thought_n and_o a_o multiplicity_n of_o design_n and_o business_n break_v in_o upon_o his_o mind_n and_o take_v possession_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o be_v fill_v with_o these_o thing_n all_o the_o day_n he_o follow_v and_o plod_v upon_o they_o without_o distraction_n or_o interaction_n and_o how_o be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o amidst_o all_o this_o hurry_n and_o turmoil_v he_o shall_v find_v that_o recollection_n that_o tranquillity_n and_o that_o elevation_n without_o which_o the_o exercise_n of_o piety_n be_v but_o mere_a hypocrisy_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o man_n bring_v so_o little_a attention_n and_o sincerity_n with_o they_o to_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n why_o do_v sermon_n produce_v so_o little_a fruit_n why_o do_v the_o most_o certain_a and_o important_a truth_n of_o religion_n the_o clear_a and_o the_o most_o solid_a reason_n make_v either_o no_o impression_n at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o not_o last_v one_o upon_o the_o hearer_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o in_o the_o most_o solemn_a devotion_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o holy_a communion_n it_o be_v so_o difficult_a for_o man_n to_o lift_v up_o their_o heart_n to_o god_n and_o to_o shake_v off_o a_o thousand_o idle_a or_o sinful_a thought_n which_o come_v then_o to_o amuse_v and_o distract_v they_o and_o last_o why_o do_v those_o vow_n and_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v even_o with_o some_o sincerity_n prove_v so_o ineffectual_a why_o do_v the_o best_a resolution_n vanish_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o soon_o all_o this_o come_v from_o man_n be_v too_o much_o take_v up_o with_o temporal_a care_n 3._o these_o excessive_a care_n do_v not_o only_o distract_v the_o mind_n but_o they_o do_v beside_o direct_o obstruct_v sanctification_n and_o lead_v man_n into_o sin_n for_o first_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o love_v religion_n and_o virtue_n when_o the_o heart_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o world_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o 22._o we_o mat._n vi_o 22._o that_o no_o man_n can_v serve_v two_o master_n and_o st._n john_n declare_v 15._o declare_v john_n ii_o 15._o that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v not_o in_o those_o who_o love_v the_o world_n there_o be_v such_o a_o opposition_n between_o bodily_a and_o spiritual_a exercise_n that_o those_o who_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o the_o first_o be_v incapable_a of_o the_o other_o worldly_n occupation_n render_v man_n carnal_a sensual_a and_o dull_a they_o keep_v up_o ignorance_n and_o foment_n sloth_n and_o they_o weigh_v down_o all_o their_o inclination_n and_o thought_n to_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o they_o must_v be_v careless_a and_o indifferent_a about_o spiritual_a object_n and_o heavenly_a concern_v and_o indeed_o they_o be_v very_o ill_o dispose_v to_o value_v those_o good_a thnig_n as_o they_o deserve_v or_o to_o seek_v they_o with_o that_o eagerness_n and_o sincerity_n which_o they_o ought_v can_v we_o think_v that_o man_n who_o propose_v nothing_o else_o to_o themselves_o but_o the_o amass_n of_o wealth_n the_o make_v their_o court_n or_o the_o canvas_n for_o place_n and_o who_o live_v and_o toil_v only_o for_o such_o thing_n shall_v have_v a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o salvation_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v it_o but_o further_a religion_n do_v not_o allow_v christian_n to_o love_v the_o world_n or_o to_o cleave_v to_o it_o vii_o it_o 1_o cor._n vii_o it_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v possess_v temporal_a good_n as_o not_o possess_v they_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v use_v the_o world_n as_o not_o abuse_v it_o because_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n the_o figure_n of_o the_o world_n pass_v away_o and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o folly_n to_o fix_v their_o heart_n upon_o vain_a and_o transitory_a enjoyment_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o ought_v to_o aspire_v chief_o to_o the_o possession_n of_o solid_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n to_o be_v therefore_o take_v up_o only_o with_o earthly_a thing_n and_o to_o let_v they_o enter_v too_o deep_a into_o one_o heart_n be_v a_o disposition_n quite_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o a_o christian_a ought_v to_o be_v in_o 4._o last_o a_o excessive_a application_n to_o temporal_a affair_n hurry_v a_o man_n into_o many_o disorder_n we_o need_v but_o reflect_v a_o little_a to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v fill_v only_o with_o the_o thought_n and_o solicitude_n of_o this_o life_n must_v be_v a_o slave_n to_o his_o sense_n and_o passion_n and_o that_o he_o lay_v himself_o open_v every_o moment_n to_o a_o thousand_o temptation_n which_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o withstand_v though_o his_o employment_n be_v lawful_a in_o themselves_o yet_o he_o make_v they_o criminal_a because_o to_o he_o they_o be_v only_o mean_v of_o gratify_v his_o appetite_n and_o the_o great_a mischief_n be_v that_o when_o a_o man_n be_v once_o enter_v upon_o that_o course_n he_o still_o confirm_v himself_o in_o it_o so_o that_o at_o last_o he_o can_v leave_v it_o off_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n his_o passion_n be_v still_o mount_v high_o on_o the_o other_o business_n and_o toil_n grow_v upon_o he_o he_o first_o proposo_n a_o end_n to_o himself_o and_o then_o he_o will_v bring_v it_o about_o at_o any_o rate_n as_o be_v engage_v in_o honour_n and_o by_o interest_n not_o do_o desist_v if_o he_o meet_v with_o obstacle_n he_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o surmount_v they_o if_o he_o succeed_v success_n animate_v he_o with_o new_a ardour_n he_o be_v for_o go_v further_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v a_o endless_a labour_n a_o continual_a succession_n of_o care_n which_o be_v still_o grow_v great_a and_o which_o end_n only_o with_o his_o life_n from_o all_o this_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o abuse_n of_o worldly_a business_n be_v most_o dangerous_a and_o that_o if_o we_o will_v not_o have_v it_o obstruct_v our_o salvation_n we_o ought_v to_o observe_v these_o three_o rule_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v pursue_v the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n with_o moderation_n one_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a direction_n for_o a_o happy_a life_n be_v this_o to_o lay_v nothing_o too_o much_o to_o heart_n the_o way_n to_o preserve_v our_o innocence_n and_o tranquillity_n be_v to_o crave_v nothing_o too_o eager_o not_o to_o rejoice_v excessive_o at_o any_o prosperity_n not_o to_o be_v deject_v above_o measure_n for_o any_o disaster_n which_o may_v happen_v and_o not_o to_o be_v too_o hot_a and_o peremptory_a upon_o any_o design_n the_o second_o caution_n to_o be_v use_v be_v the_o avoid_v multiplicity_n of_o business_n and_o excess_n of_o employment_n as_o much_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o call_v every_o one_o shall_v consider_v what_o he_o be_v fit_a for_o and_o what_o he_o be_v call_v to_o and_o go_v no_o far_o in_o the_o last_o place_n wisdom_n require_v that_o among_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n we_o shall_v reserve_v the_o necessary_a time_n and_o care_n to_o pay_v what_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o to_o mind_v our_o salvation_n the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o concern_v to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v very_o useful_a to_o have_v certain_a time_n of_o retirement_n and_o leisure_n and_o to_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o make_v now_o and_o then_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o temporal_a employment_n such_o reflection_n as_o may_v call_v we_o back_o to_o our_o duty_n and_o be_v like_o a_o counterpoise_n to_o that_o bias_n which_o carry_v we_o towards_o sensible_a object_n let_v we_o often_o think_v that_o we_o be_v mortal_a that_o we_o have_v a_o soul_n and_o that_o there_o be_v another_o life_n after_o this_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o all_o our_o worldly_a care_n terminate_v in_o and_o what_o judgement_n we_o shall_v make_v of_o they_o upon_o our_o deathbed_n these_o reflection_n will_v put_v we_o upon_o wise_a and_o moderate_a course_n and_o so_o we_o shall_v avoid_v innumerable_a disorder_n and_o misery_n which_o man_n fall_v into_o by_o their_o too_o great_a application_n to_o temporal_a business_n cause_n ix_o man_n particular_a calling_n though_o we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o corruption_n have_v its_o source_n in_o the_o abuse_n of_o worldly_a business_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o insist_v a_o little_a more_o upon_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o consider_v it_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o different_a state_n and_o calling_n which_o man_n be_v engage_v in_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o worldly_a business_n we_o mean_v chief_o those_o thing_n about_o which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o life_n be_v spend_v now_o those_o occupation_n must_v needs_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o particular_a kind_n of_o life_n which_o a_o man_n follow_v and_o so_o every_o man_n kind_n of_o life_n may_v be_v a_o source_n or_o at_o least_o a_o accidental_a cause_n of_o corruption_n as_o the_o world_n be_v constitute_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v
have_v place_v they_o in_o and_o beside_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a but_o aught_o to_o allow_v himself_o some_o time_n of_o retirement_n nay_o there_o be_v some_o temporal_a employment_n which_o do_v not_o hinder_v a_o man_n to_o live_v in_o a_o retire_a manner_n but_o after_o all_o it_o will_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o society_n and_o of_o most_o christian_a virtue_n if_o every_o one_o shall_v live_v apart_o and_o busy_v himself_o only_o in_o spiritual_a exercise_n god_n do_v not_o require_v this_o he_o have_v create_v man_n to_o labour_n in_o the_o world_n and_o those_o who_o follow_v a_o honest_a employment_n in_o it_o act_n suitable_o to_o his_o will_n and_o sink_v their_o business_n may_v prove_v a_o help_n to_o their_o salvation_n i_o need_v not_o i_o think_v advertise_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o speak_v here_o only_o of_o lawful_a employment_n and_o not_o of_o those_o which_o be_v bad_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o religion_n and_o yet_o these_o last_o be_v very_o common_a but_o because_o every_o body_n may_v easy_o see_v that_o such_o occupation_n must_v unavoidable_o engage_v man_n in_o to_o sin_n i_o will_v make_v it_o my_o chief_a business_n to_o show_v that_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a employment_n prove_v to_o many_o person_n a_o hindrance_n to_o piety_n and_o salvation_n temporal_a employment_n then_o be_v not_o bad_a in_o themselves_o they_o can_v occasion_v corruption_n but_o by_o the_o abuse_n that_o be_v make_v of_o they_o now_o there_o be_v four_o fault_n which_o man_n commit_v in_o this_o matter_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v when_o they_o be_v entire_o take_v up_o with_o worldly_a thing_n we_o have_v show_v already_o that_o man_n live_v in_o a_o prodigious_a sloth_n and_o carelessness_n about_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o do_v almost_o nothing_o for_o their_o soul_n and_o their_o salvation_n from_o this_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v employ_v only_o about_o their_o body_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o this_o life_n and_o in_o fact_n if_o we_o inquire_v into_o their_o care_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o terminate_v in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o their_o temporal_a interest_n and_o this_o i_o think_v needs_o not_o be_v prove_v 2._o their_o heart_n sink_v too_o deep_a into_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n the_o business_n of_o life_n be_v innocent_a when_o it_o be_v follow_v with_o moderation_n but_o it_o divert_v man_n from_o piety_n when_o it_o be_v pursue_v more_o and_o with_o great_a eagerness_n than_o it_o deserve_v that_o excessive_a love_n of_o the_o world_n make_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o men._n instead_o of_o esteem_v temporal_a good_n in_o proportion_n to_o their_o worth_n and_o as_o remember_v that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o procure_v they_o true_a felicity_n in_o his_o of_n consider_v that_o they_o be_v not_o make_v for_o this_o life_n only_o and_o that_o they_o can_v long_o enjoy_v those_o advantage_n which_o they_o court_v they_o give_v