Christ's yoke an easy yoke, and yet the gate to heaven a strait gate in two excellent sermons, well worthy the serious perusal of the strictest professors / by a learned and reverend divine.
         Taylor, Jeremy, 1613-1667.
      
       
         
           1675
        
      
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             Christ's yoke an easy yoke, and yet the gate to heaven a strait gate in two excellent sermons, well worthy the serious perusal of the strictest professors / by a learned and reverend divine.
             Taylor, Jeremy, 1613-1667.
             Hove, Frederick Hendrick van, 1628?-1698.
          
           [6], 87, [5] p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
           
             Printed for F. Smith ...,
             London :
             1675.
          
           
             Attributed to Taylor by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Includes engraved frontispiece portrait of Jeremy Taylor by F. H. Van Houe.
             Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Matthew XI, 30 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           CHRIST'S
           YOKE
           AN
           EASY
           YOKE
           ,
           And
           yet
           the
           Gate
           to
           Heaven
           a
           
             Strait
             Gate
          
           .
           In
           two
           excellent
           SERMONS
           ,
           Well
           worthy
           the
           serious
           perusal
           of
           the
           strictest
           Professors
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Learned
           and
           Reverend
           Divine
           .
        
         
           
             HEB.
             11.4
             .
          
           
             Who
             being
             dead
             ,
             yet
             speaketh
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             F.
             Smith
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Eliphant
           and
           Castle
           near
           the
           Royal
           Exehange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
           1675.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
             D.
             IER
             .
             TAYLOR
             OBIIT
             AVG
             13.
             1667.
             
          
        
         
           F.
           H.
           Van
           Houe
           fec
        
         
           
             Wee
             Speak
             not
             great
             things
             ,
             But
             Liue
             them
             ,
          
           
             Variety
             in
             Opinion
             &
             unity
             In
             affection
             are
             not
             Inconsistent
          
        
         
           Printed
           for
           f.
           smith
           at
           y
           e
           Elephant
           ●
           .
           Castle
           in
           Cornhill
           .
        
         
         
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             READER
             ,
          
        
         
           THese
           Sermons
           need
           no
           Epistle
           of
           Commendation
           before
           them
           ;
           the
           Works
           of
           this
           Reverend
           Author
           (
           already
           extant
           praise
           him
           in
           the
           Gates
           :
           By
           means
           of
           a
           Person
           of
           Honour
           yet
           living
           ,
           they
           are
           now
           come
           
           into
           the
           Press
           for
           Publick
           use
           and
           benefit
           .
           For
           the
           subject
           matter
           of
           these
           excellent
           Sermons
           ,
           it
           is
           of
           all
           other
           the
           most
           necessary
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           Way
           of
           Christ
           pleasant
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           assure
           us
           of
           a
           blessed
           and
           glorious
           Reward
           at
           the
           end
           :
           Both
           which
           are
           handled
           by
           a
           Workman
           that
           needeth
           not
           to
           be
           ashamed
           .
           What
           can
           more
           endear
           a
           Christian
           to
           the
           obedience
           of
           Christ
           ,
           than
           to
           find
           his
           very
           Yoke
           made
           easie
           ,
           none
           of
           his
           Commands
           grievous
           ,
           but
           his
           Ways
           ,
           ways
           of
           pleasantness
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           Paths
           peace
           ;
           besides
           the
           great
           and
           everlasting
           Reward
           to
           all
           them
           that
           walk
           in
           them
           ?
           And
           to
           quicken
           our
           diligence
           ,
           that
           we
           be
           not
           slothful
           ,
           but
           followers
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           through
           faith
           and
           obedience
           inherit
           the
           promises
           ,
           the
           Author
           hath
           added
           another
           serious
           and
           weighty
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           shew
           us
           ,
           That
           strait
           is
           the
           Gate
           ,
           and
           narrow
           is
           the
           Way
           that
           leadeth
           unto
           life
           .
        
         
         
           Though
           Christs
           Precepts
           are
           plain
           and
           easie
           to
           a
           sincere
           heart
           ,
           that
           truly
           loves
           him
           ;
           yet
           his
           Promises
           are
           not
           to
           be
           obtained
           but
           by
           a
           universal
           endeavour
           ,
           in
           a
           uniform
           obedience
           to
           all
           his
           Commands
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           Christs
           Yoke
           is
           easie
           ;
           this
           should
           invite
           us
           to
           take
           his
           Yoke
           upon
           us
           :
           The
           Way
           is
           narrow
           that
           leadeth
           unto
           life
           ,
           this
           should
           provoke
           us
           with
           care
           and
           circumspection
           to
           walk
           in
           it
           .
           The
           Reward
           is
           certain
           and
           infinite
           ,
           this
           should
           encourage
           us
           ,
           with
           greatest
           diligence
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           at
           last
           obtain
           the
           Promise
           .
        
         
           This
           we
           dout
           nobt
           was
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Author
           in
           preaching
           these
           Sermons
           ;
           and
           we
           do
           assure
           thee
           no
           less
           in
           printing
           of
           them
           :
           Which
           that
           they
           may
           conduce
           to
           so
           happy
           and
           blessed
           
           an
           end
           ,
           is
           the
           hearty
           desire
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           the
           sincere
           prayer
           of
           thy
        
         
           
             Friend
             ,
             to
             serve
             thee
             ,
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           CHRIST'S
           YOKE
           An
           Easie
           YOKE
           .
        
         
           
             
               Matth.
               11.30
               .
            
             
               For
               my
               Yoke
               is
               easie
               ,
               and
               my
               Burden
               is
               light
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Holy
           JESUS
           came
           to
           break
           from
           off
           our
           necks
           two
           great
           Yokes
           :
           the
           one
           of
           sin
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           were
           fettered
           and
           imprisoned
           in
           the
           condition
           of
           Slaves
           and
           miserable
           persons
           ;
           the
           other
           of
           
             Mose's
             Law
          
           ,
           by
           
           which
           we
           are
           kept
           in
           pupillage
           and
           minority
           ,
           and
           a
           state
           of
           imperfection
           ,
           and
           asserted
           unto
           us
           
             the
             glorious
             Liberty
             of
             the
             Sons
             of
             God.
          
           The
           first
           was
           a
           despotick
           Empire
           ,
           the
           Government
           of
           a
           Tyrant
           ;
           the
           second
           was
           of
           a
           School-Master
           ,
           severe
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           in
           order
           to
           a
           further
           good
           ,
           yet
           nothing
           pleasant
           in
           the
           suffering
           and
           load
           .
           And
           now
           Christ
           having
           taken
           off
           these
           two
           ,
           hath
           put
           on
           a
           third
           :
           he
           quits
           us
           of
           our
           burden
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           hath
           chang'd
           the
           former
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           perfect
           Discipline
           ,
           into
           the
           sweetness
           of
           paternal
           Regiment
           ,
           and
           the
           excellency
           of
           such
           an
           Institution
           ,
           
             whose
             every
             Precept
             carries
             part
             of
             its
             reward
             in
             hand
             ,
             and
             assurance
             of
             after
             Glories
             .
          
        
         
           Moses
           Law
           was
           like
           sharp
           and
           unpleasant
           Physick
           ,
           certainly
           painful
           ,
           but
           uncertainly
           healthful
           .
           For
           it
           was
           not
           then
           communicated
           to
           them
           by
           Promise
           and
           universal
           Revelation
           ,
           
           that
           the
           end
           of
           their
           Obedience
           should
           be
           Life
           Eternal
           .
           But
           they
           ere
           full
           of
           hopes
           it
           might
           be
           so
           ;
           as
           we
           are
           of
           health
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           a
           learned
           and
           wise
           Physician
           :
           But
           as
           yet
           the
           reward
           was
           in
           a
           cloud
           ,
           and
           the
           hopes
           in
           fetters
           and
           confinement
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           is
           like
           Christ's
           healing
           of
           Diseases
           ,
           he
           does
           it
           easily
           ,
           and
           he
           does
           it
           infallibly
           .
           The
           event
           is
           certainly
           cons●quent
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           cure
           is
           by
           a
           touch
           of
           his
           Hand
           ,
           or
           a
           word
           of
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           or
           an
           approximation
           to
           the
           hem
           of
           his
           Garment
           ,
           without
           pains
           and
           vexatious
           Instruments
           .
           My
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           Christianity
           is
           by
           the
           assistance
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           which
           he
           promised
           us
           ,
           and
           gave
           us
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           made
           very
           easy
           to
           us
           :
           and
           yet
           a
           reward
           so
           great
           is
           promised
           ,
           as
           were
           enough
           to
           make
           a
           lame
           Man
           to
           walk
           ,
           and
           a
           broken
           Arm
           endure
           the
           burden
           :
           a
           
           Reward
           great
           enough
           to
           make
           us
           willing
           to
           do
           
             violence
             to
             all
             our
             Inclinations
             ,
             Passions
             and
             Desires
             .
          
           A
           hundred
           weight
           to
           a
           Giant
           is
           a
           light
           burden
           ,
           because
           his
           strength
           is
           disproportionably
           great
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           as
           easie
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           an
           ounce
           is
           to
           a
           Child
           .
           And
           yet
           if
           we
           had
           not
           the
           strength
           of
           Giants
           ,
           if
           the
           hundred
           weight
           were
           of
           Gold
           or
           Jewels
           ,
           a
           weaker
           person
           would
           think
           it
           no
           trouble
           to
           bear
           that
           burden
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           the
           reward
           of
           his
           portage
           ,
           and
           the
           hire
           of
           his
           labours
           .
           The
           Spirit
           is
           given
           us
           to
           enable
           us
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           is
           promised
           to
           encourage
           us
           ;
           the
           first
           makes
           us
           able
           ,
           and
           the
           second
           makes
           us
           willing
           :
           and
           when
           we
           have
           power
           and
           affections
           we
           cannot
           complain
           of
           pressure
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour's
           invitation
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           Mat.
           11.30
           .
           Which
           St.
           John
           also
           observed
           ,
           1
           John
           5.4
           ,
           5.
           
           
             For
             this
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commendments
             ;
             
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
             For
             whatsoever
             is
             born
             of
             God
             ,
             overcometh
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             Victory
             that
             overcometh
             ,
             even
             our
             Faith
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           our
           belief
           of
           God's
           Promises
           ;
           the
           promise
           of
           the
           Spirit
           for
           present
           aid
           ,
           and
           of
           Heaven
           for
           the
           future
           reward
           ,
           is
           strength
           enough
           to
           overcome
           all
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           But
           besides
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           made
           his
           Yoke
           easie
           by
           exterior
           supports
           more
           than
           ever
           was
           in
           any
           other
           Religion
           ,
           Christianity
           is
           of
           it self
           ,
           according
           to
           humane
           estimate
           ,
           a
           Religion
           more
           easie
           ,
           and
           desirable
           by
           our
           natural
           and
           reasonable
           appetites
           ,
           than
           Sin
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           its
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           imaginary
           felicities
           .
           Vertue
           hath
           more
           pleasure
           in
           it
           than
           Sin
           ,
           and
           hath
           all
           satisfaction
           to
           every
           desire
           of
           Man
           in
           order
           to
           humane
           and
           prudent
           ends
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           represent
           in
           the
           consideration
           of
           these
           particulars
           .
        
         
           
           
             I.
             To
             live
             according
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             Jesus
             ,
             is
             in
             some
             things
             most
             natural
             and
             proportionable
             to
             the
             desires
             and
             first
             intentions
             of
             nature
             .
          
           
             II.
             There
             is
             in
             it
             less
             trouble
             than
             in
             Sin.
             
          
           
             III.
             It
             conduces
             infinitely
             to
             the
             content
             of
             our
             lives
             ,
             and
             natural
             and
             political
             satisfaction
             .
          
           
             IV.
             It
             is
             a
             means
             to
             preserve
             our
             temporal
             Lives
             long
             and
             healthy
             .
          
           
             V.
             It
             is
             most
             reasonable
             ;
             and
             he
             only
             
             is
             prudent
             that
             does
             so
             ,
             and
             he
             a
             fool
             that
             does
             not
             ;
             and
             all
             this
             ,
             beside
             the
             consideration
             of
             a
             glorious
             and
             happy
             Eternity
             .
          
        
         
           
             I.
             
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             first
             I
             consider
             ,
             that
             we
             do
             very
             ill
             ,
             when
             instead
             of
             making
             our
             natural
             infirmity
             an
             instrument
             of
             humility
             ,
             and
             of
             recourse
             to
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ;
             we
             pretend
             the
             Sin
             of
             Adam
             to
             countenance
             our
             actual
             sins
             ;
             natural
             infirmity
             to
             excuse
             our
             malice
             ,
             either
             laying
             Adam
             in
             fault
             for
             deriving
             the
             disability
             upon
             us
             ,
             or
             God
             for
             puting
             us
             into
             the
             necessity
             .
             But
             the
             evils
             that
             we
             feel
             in
             this
             ,
             are
             from
             the
             rebellion
             of
             the
             inferior
             appetite
             against
             Reason
             ,
             or
             against
             any
             Religion
             that
             puts
             restraint
             upon
             our
             first
             desires
             .
             And
             therefore
             in
             carnal
             and
             sensual
             instances
             ,
             accidentally
             we
             find
             the
             more
             natural
             aversness
             ,
             because
             God's
             
             Laws
             have
             put
             our
             irrascible
             and
             concupiscible
             faculties
             in
             fetters
             and
             restraints
             :
             yet
             in
             matters
             of
             Duty
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             immaterial
             and
             spiritual
             concernment
             ,
             
               all
               our
               natural
               reason
               is
               a
               perfect
               enemy
               and
               contradiction
               to
               ,
               and
               a
               Law
               against
               Vice.
            
