life_n be_v with_o incomparable_a purity_n evidence_n clearness_n and_o solidity_n in_o that_o soul_n which_o thou_o do_v sanctify_v and_o be_v yet_o in_o her_o holy_a write_n in_o truth_n the_o way_n that_o be_v there_o recommend_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v the_o only_a and_o the_o true_a way_n there_o be_v no_o danger_n to_o abandon_v ourselves_o whole_o and_o entire_o in_o it_o for_o it_o be_v the_o very_a truth_n it_o be_v the_o truth_n itself_o it_o be_v the_o pure_a truth_n there_o be_v none_o lord_n there_o can_v be_v none_o other_o in_o heaven_n nor_o in_o earth_n there_o be_v none_o other_o way_n unto_o eternal_a life_n than_o that_o which_o thou_o have_v put_v into_o the_o mouth_n in_o the_o write_n and_o in_o the_o life_n of_o thy_o most_o holy_a handmaid_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr i_o praise_v and_o bless_v and_o thank_v thou_o o_o my_o god_n that_o thou_o give_v i_o to_o know_v the_o same_o and_o have_v open_v and_o incline_v the_o ear_n of_o my_o heart_n thereto_o give_v i_o grace_n to_o love_v to_o observe_v and_o to_o maintain_v that_o heavenly_a truth_n unto_o death_n happy_a he_o that_o shall_v lose_v a_o thousand_o life_n for_o so_o worthy_a a_o subject_n happy_a he_o who_o shall_v never_o for_o any_o consideration_n leave_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o let_v i_o by_o thy_o divine_a grace_n be_v of_o that_o number_n that_o after_o this_o short_a life_n of_o trial_n that_o most_o certain_a and_o most_o infallible_a mean_v make_v i_o enjoy_v my_o sovereign_a end_n which_o be_v to_o have_v the_o happiness_n ever_o to_o adore_v and_o praise_v thy_o great_a majesty_n o_o jesus_n eternal_a god_n creator_n saviour_n and_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n while_o with_o the_o father_n and_o holy_a spirit_n thou_o shall_v reign_v glorious_o in_o all_o eternity_n amen_n revelation_n ch._n 3._o he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v the_o preface_n of_o the_o publisher_n this_o treatise_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n whereof_o the_o one_o may_v be_v call_v extructive_a which_o build_v or_o establish_v and_o the_o other_o destructive_a which_o destroy_v or_o evert_v for_o the_o first_o ten_o letter_n be_v adapt_v to_o the_o plant_n of_o virtue_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n to_o evert_v and_o root_v out_o what_o may_v hinder_v its_o increase_n to_o recommend_v virtue_n be_v take_v the_o precept_n of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o master_n and_o example_n of_o it_o by_o which_o be_v make_v a_o introduction_n show_v what_o virtue_n we_o must_v in_o the_o first_o place_n embrace_v and_o by_o what_o meanstend_v to_o they_o which_o be_v by_o obedience_n and_o renounce_v our_o own_o will_n unto_o the_o meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n of_o jesus_n christ_n see_v let._n 1_o 2_o 3._o the_o nature_n of_o which_o humility_n be_v explain_v and_o the_o mean_n conduce_v to_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o viz_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o corruption_n and_o the_o misery_n which_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n lie_n under_o let._n 4_o 5_o 6._o which_o ought_v to_o produce_v in_o we_o the_o effect_n of_o renounce_v our_o natural_a sense_n and_o be_v content_a with_o what_o be_v of_o mere_a necessity_n we_o shall_v flee_v all_o pleasure_n and_o proper_a satisfaction_n let._n 7_o 8._o which_o empty_v of_o ourselves_o will_v be_v accompany_v with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o incontinent_o possess_v the_o heart_n from_o which_o vicious_a affection_n be_v expel_v because_o of_o the_o near_a relation_n and_o sympathy_n between_o they_o as_o between_o the_o creature_n and_o its_o natural_a element_n in_o which_o love_n consist_v the_o essence_n and_o compliment_n of_o all_o virtue_n and_o all_o good_a let._n 8_o 9_o 10._o concern_v the_o overturning_a and_o resist_a the_o impediment_n and_o tentation_n of_o satan_n be_v treat_v let._n 11._o whether_o they_o be_v offer_v to_o our_o imagination_n or_o sensibility_n even_o spiritual_a let._n 12_o 13._o or_o to_o the_o understanding_n make_v we_o rest_n in_o the_o naked_a knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n let._n 14._o or_o exciting_a we_o to_o external_a act_n or_o internal_a with_o vain_a glory_n or_o by_o deject_v we_o through_o immoderate_a mortification_n or_o in_o unseasonable_a good_a work_n spiritual_a or_o corporal_a towards_o our_o neighbour_n let._n 15_o 16._o or_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o devil_n accuse_v he_o too_o much_o or_o too_o little_a of_o our_o sin_n let._n 17_o 18._o whether_o these_o tentation_n affect_v the_o will_n who_o godly_a fervour_n satan_n will_v extinguish_v by_o grief_n spiritual_a negligence_n and_o self-love_n as_o show_v let._n 19_o 20_o and_o to_o the_o end_n there_o be_v brief_o represente_v the_o whole_a subject_n handle_v in_o this_o divine_a treatise_n which_o be_v more_o special_o note_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o each_o letter_n that_o you_o may_v kind_a reader_n view_v as_o in_o a_o table_n and_o better_o retain_v in_o your_o memory_n the_o divine_a instruction_n therein_o deliver_v moreover_o you_o may_v with_o we_o well_o admire_v the_o infamous_a audacity_n of_o some_o as_o the_o churchman_n in_o holsatia_n whereby_o some_o year_n ago_o they_o cause_v that_o these_o so_o wholesome_a instruction_n while_o under_o the_o press_n in_o the_o german_a and_o low_a dutch_a tongue_n be_v take_v away_o by_o force_n and_o violence_n and_o rent_n while_o i_o consider_v these_o obscure_a enemy_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o scripture_n offer_v itself_o to_o i_o that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v and_o will_v do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n and_o come_v not_o to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n be_v reprove_v and_o this_o be_v the_o condemnation_n that_o light_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o man_n love_v darkness_n rather_o than_o light_n because_o their_o deed_n be_v evil._n it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o with_o he_o who_o do_v and_o will_v do_v the_o truth_n for_o he_o come_v to_o the_o light_n that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a because_o they_o be_v wrought_v in_o 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desire_v to_o have_v it_o notwithstanding_o they_o have_v in_o effect_n only_o the_o love_n of_o themselves_o and_o it_o be_v but_o deceit_n and_o falsehood_n when_o they_o say_v they_o have_v the_o love_n of_o god_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o know_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n see_v they_o think_v they_o may_v follow_v that_o corruption_n without_o sin_v provide_v they_o do_v no_o evil_a reprovable_a before_o man_n and_o have_v a_o will_v to_o do_v well_o and_o love_n god_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o be_v save_v for_o good_a desire_n without_o effect_n be_v nothing_o before_o god_n they_o be_v indeed_o foundation_n stone_n serve_v to_o the_o build_n of_o true_a virtue_n for_o without_o good_a desire_n we_o can_v do_v good_a work_n we_o must_v first_o have_v the_o desire_n and_o after_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n which_o be_v want_v to_o many_o person_n of_o a_o good_a will_n who_o content_n themselves_o to_o be_v of_o a_o good_a will_n and_o hope_v with_o that_o all_o shall_v go_v well_o without_o consider_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n say_v to_o all_o in_o general_n depart_v from_o evil_a and_o do_v good_n now_o the_o evil_n be_v in_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n which_o no_o person_n ought_v to_o ignore_v yet_o few_o depart_n from_o that_o corruption_n and_o most_o love_n and_o follow_v it_o think_v they_o do_v well_o which_o be_v a_o great_a abuse_n and_o presumption_n of_o spirit_n for_o we_o can_v do_v good_a except_o we_o depart_v from_o evil_a and_o he_o that_o do_v not_o resist_v that_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o renounce_v it_o can_v acquire_v true_a virtue_n which_o few_o person_n comprehend_v and_o thence_o be_v it_o that_o they_o have_v only_o apparent_a virtue_n and_o no_o real_a one_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o i_o have_v resolve_v to_o cause_n print_v these_o twenty_o four_o
