of_o intercourse_n with_o god_n as_o papist_n and_o fanatic_n who_o in_o most_o thing_n copy_v from_o one_o another_o as_o well_o as_o rail_v at_o one_o another_o do_v usual_o boast_v of_o but_o certain_o if_o the_o evil_a spirit_n may_v and_o often_o do_v suggest_v wicked_a and_o vile_a thought_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o all_o do_v and_o must_v grant_v and_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v from_o the_o devil_n be_v put_v it_o into_o the_o heart_n of_o judas_n to_o betray_v christ_n john_n 13._o 2._o and_o his_o fill_v the_o heart_n of_o ananias_n to_o lie_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n act_v 5._o 3._o it_o can_v after_o this_o with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n who_o power_n and_o influence_n to_o good_a be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o wicked_a spirit_n to_o evil_a do_v frequent_o inject_v into_o and_o imprint_v upon_o the_o soul_n many_o bless_a motion_n and_o impulse_n to_o duty_n and_o many_o powerful_a avocation_n from_o sin_n so_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v not_o only_o as_o the_o prophet_n say_v hear_v a_o voice_n behind_o he_o but_o also_o a_o voice_n within_o he_o tell_v he_o which_o way_n he_o ought_v to_o go_v for_o doubtless_o there_o be_v something_o more_o in_o those_o expression_n of_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o like_a than_o mere_a trope_n and_o metaphor_n and_o nothing_o less_o be_v or_o can_v be_v import_v by_o they_o than_o that_o god_n sometime_o speak_v to_o and_o converse_v with_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n immediate_o by_o himself_o and_o happy_a those_o who_o by_o thus_o hear_v he_o speak_v in_o a_o still_a voice_n shall_v prevent_v his_o speak_n to_o they_o in_o thunder_n but_o you_o will_v here_o ask_v perhaps_o how_o we_o shall_v distinguish_v in_o such_o motion_n which_o of_o they_o proceed_v immediate_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o which_o from_o the_o conscience_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o know_v no_o certain_a mark_n of_o discrimination_n to_o distinguish_v they_o by_o save_v only_o in_o general_n that_o such_o as_o proceed_v immediate_o from_o god_n use_v to_o strike_v the_o mind_n sudden_o and_o very_o powerful_o but_o then_o i_o add_v also_o that_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o in_o point_n of_o speculation_n be_v so_o nice_a and_o difficult_a so_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n in_o point_n of_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a but_o let_v a_o man_n universal_o observe_v and_o obey_v every_o good_a motion_n rise_v in_o his_o heart_n know_v that_o every_o such_o motion_n proceed_v from_o god_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o and_o that_o whether_o god_n speak_v immediate_o by_o himself_o to_o the_o conscience_n or_o mediate_o by_o the_o conscience_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o authority_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o and_o the_o contempt_n of_o either_o be_v rebellion_n now_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o drive_v at_o under_o this_o head_n of_o discourse_n be_v to_o show_v that_o as_o god_n be_v sometime_o please_v to_o address_v himself_o in_o this_o manner_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n so_o if_o the_o heart_n will_v receive_v and_o answer_v such_o motion_n by_o a_o ready_a and_o obsequious_a compliance_n with_o they_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o will_v both_o return_v more_o frequent_o and_o still_o more_o and_o more_o powerful_o till_o at_o length_n they_o produce_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o light_n in_o the_o conscience_n as_o shall_v give_v a_o man_n both_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o a_o certain_a judgement_n of_o his_o condition_n on_o the_o contrary_a as_o all_o resistance_n whatsoever_o of_o the_o dictate_v of_o conscience_n even_o in_o the_o way_n of_o