The private Christian's witness for Christianity to the notional and erroneous apprehensions of the Arminian, Socinian, and Deist of the age : with the easy and true means leading the prophane, meer professor, and lazy Christian, to the same experience, as preservative against the infection of each, and against the ill example of the practical blemishes in lazy Christians conversation.
         Hamilton, David, Sir, 1663-1721.
      
       
         
           1697
        
      
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             The private Christian's witness for Christianity to the notional and erroneous apprehensions of the Arminian, Socinian, and Deist of the age : with the easy and true means leading the prophane, meer professor, and lazy Christian, to the same experience, as preservative against the infection of each, and against the ill example of the practical blemishes in lazy Christians conversation.
             Hamilton, David, Sir, 1663-1721.
          
           [16], 272 p.
           
             Printed for Thomas Cockerill ...,
             London :
             1697.
          
           
             Attributed to Sir David Hamilton. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.).
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Christianity -- Philosophy.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Private
           Christian's
           WITNESS
           FOR
           Christianity
           :
           In
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Notional
           and
           Erroneous
           Apprehensions
           OF
           THE
           
             Arminian
             ,
             Socinian
          
           ,
           and
           Deist
           of
           the
           AGE
           .
           With
           the
           Easy
           and
           True
           Means
           leading
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           Meer
           Professor
           ,
           and
           Lazy
           Christian
           ,
           to
           the
           same
           Experience
           ,
           as
           Preservative
           against
           the
           Infection
           of
           each
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           ill
           Example
           of
           the
           Practical
           Blemishes
           in
           Lazy
           Christians
           Conversation
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Thomas
             Cockerill
          
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Legs
          
           in
           the
           Poultry
           .
           1697.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           BY
           A
           Friend
           of
           the
           Author
           's
           .
        
         
           SINCE
           the
           Fall
           of
           Man
           by
           his
           Rebellious
           Sin
           ,
           he
           incurr'd
           the
           forfeiture
           of
           his
           Felicity
           ,
           that
           principally
           consisted
           in
           Communion
           with
           God.
           
        
         
           The
           Divine
           Goodness
           is
           like
           a
           sealed
           Fountain
           ,
           all
           comforting
           Emanations
           are
           obstructed
           :
           Divine
           Justice
           is
           a
           consuming
           Fire
           to
           all
           guilty
           and
           polluted
           Creatures
           .
           The
           Son
           of
           God
           by
           his
           precious
           Merits
           and
           Intercession
           ,
           is
           a
           Mediator
           of
           Reconciliation
           and
           Communion
           .
        
         
           All
           our
           Ascents
           to
           God
           in
           spiritual
           Duties
           ,
           and
           his
           Descents
           to
           us
           by
           communicating
           Graces
           and
           Comforts
           ,
           are
           through
           Christ
           .
           He
           introduces
           our
           Persons
           into
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           he
           purifies
           our
           Services
           from
           their
           Defilements
           and
           Defects
           ,
           and
           presents
           them
           with
           acceptance
           to
           his
           Father
           .
        
         
         
           Our
           Communion
           with
           God
           is
           managed
           by
           the
           Influences
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           into
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           the
           returns
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           God
           by
           the
           Energy
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           In
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           composes
           the
           Mind
           ,
           with
           the
           Reverence
           of
           God's
           invisible
           and
           adorable
           Majesty
           :
           He
           encourages
           our
           trust
           in
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           raises
           our
           Affections
           from
           Earth
           to
           Heaven
           .
           This
           is
           a
           difficult
           heighth
           which
           the
           carnal
           Nature
           cannot
           arrive
           to
           .
           Prayer
           is
           a
           Duty
           of
           daily
           Revolution
           ,
           but
           cannot
           be
           performed
           in
           an
           acceptable
           manner
           without
           the
           Spirit
           's
           Assistance
           .
        
         
           The
           Holy
           Spirit
           is
           the
           Seal
           of
           God's
           Love
           to
           Believers
           ,
           that
           can
           never
           be
           cancell'd
           ;
           that
           distinguishes
           them
           from
           the
           unrenewed
           World
           ,
           and
           appropriates
           them
           to
           God.
           He
           first
           works
           those
           Graces
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           consists
           ,
           and
           by
           illustrating
           them
           in
           the
           view
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           witnesses
           that
           they
           are
           God's
           Children
           :
           He
           is
           therefore
           styled
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Adoption
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Spirit
           ratifies
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           those
           who
           have
           felt
           his
           sanctifying
           and
           comsorting
           Operations
           .
           There
           are
           some
           Doctrines
           in
           the
           Gospel
           of
           impossible
           discovery
           by
           the
           light
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           when
           reveal'd
           ,
           are
           incomprehensible
           .
           Now
           there
           is
           such
           Evidence
           ,
           beyond
           all
           exception
           ,
           That
           the
           Gospel
           is
           a
           Divine
           Revelation
           ;
           that
           any
           
           Doctrine
           declared
           in
           it
           ,
           though
           sublime
           and
           supernatural
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           our
           carnal
           Prejudices
           and
           Passions
           ,
           justly
           requires
           our
           assent
           to
           it
           .
           We
           must
           distinguish
           between
           the
           evidence
           of
           the
           Object
           ,
           and
           the
           evidence
           of
           the
           testimony
           .
           An
           Object
           is
           evident
           by
           its
           own
           Light
           ,
           and
           the
           impression
           it
           makes
           immediately
           on
           the
           Mind
           :
           Thus
           it
           discerns
           between
           Truth
           and
           Falshood
           ,
           between
           what
           is
           fair
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           fraudulent
           ;
           as
           the
           Eye
           sees
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           day
           and
           night
           .
           The
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Testimony
           ,
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           proof
           of
           the
           Truth
           is
           resolved
           into
           the
           Veracity
           and
           Authority
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           Infallible
           ;
           For
           he
           cannot
           be
           deceived
           nor
           deceive
           .
           Now
           of
           the
           Gospel's
           Divine
           Original
           ,
           there
           are
           external
           Characters
           and
           Signs
           ,
           and
           internal
           :
           Of
           the
           external
           Characters
           ,
           Miracles
           are
           the
           most
           conspicuous
           :
           Of
           the
           internal
           ,
           the
           sanctifying
           and
           comforting
           Operations
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           are
           most
           sensible
           and
           convincing
           .
           For
           certainly
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           tho'
           assisted
           by
           Moral
           Counsels
           and
           Constancy
           ,
           could
           never
           produce
           such
           Divine
           Effects
           .
           The
           Holiness
           and
           Comfort
           that
           the
           Spirit
           in
           Concomitancy
           with
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           works
           in
           sincere
           Christians
           ,
           produces
           a
           more
           clear
           and
           strong
           assurance
           of
           its
           Truth
           ,
           than
           the
           sight
           of
           Miracles
           .
           For
           Holiness
           is
           an
           Attribute
           as
           truly
           Divine
           as
           Power
           ,
           and
           has
           a
           nearer
           Affinity
           with
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           't
           is
           his
           peculiar
           Glory
           .
           The
           cleansing
           
           and
           changing
           the
           Heart
           of
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           the
           calming
           of
           the
           afflicted
           Conscience
           ,
           are
           a
           more
           eminent
           effect
           of
           Power
           ,
           than
           the
           turning
           of
           a
           Wilderness
           into
           a
           Paradise
           ,
           or
           the
           laying
           Storms
           and
           Tempests
           .
           The
           sanctifying
           and
           comforting
           Virtue
           of
           the
           Spirit
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           is
           a
           more
           inward
           and
           lasting
           proof
           than
           Miracles
           .
           A
           Miracle
           ,
           like
           a
           sudden
           flash
           of
           Lightning
           ,
           astonishes
           Men
           at
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           causes
           them
           to
           consider
           what
           is
           proposed
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           surprize
           is
           over
           ,
           they
           may
           neglect
           their
           Duty
           :
           But
           real
           Holiness
           in
           the
           heart
           and
           life
           ,
           like
           the
           Sun
           ,
           irradiates
           the
           Mind
           with
           a
           constant
           light
           ;
           
             He
             that
             believes
             has
             the
             witness
             within
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           Inward
           Experimental
           Religion
           is
           perceived
           by
           the
           Sense
           of
           them
           that
           have
           it
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           so
           clearly
           demonstrated
           by
           Words
           .
           Who
           can
           see
           a
           Taste
           ?
           From
           hence
           many
           ignorant
           and
           prophane
           Persons
           expose
           the
           Operations
           of
           the
           Spirit
           to
           ignominy
           and
           contempt
           ,
           as
           the
           dotages
           of
           Enthusiasts
           .
           And
           Doctrinal
           Professors
           ,
           who
           owe
           their
           Religion
           to
           Tradition
           and
           Education
           ,
           and
           are
           meerly
           Titular
           Christians
           ,
           cannot
           understand
           and
           believe
           what
           the
           Saints
           really
           enjoy
           .
           They
           are
           hardned
           in
           their
           Unbelief
           ,
           because
           many
           have
           father'd
           the
           bastards
           of
           their
           deluded
           fancies
           upon
           the
           Spirit
           .
           But
           to
           shew
           the
           unreasonableness
           of
           this
           pretence
           ,
           consider
           ,
           It
           were
           strange
           that
           the
           low
           life
           of
           Sense
           has
           perceptive
           Faculties
           ,
           that
           living
           Creatures
           feel
           that
           they
           live
           ,
           and
           
           the
           spiritual
           Life
           ,
           more
           raised
           and
           excellent
           than
           the
           rational
           ,
           should
           not
           perceive
           it self
           .
           Is
           it
           possible
           there
           should
           be
           such
           a
           Prodigy
           ,
           that
           the
           Soul
           should
           live
           the
           life
           of
           Holiness
           and
           Joy
           ,
           like
           a
           Plant
           ,
           without
           the
           knowledge
           of
           it
           ?
           Or
           ,
           Because
           many
           are
           deceived
           with
           a
           false
           Light
           ,
           and
           pleased
           with
           a
           Delusion
           ,
           does
           it
           follow
           that
           those
           who
           have
           vital
           Experience
           of
           Religion
           ,
           are
           deceived
           ?
           One
           may
           Dream
           that
           he
           is
           Awake
           ,
           but
           a
           Man
           that
           is
           Awake
           knows
           himself
           to
           be
           so
           :
           The
           Delusion
           of
           one
           doth
           not
           weaken
           the
           assurance
           of
           another
           .
           If
           it
           be
           enquir'd
           ,
           How
           shall
           we
           distinguish
           between
           the
           Genuine
           Operations
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           Spurious
           and
           Counterfeit
           ?
           A
           clear
           answer
           may
           be
           given
           .
           1.
           
           By
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           we
           may
           discover
           and
           know
           his
           Operations
           .
           This
           is
           no
           vicious
           Circle
           .
           I
           know
           I
           have
           a
           reasonable
           Soul
           ,
           by
           the
           light
           of
           Reason
           :
           For
           the
           Understanding
           that
           discovers
           other
           objects
           in
           the
           direct
           act
           ,
           is
           the
           object
           of
           it self
           in
           the
           reflective
           act
           .
           Thus
           I
           know
           that
           I
           have
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           as
           a
           principle
           of
           Divine
           life
           acting
           in
           me
           by
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           2.
           
           It
           is
           the
           peculiar
           Character
           of
           the
           Spirit
           's
           Operations
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           in
           Consent
           and
           Congruity
           with
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           the
           Inditer
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           cannot
           contradict
           himself
           :
           They
           make
           Men
           more
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           Star
           directed
           the
           Wise-Men
           to
           Christ
           ,
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           
           always
           directs
           us
           to
           him
           as
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Grace
           and
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           those
           who
           desire
           to
           know
           when
           the
           Blessings
           they
           receive
           are
           obtain'd
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           the
           effects
           of
           God's
           general
           Providence
           ;
           I
           shall
           only
           desire
           them
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           their
           Prayers
           are
           by
           the
           Spirit
           's
           Influence
           ,
           which
           is
           known
           by
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           that
           Duty
           .
           The
           Spirit
           knows
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           Intelligencer
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           he
           directs
           us
           to
           the
           most
           favourable
           Seasons
           ,
           and
           by
           soft
           Whispers
           and
           warm
           Impulses
           ,
           brings
           us
           in
           God's
           Presence
           to
           pray
           for
           Mercies
           when
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           bestow
           them
           .
           He
           does
           with
           sensible
           Enlargements
           open
           our
           Hearts
           in
           the
           Duty
           ;
           And
           as
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           when
           Fire
           fell
           from
           Heaven
           upon
           the
           Sacrifice
           ,
           't
           was
           a
           sign
           of
           God's
           Acceptance
           ;
           so
           when
           a
           sacred
           Fire
           kindles
           our
           Affections
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           sign
           our
           Requests
           are
           accepted
           .
           He
           mixes
           in
           our
           Prayers
           Reverence
           with
           filial
           Confidence
           ;
           Resignation
           to
           the
           Will
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           Reliance
           upon
           his
           Love
           and
           Power
           .
           And
           when
           a
           Mercy
           is
           bestowed
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           converts
           our
           Prayers
           into
           Praises
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Mercy
           ,
           confirms
           our
           Faith
           ,
           inflames
           our
           Love
           ,
           and
           endears
           Obedience
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           Person
           of
           whom
           the
           following
           Papers
           give
           an
           account
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           He
           is
           a
           Christian
           inwardly
           ,
           who
           has
           had
           
           a
           stated
           Intercourse
           with
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           has
           recorded
           the
           gracious
           Passages
           of
           Providence
           ,
           the
           rich
           Returns
           of
           Prayer
           to
           him
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           continual
           succession
           of
           Mercies
           through
           all
           the
           minutes
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           which
           we
           cannot
           observe
           and
           remember
           ;
           but
           as
           there
           is
           a
           different
           Glory
           in
           the
           lights
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           
             One
             Glory
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             another
             of
             the
             Moon
             ,
             and
             another
             of
             the
             Stars
          
           ;
           so
           some
           are
           eminent
           and
           illustrious
           above
           others
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           remembred
           and
           acknowledg'd
           with
           Solemnity
           .
        
         
           Of
           these
           Mercies
           he
           has
           been
           deeply
           sensible
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           be
           silent
           ,
           but
           opens
           the
           Treasures
           of
           his
           Experiences
           ,
           and
           with
           David
           ,
           the
           great
           Pattern
           of
           Thankfulness
           ,
           calls
           upon
           those
           that
           Fear
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           Read
           what
           he
           has
           done
           for
           his
           Soul.
           His
           end
           is
           ,
           to
           Glorifie
           his
           Blessed
           Benefactors
           ,
           and
           to
           invite
           others
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           same
           Mercy
           .
           May
           his
           Example
           excite
           us
           with
           diligence
           and
           delight
           to
           maintain
           Communion
           with
           God
           on
           Earth
           ,
           the
           sweet
           and
           sure
           anticipation
           and
           earnest
           of
           our
           Communion
           with
           him
           in
           his
           Temple
           above
           ,
           where
           Light
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           shine
           in
           their
           perfection
           for
           ever
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           To
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           WHO
           amongst
           the
           adopted
           Sons
           of
           God
           ,
           can
           behold
           the
           abounding
           Vice
           of
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           the
           profession
           of
           Christianity
           made
           a
           Cloak
           for
           Sin
           and
           Error
           ,
           and
           the
           laziness
           of
           Christians
           lives
           in
           our
           day
           ,
           and
           not
           awaken
           our selves
           to
           hear
           God
           speaking
           in
           the
           same
           language
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           children
           of
           Israel
           ,
           Isa
           .
           
             43.10
             .
             You
             are
             my
             witnesses
             .
          
           Is
           God's
           Divine
           Providence
           practically
           deni'd
           or
           retrench'd
           ,
           when
           so
           much
           thereof
           is
           in
           the
           constant
           view
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ?
           Is
           the
           Word
           of
           Truth
           deni'd
           by
           a
           Sectary
           of
           Deists
           ,
           when
           so
           much
           thereof
           is
           felt
           as
           real
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           Christians
           ?
           Is
           the
           Godhead
           of
           Christ
           ,
           with
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           so
           audaciously
           and
           prophanely
           deni'd
           ,
           when
           those
           who
           have
           experienced
           the
           priviledges
           of
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           by
           the
           powerful
           application
           of
           the
           latter
           ,
           witness
           the
           reality
           of
           both
           ?
           I
           am
           resolved
           therefore
           to
           make
           no
           other
           Apology
           for
           my
           Printing
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           than
           that
           it
           is
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           Apostle's
           charge
           to
           all
           Believers
           in
           the
           10th
           verse
           of
           the
           4th
           Chapter
           of
           the
           first
           Epistle
           of
           
             Peter
             ,
             As
             every
             man
             hath
             received
             the
             gift
             ,
             even
             so
             minister
             
             the
             same
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             as
             good
             stewards
             of
             the
             manifold
             grace
             of
             God.
          
           What
           I
           have
           imparted
           ,
           I
           have
           receiv'd
           ,
           and
           in
           these
           gradual
           steps
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           use
           of
           these
           means
           treated
           of
           in
           the
           first
           and
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           Discourse
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           the
           imparting
           of
           what
           God
           has
           done
           for
           my
           Soul
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           means
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           stand
           his
           witness
           this
           day
           on
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           approve
           my self
           a
           faithful
           Steward
           in
           ministring
           the
           same
           things
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           way
           wherein
           they
           were
           received
           .
           There
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           Confederacy
           between
           Satan
           and
           the
           men
           of
           this
           Age
           ,
           to
           discredit
           the
           Oracles
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           his
           Word
           is
           a
           firm
           foundation
           of
           Faith
           ;
           and
           sincere
           Christians
           clearly
           see
           the
           Characters
           of
           its
           Divinity
           ,
           and
           feel
           the
           sanctifying
           comforting
           efficacy
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           many
           have
           seal'd
           its
           truth
           with
           their
           blood
           :
           Others
           in
           their
           dying
           hours
           ,
           when
           men
           speak
           with
           most
           feeling
           ,
           and
           least
           affectation
           ,
           have
           declared
           their
           unshaken
           belief
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           others
           ,
           in
           converse
           with
           those
           they
           most
           dearly
           love
           ,
           and
           therefore
           would
           not
           deceive
           .
           Each
           Christian
           therefore
           is
           under
           obligation
           to
           glorify
           God
           according
           to
           their
           measure
           of
           experience
           concerning
           God
           and
           his
           Divine
           Truths
           .
           All
           are
           not
           in
           the
           office
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ;
           and
           there
           seems
           in
           our
           day
           but
           small
           opportunity
           in
           conversation
           to
           witness
           for
           Christianity
           .
           Converse
           with
           the
           Prophane
           is
           of
           so
           dangerous
           consequence
           ,
           that
           discourse
           of
           such
           things
           occasion
           God
           and
           his
           Truth
           to
           be
           mock'd
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           my
           certain
           knowledge
           blasphemed
           .
           Converse
           with
           some
           under
           the
           character
           of
           greater
           Sobriety
           ,
           draws
           forth
           such
           open
           confidence
           
           in
           Error
           ,
           as
           to
           tell
           us
           God's
           Word
           ,
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           laid
           aside
           ,
           and
           Debates
           in
           Christianity
           are
           to
           be
           left
           off
           ,
           at
           the
           first
           Chapter
           of
           Genesis
           ;
           they
           giving
           no
           credit
           to
           its
           Truths
           than
           so
           far
           as
           their
           natural
           Reason
           can
           comprehend
           ;
           whereas
           the
           Soul
           was
           corrupted
           in
           all
           its
           faculties
           by
           the
           Fall.
           Although
           in
           the
           structure
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           its
           preservation
           ,
           with
           the
           various
           turns
           of
           Providence
           ,
           there
           are
           clear
           discoveries
           of
           the
           Divine
           Maker
           ;
           yet
           how
           little
           advance
           did
           the
           wise
           Philosopher
           make
           to
           that
           perfection
           of
           Soul
           which
           was
           in
           man
           before
           the
           Fall
           ,
           or
           to
           that
           that
           is
           obtain'd
           under
           the
           influencing
           light
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           or
           shall
           be
           in
           man
           plac'd
           in
           a
           state
           of
           glory
           ?
           And
           though
           God
           has
           added
           to
           us
           his
           blessed
           Scripture
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           works
           of
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           ,
           to
           exercise
           our
           thoughts
           upon
           ,
           for
           the
           perfecting
           of
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           yet
           to
           what
           little
           advancement
           do
           many
           attain
           in
           the
           understanding
           of
           God
           and
           Divine
           Mysteries
           !
           Therefore
           our
           compassionate
           Father
           in
           Christ
           ,
           sensible
           of
           our
           weakness
           in
           the
           real
           and
           firm
           understanding
           of
           Divine
           Things
           ,
           has
           given
           forth
           another
           help
           to
           our
           dark
           Soule
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           even
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           teaching
           us
           all
           truth
           ,
           and
           helping
           us
           to
           a
           rest
           and
           reliance
           upon
           his
           Word
           ,
           working
           in
           us
           a
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           those
           great
           and
           marvellous
           mysteries
           for
           preparing
           our
           Souls
           towards
           the
           more
           full
           and
           glorious
           perception
           of
           them
           .
           The
           Revelation
           in
           the
           Old
           Testament
           was
           like
           the
           morning-light
           ,
           mixt
           with
           the
           shades
           of
           the
           night
           ;
           the
           Revelation
           in
           the
           
           New
           Testament
           is
           clear
           day
           ;
           but
           the
           Revelation
           of
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           Sun
           at
           noon
           in
           its
           full
           lustre
           .
           If
           this
           therefore
           has
           been
           God's
           gradual
           method
           to
           restore
           men
           ,
           and
           we
           enjoy
           so
           bright
           a
           discovery
           of
           mercy
           to
           save
           us
           ,
           those
           who
           refuse
           to
           accept
           it
           ,
           cannot
           escape
           the
           condemnation
           due
           as
           the
           recompence
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           dwelling
           in
           darkness
           with
           the
           children
           of
           darkness
           and
           disobedience
           for
           ever
           ,
           
             Rom.
             2.
          
           
           If
           those
           who
           have
           had
           no
           other
           help
           in
           the
           understanding
           of
           the
           invisible
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           besides
           the
           beholding
           of
           created
           things
           ,
           are
           left
           without
           excuse
           for
           not
           improving
           that
           light
           ,
           and
           being
           obedient
           to
           it
           ;
           How
           much
           more
           inexcusable
           shall
           they
           be
           who
           have
           the
           light
           of
           Life
           shining
           upon
           them
           ,
           do
           not
           believe
           the
           Supernatural
           Truths
           revealed
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           will
           rather
           charge
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Gospel
           with
           Impossibility
           ,
           than
           acknowledge
           the
           narrowness
           of
           their
           understandings
           ?
           Converse
           with
           some
           real
           Christians
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Experience
           is
           greatly
           laid
           aside
           ;
           feasting
           ,
           discoursing
           the
           common
           affairs
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           the
           recommendation
           of
           Self-notions
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           disparaging
           of
           others
           ,
           are
           put
           in
           the
           room
           of
           such
           Conference
           ;
           that
           the
           serious
           Christian
           putting
           in
           sentences
           of
           experimental
           Religion
           is
           immediately
           repulsed
           ,
           with
           the
           pleasing
           ,
           though
           lazy
           ,
           Excuse
           ,
           of
           Experiences
           being
           too
           nice
           and
           dangerous
           to
           be
           talk'd
           of
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           is
           found
           so
           ,
           when
           either
           triflingly
           observed
           ,
           or
           biassed
           with
           the
           vicious
           design
           of
           applause
           ,
           and
           mutual
           instruction
           and
           comfort
           out
           of
           the
           Soul's
           aim
           .
        
         
         
           Printing
           therefore
           I
           have
           made
           choice
           of
           .
           It
           s
           commonness
           and
           unsucccssfulness
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           most
           Learned
           and
           most
           Holy
           of
           God's
           Children
           had
           greatly
           discourag'd
           me
           ,
           if
           God's
           special
           method
           of
           discovering
           Himself
           and
           his
           Word
           to
           my
           Soul
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           so
           short
           a
           while
           ,
           had
           not
           put
           me
           under
           a
           greater
           obligation
           than
           ordinary
           to
           witness
           for
           him
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           bear
           false
           witness
           against
           his
           Attributes
           and
           Revealed
           Will.
           And
           therein
           I
           design
           not
           to
           debate
           the
           Reality
           of
           Inward
           Religion
           ,
           (
           being
           come
           ,
           blessed
           be
           his
           Name
           ,
           to
           full
           establishment
           and
           assurance
           thereof
           )
           but
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           That
           Christianity
           is
           somewhat
           else
           than
           an
           outward
           Profession
           ,
           more
           powerful
           in
           its
           dominion
           than
           the
           by-ends
           of
           Applause
           ,
           outward
           Interest
           ,
           or
           the
           strength
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           never
           to
           be
           understood
           by
           corrupt
           Reason
           alone
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           to
           convince
           hereof
           ,
           I
           design
           not
           sensible
           demonstration
           ,
           but
           first
           of
           all
           to
           give
           you
           a
           Narrative
           of
           some
           Mysteries
           experienc'd
           ,
           I
           formerly
           was
           unacquainted
           with
           as
           Evidences
           of
           an
           inward
           change
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           life
           of
           Religion
           to
           be
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           ;
           my
           outward
           Conversation
           while
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Education
           ,
           having
           been
           in
           great
           measure
           as
           unblameable
           in
           appearance
           as
           now
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           tell
           you
           the
           Means
           made
           effectual
           to
           enlighten
           my
           dark
           mind
           to
           understand
           the
           reality
           of
           Divine
           Spiritual
           Mysteries
           ,
           that
           so
           you
           walking
           in
           the
           same
           road
           ,
           may
           meet
           with
           the
           same
           knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Word
           as
           true
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           'll
           bid
           adieu
           to
           all
           your
           spreading
           Errors
           ,
           and
           find
           them
           rather
           
           confirmation
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           than
           shaking
           to
           your
           Faith
           ,
           (
           Resemblance
           being
           generally
           a
           Companion
           to
           Reality
           )
           you
           'll
           be
           chang'd
           from
           co-operating
           with
           Satan
           ,
           to
           the
           pleasing
           of
           him
           and
           your
           own
           inward
           Lust
           ;
           to
           the
           working
           together
           with
           God
           ,
           pleasing
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           obtaining
           Salvation
           to
           your
           Souls
           .
        
         
           Farewell
           .
        
      
       
         
           Page
           137.
           after
           Line
           3.
           
             add
             what
             here
             follows
          
           ;
        
         
           A
           second
           Argument
           to
           persuade
           to
           the
           Duty
           of
           Observation
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           introductory
           to
           greater
           matter
           of
           Observation
           .
           'T
           is
           known
           to
           all
           observing
           Christians
           ,
           That
           the
           more
           they
           have
           observed
           ,
           the
           greater
           things
           have
           been
           brought
           to
           their
           view
           ,
           and
           lesser
           Providences
           remark'd
           ,
           have
           led
           to
           greater
           ;
           the
           smallest
           step
           a
           Christian
           makes
           toward
           God
           ,
           it
           's
           greatly
           encouraged
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           enable
           us
           to
           further
           Progress
           in
           his
           ways
           .
           How
           evident
           is
           this
           from
           Christ's
           words
           to
           
             Nathanael
             ,
             Believest
             thou
             because
             I
             said
             ,
             I
             saw
             thee
             under
             the
             fig-tree
             ?
             thou
             shalt
             see
             greater
             things
             ,
             heaven
             open
             ,
             and
             the
             angels
             of
             God
             ascending
             and
             descending
             upon
             the
             son
             of
             man.
             
          
        
         
           By
           the
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           you
           will
           see
           God
           in
           the
           Blessings
           he
           bestows
           :
           Jacob
           when
           he
           met
           his
           Brother
           
             Esau
             ,
             Gen.
          
           33.10
           .
           says
           with
           a
           Rapture
           of
           Affection
           ,
           
             I
             have
             seen
             thy
             face
             ,
             as
             tho
             I
             
             had
             seen
             the
             face
             of
             God
             :
          
           This
           at
           first
           view
           looks
           almost
           like
           Blasphemy
           ;
           but
           in
           
           Esau's
           reconciled
           face
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           saw
           the
           Face
           ,
           Presence
           ,
           and
           Favour
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           principal
           Object
           was
           not
           so
           much
           
           Esau's
           reconciliation
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           the
           Favour
           and
           Hand
           of
           God
           in
           bringing
           it
           about
           ;
           this
           raised
           his
           Spirit
           to
           such
           an
           Exclamation
           :
           Such
           a
           sight
           of
           God
           in
           the
           going
           forth
           of
           his
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           necessarily
           supposes
           its
           Observation
           .
           Is
           it
           therefore
           possible
           to
           observe
           means
           probable
           of
           bringing
           forth
           such
           designs
           ,
           but
           made
           unsuccessful
           ?
           The
           contrivances
           of
           the
           Wise
           brought
           to
           other
           ends
           than
           they
           purposed
           ?
           The
           evil
           Craftiness
           of
           others
           to
           their
           Dishonour
           and
           Ruin
           ,
           when
           design'd
           for
           their
           Honour
           and
           Preferment
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           means
           in
           appearance
           tending
           to
           hurt
           ,
           bringing
           forth
           great
           good
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           to
           observe
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           discover
           another
           Power
           above
           Human
           Policy
           to
           contrive
           ,
           or
           Human
           Strength
           to
           effectuate
           ?
           Even
           the
           Sovereign
           Power
           of
           an
           Infinite
           God
           ,
           who
           many
           times
           determines
           Events
           contrary
           to
           mens
           designs
           ,
           but
           still
           for
           the
           bringing
           forth
           his
           own
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         THE
         Private
         Christian's
         
           Witness
           for
           CHRISTIANITY
        
         ,
         &c.
         
      
       
         
           THE
           following
           Discourse
           I
           divide
           into
           Two
           Parts
           :
           The
           First
           ,
           Contains
           an
           Historical
           Account
           of
           my self
           ,
           under
           no
           other
           Religion
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ,
           with
           the
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           and
           inward
           Workings
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           changing
           me
           from
           thence
           to
           a
           sensible
           feeling
           of
           a
           more
           inward
           powerful
           Principle
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ;
           opening
           a
           door
           of
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           Divine
           Mysteries
           ,
           of
           my
           own
           State
           before
           ,
           and
           of
           my
           present
           State
           thus
           Inlightened
           .
        
         
           The
           Second
           ,
           Contains
           an
           Application
           thereof
           to
           the
           Prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           or
           unto
           the
           real
           ,
           though
           lazy
           Christian
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           First
           ,
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           Narrative
           ,
           and
           take
           this
           Account
           of
           my self
           under
           no
           other
           power
           of
           Christianity
           than
           the
           effect
           of
           Religious
           Education
           :
           One
           Born
           within
           the
           Pale
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           instructed
           in
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           True
           Principles
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           enabled
           to
           discourse
           of
           them
           ;
           with
           the
           Character
           of
           knowing
           the
           Things
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           tho'
           but
           Notionally
           then
           ;
           )
           Trained
           up
           with
           the
           continued
           Example
           of
           performing
           all
           the
           Duties
           of
           Hearing
           ,
           Reading
           ,
           and
           Praying
           ,
           with
           that
           powerful
           influence
           ,
           that
           publick
           or
           private
           Devotion
           were
           seldom
           neglected
           ,
           but
           not
           diligent
           and
           serious
           in
           the
           perusal
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           Besides
           ,
           all
           this
           under
           the
           advantage
           of
           Religious
           Conversation
           and
           Holy
           Practice
           ,
           was
           so
           powerfully
           impressing
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           course
           of
           my
           Life
           ,
           never
           one
           single
           act
           of
           the
           common
           Vices
           of
           Drinking
           ,
           Swearing
           ,
           or
           Uncleanness
           ,
           tainted
           my
           Conversation
           :
           Yea
           ,
           the
           impression
           continued
           so
           strong
           ,
           as
           after
           my
           departure
           from
           under
           this
           strictness
           of
           instruction
           and
           example
           ,
           still
           the
           same
           exactness
           in
           Duties
           and
           Conversation
           remain'd
           ,
           tho'
           Youthful
           Temptations
           surrounded
           me
           .
           God's
           restraining
           Grace
           was
           my
           preservative
           ;
           and
           my
           natural
           desire
           to
           be
           in
           Business
           was
           a
           means
           of
           preventing
           the
           impression
           of
           Temptations
           ;
           yet
           still
           I
           was
           in
           the
           dark
           as
           to
           the
           saving
           knowledge
           of
           True
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           the
           inward
           power
           of
           Grace
           sensibly
           acting
           in
           the
           Soul
           ;
           my
           natural
           disposition
           
           inclining
           me
           more
           to
           Observation
           ,
           than
           to
           much
           Talk
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           led
           me
           not
           only
           to
           observe
           the
           Discourse
           and
           Actions
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           even
           to
           remark
           the
           Events
           attending
           my
           Life
           ,
           with
           Reflections
           thereupon
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           it
           as
           Duty
           ,
           or
           productive
           of
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Divine
           Things
           ,
           but
           purely
           as
           the
           effect
           of
           natural
           Curiosity
           ,
           inducing
           me
           both
           to
           observe
           and
           to
           record
           them
           with
           great
           pleasure
           in
           reviewing
           them
           ;
           and
           finding
           the
           more
           I
           observ'd
           ,
           the
           greater
           and
           more
           numerous
           things
           were
           presented
           to
           me
           ,
           I
           became
           stricter
           in
           observing
           things
           of
           great
           and
           smaller
           moment
           .
           While
           I
           continued
           in
           this
           practice
           ,
           a
           Dispensation
           of
           Providence
           occurr'd
           ,
           that
           induced
           me
           not
           to
           trust
           in
           my self
           ,
           or
           second
           Causes
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           siducial
           assent
           to
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           God
           in
           his
           full
           governing
           Power
           ,
           as
           to
           Persons
           and
           Things
           ,
           with
           a
           full
           desire
           of
           being
           interested
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           this
           Great
           and
           Omnipotent
           God
           ,
           to
           live
           in
           an
           entire
           dependance
           upon
           Him.
           
        
         
           The
           Providence
           was
           as
           follows
           :
           Being
           call'd
           to
           attempt
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           concern
           ,
           (
           that
           many
           far
           excelling
           me
           in
           Age
           ,
           rational
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           natural
           Activity
           ,
           had
           endeavour'd
           ,
           though
           unsuccessfully
           ,
           to
           bring
           about
           )
           I
           brought
           the
           Business
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           a
           very
           few
           days
           ,
           to
           all
           seeming
           probability
           of
           success
           ;
           but
           being
           obliged
           by
           a
           Providential
           Occasion
           to
           be
           absent
           ,
           and
           to
           appear
           where
           those
           that
           had
           try'd
           their
           endeavour
           to
           no
           effect
           did
           usually
           reside
           ,
           I
           found
           the
           progress
           I
           had
           already
           made
           ,
           with
           
           the
           prospect
           of
           perfecting
           the
           matter
           ,
           had
           so
           increased
           the
           esteem
           of
           my self
           ,
           that
           disparaging
           of
           those
           ,
           was
           the
           Game
           I
           then
           exercised
           my self
           withal
           ;
           but
           returning
           to
           the
           place
           where
           the
           Business
           was
           to
           be
           performed
           ,
           matters
           were
           altogether
           chang'd
           for
           the
           worst
           ;
           and
           upon
           enquiry
           of
           the
           time
           this
           change
           happen'd
           ,
           (
           my
           custom
           of
           Observation
           having
           brought
           me
           to
           some
           more
           than
           ordinary
           curiosity
           in
           it
           )
           I
           found
           it
           exactly
           answering
           the
           time
           my
           Lust
           of
           Pride
           put
           forth
           its
           Tyranny
           in
           my
           Conversation
           ;
           and
           stepping
           from
           the
           Floor
           to
           my
           Bed
           ,
           that
           very
           night
           ,
           this
           Suggestion
           suddenly
           and
           strongly
           darted
           into
           my
           Mind
           ;
           That
           by
           my
           ill
           return
           to
           God's
           Kindness
           ,
           affording
           such
           hopes
           of
           success
           ,
           in
           detracting
           from
           Him
           the
           Praise
           that
           was
           entirely
           due
           for
           such
           an
           eminent
           Providence
           ,
           and
           in
           not
           retaining
           an
           humble
           Sense
           of
           my
           own
           Unworthiness
           and
           Insufficiency
           ,
           I
           had
           provoked
           the
           Lord
           thus
           to
           turn
           the
           course
           of
           the
           Affair
           ,
           immediately
           convincing
           me
           who
           it
           was
           that
           had
           made
           me
           to
           differ
           from
           others
           of
           more
           promising
           Abilities
           than
           I
           ,
           and
           impressing
           my
           Mind
           with
           great
           seriousness
           of
           Thought
           ,
           and
           force
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           begging
           Pardon
           from
           Him
           ,
           and
           His
           further
           assistance
           in
           the
           matter
           ,
           with
           a
           full
           resolution
           of
           looking
           to
           God
           ,
           extolling
           Him
           ,
           and
           debasing
           my self
           in
           the
           success
           .
           My
           Prayer
           was
           immediately
           return'd
           ,
           evident
           by
           the
           great
           alteration
           that
           immediately
           happened
           ,
           as
           a
           sweet
           Condescention
           of
           God
           to
           train
           a
           poor
           Creature
           to
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           Himself
           ,
           and
           to
           delight
           in
           
           Him
           ;
           but
           in
           a
           weeks
           time
           more
           ,
           being
           call'd
           to
           the
           same
           place
           as
           before
           ,
           I
           found
           the
           same
           Self-applause
           return
           :
           This
           was
           a
           full
           conviction
           to
           me
           of
           the
           great
           need
           of
           continued
           supplies
           of
           Heaven
           after
           the
           greatest
           confirmations
           of
           God's
           Love
           to
           preserve
           us
           from
           forgetting
           his
           Mercies
           ,
           or
           repeating
           failures
           ;
           and
           correspondent
           to
           this
           ,
           the
           same
           unsuccessful
           turn
           happened
           in
           the
           affair
           ,
           which
           was
           so
           powerfully
           bore
           home
           upon
           my
           Soul
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           not
           but
           see
           God
           with
           favour
           in
           one
           hand
           and
           punishment
           in
           another
           ;
           marvellous
           Mercy
           in
           bringing
           me
           to
           the
           sense
           of
           my
           failure
           ,
           and
           the
           repetition
           of
           my
           Address
           to
           Heaven
           ;
           Punishment
           in
           withholding
           his
           assistance
           ,
           the
           just
           merit
           of
           my
           forgetfulness
           ,
           and
           of
           my
           repeated
           failure
           :
           Upon
           Address
           to
           God
           by
           serious
           and
           sincere
           Prayer
           ,
           with
           unfeign'd
           Confession
           ,
           the
           Business
           turn'd
           again
           with
           a
           favourable
           aspect
           of
           success
           ;
           suitable
           to
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             I
             confessed
             my
             Sin
             ,
             and
             thou
             forgavest
             the
             Iniquity
             ,
          
           or
           Punishment
           ,
           
             of
             my
             Sin
          
           ;
           And
           at
           last
           by
           his
           Divine
           Assistance
           ,
           attain'd
           a
           final
           and
           perfect
           success
           ,
           though
           between
           my
           first
           undertaking
           and
           this
           final
           Issue
           ,
           there
           was
           four
           turns
           of
           Providence
           exactly
           answering
           my
           Soul's
           posture
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           I
           date
           my
           first
           sence
           of
           inward
           serious
           thoughtfulness
           of
           passages
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ;
           of
           minding
           God
           in
           all
           undertakings
           ,
           with
           an
           entire
           dependance
           upon
           him
           for
           conduct
           to
           the
           right
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Divine
           Blessing
           to
           make
           them
           successful
           ,
           of
           the
           
           certainty
           of
           access
           to
           him
           ;
           for
           this
           very
           end
           ,
           with
           a
           distrust
           of
           self-sufficiency
           ,
           all
           which
           met
           as
           it
           were
           in
           a
           moment
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God's
           bearing
           home
           this
           passage
           upon
           me
           :
           But
           from
           the
           Observation
           of
           God's
           further
           method
           of
           outward
           Providence
           and
           inward
           Workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           that
           these
           were
           but
           little
           glimmerings
           of
           light
           ,
           an
           Eye
           beginning
           to
           be
           open'd
           after
           a
           sound
           and
           secure
           sleep
           .
           God
           having
           marvellously
           enlightn'd
           my
           Eyes
           since
           ,
           and
           made
           me
           to
           see
           what
           before
           I
           knew
           only
           in
           the
           notion
           ,
           enabling
           me
           to
           discourse
           thereof
           ;
           but
           what
           now
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           I
           may
           say
           I
           have
           felt
           ,
           and
           am
           well
           assured
           of
           ,
           even
           the
           truth
           of
           an
           inward
           change
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           putting
           it self
           forth
           with
           such
           power
           ,
           as
           to
           hinder
           Thought
           ,
           Words
           and
           Actions
           to
           run
           in
           the
           same
           course
           from
           the
           same
           principle
           ,
           or
           towards
           the
           same
           end
           as
           before
           ,
           but
           to
           tread
           according
           to
           a
           Rule
           ,
           not
           of
           self
           ,
           but
           of
           God's
           Will.
           
        
         
           I
           could
           subjoin
           many
           circumstances
           of
           this
           Providence
           here
           related
           ,
           that
           might
           marvellously
           affect
           the
           Reader
           ;
           yea
           ,
           other
           Providences
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Lord's
           first
           exciting
           designs
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           his
           method
           in
           bringing
           them
           successfully
           about
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           that
           I
           am
           unwilling
           to
           be
           known
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           these
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           Mockers
           at
           ,
           and
           Unbelievers
           of
           these
           great
           things
           experimental
           Religion
           has
           made
           known
           to
           my
           Soul
           ,
           may
           not
           prejudice
           themselves
           by
           imagining
           show
           ,
           self-commendation
           
           and
           applause
           at
           the
           bottom
           of
           this
           design
           ,
           the
           faithful
           aim
           thereof
           being
           to
           bring
           men
           off
           their
           reliance
           upon
           notional
           Religion
           ,
           and
           their
           trusting
           to
           their
           rational
           conclusions
           ,
           as
           fittest
           means
           to
           inform
           them
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           to
           their
           own
           strength
           as
           sufficient
           help
           to
           the
           right
           performance
           of
           Gospel
           Duties
           ;
           and
           to
           lead
           them
           to
           the
           vital
           part
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           experiences
           therein
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           maintain'd
           by
           notional
           knowledge
           or
           quarrelling
           Debates
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           serious
           and
           strict
           use
           of
           means
           God
           commonly
           imparts
           the
           experience
           of
           himself
           and
           his
           Word
           by
           ;
           The
           Lord
           has
           given
           forth
           great
           Truths
           to
           be
           tryed
           and
           experienced
           in
           the
           Christian
           Soul
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           not
           at
           the
           pains
           either
           to
           observe
           them
           ,
           or
           by
           mutual
           converse
           to
           confirm
           one
           another
           in
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           Reason
           is
           ,
           Lest
           it
           prove
           Temptation
           to
           my self
           ,
           exciting
           a
           corrupt
           Principle
           within
           to
           puffing
           up
           ,
           whereas
           great
           Humility
           is
           the
           companion
           of
           such
           Experiences
           when
           first
           felt
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           preserv'd
           in
           imparting
           them
           to
           others
           ,
           lest
           we
           our selves
           be
           exalted
           above
           measure
           ,
           or
           ingage
           others
           to
           think
           of
           us
           above
           what
           we
           are
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           this
           change
           wrought
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           
             is
             the
             Lord
             's
             own
             doing
          
           ;
           let
           it
           therefore
           in
           its
           declaration
           glorifie
           him
           by
           Confirming
           some
           ,
           and
           Instructing
           others
           ,
           without
           any
           knowledge
           of
           my self
           therein
           ,
           but
           with
           full
           discovery
           of
           the
           actings
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Seriousness
           brought
           forth
           by
           the
           means
           of
           so
           remarkable
           an
           outward
           Providence
           in
           the
           Hand
           of
           God
           ,
           was
           soon
           accompanied
           with
           some
           sensible
           Changes
           never
           felt
           formerly
           ,
           but
           then
           so
           visible
           as
           forced
           me
           to
           commit
           them
           to
           a
           Diary
           ;
           some
           whereof
           were
           as
           follows
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           An
           Eye
           to
           God
           in
           all
           Things
           ,
           a
           Petitioning
           of
           Him
           for
           all
           Things
           ,
           with
           some
           beginnings
           of
           Resignation
           to
           his
           Will
           in
           all
           events
           .
           It
           was
           not
           as
           before
           ,
           a
           trusting
           to
           nothing
           but
           what
           was
           sensible
           ,
           a
           distraction
           of
           Thoughts
           to
           find
           out
           this
           or
           the
           other
           instrument
           to
           bring
           about
           such
           an
           event
           ;
           but
           now
           I
           could
           hope
           in
           things
           unseen
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           hurrying
           of
           Thoughts
           to
           find
           out
           means
           to
           bring
           about
           an
           event
           ,
           I
           began
           the
           pursuit
           of
           a
           design
           with
           serious
           address
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           for
           conduct
           to
           my self
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Blessing
           to
           the
           event
           according
           to
           his
           Pleasure
           ;
           enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           was
           not
           at
           this
           time
           understood
           ,
           only
           when
           an
           endeavour
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           and
           with
           address
           to
           God
           ,
           was
           made
           successful
           ,
           I
           could
           not
           but
           observe
           it
           ,
           with
           some
           excitings
           to
           love
           this
           God
           that
           had
           given
           me
           my
           Heart's
           Desire
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           answer
           to
           Prayer
           ;
           which
           brought
           me
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           some
           Trust
           to
           God
           ;
           Sense
           begun
           to
           be
           out
           of
           favour
           ,
           whereas
           formerly
           I
           could
           encourage
           my self
           in
           nothing
           but
           what
           was
           either
           in
           possession
           ,
           or
           in
           all
           probability
           certain
           ;
           now
           there
           were
           some
           sparklings
           of
           Trust
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           Love
           to
           Him
           I
           had
           been
           so
           obliged
           
           to
           by
           his
           Blessings
           ,
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           answering
           of
           Prayers
           ,
           which
           would
           often
           raise
           that
           reflection
           in
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           how
           gratefully
           and
           dutifully
           I
           ought
           to
           endeavour
           the
           pleasing
           of
           him
           ,
           whose
           Strength
           was
           my
           Assistance
           ,
           whose
           Ear
           was
           so
           open
           to
           my
           address
           ,
           which
           prov'd
           a
           sensible
           mean
           of
           bringing
           me
           ,
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           To
           a
           diligent
           search
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           therein
           to
           know
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           by
           endeavouring
           conformity
           thereto
           ,
           to
           please
           him
           who
           had
           made
           himself
           to
           be
           observ'd
           thus
           loving
           ,
           whereas
           formerly
           with
           Historical
           delight
           only
           the
           Scriptures
           were
           made
           use
           of
           by
           me
           ;
           my
           Thoughts
           then
           run
           pleasantly
           after
           the
           Practical
           meaning
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Notional
           Knowledge
           of
           them
           ;
           at
           which
           time
           the
           15th
           Psalm
           throughout
           greatly
           accompanied
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           enclin'd
           me
           for
           some
           considerable
           time
           to
           breathe
           forth
           continual
           Petitions
           for
           practical
           Conformity
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Great
           exercise
           of
           Hatred
           to
           those
           Sins
           that
           usually
           did
           beset
           me
           .
           While
           under
           the
           impression
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           Religious
           Example
           ,
           and
           sober
           Society
           ,
           my
           outward
           life
           was
           free
           from
           single
           acts
           of
           common
           Vice
           ;
           yet
           upon
           the
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           an
           inward
           change
           ,
           a
           long
           roll
           of
           inward
           Corruptions
           I
           discover'd
           ,
           that
           the
           World
           and
           I
           were
           not
           judges
           of
           ,
           tho'
           then
           they
           offer'd
           themselves
           fully
           to
           my
           view
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           An
           inward
           seriousness
           of
           Thoughts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           outward
           gravity
           in
           performance
           of
           Duties
           ,
           
           aiming
           then
           at
           pleasing
           God
           in
           the
           parts
           of
           his
           Worship
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           A
           serious
           free
           affection
           towards
           Holy
           Christians
           ,
           the
           least
           degree
           whereof
           I
           never
           had
           formerly
           any
           evidence
           ,
           their
           Conversation
           in
           Christianity
           having
           often
           prov'd
           confinement
           and
           burthensome
           ,
           unless
           where
           Relation
           and
           Friendship
           made
           it
           less
           tiresome
           :
           The
           first
           sensible
           evidence
           whereof
           discover'd
           it self
           in
           my
           Carriage
           towards
           some
           who
           had
           falsly
           reproach'd
           me
           with
           an
           Aspersion
           base
           in
           its
           Nature
           ,
           and
           likely
           to
           be
           injurious
           to
           one
           against
           whom
           I
           had
           determin'd
           Prosecution
           ;
           but
           this
           inward
           change
           happening
           in
           the
           mean
           while
           ,
           both
           my
           malice
           and
           resolution
           of
           Revenge
           ceased
           at
           once
           ,
           with
           some
           uneasiness
           of
           mind
           ,
           till
           I
           had
           discoursed
           the
           thing
           with
           themselves
           ,
           and
           given
           them
           my
           own
           sense
           of
           its
           ill
           management
           ,
           they
           having
           been
           bound
           in
           conformity
           to
           God's
           Divine
           Word
           to
           have
           imparted
           the
           reproach
           first
           to
           my self
           ,
           by
           doing
           whereof
           its
           falshood
           would
           have
           been
           known
           ,
           and
           their
           spreading
           of
           a
           false
           reproach
           to
           the
           injury
           of
           others
           might
           have
           been
           prevented
           ;
           a
           caution
           to
           all
           Religious
           Professors
           giving
           too
           great
           heed
           to
           common
           Reproaches
           ,
           and
           too
           great
           way
           to
           their
           spreading
           them
           in
           Conversation
           .
           My
           Malice
           and
           resolved
           Revenge
           were
           turn'd
           into
           affectionate
           Inclinations
           and
           good
           Actions
           ;
           after
           which
           instant
           ,
           a
           delight
           in
           Converse
           with
           Christians
           ,
           though
           mean
           in
           outward
           circumstances
           ,
           was
           more
           pleasing
           to
           me
           than
           all
           the
           hurrying
           joy
           of
           Companions
           abroad
           ,
           
           when
           at
           any
           time
           oblig'd
           to
           be
           witness
           thereto
           .
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           A
           surprising
           compassion
           towards
           the
           Poor
           ,
           with
           continual
           Ejaculatory
           Praise
           ,
           that
           my
           Station
           was
           otherwise
           than
           theirs
           ;
           even
           when
           going
           along
           the
           Streets
           or
           Roads
           ,
           if
           objects
           of
           Charity
           presented
           themselves
           ,
           this
           frame
           of
           praising
           God
           was
           immediately
           upon
           me
           ,
           blessing
           him
           for
           my
           being
           in
           other
           Circumstances
           than
           theirs
           ,
           of
           want
           or
           bodily
           Imperfections
           ;
           with
           a
           watch
           over
           my self
           ,
           lest
           in
           my
           Charity
           desire
           of
           applause
           ,
           or
           any
           degree
           of
           unwillingness
           had
           appear'd
           .
           Charity
           to
           be
           seen
           of
           men
           receives
           its
           reward
           when
           view'd
           by
           men
           ;
           unwillingness
           therein
           spoils
           it
           in
           its
           nature
           ,
           and
           takes
           off
           all
           expectation
           of
           a
           reward
           .
        
         
           Eighthly
           ,
           A
           clearer
           sense
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           of
           Christ
           the
           Redeemer
           .
           Tho'
           I
           had
           the
           Notional
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           Historical
           Faith
           of
           both
           ,
           yet
           in
           Prayer
           or
           Meditation
           ,
           my
           admiring
           Thoughts
           of
           free
           Grace
           ,
           and
           my
           words
           of
           Praise
           for
           its
           effects
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           would
           continually
           center
           upon
           God
           the
           Father
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           Prayer
           there
           always
           would
           appear
           a
           constraint
           from
           giving
           any
           distinct
           Worship
           to
           Christ
           ,
           for
           his
           adorable
           love
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           some
           time
           after
           the
           sensible
           evidence
           of
           this
           inward
           Charge
           ,
           which
           was
           an
           opportunity
           to
           Satan
           ,
           to
           argue
           against
           the
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           if
           God's
           restraining
           Power
           had
           not
           chain'd
           his
           Malice
           from
           trampling
           upon
           that
           tender
           Plant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           beginning
           
           to
           bud
           forth
           ;
           and
           tho'
           Satan
           was
           under
           constraint
           as
           to
           any
           Assault
           or
           Victory
           of
           this
           kind
           ;
           yet
           I
           found
           an
           uneasiness
           and
           dissatisfaction
           in
           my self
           for
           not
           being
           enabled
           to
           give
           Admiration
           and
           Prayers
           ,
           centering
           upon
           God
           the
           Son
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           upon
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           which
           made
           me
           impart
           my
           concern
           of
           Mind
           to
           several
           Ministers
           of
           eminent
           Gifts
           ,
           but
           had
           Instruction
           from
           none
           ,
           save
           one
           ,
           who
           thus
           answer'd
           me
           out
           .
        
         
           No
           wonder
           
             (
             says
             he
          
           )
           our
           Love
           and
           Admiration
           ,
           our
           Prayers
           and
           Praises
           run
           most
           towards
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           these
           being
           as
           a
           natural
           Tribute
           ,
           which
           in
           nature
           we
           allow
           to
           God
           as
           Creator
           and
           Preserver
           of
           us
           .
           Whereas
           a
           saving
           Eye
           to
           Christ
           as
           Redeemer
           ,
           or
           as
           God
           ,
           in
           Worship
           seems
           more
           the
           effect
           of
           the
           Blessed
           and
           Divine
           Spirit
           .
           Which
           answer
           was
           accompanied
           at
           the
           time
           with
           some
           satisfaction
           of
           Mind
           ;
           but
           soon
           after
           this
           inward
           Change
           put
           forth
           such
           strong
           and
           numerous
           evidences
           with
           heart-service
           in
           the
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           outward
           Gravity
           therein
           ,
           that
           self-sufficiency
           was
           laid
           aside
           ,
           and
           hope
           entirely
           dependent
           upon
           Christ's
           Satisfaction
           as
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Gospel
           Priviledges
           ,
           was
           raised
           ,
           with
           a
           clear
           apprehension
           of
           Christ's
           Satisfaction
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           distinct
           Worship
           of
           him
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           from
           whence
           I
           was
           easily
           confirm'd
           ,
           that
           under
           the
           incapacity
           of
           Worshipping
           Christ
           as
           God
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           under
           the
           saving
           sensible
           power
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           
           but
           that
           now
           under
           this
           saving
           change
           of
           Soul
           ,
           producing
           ,
           among
           other
           things
           ,
           a
           clear
           view
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           foundation
           of
           our
           rich
           Privileges
           ,
           I
           could
           perform
           a
           distinct
           worship
           of
           Christ
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           do
           hope
           that
           I
           am
           under
           the
           instruction
           and
           inward
           power
           of
           that
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           whom
           he
           has
           promised
           should
           guide
           us
           unto
           all
           Truth
           in
           the
           use
           of
           his
           means
           ;
           John
           14.26
           .
           What
           is
           a
           guide
           otherwise
           in
           Nature
           and
           way
           of
           power
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           product
           only
           of
           religious
           Education
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Notional
           Knowledge
           of
           Christianity
           ?
        
         
           As
           by
           the
           word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           with
           a
           frequent
           use
           of
           the
           Sacrament
           ,
           so
           by
           this
           very
           experience
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           wonderfully
           established
           in
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Godhead
           of
           Christ
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           Socinianism
           falsehoods
           of
           the
           men
           of
           this
           Age
           ;
           in
           that
           Duty
           of
           the
           Holy
           Sacrament
           I
           have
           often
           been
           so
           ravish'd
           with
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           Christ's
           Love
           in
           himself
           as
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           very
           time
           I
           have
           been
           in
           great
           exercise
           of
           pity
           towards
           those
           poor
           Creatures
           who
           deny
           his
           Godhead
           ;
           and
           have
           oft
           thought
           with
           my self
           ,
           that
           unacquaintance
           with
           themselves
           on
           God's
           own
           word
           ,
           experience
           in
           their
           Soul
           ,
           was
           the
           occasion
           of
           their
           distrust
           of
           Christ
           as
           God.
           How
           weak
           are
           the
           Socinian
           Arguments
           against
           our
           Blessed
           Redeemer
           as
           God
           ?
           And
           tho
           they
           be
           prevalent
           upon
           some
           unacquainted
           with
           God's
           word
           ,
           at
           least
           not
           experimentally
           felt
           as
           truth
           upon
           their
           Souls
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           easily
           to
           be
           repell'd
           by
           the
           Scriptural
           discovery
           of
           Christ's
           
           Two
           distinct
           Natures
           in
           One
           Person
           for
           ever
           .
           And
           how
           much
           more
           weak
           will
           they
           appear
           at
           that
           blessed
           day
           of
           Resurrection
           ,
           when
           they
           shall
           see
           him
           in
           his
           perfect
           Glory
           ,
           as
           God-Man
           ,
           Redeemer
           of
           lost
           Man
           ,
           and
           the
           Judge
           of
           them
           that
           would
           not
           comprehend
           him
           as
           a
           Glorious
           God.
           
        
         
           What
           is
           more
           plain
           than
           that
           Scriptural
           evidence
           of
           the
           Godhead
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           First
           Epistle
           of
           
             John
             ,
             chap.
          
           5.
           v.
           20
           ?
           
             And
             we
             know
             that
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             is
             come
             ,
             and
             hath
             given
             us
             understanding
             that
             we
             might
             know
             him
             that
             is
             true
             ;
             and
             we
             are
             in
             him
             that
             is
             true
             ,
             even
             in
             his
             Son
             Christ
             Jesus
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             eternal
             life
          
           ;
           if
           we
           are
           in
           him
           ,
           ingrasted
           by
           the
           operation
           of
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           we
           shall
           draw
           forth
           such
           knowledge
           of
           him
           both
           as
           certainly
           come
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           Jews
           on
           Earth
           ;
           and
           as
           God
           ,
           and
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           Socinians
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           from
           my
           own
           experience
           .
           I
           desire
           to
           put
           my
           poor
           Seal
           to
           this
           Scripture-truth
           ,
           discoverable
           in
           what
           I
           have
           already
           laid
           before
           you
           .
           I
           do
           believe
           ,
           That
           the
           Professor
           of
           Christianity
           turning
           Socinian
           ,
           never
           knew
           Christ
           any
           other
           way
           than
           by
           a
           notional
           Knowledge
           ,
           pleasing
           to
           its
           self
           ,
           but
           never
           feeling
           that
           saving-knowledge
           of
           him
           by
           the
           work
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           planting
           or
           watring
           Grace
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           John
           c.
           1.
           v.
           3.
           
           
             All
             things
             were
             made
             by
             him
             ,
          
           and
           in
           v
           10.
           
           
             The
             world
             was
             made
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             it
             knew
             him
             not
             ,
          
           undoubtedly
           therefore
           he
           made
           
           up
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           Gen.
           1.26
           .
           who
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             make
             man
          
           ;
           one
           in
           Nature
           ,
           though
           three
           Persons
           distinct
           ;
           Is
           not
           the
           Soul
           a
           Man
           ?
           One
           in
           Essence
           ,
           tho'
           different
           in
           its
           Faculties
           ,
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           Will
           and
           Affections
           .
        
         
           Colos
           .
           ch
           .
           1.
           v.
           14
           ,
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           
             By
             him
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             the
             Son
             that
             Redeemed
             us
             ,
             the
             Image
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             first
             born
             from
             the
             Dead
             ,
             all
             things
             were
             Created
             ,
             he
             was
             before
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             consist
             by
             him
             ,
          
           which
           are
           never
           applicable
           to
           Christ
           unless
           he
           be
           
             God
             as
             well
             as
             Man.
          
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           God's
           attribute
           of
           Omnipotence
           could
           never
           be
           appropriated
           to
           him
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           not
           
             God
             as
             well
             as
             Man.
          
           John
           2.24
           .
           
             But
             Jesus
             did
             not
             commit
             himself
             to
             them
             ,
             because
             he
             knew
             all
             Men.
          
           John
           6.64
           .
           
             For
             Jesus
             knew
             from
             the
             beginning
             who
             they
             were
             that
             believ'd
             not
             ,
             and
             who
             should
             betray
             him
             .
          
           In
           the
           sixth
           verse
           of
           the
           same
           Chapter
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             That
             Jesus
             knew
             he
             had
             been
             a
             long
             time
             in
             that
             case
             .
          
        
         
           Isaiah
           8.13
           .
           
             Sanctifie
             the
             Lord
             of
             Host
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             your
             fear
             and
             dread
             ,
             he
             shall
             be
             for
             a
             sanctuary
             ;
             but
             for
             a
             stone
             of
             stumbling
             ,
             and
             a
             rock
             of
             offence
             to
             both
             houses
             of
             Israel
             :
          
           Who
           is
           this
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           that
           is
           to
           be
           a
           stone
           of
           stumbling
           ,
           and
           a
           rock
           of
           offence
           ?
           It
           is
           express'd
           in
           the
           ninth
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Romans
           and
           32
           Verse
           ,
           
             They
             stumbled
             at
             the
             stumbling-stone
          
           .
        
         
           Isaiah
           ,
           c.
           6.
           
           Who
           can
           read
           it
           throughout
           and
           compare
           it
           with
           the
           12th
           chapter
           of
           John
           v.
           38.
           and
           not
           be
           convinced
           of
           the
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           ?
           therefore
           they
           could
           not
           believe
           because
           Isaiah
           
           said
           ,
           
             He
             hath
             blinded
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             hardened
             their
             hearts
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             not
             see
             and
             be
             converted
             ,
          
           as
           is
           set
           down
           in
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           that
           6th
           Chapter
           of
           Isaiah
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           41st
           verse
           of
           the
           same
           chapter
           of
           John
           ,
           it
           is
           express'd
           ,
           
             These
             things
             said
          
           Isaiah
           
             when
             he
             saw
             his
             glory
          
           ,
           and
           spake
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           that
           6th
           chapter
           he
           did
           express
           it
           ,
           
             Sitting
             upon
             a
             throne
             ,
             high
             and
             lifted
             up
             ,
             his
             train
             filling
             the
             temple
             ,
             Seraphims
             standing
             above
             it
             ,
             crying
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             Holy
             ,
             holy
             ,
             holy
             ,
             is
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             the
             whole
             earth
             is
             full
             of
             his
             glory
          
           ;
           by
           the
           comparing
           of
           both
           Chapters
           its
           plain
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           Christ
           that
           is
           thus
           described
           ;
           and
           whether
           such
           a
           description
           be
           applicable
           to
           meer
           man
           ,
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           any
           Christian
           to
           judge
           of
           .
        
         
           Withour
           further
           running
           over
           the
           Scriptures
           attesting
           the
           Divinity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           further
           enlarging
           upon
           the
           personal
           experience
           of
           freeness
           of
           worship
           to
           him
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           other
           Duties
           ,
           in
           that
           change
           of
           Soul
           wherein
           Faith
           to
           Christ
           was
           implanted
           ,
           I
           'll
           only
           add
           one
           Scripture
           more
           ,
           not
           only
           accusing
           of
           Socinians
           themselves
           ,
           but
           these
           of
           Christ's
           Flock
           ,
           who
           encourage
           their
           Erroneous
           Doctrine
           by
           too
           familiar
           converse
           with
           their
           persons
           :
           It
           is
           the
           2d
           Epistle
           of
           John
           ,
           the
           9th
           and
           10th
           verses
           ,
           
             Who
             abides
             not
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ
             ,
             hath
             not
             God
          
           ;
           and
           if
           that
           of
           his
           being
           God
           ,
           but
           now
           made
           out
           ,
           be
           not
           one
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           how
           we
           shall
           understand
           his
           satisfaction
           of
           God
           as
           is
           described
           in
           his
           word
           :
           In
           the
           10th
           verse
           
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             If
             any
             deceivers
             come
             unto
             you
             and
             bring
             not
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             receive
             them
             not
             in
             your
             house
             ,
             neither
             bid
             them
             speed
          
           ;
           both
           being
           an
           argument
           of
           Familliarity
           ,
           but
           justly
           reproving
           those
           who
           are
           so
           far
           from
           giving
           such
           discouragement
           to
           Deceivers
           ,
           that
           if
           by
           them
           can
           be
           diverted
           Splenetick
           Vapours
           by
           acuteness
           of
           their
           Wit
           and
           diverting
           Conversation
           ,
           they
           shall
           have
           as
           great
           ,
           if
           not
           greater
           room
           in
           their
           Society
           or
           Houses
           ,
           as
           those
           whose
           delight
           is
           to
           communicate
           and
           discourse
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Grace
           .
           By
           this
           means
           we
           hug
           the
           tools
           of
           spreading
           Errors
           in
           our
           Bosoms
           .
        
         
           To
           proceed
           in
           the
           Narrative
           of
           God's
           further
           method
           of
           carrying
           on
           this
           great
           inward
           change
           in
           the
           use
           of
           his
           usual
           means
           ,
           I
           shall
           First
           of
           all
           lay
           before
           you
           the
           Experiences
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           Souls
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           of
           the
           seriousness
           of
           frame
           therein
           ,
           that
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           outwardly
           Religious
           ,
           are
           altogether
           unacquainted
           with
           ;
           the
           experiences
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           interceding
           in
           us
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           correspondency
           thereof
           to
           God's
           return
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Experiences
           of
           God's
           method
           of
           working
           sensibly
           ,
           and
           fructifying
           Faith
           and
           Reliance
           upon
           himself
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Experiences
           of
           the
           with-holding
           Divine
           Influences
           in
           Prayer
           .
        
         
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Experiences
           of
           God's
           method
           of
           training
           the
           Soul
           to
           right
           hearing
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           participation
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           .
        
         
           Experiences
           of
           the
           First
           ,
           take
           in
           the
           following
           Order
           .
        
         
           My
           First
           Experience
           leading
           me
           to
           the
           certainty
           of
           what
           is
           express'd
           above
           ,
           was
           ,
           That
           when
           providentially
           call'd
           to
           the
           undertaking
           of
           any
           matter
           of
           great
           concern
           and
           difficulty
           ,
           that
           then
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           fervency
           and
           powerfulness
           of
           Soul
           carrying
           me
           forth
           to
           supplicate
           ,
           so
           encouragement
           has
           accompanied
           the
           management
           of
           such
           an
           Affair
           ;
           and
           when
           endeavour
           has
           been
           to
           be
           continued
           in
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           continuance
           or
           intermission
           of
           this
           frame
           ,
           so
           encouragement
           or
           discouragement
           has
           appeared
           ;
           some
           instances
           whereof
           I
           have
           experienced
           in
           the
           following
           method
           ,
           where
           the
           endeavour
           has
           been
           of
           three
           days
           duration
           .
           The
           first
           day
           I
           have
           been
           Heavenlily
           carried
           out
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           the
           next
           two
           days
           this
           frame
           has
           been
           remov'd
           ,
           and
           the
           matter
           either
           neglected
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           superficially
           given
           up
           to
           God
           ;
           And
           upon
           the
           examination
           of
           the
           success
           of
           Means
           throughout
           those
           three
           days
           ,
           I
           have
           sound
           eminent
           success
           the
           companion
           of
           the
           first
           days
           Endeavour
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           use
           of
           the
           two
           following
           days
           Endeavour
           ,
           a
           perfect
           discouragement
           ,
           and
           that
           exactly
           answering
           the
           two
           different
           postures
           of
           Soul
           that
           Prayer
           in
           these
           different
           days
           was
           put
           up
           to
           Heaven
           in
           .
        
         
         
           A
           Second
           Experience
           was
           ,
           when
           in
           one
           Prayer
           I
           have
           Petition'd
           the
           Lord
           concerning
           two
           different
           matters
           ;
           and
           Pleading
           for
           the
           one
           ,
           my
           Thoughts
           have
           been
           ravishingly
           carried
           forth
           ;
           but
           supplicating
           for
           the
           other
           ,
           a
           damp
           has
           been
           upon
           my
           mind
           ,
           and
           neither
           life
           or
           vigour
           in
           its
           frame
           ,
           nor
           freedom
           of
           words
           in
           utterance
           concerning
           it
           ;
           Praying
           then
           no
           otherwise
           than
           while
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           ignorant
           of
           any
           inward
           change
           of
           Soul
           by
           the
           power
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           enquiry
           have
           found
           ,
           that
           the
           design
           and
           desire
           Spiritually
           given
           up
           to
           God's
           Divine
           conduct
           ,
           has
           been
           successfully
           brought
           about
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           other
           was
           without
           imminent
           probability
           ,
           or
           real
           and
           certain
           success
           .
        
         
           A
           Third
           Experience
           was
           ,
           When
           my
           frame
           of
           Mind
           has
           been
           cold
           ,
           listless
           and
           lazy
           ,
           continuing
           thus
           throughout
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           excepting
           one
           Petition
           that
           suddenly
           has
           seized
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           has
           been
           in
           sweet
           Heavenliness
           of
           frame
           put
           up
           ,
           yea
           ,
           so
           seriously
           and
           powerfully
           put
           up
           to
           God
           ,
           unconceivable
           by
           any
           unacquainted
           with
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           Petitions
           before
           and
           after
           having
           been
           askt
           of
           God
           with
           great
           coldness
           of
           frame
           ,
           and
           constraint
           of
           words
           ;
           but
           this
           to
           which
           God
           was
           to
           return
           an
           answer
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           strength
           was
           conveyed
           to
           Petition
           ,
           corresponded
           a
           visible
           and
           eminent
           return
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           measure
           of
           answer
           to
           the
           other
           parts
           of
           Prayer
           thus
           coldly
           given
           up
           to
           God.
           
        
         
         
           Many
           instances
           of
           these
           Experiences
           I
           could
           bring
           forth
           ,
           and
           that
           fully
           discovering
           the
           nature
           of
           them
           more
           plainly
           ;
           but
           fear
           of
           being
           known
           ,
           confining
           me
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           lay
           before
           you
           one
           ,
           which
           was
           marvellous
           in
           my
           eyes
           at
           the
           time
           ,
           and
           has
           often
           been
           repeated
           in
           my
           Experience
           since
           .
        
         
           Having
           been
           for
           some
           days
           engaged
           in
           endeavouring
           to
           obtain
           a
           design
           of
           great
           moment
           ,
           in
           the
           diligent
           use
           of
           all
           visible
           means
           ,
           that
           only
           excepted
           of
           giving
           it
           up
           to
           Heaven
           by
           Prayer
           ;
           I
           resolved
           one
           afternoon
           to
           go
           abroad
           on
           purpose
           to
           know
           the
           success
           of
           means
           made
           use
           of
           ;
           but
           after
           walking
           down
           one
           pair
           of
           Stairs
           ,
           there
           suddenly
           seiz'd
           me
           an
           unexpressible
           force
           to
           return
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           first
           Petition
           the
           Lord
           concerning
           it
           ;
           and
           bowing
           my
           Knees
           ,
           a
           sweet
           serious
           frame
           seiz'd
           my
           Mind
           ,
           and
           my
           Thoughts
           were
           carried
           forth
           with
           great
           warmth
           and
           freedom
           of
           utterance
           concerning
           the
           matter
           :
           After
           this
           Address
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           going
           forth
           ,
           I
           found
           that
           the
           least
           degree
           or
           shadow
           of
           success
           had
           never
           appeared
           till
           that
           very
           time
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           was
           under
           so
           undesign'd
           and
           sudden
           a
           force
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           with
           so
           Heavenly
           a
           frame
           therein
           ;
           the
           times
           of
           both
           so
           exactly
           answer'd
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           under
           a
           meaning
           Meditation
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           clearly
           evincing
           of
           a
           Power
           above
           ones
           self
           .
        
         
           The
           circumstances
           in
           this
           instance
           most
           remarkable
           ,
           were
           ,
           first
           ,
           sudden
           and
           prevalent
           force
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           undesign'd
           by
           previous
           Meditation
           ,
           
           and
           altogether
           different
           from
           that
           of
           a
           sudden
           remembrance
           of
           any
           thing
           forgot
           ,
           but
           very
           suitable
           to
           the
           exciting-methods
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           quickning
           Influences
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           raising
           it
           out
           of
           a
           dead
           frame
           ,
           or
           exciting
           it
           to
           Duties
           omitted
           or
           carelesly
           performed
           .
           Psal
           .
           65.4
           .
           
             Blessed
             is
             the
             man
             whom
             thou
             causest
             to
             approach
             unto
             thee
          
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           was
           not
           causing
           me
           to
           approach
           him
           ,
           never
           any
           motion
           was
           ;
           visible
           by
           the
           sudden
           and
           strong
           excitement
           to
           that
           Duty
           formerly
           omitted
           ,
           and
           by
           imparting
           Divine
           Strength
           to
           petition
           concerning
           it
           ,
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           to
           resist
           the
           corrupted
           reluctancy
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           Thing
           remarkable
           in
           the
           instance
           ,
           was
           ,
           the
           struggle
           in
           my self
           at
           the
           first
           excitement
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           between
           an
           inclination
           and
           aversion
           to
           returning
           ,
           with
           the
           victorious
           strength
           of
           Divine
           influence
           ,
           bringing
           me
           to
           a
           willing
           performance
           of
           the
           Duty
           ;
           which
           circumstance
           prov'd
           amongst
           the
           first
           ,
           to
           confirm
           my
           Faith
           in
           the
           reality
           of
           there
           being
           
             a
             law
             in
             the
             Members
             warring
             against
             that
             law
             of
             the
             Mind
             .
          
        
         
           A
           Third
           Circumstance
           in
           the
           instance
           ,
           was
           ,
           The
           exact
           correspondency
           of
           the
           time
           of
           Excitement
           ,
           and
           Heavenliness
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           the
           time
           of
           the
           real
           ,
           tho'
           unexpected
           success
           ;
           a
           circumstance
           greatly
           discovering
           Self-insufficiency
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           without
           Divine
           conduct
           therein
           ,
           and
           Trust
           to
           God
           for
           the
           Event
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Fourth
           Experience
           concerning
           Prayer
           ,
           was
           ,
           when
           any
           failure
           observ'd
           in
           Thought
           ,
           Word
           or
           Action
           ,
           and
           accompanied
           with
           concern
           of
           Mind
           ,
           and
           great
           Spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           in
           acknowledging
           it
           to
           God
           ;
           that
           then
           I
           have
           found
           ,
           as
           its
           immediate
           concommitant
           ,
           the
           uneasiness
           and
           concern
           perfectly
           gone
           off
           ,
           with
           full
           quiet
           possessing
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           greater
           watch
           its
           consequent
           ,
           confirming
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           6th
           and
           7th
           verses
           of
           the
           4th
           chapter
           of
           Philippians
           ;
           never
           experiencing
           either
           ease
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           to
           events
           ,
           giving
           up
           to
           Divine
           conduct
           ,
           as
           to
           concern
           for
           sinful
           failures
           ,
           but
           when
           carried
           forth
           heavenlily
           in
           Prayer
           for
           either
           .
        
         
           I
           must
           subjoyn
           hereto
           an
           experienced
           circumstance
           ,
           That
           according
           to
           the
           greatness
           of
           my
           fear
           as
           to
           any
           event
           ,
           leading
           me
           the
           more
           frequently
           to
           Heaven
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           to
           confidence
           in
           outward
           means
           ,
           the
           more
           unexpectedly
           eminent
           the
           return
           has
           been
           ,
           discovering
           the
           excellency
           of
           the
           Psalmist's
           method
           ,
           
             What
             time
             we
             are
             afraid
             ,
             we
             will
             trust
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           with
           the
           use
           of
           that
           Blessed
           means
           of
           serious
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           have
           oft
           experienced
           ,
           that
           Trust
           to
           an
           outward
           instrument
           for
           the
           bringing
           about
           any
           design
           ,
           with
           a
           resting
           therein
           without
           frequent
           and
           fervent
           Prayers
           for
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           has
           made
           the
           mean
           that
           was
           successful
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           that
           is
           in
           its
           self
           tending
           naturally
           to
           a
           successful
           event
           ,
           of
           none
           effect
           to
           me
           .
        
