The life of God in the soul of man, or, The nature and excellency of the Christian religion with the method of attaining the happiness it proposes : and An account of the beginnings and advances of a spiritual life : in two letters written to persons of honour.
         Scougal, Henry, 1650-1678.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             The life of God in the soul of man, or, The nature and excellency of the Christian religion with the method of attaining the happiness it proposes : and An account of the beginnings and advances of a spiritual life : in two letters written to persons of honour.
             Scougal, Henry, 1650-1678.
             Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
          
           [19], 128 p.
           
             Printed for Charles Smith ... and William Jacob ...,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Attributed to Henry Scougal. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.).
             Preface signed: Gilbert Burnet.
             Errata: p. [19].
             Reproduction of original in Yale University Library.
             Imperfect: "An account of the beginnings and advances of a spiritual life" is lacking in filmed copy.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           Imprimatur
           ,
        
         
           G.
           Jane
           .
        
         
           Aug.
           18.
           1676.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           
             Life
             of
             God
          
           IN
           THE
           
             Soul
             of
             Man.
          
           
        
         
           OR
           ,
           The
           Nature
           and
           Exceliency
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           With
           the
           Method
           of
           attaining
           the
           Happiness
           it
           proposes
           .
        
         
           AND
           An
           Account
           of
           the
           Beginnings
           and
           Advances
           of
           a
           
             Spiritual
             Life
          
           .
        
         
           In
           Two
           LETTERS
           written
           to
           Persons
           of
           Honour
           .
        
         
           
             Eph.
             4.
             18.
          
           
           Alienated
           from
           the
           Life
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           
             Gal.
             2.
             20.
          
           
           I
           am
           Crucified
           with
           Christ
           ;
           Nevertheless
           I
           live
           ,
           yet
           not
           I
           ,
           but
           Christ
           liveth
           in
           me
           .
        
         
           
             Rom.
             8.
             14.
          
           
           For
           as
           many
           as
           are
           led
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           Sons
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Charles
             Smith
          
           at
           the
           Angel
           near
           the
           Inner-Temple-Gate
           in
           Fleet-street
           ;
           And
           
             William
             Jacob
          
           at
           the
           Black-Swan
           next
           
             Bernards
             Inn
          
           in
           Holbourn
           ,
           1677.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           Preface
           .
        
         
           THis
           Age
           grones
           under
           such
           a
           surcharge
           of
           new
           Books
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           many
           good
           ones
           lately
           published
           do
           much
           ballance
           the
           great
           swarms
           of
           ill
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           needless
           ones
           ;
           Yet
           all
           men
           complain
           of
           the
           unnecessary
           charge
           and
           trouble
           many
           new
           Books
           put
           them
           to
           :
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           Printing
           is
           become
           a
           Trade
           ,
           and
           the
           Presses
           must
           be
           kept
           going
           ,
           so
           that
           if
           it
           were
           but
           to
           shufle
           out
           an
           ill
           Book
           ,
           a
           man
           may
           be
           tempted
           to
           keep
           them
           at
           work
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           Books
           of
           Devotion
           and
           Piety
           ,
           we
           have
           seen
           so
           many
           excellent
           ones
           of
           
           late
           in
           our
           own
           Language
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           no
           Age
           or
           Language
           can
           shew
           the
           like
           ;
           in
           these
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           proposed
           in
           its
           own
           True
           and
           Natural
           Colours
           ,
           and
           rescued
           from
           those
           salse
           Representations
           many
           are
           apt
           to
           make
           of
           it
           :
           As
           if
           it
           consisted
           either
           in
           External
           Performances
           ,
           or
           in
           Mechanical
           Heats
           of
           the
           Fancy
           ,
           or
           in
           embracing
           some
           Opinions
           or
           Interests
           .
           It
           is
           and
           can
           be
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           Design
           to
           make
           us
           like
           God
           both
           in
           the
           Inward
           temper
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           whole
           deportment
           and
           conversation
           .
           For
           this
           end
           did
           Christ
           both
           live
           and
           dye
           ;
           this
           he
           taught
           by
           his
           Discourses
           ,
           and
           discovered
           in
           his
           Life
           .
           He
           died
           that
           he
           might
           take
           away
           sin
           ,
           not
           only
           or
           chiefly
           to
           procure
           our
           Pardon
           ,
           which
           was
           done
           by
           him
           for
           a
           further
           end
           ;
           that
           a
           Universal
           Indempnity
           being
           offered
           through
           his
           Death
           ,
           all
           mankind
           might
           be
           thereby
           encouraged
           to
           enter
           into
           a
           course
           of
           holy
           Obedience
           with
           all
           possible
           advantages
           ,
           having
           the
           hopes
           of
           Endless
           happiness
           ,
           and
           the
           fears
           of
           Eternal
           miseries
           before
           them
           :
           having
           the
           clearest
           Rule
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           unblemished
           Example
           proposed
           to
           them
           ;
           being
           
           also
           sure
           of
           constant
           Inward
           supplies
           to
           support
           and
           strengthen
           their
           endeavours
           ,
           and
           an
           Unerring
           Providence
           to
           direct
           all
           things
           that
           concern
           them
           .
           Nor
           are
           there
           any
           Precepts
           in
           this
           whole
           Doctrine
           ,
           whose
           fitness
           and
           true
           excellency
           ,
           besides
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           ,
           has
           not
           been
           fully
           made
           good
           .
           And
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           God
           in
           Scripture
           was
           never
           since
           Miracles
           ceased
           ,
           demonstrated
           with
           fuller
           and
           clearer
           evidence
           then
           in
           our
           Age
           ,
           both
           for
           stopping
           the
           mouths
           of
           all
           daring
           Hectors
           ,
           and
           for
           silencing
           the
           secret
           doubtings
           of
           more
           Inquisitive
           Minds
           .
           And
           though
           so
           grave
           a
           subject
           should
           have
           been
           rather
           prejudiced
           then
           adorned
           by
           Artificial
           and
           forced
           strains
           of
           Wit
           or
           Eloquence
           ,
           yet
           as
           our
           Language
           was
           never
           chaster
           than
           now
           ,
           so
           these
           Subjects
           have
           been
           handled
           with
           all
           the
           proper
           decencies
           of
           easie
           Wit
           and
           good
           Language
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           into
           what
           a
           torrent
           of
           regrates
           and
           lamentations
           must
           me
           break
           out
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           the
           Age
           we
           live
           in
           .
           For
           few
           do
           either
           believe
           or
           
           reflect
           on
           those
           great
           things
           .
           And
           as
           if
           there
           were
           a
           general
           Conspiracy
           against
           God
           and
           Religion
           ,
           how
           does
           the
           greater
           part
           among
           us
           break
           loose
           from
           all
           the
           ties
           and
           bonds
           of
           that
           Yoke
           that
           is
           light
           and
           casie
           ,
           and
           inslave
           themselves
           to
           many
           base
           and
           hurtful
           lusts
           and
           passions
           :
           And
           are
           not
           satisfied
           with
           being
           as
           bad
           as
           they
           can
           be
           ,
           but
           desire
           that
           all
           the
           world
           may
           esteem
           them
           such
           ,
           and
           glory
           in
           their
           shame
           ;
           and
           inhance
           their
           guilt
           by
           turning
           factors
           for
           hell
           ,
           studying
           to
           corrupt
           all
           about
           them
           .
           This
           sad
           prospect
           must
           needs
           deeply
           affect
           all
           that
           either
           truly
           love
           God
           ,
           or
           have
           a
           tender
           compassion
           for
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           will
           certainly
           set
           them
           to
           their
           secret
           mournings
           and
           wrestlings
           with
           God
           to
           avert
           the
           heavy
           Judgments
           that
           seem
           to
           hang
           over
           our
           heads
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           may
           of
           his
           great
           mercy
           turn
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           froward
           and
           disobedient
           to
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           just
           .
        
         
           And
           till
           God
           arise
           and
           bless
           his
           Gospel
           with
           more
           of
           this
           success
           ,
           nothing
           could
           be
           such
           an
           effectual
           Mean
           for
           convincing
           the
           World
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Excellence
           of
           our
           most
           holy
           Faith
           ,
           as
           that
           those
           
           who
           profess
           and
           embrace
           it
           did
           walk
           in
           all
           the
           strictness
           of
           a
           most
           holy
           Innocent
           and
           Exemplary
           Life
           ;
           keeping
           the
           due
           mean
           between
           the
           affectation
           of
           morossness
           and
           hypocrisie
           ,
           and
           the
           levities
           of
           irreligion
           and
           folly
           .
           This
           is
           the
           only
           argument
           that
           is
           wanting
           to
           convince
           the
           World
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           our
           Religion
           ;
           all
           people
           are
           more
           wrought
           on
           by
           lively
           Examples
           set
           before
           their
           eyes
           ,
           than
           by
           any
           discourses
           or
           reasonings
           how
           strong
           or
           convincing
           soever
           .
           The
           one
           is
           more
           easily
           apprehended
           ,
           and
           leaves
           a
           deeper
           Impression
           then
           the
           other
           ,
           which
           does
           not
           prevail
           on
           us
           till
           by
           frequent
           and
           serious
           reflections
           we
           be
           satisfied
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           hear
           any
           one
           speak
           well
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           assured
           he
           thinks
           as
           he
           says
           ,
           but
           do
           often
           suspect
           he
           is
           shewing
           his
           Wit
           or
           Eloquence
           to
           our
           cost
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           perswade
           us
           into
           some
           Opinions
           that
           may
           prove
           gainful
           to
           himself
           :
           but
           when
           we
           see
           a
           man
           pursuing
           a
           constant
           course
           of
           holiness
           in
           the
           most
           painful
           Instances
           which
           do
           most
           prejudice
           his
           Visible
           Interests
           ,
           we
           have
           all
           reason
           to
           believe
           he
           is
           in
           good
           earnest
           perswaded
           of
           those
           truths
           which
           engage
           him
           to
           such
           a
           Conversation
           .
        
         
         
           After
           the
           Ages
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           nothing
           prevailed
           so
           much
           on
           the
           World
           as
           the
           exemplary
           Lives
           and
           the
           painful
           Martyrdoms
           of
           the
           Christians
           ,
           which
           made
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           look
           with
           amazement
           on
           that
           Doctrine
           that
           wrought
           so
           powerfully
           on
           all
           ranks
           ,
           and
           did
           raise
           persons
           of
           the
           meanest
           Educations
           and
           Dispositions
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           weaker
           Sex
           and
           tenderer
           Age
           ;
           to
           do
           and
           suffer
           beyond
           what
           their
           greatest
           Heroes
           and
           most
           celebrated
           Philosophers
           had
           ever
           done
           .
           And
           in
           those
           days
           the
           Apologists
           for
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           did
           appeal
           to
           the
           lives
           of
           the
           Christians
           to
           prove
           their
           Doctrine
           holy
           ,
           concluding
           that
           there
           could
           be
           nothing
           but
           good
           in
           that
           Doctrine
           that
           made
           all
           its
           Votaries
           such
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           when
           we
           write
           Apologies
           we
           must
           appeal
           from
           the
           Lives
           of
           most
           that
           pretend
           to
           be
           Religious
           ,
           to
           the
           Rules
           and
           Precepts
           of
           our
           most
           holy
           Faith
           ,
           and
           must
           decline
           the
           putting
           the
           trial
           of
           Christianity
           upon
           that
           issue
           ;
           and
           though
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           there
           are
           beautiful
           and
           shining
           Instances
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Religion
           among
           us
           ,
           yet
           alas
           there
           be
           too
           few
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           lie
           hid
           in
           a
           vast
           mixture
           of
           others
           that
           are
           naught
           .
        
         
         
           The
           two
           great
           prejudices
           the
           Tribe
           of
           Libertines
           and
           Ruffians
           are
           hardned
           in
           against
           Religion
           ,
           are
           1.
           that
           they
           do
           not
           see
           those
           that
           profess
           they
           believe
           the
           truths
           of
           Religion
           ,
           live
           like
           men
           that
           do
           so
           in
           good
           earnest
           :
           and
           I
           have
           known
           them
           say
           ,
           That
           did
           they
           believe
           the
           great
           God
           governed
           all
           humane
           affairs
           ,
           and
           did
           know
           all
           we
           do
           ,
           and
           were
           to
           call
           us
           to
           an
           account
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           reward
           or
           punish
           accordingly
           in
           an
           endless
           and
           inchangeable
           state
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           live
           as
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           Christians
           do
           ,
           but
           would
           presently
           renounce
           all
           the
           vanities
           and
           follies
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           give
           themselves
           up
           wholly
           to
           a
           holy
           and
           exact
           course
           of
           life
           .
           The
           other
           prejudice
           is
           ,
           That
           for
           those
           in
           whose
           deportment
           they
           find
           little
           to
           blame
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           great
           cause
           of
           suspecting
           there
           is
           some
           hid
           design
           under
           it
           ,
           which
           will
           break
           out
           when
           there
           is
           a
           fit
           opportunity
           for
           it
           .
           And
           they
           conclude
           ,
           that
           such
           persons
           are
           either
           secretly
           as
           bad
           as
           others
           ,
           only
           disguising
           it
           by
           a
           decenter
           deportment
           ,
           or
           that
           all
           they
           do
           is
           a
           force
           upon
           themselves
           for
           some
           secret
           end
           or
           other
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           some
           on
           whom
           they
           can
           
           fasten
           neither
           of
           these
           (
           as
           it
           is
           hardly
           possible
           but
           one
           that
           is
           resolved
           to
           possess
           himself
           with
           prejudices
           ,
           will
           either
           find
           or
           pretend
           some
           colours
           for
           them
           )
           then
           at
           last
           they
           judge
           such
           persons
           are
           moross
           and
           sulien
           ,
           and
           find
           either
           from
           the
           disposition
           of
           their
           Body
           or
           their
           Education
           as
           much
           satisfaction
           in
           their
           sour
           gravity
           ,
           as
           others
           do
           in
           all
           their
           wanton
           and
           extravagant
           follies
           .
        
         
           These
           prejudices
           ,
           especially
           the
           first
           ,
           must
           be
           discussed
           by
           real
           Confutations
           ,
           and
           the
           strict
           conduct
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           our
           grave
           and
           solemn
           devotions
           must
           shew
           we
           are
           over-ruled
           by
           a
           strong
           belief
           of
           the
           authority
           of
           that
           Law
           which
           governs
           our
           whole
           actions
           .
           Nor
           will
           our
           abstaining
           from
           gross
           Immoralities
           be
           argument
           enough
           ,
           since
           even
           decency
           may
           prevail
           so
           far
           (
           though
           alas
           never
           so
           little
           as
           now
           when
           fools
           do
           so
           generally
           mock
           at
           the
           shame
           and
           sense
           of
           sin
           ,
           as
           if
           that
           were
           only
           the
           peevishness
           of
           a
           strict
           and
           illiberal
           education
           )
           but
           we
           must
           abstain
           from
           all
           those
           things
           that
           are
           below
           the
           gravity
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           strengthen
           a
           corrupt
           generation
           in
           their
           Vices
           .
           What
           signifies
           endless
           gaming
           ,
           especially
           
           when
           joined
           with
           so
           much
           avarice
           and
           passion
           as
           accompany
           it
           generally
           ,
           but
           that
           people
           know
           not
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           time
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           play
           it
           away
           idly
           at
           best
           .
           What
           shall
           be
           said
           of
           those
           constant
           crouds
           at
           Plays
           (
           especially
           when
           the
           Stage
           is
           so
           defiled
           with
           Atheism
           ,
           and
           all
           sorts
           of
           Immorality
           )
           but
           that
           so
           many
           persons
           know
           not
           how
           to
           fill
           up
           so
           many
           hours
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           contrivance
           must
           serve
           to
           wast
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           must
           feed
           their
           eyes
           and
           ears
           with
           debauching
           objects
           ,
           which
           will
           either
           corrupt
           their
           Minds
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           fill
           their
           Imaginations
           with
           very
           unpleasant
           and
           hateful
           representations
           .
           As
           if
           there
           were
           not
           a
           sufficient
           growth
           of
           ill
           thoughts
           ready
           to
           spring
           up
           within
           us
           ,
           but
           this
           must
           be
           cultivated
           and
           improved
           by
           Art.
           What
           are
           those
           perpetual
           visits
           in
           the
           giving
           or
           receiving
           of
           which
           most
           spend
           the
           better
           half
           of
           the
           time
           in
           which
           they
           are
           awake
           :
           And
           how
           trifling
           at
           best
           ,
           but
           generally
           how
           hurtful
           the
           discourses
           that
           pass
           in
           those
           visits
           are
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           those
           who
           live
           in
           them
           to
           declare
           .
           How
           much
           time
           is
           spent
           in
           vain
           dressing
           ,
           (
           not
           to
           mention
           those
           indecent
           
           Arts
           of
           Painting
           ,
           and
           other
           contrivances
           to
           corrupt
           the
           World
           )
           and
           all
           either
           to
           feed
           vanity
           or
           kindle
           lust
           .
           And
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           many
           that
           live
           in
           these
           things
           desire
           to
           be
           thought
           good
           Christians
           ,
           are
           constant
           to
           Church
           and
           frequent
           at
           the
           Sacrament
           .
           What
           wonder
           then
           if
           our
           Libertines
           seeing
           such
           things
           in
           persons
           that
           pass
           for
           very
           Religious
           ,
           and
           having
           wit
           enough
           to
           discern
           that
           such
           a
           deportment
           does
           not
           agree
           with
           the
           belief
           of
           an
           account
           to
           be
           made
           for
           all
           we
           do
           ,
           conclude
           they
           do
           not
           believe
           that
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           would
           not
           behave
           themselves
           as
           they
           do
           .
           Some
           failures
           now
           and
           then
           could
           not
           justifie
           such
           an
           Inference
           ,
           but
           a
           habit
           and
           course
           of
           those
           things
           is
           an
           argument
           against
           the
           reality
           of
           that
           belief
           which
           I
           confess
           I
           cannot
           answer
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           we
           have
           got
           so
           far
           as
           to
           escape
           those
           things
           that
           are
           blame-worthy
           ,
           it
           is
           far
           from
           being
           all
           we
           must
           aim
           at
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           enough
           not
           to
           be
           ill
           ;
           we
           must
           be
           good
           ,
           and
           express
           it
           in
           all
           the
           instances
           which
           our
           state
           of
           life
           and
           circumstances
           call
           for
           .
           Doing
           good
           to
           all
           ,
           forgeving
           injuries
           ,
           comforting
           all
           in
           trouble
           ,
           
           supplying
           the
           necessities
           of
           the
           poor
           ;
           but
           chiefly
           studying
           to
           advance
           the
           good
           of
           all
           peoples
           souls
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           ;
           improving
           whatever
           Interest
           we
           have
           in
           any
           persons
           to
           this
           end
           of
           raising
           them
           to
           a
           sense
           of
           God
           and
           another
           Life
           ;
           The
           chief
           motive
           we
           offer
           to
           this
           ,
           being
           the
           unaffected
           strictness
           of
           our
           own
           deportment
           ,
           which
           will
           make
           all
           our
           discourses
           have
           the
           greater
           weight
           and
           force
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           other
           prejudices
           ,
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           fence
           or
           security
           against
           Jealousie
           ,
           yet
           we
           ought
           carefully
           to
           avoid
           every
           thing
           may
           be
           an
           occasion
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           all
           secret
           converse
           with
           suspected
           persons
           ,
           the
           doing
           any
           thing
           that
           without
           sin
           we
           may
           forbear
           ,
           which
           is
           singular
           ,
           or
           may
           bring
           a
           dis-esteem
           on
           others
           ,
           or
           make
           us
           be
           observed
           or
           talked
           of
           :
           And
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           to
           shun
           all
           forced
           gestures
           ,
           or
           modes
           of
           speech
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           not
           native
           and
           genuine
           .
           For
           let
           men
           think
           what
           they
           will
           ,
           nothing
           that
           is
           constrained
           can
           ever
           become
           so
           natural
           ,
           but
           it
           will
           appear
           loathsome
           and
           affected
           to
           others
           :
           which
           must
           needs
           afford
           matter
           of
           jealousie
           and
           dis-esteem
           ,
           especially
           
           to
           all
           prying
           and
           Critical
           observers
           .
        
         
           Were
           there
           many
           who
           did
           live
           thus
           ,
           the
           Atheists
           would
           be
           more
           convinced
           ,
           at
           least
           more
           ashamed
           and
           out
           of
           countenance
           then
           the
           most
           learned
           Writings
           or
           laboured
           Sermons
           will
           ever
           make
           them
           :
           Especially
           if
           a
           spirit
           of
           Universal
           Love
           and
           goodness
           did
           appear
           more
           among
           Christians
           ,
           and
           those
           factions
           and
           animosities
           were
           laid
           aside
           ,
           which
           both
           weaken
           the
           inward
           vitals
           of
           holiness
           ,
           and
           expose
           them
           to
           the
           scorn
           of
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           an
           easie
           prey
           to
           every
           aggressor
           .
           There
           is
           scarce
           a
           more
           unaccountable
           thing
           to
           be
           imagined
           ,
           then
           to
           see
           a
           Company
           of
           Men
           professing
           that
           Religion
           ,
           a
           great
           and
           main
           precept
           whereof
           is
           mutual
           love
           ,
           forbearance
           ,
           gentleness
           of
           spirit
           ,
           and
           Compassion
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           persons
           ,
           and
           agreeing
           in
           all
           the
           essential
           parts
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           ,
           differing
           only
           in
           some
           less
           material
           and
           more
           disputable
           things
           ,
           yet
           maintain
           those
           differences
           with
           a
           Zeal
           so
           disproportioned
           to
           the
           value
           of
           them
           ,
           prosecuting
           all
           that
           disagree
           from
           them
           with
           all
           possible
           violence
           ,
           or
           if
           
           they
           want
           means
           to
           use
           outward
           force
           ,
           with
           all
           bitterness
           of
           Spirit
           .
           This
           must
           needs
           astonish
           every
           Impartial
           beholder
           ,
           and
           raise
           great
           prejudices
           against
           those
           persons
           Religious
           ,
           as
           made
           up
           of
           Contradictions
           ,
           professing
           love
           ,
           but
           breaking
           out
           in
           all
           the
           acts
           of
           hatred
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           deep
           sense
           I
           have
           of
           these
           things
           has
           carried
           me
           too
           far
           ,
           my
           design
           in
           this
           Preface
           being
           only
           to
           Introduce
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           was
           written
           by
           a
           Pious
           and
           Learned
           Countreyman
           of
           mine
           ,
           for
           the
           private
           use
           of
           a
           Noble
           Friend
           of
           his
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           design
           of
           making
           it
           more
           publick
           .
           Others
           seeing
           it
           ,
           were
           much
           taken
           both
           with
           the
           Excellent
           purposes
           it
           contained
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           clearness
           and
           pleasantness
           of
           the
           Stile
           ,
           the
           natural
           Method
           and
           the
           shortness
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           desired
           it
           might
           be
           made
           a
           more
           publick
           good
           .
           And
           knowing
           some
           Interest
           I
           had
           with
           the
           Author
           ,
           it
           was
           referred
           to
           me
           ,
           whether
           it
           should
           lye
           in
           a
           private
           Closet
           ,
           or
           be
           let
           go
           abroad
           .
           I
           was
           not
           long
           in
           suspence
           ,
           having
           read
           it
           over
           ,
           and
           the
           rather
           knowing
           so
           well
           as
           I
           do
           ,
           that
           the
           Author
           has
           written
           
           out
           nothing
           here
           but
           what
           he
           himself
           did
           well
           feel
           and
           know
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           being
           a
           Transcript
           of
           those
           divine
           Impressions
           that
           are
           upon
           his
           own
           heart
           ,
           I
           hope
           the
           Native
           and
           unforced
           genuineness
           of
           it
           will
           both
           more
           delight
           and
           edifie
           the
           Reader
           .
           I
           know
           those
           things
           have
           been
           often
           discoursed
           with
           great
           advantages
           both
           of
           Reason
           ,
           Wit
           and
           Eloquence
           ,
           but
           the
           more
           Witnesses
           that
           concurr
           in
           sealing
           these
           Divine
           Truths
           with
           their
           Testimonies
           ,
           the
           more
           evidence
           is
           thereby
           given
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           upon
           this
           account
           that
           the
           Author
           having
           seen
           a
           Letter
           written
           by
           a
           Friend
           of
           his
           to
           a
           Person
           of
           great
           Honour
           ,
           but
           of
           far
           greater
           Worth
           ,
           of
           the
           rise
           and
           progress
           of
           a
           Spiritual
           Life
           (
           wherein
           as
           there
           were
           many
           things
           which
           he
           had
           not
           touched
           so
           in
           those
           things
           of
           which
           they
           both
           discourse
           ,
           the
           harmony
           was
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           he
           believed
           they
           would
           mutually
           strengthen
           one
           another
           )
           was
           earnest
           with
           his
           Friend
           that
           both
           might
           go
           abroad
           together
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           pressing
           him
           to
           let
           his
           Discourse
           be
           published
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           yield
           to
           it
           unless
           he
           granted
           the
           same
           consent
           for
           his
           .
        
         
         
           And
           so
           the
           Reader
           has
           both
           ,
           the
           one
           after
           the
           other
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           desired
           to
           peruse
           with
           some
           degrees
           of
           the
           same
           seriousness
           in
           which
           they
           were
           both
           penned
           ,
           and
           then
           it
           is
           presumed
           he
           will
           not
           repent
           him
           of
           his
           pains
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           P.
           23.
           l.
           4.
           for
           is
           read
           are
           .
           p.
           76.
           l.
           20
           ,
           for
           but
           r.
           when
           .
           p.
           81.
           l.
           ult
           ,
           after
           be
           r.
           as
           .
        
         
           Page
           5.
           l.
           8
           for
           love
           r.
           have
           .
           p
           6.
           l.
           19.
           put
           a
           point
           after
           it
           ,
           p.
           16.
           l.
           7.
           for
           Implored
           r.
           Imployed
           .
           p.
           19.
           l.
           26.
           for
           Calumnies
           r.
           Calmness
           .
           p.
           26.
           l.
           5.
           dele
           as
           and
           r.
           it
           after
           that
           .
           p.
           29.
           l.
           25.
           for
           forced
           r.
           formed
           .
           p.
           59.
           for
           of
           r.
           as
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           LIFE
           of
           GOD
           IN
           
             The
             SOUL
             of
             MAN.
          
           
        
         
           
             
               My
               Dear
               Friend
               ,
            
          
           
             THis
             designation
             doth
             give
             you
             
             a
             Title
             to
             all
             the
             Endeavours
             whereby
             I
             can
             serve
             your
             Interests
             ;
             and
             your
             Pious
             Inclinations
             do
             so
             happily
             conspire
             with
             my
             Duty
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             step
             out
             of
             my
             road
             to
             gratifie
             you
             ;
             but
             I
             may
             at
             once
             perform
             an
             office
             of
             Friendship
             ,
             and
             discharge
             an
             exercise
             of
             my
             Function
             ,
             since
             the
             advancing
             of
             Virtue
             and
             Holiness
             (
             which
             I
             hope
             you
             make
             your
             greatest
             study
             )
             is
             the
             
             peculiar
             business
             of
             my
             Imployment
             :
             This
             therefore
             is
             the
             most
             proper
             instance
             wherein
             I
             can
             vent
             my
             affection
             ,
             and
             express
             my
             gratitude
             towards
             you
             ,
             and
             I
             shall
             not
             any
             longer
             delay
             the
             performance
             of
             what
             promise
             I
             made
             you
             to
             this
             purpose
             :
             for
             though
             I
             know
             you
             are
             provided
             with
             better
             helps
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             then
             any
             I
             can
             offer
             you
             ;
             nor
             are
             you
             like
             to
             meet
             with
             any
             thing
             here
             which
             you
             knew
             not
             before
             ,
             yet
             I
             am
             hopeful
             ,
             that
             what
             cometh
             from
             one
             whom
             you
             are
             pleased
             to
             honour
             with
             your
             Friendship
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             more
             particularly
             designed
             for
             your
             use
             ,
             will
             be
             kindly
             accepted
             by
             you
             ,
             and
             God's
             Providence
             perhaps
             may
             so
             direct
             my
             thoughts
             ,
             that
             something
             or
             other
             may
             prove
             useful
             to
             you
             .
             Nor
             shall
             I
             doubt
             your
             pardon
             ,
             if
             for
             moulding
             my
             discourse
             into
             the
             better
             frame
             ,
             I
             lay
             a
             low
             foundation
             ,
             beginning
             with
             the
             Nature
             ,
             and
             Properties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             all
             along
             give
             such
             way
             to
             my
             thoughts
             in
             the
             prosecution
             of
             the
             subject
             ,
             as
             may
             bring
             me
             to
             say
             many
             things
             which
             were
             not
             necessary
             ,
             did
             I
             onely
             
             consider
             to
             whom
             I
             am
             writing
             .
          
           
             I
             cannot
             speak
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             I
             
             must
             regrate
             that
             among
             so
             many
             pretenders
             to
             it
             ,
             so
             few
             understand
             what
             it
             means
             ;
             some
             placing
             it
             in
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             in
             Orthodox
             Notions
             and
             Opinions
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             account
             they
             can
             give
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             is
             that
             they
             are
             of
             this
             or
             the
             other
             perswasion
             ,
             and
             have
             joyn'd
             themselves
             to
             one
             of
             those
             many
             Sects
             whereinto
             Christendom
             is
             most
             unhappily
             divided
             :
             Others
             place
             it
             in
             the
             outward
             man
             ,
             in
             a
             constant
             course
             of
             external
             duties
             ,
             and
             a
             model
             of
             performances
             ,
             if
             they
             live
             peaceably
             with
             their
             Neighbours
             ,
             keep
             a
             temperate
             dyet
             ,
             observe
             the
             returns
             of
             Worship
             ,
             frequenting
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             their
             Closet
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             extend
             their
             hands
             to
             the
             relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             they
             think
             they
             have
             sufficiently
             acquitted
             themselves
             :
             Others
             again
             put
             all
             Religion
             in
             the
             affections
             ,
             in
             rapturous
             heats
             ,
             and
             extatick
             devotion
             ,
             and
             all
             they
             aim
             at
             ,
             is
             to
             pray
             with
             passion
             ,
             and
             think
             of
             Heaven
             with
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             affected
             with
             those
             kinde
             ,
             and
             
             melting
             expressions
             wherewith
             they
             court
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             till
             they
             perswade
             themselves
             that
             they
             are
             mightily
             in
             love
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             assume
             a
             great
             confidence
             of
             their
             salvation
             ,
             which
             they
             esteem
             the
             chief
             of
             Christian
             Graces
             .
             Thus
             are
             these
             things
             which
             have
             any
             resemblance
             of
             Piety
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             best
             are
             but
             means
             for
             obtaining
             it
             ,
             or
             particular
             exercises
             of
             it
             ,
             frequently
             mistaken
             for
             the
             whole
             of
             Religion
             :
             nay
             sometimes
             Wickedness
             and
             Vice
             pretends
             to
             that
             name
             ;
             I
             speak
             not
             now
             of
             those
             gross
             Impieties
             wherewith
             the
             Heathens
             were
             wont
             to
             worship
             their
             Gods
             ;
             there
             are
             but
             too
             many
             Christians
             who
             would
             consecrate
             their
             vices
             ,
             and
             hallow
             their
             corrupt
             affections
             ,
             whose
             rugged
             humour
             ,
             and
             sullen
             pride
             must
             pass
             for
             Christian
             severity
             ,
             whose
             fierce
             wrath
             ,
             and
             bitter
             rage
             against
             their
             enemies
             must
             be
             called
             holy
             zeal
             ,
             whose
             petulancy
             toward
             their
             Superiours
             ,
             or
             rebellion
             against
             their
             Governours
             must
             have
             the
             name
             of
             Christian
             courage
             and
             resolution
             .
          
           
             But
             certainly
             Religion
             is
             quite
             another
             
             
             thing
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             are
             acquainted
             with
             it
             ,
             will
             entertain
             far
             different
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             disdain
             all
             those
             shadows
             and
             false
             imitations
             of
             it
             :
             They
             know
             by
             experience
             that
             true
             Religion
             is
             an
             Union
             of
             the
             Soul
             with
             God
             ,
             a
             real
             participation
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             the
             very
             Image
             of
             God
             drawn
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             Apostle's
             phrase
             ,
             
               it
               is
               Christ
               formed
               within
               us
               .
            
             Briefly
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             how
             the
             nature
             of
             Religion
             can
             be
             more
             fully
             expressed
             than
             by
             calling
             it
             
               a
               Divine
               Life
            
             ;
             and
             under
             these
             terms
             I
             shall
             discourse
             of
             it
             ,
             shewing
             first
             how
             it
             is
             called
             
               a
               Life
            
             ,
             and
             then
             how
             it
             is
             termed
             Divine
             .
          
           
             I
             choose
             to
             express
             it
             by
             the
             name
             
             of
             life
             ,
             first
             because
             of
             its
             permanency
             and
             stability
             :
             Religion
             is
             not
             a
             sudden
             start
             ,
             or
             passion
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             not
             though
             it
             should
             rise
             to
             the
             height
             of
             a
             rapture
             ,
             and
             seem
             to
             transport
             a
             man
             to
             extraordinary
             performances
             .
             There
             are
             few
             but
             have
             convictions
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             doing
             something
             for
             the
             salvation
             of
             their
             Souls
             ,
             which
             may
             push
             them
             forward
             some
             steps
             ,
             with
             a
             
             great
             deal
             of
             seeming
             hast
             ;
             but
             anon
             they
             flagg
             and
             give
             over
             ;
             they
             were
             in
             hot
             mood
             ,
             but
             now
             they
             are
             cooled
             ;
             they
             did
             shoot
             forth
             fresh
             and
             high
             ,
             but
             are
             quickly
             withered
             ,
             because
             they
             had
             no
             root
             in
             themselves
             .
             These
             sudden
             fits
             may
             be
             compared
             to
             the
             violent
             and
             convulsive
             motions
             of
             Bodies
             newly
             beheaded
             ,
             caused
             by
             the
             agitations
             of
             the
             animal
             spirits
             ,
             after
             the
             Soul
             is
             departed
             ,
             which
             however
             violent
             and
             impetuous
             ,
             can
             be
             of
             no
             long
             continuance
             ;
             whereas
             the
             motions
             of
             holy
             Souls
             are
             constant
             and
             regular
             ,
             proceeding
             from
             a
             permanent
             ,
             and
             lively
             principle
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             this
             Divine
             life
             continueth
             not
             alwayes
             in
             that
             same
             strength
             and
             vigour
             ,
             but
             many
             times
             suffers
             sad
             decays
             ,
             and
             holy
             men
             find
             greater
             difficulty
             in
             resisting
             temptations
             ,
             and
             less
             alacrity
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             their
             duties
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             quite
             extinguished
             ,
             nor
             are
             they
             abandoned
             to
             the
             power
             of
             these
             corrupt
             affections
             ,
             which
             sway
             and
             over-rule
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             .
             
          
           
             Again
             ,
             Religion
             may
             be
             designed
             by
             the
             name
             of
             Life
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             an
             
             inward
             ,
             free
             ,
             and
             self-moving
             principle
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             have
             made
             progress
             in
             it
             ,
             are
             not
             acted
             only
             by
             external
             Motives
             ,
             driven
             meerly
             by
             threatnings
             ,
             nor
             bribed
             by
             promises
             ,
             nor
             constrain'd
             by
             Laws
             ;
             but
             are
             powerfully
             inclined
             to
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             delight
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             it
             :
             The
             love
             which
             a
             Pious
             man
             carries
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             goodness
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             much
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             Command
             enjoyning
             him
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             as
             by
             a
             new
             Nature
             instructing
             and
             prompting
             him
             to
             it
             ;
             nor
             doth
             he
             pay
             his
             devotions
             ,
             as
             an
             unavoidable
             tribute
             only
             to
             appease
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             or
             quiet
             his
             clamorous
             Conscience
             ;
             but
             those
             Religious
             exercises
             are
             the
             proper
             emanations
             of
             the
             divine
             life
             ,
             the
             natural
             employments
             of
             the
             new
             born
             Soul
             ;
             he
             prayes
             and
             gives
             thanks
             ,
             and
             repents
             ,
             not
             only
             because
             these
             things
             are
             commanded
             ,
             but
             rather
             because
             he
             is
             sensible
             of
             his
             wants
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Divine
             goodness
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             folly
             and
             misery
             of
             a
             sinful
             life
             ;
             his
             charity
             is
             not
             forced
             ,
             nor
             his
             alms
             extorted
             from
             him
             ,
             his
             love
             makes
             him
             willing
             to
             
             give
             ;
             and
             though
             there
             were
             no
             outward
             obligation
             ,
             his
             
               heart
               would
               devise
               liberal
               things
            
             :
             injustice
             or
             intemperance
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             vices
             ,
             are
             as
             contrary
             to
             his
             temper
             ,
             and
             constitution
             ,
             as
             the
             basest
             actions
             are
             to
             the
             most
             generous
             spirit
             ,
             and
             impudence
             and
             scurrility
             to
             those
             who
             are
             naturally
             modest
             :
             so
             that
             I
             may
             well
             say
             with
             St.
             
               John
               ,
               Whosoever
            
             
             
               is
               born
               of
               God
               doth
               not
               commit
               sin
               :
               for
               his
               seed
               remaineth
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               he
               cannot
               sin
               because
               he
               is
               born
               of
               God.
            
             Though
             holy
             and
             religious
             persons
             do
             much
             eye
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             great
             regard
             unto
             it
             ,
             yet
             is
             it
             not
             so
             much
             the
             sanction
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             as
             its
             reasonableness
             ,
             and
             purity
             and
             goodness
             which
             doth
             prevail
             with
             them
             ;
             they
             account
             it
             excellent
             and
             desirable
             in
             its
             self
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             keeping
             of
             it
             there
             is
             great
             reward
             :
             and
             that
             Divine
             Love
             wherewith
             they
             are
             acted
             ,
             makes
             them
             become
             a
             Law
             unto
             themselves
             .
          
           
             
             
               
                 Quis
                 legem
                 det
                 amantibus
                 ?
              
               
                 Major
                 est
                 amor
                 lex
                 ipse
                 sibi
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 who
                 can
                 give
                 a
                 Law
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 ?
              
               
                 Love
                 's
                 a
                 more
                 powerful
                 Law
                 which
                 doth
                 such
                 persons
                 move
                 .
              
            
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             what
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             said
             of
             himself
             ,
             is
             in
             some
             measure
             applicable
             to
             his
             followers
             ,
             that
             it
             's
             their
             meat
             and
             drink
             to
             do
             their
             Father's
             
             will
             :
             and
             as
             the
             natural
             appetite
             is
             carried
             out
             toward
             food
             ,
             though
             we
             should
             not
             reflect
             on
             the
             necessity
             of
             it
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             our
             lives
             ;
             so
             are
             they
             carried
             with
             a
             natural
             and
             unforced
             propension
             toward
             that
             which
             is
             good
             and
             commendable
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             external
             motives
             are
             many
             times
             of
             great
             use
             to
             excite
             and
             stir
             up
             this
             inward
             principle
             ,
             especially
             in
             its
             infancy
             and
             weakness
             ,
             when
             it
             's
             often
             so
             languid
             ,
             that
             the
             man
             himself
             can
             scarce
             discern
             it
             ,
             hardly
             being
             able
             to
             move
             one
             step
             forward
             ,
             but
             when
             he
             is
             pusht
             by
             his
             hopes
             ,
             or
             his
             fears
             ,
             by
             
             the
             pressure
             of
             an
             affliction
             ,
             or
             the
             sense
             of
             a
             mercy
             ,
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             or
             the
             perswasion
             of
             others
             :
             Now
             if
             such
             a
             person
             be
             conscientious
             and
             uniform
             in
             his
             obedience
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             groaning
             under
             the
             sense
             of
             his
             dulness
             ,
             and
             is
             desirous
             to
             perform
             his
             duties
             with
             more
             spirit
             ,
             and
             vigor
             :
             these
             are
             the
             first
             motions
             of
             the
             divine
             life
             ,
             which
             though
             it
             be
             faint
             ,
             and
             weak
             ,
             will
             surely
             be
             cherished
             by
             the
             influences
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             grow
             unto
             greater
             maturity
             :
             but
             he
             who
             is
             utterly
             destitute
             of
             this
             inward
             principle
             ,
             and
             doth
             not
             aspire
             unto
             it
             ,
             but
             contents
             himself
             with
             those
             performances
             whereunto
             he
             is
             prompted
             by
             Education
             or
             custom
             ,
             by
             the
             fear
             of
             Hell
             ,
             or
             carnal
             notions
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             can
             no
             more
             be
             accounted
             a
             religious
             person
             ,
             than
             a
             Puppit
             can
             be
             call'd
             a
             Man.
             This
             forced
             and
             artificial
             religion
             is
             commonly
             heavy
             and
             languid
             ,
             like
             the
             motion
             of
             a
             weight
             forced
             upward
             ,
             it
             is
             cold
             and
             spritless
             ,
             like
             the
             uneasie
             complyance
             of
             a
             wife
             married
             against
             her
             will
             ,
             who
             carries
             dutifully
             toward
             the
             husband
             whom
             
             she
             doth
             not
             love
             ,
             out
             of
             some
             sense
             of
             Virtue
             or
             Honour
             :
             Hence
             also
             this
             religion
             is
             scant
             and
             niggardly
             ,
             especially
             in
             those
             duties
             which
             do
             greatest
             violence
             to
             mens
             carnal
             inclinations
             ,
             and
             those
             slavish
             spirits
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             do
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             is
             absolutely
             required
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             Law
             that
             compels
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             be
             loath
             to
             go
             beyond
             what
             it
             stints
             them
             to
             ,
             nay
             ,
             they
             will
             ever
             be
             putting
             such
             glosses
             on
             it
             ,
             as
             may
             leave
             themselves
             the
             greatest
             liberty
             ;
             whereas
             the
             Spirit
             of
             true
             Religion
             is
             franck
             and
             liberal
             ,
             far
             from
             such
             peevish
             and
             narrow
             reckoning
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             hath
             given
             himself
             intirely
             unto
             God
             will
             never
             think
             he
             doth
             too
             much
             for
             him
             .
          
           
             By
             this
             time
             I
             hope
             it
             doth
             appear
             ,
             
             that
             Religion
             is
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             reason
             termed
             
               a
               Life
            
             or
             vital
             principle
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             's
             very
             necessary
             to
             distinguish
             betwixt
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             obedience
             which
             is
             constrained
             ,
             and
             depends
             on
             external
             causes
             :
             I
             come
             next
             to
             give
             an
             account
             why
             I
             designed
             it
             by
             the
             name
             of
             
               divine
               life
            
             ,
             and
             so
             it
             may
             be
             called
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             regard
             of
             
             its
             fountain
             and
             original
             ,
             having
             God
             for
             its
             Author
             ,
             and
             being
             wrought
             in
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             by
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ;
             but
             also
             in
             regard
             of
             its
             nature
             ,
             Religion
             being
             a
             resemblance
             of
             the
             Divine
             perfections
             ,
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Almighty
             shining
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             :
             nay
             it
             is
             a
             real
             participation
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             beam
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Light
             ,
             a
             drop
             of
             that
             Infinite
             Ocean
             of
             goodness
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             are
             eudued
             with
             it
             ,
             may
             be
             said
             to
             have
             
               God
               dwelling
               in
               their
               Souls
               ,
               and
               Christ
               formed
               within
               them
               .
            
          
           
             Before
             I
             descend
             to
             a
             more
             particular
             
             consideration
             of
             that
             Divine
             Life
             wherein
             true
             Religion
             doth
             consist
             ,
             it
             will
             perhaps
             be
             fit
             to
             speak
             a
             little
             of
             that
             natural
             or
             animal
             Life
             which
             prevails
             in
             those
             who
             are
             strangers
             to
             the
             other
             :
             and
             by
             this
             I
             understand
             nothing
             else
             ,
             but
             our
             inclination
             and
             propension
             toward
             those
             things
             which
             are
             pleasing
             and
             acceptable
             to
             Nature
             :
             or
             self-Love
             issuing
             forth
             and
             spreading
             it self
             into
             as
             many
             branches
             as
             men
             have
             several
             appetites
             and
             inclinations
             :
             The
             root
             and
             foundation
             of
             the
             animal
             
             life
             I
             reckon
             to
             be
             Sense
             taking
             it
             largely
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             opposed
             unto
             Faith
             ,
             and
             importeth
             our
             perception
             and
             resentment
             of
             things
             ,
             that
             are
             either
             grateful
             or
             troublesom
             unto
             us
             .
             Now
             those
             animal
             affections
             considered
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             as
             they
             are
             implanted
             in
             us
             by
             nature
             ,
             are
             not
             vitious
             or
             blameable
             ;
             nay
             they
             are
             instances
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Creator
             furnishing
             his
             Creatures
             with
             such
             appetites
             as
             tend
             to
             the
             preservation
             and
             welfare
             of
             their
             lives
             :
             these
             are
             instead
             of
             a
             Law
             unto
             the
             brute
             Beasts
             ,
             whereby
             they
             are
             directed
             towards
             the
             ends
             for
             which
             they
             were
             made
             ;
             but
             Man
             being
             made
             for
             higher
             purposes
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             guided
             by
             more
             excellent
             Laws
             ,
             becomes
             guilty
             and
             criminal
             when
             he
             is
             so
             far
             transported
             by
             the
             inclinations
             of
             this
             lower
             Life
             ,
             as
             to
             violate
             his
             duty
             ,
             or
             neglect
             the
             higher
             and
             more
             noble
             designs
             of
             his
             creation
             :
             Our
             natural
             affections
             are
             not
             wholly
             to
             be
             extirpated
             and
             destroyed
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             be
             moderated
             and
             over-ruled
             by
             a
             superiour
             and
             more
             excellent
             principle
             :
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             the
             difference
             betwixt
             a
             religious
             and
             
             wicked
             man
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             one
             the
             Divine
             life
             bears
             sway
             ,
             in
             the
             other
             the
             animal
             doth
             prevail
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             is
             strange
             to
             observe
             unto
             
             what
             different
             courses
             this
             natural
             principle
             will
             sometimes
             carry
             those
             who
             are
             wholy
             guided
             by
             it
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             divers
             circumstances
             that
             concur
             with
             it
             to
             determine
             them
             :
             and
             the
             not
             considering
             this
             doth
             frequently
             occasion
             very
             dangerous
             mistakes
             ,
             making
             men
             think
             well
             of
             themselves
             by
             reason
             of
             that
             seeming
             difference
             which
             is
             betwixt
             them
             and
             others
             ,
             whereas
             perhaps
             their
             actions
             do
             all
             the
             while
             flow
             from
             one
             and
             the
             same
             original
             .
             If
             we
             consider
             the
             natural
             temper
             ,
             and
             constitution
             of
             mens
             Souls
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             some
             to
             be
             airie
             ,
             frolick
             and
             light
             ,
             which
             makes
             their
             behaviour
             extravagant
             and
             ridiculous
             ;
             whereas
             others
             are
             naturally
             serious
             and
             severe
             ,
             and
             their
             whole
             carriage
             composed
             into
             such
             gravity
             as
             gains
             them
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Reverence
             and
             Esteem
             :
             some
             are
             of
             an
             humurous
             ,
             rugged
             ,
             and
             morose
             temper
             ,
             and
             can
             neither
             be
             pleased
             themselves
             ,
             nor
             endure
             
             that
             others
             should
             be
             so
             ;
             but
             all
             are
             not
             born
             under
             such
             sowre
             and
             unhappy
             Stars
             ,
             for
             some
             persons
             have
             a
             certain
             sweetness
             and
             benignity
             rooted
             in
             their
             natures
             ,
             and
             they
             find
             the
             greatest
             pleasure
             in
             the
             endearments
             of
             Society
             ,
             and
             the
             mutual
             complacency
             of
             Friends
             ,
             and
             covet
             nothing
             more
             than
             to
             have
             every
             body
             obliged
             to
             them
             :
             And
             it
             is
             well
             that
             Nature
             hath
             provided
             this
             complectional
             tenderness
             to
             supply
             the
             defect
             of
             true
             charity
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             incline
             men
             to
             do
             something
             for
             one
             another's
             welfare
             .
             Again
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             Education
             some
             have
             never
             been
             taught
             to
             follow
             any
             other
             rules
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             Pleasure
             or
             Advantage
             ;
             but
             others
             are
             so
             enured
             to
             observe
             the
             strictest
             rules
             of
             decency
             and
             honour
             ,
             and
             some
             instances
             of
             Virtue
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             hardly
             capable
             of
             doing
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             have
             been
             accustom'd
             to
             look
             upon
             as
             base
             and
             unworthy
             .
          
           
             In
             fine
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             small
             difference
             in
             the
             deportment
             of
             meer
             natural
             men
             that
             doth
             arise
             from
             the
             strength
             or
             weakness
             of
             their
             Wit
             or
             Judgment
             ,
             
             and
             from
             their
             care
             or
             negligence
             in
             using
             them
             :
             intemperance
             ,
             and
             lust
             :
             injustice
             and
             oppression
             ,
             and
             all
             those
             other
             impieties
             which
             abound
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             render
             it
             so
             miserable
             ,
             are
             the
             issues
             of
             self-love
             ,
             the
             effects
             of
             the
             
               animal
               life
            
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             neither
             over-powered
             by
             Religion
             ,
             nor
             govern'd
             by
             natural
             reason
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             once
             take
             hold
             of
             reason
             ,
             and
             get
             judgment
             and
             wit
             to
             be
             of
             its
             party
             ,
             it
             will
             many
             times
             disdain
             the
             grosser
             sort
             of
             vices
             ,
             and
             spring
             up
             unto
             fair
             imitations
             of
             Virtue
             and
             Goodness
             :
             if
             a
             man
             have
             but
             so
             much
             reason
             as
             to
             consider
             the
             prejudice
             which
             intemperance
             and
             inordinate
             lust
             doth
             bring
             unto
             his
             health
             ,
             his
             fortune
             and
             his
             reputation
             ,
             self-love
             may
             suffice
             to
             restrain
             him
             :
             and
             one
             may
             observe
             the
             rules
             of
             Moral
             Justice
             in
             dealing
             with
             others
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             way
             to
             secure
             his
             own
             interest
             ,
             and
             maintain
             his
             credit
             in
             the
             world
             .
             But
             this
             is
             not
             all
             ,
             this
             natural
             principle
             by
             the
             help
             of
             reason
             may
             take
             a
             higher
             flight
             ,
             and
             come
             nigher
             the
             instances
             of
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             :
             it
             may
             incline
             a
             man
             to
             the
             
             diligent
             study
             of
             Divine
             Truths
             :
             for
             why
             should
             not
             these
             as
             well
             as
             other
             speculations
             be
             pleasant
             and
             grateful
             to
             curious
             and
             inquisitive
             humors
             :
             it
             may
             make
             men
             zealous
             in
             maintaining
             and
             propagating
             such
             opinions
             as
             they
             have
             espoused
             ,
             and
             be
             very
             desirous
             that
             others
             should
             submit
             unto
             their
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             approve
             the
             choice
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             themselves
             have
             made
             :
             it
             may
             make
             them
             delight
             to
             hear
             and
             compose
             excellent
             discourses
             about
             the
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ;
             for
             Eloquence
             is
             very
             pleasant
             whatever
             be
             the
             subject
             :
             nay
             some
             it
             may
             dispose
             to
             no
             small
             height
             of
             sensible
             devotion
             :
             the
             glorious
             things
             that
             are
             spoken
             of
             Heaven
             may
             make
             even
             a
             carnal
             heart
             in
             love
             with
             it
             :
             the
             Metaphors
             and
             Similitudes
             made
             use
             of
             in
             Scripture
             of
             Crowns
             and
             Scepters
             ,
             and
             Rivers
             of
             pleasure
             ,
             &c.
             will
             easily
             affect
             a
             man's
             fancy
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             wish
             to
             be
             there
             ,
             though
             he
             neither
             understand
             nor
             desire
             those
             spiritual
             pleasures
             which
             are
             described
             and
             shadowed
             forth
             by
             these
             :
             and
             when
             such
             a
             person
             comes
             to
             believe
             that
             Christ
             has
             
             purchased
             these
             glorious
             things
             for
             him
             ,
             he
             may
             feel
             a
             kind
             of
             tenderness
             and
             affection
             towards
             so
             great
             a
             Benefactor
             ,
             and
             imagine
             that
             he
             is
             mightily
             inamoured
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             all
             the
             while
             continue
             a
             stranger
             to
             the
             holy
             temper
             and
             spirit
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             so
             instead
             of
             a
             Deity
             he
             may
             imbrace
             a
             cloud
             :
             and
             what
             hand
             the
             natural
             constitution
             may
             have
             in
             the
             rapturous
             devotions
             of
             some
             melancholy
             persons
             ,
             hath
             been
             excellently
             discovered
             of
             late
             by
             several
             Learned
             and
             Judicious
             Pens
             .
          
           
             To
             conclude
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             proper
             to
             make
             a
             man's
             life
             pleasant
             ,
             or
             himself
             eminent
             and
             conspicuous
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             this
             natural
             principle
             assisted
             by
             Wit
             &
             Reason
             may
             prompt
             him
             to
             it
             :
             and
             tho
             I
             do
             not
             condemn
             these
             things
             in
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             it
             concerns
             us
             nearly
             to
             know
             and
             consider
             their
             nature
             ,
             both
             that
             we
             may
             keep
             within
             due
             bounds
             ,
             and
             also
             that
             we
             may
             learn
             never
             to
             value
             our selves
             ,
             on
             the
             account
             of
             such
             attainments
             ,
             nor
             lay
             the
             stress
             of
             Religion
             upon
             our
             natural
             appetites
             or
             performances
             .
          
           
           
             It
             is
             now
             time
             to
             return
             to
             the
             consideration
             
             of
             that
             
               Divine
               Life
            
             whereof
             I
             was
             discoursing
             before
             ,
             that
             
               life
               which
               is
               hid
               with
               Christ
               in
               God
               ,
            
             and
             therefore
             hath
             no
             glorious
             shew
             or
             appearance
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             natural
             spirit
             will
             seem
             a
             mean
             and
             insipid
             notion
             .
             As
             the
             Animal
             life
             consisteth
             in
             that
             narrow
             and
             confined
             love
             which
             is
             terminated
             on
             a
             mans
             self
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             propension
             towards
             those
             things
             that
             are
             pleasing
             to
             Nature
             ;
             So
             the
             Divine
             Life
             stands
             in
             an
             universal
             and
             unbounded
             affection
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mastery
             over
             our
             natural
             inclinations
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             never
             be
             able
             to
             betray
             us
             to
             those
             things
             which
             we
             know
             to
             be
             blamable
             :
             The
             root
             of
             the
             divine
             life
             is
             Faith
             ,
             the
             chief
             branches
             are
             Love
             to
             God
             ,
             Charity
             to
             Man
             ,
             Purity
             ,
             and
             Humility
             :
             For
             (
             as
             an
             Excellent
             Person
             hath
             well
             observed
             )
             however
             these
             names
             be
             common
             and
             vulgar
             ,
             and
             make
             no
             extraordinary
             sound
             ,
             yet
             do
             they
             carry
             such
             a
             mighty
             sence
             ,
             that
             the
             tongue
             of
             Man
             or
             Angel
             can
             pronounce
             nothing
             more
             weighty
             or
             excellent
             .
             Faith
             hath
             the
             same
             place
             
             in
             the
             Divine
             life
             which
             Sense
             hath
             in
             the
             natural
             ,
             being
             indeed
             nothing
             else
             ,
             but
             a
             kind
             of
             sense
             ,
             or
             feeling
             perswasion
             of
             Spiritual
             things
             :
             It
             extends
             it self
             unto
             all
             Divine
             Truths
             ;
             but
             in
             our
             lapsed
             estate
             ,
             it
             hath
             a
             peculiar
             relation
             to
             the
             declarations
             of
             God's
             mercy
             and
             reconcileableness
             to
             Sinners
             through
             a
             Mediator
             ,
             and
             therefore
             receiving
             its
             denomination
             from
             that
             principal
             object
             is
             ordinarily
             termed
             ,
             
               Faith
               in
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             
          
           
             The
             Love
             of
             God
             is
             a
             delightful
             and
             affectionate
             sence
             of
             the
             Divine
             perfections
             ,
             which
             makes
             the
             Soul
             resign
             and
             sacrifice
             it self
             wholly
             unto
             him
             ,
             desiring
             above
             all
             things
             to
             please
             him
             ,
             and
             delighting
             in
             nothing
             so
             much
             as
             in
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             being
             ready
             to
             do
             or
             suffer
             any
             thing
             for
             his
             sake
             ,
             or
             at
             his
             pleasure
             :
             though
             this
             affection
             may
             have
             its
             first
             rise
             from
             the
             Favours
             and
             Mercies
             of
             God
             toward
             our selves
             ,
             yet
             doth
             it
             in
             its
             growth
             and
             progress
             transcend
             such
             particular
             considerations
             ,
             and
             ground
             it self
             on
             his
             infinite
             goodness
             manifested
             in
             all
             the
             Works
             of
             Creation
             
             and
             Providence
             .
             A
             Soul
             thus
             possessed
             with
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             inlarged
             towards
             all
             Mankind
             in
             a
             sincere
             and
             unbounded
             ,
             affection
             because
             of
             the
             relation
             they
             carry
             unto
             God
             being
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             having
             something
             of
             his
             Image
             stamped
             upon
             them
             :
             and
             this
             is
             that
             Charity
             I
             named
             as
             the
             second
             branch
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             under
             which
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             Justice
             ,
             all
             the
             duty
             's
             we
             owe
             to
             our
             Neighbour
             are
             eminently
             comprehended
             :
             for
             he
             who
             doth
             truly
             love
             all
             the
             world
             will
             be
             nearly
             concerned
             in
             the
             interests
             of
             every
             one
             ,
             and
             so
             far
             from
             wronging
             or
             injuring
             any
             person
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             resent
             any
             evil
             that
             befals
             to
             others
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             happened
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
             By
             Purity
             ,
             I
             understand
             a
             due
             abstractedness
             from
             the
             body
             ,
             and
             mastery
             over
             the
             inferiour
             appetites
             :
             or
             such
             a
             temper
             and
             disposition
             of
             mind
             ,
             as
             makes
             a
             man
             despise
             &
             abstain
             from
             all
             pleasures
             and
             delights
             of
             sence
             or
             fancy
             which
             are
             sinful
             in
             themselves
             ,
             or
             tend
             to
             extinguish
             or
             lessen
             our
             relish
             of
             more
             divine
             and
             intellectual
             pleasures
             ,
             which
             doth
             also
             infer
             a
             resoluteness
             
             to
             undergo
             all
             those
             hardships
             he
             may
             meet
             with
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             his
             duty
             :
             so
             that
             not
             only
             Chastity
             and
             Temperance
             ,
             but
             also
             Christian
             Courage
             and
             Magnanimity
             may
             come
             under
             this
             head
             .
          
           
             Humility
             imports
             a
             deep
             sence
             of
             our
             own
             meanness
             ,
             with
             a
             hearty
             and
             affectionate
             acknowledgment
             of
             our
             owing
             all
             that
             we
             are
             to
             the
             Divine
             Bounty
             ,
             which
             is
             alwayes
             accompanied
             with
             a
             profound
             submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             great
             deadness
             toward
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             applause
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             the
             highest
             Perfections
             that
             either
             Men
             or
             Angels
             are
             capable
             of
             ,
             the
             very
             foundation
             of
             Heaven
             laid
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             he
             who
             hath
             attain'd
             them
             needs
             not
             desire
             to
             pry
             into
             the
             hidden
             Rolls
             of
             God's
             Decrees
             ,
             or
             search
             the
             Volumes
             of
             Heaven
             to
             know
             what
             's
             determined
             about
             his
             everlasting
             condition
             ,
             but
             he
             may
             find
             a
             Copy
             of
             God's
             Thoughts
             concerning
             him
             written
             in
             his
             own
             breast
             :
             his
             love
             to
             God
             may
             give
             him
             assurance
             of
             God's
             favour
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             those
             beginnings
             of
             
             happiness
             which
             he
             feels
             in
             the
             conformity
             of
             the
             powers
             of
             his
             Soul
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             compliance
             with
             his
             Will
             ,
             is
             a
             sure
             pledge
             that
             his
             felicity
             shall
             be
             perfected
             ,
             and
             continued
             unto
             all
             Eternity
             :
             And
             it
             is
             not
             without
             reason
             that
             one
             said
             ,
             
               I
               had
               rather
               see
               the
               real
               impressions
               of
               a
               God-like
               Nature
               upon
               my
               own
               Soul
               ,
               then
               have
               a
               Vision
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               or
               an
               Angel
               sent
               to
               tell
               me
               that
               my
               name
               were
               inroll'd
               in
               the
               Book
               of
               Life
               .
            
          
           
             When
             we
             have
             said
             all
             that
             we
             can
             ,
             
             the
             secret
             Mysteries
             of
             a
             new
             Nature
             ,
             and
             Divine
             Life
             can
             never
             be
             sufficiently
             expressed
             ,
             language
             and
             words
             cannot
             reach
             them
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             be
             truly
             understood
             but
             by
             those
             Souls
             that
             are
             enkindled
             within
             ,
             and
             awakened
             unto
             the
             sense
             and
             relish
             of
             Spiritual
             things
             ,
             
               There
               is
               a
               spirit
               in
               man
               ,
               and
               the
               inspiration
               of
               the
               Almighty
               giveth
               this
               understanding
               :
            
             The
             power
             and
             life
             of
             Religion
             may
             be
             better
             expressed
             in
             actions
             than
             in
             words
             ,
             because
             actions
             are
             more
             lively
             things
             ,
             and
             do
             better
             represent
             the
             inward
             principle
             whence
             they
             proceed
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             may
             
             take
             the
             best
             measure
             of
             those
             gracious
             indowments
             ,
             from
             the
             deportment
             of
             those
             in
             whom
             they
             reside
             ,
             especially
             as
             they
             are
             perfectly
             exemplified
             in
             the
             holy
             life
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             a
             main
             part
             of
             whose
             business
             in
             this
             world
             was
             to
             teach
             by
             his
             practise
             what
             he
             did
             require
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             his
             own
             conversation
             an
             exact
             resemblance
             of
             those
             unparalell'd
             Rules
             which
             he
             prescribed
             :
             So
             that
             if
             ever
             true
             Goodness
             was
             visible
             to
             mortal
             eyes
             ,
             it
             was
             then
             when
             his
             presence
             did
             beautifie
             and
             illustrate
             this
             lower
             world
             .
          
           
             That
             sincere
             and
             devout
             Affection
             
             wherewith
             his
             Blessed
             Soul
             did
             constantly
             burn
             toward
             his
             Heavenly
             Father
             ,
             did
             express
             it self
             in
             an
             intire
             resignation
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             it
             was
             this
             was
             his
             
               very
               meat
               to
               do
               the
               will
               ,
               and
               finish
               the
               work
               of
               him
               that
               sent
               him
            
             ;
             this
             was
             the
             exercise
             of
             his
             Childhood
             ,
             and
             the
             constant
             imployment
             of
             his
             riper
             age
             ;
             he
             spared
             no
             travail
             or
             pains
             while
             he
             was
             about
             his
             Father's
             business
             ,
             but
             took
             
             such
             infinite
             Content
             and
             Satisfaction
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             when
             
             being
             faint
             and
             weary
             with
             his
             Journey
             he
             rested
             him
             on
             Jacob's
             Well
             ,
             and
             intreated
             a
             drink
             of
             the
             Samaritane
             Woman
             ,
             the
             success
             of
             his
             Conference
             with
             her
             ,
             and
             the
             accession
             that
             was
             made
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             filled
             his
             Mind
             with
             such
             delight
             ,
             as
             seemed
             to
             have
             redounded
             to
             his
             very
             Body
             ,
             refreshing
             his
             spirits
             ,
             and
             making
             him
             forget
             the
             thirst
             whereof
             he
             complain'd
             before
             ,
             and
             refuse
             the
             meat
             which
             he
             had
             sent
             the
             Disciples
             to
             buy
             :
             Nor
             was
             he
             less
             patient
             and
             submissive
             
             in
             suffering
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             then
             diligent
             in
             doing
             of
             it
             :
             he
             endured
             the
             sharpest
             Afflictions
             ,
             and
             extreamest
             Miseries
             that
             ever
             were
             inflicted
             on
             any
             mortal
             ,
             without
             a-repining
             thought
             ,
             or
             discontented
             word
             :
             for
             tho
             he
             was
             far
             from
             a
             stupid
             insensibility
             ,
             or
             a
             phantastick
             or
             Stoical
             obstinacy
             ,
             and
             had
             as
             quick
             a
             sense
             of
             pain
             as
             other
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             deepest
             apprehension
             of
             what
             he
             was
             to
             suffer
             in
             his
             Soul
             (
             as
             his
             
               Bloody
               Sweat
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               sore
               amazement
               and
               sorrow
            
             which
             he
             profest
             do
             abundantly
             declare
             )
             yet
             did
             he
             intirely
             submit
             to
             that
             severe
             dispensation
             of
             
             Providence
             ,
             and
             willingly
             acquiesced
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             he
             prayed
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             
               if
               it
               were
               possible
            
             (
             or
             as
             one
             of
             the
             Evangelists
             hath
             ,
             
               if
               he
               were
               willing
               )
               that
               Cup
               might
               be
               removed
            
             ;
             yet
             he
             gently
             added
             ,
             
               nevertheless
               not
               my
               will
               but
               thine
               be
               done
               .
            
             Of
             what
             strange
             importance
             are
             the
             expressions
             ,
             Joh.
             12.
             27.
             where
             he
             first
             acknowledgeth
             the
             anguish
             of
             his
             spirit
             (
             
               Now
               is
               my
               Soul
               troubled
            
             )
             which
             would
             seem
             to
             produce
             a
             kind
             of
             demurre
             ,
             (
             
               And
               what
               shall
               I
               say
               ,
               )
            
             and
             then
             he
             goes
             to
             deprecate
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
             (
             
               Father
               ,
               save
               me
               from
               this
               hour
            
             ;
             )
             which
             he
             had
             no
             sooner
             uttered
             ,
             but
             he
             doth
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             on
             second
             thoughts
             recall
             it
             in
             these
             words
             ,
             
               But
               for
               this
               cause
               came
               I
               into
               the
               world
            
             ;
             and
             concludes
             ,
             
               Father
               glorifie
               thy
               Name
            
             .
             Now
             we
             must
             not
             look
             on
             this
             as
             any
             levity
             ,
             or
             blameable
             weakness
             in
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             ,
             he
             knew
             all
             along
             what
             he
             was
             to
             suffer
             ,
             and
             did
             most
             resolutely
             undergo
             it
             ;
             but
             it
             shews
             ns
             the
             unconceiveable
             weight
             and
             pressure
             that
             he
             was
             to
             bear
             ,
             which
             being
             so
             afflicting
             and
             contrary
             to
             Nature
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             think
             
             of
             without
             terrour
             ;
             yet
             considering
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             glory
             which
             was
             to
             redound
             to
             him
             from
             thence
             ,
             he
             was
             not
             only
             content
             but
             desirous
             to
             suffer
             it
             .
          
           
             Another
             instance
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             God
             ,
             
             was
             his
             delight
             in
             conversing
             with
             him
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             which
             made
             him
             frequently
             retire
             himself
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             greatest
             Devotion
             and
             Pleasure
             spend
             whole
             Nights
             in
             that
             Heavenly
             Exercise
             ,
             though
             he
             had
             no
             sins
             to
             confess
             ,
             and
             but
             few
             secular
             Interests
             to
             pray
             for
             ;
             which
             alas
             !
             are
             almost
             the
             only
             things
             that
             are
             wont
             to
             drive
             us
             to
             our
             devotions
             :
             nay
             ,
             we
             may
             say
             his
             whole
             Life
             was
             a
             kind
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             a
             constant
             course
             of
             Communion
             with
             God
             :
             if
             the
             Sacrifice
             was
             not
             alwayes
             offering
             ,
             yet
             was
             the
             fire
             still
             kept
             alive
             :
             nor
             was
             ever
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             surprized
             with
             that
             dulness
             or
             tepidity
             of
             spirit
             which
             we
             must
             many
             times
             wrestle
             with
             ,
             before
             we
             can
             be
             fit
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             devotion
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             second
             place
             I
             should
             speak
             
             of
             his
             Love
             and
             Charity
             toward
             men
             ;
             but
             he
             who
             would
             express
             it
             ,
             must
             
             transcribe
             the
             History
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             comment
             upon
             it
             ,
             for
             scarce
             any
             thing
             is
             recorded
             to
             have
             been
             done
             or
             spoken
             by
             him
             which
             was
             not
             designed
             for
             the
             good
             and
             advantage
             of
             some
             one
             or
             other
             ;
             all
             his
             Miraculous
             Works
             were
             instances
             of
             his
             Goodness
             as
             well
             as
             his
             Power
             ,
             and
             they
             benefited
             those
             on
             whom
             they
             were
             wrought
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             they
             amazed
             the
             beholders
             .
             His
             Charity
             was
             not
             confined
             to
             his
             Kindred
             ,
             or
             Relations
             ;
             nor
             was
             all
             his
             kindness
             swallowed
             up
             in
             the
             endearments
             of
             that
             peculiar
             friendship
             which
             he
             carried
             toward
             the
             beloved
             Disciple
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             was
             his
             Friend
             who
             obeyed
             his
             
               holy
               Commands
            
             ,
             Joh.
             15.
             4.
             and
             
               whosoever
               did
               the
               will
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
            
             the
             same
             was
             to
             him
             as
             
               his
               Brother
               ,
               and
               Sister
               and
               Mother
               .
            
          
           
             Never
             was
             any
             unwelcom
             to
             him
             who
             came
             with
             an
             honest
             intention
             ,
             nor
             did
             he
             deny
             any
             request
             which
             tended
             to
             the
             good
             of
             those
             that
             asked
             it
             :
             So
             what
             was
             spoken
             of
             that
             Roman
             Emperour
             ,
             whom
             for
             his
             goodness
             they
             called
             the
             
               Darling
               of
               Mankind
            
             ,
             
             was
             really
             performed
             by
             him
             ,
             that
             never
             any
             departed
             from
             him
             with
             a
             heavy
             countenance
             ,
             except
             that
             rich
             Youth
             ,
             Mark
             10.
             who
             was
             sorry
             to
             hear
             that
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             stood
             at
             so
             high
             a
             rate
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             could
             not
             save
             his
             Soul
             and
             his
             Money
             too
             ;
             and
             certainly
             it
             troubled
             our
             Saviour
             to
             see
             that
             when
             a
             price
             was
             in
             his
             hand
             to
             get
             wisdom
             ,
             yet
             he
             had
             no
             heart
             to
             it
             ;
             the
             ingenuity
             that
             appeared
             in
             his
             first
             address
             ,
             had
             already
             procured
             some
             kindness
             for
             him
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               And
               Jesus
               beholding
               him
               loved
               him
               :
            
             But
             must
             he
             for
             his
             sake
             cut
             out
             a
             new
             way
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             alter
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             which
             make
             it
             impossible
             that
             a
             covetous
             man
             should
             be
             happy
             ?
          
           
             And
             what
             shall
             I
             speak
             of
             his
             meekness
             ,
             who
             could
             encounter
             the
             monstrous
             ingratitude
             and
             dissimulation
             of
             that
             miscreant
             who
             betrayed
             him
             ,
             in
             no
             harsher
             terms
             then
             these
             ,
             
               Judas
               betrayest
               thou
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               with
               a
               Kiss
               ?
            
             What
             further
             evidence
             could
             we
             desire
             of
             his
             fervent
             and
             unbounded
             Charity
             ,
             then
             that
             he
             willingly
             
             laid
             down
             his
             life
             even
             for
             his
             most
             bitter
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             mingling
             his
             Prayers
             with
             his
             Blood
             ,
             besought
             the
             Father
             that
             his
             Death
             might
             not
             be
             laid
             to
             their
             charge
             ,
             but
             might
             become
             the
             means
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             to
             those
             very
             persons
             who
             procured
             it
             ?
          
           
             The
             Third
             Branch
             of
             the
             Divine
             
             Life
             is
             Purity
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             consists
             in
             a
             neglect
             of
             worldly
             enjoyments
             and
             accommodations
             ,
             and
             a
             resolute
             enduring
             of
             all
             such
             troubles
             as
             we
             meet
             with
             in
             the
             doing
             of
             our
             duty
             :
             Now
             surely
             if
             ever
             any
             person
             was
             wholly
             dead
             to
             all
             the
             pleasures
             of
             the
             natural
             Life
             ,
             it
             was
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             seldom
             tasted
             them
             when
             they
             came
             in
             his
             way
             ;
             but
             never
             stept
             out
             of
             his
             road
             to
             seek
             them
             :
             though
             he
             allowed
             others
             the
             comforts
             of
             Wedlock
             ,
             and
             honoured
             Marriage
             with
             his
             Presence
             ,
             yet
             he
             chose
             the
             severity
             of
             a
             Virgin
             Life
             ,
             and
             never
             knew
             the
             Nuptial
             Bed
             :
             and
             though
             at
             the
             same
             time
             he
             supplyed
             the
             want
             of
             Wine
             with
             a
             Miracle
             ,
             yet
             he
             would
             not
             work
             one
             for
             the
             relief
             of
             his
             own
             hunger
             
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             :
             So
             Gracious
             and
             Divine
             was
             the
             temper
             of
             his
             Soul
             in
             allowing
             to
             others
             such
             lawful
             gratifications
             as
             himself
             thought
             good
             to
             abstain
             from
             ,
             and
             supplying
             not
             only
             their
             more
             extream
             and
             pressing
             necessities
             ,
             but
             also
             their
             smaller
             and
             less
             considerable
             wants
             .
             We
             many
             times
             hear
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             sighs
             ,
             and
             groans
             ,
             and
             tears
             ;
             but
             never
             that
             he
             laught
             ,
             and
             but
             once
             that
             he
             rejoyced
             in
             spirit
             ;
             so
             that
             through
             his
             whole
             Life
             he
             did
             exactly
             answer
             that
             Character
             given
             of
             him
             by
             the
             Prophet
             of
             old
             ,
             That
             he
             was
             
               a
               man
               of
               sorrows
               ,
               and
               acquainted
               with
               griefs
               :
            
             Nor
             were
             the
             troubles
             and
             disaccommodations
             of
             his
             Life
             rather
             his
             fate
             than
             choice
             ,
             for
             never
             did
             there
             any
             appear
             on
             the
             Stage
             of
             the
             World
             with
             greater
             advantages
             to
             have
             raised
             himself
             to
             the
             highest
             secular
             felicity
             :
             he
             who
             could
             convene
             such
             a
             prodigious
             number
             of
             Fishes
             into
             his
             Disciples
             Net
             :
             and
             at
             another
             time
             received
             that
             tribute
             from
             a
             Fish
             which
             he
             was
             to
             pay
             to
             the
             Temple
             ,
             might
             easily
             have
             made
             himself
             the
             richest
             Person
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             
             nay
             without
             any
             money
             he
             could
             have
             maintained
             an
             Army
             powerful
             enough
             to
             have
             Justled
             Caesar
             out
             of
             his
             Throne
             ,
             having
             oftner
             than
             once
             fed
             Seven
             Thousand
             with
             a
             few
             loaves
             and
             small
             fishes
             :
             but
             to
             shew
             how
             small
             esteem
             he
             had
             of
             all
             the
             Enjoyments
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             he
             choosed
             to
             live
             in
             so
             poor
             and
             mean
             a
             condition
             ,
             that
             
               though
               the
               Foxes
               had
               holes
               ,
               and
               the
               Birds
               of
               the
               Air
               had
               nests
               ,
               yet
               he
               who
               was
               Lord
               and
               Heir
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               had
               not
               whereon
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               :
            
             He
             did
             not
             frequent
             the
             Courts
             of
             Princes
             ,
             nor
             affect
             the
             acquaintance
             and
             converse
             of
             great
             Ones
             ,
             but
             being
             reputed
             the
             Son
             of
             a
             Carpenter
             ,
             he
             had
             Fisher-men
             ,
             and
             such
             other
             poor
             people
             for
             his
             Companions
             ,
             and
             lived
             at
             such
             a
             rate
             as
             suited
             with
             the
             meanness
             of
             that
             quality
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             I
             am
             brought
             unawares
             to
             speak
             of
             his
             Humility
             ,
             the
             last
             branch
             
             of
             the
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             wherein
             he
             was
             a
             most
             Eminent
             Pattern
             to
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             
               learn
               of
               him
               to
               be
               meek
               and
               lowly
               in
               heart
               :
            
             I
             shall
             not
             now
             speak
             of
             that
             infinite
             condescention
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             taking
             our
             Nature
             upon
             
             him
             ;
             but
             only
             reflect
             on
             our
             Saviour's
             lowly
             and
             humble
             deportment
             while
             he
             was
             in
             the
             world
             .
             He
             had
             none
             of
             those
             sins
             and
             imperfections
             ;
             which
             may
             justly
             humble
             the
             best
             of
             men
             ;
             but
             he
             was
             so
             intirely
             swallowed
             up
             with
             a
             deep
             sense
             of
             the
             infinite
             Perfections
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             appeared
             as
             nothing
             in
             his
             own
             eyes
             ,
             I
             mean
             in
             so
             far
             as
             he
             was
             a
             Creature
             .
             He
             considered
             those
             Eminent
             Perfections
             which
             shined
             in
             his
             Blessed
             Soul
             as
             not
             his
             own
             but
             the
             gifts
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             therefore
             assumed
             nothing
             to
             himself
             for
             them
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             profoundest
             humility
             renounced
             all
             pretences
             to
             them
             :
             hence
             did
             he
             refuse
             that
             ordinary
             compellation
             of
             
               Good
               Master
            
             ,
             when
             address'd
             to
             his
             humane
             Nature
             by
             one
             who
             it
             seems
             was
             ignorant
             of
             his
             Divinity
             :
             
               Why
               callest
               thou
               me
               Good
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               there
               is
               none
               good
               ,
               but
               God
               only
               .
            
             As
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             The
             goodness
             of
             any
             creature
             (
             and
             such
             only
             thou
             takest
             me
             to
             be
             )
             is
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
             named
             or
             taken
             notice
             of
             ,
             't
             is
             God
             alone
             who
             is
             originally
             and
             essentially
             Good.
             He
             never
             made
             use
             of
             his
             Miraculous
             Power
             
             for
             vanity
             or
             ostentation
             ;
             he
             would
             not
             gratifie
             the
             curiosity
             of
             the
             Jewes
             with
             a
             sign
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             some
             Prodigious
             appearance
             in
             the
             Air
             :
             nor
             would
             he
             follow
             the
             advice
             of
             his
             Country-men
             and
             Kindred
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             had
             all
             his
             great
             Works
             performed
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             World
             for
             gaining
             him
             the
             greater
             fame
             ;
             but
             when
             his
             Charity
             had
             prompted
             him
             to
             the
             relief
             of
             the
             miserable
             ,
             his
             humility
             made
             him
             many
             times
             enjoyn
             the
             concealment
             of
             the
             Miracle
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             design
             for
             which
             he
             came
             unto
             the
             world
             ,
             required
             the
             publication
             of
             them
             ,
             he
             ascribed
             the
             honour
             of
             all
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             telling
             them
             ,
             
               That
               of
               himself
               he
               was
               able
               to
               do
               nothing
               .
            
          
           
             I
             cannot
             insist
             on
             all
             the
             instances
             of
             Humility
             in
             his
             deportment
             towards
             men
             :
             his
             withdrawing
             himself
             when
             they
             would
             have
             made
             him
             a
             King
             ,
             his
             subjection
             not
             only
             to
             his
             Blessed
             Mother
             ,
             but
             to
             her
             husband
             during
             his
             younger
             years
             ,
             and
             his
             submission
             to
             all
             the
             indignities
             and
             affronts
             ,
             which
             his
             rude
             and
             malitious
             Enemies
             did
             put
             upon
             him
             ,
             the
             history
             of
             his
             holy
             
             Life
             recorded
             by
             those
             who
             conversed
             with
             him
             ,
             is
             full
             of
             such
             passages
             as
             these
             :
             and
             indeed
             the
             serious
             and
             attentive
             study
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             the
             best
             way
             to
             get
             right
             measures
             of
             humility
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             other
             parts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             been
             endeavouring
             to
             describe
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             that
             I
             may
             lessen
             your
             trouble
             of
             reading
             a
             long
             Letter
             by
             making
             some
             pauses
             in
             it
             ;
             Let
             me
             here
             subjoyn
             a
             Prayer
             that
             might
             be
             proper
             when
             one
             who
             had
             formerly
             entertain'd
             some
             false
             notions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             begins
             to
             discover
             what
             it
             is
             .
          
        
         
           
             A
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             INfinite
             and
             Eternal
             Majestie
             ,
             Author
             and
             Fountain
             of
             Being
             and
             Blessedness
             ,
             how
             little
             do
             we
             poor
             sinful
             Creatures
             know
             of
             Thee
             ,
             or
             the
             way
             to
             serve
             and
             please
             Thee
             ?
             We
             talk
             of
             Religion
             
             and
             pretend
             unto
             it
             ;
             but
             alas
             !
             how
             few
             are
             there
             that
             know
             and
             consider
             what
             it
             means
             ?
             how
             easily
             do
             we
             mistake
             the
             affections
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             issues
             of
             self-love
             ,
             for
             those
             Divine
             Graces
             which
             alone
             can
             render
             us
             acceptable
             in
             thy
             sight
             ?
             It
             may
             justly
             grieve
             me
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             have
             wandered
             so
             long
             ,
             and
             contented
             my self
             so
             often
             with
             vain
             shadows
             and
             false
             images
             of
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             :
             yet
             I
             cannot
             but
             acknowledge
             and
             adore
             thy
             goodness
             ,
             who
             hast
             been
             pleased
             in
             some
             measure
             to
             open
             mine
             eyes
             ,
             and
             let
             me
             see
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             at
             which
             I
             ought
             to
             aim
             :
             I
             rejoyce
             to
             consider
             what
             mighty
             improvements
             my
             Nature
             is
             capable
             of
             ,
             and
             what
             a
             Divine
             temper
             of
             spirit
             doth
             shine
             in
             those
             whom
             thou
             art
             pleased
             to
             choose
             ,
             and
             causest
             to
             approach
             unto
             thee
             .
             Blessed
             be
             thine
             Infinite
             Mercy
             who
             sent
             thine
             own
             Son
             to
             dwell
             among
             men
             ,
             and
             instruct
             them
             by
             his
             Example
             as
             well
             as
             his
             Lawes
             ,
             giving
             them
             a
             perfect
             Pattern
             of
             what
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             .
             O
             that
             the
             Holy
             Life
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             may
             be
             alwayes
             in
             my
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             before
             mine
             eyes
             ,
             till
             I
             receive
             a
             deep
             sense
             and
             impression
             of
             those
             Excellent
             Graces
             that
             
             shined
             so
             eminently
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             let
             me
             never
             remit
             my
             endeavours
             till
             that
             new
             and
             Divine
             Nature
             prevail
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             Christ
             be
             formed
             within
             me
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             ANd
             now
             ,
             my
             dear
             Friend
             ,
             having
             
             discovered
             the
             nature
             of
             True
             Religion
             ,
             before
             I
             proceed
             any
             further
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             perhaps
             be
             unfit
             to
             fix
             our
             Meditations
             a
             little
             on
             the
             Excellency
             and
             advantages
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             excited
             to
             the
             more
             vigorous
             and
             diligent
             prosecution
             of
             those
             Methods
             whereby
             we
             may
             attain
             so
             great
             a
             felicity
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             what
             words
             shall
             we
             find
             to
             express
             that
             inward
             satisfaction
             ,
             those
             hidden
             pleasures
             which
             can
             never
             be
             rightly
             understood
             ,
             but
             by
             those
             holy
             Souls
             who
             feel
             them
             ?
             
               a
               stranger
               intermeddleth
               not
            
             
             
               with
               their
               joy
            
             .
             Holiness
             is
             the
             right
             temper
             ,
             the
             vigorous
             and
             healthful
             constitution
             of
             the
             Soul
             :
             its
             faculties
             had
             formerly
             been
             enfeebled
             ,
             and
             disordered
             so
             that
             they
             could
             not
             exerce
             their
             natural
             functions
             :
             it
             had
             wearied
             it self
             with
             endless
             tossings
             ,
             and
             rollings
             ,
             and
             was
             never
             able
             to
             
             find
             any
             rest
             :
             now
             that
             distemper
             is
             removed
             ,
             and
             it
             feels
             it self
             well
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             due
             harmony
             in
             its
             faculties
             ,
             and
             a
             sprightly
             vigour
             possesseth
             every
             part
             :
             the
             understanding
             can
             discern
             what
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             will
             can
             cleave
             unto
             it
             ,
             the
             affections
             are
             not
             tyed
             to
             the
             motions
             of
             Sense
             ,
             and
             the
             influence
             of
             External
             objects
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             stirred
             by
             more
             Divine
             impressions
             ,
             are
             touched
             by
             a
             sense
             of
             invisible
             things
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             descend
             ,
             if
             you
             please
             ,
             into
             
             a
             nearer
             and
             more
             particular
             view
             of
             Religion
             in
             those
             several
             branches
             of
             it
             which
             were
             named
             before
             :
             let
             us
             consider
             that
             love
             and
             affection
             wherewith
             holy
             Souls
             are
             united
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             see
             what
             Excellency
             and
             Felicity
             is
             involved
             in
             it
             .
             Love
             is
             that
             powerful
             and
             prevalent
             passion
             ,
             by
             which
             all
             the
             faculties
             and
             inclinations
             of
             the
             Soul
             are
             determined
             ,
             and
             on
             which
             both
             its
             perfection
             and
             happiness
             doth
             depend
             .
             The
             worth
             and
             excellency
             of
             a
             Soul
             is
             to
             be
             measured
             by
             the
             object
             of
             its
             love
             :
             he
             who
             loveth
             mean
             and
             fordid
             things
             ,
             doth
             
             thereby
             become
             base
             and
             vile
             ;
             but
             a
             noble
             and
             well-placed
             affection
             doth
             advance
             and
             improve
             the
             spirit
             unto
             a
             confirmity
             with
             the
             perfections
             which
             it
             loves
             :
             The
             images
             of
             these
             do
             frequently
             present
             themselves
             unto
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             secret
             force
             and
             energie
             insinuate
             into
             the
             very
             constitution
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             mould
             and
             fashion
             it
             unto
             their
             own
             likeness
             :
             Hence
             we
             may
             see
             how
             easily
             Lovers
             or
             Friends
             do
             slide
             unto
             the
             imitation
             of
             the
             person
             whom
             they
             affect
             ,
             and
             how
             even
             before
             they
             are
             aware
             ,
             they
             begin
             to
             resemble
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             the
             more
             considerable
             instances
             of
             their
             deportment
             ,
             but
             also
             in
             their
             voice
             and
             gesture
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             we
             call
             their
             meen
             and
             air
             ;
             and
             certainly
             we
             should
             as
             well
             transcribe
             the
             vertues
             and
             inward
             beauties
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             the
             object
             and
             motive
             of
             our
             love
             :
             but
             now
             as
             all
             the
             Creatures
             we
             converse
             with
             have
             their
             mixture
             and
             alloy
             ,
             we
             are
             alwayes
             in
             hazard
             to
             be
             sullied
             ,
             and
             corrupted
             by
             placing
             our
             affection
             on
             them
             :
             Passion
             doth
             easily
             blind
             our
             eyes
             ,
             that
             we
             first
             approve
             ,
             and
             then
             
             imitate
             the
             things
             that
             are
             blameable
             in
             them
             :
             The
             true
             way
             to
             improve
             and
             ennoble
             our
             Souls
             ,
             is
             by
             fixing
             our
             love
             on
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             have
             them
             alwayes
             before
             us
             ,
             and
             derive
             an
             impression
             of
             them
             on
             our selves
             ,
             and
             beholding
             with
             open
             face
             as
             in
             a
             glass
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             changed
             into
             the
             same
             Image
             from
             glory
             to
             glory
             :
             he
             who
             with
             a
             generous
             and
             holy
             ambition
             had
             raised
             his
             eyes
             toward
             that
             uncreated
             Beauty
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             fixed
             his
             affection
             there
             ,
             is
             quite
             of
             another
             spirit
             ,
             a
             more
             excellent
             and
             heroick
             temper
             than
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             cannot
             but
             infinitely
             disdain
             all
             mean
             and
             unworthy
             things
             ,
             will
             not
             entertain
             any
             low
             or
             base
             thoughts
             ,
             which
             might
             disparage
             his
             high
             and
             noble
             pretensions
             .
             Love
             is
             the
             greatest
             and
             most
             excellent
             thing
             we
             are
             masters
             of
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             folly
             and
             baseness
             to
             bestow
             it
             unworthily
             ;
             it
             is
             indeed
             the
             only
             thing
             we
             can
             call
             our
             own
             ,
             other
             things
             may
             be
             taken
             from
             us
             by
             violence
             ,
             but
             none
             can
             ravish
             our
             love
             ;
             if
             any
             thing
             else
             
             be
             counted
             ours
             ,
             by
             giving
             our
             love
             ,
             we
             give
             all
             ,
             in
             so
             far
             as
             we
             make
             over
             our
             hearts
             and
             wills
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             possess
             our
             other
             enjoyments
             :
             it
             is
             not
             possible
             to
             refuse
             him
             any
             thing
             ,
             to
             whom
             by
             love
             we
             have
             given
             our selves
             ;
             nay
             since
             it
             is
             the
             priviledge
             of
             gifts
             to
             receive
             their
             value
             from
             the
             mind
             of
             the
             giver
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             measured
             by
             the
             event
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             desire
             ;
             he
             who
             loveth
             may
             in
             some
             sense
             be
             said
             not
             only
             to
             bestow
             all
             that
             he
             hath
             ,
             but
             all
             things
             else
             which
             may
             make
             the
             beloved
             person
             happy
             ,
             since
             he
             doth
             heartily
             wish
             them
             ,
             and
             would
             really
             give
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             in
             his
             power
             :
             in
             which
             sense
             it
             is
             that
             one
             makes
             bold
             to
             say
             ,
             
               That
               Divine
               Love
               doth
               in
               a
               manner
               give
               God
               unto
               himself
               ,
               by
               the
               complacency
               it
               takes
               in
               the
               happiness
               and
               perfection
               of
               his
               Nature
               :
            
             But
             though
             this
             may
             seem
             too
             big
             an
             expression
             ,
             certainly
             love
             is
             the
             worthiest
             Present
             we
             can
             offer
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             extreamly
             debased
             when
             we
             bestow
             it
             another
             way
             .
          
           
             When
             this
             affection
             is
             misplaced
             ,
             it
             doth
             often
             vent
             it self
             ,
             in
             such
             expressions
             ,
             
             as
             point
             at
             its
             genuine
             and
             proper
             object
             ,
             and
             insinuate
             where
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             placed
             :
             The
             flattering
             and
             blasphemous
             terms
             of
             adoration
             ,
             wherein
             men
             do
             sometimes
             express
             their
             Passion
             ,
             are
             the
             language
             of
             that
             affection
             which
             was
             made
             and
             designed
             for
             God
             :
             as
             he
             who
             is
             accustomed
             to
             speak
             to
             some
             great
             Person
             ,
             doth
             perhaps
             unawares
             accost
             another
             with
             those
             Titles
             he
             was
             wont
             to
             give
             to
             him
             :
             But
             certainly
             that
             Passion
             which
             accounteth
             its
             object
             a
             Deitie
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             bestowed
             on
             him
             who
             is
             really
             so
             :
             Those
             unlimited
             submissions
             ,
             which
             would
             debase
             the
             Soul
             ,
             if
             directed
             to
             any
             other
             ,
             will
             exalt
             and
             ennoble
             it
             ,
             when
             placed
             here
             :
             those
             chains
             and
             cords
             of
             love
             are
             infinitely
             more
             glorious
             than
             liberty
             it self
             ;
             this
             slavery
             is
             more
             noble
             than
             all
             the
             Empires
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Again
             ,
             as
             Divine
             Love
             doth
             advance
             
             and
             elevate
             the
             Soul
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             that
             alone
             which
             can
             make
             it
             happy
             :
             the
             highest
             and
             most
             ravishing
             pleasures
             ,
             the
             most
             soiid
             and
             substantial
             delights
             ,
             the
             humane
             Nature
             is
             capable
             of
             ,
             are
             those
             
             which
             arise
             from
             the
             endearments
             of
             a
             well-placed
             and
             successful
             affection
             .
             That
             which
             imbitters
             Love
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             ordinarily
             a
             very
             troublesom
             and
             hurtful
             Passion
             ,
             is
             the
             placing
             it
             on
             those
             who
             have
             not
             worth
             enough
             to
             deserve
             it
             ,
             or
             affection
             and
             gratitude
             to
             requite
             it
             ,
             or
             whose
             absence
             may
             deprive
             us
             of
             the
             pleasure
             of
             their
             converse
             ,
             or
             their
             miseries
             occasion
             our
             trouble
             :
             To
             all
             these
             Evils
             are
             they
             exposed
             ,
             whose
             chief
             and
             supream
             affection
             is
             placed
             on
             Creatures
             like
             themselves
             ;
             but
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             delivers
             us
             from
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             Love
             must
             needs
             be
             miserable
             ,
             
             and
             full
             of
             trouble
             and
             disquietude
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             not
             worth
             and
             excellency
             enough
             in
             the
             Object
             to
             answer
             the
             vastness
             of
             its
             capacity
             :
             so
             eager
             and
             violent
             a
             Passion
             cannot
             but
             fret
             and
             torment
             the
             spirit
             ,
             when
             it
             finds
             not
             wherewith
             to
             satisfie
             its
             cravings
             ;
             and
             indeed
             so
             large
             and
             unbounded
             is
             its
             nature
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             be
             extreamly
             pinched
             ,
             and
             straitned
             ,
             when
             confined
             to
             any
             Creature
             :
             nothing
             below
             an
             Infinite
             Good
             can
             afford
             
             it
             room
             to
             stretch
             it self
             ,
             and
             exerce
             its
             activity
             and
             vigour
             :
             what
             is
             a
             little
             skin-deep
             beauty
             or
             some
             small
             degrees
             of
             goodness
             to
             match
             or
             satisfie
             a
             Passion
             which
             was
             made
             for
             God
             ,
             designed
             to
             embrace
             an
             Infinite
             Good
             :
             No
             wonder
             Lovers
             do
             so
             hardly
             suffer
             any
             Rival
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             desire
             that
             others
             should
             approve
             their
             passion
             by
             imitating
             it
             :
             they
             know
             the
             scantness
             and
             narrowness
             of
             the
             good
             which
             they
             love
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             suffice
             two
             ,
             being
             in
             effect
             too
             little
             for
             one
             :
             Hence
             Love
             
               which
               is
               strong
               as
               death
            
             occasioneth
             
               Jealousie
               which
               is
               cruel
               as
               the
               grave
               ,
            
             the
             coals
             whereof
             ,
             are
             coals
             of
             fire
             ,
             which
             hath
             a
             most
             violent
             flame
             .
          
           
             But
             Divine
             Love
             hath
             no
             mixture
             of
             this
             gall
             :
             when
             once
             the
             Soul
             is
             fixed
             on
             that
             Supream
             and
             All-sufficient
             Good
             ,
             it
             finds
             so
             much
             perfection
             and
             goodness
             ,
             as
             doth
             not
             only
             answer
             and
             satisfie
             its
             affection
             ,
             but
             master
             and
             over-power
             it
             too
             :
             it
             finds
             all
             its
             love
             to
             be
             too
             faint
             and
             languid
             for
             such
             a
             noble
             object
             ,
             and
             is
             only
             sorry
             that
             it
             can
             command
             no
             more
             ,
             it
             wisheth
             
             for
             the
             Flammes
             of
             a
             Seraph
             ,
             and
             longs
             for
             the
             time
             when
             it
             shall
             be
             wholly
             melted
             and
             dissolved
             into
             love
             :
             and
             because
             it
             can
             do
             so
             little
             it self
             ,
             it
             desires
             the
             assistance
             of
             the
             whole
             Creation
             ,
             that
             Angels
             and
             Men
             would
             concur
             with
             it
             in
             the
             admiration
             and
             love
             of
             those
             Infinite
             Perfections
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             Love
             is
             accompanied
             with
             
             trouble
             ,
             when
             it
             misseth
             a
             suitable
             return
             of
             affection
             :
             Love
             is
             the
             most
             valuable
             thing
             we
             can
             bestow
             ,
             and
             by
             giving
             it
             ,
             we
             do
             in
             effect
             give
             all
             that
             we
             have
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             afflicting
             to
             find
             so
             great
             a
             gift
             despised
             ,
             that
             the
             Present
             which
             one
             hath
             made
             of
             his
             whole
             Heart
             ,
             cannot
             prevail
             to
             obtain
             any
             favour
             for
             him
             :
             Perfect
             love
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             self-dereliction
             ,
             a
             wandering
             out
             of
             our selves
             ,
             it
             's
             a
             kind
             of
             voluntary
             death
             ,
             wherein
             the
             lover
             dyes
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             own
             interests
             ,
             not
             thinking
             of
             them
             ,
             nor
             caring
             for
             them
             any
             more
             ,
             and
             minding
             nothing
             but
             how
             he
             may
             please
             and
             gratifie
             the
             party
             whom
             he
             loves
             :
             thus
             is
             he
             quite
             undone
             unless
             
             he
             meet
             with
             reciprocal
             affection
             ,
             he
             neglects
             himself
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             hath
             no
             regard
             to
             him
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             be
             beloved
             ,
             he
             is
             revived
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             and
             liveth
             in
             the
             soul
             and
             care
             of
             the
             person
             whom
             he
             loves
             ,
             and
             now
             he
             begins
             to
             mind
             his
             own
             concernments
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             because
             they
             are
             his
             ,
             as
             because
             the
             beloved
             is
             pleased
             to
             own
             an
             interest
             in
             them
             :
             he
             becomes
             dear
             unto
             himself
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             so
             unto
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             But
             why
             should
             I
             enlarge
             in
             so
             known
             a
             matter
             ,
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             clear
             than
             that
             the
             happiness
             of
             Love
             depends
             on
             the
             return
             it
             meets
             with
             ;
             and
             herein
             the
             Divine
             Lover
             hath
             unspeakably
             the
             advantage
             ,
             having
             placed
             his
             affection
             on
             him
             whose
             Nature
             is
             Love
             ,
             whose
             Goodness
             is
             as
             Infinite
             as
             his
             Being
             ,
             whose
             Mercy
             prevented
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             were
             his
             enemies
             ,
             therefore
             cannot
             choose
             but
             imbrace
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             become
             his
             friends
             :
             it
             is
             utterly
             impossible
             that
             God
             should
             hide
             his
             Face
             ,
             and
             deny
             his
             Love
             to
             a
             Soul
             wholly
             devoted
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             which
             desires
             nothing
             so
             much
             as
             to
             serve
             and
             
             please
             him
             :
             he
             cannot
             disdain
             his
             own
             Image
             ,
             nor
             the
             heart
             in
             which
             it
             is
             engraven
             :
             Love
             is
             all
             the
             tribute
             which
             we
             can
             pay
             him
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             the
             Sacrifice
             which
             he
             will
             not
             despise
             .
          
           
             Another
             thing
             which
             disturbs
             the
             
             pleasure
             of
             Love
             ,
             and
             renders
             it
             a
             miserable
             and
             disquiet
             Passion
             ,
             is
             absence
             and
             separation
             from
             those
             we
             love
             :
             it
             is
             not
             without
             a
             sensible
             affliction
             that
             friends
             do
             part
             ,
             though
             for
             some
             little
             time
             ,
             it
             is
             sad
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             that
             society
             which
             is
             so
             delightful
             ,
             our
             life
             becomes
             tedious
             ,
             being
             spent
             in
             an
             impatient
             expectation
             of
             the
             happy
             hour
             wherein
             we
             may
             meet
             again
             :
             but
             if
             death
             have
             made
             the
             separation
             ,
             as
             sometime
             or
             other
             it
             must
             ,
             this
             occasions
             a
             grief
             scarce
             to
             be
             parallelled
             by
             all
             the
             misfortunes
             of
             humane
             life
             ,
             and
             wherein
             we
             pay
             dear
             enough
             for
             the
             comforts
             of
             our
             friendship
             .
             But
             O
             how
             happy
             are
             those
             who
             have
             placed
             their
             love
             on
             him
             who
             can
             never
             be
             absent
             from
             them
             :
             they
             need
             but
             to
             open
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             every
             where
             behold
             the
             traces
             of
             his
             Presence
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             converse
             with
             
             him
             whom
             their
             Soul
             loveth
             ;
             and
             this
             makes
             the
             darkest
             Prison
             ,
             or
             wildest
             Desart
             ,
             not
             only
             supportable
             ;
             but
             delightful
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             In
             fine
             ,
             a
             Lover
             is
             miserable
             if
             the
             
             person
             whom
             he
             loveth
             be
             so
             :
             They
             who
             have
             made
             an
             exchange
             of
             hearts
             by
             love
             ,
             get
             thereby
             an
             interest
             in
             one
             anothers
             happiness
             and
             misery
             :
             and
             this
             makes
             Love
             a
             troublesome
             Passion
             ,
             when
             placed
             on
             Earth
             .
             The
             most
             fortunate
             person
             hath
             grief
             enough
             to
             marre
             the
             tranquillity
             of
             his
             friend
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             hold
             out
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             attacked
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             and
             suffer
             not
             only
             in
             our
             own
             person
             ,
             but
             in
             anothers
             .
             But
             if
             God
             were
             the
             Object
             of
             our
             Love
             ,
             we
             should
             share
             in
             an
             infinite
             happiness
             without
             any
             mixture
             ,
             or
             possibility
             of
             diminution
             :
             we
             should
             rejoyce
             to
             behold
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             receive
             comfort
             and
             pleasure
             from
             all
             the
             Praises
             wherewith
             Men
             and
             Angels
             do
             Extol
             him
             :
             It
             should
             delight
             us
             beyond
             all
             expression
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             the
             Beloved
             of
             our
             Souls
             is
             infinitely
             happy
             in
             himself
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             his
             Enemies
             cannot
             shake
             or
             unsettle
             
             his
             Throne
             :
             
               That
               our
               God
               is
               in
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               and
               doth
               whatsoever
               he
               pleaseth
               .
            
          
           
             Behold
             on
             what
             sure
             foundations
             his
             happiness
             is
             built
             ,
             whose
             Soul
             is
             possessed
             with
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             whose
             will
             is
             transformed
             into
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             whose
             greatest
             desire
             is
             that
             his
             Maker
             should
             be
             pleased
             :
             O
             the
             peace
             ,
             the
             rest
             ,
             the
             satisfaction
             that
             attendeth
             such
             a
             temper
             of
             mind
             !
          
           
             What
             an
             infinite
             pleasure
             must
             it
             
             needs
             be
             ,
             thus
             as
             it
             were
             to
             lose
             our selves
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             being
             swallowed
             up
             in
             the
             overcoming
             sense
             of
             his
             goodness
             ,
             to
             offer
             our selves
             a
             living
             Sacrifice
             alwayes
             ascending
             unto
             him
             in
             flammes
             of
             love
             :
             never
             doth
             a
             Soul
             know
             what
             a
             solid
             Joy
             and
             substantial
             pleasure
             is
             ,
             till
             once
             being
             weary
             of
             it self
             ,
             it
             renounce
             all
             propriety
             ,
             give
             it self
             fully
             up
             unto
             the
             Author
             of
             its
             being
             ,
             and
             feel
             it self
             become
             a
             hallowed
             and
             devoted
             thing
             ,
             and
             can
             say
             from
             an
             inward
             sense
             and
             feeling
             ,
             
               My
               Beloved
               is
               mine
            
             ,
             (
             I
             account
             all
             his
             interest
             mine
             own
             )
             
               and
               I
               am
               his
            
             :
             I
             am
             content
             to
             be
             any
             thing
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             
             care
             not
             for
             my self
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             may
             serve
             him
             ,
             )
             a
             person
             moulded
             unto
             this
             temper
             ,
             would
             find
             pleasure
             in
             all
             the
             dispensations
             of
             Providence
             :
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             would
             have
             another
             relish
             ,
             when
             he
             should
             taste
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             consider
             them
             as
             tokens
             of
             Love
             sent
             by
             his
             dearest
             Lord
             and
             Maker
             :
             And
             chastisements
             though
             they
             be
             not
             joyful
             but
             grievous
             ,
             would
             hereby
             lose
             their
             sting
             ,
             the
             rod
             as
             well
             as
             the
             staff
             would
             comfort
             him
             :
             he
             would
             snatch
             a
             kiss
             from
             the
             hand
             that
             were
             smiting
             him
             ,
             and
             gather
             sweetness
             from
             that
             severity
             :
             nay
             he
             would
             rejoyce
             that
             though
             God
             did
             not
             the
             will
             of
             such
             a
             worthless
             and
             foolish
             creature
             as
             himself
             ,
             yet
             he
             did
             his
             own
             Will
             ,
             and
             accomplished
             his
             own
             designs
             ,
             which
             are
             infinitely
             more
             holy
             and
             wise
             .
          
           
             The
             Exercises
             of
             Religion
             which
             to
             
             others
             are
             insipid
             and
             tedious
             ,
             do
             yield
             the
             highest
             pleasure
             and
             delight
             to
             Souls
             possessed
             with
             Divine
             Love
             :
             they
             rejoyce
             when
             they
             are
             called
             to
             
               go
               up
               to
               the
               house
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             that
             they
             may
             
               see
               his
               power
               and
               his
               glory
               ,
               as
               they
               have
            
             
             
             
               formerly
               seen
               it
               in
               his
               Sanctuary
               :
            
             They
             never
             think
             themselves
             so
             happy
             ,
             as
             when
             ,
             having
             retired
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             gotten
             free
             from
             the
             noise
             and
             hurry
             of
             affairs
             ,
             and
             silenced
             all
             their
             clamorous
             passions
             ,
             those
             troublesom
             guests
             within
             ,
             they
             have
             placed
             themselves
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             entertain
             Fellowship
             and
             Communion
             with
             him
             :
             they
             delight
             to
             adore
             his
             Perfections
             ,
             and
             recount
             his
             Favours
             ,
             and
             to
             protest
             their
             affection
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             tell
             him
             a
             thousand
             times
             that
             they
             love
             him
             ,
             to
             lay
             out
             their
             troubles
             or
             wants
             before
             him
             ,
             and
             disburthen
             their
             hearts
             in
             his
             Bosom
             :
             Repentance
             it self
             is
             a
             delightful
             exercise
             when
             it
             floweth
             from
             the
             principle
             of
             love
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             secret
             sweetness
             which
             accompanieth
             those
             tears
             of
             remofse
             ,
             those
             meltings
             and
             relentings
             of
             a
             Soul
             returning
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             regrating
             its
             former
             unkindness
             :
             The
             heightned
             endearments
             of
             Lovers
             newly
             reconciled
             after
             some
             estrangements
             of
             their
             affections
             ,
             are
             a
             very
             imperfect
             shadow
             and
             resemblance
             of
             this
             .
          
           
           
             The
             severities
             of
             a
             holy
             Life
             ,
             and
             that
             constant
             watch
             which
             we
             are
             obliged
             to
             keep
             over
             our
             hearts
             and
             ways
             ,
             are
             very
             troublesom
             to
             those
             who
             are
             only
             ruled
             and
             acted
             by
             an
             External
             Law
             ,
             and
             have
             no
             law
             in
             their
             Minds
             inclining
             them
             to
             the
             performance
             of
             their
             duty
             ;
             but
             where
             Divine
             Love
             possesseth
             the
             Soul
             ,
             it
             stands
             as
             Sentinel
             to
             keep
             out
             every
             thing
             that
             may
             offend
             the
             Beloved
             ,
             and
             doth
             disdainfully
             repulse
             those
             temptations
             which
             assault
             it
             :
             it
             complyeth
             cheerfully
             ,
             not
             only
             with
             explicite
             Commands
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             most
             secret
             Notices
             of
             the
             Beloved's
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             is
             ingenious
             in
             discovering
             what
             will
             be
             most
             grateful
             and
             acceptable
             unto
             him
             :
             it
             makes
             Mortification
             and
             Self-denial
             almost
             change
             their
             harsh
             and
             dreadful
             names
             ,
             and
             become
             easie
             ,
             sweet
             and
             delightful
             things
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             find
             this
             part
             of
             my
             Letter
             swell
             bigger
             than
             I
             designed
             ,
             (
             indeed
             who
             would
             not
             be
             tempted
             to
             dwell
             on
             so
             pleasant
             a
             Theme
             )
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             compensate
             it
             by
             brevity
             in
             the
             other
             Points
             .
          
           
           
             The
             next
             Branch
             of
             the
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             
             is
             an
             Universal
             Charity
             and
             Love
             :
             The
             Excellency
             of
             this
             Grace
             will
             be
             easily
             acknowledged
             ;
             for
             what
             can
             be
             more
             noble
             and
             generous
             than
             a
             Heart
             inlarged
             to
             imbrace
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             whose
             wishes
             and
             designs
             are
             levelled
             at
             the
             good
             and
             welfare
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             which
             considereth
             every
             man's
             interest
             as
             it
             's
             own
             ?
             He
             who
             loveth
             his
             Neighbour
             as
             himself
             ,
             can
             never
             entertain
             any
             base
             or
             injurious
             thought
             ,
             or
             be
             wanting
             in
             expressions
             of
             bounty
             :
             he
             had
             rather
             suffer
             a
             thousand
             wrongs
             ,
             than
             be
             guilty
             of
             one
             ;
             and
             never
             accounts
             himself
             happy
             ,
             but
             when
             some
             one
             or
             other
             hath
             been
             benefited
             by
             him
             :
             the
             malice
             or
             ingratitude
             of
             men
             is
             not
             able
             to
             resist
             his
             love
             ;
             he
             overlooks
             their
             injuries
             ,
             and
             pities
             their
             folly
             ,
             and
             overcomes
             their
             evil
             with
             good
             ,
             and
             never
             designs
             any
             other
             revenge
             against
             his
             most
             bitter
             and
             malitious
             Enemies
             ,
             than
             to
             put
             all
             the
             obligations
             he
             can
             upon
             them
             ,
             whether
             they
             will
             or
             not
             :
             Is
             it
             any
             wonder
             that
             such
             a
             Person
             be
             reverenced
             and
             admired
             ,
             and
             accounted
             the
             Darling
             
             of
             Mankind
             ?
             This
             inward
             goodness
             and
             benignity
             of
             spirit
             reflects
             a
             certain
             sweetness
             and
             serenity
             upon
             the
             very
             countenance
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             amiable
             and
             lovely
             :
             it
             inspireth
             the
             Soul
             with
             a
             noble
             resolution
             and
             courage
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             capable
             of
             enterprising
             and
             effectuating
             the
             highest
             things
             :
             Those
             Heroick
             Actions
             which
             we
             are
             wont
             to
             read
             with
             admiration
             ,
             have
             for
             the
             most
             part
             been
             the
             effects
             of
             the
             Love
             of
             ones
             Country
             ,
             or
             of
             particular
             Friendships
             ,
             and
             certainly
             a
             more
             extensive
             and
             universal
             affection
             ,
             must
             be
             much
             more
             powerful
             and
             efficacious
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             as
             Charity
             flows
             from
             a
             Noble
             
             and
             Excellent
             temper
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             accompanied
             with
             the
             greatest
             Satisfaction
             and
             Pleasure
             :
             it
             delights
             the
             Soul
             to
             feel
             it self
             thus
             enlarged
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             delivered
             from
             those
             disquieting
             as
             well
             as
             deforming
             Passions
             ,
             Malice
             ,
             Hatred
             ,
             and
             Envy
             ;
             and
             become
             Gentle
             ,
             Sweet
             ,
             and
             Benign
             :
             had
             I
             my
             choice
             of
             all
             things
             that
             might
             tend
             to
             my
             present
             felicity
             ,
             I
             would
             pitch
             upon
             this
             ,
             To
             have
             my
             heart
             possessed
             with
             
             the
             greatest
             kindness
             and
             affection
             towards
             all
             men
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             this
             would
             make
             me
             partake
             in
             all
             the
             happiness
             of
             others
             ,
             their
             inward
             endowments
             and
             outward
             prosperity
             ,
             every
             thing
             that
             did
             benefit
             and
             advantage
             them
             ,
             would
             afford
             me
             comfort
             and
             pleasure
             :
             and
             though
             I
             should
             frequently
             meet
             with
             occasions
             of
             grief
             and
             compassion
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             a
             sweetness
             in
             commiseration
             which
             makes
             it
             infinitely
             more
             desireable
             than
             a
             stupid
             insensibility
             :
             and
             the
             consideration
             of
             that
             Infinite
             Goodness
             and
             Wisdom
             which
             governs
             the
             world
             ,
             might
             repress
             any
             excessive
             trouble
             for
             particular
             Calamities
             that
             happen
             in
             it
             :
             and
             the
             hopes
             or
             possibility
             of
             mens
             after-happiness
             ,
             might
             moderate
             their
             sorrow
             for
             their
             present
             misfortunes
             .
             Certainly
             next
             to
             the
             love
             and
             enjoyment
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             ardent
             Charity
             and
             affection
             wherewith
             blessed
             Souls
             do
             imbrace
             one
             another
             ,
             is
             justly
             to
             be
             reckoned
             as
             the
             greatest
             felicity
             of
             those
             Regions
             above
             ,
             and
             did
             it
             universally
             prevail
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             it
             would
             anticipate
             that
             blessedness
             ,
             and
             
             make
             us
             taste
             of
             the
             Joyes
             of
             Heaven
             upon
             Earth
             .
          
           
             That
             which
             I
             named
             as
             a
             Third
             
             Branch
             of
             Religion
             was
             Purity
             ,
             and
             you
             may
             remember
             I
             described
             it
             to
             consist
             in
             a
             contempt
             of
             sensual
             Pleasures
             ,
             and
             resoluteness
             to
             undergo
             those
             troubles
             and
             pains
             we
             may
             meet
             with
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             our
             duty
             :
             Now
             the
             naming
             of
             this
             may
             suffice
             to
             recommend
             it
             as
             a
             most
             Noble
             and
             Excellent
             Quality
             :
             There
             is
             no
             slavery
             so
             base
             as
             that
             whereby
             a
             man
             becomes
             drudge
             to
             his
             own
             Lusts
             ;
             nor
             any
             Victory
             so
             glorious
             as
             that
             which
             is
             obtain'd
             over
             them
             :
             Never
             can
             that
             person
             be
             capable
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             Noble
             and
             Worthy
             ,
             who
             is
             sunk
             in
             the
             gross
             and
             feculent
             pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             or
             bewitched
             with
             the
             light
             and
             airy
             gratifications
             of
             fancy
             ;
             but
             the
             Religious
             Soul
             is
             of
             a
             more
             Sublime
             and
             Divine
             temper
             ,
             it
             knows
             it
             was
             made
             for
             higher
             things
             ,
             and
             scorns
             to
             step
             aside
             one
             foot
             out
             of
             the
             ways
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             for
             the
             obtaining
             of
             any
             of
             these
             .
          
           
           
             And
             this
             Purity
             is
             accompanied
             
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Pleasure
             :
             whatsoever
             defiles
             the
             Soul
             ,
             disturbs
             it
             too
             ;
             all
             impure
             delights
             have
             a
             sting
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             leave
             smart
             and
             trouble
             behind
             them
             :
             Excess
             and
             Intemperance
             ,
             and
             all
             inordinate
             Lusts
             ,
             are
             so
             much
             Enemies
             to
             the
             health
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             the
             interests
             of
             this
             present
             life
             ,
             that
             a
             little
             consideration
             might
             oblige
             any
             rational
             man
             to
             forbear
             them
             on
             that
             very
             score
             :
             And
             if
             the
             Religious
             person
             go
             higher
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             only
             abstain
             from
             noxious
             pleasures
             ;
             but
             neglect
             those
             that
             are
             innocent
             ,
             this
             is
             not
             to
             be
             look'd
             upon
             as
             any
             violent
             and
             uneasie
             restraint
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             effect
             of
             better
             choice
             ,
             that
             their
             Minds
             are
             taken
             up
             in
             the
             pursuit
             of
             more
             sublime
             and
             refined
             delights
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             concerned
             in
             these
             :
             any
             person
             that
             is
             engaged
             in
             a
             violent
             and
             passionate
             affection
             ,
             will
             easily
             forget
             his
             ordinary
             gratifications
             ,
             will
             be
             little
             curious
             about
             his
             dyet
             ,
             or
             his
             bodily
             ease
             ,
             or
             the
             Divertisements
             he
             was
             wonted
             to
             delight
             in
             :
             No
             wonder
             then
             if
             Souls
             overpowered
             with
             Divine
             Love
             despise
             
             inferiour
             pleasures
             ,
             and
             be
             almost
             ready
             to
             grudge
             the
             Body
             its
             necessary
             attendance
             for
             the
             common
             accommodations
             of
             life
             ,
             judging
             all
             these
             impertinent
             to
             their
             main
             happiness
             ,
             and
             those
             higher
             enjoyments
             they
             are
             pursuing
             .
             As
             for
             the
             hardships
             they
             may
             meet
             with
             ,
             they
             rejoyce
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             opportunities
             to
             exercise
             and
             testifie
             their
             affection
             :
             and
             since
             they
             are
             able
             to
             do
             so
             little
             for
             God
             ,
             they
             are
             glad
             of
             the
             honour
             to
             suffer
             for
             him
             .
          
           
             The
             last
             Branch
             of
             Religion
             is
             Humility
             ;
             
             and
             however
             to
             vulgar
             and
             carnal
             eyes
             this
             may
             appear
             an
             abject
             ,
             base
             and
             despicable
             quality
             ,
             yet
             really
             the
             Soul
             of
             man
             is
             not
             capable
             of
             an
             higher
             and
             more
             noble
             endowment
             :
             It
             is
             a
             silly
             ignorance
             that
             begets
             pride
             ,
             but
             Humility
             arises
             from
             a
             nearer
             acquaintance
             with
             excellent
             things
             ,
             which
             keeps
             men
             from
             doating
             on
             trifles
             ,
             or
             admiring
             themselves
             because
             of
             some
             petty
             attainments
             :
             Noble
             and
             well
             Educated
             Souls
             have
             no
             such
             high
             opinion
             of
             Riches
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             and
             other
             such
             like
             advantages
             ,
             
             as
             to
             value
             themselves
             for
             them
             ,
             or
             despise
             those
             that
             want
             them
             :
             and
             as
             for
             inward
             worth
             and
             real
             goodness
             ,
             the
             sense
             they
             have
             of
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             ,
             makes
             them
             think
             very
             meanly
             of
             any
             thing
             they
             have
             hitherto
             attain'd
             ,
             and
             be
             still
             endeavouring
             to
             surmount
             themselves
             ,
             and
             make
             nearer
             approaches
             to
             those
             infinite
             Excellencies
             which
             they
             admire
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             not
             what
             thoughts
             people
             may
             have
             of
             Humility
             ,
             but
             I
             see
             almost
             every
             person
             pretending
             unto
             it
             ,
             and
             shunning
             such
             expressions
             and
             actions
             as
             may
             make
             them
             be
             accounted
             arrogant
             and
             presumptuous
             ,
             so
             that
             those
             who
             are
             most
             desirous
             of
             praise
             ,
             will
             be
             loath
             to
             commend
             themselves
             .
             What
             are
             all
             those
             complements
             and
             modes
             of
             Civility
             so
             frequent
             in
             our
             ordinary
             converse
             ,
             but
             so
             many
             protestations
             of
             our
             esteem
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             the
             low
             thoughts
             we
             have
             of
             our selves
             ?
             And
             must
             not
             that
             Humility
             be
             a
             noble
             and
             excellent
             endowment
             ,
             when
             the
             very
             shadows
             of
             it
             are
             accounted
             so
             necessary
             a
             part
             of
             good
             breeding
             .
          
           
           
             Again
             ,
             this
             Grace
             is
             accompanied
             
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             happiness
             and
             tranquility
             :
             the
             proud
             and
             arrogant
             person
             is
             a
             trouble
             to
             all
             that
             converse
             with
             him
             ,
             but
             most
             of
             all
             unto
             himself
             :
             every
             thing
             is
             enough
             to
             vex
             him
             ;
             but
             scarce
             any
             thing
             sufficient
             to
             content
             and
             please
             him
             :
             he
             is
             ready
             to
             quarrel
             with
             every
             thing
             that
             falls
             out
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             himself
             were
             such
             a
             considerable
             person
             ,
             that
             God
             Almighty
             should
             do
             every
             thing
             to
             gratifie
             him
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Creatures
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             should
             wait
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             obey
             his
             will
             :
             The
             leaves
             of
             high
             Trees
             do
             shake
             with
             every
             blast
             of
             wind
             ;
             and
             every
             breath
             ,
             every
             evil
             word
             will
             disquiet
             and
             torment
             an
             arrogant
             man
             :
             but
             the
             humble
             person
             hath
             the
             advantage
             when
             he
             is
             despised
             ,
             that
             none
             can
             think
             more
             meanly
             of
             him
             ,
             than
             he
             doth
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             therefore
             he
             is
             not
             troubled
             at
             the
             matter
             ,
             but
             can
             easily
             bear
             those
             reproaches
             which
             wound
             the
             other
             to
             the
             Soul
             :
             and
             withal
             as
             he
             is
             less
             affected
             with
             injuries
             ,
             so
             indeed
             he
             is
             less
             obnoxious
             unto
             them
             :
             
               Contention
               which
               cometh
               of
               Pride
            
             
             betrayes
             a
             man
             into
             a
             thousand
             inconveniencies
             ,
             which
             those
             of
             a
             meek
             and
             lowly
             temper
             are
             seldom
             meeting
             with
             :
             True
             and
             genuine
             humility
             begetteth
             both
             a
             veneration
             and
             love
             among
             all
             ,
             wise
             and
             discerning
             persons
             ,
             while
             Pride
             defeateth
             it's
             own
             design
             ,
             and
             depriveth
             a
             man
             of
             that
             honour
             it
             makes
             him
             pretend
             to
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             the
             chief
             Exercises
             of
             Humility
             are
             those
             which
             relate
             unto
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             so
             these
             are
             accompany'd
             with
             the
             greatest
             satisfaction
             and
             sweetness
             ;
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             express
             the
             great
             pleasure
             and
             delight
             which
             Religious
             persons
             feel
             in
             the
             lowest
             prostrations
             of
             their
             Soul
             before
             God
             ,
             when
             having
             a
             deep
             sense
             of
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             and
             Glory
             ,
             they
             sink
             (
             if
             I
             may
             so
             speak
             )
             unto
             the
             very
             bottom
             of
             their
             beings
             ,
             and
             vanish
             and
             disappear
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             a
             serious
             and
             affectionate
             acknowledgment
             of
             their
             own
             nothingness
             ,
             and
             the
             shortness
             and
             imperfections
             of
             all
             their
             attainments
             ,
             when
             they
             understand
             the
             full
             sense
             and
             emphasis
             of
             the
             Psalmist's
             exclamation
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               what
            
             
             
               is
               Man
            
             ?
             and
             can
             utter
             it
             with
             the
             same
             affection
             :
             neither
             did
             ever
             any
             haughty
             and
             ambitious
             person
             receive
             the
             praises
             and
             applauses
             of
             men
             with
             so
             much
             pleasure
             ,
             as
             the
             humble
             and
             religious
             do
             renounce
             them
             ,
             
               Not
               unto
               us
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               not
               unto
               us
               ,
               but
               unto
               thy
               Name
               give
               glory
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             spoken
             something
             of
             the
             Excellencies
             and
             Advantage
             of
             Religion
             in
             it's
             several
             Branches
             ;
             but
             should
             be
             very
             injurious
             to
             the
             Subject
             ,
             did
             I
             pretend
             to
             have
             given
             any
             perfect
             account
             of
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             acquaint
             our selves
             with
             it
             ,
             My
             dear
             Friend
             ,
             Let
             us
             acquaint
             our selves
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             experience
             will
             teach
             us
             more
             than
             all
             that
             ever
             hath
             been
             spoken
             or
             written
             concerning
             it
             .
             But
             if
             we
             may
             suppose
             the
             Soul
             to
             be
             already
             awakened
             unto
             some
             longing
             desires
             after
             so
             great
             a
             Blessedness
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             good
             to
             give
             them
             vent
             ,
             and
             suffer
             them
             to
             issue
             forth
             in
             some
             such
             aspirations
             as
             these
             ,
          
        
         
           
           
             A
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             GOod
             God!
             what
             a
             mighty
             felicity
             is
             this
             to
             which
             we
             are
             called
             ?
             How
             graciously
             hast
             thou
             joyn'd
             our
             Duty
             and
             Happiness
             together
             ,
             and
             prescribed
             that
             for
             our
             work
             ,
             the
             performance
             whereof
             is
             a
             great
             reward
             ?
             And
             shall
             such
             silly
             worms
             be
             advanced
             to
             so
             great
             a
             height
             ?
             Wilt
             Thou
             allow
             us
             to
             raise
             our
             eyes
             to
             Thee
             ?
             Wilt
             thou
             admit
             and
             accept
             our
             affection
             ?
             Shall
             we
             receive
             the
             impression
             of
             thy
             Divine
             Excellencies
             by
             beholding
             and
             admiring
             them
             ,
             and
             partake
             of
             thy
             infinite
             Blessedness
             and
             Glory
             ,
             by
             loving
             Thoe
             ,
             and
             rejoycing
             in
             them
             ?
             O
             the
             happiness
             of
             those
             Souls
             that
             have
             broken
             the
             fetters
             of
             Self-love
             ,
             and
             dis-intangl'd
             their
             affection
             from
             every
             narrow
             and
             particular
             good
             ,
             whose
             Understanding
             ;
             are
             inlightned
             by
             thy
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             their
             wills
             inlarged
             to
             the
             extent
             of
             thine
             ,
             who
             love
             thee
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             all
             Mankind
             for
             thy
             sake
             !
             
             I
             am
             perswaded
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             I
             am
             perswaded
             that
             I
             can
             never
             be
             happy
             ,
             till
             my
             carnal
             and
             corrupt
             affections
             be
             mortify'd
             ,
             and
             the
             pride
             and
             vanity
             of
             my
             spirit
             be
             subdued
             ,
             and
             till
             I
             come
             seriously
             to
             despise
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             think
             nothing
             of
             my self
             .
             But
             O
             when
             shall
             it
             once
             be
             ?
             O
             when
             wilt
             Thou
             come
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             satisfie
             my
             Soul
             with
             thy
             likeness
             ,
             making
             me
             holy
             as
             thou
             art
             holy
             ,
             even
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             conversation
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             given
             me
             a
             prospect
             of
             so
             great
             a
             felicity
             ,
             and
             wilt
             thou
             not
             bring
             me
             unto
             it
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             excited
             these
             desires
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             wilt
             thou
             not
             also
             satisfie
             them
             ?
             O
             teach
             me
             to
             do
             thy
             Will
             ,
             for
             thou
             art
             my
             God
             ,
             thy
             Spirit
             is
             good
             ,
             lead
             me
             unto
             the
             Land
             of
             Uprightness
             .
             Quicken
             me
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             for
             thy
             Names
             sake
             ,
             and
             perfect
             that
             which
             concerneth
             me
             :
             Thy
             Mercy
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             endureth
             for
             ever
             ,
             forsake
             not
             the
             works
             of
             thine
             own
             hands
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             I
             Have
             hitherto
             considered
             wherein
             
             True
             Religion
             doth
             consist
             ,
             and
             how
             desirable
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             ;
             but
             when
             one
             sees
             how
             infinitely
             distant
             the
             common
             temper
             and
             frame
             of
             men
             is
             from
             it
             ,
             he
             may
             perhaps
             be
             ready
             to
             despond
             ,
             and
             give
             over
             and
             think
             it
             utterly
             impossible
             to
             be
             attain'd
             :
             he
             may
             sit
             down
             in
             sadness
             ,
             and
             bemoan
             himself
             and
             say
             in
             the
             anguish
             and
             bitterness
             of
             his
             spirit
             ,
             
               They
               are
               happy
               indeed
               whose
               Souls
               are
               awakened
               unto
               the
               Divine
               Life
               ,
               who
               are
               thus
               renew'd
               in
               the
               spirit
               of
               their
               minds
               ;
               but
               alas
               !
               I
               am
               quite
               of
               another
               constitution
               ,
               and
               am
               not
               able
               to
               effectuate
               so
               mighty
               a
               change
               :
               if
               outward
               observances
               could
               have
               done
               the
               business
               ,
               I
               might
               have
               hoped
               to
               acquit
               my self
               by
               diligence
               and
               care
               ;
               but
               since
               nothing
               but
               a
               new
               Nature
               can
               serve
               the
               turn
               ,
               what
               am
               I
               able
               to
               do
               ?
               I
               could
               bestow
               all
               my
               Goods
               
               in
               Oblations
               to
               God
               ,
               or
               Alms
               to
               the
               Poor
               ,
               but
               cannot
               command
               that
               Love
               and
               Charity
               ,
               without
               which
               this
               expence
               would
               profit
               me
               nothing
               :
               This
               gift
               of
               God
               cannot
               be
               
               purchased
               with
               money
               :
               if
               a
               man
               should
               give
               all
               the
               substance
               of
               his
               house
               for
               love
               it
               would
               utterly
               be
               
               contemned
               :
               I
               could
               pine
               and
               macerate
               my
               body
               ,
               and
               undergo
               many
               hardships
               and
               troubles
               ,
               but
               I
               cannot
               get
               all
               my
               corruptions
               starved
               ,
               nor
               my
               affections
               wholly
               wean'd
               from
               Earthly
               things
               :
               there
               is
               still
               some
               worldly
               desires
               lurking
               in
               my
               heart
               ,
               and
               those
               vanities
               that
               I
               have
               shut
               out
               of
               doors
               ,
               are
               alwayes
               getting
               in
               by
               the
               windowes
               .
               I
               am
               many
               times
               convinced
               of
               my
               own
               meanness
               ,
               of
               the
               weakness
               of
               my
               body
               ,
               and
               the
               far
               greater
               weakness
               of
               my
               Soul
               ;
               but
               this
               doth
               rather
               beget
               indignation
               and
               discontent
               ,
               than
               true
               humility
               in
               my
               spirit
               :
               and
               though
               I
               should
               come
               to
               think
               meanly
               of
               my self
               ,
               yet
               I
               cannot
               endure
               that
               others
               should
               think
               so
               too
               .
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               when
               I
               reflect
               on
               my
               highest
               and
               most
               specious
               
               attainments
               ,
               I
               have
               reason
               to
               suspect
               that
               they
               are
               all
               but
               the
               effects
               of
               Nature
               ,
               the
               issues
               of
               Self-love
               acting
               under
               several
               disguises
               :
               and
               this
               principle
               is
               so
               powerful
               and
               so
               deeply
               rooted
               in
               me
               ,
               that
               I
               can
               never
               hope
               to
               be
               delivered
               from
               the
               dominion
               of
               it
               :
               I
               may
               toss
               and
               turn
               as
               a
               door
               on
               the
               hinges
               ,
               but
               can
               never
               get
               clear
               off
               ,
               or
               be
               quite
               unhing'd
               of
               Self
               ,
               which
               is
               still
               the
               center
               of
               all
               my
               motions
               :
               So
               that
               all
               the
               advantage
               I
               can
               draw
               from
               the
               discovery
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               but
               to
               see
               at
               a
               huge
               distance
               that
               felicity
               which
               I
               am
               not
               able
               to
               reach
               ;
               like
               a
               man
               in
               a
               shipwrack
               ,
               who
               discerns
               the
               Land
               ,
               and
               envies
               the
               happiness
               of
               those
               who
               are
               there
               ;
               but
               thinks
               it
               impossible
               for
               himself
               to
               get
               ashoare
               .
            
          
           
             These
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             or
             such
             like
             desponding
             
             Thoughts
             may
             arise
             in
             the
             Minds
             of
             those
             persons
             who
             begin
             to
             conceive
             somewhat
             more
             of
             the
             Nature
             and
             Excellency
             of
             Religion
             than
             before
             :
             they
             have
             spy'd
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             seen
             that
             it
             's
             exceeding
             good
             ,
             that
             it
             floweth
             with
             
             milk
             and
             honey
             ;
             but
             they
             find
             they
             have
             the
             Children
             of
             Anak
             to
             grapple
             with
             ,
             many
             powerful
             lusts
             and
             corruptions
             to
             overcome
             ,
             and
             they
             fear
             they
             shall
             never
             prevail
             against
             them
             .
             But
             why
             should
             we
             give
             way
             to
             such
             discouraging
             suggestions
             ?
             why
             should
             we
             entertain
             such
             unreasonable
             fears
             ,
             which
             damp
             our
             spirits
             and
             weaken
             our
             hands
             ,
             and
             augment
             the
             difficulties
             of
             our
             way
             ?
             Let
             us
             encourage
             our selves
             ,
             my
             dear
             Friend
             ,
             let
             us
             encourage
             our selves
             with
             those
             mighty
             aids
             we
             are
             to
             expect
             in
             this
             Spiritual
             Warfare
             ,
             for
             greater
             is
             he
             that
             is
             for
             us
             ,
             then
             all
             that
             can
             rise
             up
             against
             us
             ;
             
               The
               Eternal
               God
               is
               our
               refuge
               ,
            
             and
             underneath
             
             are
             the
             Everlasting
             Arms.
             
               Let
               us
               be
               strong
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               the
               power
               of
               his
               might
               ,
            
             for
             he
             it
             is
             that
             shall
             
               tread
               down
               our
               Enemies
            
             :
             God
             hath
             a
             tender
             regard
             unto
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             is
             infinitely
             willing
             to
             promove
             their
             welfare
             :
             he
             hath
             condescended
             to
             our
             weakness
             ,
             and
             declared
             with
             an
             Oath
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             no
             pleasure
             in
             our
             destruction
             :
             There
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             despight
             or
             envy
             lodged
             in
             the
             Bosom
             
             of
             that
             ever
             Blessed
             Being
             ,
             whose
             Name
             and
             Nature
             is
             Love.
             He
             created
             us
             at
             first
             in
             a
             happy
             condition
             ;
             and
             now
             when
             we
             are
             fallen
             from
             it
             ,
             
               he
               hath
               laid
               help
               upon
               One
               that
               is
               Mighty
               to
            
             
             Save
             ,
             hath
             committed
             the
             Care
             of
             our
             Souls
             to
             no
             meaner
             Person
             than
             the
             Eternal
             Son
             of
             his
             Love
             ;
             It
             is
             he
             that
             is
             the
             Captain
             of
             our
             Salvation
             :
             and
             what
             Enemies
             can
             be
             too
             strong
             for
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             fighting
             under
             his
             Banners
             .
             Did
             not
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             come
             down
             from
             the
             Bosom
             of
             his
             Father
             and
             pitch
             his
             Tabernacle
             amongst
             the
             Sons
             of
             Men
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             recover
             and
             propagate
             the
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             and
             restore
             the
             Image
             of
             God
             in
             their
             Souls
             :
             All
             the
             Mighty
             Works
             which
             he
             perform'd
             ,
             all
             the
             Sad
             Afflictions
             which
             he
             sustain'd
             had
             this
             for
             their
             scope
             and
             design
             ,
             for
             this
             did
             he
             labour
             and
             toil
             ,
             for
             this
             did
             he
             bleed
             and
             dye
             :
             
               He
               was
               with
               child
               ,
               he
               was
               in
               pain
               ,
               and
               hath
            
             
             
               he
               brought
               forth
               nothing
               but
               wind
               ,
               hath
               he
               wrought
               no
               deliverance
               in
               the
               Earth
               ?
               Shall
               he
               not
               see
               of
               the
               travel
               of
               his
               Soul
               ?
            
             
             Certainly
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             this
             Great
             Contrivance
             of
             Heaven
             should
             
             prove
             abortive
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             mighty
             undertaking
             should
             fail
             and
             miscarry
             :
             It
             hath
             already
             been
             effectual
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             many
             Thousands
             ,
             who
             were
             once
             as
             far
             from
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             as
             we
             can
             suppose
             our selves
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             our
             
               High
               Priest
               continueth
            
             
             
               for
               ever
               ,
               and
               is
               able
               to
               save
               then
               to
               the
               uttermost
               that
               come
               unto
               God
               by
               him
               :
            
             He
             is
             tender
             and
             compassionate
             ,
             he
             knoweth
             our
             infirmities
             ,
             and
             had
             experience
             of
             our
             temptations
             ,
             
               A
               bruised
               reed
               will
            
             
             
               he
               not
               break
               ,
               and
               a
               smoaking
               flax
               will
               he
               not
               quench
               ,
               till
               he
               send
               forth
               Judgment
               unto
               victory
               .
            
             He
             hath
             sent
             out
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             whose
             sweet
             but
             powerful
             breathings
             are
             still
             moving
             up
             and
             down
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             quicken
             and
             revive
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             awaken
             them
             unto
             the
             Sense
             and
             feeling
             of
             those
             Divine
             things
             for
             which
             they
             were
             made
             ,
             and
             is
             ready
             to
             assist
             such
             weak
             and
             languishing
             Creatures
             as
             we
             are
             in
             our
             Essay's
             towards
             holiness
             and
             felicity
             :
             and
             when
             once
             it
             hath
             taken
             hold
             of
             a
             Soul
             ,
             and
             kindled
             in
             it
             the
             smallest
             spark
             of
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             preserve
             and
             cherish
             ,
             and
             
             bring
             it
             forth
             into
             a
             flame
             ,
             which
             many
             waters
             shall
             not
             quench
             ,
             neither
             
             shall
             the
             floods
             be
             able
             to
             drown
             it
             :
             when
             ever
             this
             day
             begins
             to
             dawn
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Day-Star
               to
               arise
               in
               the
               heart
               ,
            
             it
             
             will
             easily
             dispel
             the
             powers
             of
             darkness
             ,
             and
             make
             ignorance
             and
             folly
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             corrupt
             and
             selfish
             affections
             of
             men
             flee
             away
             as
             fast
             before
             it
             as
             the
             shades
             of
             the
             Night
             ,
             when
             the
             Sun
             cometh
             out
             of
             his
             Chambers
             :
             for
             
               the
               path
               of
               the
               Just
               is
               as
               the
               shining
               light
            
             
             
               which
               shineth
               more
               and
               more
               unto
               the
               perfect
               day
               :
               They
               shall
               go
               on
               from
               strength
            
             
             
               to
               strength
               ,
               till
               every
               one
               of
               them
               appear
               before
               God
               in
               Sion
               .
            
          
           
             Why
             should
             we
             think
             it
             impossible
             that
             True
             Goodness
             and
             Universal
             Love
             should
             ever
             come
             to
             sway
             and
             prevail
             in
             our
             Souls
             ?
             Is
             not
             this
             their
             Primitive
             state
             and
             condition
             ,
             their
             native
             and
             genuine
             constitution
             as
             they
             came
             first
             from
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             Maker
             .
             Sin
             and
             corruption
             are
             but
             usurpers
             ,
             and
             though
             they
             have
             long
             kept
             the
             possession
             ,
             yet
             
               from
               the
               begining
               it
               was
               not
               so
               .
            
             That
             inordinate
             Self-love
             which
             one
             would
             think
             were
             
             rooted
             in
             our
             very
             being
             ,
             and
             interwoven
             with
             the
             constitution
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             is
             nevertheless
             of
             forraign
             extraction
             ,
             and
             had
             no
             place
             at
             all
             in
             the
             state
             of
             integrity
             :
             we
             have
             still
             so
             much
             reason
             left
             us
             to
             condemn
             it
             :
             our
             Understandings
             are
             easily
             convinced
             that
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             wholly
             devoted
             to
             him
             from
             whom
             we
             have
             our
             being
             ,
             and
             to
             love
             him
             infinitely
             more
             than
             our selves
             ,
             who
             is
             infinitely
             better
             than
             we
             ,
             and
             our
             wills
             would
             readily
             comply
             with
             this
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             not
             disordered
             and
             put
             out
             of
             tune
             :
             and
             is
             not
             he
             who
             made
             our
             Souls
             able
             to
             rectifie
             and
             mend
             them
             again
             ?
             Shall
             we
             not
             be
             able
             by
             his
             assistance
             to
             vanquish
             and
             expel
             those
             violent
             intruders
             ,
             
               and
               turn
               unto
               flight
               the
               Arms
               of
            
             
             
               the
               Aliens
            
             .
          
           
             No
             sooner
             shall
             we
             take
             up
             Arms
             in
             this
             holy
             Warr
             ,
             but
             we
             shall
             have
             all
             the
             Saints
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Angels
             in
             Heaven
             engaged
             on
             our
             party
             :
             the
             holy
             Church
             throughout
             the
             World
             is
             daily
             interceding
             with
             God
             for
             the
             success
             of
             all
             such
             endeavours
             ,
             and
             doubtless
             those
             heavenly
             Hosts
             above
             
             are
             nearly
             concerned
             in
             the
             Interests
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             infinitely
             desirous
             to
             see
             the
             Divine
             Life
             thriving
             and
             prevailing
             in
             this
             inferiour
             World
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             may
             be
             done
             by
             us
             on
             Earth
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             done
             by
             themselves
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             may
             we
             not
             then
             encourage
             our selves
             as
             the
             Prophet
             did
             his
             Servant
             ,
             when
             he
             shewed
             him
             the
             Horses
             and
             Chariors
             of
             fire
             ,
             
               Fear
               not
               ,
               for
               they
               that
               be
               with
               us
               are
               more
               then
               they
            
             
             
               that
               be
               against
               us
            
             .
          
           
             Away
             then
             with
             all
             perplexing
             fears
             
             and
             desponding
             thoughts
             :
             to
             undertake
             vigorously
             ,
             and
             rely
             confidently
             on
             the
             Divine
             assistance
             is
             more
             than
             half
             the
             conquest
             :
             
               Let
               us
               arise
               and
               be
               doing
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               will
               be
               with
               us
               .
            
             It
             is
             true
             Religion
             in
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             is
             the
             immediate
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             all
             our
             natural
             endeavours
             can
             neither
             produce
             it
             alone
             ,
             nor
             merit
             those
             supernatural
             aids
             by
             which
             it
             must
             be
             wrought
             :
             The
             Holy
             Ghost
             must
             come
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Highest
             must
             overshadow
             us
             ,
             before
             that
             holy
             thing
             can
             be
             begotten
             and
             Christ
             be
             formed
             in
             us
             :
             but
             yet
             we
             must
             not
             expect
             
             that
             this
             whole
             work
             should
             be
             done
             without
             any
             concurring
             endeavours
             of
             ours
             :
             we
             must
             not
             lye
             loitering
             in
             the
             ditch
             and
             wait
             till
             Omnipotence
             pull
             us
             from
             thence
             :
             no
             ,
             no
             ,
             we
             must
             bestir
             our selves
             and
             actuate
             these
             powers
             which
             we
             have
             already
             received
             :
             We
             must
             put
             forth
             our selves
             in
             our
             utmost
             capacities
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             may
             hope
             that
             
               our
               Labour
               shall
               not
               be
               in
            
             
             
               vain
               in
               the
               Lord.
            
             All
             the
             art
             and
             industry
             of
             Man
             cannot
             form
             the
             smallest
             herb
             ,
             or
             make
             a
             stalk
             of
             Corn
             to
             grow
             in
             the
             field
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             energy
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             influences
             of
             Heaven
             which
             produce
             this
             effect
             ;
             it
             is
             God
             
               who
               causeth
               the
               grass
               to
               grow
               ,
               and
               herb
            
             
             
               for
               the
               service
               of
               man
            
             ;
             and
             yet
             no
             body
             will
             say
             that
             the
             Labours
             of
             the
             Husband-man
             are
             useless
             or
             unnecessary
             :
             So
             likewise
             the
             humane
             Soul
             is
             immediately
             created
             by
             God
             ;
             it
             is
             he
             who
             both
             formeth
             and
             enliveneth
             the
             child
             ,
             and
             yet
             he
             hath
             appointed
             the
             Marriage-bed
             as
             the
             ordinary
             mean
             for
             the
             propagation
             of
             Mankind
             .
             Though
             there
             must
             intervene
             a
             stroak
             of
             Omnipotence
             to
             effectuate
             this
             mighty
             
             change
             in
             our
             Souls
             ;
             yet
             ought
             we
             to
             do
             what
             we
             can
             to
             fit
             and
             prepare
             our selves
             ,
             for
             we
             must
             break
             up
             our
             fallow
             ground
             and
             root
             out
             the
             weeds
             ,
             
             and
             pull
             up
             the
             thorns
             ,
             that
             so
             we
             may
             be
             the
             more
             ready
             to
             receive
             the
             Seeds
             of
             Grace
             and
             the
             Dew
             of
             Heaven
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             God
             hath
             been
             found
             of
             some
             who
             sought
             him
             not
             ;
             he
             hath
             cast
             himself
             in
             their
             way
             who
             were
             quite
             out
             of
             his
             ;
             he
             hath
             laid
             hold
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             stopt
             their
             course
             on
             a
             sudden
             ;
             for
             so
             was
             S.
             Paul
             converted
             in
             his
             Journey
             to
             Damascus
             :
             but
             certainly
             this
             is
             not
             God's
             ordinary
             method
             of
             dealing
             with
             men
             ,
             though
             he
             hath
             not
             ty'd
             himself
             to
             means
             ,
             yet
             he
             hath
             tyed
             us
             to
             the
             use
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             never
             more
             reason
             to
             expect
             the
             Divine
             assistance
             ,
             but
             when
             we
             are
             doing
             our
             utmost
             endeavours
             .
             It
             shall
             therefore
             be
             my
             next
             work
             to
             shew
             what
             course
             we
             ought
             to
             take
             for
             attaining
             that
             blessed
             temper
             I
             have
             hitherto
             described
             .
             But
             here
             if
             in
             delivering
             my
             own
             thoughts
             ,
             I
             shall
             chance
             to
             differ
             any
             thing
             from
             what
             is
             or
             may
             be
             said
             by
             others
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             I
             would
             not
             
             be
             therefore
             thought
             to
             contradict
             and
             oppose
             them
             ,
             more
             than
             Physitians
             do
             when
             they
             prescribe
             several
             Remedies
             for
             the
             same
             Disease
             ,
             which
             perhaps
             are
             all
             useful
             and
             good
             :
             Every
             one
             may
             propose
             the
             Method
             which
             he
             judgeth
             most
             proper
             and
             convenient
             ,
             but
             he
             doth
             not
             thereby
             pretend
             that
             the
             Cure
             can
             never
             be
             effectuated
             ,
             unless
             that
             be
             exactly
             observed
             :
             I
             doubt
             it
             hath
             occasioned
             much
             unnecessary
             disquietude
             to
             some
             holy
             persons
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             not
             found
             such
             a
             regular
             and
             orderly
             transaction
             in
             their
             Souls
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             seen
             described
             in
             Books
             ;
             that
             they
             have
             not
             passed
             through
             all
             those
             steps
             and
             stages
             of
             Conversion
             ,
             which
             some
             ,
             who
             perhaps
             have
             felt
             them
             in
             themselves
             ,
             have
             too
             peremptorily
             prescribed
             unto
             others
             :
             God
             hath
             several
             wayes
             of
             dealing
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             it
             sufficeth
             if
             the
             work
             be
             accomplish'd
             ,
             whatever
             the
             Methods
             have
             been
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             Though
             in
             proposing
             Directions
             ,
             I
             must
             follow
             that
             order
             which
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             shall
             lead
             to
             ;
             yet
             I
             do
             not
             mean
             that
             the
             same
             
             method
             should
             be
             so
             punctually
             observed
             in
             the
             practise
             ;
             as
             if
             the
             later
             Rules
             were
             never
             to
             be
             heeded
             till
             some
             considerable
             time
             have
             been
             spent
             in
             practising
             the
             former
             :
             The
             Directions
             I
             intend
             be
             mutually
             conducive
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             are
             all
             to
             be
             perform'd
             as
             occasion
             shall
             serve
             ,
             and
             we
             find
             our selves
             inabled
             to
             perform
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             that
             I
             may
             detain
             you
             no
             
             longer
             ,
             if
             we
             desire
             to
             have
             our
             Souls
             moulded
             to
             this
             holy
             frame
             ,
             to
             become
             partakers
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             and
             have
             Christ
             formed
             in
             our
             hearts
             ,
             we
             must
             seriously
             resolve
             and
             carefully
             endeavour
             to
             evite
             and
             abandon
             all
             Vitious
             and
             Sinful
             practises
             .
             There
             can
             be
             no
             Treaty
             of
             Peace
             ,
             till
             once
             we
             lay
             down
             these
             weapons
             of
             Rebellion
             wherewith
             we
             fight
             against
             Heaven
             :
             nor
             can
             we
             expect
             to
             have
             our
             distempers
             cured
             ,
             if
             we
             be
             daily
             feeding
             on
             poyson
             :
             Every
             wilful
             sin
             ,
             gives
             a
             mortal
             wound
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             puts
             it
             at
             a
             greater
             distance
             from
             God
             and
             goodness
             ;
             and
             we
             can
             never
             hope
             to
             have
             our
             hearts
             purified
             from
             corrupt
             
             affections
             ,
             unless
             we
             cleanse
             our
             hands
             from
             vitious
             actions
             .
             Now
             in
             this
             case
             we
             cannot
             excuse
             our selves
             by
             the
             pretence
             of
             impossibility
             ;
             for
             sure
             our
             outward
             man
             is
             some
             way
             in
             our
             power
             ,
             we
             have
             some
             command
             of
             our
             feet
             and
             hands
             ,
             and
             tongue
             ,
             nay
             and
             of
             our
             thoughts
             and
             fancies
             too
             ,
             at
             least
             so
             far
             as
             to
             divert
             them
             from
             impure
             and
             sinful
             objects
             ,
             and
             to
             turn
             our
             Mind
             another
             way
             :
             and
             we
             should
             find
             this
             power
             and
             authority
             much
             strengthned
             and
             advanced
             ,
             if
             we
             were
             careful
             to
             manage
             and
             exercise
             it
             .
             Mean
             while
             I
             acknowledge
             our
             corruptions
             are
             so
             strong
             ,
             and
             our
             temptations
             so
             many
             ,
             that
             it
             will
             require
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             steadfastness
             and
             resolution
             ,
             of
             watchfulness
             and
             care
             to
             preserve
             our selves
             even
             in
             this
             degree
             of
             Innocence
             and
             Purity
             .
          
           
             And
             first
             let
             us
             inform
             our selves
             
             well
             ,
             what
             those
             Sins
             are
             from
             which
             we
             ought
             to
             abstain
             .
             And
             here
             we
             must
             not
             take
             our
             measures
             from
             the
             Maxims
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             the
             practises
             of
             those
             whom
             in
             charity
             we
             account
             
             good
             men
             :
             most
             people
             have
             very
             light
             apprehensions
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             sensible
             of
             any
             fault
             unless
             it
             be
             gross
             and
             flagitious
             ,
             and
             scarce
             reckon
             any
             so
             great
             as
             that
             which
             they
             call
             Preciseness
             :
             and
             those
             who
             are
             more
             serious
             ,
             do
             many
             times
             allow
             them selves
             too
             great
             latitude
             and
             freedom
             :
             Alas
             !
             how
             much
             Pride
             and
             Vanity
             ,
             and
             Passion
             ,
             and
             Humour
             ,
             how
             much
             weakness
             and
             folly
             and
             sin
             doth
             every
             day
             bewray
             it self
             in
             their
             converse
             and
             behaviour
             :
             It
             may
             be
             they
             are
             humbled
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             striving
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             are
             daily
             gaining
             some
             ground
             ;
             but
             then
             the
             progress
             is
             so
             small
             ,
             and
             their
             failings
             so
             many
             ,
             that
             we
             had
             need
             to
             choose
             an
             exacter
             Pattern
             .
             Every
             one
             of
             us
             must
             answer
             for
             himself
             ,
             and
             the
             practises
             of
             others
             will
             never
             warrant
             and
             secure
             us
             :
             It
             is
             the
             highest
             folly
             to
             regulate
             our
             Actions
             by
             any
             other
             standard
             ,
             than
             that
             by
             which
             they
             must
             be
             Judged
             :
             If
             ever
             we
             would
             
               cleanse
               our
               way
            
             ,
             
             it
             must
             be
             
               by
               taking
               heed
               thereto
               according
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               :
            
             and
             that
             
               Word
               which
               is
               quick
               and
               powerful
               ,
               and
               sharper
            
             
             
               then
               any
               edged
               sword
               ,
               piercing
               even
               to
            
             
             
               the
               dividing
               assunder
               of
               soul
               and
               spirit
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               joynts
               and
               marrow
               ,
               and
               is
               a
               discerner
               of
               the
               thoughts
               and
               intents
               of
               the
               heart
               ,
            
             will
             certainly
             discover
             many
             things
             to
             be
             sinful
             and
             heynous
             ,
             which
             pass
             for
             very
             innocent
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             World
             :
             Let
             us
             therefore
             imitate
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             who
             saith
             ,
             
               Concerning
               the
            
             
             
               works
               of
               men
               ,
               by
               the
               words
               of
               thy
               lips
               ,
               I
               have
               kept
               my self
               from
               the
               path
               of
               the
               destroyer
               .
            
             Let
             us
             acquaint
             our selves
             well
             ,
             with
             the
             strict
             and
             holy
             Laws
             of
             our
             Religion
             :
             Let
             us
             consider
             the
             Discourses
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             (
             especially
             that
             Divine
             Sermon
             on
             the
             Mount
             )
             and
             the
             Writings
             of
             his
             holy
             Apostles
             ,
             where
             an
             ingenuous
             and
             unbyassed
             Mind
             may
             clearly
             discern
             those
             limits
             and
             bounds
             by
             which
             our
             actions
             ought
             to
             be
             confined
             .
             And
             then
             let
             us
             never
             look
             upon
             any
             Sin
             as
             light
             and
             inconsiderable
             ;
             but
             be
             fully
             perswaded
             ,
             that
             the
             smallest
             is
             infinitely
             heynous
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             prejudicial
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ;
             and
             that
             if
             we
             had
             the
             right
             sense
             of
             things
             ,
             we
             would
             be
             deeply
             affected
             with
             the
             least
             
             Irregularities
             ,
             than
             now
             we
             are
             with
             the
             greatest
             Crimes
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             amongst
             those
             things
             which
             
             we
             discover
             to
             be
             sinful
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             some
             ,
             unto
             which
             ,
             through
             the
             disposition
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             or
             long
             custome
             ,
             or
             the
             indearments
             of
             pleasure
             ,
             we
             are
             so
             much
             wedded
             ,
             that
             it
             will
             be
             like
             the
             cutting
             off
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             or
             pulling
             out
             the
             right
             eye
             ,
             to
             abandon
             them
             .
             But
             must
             we
             therefore
             sit
             down
             and
             wait
             till
             all
             difficulties
             be
             over
             ,
             and
             every
             temptation
             be
             gone
             :
             this
             were
             to
             imitate
             the
             fool
             in
             the
             Poet
             ,
             who
             stood
             the
             whole
             day
             at
             the
             River
             side
             till
             all
             the
             water
             should
             run
             by
             .
             We
             must
             not
             indulge
             our
             inclinations
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             little
             Children
             ,
             till
             they
             grow
             weary
             of
             the
             thing
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             let
             go
             :
             We
             must
             not
             continue
             our
             sinful
             practises
             in
             hope
             that
             the
             Divine
             Grace
             will
             one
             day
             overpower
             our
             spirits
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             hate
             them
             for
             their
             own
             deformity
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             suppose
             the
             worst
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             utterly
             destitute
             of
             any
             Supernatural
             Principle
             ,
             and
             want
             that
             taste
             by
             
             which
             we
             should
             discern
             and
             abhor
             perverse
             things
             ;
             yet
             sure
             we
             are
             capable
             of
             some
             considerations
             which
             may
             be
             of
             force
             to
             perswade
             us
             to
             this
             reformation
             of
             our
             lives
             :
             If
             the
             inward
             deformity
             and
             heynous
             nature
             of
             Sin
             cannot
             affect
             us
             ;
             at
             least
             we
             may
             be
             frighted
             by
             those
             dreadful
             consequences
             that
             attend
             it
             :
             That
             same
             selfish
             principle
             which
             pusheth
             us
             forward
             unto
             the
             pursuit
             of
             sinful
             Pleasures
             ,
             will
             make
             us
             loath
             to
             buy
             them
             at
             the
             rate
             of
             everlasting
             misery
             :
             Thus
             we
             may
             encounter
             Self-love
             with
             its
             own
             weapons
             ,
             and
             imploy
             one
             natural
             inclination
             for
             repressing
             the
             exorbitancies
             of
             another
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             accustom
             our selves
             to
             consider
             seriously
             what
             a
             fearful
             thing
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             to
             irritate
             and
             offend
             that
             infinite
             Being
             on
             whom
             we
             hang
             and
             depend
             every
             moment
             ,
             who
             needs
             but
             to
             withdraw
             his
             Mercies
             to
             make
             us
             miserable
             ;
             or
             his
             assistance
             to
             make
             us
             nothing
             :
             Let
             us
             frequently
             remember
             the
             shortness
             and
             uncertainty
             of
             our
             lives
             ,
             and
             how
             that
             after
             we
             have
             taken
             a
             few
             turns
             more
             in
             the
             
             World
             ,
             and
             conversed
             a
             little
             longer
             amongst
             men
             ,
             we
             must
             all
             go
             down
             unto
             the
             dark
             and
             silent
             graves
             ,
             and
             carry
             nothing
             along
             but
             anguish
             and
             regret
             of
             all
             our
             Sinful
             enjoyments
             ,
             and
             then
             think
             what
             horror
             must
             needs
             seize
             the
             guilty
             Soul
             ,
             to
             find
             it self
             naked
             and
             all
             alone
             before
             the
             Severe
             and
             Impartial
             Judge
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             render
             an
             exact
             account
             not
             only
             of
             its
             more
             important
             and
             considerable
             transactions
             ;
             but
             of
             every
             word
             that
             the
             Tongue
             hath
             uttered
             ,
             and
             the
             swiftest
             and
             most
             secret
             thought
             that
             ever
             passed
             through
             the
             Mind
             .
             Let
             us
             sometimes
             represent
             unto
             our selves
             the
             terrors
             of
             that
             dreadful
             day
             ,
             when
             the
             foundations
             of
             the
             Earth
             shall
             be
             shaken
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Heavens
             shall
             pass
             away
             with
             a
             great
             noise
             ,
             and
             the
             Elements
             shall
             melt
             with
             fervent
             heat
             ,
             and
             the
             present
             frame
             of
             Nature
             be
             dissolved
             ,
             and
             our
             Eyes
             shall
             see
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             who
             came
             once
             into
             the
             World
             in
             all
             Humility
             to
             visit
             us
             ,
             to
             purchase
             pardon
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             beseech
             us
             to
             accept
             of
             it
             ,
             now
             appearing
             in
             the
             Majesty
             of
             his
             glory
             ,
             and
             descending
             from
             Heaven
             
             in
             a
             flaming
             fire
             to
             take
             vengeance
             on
             those
             that
             have
             despised
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             perished
             in
             rebellion
             against
             him
             :
             when
             all
             the
             hidden
             things
             of
             darkness
             shall
             
             be
             brought
             to
             light
             ,
             and
             the
             counsels
             of
             the
             heart
             shall
             be
             made
             manifest
             :
             when
             those
             secret
             impurities
             and
             subtile
             frauds
             whereof
             the
             World
             did
             never
             suspect
             us
             ,
             shall
             be
             exposed
             and
             laid
             open
             to
             Publick
             view
             ,
             and
             many
             thousand
             actions
             which
             we
             never
             dreamed
             to
             be
             sinful
             ,
             or
             else
             had
             altogether
             forgotten
             ,
             shall
             be
             charged
             home
             upon
             our
             Consciences
             with
             such
             evident
             convictions
             of
             guilt
             ,
             that
             we
             shall
             neither
             be
             able
             to
             deny
             nor
             excuse
             them
             .
             Then
             shall
             all
             the
             Angels
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Saints
             that
             ever
             liv'd
             on
             the
             Earth
             approve
             that
             dreadful
             Sentence
             which
             shall
             be
             passed
             on
             wicked
             men
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             perhaps
             did
             love
             and
             esteem
             them
             when
             they
             liv'd
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             shall
             look
             upon
             them
             with
             indignation
             and
             abhorrence
             ,
             and
             never
             make
             one
             request
             for
             their
             deliverance
             .
             Let
             us
             consider
             the
             Eternal
             punishments
             of
             damned
             Souls
             which
             are
             shadowed
             forth
             in
             Scripture
             by
             
             Metaphors
             taken
             from
             those
             things
             that
             are
             most
             terrible
             and
             grievous
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             yet
             all
             doth
             not
             suffice
             to
             conveigh
             unto
             our
             Minds
             any
             full
             apprehension
             of
             them
             :
             when
             we
             have
             joyned
             together
             the
             importance
             of
             all
             these
             expressions
             ,
             and
             added
             unto
             them
             whatever
             our
             fancy
             can
             conceive
             of
             Misery
             and
             Torment
             ,
             we
             must
             still
             remember
             that
             all
             this
             comes
             infinitely
             short
             of
             the
             truth
             and
             the
             reality
             of
             the
             thing
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             true
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             sad
             and
             melancholy
             subject
             ,
             there
             is
             anguish
             and
             horror
             in
             the
             consideration
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             sure
             it
             must
             be
             infinitely
             more
             dreadful
             to
             endure
             it
             ;
             and
             such
             thoughts
             as
             these
             may
             be
             very
             useful
             to
             fright
             us
             from
             the
             courses
             that
             would
             lead
             us
             thither
             ,
             how
             fond
             soever
             we
             may
             be
             of
             sinful
             pleasures
             ,
             the
             fear
             of
             Hell
             would
             make
             us
             abstain
             :
             our
             most
             forward
             inclinations
             will
             startle
             and
             give
             back
             when
             pressed
             with
             that
             Question
             in
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Who
               amongst
               us
               shall
               dwell
               with
            
             
             
               everlasting
               burnings
            
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             very
             purpose
             it
             is
             that
             the
             terrors
             of
             another
             World
             are
             so
             frequently
             
             represented
             in
             holy
             Writ
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             such
             terms
             as
             are
             most
             proper
             to
             affect
             and
             influence
             a
             carnal
             Mind
             :
             These
             fears
             can
             never
             suffice
             to
             make
             any
             person
             truly
             good
             ;
             but
             certainly
             they
             may
             restrain
             us
             from
             much
             Evil
             ,
             and
             have
             often
             made
             way
             for
             more
             ingenuous
             and
             kindly
             impressions
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             will
             not
             suffice
             to
             consider
             
             those
             things
             once
             and
             again
             ,
             nor
             to
             form
             resolutions
             of
             abandoning
             our
             sins
             ,
             unless
             we
             maintain
             a
             constant
             guard
             ,
             and
             be
             continually
             watching
             against
             them
             .
             Sometimes
             the
             Mind
             is
             awakened
             to
             see
             the
             dismal
             consequences
             of
             a
             Vitious
             life
             ,
             and
             straight
             we
             are
             resolved
             to
             reform
             :
             but
             alas
             !
             it
             presently
             falleth
             asleep
             ,
             and
             we
             lose
             that
             prospect
             which
             we
             had
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             then
             temptations
             take
             the
             advantage
             ,
             they
             solicite
             and
             importune
             us
             continually
             ,
             and
             so
             do
             frequently
             engage
             our
             consent
             before
             we
             are
             aware
             .
             It
             is
             the
             folly
             and
             ruine
             of
             most
             people
             that
             they
             live
             at
             adventure
             ,
             and
             take
             part
             in
             every
             thing
             that
             comes
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             seldom
             considering
             what
             they
             are
             about
             to
             say
             or
             do
             :
             If
             we
             would
             
             have
             our
             resolution
             take
             effect
             ,
             we
             must
             take
             heed
             unto
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             set
             a
             watch
             unto
             the
             door
             of
             our
             lips
             ,
             and
             examine
             the
             motions
             that
             arise
             in
             our
             heart
             ,
             cause
             them
             tell
             us
             whence
             they
             come
             ,
             and
             whither
             they
             go
             ;
             whether
             it
             be
             Pride
             or
             Passion
             ,
             or
             any
             corrupt
             and
             vitious
             humour
             that
             prompteth
             us
             to
             any
             design
             ,
             and
             whether
             God
             will
             be
             offended
             ,
             or
             any
             body
             harmed
             by
             it
             .
             And
             if
             we
             have
             no
             time
             for
             long
             reasonings
             ,
             let
             us
             at
             least
             turn
             our
             eyes
             toward
             God
             ,
             and
             place
             our selves
             in
             his
             Presence
             to
             ask
             his
             leave
             and
             approbation
             for
             what
             we
             do
             :
             Let
             us
             consider
             our selves
             under
             the
             All-seeing
             Eye
             of
             that
             Divine
             Majesty
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             an
             infinite
             Globe
             of
             light
             ,
             which
             compasseth
             us
             about
             both
             behind
             and
             before
             ,
             and
             pierceth
             to
             the
             innermost
             corners
             of
             our
             Soul
             :
             the
             Sense
             and
             remembrance
             of
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             ,
             is
             the
             most
             ready
             and
             effectual
             mean
             ,
             both
             to
             discover
             what
             is
             unlawful
             ,
             and
             to
             restrain
             us
             from
             it
             :
             There
             are
             some
             things
             a
             person
             could
             have
             a
             shift
             to
             palliate
             or
             defend
             ,
             and
             yet
             he
             dares
             not
             look
             Almighty
             God
             
             in
             the
             face
             and
             adventure
             upon
             them
             .
             If
             we
             look
             into
             him
             we
             shall
             be
             lightned
             ;
             if
             we
             
               set
               him
               alwayes
               before
               us
            
             ,
             he
             will
             
               guide
               us
               by
               his
               Eye
               ,
               and
               instruct
               us
               in
               the
               way
               wherein
               we
               ought
               to
               walk
               .
            
          
           
             This
             Care
             and
             Watchfulness
             over
             
             our
             Actions
             ,
             must
             be
             seconded
             by
             frequent
             and
             serious
             reflections
             upon
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             that
             we
             may
             obtain
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             and
             Pardon
             for
             our
             Sins
             ,
             by
             an
             humble
             and
             sorrowful
             acknowledgment
             of
             them
             ;
             but
             also
             that
             we
             may
             reinforce
             and
             strengthen
             our
             resolutions
             ,
             and
             learn
             to
             decline
             or
             resist
             the
             temptations
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             have
             been
             formerly
             foyl'd
             .
             It
             is
             an
             advice
             worthy
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             though
             it
             did
             first
             drop
             from
             a
             Heathen
             Pen
             ;
             That
             before
             we
             betake
             our selves
             to
             rest
             ,
             we
             renew
             and
             examine
             all
             the
             passages
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             have
             the
             comfort
             of
             what
             we
             have
             done
             aright
             ,
             and
             may
             redress
             what
             we
             find
             to
             have
             been
             amiss
             ,
             and
             make
             the
             shipwracks
             of
             one
             day
             be
             as
             marks
             to
             direct
             our
             course
             in
             another
             .
             This
             may
             be
             called
             the
             very
             art
             of
             Virtuous
             living
             ,
             and
             would
             contribute
             
             wonderfully
             to
             advance
             our
             reformation
             ,
             and
             preserve
             our
             innocency
             .
             But
             withall
             we
             must
             not
             forget
             to
             implore
             the
             Divine
             assistance
             ,
             especially
             against
             those
             Sins
             that
             do
             most
             easily
             beset
             us
             :
             and
             though
             it
             be
             supposed
             that
             our
             hearts
             are
             not
             yet
             moulded
             unto
             that
             Spiritual
             frame
             ,
             which
             should
             render
             our
             Devotions
             acceptable
             ,
             yet
             methinks
             such
             considerations
             as
             have
             been
             proposed
             to
             deter
             us
             from
             Sin
             ,
             may
             also
             stir
             us
             up
             to
             some
             natural
             seriousness
             ,
             and
             make
             our
             Prayers
             against
             it
             as
             earnest
             at
             least
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             be
             against
             other
             Calamities
             :
             and
             I
             doubt
             not
             God
             who
             heareth
             the
             cry
             of
             the
             Ravens
             ,
             will
             have
             some
             regard
             even
             to
             such
             Petitions
             as
             proceed
             from
             those
             natural
             Passions
             which
             himself
             hath
             implanted
             in
             us
             :
             besides
             that
             those
             Prayers
             against
             Sin
             will
             be
             powerful
             engagements
             on
             our selves
             to
             excite
             us
             to
             watchfulness
             and
             care
             ,
             and
             common
             ingenuity
             will
             make
             us
             asham'd
             to
             relapse
             unto
             those
             faults
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             lately
             regrated
             before
             God
             ,
             and
             against
             which
             we
             have
             begged
             his
             assistance
             .
          
           
           
             Thus
             are
             we
             to
             make
             the
             first
             essay
             
             for
             recovering
             the
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             by
             restraining
             the
             natural
             inclinations
             that
             they
             break
             not
             out
             into
             sinful
             practises
             :
             but
             now
             I
             must
             add
             ,
             that
             Christian
             Prudence
             will
             teach
             us
             to
             abstain
             from
             gratifications
             that
             are
             not
             simply
             unlawful
             ,
             and
             that
             not
             only
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             secure
             our
             innocence
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             in
             continual
             hazard
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             strain
             our
             liberty
             to
             the
             utmost
             point
             ,
             and
             be
             always
             walking
             on
             the
             Marches
             ,
             but
             also
             that
             hereby
             we
             may
             weaken
             the
             forces
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             teach
             our
             appetites
             to
             obey
             ;
             we
             must
             do
             with
             our selves
             as
             prudent
             Parents
             with
             their
             Children
             ,
             who
             cross
             their
             wills
             in
             many
             little
             indifferent
             things
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             manageable
             and
             submissive
             in
             more
             considerable
             instances
             :
             he
             who
             would
             mortifie
             the
             pride
             and
             vanity
             of
             his
             spirit
             ,
             should
             stop
             his
             ears
             to
             the
             most
             deserved
             praises
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             forbear
             his
             just
             vindication
             ,
             from
             the
             Censures
             and
             aspersions
             of
             others
             ,
             especially
             if
             they
             reflect
             only
             upon
             his
             prudence
             and
             conduct
             ,
             and
             not
             on
             his
             Virtue
             and
             
             Innocence
             :
             He
             who
             would
             check
             a
             vindictive
             humour
             ,
             would
             do
             well
             to
             deny
             himself
             the
             Satisfaction
             of
             representing
             unto
             others
             the
             Injuries
             which
             he
             hath
             sustain'd
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             would
             so
             take
             heed
             to
             our
             ways
             ,
             that
             we
             sin
             not
             with
             our
             tongue
             ,
             we
             must
             accustome
             our selves
             much
             to
             solitude
             and
             silence
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             
               Hold
               our
               peace
               even
               from
               good
               ,
            
             till
             once
             we
             have
             gotten
             some
             command
             of
             that
             unruly
             member
             .
             Thus
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             we
             may
             bind
             up
             our
             natural
             inclinations
             ,
             and
             make
             our
             appetites
             more
             moderate
             in
             their
             cravings
             ,
             by
             accustoming
             them
             to
             frequent
             refusals
             :
             but
             it
             is
             not
             enough
             to
             have
             them
             under
             violence
             ,
             and
             restraint
             .
          
           
             Our
             next
             Essay
             must
             be
             to
             wean
             
             our
             affections
             from
             created
             things
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             delights
             and
             entertainments
             of
             the
             lower
             life
             ,
             which
             sink
             and
             depress
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             retard
             their
             motions
             toward
             God
             and
             Heaven
             :
             And
             this
             we
             must
             do
             by
             possessing
             our
             Minds
             with
             a
             deep
             perswasion
             of
             the
             vanity
             and
             emptiness
             of
             worldly
             enjoyments
             .
             This
             is
             an
             ordinary
             theme
             ,
             
             and
             every
             body
             can
             make
             declamations
             upon
             it
             ;
             but
             alas
             !
             how
             few
             understand
             and
             believe
             what
             they
             say
             :
             These
             Notions
             float
             in
             our
             Brains
             ,
             and
             come
             sliding
             off
             our
             Tongues
             ,
             but
             we
             have
             no
             deep
             impression
             of
             them
             on
             our
             spirits
             ,
             we
             feel
             not
             the
             truth
             which
             we
             pretend
             to
             believe
             :
             We
             can
             tell
             that
             all
             the
             glory
             and
             splendour
             ,
             all
             the
             pleasures
             and
             enjoyments
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             are
             vanity
             and
             nothing
             ;
             and
             yet
             these
             nothings
             take
             up
             all
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             ingross
             all
             our
             affections
             ,
             they
             stifle
             the
             better
             inclinations
             of
             our
             Soul
             ,
             and
             inveigle
             us
             into
             many
             a
             Sin
             :
             it
             may
             be
             in
             a
             sober
             mood
             ,
             we
             give
             them
             the
             slight
             ,
             and
             resolve
             to
             be
             no
             longer
             deluded
             with
             them
             ;
             but
             these
             thoughts
             seldom
             out-live
             the
             next
             temptation
             ,
             the
             vanities
             which
             we
             have
             shut
             out
             at
             the
             door
             get
             in
             at
             a
             postern
             :
             there
             are
             still
             some
             pretensions
             ,
             some
             hopes
             that
             flatter
             us
             ;
             and
             after
             we
             have
             been
             frustrated
             a
             thousand
             times
             ,
             we
             must
             continually
             be
             repeating
             the
             experiment
             :
             The
             leaft
             difference
             of
             circumstances
             is
             enough
             to
             delude
             us
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             expect
             that
             
             satisfaction
             in
             one
             thing
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             missed
             in
             another
             :
             but
             could
             we
             once
             get
             clearly
             off
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             a
             real
             and
             serious
             contempt
             of
             worldly
             things
             ,
             this
             were
             a
             very
             considerable
             advancement
             in
             our
             way
             :
             The
             Soul
             of
             Man
             is
             of
             a
             vigorous
             and
             active
             nature
             ,
             and
             hath
             in
             it
             a
             raging
             and
             unextinguishable
             thirst
             ,
             an
             immaterial
             kind
             of
             fire
             ,
             always
             catching
             at
             some
             object
             or
             other
             ,
             in
             conjunction
             wherewith
             it
             thinks
             to
             be
             happy
             ;
             and
             were
             it
             once
             rent
             from
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             bewitching
             enjoyments
             under
             the
             Sun
             ,
             it
             would
             quickly
             search
             after
             some
             higher
             and
             more
             excellent
             Object
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             its
             ardent
             ,
             and
             importunate
             cravings
             ,
             and
             being
             no
             longer
             dazel'd
             with
             glistering
             vanities
             ,
             would
             fix
             on
             that
             Supream
             and
             All-sufficient
             Good
             ,
             where
             it
             should
             discover
             such
             beauty
             and
             sweetness
             as
             would
             charm
             and
             over-power
             all
             its
             affections
             :
             The
             love
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             are
             like
             the
             scales
             of
             a
             ballance
             ,
             as
             the
             one
             falleth
             ,
             the
             other
             doth
             rise
             :
             when
             our
             natural
             inclinations
             prosper
             ,
             and
             the
             creature
             is
             exalted
             in
             our
             Soul
             ,
             
             Religion
             is
             faint
             ,
             and
             doth
             languish
             ;
             but
             when
             earthly
             objects
             wither
             away
             ,
             and
             lose
             their
             beauty
             ,
             and
             the
             Soul
             begins
             to
             cool
             and
             flagg
             in
             its
             prosecution
             of
             them
             ,
             then
             the
             seeds
             of
             Grace
             take
             root
             ,
             and
             the
             Divine
             Life
             begins
             to
             flourish
             and
             prevail
             .
             It
             doth
             therefore
             nearly
             concern
             us
             to
             convince
             our selves
             of
             the
             emptiness
             and
             vanity
             of
             Creature-enjoyments
             ,
             and
             reason
             our
             heart
             out
             of
             love
             of
             them
             :
             let
             us
             Seriously
             consider
             all
             that
             our
             Reason
             or
             our
             Faith
             ,
             our
             own
             Experience
             ,
             or
             the
             observation
             of
             others
             can
             suggest
             to
             this
             effect
             .
             Let
             us
             ponder
             the
             matter
             over
             and
             over
             ,
             and
             fix
             our
             thoughts
             on
             this
             truth
             ,
             till
             we
             become
             really
             perswaded
             of
             it
             :
             amidst
             all
             our
             pursuits
             and
             designs
             ,
             let
             us
             stop
             and
             ask
             our selves
             ,
             For
             what
             end
             is
             all
             this
             ?
             At
             what
             do
             I
             aim
             ?
             Can
             the
             gross
             and
             muddy
             pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             or
             a
             heap
             of
             white
             or
             yellow
             Earth
             ,
             or
             the
             esteem
             and
             affection
             of
             silly
             creatures
             like
             my self
             satisfie
             a
             rational
             and
             immortal
             Soul
             ?
             Have
             I
             not
             tryed
             these
             things
             already
             ?
             Will
             they
             have
             a
             higher
             relish
             ,
             and
             yield
             me
             more
             contentment
             
             to
             morrow
             than
             yesterday
             ,
             or
             the
             next
             year
             than
             they
             did
             the
             last
             ?
             There
             may
             be
             some
             little
             difference
             betwixt
             that
             which
             I
             am
             now
             pursuing
             ,
             &
             that
             which
             I
             enjoy'd
             before
             ;
             but
             sure
             my
             former
             Enjoyments
             did
             shew
             as
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             promise
             as
             fair
             before
             I
             attain'd
             them
             :
             like
             the
             Rain-bow
             they
             looked
             very
             glorious
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             but
             when
             I
             approached
             ,
             I
             found
             nothing
             but
             emptiness
             and
             vapor
             .
             O
             what
             a
             poor
             thing
             should
             the
             life
             of
             man
             be
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             capable
             of
             no
             higher
             enjoyments
             !
          
           
             I
             cannot
             insist
             on
             this
             subject
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             the
             less
             need
             when
             I
             remember
             to
             whom
             I
             am
             writing
             .
             Yes
             (
             my
             dear
             Friend
             )
             you
             have
             had
             as
             great
             Experience
             of
             the
             emptiness
             and
             vanity
             of
             humane
             things
             ,
             and
             have
             at
             present
             as
             few
             worldly
             engagements
             as
             any
             that
             I
             know
             :
             I
             have
             sometimes
             reflected
             on
             those
             passages
             of
             your
             life
             wherewith
             you
             have
             been
             pleased
             to
             acquaint
             me
             :
             and
             methinks
             through
             all
             I
             can
             discern
             a
             design
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             to
             wean
             your
             affections
             from
             every
             thing
             here
             below
             :
             The
             
             Tryals
             you
             have
             had
             of
             those
             things
             which
             the
             World
             dotes
             upon
             ;
             hath
             taught
             you
             to
             despise
             them
             ,
             and
             you
             have
             found
             by
             experience
             that
             neither
             the
             endowments
             of
             Nature
             ,
             nor
             the
             advantages
             of
             Fortune
             are
             sufficient
             for
             happiness
             :
             that
             every
             Rose
             hath
             its
             thorn
             ,
             and
             there
             may
             be
             a
             Worm
             at
             the
             root
             of
             the
             fairest
             Gourd
             ,
             some
             secret
             and
             undiscerned
             grief
             which
             may
             make
             a
             person
             deserve
             the
             pity
             of
             those
             who
             perhaps
             do
             admire
             or
             envy
             their
             supposed
             felicity
             :
             If
             any
             earthly
             comforts
             have
             got
             too
             much
             of
             your
             heart
             ,
             I
             think
             they
             have
             been
             your
             Relations
             and
             Friends
             ,
             and
             the
             dearest
             of
             those
             are
             removed
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             so
             that
             you
             must
             raise
             your
             Mind
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             when
             you
             would
             think
             upon
             them
             :
             Thus
             God
             hath
             provided
             that
             your
             heart
             may
             be
             loosed
             from
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             he
             may
             not
             have
             any
             Rival
             in
             your
             affection
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             alwayes
             observed
             to
             be
             so
             large
             and
             unbounded
             ,
             so
             noble
             and
             dis-interessed
             ,
             that
             no
             inferiour
             object
             can
             answer
             or
             deserve
             it
             .
          
           
           
             When
             we
             have
             got
             our
             corruptions
             
             restrain'd
             ,
             and
             our
             natural
             appetites
             and
             inclinations
             towards
             worldly
             things
             in
             some
             measure
             subdued
             ,
             we
             must
             proceed
             to
             such
             exercises
             as
             have
             a
             more
             immediate
             tendance
             to
             excite
             and
             awaken
             the
             Divine
             Life
             :
             And
             first
             let
             us
             endeavour
             conscientiously
             to
             perform
             those
             duties
             which
             Religion
             doth
             require
             ,
             and
             whereunto
             it
             would
             incline
             us
             if
             it
             did
             prevail
             in
             our
             Souls
             :
             If
             we
             cannot
             get
             our
             inward
             disposition
             presently
             changed
             ,
             let
             us
             study
             at
             least
             to
             regulate
             our
             outward
             deportment
             :
             if
             our
             hearts
             be
             not
             yet
             inflam'd
             with
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             let
             us
             however
             own
             our
             alleagiance
             to
             that
             infinite
             Majesty
             ,
             by
             attending
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             listening
             to
             his
             Word
             ,
             by
             speaking
             reverently
             of
             his
             Name
             ,
             and
             praising
             his
             goodness
             ,
             and
             exhorting
             others
             to
             serve
             and
             obey
             him
             :
             if
             we
             want
             that
             charity
             and
             those
             bowels
             of
             compassion
             which
             we
             ought
             to
             have
             towards
             our
             Neighbours
             ,
             yet
             must
             we
             not
             omit
             any
             occasion
             of
             doing
             them
             good
             :
             If
             our
             hearts
             be
             haughty
             and
             
             proud
             ,
             we
             must
             nevertheless
             study
             a
             modest
             and
             humble
             Deportment
             :
             These
             external
             performances
             are
             of
             little
             value
             in
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             may
             they
             help
             us
             forward
             to
             better
             things
             :
             The
             Apostle
             indeed
             telleth
             us
             ,
             
               that
               bodily
               exercise
               profiteth
               little
            
             ;
             but
             he
             seems
             not
             to
             affirm
             that
             it
             is
             altogether
             useless
             ,
             it
             is
             alwayes
             good
             to
             be
             doing
             what
             we
             can
             ,
             for
             then
             God
             is
             wont
             to
             pity
             our
             weakness
             ,
             and
             assist
             our
             feeble
             endeavours
             :
             and
             when
             true
             Charity
             and
             Humility
             and
             other
             Graces
             of
             the
             Divine
             Spirit
             come
             to
             take
             root
             in
             our
             Souls
             ,
             they
             will
             actuate
             themselves
             more
             freely
             and
             with
             the
             less
             difficulty
             that
             we
             have
             been
             accustomed
             to
             express
             them
             in
             our
             outward
             conversations
             .
             Nor
             need
             we
             fear
             the
             imputation
             of
             hypocrisie
             ,
             tho
             our
             actions
             do
             thus
             somewhat
             out-run
             our
             affections
             ,
             seeing
             they
             do
             still
             proceed
             from
             a
             sense
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             our
             Design
             is
             not
             to
             appear
             better
             then
             we
             are
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             may
             really
             become
             so
             .
          
           
           
             But
             as
             inward
             acts
             have
             a
             more
             immediate
             
             influence
             on
             the
             Soul
             to
             mould
             it
             to
             a
             right
             temper
             and
             frame
             ;
             so
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             most
             frequent
             and
             sedulous
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             those
             .
             Let
             us
             be
             often
             lifting
             up
             our
             hearts
             towards
             God
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             do
             not
             say
             that
             we
             love
             him
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             let
             us
             at
             least
             acknowledg
             that
             it
             is
             our
             Duty
             and
             would
             be
             our
             Happiness
             so
             to
             do
             :
             Let
             us
             regrate
             the
             dishonour
             done
             unto
             him
             by
             foolish
             and
             sinful
             men
             ,
             and
             applaud
             the
             Praises
             and
             Adorations
             that
             are
             given
             him
             by
             that
             Blessed
             and
             Glorious
             Company
             above
             :
             Let
             us
             resign
             and
             yield
             our selves
             up
             unto
             him
             a
             thousand
             times
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             his
             Lawes
             ,
             and
             disposed
             upon
             at
             his
             pleasure
             :
             and
             though
             our
             stubborn
             hearts
             should
             start
             back
             and
             refuse
             ,
             yet
             let
             us
             tell
             him
             we
             are
             convinced
             that
             his
             Will
             is
             alwayes
             Just
             and
             Good
             ,
             and
             therefore
             desire
             him
             to
             do
             with
             us
             whatsoever
             he
             pleaseth
             whether
             we
             will
             or
             not
             .
             And
             so
             ,
             for
             begetting
             in
             us
             an
             universal
             Charity
             towards
             men
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             frequently
             putting
             up
             
             wishes
             for
             their
             happiness
             ,
             and
             blessing
             every
             person
             that
             we
             see
             ;
             and
             when
             we
             have
             done
             any
             thing
             for
             the
             relief
             of
             the
             miserable
             ,
             we
             may
             second
             it
             with
             earnest
             desires
             that
             God
             would
             take
             care
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             deliver
             them
             out
             of
             all
             their
             distresses
             .
          
           
             Thus
             should
             we
             exercise
             our selves
             unto
             godliness
             ,
             and
             when
             we
             are
             imploying
             the
             powers
             that
             we
             have
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             wont
             to
             strike
             in
             ,
             and
             elevate
             these
             acts
             of
             our
             Soul
             beyond
             the
             pitch
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             give
             them
             a
             Divine
             impression
             :
             and
             after
             the
             frequent
             reiteration
             of
             these
             we
             will
             find
             our selves
             more
             inclined
             unto
             them
             ,
             they
             flowing
             with
             greater
             freedom
             and
             ease
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             mention
             but
             two
             other
             Means
             
             for
             begetting
             that
             Holy
             and
             Divine
             temper
             of
             spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Subject
             of
             the
             present
             Discourse
             :
             And
             the
             first
             is
             a
             Deep
             and
             Serious
             Consideration
             of
             the
             Truths
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             and
             that
             both
             as
             to
             the
             certainty
             and
             importance
             of
             them
             .
             The
             assent
             which
             is
             ordinarily
             given
             to
             Divine
             Truths
             is
             very
             faint
             and
             languid
             ,
             very
             weak
             and
             
             uneffectual
             ,
             flowing
             only
             from
             a
             blind
             inclination
             to
             follow
             that
             Religion
             which
             is
             in
             the
             fashion
             ,
             or
             a
             lazy
             indifferency
             and
             unconcernedness
             whether
             things
             be
             so
             or
             not
             :
             Men
             are
             unwilling
             to
             quarrel
             with
             the
             Religion
             of
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             since
             all
             their
             Neighbours
             are
             Christians
             ,
             they
             are
             content
             to
             be
             so
             too
             :
             but
             they
             are
             seldome
             at
             the
             pains
             to
             consider
             the
             evidences
             of
             those
             Truths
             ,
             or
             to
             ponder
             the
             importance
             and
             tendency
             of
             them
             :
             and
             thence
             it
             is
             that
             they
             have
             so
             little
             influence
             on
             their
             affections
             and
             practise
             :
             Those
             
               spriteless
               and
               paralitick
               thoughts
            
             (
             as
             one
             doth
             rightly
             term
             them
             )
             are
             not
             able
             to
             move
             the
             will
             ,
             and
             direct
             the
             hand
             .
             We
             must
             therefore
             endeavour
             to
             work
             up
             our
             Minds
             to
             a
             Serious
             belief
             and
             full
             perswasion
             of
             Divine
             Truths
             ,
             unto
             a
             Sense
             and
             feeling
             of
             Spiritual
             things
             :
             Our
             thoughts
             must
             dwell
             upon
             them
             till
             we
             be
             both
             convinced
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             deeply
             affected
             with
             them
             :
             Let
             us
             urge
             forward
             our
             spirits
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             approach
             the
             invisible
             World
             ,
             and
             fix
             our
             Mind
             upon
             immaterial
             
             things
             ,
             till
             we
             clearly
             perceive
             that
             these
             are
             no
             Dreams
             ,
             nay
             that
             all
             things
             are
             Dreams
             and
             Shadows
             besides
             them
             :
             When
             we
             look
             about
             us
             and
             behold
             the
             beauty
             and
             magnificence
             of
             this
             goodly
             frame
             ,
             the
             order
             and
             harmony
             of
             the
             whole
             Creation
             ,
             let
             our
             thoughts
             from
             thence
             take
             their
             flight
             toward
             that
             Omnipotent
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             which
             did
             at
             first
             produce
             ,
             and
             doth
             ftill
             establish
             and
             uphold
             the
             same
             :
             When
             we
             reflect
             upon
             our selves
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             that
             we
             are
             not
             a
             meer
             piece
             of
             Organized
             matter
             ,
             a
             curious
             and
             well-contrived
             Engine
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             more
             in
             us
             then
             flesh
             ,
             and
             blood
             ,
             and
             bones
             ,
             even
             a
             Divine
             sparkle
             ,
             capable
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             love
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             our
             Maker
             ;
             and
             tho
             it
             be
             now
             exceedingly
             clogged
             with
             its
             dull
             and
             lumpish
             companion
             ,
             yet
             ere
             long
             it
             shall
             be
             delivered
             ,
             and
             can
             subsist
             without
             the
             body
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             that
             can
             do
             without
             the
             Cloathes
             which
             we
             throw
             off
             at
             our
             pleasure
             .
             Let
             us
             often
             withdraw
             our
             thoughts
             from
             this
             Earth
             ,
             this
             Scene
             of
             Misery
             and
             folly
             and
             sin
             ,
             and
             raise
             them
             towards
             
             that
             more
             vast
             and
             glorious
             World
             ,
             whose
             Innocent
             and
             Blessed
             Inhabitants
             solace
             themselves
             Eternally
             in
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             ,
             and
             know
             no
             other
             passion
             ,
             but
             an
             unmixed
             Joy
             ,
             and
             an
             unbounded
             Love
             :
             and
             then
             consider
             how
             the
             blessed
             Son
             of
             God
             came
             down
             to
             this
             lower
             World
             to
             live
             among
             us
             and
             dye
             for
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             bring
             us
             to
             a
             portion
             of
             the
             same
             felicity
             ;
             and
             think
             how
             he
             hath
             overcome
             the
             sharpness
             of
             death
             ,
             and
             opened
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             to
             all
             Believers
             ,
             and
             is
             now
             set
             down
             on
             the
             
               right
               hand
               of
               Majesty
               on
               high
               ,
            
             and
             yet
             is
             not
             
             the
             less
             mindful
             of
             us
             ,
             but
             receiveth
             our
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             presenteth
             them
             unto
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             is
             daily
             visiting
             his
             Church
             with
             the
             Influences
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             reacheth
             us
             with
             his
             Beams
             .
          
           
             The
             Serious
             and
             frequent
             considerarion
             of
             these
             and
             such
             other
             Divine
             
             Truths
             ,
             is
             the
             most
             proper
             Method
             to
             beget
             that
             lively
             Faith
             which
             is
             the
             Foundation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             spring
             and
             root
             of
             the
             Divine
             Life
             .
             Let
             me
             further
             suggest
             some
             particular
             subjects
             
             of
             Meditation
             for
             producing
             the
             Several
             branches
             of
             it
             .
             And
             first
             to
             inflame
             our
             Souls
             with
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             the
             excellency
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             his
             Love
             and
             Kindness
             towards
             us
             .
             It
             is
             little
             we
             know
             of
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             ,
             and
             yet
             that
             little
             may
             suffice
             to
             fill
             our
             Souls
             with
             admiration
             and
             Love
             ,
             to
             ravish
             our
             affections
             as
             well
             as
             to
             raise
             our
             Wonder
             ,
             for
             we
             are
             not
             meerly
             Creatures
             of
             Sense
             that
             we
             should
             be
             uncapable
             of
             any
             other
             affection
             but
             that
             which
             entreth
             by
             the
             Eyes
             :
             The
             character
             of
             any
             excellent
             Person
             whom
             we
             have
             never
             seen
             will
             many
             times
             ingage
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             hugely
             concerued
             in
             all
             his
             adventures
             :
             and
             what
             is
             it
             I
             pray
             you
             that
             engages
             us
             so
             much
             to
             those
             with
             whom
             we
             converse
             ?
             I
             cannot
             think
             that
             it
             is
             meerly
             the
             colour
             of
             their
             face
             ,
             or
             their
             comely
             proportions
             ,
             else
             we
             should
             fall
             in
             Love
             with
             statues
             and
             pictures
             ,
             and
             flowers
             :
             these
             outward
             accomplishments
             may
             a
             little
             delight
             the
             Eye
             ,
             but
             would
             never
             be
             able
             to
             prevail
             so
             much
             on
             the
             Heart
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             not
             represent
             
             some
             vital
             Perfection
             :
             we
             either
             see
             or
             apprehend
             some
             greatness
             of
             mind
             or
             vigor
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             or
             sweetness
             of
             disposition
             ,
             some
             sprightliness
             or
             Wisdom
             or
             Goodness
             which
             charms
             our
             spirit
             and
             commands
             our
             Love
             :
             now
             these
             perfections
             are
             not
             obvious
             to
             the
             Sight
             ,
             the
             Eyes
             can
             only
             discern
             the
             signs
             and
             effects
             of
             them
             :
             and
             if
             it
             be
             the
             understanding
             that
             directs
             the
             affection
             ,
             and
             vital
             perfections
             prevail
             with
             it
             ,
             certainly
             the
             excellency's
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             (
             the
             Traces
             whereof
             we
             cannot
             but
             discover
             in
             every
             thing
             we
             behold
             )
             would
             not
             fail
             to
             engage
             our
             Hearts
             if
             we
             did
             seriously
             view
             and
             regard
             them
             :
             shall
             we
             not
             be
             Infinitely
             more
             transported
             with
             that
             Almighty
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             which
             filleth
             the
             Universe
             ,
             and
             displays
             it self
             in
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             the
             creation
             ,
             which
             establisheth
             the
             Frame
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             turneth
             the
             mighty
             Wheels
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             keepeth
             the
             World
             from
             disorder
             and
             ruine
             ;
             then
             with
             the
             faint
             rays
             of
             the
             same
             perfections
             which
             we
             meet
             with
             in
             our
             fellow-creatures
             ?
             Shall
             we
             doat
             on
             the
             scattered
             
             pieces
             of
             a
             rude
             and
             imperfect
             picture
             ,
             and
             never
             be
             affected
             with
             the
             original
             beauty
             ?
             This
             were
             an
             unaccountable
             stupidity
             and
             blindness
             :
             whatever
             we
             find
             lovely
             in
             a
             friend
             or
             in
             a
             Saint
             ought
             not
             to
             engross
             but
             to
             Elevate
             our
             affection
             :
             we
             should
             conclude
             with
             our selves
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             be
             so
             much
             sweetness
             in
             a
             drop
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             Infinitely
             more
             in
             the
             Fountain
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             so
             much
             splendor
             in
             a
             ray
             ,
             what
             must
             the
             Sun
             be
             in
             its
             Glory
             ?
          
           
             Nor
             can
             we
             pretend
             the
             remoteness
             of
             the
             object
             ,
             as
             if
             God
             were
             at
             too
             great
             a
             distance
             for
             our
             converse
             or
             our
             Love
             :
             
               he
               is
               not
               far
               from
               every
               one
               of
               us
               ,
               for
               in
               him
               we
               live
               and
               move
               and
            
             
             
               have
               our
               being
            
             :
             we
             cannot
             open
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             behold
             some
             vestige
             of
             his
             Glory
             ,
             and
             we
             cannot
             turn
             them
             toward
             him
             ,
             but
             we
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             his
             intent
             upon
             us
             ,
             waiting
             as
             it
             were
             to
             catch
             a
             look
             ready
             to
             intertain
             the
             most
             intimate
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             with
             us
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             indeavour
             to
             raise
             our
             minds
             to
             the
             clearest
             conceptions
             of
             the
             Divine
             
             Nature
             :
             Let
             us
             consider
             all
             that
             his
             works
             do
             declare
             or
             his
             Word
             doth
             discover
             of
             him
             unto
             us
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             especially
             contemplate
             that
             visible
             representation
             of
             him
             which
             was
             made
             in
             our
             own
             Nature
             by
             his
             Son
             ;
             who
             was
             
               the
               brightness
               of
               his
               Glory
               ,
               and
               the
               express
            
             
             
               Image
               of
               his
               Person
            
             ,
             and
             who
             appeared
             in
             the
             World
             to
             discover
             at
             once
             what
             God
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             :
             Let
             us
             represent
             him
             unto
             our
             minds
             as
             we
             find
             him
             described
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             &
             there
             we
             shall
             behold
             the
             Perfections
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             though
             covered
             with
             the
             vail
             of
             humane
             Infirmities
             :
             and
             when
             we
             have
             fram'd
             unto
             our selves
             the
             clearest
             Notion
             that
             we
             can
             of
             a
             Being
             Infinite
             in
             Power
             ,
             in
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             the
             Author
             and
             Fountain
             of
             all
             Perfections
             ,
             let
             us
             fix
             the
             Eyes
             of
             our
             Soul
             upon
             it
             ,
             
             that
             our
             Eyes
             may
             affect
             our
             Heart
             ,
             and
             while
             we
             are
             Musing
             the
             fire
             will
             
             burn
             .
          
           
             Especially
             if
             hereunto
             we
             add
             the
             
             consideration
             of
             Gods
             Favour
             and
             Good-will
             towards
             us
             :
             nothing
             is
             more
             Powerfull
             to
             engage
             our
             affection
             
             then
             to
             find
             that
             we
             are
             beloved
             :
             expressions
             of
             Kindness
             are
             alwayes
             pleasing
             and
             acceptable
             unto
             us
             ,
             though
             the
             person
             should
             be
             otherways
             mean
             and
             contemptible
             :
             but
             to
             have
             the
             love
             of
             one
             who
             is
             altogether
             lovely
             ,
             to
             know
             that
             the
             Glorious
             Majesty
             of
             Heaven
             hath
             any
             regard
             unto
             us
             ,
             how
             must
             it
             astonish
             and
             delight
             us
             ,
             how
             must
             it
             overcome
             our
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             melt
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             put
             our
             whole
             Soul
             unto
             a
             Flame
             .
             Now
             as
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             is
             full
             of
             the
             expressions
             of
             his
             Love
             towards
             Man
             ,
             so
             all
             his
             Works
             do
             loudly
             proclaim
             it
             :
             he
             gave
             us
             our
             being
             ,
             and
             by
             preserving
             us
             in
             it
             ,
             doth
             renew
             the
             donation
             every
             moment
             :
             he
             hath
             placed
             us
             in
             a
             rich
             and
             well
             furnished
             World
             ,
             and
             liberally
             provided
             for
             all
             our
             necessities
             :
             he
             raineth
             down
             blessings
             from
             Heaven
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             causeth
             the
             Earth
             to
             bring
             forth
             our
             provision
             :
             he
             giveth
             us
             our
             Food
             and
             Raiment
             ,
             and
             while
             we
             are
             spending
             the
             productions
             of
             one
             year
             ,
             he
             is
             preparing
             for
             us
             against
             another
             :
             he
             sweetneth
             our
             lives
             with
             innumerable
             comforts
             ,
             and
             gratifieth
             
             every
             faculty
             with
             suitable
             objects
             :
             The
             Eye
             of
             his
             Providence
             is
             alwaies
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             he
             watcheth
             for
             our
             safety
             when
             we
             are
             fast
             a
             sleep
             ,
             neither
             minding
             him
             ,
             nor
             our selves
             .
             But
             least
             we
             should
             think
             these
             Testimonles
             of
             his
             kindness
             less
             considerable
             because
             they
             are
             the
             easie
             issues
             of
             his
             Omnipotent
             Power
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             put
             him
             into
             any
             trouble
             or
             pain
             ,
             he
             hath
             taken
             a
             more
             wonderful
             Method
             to
             endear
             himself
             to
             us
             :
             he
             hath
             testified
             his
             affection
             to
             us
             ,
             by
             suffering
             as
             well
             as
             by
             doing
             ;
             and
             because
             he
             could
             not
             suffer
             in
             his
             own
             Nature
             ,
             he
             assumed
             ours
             :
             The
             Eternal
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             did
             cloath
             himself
             with
             the
             Infirmities
             of
             our
             flesh
             ,
             and
             left
             the
             companie
             of
             those
             Innocent
             and
             Blessed
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             knew
             well
             how
             to
             Love
             and
             adore
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             dwell
             among
             Men
             ,
             and
             wrestle
             with
             the
             obstinacy
             of
             that
             rebellious
             race
             ,
             to
             reduce
             them
             to
             their
             Alleagiance
             and
             felicity
             and
             then
             to
             offer
             himself
             up
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             and
             Propitiation
             for
             them
             .
             I
             remember
             one
             of
             the
             Poets
             hath
             an
             Ingenious
             fancy
             to
             Express
             the
             Passion
             wherewith
             he
             
             found
             himself
             overcome
             after
             a
             long
             resistance
             ,
             that
             the
             god
             of
             Love
             had
             shot
             all
             his
             Golden
             arrowes
             at
             him
             ,
             but
             could
             never
             pierce
             his
             Heart
             ,
             till
             at
             length
             he
             put
             himself
             unto
             the
             bow
             and
             darted
             himself
             straight
             into
             his
             breast
             :
             Methinks
             this
             doth
             some
             way
             adumbrate
             Gods
             Method
             of
             dealing
             with
             Men
             :
             he
             had
             long
             contended
             with
             a
             stubborn
             World
             ,
             and
             thrown
             down
             many
             a
             blessing
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             when
             all
             his
             other
             gifts
             could
             not
             prevail
             ,
             he
             at
             last
             made
             a
             Gift
             of
             himself
             ,
             to
             testifie
             his
             affection
             ,
             and
             conciliate
             theirs
             .
             The
             account
             which
             we
             have
             of
             our
             Saviours
             Life
             in
             the
             Gospel
             doth
             all
             along
             present
             us
             with
             the
             story
             of
             his
             Love
             ,
             all
             the
             pains
             that
             he
             took
             and
             the
             troubles
             that
             he
             endured
             were
             the
             wonderfull
             effects
             and
             uncontrollable
             evidences
             of
             it
             .
             But
             O
             that
             last
             ,
             that
             dismal
             Scene
             !
             Is
             it
             possible
             to
             remember
             it
             and
             question
             his
             kindness
             ,
             or
             deny
             him
             ours
             ?
             Here
             here
             it
             is
             (
             my
             dear
             Friend
             )
             that
             we
             should
             fix
             our
             most
             serious
             and
             solemn
             thoughts
             ,
             
               that
               Christ
               may
               dwell
               in
               our
               Hearts
               by
               Faith
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               we
               may
               be
               rooted
               and
               grounded
               in
            
             
             
               Love
               ,
               comprehending
               with
               all
               the
               Saints
               what
               is
               the
               breadth
               ,
               and
               length
               ,
               and
               depth
               ,
               and
               height
               :
               and
               knowing
               the
               Love
               of
               Christ
               which
               passeth
               knowledge
               ,
               that
               so
               we
               may
               be
               filled
               with
               all
               the
               fulness
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             We
             ought
             also
             frequently
             to
             reflect
             on
             those
             particular
             Tokens
             of
             Favour
             and
             Love
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             bestowed
             on
             our selves
             ,
             how
             long
             he
             hath
             born
             with
             our
             follies
             and
             sins
             ,
             and
             waited
             to
             be
             gracious
             unto
             us
             ,
             wrestling
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             with
             the
             stubbornness
             of
             our
             hearts
             ,
             and
             essaying
             every
             method
             to
             reclaim
             us
             :
             We
             should
             keep
             a
             register
             in
             our
             Minds
             of
             all
             the
             eminent
             Blessings
             and
             Deliverances
             we
             have
             met
             with
             ,
             some
             whereof
             have
             been
             so
             conveyed
             that
             we
             might
             clearly
             perceive
             they
             were
             not
             the
             issues
             of
             chance
             ,
             but
             the
             gracious
             effects
             of
             the
             Divine
             Favour
             ,
             and
             the
             signal
             returns
             of
             our
             Prayers
             .
             Nor
             ought
             we
             to
             imbitter
             the
             thoughts
             of
             these
             things
             with
             any
             harsh
             or
             unworthy
             suspition
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             designed
             on
             purpose
             to
             enhaunce
             our
             guilt
             ,
             and
             heighten
             our
             eternal
             Damnation
             ,
             No
             ,
             no
             ,
             my
             Friend
             ,
             God
             
             is
             Love
             ,
             and
             he
             hath
             no
             pleasure
             in
             the
             ruine
             of
             his
             Creatures
             :
             if
             they
             abuse
             his
             goodness
             ,
             and
             turn
             his
             grace
             into
             wantonness
             ,
             and
             thereby
             plunge
             themselves
             into
             the
             greater
             depth
             of
             guilt
             and
             misery
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             their
             obstinate
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             design
             of
             those
             benefits
             which
             he
             bestowes
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             considerations
             had
             once
             begotten
             in
             our
             hearts
             a
             real
             Love
             and
             Affection
             towards
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             that
             will
             easily
             lead
             us
             unto
             the
             other
             Branches
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             need
             say
             the
             less
             unto
             them
             .
          
           
             We
             shall
             find
             our
             hearts
             inlarged
             in
             
             Charity
             towards
             men
             ,
             by
             considering
             the
             relation
             wherein
             they
             stand
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             impresses
             of
             his
             Image
             which
             are
             stamped
             upon
             them
             .
             They
             are
             not
             only
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             the
             workmanship
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             but
             such
             of
             whom
             he
             taketh
             special
             care
             ,
             and
             for
             whom
             he
             hath
             a
             very
             dear
             and
             tender
             regard
             ,
             having
             laid
             the
             designs
             of
             their
             happiness
             before
             the
             foundations
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             being
             willing
             to
             live
             and
             converse
             with
             them
             to
             all
             the
             Ages
             of
             
             Eternity
             :
             The
             meanest
             and
             most
             contemptible
             person
             whom
             we
             behold
             is
             the
             off-spring
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             ;
             and
             however
             unworthily
             he
             might
             behave
             himself
             of
             that
             relation
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             God
             hath
             not
             abdicated
             and
             disowned
             him
             by
             a
             final
             Sentence
             ,
             he
             will
             have
             us
             to
             acknowledge
             him
             as
             one
             of
             his
             ,
             and
             as
             such
             to
             embrace
             him
             with
             a
             sincere
             and
             cordial
             affection
             .
             You
             know
             what
             a
             great
             concernment
             we
             are
             wont
             to
             have
             for
             those
             that
             do
             any
             wayes
             belong
             to
             the
             person
             whom
             we
             love
             ,
             how
             gladly
             we
             lay
             hold
             on
             every
             opportunity
             to
             gratifie
             the
             Child
             or
             Servant
             of
             a
             Friend
             ;
             and
             sure
             our
             Love
             towards
             God
             would
             as
             naturally
             spring
             forth
             in
             Charity
             towards
             men
             ,
             did
             we
             mind
             the
             interest
             that
             he
             is
             pleased
             to
             take
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             consider
             that
             every
             Soul
             is
             dearer
             unto
             him
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             material
             World
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             did
             not
             account
             the
             Blood
             of
             his
             Son
             too
             great
             a
             price
             for
             their
             Redemption
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             as
             all
             men
             stand
             in
             a
             near
             relation
             
             to
             God
             ,
             so
             they
             have
             still
             so
             much
             of
             his
             Image
             stamped
             on
             them
             ,
             as
             
             may
             oblige
             and
             excite
             us
             to
             love
             them
             :
             In
             some
             this
             Image
             is
             more
             Eminent
             and
             conspicuous
             ,
             and
             we
             can
             discern
             the
             Lovely
             Treats
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             though
             in
             others
             it
             be
             miserably
             sullied
             and
             defaced
             ,
             yet
             is
             it
             not
             altogether
             razed
             ,
             some
             lineaments
             at
             least
             do
             still
             remain
             :
             All
             men
             are
             endued
             with
             Rational
             and
             Immortal
             Souls
             ,
             with
             Understanding
             and
             Wills
             capable
             of
             the
             highest
             and
             most
             excellent
             things
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             be
             at
             present
             disordered
             and
             put
             out
             of
             tune
             by
             wickedness
             and
             folly
             ,
             this
             may
             indeed
             move
             our
             compassion
             ,
             but
             ought
             not
             in
             reason
             to
             extinguish
             our
             Love.
             When
             we
             see
             a
             person
             of
             a
             rugged
             humour
             and
             perverse
             disposition
             ,
             full
             of
             Malice
             and
             Dissimulation
             ,
             very
             foolish
             and
             very
             proud
             ;
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             fall
             in
             love
             with
             an
             object
             that
             presents
             it self
             unto
             us
             under
             an
             Idea
             so
             little
             grateful
             and
             lovely
             :
             but
             when
             we
             shall
             consider
             these
             evil
             qualities
             as
             the
             Diseases
             and
             Distempers
             of
             a
             Soul
             which
             in
             it self
             is
             capable
             of
             all
             that
             wisdom
             and
             goodness
             wherewith
             the
             best
             of
             Saints
             have
             ever
             been
             adorned
             ,
             and
             which
             
             may
             one
             day
             come
             to
             be
             raised
             unto
             such
             heights
             of
             perfection
             as
             shall
             render
             it
             a
             fit
             companion
             for
             the
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             this
             will
             turn
             our
             aversion
             into
             pity
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             behold
             him
             with
             such
             resentments
             ,
             as
             we
             should
             have
             when
             we
             did
             look
             on
             a
             beautiful
             body
             that
             were
             mangled
             with
             wounds
             ,
             or
             disfigured
             by
             some
             loathsome
             disease
             ;
             and
             however
             we
             hate
             the
             vices
             ,
             we
             shall
             not
             cease
             to
             love
             the
             man.
             
          
           
             In
             the
             next
             place
             for
             purifying
             our
             
             Souls
             ,
             and
             dis-intangling
             our
             affections
             from
             the
             Pleasures
             and
             Enjoyments
             of
             this
             lower
             life
             ,
             let
             us
             frequently
             ponder
             the
             excellency
             and
             dignity
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             what
             a
             shameful
             and
             unworthy
             thing
             it
             is
             for
             so
             noble
             and
             divine
             a
             Creature
             as
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             ,
             to
             be
             sunk
             and
             immersed
             in
             bruitish
             and
             sensual
             Lusts
             ,
             or
             amused
             with
             airy
             and
             phantastical
             delights
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             lose
             the
             relish
             of
             solid
             and
             spiritual
             pleasures
             ,
             that
             the
             Beast
             should
             be
             fed
             and
             pampered
             ,
             and
             the
             Man
             and
             the
             Christian
             be
             starved
             in
             us
             .
             Did
             we
             but
             mind
             who
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             for
             what
             we
             were
             made
             ,
             this
             would
             teach
             us
             in
             a
             
             right
             sense
             to
             reverence
             and
             stand
             in
             awe
             of
             our selves
             ,
             it
             would
             beget
             a
             holy
             modesty
             and
             shamefacedness
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             very
             shy
             and
             reserved
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             most
             innocent
             and
             allowable
             pleasures
             .
          
           
             It
             will
             be
             very
             effectual
             to
             the
             same
             
             purpose
             ,
             that
             we
             frequently
             raise
             our
             Minds
             toward
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             represent
             to
             our
             thoughts
             those
             Joyes
             that
             are
             at
             God's
             right
             hand
             ,
             
               those
               pleasures
               that
            
             
             
               endure
               for
               evermore
               ;
               for
               every
               man
               that
               hath
               this
               hope
               in
               him
               purifieth
               himself
               even
               as
               he
               is
               pure
               .
            
             If
             our
             Heavenly
             Country
             be
             much
             in
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             it
             will
             make
             us
             as
             
               strangers
               and
               pilgrims
               to
               abstain
            
             from
             
               fleshly
               lusts
               which
               war
               against
               the
               Soul
               ,
            
             and
             keep
             our selves
             
               unspotted
               in
               this
               world
            
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             fit
             for
             the
             enjoyments
             and
             felicities
             of
             the
             other
             .
             But
             then
             we
             must
             see
             that
             our
             Notions
             of
             Heaven
             be
             not
             gross
             and
             carnal
             ,
             that
             we
             dream
             not
             of
             a
             Mahometan
             Paradise
             ,
             nor
             rest
             on
             those
             Metaphors
             and
             Similitudes
             by
             which
             these
             joys
             are
             sometimes
             represented
             ,
             for
             this
             might
             perhaps
             have
             a
             quite
             contrary
             effect
             ,
             it
             might
             intangle
             us
             further
             in
             carnal
             
             affections
             ,
             and
             we
             should
             be
             ready
             to
             indulge
             our selves
             a
             very
             liberal
             foretaste
             of
             those
             pleasures
             wherein
             we
             had
             placed
             our
             everlasting
             felicity
             :
             but
             when
             we
             come
             once
             to
             conceive
             aright
             of
             those
             Pure
             and
             Spiritual
             pleasures
             ,
             when
             the
             happiness
             we
             propose
             to
             our selves
             is
             from
             the
             sight
             and
             love
             and
             enjoyment
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             minds
             are
             filled
             with
             the
             hopes
             and
             fore-thoughts
             of
             that
             Blessed
             Estate
             ,
             O
             how
             mean
             and
             contemptible
             will
             all
             things
             here
             below
             appear
             in
             our
             eyes
             ?
             with
             what
             disdain
             will
             we
             reject
             the
             gross
             and
             muddy
             pleasures
             ,
             that
             would
             deprive
             us
             of
             those
             Coelestial
             enjoyments
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             unfit
             and
             indispose
             us
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             last
             Branch
             of
             Religion
             is
             Humility
             ,
             
             and
             sure
             we
             can
             never
             want
             matter
             of
             consideration
             for
             begetting
             it
             :
             all
             our
             wickednesses
             and
             imperfections
             ,
             all
             our
             follies
             and
             our
             sins
             may
             help
             to
             pull
             down
             that
             fond
             and
             overweening
             conceipt
             which
             we
             are
             apt
             to
             entertain
             of
             our selves
             .
             That
             which
             makes
             any
             body
             esteem
             us
             ,
             is
             their
             knowledg
             or
             apprehension
             of
             some
             little
             
             good
             ,
             and
             their
             ignorance
             of
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             evil
             that
             may
             be
             in
             us
             :
             were
             they
             throughly
             acquainted
             with
             us
             ,
             they
             would
             quickly
             change
             their
             opinion
             :
             The
             thoughts
             that
             pass
             in
             our
             heart
             in
             the
             best
             and
             most
             serious
             day
             of
             our
             life
             being
             exposed
             unto
             publick
             view
             ,
             would
             render
             us
             either
             hateful
             or
             ridiculous
             :
             and
             now
             however
             we
             conceal
             our
             failings
             from
             one
             another
             ,
             yet
             sure
             we
             are
             conscious
             to
             them
             our selves
             ,
             and
             some
             serious
             reflections
             upon
             them
             ,
             would
             much
             qualifie
             and
             allay
             the
             vanity
             of
             our
             spirits
             :
             Thus
             holy
             Men
             have
             come
             really
             to
             think
             worse
             of
             themselves
             ,
             than
             of
             any
             other
             person
             in
             the
             world
             :
             not
             but
             that
             they
             knew
             that
             gross
             and
             scandalous
             Vices
             are
             in
             their
             nature
             more
             heynous
             than
             the
             surprisals
             of
             tentation
             and
             infirmity
             ;
             but
             because
             they
             were
             much
             more
             intent
             on
             their
             own
             miscarriages
             ,
             than
             on
             those
             of
             their
             Neighbours
             ,
             and
             did
             consider
             all
             the
             aggravations
             of
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             every
             thing
             that
             might
             be
             supposed
             to
             diminish
             and
             alleviate
             the
             other
             .
          
           
           
             But
             it
             is
             well
             observed
             by
             a
             Pious
             
             Writer
             ,
             That
             the
             deepest
             and
             most
             pure
             Humility
             doth
             not
             so
             much
             arise
             from
             the
             consideration
             of
             our
             own
             faults
             ,
             and
             defects
             ,
             as
             from
             a
             calm
             and
             quiet
             Contemplation
             of
             the
             Divine
             Purity
             and
             Goodness
             :
             Our
             spots
             never
             appear
             so
             clearly
             ,
             as
             when
             we
             place
             them
             before
             this
             Infinite
             Light
             ;
             and
             we
             never
             seem
             less
             in
             our
             own
             eyes
             ,
             than
             when
             we
             look
             down
             upon
             our selves
             from
             on
             high
             :
             O
             how
             little
             ,
             how
             nothing
             do
             all
             those
             shadows
             of
             perfection
             then
             appear
             for
             which
             we
             are
             wont
             to
             value
             our selves
             !
             That
             humility
             which
             cometh
             from
             a
             view
             of
             our
             own
             sinfulness
             and
             misery
             ,
             is
             more
             turbulent
             and
             boysterous
             ;
             but
             the
             other
             layeth
             us
             full
             as
             low
             ,
             and
             wanteth
             nothing
             but
             that
             anguish
             and
             vexation
             wherewith
             our
             Souls
             are
             apt
             to
             boyl
             when
             they
             are
             the
             nearest
             object
             of
             our
             thoughts
             .
          
           
             There
             remains
             yet
             another
             Mean
             for
             
             begetting
             a
             Holy
             and
             Religious
             disposition
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             fervent
             and
             hearty
             Prayer
             .
             Holiness
             is
             the
             
             Gift
             of
             God
             ,
             indeed
             the
             greatest
             gift
             he
             doth
             bestow
             ,
             or
             we
             are
             capable
             to
             receive
             ,
             and
             he
             hath
             promised
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             to
             those
             that
             ask
             it
             of
             him
             :
             in
             Prayer
             we
             make
             the
             nearest
             approaches
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             lye
             open
             to
             the
             influences
             of
             Heaven
             :
             Then
             it
             is
             that
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             doth
             visit
             us
             with
             directest
             rayes
             ,
             and
             dissipateth
             our
             darkness
             and
             imprinteth
             his
             Image
             on
             our
             Souls
             .
             I
             cannot
             now
             insist
             on
             the
             advantages
             of
             this
             exercise
             ,
             or
             the
             dispositions
             wherewith
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             performed
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             need
             I
             should
             ,
             there
             being
             so
             many
             Books
             that
             Treat
             on
             this
             subject
             :
             I
             shall
             only
             tell
             you
             ,
             That
             as
             there
             is
             one
             sort
             of
             Prayer
             wherein
             we
             make
             use
             of
             the
             voice
             which
             is
             necessary
             in
             publick
             ,
             and
             may
             sometimes
             have
             its
             own
             advantages
             in
             private
             ,
             and
             another
             wherein
             though
             we
             utter
             no
             sound
             ,
             
             yet
             we
             conceive
             the
             expressions
             and
             form
             the
             words
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             in
             our
             Mind
             ,
             (
             which
             I
             presume
             is
             most
             commonly
             used
             in
             private
             devotion
             )
             so
             there
             is
             a
             third
             and
             more
             sublime
             kind
             of
             prayer
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Soul
             takes
             a
             
             higher
             flight
             ,
             and
             having
             collected
             all
             its
             forces
             by
             long
             and
             serious
             Meditation
             ,
             it
             darteth
             it self
             (
             so
             to
             speak
             )
             towards
             God
             in
             sighs
             and
             groans
             and
             thoughts
             too
             big
             for
             expression
             :
             As
             when
             after
             a
             deep
             Contemplation
             of
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             appearing
             in
             all
             his
             Works
             of
             Wonder
             ,
             it
             addresseth
             it self
             unto
             him
             in
             the
             profoundest
             adoration
             of
             his
             Majestie
             and
             Glory
             :
             or
             when
             after
             sad
             reflections
             on
             its
             vileness
             and
             miscarriages
             ,
             it
             prostrates
             it self
             before
             him
             with
             the
             greatest
             confusion
             and
             sorrow
             ,
             not
             daring
             to
             lift
             up
             its
             eyes
             ,
             or
             utter
             one
             word
             in
             his
             presence
             :
             or
             when
             having
             well
             considered
             the
             beauty
             of
             holiness
             ,
             and
             the
             unspeakable
             felicity
             of
             those
             that
             are
             truly
             good
             ,
             it
             panteth
             after
             God
             ,
             and
             sendeth
             up
             such
             vigorous
             and
             ardent
             desires
             as
             no
             words
             should
             be
             sufficient
             to
             express
             ,
             continuing
             and
             repeating
             each
             of
             these
             acts
             as
             long
             as
             it
             finds
             it self
             upheld
             by
             the
             force
             and
             impulse
             of
             the
             previous
             Meditation
             .
          
           
             This
             mental
             Prayer
             is
             of
             all
             other
             the
             most
             effectual
             to
             purifie
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             dispose
             it
             unto
             a
             holy
             and
             religious
             
             temper
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             termed
             the
             great
             Secret
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             and
             one
             of
             the
             most
             powerful
             instruments
             of
             the
             Divine
             Life
             :
             and
             it
             may
             be
             the
             Apostle
             hath
             a
             peculiar
             respect
             unto
             it
             when
             he
             saith
             ,
             that
             
               the
               Spirit
               helpeth
               our
               infirmities
               ,
               making
               intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               with
               groanings
               that
               cannot
               be
               uttered
               ,
               or
               ,
            
             as
             the
             Original
             may
             bear
             ,
             
               that
               cannot
               be
               worded
            
             :
             Yet
             I
             do
             not
             so
             recommend
             this
             sort
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             to
             supersede
             the
             use
             of
             the
             other
             :
             for
             we
             have
             so
             many
             several
             things
             to
             pray
             for
             ,
             and
             every
             petition
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             requireth
             so
             much
             time
             ,
             and
             so
             great
             an
             intention
             of
             spirit
             ,
             that
             it
             were
             not
             easie
             therein
             to
             overtake
             them
             all
             :
             to
             say
             nothing
             that
             the
             deep
             sighs
             and
             heavings
             of
             the
             heart
             which
             are
             wont
             to
             accompany
             it
             ,
             are
             something
             oppressive
             to
             Nature
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             hard
             to
             continue
             long
             in
             them
             :
             But
             certainly
             a
             few
             of
             those
             inward
             aspirations
             will
             do
             more
             than
             a
             great
             many
             fluent
             and
             melting
             expressions
             .
          
           
             Thus
             (
             my
             dear
             Friend
             )
             I
             have
             briefly
             proposed
             the
             Method
             which
             I
             judge
             
             proper
             for
             moulding
             the
             Soul
             unto
             a
             
             holy
             frame
             ;
             and
             the
             same
             means
             which
             serve
             to
             beget
             this
             Divine
             Temper
             ,
             must
             still
             be
             practised
             for
             strengthning
             and
             advancing
             it
             :
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             recommend
             but
             one
             more
             for
             that
             purpose
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             the
             frequent
             and
             conscientious
             use
             of
             that
             holy
             Sacrament
             ,
             which
             is
             peculiarly
             appointed
             to
             nourish
             and
             increase
             the
             Spiritual
             Life
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             is
             begotten
             in
             the
             Soul
             :
             All
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Religion
             do
             meet
             together
             in
             this
             Ordinance
             ;
             and
             while
             we
             address
             our selves
             unto
             it
             ,
             we
             are
             put
             to
             practise
             all
             the
             Rules
             which
             were
             mentioned
             before
             :
             Then
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             we
             make
             the
             severest
             Survey
             of
             our
             Actions
             ,
             and
             lay
             the
             strictest
             Obligations
             on
             our selves
             :
             Then
             are
             our
             Minds
             raised
             to
             the
             highest
             contempt
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             every
             Grace
             doth
             exercise
             it self
             with
             the
             greatest
             activity
             and
             vigour
             :
             all
             the
             subjects
             of
             Contemplation
             do
             there
             present
             themselves
             unto
             us
             with
             the
             greatest
             advantage
             ;
             and
             then
             ,
             if
             ever
             ,
             doth
             the
             Soul
             make
             its
             most
             powerful
             Sally's
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             assault
             it
             with
             
             a
             holy
             and
             acceptable
             force
             .
             And
             certainly
             the
             neglect
             or
             careless
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             is
             one
             of
             the
             chief
             causes
             that
             bedwarfs
             our
             Religion
             ,
             and
             makes
             us
             continue
             of
             so
             low
             a
             size
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             is
             time
             I
             should
             put
             a
             close
             to
             this
             tedious
             Letter
             ,
             which
             is
             grown
             to
             a
             far
             greater
             bulk
             then
             at
             first
             I
             intended
             :
             If
             these
             poor
             Papers
             can
             do
             you
             the
             smallest
             service
             ,
             I
             shall
             think
             my self
             very
             happy
             in
             this
             Undertaking
             ;
             at
             least
             I
             am
             hopeful
             you
             will
             kindly
             accept
             the
             Sincere
             Endeavours
             of
             a
             Person
             who
             would
             fain
             acquit
             himself
             of
             some
             part
             of
             that
             which
             he
             owes
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             A
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             AND
             now
             ,
             O
             most
             gracious
             God
             ,
             Father
             and
             Fountain
             of
             Mercy
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             who
             hast
             blessed
             us
             with
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             that
             leadeth
             unto
             it
             ,
             excite
             in
             our
             Souls
             such
             ardent
             desires
             after
             the
             one
             ,
             as
             may
             put
             us
             forth
             to
             the
             diligent
             prosecution
             of
             the
             other
             :
             Let
             us
             neither
             presume
             of
             our
             own
             strength
             ,
             nor
             distrust
             thy
             Divine
             Assistance
             ;
             but
             while
             we
             are
             doing
             our
             utmost
             endeavours
             ,
             teach
             us
             still
             to
             depend
             on
             Thee
             for
             the
             success
             .
             Open
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             and
             teach
             us
             out
             of
             thy
             Law
             :
             Bless
             us
             with
             an
             exact
             and
             tender
             sense
             of
             our
             duty
             ,
             and
             a
             taste
             to
             discern
             perverse
             things
             :
             O
             that
             our
             wayes
             were
             directed
             to
             keep
             thy
             Statutes
             ,
             then
             shall
             we
             not
             be
             ashamed
             when
             we
             have
             respect
             unto
             all
             thy
             Commandments
             :
             Possess
             our
             hearts
             with
             a
             generous
             and
             holy
             disdain
             of
             all
             those
             poor
             enjoyments
             which
             this
             World
             holdeth
             
             out
             to
             allure
             us
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             never
             be
             able
             to
             inveigle
             our
             Affections
             ,
             or
             betray
             us
             unto
             any
             Sin
             :
             Turn
             away
             our
             eyes
             from
             beholding
             vanity
             ,
             and
             quicken
             thou
             us
             in
             thy
             Law.
             Fill
             our
             Souls
             with
             such
             a
             deep
             sense
             and
             full
             perswasion
             of
             those
             great
             Truths
             which
             Thou
             hast
             reveal'd
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             may
             influence
             and
             regulate
             our
             whole
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             life
             which
             we
             henceforth
             live
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             we
             may
             live
             through
             Faith
             in
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             O
             that
             the
             infinite
             Perfections
             of
             thy
             Blessed
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             astonishing
             Expressions
             of
             thy
             Goodness
             and
             Love
             ,
             may
             conquer
             and
             overpower
             our
             hearts
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             constantly
             arising
             towards
             Thee
             in
             flames
             of
             Devoutest
             Affection
             ,
             and
             inlarging
             themselves
             in
             Sincere
             and
             Cordial
             Love
             towards
             all
             the
             World
             for
             thy
             sake
             :
             and
             that
             we
             may
             cleanse
             our selves
             from
             all
             filthiness
             of
             the
             flesh
             and
             spirit
             ,
             perfecting
             holiness
             in
             thy
             fear
             ,
             without
             which
             we
             can
             never
             hope
             to
             behold
             and
             enjoy
             Thee
             .
             Finally
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             grant
             that
             the
             consideration
             of
             what
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             what
             we
             our selves
             are
             ,
             may
             both
             humble
             and
             lay
             us
             low
             before
             Thee
             ,
             and
             also
             stir
             up
             in
             us
             the
             strongest
             and
             most
             
             ardent
             aspirations
             towards
             Thee
             .
             We
             desire
             to
             resign
             and
             give
             up
             our selves
             to
             the
             Conduct
             of
             thy
             Holy
             Spirit
             :
             lead
             us
             in
             thy
             Truth
             and
             teach
             us
             ,
             for
             thou
             art
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Salvation
             :
             Guide
             us
             with
             thy
             Counsel
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             receive
             us
             unto
             Glory
             :
             for
             the
             Merits
             and
             Intercession
             of
             thy
             Blessed
             Son
             our
             Saviour
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         AN
         ACCOUNT
         OF
         THE
         BEGINNINGS
         and
         ADVANCES
         OF
         A
         Spiritual
         Life
         .
         Written
         at
         the
         Desire
         of
         
           M.
           L.
           V.
           R.
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A58838-e730
           
             The
             Occasion
             of
             this
             Discourse
             .
          
           
             Mistakes
             about
             Religion
             .
          
           
             What
             Religion
             is
             .
          
           
             It
             s
             Permanency
             and
             Stability
             .
          
           
             It
             s
             freedome
             and
             unconstrainedness
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.
             9.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             4.
             34.
             
          
           
             Religion
             a
             Divine
             Principle
             .
          
           
             What
             the
             Natural
             Life
             is
             .
          
           
             The
             different
             tendencies
             of
             the
             natural
             life
             .
          
           
             Wherein
             the
             Divine
             Life
             doth
             consist
             
          
           
             Religion
             better
             understood
             by
             actions
             ,
             than
             by
             words
             .
          
           
             Divine
             Love
             exemplified
             in
             our
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             His
             Diligence
             in
             doing
             Gods
             Will.
             
          
           
             His
             Patience
             in
             bearing
             it
             .
          
           
             His
             constant
             Devotion
             .
          
           
             His
             Charity
             to
             men
             .
          
           
             His
             Purity
             .
          
           
             His
             Humility
             .
          
           
             The
             Excellency
             and
             advantage
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             14.
             10.
             
          
           
             The
             Excellency
             of
             Divine
             Love.
             
          
           
             The
             Advantages
             of
             Divine
             Love.
             
          
           
             The
             worth
             of
             the
             Object
             .
          
           
             The
             certainty
             to
             be
             beloved
             again
             .
          
           
             The
             Presence
             of
             the
             beloved
             person
             .
          
           
             That
             Divine
             Love
             makes
             us
             partake
             in
             an
             infinite
             happiness
             .
          
           
             He
             that
             loveth
             God
             finds
             sweetness
             in
             every
             dispensation
             .
          
           
             The
             duties
             of
             Religion
             are
             delightful
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             63.
             2.
             
          
           
             The
             Excellency
             of
             Charity
             .
          
           
             The
             Pleasure
             that
             attends
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             Excellency
             of
             Purity
             .
          
           
             The
             Delight
             it
             affords
             .
          
           
             The
             Excellency
             of
             Humility
             .
          
           
             The
             pleasure
             and
             sweetness
             of
             an
             humble
             temper
             .
          
           
             The
             despondent
             Thoughts
             of
             some
             newly
             awakened
             to
             a
             right
             sense
             of
             things
             .
          
           
             Act.
             8.
             20.
             
          
           
             Cant
             :
             8.
             7.
             
          
           
             The
             unreasonableness
             of
             these
             Fears
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             33.
             27.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             89.
             19.
             
          
           
             Esay
             26.
             ver
             .
             19.
             
          
           
             Esay
             53.
             ver
             .
             11.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             7.
             24
             ,
             25.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             12.
             20.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             8
             7.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             19.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             4.
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal
             84
             7.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             34.
             
          
           
             2
             King
             6.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             do
             what
             we
             can
             ,
             and
             depend
             on
             the
             Divine
             assistance
             .
             I
             Chron.
             22.
             16.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             58.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             104.
             14.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             4.
             3.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             shun
             all
             manner
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             know
             what
             things
             are
             sinful
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.
             9.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             4.
             12.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             17.
             4.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             resist
             the
             Temptations
             to
             Sin
             ,
             by
             considering
             the
             Evils
             they
             will
             draw
             on
             us
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.
             5.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             33.
             14.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             keep
             a
             constant
             watch
             over
             our selves
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             often
             examine
             our
             Actions
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             fit
             to
             restrain
             our selves
             in
             many
             lawful
             things
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             strive
             to
             put
             our selves
             out
             of
             love
             with
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             do
             those
             outward
             Actions
             that
             are
             commanded
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             endeavour
             to
             form
             internal
             Acts
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Consideration
             a
             great
             instrument
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             To
             beget
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Act.
             17.
             27.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             31.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             3.
             
          
           
             We
             should
             meditate
             on
             his
             Goodness
             and
             Love.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             3.
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             To
             beget
             Charity
             ,
             we
             must
             remember
             that
             all
             men
             are
             nearly
             related
             unto
             God.
             
          
           
             That
             they
             carry
             his
             Image
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             To
             beget
             Purity
             ,
             we
             should
             consider
             the
             Dignity
             of
             our
             Nature
             .
          
           
             We
             should
             meditate
             oft
             on
             the
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.
             3.
             
          
           
             Humility
             ariseth
             from
             the
             consideration
             of
             our
             failings
             .
          
           
             Thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             give
             us
             the
             lowest
             thoughts
             of
             our selves
             .
          
           
             Prayer
             another
             Instrument
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             The
             advantages
             of
             mental
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             Religion
             is
             to
             be
             advanced
             by
             the
             same
             means
             by
             which
             it
             is
             begun
             ,
             The
             use
             of
             the
             Holy
             Sacrament
             .