             It
             is
             natural
             for
             us
             to
             love
             our
             Parents
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             do
             not
             ,
             are
             unnatural
             ,
             they
             do
             violence
             to
             those
             dispositions
             which
             God
             gave
             us
             to
             the
             constitution
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             designs
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             all
             those
             tendernesses
             of
             affection
             ,
             those
             bowels
             and
             relenting
             dispositions
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             endearments
             of
             Parents
             and
             Children
             ,
             are
             also
             the
             bands
             of
             Duty
             .
             Every
             degree
             of
             love
             makes
             Duty
             delectable
             ,
             and
             therefore
             either
             by
             Nature
             we
             are
             inclined
             to
             hate
             our
             Parents
             (
             which
             is
             against
             all
             Reason
             and
             Experience
             )
             or
             else
             we
             are
             enclined
             to
             do
             them
             all
             that
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             love
             to
             such
             superiors
             ,
             and
             principles
             
             of
             being
             and
             dependency
             ;
             and
             every
             prevarication
             from
             the
             Rule
             ,
             Effects
             and
             Expresses
             of
             Love
             ,
             is
             a
             contradiction
             to
             Nature
             ,
             and
             a
             mortification
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             cannot
             be
             invited
             by
             any
             thing
             from
             within
             ,
             but
             by
             something
             from
             without
             ,
             that●s
             violent
             and
             preternatural
             .
             There
             are
             also
             many
             other
             Virtues
             even
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             sensual
             appetite
             ,
             which
             none
             can
             lose
             but
             by
             altering
             in
             some
             degree
             the
             natural
             disposition
             ;
             and
             I
             instance
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             carnality
             and
             uncleanness
             ,
             to
             which
             possibly
             some
             natures
             may
             think
             themselves
             apt
             and
             dispos'd
             ;
             but
             yet
             God
             hath
             put
             into
             our
             mouths
             a
             bridle
             to
             curb
             the
             licentiousness
             of
             our
             speedy
             appetite
             ,
             putting
             into
             our
             very
             natures
             ,
             a
             principle
             as
             strong
             to
             restrain
             it
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             in
             us
             a
             disposition
             apt
             to
             invite
             us
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             also
             in
             those
             who
             are
             most
             apt
             to
             the
             Vice.
             Women
             and
             young
             Persons
             ,
             to
             
             
             
             
             
             whom
             God
             hath
             given
             a
             modesty
             ,
             and
             shame
             of
             nature
             ,
             that
             the
             entertainment
             of
             Lust
             may
             become
             contradictory
             to
             our
             retreating
             and
             backward
             modesty
             ,
             more
             than
             they
             are
             satisfactory
             to
             our
             too
             forward
             appetites
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             as
             great
             a
             mortification
             and
             violence
             to
             Nature
             to
             blush
             ,
             as
             to
             lose
             a
             desire
             ;
             and
             we
             find
             it
             true
             ,
             when
             persons
             are
             invited
             to
             confess
             their
             sins
             ,
             or
             to
             ask
             forgiveness
             publickly
             ;
             a
             secret
             smart
             is
             not
             so
             violent
             ,
             as
             a
             publick
             shame
             .
             And
             therefore
             to
             do
             an
             action
             which
             brings
             shame
             all
             along
             ,
             opens
             the
             sanctuaries
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             makes
             all
             her
             retirements
             publick
             ,
             and
             dismantles
             her
             inclosure
             ,
             as
             Lust
             does
             ;
             and
             the
             shame
             of
             carnality
             hath
             in
             it
             more
             asperity
             and
             abuse
             to
             Nature
             ,
             than
             the
             short
             minutes
             of
             pleasure
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             are
             invited
             ,
             can
             repay
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             unnatural
             Lusts
             ;
             Lusts
             ,
             
             which
             are
             such
             in
             their
             very
             condition
             and
             constitution
             ,
             that
             a
             Man
             must
             turn
             a
             Woman
             ,
             and
             a
             Woman
             become
             a
             Beast
             in
             acting
             them
             :
             and
             all
             Lusts
             that
             are
             not
             unnatural
             in
             their
             own
             complexion
             ,
             are
             unnatural
             by
             a
             consequent
             and
             accidental
             violence
             .
             And
             if
             Lust
             hath
             in
             it
             dissonancies
             to
             Nature
             ,
             there
             are
             but
             few
             Apologies
             left
             to
             excuse
             our
             Sins
             upon
             Natures
             stock
             ;
             and
             all
             that
             system
             of
             principles
             ,
             and
             reasonable
             inducements
             to
             Virtue
             ,
             which
             we
             call
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             that
             firm
             ligature
             and
             incorporation
             of
             Virtue
             to
             our
             natural
             principles
             and
             dispositions
             ,
             which
             whoso
             prevaricates
             does
             more
             against
             Nature
             ,
             than
             he
             that
             restrains
             his
             appetite
             .
             And
             besides
             these
             particulars
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             in
             our
             natural
             discourses
             any
             inclination
             directly
             or
             by
             intention
             of
             it self
             contrary
             to
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             by
             [
             God
             ]
             we
             
             understand
             that
             fountain
             of
             being
             ,
             which
             is
             infinitely
             perfect
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             of
             great
             good
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             is
             so
             apprehended
             it
             is
             as
             natural
             for
             us
             to
             love
             ,
             as
             to
             love
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             for
             we
             can
             love
             nothing
             but
             what
             we
             believe
             to
             be
             good
             in
             it self
             ,
             or
             good
             to
             us
             .
             And
             beyond
             this
             there
             are
             in
             Nature
             many
             Principles
             and
             Reasons
             to
             make
             an
             aptness
             to
             acknowledge
             and
             confess
             God
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             Nations
             ,
             which
             they
             also
             have
             learned
             from
             the
             Dictates
             of
             their
             Nature
             ,
             all
             Men
             in
             some
             manner
             or
             other
             worship
             God.
             
          
           
             And
             therefore
             when
             this
             our
             Nature
             is
             determined
             in
             its
             own
             indefinite
             principle
             to
             the
             manner
             of
             Worship
             ,
             all
             acts
             against
             the
             Love
             ,
             the
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             are
             also
             against
             Nature
             ,
             and
             offer
             it
             some
             rudeness
             and
             violence
             .
             And
             I
             shall
             observe
             this
             ,
             and
             refer
             it
             to
             every
             
             Man's
             Reason
             and
             Experience
             ,
             that
             the
             great
             difficulties
             commonly
             apprehended
             ,
             commence
             not
             so
             much
             upon
             the
             stock
             of
             Nature
             as
             of
             Education
             ,
             and
             evil
             habits
             .
             
               Our
               Virtues
               are
               difficult
               ,
               because
               we
               at
               first
               get
               ill
               habits
            
             ;
             and
             these
             habits
             must
             be
             unrooted
             ,
             before
             we
             do
             well
             ,
             and
             that
             's
             our
             trouble
             .
             But
             if
             by
             the
             strictness
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             wholsome
             Education
             ,
             we
             begin
             at
             first
             in
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             practice
             of
             vertuous
             Principles
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             Vertue
             made
             as
             natural
             to
             us
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             customary
             and
             habitual
             ,
             as
             we
             pretend
             infirmity
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             propensity
             to
             vitious
             practices
             .
             And
             this
             we
             are
             taught
             by
             that
             excellent
             Hebrew
             ;
             who
             said
             :
             
               Wisdom
               is
               easily
               seen
               of
               them
               that
               love
               her
               ,
               and
               found
               of
               such
               as
               seek
               her
            
             :
             she
             preventeth
             them
             that
             desire
             her
             ,
             in
             making
             her self
             first
             known
             unto
             them
             .
             
               Whoso
               seeketh
               her
               early
               shall
               have
               no
               great
               travel
               ,
               for
               he
               shall
               find
               her
               sitting
               
               at
               his
               doors
               ,
            
             Wisd.
             6.12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
          
           
             In
             the
             strict
             observance
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             Christianity
             there
             is
             less
             trouble
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             habitual
             courses
             of
             Sin.
             For
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             general
             design
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             it
             propounds
             to
             us
             in
             this
             world
             nothing
             that
             is
             of
             difficult
             purchase
             ,
             nothing
             beyond
             what
             God
             allo●s
             us
             by
             the
             ordinary
             and
             common
             providence
             ,
             such
             things
             which
             w●
             are
             to
             receive
             without
             care
             and
             solicitous
             vexations
             ;
             
               So
               that
               the
               ends
               are
               nothing
               ,
               and
               the
               way
               is
               easie
            
             ;
             and
             this
             walk●d
             over
             with
             much
             simplicity
             and
             sweetness
             ,
             and
             those
             obtained
             without
             difficulty
             .
          
           
             He
             that
             propounds
             to
             live
             low
             ,
             pious
             ,
             humble
             and
             retir'd
             ,
             his
             main
             imployment
             is
             nothing
             but
             sitting
             quiet
             ,
             and
             undisturb'd
             with
             variety
             of
             impertinent
             affairs
             .
             But
             he
             that
             loves
             the
             
             World
             &
             its
             acquisitions
             ,
             entertains
             a
             thousand
             businesses
             ,
             and
             every
             business
             hath
             a
             world
             of
             imployment
             ,
             and
             every
             imployment
             is
             multiplied
             and
             made
             intricate
             by
             circumstances
             ,
             and
             every
             circumstance
             is
             to
             be
             disputed
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             disputes
             ,
             ever
             hath
             two
             sides
             in
             enmity
             and
             opposition
             ,
             and
             by
             this
             time
             there
             is
             a
             genealogie
             ,
             a
             long
             descent
             and
             cognation
             of
             troubles
             ,
             branch'd
             into
             so
             many
             particulars
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             troublesome
             to
             understand
             them
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             to
             run
             through
             them
          
           
             The
             wayes
             of
             Virtue
             ,
             are
             much
             upon
             the
             defensive
             ,
             and
             the
             works
             one
             ,
             uniform
             and
             little
             :
             they
             are
             like
             War
             within
             a
             strong
             Castle
             ,
             if
             they
             stand
             upon
             their
             guard
             ,
             they
             seldom
             need
             to
             strike
             a
             stroke
             .
             But
             Vice
             is
             like
             storming
             of
             a
             Fort
             ,
             full
             of
             Noise
             ,
             Trouble
             ,
             Labour
             ,
             Danger
             and
             Disease
             .
          
           
             How
             easie
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             to
             restore
             
             the
             pledge
             !
             but
             if
             a
             Man
             means
             to
             defeat
             him
             that
             trusted
             him
             ,
             what
             a
             world
             of
             Arts
             must
             he
             use
             to
             make
             pretences
             ?
             to
             delay
             first
             ,
             then
             to
             excuse
             ,
             then
             to
             object
             ,
             then
             to
             intricate
             the
             business
             ,
             next
             to
             quarrel
             ,
             then
             to
             forsware
             it
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             way
             to
             palliate
             his
             Crime
             ,
             and
             represent
             himself
             honest
             .
             And
             if
             an
             oppressing
             and
             greedy
             person
             have
             a
             design
             to
             cozen
             a
             young
             Heir
             ,
             or
             to
             get
             his
             neighbours
             Land
             ,
             the
             cares
             of
             every
             day
             ,
             and
             the
             interruptions
             of
             every
             nights
             sleep
             are
             more
             ,
             than
             the
             purchase
             is
             worth
             ;
             since
             he
             might
             buy
             Virtue
             at
             half
             that
             watching
             ,
             and
             the
             less
             painful
             care
             of
             a
             fewer
             number
             of
             dayes
             .
             A
             plain
             story
             is
             soonest
             told
             ,
             and
             best
             confutes
             an
             intricate
             Lye.
             And
             when
             a
             Person
             is
             examined
             in
             Judgment
             ,
             one
             false
             Answer
             asks
             more
             Wit
             for
             its
             support
             and
             maintenance
             ,
             than
             a
             History
             of
             Truth
             .
             And
             such
             persons
             are
             put
             
             to
             so
             many
             shameful
             retreats
             ,
             false
             colour
             ,
             fucus's
             ,
             and
             dawbings
             with
             untempered
             mortar
             to
             avoid
             contradiction
             or
             discovery
             ,
             that
             the
             labour
             of
             a
             false
             story
             seems
             in
             the
             order
             of
             things
             to
             be
             design'd
             the
             beginning
             of
             its
             punishment
             .
             And
             if
             we
             consider
             how
             great
             a
             part
             of
             our
             Religion
             consists
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             how
             easie
             a
             thing
             God
             requires
             of
             us
             ,
             when
             he
             commands
             us
             to
             pray
             for
             blessings
             ,
             the
             duty
             of
             a
             Christian
             cannot
             seem
             very
             troublesome
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             I
             can
             hardly
             instance
             in
             any
             Vice
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             visibly
             more
             pain
             in
             the
             order
             of
             acting
             and
             observing
             it
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             acquist
             or
             promotion
             of
             Vertue
             .
             I
             have
             seen
             drunken
             persons
             in
             their
             seas
             of
             Drink
             and
             Talk
             ,
             dread
             every
             Cup
             as
             a
             blow
             ,
             and
             have
             used
             devices
             and
             private
             arts
             to
             escape
             the
             punishment
             of
             a
             
               full
               draught
            
             ;
             and
             the
             poor
             wretch
             being
             condemned
             by
             the
             laws
             of
             drinking
             
             to
             his
             measure
             ,
             was
             forced
             and
             haled
             to
             execution
             ,
             and
             he
             suffered
             it
             ,
             and
             thought
             himself
             engaged
             to
             that
             person
             ,
             who
             with
             much
             kindness
             and
             importunity
             invited
             him
             to
             a
             Fever
             ;
             but
             certainly
             there
             was
             more
             pain
             in
             it
             than
             in
             the
             strictness
             of
             holy
             and
             severe
             Temperance
             .
             And
             he
             that
             shall
             compare
             the
             troubles
             and
             dangers
             of
             an
             
               Ambitious
               War
            
             with
             the
             gentleness
             and
             easiness
             of
             Peace
             ,
             will
             soon
             perceive
             that
             every
             Tyrant
             and
             usurping
             Prince
             ,
             that
             snatches
             at
             his
             Neighbours
             Rights
             ,
             hath
             two
             Armies
             ,
             one
             of
             Men
             ,
             the
             other
             of
             Cares
             .
             Peace
             sheds
             no
             Blood
             but
             that
             of
             the
             pruned
             Vine
             ,
             and
             hath
             no
             business
             but
             modest
             and
             quiet
             entertainments
             of
             the
             time
             opportune
             for
             Piety
             ,
             and
             circled
             with
             reward
             .
             But
             God
             often
             punishes
             Ambition
             and
             Pride
             with
             Lust
             ,
             and
             he
             sent
             a
             Thorn
             in
             the
             flesh
             as
             a
             corrective
             to
             the
             Elevations
             of
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             growing
             
             up
             from
             the
             multitude
             of
             his
             Revelations
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             not
             likely
             the
             Punishment
             should
             have
             less
             trouble
             than
             the
             Crime
             ,
             whose
             Pleasures
             and
             Obliquity
             this
             was
             design'd
             to
             punish
             .
             And
             indeed
             every
             Experience
             can
             verifie
             ,
             that
             an
             Adulterer
             hath
             in
             him
             the
             impatience
             of
             Desires
             ,
             the
             burnings
             of
             Lust
             ,
             the
             fear
             of
             Shame
             ,
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             a
             jealous
             ,
             abus'd
             and
             enraged
             Husband
             .
             Heendures
             affronts
             ,
             mistimings
             ,
             tedious
             waitings
             ,
             the
             dulness
             of
             delay
             ,
             the
             regret
             of
             in●erruption
             ,
             the
             confusion
             and
             amazements
             of
             discovery
             ,
             the
             scorns
             of
             a
             reproached
             Vice
             ,
             the
             debasings
             of
             contempt
             upon
             it
             ;
             unless
             the
             Man
             grows
             impudent
             ,
             and
             then
             he
             is
             more
             miserable
             upon
             another
             stock
             .
             But
             David
             was
             so
             put
             to
             it
             ,
             to
             attempt
             ,
             to
             obtain
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             Bathsheba
             ,
             and
             to
             prevent
             the
             shame
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             difficulty
             was
             greater
             than
             all
             his
             Wit
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             it
             drove
             him
             
             into
             base
             and
             unworthy
             Arts
             ,
             which
             discovered
             him
             the
             more
             ,
             and
             multiplied
             his
             Crime
             :
             But
             while
             he
             enjoyed
             the
             innocent
             pleasures
             of
             his
             lawful
             Bed
             ,
             he
             had
             no
             more
             trouble
             in
             it
             ,
             than
             there
             was
             in
             inclining
             his
             Head
             upon
             his
             Pillow
             .
             Vertue
             hath
             not
             half
             so
             much
             trouble
             in
             it
             ,
             it
             sleeps
             quietly
             without
             startings
             and
             affrighting
             fancies
             ,
             it
             looks
             cheerfully
             ,
             smiles
             with
             much
             serenity
             ;
             and
             though
             it
             laughs
             not
             often
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             ever
             delightful
             in
             the
             apprehentions
             of
             some
             faculty
             .
             It
             fears
             no
             Man
             ,
             nor
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             is
             it
             discomposed
             ;
             and
             hath
             no
             concernments
             in
             the
             great
             alterations
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             entertains
             Death
             like
             a
             Friend
             ,
             and
             reckons
             the
             issues
             of
             it
             as
             the
             greatest
             of
             his
             hopes
             :
             But
             Ambition
             is
             full
             of
             distraction
             ,
             it
             teems
             with
             stratagems
             as
             Rebecca
             with
             struggling
             Twins
             ,
             and
             is
             swell'd
             with
             expectation
             as
             a
             Tympany
             ,
             and
             sleeps
             sometimes
             
             as
             the
             Wind
             in
             a
             Storm
             ,
             still
             and
             quiet
             for
             a
             minute
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             burst
             out
             in
             an
             impetuous
             blast
             ,
             till
             the
             chordage
             of
             his
             Heart-strings
             crack
             ;
             Fears
             when
             none
             is
             nigh
             ;
             prevents
             things
             ,
             which
             never
             had
             intention
             ,
             and
             falls
             under
             the
             inevitability
             of
             such
             accidents
             ,
             which
             either
             could
             not
             be
             foreseen
             ,
             or
             not
             prevented
             .
             The
             wayes
             of
             Sin
             are
             crooked
             ,
             desert
             ,
             rocky
             and
             uneven
             ;
             they
             are
             broad
             indeed
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             variety
             of
             ruins
             ,
             and
             allurements
             to
             entice
             Fools
             ,
             and
             a
             large
             Theater
             to
             act
             the
             bloody
             Tragedy
             of
             Souls
             upon
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             nothing
             smooth
             ,
             or
             safe
             ,
             or
             delicate
             .
             The
             wayes
             of
             Vertue
             are
             strait
             ,
             but
             not
             crooked
             ;
             narrow
             ,
             but
             not
             unpleasant
             .
             There
             are
             two
             Vices
             for
             one
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             way
             to
             Hell
             must
             needs
             be
             of
             greater
             extent
             ,
             latitude
             and
             dissemination
             .
             But
             because
             Vertue
             is
             but
             one
             way
             ,
             therefore
             it
             is
             easie
             ,
             regular
             ,
             
             and
             apt
             to
             walk
             in
             without
             errour
             or
             diversions
             .
          
