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in_o the_o sacred_a volume_n there_o we_o be_v entertain_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o visible_a world_n there_o we_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o method_n and_o dispensation_n of_o the_o almighty_a towards_o mankind_n and_o by_o what_o step_v and_o advances_n his_o church_n through_o all_o age_n grow_v to_o be_v what_o it_o be_v now_o there_o god_n have_v be_v please_v more_o clear_o to_o reveal_v himself_o than_o any_o where_o beside_o there_o we_o have_v the_o great_a mystery_n of_o divine_a love_n in_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n by_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n make_v know_v to_o we_o the_o excellency_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n describe_v in_o the_o most_o affect_a language_n the_o true_a perfection_n and_o the_o extreme_a misery_n of_o man_n explain_v rule_n for_o obtain_v eternal_a life_n and_o blessedness_n lay_v down_o and_o most_o gracious_a promise_n and_o unspeakable_a reward_n to_o encourage_v we_o 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hint_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o few_o man_n in_o the_o world_n how_o strong_a soever_o their_o prejudices_fw-la may_v be_v or_o how_o much_o soever_o they_o may_v presume_v upon_o their_o own_o strength_n be_v able_a to_o govern_v their_o thought_n well_o without_o they_o have_v a_o special_a regard_n to_o this_o rule_n and_o admonition_n also_o another_o rule_n which_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o well-governing_a of_o our_o thought_n in_o general_a be_v frequent_a self-examination_n without_o often_o look_v into_o ourselves_o and_o examine_v our_o own_o propension_n and_o inclination_n and_o what_o be_v that_o sin_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o beset_v we_o it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v imagine_v how_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o govern_v our_o thought_n aright_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o a_o man_n be_v more_o a_o stranger_n to_o than_o himself_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o which_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v more_o skilled_a and_o that_o be_v one_o 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man_n be_v convince_v and_o persuade_v of_o the_o great_a evil_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o wicked_a thought_n without_o self-examination_n how_o can_v he_o be_v make_v true_o sensible_a of_o their_o pernicious_a and_o pollute_a nature_n and_o that_o they_o be_v so_o high_o displease_v to_o god_n as_o they_o be_v without_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o himself_o or_o how_o can_v he_o be_v possess_v that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o restrain_v and_o exercise_v a_o government_n over_o his_o thought_n and_o that_o much_o be_v in_o his_o own_o power_n in_o order_n to_o it_o i_o say_v how_o can_v a_o person_n be_v right_o sensible_a of_o any_o of_o these_o necessary_a thing_n without_o he_o frequen_o and_o skilful_o practice_v this_o duty_n of_o self-examination_n which_o as_o it_o be_v of_o absolute_a use_n in_o order_n to_o religion_n in_o general_n so_o it_o be_v to_o this_o part_n of_o it_o especial_o viz._n the_o well-governing_a our_o thought_n beside_o how_o many_o man_n be_v too_o apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o as_o for_o thought_n they_o shall_v never_o be_v lay_v to_o our_o charge_n so_o long_o as_o they_o do_v break_v out_o into_o action_n that_o the_o theory_n of_o sin_n shall_v pass_v without_o the_o least_o notice_n of_o the_o almighty_a judge_n and_o that_o only_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v observe_v and_o censure_v that_o as_o for_o thought_n they_o be_v either_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d impossibility_n which_o can_v be_v bring_v under_o any_o good_a order_n or_o government_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o infiniteness_n and_o variety_n and_o so_o they_o claim_v a_o privilege_n of_o invincible_a liberty_n because_o they_o can_v be_v subdue_v or_o else_o that_o they_o be_v such_o slight_a and_o small_a escape_n as_o that_o they_o carry_v their_o passport_n and_o pardon_v with_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v punish_v and_o that_o therefore_o they_o be_v no_o sin_n and_o that_o also_o because_o the_o law_n of_o man_n take_v no_o hold_n of_o they_o and_o because_o likewise_o it_o be_v impossible_a altogether_o to_o avoid_v these_o thought_n as_o be_v say_v before_o certain_o say_v they_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v call_v to_o account_v for_o our_o thought_n because_o they_o come_v oftentimes_o so_o sudden_o and_o unexpected_o that_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v of_o they_o and_o they_o do_v no_o body_n any_o hurt_n what_o evil_n therefore_o shall_v there_o be_v in_o they_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v accountable_a for_o they_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o common_a strain_n of_o the_o civil_a honest_a moral_a man_n as_o he_o call_v himself_o and_o the_o formal_a hypocrite_n to_o draw_v near_o unto_o god_n with_o his_o lip_n when_o his_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o he_o to_o be_v under_o no_o concern_v for_o his_o thought_n but_o only_o to_o take_v care_n with_o the_o harlot_n to_o wipe_v his_o mouth_n clean_o and_o with_o pontius_n