up_o themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o world_n they_o set_v their_o heart_n and_o affection_n upon_o it_o and_o they_o act_v as_o if_o this_o life_n be_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o all_o their_o action_n they_o labour_v only_o for_o their_o body_n and_o for_o the_o gratify_n of_o their_o appetite_n this_o be_v the_o mark_v aim_v at_o in_o all_o their_o thought_n and_o project_n this_o be_v what_o inflame_v their_o desire_n and_o what_o excite_v in_o they_o the_o most_o violent_a passion_n of_o grief_n or_o joy_n of_o anxiety_n or_o impatience_n they_o be_v far_o from_o have_v such_o a_o hearty_a concern_v for_o religion_n and_o piety_n in_o relation_n to_o this_o their_o affection_n be_v faint_a and_o languid_a and_o they_o do_v nothing_o but_o with_o indifference_n or_o by_o constraint_n 3._o the_o three_o fault_n be_v when_o man_n be_v too_o much_o employ_v and_o when_o they_o overload_v themselves_o with_o business_n it_o be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o wisdom_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o another_o to_o avoid_v the_o excess_n and_o the_o hurry_n of_o business_n as_o much_o as_o possible_o we_o may_v without_o be_v want_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o call_v to_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o necessary_a care_n and_o to_o wave_v all_o superfluous_a one_o man_n will_v live_v happy_a if_o they_o do_v but_o know_v what_o their_o profession_n require_v of_o they_o and_o limit_v themselves_o to_o it_o without_o meddle_v in_o that_o which_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o but_o here_o they_o observe_v no_o bound_n they_o will_v fly_v at_o all_o they_o will_v busy_v themselves_o about_o many_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o their_o province_n this_o without_o doubt_n be_v a_o dangerous_a disease_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o several_a disorder_n 4._o in_o the_o last_o place_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o blame_v and_o that_o be_v when_o worldly_a business_n become_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o abuse_n that_o be_v make_v of_o it_o for_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a disposition_n in_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v fond_a of_o the_o world_n most_o man_n be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o to_o direct_v all_o the_o business_n of_o life_n to_o a_o bad_a end_n which_o be_v to_o satisfy_v and_o to_o inflame_v the_o more_o their_o irregular_a appetite_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n many_o erterprise_n and_o particular_a action_n of_o they_o which_o in_o themselves_o be_v innocent_a become_v evil_a and_o unlawful_a and_o engage_v they_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n these_o consideration_n be_v prove_v already_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n vice_n proceed_v from_o their_o temporal_a affair_n but_o this_o will_v appear_v yet_o more_o clear_o by_o the_o follow_a reflection_n 1._o this_o excessive_a application_n to_o temporal_a concern_v engross_v almost_o our_o whole_a time_n so_o that_o it_o do_v not_o leave_v we_o a_o sufficient_a share_n of_o it_o to_o be_v spend_v in_o care_n of_o another_o nature_n man_n confess_v this_o themselves_o and_o plead_v it_o for_o a_o excuse_n they_o allege_v their_o business_n a_o man_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o world_n will_v say_v i_o have_v no_o time_n to_o read_v or_o to_o perform_v the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n i_o have_v too_o much_o business_n my_o employ_v or_o my_o call_v do_v not_o leave_v i_o a_o minute_n of_o leisure_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o be_v too_o busy_a for_o the_o most_o part_n if_o they_o have_v any_o spare_a time_n some_o hour_n or_o some_o day_n of_o rest_n wherein_o the_o course_n of_o their_o ordinary_a employment_n be_v interrupt_v they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o improve_v to_o the_o best_a advantage_n those_o short_a interval_n of_o relaxation_n 2._o and_o true_o secular_a business_n do_v not_o only_o take_v away_o the_o best_a part_n of_o man_n time_n but_o it_o do_v beside_o distract_v their_o mind_n and_o invade_v their_o heart_n and_o affection_n when_o for_o a_o whole_a day_n or_o week_n the_o mind_n and_o body_n have_v be_v in_o agitation_n a_o man_n be_v weary_a and_o spend_v the_o activity_n of_o his_o thought_n be_v exhaust_v his_o head_n be_v too_o full_a to_o be_v clear_a he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o drive_v away_o in_o a_o instant_n so_o many_o worldly_a idea_n to_o calm_v his_o passion_n and_o to_o turn_v himself_o of_o the_o sudden_a to_o spiritual_a exercise_n so_o that_o he_o must_v either_o absolute_o neglect_v the_o duty_n of_o piety_n or_o perform_v they_o very_o ill_a when_o a_o man_n have_v bring_v himself_o to_o a_o habit_n of_o be_v employ_v only_o in_o worldly_a affair_n he_o be_v no_o long_a master_n of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o motion_n it_o be_v with_o great_a difficulty_n if_o he_o can_v at_o all_o apply_v himself_o to_o object_n that_o be_v foreign_a to_o he_o those_o object_n affect_v he_o but_o weak_o he_o must_v make_v great_a effort_n before_o he_o can_v fasten_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o he_o fix_v there_o for_o a_o few_o moment_n it_o be_v a_o violent_a state_n in_o which_o he_o can_v continue_v long_o those_o thought_n of_o which_o he_o be_v constant_o full_a crowd_n in_o upon_o he_o and_o he_o return_v immediate_o to_o these_o thing_n which_o he_o love_v and_o which_o common_o take_v he_o up_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o man_n love_v andrelish_v spiritual_a thing_n so_o little_a and_o why_o they_o think_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o subdue_v their_o mind_n with_o read_v attention_n and_o meditation_n this_o be_v particular_o the_o main_a source_n of_o indevotion_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o piety_n why_o be_v the_o mind_n so_o apt_a to_o wander_v in_o prayer_n the_o too_o great_a application_n to_o temporal_a affair_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n be_v awake_a in_o the_o morning_n a_o throng_n of_o
capable_a of_o do_v more_o hurt_n than_o good_a 1._o a_o author_n who_o treat_v of_o morality_n shall_v always_o have_v these_o two_o rule_n in_o his_o view_n 1._o to_o explain_v exact_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n which_o it_o prescribe_v and_o 2._o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o duty_n now_o these_o two_o rule_n have_v not_o be_v sufficient_o observe_v by_o all_o those_o who_o have_v publish_v moral_a book_n 1._o they_o do_v not_o always_o represent_v with_o due_a exactness_n the_o nature_n of_o vice_n or_o virtue_n either_o the_o notion_n they_o give_v of_o they_o be_v not_o true_a or_o they_o be_v too_o general_a on_o the_o one_o hand_n they_o be_v not_o accurate_a enough_o in_o describe_v the_o true_a character_n of_o each_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o do_v not_o distinguish_v their_o various_a kind_n and_n degree_n which_o yet_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v if_o they_o intend_v that_o man_n shall_v know_v their_o own_o picture_n 2._o they_o do_v not_o press_v man_n enough_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n the_o end_n of_o morality_n be_v to_o work_v upon_o man_n heart_n and_o passion_n in_o order_n to_o compass_v this_o end_n two_o thing_n be_v necessary_a 1._o that_o all_o those_o great_a motive_n which_o the_o gospel_n afford_v shall_v be_v strong_o urge_v and_o 2._o that_o the_o false_a reason_n and_o motive_n which_o engage_v man_n into_o the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n and_o give_v they_o any_o aversion_n to_o holiness_n shall_v be_v confute_v moral_n can_v be_v useful_o handle_v without_o the_o observation_n of_o these_o two_o maxim_n the_o second_o especial_o for_o the_o reason_n why_o many_o be_v not_o prevail_v upon_o by_o the_o argument_n and_o motive_n which_o be_v offer_v to_o they_o be_v because_o they_o be_v hinder_v by_o other_o argument_n and_o motive_n a_o reader_n frame_v in_o himself_o a_o hundred_o objection_n against_o what_o he_o read_v in_o a_o book_n of_o morality_n man_n heart_n be_v no_o soon_o incline_v to_o any_o vice_n but_o it_o grow_v fertile_a in_o evasion_n reason_n and_o pretence_n every_o sinner_n have_v his_o excuse_n and_o his_o shift_n if_o these_o who_o teach_v morality_n do_v not_o obviate_v those_o objection_n and_o destroy_v those_o excuse_n they_o can_v never_o obtain_v their_o design_n but_o this_o be_v a_o trouble_n which_o few_o author_n care_n to_o take_v upon_o they_o 2._o book_n of_o moral_n will_v produce_v more_o fruit_n than_o they_o do_v if_o the_o morality_n they_o teach_v be_v neither_o too_o much_o relax_v nor_o too_o severe_a morality_n be_v relax_v when_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n in_o their_o full_a extent_n or_o when_o it_o do_v not_o assert_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o those_o duty_n it_o be_v strain_v and_o too_o severe_a when_o it_o impose_v duty_n which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v or_o which_o can_v possible_o be_v practise_v and_o when_o it_o rank_n among_o sin_n thing_n which_o be_v innocent_a i_o touch_v this_o only_a by_o the_o by_o because_o i_o have_v speak_v already_o in_o some_o other_o place_n of_o this_o treatise_n both_o of_o the_o remiss_a and_o over_o severe_a notion_n which_o man_n form_n to_o themselves_o about_o religion_n see_v part_n i._o cause_n i._o art_n ii_o and_o cause_v ii_o art_n v._o vi_o and_o part_v ii_o cause_v iii_o art_n i._n 3._o some_o of_o the_o author_n who_o handle_v morality_n be_v guilty_a of_o another_o fault_n and_o that_o be_v a_o want_n of_o accuracy_n and_o exactness_n in_o their_o idea_n and_o reason_n they_o do_v not_o consider_v enough_o whether_o every_o thing_n they_o advance_v be_v strict_o solid_a and_o true_a whether_o the_o principle_n they_o lie_v down_o will_v hold_v whether_o their_o maxim_n be_v not_o stretch_v too_o far_o or_o absurd_a whether_o they_o do_v not_o contradict_v themselves_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o frivolous_a reason_n whether_o nothing_o be_v false_a or_o mean_a in_o the_o motive_n they_o urge_v in_o a_o word_n whither_o or_o not_o their_o work_n will_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v the_o censure_n of_o a_o judicious_a reader_n moralist_n as_o well_o as_o the_o generality_n of_o preacher_n be_v a_o little_a too_o much_o carry_v away_o by_o the_o heat_n of_o their_o imagination_n and_o zeal_n and_o they_o do_v not_o reason_n enough_o they_o often_o go_v about_o to_o move_v people_n with_o rhethorical_a figure_n rather_o than_o by_o dint_n of_o reason_n and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a method_n in_o matter_n of_o morality_n it_o chief_o concern_v a_o man_n to_o speak_v and_o to_o argue_v close_o without_o this_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v either_o convince_v the_o mind_n or_o produce_v a_o solid_a and_o disern_a piety_n 4._o the_o world_n be_v full_a of_o book_n of_o morality_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v several_a important_a subject_n which_o have_v not_o hitherto_o be_v treat_v as_o they_o ought_v or_o if_o they_o have_v it_o be_v in_o work_n which_o be_v not_o read_v by_o the_o people_n those_o who_o study_n morality_n be_v often_o sensible_a of_o this_o defect_n and_o complain_v just_o that_o they_o do_v not_o find_v in_o book_n all_o the_o light_n and_o help_v they_o look_v for_o there_o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o any_o thing_n have_v be_v write_v with_o exactness_n in_o french_a upon_o restitution_n who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o a_o good_a book_n concern_v impurity_n will_v be_v high_o useful_a this_o sin_n be_v exceed_o common_a but_o it_o be_v one_o of_o those_o about_o which_o the_o people_n be_v the_o least_o instruct_v if_o christian_n understand_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o vice_n its_o consequence_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o those_o who_o have_v fall_v into_o it_o they_o will_v certain_o avoid_v it_o more_o careful_o than_o they_o do_v i_o may_v say_v the_o same_o of_o injustice_n of_o swear_v and_o of_o some_o other_o subject_n iv_o i_o come_v in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o book_n of_o devotion_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o right_a choice_n of_o they_o because_o of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v those_o which_o be_v the_o most_o read_v 1._o i_o can_v help_v say_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o there_o be_v book_n of_o devotion_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o introduce_v corruption_n of_o manner_n and_o divert_v christian_n from_o the_o study_n of_o