           
             
               Narrow
               is
               the
               Gate
               ,
               and
               strait
               is
               the
               way
            
             :
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             considering
             our
             evil
             customs
             and
             depraved
             Natures
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             have
             made
             it
             so
             to
             us
             .
             But
             God
             hath
             made
             it
             more
             passable
             by
             his
             Grace
             and
             present
             Aids
             ;
             and
             St.
             
               John
               Baptist
            
             receiving
             his
             commission
             to
             Preach
             Repentance
             ,
             it
             was
             expressed
             in
             these
             words
             ,
             
               make
               plain
               the
               paths
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             Indeed
             Repentance
             is
             a
             rough
             and
             a
             sharp
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             like
             a
             Mattock
             and
             Spade
             breaks
             away
             all
             the
             roughness
             of
             the
             passage
             ,
             and
             hindrances
             of
             sin
             ;
             but
             when
             we
             enter
             into
             the
             dispositions
             which
             Christ
             hath
             design'd
             to
             us
             ,
             the
             way
             is
             more
             plain
             and
             easie
             than
             the
             wayes
             of
             Death
             and
             Hell.
             Labour
             it
             hath
             in
             it
             ,
             just
             as
             all
             things
             that
             are
             excellent
             ,
             but
             no
             confusions
             ,
             no
             distractions
             of
             thoughts
             ,
             no
             amazements
             ,
             no
             labyrinths
             ,
             and
             
             intricacy
             of
             counsels
             ;
             But
             it
             is
             like
             the
             Labours
             of
             Agriculture
             ,
             full
             of
             health
             and
             simplicity
             ,
             plain
             and
             profitable
             ,
             requiring
             diligence
             ,
             but
             such
             ,
             in
             which
             crafts
             and
             painful
             stratagems
             are
             useless
             ,
             and
             impertinent
             .
             But
             Vice
             hath
             oftentimes
             so
             troublesome
             a
             retinue
             ,
             and
             so
             many
             objections
             in
             the
             event
             of
             things
             ,
             is
             so
             intangled
             in
             difficult
             and
             contradictory
             circumstances
             ,
             hath
             in
             it
             parts
             so
             opposit
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             so
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             present
             condition
             of
             the
             Man
             ,
             or
             some
             secret
             design
             of
             his
             ,
             that
             those
             little
             pleasures
             ,
             which
             are
             its
             fucus
             and
             pretence
             ,
             are
             less
             perceiv'd
             and
             least
             enjoyed
             ,
             while
             they
             begin
             in
             phantastick
             Semblances
             ,
             and
             rise
             up
             in
             smoak
             ,
             vain
             and
             hurtful
             ,
             and
             end
             in
             dissatisfaction
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             is
             considerable
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Sinner
             ,
             and
             the
             Devil
             ,
             all
             joyn
             in
             increasing
             the
             difficulty
             and
             trouble
             of
             Sin
             ;
             upon
             contrary
             design
             's
             
             
             
             
             
             indeed
             ,
             but
             all
             cooperate
             to
             the
             verification
             of
             this
             Discourse
             .
             For
             God
             by
             his
             restraining
             Grace
             ,
             the
             checks
             of
             a
             tender
             Conscience
             ,
             the
             bands
             of
             publick
             Honesty
             ,
             the
             sense
             of
             Honour
             and
             Reputation
             ,
             the
             customs
             of
             Nations
             ,
             and
             the
             severities
             of
             Laws
             ,
             makes
             ,
             that
             in
             most
             Men
             the
             choice
             of
             Vice
             is
             imperfect
             ,
             dubious
             and
             troublesome
             ,
             the
             pleasures
             abated
             ,
             the
             apprehensions
             various
             ,
             and
             in
             differing
             degrees
             ;
             and
             Men
             act
             their
             Crimes
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             disputing
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Ballance
             is
             cast
             by
             a
             few
             Grains
             ;
             and
             scruples
             vex
             and
             disquiet
             the
             possession
             ;
             and
             the
             difference
             is
             perceived
             to
             be
             so
             little
             ,
             that
             inconsideration
             and
             inadvertency
             is
             the
             greatest
             means
             to
             determine
             many
             Men
             to
             the
             entertainment
             of
             a
             Sin.
             
          
           
             And
             this
             God
             does
             with
             a
             design
             to
             lessen
             our
             choice
             ,
             and
             disabuse
             our
             perswasions
             from
             Arguments
             and
             
             weak
             pretences
             of
             Vice
             ,
             and
             to
             invite
             us
             to
             the
             trials
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             its
             enemy
             giving
             us
             so
             ill
             conditions
             .
             And
             yet
             the
             sinner
             himself
             makes
             the
             business
             of
             Sin
             greater
             ;
             for
             its
             Nature
             is
             so
             loathsome
             ,
             its
             pleasure
             so
             little
             ,
             and
             its
             promises
             so
             unperformed
             ,
             that
             when
             it
             lies
             open
             and
             easie
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             be
             discern'd
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             argument
             in
             it
             ready
             to
             invite
             us
             ;
             and
             Men
             hate
             a
             Vice
             ,
             which
             is
             every
             day
             offered
             and
             prostituted
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             seek
             for
             pleasure
             ,
             unless
             difficulty
             present
             it
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             it
             really
             to
             perswade
             a
             choice
             ,
             so
             there
             is
             nothing
             strong
             ,
             or
             witty
             enough
             to
             abuse
             a
             Man.
             And
             to
             this
             purpose
             (
             among
             some
             others
             which
             are
             malicious
             and
             crafty
             )
             the
             Devil
             gives
             assistance
             ,
             knowing
             that
             Men
             despise
             what
             is
             cheap
             and
             common
             ,
             and
             suspect
             a
             latent
             excellency
             to
             be
             in
             difficult
             and
             forbidden
             objects
             ;
             and
             
             therefore
             the
             Devil
             sometimes
             crosses
             an
             opportunity
             of
             Sin
             ,
             knowing
             that
             the
             desire
             is
             the
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             does
             his
             work
             sufficiently
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             crossing
             the
             desire
             by
             impeding
             the
             act
             heightens
             the
             appetite
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             more
             violent
             and
             impatient
             .
             But
             by
             all
             these
             means
             Sin
             is
             made
             more
             troublesome
             ,
             than
             the
             pleasures
             of
             the
             Temptation
             can
             account
             for
             :
             and
             it
             will
             be
             a
             strange
             imprudence
             to
             leave
             Vertue
             upon
             pretence
             of
             its
             difficulty
             ,
             when
             for
             that
             very
             reason
             ,
             we
             the
             rather
             entertain
             the
             instances
             of
             Sin
             ,
             despising
             a
             cheap
             Sin
             ,
             and
             a
             costly
             Vertue
             ;
             choosing
             to
             walk
             through
             the
             Brambles
             of
             a
             desert
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             climb
             the
             Fruit-Trees
             of
             Paradise
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             
          
           
             Vertue
             conduces
             infinitly
             to
             the
             content
             of
             our
             lives
             ,
             to
             Secular
             felicities
             ,
             
             and
             Political
             satisfactions
             ;
             and
             Vice
             doth
             the
             quite
             contrary
             .
             For
             the
             blessings
             of
             this
             Life
             are
             these
             ,
             that
             make
             it
             happy
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Quietness
             ,
             Content
             and
             Satisfaction
             of
             desires
             ,
             Riches
             ,
             love
             of
             Friends
             and
             Neighbours
             ;
             Honour
             and
             Reputation
             abroad
             ;
             a
             healthful
             Body
             and
             a
             long
             Life
             .
             Th●s
             last
             is
             a
             distinct
             Consideration
             ,
             but
             the
             other
             are
             proper
             to
             this
             Title
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             first
             it
             is
             certain
             .
             Peace
             was
             so
             design'd
             by
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             ,
             that
             he
             fram'd
             all
             his
             Laws
             in
             complyance
             with
             that
             design
             .
             He
             ,
             that
             returns
             good
             for
             evil
             ,
             a
             soft
             answer
             to
             the
             asperity
             of
             his
             Enemy
             ,
             kindness
             to
             injuries
             ,
             lessens
             the
             contention
             alwayes
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             gets
             a
             Friend
             ,
             and
             when
             he
             does
             not
             ,
             he
             shames
             his
             Enemy
             .
             Every
             little
             accident
             in
             a
             family
             ,
             to
             peevish
             and
             angry
             persons
             ,
             is
             the
             matter
             of
             a
             quarrel
             ,
             discomposes
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             
             House
             ,
             and
             sets
             it
             on
             Fire
             ,
             and
             no
             Man
             can
             tell
             how
             far
             that
             may
             burn
             ;
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             to
             a
             dissolution
             of
             the
             whole
             Fabrick
             .
             But
             whosoever
             obeys
             the
             Laws
             of
             Jesus
             ,
             bears
             with
             the
             infirmities
             of
             his
             Relatives
             and
             Society
             ,
             seeks
             with
             sweetness
             to
             remedy
             what
             is
             ill
             ,
             and
             to
             prevent
             what
             it
             may
             produce
             ,
             and
             throws
             water
             upon
             a
             spark
             ;
             and
             lives
             sweetly
             with
             his
             Wife
             ,
             affectionately
             with
             his
             Children
             ,
             providently
             and
             discreetly
             with
             his
             Servants
             ,
             and
             they
             all
             love
             the
             
               Major
               domo
            
             ,
             and
             look
             upon
             him
             as
             their
             Parent
             ,
             their
             Guardian
             ,
             their
             Friend
             ,
             their
             Patron
             ,
             their
             Proveditor
             .
             But
             look
             upon
             a
             person
             angry
             ,
             peaceless
             and
             disturbed
             ,
             when
             he
             enters
             upon
             his
             threshold
             ,
             it
             gives
             an
             alarm
             to
             his
             house
             ,
             and
             puts
             them
             to
             flight
             ,
             or
             upon
             their
             defence
             ;
             and
             the
             Wife
             reckons
             the
             joy
             of
             her
             day
             is
             done
             when
             he
             returns
             ;
             and
             the
             Children
             enquire
             into
             their
             Father's
             
             Age
             ,
             and
             think
             his
             Life
             tedious
             ;
             and
             the
             Servants
             curse
             privately
             ,
             and
             do
             their
             service
             as
             Slaves
             do
             ,
             only
             vvhen
             they
             dare
             not
             do
             otherwise
             ;
             and
             they
             serve
             him
             ,
             as
             they
             serve
             a
             Lyon
             ,
             they
             obey
             his
             Strength
             ,
             and
             fear
             his
             Cruelty
             ,
             and
             despise
             his
             Manners
             ,
             and
             hate
             his
             Person
             .
             No
             Man
             injoyes
             content
             in
             his
             Family
             but
             he
             that
             is
             peaceful
             and
             charitable
             ,
             just
             and
             loving
             ,
             forbearing
             and
             forgiving
             ,
             careful
             and
             provident
             .
             He
             that
             is
             not
             so
             ,
             his
             House
             may
             be
             his
             Castle
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             mann'd
             by
             his
             Enemies
             ;
             his
             House
             is
             built
             not
             upon
             the
             Sand
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             Waves
             ,
             and
             upon
             a
             Tempest
             ,
             the
             Foundation
             is
             uncertain
             ,
             but
             his
             Ruine
             is
             not
             so
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             we
             extend
             the
             relations
             of
             the
             Man
             beyond
             his
             own
             Walls
             ,
             he
             that
             does
             his
             duty
             to
             his
             Neighbour
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             all
             offices
             of
             kindness
             ,
             gentleness
             and
             humanity
             ,
             nothing
             of
             injury
             and
             affront
             ,
             is
             certain
             never
             to
             
             meet
             with
             a
             wrong
             so
             great
             ,
             as
             is
             the
             inconvenience
             of
             a
             Law-Suit
             ,
             or
             the
             contention
             of
             Neighbours
             and
             all
             the
             consequent
             dangers
             and
             troubles
             .
          
           
             Kindness
             will
             create
             and
             invite
             kindness
             ;
             an
             injury
             provokes
             an
             injury
             .
             And
             since
             the
             love
             of
             Neighbours
             is
             one
             of
             those
             beauties
             ,
             which
             Solomon
             did
             admire
             ,
             and
             that
             this
             beauty
             is
             within
             the
             combination
             of
             precious
             things
             ,
             which
             adorn
             and
             reward
             a
             p●aceable
             charitable
             disposition
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             in
             love
             wi●h
             Spiritual
             exc●llencies
             ,
             with
             intellectual
             rectitudes
             ,
             with
             Peace
             and
             with
             blessings
             of
             Society
             ,
             knows
             they
             grow
             among
             the
             Role-bushes
             of
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             holy
             Obedience
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             JESUS
             .
             And
             for
             a
             good
             Man
             some
             will
             ev●n
             dare
             to
             dye
             ,
             and
             a
             sweet
             and
             charitable
             disposition
             is
             received
             with
             fondness
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             endearments
             of
             the
             Neighbourhood
             .
             He
             that
             observes
             how
             many
             Families
             
             are
             ruin'd
             by
             contention
             ,
             and
             how
             many
             Spirits
             are
             broken
             by
             Care
             ,
             and
             Contumely
             ,
             Fear
             and
             Spight
             ,
             which
             are
             entertain'd
             as
             Advocates
             to
             promote
             a
             Suit
             of
             Law
             ,
             will
             soon
             confess
             ,
             that
             a
             great
             loss
             and
             peaceable
             quitting
             of
             a
             considerable
             Interest
             is
             a
             purchase
             and
             a
             gain
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             a
             long
             Suit
             ,
             and
             a
             vexatious
             Quarrel
             .
          
           
             And
             still
             if
             the
             Proportion
             rises
             higher
             ,
             the
             Reason
             swels
             and
             grows
             more
             necessary
             and
             determinate
             .
             For
             if
             we
             would
             live
             according
             to
             the
             Discipline
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             great
             Plagues
             ,
             which
             vex
             the
             World
             ,
             would
             be
             no
             more
             .
          
