Two discourses; viz. A discourse of truth. By the late Reverend Dr. Rust, Lord Bishop of Dromore in the Kingdom of Ireland. The way of happiness and salvation. By Joseph Glanvil, chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty
         Rust, George, d. 1670.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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         99830144
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             Two discourses; viz. A discourse of truth. By the late Reverend Dr. Rust, Lord Bishop of Dromore in the Kingdom of Ireland. The way of happiness and salvation. By Joseph Glanvil, chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty
             Rust, George, d. 1670.
             Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680. Way of happiness and salvation rescued from vulgar errours.
          
           [18], 34, [12], 26, 35-138, p. 399, [1] p. : ill (metalcut)
           
             printed for James Collins, in the Temple-passage from Essex-Street,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             With an engraved frontispiece.
             "A discourse of truth." by Dr. Rust has a separate dated title page on pg. [5].
             "The way of happiness and salvation.." by Joseph Glanvil has a separate dated title page on pg. [1] (second sequence); text and register are continuous despite pagination; includes imprimatur page and final page of advertisment; published separately as Wing (2nd ed.) Q836.
             Reproduction of the original at the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Faith -- Early works to 1800.
           Salvation -- Early works to 1800.
           Theology -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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               Iohn
               .
               14.
               6.
               
            
             Jesus
             saith
             vnto
             him
             ,
             I
             am
             the
             way
             ,
             and
             the
             truth
             ,
             and
             the
             Life
             ,
             &c
          
        
         
         
           TWO
           DISCOURSES
           ;
           VIZ.
           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           TRUTH
           .
           By
           the
           late
           Reverend
           Dr.
           RVST
           ,
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Dromore
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Ireland
           .
        
         
           The
           Way
           of
           HAPPINESS
           And
           SALVATION
           .
           By
           
             Joseph
             Glanvil
          
           ,
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             James
             Collins
          
           ,
           in
           the
           
           Temple-passage
           from
           Essex-Street
           .
           1677.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
             
               A
               DISCOURSE
               OF
               TRUTH
               .
               By
               the
               late
               Reverend
               Dr.
               RVST
               ,
               Lord
               Bishop
               of
               Dromore
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Ireland
               .
               Together
               with
               a
               LETTER
               ,
               giving
               an
               Account
               of
               the
               Author
               and
               the
               Book
               :
               Written
               by
               
                 JOS.
                 GLANVIL
              
               ,
               Chaplain
               in
               Ordinary
               to
               His
               Majesty
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               for
               
                 James
                 Collins
              
               ,
               in
               the
               New
               
               Temple-passage
               from
               Essex-street
               ,
               1677.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               A
               LETTER
               Concerning
               the
               Subject
               and
               the
               Author
               .
            
             
               SIR
               ,
            
             
               I
               Have
               now
               perused
               ,
               and
               returned
               the
               Manuscript
               you
               sent
               me
               ;
               it
               had
               contracted
               many
               and
               great
               Errours
               in
               the
               Transcription
               ,
               which
               I
               have
               corrected
               :
               I
               was
               enabled
               to
               do
               it
               by
               a
               written
               Copy
               of
               the
               same
               Discourse
               which
               I
               have
               had
               divers
               years
               in
               my
               Hands
               .
               The
               Subject
               is
               of
               great
               and
               weighty
               
               importance
               ,
               and
               the
               Acknowledgment
               of
               the
               Truths
               here
               asserted
               and
               made
               good
               ,
               will
               lay
               a
               Foundation
               for
               right
               conceptions
               in
               the
               Doctrines
               that
               concern
               the
               Decrees
               of
               God
               ,
               For
               the
               first
               Errour
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               ground
               of
               the
               rest
               ,
               is
               ,
               That
               things
               are
               good
               and
               just
               ,
               because
               God
               Wills
               them
               so
               to
               be
               ;
               and
               if
               that
               be
               granted
               ,
               we
               are
               disabled
               from
               using
               the
               arguments
               taken
               from
               natural
               Notions
               ,
               and
               the
               Attributes
               and
               Perfections
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               against
               the
               Blackest
               and
               most
               Blasphemous
               Opinions
               that
               ever
               were
               entertained
               concerning
               Gods
               proceedings
               with
               the
               Sons
               of
               Men.
               If
               there
               be
               no
               settled
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               Immutable
               and
               Independent
               on
               any
               Will
               or
               understanding
               ,
               then
               God
               may
               have
               made
               
               his
               reasonable
               Creatures
               on
               purpose
               to
               damn
               them
               for
               ever
               .
               He
               may
               have
               absolutely
               decreed
               that
               they
               should
               sin
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               damn
               them
               justly
               ;
               He
               may
               most
               solemnly
               and
               earnestly
               prohibit
               Sin
               by
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               declare
               great
               displeasure
               against
               it
               ;
               and
               yet
               by
               his
               ineluctable
               Decrees
               Force
               men
               to
               all
               the
               sin
               that
               is
               committed
               in
               the
               World
               :
               He
               may
               vehemently
               protest
               his
               unfeigned
               desire
               of
               their
               Life
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               same
               time
               ,
               secretly
               resolve
               their
               Eternal
               Destruction
               ;
               He
               may
               make
               it
               his
               Glory
               and
               Pleasure
               to
               triumph
               eternally
               in
               the
               torments
               of
               poor
               Worms
               ,
               which
               himself
               hath
               by
               his
               unalterable
               and
               irresistible
               Will
               made
               miserable
               ;
               yea
               (
               as
               the
               discourse
               instanceth
               )
               he
               may
               after
               his
               Decrees
               
               concerning
               the
               Salvation
               of
               the
               Elect
               ,
               after
               the
               death
               of
               his
               Son
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               mission
               of
               his
               Spirit
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               after
               all
               the
               promises
               he
               hath
               made
               to
               assure
               them
               ;
               thrust
               them
               also
               at
               last
               into
               the
               dreadful
               Regions
               of
               Death
               and
               Woe
               ;
               I
               say
               if
               there
               be
               no
               immutable
               respects
               in
               things
               ,
               but
               Just
               and
               Vnjust
               ,
               Honourable
               and
               Dishonourable
               ,
               Good
               and
               Cruel
               ,
               Faithful
               and
               Deceitful
               ,
               are
               respects
               made
               by
               meer
               arbitrarious
               will
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               in
               vain
               to
               dispute
               from
               Them
               against
               any
               such
               dismal
               Opinions
               :
               yea
               it
               will
               be
               great
               folly
               to
               argue
               for
               the
               Simplicity
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               against
               the
               vile
               conceits
               of
               the
               old
               Anthropomorphites
               ,
               and
               the
               Blasphemies
               of
               the
               present
               Muggletonians
               ,
               of
               God's
               having
               
               a
               Corporal
               shape
               ,
               Parts
               and
               Members
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               no
               necessary
               Independent
               Connexion
               ,
               Immensity
               ,
               Spirituality
               and
               Perfection
               ;
               but
               this
               being
               establish'd
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               immutable
               respects
               in
               things
               ,
               and
               that
               such
               and
               such
               are
               Perfections
               ,
               and
               their
               contrary
               Defects
               and
               imperfections
               ,
               hence
               it
               will
               follow
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               the
               forementioned
               Doctrines
               can
               be
               true
               concerning
               God
               ,
               who
               
                 cannot
                 lye
              
               ,
               cannot
               
                 deny
                 himself
                 :
                 viz.
              
               He
               being
               Absolute
               and
               Infinite
               Perfection
               ,
               cannot
               act
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               Evil
               or
               imperfect
               ;
               But
               all
               the
               expressions
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               that
               at
               first
               sight
               look
               towards
               such
               a
               sense
               ,
               must
               be
               interpreted
               by
               the
               general
               Analogy
               and
               course
               of
               them
               ,
               which
               declares
               his
               Infinite
               ,
               Immutable
               
               Excellencies
               ;
               and
               these
               Notions
               of
               himself
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               written
               on
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men.
               
            
             
               So
               that
               the
               Subject
               of
               this
               little
               Discourse
               ,
               is
               of
               vast
               Moment
               ,
               and
               the
               truth
               asserted
               in
               it
               ,
               is
               ,
               I
               think
               confirmed
               with
               an
               irresistable
               Strength
               and
               force
               of
               Reasoning
               ;
               and
               not
               to
               be
               convinced
               by
               it
               ,
               will
               argue
               either
               great
               weakness
               of
               Vnderstanding
               ,
               in
               not
               perceiving
               consequences
               that
               are
               so
               close
               and
               plain
               ,
               or
               great
               obstinacy
               of
               Will
               ,
               in
               being
               shut
               up
               by
               prejudices
               ,
               and
               preconceiv'd
               Opinions
               against
               Light
               that
               is
               so
               clear
               and
               manifest
               .
            
             
               The
               Author
               was
               a
               Person
               with
               whom
               I
               had
               the
               Honour
               and
               Happiness
               of
               a
               very
               particular
               acquaintance
               ;
               a
               man
               he
               was
               of
               a
               clear
               Mind
               ,
               a
               deep
               Judgment
               
               and
               searching
               Wit
               :
               greatly
               learned
               in
               all
               the
               best
               sorts
               of
               Knowledge
               ,
               old
               and
               new
               ,
               a
               thoughtful
               and
               diligent
               Enquirer
               ,
               of
               a
               free
               Vnderstanding
               ,
               and
               vast
               Capacity
               ,
               join'd
               with
               singular
               Modesty
               ,
               and
               unusual
               Sweetness
               of
               Temper
               ,
               which
               made
               him
               the
               Darling
               of
               all
               that
               knew
               him
               :
               He
               was
               a
               Person
               of
               great
               Piety
               and
               Generosity
               ;
               a
               hearty
               Lover
               of
               God
               and
               Men
               :
               An
               excellent
               Preacher
               ,
               a
               wise
               Governour
               ,
               a
               profound
               Philosopher
               ,
               a
               quick
               ,
               forcible
               ,
               and
               close
               Reasoner
               ,
               and
               above
               all
               ,
               a
               true
               and
               exemplary
               Christian.
               In
               short
               ,
               he
               was
               one
               who
               had
               all
               the
               Qualifications
               of
               a
               Primitive
               Bishop
               ,
               and
               of
               an
               extraordinary
               Man-This
               I
               say
               not
               out
               of
               kindness
               to
               my
               Friend
               ,
               but
               out
               of
               Justice
               
               to
               a
               Person
               of
               whom
               no
               Commendation
               can
               be
               extravagant
               .
               He
               was
               bred
               in
               Cambridge
               ,
               and
               Fellow
               of
               Christ's
               Colledge
               ,
               where
               he
               lived
               in
               great
               Esteem
               and
               Reputation
               for
               his
               eminent
               Learning
               and
               Vertues
               ;
               he
               was
               one
               of
               the
               first
               that
               overcame
               the
               prejudices
               of
               the
               Education
               of
               the
               late
               unhappy
               Times
               ,
               in
               that
               Vniversity
               ,
               and
               was
               very
               Instrumental
               to
               enlarge
               others
               .
               He
               had
               too
               great
               a
               Soul
               for
               the
               trifles
               of
               that
               Age
               ,
               and
               saw
               early
               the
               nakedness
               of
               Phrases
               and
               Phancyes
               ;
               He
               out-grew
               the
               pretended
               Orthodoxy
               of
               those
               days
               ,
               and
               addicted
               himself
               to
               the
               Primitive
               Learning
               and
               Theology
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               even
               then
               became
               a
               great
               Master
               .
            
             
               After
               the
               return
               of
               the
               Government
               ,
               
               the
               excellent
               Bishop
               Taylor
               ,
               foreseeing
               the
               vacancy
               in
               the
               Deanery
               of
               Connor
               ,
               sent
               to
               Cambridge
               for
               some
               Learned
               and
               Ingenious
               Man
               ,
               who
               might
               be
               fit
               for
               that
               Dignity
               :
               The
               motion
               was
               made
               to
               Dr.
               Rust
               ,
               which
               corresponding
               with
               the
               great
               Inclination
               he
               had
               to
               be
               conversant
               with
               that
               incomparable
               Person
               :
               He
               gladly
               accepted
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               hastn'd
               into
               Ireland
               ,
               where
               he
               landed
               at
               Dublin
               about
               
                 August
                 1661.
              
               
               He
               was
               received
               with
               much
               Respect
               and
               Kindness
               by
               that
               great
               and
               good
               Bishop
               ,
               who
               knew
               how
               to
               value
               such
               Jewels
               ;
               and
               preferr'd
               to
               the
               Deanery
               as
               soon
               as
               it
               was
               void
               ,
               which
               was
               shortly
               after
               .
               He
               continued
               in
               that
               Preferment
               during
               the
               Bishops
               Life
               ,
               always
               dearly
               lov'd
               ,
               
               and
               even
               admir'd
               by
               him
               .
            
             
               At
               his
               Death
               (
               that
               sad
               stroke
               to
               all
               the
               Lovers
               of
               Religion
               and
               Learning
               )
               he
               was
               chosen
               for
               the
               last
               solemn
               Office
               to
               his
               deceased
               Father
               and
               Friend
               ;
               and
               he
               preach't
               such
               a
               Funeral
               Sermon
               as
               became
               that
               extraordinary
               Person
               and
               himself
               .
               It
               hath
               been
               since
               published
               ,
               and
               I
               suppose
               you
               may
               have
               seen
               it
               ,
               upon
               the
               lamented
               Death
               of
               Bishop
               Taylor
               ,
               which
               hapned
               
                 August
                 13
                 th
                 1677.
              
               
               The
               Bishopricks
               were
               divided
               :
               Dr.
               Boyle
               Dean
               of
               Cork
               ,
               was
               nominated
               Bishop
               of
               Downe
               and
               Connor
               ;
               and
               Dr.
               Rust
               Dean
               of
               Connor
               Bishop
               of
               Dromore
               ;
               he
               lived
               in
               the
               Deanery
               about
               six
               years
               ,
               in
               the
               Bishoprick
               but
               three
               ;
               for
               in
               
                 December
                 1670
              
               he
               dyed
               of
               a
               Fever
               (
               in
               the
               
               prime
               of
               his
               years
               )
               to
               the
               unspeakable
               grief
               of
               all
               that
               knew
               his
               Worth
               ,
               and
               especially
               of
               such
               of
               them
               as
               had
               been
               blest
               by
               his
               Friendship
               ,
               and
               most
               sweet
               and
               indearing
               Conversation
               :
               He
               was
               buried
               in
               the
               Quire
               of
               his
               own
               Cathedral
               Church
               of
               Dromore
               ,
               in
               a
               Vault
               made
               for
               his
               Predecessour
               Bishop
               Taylor
               ,
               whose
               sacred
               Dust
               is
               deposited
               also
               there
               :
               and
               what
               Dormitory
               hath
               two
               such
               Tenants
               ?
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               best
               account
               I
               can
               give
               you
               of
               the
               Work
               and
               the
               Author
               :
               and
               by
               it
               you
               may
               perceive
               his
               Memory
               deserves
               to
               live
               ,
               and
               this
               Product
               of
               him
               :
               but
               there
               is
               so
               much
               reverence
               due
               to
               the
               Manes
               of
               so
               venerable
               a
               Person
               ,
               that
               nothing
               should
               be
               hastily
               published
               under
               his
               honour'd
               name
               :
               I
               know
               ,
               
               had
               he
               designed
               this
               Exercitation
               for
               the
               Publick
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               made
               it
               much
               more
               compleat
               and
               exact
               than
               we
               now
               have
               it
               :
               But
               as
               it
               is
               ,
               the
               Discourse
               is
               weighty
               ,
               and
               substantial
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               of
               great
               use
               .
               As
               it
               goes
               about
               now
               in
               written
               Copiesit
               is
               ,
               (
               I
               perceive
               )
               exceedingly
               depraved
               ,
               and
               in
               danger
               of
               being
               still
               worse
               abused
               ;
               the
               Publication
               would
               preserve
               it
               from
               further
               corruptions
               .
               However
               I
               dare
               not
               advise
               any
               thing
               in
               it
               ,
               but
               this
               ,
               that
               you
               take
               the
               judgment
               of
               that
               Reverend
               Doctor
               you
               mention
               (
               the
               deceased
               Authors
               Friend
               and
               mine
               ,
               )
               and
               act
               according
               as
               he
               shall
               direct
               .
               I
               am
               ,
            
             
               Your
               real
               Friend
               
                 Jos.
                 Glanvil
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               A
               DISCOURSE
               OF
               TRUTH
               .
            
             
               TRUTH
               is
               of
               aequivocal
               signification
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               be
               defined
               before
               it
               be
               distinguish't
               .
               It
               is
               two
               fold
               ;
               Truth
               in
               things
               ,
               which
               you
               may
               call
               Truth
               in
               the
               Object
               :
               and
               Truth
               in
               the
               Vnderstanding
               ,
               which
               is
               Truth
               in
               the
               Subject
               .
               By
               the
               first
               I
               mean
               nothing
               else
               but
               that
               Things
               necessarily
               are
               what
               they
               are
               :
               By
               the
               second
               that
               there
               are
               mutual
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               Things
               one
               unto
               another
               .
               
               Now
               that
               Things
               are
               what
               they
               are
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               are
               mutual
               Respects
               and
               Relations
               Eternal
               ,
               and
               Immutable
               ,
               and
               in
               order
               of
               Nature
               antecedent
               to
               any
               Understanding
               either
               created
               or
               uncreated
               ,
               is
               a
               thing
               very
               plain
               and
               evident
               ;
               for
               it
               's
               clearer
               than
               the
               Meridian
               Light
               ,
               that
               such
               Propositions
               as
               these
               ,
               
                 Homo
                 est
                 animal
                 rationale
                 ,
                 Triangulum
                 est
                 quod
                 habet
                 tres
                 angulos
                 ,
              
               are
               not
               arbitrarious
               dependancies
               upon
               the
               Will
               ,
               Decree
               ,
               or
               Understanding
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               are
               Necessary
               and
               Eternal
               Truths
               ;
               and
               wherein
               't
               is
               as
               impossible
               to
               divide
               the
               Subject
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               spoken
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               for
               a
               thing
               not
               to
               be
               what
               it
               is
               ,
               which
               is
               no
               less
               than
               a
               Contradiction
               ;
               and
               as
               indispensible
               are
               the
               mutual
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               both
               in
               Speculatives
               and
               Morals
               .
            
             
               For
               can
               it
               be
               imagin'd
               that
               every
               .
               Argument
               can
               be
               made
               a
               proportioned
               Medium
               to
               prove
               every
               Conclusion
               ,
               that
               Any
               thing
               may
               be
               a
               suitable
               means
               to
               Any
               end
               ?
               that
               any
               
               object
               may
               be
               conformable
               to
               any
               Faculty
               ?
               Can
               Omnipotence
               it self
               make
               these
               Propositions
               that
               twice
               two
               are
               four
               ,
               or
               that
               Parallels
               cannot
               intersect
               ,
               clear
               and
               convincing
               Arguments
               to
               prove
               these
               grand
               Truths
               ,
               
                 That
                 Christ
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 dye
                 for
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 now
                 exalted
                 as
                 a
                 Prince
                 and
                 a
                 Saviour
                 at
                 the
                 Right
                 Hand
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               Is
               it
               possible
               that
               there
               should
               be
               such
               a
               kind
               of
               Geometry
               ,
               wherein
               any
               problems
               should
               be
               demonstrated
               by
               any
               Principles
               ;
               
                 quidlibet
                 ex
                 quodlibet
              
               ;
               as
               that
               a
               Quadrangle
               is
               that
               which
               is
               comprehended
               of
               four
               right
               Lines
               :
               Therefore
               the
               three
               Angles
               of
               a
               Triangle
               are
               equal
               to
               two
               right
               ones
               ?
            
             
               Can
               the
               infinite
               Wisdom
               it self
               make
               the
               damning
               of
               all
               the
               Innocent
               &
               the
               unspotted
               Angels
               in
               Heaven
               a
               proportionate
               means
               to
               declare
               and
               manifest
               the
               unmeasureableness
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               Love
               ,
               and
               goodness
               towards
               them
               ?
               Can
               Lying
               ,
               Swearing
               ,
               Envy
               ,
               Malice
               ,
               nay
               hatred
               of
               God
               
               and
               goodness
               it self
               ,
               be
               made
               the
               most
               acceptable
               Service
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               readiest
               way
               to
               a
               mans
               Happiness
               ?
               And
               yet
               all
               these
               must
               be
               true
               ,
               and
               infinitely
               more
               such
               contradictions
               than
               we
               can
               possibly
               imagine
               ,
               if
               the
               mutual
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               be
               not
               Eternal
               and
               Indispenfible
               :
               which
               that
               they
               are
               ,
               I
               shall
               endeavour
               to
               prove
               ;
               and
               in
               order
               to
               it
            
             
               First
               ,
               we
               must
               premise
               that
               Divine
               Vnderstanding
               cannot
               be
               the
               Fountain
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               things
               ;
               nor
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               references
               of
               one
               to
               another
               .
               For
               it
               is
               against
               the
               Nature
               of
               all
               Understanding
               ,
               to
               make
               its
               Objects
               ;
               it
               is
               the
               nature
               of
               Understanding
               ,
               
                 ut
                 moveatur
                 ,
                 illuminetur
                 ,
                 formetur
                 :
              
               &c.
               
               Of
               its
               Object
               ,
               
                 ut
                 moveat
                 ,
                 illuminet
                 ,
                 formet
                 :
                 Intellectus
                 in
                 actu
                 primo
              
               hath
               its
               self
               unto
               its
               object
               ,
               as
               the
               Eye
               unto
               the
               Sun
               ;
               it
               is
               irradiated
               ,
               inlightned
               and
               actuated
               by
               it
               :
               And
               
                 Intellectus
                 in
                 actu
                 secundo
              
               ,
               hath
               its
               self
               unto
               its
               objects
               ,
               as
               the
               Image
               to
               that
               it
               represents
               ;
               and
               the
               perfection
               
               of
               Understanding
               consists
               in
               being
               actuated
               by
               ,
               and
               in
               an
               adaequate
               Conformity
               to
               its
               object
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               all
               Idea's
               ,
               Images
               or
               Representations
               of
               things
               .
               The
               Sum
               is
               this
               ,
               No
               Idea's
               or
               Representations
               are
               the
               things
               they
               represent
               ;
               all
               Understanding
               is
               such
               ;
               therefore
               no
               Understanding
               doth
               make
               the
               Natures
               ,
               Respects
               and
               Relations
               of
               its
               Objects
               .
            
             
               It
               remains
               then
               ,
               that
               absolute
               ,
               arbitrarious
               and
               independent
               Will
               must
               be
               the
               Fountain
               of
               all
               Truth
               ;
               and
               must
               determine
               the
               References
               and
               Dependencies
               of
               things
               :
               which
               assertion
               would
               in
               the
               First
               place
               destroy
               the
               Nature
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               rob
               him
               of
               all
               his
               Attributes
               .
               For
               then
               it
               's
               impossible
               that
               there
               should
               be
               such
               a
               thing
               as
               Divine
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               which
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               an
               apprehension
               of
               common
               notions
               ,
               and
               the
               natures
               and
               mutual
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               .
               For
               if
               the
               Nature
               of
               God
               be
               such
               ,
               that
               his
               
               arbitrarious
               imagination
               that
               such
               and
               such
               things
               have
               such
               and
               such
               natures
               and
               Dependencies
               ,
               doth
               make
               those
               things
               to
               have
               those
               Natures
               or
               Dependencies
               ,
               he
               may
               as
               easily
               Unimagine
               that
               Imagination
               ;
               and
               then
               they
               that
               before
               had
               a
               mutual
               Harmony
               ,
               Sympathy
               and
               Agreement
               with
               one
               another
               ,
               shall
               now
               stand
               at
               as
               great
               a
               distance
               and
               opposition
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               Divine
               Understanding
               will
               be
               a
               mere
               Protaean
               Chymaera
               ,
               a
               Casual
               Conflux
               of
               intellectual
               Atomes
               :
               Contradictions
               are
               true
               ,
               if
               God
               understands
               them
               so
               ,
               and
               then
               the
               foundation
               of
               all
               Knowledge
               is
               taken
               away
               ,
               and
               God
               may
               as
               truly
               be
               said
               to
               know
               nothing
               as
               every
               thing
               ;
               nay
               ,
               any
               Angel
               or
               Man
               may
               as
               truly
               be
               said
               to
               know
               all
               things
               ,
               as
               God
               himself
               ;
               for
               then
               every
               thing
               will
               be
               alike
               certain
               ,
               and
               every
               apprehension
               equally
               conformable
               to
               Truth
               .
               These
               are
               infallible
               consequences
               ,
               and
               a
               thousand
               more
               as
               absurd
               as
               these
               ,
               if
               contradictory
               Propositions
               
               may
               be
               both
               true
               :
               and
               whether
               they
               be
               so
               or
               no
               ,
               it
               's
               a
               meer
               casual
               Dependance
               upon
               the
               Arbitrarious
               pleasure
               of
               God
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               not
               a
               necessary
               immutability
               and
               eternal
               opposition
               betwixt
               the
               being
               and
               the
               not
               being
               of
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               at
               the
               same
               time
               and
               in
               the
               same
               respect
               .
               Likewise
               all
               those
               Truths
               we
               call
               
                 Common
                 Notions
              
               ,
               (
               the
               Systeme
               and
               Comprehensions
               of
               which
               ,
               is
               the
               very
               Essence
               of
               Divine
               Wisdom
               ;
               as
               the
               conclusions
               issuing
               from
               them
               ,
               not
               by
               any
               operose
               deduction
               ,
               but
               a
               clear
               intuitive
               light
               ,
               are
               the
               very
               Nature
               of
               Divine
               Knowledge
               ,
               if
               we
               distinguish
               those
               two
               Attributes
               in
               God
               )
               I
               say
               ,
               all
               these
               propositions
               of
               immediate
               and
               indemonstrable
               Truth
               ,
               if
               these
               be
               only
               so
               ,
               because
               so
               understood
               by
               God
               ,
               and
               so
               understood
               by
               God
               because
               he
               pleased
               so
               to
               have
               them
               ,
               and
               not
               because
               there
               is
               an
               indispensible
               relation
               of
               Harmony
               and
               Proportion
               betwixt
               the
               Terms
               themselves
               ;
               then
               it
               is
               a
               
               thing
               meerly
               casual
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               pleasure
               of
               God
               to
               change
               his
               former
               apprehensions
               ,
               and
               Idea's
               of
               those
               Truths
               ,
               &
               to
               make
               their
               contradictories
               as
               Evident
               ,
               Radical
               and
               Fundamental
               as
               themselves
               but
               even
               now
               were
               ;
               and
               so
               Divine
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               will
               be
               a
               various
               ,
               fickle
               and
               mutable
               thing
               ,
               a
               meer
               tumult
               &
               confusion
               :
               all
               these
               consequences
               infallibly
               flow
               from
               this
               certain
               Principle
               ,
               that
               upon
               a
               changeable
               and
               uncertain
               Cause
               ,
               Effects
               must
               needs
               have
               a
               changeable
               and
               uncertain
               Dependance
               .
               And
               there
               is
               nothing
               imaginable
               in
               it self
               more
               changeable
               and
               uncertain
               than
               Will
               not
               regulated
               by
               the
               dictates
               of
               Reason
               and
               Understanding
               .
            
             
               If
               any
               deny
               these
               Consequences
               and
               Deductions
               ,
               because
               they
               suppose
               that
               God
               is
               mutable
               and
               changeable
               ;
               I
               answer
               ,
               by
               bringing
               this
               as
               another
               absurdity
               ,
               that
               if
               there
               be
               no
               indispensable
               and
               eternal
               respects
               of
               things
               ,
               it
               will
               rob
               God
               of
               his
               
               Immutability
               ,
               and
               unchangeableness
               :
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               necessary
               dependence
               betwixt
               Vnchangeableness
               and
               Perfection
               ,
               what
               should
               hinder
               ,
               but
               that
               if
               God
               please
               to
               
                 think
                 it
                 so
              
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               his
               perfection
               to
               be
               changeable
               ;
               and
               if
               Will
               ,
               as
               such
               ,
               be
               the
               only
               principle
               of
               his
               Actions
               ,
               it
               is
               infallibly
               his
               Perfection
               to
               be
               so
               .
               For
               't
               is
               the
               perfection
               of
               every
               Being
               to
               act
               according
               to
               the
               principle
               of
               its
               Nature
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               the
               nature
               of
               an
               arbitrarious
               Principle
               to
               act
               or
               not
               ,
               to
               do
               or
               undo
               upon
               no
               account
               but
               its
               own
               will
               and
               pleasure
               ;
               to
               be
               determined
               ,
               and
               tied
               up
               ,
               either
               by
               it self
               ,
               or
               from
               abroad
               ,
               is
               violent
               and
               contranatural
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               from
               this
               Principle
               ,
               that
               absolute
               and
               soveraign
               Will
               is
               the
               Spring
               and
               Fountain
               of
               all
               Gods
               Actions
               ,
               It
               was
               rightly
               inferr'd
               by
               a
               late
               Pamphliteer
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               one
               day
               damn
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               Good
               and
               Bad
               ,
               Believers
               and
               Unbelievers
               ,
               notwithstanding
               all
               his
               Promises
               ,
               Pretensions
               
               or
               Engagements
               to
               the
               contrary
               ;
               because
               this
               damning
               all
               mankind
               in
               despight
               of
               his
               Faithfulness
               ,
               Justice
               ,
               Mercy
               and
               Goodness
               will
               be
               the
               greatest
               advancement
               of
               his
               
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 Will
              
               and
               Prerogative
               imaginable
               .
               His
               words
               are
               ,
               
                 God
                 hath
                 stored
                 up
                 Destruction
                 both
                 for
                 the
                 Perfect
                 and
                 the
                 Wicked
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 does
                 wonderfully
                 set
                 forth
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 ;
                 his
                 exercising
                 whereof
                 is
                 so
                 perfect
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 tied
                 himself
                 up
                 fast
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 by
                 never
                 so
                 many
                 promises
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 should
                 still
                 have
                 its
                 scope
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 :
              
               here
               you
               have
               this
               principle
               improved
               to
               the
               height
               .
               And
               however
               you
               may
               look
               upon
               this
               Author
               as
               some
               new
               Light
               ,
               or
               
                 Ignis
                 fatuus
              
               of
               the
               times
               ,
               yet
               I
               assure
               you
               in
               some
               pieces
               by
               him
               set
               forth
               ,
               he
               is
               very
               sober
               and
               rational
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               to
               deny
               the
               mutual
               respects
               and
               
                 rationes
                 rerum
              
               to
               be
               immutable
               and
               indispensible
               ,
               
               will
               spoil
               God
               of
               that
               
                 universal
                 rectitude
              
               which
               is
               the
               greatest
               Perfection
               of
               his
               Nature
               :
               for
               then
               Justice
               ,
               Faithfulness
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               Godness
               &c.
               will
               be
               but
               contingent
               and
               arbitrarious
               Issues
               of
               the
               Divine
               Will.
               This
               is
               a
               clear
               and
               undeniable
               Consequence
               ,
               for
               if
               you
               say
               these
               be
               indispensible
               perfections
               in
               God
               ,
               for
               instance
               ,
               if
               Justice
               be
               so
               ,
               then
               there
               is
               an
               eternal
               relation
               of
               Right
               and
               Equity
               betwixt
               every
               Being
               and
               the
               giving
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               its
               propriety
               ;
               if
               Faithfulness
               ,
               then
               there
               is
               an
               indispensible
               agreement
               betwixt
               a
               promise
               ,
               and
               the
               performance
               of
               it
               ;
               if
               Mercy
               ,
               then
               there
               is
               an
               immutable
               and
               unalterable
               suitableness
               and
               harmony
               between
               an
               indigent
               Creature
               ,
               and
               pity
               and
               commiseration
               ;
               if
               Goodness
               ,
               then
               there
               is
               an
               everlasting
               Proportion
               and
               Symmetry
               between
               fulness
               and
               its
               overflowing
               and
               dispreading
               of
               it self
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               thing
               denyed
               :
               for
               to
               say
               they
               are
               indispensibly
               so
               ,
               because
               God
               understands
               them
               so
               ,
               
               seems
               to
               me
               extream
               incogitancy
               ;
               for
               that
               is
               against
               the
               nature
               of
               all
               understanding
               ,
               which
               is
               but
               the
               Idea
               and
               Representation
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               is
               then
               a
               true
               and
               perfect
               Image
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               exactly
               conformed
               to
               its
               object
               :
               and
               therefore
               ,
               if
               things
               have
               not
               mutual
               respects
               and
               Relations
               eternal
               and
               indispensible
               ,
               then
               all
               those
               perfections
               do
               solely
               and
               purely
               depend
               upon
               absolute
               and
               independent
               Will
               ,
               as
               Will
               ;
               And
               consequently
               ,
               it
               was
               and
               is
               indifferent
               in
               it self
               that
               the
               contrary
               to
               these
               ,
               as
               ,
               
                 Injustice
                 ,
                 Vnfaithfulness
                 ,
                 Cruelty
                 ,
                 Malice
                 ,
                 Hatred
                 ,
                 Spite
                 ,
                 Revenge
                 ,
                 Fury
              