pilate_n to_o wash_v his_o hand_n and_o with_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n to_o cleanse_v only_o the_o outside_n of_o the_o cup_n or_o the_o platter_n this_o be_v all_o the_o religion_n of_o too_o many_o who_o make_v it_o to_o consist_v in_o sense_n and_o not_o in_o the_o heart_n as_o if_o the_o design_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v not_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o inward_a but_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o outward_a man._n as_o if_o indeed_o christianity_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a compliment_n and_o now_o what_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o this_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o such_o dangerous_a error_n and_o mistake_v about_o our_o thought_n as_o that_o they_o be_v free_a sinless_a and_o unpunishable_a i_o say_v what_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o this_o but_o ignorance_n of_o our_o own_o self_n ignorance_n of_o the_o sad_a and_o prevail_a corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o their_o greedy_a propensity_n and_o inclination_n to_o evil_a and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n too_o which_o if_o we_o will_v look_v into_o it_o will_v plain_o show_v we_o the_o detestable_a sinfulness_n of_o thought_n and_o that_o the_o main_a end_n of_o religion_n be_v a_o internal_a change_n and_o purification_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o soul_n of_o all_o the_o thought_n and_o imagination_n and_o now_o a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o dispel_v this_o ignorance_n be_v this_o rule_n which_o i_o be_o press_v you_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o viz._n self-examination_n without_o which_o it_o will_v be_v a_o impossible_a thing_n to_o attain_v a_o right_a government_n of_o our_o thought_n in_o general_n this_o rule_n must_v also_o be_v follow_v with_o another_o if_o we_o will_v govern_v our_o thought_n aright_o and_o that_o be_v that_o you_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o your_o eye_n and_o other_o sense_n keep_v they_o from_o carnal_a or_o unlawful_a object_n or_o not_o let_v they_o dwell_v upon_o they_o this_o
will_v be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n in_o order_n to_o that_o great_a end_n which_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o this_o treatise_n there_o be_v no_o preserve_v a_o castle_n or_o fortress_n from_o be_v take_v by_o the_o enemy_n but_o by_o have_v a_o special_a care_n of_o the_o avenue_n and_o breach_n now_o the_o sense_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o avenue_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o inlet_n of_o all_o evil_n into_o the_o mind_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o we_o keep_v a_o strict_a watch_n over_o our_o sense_n if_o we_o will_v have_v our_o thought_n pure_a and_o unpolluted_a for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o sense_n that_o we_o have_v but_o may_v betray_v and_o ruin_v we_o a_o eye_n a_o hand_n etc._n etc._n may_v prove_v our_o utter_a destruction_n as_o that_o advice_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n imply_v 8._o wherefore_o if_o thy_o hand_n or_o thy_o foot_n offend_v thou_o cut_v they_o off_o and_o cast_v they_o from_o thou_o it_o be_v better_a for_o thou_o to_o enter_v into_o life_n halt_v and_o maim_a rather_o than_o have_v two_o hand_n or_o two_o foot_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o everlasting_a fire_n and_o if_o thy_o eye_n offend_v thou_o pluck_v it_o out_o and_o cast_v it_o from_o thou_o it_o be_v better_a for_o thou_o to_o enter_v into_o life_n with_o one_o eye_n rather_o than_o have_v two_o eye_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o hell_n fire_n our_o own_o eye_n may_v ruin_v we_o as_o sure_a as_o these_o of_o a_o basilisk_n and_o it_o be_v our_o own_o eye_n which_o put_v witchcraft_n into_o that_o of_o other_o and_o convey_v back_o certain_a hurt_n and_o mischief_n into_o our_o thought_n and_o soul_n there_o be_v a_o great_a variety_n of_o ensnare_a object_n in_o the_o world_n that_o present_v themselves_o to_o we_o the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n conspire_v how_o to_o entrap_v we_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v we_o find_v some_o object_n or_o other_o to_o entice_v we_o as_o the_o hermit_n see_v in_o his_o vision_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v hang_v all_o over_o with_o net_n the_o devil_n well_o know_v that_o the_o best_a way_n to_o subdue_v the_o spirit_n be_v by_o the_o flesh_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o effectual_a way_n of_o conquer_a the_o soul_n as_o by_o first_o make_v his_o attack_n upon_o the_o outwork_n the_o sense_n and_o therefore_o he_o first_o endeavour_n to_o take_v they_o it_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n therefore_o that_o we_o keep_v a_o close_a guard_n upon_o every_o one_o of_o our_o sense_n if_o we_o will_v not_o be_v invade_v by_o wicked_a thought_n for_o any_o one_o of_o they_o leave_v unguarded_a may_v prove_v our_o ruin_n and_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v give_v too_o great_a a_o liberty_n to_o our_o sense_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o vile_a and_o wicked_a thought_n fill_v our_o mind_n again_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v to_o take_v care_n that_o if_o any_o evil_a thought_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v arise_v up_o