           
             
               That
               there
               should
               be
               no
               Wars
               ,
            
             was
             one
             of
             the
             designs
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             the
             living
             according
             to
             that
             Institution
             ,
             which
             is
             able
             to
             prevent
             all
             Wars
             ,
             and
             to
             establish
             an
             universal
             and
             eternal
             Peace
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             obeyed
             ,
             is
             the
             using
             an
             infallible
             instrument
             
             toward
             that
             part
             of
             our
             political
             happiness
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             Peace
             .
             This
             World
             would
             be
             an
             image
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             if
             all
             Men
             were
             Charitable
             ,
             Peaceable
             ,
             Just
             and
             Loving
             .
             To
             this
             excellency
             all
             those
             Precepts
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             consist
             in
             Forbearance
             and
             Forgiveness
             ,
             do
             cooperate
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             next
             instance
             of
             the
             reward
             of
             
               Holy
               Obedience
            
             and
             
               conformity
               to
               Christ's
               Laws
            
             is
             it self
             a
             duty
             ,
             and
             needs
             no
             more
             but
             a
             meer
             repetition
             of
             it
             .
             We
             must
             be
             content
             in
             every
             State
             ;
             and
             because
             Christianity
             teaches
             us
             this
             lesson
             ,
             it
             teaches
             us
             to
             be
             Happy
             :
             for
             nothing
             from
             without
             can
             make
             us
             miserable
             ,
             unless
             we
             joyn
             our
             own
             consents
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             apprehend
             it
             such
             ,
             and
             entertain
             it
             in
             our
             sad
             and
             melancholy
             retirements
             .
             A
             Prison
             is
             but
             a
             retirement
             and
             opportunity
             of
             serious
             thoughts
             to
             a
             person
             whose
             Spirit
             is
             confin'd
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             sit
             still
             ,
             and
             desires
             
             no
             enlargement
             beyond
             the
             cancels
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             till
             the
             state
             of
             separation
             calls
             it
             forth
             into
             a
             fair
             liberty
             .
             But
             every
             Retirement
             is
             a
             Prison
             to
             a
             loose
             and
             wandring
             fancy
             ,
             for
             whose
             wildness
             no
             precepts
             are
             restraint
             ,
             no
             band
             of
             duty
             is
             confinement
             ,
             who
             ,
             when
             he
             hath
             broken
             the
             hedge
             of
             duty
             ,
             can
             never
             after
             endure
             any
             enclosure
             so
             much
             as
             in
             Symbol
             .
             But
             this
             Precept
             is
             so
             necessary
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             no
             more
             a
             Duty
             than
             a
             rule
             of
             Prudence
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             accidents
             of
             our
             Lives
             it
             is
             the
             only
             cure
             of
             sadness
             :
             for
             't
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             no
             Providence
             less
             than
             Divine
             can
             prevent
             evil
             and
             cross
             accidents
             ;
             but
             that
             is
             an
             excellent
             Remedy
             to
             the
             evils
             ,
             that
             receives
             the
             accident
             within
             its
             power
             ,
             and
             takes
             out
             the
             sting
             ,
             paring
             the
             Nails
             ,
             and
             drawing
             the
             Teeth
             of
             the
             Wild-beast
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             tame
             or
             harmless
             ,
             and
             Medicinal
             .
             For
             all
             content
             consists
             in
             the
             
             in
             the
             proportion
             of
             the
             Object
             to
             the
             appetite
             .
             And
             because
             external
             accidents
             are
             not
             in
             our
             power
             ,
             and
             it
             were
             nothing
             excellent
             that
             things
             happened
             to
             us
             according
             to
             our
             first
             desires
             ,
             God
             hath
             by
             his
             Grace
             put
             it
             into
             our
             own
             power
             to
             make
             the
             happiness
             ,
             by
             making
             our
             desires
             descend
             to
             the
             event
             ,
             and
             comply
             with
             the
             chance
             ,
             and
             combine
             with
             all
             the
             issues
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             .
             And
             then
             we
             are
             noble
             persons
             ,
             when
             we
             borrow
             not
             our
             content
             from
             things
             below
             us
             ,
             but
             make
             our
             satisfactions
             from
             within
             .
             And
             it
             may
             be
             considered
             ,
             that
             every
             little
             Care
             may
             disquiet
             us
             ,
             and
             may
             encrease
             it self
             by
             reflexion
             upon
             its
             own
             Acts
             ;
             and
             every
             discontent
             may
             discompose
             our
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             put
             an
             edge
             ,
             and
             make
             afflictions
             poynant
             ,
             but
             cannot
             take
             off
             one
             from
             us
             ,
             but
             makes
             every
             one
             to
             be
             two
             .
             But
             content
             removes
             not
             the
             accident
             ,
             but
             complyes
             with
             
             it
             ;
             it
             takes
             away
             the
             sharpness
             and
             displeasure
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             by
             stooping
             down
             makes
             the
             heights
             equal
             ,
             proportionate
             and
             commensurate
             .
             Impatience
             makes
             an
             Ague
             to
             be
             a
             Fever
             ,
             and
             every
             Fever
             to
             be
             a
             Calenture
             ,
             and
             that
             Calenture
             may
             expire
             in
             madness
             :
             But
             a
             quiet
             Spirit
             is
             a
             great
             disposition
             to
             Health
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             present
             does
             alleviate
             the
             Sickness
             .
             And
             this
             also
             is
             notorious
             in
             the
             instance
             of
             Covetousness
             .
             The
             love
             of
             money
             is
             the
             root
             of
             all
             evil
             ,
             which
             while
             some
             have
             coveted
             after
             ,
             they
             have
             pierced
             themselves
             with
             many
             Sorrows
             .
             Vice
             makes
             poor
             ,
             and
             does
             ill
             endure
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             he
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             school
             of
             Christ
             hath
             learnt
             to
             determine
             his
             desires
             when
             his
             needs
             are
             served
             ,
             and
             to
             judg
             of
             his
             needs
             by
             the
             proportions
             of
             Nature
             ,
             hath
             nothing
             wanting
             towards
             Riches
             .
             Vertue
             makes
             Poverty
             to
             become
             rich
             ,
             and
             no
             riches
             can
             
             satisfie
             a
             covetous
             mind
             ,
             or
             rescue
             him
             from
             the
             affliction
             of
             the
             worst
             kind
             of
             Poverty
             .
             He
             only
             wants
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             satisfied
             .
             And
             there
             is
             great
             infelicity
             in
             a
             Family
             ,
             where
             Poverty
             dwells
             with
             discontent
             ;
             there
             the
             Husband
             and
             Wife
             quarrel
             for
             want
             of
             a
             full
             Table
             ,
             and
             a
             rich
             Wardrobe
             ;
             and
             their
             Love
             ,
             that
             was
             built
             upon
             false
             Riches
             ,
             sinks
             ,
             when
             such
             temporary
             supporters
             are
             removed
             .
             They
             are
             like
             two
             Milstones
             ,
             which
             set
             the
             Mill
             on
             fire
             when
             they
             want
             Corn.
             And
             then
             their
             combinations
             and
             society
             were
             unions
             of
             Lust
             ,
             when
             not
             supported
             with
             Sacramental
             and
             Religious
             Love.
             
          
           
             But
             we
             may
             easily
             suppose
             St.
             Joseph
             ,
             and
             the
             Holy
             Virgin
             Mother
             in
             Egypt
             poor
             as
             hunger
             ,
             forsaken
             as
             banishment
             ,
             disconsolate
             as
             strangers
             ;
             and
             yet
             their
             present
             lot
             gave
             them
             no
             affliction
             ,
             because
             the
             Angel
             fed
             them
             with
             a
             necessary
             Hospitality
             ,
             
             and
             their
             desires
             were
             no
             larger
             than
             their
             Tables
             ,
             their
             Eyes
             look'd
             only
             upwards
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             carless
             of
             the
             future
             ,
             and
             careful
             of
             their
             duty
             ,
             and
             so
             made
             their
             life
             pleasant
             by
             the
             measures
             and
             discourses
             of
             Divine
             Philosophy
             .
             When
             Elisha
             stretch'd
             himself
             upon
             the
             body
             of
             the
             Child
             ,
             and
             laid
             hands
             to
             hands
             ,
             and
             applied
             mouth
             to
             mouth
             ,
             and
             so
             shrunk
             himself
             into
             the
             posture
             of
             commensuration
             with
             the
             Child
             ,
             he
             brought
             life
             into
             the
             dead
             Trunk
             :
             and
             so
             may
             we
             by
             applying
             our
             Spirits
             to
             the
             proportion
             of
             a
             narrow
             fortune
             ,
             bring
             life
             and
             vivacity
             into
             our
             dead
             and
             lost
             condition
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             live
             till
             it
             grows
             bigger
             ,
             or
             else
             returns
             to
             health
             and
             salutary
             uses
             .
          
           
             And
             besides
             this
             Philosophical
             extraction
             of
             Gold
             from
             Stones
             ,
             and
             Riches
             from
             the
             dungeon
             of
             Poverty
             ,
             a
             holy
             life
             does
             most
             probably
             procure
             such
             a
             proportion
             of
             Riches
             
             which
             can
             be
             useful
             to
             us
             ,
             or
             consistent
             with
             our
             felicity
             .
             For
             (
             besides
             that
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             hath
             promised
             all
             things
             ,
             which
             our
             Heavenly
             Father
             knows
             we
             need
             (
             provided
             we
             do
             our
             duty
             )
             and
             that
             we
             find
             great
             securities
             and
             rest
             from
             care
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             once
             cast
             our
             cares
             upon
             our
             God
             ,
             and
             plac'd
             our
             hopes
             in
             his
             bosome
             :
             besides
             all
             this
             )
             the
             Temperance
             ,
             Sobriety
             and
             Prudence
             of
             a
             Christian
             is
             a
             great
             income
             ,
             and
             by
             not
             despising
             it
             a
             small
             revenue
             combines
             its
             parts
             ,
             till
             it
             grows
             to
             a
             heap
             big
             enough
             for
             the
             emissions
             of
             Charity
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             offices
             of
             Justice
             ,
             and
             the
             supplies
             of
             all
             necessities
             .
             Whilest
             Vice
             is
             unwary
             ,
             prodigal
             ,
             indiscreet
             ,
             throwing
             away
             great
             revenues
             ,
             as
             tributes
             to
             intemperance
             and
             vanity
             ,
             and
             suffering
             dissolution
             and
             forfeiture
             of
             estates
             ,
             as
             a
             punishment
             and
             curse
             .
             Some
             Sins
             are
             direct
             improvidence
             
             and
             ill-husbandry
             .
             I
             reckon
             in
             this
             number
             Intemperance
             ,
             Lust
             ,
             Litigiousness
             ,
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             Bribery
             ,
             Prodigality
             ,
             Gaming
             ,
             Pride
             ,
             Sacriledge
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             greatest
             spender
             of
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             makes
             a
             fair
             estate
             evaporate
             ,
             like
             Camphire
             ,
             turning
             it
             into
             nothing
             ,
             no
             Man
             knows
             which
             way
             .
             But
             what
             a
             Roman
             gave
             as
             an
             estimate
             of
             a
             Rich
             Man
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               He
               that
               can
               maintain
               an
               Army
               is
               Rich
               ,
            
             was
             but
             a
             short
             account
             :
             for
             he
             that
             can
             maintain
             an
             Army
             ,
             may
             be
             begger'd
             by
             one
             Vice
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             vast
             revenue
             that
             will
             pay
             the
             Debt-Books
             of
             Intemperance
             or
             Lust.
             
          
           
             To
             these
             if
             we
             add
             ,
             that
             Vertue
             is
             honourable
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             advantage
             to
             a
             fair
             reputation
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             praised
             by
             them
             that
             love
             it
             not
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             honour'd
             by
             the
             followers
             and
             Family
             of
             Vice
             ;
             that
             it
             forces
             Glory
             out
             of
             shame
             ,
             Honour
             from
             contempt
             ;
             that
             it
             reconciles
             Men
             to
             the
             fountain
             
             of
             Honour
             ,
             the
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             who
             will
             honour
             them
             that
             honour
             him
             .
             There
             are
             but
             a
             few
             more
             Excellencies
             in
             the
             World
             to
             make
             up
             the
             Rosary
             of
             temporal
             felicity
             .
             And
             it
             is
             so
             certain
             ,
             that
             Religion
             serves
             even
             our
             temporal
             ends
             ,
             that
             no
             great
             end
             of
             State
             can
             well
             be
             served
             without
             it
             ;
             not
             ambition
             ,
             not
             desires
             of
             wealth
             ,
             not
             any
             great
             designs
             ;
             but
             Religion
             must
             be
             made
             its
             usher
             or
             support
             .
             If
             a
             new
             Opinion
             be
             commenc'd
             ,
             and
             the
             Author
             would
             make
             a
             Sect
             ,
             and
             draw
             Disciples
             after
             him
             ,
             at
             least
             he
             must
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             Religious
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             demonsration
             how
             great
             an
             instrument
             of
             Reputation
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             is
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             pretence
             will
             do
             us
             good
             offices
             among
             Men
             ,
             the
             reality
             will
             do
             the
             same
             ,
             besides
             the
             advantages
             which
             we
             shall
             receive
             from
             the
             Divine
             benediction
             .
             The
             Power
             of
             Godliness
             will
             certainly
             do
             more
             than
             the
             form
             
             alone
             .
             And
             it
             is
             most
             notorious
             in
             the
             affairs
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             whose
             lot
             it
             hath
             been
             to
             fall
             from
             great
             riches
             to
             poverty
             ,
             when
             their
             wealth
             made
             them
             less
             curious
             of
             their
             Duty
             ;
             but
             when
             Humility
             and
             Chastity
             ,
             and
             no
             exemplary
             Sanctity
             have
             been
             the
             enamel
             of
             their
             holy
             Order
             ,
             the
             people
             ,
             like
             the
             Galathians
             ,
             would
             pull
             out
             their
             own
             eyes
             to
             do
             them
             benefit
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             God
             hath
             singularly
             blessed
             such
             instruments
             ,
             to
             the
             being
             the
             only
             remedies
             to
             repair
             the
             breaches
             made
             by
             Sacriledge
             and
             Irreligion
             .
          
           
             But
             certain
             it
             is
             ,
             no
             Man
             was
             ever
             honoured
             for
             that
             which
             they
             esteemed
             vitious
             .
             Vice
             hath
             got
             money
             and
             a
             curse
             many
             times
             ,
             and
             Vice
             hath
             adhered
             to
             the
             instruments
             and
             purchases
             of
             honour
             .
             But
             among
             all
             Nations
             ,
             whatsoever
             they
             call'd
             Honourable
             ,
             put
             on
             the
             face
             and
             pretence
             of
             Vertue
             .
             But
             I
             chuse
             to
             instance
             
             in
             the
             proper
             cognisance
             of
             a
             Christian
             [
             Humility
             ]
             which
             seems
             contradictory
             to
             the
             purposes
             and
             reception
             of
             Honour
             ,
             and
             yet
             in
             the
             world
             nothing
             is
             a
             more
             certain
             means
             to
             purchase
             it
             .
             Do
             not
             all
             the
             World
             hate
             a
             proud
             Man
             ?
             And
             therefore
             what
             is
             contrary
             to
             Humility
             is
             also
             contradictory
             to
             Honour
             and
             Reputation
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Apostles
             had
             given
             command
             ,
             that
             in
             giving
             Honour
             we
             should
             one
             go
             before
             another
             ,
             he
             laid
             the
             foundation
             of
             Praises
             ,
             Panegyricks
             ,
             and
             Triumphs
             .
             And
             as
             Humility
             is
             secure
             against
             affronts
             ,
             and
             tempests
             of
             despite
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             below
             them
             :
             So
             when
             by
             employment
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             issue
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             it
             's
             drawn
             from
             its
             sheath
             and
             secresie
             ,
             it
             shines
             clear
             and
             bright
             as
             the
             purest
             and
             most
             polish'd
             Metals
             .
             Humility
             is
             like
             a
             Tree
             ,
             whose
             roots
             ,
             when
             it
             sets
             deepest
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             rises
             higher
             ,
             and
             
             spreads
             fairer
             ,
             and
             stands
             surer
             ,
             and
             lasts
             longer
             ;
             every
             step
             of
             its
             descent
             is
             like
             a
             rib
             of
             Iron
             ,
             combining
             its
             parts
             in
             unions
             indissoluble
             ,
             and
             placing
             it
             in
             the
             Chambers
             of
             security
             .
          
           
             No
             wise
             Man
             ever
             lost
             any
             thing
             by
             cession
             ;
             but
             he
             receives
             the
             Hostility
             of
             violent
             persons
             into
             his
             imbraces
             ,
             like
             a
             stone
             into
             a
             lap
             of
             Wooll
             ,
             it
             rests
             and
             sets
             down
             soft
             and
             innocently
             :
             but
             a
             stone
             falling
             upon
             a
             stone
             makes
             a
             collision
             ,
             and
             extracts
             Fire
             ,
             and
             finds
             no
             rest
             :
             And
             just
             so
             are
             two
             proud
             persons
             ,
             despis'd
             by
             each
             other
             ,
             contemn'd
             by
             all
             ,
             living
             in
             perpetual
             dissonances
             ,
             alwayes
             fighting
             against
             affronts
             ,
             jealous
             of
             every
             person
             ,
             disturb'd
             by
             every
             accident
             ,
             a
             perpetual
             storm
             within
             ,
             and
             daily
             hissings
             from
             without
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           Gate
           to
           Heaven
           a
           Strait
           Gate
           .
        