that_o because_o justice_n and_o truth_n respect_v god_n but_o meekness_n and_o goodness_n respect_v also_o our_o neighbour_n and_o although_o one_o be_v just_a and_o true_a before_o god_n he_o must_v also_o be_v meek_a and_o good_a otherways_o he_o love_v not_o his_o neighbour_n as_o himself_o see_v he_o give_v not_o that_o testimony_n of_o his_o love_n which_o that_o command_n require_v and_o because_o only_o god_n know_v the_o heart_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o goodness_n be_v in_o any_o it_o must_v also_o be_v testify_v outward_o by_o gentleness_n or_o else_o our_o neighbour_n shall_v not_o be_v edifyed_a thereby_o and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o j._n ch._n say_v we_o must_v learn_v of_o he_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n or_o gentleness_n he_o speak_v no_o superfluous_a word_n in_o distinguish_a meekness_n and_o gentleness_n but_o he_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o have_v goodness_n within_o we_o but_o we_o must_v also_o testify_v it_o 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accompany_v with_o humility_n of_o heart_n for_o one_o may_v be_v meek_a and_o gentle_a by_o nature_n dissimulation_n or_o hypocricy_n which_o be_v often_o sin_n before_o god_n in_o lieu_n of_o virtue_n for_o that_o apparent_a and_o pharisaticall_a lowliness_n be_v not_o praiseworthy_a but_o before_o man_n and_o i_o ch_z tell_v we_o except_o our_o righteousness_n exceed_v that_o of_o the_o pharisee_n we_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v understand_v that_o no_o moral_a virtue_n that_o proceed_v not_o from_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o engender_v there_o by_o a_o divine_a faith_n can_v have_v a_o eternal_a recompense_n and_o be_v recompense_v only_o by_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n who_o be_v material_a judge_n by_o appearance_n but_o god_n search_v the_o heart_n and_o try_v the_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n say_v we_o must_v have_v humility_n of_o heart_n with_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n as_o be_v three_o thing_n knit_v together_o which_o can_v be_v separate_v one_o from_o the_o other_o no_o more_o than_o the_o three_o quality_n of_o justice_n goodness_n and_o truth_n which_o correspond_v to_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n and_o be_v always_o join_v inseparable_o in_o all_o his_o work_n whereof_o if_o one_o be_v want_v his_o work_n will_v not_o be_v perfect_a even_o so_o meekness_n and_o lowlyness_n shall_v be_v imperfect_a if_o they_o be_v separate_v from_o humility_n of_o heart_n which_o shall_v beget_v infallible_o true_a meekness_n and_o lowlyness_n for_o a_o humble_a heart_n be_v always_o meek_a and_o lowly_a see_v my_o child_n by_o that_o touchstone_n if_o you_o be_v arrive_v at_o that_o humility_n of_o heart_n and_o endeavour_v to_o obtain_v it_o of_o god_n and_o then_o you_o shall_v assure_o be_v meek_a and_o lowly_a which_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n 9_o feb._n 1672._o stile_n vel_fw-la antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr 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they_o will_v willing_o be_v great_a and_o rich_a that_o they_o may_v have_v mean_n to_o please_v their_o sense_n and_o these_o pleasure_n ruin_n soul_n and_o body_n for_o since_o nature_n be_v corrupt_v by_o sin_n all_o the_o sense_n of_o man_n be_v become_v brutish_a and_o insolent_a and_o know_v no_o more_o what_o be_v good_a or_o evil_n for_o they_o intemperate_a without_o order_n or_o measure_n and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o the_o eye_n be_v never_o satisfy_v with_o see_v nor_o the_o ear_n with_o hear_v to_o show_v how_o our_o sense_n be_v disorder_v and_o insatiable_a the_o more_o the_o eye_n see_v the_o more_o it_o will_v see_v and_o so_o the_o ear_n hear_v and_o they_o be_v never_o satisfy_v it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o feel_n smell_a and_o taste_n the_o other_o three_o sense_n for_o whenever_o a_o man_n give_v himself_o to_o satisfy_v his_o sense_n he_o be_v never_o full_o satisfy_v nor_o content_a for_o in_o every_o place_n he_o may_v find_v 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gottorp_n castle_n 15._o febr._n 1672._o st._n vet_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr the_o vi_o letter_n humility_n be_v attain_v by_o know_v ourselves_o to_o the_o same_o who_o be_v admonish_v to_o learn_v humility_n by_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o corruption_n and_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o disorder_n of_o our_o natural_a sense_n my_o dear_a child_n i_o can_v entertain_v you_o too_o much_o of_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n and_o the_o misery_n to_o which_o he_o be_v subject_a during_o this_o miserable_a life_n to_o prevent_v your_o ever_o place_v your_o affection_n on_o it_o but_o that_o you_o may_v learn_v the_o humility_n of_o heart_n which_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v which_o will_v follow_v upon_o the_o knowledge_n of_o yourself_o but_o you_o shall_v never_o attain_v it_o unless_o you_o examine_v in_o retail_v the_o misery_n and_o infirmity_n of_o your_o body_n and_o spirit_n since_o it_o be_v that_o knowledge_n which_o shall_v teach_v you_o the_o humility_n of_o heart_n which_o jesus_n christ_n require_v for_o if_o you_o remain_v in_o the_o general_a ignorance_n of_o man_n you_o shall_v never_o attain_v to_o it_o you_o will_v always_o think_v you_o deserve_v honour_n and_o esteem_v see_v other_o like_o yourself_o honour_v and_o esteem_v and_o that_o they_o also_o take_v their_o pleasure_n and_o sensuality_n more_o than_o you_o do_v but_o trust_v i_o my_o dear_a child_n that_o conduct_n proceed_v from_o the_o blindness_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o from_o the_o profound_a darkness_n in_o which_o they_o be_v without_o perceive_v it_o and_o they_o blind_a one_o another_o still_o more_o by_o their_o practice_n for_o one_o think_v he_o be_v as_o good_a as_o the_o other_o and_o that_o he_o may_v do_v what_o another_o do_v and_o so_o one_o follow_v another_o blindfold_o and_o think_v he_o do_v but_o what_o be_v suitable_a for_o a_o honest_a man_n to_o do_v but_o however_o great_a the_o number_n of_o blind_a be_v that_o will_v not_o help_v you_o in_o particular_a and_o that_o broad_a way_n will_v always_o lead_v to_o