in_o our_o heart_n not_o to_o let_v they_o remain_v in_o we_o but_o present_o to_o make_v resistance_n against_o they_o turn_v the_o heart_n immediate_o to_o a_o contrary_a subject_n humble_v our_o soul_n by_o speedy_a repentance_n for_o the_o same_o let_v not_o vain_a thought_n lodge_v in_o we_o 14._o though_o they_o may_v glance_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v dwelling_n upon_o a_o wicked_a thought_n that_o make_v it_o prevail_v and_o domineer_a over_o we_o if_o we_o habitual_o indulge_v it_o it_o will_v get_v ground_n of_o we_o and_o at_o length_n grow_v obstinate_a and_o unruly_a and_o much_o more_o difficult_a to_o be_v conquer_v whereas_o a_o immediate_a resistance_n of_o it_o will_v by_o degree_n so_o weaken_v it_o as_o it_o be_v probable_a we_o shall_v at_o length_n be_v quite_o rid_v of_o it_o though_o this_o may_v be_v think_v a_o very_a troublesome_a yet_o it_o be_v as_o likely_a a_o way_n as_o any_o of_o avoid_v evil_a thought_n when_o any_o wicked_a imagination_n therefore_o present_v itself_o the_o best_a way_n to_o repel_v it_o will_v not_o be_v to_o argue_v and_o dispute_v long_o with_o it_o but_o to_o catch_v away_o our_o mind_n from_o it_o present_o and_o like_o a_o man_n that_o accidental_o tread_v upon_o a_o adder_n start_v back_o immediate_o and_o strive_v to_o make_v no_o more_o approach_n to_o it_o again_o it_o be_v possible_a nay_o likely_a that_o it_o will_v return_v upon_o you_o often_o in_o a_o little_a time_n but_o do_v you_o labour_v as_o often_o as_o it_o do_v so_o to_o thrust_v it_o out_o and_o be_v not_o weary_a of_o so_o do_v and_o because_o this_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a a_o matter_n neither_o though_o this_o or_o nothing_o must_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v in_o our_o power_n it_o will_v be_v expedient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o divert_v our_o mind_n effectual_o that_o we_o propose_v to_o our_o mind_n some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o the_o most_o awful_a subject_n and_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a more_o than_o ordinary_o to_o take_v up_o and_o fix_v our_o thought_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o crucifixion_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n imagine_v that_o we_o see_v his_o torture_a body_n bleed_v upon_o the_o cross_n and_o hear_v the_o doleful_a cry_n which_o he_o utter_v when_o he_o make_v the_o great_a atonement_n and_o satisfaction_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o behold_v the_o portentous_a eclipse_n the_o preternatural_a darkness_n the_o rent_v of_o the_o rock_n the_o open_n of_o the_o grave_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o tremendous_a circumstance_n which_o attend_v the_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o else_o let_v it_o be_v the_o last_o judgement_n and_o the_o miscellaneous_n horror_n and_o exultation_n of_o that_o dreadful_a day_n wherein_o the_o heaven_n be_v on_o fire_n 12._o shall_v be_v dissolve_v and_o the_o element_n shall_v melt_v with_o fervent_a heat_n 20._o the_o sun_n be_v turn_v into_o darkness_n and_o the_o moon_n into_o blood_n 29._o the_o power_n of_o heaven_n be_v shake_v and_o the_o star_n fall_v from_o their_o orb_n all_o this_o visible_a world_n be_v consume_v and_o ingulph_v in_o a_o inconceivable_a eternity_n of_o happiness_n to_o the_o righteous_a but_o of_o torment_n to_o the_o wicked_a any_o one_o of_o such_o subject_n as_o these_o will_v be_v very_o proper_a to_o fix_v our_o mind_n upon_o in_o order_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o return_v to_o ill_a thing_n there_o be_v nothing_o can_v more_o awe_v the_o soul_n collect_v the_o thought_n and_o compose_v the_o spirit_n than_o think_v on_o such_o subject_n they_o be_v thing_n so_o very_o considerable_a that_o while_o we_o be_v employ_v our_o mind_n about_o they_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o think_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o or_o soon_o to_o be_v draw_v aside_o to_o any_o other_o object_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o advisable_v that_o we_o make_v use_v of_o this_o expedient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o well-governing_a our_o thought_n to_o which_o end_n also_o let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o watch_v over_o our_o thought_n on_o the_o lordsday_n than_o more_o especial_o than_o at_o other_o time_n the_o lordsday_n be_v i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o mean_n extreme_o slight_v and_o disregard_v and_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n profaneness_n have_v very_o great_o advance_v itself_o so_o that_o god_n own_o day_n be_v become_v almost_o as_o one_o of_o we_o and_o but_o a_o very_a small_a difference_n observe_v betwixt_o they_o man_n be_v general_o so_o far_o from_o be_v most_o careful_a of_o their_o thought_n on_o that_o holiday_n that_o they_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v most_o profuse_a and_o extravagant_a then_o and_o not_o only_o their_o thought_n but_o their_o action_n too_o be_v for_o a_o great_a part_n worse_o than_o at_o other_o time_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a sin_n in_o itself_o and_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v severe_o account_v for_o so_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mean_n of_o make_v our_o thought_n loose_v ungovernable_a and_o wicked_a at_o other_o time_n 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