         
           
             
               Luke
               13.23
               ,
               24.
               
            
             
               Then
               said
               one
               unto
               him
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               are
               there
               few
               that
               shall
               be
               saved
               ?
               And
               he
               said
               unto
               them
               ;
            
             
               Strive
               to
               enter
               in
               at
               the
               Strait
               Gate
               ,
               for
               many
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               will
               seek
               to
               enter
               in
               ,
               but
               shall
               not
               be
               able
               .
            
          
        
         
           THe
           life
           of
           a
           Christian
           is
           a
           perpetual
           contention
           for
           mastery
           ,
           a
           continual
           strife
           :
           Indeed
           we
           usually
           strive
           too
           much
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           trifles
           and
           rewards
           inconsiderable
           ;
           
           Nay
           ,
           we
           strive
           for
           things
           that
           ruine
           us
           ;
           whereas
           if
           we
           would
           strive
           lawfully
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           that
           Crown
           that
           is
           laid
           up
           for
           us
           ,
           &
           run
           that
           race
           which
           is
           set
           before
           us
           ,
           our
           strivings
           would
           be
           as
           good
           as
           peace
           and
           rest
           ;
           for
           they
           would
           bring
           us
           peace
           at
           the
           last
           ;
           Victory
           and
           Peace
           ,
           Security
           and
           Eternity
           ,
           Joy
           and
           infinite
           Satisfactions
           ,
           and
           these
           are
           things
           worth
           striving
           for
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           plainly
           is
           our
           Duty
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             strive
             to
             enter
             .
             And
             this
             Duty
             enforc'd
             by
             a
             double
             Argument
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             From
             the
             order
             of
             the
             end
             ,
             and
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             :
             
               the
               Gate
               is
               strait
            
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             strive
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             From
             the
             caution
             and
             example
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             have
             fallen
             short
             for
             want
             of
             due
             striving
             .
             Many
             sought
             ,
             and
             fain
             would
             have
             entred
             ,
             but
             for
             want
             of
             striving
             they
             were
             not
             able
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             And
             first
             of
             the
             duty
             it self
             ,
             
               Contendite
               intrare
               :
               strive
               to
               enter
               in
               at
               the
               strait
               Gate
               .
            
          
           
             And
             here
             I
             consider
             ,
             That
             besides
             the
             extension
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             there
             being
             more
             Duties
             required
             of
             us
             than
             of
             any
             sort
             of
             men
             before
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             (
             the
             Jews
             themselves
             ,
             who
             reckon
             that
             Moses
             gave
             to
             them
             six
             hundred
             and
             thirteen
             Precepts
             ,
             having
             received
             no
             precept
             at
             all
             concerning
             Prayer
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             or
             Repentance
             )
             besides
             this
             I
             say
             ,
             I
             consider
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             extension
             ,
             but
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             intension
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             the
             degrees
             of
             Holiness
             that
             the
             holy
             Laws
             of
             
             Christianity
             require
             of
             us
             ,
             it
             is
             necessary
             that
             we
             strive
             with
             great
             earnestness
             .
             
               Qui
               enim
               Sanctitatem
               Sanctê
               custodiunt
               ,
               judicabuntur
               Sancti
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Solomon
             .
             cap.
             6.
             v.
             10.
             
             
               A
               Man
               may
               do
               holy
               things
               unholily
               .
            
             There
             are
             some
             that
             preach
             Christ
             out
             of
             envy
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             that
             get
             Proselytes
             for
             gain
             ;
             there
             are
             some
             that
             are
             zealous
             to
             get
             Disciples
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             glory
             in
             their
             Flesh
             ,
             as
             some
             fase
             Apostles
             did
             to
             the
             Galatians
             ;
             there
             is
             some
             zeal
             in
             an
             evil
             matter
             ;
             and
             many
             times
             ,
             when
             a
             Man
             hath
             done
             good
             actions
             ,
             he
             is
             the
             further
             off
             from
             the
             Gates
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             not
             because
             he
             did
             the
             good
             actions
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             wanted
             those
             formalities
             &
             circumstances
             ,
             those
             manners
             and
             degrees
             ,
             those
             principles
             and
             ends
             ,
             which
             make
             
               good
               actions
            
             in
             themselves
             be
             good
             in
             us
             ,
             which
             crown
             the
             actions
             and
             make
             us
             to
             be
             accepted
             .
          
           
             It
             was
             well
             done
             in
             the
             Pharisees
             
             to
             Pray
             often
             ,
             and
             to
             Fast
             twice
             in
             the
             week
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             Alms
             ;
             and
             yet
             these
             very
             good
             actions
             were
             so
             far
             from
             being
             commended
             ,
             that
             they
             became
             the
             object
             of
             his
             anger
             ,
             and
             the
             matter
             of
             reproof
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             because
             they
             did
             it
             with
             a
             design
             to
             be
             accounted
             holy
             .
             Indeed
             they
             blew
             a
             Trumpet
             ,
             but
             that
             was
             to
             call
             the
             poor
             together
             ,
             that
             was
             the
             external
             end
             .
             But
             there
             was
             a
             little
             Ivy
             crept
             up
             on
             this
             goodly
             Oak
             ,
             till
             it
             suckt
             its
             heart
             out
             ;
             they
             themselves
             would
             be
             taken
             notice
             of
             ,
             and
             that
             spoil'd
             all
             ;
             their
             actions
             went
             no
             further
             than
             the
             end
             which
             they
             propounded
             to
             themselves
             .
             For
             that
             which
             Men
             make
             their
             principal
             end
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             suffer
             shall
             be
             their
             end
             .
             If
             they
             seek
             the
             praise
             of
             Men
             ,
             that
             being
             their
             purpose
             ,
             that
             shall
             be
             their
             reward
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             aim
             at
             the
             pleasure
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             rewards
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             thither
             will
             God's
             Mercy
             and
             their
             
             own
             good
             deeds
             bear
             them
             .
          
           
             A
             little
             leaven
             it
             is
             that
             sowrs
             the
             whole
             lump
             .
             Who
             would
             have
             thought
             ,
             that
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             should
             have
             found
             fault
             with
             the
             Pharisees
             for
             giving
             God
             thanks
             for
             his
             Graces
             ,
             or
             not
             have
             been
             satisfied
             with
             the
             exactness
             of
             their
             Justice
             and
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             give
             Tith
             ,
             even
             of
             Mint
             and
             Anise
             and
             Cummin
             seeds
             ;
             or
             have
             reprov'd
             Judas
             for
             having
             care
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             or
             discountenanc'd
             the
             Jews
             for
             accusing
             the
             Woman
             taken
             in
             Adltery
             ;
             or
             have
             been
             discontented
             at
             the
             Doctors
             of
             the
             Law
             for
             being
             strict
             and
             severe
             exactors
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             at
             the
             people's
             hands
             ,
             or
             check'd
             them
             for
             observing
             the
             innocent
             customs
             of
             their
             Nation
             ,
             and
             Tradition
             of
             their
             fore-Fathers
             ?
             Since
             all
             these
             acts
             were
             Pious
             ,
             or
             Just
             ,
             or
             Charitable
             ,
             or
             Religious
             ,
             or
             Prosecutions
             of
             some
             part
             or
             other
             of
             their
             Duty
             .
             The
             several
             reasons
             
             of
             these
             reprehensions
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             subjoyns
             at
             the
             end
             of
             every
             of
             them
             respectively
             .
             They
             wanted
             a
             circumstance
             ,
             or
             a
             good
             manner
             ;
             their
             actions
             were
             better
             than
             their
             intentions
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             their
             malice
             was
             greatest
             in
             their
             very
             acts
             of
             Charity
             .
             And
             when
             they
             gave
             God
             thanks
             ,
             they
             did
             despite
             to
             their
             Brother
             ;
             something
             or
             other
             did
             envenom
             the
             face
             of
             these
             acts
             of
             Piety
             ;
             Their
             heart
             was
             not
             upright
             ,
             or
             their
             Religion
             was
             imperfect
             ;
             their
             Piety
             wanted
             some
             integral
             part
             ,
             or
             had
             an
             evil
             Eye
             .
             A
             word
             ,
             a
             thought
             ,
             a
             secret
             purpose
             ,
             a
             less
             holy
             intention
             ,
             any
             indirect
             circumstance
             ,
             or
             obliquity
             in
             an
             accident
             makes
             our
             Piety
             become
             impious
             ,
             and
             deprives
             us
             of
             our
             reward
             .
             Here
             therefore
             we
             had
             need
             to
             Watch
             ,
             to
             Strive
             ,
             to
             Pray
             ,
             to
             Contend
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             all
             diligence
             that
             can
             be
             express'd
             by
             all
             the
             Synonyma's
             of
             care
             and
             industry
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             We
             had
             need
             to
             Strive
             ,
             because
             though
             Vertues
             be
             nice
             and
             curious
             ,
             yet
             
               vitia
               sunt
               in
               facili
               et
               propinquo
               ,
            
             Sin
             lies
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             and
             is
             thrust
             upon
             us
             by
             the
             violence
             of
             Adversaries
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             subtilty
             and
             insinuation
             of
             its
             own
             nature
             ,
             which
             we
             are
             to
             understand
             to
             the
             following
             sence
             .
             For
             when
             we
             are
             born
             of
             Christian
             Parents
             ,
             we
             are
             born
             in
             
               puris
               naturalibus
            
             ,
             we
             have
             at
             first
             no
             more
             promptness
             to
             commit
             some
             sort
             of
             Sins
             ,
             than
             to
             commit
             some
             good
             acts
             .
             We
             are
             as
             apt
             to
             learn
             to
             love
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             love
             our
             Parents
             ,
             if
             we
             be
             taught
             it
             .
             For
             though
             Original
             Sin
             hath
             lost
             to
             us
             all
             those
             supernaural
             assistances
             ,
             which
             were
             at
             first
             put
             into
             our
             Nature
             
               per
               modum
               gratiae
            
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             but
             by
             accident
             that
             we
             are
             more
             prone
             to
             Sin
             ,
             than
             we
             are
             to
             Virtue
             .
             For
             after
             this
             it
             happened
             that
             God
             giving
             us
             Laws
             ,
             made
             his
             restraints
             and
             prohibitions
             in
             
               materia
               voluptatis
               sensualis
            
             ,
             
             he
             by
             his
             Laws
             hath
             enjoyn'd
             us
             to
             deny
             our
             natural
             Appetites
             in
             many
             things
             .
             Now
             this
             being
             become
             the
             matter
             of
             
               Divine
               Laws
            
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             in
             many
             parts
             and
             degrees
             abstain
             from
             what
             pleases
             our
             sense
             ,
             by
             this
             supervening
             accident
             it
             happens
             that
             we
             are
             very
             hardly
             wean'd
             from
             Sin
             ,
             but
             most
             easily
             tempted
             to
             a
             Vice
             ;
             our
             Nature
             is
             not
             contrary
             to
             Virtue
             ,
             but
             the
             instances
             of
             some
             Vertues
             are
             made
             to
             come
             cross
             our
             Nature
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             things
             intellectual
             and
             immaterial
             ,
             we
             are
             indeed
             indifferent
             to
             Virtue
             and
             Vice
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             where
             neither
             one
             ,
             nor
             the
             other
             satisfies
             the
             sensual
             part
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Old
             Law
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             a
             duty
             to
             Swear
             by
             the
             
               God
               of
               Israel
            
             in
             common
             Causes
             ,
             Men
             were
             indifferent
             to
             that
             ,
             and
             to
             swear
             by
             the
             
               Queen
               of
               Heaven
            
             ;
             they
             had
             no
             more
             natural
             inclination
             to
             the
             one
             ,
             
             than
             to
             the
             other
             ,
             except
             where
             something
             sensual
             became
             the
             argument
             to
             determine
             them
             .
             And
             in
             sensual
             things
             ,
             if
             God
             had
             commanded
             Polygamy
             or
             promiscuous
             concubinate
             ,
             and
             indifferent
             unlimited
             Lust
             ,
             Men
             had
             been
             more
             apt
             to
             obey
             that
             Commandment
             ,
             than
             to
             disobey
             it
             .
             But
             then
             the
             restraint
             lying
             upon
             our
             natural
             appetites
             ,
             and
             we
             being
             by
             ill
             Education
             determin'd
             upon
             ,
             and
             almost
             engag'd
             to
             Vitious
             Actions
             ,
             we
             suffer
             under
             the
             inconveniences
             of
             idle
             Education
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             rail
             upon
             Adam
             and
             
               Original
               Sin.
            
             It
             is
             indifferent
             to
             us
             to
             love
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             to
             love
             strangers
             .
             And
             if
             from
             our
             Infancy
             we
             be
             told
             concerning
             a
             stranger
             that
             he
             is
             our
             Father
             ;
             we
             frame
             our
             affections
             to
             Nature
             ,
             and
             our
             Nature
             to
             Custom
             and
             Education
             ,
             and
             are
             as
             apt
             to
             love
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             ,
             and
             yet
             is
             said
             to
             be
             ,
             as
             him
             who
             is
             said
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             yet
             indeed
             is
             our
             natural
             Father
             .
          
           
           
             The
             purpose
             of
             this
             Discourse
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             consider
             how
             Sin
             creeps
             upon
             us
             in
             our
             Education
             so
             tacitely
             and
             undiscernably
             ,
             that
             we
             mistake
             the
             cause
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             yet
             so
             effectually
             and
             prevalently
             ,
             that
             we
             guess
             it
             to
             be
             our
             very
             Nature
             ,
             and
             charge
             it
             upon
             Adam
             ,
             when
             every
             one
             of
             us
             is
             the
             Adam
             ,
             the
             Man
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             Parent
             of
             our
             own
             Iniquities
             .
             We
             are
             taught
             to
             be
             revengeful
             even
             in
             our
             Cradles
             ,
             and
             taught
             to
             strike
             our
             neighbours
             as
             a
             means
             to
             still
             our
             frowardness
             ,
             and
             satisfie
             our
             wranglings
             .
             Our
             Nurses
             teach
             us
             to
             know
             the
             greatness
             of
             our
             birth
             ,
             or
             the
             riches
             of
             our
             inheritance
             ,
             or
             they
             learn
             us
             to
             be
             proud
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             impatient
             ,
             before
             we
             learn
             to
             know
             God
             ,
             or
             to
             say
             our
             Prayers
             .
          
           
             After
             we
             are
             grown
             up
             to
             more
             years
             ,
             we
             have
             Tutors
             of
             impiety
             ,
             that
             are
             stronger
             to
             perswade
             ,
             and
             more
             diligent
             to
             insinuate
             ,
             and
             we
             
             are
             more
             receptive
             of
             every
             vicious
             impression
             .
             And
             not
             to
             reckon
             all
             the
             inconveniencies
             of
             evil
             company
             ,
             indulgence
             of
             Parents
             ,
             publick
             and
             authoriz'd
             customs
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             mischiefs
             and
             dangers
             of
             publick
             Society
             ,
             and
             private
             retirements
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             learn'd
             to
             discern
             good
             from
             evil
             ,
             and
             when
             we
             are
             prompted
             to
             do
             a
             good
             ,
             or
             engaged
             to
             it
             by
             some
             happy
             circumstance
             or
             occasion
             ,
             our
             good
             is
             so
             seldom
             ,
             and
             so
             little
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             so
             many
             ways
             of
             spoyling
             it
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             not
             more
             ways
             to
             make
             an
             Army
             miscarry
             in
             a
             Battle
             ,
             than
             there
             are
             to
             make
             us
             perish
             even
             in
             our
             good
             actions
             .
          