         
         
           A
           Fifth
           Experience
           ,
           was
           in
           the
           Lord
           's
           affording
           me
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           ,
           and
           the
           intercession
           of
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           for
           an
           event
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           when
           all
           hopes
           from
           any
           thing
           else
           had
           been
           remov'd
           ,
           and
           no
           ground
           of
           hope
           left
           but
           what
           was
           drawn
           from
           this
           frame
           of
           Soul
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           full
           quiet
           of
           mind
           concerning
           the
           event
           ,
           brought
           forth
           by
           the
           same
           Divine
           Hand
           :
           I
           could
           set
           down
           numerous
           instances
           of
           the
           imminency
           of
           Death
           to
           Friends
           and
           Acquaintances
           ,
           where
           nothing
           of
           probable
           hope
           was
           left
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           draw●
           from
           this
           experience
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           interceding
           with
           me
           ,
           by
           carrying
           me
           out
           to
           ask
           in
           a
           manner
           far
           above
           my self
           ,
           for
           their
           Recovery
           ;
           and
           then
           against
           all
           probable
           expectation
           ,
           the
           recovery
           has
           followed
           :
           Yea
           ,
           at
           this
           very
           time
           ,
           I
           can
           instance
           ,
           a
           Child
           ,
           who
           for
           some
           time
           was
           laid
           out
           as
           Dead
           ,
           but
           in
           my
           humble
           hope
           ,
           Alive
           ;
           and
           that
           purely
           from
           the
           sensible
           power
           given
           me
           to
           ask
           its
           life
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             Who
             knows
             the
             things
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ?
          
           as
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Man
           alone
           knows
           the
           secret
           Thoughts
           and
           Will
           of
           Man
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           know
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           design
           of
           bestowing
           an
           event
           unknown
           to
           our selves
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           so
           strange
           that
           unexpectedly
           and
           suddenly
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           that
           blessed
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           Christ's
           Spirit
           should
           breathe
           upon
           us
           strength
           to
           ask
           ,
           what
           we
           designed
           not
           ,
           but
           what
           he
           knew
           would
           be
           ,
           through
           that
           method
           discovering
           the
           reality
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           is
           to
           help
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           
           who
           neither
           know
           what
           to
           ask
           ,
           nor
           how
           to
           ask
           of
           our selves
           ,
           only
           by
           keeping
           in
           the
           Obedience
           of
           God's
           Will
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           thereby
           lay
           our selves
           in
           God's
           road
           to
           receive
           Divine
           Direction
           ,
           both
           to
           ask
           what
           we
           did
           not
           premeditate
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           manner
           above
           our
           own
           natural
           corrupted
           capacity
           .
           If
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           know
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           against
           an
           event
           ,
           no
           wonder
           he
           draws
           his
           Divine
           influence
           from
           the
           Soul
           in
           Petitioning
           to
           obtain
           it
           ,
           and
           no
           other
           warmth
           in
           Prayer
           appears
           than
           what
           is
           the
           product
           of
           self
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           desire
           of
           obtaining
           it
           ,
           far
           differing
           from
           that
           seriousness
           that
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           right
           observation
           whereof
           greatly
           helps
           the
           Christian
           to
           distinguish
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           that
           great
           care
           is
           here
           to
           be
           taken
           ,
           not
           to
           entertain
           hopes
           of
           obtaining
           every
           Petition
           ,
           that
           God
           has
           not
           absolutely
           promised
           ;
           or
           by
           Petitioning
           without
           Resignation
           to
           his
           Will
           ;
           but
           from
           experience
           of
           God's
           condescending-way
           of
           training
           up
           Babes
           in
           Christianity
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           never
           intercedes
           with
           us
           in
           Prayer
           to
           God
           for
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           not
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           ,
           or
           without
           Resignation
           to
           his
           Blessed
           Will
           ;
           and
           any
           mistake
           herein
           must
           slow
           from
           either
           of
           these
           two
           Reasons
           :
           First
           ,
           From
           an
           ignorance
           when
           Christ's
           Spirit
           does
           intercede
           with
           us
           in
           Prayer
           :
           A
           natural
           tender
           affectionate
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           an
           ardent
           desire
           after
           the
           thing
           pray'd
           for
           ,
           imposes
           a
           likeness
           thereof
           in
           some
           ,
           and
           continual
           
           thoughtfulness
           of
           Mind
           ;
           or
           a
           sweet
           Tone
           and
           way
           of
           Expression
           brings
           sometimes
           others
           to
           a
           likeness
           of
           this
           frame
           ;
           Whereas
           the
           observing
           Christian
           ,
           from
           care
           therein
           ,
           finds
           this
           Prayer
           come
           suddenly
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           with
           full
           gale
           of
           Strength
           ,
           far
           above
           his
           own
           ,
           drawing
           himself
           forth
           with
           that
           filial
           Boldness
           ,
           and
           near
           Familiarity
           and
           approach
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           that
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           concerning
           the
           matter
           ,
           as
           if
           its
           answer
           was
           already
           return'd
           :
           The
           observ'd
           experience
           whereof
           helps
           the
           Soul
           to
           answer
           all
           such
           cautionary
           Objections
           ,
           and
           discovers
           to
           its
           experience
           ,
           That
           Resignation
           to
           God's
           Will
           goes
           along
           with
           the
           Heavenliness
           of
           Frame
           ,
           to
           make
           up
           the
           evidence
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           helping
           us
           to
           ask
           ,
           without
           either
           of
           which
           ,
           the
           evidence
           seems
           cloudy
           ,
           dull
           ,
           and
           uncertain
           .
        
         
           Or
           Secondly
           ,
           Mistakes
           may
           come
           by
           misapplying
           the
           return
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           through
           too
           soon
           judging
           of
           the
           Prayers
           return'd
           ,
           or
           by
           applying
           Prayer
           to
           somewhat
           else
           than
           is
           the
           real
           return
           of
           the
           Prayer
           ;
           the
           effect
           whereof
           has
           been
           oft
           so
           evil
           ,
           that
           even
           many
           gracious
           Children
           of
           God
           have
           been
           led
           into
           Darkness
           ,
           kept
           from
           that
           sense
           of
           intimacy
           that
           really
           they
           had
           ,
           judging
           their
           Prayers
           unreturn'd
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           bringing
           them
           under
           great
           Thoughtfulness
           ;
           though
           their
           Faith
           was
           fix'd
           upon
           God's
           Word
           ,
           yet
           how
           to
           reconcile
           former
           experiences
           to
           this
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           's
           intercedings
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           unreturn'd
           .
        
         
         
           My
           great
           help
           against
           such
           mistakes
           ,
           has
           been
           an
           exact
           observation
           of
           my
           different
           Utterance
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           my
           different
           Frames
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           down
           the
           very
           Word
           express'd
           therein
           .
           If
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           give
           and
           help
           the
           Utterance
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Spiritualize
           their
           Mind
           in
           Preaching
           ,
           that
           being
           recommended
           by
           Paul
           as
           a
           fit
           Petition
           upon
           his
           account
           ,
           and
           experienced
           as
           Truth
           by
           the
           worthiest
           of
           his
           Ministers
           ;
           Why
           not
           to
           give
           and
           to
           help
           Utterance
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Heavenly
           Frame
           therein
           ?
           Whatever
           others
           imagine
           or
           ridicule
           concerning
           familiarity
           of
           Stile
           in
           Spiritual
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           can
           truly
           say
           ,
           That
           when
           my
           Frame
           of
           Soul
           has
           been
           thus
           suddenly
           chang'd
           from
           Lifelesness
           to
           great
           Spirituality
           ,
           I
           have
           then
           been
           in
           a
           maze
           to
           experience
           an
           unusual
           freeness
           of
           expression
           ,
           wondring
           at
           the
           Words
           themselves
           express'd
           ,
           and
           the
           nearness
           to
           God
           that
           I
           have
           thought
           my
           Soul
           approached
           to
           :
           And
           upon
           some
           patient
           waiting
           before
           judging
           the
           return
           of
           the
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           comparing
           the
           parts
           and
           circumstances
           of
           the
           event
           to
           the
           words
           I
           was
           enabled
           to
           utter
           ,
           and
           had
           afterwards
           set
           down
           ,
           I
           found
           so
           much
           correspondency
           as
           is
           between
           a
           Seal
           and
           its
           impression
           .
           I
           know
           those
           far
           excelling
           my self
           in
           Grace
           and
           Experience
           with
           God
           ,
           losing
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           return
           from
           God
           ,
           by
           misapplying
           the
           return
           not
           to
           the
           Words
           utter'd
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           to
           what
           they
           so
           mightily
           desired
           .
           I
           remember
           an
           instance
           in
           my self
           ,
           concerning
           a
           Servant's
           parting
           from
           me
           ,
           and
           
           Petitioning
           Heaven
           for
           his
           conduct
           to
           the
           use
           of
           means
           for
           another
           ,
           I
           found
           comfortable
           Divine
           Strength
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           in
           some
           hours
           after
           happening
           in
           the
           company
           of
           one
           ,
           who
           formerly
           had
           recommended
           a
           Servant
           in
           most
           things
           acceptable
           ,
           he
           inform'd
           me
           of
           another
           ,
           with
           a
           Character
           far
           exceeding
           the
           first
           ;
           to
           which
           Providence
           I
           immediately
           implying
           Prayer
           ,
           express'd
           it
           at
           its
           return
           ,
           but
           afterward
           found
           disappointment
           as
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           difficulty
           in
           finding
           any
           other
           seemingly
           evidence
           of
           Prayer
           without
           Divine
           Strength
           put
           up
           ,
           and
           unaccepted
           by
           God
           ;
           but
           soon
           after
           ,
           by
           some
           special
           passages
           of
           Providence
           ,
           this
           Servant
           begg'd
           leave
           to
           stay
           ,
           tho'
           they
           had
           confidently
           despis'd
           my
           place
           ,
           and
           given
           warning
           to
           provide
           another
           in
           their
           room
           ,
           which
           prov'd
           better
           than
           changing
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           tho'
           a
           good
           one
           had
           fallen
           in
           my
           way
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           return
           exactly
           suiting
           the
           Utterance
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           confirm'd
           by
           the
           comparison
           of
           the
           latter
           Event
           to
           the
           Utterance
           set
           down
           .
        
         
           As
           this
           was
           a
           plain
           instance
           of
           too
           hasty
           a
           judging
           the
           return
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           taking
           one
           Providential
           passage
           for
           return
           ,
           begun
           only
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           carried
           on
           by
           other
           passages
           adjoyn'd
           thereto
           ;
           so
           I
           shall
           lay
           before
           you
           another
           instance
           of
           misapplying
           the
           return
           to
           the
           thing
           desired
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           Utterance
           in
           the
           Prayer
           Spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           as
           eminent
           a
           Saint
           as
           ever
           liv'd
           on
           Earth
           ,
           tho'
           now
           gone
           off
           the
           stage
           of
           time
           ,
           without
           the
           sight
           of
           its
           
           return
           ,
           yet
           died
           in
           the
           Faith
           of
           my
           seeing
           its
           return
           ,
           but
           still
           his
           Thoughts
           was
           upon
           what
           he
           so
           mightily
           prest
           for
           ,
           in
           his
           own
           desire
           .
        
         
           Providentially
           happening
           to
           design
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           concern
           ,
           and
           imparting
           the
           design
           ,
           with
           some
           passages
           of
           Providence
           exciting
           me
           first
           thereto
           ,
           to
           this
           Saint
           then
           on
           Earth
           ;
           he
           desired
           some
           time
           to
           think
           upon
           the
           matter
           ere
           he
           return'd
           his
           Advice
           ,
           which
           I
           found
           was
           on
           purpose
           to
           lay
           the
           whole
           affair
           before
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ,
           by
           repeated
           Addresses
           thereto
           ;
           After
           which
           he
           advis'd
           my
           undertaking
           the
           design
           from
           his
           sense
           of
           God's
           laying
           it
           in
           my
           way
           by
           special
           conduct
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           from
           his
           sense
           of
           his
           Petition
           accepted
           ,
           for
           Divine
           Assistance
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           marvellous
           Effects
           from
           it
           ,
           from
           which
           I
           engag'd
           in
           the
           endeavour
           ,
           but
           all
           attempts
           prov'd
           unsuccessful
           :
           In
           the
           interim
           of
           which
           endeavour
           ,
           my
           Thoughts
           in
           Prayer
           never
           fixt
           to
           any
           one
           Petition
           concerning
           it
           ,
           besides
           Divine
           conduct
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           Resignation
           to
           his
           Divine
           Will
           ;
           this
           endeavour
           between
           hopes
           from
           this
           Prayer
           accepted
           ,
           and
           discouragement
           from
           the
           unsuccessfulness
           of
           attempt
           ,
           continued
           for
           many
           months
           ,
           yet
           still
           easie
           ,
           and
           with
           amazing
           Resignation
           to
           God's
           Will
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           such
           a
           circumstance
           fell
           out
           as
           did
           unalterably
           obstruct
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           the
           return
           that
           he
           applied
           his
           Prayer
           unto
           ;
           notwithstanding
           of
           which
           ,
           amongst
           his
           last
           words
           to
           me
           on
           Earth
           ,
           long
           after
           this
           disappointment
           ,
           he
           utter'd
           this
           Sentence
           with
           great
           exercise
           of
           
           Faith
           ,
           That
           I
           should
           meet
           with
           a
           full
           discovery
           of
           God's
           design
           therein
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           answer
           to
           his
           Prayer
           .
           Prayer
           accepted
           ,
           and
           the
           intimation
           thereof
           given
           ,
           will
           never
           want
           its
           return
           ,
           clearly
           verified
           from
           comparing
           his
           Letters
           and
           Words
           to
           the
           Events
           that
           have
           attended
           my
           life
           since
           ;
           tho'
           the
           disappointment
           seemed
           an
           evidence
           of
           his
           Prayers
           lost
           ,
           yet
           really
           has
           led
           into
           such
           things
           as
           plainly
           appear
           his
           Prayer's
           return
           ,
           his
           mistake
           appearing
           to
           be
           fixing
           his
           Spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           with
           his
           other
           evidences
           of
           its
           acceptation
           ,
           to
           what
           he
           so
           much
           desir'd
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           success
           of
           an
           outward
           endeavour
           ,
           whereas
           if
           his
           Utterance
           had
           been
           recorded
           ,
           reflected
           upon
           ,
           and
           compared
           with
           Events
           ,
           that
           even
           I
           begun
           to
           find
           from
           God
           in
           my self
           ,
           and
           did
           discover
           to
           him
           ,
           the
           mistake
           might
           have
           been
           prevented
           .
        
         
           In
           one
           of
           his
           Letters
           he
           expresses
           himself
           thus
           :
           It
           is
           becoming
           me
           with
           much
           humble
           sobriety
           to
           speak
           as
           to
           any
           impression
           on
           my
           Spirit
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           your
           business
           ,
           though
           often
           I
           dare
           say
           I
           have
           had
           some
           special
           assurance
           from
           the
           Lord
           of
           his
           Gracious
           respect
           to
           you
           ,
           so
           as
           I
           could
           not
           question
           ,
           the
           evidence
           whereof
           was
           so
           full
           and
           clear
           ,
           and
           of
           so
           great
           testimony
           ;
           yet
           to
           you
           hereof
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           am
           at
           the
           furthest
           of
           persuasion
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           breaking
           up
           of
           Light
           shall
           occur
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           matter
           both
           of
           Joy
           and
           farther
           Establishment
           ;
           and
           if
           after
           such
           unusual
           and
           eminent
           Evidences
           he
           has
           given
           of
           his
           Respect
           
           and
           Favour
           to
           you
           ,
           beyond
           most
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           would
           it
           be
           strange
           or
           grievous
           ,
           if
           in
           so
           great
           a
           concern
           ,
           he
           should
           take
           a
           new
           trial
           of
           your
           Love
           and
           Resignation
           to
           him
           ,
           by
           giving
           it
           entirely
           up
           to
           his
           blessed
           disposal
           ?
           I
           know
           you
           have
           settled
           your
           Reliance
           on
           his
           Hand
           ,
           in
           ordering
           the
           present
           matter
           ,
           who
           has
           been
           your
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           God
           of
           your
           youth
           hitherto
           .
        
         
           In
           another
           Letter
           ,
           his
           Words
           were
           :
           You
           shall
           see
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           this
           affair
           ,
           however
           dark
           it
           at
           present
           appear
           ,
           with
           that
           evidence
           as
           shall
           tend
           to
           a
           higher
           establishment
           of
           you
           in
           his
           Way
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           clear
           all
           former
           dark
           steps
           ;
           the
           greatest
           experiments
           of
           Trust
           has
           been
           most
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           greatest
           extremities
           of
           his
           Peoples
           case
           .
        
         
           In
           another
           Letter
           his
           Words
           were
           :
           Tho'
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           write
           at
           such
           a
           distance
           ,
           yet
           I
           have
           confidence
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           one
           day
           rarely
           passes
           without
           some
           serious
           remembrance
           of
           you
           .
           My
           last
           acquaintance
           with
           you
           has
           been
           amongst
           the
           most
           sweet
           remarks
           of
           my
           being
           in
           England
           ,
           especially
           as
           to
           the
           blessed
           way
           of
           God
           round
           you
           ,
           therein
           you
           have
           been
           a
           further
           strength
           to
           my
           Faith
           ;
           I
           know
           not
           how
           that
           matter
           is
           with
           you
           ,
           but
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           adventure
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           if
           ever
           I
           knew
           converse
           with
           Heaven
           here
           ,
           I
           have
           often
           had
           ,
           yea
           ,
           in
           some
           special
           way
           ,
           an
           answer
           of
           Peace
           and
           Assurance
           about
           the
           Lord
           's
           Gracious
           Design
           of
           Grace
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           further
           testifying
           the
           same
           to
           your
           Soul
           :
           I
           hope
           you
           are
           gaining
           
           new
           ground
           of
           a
           nearer
           acquaintance
           with
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           by
           which
           you
           will
           find
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           greatest
           tryals
           he
           takes
           of
           his
           followers
           here
           ,
           he
           then
           designs
           the
           greater
           tryal
           of
           himself
           and
           his
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Now
           comparing
           the
           Words
           of
           this
           Saint
           ,
           express'd
           ,
           concerning
           the
           difficulty
           I
           was
           then
           under
           ,
           to
           my
           own
           experience
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           round
           me
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Workings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           me
           ,
           since
           that
           time
           ;
           I
           cannot
           but
           confirm
           his
           Sense
           and
           Faith
           of
           Prayer
           accepted
           ,
           and
           witness
           its
           return
           to
           my self
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           very
           words
           of
           his
           Letters
           ,
           the
           current
           of
           his
           Petitions
           ,
           and
           seeming
           Assurance
           ,
           run
           upon
           God's
           witnessing
           his
           special
           favour
           to
           me
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           that
           such
           breaking
           up
           of
           Light
           should
           occur
           as
           might
           establish
           my
           Faith
           in
           God
           ,
           which
           blessed
           be
           his
           Name
           ,
           has
           been
           the
           real
           effect
           of
           God's
           disappointing
           my
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           after
           this
           outward
           thing
           ;
           yea
           ,
           has
           been
           a
           mean
           in
           God's
           hand
           to
           discover
           his
           special
           Love
           to
           my self
           ,
           in
           affording
           me
           a
           better
           Mercy
           in
           its
           room
           ,
           and
           establishing
           me
           thereby
           in
           a
           Trust
           to
           God
           as
           to
           all
           things
           else
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           since
           these
           outward
           attempts
           ,
           since
           those
           Letters
           receiv'd
           ,
           such
           marvellous
           occurrences
           of
           Providence
           I
           have
           enjoyed
           ,
           with
           such
           inward
           sensible
           workings
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           informing
           and
           comforting
           my
           Soul
           ,
           and
           making
           progress
           in
           that
           rich
           Grace
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           actual
           reliance
           upon
           God
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           both
           as
           
           to
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           for
           conduct
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           events
           following
           ,
           which
           makes
           out
           his
           Prayer
           accepted
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           assurance
           was
           firmly
           founded
           ,
           his
           failure
           being
           the
           misapplying
           the
           Prayer
           thus
           sweetly
           put
           up
           ,
           to
           a
           return
           of
           what
           he
           desired
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           return
           exactly
           answering
           the
           Utterance
           of
           his
           Soul
           when
           Christ's
           Spirit
           breath'd
           upon
           his
           Petitions
           to
           God
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Lord's
           Gracious
           design
           ,
           and
           testimony
           thereof
           to
           my
           Soul
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           wonderful
           establishment
           ,
           no
           more
           amazing
           ;
           and
           assured
           to
           him
           in
           his
           actual
           strength
           to
           Petition
           it
           ,
           than
           to
           me
           in
           its
           enjoyment
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           his
           Prayers
           return'd
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           conceivable
           by
           none
           but
           those
           who
           are
           strict
           observers
           of
           God's
           Ways
           ,
           How
           freely
           Words
           fly
           out
           of
           the
           Mouth
           of
           a
           Soul
           under
           a
           Heavenly
           ravishing
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           How
           familiarly
           they
           are
           express'd
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           as
           to
           the
           return
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Soul
           out
           of
           this
           frame
           would
           desire
           and
           do
           all
           that
           his
           own
           strength
           could
           afford
           ,
           yet
           he
           shall
           not
           attain
           that
           height
           of
           free
           utterance
           ,
           so
           Heavenly
           a
           Style
           ,
           or
           so
           familiar
           and
           near
           an
           approach
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           sometimes
           suddenly
           in
           the
           twinkling
           of
           an
           Eye
           he
           shall
           be
           brought
           to
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           the
           blowings
           afresh
           of
           Christ's
           Divine
           Influences
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           my self
           ,
           while
           under
           no
           other
           power
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ,
           stood
           in
           a
           maze
           to
           hear
           Ministers
           express
           Communion
           with
           God
           in
           Duties
           ,
           the
           Influences
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           
           the
           like
           ,
           imagining
           these
           as
           words
           chosen
           to
           set
           off
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           it
           the
           more
           amiable
           to
           Souls
           ,
           till
           experience
           discover'd
           the
           reality
           thereof
           ;
           and
           since
           the
           discovery
           thereof
           to
           my self
           ,
           I
           have
           often
           with
           great
           concern
           of
           Soul
           ,
           heard
           Christ's
           Spirit
           mockt
           at
           ,
           Emanations
           and
           Influences
           from
           him
           so
           ridiculed
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           not
           but
           exercise
           Compassion
           ,
           comparing
           their
           Words
           to
           my
           own
           Thoughts
           while
           under
           the
           same
           circumstance
           of
           ignorance
           of
           Experimental
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           inward
           power
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           no
           less
           instruction
           being
           capable
           of
           illuminating
           such
           dark
           Minds
           ,
           than
           what
           is
           an
           emanation
           and
           influence
           of
           that
           Spirit
           so
           revil'd
           and
           set
           at
           nought
           in
           their
           Thoughts
           ;
           such
           a
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           Creature
           setting
           Christ
           in
           his
           Divine
           Nature
           at
           nought
           ,
           I
           place
           in
           the
           same
           Categorical
           line
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           Fifth
           Experience
           ,
           I
           subjoin
           the
           following
           instance
           of
           an
           Undertaking
           ,
           where
           the
           Eyes
           ,
           Hands
           ,
           and
           Wishes
           of
           many
           were
           against
           me
           ,
           and
           no
           probable
           hope
           of
           success
           in
           a
           rational
           way
           ,
           but
           what
           I
           had
           from
           the
           marvellous
           frame
           of
           Soul
           ,
           and
           near
           access
           to
           God
           ,
           concerning
           it
           ,
           and
           like
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           the
           use
           of
           means
           obtain'd
           ,
           and
           the
           desired
           end
           was
           brought
           forth
           .
        
         
           Here
           I
           subjoin
           the
           Experience
           of
           humble
           Awe
           and
           Fear
           ,
           always
           attending
           the
           clearest
           Heavenly
           frame
           and
           most
           satisfied
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           I
           ever
           had
           concerning
           any
           one
           thing
           ;
           confidence
           looking
           to
           me
           too
           much
           ominous
           
           of
           somewhat
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           commonly
           proves
           a
           mean
           of
           security
           ,
           and
           of
           less
           diligence
           in
           petitioning
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           depending
           upon
           God
           ,
           than
           when
           the
           Soul
           has
           an
           humble
           Awe
           ,
           going
           along
           with
           its
           erperience
           of
           God's
           approach
           to
           its
           Soul.
           
        
         
           A
           Sixth
           Experience
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           carrying
           forth
           the
           Soul
           to
           Petition
           ,
           according
           to
           what
           God
           was
           to
           bestow
           ,
           was
           not
           only
           by
           changing
           of
           the
           Souls
           frame
           concerning
           any
           one
           Event
           ,
           but
           even
           by
           changing
           the
           verbal
           Petitions
           in
           the
           change
           of
           circumstances
           in
           the
           same
           thing
           :
           As
           for
           instance
           ;
           At
           the
           first
           discovery
           of
           my
           inward
           change
           ,
           my
           words
           in
           Prayer
           for
           any
           undertaking
           would
           run
           upon
           its
           success
           ,
           and
           hardly
           upon
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           condescention
           of
           my
           Heavenly
           Father
           complied
           by
           numerous
           and
           continual
           returns
           of
           success
           ,
           tho'
           my
           endeavours
           at
           my
           first
           acquaintance
           with
           ,
           and
           observation
           of
           God's
           Ways
           ,
           were
           not
           so
           exact
           ;
           but
           upon
           further
           knowledge
           of
           his
           ways
           ,
           and
           greater
           progress
           and
           reliance
           upon
           God
           for
           conduct
           to
           the
           use
           and
           right
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           then
           my
           words
           were
           chang'd
           ,
           running
           out
           in
           Prayer
           after
           Divine
           Assistance
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           Duty
           ,
           resigning
           the
           issue
           to
           his
           Will
           ;
           answerable
           to
           which
           ,
           a
           more
           diligent
           watch
           over
           my self
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           anxiety
           concerning
           the
           event
           ,
           appeared
           ;
           an
           experience
           greatly
           helping
           the
           Soul
           against
           mistaking
           God
           or
           themselves
           ,
           when
           his
           Ways
           run
           not
           in
           the
           same
           stream
           towards
           them
           ,
           their
           
           advancement
           in
           strength
           being
           gradual
           ;
           and
           many
           times
           according
           to
           the
           different
           steps
           of
           growth
           in
           Grace
           ,
           so
           God
           walks
           in
           different
           steps
           round
           them
           ,
           requiring
           a
           constant
           observation
           of
           his
           ways
           ,
           admiring
           their
           variety
           ,
           and
           bringing
           forth
           suitable
           improvement
           of
           knowledge
           of
           God
           ,
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           dependance
           upon
           him
           :
           How
           infinite
           therefore
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           our
           Blessed
           God
           ,
           who
           knows
           the
           various
           Constitutions
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           their
           Thoughts
           are
           most
           fixt
           to
           ,
           that
           his
           breathing
           Divine
           Influence
           thereupon
           may
           be
           his
           readier
           mean
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           a
           serious
           discovery
           of
           God
           and
           their selves
           thereby
           !
        
         
           How
           infinite
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Love
           and
           Tenderness
           of
           our
           blessed
           Husband-man
           ,
           in
           the
           gradual
           growth
           of
           all
           the
           young
           tender
           Branches
           in
           his
           Vineyard
           ,
           and
           in
           training
           up
           his
           Babes
           in
           the
           first
           knowledge
           of
           him
           ,
           feeding
           the
           one
           with
           Milk
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           with
           Meat
           ,
           knowing
           well
           what
           each
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           ,
           and
           can
           bear
           ,
           either
           of
           his
           Smiles
           ,
           or
           correcting
           Stripes
           ,
           ordering
           each
           by
           degrees
           to
           the
           perfecting
           of
           Grace
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           making
           it
           mete
           for
           Eternal
           Glory
           !
        
         
           The
           Experience
           whereof
           helps
           the
           Soul
           to
           answer
           the
           Objection
           of
           some
           serious
           Christians
           ,
           but
           not
           exact
           Observers
           ,
           who
           will
           reply
           upon
           imparting
           a
           particular
           method
           of
           God
           with
           a
           Soul
           by
           way
           of
           caution
           ;
           You
           must
           be
           careful
           not
           to
           depend
           upon
           that
           particular
           way
           God
           acts
           with
           you
           in
           ,
           lest
           Satan
           make
           it
           a
           temptation
           
           to
           unbelief
           and
           distrust
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           your selves
           ,
           when
           he
           shall
           please
           to
           walk
           in
           another
           road
           with
           your
           Soul
           ;
           but
           general
           and
           strict
           Observers
           find
           God's
           Ways
           to
           be
           thus
           :
           That
           according
           to
           the
           infancy
           or
           manhood
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           according
           to
           the
           different
           steps
           of
           advancing
           the
           Soul
           towards
           this
           Manhood
           ,
           so
           God's
           Ways
           to
           be
           various
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           his
           different
           ends
           ,
           so
           his
           courses
           leading
           thereto
           usually
           to
           be
           different
           ;
           marvellous
           argument
           indeed
           of
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           Love
           and
           Compassion
           in
           our
           great
           God!
           instruction
           enough
           to
           make
           us
           stand
           off
           from
           prescribing
           methods
           according
           to
           our
           Inclinations
           or
           Expectations
           ,
           but
           instruction
           to
           keep
           our selves
           close
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           his
           Ways
           ,
           in
           continual
           Prayer
           for
           a
           sight
           of
           his
           design
           ,
           and
           the
           obtaining
           the
           establishment
           of
           Faith
           ,
           tho'
           the
           method
           of
           God
           be
           never
           so
           various
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           Hereto
           relates
           my
           Experience
           of
           God
           with
           my
           own
           Soul
           ,
           that
           according
           to
           the
           beginnings
           and
           progress
           of
           my
           Faith
           of
           Reliance
           ,
           so
           God's
           Method
           has
           varied
           ;
           for
           while
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Trust
           to
           God
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           That
           never
           a
           Prayer
           Spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           wanted
           its
           return
           immediately
           ,
           and
           that
           exactly
           suitable
           to
           my
           words
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           but
           upon
           further
           strength
           of
           this
           Grace
           of
           Reliance
           upon
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           the
           return
           of
           my
           Prayer
           longer
           defer'd
           ;
           yea
           ,
           sometimes
           to
           the
           last
           pinch
           of
           extremity
           ,
           but
           still
           answerable
           to
           the
           frame
           of
           
           Soul
           and
           Words
           utter'd
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           when
           this
           frame
           and
           utterance
           were
           above
           my
           own
           strength
           thorough
           Divine
           Influence
           ;
           argument
           enough
           of
           Divine
           Wisdom
           adapting
           his
           various
           Ways
           to
           the
           various
           Circumstances
           of
           his
           Childrens
           weakness
           and
           strength
           ;
           of
           Divine
           Love
           ,
           establishing
           their
           Trust
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           trying
           their
           Reliance
           upon
           him
           ,
           as
           a
           comfortable
           evidence
           of
           that
           strength
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           lead
           them
           to
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           continual
           Praise
           ,
           Admiration
           and
           Love
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           How
           different
           was
           Christ's
           carriage
           to
           the
           Leper
           ,
           from
           his
           acting
           with
           the
           Woman
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           whose
           Faith
           far
           exceeded
           the
           other
           ?
           The
           Leper
           ,
           much
           weaker
           in
           Faith
           ,
           had
           the
           return
           of
           his
           Prayer
           immediately
           ;
           but
           she
           ,
           much
           stronger
           in
           Faith
           ,
           has
           the
           return
           greatly
           defer'd
           ,
           with
           the
           intermixture
           of
           many
           trying
           passages
           of
           Christ
           ,
           with
           his
           own
           silence
           to
           her
           own
           Petition
           ,
           and
           with
           his
           calling
           her
           
             a
             Dog
          
           ,
           as
           if
           she
           were
           unworthy
           to
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           much
           less
           to
           receive
           of
           his
           Children's
           food
           ,
           Mercies
           in
           answer
           to
           Prayer
           :
           The
           Lord
           knew
           her
           strength
           ,
           and
           adapted
           his
           way
           of
           tryal
           thereto
           ,
           which
           issued
           in
           Honour
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           evidence
           to
           her self
           of
           the
           greatness
           of
           her
           Faith.
           
        
         
           When
           Christ
           saw
           
           Peter's
           Faith
           as
           a
           Rock
           to
           build
           his
           Church
           upon
           ,
           he
           then
           tells
           him
           of
           the
           Sufferings
           to
           attend
           him
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           would
           follow
           after
           Christ
           ,
           his
           Faith
           being
           gradually
           brought
           up
           to
           such
           a
           strength
           ,
           enabled
           him
           to
           bear
           this
           report
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           in
           the
           beginning
           
           might
           have
           discouraged
           him
           to
           follow
           Christ
           or
           his
           Rules
           ;
           when
           therefore
           we
           are
           as
           Moses
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           kept
           six
           days
           on
           the
           Mount
           before
           the
           answer
           of
           Prayer
           comes
           ,
           Gen.
           c.
           24.
           
           Let
           us
           therefore
           admire
           God's
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           ,
           in
           first
           planting
           or
           further
           carrying
           on
           Grace
           in
           the
           Soul
           :
           Let
           us
           be
           instructed
           ,
           not
           to
           limit
           God
           to
           any
           one
           way
           in
           converting
           or
           further
           perfecting
           a
           gracious
           Soul
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           keep
           in
           the
           use
           of
           all
           God's
           means
           ,
           with
           the
           observation
           of
           his
           various
           ways
           of
           Providence
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           established
           upon
           his
           Divine
           Word
           ,
           and
           experience
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           be
           confirm'd
           in
           the
           depth
           ,
           the
           length
           ,
           and
           height
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           a
           Faith
           wrought
           and
           kept
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           but
           by
           an
           evident
           sense
           thereof
           ,
           experimentally
           felt
           ,
           not
           yielding
           to
           that
           lazy
           excuse
           of
           the
           danger
           of
           fathoming
           him
           ;
           tho'
           we
           cannot
           find
           God
           out
           to
           Perfection
           ,
           yet
           we
           may
           comprehend
           much
           more
           of
           his
           ways
           than
           we
           do
           ,
           to
           keep
           us
           in
           continual
           admiration
           and
           praise
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           making
           our
           life
           the
           nearer
           to
           resemble
           the
           work
           of
           Saints
           above
           ,
           not
           suffering
           his
           Ways
           to
           lie
           still
           in
           the
           depth
           without
           Record
           thereof
           ,
           or
           Reflection
           thereupon
           ;
           a
           method
           which
           might
           greatly
           prevent
           the
           many
           Fears
           that
           many
           gracious
           Souls
           meet
           with
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           they
           dishonour
           God
           before
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           that
           by
           knowing
           their
           own
           Wants
           ,
           and
           God's
           Method
           of
           supplying
           them
           ,
           might
           be
           remedi'd
           .
        
         
         
           A
           Sixth
           Experience
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God's
           breathing
           upon
           the
           Soul
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           of
           its
           correspondency
           to
           the
           certain
           return
           thereof
           ,
           was
           ,
           That
           according
           to
           my
           Morning's
           frame
           in
           giving
           up
           my self
           ,
           so
           has
           my
           frame
           continued
           thorough
           the
           day
           ,
           but
           most
           remarkably
           thus
           on
           a
           Sabbath-Day
           ,
           wherein
           I
           have
           found
           that
           my
           frame
           in
           hearing
           a
           Sermon
           has
           greatly
           answer'd
           to
           the
           frame
           of
           my
           Morning
           's
           private
           Address
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           with
           that
           exactness
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           never
           observe
           or
           set
           it
           upon
           record
           without
           great
           amazement
           :
           Herein
           mistake
           me
           not
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           passed
           my
           day
           without
           any
           other
           Address
           ,
           resting
           upon
           the
           comfortable
           experience
           of
           good
           frame
           in
           my
           Morning's
           Prayer
           ;
           but
           upon
           all
           occurrences
           throughout
           the
           day
           ,
           my
           supplication
           has
           been
           repeated
           ,
           my
           method
           being
           never
           to
           attempt
           any
           Service
           ,
           Civil
           or
           Spiritual
           ,
           without
           Address
           to
           God
           for
           conduct
           therein
           ;
           and
           when
           opportunity
           of
           set
           Prayer
           is
           deny'd
           ,
           the
           same
           Spirituality
           in
           Ejaculation
           ,
           and
           that
           correspondent
           to
           return
           ,
           is
           experienc'd
           ,
           confirming
           the
           truth
           of
           God's
           acceptance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           's
           helping
           the
           Soul
           to
           groans
           not
           to
           be
           utter'd
           ,
           when
           the
           Soul
           in
           Meditation
           is
           under
           such
           a
           Heavenly
           Thoughtfulness
           to
           God
           as
           is
           impossible
           for
           it
           to
           utter
           .
        
         
           I
           could
           set
           down
           numerous
           instances
           of
           God's
           acceptance
           of
           Prayer
           put
           up
           before
           entring
           into
           Company
           ,
           with
           freedom
           from
           Quarrel
           or
           Disquiet
           ;
           and
           when
           Disquiet
           of
           any
           kind
           has
           accompanied
           me
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           it
           at
           such
           a
           time
           
           when
           my
           Soul
           has
           been
           out
           of
           frame
           ,
           or
           my
           Addresses
           to
           God
           before
           my
           entring
           the
           Society
           has
           been
           neglected
           :
           Who
           would
           not
           therefore
           advise
           me
           to
           rest
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           Petition
           him
           for
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           all
           things
           conveyed
           to
           me
           ,
           with
           a
           sight
           of
           his
           special
           Providence
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           return
           to
           Prayer
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           when
           my
           passage
           through
           this
           Wilderness
           is
           at
           end
           ,
           I
           may
           not
           enter
           unto
           an
           unknown
           God
           ,
           who
           has
           been
           a
           Father
           by
           his
           special
           conduct
           of
           Providence
           ,
           a
           Husbandman
           by
           the
           workings
           of
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ;
           my
           alone
           Friend
           to
           whom
           I
           have
           put
           up
           all
           my
           Requests
           ,
           and
           from
           whom
           I
           have
           receiv'd
           all
           the
           supplies
           of
           wants
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Communion
           with
           him
           ;
           neither
           to
           an
           unknown
           work
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           which
           I
           have
           had
           some
           foretaste
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Observation
           ,
           Prayer
           solemn
           and
           ejaculatory
           ,
           and
           Meditation
           ,
           admiring
           of
           God
           manifested
           ,
           and
           praising
           his
           Name
           for
           the
           experienc'd
           discovery
           of
           himself
           .
        
         
           A
           Seventh
           Experience
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           exciting
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           interceding
           with
           us
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           with
           the
           certain
           correspondency
           thereof
           ,
           by
           a
           return
           of
           that
           Prayer
           thus
           perform'd
           to
           God
           ,
           has
           been
           by
           putting
           words
           in
           my
           Mouth
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Spirituality
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           my
           Mind
           ,
           and
           that
           suddenly
           ,
           unpremeditated
           ,
           yea
           sometimes
           contrary
           to
           matter
           and
           words
           design'd
           .
           To
           clear
           this
           Experience
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           you
           amongst
           many
           instances
           ,
           the
           following
           one
           concerning
           a
           Friend's
           Distraction
           in
           a
           Fever
           ,
           for
           
           whom
           my
           design
           was
           to
           Petition
           God
           for
           his
           recovery
           ,
           but
           was
           carried
           out
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           that
           powerfully
           too
           ,
           altogether
           for
           the
           return
           of
           their
           Reason
           ,
           without
           ever
           being
           able
           to
           ask
           one
           Petition
           for
           the
           abatement
           and
           removal
           of
           their
           Fever
           ;
           upon
           inquiry
           I
           found
           their
           Distraction
           gone
           off
           ,
           but
           the
           Fever
           remaining
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           return
           of
           their
           Reason
           exactly
           answering
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Supplication
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Another
           instance
           of
           this
           Experience
           ,
           was
           ,
           Concerning
           another
           Friend
           ,
           for
           whose
           H●alth
           I
           had
           design'd
           to
           Petition
           God
           ,
           but
           found
           my
           Words
           in
           my
           Address
           to
           God
           ,
           strongly
           diverted
           from
           Petition
           to
           Praise
           ,
           blessing
           his
           Name
           for
           what
           he
           had
           done
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           any
           foreknowledge
           of
           amendment
           ,
           or
           probable
           reason
           to
           expect
           it
           ,
           but
           what
           I
           had
           from
           this
           powerful
           ,
           sudden
           ,
           and
           undesign'd
           utterance
           in
           Prayer
           .
           Another
           instance
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           I
           very
           lately
           had
           concerning
           a
           Friend's
           beloved
           and
           only
           Child
           ,
           for
           whom
           I
           found
           in
           my self
           great
           and
           amazing
           freedom
           of
           Utterance
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           way
           of
           Praise
           ,
           tho'
           my
           design
           was
           to
           Petition
           God
           concerning
           it
           ,
           having
           all
           humane
           probability
           to
           expect
           its
           Death
           :
           After
           the
           Experience
           of
           this
           Utterance
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           was
           kept
           in
           the
           dark
           till
           at
           least
           ten
           days
           ,
           and
           then
           had
           the
           account
           of
           its
           recovery
           ,
           yea
           ,
           of
           its
           great
           amendment
           answerable
           to
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Utterance
           of
           Praising
           ,
           being
           strictly
           curious
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           circumstance
           of
           time
           ,
           that
           none
           of
           these
           marvellous
           Experiences
           might
           afford
           the
           
           least
           doubting
           in
           their
           enjoyment
           ,
           but
           obtain
           a
           clear
           reception
           thereof
           ,
           and
           produce
           the
           greater
           establishment
           therein
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           Another
           instance
           of
           the
           Seventh
           Experience
           ,
           was
           ,
           Concerning
           some
           with
           whom
           I
           have
           had
           to
           do
           in
           matters
           of
           concern
           ,
           but
           at
           a
           distance
           from
           me
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           other
           opportunity
           of
           hearing
           the
           proceedings
           or
           success
           of
           endeavours
           than
           by
           Letter
           ;
           I
           have
           found
           ,
           that
           tho'
           I
           have
           design'd
           before
           the
           coming
           in
           of
           the
           Post
           ,
           to
           supplicate
           for
           a
           good
           account
           ;
           yet
           have
           not
           been
           able
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           at
           all
           concerning
           the
           matter
           ,
           answerable
           to
           which
           no
           Letter
           has
           come
           ,
           or
           other
           Petitions
           and
           Words
           concerning
           the
           matter
           has
           been
           Spiritually
           darted
           up
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           than
           was
           design'd
           ,
           correspondent
           to
           which
           ,
           the
           account
           receiv'd
           has
           exactly
           answer'd
           the
           Petitions
           ,
           and
           Utterance
           actually
           put
           forth
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           them
           only
           design'd
           to
           be
           express'd
           in
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           A
           Ninth
           Experience
           of
           certainty
           of
           access
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Spirit
           's
           breathing
           power
           on
           the
           Soul
           to
           ask
           what
           he
           knew
           was
           to
           be
           return'd
           ,
           has
           been
           concerning
           a
           design
           of
           three
           different
           endeavours
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           for
           guidance
           ,
           a
           mean
           made
           use
           of
           ;
           I
           have
           found
           all
           shadow
           of
           Spiritual
           enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           concerning
           it
           ,
           strongly
           withheld
           ,
           and
           so
           indeed
           has
           the
           least
           degree
           of
           successful
           endeavour
           ;
           but
           for
           the
           second
           ,
           enlargement
           only
           once
           ,
           suitable
           to
           which
           successful
           endeavour
           in
           one
           circumstance
           thereof
           ,
           and
           at
           that
           very
           
           time
           did
           occur
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           third
           ,
           such
           Heavenliness
           of
           frame
           in
           Petitioning
           not
           only
           once
           ,
           but
           all
           along
           continued
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           so
           successful
           endeavour
           without
           one
           cloud
           ,
           prov'd
           the
           issue
           :
           Plainer
           expression
           I
           cannot
           well
           use
           ,
           and
           instances
           I
           must
           forbear
           ,
           left
           it
           occasion
           the
           discovery
           of
           my self
           .
        
         
           A
           Tenth
           Experience
           of
           the
           Lord
           's
           exciting
           and
           preparing
           to
           ask
           what
           he
           was
           in
           his
           good
           pleasure
           to
           return
           ,
           was
           ,
           That
           of
           his
           exciting
           and
           powerfully
           strengthening
           of
           my
           Soul
           for
           a
           continued
           time
           to
           Pray
           for
           self-abasement
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           same
           time
           no
           outward
           Temptation
           has
           been
           my
           motive
           thereto
           ,
           though
           soon
           after
           has
           appeared
           some
           outward
           advancement
           ,
           and
           correspondent
           to
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           and
           loving
           care
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           enabling
           me
           to
           ask
           the
           exercise
           of
           Humility
           ,
           Self-loathing
           has
           always
           accompanied
           such
           outward
           smiles
           ;
           yea
           ,
           from
           observation
           of
           this
           Experience
           ,
           I
           have
           imagin'd
           a
           smiling
           Providence
           eminent
           ,
           from
           the
           frequency
           of
           this
           suit
           to
           the
           Lord
           undesign'd
           ,
           but
           greatly
           assisted
           to
           Petition
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           often
           experienced
           ,
           That
           when
           my
           Soul
           has
           not
           been
           thus
           carried
           out
           to
           Petition
           lowness
           of
           Mind
           ,
           either
           before
           or
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           outward
           advancement
           ,
           that
           either
           security
           therein
           has
           fallen
           out
           afterward
           ,
           imbittering
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           or
           some
           circumstances
           in
           the
           thing
           enjoy'd
           that
           has
           imbittered
           its
           sweetness
           ,
           or
           remov'd
           its
           satisfaction
           ,
           nothing
           being
           more
           satisfactory
           to
           a
           Christian
           Soul
           ,
           as
           the
           reception
           
           of
           an
           outward
           favour
           by
           special
           steps
           of
           Providence
           ;
           argument
           of
           Divine
           favour
           ,
           accompanied
           with
           such
           strength
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           enables
           the
           Soul
           to
           improve
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           exercise
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           Reliance
           upon
           the
           Bestower
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           the
           Souls
           satisfaction
           therein
           in
           its
           true
           Bounds
           ,
           more
           upon
           the
           discovery
           of
           God's
           Love
           thereby
           ,
           than
           upon
           the
           thing
           it self
           enjoyed
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Experiences
           already
           laid
           before
           you
           relate
           to
           outward
           Enjoyments
           ,
           so
           now
           I
           shall
           give
           you
           some
           Experiences
           respecting
           Spiritual
           Enjoyments
           ,
           answerable
           to
           Christ's
           Spirit
           breathing
           influencing-strength
           to
           Petition
           them
           .
        
         
           A
           First
           Experience
           thereof
           ,
           was
           ,
           When
           Spiritually
           carried
           out
           to
           ask
           for
           Humility
           ,
           previous
           to
           any
           Spiritual
           Improvement
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           before
           any
           Temporal
           Enjoyment
           ;
           and
           when
           security
           ,
           accompanied
           with
           the
           intermission
           of
           the
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           has
           followed
           any
           inward
           advancement
           ,
           then
           has
           a
           cloudying
           of
           what
           was
           an
           inward
           comforting
           evidence
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           issued
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           Soul
           has
           been
           carried
           forth
           to
           ask
           it
           before
           hand
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           time
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           return
           thereto
           ,
           the
           Soul's
           posture
           has
           been
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           self-debasement
           ,
           and
           exultation
           of
           ,
           and
           dependance
           upon
           Christ's
           Spirit
           for
           producing
           such
           a
           marvellous
           change
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           exalting
           thought
           of
           self
           .
        
         
         
           I
           remember
           that
           one
           day
           in
           Conversation
           with
           that
           Holy
           Saint
           mentioned
           before
           ,
           I
           express'd
           my self
           concern'd
           to
           know
           the
           reality
           of
           my
           Grace
           ;
           to
           which
           he
           humbly
           reply'd
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           had
           the
           least
           Cloud
           as
           to
           my
           interest
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           should
           rejoyce
           to
           experience
           that
           measure
           of
           confirming
           passages
           of
           God's
           special
           love
           ,
           as
           I
           know
           you
           have
           enjoy'd
           ,
           the
           effect
           whereof
           I
           found
           some
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           ;
           but
           by
           the
           wise
           over-ruling
           hand
           of
           God
           ,
           was
           follow'd
           with
           such
           cloudy
           darkness
           of
           Mind
           ,
           lest
           Satan
           had
           excited
           self-exultation
           or
           sinful
           security
           ,
           till
           in
           the
           following
           Evening-Prayer
           ,
           God
           carrying
           me
           forth
           to
           bless
           his
           Name
           for
           the
           evidences
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           to
           Petition
           Humillity
           in
           their
           enjoyment
           ,
           the
           darkness
           disappear'd
           ,
           and
           his
           discourse
           was
           bore
           home
           ,
           with
           the
           alone
           effect
           of
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           ,
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           Reliance
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           humble
           Thoughts
           of
           self
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           ,
           that
           previous
           to
           any
           victory
           over
           some
           particular
           Sins
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           help'd
           wonderfully
           to
           plead
           with
           God
           on
           this
           very
           account
           ,
           in
           a
           most
           near
           and
           sensible
           approach
           to
           him
           ,
           for
           
             Conquest
             over
             Sin
          
           ,
           that
           Scripture
           being
           at
           the
           time
           often
           and
           comfortable
           in
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           
             Nay
             more
             than
             Conquerors
             through
             him
             that
             loved
             us
          
           ;
           answerable
           to
           which
           Temptations
           to
           these
           ,
           has
           occur'd
           Sins
           ,
           but
           victory
           of
           them
           has
           been
           my
           Mercy
           ,
           both
           as
           a
           return
           to
           the
           Prayer
           Christ's
           Spirit
           helpt
           me
           to
           ask
           ,
           and
           as
           an
           evidence
           of
           such
           ,
           a
           change
           
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           as
           bespoke
           my
           interest
           in
           Christ
           ,
           by
           the
           evident
           supplies
           of
           his
           strength
           ,
           enabling
           me
           to
           be
           victor
           of
           those
           Sins
           that
           formerly
           I
           gave
           way
           to
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           When
           God
           has
           been
           to
           afford
           me
           the
           evidence
           of
           great
           supply
           of
           strength
           ,
           to
           suppress
           wandering
           Thoughts
           in
           Duties
           suddenly
           and
           powerfully
           for
           some
           time
           ;
           ardent
           desire
           and
           great
           spirituality
           in
           Petitioning
           God
           has
           seiz'd
           me
           ;
           answerable
           to
           which
           ,
           marvellous
           freedom
           from
           wandering
           Thoughts
           has
           occur'd
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           all
           the
           Duties
           I
           have
           been
           exercised
           in
           .
        
         
           A
           remarkable
           instance
           of
           this
           Experience
           ,
           was
           ,
           When
           at
           a
           certain
           time
           my
           Petitions
           run
           out
           for
           strength
           to
           overcome
           wandring
           in
           Duty
           ,
           with
           full
           assistance
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           to
           supplicate
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           passage
           of
           Providence
           establishing
           my
           comfort
           ,
           though
           wandrings
           ,
           prevail'd
           ,
           and
           a
           mean
           of
           helping
           forward
           my
           victory
           therein
           .
        
         
           The
           passage
           of
           Providence
           was
           thus
           ;
           Being
           one
           Sabbath-morning
           hinder'd
           from
           my
           ordinary
           place
           of
           Hearing
           ,
           and
           having
           an
           opportunity
           of
           hearing
           Sermon
           in
           the
           afternoon
           ,
           I
           found
           my
           desire
           with
           a
           const●aining
           force
           towards
           another
           place
           and
           Minister
           ,
           which
           was
           so
           strong
           ,
           without
           any
           rational
           Motives
           thereto
           ,
           that
           I
           would
           not
           be
           hinder'd
           ,
           though
           several
           difficulties
           occur'd
           in
           my
           way
           ;
           in
           the
           hearing
           of
           which
           Sermon
           ,
           my
           disposition
           was
           so
           spiritual
           ,
           that
           my
           Thoughts
           had
           full
           flight
           thither
           ,
           
           and
           I
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           low
           esteem
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           with
           all
           its
           Allurements
           ;
           but
           which
           was
           the
           Circumstance
           most
           remarkable
           ,
           is
           a
           Question
           a
           Minister
           was
           desir'd
           to
           answer
           to
           ,
           What
           should
           be
           done
           to
           help
           wandring
           thoughts
           in
           Duties
           ?
           Which
           was
           the
           very
           thing
           my
           mind
           was
           hurried
           withal
           then
           ,
           the
           thing
           Christ's
           Spirit
           was
           helping
           me
           to
           petition
           strength
           against
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           he
           was
           giving
           return
           with
           sensible
           Supplies
           ;
           and
           with
           this
           passage
           of
           Providence
           quieting
           my
           mind
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           help
           to
           forward
           my
           endeavour
           and
           victory
           over
           it
           ;
           his
           word
           was
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           a
           Complaint
           common
           to
           all
           Believers
           ;
           so
           long
           as
           there
           is
           a
           sense
           and
           concern
           for
           it
           ,
           the
           Christian
           is
           not
           overcome
           by
           it
           ;
           go
           therefore
           on
           ,
           not
           only
           striving
           against
           it
           ,
           but
           begging
           the
           Lord's
           aid
           to
           vanquish
           it
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Previous
           to
           a
           sensible
           change
           in
           my self
           as
           to
           watchfulness
           in
           Conversation
           against
           reproaching
           of
           others
           suddenly
           and
           undesignedly
           ;
           and
           for
           some
           continued
           time
           my
           Soul
           was
           carri'd
           powerfully
           to
           pray
           for
           strength
           to
           resist
           the
           temptations
           of
           reproaching
           others
           ,
           either
           through
           the
           natural
           tendency
           thereto
           ,
           the
           common
           example
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           the
           tempting-design
           of
           self-applause
           ,
           in
           the
           disparagement
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           answerable
           hereto
           marvellous
           strength
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           was
           afforded
           me
           ,
           with
           special
           Providences
           discovering
           this
           spiritual
           strength
           ,
           accompanied
           with
           the
           bearing
           home
           upon
           my
           thoughts
           that
           of
           St.
           
             Matthew
             ,
             chap.
          
           7.
           ver
           .
           12.
           
           
             All
             things
             whatsoever
             you
             
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             unto
             you
             ,
             do
             you
             even
             so
             with
             them
          
           ;
           That
           then
           I
           could
           not
           but
           observe
           my self
           ,
           against
           my
           own
           corrupted
           inclination
           ,
           and
           others
           example
           ,
           preserv'd
           from
           this
           too
           natural
           and
           common
           Vice
           even
           of
           lazy
           and
           professing
           Christians
           ,
           who
           by
           the
           actual
           remembrance
           of
           this
           very
           passage
           ,
           might
           be
           an
           excellent
           means
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           the
           malignant
           infection
           of
           reproaching
           others
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           I
           experienc'd
           a
           wonderful
           strength
           to
           pray
           for
           a
           continued
           sense
           of
           God's
           All-seeing
           Eye
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           Religious
           Duties
           ;
           suitable
           to
           which
           ,
           not
           only
           awful
           thoughts
           of
           his
           Majesty
           approach'd
           in
           Duties
           ,
           preventing
           Distraction
           therein
           ,
           seiz'd
           me
           ,
           but
           even
           a
           powerful
           awe
           of
           God
           affected
           me
           in
           common
           and
           private
           Actions
           ,
           always
           considering
           any
           Circumstance
           in
           the
           Action
           as
           might
           destroy
           God's
           accepting
           thereof
           ;
           especially
           as
           to
           Acts
           of
           Charity
           ,
           wherein
           I
           have
           found
           such
           a
           watch
           over
           my self
           ,
           as
           I
           could
           not
           have
           been
           satisfied
           without
           strict
           enquiry
           ,
           Whether
           unwillingliness
           was
           not
           in
           the
           action
           ?
           Whether
           some
           desire
           of
           applause
           ,
           or
           only
           pity
           and
           natural
           tenderness
           were
           not
           the
           Motives
           of
           this
           charitable
           action
           ?
           and
           nothing
           then
           has
           been
           more
           pleasing
           ,
           than
           to
           find
           ,
           that
           a
           willingliness
           to
           obey
           God's
           Command
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           compassionate
           relief
           of
           others
           ,
           a
           chearfulness
           without
           the
           least
           intermixture
           of
           reluctancy
           ;
           a
           sincerity
           without
           the
           least
           desire
           of
           its
           being
           known
           ,
           were
           the
           
           ingredients
           of
           the
           Duty
           .
           I
           desire
           to
           witness
           the
           difficulty
           of
           thus
           performing
           actions
           ,
           without
           great
           and
           actual
           influences
           of
           strength
           from
           above
           ,
           the
           reception
           whereof
           is
           often
           obtain'd
           by
           that
           blessed
           means
           of
           solemn
           or
           ejaculatory
           Prayer
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           intercedes
           for
           his
           People
           .
           The
           same
           Spirit
           of
           Prayer
           imprest
           upon
           me
           a
           sense
           of
           God's
           all-seeing
           Eye
           ,
           and
           that
           Scripture
           was
           continually
           in
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           
             Of
             doing
             all
             things
             as
             unto
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           the
           constant
           remembrance
           whereof
           I
           have
           found
           greatly
           advancing
           that
           Gospel-perfection
           of
           an
           unfeigned
           sincerity
           ,
           both
           in
           converse
           with
           God
           in
           Holy
           Duties
           ,
           and
           with
           one
           another
           in
           common
           Actions
           and
           Discourses
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           I
           can
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           at
           another
           time
           I
           have
           been
           powerfully
           helpt
           to
           Petition
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           love
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           answerable
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           helpt
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           in
           worldly
           Business
           ,
           to
           draw
           forth
           kindlers
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           from
           all
           sensible
           circumstances
           of
           my self
           and
           others
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           poor
           in
           the
           Streets
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           their
           poverty
           and
           imperfections
           of
           Body
           ,
           blessing
           the
           Lord
           ,
           with
           sweet
           exercise
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           yea
           ,
           this
           Grace
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           has
           been
           excited
           from
           the
           observation
           of
           fulness
           and
           prosperity
           in
           some
           ,
           but
           with
           great
           emptiness
           of
           the
           inward
           comfort
           of
           the
           experiencing
           Christian's
           Soul
           ;
           for
           sensual
           pleasures
           divert
           their
           Thoughts
           from
           the
           observation
           and
           enjoyment
           of
           what
           is
           much
           more
           to
           be
           valued
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           and
           lasting
           in
           their
           Duration
           .
        
         
         
           At
           this
           very
           time
           happening
           to
           be
           alone
           in
           a
           Coach
           ,
           remarking
           such
           kindlers
           of
           Love
           ,
           from
           circumstances
           of
           others
           appearing
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           suddenly
           and
           strongly
           this
           suggestion
           forc'd
           it self
           upon
           my
           mind
           :
           How
           was
           it
           ,
           That
           God
           did
           show
           such
           special
           favour
           to
           me
           beyond
           others
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           make
           me
           differ
           so
           much
           from
           my self
           in
           former
           times
           !
           with
           amazing
           Thoughts
           of
           the
           change
           upon
           my
           Soul
           ;
           and
           immediately
           that
           Scripture
           over-awed
           me
           from
           corrupt
           rational
           arguing
           ,
           or
           from
           Satan's
           darkening
           or
           deviateing
           me
           from
           right
           Conceptions
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Ways
           ;
           
             I
             will
             have
             mercy
             on
             whom
             I
             will
             have
             mercy
             ;
             I
             will
             have
             compassion
             on
             whom
             I
             will
             have
             compassion
          
           ;
           from
           whence
           happened
           such
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           has
           by
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           still'd
           my
           Thoughts
           perfectly
           as
           to
           that
           great
           point
           of
           Election
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           great
           effect
           of
           free
           unmerited
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           brings
           the
           children
           of
           Mercy
           safely
           to
           salvation
           .
           This
           warmly
           excited
           my
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           having
           an
           evidence
           of
           my
           share
           in
           his
           Electing
           Mercy
           ,
           by
           the
           inseparable
           effects
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           work
           of
           Grace
           begun
           in
           me
           ,
           and
           preparing
           me
           for
           the
           Heavenly
           Glory
           .
        
         
           A
           Seventh
           Experience
           was
           ,
           When
           altogether
           insensible
           of
           the
           growth
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           Lord
           by
           a
           marvellous
           method
           was
           to
           establish
           it
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           even
           then
           I
           observ'd
           for
           some
           considerable
           time
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           carried
           out
           in
           Prayer
           and
           Meditation
           with
           zealous
           Affection
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           would
           turn
           my
           Eye
           and
           
           trust
           from
           sensible
           things
           ,
           to
           a
           trust
           and
           reliance
           upon
           God
           himself
           as
           to
           all
           outward
           things
           ,
           and
           as
           to
           the
           inward
           advancement
           of
           H●liness
           ,
           as
           a
           mean
           tending
           to
           future
           Salvation
           ;
           answerable
           to
           which
           ,
           God
           has
           discovered
           himself
           marvellously
           in
           the
           steps
           of
           outward
           Providential
           Dispensations
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           inward
           workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           means
           of
           founding
           and
           establishing
           this
           Grace
           of
           Reliance
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           shall
           be
           increasing
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           till
           Faith
           obtain
           its
           perfect
           end
           ,
           the
           Fruition
           of
           God
           in
           Glory
           .
           And
           tho'
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           say
           in
           Humility
           ,
           that
           my
           Soul
           is
           raised
           above
           sensible
           things
           ,
           to
           look
           to
           things
           unseen
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           my
           Esteem
           and
           Reliance
           with
           comfort
           and
           satisfaction
           upon
           them
           ,
           independently
           upon
           worldly
           things
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           asham'd
           for
           the
           small
           growth
           of
           Reliance
           in
           me
           ,
           and
           that
           greater
           improvement
           therein
           has
           not
           been
           the
           fruit
           of
           the
           infinitely
           wise
           and
           condescending
           method
           of
           God's
           goodness
           in
           training
           me
           to
           live
           by
           Faith
           in
           his
           Promises
           and
           Perfections
           .
        
         
           
           
             Experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             in
             training
             me
             to
             the
             first
             sense
             of
             Reliance
             ,
             with
             its
             further
             establishment
             and
             growth
             ,
             and
             that
             exactly
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             set
             down
             in
             Record
             in
             my
             Diary
             .
          
           
             THE
             first
             Experience
             leading
             me
             to
             observe
             God's
             following
             Method
             with
             me
             ,
             was
             that
             of
             carrying
             me
             forth
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             to
             petition
             establishment
             of
             Faith
             in
             my
             Soul
             ;
             which
             begun
             most
             remarkably
             after
             a
             Fit
             of
             Sickness
             ,
             and
             has
             continued
             to
             be
             upon
             my
             Mind
             in
             all
             my
             Suits
             greater
             or
             lesser
             since
             that
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             will
             continue
             to
             the
             end
             of
             my
             Militant
             Warfare
             .
          
           
             A
             second
             Experience
             leading
             me
             to
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             was
             by
             removing
             all
             dependance
             from
             these
             outward
             fabulous
             Passages
             ,
             reckoned
             as
             ominous
             of
             such
             and
             such
             certain
             Events
             ,
             which
             undoubtedly
             were
             at
             first
             the
             effect
             of
             ignorance
             of
             the
             true
             God
             amongst
             the
             Heathen
             World
             ,
             who
             notwithstanding
             the
             discoveries
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Nature
             and
             Providence
             by
             visible
             things
             ,
             the
             Effects
             of
             his
             Power
             ;
             yet
             natural
             things
             keep
             first
             in
             their
             view
             ,
             and
             had
             the
             preheminency
             of
             God
             in
             their
             minds
             and
             hearts
             .
             And
             though
             we
             enjoy
             the
             discovery
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Word
             and
             Providence
             so
             plainly
             ,
             yet
             how
             do
             we
             retain
             the
             example
             in
             reducing
             those
             things
             to
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             that
             are
             to
             be
             appli'd
             to
             a
             Divine
             Agency
             ,
             the
             true
             
             reason
             Chance
             is
             so
             much
             in
             our
             ears
             ,
             and
             general
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             is
             so
             little
             powerful
             in
             many
             professing
             Christians
             in
             our
             day
             .
          
           
             To
             establish
             this
             Experience
             ,
             God
             made
             use
             of
             the
             following
             three
             Means
             ,
             gradually
             each
             after
             other
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             was
             concerning
             one
             dangerously
             ill
             ,
             whose
             Sickness
             ,
             in
             its
             Nature
             ,
             seem'd
             mortal
             ,
             in
             the
             thoughts
             of
             Physicians
             ,
             and
             other
             Assistants
             ;
             and
             was
             accompanied
             with
             such
             passages
             of
             Dreams
             ,
             and
             other
             things
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             old
             time
             ,
             (
             and
             too
             much
             now
             in
             our
             time
             )
             were
             reputed
             certain
             Presages
             of
             Death
             .
             In
             the
             interim
             ,
             I
             thought
             with
             my self
             ,
             that
             if
             a
             Recovery
             should
             happen
             ,
             nothing
             could
             be
             in
             those
             things
             fit
             to
             be
             depended
             upon
             ,
             and
             therefore
             should
             no
             more
             regard
             them
             .
             And
             one
             day
             going
             thence
             in
             a
             Coach
             alone
             ,
             I
             found
             my self
             marvellously
             serious
             in
             my
             thoughts
             concerning
             it
             ,
             and
             astonishing
             strength
             to
             ask
             this
             Person
             's
             Recovery
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             would
             make
             it
             a
             means
             to
             help
             forward
             for
             getting
             off
             such
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             placing
             a
             trust
             on
             God
             in
             their
             room
             .
             Answerable
             to
             my
             Prayers
             ,
             an
             unexpected
             Recovery
             appear'd
             ,
             changing
             my
             thoughts
             from
             relying
             upon
             such
             things
             ,
             to
             a
             dependance
             upon
             God
             :
             But
             alas
             !
             it
             is
             so
             inherent
             in
             our
             corrupted
             Natures
             to
             look
             to
             ,
             and
             to
             exalt
             Self
             and
             natural
             things
             more
             than
             God
             or
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             a
             further
             need
             of
             God's
             powerful
             influence
             .
          
           
           
             A
             second
             Means
             in
             God's
             hand
             to
             destroy
             observation
             of
             ,
             and
             dependance
             upon
             such
             Omens
             ,
             was
             the
             breaking
             some
             Measures
             observ'd
             in
             my
             common
             Undertakings
             ,
             and
             rested
             upon
             as
             presaging
             of
             such
             Events
             to
             it
             ,
             answerableness
             of
             the
             numerousness
             of
             Undertakings
             in
             the
             latter
             part
             of
             a
             week
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             fell
             out
             in
             the
             fore-part
             thereof
             ,
             which
             was
             in
             observation
             unsuitable
             to
             example
             ;
             and
             though
             the
             observation
             of
             other
             Omens
             be
             suitable
             to
             the
             too-much
             example
             of
             others
             yet
             altogether
             unwarranted
             by
             Divine
             Scripture
             ,
             yea
             ,
             threaten'd
             to
             be
             accompanied
             with
             evil
             ,
             Jonah
             2.
             v.
             8.
             
             
               They
               that
               observe
               lying
               vanities
               ,
               forsake
               their
               own
               mercy
               .
            
             Psal
             .
             31.6
             .
             
               I
               have
               hated
               them
               that
               regard
               lying
               vanities
               ,
               but
               I
               trust
               in
               the
               Lord.
            
             How
             agreeable
             is
             it
             to
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             bring
             me
             from
             trusting
             any
             thing
             ,
             as
             a
             blessed
             means
             of
             reliance
             upon
             God
             alone
             !
             and
             therefore
             I
             have
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             according
             as
             the
             first
             has
             been
             gradually
             cutting
             off
             ,
             so
             the
             gradual
             growth
             of
             dependance
             upon
             God
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             has
             sensibly
             sprung
             up
             ;
             and
             though
             the
             effect
             of
             this
             Divine
             Passage
             was
             a
             greater
             distrust
             of
             those
             vain
             things
             ,
             yet
             God
             was
             not
             pleased
             to
             rest
             here
             ,
             but
             to
             take
          
           
             A
             third
             Means
             of
             advancing
             this
             blessed
             Grace
             of
             Reliance
             ,
             and
             laying
             low
             this
             sinful
             esteem
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             was
             a
             severe
             Fit
             of
             S●ckness
             ,
             accompanied
             from
             the
             first
             apprehension
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             its
             perfect
             removal
             ,
             with
             such
             
             providential
             Steps
             as
             bespoke
             plainly
             a
             Divine
             Power
             without
             Means
             ,
             drawing
             my
             Soul
             irresistibly
             to
             the
             observation
             of
             ,
             and
             dependance
             upon
             him
             ,
             at
             least
             with
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             .
          
           
             One
             Step
             whereof
             was
             ,
             A
             fixt
             apprehension
             of
             a
             Fit
             of
             Sickness
             imminent
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             a
             just
             punishment
             for
             my
             trust
             to
             Omens
             of
             natural
             Events
             which
             God
             by
             his
             merciful
             Condescention
             turn'd
             about
             as
             a
             spiritual
             Remedy
             to
             that
             reigning
             Illness
             then
             too
             much
             in
             my
             Soul.
             
          
           
             A
             Second
             Step
             was
             ,
             An
             unexpressible
             nearness
             to
             God
             in
             fellowship
             with
             him
             ,
             ravishing
             my
             Soul
             at
             the
             time
             with
             that
             comfortable
             view
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             despising
             things
             below
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             not
             have
             bore
             up
             if
             it
             had
             continued
             long
             ,
             and
             that
             immediately
             before
             the
             first
             assault
             of
             my
             Illness
             .
          
           
             A
             Third
             was
             ,
             The
             sensible
             withdrawing
             of
             this
             Frame
             for
             some
             days
             ,
             till
             near
             the
             danger
             of
             being
             delirious
             ,
             and
             the
             use
             of
             such
             Means
             as
             formerly
             had
             never
             been
             us'd
             towards
             me
             ,
             on
             purpose
             for
             its
             prevention
             .
          
           
             A
             Fourth
             was
             ,
             That
             my
             Soul
             was
             in
             a
             spiritual
             and
             heavenly
             Frame
             ,
             and
             carri'd
             forth
             with
             that
             amazing
             strength
             to
             pray
             for
             ease
             to
             my
             head
             ,
             and
             preservation
             from
             deliriousness
             ,
             with
             such
             an
             immediate
             return
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             I
             may
             say
             my
             head
             was
             easy
             ,
             and
             my
             judgment
             clear
             in
             a
             moment
             after
             this
             Address
             ;
             and
             though
             without
             any
             rest
             for
             some
             days
             ,
             yet
             I
             was
             as
             free
             in
             my
             head
             as
             ever
             to
             my
             own
             apprehension
             :
             
             this
             amaz'd
             me
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             gave
             occasion
             to
             lay
             aside
             the
             Clyster
             and
             Blisters
             which
             my
             worthy
             Physicians
             had
             prescrib'd
             ,
             telling
             my
             Nurse
             ,
             a
             godly
             woman
             ,
             
               That
               the
               Lord
               had
               done
               it
               .
            
          
           
             A
             Fifth
             Step
             of
             Divine
             Agency
             was
             ,
             The
             powerful
             carrying
             forth
             of
             my
             Soul
             in
             Prayer
             after
             recovery
             ,
             upon
             these
             two
             Petitions
             which
             have
             continued
             to
             be
             expressed
             in
             all
             my
             Addresses
             to
             Heaven
             ever
             since
             that
             time
             ,
             and
             have
             marvellously
             continued
             to
             be
             return'd
             since
             then
             .
             The
             Petitions
             were
             ,
             That
             the
             Lord
             would
             advance
             a
             work
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             that
             perfectly
             in
             my
             Soul
             ;
             and
             that
             I
             might
             discover
             Immediateness
             of
             him
             in
             Providences
             ,
             and
             the
             inward
             working
             of
             his
             Spirit
             :
             which
             were
             Petitions
             unpremeditated
             ,
             and
             undesign'd
             .
             And
             as
             it
             was
             Divine
             strength
             exciting
             and
             enabling
             me
             to
             petition
             ,
             so
             by
             influences
             of
             the
             same
             strength
             he
             has
             enabled
             me
             to
             hold
             on
             petitioning
             ,
             and
             by
             sensible
             Providences
             and
             Operations
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             he
             has
             eminently
             discover'd
             his
             Divine
             Hand
             ,
             and
             my
             being
             under
             his
             special
             Conduct
             .
          
           
             A
             sixth
             Step
             was
             ,
             A
             more
             se●sible
             Advancement
             from
             trusting
             things
             commonly
             receiv'd
             ominous
             of
             future
             Events
             ,
             to
             an
             intire
             reliance
             upon
             himself
             .
             The
             searching
             into
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             with
             excluding
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             ,
             is
             the
             occasion
             of
             our
             imagining
             our selves
             more
             knowing
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             of
             exalting
             Nature
             with
             its
             effects
             ,
             in
             the
             room
             of
             the
             Creator
             ,
             and
             his
             Divine
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             A
             second
             Experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             of
             establishing
             and
             making
             to
             grow
             in
             this
             Grace
             of
             Reliance
             was
             ,
             By
             removing
             Reliance
             upon
             spiritual
             Means
             made
             use
             of
             by
             others
             on
             my
             account
             ,
             especially
             when
             it
             lessen'd
             my
             own
             diligence
             with
             God
             for
             the
             same
             thing
             .
             It
             is
             natural
             for
             us
             to
             overvalue
             Nature
             ,
             and
             natural
             things
             ,
             and
             undervalue
             God
             and
             spiritual
             things
             ;
             the
             confirmation
             whereof
             I
             had
             in
             my self
             by
             an
             over-valuing
             of
             one
             who
             ,
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             was
             a
             great
             helper
             of
             my
             Faith
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             making
             up
             of
             whose
             Crown
             I
             shall
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             be
             a
             Member
             in
             that
             day
             of
             Glory
             ,
             to
             whom
             I
             would
             always
             run
             with
             any
             of
             my
             difficulties
             to
             acquaint
             him
             therewith
             ,
             sometimes
             before
             my
             acquainting
             God
             therewith
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             would
             endeavour
             to
             obtain
             his
             Interest
             by
             his
             Addresses
             to
             Heaven
             concerning
             it
             ,
             which
             when
             undertaken
             by
             him
             would
             faithfully
             be
             perform'd
             ,
             and
             sympathizingly
             too
             ,
             from
             personal
             Affections
             ;
             and
             God's
             inclining
             me
             from
             my
             youth
             to
             observe
             him
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             Duty
             greatly
             assistant
             and
             comfortable
             .
             By
             reason
             of
             all
             which
             ,
             I
             have
             had
             less
             Anxiety
             concerning
             the
             matter
             ,
             and
             probable
             hopes
             from
             his
             interest
             with
             God
             to
             obtain
             it
             ,
             and
             have
             used
             less
             diligence
             my self
             with
             God
             upon
             my
             own
             account
             ;
             which
             derogated
             from
             God
             ,
             upon
             whom
             my
             entire
             Reliance
             should
             have
             been
             plac'd
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             have
             given
             him
             some
             degrees
             of
             trust
             ,
             that
             were
             the
             alone
             Prerogative
             of
             God.
             The
             Method
             of
             God
             to
             overcome
             this
             in
             my
             Soul
             was
             ,
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             By
             the
             discovery
             of
             this
             holy
             Soul's
             misapplying
             Prayer
             to
             what
             he
             desir'd
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             his
             utterance
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             an
             Affair
             on
             my
             account
             ,
             of
             which
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             By
             removing
             him
             from
             me
             at
             that
             time
             when
             God
             made
             him
             so
             blessed
             a
             help
             to
             my
             Faith
             ,
             I
             giving
             him
             more
             of
             affection
             and
             trust
             ,
             than
             what
             was
             his
             due
             as
             God's
             Instrument
             .
             And
             if
             these
             two
             had
             sufficiently
             overcome
             this
             Failure
             ,
             perhaps
             God
             had
             proceeded
             no
             farther
             ;
             but
             having
             the
             opportunity
             of
             Letters
             to
             acquaint
             him
             with
             matters
             of
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             to
             press
             his
             interest
             for
             me
             ,
             I
             found
             this
             trust
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             less
             diligence
             of
             my self
             hold
             on
             ,
             and
             so
             God
             in
             his
             wise
             condescending
             care
             and
             love
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Removed
             him
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             unexpectedly
             and
             surprizingly
             ;
             and
             whatever
             was
             the
             end
             of
             God
             concerning
             himself
             or
             others
             ,
             this
             was
             plainly
             discover'd
             to
             my self
             by
             after-passages
             of
             God's
             outward
             Providence
             and
             inward
             Spirit
             attending
             my
             life
             ,
             That
             my
             regard
             was
             too
             high
             to
             this
             Instrument
             ,
             and
             his
             prevalency
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             dishonourable
             to
             God
             ;
             therefore
             to
             rectify
             my
             Error
             ,
             the
             Lord
             was
             pleas'd
             by
             his
             death
             at
             the
             same
             time
             to
             recall
             me
             from
             trusting
             in
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             rely
             upon
             himself
             in
             the
             use
             of
             his
             ordinary
             means
             prescrib'd
             in
             his
             Word
             .
             This
             may
             be
             Caution
             to
             all
             Hearers
             to
             give
             the
             Ministers
             their
             due
             place
             ,
             neither
             overvaluing
             some
             ,
             
             nor
             undervaluing
             others
             ,
             but
             valuing
             and
             admiring
             God's
             Free-grace
             the
             more
             ,
             that
             by
             any
             means
             is
             made
             effectual
             to
             establish
             and
             increase
             Grace
             in
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             The
             departure
             of
             this
             blessed
             Saint
             ,
             was
             made
             a
             powerful
             Means
             of
             Conviction
             of
             my
             Failure
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             a
             leading-step
             towards
             higher
             Trust
             to
             God
             ,
             with
             that
             sweet
             Fellowship
             with
             him
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             often
             since
             ,
             to
             obtain
             such
             an
             enjoyment
             ,
             I
             could
             willingly
             accept
             of
             such
             another
             stroke
             ,
             though
             it
             was
             very
             afflicting
             to
             my
             Soul
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             my
             alone
             spiritual
             Friend
             on
             earth
             ,
             and
             the
             greatest
             helper
             of
             my
             Soul
             ;
             but
             I
             am
             now
             instructed
             to
             say
             of
             God
             ,
             my
             chosen
             happiness
             ,
             
               Whom
               have
               I
               in
               heaven
               but
               thee
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               none
               upon
               earth
               I
               desire
               besides
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             A
             Third
             Experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             of
             removing
             Reliance
             upon
             any
             thing
             ,
             to
             establish
             and
             advance
             dependance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             was
             ,
             By
             turning
             Natural
             Causes
             out
             of
             their
             course
             of
             producing
             their
             natural
             and
             former
             experienced
             Effects
             ,
             to
             the
             Production
             and
             Events
             seemingly
             unnatural
             ,
             and
             formerly
             unexperienc'd
             .
             Thus
             eminently
             it
             has
             fallen
             out
             ,
             when
             the
             intermixture
             of
             serious
             and
             heavenly
             Prayer
             has
             been
             neglected
             ,
             from
             the
             certain
             expectation
             of
             a
             desired
             effect
             ,
             as
             the
             natural
             issue
             of
             such
             a
             Cause
             made
             use
             of
             ,
             and
             a
             Mean
             formerly
             experienced
             .
             Many
             Instances
             of
             this
             Experience
             
             I
             could
             produce
             ,
             when
             in
             undertaking
             a
             Matter
             of
             great
             Concern
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             using
             as
             a
             Means
             to
             effectuate
             the
             Matter
             naturally
             tending
             thereto
             ,
             and
             often
             tried
             ,
             as
             productive
             of
             it
             ;
             I
             have
             had
             less
             Solicitude
             ,
             and
             made
             seldom
             approach
             to
             God
             by
             Prayer
             for
             Conduct
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             upon
             the
             Issue
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             the
             natural
             and
             common
             effect
             ,
             unsuccessfulness
             has
             follow'd
             endeavours
             ;
             yet
             when
             God
             has
             chang'd
             this
             laziness
             ,
             and
             secure
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             to
             a
             more
             spiritual
             addressing
             God
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             in
             conjunction
             with
             Means
             ,
             that
             then
             the
             next
             Attempt
             to
             use
             the
             same
             Means
             ,
             has
             been
             accompanied
             with
             such
             success
             as
             was
             suitable
             to
             its
             natural
             and
             experienc'd
             tendency
             .
             This
             clearly
             convinces
             of
             the
             uncertainty
             of
             the
             most
             probable
             Events
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             most
             promising
             Means
             ,
             without
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             accompanying
             ;
             and
             therefore
             instructing
             the
             necessity
             and
             advantage
             of
             address
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             conjunction
             with
             other
             Means
             to
             make
             our
             endeavours
             successful
             .
             An
             Experience
             fixing
             and
             advancing
             within
             my self
             resolution
             of
             addressing
             God
             concerning
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             a
             dependance
             upon
             him
             for
             the
             issue
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             whatever
             seeming
             certainty
             appear
             without
             this
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             ;
             and
             though
             many
             great
             Events
             have
             been
             brought
             forth
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Natural
             Means
             ,
             without
             so
             much
             perhaps
             as
             once
             petitioning
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             many
             successful
             undertakings
             of
             the
             wicked
             do
             witness
             ;
             yet
             this
             is
             no
             opposition
             to
             the
             present
             
             Experience
             :
             The
             wicked
             enjoying
             all
             things
             in
             a
             common
             Line
             of
             Providence
             ;
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             in
             a
             Line
             of
             special
             Conduct
             ,
             Love
             and
             Favour
             ,
             by
             special
             passages
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             way
             of
             return
             to
             Prayers
             .
             This
             Experience
             reproves
             trusting
             to
             any
             Natural
             Agent
             ,
             but
             in
             subordination
             to
             a
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             Proposition
             that
             in
             Conversation
             we
             find
             seldom
             opposed
             ,
             though
             little
             verified
             in
             the
             Actions
             of
             some
             ,
             who
             ,
             with
             Lifted-up-eyes
             ,
             and
             Outward
             seriousness
             ,
             will
             say
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               give
               a
               Blessing
               to
               Means
            
             ;
             when
             ,
             at
             the
             same
             time
             ,
             they
             never
             put
             up
             a
             serious
             Prayer
             to
             God
             afterward
             concerning
             the
             same
             matter
             ;
             or
             who
             ,
             in
             pinchings
             only
             of
             extremity
             ,
             when
             natural
             things
             fail
             ,
             or
             they
             are
             uncapable
             of
             smothering
             the
             Convictions
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             are
             forc'd
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               (
               Lord
               have
               mercy
               upon
               me
               .
               )
            
             This
             is
             also
             little
             verified
             in
             the
             Actions
             of
             some
             Professors
             ,
             who
             looking
             so
             much
             to
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             or
             to
             Fortune
             or
             Fate
             ,
             lessen
             that
             trust
             and
             dependance
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             upon
             a
             Divine
             Over-ruling
             Power
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             hinder
             themselves
             from
             addressing
             God
             for
             his
             Conduct
             in
             the
             right
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             or
             bringing
             about
             their
             desired
             End
             ;
             and
             especially
             if
             they
             are
             under
             God's
             special
             and
             Divine
             Conduct
             ,
             and
             enter'd
             into
             the
             number
             of
             his
             Children
             .
          
           
             A
             Fourth
             Method
             of
             God
             discovering
             his
             hand
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             leading
             me
             to
             a
             dependance
             upon
             him
             for
             all
             things
             ,
             was
             ,
             By
             disappointing
             
             expectations
             ,
             when
             founded
             upon
             seeming
             ,
             sure
             ,
             and
             probable
             grounds
             ,
             especially
             if
             trusted
             to
             with
             a
             pleasedness
             and
             rejoicing
             in
             the
             expectation
             ,
             but
             without
             ever
             supplicating
             the
             Lord's
             Conduct
             to
             bring
             it
             about
             .
             It
             is
             true
             the
             Psalmist's
             Advice
             is
             ,
             
               To
               be
            
             anxiously
             
               careful
               for
               nothing
            
             ;
             not
             by
             Idleness
             ,
             or
             by
             using
             Means
             diligently
             with
             a
             trusting
             thereto
             ,
             but
             by
             making
             our
             Addresses
             known
             to
             God
             by
             Prayer
             When
             this
             is
             restrain'd
             ,
             no
             wonder
             anxiety
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             toil
             of
             Body
             meet
             God's
             Children's
             endeavours
             ,
             yea
             ,
             disappointments
             follow
             their
             most
             desired
             and
             probable
             expectations
             .
             I
             hope
             I
             may
             faithfully
             witness
             it
             as
             truth
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             never
             help'd
             in
             a
             heavenly
             ravishing
             frame
             of
             Mind
             ,
             to
             petition
             God
             concerning
             any
             one
             Event
             ,
             with
             resignation
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             full
             quiet
             of
             Mind
             ,
             whatever
             discouragement
             seem'd
             in
             obtaining
             the
             matter
             ,
             but
             a
             gracious
             return
             followed
             .
             Yea
             ,
             the
             most
             hopeful
             design
             ,
             without
             this
             means
             of
             supplicating
             God
             concerning
             it
             ,
             has
             ever
             been
             accompani'd
             to
             me
             with
             a
             visible
             disappointment
             .
             Many
             Instances
             I
             could
             adduce
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             that
             I
             am
             to
             be
             unkown
             .
             Sometimes
             for
             many
             months
             together
             ,
             every
             day
             ,
             in
             one
             Instance
             or
             another
             ,
             this
             Experience
             has
             been
             brought
             to
             my
             observation
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             observation
             of
             God's
             method
             in
             removing
             trust
             from
             any
             thing
             ,
             and
             planting
             a
             reliance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             with
             the
             visible
             and
             blessed
             effects
             brought
             forth
             thereby
             in
             my
             own
             Soul
             ;
             if
             the
             reflection
             
             thereupon
             had
             not
             establish'd
             my
             Faith
             ,
             I
             should
             have
             often
             been
             flying
             out
             with
             repinings
             at
             God's
             disappointing
             my
             diligent
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             commonly
             leading
             to
             such
             Ends
             :
             But
             discovering
             God's
             design
             ,
             yea
             ,
             infinite
             love
             ,
             in
             my
             own
             disappointments
             ,
             and
             my
             Meditations
             thereupon
             were
             thus
             ;
             Did
             the
             Lord
             strengthen
             me
             eminently
             after
             my
             Fit
             of
             Sickness
             ,
             and
             continually
             in
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             my
             Addresses
             to
             Heaven
             since
             that
             time
             ,
             to
             ask
             for
             advance
             of
             this
             Reliance
             ?
             And
             has
             the
             Lord
             return'd
             this
             Petition
             by
             sensible
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             never
             formerly
             acquainted
             with
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             a
             mysterious
             conduct
             of
             outward
             Providence
             ;
             shall
             I
             therefore
             bring
             forth
             this
             ill
             improvement
             ,
             of
             not
             working
             with
             God
             ,
             or
             of
             trusting
             God
             only
             in
             the
             enjoyments
             of
             smiling
             Favours
             ,
             when
             difficulties
             sensibly
             have
             tended
             to
             the
             increasing
             my
             dependance
             upon
             God
             ;
             or
             trust
             God
             only
             when
             other
             things
             are
             of
             no
             use
             ,
             or
             when
             Means
             producing
             such
             Events
             ,
             naturally
             or
             probably
             turn
             their
             course
             ,
             and
             prove
             ineffectual
             ?
             No
             ,
             that
             should
             be
             no
             less
             than
             height
             of
             Ingratitude
             ;
             and
             what
             my
             loving
             God
             has
             prevented
             by
             his
             Spirit
             's
             accompanying
             his
             method
             of
             special
             outward
             Providence
             ,
             and
             therefore
             have
             great
             Reason
             to
             walk
             in
             a
             Road
             of
             Constant
             Dependance
             upon
             him
             ,
             crying
             out
             ;
             Oh
             ,
             the
             height
             and
             depth
             of
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             first
             designing
             me
             such
             a
             mercy
             of
             Reliance
             ,
             in
             bringing
             it
             about
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             a
             method
             of
             outward
             
             Providence
             ,
             evidencing
             it
             sensibly
             to
             my self
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             really
             working
             it
             in
             the
             Soul
             by
             his
             Spirit
             going
             along
             with
             his
             outward
             Providences
             ,
             and
             in
             preserving
             this
             Reliance
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             Soul's
             unwillingness
             ,
             when
             Duty
             and
             Interest
             went
             hand
             in
             hand
             at
             the
             same
             time
             .
          
           
             This
             very
             Experience
             is
             enough
             to
             answer
             all
             the
             ignorant
             Cavils
             of
             the
             Irreligious
             ,
             and
             the
             Doubtings
             of
             some
             Christians
             ,
             who
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             are
             perplext
             how
             to
             understand
             rightly
             the
             inequality
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             towards
             the
             prophane
             and
             the
             gracious
             Christian
             ;
             the
             first
             abounding
             in
             worldly
             Pleasure
             ,
             while
             the
             other
             appears
             under
             crossing
             afflicting
             Providences
             :
             The
             private
             Christian's
             inward
             observ'd
             experience
             of
             God's
             method
             with
             himself
             ,
             affords
             knowledge
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Ways
             ,
             and
             strength
             to
             resist
             corrupt
             and
             Satanical
             Suggestions
             ,
             and
             peace
             and
             comfort
             even
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             outward
             disappointments
             ,
             when
             their
             Friends
             are
             in
             concern
             on
             their
             very
             account
             ,
             or
             others
             in
             their
             circumstances
             ready
             to
             stagger
             as
             to
             God's
             favour
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             by
             reason
             of
             these
             things
             which
             appear
             to
             the
             observing
             Christian
             ,
             the
             greatest
             tokens
             of
             Divine
             special
             Love
             :
             For
             the
             better
             understanding
             of
             this
             ,
             I
             would
             have
             you
             consider
             ;
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             a
             Christian
             renewed
             from
             original
             Corruption
             to
             Grace
             ,
             is
             received
             under
             a
             special
             conduct
             of
             God's
             Providence
             without
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             his
             Spirit
             within
             ,
             and
             that
             greatly
             
             different
             from
             the
             common
             Providence
             that
             attend
             the
             wicked
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             Psal
             .
             4.3
             .
             
               But
               know
               that
               the
               Lord
               has
               set
               apart
               him
               that
               is
               Godly
               for
               himself
               ;
               Exod.
            
             11.7
             .
             The
             outward
             Providence
             of
             God
             was
             so
             special
             towards
             the
             Children
             of
             
               Israel
               ,
               That
               the
               very
               Dogs
               were
               not
               to
               Bark
               at
               them
            
             ;
             besides
             ,
             to
             be
             witness
             to
             three
             or
             four
             private
             Christians
             imparting
             God's
             special
             conduct
             remarkt
             round
             each
             one
             of
             themselves
             ,
             one
             would
             think
             that
             the
             Narrative
             of
             each
             argued
             so
             much
             of
             Speciality
             ,
             as
             if
             each
             had
             been
             the
             alone
             beloved
             Child
             of
             God
             ,
             about
             whom
             he
             had
             spent
             his
             special
             loving
             Care
             ;
             whereas
             those
             round
             whom
             is
             the
             alone
             conduct
             of
             common
             Providence
             ,
             they
             can
             reach
             no
             higher
             than
             the
             general
             power
             of
             a
             great
             and
             merciful
             God
             ,
             as
             Creator
             and
             Preserver
             of
             all
             Things
             ,
             but
             not
             as
             their
             God
             and
             Father
             ,
             or
             their
             Providences
             attending
             them
             as
             the
             Fruits
             of
             their
             peculiar
             Interest
             in
             him
             through
             Christ
             ,
             and
             as
             Heirs
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             enjoying
             the
             earnest
             thereof
             ,
             in
             the
             special
             outward
             Providences
             and
             inward
             workings
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             attending
             their
             life
             .
             Great
             loss
             therefore
             ,
             that
             Christian
             incurs
             ,
             who
             tho'
             under
             the
             special
             conduct
             of
             outward
             Providence
             ,
             yet
             wants
             the
             sense
             thereof
             ,
             unless
             in
             remarkable
             instances
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             that
             for
             want
             of
             a
             general
             observation
             of
             all
             the
             steps
             of
             God's
             Ways
             with
             himself
             ,
             from
             his
             first
             Conversion
             to
             a
             full
             establishment
             in
             all
             the
             Graces
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             .
             A
             Christian
             that
             has
             been
             observant
             of
             God's
             outward
             and
             
             inward
             conduct
             ,
             not
             only
             witnesses
             a
             speciality
             of
             Providence
             regarding
             God's
             own
             children
             ,
             but
             he
             will
             patiently
             bear
             afflicting
             Dispensations
             ,
             that
             are
             designed
             to
             make
             him
             sensible
             of
             his
             neglect
             of
             God's
             dealings
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             neglect
             or
             careless
             performance
             of
             particular
             Duties
             ,
             and
             may
             change
             his
             nature
             from
             secure
             ,
             cold
             ,
             and
             lazy
             ,
             to
             spiritual
             ,
             heavenly
             and
             zealous
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             him
             more
             watchful
             and
             diligent
             in
             the
             resisting
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             mortifying
             Corruptions
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             every
             Grace
             that
             may
             preserve
             him
             from
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Tempter
             .
             A
             Christian
             under
             the
             same
             special
             conduct
             of
             God's
             care
             ,
             but
             without
             the
             strict
             observation
             of
             it
             in
             all
             the
             steps
             of
             God's
             Providence
             ,
             has
             neither
             the
             knowledge
             nor
             the
             strength
             that
             the
             observing
             Christian
             has
             convey'd
             to
             his
             Soul
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             effects
             of
             so
             desirable
             a
             Duty
             ;
             but
             is
             ready
             to
             droop
             in
             his
             Spirit
             when
             afflicted
             ,
             not
             knowing
             God's
             design
             in
             particular
             ,
             tho'
             relying
             on
             that
             blessed
             Word
             ,
             
               That
               all
               things
               work
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God
            
             ;
             yet
             missing
             God's
             particular
             design
             in
             the
             present
             want
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             the
             present
             Mercy
             thereby
             to
             be
             bestowed
             ,
             he
             becomes
             in
             danger
             of
             Satan's
             tempting
             him
             to
             Despondency
             ,
             of
             a
             Melancholly
             carriage
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             of
             passing
             his
             Pilgrimage
             State
             under
             Clouds
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             That
             since
             God's
             own
             Children
             are
             under
             the
             special
             conduct
             of
             Providence
             ,
             then
             they
             alone
             must
             best
             judge
             of
             God's
             Wise
             procedure
             ,
             
             and
             witness
             for
             God
             ,
             that
             what
             the
             carnal
             World
             is
             apt
             to
             charge
             against
             God
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             the
             present
             Afflictions
             of
             his
             Children
             ,
             is
             from
             Ignorance
             :
             For
             Afflictions
             are
             the
             certain
             Evidences
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             and
             Love
             ,
             as
             a
             Father
             and
             a
             Physician
             ,
             to
             purge
             them
             from
             Sin
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             more
             holy
             and
             heavenly
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             more
             prepared
             to
             reign
             with
             him
             above
             .
             Tho'
             those
             who
             are
             only
             led
             by
             sense
             ,
             see
             not
             Good
             in
             Afflictions
             ,
             yet
             sincere
             Believers
             ,
             who
             from
             constant
             observation
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             help
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             ,
             have
             improved
             Afflictions
             ,
             they
             are
             ready
             to
             comply
             with
             God's
             End
             so
             soon
             as
             it
             appears
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             pray
             for
             ,
             and
             rejoyce
             in
             the
             hope
             of
             a
             blessed
             Issue
             .
             If
             Christians
             were
             serious
             in
             searching
             out
             their
             Sins
             before
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Afflictions
             ,
             and
             how
             defective
             they
             are
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             the
             Graces
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             assured
             ,
             not
             only
             from
             Divine
             Revelation
             ,
             but
             from
             their
             happy
             Experiences
             of
             God's
             Mercy
             in
             all
             ;
             that
             the
             peaceable
             Fruit
             of
             Righteousness
             will
             outweigh
             all
             their
             Sufferings
             and
             Sorrows
             .
          
           
             A
             Fifth
             Method
             of
             God
             to
             advance
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             was
             ,
             by
             immediate
             specialty
             of
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             in
             passages
             of
             Providence
             ,
             in
             laying
             matters
             of
             great
             success
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             the
             following
             instances
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             By
             bringing
             them
             about
             ,
             without
             the
             operation
             of
             second
             causes
             commonly
             made
             
             use
             of
             ,
             having
             in
             many
             instances
             experienced
             such
             things
             laid
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             wherein
             I
             have
             hardly
             been
             able
             to
             discover
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             besides
             the
             Hand
             of
             God
             bringing
             them
             forth
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             By
             ordering
             my
             real
             Enemies
             as
             instruments
             of
             Benefits
             to
             me
             in
             their
             Actings
             ,
             though
             undesignedly
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             By
             ordering
             such
             numerous
             successful
             designs
             with
             freedom
             from
             outward
             toil
             ,
             that
             I
             enjoyed
             a
             great
             opportunity
             to
             observe
             and
             meditate
             upon
             the
             Lord's
             Way
             thus
             with
             me
             ,
             and
             to
             set
             it
             upon
             strict
             record
             for
             after-reflection
             ,
             and
             comparing
             it
             with
             his
             preceding
             and
             following
             methods
             ,
             and
             the
             improvement
             thereby
             brought
             forth
             in
             my
             own
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             By
             Divine
             Excitement
             of
             some
             to
             be
             assistant
             in
             such
             providential
             matters
             laid
             in
             my
             way
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             By
             ordering
             success
             to
             all
             such
             undertakings
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             such
             immediateness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             A
             Sixth
             Method
             to
             advance
             Dependance
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             means
             (
             too
             much
             relied
             on
             )
             in
             the
             due
             place
             ,
             was
             by
             suffering
             by
             one
             step
             of
             Providence
             or
             other
             ,
             Friends
             to
             my
             outward
             concerns
             (
             of
             whose
             Friendship
             and
             Service
             I
             had
             eminent
             experience
             )
             to
             be
             turn'd
             and
             fixt
             to
             the
             interest
             of
             others
             ,
             which
             I
             must
             confess
             ,
             seem'd
             at
             first
             appearance
             dark
             and
             cloudy
             ,
             and
             continued
             thus
             to
             be
             ,
             till
             by
             perusual
             
             of
             my
             Record
             ,
             I
             came
             to
             know
             the
             state
             of
             my
             Soul
             I
             was
             then
             under
             ,
             the
             work
             of
             God
             he
             was
             sensibly
             advancing
             ,
             the
             particular
             design
             of
             God
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             (
             from
             comparing
             his
             Ways
             ,
             and
             the
             improvement
             brought
             forth
             thereby
             )
             and
             the
             suitableness
             of
             such
             a
             method
             of
             Providence
             to
             bring
             it
             forth
             ,
             even
             an
             entire
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             for
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
             In
             which
             Experience
             I
             had
             this
             sweet
             passage
             to
             observe
             ,
             That
             as
             God
             in
             his
             returns
             to
             Prayer
             ,
             suited
             their
             speediness
             or
             greater
             delays
             to
             the
             weakness
             and
             strength
             of
             Faith
             ,
             so
             herein
             did
             the
             Lord
             compassionately
             suit
             his
             Ways
             to
             the
             weakness
             of
             my
             reliance
             in
             him
             ;
             for
             least
             such
             an
             Experience
             should
             overwhelm
             my
             weak
             Faith
             ,
             the
             Lord
             immediately
             gave
             success
             to
             my
             endeavours
             ,
             with
             the
             same
             ease
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             freedom
             from
             toil
             of
             Body
             ,
             as
             when
             under
             the
             advantage
             of
             the
             interest
             of
             such
             Friends
             and
             visible
             means
             ,
             with
             that
             special
             Providence
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             often
             stood
             in
             amazement
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             ravished
             with
             the
             observation
             of
             what
             strange
             passages
             of
             Providence
             has
             every
             day
             fallen
             out
             to
             continue
             such
             successful
             endeavours
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             greater
             then
             when
             under
             the
             opportunity
             of
             such
             instruments
             .
          
           
             A
             Seventh
             Experience
             ,
             was
             ,
             By
             permitting
             the
             loss
             of
             some
             undertakings
             ,
             that
             were
             probable
             to
             be
             greatly
             advantageous
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             deficiency
             on
             my
             part
             as
             instrumental
             
             therein
             :
             This
             at
             first
             seem'd
             afflicting
             ,
             till
             the
             discovery
             of
             the
             unsuccessfulness
             of
             others
             concerned
             ,
             with
             great
             disparagement
             of
             Character
             appeared
             ,
             which
             then
             made
             me
             rejoyce
             in
             God's
             Divine
             conduct
             ,
             and
             see
             great
             Love
             in
             the
             disappointment
             ,
             with
             the
             feeling
             of
             inward
             Peace
             ,
             that
             I
             had
             no
             ways
             contributed
             to
             the
             unsuccessfulness
             of
             the
             affair
             ,
             moving
             me
             to
             lay
             all
             my
             concerns
             at
             God's
             footstool
             ,
             leaving
             Events
             ,
             pleasing
             or
             ungrateful
             ,
             to
             Divine
             disposal
             ,
             I
             keeping
             serious
             with
             God
             for
             the
             faithful
             discharge
             of
             Duty
             .
          
           
             The
             Eighth
             Experience
             of
             God's
             method
             to
             suppress
             Reliance
             on
             any
             thing
             besides
             himself
             ,
             was
             ,
             by
             the
             Lord's
             Way
             of
             vindicating
             me
             from
             undeserv'd
             reproach
             ,
             either
             by
             immediate
             clearing
             up
             of
             innocency
             and
             the
             falshood
             of
             reproach
             ,
             and
             so
             cutting
             it
             off
             at
             first
             ;
             or
             by
             hindering
             it
             ,
             tho'
             continued
             ,
             from
             injuring
             my
             name
             ,
             by
             making
             impressions
             upon
             others
             ,
             or
             by
             giving
             me
             opportunity
             by
             some
             failure
             of
             theirs
             ,
             to
             Asperse
             them
             truly
             ,
             to
             their
             great
             loss
             and
             discouragement
             ,
             and
             so
             stopping
             of
             their
             Rage
             through
             Fear
             .
          
           
             One
             eminent
             instance
             of
             this
             Experience
             I
             'll
             give
             you
             ,
             concerning
             one
             ,
             who
             from
             no
             other
             foundation
             that
             I
             ever
             could
             judge
             of
             ,
             but
             that
             of
             Malice
             ,
             greatly
             disparaged
             my
             Name
             ,
             yea
             ,
             continued
             therein
             ,
             notwithstanding
             of
             my
             Dutiful
             imparting
             the
             thing
             to
             themselves
             ,
             with
             a
             true
             vindication
             of
             my self
             ,
             till
             by
             a
             marvellous
             passage
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             an
             eminent
             
             opportunity
             of
             reproaching
             them
             was
             laid
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             the
             knowledge
             of
             her
             failure
             in
             a
             great
             and
             weighty
             concern
             ,
             capable
             of
             ruining
             them
             ,
             and
             freeing
             my self
             from
             their
             further
             rage
             ;
             but
             tho'
             there
             was
             a
             struggle
             between
             revenge
             and
             forbearance
             to
             Asperse
             them
             ,
             yet
             blessed
             be
             the
             Lord
             his
             Grace
             was
             victorious
             over
             corrupt
             Nature
             ,
             and
             instead
             of
             reproaching
             ,
             I
             only
             endeavoured
             the
             making
             of
             themselves
             sensible
             of
             their
             faults
             ,
             trusting
             God
             ,
             who
             had
             laid
             such
             an
             occasion
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             to
             stop
             the
             current
             of
             their
             Malice
             ,
             and
             had
             preserv'd
             me
             from
             the
             guilt
             of
             pursuing
             Revenge
             :
             That
             their
             reproaching
             ,
             at
             least
             ,
             with
             impression
             upon
             others
             ,
             should
             cease
             ;
             which
             was
             clearly
             verified
             by
             after
             experience
             ,
             wherein
             I
             have
             fully
             seen
             their
             incapacity
             of
             injuring
             me
             that
             way
             ;
             and
             therefore
             one
             instance
             I
             hope
             of
             the
             exercise
             of
             Grace
             in
             my self
             ,
             and
             of
             this
             Experience
             being
             an
             excellent
             mean
             to
             advance
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             in
             all
             such
             cases
             .
          
           
             Another
             special
             Instance
             of
             this
             Experience
             is
             ,
             concerning
             a
             Reproach
             against
             me
             ,
             with
             some
             great
             probability
             of
             Guilt
             when
             rehears'd
             by
             the
             Reproacher
             :
             I
             must
             own
             my
             not
             meriting
             the
             Reproach
             ,
             was
             from
             the
             restraining
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             I
             being
             at
             the
             time
             of
             the
             occasion
             of
             the
             Reproach
             ,
             under
             no
             other
             power
             sensible
             to
             my self
             than
             that
             of
             Education
             ;
             but
             if
             at
             the
             time
             of
             being
             reproached
             ,
             I
             am
             helpt
             in
             a
             Heavenly
             posture
             of
             Soul
             to
             lay
             it
             before
             God
             ,
             and
             find
             carefulness
             and
             anxiety
             
             laid
             aside
             ,
             in
             correspondency
             to
             this
             frame
             ,
             appears
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             restraining
             the
             Enemies
             from
             Reproaching
             ,
             or
             if
             continued
             its
             insufficiency
             of
             injuring
             me
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             greatly
             their
             design
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             a
             unwearied
             diligence
             .
             In
             this
             instance
             I
             have
             two
             Circumstances
             to
             lay
             before
             you
             ,
             greatly
             remarkable
             and
             marvellous
             ,
             discovering
             the
             sutableness
             of
             Heavenliness
             in
             Prayer
             to
             its
             return
             ;
             and
             of
             the
             Providential
             Method
             of
             God
             to
             train
             me
             higher
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             .
          
           
             One
             of
             which
             Circumstances
             is
             ,
             That
             at
             the
             time
             when
             God
             was
             building
             this
             Faith
             ,
             then
             a
             violent
             assault
             was
             made
             use
             of
             as
             a
             mean
             of
             strengthning
             and
             enlarging
             the
             degrees
             of
             Reliance
             ,
             and
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             with
             Prayer
             for
             all
             my
             concerns
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             the
             following
             method
             ,
             the
             assault
             of
             reproaching
             continuing
             as
             furious
             as
             false
             in
             all
             its
             reported
             Circumstances
             ,
             did
             seemingly
             tend
             not
             only
             to
             disparagement
             of
             Name
             ,
             but
             to
             danger
             of
             Law-Suits
             ,
             the
             hindrance
             whereof
             could
             by
             no
             other
             means
             be
             procur'd
             ,
             than
             the
             presence
             of
             one
             who
             had
             been
             for
             some
             considerable
             time
             out
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             in
             no
             likelihood
             of
             returning
             without
             great
             Intreaty
             ,
             Pains
             ,
             and
             Charge
             :
             But
             at
             the
             time
             when
             this
             Reproacher
             was
             at
             the
             height
             of
             their
             pursuit
             by
             Reproach
             ,
             and
             design
             of
             Law
             against
             me
             ,
             the
             inward
             posture
             of
             my
             Soul
             was
             spiritual
             in
             Prayer
             concerning
             it
             ,
             and
             in
             Meditation
             upon
             it
             ;
             and
             at
             that
             very
             time
             I
             had
             an
             account
             by
             
             Letter
             ,
             that
             the
             Person
             whose
             presence
             was
             requisite
             for
             my
             Vindication
             ,
             was
             surprisingly
             call'd
             to
             this
             place
             upon
             a
             Providential
             occasion
             ,
             he
             knowing
             nothing
             thereof
             till
             some
             hours
             before
             ,
             and
             altogether
             ignorant
             of
             my
             Circumstances
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             desire
             I
             had
             to
             have
             him
             here
             .
             By
             this
             only
             Circumstance
             I
             had
             opportunity
             of
             allaying
             the
             Reproach
             ,
             and
             of
             perfectly
             preventing
             any
             Law-Suit
             against
             me
             .
             Tho'
             I
             cannot
             fully
             stop
             the
             fury
             of
             a
             malicious
             Tongue
             ,
             yet
             I
             cannot
             express
             my self
             concerning
             its
             continuance
             ,
             without
             praising
             the
             infinite
             love
             of
             a
             Divine
             Being
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             improvement
             by
             it
             ;
             finding
             that
             often
             a
             cold
             ,
             lazy
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             renewing
             of
             this
             reproach
             meet
             together
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             immediate
             effect
             of
             the
             latter
             ,
             is
             mostly
             a
             change
             from
             this
             lazy
             frame
             ,
             to
             a
             spiritual
             heavenly
             posture
             of
             Soul
             with
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             sweet
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             Prayer
             concerning
             it
             ,
             greatly
             helping
             me
             from
             anxiety
             and
             disquiet
             under
             it
             ,
             with
             a
             design
             and
             endeavour
             to
             comply
             with
             the
             Blessed
             end
             of
             God
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             Another
             Circumstance
             greatly
             remarkable
             in
             this
             instance
             ,
             has
             been
             ,
             That
             without
             any
             other
             mean
             of
             endeavour
             to
             defend
             my self
             by
             reproaching
             again
             ,
             or
             the
             like
             ,
             but
             purely
             by
             the
             laying
             it
             before
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             repeated
             Reproach
             has
             either
             been
             still
             ,
             or
             frustrated
             ;
             which
             at
             first
             occasion'd
             some
             doubtings
             in
             my
             Thoughts
             ,
             whether
             I
             should
             not
             
             by
             going
             to
             this
             or
             the
             other
             ,
             clear
             my self
             ,
             and
             not
             presumptuously
             expect
             deliverance
             without
             Means
             ;
             but
             finding
             my
             Vindication
             to
             themselves
             of
             no
             effect
             ,
             and
             my
             Vindication
             of
             my self
             to
             others
             would
             occasion
             Aspersions
             upon
             them
             ,
             I
             was
             still
             ,
             and
             used
             the
             means
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             was
             careful
             of
             not
             giving
             them
             further
             occasion
             to
             Reproach
             ,
             and
             found
             greatest
             success
             ,
             and
             dare
             recommend
             it
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             others
             ;
             not
             only
             from
             my
             own
             experience
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             
             Psalmist's
             ,
             who
             in
             Psal
             .
             38.
             v.
             13.
             expresses
             himself
             thus
             ,
             
               I
               as
               a
               deaf
               man
               ,
               heard
               not
               ;
               and
               as
               a
               dumb
               man
               ,
               opened
               not
               my
               mouth
               :
            
             No
             doubt
             but
             he
             could
             have
             us'd
             reasonable
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             his
             Innocency
             ,
             but
             in
             v.
             15.
             
             
               He
               hoped
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             :
             In
             like
             manner
             when
             I
             have
             been
             enabled
             by
             Prayer
             with
             great
             exercise
             of
             Faith
             therein
             ,
             to
             lay
             the
             Case
             at
             God's
             foot
             ;
             and
             trustingly
             to
             hope
             in
             him
             ;
             I
             have
             found
             all
             power
             of
             the
             Reproach
             gone
             off
             .
             I
             desire
             therefore
             
               what
               time
               I
               am
               afraid
               ,
               to
               trust
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             And
             this
             very
             Experience
             has
             been
             a
             blessed
             Mean
             to
             bring
             forth
             this
             desire
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             Psal
             .
             56.
             v.
             9.
             
             
               When
               I
               cry
               to
               thee
            
             ,
             in
             a
             believing
             heavenly
             posture
             ,
             
               then
               my
               Enemies
               shall
               draw
               back
               :
            
             When
             God
             strengthens
             a
             Soul
             by
             his
             Divine
             Spirit
             under
             Reproaches
             ,
             to
             cry
             unto
             him
             ;
             either
             the
             Reproachers
             will
             cease
             ,
             or
             their
             Reproaches
             will
             be
             without
             effect
             ,
             or
             Recoil
             upon
             themselves
             .
          
           
           
             To
             this
             Experience
             I
             subjoin
             the
             following
             Observation
             ,
             That
             upon
             hearing
             a
             Reproach
             ,
             and
             seriously
             reflecting
             upon
             my self
             ,
             I
             have
             often
             found
             it
             as
             a
             just
             punishment
             ,
             and
             an
             immediate
             return
             to
             Sin
             of
             my
             own
             ,
             either
             of
             Reproaching
             the
             same
             Person
             with
             the
             same
             or
             another
             sort
             of
             Reproach
             ,
             or
             some
             body
             else
             ,
             by
             such
             a
             kind
             of
             Reproach
             ;
             and
             so
             a
             sense
             of
             my
             own
             fault
             ,
             with
             a
             discovery
             of
             love
             from
             God
             therein
             ,
             and
             a
             watch
             over
             my self
             unto
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             against
             reproaching
             ,
             by
             this
             very
             reflection
             has
             been
             brought
             forth
             ,
             accepting
             the
             reproach
             ,
             as
             Shimei's
             was
             taken
             ,
             
               God
               bad
               him
            
             .
          
           
             A
             Ninth
             Experience
             of
             advancing
             Faith
             was
             ,
             By
             the
             great
             ,
             sudden
             ,
             and
             unexpected
             Supplies
             that
             have
             come
             in
             suitable
             to
             Wants
             ,
             and
             to
             my
             firm
             dependance
             upon
             God
             ,
             through
             former
             experience
             of
             his
             ways
             .
             I
             have
             found
             that
             though
             Supplies
             has
             been
             deferr'd
             for
             some
             considerable
             time
             ,
             yea
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             very
             last
             moment
             ,
             yet
             they
             have
             come
             in
             so
             seasonably
             to
             my
             need
             ,
             that
             God
             in
             his
             method
             of
             bestowing
             them
             ,
             has
             taken
             trial
             of
             the
             strength
             of
             my
             dependance
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             has
             afforded
             me
             a
             comfortable
             evidence
             of
             that
             Grace
             ,
             and
             given
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             immediateness
             of
             his
             hand
             in
             bringing
             them
             about
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             producing
             thereby
             a
             trust
             on
             himself
             ;
             sometimes
             I
             have
             found
             Supplies
             deferr'd
             for
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             that
             if
             former
             experience
             of
             God's
             way
             of
             trying
             my
             Faith
             ,
             
             and
             further
             establishing
             it
             thereby
             ,
             had
             not
             preserv'd
             in
             me
             a
             divine
             strength
             ,
             I
             should
             have
             been
             ready
             to
             droop
             ;
             but
             even
             then
             such
             a
             true
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             time
             of
             long
             delay
             ,
             I
             have
             followed
             always
             with
             such
             numerous
             successful
             passages
             ,
             as
             afforded
             more
             than
             if
             Providence
             had
             walk'd
             in
             its
             usual
             course
             ;
             when
             therefore
             by
             such
             steps
             and
             supplies
             following
             a
             true
             Reliance
             under
             those
             delays
             has
             occurred
             afterward
             ,
             how
             ungrateful
             had
             it
             been
             not
             to
             regard
             God
             in
             the
             thing
             ,
             or
             not
             observ'd
             his
             ways
             ,
             with
             the
             improvement
             of
             a
             Reliance
             upon
             him
             ?
          
           
             I
             have
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             so
             soon
             as
             observation
             of
             God's
             way
             ,
             and
             settlement
             of
             Faith
             in
             himself
             thereby
             was
             brought
             forth
             ,
             that
             then
             the
             Lord's
             method
             has
             varied
             with
             me
             both
             as
             to
             time
             and
             things
             ;
             appearing
             in
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             matter
             and
             way
             unexpected
             ,
             and
             all
             on
             purpose
             to
             advance
             my
             dependance
             upon
             God
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             sorts
             of
             concerns
             .
          
           
             A
             Tenth
             Experience
             of
             advancing
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             was
             ,
             By
             his
             making
             outward
             ,
             diligent
             ,
             lawful
             ,
             and
             commendable
             endeavours
             altogether
             unsuccessful
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             founded
             it
             ,
             and
             gradually
             advanced
             this
             dependance
             upon
             himself
             ;
             the
             obtaining
             undertakings
             and
             success
             therein
             ,
             having
             been
             kept
             in
             a
             constant
             stream
             of
             special
             Providence
             ,
             so
             that
             when
             any
             undertaking
             thorough
             my
             own
             interest
             has
             been
             near
             ,
             it
             either
             has
             not
             occurred
             ,
             or
             most
             commonly
             proved
             unsuccessful
             ;
             and
             undertakings
             
             have
             been
             never
             more
             frequently
             successful
             ,
             than
             when
             most
             remote
             from
             common
             Methods
             of
             obtaining
             them
             ,
             and
             I
             have
             been
             most
             near
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             concerning
             them
             .
             I
             think
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             I
             never
             found
             my self
             without
             this
             encouragement
             of
             successful
             undertakings
             ,
             but
             my
             frame
             of
             Soul
             has
             been
             dead
             ,
             cold
             and
             lifeless
             ,
             and
             my
             intermissions
             from
             heavenliness
             of
             frame
             visible
             ;
             and
             I
             have
             never
             found
             my self
             in
             continued
             fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             Prayer
             and
             Meditation
             ,
             but
             numerous
             undertakings
             have
             fallen
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             marvellous
             success
             ,
             unless
             unsuccessfulness
             was
             necessary
             for
             one
             good
             end
             or
             other
             ,
             plainly
             appearing
             in
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             God's
             providential
             Conduct
             therein
             ,
             sometimes
             for
             the
             discovery
             or
             punishment
             of
             one
             failure
             or
             other
             in
             my self
             ,
             all
             which
             have
             abundantly
             laid
             open
             to
             my
             view
             the
             immediateness
             of
             God's
             hand
             in
             all
             things
             here
             below
             ,
             the
             great
             advantage
             of
             interest
             in
             his
             special
             Conduct
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             help
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             rais'd
             an
             ardent
             desire
             of
             trusting
             God
             in
             all
             my
             designs
             ,
             even
             when
             most
             diligent
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             .
          
           
             An
             Eleventh
             Experience
             of
             God's
             design
             and
             method
             to
             advance
             Faith
             of
             Reliance
             was
             ,
             By
             the
             visible
             Effects
             of
             these
             very
             Experiences
             ,
             establishing
             my
             eye
             and
             thoughts
             upon
             God
             ,
             either
             in
             respect
             of
             strength
             to
             act
             Duty
             as
             pleasing
             to
             himself
             ,
             or
             in
             respect
             of
             special
             Providence
             bringing
             all
             things
             unto
             my
             hand
             ,
             that
             
             nothing
             has
             made
             the
             Mercy
             relish
             more
             with
             me
             ,
             than
             that
             Circumstance
             of
             Specialness
             of
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             in
             bringing
             it
             about
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             comfortable
             Favour
             on
             this
             earth
             has
             nothing
             of
             solid
             sweetness
             in
             it
             ,
             without
             a
             discovery
             of
             Favour
             from
             Heaven
             therein
             :
             And
             that
             the
             most
             afflicting
             disappointment
             and
             disturbing
             evil
             wherein
             the
             design
             of
             God's
             love
             has
             appear'd
             in
             his
             providential
             order
             of
             it
             ,
             has
             been
             more
             acceptable
             to
             my
             Soul
             than
             an
             outward
             Blessing
             ,
             wherein
             special
             Love
             has
             not
             been
             so
             clearly
             discoverable
             .
             The
             Method
             of
             God's
             advancing
             Reliance
             ,
             has
             been
             by
             sometimes
             delaying
             the
             answer
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             with-holding
             its
             return
             longer
             than
             usual
             ,
             (
             though
             there
             has
             been
             evidence
             of
             its
             acceptance
             in
             Heaven
             )
             and
             that
             sometimes
             to
             the
             last
             extremity
             of
             a
             matter
             concern'd
             .
          
           
             An
             eminent
             Instance
             whereof
             was
             ,
             concerning
             an
             Affair
             ,
             where
             acting
             or
             not
             acting
             in
             it
             ,
             carri'd
             along
             the
             danger
             of
             great
             disgrace
             and
             disadvantage
             ;
             and
             determining
             with
             my self
             not
             to
             act
             ,
             was
             by
             an
             irresistible
             passage
             of
             Providence
             constrain'd
             to
             move
             in
             the
             matter
             ,
             which
             at
             first
             seem'd
             to
             damp
             my
             hopes
             that
             my
             Prayer
             concerning
             it
             was
             accepted
             ;
             but
             the
             return
             exactly
             suited
             my
             frame
             and
             desires
             exprest
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             though
             its
             discovery
             was
             so
             long
             defer'd
             ,
             even
             till
             upon
             the
             very
             brink
             of
             acting
             ,
             and
             then
             providentially
             effected
             other
             ways
             ;
             a
             passage
             which
             at
             the
             time
             ravish'd
             me
             with
             astonishment
             .
          
           
           
             An
             Instance
             instructive
             not
             to
             limit
             God
             to
             time
             or
             desire
             ,
             but
             to
             commend
             our
             case
             to
             God
             as
             our
             Father
             ,
             intirely
             to
             depend
             on
             himself
             for
             the
             Event
             in
             his
             own
             method
             and
             time
             ,
             with
             a
             diligent
             acting
             Duty
             on
             our
             part
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             blessing
             will
             be
             the
             sweeter
             and
             more
             remarkable
             ;
             yea
             ,
             with
             great
             honour
             to
             God
             ,
             by
             such
             an
             actual
             exercise
             of
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             .
          
           
             A
             Twelfth
             Experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             to
             establish
             my
             dependance
             upon
             him
             ,
             has
             been
             by
             laying
             in
             my
             way
             outward
             Vexations
             ,
             for
             the
             bringing
             of
             me
             in
             to
             a
             serious
             spiritual
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             the
             experience
             whereof
             seems
             as
             it
             were
             naturally
             to
             prevent
             murmuring
             at
             Disquiets
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             me
             often
             upon
             my
             knees
             with
             heavenliness
             of
             thought
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             trust
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             discovers
             in
             afflicting
             Providences
             great
             love
             in
             their
             effects
             ,
             of
             changing
             the
             Soul's
             posture
             ,
             and
             making
             them
             a
             mean
             of
             preserving
             dependance
             brought
             forth
             in
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             A
             Thirteenth
             Experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             to
             continue
             and
             heighten
             dependance
             upon
             himself
             was
             ,
             By
             giving
             great
             raisedness
             of
             frame
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             high
             exercise
             thereof
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             a
             Forerunner
             of
             some
             Disquiet
             ,
             that
             from
             this
             Experience
             ,
             Anxiety
             and
             Despondency
             under
             it
             might
             be
             prevented
             ;
             and
             I
             ,
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             ,
             kept
             on
             in
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             
             who
             ,
             in
             condescending
             Favour
             ,
             gave
             such
             sweet
             strengthning
             allowance
             as
             might
             hold
             out
             in
             the
             ensuing
             Providence
             ,
             and
             that
             against
             the
             rising
             of
             Sin
             within
             ,
             and
             the
             force
             of
             Temptations
             without
             .
          
           
             And
             here
             I
             subjoin
             an
             Instance
             of
             the
             inefficacy
             of
             the
             latter
             ,
             when
             one
             day
             I
             in
             sweet
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             time
             of
             Enjoyment
             ,
             under
             the
             actual
             sense
             of
             some
             Disquiet
             ,
             (
             having
             observ'd
             in
             the
             Method
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             a
             sense
             of
             Disquiet
             ,
             and
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             at
             the
             same
             time
             ,
             have
             met
             together
             ,
             as
             a
             Forerunner
             of
             some
             Affliction
             that
             would
             happen
             ;
             )
             so
             soon
             as
             I
             was
             off
             my
             knees
             ,
             to
             walk
             up
             and
             down
             in
             my
             Chamber
             ,
             as
             soon
             ,
             like
             Lightning
             ▪
             Satan
             threw
             this
             Suggestion
             upon
             me
             ,
             That
             I
             had
             better
             be
             without
             these
             Enjoyments
             ,
             than
             have
             the
             Disquiets
             that
             follow
             them
             .
             My
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             was
             too
             strong
             at
             that
             time
             to
             receive
             any
             impression
             of
             that
             kind
             ,
             and
             ,
             blessed
             be
             his
             Name
             ,
             the
             Suggestion
             was
             so
             bare
             faced
             ,
             and
             clearly
             diabolical
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             immediately
             strengthened
             to
             repel
             it
             as
             a
             Trifle
             .
          
           
             The
             Effects
             of
             which
             Experience
             were
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             A
             further
             establishment
             in
             the
             truth
             of
             that
             Scripture
             ,
             
               All
               things
               work
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God.
               
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             A
             continued
             hope
             in
             his
             mercy
             ,
             which
             since
             that
             time
             has
             been
             greatly
             establish'd
             by
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             
             Psalmist's
             words
             as
             certain
             truth
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               delights
               in
               them
               that
               
               fear
               him
               ,
               and
               in
               them
               that
               hope
               in
               his
               mercy
               :
            
             That
             ,
             methinks
             ,
             all
             my
             Arguments
             with
             God
             are
             bound
             up
             in
             this
             one
             ,
             of
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             mercy
             in
             Christ
             ,
             the
             observation
             of
             special
             favour
             in
             all
             smiling
             and
             frowning
             passages
             of
             Providence
             ,
             the
             advancement
             of
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             brought
             forth
             by
             God's
             Divine
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             the
             use
             of
             that
             mean
             of
             observation
             ,
             has
             further
             establish'd
             and
             fix'd
             my
             hope
             upon
             his
             mercy
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             that
             for
             other
             changes
             within
             ,
             and
             future
             happiness
             hereafter
             .
          
           
             A
             Fourteenth
             experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             of
             training
             me
             into
             dependance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             was
             from
             the
             observation
             of
             God's
             way
             of
             freeing
             my
             Thoughts
             from
             concern
             under
             Disquiets
             ,
             and
             carrying
             my
             concern
             off
             from
             the
             thing
             disquieting
             ,
             to
             a
             search
             and
             desire
             after
             Enjoyment
             of
             God
             in
             Prayer
             put
             up
             for
             the
             disquiets
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             alone
             Gift
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             ;
             the
             Promise
             of
             Divine
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             my
             alone
             comfort
             under
             disquiet
             .
             This
             is
             to
             me
             the
             evidence
             of
             my
             Petitions
             being
             accepted
             ,
             and
             the
             Token
             of
             special
             Guidance
             from
             Heaven
             throughout
             the
             disquiet
             ;
             In
             confirming
             the
             truth
             of
             which
             experience
             the
             Scripture
             is
             plain
             ,
             charging
             us
             to
             
               be
               careful
               for
               nothing
               ,
               but
            
             by
             
               supplication
               to
               make
               our
               request
               to
               God
            
             ;
             and
             when
             by
             the
             intercession
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             we
             are
             enabled
             to
             make
             our
             request
             ,
             the
             experiencing
             Christian
             can
             truly
             say
             ,
             that
             anxiety
             is
             taken
             off
             ,
             and
             
             full
             exercise
             of
             reliance
             upon
             God
             is
             in
             its
             room
             ,
             both
             for
             conduct
             to
             the
             Soul
             throughout
             the
             disquiet
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             removing
             of
             it
             in
             his
             own
             time
             and
             way
             ;
             if
             God's
             Method
             herein
             was
             more
             observ'd
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             less
             trust
             on
             outward
             helps
             ,
             and
             more
             reliance
             upon
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             join'd
             with
             the
             due
             use
             of
             means
             ,
             and
             would
             by
             a
             blessing
             attending
             them
             ,
             be
             convincing
             to
             the
             men
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             who
             are
             led
             by
             sense
             ,
             and
             disbelieve
             the
             Prerogative-Power
             of
             God's
             Providence
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             A
             Fifteenth
             experience
             of
             God's
             Method
             of
             advancing
             my
             reliance
             ,
             has
             been
             by
             fixing
             my
             desire
             ,
             delight
             and
             longing
             after
             spirituality
             of
             frame
             ,
             with
             all
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             of
             the
             most
             comforting
             outward
             mercies
             of
             the
             present
             Life
             ,
             in
             the
             desires
             of
             the
             best
             of
             outward
             blessings
             ,
             I
             find
             an
             unexpressible
             fixedness
             of
             thought
             upon
             these
             two
             things
             :
             One
             is
             ,
             That
             it
             may
             be
             convey'd
             by
             Providences
             ,
             arguing
             speciality
             of
             love
             ;
             another
             is
             ,
             that
             this
             conveyance
             may
             be
             a
             means
             of
             heightning
             reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             raising
             me
             to
             more
             sweet
             and
             intimate
             Communion
             with
             him
             :
             And
             I
             hope
             ,
             I
             may
             with
             some
             humble
             awe
             say
             ,
             that
             my
             Eye
             is
             so
             much
             upon
             God's
             hand
             in
             bringing
             about
             ,
             and
             upon
             Communion
             with
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             all
             things
             on
             Earth
             ,
             that
             the
             more
             I
             see
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             of
             the
             outward
             pleasures
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             the
             more
             they
             are
             undervalued
             by
             me
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             I
             am
             afraid
             of
             them
             ,
             by
             reason
             
             of
             the
             temptations
             attending
             them
             to
             the
             breaking
             off
             of
             Heavenliness
             of
             frame
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             true
             inward
             comfort
             of
             the
             Soul
             of
             an
             experiencing
             Christian
             :
             This
             very
             Experience
             has
             made
             me
             sensible
             of
             the
             following
             things
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             the
             best
             of
             them
             (
             of
             which
             I
             have
             not
             wanted
             some
             taste
             )
             afford
             not
             that
             solid
             abounding
             sweet
             satisfaction
             ,
             as
             I
             do
             really
             experience
             in
             Heavenliness
             of
             frame
             ,
             and
             therefore
             do
             exercise
             great
             pity
             towards
             them
             who
             know
             nothing
             of
             fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             the
             frame
             of
             their
             minds
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             duties
             ;
             I
             don't
             much
             wonder
             at
             their
             prizing
             the
             comforts
             of
             this
             Earth
             ,
             counting
             all
             things
             else
             as
             nothing
             or
             imaginary
             ,
             never
             having
             experienced
             the
             reality
             of
             spiritual
             things
             ;
             and
             no
             wonder
             therefore
             they
             dip
             themselves
             as
             much
             as
             possible
             in
             these
             things
             that
             afford
             present
             ,
             sensual
             ,
             and
             vanishing
             comfort
             ,
             rather
             than
             by
             a
             serious
             application
             of
             themselves
             to
             God
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Divine
             Ordinances
             ,
             which
             while
             they
             are
             unregenerate
             ,
             can
             afford
             no
             solid
             ravishing
             comfort
             ;
             they
             being
             as
             I
             was
             while
             only
             under
             the
             power
             of
             Education
             ,
             
             Nicodemus-like
             ,
             amazed
             at
             the
             litteral
             meaning
             ,
             how
             Christians
             could
             talk
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             Communion
             with
             an
             invisible
             God
             ,
             it
             being
             impossible
             by
             the
             greatest
             reach
             of
             the
             most
             ingenious
             fancy
             ,
             to
             apprehend
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Soul
             with
             its
             ravishing
             sweetness
             ,
             when
             in
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ;
             and
             though
             I
             have
             made
             use
             of
             these
             
             words
             of
             Spirituality
             ,
             and
             Heavenliness
             of
             frame
             ,
             to
             explicate
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             my
             design
             is
             not
             thereby
             to
             set
             it
             forth
             with
             words
             ,
             that
             may
             make
             it
             sensible
             to
             unexperiencing
             Souls
             ,
             these
             words
             being
             understood
             and
             felt
             only
             by
             real
             Believers
             ;
             it
             is
             enough
             that
             to
             you
             of
             the
             unregenerate
             rank
             ,
             I
             can
             seal
             and
             give
             testimony
             to
             the
             truth
             and
             reality
             thereof
             ,
             from
             my
             certain
             experience
             ;
             and
             can
             lay
             before
             you
             the
             means
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             make
             use
             of
             to
             bring
             me
             to
             the
             sensible
             enjoyment
             thereof
             :
             And
             if
             your
             longing
             desire
             to
             experience
             it
             ,
             prompt
             you
             not
             to
             the
             use
             of
             these
             means
             ,
             by
             which
             you
             may
             obtain
             it
             ,
             then
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             Judgment
             you
             cannot
             but
             expect
             your
             accusation
             to
             run
             thus
             :
             
               Light
               came
               into
               the
               world
            
             ,
             but
             you
             
               chus'd
               rather
               to
               walk
               in
               darkness
               ,
            
             according
             to
             your
             carnal
             Conceits
             of
             Divine
             things
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Sacred
             means
             ,
             as
             others
             have
             done
             to
             attain
             a
             clear
             comfortable
             experimental
             knowledge
             thereof
             ;
             which
             you
             may
             easily
             do
             ,
             considering
             the
             great
             condescending
             encouragement
             God
             gives
             to
             the
             smallest
             sparks
             of
             sincere
             desires
             ,
             and
             serious
             endeavours
             ;
             he
             will
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Grace
             assist
             you
             ,
             and
             reveal
             the
             secret
             of
             his
             love
             to
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             bring
             you
             into
             his
             Marvellous
             Light.
             And
             as
             the
             case
             of
             the
             prophane
             ,
             and
             of
             these
             only
             under
             the
             power
             of
             Education
             ,
             fills
             me
             with
             pity
             ,
             so
             Lazy
             Christians
             are
             greatly
             to
             be
             threatned
             ,
             who
             know
             the
             reality
             of
             fellowship
             with
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             instead
             of
             keeping
             themselves
             in
             the
             comfortable
             and
             
             continual
             enjoyment
             thereof
             ,
             and
             thereby
             to
             witness
             its
             truth
             ,
             in
             Conversation
             with
             others
             ,
             by
             their
             involving
             themselves
             in
             the
             full
             stream
             of
             the
             pleasures
             of
             this
             Earth
             ,
             they
             hinder
             their
             delightful
             and
             constant
             enjoyment
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             give
             occasion
             to
             others
             ,
             to
             believe
             that
             ravishing
             comfort
             of
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             is
             meerly
             a
             Notion
             ,
             and
             make
             their
             own
             Lives
             upon
             the
             assault
             of
             afflictions
             ,
             yea
             their
             Dyings
             too
             ,
             less
             comfortable
             ,
             and
             thereby
             disparage
             the
             Truth
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             it
             may
             afford
             you
             an
             awful
             reflection
             ;
             O
             Lazy
             Christians
             !
             who
             by
             your
             great
             outward
             enjoyments
             should
             be
             more
             excited
             to
             maintain
             Communion
             with
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             fountain
             of
             felicity
             ,
             and
             to
             testify
             that
             his
             favour
             is
             better
             than
             Life
             and
             all
             the
             fruitions
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             you
             content
             your selves
             with
             hasty
             or
             drowsy
             performance
             of
             Religious
             Duties
             Morning
             and
             Evening
             ,
             without
             the
             Exercise
             of
             those
             Graces
             and
             Affections
             which
             are
             the
             Life
             of
             them
             :
             And
             by
             a
             careless
             Conversation
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             impression
             of
             Divine
             things
             are
             soon
             worn
             out
             ,
             and
             dye
             in
             the
             diversion
             of
             the
             Soul
             from
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             free
             fruition
             of
             Temporal
             things
             ,
             which
             are
             to
             be
             so
             temperately
             used
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             enjoy
             God.
             When
             the
             World
             is
             the
             Idol
             of
             Mens
             Heads
             and
             Hearts
             ,
             it
             Dethrones
             God
             ,
             and
             deprives
             them
             of
             the
             Comforts
             of
             his
             Love
             and
             Presence
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             My
             Fifteenth
             experience
             has
             made
             me
             sensible
             ,
             that
             the
             comfort
             of
             outward
             things
             ,
             
             is
             more
             in
             the
             expectation
             than
             in
             the
             possession
             ;
             whereas
             spiritual
             comfort
             is
             much
             sweeter
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             for
             any
             Humane
             Creature
             possible
             to
             imagine
             ,
             unless
             experienc'd
             in
             the
             Soul.
             My
             own
             apprehension
             ,
             and
             account
             of
             a
             spiritual
             frame
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             when
             I
             am
             in
             it
             ,
             my
             mind
             is
             clear
             ,
             free
             of
             Clouds
             ,
             or
             concern
             of
             any
             kind
             ,
             though
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             trouble
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             lest
             I
             should
             not
             continue
             in
             a
             holy
             frame
             .
             While
             under
             the
             alone
             power
             of
             Education
             ,
             I
             have
             often
             suggested
             to
             my self
             ,
             O
             that
             I
             were
             in
             such
             a
             Circumstance
             ,
             my
             state
             should
             be
             happy
             !
             but
             when
             by
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             I
             had
             arriv'd
             to
             that
             Circumstance
             ,
             I
             found
             no
             addition
             of
             comfort
             by
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             speak
             more
             plainly
             ,
             my
             great
             expectation
             was
             confuted
             by
             Experience
             ;
             for
             either
             I
             tasted
             no
             Happiness
             in
             what
             was
             so
             earnestly
             desir'd
             ,
             or
             the
             pleasure
             was
             imbitter'd
             to
             me
             by
             unexpected
             troubles
             mixed
             with
             it
             ;
             I
             now
             am
             well
             contented
             in
             a
             State
             without
             abounding
             or
             wanting
             ,
             relying
             intirely
             upon
             God
             for
             all
             things
             necessary
             for
             my
             wants
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             This
             Experience
             has
             made
             me
             sensible
             of
             this
             certain
             frame
             in
             my self
             ;
             That
             the
             more
             of
             outward
             comforts
             I
             enjoy
             ,
             the
             more
             I
             undervalue
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             greater
             esteem
             I
             find
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             evidence
             of
             special
             love
             from
             God
             by
             the
             enjoyments
             ,
             is
             in
             my
             esteem
             far
             more
             valuable
             than
             the
             most
             
             precious
             or
             most
             desireable
             things
             that
             can
             be
             obtain'd
             in
             this
             life
             .
             In
             the
             Enjoyments
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             I
             neither
             find
             present
             satisfaction
             ,
             nor
             the
             sweetness
             in
             the
             after-reflection
             that
             is
             in
             spiritual
             Enjoyments
             ;
             but
             what
             brings
             Honey
             ,
             has
             a
             Sting
             that
             vexes
             more
             than
             there
             is
             sweetness
             in
             it
             :
             This
             serious
             Christians
             know
             by
             experience
             .
             But
             Carnalists
             ,
             whose
             Consciences
             are
             Sear'd
             ,
             and
             whose
             Experience
             never
             reach
             further
             than
             outward
             Comforts
             ,
             nothing
             can
             Sting
             them
             but
             sensible
             things
             ;
             as
             Illness
             after
             Drinking
             ,
             Rottenness
             after
             Whoring
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             affecting
             their
             Body
             .
             It
             is
             otherwise
             in
             spiritual
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             ;
             it
             relishes
             sweetly
             at
             the
             present
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             reflection
             upon
             it
             an
             evidence
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             Union
             to
             Christ
             ;
             for
             altho'
             the
             degree
             of
             Joy
             does
             not
             continue
             ,
             yet
             the
             reality
             of
             Union
             abides
             ,
             and
             the
             new
             Breathings
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             in
             his
             Ordinances
             revives
             the
             Joy.
             Friendship
             ,
             that
             rational
             and
             most
             comfortable
             Blessing
             in
             humane
             Society
             ,
             is
             not
             now
             so
             common
             on
             the
             Earth
             ;
             when
             Sin
             abounds
             ,
             the
             love
             of
             many
             waxeth
             cold
             ;
             and
             where
             it
             is
             ,
             it
             affords
             one
             of
             the
             most
             solid
             satisfactions
             on
             Earth
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             not
             compleat
             ,
             wanting
             much
             at
             the
             same
             time
             it
             is
             enjoyed
             ;
             neither
             is
             it
             durable
             ,
             but
             upon
             a
             trifle
             chang'd
             ,
             and
             former
             Friendship
             made
             fuel
             to
             kindle
             and
             keep
             burning
             everlasting
             Hatred
             and
             Malice
             .
          
           
           
             A
             Sixteenth
             Experience
             of
             God's
             method
             to
             train
             me
             into
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             has
             been
             ,
             by
             disappointing
             me
             of
             one
             favour
             greatly
             desired
             and
             expected
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             introduce
             a
             greater
             .
             The
             Lord
             has
             often
             issued
             forth
             a
             marvellous
             Mercy
             out
             of
             the
             Bosom
             of
             a
             disappointing-Providence
             ;
             and
             could
             the
             effect
             of
             this
             Experience
             be
             otherwise
             than
             to
             trust
             God
             for
             all
             Events
             attending
             my
             life
             ,
             however
             bad
             they
             lookt
             at
             the
             present
             ,
             leaving
             them
             to
             his
             Will
             ;
             that
             so
             ,
             if
             a
             disappointment
             occur'd
             ,
             I
             might
             not
             immediately
             repine
             ,
             but
             by
             Patience
             ,
             through
             former
             Experience
             and
             Prayer
             ,
             wait
             without
             disquiet
             till
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             has
             sweetly
             ordered
             that
             disappointment
             to
             be
             for
             my
             greater
             good
             .
          
           
             I
             could
             instance
             in
             this
             Experience
             ,
             a
             matter
             of
             greatest
             worldly
             concern
             ,
             where
             disappointment
             has
             fallen
             out
             contrary
             to
             desire
             and
             probable
             expectation
             ,
             from
             whence
             has
             issued
             a
             Providence
             at
             first
             appearance
             not
             so
             desireable
             or
             pleasing
             ,
             but
             a
             Mercy
             far
             beyond
             what
             I
             now
             know
             the
             other
             would
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             has
             some
             comfortable
             circumstances
             in
             it
             not
             so
             common
             in
             such
             a
             matter
             .
             One
             instance
             greatly
             advancing
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             confirming
             what
             has
             been
             formerly
             laid
             down
             ,
             of
             a
             certain
             correspondency
             between
             Christ's
             Spirit
             helping
             the
             Soul
             to
             Ask
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             's
             returning
             it
             ,
             was
             ,
             that
             my
             frame
             in
             Prayer
             
             was
             my
             great
             support
             ,
             while
             under
             no
             other
             view
             than
             that
             of
             a
             disappointment
             .
          
           
             Who
             would
             not
             in
             the
             Enjoyment
             of
             such
             eminent
             Experiences
             ,
             leave
             all
             things
             to
             Heaven's
             conduct
             ,
             and
             by
             entire
             dependance
             thereupon
             ,
             with
             continued
             Prayer
             to
             be
             interested
             therein
             ,
             spend
             a
             whole
             life
             through
             this
             Earth
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             greater
             success
             to
             outward
             Affairs
             ,
             less
             anxiety
             of
             Mind
             concerning
             them
             ,
             or
             toil
             of
             Body
             to
             obtain
             them
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             sweetness
             ,
             than
             when
             brought
             about
             ,
             and
             no
             other
             Agent
             seen
             therein
             ,
             but
             outward
             endeavour
             of
             our selves
             ,
             strength
             of
             Friends
             ,
             or
             the
             like
             ,
             upon
             whom
             our
             Trust
             was
             wholly
             fixed
             ?
          
           
             Seventeenthly
             ,
             To
             advance
             an
             entire
             general
             dependance
             upon
             God
             ,
             he
             has
             marvellously
             discovered
             immediateness
             of
             his
             Hand
             in
             matters
             of
             very
             small
             moment
             ,
             and
             that
             both
             as
             a
             return
             to
             Prayer
             concerning
             them
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             token
             of
             special
             favour
             in
             them
             ;
             and
             tho'
             they
             have
             been
             such
             things
             as
             are
             reputed
             small
             ,
             yet
             they
             have
             been
             accompanied
             with
             as
             immediateness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             clear
             a
             discovery
             of
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             as
             in
             weighty
             concerns
             ,
             designing
             thereby
             to
             bring
             me
             into
             a
             Dependance
             upon
             him
             for
             all
             things
             ,
             the
             meanest
             not
             being
             excluded
             from
             the
             compass
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Many
             instances
             of
             this
             Experience
             I
             could
             bring
             forth
             in
             respect
             of
             my
             going
             from
             one
             place
             to
             another
             ;
             of
             Servants
             coming
             to
             ,
             and
             
             going
             from
             me
             ;
             yea
             ,
             reaching
             even
             to
             irrational
             Creatures
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             made
             use
             of
             :
             I
             have
             had
             Experience
             ,
             that
             according
             to
             my
             strength
             in
             Petitioning
             Divine
             Favour
             concerning
             them
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             time
             of
             neglecting
             ,
             or
             beginning
             and
             continuing
             this
             seriousness
             ,
             so
             successfulness
             or
             unsuccessfulness
             has
             occurr'd
             .
          
           
             At
             this
             very
             time
             of
             God's
             training
             me
             into
             a
             Dependance
             upon
             himself
             ,
             a
             powerful
             bearing
             home
             of
             Scriptures
             upon
             my
             Soul
             ,
             of
             Promise
             ,
             for
             instruction
             ,
             conduct
             ,
             and
             comfort
             ,
             has
             been
             a
             remarkable
             mean
             in
             God's
             Hand
             ,
             and
             marvellously
             blessed
             with
             that
             great
             end
             of
             removing
             Diffidence
             ,
             and
             setling
             Reliance
             upon
             himself
             .
          
           
             The
             First
             whereof
             by
             way
             of
             Promise
             ,
             was
             that
             of
             the
             6th
             Chapter
             of
             Matthew
             ,
             vers
             .
             33.
             
             
               Seek
               ye
               first
               the
               kingdom
               of
               God
               and
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               all
               these
               things
               shall
               be
               added
               unto
               you
               :
            
             Of
             this
             Promise
             ,
             till
             now
             ,
             I
             could
             never
             feel
             the
             powerful
             Efficacy
             ,
             and
             apply
             it
             to
             my self
             for
             comfort
             .
          
           
             At
             my
             first
             entrance
             upon
             Business
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             this
             Scripture
             suddenly
             seized
             my
             Thoughts
             ,
             without
             any
             previous
             Meditation
             thereupon
             ,
             or
             Reading
             it
             with
             remark
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             but
             with
             such
             constancy
             of
             impression
             ,
             that
             in
             diversions
             in
             real
             Business
             ,
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             this
             Scripture
             would
             still
             rush
             upon
             my
             Thoughts
             :
             Its
             suddenness
             and
             constancy
             of
             impression
             ,
             its
             suitableness
             to
             my
             circumstances
             ,
             at
             that
             time
             going
             to
             engage
             in
             
             the
             affairs
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             where
             Temptations
             to
             omit
             or
             intermit
             the
             seeking
             Grace
             in
             my
             Soul
             might
             abound
             ,
             and
             its
             correspondency
             to
             Experiences
             that
             afterward
             occurred
             in
             my
             concerns
             on
             Earth
             ,
             as
             means
             of
             sounding
             Grace
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             made
             me
             hope
             it
             was
             bore
             upon
             me
             by
             a
             Divine
             Power
             .
             A
             further
             confirmation
             and
             certainty
             whereof
             I
             have
             had
             ,
             not
             only
             from
             its
             continuance
             even
             till
             this
             day
             in
             my
             Thoughts
             ,
             with
             the
             powerful
             influence
             of
             making
             me
             seek
             God
             first
             in
             all
             my
             concerns
             ,
             and
             to
             trust
             in
             him
             as
             the
             God
             that
             hears
             Prayers
             ,
             but
             also
             from
             the
             marvellous
             method
             of
             God
             in
             my
             life
             ,
             enabling
             me
             to
             use
             endeavours
             ,
             and
             giving
             his
             success
             to
             them
             ;
             chiefly
             ,
             when
             I
             am
             most
             diligent
             to
             advance
             his
             Kingdom
             of
             Grace
             in
             my
             Soul
             ;
             never
             could
             I
             say
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             diligent
             and
             spiritual
             in
             the
             means
             of
             Reading
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             Grace
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             but
             even
             then
             all
             outward
             Comforts
             flow'd
             in
             upon
             me
             with
             great
             sweetness
             in
             their
             Enjoyments
             ;
             and
             then
             Divine
             Providence
             has
             afforded
             me
             opportunities
             and
             success
             in
             my
             Temporal
             Affairs
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             never
             observ'd
             my self
             at
             any
             time
             disquieted
             ,
             or
             under
             the
             probable
             or
             real
             danger
             of
             the
             withdrawings
             of
             these
             Comforts
             ,
             but
             I
             always
             found
             my self
             out
             of
             the
             road
             of
             spirituality
             of
             frame
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             diligent
             use
             of
             means
             of
             Grace
             .
          
           
             To
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             this
             Experience
             ,
             I
             am
             still
             held
             ,
             and
             do
             hope
             ,
             while
             I
             live
             ,
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             apply
             it
             as
             a
             special
             Gift
             from
             God's
             
             Divine
             and
             Merciful
             Hand
             :
             Yea
             ,
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             in
             the
             19th
             Psalm
             and
             49th
             v.
             I
             have
             often
             found
             it
             a
             prevailing
             argument
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             That
             
               the
               Lord
               would
               remember
               the
               word
               to
               his
               servant
               ,
               upon
               which
               he
               had
               caus'd
               him
               to
               hope
            
             ;
             it
             was
             indeed
             his
             own
             work
             suddenly
             to
             bring
             and
             fix
             it
             upon
             my
             Thoughts
             ,
             at
             a
             time
             when
             I
             was
             altogether
             ignorant
             of
             such
             a
             thing
             ,
             as
             a
             spiritual
             Power
             accompanying
             any
             Scripture-Truth
             ,
             and
             a
             beginning
             only
             to
             be
             sensible
             of
             a
             special
             conduct
             of
             Providence
             round
             me
             ;
             but
             now
             it
             appears
             more
             plainly
             his
             work
             ,
             by
             its
             confirmation
             ,
             from
             the
             outward
             Providences
             ,
             and
             inward
             workings
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             in
             my
             Soul
             since
             ;
             till
             which
             confirmation
             ,
             I
             did
             not
             experimentally
             understand
             it
             ;
             and
             blessed
             be
             his
             Name
             ,
             I
             am
             at
             quiet
             that
             he
             will
             continue
             my
             hope
             therein
             ,
             till
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Grace
             has
             had
             its
             Perfection
             here
             ,
             and
             I
             passed
             into
             his
             everlasting
             Kingdom
             of
             Glory
             ,
             where
             Promises
             shall
             be
             no
             more
             of
             use
             ,
             but
             there
             shall
             be
             the
             perfect
             Fruition
             of
             our
             rich
             Priviledges
             ,
             both
             of
             Grace
             and
             Glory
             .
          
           
             A
             Second
             Scripture
             bore
             home
             upon
             my
             Soul
             with
             instruction
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             mean
             of
             advancing
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             ,
             more
             than
             upon
             means
             ,
             was
             ,
             That
             Scripture
             in
             Daniel
             ,
             wherein
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               That
               by
               the
               blessing
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               pulse
               nourished
               him
               ;
               that
               he
               looked
               fairer
               and
               fatter
               than
               these
               Children
               fed
               with
               King's
               meat
               .
            
             One
             evening
             in
             Reading
             this
             passage
             of
             God's
             Word
             ,
             I
             found
             my
             Mind
             deeply
             imprest
             with
             
             Meditations
             upon
             it
             in
             an
             extraordinary
             manner
             ,
             tho'
             many
             a
             time
             I
             had
             read
             the
             same
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             with
             great
             seriousness
             ,
             but
             without
             such
             depth
             of
             Thought
             :
             This
             made
             me
             hope
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             the
             work
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             ,
             it
             proving
             afterwards
             a
             rule
             of
             action
             ,
             and
             a
             means
             of
             advancing
             greater
             Reliance
             upon
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             to
             food
             ,
             than
             ever
             formerly
             I
             had
             observ'd
             in
             my self
             .
          
           
             The
             Thoughts
             seizing
             me
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             were
             ,
             First
             ,
             The
             great
             weight
             to
             be
             laid
             upon
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             for
             the
             nourishment
             of
             our
             Bodies
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             upon
             the
             food
             Eat
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             great
             seriousness
             that
             is
             necessary
             in
             Petitioning
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             the
             exact
             extension
             of
             our
             Petitions
             to
             all
             things
             receiv'd
             for
             that
             end
             of
             nourishment
             ;
             thereby
             reproving
             my self
             and
             others
             for
             the
             formal
             ,
             and
             overly
             addressing
             God
             herein
             ;
             and
             not
             endeavouring
             the
             same
             seriousness
             and
             spirituality
             of
             Frame
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             set
             and
             solemn
             Petitions
             ,
             and
             not
             Petitioning
             God's
             Divine
             Blessing
             for
             every
             thing
             we
             desire
             Nourishment
             from
             ,
             or
             Pleasure
             in
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             A
             Resolution
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             a
             Performance
             ,
             at
             least
             much
             better
             than
             ever
             before
             ,
             to
             extend
             my
             Supplications
             to
             God
             for
             all
             things
             taken
             for
             the
             support
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             in
             as
             serious
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             for
             matters
             of
             higher
             concern
             ,
             God
             being
             the
             same
             when
             then
             address'd
             to
             ,
             as
             when
             by
             solemn
             ,
             long
             and
             numerous
             Petitions
             ;
             and
             though
             to
             others
             ,
             
             Food
             comes
             in
             a
             common
             way
             of
             Providence
             ,
             yet
             to
             God's
             own
             Children
             in
             a
             line
             of
             special
             Favour
             ;
             and
             therefore
             more
             Obligatory
             upon
             them
             to
             show
             their
             Trust
             to
             God
             for
             Mercies
             seemingly
             in
             common
             with
             others
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             for
             more
             special
             concerns
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             a
             way
             becoming
             the
             God
             they
             are
             more
             especially
             acquainted
             with
             ;
             and
             the
             greater
             Trust
             they
             pretend
             ,
             and
             do
             give
             to
             God
             than
             others
             ,
             who
             only
             enjoy
             all
             those
             Favours
             ,
             as
             out
             of
             the
             hand
             of
             a
             general
             Provider
             ,
             in
             a
             common
             way
             of
             Distribution
             .
          
           
             The
             effect
             of
             which
             Instruction
             ,
             Reproof
             ,
             and
             Resolution
             ,
             has
             been
             in
             my self
             to
             avoid
             all
             opportunity
             of
             publick
             Petitioning
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             upon
             these
             outward
             Favours
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             the
             following
             accounts
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Because
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             going
             out
             of
             the
             common
             road
             ,
             if
             my
             Resolution
             be
             faithfully
             performed
             ;
             and
             any
             thing
             uncommon
             ,
             either
             in
             spiritual
             or
             outward
             things
             ,
             draws
             forth
             many
             times
             Reproachings
             from
             Carnal
             Persons
             ;
             yea
             ,
             the
             very
             apprehension
             of
             such
             Persons
             present
             ,
             to
             my
             certain
             experience
             ,
             is
             the
             occasion
             of
             marring
             a
             serious
             spiritual
             Petitioning
             God's
             Divine
             Blessing
             .
          
           
             The
             common
             road
             of
             Professors
             in
             this
             Duty
             is
             form
             and
             brevity
             ;
             and
             considering
             the
             mixt
             Company
             ,
             this
             Duty
             is
             often
             to
             be
             performed
             with
             a
             petition
             for
             God's
             Divine
             Blessing
             ,
             with
             ,
             the
             serious
             thoughtfulness
             upon
             what
             is
             expressed
             ,
             many
             times
             prevents
             the
             Mockings
             that
             attend
             a
             Spiritual
             posture
             of
             Soul
             in
             the
             
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             without
             a
             Form
             ;
             there
             being
             many
             conversant
             with
             us
             at
             Meals
             ,
             who
             were
             it
             not
             for
             the
             power
             of
             Education
             and
             fear
             of
             Reproach
             ,
             would
             please
             their
             Palates
             ,
             without
             any
             Blessing
             petition'd
             thereupon
             ;
             and
             I
             'm
             sure
             with
             greater
             comfort
             ,
             than
             when
             burden'd
             with
             a
             Serious
             Address
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             Religious
             Conversation
             amongst
             themselves
             ;
             I
             rather
             therefore
             eschew
             the
             opportunity
             ,
             than
             spoil
             my
             serious
             Address
             to
             God
             ,
             having
             little
             satisfaction
             in
             performing
             this
             Duty
             unspiritually
             :
             And
             sure
             I
             am
             ,
             that
             the
             mind
             confin'd
             to
             a
             Form
             of
             Thoughts
             and
             Words
             aforehand
             ,
             must
             needs
             lay
             occasion
             of
             restraint
             upon
             the
             Breathings
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             runs
             with
             strong
             force
             of
             Thought
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             great
             extension
             of
             Word
             ,
             as
             any
             acquainted
             therewith
             ,
             will
             witness
             of
             me
             .
             I
             grant
             a
             seriousness
             of
             thought
             is
             very
             agreeable
             to
             a
             Form
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             but
             far
             different
             from
             that
             spirituality
             of
             Soul
             evidential
             ,
             sensible
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             acting
             therewith
             ;
             yea
             ,
             from
             my
             own
             Experience
             ,
             I
             can
             witness
             that
             I
             have
             had
             my
             frame
             of
             mind
             that
             has
             been
             in
             a
             spiritual
             posture
             ,
             allay'd
             with
             an
             overly
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             .
          
           
             Brevity
             I
             accuse
             ,
             as
             marring
             of
             a
             Heavenly
             Frame
             ;
             I
             must
             testify
             ,
             that
             sometimes
             I
             have
             been
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             Prayer
             Cold
             and
             Lazy
             in
             the
             Frame
             of
             my
             Soul
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             progress
             thereof
             ,
             a
             holy
             heat
             has
             been
             diffused
             in
             my
             Affections
             ,
             and
             therefore
             justly
             may
             fear
             ,
             that
             
             if
             my
             frame
             be
             cold
             ,
             passing
             immediately
             from
             the
             World
             to
             this
             Duty
             ,
             a
             repeating
             some
             short
             Sentences
             in
             a
             Form
             will
             be
             over
             before
             Spirituality
             has
             seized
             my
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             so
             prove
             an
             occasion
             of
             preventing
             Spirituality
             :
             But
             for
             a
             serious
             spiritual
             Soul
             ,
             I
             think
             him
             hardly
             capable
             of
             performing
             this
             Duty
             with
             common
             brevity
             ,
             he
             being
             carried
             out
             many
             times
             beyond
             designs
             and
             words
             ,
             both
             exposing
             him
             and
             the
             Duty
             to
             the
             Mocking
             of
             such
             ,
             if
             then
             present
             ,
             and
             therefore
             reservedness
             in
             the
             publick
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             I
             greatly
             affect
             .
          
           
             Take
             therefore
             my
             reason
             thus
             for
             eschewing
             the
             Publick
             performance
             of
             this
             duty
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             neither
             keep
             off
             Divine
             influences
             by
             form
             ,
             nor
             short'n
             the
             sweetness
             thereof
             by
             brevity
             ,
             nor
             expose
             my self
             and
             the
             duty
             to
             the
             ridiculing
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             either
             would
             willingly
             feast
             upon
             God's
             good
             things
             ,
             without
             ever
             acknowledging
             him
             the
             Giver
             ,
             or
             petition
             his
             blessing
             to
             follow
             them
             ,
             rather
             than
             cool
             the
             Victuals
             a
             degree-more
             than
             suits
             their
             Palate
             ,
             and
             gratifies
             the
             sensual
             Appetite
             .
          
           
             A
             Second
             reason
             of
             eschewing
             Publick
             performance
             of
             this
             duty
             ,
             has
             been
             because
             of
             this
             Spiritual
             frame
             and
             Heavenliness
             of
             mind
             I
             endeavour
             after
             ,
             throughout
             the
             day
             ,
             out
             of
             duty
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             duty
             ,
             which
             hinders
             a
             rushing
             from
             Worldly
             Discourse
             ,
             to
             a
             petitioning
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             Three
             or
             Four
             Sentences
             by
             Roat
             ,
             and
             sets
             forth
             a
             duty
             proceeding
             from
             a
             mind
             spiritual
             and
             actually
             serious
             .
             Besides
             ,
             when
             at
             any
             time
             
             I
             am
             Heavenlily
             carry'd
             out
             ,
             petitioning
             God
             in
             any
             duty
             ,
             I
             find
             that
             often
             Petitions
             and
             Expressions
             will
             run
             upon
             Matter
             that
             I
             have
             been
             formerly
             pleading
             for
             throughout
             the
             day
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             should
             not
             willingly
             desire
             any
             Company
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             to
             know
             of
             ;
             and
             to
             restrain
             my self
             in
             this
             Frame
             is
             what
             would
             greatly
             burden
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             rather
             incline
             me
             to
             lose
             such
             Comforts
             tho'
             never
             so
             grateful
             to
             Sense
             .
          
           
             My
             Method
             therefore
             ,
             and
             great
             Endeavour
             is
             ,
             That
             whether
             others
             perform
             this
             Duty
             ,
             or
             my self
             ,
             I
             may
             ,
             if
             possible
             ,
             meet
             with
             nothing
             that
             may
             occasion
             its
             unspiritual
             performance
             :
             And
             when
             others
             are
             so
             short
             ,
             my
             Soul
             is
             not
             at
             ease
             till
             I
             have
             seriously
             ejaculated
             my
             Thoughts
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             easily
             done
             without
             the
             least
             knowledge
             to
             the
             Short-sighted
             Professor's
             round
             ;
             and
             privacy
             to
             my self
             I
             make
             choice
             of
             ,
             unless
             Family-relation
             engage
             me
             ,
             that
             so
             neither
             Form
             nor
             Brevity
             may
             hinder
             me
             of
             so
             sweet
             an
             Enjoyment
             as
             spiritual
             Frame
             in
             the
             Duty
             ;
             and
             that
             what
             bears
             most
             in
             my
             Thoughts
             towards
             God
             through
             the
             day
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             prevented
             from
             being
             utter'd
             ,
             through
             the
             fear
             of
             others
             knowing
             it
             ,
             or
             ridiculing
             the
             Duty
             because
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Another
             Scripture
             was
             bore
             home
             upon
             my
             Soul
             by
             way
             of
             Instruction
             and
             Comfort
             ;
             when
             one
             day
             I
             happen'd
             to
             be
             out
             of
             all
             Business
             respecting
             my
             Calling
             ,
             and
             discovering
             one
             of
             the
             same
             way
             with
             my self
             in
             great
             
             hurry
             therein
             ,
             some
             repining
             melancholy
             Thoughts
             begun
             to
             spring
             up
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             was
             concernedly
             sensible
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             anxious
             how
             to
             suppress
             them
             ;
             but
             after
             walking
             some
             four
             or
             five
             paces
             ,
             I
             see
             the
             Bible
             before
             me
             ,
             which
             I
             took
             up
             ,
             without
             any
             design
             of
             serious
             reading
             therein
             :
             But
             the
             first
             Verse
             that
             my
             eyes
             fixt
             upon
             ,
             was
             that
             of
             the
             9th
             Verse
             of
             the
             5th
             Chapter
             of
             
               James
               ,
               Grudge
               not
               one
               against
               the
               other
            
             ;
             which
             immediately
             bore
             home
             upon
             me
             with
             astonishing
             amazement
             ,
             that
             so
             exactly
             it
             should
             suit
             my
             Circumstances
             ,
             which
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             might
             have
             from
             Lust
             within
             ,
             and
             Satan
             without
             ,
             occasion'd
             the
             neglect
             of
             regarding
             God
             in
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             the
             attributing
             this
             to
             Chance
             ,
             or
             some
             external
             Accident
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             not
             discover'd
             God's
             own
             hand
             in
             the
             matter
             :
             For
             besides
             God's
             adapting
             it
             so
             suitably
             to
             my
             present
             Case
             ,
             by
             the
             true
             meaning
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             there
             immediately
             issued
             relief
             to
             my
             anxiety
             ,
             and
             full
             quiet
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             comfortable
             satisfaction
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             repining
             .
             And
             I
             still
             find
             upon
             the
             occurrences
             of
             the
             like
             temptation
             ,
             a
             power
             not
             reduceable
             to
             my self
             as
             the
             Fountain
             ,
             but
             proceeding
             from
             Christ
             ,
             and
             conveyed
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             working
             mightily
             in
             my
             Soul.
             Let
             therefore
             these
             prosper
             ,
             and
             others
             excel
             me
             ,
             my
             satisfaction
             is
             founded
             on
             God's
             special
             conduct
             of
             Providence
             round
             me
             ,
             God's
             over-ruling
             all
             Events
             for
             such
             an
             end
             ,
             as
             the
             dethroning
             of
             Corruption
             ,
             and
             the
             raising
             of
             Grace
             to
             such
             perfection
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             
             meetness
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             will
             be
             rewarded
             with
             an
             abundant
             entrance
             into
             that
             blessed
             Kingdom
             .
             This
             divine
             calm
             of
             Mind
             was
             the
             product
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             great
             Comforter
             ;
             for
             meer
             Reason
             and
             natural
             Constitution
             cannot
             quiet
             us
             upon
             such
             Motives
             ,
             and
             are
             but
             weak
             Bulwarks
             to
             defend
             against
             disquieting
             impressions
             when
             difficulties
             occur
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Having
             set
             apart
             some
             time
             for
             private
             Prayer
             ,
             concerning
             a
             more
             than
             ordinary
             Affair
             ,
             and
             reading
             some
             Scripture
             before
             it
             ,
             one
             Verse
             thereof
             affected
             my
             thoughts
             by
             way
             of
             Instruction
             ,
             more
             than
             the
             other
             parts
             of
             that
             portion
             of
             Scripture
             ;
             it
             was
             the
             last
             Verse
             of
             the
             10th
             Chapter
             of
             
               Ecclesiastes
               ,
               Curse
               not
               the
               King
               in
               thy
               thoughts
               ,
               nor
               the
               rich
               in
               thy
               bed-chamber
               ;
               for
               the
               birds
               of
               the
               air
               shall
               declare
               the
               voice
               ,
               and
               the
               fowl
               with
               wings
               shall
               tell
               the
               matter
               .
            
             In
             the
             reading
             whereof
             ,
             such
             a
             divine
             Power
             accompanied
             me
             ,
             that
             set
             me
             a
             resolving
             from
             that
             moment
             to
             eschew
             speaking
             evil
             privately
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             way
             of
             whisper
             ,
             against
             my
             Superiors
             and
             others
             ;
             and
             to
             leave
             whatever
             might
             be
             express'd
             against
             my self
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             ,
             to
             the
             permission
             of
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             ,
             under
             whose
             especial
             Conduct
             I
             had
             some
             comfortable
             evidence
             of
             being
             stated
             ,
             having
             at
             this
             very
             time
             often
             and
             often
             experienc'd
             ,
             that
             upon
             reporting
             any
             thing
             injurious
             to
             others
             ,
             either
             from
             a
             foundation
             of
             Self-applause
             ,
             or
             of
             spreading
             a
             reproach
             with
             that
             privacy
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             imagin'd
             it
             impossible
             the
             reproach
             could
             ever
             reach
             their
             ear
             ;
             yet
             it
             has
             been
             heard
             of
             ,
             
             and
             providentially
             return'd
             me
             with
             the
             just
             punishment
             of
             Reproach
             ,
             either
             from
             the
             same
             person
             ,
             or
             from
             another
             ,
             by
             a
             reproach
             of
             the
             same
             kind
             .
             And
             that
             this
             resolution
             of
             Conformity
             to
             this
             Scriptural
             Lesson
             might
             be
             the
             more
             effectually
             perform'd
             ,
             I
             set
             it
             upon
             Record
             ,
             with
             a
             design
             of
             viewing
             it
             every
             morning
             ,
             before
             my
             entrance
             upon
             publick
             Conversation
             ,
             to
             help
             forward
             that
             resolved
             watch
             ,
             
               of
               taking
               heed
               to
               my
               ways
               ,
               not
               to
               sin
               with
               my
               tongue
               .
            
             To
             the
             intermission
             of
             which
             watch
             ,
             so
             many
             daily
             Temptations
             occur
             ,
             not
             only
             from
             natural
             inclination
             to
             applaud
             one's
             self
             ,
             and
             to
             disparage
             others
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             ill
             example
             of
             others
             ,
             who
             ,
             upon
             pretension
             of
             concern
             and
             friendship
             for
             a
             person
             ,
             and
             trusting
             to
             their
             privacy
             they
             are
             conversing
             with
             ,
             whisper
             an
             ill
             report
             ,
             with
             the
             name
             of
             the
             person
             reproach'd
             ,
             and
             thereby
             draw
             forth
             a
             mutual
             discourse
             upon
             the
             thing
             ,
             that
             aggravates
             and
             fixes
             its
             belief
             upon
             their
             minds
             and
             thoughts
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             ready
             to
             break
             forth
             on
             all
             occasions
             ,
             while
             the
             person
             reproached
             is
             perfectly
             ignorant
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             as
             truly
             innocent
             .
             This
             is
             the
             abounding
             Sin
             of
             the
             Christians
             of
             this
             day
             ,
             either
             to
             believe
             a
             Reproach
             too
             soon
             ,
             or
             to
             aggravate
             it
             in
             its
             after-report
             ,
             and
             neglect
             the
             speaking
             to
             the
             persons
             concern'd
             ,
             for
             their
             amendment
             .
             This
             is
             privately
             contrary
             to
             the
             Rule
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             hinders
             the
             obtaining
             of
             spiritual
             Blessings
             ;
             yea
             ,
             brings
             Men
             under
             the
             danger
             of
             that
             denunciation
             ,
             Psal
             .
             101.5
             .
             
               Whoso
               privily
               
               slanders
               his
               neighbour
               ,
               him
               will
               I
               cut
               off
               .
            
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             When
             I
             have
             been
             under
             great
             concern
             for
             the
             omission
             of
             Duty
             ,
             and
             losing
             that
             delight
             therein
             that
             I
             had
             formerly
             enjoyed
             ,
             then
             the
             Lord
             has
             made
             that
             verse
             of
             the
             7th
             Chapter
             of
             the
             Romans
             ,
             a
             powerful
             relief
             to
             my
             fear
             of
             its
             being
             evidence
             of
             no
             grace
             ;
             
               The
               law
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               warring
               against
               the
               law
               of
               the
               members
               .
            
             And
             when
             I
             have
             found
             before
             the
             performance
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             a
             struggle
             between
             doing
             and
             neglecting
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             trifling
             occasion
             ,
             looking
             out
             at
             a
             Window
             ,
             a
             great
             noise
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             delaying
             of
             my
             Duty
             ,
             then
             my
             Soul
             labour'd
             under
             the
             weight
             of
             concern
             ,
             lest
             it
             betoken'd
             my
             being
             altogether
             empty
             of
             Grace
             ;
             and
             that
             till
             God
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             bear
             home
             this
             express
             Scripture-truth
             to
             be
             experienc'd
             in
             my self
             ,
             and
             to
             quiet
             my
             Mind
             by
             a
             Sermon
             Preach'd
             upon
             the
             1st
             v.
             of
             the
             4th
             chap.
             of
             the
             
               Hebrews
               ,
               Let
               us
               fear
               lest
               we
               come
               short
               of
               that
               rest
            
             ;
             wherein
             in
             the
             Explication
             of
             Fear
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             Duty
             ,
             he
             discover'd
             the
             mixture
             of
             Corruption
             and
             Grace
             in
             a
             Christian
             Soul
             here
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             that
             strugglings
             often
             rising
             thence
             ,
             would
             cause
             fear
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             but
             what
             was
             no
             ground
             of
             fear
             ,
             unless
             when
             overcome
             by
             them
             ;
             after
             which
             time
             I
             begun
             to
             observe
             the
             victory
             over
             these
             disturbing
             fears
             within
             ,
             and
             the
             exercise
             of
             a
             greater
             watch
             unto
             Prayer
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             their
             repulse
             .
          
           
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             Another
             Scripture
             powerfully
             bore
             home
             ,
             has
             been
             that
             of
             the
             16th
             of
             Matthew
             ,
             where
             Christ
             desires
             his
             Disciples
             to
             
               Remember
               the
               five
               Loaves
            
             ;
             which
             Scripture
             ,
             then
             and
             ever
             since
             ,
             in
             the
             steps
             of
             God's
             advancing
             Reliance
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             has
             been
             of
             great
             use
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             has
             seem'd
             to
             withdraw
             any
             sorts
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             it
             has
             made
             me
             have
             immediate
             recourse
             to
             former
             Experiences
             ,
             with
             the
             good
             effect
             of
             accusing
             my self
             for
             my
             little
             faith
             ,
             and
             forgetfulness
             so
             soon
             of
             his
             former
             preventing
             Mercies
             ,
             hastening
             me
             to
             Prayer
             for
             strength
             of
             Faith
             and
             Reliance
             upon
             him
             :
             Let
             this
             be
             upon
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             poor
             Creatures
             under
             God's
             sensible
             withdrawings
             ,
             to
             prevent
             sinking
             fears
             ,
             lest
             they
             are
             without
             Grace
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             Grace
             in
             Sincerity
             ,
             but
             not
             in
             that
             sensible
             strength
             which
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             remembrance
             of
             God's
             former
             Mercies
             ,
             they
             should
             diligently
             endeavour
             to
             obtain
             .
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             That
             Scripture
             of
             
               seeking
               the
               Lord
               while
               he
               may
               be
               found
               ,
            
             and
             
               calling
               upon
               him
               while
               he
               is
               near
               ,
            
             bore
             home
             in
             sweet
             Exercise
             ,
             at
             such
             a
             time
             when
             God's
             Breathing
             has
             been
             sensibly
             upon
             my
             Soul
             ,
             raising
             my
             frame
             to
             a
             Heavenliness
             of
             Mind
             ;
             when
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             by
             warm
             influences
             excites
             the
             Soul
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             season
             of
             Grace
             to
             the
             unrenewed
             ,
             and
             a
             precious
             opportunity
             and
             advantage
             to
             the
             real
             Christian
             .
             This
             has
             made
             me
             to
             prize
             the
             smallest
             motions
             of
             the
             Divine
             Spirit
             ,
             not
             to
             quench
             them
             ,
             and
             watchful
             of
             entertaining
             them
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Meditation
             
             and
             Prayer
             ,
             eschewing
             what
             Conversation
             might
             at
             that
             time
             bring
             levity
             of
             Mind
             to
             dethrone
             them
             .
          
           
             Eighthly
             ,
             Another
             Scripture
             imprest
             seriously
             upon
             my
             Heart
             ,
             was
             the
             21st
             and
             22d
             verses
             of
             the
             18th
             chapter
             of
             
               Matthew
               ;
               Then
               said
               Peter
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               how
               oft
               shall
               my
               brother
               sin
               against
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               forgive
               him
               ;
               till
               seven
               times
               ?
               And
               Jesus
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               Vntil
               seventy
               times
               seven
               .
            
             This
             has
             been
             a
             Scripture
             accompanied
             with
             great
             power
             ,
             to
             repel
             risings
             of
             Corruption
             towards
             Revenge
             ,
             and
             perfectly
             to
             quiet
             my
             Mind
             with
             a
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             concerning
             the
             matter
             .
             The
             first
             Experience
             whereof
             met
             me
             in
             the
             Streets
             ,
             where
             hearing
             of
             a
             false
             and
             unmerited
             Aspersion
             upon
             my self
             ,
             at
             whose
             hands
             I
             deserv'd
             better
             ;
             immediately
             a
             design
             of
             Revenge
             was
             rising
             ,
             and
             was
             carried
             further
             on
             by
             meditating
             upon
             it
             ,
             till
             coming
             home
             ,
             and
             entring
             my
             Chamber
             ,
             and
             taking
             the
             Bible
             in
             my
             hands
             ,
             that
             very
             Scripture
             was
             offered
             to
             my
             View
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             influence
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             made
             an
             assisting-instrument
             of
             quiet
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             ever
             since
             a
             strong
             help
             to
             watch
             my self
             in
             the
             like
             case
             :
             Its
             suitableness
             to
             my
             circumstances
             ,
             its
             effectual
             power
             restraining
             me
             from
             complying
             with
             Satan
             and
             inward
             Corruption
             ,
             and
             inclining
             and
             enabling
             me
             to
             obey
             God
             ,
             whose
             Will
             is
             declared
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             was
             a
             testimony
             that
             a
             gracious
             Providence
             brought
             that
             Scripture
             to
             my
             sight
             .
          
           
           
             Ninthly
             ,
             When
             Reproaches
             against
             me
             ,
             and
             malicious
             Designs
             had
             a
             probability
             of
             taking
             effect
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             turn'd
             into
             other
             Events
             ,
             against
             the
             Design
             ,
             Wish
             ,
             or
             Expectation
             of
             my
             Enemies
             ,
             then
             that
             Scripture
             of
             the
             11th
             verse
             of
             the
             41st
             
               Psalm
               ,
               By
               this
               I
               know
               thou
               favourest
               me
               ,
               because
               my
               enemies
               triumph
               not
               over
               me
               ,
            
             has
             been
             not
             only
             confirm'd
             ,
             but
             imprest
             upon
             me
             with
             much
             inward
             Comfort
             .
          
           
             At
             one
             time
             the
             whole
             15th
             Psalm
             was
             bore
             upon
             my
             Thoughts
             with
             that
             strength
             and
             continuance
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             continually
             desiring
             Conformity
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             measuring
             my
             Actions
             by
             its
             Rule
             ,
             till
             God
             gave
             into
             my
             Soul
             the
             Evidence
             of
             some
             measure
             of
             Conformity
             to
             it
             ,
             with
             other
             spiritual
             Comforts
             at
             that
             time
             .
          
           
             A
             multitude
             of
             other
             Scriptures
             have
             been
             applied
             to
             my
             Soul
             at
             the
             times
             of
             needing
             Comfort
             and
             Instruction
             ,
             but
             they
             would
             enlarge
             my
             Discourse
             too
             much
             ,
             and
             might
             occasion
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             Author
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             chuse
             rather
             to
             stop
             here
             ,
             having
             enumerated
             so
             many
             as
             afford
             a
             Testimony
             to
             the
             reality
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             ,
             applying
             to
             the
             Precepts
             and
             Promises
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             bearing
             home
             Scripture
             Truths
             as
             instructive
             ,
             to
             instruct
             and
             remember
             us
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             encourage
             us
             to
             persevere
             in
             it
             till
             we
             arrive
             at
             Heaven
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Experiences
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             's
             sensible
             withdrawings
             in
             Prayer
             from
             helping
             the
             Christian
             to
             ask
             what
             he
             will
             not
             return
             ,
             though
             in
             his
             design
             to
             Petition
             .
          
           
             THe
             First
             Experience
             whereof
             was
             ,
             That
             though
             I
             had
             designed
             to
             have
             Pray'd
             for
             an
             event
             ,
             yet
             in
             the
             Prayer
             I
             have
             not
             directed
             a
             Petition
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             though
             I
             have
             intended
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             that
             Duty
             ,
             several
             times
             to
             Pray
             for
             it
             ,
             I
             have
             been
             restrain'd
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             When
             one
             day
             I
             designed
             to
             renew
             my
             Requests
             to
             God
             for
             obtaining
             a
             matter
             in
             my
             morning's
             Supplication
             ,
             my
             desires
             were
             fervently
             excited
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             afternoon
             I
             was
             much
             restrain'd
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             hours
             afterwards
             ,
             my
             Soul
             was
             drawn
             forth
             earnestly
             to
             seek
             it
             ;
             and
             upon
             enquiry
             ,
             I
             found
             that
             the
             three
             different
             alterations
             in
             the
             matter
             that
             day
             ,
             and
             the
             different
             times
             of
             the
             alterations
             ,
             exactly
             suited
             the
             times
             of
             different
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             To
             illustrate
             which
             ,
             I
             'll
             give
             you
             one
             instance
             amongst
             many
             ,
             concerning
             a
             Friend
             whose
             Circumstances
             I
             put
             up
             to
             the
             Lord
             three
             several
             times
             in
             one
             day
             ,
             and
             suitable
             to
             my
             great
             enlargement
             for
             them
             in
             my
             Morning-Prayer
             ,
             were
             much
             better
             ;
             but
             suitable
             to
             my
             Afternoons
             constraint
             ,
             were
             for
             some
             
             hours
             in
             racking
             misery
             ;
             and
             suitable
             to
             my
             return
             in
             spirituality
             in
             Prayer
             for
             them
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             return
             of
             mercy
             in
             their
             relief
             ,
             the
             circumstance
             of
             time
             exactly
             suited
             one
             another
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             a
             refreshment
             from
             Pains
             ,
             and
             a
             return
             of
             them
             according
             as
             Prayer
             was
             intense
             and
             enlarg'd
             ,
             or
             restrain'd
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             made
             careful
             Observation
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Another
             Experience
             of
             constraint
             from
             Prayer
             ,
             has
             been
             concerning
             a
             matter
             ,
             which
             (
             all
             circumstances
             considered
             )
             was
             very
             likely
             to
             succeed
             ,
             but
             not
             finding
             my
             Heart
             in
             a
             frame
             to
             pray
             for
             it
             ,
             I
             suspected
             the
             issue
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             it
             was
             not
             effected
             .
          
           
             An
             instance
             thereof
             was
             ,
             concerning
             the
             dearest
             Relation
             I
             had
             on
             Earth
             ,
             who
             being
             Sick
             for
             6
             weeks
             ,
             I
             was
             restrained
             from
             Prayer
             ,
             with
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             for
             restoring
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             the
             issue
             was
             ,
             the
             Death
             of
             that
             Beloved
             Person
             ,
             for
             whose
             recovery
             thorough
             the
             course
             of
             their
             Illness
             ,
             I
             could
             never
             put
             up
             one
             serious
             Petition
             .
          
           
             Two
             very
             late
             passages
             I
             can
             set
             down
             greatly
             establishing
             my self
             ,
             and
             marvellous
             in
             themselves
             .
             One
             was
             concerning
             a
             Person
             of
             great
             Worth
             ,
             of
             whose
             Death
             I
             had
             information
             in
             all
             probability
             certain
             ,
             but
             being
             in
             the
             Street
             all
             alone
             ,
             I
             found
             my self
             enlarged
             to
             pray
             for
             their
             Soul's
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             marvellous
             Pleasure
             ,
             as
             if
             I
             had
             been
             assuredly
             certain
             of
             
             their
             future
             eternal
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             being
             afterwards
             in
             serious
             Prayer
             ,
             I
             found
             the
             same
             sweetness
             as
             I
             have
             enjoyed
             ,
             in
             Spiritual
             Breathings
             from
             above
             ;
             upon
             this
             ,
             I
             humbly
             said
             to
             one
             who
             was
             my
             Bosome-friend
             ,
             I
             was
             not
             of
             the
             opinion
             ,
             that
             the
             Person
             I
             pray'd
             for
             was
             dead
             ;
             and
             imparted
             my
             Reason
             hereof
             ,
             That
             the
             Lord
             by
             his
             Spirit
             had
             help'd
             me
             in
             sweet
             spirituality
             to
             supplicate
             for
             them
             :
             Accordingly
             we
             had
             an
             account
             of
             the
             Person
             's
             being
             better
             ;
             but
             the
             next
             morning
             following
             ,
             I
             found
             such
             a
             restraint
             from
             Praying
             for
             that
             Person
             ,
             that
             I
             then
             said
             to
             my
             Friend
             ,
             That
             the
             Person
             was
             Dead
             ,
             and
             that
             very
             account
             we
             had
             presently
             after
             .
          
           
             The
             other
             passage
             was
             ,
             Concerning
             one
             to
             be
             Executed
             ,
             for
             whose
             Salvation
             I
             found
             my
             Affections
             very
             ardently
             drawn
             forth
             in
             Prayer
             to
             the
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             ;
             but
             in
             Prayer
             for
             his
             Life
             ,
             my
             Desires
             were
             dried
             up
             ,
             and
             my
             Tongue
             did
             as
             it
             were
             cleave
             to
             the
             Roof
             of
             my
             Mouth
             .
             Three
             times
             I
             found
             this
             change
             in
             my self
             ,
             being
             always
             carried
             out
             with
             fervency
             and
             freedom
             to
             Pray
             for
             his
             Soul
             ,
             but
             restrain'd
             and
             discourag'd
             to
             Pray
             for
             his
             Life
             ;
             observing
             this
             difference
             in
             my self
             ,
             I
             told
             an
             intimate
             Friend
             ,
             That
             I
             had
             good
             hope
             of
             his
             eternal
             Salvation
             ,
             but
             no
             hope
             of
             his
             Pardon
             .
             The
             issue
             was
             ,
             the
             Condemned
             Person
             was
             Reprieved
             for
             two
             days
             ,
             and
             was
             afterward
             Executed
             ;
             and
             at
             his
             Death
             ,
             
             his
             Behaviour
             was
             so
             humble
             and
             Christian
             ,
             that
             the
             Minister
             that
             attended
             him
             ,
             declared
             his
             great
             satisfaction
             ,
             that
             he
             died
             a
             Penitent
             Believer
             .
          
           
             Many
             instances
             of
             the
             same
             kind
             I
             could
             set
             down
             ,
             but
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             the
             following
             instance
             :
             I
             was
             going
             to
             see
             a
             Friend
             that
             was
             Sick
             ,
             and
             addrest
             my self
             to
             God
             in
             secret
             Prayer
             before
             I
             went
             ,
             but
             a
             kind
             of
             terrour
             seiz'd
             my
             Mind
             ,
             and
             Words
             stopt
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             not
             offer
             up
             one
             Petition
             in
             any
             seriousness
             ,
             or
             with
             any
             hopes
             of
             being
             heard
             for
             recovery
             :
             And
             going
             to
             see
             the
             Person
             ,
             found
             that
             they
             had
             been
             dead
             some
             time
             before
             .
             This
             was
             a
             discovery
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             does
             often
             withdraw
             his
             Assistance
             to
             Ask
             for
             that
             which
             he
             knows
             God
             will
             not
             bestow
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Experiences
             of
             God's
             Method
             of
             training
             me
             to
             the
             serious
             ,
             aweful
             ,
             and
             delightful
             hearing
             of
             Sermons
             .
          
           
             FIrst
             ,
             by
             suiting
             Sermons
             upon
             a
             Sabbath
             unexpectedly
             to
             things
             my
             Thoughts
             have
             greatly
             ruminated
             on
             through
             the
             week
             ,
             and
             by
             bearing
             home
             instruction
             and
             comfort
             to
             my
             Soul
             thereby
             .
             One
             instance
             ,
             (
             without
             expressing
             many
             I
             could
             give
             )
             was
             ,
             when
             through
             the
             week
             greatly
             thoughtful
             concerning
             the
             knowledge
             of
             effectual
             calling
             ,
             and
             my
             evidence
             thereof
             in
             my
             Soul
             ;
             and
             happening
             to
             be
             one
             day
             in
             a
             Friend's
             Closet
             ,
             where
             several
             Books
             lay
             ,
             I
             lookt
             into
             one
             ,
             and
             being
             pleased
             with
             the
             subject
             ,
             I
             brought
             it
             home
             ,
             without
             knowing
             that
             any
             thing
             concerning
             Effectual
             Calling
             was
             in
             it
             ;
             in
             the
             perusal
             whereof
             I
             found
             an
             Appendix
             concerning
             Effectual
             Calling
             ,
             which
             greatly
             pleased
             me
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             my
             Thoughts
             being
             then
             in
             great
             Exercise
             concerning
             it
             ,
             but
             still
             without
             any
             sensible
             satisfaction
             in
             my self
             from
             using
             it
             .
             The
             following
             Sabbath
             I
             found
             a
             strong
             inclination
             to
             hear
             another
             Minister
             than
             whom
             I
             usually
             heard
             ,
             without
             argument
             to
             my self
             against
             him
             ,
             or
             any
             sensible
             and
             more
             grateful
             motion
             to
             hear
             another
             .
             The
             Inclination
             grew
             so
             strongly
             and
             suddenly
             ,
             that
             no
             objection
             could
             stop
             my
             design
             ,
             tho'
             I
             met
             with
             several
             ;
             and
             at
             my
             hearing
             the
             Minister
             ,
             found
             his
             Sermon
             upon
             Effectual
             
             Calling
             ,
             and
             accompanied
             with
             such
             satisfactory
             Instructions
             ,
             and
             sweet
             Sense
             of
             my
             being
             effectually
             called
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             amazed
             and
             ravished
             at
             the
             time
             ;
             which
             plainly
             proved
             the
             word
             Preached
             to
             be
             the
             power
             of
             God
             ,
             bringing
             forth
             evidences
             which
             are
             means
             to
             Salvation
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             By
             bearing
             home
             Duties
             with
             such
             Power
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             in
             the
             hearing
             of
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             that
             immediately
             their
             performance
             has
             been
             resolved
             ,
             and
             the
             practice
             dutifully
             and
             delightfully
             continued
             .
             One
             remarkable
             instance
             was
             ,
             By
             a
             Sermon
             of
             a
             faithful
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Mr.
             Showers
             ,
             in
             a
             December
             ,
             Preparatory
             to
             the
             Sacrament
             ;
             wherein
             he
             prest
             ,
             That
             as
             People
             ,
             at
             that
             time
             usually
             ,
             were
             a
             considering
             their
             Account-Books
             ,
             to
             know
             their
             Circumstances
             ;
             so
             we
             might
             at
             the
             same
             time
             every
             year
             ,
             take
             an
             Account
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             to
             know
             the
             State
             of
             Grace
             ,
             whether
             growing
             ,
             decaying
             ,
             or
             at
             a
             stand
             ;
             which
             greatly
             imprest
             me
             at
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             was
             a
             mean
             in
             God's
             Hand
             to
             persuade
             me
             to
             the
             Custom
             thereof
             ;
             which
             ever
             since
             I
             have
             used
             ;
             and
             not
             only
             then
             ,
             but
             every
             night
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             end
             of
             every
             month
             ;
             and
             blessed
             be
             God
             it
             has
             been
             of
             great
             Service
             to
             my self
             in
             the
             discovery
             of
             the
             advancement
             of
             my
             inward
             Change
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             preserving
             of
             me
             from
             misapprehensions
             of
             God's
             Ways
             with
             me
             ,
             helping
             me
             to
             know
             what
             Grace
             is
             most
             in
             exercise
             ,
             and
             what
             Corruption
             most
             tempting
             ,
             
             and
             a
             continual
             discovery
             of
             God's
             Method
             suiting
             his
             Providences
             to
             each
             .
             I
             impart
             it
             ,
             as
             an
             Example
             to
             others
             ,
             and
             to
             help
             forward
             their
             comfortable
             Pilgrimage
             on
             Earth
             .
          
           
             Another
             instance
             of
             that
             Experience
             ,
             was
             ,
             In
             the
             powerful
             Influence
             that
             accompanied
             my
             Soul
             in
             hearing
             the
             Sermons
             Preached
             upon
             Family-Duty
             ,
             by
             which
             ,
             tho'
             I
             always
             perform'd
             Evening
             Family-Prayer
             ,
             yet
             had
             never
             performed
             it
             in
             the
             Morning
             ,
             till
             by
             that
             means
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             inforce
             it
             as
             Duty
             ,
             and
             help
             me
             to
             practice
             it
             with
             Comfort
             :
             And
             if
             these
             Ministers
             had
             no
             other
             Seal
             accompanying
             their
             Religious
             Undertakings
             ,
             this
             one
             may
             Comfort
             them
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             know
             it
             was
             not
             in
             vain
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             By
             influencing
             Sermons
             with
             a
             power
             to
             suppress
             Evils
             predominant
             at
             the
             time
             of
             hearing
             ,
             which
             gave
             me
             ground
             to
             fear
             they
             would
             interrupt
             me
             in
             that
             Duty
             .
             I
             have
             often
             found
             my self
             under
             Disquiet
             ,
             and
             in
             great
             fear
             lest
             the
             Disquiet
             should
             occasion
             an
             unprofitable
             Hearing
             ,
             it
             being
             natural
             for
             a
             thing
             disquieting
             to
             draw
             forth
             the
             Mind
             upon
             it
             ,
             even
             when
             it
             ought
             to
             fix
             upon
             a
             thing
             of
             higher
             concern
             ;
             and
             yet
             I
             have
             been
             so
             far
             from
             losing
             the
             advantage
             of
             this
             blessed
             mean
             of
             Grace
             ,
             that
             it
             has
             been
             through
             the
             Blessing
             of
             God
             effectual
             to
             remove
             the
             Disquiet
             it self
             ,
             and
             to
             bring
             me
             into
             a
             sweet
             spiritual
             frame
             of
             Soul.
             How
             ought
             this
             greatly
             to
             caution
             us
             ,
             
             not
             to
             add
             one
             folly
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             by
             pretension
             of
             unfitness
             to
             hear
             ,
             to
             neglect
             hearing
             ,
             it
             being
             a
             means
             by
             Divine
             Assistance
             to
             make
             you
             sit
             ?
             How
             often
             have
             the
             Prophane
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             vainly
             said
             ,
             They
             were
             as
             knowing
             as
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             understood
             as
             much
             as
             they
             could
             acquaint
             them
             ?
             And
             why
             should
             they
             go
             to
             hear
             what
             they
             know
             before-hand
             ?
             Never
             considering
             ,
             Hearing
             as
             a
             means
             not
             only
             instructing
             their
             Judgments
             ,
             but
             changing
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             establishing
             them
             Experimentally
             in
             what
             they
             know
             ,
             and
             raising
             them
             by
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             to
             a
             serious
             spiritual
             heavenly
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             the
             Element
             a
             Saint
             desires
             continually
             to
             breathe
             in
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             By
             ordering
             the
             Sermons
             of
             Persons
             dislik'd
             from
             some
             circumstances
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             as
             means
             both
             of
             Instruction
             and
             Comsort
             ;
             and
             the
             circumstance
             despised
             ,
             more
             spiritualizing
             my
             frame
             than
             ordinary
             ,
             to
             prevent
             partial
             respects
             to
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             to
             see
             the
             assisting
             means
             that
             God
             affords
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             encourage
             us
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             means
             that
             God
             affords
             us
             ,
             the
             most
             unlikely
             means
             being
             truly
             successful
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             influenced
             with
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             One
             instance
             whereof
             was
             ,
             Before
             I
             happened
             to
             know
             or
             hear
             a
             worthy
             Minister
             of
             this
             City
             ,
             I
             ordinarily
             exclaim'd
             against
             his
             Singing
             of
             Hymns
             ,
             not
             as
             unlawful
             ;
             for
             Hymns
             ,
             Psalms
             ,
             and
             Spiritual
             Songs
             ,
             are
             the
             parts
             of
             
             Praise
             under
             the
             New
             Testament
             ;
             but
             lest
             it
             should
             give
             encouragement
             to
             others
             ,
             not
             so
             sound
             in
             Learning
             and
             Divinity
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             neglect
             the
             use
             of
             Psalms
             ,
             but
             to
             compose
             what
             might
             be
             erroneous
             ,
             weak
             ,
             and
             dissonant
             from
             them
             ,
             one
             day
             I
             found
             a
             mighty
             inclination
             in
             my self
             to
             hear
             him
             ,
             without
             any
             rational
             motion
             to
             it
             at
             the
             time
             :
             And
             tho'
             I
             was
             in
             an
             extraordinary
             lazy
             cold
             frame
             ,
             yet
             no
             sooner
             did
             I
             enter
             the
             place
             ,
             but
             I
             met
             with
             the
             Hymn
             I
             had
             so
             much
             exclaim'd
             against
             ,
             plainly
             made
             use
             of
             as
             a
             mean
             to
             bring
             me
             into
             a
             most
             ravishing
             spiritual
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             which
             continued
             with
             me
             in
             all
             the
             after
             publick
             and
             private
             Duties
             of
             the
             day
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             also
             Experienc'd
             ,
             That
             when
             upon
             the
             consideration
             of
             a
             low
             esteem
             of
             a
             Minister
             for
             his
             weak
             parts
             ,
             and
             unsuitable
             way
             of
             Preaching
             to
             what
             I
             wanted
             ,
             I
             have
             withdrawn
             to
             some
             place
             else
             ,
             that
             that
             very
             day
             I
             have
             had
             an
             unusual
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Worth
             of
             this
             Minister's
             Sermon
             whom
             I
             left
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             meeting
             with
             that
             sweetness
             I
             have
             expected
             ,
             or
             sometimes
             have
             had
             from
             the
             other
             ,
             when
             I
             have
             gone
             with
             some
             inward
             constraint
             ,
             I
             have
             found
             my self
             in
             as
             bad
             a
             frame
             as
             ever
             ,
             without
             any
             satisfaction
             and
             establishment
             ,
             but
             rather
             an
             uneasiness
             of
             Mind
             concerning
             it
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             instructing
             is
             this
             of
             the
             Inefficacy
             of
             the
             best
             means
             without
             a
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Efficacy
             of
             the
             weakest
             means
             with
             a
             Divine
             Power
             !
             It
             is
             neither
             learned
             matter
             ,
             
             nor
             fine
             Oratory
             ,
             that
             will
             savingly
             instruct
             the
             Mind
             ,
             or
             comfort
             the
             Soul
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             affect
             the
             fancy
             ,
             and
             inform
             the
             judgment
             for
             a
             time
             ;
             how
             instructing
             is
             it
             of
             a
             dependance
             upon
             God
             in
             the
             use
             of
             means
             he
             lays
             providentially
             in
             our
             way
             as
             our
             Duty
             ,
             unless
             when
             God
             goes
             out
             of
             his
             ordinary
             road
             ,
             of
             which
             we
             are
             not
             to
             make
             a
             Rule
             ?
             If
             they
             be
             weak
             means
             or
             strong
             means
             ,
             it
             is
             according
             to
             the
             influence
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             that
             they
             become
             effectual
             ;
             and
             if
             you
             slight
             a
             weaker
             Preacher
             ,
             under
             whose
             Instruction
             you
             are
             by
             the
             Designation
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             chuse
             to
             go
             to
             one
             more
             learned
             and
             pleasing
             ,
             you
             have
             not
             so
             good
             a
             Warrant
             to
             expect
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             partly
             because
             of
             your
             neglecting
             the
             appointed
             means
             for
             your
             spiritual
             Profit
             ;
             partly
             lest
             you
             be
             in
             danger
             to
             limit
             God
             to
             afford
             his
             Blessing
             to
             the
             Preaching
             of
             one
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             another
             ;
             whereas
             his
             working
             is
             as
             glorious
             ,
             if
             not
             more
             ,
             with
             a
             weak
             instrument
             ,
             than
             by
             a
             strong
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             plain
             serious
             Sermon
             that
             I
             have
             many
             times
             found
             most
             pleasing
             to
             my self
             ,
             however
             other
             sorts
             have
             ravished
             my
             Senses
             at
             the
             time
             .
          
           
             The
             Method
             I
             used
             that
             my
             hearing
             the
             Word
             Preach'd
             might
             be
             profitable
             ,
             was
             and
             is
             ,
             to
             examine
             my self
             ,
             whether
             I
             could
             assent
             to
             the
             Truth
             of
             what
             I
             heard
             ,
             from
             my
             own
             Experience
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Minister's
             Assertion
             ,
             by
             which
             I
             was
             established
             and
             comforted
             ,
             when
             my
             private
             Experience
             was
             consonant
             to
             the
             
             Doctrine
             of
             a
             publick
             Preacher
             :
             But
             when
             this
             was
             wanting
             ,
             if
             the
             Doctrine
             was
             proved
             from
             Scripture
             ,
             my
             Petitions
             to
             Heaven
             have
             been
             spiritually
             carried
             forth
             ,
             That
             the
             Truth
             might
             be
             sealed
             to
             my
             Soul
             by
             feeling
             its
             Efficacy
             ;
             and
             I
             have
             in
             a
             short
             time
             found
             my
             Desires
             answered
             ,
             by
             the
             operations
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             in
             me
             .
             The
             right
             hearing
             of
             the
             Word
             consists
             not
             in
             a
             grave
             outward
             gesture
             ,
             or
             giving
             ear
             to
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             either
             upon
             the
             Fundamental
             Principles
             of
             Christianity
             to
             be
             believ'd
             ,
             or
             the
             practical
             Duties
             to
             be
             perform'd
             ,
             but
             you
             must
             compare
             your
             Faith
             and
             Life
             with
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             that
             seriously
             ,
             without
             the
             intermixture
             of
             wandring
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             with
             fervent
             Prayer
             for
             a
             Divine
             Blessing
             ;
             sometimes
             God
             is
             pleased
             to
             give
             Grace
             more
             richly
             by
             a
             weak
             than
             by
             a
             more
             able
             instrument
             :
             This
             reproves
             many
             ,
             who
             content
             themselves
             with
             attendance
             upon
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             with
             an
             outward
             grave
             behaviour
             in
             Hearing
             ,
             but
             never
             seek
             after
             an
             inward
             frame
             of
             Heart
             suitable
             to
             the
             Word
             ;
             so
             that
             a
             serious
             frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             grave
             gesture
             of
             Body
             ,
             a
             reflecting
             upon
             ,
             and
             comparing
             it
             with
             your
             own
             Experience
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             reflecting
             upon
             and
             comparing
             it
             to
             your
             own
             Notions
             ,
             I
             recommend
             to
             all
             that
             would
             hear
             God's
             Word
             Preach'd
             with
             profit
             thereby
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Experiences
             of
             God's
             Method
             in
             training
             me
             to
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             right
             participating
             the
             Lord's
             Supper
             .
          
           
             PRevious
             to
             which
             ,
             let
             me
             premise
             my
             Opinion
             thereof
             ,
             and
             Practice
             then
             while
             only
             under
             the
             Notional
             Knowledge
             of
             Christianity
             and
             the
             Power
             of
             Education
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             the
             following
             Parts
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             by
             the
             strength
             of
             Education
             I
             believ'd
             the
             Sacrament
             an
             extraordinary
             Ordinance
             ,
             solemnly
             to
             be
             gone
             about
             ,
             and
             extraordinarily
             to
             be
             prepared
             for
             ;
             wonderful
             Communion
             with
             God
             being
             there
             to
             be
             enjoy'd
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             never
             then
             had
             felt
             any
             Experience
             ,
             tho'
             I
             had
             once
             partaken
             of
             it
             with
             all
             seriousness
             ,
             by
             the
             instruction
             and
             example
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             my
             own
             Thoughts
             of
             the
             solemnity
             of
             that
             Ordinance
             ,
             but
             without
             any
             other
             seriousness
             than
             what
             is
             wrought
             by
             a
             Minister's
             affecting
             Discourse
             ,
             and
             delivery
             of
             an
             affecting
             Subject
             ;
             but
             spiritual
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             ,
             without
             which
             ,
             Sacrament
             Communion
             is
             unprofitable
             ,
             and
             the
             discovery
             of
             God's
             love
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             which
             Holy
             Ministers
             have
             spoke
             of
             as
             more
             valuable
             than
             all
             the
             World
             ;
             all
             this
             was
             Mystery
             to
             me
             ,
             and
             not
             desired
             ;
             but
             now
             ,
             blessed
             be
             his
             Name
             ,
             has
             been
             Reveal'd
             ,
             and
             Experimented
             in
             my
             Soul
             by
             the
             means
             of
             Grace
             .
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             When
             I
             felt
             an
             inward
             change
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             I
             had
             clearer
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Nature
             and
             End
             of
             that
             Ordinance
             ,
             my
             intention
             and
             manner
             of
             performance
             was
             Spiritual
             ,
             and
             the
             Benefits
             concomitant
             and
             consequent
             with
             that
             Ordinance
             were
             enjoy'd
             .
             It
             's
             true
             ,
             that
             Prayer
             was
             the
             first
             Duty
             wherein
             I
             felt
             a
             serious
             hearty
             delight
             ,
             and
             understood
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ;
             but
             gradually
             I
             advanc'd
             to
             the
             Experience
             of
             the
             same
             delight
             and
             heavenliness
             of
             frame
             in
             other
             Duties
             ,
             and
             amongst
             the
             rest
             ,
             in
             that
             Duty
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             but
             without
             that
             high
             flight
             of
             Joy
             as
             sometimes
             I
             have
             had
             in
             Prayer
             ;
             but
             I
             still
             imagin'd
             ,
             that
             though
             I
             had
             not
             attain'd
             its
             experience
             so
             much
             in
             that
             Duty
             ,
             yet
             it
             was
             to
             be
             enjoy'd
             therein
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             would
             please
             in
             due
             time
             to
             give
             me
             the
             Sense
             thereof
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             That
             no
             sooner
             I
             had
             the
             Sense
             of
             this
             inward
             change
             ,
             but
             as
             soon
             my
             judgment
             was
             clear
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             repetition
             of
             this
             Duty
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             ;
             for
             before
             ,
             neither
             the
             Reading
             of
             the
             Institution
             ,
             nor
             Ministers
             preaching
             thereupon
             ,
             were
             so
             powerful
             as
             to
             induce
             me
             to
             its
             often
             performance
             ,
             which
             frequency
             I
             once
             imagin'd
             Sinful
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             the
             occasion
             of
             leading
             to
             a
             careless
             Sinful
             performance
             thereof
             :
             Satan
             like
             an
             Angel
             of
             light
             ,
             disturb'd
             my
             tender
             Conscience
             with
             this
             Argument
             against
             frequent
             Communion
             ,
             That
             I
             was
             not
             
             to
             partake
             of
             the
             Lord's
             Table
             without
             a
             Week's
             solemn
             Preparation
             ;
             but
             I
             was
             more
             instructed
             concerning
             my
             Duty
             ,
             by
             my
             own
             Call
             afterward
             ;
             for
             once
             being
             in
             great
             Affliction
             both
             inward
             and
             outward
             ,
             I
             resolved
             to
             go
             to
             the
             Lord's
             Supper
             ,
             imagining
             it
             a
             season
             in
             which
             I
             could
             best
             be
             serious
             ,
             and
             thereby
             better
             prepar'd
             than
             when
             the
             pressure
             of
             the
             Affliction
             was
             over
             :
             And
             if
             there
             were
             any
             such
             thing
             to
             be
             experienc'd
             as
             the
             great
             Comforts
             the
             Saints
             declar'd
             ,
             I
             might
             then
             probably
             feel
             them
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             did
             partake
             with
             greater
             Gravity
             and
             inward
             Thoughtfulness
             than
             otherwise
             I
             should
             have
             been
             able
             to
             do
             ;
             but
             I
             did
             not
             feel
             those
             raised
             Affections
             ,
             nor
             that
             inward
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             or
             ravishing
             Joy
             that
             I
             did
             expect
             ;
             which
             disappointment
             greatly
             concern'd
             me
             ,
             Satan
             forcing
             home
             upon
             me
             this
             suggestion
             ,
             of
             its
             being
             an
             Evidence
             how
             unprepar'd
             I
             was
             ,
             and
             what
             an
             unacceptable
             Sacrifice
             I
             offered
             to
             God
             ;
             which
             made
             me
             consult
             a
             spiritual
             Friend
             ,
             whose
             Sincerity
             and
             Judgment
             I
             had
             in
             very
             high
             value
             :
             His
             Answer
             was
             ,
             The
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             not
             to
             be
             limited
             ;
             God's
             ways
             of
             imparting
             himself
             is
             not
             confin'd
             to
             the
             time
             of
             Partaking
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             but
             you
             may
             judge
             of
             your
             right
             Performance
             by
             your
             frame
             before
             and
             after
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             the
             Duty
             .
             This
             greatly
             reviv'd
             me
             ,
             and
             was
             a
             mean
             of
             quieting
             me
             ,
             and
             of
             keeping
             me
             in
             the
             frequent
             Participation
             of
             the
             Ordinance
             ;
             the
             Truth
             of
             his
             Words
             I
             have
             found
             by
             many
             Experiences
             .
          
           
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             I
             have
             sometimes
             found
             great
             heavenliness
             of
             frame
             before
             the
             Partaking
             of
             the
             Ordinance
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             after
             it
             ,
             even
             when
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Duty
             I
             have
             been
             coldly
             affected
             ,
             and
             without
             sensible
             Comfort
             ;
             Upon
             hearing
             my
             complaint
             ,
             my
             Friend
             reply'd
             ,
             Though
             God
             in
             training
             you
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             himself
             and
             his
             ways
             ,
             has
             dealt
             with
             you
             as
             a
             darling
             Child
             ,
             with
             wonderful
             smiling
             providences
             ,
             think
             it
             not
             strange
             if
             having
             obtain'd
             his
             end
             of
             working
             Faith
             of
             Reliance
             ,
             he
             change
             his
             Method
             ,
             and
             tries
             the
             Grace
             he
             has
             wrought
             in
             your
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             this
             Blessed
             Saint
             being
             at
             a
             distance
             from
             me
             ,
             I
             often
             pray'd
             ,
             O
             that
             I
             had
             fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             feel
             therein
             what
             others
             do
             ,
             or
             what
             I
             have
             felt
             in
             other
             Duties
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             satisfied
             if
             I
             should
             never
             enjoy
             it
             there
             again
             ;
             unbelief
             still
             working
             in
             me
             .
             It
             pleased
             God
             in
             his
             wonderful
             Condescention
             to
             comply
             with
             this
             desire
             ,
             and
             thereby
             to
             discover
             the
             greatness
             of
             my
             weakness
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             advantage
             of
             Reliance
             upon
             God
             in
             the
             use
             of
             means
             ,
             without
             limiting
             him
             to
             our
             desires
             ;
             for
             in
             the
             participating
             of
             the
             next
             Sacrament
             ,
             I
             was
             admitted
             to
             such
             a
             sweet
             ravishing
             Enjoyment
             that
             I
             never
             had
             before
             Experienc'd
             in
             that
             Duty
             ,
             which
             persuaded
             me
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             what
             I
             have
             often
             heard
             ;
             but
             such
             a
             disquieting
             darkness
             was
             consequent
             both
             in
             my
             
             Mind
             and
             outward
             Affairs
             ,
             that
             I
             by
             the
             rich
             Mercy
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             was
             then
             help'd
             ,
             sweetly
             to
             resign
             my
             desire
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             to
             supplicate
             for
             his
             influences
             ,
             as
             he
             pleased
             to
             dispense
             them
             ,
             never
             limiting
             God
             to
             things
             or
             times
             further
             than
             as
             suitable
             to
             his
             Omniscient
             Will
             ;
             by
             this
             Experience
             I
             was
             helpt
             in
             all
             my
             concerns
             ,
             less
             as
             well
             as
             greater
             ,
             to
             cast
             them
             at
             Heaven's
             Gate
             ,
             to
             hope
             in
             his
             Mercy
             for
             them
             ,
             with
             this
             desire
             only
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Grace
             and
             Supplication
             ,
             be
             assisted
             to
             make
             known
             my
             Requests
             to
             God
             with
             Faith
             and
             Resignation
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             be
             accepted
             of
             him
             ;
             and
             in
             this
             I
             find
             my
             Hearts
             Ease
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             since
             esteem'd
             it
             Duty
             ,
             and
             had
             ardent
             Desire
             of
             Partaking
             the
             Lord's
             Supper
             every
             Month.
             While
             my
             Religion
             was
             merely
             from
             Education
             ,
             I
             thought
             once
             in
             a
             year
             or
             two
             enough
             ,
             to
             partake
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             but
             since
             my
             regard
             to
             my
             Sovereign's
             and
             Saviour's
             Command
             ,
             
               Do
               this
               in
               remembrance
               of
               me
               ,
            
             and
             my
             performance
             in
             Obedience
             to
             this
             Command
             ,
             I
             have
             enjoy'd
             ravishing
             sweetness
             in
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             in
             this
             Duty
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             add
             ,
             That
             the
             frequent
             repeating
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             is
             attended
             with
             great
             advantage
             ;
             for
             by
             Preparatory
             Examination
             ,
             I
             am
             more
             fully
             acquainted
             with
             my
             Spiritual
             State
             ,
             with
             my
             present
             Corruptions
             and
             Graces
             stronger
             or
             weaker
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             how
             God
             makes
             this
             Duty
             a
             mean
             to
             suppress
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             raise
             
             the
             other
             ,
             with
             my
             Defects
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             ;
             and
             I
             have
             a
             fuller
             sight
             of
             Christ
             in
             all-sufficient
             merits
             in
             his
             Treasures
             of
             Grace
             that
             are
             open'd
             to
             all
             that
             come
             with
             Holy
             Affections
             to
             him
             .
             The
             serious
             and
             frequent
             renewing
             our
             Covenant
             with
             Christ
             in
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             will
             endear
             him
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             engage
             us
             to
             live
             to
             him
             who
             died
             for
             us
             ;
             and
             the
             warm
             impression
             of
             his
             love
             will
             be
             maintain'd
             in
             our
             Souls
             ,
             which
             is
             too
             apt
             to
             cool
             and
             decline
             ,
             unless
             fed
             and
             reviv'd
             by
             the
             frequent
             Contemplation
             of
             our
             Crucified
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             In
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Celebration
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             I
             have
             oft
             been
             in
             a
             cold
             frame
             ;
             but
             at
             the
             approach
             of
             the
             Elements
             this
             frame
             has
             chang'd
             ,
             and
             my
             Soul
             has
             been
             sweetly
             carried
             forth
             to
             petition
             for
             the
             imparting
             the
             Priviledges
             of
             Christ's
             Body
             broken
             ,
             and
             Benefits
             annext
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             I
             have
             found
             from
             receiving
             the
             Elements
             ,
             the
             strengthening
             power
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             verifying
             our
             Saviour's
             Words
             ,
             
               That
               his
               flesh
               is
               meat
               indeed
               ,
               and
               his
               blood
               drink
               indeed
               .
            
             This
             has
             been
             a
             means
             to
             preserve
             me
             from
             Anxieties
             ,
             and
             to
             persevere
             in
             the
             frequent
             Commemorating
             of
             Christ's
             Death
             prescrib'd
             in
             his
             last
             Will
             :
             I
             also
             find
             ,
             that
             the
             more
             frequent
             renewing
             my
             Vows
             ,
             makes
             me
             more
             careful
             to
             perform
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             's
             more
             easie
             to
             take
             an
             account
             of
             our
             Faithfulness
             to
             God
             and
             our
             Souls
             ,
             or
             of
             our
             Neglects
             ,
             once
             every
             Month
             ,
             than
             when
             there
             is
             a
             greater
             distance
             between
             the
             time
             of
             our
             
             Receiving
             ,
             and
             Examining
             our selves
             ,
             how
             correspondent
             our
             Conversations
             have
             been
             to
             our
             Covenant
             seal'd
             in
             that
             Ordinance
             .
          
           
             Eighthly
             ,
             At
             the
             time
             of
             partaking
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             I
             have
             often
             desir'd
             with
             ardent
             Affections
             ,
             two
             Things
             ,
             That
             I
             might
             be
             spiritually-minded
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             my
             life
             ,
             and
             that
             Holiness
             may
             be
             advancing
             in
             my
             Soul
             till
             I
             arrive
             at
             perfection
             .
             This
             will
             be
             attended
             with
             solid
             Comfort
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Promise
             ,
             
               Great
               peace
               to
               those
               who
               keep
               thy
               law
               :
            
             And
             altho'
             we
             are
             to
             seek
             the
             shining
             face
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             joyful
             assurance
             of
             his
             love
             in
             the
             use
             of
             his
             Ordinances
             ;
             yet
             since
             the
             shedding
             abroad
             in
             the
             Soul
             the
             clear
             Evidences
             of
             God's
             Love
             ,
             is
             a
             free
             Dispensation
             according
             to
             the
             Divine
             Pleasure
             ,
             my
             principal
             request
             has
             been
             to
             have
             a
             pure
             Heart
             and
             Holy
             Conversation
             ,
             depending
             upon
             God
             for
             inward
             Comfort
             .
          
           
             From
             which
             Experiences
             you
             may
             upon
             good
             ground
             fear
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             excuse
             of
             neglecting
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             is
             because
             of
             its
             being
             a
             Solemn
             Ordinance
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             seldom
             receiv'd
             ,
             is
             an
             Error
             of
             the
             Carnal
             Mind
             ,
             and
             a
             Temptation
             of
             Satan
             to
             divert
             us
             from
             using
             frequently
             that
             means
             of
             Grace
             ,
             which
             confirms
             our
             Faith
             ,
             inflames
             our
             Love
             ,
             and
             secures
             our
             hope
             of
             Glory
             ,
             and
             makes
             us
             more
             exact
             and
             constant
             ,
             and
             comfortable
             in
             the
             everlasting
             way
             .
          
           
           
             I
             shall
             conclude
             this
             with
             Advice
             to
             those
             who
             have
             not
             felt
             those
             Joyful
             Emanations
             in
             this
             Ordinance
             which
             they
             have
             expected
             ,
             and
             others
             of
             the
             Saints
             have
             enjoy'd
             ;
             Be
             not
             discourag'd
             from
             your
             Duty
             ,
             but
             with
             unfainting
             perseverance
             ,
             continue
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             means
             of
             Grace
             ;
             The
             Lord
             waits
             to
             be
             gracious
             ,
             to
             bestow
             his
             Comforts
             in
             the
             best
             season
             :
             There
             is
             sweet
             Peace
             in
             our
             Obedience
             to
             the
             Divine
             Commands
             ,
             tho'
             we
             have
             not
             raptures
             of
             Joy
             ;
             And
             our
             Obedience
             is
             more
             pleasing
             to
             God
             ,
             when
             notwithstanding
             all
             difficulties
             and
             discouragements
             ,
             it
             's
             with
             Conscience
             to
             his
             commanding-Will
             perform'd
             ,
             than
             when
             it
             's
             made
             easie
             by
             sensible
             Comforts
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           APPLICATORY
           ,
           AND
           
             SECOND
             PART
          
           OF
           This
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           CHristianity
           ,
           as
           is
           described
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           Experienc'd
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           Real
           Christians
           ,
           in
           different
           degrees
           of
           Knowledge
           and
           Power
           ;
           but
           the
           most
           who
           are
           Christians
           in
           Profession
           ,
           are
           strangers
           to
           its
           vital
           Efficacy
           .
        
         
           The
           reason
           of
           this
           diversity
           is
           ,
           Because
           the
           most
           rest
           in
           the
           speculative
           Notion
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           are
           contented
           with
           the
           external
           Character
           of
           others
           ;
           others
           are
           cleansed
           and
           changed
           by
           the
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           are
           inward
           Christians
           .
        
         
           Among
           Christians
           in
           Title
           there
           are
           various
           Divisions
           and
           contrary
           Sentiments
           ,
           according
           
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Education
           ,
           which
           often
           cause
           violent
           Contentions
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           Among
           real
           Christians
           there
           are
           Differences
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           so
           deep
           a
           nature
           ;
           Some
           Christians
           are
           weaker
           by
           damping
           of
           this
           powerful
           Principle
           of
           Regeneration
           ,
           through
           too
           long
           omission
           of
           the
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           or
           by
           too
           deep
           mixing
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Affections
           in
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           or
           by
           a
           levity
           of
           Mind
           in
           their
           indulging
           too
           free
           a
           use
           of
           sensitive
           Pleasures
           that
           are
           innocent
           in
           their
           nature
           .
           And
           from
           these
           Reasons
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           spiritual
           Influences
           are
           obstructed
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           in
           Christians
           is
           not
           so
           lively
           and
           vigorous
           as
           in
           others
           ,
           who
           regard
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           internal
           things
           ,
           with
           great
           application
           and
           diligence
           ,
           sometimes
           carnal
           Pride
           insinuates
           into
           those
           who
           are
           real
           Christians
           ;
           and
           to
           maintain
           their
           Parties
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           distinguish'd
           from
           others
           ,
           will
           with
           Heat
           contend
           for
           their
           Opinions
           in
           things
           that
           are
           not
           clear
           ,
           nor
           of
           great
           moment
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           Fundamental
           Doctrines
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           Christians
           that
           have
           not
           only
           the
           life
           of
           Grace
           planted
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           the
           liveliness
           of
           Grace
           ;
           they
           are
           working
           and
           watchful
           to
           prevent
           any
           impression
           and
           taint
           of
           Evil
           from
           the
           Contagion
           of
           the
           World
           wherewith
           they
           are
           encompast
           ;
           And
           they
           are
           watchful
           unto
           Good
           ,
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           exercise
           every
           Grace
           in
           its
           season
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           continual
           Derivation
           of
           strength
           from
           Christ
           ,
           they
           are
           preserved
           from
           sinful
           Errors
           and
           irregular
           Passions
           .
        
         
         
           Our
           Blessed
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           has
           paid
           the
           price
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           may
           have
           an
           interest
           therein
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           the
           Priviledges
           thereof
           ,
           as
           evidence
           and
           earnest
           of
           Heaven
           God
           has
           appointed
           means
           whereby
           we
           may
           obtain
           this
           Blessed
           end
           ;
           means
           that
           are
           suitable
           in
           their
           use
           to
           rational
           and
           lapsed
           Creatures
           ,
           in
           their
           human
           capacity
           ,
           such
           as
           exclude
           boasting
           in
           ourselves
           ,
           and
           of
           Presumption
           ,
           Licentiousness
           ,
           and
           security
           in
           a
           carnal
           Conversation
           ;
           these
           means
           are
           prescrib'd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           Prayer
           ,
           Meditation
           ,
           Hearing
           ,
           and
           the
           Participation
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           Sphere
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           's
           Activity
           ,
           in
           these
           we
           draw
           near
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           draws
           near
           us
           ;
           By
           these
           means
           Christ
           with
           all
           his
           saving
           Benefits
           is
           applied
           to
           Souls
           ;
           By
           these
           they
           are
           revived
           from
           the
           Death
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           restored
           to
           the
           favour
           and
           Image
           of
           God
           ;
           They
           live
           in
           Communion
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           are
           confirmed
           thereby
           against
           the
           Temptations
           of
           the
           Evil
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           rules
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Those
           who
           neglect
           the
           holy
           and
           constant
           use
           of
           these
           means
           ,
           whether
           from
           the
           delusion
           of
           their
           Minds
           ,
           or
           the
           corruption
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           will
           find
           ,
           that
           Darkness
           is
           their
           guide
           ,
           and
           the
           issue
           of
           their
           way
           will
           be
           fatal
           and
           destructive
           .
        
         
           Let
           me
           therefore
           apply
           the
           foregoing
           Narrative
           thus
           :
           There
           are
           some
           Professors
           that
           have
           knowledge
           in
           an
           eminent
           degree
           ,
           and
           are
           of
           a
           fair
           unblemisht
           Conversation
           ,
           by
           the
           advantage
           
           and
           impression
           of
           Education
           ,
           but
           are
           strangers
           to
           the
           inward
           power
           of
           Godliness
           as
           ignorant
           Heathens
           :
           Let
           such
           duly
           consider
           the
           Case
           ,
           and
           neither
           despair
           ,
           for
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           can
           quicken
           them
           ;
           nor
           delay
           the
           serious
           and
           diligent
           use
           of
           means
           which
           God
           has
           made
           effectual
           for
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Salvation
           of
           others
           :
           Let
           them
           observe
           both
           the
           outward
           Providences
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           inward
           Workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           apply
           themselves
           to
           God
           in
           the
           Ordinances
           ,
           both
           private
           and
           publick
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           receive
           renewing
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           be
           preserved
           from
           destructive
           Evils
           .
        
         
           If
           a
           Notional
           Knowledge
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           an
           unblemish'd
           outward
           Conversation
           ,
           be
           no
           real
           Christianity
           ,
           no
           certain
           Testimony
           of
           Real
           and
           Saving
           Grace
           ,
           How
           utterly
           void
           of
           it
           are
           the
           Prophane
           ?
           To
           them
           I
           would
           give
           this
           Counsel
           ,
           Not
           to
           be
           averse
           from
           Serious
           and
           Real
           Religion
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           some
           Professors
           who
           have
           only
           a
           name
           to
           live
           ,
           but
           are
           dead
           ;
           or
           from
           a
           conceit
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           so
           extremely
           rigorous
           ,
           as
           to
           deprive
           us
           of
           all
           Natural
           Comforts
           ;
           or
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           different
           Opinions
           in
           the
           Christian
           World
           ;
           but
           to
           remove
           all
           Prejudices
           ,
           and
           to
           endeavour
           to
           understand
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           believe
           the
           Doctrines
           ,
           to
           obey
           the
           Precepts
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           will
           find
           Christianity
           to
           be
           more
           than
           an
           outward
           Profession
           ,
           a
           serious
           Divine
           Principle
           ,
           regulating
           the
           Heart
           and
           Life
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           to
           be
           obtained
           
           of
           God
           by
           every
           sincere
           Seeker
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           allows
           the
           temperate
           Use
           of
           Natural
           Comforts
           ,
           and
           only
           forbids
           the
           licentious
           Abuse
           of
           them
           ,
           whereby
           men
           become
           most
           unlike
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           
             like
             the
             beasts
             that
             perish
          
           :
           And
           the
           lawful
           sober
           Enjoyments
           of
           Nature
           are
           consistent
           with
           the
           Joy
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Saints
           ;
           which
           is
           infinitely
           more
           satisfying
           and
           lasting
           than
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sense
           ,
           for
           which
           so
           many
           lose
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           are
           condemned
           to
           Eternal
           Torments
           .
        
         
           If
           Christianity
           and
           its
           Power
           may
           be
           really
           felt
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           yet
           damp'd
           by
           the
           too
           long
           intermission
           of
           the
           Means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           clouded
           by
           the
           admixture
           of
           too
           much
           of
           self
           ,
           producing
           a
           kind
           of
           Christians
           lazy
           in
           the
           obtaining
           the
           continued
           Power
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           in
           danger
           both
           of
           long
           intermissions
           of
           fellowship
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           breaking
           of
           fellowship
           one
           to
           another
           ;
           more
           dishonouring
           God
           than
           either
           the
           mere
           Professor
           ,
           or
           Prophane
           ,
           who
           never
           experienc'd
           the
           Reality
           and
           Comfort
           of
           True
           Christianity
           :
        
         
           To
           such
           I
           would
           apply
           this
           Exhortation
           ,
           Not
           only
           to
           be
           in
           the
           Right
           Use
           of
           Means
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           more
           Continued
           Right
           Use
           ,
           than
           ever
           formerly
           ;
           for
           undoubtedly
           ,
           if
           the
           Means
           of
           Grace
           be
           the
           ways
           by
           which
           he
           walks
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           he
           communicates
           to
           Believers
           ,
           (
           to
           the
           truth
           whereof
           all
           experiencing
           Christians
           will
           put
           their
           Seal
           )
           ,
           then
           the
           oftner
           Christians
           walk
           in
           those
           ways
           ,
           the
           oftner
           and
           the
           more
           they
           receive
           both
           
           of
           Knowledge
           and
           Comfort
           from
           God
           ;
           which
           undoubtedly
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           some
           real
           Christians
           go
           beyond
           others
           in
           the
           knowledge
           of
           his
           ways
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           the
           more
           close
           walking
           according
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           with
           more
           inward
           Fellowship
           with
           God
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           Means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           common
           Conversation
           .
        
         
           That
           therefore
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           (
           the
           doubting
           whereof
           being
           one
           great
           occasion
           of
           Error
           and
           Vice
           )
           may
           be
           experienc'd
           as
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           leading
           thereto
           given
           forth
           ,
           I
           shall
           previously
           lay
           down
           Two
           Propositions
           ,
           the
           first
           Instructive
           ,
           the
           other
           Cautionary
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           That
           all
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Pilgrimage-state
           are
           under
           Three
           sorts
           of
           Conducts
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           is
           that
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           the
           Foundation
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           Infallible
           Rule
           by
           which
           we
           are
           to
           judge
           of
           all
           Doctrines
           ,
           of
           all
           our
           Experiences
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Passages
           of
           Providence
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           according
           to
           the
           Promise
           of
           Christ
           ,
           instructs
           us
           in
           all
           Saving
           Truth
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           brings
           it
           to
           our
           remembrance
           to
           guide
           us
           safely
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           is
           that
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           sometimes
           enlightning
           what
           seemed
           dark
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Actings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           founded
           upon
           his
           Word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           both
           ,
           though
           the
           dispensations
           of
           
           Providence
           are
           no
           Certificate
           of
           God's
           special
           love
           to
           men
           ;
           yet
           we
           are
           assured
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           peculiar
           tender
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           regards
           his
           Children
           ,
           which
           is
           declarative
           of
           his
           special
           Love
           ;
           and
           by
           a
           serious
           observation
           of
           it
           ,
           their
           Duty
           and
           Comfort
           will
           be
           encouraged
           and
           improved
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Cautionary
           ;
           Not
           to
           limit
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           to
           any
           particular
           way
           or
           time
           of
           working
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           either
           in
           planting
           of
           Grace
           ,
           or
           its
           further
           growth
           .
           Though
           by
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           bring
           me
           to
           the
           first
           serious
           sense
           of
           my self
           ,
           and
           to
           a
           dependance
           upon
           God
           for
           Life
           and
           for
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           by
           marvellous
           steps
           of
           his
           outward
           dispensations
           ,
           joined
           with
           the
           inward
           Workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           he
           has
           begun
           and
           increased
           a
           gracious
           Change
           in
           my
           Soul
           ;
           yet
           he
           has
           used
           various
           methods
           in
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Sanctification
           of
           others
           ;
           which
           whether
           External
           or
           Internal
           ,
           if
           observed
           and
           remembred
           ,
           would
           seal
           to
           Souls
           the
           Truth
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           all
           its
           Opposers
           .
           There
           is
           a
           clear
           discovery
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           in
           the
           different
           means
           that
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           use
           for
           the
           saving
           of
           Souls
           ;
           all
           which
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           with
           Reverence
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           complied
           with
           by
           Obedience
           ;
           the
           end
           of
           all
           being
           our
           Holiness
           ,
           as
           preparatory
           to
           Eternal
           Happiness
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Duty
           or
           Means
           I
           would
           have
           you
           apply
           your selves
           to
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           observation
           of
           
           outward
           Providences
           ;
           this
           having
           been
           so
           effectual
           in
           me
           ,
           I
           earnestly
           recommend
           it
           to
           the
           serious
           practice
           of
           all
           concern'd
           for
           their
           salvation
           ;
           but
           that
           you
           may
           know
           in
           what
           method
           rightly
           to
           observe
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           its
           Characters
           in
           the
           parts
           I
           have
           found
           so
           advantageous
           to
           my self
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           You
           must
           observe
           all
           sorts
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ;
           great
           and
           more
           remarkable
           ,
           lesser
           and
           not
           so
           palpable
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           You
           must
           observe
           all
           Circumstances
           that
           attend
           such
           Providences
           ,
           and
           set
           them
           upon
           Record
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           reflect
           and
           compare
           one
           with
           the
           other
           ;
           many
           confirming
           Providences
           have
           lost
           their
           favour
           and
           establishing
           effect
           ,
           as
           much
           by
           missing
           some
           Circumstances
           thereof
           ,
           as
           by
           forgetting
           of
           the
           whole
           :
           By
           this
           neglect
           some
           have
           had
           misapprehensions
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           false
           conceits
           of
           themselves
           .
           The
           Circumstance
           of
           time
           wherein
           that
           Nobleman's
           Son
           was
           recovered
           ,
           John
           4.52
           .
           exactly
           answering
           the
           hour
           when
           Christ
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           
             Thy
             Son
             liveth
          
           ;
           was
           the
           convincing-proof
           that
           the
           Cure
           was
           performed
           by
           Christ
           ,
           and
           consequently
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           being
           sent
           from
           God.
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           return
           of
           my
           Prayers
           ,
           with
           Success
           answerable
           to
           the
           fervency
           of
           my
           desires
           ,
           and
           Unsuccessfulness
           of
           Prayer
           when
           I
           have
           been
           cold
           ,
           and
           not
           duly
           affected
           in
           that
           Duty
           ,
           has
           confirmed
           my
           belief
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           from
           the
           Excitation
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           that
           
           enabled
           me
           to
           pray
           ,
           and
           from
           his
           excellent
           Goodness
           the
           return
           of
           my
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           You
           must
           observe
           outward
           Providences
           with
           improvement
           :
           The
           Lord's
           design
           in
           laying
           passages
           of
           Providence
           before
           you
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           to
           view
           them
           ,
           but
           to
           see
           Him
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           understand
           his
           Being
           ,
           with
           the
           glorious
           Attributes
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           loving-kindness
           to
           Man
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           the
           suitable
           Improvement
           of
           Eying
           him
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           seeking
           to
           him
           for
           guidance
           in
           Means
           ,
           and
           happy
           Events
           of
           all
           things
           .
        
         
           Observation
           unimproved
           ,
           serve
           not
           God's
           Honour
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           will
           serve
           your selves
           no
           other
           way
           than
           by
           heaping
           up
           Aggravations
           to
           your
           Accusation
           before
           the
           great
           Judge's
           Tribunal
           ,
           for
           neglecting
           to
           improve
           his
           precious
           Talents
           by
           Reliance
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           Glorifying
           his
           Love.
           
        
         
           To
           excite
           your
           Observation
           under
           these
           three
           Characters
           ,
           I
           'll
           lay
           before
           you
           the
           following
           Motives
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           God's
           own
           encouragement
           to
           it
           ,
           Psal
           .
           109.43
           .
           
             Whoso
             is
             wise
             ,
             and
             will
             observe
             these
             things
             ,
             they
             shall
             understand
             the
             loving-kindness
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           If
           in
           God's
           account
           Observation
           be
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           accompanied
           with
           the
           blessed
           discovery
           of
           his
           loving-kindness
           ,
           can
           you
           blame
           my
           Friendship
           in
           pressing
           you
           to
           make
           use
           thereof
           to
           obtain
           a
           Wisdom
           to
           discover
           and
           baffle
           the
           falshood
           and
           errours
           of
           the
           
           Foolish
           ,
           (
           though
           Wise
           in
           their
           own
           Eyes
           )
           and
           to
           enjoy
           a
           sense
           of
           God's
           Divine
           Favour
           ?
        
         
           The
           Psalmist
           is
           giving
           an
           account
           of
           some
           remarkable
           outward
           Providences
           attending
           Nations
           ,
           Churches
           ,
           and
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           and
           then
           concludes
           ,
           That
           
             who
             is
             so
             wise
             to
             observe
             such
             things
             ,
             shall
             learn
             the
             knowledge
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             loving
             kindness
             to
             their
             Souls
             .
          
           If
           Christians
           of
           our
           Age
           had
           but
           been
           exact
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           National
           Church-Providences
           ,
           our
           Wisdom
           had
           more
           shin'd
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           Scriptural
           Fulfillings
           had
           been
           more
           clear
           ,
           and
           Errours
           respecting
           such
           things
           had
           less
           abounded
           than
           they
           do
           in
           our
           days
           .
           What
           a
           little
           proportion
           of
           Care
           does
           the
           publick
           Men
           of
           our
           Age
           bear
           in
           recording
           the
           marvellous
           steps
           of
           Providences
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Nations
           and
           Churches
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           to
           that
           Care
           of
           God's
           publick
           Officers
           under
           the
           Old
           and
           New
           Testam●●●
           ?
           Our
           Civil
           Records
           abound
           from
           one
           year
           to
           another
           ,
           with
           all
           Testimonies
           that
           advance
           the
           Honour
           of
           Princes
           and
           People
           ;
           but
           where
           is
           the
           Record
           of
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           in
           the
           wonderful
           Works
           of
           Providence
           ,
           respecting
           Churches
           ,
           Nations
           ,
           and
           particular
           Christians
           ,
           for
           the
           vindicating
           of
           his
           Honour
           ,
           and
           the
           discovery
           of
           our
           infinite
           Obligations
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           his
           Authority
           may
           be
           born
           up
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           those
           discountenanced
           who
           refuse
           the
           Lord
           to
           reign
           over
           them
           .
           What
           more
           clouds
           the
           discovery
           of
           God
           than
           the
           unmindfulness
           of
           Divine
           Providences
           ?
           In
           
           the
           room
           whereof
           ,
           the
           conduct
           of
           Chance
           ,
           the
           agency
           of
           natural
           Wit
           and
           Policy
           ,
           has
           taken
           place
           in
           our
           Observation
           ,
           Admiration
           and
           Dependance
           ;
           and
           God
           has
           been
           neglected
           in
           his
           Dispensations
           ;
           and
           trusting
           with
           a
           boasting
           in
           our selves
           for
           the
           bringing
           about
           Events
           encouraged
           .
        
         
           If
           publick
           Providences
           concerning
           our
           Nations
           and
           Church
           ,
           since
           our
           late
           Revolution
           ,
           had
           been
           with
           all
           their
           Circumstances
           strictly
           remarkt
           ,
           and
           set
           upon
           Record
           ,
           there
           are
           none
           of
           us
           but
           who
           could
           own
           God's
           agency
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           ours
           ,
           
             They
             get
             not
             the
             land
             in
             possession
             by
             their
             own
             swords
             ,
             neither
             did
             their
             own
             arm
             save
             ,
             but
             thy
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             thine
             arm
             ,
             and
             the
             light
             of
             thy
             countenance
             going
             along
             with
             them
             .
          
        
         
           I
           hope
           ,
           tho'
           Marvellous
           and
           National
           Providences
           have
           not
           had
           place
           in
           any
           of
           our
           Publick
           Records
           ,
           for
           fixing
           the
           Faith
           of
           a
           Deity
           ,
           and
           his
           Divine
           Providence
           ;
           yet
           the
           Private
           Records
           of
           Particular
           Christians
           are
           fill'd
           therewith
           .
           I
           say
           again
           ,
           His
           God
           been
           so
           visible
           in
           the
           outgoings
           of
           his
           Providence
           since
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           late
           Revolution
           ,
           and
           are
           we
           still
           attributing
           the
           Events
           that
           have
           fallen
           out
           for
           us
           ,
           to
           National
           Strength
           of
           Policy
           ,
           Treasure
           and
           Courage
           ?
           How
           often
           has
           God
           turned
           the
           most
           Politick
           Methods
           of
           the
           Wise
           ,
           to
           lay
           bare
           and
           open
           its
           Insufficiency
           ?
           And
           how
           has
           the
           Instruments
           of
           War
           ,
           adorned
           with
           Courage
           ,
           been
           swept
           off
           ?
           That
           from
           Nations
           so
           abounding
           
           therewith
           ,
           How
           few
           appear
           at
           this
           day
           ?
           How
           near
           is
           our
           Treasure
           to
           be
           exhausted
           ,
           by
           vast
           Expence
           of
           War
           ,
           and
           by
           Scarcity
           of
           Current
           Money
           ?
           Has
           this
           no
           Language
           ?
           Or
           has
           its
           Voice
           never
           entred
           the
           Ears
           and
           Hearts
           of
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Nations
           ?
           It
           is
           the
           black
           Sign
           to
           me
           ,
           the
           little
           Sight
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Providence
           ,
           though
           he
           has
           been
           so
           Visible
           ;
           and
           the
           little
           Improvement
           thereof
           ,
           by
           dependance
           upon
           him
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Means
           :
           Though
           our
           Means
           were
           fewer
           ,
           and
           of
           less
           strength
           ,
           it
           should
           not
           afford
           me
           so
           dismal
           a
           Prospect
           of
           things
           to
           come
           ,
           as
           the
           disregard
           of
           God
           in
           all
           our
           Enjoyments
           ,
           the
           little
           dependance
           we
           shew
           upon
           God
           ,
           by
           our
           solemn
           and
           serious
           Addresses
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           by
           our
           Endeavours
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           in
           walking
           conform
           to
           his
           Will.
           Did
           ever
           Error
           and
           Vice
           abound
           more
           in
           our
           Reformed
           Nations
           ?
           Were
           Christians
           ever
           more
           lazy
           than
           in
           our
           days
           ,
           spending
           their
           time
           in
           the
           full
           Excess
           of
           Riot
           of
           all
           those
           things
           that
           God
           ,
           in
           condescending
           Love
           ,
           has
           bestowed
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           thereby
           distinguishing
           us
           from
           other
           Nations
           ?
           How
           many
           times
           does
           God
           bring
           private
           Christians
           ,
           yea
           ,
           Nations
           and
           Churches
           ,
           to
           great
           imminent
           Dangers
           ,
           before
           he
           pours
           out
           his
           Smiles
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           make
           us
           sensible
           of
           that
           regard
           of
           God
           we
           ought
           to
           have
           in
           his
           Providences
           round
           us
           ,
           of
           our
           Duty
           to
           cry
           unto
           him
           in
           Publick
           and
           Closet-Addresses
           ?
           And
           if
           these
           were
           the
           Effects
           of
           our
           Troubles
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           brought
           to
           far
           greater
           Pinches
           of
           Extremity
           
           than
           we
           are
           or
           can
           be
           at
           ,
           I
           should
           not
           doubt
           but
           to
           behold
           the
           Returns
           of
           Providential
           Smiles
           upon
           our
           outward
           things
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           Influences
           upon
           our
           Souls
           with
           Riches
           ,
           and
           inward
           Peace
           amongst
           Christians
           yet
           in
           our
           Land.
           
        
         
           It
           was
           but
           this
           Summer
           ,
           when
           God
           providentially
           ,
           by
           the
           great
           and
           continued
           Rains
           ,
           threatned
           Scarcity
           of
           Bread
           ,
           and
           in
           merciful
           Condescention
           suffer'd
           it
           to
           fall
           out
           ,
           when
           a
           Fast
           was
           appointed
           to
           be
           kept
           for
           Success
           to
           our
           KING
           :
           that
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           by
           the
           Rains
           visible
           before
           us
           ,
           we
           might
           join
           in
           Prayers
           to
           Go●
           for
           the
           one
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           :
           otherwise
           we
           might
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           have
           been
           brought
           nearer
           to
           an
           Extremity
           .
           Before
           we
           had
           publickly
           ●ought
           God
           on
           that
           account
           ,
           an
           additional
           st●p
           〈…〉
           the
           other
           ,
           was
           in
           God's
           〈…〉
           Rains
           immediately
           ,
           as
           〈…〉
           very
           Evening
           of
           the
           〈…〉
           weather
           .
           By
           〈…〉
           thus
           with
           us
           〈…〉
           see
           God
           in
           his
           P●ovi●●●●●●
           〈…〉
           in
           the
           use
           of
           〈…〉
           such
           〈…〉
           the
           following
           〈…〉
           for
           not
           going
           〈…〉
           
           we
           may
           know
           what
           that
           blessed
           Duty
           of
           Dependance
           upon
           God
           means
           ,
           and
           may
           taste
           of
           its
           blessed
           fruits
           both
           upon
           Souls
           and
           Bodies
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           discovery
           of
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           in
           the
           out-going
           of
           P●ovidences
           ,
           a
           fair
           reproof
           arises
           ,
           First
           ,
           To
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           who
           reject
           the
           impression
           of
           a
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           observe
           his
           ways
           of
           it
           ,
           lest
           they
           be
           brought
           to
           a
           Sense
           of
           the
           just
           Power
           above
           ,
           and
           be
           under
           terrour
           for
           despising
           his
           Laws
           that
           are
           not
           pleasing
           to
           the
           Carnal
           Appetites
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           the
           meer
           Professor
           and
           lazy
           Christian
           ,
           who
           would
           limit
           God
           in
           his
           Providence
           to
           matters
           of
           great
           moment
           ,
           and
           not
           extend
           it
           to
           all
           events
           ,
           tho'
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Christian
           Experience
           ,
           bears
           sufficient
           Testimony
           thereto
           .
        
         
           The
           Scripture
           tells
           us
           ,
           Matthew
           10.30
           .
           Luk.
           12.7
           .
           
             That
             the
             very
             hairs
             of
             our
             heads
             are
             all
             numbred
             ,
          
           and
           that
           consequently
           his
           Divine
           Providence
           influenceth
           the
           most
           minute
           things
           ,
           by
           upholding
           and
           ordering
           the
           world
           .
           If
           this
           be
           true
           ,
           as
           to
           a
           general
           Providence
           over
           the
           whole
           Earth
           ,
           How
           is
           it
           much
           more
           clear
           as
           to
           a
           special
           Providence
           ,
           respecting
           his
           own
           Children
           in
           their
           Pilgrimage
           and
           Warfare
           here
           below
           ?
           even
           then
           that
           as
           it
           's
           said
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           Luk
           21.18
           
             One
             hair
             of
             his
             Disciples
             heads
             should
             not
             perish
             .
          
        
         
         
           Christian
           Experience
           confirms
           this
           Truth
           ,
           That
           in
           the
           most
           mean
           Events
           ,
           God's
           over-ruling
           Hand
           is
           greatly
           discover'd
           ,
           and
           Prayers
           put
           up
           for
           small
           matters
           are
           return'd
           with
           such
           full
           discovery
           of
           him
           in
           the
           bringing
           them
           about
           ,
           that
           the
           observation
           thereof
           afford
           greater
           inward
           Comfort
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           outward
           benefit
           ;
           were
           this
           more
           firmly
           rooted
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           professing
           Christians
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           less
           talk
           of
           Fortune
           and
           Chance
           ,
           and
           less
           Trust
           to
           Humane
           Endeavours
           ,
           distinct
           from
           a
           Divine
           Influence
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           the
           Observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           you
           may
           not
           only
           discover
           God
           therein
           ,
           but
           even
           from
           thence
           be
           led
           to
           a
           Dependance
           upon
           ,
           and
           a
           Trust
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           matters
           of
           great
           moment
           ,
           and
           also
           for
           your
           smallest
           concern
           on
           Earth
           ,
           you
           will
           say
           with
           the
           
             Psalmist
             ,
             Thy
             right
             hand
             saved
             us
          
           ;
           and
           as
           in
           the
           6th
           verse
           ,
           
             I
             will
             therefore
             not
             trust
             in
             bow
          
           ;
           and
           as
           in
           the
           8th
           verse
           ,
           
             I
             will
             boast
             in
             God
             all
             the
             day
             long
             ,
             and
             praise
             his
             name
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           You
           wont
           with
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           confine
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           God
           ;
           your
           Address
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           Reliance
           upon
           him
           to
           pinches
           of
           extremity
           ,
           when
           Evils
           seem
           nigh
           at
           hand
           ,
           forcing
           the
           Creature
           by
           the
           very
           light
           of
           Nature
           to
           cry
           out
           for
           help
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           to
           desire
           those
           they
           have
           formerly
           mockt
           at
           as
           Religious
           ,
           to
           supplicate
           Heaven
           to
           withhold
           the
           
           Evil
           ,
           or
           that
           God
           would
           have
           Mercy
           upon
           them
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           You
           wont
           ,
           with
           the
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           express
           only
           your
           trust
           to
           God's
           over-ruling
           Providence
           in
           Words
           ,
           censuring
           those
           that
           deny
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           live
           as
           without
           the
           sense
           of
           a
           God
           therein
           ,
           by
           doing
           Evil
           privately
           ,
           without
           considering
           his
           All-seeing
           Eye
           ,
           or
           endeavour
           to
           obtain
           things
           desired
           in
           the
           use
           of
           ill
           means
           ,
           without
           considering
           his
           over-ruling
           Power
           in
           the
           bringing
           forth
           of
           all
           Events
           .
        
         
           You
           wont
           ,
           with
           the
           lazy
           Christian
           ,
           limit
           his
           governing-hand
           ,
           but
           clearly
           know
           the
           extension
           of
           his
           Power
           towards
           all
           things
           ,
           determining
           small
           Events
           in
           the
           lawful
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           greater
           ;
           and
           that
           God's
           conduct
           of
           his
           Children
           in
           their
           small
           concerns
           ,
           as
           much
           honours
           his
           condescending
           Goodness
           ,
           as
           his
           regard
           of
           them
           in
           their
           most
           difficult
           concerns
           glorifies
           his
           Power
           and
           Godhead
           .
           The
           exact
           Observers
           of
           his
           special
           Providence
           ,
           find
           as
           truly
           his
           Compassionate
           Care
           in
           answering
           their
           Requests
           for
           smaller
           things
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           greatest
           concerns
           of
           their
           Life
           :
           Yea
           ,
           that
           when
           matteas
           of
           small
           moment
           has
           been
           manag'd
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           with
           Dependance
           and
           Resignation
           to
           him
           ,
           they
           have
           then
           had
           both
           a
           better
           Event
           ,
           than
           if
           the
           whole
           strength
           of
           humane
           Power
           and
           Policy
           had
           been
           trusted
           to
           ,
           or
           ill
           means
           made
           use
           of
           for
           its
           obtaining
           :
           And
           that
           the
           honouring
           of
           God
           so
           faithfully
           in
           the
           diligent
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           true
           
           Reliance
           upon
           him
           for
           the
           Event
           of
           a
           small
           concern
           ,
           has
           been
           encourag'd
           by
           God's
           laying
           a
           greater
           matter
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           and
           greatly
           Honouring
           them
           therein
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           therefore
           your
           Duty
           ,
           to
           trust
           God
           in
           all
           circumstances
           ,
           afflicting
           or
           smiling
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           and
           in
           small
           as
           well
           as
           greater
           things
           that
           concern
           our
           Temporal
           State
           ,
           and
           give
           up
           the
           least
           concern
           of
           your
           life
           to
           his
           conduct
           ,
           address
           him
           for
           his
           Guidance
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           him
           for
           the
           Events
           .
           This
           is
           to
           be
           recommended
           to
           all
           ;
           To
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           who
           mind
           not
           God
           in
           the
           goings
           forth
           of
           his
           Providence
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           who
           acknowledge
           him
           in
           Word
           ,
           but
           in
           Action
           deny
           his
           over-ruling
           Power
           ;
           and
           even
           to
           the
           lazy
           Christian
           ,
           who
           minds
           not
           God
           in
           matters
           of
           small
           concern
           ,
           and
           gives
           not
           God
           the
           same
           Tribute
           of
           real
           Reliance
           for
           such
           things
           ,
           as
           for
           matters
           of
           weighty
           concern
           ;
           and
           this
           many
           times
           causes
           a
           slight
           and
           formal
           performance
           of
           our
           Duties
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           dishonouring
           of
           God
           as
           truly
           as
           the
           more
           visible
           Sins
           of
           those
           who
           are
           Strangers
           to
           the
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           By
           the
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           and
           of
           God
           therein
           ,
           with
           a
           reliance
           upon
           him
           ,
           you
           are
           in
           the
           way
           of
           obtaining
           a
           discovery
           of
           the
           inward
           workings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           an
           enjoyment
           making
           you
           sensible
           of
           what
           formerly
           you
           could
           not
           give
           credit
           to
           ,
           though
           exactly
           describ'd
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           
           and
           making
           you
           bless
           his
           Name
           ,
           that
           he
           ever
           put
           it
           in
           your
           thoughts
           to
           practise
           that
           excellent
           and
           greatly
           neglected
           Duty
           of
           observation
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           promise
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             To
             him
             that
             hath
             shall
             be
             given
             .
          
           The
           conscientious
           regard
           of
           external
           Providences
           ,
           will
           lead
           us
           to
           a
           discovery
           of
           greater
           things
           more
           marvellous
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           more
           dignifying
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           more
           comfortably
           establishing
           our
           Faith
           in
           God's
           Word
           ,
           than
           a
           Series
           of
           outward
           Events
           :
           The
           freeing
           of
           the
           Soul
           from
           the
           power
           of
           Original
           Corruption
           by
           the
           sweet
           dominion
           of
           Grace
           ,
           the
           degrees
           of
           spiritual
           growth
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           appointed
           by
           God
           for
           that
           blessed
           end
           ,
           will
           be
           of
           excellent
           advantage
           to
           encrease
           in
           the
           Soul
           light
           and
           joy
           ,
           and
           establishment
           .
        
         
           An
           Observer
           of
           such
           things
           is
           enabled
           to
           see
           good
           ,
           where
           others
           discover
           nothing
           but
           evil
           ;
           and
           evil
           ,
           where
           others
           think
           all
           is
           good
           .
           He
           is
           arrived
           to
           the
           eminent
           degrees
           of
           those
           Christians
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           5th
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           and
           the
           14th
           ,
           are
           said
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           
             who
             by
             reason
             of
             use
             ,
             have
             their
             senses
             exercised
             to
             discern
             both
             good
             and
             evil
          
           ;
           who
           by
           habitual
           observation
           of
           God's
           ways
           by
           his
           Spirit
           and
           Providence
           concerning
           them
           ,
           are
           enabled
           to
           see
           the
           design
           and
           end
           of
           Providence
           ,
           not
           mistaking
           the
           merciful
           Methods
           of
           God's
           dealings
           with
           them
           as
           the
           effects
           of
           Anger
           ,
           nor
           the
           trial
           of
           their
           Grace
           for
           a
           punishment
           for
           want
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           thereby
           dishonour
           God
           ,
           and
           sink
           under
           despondency
           ;
           they
           can
           
             rejoice
             in
             tribulation
          
           ,
           the
           blessed
           priviledge
           
           of
           those
           who
           are
           in
           a
           state
           of
           favour
           with
           God
           ,
           Rom.
           5.
           and
           feel
           a
           power
           above
           themselves
           supporting
           them
           in
           all
           Troubles
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           therefore
           to
           be
           lamented
           ,
           That
           such
           instructing
           and
           comforting
           things
           are
           laid
           in
           our
           way
           to
           observe
           ,
           and
           yet
           that
           so
           many
           with
           their
           Circumstances
           should
           pass
           without
           Record
           and
           Improvement
           .
           Though
           Christians
           are
           assured
           that
           God's
           Gifts
           are
           without
           Repentance
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           the
           evidences
           of
           Grace
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           are
           kept
           stedfast
           in
           that
           Grace
           God
           has
           freely
           bestow'd
           :
           yet
           by
           their
           not
           observing
           God's
           Means
           working
           ,
           and
           the
           proportion'd
           advancement
           of
           Grace
           to
           such
           Means
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           so
           duly
           affected
           with
           the
           infinite
           Mercy
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           so
           comfortably
           sensible
           of
           his
           gracious
           dealings
           with
           them
           ,
           nor
           so
           firmly
           establish'd
           in
           the
           hope
           that
           he
           will
           not
           cease
           his
           working
           in
           them
           ,
           
             till
             they
             are
             made
             mete
             for
             the
             inheritance
             of
             the
             Saints
             in
             light
             .
          
           The
           observing-Christians
           have
           the
           priviledge
           of
           the
           Angels
           ,
           though
           in
           a
           lower
           degree
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           Face
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           have
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           Heaven
           by
           the
           assurance
           of
           it
           ;
           they
           live
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Divine
           Love
           ,
           Joy
           and
           Praise
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Life
           of
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           from
           hence
           reprove
           those
           Professors
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           neglect
           ,
           coldness
           ,
           and
           long
           intermissions
           from
           Holy
           Duties
           ,
           are
           justly
           deprived
           of
           the
           sweetness
           of
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           apt
           to
           censure
           others
           who
           are
           more
           spiritual
           and
           heavenly
           in
           
           their
           Conversation
           ,
           as
           phantastick
           and
           enthusiastical
           ,
           an
           Instance
           whereof
           I
           had
           ,
           by
           an
           Aspersion
           of
           some
           Ministers
           upon
           the
           Writings
           of
           a
           Saint
           now
           triumphant
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           whose
           Life
           was
           employ'd
           in
           Study
           ,
           to
           understand
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           actings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Soul
           ;
           by
           which
           Holy
           Care
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Favour
           ,
           he
           obtain'd
           the
           precious
           Jewel
           of
           Assurance
           ,
           and
           for
           many
           Years
           was
           possest
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Aspersion
           run
           against
           him
           as
           a
           thoughtful
           melancholy
           person
           ;
           of
           the
           latter
           he
           had
           very
           little
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           former
           much
           more
           ,
           I
           do
           believe
           ,
           than
           his
           Aspersers
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           becoming
           the
           weight
           of
           the
           matter
           his
           thoughts
           run
           mostly
           upon
           ,
           often
           bemoaning
           the
           trifling
           ,
           superficial
           thoughts
           of
           the
           Christians
           of
           our
           Times
           concerning
           Gospel-Mysteries
           ,
           Christianity
           experienc'd
           ,
           our
           passage
           hence
           ,
           and
           concerning
           another
           state
           in
           its
           certainty
           and
           eternity
           .
           The
           Aspersion
           also
           run
           against
           him
           for
           laying
           stress
           upon
           enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           that
           concerning
           inward
           Religion
           his
           Discourses
           were
           unintelligible
           .
        
         
           In
           answer
           to
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           Censure
           ,
           I
           can
           from
           my
           own
           blessed
           Experience
           declare
           ,
           That
           I
           have
           had
           the
           Promise
           verified
           to
           me
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           's
           helping
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           directing
           me
           in
           the
           things
           to
           be
           pray'd
           for
           ,
           and
           inflaming
           my
           desires
           in
           the
           Duty
           ,
           and
           strengthning
           my
           Faith
           in
           the
           power
           and
           love
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           Returns
           of
           my
           Prayers
           have
           been
           most
           
           convincing
           and
           comforting
           evidence
           ,
           that
           God's
           Spirit
           was
           the
           Indicter
           of
           that
           Prayer
           of
           which
           God
           was
           the
           Fulfiller
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           other
           part
           of
           the
           Censure
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           That
           the
           Communications
           of
           God
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           are
           more
           convincingly
           felt
           than
           exprest
           :
           
             The
             peace
             of
             God
             passes
             all
             understanding
          
           ;
           and
           the
           comfortable
           sense
           of
           it
           cannot
           be
           fully
           set
           forth
           by
           human
           Language
           ,
           but
           the
           real
           enjoyment
           is
           far
           distant
           from
           Enthusiasm
           .
           The
           sincere
           Christian
           knows
           ,
           that
           communion
           with
           God
           is
           a
           Heaven
           on
           earth
           ,
           though
           some
           who
           have
           only
           Notional
           Divinity
           ,
           think
           it
           's
           meerly
           imagination
           without
           reality
           ;
           our
           communion
           with
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Divine
           Ordinances
           ,
           is
           the
           best
           preservative
           from
           the
           Illusions
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           the
           distempered
           Mind
           .
        
         
           Having
           given
           Reproof
           ,
           Let
           me
           advise
           all
           such
           ,
           (
           who
           expose
           the
           high
           Attainments
           of
           Christianity
           experienc'd
           )
           to
           reflect
           upon
           their
           by-past
           life
           ,
           if
           exactness
           of
           Observation
           of
           all
           past
           between
           God
           and
           their
           Souls
           ,
           either
           as
           means
           ,
           or
           the
           end
           ,
           lie
           by
           them
           upon
           Record
           in
           their
           Diaries
           ;
           and
           whether
           they
           have
           not
           rested
           upon
           the
           use
           of
           means
           as
           Duty
           ,
           without
           observing
           and
           recording
           the
           Enjoyments
           therein
           ,
           and
           their
           advancing-effects
           upon
           their
           Soul
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           rested
           upon
           Evidences
           without
           ever
           observing
           by
           what
           means
           and
           method
           of
           God
           they
           were
           first
           made
           sensible
           of
           them
           ,
           
           or
           had
           them
           further
           established
           .
           Has
           there
           never
           a
           step
           of
           outward
           Providence
           ,
           round
           you
           ,
           past
           your
           Observation
           ,
           and
           search
           for
           God
           therein
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           return
           to
           Prayer
           for
           that
           blessed
           end
           of
           crushing
           a
           Corruption
           ,
           and
           exciting
           a
           Grace
           ?
           In
           short
           ,
           Has
           all
           the
           steps
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           training
           you
           to
           the
           Sense
           of
           Conversion
           ,
           and
           Graces
           after
           growth
           ,
           been
           remarkt
           by
           you
           ?
           If
           you
           can
           witness
           this
           ,
           I
           am
           confident
           you
           have
           attain'd
           to
           the
           Experience
           of
           such
           things
           as
           will
           keep
           you
           off
           from
           Censuring
           others
           ,
           and
           engage
           you
           to
           bear
           Seal
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           Christ
           bears
           sensibly
           on
           the
           Christian's
           Soul
           ;
           but
           if
           upon
           Reflection
           ,
           you
           have
           been
           out
           of
           this
           road
           ,
           my
           Compassion
           is
           greatly
           towards
           you
           ,
           even
           though
           you
           are
           Christians
           indeed
           ;
           and
           that
           because
           of
           the
           great
           Comfort
           withheld
           from
           you
           ,
           it
           being
           punishment
           enough
           to
           want
           the
           Comfort
           that
           strict
           Observers
           enjoy
           in
           this
           life
           :
           And
           generally
           there
           lodges
           at
           the
           bottom
           of
           such
           Censurers
           ,
           either
           Ignorance
           of
           the
           same
           enjoyments
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           an
           unwillingness
           to
           have
           any
           in
           greater
           esteem
           than
           your selves
           ,
           or
           prejudices
           from
           their
           being
           of
           another
           Party
           ,
           Opinion
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           .
           All
           which
           I
           would
           greatly
           advise
           to
           serious
           observation
           of
           themselves
           ,
           before
           their
           Censures
           be
           put
           forth
           against
           others
           ;
           for
           my
           own
           part
           I
           have
           often
           found
           from
           some
           instructing
           and
           establishing
           passages
           ,
           such
           amazing
           discovery
           of
           God
           and
           my self
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           thought
           nothing
           more
           could
           be
           added
           thereto
           ;
           but
           soon
           after
           I
           
           have
           had
           a
           further
           knowledge
           and
           establishment
           in
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           another
           passage
           ,
           caution
           enough
           to
           suppress
           disparagement
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           from
           their
           example
           to
           bestir
           thy self
           more
           than
           ever
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Means
           ,
           if
           a
           Soul
           therefore
           were
           to
           live
           Thousands
           of
           years
           on
           earth
           ,
           it
           attains
           not
           to
           know
           so
           much
           ;
           but
           upon
           strict
           observation
           in
           the
           continued
           use
           of
           Means
           ,
           more
           and
           more
           Mysteries
           would
           be
           imparted
           .
           No
           wonder
           the
           Apostle's
           different
           Christians
           grown
           from
           others
           by
           a
           capacity
           of
           discerning
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           the
           habitual
           use
           of
           observation
           ,
           and
           experiencing
           God's
           ways
           with
           the
           Soul
           ;
           if
           therefore
           you
           find
           others
           express
           what
           you
           have
           not
           felt
           ,
           accuse
           not
           them
           ,
           but
           censure
           your
           own
           neglect
           :
           especially
           ,
           if
           upon
           the
           review
           of
           your
           life
           ,
           you
           have
           not
           been
           acting
           with
           an
           exact
           observation
           and
           improvement
           of
           knowledge
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           and
           inward
           workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           I
           think
           it
           not
           amiss
           to
           subjoin
           to
           this
           Reproof
           and
           Advice
           ,
           an
           Experience
           concerning
           my self
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           Saint
           thus
           reproached
           .
           I
           once
           being
           importuned
           to
           assist
           in
           a
           particular
           matter
           ,
           a
           more
           than
           ordinary
           willingness
           to
           it
           seiz'd
           me
           ;
           in
           the
           undertaking
           whereof
           a
           successful
           Issue
           occur'd
           ,
           and
           great
           benefit
           to
           the
           person
           that
           importuned
           ,
           whose
           Poverty
           and
           Goodness
           I
           had
           no
           discovery
           of
           ,
           though
           greatly
           known
           to
           others
           ,
           but
           was
           under
           a
           surprizing
           force
           to
           refuse
           
           their
           grateful
           Acknowledgment
           .
           And
           hapning
           about
           an
           hour
           after
           to
           unbosom
           my self
           to
           this
           Saint
           ,
           amongst
           other
           things
           I
           imparted
           this
           Passage
           ,
           with
           a
           wondring
           at
           the
           meaning
           of
           such
           a
           surprizing
           willingness
           to
           the
           action
           ,
           and
           unwillingness
           to
           accept
           of
           reward
           ,
           though
           Duty
           oblig'd
           me
           to
           it
           ,
           when
           no
           other
           Motives
           to
           the
           contrary
           appear'd
           .
           To
           which
           he
           gravely
           answer'd
           ,
           You
           shall
           receive
           it
           as
           a
           reward
           of
           this
           action
           sixty-fold
           ,
           by
           God's
           imparting
           himself
           to
           your
           Soul
           this
           day
           ;
           but
           be
           not
           concern'd
           ,
           though
           a
           disquiet
           follow
           it
           before
           you
           sleep
           .
           This
           then
           ,
           in
           my
           account
           ,
           run
           like
           Prophecy
           ,
           especially
           after
           its
           fulfilling
           ;
           our
           Discourse
           being
           about
           eleven
           in
           the
           forenoon
           :
           About
           two
           in
           the
           afternoon
           ,
           in
           a
           Chamber
           all
           alone
           ,
           such
           enlargement
           of
           Soul
           ,
           such
           sudden
           ravishing
           ,
           and
           heavenly
           affections
           ,
           with
           an
           unexpressible
           delight
           seiz'd
           me
           ,
           with
           amazement
           in
           my self
           ,
           to
           observe
           the
           first
           part
           of
           his
           Assertion
           made
           out
           :
           But
           about
           nine
           at
           night
           ,
           there
           came
           a
           Penny-post
           Letter
           to
           my
           hands
           from
           one
           whose
           Malice
           prompts
           them
           with
           false
           Accusations
           to
           asperse
           me
           ,
           and
           that
           express'd
           in
           such
           bitterness
           ,
           that
           it
           greatly
           did
           disquiet
           me
           ;
           and
           going
           immediately
           with
           it
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           with
           Modesty
           and
           Concern
           repli'd
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Devil
             had
             been
             at
             the
             penning
             thereof
             .
          
           His
           foresight
           of
           these
           two
           such
           different
           Effects
           consequential
           to
           this
           action
           ,
           was
           neither
           by
           Prophecy
           nor
           Revelation
           ,
           but
           purely
           from
           his
           strict
           and
           constant
           observation
           of
           God's
           ways
           round
           himself
           
           in
           the
           like
           case
           ,
           and
           though
           then
           it
           seemed
           strange
           to
           me
           ,
           hardly
           being
           able
           to
           forbear
           from
           thinking
           of
           something
           prophetical
           in
           it
           ;
           yet
           since
           by
           observation
           I
           may
           say
           often
           or
           never
           falls
           out
           a
           voluntary
           lively
           Act
           of
           Charity
           without
           the
           least
           of
           self
           ,
           and
           much
           of
           God
           in
           it
           ,
           but
           great
           spirituality
           of
           frame
           has
           followed
           ,
           and
           after
           this
           ,
           one
           disquiet
           or
           other
           has
           fallen
           out
           ;
           yea
           often
           ,
           I
           may
           say
           always
           as
           yet
           ,
           at
           the
           time
           of
           this
           fellowship
           ,
           an
           apprehension
           of
           some
           succeeding
           disquiet
           is
           in
           my
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           Those
           that
           have
           reproach'd
           his
           Writings
           ,
           would
           have
           been
           as
           ready
           to
           have
           reproach'd
           this
           Experience
           of
           him
           as
           Melancholy
           ,
           unless
           they
           had
           been
           strict
           observers
           of
           God's
           ways
           with
           themselves
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           believe
           that
           every
           Christian
           had
           not
           met
           my
           passage
           with
           the
           same
           return
           ,
           and
           that
           none
           but
           those
           who
           by
           use
           are
           made
           discerning
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           had
           been
           capable
           of
           what
           I
           find
           he
           was
           .
        
         
           Be
           humbled
           therefore
           ,
           lazy
           Christians
           ,
           and
           think
           of
           others
           better
           than
           your selves
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           your selves
           above
           what
           you
           are
           ,
           by
           aspersing
           each
           other
           :
           You
           encourage
           those
           who
           know
           nothing
           of
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           to
           keep
           out
           from
           trying
           its
           Enjoyments
           ,
           and
           others
           to
           mock
           at
           Experimental
           Christianity
           .
           Alas
           !
           Is
           so
           much
           of
           the
           depth
           of
           God's
           Ways
           to
           be
           known
           by
           years
           Observation
           ,
           and
           this
           time
           
           made
           use
           of
           to
           rack
           Thoughts
           to
           explicate
           Events
           notionally
           ,
           altho'
           the
           Psalmist
           himself
           found
           it
           too
           painful
           for
           him
           to
           explicate
           the
           inequality
           of
           Providence
           without
           God's
           Word
           ;
           yet
           our
           Land
           abounds
           with
           such
           Deists
           ,
           who
           ,
           to
           destroy
           the
           Being
           or
           necessity
           of
           Revealed
           Religion
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           helps
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           exalt
           Reason
           alone
           ,
           and
           expunge
           all
           things
           incomprehensible
           by
           it
           ,
           as
           Fancy
           or
           Chimera
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Christian
           treated
           of
           ;
           expunge
           Injoyments
           obtain'd
           beyond
           others
           ,
           in
           a
           constant
           and
           close
           walking
           with
           God
           as
           Enthusiastical
           .
        
         
           Some
           ,
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           believe
           ,
           affect
           this
           way
           of
           high
           Pretensions
           to
           Rationality
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           are
           greatly
           distant
           from
           its
           Exercise
           ,
           either
           to
           obtain
           a
           Character
           of
           being
           Learn'd
           ,
           or
           a
           liking
           in
           Society
           ,
           by
           Rhetorical
           Conversation
           ,
           or
           to
           draw
           Followers
           after
           their
           Notions
           ,
           and
           they
           to
           appear
           as
           Primate
           thereof
           .
           You
           that
           have
           rational
           Souls
           ,
           improve
           your
           Reason
           more
           for
           God's
           Service
           and
           your
           own
           Interest
           ;
           the
           more
           Rational
           ,
           the
           more
           capable
           of
           improvement
           with
           the
           blessed
           helps
           of
           God's
           Divine
           Word
           ,
           Providence
           and
           Spirit
           :
           Place
           your
           Knowledge
           in
           Divine
           Things
           ,
           upon
           his
           Word
           as
           the
           foundation
           ,
           and
           learn
           to
           establish
           it
           by
           the
           observation
           of
           his
           Providence
           and
           Spirit
           confirming
           it
           to
           you
           ;
           and
           then
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           there
           will
           need
           neither
           Rhetorick
           nor
           Division
           to
           keep
           up
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           in
           its
           Power
           amongst
           its
           Professors
           .
           
           You
           are
           too
           weak
           to
           comprehend
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           put
           forth
           never
           such
           acuteness
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           without
           the
           powerful
           Influences
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           opening
           the
           Eyes
           of
           your
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           fixing
           your
           Faith
           therein
           by
           your
           Experiencing
           its
           Truth
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           such
           clear
           knowledge
           and
           establishment
           appears
           ,
           as
           resists
           all
           the
           fanciful
           and
           erroneous
           Notions
           of
           others
           ;
           yea
           ,
           such
           unspotted
           Conversations
           ,
           as
           may
           engage
           others
           to
           your
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           Christ's
           Mystical
           Body
           here
           on
           Earth
           .
           I
           have
           with
           great
           concern
           ,
           known
           some
           Christians
           weak
           in
           Learning
           ,
           but
           strong
           in
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Experimental
           Religion
           ,
           clearly
           understanding
           an
           Event
           of
           Providence
           ;
           yea
           ,
           rejoycing
           in
           an
           Event
           outwardly
           afflicting
           ,
           when
           a
           Learned
           Wit
           could
           neither
           comprehend
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           nor
           free
           himself
           from
           disquiet
           under
           the
           other
           .
           How
           often
           may
           you
           hear
           some
           unacquainted
           with
           Experimental
           Religion
           ,
           but
           greatly
           knowing
           in
           Notional
           Divinity
           ,
           mightily
           applauding
           a
           Sermon
           ,
           itching
           their
           Ears
           with
           a
           Rhetorical
           style
           ,
           and
           Philosophical
           arguing
           :
           And
           others
           ,
           mean
           in
           Learning
           and
           worldly
           Reputation
           ,
           but
           well
           acquainted
           with
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           esteeming
           this
           same
           Sermon
           an
           empty
           noise
           ,
           and
           the
           Preacher
           a
           feeder
           of
           his
           Flock
           with
           airy
           Notions
           ,
           that
           have
           neither
           solidity
           nor
           comfort
           in
           their
           relish
           ,
           and
           will
           lead
           them
           in
           no
           other
           Path
           than
           that
           of
           a
           meer
           Notional
           Knowledge
           ,
           as
           a
           Bate
           to
           be
           catch'd
           by
           the
           Errors
           of
           this
           Age.
           
        
         
         
           If
           Ministers
           and
           People
           were
           more
           close
           to
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           whereby
           God's
           Truths
           might
           be
           Experimentally
           felt
           ,
           both
           would
           see
           far
           less
           need
           of
           adjoyning
           the
           high
           flight
           of
           Notions
           in
           Pulpits
           ,
           or
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           for
           its
           establishment
           in
           their
           Souls
           .
           I
           think
           it
           in
           our
           day
           a
           more
           advantageous
           Sermon
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           necessary
           Book
           ,
           that
           leads
           Christians
           to
           the
           use
           of
           such
           means
           ,
           by
           which
           much
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           may
           be
           communicated
           to
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           thereby
           God's
           Word
           experienc'd
           as
           certain
           ,
           and
           their
           Reliance
           upon
           it
           as
           the
           foundation
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           evidently
           to
           themselves
           and
           others
           brought
           forth
           :
           Such
           I
           say
           ,
           seem
           more
           necessary
           ,
           than
           the
           Sermon
           or
           Book
           inlarging
           upon
           a
           Divine
           Truth
           ,
           with
           such
           fine
           Oratorical
           and
           Philosophical
           Style
           ,
           as
           may
           itch
           the
           Ear
           of
           the
           Christian
           with
           establishment
           of
           its
           own
           Notions
           in
           Religious
           Theory
           ;
           and
           of
           the
           illiterate
           ,
           with
           an
           opinion
           of
           the
           Preacher
           or
           Writer's
           great
           and
           learned
           Gifts
           ,
           indangering
           both
           ,
           through
           obtain'd
           applause
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           Pride
           ,
           but
           of
           keeping
           Reason
           out
           of
           its
           due
           place
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           has
           not
           brought
           forth
           many
           unneccessary
           Heats
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           I
           am
           greatly
           mistaken
           :
           Reason
           is
           that
           noble
           Principle
           distinguishing
           us
           from
           all
           other
           inferiour
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           tho'
           Corrupted
           ,
           yet
           capable
           of
           being
           restor'd
           to
           greater
           Perfection
           and
           Stability
           ,
           than
           when
           Man
           was
           Created
           at
           first
           perfect
           ,
           but
           capable
           of
           falling
           :
           God
           has
           made
           provision
           of
           suitable
           helps
           to
           advance
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           forth
           
           this
           Perfection
           ;
           but
           the
           Pride
           of
           Corrupted
           Man
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           as
           at
           first
           it
           prompted
           him
           to
           affect
           an
           Equality
           with
           God
           ;
           so
           now
           it
           prompts
           him
           to
           the
           vain
           imagination
           of
           himself
           ,
           as
           sufficient
           without
           Divine
           helps
           to
           regain
           his
           perfect
           State
           ,
           and
           obtain
           by
           his
           own
           knowledge
           the
           understanding
           of
           all
           necessary
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           own
           strength
           the
           performance
           of
           all
           necessary
           Duties
           ;
           And
           if
           this
           has
           not
           brought
           forth
           the
           undervaluing
           of
           Reveal'd
           Religion
           by
           the
           Deists
           ,
           the
           undervaluing
           of
           Christ
           by
           the
           Socinians
           ,
           and
           the
           undervaluing
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           exposing
           him
           as
           no
           help
           ,
           neither
           his
           Spiritual
           Influences
           as
           strength
           to
           work
           out
           our
           Salvation
           by
           ,
           I
           am
           as
           much
           mistaken
           .
        
         
           Experimental
           Religion
           cuts
           off
           all
           these
           difficulties
           ;
           For
           the
           more
           a
           Christian
           observes
           of
           himself
           in
           his
           experienced
           failures
           ;
           the
           less
           room
           and
           lower
           station
           self-strength
           obtains
           in
           his
           Affections
           ,
           the
           more
           he
           finds
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           unexpectedly
           and
           powerfully
           bearing
           home
           Scripture-Truths
           to
           his
           personal
           experience
           ,
           formerly
           unacquainted
           with
           ,
           tho'
           often
           Notionally
           heard
           of
           ;
           the
           lower
           esteem
           Reason
           must
           have
           ,
           as
           by
           its
           self
           incapable
           rightly
           to
           understand
           Gospel
           Mysteries
           :
           And
           tho'
           in
           our
           day
           ,
           we
           have
           some
           so
           openly
           confident
           ,
           as
           in
           Print
           to
           tell
           us
           ,
           That
           nothing
           is
           Mysterious
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           against
           God's
           own
           Word
           ,
           the
           Seals
           of
           Martyrdom
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           Experience
           of
           all
           the
           Saints
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           endeavouring
           thereby
           to
           act
           Factorship
           for
           Satan
           ,
           by
           whose
           
           pleasing
           suggestion
           of
           Mans
           Reason
           and
           Strength
           in
           himself
           to
           be
           relied
           on
           ,
           without
           any
           other
           help
           to
           believe
           or
           to
           do
           what
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           obtaining
           Heaven
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           a
           secure
           undisturb'd
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           here
           .
           I
           must
           believe
           ,
           that
           that
           Creature
           has
           never
           yet
           been
           under
           any
           other
           discovery
           of
           Gospel-Truth
           ,
           than
           what
           was
           the
           effect
           of
           notional
           Knowledge
           ;
           and
           that
           continuing
           in
           the
           same
           State
           ,
           he
           can
           hardly
           expect
           to
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           that
           Triumphant
           Society
           ,
           whose
           Eternity
           will
           be
           taken
           up
           in
           the
           Admiration
           and
           the
           Praise
           of
           that
           Mysterious
           method
           of
           Redeeming
           Man
           from
           a
           state
           of
           Corruption
           and
           Misery
           ,
           to
           a
           state
           of
           Perfection
           and
           Glory
           above
           ;
           the
           prospect
           whereof
           we
           only
           now
           enjoy
           darkly
           through
           a
           Glass
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           views
           thereof
           that
           upon
           this
           Earth
           we
           sometimes
           experimentally
           have
           ,
           are
           known
           by
           all
           Experiencing
           Christians
           ,
           both
           to
           be
           Mysterious
           ,
           far
           above
           Nature's
           foresight
           or
           enjoyment
           through
           it self
           ,
           and
           rendring
           the
           Creature
           unexpressible
           astonishment
           in
           its
           approach
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ;
           though
           the
           Protestant
           Nations
           abound
           with
           such
           Errors
           ,
           yet
           they
           neither
           derogate
           from
           God
           and
           his
           Word
           ,
           or
           afford
           darkness
           to
           Christian
           Professors
           ,
           who
           have
           experienc'd
           the
           reality
           of
           both
           upon
           their
           Souls
           ,
           but
           expose
           themselves
           to
           them
           as
           Christians
           certainly
           ignorant
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Word
           ,
           whatever
           fine
           Notional
           Flourishes
           in
           Print
           or
           Discourse
           they
           express
           ,
           and
           also
           draw
           forth
           Christians
           pity
           towards
           them
           ,
           and
           help
           Believers
           to
           advance
           
           their
           praising
           God
           ,
           who
           has
           made
           them
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           to
           differ
           from
           others
           .
        
         
           Experimental
           Religion
           makes
           us
           become
           as
           little
           Children
           ,
           and
           esteem
           our selves
           so
           low
           as
           to
           lay
           all
           our
           depraved
           Faculties
           at
           God's
           Footstool
           ,
           and
           using
           them
           not
           alone
           by
           way
           of
           Reliance
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           help
           of
           God's
           Divine
           Spirit
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           :
           We
           have
           for
           many
           years
           enjoyed
           so
           much
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           alas
           in
           Notion
           only
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           stood
           in
           a
           maze
           to
           hear
           the
           Discourse
           of
           some
           illiterate
           People
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Notions
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           and
           to
           see
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           debating
           their
           Preachers
           Notions
           with
           that
           hear
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           throwing
           Fire-Balls
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           till
           Fire
           has
           been
           kindled
           amongst
           Assemblies
           of
           Professors
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           experimental
           Religion
           has
           never
           been
           called
           in
           ,
           as
           a
           help
           to
           unloose
           their
           difficulties
           .
           At
           the
           time
           of
           hearing
           some
           such
           differences
           ,
           my
           own
           Experience
           in
           Christianity
           has
           made
           me
           discover
           ,
           that
           either
           their
           Debates
           could
           be
           resolv'd
           in
           various
           Words
           ;
           or
           that
           if
           means
           made
           use
           of
           by
           God
           ,
           as
           helps
           to
           the
           People
           or
           Preachers
           Soul
           ,
           for
           their
           experiencing
           of
           Divine
           Mysteries
           ,
           had
           been
           more
           prest
           upon
           the
           People
           ,
           with
           that
           enlargement
           which
           their
           own
           Experience
           might
           have
           afforded
           ,
           no
           such
           Debates
           would
           have
           risen
           ,
           and
           People
           and
           Preachers
           should
           be
           better
           known
           in
           our
           day
           ;
           and
           whether
           God's
           Honour
           ,
           the
           establishment
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           self-applause
           ,
           or
           outward
           Interest
           ,
           were
           at
           the
           foundation
           of
           such
           hot
           Zeal
           .
        
         
         
           When
           once
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           a
           Christian
           finds
           the
           evidences
           of
           Sanctification
           ,
           he
           shall
           then
           make
           the
           current
           of
           his
           Zeal
           run
           towards
           further
           evidence
           of
           its
           reality
           and
           further
           growth
           in
           it
           ,
           advising
           others
           not
           to
           debate
           whether
           Justification
           or
           Sanctification
           precede
           ,
           whether
           certain
           Conditions
           must
           precede
           qualifying
           to
           be
           united
           to
           Christ
           ,
           or
           union
           to
           Christ
           ,
           before
           any
           thing
           of
           Holiness
           in
           our
           nature
           appear
           ;
           but
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           use
           of
           God's
           means
           ,
           and
           in
           them
           to
           obtain
           the
           application
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           Priviledges
           ,
           by
           the
           help
           of
           his
           blessed
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           so
           both
           Conditions
           themselves
           ,
           and
           a
           renew'd
           State
           by
           your
           Union
           to
           Christ
           may
           sensibly
           appear
           at
           the
           same
           time
           :
           By
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           means
           thus
           blessed
           ,
           and
           the
           steps
           of
           advancement
           in
           this
           newness
           of
           Nature
           ,
           is
           brought
           forth
           not
           only
           establishment
           to
           themselves
           ,
           but
           a
           capacity
           of
           instructing
           and
           comfirming
           others
           upon
           surer
           ground
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           stretch
           of
           Wit
           and
           Notional
           Theory
           .
        
         
           Our
           Debates
           concerning
           Free-Grace
           and
           Works
           ,
           carry
           along
           with
           them
           too
           much
           of
           Self
           ,
           and
           too
           little
           of
           Divine
           Experience
           ,
           and
           I
           'm
           sure
           ,
           too
           much
           of
           fiery
           Constitution
           ;
           the
           experienc'd
           Christian
           finds
           enough
           in
           himself
           to
           keep
           both
           in
           their
           just
           Bounds
           ,
           according
           to
           Scripture
           Rule
           ;
           and
           imagines
           the
           Debates
           unneccessary
           ,
           and
           bringing
           forth
           of
           no
           other
           Fruit
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           Faction
           ,
           Dishonouring
           God
           ,
           and
           exposing
           Christianity
           as
           uncertain
           to
           those
           that
           are
           ignorant
           thereof
           .
           The
           Experiencing
           
           Christian
           finds
           that
           the
           more
           of
           the
           Free-Grace
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           appear
           in
           his
           Experience
           ,
           the
           more
           love
           to
           God
           is
           kindled
           in
           his
           Soul
           ,
           the
           more
           of
           true
           Sanctified
           Love
           ,
           the
           greater
           desire
           he
           finds
           to
           please
           and
           to
           obey
           him
           in
           all
           his
           preceptive
           Commands
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           Experience
           of
           Free-Grace
           no
           ways
           tend
           to
           a
           Licentious
           Life
           :
           Whatever
           the
           Notional
           Knowledge
           of
           Free-Grace
           may
           do
           amongst
           those
           who
           know
           nothing
           of
           a
           real
           Faith
           ,
           and
           experience
           of
           God's
           Grace
           in
           their
           Soul
           ,
           and
           where
           unstrictness
           and
           unholiness
           of
           life
           appears
           in
           the
           greatest
           Zealot
           for
           Free
           Grace
           ,
           it
           savours
           of
           nothing
           more
           than
           its
           Notion
           in
           their
           Brain
           .
           Again
           ,
           the
           Experiencing
           Christian
           finds
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           sets
           himself
           to
           be
           most
           diligent
           to
           perform
           Good
           Works
           and
           Religious
           Duties
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           first
           he
           is
           often
           overtaken
           with
           faults
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           latter
           constant
           failures
           ●●●ur
           ,
           wandering
           Thoughts
           therein
           ,
           discomposure
           of
           Mind
           from
           some
           disquiet
           falling
           in
           before
           ,
           or
           some
           suggestion
           from
           Satan
           ,
           or
           corruption
           within
           ,
           rising
           up
           at
           the
           time
           ,
           which
           forces
           the
           Soul
           to
           lay
           by
           trust
           to
           Self-sufficiency
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           the
           Free-Grace
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           ;
           that
           through
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           supplies
           may
           be
           conveyed
           ,
           enabling
           of
           us
           to
           do
           Works
           ,
           though
           our
           own
           ,
           yet
           perform'd
           by
           Christ's
           supplies
           enabling
           of
           us
           ;
           and
           accepted
           from
           us
           thorough
           his
           Merits
           perfuming
           them
           ,
           that
           being
           our
           alone
           argument
           to
           obtain
           both
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           multitude
           of
           his
           tender
           Mercies
           ,
           the
           opening
           
           and
           pouring
           forth
           of
           which
           we
           owe
           to
           our
           Blessed
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           has
           remov'd
           the
           flaming
           Sword
           ,
           and
           given
           us
           access
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           Free-Grace
           ,
           but
           still
           in
           the
           use
           of
           the
           blessed
           mean
           of
           Prayer
           :
           And
           I
           think
           it
           more
           a
           Soul
           's
           concern
           ,
           to
           try
           the
           Truth
           of
           access
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           in
           our
           own
           endeavour
           and
           observation
           ,
           if
           return'd
           ,
           (
           that
           being
           a
           mean
           of
           obtaining
           of
           Prayer
           in
           Christ's
           Strength
           )
           than
           before
           the
           trial
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           pursue
           first
           the
           Knowledge
           ,
           whether
           Justification
           be
           previously
           necessary
           before
           access
           to
           this
           Grace
           ,
           as
           is
           set
           down
           in
           the
           first
           verse
           of
           the
           fifth
           chapter
           of
           the
           Romans
           .
           Alas
           !
           While
           we
           are
           a
           striving
           which
           things
           go
           first
           ,
           we
           are
           in
           danger
           of
           missing
           all
           ;
           while
           we
           are
           debating
           about
           the
           Notions
           of
           Religion
           ,
           we
           suffer
           the
           Truths
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Experience
           to
           drop
           .
           Oh
           that
           our
           Debates
           were
           more
           at
           home
           with
           our
           inward
           Corruption
           ,
           sighting
           it
           with
           the
           continued
           use
           of
           means
           capable
           by
           Christ's
           Strength
           meeting
           us
           in
           them
           ,
           to
           overcome
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           fructifie
           Grace
           in
           its
           room
           ,
           and
           less
           with
           our
           fellow
           Christians
           ,
           unless
           in
           point
           of
           strict
           and
           Holy
           Lives
           :
           Christianity
           needs
           no
           other
           bulwark
           from
           us
           ,
           than
           the
           true
           plain
           meaning
           of
           Scripture-truth
           ,
           and
           putting
           Souls
           in
           the
           use
           of
           such
           Means
           as
           God
           conveys
           the
           experience
           in
           ;
           and
           where
           the
           power
           of
           Christianity
           is
           felt
           ,
           let
           him
           be
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           Dissenter
           ,
           under
           all
           its
           Subdivisions
           ,
           he
           becomes
           the
           Object
           of
           my
           love
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           Impression
           
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           seems
           to
           have
           stamp'd
           upon
           him
           .
           Of
           their
           being
           such
           ,
           we
           may
           easily
           have
           discovery
           in
           discourse
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           any
           extraordinary
           gift
           of
           discerning
           .
           However
           others
           think
           of
           this
           Gospel-priviledge
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           a
           difference
           between
           the
           Nature
           of
           Notional
           and
           Experienc'd
           Christianity
           ,
           between
           the
           way
           and
           words
           of
           a
           meer
           Notional
           Professor
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           outwardly
           strict
           ,
           and
           of
           an
           experiencing
           Christian
           ,
           that
           to
           my self
           I
           find
           not
           the
           least
           difficulty
           :
           And
           it
           is
           greatly
           suitable
           to
           the
           forecited
           Text
           in
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           the
           priviledge
           of
           grown
           Christians
           to
           discern
           
             good
             and
             evil
          
           ;
           and
           these
           Christians
           are
           such
           ,
           who
           have
           grown
           thereto
           by
           use
           and
           experience
           .
           And
           where
           I
           can
           discover
           nothing
           of
           this
           ,
           whatever
           Party
           he
           is
           of
           ,
           let
           his
           Notions
           and
           Zeal
           in
           spreading
           them
           fly
           never
           so
           high
           ,
           I
           am
           always
           afraid
           that
           the
           Motive
           of
           Self
           bears
           too
           much
           room
           in
           his
           witnessing
           for
           God
           and
           his
           Truth
           :
           Let
           all
           therefore
           be
           reprov'd
           ,
           who
           set
           up
           Variance
           with
           those
           that
           bear
           Christ's
           Image
           upon
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           ,
           and
           only
           differ
           in
           their
           Notions
           and
           Conceptions
           about
           the
           Truths
           of
           God.
           Let
           Holy
           Lives
           and
           Acquaintance
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           with
           their
           experiencing
           Christianity
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           be
           the
           Touchstone
           of
           trying
           and
           esteeming
           them
           .
           By
           the
           denying
           familiarity
           with
           such
           upon
           such
           differences
           ,
           you
           pinch
           the
           great
           evidence
           of
           loving
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           shew
           to
           the
           world
           that
           such
           an
           one
           is
           laid
           
           aside
           ,
           or
           introduc'd
           to
           your
           Favour
           ,
           from
           having
           a
           name
           of
           being
           one
           of
           such
           a
           Party
           ;
           and
           so
           give
           occasion
           of
           producing
           Proselites
           in
           profession
           to
           such
           a
           Party
           to
           obtain
           interest
           ,
           and
           encourage
           thereby
           others
           to
           ridicule
           Christianity
           because
           of
           such
           Professors
           blemishes
           ,
           through
           the
           want
           of
           Christianity's
           power
           in
           their
           Souls
           ;
           though
           these
           inward
           enjoyments
           (
           into
           which
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           lead
           as
           a
           mean
           )
           are
           incomprehensible
           by
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           while
           in
           that
           state
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           outward
           passages
           greatly
           discovering
           God
           ,
           bringing
           forth
           good
           where
           all
           evil
           is
           ominous
           ,
           if
           observ'd
           by
           meer
           Professors
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           experimentally
           known
           ,
           that
           a
           passage
           of
           Providence
           dark
           and
           afflicting
           in
           its
           first
           approach
           ,
           has
           many
           times
           had
           in
           its
           bosom
           a
           rich
           mercy
           .
           There
           is
           a
           known
           passage
           of
           one
           who
           broke
           his
           Leg
           in
           his
           Journey
           to
           go
           a
           Ship-board
           ;
           a
           dark
           and
           afflicting
           Providence
           ,
           both
           by
           reason
           of
           his
           breaking
           his
           Leg
           ,
           and
           the
           disappointment
           of
           his
           Voyage
           ;
           but
           in
           its
           bosom
           was
           that
           great
           mercy
           of
           saving
           his
           life
           ,
           the
           Ship
           being
           lost
           in
           which
           he
           was
           to
           have
           gone
           .
           It
           is
           not
           long
           ago
           since
           a
           Wind
           hindring
           our
           Fleet
           to
           go
           forth
           was
           afflicting
           ,
           but
           in
           it
           was
           that
           great
           mercy
           of
           the
           preventing
           of
           a
           French
           Invasion
           ;
           such
           passages
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           cannot
           dive
           into
           ,
           and
           if
           each
           were
           but
           observant
           of
           such
           like
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           reckon'd
           by
           Millions
           round
           Nations
           and
           People
           ,
           and
           all
           
           with
           a
           discovery
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Governor
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           would
           help
           us
           against
           repining
           for
           disappointments
           ,
           and
           advance
           a
           reliance
           upon
           him
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           by
           committing
           them
           to
           a
           Divine
           Conduct
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           diligently
           using
           means
           providentially
           laid
           in
           our
           ways
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Is
           it
           not
           known
           with
           experimental
           Christians
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           many
           times
           introduces
           a
           rich
           spiritual
           mercy
           by
           a
           dark
           Providence
           ,
           a
           spiritual
           instruction
           for
           their
           establishment
           ,
           by
           an
           afflicting
           Providence
           ?
           It
           has
           oft
           been
           their
           experience
           to
           be
           brought
           under
           an
           outward
           disquiet
           on
           purpose
           to
           free
           them
           from
           a
           cold
           ,
           lazy
           frame
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           to
           introduce
           a
           sweet
           heavenly
           posture
           of
           Soul
           ,
           who
           therefore
           from
           continued
           observation
           of
           this
           experience
           ,
           will
           not
           forbear
           repining
           ,
           and
           exercise
           patience
           ,
           till
           the
           discovery
           of
           God's
           design
           therein
           appears
           ;
           yea
           ,
           work
           together
           with
           him
           for
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           by
           addressing
           the
           Lord
           for
           strength
           to
           stand
           firm
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           reliance
           and
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           greatly
           establishes
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           these
           Graces
           ,
           and
           therein
           honours
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           even
           met
           many
           times
           with
           a
           visible
           reward
           suited
           to
           that
           particular
           Action
           ,
           tho'
           performed
           by
           his
           own
           Divine
           strength
           ,
           the
           observation
           whereof
           has
           oft
           brought
           that
           Scripture
           to
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           Psal
           .
           31.
           
           
             Great
             is
             thy
             goodness
             which
             thou
             hast
             laid
             up
             for
             them
             that
             fear
             thee
             ,
             which
             thou
             hast
             wrought
             for
             them
             that
             trust
             in
             thee
             before
             the
             sons
             of
             men
          
           ;
           either
           by
           hiding
           them
           in
           the
           secret
           of
           thy
           presence
           from
           the
           pride
           of
           man
           ,
           or
           
           keeping
           them
           secretly
           from
           the
           strife
           of
           Tongues
           ;
           and
           what
           establishment
           hereto
           the
           personal
           experience
           of
           an
           observing
           Christian
           would
           give
           ,
           is
           more
           fit
           for
           filling
           up
           of
           sheets
           ,
           than
           a
           few
           lines
           :
           Mark
           the
           10th
           Chapter
           ,
           ver
           .
           29.
           
           
             None
             has
             left
             house
          
           ,
           &c.
           
             for
             my
             sake
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             even
             in
             this
             life
             receive
             an
             hundred
             fold
             ,
             and
             eternal
             life
             in
             the
             world
             to
             come
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           it
           not
           the
           personal
           experience
           of
           Christians
           to
           be
           disappointed
           of
           the
           designed
           and
           desired
           issue
           of
           an
           endeavour
           to
           introduce
           the
           success
           of
           another
           and
           better
           ?
           the
           constant
           observation
           whereof
           must
           needs
           bring
           the
           Soul
           to
           a
           greater
           measure
           of
           patience
           under
           a
           disappointment
           ,
           to
           a
           sooner
           and
           better
           sight
           of
           the
           Providence
           than
           the
           other
           ,
           who
           ,
           though
           under
           his
           disappointment
           ,
           is
           strengthned
           to
           rely
           by
           Divine
           influence
           perhaps
           in
           return
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           petitioning
           strength
           to
           honour
           God
           therein
           ,
           yet
           he
           must
           needs
           be
           under
           more
           sinking
           Fears
           ,
           through
           the
           course
           of
           the
           passages
           of
           such
           disappointments
           ;
           the
           other
           Christian
           having
           these
           supporting
           helps
           ,
           the
           reflecting
           upon
           God's
           former
           ways
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           observ'd
           ,
           and
           upon
           record
           ,
           with
           the
           instructing
           and
           establishing
           effects
           such
           ways
           had
           then
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           the
           better
           event
           brought
           forth
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Providence
           ,
           than
           what
           was
           expected
           ,
           together
           with
           Prayer
           put
           up
           ,
           and
           strengthning
           supplies
           of
           grace
           received
           ;
           however
           dark
           this
           may
           seem
           to
           the
           Notional
           Christian
           ,
           yet
           this
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           will
           receive
           many
           Seals
           in
           its
           perusal
           by
           observing
           Christians
           .
        
         
         
           Is
           it
           not
           the
           experience
           of
           Christians
           to
           be
           led
           into
           a
           pinch
           of
           extremity
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           see
           the
           more
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           of
           means
           in
           an
           event
           ,
           and
           to
           stir
           up
           the
           greater
           reliance
           upon
           God
           with
           means
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           upon
           means
           without
           his
           Divine
           Hand
           accompanying
           ?
           How
           often
           are
           lawful
           ,
           diligent
           using
           of
           means
           disappointed
           to
           Christians
           ,
           till
           they
           be
           brought
           to
           serious
           and
           often
           Prayer
           for
           Heaven's
           conduct
           and
           blessing
           thereto
           ?
           The
           observation
           whereof
           keeps
           the
           Soul
           safe
           between
           means
           ,
           and
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           ,
           affording
           each
           his
           due
           place
           ,
           without
           presumption
           towards
           God
           ,
           or
           Idolatry
           towards
           the
           other
           ;
           if
           therefore
           the
           Christian
           Observer
           is
           enabled
           to
           discover
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           where
           others
           not
           so
           used
           thereto
           ,
           are
           uncapable
           even
           in
           these
           more
           common
           Experiences
           ;
           how
           far
           less
           capable
           are
           some
           Christians
           to
           discover
           more
           secret
           and
           adorable
           methods
           of
           God
           ,
           observ'd
           by
           others
           ?
           Either
           they
           were
           never
           experienced
           by
           them
           through
           the
           long
           intermissions
           of
           fellowship
           with
           God
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           never
           observ'd
           ,
           reflected
           upon
           ,
           or
           improven
           by
           them
           to
           the
           end
           of
           further
           knowledge
           of
           God
           in
           the
           depth
           .
           There
           is
           therefore
           not
           only
           in
           the
           sight
           and
           enjoyment
           of
           spiritual
           things
           ,
           a
           difference
           between
           Christians
           and
           meer
           Professors
           ,
           but
           even
           between
           Christian
           and
           Christian
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           either
           a
           Gift
           of
           Prophecy
           ,
           or
           an
           extraordinary
           Gift
           of
           Discerning
           ,
           but
           with
           such
           Gifts
           as
           are
           communicated
           to
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           use
           of
           common
           means
           ;
           only
           with
           this
           difference
           ,
           
           that
           these
           means
           are
           more
           continually
           and
           in
           greater
           heavenliness
           perform'd
           ,
           and
           the
           enjoyments
           of
           God
           therein
           ,
           either
           for
           comfort
           or
           instruction
           more
           carefully
           remarkt
           in
           all
           its
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           laid
           up
           in
           record
           for
           this
           very
           end
           of
           improvement
           ,
           the
           greater
           knowledge
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           of
           God's
           more
           extraordinary
           steps
           therein
           .
           Thou
           therefore
           ,
           O
           Christian
           ,
           that
           has
           necessary
           occasion
           of
           business
           ,
           and
           of
           lawful
           diversion
           ,
           greatly
           admixt
           with
           thy
           Religious
           Duties
           ,
           as
           a
           mean
           of
           hindering
           such
           fellowship
           with
           God
           as
           those
           do
           enjoy
           ,
           whose
           life
           does
           run
           in
           a
           stream
           of
           actual
           heavenly
           mindedness
           ;
           reproach
           not
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           these
           other
           Christians
           with
           melancholy
           Fancy
           or
           Enthusiasm
           ,
           either
           of
           which
           bear
           their
           distinct
           marks
           from
           that
           knowledge
           of
           God
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           constant
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           by
           Divine
           fellowship
           therein
           ,
           in
           continual
           and
           serious
           recesses
           of
           Soul
           with
           God
           ;
           but
           bemoan
           your
           Circumstances
           thus
           involv'd
           in
           the
           necessary
           occasions
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           when
           compar'd
           with
           some
           others
           ,
           and
           do
           more
           with
           the
           opportunities
           you
           have
           ,
           than
           ever
           yet
           you
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           that
           according
           to
           the
           means
           treated
           of
           ,
           and
           blessed
           by
           God
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           hope
           therefore
           of
           passing
           from
           common
           Providences
           in
           your
           observation
           ,
           to
           special
           ones
           round
           your self
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           the
           steps
           and
           workings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           your
           Soul
           ,
           exactly
           correspondent
           to
           his
           Word
           ,
           affording
           you
           such
           knowledge
           thereof
           ,
           as
           expose
           the
           Contentions
           
           and
           Errors
           of
           the
           Earth
           to
           your
           Pity
           ,
           and
           keep
           you
           safe
           from
           the
           discouraging
           Blemishes
           ,
           and
           infectious
           Failures
           of
           Christians
           .
           In
           hope
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           of
           this
           ,
           let
           me
           press
           you
           to
           this
           great
           and
           experienced
           Duty
           of
           Observation
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           hopeful
           your
           expectations
           will
           not
           fail
           ,
           but
           a
           mysterious
           discovery
           of
           the
           reality
           of
           his
           Divine
           Word
           shall
           be
           unfolded
           ,
           such
           as
           could
           never
           have
           been
           forethought
           ,
           or
           foreseen
           by
           you
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           not
           to
           be
           supposed
           that
           ever
           the
           most
           refin'd
           Wit
           on
           earth
           could
           have
           made
           up
           such
           a
           System
           of
           Mystery
           as
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           is
           experimentally
           felt
           in
           the
           Soul.
           Is
           it
           supposable
           that
           the
           Wits
           of
           our
           Age
           (
           who
           pretend
           their
           Reason
           as
           their
           Guide
           )
           could
           foresee
           ,
           contrive
           ,
           or
           rightly
           comprehend
           the
           Work
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           renewing
           the
           Soul
           ?
           Or
           is
           it
           supposable
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           rational
           man
           on
           earth
           ,
           unacquainted
           with
           experimental
           Christianity
           ,
           can
           imagine
           the
           work
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           raising
           the
           Soul
           to
           a
           heavenly
           Frame
           ,
           and
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Soul
           at
           that
           time
           ?
           Is
           it
           imaginable
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           will
           and
           power
           of
           man
           ,
           such
           a
           Frame
           by
           which
           we
           are
           admitted
           to
           fellowship
           with
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           can
           be
           retained
           without
           a
           Divine
           Influence
           ?
           when
           though
           that
           this
           Divine
           Work
           is
           declar'd
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           yet
           with
           their
           reason
           and
           light
           of
           God's
           Word
           without
           Divine
           Spiritual
           influences
           ,
           (
           obtain'd
           by
           God's
           common
           means
           )
           they
           are
           not
           able
           to
           comprehend
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           is
           left
           unknown
           to
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           
           and
           mockt
           at
           by
           others
           of
           them
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           made
           the
           occasion
           of
           Errors
           on
           earth
           ,
           the
           prevention
           of
           all
           which
           comes
           in
           by
           the
           right
           and
           continued
           use
           of
           these
           means
           God
           commonly
           affords
           the
           sensible
           experience
           of
           himself
           according
           to
           his
           Divine
           Records
           .
        
         
           Some
           Christians
           excel
           one
           another
           in
           Faith
           of
           Reliance
           hereby
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           be
           no
           assurance
           going
           along
           ,
           yet
           their
           Hope
           is
           without
           shock
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Reflection
           upon
           former
           Experiences
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           5th
           chap.
           of
           the
           Romans
           and
           the
           5th
           and
           6th
           ver
           .
           is
           said
           ,
           to
           
             bring
             forth
             hope
             ,
             that
             maketh
             not
             ashamed
          
           ;
           and
           certainly
           found
           to
           do
           so
           in
           the
           Experiences
           of
           such
           Christians
           ,
           if
           their
           Seals
           were
           given
           forth
           to
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Let
           us
           imagine
           the
           judgment
           of
           any
           meer
           Professor
           under
           never
           so
           rational
           a
           Conviction
           of
           any
           one
           Scripture-truth
           ,
           yet
           without
           the
           power
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           bearing
           it
           home
           as
           Truth
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           you
           will
           hardly
           see
           (
           as
           the
           certain
           effect
           of
           this
           )
           saving
           Faith
           therein
           ,
           either
           commenced
           or
           so
           sixt
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           may
           give
           way
           to
           a
           succeeding
           Error
           ,
           if
           it
           have
           a
           fairer
           appearance
           to
           his
           rational
           Comprehension
           than
           the
           other
           .
           I
           don't
           therefore
           much
           wonder
           at
           the
           prophane
           or
           meer
           Professors
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           other
           sense
           of
           Divine
           Things
           than
           what
           is
           Notionally
           imparted
           and
           comprehended
           by
           them
           :
           My
           greater
           admiration
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           Christians
           indeed
           ,
           who
           feel
           the
           certainty
           of
           what
           others
           have
           but
           heard
           of
           Notionally
           ,
           and
           much
           
           more
           than
           can
           be
           exprest
           by
           any
           ,
           should
           not
           be
           more
           endeavouring
           the
           witnessing
           for
           God's
           Truth
           in
           Preaching
           ,
           Printing
           ,
           and
           Conversation
           ;
           and
           less
           for
           the
           setting
           forth
           of
           their
           own
           Parts
           ,
           or
           Notional
           Controversies
           ,
           not
           so
           material
           in
           our
           day
           ,
           where
           the
           Truth
           of
           God's
           Word
           is
           so
           much
           exposed
           and
           struck
           at
           .
        
         
           A
           Third
           Motive
           to
           this
           Duty
           of
           Observation
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           no
           hindrance
           to
           your
           worldly
           Business
           ,
           or
           lawful
           Pleasures
           ,
           but
           rather
           by
           fixing
           your
           Thoughts
           upon
           an
           adjutant
           to
           your
           ordinary
           means
           ,
           even
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           ,
           you
           may
           conform
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           receive
           the
           reward
           of
           such
           a
           Duty
           :
           The
           Experience
           of
           Christians
           discover
           ,
           that
           a
           laying
           aside
           anxiety
           of
           Mind
           ,
           and
           hurry
           of
           Body
           ,
           and
           a
           laying
           the
           matter
           before
           God
           ,
           with
           the
           diligent
           use
           of
           means
           occuring
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           obtains
           more
           business
           ,
           better
           success
           ,
           and
           greater
           Peace
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           way
           of
           obtaining
           it
           ,
           and
           its
           after-enjoyment
           ,
           than
           when
           they
           ey'd
           nothing
           else
           ,
           besides
           natural
           Contrivances
           ,
           which
           when
           mightily
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           is
           apt
           to
           lead
           a
           Man
           beyond
           true
           sincere
           Uprightness
           ,
           and
           their
           diligent
           lawful
           Industry
           ,
           unless
           for
           some
           special
           end
           of
           cutting
           down
           a
           Corruption
           ,
           or
           for
           some
           differences
           of
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           Mind
           :
           God's
           Method
           differs
           with
           the
           Soul
           ;
           but
           whatever
           difference
           be
           in
           his
           Method
           ,
           it
           will
           end
           in
           the
           same
           delight
           ,
           easie
           endeavour
           ,
           and
           discovery
           of
           Mystery
           .
           I
           add
           nothing
           more
           to
           this
           Motive
           ,
           being
           it
           belongs
           
           also
           to
           the
           other
           means
           to
           be
           mentioned
           ,
           which
           tho'
           commonly
           talkt
           of
           ,
           yet
           not
           so
           Experimentally
           treated
           of
           ,
           nor
           Practised
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           bring
           in
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           themselves
           ,
           or
           afford
           that
           inward
           Comfort
           that
           might
           be
           attained
           thereby
           .
        
         
           Let
           therefore
           your
           observation
           be
           general
           ,
           as
           to
           all
           the
           steps
           of
           God's
           Providences
           round
           your
           Bodies
           and
           Soul
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           see
           God
           in
           all
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           brought
           to
           rely
           upon
           him
           for
           all
           ,
           and
           have
           discovered
           such
           a
           Mysterious
           Work
           ,
           as
           the
           implanting
           and
           growing
           of
           Grace
           in
           your
           Souls
           ;
           yea
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           led
           to
           more
           than
           ordinary
           fellowship
           with
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           with
           the
           discovery
           of
           such
           steps
           ,
           as
           even
           other
           Christians
           have
           never
           been
           admitted
           to
           ,
           or
           have
           let
           slip
           in
           their
           reflection
           and
           improvement
           of
           ,
           and
           thereby
           be
           made
           more
           capable
           of
           witnessing
           for
           God
           than
           others
           ,
           and
           better
           judges
           of
           meetness
           for
           Heaven
           than
           otherwise
           you
           should
           have
           been
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           ,
           without
           hindering
           your
           lawful
           Business
           ,
           but
           rather
           with
           less
           anxiety
           of
           Mind
           ,
           and
           hurry
           of
           Body
           ;
           yea
           ,
           with
           greater
           success
           ,
           and
           more
           inward
           comfort
           ,
           without
           confining
           you
           from
           Pleasure
           ,
           unless
           it
           run
           to
           an
           extream
           ,
           either
           of
           being
           Sin
           it self
           ,
           or
           the
           occasion
           endangering
           you
           to
           Sin.
           
        
         
           The
           Second
           mean
           you
           are
           desir'd
           to
           be
           in
           the
           use
           of
           ,
           to
           bring
           you
           into
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Experimental
           Relig●on
           ,
           and
           thereby
           the
           certainty
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Ways
           with
           
           the
           Soul
           against
           Errors
           abroad
           ,
           and
           Darkness
           within
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           very
           Duty
           did
           I
           first
           understand
           the
           meaning
           of
           Fellowship
           and
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           of
           Divine
           Influences
           ,
           Spiritual
           Emanations
           ,
           spirituality
           and
           heavenliness
           of
           Frame
           ,
           which
           are
           words
           mockt
           at
           by
           the
           Prophane
           in
           our
           days
           ;
           and
           was
           unintelligible
           to
           my self
           ,
           while
           only
           under
           the
           instruction
           and
           power
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           incomprehensible
           to
           all
           others
           ,
           under
           the
           meer
           profession
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           let
           their
           outward
           Behaviour
           be
           never
           so
           innocent
           ,
           and
           their
           Duties
           never
           so
           gravely
           perform'd
           to
           the
           obtaining
           a
           name
           on
           Earth
           .
        
         
           While
           I
           was
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Education
           ,
           I
           seldom
           miss'd
           my
           set
           times
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           with
           as
           grave
           a
           gesture
           as
           now
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           my
           concern
           us'd
           to
           be
           more
           for
           neglect
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           than
           for
           not
           performing
           it
           aright
           ;
           but
           after
           the
           Eying
           of
           God
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           by
           the
           mean
           of
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           I
           began
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           if
           I
           would
           have
           God's
           favour
           acting
           and
           shining
           in
           any
           passage
           concerning
           me
           ,
           I
           ought
           to
           ask
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           asking
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           do
           it
           with
           a
           real
           design
           and
           desire
           of
           obtaining
           it
           .
           First
           of
           all
           ,
           I
           found
           a
           seriousness
           therein
           like
           unto
           the
           sincerity
           and
           unwanderings
           of
           one
           Man's
           speaking
           to
           another
           to
           obtain
           any
           favour
           ;
           but
           soon
           after
           I
           was
           carried
           beyond
           this
           ,
           with
           an
           awful
           Sense
           of
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           behov'd
           to
           be
           of
           great
           Might
           ,
           to
           bring
           forth
           
           all
           Things
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           in
           all
           Things
           ,
           so
           visibly
           as
           I
           had
           observ'd
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           height
           of
           sincerity
           and
           heavenliness
           of
           Mind
           ,
           that
           my
           Thoughts
           darted
           upwards
           ,
           as
           with
           Wings
           ,
           the
           same
           time
           my
           Words
           were
           exprest
           ;
           and
           that
           with
           such
           pleasure
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           I
           had
           never
           observed
           before
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           all
           my
           delight
           formerly
           having
           been
           ,
           that
           I
           performed
           ,
           and
           not
           miss'd
           my
           times
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           my
           usual
           time
           and
           way
           ,
           had
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           doing
           it
           ;
           and
           so
           from
           this
           went
           on
           as
           I
           have
           described
           in
           the
           Experiences
           concerning
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           there
           are
           many
           prophane
           Creatures
           ,
           whose
           Education
           perhaps
           has
           not
           been
           Religious
           ,
           and
           so
           this
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           has
           never
           been
           enforced
           upon
           them
           :
           They
           live
           without
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           in
           his
           common
           Providences
           ,
           and
           therefore
           are
           the
           less
           mov'd
           to
           call
           upon
           him
           by
           Prayer
           for
           his
           favour
           in
           them
           ,
           unless
           in
           a
           pinch
           of
           extremity
           ,
           where
           ,
           by
           the
           very
           light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           their
           Conscience
           ,
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           lift
           up
           a
           Petition
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           perhaps
           without
           any
           apprehension
           of
           God
           at
           the
           time
           ,
           or
           concern
           of
           seeing
           their
           request
           brought
           forth
           in
           a
           discovery
           of
           him
           in
           passages
           of
           Providence
           ,
           bringing
           it
           about
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           way
           of
           return
           to
           that
           Petition
           ,
           their
           concern
           chiefly
           running
           upon
           the
           Deliverance
           ,
           whatever
           way
           it
           come
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           there
           are
           others
           ,
           amongst
           whom
           I
           was
           ,
           and
           for
           whom
           I
           am
           now
           under
           great
           concern
           ,
           and
           for
           whose
           sake
           I
           have
           so
           particularly
           
           exprest
           the
           steps
           of
           going
           off
           from
           formality
           in
           Prayer
           to
           its
           spiritual
           and
           right
           performance
           ;
           and
           from
           my
           Soul
           I
           wish
           ,
           have
           ,
           and
           shall
           beg
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           what
           I
           am
           to
           say
           concerning
           Prayer
           ,
           might
           influence
           their
           Minds
           with
           a
           sense
           of
           their
           State
           ,
           and
           a
           desire
           to
           be
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           the
           right
           use
           of
           these
           few
           means
           ;
           They
           are
           such
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           Religious
           Education
           ,
           who
           profess
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           even
           in
           a
           stricter
           way
           than
           others
           ,
           who
           perform
           all
           outward
           acts
           of
           Worship
           with
           outward
           Gravity
           ,
           who
           are
           free
           from
           known
           Vice
           ;
           and
           still
           from
           no
           other
           Principle
           than
           either
           that
           of
           Parents
           instruction
           and
           example
           ,
           fear
           of
           offending
           them
           ,
           or
           of
           reproach
           from
           others
           ,
           but
           void
           of
           inward
           seriousness
           of
           Mind
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           hearing
           Ministers
           or
           Christians
           express
           in
           Duty
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           Duty
           ,
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           Divine
           Emanations
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           apprehend
           the
           Words
           without
           any
           inward
           sense
           of
           their
           meaning
           ,
           and
           as
           little
           desire
           after
           it
           ,
           or
           mock
           at
           such
           words
           ,
           as
           too
           familiar
           and
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           greatness
           of
           that
           Majesty
           we
           approach
           unto
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           not
           knowing
           experimentally
           the
           Mercy
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Power
           ;
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           in
           expressing
           his
           own
           Mysterious
           Truths
           by
           Words
           inferiour
           to
           the
           Mysteries
           ,
           but
           proportioned
           to
           our
           weaknesses
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           condescending
           steps
           of
           God
           with
           a
           poor
           guilty
           Creature
           ,
           in
           first
           planting
           Grace
           in
           the
           Soul
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           confident
           ,
           not
           knowing
           experimentally
           what
           a
           
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           is
           ;
           for
           then
           when
           the
           Soul
           is
           in
           a
           ravishing
           spiritual
           posture
           ,
           words
           of
           this
           kind
           are
           forc'd
           to
           drop
           from
           their
           Mouths
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           more
           satisfaction
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           greater
           acceptance
           with
           God
           from
           a
           familiar
           style
           to
           him
           ,
           influenc'd
           by
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           than
           from
           a
           whole
           Prayer
           of
           another
           ,
           where
           distance
           appears
           ,
           either
           from
           the
           words
           ,
           fine
           style
           therein
           ,
           or
           length
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           unspiritually
           perform'd
           :
           Yea
           ,
           from
           this
           very
           principle
           of
           Education
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           who
           have
           an
           outward
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           from
           thence
           an
           inward
           satisfaction
           in
           their
           Profession
           ,
           with
           a
           resting
           in
           their
           knowledge
           and
           practice
           ,
           as
           all
           the
           Religion
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           ,
           with
           good
           hopes
           of
           their
           state
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           without
           ever
           doubting
           either
           their
           profession
           or
           security
           for
           Heaven
           .
           There
           are
           others
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Education
           alone
           ,
           who
           tho'
           unspiritual
           in
           their
           Minds
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           yet
           upon
           any
           failure
           of
           their
           set
           times
           ,
           are
           really
           uneasie
           and
           dissatisfied
           ,
           especially
           the
           breach
           of
           their
           continued
           custom
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           it
           is
           for
           these
           my
           concern
           is
           greatly
           put
           forth
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           with
           those
           that
           many
           times
           greatest
           difficulty
           is
           to
           reclaim
           .
           It
           is
           well
           known
           how
           deeply
           are
           fixt
           the
           Impressions
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           but
           a
           spiritual
           working
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           is
           able
           to
           blot
           them
           out
           ,
           or
           to
           impress
           them
           a-new
           ;
           upon
           which
           very
           account
           ,
           Childrens
           Education
           ,
           with
           true
           Notions
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           can
           never
           enough
           pay
           their
           Obligation
           to
           such
           Instructors
           ;
           it
           
           being
           an
           excellent
           preparation
           for
           renewing
           the
           practical
           impressions
           of
           the
           same
           Notions
           upon
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           upon
           their
           Brains
           :
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           Religion
           is
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           heavenliness
           or
           un-heavenliness
           of
           the
           Temper
           ,
           and
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           so
           a
           thought
           ,
           word
           ,
           or
           action
           ,
           in
           Duties
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           Duties
           ,
           is
           either
           acceptable
           or
           unacceptable
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           Before
           therefore
           you
           leave
           off
           the
           Errors
           of
           Education
           ,
           to
           a
           right
           notion
           and
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           you
           are
           first
           of
           all
           to
           be
           convinced
           of
           what
           is
           Erroneous
           ,
           and
           then
           of
           what
           is
           True
           and
           Right
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Therefore
           a
           laying
           too
           great
           a
           weight
           upon
           a
           particular
           place
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           an
           error
           of
           Education
           :
           I
           know
           there
           are
           some
           so
           strictly
           addicted
           to
           Prayer
           in
           a
           Church
           ,
           that
           neither
           earliness
           nor
           lateness
           will
           obstruct
           their
           Custom
           herein
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           circumstance
           material
           in
           God's
           account
           .
           It
           is
           not
           against
           Prayer
           in
           a
           Church
           that
           I
           set
           my self
           to
           oppose
           ,
           but
           the
           great
           stress
           some
           from
           Education
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           lay
           upon
           it
           :
           I
           do
           believe
           ,
           that
           if
           others
           were
           as
           painful
           to
           bring
           their
           Minds
           into
           a
           serious
           posture
           ,
           as
           these
           are
           (
           by
           retrenching
           their
           natural
           Rest
           in
           a
           morning
           ,
           retiring
           themselves
           from
           Diversion
           through
           a
           day
           ,
           or
           at
           an
           evening
           )
           to
           have
           their
           Bodies
           in
           the
           Church
           at
           the
           times
           ,
           Prayer
           would
           be
           better
           known
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           pursued
           in
           its
           
           right
           performance
           ,
           than
           at
           this
           day
           .
           For
           my
           own
           part
           ,
           if
           my
           Soul
           be
           right
           with
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           neither
           to
           House
           or
           Church
           I
           affix
           my self
           ,
           but
           the
           place
           I
           can
           be
           most
           private
           in
           ,
           either
           from
           the
           diverting
           sight
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           their
           discomposing
           noise
           ;
           and
           if
           I
           have
           opportunity
           of
           choice
           ,
           no
           place
           is
           more
           grateful
           to
           me
           than
           that
           in
           which
           I
           have
           had
           greatest
           enjoyments
           of
           God
           in
           Prayer
           .
           Privacy
           I
           greatly
           value
           ,
           from
           an
           unwillingness
           to
           expose
           my self
           to
           the
           Censure
           of
           Shew
           and
           Applause
           ,
           or
           a
           Prayer
           acceptably
           performed
           to
           the
           mocking
           of
           some
           ,
           finding
           it
           impossible
           to
           restrain
           my self
           from
           more
           than
           ordinary
           flood
           of
           words
           ,
           and
           from
           a
           more
           than
           ordinary
           audible
           voice
           ,
           when
           the
           LORD
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           raise
           my
           affections
           above
           my
           ordinary
           frame
           .
           The
           reason
           of
           chusing
           a
           place
           favour'd
           with
           God's
           presence
           to
           my
           Soul
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           memorial
           thereof
           may
           excite
           the
           greater
           endeavour
           after
           it
           ,
           and
           former
           Experiences
           may
           be
           one
           of
           my
           pleading
           Arguments
           for
           it
           .
           This
           is
           abundantly
           suitable
           to
           the
           example
           of
           David
           ,
           who
           would
           often
           say
           ,
           Psal
           .
           42.6
           .
           
             That
             he
             remembred
             the
             hill
             Hermon-Missar
             ,
          
           and
           other
           places
           ,
           which
           were
           remarkable
           to
           him
           ,
           from
           the
           rich
           entertainment
           of
           God's
           presence
           in
           them
           ;
           from
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           drive
           only
           thither
           ,
           to
           make
           you
           know
           how
           little
           the
           consideration
           of
           Place
           ,
           Prayer
           is
           performed
           in
           ,
           avails
           in
           God's
           account
           ,
           or
           comforts
           the
           Christian's
           Soul
           within
           ,
           whatever
           customary
           performance
           ,
           or
           outward
           applause
           afford
           .
        
         
         
           Privacy
           is
           recommended
           from
           Christ's
           own
           example
           ,
           who
           would
           retire
           to
           the
           Fields
           on
           that
           very
           account
           ;
           yea
           ,
           part
           then
           from
           his
           own
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           constant
           Companions
           :
           And
           truly
           the
           more
           serious
           a
           Soul
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           willing
           to
           be
           from
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           center
           all
           his
           thoughts
           upon
           his
           dear
           God.
           If
           therefore
           any
           labour
           under
           this
           failure
           of
           Education
           ,
           let
           me
           advise
           against
           it
           ,
           unless
           on
           the
           account
           of
           better
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           because
           I
           hope
           there
           are
           some
           who
           on
           this
           very
           account
           give
           strict
           example
           thereof
           ,
           let
           me
           advise
           all
           from
           censuring
           such
           an
           Action
           ;
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           for
           a
           greater
           meetness
           ,
           for
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           makes
           it
           a
           Circumstance
           congruous
           to
           a
           well-perform'd
           Duty
           ;
           but
           the
           Circumstance
           of
           pleading
           for
           it
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           fixing
           it
           upon
           others
           ,
           from
           a
           liking
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           argues
           it
           rather
           an
           Error
           of
           Education
           ,
           than
           a
           Circumstance
           experienc'd
           in
           themselves
           ,
           helping
           forward
           their
           seriousness
           with
           God
           :
           for
           though
           to
           some
           it
           may
           have
           this
           advantage
           ,
           yet
           to
           my self
           it
           could
           not
           have
           ;
           the
           seeing
           of
           any
           before
           or
           with
           me
           in
           any
           performance
           of
           private
           Prayer
           ,
           proving
           many
           times
           visible
           hindrances
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           A
           laying
           too
           great
           weight
           upon
           punctual
           keeping
           of
           set-times
           to
           pray
           ,
           is
           an
           Error
           of
           Education
           .
           There
           are
           many
           in
           no
           other
           state
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           its
           meer
           Profession
           ,
           and
           outward
           Acts
           of
           Worship
           ,
           who
           with
           marvellous
           strictness
           perform
           the
           set-times
           of
           Morning
           and
           Evening-Prayer
           ,
           purely
           from
           
           the
           Rule
           of
           Education
           ;
           but
           still
           at
           a
           loss
           what
           communion
           and
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           means
           :
           I
           accuse
           not
           their
           praying
           at
           set-times
           ,
           but
           Professors
           confidence
           therein
           ,
           as
           evidence
           of
           their
           religious
           state
           ,
           or
           their
           Prayers
           right
           performance
           .
           
           David's
           set-times
           of
           Prayer
           are
           instanced
           in
           his
           Book
           of
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           there
           is
           not
           any
           experiencing
           Christian
           on
           earth
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           who
           slights
           their
           appointed
           seasons
           of
           private
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           supplicate
           the
           Lord's
           conduct
           from
           morning
           till
           night
           ,
           and
           from
           evening
           to
           morning
           ;
           yea
           ,
           by
           observation
           of
           continued
           Mercies
           through
           the
           day
           ,
           are
           kept
           in
           a
           posture
           of
           Soul
           fitted
           to
           ejaculate
           Praise
           ;
           and
           by
           observation
           of
           continual
           Wants
           ,
           fitted
           to
           ejaculate
           Supplication
           throughout
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           and
           so
           kept
           in
           obedience
           to
           that
           Divine
           Command
           ,
           of
           
             praying
             without
             ceasing
          
           ,
           even
           amidst
           diligent
           endeavours
           in
           business
           ,
           and
           outward
           lawful
           pleasures
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           morning
           ,
           noon
           ,
           and
           evening
           Sacrifices
           .
           My
           Challenge
           therefore
           takes
           place
           ,
           when
           exactness
           in
           that
           Circumstance
           proceeds
           from
           no
           other
           foundation
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ,
           or
           guided
           by
           no
           other
           Rule
           than
           that
           of
           others
           Example
           ,
           and
           tending
           towards
           no
           other
           ends
           than
           Applause
           ,
           or
           pleasing
           themselves
           by
           their
           Customariness
           therein
           .
           The
           former
           experience
           of
           my self
           under
           the
           alone
           power
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           now
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           gave
           me
           occasion
           to
           reprehend
           this
           Error
           ,
           having
           then
           found
           my self
           more
           uneasy
           
           at
           the
           neglect
           of
           a
           set-time
           of
           Prayer
           than
           I
           am
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           when
           a
           lawful
           occurrence
           falls
           in
           my
           way
           to
           hinder
           my
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           at
           my
           usual
           set-time
           ,
           then
           I
           have
           found
           my self
           still
           under
           anxiety
           for
           the
           omission
           only
           ;
           but
           blessed
           be
           the
           Lord
           ,
           my
           experience
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           a
           heavenly
           Frame
           (
           the
           continual
           desire
           of
           my
           Soul
           )
           is
           neither
           confin'd
           to
           set-words
           ,
           nor
           set-times
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           follow'd
           with
           as
           evident
           returns
           when
           put
           forth
           in
           Ejaculation
           ,
           as
           when
           in
           Solemn
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           A
           laying
           too
           great
           a
           weight
           upon
           the
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           in
           form
           ,
           or
           extemporary
           ,
           is
           an
           Error
           of
           Education
           ;
           the
           frame
           and
           posture
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           the
           touchstone
           of
           its
           right
           performance
           ,
           and
           therefore
           either
           of
           which
           the
           Christian
           finds
           most
           raising
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           ,
           that
           I
           think
           safest
           for
           a
           Christian
           to
           stick
           to
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           own
           part
           ,
           without
           regard
           to
           the
           opinion
           and
           way
           either
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           Dissenter
           ,
           but
           purely
           to
           personal
           experience
           ,
           founded
           I
           hope
           upon
           Scripture-Revelation
           ,
           I
           must
           say
           ,
           that
           when
           in
           Closet
           or
           Family-Prayer
           ,
           my
           frame
           of
           mind
           has
           been
           rais'd
           to
           great
           spirituality
           and
           heavenliness
           ,
           my
           words
           then
           have
           run
           from
           me
           with
           an
           amazing
           freedom
           and
           current
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           most
           affecting
           way
           to
           my self
           and
           others
           ;
           from
           whence
           I
           must
           imagine
           ,
           that
           the
           Soul
           confining
           himself
           to
           words
           in
           a
           form
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           gives
           an
           occasional
           
           hindrance
           of
           this
           spiritual
           frame
           ,
           by
           confinement
           to
           what
           is
           design'd
           to
           be
           utter'd
           ,
           and
           so
           keeping
           off
           such
           Divine
           Influences
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           uncapable
           of
           bounding
           either
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Christian's
           outward
           expression
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           mighty
           difference
           between
           a
           Christian's
           seriousness
           ,
           when
           nothing
           else
           is
           sensibly
           productive
           thereof
           ,
           but
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           Creature
           's
           self
           ,
           by
           the
           means
           either
           of
           thinking
           upon
           God's
           All
           seeing
           Eye
           ,
           upon
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           Majesty
           approach'd
           to
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           means
           of
           drawing
           off
           the
           thoughts
           from
           distracting
           things
           :
           There
           is
           vast
           difference
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           between
           this
           serious
           frame
           ,
           and
           a
           spiritual
           heavenly
           frame
           sensibly
           ,
           suddenly
           ,
           and
           powerfully
           influencing
           the
           Soul
           without
           any
           thing
           of
           Self
           ,
           unless
           as
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           sensibly
           rais'd
           from
           a
           higher
           hand
           ,
           to
           thoughts
           and
           words
           far
           beyond
           the
           other
           .
           I
           bless
           the
           Lord
           without
           the
           latter
           I
           am
           never
           satisfi'd
           ;
           and
           I
           know
           the
           first
           may
           be
           perform'd
           ,
           and
           yet
           without
           sensible
           fellowship
           with
           God
           ,
           but
           perhaps
           real
           fellowship
           with
           him
           by
           his
           strengthning
           influences
           ,
           and
           nothing
           more
           ,
           fixes
           the
           thoughts
           from
           diversion
           ,
           or
           discovers
           Self
           ,
           and
           Christ's
           spiritual
           Influences
           ;
           and
           carries
           the
           Soul
           more
           out
           of
           Self
           ,
           to
           cry
           and
           depend
           on
           Christ's
           Supplies
           ,
           than
           such
           extemporary
           Prayer
           with
           observation
           .
           But
           if
           this
           Experience
           can
           be
           opposed
           by
           others
           ,
           who
           ,
           for
           any
           thing
           I
           know
           ,
           may
           find
           less
           distraction
           ,
           and
           greater
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           in
           a
           form'd
           Prayer
           ,
           whatever
           their
           opinion
           be
           ,
           I
           shall
           never
           
           offer
           my
           Censure
           against
           the
           Circumstance
           of
           formed
           or
           extemporary
           Prayer
           ,
           being
           only
           to
           be
           accused
           ,
           when
           either
           it
           's
           perform'd
           ,
           stuck
           to
           ,
           and
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           because
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other's
           being
           a
           better
           mean
           towards
           performing
           of
           Prayer
           in
           a
           more
           heavenly
           and
           spiritual
           manner
           ;
           if
           our
           Concern
           run
           more
           upon
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           Soul's
           frame
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           Duties
           ,
           than
           upon
           the
           various
           methods
           of
           their
           outward
           performance
           ,
           the
           common
           distinction
           of
           opinions
           and
           quarrellings
           about
           needless
           Circumstances
           would
           soon
           be
           abandon'd
           .
           I
           dissent
           from
           all
           ,
           tho'
           of
           my
           own
           opinion
           ,
           who
           lay
           weight
           upon
           any
           Circumstance
           ,
           but
           in
           so
           far
           as
           it
           contributes
           to
           greater
           spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           shall
           never
           censure
           those
           of
           another
           opinion
           ,
           who
           stick
           fast
           to
           some
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           thereby
           differ
           from
           me
           ,
           purely
           because
           such
           Circumstances
           are
           more
           serviceable
           to
           their
           Souls
           ,
           in
           raising
           their
           frames
           to
           greater
           spirituality
           than
           when
           otherwise
           perform'd
           :
           But
           to
           be
           strict
           in
           their
           use
           ,
           and
           to
           plead
           for
           them
           in
           conversation
           ,
           purely
           because
           of
           being
           educated
           with
           them
           ,
           without
           trying
           the
           contrary
           way
           ,
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           and
           experienc'd
           by
           others
           ,
           seems
           to
           me
           the
           product
           of
           Self
           ,
           rather
           than
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           I
           am
           of
           the
           opinion
           ,
           that
           Children
           educated
           with
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           are
           led
           to
           greater
           laziness
           in
           their
           more
           grown
           years
           ,
           and
           often
           proves
           a
           mean
           of
           rendring
           them
           secure
           without
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Duties
           :
           Not
           as
           if
           I
           
           confin'd
           God's
           spiritual
           Influences
           to
           an
           extemporary
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           that
           there
           were
           never
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           in
           praying
           with
           Form
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           latter
           more
           consines
           the
           Soul
           with
           its
           thoughts
           in
           the
           Duty
           ,
           and
           so
           fits
           the
           Soul
           far
           less
           to
           receive
           spiritual
           breathings
           ,
           than
           an
           extemporary
           Prayer
           .
           And
           when
           a
           Soul
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Form
           in
           Prayer
           is
           raised
           by
           Christ's
           Spirit
           to
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           that
           then
           the
           Soul
           goes
           beyond
           the
           path
           of
           Form
           it
           begun
           the
           Prayer
           in
           ,
           and
           reaches
           further
           in
           expression
           ,
           than
           what
           his
           Soul
           design'd
           by
           his
           usual
           Form.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           A
           laying
           too
           great
           a
           weight
           upon
           the
           Circumstance
           of
           Length
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           another
           Error
           of
           Education
           ,
           especially
           amongst
           the
           Youth
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           who
           are
           as
           much
           pleas'd
           herewith
           ,
           as
           those
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           are
           with
           Form
           in
           Prayer
           .
           Length
           in
           Prayer
           I
           accuse
           not
           absolutely
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Soul
           be
           in
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           and
           admitted
           to
           near
           approach
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           its
           delight
           therein
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           unwilling
           to
           ,
           yea
           ,
           can
           hardly
           give
           over
           ;
           but
           when
           Length
           in
           Prayer
           proceeds
           from
           no
           other
           foundation
           than
           Education
           or
           Custom
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           Circumstance
           no
           ways
           promoting
           the
           Soul's
           heavenliness
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           God's
           acceptance
           of
           it
           .
           There
           are
           many
           ,
           who
           from
           being
           train'd
           up
           in
           the
           way
           of
           extemporary
           Prayer
           ,
           can
           with
           strength
           of
           memory
           ,
           judgment
           ,
           and
           readiness
           of
           expression
           ,
           lengthen
           out
           Prayer
           to
           their
           own
           
           conceit
           and
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           with
           applause
           from
           others
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           know
           at
           the
           same
           time
           the
           meaning
           of
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           Consideration
           that
           has
           often
           moved
           me
           to
           concern
           for
           some
           under
           good
           Education
           ,
           and
           religious
           Character
           ,
           but
           altogether
           unacquainted
           with
           inward
           Religion
           .
           The
           meaning
           of
           outward
           Worship
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           honour
           him
           on
           earth
           amongst
           our selves
           ;
           and
           the
           service
           that
           is
           proportion'd
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           spiritual
           in
           the
           Soul
           ;
           expression
           being
           no
           acceptable
           Sacrifice
           to
           him
           ,
           unless
           upon
           that
           account
           of
           spiritual
           Worship
           ;
           it
           's
           that
           which
           assimilates
           a
           man
           most
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           brings
           a
           man
           sooner
           to
           the
           knowledge
           and
           admiration
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           a
           meetness
           for
           that
           Heaven
           wherein
           in
           all
           his
           Childrens
           Servants
           shall
           be
           spiritual
           and
           heavenly
           .
           A
           Prayer
           spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           seems
           to
           fly
           with
           wings
           by
           the
           gale
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           blowing
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           making
           it
           sail
           towards
           God
           with
           such
           words
           and
           thoughts
           as
           appear
           more
           the
           fruit
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           than
           of
           great
           memory
           and
           judgment
           .
           Let
           us
           but
           make
           observation
           of
           one
           man's
           Prayer
           at
           one
           time
           and
           another
           ,
           when
           the
           judgment
           〈…〉
           are
           left
           only
           at
           the
           helm
           ,
           how
           〈◊〉
           and
           faintly
           does
           his
           words
           drop
           ,
           though
           never
           ●o
           fine
           ;
           but
           when
           God
           breathes
           suddenly
           and
           freely
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           his
           frame
           is
           visibly
           chang'd
           ,
           is
           more
           affecting
           to
           the
           hearer
           ,
           and
           is
           admitted
           to
           plead
           with
           God
           in
           greater
           familiarity
           ,
           with
           greater
           power
           ,
           and
           readier
           expression
           .
           It
           is
           experimentally
           known
           
           how
           much
           more
           pleasing
           and
           affecting
           a
           spiritual
           Prayer
           is
           ,
           though
           perform'd
           by
           an
           illiterate
           hand
           ,
           than
           the
           Prayer
           perform'd
           by
           the
           most
           ingenious
           but
           unspiritual
           .
           There
           needs
           no
           other
           way
           to
           converse
           with
           the
           experienced
           Christians
           ,
           but
           by
           bringing
           Experiences
           to
           their
           memories
           ;
           but
           for
           others
           unacquainted
           with
           experimental
           Christianity
           ,
           I
           hope
           the
           use
           of
           the
           means
           treated
           of
           ,
           will
           bring
           you
           to
           the
           same
           Experience
           ,
           and
           then
           your
           arguings
           upon
           Air
           will
           vanish
           ,
           and
           they
           'll
           find
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           solid
           and
           true
           ,
           and
           filled
           with
           all
           solid
           comfort
           and
           establishment
           to
           your
           Souls
           .
        
         
           Abandon
           therefore
           Circumstantial
           Niceties
           as
           evidential
           of
           your
           right-perform'd
           Prayer
           ,
           restrict
           your self
           to
           no
           place
           ,
           in
           performing
           the
           Duty
           ,
           or
           in
           debating
           concerning
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           where
           you
           find
           most
           privacy
           ,
           and
           greatest
           assistance
           towards
           a
           good
           frame
           of
           Soul
           ;
           confine
           your self
           not
           to
           morning
           or
           evening
           Prayer
           only
           ,
           but
           throughout
           the
           whole
           day
           ,
           upon
           any
           occurrency
           of
           affair
           ,
           or
           company
           you
           are
           call'd
           to
           ,
           distrust
           your self
           ,
           without
           begging
           God's
           conduct
           therein
           ;
           and
           if
           under
           constraint
           from
           Set-Prayer
           ,
           endeavour
           after
           a
           good
           frame
           of
           mind
           in
           ejaculating
           a
           Petition
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           will
           issue
           in
           as
           sweet
           and
           remarkable
           a
           return
           ,
           by
           which
           means
           the
           frame
           of
           your
           mind
           is
           kept
           in
           a
           continual
           seriousness
           to
           answer
           that
           Command
           of
           
             praying
             without
             ceasing
          
           ,
           as
           was
           said
           before
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           mean
           to
           repel
           forgetfulness
           of
           God.
           And
           
           to
           hinder
           the
           danger
           of
           running
           to
           an
           extreme
           in
           lawful
           diversion
           ,
           which
           at
           this
           day
           is
           an
           occasion
           leading
           to
           much
           evil
           ,
           even
           amongst
           real
           Christians
           ,
           lengthen
           out
           your
           Prayer
           according
           to
           your
           Suits
           you
           find
           you
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           ,
           or
           are
           sensible
           of
           at
           the
           time
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           are
           heavenly
           ,
           you
           will
           lengthen
           it
           out
           with
           pleasure
           ;
           use
           form
           or
           extemporariness
           ;
           not
           because
           you
           have
           been
           so
           educated
           ,
           or
           because
           those
           of
           your
           Party
           do
           ,
           and
           plead
           for
           it
           ,
           but
           try
           both
           ,
           and
           then
           use
           what
           you
           find
           most
           serviceable
           towards
           a
           good
           frame
           of
           Soul.
           
        
         
           These
           Errors
           being
           remov'd
           ,
           I
           come
           to
           give
           you
           my
           Experience
           of
           right
           perform'd
           Prayer
           ;
           not
           by
           Philosophical
           Definition
           or
           Distinctions
           ,
           there
           being
           sufficiency
           thereof
           by
           excellent
           hands
           already
           in
           Print
           ,
           but
           by
           Enlargement
           ,
           according
           to
           my
           method
           of
           experiencing
           the
           gradual
           steps
           of
           knowledge
           God
           was
           pleas'd
           to
           afford
           concerning
           Prayer
           in
           the
           performance
           and
           continuance
           of
           it
           .
           In
           general
           therefore
           ,
           judge
           of
           your
           right
           performance
           in
           Prayer
           by
           the
           following
           marks
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           two
           I
           was
           first
           of
           all
           made
           sensible
           of
           ,
           tho'
           afterward
           others
           (
           of
           which
           you
           shall
           hear
           in
           the
           repetition
           of
           the
           same
           two
           ,
           with
           the
           addition
           of
           others
           )
           occur'd
           :
           But
           I
           chose
           rather
           to
           keep
           them
           in
           the
           method
           of
           time
           as
           well
           as
           matter
           that
           they
           were
           experienced
           in
           ;
           not
           so
           much
           for
           grown
           Christians
           who
           have
           experienced
           the
           same
           with
           my self
           ,
           and
           
           therefore
           may
           be
           comfortably
           established
           thereby
           ;
           but
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           illiterate
           and
           meer
           Professors
           ,
           though
           notionally
           learned
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           and
           all
           unacquainted
           with
           Experience
           ,
           may
           be
           led
           step
           by
           step
           to
           the
           right
           knowledge
           and
           performance
           thereof
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           You
           may
           judge
           of
           your
           right
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           by
           the
           frame
           of
           your
           mind
           in
           it
           ,
           if
           spiritual
           and
           heavenly
           ,
           if
           your
           thoughts
           are
           carri'd
           upwards
           with
           sincerity
           and
           fervency
           ,
           the
           same
           time
           your
           words
           pass
           your
           lips
           ;
           the
           power
           of
           Instruction
           ,
           Custom
           or
           Applause
           having
           small
           room
           as
           Motives
           thereto
           ;
           but
           the
           obedience
           of
           God's
           Command
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           your
           need
           of
           ,
           and
           insufficiency
           to
           bring
           about
           what
           you
           ask
           .
           The
           sense
           of
           power
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           willingness
           to
           bestow
           ,
           if
           for
           your
           good
           ,
           moving
           you
           to
           address
           him
           ,
           after
           the
           experience
           whereof
           ,
           and
           strict
           continuance
           in
           the
           use
           of
           set
           and
           ejaculatory
           Prayer
           ,
           with
           observation
           of
           what
           occurs
           therein
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           more
           knowledge
           and
           enjoyment
           creep
           upon
           you
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           Divines
           on
           earth
           that
           ever
           I
           have
           met
           with
           has
           been
           able
           to
           express
           or
           impart
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           You
           may
           judge
           of
           your
           right
           and
           acceptable
           performance
           ,
           by
           returns
           to
           your
           Prayers
           .
           Such
           objections
           ,
           that
           a
           return
           may
           come
           to
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           Christian
           not
           know
           it
           to
           be
           the
           return
           ;
           or
           that
           a
           return
           may
           be
           so
           long
           
           deferr'd
           ,
           as
           when
           it
           comes
           in
           ,
           the
           Prayer
           that
           Petition'd
           it
           being
           out
           of
           the
           Christians
           Thoughts
           ,
           he
           is
           in
           danger
           of
           mistake
           ,
           by
           imagining
           the
           Prayers
           not
           being
           spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           not
           accepted
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           return'd
           by
           him
           ,
           when
           the
           Prayer
           has
           been
           perform'd
           aright
           ,
           God
           pleased
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           answer'd
           :
           Such
           Objections
           shall
           fully
           be
           answer'd
           in
           further
           discoursing
           concerning
           Prayer
           :
           Only
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           when
           a
           return
           comes
           to
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           return
           not
           known
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           it
           is
           certain
           argument
           to
           me
           ,
           of
           laziness
           in
           that
           Christian
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           general
           and
           exact
           observation
           of
           the
           Enjoyments
           accompanying
           spiritual
           and
           continued
           Prayer
           ,
           has
           not
           been
           the
           practice
           of
           that
           Soul
           ,
           and
           that
           that
           Prayer
           has
           not
           at
           first
           been
           remarkt
           ;
           God's
           ways
           between
           the
           Praying
           ,
           and
           its
           return
           ,
           not
           exactly
           observ'd
           ,
           and
           reflected
           upon
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           return
           given
           i●
           ,
           not
           compar'd
           ,
           but
           unsuitably
           applied
           to
           notion
           and
           fancy
           ;
           the
           neglect
           of
           the
           observation
           of
           this
           ,
           God's
           common
           method
           ,
           extreamly
           hinders
           the
           knowledge
           of
           a
           Prayer
           right
           perform'd
           ,
           and
           really
           return'd
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           true
           and
           often
           ●●●●sion
           of
           false
           and
           erroneous
           Thoughts
           both
           of
           God
           and
           our selves
           :
        
         
           Again
           ,
           It
           has
           〈◊〉
           been
           my
           own
           Experience
           ,
           〈◊〉
           the
           return
           of
           a
           Prayer
           has
           been
           to
           〈…〉
           that
           at
           the
           time
           of
           the
           performance
           I
           have
           had
           an
           〈◊〉
           p●werful
           sense
           of
           God's
           acceptance
           thereof
           ,
           〈◊〉
           it
           was
           God's
           work
           ,
           and
           not
           my
           own
           ,
           from
           its
           sudden
           and
           powerful
           
           fixedness
           in
           my
           Soul
           ;
           neither
           the
           work
           of
           Satan
           or
           inward
           Corruption
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           its
           effect
           in
           the
           Soul
           afterward
           abiding
           ,
           even
           full
           pleasedness
           and
           quiet
           of
           Mind
           concerning
           the
           Event
           ,
           tho'
           the
           return
           was
           deferred
           ;
           neither
           any
           repine
           ,
           but
           continued
           exercise
           of
           Resignation
           ,
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           Reliance
           upon
           God
           ,
           which
           clearly
           discovers
           the
           power
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ;
           these
           going
           along
           takes
           off
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           Prayers
           being
           unspiritual
           ,
           unacceptable
           ,
           or
           not
           to
           be
           return'd
           ,
           tho'
           the
           return
           be
           deferr'd
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           many
           at
           this
           day
           under
           no
           other
           advancement
           in
           Christianity
           than
           its
           meer
           Profession
           ,
           who
           are
           constant
           to
           their
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           but
           either
           reflect
           not
           ,
           or
           in
           reflecting
           upon
           their
           Duty
           perform'd
           ,
           never
           seriously
           question
           in
           themselves
           ,
           whither
           any
           other
           thing
           than
           there
           petition
           of
           words
           in
           such
           serious
           a
           manner
           as
           the
           strength
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           others
           discourse
           concerning
           God's
           greatness
           ,
           had
           brought
           them
           to
           ,
           was
           either
           necessary
           or
           actually
           in
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           or
           ever
           examin'd
           after
           Prayer
           was
           over
           ,
           whether
           it
           had
           return
           or
           not
           ;
           How
           this
           way
           of
           living
           should
           train
           a
           Soul
           to
           the
           experience
           and
           knowledge
           of
           access
           to
           ,
           and
           enjoyments
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           speaking
           as
           to
           God's
           common
           way
           of
           bestowing
           such
           comfortable
           priviledges
           purchased
           by
           Christ
           for
           us
           .
        
         
           To
           instruct
           you
           therefore
           ,
           (
           from
           the
           Experience
           of
           God
           with
           my self
           )
           O
           prophane
           and
           meer
           professing
           Christians
           ,
           I
           would
           with
           much
           sincerity
           and
           love
           〈◊〉
           ●ur
           selves
           ,
           beg
           your
           steps
           in
           the
           following
           〈◊〉
           .
        
         
         
           When
           you
           are
           designing
           any
           matter
           ,
           or
           endeavouring
           the
           interest
           of
           this
           or
           the
           other
           mean
           ,
           to
           bring
           forth
           your
           purposed
           end
           ,
           resolve
           to
           address
           the
           Lord
           by
           Prayer
           for
           his
           guidance
           of
           you
           to
           the
           use
           of
           right
           means
           ,
           and
           his
           blessing
           the
           means
           to
           bring
           about
           your
           design
           ,
           unless
           inconsistent
           with
           his
           Honour
           and
           your
           Interest
           ;
           And
           if
           you
           are
           hinder'd
           from
           solemn
           Address
           ,
           make
           use
           of
           your
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           dart
           them
           up
           to
           him
           with
           the
           same
           Petitions
           :
           Mind
           not
           only
           the
           words
           in
           your
           solemn
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           your
           thoughts
           in
           Ejaculation
           ,
           but
           consider
           the
           frame
           of
           your
           Mind
           in
           both
           ,
           whether
           serious
           or
           not
           ;
           if
           as
           serious
           ,
           as
           when
           speaking
           to
           this
           or
           the
           other
           help
           to
           carry
           on
           your
           design
           ,
           (
           at
           your
           first
           enterance
           I
           suppose
           not
           your
           acquaintance
           with
           spirituality
           of
           frame
           )
           and
           if
           your
           frame
           be
           thus
           serious
           ,
           mind
           the
           issue
           of
           your
           affair
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           according
           to
           your
           Desire
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           impute
           not
           your
           success
           altogether
           to
           your
           outward
           help
           of
           this
           mean
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           ,
           but
           let
           Heaven's
           Blessing
           ,
           accompanying
           your
           diligent
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           have
           room
           in
           your
           Thoughts
           ,
           if
           not
           as
           chief
           ,
           yet
           as
           necessary
           ;
           and
           therefore
           you
           will
           improve
           this
           passage
           thus
           observ'd
           ,
           with
           a
           resolution
           to
           address
           God
           more
           seriously
           than
           ever
           ,
           in
           your
           next
           undertaking
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           perform
           your
           serious
           Prayer
           to
           him
           for
           his
           Divine
           Assistance
           ,
           which
           meeting
           with
           a
           sensible
           return
           ,
           you
           will
           improve
           with
           a
           more
           fixedness
           in
           your
           resolution
           to
           Petition
           him
           in
           all
           your
           after-concerns
           ,
           
           and
           with
           giving
           of
           him
           now
           the
           place
           of
           principal
           Agent
           with
           your
           means
           ,
           which
           will
           lay
           a
           foundation
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           a
           resolution
           and
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           that
           seriously
           to
           God
           in
           all
           Occurrences
           ,
           but
           make
           a
           fair
           step
           towards
           the
           founding
           a
           Faith
           of
           Reliance
           upon
           God
           ;
           yea
           ,
           an
           endeavour
           of
           pleasing
           God
           ,
           to
           interest
           your selves
           in
           his
           favour
           ,
           and
           a
           perusal
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           to
           know
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           doing
           it
           ;
           and
           going
           on
           in
           this
           way
           of
           Prayer
           and
           Observation
           ,
           with
           such
           suitable
           improvement
           ,
           you
           know
           not
           ,
           neither
           is
           it
           in
           the
           power
           of
           the
           greatest
           exercise
           of
           a
           rational
           Soul
           ,
           to
           foresee
           or
           imagin
           aforehand
           ,
           what
           great
           and
           mysterious
           things
           may
           be
           laid
           before
           you
           to
           observe
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           of
           a
           Christian's
           advancement
           from
           the
           first
           step
           of
           Seriousness
           ,
           to
           a
           Reliance
           upon
           God
           as
           the
           alone
           power
           to
           be
           trusted
           to
           ,
           with
           such
           means
           he
           allows
           of
           ,
           and
           has
           witnessed
           his
           pleasure
           in
           ,
           by
           working
           with
           them
           for
           the
           bringing
           about
           such
           Events
           as
           are
           sought
           from
           natural
           strength
           by
           others
           ,
           but
           by
           them
           in
           Petitioning
           the
           Agency
           of
           his
           Power
           :
           I
           don't
           mean
           by
           repeating
           of
           Words
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Form
           and
           Rule
           given
           you
           in
           your
           Education
           ,
           but
           thorough
           a
           sense
           of
           the
           great
           advantage
           of
           his
           favour
           ,
           and
           a
           sincere
           desire
           to
           obtain
           it
           ;
           a
           carrying
           out
           of
           your
           desire
           with
           thoughts
           and
           words
           suitable
           to
           the
           present
           height
           of
           your
           longings
           ,
           which
           lays
           you
           in
           the
           way
           of
           meeting
           with
           the
           breathings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           
           to
           help
           your
           infirmities
           ,
           and
           to
           raise
           your
           frame
           to
           such
           a
           posture
           of
           heavenliness
           as
           you
           never
           knew
           before
           ,
           unless
           by
           the
           hearing
           of
           the
           ear
           ,
           and
           will
           soon
           unfold
           what
           a
           dark
           state
           you
           have
           been
           in
           ;
           that
           all
           the
           seriousness
           you
           had
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           was
           no
           other
           than
           the
           strength
           of
           education
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           something
           else
           in
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           you
           have
           never
           yet
           been
           senble
           of
           ,
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           feeling
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           than
           to
           the
           utterance
           of
           the
           greatest
           Orator
           on
           earth
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           has
           express'd
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           these
           Mysteries
           in
           a
           stile
           suited
           to
           our
           understanding
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           same
           Spirit
           bears
           them
           home
           to
           the
           sensible
           feeling
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           what
           addition
           is
           given
           to
           the
           Christian's
           understanding
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           true
           Faith
           in
           them
           !
           I
           go
           not
           therefore
           about
           to
           express
           these
           experienced
           Mysteries
           in
           a
           better
           stile
           for
           your
           understanding
           ,
           but
           to
           put
           you
           in
           a
           way
           of
           obtaining
           their
           experience
           upon
           your
           Souls
           ,
           by
           the
           working
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           in
           the
           use
           of
           common
           means
           .
           You
           lose
           your
           labour
           in
           endeavouring
           to
           understand
           them
           in
           their
           saving
           efficacy
           by
           your
           natural
           reason
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           his
           internal
           Revelation
           .
           What
           can
           better
           unfold
           or
           express
           the
           breathings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           upon
           a
           Soul
           in
           its
           holy
           frame
           and
           performance
           of
           any
           Religious
           Duty
           ,
           than
           its
           resemblance
           to
           the
           blowing
           of
           the
           wind
           upon
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           which
           ,
           though
           sensibly
           felt
           ,
           yet
           is
           mysterious
           as
           to
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Heavens
           from
           whence
           it
           blows
           ,
           or
           the
           way
           of
           
           its
           blowing
           upon
           us
           .
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           though
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           breathing
           upon
           a
           Soul
           in
           praying
           to
           God
           ,
           comes
           often
           suddenly
           like
           a
           gale
           of
           wind
           ,
           refreshing
           the
           Soul's
           dead
           frame
           with
           a
           ravishing
           heavenly
           life
           and
           power
           ;
           thoughts
           ,
           desires
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           affections
           being
           then
           carri'd
           heavenward
           ,
           like
           a
           Ship
           towards
           its
           Harbour
           ,
           with
           sweet
           delight
           therein
           ,
           and
           an
           actual
           undervaluing
           of
           the
           richest
           treasures
           and
           pleasures
           on
           earth
           ,
           in
           the
           balance
           with
           this
           comfortable
           sweetness
           for
           the
           time
           enjoy'd
           ,
           the
           continuance
           whereof
           would
           afford
           the
           Soul
           a
           Heaven
           on
           earth
           ;
           yet
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           excellency
           of
           his
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           method
           of
           thus
           changing
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           is
           incomprehensible
           by
           the
           reach
           of
           human
           reason
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           experienc'd
           Soul
           there
           is
           but
           a
           discovery
           of
           him
           in
           his
           blessed
           effects
           and
           operations
           ,
           and
           a
           sight
           of
           him
           through
           a
           Glass
           darkly
           ,
           till
           that
           blessed
           change
           pass
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           obtain
           a
           perfect
           meetness
           to
           see
           and
           to
           understand
           him
           as
           he
           is
           .
        
         
           No
           wonder
           therefore
           the
           prophane
           ,
           or
           meer
           professing
           Christian
           ,
           attempting
           to
           comprehend
           God's
           Word
           as
           to
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           planting
           Grace
           ,
           or
           watering
           it
           with
           constant
           influences
           to
           keep
           it
           in
           exercise
           ,
           find
           themselves
           at
           a
           loss
           how
           to
           understand
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           never
           feeling
           its
           effects
           upon
           their
           Souls
           ,
           either
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           Chimaera
           ,
           and
           the
           Being
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           his
           blessed
           operations
           
           of
           converting
           and
           spiritualizing
           a
           Soul
           ,
           to
           be
           only
           Notions
           of
           a
           melancholy
           Brain
           .
           How
           many
           are
           there
           at
           this
           day
           who
           mock
           at
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Divinity
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           ridicule
           expressions
           of
           fellowship
           with
           him
           as
           canting
           discourse
           ;
           for
           they
           never
           receiv'd
           the
           precious
           benefits
           which
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           purchas'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           applies
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           unfeigned
           Believers
           .
           Is
           it
           possible
           that
           one
           in
           a
           violent
           hot
           Countrey
           unacquainted
           with
           the
           blowing
           of
           Wind
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           that
           one
           that
           never
           tasted
           Honey
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           and
           latter
           ,
           from
           the
           description
           either
           of
           the
           blowing
           of
           the
           Wind
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           Honey
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           perspicuous
           words
           ,
           can
           so
           well
           understand
           ,
           or
           so
           firmly
           believe
           the
           blowing
           and
           refreshing
           effects
           of
           the
           Wind
           ,
           or
           the
           nature
           and
           the
           sweetness
           of
           the
           Honey
           ,
           as
           those
           who
           have
           enjoy'd
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           tasted
           of
           the
           latter
           ?
           This
           is
           a
           true
           resemblance
           of
           their
           condition
           ,
           who
           are
           void
           of
           the
           real
           inward
           knowledge
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           their
           slighting
           and
           disbelief
           of
           the
           spiritual
           efficacy
           of
           the
           Ordinances
           ,
           cannot
           weaken
           the
           Faith
           of
           Believers
           ,
           who
           have
           experienced
           the
           reality
           thereof
           upon
           their
           Souls
           ;
           but
           give
           them
           greater
           establishment
           ,
           and
           afford
           them
           matter
           of
           repeated
           exercise
           of
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           past
           by
           some
           ,
           and
           calls
           others
           ,
           and
           advances
           them
           to
           a
           further
           reliance
           upon
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           due
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           for
           the
           obtaining
           a
           richer
           abundance
           of
           the
           communications
           of
           the
           Holy
           
           Spirit
           .
           When
           the
           Errors
           of
           the
           prophane
           and
           meerly
           professing
           Christians
           endanger
           the
           staggering
           of
           any
           real
           and
           true
           Christian
           ,
           it
           is
           often
           my
           fear
           least
           that
           Christian
           has
           been
           too
           careless
           of
           his
           Duties
           ,
           and
           has
           not
           improved
           the
           pure
           motions
           and
           assistance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           within
           ,
           and
           the
           advantage
           of
           the
           external
           means
           of
           Grace
           ;
           for
           else
           he
           would
           be
           above
           the
           impression
           of
           the
           objections
           of
           carnal
           persons
           against
           his
           own
           feeling
           .
           Is
           it
           possible
           that
           force
           of
           the
           most
           powerful
           Argument
           of
           the
           greatest
           Rationalist
           ,
           covered
           with
           the
           finest
           dress
           of
           words
           against
           the
           sweetness
           of
           Honey
           ,
           can
           shake
           the
           Faith
           of
           any
           one
           that
           has
           tasted
           thereof
           ?
           perhaps
           he
           cannot
           discover
           the
           Sophistry
           of
           the
           Allegation
           ,
           but
           he
           knows
           it's
           false
           ;
           like
           the
           poor
           Woman
           ,
           when
           oppos'd
           by
           the
           enemies
           of
           Truth
           ,
           her
           Faith
           was
           firm
           in
           her
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           she
           answered
           all
           Arguments
           with
           these
           words
           ,
           
             I
             cannot
             dispute
             for
             Christ
             ,
             but
             I
             can
             die
             for
             him
             .
          
           A
           sincere
           Christian
           can
           say
           ,
           I
           cannot
           perhaps
           demonstrate
           with
           rational
           arguing
           ,
           the
           Being
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           effects
           of
           renewing
           the
           Soul
           ,
           conforming
           it
           to
           Christ's
           Image
           ,
           and
           spiritualizing
           its
           frame
           in
           Duties
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           well
           assured
           of
           it
           against
           all
           the
           Infidels
           on
           earth
           .
           Let
           what
           I
           have
           said
           move
           thee
           ,
           O
           prophane
           and
           meer
           professing
           Christian
           ,
           to
           the
           use
           of
           observation
           and
           right
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           helps
           by
           which
           you
           may
           experience
           the
           reality
           of
           inward
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           yea
           ,
           let
           it
           move
           you
           ,
           
           O
           lazy
           Christian
           ,
           who
           know
           not
           so
           much
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           of
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           as
           is
           attainable
           by
           you
           ,
           be
           more
           serious
           and
           constant
           in
           converse
           with
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           his
           means
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           enjoy
           what
           others
           have
           been
           acquainted
           with
           :
           The
           wise
           and
           serious
           observer
           of
           Gods
           dealings
           with
           his
           Soul
           ,
           who
           frequently
           reflects
           upon
           them
           ,
           will
           better
           understand
           the
           harmonious
           agreement
           between
           the
           revelation
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           workings
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           divine
           disposals
           of
           things
           in
           this
           low
           life
           ,
           than
           another
           sincere
           Christian
           who
           does
           not
           acquaint
           himself
           so
           intimately
           with
           God
           ,
           by
           a
           constant
           application
           of
           himself
           to
           him
           in
           all
           the
           ways
           wherein
           he
           draws
           near
           to
           us
           .
           It
           is
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           diligent
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           that
           makes
           rich
           ;
           so
           is
           it
           the
           mind
           of
           the
           diligent
           Christian
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           that
           is
           fill'd
           with
           knowledge
           .
           God's
           private
           Councils
           are
           not
           to
           be
           div'd
           into
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           suitable
           to
           his
           Word
           is
           to
           be
           sought
           after
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           found
           out
           .
           It
           's
           the
           trial
           of
           his
           Word
           that
           brings
           Experience
           ,
           and
           Experience
           brings
           hope
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           the
           not
           trying
           the
           Truths
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           makes
           so
           many
           doubtings
           and
           shakings
           in
           a
           Christian's
           Faith
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           of
           unsetled
           hope
           of
           their
           inheritance
           above
           .
        
         
           I
           return
           from
           the
           lazy
           Christian
           again
           ,
           to
           the
           meer
           Professor
           and
           Prophane
           ,
           and
           beg
           you
           'd
           be
           entreated
           to
           join
           the
           easy
           and
           advantageous
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           to
           all
           your
           endeavours
           ,
           
           not
           contenting
           your selves
           with
           the
           cold
           forms
           of
           words
           ,
           but
           mixing
           holy
           affections
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           life
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           observing
           the
           gracious
           return
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           when
           perform'd
           by
           the
           assistance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           .
           This
           is
           a
           Priviledge
           provided
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           by
           you
           in
           the
           use
           ,
           and
           continued
           use
           of
           right
           means
           ;
           the
           reason
           you
           miss
           the
           Divine
           Bounty
           is
           ,
           because
           you
           don't
           present
           your self
           in
           God's
           way
           .
           If
           a
           Beggar
           expects
           the
           Alms
           of
           a
           Prince
           ,
           he
           will
           endeavour
           to
           be
           in
           the
           same
           street
           he
           passes
           thorough
           ,
           and
           as
           near
           him
           as
           ever
           is
           possible
           ;
           he
           will
           neither
           go
           to
           a
           contrary
           street
           ,
           nor
           to
           the
           opposite
           side
           of
           the
           same
           street
           ;
           neither
           will
           he
           plead
           his
           Poverty
           alone
           ,
           but
           express
           all
           his
           Wants
           one
           after
           another
           ,
           as
           so
           many
           Motives
           to
           move
           charitable
           Compassion
           .
           All
           Beggars
           keep
           not
           to
           the
           same
           form
           of
           words
           ,
           but
           open
           their
           Cries
           differently
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           different
           Sore
           ,
           Lameness
           ,
           Blindness
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           wherewithal
           they
           are
           afflicted
           sensibly
           with
           .
           Prayer
           is
           God's
           way
           wherein
           a
           poor
           Creature
           may
           draw
           near
           to
           him
           without
           hindrance
           of
           this
           or
           the
           other
           diversion
           between
           his
           Soul
           and
           his
           King
           ;
           and
           when
           a
           Christian
           is
           once
           sensible
           of
           his
           Wants
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           All-sufficiency
           and
           Condescention
           that
           is
           in
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           Form
           or
           fine
           words
           ,
           but
           fervent
           serious
           pouring
           out
           the
           desires
           ,
           that
           moves
           the
           compassionate
           Father
           in
           Christ
           .
           A
           Closet-Prayer
           is
           oftentimes
           the
           opportunity
           of
           receiving
           great
           mercies
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           many
           
           times
           the
           setling
           of
           a
           disquieted
           mind
           ,
           and
           the
           change
           of
           a
           carnal
           earthly
           frame
           ,
           to
           a
           spiritual
           heavenly
           one
           .
           It
           allays
           our
           Sorrows
           ,
           and
           gives
           peace
           under
           sharp
           Afflictions
           .
           This
           Duty
           spiritually
           and
           constantly
           perform'd
           ,
           will
           make
           you
           happy
           by
           Experience
           ,
           and
           to
           resolve
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             It
             's
             good
             for
             me
             to
             draw
             near
             to
             God.
             
          
        
         
           But
           to
           discourse
           more
           particularly
           concerning
           Prayer
           spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           be
           pleas'd
           to
           remember
           the
           many
           Experiences
           in
           the
           forepart
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           concerning
           spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           evidential
           of
           its
           right
           performance
           ;
           yea
           ,
           God's
           acceptance
           thereof
           ,
           and
           of
           God's
           returning
           what
           was
           askt
           therein
           .
           I
           hope
           with
           an
           humble
           rejoicing
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           that
           since
           ever
           I
           begun
           to
           experience
           a
           real
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           when
           my
           Soul
           therein
           has
           been
           carri'd
           forth
           to
           God
           with
           high
           spirituality
           concerning
           any
           one
           particular
           Event
           ,
           with
           full
           quiet
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           sensible
           exercise
           of
           resignation
           at
           the
           time
           concerning
           it
           ,
           a
           return
           to
           that
           Address
           has
           never
           as
           yet
           failed
           me
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           my
           desire
           has
           been
           in
           exercise
           towards
           any
           one
           thing
           that
           God
           would
           not
           bestow
           ,
           I
           found
           my self
           by
           the
           strictest
           observation
           under
           a
           constraint
           from
           this
           spiritual
           frame
           ;
           yea
           ,
           sometimes
           from
           words
           to
           utter
           any
           Petition
           :
           or
           when
           words
           have
           been
           utter'd
           ,
           it
           has
           been
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           as
           when
           I
           was
           altogether
           unacquainted
           with
           inward
           Religion
           .
        
         
           These
           and
           other
           Experiences
           are
           built
           upon
           no
           slenderer
           a
           foundation
           than
           God's
           own
           
           Word
           in
           Psal
           .
           10.17
           .
           according
           to
           the
           expression
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             Thou
             wilt
             prepare
             their
             heart
          
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           humble
           ,
           and
           of
           God's
           own
           Children
           ,
           and
           
             thou
             wilt
             cause
             thine
             ear
             to
             hear
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           there
           any
           thing
           more
           plain
           or
           more
           fully
           experienc'd
           by
           observing
           Christians
           ,
           than
           that
           when
           God
           enclines
           his
           Ear
           to
           hear
           a
           Petition
           from
           a
           Child
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           that
           he
           prepares
           his
           heart
           aforehand
           to
           ask
           it
           .
           He
           prepares
           the
           heart
           to
           ask
           by
           the
           influence
           of
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           one
           part
           of
           whose
           work
           is
           said
           to
           be
           to
           
             help
             our
             infirmities
          
           ,
           and
           that
           infirmity
           of
           our
           not
           knowing
           what
           or
           how
           to
           ask
           ,
           by
           making
           intercession
           with
           us
           in
           Prayer
           for
           what
           God
           is
           to
           return
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           exciting
           us
           to
           ask
           what
           we
           should
           not
           have
           otherways
           done
           ,
           though
           really
           standing
           in
           need
           thereof
           .
           As
           the
           spirit
           of
           a
           man
           knows
           the
           things
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           so
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           knows
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           to
           be
           imagin'd
           that
           this
           Spirit
           knowing
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           concerning
           what
           he
           will
           return
           ,
           will
           raise
           a
           Christian's
           Soul
           to
           a
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           ,
           and
           thereby
           prepare
           his
           heart
           to
           ask
           of
           God
           for
           an
           Event
           ,
           when
           he
           knows
           God
           will
           not
           return
           it
           ?
           A
           spiritual
           heavenly
           frame
           is
           not
           the
           fruit
           of
           Self-power
           ,
           otherwise
           a
           Christian
           would
           be
           capable
           of
           getting
           and
           retaining
           it
           when
           and
           as
           long
           as
           he
           pleas'd
           ,
           which
           from
           its
           sweetness
           in
           enjoyment
           would
           be
           desir'd
           for
           ever
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           the
           certain
           operation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           influencing
           
           a
           Christian's
           Soul
           commonly
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           extraordinarily
           without
           means
           ,
           for
           the
           end
           of
           letting
           the
           Soul
           experience
           the
           sweetness
           of
           nearness
           of
           fellowship
           with
           ,
           and
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           a
           foretaste
           and
           earnest
           of
           more
           intimate
           and
           lasting
           communion
           with
           him
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           end
           of
           helping
           him
           to
           pray
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           may
           be
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           return'd
           by
           him
           .
           It
           is
           as
           ,
           yea
           more
           ,
           insupposable
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           would
           help
           the
           Soul
           to
           plead
           with
           God
           for
           a
           thing
           contrary
           to
           his
           secret
           Will
           ,
           (
           not
           a
           Secret
           to
           him
           )
           as
           to
           help
           him
           to
           ask
           any
           thing
           contrary
           to
           his
           revealed
           Word
           and
           Will
           ,
           where
           his
           assistance
           is
           given
           to
           ask
           ,
           it
           is
           assuredly
           for
           the
           obtaining
           of
           what
           he
           knows
           God
           will
           bestow
           ;
           however
           the
           return
           be
           deferred
           ,
           and
           and
           Christians
           lose
           its
           sight
           by
           the
           intermission
           of
           observing
           of
           passages
           between
           the
           addressing
           God
           ,
           and
           God's
           giving
           in
           a
           return
           thereto
           .
        
         
           Preparation
           to
           ask
           of
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           obtain'd
           through
           the
           sensible
           comforting
           Influences
           of
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           preparations
           to
           petition
           the
           Lord
           ,
           obtain'd
           without
           any
           other
           sensible
           help
           than
           outward
           endeavour
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           are
           easily
           distinguished
           in
           their
           present
           sense
           ,
           and
           after-effects
           ;
           the
           one
           is
           sensibly
           the
           intercession
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           with
           the
           blessed
           effect
           of
           inward
           delight
           ,
           resignation
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           return
           to
           the
           Prayer
           ;
           the
           other
           has
           nothing
           else
           apparent
           besides
           the
           Creature
           's
           own
           strength
           ,
           without
           that
           inward
           comfort
           or
           return
           
           following
           it
           ,
           but
           the
           latter
           is
           often
           the
           means
           of
           obtaining
           the
           first
           .
           I
           have
           often
           found
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           sure
           other
           observing
           Christians
           the
           same
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           have
           design'd
           and
           desir'd
           to
           lay
           a
           Petition
           before
           God
           in
           as
           serious
           a
           manner
           as
           possibly
           I
           could
           ,
           my
           preparatory
           means
           has
           been
           to
           bring
           my
           Mind
           in
           composure
           ,
           and
           my
           Body
           in
           gravity
           of
           gesture
           ;
           to
           read
           a
           Scripture
           again
           and
           again
           ,
           to
           fix
           my
           Thoughts
           with
           seriousness
           ,
           and
           to
           meditate
           upon
           the
           All-seeing
           Eye
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           whom
           I
           was
           to
           address
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           over-awe
           me
           from
           levity
           of
           mind
           in
           my
           Prayer
           :
           But
           when
           I
           have
           been
           actually
           ingag'd
           in
           the
           Prayer
           thus
           prepared
           for
           ,
           the
           desir'd
           and
           design'd
           petition
           has
           never
           been
           mention'd
           ;
           either
           my
           Thoughts
           have
           been
           carry'd
           upon
           somewhat
           else
           undesign'd
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           with
           earnest
           affections
           and
           submission
           prayed
           for
           ,
           and
           has
           sensibly
           had
           it
           afterward
           return'd
           ;
           or
           if
           the
           desir'd
           and
           design'd
           petition
           has
           been
           exprest
           ,
           it
           has
           been
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           tho'
           sincere
           and
           unfeign'd
           ;
           yet
           sensibly
           a
           Prayer
           perform'd
           with
           Self
           preparation
           ,
           and
           greatly
           wanting
           heavenly
           supplies
           to
           enliven
           and
           spiritualize
           it
           ;
           and
           as
           spiritual
           and
           heavenly
           strength
           preparing
           to
           ask
           was
           with-held
           ,
           so
           was
           the
           return
           :
           Yea
           ,
           besides
           the
           experience
           of
           correspondency
           ,
           of
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           true
           comforting
           preparation
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           to
           that
           Prayer's
           return
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           sincerely
           witness
           that
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           such
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           words
           of
           Praise
           
           concerning
           the
           thing
           I
           design'd
           to
           petition
           for
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           fore-knowledge
           of
           the
           mercy
           obtain'd
           ,
           has
           been
           given
           in
           .
           Who
           observes
           not
           these
           things
           at
           the
           time
           ,
           and
           lays
           them
           not
           up
           in
           their
           Diary
           till
           the
           Explicatory
           passage
           appear
           ,
           such
           lose
           the
           comfort
           of
           such
           enjoyments
           ;
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           God's
           deep
           ways
           ,
           and
           their
           Capacity
           of
           witnessing
           for
           him
           as
           others
           .
        
         
           Some
           real
           sincere
           Christians
           may
           here
           perhaps
           advise
           ,
           and
           wisely
           too
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           care
           lest
           by
           God's
           changing
           this
           method
           ,
           observ'd
           as
           certain
           ,
           the
           ill
           consequence
           of
           darkness
           and
           Faith's
           staggering
           occur
           not
           ,
           leading
           to
           misdoubt
           both
           former
           experiences
           ,
           and
           the
           new
           methods
           of
           experience
           God
           gives
           in
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           any
           mistake
           concerning
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           interceding
           for
           any
           one
           thing
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           return
           thereof
           as
           certain
           ,
           is
           not
           because
           that
           ever
           it
           otherways
           has
           been
           ,
           or
           shall
           fall
           out
           ;
           God's
           word
           being
           true
           ,
           and
           the
           certain
           Foundation
           of
           this
           experience
           ,
           but
           by
           reason
           of
           some
           failure
           on
           the
           Christian's
           part
           thorough
           laziness
           in
           observation
           .
        
         
           Again
           ;
           This
           Objection
           is
           evidence
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           thou
           ,
           O
           Christian
           ,
           art
           not
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Observation
           ,
           otherwise
           thou
           wouldest
           have
           known
           from
           experience
           God's
           infinite
           condescention
           to
           be
           such
           as
           to
           suit
           his
           Dispensations
           according
           to
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           its
           Conversion
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           progress
           in
           Christianity
           .
           To
           a
           new
           Convert
           the
           experiences
           of
           God
           are
           so
           marvellous
           and
           plain
           ,
           either
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           or
           by
           
           God's
           continuing
           to
           repeat
           them
           ,
           till
           the
           Christian
           understands
           them
           plainly
           .
           If
           he
           apprehend
           not
           one
           ,
           he
           may
           others
           ;
           if
           he
           cannot
           see
           somewhat
           of
           a
           Divine
           Power
           in
           a
           common
           serious
           frame
           brought
           forth
           by
           the
           Soul
           's
           own
           strength
           ,
           and
           sincere
           endeavour
           ;
           yet
           he
           may
           in
           a
           rais'd
           ,
           ravishing
           ,
           heavenly
           ,
           delightful
           frame
           ,
           coming
           suddenly
           ,
           and
           that
           again
           and
           again
           ,
           with
           returns
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           first
           ;
           that
           the
           one
           may
           be
           the
           more
           distinguisht
           from
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           the
           ardently
           sought
           after
           .
           The
           Leper
           weak
           in
           Faith
           had
           his
           Prayer
           immediately
           return'd
           ;
           but
           the
           Woman
           in
           Canaan
           great
           in
           Faith
           had
           the
           return
           of
           her
           petition
           deferred
           ,
           with
           the
           intermixture
           of
           many
           trying
           passages
           .
           Thus
           by
           Observation
           of
           God's
           ways
           with
           my self
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           that
           my
           Prayers
           sincerely
           perform'd
           ,
           when
           first
           sensible
           of
           an
           inward
           change
           ,
           were
           immediately
           return'd
           ;
           that
           I
           had
           not
           time
           to
           lose
           sight
           of
           God
           and
           his
           condescending
           love
           in
           them
           :
           But
           so
           soon
           as
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           was
           established
           in
           me
           ,
           and
           Faith
           of
           reliance
           upon
           him
           was
           stronger
           ,
           then
           his
           returns
           of
           such
           Prayers
           were
           greatly
           defer'd
           :
           And
           as
           a
           condescending
           help
           to
           prevent
           desponding
           anxiety
           ,
           quiet
           of
           mind
           concerning
           the
           return
           to
           be
           defer'd
           ,
           always
           accompanied
           my
           supplication
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           left
           me
           not
           to
           the
           Dominion
           of
           corrupt
           nature
           ,
           or
           of
           Satan's
           suggestion
           :
           Or
           if
           either
           had
           assaulted
           me
           ,
           the
           Divine
           strength
           raising
           me
           to
           an
           actual
           resignation
           to
           his
           Will
           at
           the
           time
           ,
           fortified
           me
           against
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Again
           ;
           An
           Observing
           Christian
           sees
           so
           much
           of
           the
           depth
           of
           Wisdom
           in
           God's
           ways
           concerning
           them
           ,
           that
           it
           must
           be
           strange
           if
           he
           presum'd
           to
           confine
           God
           to
           one
           method
           ,
           when
           the
           variousness
           ,
           yea
           the
           contrariness
           of
           methods
           to
           bring
           about
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           is
           one
           great
           evidence
           of
           the
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           .
           An
           observing
           Believer
           knows
           ,
           that
           God
           tries
           the
           strength
           of
           Christians
           various
           ways
           in
           order
           to
           their
           Establishment
           :
           Not
           because
           he
           is
           ignorant
           of
           the
           exact
           measure
           of
           their
           growth
           in
           Christianity
           ,
           but
           from
           love
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           faithful
           continuance
           in
           Prayer
           deferr'd
           as
           to
           its
           return
           ,
           the
           Graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           may
           be
           excited
           ,
           and
           exercised
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           inward
           Comfort
           :
           For
           what
           can
           be
           more
           reviving
           than
           to
           find
           corruptions
           weaken'd
           ,
           and
           grace
           strengthened
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           sweet
           issue
           of
           many
           grievous
           afflictions
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           removed
           upon
           our
           renewed
           Petitions
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           purified
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           Hereafter
           may
           some
           say
           ,
           Since
           spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           is
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God's
           gift
           ,
           and
           it
           unexpectedly
           comes
           ,
           we
           may
           lay
           by
           Prayer
           with
           our
           own
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           wait
           as
           the
           Quakers
           say
           ,
           till
           the
           Spirit
           move
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           Pray
           .
           To
           this
           I
           say
           ,
           Spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           is
           the
           alone
           Gift
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           it
           comes
           when
           he
           pleases
           ;
           but
           by
           sincere
           Prayer
           ,
           we
           obtain
           this
           blessed
           Gift
           :
           It
           is
           not
           the
           usual
           way
           of
           God
           to
           bestow
           it
           in
           more
           excellent
           degrees
           ,
           without
           our
           sincere
           asking
           it
           in
           the
           humble
           sense
           of
           
           our
           need
           of
           it
           .
           The
           Quakers
           acknowledge
           ,
           as
           from
           converse
           with
           some
           of
           them
           I
           have
           heard
           ,
           they
           have
           an
           innate
           Spirit
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           are
           acted
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           its
           inward
           striving
           ,
           so
           they
           move
           in
           Duties
           .
           I
           know
           in
           us
           all
           there
           is
           that
           innate
           Principle
           of
           Corruption
           ,
           which
           reigning
           ,
           makes
           our
           faculties
           of
           Soul
           and
           members
           of
           Body
           move
           as
           it
           listeth
           to
           evil
           ;
           but
           a
           principle
           of
           Grace
           that
           inspires
           us
           with
           new
           life
           in
           our
           Duties
           ,
           comes
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           is
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           use
           of
           his
           Ordinances
           .
           This
           does
           not
           in
           the
           least
           obscure
           the
           Glory
           of
           God's
           Free-Grace
           ;
           for
           his
           Spirit
           excites
           us
           to
           Duties
           ,
           and
           supplies
           us
           with
           strength
           to
           perform
           them
           ;
           but
           it
           directs
           us
           to
           seek
           God
           in
           the
           ways
           appointed
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           find
           him
           .
        
         
           That
           therefore
           Christians
           may
           rightly
           judge
           of
           this
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           and
           intercession
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           preparing
           them
           to
           ask
           from
           God
           what
           he
           is
           to
           return
           ,
           (
           Errors
           herein
           proceeding
           either
           from
           mistaking
           the
           work
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           helping
           them
           to
           ask
           ,
           or
           from
           applying
           the
           return
           to
           what
           they
           ought
           not
           ,
           )
           I
           shall
           give
           the
           following
           marks
           accompanying
           such
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           that
           observ'd
           from
           my
           own
           personal
           Experience
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           A
           heighth
           of
           spiritual
           Thoughts
           and
           Affections
           throughout
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           in
           one
           particular
           Petition
           thereof
           ,
           far
           beyond
           common
           seriousness
           ,
           which
           tho'
           by
           words
           it
           be
           almost
           inexplicable
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           the
           unexperiencing
           
           Christian
           comprehend
           it
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           easily
           perceiv'd
           by
           the
           experiencing
           Christian
           .
           In
           this
           rais'd
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           either
           in
           solemn
           or
           ejaculatory
           Prayer
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           heavenliness
           of
           Thought
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Soul
           were
           already
           in
           Heaven's
           Enjoyment
           :
           And
           for
           the
           comfort
           of
           young
           Observers
           ,
           I
           must
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           my
           spirituality
           of
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           real
           preparation
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           to
           ask
           ,
           and
           certainly
           evidential
           of
           God's
           return
           ,
           was
           at
           first
           observ'd
           to
           be
           much
           less
           in
           degree
           ,
           tho'
           the
           same
           in
           nature
           ,
           than
           now
           it
           is
           ;
           one
           degree
           of
           experimental
           Knowledge
           ,
           preparing
           for
           farther
           degrees
           .
           This
           brings
           to
           my
           Thoughts
           the
           gradual
           rise
           of
           Christians
           meetness
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           his
           common
           way
           of
           working
           by
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           of
           which
           observing
           Christians
           are
           sweetly
           sensible
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Another
           mark
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           's
           intercession
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           token
           of
           God's
           acceptance
           thereof
           ,
           and
           his
           return
           thereto
           ,
           is
           ,
           when
           with
           an
           Address
           so
           spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           goes
           along
           a
           comfortable
           quiet
           of
           mind
           concerning
           the
           Event
           ,
           tho'
           the
           praying-Believer
           be
           encompast
           with
           Afflictions
           .
           A
           calm
           composure
           of
           mind
           in
           our
           trust
           upon
           the
           gracious
           Will
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           to
           dispose
           of
           all
           things
           concerning
           us
           ,
           is
           our
           Duty
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           the
           Gift
           and
           Work
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           is
           stiled
           the
           Comforter
           .
           We
           must
           observe
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           what
           he
           Commands
           us
           to
           do
           ,
           he
           promises
           
           to
           enable
           us
           to
           do
           :
           He
           Commands
           us
           ,
           That
           
             Sin
             should
             not
             reign
             in
             our
             mortal
             bodies
          
           ;
           and
           he
           has
           Promised
           ,
           That
           
             Sin
             shall
             not
             have
             dominion
             over
             us
             :
          
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           God
           Commands
           us
           ,
           
             To
             be
             careful
             for
             nothing
             ,
             but
             by
             supplication
             to
             lay
             our
             requests
             before
             God
             :
          
           And
           certainly
           freedom
           from
           anxiety
           and
           disquiet
           ,
           and
           a
           full
           possession
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           Patience
           ,
           concerning
           any
           thing
           ,
           in
           commending
           our
           Affairs
           to
           God
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           the
           product
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           the
           natural
           temper
           and
           stayedness
           of
           the
           Mind
           :
           And
           where
           the
           Christian
           actually
           experiences
           it
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           he
           may
           safely
           conclude
           himself
           influenc'd
           by
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           raising
           his
           frame
           to
           ask
           ,
           but
           leaving
           it
           at
           God's
           footstool
           as
           to
           the
           Event
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           presaging
           of
           God's
           returning
           favour
           ,
           and
           introductive
           of
           his
           blessing
           .
           The
           Promise
           of
           God
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           this
           Trust
           ;
           Psal
           .
           37.5
           .
           
             Commit
             thy
             way
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             bring
             it
             to
             pass
             :
          
           The
           habit
           of
           Resignation
           may
           be
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           drawn
           forth
           into
           exercise
           by
           the
           renewed
           influences
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           You
           may
           judge
           of
           the
           intercession
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           in
           addressing
           God
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           by
           the
           passages
           of
           Providence
           that
           bring
           about
           the
           return
           of
           this
           Prayer
           .
           In
           the
           Observation
           whereof
           ,
           the
           speciality
           of
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           in
           the
           Providences
           bringing
           the
           return
           about
           ,
           is
           as
           discoverable
           ,
           
           as
           immediateness
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           influencing
           the
           Soul
           to
           ask
           with
           calm
           and
           resign'd
           submission
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Event
           .
           The
           observing
           Christians
           do
           often
           see
           these
           two
           joyned
           together
           ,
           and
           each
           illustrating
           one
           another
           ,
           where
           others
           do
           not
           ,
           or
           hardly
           are
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           observe
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           ;
           And
           what
           the
           Psalmist
           in
           the
           first
           ver
           .
           of
           the
           116th
           Psal
           .
           in
           the
           fifth
           ver
           .
           of
           the
           118th
           Psalm
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           121st
           Psalm
           ,
           finds
           that
           Prayers
           return
           observ'd
           ,
           and
           the
           passages
           of
           Providence
           discovering
           or
           bringing
           it
           about
           ,
           is
           powerful
           in
           bringing
           his
           Soul
           to
           the
           actual
           exercise
           of
           love
           to
           Reliance
           upon
           Admiration
           and
           Praise
           of
           God
           :
           
             I
             love
             the
             Lord
             because
             he
             has
             heard
             my
             supplication
             ;
             I
             called
             to
             the
             Lord
             and
             he
             heard
             me
             ,
             therefore
             shall
             I
             see
             my
             desire
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             now
             my
             strength
             and
             my
             song
             ;
             I
             will
             praise
             thee
             ,
             for
             thou
             hast
             heard
             me
             ,
             and
             art
             become
             my
             salvation
             :
          
           The
           unobserving
           Christian
           therefore
           of
           Prayer's
           return
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           method
           bringing
           it
           about
           ,
           loses
           thereby
           the
           actual
           excitement
           of
           the
           excellent
           Graces
           ,
           and
           so
           miss
           of
           much
           comfort
           and
           light
           that
           others
           enjoy
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           You
           may
           judge
           of
           the
           intercession
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           in
           your
           Prayer
           ,
           by
           the
           never-failing
           correspondency
           between
           a
           Prayer
           perform'd
           as
           is
           exprest
           ,
           and
           a
           return
           thereto
           :
           This
           is
           according
           to
           God's
           own
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           Experience
           of
           diligent
           ,
           true
           ,
           observing
           Christians
           ;
           And
           if
           it
           were
           not
           so
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           
           amongst
           thousands
           of
           Experiences
           training
           me
           to
           the
           knowledge
           thereof
           ,
           and
           establishment
           therein
           ,
           I
           should
           have
           met
           with
           one
           contradicting
           it
           .
           I
           know
           I
           have
           met
           with
           many
           passages
           upon
           my
           advancement
           in
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God's
           ways
           ,
           that
           at
           first
           view
           seem'd
           greatly
           opposing
           of
           this
           ;
           and
           if
           a
           strict
           observation
           had
           been
           intermitted
           ,
           the
           shaking
           of
           my
           Faith
           ,
           or
           mistake
           therein
           ,
           had
           been
           the
           consequence
           ;
           but
           keeping
           strict
           to
           observation
           of
           Providences
           present
           ,
           and
           reflection
           upon
           past
           ones
           ,
           with
           patient
           waiting
           the
           full
           sight
           of
           the
           return
           to
           Prayer
           appear'd
           ,
           with
           that
           improvement
           of
           being
           more
           serious
           and
           considerate
           in
           the
           observation
           ,
           and
           comparing
           God's
           ways
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           inward
           workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           revealed
           Will.
           I
           would
           subjoin
           to
           these
           few
           marks
           of
           Prayer
           with
           the
           intercession
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           some
           things
           you
           are
           to
           beware
           of
           ,
           as
           occasions
           of
           mistaking
           this
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           deluding
           you
           with
           a
           false
           resemblance
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           something
           I
           would
           advise
           your
           observation
           of
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           a
           means
           to
           lead
           you
           into
           the
           performance
           of
           Prayer
           aright
           ,
           and
           thereby
           an
           opportunity
           of
           obtaining
           Christ's
           Spiritual
           influences
           therein
           .
        
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           latter
           ;
           First
           ,
           Be
           advised
           to
           enter
           upon
           private
           Prayer
           without
           any
           discomposure
           of
           Spirit
           from
           the
           things
           Temporal
           that
           pleasantly
           affect
           us
           :
           The
           thoughts
           of
           them
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           rush
           themselves
           upon
           your
           remembrance
           :
           I
           could
           easily
           set
           down
           
           the
           many
           Prayers
           I
           have
           had
           spoil'd
           by
           such
           things
           rushing
           upon
           my
           thoughts
           at
           the
           time
           ;
           but
           circumstances
           will
           not
           permit
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Without
           any
           vexation
           upon
           your
           Spirit
           ,
           unless
           you
           use
           Prayer
           in
           such
           a
           circumstance
           ,
           as
           a
           help
           to
           quiet
           your
           mind
           ,
           and
           to
           suppress
           the
           further
           rise
           of
           corrupt
           motions
           ;
           for
           which
           end
           I
           dare
           recommend
           private
           Prayer
           as
           a
           healing
           means
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Have
           your
           thoughts
           as
           free
           of
           worldly
           Persons
           and
           Things
           as
           possibly
           you
           can
           ;
           otherways
           passing
           immediately
           from
           Conversation
           with
           the
           world
           ,
           you
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           cast
           a
           lingring
           look
           back
           upon
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           thoughts
           stealing
           into
           you
           ,
           which
           will
           hinder
           the
           Spirit
           's
           assistance
           to
           pray
           ,
           in
           the
           manner
           before
           charecteriz'd
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Do
           not
           cursorily
           perform
           the
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           to
           satisfie
           your
           mind
           that
           you
           have
           discharg'd
           the
           Duty
           ,
           and
           till
           night
           you
           are
           not
           to
           return
           to
           it
           ;
           but
           consider
           ,
           that
           Prayer
           is
           not
           only
           a
           Duty
           ,
           but
           a
           heavenly
           Priviledge
           ,
           wherein
           we
           may
           with
           a
           filial
           freedom
           address
           our selves
           to
           the
           Lord
           Almighty
           as
           our
           Father
           ,
           who
           from
           the
           infinite
           treasures
           of
           his
           love
           will
           supply
           all
           our
           wants
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           all
           our
           regular
           desires
           :
           Therefore
           let
           us
           be
           liberal
           in
           the
           time
           for
           that
           Duty
           .
           By
           continuance
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           our
           Hearts
           are
           more
           fully
           possest
           with
           God
           ;
           and
           by
           wrestling
           with
           
           him
           ,
           we
           get
           a
           holy
           heat
           of
           Affection
           ,
           tho'
           in
           our
           entrance
           into
           the
           Duty
           we
           were
           but
           coldly
           affected
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           some
           of
           the
           hindrances
           which
           a
           Christian
           is
           to
           watch
           against
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           many
           other
           which
           the
           observing
           Christian
           will
           discover
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           prevent
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           other
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           occasions
           of
           mistaking
           the
           natural
           workings
           of
           the
           Affections
           ,
           for
           the
           Spirit
           's
           work
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           shall
           first
           in
           general
           say
           ,
           That
           the
           not
           considering
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           first
           designing
           to
           Pray
           ,
           in
           Praying
           ,
           and
           after
           Prayer
           ,
           leads
           into
           many
           mistakes
           :
           According
           to
           the
           inward
           and
           habitual
           frame
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           Affections
           in
           that
           Duty
           ,
           and
           usually
           such
           are
           the
           influences
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           judging
           that
           common
           seriousness
           in
           Christian
           Duties
           ,
           is
           all
           the
           spirituality
           that
           is
           necessary
           or
           attainable
           ,
           may
           be
           an
           occasion
           of
           mistake
           :
           For
           this
           will
           make
           them
           content
           ,
           without
           seeking
           for
           supernatural
           influences
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           perception
           of
           them
           .
           Close
           walking
           with
           God
           in
           the
           often
           use
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           the
           best
           help
           to
           train
           this
           Soul
           in
           the
           further
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Breathings
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           .
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           A
           more
           than
           ordinary
           seriousness
           ,
           from
           the
           ardent
           desire
           of
           obtaining
           the
           thing
           petition'd
           for
           ,
           may
           impose
           upon
           some
           with
           its
           resemblance
           to
           spirituality
           ;
           as
           also
           a
           Christian's
           indifferency
           in
           obtaining
           a
           thing
           pray'd
           for
           ,
           may
           impose
           a
           resemblance
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           straitning
           in
           Prayer
           thorough
           Christ's
           withdrawings
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           rational
           hope
           of
           obtaining
           our
           Petitions
           ,
           or
           the
           rational
           improbability
           of
           obtaining
           ,
           may
           sometimes
           impose
           a
           resemblance
           of
           spirituality
           and
           constraint
           in
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           An
           Experience
           whereof
           I
           have
           had
           concerning
           Friends
           dangerously
           Ill
           ,
           who
           in
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           their
           Physitians
           ,
           have
           been
           Dying
           ,
           from
           which
           seeming
           certainty
           of
           their
           Dying
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           an
           unwillingness
           ,
           as
           being
           altogether
           needless
           to
           pray
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           I
           remember
           of
           a
           Child
           ,
           who
           was
           dangerously
           Ill
           ,
           without
           sensible
           pulse
           ,
           cold
           as
           clay
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           ,
           Dying
           or
           Dead
           ;
           which
           rational
           conjecture
           so
           imprest
           me
           ,
           as
           to
           restrain
           me
           from
           Prayer
           concerning
           it
           :
           But
           next
           morning
           in
           my
           Closet
           Prayers
           ,
           not
           designing
           a
           Petition
           for
           the
           Child
           ,
           supposing
           it
           then
           assuredly
           Dead
           ,
           a
           sudden
           seriousness
           and
           spirituality
           seized
           me
           ,
           carrying
           me
           forth
           in
           Prayer
           for
           this
           Child
           ,
           which
           at
           first
           astonish'd
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           till
           sending
           to
           know
           if
           alive
           ,
           I
           heard
           of
           its
           life
           and
           great
           amendment
           .
        
         
         
           To
           the
           praise
           of
           the
           infinite
           condescention
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           shall
           mention
           two
           directions
           as
           preventive
           of
           Error
           and
           Mistakes
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           enjoyments
           accompanying
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           an
           encouragement
           to
           weak
           Christians
           ,
           to
           use
           these
           means
           without
           fear
           ,
           or
           doubting
           of
           God's
           wise
           and
           loving
           conduct
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           Error
           ,
           unless
           God's
           permission
           thereof
           be
           for
           the
           Christian's
           good
           ,
           taking
           that
           way
           to
           establish
           Grace
           stronger
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           His
           impressing
           me
           at
           the
           time
           with
           the
           true
           state
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           that
           never
           to
           my
           remembrance
           was
           I
           under
           false
           resemblances
           of
           spirituality
           or
           constraint
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           time
           I
           had
           some
           discovery
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Such
           dangers
           never
           occur'd
           to
           my
           Experience
           ,
           till
           God
           had
           establish'd
           my
           right
           knowledge
           both
           of
           spirituality
           and
           constraint
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           Experiences
           in
           abundance
           ,
           a
           part
           of
           which
           is
           laid
           down
           in
           the
           Historical
           part
           of
           this
           Discourse
           :
           I
           say
           this
           ,
           as
           a
           witness
           for
           God's
           Condescension
           and
           Wisdom
           in
           training
           the
           sincere
           diligent
           Christian
           groaning
           after
           the
           true
           knowledge
           of
           God's
           ways
           in
           the
           right
           use
           of
           means
           ;
           yet
           I
           say
           it
           not
           to
           encourage
           laziness
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           beginning
           or
           more
           grown
           Christian
           ,
           but
           excite
           them
           to
           more
           serious
           and
           strict
           observation
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           deceived
           .
        
         
         
           I
           find
           it
           more
           common
           with
           private
           Christians
           than
           formerly
           ,
           to
           observe
           enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           constraint
           therein
           ,
           as
           forerunners
           of
           their
           injoying
           or
           not
           injoying
           what
           is
           Petition'd
           from
           God
           ;
           but
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           I
           find
           their
           observation
           as
           too
           narrow
           and
           confined
           ,
           looking
           upon
           that
           that
           may
           be
           a
           Christian's
           common
           Food
           in
           the
           close
           continuance
           in
           the
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           as
           an
           extraordinary
           Feast
           ,
           and
           minding
           it
           mostly
           concerning
           the
           recovery
           ,
           or
           the
           dying
           of
           Friends
           ,
           and
           not
           extending
           it
           to
           all
           things
           ,
           hoping
           the
           life
           ,
           or
           fearing
           the
           death
           of
           one
           ,
           from
           a
           Minister's
           pouring
           forth
           his
           Soul
           ,
           or
           from
           a
           private
           Christian's
           fervent
           address
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           constraint
           of
           both
           :
           It
           makes
           me
           remember
           how
           extraordinarily
           amazing
           and
           delightful
           such
           Experiences
           were
           ,
           when
           at
           first
           observ'd
           by
           me
           in
           the
           more
           tender
           days
           of
           my
           Knowledge
           in
           Experimental
           Christianity
           ;
           and
           makes
           me
           greatly
           afraid
           ,
           that
           however
           notional
           Knowledge
           abound
           amongst
           Ministers
           and
           People
           that
           have
           liv'd
           so
           many
           years
           under
           Gospel
           Instruction
           ;
           yet
           Heart-Service
           to
           God
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           Duties
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           strict
           continuance
           therein
           ,
           especially
           this
           delightful
           Duty
           of
           private
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           common
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           Enjoyments
           that
           follow
           ,
           are
           less
           and
           seldomer
           experienc'd
           :
           But
           to
           this
           real
           and
           comfortable
           Experience
           of
           Enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           concerning
           the
           recovery
           of
           Friends
           ,
           that
           is
           more
           observ'd
           by
           Christians
           ,
           let
           me
           give
           you
           two
           cautionary
           Instructions
           from
           my
           
           own
           Experience
           therein
           ,
           and
           of
           which
           some
           observing
           Christians
           are
           not
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           remark
           ,
           concerning
           this
           Enlargement
           in
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           First
           of
           all
           ,
           Not
           peremptorily
           to
           hope
           the
           recovery
           of
           a
           Friend
           from
           once
           observing
           your selves
           ,
           or
           others
           ,
           carried
           out
           in
           a
           heavenly
           manner
           ,
           in
           Prayer
           concerning
           them
           ;
           and
           tho'
           answerable
           to
           this
           once
           observ'd
           spirituality
           ,
           appear
           some
           real
           amendment
           at
           the
           time
           ;
           yet
           often
           without
           the
           continuance
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           thus
           spiritual
           ,
           their
           amendment
           falls
           off
           ,
           and
           suitable
           to
           their
           omission
           of
           further
           Praying
           thus
           ,
           their
           Friend
           Dies
           ,
           unless
           God
           act
           in
           a
           stream
           of
           more
           than
           ordinarily
           condescention
           to
           weak
           Christians
           .
           I
           know
           not
           but
           the
           Reliance
           upon
           the
           Evidence
           of
           one
           Prayer
           spiritually
           put
           up
           for
           a
           Person
           's
           Recovery
           ,
           may
           occasion
           carelesness
           in
           the
           Duty
           afterward
           ,
           and
           so
           hinder
           the
           obtaining
           the
           blessing
           that
           was
           thought
           to
           be
           coming
           to
           us
           .
           I
           remember
           a
           Holy
           Christian
           ,
           who
           was
           in
           great
           Thoughtfulness
           concerning
           the
           Recovery
           of
           his
           Wife
           ,
           for
           whom
           he
           had
           so
           near
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           great
           hopes
           of
           her
           life
           ;
           but
           she
           dying
           ,
           gave
           him
           some
           more
           concern
           of
           Thought
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           hope
           on
           so
           good
           ground
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           mistaken
           ;
           whereas
           his
           near
           access
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           was
           but
           once
           experienc'd
           ,
           his
           Eye
           was
           upon
           the
           frame
           of
           his
           Soul
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           not
           upon
           the
           Words
           utter'd
           ,
           while
           under
           this
           Divine
           Influence
           :
           His
           omission
           of
           continuing
           thus
           to
           Pray
           ,
           hindered
           him
           from
           clearer
           
           discovery
           of
           God's
           Ways
           :
           His
           missing
           the
           observation
           of
           his
           Words
           ,
           rendered
           him
           incapable
           of
           applying
           the
           return
           to
           what
           God
           helped
           him
           to
           Ask
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           God's
           love
           to
           her
           Soul
           greatly
           manifested
           in
           her
           passage
           hence
           .
           At
           this
           very
           time
           I
           can
           instance
           in
           a
           Child
           for
           whom
           I
           found
           great
           spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           without
           the
           least
           appearance
           of
           amendment
           for
           a
           fourth
           night's
           time
           ,
           which
           seem'd
           to
           oppose
           all
           former
           Experience
           ,
           and
           might
           have
           occasion'd
           great
           mistake
           if
           I
           had
           not
           recorded
           my
           words
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           spiritually
           perform'd
           ,
           which
           were
           centered
           in
           one
           Petition
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           deviating
           from
           it
           throughout
           the
           whole
           fourth
           night
           ,
           That
           the
           Lord
           would
           spare
           his
           life
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           life
           might
           be
           precious
           in
           his
           sight
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           inter-mixture
           of
           desire
           or
           word
           in
           Prayer
           for
           Health
           or
           Recovery
           .
           When
           a
           Prayer
           spiritually
           put
           up
           ,
           is
           remarkt
           as
           such
           ,
           and
           corresponded
           with
           a
           return
           of
           amendment
           ,
           but
           followed
           with
           after-laziness
           and
           forbearance
           of
           the
           same
           diligence
           ,
           no
           wonder
           the
           return
           stopt
           ,
           and
           a
           contrary
           effect
           to
           what
           was
           desir'd
           ,
           or
           imminent
           appear
           ;
           If
           therefore
           your
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           petitioning
           Health
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           be
           once
           observ'd
           and
           continued
           in
           ,
           I
           never
           knew
           such
           petitions
           return
           to
           fail
           ;
           but
           if
           this
           frame
           be
           obtain'd
           but
           once
           ,
           and
           afterward
           it
           go
           off
           ,
           you
           'll
           undoubtedly
           find
           amendment
           answerable
           to
           the
           time
           of
           having
           strength
           spiritually
           to
           petition
           it
           ;
           but
           such
           a
           frame
           going
           off
           ,
           either
           
           thorough
           the
           intermission
           of
           your
           own
           endeavour
           after
           ,
           or
           God's
           with-holding
           it
           ,
           nothing
           else
           but
           disappointment
           to
           your
           expectation
           and
           desire
           ,
           and
           justly
           to
           your
           dependance
           upon
           once
           experiencing
           the
           frame
           ,
           falls
           out
           :
           It
           is
           laziness
           in
           the
           right
           performance
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           not
           continuing
           therein
           ,
           that
           keeps
           off
           the
           many
           experiences
           of
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           or
           occasions
           the
           mistakes
           that
           abounds
           concerning
           the
           great
           things
           of
           inward
           Religion
           ;
           however
           some
           satisfie
           themselves
           with
           the
           ill
           usage
           of
           that
           Proposition
           ,
           
             God's
             ways
             are
             in
             the
             depth
             .
          
           It
           is
           from
           multitudes
           of
           instances
           experienc'd
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Soul
           be
           carried
           forth
           in
           Prayer
           for
           any
           Friend
           ill
           ,
           that
           suitable
           thereto
           there
           is
           many
           times
           visible
           hopes
           ;
           but
           if
           this
           frame
           is
           not
           continu'd
           in
           ,
           the
           Friend
           does
           decline
           and
           die
           .
           I
           know
           that
           once
           feeling
           this
           hopeful
           frame
           has
           made
           some
           Christians
           lazy
           and
           secure
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           serious
           Address
           afterward
           ,
           lay
           themselves
           in
           God's
           way
           to
           obtain
           the
           continuance
           of
           this
           frame
           ,
           and
           so
           their
           Health
           and
           Life
           has
           gone
           :
           To
           conclude
           thence
           ,
           That
           return
           is
           not
           always
           suited
           to
           spirituality
           of
           frame
           ,
           is
           mistake
           and
           erroneous
           ,
           and
           evidence
           of
           your
           lazy
           unexactness
           in
           observation
           of
           God
           with
           the
           Soul
           :
           Right
           observation
           hereof
           would
           discover
           condescending
           Mercy
           in
           God
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           keep
           the
           Christian
           continually
           holding
           on
           that
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           till
           the
           final
           determination
           ,
           issu'd
           ,
           which
           meets
           commonly
           with
           great
           reward
           ,
           tho'
           the
           continuance
           and
           spirituality
           
           of
           Prayer
           continued
           in
           ,
           be
           his
           own
           work
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           A
           second
           Cautionary
           Instruction
           ,
           is
           ,
           Not
           to
           be
           peremptory
           in
           judging
           the
           spirituality
           of
           another
           man's
           Frame
           ,
           or
           an
           Event
           answerable
           thereto
           ;
           but
           to
           be
           strict
           and
           diligent
           in
           judging
           your
           own
           Frame
           ,
           and
           Events
           consequential
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           advise
           great
           carefulness
           in
           judging
           another
           man's
           spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           presaging
           of
           certain
           return
           answerable
           to
           the
           spirituality
           supposed
           in
           his
           Frame
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           Because
           of
           the
           difficulty
           of
           judging
           another
           man's
           heart
           in
           Prayer
           :
           It
           requires
           exactness
           of
           Observation
           to
           raise
           a
           Christian
           to
           the
           capacity
           of
           knowing
           his
           own
           Frame
           when
           spiritual
           ,
           or
           to
           raise
           him
           to
           an
           establishment
           in
           the
           reality
           of
           Correspondency
           between
           his
           Prayer's
           spirituality
           ,
           and
           its
           certain
           return
           ;
           but
           how
           can
           we
           be
           sure
           of
           another
           man's
           heavenliness
           ?
           I
           have
           known
           many
           under
           no
           other
           knowledge
           of
           Christianity
           than
           what
           is
           Notional
           ,
           acquainted
           with
           no
           other
           power
           in
           performing
           Duties
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           Self-strength
           ,
           and
           yet
           pray
           with
           that
           sense
           ,
           distinctness
           ,
           and
           outwardly
           appearing
           heavenliness
           ,
           that
           the
           Hearers
           have
           been
           affected
           with
           a
           good
           hope
           of
           the
           person
           ,
           and
           a
           delightful
           thought
           of
           their
           spiritual
           seriousness
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           strength
           of
           natural
           parts
           in
           the
           exercise
           
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           may
           heat
           the
           affections
           ,
           and
           may
           persuade
           a
           person
           and
           others
           that
           he
           prays
           in
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           If
           therefore
           you
           may
           hear
           a
           Prayer
           from
           a
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           so
           near
           resembling
           a
           Christian's
           Prayer
           ,
           influenced
           by
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           then
           to
           be
           sure
           a
           real
           Christian
           seriously
           performing
           a
           Prayer
           with
           a
           natural
           affecting
           way
           of
           expression
           ,
           may
           make
           a
           near
           resemblance
           to
           a
           heavenly
           Frame
           ,
           like
           unto
           that
           sensible
           preparation
           given
           in
           by
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           to
           ask
           what
           God
           is
           to
           return
           .
           Now
           to
           judge
           either
           of
           these
           Prayers
           seemingly
           put
           up
           in
           spirituality
           as
           really
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           to
           expect
           from
           thence
           the
           health
           and
           life
           of
           your
           Friend
           ,
           upon
           that
           sure
           foundation
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           telling
           us
           that
           he
           prepares
           the
           Christian
           to
           ask
           when
           he
           is
           to
           encline
           his
           ear
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           person
           does
           not
           recover
           ,
           may
           greatly
           tend
           to
           make
           them
           mistake
           ,
           when
           they
           judge
           it
           from
           the
           ignorance
           of
           their
           minds
           ,
           and
           the
           delusion
           of
           Satan
           ,
           a
           failure
           in
           God's
           truth
           ,
           rather
           than
           a
           failure
           in
           themselves
           ,
           in
           judging
           that
           Prayer
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           presaging
           a
           gracious
           return
           ,
           which
           really
           bore
           no
           evidence
           of
           either
           .
           But
           if
           you
           observe
           the
           Prayer
           of
           a
           Minister
           ,
           or
           other
           Christian
           in
           publick
           ,
           put
           up
           spiritually
           ,
           and
           judge
           it
           as
           God's
           Token
           given
           you
           for
           good
           ;
           You
           that
           are
           concern'd
           ,
           and
           really
           acquainted
           with
           experimental
           Christianity
           ,
           do
           not
           only
           find
           a
           sense
           and
           impression
           at
           the
           time
           of
           this
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           its
           being
           God's
           evidence
           of
           good
           ,
           but
           retiring
           your selves
           to
           your
           private
           Prayer
           ,
           you
           'll
           find
           the
           same
           Frame
           upon
           your
           
           own
           Soul
           ,
           as
           evidence
           both
           of
           God's
           returning
           it
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           other's
           performing
           it
           spiritually
           ;
           and
           that
           your
           judgement
           therefore
           was
           right
           ,
           when
           a
           return
           is
           in
           God's
           design
           ;
           though
           his
           Spirit
           be
           one
           ,
           yet
           he
           influences
           many
           at
           the
           same
           time
           to
           ask
           the
           same
           thing
           of
           God.
           Thus
           there
           are
           more
           Witnesses
           to
           his
           mercy
           ,
           and
           its
           greatness
           appears
           the
           more
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           the
           more
           honoured
           thereby
           .
        
         
           Both
           Cautions
           I
           'll
           endeavour
           to
           explain
           by
           a
           late
           Instance
           of
           my
           own
           Experience
           amongst
           many
           I
           could
           produce
           ,
           which
           for
           Brevity
           I
           must
           omit
           ,
           that
           thereby
           you
           may
           know
           how
           many
           times
           a
           Christian
           is
           help'd
           by
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           to
           ask
           of
           God
           for
           a
           Friend's
           Recovery
           ,
           and
           yet
           unless
           continued
           thorough
           the
           whole
           Illness
           ,
           the
           Recovery
           has
           not
           issu'd
           ;
           thereby
           you
           may
           also
           know
           the
           right
           judging
           of
           another's
           spiritual
           frame
           in
           prayer
           .
           The
           Instance
           is
           concerning
           a
           Friend
           of
           my
           own
           ,
           for
           whom
           the
           Lord
           was
           in
           a
           solemn
           manner
           addrest
           to
           by
           some
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           set
           apart
           some
           time
           for
           this
           very
           purpose
           ;
           they
           seemingly
           were
           wonderfully
           carri'd
           out
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           answerable
           to
           which
           there
           was
           a
           present
           Relief
           appear'd
           ,
           but
           went
           off
           soon
           after
           ,
           and
           continued
           not
           .
           Throughout
           the
           course
           of
           their
           Illness
           ,
           I
           found
           in
           my self
           in
           Prayer
           a
           perfect
           driness
           as
           to
           the
           frame
           of
           my
           mind
           ,
           and
           words
           in
           Prayer
           for
           them
           ,
           which
           made
           me
           continually
           express
           my self
           with
           fear
           of
           their
           death
           ,
           excepting
           one
           Prayer
           in
           an
           evening
           in
           
           my
           Closet
           ,
           which
           upon
           discourse
           with
           other
           Friends
           .
           I
           found
           to
           be
           the
           very
           exact
           time
           of
           others
           being
           united
           to
           pray
           ,
           and
           the
           time
           of
           there
           being
           some
           hopes
           ;
           of
           which
           joint
           and
           solemn
           Prayer
           I
           knew
           nothing
           at
           the
           time
           of
           my
           own
           observation
           which
           I
           had
           set
           down
           in
           my
           Diary
           ,
           till
           afterward
           in
           discourse
           with
           Friends
           ;
           and
           I
           had
           set
           it
           down
           with
           special
           Remark
           ;
           but
           excepting
           that
           one
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           found
           them
           lost
           in
           all
           my
           other
           Petitions
           ,
           and
           proclaim'd
           my
           fears
           ,
           when
           their
           Physicians
           had
           great
           hopes
           ,
           and
           their
           symptoms
           had
           some
           abatement
           ,
           with
           the
           wondring
           of
           Friends
           what
           could
           be
           my
           reason
           moving
           me
           to
           think
           this
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           should
           ask
           me
           ,
           after
           what
           has
           been
           said
           concerning
           Spirituality
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           its
           answerableness
           to
           return
           ,
           Whether
           Returns
           from
           God
           are
           only
           to
           such
           Petitions
           breath'd
           upon
           sensibly
           by
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           raising
           them
           to
           greater
           heavenliness
           of
           thought
           and
           word
           ,
           than
           commonly
           ;
           or
           if
           extended
           to
           Prayers
           perform'd
           with
           no
           other
           sensible
           seriousness
           than
           the
           sincere
           endeavour
           of
           a
           Christian's
           self
           ?
        
         
           Before
           the
           Answer
           ,
           I
           shall
           first
           lay
           down
           the
           difference
           between
           strengthning
           and
           comforting
           Influences
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ;
           David
           had
           his
           withdrawings
           of
           comfortable
           Influences
           to
           such
           a
           degree
           ,
           and
           to
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           as
           made
           him
           cry
           out
           ,
           Psal
           .
           77.7
           .
           
             Is
             his
             mercy
             clean
             gone
             ?
             will
             he
             be
             favourable
             no
             more
             ?
          
           And
           in
           ver
           .
           8.
           
           
             Does
             
             his
             promise
             fail
             for
             evermore
             ?
          
           And
           yet
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           though
           insensible
           then
           thereof
           ,
           he
           was
           under
           the
           strengthning
           Divine
           Influences
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ;
           for
           when
           David
           comes
           to
           himself
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           
             I
             have
             cleans'd
             my
             heart
             in
             vain
          
           ;
           and
           returning
           thence
           to
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           comforting
           Influences
           ,
           he
           says
           in
           ver
           .
           22
           ,
           23.
           
           
             Though
             I
             was
             so
             foolish
             ,
             and
             carried
             my self
             as
             a
             beast
             before
             thee
             ,
             nevertheless
             thou
             hast
             holden
             me
             up
             by
             my
             right
             hand
             .
          
           From
           whence
           I
           draw
           a
           Caution
           to
           dejected
           Christians
           ,
           Not
           to
           think
           that
           tho'
           God
           withdraw
           his
           comforting
           breathings
           formerly
           experienced
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           holy
           ends
           of
           Reproof
           for
           not
           better
           entertaining
           them
           formerly
           enjoy'd
           ,
           or
           of
           excitation
           to
           prize
           them
           more
           when
           they
           return
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           closer
           and
           stricter
           ,
           and
           more
           continually
           to
           the
           use
           of
           means
           to
           obtain
           ,
           and
           to
           retain
           them
           ;
           that
           therefore
           they
           have
           lost
           the
           grace
           they
           had
           once
           the
           sensible
           evidence
           of
           ,
           by
           Christ's
           comforting
           Influences
           ,
           and
           so
           give
           Satan
           opportunity
           of
           following
           this
           thought
           with
           his
           suggestion
           of
           Apostacy
           ,
           and
           danger
           of
           damnation
           ,
           and
           the
           being
           no
           advantage
           in
           the
           further
           use
           of
           means
           ;
           whereas
           the
           continuance
           therein
           ,
           is
           evidence
           of
           spiritual
           supporting
           power
           ,
           and
           of
           God's
           holding
           them
           up
           from
           falling
           ,
           however
           unsensible
           they
           are
           of
           his
           comforting
           Influences
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           difference
           between
           spiritual
           Influences
           strengthning
           the
           Soul
           to
           the
           continued
           use
           of
           sincere
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           between
           
           spiritual
           Influences
           ,
           making
           the
           other
           comfortably
           sensible
           ,
           and
           carrying
           the
           Soul
           out
           thereby
           with
           more
           fervency
           and
           joy
           than
           at
           other
           times
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           shorter
           Intermissions
           of
           Duties
           ,
           and
           sincere
           endeavours
           therein
           ,
           contribute
           greatly
           to
           the
           drawing
           down
           of
           continued
           comfortable
           Influences
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           more
           close
           we
           walk
           with
           God
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           the
           more
           clear
           comfortable
           delightful
           enjoyments
           occur
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           therefore
           first
           ,
           That
           a
           Return
           is
           certain
           to
           that
           Prayer
           that
           is
           directed
           by
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           to
           God
           ,
           for
           obtaining
           a
           blessing
           for
           us
           ;
           and
           an
           evidence
           of
           this
           direction
           is
           ,
           by
           the
           heavenly
           frame
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           more
           than
           ordinary
           freedom
           of
           utterance
           in
           the
           Duty
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           often
           God
           returns
           a
           Prayer
           perform'd
           with
           spiritual
           Influences
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           without
           that
           delightful
           evidence
           at
           the
           time
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           exciting
           and
           strengthning
           the
           Soul
           to
           ask
           ,
           carries
           him
           to
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           suitable
           to
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           with
           Resignation
           in
           the
           Christian's
           self
           ,
           whether
           this
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           be
           sensible
           at
           the
           time
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           not
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           God's
           Spirit
           be
           helping
           the
           Soul
           really
           ,
           tho'
           insensibly
           to
           the
           Christian
           ,
           or
           really
           and
           sensibly
           too
           ,
           a
           return
           certainly
           follows
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           with
           
           this
           difference
           ,
           that
           under
           heavenliness
           of
           frame
           he
           enjoys
           the
           Comfort
           of
           the
           return
           aforehand
           ,
           and
           under
           strengthning
           influences
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           so
           certain
           of
           the
           spirituality
           of
           its
           performance
           or
           its
           acceptance
           with
           God
           ,
           till
           the
           return
           make
           it
           manifest
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           such
           a
           comfortable
           sense
           of
           spiritual
           Supplies
           to
           ask
           ,
           is
           many
           times
           the
           reward
           of
           serious
           self-denying
           Christians
           ,
           and
           truly
           depending
           upon
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           other
           is
           the
           allowance
           of
           real
           Christians
           ,
           but
           less
           watchful
           ,
           and
           not
           searching
           into
           ,
           and
           desirous
           of
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God's
           ways
           ,
           and
           therefore
           have
           not
           that
           assurance
           of
           present
           acceptance
           and
           after-return
           ,
           as
           the
           serious
           observing
           Christians
           have
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           comforting
           Influences
           are
           more
           experienc'd
           as
           the
           portion
           of
           beginning
           Christians
           ,
           and
           training
           up
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           tender
           hearted
           Christians
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           who
           walk
           continually
           with
           God
           in
           their
           thoughts
           by
           ejaculation
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           evidence
           of
           supporting
           Influences
           without
           the
           other
           ,
           is
           continuance
           in
           serious
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           notwithstanding
           God
           with-holds
           its
           comfort
           ,
           which
           must
           evidence
           a
           power
           above
           the
           carnal
           nature
           .
        
         
         
           My
           Advice
           therefore
           is
           ,
           To
           begin
           the
           use
           of
           serious
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           observation
           of
           outward
           Providences
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           have
           fellowship
           with
           the
           Godhead
           even
           on
           earth
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God's
           ways
           without
           the
           fear
           of
           mistake
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           infinite
           wisdom
           and
           tender
           love
           that
           is
           in
           your
           Guide
           and
           Conductor
           ,
           leading
           you
           in
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           unless
           you
           stand
           still
           ,
           and
           walk
           not
           further
           on
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           or
           walk
           in
           them
           inadvertently
           .
           Pray
           the
           Lord
           to
           prepare
           you
           to
           ask
           the
           things
           which
           he
           has
           declar'd
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           he
           is
           ready
           to
           give
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           time
           you
           shall
           obtain
           them
           .
           This
           humble
           ,
           constant
           ,
           and
           affectionate
           continuance
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           will
           be
           an
           excellent
           means
           to
           make
           you
           understand
           the
           method
           of
           God's
           bestowing
           mercies
           ,
           as
           the
           certain
           sign
           of
           his
           Favour
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           observation
           therein
           ,
           you
           'll
           be
           able
           to
           expose
           all
           the
           Errors
           of
           the
           Age
           ;
           you
           'll
           see
           Arminianism
           at
           the
           root
           of
           our
           new-sprung
           Errors
           :
           for
           if
           they
           cannot
           defend
           Self-sufficiency
           to
           will
           and
           chuse
           spiritual
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           comply
           with
           saving
           means
           ,
           they
           must
           look
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           that
           conversion
           from
           its
           beginning
           to
           its
           perfection
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           ascribed
           to
           Divine
           Grace
           .
           Others
           deny
           the
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           think
           him
           as
           meer
           Man
           like
           themselves
           ;
           inferior
           to
           the
           Devils
           ,
           who
           acknowledged
           him
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           power
           over
           them
           ,
           by
           begging
           he
           would
           not
           torment
           
           them
           ,
           but
           finding
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Jesus
           Christ's
           being
           God
           so
           clearly
           asserted
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           they
           turn
           Deists
           ,
           and
           deny
           all
           revealed
           Religion
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           have
           nothing
           above
           our
           own
           Reason
           and
           Self-sufficiency
           to
           recur
           to
           ,
           for
           the
           obtaining
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           here
           ,
           and
           of
           Heaven
           hereafter
           .
           God
           believ'd
           as
           Creator
           ,
           and
           men
           living
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           publick
           moral
           Vertue
           ,
           though
           private
           Vices
           are
           allowed
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           some
           ,
           for
           their
           present
           peace
           and
           esteem
           ,
           and
           their
           future
           happiness
           :
           But
           the
           Scripture
           and
           Experience
           does
           strongly
           refute
           those
           Arminian
           Errors
           ,
           in
           that
           first
           Chapter
           of
           John
           ,
           and
           the
           13th
           verse
           ,
           
             We
             are
             not
             born
             of
             the
             will
             of
             man
             ,
             but
             of
             God.
          
           And
           in
           the
           second
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Philippians
           ,
           ver
           .
           13.
           
           
             It
             is
             God
             which
             works
             in
             you
             both
             to
             will
             and
             to
             do
             of
             his
             good
             pleasure
             .
          
           These
           Texts
           are
           confirmed
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           all
           sincere
           Christians
           ,
           who
           feel
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           turning
           them
           from
           the
           love
           of
           Sin
           ,
           to
           the
           love
           of
           Holiness
           ;
           and
           carrying
           them
           thro'
           a
           tempting
           World
           ,
           to
           the
           eternal
           Kingdom
           ;
           exposing
           both
           ,
           with
           the
           embracers
           of
           their
           Errors
           ,
           in
           their
           true
           Colours
           ?
           Their
           growth
           is
           no
           marvel
           to
           me
           ;
           their
           not
           being
           more
           is
           a
           greater
           wonder
           .
           Prophaneness
           in
           Practice
           ,
           Christianity
           in
           meer
           Profession
           ,
           Experimental
           Religion
           discouraged
           by
           some
           ,
           and
           neglected
           too
           much
           in
           the
           Conversation
           of
           God's
           own
           Children
           ,
           with
           their
           divisions
           and
           unnecessary
           ●eats
           being
           the
           great
           Nourishers
           of
           such
           wild
           Grapes
           .
           
           I
           do
           believe
           I
           may
           ,
           without
           the
           breach
           of
           Charity
           ,
           say
           ,
           That
           if
           Arminians
           in
           this
           Age
           are
           understanding
           in
           God's
           Word
           ,
           their
           knowledge
           thereof
           is
           meerly
           Notional
           ,
           with
           Self-Paraphrases
           thereupon
           ,
           but
           ignorant
           of
           its
           reality
           from
           the
           experience
           thereof
           in
           their
           own
           Soul.
           
        
         
           That
           what
           I
           say
           may
           not
           seem
           Censure
           ,
           but
           what
           has
           true
           ground
           for
           suggesting
           ,
           I
           'll
           call
           forth
           all
           the
           experienced
           Christians
           on
           earth
           to
           witness
           ,
           If
           any
           one
           of
           them
           was
           ever
           able
           to
           bring
           themselves
           by
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           would
           ,
           to
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           of
           Soul
           in
           Prayer
           ;
           yea
           ,
           though
           God
           has
           given
           forth
           means
           to
           obtain
           this
           frame
           .
           I
           appeal
           to
           their
           experience
           ,
           whether
           their
           reliance
           upon
           these
           means
           ,
           has
           not
           often
           obstructed
           this
           Gift
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           influencing
           the
           Soul
           depending
           thereupon
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           Millions
           of
           Instances
           ,
           and
           I
           believe
           I
           could
           produce
           thousands
           from
           my
           own
           personal
           experience
           ,
           of
           being
           out
           of
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           that
           suddenly
           and
           unexpectedly
           a
           ravishing
           heavenly
           frame
           has
           seized
           me
           ,
           without
           any
           previous
           working
           my self
           therein
           ,
           only
           suddenly
           this
           frame
           has
           seized
           my
           Soul
           like
           a
           sudden
           Gale
           of
           Wind
           ,
           filling
           the
           Sails
           of
           the
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           driving
           the
           Ship
           towards
           the
           heavenly
           Harbour
           of
           God's
           Throne
           .
        
         
         
           We
           have
           also
           multitudes
           of
           Experiences
           of
           the
           same
           power
           of
           Christ's
           Spirit
           suddenly
           ,
           undesignedly
           ,
           and
           powerfully
           working
           ,
           with
           a
           verse
           of
           a
           Chapter
           read
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           sentence
           of
           a
           Sermon
           preached
           ,
           both
           the
           conversion
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           spiritualizing
           of
           their
           frames
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           design
           or
           fore-thought
           in
           the
           Creature
           's
           self
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           other
           strength
           of
           man
           than
           laying
           himself
           in
           God's
           Road
           ,
           and
           Highway
           of
           Duties
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           commonly
           walks
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           he
           acts
           when
           and
           how
           he
           pleases
           .
        
         
           My
           Argument
           is
           from
           lesser
           to
           greater
           :
           If
           a
           Christian
           cannot
           bring
           forth
           nor
           retain
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           in
           the
           Soul
           when
           or
           as
           long
           as
           he
           will
           ,
           how
           much
           less
           is
           an
           Unbeliever
           capable
           of
           chusing
           and
           working
           Grace
           in
           his
           Soul
           when
           he
           will
           ?
           Where
           is
           that
           Instance
           of
           a
           Christian
           that
           dare
           pretend
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           in
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           to
           be
           able
           so
           to
           keep
           himself
           ?
           I
           dare
           say
           any
           that
           ever
           had
           it
           in
           reality
           and
           power
           ,
           would
           desire
           no
           other
           lot
           on
           earth
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           kept
           in
           this
           Heaven
           on
           earth
           .
        
         
           If
           thou
           therefore
           ,
           O
           Arminian
           ,
           art
           uncapable
           of
           believing
           without
           a
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           or
           to
           exercise
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           when
           thou
           wouldest
           ,
           or
           to
           retain
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           when
           thou
           art
           in
           its
           enjoyment
           ,
           lay
           by
           Self
           ,
           and
           forge
           no
           more
           lying
           delusions
           for
           thy
           Bulwark
           ,
           all
           
           experiencing
           Christians
           find
           out
           thy
           falshood
           ,
           and
           bemoan
           thy
           misery
           .
           I
           should
           rejoice
           if
           God
           should
           honour
           me
           as
           an
           Instrument
           to
           prevail
           with
           thee
           to
           walk
           in
           those
           means
           in
           the
           method
           mentioned
           ,
           that
           with
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           accompanying
           them
           ,
           you
           might
           be
           led
           to
           a
           discovery
           of
           your
           Errors
           through
           blindness
           ,
           and
           the
           evil
           of
           broaching
           and
           fructifying
           them
           on
           earth
           .
        
         
           Apprehend
           with
           your selves
           how
           unmeet
           you
           'll
           be
           to
           admire
           the
           Infiniteness
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           in
           providing
           these
           blessed
           helps
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           how
           unfit
           to
           praise
           his
           Name
           for
           either
           ,
           when
           now
           you
           derogate
           from
           all
           ,
           to
           affix
           it
           upon
           Self
           .
           Let
           not
           matters
           unexperienced
           ,
           and
           capable
           of
           being
           experienced
           in
           the
           use
           of
           few
           and
           easy
           means
           ,
           be
           debated
           first
           ,
           but
           rather
           let
           your
           arguings
           succeed
           to
           your
           experience
           ,
           unless
           they
           be
           such
           Mysteries
           as
           are
           meerly
           to
           be
           credited
           according
           to
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           uncapable
           of
           man's
           comprehension
           in
           this
           life
           ;
           and
           then
           in
           God's
           method
           of
           working
           and
           watering
           Grace
           ,
           you
           'll
           obtain
           a
           full
           discovery
           of
           Self-insufficiency
           ,
           the
           need
           of
           a
           Redeemer
           to
           look
           to
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           God's
           revealed
           Word
           in
           conjunction
           with
           his
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           your
           chief
           helps
           hereto
           .
        
         
           An
           Arminian
           ,
           to
           plead
           his
           own
           power
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           mocking
           and
           doubting
           of
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           .
           It
           is
           the
           
           Arminian's
           want
           of
           Grace
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           the
           want
           
           of
           the
           observation
           of
           steps
           ,
           that
           has
           led
           to
           their
           Grace
           and
           its
           growth
           ,
           that
           keeps
           them
           still
           exalting
           of
           Self
           ;
           and
           it
           's
           the
           others
           never
           experiencing
           communion
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           that
           make
           them
           ridicule
           it
           .
           Put
           Self
           to
           the
           tryal
           ,
           Arminian
           ,
           whether
           you
           can
           in
           your
           strength
           work
           Grace
           ?
           try
           it
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           delay
           till
           a
           dying
           hour
           .
           And
           if
           you
           find
           you
           can't
           ,
           then
           bring
           to
           the
           tryal
           another
           strength
           ,
           even
           that
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           recorded
           in
           this
           applicatory
           part
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           'll
           follow
           Christ's
           Command
           ,
           and
           become
           as
           a
           little
           Child
           ,
           obedient
           in
           the
           use
           of
           God's
           means
           to
           help
           forward
           the
           right
           knowledge
           of
           him
           and
           your selves
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           enabled
           to
           get
           out
           of
           Self-confidence
           ,
           into
           a
           reliance
           upon
           a
           more
           Divine
           Foundation
           ,
           even
           Christ's
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Gift
           given
           to
           the
           Christians
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           upon
           Christ's
           leaving
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           his
           Ascension
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           By
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           Observation
           therewith
           ,
           you
           will
           soon
           discover
           Socinianisms
           Falshood
           ,
           as
           it
           has
           sprung
           from
           Arminianism
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           exalting
           Self
           ;
           so
           the
           discovery
           of
           the
           vanity
           of
           the
           latter
           ,
           soon
           lays
           open
           in
           Christian
           experience
           the
           delusion
           of
           the
           former
           .
           Let
           a
           Christian
           but
           observe
           the
           difficulty
           of
           laying
           aside
           Self-trust
           ,
           even
           after
           God's
           most
           establishing
           Experiences
           dethroning
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           proneness
           of
           his
           mind
           to
           admix
           Self
           in
           Duties
           rightly
           perform'd
           .
           The
           difficulty
           of
           putting
           on
           Self-denial
           ,
           and
           of
           being
           cloath'd
           with
           that
           
           glorious
           Grace
           of
           Faith
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           means
           made
           use
           of
           by
           God
           to
           uncloath
           us
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           to
           adorn
           us
           with
           the
           other
           .
           The
           Observation
           I
           say
           of
           all
           these
           in
           a
           Christian
           ,
           will
           soon
           convince
           us
           of
           our
           insufficiency
           ,
           and
           encline
           us
           to
           exalt
           Christ
           as
           the
           Object
           of
           the
           Soul's
           trust
           and
           adoration
           ,
           for
           the
           destroying
           of
           that
           branch
           of
           Socinianism
           ,
           even
           the
           denial
           of
           the
           Godhead
           of
           our
           blessed
           Redeemer
           .
           Besides
           Scripture
           plainness
           ,
           the
           attributing
           to
           Christ
           all
           the
           uncommunicable
           perfections
           of
           the
           Deity
           is
           proof
           against
           them
           .
           Will
           all
           the
           Socinians
           Sophistry
           on
           earth
           make
           me
           disbelieve
           his
           Godhead
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           experienc'd
           that
           in
           the
           worship
           and
           adoration
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           that
           has
           converted
           me
           from
           Sin
           to
           Holiness
           is
           then
           in
           exercise
           ?
           GOD
           is
           a
           jealous
           GOD
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           part
           with
           that
           Prerogative
           of
           Adoration
           ,
           no
           more
           to
           meer
           man
           than
           to
           vain
           Images
           ;
           and
           yet
           ,
           Who
           are
           the
           sanctified
           ones
           in
           Christ
           ?
           who
           are
           the
           Persons
           Paul
           judg'd
           meet
           to
           write
           unto
           ,
           in
           his
           first
           v.
           of
           his
           first
           ch
           .
           of
           his
           first
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           even
           such
           who
           call
           upon
           the
           name
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           our
           Lord
           not
           nominally
           so
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           Lord
           as
           is
           made
           the
           object
           of
           Adoration
           in
           the
           Gospel
           Churches
           ;
           none
           else
           being
           fit
           Members
           to
           make
           up
           a
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           and
           all
           denying
           Christ's
           Godhead
           and
           this
           Adoration
           due
           to
           his
           Name
           ,
           exclude
           themselves
           from
           being
           fit
           matter
           for
           a
           Gospel
           Church
           .
           My
           Adoration
           of
           Christ
           as
           God
           ,
           I
           observe
           most
           solemn
           and
           with
           an
           intire
           trust
           in
           him
           ,
           when
           I
           
           am
           in
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           of
           Soul
           in
           private
           Prayer
           ,
           being
           then
           certain
           that
           the
           exercise
           of
           Adoration
           to
           Christ
           is
           the
           true
           effect
           of
           God's
           Divine
           Spirit
           influencing
           my
           Soul.
           Often
           in
           meditation
           in
           participating
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           ,
           the
           admiration
           and
           adoration
           of
           Christ
           as
           God
           blessed
           for
           ever
           ,
           has
           been
           kept
           up
           with
           great
           warmth
           and
           spirituality
           in
           the
           Soul.
           To
           the
           Socinians
           I
           would
           put
           this
           Question
           ,
           If
           ever
           in
           a
           private
           Prayer
           to
           God
           ,
           in
           participation
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           ,
           or
           upon
           a
           sick
           ,
           and
           in
           appearance
           dying
           Bed
           ,
           they
           experienced
           a
           heavenly
           ravishing
           frame
           of
           Soul
           ?
           and
           if
           they
           have
           ,
           what
           exercise
           of
           thought
           in
           either
           of
           these
           three
           Circumstances
           concerning
           Christ
           and
           themselves
           then
           seiz'd
           them
           ?
           I
           dare
           answer
           ,
           That
           if
           really
           influenced
           with
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           Arminius
           with
           honour
           to
           Self
           ,
           and
           Socinus
           with
           his
           disparagement
           of
           Christ
           ,
           were
           low
           as
           the
           dust
           in
           their
           Opinion
           then
           .
        
         
           How
           unsuitable
           are
           those
           who
           deny
           Christ
           this
           Tribute
           on
           earth
           ,
           to
           reign
           with
           him
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           when
           the
           Mystery
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           the
           Mystery
           of
           Redemption
           by
           God
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           Mystery
           of
           Conversion
           by
           God
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           shall
           be
           perfectly
           unfolded
           ;
           when
           the
           admiration
           and
           adoration
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           his
           infinitely
           wise
           and
           condescending
           Mercy
           in
           delivering
           man
           ,
           must
           be
           in
           frequent
           exercise
           :
           This
           is
           the
           most
           excellent
           ,
           beneficial
           and
           comfortable
           object
           of
           a
           Christian's
           Faith
           ,
           Contemplation
           and
           Affection
           .
           We
           can
           only
           see
           it
           here
           through
           a
           Glass
           darkly
           ;
           in
           the
           full
           sight
           is
           the
           perfection
           
           and
           felicity
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           Glory
           :
           But
           the
           serious
           thoughts
           of
           redeeming
           love
           in
           our
           present
           state
           ,
           fills
           the
           Soul
           with
           a
           Joy
           unspeakable
           and
           glorious
           .
        
         
           God
           constituted
           man
           at
           first
           with
           all
           the
           necessary
           faculties
           of
           Body
           and
           Mind
           ,
           and
           with
           their
           beautiful
           Ornaments
           ,
           that
           man
           by
           considering
           the
           excellent
           Goodness
           of
           his
           Maker
           ,
           might
           Glorifie
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           meerly
           please
           himself
           in
           his
           own
           Perfections
           ,
           and
           the
           fruition
           of
           Paradise
           :
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           a
           gracious
           Soul
           is
           renewed
           to
           Christ's
           Image
           in
           Conversion
           ,
           not
           that
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           may
           be
           proclaim'd
           as
           his
           own
           work
           and
           Glory
           thereby
           derogated
           from
           the
           Godhead
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Blessed
           Spirit
           ;
           Man
           is
           made
           meet
           for
           Heaven
           by
           Grace
           growing
           in
           his
           Soul
           on
           Earth
           ;
           And
           does
           he
           pass
           that
           perfecting
           change
           at
           the
           day
           of
           Judgment
           ?
           and
           is
           he
           admitted
           to
           these
           glorious
           Visions
           in
           Heaven
           for
           the
           admiration
           of
           himself
           ?
           No
           ;
           He
           will
           know
           ,
           that
           as
           the
           Creation
           of
           Man
           was
           the
           product
           of
           the
           Counsel
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           as
           it
           's
           declared
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             make
             man
          
           ;
           so
           the
           Conversion
           of
           man
           from
           the
           power
           of
           Sin
           to
           Holiness
           ,
           is
           the
           sole
           effect
           of
           the
           free
           Mercy
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           his
           Grace
           .
           Pride
           first
           discover'd
           it self
           in
           our
           fatal
           fall
           ,
           and
           has
           continued
           to
           show
           it self
           in
           arrogating
           to
           our selves
           what
           is
           entirely
           due
           to
           God
           ;
           but
           the
           perfected
           Spirits
           of
           Just
           men
           ,
           know
           how
           unworthy
           and
           unprepared
           they
           were
           to
           see
           God
           in
           his
           full
           Glory
           :
           They
           
           continually
           pay
           the
           humble
           Homage
           of
           Praise
           to
           him
           that
           sits
           upon
           the
           Throne
           ,
           whose
           Spirit
           sanctified
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           by
           whose
           Sacrifice
           and
           Satisfaction
           Heaven
           was
           opened
           to
           them
           .
           Can
           a
           meer
           man
           receive
           the
           Hallelujahs
           above
           ,
           and
           rob
           the
           Father
           of
           the
           Praise
           of
           the
           Triumphant
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           ?
           With
           what
           faces
           will
           those
           who
           deny
           the
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           look
           upon
           a
           Redeemer
           glorified
           as
           God
           and
           Man
           in
           one
           Person
           ,
           when
           such
           a
           view
           of
           him
           will
           force
           their
           remembrance
           of
           denying
           him
           in
           their
           Minds
           and
           Hearts
           ,
           the
           Adoration
           due
           to
           him
           as
           God
           ,
           equal
           with
           the
           Father
           ,
           tho'
           he
           humbled
           himself
           that
           we
           might
           be
           exalted
           ,
           and
           might
           in
           Heaven
           see
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           be
           transform'd
           into
           his
           Glorious
           Likeness
           ?
           It
           will
           be
           righteous
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           vilified
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           should
           not
           reign
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           since
           they
           deny
           ,
           that
           he
           washt
           away
           the
           guilt
           of
           their
           Sins
           with
           his
           Blood
           ,
           it
           's
           righteous
           that
           their
           guilt
           should
           remain
           on
           them
           for
           ever
           .
           He
           that
           feels
           the
           power
           of
           Christ
           strengthening
           him
           ,
           will
           notwithstanding
           the
           subtil
           Cavils
           of
           others
           ,
           glorifie
           him
           as
           the
           incarnate
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           purchas'd
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           for
           him
           by
           his
           Humiliation
           ,
           and
           confers
           it
           in
           his
           Exaltation
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           Deists
           ,
           who
           deny
           all
           Reveal'd
           Religion
           ,
           their
           Error
           is
           brought
           for
           the
           support
           of
           Socinianism
           ;
           for
           in
           the
           Scripture
           there
           is
           so
           full
           a
           proof
           of
           the
           Eternal
           Deity
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Doctrine
           
           supernatural
           and
           incomprehensible
           by
           our
           narrow
           minds
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           rather
           return
           to
           Heathenism
           ,
           than
           receive
           the
           Gospel
           :
           Besides
           ,
           the
           purity
           and
           perfection
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           its
           Commands
           they
           will
           not
           obey
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           only
           follow
           the
           dim
           light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           that
           discovers
           not
           many
           Sins
           which
           they
           love
           ,
           nor
           some
           Duties
           from
           which
           they
           are
           averse
           .
        
         
           You
           therefore
           under
           this
           Character
           ;
           Let
           me
           invite
           you
           to
           the
           trial
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           find
           in
           your
           Experience
           any
           one
           thing
           that
           was
           incomprehensible
           to
           natural
           Reason
           ,
           but
           sensibly
           felt
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           it
           will
           lead
           you
           to
           the
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           of
           Experiencing
           more
           .
           If
           in
           Prayer
           you
           come
           to
           understand
           a
           strength
           above
           your
           own
           ,
           even
           that
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           according
           to
           Scripture
           Revelation
           thereof
           ,
           you
           'll
           desire
           to
           comprehend
           many
           other
           Christian
           Priviledges
           and
           Changes
           of
           the
           Soul
           by
           Grace
           ,
           of
           which
           you
           never
           formerly
           had
           any
           true
           Idea
           :
           If
           once
           you
           come
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           to
           believe
           and
           trust
           things
           unseen
           ,
           which
           to
           a
           faithless
           Creature
           is
           a
           Mysterious
           Doctrine
           ,
           but
           of
           Scripture
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           certainly
           experienc'd
           as
           Truth
           by
           Holy
           Souls
           .
        
         
           To
           what
           purpose
           ,
           O
           Deist
           ,
           should
           I
           trouble
           my self
           to
           argue
           the
           case
           of
           there
           being
           a
           spiritual
           heavenly
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           of
           there
           being
           a
           trust
           to
           a
           thing
           unseen
           ,
           more
           strong
           and
           durable
           than
           a
           trust
           to
           an
           object
           before
           the
           Eyes
           ;
           the
           one
           being
           supported
           by
           the
           Divine
           Truth
           and
           Power
           ,
           the
           other
           by
           a
           weak
           mutable
           
           Creature
           .
           All
           the
           Argumentation
           and
           Oratory
           on
           Earth
           cannot
           make
           a
           sincere
           Christian
           doubt
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           felt
           to
           be
           the
           power
           of
           God
           to
           save
           him
           from
           Sin
           and
           Hell
           :
           A
           superficial
           assent
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           may
           be
           easily
           chang'd
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           is
           fixt
           in
           the
           Soul
           by
           deep
           Experience
           ,
           a
           Christian
           is
           as
           stable
           as
           the
           Center
           against
           the
           strongest
           storms
           of
           opposition
           :
           You
           may
           as
           well
           suppose
           a
           rational
           Soul
           to
           be
           without
           thinking
           ,
           as
           when
           it
           's
           convinc'd
           by
           over-powering
           light
           ,
           and
           an
           inward
           real
           sense
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           Religion
           Reveal'd
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           he
           should
           be
           apt
           to
           change
           his
           Faith
           ,
           and
           like
           a
           Drunken
           Man
           reel
           from
           one
           Opinion
           to
           another
           .
        
         
           I
           therefore
           earnestly
           recommend
           the
           endeavour
           after
           an
           Experimental
           Sense
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           use
           of
           all
           Ordinances
           ,
           as
           the
           best
           preservative
           from
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           I
           come
           to
           the
           third
           and
           last
           mean
           of
           bringing
           Creatures
           into
           the
           certainty
           of
           God's
           Word
           and
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           a
           right
           reading
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           not
           a
           superficial
           reading
           of
           them
           in
           Obedience
           to
           Parents
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           Custom
           ,
           a
           Chapter
           morning
           and
           evening
           ,
           without
           ever
           one
           thought
           reflective
           upon
           what
           is
           read
           ;
           but
           such
           a
           reading
           as
           may
           lay
           you
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           influence
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           communicates
           light
           unto
           us
           in
           this
           Duty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           that
           of
           spiritual
           Observation
           and
           Prayer
           ;
           we
           must
           fix
           it
           in
           our
           
           thoughts
           as
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Life
           ,
           and
           particularly
           observe
           what
           may
           be
           directive
           in
           those
           Duties
           that
           belong
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           may
           serve
           for
           Comfort
           in
           disquieting
           Afflictions
           to
           which
           we
           may
           be
           expos'd
           ;
           Mr.
           
           Pool's
           Annotations
           are
           useful
           in
           our
           Reading
           .
           This
           method
           was
           marvellously
           blessed
           to
           me
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           it
           with
           Observation
           and
           Prayer
           ;
           I
           soon
           saw
           the
           worth
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           the
           benefit
           of
           using
           it
           in
           this
           manner
           ,
           and
           my
           Soul
           was
           ardently
           and
           constantly
           desirous
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           to
           conform
           me
           entirely
           to
           the
           Precepts
           and
           Examples
           of
           Holiness
           set
           down
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           method
           I
           us'd
           at
           first
           ,
           was
           ,
           To
           Read
           a
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           a
           Psalm
           ,
           and
           a
           Chapter
           of
           the
           New
           ,
           with
           
           Pool's
           Annotations
           upon
           each
           ;
           and
           this
           sincere
           endeavour
           after
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           was
           soon
           accompanied
           with
           the
           inward
           workings
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           influencing
           me
           with
           a
           desire
           after
           ,
           and
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           Conformity
           thereto
           .
        
         
           Psal
           .
           119.
           
           
             How
             shall
             a
             young
             man
             cleanse
             his
             ways
             ?
          
           It
           is
           
             by
             taking
             heed
             thereto
             according
             to
             God's
             Word
             :
          
           Those
           that
           read
           not
           his
           Word
           ,
           or
           read
           it
           in
           a
           customary
           way
           ,
           obtain
           no
           knowledge
           thereof
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           what
           is
           only
           notional
           to
           discourse
           of
           ;
           How
           can
           a
           Christian
           cleanse
           his
           Heart
           and
           Ways
           ,
           or
           be
           in
           the
           means
           of
           obtaining
           Christ's
           Spirit
           helping
           forward
           this
           work
           ,
           but
           by
           comparing
           considerately
           his
           Ways
           and
           Thoughts
           to
           God's
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           as
           he
           goes
           on
           in
           the
           reading
           of
           them
           ;
           
           and
           nothing
           more
           fixes
           the
           Thoughts
           to
           this
           ,
           than
           a
           reading
           with
           Annotations
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           in
           comparing
           Scripture
           to
           Annotation
           ,
           a
           comparison
           of
           ones
           self
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           either
           for
           instruction
           ,
           or
           comfort
           occurs
           ;
           reading
           with
           Thoughtfulness
           is
           a
           mean
           God
           many
           times
           blesses
           with
           sweet
           success
           that
           way
           .
        
         
           Reading
           with
           reflecting
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Word
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           warms
           it
           ,
           meets
           the
           Affections
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           receptive
           of
           heavenly
           impressions
           .
        
         
           The
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           Religious
           only
           from
           Education
           ,
           I
           greatly
           compassionate
           for
           this
           neglect
           ;
           it
           being
           for
           the
           serious
           ,
           a
           probable
           mean
           of
           affording
           establishment
           in
           their
           right
           notional
           Knowledge
           wherewith
           they
           have
           been
           imprest
           ,
           thorough
           the
           instruction
           of
           Education
           ;
           and
           applicative
           Reading
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           is
           the
           means
           ,
           with
           the
           Spirit
           's
           blessing
           ,
           of
           establishing
           us
           on
           that
           Divine
           Foundation
           of
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           .
        
         
           This
           Advice
           of
           Reading
           the
           Scriptures
           with
           
           Pool's
           Annotations
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           be
           limited
           to
           those
           only
           in
           younger
           years
           ,
           but
           necessarily
           to
           be
           extended
           to
           Persons
           of
           more
           mature
           Age.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           advise
           the
           younger
           ,
           That
           they
           would
           not
           rest
           satisfied
           to
           answer
           their
           Parents
           Instruction
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           customary
           method
           of
           reading
           
           so
           many
           Chapters
           a
           day
           ,
           and
           that
           at
           their
           usual
           times
           ;
           but
           to
           consider
           what
           degrees
           of
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           Conformity
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           are
           advanc'd
           to
           by
           it
           ,
           that
           by
           right
           Conceptions
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Holy
           Will
           ,
           they
           be
           preserv'd
           from
           youthful
           Lusts
           ,
           from
           the
           Erroneous
           Opinions
           and
           vicious
           and
           contagious
           Examples
           of
           others
           :
           Let
           the
           first
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           be
           deeply
           set
           in
           them
           ,
           before
           they
           read
           Controversies
           in
           Religion
           :
           I
           do
           really
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           from
           reading
           a
           Chapter
           ,
           with
           Mr.
           
           Pool's
           Annotations
           concerning
           a
           point
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           more
           clear
           knowledge
           and
           confirmation
           than
           by
           reading
           Controversial
           Books
           ;
           And
           I
           do
           believe
           it
           one
           of
           the
           most
           common
           failures
           of
           Youth
           under
           Religious
           Education
           ,
           not
           reading
           the
           Scriptures
           with
           Annotations
           ,
           which
           greatly
           fixes
           the
           Thoughts
           upon
           ones
           self
           ,
           and
           God's
           Divine
           Rule
           ,
           if
           conform
           unto
           it
           either
           in
           Heart
           or
           Life
           .
        
         
           Be
           advised
           therefore
           ,
           to
           begin
           your
           knowledge
           of
           Spiritual
           Things
           right
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           end
           where
           you
           should
           have
           begun
           ;
           and
           to
           read
           but
           one
           Chapter
           with
           Annotations
           and
           Observation
           ,
           rather
           than
           many
           slightly
           ;
           remarking
           that
           part
           of
           Scripture
           your
           Thoughts
           at
           the
           time
           of
           reading
           mostly
           fix
           to
           ,
           and
           observe
           the
           method
           of
           Providence
           afterward
           appearing
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           you
           may
           discover
           its
           correspondency
           to
           the
           matter
           remarkt
           ,
           either
           as
           Instruction
           or
           Comfort
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           advise
           grown
           Professors
           ,
           who
           busie
           themselves
           with
           Controversies
           ,
           and
           with
           Books
           Eloquently
           written
           ,
           or
           of
           high
           Notions
           ,
           but
           still
           are
           without
           an
           affectionate
           vital
           knowledge
           of
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           and
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           infected
           with
           this
           or
           the
           other
           new-sprung
           Error
           :
           I
           say
           to
           such
           ,
           That
           I
           am
           afraid
           the
           advice
           given
           to
           younger
           Persons
           has
           not
           been
           follow'd
           by
           them
           ;
           I
           therefore
           earnestly
           exhort
           them
           to
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           with
           a
           design
           to
           be
           enlightned
           and
           sanctified
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           assistance
           of
           a
           sound
           Expositor
           ,
           that
           their
           imperfect
           and
           unsetled
           Conceptions
           of
           Divine
           Things
           may
           be
           rectified
           ,
           and
           strongly
           imprest
           within
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           them
           may
           be
           visible
           in
           their
           lives
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           cannot
           enjoy
           full
           measure
           of
           time
           once
           a
           day
           ,
           do
           it
           by
           parts
           .
           Many
           sit
           in
           their
           Shops
           waiting
           for
           their
           Customers
           ,
           and
           Reading
           of
           Books
           of
           no
           value
           ,
           or
           thinking
           upon
           what
           they
           can
           give
           no
           account
           of
           afterward
           ,
           that
           have
           great
           opportunity
           of
           using
           this
           method
           :
           Many
           might
           detract
           from
           their
           great
           time
           spent
           in
           Dressings
           and
           Visitings
           ,
           and
           thereby
           might
           have
           more
           leisure
           for
           this
           profitable
           and
           ●ounding
           work
           :
           I
           am
           hopeful
           ,
           if
           this
           method
           was
           once
           in
           use
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           an
           excellent
           foundation
           laid
           for
           your
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           the
           Lawgiver
           ,
           and
           of
           your
           own
           Loyalty
           and
           Duty
           to
           him
           in
           Heart
           and
           Life
           .
           
           The
           delight
           the
           Soul
           would
           taste
           in
           Reading
           the
           Word
           ,
           would
           cause
           us
           to
           disrelish
           all
           other
           Books
           ,
           tho'
           never
           so
           pleasing
           to
           the
           carnal
           Fancy
           and
           Desires
           that
           govern
           the
           unrenewed
           part
           of
           Mankind
           .
           I
           have
           often
           thought
           upon
           the
           fancy
           so
           delighted
           with
           variety
           ,
           and
           have
           pitied
           some
           such
           who
           would
           be
           taken
           with
           every
           new
           thing
           ,
           but
           did
           not
           Experimentally
           know
           the
           varieties
           of
           things
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           greatly
           alluring
           ,
           worth
           the
           reading
           and
           the
           contemplating
           ,
           and
           the
           varieties
           of
           impressions
           affecting
           the
           mind
           in
           reading
           the
           same
           Scripture
           at
           various
           times
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           have
           observ'd
           ,
           the
           better
           the
           Duty
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           instruction
           and
           comfort
           abound
           therein
           ,
           inward
           corruption
           and
           Satan
           keeps
           the
           Soul
           the
           more
           backward
           from
           it
           :
           And
           let
           any
           experiencing
           Christian
           reflect
           upon
           the
           days
           of
           their
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           the
           Beginnings
           of
           their
           spiritual
           Knowledge
           ,
           they
           'll
           find
           ,
           When
           Hearing
           and
           Prayer
           has
           been
           practised
           by
           them
           ,
           yet
           serious
           Reading
           was
           greatly
           neglected
           ,
           especially
           with
           an
           Expositor
           :
           A
           Duty
           establishing
           and
           comforting
           a
           Christian
           ,
           is
           the
           Duty
           Satan
           loses
           most
           by
           ;
           to
           Read
           matter
           indifferent
           ,
           overcomes
           neither
           Satan
           nor
           Corruption
           ,
           but
           Scripture-Revelation
           discovers
           both
           in
           their
           natural
           Colours
           ,
           and
           a
           way
           to
           escape
           the
           Tyranny
           of
           either
           .
           I
           remember
           the
           neglect
           of
           Reading
           the
           Scripture
           while
           only
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Religious
           Education
           ,
           kept
           me
           in
           
           darkness
           and
           security
           for
           not
           bringing
           the
           false
           hopes
           of
           the
           goodness
           of
           my
           spiritual
           State
           to
           the
           Touch
           ;
           I
           presum'd
           that
           I
           was
           in
           a
           safe
           condition
           ,
           but
           by
           serious
           Reading
           the
           Scripture
           I
           had
           a
           true
           discovery
           of
           God
           and
           my self
           ,
           and
           I
           delighted
           in
           the
           discovery
           and
           the
           blessed
           means
           of
           it
           :
           That
           which
           before
           was
           so
           unpleasant
           to
           the
           corrupt
           Nature
           ,
           was
           sweeter
           than
           the
           Honey-Comb
           ;
           This
           is
           the
           usual
           Reward
           that
           is
           joyn'd
           with
           our
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Divine
           Command
           ,
           
             Of
             searching
             the
             Scriptures
          
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           afraid
           the
           neglect
           of
           this
           Duty
           keeps
           not
           only
           prophane
           and
           meer
           professing
           Christians
           from
           a
           change
           to
           a
           state
           of
           real
           Christianity
           ,
           but
           even
           real
           Christians
           in
           a
           careless
           neglect
           of
           their
           Conversations
           ;
           The
           serious
           Reading
           a
           Chapter
           in
           the
           morning
           would
           so
           fix
           the
           matter
           upon
           the
           Christian's
           Thoughts
           ,
           that
           now
           and
           then
           he
           would
           be
           reflecting
           ,
           whether
           he
           has
           stept
           aside
           from
           Conformity
           to
           what
           he
           had
           Read
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           and
           would
           make
           him
           watchful
           against
           Temptations
           that
           surrounded
           him
           ,
           lest
           he
           be
           surprised
           by
           them
           .
           How
           sad
           is
           the
           carelesness
           even
           of
           real
           Christians
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           inward
           frame
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           their
           outward
           Conversation
           ,
           which
           I
           do
           believe
           may
           in
           some
           measure
           proceed
           from
           the
           neglect
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           the
           unserious
           performance
           of
           this
           Duty
           ,
           and
           the
           not
           considering
           that
           God
           sees
           them
           in
           their
           Companies
           ,
           in
           their
           Families
           ,
           in
           their
           Closets
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           their
           neglect
           of
           serious
           yielding
           themselves
           to
           the
           conduct
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           thorough
           the
           day
           ?
           I
           remember
           a
           passage
           I
           heard
           of
           a
           Minister
           ,
           who
           had
           neglected
           his
           serious
           morning-Prayer
           before
           his
           going
           forth
           upon
           that
           Sacred
           Work
           of
           Preaching
           ;
           and
           after
           Reading
           his
           Text
           ,
           was
           stopt
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           go
           on
           no
           further
           ,
           and
           another
           was
           forc'd
           to
           supply
           in
           his
           room
           ;
           and
           upon
           review
           ,
           found
           that
           his
           neglect
           of
           Praying
           for
           Divine
           Assistance
           ,
           and
           dependance
           upon
           it
           ,
           was
           the
           cause
           why
           he
           was
           so
           deserted
           .
           If
           Christians
           were
           more
           concerned
           to
           have
           their
           morning
           Duties
           strictly
           perform'd
           ,
           their
           Conversations
           would
           be
           strict
           and
           spiritual
           thorough
           the
           day
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           disparage
           their
           Profession
           ,
           and
           dishonour
           God
           by
           so
           many
           blemishes
           in
           their
           Actions
           ;
           they
           would
           not
           so
           harden
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           titular
           Christians
           in
           their
           sinful
           state
           ;
           whereas
           Prayer
           joyn'd
           with
           the
           Reading
           the
           Word
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           is
           a
           blessed
           means
           to
           maintain
           our
           Communion
           with
           God
           in
           all
           the
           business
           and
           lawful
           refreshments
           of
           the
           day
           .
        
         
           If
           innocent
           Recreations
           ,
           by
           fixing
           our
           thoughts
           upon
           them
           ,
           or
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           length
           of
           time
           we
           are
           in
           them
           ,
           lessen
           our
           seriousness
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           less
           frequent
           and
           shorter
           in
           them
           ;
           let
           the
           Conversation
           be
           never
           so
           innocent
           ,
           and
           the
           Company
           never
           so
           dear
           ,
           they
           must
           not
           deprive
           us
           of
           communion
           with
           Heaven
           ,
           we
           must
           so
           use
           the
           world
           as
           we
           may
           enjoy
           God
           ▪
           I
           think
           
           visiting
           of
           Friends
           a
           Duty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           diversion
           ;
           but
           prolonged
           to
           a
           day
           ,
           or
           an
           afternoon
           ,
           meddling
           in
           others
           affairs
           ,
           censuring
           some
           ,
           and
           commending
           others
           ,
           perhaps
           without
           reason
           ,
           is
           grieving
           to
           a
           spiritual-minded
           Christian
           ,
           unless
           where
           he
           may
           either
           do
           or
           receive
           some
           spiritual
           good
           .
           The
           serious
           exercise
           of
           our
           minds
           upon
           spiritual
           things
           ,
           and
           discourse
           of
           them
           ,
           preserves
           the
           sacred
           fire
           burning
           in
           our
           breasts
           .
           Spiritual
           Conversation
           is
           as
           rare
           amongst
           Christians
           as
           it
           's
           profitable
           ;
           it
           's
           the
           beginning
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           reduces
           friendship
           to
           the
           state
           of
           Paradise
           :
           But
           we
           are
           so
           sadly
           declin'd
           ,
           that
           unless
           he
           is
           a
           person
           of
           eminent
           holiness
           and
           gravity
           that
           interposes
           divine
           discourse
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           it
           's
           entertained
           very
           coldly
           ,
           or
           with
           contempt
           and
           derision
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           Recreations
           doubtful
           amongst
           Christians
           ,
           playing
           at
           Cards
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           whether
           lawful
           or
           unlawful
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           is
           best
           to
           keep
           the
           judgment
           free
           from
           entangling
           Scruples
           ,
           but
           to
           restrain
           our
           practice
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           I
           desire
           to
           order
           my
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           these
           three
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           since
           nothing
           in
           Christ's
           Commands
           or
           Example
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           is
           express
           herein
           ,
           I
           judge
           it
           best
           to
           regulate
           my
           practice
           by
           the
           example
           of
           the
           most
           holy
           and
           heavenly
           Christians
           ,
           who
           I
           know
           have
           abstained
           from
           Recreations
           of
           a
           suspected
           nature
           .
        
         
         
           A
           second
           Reason
           to
           me
           is
           ,
           That
           Recreations
           ,
           though
           seeming
           innocent
           ,
           have
           often
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           dangerous
           snares
           to
           men
           .
           How
           many
           have
           resolved
           to
           spend
           an
           hour
           in
           a
           Recreation
           ,
           and
           have
           spent
           many
           ,
           to
           the
           irreparable
           loss
           of
           precious
           time
           !
           How
           many
           have
           begun
           with
           Pence
           ,
           and
           ended
           with
           Pounds
           ,
           to
           the
           wasting
           their
           Estates
           ,
           and
           impoverishing
           of
           Families
           !
           The
           perfect
           forbearance
           from
           such
           allurements
           ,
           is
           our
           security
           and
           happiness
           ;
           and
           that
           others
           who
           allow
           themselves
           in
           such
           things
           are
           not
           overcome
           ,
           is
           from
           restraining
           Grace
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           corrupt
           Nature
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Because
           to
           my
           own
           experience
           such
           things
           wither
           a
           heavenly
           spiritual
           frame
           of
           Soul
           ,
           by
           drawing
           off
           the
           thoughts
           from
           seriousness
           ,
           to
           a
           little
           levity
           ,
           and
           from
           less
           to
           more
           ,
           till
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           be
           gone
           .
           The
           heavenly-minded
           Christian
           is
           the
           only
           Judge
           of
           this
           matter
           ,
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           never
           having
           had
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           ,
           can
           hardly
           be
           said
           to
           judge
           of
           ,
           or
           be
           concern'd
           for
           its
           decay
           or
           removal
           ;
           neither
           the
           lazy
           ,
           though
           real
           Christian
           ,
           who
           if
           serious
           in
           his
           morning
           or
           evening
           duties
           ,
           matter
           not
           the
           want
           of
           a
           heavenly
           ,
           serious
           frame
           of
           Soul
           throughout
           the
           day
           in
           his
           business
           and
           pleasures
           ,
           of
           the
           number
           whereof
           too
           many
           abound
           in
           our
           Age
           ,
           by
           reason
           whereof
           while
           under
           afflictions
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           dying
           hours
           ,
           when
           their
           evidences
           should
           shine
           not
           only
           with
           light
           
           to
           themselves
           ,
           but
           as
           witnesses
           for
           God
           to
           others
           ,
           they
           appear
           more
           dark
           and
           clouded
           than
           in
           those
           whose
           life
           has
           been
           a
           continued
           enjoyment
           of
           God.
           How
           many
           real
           Christians
           have
           bitterly
           lamented
           their
           time
           mis-spent
           in
           Vanities
           ,
           and
           when
           near
           Eternity
           ,
           have
           had
           gloomy
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           distracting
           doubts
           of
           the
           Eternal
           State
           ;
           when
           those
           who
           have
           used
           the
           world
           with
           indifferent
           affections
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           serious
           in
           working
           out
           their
           salvation
           ,
           have
           rejoiced
           in
           the
           Lord.
           In
           short
           ,
           a
           heavenly
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           is
           the
           best
           Antidote
           against
           the
           infection
           of
           sensual
           pleasures
           .
        
         
           The
           main
           Reasons
           to
           press
           Christians
           strictness
           of
           Conversation
           in
           doubtful
           things
           ,
           are
           from
           pity
           to
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professor
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           the
           drying
           up
           of
           spiritual
           seriousness
           of
           frame
           in
           real
           Christians
           ;
           the
           latter
           sort
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           thorough
           the
           exercise
           of
           Grace
           ,
           may
           limit
           their
           pleasures
           and
           diversions
           from
           being
           inductive
           of
           Sin
           :
           but
           the
           carnal
           are
           hardned
           in
           their
           profuse
           wasting
           time
           ,
           and
           their
           indulging
           their
           sensual
           desires
           ,
           even
           by
           Saints
           innocent
           Recreation
           of
           themselves
           in
           them
           ,
           pleading
           for
           themselves
           by
           such
           a
           Question
           ,
           Does
           not
           such
           an
           one
           do
           so
           and
           so
           ?
        
         
           Ministers
           ,
           of
           all
           other
           Christians
           ,
           should
           be
           very
           diligent
           to
           prevent
           a
           taking
           occasion
           and
           encouragement
           from
           their
           example
           ,
           to
           Licentiousness
           in
           things
           of
           this
           kind
           ;
           they
           have
           the
           best
           opportunity
           to
           spiritualize
           Conversation
           with
           their
           People
           ,
           and
           improving
           time
           
           to
           the
           most
           excellent
           advantage
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           increase
           their
           knowledge
           ,
           holiness
           and
           comfort
           .
           This
           was
           the
           practice
           of
           Paul
           ,
           who
           was
           so
           great
           a
           Lover
           of
           Christ
           and
           Souls
           ;
           this
           practice
           would
           refel
           the
           double
           Accusation
           of
           Ministers
           in
           our
           days
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           so
           much
           seen
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           little
           at
           home
           conversing
           with
           God
           and
           themselves
           ,
           and
           seldom
           with
           their
           People
           ,
           unless
           in
           outward
           enjoyments
           ,
           and
           without
           spiritual
           profit
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           other
           Accusation
           ,
           is
           their
           ignorance
           of
           their
           Peoples
           spiritual
           state
           ,
           and
           their
           more
           applying
           themselves
           to
           maintain
           such
           Doctrines
           as
           are
           the
           Characters
           of
           their
           Party
           ,
           than
           to
           preach
           Truths
           suitable
           to
           the
           Case
           of
           the
           Congregations
           .
           Some
           Preachers
           are
           called
           Legal
           ,
           others
           Evangelical
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           different
           opinions
           and
           affections
           of
           the
           Hearers
           ,
           are
           censured
           or
           commended
           ;
           but
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           defames
           and
           pollutes
           his
           Profession
           ,
           who
           does
           not
           make
           it
           his
           sole
           end
           to
           glorify
           Christ
           ,
           and
           save
           Souls
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           end
           the
           Law
           is
           to
           be
           preached
           ,
           discovering
           the
           undone
           condition
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           come
           weary
           and
           heavy-laden
           to
           our
           compassionate
           Saviour
           ,
           making
           him
           appear
           the
           more
           lovely
           to
           their
           view
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           with
           unfeign'd
           willingness
           walk
           in
           those
           means
           wherein
           his
           Spirit
           may
           be
           found
           ,
           to
           apply
           Christ
           with
           all
           his
           Benefits
           to
           the
           needy
           Soul.
           
        
         
         
           I
           cannot
           but
           mention
           what
           I
           have
           observ'd
           in
           my self
           ,
           that
           upon
           any
           stirring
           of
           corrupt
           nature
           ,
           tending
           to
           puff
           me
           up
           after
           enjoy'd
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           or
           leaving
           a
           kind
           of
           security
           in
           the
           following
           Duties
           ,
           what
           need
           I
           have
           had
           of
           reflecting
           upon
           the
           Law
           ,
           shewing
           thereby
           to
           my self
           how
           insufficient
           I
           was
           to
           give
           full
           obedience
           thereto
           ,
           or
           to
           perform
           any
           one
           part
           thereof
           aright
           ,
           unless
           by
           the
           continued
           assistance
           of
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           Duty
           to
           be
           in
           the
           close
           work
           of
           using
           means
           ,
           and
           to
           ascribe
           benefit
           obtained
           therein
           to
           the
           free
           and
           powerful
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           any
           dispositions
           or
           strength
           of
           our
           own
           :
           Therefore
           the
           meditation
           of
           Law
           and
           Grace
           must
           be
           join'd
           ,
           the
           first
           leads
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           greatly
           discovers
           the
           efficacy
           thereof
           ;
           yea
           ,
           more
           than
           that
           ,
           contemplated
           alone
           ,
           shall
           I
           see
           the
           precious
           excellency
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           not
           see
           my
           lost
           ,
           corrupted
           ,
           deprav'd
           state
           ?
           Shall
           I
           see
           the
           need
           of
           a
           Divine
           Power
           in
           working
           and
           planting
           Grace
           ,
           not
           seeing
           my
           own
           insufficiency
           to
           act
           without
           it
           ?
           Again
           ,
           before
           the
           close
           of
           the
           same
           evening
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           brought
           under
           such
           concern
           for
           one
           failure
           or
           other
           ,
           that
           the
           necessity
           and
           excellency
           of
           the
           free-grace
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           has
           convincingly
           and
           comfortably
           by
           serious
           reflection
           wanted
           to
           have
           been
           appli'd
           to
           my
           Soul
           ,
           shall
           therefore
           one
           Christian
           need
           the
           bearing
           home
           of
           both
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Free-grace
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           in
           one
           day
           ,
           how
           much
           
           more
           shall
           a
           Congregation
           made
           up
           of
           Christians
           ,
           whereof
           some
           are
           secure
           ,
           and
           others
           tender
           and
           self-condemning
           ,
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           Sermons
           of
           both
           sorts
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           Sermon
           made
           up
           of
           both
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           therefore
           the
           great
           Duty
           of
           Ministers
           to
           be
           frequent
           and
           fervent
           in
           their
           Prayers
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           by
           Divine
           influence
           they
           may
           be
           directed
           in
           the
           choice
           of
           fit
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           assisted
           in
           their
           preparatory
           Studies
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           preaching
           the
           Word
           ,
           in
           demonstration
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           2.4
           .
           
             Not
             with
             enticing
             words
             only
             of
             man's
             wisdom
             ,
          
           that
           it
           may
           be
           beneficial
           and
           saving
           to
           their
           Hearers
           ;
           the
           neglect
           of
           this
           method
           may
           occasion
           the
           choice
           of
           an
           unsuitable
           Subject
           ,
           and
           its
           delivery
           to
           be
           unsavoury
           ,
           unless
           to
           the
           meer
           Notional
           Christian
           .
           A
           Minister
           of
           eminent
           Holiness
           told
           me
           ,
           That
           Converse
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           was
           his
           best
           preparation
           for
           preaching
           ;
           and
           that
           according
           to
           his
           frame
           in
           Prayer
           in
           the
           Lord's-day
           morning
           ,
           such
           was
           the
           frame
           of
           his
           heart
           in
           preaching
           .
           I
           have
           my self
           found
           ,
           that
           according
           to
           the
           holy
           exercise
           of
           my
           affections
           in
           my
           Closet-Prayer
           ,
           such
           has
           been
           my
           enjoyment
           of
           God
           in
           publick
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           especially
           in
           receiving
           the
           Sacrament
           .
        
         
           The
           Professors
           of
           serious
           Religion
           ,
           but
           especially
           Ministers
           ,
           are
           more
           in
           the
           view
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           more
           obvious
           to
           Censure
           ,
           therefore
           they
           should
           be
           very
           regular
           in
           their
           Conversations
           ,
           and
           watchful
           to
           prevent
           reproach
           upon
           Religion
           .
        
         
         
           If
           a
           Divine
           Spirit
           once
           meet
           you
           in
           the
           use
           of
           these
           three
           means
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           that
           whereas
           you
           have
           formerly
           enjoyed
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           world
           without
           thankful
           thoughts
           of
           the
           bestower
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           rich
           mercy
           distinguishing
           you
           from
           others
           in
           a
           lower
           condition
           ;
           and
           without
           serious
           consideration
           that
           they
           are
           Talents
           committed
           to
           your
           trust
           ,
           to
           be
           improved
           for
           his
           honour
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           a
           strict
           account
           must
           be
           given
           ;
           you
           will
           ,
           by
           the
           observation
           of
           God's
           general
           and
           special
           Providence
           ,
           acknowledge
           him
           to
           be
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           your
           blessings
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           his
           condescending
           care
           of
           you
           in
           the
           use
           of
           due
           means
           ,
           and
           employ
           his
           benefits
           for
           his
           glory
           ;
           a
           sweet
           effect
           of
           observation
           !
        
         
           You
           that
           pray'd
           ,
           because
           by
           Parents
           you
           were
           instructed
           ,
           commanded
           ,
           and
           had
           their
           example
           to
           move
           you
           to
           it
           ,
           will
           find
           that
           now
           you
           pray
           in
           obedience
           to
           God's
           Command
           ,
           as
           the
           blessed
           mean
           of
           acquaintance
           and
           fellowship
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           you
           express
           your self
           with
           never
           so
           free
           and
           learned
           utterance
           ,
           you
           are
           uneasy
           ,
           unless
           the
           frame
           of
           your
           minds
           has
           been
           serious
           ,
           and
           your
           affections
           heavenly
           and
           spiritual
           ;
           and
           you
           have
           some
           hope
           that
           he
           is
           pleased
           with
           your
           performance
           ,
           and
           has
           evidenced
           his
           acceptance
           .
           There
           are
           not
           only
           many
           who
           are
           not
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           use
           means
           to
           come
           to
           such
           a
           comfortable
           knowledge
           ,
           but
           who
           will
           hardly
           observe
           whether
           ever
           they
           
           enjoyed
           the
           return
           of
           such
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           unless
           the
           return
           has
           come
           in
           soon
           after
           ,
           or
           in
           such
           a
           remarkable
           way
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           not
           but
           see
           it
           was
           a
           return
           to
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           which
           negligence
           God
           is
           sometimes
           pleased
           to
           defer
           a
           desired
           return
           ;
           but
           at
           last
           ,
           in
           compassion
           to
           his
           Children
           ,
           gives
           a
           remarkable
           Answer
           that
           deeply
           affects
           them
           ,
           and
           is
           for
           their
           great
           advantage
           .
        
         
           You
           that
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           because
           your
           Parents
           led
           you
           into
           the
           road
           of
           a
           Chapter
           morning
           or
           evening
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           historical
           part
           thereof
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           knowing
           in
           the
           Notion
           of
           it
           for
           Conversation
           ,
           now
           find
           that
           your
           use
           of
           it
           is
           a
           mean
           for
           the
           right
           knowledge
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           comprehension
           of
           his
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Directory
           to
           your
           life
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           help
           to
           your
           evidences
           ,
           in
           comparing
           your
           life
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           preservative
           from
           infectious
           Errors
           .
        
         
           You
           that
           heard
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           appear'd
           serious
           all
           the
           while
           for
           fear
           of
           Reproach
           ,
           or
           to
           obtain
           a
           good
           Name
           ,
           without
           any
           thoughtfulness
           of
           the
           matter
           discours'd
           ,
           unless
           to
           pass
           a
           judgment
           of
           the
           ingeniousness
           or
           dulness
           of
           the
           Preacher
           ,
           and
           to
           entertain
           Company
           with
           Reflections
           upon
           the
           matter
           or
           manner
           of
           his
           Preaching
           ,
           find
           now
           such
           an
           inward
           change
           ,
           that
           every
           Sermon
           is
           transmitted
           to
           your
           hearts
           thorough
           your
           ear
           ,
           producing
           a
           Reflection
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           a
           comparing
           it
           with
           your
           own
           experience
           .
           
           I
           think
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           pleasing
           than
           in
           hearing
           a
           Minister
           ,
           or
           in
           reading
           a
           Chapter
           ,
           to
           be
           able
           to
           seal
           the
           truth
           of
           either
           from
           our
           experience
           .
           Instead
           of
           examining
           the
           words
           of
           a
           Sermon
           as
           to
           the
           Rhetorick
           ,
           you
           now
           mind
           the
           matter
           it self
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           if
           learnedly
           manag'd
           ,
           as
           to
           consider
           whether
           you
           have
           experienced
           its
           Truths
           ,
           which
           will
           he
           a
           comfortable
           evidence
           to
           the
           Soul
           ;
           or
           if
           you
           have
           not
           felt
           its
           efficacy
           ,
           it
           will
           excite
           earnest
           Prayer
           to
           God
           that
           he
           would
           make
           the
           instruction
           powerful
           in
           you
           .
        
         
           O
           how
           reproving
           is
           this
           of
           the
           Prophane
           ,
           who
           slight
           the
           constant
           attending
           to
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           it
           being
           unknown
           to
           them
           when
           and
           how
           God
           may
           work
           by
           it
           upon
           their
           hearts
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           a
           Sermon
           may
           be
           the
           loss
           of
           an
           eternal
           Blessing
           .
        
         
           You
           that
           before
           converst
           about
           Religion
           in
           the
           Letter
           and
           Notion
           ,
           speak
           now
           your
           own
           experience
           ;
           You
           that
           aim'd
           at
           Reputation
           for
           your
           knowledge
           in
           Divine
           Things
           ,
           now
           design
           Honour
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Confirmation
           of
           the
           reality
           of
           revealed
           Religion
           ;
           You
           that
           aimed
           at
           worldly
           Interest
           ,
           now
           you
           aim
           at
           the
           enlarging
           of
           Christ's
           Kingdom
           ;
           where
           greatest
           S●nc●rity
           reigns
           ,
           Self
           applause
           is
           least
           valued
           ,
           and
           greatest
           privacy
           sought
           for
           ,
           unless
           where
           God
           may
           be
           publickly
           honour'd
           .
           The
           great
           and
           solemn
           judgment
           at
           the
           last
           day
           ,
           will
           pass
           
           sentence
           of
           Condemnation
           upon
           many
           ,
           whose
           character
           on
           earth
           was
           not
           disputed
           ,
           and
           were
           reputed
           holy
           ,
           and
           will
           acquit
           those
           whose
           fellowship
           on
           earth
           was
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           yet
           traduced
           as
           Hypocrites
           .
        
         
           You
           that
           before
           ript
           open
           the
           Faults
           of
           others
           ,
           either
           from
           a
           corrupt
           Principle
           of
           reproaching
           ,
           inherent
           in
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           some
           more
           than
           others
           ,
           or
           from
           a
           desire
           of
           raising
           your
           Reputation
           by
           the
           depressing
           others
           ,
           you
           'll
           compassionately
           bear
           with
           the
           infirmities
           of
           others
           ,
           knowing
           your
           own
           frailty
           .
        
         
           You
           ,
           who
           before
           affected
           only
           such
           Professors
           as
           were
           of
           your
           own
           Opinion
           ,
           will
           now
           extend
           your
           Charity
           to
           all
           who
           believe
           the
           great
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           live
           accordingly
           .
        
         
           Can
           the
           World
           imagine
           otherwise
           ,
           but
           that
           those
           who
           press
           hard
           after
           strictness
           of
           Conversation
           ,
           by
           avoiding
           all
           liberty
           that
           may
           be
           an
           occasion
           to
           Sin
           ,
           have
           not
           the
           same
           natural
           corrupted
           Inclinations
           and
           Principles
           as
           others
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           cleansed
           and
           changed
           by
           power
           from
           above
           .
           A
           rational
           Principle
           ,
           produces
           a
           rational
           Action
           .
           A
           sensitive
           Principle
           ,
           produces
           a
           sensitive
           Action
           .
           A
           corrupted
           Principle
           ,
           produces
           a
           corrupted
           Action
           .
           A
           gracious
           Principle
           ,
           produces
           a
           gracious
           Action
           ;
           according
           therefore
           to
           the
           dominion
           of
           the
           inward
           Principle
           ,
           
           so
           the
           outward
           Action
           is
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           the
           Inclination
           towards
           it
           .
           The
           Soul
           formerly
           under
           a
           Principle
           of
           Sin
           was
           enclin'd
           to
           sin
           ;
           and
           upon
           the
           occurrence
           of
           any
           Object
           to
           set
           this
           a
           moving
           ,
           the
           Soul
           was
           acted
           ;
           but
           now
           under
           the
           dominion
           of
           a
           Principle
           of
           Grace
           upon
           the
           occurrence
           of
           any
           good
           Object
           ,
           the
           gracious
           Inclination
           is
           active
           ,
           and
           with
           greater
           pleasure
           ,
           than
           under
           the
           power
           of
           the
           carnal
           Principle
           .
           Prophane
           persons
           ,
           and
           strangers
           to
           the
           life
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           utterly
           mistaken
           to
           think
           that
           the
           Actions
           of
           the
           spiritual
           life
           are
           not
           mixt
           with
           the
           sweetest
           and
           most
           satisfying
           delight
           .
           The
           outward
           Acts
           of
           Religion
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           not
           produced
           from
           a
           Principle
           of
           Life
           ,
           are
           without
           relish
           ,
           and
           toilsom
           to
           the
           carnal
           Nature
           ;
           but
           ●lowing
           from
           an
           inward
           and
           real
           Principle
           ,
           they
           are
           productive
           of
           the
           most
           solid
           and
           purest
           pleasure
           in
           the
           present
           exercise
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           joyful
           reflection
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           beginnings
           of
           heavenly
           fruition
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           thought
           ,
           that
           to
           represent
           this
           with
           the
           greatest
           illustration
           ,
           is
           of
           no
           force
           without
           a
           method
           proposed
           to
           bring
           it
           to
           men's
           Experience
           ;
           that
           Proverb
           reigning
           amongst
           prophane
           and
           meer
           Professors
           ,
           That
           
             seeing
             is
             believing
          
           ;
           let
           therefore
           feeling
           in
           the
           Soul
           be
           believing
           :
           The
           days
           have
           been
           ,
           when
           in
           all
           the
           outward
           parts
           of
           God's
           Worship
           I
           have
           made
           a
           specious
           show
           ,
           but
           from
           no
           other
           principle
           than
           that
           of
           Education
           ,
           being
           altogether
           
           ignorant
           of
           any
           inward
           Comfort
           in
           Duties
           ,
           and
           without
           longing
           after
           it
           ,
           imagining
           it
           to
           be
           more
           talkt
           of
           than
           really
           enjoy'd
           ;
           This
           cannot
           have
           been
           my
           case
           alone
           ,
           but
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           the
           case
           of
           many
           professing
           Christians
           who
           have
           had
           Religious
           Education
           ;
           and
           therefore
           my
           method
           has
           been
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           show
           the
           evidences
           of
           a
           Change
           ,
           but
           the
           steps
           of
           God's
           way
           thereto
           ,
           and
           the
           few
           easie
           means
           made
           use
           of
           by
           my self
           ,
           and
           successfully
           blessed
           by
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           :
           And
           if
           this
           be
           not
           the
           fruit
           of
           my
           labour
           ,
           to
           bring
           you
           to
           the
           use
           of
           these
           means
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           lay
           your self
           in
           the
           way
           of
           receiving
           Divine
           Influences
           ,
           my
           Experience
           will
           make
           but
           small
           impression
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           Lord
           accompany
           your
           sincere
           endeavour
           in
           these
           few
           means
           ,
           believe
           me
           ,
           the
           internal
           sweetness
           of
           inward
           Religion
           ,
           of
           fellowship
           with
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           of
           Reading
           the
           Scriptures
           with
           improvement
           ,
           of
           observing
           God's
           Dispensations
           ,
           with
           Reliance
           upon
           him
           for
           all
           things
           ,
           will
           so
           affect
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           need
           no
           other
           motive
           to
           persevere
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           abstain
           from
           all
           carnal
           Diversions
           that
           alienate
           the
           Heart
           from
           Communion
           with
           God.
           The
           preserving
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           in
           the
           Soul
           every
           day
           keeps
           us
           watchful
           ,
           lest
           Temptations
           should
           break
           in
           ,
           and
           Corruptions
           break
           out
           .
           This
           affords
           us
           a
           foretaste
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           an
           assurance
           of
           it
           ;
           who
           can
           doubt
           of
           the
           Hell
           that
           is
           reveal'd
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           who
           feels
           the
           tormenting
           fire
           of
           guilt
           ,
           and
           extends
           his
           Fears
           
           to
           Eternity
           ?
           These
           are
           the
           beginnings
           of
           Sorrow
           .
           Who
           can
           doubt
           of
           the
           Heaven
           reveal'd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           who
           has
           felt
           in
           his
           Soul
           a
           Joy
           unspeakable
           and
           glorious
           ,
           and
           differing
           from
           the
           Joy
           in
           Heaven
           only
           in
           the
           degree
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           Divine
           Fruition
           ?
        
         
           I
           do
           believe
           ,
           the
           Conceptions
           of
           prophane
           stupid
           Sinners
           ,
           concerning
           spiritual
           Comfort
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           concerning
           inward
           Agonies
           for
           Sin
           ,
           are
           as
           doubtful
           as
           they
           are
           of
           the
           reality
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           in
           the
           future
           State.
           Oh!
           Therefore
           let
           not
           Christians
           be
           discouraged
           by
           the
           Atheism
           ,
           the
           Infidelity
           ,
           and
           Wickedness
           of
           this
           Age
           ,
           but
           let
           them
           pray
           and
           labour
           to
           obtain
           a
           more
           full
           experimental
           sense
           of
           things
           reveal'd
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           a
           powerful
           preservative
           from
           the
           Errors
           and
           Vices
           of
           the
           infectious
           World
           ,
           and
           will
           make
           them
           admire
           Divine
           Grace
           that
           distinguishes
           them
           from
           others
           ,
           and
           will
           make
           them
           compassionate
           those
           who
           are
           careless
           of
           things
           that
           concern
           their
           precious
           and
           immortal
           Souls
           :
           And
           to
           preserve
           a
           spiritual
           frame
           in
           its
           liveliness
           and
           vigour
           ,
           let
           those
           be
           our
           chosen
           and
           intimate
           Friends
           in
           whom
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           shines
           ,
           who
           partake
           of
           a
           Divine
           Nature
           that
           declares
           it self
           in
           spiritual
           Communion
           ,
           where
           we
           may
           be
           confirm'd
           and
           comforted
           in
           the
           serious
           practice
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           and
           prepared
           for
           the
           Joy
           that
           flows
           from
           the
           Divine
           presence
           above
           ,
           to
           the
           blessed
           Celestial
           Society
           .
        
         
         
           Besides
           these
           three
           means
           ,
           of
           right
           Observation
           ,
           right
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           right
           Reading
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           there
           are
           other
           means
           of
           God's
           own
           appointment
           ;
           such
           as
           the
           Hearing
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           the
           Participation
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           ,
           and
           Communion
           with
           Saints
           ;
           but
           I
           have
           confin'd
           my self
           to
           these
           three
           upon
           the
           following
           Accounts
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           Observation
           was
           the
           means
           of
           my
           own
           sensible
           Conversion
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           two
           the
           special
           means
           of
           further
           growth
           in
           Grace
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           reason
           of
           the
           Christian's
           tendency
           to
           the
           right
           and
           continued
           performance
           of
           the
           other
           means
           ,
           when
           excited
           and
           allured
           by
           the
           Enjoyments
           that
           attend
           the
           right
           performance
           of
           those
           three
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           my
           invitation
           to
           the
           prophane
           and
           meer
           professing
           Christian
           may
           meet
           the
           sooner
           with
           successful
           acceptance
           ,
           the
           apprehension
           of
           the
           difficulty
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           burthen
           of
           real
           Christianity
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           inconsistent
           with
           natural
           pleasant
           enjoyments
           ,
           frights
           many
           from
           the
           acceptance
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           to
           it
           ;
           the
           falshood
           whereof
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           shew
           ,
           in
           that
           spiritual
           Religion
           allows
           a
           modest
           temperate
           use
           of
           sensitive
           Pleasures
           ;
           and
           Religion
           when
           seriously
           practised
           ,
           
           sweetens
           those
           Duties
           which
           to
           Carnalists
           are
           so
           uneasie
           ;
           for
           when
           the
           Soul
           is
           cleans'd
           from
           sinful
           Affections
           ,
           and
           chang'd
           into
           the
           Divine
           likeness
           ,
           the
           suitableness
           between
           the
           Duties
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           causes
           the
           purest
           pleasure
           :
           Since
           our
           Redeemer
           had
           reconciled
           God
           by
           his
           Meritorious
           Sufferings
           and
           Mediation
           ,
           and
           has
           obtain'd
           such
           precious
           privileges
           for
           all
           that
           will
           accept
           of
           him
           ,
           our
           present
           Pardon
           and
           future
           Glory
           ,
           Holiness
           and
           Happiness
           in
           perfection
           ;
           How
           can
           reasonable
           Creatures
           neglect
           the
           great
           Salvation
           so
           dearly
           bought
           ,
           and
           so
           freely
           offered
           to
           them
           in
           the
           use
           of
           so
           easie
           and
           few
           means
           ?
           Methinks
           we
           should
           hear
           convinc'd
           and
           alarm'd
           Sinners
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             What
             shall
             we
             do
             to
             be
             saved
             ?
          
           and
           apply
           themselves
           to
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           to
           obtain
           spiritual
           and
           eternal
           Life
           by
           him
           :
           The
           Pearl
           of
           Price
           is
           offered
           to
           all
           that
           sincerely
           accept
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           To
           press
           the
           Duties
           of
           Christianity
           upon
           a
           prophane
           and
           meer
           professing
           Christian
           ,
           is
           as
           if
           Food
           was
           offered
           to
           a
           Dead
           Body
           to
           receive
           and
           digest
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           carrying
           of
           heavy
           Burthens
           were
           recommended
           in
           exchange
           with
           an
           easie
           ,
           quiet
           ,
           and
           pleasant
           course
           of
           life
           .
           The
           prophane
           Creature
           is
           Dead
           in
           Sin
           ;
           though
           his
           Ear
           be
           open
           as
           the
           effect
           of
           natural
           Life
           ,
           yet
           his
           Soul
           is
           shut
           from
           the
           reception
           of
           spiritual
           Truths
           ,
           as
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           spiritual
           Death
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           to
           shut
           up
           all
           ,
           I
           'll
           give
           you
           my
           repeated
           Exhortation
           ,
           with
           some
           Reflections
           annexed
           to
           it
           ,
           respecting
           the
           foregoing
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           Be
           exhorted
           therefore
           ,
           O
           prophane
           ,
           meer
           professor
           and
           careless
           Christian
           ,
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           use
           of
           the
           three
           means
           mention'd
           ,
           and
           take
           an
           estimate
           of
           your
           performance
           ,
           from
           the
           extensiveness
           of
           your
           observing
           the
           passages
           of
           Providence
           ,
           from
           the
           spirituality
           of
           your
           Prayer
           ,
           solemn
           or
           ejaculatory
           ,
           from
           the
           strictness
           of
           your
           conformity
           to
           God's
           Word
           ,
           the
           Rule
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           obtain
           the
           first
           life
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           an
           experimental
           encrease
           of
           Holiness
           and
           Joy.
           
        
         
           The
           world
           is
           blinded
           and
           secure
           ,
           from
           Lusts
           that
           darken
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           from
           tempting
           objects
           in
           the
           world
           that
           divert
           from
           the
           serious
           thoughts
           of
           the
           righteous
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           terrible
           against
           Rebellious
           Sinners
           :
           Now
           the
           observing
           of
           visible
           Vengeance
           that
           often
           falls
           upon
           the
           wicked
           ,
           will
           strike
           men
           with
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           first
           motive
           to
           fly
           to
           his
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           Or
           men
           are
           blinded
           and
           secure
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           external
           profession
           and
           outward
           performance
           of
           Christian
           Duties
           ,
           and
           a
           notional
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           The
           remedy
           of
           this
           destructive
           delusion
           ,
           is
           the
           frequent
           
           and
           serious
           addressing
           to
           God
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           obtain
           a
           living
           principle
           of
           Holiness
           that
           will
           be
           permanent
           and
           powerful
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           There
           are
           real
           Christians
           ,
           who
           by
           neglect
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           decline
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           disparage
           their
           Profession
           ;
           Let
           such
           be
           excited
           to
           a
           constant
           and
           serious
           use
           of
           those
           means
           whereby
           Grace
           is
           convey'd
           into
           our
           Souls
           .
           If
           they
           will
           observe
           God
           in
           all
           his
           ways
           more
           strictly
           ,
           and
           pray
           more
           frequently
           and
           fervently
           ,
           and
           read
           and
           hear
           the
           Word
           with
           more
           application
           ,
           they
           will
           feel
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           reviving
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           will
           shew
           forth
           the
           beauty
           of
           Holiness
           in
           their
           Conversation
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           convincing
           of
           others
           ,
           that
           Religion
           is
           a
           Divine
           disposition
           productive
           of
           fruits
           suitable
           to
           it
           ;
           A
           holy
           habit
           of
           Soul
           may
           be
           preserv'd
           in
           the
           business
           and
           diversions
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           our
           constant
           converse
           with
           Heaven
           every
           day
           .
        
         
           You
           have
           two
           excellent
           motives
           to
           this
           Exhortation
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           it
           may
           be
           done
           without
           any
           hindrance
           to
           your
           business
           and
           lawful
           diversions
           :
           How
           easie
           is
           it
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           before
           you
           enter
           into
           worldly
           Affairs
           ,
           to
           read
           a
           Chapter
           with
           
           Pool's
           Annotations
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           your selves
           and
           all
           your
           concerns
           by
           Prayer
           to
           the
           conduct
           of
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           to
           direct
           and
           succeed
           your
           lawful
           Endeavours
           ?
           How
           easie
           is
           
           it
           thorough
           the
           day
           ,
           while
           in
           the
           midst
           and
           course
           of
           your
           lawful
           business
           ,
           to
           direct
           an
           ejaculatory
           desire
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           Let
           my
           endeavour
           be
           according
           to
           Duty
           on
           my
           part
           ,
           and
           accompanied
           with
           a
           discovery
           of
           Mercy
           in
           the
           Event
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           the
           many
           endeavours
           you
           are
           active
           in
           throughout
           a
           day
           ,
           so
           many
           Ejaculatory
           Petitions
           in
           a
           serious
           frame
           to
           be
           repeated
           ,
           which
           you
           'll
           observe
           to
           issue
           in
           great
           inward
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           great
           success
           to
           business
           ,
           as
           an
           occasion
           of
           turning
           your
           many
           and
           various
           Ejaculatory
           Petitions
           to
           one
           solemn
           Duty
           of
           Praise
           in
           the
           evening
           .
        
         
           How
           easy
           is
           it
           in
           an
           evening
           in
           your
           Shops
           or
           Closets
           to
           record
           ,
           that
           in
           such
           an
           endeavour
           you
           were
           kept
           serious
           with
           God
           in
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           you
           were
           blest
           accordingly
           !
           The
           remembrance
           whereof
           will
           make
           you
           ready
           in
           all
           your
           Affairs
           to
           pray
           for
           the
           Divine
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           God
           in
           doing
           your
           Duty
           ,
           and
           thankful
           for
           his
           succeeding
           your
           endeavours
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           ,
           That
           this
           constant
           looking
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ejaculatory
           or
           solemn
           ,
           with
           the
           use
           of
           means
           ,
           will
           enable
           us
           to
           perform
           the
           works
           of
           our
           ordinary
           Callings
           with
           less
           trouble
           to
           our
           Mind
           ,
           and
           toil
           to
           our
           Bodies
           :
           This
           will
           cure
           the
           anxiety
           of
           our
           Minds
           concerning
           the
           Event
           ,
           and
           consequently
           make
           us
           more
           moderate
           and
           orderly
           in
           the
           use
           of
           means
           .
           It
           is
           the
           anxious
           desire
           of
           obtaining
           an
           Event
           ,
           the
           great
           fear
           of
           losing
           it
           ,
           that
           sets
           peoples
           minds
           on
           the
           rack
           to
           contrive
           means
           ,
           and
           their
           Bodies
           on
           the
           hurry
           to
           
           use
           these
           means
           ,
           and
           how
           often
           does
           unsuccessfulness
           accompany
           both
           ?
           Whereas
           by
           Observation
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Governor
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           access
           to
           him
           for
           his
           favour
           in
           any
           thing
           is
           discovered
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           dutiful
           use
           of
           means
           is
           successful
           by
           his
           favour
           ,
           when
           the
           eager
           pursuit
           of
           a
           desir'd
           thing
           has
           been
           ineffectual
           .
           This
           has
           been
           verified
           to
           all
           by
           many
           Experiences
           ,
           and
           therefore
           shall
           add
           this
           Advice
           as
           the
           sum
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           
             To
             use
             means
             with
             the
             same
             diligence
             ,
             as
             if
             by
             them
             alone
             ,
             without
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             ,
             Events
             were
             to
             be
             obtain'd
             .
          
        
         
           
             To
             eye
             God
             with
             a
             reliance
             upon
             him
             for
             Events
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             if
             they
             were
             to
             be
             brought
             forth
             by
             him
             without
             the
             use
             of
             means
             .
          
        
         
           By
           which
           Rule
           I
           would
           reprove
           the
           Censures
           against
           God's
           Children
           ,
           who
           from
           their
           dutiful
           diligence
           in
           business
           ,
           without
           the
           intermixture
           of
           pleasure
           in
           fear
           of
           losing
           providential
           opportunities
           in
           it
           ,
           are
           reputed
           Covetous
           ;
           And
           advise
           others
           to
           judge
           themselves
           by
           their
           inward
           aims
           ,
           if
           conform
           to
           God's
           Will
           ;
           and
           whatever
           be
           the
           Censure
           of
           Men
           ,
           they
           thereby
           prevent
           the
           condemning
           sentence
           of
           Christ
           the
           Redeemer
           and
           Judge
           .
           It
           is
           neither
           the
           Character
           or
           Censure
           of
           any
           ,
           that
           ought
           to
           bound
           our
           Endeavours
           ,
           but
           the
           being
           in
           Duty
           or
           out
           of
           Duty
           ,
           and
           the
           regarding
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           all
           our
           ways
           .
        
         
           
           
             Reflections
             that
             must
             naturally
             follow
             the
             perusal
             of
             what
             is
             written
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             THAT
             the
             Author
             having
             felt
             such
             Experience
             of
             an
             inward
             change
             upon
             his
             Soul
             ,
             without
             any
             other
             hand
             of
             his
             own
             therein
             ,
             than
             the
             use
             of
             the
             means
             above
             recited
             ,
             Ought
             I
             not
             to
             believe
             there
             is
             a
             Knowledge
             above
             human
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             a
             power
             above
             natural
             Strength
             ?
             for
             otherwise
             he
             had
             continued
             in
             the
             same
             ignorance
             of
             God
             ,
             then
             appearing
             sufficient
             knowledge
             ,
             wherein
             he
             was
             involv'd
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             tho'
             enjoying
             the
             outward
             dispensation
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             but
             suitable
             to
             Christian
             Affection
             in
             him
             to
             endeavour
             that
             others
             may
             tread
             in
             the
             same
             steps
             with
             the
             same
             success
             ,
             especially
             finding
             some
             Ministers
             in
             their
             Sermons
             to
             run
             from
             plainness
             and
             experience
             ,
             to
             Rhetorick
             and
             Notion
             ,
             and
             finding
             the
             care
             of
             Christians
             more
             to
             run
             out
             upon
             arguing
             the
             Notions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             the
             confirming
             Divine
             Truths
             ,
             and
             the
             establishing
             the
             Minds
             of
             others
             by
             the
             Seals
             of
             their
             own
             Experience
             :
             If
             experimental
             Religion
             was
             more
             Taught
             in
             Sermons
             ,
             and
             Discourst
             of
             amongst
             Christians
             ,
             the
             performance
             of
             Holy
             Duties
             wherein
             it
             's
             obtain'd
             ,
             would
             not
             be
             thought
             a
             meer
             fancy
             ,
             and
             the
             light
             and
             beauty
             of
             Grace
             would
             more
             shine
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
           
             A
             Third
             Meditation
             ensuing
             upon
             the
             second
             ,
             may
             be
             ,
             Whether
             you
             have
             not
             some
             longings
             after
             the
             same
             establishing
             Experiences
             ?
             If
             you
             have
             ,
             these
             longings
             may
             be
             kindled
             by
             the
             consideration
             of
             their
             being
             attainable
             .
             I
             was
             once
             so
             carnal
             as
             only
             to
             look
             to
             things
             seen
             ,
             and
             thought
             the
             Reliance
             upon
             an
             unseen
             Superiour
             power
             to
             be
             a
             vain
             imagination
             ;
             but
             God
             in
             his
             excellent
             Mercy
             has
             convinc'd
             me
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             of
             his
             governing
             Providence
             ,
             that
             disposes
             of
             Events
             for
             the
             good
             of
             those
             who
             wait
             upon
             him
             ;
             and
             the
             same
             goodness
             will
             be
             extended
             to
             all
             that
             sincerely
             seek
             his
             face
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             regard
             the
             Word
             as
             our
             Rule
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             as
             our
             Guide
             ,
             to
             direct
             us
             by
             that
             Rule
             ,
             and
             the
             Dispensations
             of
             Providence
             correspondent
             to
             that
             Rule
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             be
             preserv'd
             from
             the
             Atheistical
             neglect
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             fancies
             and
             phrensies
             of
             those
             who
             pretend
             to
             Inspiration
             from
             above
             ,
             and
             from
             doing
             those
             things
             which
             are
             directly
             and
             scandalously
             contrary
             to
             the
             reveal'd
             Will
             of
             God.
             O
             that
             Christians
             would
             earnestly
             pray
             for
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             by
             his
             directing-light
             they
             may
             understand
             the
             Scriptures
             ;
             and
             by
             his
             warm
             impressing
             them
             on
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             they
             may
             feel
             their
             cleansing
             and
             comforting
             power
             ;
             but
             truly
             ,
             Christians
             in
             our
             day
             are
             not
             much
             concerned
             to
             mind
             and
             try
             the
             work
             of
             God
             in
             their
             own
             Souls
             ,
             nor
             seek
             after
             knowledge
             of
             him
             by
             his
             Operations
             in
             others
             .
             The
             Observations
             of
             our selves
             ,
             and
             the
             Communion
             of
             Saints
             ,
             are
             rare
             
             Duties
             :
             We
             live
             at
             a
             distance
             from
             our selves
             ;
             and
             in
             converse
             with
             others
             ,
             the
             subject
             of
             our
             discourse
             is
             the
             present
             World
             ,
             or
             Notional
             Religion
             ,
             which
             occasions
             Dissention
             and
             Faction
             ;
             whereas
             the
             mutual
             communicating
             of
             Christians
             to
             one
             another
             what
             God
             has
             done
             for
             their
             Souls
             ,
             and
             how
             variously
             according
             to
             their
             wants
             ,
             their
             desires
             ,
             their
             sorrows
             and
             fears
             ,
             he
             has
             attempered
             his
             Dispensations
             ,
             would
             be
             an
             excellent
             means
             to
             raise
             their
             admiration
             of
             his
             condescending
             and
             compassionate
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             establish
             their
             joyful
             trust
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             If
             you
             have
             any
             longing
             ,
             and
             find
             it
             attainable
             ,
             can
             you
             have
             easier
             means
             ?
             Inward
             Religion
             affords
             no
             Lesson
             for
             emaciating
             your
             Bodies
             with
             outward
             Fastings
             ,
             but
             commands
             a
             rational
             and
             moderate
             support
             of
             our
             Bodies
             ,
             sitting
             them
             the
             more
             for
             serving
             God.
             We
             are
             not
             enjoyn'd
             to
             be
             Pilgrims
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             wearisom
             Journies
             as
             a
             Penance
             for
             Sin
             ;
             Christian
             Society
             and
             Communion
             will
             make
             us
             more
             watchful
             against
             Sin.
             The
             Gospel
             does
             not
             enjoyn
             severity
             and
             niceties
             in
             outward
             Conversation
             ,
             which
             rather
             discourages
             than
             invites
             those
             who
             are
             without
             ;
             but
             allows
             a
             civil
             sweetness
             to
             all
             ;
             but
             there
             are
             Seasons
             of
             Retirement
             and
             Recollection
             from
             the
             business
             and
             pleasures
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             a
             Christian
             ought
             to
             improve
             for
             more
             immediate
             Fellowship
             with
             God.
             There
             are
             chosen
             hours
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Soul
             ascends
             to
             God
             by
             solemn
             
             Thoughts
             and
             ardent
             Desires
             ,
             and
             God
             descends
             into
             the
             soul
             by
             the
             Excitations
             of
             his
             Graces
             ,
             and
             the
             Influences
             of
             Joy
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             most
             unreasonable
             to
             think
             Religion
             to
             be
             sowre
             and
             unpleasant
             ,
             because
             wise
             and
             holy
             Christians
             prefer
             God
             before
             the
             Creature
             ,
             and
             Heaven
             before
             the
             Earth
             .
             Begin
             therefore
             ,
             and
             go
             on
             in
             the
             right
             way
             ,
             with
             steady
             Resolutions
             not
             to
             stand
             still
             ,
             or
             draw
             back
             ,
             and
             you
             will
             have
             renewed
             Strength
             and
             Comfort
             afforded
             ,
             you
             will
             be
             advancing
             every
             day
             in
             your
             Journey
             ,
             till
             you
             arrive
             at
             the
             Celestial
             Canaan
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Reflect
             not
             only
             upon
             the
             easiness
             of
             your
             means
             ,
             but
             also
             upon
             the
             certainty
             and
             comfort
             of
             obtaining
             your
             end
             of
             Holiness
             here
             ,
             and
             Happiness
             hereafter
             by
             them
             .
             How
             are
             you
             able
             to
             spend
             your
             spirits
             upon
             Notions
             that
             have
             no
             other
             foundation
             than
             depraved
             Reason
             ,
             and
             little
             other
             design
             than
             Self-Applause
             ,
             and
             the
             Character
             of
             Learned
             ,
             or
             Leader
             of
             such
             a
             Party
             ?
             Let
             it
             be
             the
             great
             Work
             of
             Ministers
             to
             preach
             those
             Truths
             whereby
             we
             may
             have
             Communion
             with
             the
             Lord
             crucified
             here
             ,
             and
             with
             him
             glorified
             hereafter
             ;
             and
             thereby
             the
             Souls
             of
             the
             people
             will
             be
             confirmed
             in
             the
             blessed
             hope
             .
          
           
             God
             has
             given
             an
             account
             of
             his
             Truths
             to
             be
             believed
             and
             obeyed
             ,
             yea
             ,
             to
             be
             try'd
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             strict
             and
             particular
             the
             Enquiry
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             certain
             of
             our
             Profession
             here
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Priviledge
             hereafter
             .
             It
             is
             superficial
             knowledge
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             occasions
             uncertainty
             in
             our selves
             ;
             but
             an
             inward
             serious
             sense
             of
             its
             
             Power
             ,
             will
             fortify
             us
             against
             all
             the
             fiery
             Darts
             of
             Satan
             .
          
           
             Be
             at
             certainty
             therefore
             of
             your
             Persuasion
             here
             ;
             and
             as
             to
             your
             Inheritance
             hereafter
             ,
             I
             shall
             add
             this
             ,
             Who
             that
             sincerely
             and
             with
             perseverance
             pray'd
             for
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Truth
             ,
             that
             read
             and
             heard
             the
             Word
             with
             attention
             and
             application
             ,
             yet
             has
             remained
             in
             darkness
             and
             distracting
             doubts
             about
             eternal
             things
             ,
             God
             will
             make
             good
             his
             Promise
             ,
             Those
             that
             seek
             him
             shall
             praise
             him
             for
             the
             Revelation
             of
             his
             Goodness
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             Let
             this
             be
             the
             Reflection
             of
             the
             Reader
             of
             these
             Papers
             ;
             What
             Excuse
             at
             Christ's
             Tribunal
             can
             I
             make
             ,
             either
             for
             the
             ignorance
             of
             my
             mind
             as
             to
             the
             Truth
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             the
             looseness
             of
             Conversation
             from
             God's
             Divine
             Rule
             ,
             after
             reading
             the
             great
             things
             in
             the
             Change
             of
             this
             Author's
             Soul
             ;
             the
             few
             and
             easy
             means
             that
             led
             him
             to
             it
             ?
             Can
             you
             think
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             but
             as
             it
             witnesses
             for
             God
             on
             earth
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             witness
             against
             you
             above
             ,
             and
             aggravate
             your
             Sin
             and
             Punishment
             ?
             Light
             came
             into
             the
             world
             ;
             others
             comprehended
             it
             ,
             walk'd
             in
             it
             ;
             the
             Light
             that
             truly
             might
             obtain
             the
             Inheritance
             of
             the
             Saints
             in
             light
             ;
             but
             you
             chose
             rather
             to
             walk
             in
             darkness
             .
             If
             you
             now
             think
             it
             not
             worth
             your
             while
             to
             endeavour
             the
             means
             of
             obtaining
             such
             a
             Pearl
             of
             Price
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             knowledge
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             its
             Practice
             on
             earth
             ,
             and
             perfect
             Holiness
             and
             Happiness
             above
             ,
             the
             reward
             of
             it
             ,
             you
             may
             walk
             on
             under
             a
             Cloud
             of
             Delusion
             ,
             but
             
             you
             will
             find
             ,
             that
             inward
             Darkness
             will
             bring
             you
             to
             outer
             Darkness
             ,
             in
             an
             everlasting
             Hell.
             
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             Let
             therefore
             your
             Meditations
             issue
             here
             ;
             I
             will
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             God
             begin
             the
             use
             of
             these
             Three
             Means
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Prescription
             of
             this
             Witness
             for
             God
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             try
             whether
             I
             find
             the
             same
             Experiences
             ,
             or
             others
             as
             marvellous
             ,
             or
             more
             suited
             to
             my
             Case
             ,
             it
             being
             possible
             for
             me
             to
             use
             these
             three
             means
             ,
             when
             hearing
             the
             Word
             ,
             taking
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             and
             communion
             with
             Saints
             are
             deni'd
             me
             ,
             yea
             ,
             easy
             and
             pleasant
             ,
             to
             admix
             them
             in
             all
             my
             business
             and
             pleasures
             .
          
        
         
           
             To
             encourage
             which
             Resolution
             ,
             I
             shall
             subjoin
             the
             following
             Directory
             as
             a
             means
             of
             keeping
             up
             constant
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             your selves
             ;
             and
             as
             a
             Bulwark
             against
             the
             Prophanity
             and
             Error
             of
             the
             Age.
             
          
           
             LET
             me
             previously
             bring
             to
             your
             thoughts
             what
             has
             been
             already
             treated
             of
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             three
             Methods
             of
             God's
             conducting
             his
             Children
             thorough
             this
             lower
             life
             ,
             The
             conduct
             of
             his
             revealed
             Will
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             Of
             his
             divine
             Providence
             without
             ,
             And
             of
             his
             divine
             Spirit
             by
             his
             workings
             in
             the
             Soul
             ;
             answerable
             to
             which
             three
             Methods
             of
             condescending
             power
             and
             love
             ,
             three
             Duties
             have
             been
             proposed
             as
             means
             to
             be
             interested
             in
             this
             threefold
             divine
             blessing
             ;
             Observation
             of
             outward
             Providences
             ,
             as
             a
             help
             to
             know
             and
             to
             believe
             in
             his
             general
             and
             special
             Providence
             round
             the
             created
             and
             adopted
             sons
             of
             God
             ;
             
             serious
             Prayer
             as
             a
             help
             to
             know
             ,
             to
             experience
             the
             certainty
             of
             the
             spiritual
             operations
             of
             a
             divine
             spirit
             in
             the
             soul
             ;
             Reading
             the
             Scripture
             with
             
             Pool's
             Annotations
             ,
             a
             help
             to
             know
             notionally
             God's
             Will
             ,
             and
             experimentally
             to
             know
             it
             as
             Truth
             made
             out
             in
             his
             way
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             inward
             workings
             in
             the
             soul
             .
             As
             necessary
             therefore
             to
             guide
             you
             to
             the
             right
             and
             continued
             use
             of
             these
             three
             easy
             Duties
             interesting
             the
             soul
             in
             these
             three
             marvellous
             blessings
             for
             which
             the
             Godhead
             will
             be
             admir'd
             ,
             lov'd
             and
             prais'd
             in
             our
             eternal
             state
             ,
             I
             give
             you
             my
             own
             course
             thorough
             a
             day
             as
             what
             has
             kept
             my self
             in
             constant
             heavenliness
             of
             frame
             ,
             and
             afforded
             me
             the
             astonishing
             enjoyments
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             so
             great
             ease
             to
             lawful
             business
             and
             diversions
             .
             Your
             knowing
             my
             hurrying
             affairs
             ,
             and
             the
             enjoyments
             of
             Grace
             I
             have
             experiene'd
             and
             given
             forth
             now
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             would
             be
             sufficiently
             convincing
             how
             easy
             and
             how
             comfortable
             (
             no
             ways
             detracting
             from
             diligence
             in
             business
             ,
             or
             lawful
             recreations
             )
             this
             blessed
             life
             of
             Religion
             is
             ;
             and
             since
             I
             am
             not
             to
             be
             known
             ,
             I
             desire
             to
             impart
             the
             way
             I
             walk
             in
             for
             your
             imitation
             ,
             and
             soon
             you
             'll
             be
             convinc'd
             of
             the
             reality
             and
             sweetness
             of
             inward
             Christianity
             ,
             however
             the
             meer
             profession
             thereof
             expose
             it
             to
             the
             Censure
             of
             others
             as
             burden
             ,
             melancholy
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             .
          
           
             The
             Day
             is
             to
             be
             divided
             in
             three
             parts
             ;
             the
             Morning
             ,
             the
             Course
             of
             the
             Day
             ,
             and
             the
             Evening
             :
             The
             Evening
             I
             appropriate
             principally
             to
             the
             exercise
             of
             that
             Noble
             Faculty
             of
             
             the
             Soul
             ,
             Even-Reflection
             ;
             the
             two
             former
             parts
             principally
             to
             Apprehension
             and
             Observation
             .
          
           
             First
             therefore
             ,
             After
             awaking
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             time
             of
             dressing
             ,
             observe
             the
             frame
             of
             your
             Souls
             ,
             whether
             serious
             ,
             or
             not
             ;
             whether
             it
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             bent
             of
             your
             mind
             to
             think
             upon
             God
             and
             your
             Duties
             to
             him
             ,
             or
             whether
             there
             wants
             a
             force
             upon
             your
             soul
             thereto
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             After
             dressing
             ,
             begin
             your
             Morning
             Duties
             with
             reading
             a
             Psalm
             or
             a
             Chapter
             ,
             by
             
             Pool's
             Annotations
             ;
             observe
             the
             Words
             and
             Sentences
             thereof
             ,
             that
             impress
             your
             minds
             most
             ,
             with
             serious
             advertency
             to
             them
             ;
             observe
             the
             thoughts
             that
             thence
             arise
             at
             the
             time
             ;
             if
             tending
             to
             explain
             what
             formerly
             you
             were
             ignorant
             of
             ;
             if
             tending
             to
             establish
             you
             in
             what
             formerly
             you
             had
             the
             knowledge
             of
             ;
             if
             tending
             to
             make
             you
             resolve
             you
             'll
             conform
             to
             it
             ;
             or
             if
             tending
             to
             comfort
             you
             ,
             as
             having
             walk'd
             conform
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             thereby
             discovering
             your self
             in
             the
             reading
             such
             a
             Portion
             of
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Enter
             upon
             private
             Prayer
             with
             a
             serious
             Acknowledgment
             of
             God's
             Favour
             in
             conducting
             you
             through
             the
             Night
             ;
             and
             with
             a
             sincere
             Supplication
             to
             him
             for
             his
             conduct
             thro'
             the
             Day
             ,
             by
             his
             special
             Providence
             and
             Spirit
             ;
             that
             from
             the
             evidence
             of
             both
             thorough
             the
             Day
             ,
             you
             may
             discover
             his
             special
             Favour
             to
             your
             souls
             as
             a
             comfortable
             evening
             Cordial
             ;
             and
             that
             by
             his
             supplies
             of
             Grace
             throughout
             the
             day
             ,
             you
             may
             be
             enabled
             to
             bring
             forth
             the
             blessed
             Improvement
             of
             both
             ,
             by
             the
             exercise
             of
             Trust
             in
             ,
             and
             Love
             to
             the
             Godhead
             ,
             for
             life
             and
             salvation
             .
             
             Observe
             your
             frame
             of
             soul
             throughout
             this
             Prayer
             ;
             observe
             if
             it
             continue
             in
             the
             same
             degree
             of
             seriousness
             throughout
             the
             whole
             ,
             or
             vary
             according
             to
             the
             various
             Petitions
             put
             up
             :
             Observe
             and
             record
             the
             different
             Frames
             and
             different
             Petitions
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Go
             forth
             thus
             prepared
             ,
             to
             your
             lawful
             Business
             and
             Conversation
             .
          
           
             In
             your
             Business
             through
             the
             day
             ,
             observe
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             that
             seem
             to
             bring
             Undertakings
             to
             your
             hand
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Observe
             your
             own
             Endeavour
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             .
             And
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             Event
             of
             each
             Undertaking
             .
          
           
             In
             your
             Conversation
             through
             the
             day
             ,
             observe
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Occasions
             of
             your
             Entrance
             into
             it
             ,
             whether
             Idleness
             ,
             Lust
             within
             ,
             Necessity
             ,
             or
             Recreation
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Frame
             of
             your
             Mind
             while
             in
             it
             ,
             whether
             on
             your
             watch
             against
             the
             evils
             thereof
             .
          
           
             And
             3.
             
             The
             Issue
             of
             it
             ,
             whether
             freedom
             from
             ,
             or
             commission
             of
             Sins
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             in
             the
             evening
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             Reflection
             according
             to
             the
             Observation
             and
             Record
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             is
             the
             Duty
             preceding
             your
             last
             Closet
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             recommended
             to
             your
             practice
             .
          
           
             Perform
             it
             in
             the
             following
             Parts
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Reflect
             upon
             the
             frame
             of
             your
             Souls
             that
             you
             observ'd
             in
             the
             morning
             ,
             whether
             by
             the
             Duties
             of
             Reading
             and
             Prayer
             ,
             it
             was
             not
             brought
             to
             a
             seriousness
             ,
             if
             observ'd
             to
             be
             unserious
             ;
             or
             to
             a
             greater
             seriousness
             than
             the
             degree
             of
             seriousness
             at
             first
             observ'd
             ,
             yea
             perhaps
             to
             great
             Heavenliness
             .
          
           
           
             The
             improvement
             whereof
             must
             needs
             be
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             good
             to
             draw
             near
             to
             God
             in
             the
             Duties
             he
             has
             prescrib'd
             ,
             and
             a
             fix'd
             resolution
             to
             walk
             therein
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             daily
             continuance
             may
             bring
             in
             daily
             additions
             of
             the
             Enjoyments
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             preserve
             the
             Christian
             in
             daily
             heavenliness
             of
             Soul
             ,
             as
             Bulwark
             against
             all
             the
             Temptations
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             with
             Honour
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             great
             inward
             Peace
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Reflect
             upon
             the
             passages
             of
             Providence
             round
             you
             through
             the
             day
             ;
             and
             ,
          
           
             First
             of
             all
             ,
             compare
             them
             to
             the
             parts
             of
             the
             Scripture
             you
             read
             in
             the
             morning
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Thoughts
             that
             then
             most
             imprest
             your
             Minds
             ,
             to
             see
             whether
             or
             not
             these
             passages
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             afford
             you
             some
             discovery
             of
             the
             reality
             of
             that
             part
             of
             the
             Scripture
             thus
             observ'd
             ,
             establishing
             your
             Faith
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             improvement
             whereof
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             resolution
             to
             go
             on
             in
             the
             same
             Duty
             of
             reading
             the
             Scripture
             in
             the
             morning
             before
             the
             entring
             upon
             the
             business
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             there
             will
             arise
             to
             your
             sensible
             Experience
             ,
             greater
             knowledge
             of
             God's
             Word
             than
             ever
             yet
             has
             been
             observ'd
             by
             you
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             outward
             Instruction
             ;
             yea
             ,
             such
             establishment
             to
             its
             truth
             and
             reality
             ,
             as
             could
             not
             be
             brought
             forth
             by
             the
             strongest
             arguings
             of
             the
             most
             Learn'd
             ,
             and
             into
             which
             the
             strongest
             Dart
             of
             Erroneous
             Sophistry
             can
             never
             pierce
             ;
             enabling
             your
             Soul
             not
             only
             to
             see
             the
             Reality
             ,
             but
             even
             Harmony
             of
             God's
             Word
             to
             his
             Providence
             and
             Spirit
             .
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Compare
             the
             Providences
             of
             the
             Day
             ,
             to
             your
             Morning-Duty
             of
             Closet-Prayer
             ,
             to
             the
             Petitions
             therein
             put
             up
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             frame
             of
             Soul
             you
             were
             then
             under
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             discover
             what
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             seem
             to
             be
             afforded
             you
             in
             return
             to
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             what
             Frame
             your
             Soul
             was
             in
             ,
             and
             what
             was
             your
             Utterance
             in
             that
             Prayer
             ,
             or
             part
             thereof
             ,
             that
             was
             return'd
             .
          
           
             The
             improvement
             whereof
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             Certainty
             of
             Access
             to
             God
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             a
             Desire
             to
             be
             always
             in
             that
             Frame
             wherein
             you
             was
             ,
             when
             you
             pray'd
             that
             Prayer
             that
             is
             so
             visibly
             return'd
             .
             It
             will
             help
             you
             to
             see
             a
             difference
             between
             one
             kind
             of
             Prayer
             and
             another
             ;
             between
             a
             Prayer
             with
             our
             own
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ;
             between
             a
             Prayer
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             enabling
             to
             ask
             sincerely
             ,
             and
             a
             Prayer
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             giving
             the
             Soul
             the
             comfortable
             sense
             of
             it
             as
             such
             ;
             and
             discovering
             the
             Reality
             of
             a
             Divine
             Strength
             above
             our selves
             ,
             both
             bringing
             the
             Providences
             of
             the
             day
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             bringing
             forth
             the
             improvement
             thereof
             in
             us
             ,
             by
             a
             gradual
             advancement
             of
             relyance
             upon
             ,
             and
             love
             to
             the
             free
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             Christ
             ,
             by
             whose
             satisfaction
             this
             once-seal'd
             Fountain
             is
             open'd
             ,
             and
             by
             whose
             Spirit
             its
             Waters
             of
             Spiritual
             Life
             continually
             flow
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Duties
             apply'd
             to
             us
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Reflect
             upon
             your
             own
             way
             of
             managing
             Business
             and
             Conversation
             with
             others
             ;
             that
             so
             you
             may
             not
             only
             discover
             a
             special
             Providence
             round
             you
             ,
             but
             the
             actings
             of
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             within
             you
             ;
             and
             that
             by
             comparing
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             Your
             Frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             to
             the
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             laying
             Undertakings
             in
             your
             way
             ,
             through
             the
             day
             ;
             reflecting
             whether
             God
             was
             observed
             in
             bringing
             them
             about
             ,
             as
             a
             discovery
             of
             
             Divine
             Strength
             in
             you
             ,
             carrying
             your
             observation
             beyond
             the
             enjoyment
             ,
             even
             to
             God
             himself
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             By
             comparing
             your
             Frame
             of
             Soul
             ,
             to
             your
             method
             of
             using
             Means
             ,
             and
             managing
             Endeavours
             thus
             providentially
             laid
             in
             your
             way
             ;
             not
             only
             whether
             God
             was
             regarded
             therein
             ,
             laying
             Providences
             in
             your
             way
             ,
             or
             helping
             you
             to
             observe
             him
             ;
             but
             whether
             your
             concern
             run
             out
             chiefly
             upon
             doing
             Duty
             ,
             neither
             designing
             ill
             ends
             ,
             nor
             endeavouring
             to
             bring
             about
             any
             purpose
             in
             the
             use
             of
             ill
             means
             ,
             but
             regarding
             Duty
             to
             him
             in
             all
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Compare
             your
             Frame
             of
             Soul
             to
             the
             Events
             of
             such
             Undertakings
             thus
             providentially
             laid
             in
             your
             way
             ,
             and
             thus
             faithfully
             managed
             by
             you
             ;
             if
             they
             are
             according
             to
             expectation
             ,
             or
             better
             than
             expectation
             :
             Reflect
             whether
             exercise
             of
             the
             Grace
             of
             Love
             and
             Faith
             were
             not
             and
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             brought
             forth
             by
             such
             a
             Discovery
             ,
             and
             a
             fix'd
             resolution
             to
             keep
             on
             in
             the
             same
             lawful
             use
             of
             means
             ,
             with
             a
             trust
             to
             Divine
             Supply
             for
             Events
             ;
             as
             full
             evidence
             of
             the
             working
             of
             Christ's
             Spirit
             in
             your
             Soul
             ,
             and
             of
             your
             being
             under
             his
             Spiritual
             Conduct
             .
          
           
             In
             Conversation
             with
             others
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Reflect
             upon
             your
             Entrance
             to
             it
             ;
             whether
             its
             occasions
             were
             Necessity
             and
             innocent
             Recreation
             ;
             with
             a
             previous
             Address
             for
             Divine
             Conduct
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Reflect
             upon
             your
             Carriage
             in
             it
             ,
             thus
             prepared
             ;
             the
             Temptations
             you
             met
             with
             therein
             ,
             and
             the
             Strength
             you
             had
             to
             resist
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             answer
             to
             your
             Ejaculatory
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Reflect
             upon
             the
             Issue
             ;
             whether
             it
             was
             freedom
             from
             being
             overcome
             by
             its
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             return
             to
             ejaculated
             Thoughts
             for
             Divine
             Strength
             to
             preserve
             you
             ,
             before
             entrance
             in
             it
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             time
             you
             were
             engaged
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             Improvement
             of
             which
             Reflections
             must
             
             needs
             be
             ,
             A
             Resolution
             to
             enter
             no
             Society
             ,
             but
             when
             under
             the
             constraint
             of
             lawful
             Business
             ,
             or
             Recreation
             ;
             and
             even
             then
             ,
             with
             an
             eye
             to
             God
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Ejaculatory
             Prayer
             ,
             either
             aforehand
             ,
             or
             while
             in
             Conversation
             ,
             for
             Strength
             to
             resist
             Temptations
             that
             may
             either
             endanger
             occasions
             to
             sin
             ,
             or
             of
             losing
             a
             spiritual
             Frame
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Reflect
             upon
             the
             Failures
             of
             the
             Day
             ,
             and
             what
             you
             have
             let
             pass
             unobserv'd
             ;
             what
             Failures
             in
             your
             Business
             and
             Conversation
             have
             appear'd
             :
             If
             the
             eye
             of
             God
             has
             been
             as
             much
             regarded
             as
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             World
             :
             If
             the
             opportunity
             of
             Secresy
             has
             not
             clouded
             your
             fear
             of
             God
             :
             If
             you
             have
             kept
             your
             Tongues
             with
             a
             Christian
             Bridle
             ,
             from
             Lying
             in
             telling
             Stories
             to
             divert
             Companions
             ,
             or
             as
             Excuses
             for
             Faults
             :
             From
             Self-commendation
             ,
             with
             an
             inward
             design
             to
             disparage
             others
             :
             From
             censuring
             others
             ,
             especially
             Christians
             ,
             and
             picking
             out
             somewhat
             in
             their
             life
             to
             make
             a
             discourse
             of
             to
             disparage
             their
             Profession
             ,
             rather
             than
             endeavour
             their
             amendment
             by
             acquainting
             themselves
             therewith
             .
             And
             whatever
             in
             your
             Reflection
             you
             find
             has
             been
             amiss
             herein
             ,
             let
             particular
             acknowledgment
             be
             made
             ,
             that
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             you
             may
             thereby
             escape
             the
             punishment
             of
             your
             particular
             Sins
             ,
             and
             vow
             ,
             not
             to
             repeat
             it
             ,
             and
             tho
             repeated
             by
             you
             ,
             forbear
             not
             your
             Resolutions
             and
             Endeavours
             against
             it
             ;
             your
             unwilling
             breaches
             reflected
             upon
             ,
             will
             bring
             you
             soon
             out
             of
             your selves
             to
             a
             Redeemer
             ,
             and
             to
             cry
             for
             his
             Spirit
             to
             apply
             strength
             to
             your
             Souls
             to
             resist
             .
          
           
             In
             reflection
             upon
             the
             passages
             of
             Providence
             through
             the
             day
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             strength
             conveyed
             by
             a
             Divine
             Spirit
             to
             your
             Souls
             ,
             evident
             not
             only
             by
             your
             spiritual
             Frame
             in
             the
             Duties
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Improvement
             of
             its
             Providences
             ,
             by
             eying
             God
             in
             bringing
             them
             about
             ,
             by
             regarding
             his
             Will
             
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             and
             trusting
             to
             him
             for
             Events
             ,
             with
             a
             constant
             watch
             to
             ejaculatory
             Prayer
             against
             the
             Temptations
             of
             Company
             ;
             In
             reflection
             thereupon
             arises
             a
             fair
             and
             comfortable
             discovery
             of
             your
             being
             under
             three
             blessed
             Conducts
             ,
             of
             God's
             Word
             ,
             Providence
             ,
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             is
             laid
             before
             you
             as
             your
             last
             Evening-duty
             ,
             (
             e're
             your
             head
             lies
             down
             upon
             your
             Pillow
             )
             a
             private
             Prayer
             ,
             blessing
             God
             for
             the
             discovery
             of
             his
             Love
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             Providence
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             blessing
             him
             particularly
             for
             each
             particular
             step
             therein
             ,
             and
             begging
             his
             further
             grace
             to
             be
             upheld
             in
             those
             means
             wherein
             he
             is
             pleased
             to
             discover
             so
             much
             of
             himself
             in
             strength
             and
             comfort
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             above
             what
             is
             attainable
             by
             other
             helps
             or
             comforts
             in
             this
             life
             .
             Give
             therefore
             your selves
             up
             to
             God
             for
             conduct
             thorough
             the
             night
             ,
             that
             if
             your
             eyes
             should
             never
             open
             more
             upon
             this
             earth
             ,
             your
             Redeemer
             may
             find
             you
             laid
             at
             his
             Footstool
             as
             the
             last
             performance
             of
             your
             life
             ,
             and
             may
             raise
             you
             up
             to
             that
             glorious
             dignity
             of
             being
             embraced
             into
             
             Abraham's
             bosom
             ;
             a
             blessed
             issue
             to
             such
             comfortable
             endeavours
             !
             And
             however
             tedious
             this
             Directory
             may
             seem
             in
             its
             reading
             ,
             yet
             I
             dare
             witness
             to
             this
             truth
             ,
             that
             the
             person
             in
             the
             greatest
             hurries
             of
             outward
             Affairs
             ,
             has
             time
             enough
             for
             this
             easy
             work
             ,
             it
             being
             easily
             to
             be
             intermixt
             in
             the
             throng
             of
             Affairs
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             Affairs
             are
             laid
             in
             your
             way
             ,
             the
             greater
             opportunity
             you
             have
             to
             observe
             God's
             Providence
             and
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             that
             built
             upon
             his
             blessed
             Word
             ,
             as
             a
             Mean
             of
             keeping
             up
             the
             sense
             of
             God's
             Love
             in
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             the
             sense
             of
             your
             love
             to
             him
             ;
             that
             so
             Communion
             with
             God
             may
             be
             your
             Life
             on
             earth
             ,
             which
             will
             make
             you
             live
             comfortably
             ,
             and
             dye
             triumphantly
             .
          
           
             I
             can
             do
             no
             more
             but
             lay
             the
             way
             before
             you
             ;
             and
             the
             Lord
             himself
             give
             you
             strength
             to
             chuse
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             in
             it
             .
          
        
      
       
         FINIS
         .