perdition_n though_o many_o tread_v it_o the_o great_a number_n of_o miserable_n will_v not_o lessen_v your_o condemnation_n on_o the_o contrary_a it_o will_v augment_v your_o pain_n and_o misery_n far_o from_o any_o way_n mitigate_a they_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o you_o must_v not_o regard_v if_o other_o be_v blind_a and_o know_v not_o themselves_o esteem_v themselves_o and_o follow_v their_o sensuality_n for_o you_o shall_v not_o give_v a_o account_n for_o they_o there_o shall_v only_o your_o own_o work_n follow_v you_o at_o death_n and_o according_a to_o they_o shall_v you_o be_v judge_v god_n afford_v you_o now_o the_o occasion_n of_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o thing_n beware_v of_o neglect_v it_o but_o bless_v the_o lord_n for_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mercy_n he_o show_v you_o beyond_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o person_n who_o perish_v for_o want_v of_o know_v themselves_o and_o for_o have_v never_o discover_v the_o 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shadow_n for_o the_o body_n the_o bark_n for_o the_o wood_n and_o so_o go_v from_o evil_a to_o worse_o for_o if_o he_o know_v true_o what_o sin_n be_v and_o what_o virtue_n he_o will_v deliver_v himself_o from_o the_o one_o to_o attain_v the_o other_o since_o he_o will_v see_v clear_o that_o sin_n be_v a_o mere_a tyrant_n which_o torture_n soul_n and_o body_n and_o that_o virtue_n be_v beautiful_a good_a sweet_a and_o pleasant_a and_o so_o he_o can_v not_o retain_v himself_o from_o hate_v sin_n and_o love_a virtue_n see_v that_o be_v good_a and_o equitable_a but_o for_o lack_v of_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n they_o love_v what_o they_o shall_v hate_v and_o hate_v what_o be_v lovely_a and_o to_o show_v you_o what_o sin_n be_v know_v that_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o disorder_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n for_o when_o god_n create_v man_n he_o be_v well_o order_v temperate_a and_o regular_a in_o all_o his_o natural_a function_n and_o he_o may_v enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o all_o his_o sense_n without_o do_v evil_n because_o all_o that_o god_n make_v be_v good_a and_o he_o create_v beautiful_a thing_n to_o please_v his_o sight_n and_o all_o the_o melody_n of_o beast_n man_n and_o all_o melodious_a thing_n to_o afford_v pleasure_n to_o the_o hear_n and_o all_o flower_n and_o pleasant_a smell_n for_o his_o smell_a and_o all_o smooth_a and_o agreeable_a thing_n for_o his_o feel_n and_o all_o good_a and_o savoury_a thing_n to_o afford_v pleasure_n to_o his_o taste_n so_o that_o he_o can_v allowable_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o all_o his_o five_o natural_a sense_n because_o all_o the_o other_o creature_n be_v create_v for_o the_o pleasure_n and_o recreation_n of_o man_n who_o be_v so_o perfect_a that_o he_o use_v all_o these_o thing_n only_o for_o his_o recreation_n with_o just_a order_n weight_n and_o measure_n
incline_v to_o and_o you_o shall_v follow_v assure_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n so_o shall_v you_o carry_v the_o victory_n over_o that_o evil_a spirit_n who_o trouble_v you_o now_o ply_v and_o submit_v your_o understanding_n under_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o never_o believe_v yourself_o wise_a than_o he_o in_o any_o thing_n for_o man_n be_v now_o abandon_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n and_o their_o best_a science_n be_v but_o ignorance_n their_o wisdom_n folly_n and_o although_o you_o think_v sometime_o to_o have_v reason_n to_o contradict_v i_o do_v it_o not_o and_o after_o you_o shall_v see_v that_o your_o reason_n can_v be_v better_a than_o i_o which_o you_o may_v experiment_n while_o i_o remain_v your_o well-affected_a in_o jesus_n christ_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n may._n 19_o 1672_o st._n vet_n the_o xx._n letter_n spiritual_a diligence_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o the_o same_o to_o who_o be_v show_v a_o fourteen_o snare_n of_o the_o devil_n more_o pernicious_a than_o the_o rest_n viz._n spiritual_a negligence_n he_o be_v move_v to_o spiritual_a diligence_n by_o consideration_n of_o the_o diligence_n usual_o bestow_v on_o temporal_a thing_n which_o the_o child_n of_o this_o world_n administer_v with_o more_o care_n and_o prudence_n than_o the_o child_n of_o light_n do_v spiritual_a thing_n my_o son_n i_o perceive_v it_o appear_v some_o what_o difficult_a to_o you_o to_o watch_v continual_o so_o narrow_o over_o all_o your_o word_n and_o action_n but_o believe_v i_o if_o you_o do_v it_o not_o the_o devil_n will_v assure_o surprise_v you_o in_o every_o thing_n and_o you_o shall_v obey_v he_o without_o know_v it_o for_o he_o be_v a_o most_o cunning_a spirit_n who_o watch_v always_o without_o rest_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a despise_v all_o difficulty_n to_o resolve_v absolute_o for_o the_o combat_n if_o you_o will_v obtain_v salvation_n and_o tend_v to_o true_a virtue_n for_o without_o fight_v 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if_o you_o shall_v think_v to_o excuse_v yourself_o before_o god_n by_o your_o frailty_n and_o weakness_n you_o can_v not_o abstain_v from_o sin_n and_o can_v not_o attain_v to_o true_a virtue_n because_o you_o can_v not_o find_v the_o way_n for_o all_o these_o excuse_n and_o false_a reason_n god_n will_v not_o accept_v because_o he_o search_v the_o reins_o and_o try_v the_o conscience_n and_o see_v the_o least_o motion_n of_o our_o will_n and_o he_o know_v without_o need_v witness_n what_o diligence_n we_o have_v give_v to_o watch_v over_o our_o soul_n and_o what_o diligence_n to_o evite_v sin_n and_o follow_v true_a virtue_n for_o god_n be_v not_o as_o man_n who_o amuse_n one_o another_o by_o the_o false_a philosophy_n which_o they_o have_v learn_v in_o the_o school_n which_o serve_v only_o to_o maintain_v wickedness_n and_o excuse_v the_o malice_n of_o their_o like_v they_o invent_v smooth_a word_n to_o make_v wickedness_n appear_v truth_n and_o please_v themselves_o with_o these_o fine_a word_n and_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v persuade_v that_o falsehood_n be_v truth_n when_o adorn_v with_o the_o fine_a term_n and_o word_n of_o their_o false_a philosophy_n but_o god_n regard_v the_o essence_n and_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o see_v even_o to_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o so_o he_o know_v if_o we_o have_v do_v all_o diligence_n in_o earnest_a to_o discover_v the_o deceit_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o find_v the_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n and_o find_v that_o we_o have_v do_v neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_a we_o be_v condemn_v without_o place_n for_o excuse_n and_o so_o my_o child_n you_o must_v not_o be_v deceive_v think_v not_o to_o find_v excuse_n before_o god_n when_o you_o have_v live_v in_o spiritual_a negligence_n for_o he_o will_v not_o accept_v they_o he_o have_v give_v you_o a_o body_n and_o spirit_n and_o that_o to_o apply_v they_o both_o diligent_o to_o eschew_v evil_a and_o follow_v good_a but_o the_o misery_n be_v that_o man_n now_o adays_o be_v fall_v into_o so_o profound_a a_o ignorance_n that_o they_o employ_v body_n and_o soul_n in_o care_n and_o diligence_n to_o acquire_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o