holiness_n we_o may_v easy_o apprehend_v how_o there_o shall_v be_v book_n of_o this_o kind_n if_o we_o confider_v that_o many_o even_o among_o divine_n think_v it_o dangerous_a to_o insist_v upon_o good_a work_n and_o to_o press_v morality_n and_o there_o be_v book_n of_o devotion_n which_o be_v make_v on_o purpose_n to_o maintain_v so_o strange_a a_o opinion_n some_o author_n have_v teach_v that_o true_a devotion_n and_o solid_a piety_n be_v not_o that_o which_o consist_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o good_a work_n they_o have_v write_v that_o the_o doctrine_n which_o represent_v good_a work_n as_o a_o necessary_a condition_n in_o order_n to_o salvation_n overthrow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o faith_n that_o work_n can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n that_o all_o we_o have_v to_o do_v now_o under_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v to_o receive_v and_o to_o accept_v of_o the_o salvation_n purchase_v for_o we_o and_o that_o the_o gospel_n require_v work_n only_o from_o the_o motive_n of_o gratitude_n and_o love_n nay_o those_o author_n enter_v into_o dispute_n they_o refute_v the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o exhortation_n promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o scripture_n which_o may_v be_v urge_v against_o they_o and_o they_o tax_v with_o pharisaism_n or_o pelagianism_n those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o opinion_n contrary_a to_o their_o i_o can_v think_v the_o author_n of_o such_o book_n do_v publish_v they_o with_o ill_a intention_n but_o i_o can_v wish_v they_o have_v abstain_v from_o write_v thing_n which_o give_v such_o mighty_a advantage_n of_o libertine_n and_o which_o may_v blast_v the_o fruit_n of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o morality_n and_o of_o all_o the_o exhortation_n which_o â—â—e_v address_v to_o sinner_n and_o yet_o these_o book_n be_v print_v and_o which_o be_v more_o surprise_v those_o divine_n who_o be_v so_o rigid_a and_o scrupulous_a in_o point_n of_o book_n and_o sentiment_n do_v not_o oppose_v the_o publish_n of_o such_o work_n but_o they_o suffer_v they_o quiet_o to_o pass_v for_o current_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o the_o book_n of_o mystical_a devotion_n be_v likewise_o most_o dangerous_a and_o their_o number_n be_v great_a than_o we_o imagine_v for_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o those_o in_o which_o mystical_a and_o fanatical_a principle_n be_v open_o propose_v many_o work_n which_o be_v otherwise_o full_a
body_n or_o of_o this_o present_a life_n because_o they_o be_v accustom_v â—o_o be_v govern_v only_o by_o their_o sense_n and_o â—hat_n be_v enough_o to_o represent_v piety_n to_o they_o â—s_v sour_a and_o distaful_a not_o only_o because_o it_o â—oes_v not_o procure_v to_o they_o those_o gross_a pleasure_n but_o because_o it_o do_v likewise_o in_o many_o â—ases_v oblige_v they_o to_o renounce_v they_o the_o second_o reason_n why_o man_n entertain_v this_o prejudice_n against_o piety_n be_v that_o it_o 〈◊〉_d not_o represent_v to_o they_o in_o its_o true_a shapâ—_n and_o here_o first_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o he_o do_v by_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o devotion_n who_o affect_v a_o mournful_a and_o severe_a outward_a appearance_n and_o who_o behaviour_n be_v ofteâ—_n intolerable_o stern_a and_o savage_a in_o the_o nexâ—_n place_n profane_a man_n contribute_v to_o this_o mischief_n for_o as_o they_o neither_o know_v nor_o louâ—_n religion_n so_o they_o make_v odious_a picture_n oâ—_n it_o and_o they_o take_v a_o delight_n in_o carry_v the_o notion_n of_o devotion_n too_o far_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v ridiculous_a three_o there_o be_v several_a well-meaning_a person_n who_o zeal_n be_v not_o regulate_v and_o soften_v by_o a_o discreet_a and_o prudent_a knowledge_n give_v a_o occasion_n to_o those_o unfavourable_a judgement_n which_o the_o world_n pass_v upon_o piety_n such_o people_n think_v that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o devout_a person_n never_o to_o be_v see_v but_o in_o a_o austere_a appearance_n and_o with_o a_o deject_a look_n they_o be_v continual_o censure_v and_o never_o please_v their_o zeal_n be_v either_o superstitious_a scrupulous_a or_o ignorant_a sharp_a or_o unseasonable_a and_o so_o it_o be_v extreme_o apt_a to_o alienate_v man_n mind_n from_o devotion_n and_o piety_n four_o some_o divine_n and_o moralist_n confirm_v this_o prejudice_n by_o their_o way_n of_o recommend_v the_o practice_n of_o piety_n both_o in_o their_o public_a discourse_n and_o in_o their_o â—ooks_n religion_n and_o its_o duty_n be_v ofâ—en_o propose_v to_o the_o people_n from_o the_o pulpit_n in_o such_o a_o severe_a and_o frightful_a manner_n â—s_a be_v not_o very_o fit_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v lovely_a â—o_o man_n who_o for_o the_o most_o part_n have_v already_o a_o prejudice_n against_o it_o we_o find_v too_o rigid_a a_o morality_n and_o several_a strain_a maxim_n in_o many_o sermon_n and_o book_n of_o devotion_n and_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v of_o some_o â—â—se_n to_o give_v here_o some_o instance_n of_o this_o â—ind_n when_o worldly-minded_n man_n be_v tell_v â—hat_n salvation_n be_v a_o most_o difficult_a thing_n â—nd_v that_o whoever_o will_v obtain_v it_o aught_o to_o â—pend_v his_o life_n in_o perpetual_a mourning_n this_o be_v no_o great_a attractive_a to_o gain_v they_o â—o_o the_o love_n of_o religion_n such_o maxim_n may_v be_v true_a in_o some_o respect_n but_o they_o be_v false_a and_o extravagant_a when_o they_o be_v propose_v without_o distinction_n or_o explication_n by_o the_o description_n which_o be_v sometime_o make_v of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o devotion_n one_o will_v think_v that_o a_o man_n can_v live_v like_o a_o christian_a without_o lay_v aside_o all_o secular_a concern_v and_o business_n and_o give_v up_o himself_o to_o solitude_n and_o retirement_n now_o this_o be_v what_o few_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o beside_o it_o be_v against_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n which_o have_v place_v we_o in_o the_o world_n to_o live_v and_o labour_v in_o it_o and_o to_o enjoy_v the_o good_a thing_n which_o the_o divine_a liberality_n have_v provide_v for_o we_o that_o which_o be_v assert_v by_o some_o moralist_n concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o their_o zeal_n for_o his_o glory_n suppose_v that_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o think_v actual_o upon_o god_n at_o all_o time_n and_o to_o have_v a_o positive_a intention_n to_o promote_v his_o glory_n in_o all_o the_o action_n of_o their_o life_n but_o such_o morality_n to_o say_v no_o more_o be_v absurd_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v reduce_v to_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o have_v god_n always_o in_o his_o thought_n and_o to_o make_v pious_a reflection_n upon_o every_o step_n he_o take_v or_o every_o word_n he_o speak_v and_o there_o be_v such_o action_n in_o life_n which_o can_v without_o profanation_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n by_o a_o direct_a intention_n st._n paul_n indeed_o enjoin_v we_o 31._o we_o 1_o cor._n x._o 31._o to_o do_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o this_o rule_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o utmost_a strictness_n nor_o extend_v to_o all_o particular_a action_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v a_o sincere_a and_o general_a intention_n to_o procure_v god_n glory_n and_o to_o do_v one_o duty_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o order_n to_o which_o these_o four_o thing_n be_v necessary_a 1._o that_o we_o shall_v not_o fail_v to_o think_v of_o god_n actual_o in_o all_o those_o action_n that_o require_v it_o 2._o that_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o present_a state_n we_o be_v in_o we_o can_v think_v on_o god_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o our_o action_n we_o shall_v at_o least_o think_v often_o upon_o he_o and_o make_v frequent_a reflection_n upon_o our_o own_o conduct_n 3._o that_o in_o indifferent_a action_n we_o shall_v not_o abuse_v our_o liberty_n but_o demean_v ourselves_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n which_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v and_o that_o we_o shall_v especial_o have_v a_o great_a regard_n to_o the_o edification_n of_o our_o neighbour_n it_o be_v particular_o in_o that_o sense_n that_o this_o commandment_n of_o do_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v 4._o that_o we_o shall_v love_v god_n above_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v our_o chief_a care_n and_o endeavour_n to_o obey_v he_o and_o to_o advance_v his_o glory_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o power_n how_o many_o scruple_n have_v be_v infuse_v into_o man_n mind_n by_o strain_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o declaration_n of_o our_o saviour_n 36._o saviour_n mat._n xii_o 36._o man_n shall_v give_v a_o account_n at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n of_o every_o idle_a word_n that_o they_o shall_v speak_v what_o inference_n have_v not_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o place_n to_o fill_v good_a man_n with_o dread_n and_o terror_n it_o be_v expound_v as_o if_o all_o discourse_n which_o neither_o contribute_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n nor_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o our_o neighbour_n nor_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o our_o own_o salvation_n be_v those_o idle_a word_n of_o which_o man_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o word_n pure_o idle_a be_v always_o sinful_a or_o that_o they_o deserve_v the_o severe_a threaten_n which_o our_o saviour_n denounce_v here_o we_o can_v forbear_v talk_v every_o day_n of_o many_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o hold_v several_a discourse_n which_o do_v neither_o good_a nor_o harm_n indeed_o if_o this_o shall_v grow_v into_o a_o habit_n if_o we_o shall_v for_o the_o most_o part_n speak_v only_o of_o trifle_v and_o frivolous_a thing_n it_o will_v be_v a_o sin_n but_o i_o do_v not_o apprehend_v what_o hurt_n there_o can_v be_v in_o talk_v now_o and_o then_o of_o news_n of_o rain_n or_o of_o the_o wether_n certain_o these_o be_v not_o the_o word_n which_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o declaration_n the_o place_n where_o we_o find_v it_o and_o the_o term_n in_o which_o it_o be_v conceive_v do_v manifest_o show_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n to_o be_v this_o that_o man_n shall_v give_v a_o account_n at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n of_o all_o the_o wicked_a and_o impious_a word_n which_o they_o have_v speak_v and_o that_o the_o pharisee_n particular_o shall_v be_v answerable_a to_o god_n for_o the_o blasphemy_n which_o they_o utter_v against_o his_o miracle_n these_o strain_a maxim_n produce_v very_o pernicious_a effect_n they_o expose_v piety_n to_o the_o flout_n and_o contempt_n of_o libertine_n and_o they_o discourage_v great_a number_n from_o it_o young_a people_n especial_o be_v by_o this_o mean_v disgu_v with_o religion_n and_o they_o take_v up_o a_o aversion_n to_o it_o which_o they_o seldom_o shake_v off_o afterward_o they_o accustom_v themselves_o in_o that_o age_n which_o be_v so_o sensible_a of_o pleasure_n to_o look_v upon_o piety_n under_o a_o austere_a and_o melancholy_a form_n whilst_o on_o the_o side_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o their_o passion_n they_o see_v nothing_o but_o sweetness_n and_o charm_n between_o these_o two_o object_n one_o of_o which_o be_v so_o entice_a and_o the_o other_o so_o disgustful_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v which_o side_n they_o will_v choose_v they_o run_v into_o the_o embrace_n