natural_a efficiency_n bring_v a_o kind_n of_o hardness_n and_o stupefaction_n upon_o it_o so_o the_o resistance_n of_o these_o peculiar_a suggestion_n of_o the_o spirit_n will_v cause_v in_o it_o also_o a_o judicial_a hardness_n which_o be_v yet_o worse_o than_o the_o other_o so_o that_o god_n shall_v withdraw_v from_o such_o a_o heart_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v grieve_v shall_v depart_v and_o these_o bless_a motion_n shall_v cease_v and_o affect_v and_o visit_v it_o no_o more_o the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v very_o terrible_a as_o render_v a_o man_n past_o feeling_n and_o then_o the_o less_o he_o feel_v in_o this_o world_n the_o more_o he_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o feel_v in_o the_o next_o but_o 3._o because_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a conscience_n be_v in_o many_o thing_n defective_a and_o dimn_v and_o the_o internal_a voice_n of_o god_n spirit_n not_o always_o distinguishable_a above_o all_o let_v a_o man_n attend_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n utter_v in_o his_o reveal_v word_n i_o say_v his_o reveal_v word_n by_o which_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o mysterious_a extraordinary_a and_o of_o late_a so_o much_o study_v book_n call_v the_o revelation_n and_o which_o perhaps_o the_o more_o it_o be_v study_v the_o less_o it_o be_v understand_v as_o general_o either_o find_v a_o man_n crack_v or_o make_v he_o so_o but_o i_o mean_v those_o other_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n which_o exhibit_v to_o we_o a_o plain_a sure_a perfect_a and_o intelligible_a rule_n a_o rule_n that_o will_v neither_o fail_v nor_o distract_v such_o as_o make_v use_n of_o it_o a_o rule_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o two_o former_a rule_n by_o for_o nothing_o that_o contradict_v the_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n be_v either_o the_o voice_n of_o right_a reason_n or_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o without_o god_n contradict_v himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o see_v what_o high_a eulogy_n be_v give_v to_o the_o write_a word_n by_o the_o inspire_a penman_n of_o both_o testament_n it_o give_v understanding_n to_o the_o simple_a say_v david_n in_o psalm_n 119._o 130._o and_o that_o you_o will_v say_v be_v no_o such_o easy_a matter_n to_o do_v it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a say_v st._n paul_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 17._o it_o be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a and_o sharp_a than_o any_o two-edged_n sword_n pierce_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n heb._n 4._o 12._o now_o what_o a_o force_n and_o fullness_n what_o a_o vigour_n and_o emphasis_n be_v there_o in_o all_o these_o expression_n enough_o one_o will_v think_v to_o recommend_v and_o endear_v the_o scripture_n even_o to_o the_o papist_n themselves_o for_o if_o as_o the_o text_n say_v they_o give_v understanding_n to_o the_o simple_a i_o know_v none_o more_o concern_v to_o read_v and_o study_v they_o than_o their_o pope_n wherefore_o since_o the_o light_n and_o energy_n of_o the_o write_a word_n be_v so_o mighty_a let_v a_o man_n bring_v and_o hold_v his_o conscience_n to_o this_o steady_a rule_n the_o unalterable_a rectitude_n of_o which_o will_v infallible_o discover_v the_o rectitude_n or_o obliquity_n of_o whatsoever_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o a_o rule_n both_o to_o instruct_v we_o what_o to_o do_v and_o to_o assure_v we_o in_o what_o we_o have_v do_v for_o though_o natural_a conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v listen_v to_o yet_o it_o be_v revelation_n alone_o that_o be_v to_o be_v rely_v upon_o as_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o work_v of_o art_n a_o judicious_a artist_n will_v indeed_o use_v his_o eye_n but_o he_o will_v trust_v only_o to_o his_o rule_n there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o action_n whatsoever_o