just_a to_o the_o same_o effect_n and_o with_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n where_o have_v speak_v most_o severe_a thing_n and_o denounce_v no_o less_o than_o hell_n fire_n against_o the_o false_a brethren_n among_o they_o yet_o thus_o he_o comfort_v the_o church_n to_o who_o he_o write_v 6.9_o heb._n 6.9_o but_o belove_a say_v he_o we_o be_v persuade_v better_a thing_n of_o you_o and_o thing_n that_o do_v accompany_v salvation_n though_o we_o thus_o speak_v and_o what_o i_o pray_v be_v the_o reason_n he_o be_v thus_o persuade_v very_o this_o 11._o ver_fw-la 11._o for_o god_n say_v he_o be_v not_o unrighteous_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n and_o labour_n of_o love_n which_o you_o have_v show_v to_o his_o name_n in_o that_o you_o have_v minister_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o yet_o do_v minister_v it_o be_v pure_o their_o charity_n to_o the_o brethren_n that_o make_v he_o have_v these_o good_a hope_n of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n though_o that_o church_n as_o to_o other_o thing_n be_v in_o a_o very_a degenerate_a condition_n yet_o consider_v they_o have_v be_v laborious_a and_o diligent_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o charity_n and_o still_o continue_v so_o to_o be_v god_n will_v not_o forget_v they_o nay_o he_o be_v not_o so_o unrighteous_a as_o to_o forget_v they_o and_o then_o that_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n be_v very_o observable_a 11._o verse_n 11._o and_o we_o desire_v that_o every_o one_o of_o you_o do_v show_v the_o same_o diligence_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o charity_n to_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o hope_n unto_o the_o end_n if_o they_o will_v have_v their_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a life_n assure_v to_o they_o the_o way_n to_o do_v it_o be_v to_o persevere_v in_o their_o diligent_a attendence_n to_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o kindness_n and_o charity_n the_o second_o passage_n be_v that_o of_o st._n john_n hereby_o say_v he_o perceive_v we_o the_o love_n of_o god_n towards_o we_o etc._n 1_o john_n 3._o 16._o etc._n etc._n because_o he_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o we_o and_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o the_o brethren_n but_o whoso_o have_v this_o world_n good_a and_o see_v his_o brother_n have_v need_v and_o shut_v up_o his_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n from_o he_o how_o dwell_v the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o he_o my_o little_a child_n let_v we_o not_o love_v in_o word_n neither_o in_o tongue_n but_o indeed_o and_o in_o truth_n and_o hereby_o we_o know_v that_o we_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o shall_v assure_v our_o heart_n before_o he_o i_o pray_v mind_n that_o by_o our_o charitable_a disposition_n and_o do_v good_a to_o our_o brethren_n by_o this_o we_o know_v we_o be_v true_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o this_o be_v that_o that_o will_v assure_v our_o heart_n will_v give_v we_o confidence_n to_o appear_v before_o god_n at_o the_o last_o day_n when_o he_o come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o this_o be_v a_o point_n that_o the_o apostle_n think_v so_o considerable_a that_o he_o go_v over_o with_o it_o again_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n belove_v if_o our_o heart_n condemn_v we_o not_o i._n e._n condemn_v we_o not_o as_o to_o this_o point_n of_o love_n and_o charity_n then_o have_v we_o confidence_n towards_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o we_o ask_v we_o shall_v receive_v of_o he_o because_o we_o do_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v please_v in_o his_o sight_n the_o last_o text_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o i_o desire_n may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v that_o of_o st._n peter_n above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n 4.8_o 1_o pet._n 4.8_o have_v fervent_a charity_n among_o yourselves_o for_o charity_n shall_v cover_v the_o multitude_n of_o sin_n o_o how_o comfortable_a be_v these_o word_n there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o even_o the_o best_a but_o have_v a_o multitude_n of_o sin_n to_o answer_v for_o by_o what_o mean_v now_o must_v we_o obtain_v that_o these_o sin_n shall_v be_v cover_v that_o be_v shall_v be_v forgive_v 33.1_o psal_n 33.1_o for_o cover_v of_o sin_n be_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o