or_o hatred_n piety_n be_v little_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v despise_v and_o it_o be_v hate_v and_o these_o be_v the_o three_o principal_a cause_n of_o vicious_a shame_n 1._o piety_n be_v little_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n few_o people_n love_n or_o practice_v it_o now_o a_o man_n be_v very_o incline_v to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v common_o do_v he_o think_v it_o be_v safe_a and_o most_o honourable_a to_o side_n with_o the_o multitude_n he_o be_v afraid_a of_o make_v himself_o ridiculous_a by_o be_v singular_a it_o be_v a_o maxim_n general_o receive_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o comply_v with_o custom_n and_o to_o do_v as_o other_o do_v the_o reason_n then_o why_o many_o have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o be_v on_o the_o side_n of_o religion_n be_v because_o that_o side_n be_v desert_v and_o abandon_v 2._o piety_n be_v often_o despise_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o mean_a and_o disgraceful_a thing_n the_o strictness_n of_o a_o man_n who_o act_v upon_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o conscience_n be_v impute_v to_o weakness_n of_o mind_n singularity_n of_o humour_n or_o caprice_n and_o sometime_o to_o hypocrisy_n and_o pride_n those_o who_o profess_v devotion_n and_o piety_n be_v turn_v into_o ridicule_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v think_v honourable_a to_o comply_v in_o every_o thing_n with_o the_o way_n and_o fashion_n of_o the_o age._n though_o these_o sentiment_n be_v very_o unjust_a yet_o they_o make_v a_o great_a impression_n because_o few_o people_n have_v firmness_n enough_o to_o slight_v the_o judgement_n and_o contempt_n of_o men._n we_o have_v natural_o a_o quick_a sense_n of_o honour_n and_o nothing_o be_v so_o unsupportable_a to_o self-love_n as_o contempt_n so_o that_o this_o temptation_n be_v dangerous_a and_o it_o easy_o produce_v in_o a_o man_n a_o false_a shame_n which_o divert_v he_o from_o religion_n 3._o piety_n do_v likewise_o procure_v the_o hatred_n of_o the_o world_n because_o a_o good_a life_n accuse_v condemn_v and_o reproach_n those_o who_o live_v ill_o beside_o religion_n oblige_v we_o sometime_o to_o do_v thing_n which_o displease_v and_o offend_v men._n how_o cautious_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v it_o be_v much_o if_o upon_o many_o occasion_n it_o do_v not_o stir_v up_o their_o jealousy_n their_o hatred_n or_o their_o spleen_n a_o good_a man_n be_v often_o bind_v to_o refuse_v what_o be_v desire_v of_o he_o he_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o maxim_n of_o that_o mean_a and_o fawn_a complaisance_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o get_v every_o body_n love_n many_o for_o this_o reason_n neglect_v piety_n they_o dare_v not_o let_v shine_v a_o light_n which_o discover_v the_o weakness_n and_o error_n of_o other_o and_o fear_v and_o shame_n together_o make_v they_o think_v that_o it_o will_v be_v ill-breeding_a as_o well_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o imprudence_n to_o follow_v a_o course_n of_o life_n which_o may_v render_v they_o odious_a from_o these_o consideration_n it_o appear_v already_o that_o this_o shame_n be_v one_o of_o the_o general_a fountain_n of_o corruption_n and_o that_o it_o can_v produce_v none_o but_o very_o ill_a effect_n first_o upon_o those_o in_o who_o it_o be_v and_o next_o upon_o other_o men._n 1._o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o vicious_a shame_n be_v to_o dissuade_v a_o man_n from_o his_o duty_n and_o to_o draw_v he_o into_o sin_n it_o make_v his_o knowledge_n useless_a it_o frustrate_v the_o warning_n which_o his_o conscience_n give_v he_o and_o so_o it_o extinguish_v in_o he_o the_o principle_n of_o virtue_n those_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o this_o shame_n dare_v neither_o speak_v nor_o act_n as_o they_o ought_v they_o dissemble_v their_o true_a sentiment_n they_o offer_v violence_n to_o their_o conscience_n they_o have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n or_o to_o reprove_v their_o neighbour_n when_o occasion_n require_v they_o be_v loath_a to_o confess_v or_o to_o amend_v their_o fault_n in_o a_o word_n they_o frequent_o neglect_v the_o most_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o piety_n and_o charity_n and_o all_o this_o because_o they_o be_v check_v by_o a_o false_a shame_n but_o if_o this_o shame_n hinder_v we_o to_o do_v good_a it_o do_v as_o forcible_o prompt_v we_o to_o evil_a as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n think_v it_o a_o disgrace_n to_o do_v good_a and_o to_o distinguish_v himself_o by_o a_o christian_a deportment_n he_o present_o conceive_v likewise_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o shame_n to_o he_o not_o to_o imitate_v the_o irregularity_n of_o other_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o applaud_v sin_n that_o we_o be_v carry_v away_o by_o the_o solicitation_n or_o example_n of_o person_n of_o authority_n that_o we_o can_v withstand_v the_o entreaty_n of_o friend_n that_o we_o engage_v in_o unjust_a erterprise_n or_o criminal_a diversion_n and_o that_o we_o fall_v into_o many_o other_o wicked_a practice_n a_o very_a little_a reflection_n upon_o ourselves_o will_v easy_o convince_v we_o that_o shame_n produce_v all_o these_o effect_n a_o heathen_a author_n plutarch_n author_n plutarch_n have_v prove_v long_o ago_o in_o a_o excellent_a tract_n that_o false_a modesty_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a obstacle_n to_o virtue_n and_o that_o man_n commit_v many_o fault_n and_o bring_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n upon_o themselves_o only_o because_o they_o dare_v not_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o other_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o shame_n be_v not_o less_o fatal_a in_o respect_n of_o other_o men._n as_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o regard_n we_o bear_v to_o their_o judgement_n so_o it_o usual_o show_v itself_o in_o their_o company_n so_o that_o we_o can_v but_o scandalize_v and_o corrupt_v they_o when_o we_o govern_v ourselves_o by_o the_o suggestion_n of_o this_o false_a shame_n for_o not_o to_o mention_v here_o the_o scandal_n which_o this_o give_v to_o good_a man_n those_o very_a person_n for_o who_o sake_n we_o use_v such_o sinful_a compliance_n and_o who_o despise_v religion_n conceive_v yet_o a_o great_a contempt_n of_o it_o when_o they_o see_v that_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o support_v its_o interest_n be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o and_o dare_v not_o open_o profess_v it_o they_o judge_v that_o piety_n must_v be_v indeed_o a_o very_a mean_a and_o contemptible_a thing_n and_o when_o they_o observe_v that_o man_n be_v afraid_a to_o displease_v they_o they_o take_v such_o a_o ascendent_n over_o they_o that_o virtue_n dare_v no_o more_o appear_v in_o their_o presence_n beside_o that_o such_o a_o indulgence_n towards_o vice_n give_v a_o new_a force_n to_o it_o if_o vicious_a man_n be_v not_o reprove_v it_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o ill_a habit_n if_o they_o be_v imitate_v they_o be_v authorize_v if_o we_o be_v ashamed_a to_o confess_v our_o fault_n before_o they_o we_o do_v not_o heal_v the_o scandal_n which_o we_o have_v give_v they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o great_a for_o have_v be_v occasion_v by_o man_n who_o be_v think_v pious_a and_o not_o by_o libertine_n but_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o more_o sensible_a of_o the_o pernicious_a effect_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o shame_n we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o remarkable_a in_o this_o matter_n 1._o shame_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o have_v a_o absolute_a power_n over_o a_o man._n other_o passion_n may_v more_o easy_o be_v resist_v but_o when_o shame_n have_v gain_v a_o ascendent_n over_o the_o mind_n it_o be_v extreme_a hard_o to_o be_v conquer_v especial_o if_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o regard_n we_o have_v for_o man_n for_o when_o it_o arise_v from_o a_o natural_a disposition_n it_o may_v soon_o be_v overcome_v the_o great_a threat_n and_o promise_n will_v not_o sometime_o shame_v a_o man_n who_o will_v present_o yield_v if_o shame_n can_v be_v excite_v within_o he_o how_o often_o do_v we_o find_v the_o most_o vigorous_a effort_n we_o can_v make_v upon_o ourselves_o and_o our_o best_a resolution_n quite_o dash_v by_o a_o silly_a bashfulness_n a_o jest_n a_o bare_a look_v or_o a_o slight_a apprehension_n of_o be_v think_v ridiculous_a or_o a_o bigot_n be_v sometime_o enough_o to_o confound_v we_o and_o to_o make_v all_o our_o good_a purpose_n vanish_v 2._o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o shame_n we_o speak_v of_o here_o restrain_v those_o person_n who_o in_o their_o heart_n be_v incline_v to_o virtue_n those_o who_o live_v in_o a_o profound_a ignorance_n or_o in_o a_o total_a obduration_n be_v not_o susceptible_a of_o this_o shame_n it_o suppose_v as_o have_v be_v say_v some_o remainder_n of_o conscience_n and_o knowledge_n solicit_v man_n to_o his_o duty_n but_o it_o overcome_v that_o knowledge_n and_o those_o good_a sentiment_n we_o be_v to_o impute_v to_o this_o vicious_a shame_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o good_a man_n and_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o article_n
be_v think_v mean_a and_o disgraceful_a it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o they_o to_o correct_v the_o notion_n which_o man_n common_o have_v of_o religion_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o shall_v love_v and_o honour_v it_o other_o man_n will_v no_o long_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o but_o will_v place_v their_o glory_n in_o practise_v it_o this_o i_o be_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n cause_n vi_o the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o illusion_n be_v more_o ordinary_a or_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o support_n of_o vice_n in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o which_o i_o design_v to_o attack_v in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o be_v the_o delay_v repentance_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v that_o man_n be_v so_o blind_a and_o so_o harden_v as_o never_o to_o think_v of_o their_o salvation_n there_o be_v few_o who_o have_v not_o a_o general_a intention_n to_o obtain_v it_o even_o â—mong_a those_o who_o live_v ill_a many_o be_v convince_v that_o conversion_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o then_o they_o do_v notrepent_v i_o answer_v that_o so_o unreasonable_a a_o proceed_v which_o seem_v so_o contradictory_n to_o itself_o aught_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o hope_n they_o entertain_v of_o clear_v all_o score_n one_o day_n by_o repentance_n and_o of_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n through_o the_o divine_a mercy_n this_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v that_o deceitful_a hope_n which_o frustrate_v all_o the_o endeavour_n that_o be_v use_v to_o make_v man_n for_o sake_n their_o vicious_a habit_n the_o delay_n of_o conversion_n ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o bad_a life_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o this_o subject_a have_v make_v i_o resolve_v to_o bestow_v a_o particular_a chapter_n upon_o it_o now_o to_o handle_v this_o matter_n right_a we_o be_v to_o observe_v two_o different_a way_n of_o put_v off_o conversion_n for_o all_o man_n do_v not_o delay_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o disposition_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v in_o they_o all_o some_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o remote_a time_n and_o to_o the_o very_a end_n of_o their_o life_n other_o do_v not_o adjourn_v it_o so_o long_o they_o design_v to_o go_v about_o it_o a_o good_a while_n before_o death_n at_o least_o they_o hope_v so_o and_o they_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o undetermined_a time_n the_o first_o sin_n proper_o in_o hope_n of_o pardon_n but_o the_o other_o sin_n in_o hope_n of_o repentance_n the_o former_a deceive_v themselves_o more_o gross_o they_o think_v that_o in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o beg_v for_o mercy_n and_o to_o repent_v though_o never_o so_o late_o the_o illusion_n of_o the_o other_o be_v more_o subtle_a they_o conceive_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o reform_v and_o to_o forsake_v sin_n but_o for_o all_o that_o they_o do_v not_o convert_v themselves_o though_o these_o two_o way_n of_o delay_v have_v a_o affinity_n with_o one_o another_o and_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v encounter_v with_o the_o same_o argument_n yet_o i_o shall_v consider_v they_o here_o separately_z man_n common_o entertain_v this_o opinion_n that_o if_o they_o do_v but_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n their_o sin_n will_v be_v no_o hindrance_n to_o their_o salvation_n they_o allot_v for_o this_o repentance_n the_o approach_n of_o death_n old-age_n or_o the_o time_n of_o sickness_n and_o they_o suppose_v that_o then_o they_o shall_v fit_v themselves_o for_o a_o christian_a death_n by_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n it_o be_v not_o i_o think_v needful_a to_o prove_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v very_o common_a for_o who_o can_v deny_v it_o neither_o will_v i_o go_v about_o to_o show_v that_o it_o feed_v corruption_n and_o encourage_v security_n by_o propose_v to_o man_n such_o a_o method_n of_o salvation_n as_o leave_v they_o at_o liberty_n to_o live_v still_o in_o sin_n for_o that_o be_v self-evident_a it_o be_v more_o important_a to_o let_v man_n see_v how_o false_a and_o dangerous_a a_o imagination_n that_o be_v which_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o so_o they_o