           
             Every
             Enemy
             that
             is
             without
             ,
             every
             weakness
             and
             imperfection
             we
             have
             within
             ;
             every
             temptation
             ,
             every
             vitious
             circumstance
             ,
             every
             action
             of
             our
             life
             mingled
             with
             interest
             and
             design
             ,
             is
             as
             a
             particular
             argument
             to
             engage
             our
             earnestness
             and
             zeal
             in
             
             this
             Duty
             
               ut
               contendamus
               acriter
            
             ,
             that
             we
             strive
             and
             make
             it
             our
             business
             ,
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             Strait
             Gate
             .
             For
             since
             the
             Writers
             of
             Moral
             Institutions
             and
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             have
             made
             no
             such
             abbreviatures
             of
             the
             Duty
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             think
             there
             are
             amongst
             them
             all
             without
             hyperbole
             five
             thousand
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             besides
             the
             ordinary
             plain
             Duty
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             there
             may
             be
             five
             thousand
             times
             five
             thousand
             ,
             and
             the
             wit
             of
             Man
             can
             no
             more
             comprize
             all
             Cases
             ,
             which
             are
             or
             may
             be
             within
             their
             Books
             ,
             than
             they
             can
             at
             once
             describe
             an
             infinity
             ,
             or
             set
             down
             the
             biggest
             number
             that
             can
             be
             ;
             it
             will
             follow
             that
             it
             is
             a
             nice
             thing
             to
             be
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             striving
             we
             can
             use
             ,
             will
             be
             little
             enough
             towards
             the
             doing
             of
             our
             duty
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             if
             you
             enquire
             ,
             what
             is
             meant
             by
             striving
             in
             this
             place
             ?
             and
             what
             is
             the
             full
             intention
             of
             this
             Precept
             ?
          
           
           
             I
             Answer
             ;
             it
             is
             an
             infinite
             or
             indefinite
             term
             ,
             and
             signifies
             no
             determinate
             degree
             of
             labour
             and
             endeavour
             ,
             but
             even
             as
             much
             as
             we
             can
             ,
             supposing
             our
             weaknesses
             ,
             our
             hindrances
             and
             avocations
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             make
             it
             the
             business
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             the
             care
             of
             our
             Thoughts
             ,
             our
             study
             and
             the
             greatest
             imployment
             of
             the
             whole
             Man
             to
             serve
             God.
             Holy
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             general
             notions
             and
             comprehensions
             of
             the
             whole
             Duty
             of
             Man
             ,
             that
             may
             be
             excellent
             guides
             to
             us
             in
             this
             particular
             ,
             Heb.
             12.1
             .
             
               Let
               us
               lay
               aside
               every
               weight
               ,
               and
               the
               Sin
               that
               doth
               so
               easily
               beset
               us
               .
               For
               he
               that
               contendeth
               for
               Mastery
               is
               temperate
               in
               all
               things
               ,
            
             saith
             
               St.
               Paul.
            
             There
             is
             first
             an
             obligation
             of
             all
             Sin
             whatsoever
             ,
             every
             weight
             ,
             every
             Sin
             ,
             every
             hindrance
             ;
             abstaining
             from
             all
             things
             whatsoever
             that
             are
             impediments
             .
             And
             we
             do
             not
             strive
             to
             do
             this
             ,
             unless
             we
             use
             all
             the
             means
             we
             can
             to
             
             learn
             what
             is
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             what
             infinite
             variety
             of
             Sins
             there
             are
             that
             so
             easily
             beset
             us
             .
             And
             let
             me
             desire
             you
             to
             observe
             one
             thing
             ;
             make
             a
             tryal
             in
             any
             one
             Sin
             that
             is
             or
             hath
             been
             most
             pleasing
             to
             any
             of
             you
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             your
             Duty
             set
             upon
             its
             mortification
             heartily
             and
             throughly
             ,
             and
             try
             whether
             it
             will
             not
             be
             a
             hard
             strife
             with
             flesh
             and
             blood
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             contention
             to
             kill
             that
             one
             crime
             ;
             I
             mean
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             your
             temptations
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             opportunities
             of
             acting
             it
             ;
             and
             by
             this
             you
             may
             make
             a
             short
             conjecture
             ,
             at
             the
             greatness
             of
             this
             Duty
             .
             And
             this
             is
             but
             the
             one
             half
             ;
             For
             the
             extirpation
             of
             Vices
             is
             not
             always
             the
             introduction
             of
             Virtues
             .
             For
             there
             are
             some
             Men
             that
             have
             ceased
             from
             an
             act
             of
             Sin
             ,
             that
             still
             retain
             the
             affection
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             others
             who
             have
             quitted
             their
             affection
             to
             Sin
             ,
             who
             yet
             are
             not
             reconciled
             to
             the
             difficulty
             and
             pains
             
             of
             acquiring
             Vertues
             .
             
               I
               thank
               God
               I
               am
               no
               Extortioner
               ,
               no
               Adulterer
               ,
               not
               as
               this
               Publican
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Pharisee
             :
             So
             far
             many
             go
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             think
             themselves
             fairly
             assoiled
             ,
             who
             are
             only
             like
             misguided
             Travellers
             ,
             that
             upon
             discovery
             of
             their
             error
             cease
             to
             wander
             further
             ,
             but
             are
             not
             yet
             returned
             ,
             nor
             have
             made
             any
             progress
             in
             the
             true
             way
             .
             Some
             Men
             cease
             to
             oppress
             their
             Neighbours
             ,
             and
             will
             do
             so
             no
             more
             ;
             but
             they
             think
             not
             of
             making
             restitution
             of
             what
             wrongs
             have
             been
             done
             by
             them
             long
             since
             .
             Some
             Men
             will
             leave
             off
             from
             Drunkenness
             ;
             but
             they
             think
             not
             of
             fasting
             ,
             and
             enduring
             Hunger
             and
             Thirst
             and
             Pains
             to
             punish
             their
             past
             Intemperance
             .
             There
             is
             a
             further
             striving
             ,
             or
             we
             shall
             not
             enter
             into
             the
             narrow
             Gate
             .
             St.
             Peter
             gives
             an
             excellent
             account
             of
             it
             ;
             2
             Pet.
             1.4
             .
             
               Having
               escaped
               the
               corruption
               that
               is
               in
               the
               World
               through
               Lust
            
             ;
             that
             's
             one
             
             half
             :
             but
             he
             adds
             ,
             
               And
               besides
               this
               ,
               giving
               all
               diligence
               ,
               add
               to
               your
               Faith
               ,
               Vertue
               ,
               and
               to
               Vertue
               Knowledge
               ,
               to
               Knowledg
               Temperance
               ,
               to
               Temperance
               Patience
               ,
               to
               Patience
               Godliness
               ,
               to
               Godliness
               Brotherly
               kindness
               ,
               to
               Brotherly
               kindness
               Charity
               :
               these
               things
               must
               be
               in
               you
               and
               abound
               ,
            
             saith
             St.
             Peter
             ;
             and
             therefore
             ,
             as
             himself
             prefaces
             ,
             you
             had
             need
             give
             all
             diligence
             ,
             and
             strive
             earnestly
             to
             all
             these
             purposes
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             I
             pray
             remember
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             not
             to
             strive
             ,
             when
             we
             only
             do
             perform
             those
             Offices
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             Custom
             or
             the
             Laws
             of
             a
             Church
             enjoyn
             us
             to
             :
             nor
             this
             when
             our
             Religion
             is
             cheap
             and
             easy
             ,
             when
             we
             use
             arts
             to
             satisfie
             our
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             heap
             up
             Teachers
             of
             our
             own
             to
             that
             purpose
             ,
             that
             by
             a
             stratagem
             they
             and
             we
             may
             bend
             the
             Duty
             to
             our
             Conscience
             ,
             not
             measure
             our
             Conscience
             by
             our
             Duty
             ;
             when
             we
             call
             
             security
             a
             just
             peace
             ,
             want
             of
             understanding
             a
             sufficient
             warrant
             for
             quietness
             ,
             the
             not-committing
             of
             deformed
             and
             scandalous
             Sins
             a
             pious
             Life
             ;
             this
             is
             far
             from
             striving
             ,
             here
             is
             no
             striving
             in
             this
             ,
             but
             how
             to
             cozen
             and
             abuse
             our selves
             .
             If
             the
             affairs
             of
             the
             World
             (
             I
             do
             not
             say
             )
             take
             up
             not
             only
             most
             of
             our
             time
             ,
             but
             most
             of
             our
             affections
             ;
             if
             the
             returns
             of
             Sin
             be
             frequent
             ,
             and
             of
             Religion
             be
             seldom
             and
             unpleasant
             ;
             If
             any
             Vice
             hath
             got
             possession
             of
             us
             ,
             or
             that
             we
             have
             not
             got
             possession
             of
             all
             those
             Virtues
             we
             have
             use
             of
             ,
             we
             have
             not
             striven
             Lawfully
             .
             Shall
             I
             tell
             you
             ,
             how
             St.
             Paul
             did
             strive
             ?
             that
             thence
             we
             a
             so
             may
             have
             a
             fair
             patern
             and
             president
             to
             imitate
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             you
             have
             his
             course
             of
             Life
             largely
             described
             :
             
               Giving
               no
               offence
               in
               any
               thing
               ,
               but
               approving
               our selves
               in
               much
               Patience
               ,
               in
               Afflictions
               ,
               in
               Labours
               ,
               in
               Watchings
               ,
               in
               fast●ngs
               ,
               by
               Pureness
               ,
               by
               Knowledge
               ,
               
               by
               Long-suffering
               ,
               by
               kindness
               ,
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               by
               Love
               unfeigned
               ,
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               Truth
               ,
               by
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               ,
               by
               the
               Armour
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               by
               an
               evenness
               of
               Temper
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               an
               uneven
               ,
               unquiet
               and
               contradictory
               condition
               :
            
             this
             was
             his
             course
             of
             Life
             ,
             thus
             did
             he
             labour
             Mortifying
             his
             Soul
             ,
             heightening
             his
             Devotion
             ,
             bringing
             his
             Body
             under
             ,
             and
             advancing
             the
             interests
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             lest
             by
             any
             means
             he
             had
             run
             ,
             or
             should
             run
             in
             vain
             .
          
           
             I
             speak
             not
             these
             things
             to
             discourage
             you
             ,
             but
             to
             provoke
             you
             to
             good
             Works
             and
             a
             Holy
             Life
             .
             For
             if
             you
             ask
             ,
             who
             does
             all
             this
             ,
             or
             indeed
             who
             is
             able
             ?
          
           
             I
             answer
             ;
             it
             is
             no
             good
             argument
             of
             an
             affection
             to
             God
             ,
             when
             we
             make
             such
             scrupulous
             questions
             concerning
             his
             Injunctions
             .
             He
             that
             loves
             God
             ,
             does
             all
             this
             ;
             Love
             is
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Commandments
             :
             
               Love
               hopeth
               all
               things
               ,
               endureth
               all
               things
               ,
            
             
             thinketh
             nothing
             impossible
             ;
             attempteth
             those
             things
             as
             most
             easie
             ,
             which
             to
             natural
             Reason
             seem
             impossible
             .
          
           
             For
             consider
             ,
             that
             as
             without
             God's
             Grace
             we
             can
             do
             nothing
             ;
             so
             by
             his
             Grace
             strengthening
             us
             we
             can
             do
             any
             thing
             .
             Faith
             works
             Miracles
             ,
             and
             Charity
             does
             more
             .
             
               Through
               Christ
               that
               strengthens
               me
               I
               can
               do
               all
               things
               ,
            
             saith
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             and
             
               Christ's
               Grace
               is
               sufficient
               for
               me
               ,
            
             sufficient
             to
             all
             God's
             purposes
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             mine
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             commanded
             to
             us
             to
             remove
             Mountains
             from
             their
             places
             ,
             which
             we
             never
             plac'd
             there
             ;
             but
             to
             remove
             our
             Sins
             which
             we
             our selves
             have
             made
             .
             We
             are
             not
             commanded
             to
             do
             things
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             in
             our
             Power
             ;
             but
             such
             things
             which
             God
             enables
             us
             to
             ,
             and
             to
             which
             we
             disable
             our selves
             by
             cowardice
             ,
             &
             intimidating
             our
             own
             Spirits
             ,
             by
             despairing
             of
             God's
             Grace
             ,
             by
             refusing
             to
             labour
             ,
             
             by
             deferring
             our
             endeavours
             till
             the
             weight
             of
             our
             sin
             grows
             great
             ,
             and
             our
             strength
             grows
             less
             ;
             till
             our
             iniquities
             are
             many
             ,
             and
             our
             days
             are
             few
             ;
             and
             then
             indeed
             we
             have
             some
             reason
             to
             say
             ,
             we
             cannot
             strive
             in
             such
             measure
             ,
             as
             the
             greatness
             of
             these
             Duties
             does
             require
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             remember
             't
             is
             but
             striving
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             doing
             the
             utmost
             of
             our
             endeavour
             ;
             the
             best
             Man
             in
             the
             World
             can
             do
             no
             more
             than
             use
             all
             his
             endeavour
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             is
             weakest
             can
             do
             so
             much
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             can
             do
             his
             endeavour
             .
             And
             although
             a
             Boy
             cannot
             strike
             so
             great
             a
             stroke
             as
             a
             strong
             Man
             ,
             yet
             he
             can
             put
             forth
             all
             his
             strength
             ;
             and
             the
             just
             and
             merciful
             Lawgiver
             never
             requires
             more
             of
             us
             than
             all
             we
             have
             upon
             the
             stock
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             all
             he
             hath
             given
             us
             in
             the
             Banks
             of
             Grace
             .
             So
             that
             the
             Duty
             we
             are
             here
             engaged
             upon
             ,
             is
             but
             an
             earnest
             endeavour
             to
             
             do
             our
             best
             ,
             and
             all
             we
             can
             ;
             and
             every
             Man
             can
             do
             that
             :
             But
             because
             they
             will
             not
             ,
             because
             Men
             have
             habitual
             aversations
             from
             the
             practices
             of
             a
             holy
             life
             ,
             because
             to
             do
             actions
             of
             severe
             Religion
             and
             strict
             Piety
             is
             troublesom
             to
             their
             affections
             ,
             because
             contrariant
             to
             their
             wills
             ,
             therefore
             it
             is
             they
             call
             it
             hard
             and
             impossible
             ;
             whereas
             it
             is
             not
             the
             impossibility
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             disaffections
             ,
             that
             have
             heightned
             the
             difficulty
             to
             a
             seeming
             impossibility
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             done
             with
             the
             first
             Part
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             the
             Duty
             it self
             ,
             with
             its
             manner
             of
             performance
             :
             We
             must
             strive
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             narrow
             Gate
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             Blisful
             Immortality
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             II.
             
          
           
             And
             that
             leads
             to
             the
             second
             Part
             ,
             or
             the
             first
             Argument
             to
             engage
             our
             endeavours
             and
             earnest
             strivings
             ;
             because
             the
             passage
             is
             hard
             and
             difficult
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             acquir●d
             by
             men
             that
             love
             their
             ease
             ;
             but
             by
             those
             that
             with
             Christian
             fortitude
             encounter
             all
             difficulties
             and
             oppositions
             .
             
               Porta
               est
               angusta
            
             ,
             the
             Gate
             is
             narrow
             ;
             therefore
             strive
             .
          
           
             And
             1.
             