they_o in_o the_o scripture-language_n why_o the_o apostle_n have_v direct_v we_o to_o the_o method_n above_o all_o thing_n put_v on_o charity_n for_o it_o be_v charity_n that_o shall_v cover_v the_o multitude_n of_o sin_n charity_n be_v of_o that_o power_n with_o god_n that_o it_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o overcome_v the_o malignity_n of_o many_o of_o our_o sin_n and_o frailty_n that_o will_v otherwise_o do_v we_o mischief_n if_o any_o thing_n can_v make_v atonement_n for_o the_o carelessness_n and_o the_o many_o fail_n of_o our_o life_n and_o prevent_v the_o punishment_n that_o be_v due_a to_o they_o it_o be_v to_o be_v very_o charitable_a and_o to_o do_v much_o good_a charity_n cover_v a_o multitude_n of_o sin_n in_o this_o life_n a_o great_a many_o temporal_a judgement_n that_o will_v otherwise_o have_v fall_v upon_o we_o for_o our_o sin_n be_v hereby_o prevent_v and_o that_o not_o only_o private_a one_o but_o public_a too_o and_o i_o think_v it_o no_o popery_n to_o affirm_v that_o charity_n will_v cover_v a_o multitude_n of_o sin_n in_o the_o other_o life_n also_o that_o be_v whoever_o be_v of_o a_o true_o charitable_a disposition_n and_o do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o good_a in_o his_o generation_n though_o he_o may_v have_v a_o great_a many_o infirmity_n and_o miscarriage_n to_o answer_v for_o yet_o if_o he_o be_v sincere_o virtuous_a in_o the_o main_a and_o so_o capable_a of_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o other_o world_n his_o other_o fail_n will_v be_v overlook_v they_o will_v be_v bury_v in_o his_o good_a deed_n and_o the_o man_n shall_v be_v reward_v notwithstanding_o or_o if_o he_o be_v a_o vicious_a person_n and_o so_o must_v of_o necessity_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v yet_o still_o in_o proportion_n the_o good_a he_o have_v do_v in_o his_o life_n will_v cover_v the_o multitude_n of_o sin_n though_o it_o will_v not_o be_v available_a for_o the_o make_v he_o happy_a because_o he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v so_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v for_o the_o lessen_v his_o punishment_n he_o shall_v be_v in_o a_o much_o more_o supportable_a condition_n among_o the_o miserable_a than_o those_o that_o have_v be_v unmerciful_a or_o cruel_a or_o uncharitable_a in_o their_o life_n o_o therefore_o what_o remain_v but_o that_o consider_v all_o these_o thing_n we_o shall_v be_v steadfast_a 25.18_o 1_o cor._n 25.18_o unmoveable_a always_o abound_v in_o these_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o as_o much_o as_o we_o know_v that_o our_o labour_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n etc._n 2_o pet._n 1.5_o etc._n etc._n give_v all_o diligence_n to_o add_v to_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o virtue_n knowledge_n and_o to_o knowledge_n temperance_n and_o to_o temperance_n patience_n and_o to_o patience_n godliness_n and_o to_o godliness_n brotherly_a kindness_n and_o to_o brotherly_a kindness_n charity_n 1â—_n verse_n 1â—_n by_o our_o good_a work_n make_v our_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a so_o some_o copy_n have_v the_o 10_o verse_n of_o 1_o pet._n 1._o that_o do_v these_o thing_n we_o may_v never_o fall_v but_o a_o entrance_n may_v be_v minister_v to_o we_o abundant_o into_o the_o everlasting_a kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n sermon_n v._n preach_v at_o bow-church_n on_o the_o 29_o of_o september_n 1680._o psalm_n cxij_o 4._o to_o the_o upright_o there_o arise_v light_a in_o the_o darkness_n godliness_n say_v s._n paul_n 4.8_o 1_o tim._n 4.8_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n as_o well_o as_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v of_o this_o proposition_n of_o he_o the_o psalm_n we_o have_v now_o before_o we_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o explication_n or_o paraphrase_n for_o in_o this_o psalm_n two_o thing_n be_v design_v a_o description_n of_o the_o pious_a man_n and_o a_o description_n of_o his_o blessedness_n in_o this_o life_n each_o of_o which_o be_v do_v in_o five_o instance_n or_o particular_n the_o term_n wherein_o the_o pious_a man_n be_v here_o describe_v be_v these_o follow_v first_o he_o be_v one_o that_o fear_v god_n and_o great_o delight_v in_o his_o commandment_n v._o 1._o second_o he_o be_v one_o that_o be_v righteous_a and_o upright_o in_o his_o conversation_n ver_fw-la 4._o and_o 6._o three_o he_o be_v one_o that_o be_v prudent_a and_o discreet_a in_o the_o manage_n of_o his_o affair_n verse_n 5._o he_o guide_v his_o affair_n with_o discretion_n four_o he_o it_o one_o who_o heart_n be_v fix_v trust_v in_o the_o lord_n v._o 7._o last_o he_o be_v one_o that_o be_v extreme_o charitable_a he_o be_v gracious_a and_o full_a of_o compassion_n
serviceableness_n to_o other_o the_o first_o of_o these_o challenge_v man_n esteem_n the_o other_o their_o love_n now_o both_o these_o quality_n religion_n and_o virtue_n do_v eminent_o possess_v we_o of_o for_o first_o the_o religious_a man_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o worthy_a and_o excellent_a person_n for_o he_o of_o all_o other_o live_v most_o up_o to_o the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o he_o be_v design_v which_o be_v the_o natural_a measure_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o worth_n of_o thing_n whatever_o external_n advantage_n a_o man_n may_v have_v yet_o if_o he_o be_v not_o endow_v with_o virtuous_a quality_n he_o be_v far_o from_o have_v any_o true_a worth_n or_o excellence_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v a_o fit_a object_n of_o our_o praise_n and_o esteem_n because_o he_o want_v that_o which_o shall_v make_v he_o perfect_a and_o good_a in_o his_o kind_a for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o comely_a personage_n or_o a_o long_a race_n of_o famous_a ancestor_n or_o a_o large_a revenue_n or_o a_o multitude_n of_o servant_n or_o many_o swell_a title_n or_o any_o other_o thing_n without_o a_o man_n that_o speak_v he_o a_o complete_a man_n or_o make_v he_o to_o be_v what_o he_o shall_v be_v but_o the_o right_a use_n of_o his_o reason_n the_o employ_v his_o liberty_n and_o choice_n to_o the_o best_a purpose_n the_o exercise_v his_o power_n and_o faculty_n about_o the_o fit_a object_n and_o in_o the_o most_o due_a measure_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o make_v he_o excellent_a now_o none_o can_v be_v say_v to_o do_v this_o but_o only_o he_o that_o be_v virtuous_a second_o religion_n also_o be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o man_n most_o useful_a and_o profitable_a to_o other_o for_o it_o effectual_o secure_v his_o performance_n of_o all_o those_o duty_n whereby_o both_o the_o security_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o public_a and_o also_o the_o good_a and_o advantage_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v most_o attain_v it_o make_v man_n lover_n of_o their_o country_n loyal_a to_o 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and_o willing_a to_o embrace_v with_o open_a arm_n and_o a_o hearty_a love_n all_o sort_n and_o condition_n of_o men._n in_o every_o relation_n wherein_o we_o can_v stand_v to_o one_o another_o it_o influence_v upon_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v we_o more_o useful_a it_o make_v parent_n kind_a and_o indulgent_a and_o careful_a of_o the_o education_n of_o their_o child_n and_o child_n love_v and_o obedient_a to_o their_o parent_n it_o make_v servant_n diligent_a to_o please_v their_o master_n and_o to_o do_v their_o work_n in_o singleness_n of_o heart_n not_o with_o eye-service_n as_o men-pleasers_a but_o as_o unto_o god_n and_o it_o make_v master_n gentle_a and_o forbear_n and_o careful_a to_o make_v provision_n for_o their_o family_n as_o those_o that_o know_v they_o have_v a_o master_n in_o heaven_n that_o be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v no_o condition_n or_o capacity_n in_o which_o religion_n will_v not_o be_v signal_o a_o instrument_n of_o make_v we_o more_o serviceable_a to_o other_o and_o of_o do_v more_o good_a in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o such_o be_v the_o spirit_n and_o temper_n of_o it_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a but_o it_o must_v needs_o acquire_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o respect_n and_o love_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n if_o obligingness_n and_o do_v good_a in_o one_o generation_n do_v not_o endear_v a_o man_n to_o those_o that_o know_v he_o do_v not_o entitle_v he_o to_o their_o love_n and_o affection_n what_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v there_o that_o be_v likely_a to_o do_v it_o but_o second_o true_a and_o unaffected_a goodness_n seldom_o miss_v of_o a_o good_a reputation_n in_o the_o world_n how_o unjust_a to_o virtue_n soever_o man_n be_v in_o other_o respect_n yet_o in_o this_o they_o general_o give_v it_o its_o due_a wherever_o it_o appear_v it_o general_o meet_v with_o esteem_n and_o approbation_n nay_o it_o have_v the_o good_a word_n of_o many_o that_o otherwise_o be_v not_o overfond_a of_o religion_n though_o they_o have_v not_o the_o grace_n to_o be_v good_a themselves_o yet_o they_o rare_o have_v the_o confidence_n not_o to_o commend_v goodness_n in_o other_o add_v to_o this_o that_o no_o man_n ever_o raise_v to_o himself_o a_o good_a name_n in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o his_o virtue_n either_o real_a or_o pretend_a vice_n have_v sometime_o get_v riches_n and_o advance_v itself_o into_o preferment_n but_o it_o never_o be_v account_v honourable_a in_o any_o nation_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v indeed_o that_o it_o may_v and_o do_v sometime_o happen_v that_o vicious_a man_n may_v be_v have_v in_o esteem_n but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o their_o vice_n that_o they_o be_v esteem_v but_o for_o some_o good_a quality_n or_o other_o they_o be_v eminent_a in_o and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n if_o those_o man_n be_v without_o those_o vice_n their_o reputation_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v thereby_o diminish_v that_o it_o will_v become_v much_o more_o considerable_a it_o must_v also_o be_v acknowledge_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o even_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n may_v sometime_o fail_v of_o that_o esteem_n and_o respect_n that_o their_o virtue_n seem_v to_o merit_v nay_o in_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o be_v slight_v and_o despise_v and_o to_o have_v many_o odious_a term_n and_o nickname_n put_v upon_o they_o but_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o case_n in_o which_o this_o happen_v it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v of_o no_o force_n at_o all_o for_o the_o disprove_v what_o have_v be_v now_o deliver_v for_o first_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v what_o kind_n of_o person_n those_o be_v that_o treat_v virtue_n and_o virtuous_a man_n thus_o contemptuous_o we_o shall_v always_o find_v they_o to_o be_v the_o worst_a and_o the_o vile_a of_o mankind_n such_o who_o have_v debauch_v the_o natural_a principle_n of_o their_o mind_n have_v lose_v all_o the_o notion_n and_o distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v fall_v below_o the_o dignity_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o have_v nothing_o to_o bear_v up_o themselves_o with_o but_o boldness_n and_o confidence_n drollery_n and_o scurrility_n and_o turn_v into_o ridicule_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v grave_a and_o serious_a but_o it_o be_v with_o these_o as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o monster_n and_o extravagance_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v but_o very_o few_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n who_o have_v wise_a and_o true_a sentiment_n of_o thing_n but_o if_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a no_o man_n of_o understanding_n will_v value_v what_o such_o man_n say_v of_o he_o it_o look_v like_o a_o crime_n to_o be_v commend_v by_o such_o person_n and_o may_v just_o occasion_v a_o man_n to_o reflect_v upon_o his_o own_o action_n and_o to_o cry_v out_o to_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v of_o old_a what_o have_v i_o do_v that_o these_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o i_o but_o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o some_o person_n who_o be_v otherwise_o virtuous_a and_o religious_a may_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o indiscretion_n as_o thereby_o to_o give_v other_o occasion_n to_o slight_v and_o despise_v they_o but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v upon_o virtue_n and_o religion_n but_o be_v the_o particular_a fault_n of_o the_o person_n every_o one_o that_o be_v religious_a be_v not_o prudent_a the_o meanness_n of_o a_o man_n understanding_n or_o his_o rash_a and_o intemperate_a zeal_n or_o the_o moroseness_n of_o his_o temper_n or_o his_o too_o great_a scrupulosity_n about_o little_a thing_n may_v sometime_o make_v his_o behaviour_n uncouth_a and_o fantastic_a and_o betray_v he_o to_o do_v many_o action_n which_o he_o may_v think_v his_o religion_n oblige_v he_o
god_n almighty_a can_v not_o desire_v to_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n he_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o upon_o easy_a if_o all_o the_o mercy_n and_o benefit_n we_o do_v daily_o and_o hourly_o need_v and_o consequent_o must_v expect_v and_o wish_v for_o i_o say_v if_o they_o be_v not_o worth_a ask_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n or_o return_v thanks_o for_o they_o after_o he_o have_v bestow_v they_o they_o be_v worth_a nothing_o but_o beside_o the_o unexceptionableness_n and_o easiness_n of_o this_o duty_n it_o be_v also_o in_o the_o five_o place_n the_o most_o pleasant_a and_o delightful_a exercise_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a vicious_a man_n will_v not_o easy_o think_v so_o but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o dry_a insipid_a employment_n but_o so_o will_v the_o very_a beatifical_a vision_n of_o god_n and_o all_o the_o exercise_n of_o glorify_a soul_n in_o heaven_n appear_v to_o such_o men._n but_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n have_v neither_o experience_n of_o they_o nor_o disposition_n towards_o they_o those_o only_a can_v form_v right_a notion_n of_o these_o spiritual_a exercise_n who_o have_v a_o good_a sense_n and_o relish_v of_o god_n upon_o their_o mind_n and_o have_v use_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o to_o devotion_n now_o to_o all_o such_o i_o appeal_v whether_o the_o delight_n and_o satisfaction_n and_o consolation_n that_o they_o receive_v from_o converse_v with_o god_n and_o a_o hearty_a pour_v out_o their_o soul_n unto_o he_o be_v not_o inexpressible_a whether_o they_o do_v not_o find_v more_o joy_n and_o peace_n and_o comfort_n in_o their_o attendance_n upon_o god_n service_n either_o in_o public_a or_o private_a than_o ever_o they_o do_v from_o the_o pleasure_n and_o gratification_n of_o any_o of_o their_o outward_a sense_n so_o much_o as_o the_o soul_n be_v more_o pure_a and_o excellent_a than_o the_o body_n so_o much_o be_v the_o pleasure_n and_o gratification_n of_o that_o more_o exquisite_o delicious_a than_o those_o that_o arise_v from_o corporeal_a object_n but_o of_o all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o soul_n those_o that_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n to_o it_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n be_v incomparable_o the_o high_a and_o most_o affect_v we_o may_v talk_v of_o pleasure_n and_o enjoyment_n but_o no_o man_n ever_o true_o find_v they_o till_o he_o become_v acquaint_v with_o god_n and_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o his_o love_n and_o partaker_n of_o his_o spiritual_a favour_n and_o live_v in_o a_o entire_a friendship_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o which_o friendship_n and_o communion_n be_v chief_o if_o not_o only_o both_o express_v and_o maintain_v by_o prayer_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n add_v to_o this_o in_o the_o six_o place_n that_o prayer_n be_v not_o only_o the_o most_o delightful_a employment_n but_o the_o most_o creditable_a and_o honourable_a that_o our_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o account_v it_o and_o very_o just_o a_o mighty_a privilege_n and_o dignity_n to_o be_v know_v to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o have_v their_o ear_n and_o to_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o access_n to_o they_o at_o all_o time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n we_o receive_v in_o have_v leave_n give_v we_o at_o all_o time_n to_o approach_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n of_o the_o world_n that_o we_o poor_a sinful_a dust_n and_o ash_n shall_v be_v permit_v to_o speak_v to_o so_o transcendent_a a_o majesty_n nay_o shall_v have_v free_a liberty_n give_v we_o to_o converse_v with_o he_o as_o with_o a_o friend_n to_o open_v all_o our_o want_n to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o all_o our_o concernment_n to_o make_v know_v every_o thought_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o every_o affair_n of_o our_o life_n to_o he_o nay_o and_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v amiss_o this_o boldness_n in_o we_o that_o he_o will_v savourable_o accept_v all_o our_o application_n and_o make_v as_o kind_n return_v as_o we_o ourselves_o can_v wish_v or_o desire_n what_o great_a honour_n be_v we_o capable_a of_o than_o this_o o_o therefore_o how_o far_o be_v they_o sink_v below_o all_o the_o ambition_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o will_v not_o take_v all_o opportunity_n of_o thus_o honour_v and_o do_v credit_n to_o themselves_o by_o the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n but_o so_o selfish_a be_v the_o spirit_n and_o temper_n of_o many_o of_o we_o that_o nothing_o will_v work_v upon_o they_o but_o the_o consideration_n of_o gain_n and_o profit_n and_o advantage_n let_v we_o see_v therefore_o what_o of_o this_o kind_n we_o may_v promise_v to_o ourselves_o from_o prayer_n which_o be_v my_o seven_o and_o last_o consideration_n and_o let_v the_o point_n be_v put_v upon_o this_o issue_n let_v all_o that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v say_v for_o the_o recommend_v of_o prayer_n go_v for_o nothing_o if_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v as_o profitable_a and_o gainful_a a_o exercise_n as_o it_o be_v reasonable_a and_o due_a as_o it_o be_v easy_a and_o pleasant_a and_o honourable_a let_v no_o man_n trouble_v himself_o about_o it_o but_o throw_v off_o all_o thought_n of_o it_o for_o ever_o but_o in_o this_o respect_n also_o the_o motive_n to_o prayer_n be_v infinite_a no_o man_n can_v number_v the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n that_o do_v accrue_v to_o we_o from_o it_o i_o can_v here_o but_o only_o touch_v upon_o a_o few_o of_o the_o many_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a mean_n to_o ennoble_v and_o refine_v and_o spiritualise_v our_o nature_n be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o preserve_v our_o soul_n aloft_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o such_o a_o heap_n of_o earthly_a rubbish_n with_o which_o they_o be_v overwhelm_v our_o daily_a converse_n with_o material_a object_n will_v make_v we_o whole_o sensual_a and_o the_o spirit_n will_v in_o a_o manner_n be_v lose_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o so_o it_o do_v real_o fare_v with_o all_o those_o that_o live_v without_o devotion_n towards_o god_n however_o they_o may_v retain_v so_o much_o worldly_a prudence_n as_o to_o enable_v they_o to_o govern_v their_o temporal_a affair_n to_o their_o advantage_n yet_o their_o soul_n do_v perfect_o grovel_v upon_o the_o earth_n they_o be_v utter_o devoid_a of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n they_o have_v no_o more_o sense_n of_o the_o noble_a and_o best_a thing_n which_o it_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o their_o faculty_n to_o be_v employ_v about_o than_o a_o blind_a man_n have_v of_o colour_n into_o this_o dull_a state_n shall_v we_o all_o sink_n if_o we_o do_v not_o take_v care_n to_o maintain_v a_o constant_a devotion_n towards_o god_n for_o it_o be_v by_o that_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o goodness_n be_v keep_v alive_a in_o we_o it_o be_v that_o that_o raise_v we_o above_o this_o world_n and_o preserve_v our_o mind_n from_o the_o defilement_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o by_o their_o continual_a mingle_n with_o material_a thing_n they_o will_v otherwise_o necessary_o contract_n but_o further_a prayer_n do_v not_o only_o tend_v to_o the_o better_n the_o constitution_n of_o our_o mind_n but_o the_o benefit_n and_o good_a influence_n of_o it_o do_v extend_v also_o to_o all_o the_o affair_n and_o action_n of_o our_o life_n no_o body_n can_v tell_v but_o he_o that_o have_v try_v how_o much_o devout_a and_o affectionate_a prayer_n do_v dispose_v a_o man_n to_o go_v about_o his_o business_n in_o the_o world_n so_o far_o be_v this_o exercise_n from_o hinder_v our_o employment_n as_o be_v common_o pretend_v that_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o great_a furtherance_n to_o they_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o best_a antidote_n in_o the_o world_n against_o all_o disappointment_n and_o vexation_n that_o we_o can_v meet_v with_o against_o every_o ungrateful_a and_o displease_a accident_n that_o come_v upon_o we_o in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n he_o that_o converse_v much_o with_o god_n and_o use_v to_o make_v all_o his_o concernment_n know_v to_o he_o be_v prepare_v to_o bear_v all_o thing_n patient_o and_o even_o whatsoever_o happen_v nor_o can_v he_o light_v into_o any_o circumstance_n of_o life_n which_o will_v not_o be_v not_o only_o supportable_a to_o he_o but_o easy_a also_o add_v to_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o it_o be_v prayer_n that_o secure_v the_o blessing_n of_o god_n both_o upon_o our_o person_n and_o upon_o our_o labour_n upon_o our_o basket_n and_o store_n upon_o our_o family_n upon_o our_o employment_n and_o upon_o all_o that_o we_o have_v or_o do_v so_o great_a be_v the_o virtue_n of_o prayer_n that_o it_o turn_v all_o the_o action_n of_o our_o natural_a or_o civil_a life_n however_o indifferent_a they_o be_v into_o action_n of_o religion_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o we_o have_v or_o come_v to_o we_o