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speak_v of_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o righteous_a if_o those_o true_o devout_a person_n have_v not_o overmuch_o righteousness_n you_o will_v strange_o want_v it_o then_o who_o come_v so_o much_o behind_o they_o but_o you_o say_v god_n will_v supply_v what_o be_v lack_v for_o this_o do_v christ_n jesus_n die_v that_o we_o may_v obtain_v his_o grace_n and_o favour_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o our_o infirmity_n but_o how_o do_v you_o know_v that_o the_o bless_a jesus_n will_v this_o do_v not_o he_o do_v what-liketh_a he_o best_o with_o his_o own_o you_o ought_v therefore_o to_o take_v the_o sure_a side_n what_o assurance_n have_v you_o that_o god_n give_v his_o grace_n thus_o to_o those_o that_o slight_a it_o although_o you_o can_v do_v it_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v employ_v enough_o and_o your_o righteousness_n though_o push_v on_o to_o the_o extremity_n of_o your_o strength_n will_v still_o have_v need_n of_o supplement_n to_o attain_v to_o glory_n there_o be_v other_o indevout_a people_n which_o be_v still_o a_o little_a far_o off_o than_o the_o former_a they_o will_v have_v a_o good_a deal_n of_o devotion_n but_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o come_v to_o desire_v it_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o motion_n of_o their_o will_n towards_o it_o be_v very_o imperfect_a i_o will_v willing_o become_v so_o say_v one_o but_o i_o can_v the_o world_n bear_v i_o away_o my_o affair_n whole_o take_v i_o up_o the_o temper_n and_o frame_v of_o my_o body_n and_o soul_n have_v not_o the_o necessary_a turn_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o virtue_n i_o do_v what_o i_o will_v not_o and_o what_o i_o will_v that_o do_v i_o not_o for_o the_o law_n of_o my_o member_n continue_v mistress_n of_o the_o law_n of_o my_o mind_n they_o be_v not_o much_o afflict_v at_o the_o not_o have_v that_o which_o they_o wish_v and_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a proof_n that_o they_o wish_v it_o very_o feeble_o in_o this_o estate_n how_o far_o from_o perfection_n must_v the_o conscience_n need_v be_v this_o be_v not_o to_o love_v god_n with_o all_o the_o soul_n this_o be_v to_o seek_v he_o with_o the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o to_o desire_v he_o with_o a_o most_o imperfect_a will._n to_o will_v devotion_n at_o that_o rate_n be_v to_o take_v the_o way_n never_o to_o obtain_v it_o for_o the_o soul_n do_v not_o surmount_v the_o difficulty_n but_o by_o hearten_v itself_o against_o they_o and_o by_o act_v with_o all_o its_o might_n and_o vigour_n judge_v then_o if_o a_o heart_n in_o this_o looseness_n can_v attain_v one_o of_o the_o most_o difficult_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n we_o have_v see_v how_o many_o strong_a passion_n ruin_v and_o destroy_v devotion_n the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n its_o pleasure_n and_o its_o vexation_n if_o to_o these_o passion_n so_o violent_a and_o headstrong_a you_o oppose_v i_o know_v not_o what_o imperfect_a desire_n it_o be_v but_o the_o fight_n of_o dwarf_n against_o giant_n so_o that_o the_o first_o general_a counsel_n i_o give_v to_o attain_v devotion_n be_v to_o desire_v it_o ardent_o some_o will_v say_v that_o they_o who_o desire_v it_o have_v it_o already_o but_o that_o be_v no_o necessary_a conclusion_n some_o motion_n there_o be_v whereof_o we_o be_v not_o the_o master_n and_o oftentimes_o we_o passionate_o desire_v a_o thing_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o effect_v although_o it_o depend_v upon_o our_o will._n most_o terrible_a be_v the_o tyranny_n of_o habit_n and_o the_o cord_n of_o sin_n be_v difficult_a to_o break_v st._n austin_n most_o divine_o paint_v out_o to_o we_o the_o motion_n of_o such_o a_o soul_n as_o will_v elevate_v itself_o to_o god_n but_o can_v i_o pant_v after_o the_o liberty_n of_o think_v only_o on_o thou_o o_o my_o god_n but_o i_o sigh_v be_v still_o tie_v up_o not_o by_o foreign_a chain_n but_o by_o those_o of_o my_o own_o will_n which_o be_v hard_a than_o iron_n the_o devil_n hold_v it_o in_o his_o power_n he_o have_v bind_v it_o fast_o i_o have_v a_o will_v to_o serve_v thou_o with_o the_o pure_a love_n and_o to_o enjoy_v thou_o o_o my_o god_n in_o who_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v find_v a_o solid_a and_o true_a joy_n but_o this_o new_a will_n which_o be_v but_o still-born_a be_v not_o capable_a of_o conquer_a that_o other_o which_o have_v fortify_v itself_o by_o a_o long_a habit_n in_o sin_n behold_v the_o picture_n of_o a_o christian_a soul_n that_o wish_n to_o be_v true_o devout_a will_v only_o think_v on_o god_n and_o love_n he_o but_o can_v nevertheless_o how_o happy_a be_v such_o a_o soul_n and_o near_a to_o devotion_n when_o we_o seek_v god_n we_o be_v on_o the_o eve_n of_o find_v he_o this_o be_v that_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n to_o which_o the_o lord_n promise_v a_o refreshment_n these_o desire_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o grace_n but_o if_o nature_n do_v nothing_o in_o vain_a with_o much_o strong_a reason_n do_v grace_n these_o desire_v therefore_o can_v be_v fruitless_a they_o will_v obtain_v their_o end_n they_o will_v be_v fill_v one_o day_n there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n but_o wherein_o the_o vigour_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o desire_n hit_v their_o mark_n and_o hereby_o rather_o than_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o army_n do_v the_o great_a alexander_n vanquish_v the_o world_n gain_v so_o many_o battle_n take_v so_o many_o city_n and_o trample_v on_o the_o neck_n of_o conquer_a nation_n when_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o design_n fail_v he_o the_o vigour_n of_o his_o courage_n that_o be_v the_o force_n of_o his_o desire_n serve_v instead_o of_o they_o if_o the_o desire_n can_v perform_v so_o much_o in_o thing_n without_o we_o and_o independent_a on_o our_o will_n what_o can_v they_o do_v in_o that_o which_o depend_v thereon_o and_o be_v virtual_o our_o will_n itself_o to_o make_v these_o pious_a desire_n succeed_v we_o be_v to_o call_v god_n to_o our_o aid_n these_o be_v youngling_n that_o he_o have_v cause_v to_o be_v bear_v and_o it_o be_v his_o interest_n to_o nourish_v they_o these_o be_v the_o aurora_n of_o that_o sun_n who_o do_v not_o fail_v to_o come_v and_o full_o enlighten_v we_o provide_v he_o be_v invoke_v with_o fervour_n here_o be_v therefore_o another_o adviso_n which_o be_v but_o a_o corollary_n and_o a_o deduction_n from_o the_o former_a we_o must_v ask_v of_o god_n the_o grace_n of_o devotion_n and_o in_o his_o presence_n groan_v after_o what_o we_o have_v not_o if_o there_o be_v any_o favour_n of_o our_o vow_n and_o tear_n if_o there_o be_v any_o gift_n that_o come_v immediate_o from_o heaven_n it_o be_v this_o virtue_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o pure_a and_o more_o elevate_v among_o â—he_n christian_n virtue_n if_o any_o of_o you_o lack_v wisdom_n say_v st._n james_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n that_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_a and_o upbraid_v not_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o there_o be_v â—y_a part_n of_o christian_a wisdom_n more_o desirable_a than_o this_o of_o god_n we_o ask_v our_o daily_a bread_n our_o food_n and_o raiment_n health_n of_o body_n and_o cure_v of_o our_o disease_n but_o â—e_v soul_n be_v sick_a poor_a and_o die_v when_o deprive_v of_o deâ—tion_n which_o be_v its_o fire_n soul_n life_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v noâ—ing_v to_o which_o we_o may_v more_o assure_o apply_v the_o proâ—ise_n of_o st._n james_n that_o god_n refuse_v no_o body_n but_o give_v â—o_o all_o liberal_o since_o it_o be_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o world_n â—hich_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o he_o because_o it_o tend_v wholâ—_n to_o his_o glory_n and_o our_o own_o salvation_n we_o ask_v of_o god_n â—hat_n he_o will_v please_v to_o enter_v into_o we_o and_o that_o we_o â—ay_v enter_v into_o he_o to_o be_v perfect_o unite_v to_o he_o by_o a_o â—tual_a tie_n and_o how_o can_v this_o be_v well-pleasing_a to_o god_n see_v our_o lord_n christ_n himself_o the_o model_n of_o our_o â—oughts_n and_o action_n have_v ask_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o we_o that_o i_o may_v be_v in_o they_o and_o they_o in_o i_o that_o they_o may_v be_v â—ade_v perfect_a in_o one_o here_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v â—r_o instruction_n and_o the_o faithful_a be_v to_o begin_v their_o work_n for_o if_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v without_o god_n of_o what_o â—â—th_v not_o regard_v he_o how_o can_v we_o do_v that_o without_o he_o which_o depend_v immediate_o upon_o he_o and_o be_v terminate_v in_o he_o meditation_n 〈◊〉_d consult_v my_o own_o heart_n to_o know_v whether_o i_o can_v true_o 〈◊〉_d say_v my_o soul_n faint_v for_o the_o court_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o â—art-panteth_a after_o the_o water_n brooks_n so_o my_o soul_n thirst_v 〈◊〉_d the_o live_a god_n my_o soul_n be_v
heart_n into_o a_o good_a condition_n to_o hope_v a_o good_a success_n of_o its_o worship_n though_o never_o so_o much_o prepare_v it_o can_v be_v too_o good_a for_o he_o to_o who_o we_o ought_v to_o present_v it_o it_o will_v be_v a_o acceptable_a thing_n to_o be_v receive_v in_o this_o estate_n and_o what_o on_o the_o contrary_n can_v we_o expect_v in_o present_v to_o he_o a_o indevout_a soul_n but_o a_o shameful_a and_o sad_a refusal_n god_n do_v not_o hear_v our_o prayer_n unless_o the_o heart_n be_v dispose_v to_o make_v they_o seek_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v say_v our_o lord_n but_o seek_v with_o zeal_n otherwise_o you_o shall_v not_o find_v god_n say_v once_o i_o be_v find_v of_o they_o that_o seek_v i_o not_o but_o this_o do_v not_o happen_v every_o day_n this_o be_v but_o one_o of_o those_o singular_a event_n whereby_o general_a rule_n be_v not_o establish_v but_o the_o law_n in_o common_a bear_n ask_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v lay_v hold_n on_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o thou_o shall_v obtain_v it_o to_o what_o be_v not_o devotion_n useful_a it_o be_v of_o use_n in_o all_o place_n all_o time_n and_o all_o thing_n as_o well_o in_o the_o closet_n as_o the_o church_n thereby_o we_o hear_v the_o word_n pronounce_v by_o man_n as_o if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o receive_v it_o as_o the_o dry_a and_o chap_a earth_n do_v the_o rain_n hereby_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o divine_a benefit_n touch_v we_o the_o thought_n of_o god_n love_n inflame_v we_o his_o promise_n comfort_v we_o his_o threaten_n terrify_v we_o and_o his_o consolation_n have_v their_o efficacy_n upon_o we_o without_o this_o the_o word_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o two-edged_a sword_n recoil_v and_o turn_v its_o edge_n on_o the_o hardness_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o without_o this_o we_o join_v the_o sin_n of_o insensibility_n to_o that_o of_o impenitence_n by_o this_o we_o look_v upon_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n with_o veneration_n the_o preacher_n as_o the_o ambassador_n of_o the_o gospel_n his_o word_n as_o the_o voice_n of_o heaven_n the_o faithful_a as_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o troop_n of_o angel_n that_o always_o rejoice_v in_o his_o presence_n the_o sacrament_n as_o precious_a vessel_n the_o appearance_n whereof_o be_v contemptible_a but_o which_o do_v contain_v the_o treasure_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o mercy_n it_o be_v devotion_n that_o make_v our_o closet_n to_o become_v little_a church_n whether_o the_o divinity_n descend_v and_o upon_o which_o it_o extend_v its_o wing_n like_o the_o cherubim_v over_o the_o mercy-seat_n where_o god_n speak_v to_o our_o heart_n as_o we_o speak_v to_o his_o ear_n where_o he_o make_v we_o understand_v his_o oracle_n and_o taste_v his_o consolation_n where_o he_o say_v to_o we_o in_o a_o still_o small_a voice_n my_o son_n or_o my_o daughter_n be_v of_o good_a cheer_n arise_v thy_o sin_n be_v forgive_v thou_o oh_o how_o bless_a be_v the_o faithful_a soul_n that_o god_n honour_n with_o such_o sacred_a entertainment_n now_o he_o do_v never_o do_v this_o but_o when_o call_v upon_o if_o not_o force_v by_o a_o ardent_a devotion_n these_o desire_n of_o devotion_n may_v be_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o spouse_n whereof_o it_o be_v say_v turn_v away_o thy_o eye_n from_o i_o for_o they_o have_v overcome_v i_o far_o be_v from_o hence_o those_o profane_a wretch_n that_o know_v not_o the_o use_n of_o devotion_n they_o say_v that_o valour_n be_v the_o rampart_n of_o estate_n and_o the_o tutelary_a angel_n of_o the_o public_a and_o of_o private_n that_o liberality_n sweeten_v the_o misfortune_n of_o the_o miserable_a that_o justice_n be_v the_o nurse_n of_o peace_n and_o the_o ligament_n of_o society_n that_o temperance_n cause_v tranquillity_n of_o mind_n and_o health_n of_o body_n but_o say_v they_o devotion_n it_o be_v alone_a that_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o render_v the_o mind_n weak_a and_o effeminate_a and_o to_o depress_v the_o spirit_n do_v not_o call_v so_o universal_a a_o virtue_n unprofitable_a without_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v mere_a shadow_n for_o he_o that_o have_v not_o a_o habit_n of_o devotion_n do_v not_o refer_v all_o his_o virtue_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v a_o bad_a good_a man_n do_v not_o call_v that_o a_o useless_a virtue_n which_o appease_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o turn_v away_o the_o tempest_n fly_v over_o state_n a_o virtue_n which_o have_v draw_v sodom_n out_o of_o the_o fire_n have_v there_o be_v find_v there_o but_o ten_o devout_a person_n like_o abraham_n who_o will_v have_v devout_o with_o he_o intercede_v for_o it_o a_o virtue_n which_o save_v the_o church_n so_o often_o from_o shipwreck_n a_o virtue_n which_o in_o the_o conscience_n raise_v up_o and_o establish_v a_o profound_a peace_n and_o a_o divine_a light_n do_v not_o faith_n that_o it_o soften_v the_o mind_n see_v it_o confirm_v the_o courage_n make_v man_n run_v to_o death_n as_o to_o a_o feast_n make_v they_o to_o despise_v peril_n and_o in_o its_o occasion_n mannage_n nothing_o wherein_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v not_o concern_v meditation_n see_fw-la one_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o lukewarmness_n and_o one_o of_o the_o reason_n why_o my_o soul_n be_v little_a devout_a the_o necessity_n of_o devotion_n it_o comprehend_v not_o whereas_o it_o know_v that_o food_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o conservation_n of_o its_o bodily_a life_n it_o desire_v nourishment_n with_o a_o great_a ardour_n and_o search_v after_o it_o with_o a_o marvellous_a diligence_n but_o negligent_a it_o be_v in_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o serve_v to_o nourish_v piety_n and_o the_o flame_n of_o devotion_n since_o it_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v of_o any_o great_a use_n thou_o se_v o_o my_o soul_n some_o who_o save_o themselves_o with_o a_o languish_a piety_n and_o go_v to_o heaven_n at_o a_o very_a slow_a pace_n thou_o persuade_v thyself_o that_o god_n will_v not_o be_v more_o rigorous_a to_o thou_o and_o that_o there_o will_v not_o be_v more_o exact_v from_o thou_o than_o from_o other_o but_o alas_o what_o a_o error_n and_o fallacy_n be_v there_o in_o this_o reason_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o believe_v to_o be_v in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v a_o march_v towards_o hell_n there_o be_v such_o a_o way_n that_o seem_v right_a to_o man_n the_o end_n of_o which_o nevertheless_o be_v death_n these_o chill_a devotion_n wherewith_o people_n believe_v god_n be_v well_o pay_v be_v oftentimes_o very_o fruitless_a they_o may_v think_v it_o fine_a one_o day_n to_o say_v we_o have_v pray_v to_o thou_o we_o have_v invoke_v thy_o name_n we_o have_v serve_v thou_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o fail_v to_o answer_v i_o do_v not_o know_v who_o you_o be_v go_v far_o from_o i_o you_o that_o be_v neither_o cold_a nor_o hot_a i_o will_v cast_v you_o up_o out_o of_o my_o mouth_n prayer_n my_o god_n conduct_v my_o soul_n in_o the_o sure_a path_n i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o sound_v thy_o mercy_n nor_o do_v i_o know_v how_o far_o the_o severity_n of_o thy_o juctice_n will_v carry_v itself_o and_o no_o further_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o thou_o will_v pardon_v so_o many_o people_n that_o serve_v thou_o with_o so_o little_a zeal_n and_o so_o much_o indevotion_n that_o which_o i_o know_v be_v that_o they_o be_v unworthy_a of_o thy_o clemency_n anâ—_n that_o they_o can_v be_v save_v unless_o they_o sincere_o repent_v of_o have_v serve_v thou_o with_o so_o much_o indifference_n let_v the_o candle_n of_o my_o soul_n thâ—_n holy_a spirit_n which_o have_v enlighten_v thy_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o the_o faithful_a at_o all_o time_n inspire_v i_o with_o such_o frankincense_n of_o devotion_n as_o with_o which_o i_o know_v that_o one_o may_v be_v save_v and_o without_o which_o i_o know_v not_o if_o one_o caâ—_n be_v save_v kindle_v my_o heart_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o altar_n where_o a_o eternal_a fire_n may_v burn_v in_o which_o all_o my_o sacrifice_n may_v be_v consume_v and_o which_o may_v make_v all_o my_o prayer_n as_o thâ—_n perfume_v of_o incense_n to_o mount_v up_o in_o thy_o presence_n chap._n iu._n that_o devotion_n be_v extreme_o rare_a and_o neglect_v here_o be_v a_o exception_n to_o the_o general_a rule_n that_o thing_n rare_a be_v esteem_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n more_o rare_a than_o devotion_n and_o nothing_o more_o neglect_v herein_o man_n do_v not_o sin_n through_o ignorance_n they_o know_v very_o well_o what_o we_o have_v say_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n that_o without_o these_o devout_a disposition_n or_o prayer_n they_o can_v please_v god_n nevertheless_o one_o can_v express_v the_o horrible_a negligence_n with_o which_o they_o perform_v this_o pious_a duty_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o