             I
             consider
             that
             Virtues
             and
             Vices
             many
             of
             them
             are
             so
             very
             like
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             very
             often
             extreamly
             difficult
             to
             distinguish
             them
             exactly
             ,
             and
             pursue
             the
             Virtue
             curiously
             .
             Virtue
             lies
             between
             two
             Vices
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             mediocrity
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             thing
             assaulted
             by
             two
             enemies
             ;
             for
             one
             Vertue
             two
             Vices
             ,
             and
             each
             of
             the
             extreams
             hath
             something
             of
             the
             Virtue
             in
             it
             .
             A
             Prodigal
             hath
             the
             open-handedness
             of
             a
             liberal
             person
             ;
             and
             a
             covetous
             person
             
             is
             as
             wary
             ,
             as
             he
             that
             spends
             nothing
             in
             vain
             ,
             and
             both
             these
             would
             think
             themselves
             uncivilly
             dealt
             withal
             ,
             if
             the
             freeness
             of
             the
             one
             ,
             or
             the
             restraint
             of
             the
             other
             should
             be
             called
             vicious
             .
             And
             there
             are
             some
             Precepts
             ,
             which
             some
             will
             think
             they
             have
             Reason
             to
             say
             they
             have
             strictly
             observed
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             been
             most
             notorious
             Prevaricators
             of
             it
             :
             For
             may
             not
             a
             vain-glorious
             person
             ,
             that
             gives
             Alms
             out
             of
             the
             promptness
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             think
             he
             hath
             done
             his
             Alms
             well
             ,
             although
             he
             hath
             done
             them
             publickly
             ;
             it
             being
             a
             Divine
             Precept
             ,
             
               That
               our
               Light
               so
               shine
               before
               Men
               ,
               that
               other
               Men
               seeing
               our
               good
               Works
               ,
               might
               glorifie
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               .
            
             And
             if
             this
             be
             a
             Precept
             ,
             possibly
             also
             some
             who
             transgress
             this
             Precept
             ,
             may
             think
             themselves
             safe
             on
             the
             surer
             side
             of
             Humility
             .
             And
             truly
             that
             we
             may
             see
             how
             dangerous
             our
             condition
             is
             ,
             
             and
             yet
             how
             safe
             our
             imaginations
             are
             ,
             I
             think
             no
             Man
             will
             doubt
             ,
             but
             all
             God's
             Commandments
             have
             been
             broken
             ,
             and
             this
             of
             
               Luceat
               lux
               vestra
            
             ,
             (
             Let
             your
             Light
             shine
             )
             amongst
             the
             rest
             ;
             and
             yet
             I
             never
             read
             or
             heard
             any
             man
             ,
             in
             the
             greatest
             and
             largest
             of
             his
             Confessions
             ever
             acknowledge
             that
             Crime
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             not
             done
             his
             good
             deeds
             publickly
             .
             But
             between
             the
             Duty
             of
             publication
             of
             good
             Deeds
             ,
             and
             the
             Duty
             of
             Humility
             ,
             the
             way
             is
             so
             narrow
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             hit
             it
             right
             ;
             and
             when
             ,
             and
             how
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             manner
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             circumstances
             to
             do
             either
             ,
             is
             the
             work
             of
             great
             understanding
             and
             much
             observation
             .
          
           
             I
             consider
             yet
             further
             ;
             many
             times
             a
             Virtue
             and
             a
             Vice
             differ
             but
             in
             one
             degree
             :
             For
             there
             is
             a
             Rule
             of
             Justice
             to
             which
             if
             any
             Man
             adds
             but
             one
             degree
             of
             severity
             more
             it
             degenerates
             into
             cruelty
             ;
             and
             a
             little
             
             more
             than
             mercy
             is
             remisness
             ;
             and
             want
             of
             Discipline
             introduces
             licentiousness
             ,
             and
             becomes
             unmerciful
             as
             to
             the
             publick
             ,
             and
             unjust
             as
             to
             the
             particular
             .
             Now
             this
             Consideration
             is
             heightned
             ,
             if
             we
             observe
             that
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             consist
             not
             in
             indivisibili
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             a
             latitude
             for
             either
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             to
             be
             judg'd
             of
             by
             any
             certain
             Rules
             drawn
             from
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             estimated
             in
             proportion
             to
             the
             persons
             ,
             and
             other
             accidental
             circumstances
             .
          
           
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             dwell
             too
             near
             together
             ,
             unless
             they
             were
             better
             friends
             .
             All
             the
             Learning
             of
             the
             Sanhedrim
             could
             not
             distinguish
             between
             the
             Humiliation
             of
             Ahab
             and
             Manasses
             ,
             nor
             between
             the
             Zeal
             of
             Jehu
             and
             Josiah
             ,
             nor
             between
             
             Joshuah's
             and
             
             David's
             numbring
             the
             people
             ;
             and
             yet
             A●ab
             was
             but
             an
             imperfect
             penitent
             ;
             Jehu
             was
             a
             furious
             
             Zealot
             ,
             and
             David
             sinned
             grievously
             ;
             whereas
             Manasses
             was
             truly
             contrite
             ;
             and
             Josiah
             was
             a
             zealous
             Reformer
             ,
             and
             Joshuah
             in
             the
             same
             action
             was
             a
             wise
             and
             provident
             Captain
             .
             Abraham
             was
             called
             the
             friend
             of
             God
             for
             offering
             Isaac
             at
             God's
             command
             .
             Now
             God
             commanded
             men
             to
             perform
             their
             Vows
             ,
             and
             yet
             Jepthah
             for
             offering
             up
             his
             Daughter
             ,
             hath
             left
             to
             Posterity
             the
             reputation
             of
             a
             temerarious
             and
             inconsiderate
             person
             .
             There
             is
             a
             right
             hand
             and
             a
             left
             in
             the
             paths
             of
             our
             life
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             decline
             to
             either
             we
             are
             undone
             .
             And
             therefore
             pious
             and
             holy
             persons
             are
             called
             upright
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             Precept
             in
             Scripture
             is
             frequently
             ingeminated
             ,
             to
             walk
             in
             all
             God's
             Commandments
             with
             
               an
               upright
               heart
            
             .
             For
             on
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             Man
             is
             ruine
             ,
             and
             on
             the
             left
             is
             destruction
             ;
             and
             in
             all
             the
             infinite
             variety
             of
             sins
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             other
             variety
             of
             
             conditions
             ,
             but
             either
             to
             perish
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             undone
             .
          
           
             For
             every
             one
             Vice
             kills
             the
             Soul
             ,
             but
             every
             Vertue
             does
             not
             make
             alive
             .
             Adultery
             condemns
             a
             Man
             to
             the
             lowest
             misery
             ,
             but
             Chastity
             alone
             does
             not
             keep
             our
             Souls
             from
             death
             :
             Because
             we
             are
             forbidden
             to
             commit
             any
             sin
             .
             Every
             crime
             lies
             under
             a
             prohibition
             ,
             and
             the
             same
             Laws
             of
             God
             command
             us
             to
             pursue
             all
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             enjoyn
             the
             integrity
             of
             a
             holy
             life
             .
             Now
             as
             he
             that
             commits
             one
             sin
             ,
             or
             entertains
             a
             single
             Vice
             ,
             breaks
             the
             Commandment
             ,
             which
             enjoyns
             him
             to
             forsake
             all
             sin
             ;
             so
             he
             observes
             not
             the
             Precept
             of
             God
             concerning
             Vertues
             ,
             that
             does
             not
             acquire
             and
             entertain
             all
             ,
             universally
             all
             .
             A
             Man
             is
             spotted
             although
             he
             have
             but
             one
             stain
             ;
             but
             he
             is
             not
             clean
             ,
             unless
             he
             be
             all
             clean
             .
             A
             Cup
             is
             broken
             ,
             if
             only
             the
             top
             be
             broken
             ,
             but
             is
             not
             entire
             
             unless
             every
             part
             of
             it
             be
             inviolate
             .
             One
             Disease
             can
             make
             a
             whole
             man
             sick
             ,
             but
             the
             taking
             away
             one
             Disease
             will
             not
             make
             all
             men
             well
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             a
             hundred
             wayes
             to
             wander
             in
             ,
             but
             one
             only
             way
             to
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             .
             So
             that
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             urge
             the
             variety
             of
             Temptations
             ,
             the
             subtilty
             of
             Sin
             ,
             the
             watchfulness
             and
             malice
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             the
             infirmities
             of
             our
             Spirits
             ,
             the
             Ignorance
             of
             our
             Understandings
             ,
             the
             obliquity
             of
             our
             Will
             ,
             the
             mutiny
             and
             disorder
             of
             our
             Affections
             ,
             the
             inconstancy
             of
             our
             good
             Purposes
             ,
             the
             unstableness
             of
             our
             Resolutions
             ,
             the
             pleasingness
             of
             sensual
             Objects
             ,
             the
             variety
             of
             evil
             Occasions
             ,
             the
             perpetual
             readiness
             of
             Opportunities
             for
             evil
             ,
             our
             unwillingness
             to
             Good
             so
             great
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             loth
             to
             beg
             Blessings
             and
             Benefits
             of
             God
             Almighty
             .
             These
             ,
             and
             thousands
             more
             are
             but
             the
             particular
             
             Instances
             of
             this
             first
             Argument
             to
             engage
             our
             striving
             .
             For
             the
             Gate
             ,
             that
             is
             strait
             enough
             in
             its
             own
             abstract
             consideration
             ,
             is
             made
             ten
             thousand
             times
             straiter
             by
             the
             supervening
             enmities
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             the
             allurements
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             solicitations
             and
             impudent
             temptations
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             imperfections
             and
             great
             weaknesses
             of
             Mortality
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             
          
           
             I
             now
             come
             to
             the
             last
             Notandum
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             or
             the
             second
             Argument
             to
             enforce
             our
             striving
             ,
             the
             Caution
             and
             Example
             of
             such
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             fallen
             short
             of
             entring
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             due
             striving
             ;
             
               For
               many
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               will
               seek
               to
               enter
               in
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               be
               able
               .
            
          
           
             
               Many
               shall
               seek
            
             .
             The
             five
             foolish
             Virgins
             sought
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             shall
             
             tell
             Christ
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             Miracles
             in
             his
             Name
             ,
             they
             sought
             ,
             and
             the
             Pharisees
             sought
             ,
             but
             all
             seeking
             you
             see
             shall
             not
             find
             .
             Some
             seek
             themselves
             alone
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             never
             find
             any
             thing
             to
             satisfie
             them
             .
             Some
             seek
             God
             and
             themselves
             together
             .
             When
             Religion
             and
             their
             own
             ends
             can
             stand
             together
             ,
             well
             and
             good
             ;
             when
             Ease
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             Charity
             and
             good
             Husbandry
             ,
             Repentance
             and
             no
             restitution
             can
             stand
             together
             ,
             we
             will
             seek
             to
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             ;
             but
             if
             Heaven
             cannot
             be
             had
             but
             upon
             hard
             terms
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             
               paenitentiam
               tanti
               emere
            
             ;
             they
             will
             not
             buy
             Repentance
             at
             so
             dear
             a
             rate
             ,
             as
             to
             part
             with
             their
             goods
             unjustly
             gotten
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             become
             true
             Penitents
             ;
             neither
             will
             they
             love
             God
             and
             hate
             themselves
             ,
             that
             is
             no
             good
             Charity
             they
             think
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             God
             and
             our selves
             come
             to
             dispute
             the
             Question
             ,
             whose
             
             interest
             shall
             be
             served
             ;
             these
             men
             surely
             will
             serve
             themselves
             first
             .
             No
             wonder
             that
             these
             men
             enter
             not
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             are
             some
             that
             seek
             more
             heartily
             ,
             that
             throw
             away
             all
             incumbrances
             ,
             that
             set
             upon
             the
             work
             of
             holy
             Life
             with
             much
             zeal
             and
             fervour
             of
             Spirit
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             their
             Conversion
             and
             Resolutions
             of
             Piety
             ;
             but
             their
             fervours
             cool
             ,
             their
             zeal
             grows
             from
             very
             hot
             to
             be
             tepid
             ,
             from
             tepid
             to
             be
             cold
             ,
             from
             cold
             to
             be
             quite
             frozen
             and
             incrustated
             ;
             and
             at
             last
             comes
             to
             have
             no
             heat
             about
             them
             but
             zeal
             which
             is
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             of
             Envy
             ,
             and
             the
             heats
             of
             Lust
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             seared
             Conscience
             .
             For
             the
             more
             furiously
             new
             Converts
             drive
             in
             their
             first
             on
             sets
             of
             Piety
             ,
             if
             they
             once
             begin
             defervescere
             ,
             to
             take
             off
             from
             their
             heights
             ,
             their
             tediousness
             is
             greater
             ,
             their
             weariness
             more
             ,
             their
             anger
             is
             more
             impatient
             ;
             and
             to
             take
             off
             from
             the
             shame
             of
             remisness
             
             and
             relaxation
             they
             often
             justifie
             it
             ,
             and
             thence
             degenerating
             by
             degrees
             come
             at
             last
             to
             induration
             .
             For
             if
             we
             observe
             the
             nature
             of
             Moral
             Alterations
             ,
             and
             the
             malice
             of
             some
             persons
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             provok'd
             by
             shame
             ,
             and
             consider
             also
             the
             secret
             wayes
             ,
             and
             just
             Counsels
             of
             God
             in
             taking
             away
             all
             those
             Graces
             ,
             which
             men
             have
             slighted
             and
             rejected
             ;
             and
             commonly
             great
             zeals
             ,
             if
             they
             degenerate
             ,
             prove
             either
             absolutely
             furious
             ,
             or
             meerly
             Atheistical
             ;
             and
             to
             all
             these
             add
             the
             probability
             of
             induration
             and
             obstinacy
             in
             such
             persons
             ,
             and
             the
             Moral
             impossibility
             of
             curing
             such
             distemperatures
             ,
             or
             rising
             from
             such
             deaths
             ,
             we
             may
             well
             believe
             it
             impossible
             :
             Such
             Zealots
             who
             once
             grow
             cool
             for
             want
             of
             perseverance
             in
             the
             strict
             courses
             of
             Piety
             ,
             although
             they
             did
             seek
             to
             enter
             ,
             yet
             
               erunt
               exclusissimi
            
             ,
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             able
             .
          
           
           
             Some
             are
             disabled
             and
             stopt
             in
             their
             first
             setting
             out
             ;
             some
             go
             half
             way
             ,
             and
             then
             turn
             back
             again
             ;
             nay
             some
             there
             are
             that
             have
             as
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             set
             one
             foot
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             have
             drawn
             it
             back
             ,
             and
             carried
             both
             to
             Hell.
             God's
             Counsels
             are
             secret
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             ever
             just
             .
             But
             it
             is
             full
             of
             horror
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             some
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             lived
             holily
             and
             justly
             all
             their
             life
             ,
             have
             at
             last
             yielded
             in
             a
             temptation
             to
             a
             single
             Act
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             just
             judgment
             and
             severity
             of
             God
             have
             been
             taken
             away
             in
             that
             one
             act
             of
             Sin
             ,
             whose
             condition
             then
             is
             most
             sad
             and
             deplorable
             .
             It
             is
             not
             good
             to
             tempt
             God.
             If
             we
             will
             forget
             God
             in
             one
             act
             ,
             possibly
             he
             may
             with
             his
             Judgment
             so
             remember
             us
             ,
             as
             to
             forget
             his
             Mercy
             towards
             us
             to
             all
             Eternity
             .
             And
             Palladius
             tells
             of
             divers
             old
             Hermits
             ,
             who
             lived
             fifty
             or
             sixty
             years
             in
             the
             strict
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             in
             some
             peevish
             humour
             
             dispoil'd
             themselves
             of
             all
             title
             and
             hopes
             of
             a
             Crown
             .
          