repent_v before_o death_n they_o shall_v avoid_v damnation_n and_o be_v save_v in_o order_n to_o this_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o discover_v the_o principle_n they_o act_n upon_o and_o to_o unfold_v the_o true_a sentiment_n of_o their_o heart_n the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n include_v two_o different_a motion_n the_o one_o carry_v a_o man_n towards_o salvation_n and_o the_o other_o towards_o sin_n on_o the_o one_o have_v man_n be_v neither_o such_o a_o enemy_n to_o himself_o as_o to_o be_v altogether_o unconcern_v about_o his_o salvation_n nor_o so_o as_o blind_v not_o to_o perceive_v that_o repentance_n be_v necessary_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o his_o lust_n that_o he_o can_v resolve_v to_o renounce_v they_o in_o perplexity_n self-love_n find_v he_o out_o a_o expedient_a by_o which_o he_o thing_n to_o reconcile_v with_o his_o appetite_n the_o care_n of_o his_o salvation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o if_o he_o sin_v yet_o he_o intend_v to_o repent_v but_o here_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o man_n put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o himself_o and_o that_o such_o sentiment_n proceed_v only_o from_o self-love_n and_o from_o a_o strong_a affection_n to_o sin_n nothing_o else_o but_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o die_v and_o of_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n oblige_v he_o to_o destin_a the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n to_o act_n of_o repentance_n for_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o virtue_n have_v any_o share_n in_o this_o conduct_n be_v it_o any_o love_n or_o regard_n to_o god_n that_o make_v a_o man_n desire_v he_o in_o his_o last_o extremity_n and_o when_o he_o can_v enjoy_v the_o world_n no_o long_o this_o show_v that_o a_o man_n think_v of_o god_n only_o because_o he_o expect_v salvation_n at_o his_o hand_n which_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o he_o as_o with_o a_o enemy_n to_o who_o we_o surrender_v ourselves_o as_o late_a and_o upon_o as_o good_a term_n as_o we_o can_v and_o only_o that_o we_o may_v not_o perish_v such_o a_o delay_n include_v a_o positive_a resolution_n to_o offend_v god_n and_o to_o gratify_v one_o passion_n at_o least_o for_o the_o present_a he_o that_o think_v to_o repent_v hereafter_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o repent_v now_o he_o allot_v the_o present_a time_n for_o the_o satisfy_n of_o his_o lust_n and_o for_o the_o commit_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o future_a repentance_n this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v fix_v and_o certain_a in_o his_o resolution_n for_o as_o to_o what_o he_o promise_v for_o the_o future_a it_o be_v most_o uncertain_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o thing_n right_a he_o promise_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o die_v very_o soon_o nor_o what_o he_o shall_v do_v in_o case_n he_o live_v sometime_o long_o the_o hazard_n to_o which_o a_o man_n expose_v himself_o by_o this_o delay_n be_v evident_a in_o order_n to_o a_o complete_a repentance_n two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a the_o first_o be_v to_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v the_o second_o be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o time_n and_o opportunity_n those_o who_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o last_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v these_o two_o advantage_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v extreme_o uncertain_a and_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o they_o 1._o no_o man_n can_v promise_v himself_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v true_a in_o fact_n that_o more_o than_o one_o half_n of_o mankind_n die_v without_o have_v time_n to_o prepare_v for_o death_n if_o we_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o who_o be_v snatch_v away_o in_o a_o instant_a by_o unforeseen_a accident_n or_o a_o sudden_a death_n all_o those_o who_o perish_v in_o war_n all_o those_o who_o be_v seize_v with_o distemper_n which_o take_v away_o their_o sense_n all_o those_o who_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n do_v not_o move_v to_o repentance_n because_o they_o do_v not_o apprehend_v themselves_o in_o any_o danger_n of_o die_v and_o if_o we_o add_v to_o these_o those_o who_o only_a preparation_n be_v to_o have_v a_o minister_n to_o pray_v by_o their_o bedside_n when_o they_o can_v hardly_o hear_v a_o few_o word_n of_o
who_o can_v tell_v whether_o his_o conversion_n be_v not_o begin_v either_o before_o he_o be_v take_v or_o in_o the_o prison_n where_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o be_v keep_v for_o some_o time_n before_o the_o feast_n of_o passover_n over_o but_o if_o his_o conversion_n must_v needs_o be_v sudden_a and_o wrought_v only_o a_o few_o minute_n before_o his_o death_n if_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n ascribe_v it_o to_o a_o miraculous_a inspiration_n and_o to_o those_o singular_a circumstance_n which_o he_o then_o happen_v to_o be_v in_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o this_o instance_n since_o no_o man_n live_a can_v assure_v himself_o that_o any_o such_o thing_n will_v befall_v he_o but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v we_o shall_v i_o think_v observe_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o state_n of_o this_o thief_n and_o that_o of_o a_o christian_a this_o poor_a wretch_n have_v not_o be_v call_v before_o as_o christian_n be_v he_o have_v never_o know_v our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o he_o have_v not_o profess_v his_o religion_n he_o have_v not_o have_v that_o ilumination_n and_o those_o opportunity_n which_o grace_n offer_v every_o day_n to_o those_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o so_o his_o repentance_n though_o it_o come_v late_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v as_o effectual_a to_o salvation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o heathen_n who_o embrace_v christianity_n in_o their_o ripe_a year_n and_o who_o happen_v to_o die_v immediate_o after_o baptism_n i_o shall_v say_v a_o word_n or_o two_o upon_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o labourer_n where_o we_o read_v xx._n read_v mat._n xx._n that_o those_o who_o go_v to_o work_v in_o the_o vineyard_n only_o a_o hour_n before_o sunset_n receive_v the_o same_o wage_n with_o those_o who_o have_v be_v at_o work_n ever_o since_o the_o morning_n from_o this_o sinner_n imagine_v it_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o a_o invincible_a argument_n that_o those_o who_o repent_v but_o a_o little_a before_o death_n will_v obtain_v the_o same_o reward_n with_o those_o whole_a life_n have_v be_v regular_a but_o this_o be_v not_o our_o saviour_n meaning_n in_o that_o parable_n it_o signify_v only_o that_o those_o who_o god_n shall_v call_v last_o and_o who_o shall_v answer_v his_o call_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o those_o who_o have_v be_v call_v to_o it_o before_o and_o that_o the_o heathen_n shall_v share_v in_o the_o same_o privilege_n with_o the_o jew_n though_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n a_o great_a while_n before_o the_o heathen_n this_o our_o saviour_n declare_v in_o these_o word_n which_o conclude_v the_o parable_n so_o the_o last_o shall_v be_v first_o and_o the_o first_o last_n here_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o those_o christian_n who_o delay_n their_o conversion_n they_o be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o case_n with_o the_o labourer_n who_o be_v send_v but_o late_o into_o the_o vineyard_n those_o labourer_n go_v no_o soon_o because_o no_o man_n have_v hire_v they_o but_o they_o go_v as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v send_v i_o say_v christian_n be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n since_o they_o have_v be_v call_v in_o the_o morning_n and_o at_o all_o the_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n be_v bear_v and_o have_v always_o live_v in_o the_o church_n i_o have_v be_v somewhat_o large_a in_o show_v how_o unreasonable_a and_o dangerous_a the_o proceed_v of_o those_o man_n be_v who_o pretend_v to_o repent_v only_o at_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n but_o all_o those_o who_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n do_v not_o put_v it_o off_o so_o far_o there_o be_v many_o who_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o stay_v till_o the_o extremity_n and_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o repent_v betimes_o they_o propose_v to_o go_v about_o it_o in_o a_o little_a time_n and_o they_o hope_v that_o they_o shall_v repent_v soon_o enough_o not_o to_o be_v surprise_v by_o death_n under_o a_o total_a harden_v but_o in_o the_o mean_a while_o they_o do_v nothing_o towards_o their_o conversion_n this_o way_n of_o delay_v be_v a_o illusion_n which_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o gross_a and_o dangerous_a as_o the_o former_a because_o it_o suppose_v some_o inclination_n to_o good_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o artifice_n of_o the_o heart_n a_o trick_n of_o self-love_n by_o which_o a_o man_n deceive_v and_o blind_v himself_o nay_o in_o some_o respect_n the_o state_n of_o these_o last_o be_v more_o criminal_a and_o dangerous_a than_o that_o of_o the_o first_o it_o be_v more_o criminal_a because_o they_o do_v not_o what_o they_o approve_v of_o and_o because_o they_o sin_n against_o the_o constant_a admonition_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o do_v not_o perform_v their_o resolution_n and_o their_o promise_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o more_o dangerous_a for_o with_o this_o intention_n to_o repent_v in_o a_o little_a time_n they_o think_v themselves_o much_o better_a than_o those_o who_o be_v resolve_v to_o repent_v only_o upon_o their_o deathbed_n they_o applaud_v themselves_o for_o such_o a_o sense_n of_o piety_n as_o they_o have_v and_o they_o judge_v that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o quite_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n at_o least_o they_o be_v not_o far_o from_o it_o now_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o such_o a_o opinion_n of_o themselves_o can_v only_o lay_v their_o conscience_n asleep_a and_o inspire_v they_o with_o presumption_n and_o security_n but_o all_o thing_n consider_v they_o go_v no_o far_o with_o these_o good_a disposition_n than_o those_o who_o without_o shuffle_n refer_v the_o whole_a matter_n to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n all_o the_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o latter_a do_v all_o at_o once_o what_o the_o other_o do_v successive_o and_o therefore_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v in_o this_o chapter_n may_v almost_o whole_o be_v apply_v to_o these_o last_o they_o run_v the_o same_o risk_n with_o those_o who_o design_n to_o repent_v only_o upon_o extremity_n since_o death_n may_v surprise_v they_o before_o they_o have_v execute_v their_o good_a resolution_n they_o have_v as_o little_a love_n for_o god_n and_o be_v as_o much_o addict_v to_o their_o lust_n that_o which_o deceive_v they_o be_v that_o they_o fancy_n that_o there_o be_v in_o they_o a_o sincere_a purpose_n of_o conversion_n but_o if_o this_o intention_n be_v sincere_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o do_v not_o repent_v when_o a_o man_n be_v resolve_v upon_o a_o thing_n when_o his_o heart_n be_v in_o it_o when_o he_o desire_v it_o in_o good_a earnest_n he_o go_v about_o it_o without_o lose_a time_n but_o when_o a_o man_n use_v delay_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o he_o be_v not_o well_o resolve_v yet_o a_o resolution_n which_o no_o effect_n follow_v be_v not_o a_o fix_a and_o settle_a resolution_n this_o purpose_n of_o conversion_n be_v therefore_o but_o one_o of_o those_o waver_a design_n and_o project_n which_o be_v form_v every_o day_n but_o never_o accomplish_v it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o general_n and_o unactive_a intention_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v find_v in_o all_o men._n but_o other_o sort_n of_o purpose_n be_v necessary_a for_o a_o man_n who_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v salvation_n be_v not_o obtain_v by_o bare_a design_n and_o project_n but_o by_o the_o actual_a practice_n of_o holiness_n now_o man_n may_v easy_o be_v undeceive_v and_o convince_v themselves_o of_o the_o un-sincerity_n of_o all_o those_o resolution_n they_o make_v in_o relation_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o do_v but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o time_n past_a and_o ask_v themselves_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o be_v very_o near_o in_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o resolution_n for_o some_o year_n together_o and_o yet_o these_o sentiment_n have_v produce_v nothing_o and_o those_o resolution_n have_v make_v no_o change_n in_o they_o they_o be_v still_o in_o the_o same_o state_n and_o perhaps_o far_o from_o conversion_n than_o ever_o must_v not_o man_n blindfold_v themselves_o when_o they_o do_v not_o see_v that_o it_o will_v still_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o the_o future_a and_o that_o life_n will_v slip_v away_o in_o perpetual_a delay_n for_o what_o can_v they_o promise_v to_o themselves_o from_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o what_o ground_n have_v they_o to_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v like_o the_o time_n past_a be_v they_o more_o firm_o resolve_v than_o they_o be_v before_o when_o will_v this_o resolution_n be_v put_v in_o practice_n will_v it_o be_v in_o a_o month_n or_o in_o a_o year_n they_o must_v confess_v they_o do_v not_o know_v when_o it_o will_v be_v so_o that_o when_o they_o promise_v to_o repent_v they_o do_v not_o know_v what_o they_o promise_v nay_o they_o can_v tell_v whether_o they_o promise_v any_o
thing_n they_o will_v say_v perhaps_o that_o they_o hope_v to_o confirm_v themselves_o in_o a_o good_a purpose_n but_o what_o do_v they_o find_v this_o hope_n upon_o what_o do_v they_o wait_v for_o and_o what_o new_a thing_n do_v the_o imagine_v will_v happen_v to_o they_o have_v they_o any_o assurance_n that_o god_n will_v use_v for_o their_o conversion_n other_o mean_n and_o motive_n than_o those_o which_o he_o have_v use_v already_o nay_o how_o do_v they_o know_v but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o those_o mean_n and_o help_v which_o hitherto_o have_v be_v tender_v they_o how_o can_v they_o tell_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o time_n to_o come_v for_o they_o and_o whether_o their_o life_n be_v not_o just_o ready_a to_o end_v all_o this_o be_v very_o uncertain_a but_o what_o be_v certain_o true_a be_v this_o that_o through_o so_o many_o procrastination_n their_o heart_n grow_v hard_a and_o their_o return_n to_o virtue_n become_v more_o difficult_a the_o love_n of_o sin_n increase_v by_o the_o habit_n of_o sin_v and_o the_o mean_v appoint_v to_o work_v repentance_n lose_v something_o of_o their_o force_n every_o day_n these_o consideration_n do_v evident_o show_v that_o the_o defer_v of_o conversion_n be_v a_o error_n as_o gross_a as_o it_o be_v dangerous_a i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v useless_a to_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n with_o observe_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o so_o many_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n be_v because_o they_o look_v upon_o repentance_n as_o a_o austere_a and_o melancholy_a duty_n and_o this_o notion_n must_v needs_o put_v they_o upon_o defer_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o it_o be_v therefore_o of_o the_o great_a moment_n to_o destroy_v that_o prejudice_n and_o to_o show_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a condition_n it_o be_v that_o of_o a_o man_n who_o live_v in_o sin_n for_o that_o be_v either_o a_o state_n of_o fear_n and_o uncertainty_n or_o of_o security_n and_o insensibility_n such_o a_o man_n can_v have_v no_o solid_a peace_n of_o conscience_n during_o his_o life_n and_o what_o agitation_n must_v he_o fall_v into_o when_o the_o thought_n of_o death_n and_o of_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v happen_v to_o make_v some_o lively_a impression_n upon_o his_o mind_n for_o grant_v that_o then_o he_o may_v use_v some_o endeavour_n to_o dispose_v himself_o to_o repentance_n yet_o beside_o the_o danger_n of_o a_o late_a repentance_n it_o be_v a_o sad_a thing_n to_o end_v one_o life_n in_o those_o struggle_v and_o terror_n which_o must_v needs_o accompany_v such_o a_o repentance_n a_o man_n who_o delay_v his_o conversion_n prolong_v his_o misery_n and_o make_v it_o great_a and_o more_o incurable_a but_o joy_n and_o tranquillity_n be_v the_o portion_n of_o a_o pure_a conscience_n there_o be_v no_o felicity_n or_o contentment_n like_o that_o of_o a_o soul_n which_o be_v free_v from_o the_o bondage_n of_o sin_n repentance_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o grow_v sweet_a and_o more_o perfect_a according_a to_o the_o progress_n we_o make_v in_o virtue_n then_o it_o be_v that_o a_o man_n be_v happy_a in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o life_n beside_o that_o he_o have_v the_o comfort_n of_o be_v support_v at_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n with_o that_o peace_n and_o joy_n which_o flow_v from_o a_o well_o ground_a confidence_n in_o the_o divine_a mercy_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o from_o a_o steady_a hope_n of_o immortality_n cause_n vii_o man_n sloth_n and_o negligence_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v natural_a and_o ordinary_a to_o man_n to_o be_v unconcern_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o know_v or_o of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o apprehend_v the_o use_n and_o necessity_n and_o so_o we_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o man_n live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o be_v possess_v with_o those_o notion_n i_o have_v now_o confute_v must_v needs_o be_v very_o negligent_a and_o slothful_a in_o what_o relate_v to_o religion_n but_o as_o this_o sloth_n consider_v in_o itself_o be_v a_o visible_a cause_n of_o corruption_n so_o it_o will_v be_v fit_v to_o take_v particular_a notice_n of_o it_o in_o this_o chapter_n i_o suppose_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o attain_v the_o end_n which_o religion_n propose_v to_o he_o without_o use_v the_o proper_a mean_n which_o lead_v to_o that_o end_n in_o religious_a as_o well_o as_o in_o worldly_a concern_v nothing_o be_v to_o be_v have_v without_o labour_n and_o care_n as_o there_o be_v mean_v appoint_v for_o preserve_v the_o life_n of_o the_o body_n so_o there_o be_v some_o ordain_v for_o maintain_v the_o life_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o last_o mean_n be_v of_o the_o two_o the_o more_o necessary_a because_o there_o be_v more_o care_n and_o forecast_v requisite_a in_o order_n to_o salvation_n about_o preserve_v the_o life_n of_o die_v soul_n than_o for_o support_v that_o of_o the_o body_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o more_o excellent_a any_o thing_n be_v the_o more_o it_o require_v our_o care_n but_o beside_o that_o we_o see_v the_o life_n of_o the_o body_n be_v easy_o preserve_v a_o natural_a inclination_n prompt_v we_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o our_o subsistence_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o supply_v our_o bodily_a want_n offer_v themselves_o to_o we_o as_o it_o be_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o the_o spiritual_a life_n consider_v our_o proneness_n to_o evil_a and_o the_o present_a state_n we_o be_v in_o we_o can_v avoid_v be_v undo_v if_o we_o neglect_v the_o necessary_a care_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o if_o we_o follow_v all_o the_o bents_z and_o propension_n of_o our_o nature_n religion_n oblige_v we_o upon_o many_o occasion_n to_o resist_v our_o inclination_n and_o to_o offer_v violence_n to_o ourselves_o it_o require_v self-denial_n watchfulness_n and_o labour_n it_o lay_v many_o duty_n upon_o we_o and_o it_o prescribe_v divers_a mean_n without_o the_o use_n of_o which_o we_o can_v but_o continue_v still_o in_o corruption_n and_o death_n i_o shall_v then_o but_o just_a name_n the_o chief_a of_o those_o duty_n and_o mean_n before_o all_o thing_n a_o christian_n ought_v to_o be_v instruct_v he_o ought_v to_o know_v with_o some_o exactness_n both_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o christianity_n now_o this_o knowledge_n can_v be_v acquire_v without_o hear_v read_v meditation_n or_o some_o other_o care_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o religion_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o bare_a knowledge_n but_o chief_o in_o practice_n none_o of_o those_o mean_n shall_v be_v neglect_v which_o be_v proper_a to_o divert_v man_n from_o vice_n and_o to_o spur_v they_o on_o virtue_n these_o mean_n be_v very_o many_o but_o they_o be_v all_o comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o principal_a head_n the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n and_o the_o circumspection_n which_o every_o person_n ought_v to_o use_v the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n be_v mighty_a help_n to_o piety_n and_o salvation_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o meditation_n read_v and_o particular_o prayer_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o essential_a act_n of_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o one_o of_o the_o most_o efficacious_a mean_n to_o advance_v holiness_n there_o be_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n several_a method_n of_o circumspection_n and_o care_n which_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o foreseeing_a &_o shun_v the_o occasion_n which_o may_v draw_v we_o into_o sin_n the_o seek_v those_o opportunity_n and_o aid_n which_o promote_v piety_n the_o not_o be_v overmuch_o concern_v about_o the_o body_n the_o cherish_v good_a thought_n and_o the_o resist_a evil_a one_o but_o above_o all_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n that_o every_o one_o shall_v endeavour_v thorough_o to_o know_v himself_o which_o he_o can_v do_v but_o by_o examine_v his_o present_a state_n and_o by_o reflect_v serious_o and_o frequent_o upon_o his_o action_n and_o word_n and_o upon_o the_o thought_n and_o motion_n of_o his_o heart_n all_o these_o care_n be_v essential_a and_o necessary_a for_o without_o the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o be_v religious_a and_o pious_a as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o live_v and_o subsist_v with_o out_o nourishment_n a_o man_n who_o will_v neither_o eat_v nor_o drink_v must_v needs_o die_v in_o a_o little_a time_n and_o so_o the_o spiritual_a life_n will_v soon_o be_v extinct_a if_o the_o only_a mean_n which_o can_v support_v it_o be_v not_o use_v let_v we_o see_v now_o whether_o these_o care_n and_o mean_n which_o i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v necessary_a be_v make_v use_n of_o it_o be_v so_o visible_a that_o they_o be_v almost_o total_o neglect_v that_o i_o need_v
not_o be_v very_o large_a upon_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o man_n take_v little_a care_n of_o be_v instruct_v and_o of_o get_v information_n and_o knowledge_n about_o religion_n the_o far_o great_a part_n either_o can_v read_v or_o never_o apply_v themselves_o to_o any_o useful_a instructive_a read_n few_o harken_v to_o the_o instruction_n that_o be_v give_v they_o and_o few_o yet_o examine_v or_o reflect_v upon_o they_o carnal_a lust_n and_o secular_a business_n do_v so_o engross_v they_o that_o they_o seldom_o or_o never_o give_v themselves_o to_o search_v the_o truth_n they_o general_o have_v a_o aversion_n to_o spiritual_a thing_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o will_v rather_o believe_v implicit_o what_o be_v tell_v they_o than_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n of_o inquire_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o not_o and_o they_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o careless_a about_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n many_o will_v think_v it_o a_o punishment_n if_o they_o be_v make_v to_o read_v or_o to_o meditate_v they_o never_o do_v those_o thing_n but_o with_o reluctancy_n and_o as_o seldom_o as_o they_o can_v they_o go_v about_o prayer_n especial_o with_o a_o strange_a indifference_n and_o a_o criminal_a indevotion_n in_o short_a very_o few_o take_v the_o necessary_a care_n to_o preserve_v themselves_o from_o vice_n and_o to_o behave_v themselves_o with_o regularity_n and_o caution_n very_o few_o seek_v the_o opportunity_n of_o do_v good_a and_o avoid_v the_o temptation_n to_o which_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o man_n or_o their_o own_o particular_a circumstance_n expose_v they_o and_o the_o great_a number_n be_v slave_n to_o their_o body_n and_o whole_o take_v up_o with_o earthly_a thing_n one_o of_o the_o most_o sensible_a and_o fatal_a effect_n of_o this_o negligence_n be_v that_o those_o person_n use_v no_o manner_n of_o endeavour_n to_o know_v themselves_o it_o be_v very_o seldom_o if_o ever_o that_o they_o reflect_v upon_o what_o pass_v within_o they_o upon_o their_o thought_n their_o inclination_n the_o motion_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o principle_n they_o act_n upon_o or_o that_o they_o take_v a_o review_n of_o their_o word_n and_o action_n they_o do_v not_o consider_v whether_o they_o have_v within_o they_o the_o character_n of_o good_a man_n or_o of_o wicked_a and_o hypocritical_a person_n in_o a_o word_n almost_o all_o of_o they_o live_v without_o reflection_n man_n carelessness_n about_o religion_n be_v there_o fore_o extreme_o great_a but_o they_o proceed_v otherwise_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n about_o which_o they_o be_v as_o active_a and_o laborious_a as_o they_o be_v lazy_a and_o cold_a in_o reference_n to_o true_a piety_n they_o will_v do_v every_o thing_n for_o their_o body_n and_o nothing_o for_o their_o soul_n they_o spare_v no_o industry_n or_o diligence_n they_o omit_v nothing_o to_o promote_v their_o temporal_a concern_v if_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v by_o their_o conduct_n we_o will_v think_v that_o the_o supreme_a good_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o earthly_a advantage_n and_o that_o salvation_n be_v the_o least_o important_a of_o all_o thing_n i_o need_v not_o say_v what_o effect_n such_o a_o negligence_n must_v produce_v the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n be_v ignorant_a in_o their_o duty_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o themselves_o decline_v the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v and_o without_o which_o he_o declare_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v save_v and_o wear_v out_o their_o life_n in_o this_o ignorance_n and_o sloth_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o they_o can_v have_v any_o religion_n or_o piety_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o general_a corruption_n among_o they_o i_o say_v it_o must_v be_v so_o unless_o god_n shall_v work_v miracle_n or_o rather_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o invert_v the_o order_n and_o the_o law_n which_o he_o have_v establish_v but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o christian_n do_v not_o live_v like_o atheist_n and_o that_o their_o negligence_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o i_o represent_v it_o let_v we_o consider_v a_o little_a what_o sort_n of_o care_n they_o bestow_v upon_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o soul_n certain_o there_o be_v some_o person_n who_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o this_o negligence_n but_o except_v these_o what_o be_v it_o which_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n do_v in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n very_o little_a or_o nothing_o they_o pray_v they_o assist_v sometime_o at_o divine_a service_n and_o at_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o religion_n they_o hear_v sermon_n they_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o they_o perform_v some_o other_o duty_n of_o this_o nature_n this_o be_v all_o which_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o great_a part_n amount_v to_o but_o first_o these_o be_v not_o only_o the_o duty_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v practise_v there_o be_v other_o which_z be_v not_o less_o essential_a and_o which_o yet_o be_v general_o neglect_v such_o as_o meditation_n read_v self-examination_n to_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o sanctificatification_n so_o that_o if_o some_o act_n of_o religion_n be_v perform_v other_o be_v quite_o omit_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o proceed_v may_v easy_o be_v discover_v there_o be_v a_o law_n and_o a_o custom_n which_o oblige_v all_o person_n to_o some_o act_n of_o religion_n to_o pray_v to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o to_o go_v now_o and_o then_o to_o church_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v entire_o neglect_v these_o external_a duty_n he_o will_v be_v think_v a_o atheist_n but_o there_o be_v neither_o custom_n nor_o law_n nor_o worldly_a decency_n which_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o meditate_v to_o examine_v his_o own_o conscience_n or_o to_o watch_v over_o his_o conduct_n and_o therefore_o these_o duty_n be_v leave_v to_o every_o one_o direction_n be_v very_o little_o observe_v as_o to_o the_o other_o duty_n which_o christian_n form_n in_o some_o measure_n the_o want_n of_o sincerity_n in_o they_o do_v most_o common_o turn_v they_o into_o so_o many_o act_n of_o hypocrisy_n they_o perhaps_o say_v some_o prayer_n in_o the_o morning_n but_o this_o be_v do_v without_o devotion_n hasty_o with_o distraction_n and_o weariness_n and_o only_o to_o get_v rid_v of_o it_o after_o they_o think_v no_o more_o of_o god_n all_o the_o day_n but_o be_v altogether_o busy_v about_o the_o world_n and_o their_o passion_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n they_o pray_v with_o great_a wander_a of_o thought_n than_o in_o the_o morning_n if_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o they_o go_v to_o church_n or_o hear_v a_o sermon_n they_o do_v not_o give_v a_o quarter_n of_o a_o hour_n close_a attention_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v or_o do_v in_o the_o public_a assembly_n in_o many_o place_n the_o whole_a devotion_n of_o the_o people_n consist_v in_o be_v present_a at_o some_o sermon_n which_o be_v as_o little_a insructive_a as_o they_o be_v mind_v or_o hearken_v to_o the_o use_n which_o be_v make_v of_o the_o sacrament_n especial_o of_o the_o eucharist_n convert_v they_o into_o vain_a ceremony_n and_o make_v they_o rather_o obstacle_n than_o help_v to_o salvation_n as_o to_o the_o mortify_n of_o the_o body_n by_o reasonable_a abstinence_n fast_v and_o retirement_n it_o be_v a_o unknown_a duty_n the_o indifference_n of_o christian_n be_v therefore_o but_o too_o palpable_a what_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o religion_n be_v very_o little_a and_o yet_o they_o do_v that_o little_a so_o ill_a that_o it_o be_v not_o much_o more_o beneficial_a to_o they_o than_o if_o they_o do_v nothing_o at_o all_o and_o now_o what_o may_v not_o be_v say_v if_o after_o have_v thus_o show_v that_o what_o man_n do_v for_o their_o salvation_n be_v next_o to_o nothing_o i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o do_v almost_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o damnation_n and_o that_o they_o be_v as_o zealous_a and_o industrious_a for_o their_o ruin_n as_o they_o be_v slothful_a and_o negligent_a in_o what_o be_v requisite_a to_o preserve_v they_o there_o be_v mean_n to_o corrupt_a as_o well_o as_o to_o sanctify_v ourselves_o the_o mean_n of_o corruption_n and_o perdition_n be_v ignorance_n want_v of_o attention_n neglect_v of_o devotion_n the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o flesh_n unruly_a passion_n temptation_n and_o ill_a example_n now_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n be_v so_o monstrous_o frantic_a as_o to_o form_v the_o design_n of_o damn_v himself_o what_o will_v such_o a_o man_n do_v he_o will_v neglect_v the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n he_o will_v not_o pray_v at_o all_o or_o he_o will_v pray_v only_o with_o his_o lip_n he_o will_v profane_v the_o sacrament_n by_o a_o unsanctify_v use_n of_o they_o he_o will_v only_o mind_v his_o body_n and_o this_o present_a life_n he_o will_v give_v loose_a reins_o to_o
they_o sift_v all_o the_o word_n and_o examine_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o with_o the_o utmost_a nicety_n in_o a_o word_n they_o drain_v the_o subject_a but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o application_n they_o content_v themselves_o with_o two_o or_o three_o general_n use_v they_o address_v to_o their_o auditory_a some_o loose_a exhortation_n to_o a_o good_a life_n even_o when_o they_o be_v to_o speak_v upon_o a_o moral_a subject_n they_o confine_v themselves_o for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o general_a consideration_n nothing_o be_v particularise_v or_o treat_v with_o the_o necessary_a exactness_n now_o generality_n be_v of_o no_o great_a use_n in_o matter_n of_o morality_n to_o say_v in_o general_a term_n that_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v good_a and_o to_o declaim_v against_o sensuality_n or_o covetousness_n be_v that_o which_o will_v convince_v no_o man._n it_o be_v not_o bawl_v or_o send_v sinner_n to_o hell_n that_o be_v likely_a to_o win_v upon_o they_o if_o shall_v be_v distinct_o show_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o good_a man_n virtue_n and_o vice_n shall_v be_v characterise_a and_o their_o various_a kind_n and_n degree_n observe_v particular_a rule_n ought_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o hearer_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v furnish_v with_o necessary_a motive_n and_o direction_n we_o be_v to_o confute_v their_o mistake_v and_o to_o obviate_v their_o objection_n and_o excuse_n till_o we_o come_v to_o this_o preach_v will_v be_v attend_v with_o little_a success_n 2._o the_o moral_a discourse_n of_o preacher_n be_v often_o defective_a for_o beside_o that_o they_o handle_v morality_n in_o a_o superficial_a manner_n there_o be_v some_o essential_a article_n which_o they_o seldom_o or_o never_o speak_v of_o among_o which_o we_o may_v reckon_v restitution_n the_o morality_n of_o preacher_n turn_v almost_o altogether_o upon_o four_o or_o five_o head_n they_o attach_v only_o some_o of_o the_o grosser_n sin_n such_o as_o blasphemy_n uncleanness_n and_o such_o other_o vice_n but_o this_o be_v to_o confine_v themselves_o to_o the_o first_o element_n of_o piety_n and_o morality_n true_a morality_n go_v a_o great_a deal_n further_o piety_n do_v not_o only_o banish_v the_o more_o heinous_a sin_n it_o do_v beside_o fill_v the_o heart_n with_o a_o sincere_a love_n of_o virtue_n it_o soften_v and_o rectify_v the_o inclination_n it_o produce_v in_o a_o man_n gentleness_n humility_n patience_n resignation_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n divine_a love_n tranquillity_n under_o all_o event_n charity_n towards_o other_o man_n and_o a_o zeal_n for_o justice_n and_o goodness_n this_o be_v the_o main_a of_o piety_n this_o be_v what_o shall_v be_v incessant_o lay_v before_o christian_n to_o make_v they_o apprehend_v the_o extent_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n 3._o the_o moral_a discourse_n of_o preacher_n be_v false_a 1._o when_o they_o be_v too_o remiss_a 2._o when_o they_o be_v too_o severe_a and_o 3._o when_o they_o be_v contradictory_n their_o morality_n be_v too_o remiss_a when_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n in_o their_o full_a latitude_n when_o it_o flatter_v sinner_n or_o do_v not_o sufficient_o awaken_v their_o conscience_n it_o be_v over-severe_a when_o it_o raise_v groundless_a scruple_n in_o man_n mind_n when_o it_o represent_v as_o a_o sin_n that_o which_o be_v not_o real_o so_o or_o when_o it_o make_v a_o necessary_a duty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v omit_v without_o danger_n preacher_n likewise_o overdo_v thing_n in_o the_o picture_n they_o draw_v for_o virtue_n and_o vice_n if_o they_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o covetousness_n or_o forbid_a pleasure_n they_o strive_v to_o make_v of_o these_o the_o most_o hideous_a picture_n they_o can_v they_o paint_v out_o a_o covetous_a or_o a_o voluptuous_a man_n as_o a_o monster_n they_o affect_v the_o most_o lively_a description_n and_o figure_n and_o their_o sermon_n be_v load_v with_o every_o thing_n that_o their_o collection_n afford_v upon_o the_o subject_n but_o all_o this_o be_v only_a noise_n and_o so_o much_o breath_n spend_v in_o vain_a such_o morality_n do_v not_o hinder_v the_o voluptuous_a or_o covetous_a man_n from_o pursue_v his_o ordinary_a course_n it_o be_v rather_o apt_a to_o harden_v he_o in_o it_o because_o as_o he_o do_v not_o see_v himself_o in_o the_o dismal_a picture_n which_o be_v make_v of_o these_o vice_n so_o he_o think_v himself_o free_a from_o they_o or_o at_o least_o not_o very_o guilty_a of_o they_o last_o preacher_n do_v sometime_o deliver_v contradictory_n moral_n have_v not_o sufficient_o meditate_a upon_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n they_o run_v themselves_o into_o contradiction_n they_o say_v one_o thing_n in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o contrary_a in_o another_o they_o lay_v down_o principle_n which_o destroy_v the_o consequence_n they_o will_v draw_v from_o they_o or_o they_o draw_v consequence_n which_o over-turn_a the_o principle_n they_o have_v lay_v down_o ii_o the_o fault_n i_o have_v hitherto_o observe_v relate_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o preach_v those_o which_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o manner_n be_v not_o indeed_o so_o essential_a but_o yet_o they_o be_v important_a enough_o to_o deserve_v some_o notice_n here_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o preach_v pure_a doctrine_n and_o good_a morality_n if_o this_o be_v not_o do_v in_o a_o proper_a way_n to_o instruct_v and_o to_o persuade_v the_o most_o important_a truth_n lose_v their_o force_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o man_n who_o either_o can_v speak_v of_o they_o in_o a_o suitable_a manner_n or_o express_v they_o obscure_o and_o so_o likewise_o the_o way_n of_o exhort_v and_o censure_v be_v often_o the_o reason_n why_o exhortation_n and_o censure_n prove_v ineffectual_a either_o they_o be_v not_o accurate_a or_o convince_a enough_o or_o they_o be_v gold_n and_o languid_a or_o they_o be_v not_o season_v with_o prudence_n and_o mildness_n but_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o fire_n which_o have_v more_o of_o anger_n and_o indiscretion_n than_o of_o true_a zeal_n in_o it_o and_o which_o offend_v more_o than_o it_o affect_v or_o persuade_v the_o hearer_n divers_a consideration_n may_v be_v here_o insist_v upon_o concern_v the_o way_n of_o preach_v but_o i_o think_v what_o be_v most_o material_a to_o be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_a may_v be_v reduce_v to_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o the_o manner_n of_o preach_v be_v not_o simple_a and_o natural_a enough_o the_o way_n of_o preach_v shall_v correspond_v with_o the_o design_n of_o religion_n and_o sermon_n which_o be_v to_o inform_v the_o understanding_n and_o to_o move_v the_o heart_n this_o end_n be_v attain_v by_o those_o who_o think_v and_o speak_v clear_o and_o natural_o when_o every_o thing_n in_o reason_v method_n style_n and_o exterior_a be_v regulate_v by_o nature_n and_o true_a sense_n but_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v long_o ago_o to_o preacher_n be_v particular_o apt_a to_o fail_v in_o this_o respect_n false_a and_o confuse_a idea_n un-accurate_a reason_n strain_v or_o impertinent_a reflection_n force_v and_o unnatural_a expression_n be_v almost_o become_v the_o property_n of_o that_o order_n of_o men._n one_o will_v think_v that_o most_o preacher_n take_v pain_n not_o to_o follow_v nature_n as_o if_o a_o man_n be_v too_o soon_o in_o the_o pulpit_n but_o he_o must_v speak_v no_o long_o like_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n as_o if_o the_o part_n of_o a_o preacher_n be_v something_o like_o that_o of_o a_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n nay_o this_o be_v pass_v into_o a_o proverb_n so_o that_o odd_a way_n and_o injudicious_a reflection_n be_v call_v way_n and_o reflection_n of_o preacher_n 1._o if_o nature_n be_v consult_v and_o it_o man_n do_v consider_v the_o end_n of_o preach_v they_o will_v see_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o method_n which_o be_v follow_v by_o many_o in_o the_o explain_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o compose_n of_o sermon_n have_v need_n be_v reform_v in_o some_o respect_n and_o that_o it_o do_v not_o agree_v so_o well_o as_o it_o shall_v with_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o instance_n why_o shall_v time_n be_v waste_v in_o exordium_n and_o preliminary_n why_o shall_v a_o preacher_n dwell_v upon_o the_o explain_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n which_o every_o body_n understand_v or_o upon_o press_v the_o least_o circumstance_n of_o a_o text_n what_o signify_v those_o needless_a digression_n those_o objection_n which_o no_o body_n think_v of_o those_o citation_n and_o story_n which_o in_o some_o country_n fill_v up_o sermon_n and_o so_o many_o other_o small_a nicety_n which_o clog_n these_o kind_n of_o discourse_n all_o this_o may_v be_v let_v alone_o without_o prejudice_n to_o public_a edification_n 2._o it_o be_v for_o want_v of_o consult_v nature_n that_o preacher_n be_v obscure_a sometime_o the_o obscurity_n of_o their_o sermon_n arise_v from_o the_o thing_n
in_o the_o world_n what_o be_v so_o many_o book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n so_o many_o scandalous_a novel_n either_o feign_v or_o true_a and_o so_o many_o licentious_a piece_n of_o poetry_n but_o the_o production_n of_o that_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o dissoluteness_n which_o prevail_v in_o this_o age_n nay_o even_o book_n of_o learning_n which_o treat_v of_o serious_a subject_n have_v a_o mixture_n of_o impurity_n this_o infection_n be_v diffuse_v through_o all_o sort_n of_o book_n and_o appear_v every_o day_n in_o some_o new_a shape_n as_o the_o number_n of_o impure_a book_n be_v great_a so_o their_o effect_n be_v most_o pernicious_a and_o none_o ought_v to_o wonder_v that_o i_o shall_v assign_v these_o book_n as_o one_o of_o the_o general_a cause_n of_o corruption_n no_o bad_a book_n be_v more_o general_o read_v than_o these_o none_o can_v with_o more_o reason_n be_v call_v public_a fountain_n of_o vice_n and_o dissoluteness_n the_o mischief_n they_o do_v in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v imagine_v they_o prove_v to_o a_o infinity_n of_o person_n but_o especial_o to_o young_a people_n school_n of_o licentiousness_n it_o be_v by_o the_o read_n of_o they_o that_o youth_n learn_v to_o know_v and_o to_o love_v vice_n that_o age_n be_v prone_a to_o pleasure_n and_o to_o every_o thing_n that_o gratify_v sense_n and_o that_o inclination_n be_v so_o much_o the_o strong_a because_o it_o be_v cherish_v and_o fortify_v by_o a_o education_n altogether_o sensual_a and_o because_o young_a people_n for_o want_n of_o good_a instruction_n have_v not_o much_o piety_n nor_o any_o great_a aversion_n to_o vice_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v that_o they_o be_v susceptible_a of_o those_o passion_n which_o gratify_v sensuality_n and_o that_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o they_o to_o resist_v those_o impression_n which_o the_o read_n of_o impure_a book_n convey_v into_o their_o mind_n we_o see_v in_o fact_n that_o uncleanness_n be_v common_o the_o first_o sin_n and_o the_o first_o passion_n which_o seduce_v man_n in_o their_o youth_n and_o which_o engage_v they_o into_o vice_n for_o their_o whole_a life_n for_o it_o seldom_o happen_v but_o that_o all_o the_o age_n of_o life_n retain_v a_o spice_n of_o the_o irregularity_n of_o youth_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o these_o book_n have_v their_o advocate_n many_o person_n reckon_v that_o there_o be_v no_o harm_n either_o in_o read_v or_o even_o in_o publish_v they_o if_o we_o believe_v some_o author_n who_o infect_v the_o public_a with_o book_n full_a of_o obscenity_n none_o but_o fantastical_a people_n posseff_v with_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o precise_a devotion_n find_v fault_n with_o those_o who_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a and_o in_o defence_n of_o their_o opinion_n they_o allege_v this_o maxim_n 15._o maxim_n tit._n 1._o 15._o to_o the_o pure_a all_o thing_n be_v pure_a as_o if_o st._n paul_n who_o do_v not_o allow_v christian_n so_o much_o as_o to_o speak_v a_o undecent_a word_n do_v permit_v they_o to_o read_v and_o write_v thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o modesty_n and_o may_v occasion_v scandal_n from_o this_o maxim_n they_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o be_v those_o book_n that_o offend_v modesty_n or_o religion_n and_o they_o protest_v that_o for_o their_o part_n the_o reading_z of_o they_o do_v not_o defile_v their_o imagination_n i_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a frame_n of_o those_o man_n heart_n perhaps_o impure_a idea_n and_o lascivious_a object_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a to_o they_o that_o they_o do_v no_o long_o perceive_v that_o such_o idea_n and_o object_n make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o but_o it_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o people_n can_v preserve_v a_o chaste_a heart_n when_o they_o delight_v in_o write_v or_o read_v filthy_a thing_n after_o all_o though_o they_o read_v of_o such_o work_n shall_v have_v no_o ill_a effect_n upon_o some_o person_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o more_o who_o will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v every_o many_o who_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n to_o detest_v impure_a book_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v be_v grant_v by_o many_o but_o it_o will_v be_v think_v that_o to_o rank_a book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n among_o impure_a book_n and_o to_o condemn_v the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v something_o to_o severe_a i_o confess_v that_o all_o those_o book_n be_v not_o equal_o bad_a and_o that_o some_o do_v not_o hurt_v modesty_n so_o visible_o as_o other_o do_v but_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o many_o in_o which_o a_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o licentiousness_n may_v not_o be_v observe_v that_o love_n which_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o so_o many_o book_n be_v nothing_o else_o at_o bottom_n but_o a_o impure_a and_o irregular_a passion_n of_o which_o the_o gospel_n oblige_v we_o to_o stifle_v the_o very_a first_o motion_n what_o the_o world_n call_v a_o mere_a intrigue_n of_o gallantry_n be_v sometime_o a_o pretty_a large_a step_n towards_o the_o sin_n of_o adultery_n sin_n indeed_o may_v be_v disguise_v in_o those_o book_n under_o another_o name_n and_o may_v be_v dress_v in_o a_o modest_a garb_n but_o that_o make_v it_o slide_v the_o more_o easy_o into_o the_o mind_n it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o dally_v with_o thing_n which_o deserve_v the_o almost_o aversion_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o horror_n of_o impurity_n and_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o come_v near_o it_o must_v insensible_o abate_v in_o any_o one_o who_o be_v addict_v to_o such_o readins_n there_o be_v two_o maxim_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o decide_v this_o matter_n the_o one_o be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_n the_o other_o that_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a we_o ought_v to_o avoid_v whatsoever_o may_v prove_v a_o scandal_n or_o a_o occasion_n of_o fall_v to_o any_o body_n especial_o when_o the_o scandal_n may_v be_v foresee_v now_o here_o be_v at_o least_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o divers_a person_n will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o those_o book_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o read_v arid_a publish_v of_o they_o can_v be_v excuse_v but_o as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o maintain_v etc._n *_o 1_o theff_n v._o xxii_o see_v rom._n fourteen_o 1._o cop._n x._o etc._n etc._n that_o the_o book_n in_o question_n may_v be_v read_v without_o sin_n it_o be_v pretend_v beside_o that_o the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a to_o open_v the_o mind_n of_o young_a people_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o valuable_a quality_n to_o have_v quick_a and_o well-fashioned_a part_n but_o there_o be_v other_o book_n which_o may_v be_v read_v without_o danger_n and_o which_o be_v much_o fit_a to_o form_v the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n of_o young_a people_n than_o book_n of_o gallantry_n the_o read_n of_o which_o every_o body_n know_v have_v often_o spoil_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v give_v to_o it_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o attend_v this_o kind_n of_o read_v be_v that_o it_o corrupt_v the_o heart_n and_o sully_n the_o imagination_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o open_v the_o mind_n now_o it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v a_o little_a less_o of_o that_o fashionableness_n and_o politeness_n of_o part_n which_o be_v so_o much_o esteem_v in_o the_o world_n than_o to_o acquire_v it_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o one_o innocency_n but_o some_o people_n do_v not_o stop_v here_o they_o proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v that_o these_o book_n be_v useful_a even_o in_o reference_n to_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v proper_a to_o restrain_v youth_n from_o vice_n because_o we_o see_v in_o they_o the_o folly_n and_o misfortune_n which_o irregular_a passion_n betray_v man_n into_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o this_o be_v allege_v in_o earnest_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a sort_n of_o remedy_n against_o impurity_n to_o make_v agreeable_a picture_n of_o love_n and_o to_o represent_v minutely_o and_o in_o a_o natural_a and_o insinuate_a manner_n all_o the_o motion_n which_o that_o passion_n excite_v in_o those_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o it_o we_o must_v be_v very_o ill_o acquaint_v with_o the_o temper_n of_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o young_a people_n if_o we_o can_v fancy_v that_o the_o read_n of_o such_o book_n will_v put_v they_o upon_o moral_a reflection_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o a_o aversion_n to_o vice_n daily_a experience_n show_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o vain_a or_o false_a than_o such_o a_o imagination_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o at_o least_o those_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v except_v in_o which_o among_o love-matter_n and_o licentious_a subject_n the_o reader_n meet_v with_o fine_a morality_n which_o may_v however_o serve_v for_o a_o