               ;
               and
               whatever
               goes
               to
               the
               constitution
               of
               Hell
               it self
               should
               have
               been
               made
               the
               top
               and
               highest
               perfections
               of
               the
               divine
               Nature
               :
               which
               is
               such
               Blasphemy
               as
               cannot
               well
               be
               named
               without
               horror
               and
               trembling
               ,
               for
               instead
               of
               being
               a
               God
               ,
               such
               a
               nature
               as
               this
               is
               ,
               joyned
               with
               omnipotency
               would
               be
               a
               worse
               Devil
               than
               any
               is
               in
               Hell.
               And
               yet
               this
               is
               a
               necessary
               
               and
               infallible
               consequence
               from
               the
               denial
               of
               these
               mutual
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               unto
               one
               another
               ,
               to
               be
               eternal
               and
               unchangeable
               .
               And
               as
               by
               the
               denial
               of
               these
               ,
               the
               Nature
               of
               God
               is
               wholly
               destroyed
               ,
               so
               in
               the
               second
               place
               ,
               the
               
                 mind
                 of
                 Man
              
               would
               have
               no
               certainty
               of
               Knowledge
               ,
               or
               assurance
               of
               Happiness
               .
               He
               can
               never
               come
               to
               Know
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               consequently
               not
               the
               Will
               and
               Mind
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               if
               there
               be
               no
               intrinsecal
               and
               indispensible
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               ,
               must
               be
               the
               ground
               and
               foundation
               of
               all
               Knowledge
               :
               for
               what
               means
               or
               arguments
               should
               we
               use
               to
               find
               out
               ,
               or
               prove
               a
               Divine
               Nature
               ?
               It
               were
               folly
               and
               madness
               to
               sit
               down
               and
               consider
               the
               admirable
               contrivement
               and
               artifice
               of
               this
               great
               Fabrick
               of
               the
               Universe
               ;
               how
               that
               all
               natural
               things
               seem
               to
               act
               for
               some
               end
               ,
               though
               themselves
               take
               no
               Cognizance
               of
               it
               :
               How
               the
               Sun
               by
               its
               motion
               and
               situation
               ,
               or
               (
               which
               is
               all
               one
               )
               by
               being
               a
               Centre
               ,
               
               of
               the
               Earths
               Motion
               ,
               provides
               Light
               and
               Heat
               ,
               and
               Life
               for
               this
               inferiour
               World
               ,
               how
               living
               Creatures
               bring
               forth
               a
               most
               apt
               composure
               and
               structure
               of
               parts
               and
               members
               ,
               and
               with
               that
               a
               being
               endued
               with
               admirable
               Faculties
               ,
               and
               yet
               themselves
               have
               no
               insight
               into
               ,
               nor
               consultation
               about
               this
               incomparable
               Workmanship
               ;
               how
               they
               are
               furnished
               with
               Powers
               and
               Inclinations
               for
               the
               preservation
               of
               this
               Body
               when
               it
               is
               once
               brought
               into
               the
               World
               ;
               how
               without
               praevious
               deliberation
               they
               naturally
               take
               in
               that
               Food
               which
               without
               their
               intention
               or
               animadversion
               is
               concocted
               in
               their
               Ventricle
               ,
               turned
               into
               Chyle
               ,
               that
               Chyle
               into
               Blood
               ,
               that
               Blood
               diffused
               through
               the
               Veins
               and
               Arteries
               ,
               and
               therewith
               the
               several
               Members
               nourished
               ,
               and
               decayes
               of
               strength
               repaired
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               the
               gathering
               from
               all
               these
               (
               which
               one
               would
               think
               were
               a
               very
               natural
               Consequence
               )
               that
               there
               is
               a
               wise
               Principle
               which
               directs
               all
               these
               Beings
               
               unknown
               to
               you
               ,
               in
               their
               several
               motions
               ,
               to
               their
               several
               ends
               ,
               (
               supposing
               the
               dependance
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               to
               be
               contingent
               and
               arbitrarious
               )
               were
               a
               piece
               of
               folly
               and
               incogitancy
               ;
               for
               how
               can
               the
               Order
               of
               those
               things
               speak
               a
               wise
               and
               understanding
               Being
               ,
               which
               have
               no
               relation
               or
               respect
               unto
               one
               another
               ,
               but
               their
               whole
               agreement
               ,
               suitableness
               and
               proportion
               is
               a
               meer
               casual
               Issue
               of
               absolute
               and
               independent
               Will
               ?
               If
               any
               thing
               may
               be
               the
               cause
               of
               any
               effect
               ,
               and
               a
               proportionate
               mean
               to
               any
               end
               ,
               who
               can
               infer
               infinite
               Wisdom
               from
               the
               dependence
               of
               things
               and
               their
               relations
               unto
               one
               another
               ?
               for
               we
               are
               to
               know
               that
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Will
               of
               that
               God
               before
               we
               can
               know
               the
               mutual
               Harmony
               ,
               or
               Disproportion
               of
               things
               ;
               and
               yet
               ,
               if
               we
               do
               not
               know
               these
               principal
               respects
               that
               things
               have
               among
               themselves
               ,
               it
               is
               impossible
               we
               should
               ever
               come
               to
               the
               knowledge
               of
               a
               God
               :
               for
               these
               are
               the
               only
               arguments
               that
               any
               Logick
               in
               the
               World
               can
               make
               
               use
               of
               to
               prove
               any
               conclusion
               :
               But
               suppose
               we
               should
               come
               to
               know
               that
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               which
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               demonstrated
               ,
               denying
               the
               necessary
               and
               immutable
               truth
               of
               common
               Notions
               ,
               and
               the
               indispensible
               and
               eternal
               relations
               of
               things
               is
               altogether
               impossible
               .
               However
               ,
               let
               it
               be
               supposed
               ;
               yet
               how
               shall
               we
               know
               that
               these
               common
               Notions
               ,
               and
               principles
               of
               natural
               instinct
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               foundation
               of
               all
               Discourse
               and
               Argumentation
               ,
               are
               certain
               and
               infallible
               Truths
               ;
               and
               that
               our
               Senses
               ,
               (
               which
               with
               these
               former
               Principles
               ,
               we
               suppose
               this
               Divine
               Nature
               to
               have
               given
               us
               to
               converse
               with
               this
               outward
               world
               )
               were
               not
               on
               purpose
               bestowed
               upon
               us
               ,
               to
               befool
               ,
               delude
               and
               cheat
               us
               ;
               if
               we
               be
               not
               first
               assured
               of
               the
               Veracity
               of
               God
               ?
               and
               how
               can
               we
               be
               assured
               of
               that
               ,
               if
               we
               know
               not
               that
               Veracity
               is
               a
               perfection
               ;
               and
               how
               shall
               we
               know
               it
               is
               so
               ,
               unless
               there
               be
               an
               intrinsecal
               relation
               betwixt
               Veracity
               and
               
               perfection
               ?
               for
               if
               it
               be
               an
               arbitrarious
               respect
               depending
               upon
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               way
               possible
               left
               whereby
               we
               should
               come
               to
               know
               that
               it
               is
               in
               God
               at
               all
               ;
               And
               therefore
               we
               have
               fully
               as
               much
               reason
               to
               believe
               that
               all
               our
               common
               Notions
               and
               Principles
               of
               natural
               instinct
               ,
               whereupon
               we
               ground
               all
               our
               reasonings
               and
               discourse
               ,
               are
               meer
               Chymera's
               to
               delude
               and
               abuse
               our
               faculties
               ;
               and
               all
               those
               Idea's
               Phantasms
               and
               Apprehensions
               of
               our
               external
               senses
               ,
               we
               imagine
               are
               occasioned
               in
               us
               by
               the
               presence
               of
               outward
               objects
               ,
               are
               meer
               Spectrums
               and
               Gulleries
               ,
               wherewith
               poor
               mortals
               are
               befooled
               and
               cheated
               ;
               as
               that
               they
               are
               given
               us
               by
               the
               first
               Goodness
               &
               Truth
               to
               lead
               us
               into
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               himself
               and
               Nature
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               a
               clear
               and
               evident
               consequence
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               denyed
               by
               any
               that
               doth
               not
               complain
               of
               darkness
               in
               the
               brightest
               and
               most
               Meridian
               Light.
               And
               here
               you
               have
               the
               foundations
               laid
               of
               the
               highest
               Scepticism
               ;
               
               for
               who
               can
               say
               he
               knows
               any
               thing
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               no
               bassion
               which
               he
               can
               raise
               any
               true
               conclusions
               ?
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               the
               noble
               faculties
               of
               man
               ,
               his
               Mind
               and
               Understanding
               ,
               will
               be
               to
               no
               end
               and
               purpose
               ,
               but
               for
               a
               Rack
               and
               Torture
               ;
               for
               what
               greater
               unhappiness
               or
               torment
               can
               there
               be
               imagined
               ,
               than
               to
               have
               Faculties
               ,
               whose
               Accomplishment
               and
               Perfection
               consists
               in
               a
               due
               conformation
               unto
               their
               objects
               ,
               and
               yet
               to
               have
               no
               objects
               unto
               which
               they
               may
               be
               conformed
               ;
               To
               have
               a
               Soul
               unmeasurably
               breathing
               after
               the
               embraces
               of
               Truth
               and
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               after
               a
               search
               and
               enquiry
               after
               one
               and
               the
               other
               ,
               and
               to
               find
               at
               last
               they
               are
               but
               aiery
               empty
               and
               uncertain
               Notions
               ,
               depending
               upon
               the
               arbitratious
               determinations
               of
               boundless
               and
               independent
               Will
               ;
               which
               determinations
               she
               sees
               it
               beyond
               her
               reach
               ever
               to
               come
               to
               any
               knowledge
               of
               ?
            
             
               Here
               you
               have
               likewise
               the
               true
               Foundations
               of
               that
               we
               call
               Rantism
               ,
               
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               distinction
               'twixt
               Truth
               and
               Falshood
               ,
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               and
               we
               never
               can
               be
               assured
               what
               is
               the
               mind
               and
               pleasure
               of
               the
               supream
               and
               absolute
               Will
               (
               because
               Veracity
               is
               not
               intrinsecally
               and
               
                 ex
                 natura
                 rei
              
               ,
               a
               Perfection
               ,
               but
               only
               an
               Arbitrarious
               ,
               if
               any
               Attribute
               in
               the
               Deity
               )
               then
               it
               infallibly
               follows
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               all
               one
               what
               I
               do
               ,
               or
               how
               I
               live
               ;
               and
               I
               have
               as
               much
               reason
               to
               believe
               that
               I
               am
               as
               pleasing
               unto
               God
               ,
               when
               I
               give
               up
               my self
               unto
               all
               Filthiness
               ,
               Uncleanness
               and
               Sin
               ;
               when
               I
               swell
               with
               Pride
               ,
               Envy
               ,
               Hatred
               and
               Malice
               &c.
               as
               when
               I
               endeavour
               with
               all
               my
               Might
               and
               Strength
               to
               purge
               and
               purifie
               my
               Soul
               from
               all
               pollution
               and
               defilement
               both
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Spirit
               ;
               and
               when
               I
               pursue
               the
               mortification
               of
               all
               my
               carnal
               Lusts
               and
               Inclinations
               :
               And
               I
               have
               fully
               as
               much
               ground
               and
               assurance
               ,
               that
               the
               one
               is
               the
               ready
               Way
               to
               Happiness
               as
               the
               other
               .
            
             
             
               And
               this
               is
               another
               branch
               of
               this
               second
               Absurdity
               ,
               from
               the
               deniall
               of
               the
               intrinsecal
               and
               eternal
               respects
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               would
               not
               have
               any
               assurance
               of
               future
               Happiness
               ;
               for
               though
               it
               be
               true
               indeed
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               we
               fancy
               to
               our selves
               that
               God
               hath
               sent
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               into
               the
               world
               ,
               &
               by
               him
               hath
               made
               very
               large
               and
               ample
               promises
               ,
               that
               whosoever
               believes
               in
               him
               and
               conforms
               his
               life
               unto
               his
               Precepts
               ,
               shall
               be
               made
               heir
               of
               the
               same
               Inheritance
               and
               Glory
               which
               Christ
               is
               now
               possessed
               of
               and
               invested
               with
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
               yet
               what
               ground
               have
               we
               to
               believe
               that
               God
               does
               not
               intend
               onely
               to
               play
               with
               and
               abuse
               our
               Faculties
               ,
               and
               in
               conclusion
               to
               damn
               all
               those
               that
               believe
               and
               live
               as
               is
               above
               expressed
               ;
               and
               to
               take
               
                 them
                 only
              
               into
               the
               Injoyments
               of
               Heaven
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               who
               have
               been
               the
               great
               Opposers
               of
               the
               Truth
               ,
               and
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               Life
               and
               Nature
               of
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               in
               the
               world
               :
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               eternal
               and
               
               indispensible
               Relation
               of
               Things
               ,
               then
               there
               's
               no
               intrinsecal
               Evil
               in
               Deceiving
               and
               Falsifying
               ,
               in
               the
               damning
               the
               Good
               ,
               or
               saving
               obstinate
               and
               contumacious
               Sinners
               (
               whilst
               such
               )
               notwithstanding
               any
               promises
               or
               threatnings
               to
               the
               contrary
               :
               and
               if
               the
               things
               be
               in
               themselves
               indifferent
               ,
               it
               is
               an
               unadvised
               Confidence
               to
               pronounce
               determinately
               on
               either
               side
               .
               Yea
               further
               ,
               suppose
               we
               should
               be
               assured
               that
               God
               is
               Verax
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Scripture
               doth
               declare
               what
               is
               his
               Mind
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               yet
               if
               there
               be
               not
               an
               intrinsecal
               opposition
               betwixt
               the
               Being
               and
               not
               being
               of
               a
               thing
               at
               the
               same
               time
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               same
               respect
               ;
               then
               God
               can
               make
               a
               thing
               that
               hath
               been
               
                 done
                 ,
                 undone
              
               ;
               and
               that
               whatever
               hath
               been
               done
               or
               spoken
               either
               by
               himself
               ,
               or
               Christ
               ,
               or
               his
               Prophets
               ,
               or
               Apostles
               ,
               should
               never
               be
               done
               ,
               or
               spoken
               by
               him
               on
               them
               ;
               though
               He
               hath
               come
               into
               the
               world
               ;
               yet
               that
               He
               should
               not
               be
               come
               ;
               though
               he
               hath
               made
               these
               promises
               ,
               yet
               that
               they
               should
               not
               be
               
               made
               ;
               though
               God
               hath
               given
               us
               Faculties
               ,
               that
               are
               capable
               of
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               himself
               ,
               yet
               that
               he
               should
               not
               have
               given
               them
               us
               ;
               and
               yet
               we
               should
               have
               no
               Being
               ,
               nor
               think
               a
               thought
               while
               we
               fancy
               and
               speak
               of
               all
               these
               contradictions
               ;
               In
               fine
               ,
               it
               were
               impossible
               we
               should
               know
               any
               thing
               ,
               if
               the
               opposition
               of
               contradictory
               terms
               depend
               upon
               the
               arbitrarious
               resolves
               of
               any
               Being
               whatsoever
               .
               If
               any
               should
               affirm
               ,
               that
               the
               terms
               of
               Common
               Notions
               have
               an
               eternal
               and
               indispensible
               relation
               unto
               one
               another
               ,
               and
               deny
               it
               of
               other
               truths
               ,
               he
               exceedingly
               betrayes
               his
               folly
               and
               incogitancy
               ;
               for
               these
               common
               Notions
               and
               principles
               are
               foundations
               ,
               and
               radical
               truths
               upon
               which
               are
               built
               all
               the
               deductions
               of
               reason
               and
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               with
               which
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               they
               have
               any
               truth
               in
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               inseparably
               united
               .
               All
               these
               consequences
               are
               plain
               and
               undeniable
               ,
               and
               therefore
               I
               shall
               travel
               no
               further
               in
               the
               confirmation
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               Against
               this
               Discourse
               will
               be
               objected
               ,
               
               that
               it
               destroys
               God's
               Independency
               and
               Self-sufficiency
               ;
               for
               if
               there
               be
               truth
               antecedently
               to
               the
               Divine
               Understanding
               ;
               the
               Divine
               Understanding
               will
               be
               a
               meer
               passive
               principle
               ,
               acted
               and
               inlightned
               by
               something
               without
               it self
               ,
               as
               the
               Eyes
               ,
               by
               the
               Sun
               ,
               and
               lesser
               objects
               ,
               which
               the
               Sun
               irradiates
               :
               And
               if
               there
               be
               mutual
               congruities
               ,
               and
               dependencies
               of
               things
               in
               a
               moral
               sense
               ,
               and
               so
               ,
               that
               such
               and
               such
               means
               have
               a
               natural
               ,
               and
               intrinsecal
               tendency
               ,
               or
               repugnance
               to
               such
               and
               such
               ends
               ,
               then
               will
               God
               be
               determined
               in
               his
               actions
               from
               something
               without
               himself
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               take
               away
               his
               independency
               ,
               and
               Self-sufficiency
               .
               The
               pardoning
               of
               Sin
               to
               repenting
               Sinners
               seems
               to
               be
               a
               thing
               very
               suitable
               to
               infinite
               Goodness
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               any
               suitableness
               ,
               or
               agreement
               in
               things
               antecedently
               to
               Gods
               Will
               ;
               therefore
               in
               this
               case
               will
               God
               be
               moved
               from
               abroad
               and
               as
               it
               were
               Determined
               to
               an
               act
               of
               Grace
               .
               This
               will
               also
               undermine
               and
               shake
               many
               principles
               and
               opinions
               
               which
               are
               look'd
               upon
               as
               Fundamentals
               ,
               and
               necessary
               to
               be
               believed
               :
               It
               will
               unlink
               and
               break
               that
               chain
               and
               method
               of
               Gods
               Decrees
               ,
               which
               is
               generally
               believed
               amongst
               us
               .
               God's
               great
               plot
               ,
               and
               design
               from
               all
               eternity
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               usually
               held
               forth
               ,
               was
               to
               advance
               his
               Mercy
               and
               Justice
               in
               the
               Salvation
               of
               some
               ,
               and
               Damnation
               of
               others
               ;
               We
               shall
               only
               speak
               of
               that
               part
               of
               Gods
               design
               ,
               the
               advancement
               of
               his
               Justice
               in
               the
               Damnation
               of
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               mankind
               ,
               as
               being
               most
               pertinent
               for
               the
               improving
               of
               the
               strength
               of
               the
               objection
               against
               our
               former
               Discourse
               :
               That
               I
               may
               do
               this
               ,
               He
               decrees
               to
               create
               man
               ,
               and
               being
               created
               ,
               decrees
               that
               man
               should
               sin
               ,
               and
               because
               ,
               as
               some
               say
               ,
               man
               is
               a
               meer
               passive
               principle
               ,
               not
               able
               ,
               no
               not
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               objects
               ,
               to
               reduce
               himself
               into
               action
               ,
               Or
               because
               in
               the
               moment
               of
               his
               creation
               ,
               as
               others
               ,
               he
               was
               impowered
               with
               an
               indifferency
               to
               stand
               or
               fall
               ;
               Therefore
               ,
               lest
               there
               should
               be
               a
               frustration
               of
               God's
               great
               design
               ;
               he
               decrees
               in
               the
               
               next
               place
               ,
               infallibly
               to
               determine
               the
               Will
               of
               man
               unto
               Sin
               ,
               that
               having
               sinned
               he
               might
               accomplish
               his
               Damnation
               ;
               and
               what
               he
               had
               first
               ,
               &
               from
               all
               eternity
               in
               his
               intentions
               ,
               the
               advancement
               of
               his
               Justice
               .
               Now
               if
               there
               be
               such
               an
               intrinsecal
               relation
               of
               things
               ,
               as
               our
               former
               Discourse
               pretends
               unto
               ,
               this
               design
               of
               God
               will
               be
               wholly
               frustrated
               .
               For
               it
               may
               seem
               clear
               to
               every
               mans
               understanding
               that
               it
               is
               not
               for
               the
               Honour
               and
               Advancement
               of
               Justice
               to
               determine
               the
               will
               of
               man
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               then
               to
               punish
               him
               for
               that
               Sin
               unto
               which
               he
               was
               so
               determined
               ;
               Whereas
               if
               God's
               Will
               ,
               as
               such
               ,
               be
               the
               only
               Rule
               &
               principle
               of
               actions
               ,
               this
               will
               be
               an
               accommodate
               means
               (
               if
               God
               so
               please
               to
               have
               it
               )
               unto
               his
               design
               .
               The
               Sum
               is
               ,
               We
               have
               seemed
               in
               our
               former
               discourse
               to
               bind
               and
               tye
               up
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               an
               absolute
               and
               independent
               Being
               ,
               to
               the
               petty
               formalities
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ;
               &
               to
               fetter
               and
               imprison
               freedom
               ,
               and
               liberty
               it self
               ,
               in
               the
               fatal
               and
               immutable
               chains
               ,
               and
               respects
               of
               things
               .
            
             
             
               I
               answer
               .
               This
               objection
               concerns
               partly
               the
               understanding
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               partly
               his
               Will
               ;
               As
               for
               the
               divine
               understanding
               ,
               the
               Case
               is
               thus
               ;
               There
               are
               certain
               Beings
               ,
               or
               natures
               of
               things
               which
               are
               Logically
               possible
               ;
               it
               implyes
               no
               contradiction
               that
               they
               should
               be
               ,
               although
               it
               were
               supposed
               ,
               there
               were
               no
               power
               that
               could
               bring
               them
               into
               being
               ;
               which
               natures
               ,
               or
               things
               ,
               supposing
               they
               were
               in
               being
               ,
               would
               have
               mutual
               relations
               of
               agreement
               or
               opposition
               unto
               one
               another
               ,
               which
               would
               be
               no
               more
               distinguished
               from
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               than
               Relations
               are
               from
               that
               which
               founds
               them
               .
               Now
               the
               Divine
               Understanding
               is
               a
               representation
               ,
               or
               Comprehension
               of
               all
               those
               natures
               or
               beings
               thus
               logically
               ,
               and
               in
               respect
               of
               God
               absolutely
               possible
               ,
               and
               consequently
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               also
               a
               comprehension
               of
               all
               these
               Sympathies
               ,
               and
               Antipathies
               ,
               either
               in
               a
               natural
               or
               a
               moral
               Way
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               one
               unto
               another
               :
               for
               they
               ,
               as
               I
               said
               ,
               do
               necessarily
               ,
               and
               immediately
               
               flow
               from
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               as
               relations
               do
               ,
               
                 posito
                 fundamento
                 &
                 termino
              
               .
               Now
               the
               Divine
               understanding
               doth
               not
               at
               all
               depend
               upon
               these
               natures
               ,
               or
               relations
               though
               they
               be
               its
               objects
               ;
               for
               the
               nature
               of
               an
               object
               doth
               not
               consist
               in
               being
               
                 motivum
                 facultatis
              
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               usually
               with
               us
               ,
               whose
               apprehensions
               are
               awakened
               by
               their
               presence
               ;
               but
               its
               whole
               nature
               is
               sufficiently
               comprehended
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               
                 terminativum
                 Facultatis
              
               ;
               and
               this
               precisely
               doth
               not
               speak
               any
               dependency
               of
               the
               faculty
               upon
               it
               ,
               especially
               in
               the
               divine
               understanding
               ;
               where
               this
               
                 objective
                 ,
                 terminative
              
               presence
               flows
               from
               the
               faecundity
               of
               the
               Divine
               nature
               :
               for
               the
               things
               themselves
               are
               so
               far
               from
               having
               any
               being
               antecedently
               to
               the
               Divine
               understanding
               ;
               that
               had
               not
               it
               been
               their
               exemplary
               pattern
               ,
               and
               Idea
               ,
               they
               had
               never
               been
               created
               ,
               and
               being
               created
               they
               would
               lye
               in
               darkness
               ;
               (
               I
               speak
               of
               things
               that
               have
               not
               in
               them
               a
               principle
               of
               understanding
               ,
               not
               conscious
               of
               their
               own
               
               
               
               
               
               natures
               ,
               and
               that
               beauteous
               harmony
               they
               have
               among
               themselves
               )
               were
               they
               not
               irradiated
               by
               the
               Divine
               understanding
               ,
               which
               is
               as
               it
               were
               an
               universal
               Sun
               that
               discovers
               and
               displayes
               the
               natures
               and
               respects
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               does
               as
               it
               were
               suck
               them
               up
               into
               its
               beames
               .
            
             
               To
               the
               second
               part
               of
               the
               Objection
               ,
               the
               strength
               whereof
               is
               ,
               that
               to
               tye
               up
               God
               in
               his
               actions
               to
               the
               reason
               of
               things
               ,
               destroys
               his
               Liberty
               ,
               Absoluteness
               ,
               and
               Independency
               .
               I
               answer
               ,
               it
               is
               no
               imperfection
               for
               God
               to
               be
               determined
               to
               Good
               ;
               It
               is
               no
               bondage
               ,
               slavery
               ,
               or
               contraction
               ,
               to
               be
               bound
               up
               to
               the
               eternal
               Laws
               of
               Right
               and
               Justice
               :
               it
               is
               the
               greatest
               impotency
               and
               weakness
               in
               the
               world
               to
               have
               a
               power
               to
               evil
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               nothing
               so
               diametrically
               opposite
               to
               the
               very
               being
               and
               nature
               of
               God
               ;
               
                 Stat
                 pro
                 ratione
                 voluntas
              
               ,
               unless
               it
               be
               as
               a
               redargution
               and
               check
               to
               impudent
               and
               daring
               inquirers
               ,
               is
               an
               account
               no
               where
               justifiable
               .
               The
               more
               any
               Being
               partakes
               of
               reason
               and
               understanding
               ,
               
               the
               worse
               is
               the
               imputation
               of
               acting
               arbitrariously
               ,
               
                 &
                 pro
                 imperio
              
               .
               We
               can
               pardon
               it
               in
               Women
               and
               children
               ,
               as
               those
               from
               whom
               we
               do
               not
               expect
               that
               they
               should
               act
               upon
               any
               higher
               principle
               ,
               but
               for
               a
               man
               of
               reason
               and
               understanding
               ,
               that
               hath
               the
               Laws
               of
               goodness
               and
               rectitude
               (
               which
               are
               as
               the
               Laws
               of
               the
               Medes
               and
               Persians
               that
               cannot
               be
               altered
               )
               engraven
               upon
               his
               mind
               ,
               for
               Him
               to
               cast
               off
               these
               golden
               reins
               ,
               and
               to
               set
               up
               arbitrarious
               Will
               for
               his
               Rule
               and
               Guide
               ,
               is
               a
               piece
               of
               intolerable
               rashness
               and
               presumption
               .
               This
               is
               an
               infallible
               rule
               ,
               that
               liberty
               in
               the
               power
               or
               principle
               is
               no
               where
               a
               perfection
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               not
               an
               indifferency
               in
               the
               things
               or
               actions
               about
               which
               it
               is
               conversant
               :
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               a
               piece
               of
               our
               weakness
               and
               imbecillity
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               natures
               so
               indetermined
               to
               what
               is
               good
               .
               These
               things
               need
               no
               proof
               ,
               indeed
               cannot
               well
               be
               proved
               ,
               otherwise
               than
               they
               prove
               themselves
               :
               for
               they
               are
               of
               immediate
               truth
               ,
               and
               prove
               
               themselves
               ,
               they
               will
               ,
               to
               a
               pure
               unprejudiced
               mind
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Our
               former
               Discourse
               doth
               not
               infer
               any
               dependency
               of
               God
               ,
               upon
               any
               thing
               without
               himself
               ;
               for
               God
               is
               not
               excited
               to
               his
               actions
               by
               any
               foreign
               ,
               or
               extrinsecal
               motives
               ;
               what
               He
               does
               ,
               proceeds
               from
               the
               eternal
               immutable
               respects
               ,
               and
               relations
               ,
               or
               reasons
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               where
               are
               these
               to
               be
               found
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Eternal
               and
               divine
               Wisdom
               ;
               for
               what
               can
               infinite
               Wisdom
               be
               ,
               but
               a
               steady
               ,
               and
               immoveable
               comprehension
               of
               all
               those
               natures
               and
               relations
               :
               and
               therefore
               God
               in
               his
               actions
               ,
               does
               not
               look
               abroad
               ,
               but
               only
               consults
               ,
               (
               if
               I
               may
               so
               speak
               )
               the
               Idea's
               of
               his
               own
               mind
               .
               What
               Creatures
               doe
               ,
               is
               but
               the
               offering
               a
               particular
               case
               ,
               for
               the
               reducement
               of
               a
               general
               principle
               into
               a
               particular
               action
               ;
               or
               the
               presentment
               of
               an
               occasion
               for
               God
               to
               act
               according
               to
               the
               principles
               of
               his
               own
               nature
               ;
               when
               we
               say
               that
               God
               pardoneth
               Sin
               upon
               repentance
               ,
               God
               is
               not
               moved
               to
               an
               act
               of
               grace
               
               from
               any
               thing
               without
               himself
               ;
               for
               this
               is
               a
               principle
               in
               the
               Divine
               Wisdom
               ,
               that
               pardon
               of
               Sin
               to
               repenting
               sinners
               ,
               is
               a
               thing
               very
               suitable
               to
               infinite
               goodness
               ,
               and
               this
               principle
               is
               a
               piece
               of
               the
               Divine
               nature
               :
               therefore
               when
               God
               upon
               a
               particular
               act
               of
               repentance
               puts
               forth
               a
               particular
               act
               of
               grace
               ,
               It
               is
               but
               as
               it
               were
               a
               particular
               instance
               to
               the
               general
               rule
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               portion
               of
               Divine
               perfection
               ,
               when
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 shall
                 be
                 given
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 abundance
                 ,
              
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               He
               that
               walks
               up
               unto
               that
               light
               ,
               and
               improves
               that
               strength
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               already
               communicated
               unto
               him
               ,
               shall
               have
               more
               abundant
               incomes
               of
               light
               and
               strength
               from
               God
               :
               It
               doth
               not
               follow
               that
               God
               is
               moved
               from
               without
               to
               impart
               his
               Grace
               .
               For
               this
               is
               a
               branch
               of
               Divine
               Wisdom
               ;
               it
               is
               agreeable
               to
               the
               infinite
               goodness
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               ,
               and
               reward
               the
               sincere
               ,
               though
               weak
               endeavours
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               after
               him
               ;
               so
               that
               what
               is
               from
               abroad
               is
               but
               a
               
               particular
               occasion
               to
               those
               divine
               principles
               to
               exert
               ,
               and
               put
               forth
               themselves
               .
            
             
               Thus
               have
               we
               spoken
               concerning
               the
               truth
               of
               things
               .
               It
               follows
               that
               we
               speak
            
             
               Concerning
               Truth
               in
               the
               power
               ,
               or
               faculty
               ,
               which
               we
               shall
               dispatch
               in
               a
               few
               words
               .
            
             
               Truth
               in
               the
               power
               ,
               or
               faculty
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               a
               conformity
               of
               its
               conceptions
               or
               
               Idea's
               unto
               the
               natures
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               ,
               which
               in
               God
               we
               may
               call
               an
               actual
               ,
               steady
               ,
               immoveable
               ,
               eternal
               Omniformity
               ,
               as
               Plotinus
               calls
               the
               Divine
               Intellect
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               you
               have
               largely
               described
               by
               him
               .
               And
               this
               the
               Platonists
               truly
               call
               the
               intellectual
               world
               ,
               for
               here
               are
               the
               natures
               of
               all
               things
               pure
               ,
               and
               unmix'd
               ,
               purged
               from
               all
               those
               dregs
               ,
               refined
               from
               all
               that
               Dross
               and
               alloy
               which
               cleave
               unto
               them
               in
               their
               particular
               instances
               .
               All
               inferiour
               and
               sublunary
               things
               ,
               not
               excluding
               man
               himself
               ,
               have
               their
               excrescencies
               ,
               and
               Defects
               ,
               Exorbitances
               ,
               
               or
               privations
               are
               moulded
               up
               in
               their
               very
               frames
               and
               constitutions
               .
               There
               is
               somewhat
               extraneous
               heterogeneous
               and
               preternatural
               in
               all
               things
               here
               below
               ,
               as
               they
               exist
               amongst
               us
               ;
               but
               in
               that
               other
               world
               ,
               like
               the
               most
               purely
               fined
               gold
               ,
               they
               shine
               in
               their
               native
               and
               proper
               glory
               .
               Here
               is
               the
               first
               goodness
               ,
               the
               benigne
               Parent
               of
               the
               whole
               creation
               ,
               with
               his
               numerous
               off-spring
               :
               the
               infinite
               throng
               of
               created
               Beings
               :
               Here
               is
               the
               fountain
               of
               eternal
               Love
               ,
               with
               all
               its
               streams
               ,
               and
               Rivulets
               :
               Here
               is
               the
               Sum
               of
               uncreated
               glory
               ,
               surrounded
               with
               all
               his
               rayes
               ,
               and
               beams
               :
               Here
               are
               the
               eternal
               ,
               and
               indispensible
               Laws
               of
               right
               and
               Justice
               ,
               the
               immediate
               and
               indemonstrable
               principles
               of
               truth
               ,
               and
               goodness
               :
               Here
               are
               steady
               and
               immoveable
               rules
               ,
               for
               all
               cases
               and
               actions
               ,
               however
               circumstantiated
               ,
               from
               which
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               absolute
               ,
               and
               independent
               from
               everlasting
               to
               everlasting
               ,
               shall
               never
               depart
               one
               Tittle
               .
               Now
               all
               that
               truth
               that
               is
               in
               any
               
               
               
               created
               Being
               ,
               is
               by
               participation
               and
               derivation
               from
               this
               first
               understanding
               ,
               and
               fountain
               of
               intellectual
               light
               .
               And
               that
               truth
               in
               the
               power
               or
               faculty
               is
               nothing
               but
               the
               conformity
               of
               its
               conceptions
               ,
               or
               Ideas
               with
               the
               natures
               and
               relations
               of
               things
               ,
               is
               cleare
               and
               evident
               in
               it self
               ,
               and
               necessarily
               follows
               from
               what
               hath
               been
               formerly
               proved
               concerning
               the
               truth
               of
               things
               themselves
               ,
               antecedently
               to
               any
               understanding
               ,
               or
               will
               ;
               for
               things
               are
               what
               they
               are
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               otherwise
               without
               a
               contradiction
               ,
               and
               their
               mutual
               respects
               and
               dependencies
               eternal
               and
               unchangeable
               ,
               as
               hath
               been
               already
               shew'd
               :
               so
               that
               the
               conceptions
               and
               Ideas
               of
               these
               natures
               and
               their
               relations
               ,
               can
               be
               only
               so
               far
               true
               as
               they
               conform
               and
               agree
               with
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               and
               the
               harmony
               which
               they
               have
               one
               to
               another
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               WAY
               OF
               HAPPINESS
               And
               SALVATION
               Rescued
               from
               
                 Vulgar
                 Errours
              
               .
               BY
               
                 JOSEPH
                 GLANVIL
              
               Chaplain
               in
               Ordinary
               to
               His
               Majesty
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               for
               
                 James
                 Collins
              
               ,
               in
               the
               
               Temple-passage
               from
               Essex-Street
               ,
               1677.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               Imprimatur
               ,
            
             
               Sam.
               Parker
               .
            
             
               April
               9th
               1670.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               To
               the
               Right
               Honourable
               Charles
               Lord
               Herbert
               ,
               Eldest
               Son
               to
               the
               most
               Honorable
               HENRY
               Lord
               Marquis
               of
               WORCESTER
               .
            
             
               My
               Lord
               ,
            
             
               ALthough
               I
               have
               not
               had
               the
               Happiness
               to
               see
               your
               Lordship
               since
               your
               very
               tender
               years
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               your
               distance
               in
               Foreign
               parts
               ;
               yet
               I
               have
               heard
               so
               much
               of
               your
               great
               Improvements
               in
               Knowledge
               
               and
               Vertue
               ,
               that
               I
               cannot
               slip
               this
               occasion
               to
               congratulate
               your
               early
               Fame
               ,
               and
               the
               hopes
               ,
               or
               rather
               Assurance
               you
               give
               of
               being
               an
               extraordinary
               Person
               .
               For
               that
               season
               of
               Life
               which
               so
               many
               others
               pass
               away
               in
               Frolicks
               ,
               and
               Riot
               ,
               and
               vain
               Amours
               ;
               In
               Raillery
               ,
               and
               the
               wanton
               Essays
               of
               Buffooning
               &
               Versifying
               Wit
               ,
               (
               which
               contemptible
               childishness
               the
               youth
               of
               the
               present
               age
               seems
               to
               value
               as
               the
               highest
               Perfection
               )
               your
               Lordship
               wisely
               ,
               and
               worthi'y
               imploys
               in
               gaining
               
               those
               real
               Acomplishments
               ,
               which
               may
               fit
               you
               for
               Publick
               Service
               ,
               in
               that
               high
               Station
               in
               which
               Providence
               hath
               set
               you
               .
            
             
               My
               Lord
               ,
               you
               are
               descended
               from
               an
               Ancient
               Stock
               of
               most
               Noble
               Progenitors
               ,
               and
               are
               the
               immediate
               Son
               of
               a
               Lord
               and
               Lady
               ,
               whose
               Vertues
               may
               inspire
               all
               who
               have
               the
               Honour
               and
               Happiness
               to
               be
               related
               to
               them
               ,
               with
               the
               Noblest
               Thoughts
               and
               Endeavours
               ;
               and
               doubtless
               a
               generous
               Ambition
               prompts
               your
               Lordship
               to
               
               appear
               worthy
               the
               Glories
               of
               such
               Ancestors
               .
               Nobility
               is
               the
               mark
               of
               the
               favour
               of
               Princes
               ,
               and
               when
               't
               is
               adorn'd
               with
               intellectual
               and
               moral
               Excellencies
               ,
               it
               hath
               then
               the
               Signatures
               of
               God
               upon
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               Personal
               gives
               Lustre
               to
               the
               Hereditary
               Greatness
               .
               Secular
               Honours
               extort
               outward
               shews
               of
               Respect
               and
               Homage
               ;
               while
               the
               unsuitable
               Dispositions
               of
               such
               as
               are
               painted
               with
               misplaced
               Titles
               ,
               make
               them
               Objects
               of
               the
               real
               scorn
               of
               their
               pretended
               Adorers
               ;
               But
               the
               Nobleness
               
               of
               a
               wise
               and
               Vertuous
               Spirit
               commands
               inward
               Venerations
               ,
               and
               hath
               a
               large
               Empire
               over
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men.
               Knowledge
               is
               a
               Beam
               of
               the
               Coelestial
               Light
               ,
               and
               Vertue
               a
               Branch
               of
               the
               Divine
               Image
               ;
               Great
               Excellencies
               in
               themselves
               ,
               and
               true
               Accomplishments
               of
               humane
               Na
               ure
               :
               In
               both
               your
               Lordship
               hath
               out-done
               your
               few
               years
               and
               given
               a
               Pattern
               to
               young
               Noblemen
               ,
               how
               to
               imploy
               their
               Youth
               Honourably
               and
               Becommingly
               ,
               to
               the
               Reputation
               of
               their
               Quality
               ,
               and
               
               Families
               ;
               and
               their
               own
               Happiness
               and
               Glory
               .
            
             
               But
               ,
               my
               Lord
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               Perfection
               beyond
               these
               ,
               or
               more
               properly
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               height
               and
               perfection
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               Religion
               :
               this
               makes
               Honourable
               in
               both
               Worlds
               ;
               and
               enters
               those
               that
               are
               truly
               possest
               of
               it
               ,
               among
               the
               Nobility
               of
               God.
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               your
               Lordship
               hath
               taken
               care
               to
               season
               your
               Active
               and
               Considerate
               Youth
               with
               the
               Study
               and
               Practice
               of
               this
               best
               Accomplishment
               :
               such
               a
               Dedication
               of
               the
               
               first
               Fruits
               to
               our
               Maker
               is
               most
               just
               in
               it self
               ,
               most
               acceptable
               to
               Him
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               most
               comfortable
               to
               the
               Person
               that
               makes
               the
               Offering
               .
               Your
               Lordship
               is
               by
               the
               Bounty
               of
               Providence
               incircled
               with
               all
               Circumstances
               of
               Earthly
               Felicity
               ;
               Piety
               and
               a
               Religious
               Life
               will
               procure
               the
               Divine
               favour
               ,
               bless
               all
               your
               Injoyments
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               assure
               infinitely
               better
               in
               another
               .
               There
               dwells
               our
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               Religion
               is
               the
               way
               to
               it
               .
               This
               is
               the
               Subject
               of
               the
               little
               
               Book
               with
               which
               I
               here
               humbly
               present
               your
               Lordship
               .
               If
               it
               may
               contribute
               any
               thing
               to
               your
               Service
               ,
               in
               these
               highest
               Concerns
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               a
               mighty
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               Satisfaction
               to
               ,
            
             
               My
               Lord
               ,
            
             
               Your
               Lordships
               Most
               humble
               and
               most
               obedient
               Servant
               ,
            
             
               Jos.
               Glanvil
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               The
               Preface
               .
            
             
               THis
               Discourse
               was
               first
               printed
               about
               six
               years
               ago
               ;
               since
               which
               time
               it
               had
               the
               fortune
               of
               a
               stoln
               Edition
               in
               Scotland
               .
               The
               ocasion
               of
               its
               Publication
               was
               this
               ,
               I
               being
               desired
               to
               preach
               at
               a
               neighbour-City
               ,
               recollected
               the
               last
               Sermon
               I
               had
               delivered
               to
               mine
               own
               people
               ,
               and
               made
               use
               of
               that
               :
               some
               of
               the
               Hearers
               ,
               that
               thought
               themselves
               fit
               Judges
               ,
               misapprehended
               my
               meaning
               in
               divers
               things
               ,
               and
               past
               Sentence
               upon
               their
               own
               mistakes
               as
               mine
               :
               this
               induced
               me
               to
               transcribe
               it
               out
               of
               my
               memory
               ;
               which
               I
               did
               while
               it
               was
               yet
               fresh
               in
               my
               mind
               ,
               exactly
               as
               to
               the
               matter
               ,
               though
               possibly
               with
               some
               small
               difference
               as
               to
               the
               frame
               of
               words
               ,
               and
               with
               some
               additions
               at
               the
               end
               :
               The
               Copy
               was
               accidentally
               seen
               by
               a
               near
               Relation
               ,
               who
               desired
               it
               should
               be
               publish'd
               ,
               which
               I
               permitted
               ;
               and
               do
               it
               now
               again
               at
               my
               Bookseller's
               Instance
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               
                 
                   Luke
                   12.
                   24.
                   
                
                 Strive
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 strait
                 Gate
                 :
                 For
                 many
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 shall
                 seek
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 .
              
            
             
             
               The
               Way
               OF
               HAPPINESS
               AND
               SALVATION
               .
            
             
               WHEN
               I
               consider
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               the
               merits
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               and
               the
               Influences
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirt
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               advantages
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               The
               certainty
               of
               its
               Principles
               ,
               the
               reasonableness
               of
               its
               duties
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               its
               ends
               ,
               the
               suitableness
               of
               its
               means
               ,
               the
               glory
               of
               its
               Rewards
               ,
               
               and
               the
               
                 Terrour
                 of
                 its
                 punishments
              
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               when
               I
               consider
               these
               ,
               and
               then
               look
               upon
               Man
               as
               a
               reasonable
               Creature
               ,
               apprehensive
               of
               Duty
               ,
               and
               interest
               ,
               and
               apt
               to
               be
               moved
               by
               hopes
               and
               fears
               ;
               I
               cannot
               but
               wonder
               ,
               and
               be
               astonisht
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               notwithstanding
               
                 all
                 this
              
               ,
               the
               far
               greater
               part
               of
               men
               should
               finally
               miscarry
               ,
               and
               be
               undone
               .
               'T
               is
               possible
               some
               such
               Considerations
               might
               be
               the
               occasion
               of
               the
               Question
               propounded
               to
               our
               Saviour
               in
               the
               verse
               immediately
               foregoing
               the
               Text.
               
                 —
                 Lord
                 ,
                 are
                 there
                 Few
                 that
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
                 God
              
               is
               Love
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Creatures
               are
               His
               ,
               and
               man
               a
               noble
               sort
               :
               He
               is
               the
               Lover
               of
               Men
               ,
               and
               Thou
               art
               Redeemer
               of
               Men
               ;
               and
               though
               Man
               hath
               offended
               ,
               yet
               God
               is
               propense
               to
               pardon
               ,
               and
               in
               Thee
               he
               is
               reconciled
               ;
               He
               is
               desirous
               of
               our
               happiness
               ,
               and
               Thou
               art
               come
               into
               the
               world
               to
               offer
               ,
               and
               promote
               it
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               is
               powerful
               and
               ready
               to
               assist
               our
               endeavours
               ;
               We
               were
               made
               for
               happiness
               ,
               and
               we
               seek
               it
               ;
               And
               —
               
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 are
                 there
                 Few
                 that
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
              
               The
               Text
               is
               Christ's
               return
               to
               the
               Question
               ,
               
                 Strive
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 straight
                 Gate
                 ;
                 for
                 many
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 will
                 seek
                 to
                 enter
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 .
              
               In
               which
               words
               we
               have
               three
               things
               .
            
             
               (
               I
               )
               An
               Answer
               imply'd
               ;
               
                 straight
                 is
                 the
                 Gate
              
               .
            
             
               (
               II
               )
               A
               duty
               exprest
               ,
               
                 strive
                 to
                 enter
              
               .
            
             
               (
               III
               )
               A
               Consideration
               to
               engage
               our
               greater
               care
               and
               deligence
               in
               the
               Duty
               ;
               
                 For
                 many
                 will
                 seek
                 to
                 enter
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 .
              
            
             
               By
               the
               Gate
               ,
               we
               may
               understand
               the
               entrance
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               way
               of
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               Religion
               ;
               By
               the
               straightness
               of
               it
               ;
               the
               Difficulties
               we
               are
               to
               encounter
               .
               By
               striving
               ;
               earnest
               and
               sincere
               endeavour
               :
               By
               seeking
               ;
               an
               
                 imperfect
                 striving
              
               .
               And
               from
               the
               words
               thus
               briefly
               explain'd
               ,
               These
               Propositions
               offer
               themselves
               to
               onr
               Consideration
               .
            
             
             
               I.
               There
               are
               many
               and
               great
               difficulties
               in
               Religion
               ,
               
                 The
                 Gate
                 is
                 straight
              
               .
            
             
               II.
               The
               difficulties
               may
               be
               overcome
               by
               striving
               ,
               
                 Strive
                 to
                 enter
              
               .
            
             
               III.
               There
               is
               a
               sort
               of
               striving
               that
               will
               not
               procure
               an
               entrance
               ,
               
                 For
                 many
                 will
                 seek
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               First
               in
               order
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 That
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 and
                 great
                 difficulties
                 in
                 Religion
              
               ;
               And
               to
               what
               I
               have
               to
               say
               about
               it
               ,
               I
               premise
               this
               negative
               Consideration
               .
               That
               ,
            
             
               The
               Difficulties
               of
               Religion
               do
               not
               lye
               in
               the
               
                 Vnderstanding
                 .
                 Religion
              
               is
               a
               plain
               thing
               ,
               and
               easie
               to
               be
               understood
               .
               'T
               is
               no
               deep
               subtilty
               ,
               or
               high-strain'd
               notion
               ;
               't
               is
               no
               gilded
               phancy
               ,
               or
               elaborate
               exercise
               of
               the
               brain
               ;
               'T
               is
               not
               plac'd
               in
               the
               clouds
               of
               Imagination
               ,
               nor
               wrapt
               up
               in
               mystical
               cloathing
               ;
               But
               't
               is
               obvious
               and
               
                 familiar
                 ,
                 easie
              
               and
               intelligible
               ;
               First
               preach't
               by
               Fishermen
               and
               Mechanicks
               ,
               without
               pomp
               of
               speech
               ,
               or
               height
               of
               speculation
               ;
               
               addreft
               to
               Babes
               and
               Plebeian
               heads
               ;
               and
               intended
               to
               govern
               the
               wills
               of
               the
               honest
               ,
               and
               sincere
               ;
               and
               not
               to
               exercise
               the
               wits
               of
               the
               notional
               ,
               and
               curious
               .
               So
               that
               we
               need
               not
               mount
               the
               wings
               of
               the
               wind
               to
               fetch
               Religion
               from
               the
               stars
               ;
               nor
               go
               down
               to
               the
               deep
               to
               fetch
               it
               up
               from
               thence
               ;
               For
               't
               is
               
                 with
                 us
              
               ,
               and
               
                 before
                 us
              
               ,
               as
               open
               as
               the
               day
               ,
               and
               as
               familiar
               as
               the
               light
               .
               The
               
                 great
                 Praecepts
              
               of
               the
               Gospel
               are
               cloathed
               in
               Sun-beams
               ,
               and
               are
               as
               visible
               to
               the
               common
               eye
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               Eagle
               upon
               the
               highest
               perch
               .
               'T
               is
               no
               piece
               of
               wit
               or
               subtilty
               to
               be
               a
               Christian
               ,
               nor
               will
               it
               require
               much
               study
               ,
               or
               learned
               retirement
               to
               understand
               the
               Religion
               we
               must
               practise
               .
               That
               which
               was
               to
               be
               known
               of
               God
               ,
               was
               manifest
               to
               the
               very
               Heathen
               ,
               Rom.
               1.
               19.
               
               
                 The
                 Law
                 is
                 light
              
               ,
               saith
               
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 Prov.
              
               6.
               13.
               
               And
               't
               is
               not
               only
               a
               single
               passing
               glance
               on
               the
               eye
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               
                 put
                 into
                 the
                 heart
              
               ,
               and
               the
               promise
               is
               ,
               that
               
                 we
                 shall
                 all
                 know
                 him
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 greatest
                 to
                 the
                 least
                 .
              
               Our
               duty
               is
               set
               up
               
               in
               open
               places
               ,
               and
               shone
               upon
               by
               a
               clear
               Beam
               ;
               'T
               was
               written
               of
               old
               upon
               the
               plain
               Tables
               of
               
                 Habakkuk
                 ,
                 Hab.
              
               2.
               2.
               
               So
               that
               the
               
                 running
                 Eye
              
               might
               
                 see
                 and
                 read
              
               :
               And
               the
               Religion
               of
               the
               H.
               Jesus
               ,
               like
               himself
               ,
               came
               into
               the
               world
               with
               Rays
               about
               its
               Head.
               
            
             
               Religion
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               is
               clear
               ,
               and
               plain
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               not
               so
               ,
               may
               concern
               the
               Theatre
               ,
               or
               the
               Schools
               ;
               may
               entertain
               mens
               Wits
               ,
               and
               serve
               the
               Interests
               of
               Disputes
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               nothing
               to
               Religion
               ,
               't
               is
               nothing
               to
               the
               Interest
               of
               mens
               Souls
               .
            
             
               Religion
               was
               once
               a
               Mystery
               ,
               but
               the
               Mystery
               is
               revealed
               ;
               And
               those
               things
               that
               we
               yet
               count
               Mysteries
               ,
               are
               plainly
               enough
               discover'd
               as
               to
               their
               
                 being
                 such
              
               as
               we
               believe
               them
               ,
               though
               we
               cannot
               understand
               the
               
                 manner
                 how
              
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               no
               part
               of
               Religion
               to
               enquire
               into
               that
               ,
               but
               rather
               It
               injoyns
               us
               meekly
               to
               acquiesce
               in
               the
               plain
               declarations
               of
               Faith
               without
               bold
               scrutiny
               into
               
                 hidden
                 things
              
               .
               
               In
               short
               I
               say
               ,
               the
               
                 difficulties
                 of
                 Religion
                 are
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Vnderstanding
                 ;
                 In
                 prompto
                 &
                 Facili
                 est
                 aeternitas
                 ,
              
               said
               the
               Father
               ;
               The
               affairs
               of
               eternity
               depend
               on
               things
               Easy
               and
               Familiar
               .
               And
               I
               premise
               this
               to
               prevent
               dangerous
               mistakes
               .
            
             
               But
               thoug
               Religion
               be
               so
               facile
               and
               plain
               a
               thing
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               yet
               the
               way
               to
               Heaven
               is
               no
               broad
               ,
               or
               
                 easie
                 Path
              
               ;
               The
               
                 Gate
                 is
                 straight
              
               enough
               for
               all
               that
               ;
               and
               I
               now
               come
               to
               shew
               what
               are
               the
               
                 real
                 difficulties
              
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               whence
               they
               arise
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               One
               great
               Difficulty
               ariseth
               from
               the
               depravity
               of
               our
               Natures
               .
               The
               Scripture
               intimates
               ,
               
                 That
                 we
                 are
                 conceived
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
              
               Psalm
               55.
               5.
               
               
                 Transgressours
                 from
                 the
                 Womb.
              
               Isaiah
               48.
               8.
               
               And
               
                 Children
                 of
                 Wrath.
              
               Ephes.
               2.
               3.
               
               And
               we
               find
               by
               Experience
               that
               we
               bring
               vile
               Inclinations
               into
               the
               Wold
               with
               us
               .
               Some
               are
               naturally
               Cruel
               and
               Injurious
               ;
               Proud
               and
               Imperious
               ;
               Lustful
               and
               Revengful
               ;
               
               Others
               ,
               Covetous
               and
               Unjust
               ;
               Humoursome
               and
               Discontented
               ;
               Treacherous
               and
               False
               :
               And
               there
               is
               scarce
               an
               instance
               of
               habitual
               vice
               ,
               or
               villany
               ,
               but
               some
               or
               other
               are
               addicted
               to
               it
               by
               their
               
                 partieular
                 Make
                 and
                 Natures
              
               :
               I
               say
               ,
               their
               Natures
               ,
               for
               certainly
               it
               is
               not
               true
               what
               some
               affirm
               ,
               to
               serve
               their
               Opinions
               ,
               in
               contradiction
               to
               Experience
               ;
               That
               
                 Vices
                 are
                 not
                 in
                 Mens
                 natural
                 Propensions
                 ;
                 but
                 instill'd
                 by
                 corrupt
                 Education
                 ,
                 evil
                 Customs
                 and
                 Examples
                 :
              
               For
               we
               see
               that
               those
               whose
               Education
               hath
               been
               the
               same
               ,
               do
               yet
               differ
               extreamly
               from
               each
               other
               in
               their
               inclinations
               ;
               And
               some
               ,
               whose
               Breeding
               hath
               been
               careless
               and
               loose
               ,
               who
               have
               seen
               almost
               nothing
               else
               but
               Examples
               of
               Vice
               ;
               and
               been
               instructed
               in
               little
               ,
               besides
               the
               arts
               of
               Vanity
               and
               Pleasure
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               there
               are
               such
               who
               notwithstanding
               these
               their
               unhappy
               circumstances
               ,
               discover
               none
               of
               those
               vile
               Inclinations
               ,
               and
               Propensions
               ,
               that
               are
               in
               others
               ,
               whose
               Education
               hath
               
               been
               very
               strict
               and
               advantageous
               .
               This
               I
               think
               is
               enough
               to
               shew
               that
               many
               of
               our
               evil
               habits
               are
               from
               Nature
               ,
               and
               not
               from
               Custom
               only
               .
            
             
               And
               yet
               I
               cannot
               say
               that
               
                 Humane
                 Nature
              
               is
               so
               debaucht
               ,
               that
               
                 every
                 Man
              
               is
               inclin'd
               to
               
                 every
                 Evil
              
               by
               it
               :
               For
               there
               are
               those
               ,
               who
               by
               their
               Tempers
               are
               averse
               to
               some
               kind
               of
               Vices
               ,
               and
               naturally
               disposed
               to
               the
               
                 contrary
                 Vertues
                 ;
                 some
              
               by
               their
               Constitutions
               are
               inclined
               to
               
                 hate
                 Cruelty
                 ,
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 Lying
                 ,
                 Impudence
              
               and
               Injustice
               ,
               and
               are
               by
               
                 Temper
                 ,
                 Merciful
                 ,
                 Liberal
                 ,
                 Modest
                 ,
                 True
              
               and
               Just.
               There
               are
               kinds
               of
               Vices
               which
               our
               Natures
               almost
               universally
               rise
               agaisnt
               ,
               as
               many
               Bestialities
               ,
               and
               some
               
                 horrid
                 Cruelties
              
               ;
               and
               all
               men
               ,
               except
               Monsters
               in
               Humane
               form
               ,
               are
               disposed
               to
               some
               Vertues
               ,
               such
               as
               Love
               to
               Children
               ,
               and
               Kindness
               to
               Friends
               and
               Benefactors
               .
               All
               this
               P
               must
               confess
               and
               say
               ,
               because
               Experien̄ce
               constrains
               me
               ;
               and
               I
               do
               not
               know
               why
               
                 Systematick
                 Notions
              
               should
               
               sway
               more
               than
               that
               .
            
             
               But
               notwithstanding
               these
               last
               concessions
               ,
               't
               is
               evident
               enough
               that
               our
               Natures
               are
               much
               vitiated
               ,
               and
               depraved
               ;
               and
               this
               makes
               our
               business
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ,
               difficult
               .
               For
               our
               work
               is
               ,
               to
               cleanse
               our
               Natures
               ;
               and
               to
               destroy
               those
               
                 Evil
                 Inclinations
              
               ;
               to
               
                 crucifie
                 the
                 Old
                 Man
              
               ;
               Rom.
               6.
               6.
               and
               to
               
                 purge
                 out
                 the
                 old
                 Leven
              
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               5.
               7.
               
               This
               is
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               Way
               of
               Happiness
               ,
               which
               must
               needs
               be
               very
               difficult
               ,
               and
               uneasie
               .
               For
               the
               vices
               of
               Inclination
               are
               very
               dear
               ,
               and
               grateful
               to
               us
               ;
               They
               are
               our
               
                 Right
                 Hands
              
               ,
               and
               our
               
                 Right
                 Eyes
              
               ,
               and
               esteemed
               as
               our Selves
               :
               So
               that
               to
               cut
               off
               ,
               and
               pluck
               out
               these
               ,
               and
               to
               bid
               defiance
               to
               ,
               and
               wage
               War
               against
               our selves
               ;
               to
               destroy
               the
               first
               born
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               and
               to
               lop
               off
               our
               own
               Limbs
               ;
               This
               cannot
               but
               be
               very
               Irksom
               and
               Displeasant
               Imployment
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               one
               chief
               business
               ;
               and
               a
               considerable
               thing
               that
               makes
               
                 Religion
                 difficult
              
               .
            
             
             
               II.
               Another
               Difficulty
               ariseth
               from
               the
               Influence
               of
               the
               Senses
               .
               We
               are
               Creatures
               of
               sense
               ,
               and
               sensible
               things
               do
               most
               powerfully
               move
               us
               ,
               we
               are
               born
               Children
               ,
               and
               live
               at
               first
               the
               life
               of
               
                 Beasts
                 :
                 That
              
               Age
               receives
               deep
               Impressions
               ;
               and
               those
               are
               made
               by
               the
               senses
               ,
               whose
               Interest
               grows
               strong
               ,
               and
               establisht
               in
               us
               before
               we
               come
               to
               the
               use
               of
               Reason
               ;
               and
               after
               we
               have
               arrived
               to
               the
               exercise
               of
               that
               ,
               sensible
               objects
               still
               possess
               our
               Affections
               ,
               and
               sway
               our
               Wills
               ,
               and
               fill
               our
               Imaginations
               ,
               and
               influence
               our
               Vnderstandings
               ;
               so
               that
               we
               love
               ,
               and
               hate
               ;
               we
               desire
               and
               choose
               ,
               we
               fancy
               ,
               and
               we
               discourse
               according
               to
               those
               Impressions
               ;
               and
               hence
               it
               is
               that
               we
               are
               enamour'd
               of
               Trifles
               ,
               and
               fly
               from
               our
               Happiness
               ;
               and
               
                 pu●sue
                 Vexation
              
               ,
               and
               
                 embrace
                 Misery
              
               ;
               and
               
                 imagine
                 Perversely
              
               ,
               and
               
                 reason
                 Childishly
              
               :
               for
               the
               influence
               of
               the
               Body
               and
               its
               Senses
               are
               the
               chief
               Fountains
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               Folly
               ,
               and
               Temptation
               :
               
               Upon
               which
               accounts
               it
               was
               that
               the
               
                 Platonical
                 Philosophers
              
               declaim'd
               so
               earnestly
               against
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               ascrib'd
               all
               Evils
               and
               Michief
               to
               it
               ;
               calling
               vice
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 corpore●
                 Pestes
                 ,
                 material
                 Evils
              
               ,
               and
               
                 bodily
                 Plagues
              
               .
               And
               the
               Apostle
               that
               understood
               it
               better
               ,
               calls
               Sin
               by
               the
               name
               of
               Flesh
               ,
               Gal.
               5.
               17.
               
               
                 Works
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
              
               ,
               Gal.
               5.
               19.
               
               
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Members
              
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               23.
               and
               cries
               out
               upon
               the
               
                 Body
                 of
                 this
                 Death
              
               ,
               Rom
               7.
               24.
               
            
             
               And
               now
               this
               is
               our
               natural
               Condition
               ,
               a
               state
               subject
               to
               the
               prevalent
               influences
               of
               Sense
               ,
               and
               by
               this
               means
               to
               Sin
               and
               Temptation
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               our
               Work
               in
               Religion
               ,
               to
               mortifie
               the
               Body
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               13.
               
                 and
                 to
                 cease
                 from
                 mkaing
                 provision
                 for
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               13.
               14.
               
                 and
                 from
                 fulfilling
                 the
                 Lusts
                 thereof
                 ,
              
               Gal.
               5.
               14.
               
               To
               render
               our selves
               dead
               to
               the
               prevalent
               life
               of
               Sense
               and
               Sin
               ,
               Rom.
               6.
               8.
               and
               11.
               5.
               and
               to
               arise
               to
               a
               
                 new
                 Life
              
               ,
               Rom.
               6.
               4.
               
               The
               Life
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               
               Faith
               ,
               Hab.
               2
               4.
               
               A
               Life
               that
               hath
               other
               Principles
               ,
               and
               other
               Pleasures
               ;
               other
               Objects
               ,
               and
               other
               Ends
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               neither
               
                 Eye
                 hath
                 seen
              
               ,
               nor
               
                 Ear
                 heard
              
               ,
               nor
               any
               of
               the
               Senses
               perceived
               .
               Yea
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               Life
               that
               is
               exercised
               in
               contradiction
               to
               the
               Judgments
               of
               sense
               .
               It
               s
               Joy
               ,
               is
               Tribulation
               ;
               Jam.
               1.
               2.
               
               It
               s
               
                 Glory
                 ,
                 Reproaches
              
               ;
               2
               Pet.
               4.
               14.
               
               It
               s
               Height
               ,
               is
               Lowness
               ;
               Luke
               14.
               11.
               
               It
               s
               Greatness
               ,
               in
               being
               Meanest
               ;
               Matth.
               20.
               27.
               
               And
               its
               Riches
               ,
               in
               having
               Nothing
               ;
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               10.
               
               To
               such
               a
               Life
               as
               this
               ,
               Religion
               is
               to
               raise
               us
               ;
               and
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               difficult
               to
               make
               us
               ,
               who
               are
               so
               much
               Brutes
               ,
               to
               be
               so
               much
               
                 Angels
                 ;
                 us
              
               ,
               who
               seem
               to
               live
               by
               nothing
               else
               but
               sense
               ,
               to
               live
               by
               
                 nothing
                 less
              
               ;
               This
               with
               a
               witness
               is
               an
               hard
               ,
               and
               uneasie
               Work
               ,
               and
               another
               difficulty
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               III.
               A
               Third
               proceeds
               from
               the
               natural
               Disorder
               and
               Rage
               of
               our
               Passions
               .
               Our
               Corrupt
               Natures
               are
               like
               
               the
               
                 troubled
                 Sea
              
               ,
               Isa.
               57.
               20.
               
               And
               our
               Passions
               are
               the
               Wa●e
               of
               that
               Ocean
               ;
               that
               tumble
               and
               swell
               ,
               and
               keep
               a
               mighty
               noise
               ;
               they
               dash
               against
               the
               Rocks
               ,
               and
               break
               one
               against
               another
               ;
               and
               our
               Peace
               and
               Happiness
               is
               shipwrackt
               by
               them
               .
               
                 Our
                 Passiions
                 make
                 us
                 miserable
              
               .
               We
               are
               sometimes
               stifled
               by
               their
               Numbers
               ,
               and
               confounded
               by
               their
               Disorders
               ,
               and
               torn
               to
               pieces
               by
               their
               Violence
               ;
               mounted
               to
               the
               Clouds
               by
               Ambition
               ,
               and
               thrown
               down
               to
               the
               deeep
               by
               Despair
               ;
               scorcht
               by
               the
               flames
               of
               Lust
               ,
               and
               overwhelmed
               by
               the
               Waters
               of
               unstable
               
                 Desire
                 ;
                 Passions
              
               fight
               
                 one
                 against
                 another
              
               ,
               and
               all
               against
               reason
               ;
               they
               prevail
               over
               the
               Mind
               ,
               and
               have
               usurpt
               the
               Government
               of
               our
               Actions
               ,
               and
               involve
               us
               in
               continual
               Guilt
               and
               Misery
               .
               This
               is
               the
               natural
               State
               of
               Man
               ;
               and
               our
               work
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               to
               restrain
               this
               Violence
               ,
               and
               to
               rectifie
               these
               Disorders
               ,
               and
               to
               reduce
               those
               Rebellious
               Powers
               under
               the
               Empire
               and
               Government
               of
               the
               
               Mind
               ,
               their
               Soveraign
               .
               And
               so
               to
               regain
               the
               Divine
               Image
               ,
               which
               consists
               much
               in
               the
               order
               of
               our
               Faculties
               ;
               and
               the
               Subjection
               of
               the
               Brutish
               ,
               to
               the
               reasonable
               Powers
               .
               This
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               Religion
               aims
               at
               ,
               to
               raise
               us
               to
               the
               perfection
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               by
               mortifying
               those
               Members
               ,
               Col.
               3.
               5.
               our
               
                 unruly
                 Passions
              
               and
               Desires
               ;
               and
               crucifying
               the
               Flesh
               with
               its
               Affections
               and
               Lusts
               ;
               Gal.
               5.
               24.
               
               And
               thereby
               to
               make
               us
               humble
               in
               
                 Prosperity
                 ,
                 quiet
              
               in
               
                 Adversity
                 ;
                 meek
              
               under
               
                 Provocations
                 ,
                 steady
              
               amidst
               
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 modest
              
               in
               our
               
                 Desires
                 ,
                 temperate
              
               in
               our
               
                 Injoyments
                 ,
                 constant
              
               to
               our
               Resolutions
               ,
               and
               contented
               in
               all
               Conditions
               .
               Here
               is
               our
               great
               Business
               ,
               and
               our
               
                 Work
                 is
                 this
              
               :
               And
               certainly
               't
               is
               no
               easie
               thing
               to
               bring
               order
               out
               of
               a
               Chaos
               ,
               and
               to
               speak
               a
               Tempest
               in
               a
               Calm
               ;
               to
               resist
               a
               Torrnt
               ,
               and
               to
               stop
               and
               turn
               the
               Tyde
               ;
               to
               subdue
               a
               Rebellious
               Rabble
               ,
               and
               to
               change
               them
               from
               Tyrannical
               Masters
               ,
               to
               Modest
               and
               Obedient
               Servants
               :
               These
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ,
               
               are
               works
               of
               difficulty
               enough
               ,
               and
               these
               must
               be
               our
               Imployment
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               on
               this
               score
               also
               ,
               the
               
                 Gate
                 is
                 straight
              
               .
            
             
               IV.
               Our
               Work
               in
               Religion
               is
               yet
               more
               difficult
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               Custom
               ,
               to
               which
               we
               are
               subject
               ,
               and
               by
               which
               we
               are
               swayed
               much
               .
               This
               is
               vulgarly
               said
               to
               be
               
                 another
                 Nature
              
               ,
               and
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               it
               by
               that
               name
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               11.
               14.
               
               
                 Doth
                 not
                 Nature
                 it self
                 teach
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 have
                 long
                 Hair
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 shame
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
              
               By
               the
               word
               Nature
               ,
               the
               best
               Interpreters
               say
               only
               Custom
               is
               meant
               ;
               since
               
                 long
                 Hair
              
               is
               not
               declared
               shameful
               by
               the
               Law
               and
               Light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               taken
               in
               its
               chief
               and
               properest
               sense
               :
               For
               then
               it
               had
               never
               been
               permitted
               to
               the
               Nazarites
               :
               But
               the
               
                 contrary
                 custom
              
               ,
               in
               the
               Nations
               that
               used
               it
               not
               ,
               made
               it
               seem
               
                 shameful
                 and
                 indecent
              
               .
               There
               are
               other
               places
               in
               Scripture
               and
               ancient
               Authors
               ,
               wherein
               Nature
               is
               put
               for
               Custom
               :
               But
               I
               
               must
               not
               insist
               on
               this
               ;
               the
               thing
               I
               am
               about
               is
               ,
               that
               Custom
               is
               very
               powerful
               ;
               and
               as
               it
               makes
               a
               kind
               of
               Nature
               ,
               so
               ,
               many
               times
               it
               masters
               and
               subdues
               it
               .
               Wild
               Creatures
               are
               hereby
               made
               gentle
               and
               familiar
               ;
               and
               those
               that
               naturally
               are
               tame
               enough
               ;
               are
               made
               to
               degenerate
               into
               wildness
               by
               it
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               besides
               the
               original
               depravities
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               we
               have
               contracted
               many
               
                 vitious
                 habits
              
               by
               corrupt
               and
               evil
               usages
               ;
               which
               we
               were
               drawn
               into
               at
               first
               by
               pleasure
               and
               vanity
               in
               our
               young
               &
               inconsiderate
               years
               ,
               while
               we
               were
               led
               by
               the
               directions
               of
               sense
               :
               These
               ,
               by
               frequent
               acts
               ,
               grow
               at
               last
               into
               habits
               ;
               which
               though
               in
               their
               beginning
               they
               were
               tender
               as
               a
               Plant
               ,
               and
               easie
               to
               have
               been
               crusht
               or
               blasted
               ,
               yet
               time
               and
               use
               hardens
               them
               into
               the
               firmness
               of
               an
               Oak
               ,
               that
               braves
               the
               Weather
               ,
               and
               can
               endure
               the
               stroak
               of
               the
               Ax
               and
               a
               strong
               Arm.
               
            
             
               Now
               to
               destroy
               and
               root
               up
               these
               obstinate
               customary
               evils
               ,
               is
               another
               
               part
               of
               our
               Work.
               And
               Religion
               reacheth
               us
               to
               
                 put
                 off
                 concerning
                 the
                 Old
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 the
                 Old
                 Man
                 ,
              
               Eph.
               4.
               22.
               and
               to
               receive
               
                 new
                 Impressions
              
               and
               Inclinations
               ;
               to
               be
               renewed
               in
               the
               
                 spirit
                 of
                 our
                 Minds
              
               ,
               5.
               23
               and
               to
               
                 put
                 on
                 the
                 New
                 Man
              
               ,
               5.
               24.
               
               To
               make
               us
               
                 new
                 Hearts
              
               ,
               Ezek.
               18.
               31.
               and
               to
               
                 walk
                 in
                 newness
                 of
                 Life
              
               ,
               Rom.
               6.
               4.
               
               This
               we
               are
               to
               do
               ,
               and
               this
               we
               may
               well
               suppose
               to
               be
               hard
               work
               ;
               the
               Scripture
               compares
               it
               to
               the
               changing
               the
               Skin
               of
               the
               Aethiopian
               ,
               and
               the
               Spots
               of
               the
               Leopard
               ,
               Jer.
               13.
               23.
               and
               elsewhere
               .
               
                 How
                 can
                 they
                 do
                 good
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 accustomed
                 to
                 do
                 evil
                 ?
              
               Jer.
               13.
               23.
               
               'T
               is
               hard
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               another
               difficulty
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               V.
               The
               Power
               that
               Example
               hath
               over
               us
               ,
               makes
               the
               way
               of
               
                 Religion
                 difficult
                 .
                 Example
              
               is
               more
               prevalent
               than
               Precept
               ,
               for
               Man
               is
               a
               Creature
               given
               much
               to
               Imitation
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               very
               apt
               to
               follow
               what
               we
               
                 see
                 others
                 do
              
               ,
               rather
               than
               what
               we
               
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 our selves
              
               .
            
             
             
               And
               now
               the
               Apostle
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               That
               
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 lies
                 in
                 wickedness
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               5.
               19.
               and
               we
               sadly
               find
               it
               :
               we
               cannot
               look
               out
               of
               doors
               ,
               but
               we
               see
               Vanity
               and
               
                 Folly
                 ,
                 Sensuality
                 and
                 Forgetfulness
              
               of
               God
               ;
               Pride
               and
               
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 Injustice
              
               and
               Intemperance
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               kinds
               of
               Evils
               :
               These
               we
               meet
               with
               every
               where
               ,
               in
               Publick
               Companies
               ,
               and
               Private
               Conversations
               ;
               in
               the
               
                 High
                 Ways
              
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Corners
               of
               the
               Streets
               .
            
             
               The
               Sum
               is
               ,
               Example
               is
               very
               powerful
               ,
               and
               Examples
               of
               Vice
               are
               always
               in
               our
               Eyes
               ;
               we
               are
               apt
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               that
               which
               
                 every
                 one
                 doth
              
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               like
               it
               ;
               we
               love
               the
               
                 trodden
                 Path
              
               ,
               and
               care
               not
               to
               walk
               in
               the
               Way
               which
               is
               gone
               in
               but
               by
               a
               few
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               our
               Condition
               ,
               and
               our
               work
               in
               Religion
               is
               ,
               to
               overcome
               the
               strong
               Biass
               of
               corrupt
               Example
               ;
               to
               strive
               against
               the
               Stream
               ,
               to
               learn
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               though
               few
               are
               so
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               follow
               
                 a
                 Multitude
                 to
                 do
                 Evil
              
               ,
               Exod.
               23.
               2.
               
               This
               is
               our
               Business
               ;
               
               and
               this
               is
               very
               Difficult
               .
            
             
               VI.
               The
               last
               Difficulty
               I
               shall
               mention
               ,
               ariseth
               from
               
                 Worldly
                 Interests
              
               and
               Engagements
               .
               We
               have
               many
               Necessities
               to
               serve
               ,
               both
               in
               our
               Persons
               and
               our
               Families
               .
               Nature
               excluded
               us
               naked
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               without
               Cloathing
               for
               Warmth
               ,
               or
               Armature
               for
               Defence
               ;
               and
               Food
               is
               not
               provided
               to
               our
               Hands
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               for
               the
               Beasts
               ;
               nor
               do
               our
               Houses
               grow
               for
               our
               Habitation
               ,
               and
               comfortable
               abode
               .
               Nothing
               is
               prepared
               for
               our
               use
               without
               our
               Industry
               and
               Endeavours
               .
               So
               that
               by
               the
               Necessity
               of
               
                 this
                 State
              
               ,
               we
               are
               engaged
               in
               
                 Worldly
                 Affairs
                 :
                 These
                 ,
                 Nature
              
               requires
               us
               to
               mind
               ,
               and
               Religion
               permits
               it
               ;
               and
               nothing
               can
               be
               done
               without
               our
               Care
               ;
               and
               Care
               would
               be
               very
               troublesome
               ,
               if
               there
               were
               not
               some
               Love
               to
               the
               Objects
               we
               exercise
               our
               Cares
               upon
               :
               Hence
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               
                 some
                 Cares
              
               about
               the
               things
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               and
               Love
               to
               them
               is
               allowed
               us
               ;
               
               and
               we
               are
               commanded
               to
               continue
               in
               the
               
                 Calling
                 wherein
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 us
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               20.
               and
               are
               warned
               that
               we
               be
               not
               
                 slothful
                 in
                 Business
              
               ,
               Rom.
               12.
               11.
               
               We
               may
               take
               
                 some
                 delight
              
               also
               in
               the
               Creatures
               that
               God
               gives
               us
               ,
               and
               love
               them
               in
               their
               degree
               :
               For
               the
               animal
               Life
               may
               have
               its
               
                 moderate
                 Gratifications
                 ;
                 God
                 made
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 enjoy
                 their
                 Being
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               now
               ,
               notwithstanding
               all
               this
               ,
               Religion
               commands
               us
               to
               
                 set
                 our
                 Affections
                 upon
                 things
                 above
                 ,
              
               Col.
               3.
               2.
               not
               to
               
                 love
                 the
                 World
              
               ,
               1
               Joh.
               2.
               15.
               to
               be
               
                 careful
                 for
                 nothing
              
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               6.
               to
               take
               no
               
                 thought
                 for
                 to
                 morrow
              
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               34.
               
               The
               meaning
               of
               which
               Expressions
               is
               ,
               That
               we
               should
               
                 love
                 God
              
               and
               
                 Heavenly
                 things
              
               ,
               in
               the
               chief
               and
               
                 first
                 place
              
               ;
               and
               avoid
               the
               
                 immoderate
                 Desires
              
               of
               
                 Worldly
                 Love
              
               and
               Cares
               .
               This
               is
               our
               Duty
               :
               and
               't
               is
               very
               difficult
               :
               For
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               burry
               of
               Business
               ,
               and
               those
               Passions
               that
               Earthly
               Engagements
               excite
               ;
               
               we
               consider
               not
               things
               as
               we
               should
               ,
               and
               so
               ,
               many
               times
               perceive
               not
               the
               Bounds
               of
               our
               Permissions
               ,
               and
               the
               Beginnings
               of
               our
               Restraints
               ;
               where
               the
               allowed
               Measure
               ends
               ,
               and
               the
               forbidden
               Degree
               commenceth
               :
               what
               is
               the
               difference
               between
               that
               Care
               that
               is
               a
               Duty
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               a
               
                 Sin
                 ;
                 Providence
              
               and
               Carking
               ;
               and
               between
               
                 that
                 Love
              
               of
               the
               World
               which
               is
               Necessary
               and
               Lawful
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               Extravagant
               and
               Inordinate
               ?
               I
               say
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               hurry
               we
               are
               in
               ,
               amidst
               Business
               and
               worldly
               Delights
               ,
               we
               many
               times
               
                 perceive
                 not
                 our
                 Bounds
              
               ,
               and
               so
               slide
               easily
               into
               Earthly-mindedness
               and
               anxiety
               .
               And
               it
               is
               hard
               for
               us
               ,
               who
               are
               engaged
               so
               much
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               who
               need
               it
               so
               much
               ,
               who
               converse
               so
               much
               with
               it
               and
               about
               it
               ,
               and
               whose
               time
               and
               endeavours
               are
               so
               unavoidably
               taken
               up
               by
               it
               ;
               I
               say
               't
               is
               hard
               for
               us
               ,
               in
               such
               Circumstances
               ,
               to
               be
               
                 crucified
                 to
                 the
                 World
              
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               14.
               and
               to
               all
               
                 inordinate
                 Affections
              
               
               to
               it
               :
               to
               live
               above
               it
               and
               to
               settle
               our
               chief
               Delights
               and
               Cares
               on
               things
               at
               great
               distance
               from
               us
               ,
               which
               are
               unsutable
               to
               our
               corrupt
               Appetites
               ,
               and
               contrary
               to
               the
               most
               
                 relishing
                 Injoyments
              
               of
               Flesh
               ;
               which
               Sense
               never
               saw
               nor
               felt
               ,
               and
               which
               the
               Imagination
               it self
               could
               never
               
                 grasp
                 .
                 This
              
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ,
               is
               
                 hard
                 Exercise
              
               ,
               and
               this
               must
               be
               done
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               on
               this
               Account
               also
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               difficult
               .
            
             
               Thus
               of
               the
               First
               
                 Proposition
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 are
                 great
                 Difficulties
                 in
                 Religion
                 .
              
               I
               come
               now
               to
               the
               Second
               .
            
             
               II.
               THat
               those
               Difficulties
               may
               be
               overcome
               by
               striving
               ;
               
                 which
                 imports
                 both
                 the
              
               Encouragement
               
                 and
                 the
              
               Means
               ;
               That
               they
               may
               be
               vanquisht
               ,
               and
               how
               .
            
             
               (
               I.
               )
               That
               the
               
                 Difficulties
                 may
                 be
                 subdued
              
               ,
               is
               clearly
               enough
               implyed
               ,
               in
               the
               Precept
               ;
               we
               should
               not
               have
               been
               commanded
               to
               strive
               ,
               if
               it
               had
               been
               impossible
               to
               overcome
               .
               God
               
               doth
               not
               put
               his
               Creatures
               upon
               fruitless
               Undertakings
               :
               He
               never
               requires
               us
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               in
               order
               to
               that
               ,
               which
               is
               not
               to
               be
               attained
               .
               Therefore
               when
               he
               was
               resolved
               not
               to
               be
               intreated
               for
               that
               stubborn
               and
               rebellious
               Nation
               .
               He
               would
               not
               have
               the
               Prophet
               pray
               for
               them
               ,
               Jer.
               7.
               16.
               
               
                 Pray
                 not
                 for
                 this
                 People
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 hear
                 thee
                 .
              
               He
               would
               not
               be
               petitioned
               for
               that
               ,
               which
               he
               was
               determined
               not
               to
               grant
               .
               He
               puts
               not
               his
               Creatures
               upon
               any
               vain
               Expectations
               and
               Endeavours
               ;
               nor
               would
               he
               have
               them
               deceive
               themselves
               by
               fond
               Dependences
               .
               When
               one
               made
               this
               Profession
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 follow
                 thee
                 whithersoever
                 thou
                 goest
                 .
                 Christ
              
               tells
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               must
               expect
               from
               him
               no
               worldly
               Honours
               or
               Preferments
               ;
               no
               Power
               or
               sensual
               Pleasure
               ,
               no
               ,
               not
               so
               much
               as
               the
               ordinary
               Accommodations
               of
               Life
               .
               
                 The
                 Foxes
                 have
                 Holes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Birds
                 of
                 the
                 Ayre
                 have
                 Nests
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 hath
                 not
                 where
                 to
                 lay
                 his
                 Head.
              
               
               Luk.
               9.
               5
               ,
               8.
               
               He
               would
               not
               have
               the
               man
               that
               likely
               might
               look
               for
               these
               ,
               upon
               the
               opinion
               of
               his
               being
               the
               Messias
               ,
               in
               the
               Jewish
               sense
               ,
               one
               that
               should
               at
               last
               ,
               whatever
               the
               meanness
               of
               his
               Condition
               was
               at
               present
               ,
               appear
               as
               a
               Mighty
               ,
               and
               
                 Triumphant
                 temporal
                 Monarch
              
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               would
               not
               have
               the
               Man
               follow
               him
               for
               that
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               not
               to
               bestow
               upon
               him
               .
               Since
               then
               that
               he
               who
               would
               not
               put
               us
               upon
               fruitless
               labours
               ,
               hath
               commanded
               us
               to
               strive
               to
               enter
               ;
               't
               is
               evident
               ,
               that
               an
               entrance
               may
               be
               procured
               into
               the
               Gate
               by
               striving
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Difficulties
               may
               
                 be
                 overcome
              
               .
            
             
               The
               next
               thing
               in
               my
               Method
               is
               to
               shew
               ,
               How
               ;
               the
               manner
               is
               implyed
               in
               the
               Text
               ;
               and
               exprest
               in
               the
               
                 Proposition
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               By
               striving
               ;
               and
               by
               this
               ,
               is
               meant
               ,
               a
               resolute
               use
               of
               those
               means
               that
               are
               the
               Instruments
               of
               Happiness
               .
               They
               are
               three
               ,
               
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Prayer
              
               ,
               and
               
                 active
                 Endeavour
              
               .
            
             
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Faith
               is
               a
               chief
               Instrument
               ,
               for
               the
               overcoming
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               our
               way
               .
            
             
               And
               Faith
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               is
               the
               belief
               of
               a
               
                 Testimony
                 ;
                 Divine
                 Faith
              
               the
               belief
               of
               a
               Divine
               Testimony
               ;
               and
               the
               chief
               things
               to
               be
               believed
               ,
               as
               encouragements
               and
               means
               for
               a
               Victory
               over
               the
               Difficulties
               in
               Religion
               ,
               are
               
                 these
                 ;
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 reconciled
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 Son
                 ;
                 That
                 he
                 will
                 assist
                 our
                 weak
                 endeavous
                 by
                 the
                 Aids
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 That
                 he
                 will
                 reward
                 us
                 if
                 we
                 strive
                 as
                 we
                 ought
                 ,
                 with
                 immortal
                 Happiness
                 in
                 a
                 World
                 of
                 endless
                 Glory
                 .
              
            
             
               By
               our
               belief
               of
               God's
               being
               reconciled
               ,
               we
               are
               secured
               from
               those
               fears
               ,
               that
               might
               discourage
               our
               approaches
               and
               endeavours
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               his
               Purity
               and
               Justice
               .
               By
               the
               Faith
               of
               his
               Assistance
               ,
               all
               the
               objections
               against
               our
               striving
               ,
               that
               arise
               from
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               Difficulties
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 disproportionate
                 smalness
              
               of
               our
               Strength
               ,
               are
               answered
               .
               And
               from
               our
               believing
               
                 eternal
                 rewards
              
               in
               another
               World
               ,
               we
               have
               a
               
               mighty
               motive
               to
               engage
               our
               utmost
               diligence
               ,
               to
               contest
               with
               all
               difficulties
               that
               would
               keep
               us
               from
               it
               .
            
             
               What
               satisfaction
               is
               there
               ,
               saith
               the
               believer
               ,
               in
               the
               gratification
               of
               my
               
                 corrupt
                 Inclinations
              
               and
               Senses
               ,
               in
               comparison
               with
               that
               ,
               which
               ariseth
               from
               the
               favour
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               an
               Interest
               in
               his
               Son
               ?
               What
               difficulties
               in
               my
               
                 Duty
                 ,
                 too
              
               great
               for
               Divine
               Aids
               ?
               What
               pains
               are
               we
               to
               undergo
               in
               the
               narrow
               and
               difficult
               way
               ,
               that
               the
               Glory
               which
               is
               at
               the
               end
               of
               it
               ,
               will
               not
               compensate
               ?
               What
               is
               it
               to
               deny
               a
               base
               Inclination
               that
               will
               undo
               me
               ;
               in
               obedience
               to
               him
               that
               made
               ,
               and
               redeemed
               me
               ;
               and
               to
               despise
               the
               little
               things
               of
               present
               sense
               ,
               for
               the
               hope
               of
               
                 everlasting
                 enjoyments
                 ;
                 Trifting
              
               pleasure
               ,
               for
               Hallelujabs
               ?
               What
               were
               it
               for
               me
               to
               set
               vigorously
               upon
               those
               Passions
               that
               degrade
               my
               noble
               Nature
               ,
               and
               make
               me
               a
               slave
               and
               a
               beast
               ,
               and
               will
               make
               me
               more
               vile
               ,
               and
               more
               miserable
               ;
               when
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               most
               High
               is
               at
               my
               right
               hand
               to
               assist
               
               me
               ?
               Why
               should
               my
               noble
               Faculties
               ,
               that
               were
               designed
               for
               glorious
               ends
               ,
               be
               led
               into
               infamous
               practices
               by
               
                 base
                 Vsages
              
               ,
               and
               
                 dishonourable
                 Customs
              
               ?
               What
               is
               the
               example
               of
               a
               
                 wicked
                 ,
                 sensual
                 ,
                 wretched
              
               World
               ,
               to
               that
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Jesus
              
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               Army
               of
               
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 Apostles
              
               and
               Martyrs
               ?
               What
               is
               there
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               it
               should
               be
               loved
               more
               than
               God
               ?
               and
               what
               is
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               that
               it
               should
               have
               more
               of
               our
               time
               and
               care
               ,
               than
               the
               great
               interests
               of
               our
               Souls
               ?
            
             
               Such
               are
               the
               Considerations
               of
               a
               mind
               ,
               that
               Faith
               hath
               awakened
               ;
               and
               by
               them
               it
               is
               prepared
               for
               
                 vigorous
                 striving
              
               .
               So
               that
               Faith
               is
               the
               Spring
               of
               all
               ;
               and
               necessary
               to
               the
               other
               two
               Instruments
               of
               our
               Happiness
               .
               Besides
               which
               ,
               it
               is
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               in
               it
               self
               ,
               and
               so
               disposeth
               us
               for
               his
               
                 gracious
                 helps
              
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               are
               enabled
               to
               overcome
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               our
               way
               .
               While
               a
               man
               considers
               the
               Difficulties
               only
               ,
               and
               weighs
               them
               against
               his
               own
               strength
               ,
               let
               him
               suppose
               
               the
               Liberty
               of
               his
               Will
               to
               be
               what
               he
               pleaseth
               ,
               yet
               while
               't
               is
               under
               such
               disadvantages
               ,
               that
               will
               signifie
               very
               little
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               sees
               no
               further
               ,
               sits
               down
               in
               discouragement
               ;
               But
               when
               the
               mind
               is
               fortified
               with
               the
               firm
               belief
               of
               
                 Divine
                 help
              
               ,
               he
               attempts
               then
               with
               a
               
                 noble
                 vigour
              
               ,
               which
               cannot
               miscarry
               ,
               if
               it
               do
               not
               cool
               and
               faint
               .
               For
               
                 he
                 that
                 endures
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               24.
               13.
               
               Thus
               Faith
               sets
               the
               other
               Instruments
               of
               Happiness
               on
               work
               ,
               and
               therefore
               't
               is
               deservedly
               reckoned
               as
               the
               first
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               that
               which
               must
               always
               accompany
               the
               exercises
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               give
               them
               life
               and
               motion
               .
            
             
               (
               II.
               )
               Prayer
               is
               another
               means
               we
               must
               use
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               our
               overcoming
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               the
               way
               .
               Our
               own
               meer
               ,
               natural
               Strength
               is
               weakness
               ;
               and
               without
               supernatural
               helps
               those
               Difficulties
               are
               not
               to
               be
               surmounted
               .
               
                 Those
                 Aids
              
               are
               necessary
               ,
               and
               God
               is
               ready
               to
               bestow
               them
               on
               us
               ;
               For
               
               
                 He
                 would
                 have
                 all
                 men
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
              
               1
               Tim.
               2.
               4.
               
               But
               for
               
                 these
                 things
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 sought
                 unto
                 .
              
               And
               't
               is
               very
               just
               ,
               and
               fit
               that
               we
               should
               address
               our selves
               to
               him
               by
               Prayer
               ,
               to
               acknowledge
               our
               own
               insufficiency
               and
               dependence
               ,
               on
               him
               for
               the
               mercies
               we
               expect
               ;
               and
               thereby
               to
               own
               Him
               for
               the
               giver
               of
               
                 every
                 good
              
               and
               
                 perfect
                 gift
              
               ;
               and
               to
               instruct
               our selves
               how
               his
               favours
               are
               to
               be
               received
               and
               
                 used
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               with
               Reverence
               and
               Thanksgiving
               :
               This
               ,
               't
               is
               highly
               fit
               we
               should
               do
               ;
               and
               the
               doing
               it
               prepares
               us
               for
               his
               blessings
               ;
               and
               he
               fails
               not
               to
               bestow
               them
               on
               those
               that
               are
               prepared
               by
               Faith
               and
               
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 For
                 he
                 giveth
                 liberally
                 and
                 upbraids
                 not
              
               ;
               And
               our
               Prayers
               are
               required
               ,
               not
               as
               if
               they
               could
               move
               his
               will
               ,
               which
               is
               always
               graciously
               inclined
               to
               our
               Happiness
               ;
               But
               as
               it
               's
               
                 that
                 tribute
              
               which
               we
               owe
               our
               Maker
               and
               Benefactor
               ;
               and
               that
               without
               which
               't
               is
               not
               so
               fit
               he
               shonld
               bestow
               his
               particular
               
               favours
               on
               us
               .
               For
               it
               by
               no
               means
               becomes
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               to
               vouchsafe
               the
               specialties
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               Goodness
               to
               those
               ,
               that
               are
               not
               sensible
               they
               want
               them
               ;
               and
               are
               not
               humbled
               to
               a
               due
               apprehension
               of
               their
               weakness
               and
               dependence
               .
               But
               for
               such
               as
               are
               so
               ,
               and
               express
               their
               humble
               desires
               in
               the
               Ardours
               of
               
                 Holy
                 Prayer
              
               ,
               God
               never
               denies
               them
               the
               assistances
               of
               his
               
                 Spirit
                 :
                 For
                 if
                 ye
                 being
                 evil
              
               (
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               )
               
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 give
                 good
                 gifts
                 unto
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 shall
                 your
                 Father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 give
                 good
                 things
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 ask
                 Him
                 ?
              
               Mat.
               7.
               11.
               
            
             
               And
               
                 These
                 Divine
                 Helps
              
               obtain'd
               by
               
                 Faith
                 and
                 Prayer
              
               ,
               and
               join'd
               with
               our
               
                 active
                 constant
                 endeavour
              
               ,
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               enable
               us
               to
               overcome
               the
               Difficulties
               ,
               and
               to
               procure
               us
               an
               entrance
               at
               the
               
                 straight
                 Gate
              
               .
               And
               so
               I
               come
               to
               the
               
                 Third
                 Instrument
              
               of
               our
               Happiness
               ,
               which
               is
               implyed
               in
               striving
               ,
               viz.
               
            
             
             
               (
               III.
               )
               
                 Active
                 Endeavour
              
               ,
               in
               which
               Repentance
               and
               the
               fruits
               of
               it
               are
               implied
               ;
               Both
               Faith
               and
               Prayer
               are
               in
               order
               to
               this
               ;
               and
               without
               it
               neither
               can
               turn
               to
               account
               .
               For
               
                 Faith
                 without
                 works
                 is
                 dead
              
               ,
               Jam.
               2.
               20.
               and
               
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 without
                 endeavour
                 fruitless
              
               ;
               yea
               indeed
               ,
               in
               the
               Divine
               Estimate
               ,
               it
               is
               
                 none
                 at
                 all
              
               :
               'T
               is
               bodily
               exercise
               ;
               
                 no
                 Prayer
              
               .
               For
               when
               we
               invoke
               
                 Gods
                 help
              
               ,
               we
               desire
               it
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               use
               it
               ;
               
                 Divine
                 Grace
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Treasure
                 to
                 lay
                 up
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 Instrument
                 to
                 work
                 with
              
               ;
               and
               when
               we
               pray
               that
               God
               would
               assist
               us
               in
               our
               endeavours
               ,
               and
               
                 endeavour
                 not
                 at
                 all
              
               ,
               we
               mock
               God
               ,
               and
               trifle
               with
               him
               in
               our
               Prayers
               :
               Endeavour
               then
               is
               necessary
               ,
               and
               necessary
               in
               a
               degree
               so
               eminent
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               always
               included
               in
               Faith
               when
               't
               is
               taken
               in
               the
               highest
               and
               noblest
               
                 Evangelical
                 sense
              
               ,
               viz.
               for
               the
               Faith
               which
               justifies
               and
               saves
               ;
               for
               that
               comprehends
               all
               those
               endeavours
               ,
               and
               their
               fruits
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               made
               happy
               .
            
             
             
               We
               must
               not
               expect
               that
               God
               should
               do
               
                 all
                 (
                 exclusively
              
               )
               in
               the
               work
               of
               our
               Salvation
               .
               He
               doth
               his
               part
               ,
               and
               we
               must
               do
               ours
               ;
               (
               though
               we
               do
               that
               ,
               by
               his
               help
               too
               .
               )
               
                 He
                 that
                 made
                 us
                 without
                 our selves
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 save
                 us
                 without
                 our selves
                 ,
              
               said
               the
               Father
               .
               We
               are
               commanded
               to
               seek
               ,
               Mat.
               7.
               7.
               
               To
               Run
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               9.
               24.
               
               To
               fight
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               6.
               12.
               
               To
               
                 give
                 diligence
              
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               10.
               
               
                 These
                 all
              
               import
               Action
               and
               Endeavour
               .
               And
               that
               endeavour
               must
               not
               be
               only
               a
               faint
               purpose
               ,
               or
               formal
               service
               ;
               but
               it
               must
               be
               imployed
               in
               the
               
                 highest
                 degree
              
               of
               Care
               and
               
                 Diligence
                 .
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 suffereth
                 violence
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               11.
               12.
               and
               this
               violence
               must
               not
               be
               used
               in
               an
               heat
               ,
               and
               sudden
               fit
               only
               ,
               that
               cools
               and
               dies
               ,
               and
               contents
               it self
               with
               having
               been
               warm
               for
               a
               time
               :
               But
               it
               must
               be
               a
               steady
               and
               constant
               course
               of
               activity
               ,
               a
               continual
               striving
               to
               overcome
               the
               remaining
               difficulties
               of
               the
               way
               .
            
             
               We
               must
               
                 endeavour
                 vigorously
              
               and
               
               constantly
               ;
               and
               in
               that
               ,
               (
               after
               our
               Faith
               is
               strengthened
               by
               
                 deep
                 consideration
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Divine
                 assistance
              
               implored
               by
               
                 ardent
                 Prayer
              
               )
               our
               course
               is
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               
                 To
                 abstain
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 outward
                 actions
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 to
                 perform
                 the
                 external
                 acts
                 of
                 the
                 contrary
                 Vertues
                 .
                 To
                 cease
                 to
                 do
                 evil
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               1.
               16.
               is
               the
               first
               step
               .
               When
               the
               Publicans
               askt
               John
               the
               Baptist
               ,
               Luke
               3.
               12.
               what
               they
               should
               do
               ;
               His
               direction
               was
               ,
               that
               they
               
                 should
                 not
                 exact
              
               ,
               vers
               .
               13.
               and
               to
               the
               Souldiers
               ,
               asking
               the
               same
               question
               ,
               he
               answers
               ,
               
                 Do
                 Violence
                 to
                 no
                 man
              
               ,
               verf.
               14.
               
               These
               were
               the
               sins
               of
               their
               particular
               Professions
               ,
               which
               were
               to
               be
               quitted
               ,
               before
               any
               thing
               could
               be
               done
               higher
               .
               We
               have
               ordinarily
               more
               power
               over
               our
               actions
               ,
               than
               our
               habits
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               should
               begin
               here
               ,
               and
               resolve
               deeply
               ,
               by
               divine
               help
               ,
               to
               cut
               off
               those
               supplies
               that
               feed
               
                 vitious
                 inclinations
              
               ;
               for
               
                 wicked
                 habits
              
               are
               maintain'd
               by
               actions
               of
               Wickedness
               ;
               when
               they
               ceafe
               ,
               the
               inclinations
               grow
               more
               faint
               ,
               and
               
               weak
               :
               and
               when
               we
               are
               come
               but
               
                 thus
                 far
              
               ,
               to
               have
               confined
               our
               lusts
               ,
               we
               shall
               be
               encouraged
               to
               proceed
               to
               destroy
               them
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               ,
               There
               is
               no
               great
               distance
               between
               a
               
                 Princes
                 Prison
              
               and
               his
               Grave
               ;
               The
               saying
               is
               most
               true
               in
               the
               case
               of
               Tyrants
               and
               Vsurpers
               ;
               and
               the
               habits
               of
               sin
               are
               both
               ;
               when
               they
               are
               restrain'd
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               far
               from
               being
               destroyed
               ,
               if
               we
               imploy
               our
               endeavours
               ,
               and
               the
               divine
               aids
               ,
               as
               we
               ought
               .
            
             
               This
               then
               must
               be
               done
               First
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               part
               of
               the
               advice
               must
               be
               taken
               with
               it
               ,
               viz.
               we
               
                 must
                 practise
                 the
                 outward
                 actions
                 of
                 the
                 contrary
                 Vertues
                 .
              
               We
               
                 must
                 do
                 well
              
               ,
               when
               we
               
                 cease
                 to
                 do
                 evil
              
               .
               When
               we
               turn
               from
               darkness
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               to
               light
               ,
               Acts
               26.
               18.
               
               Not
               from
               one
               kind
               of
               darkness
               to
               another
               .
               When
               we
               cease
               to
               opprefs
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               charitable
               ;
               when
               we
               leave
               to
               tyrannize
               over
               our
               inferiours
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               kind
               and
               helpful
               to
               them
               .
               When
               we
               forbear
               to
               slander
               ,
               we
               must
               speak
               all
               the
               good
               we
               can
               of
               our
               Neighbour
               .
            
             
             
               The
               outward
               actions
               of
               Vertue
               are
               in
               our
               power
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               somewhat
               to
               come
               so
               far
               as
               this
               :
               What
               is
               more
               ,
               viz.
               The
               
                 inward
                 love
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 goodness
                 ,
              
               will
               succeed
               in
               time
               ,
               if
               we
               persevere
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               safe
               for
               us
               to
               propose
               to
               our selves
               the
               greatest
               heights
               at
               first
               ;
               if
               we
               do
               ,
               we
               are
               discouraged
               ,
               and
               fall
               back
               .
               God
               accepts
               even
               of
               that
               little
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               in
               order
               to
               more
               .
               He
               despiseth
               not
               the
               day
               of
               small
               things
               ,
               Zech.
               4.
               10.
               
               If
               thou
               dost
               well
               ,
               shalt
               thou
               not
               be
               accepted
               ?
               Christ
               loved
               the
               
                 young
                 man
              
               who
               had
               kept
               the
               external
               part
               of
               the
               Commandments
               ,
               Mark
               10.
               12.
               
               If
               he
               had
               had
               the
               courage
               to
               have
               proceeded
               ;
               what
               he
               had
               done
               ,
               would
               have
               steaded
               him
               much
               .
               The
               inward
               love
               of
               Vertue
               and
               Holiness
               is
               promoted
               by
               the
               outward
               exercises
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               hereby
               the
               contrary
               evils
               are
               both
               pined
               and
               
                 thrust
                 out
              
               .
            
             
               Thus
               of
               the
               First
               thing
               that
               Endeavour
               implies
               ;
               upon
               this
               must
               follow
               ,
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 An
                 attempt
                 upon
                 evil
                 habits
              
               ,
               viz.
               
               Those
               that
               have
               been
               super-induced
               on
               us
               by
               Carelesness
               and
               Temptation
               ,
               bad
               Customs
               and
               
                 evil
                 Company
                 .
                 Every
                 victory
                 is
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 another
                 ;
                 we
              
               grow
               stronger
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 enemy
                 weaker
              
               by
               it
               .
               To
               have
               overcome
               the
               outward
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               is
               a
               beginning
               in
               our
               spiritual
               warfare
               ;
               but
               our
               chief
               enemies
               are
               the
               
                 habits
                 ;
                 these
              
               must
               be
               attempted
               also
               ,
               but
               with
               Prudence
               ;
               wild
               Beasts
               are
               not
               to
               be
               dealt
               with
               by
               
                 main
                 strength
              
               ;
               Art
               and
               Stratagem
               must
               be
               used
               in
               this
               War
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               
                 good
                 policy
              
               ,
               I
               think
               here
               ,
               to
               fight
               the
               least
               powerful
               foes
               first
               ,
               the
               contracted
               habits
               ,
               before
               we
               fall
               on
               the
               
                 inbred
                 natural
              
               Inclinations
               .
               While
               our
               forces
               are
               weak
               ,
               't
               is
               dangerous
               setting
               upon
               the
               strongest
               holds
               ,
               viz.
               the
               vices
               of
               Complexion
               ,
               which
               are
               woven
               into
               our
               
                 very
                 Natures
              
               .
               If
               a
               man
               apply
               all
               his
               force
               where
               he
               hath
               not
               resolution
               enough
               to
               go
               through
               with
               what
               he
               undertakes
               ,
               he
               receives
               a
               foyl
               ,
               and
               't
               is
               odds
               but
               he
               sits
               down
               and
               faints
               .
               Prudence
               therefore
               is
               to
               
               be
               used
               ,
               where
               we
               distrust
               our
               strength
               :
               Fall
               upon
               Sin
               ,
               where
               't
               is
               weakest
               ,
               where
               it
               hath
               least
               of
               Nature
               ,
               and
               least
               of
               Temptation
               ;
               and
               where
               we
               have
               arguments
               from
               Reputation
               and
               
                 worldly
                 Interests
              
               wherewith
               to
               war
               against
               it
               .
               If
               we
               prevail
               ,
               we
               are
               heartned
               by
               the
               success
               :
               Our
               Faith
               and
               Resolution
               will
               grow
               stronger
               by
               this
               experience
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               triumph't
               over
               the
               sins
               of
               
                 evil
                 Custom
                 ,
                 Example
              
               ,
               and
               
                 sensual
                 Indulgence
              
               .
            
             
               And
               when
               that
               is
               done
               ,
               we
               must
               remember
               that
               't
               is
               not
               enough
               that
               those
               habits
               are
               thrust
               out
               ;
               others
               must
               be
               planted
               in
               their
               room
               :
               when
               the
               soyl
               is
               prepared
               ,
               the
               seed
               must
               be
               sown
               ,
               and
               the
               seeds
               of
               vertuous
               habits
               ,
               are
               the
               actions
               of
               vertue
               .
               These
               I
               recommended
               under
               the
               last
               head
               ,
               and
               shall
               say
               more
               of
               the
               introducing
               of
               habits
               ,
               under
               one
               that
               follows
               on
               purpose
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               The
               next
               advance
               in
               our
               endeavours
               ,
               is
               ,
               In
               the
               Strength
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               to
               assault
               the
               greater
               Devils
               ,
               and
               to
               strive
               
               to
               cast
               out
               them
               ;
               I
               mean
               the
               Sins
               of
               Complexion
               ,
               and
               particular
               Nature
               .
               This
               is
               a
               great
               work
               ,
               and
               will
               require
               
                 strong
                 Faith
              
               ,
               and
               
                 many
                 Prayers
              
               ,
               and
               
                 much
                 Time
              
               ,
               and
               
                 great
                 Watchfulness
              
               ,
               and
               
                 invincible
                 Resolution
              
               :
               Imploy
               
                 these
                 heartily
              
               ;
               and
               though
               thou
               now
               and
               then
               mayst
               receive
               a
               foyl
               ,
               yet
               give
               not
               off
               so
               ,
               but
               rise
               again
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               God
               ,
               implore
               new
               aid
               ,
               and
               fortifie
               thy self
               with
               more
               considerations
               ,
               and
               deeper
               resolves
               ;
               and
               then
               renew
               the
               Combat
               upon
               the
               encouragement
               of
               
                 Divine
                 Assistance
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Christ's
                 Merits
              
               and
               Intercession
               ,
               and
               the
               promise
               that
               sin
               
                 shall
                 not
                 have
                 Dominion
                 over
                 us
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               6.
               14.
               
            
             
               Remember
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               the
               great
               work
               ,
               and
               the
               biggest
               difficulty
               ;
               if
               this
               be
               not
               overcome
               ,
               all
               our
               
                 other
                 labour
              
               hath
               been
               in
               vain
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               lost
               .
               If
               this
               root
               remain
               ,
               it
               will
               still
               bear
               poysonous
               fruit
               ,
               which
               will
               be
               matter
               for
               Temptation
               ,
               and
               occasion
               of
               
                 continual
                 falling
              
               ;
               and
               we
               shall
               be
               in
               danger
               of
               being
               reconciled
               again
               
               to
               our
               old
               sins
               ,
               and
               to
               undo
               all
               ;
               and
               so
               
                 our
                 latter
                 end
                 will
                 be
                 worse
                 than
                 our
                 beginning
                 ,
              
               2
               Pet.
               2.
               20.
               
               Or
               ,
               at
               least
               ,
               though
               we
               stand
               at
               a
               stay
               ,
               and
               satisfie
               our selves
               with
               that
               ;
               yet
               though
               we
               are
               contented
               ,
               our
               condition
               is
               not
               safe
               .
            
             
               If
               we
               will
               endeavour
               to
               any
               purpose
               of
               duty
               ,
               or
               security
               ,
               we
               must
               proceed
               still
               after
               our
               
                 lesser
                 conquests
              
               ,
               till
               the
               sins
               of
               Complexion
               are
               laid
               dead
               at
               our
               feet
               .
               He
               that
               is
               born
               of
               God
               ,
               sinneth
               not
               ,
               and
               he
               cannot
               sin
               ,
               1.
               
               Joh.
               3.
               9.
               
               Till
               we
               come
               to
               this
               ,
               we
               are
               but
               strugling
               in
               the
               Birth
               .
            
             
               Such
               a
               perfection
               as
               is
               mortifying
               of
               
                 vitious
                 temper
              
               ,
               is
               I
               hope
               attainable
               ,
               and
               't
               is
               no
               doubt
               that
               which
               Religion
               aims
               at
               ;
               and
               though
               it
               be
               a
               
                 difficult
                 height
              
               ,
               yet
               we
               must
               not
               sit
               down
               this
               side
               :
               At
               least
               we
               must
               be
               always
               pressing
               on
               to
               this
               Mark
               :
               if
               Providence
               cut
               off
               our
               days
               before
               we
               have
               arrived
               to
               it
               ,
               we
               may
               expect
               acceptance
               of
               the
               sincerity
               of
               our
               endeavours
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               the
               merits
               of
               our
               
               Saviour
               :
               For
               he
               hath
               procured
               favour
               for
               those
               sincere
               .
               Believers
               and
               Endeavoureres
               ,
               whose
               Day
               is
               done
               before
               their
               work
               is
               compleated
               ;
               
                 this
                 I
              
               mean
               ,
               of
               subduing
               the
               darling
               sins
               of
               their
               
                 particular
                 Natures
              
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               if
               we
               rest
               ,
               and
               please
               our selves
               with
               the
               
                 little
                 Victories
              
               and
               Attainments
               ,
               and
               let
               these
               our
               
                 great
                 Enemies
              
               quietly
               alone
               ,
               't
               is
               an
               argument
               our
               endeavours
               are
               not
               sincere
               ,
               but
               much
               short
               of
               that
               striving
               ,
               which
               will
               procure
               an
               entrance
               into
               the
               
                 straight
                 Gate
              
               .
               The
               next
               thing
               (
               and
               't
               is
               the
               last
               I
               shall
               mention
               )
               which
               is
               implyed
               in
               striving
               ,
               is
               ,
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               
                 To
                 furnish
                 our selves
                 ,
                 through
                 Divine
                 Grace
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Habits
                 and
                 Inclinations
                 of
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Vertue
                 .
              
               For
               Goodness
               to
               become
               a
               kind
               of
               Nature
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
               is
               height
               indeed
               ;
               but
               such
               a
               one
               as
               may
               be
               reacht
               :
               the
               new
               Nature
               ,
               and
               new
               Creature
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               15.
               are
               not
               meer
               names
               .
            
             
               We
               have
               observ'd
               that
               some
               men
               are
               of
               a
               
                 Natural
                 Generosity
                 ,
                 Veracity
              
               
               and
               Sweetness
               ;
               and
               they
               cannot
               act
               contrary
               to
               these
               Native
               Vertues
               without
               a
               mighty
               Violence
               :
               why
               now
               should
               not
               the
               
                 New
                 Nature
              
               be
               as
               powerful
               as
               the
               Old
               ?
               And
               why
               may
               not
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               working
               by
               an
               active
               Faith
               and
               Endeavour
               ,
               fix
               Habits
               and
               Inclinations
               on
               the
               Soul
               ,
               as
               prevalent
               as
               those
               ?
               No
               doubt
               ,
               it
               may
               ,
               and
               doth
               ,
               upon
               the
               Diviner
               Souls
               :
               For
               whom
               to
               do
               a
               wicked
               ,
               or
               
                 unworthy
                 Action
              
               ,
               't
               would
               be
               as
               violent
               and
               unnatural
               ,
               as
               for
               the
               meek
               and
               compassionate
               temper
               to
               butcher
               the
               innocent
               ;
               or
               for
               him
               ,
               that
               is
               
                 naturally
                 just
              
               ,
               to
               oppress
               and
               make
               a
               prey
               of
               the
               Fatherless
               and
               the
               Widow
               .
               I
               say
               ,
               such
               a
               degree
               of
               perfection
               as
               this
               ,
               should
               be
               aim'd
               at
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               1.
               and
               we
               should
               not
               slacken
               or
               intermit
               our
               endeavours
               till
               it
               be
               attain'd
               .
            
             
               In
               order
               to
               it
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               use
               frequent
               meditation
               on
               the
               excellency
               and
               pleasure
               of
               Vertue
               and
               Religion
               ;
               and
               
                 earnest
                 Prayer
              
               for
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               
                 diligent
                 attendance
              
               upon
               the
               publick
               
               worship
               ;
               and
               pious
               Company
               and
               Converses
               :
               For
               this
               great
               design
               ,
               these
               helps
               are
               requisite
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               exercise
               our selves
               in
               them
               as
               we
               ought
               ,
               they
               will
               fire
               our
               Souls
               with
               the
               love
               of
               God
               and
               Goodness
               ;
               and
               so
               at
               last
               ,
               all
               Christian
               Vertues
               will
               become
               as
               natural
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               si●
               was
               before
               .
               And
               to
               one
               that
               is
               so
               prepared
               ,
               the
               Gate
               of
               Happiness
               will
               be
               open
               ,
               and
               of
               easie
               entrance
               ;
               the
               difficulties
               are
               overcome
               ,
               and
               from
               henceforth
               the
               way
               is
               pleasant
               and
               plain
               before
               him
               ,
               Prov.
               3.
               17.
               
            
             
               Thus
               I
               have
               shewn
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 formidable
                 difficulties
              
               may
               be
               overcome
               ,
               and
               How
               :
               't
               is
               a
               
                 plain
                 course
                 I
              
               have
               directed
               ,
               that
               will
               not
               puzzle
               mens
               understandings
               with
               
                 needless
                 niceties
              
               ,
               nor
               distract
               their
               memories
               with
               multitndes
               .
               Let
               us
               walk
               in
               this
               way
               ,
               and
               do
               it
               constantly
               ,
               with
               vigour
               and
               alacrity
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               no
               fear
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               
                 Strength
                 of
              
               God
               ,
               through
               the
               merits
               and
               mediation
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               we
               shall
               overcome
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               enter
               .
            
             
               I
               had
               now
               done
               with
               this
               general
               
               Head
               ,
               but
               that
               't
               is
               necessary
               to
               note
               three
               things
               more
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Those
               Instruments
               of
               our
               Happiness
               which
               we
               must
               use
               in
               striving
               ,
               viz.
               
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Prayer
              
               ,
               and
               
                 active
                 Endeavour
                 ,
                 must
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 be
                 imployed
                 .
              
               Not
               any
               one
               singly
               ,
               will
               do
               the
               great
               work
               ;
               nor
               can
               the
               others
               ,
               if
               
                 any
                 one
              
               be
               wanting
               .
               If
               we
               believe
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               pray
               ;
               or
               pray
               ,
               and
               
                 do
                 not
                 endeavour
              
               ;
               or
               endeavour
               ,
               without
               those
               ,
               the
               Difficulties
               will
               remain
               ,
               and
               't
               will
               be
               impossible
               for
               us
               to
               enter
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 We
                 must
                 be
                 diligent
                 in
                 our
                 course
                 :
              
               If
               we
               do
               not
               exercise
               
                 Faith
                 vigorously
              
               ,
               and
               
                 pray
                 heartily
              
               ,
               and
               
                 endeavour
                 with
                 our
                 whole
                 might
              
               ,
               the
               means
               will
               not
               succeed
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               as
               good
               not
               at
               all
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               purpose
               .
               The
               Difficulties
               will
               not
               be
               overcome
               by
               
                 cold
                 Faith
              
               ,
               or
               
                 sleepy
                 Prayers
              
               ,
               or
               
                 remiss
                 Endeavours
              
               :
               A
               very
               
                 intense
                 degree
              
               of
               these
               is
               necessary
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 Our
                 striving
                 must
                 be
                 constant
              
               ;
               we
               must
               not
               begin
               ,
               and
               
                 look
                 back
              
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               38.
               or
               run
               a
               while
               ,
               and
               stop
               
               in
               midd
               course
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               9.
               24.
               and
               content
               our selves
               with
               some
               attainments
               ,
               and
               think
               we
               have
               arrived
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               14.
               
               If
               we
               do
               so
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               our selves
               dangerously
               mistaken
               .
               The
               Crown
               is
               at
               the
               end
               of
               the
               Warfare
               ,
               &
               the
               Prise
               at
               the
               end
               of
               the
               Race
               .
               If
               we
               will
               succeed
               ,
               we
               must
               hold
               on
               :
               
                 The
                 life
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 strives
                 as
                 he
                 ought
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 continual
                 motion
                 forwards
              
               ;
               always
               proceeding
               ,
               always
               growing
               .
            
             
               If
               we
               
                 strive
                 thus
              
               ,
               we
               cannot
               fail
               ;
               if
               any
               of
               these
               qualifications
               be
               wanting
               ,
               we
               
                 cannot
                 but
              
               miscarry
               .
               And
               hence
               no
               doubt
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               many
               that
               seek
               to
               
                 enter
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               presumed
               sons
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               are
               shut
               out
               ,
               Mat.
               8.12
               .
               They
               seek
               ,
               and
               are
               very
               desirous
               to
               be
               admitted
               ;
               They
               do
               some
               thing
               ,
               and
               strive
               ;
               but
               their
               striving
               is
               partial
               ,
               or
               careless
               ,
               or
               short
               ;
               by
               reason
               of
               which
               defects
               ,
               they
               do
               not
               overcome
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               enter
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               a
               dangerous
               Rock
               ,
               and
               perhaps
               there
               are
               as
               many
               undone
               by
               cold
               and
               
                 half
                 striving
              
               ,
               as
               by
               not
               striving
               
               
                 at
                 all
              
               .
               He
               that
               hath
               done
               some
               thing
               ,
               presumes
               he
               is
               secure
               ;
               He
               goes
               the
               round
               of
               ordinary
               Duties
               ,
               but
               advanceth
               nothing
               in
               his
               way
               ;
               He
               overcometh
               none
               of
               the
               great
               Difficulties
               ,
               none
               of
               the
               Habits
               or
               
                 depraved
                 Inclinations
              
               ;
               He
               is
               contented
               with
               other
               things
               that
               make
               a
               more
               
                 glorious
                 shew
              
               ;
               though
               they
               
                 signifie
                 less
              
               ;
               and
               perhaps
               despiseth
               these
               ,
               under
               the
               notion
               of
               Morality
               ;
               and
               so
               presuming
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               a
               
                 Saint
                 too
                 soon
              
               ,
               he
               never
               comes
               to
               be
               
                 one
                 at
                 all
              
               :
               such
               are
               the
               
                 Seekers
                 that
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 enter
                 :
              
               Their
               seeking
               imports
               
                 some
                 striving
              
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               such
               ,
               as
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               specious
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               imperfect
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               succeed
               .
               And
               hence
               the
               
                 Third
                 Proposition
              
               ariseth
               ,
               that
               I
               proposed
               to
               discourse
               .
            
             
               (
               III.
               )
               
                 THat
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 sort
                 of
                 Striving
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 procure
                 an
                 entrance
                 :
              
               implyed
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 For
                 many
                 will
                 seek
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 .
              
            
             
               'T
               is
               a
               dangerous
               thing
               to
               be
               flattered
               
               into
               a
               
                 false
                 peace
              
               ;
               and
               to
               take
               up
               with
               
                 imperfect
                 Godliness
              
               ;
               to
               reconcile
               the
               hopes
               of
               Heaven
               to
               our
               
                 beloved
                 sins
              
               ,
               and
               to
               judge
               our
               condition
               safe
               upon
               
                 insufficient
                 grounds
                 .
                 This
              
               multitudes
               do
               ,
               and
               't
               is
               the
               great
               danger
               of
               our
               days
               ;
               Men
               cannot
               be
               contented
               without
               doing
               something
               in
               Religion
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               
                 contented
                 with
                 a
                 little
              
               .
               And
               then
               they
               reckon
               themselves
               godly
               ,
               before
               they
               are
               vertuous
               ;
               and
               take
               themselves
               to
               be
               Saints
               ,
               upon
               such
               things
               as
               will
               not
               distinguish
               a
               
                 good
                 man
              
               from
               a
               bad
               .
            
             
               We
               seek
               after
               Marks
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               and
               would
               be
               glad
               to
               know
               ,
               how
               we
               might
               try
               our
               state
               :
               The
               thing
               is
               of
               great
               importance
               ;
               and
               if
               the
               Signs
               we
               judge
               by
               are
               either
               false
               ,
               or
               imperfect
               ,
               we
               are
               deceived
               to
               our
               undoing
               .
               Meer
               Speculative
               mistakes
               about
               Opinions
               ,
               do
               no
               great
               hurt
               ;
               but
               errour
               in
               the
               Marks
               and
               Measures
               of
               Religion
               is
               deadly
               .
               Now
               there
               are
               sundry
               things
               commonly
               taken
               for
               signs
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               which
               
               though
               they
               are
               something
               ,
               yet
               they
               are
               not
               enough
               ;
               They
               are
               hopeful
               for
               beginnings
               ,
               but
               nothing
               worth
               when
               they
               are
               our
               end
               and
               rest
               .
               They
               are
               a
               kind
               of
               seeking
               aud
               
                 imperfect
                 striving
              
               ;
               but
               not
               such
               as
               overcometh
               the
               difficulties
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               or
               will
               procure
               us
               an
               entrance
               at
               the
               Gàte
               .
               Therefore
               to
               disable
               the
               
                 flattering
                 ,
                 insufficient
                 Marks
              
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               I
               shall
               discover
               in
               pursuance
               of
               the
               
                 Third
                 Proposition
                 ,
                 How
                 far
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 strive
                 in
                 the
                 exercises
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 found
                 at
                 last
                 among
                 those
                 seekers
                 that
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 enter
                 .
              
               And
               though
               I
               have
               intimated
               something
               of
               this
               in
               the
               general
               before
               ,
               yet
               I
               shall
               now
               more
               particularly
               shew
               it
               in
               the
               instances
               that
               follow
               .
               And
               in
               these
               I
               shall
               discover
               a
               Religion
               that
               may
               be
               called
               Animal
               ,
               to
               which
               the
               natural
               man
               may
               attain
               .
            
             
               
                 (
                 I.
              
               )
               A
               Man
               may
               believe
               the
               Truths
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               assent
               heartily
               to
               all
               the
               Articles
               of
               the
               Creed
               :
               
                 and
                 if
              
               
               he
               proceeds
               not
               ,
               he
               is
               no
               further
               by
               this
               ,
               than
               the
               faith
               of
               Devils
               ,
               Jam.
               2.
               19.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               He
               may
               go
               on
               ,
               
                 and
                 have
                 a
                 great
                 thirst
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 acquainted
                 with
                 Truth
              
               ;
               He
               may
               seek
               it
               diligently
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               Sermons
               ,
               and
               good
               Books
               ,
               and
               
                 knowing
                 Company
              
               ;
               And
               yet
               
                 do
                 this
              
               ,
               by
               the
               motion
               of
               no
               
                 higher
                 Principle
              
               ,
               than
               an
               inbred
               Curiosity
               ,
               and
               desire
               of
               Knowledg
               ;
               and
               many
               times
               this
               earnestness
               after
               Truth
               ,
               proceeds
               from
               a
               
                 proud
                 effection
              
               to
               wiser
               than
               our
               Neighbours
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               pity
               their
               darkness
               ;
               or
               the
               itch
               of
               a
               disputing
               humour
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               out
               talk
               them
               ;
               or
               a
               design
               to
               carry
               on
               ,
               or
               make
               a
               party
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               called
               Rabbi
               ,
               or
               serve
               an
               Interest
               :
               and
               the
               zeal
               for
               Truth
               that
               is
               set
               on
               work
               by
               such
               motives
               ,
               is
               a
               spark
               of
               that
               fire
               that
               is
               from
               beneath
               :
               'T
               is
               dangerous
               to
               a
               
                 mans
                 self
              
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               
                 publick
                 Weal
              
               of
               the
               Church
               and
               mankind
               ,
               but
               the
               man
               proceeds
               ,
               and
               is
               ,
            
             
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 Very
                 much
                 concern'd
                 to
                 defend
                 and
                 propagate
                 his
                 Faith
              
               ;
               and
               the
               Pharisees
               were
               so
               in
               relation
               to
               theirs
               ,
               Matt.
               23.
               15.
               and
               so
               have
               been
               many
               Professors
               of
               all
               the
               Religions
               that
               are
               ,
               or
               ever
               were
               .
               Men
               naturally
               love
               their
               own
               Tenents
               ,
               and
               are
               ambitious
               to
               mould
               
                 others
                 judgments
              
               according
               to
               theirs
               .
               There
               is
               glory
               in
               being
               an
               Instructer
               of
               other
               men
               ;
               and
               turning
               them
               to
               
                 our
                 ways
              
               and
               opinions
               :
               So
               that
               here
               is
               nothing
               yet
               above
               Nature
               ;
               nothing
               but
               what
               may
               be
               found
               in
               many
               that
               seek
               ,
               and
               are
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
               But
               ,
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Faith
               works
               greater
               effects
               than
               these
               ,
               and
               
                 Men
                 offer
                 themselves
                 to
                 Martyrdom
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 This
                 ,
              
               one
               would
               think
               ,
               should
               be
               the
               greatest
               height
               ,
               and
               an
               argument
               that
               all
               the
               difficulties
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               are
               overcome
               by
               one
               that
               is
               
                 so
                 resolved
              
               ;
               and
               that
               the
               Gate
               cannot
               but
               be
               opened
               to
               him
               .
               And
               so
               ,
               no
               doubt
               
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 all
                 things
                 else
                 are
                 sutable
                 :
              
               But
               otherwise
               these
               consequences
               by
               no
               means
               follow
               .
               
               St.
               Paul
               supposeth
               that
               a
               man
               may
               give
               his
               
                 Body
                 to
                 be
                 burned
              
               ,
               and
               not
               have
               Charity
               ,
               without
               which
               his
               Martyrdom
               will
               not
               profit
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               
               For
               one
               to
               deny
               his
               Religion
               ,
               or
               what
               he
               believes
               to
               be
               certain
               ,
               and
               of
               
                 greatest
                 consequence
              
               ,
               is
               dishonourable
               and
               base
               :
               and
               some
               out
               of
               principles
               of
               meer
               
                 natural
                 bravery
              
               ,
               will
               die
               rather
               than
               they
               will
               do
               it
               ;
               and
               yet
               ,
               upon
               other
               accounts
               be
               far
               enough
               from
               being
               
                 heroically
                 vertuous
              
               .
               Besides
               ,
               the
               desire
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               Martyrdom
               and
               Saintship
               after
               it
               ,
               may
               in
               some
               be
               stronger
               than
               the
               terrours
               of
               Death
               :
               and
               we
               see
               frequently
               ,
               that
               men
               will
               sacrifice
               their
               lives
               to
               their
               Honour
               and
               Reputation
               ;
               yea
               to
               the
               most
               contemptible
               shadows
               of
               it
               .
               And
               there
               is
               no
               passion
               in
               us
               so
               weak
               ,
               no
               lust
               so
               impotent
               ,
               but
               hath
               ,
               in
               many
               instances
               ,
               prevail'd
               over
               the
               
                 fear
                 of
                 dying
                 .
                 Every
                 Appetite
              
               hath
               had
               its
               Martyrs
               ;
               and
               all
               
                 Religions
                 theirs
              
               ;
               and
               though
               a
               man
               give
               his
               Body
               to
               be
               burnt
               for
               the
               best
               ,
               and
               have
               not
               
               Charity
               ,
               viz.
               
                 Prevalent
                 love
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 Men
                 ,
              
               it
               will
               not
               signifie
               :
               So
               that
               Martyrdom
               is
               no
               infallible
               mark
               ,
               nor
               will
               it
               avail
               any
               thing
               ,
               except
               
                 sincere
                 endeavour
              
               to
               overcome
               the
               greater
               difficulties
               ,
               have
               gone
               before
               it
               .
               Thus
               far
               Faith
               may
               go
               without
               effect
               :
               and
               yet
               one
               step
               further
               .
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               
                 Men
                 may
                 confidently
                 rely
                 upon
                 Christ
                 for
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 firmly
                 perswaded
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 justified
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 happy
                 .
              
               They
               may
               appropriate
               him
               to
               themselves
               ,
               and
               be
               pleased
               mightily
               in
               the
               opinion
               of
               his
               being
               theirs
               .
               And
               yet
               notwithstanding
               this
               confidence
               may
               be
               in
               the
               number
               of
               those
               seekers
               that
               shall
               not
               enter
               .
               For
               Christ
               is
               the
               Author
               of
               
                 Eternal
                 life
              
               ,
               only
               
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 obey
                 him
              
               ,
               Heb.
               5.
               9.
               and
               to
               obey
               him
               ,
               is
               to
               
                 strive
                 vigorously
              
               and
               constantly
               ,
               to
               overcome
               all
               our
               
                 sinful
                 Inclinations
              
               and
               Habits
               .
               And
               those
               that
               trust
               he
               will
               save
               them
               ,
               though
               they
               have
               never
               seriously
               set
               about
               
                 this
                 work
              
               ,
               deceive
               themselves
               by
               vain
               presumption
               ,
               and
               in
               effect
               
               say
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               dissolve
               or
               dispense
               with
               his
               Laws
               in
               their
               favour
               .
               For
               he
               requires
               us
               to
               
                 deny
                 our selves
              
               ,
               Mar.
               8.
               34.
               
               
                 To
                 mortifie
                 the
                 body
              
               ,
               Rom
               8.
               13.
               
               
                 To
                 love
                 enemies
              
               ,
               Mat.
               5.
               44.
               
               
                 To
                 be
                 meek
              
               ,
               Mat.
               11.
               29.
               
                 and
                 patient
              
               ,
               Jam.
               5.
               8.
               
                 and
                 humble
              
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               5.
               7.
               
                 and
                 just
              
               ,
               Mat.
               7.
               12.
               
                 and
                 charitable
              
               ,
               Heb.
               13.
               16.
               
                 and
                 Holy
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 called
                 us
                 is
                 holy
                 ,
              
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               15.
               
               And
               he
               hath
               promised
               to
               save
               upon
               no
               other
               terms
               ;
               For
               all
               these
               are
               included
               in
               Faith
               ,
               when
               't
               is
               taken
               in
               the
               justifying
               sense
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               Way
               of
               Happiness
               and
               Salvation
               :
               If
               we
               walk
               not
               in
               this
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               paths
               of
               our
               own
               choosing
               ,
               our
               
                 relying
                 upon
                 Christ
              
               is
               a
               mockery
               ,
               and
               will
               deceive
               us
               .
            
             
               We
               may
               indeed
               be
               confident
               ,
               and
               we
               ought
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               save
               all
               those
               that
               
                 so
                 believe
              
               as
               to
               obey
               him
               ;
               but
               may
               not
               trust
               that
               he
               will
               save
               us
               except
               we
               are
               some
               of
               those
               .
               To
               
                 rely
                 upon
                 Christ
                 for
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 must
                 follow
                 our
                 sincere
                 and
                 obedient
                 striving
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 go
                 before
                 it
                 .
              
               The
               mistake
               
               of
               this
               is
               exceeding
               dangerous
               ,
               and
               I
               doubt
               hath
               been
               fatal
               to
               many
               .
               The
               sum
               is
               to
               
                 rely
                 on
                 Christ
              
               ,
               without
               a
               resolute
               and
               steady
               endeavour
               to
               overcome
               every
               sin
               and
               temptation
               ,
               will
               gain
               us
               nothing
               in
               the
               end
               but
               shame
               and
               dissappointment
               :
               
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 faith
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 shall
                 enter
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 doth
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               Mat.
               7.21
               .
               The
               foolish
               Virgins
               relyed
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               expected
               he
               should
               open
               to
               them
               ;
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 open
                 to
                 us
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               25.
               11.
               but
               he
               kept
               them
               out
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               know
               them
               ,
               v.
               11.
               
            
             
               
                 Thus
                 of
                 the
              
               First
               imperfect
               Mark
               of
               Godliness
               ;
               A
               man
               may
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               meer
               Nature
               ,
               arrive
               to
               all
               the
               mentioned
               degrees
               of
               Faith
               ;
               and
               yet
               if
               his
               endeavours
               in
               the
               practice
               of
               Christian
               vertues
               be
               not
               suitable
               ,
               he
               will
               certainly
               come
               short
               at
               last
               .
            
             
               (
               II.
               )
               A
               man
               may
               be
               very
               devout
               ,
               given
               much
               to
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               be
               very
               
               frequent
               and
               earnest
               in
               it
               ;
               He
               may
               have
               the
               gift
               of
               expressing
               himself
               fluently
               ,
               without
               the
               help
               of
               Form
               or
               Meditation
               :
               yea
               ,
               and
               so
               intent
               and
               taken
               up
               in
               these
               exercises
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               as
               it
               were
               be
               ravish't
               out
               of
               himself
               by
               the
               fervours
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ;
               so
               that
               he
               really
               kindles
               very
               
                 high
                 Affections
              
               as
               well
               in
               others
               ,
               as
               in
               himself
               :
               And
               yet
               if
               he
               rests
               in
               this
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               things
               as
               Religion
               ,
               and
               reckons
               that
               he
               is
               accepted
               of
               God
               for
               it
               ;
               if
               he
               allow
               himself
               in
               any
               unmortified
               lusts
               ,
               and
               thinks
               to
               compound
               for
               them
               by
               his
               Prayers
               ,
               he
               is
               
                 an
                 evil
                 man
              
               notwithstanding
               ,
               and
               one
               of
               those
               seekers
               that
               shall
               
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 enter
              
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               ,
               we
               know
               ,
               were
               
                 much
                 given
              
               to
               Prayer
               :
               They
               were
               long
               in
               those
               Devotions
               ,
               and
               very
               
                 earnest
                 in
                 them
              
               often
               repeating
               the
               same
               expressions
               out
               of
               vehemence
               .
               
                 Ignatius
                 Loyola
              
               ,
               founder
               of
               the
               Jesuites
               ,
               was
               a
               man
               almost
               ecstatical
               in
               his
               Prayers
               ;
               and
               Hacket
               the
               Blasphemer
               ,
               executed
               in
               the
               days
               of
               
               Queen
               Elizabeth
               ,
               was
               a
               person
               of
               
                 Seraphical
                 Devotion
              
               ,
               and
               would
               pray
               those
               that
               heard
               him
               even
               into
               
                 transports
                 .
                 Basilides
              
               the
               cruel
               Duke
               of
               Mos●o
               ,
               is
               said
               to
               have
               his
               hands
               almost
               continually
               lifted
               up
               in
               Prayer
               ,
               except
               when
               they
               were
               imployed
               in
               some
               barbarous
               and
               bloody
               Execution
               :
               And
               we
               have
               known
               and
               felt
               one
               not
               much
               unlike
               him
               .
               There
               are
               infinite
               instances
               in
               our
               days
               of
               this
               dangerous
               sort
               of
               
                 evil
                 men
              
               .
            
             
               And
               we
               may
               learn
               hence
               ,
               that
               the
               greatest
               gift
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               earnestness
               and
               frequency
               in
               it
               ,
               is
               no
               good
               mark
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               except
               it
               be
               attended
               with
               
                 sincere
                 ,
                 constant
              
               and
               vertuous
               endeavours
               .
            
             
               For
               some
               men
               have
               a
               
                 natural
                 spice
              
               of
               Devotion
               in
               a
               
                 Religious
                 Melancholy
              
               ,
               which
               is
               their
               temper
               ;
               and
               such
               have
               commonly
               
                 strong
                 Imaginations
              
               and
               
                 zealous
                 affections
              
               ,
               which
               when
               they
               are
               heated
               ,
               
                 flame
                 forth
              
               into
               great
               heights
               and
               expressions
               of
               Devotion
               :
               The
               
                 warm
                 Fancy
              
               furnisheth
               words
               
               and
               matter
               readily
               and
               unexpectedly
               ,
               which
               many
               times
               begets
               in
               the
               man
               a
               conceit
               that
               he
               is
               inspired
               ,
               and
               that
               his
               Prayers
               are
               the
               breathings
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               extraordinarily
               assisted
               by
               it
               ;
               which
               belief
               kindles
               his
               affections
               yet
               more
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               carryed
               beyond
               himself
               ,
               even
               into
               the
               
                 third
                 Heavens
              
               ,
               and
               Suburbs
               of
               Glory
               ,
               as
               he
               fancies
               ,
               and
               so
               he
               makes
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               is
               a
               Saint
               of
               the
               first
               rank
               ,
               and
               special
               favourite
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               when
               all
               this
               while
               ,
               he
               may
               be
               really
               a
               bad
               man
               full
               of
               Envy
               and
               
                 Malice
                 ;
                 Pride
              
               and
               
                 Covetousness
                 ;
                 Scorn
              
               and
               
                 ill
                 Nature
                 ;
                 contempt
                 of
                 his
                 Betters
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 disobedience
                 to
                 his
                 Governours
              
               .
               And
               while
               it
               is
               so
               ,
               notwithstanding
               those
               glorious
               things
               ,
               he
               is
               no
               further
               than
               the
               
                 Pharisee
                 .
                 Hearty
              
               and
               
                 humble
                 desire
              
               ,
               though
               imperfectly
               exprest
               ,
               and
               without
               this
               pomp
               ,
               and
               those
               wonders
               ,
               is
               far
               more
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               who
               delights
               not
               in
               the
               exercises
               of
               
                 meer
                 Nature
              
               Psal.
               147.
               10.
               but
               is
               well
               pleased
               with
               
               the
               expressions
               of
               Grace
               in
               those
               that
               fear
               him
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               a
               sincere
               and
               lowly-minded
               Christian
               that
               talks
               of
               no
               immediate
               incomes
               ,
               or
               communications
               ;
               and
               perhaps
               durst
               not
               ,
               out
               of
               reverence
               ,
               trust
               to
               his
               own
               present
               conceptions
               in
               a
               work
               so
               solemn
               ,
               but
               useth
               the
               help
               of
               some
               
                 pious
                 form
              
               of
               words
               sutable
               to
               his
               defires
               and
               wants
               ,
               who
               is
               duly
               sensible
               of
               his
               sins
               ,
               and
               the
               necessity
               of
               overcoming
               them
               ;
               and
               is
               truly
               and
               earnestly
               desirous
               of
               the
               Divine
               aids
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               it
               :
               such
               a
               one
               as
               this
               Prays
               by
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               assisted
               by
               it
               ;
               while
               the
               other
               doth
               all
               by
               
                 meer
                 Nature
              
               and
               Imitation
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               have
               those
               spiritual
               aids
               which
               he
               never
               
                 heartily
                 desires
              
               nor
               intends
               to
               use
               .
            
             
               This
               ,
               I
               think
               ,
               I
               may
               truly
               and
               safely
               say
               :
               But
               for
               the
               Controversie
               between
               Forms
               and
               
                 Conceived
                 Prayers
              
               ,
               which
               of
               them
               is
               
                 absolutely
                 best
              
               ,
               I
               determine
               nothing
               of
               it
               here
               .
               And
               indeed
               I
               suppose
               that
               in
               their
               own
               
               nature
               ,
               they
               are
               alike
               indifferent
               ,
               and
               are
               more
               or
               less
               accepted
               ,
               as
               they
               partake
               more
               or
               less
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               viz.
               of
               
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Humility
              
               and
               
                 holy
                 desire
              
               of
               the
               good
               things
               we
               pray
               for
               ;
               and
               a
               man
               may
               
                 have
                 these
              
               that
               prays
               by
               a
               Form
               ;
               and
               he
               may
               want
               them
               that
               takes
               the
               other
               way
               ,
               and
               thinks
               himself
               in
               a
               dispensation
               much
               above
               it
               .
               So
               that
               my
               business
               is
               not
               to
               set
               up
               one
               of
               these
               ways
               of
               Devotion
               against
               the
               other
               ,
               but
               to
               shew
               ,
               that
               the
               heights
               and
               vehemencies
               of
               many
               warm
               people
               in
               their
               unpremeditated
               Prayers
               ,
               have
               nothing
               in
               them
               supernatural
               or
               Divine
               ,
               and
               consequently
               ,
               of
               themselves
               ,
               they
               are
               no
               marks
               of
               Godliness
               :
               which
               I
               hope
               no
               one
               thinks
               I
               speak
               to
               discredit
               those
               pious
               ardours
               that
               are
               felt
               by
               
                 really
                 devout
              
               Souls
               ,
               when
               a
               vigorous
               sense
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Divine
               things
               ,
               doth
               even
               sometimes
               transport
               them
               :
               Far
               be
               it
               from
               me
               to
               design
               any
               thing
               so
               impious
               ;
               my
               aim
               is
               only
               to
               note
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               
                 complexional
                 heats
              
               raised
               
               many
               times
               by
               fancy
               and
               self-admiration
               ,
               that
               look
               like
               these
               ,
               in
               persons
               who
               really
               have
               little
               of
               God
               in
               them
               ;
               and
               we
               should
               take
               care
               that
               we
               are
               not
               deceived
               by
               them
               .
               
                 Thus
                 far
              
               also
               those
               may
               go
               that
               
                 shall
                 not
                 enter
              
               .
               I
               add
               ,
            
             
               
                 (
                 III.
              
               )
               A
               man
               may
               endeavour
               somewhat
               ,
               and
               strive
               in
               some
               degree
               ,
               and
               yet
               his
               work
               may
               miscarry
               ,
               and
               himself
               with
               it
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               There
               is
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               that
               an
               evil
               man
               may
               be
               convinced
               of
               his
               sin
               and
               vileness
               ,
               and
               that
               even
               to
               anguish
               and
               torment
               .
               The
               Gentiles
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               14.
               
                 which
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 shew
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 written
                 in
                 their
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 their
                 thoughts
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 accusing
                 ,
                 or
                 excusing
                 one
                 another
                 .
              
               Conscience
               often
               stings
               and
               disquiets
               the
               vilest
               sinners
               ;
               and
               sometimes
               extorts
               from
               them
               
                 lamentable
                 confessions
              
               of
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               
                 earnest
                 declamations
              
               against
               them
               .
               They
               may
               
                 weep
                 bitterly
              
               at
               their
               remembrance
               ,
               and
               be
               under
               
               great
               heaviness
               and
               dejection
               upon
               their
               occasion
               .
               They
               may
               
                 speak
                 vehemently
              
               against
               sin
               themselves
               ,
               and
               love
               to
               have
               others
               to
               handle
               it
               severely
               .
               All
               this
               bad
               men
               may
               do
               upon
               the
               score
               of
               
                 natural
                 fear
              
               ,
               and
               
                 self
                 love
              
               ,
               and
               the
               apprehension
               of
               a
               
                 fature
                 judgment
              
               .
               And
               now
               such
               convictions
               will
               naturally
               beget
               some
               endeavours
               :
               A
               
                 convinced
                 understanding
              
               will
               have
               some
               influence
               upon
               the
               will
               and
               affections
               .
               The
               mind
               in
               the
               unregenerate
               ,
               may
               lust
               against
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               as
               that
               doth
               against
               it
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               (
               2.
               )
               such
               a
               meer
               
                 animal
                 man
              
               may
               promise
               ,
               and
               purpose
               ,
               and
               endeavour
               in
               some
               pretty
               considerable
               measure
               ;
               but
               then
               ,
               he
               goes
               not
               on
               with
               full
               Resolution
               ,
               but
               wavers
               and
               stops
               ,
               and
               
                 turns
                 about
              
               again
               ;
               and
               lets
               the
               law
               of
               the
               members
               ,
               that
               of
               death
               and
               sin
               ,
               to
               prevail
               over
               him
               .
               His
               endeavour
               is
               remiss
               ,
               and
               consequently
               ineffectual
               ;
               it
               makes
               no
               conquests
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               signifie
               .
               He
               
                 sins
                 on
              
               ,
               though
               with
               
                 some
                 regret
              
               ;
               and
               his
               
               very
               unwillingness
               to
               sin
               ,
               while
               he
               commits
               it
               ,
               is
               so
               far
               from
               lessening
               ,
               that
               it
               aggravates
               his
               fault
               :
               It
               argues
               that
               he
               sins
               against
               conscience
               and
               conviction
               ;
               and
               that
               sin
               is
               strong
               and
               reigns
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               makes
               such
               a
               description
               seemingly
               of
               himself
               ,
               as
               one
               might
               think
               concluded
               him
               under
               this
               state
               ;
               he
               saith
               vers
               .
               8.
               
               
                 That
                 sin
                 wrought
                 in
                 him
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 concupiscence
                 :
              
               vers
               .
               9.
               
               
                 That
                 sin
                 revived
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 died
                 :
              
               vers
               .
               14.
               
               
                 That
                 he
                 was
                 carnal
              
               ;
               and
               again
               ;
               
                 sold
                 under
                 sin
              
               ,
               vers
               .
               20.
               
               
                 That
                 sin
                 dwelt
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 wrought
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 :
              
               vers
               .
               23.
               
               
                 That
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 his
                 Members
                 led
                 him
                 into
                 captivity
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 Sin
                 :
              
               and
               vers
               .
               25.
               
               
                 That
                 he
                 obeyed
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
            
             
               If
               this
               be
               so
               ,
               and
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               a
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               ,
               was
               in
               this
               state
               ,
               it
               will
               follow
               ,
               that
               seeking
               and
               
                 feeble
                 endeavour
              
               ,
               that
               overcometh
               no
               difficulty
               ,
               may
               yet
               procure
               an
               entrance
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               is
               come
               hitherto
               ,
               viz.
               to
               endeavour
               ;
               
               is
               safe
               enough
               though
               he
               do
               not
               conquer
               .
            
             
               
                 This
                 objection
              
               presseth
               not
               only
               against
               
                 this
                 head
              
               ,
               but
               against
               my
               whole
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               the
               Text
               it self
               .
               Therefore
               to
               answer
               it
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               That
               the
               St.
               Paul
               here
               is
               not
               to
               be
               understood
               of
               himself
               ;
               He
               describes
               the
               
                 state
                 of
              
               a
               convinced
               ,
               but
               
                 unregenerate
                 man
              
               ,
               though
               he
               speaks
               in
               the
               first
               person
               ;
               a
               Figure
               that
               was
               ordinary
               with
               this
               Apostle
               ,
               and
               frequent
               enough
               in
               common
               speech
               :
               Thus
               we
               say
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 thus
              
               ,
               and
               thus
               ,
               and
               did
               so
               ,
               and
               so
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               describing
               a
               state
               ,
               or
               actions
               in
               which
               perhaps
               we
               ,
               in
               person
               ,
               are
               not
               concerned
               .
            
             
               In
               this
               sense
               the
               best
               Expositors
               understand
               these
               expressions
               ,
               and
               those
               excellent
               Divines
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               Bishop
               Taylor
               ,
               and
               Dr.
               Hammond
               ,
               and
               others
               have
               noted
               to
               us
               ,
               That
               this
               description
               is
               directly
               contrary
               to
               all
               the
               Characters
               of
               a
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               ,
               given
               elsewhere
               by
               this
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               Apostles
               .
               As
               he
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 dead
                 to
              
               
               sin
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 11.
              
               
               Free
               from
               sin
               ,
               
                 and
                 the
              
               servant
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 That
              
               he
               walks
               not
               after
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               but
               after
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 1.
              
               
               That
               the
               law
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               life
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               hath
               made
               him
               free
               from
               the
               Law
               of
               sin
               and
               death
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 2.
              
               
               That
               he
               overcometh
               the
               world
               ,
               
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 4.
              
               
               He
               sinneth
               not
               ,
               
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 6.
              
               
               He
               hath
               crucified
               the
               flesh
               with
               its
               affections
               and
               lusts
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 24.
                 
                 Which
              
               Characters
               
                 of
                 a
              
               truly
               regenerate
               
                 person
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 those
                 above-cited
                 out
                 of
              
               Rom.
               
                 7.
                 it
                 will
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 contrary
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 possible
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 this
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 they
                 describe
                 the
              
               two
               contrary
               states
               .
            
             
               
                 For
                 can
                 the
              
               regenerate
               be
               full
               
                 of
                 all
              
               manner
               of
               concupiscence
               ,
               
                 and
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 be
              
               crucified
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               
                 and
                 its
              
               affections
               and
               lusts
               ?
               one
               in
               whom
               sin
               revives
               while
               he
               dies
               ;
               
                 and
                 yet
                 one
                 that
                 is
              
               dead
               to
               sin
               ?
               carnal
               ,
               
                 and
                 yet
              
               not
               walking
               after
               the
               flesh
               ,
               but
               after
               the
               Spirit
               ?
               sold
               under
               sin
               ,
               and
               
               yet
               
                 free
                 from
                 sin
                 ?
                 Having
                 sin
                 dwelling
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 captive
                 to
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 obeying
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
              
               ;
               and
               yet
               
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 ?
              
               how
               can
               these
               things
               consist
               ?
               To
               tell
               us
               ,
               
                 'T
                 is
                 so
              
               ,
               and
               
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 so
              
               ,
               and
               to
               twist
               such
               contradictions
               into
               
                 Orthodox
                 Paradoxes
              
               ,
               are
               pretty
               things
               to
               please
               Fools
               and
               Children
               ;
               but
               
                 wise
                 men
              
               care
               not
               for
               riddles
               that
               are
               not
               sense
               .
               For
               my
               part
               I
               think
               it
               clear
               ,
               that
               the
               Apostle
               in
               that
               mistaken
               Chapter
               ,
               relates
               the
               
                 feeble
                 ,
                 impotent
                 condition
              
               of
               one
               that
               was
               convinced
               and
               
                 strove
                 a
                 little
              
               ,
               but
               not
               to
               purpose
               .
               And
               if
               we
               find
               our selves
               comprised
               under
               that
               description
               ,
               though
               we
               may
               be
               never
               so
               sensible
               of
               the
               evil
               and
               danger
               of
               a
               
                 sinful
                 course
              
               ,
               and
               may
               endeavour
               some
               small
               matter
               ,
               but
               without
               success
               ,
               we
               are
               yet
               under
               ,
               
                 that
                 evil
              
               ,
               and
               obnoxious
               to
               
                 that
                 danger
              
               :
               For
               he
               that
               strives
               in
               
                 earnest
                 ,
                 conquers
                 at
                 last
              
               ,
               and
               
                 advanceth
                 still
              
               ,
               though
               all
               the
               work
               be
               not
               
                 done
                 at
                 once
              
               .
               So
               that
               if
               we
               endeavour
               and
               gain
               nothing
               ,
               our
               endeavour
               is
               peccant
               ,
               and
               wants
               Faith
               
               or
               Prayer
               for
               
                 Divine
                 aids
              
               ,
               or
               constancy
               ,
               or
               vigour
               ;
               and
               so
               ,
               
                 Though
                 we
                 may
                 seek
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 enter
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               (
               3
               )
               an
               
                 imperfect
                 Striver
              
               may
               overcome
               sin
               in
               some
               Instances
               ,
               and
               yet
               in
               that
               do
               no
               great
               matter
               neither
               ,
               if
               he
               
                 lies
                 down
              
               ,
               and
               goes
               no
               further
               :
               There
               are
               some
               sins
               we
               outgrow
               by
               age
               ,
               or
               are
               indisposed
               to
               them
               by
               
                 bodily
                 infirmity
              
               ,
               or
               diverted
               by
               occasions
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               by
               other
               sins
               ;
               and
               some
               are
               contrary
               to
               
                 worldly
                 Interests
              
               ,
               to
               our
               credit
               ,
               or
               health
               ,
               or
               profit
               ;
               and
               when
               we
               have
               in
               any
               great
               degree
               been
               hurt
               by
               them
               in
               these
               ,
               we
               fall
               out
               with
               those
               sins
               ,
               and
               cease
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               so
               by
               resolution
               and
               disuse
               ,
               we
               master
               them
               at
               last
               fully
               :
               which
               ,
               if
               we
               went
               on
               ,
               and
               attempted
               upon
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               were
               something
               :
               But
               when
               we
               stop
               short
               in
               these
               petty
               victories
               ,
               our
               
                 general
                 state
              
               is
               not
               altered
               ;
               He
               that
               conquers
               some
               evil
               appetites
               ,
               is
               yet
               a
               slave
               to
               others
               ;
               and
               though
               he
               hath
               prevailed
               over
               
                 some
                 difficulties
              
               ,
               yet
               the
               
                 main
                 ones
              
               are
               yet
               behind
               .
            
             
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 imperfect
                 Striver
              
               masters
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               ,
               his
               beastly
               appetite
               to
               intemperate
               drinking
               ,
               but
               is
               yet
               under
               the
               power
               of
               Love
               and
               Riches
               ,
               and
               
                 vain
                 Pleasure
              
               .
               He
               ceaseth
               from
               open
               debauchery
               ,
               but
               entertains
               
                 spiritual
                 wickedness
              
               in
               his
               heart
               :
               He
               will
               not
               Swear
               ,
               but
               will
               backbite
               and
               rail
               :
               He
               will
               not
               be
               Drunk
               ,
               but
               will
               damn
               a
               man
               for
               not
               being
               of
               
                 his
                 opinion
              
               :
               He
               will
               not
               
                 prophane
                 the
                 Sabbath
              
               ,
               but
               will
               defraud
               his
               Neighbour
               .
            
             
               Now
               these
               half
               conquests
               ,
               when
               we
               rest
               in
               them
               ,
               are
               as
               good
               as
               none
               at
               all
               .
               
                 Then
                 shall
                 I
                 not
                 be
                 ashamed
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 have
                 regard
                 to
                 all
                 thy
                 Commandments
                 ,
              
               saith
               the
               Kingly
               Prophet
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               6.
               
               'T
               is
               shameful
               to
               give
               off
               ,
               when
               our
               work
               is
               but
               half
               done
               ;
               what
               we
               do
               ,
               casts
               the
               greater
               reproach
               upon
               us
               for
               what
               we
               omit
               .
               To
               
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 prophane
              
               ,
               is
               something
               as
               a
               passage
               ,
               but
               nothing
               for
               
                 an
                 end
              
               .
               We
               are
               not
               Saints
               as
               soon
               as
               we
               are
               civil
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               only
               
                 gross
                 sins
              
               that
               are
               to
               
               be
               overcome
               .
               The
               
                 wages
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 death
              
               ,
               not
               only
               of
               the
               great
               and
               capital
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               smallest
               ,
               if
               they
               are
               indulged
               .
               The
               Pharisee
               applauded
               himself
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               not
               like
               the
               
                 Extortioners
                 ,
                 Adulterers
              
               and
               Vnjust
               ,
               nor
               like
               the
               Publican
               ,
               that
               came
               to
               pray
               with
               him
               ,
               Luk.
               18.
               11.
               and
               yet
               he
               went
               away
               never
               the
               more
               justified
               .
               The
               
                 unwise
                 Virgins
              
               were
               no
               
                 profligate
                 Livers
              
               ,
               and
               yet
               they
               were
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
            
             
               He
               that
               will
               enter
               ,
               must
               strive
               against
               every
               corrupt
               appetite
               and
               inclination
               .
               A
               less
               leak
               will
               sink
               a
               Ship
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               a
               greater
               ,
               if
               no
               care
               be
               taken
               of
               it
               .
               A
               Consumption
               will
               kill
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Plague
               ;
               yea
               sometimes
               the
               less
               Disease
               may
               in
               the
               event
               prove
               more
               deadly
               ,
               than
               the
               greater
               ;
               for
               small
               distempers
               may
               be
               neglected
               ,
               till
               they
               become
               incurable
               ;
               when
               as
               the
               great
               ones
               awaken
               us
               to
               speedy
               care
               for
               a
               remedy
               .
               A
               small
               hurt
               in
               the
               finger
               slighted
               ,
               may
               prove
               a
               Gangreen
               ,
               when
               a
               
                 great
                 wound
              
               in
               
               the
               Head
               by
               seasonable
               applications
               is
               cured
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               unsafe
               then
               to
               content
               our selves
               with
               this
               ,
               that
               our
               sins
               are
               not
               foul
               and
               
                 great
                 ,
                 those
              
               we
               account
               
                 little
                 ones
              
               ,
               may
               prove
               as
               fatal
               ,
               yea
               they
               are
               sometimes
               more
               dangerous
               :
               For
               we
               are
               apt
               to
               think
               them
               
                 none
                 at
                 all
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Venial
                 infirmities
              
               that
               may
               consist
               with
               
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               and
               Divine
               favour
               ;
               we
               excuse
               and
               make
               Apologies
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               fancy
               that
               Hearing
               ,
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               Confession
               are
               atonements
               enough
               for
               these
               .
               Upon
               which
               accounts
               I
               am
               apt
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               the
               less
               notorious
               Vices
               have
               ruined
               as
               many
               as
               the
               greatest
               Abominations
               .
               Hell
               doth
               not
               consist
               only
               of
               Drunkards
               ,
               and
               Swearers
               ,
               and
               Sabbath-breakers
               :
               No
               ,
               the
               
                 demure
                 Pharisee
              
               ,
               the
               
                 plausible
                 Hypocrite
              
               ,
               and
               
                 formal
                 Professor
              
               ,
               have
               their
               place
               also
               in
               
                 that
                 lake
              
               of
               fire
               .
               The
               great
               impieties
               do
               often
               startle
               and
               awaken
               conscience
               ,
               and
               beget
               strong
               convictions
               ,
               and
               so
               sometimes
               excite
               resolution
               
               and
               vigorous
               striving
               ;
               while
               men
               hug
               themselves
               in
               their
               
                 lesser
                 sins
              
               ,
               and
               carry
               them
               unrepented
               of
               to
               their
               Graves
               .
            
             
               The
               sum
               is
               ,
               we
               may
               
                 overcome
                 some
                 sins
              
               ,
               and
               turn
               from
               the
               
                 grosser
                 sorts
              
               of
               wickedness
               ,
               and
               yet
               if
               we
               endeavour
               not
               to
               subdue
               the
               rest
               ,
               we
               are
               still
               in
               the
               condition
               of
               unregeneracy
               and
               death
               ,
               and
               though
               we
               
                 thus
                 seek
              
               ,
               we
               shall
               not
               enter
               .
            
             
               
                 (
                 4.
              
               )
               A
               man
               may
               perform
               many
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               that
               with
               relish
               and
               delight
               ,
               and
               yet
               miscarry
               .
               As
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               He
               may
               be
               earnest
               and
               swift
               to
               hear
               ,
               and
               follow
               Sermons
               constantly
               from
               one
               place
               to
               another
               ,
               and
               be
               exceedingly
               pleased
               and
               affected
               with
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               yet
               be
               an
               
                 evil
                 Man
              
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               
                 bad
                 state
                 .
                 Herod
                 heard
                 John
                 Baptist
                 gladly
                 ,
              
               Mark
               6.
               20.
               and
               he
               that
               received
               the
               seed
               into
               stony
               places
               ,
               received
               it
               joyfully
               ,
               Mat.
               13.
               20.
               
               Zeal
               for
               hearing
               doth
               not
               always
               arise
               from
               a
               consciencious
               desire
               to
               learn
               in
               order
               to
               practise
               ,
               but
               
               sometimes
               it
               proceeds
               from
               an
               itch
               after
               novelty
               and
               notions
               ,
               or
               an
               ambition
               to
               be
               famed
               for
               Godliness
               ;
               or
               the
               importunity
               of
               natural
               conscience
               ,
               that
               will
               not
               be
               satisfied
               except
               we
               
                 do
                 something
              
               ;
               or
               a
               desire
               to
               get
               matter
               to
               feed
               our
               opinions
               ,
               or
               to
               furnish
               us
               with
               pious
               discourse
               ?
               I
               say
               ,
               earnestness
               to
               hear
               ,
               ariseth
               very
               often
               from
               some
               of
               these
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               doth
               so
               ,
               we
               gain
               but
               
                 little
                 by
                 it
              
               :
               yea
               ,
               we
               are
               dangerously
               tempted
               to
               take
               this
               for
               an
               
                 infallible
                 token
              
               of
               our
               Saintship
               ,
               and
               so
               to
               content
               our selves
               with
               this
               Religion
               of
               the
               Ear
               ,
               and
               to
               disturb
               every
               body
               with
               the
               abundance
               of
               our
               disputes
               and
               talk
               ,
               while
               we
               neglect
               our
               own
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               let
               our
               
                 unmortified
                 affections
              
               and
               inclinations
               rest
               in
               quiet
               ,
               under
               the
               shadow
               of
               these
               specious
               services
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               when
               a
               great
               affection
               to
               hearing
               seizeth
               upon
               an
               
                 evil
                 man
              
               ,
               't
               is
               odds
               but
               it
               doth
               him
               hurt
               ;
               it
               puffs
               him
               up
               in
               the
               conceit
               of
               his
               Godliness
               ,
               
               and
               makes
               him
               
                 pragmatical
                 ,
                 troublesome
              
               and
               censorious
               ;
               He
               turns
               his
               food
               into
               
                 poyson
                 :
                 Among
                 bad
                 men
                 ,
                 those
                 are
                 certainly
                 the
                 worst
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 an
                 opinion
                 of
                 their
                 being
                 godly
              
               ;
               and
               such
               are
               those
               that
               have
               
                 itching
                 ears
              
               ,
               under
               the
               power
               of
               
                 vitious
                 habits
              
               and
               inclinations
               .
               Thus
               an
               
                 earnest
                 diligent
              
               hearer
               ,
               may
               be
               one
               of
               those
               who
               seeks
               ,
               and
               is
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
               And
               so
               may
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               He
               that
               Fasts
               much
               ,
               and
               severely
               :
               The
               Jews
               were
               exceedingly
               given
               to
               fasting
               ,
               and
               they
               were
               very
               severe
               in
               it
               .
               They
               abstained
               from
               all
               things
               pleasant
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               put
               on
               sackcloth
               ,
               and
               
                 sowre
                 looks
              
               ,
               and
               
                 mourned
                 bitterly
              
               ,
               and
               
                 hung
                 down
              
               the
               head
               ,
               and
               sate
               in
               ashes
               ;
               so
               that
               one
               might
               have
               taken
               these
               for
               very
               
                 holy
                 ,
                 penitent
                 ,
                 mortified
                 people
              
               that
               had
               a
               great
               antipathy
               against
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               abhorrence
               of
               themselves
               for
               them
               :
               And
               yet
               God
               complains
               of
               these
               
                 strict
                 severe
                 Fasters
              
               ,
               Zach.
               7.
               5.
               
               
                 That
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 Fast
                 unto
                 him
              
               ;
               but
               fasted
               
               for
               strife
               and
               debate
               ,
               Isa.
               58.
               4.
               
               Their
               Fasts
               were
               not
               
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 had
                 chosen
                 ,
                 to
                 loose
                 the
                 bands
                 of
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 to
                 undo
                 the
                 heavy
                 burden
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 let
                 the
                 oppressed
                 free
                 ,
              
               vers
               .
               6.
               
               But
               they
               continued
               ,
               notwithstanding
               their
               Fasts
               ,
               and
               God's
               admonitions
               by
               his
               Prophets
               ,
               to
               
                 oppress
                 the
                 Widow
                 ,
                 and
                 Fatherless
                 ,
                 and
                 Poor
                 ,
              
               Zach.
               7.
               10.
               
            
             
               Thus
               meer
               natural
               and
               evil
               men
               sometimes
               put
               on
               the
               garb
               of
               Mortification
               ,
               and
               exercise
               rigors
               upon
               their
               Bodies
               and
               external
               persons
               ,
               in
               exchange
               for
               the
               indulgences
               they
               allow
               their
               beloved
               appetites
               ;
               and
               while
               the
               strict
               Discipline
               reacheth
               no
               further
               ,
               though
               we
               
                 keep
                 days
              
               ,
               and
               Fast
               often
               ,
               yet
               this
               will
               not
               put
               us
               beyond
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               Pharisee
               ,
               who
               
                 fasted
                 twice
                 in
                 the
                 week
              
               ,
               as
               himself
               boasted
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               12.
               
               And
               ,
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 An
                 imperfect
                 striver
                 may
                 be
                 very
                 much
                 given
                 to
                 pious
                 and
                 religious
                 discourses
                 :
              
               He
               may
               love
               to
               be
               talking
               of
               Divine
               things
               ;
               especially
               of
               
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               to
               sinners
               ,
               which
               he
               may
               frequently
               speak
               of
               with
               much
               earnestness
               and
               affection
               ,
               and
               have
               that
               
                 dear
                 name
              
               always
               at
               his
               tongues
               end
               to
               begin
               and
               close
               all
               his
               sayings
               ;
               and
               to
               fill
               up
               the
               void
               places
               ,
               when
               he
               wants
               what
               to
               say
               next
               ;
               and
               yet
               this
               may
               be
               a
               bad
               man
               ,
               who
               never
               felt
               those
               Divine
               things
               he
               talks
               of
               ;
               and
               never
               
                 loved
                 Christ
              
               heartily
               as
               he
               ought
               .
            
             
               'T
               was
               observed
               before
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               some
               who
               have
               a
               sort
               of
               Devoutness
               ,
               and
               Religion
               in
               their
               particular
               Complexion
               ;
               and
               if
               such
               are
               talkative
               (
               as
               many
               times
               they
               are
               )
               they
               will
               easily
               run
               into
               such
               discourses
               ,
               as
               agree
               with
               their
               temper
               ,
               and
               take
               pleasure
               in
               them
               for
               that
               reason
               ;
               As
               also
               for
               this
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               apt
               to
               gain
               us
               reverence
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               opinion
               of
               those
               with
               whom
               we
               converse
               .
               And
               such
               as
               are
               by
               nature
               disposed
               for
               this
               faculty
               ,
               may
               easily
               get
               it
               by
               imitation
               and
               remembrance
               of
               the
               
                 devout
                 forms
              
               they
               hear
               and
               read
               :
               so
               that
               
               there
               may
               be
               nothing
               Divine
               in
               
                 all
                 this
              
               ;
               nothing
               but
               what
               may
               consist
               with
               unmortified
               lusts
               and
               affections
               :
               And
               though
               such
               talk
               earnestly
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               express
               a
               mighty
               love
               to
               his
               name
               ,
               yet
               this
               may
               be
               without
               any
               real
               conformity
               unto
               him
               in
               his
               Life
               and
               Laws
               .
               The
               Jews
               spoke
               much
               of
               Moses
               ,
               in
               him
               they
               believed
               ,
               and
               in
               him
               they
               trusted
               ,
               John
               5.
               45.
               
               His
               name
               was
               a
               sweet
               sound
               to
               their
               ears
               ,
               and
               't
               was
               very
               pleasant
               upon
               their
               Tongues
               ;
               and
               yet
               they
               hated
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Moses
               ,
               and
               had
               no
               love
               to
               those
               Laws
               of
               his
               which
               condemned
               their
               wicked
               actions
               .
               And
               we
               may
               see
               how
               many
               of
               those
               
                 love
                 Christ
              
               ,
               that
               speak
               often
               and
               affectionately
               of
               him
               ,
               by
               observing
               how
               they
               
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
              
               ,
               John
               14.
               15.
               especially
               those
               of
               
                 Meekness
                 ,
                 Mercy
              
               ,
               and
               
                 universal
                 Love.
              
               
            
             
               Thus
               
                 imperfect
                 Strivers
              
               may
               imploy
               themselves
               in
               the
               
                 external
                 offices
              
               of
               Religion
               :
               I
               have
               instanced
               only
               
               in
               Three
               ,
               the
               lik
               may
               be
               said
               of
               the
               rest
               .
               And
               to
               this
               ,
               I
               add
               ,
            
             
               (
               IV.
               )
               That
               they
               may
               not
               only
               exercise
               themselves
               in
               the
               outward
               matters
               of
               duty
               ,
               but
               
                 may
                 arrive
                 to
                 some
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 accounted
                 greater
                 heights
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 really
                 more
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 and
                 refined
                 .
              
               To
               instance
               .
            
             
               (
               I.
               )
               They
               may
               have
               
                 some
                 love
              
               to
               
                 God
                 ,
                 Goodness
              
               ,
               and
               
                 good
                 Men.
              
               The
               Soul
               naturally
               loves
               Beauty
               and
               Perfection
               ;
               and
               all
               mankind
               apprehend
               God
               ,
               to
               be
               of
               all
               Beings
               ,
               the
               most
               beautiful
               and
               perfect
               ;
               and
               therefore
               must
               needs
               have
               an
               
                 intellectual
                 love
              
               for
               him
               :
               The
               reason
               that
               
                 that
                 love
              
               takes
               no
               hold
               of
               the
               passions
               in
               wicked
               men
               ,
               is
               ,
               partly
               because
               they
               are
               diverted
               from
               the
               thoughts
               of
               Him
               ,
               by
               the
               objects
               of
               Sense
               ;
               but
               chiefly
               ,
               because
               they
               consider
               him
               as
               their
               enemy
               ,
               and
               therefore
               can
               have
               no
               complacency
               or
               delight
               in
               him
               ,
               who
               they
               think
               hath
               nothing
               but
               thoughts
               of
               enmity
               ,
               and
               displeasure
               against
               them
               .
               But
               if
               once
               they
               come
               to
               be
               perswaded
               
               (
               as
               many
               times
               ,
               by
               such
               false
               marks
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               recited
               ,
               they
               are
               )
               that
               God
               is
               their
               Father
               ,
               and
               peculiar
               Friend
               ;
               that
               they
               are
               his
               chosen
               ,
               and
               his
               darlings
               ,
               whom
               he
               loved
               from
               Eternity
               ,
               and
               to
               whom
               he
               hath
               given
               his
               Son
               and
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               will
               give
               Himself
               ,
               in
               a
               way
               of
               the
               fullest
               enjoyment
               ;
               Then
               the
               Love
               that
               before
               was
               only
               an
               esteem
               in
               the
               understanding
               ,
               doth
               kindle
               in
               the
               affections
               by
               the
               help
               of
               the
               conceit
               of
               
                 Gods
                 loving
                 them
                 so
                 dearly
              
               ,
               and
               the
               passion
               thus
               heated
               ,
               runs
               out
               ,
               even
               into
               seraphick
               ,
               and
               
                 rapturous
                 Devotions
              
               ;
               while
               yet
               all
               this
               ,
               is
               but
               
                 meer
                 animal
                 love
              
               ,
               excited
               chiefly
               ,
               by
               the
               love
               of
               our selves
               ,
               not
               of
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Perfections
              
               .
               And
               it
               commonly
               goes
               no
               further
               ,
               then
               to
               earnest
               expressions
               of
               extraordinary
               love
               to
               God
               in
               our
               Prayers
               and
               Discourses
               ,
               while
               it
               appears
               not
               in
               any
               
                 singular
                 obedience
              
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               or
               generous
               and
               
                 universal
                 love
              
               to
               mankind
               :
               which
               are
               the
               ways
               whereby
               the
               true
               
                 Divine
                 Love
              
               
               is
               exprest
               :
               for
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 ,
              
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               1
               John.
               5.
               3.
               
               And
               as
               to
               the
               
                 other
                 ,
                 thus
                 ,
                 If
                 we
                 love
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 God
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 love
                 is
                 perfected
                 in
                 us
                 ,
              
               1
               John
               4.
               12.
               
               And
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 say
                 I
                 love
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 hateth
                 his
                 brother
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 lyar
                 ,
              
               John
               4.
               20.
               
               Charity
               then
               and
               
                 universal
                 obedience
              
               are
               the
               true
               arguments
               and
               expressions
               of
               our
               love
               to
               God
               ;
               and
               these
               suppose
               a
               victory
               over
               corrupt
               inclinations
               and
               self-will
               .
               But
               the
               other
               love
               which
               ariseth
               from
               the
               conceit
               of
               our
               
                 special
                 dearness
              
               to
               God
               upon
               insufficient
               grounds
               ;
               that
               goes
               no
               further
               then
               to
               some
               suavities
               ,
               and
               
                 pleasant
                 fancies
              
               within
               our selves
               ;
               and
               some
               passionate
               complements
               of
               the
               Image
               we
               have
               set
               up
               in
               our
               imaginations
               .
               This
               Love
               will
               consist
               with
               Hatred
               and
               contempt
               of
               all
               that
               are
               not
               like
               our selves
               ;
               yea
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               produce
               it
               :
               those
               poysonous
               fruits
               ,
               and
               vile
               affections
               may
               be
               incouraged
               ,
               and
               cherish'd
               under
               it
               .
               So
               
               that
               there
               may
               be
               
                 some
                 love
                 to
                 God
              
               in
               evil
               men
               :
               But
               while
               self-love
               is
               the
               
                 only
                 motive
              
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               prevalent
               passion
               ,
               it
               signifieth
               nothing
               to
               their
               advantage
               .
            
             
               And
               as
               the
               
                 imperfect
                 striver
              
               may
               have
               some
               love
               to
               God
               ,
               so
               he
               may
               to
               piety
               and
               vertue
               :
               every
               man
               loves
               these
               in
               Idea
               .
               The
               vilest
               sinner
               takes
               part
               in
               his
               affections
               with
               the
               vertuous
               and
               religious
               ,
               when
               he
               seeth
               them
               described
               in
               History
               or
               Romance
               ;
               and
               hath
               a
               detestation
               for
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               character'd
               as
               impious
               and
               
                 immoral
                 .
                 Vertue
              
               is
               a
               great
               Beauty
               ,
               and
               the
               mind
               is
               taken
               with
               it
               ,
               while
               't
               is
               consider'd
               at
               a
               distance
               ;
               and
               our
               corrupt
               interests
               ,
               and
               sensual
               affections
               are
               not
               concern'd
               .
               'T
               is
               these
               that
               recommend
               sin
               to
               our
               love
               ,
               and
               choice
               ,
               while
               the
               mind
               ftands
               on
               the
               side
               of
               vertue
               :
               with
               
                 that
                 we
                 serve
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               but
               with
               the
               
                 flesh
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Sin
              
               ,
               Rom
               7.
               25.
               
               So
               that
               most
               wicked
               men
               ,
               that
               are
               not
               degenerated
               into
               meer
               Brutes
               ,
               have
               this
               
               mental
               and
               intellectual
               love
               to
               goodness
               :
               That
               is
               ,
               they
               approve
               ,
               and
               like
               it
               in
               their
               minds
               ,
               and
               would
               practise
               it
               also
               ,
               were
               it
               not
               for
               the
               prevalent
               biass
               of
               flesh
               and
               sense
               .
            
             
               And
               hence
               it
               will
               follow
               likewise
               ,
               That
               the
               same
               may
               approve
               and
               
                 respect
                 good
                 men
              
               ;
               They
               may
               reverence
               and
               love
               them
               for
               their
               
                 Charity
                 ,
                 Humility
                 ,
                 Justice
              
               and
               Temperance
               ,
               though
               themselves
               are
               persons
               of
               the
               
                 contrary
                 Character
              
               ;
               yea
               ,
               they
               may
               have
               a
               great
               and
               ardent
               affection
               for
               those
               that
               are
               eminently
               pious
               and
               devout
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               very
               irreligious
               themselves
               .
               The
               conscience
               of
               vertue
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               excellency
               of
               Religion
               ,
               may
               produce
               this
               in
               the
               meer
               natural
               man
               ,
               who
               is
               under
               the
               dominion
               of
               
                 vile
                 inclinations
              
               and
               affections
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ,
               neither
               is
               this
               a
               good
               
                 mark
                 of
                 godliness
              
               .
               Our
               love
               to
               
                 God
                 &
                 goodness
              
               will
               not
               stead
               us
               ,
               except
               it
               be
               prevalent
               .
               And
               as
               the
               love
               described
               ,
               may
               be
               natural
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 meer
                 animal
              
               man
               may
               arrive
               unto
               it
               :
               So
               ,
            
             
             
               (
               2.
               )
               He
               may
               to
               
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 zeal
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 the
                 objects
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 Hot
              
               tempers
               are
               eager
               ,
               where
               they
               take
               either
               kindness
               or
               displeasure
               .
               The
               natural
               man
               that
               hath
               an
               
                 animal
                 love
              
               to
               Religion
               ,
               may
               be
               violent
               in
               speaking
               ,
               and
               acting
               for
               things
               appertaining
               to
               it
               .
               If
               his
               temper
               be
               devotional
               and
               passionate
               ,
               he
               becomes
               a
               mighty
               zealot
               ,
               and
               fills
               all
               places
               with
               the
               fame
               of
               his
               godliness
               :
               His
               natural
               fire
               moves
               this
               way
               ,
               aud
               makes
               a
               mighty
               
                 blaze
                 .
                 Ahab
              
               was
               very
               zealous
               ,
               &
               't
               is
               like
               't
               was
               not
               only
               his
               own
               interest
               that
               made
               him
               so
               ,
               2
               Kings
               10.
               16.
               
               The
               Pharirisees
               were
               zealous
               people
               ,
               and
               certainly
               their
               zeal
               was
               not
               always
               personated
               ,
               and
               put
               on
               ,
               but
               real
               ;
               though
               they
               were
               Hypocrites
               ,
               yet
               they
               were
               such
               ,
               as
               ,
               in
               many
               things
               deceived
               themselves
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               others
               .
               They
               were
               zealous
               for
               their
               Traditions
               ,
               and
               they
               believ'd
               't
               was
               their
               duty
               to
               be
               so
               .
               St.
               Paul
               while
               a
               persecutor
               ,
               was
               zealous
               against
               the
               Disciples
               ,
               and
               he
               
               
                 thought
                 he
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 many
                 things
                 against
                 that
                 name
                 .
              
               And
               our
               Saviour
               foretells
               ,
               that
               those
               
                 zealous
                 murderers
              
               that
               should
               kill
               his
               Saints
               ,
               should
               think
               ,
               
                 They
                 did
                 God
                 good
                 service
                 in
                 it
                 ,
              
               John
               16.
               2.
               
               So
               that
               all
               the
               zeal
               of
               the
               natural
               man
               is
               not
               feigning
               ,
               and
               acting
               of
               a
               part
               ;
               nor
               hath
               it
               always
               evil
               objects
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               were
               zealous
               against
               the
               wickedness
               of
               the
               Publicans
               and
               
                 Sinners
                 .
                 Zeal
              
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               earnest
               ,
               and
               for
               Religion
               may
               be
               in
               bad
               men
               .
               But
               then
               ,
               this
               is
               to
               be
               noted
               ,
               that
               't
               is
               commonly
               about
               opinions
               or
               
                 external
                 rites
              
               ,
               and
               usages
               ,
               and
               such
               matters
               as
               appertain
               to
               first
               Table
               Duties
               ,
               while
               usually
               the
               same
               men
               are
               very
               cold
               ,
               in
               reference
               to
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second
               :
               And
               when
               Zeal
               is
               partial
               ,
               and
               spent
               about
               the
               little
               things
               that
               tend
               not
               to
               the
               overcoming
               the
               difficulties
               of
               our
               way
               ,
               or
               the
               perfecting
               of
               
                 humane
                 nature
              
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               meer
               animal
               fervour
               ,
               and
               no
               Divine
               Fire
               .
               And
               the
               natural
               man
               ,
               the
               
               Seeker
               that
               
                 shall
                 not
                 enter
              
               ,
               may
               grow
               up
               to
               another
               height
               that
               looks
               gleriously
               ,
               and
               seems
               to
               speak
               mighty
               things
               .
               As
               ,
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 He
                 may
                 have
                 great
                 comforts
                 in
                 religious
                 meditations
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 even
                 to
                 rapturous
                 excesses
                 .
              
               He
               may
               take
               these
               ,
               for
               
                 sweet
                 Communion
              
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               joys
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ,
               and
               the
               earnest
               of
               Glory
               ,
               and
               be
               lifted
               up
               on
               high
               by
               them
               ,
               and
               enabled
               to
               speak
               in
               
                 wonderful
                 ravishing
                 strains
              
               ;
               and
               yet
               notwithstanding
               be
               an
               evil
               man
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               state
               of
               such
               as
               shall
               be
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
            
             
               For
               this
               we
               may
               observe
               ,
               That
               those
               whose
               complexion
               inclines
               them
               to
               devotion
               ,
               are
               commonly
               much
               under
               the
               power
               of
               melancholy
               ;
               and
               they
               that
               are
               so
               ,
               are
               mostly
               very
               varius
               in
               their
               tempers
               ;
               fometimes
               merry
               ,
               and
               pleasant
               to
               excess
               ;
               and
               then
               plung'd
               as
               deep
               into
               the
               other
               extream
               of
               sadness
               and
               dejection
               :
               one
               while
               the
               
                 sweet
                 humours
              
               enliven
               the
               imagination
               ,
               and
               present
               it
               with
               all
               
               things
               that
               are
               pleasant
               and
               agreeable
               ;
               And
               then
               ,
               the
               black
               blood
               succeeds
               ,
               which
               begets
               clouds
               and
               darkness
               ,
               and
               fills
               the
               fancy
               with
               things
               frightful
               and
               uncomfortable
               :
               And
               there
               are
               very
               few
               but
               feel
               such
               varieties
               ,
               in
               a
               degree
               ,
               in
               themselves
               .
               Now
               while
               the
               
                 sweet
                 Blood
              
               and
               Humours
               prevail
               ,
               the
               person
               whose
               complexion
               inclines
               him
               to
               Religion
               ,
               and
               who
               hath
               arrived
               to
               the
               degrees
               newly
               discours'd
               of
               (
               though
               a
               meer
               natural
               man
               )
               is
               full
               of
               inward
               delight
               ,
               and
               satisfaction●
               and
               fancies
               at
               this
               turn
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               much
               in
               the
               favour
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               a
               sure
               Heir
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Glory
               ;
               which
               must
               needs
               excite
               in
               him
               many
               luscious
               ,
               and
               pleasant
               thoughts
               :
               and
               these
               further
               warm
               his
               imagination
               ,
               which
               ,
               by
               new
               ,
               and
               taking
               suggestions
               still
               raiseth
               the
               
                 affections
                 more
              
               ;
               and
               so
               the
               man
               is
               as
               it
               were
               transported
               beyond
               himself
               ;
               and
               speaks
               like
               one
               dropt
               from
               the
               Clouds
               :
               His
               tongue
               flows
               with
               Light
               ,
               and
               Glories
               ,
               and
               Communion
               ,
               and
               Revelations
               ,
               and
               Incomes
               ;
               
               and
               then
               ,
               believes
               that
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               is
               the
               Author
               of
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               that
               God
               is
               
                 in
                 him
                 of
                 a
                 truth
              
               ,
               in
               a
               special
               way
               of
               Manifestation
               and
               Vouchsafement
               .
               But
               when
               melancholick
               vapours
               prevail
               again
               ;
               the
               Imagination
               is
               overcast
               ,
               and
               the
               Fancy
               possest
               by
               dismal
               and
               uncomfortable
               thoughts
               ;
               and
               the
               man
               ,
               whose
               head
               was
               but
               just
               before
               among
               the
               Clouds
               ,
               is
               now
               groveling
               in
               the
               Dust
               :
               He
               thinks
               all
               is
               lost
               ,
               and
               his
               condition
               miserable
               ;
               He
               is
               a
               cast-away
               ,
               and
               undone
               ;
               when
               in
               the
               mean
               while
               ,
               as
               to
               Divine
               favour
               he
               is
               just
               where
               he
               was
               before
               ,
               or
               rather
               in
               a
               better
               state
               ,
               since
               't
               is
               better
               to
               be
               humbled
               with
               reason
               ,
               then
               to
               be
               lifted
               up
               
                 without
                 it
              
               .
               Such
               effects
               as
               these
               do
               meer
               naturalpassions
               and
               imaginations
               produce
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               tinctured
               and
               heightned
               by
               
                 religious
                 melancholly
              
               .
               To
               deny
               ones
               self
               ,
               and
               to
               
                 overcome
                 ones
                 passions
              
               ,
               and
               to
               live
               in
               a
               course
               of
               a
               
                 sober
                 Vertue
              
               ,
               is
               much
               more
               Divine
               than
               
                 all
                 this
              
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               far
               
               from
               denying
               it
               ,
               that
               holy
               men
               feel
               those
               joys
               and
               communications
               of
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Spirit
              
               which
               are
               
                 no
                 fancies
              
               ;
               and
               the
               Scripture
               calls
               them
               
                 great
                 peace
              
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               165.
               and
               
                 joy
                 in
                 believing
              
               ,
               Rom.
               15.
               13.
               and
               the
               
                 peace
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 passeth
                 all
                 understanding
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               4.
               7.
               
               But
               then
               ,
               these
               
                 Divine
                 Vouchsafements
              
               are
               not
               rapturous
               ,
               or
               ecstatical
               :
               They
               are
               no
               sudden
               flashes
               that
               are
               gone
               in
               a
               moment
               ,
               leaving
               the
               Soul
               in
               the
               regions
               of
               sorrow
               ,
               and
               despair
               ;
               but
               
                 sober
                 lasting
              
               comforts
               ,
               that
               are
               the
               reward
               's
               and
               results
               of
               vertue
               ;
               the
               rejoycings
               of
               a
               
                 good
                 conscience
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               12.
               and
               the
               manifestations
               of
               God
               to
               those
               rare
               souls
               ,
               who
               have
               overcome
               the
               evils
               of
               their
               natures
               ;
               and
               the
               difficulties
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               or
               are
               
                 vigorously
                 pressing
              
               on
               towards
               
                 the
                 mark
              
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               14.
               
               But
               for
               such
               as
               have
               only
               the
               forms
               of
               godliness
               I
               have
               mentioned
               ,
               while
               the
               
                 evil
                 inclinations
              
               and
               habits
               are
               indulged
               ,
               (
               whatever
               they
               may
               pretend
               )
               all
               the
               sweets
               they
               talk
               of
               ,
               are
               but
               
               the
               imagery
               of
               dreams
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 pleasant
                 delusions
              
               of
               their
               fancies
               .
            
             
               THus
               I
               have
               shewn
               how
               far
               the
               
                 meer
                 animal
                 Religion
              
               may
               go
               ,
               in
               
                 imperfect
                 striving
              
               :
               And
               now
               .
               I
               must
               expect
               to
               hear
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               this
               is
               very
               
                 severe
                 ,
                 uncomfortable
              
               Doctrine
               ;
               and
               if
               one
               that
               shall
               eventually
               be
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               ,
               may
               do
               
                 all
                 this
              
               ,
               what
               shall
               become
               of
               the
               generality
               of
               Religious
               men
               that
               never
               do
               
                 so
                 mtch
              
               ?
               And
               if
               
                 all
                 this
              
               be
               short
               ,
               what
               will
               be
               available
               ?
               who
               then
               shall
               be
               saved
               ?
            
             
               To
               which
               I
               Answer
               ,
               That
               we
               are
               not
               to
               make
               the
               measures
               of
               Religion
               and
               Happiness
               our selves
               ;
               but
               to
               take
               those
               that
               Christ
               Jesus
               hath
               made
               for
               us
               :
               And
               he
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               That
               
                 except
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 exceed
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               5.
               20.
               
               Now
               the
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               did
               things
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ,
               that
               
               that
               were
               equal
               to
               all
               the
               particulars
               :
               I
               have
               mentioned
               ;
               yea
               they
               went
               beyond
               many
               of
               our
               glorious
               Professors
               ,
               who
               yet
               think
               themselves
               in
               an
               
                 high
                 form
              
               of
               Godliness
               .
               They
               believed
               their
               Religion
               firmly
               ,
               and
               
                 Prayed
                 frequently
              
               and
               fervently
               ,
               and
               
                 Fasted
                 severely
              
               ;
               They
               were
               exact
               ,
               and
               exceeding
               strict
               in
               the
               observation
               of
               their
               Sabbaths
               ,
               and
               hated
               scandalous
               and
               gross
               sins
               ;
               and
               were
               very
               punctual
               in
               all
               the
               duties
               of
               
                 outward
                 Worship
              
               ;
               and
               in
               many
               things
               supererrogated
               and
               went
               beyond
               what
               was
               commanded
               :
               Such
               
                 zealous
                 people
              
               were
               They
               ;
               and
               They
               separated
               from
               the
               conversations
               and
               customs
               of
               
                 other
                 Jews
              
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               their
               supposed
               
                 greater
                 Holiness
              
               and
               
                 Purity
                 .
                 These
              
               were
               heights
               to
               which
               the
               Pharisees
               arrived
               ;
               and
               a
               good
               Christian
               must
               exceed
               all
               this
               :
               And
               he
               that
               lives
               in
               a
               
                 sober
                 course
              
               of
               Piety
               and
               Vertue
               ;
               of
               
                 self
                 Government
              
               ,
               and
               humble
               submission
               to
               God
               ;
               of
               obedience
               to
               his
               Superiours
               ,
               and
               charity
               to
               his
               Neighbours
               :
               He
               doth
               really
               
               exceed
               it
               ,
               and
               shall
               enter
               ,
               when
               the
               other
               shall
               be
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
               So
               that
               ,
               when
               our
               Saviour
               saith
               ,
               that
               the
               Pharisaick
               Righteousness
               must
               be
               exceeded
               ,
               the
               meaning
               is
               not
               ,
               That
               a
               greater
               degree
               of
               every
               thing
               the
               Pharisees
               did
               ,
               is
               necessary
               ;
               but
               we
               must
               do
               that
               which
               in
               the
               nature
               and
               kind
               of
               it
               is
               better
               ,
               and
               more
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               viz.
               That
               whereas
               they
               placed
               their
               Religion
               in
               
                 strict
                 Fastings
              
               ,
               an
               nice
               observations
               of
               Festivals
               ;
               in
               lowd
               and
               
                 earnest
                 Prayers
              
               ,
               and
               zeal
               to
               get
               Proselytes
               ;
               we
               should
               place
               ours
               ,
               in
               
                 sincere
                 subjections
              
               of
               our
               wills
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ;
               in
               imitation
               of
               the
               life
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               obedience
               of
               his
               Laws
               ;
               in
               amending
               the
               faults
               of
               our
               natures
               and
               lives
               :
               in
               subduing
               our
               Passions
               ,
               and
               casting
               out
               the
               habits
               of
               
                 evil
                 :
                 These
              
               are
               much
               beyond
               the
               Religion
               of
               the
               
                 Phanatick
                 Pharisee
              
               ;
               not
               in
               shew
               and
               pomp
               ;
               but
               in
               real
               worth
               ,
               and
               
                 divine
                 esteem
              
               .
               So
               that
               ,
               upon
               the
               whole
               ,
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               be
               discouraged
               ,
               because
               They
               that
               do
               so
               
               much
               are
               
                 cast
                 out
              
               ;
               since
               ,
               though
               we
               find
               not
               those
               heats
               ,
               and
               specious
               things
               in
               our selves
               which
               we
               observe
               in
               them
               ,
               yet
               if
               we
               are
               more
               meek
               and
               modest
               ,
               and
               patient
               ,
               and
               charitable
               ,
               and
               humble
               ,
               and
               just
               ,
               our
               case
               is
               better
               ;
               and
               we
               have
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               when
               theirs
               is
               but
               the
               Form
               ;
               And
               we
               ,
               whom
               They
               accounted
               Aliens
               and
               Enemies
               shall
               enter
               ;
               while
               they
               ,
               the
               presumed
               friends
               and
               domesticks
               ,
               shall
               be
               
                 shut
                 out
              
               .
            
             
               But
               (
               2.
               )
               I
               expect
               it
               should
               be
               again
               objected
               against
               this
               severity
               of
               Discourse
               ,
               That
               our
               Saviour
               saith
               ,
               Mat.
               11.
               20.
               
               
                 That
                 his
                 yoke
                 is
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 burden
                 is
                 light
                 :
              
               which
               place
               seems
               to
               cross
               all
               that
               hath
               been
               said
               about
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               Religion
               .
               And
               't
               is
               true
               it
               hath
               such
               an
               appearance
               ,
               but
               't
               is
               
                 no
                 more
              
               ;
               For
               the
               words
               look
               as
               cross
               to
               the
               expressions
               of
               the
               same
               Divine
               Author
               ;
               concerning
               the
               straightness
               of
               the
               Gate
               ,
               and
               narrowness
               of
               the
               Way
               ,
               as
               to
               any
               thing
               I
               have
               delivered
               from
               those
               infallible
               
               sayings
               .
               Therefore
               to
               remove
               the
               semblance
               of
               contrariety
               ,
               which
               the
               
                 objected
                 Text
              
               seems
               to
               have
               to
               those
               others
               ,
               and
               to
               my
               Discourse
               ,
               we
               may
               observe
               ,
            
             
               That
               when
               our
               Saviour
               saith
               ,
               that
               his
               yoke
               is
               easie
               ,
               the
               word
               we
               read
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               signifieth
               
                 very
                 good
                 ,
                 excellent
                 ,
                 gracious
              
               ;
               and
               the
               meaning
               I
               suppose
               is
               ,
               That
               his
               Precepts
               had
               a
               
                 native
                 beauty
              
               and
               goodness
               in
               them
               ;
               That
               they
               are
               congruous
               and
               sutable
               to
               our
               reasonable
               Natures
               ,
               and
               apt
               instruments
               to
               make
               us
               happy
               ;
               In
               which
               sense
               ,
               this
               expression
               hath
               no
               antipathy
               to
               the
               Text
               ,
               or
               to
               any
               thing
               I
               have
               said
               .
               And
               whereas
               't
               is
               added
               ,
               [
               
                 My
                 Burden
                 is
                 light
              
               ]
               I
               think
               by
               this
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               understand
               ,
               That
               his
               Commands
               are
               not
               of
               that
               burdensome
               nature
               ,
               that
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Jewish
               Laws
               were
               :
               Those
               were
               very
               cumbersome
               ,
               and
               had
               nothing
               in
               their
               nature
               to
               make
               them
               pleasant
               and
               agreeable
               ;
               whereas
               his
               Religion
               had
               no
               
                 expensive
                 ,
                 troublesome
              
               Rites
               appendant
               
               to
               it
               ;
               nor
               did
               it
               require
               any
               thing
               but
               our
               observation
               of
               those
               Laws
               which
               eternal
               Reason
               obligeth
               us
               to
               ,
               and
               which
               of
               our selves
               we
               should
               choose
               to
               live
               under
               ,
               were
               we
               freed
               from
               the
               intanglements
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               interests
               of
               Flesh.
               So
               that
               neither
               doth
               this
               Objection
               signifie
               any
               thing
               against
               the
               scope
               of
               my
               Discourse
               .
            
             
               AND
               now
               I
               descend
               to
               the
               Improvement
               of
               what
               I
               have
               said
               ;
               and
               the
               things
               I
               have
               to
               add
               will
               be
               comprehended
               under
               these
               two
               Generals
               (
               1.
               )
               Inferences
               ,
               and
               (
               2.
               )
               plain
               Advice
               in
               order
               to
               practise
               .
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               Inferences
               and
               Corollaries
               that
               arise
               from
               the
               whole
               Discourse
               .
               And
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               We
               may
               collect
               ,
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Nature
              
               ;
               and
               
                 What
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
              
               .
               We
               have
               seen
               that
               't
               is
               the
               great
               business
               of
               Religion
               to
               
                 overcome
                 evil
                 Inclinations
              
               ,
               and
               the
               prevailing
               influence
               of
               sense
               and
               passion
               ,
               and
               evil
               
               customs
               and
               example
               and
               worldly
               affections
               ;
               And
               therefore
               the
               state
               of
               Nature
               consists
               in
               the
               power
               and
               prevalency
               of
               
                 These
                 .
                 This
              
               is
               that
               the
               Scripture
               calls
               the
               
                 Old
                 man
              
               ,
               Eph.
               4.22
               .
               The
               
                 Image
                 of
                 the
                 earthy
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               15.
               
               Flesh
               ,
               Gal.
               5.
               17.
               
               Death
               ,
               Rom.
               7.24
               .
               Darkness
               ,
               Joh.
               3.
               19.
               
                 and
                 old
                 leven
              
               ,
               1
               Cor
               5.
               7.
               
               On
               the
               contrary
               ,
               
                 The
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
              
               is
               a
               state
               of
               
                 sincere
                 striving
              
               against
               them
               ;
               which
               if
               it
               keeps
               on
               ,
               ends
               in
               Victory
               .
               And
               this
               is
               call'd
               Conversion
               ,
               Acts
               3.
               19.
               and
               Renovation
               ,
               while
               't
               is
               in
               its
               first
               motions
               ;
               And
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Nature
              
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               4.
               the
               Image
               of
               the
               Heavenly
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               15.
               20.
               
               The
               Spirit
               ,
               Gal.
               5.
               16.
               
               Light
               ,
               Ephes.
               5.
               8.
               and
               Life
               ,
               1
               Joh.
               3.
               14.
               when
               't
               is
               arriv'd
               to
               more
               compleatness
               and
               perfection
               .
            
             
               For
               our
               fuller
               understanding
               this
               ,
               we
               may
               consider
               ,
               That
               Grace
               is
               taken
               (
               1.
               )
               for
               
                 Divine
                 favour
              
               ;
               (
               2.
               )
               for
               
                 Christian
                 Vertue
              
               .
               As
               it
               signifies
               
                 Divine
                 favour
              
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               used
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               For
               those
               helps
               and
               aids
               God
               
               affords
               us
               ,
               viz.
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Joh.
               1.
               17.
               and
               the
               influences
               of
               
                 his
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               9.
               
               In
               this
               sense
               we
               are
               deliver'd
               from
               the
               state
               of
               Nature
               by
               
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               We
               are
               intituled
               to
               
                 divine
                 helps
              
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               regeneration
               ;
               for
               we
               are
               born
               in
               a
               condition
               of
               importence
               ,
               and
               weakness
               ,
               and
               destitution
               of
               
                 spiritual
                 assistances
              
               ;
               This
               is
               the
               world
               of
               
                 meer
                 nature
              
               ;
               But
               then
               in
               Baptism
               ,
               we
               are
               brought
               into
               the
               world
               of
               
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               are
               put
               under
               its
               influences
               ,
               and
               are
               assured
               of
               its
               aids
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               
                 morally
                 born
                 again
              
               ;
               Not
               that
               this
               Regeneration
               alone
               will
               save
               us
               ,
               without
               our
               endeavours
               ;
               it
               imports
               only
               an
               
                 external
                 relation
              
               ,
               and
               right
               to
               priviledges
               ,
               and
               by
               these
               we
               may
               be
               powerfully
               assisted
               in
               our
               striving
               ,
               if
               we
               use
               them
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               (
               2.
               )
               Grace
               ,
               as
               it
               signifies
               
                 divine
                 favour
              
               ,
               implies
               his
               special
               love
               and
               kindness
               ,
               such
               as
               he
               vouchsases
               to
               holy
               and
               vertuous
               men
               ;
               so
               that
               we
               may
               observe
               that
               there
               may
               be
               a
               distinction
               between
               a
               state
               of
               Grace
               ,
               
               and
               a
               state
               of
               salvation
               .
               A
               state
               of
               Grace
               ,
               in
               the
               former
               sense
               ,
               is
               a
               
                 condition
                 assisted
              
               by
               the
               influences
               of
               
                 Gods
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               and
               all
               baptized
               persons
               are
               in
               that
               .
               But
               if
               they
               use
               not
               those
               helps
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               in
               Gods
               special
               favour
               ;
               and
               so
               not
               in
               a
               state
               of
               Salvation
               .
               But
               when
               those
               assistances
               are
               duly
               imployed
               ,
               and
               join'd
               with
               our
               
                 sincere
                 endeavour
              
               ,
               then
               the
               person
               so
               using
               them
               ,
               is
               in
               a
               state
               of
               Salvation
               also
               ;
               and
               in
               God's
               special
               love
               and
               favour
               .
               Thus
               of
               the
               state
               of
               Grace
               in
               the
               first
               sense
               ,
               as
               taken
               for
               
                 divine
                 favour
              
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               word
               is
               also
               used
               for
               
                 Christian
                 Vertue
              
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               3.
               18.
               and
               Vertue
               is
               call'd
               Grace
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               wrought
               in
               us
               by
               the
               assistance
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               and
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               are
               divine
               favours
               ;
               and
               to
               be
               in
               a
               state
               of
               grace
               in
               this
               sense
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               a
               virtuous
               man
               ,
               which
               supposeth
               divine
               aids
               ,
               and
               intitles
               to
               
                 divine
                 love
              
               .
            
             
               These
               things
               I
               have
               taken
               an
               occasion
               
               thus
               briefly
               to
               state
               ;
               because
               there
               is
               oft-times
               much
               confusion
               in
               mens
               discourses
               about
               Grace
               and
               Nature
               ,
               from
               which
               much
               trouble
               and
               many
               controversies
               have
               arisen
               .
               And
               by
               what
               I
               have
               said
               also
               in
               these
               brief
               hints
               ,
               the
               doctrine
               of
               our
               Church
               in
               the
               office
               of
               Baptism
               ,
               may
               be
               understood
               clearly
               ,
               and
               will
               appear
               to
               be
               very
               sound
               and
               true
               ,
               notwithstanding
               the
               petty
               exceptions
               of
               confident
               Dissenters
               .
            
             
               (
               II.
               )
               I
               may
               infer
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 great
                 Design
                 of
                 Religion
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 to
                 perfect
                 humane
                 nature
                 .
              
               The
               perfection
               of
               our
               natures
               ,
               consists
               ,
               in
               the
               subjection
               and
               subordination
               of
               the
               affections
               and
               passions
               to
               the
               Mind
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               enlightned
               ,
               and
               directed
               by
               the
               
                 divine
                 Laws
              
               ,
               and
               those
               of
               Reason
               .
               This
               is
               the
               state
               of
               integrity
               ,
               in
               which
               we
               were
               first
               made
               ;
               and
               we
               lost
               it
               by
               the
               rebellion
               of
               our
               senses
               and
               inferiour
               powers
               ,
               which
               have
               usurpt
               the
               government
               of
               us
               ever
               since
               .
               Here
               
               is
               the
               imperfection
               ,
               and
               corruption
               of
               our
               natures
               .
            
             
               Now
               Religion
               designs
               to
               remove
               and
               
                 cure
                 these
              
               ;
               and
               to
               restore
               us
               to
               our
               first
               ,
               and
               happy
               state
               .
               It
               s
               business
               is
               not
               to
               reform
               our
               looks
               ,
               and
               our
               language
               ;
               or
               to
               model
               our
               actions
               ,
               and
               gestures
               into
               a
               devout
               appearance
               ;
               not
               only
               to
               restrain
               the
               practice
               of
               open
               prophaness
               and
               villany
               ;
               nor
               to
               comfort
               us
               with
               the
               assurance
               of
               Gods
               loving
               us
               we
               know
               not
               why
               :
               But
               to
               cure
               our
               
                 ill
                 natures
              
               ,
               to
               govern
               our
               passsions
               ,
               to
               moderate
               our
               desires
               ,
               to
               throw
               out
               pride
               and
               envy
               ,
               and
               all
               uncharitable
               surmisals
               ,
               with
               the
               other
               spiritual
               sorts
               of
               wickedness
               ;
               and
               thereby
               to
               make
               us
               like
               unto
               God
               ,
               in
               whom
               there
               is
               no
               shadow
               of
               sin
               ,
               or
               imperfection
               ;
               and
               so
               to
               render
               us
               fit
               objects
               of
               his
               delight
               ,
               and
               love
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               whatever
               doth
               not
               tend
               to
               the
               making
               us
               ,
               some
               way
               or
               other
               
                 really
                 better
                 :
                 better
              
               in
               our
               selves
               ,
               and
               better
               in
               all
               Relations
               ,
               as
               fathers
               ,
               and
               children
               ,
               and
               husbands
               and
               wives
               ,
               and
               
               subjects
               ,
               and
               governours
               ,
               and
               neighbours
               ,
               and
               friends
               ,
               is
               not
               Religion
               ;
               It
               may
               be
               a
               form
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               but
               't
               is
               nothing
               to
               the
               life
               ,
               and
               power
               .
               And
               where
               we
               see
               not
               
                 this
                 effect
              
               of
               Religion
               ,
               let
               the
               professor
               of
               it
               be
               never
               so
               high
               and
               glorious
               in
               his
               profession
               ,
               we
               may
               yet
               conclude
               that
               either
               his
               Religion
               is
               not
               good
               ,
               or
               that
               he
               only
               pretends
               ,
               and
               really
               hath
               it
               not
               .
            
             
               This
               I
               take
               to
               be
               a
               consideration
               of
               great
               moment
               and
               great
               certainty
               ,
               viz.
               That
               Christian
               Religion
               aims
               at
               the
               bettering
               and
               perfecting
               of
               our
               natures
               .
               For
               the
               things
               it
               commands
               relate
               either
               to
               worship
               or
               virtue
               .
               The
               instances
               of
               external
               worship
               are
               prayer
               ,
               and
               praise
               ;
               both
               which
               are
               high
               acts
               of
               gratitude
               and
               justice
               ,
               and
               they
               fit
               us
               for
               divine
               blessings
               ,
               and
               keep
               us
               under
               a
               sense
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               prepare
               us
               for
               union
               with
               him
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               
                 highest
                 perfection
              
               of
               which
               the
               creature
               is
               capable
               .
               Thus
               the
               outward
               acts
               of
               worship
               tend
               to
               our
               happiness
               ;
               and
               the
               inward
               do
               infinitely
               the
               same
               .
            
             
             
               These
               are
               ,
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Love
               ,
               and
               
                 Fear
                 .
                 Faith
              
               in
               God
               supports
               and
               relieves
               us
               in
               all
               afflictions
               ,
               and
               distresses
               .
               The
               love
               of
               him
               is
               a
               pleasure
               and
               solace
               to
               us
               in
               all
               losses
               and
               disappointments
               ,
               since
               he
               is
               an
               object
               most
               filling
               ,
               and
               satisfying
               ;
               and
               one
               that
               cannot
               be
               lost
               ,
               except
               we
               wilfully
               thrust
               him
               from
               us
               .
               Fear
               of
               God
               hath
               no
               torment
               ;
               'T
               is
               no
               slavish
               dread
               of
               his
               greatness
               and
               Power
               ;
               but
               a
               reverence
               of
               his
               perfections
               ,
               and
               a
               lothness
               to
               offend
               him
               ;
               and
               this
               disposeth
               us
               also
               for
               the
               communications
               of
               his
               grace
               ,
               and
               love
               ,
               Ps.
               85.9
               .
               And
               this
               it
               doth
               by
               congruity
               ,
               and
               its
               
                 own
                 nature
              
               ;
               which
               is
               to
               be
               said
               likewise
               of
               the
               others
               .
               So
               that
               they
               would
               make
               those
               happy
               that
               practise
               them
               ,
               whether
               they
               had
               been
               positively
               enjoyn'd
               ,
               or
               not
               ;
               And
               though
               no
               express
               rewards
               had
               been
               annext
               unto
               them
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               other
               two
               acts
               of
               worship
               which
               Christianity
               requires
               ,
               which
               are
               instituted
               and
               positive
               ,
               &
               respect
               Christ
               our
               Lord
               ;
               They
               are
               ,
               the
               Sacraments
               ;
               
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               ;
               both
               which
               are
               
                 holy
                 Rites
              
               of
               high
               signification
               ;
               and
               seals
               of
               an
               excellent
               Covenant
               between
               God
               and
               us
               ,
               assuring
               us
               of
               pardon
               of
               sins
               ,
               and
               all
               divine
               favours
               ,
               upon
               the
               conditions
               of
               our
               Faith.
               and
               repentance
               ;
               and
               more
               firmly
               obliging
               us
               to
               holy
               obedience
               ,
               and
               dependence
               ;
               The
               only
               way
               in
               which
               we
               can
               be
               happy
               .
               Whence
               we
               see
               briefly
               ,
               that
               all
               the
               parts
               of
               worship
               which
               Christianity
               binds
               upon
               us
               ,
               tend
               to
               our
               perfection
               and
               Felicity
               .
            
             
               And
               all
               the
               vertues
               that
               it
               commands
               do
               the
               same
               ;
               both
               those
               that
               respect
               us
               in
               a
               personal
               capacity
               ,
               and
               those
               others
               that
               relate
               to
               us
               as
               members
               of
               Societies
               .
               Thus
               humility
               ,
               recommended
               Mat.
               5.
               3.
               
               Meekness
               blest
               ,
               ver
               .
               5.
               purity
               ,
               ver
               8.
               are
               vertues
               that
               accomplish
               our
               particular
               persons
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               happy
               in
               our selves
               .
               For
               of
               
                 Pride
                 cometh
                 Conteution
              
               ,
               Prov.
               13.
               10.
               
               And
               a
               great
               part
               of
               our
               troubles
               arise
               from
               stomach
               and
               self-will
               ;
               which
               humility
               cures
               .
               Meekness
               also
               takes
               away
               the
               occasion
               
               of
               the
               numerous
               mischiefs
               we
               run
               into
               through
               the
               rage
               and
               disorder
               of
               our
               passions
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               in
               it selfe
               a
               
                 great
                 beauty
              
               and
               ornament
               ,
               since
               it
               ariseth
               from
               the
               
                 due
                 order
              
               ,
               and
               goverment
               of
               our
               
                 faculties
                 .
                 Purity
              
               which
               comprehends
               temperance
               of
               all
               sorts
               ,
               frees
               us
               from
               the
               tormenting
               importunity
               of
               those
               desires
               that
               drag
               us
               out
               of
               our selves
               ,
               and
               expose
               us
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               folly
               ,
               and
               temptation
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               exceeding
               miserable
               ;
               besides
               which
               it
               is
               a
               perfection
               that
               renders
               us
               like
               unto
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               blest
               Spirits
               of
               the
               highest
               rank
               .
               And
               Christian
               vertues
               do
               not
               only
               accomplish
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               happy
               in
               our
               particular
               persons
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               the
               same
               in
               our
               publique
               capacities
               ,
               the
               more
               publick
               capacity
               also
               ;
               They
               dispose
               us
               to
               a
               quiet
               obedience
               to
               our
               governours
               without
               murmuring
               ,
               and
               complaining
               ;
               and
               thereby
               the
               publique
               peace
               is
               secured
               ;
               and
               all
               good
               things
               else
               in
               that
               .
            
             
               But
               there
               are
               
                 other
                 vertues
              
               that
               Christianity
               enjoyns
               ,
               which
               have
               a
               
               more
               direct
               tendency
               to
               the
               happiness
               of
               others
               ,
               as
               Justice
               ,
               Mat
               7.
               12.
               
               Charity
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               
               Loyalty
               .
               Rom.
               13.
               and
               all
               other
               publique
               vertues
               may
               ,
               I
               think
               ,
               be
               comprehended
               under
               these
               .
               Where
               there
               is
               no
               Justice
               ,
               every
               man
               preys
               upon
               another
               ,
               and
               no
               mans
               property
               is
               safe
               ,
               Where
               Charity
               is
               wanting
               ,
               Jealousies
               ,
               hatreds
               ,
               envying
               ,
               back-bitings
               ,
               and
               cruelties
               abound
               ,
               which
               render
               the
               world
               deplorably
               unhappy
               .
               Where
               there
               is
               not
               Loyalty
               and
               
                 conscionable
                 submission
              
               to
               Governours
               ,
               the
               publick
               is
               upon
               every
               occasion
               of
               commotion
               ,
               involv'd
               in
               infinite
               miseries
               ,
               and
               disasters
               .
               So
               that
               all
               the
               precepts
               of
               our
               Religion
               are
               in
               their
               own
               nature
               
                 proper
                 instruments
              
               to
               make
               
                 us
                 happy
              
               ;
               and
               they
               had
               been
               methods
               of
               Felicity
               to
               be
               chosen
               by
               all
               reasonable
               creatures
               ,
               though
               they
               had
               never
               been
               required
               by
               so
               great
               ,
               and
               so
               sacred
               an
               Authority
               .
            
             
               These
               things
               I
               have
               said
               ,
               because
               I
               could
               not
               choose
               but
               take
               this
               occasion
               to
               recommend
               the
               excellency
               ,
               and
               
               reasonableness
               of
               our
               Religion
               ;
               And
               I
               have
               done
               it
               but
               only
               in
               brief
               hints
               ,
               because
               it
               ariseth
               but
               upon
               a
               Corollary
               from
               my
               main
               subject
               ,
               and
               from
               this
               I
               infer
               further
               .
            
             
               (
               III.
               )
               
                 That
                 Christanity
                 is
                 the
                 height
                 ,
                 and
                 perfection
                 of
                 morality
                 .
              
               They
               both
               tend
               to
               the
               real
               bettering
               ,
               and
               accomplishment
               of
               humane
               nature
               :
               But
               the
               rules
               and
               measures
               of
               
                 moral
                 Philosophy
              
               were
               weak
               and
               imperfect
               till
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               came
               ;
               
                 He
                 confirmed
              
               and
               enforced
               all
               those
               precepts
               of
               vertue
               ,
               that
               were
               written
               upon
               our
               hearts
               ;
               and
               cleared
               them
               from
               many
               corruptions
               that
               were
               grown
               upon
               them
               ,
               through
               ignorance
               and
               vice
               ,
               the
               glosses
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               false
               conceits
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               ;
               and
               he
               inforced
               them
               anew
               by
               his
               Authority
               and
               the
               knowledge
               he
               gave
               of
               
                 divine
                 aids
              
               ,
               and
               greater
               rewards
               ,
               and
               punishments
               ,
               than
               were
               understood
               before
               ;
               yea
               he
               enlarged
               them
               in
               some
               instances
               ;
               such
               as
               ,
               
                 loving
                 enemies
              
               and
               
                 forgiving
                 injuries
              
               .
               Thus
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               taught
               
               morality
               ,
               viz.
               the
               
                 way
                 of
                 living
                 like
                 men
              
               ;
               And
               the
               5.
               
               Chapture
               of
               Mathew
               is
               an
               excellent
               Lecture
               of
               this
               kind
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               to
               disparage
               morality
               ,
               is
               to
               
                 disgrace
                 Christianity
              
               it self
               ;
               and
               to
               vilifie
               one
               of
               the
               ends
               of
               Christs
               coming
               into
               the
               world
               .
               For
               all
               Religion
               and
               all
               duties
               respect
               either
               God
               ,
               our
               neighbour
               ,
               or
               our selves
               ;
               &
               the
               duties
               that
               relate
               to
               these
               
                 two
                 last
              
               ,
               are
               acknowledg'd
               
                 moral
                 vertues
              
               .
               The
               Apostle
               St.
               James
               counted
               
                 these
                 Moralities
              
               of
               visiting
               the
               Widow
               and
               Fatherless
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               
                 pure
                 Religion
              
               and
               undefiled
               .
               Jam.
               1.
               17.
               
               And
               the
               prophet
               Micah
               intimates
               ,
               that
               those
               moral
               vertues
               of
               Justice
               and
               mercy
               were
               some
               of
               the
               main
               things
               that
               God
               required
               of
               us
               Micah
               6.
               8.
               
               Our
               Saviour
               saith
               that
               the
               whole
               Law
               is
               summ'd
               up
               in
               these
               two
               ,
               to
               love
               God
               with
               all
               our
               souls
               ,
               and
               our
               neighbour
               as
               our
               selves
               ,
               Math.
               22.
               13
               which
               latter
               contains
               the
               duties
               of
               morality
               .
               And
               that
               which
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               in
               the
               Gospel
               teacheth
               ,
               according
               to
               St.
               Paul
               is
               ,
               to
               
                 live
                 soberly
                 ,
                 righteously
              
               ,
               
               
                 and
                 godly
                 in
                 this
                 present
                 world
                 ,
              
               Tit.
               2.
               11
               ,
               There
               is
               no
               godliness
               without
               morality
               .
               All
               the
               fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
               reckon'd
               up
               Gal.
               5.
               22.
               are
               
                 moral
                 vertues
              
               .
               And
               when
               we
               are
               commanded
               to
               
                 grow
                 in
                 grace
              
               ,
               2
               Pet
               ,
               3.
               18.
               vertue
               is
               partly
               understood
               .
               For
               one
               branch
               of
               what
               is
               call'd
               Grace
               in
               us
               ,
               is
               moral
               vertue
               ,
               produced
               by
               divine
               aids
               ,
               Christian
               principles
               ,
               and
               incouragements
               ;
               though
               't
               is
               true
               ,
               the
               word
               is
               extended
               to
               those
               duties
               that
               relate
               immediately
               to
               God
               also
               .
            
             
               By
               which
               we
               see
               how
               ignorantly
               ,
               and
               dangerously
               those
               people
               talk
               ,
               that
               disparage
               morality
               as
               a
               dull
               ,
               lame
               thing
               of
               no
               account
               ,
               or
               reckoning
               .
               Upon
               this
               the
               Religion
               of
               the
               second
               Table
               is
               by
               too
               many
               neglected
               ;
               and
               the
               whole
               mystery
               of
               the
               
                 new
                 Godliness
              
               is
               lay'd
               in
               
                 frequent
                 hearing
              
               ,
               and
               devout
               
                 seraphick
                 talk
                 ,
                 luscious
                 phancies
                 ,
                 new
                 lights
                 ,
                 incomes
                 ,
                 manifestations
                 ,
                 sealings
                 ,
                 in-dwellings
                 ,
              
               and
               such
               like
               .
               Thus
               Antinomianism
               ,
               and
               all
               kinds
               of
               Phanaticism
               have
               made
               their
               way
               by
               the
               
               disparagement
               of
               morality
               ,
               and
               men
               have
               learnt
               to
               believe
               themselves
               the
               
                 chosen
                 ,
                 pretious
              
               people
               ,
               while
               their
               hearts
               have
               been
               full
               of
               malice
               ,
               and
               bitterness
               ,
               and
               their
               hands
               of
               violence
               ,
               while
               they
               
                 despised
                 dominions
              
               ,
               and
               
                 spake
                 evil
                 of
                 dignities
                 ,
                 rebel'd
              
               against
               the
               Government
               ,
               destroyed
               publique
               peace
               ,
               and
               endeavoured
               to
               bring
               all
               into
               misery
               and
               confusions
               .
               'T
               is
               this
               diabolical
               project
               of
               dividing
               morality
               from
               Religion
               that
               hath
               given
               rise
               and
               occasion
               to
               all
               
                 these
                 villanies
              
               .
               And
               while
               the
               Practisers
               of
               such
               things
               have
               assumed
               the
               name
               of
               the
               
                 only
                 Godly
                 ,
                 Godlyness
              
               it self
               hath
               been
               brought
               into
               disgrace
               by
               them
               ;
               and
               Atheism
               incouraged
               to
               shew
               it self
               ,
               in
               open
               defiance
               to
               Religion
               ,
               Yea
               ,
               through
               the
               indiscretions
               ,
               and
               inconsiderateness
               of
               
                 some
                 preachers
              
               ,
               the
               phantastry
               ,
               and
               vain
               babble
               of
               others
               ,
               and
               the
               general
               disposition
               of
               the
               people
               to
               admire
               what
               makes
               a
               great
               shew
               ,
               and
               pretends
               to
               more
               than
               ordinary
               spirituality
               ;
               things
               are
               ,
               in
               many
               places
               ,
               come
               to
               
               that
               pass
               ,
               that
               those
               who
               teach
               
                 Christian
                 vertue
              
               &
               Religion
               ,
               in
               plainness
               and
               simplicity
               without
               sensless
               phrases
               ,
               and
               fanyastick
               affectations
               ,
               shall
               be
               reckon'd
               for
               
                 dry
                 moralists
              
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               understand
               nothing
               of
               the
               life
               ,
               and
               power
               of
               Godliness
               .
               Yea
               ,
               those
               people
               have
               been
               so
               long
               used
               to
               gibberish
               and
               canting
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               understand
               
                 plain
                 sense
              
               ;
               and
               vertue
               is
               become
               such
               a
               stranger
               to
               their
               ears
               ,
               that
               when
               they
               hear
               :
               it
               spoken
               of
               in
               a
               pulpit
               they
               count
               the
               preacher
               a
               broacher
               of
               
                 new
                 divinity
              
               ;
               and
               one
               that
               would
               teach
               the
               
                 way
                 to
                 heaven
              
               by
               Philosophy
               :
               And
               he
               escapes
               well
               ,
               if
               they
               do
               not
               say
               ,
               That
               he
               is
               an
               Atheist
               ;
               or
               that
               he
               would
               reconcile
               us
               to
               Gentilism
               ,
               and
               
                 Heathen
                 Worship
              
               .
               The
               danger
               and
               vanity
               of
               which
               ignorant
               humour
               ,
               the
               contempt
               of
               morality
               ,
               is
               apparent
               in
               the
               whole
               scope
               of
               my
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               therefore
               I
               add
               no
               more
               concerning
               it
               here
               ;
               but
               proceed
               to
               another
               Inference
               ,
               which
               is
               .
            
             
             
               (
               IV.
               )
               
                 That
                 Grace
                 and
                 the
                 new
                 nature
                 ,
                 make
                 their
                 way
                 by
                 degrees
                 on
                 the
                 Soul
              
               ;
               for
               the
               difficulties
               will
               not
               be
               removed
               nor
               the
               corrupt
               nature
               fubdued
               all
               at
               once
               .
               Habits
               that
               grow
               by
               repeated
               acts
               ,
               time
               ,
               and
               continuance
               ,
               will
               not
               be
               expelled
               in
               a
               moment
               .
               No
               man
               can
               become
               greatly
               
                 evil
                 or
                 good
              
               ,
               on
               a
               
                 sudden
                 .
                 The
                 Path
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 shines
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 to
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 day
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               4.
               18
               ,
               We
               do
               not
               jump
               from
               darkness
               into
               
                 full
                 light
              
               ,
               We
               are
               not
               fully
               sanctified
               and
               converted
               in
               an
               instant
               .
               The
               day
               begins
               in
               an
               insensible
               dawn
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 heaven
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 grain
                 of
                 Mustard
                 seed
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               13.
               31.
               
               It
               doth
               not
               start
               up
               presently
               to
               the
               stature
               of
               a
               tree
               .
               The
               Divine
               birth
               begins
               like
               the
               Natural
               ,
               in
               an
               imperfect
               embryo
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               some
               seeds
               of
               Knowledge
               and
               Goodness
               that
               God
               hath
               sown
               in
               our
               natures
               ;
               these
               are
               excited
               by
               the
               Divine
               Grace
               and
               Spirit
               to
               convictions
               ,
               which
               proceed
               to
               
                 purposes
                 ;
                 these
              
               to
               resolutions
               ,
               and
               thence
               we
               pass
               to
               abstinence
               from
               all
               
                 gross
                 sins
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
               performance
               of
               
                 outward
                 Duties
              
               ;
               and
               so
               at
               last
               by
               degrces
               ,
               to
               
                 vigorous
                 attempts
              
               ,
               for
               the
               destruction
               of
               
                 evil
                 habits
              
               and
               inclinations
               .
               When
               Grace
               is
               arrived
               to
               this
               eminent
               growth
               ,
               't
               is
               very
               visible
               ,
               as
               the
               Plant
               is
               when
               't
               is
               above
               the
               ground
               .
               But
               the
               beginnings
               of
               Conversion
               are
               not
               ordinarily
               perceived
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               to
               catechize
               men
               about
               the
               
                 punctual
                 time
              
               ,
               and
               circumstances
               of
               their
               Conversion
               ,
               is
               an
               idle
               device
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               temptation
               to
               vanity
               and
               lying
               .
               Who
               can
               tell
               the
               exact
               moment
               when
               the
               
                 night
                 ends
              
               ,
               and
               the
               dawn
               enters
               ?
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               the
               passage
               from
               
                 the
                 excesses
              
               of
               Wickedness
               ,
               which
               begins
               in
               some
               extraordinary
               horrors
               and
               convictions
               ,
               is
               sometimes
               very
               notable
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               not
               so
               in
               all
               ,
               or
               most
               .
               The
               time
               of
               St.
               Paul's
               conversion
               was
               eminent
               ,
               but
               that
               change
               was
               from
               
                 great
                 contrarieties
              
               and
               miraculous
               ,
               and
               therefore
               't
               is
               not
               to
               be
               drawn
               into
               instance
               .
               Both
               the
               beginnings
               and
               minute
               progressions
               of
               Grace
               ,
               are
               usually
               undiscerned
               :
               We
               
               cannot
               see
               the
               Grass
               just
               putting
               out
               of
               the
               earth
               ;
               or
               actually
               growing
               ;
               but
               yet
               we
               find
               that
               it
               doth
               both
               .
               And
               Grace
               is
               better
               known
               in
               its
               fruits
               ,
               than
               in
               its
               rise
               .
               By
               their
               
                 Fruits
                 ye
                 shall
                 know
                 them
              
               ,
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               Mat.
               12.
               33.
               and
               the
               same
               way
               we
               may
               know
               our selves
               .
            
             
               (
               V.
               )
               
                 We
                 see
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 Animal
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 a
                 Divine
                 Religion
                 :
              
               A
               Religion
               that
               is
               but
               the
               effect
               and
               modification
               of
               
                 complexion
                 ,
                 natural
                 fear
              
               and
               self-love
               .
               How
               far
               these
               will
               go
               ,
               we
               have
               seen
               ,
               and
               how
               short
               it
               will
               prove
               in
               the
               end
               .
               The
               not
               noting
               this
               hath
               been
               the
               sad
               occasion
               of
               deceiving
               many
               .
               Some
               observing
               great
               beats
               of
               zeal
               and
               devotion
               in
               the
               
                 modern
                 Pharisees
              
               ,
               take
               these
               to
               be
               the
               Saints
               and
               
                 good
                 people
              
               ;
               believing
               all
               the
               glorious
               things
               which
               they
               assume
               to
               themselves
               :
               When
               others
               ,
               that
               know
               them
               to
               be
               envious
               and
               
                 malitious
                 ,
                 unjust
              
               ,
               and
               
                 covetous
                 ,
                 proud
              
               and
               ungovernable
               ,
               and
               cannot
               therefore
               look
               on
               them
               
               as
               such
               
                 choice
                 holy
              
               people
               ,
               are
               apt
               to
               affirm
               all
               to
               be
               hypocrisie
               and
               feigning
               .
               In
               which
               sentences
               ,
               both
               are
               mistaken
               for
               want
               of
               knowing
               that
               there
               is
               a
               
                 meer
                 Animal
                 Religion
              
               ,
               that
               will
               produce
               very
               specious
               and
               glorious
               effects
               ;
               So
               that
               though
               the
               Pharisee
               Prays
               vehemently
               ,
               and
               Fasts
               severely
               ,
               and
               talks
               much
               of
               the
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               delights
               greatly
               in
               hearing
               ,
               and
               pious
               .
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               will
               suffer
               all
               things
               for
               what
               he
               calls
               his
               Conscience
               ;
               yet
               he
               is
               not
               to
               be
               concluded
               a
               Saint
               from
               hence
               ,
               because
               the
               
                 meer
                 Animal
              
               Religion
               may
               put
               it self
               forth
               in
               all
               
                 these
                 expressions
              
               .
            
             
               And
               though
               
                 this
                 Professor
              
               be
               a
               bad
               man
               ,
               proud
               and
               
                 covetous
                 ,
                 malicious
              
               and
               
                 censorious
                 ,
                 Sacrilegious
              
               and
               Rebellious
               ,
               yet
               we
               cannot
               thence
               be
               assured
               that
               he
               is
               an
               Hypocrite
               ,
               in
               one
               sense
               ,
               viz.
               such
               an
               one
               as
               
                 feigns
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 pretends
              
               :
               But
               we
               may
               believe
               that
               he
               is
               really
               so
               affected
               with
               Hearing
               and
               Praying
               ,
               and
               devout
               Company
               ,
               as
               he
               makes
               shew
               ,
               and
               yet
               for
               
               all
               this
               ,
               not
               alter
               our
               opinion
               of
               his
               being
               an
               
                 evil
                 man
              
               :
               since
               the
               Animal
               Religion
               will
               go
               as
               far
               as
               the
               things
               in
               which
               he
               glories
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               nothing
               whereby
               the
               common
               people
               are
               drawn
               more
               easily
               into
               the
               wayes
               of
               Sects
               and
               Separations
               ,
               than
               by
               the
               observation
               of
               the
               zeal
               and
               devotion
               of
               those
               of
               the
               
                 factions
                 :
                 These
              
               they
               take
               to
               be
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               matters
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               and
               those
               the
               religious
               and
               
                 only
                 godly
              
               people
               .
               And
               so
               first
               they
               conceive
               a
               great
               opinion
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               then
               follow
               them
               whithersoever
               they
               lead
               .
               For
               the
               generality
               of
               men
               are
               tempted
               into
               Schism
               and
               Parties
               ,
               not
               so
               much
               by
               the
               arguments
               of
               dissenters
               ,
               as
               by
               the
               opinion
               of
               their
               Godliness
               ,
               which
               opinion
               is
               grounded
               upon
               things
               which
               may
               arise
               from
               the
               
                 meer
                 Animal
                 Religion
              
               ,
               and
               very
               commonly
               do
               so
               .
               This
               they
               understand
               not
               ,
               and
               by
               
                 this
                 ignorance
              
               are
               betrayed
               into
               the
               snare
               of
               Separation
               ,
               to
               the
               disturbance
               of
               the
               Peace
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               
               and
               their
               
                 own
                 great
                 hurt
              
               and
               inconvenience
               .
               Whereas
               could
               they
               be
               made
               to
               know
               and
               consider
               ,
               that
               complexion
               and
               natural
               passions
               may
               bring
               forth
               
                 all
                 these
                 fruits
              
               ,
               they
               might
               be
               secured
               by
               this
               means
               against
               the
               tempting
               imposture
               ;
               and
               learn
               that
               Meekness
               and
               
                 Patience
                 ,
                 Affability
              
               and
               
                 Charity
                 ,
                 Justice
              
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 Peaceable
                 ,
                 humble
                 temper
              
               ,
               are
               better
               arguments
               of
               Saintship
               than
               all
               these
               .
               Thus
               a
               great
               mischief
               might
               be
               prevented
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               another
               that
               might
               be
               remedied
               by
               the
               same
               Observation
               :
               The
               inconvenience
               is
               this
               ,
            
             
               While
               the
               enemies
               of
               Factions
               object
               Hypocrisie
               to
               them
               ,
               affirming
               that
               all
               they
               do
               and
               say
               ,
               is
               meer
               personating
               and
               pretence
               ;
               they
               confirm
               and
               settle
               those
               people
               in
               their
               way
               ;
               for
               many
               of
               them
               know
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               in
               earnest
               ,
               and
               consequently
               ,
               that
               their
               opposers
               are
               mistaken
               in
               their
               judgments
               concerning
               them
               ;
               by
               which
               they
               are
               better
               establisht
               in
               their
               own
               good
               opinion
               ,
               and
               hardned
               against
               conviction
               
               whereas
               ,
               did
               they
               consider
               such
               things
               as
               I
               have
               suggested
               ,
               about
               the
               
                 Animal
                 Religion
              
               ,
               and
               grant
               to
               them
               that
               they
               may
               be
               serious
               ,
               believe
               themselves
               infinitely
               ,
               and
               feel
               all
               those
               Warmths
               ,
               which
               they
               pretend
               ,
               and
               yet
               be
               
                 evil
                 men
              
               ,
               and
               far
               enough
               from
               being
               Godly
               ;
               Did
               they
               shew
               them
               ,
               that
               all
               their
               zeal
               and
               Devotion
               ,
               and
               more
               and
               greater
               than
               theirs
               ,
               may
               arife
               from
               a
               principle
               that
               hath
               nothing
               Divine
               and
               supernatural
               in
               it
               :
               They
               would
               thereby
               strike
               them
               in
               the
               
                 right
                 vein
              
               ,
               and
               bring
               them
               down
               from
               the
               high
               perch
               ,
               whereon
               ,
               by
               their
               
                 false
                 marks
              
               ,
               they
               had
               placed
               themselves
               ;
               and
               thereby
               disabuse
               them
               ,
               and
               prevent
               the
               abuse
               of
               others
               .
            
             
               
                 (
                 VI.
              
               )
               We
               see
               how
               we
               may
               know
               our
               state
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               that
               of
               Grace
               and
               Life
               ;
               or
               the
               other
               sad
               one
               of
               Vnregeneracy
               and
               Death
               .
               The
               state
               of
               Grace
               
                 is
                 a
              
               motion
               towards
               the
               recovery
               of
               the
               Divine
               Image
               ,
               and
               a
               perfect
               victory
               over
               our selves
               ,
               and
               all
               corrupt
               inclinations
               
               
                 and
                 affections
              
               ,
               The
               state
               of
               Vnregeneracy
               and
               Death
               ,
               is
               the
               
                 continuance
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 prevalency
                 of
                 sense
                 ,
                 passion
                 ,
                 and
                 evil
                 habits
                 .
              
               Now
               when
               't
               is
               question'd
               by
               our selves
               in
               which
               of
               these
               states
               we
               are
               ;
               it
               must
               be
               supposed
               that
               we
               are
               arrived
               at
               something
               of
               Religion
               :
               For
               the
               grosly
               wicked
               cannot
               but
               know
               what
               their
               condition
               is
               .
               And
               the
               way
               I
               would
               propose
               to
               those
               others
               ,
               who
               are
               yet
               uncertain
               ,
               is
               this
               ,
               viz.
               To
               take
               notice
               ,
            
             
               
                 Whether
                 they
                 really
                 design
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 any
                 progress
                 in
                 Goodness
                 .
                 Every
                 motion
              
               indeed
               cannot
               be
               felt
               or
               perceived
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               go
               on
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               insensibly
               ,
               time
               will
               shew
               that
               we
               are
               grown
               .
               If
               we
               consider
               what
               are
               our
               
                 particular
                 defects
              
               ,
               and
               studiously
               apply
               proper
               instruments
               to
               remove
               them
               :
               if
               we
               find
               success
               in
               those
               indeavours
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               are
               better
               this
               year
               than
               we
               were
               the
               former
               ;
               That
               our
               Passions
               are
               better
               governed
               ,
               and
               our
               
                 inordinate
                 affections
              
               more
               restrained
               ,
               and
               our
               
                 evil
                 habits
              
               and
               inclinations
               
               less
               powerful
               with
               us
               ,
               't
               is
               an
               
                 infallible
                 sign
              
               ,
               that
               we
               live
               and
               are
               in
               a
               state
               of
               Grace
               ;
               that
               we
               shall
               at
               last
               arrive
               
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 man
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
              
               Eph.
               4.
               13.
               and
               shall
               
                 ●attain
                 if
                 we
                 faint
                 not
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               1.
               whereas
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               if
               we
               come
               to
               some
               hopeful
               pitch
               ,
               and
               
                 stand
                 still
              
               there
               ;
               if
               sin
               and
               temptation
               be
               as
               powerful
               with
               us
               now
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               a
               year
               ago
               ,
               and
               our
               inclinations
               and
               passions
               just
               at
               the
               same
               pass
               ;
               we
               are
               in
               a
               bad
               state
               ,
               and
               dead
               .
               While
               the
               Plant
               grows
               ,
               it
               lives
               ,
               and
               may
               become
               a
               
                 great
                 tree
              
               ,
               though
               at
               present
               it
               be
               but
               small
               :
               whereas
               that
               whose
               stature
               is
               bigger
               ,
               and
               more
               promising
               ,
               if
               it
               proceeds
               not
               ,
               decayes
               and
               comes
               to
               nothing
               .
            
             
               Though
               we
               are
               imperfect
               ,
               if
               we
               are
               striving
               and
               going
               towards
               perfection
               ,
               God
               overlooks
               our
               .
               Infirmities
               ,
               and
               pardons
               them
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               .
               This
               is
               our
               sincerity
               ,
               and
               an
               effect
               of
               
                 true
                 Faith.
              
               But
               if
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               we
               think
               our selves
               well
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               always
               attempt
               forwards
               ,
               our
               state
               is
               
               bad
               ,
               and
               our
               sins
               will
               be
               imputed
               :
               Be
               our
               pretences
               what
               they
               will
               ,
               our
               Faith
               is
               not
               sincere
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               stead
               us
               .
            
             
               When
               we
               get
               to
               a
               certain
               pitch
               in
               Religion
               ,
               and
               make
               that
               our
               state
               ,
               't
               is
               an
               argument
               that
               our
               Religion
               was
               
                 meerly
                 Animal
              
               ;
               and
               but
               a
               mode
               of
               
                 complexion
                 ,
                 self-love
              
               ,
               and
               
                 natural
                 fear
              
               .
               When
               we
               overcome
               some
               sins
               ,
               and
               are
               willing
               to
               spare
               and
               cherish
               others
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               sign
               that
               we
               are
               not
               sincere
               in
               our
               attempts
               upon
               any
               ,
               and
               that
               what
               we
               have
               done
               ,
               was
               not
               performed
               upon
               good
               and
               divine
               motives
               .
            
             
               
                 Sincerty
                 is
                 discovered
                 by
                 growth
              
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               surest
               mark
               that
               I
               know
               of
               Tryal
               ,
               So
               that
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               presume
               ,
               though
               ,
               as
               we
               think
               ,
               we
               have
               gone
               a
               
                 great
                 way
              
               ,
               if
               we
               
                 go
                 not
                 on
              
               .
               Nor
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               have
               we
               any
               to
               dispair
               ,
               though
               our
               present
               attainments
               are
               but
               small
               ,
               if
               we
               are
               proceeding
               .
               The
               buds
               and
               tenderest
               blossoms
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               ,
               are
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ;
               when
               the
               
                 fairest
                 leaves
              
               of
               the
               
               
                 meer
                 Animal
                 Religion
              
               are
               nothing
               in
               his
               esteem
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               a
               great
               advantage
               we
               have
               from
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               imperfection
               will
               be
               accepted
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               sincerity
               ;
               whereas
               according
               to
               the
               measures
               of
               exact
               and
               rigorous
               Justice
               ,
               no
               man
               could
               be
               made
               happy
               in
               the
               high
               degree
               of
               glory
               ,
               but
               he
               that
               was
               perfect
               ,
               and
               whose
               victories
               were
               absolute
               .
            
             
               (
               VII
               .
               )
               It
               may
               be
               collected
               from
               our
               Discourse
               ,
               Wherein
               the
               
                 Power
                 of
                 Godliness
              
               consists
               ,
               viz.
               
                 In
                 a
                 progress
                 towards
                 perfection
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 intire
                 victory
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 evils
                 of
                 our
                 Natures
                 .
              
               The
               Forms
               of
               Godliness
               are
               not
               only
               in
               the
               ceremonies
               of
               Worship
               ,
               and
               external
               actions
               of
               feigned
               Piety
               ;
               But
               all
               the
               fine
               things
               of
               the
               Animal
               Religion
               are
               of
               
                 this
                 kind
              
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               the
               worst
               sort
               :
               By
               the
               
                 grosser
                 Forms
              
               men
               hardly
               deceive
               others
               ;
               by
               these
               they
               effectually
               
                 gull
                 themselves
              
               .
               So
               that
               many
               that
               vehemently
               
                 oppose
                 Forms
              
               ,
               are
               the
               greatest
               
                 Formalists
                 .
                 Forms
              
               
               of
               Worship
               may
               well
               agree
               with
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               ;
               whenas
               zeal
               against
               Forms
               ,
               may
               be
               a
               Form
               it self
               ;
               whatever
               makes
               shew
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               make
               us
               better
               ,
               that
               's
               a
               Form
               ,
               at
               least
               to
               us
               .
               There
               are
               
                 Spiritual
                 Forms
              
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               those
               of
               the
               other
               sort
               ,
               and
               these
               are
               most
               
                 deadly
                 .
                 Poyson
              
               is
               worst
               in
               
                 Aqua
                 Vitae
              
               .
               He
               that
               speaks
               his
               Prayers
               
                 ex
                 tempore
              
               with
               vehemence
               and
               lowdness
               ,
               if
               he
               strive
               not
               against
               his
               
                 ill
                 nature
              
               and
               self-will
               ,
               is
               as
               much
               a
               Formalist
               ,
               as
               he
               that
               tells
               his
               Prayers
               by
               his
               Beads
               ,
               and
               understands
               not
               one
               word
               he
               saith
               .
               And
               those
               that
               run
               away
               from
               Forms
               in
               Churches
               ,
               meet
               more
               dangerous
               ones
               in
               Barns
               and
               
                 private
                 corners
                 .
                 Orthodox
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 devout
                 Phrases
                 ,
                 set
                 Looks
                 ,
                 melting
                 Tones
                 ,
                 affected
                 Sighs
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 vehement
                 Raptures
              
               ,
               are
               often
               meer
               Forms
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               that
               proceed
               from
               the
               Animal
               Religion
               ,
               which
               it self
               is
               a
               Form
               likewise
               .
               O
               that
               the
               observers
               of
               so
               many
               motes
               in
               their
               Brethrens
               eyes
               ,
               would
               learn
               
               to
               throw
               out
               the
               Beames
               of
               their
               own
               !
            
             
               The
               Form
               of
               Godliness
               that
               pretends
               it self
               to
               be
               
                 no
                 more
              
               ,
               is
               not
               so
               hurtful
               :
               But
               the
               Formes
               ,
               that
               call
               themselves
               the
               Power
               ,
               are
               deadly
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               Formality
               and
               Superstition
               of
               Separatists
               that
               keeps
               on
               the
               
                 Separation
                 :
                 They
              
               contend
               for
               phancies
               and
               arbitrary
               trifles
               ;
               We
               for
               order
               and
               obedience
               .
               The
               people
               are
               abused
               by
               names
               ,
               and
               being
               frighted
               by
               the
               shadows
               of
               Superstition
               and
               Formality
               ,
               they
               run
               into
               the
               worst
               Formality
               ,
               and
               silliest
               Superstition
               in
               the
               World.
               
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 consists
                 not
                 in
                 meats
                 and
                 drinks
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               14.
               17.
               neither
               in
               Circumcision
               ,
               nor
               Vncircumcision
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               19.
               not
               in
               
                 zeal
                 for
              
               little
               things
               ,
               nor
               in
               
                 zeal
                 against
              
               them
               ;
               both
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               are
               equally
               formal
               .
            
             
               The
               power
               of
               Religion
               lies
               in
               using
               Divine
               
                 aids
                 heartily
              
               and
               constantly
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               the
               overcoming
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               our
               way
               .
               This
               Godliness
               is
               not
               exercised
               so
               much
               in
               reforming
               
               others
               ,
               as
               our selves
               :
               The
               chief
               design
               is
               to
               govern
               within
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               make
               Laws
               for
               the
               
                 World
                 without
                 us
              
               ,
               This
               is
               that
               Wisdom
               that
               is
               from
               above
               ,
               which
               is
               pure
               and
               peaceable
               .
               Jam.
               3.
               17.
               
               It
               makes
               no
               noise
               and
               bluster
               abroad
               ,
               but
               quietly
               minds
               its
               own
               business
               at
               home
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               certainly
               the
               best
               men
               have
               not
               always
               had
               the
               greatest
               fame
               for
               Godliness
               ;
               as
               the
               wisest
               have
               very
               seldom
               been
               the
               most
               popular
               .
               They
               are
               the
               effects
               of
               the
               
                 Animal
                 Religion
              
               that
               make
               the
               
                 biggest
                 fhew
              
               .
               The
               voice
               of
               true
               Religion
               is
               
                 heard
                 in
                 quiet
              
               ,
               it
               sounds
               not
               in
               the
               corners
               of
               the
               street
               .
               The
               power
               of
               Godliness
               is
               seen
               in
               
                 Justice
                 ,
                 Meekness
                 Humility
              
               ,
               and
               Charity
               ,
               things
               that
               look
               not
               so
               splendidly
               as
               the
               
                 Spiritual
                 Forms
              
               .
            
             
               And
               thus
               of
               the
               Inferences
               and
               Corollaries
               that
               may
               be
               drawn
               from
               my
               Discourse
               ,
               which
               though
               they
               cannot
               all
               be
               inferred
               from
               any
               of
               its
               minute
               and
               seperated
               parts
               ,
               yet
               they
               lie
               in
               
               the
               design
               and
               contexture
               of
               the
               whole
               .
            
             
               I
               Come
               now
               to
               the
               Advice
               for
               Practice
               .
               The
               way
               of
               Happiness
               is
               difficult
               ,
               but
               the
               difficulties
               may
               be
               overcome
               by
               striving
               .
               A
               little
               will
               
                 not
                 do
                 ;
                 many
                 seekers
                 are
                 shut
                 out
              
               ;
               what
               remains
               then
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               perswade
               our selves
               to
               strive
               ,
               and
               that
               diligently
               ;
               with
               
                 constant
                 resolution
              
               and
               endeavour
               ?
            
             
               We
               were
               made
               for
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               Happiness
               all
               the
               World
               seeks
               :
               
                 Who
                 will
                 shew
                 us
                 any
                 good
                 ?
              
               Psal.
               4.
               6.
               is
               the
               voice
               of
               all
               the
               Creatures
               .
               We
               have
               sought
               it
               long
               in
               emptiness
               ,
               and
               shadows
               ;
               and
               that
               search
               hath
               still
               ended
               in
               shame
               and
               disappointment
               .
               Where
               
                 true
                 substantial
                 Felicity
              
               is
               we
               know
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Way
                 we
                 know
              
               ,
               Joh.
               14.
               4.
               
               It
               is
               not
               hid
               from
               us
               in
               Clouds
               and
               
                 thick
                 Darkness
              
               ;
               or
               if
               it
               were
               ,
               't
               were
               worth
               our
               pains
               to
               search
               after
               it
               .
               It
               is
               not
               at
               so
               great
               a
               distance
               ,
               but
               it
               may
               be
               seen
               ,
               yea
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               brought
               so
               neer
               as
               to
               be
               felt
               .
               Though
               
               the
               way
               is
               streight
               ,
               yet
               't
               is
               certain
               ;
               or
               if
               it
               were
               otherwise
               ,
               who
               would
               not
               venture
               his
               pains
               upon
               the
               possibility
               of
               such
               an
               
                 issue
                 ?
                 Many
                 Difficulties
              
               are
               in
               it
               ;
               but
               our
               Encouragements
               and
               Assistances
               are
               infinite
               .
               The
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               gift
               of
               his
               son
               ;
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               his
               intercession
               ;
               the
               aids
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               directions
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               the
               Invitations
               and
               Promises
               ,
               the
               rare
               Precepts
               ,
               and
               incomparable
               Examples
               of
               those
               holy
               men
               that
               have
               gone
               before
               us
               :
               These
               are
               mighty
               helpes
               and
               great
               motives
               to
               assist
               us
               in
               striving
               ,
               and
               to
               quicken
               us
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               Let
               us
               then
               arise
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               encouragement
               of
               
                 those
                 aids
              
               ,
               and
               attempt
               with
               courage
               upon
               the
               Difficulties
               of
               our
               way
               .
               Let
               us
               ingage
               our
               
                 deepest
                 Resolutions
              
               ,
               and
               most
               
                 diligent
                 endeavours
              
               .
               Here
               is
               no
               need
               to
               deliberate
               ,
               the
               things
               are
               necessary
               ,
               the
               
                 benefits
                 unspeakable
              
               ,
               and
               the
               event
               will
               be
               glorious
               .
               It
               is
               no
               Question
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               
                 whether
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Creature
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 first
                 chosen
                 ;
                 whether
              
               
               
                 Heaven
                 or
                 Hell
                 be
                 better
              
               ?
               and
               therefore
               there
               is
               no
               cause
               that
               we
               should
               stay
               and
               consider
               ;
               we
               cannot
               be
               
                 rash
                 here
              
               ,
               we
               cannot
               hurt
               our selves
               by
               a
               too
               
                 sudden
                 ingagement
              
               ;
               we
               have
               delayed
               
                 too
                 long
              
               already
               ,
               and
               every
               moment
               we
               sit
               still
               ,
               is
               one
               lost
               to
               our
               Duty
               ,
               and
               our
               Happiness
               .
               Let
               us
               resolve
               then
               ,
               and
               begin
               with
               courage
               ,
               and
               proceed
               with
               diligence
               ,
               't
               is
               our
               End
               and
               Felicity
               for
               which
               we
               are
               to
               strive
               ;
               and
               every
               thing
               is
               active
               for
               its
               End
               and
               Perfection
               .
            
             
               All
               Creatures
               are
               diligent
               in
               serving
               the
               Designs
               of
               Providence
               ;
               the
               Heavens
               are
               in
               restless
               motion
               ,
               and
               the
               Clouds
               are
               still
               carrying
               about
               their
               
                 fruitful
                 Waters
              
               ;
               the
               
                 sluggish
                 Earth
              
               it self
               is
               always
               putting
               forth
               in
               variety
               of
               Trees
               ,
               and
               Grass
               ,
               and
               Flowers
               ;
               the
               Rivers
               run
               towards
               the
               Sea
               ,
               the
               Brooks
               move
               towards
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               Sea
               within
               it self
               .
               Thus
               all
               things
               even
               in
               inanimate
               Nature
               may
               mind
               us
               of
               acting
               towards
               our
               end
               .
               And
               if
               we
               look
               a
               little
               higher
               ,
               the
               
               Beasts
               of
               the
               Field
               ,
               the
               Fowls
               ,
               and
               Cattel
               ,
               and
               creeping
               things
               are
               diligent
               in
               striving
               after
               the
               good
               and
               perfection
               of
               their
               Natures
               ,
               and
               Solomon
               sends
               the
               Sluggard
               to
               those
               little
               Insects
               ,
               the
               Ant
               and
               Bee
               ,
               to
               teach
               him
               activity
               and
               diligence
               ,
               Prov.
               6.6
               .
               And
               shall
               the
               Beasts
               act
               more
               reasonably
               than
               the
               professed
               Sons
               of
               Reason
               ?
               May
               it
               not
               shame
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               need
               Instruction
               from
               the
               Creatures
               that
               have
               no
               understanding
               ?
               With
               what
               face
               can
               we
               carry
               our
               heads
               so
               high
               ,
               and
               look
               down
               with
               contempt
               upon
               inferiour
               Animals
               ,
               when
               they
               live
               more
               wisely
               and
               more
               regularly
               than
               we
               ?
            
             
               The
               Sum
               is
               ,
               
                 All
                 things
              
               are
               incessantly
               
                 moving
                 towards
                 an
                 End
              
               ;
               and
               Happiness
               is
               ours
               ,
               which
               therefore
               should
               ingage
               our
               most
               careful
               Thoughts
               ,
               and
               most
               active
               Endeavours
            
             
               We
               are
               sollicitous
               and
               diligent
               about
               things
               of
               infinitely
               less
               moment
               ,
               and
               in
               effect
               of
               none
               ,
               viz.
               uncertain
               
               Riches
               ,
               sensual
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               worldly
               Honours
               ;
               though
               the
               way
               to
               these
               is
               sufficiently
               difficult
               and
               uneasie
               ,
               yet
               we
               are
               not
               discouraged
               ;
               we
               attempt
               all
               those
               Difficulties
               with
               an
               obstinate
               Courage
               ,
               though
               without
               promise
               of
               any
               equal
               assistance
               ,
               or
               assurance
               of
               success
               .
               We
               are
               often
               defeated
               in
               our
               pursuits
               ,
               and
               yet
               we
               
                 go
                 on
              
               .
               We
               are
               overmaster'd
               by
               cross
               events
               ,
               and
               yet
               we
               
                 try
                 again
              
               .
               We
               miss
               our
               happiness
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               attain'd
               our
               end
               ,
               and
               yet
               we
               are
               as
               active
               in
               courting
               disappointment
               another
               time
               ;
               either
               we
               attain
               not
               the
               things
               we
               seek
               ,
               or
               find
               no
               
                 true
                 satisfaction
              
               in
               them
               ,
               or
               they
               die
               in
               our
               hands
               presently
               ,
               and
               yet
               we
               strive
               .
               And
               doth
               not
               this
               activity
               about
               
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 unsatisfying
                 Trifles
              
               ,
               shamefully
               reprove
               our
               Negligence
               in
               reference
               to
               our
               
                 great
                 End
                 ,
                 Happiness
              
               and
               Perfection
               ?
               In
               striving
               for
               which
               we
               have
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               Heaven
               to
               aid
               us
               ,
               and
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Blood
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               and
               the
               experience
               of
               all
               that
               ever
               try'd
               ,
               to
               
               assure
               us
               that
               we
               shall
               neither
               fail
               of
               the
               things
               we
               seek
               ,
               nor
               of
               the
               pleasure
               that
               we
               expect
               from
               them
               .
               And
               why
               then
               do
               we
               lazily
               sit
               down
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               Sluggard
               say
               ,
               
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 Lion
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
              
               while
               we
               despise
               greater
               discouragements
               ,
               when
               vain
               things
               are
               to
               be
               sought
               ?
               The
               Merchant
               doth
               not
               give
               off
               ,
               because
               there
               are
               Storms
               ,
               and
               the
               numerous
               Dangers
               of
               the
               Deep
               to
               be
               met
               with
               in
               his
               way
               to
               the
               Indies
               ;
               nor
               the
               Souldier
               lay
               by
               his
               Arms
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               hazards
               and
               toils
               of
               War.
               And
               do
               we
               act
               courageously
               for
               
                 petty
                 purchases
              
               ;
               and
               faint
               and
               despond
               when
               we
               are
               to
               strive
               for
               Crowns
               and
               eternal
               Glories
               ?
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               our
               own
               natural
               strength
               is
               small
               ,
               in
               proportion
               to
               the
               Difficulties
               we
               are
               to
               encounter
               ;
               but
               the
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 sufficient
                 for
                 us
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               12.9
               .
               and
               we
               may
               do
               all
               things
               through
               Christ
               that
               strengthens
               us
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               13.
               
               Nature
               is
               weak
               ,
               and
               imperfect
               ,
               but
               we
               are
               not
               left
               in
               the
               condition
               of
               
                 meer
                 nature
                 :
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 not
              
               
               
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 but
                 under
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               6.
               14.
               
               We
               are
               under
               the
               influences
               of
               the
               
                 holy
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               which
               will
               remove
               the
               mountains
               ,
               and
               plain
               the
               way
               before
               us
               ,
               if
               we
               take
               care
               to
               engage
               those
               aids
               by
               Faith
               and
               sincere
               endeavour
               .
            
             
               For
               this
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               of
               ,
               that
               
                 God
                 will
                 never
                 be
                 wanting
                 to
                 us
                 ,
              
               if
               we
               are
               not
               so
               unto
               our
               selves
               ,
               So
               that
               the
               case
               as
               to
               our
               
                 natural
                 inability
              
               ,
               and
               the
               assistance
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               ,
               seems
               to
               be
               thus
               .
               A
               man
               in
               a
               Boat
               is
               cartied
               from
               the
               Harbour
               he
               designs
               ,
               by
               the
               violence
               of
               the
               Current
               ;
               he
               is
               not
               able
               only
               by
               playing
               the
               Oar
               ,
               to
               overcome
               the
               resistance
               of
               the
               Tide
               ;
               but
               a
               gen
               tle
               Gale
               blows
               with
               him
               ,
               which
               will
               not
               of
               it self
               carry
               him
               up
               against
               the
               Torrent
               :
               Neither
               of
               them
               will
               do
               it
               single
               :
               But
               if
               he
               hoist
               the
               sail
               ,
               and
               use
               the
               Oar
               too
               ,
               this
               united
               force
               prevails
               ;
               and
               he
               gets
               happily
               to
               the
               Harbour
               ,
               This
               methinks
               resembles
               our
               Condition
               ;
               we
               are
               carried
               down
               the
               Torrent
               of
               
                 evil
                 inclinations
              
               
               and
               Affections
               ,
               our
               own
               unaided
               powers
               are
               too
               little
               for
               that
               great
               force
               :
               but
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Spirit
              
               is
               with
               us
               ,
               It
               breaths
               upon
               us
               ,
               and
               is
               ready
               to
               assist
               ,
               if
               we
               are
               so
               to
               use
               it
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               superaddition
               and
               ingagement
               of
               those
               blessed
               Aids
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               evil
               in
               our
               natures
               but
               may
               be
               overcome
               .
               So
               that
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               be
               discouraged
               at
               the
               apprehension
               of
               our
               
                 impotence
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 weakness
                 we
                 shall
                 he
                 made
                 strong
              
               Heb.
               11.
               24.
               
               If
               we
               imploy
               our
               Talent
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               but
               a
               very
               small
               one
               ,
               we
               shall
               have
               more
               ,
               Mat.
               25.
               29.
               
               And
               if
               we
               accept
               of
               those
               divine
               helps
               ,
               and
               use
               them
               ,
               what
               was
               before
               ,
               to
               meer
               natural
               consideration
               ,
               uneasie
               ,
               will
               be
               pleasant
               and
               sweetly
               relishing
               .
            
             
               One
               of
               the
               greatest
               Difficulties
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               to
               begin
               :
               the
               first
               steps
               are
               roughest
               to
               those
               feet
               that
               have
               been
               unaccustomed
               to
               it
               .
               The
               helps
               and
               manifold
               incouragements
               we
               shall
               meet
               with
               in
               the
               Progress
               ,
               will
               render
               it
               more
               agreeable
               
               and
               delightsome
               .
               Those
               very
               toils
               will
               be
               grateful
               ;
               there
               is
               scarce
               any
               great
               sense
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               but
               where
               there
               is
               some
               Difficulty
               and
               Pain
               .
               Even
               our
               Work
               it self
               will
               be
               Wages
               .
               And
               't
               is
               not
               only
               the
               End
               of
               Wisdom
               that
               is
               pleasantness
               ,
               but
               the
               
                 very
                 way
              
               ,
               Prov.
               3.
               17.
               
               So
               that
               though
               we
               are
               call'd
               upon
               to
               strive
               ,
               and
               to
               run
               ,
               and
               to
               fight
               ,
               (
               which
               words
               import
               Labour
               )
               yet
               we
               are
               not
               required
               to
               Quit
               our
               pleasures
               ,
               but
               to
               change
               the
               objects
               of
               them
               ;
               to
               leave
               the
               delights
               of
               Swine
               for
               those
               of
               
                 Angels
                 ;
                 sensual
              
               for
               spiritual
               Satisfactions
               .
            
             
               Thus
               all
               things
               encourage
               ,
               and
               invite
               us
               to
               strive
               ;
               God
               calls
               upon
               us
               ,
               and
               our
               own
               Interests
               call
               ;
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               came
               to
               ingage
               us
               to
               this
               Work
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Spirit
              
               waits
               to
               assist
               it
               .
               If
               notwithstanding
               all
               this
               ,
               we
               
                 sit
                 still
              
               ,
               our
               Negligence
               will
               be
               inexcusable
               and
               fatal
               :
               or
               if
               we
               arise
               and
               go
               a
               little
               forward
               ,
               and
               then
               lay
               us
               down
               to
               take
               our
               ease
               and
               rest
               ,
               our
               state
               (
               in
               the
               judgment
               
               of
               one
               that
               knew
               )
               will
               be
               worse
               ,
               more
               desperate
               ,
               and
               excuseless
               ,
               2.
               
               Pet.
               2.
               21.
               
            
             
               I
               Conclude
               all
               then
               ,
               in
               the
               words
               of
               the
               Blessed
               Apostle
               ,
               1.
               
               Cor.
               15.
               
               
                 Therefore
                 my
                 beloved
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 stedfast
                 ,
                 unmoveable
                 ,
                 always
                 abounding
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 forasmuch
                 as
                 ye
                 know
                 that
                 your
                 Labour
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 vain
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
              
               To
               him
               be
               Glory
               and
               Honour
               henceforth
               ,
               and
               for
               ever
               .
               Amen
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Books
               published
               by
               Mr.
               Glanvil
               .
            
             
               ESSAYES
               on
               several
               important
               Subjects
               in
               Philosophy
               and
               Theology
               .
            
             
               
                 Seasonable
                 Reflections
              
               and
               Discourses
               in
               order
               to
               the
               Cure
               of
               the
               Scoffing
               and
               Infidelity
               of
               a
               degenerate
               Age.
               
            
             
               
                 Lux
                 Orientalis
              
               ;
               being
               a
               modest
               Philosophical
               Enquiry
               into
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Pre-existence
               .
            
             
               
                 Catholick
                 Charity
              
               ,
               recommended
               in
               a
               Sermon
               before
               the
               Lord
               Mayor
               and
               Aldermen
               of
               London
               .
            
             
               A
               Fast-Sermon
               on
               the
               King's
               Martyrdome
               .
            
             
               An
               
                 Earnest
                 Invitation
              
               to
               the
               Sacrament
               of
               the
               Lord's
               Supper
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 Way
                 of
                 Happiness
              
               ,
               represented
               in
               its
               Difficulties
               and
               Encouragements
               ,
               and
               free'd
               from
               many
               popular
               and
               dangerous
               mistakes
               .