which_o a_o man_n ought_v to_o do_v or_o to_o forbear_v but_o the_o scripture_n will_v give_v he_o a_o clear_a precept_n or_o prohibition_n for_o it_o so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n will_v commit_v such_o rule_n to_o his_o memory_n and_o stock_n his_o mind_n with_o portion_n of_o scripture_n answerable_a to_o all_o the_o head_n of_o duty_n and_o practice_n his_o conscience_n can_v never_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n either_o for_o a_o direction_n of_o his_o action_n or_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o temptation_n it_o be_v the_o very_a course_n which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o take_v when_o the_o devil_n ply_v he_o with_o temptation_n upon_o temptation_n still_o he_o have_v a_o suitable_a scripture_n ready_a to_o repel_v and_o baffle_v they_o all_o one_o after_o another_o every_o pertinent_a text_n urge_v home_o be_v a_o direct_a stab_n to_o a_o temptation_n let_v a_o man_n therefore_o consider_v and_o recount_v with_o himself_o the_o several_a duty_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o christian._n such_o as_o temperance_n meekness_n charity_n purity_n of_o heart_n pardon_v of_o enemy_n patience_n i_o have_v almost_o say_v passive_a obedience_n too_o but_o that_o such_o old_a fashion_a christianity_n seem_v as_o
then_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v that_o high_a amaze_a incomprehensible_a be_v who_o thou_o addresse_v thy_o pitiful_a self_n to_o in_o prayer_n consider_v next_o his_o infinite_a all-searching_a knowledge_n which_o look_v through_o and_o through_o the_o most_o secret_a of_o our_o thought_n ransack_v every_o corner_n of_o the_o heart_n ponder_v the_o most_o inward_a design_n and_o end_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o all_o a_o man_n action_n and_o then_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o god_n who_o thou_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o in_o prayer_n the_o god_n who_o observe_v the_o posture_n the_o frame_n and_o motion_n of_o thy_o mind_n in_o all_o thy_o approach_n to_o he_o and_o who_o pierce_a eye_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o elude_v or_o escape_v by_o all_o the_o trick_n and_o art_n of_o the_o subtle_a and_o most_o refine_a hypocrisy_n and_o last_o consider_v the_o great_a the_o fiery_a and_o the_o implacable_a jealousy_n that_o he_o have_v for_o his_o honour_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o other_o use_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n but_o to_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o above_o all_o that_o he_o will_v in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a manner_n be_v honour_v of_o those_o who_o draw_v near_o to_o he_o and_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v mock_v and_o affront_v under_o a_o pretence_n of_o be_v worship_v nor_o endure_v that_o a_o wretched_a contemptible_a sinful_a creature_n who_o be_v but_o a_o piece_n of_o live_a dirt_n at_o best_a shall_v at_o the_o same_o time_n bend_v the_o knee_n to_o he_o and_o spit_v in_o his_o face_n and_o now_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o god_n who_o thou_o pray_v to_o and_o who_o thou_o use_v with_o such_o intolerable_a indignity_n in_o every_o unworthy_a prayer_n thou_o put_v up_o to_o he_o every_o bold_a saucy_a and_o familiar_a word_n that_o upon_o confidence_n of_o be_v one_o of_o god_n elect_n thou_o presume_v to_o debase_v so_o great_a a_o majesty_n with_o and_o for_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o dreadful_a curse_n that_o attend_v such_o a_o dare_a irreverence_n consider_v how_o god_n use_v nadab_n and_o abihu_n for_o venture_v to_o offer_v strange_a fire_n before_o he_o and_o then_o know_v that_o every_o unhallowed_a unfitting_a prayer_n be_v a_o strange_a fire_n a_o fire_n that_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o destroy_v the_o offer_n though_o mercy_n shall_v spare_v the_o offerer_n consider_v these_o thing_n serious_o deep_o and_o severe_o till_o the_o consideration_n of_o they_o affect_v thy_o heart_n and_o humble_v thy_o spirit_n with_o such_o awful_a apprehension_n of_o thy_o maker_n and_o such_o abject_a reflection_n upon_o thyself_o as_o may_v lay_v thou_o in_o the_o dust_n before_o he_o and_o know_v that_o the_o low_a thou_o fall_v the_o high_a will_v thy_o prayer_n rebound_v and_o that_o thou_o be_v never_o so_o fit_a to_o pray_v to_o god_n as_o when_o a_o sense_n of_o thy_o own_o unworthiness_n make_v thou_o ashamed_a even_o to_o speak_v to_o he_o 2_o lie_n the_o second_o object_n of_o our_o premeditation_n be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n for_o as_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v who_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v to_o so_o be_v we_o to_o consider_v also_o what_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o and_o this_o require_v no_o ordinary_a application_n of_o thought_n to_o distinguish_v or_o judge_v of_o man_n prayer_n be_v general_o dictate_v by_o their_o desire_n and_o their_o desire_n be_v the_o issue_n of_o their_o affection_n and_o their_o affection_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n influence_v by_o their_o corruption_n the_o first_o constituent_a principle_n of_o a_o well-conceived_n prayer_n be_v to_o know_v what_o not_o to_o pray_v for_o which_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o that_o some_o do_v not_o while_o they_o pray_v for_o what_o they_o may_v spend_v upon_o their_o lust_n james_n 4._o 3._o ask_v such_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v a_o contumely_n to_o god_n to_o hear_v and_o damnation_n to_o themselves_o to_o receive_v no_o man_n be_v to_o pray_v for_o any_o thing_n either_o sinful_a or_o direct_o tend_v to_o sin_n no_o man_n be_v to_o pray_v for_o a_o temptation_n and_o much_o less_o to_o desire_n god_n to_o be_v his_o tempter_n which_o he_o will_v certain_o be_v shall_v he_o at_o the_o instance_n of_o any_o man_n prayer_n administer_v fuel_n to_o his_o sinful_a or_o absurd_a appetite_n nor_o be_v any_o one_o to_o ask_v of_o god_n thing_n mean_v and_o trivial_a and_o beneath_o the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n to_o be_v concern_v about_o or_o solemn_o address_v to_o for_o nor_o last_o be_v any_o one_o to_o admit_v into_o his_o petition_n thing_n superfluous_a or_o extravagant_a such_o as_o wealth_n greatness_n and_o honour_n which_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v warrant_v to_o beg_v of_o god_n that_o we_o be_v to_o beg_v his_o grace_n to_o despise_v and_o undervalue_v they_o and_o it_o be_v much_o if_o the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v the_o proper_a object_n both_o of_o our_o self-denial_n and_o of_o our_o prayer_n too_o and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o solicit_v the_o satisfaction_n and_o enjoin_v to_o endeavour_v the_o mortification_n of_o the_o same_o desire_n the_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o be_v either_o 1_o st_z thing_n of_o absolute_a necessity_n or_o 2_o lie_n thing_n of_o unquestionable_a charity_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v all_o spiritual_a grace_n require_v in_o we_o as_o the_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n such_o as_o be_v repentance_n faith_n hope_n charity_n temperance_n and_o all_o other_o virtue_n that_o be_v either_o the_o part_n or_o principle_n of_o a_o pious_a life_n these_o be_v to_o be_v the_o prime_n subject_a matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o nothing_o come_v this_o way_n so_o easy_o from_o heaven_n as_o those_o thing_n that_o will_v assure_o bring_v we_o to_o it_o the_o spirit_n dictate_v all_o such_o petition_n and_o god_n himself_o be_v first_o the_o author_n and_o then_o the_o fulfiller_n of_o they_o own_v and_o accept_v they_o both_o as_o our_o duty_n and_o his_o own_o production_n the_o other_o sort_n of_o thing_n that_o may_v allowable_o be_v pray_v for_o be_v thing_n of_o manifest_a unquestionable_a charity_n such_o as_o be_v a_o competent_a measure_n of_o the_o innocent_a comfort_n of_o life_n as_o health_n peace_n maintenance_n and_o a_o success_n of_o our_o honest_a labour_n and_o yet_o even_o these_o but_o conditional_o and_o with_o perfect_a resignation_n to_o the_o will_n and_o wisdom_n of_o the_o sovereign_a disposer_n of_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o we_o who_o if_o he_o find_v it_o more_o for_o his_o honour_n to_o have_v we_o serve_v he_o with_o sick_a crazy_a languish_a body_n with_o poverty_n and_o extreme_a want_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o last_o with_o our_o country_n all_o in_o a_o flame_n about_o our_o ear_n ought_v in_o all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o to_o over-rule_v our_o prayer_n and_o desire_n into_o a_o absolute_a acquiescence_n in_o his_o alwise_a disposal_n of_o thing_n and_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o our_o prayer_n be_v sometime_o best_o answer_v when_o our_o desire_n be_v most_o oppose_v in_o fine_a to_z state_z the_o whole_a matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n in_o one_o word_n nothing_o can_v be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o pray_v for_o but_o what_o be_v fit_a and_o honourable_a for_o our_o great_a mediator_n and_o master_n of_o request_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o to_o intercede_v for_o this_o be_v to_o be_v the_o unchangeable_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o our_o petition_n and_o then_o if_o christ_n be_v to_o convey_v these_o our_o petition_n to_o his_o father_n can_v any_o one_o dare_v to_o make_v he_o who_o be_v holiness_n and_o purity_n itself_o and_o advocate_n and_o solicitor_n for_o his_o lust_n him_n who_o be_v nothing_o but_o meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n his_o providetore_fw-it for_o such_o thing_n as_o can_v only_o feed_v his_o pride_n and_o flush_v his_o ambition_n no_o certain_o when_o we_o come_v as_o suppliant_n to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n where_o christ_n sit_v as_o intercessor_n at_o god_n right_a hand_n nothing_o can_v be_v fit_a to_o proceed_v out_o of_o our_o mouth_n but_o what_o be_v fit_a to_o pass_v through_o his._n 3_o lie_n the_o three_o and_o last_o thinng_a that_o call_v for_o a_o previous_a meditation_n to_o our_o prayer_n be_v the_o order_n and_o disposition_n of_o they_o for_o though_o god_n do_v not_o command_v we_o to_o set_v off_o our_o prayer_n with_o dress_n and_o artifice_n to_o flourish_v it_o in_o trope_n and_o metaphor_n to_o beg_v our_o daily_a bread_n in_o blank_a verse_n or_o to_o show_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o poet_n in_o our_o devotion_n but_o indigence_n and_o want_n i_o say_v though_o god_n be_v far_o from_o require_v such_o thing_n of_o we_o in_o our_o prayer_n yet_o he_o require_v
much_o out_o of_o date_n with_o some_o as_o christ_n divinity_n and_o satisfaction_n i_o say_v let_v a_o man_n consider_v these_o and_o the_o like_a virtue_n together_o with_o the_o contrary_a sin_n and_o vice_n that_o do_v oppose_v they_o and_o then_o as_o out_o of_o a_o full_a armoury_n or_o magazine_n let_v he_o furnish_v his_o conscience_n with_o text_n of_o scripture_n particular_o enjoin_v the_o one_o and_o forbid_v or_o threaten_v the_o other_o and_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v stuff_v his_o mind_n like_o the_o margin_n of_o some_o author_n with_o chapter_n and_o verse_n heap_v together_o at_o all_o adventure_n but_o only_o that_o he_o shall_v sortifie_v it_o with_o some_o few_o text_n which_o be_v home_n and_o apposite_a to_o his_o case_n and_o a_o conscience_n thus_o supply_v will_v be_v like_o a_o man_n arm_v at_o all_o point_n and_o always_o ready_a either_o to_o receive_v or_o to_o attack_v his_o enemy_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o a_o man_n have_v arm_n in_o his_o house_n no_o nor_o yet_o his_o have_a courage_n and_o skill_n to_o use_v they_o but_o it_o be_v his_o have_v they_o still_o about_o he_o which_o must_v both_o secure_v he_o from_o be_v set_v upon_o and_o defend_v he_o when_o he_o be_v according_o man_n must_v know_v that_o without_o take_v the_o forementioned_a course_n all_o that_o they_o do_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v but_o lose_a labour_n and_o that_o they_o read_v the_o scripture_n to_o as_o little_a purpose_n as_o some_o use_n to_o quote_v they_o much_o read_n be_v like_o much_o eat_v whole_o useless_a without_o digestion_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o digest_v his_o meat_n without_o also_o retain_v it_o till_o man_n get_v what_o they_o read_v into_o their_o mind_n and_o fix_v it_o in_o their_o memory_n they_o keep_v their_o religion_n as_o they_o use_v to_o do_v their_o bibles_n only_o in_o their_o closet_n or_o carry_v it_o in_o their_o pocket_n and_o that_o you_o may_v imagine_v must_v improve_v and_o affect_v the_o soul_n just_a as_o much_o as_o a_o man_n have_v plenty_n of_o provision_n only_o in_o his_o store_n will_v nourish_v and_o support_v his_o body_n when_o man_n forget_v the_o word_n hear_v or_o read_v by_o they_o the_o devil_n be_v say_v to_o steal_v it_o out_o of_o their_o heart_n luke_n 8._o 12._o and_o for_o this_o cause_n we_o do_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n as_o propriety_n of_o speech_n call_v the_o commit_v of_o a_o thing_n to_o memory_n the_o get_v it_o by_o heart_n for_o it_o be_v the_o memory_n that_o must_v transmit_v it_o to_o the_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o heart_n shall_v keep_v its_o hold_n of_o any_o truth_n when_o the_o memory_n have_v let_v it_o go_v 4._o the_o four_o and_o last_o way_n that_o i_o shall_v mention_v for_o the_o get_n of_o the_o conscience_n right_o inform_v and_o afterward_o keep_v it_o so_o be_v frequent_o and_o impartial_o to_o account_v with_o it_o it_o be_v with_o a_o man_n and_o his_o conscience_n as_o with_o one_o man_n and_o another_o among_o who_o we_o use_v to_o say_v that_o even_o reckon_a make_v last_v friend_n and_o the_o way_n to_o make_v reckon_n even_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v to_o make_v they_o often_o delay_n in_o account_n be_v always_o suspicious_a and_o bad_a enough_o in_o themselves_o but_o common_o much_o worse_a in_o their_o cause_n for_o to_o defer_v a_o account_n be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o perplex_v it_o and_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v perplex_v and_o intricate_a no_o man_n either_o as_o to_o his_o temporal_a or_o spiritual_a estate_n can_v know_v of_o himself_o what_o he_o be_v or_o what_o he_o have_v or_o upon_o what_o bottom_n he_o stand_v but_o the_o amaze_a difficulty_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o account_n will_v rather_o terrify_v than_o inform_v he_o and_o keep_v he_o from_o set_v hearty_o about_o such_o a_o task_n as_o he_o despair_v ever_o to_o go_v through_o with_o for_o no_o man_n willing_o begin_v what_o he_o have_v no_o hope_n to_o finish_v but_o let_v a_o man_n apply_v to_o this_o work_n by_o frequent_a return_v and_o short_a interval_n while_o the_o heap_n be_v small_a and_o the_o particular_n few_o and_o he_o will_v find_v it_o easy_a and_o conquerable_a and_o his_o conscience_n like_o a_o faithful_a steward_n shall_v give_v he_o in_o a_o plain_a open_a and_o entire_a account_n of_o himself_o and_o hide_v nothing_o from_o he_o whereas_o we_o know_v if_o a_o steward_n or_o cashier_n be_v suffer_v to_o run_v on_o from_o year_n to_o year_n without_o bring_v he_o to_o a_o reckon_a it_o be_v odds_o but_o such_o a_o sottish_a forbearance_n will_n in_o time_n teach_v he_o to_o shuffle_v and_o strong_o tempt_v he_o to_o be_v a_o cheat_n if_o not_o also_o make_v he_o so_o for_o as_o the_o account_n run_v on_o general_o the_o accountant_a go_v backward_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n some_o judge_n it_o adviseable_a for_o a_o man_n to_o account_v with_o his_o heart_n every_o day_n and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a course_n for_o still_o the_o often_o the_o better_a and_o some_o prescribe_v account_v once_o a_o week_n long_a than_o which_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n safe_a to_o delay_v it_o for_o a_o man_n shall_v find_v his_o heart_n deceitful_a and_o his_o memory_n weak_a and_o nature_n extreme_o averse_a from_o seek_v narrow_o after_o that_o which_o it_o be_v unwilling_a to_o find_v and_o be_v find_v will_v assure_o disturb_v it_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o be_v infinite_o absurd_a to_o think_v that_o conscience_n can_v be_v keep_v in_o order_n without_o frequent_a examination_n if_o a_o man_n will_v have_v his_o conscience_n deal_v clear_o with_o he_o he_o must_v deal_v severe_o with_o that_o often_o scour_v and_o cleanse_v it_o will_v make_v it_o bright_a and_o when_o it_o be_v so_o he_o may_v see_v himself_o in_o it_o and_o if_o he_o see_v any_o thing_n amiss_o let_v this_o satisfy_v he_o that_o no_o man_n be_v or_o can_v be_v the_o worse_a for_o know_v the_o very_o worst_a of_o himself_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o conscience_n by_o a_o long_a neglect_n of_o and_o dis-acquaintance_n with_o itself_o come_v to_o contract_v a_o inveterate_a rust_n or_o soil_n a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o expect_v to_o see_v his_o face_n in_o a_o mudwall_n as_o that_o such_o a_o conscience_n shall_v give_v he_o a_o true_a report_n of_o his_o condition_n no_o it_o leave_v he_o whole_o in_o the_o dark_a as_o to_o the_o great_a concern_v he_o have_v in_o both_o world_n he_o can_v neither_o tell_v whether_o god_n be_v his_o friend_n or_o his_o enemy_n or_o rather_o he_o have_v shrewd_a cause_n to_o suspect_v he_o his_o enemy_n and_o can_v possible_o know_v he_o to_o be_v his_o friend_n and_o this_o be_v his_o case_n he_o must_v live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o die_v in_o ignorance_n and_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o a_o man_n to_o die_v in_o it_o without_o die_v for_o it_o too_o and_o now_o what_o a_o wretched_a condition_n must_v that_o man_n need_v be_v in_o who_o heart_n be_v in_o such_o confusion_n such_o darkness_n and_o such_o a_o settle_a blindness_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o tell_v he_o so_o much_o as_o one_o true_a word_n of_o himself_o flatter_v he_o it_o may_v i_o confess_v as_o those_o be_v general_o good_a at_o flatter_v who_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o else_o but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o poor_a man_n be_v leave_v under_o the_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o a_o remediless_a delusion_n for_o in_o judge_v of_o a_o man_n self_n if_o conscience_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o inform_v he_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a thing_n call_v self-love_n that_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o deceive_v he_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v in_o four_o several_a particular_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v both_o for_o the_o get_n and_o keep_v of_o the_o conscience_n so_o inform_v as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v we_o a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n as_o 1._o that_o the_o voice_n of_o reason_n in_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a morality_n ought_v careful_o to_o be_v attend_v to_o by_o a_o strict_a observance_n of_o what_o it_o command_v but_o especial_o of_o what_o it_o forbid_v 2._o that_o every_o pious_a motion_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n ought_v tender_o to_o be_v cherish_v and_o by_o no_o mean_n check_v or_o quench_v either_o by_o resistance_n or_o neglect_v 3._o that_o conscience_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v close_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o write_a word_n 4_o lie_n and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v frequent_o to_o be_v examine_v and_o severe_o account_v with_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o conscience_n thus_o discipline_v shall_v give_v