           
             Was
             it
             not
             a
             sad
             sight
             to
             have
             observed
             amongst
             the
             forty
             Martyrs
             ,
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             had
             endured
             torments
             almost
             till
             the
             expiration
             of
             his
             last
             breath
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             fall
             away
             to
             renounce
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             go
             out
             of
             his
             torments
             into
             a
             warm
             Bath
             immediately
             to
             dye
             and
             to
             perish
             ?
             A
             thought
             ,
             a
             minute
             may
             destroy
             all
             our
             Glories
             ,
             and
             our
             hopes
             of
             a
             blissful
             Immortality
             ,
             which
             twenty
             or
             forty
             years
             have
             been
             with
             great
             labour
             in
             erecting
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             that
             deny
             hopes
             of
             Heaven
             to
             persons
             that
             live
             excellent
             lives
             ,
             upon
             pretence
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             very
             good
             Moral
             Men
             ,
             but
             not
             of
             the
             houshold
             of
             Faith
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             not
             of
             their
             belief
             in
             all
             matters
             of
             Opinion
             .
             The
             mistake
             is
             stupid
             enough
             ;
             for
             the
             distinction
             of
             persons
             
             Morally
             good
             ,
             and
             Religiously
             or
             Divinely
             good
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             distinction
             of
             subjects
             ,
             but
             of
             degrees
             .
             For
             a
             moral
             life
             is
             not
             a
             distinct
             life
             from
             a
             Theological
             ,
             but
             a
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             Christian
             which
             is
             just
             to
             his
             Neighbour
             ,
             and
             sober
             and
             temperate
             in
             his
             life
             ,
             hath
             done
             some
             part
             of
             a
             Theological
             and
             Religious
             Life
             .
             Indeed
             it
             is
             not
             revealed
             to
             us
             ,
             how
             the
             good
             lives
             of
             Heathens
             without
             the
             Faith
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             shall
             be
             accepted
             in
             order
             to
             Eternity
             :
             But
             to
             undervalue
             the
             good
             lives
             of
             Christians
             by
             saying
             they
             are
             only
             good
             moral
             Men
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             of
             such
             a
             Sect
             ,
             when
             they
             do
             those
             good
             actions
             in
             obedience
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             is
             a
             profane
             device
             ,
             to
             advance
             Faction
             and
             discountenance
             Piety
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             is
             to
             our
             moral
             Vertues
             we
             add
             not
             also
             others
             which
             are
             more
             Spiritual
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             if
             we
             strive
             not
             to
             
             acquire
             all
             habits
             ,
             which
             are
             good
             
               in
               genere
               morum
            
             ,
             morally
             good
             ,
             we
             shall
             not
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             :
             not
             because
             we
             were
             only
             good
             moral
             Men
             ,
             but
             because
             we
             were
             not
             moral
             enough
             ;
             we
             did
             not
             reform
             all
             our
             manners
             ,
             we
             did
             not
             do
             our
             Religion
             and
             Charity
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Charity
             to
             our
             Neighbours
             .
             Our
             Piety
             must
             be
             universal
             ,
             our
             Morality
             must
             be
             intire
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             good
             moral
             Man
             shall
             go
             to
             God
             ,
             when
             the
             Religious
             Man
             ,
             as
             he
             accounts
             himself
             ,
             shall
             never
             see
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             dangers
             of
             miscarrying
             is
             ,
             in
             actions
             and
             undertakings
             ,
             and
             intermixtures
             spiritual
             .
             For
             besides
             that
             the
             whole
             Institution
             of
             a
             spiritual
             Life
             is
             a
             nice
             and
             a
             busie
             thing
             ,
             the
             purgative
             way
             being
             troublesome
             and
             austere
             ,
             the
             illuminative
             being
             mysterious
             and
             apt
             to
             be
             abused
             ,
             the
             unitive
             way
             not
             to
             be
             understood
             till
             it
             be
             felt
             ,
             
             and
             therefore
             liable
             to
             all
             miscarriages
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             guided
             by
             Rule
             :
             besides
             all
             this
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             spiritual
             Vices
             are
             most
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             yet
             most
             apt
             to
             insinuate
             themselves
             in
             the
             actions
             of
             greatest
             perfections
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             are
             mixt
             ,
             't
             is
             extremely
             difficult
             to
             discern
             them
             and
             make
             a
             separation
             .
          
           
             How
             hard
             is
             it
             for
             a
             Man
             that
             hath
             lived
             holily
             ,
             and
             one
             that
             rejoyces
             in
             and
             thanks
             God
             for
             his
             Graces
             ,
             for
             his
             Deliverances
             from
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Devil
             ;
             how
             hard
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             is
             it
             for
             him
             to
             conserve
             either
             his
             Conscience
             and
             Truth
             ,
             or
             his
             Humility
             and
             Modesty
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             ,
             or
             shall
             not
             say
             with
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             I
             am
             the
             least
             of
             good
             Men
             ,
             and
             the
             greatest
             of
             Sinners
             !
             for
             if
             he
             says
             so
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             think
             so
             ,
             he
             dissembles
             ;
             If
             he
             thinks
             so
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             acknowledg
             God's
             Goodness
             in
             the
             manifestation
             of
             his
             Graces
             ,
             and
             the
             deliverance
             
             of
             him
             from
             Sin
             ?
             If
             he
             does
             neither
             think
             so
             ,
             nor
             say
             so
             ,
             how
             is
             he
             so
             humble
             as
             his
             patern
             ?
             for
             we
             are
             so
             to
             follow
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             as
             he
             followed
             Christ.
             But
             then
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             how
             apt
             are
             Men
             when
             they
             humble
             themselves
             ,
             to
             do
             it
             with
             greater
             pride
             ?
             
               Est
               qui
               nequiter
               humiliat
               se
            
             ,
             there
             is
             that
             humbleth
             himself
             wickedly
             .
             I
             cannot
             insist
             upon
             the
             particulars
             ;
             but
             actions
             Spiritual
             are
             of
             so
             nice
             and
             immaterial
             consideration
             ,
             that
             both
             not
             to
             be
             deceiv'd
             ,
             and
             to
             discover
             it
             when
             we
             are
             deceived
             ,
             are
             matters
             of
             no
             small
             difficulty
             .
          
           
             You
             may
             see
             in
             little
             ,
             that
             a
             Man
             may
             go
             a
             great
             way
             in
             Piety
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             .
             What
             then
             shall
             we
             think
             of
             such
             persons
             ,
             whose
             Piety
             hath
             no
             more
             age
             than
             a
             Fly
             ;
             no
             more
             labour
             in
             it
             than
             walking
             in
             a
             shadow
             ;
             no
             more
             expence
             than
             in
             the
             farthing-alms
             of
             the
             street
             or
             high-way
             ;
             no
             more
             Devotion
             than
             going
             to
             
             Church
             on
             Sundays
             ;
             no
             more
             Justice
             than
             in
             preserving
             the
             rules
             of
             Civil
             Society
             ,
             and
             obeying
             the
             compulsion
             of
             Laws
             ;
             no
             more
             Mortification
             than
             fasting
             upon
             a
             Friday
             ,
             without
             denying
             one
             Lust
             ,
             and
             the
             importunity
             of
             sinful
             Desires
             ?
             These
             certainly
             are
             far
             from
             entring
             into
             the
             Gate
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             far
             from
             striving
             to
             enter
             .
             And
             yet
             there
             want
             not
             some
             Men
             ,
             will
             not
             do
             a
             quarter
             of
             this
             ,
             and
             yet
             would
             spit
             in
             your
             face
             if
             you
             should
             put
             them
             in
             doubt
             or
             question
             their
             Salvation
             .
             Some
             Men
             are
             so
             fond
             as
             to
             think
             Heaven
             is
             intail'd
             upon
             a
             Sect
             or
             an
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             then
             nothing
             is
             wanting
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             once
             have
             entred
             their
             name
             into
             that
             perswasion
             .
             Some
             are
             confident
             they
             shall
             be
             saved
             because
             of
             their
             good
             meaning
             ;
             and
             they
             think
             they
             mean
             well
             ,
             because
             they
             understand
             nothing
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             refuse
             not
             any
             
             opportunity
             to
             an
             evil
             .
             Alas
             ,
             they
             cannot
             help
             it
             ,
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             is
             frail
             ;
             for
             who
             can
             forgive
             him
             that
             hath
             undone
             me
             and
             my
             Family
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             indeed
             ,
             I
             should
             ,
             if
             you
             speak
             like
             a
             Divine
             ,
             but
             we
             have
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             about
             us
             :
             Alas
             ,
             I
             hate
             Drunkenness
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             never
             intemperate
             for
             love
             of
             the
             Drink
             ;
             but
             when
             a
             Man
             is
             in
             company
             he
             cannot
             do
             as
             he
             would
             do
             .
             And
             yet
             ,
             these
             Men
             will
             think
             to
             go
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             yet
             will
             not
             do
             so
             much
             for
             it
             as
             either
             decline
             the
             company
             and
             opportunity
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             the
             inconveniences
             of
             it
             .
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             is
             the
             excuse
             ,
             and
             yet
             we
             remember
             not
             ,
             that
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             cannot
             inherit
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ;
             but
             we
             by
             m●king
             it
             to
             be
             our
             excuse
             ,
             hope
             to
             enter
             the
             rather
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             Remember
             those
             great
             words
             and
             terrible
             ,
             spoken
             by
             an
             Oracle
             ,
             by
             the
             Blessed
             St.
             
               Peter
               ;
               If
               the
               Righteous
               
               scarcely
               be
               saved
               ,
               where
               shall
               the
               wicked
               and
               Sinner
               appear
            
             ?
             If
             after
             much
             striving
             many
             fall
             short
             ,
             and
             the
             Best
             is
             to
             work
             out
             his
             Salvation
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
             ,
             What
             confidence
             can
             they
             have
             ,
             that
             are
             indifferent
             in
             their
             Religion
             ,
             that
             have
             no
             engagement
             to
             it
             but
             custom
             ,
             no
             monitors
             but
             Sermons
             and
             the
             checks
             of
             a
             drowsy
             Conscience
             ,
             no
             fruits
             of
             it
             but
             not
             to
             be
             accounted
             a
             Man
             without
             a
             Religion
             ?
             But
             as
             for
             a
             holy
             life
             they
             are
             as
             far
             from
             it
             as
             from
             doing
             Miracles
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             is
             so
             and
             remains
             so
             ,
             no
             Miracle
             will
             save
             him
             .
             These
             are
             the
             Men
             that
             when
             the
             Eternal
             scrutiny
             shall
             come
             ,
             then
             they
             shall
             seek
             ,
             for
             they
             never
             seek
             till
             then
             to
             enter
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             is
             as
             fruitless
             as
             it
             is
             late
             ,
             as
             ineffectual
             as
             unreasonable
             .
             Christ
             is
             the
             Way
             ,
             and
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             the
             Light
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             openeth
             only
             the
             way
             for
             us
             to
             go
             in
             there
             ,
             whither
             himself
             is
             entred
             before
             :
             
             if
             we
             strive
             according
             to
             his
             holy
             Injunctions
             ,
             we
             shall
             certainly
             enter
             according
             to
             his
             holy
             Promises
             ,
             but
             else
             upon
             no
             Condition
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           TABLE
           OF
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             CHrist's
             Yoke
             ,
             though
             easie
             ,
             quits
             us
             not
             of
             Duty
             .
             
               Page
               2
            
          
           
             Christian
             Duties
             carry
             along
             with
             them
             a
             Reward
             so
             great
             as
             to
             wake
             the
             Considerate
             willing
             to
             do
             violence
             to
             all
             their
             passions
             .
             
               Page
               4
            
          
           
             Vertue
             hath
             more
             pleasure
             in
             it
             than
             Sin.
             
               Page
               5
            
          
           
             
             Every
             degree
             of
             love
             makes
             Duty
             delectable
             .
             
               Page
               8
            
          
           
             There
             is
             even
             in
             our
             very
             nature
             a
             principle
             as
             strong
             to
             restrain
             from
             Vice
             ,
             as
             disposition
             to
             invite
             thereto
             .
             
               Page
               9
               ,
               10
            
          
           
             Our
             Vertues
             are
             difficult
             ,
             because
             we
             at
             first
             get
             ill
             habits
             .
             
               Page
               13
            
          
           
             In
             the
             strict
             observance
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             there
             is
             less
             trouble
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             habitual
             courses
             of
             Sin.
             
               Page
               14
            
          
           
             The
             ways
             of
             Vertue
             are
             much
             upon
             the
             defensive
             part
             .
             
               Page
               15
            
          
           
             There
             is
             more
             pain
             in
             Sin
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             strictness
             of
             holy
             and
             severe
             Temperance
             .
             
               Page
               18
               ,
               19
            
          
           
             The
             ways
             of
             Vertue
             are
             strait
             ,
             but
             not
             crooked
             ;
             narrow
             ,
             but
             not
             unpleasant
             .
             
               Page
               21
            
          
           
             Peaceless
             spirits
             give
             an
             Alarm
             to
             all
             about
             them
             .
             
               Page
               28
            
          
           
             If
             we
             would
             live
             according
             to
             the
             
             discipline
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ;
             one
             of
             the
             great
             plagues
             that
             vex
             the
             world
             would
             be
             no
             more
             
               Page
               31
            
          
           
             A
             Prison
             is
             but
             a
             retirement
             ,
             to
             a
             person
             of
             a
             peaceable
             spirit
             .
             
               Page
               32
            
          
           
             All
             Content
             consists
             in
             the
             proportion
             of
             the
             object
             to
             the
             appetite
             .
             
               Page
               34
            
          
           
             Impatience
             makes
             an
             Ague
             become
             a
             Fever
             ,
             and
             a
             Fever
             a
             Calenture
             .
             
               Page
               35
            
          
           
             He
             only
             wants
             that
             is
             not
             satisfied
             .
             
               Page
               36
            
          
           
             Humility
             the
             ready
             way
             to
             Honour
             .
             
               Page
               42
            
          
           
             The
             Gate
             to
             Heaven
             a
             strait
             Gate
             ,
             and
             cvlls
             for
             a
             continual
             striving
             .
             
               Page
               45
            
          
           
             Good
             Ends
             are
             the
             Crown
             of
             good
             Actions
             .
             
               Page
               48
               ,
               49
            
          
           
             We
             are
             apt
             to
             learn
             to
             love
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             learn
             to
             love
             our
             Parents
             if
             we
             be
             taught
             it
             .
             
               Page
               52
               ,
               54
            
          
           
             All
             striving
             in
             Christianity
             is
             little
             enough
             towards
             doing
             our
             Duty
             .
             
               Page
               57
               ,
               58.
            
             
          
           
             A
             man
             may
             cease
             from
             the
             act
             of
             Sin
             ,
             
             and
             yet
             retain
             the
             Affection
             .
             
               Page
               59
               ,
               60
            
          
           
             A
             bad
             sign
             ,
             when
             returns
             of
             Sin
             is
             frequent
             ,
             and
             of
             Religion
             seldom
             ,
             and
             unpleasant
             .
             
               Page
               62
            
          
           
             Faith
             works
             Miracles
             ;
             but
             Charity
             works
             more
             .
             
               Page
               64
            
          
           
             God
             requires
             no
             more
             than
             he
             gives
             us
             Nature
             and
             Grace
             to
             perform
             .
             
               Page
               65
            
          
           
             Many
             Vertues
             and
             Vices
             are
             so
             alike
             ,
             that
             it
             's
             often
             difficult
             to
             distinguish
             them
             exactly
             .
             
               Page
               67
               ,
               68
            
          
           
             Sometimes
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             differ
             but
             in
             one
             degree
             .
             
               Page
               69
            
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             right
             hand
             and
             a
             left
             in
             the
             paths
             of
             our
             Life
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             decline
             to
             either
             ,
             we
             are
             undon
             .
             
               Page
               71
            
          
           
             There
             's
             an
             hundred
             ways
             to
             wander
             in
             ,
             but
             one
             only
             way
             to
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             .
             
               Page
               73
            
          
           
             God's
             Counsels
             are
             secret
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             ever
             just
             .
             
               Page
               78
            
          
           
             A
             thought
             a
             minute
             may
             destroy
             all
             our
             hopes
             of
             a
             blissful
             lmmortality
             ,
             
             which
             twenty
             or
             forty
             years
             have
             been
             with
             great
             labour
             in
             erecting
             .
             
               Page
               79
            
          
           
             Spiritual
             Vices
             are
             most
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             yet
             most
             apt
             to
             insinuate
             themselves
             in
             the
             actions
             of
             greatest
             perfections
             .
             
               Page
               82
            
          
           
             A
             Man
             may
             go
             a
             great
             way
             in
             Piety
             ,
             and
             not
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             .
             
               Page
               83
            
          
           
             If
             after
             much
             striving
             ,
             many
             fall
             short
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             is
             to
             work
             out
             his
             Salvation
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
             ;
             what
             confidence
             can
             they
             have
             that
             are
             indifferent
             in
             their
             Religion
             .
             
               Page
               86
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .