_n which_o do_v the_o great_a work_n of_o religion_n be_v few_o clear_a and_o irresistible_a but_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o sentence_n notion_n argument_n untried_a undigested_a be_v like_o the_o armour_n of_o saul_n upon_o david_n unmanagable_a and_o cumbersome_a disputable_a or_o intricate_a point_n do_v yield_v little_a or_o no_o nourishment_n wit_n and_o fancy_n be_v also_o for_o ornament_n not_o food_n yet_o weak_a stomach_n must_v be_v feed_v with_o easy_a and_o digestable_a diet_n and_o this_o may_v be_v make_v too_o as_o pleasant_a and_o invite_v as_o it_o can_v god_n in_o the_o work_v of_o nature_n have_v mingle_v beauty_n with_o use_n pleasure_n with_o profit_n why_o shall_v we_o think_v this_o unlawful_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o grace_n variety_n also_o may_v be_v call_v in_o to_o prevent_v languor_n and_o drowsiness_n nay_o if_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o man_n be_v such_o that_o his_o mind_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v exalt_v and_o as_o it_o be_v purify_v by_o they_o i_o know_v not_o why_o notional_a and_o thin_a or_o mysterious_a and_o deep_a speculation_n shall_v be_v forbid_v he_o only_o in_o these_o and_o such_o like_a instance_n two_o error_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v first_o that_o we_o do_v not_o study_v more_o for_o delight_n and_o entertainment_n than_o for_o edification_n in_o faith_n and_o virtue_n second_o that_o we_o do_v not_o obtrude_v our_o fancy_n as_o oracle_n our_o dream_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o the_o world_n if_o i_o can_v indulge_v or_o abound_v in_o both_o give_v i_o the_o luxury_n of_o love_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o fancy_n and_o let_v i_o excel_v in_o humility_n and_o modesty_n rather_o than_o knowledge_n and_o notion_n st._n peter_n in_o those_o few_o word_n 1_o epist_n 2.2_o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o you_o may_v grow_v thereby_o seem_v to_o have_v excellent_o sum_v up_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o contemplation_n comprise_v at_o once_o the_o matter_n design_n and_o end_v of_o it_o together_o with_o the_o frame_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n qualify_a we_o for_o it_o write_v may_v serve_v to_o marshal_n and_o preserve_v our_o thought_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o may_v be_v stock_v with_o notion_n which_o may_v always_o be_v ready_a matter_n and_o argument_n for_o we_o to_o expatiate_v on_o but_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v care_n that_o first_o or_o last_o we_o be_v move_v or_o affect_v by_o what_o we_o write_v or_o else_o this_o will_v be_v rather_o a_o exercise_n of_o our_o invention_n than_o devotion_n and_o all_o the_o product_n of_o it_o will_v be_v rather_o essay_n of_o wit_n and_o fancy_n than_o of_o holy_a meditation_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v rather_o apt_a to_o be_v please_v with_o our_o part_n than_o improve_v by_o this_o practice_n they_o who_o be_v unable_a to_o start_v proper_a matter_n for_o contemplation_n or_o to_o carry_v it_o on_o regular_o and_o coherent_o and_o by_o consequence_n can_v reap_v little_a fruit_n by_o this_o kind_n of_o exercise_n may_v supply_v these_o defect_n by_o read_v and_o such_o reflection_n and_o application_n of_o it_o as_o be_v most_o easy_o and_o obvious_o make_v for_o example_n matth._n 5._o and_o see_v the_o multitude_n he_o go_v up_o into_o a_o mountain_n and_o when_o he_o be_v set_v his_o disciple_n come_v unto_o he_o and_o he_o open_v his_o mouth_n and_o teach_v they_o say_v o_o bless_a jesus_n thou_o the_o true_a doctor_n and_o teacher_n who_o word_n be_v life_n and_o light_n spirit_n and_o truth_n i_o will_v leave_v the_o multitude_n i_o quit_v the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o disciple_n i_o approach_v near_o thou_o o_o do_v thou_o open_v thy_o mouth_n and_o speak_v to_o i_o i_o desire_v not_o to_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o world_n or_o of_o the_o flesh_n or_o of_o the_o devil_n speak_v thou_o only_o to_o i_o speak_v thou_o to_o my_o heart_n and_o to_o my_o conscience_n and_o let_v i_o hear_v and_o feel_v that_o voice_n that_o speak_v purity_n to_o the_o leprous_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a blessed_n be_v the_o poor_a in_o spirit_n for_o they_o be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n this_o be_v a_o blessedness_n indeed_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n dazzle_v and_o astonish_v i_o my_o fancy_n can_v comprehend_v my_o ambition_n can_v aspire_v after_o their_o grandeur_n and_o glory_n ah_o what_o then_o must_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v but_o o_o my_o lord_n be_o i_o of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o poor_a if_o i_o be_v not_o make_v i_o so_o let_v i_o be_v never_o so_o contemptible_a to_o the_o world_n so_o i_o be_v approve_v and_o acceptable_a to_o thou_o let_v i_o have_v no_o ambitious_a thought_n but_o for_o thy_o favour_n and_o for_o the_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n let_v i_o covet_v no_o riches_n no_o honour_n no_o power_n here_o if_o thy_o kingdom_n be_v but_o i_o in_o reversion_n it_o be_v abundant_o enough_o thus_o without_o strain_v or_o pump_v person_n of_o the_o low_a talent_n if_o they_o have_v any_o tincture_n of_o religion_n in_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o supply_v with_o variety_n of_o argument_n and_o with_o most_o passionate_a and_o pierce_a thought_n o_o bless_a o_o voluptuous_a life_n wherein_o sequester_v from_o the_o world_n i_o enjoy_v all_o that_o it_o have_v in_o it_o of_o pure_a of_o true_a or_o natural_a ah_o that_o i_o can_v once_o break_v loose_a from_o those_o trouble_n and_o obligation_n that_o hang_v upon_o i_o and_o enter_v into_o thy_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n i_o will_v plunge_v myself_o into_o all_o thy_o rational_a delight_n i_o will_v lose_v myself_o to_o this_o contemptible_a world_n and_o forget_v those_o shadow_n and_o appearance_n and_o at_o best_a but_o faint_a and_o weak_a reflection_n of_o good_a which_o flutter_v here_o about_o i_o i_o will_v abandon_v myself_o entire_o to_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o elevation_n of_o contemplation_n let_v other_o enjoy_v honour_n and_o wealth_n and_o power_n let_v i_o enjoy_v myself_o truth_n and_o god_n let_v other_o enjoy_v the_o flattery_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o cheat_n of_o fancy_n give_v i_o the_o health_n of_o a_o sprightly_a mind_n the_o calm_a and_o serenity_n of_o a_o silent_a retreat_n with_o the_o pleasure_n and_o security_n which_o the_o divine_a presence_n breed_v in_o it_o
and_o one_o as_o much_o elevate_v above_o the_o other_o as_o be_v the_o principle_n they_o flow_v from_o but_o whether_o this_o be_v so_o or_o no_o do_v not_o import_n much_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o life_n whatever_o it_o be_v be_v like_o seed_n which_o according_a to_o the_o different_a soil_n it_o be_v sow_o in_o produces_z fruit_n more_o or_o less_o rich_a and_o succulent_a more_o or_o less_o luscious_a and_o beautiful_a here_o it_o sprout_n forth_o like_o the_o seven_o poor_a and_o lean_a there_o like_o the_o seven_o plump_a and_o rich_a ear_n of_o corn_n in_o pharaoh_n dream_n and_o shall_v it_o by_o way_n of_o fiction_n be_v suppose_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o soul_n do_v communicate_v life_n to_o man_n beast_n and_o vegetable_n however_o life_n in_o each_o will_v be_v equal_a in_o the_o dignity_n of_o its_o original_a it_o will_v vast_o differ_v in_o its_o effect_n and_o operation_n so_o whether_o life_n in_o man_n flow_v from_o one_o or_o two_o distinct_a principle_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o its_o price_n and_o dignity_n vary_v according_a to_o the_o different_a power_n and_o faculty_n which_o it_o move_v and_o animate_v and_o by_o consequence_n that_o life_n which_o display_v itself_o in_o the_o act_n of_o our_o rational_a part_n will_v be_v as_o different_a from_o that_o which_o consist_v in_o sensation_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o bodily_a appetite_n as_o be_v the_o light_n that_o glitter_v in_o a_o diamond_n from_o that_o which_o faint_o imitate_v it_o in_o a_o pibble_n the_o more_o numerous_a and_o the_o more_o exquisite_a our_o faculty_n the_o vast_a be_v the_o empire_n of_o life_n and_o the_o more_o delicate_a and_o charm_a all_o its_o function_n and_o operation_n how_o evident_a be_v this_o in_o all_o the_o organ_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o body_n let_v darkness_n invade_v the_o eye_n and_o deafness_n the_o ear_n and_o then_o within_o what_o narrow_a and_o scanty_a bound_n be_v the_o bodily_a life_n reduce_v how_o few_o and_o ignoble_a be_v the_o vital_a act_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o body_n how_o vile_a and_o contemptible_a be_v all_o the_o fruit_n or_o instance_n of_o a_o sensitive_a life_n if_o then_o there_o be_v no_o sense_n or_o organ_n of_o the_o body_n superfluous_a can_v we_o think_v the_o rational_a soul_n itself_o can_v be_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o power_n no_o capacity_n of_o a_o sensitive_a soul_n by_o which_o life_n be_v not_o enlarge_v or_o enrich_v must_v we_o not_o needs_o conclude_v that_o to_o extinguish_v the_o immortal_a spirit_n within_o we_o and_o as_o it_o be_v to_o discard_v all_o its_o power_n and_o faculty_n must_v needs_o be_v to_o impoverish_v mutilate_v and_o stifle_v it_o since_o i_o have_v a_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o body_n since_o the_o one_o be_v as_o capable_a of_o converse_v with_o god_n and_o heaven_n with_o truth_n and_o moral_a goodness_n and_o perfection_n as_o the_o other_o be_v of_o converse_v with_o this_o world_n of_o visible_a object_n i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o to_o be_v destitute_a of_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o hope_n and_o love_n be_v more_o injurious_a to_o the_o true_a life_n of_o man_n than_o to_o be_v deaf_a or_o blind_a that_o stupidity_n or_o lethargy_n in_o the_o soul_n such_o as_o render_v it_o altogether_o incapable_a of_o rational_a pleasure_n be_v as_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o true_a life_n of_o man_n as_o lethargy_n or_o a_o dead_a palsy_n in_o the_o body_n can_v be_v and_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o commerce_n with_o the_o invisible_a world_n be_v as_o fatal_a to_o it_o as_o to_o be_v debar_v the_o visible_a one_o from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o whether_o we_o consider_v life_n with_o respect_n to_o its_o excellence_n and_o dignity_n or_o to_o its_o enlargement_n and_o extension_n sensuality_n be_v extreme_o injurious_a to_o it_o in_o both_o respect_n so_o far_o do_v it_o debase_v and_o contract_v it_o that_o i_o may_v bold_o conclude_v to_o place_v life_n in_o sensuality_n be_v to_o renounce_v the_o much_o more_o valuable_a and_o delightful_a part_n of_o it_o to_o banish_v ourselves_o the_o much_o better_a world_n and_o to_o rob_v ourselves_o of_o a_o thousand_o joy_n and_o pleasure_n which_o we_o may_v reap_v from_o the_o rational_a power_n and_o faculty_n that_o be_v the_o noble_a capacity_n and_o endowment_n of_o our_o nature_n tho'_o this_o be_v abundant_o enough_o to_o evince_v that_o life_n consist_v not_o in_o sensuality_n yet_o this_o be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n to_o (null)_o happiness_n i_o will_v proceed_v to_o the_o second_o argument_n against_o it_o that_o be_v second_o it_o be_v not_o consonant_a to_o the_o dignity_n of_o (null)_o nature_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o design_n of_o our_o being_n conspicuous_a in_o our_o frame_n and_o constitution_n who_o that_o ever_o consider_v what_o sensuality_n be_v how_o narrow_a the_o extent_n of_o sense_n how_o mean_a and_o brutish_a the_o pleasure_n that_o terminate_v in_o it_o what_o a_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n it_o end_v in_o who_o i_o say_v that_o have_v ever_o consider_v these_o and_o a_o thousand_o thing_n more_o can_v believe_v that_o sensuality_n be_v a_o employment_n worthy_a of_o man_n be_v this_o the_o business_n of_o a_o vast_a and_o comprehensive_a mind_n be_v this_o consistent_a with_o ambitious_a desire_n of_o immortality_n with_o unquenchable_a thirst_n of_o truth_n with_o a_o capacity_n of_o discover_v spiritual_a excellency_n and_o moral_a beauty_n and_o perfection_n be_v it_o for_o this_o we_o be_v endow_v with_o propension_n to_o worship_n and_o adore_v a_o deity_n what_o can_v be_v as_o much_o as_o fancy_v the_o use_n of_o wisdom_n magnanimity_n conscience_n sagacity_n caution_n fear_v foresight_n and_o anxious_a inquiry_n into_o future_a thing_n and_o time_n if_o sensuality_n have_v be_v the_o only_a employment_n design_v man_n how_o much_o more_o fit_a have_v we_o be_v form_v for_o this_o end_n if_o there_o have_v be_v in_o we_o no_o reason_n to_o check_v and_o control_v we_o no_o conscience_n that_o can_v fill_v we_o with_o regret_n for_o the_o past_a or_o fear_v for_o the_o future_a no_o wisdom_n that_o can_v teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n above_o we_o nor_o greatness_n of_o mind_n that_o can_v reproach_v we_o for_o stoop_v to_o any_o thing_n below_o we_o three_o it_o be_v almost_o superfluous_a here_o to_o add_v that_o life_n consist_v not_o in_o worldliness_n or_o devilishness_n as_o to_o the_o former_a of_o these_o by_o which_o i_o mean_v the_o care_n and_o pursuit_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o to_o employ_v our_o time_n or_o faculty_n in_o this_o alone_a be_v not_o to_o live_v but_o at_o best_a to_o provide_v for_o life_n necessity_n may_v sometime_o subject_v we_o to_o the_o drudgery_n and_o slavery_n of_o the_o world_n but_o a_o voluntary_a choice_n never_o shall_v i_o know_v no_o other_o difference_n between_o a_o mean_a fortune_n and_o a_o great_a one_o than_o this_o that_o the_o great_a one_o set_v a_o man_n above_o those_o care_n and_o toil_v which_o the_o mean_a one_o force_v he_o to_o submit_v to_o that_o the_o one_o put_v the_o fortunate_a man_n into_o the_o immediate_a possession_n of_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o life_n improvement_n and_o fruition_n and_o of_o leisure_n and_o opportunity_n to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o but_o the_o latter_a oblige_v the_o less_o fortunate_a man_n to_o purchase_v these_o advantage_n with_o toil_n and_o sweat_n solicitude_n and_o care_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o unpardonable_a wilfulness_n or_o blindness_n whenever_o that_o vassalage_n which_o be_v the_o infelicity_n of_o the_o mean_a man_n be_v the_o choice_n of_o the_o rich_a and_o fortunate_a one_o nor_o be_v it_o a_o more_o pardonable_a error_n in_o any_o who_o continue_v the_o drudgey_a and_o care_n when_o the_o necessity_n be_v over_o and_o voluntary_o suffer_v all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o narrow_a fortune_n even_o when_o they_o have_v attain_v to_o a_o plentiful_a one_o who_o never_o think_v it_o time_n to_o begin_v to_o live_v or_o to_o enjoy_v the_o success_n of_o their_o care_n and_o diligence_n this_o be_v a_o absurdity_n as_o gross_a as_o he_o who_o after_o he_o have_v plough_v and_o sow_v shall_v refuse_v to_o reap_v or_o he_o who_o have_v with_o much_o cost_n and_o labour_n furnish_v out_o a_o plentiful_a table_n shall_v not_o at_o length_n find_v in_o his_o heart_n to_o fall_v too_o and_o eat_v life_n then_o consist_v not_o in_o the_o abundance_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o a_o man_n possess_v much_o less_o in_o the_o vexation_n or_o toil_n of_o acquire_v secure_v or_o increase_v they_o which_o be_v that_o i_o intend_v by_o worldliness_n but_o least_o of_o all_o can_v life_n consist_v in_o devilishness_n that_o be_v wrath_n strife_n revenge_n pride_n and_o such_o like_a this_o can_v be_v
assault_v second_o i_o will_v consider_v what_o way_n the_o date_n of_o life_n may_v be_v lengthen_v three_o i_o will_v remove_v those_o objection_n with_o which_o this_o advice_n be_v encounter_v either_o from_o the_o promiscuous_a event_n happen_v alike_o to_o good_a or_o bad_a or_o from_o the_o early_a and_o immature_n death_n of_o some_o righteous_a person_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o first_o it_o have_v be_v too_o general_o teach_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o date_n of_o (null)_o life_n can_v be_v protract_v that_o every_o particular_a man_n have_v a_o fix_a and_o immutable_a period_n decree_v he_o beyond_o which_o he_o can_v go_v but_o this_o opinion_n direct_o defeat_v the_o force_n of_o all_o motive_n and_o argument_n to_o virtue_n derive_v from_o temporal_a consideration_n and_o undermine_v our_o dependence_n upon_o god_n and_o redicules_a our_o address_n to_o he_o as_o far_o as_o they_o concern_v this_o life_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o it_o and_o how_o 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either_o of_o war_n or_o peace_n have_v sometime_o serve_v the_o cruelty_n of_o the_o one_o and_o luxury_n of_o the_o other_o and_o by_o consequence_n will_v be_v banish_v out_o of_o all_o commonwealth_n yet_o here_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o more_o or_o less_o tendency_n any_o trade_n have_v to_o the_o promote_a vice_n it_o be_v in_o the_o same_o proportion_n the_o more_o or_o less_o eligible_a and_o that_o it_o import_v man_n who_o love_v their_o peace_n and_o happiness_n more_o than_o gain_n not_o to_o debauch_v their_o calling_n themselves_o by_o prostitute_v they_o to_o extravigance_n and_o exorbitance_n and_o project_v profit_n from_o the_o intemperances_n and_n sin_n that_o be_v the_o ruin_n of_o other_o for_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o comfort_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n that_o his_o call_v be_v innocent_a if_o his_o conduct_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o to_o second_o trade_n ought_v to_o be_v manage_v with_o truth_n justice_n and_o charity_n 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