render_v themselves_o by_o that_o mean_v incapable_a of_o have_v spiritual_a diligence_n for_o when_o a_o vessel_n be_v fill_v with_o dung_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o that_o be_v good_a put_v in_o it_o alas_o what_o be_v all_o the_o care_n of_o the_o business_n and_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n other_o than_o dung_n which_o have_v fill_v your_o spirit_n you_o be_v a_o diligent_a merchant_n and_o your_o care_n and_o diligence_n have_v heap_v up_o money_n to_o you_o but_o now_o what_o will_v you_o do_v with_o that_o money_n you_o can_v expend_v it_o for_o meat_n and_o drink_n and_o clothing_n nor_o can_v you_o carry_v it_o with_o you_o at_o death_n and_o if_o you_o leave_v it_o to_o your_o relation_n they_o shall_v thereby_o become_v more_o vicious_a and_o proud_a so_o that_o every_o way_n you_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o your_o spirit_n have_v be_v always_o fill_v with_o the_o dung_n of_o care_n and_o diligence_n for_o earthly_a thing_n and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o so_o you_o can_v not_o discover_v the_o wile_n of_o the_o devil_n nor_o the_o mean_n which_o advance_v unto_o true_a virtue_n because_o your_o diligence_n be_v employ_v about_o other_o thing_n but_o now_o when_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n have_v discover_v to_o you_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n you_o must_v endeavour_v to_o use_v that_o diligence_n to_o discover_v the_o tentation_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o virtue_n which_o former_o you_o use_v in_o your_o temporal_a affair_n i_o believe_v you_o will_v not_o then_o let_v slip_v any_o occasion_n wherein_o you_o see_v any_o profit_n without_o accept_v it_o and_o that_o you_o suffer_v
end_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o treatise_n of_o solid_a virtue_n extract_n of_o some_z of_o the_o work_n of_o mrs_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr belong_v to_o some_o most_o essential_a matter_n of_o christianism_n and_o health_n letter_n i._o of_o toleration_n that_o it_o ought_v never_o to_o go_v the_o length_n of_o communicate_v with_o sin_n direct_o or_o indirect_o of_o the_o essential_a and_o of_o the_o perfection_n of_o christianity_n of_o religion_n worship_n and_o ceremony_n and_o their_o use_n this_o letter_n be_v write_v to_o one_o of_o her_o intimate_n mr._n van_n de_fw-fr velde_n and_o be_v the_o second_o of_o light_n arise_v in_o darkness_n 3._o part_n sir_n 1._o i_o know_v you_o seek_v the_o perfection_n of_o your_o soul_n and_o that_o you_o aspire_v after_o god_n i_o know_v also_o that_o he_o have_v impart_v of_o his_o grace_n to_o you_o and_o particular_o teach_v you_o his_o will_n in_o some_o thing_n but_o i_o know_v also_o that_o you_o have_v not_o yet_o receive_v the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o shall_v teach_v we_o all_o truth_n see_v you_o discern_v not_o yet_o well_o evil_a from_o good_a and_o love_v all_o indifferent_o by_o a_o natural_a goodness_n as_o do_v adam_n who_o know_v very_o well_o the_o consolation_n and_o quiet_v which_o a_o soul_n find_v in_o entertain_v itself_o with_o god_n but_o know_v not_o what_o evil_n be_v because_o he_o have_v never_o prove_v it_o he_o be_v create_v in_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n and_o converse_v with_o his_o god_n in_o peace_n without_o apprehend_v the_o evil_a which_o may_v come_v upon_o he_o in_o abandon_v god_n to_o please_v himself_o with_o the_o creature_n and_o therefore_o do_v he_o so_o easy_o fall_v into_o sin_n before_o he_o perceive_v the_o mischief_n and_o misery_n it_o will_v cause_v he_o 2._o and_o almost_o the_o same_o be_v befall_v you_o my_o dear_a brother_n for_o when_o you_o enjoy_v sweet_a entertainment_n with_o god_n you_o remain_v in_o the_o sensuality_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n by_o which_o you_o have_v insensible_o lose_v commerce_n with_o god_n because_o so_o soon_o as_o he_o see_v one_o take_v pleasure_n in_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o himself_o he_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o leave_v the_o soul_n to_o live_v to_o itself_o which_o precipitate_v itself_o often_o into_o divers_a evil_n because_o our_o proper_a will_n engender_v death_n since_o it_o be_v corrupt_v by_o sin_n 3._o you_o do_v love_n good_a and_o do_v yet_o love_v it_o but_o you_o have_v not_o enough_o hate_v evil_a because_o you_o do_v not_o well_o know_v it_o persuade_v yourself_o that_o you_o do_v well_o enough_o when_o you_o support_v it_o in_o other_o not_o perceive_v that_o we_o can_v sin_v in_o another_o nine_o way_n the_o first_o be_v in_o consent_v thereto_o 2_o in_o councel_n it_o 3d._o in_o tolerate_v it_o 4_o in_o assist_v it_o 5_o in_o defend_v evil_a 6_o in_o command_v it_o 7_o in_o partake_v with_o it_o 8_o in_o not_o hinder_v it_o when_o in_o our_o power_n 9_o in_o hide_v it_o from_o he_o that_o will_v hinder_v it_o 4._o all_o these_o be_v not_o enough_o consider_v and_o we_o easy_o fall_v into_o they_o without_o consider_v it_o although_o we_o desire_v to_o please_v god_n the_o devil_n often_o surprise_v we_o by_o sin_n without_o we_o when_o he_o perceive_v that_o he_o can_v prevail_v to_o get_v we_o to_o commit_v they_o in_o ourselves_o for_o he_o have_v as_o much_o power_n over_o we_o by_o the_o sin_n which_o we_o commit_v in_o another_o as_o by_o they_o we_o commit_v in_o ourselves_o see_v they_o shall_v both_o alike_o be_v impute_v to_o we_o and_o if_o i_o do_v not_o advertise_v you_o of_o it_o you_o may_v easy_o fall_v into_o they_o without_o perceive_v it_o for_o example_n you_o converse_v with_o person_n that_o be_v avaritious_a proud_a or_o stain_v with_o any_o other_o sin_n they_o eat_v subject_a and_o inferior_a to_o you_o as_o your_o wife_n and_o child_n or_o your_o man_n or_o maidservant_n or_o hireling_n or_o whoever_o they_o be_v over_o who_o you_o have_v authority_n notwithstanding_o lest_o you_o shall_v displease_v they_o or_o lose_v their_o friendship_n you_o consent_v to_o their_o commit_n of_o sin_n without_o dare_v or_o will_v to_o resist_v it_o all_o these_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v with_o your_o consent_n shall_v assure_o be_v impute_v as_o if_o you_o have_v commit_v they_o yourself_o to_o council_n to_o do_v evil_a that_o you_o will_v not_o so_o long_o as_o you_o fear_v god_n but_o for_o suffer_v it_o in_o other_o i_o doubt_v you_o do_v it_o sometime_o because_o you_o have_v not_o enough_o of_o hatred_n to_o sin_n as_o when_o you_o see_v one_o deceive_v in_o sell_v to_o or_o labour_v for_o you_o and_o yet_o continue_v to_o buy_v of_o he_o or_o employ_v he_o in_o labour_n that_o be_v assure_o to_o suffer_v the_o evil_n which_o he_o commit_v 5._o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v in_o necessity_n without_o deal_v with_o they_o that_o sell_v or_o labour_n by_o avarice_n fraud_n or_o deceit_n for_o the_o soul_n be_v more_o precious_a than_o the_o body_n which_o ought_v rather_o to_o endure_v its_o necessity_n than_o to_o supply_v they_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o soul_n which_o be_v assure_o defile_v by_o suffer_v the_o sin_n of_o another_o and_o yet_o more_o by_o assist_v and_o help_v evil_a as_o he_o that_o will_v give_v good_n to_o one_o that_o be_v avaricious_a gluttonous_a proud_a slothful_a or_o a_o drunkard_n will_v assist_v he_o to_o go_v on_o in_o his_o sin_n and_o commit_v more_o with_o the_o gif_n and_o assistance_n he_o afford_v he_o and_o if_o we_o defend_v or_o excuse_v the_o evil_a of_o another_o we_o also_o become_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o for_o we_o ought_v never_o to_o excuse_v or_o defend_v it_o lest_o we_o so_o maintain_v the_o evildoer_n in_o his_o sin_n to_o commit_v which_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n need_v no_o encouragement_n and_o whoever_o afford_v it_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o other_o although_o it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o we_o shall_v excuse_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o and_o assist_v sinner_n that_o be_v a_o false_a theology_n very_o hurtful_a to_o the_o upright_a who_o be_v often_o deceive_v by_o evil_a for_o lack_v of_o know_v it_o 6._o also_o you_o be_v not_o in_o hazard_n to_o command_v evil_a so_o long_o as_o you_o fear_v god_n neither_o will_v you_o ever_o partake_v with_o manifest_a sin_n as_o with_o robbery_n for_o god_n have_v deliver_v you_o by_o his_o grace_n from_o avarice_n yet_o you_o must_v take_v care_n to_o hinder_v evil_a when_o in_o your_o power_n or_o else_o the_o omission_n will_v render_v you_o partaker_n of_o the_o evil_n commit_v and_o even_o so_o when_o you_o do_v not_o declare_v it_o to_o they_o that_o will_v hinder_v it_o all_o these_o sin_n or_o part_n of_o they_o may_v be_v commit_v by_o good_a man_n who_o aspire_v after_o perfection_n particular_o when_o they_o be_v of_o a_o good_a disposition_n natural_o they_o take_v all_o in_o good_a part_n i_o have_v sometime_o slip_v into_o some_o such_o fault_n by_o too_o much_o natural_a goodness_n or_o human_a regard_n but_o after_o god_n show_v i_o clear_o these_o sin_n which_o we_o commit_v in_o another_o which_o i_o impart_v to_o you_o because_o i_o love_v your_o perfection_n as_o much_o as_o my_o own_o by_o a_o true_a christian_a charity_n see_v that_o you_o aspire_v unto_o its_o perfection_n which_o i_o will_v also_o show_v wherein_o it_o consist_v for_o the_o darkness_n of_o this_o world_n be_v at_o present_a so_o great_a that_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v well_o incline_v know_v nor_o whither_o they_o walk_v in_o regard_n of_o perfection_n take_v often_o the_o false_a for_o true_a and_o imperfect_a for_o perfect_v and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v now_o teach_v so_o many_o divers_a mean_n to_o perfection_n that_o one_o know_v not_o which_o to_o take_v for_o the_o sure_a exercise_n one_o say_v we_o must_v go_v frequent_o to_o church_n and_o frequent_v the_o sacrament_n another_o place_n christian_a perfection_n in_o enter_v into_o some_o religious_a fraternity_n or_o convent_n other_o in_o fasting_n and_o macerate_v the_o body_n all_o these_o thing_n be_v good_a if_o well_o use_v but_o these_o be_v not_o the_o end_n nor_o that_o wherein_o christian_a perfection_n consist_v for_o these_o may_v be_v perform_v by_o they_o that_o shall_v never_o attain_v to_o salvation_n because_o no_o external_a thing_n perfect_v the_o soul_n nor_o can_v they_o defile_v it_o they_o be_v only_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o more_o easy_o attain_v to_o virtue_n or_o by_o abuse_n fall_v more_o easy_o into_o sin_n 8._o every_o soul_n in_o particular_a aught_o to_o use_v the_o external_a mean_n which_o excite_v they_o most_o to_o christian_a virtue_n and_o evite_v also_o thing_n
that_o engage_v they_o unto_o sin_n for_o it_o be_v write_v whoso_o love_v hazard_n shall_v perish_v in_o it_o so_o that_o he_o that_o feel_v himself_o so_o weak_a in_o chastity_n that_o he_o have_v not_o the_o force_n to_o look_v upon_o woman_n without_o lust_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o one_o and_o he_o that_o drink_v drink_v when_o he_o have_v wine_n ought_v also_o to_o abstain_v from_o it_o and_o so_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n though_o in_o themselves_o they_o be_v not_o evil_a because_o of_o our_o infirmity_n they_o cause_v evil_a as_o other_o occasion_n good_a and_o virtue_n in_o our_o soul_n when_o these_o mean_n of_o perfection_n be_v use_v for_o their_o end_n 9_o for_o example_n if_o you_o find_v by_o a_o true_a experience_n that_o you_o be_v more_o unite_v to_o god_n in_o go_v to_o church_n or_o frequent_v the_o sacrament_n you_o be_v oblige_v to_o use_v these_o mean_n as_o much_o as_o possible_a for_o every_o one_o ought_v always_o to_o seek_v his_o own_o further_a perfection_n but_o if_o those_o mean_n effect_v nothing_o in_o your_o soul_n you_o shall_v not_o use_v they_o and_o if_o you_o return_v better_o into_o god_n in_o be_v shut_v up_o in_o your_o closet_n you_o be_v oblige_v to_o remain_v there_o and_o not_o divert_v yourself_o by_o go_v to_o church_n and_o if_o your_o soul_n feel_v more_o union_n with_o god_n in_o solitude_n than_o when_o you_o seek_v that_o union_n by_o frequent_v the_o sacrament_n you_o ought_v to_o keep_v you_o solitary_a and_o there_o feast_v inward_o with_o your_o god_n for_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v a_o continual_a feast_n where_o the_o soul_n repose_v and_o recreate_v itself_o with_o his_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o have_v not_o always_o need_v of_o external_a mean_n to_o excite_v itself_o to_o that_o union_n 10._o for_o often_o god_n prevent_v it_o with_o a_o spiritual_a joy_n and_o contenrment_n without_o that_o it_o know_v whence_o that_o joy_n have_v its_o origin_n for_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n no_o way_n tie_v to_o material_a thing_n neither_o to_o time_n place_n nor_o any_o mean_n whatsoever_o he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o the_o soul_n a_o spirit_n they_o comunicate_v in_o spirit_n and_o he_o that_o have_v need_n to_o seek_v god_n in_o different_a religion_n and_o fellowship_n be_v not_o very_o far_o advance_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o know_v not_o yet_o the_o place_n where_o he_o feed_v at_o noon_n nor_o where_o he_o rest_v at_o night_n for_o if_o he_o know_v that_o he_o will_v not_o run_v from_o one_o religion_n to_o another_o to_o find_v god_n but_o will_v remain_v fix_v in_o himself_o because_o the_o centre_n of_o our_o heart_n be_v the_o palace_n of_o honour_n where_o god_n rest_v and_o take_v his_o delight_n all_o the_o fraternity_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n can_v give_v that_o union_n with_o god_n we_o must_v find_v it_o in_o ourselves_o and_o though_o the_o perfect_a society_n may_v well_o serve_v as_o mean_n to_o lead_v we_o to_o christian-perfection_n yet_o they_o can_v save_v we_o without_o the_o inward_a virtue_n 11._o one_o boast_v that_o he_o be_v a_o catholic_a another_o that_o he_o be_v reform_v other_o will_v be_v spiritual_a because_o in_o order_n or_o of_o the_o reformation_n of_o menno_n true_o my_o dear_a brother_n all_o those_o thing_n be_v not_o good_a and_o can_v yield_v no_o perfection_n to_o our_o soul_n to_o build_v our_o salvation_n upon_o any_o religion_n be_v to_o deceive_v ourselves_o see_v none_o of_o they_o can_v save_v we_o without_o have_v in_o our_o soul_n true_a christian_a perfection_n 12._o comparison_n if_o the_o rule_n or_o statute_n of_o any_o religion_n serve_v we_o as_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o experiment_n that_o they_o unite_v we_o to_o god_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o embrace_v and_o follow_v they_o for_o we_o must_v esteem_v the_o mean_n as_o one_o will_v esteem_v the_o sheath_n of_o a_o sword_n of_o great_a price_n but_o never_o esteem_v the_o sheath_n so_o precious_a as_o the_o sword_n which_o be_v within_o see_v it_o can_v never_o serve_v we_o to_o fight_v against_o our_o enemy_n nor_o make_v they_o retire_v from_o we_o the_o devil_n the_o world_n and_o the_o flesh_n be_v our_o three_o swear_a enemy_n which_o continual_o attack_v our_o soul_n who_o we_o must_v fight_v with_o the_o sword_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o buckler_n of_o charity_n for_o if_o we_o think_v to_o overcome_v they_o with_o the_o outward_a sheath_n of_o our_o religion_n the_o devil_n shall_v laugh_v at_o we_o we_o shall_v laugh_v at_o a_o soldier_n who_o will_v fight_v his_o enemy_n with_o the_o sheath_n of_o his_o sword_n it_o be_v yet_o more_o ridiculous_a to_o see_v how_o christian_n will_v gain_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o their_o religion_n which_o can_v save_v they_o without_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o charity_n to_o their_o neighbour_n 13._o worship_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o amusement_n and_o folly_n to_o fix_v themselves_o upon_o such_o a_o order_n or_o such_o a_o religion_n or_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o be_v enroll_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a order_n or_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n if_o you_o think_v to_o be_v save_v for_o be_v of_o the_o catholic_a religion_n without_o a_o live_a faith_n hope_v in_o god_n and_o charity_n to_o your_o neighbour_n you_o be_v deceive_v for_o no_o person_n be_v true_o catholic_n but_o he_o that_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n see_v to_o be_v catholic_a be_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o be_v unite_v in_o heart_n and_o will_n with_o all_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v unite_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n behold_v what_o make_v the_o communion_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o catholic_n but_o if_o you_o see_v and_o feel_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o catholic_n lead_v you_o unto_o god_n you_o must_v observe_v they_o faithful_o and_o rather_o die_v than_o slip_n from_o they_o for_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o that_o love_v peril_n shall_v perish_v therein_o so_o be_v it_o certain_a that_o he_o who_o embrace_v faithful_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o perfection_n shall_v be_v perfect_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o our_o nature_n it_o must_v always_o be_v aid_v and_o sustain_v by_o the_o mean_n that_o can_v strengthen_v it_o 14._o but_o if_o our_o soul_n be_v arrive_v at_o union_n with_o god_n they_o shall_v no_o more_o need_v to_o use_v any_o mean_n because_o then_o love_n be_v a_o law_n unto_o itself_o and_o that_o union_n overcome_v all_o the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n to_o which_o we_o have_v then_o no_o more_o need_n to_o resist_v by_o fast_n or_o other_o maceration_n of_o the_o body_n which_o mean_n be_v good_a for_o those_o that_o have_v give_v loose_a reins_o to_o their_o sensuality_n in_o eat_v and_o drink_v or_o have_v allow_v their_o body_n other_o carnal_a pleasure_n the_o habit_n of_o such_o ordinary_o not_o yield_v but_o by_o do_v thing_n quite_o contrary_a because_o our_o nature_n be_v as_o a_o undaunted_a horse_n which_o be_v not_o tame_v but_o furious_a and_o unruly_a which_o we_o can_v tame_v after_o we_o have_v let_v he_o follow_v his_o liberty_n but_o by_o the_o bridle_n and_o spur_n of_o mortification_n of_o the_o flesh_n 15._o see_v there_o my_o dear_a brother_n how_o you_o may_v learn_v to_o regulate_v well_o your_o soul_n and_o discern_v wherein_o perfection_n consist_v that_o you_o take_v not_o apparent_a virtue_n for_o real_a for_o we_o be_v that_o dangerous_a time_n whereof_o jesus_n christ_n prophesy_v say_v that_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n and_o that_o many_o false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o shall_v do_v great_a sign_n and_o miracle_n i_o know_v you_o be_v fall_v into_o evil_a insensible_o and_o by_o little_a and_o little_o have_v lose_v entertainment_n with_o god_n by_o ignorance_n and_o for_o not_o have_v enough_o hate_a evil_n nor_o know_v the_o sin_n which_o you_o can_v commit_v in_o another_o but_o you_o must_v resume_v courage_n and_o begin_v anew_o consider_v more_o narrow_o in_o what_o consist_v christian_a perfection_n that_o as_o adam_n do_v no_o more_o fall_n into_o sin_n after_o he_o know_v the_o evil_a it_o have_v bring_v on_o he_o so_o you_o fall_v no_o more_o into_o the_o sensuality_n of_o nature_n but_o follow_v the_o conduct_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o adam_n do_v when_o he_o know_v they_o for_o his_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o continual_a penitence_n and_o regret_n for_o have_v desert_v entertainment_n with_o god_n 16._o and_o if_o you_o have_v that_o perfect_a regret_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o you_o to_o relapse_n again_o into_o natural_a sensualite_n see_v that_o they_o have_v interrupt_v your_o communion_n with_o god_n that_o regret_n will_v purge_v
better_a temperament_n for_o that_o nature_n be_v nothing_o as_o to_o grace_n and_o sometime_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o fire_n will_v be_v more_o virtuous_a than_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o water_n see_v in_o case_n he_o serve_v himself_o of_o that_o natural_a heat_n to_o love_n god_n he_o will_v love_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o and_o if_o he_o employ_v his_o anger_n to_o defend_v justice_n and_o virtue_n he_o will_v do_v much_o more_o good_a than_o a_o phlegmatic_a person_n who_o ordinary_o love_v only_o his_o ease_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o that_o in_o the_o intemperature_n of_o their_o nature_n have_v contract_v more_o air_n than_o other_o element_n for_o they_o will_v always_o be_v more_o subtle_a to_o discover_v evil_a and_o more_o prompt_a to_o do_v good_a when_o they_o will_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o search_n of_o true_a virtue_n as_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o earth_n than_o other_o element_n will_v be_v more_o pose_v and_o grave_a and_o if_o he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n he_o will_v be_v more_o constant_a and_o persevere_v in_o it_o than_o the_o other_o three_o and_o so_o every_o one_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n in_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o he_o be_v produce_v provide_v he_o apply_v the_o talon_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n therefore_o say_v david_n let_v all_o spirit_n praise_v the_o lord_n that_o â—s_v not_o as_o if_o he_o will_v say_v that_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n praise_v the_o lord_n see_v these_o blaspheme_v he_o but_o he_o give_v to_o understand_v that_o all_o spirit_n that_o will_v become_v true_a christian_n praise_v the_o lord_n though_o they_o be_v all_o of_o divers_a natural_a complexion_n see_v god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n and_o do_v not_o regard_n whether_o we_o have_v more_o of_o fire_n or_o of_o water_n or_o earth_n or_o air_n in_o our_o nature_n but_o with_o what_o affection_n every_o one_o will_v love_v and_o serve_v he_o which_o i_o regard_v also_o in_o write_v of_o solid_a virtue_n i_o mean_v not_o to_o make_v it_o heavy_a and_o difficult_a i_o will_v only_o make_v it_o know_v to_o they_o that_o will_v follow_v and_o practice_v it_o because_o i_o love_v such_o so_o i_o can_v leave_v they_o in_o ignorance_n nor_o let_v they_o perish_v amid_o their_o good_a will_n for_o want_v of_o know_v wherein_o true_a virtue_n consist_v that_o be_v it_o which_o have_v engage_v i_o to_o deduce_v that_o matter_n at_o length_n lest_o these_o soul_n which_o be_v so_o dear_a to_o i_o shall_v perish_v by_o ignorance_n as_o many_o have_v already_o who_o think_v they_o have_v acquire_v true_a virtue_n while_o they_o have_v only_o apparent_a one_o or_o curious_a speculation_n of_o virtue_n not_o know_v that_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o overcome_a of_o corrupt_a nature_n in_o true_a humility_n and_o voluntary_a poverty_n though_o jesus_n christ_n have_v so_o much_o teach_v it_o by_o word_n and_o work_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o follow_v in_o the_o practice_n for_o want_v of_o good_a explication_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n which_o god_n have_v give_v i_o i_o will_v willing_o impart_v it_o to_o other_o in_o send_v to_o light_v this_o first_o part_n of_o true_a virtue_n and_o with_o time_n and_o opportunity_n i_o shall_v present_v more_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n who_o aspire_v after_o true_a virtue_n and_o perfection_n what_o i_o offer_v they_o at_o present_a be_v with_o good_a heart_n as_o a_o present_v come_v from_o heaven_n which_o shall_v show_v they_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o manifest_v the_o deceit_n of_o false_a virtue_n as_o also_o the_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o that_o which_o be_v solid_a and_o true_a this_o first_o part_n discover_v among_o other_o thing_n how_o the_o devil_n attempt_v always_o to_o divert_v soul_n from_o true_a virtue_n by_o so_o many_o wiles_n and_o different_a mean_n and_o final_o it_o be_v a_o school_n where_o you_o may_v learn_v to_o deny_v yourself_o take_v up_o your_o cross_n and_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n as_o he_o have_v teach_v unto_o all_o that_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o perfect_a sense_n and_o true_a explication_n receive_v it_o therefore_o with_o as_o good_a heart_n as_o i_o present_v it_o you_o by_o christian_a charity_n who_o remain_v friendly_a reader_n your_o well-affected_a in_o jesus_n christ_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr index_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o first_o part._n letter_n i._n we_o must_v learn_v of_o jesus_n christ_n meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n write_a to_o one_o desirous_a of_o true_a virtue_n also_o all_o the_o follow_a be_v address_v to_o the_o same_o show_v that_o to_o attain_v thereto_o we_o must_v have_v submission_n and_o obedience_n by_o which_o we_o may_v begin_v to_o learn_v meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n page_n 1._o ii_o we_o must_v learn_v of_o jesus_n christ_n meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n show_v wherein_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n consist_v which_o be_v fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o can_v be_v obtain_v unless_o we_o renounce_v our_o own_o will_n submit_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n p._n 10._o iii_o man_n can_v sufficient_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o they_o will_v perform_v it_o show_v him_z that_o persuade_v himself_o that_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v not_o manifest_a in_o every_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v accomplish_v it_o deny_v our_o own_o that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v and_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_v in_o the_o command_v of_o god_n which_o jesus_n christ_n propose_v so_o clear_o say_v learn_v of_o i_o for_o i_o be_o meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n p._n 18._o iv._o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o show_v what_o humility_n of_o heart_n be_v what_o the_o mark_n of_o it_o and_o how_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o attain_v it_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o blindness_n of_o our_o mind_n p._n 25._o v._o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o know_a one_o self_n show_v that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n even_o of_o thing_n most_o esteem_v by_o man_n aught_o to_o serve_v to_o humble_v they_o such_o as_o the_o honour_n riches_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n that_o all_o these_o be_v vain_a disquiet_v unsatisfy_v and_o hurtful_a p._n 32._o vi_o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o know_a one_o self_n admonish_v to_o learn_v humility_n by_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o corruption_n and_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o disorder_n of_o our_o five_o natural_a sense_n p._n 40._o vii_o he_o that_o serve_v the_o lust_n of_o his_o sense_n thereby_o actual_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n exhort_v to_o the_o effect_n of_o humility_n the_o renounce_n of_o our_o sense_n show_v that_o none_o can_v follow_v they_o but_o he_o thereby_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o our_o creation_n and_o the_o essence_n of_o true_a virtue_n p._n 47._o viii_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o love_n god_n than_o any_o thing_n else_o show_v that_o we_o must_v renounce_v the_o abuse_n of_o our_o sense_n and_o that_o the_o right_a use_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v refer_v to_o god_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a reasonable_a and_o necessary_a to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n p._n 57_o ix_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o love_n god_n than_o any_o thing_n beside_o he_o show_v that_o it_o be_v most_o easy_a sweet_a profitable_a and_o honourable_a to_o love_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o command_n for_o he_o that_o will_v deny_v himself_o but_o that_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n p._n 65._o x._o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v easy_a and_o render_v all_o thing_n easy_a show_v that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v in_o itself_o most_o easy_a to_o be_v acquire_v whence_o the_o difficulty_n proceed_v which_o we_o find_v they_o and_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v remove_v that_o this_o love_n admirable_o make_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o command_v of_o god_n and_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o gospel_n easy_a and_o pleasant_a p._n 74._o xi_o we_o must_v always_o proceed_v in_o virtue_n whatever_o impediment_n occur_v give_v encouragement_n in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n although_o the_o beginning_n be_v difficult_a because_o of_o the_o tentation_n by_o which_o the_o devil_n vex_v they_o that_o have_v resolve_v to_o embrace_v true_a virtue_n p._n 83._o xii_o the_o devil_n the_o enemy_n of_o true_a virtue_n oppose_v it_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o device_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o know_v the_o
hour_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o of_o god_n we_o be_v for_o that_o hour_n turn_v from_o god_n to_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v sin_n since_o we_o do_v in_o that_o what_o god_n have_v forbid_v viz._n we_o cease_v to_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n for_o we_o ought_v to_o love_v he_o always_o without_o interruption_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o we_o must_v refrain_v our_o sense_n and_o give_v they_o law_n that_o they_o take_v no_o other_o liberty_n but_o to_o follow_v the_o will_n of_o god_n we_o may_v well_o use_v these_o five_o natural_a sense_n and_o employ_v they_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n who_o give_v they_o for_o we_o can_v be_v without_o see_v hear_v smell_a feel_a and_o taste_v but_o we_o must_v not_o take_v pleasure_n in_o these_o for_o our_o proper_a satisfaction_n we_o must_v employ_v they_o only_o on_o thing_n necessary_a and_o those_o that_o may_v serve_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o our_o neighbour_n for_o example_n man_n be_v make_v up_o of_o soul_n and_o body_n he_o have_v need_n to_o employ_v all_o his_o five_o natural_a sense_n for_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_a he_o must_v see_v and_o behold_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v he_o for_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o hear_v touch_n taste_n and_o feel_v they_o love_v they_o as_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o salvation_n he_o must_v also_o look_v upon_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o need_v for_o entertain_v his_o body_n to_o which_o his_o natural_a sense_n can_v afford_v he_o much_o help_n for_o he_o must_v see_v thing_n necessary_a as_o a_o house_n to_o devil_n in_o clothes_n to_o cover_v he_o food_z to_o nourish_v he_o all_o that_o must_v be_v look_v on_o he_o must_v hear_v the_o mean_n to_o obtain_v they_o smell_v they_o that_o he_o take_v nothing_o hurtful_a in_o his_o aliment_n touch_n and_o taste_v they_o for_o that_o same_o end_n for_o all_o thing_n necessary_a be_v good_a and_o it_o can_v never_o be_v sin_n to_o use_v they_o for_o necessity_n but_o it_o be_v always_o evil_a to_o use_v they_o to_o satisfy_v our_o sensual_a pleasure_n or_o self-love_n because_o that_o be_v a_o affection_n we_o carry_v to_o ourselves_o and_o our_o affection_n and_o love_n ought_v to_o be_v to_o god_n alone_o not_o to_o thing_n so_o base_a and_o vile_a which_o we_o may_v well_o use_v but_o never_o love_n see_v god_n will_v have_v our_o heart_n entire_o which_o be_v figure_v by_o the_o earthly_a paradise_n where_o god_n place_v man_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n he_o give_v he_o a_o full_a liberty_n to_o eat_v of_o all_o sort_n of_o delicious_a fruit_n but_o reserve_v that_o of_o one_o only_a tree_n of_o which_o he_o forbid_v man_n to_o eat_v and_o that_o to_o let_v we_o understand_v that_o god_n do_v permit_v we_o to_o use_v all_o the_o creature_n which_o he_o have_v create_v for_o we_o provide_v we_o keep_v our_o affection_n for_o himself_o only_o so_o he_o forbid_v we_o to_o place_v it_o on_o any_o thing_n else_o as_o mark_n the_o first_o command_n to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n that_o be_v that_o our_o heart_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v divide_v and_o part_v to_o something_o else_o but_o be_v altogether_o to_o he_o but_o man_n do_v not_o penetrate_v that_o as_o they_o ought_v they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o it_o be_v allowable_a to_o love_v divers_a other_o thing_n with_o god_n in_o which_o they_o grievous_o deceive_v themselves_o while_o the_o command_n of_o god_n express_v punctual_o viz._n thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o thy_o whole_a heart_n if_o then_o it_o have_v be_v permit_v to_o love_v other_o thing_n with_o god_n he_o have_v not_o add_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n we_o make_v question_n and_o dispute_n upon_o so_o many_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o so_o many_o degree_n of_o virtue_n and_o we_o leave_v behind_o the_o principal_a piece_n in_o which_o consist_v all_o faith_n and_o virtue_n for_o what_o shall_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n to_o have_v penetrate_v all_o the_o secret_n of_o nature_n and_o even_o all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o deep_a and_o mysterious_a theology_n if_o with_o all_o that_o he_o fulfil_v not_o the_o command_n of_o loving_n god_n with_o his_o whole_a heart_n and_o have_v his_o heart_n divide_v into_o many_o divers_a affection_n all_o his_o knowledge_n will_v profit_v he_o nothing_o we_o must_v then_o fulful_a that_o first_o commandment_n to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n i_o know_v well_o there_o be_v several_a gloss_n to_o explain_v how_o we_o must_v love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n one_o say_v we_o must_v love_v he_o above_o other_o thing_n and_o where_o we_o have_v a_o ounce_n of_o love_n to_o our_o money_n honour_n pleasure_n parent_n or_o even_o ourselves_o we_o must_v have_v a_o pound_n for_o god_n and_o that_o so_o we_o fulfil_v that_o first_o command_n and_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n other_o say_v we_o must_v love_v he_o so_o that_o if_o the_o case_n be_v we_o must_v lose_v god_n or_o our_o good_n parent_n or_o any_o other_o thing_n that_o we_o shall_v lose_v all_o rather_o than_o quit_v god_n other_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o fulfil_v that_o command_n and_o so_o every_o one_o attempt_n to_o extinguish_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o love_a god_n with_o our_o whole_a heart_n which_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v and_o afflict_v the_o heart_n see_v so_o many_o man_n prefer_v the_o gloss_n and_o sentiment_n of_o man_n to_o so_o express_a ordinance_n of_o god_n he_o have_v add_v in_o vain_a the_o word_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n if_o we_o may_v put_v a_o part_n of_o our_o affection_n or_o of_o our_o heart_n in_o the_o creature_n yet_o god_n never_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o vain_a if_o he_o have_v not_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o man_n ought_v to_o love_v he_o with_o all_o their_o affection_n indivisible_o he_o have_v not_o add_v with_o all_o your_o heart_n consider_v a_o little_a my_o son_n with_o yourself_o by_o his_o grace_n if_o god_n do_v not_o well_o deserve_v that_o we_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n our_o be_v and_o all_o that_o we_o have_v be_v from_o he_o that_o whole_a heart_n with_o which_o he_o will_v be_v love_v he_o give_v it_o we_o shall_v not_o that_o be_v great_a ingratitude_n to_o refuse_v he_o the_o heart_n he_o give_v we_o himself_o to_o the_o end_n it_o may_v be_v for_o himself_o alone_o he_o give_v we_o to_o enjoy_v so_o many_o creature_n provide_v we_o keep_v our_o heart_n for_o he_o which_o be_v the_o only_o forbid_a fruit_n be_v not_o that_o the_o least_o god_n can_v demand_v of_o man_n in_o bestow_v so_o many_o benefit_n on_o he_o ought_v not_o man_n of_o himself_o to_o offer_v unto_o god_n his_o heart_n with_o all_o other_o thing_n although_o he_o be_v not_o command_v whatever_o we_o have_v or_o can_v have_v come_v immediate_o from_o he_o and_o consequent_o all_o aught_o voluntary_o to_o be_v offer_v unto_o he_o 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have_v some_o grace_n from_o god_n keep_v it_o hide_v until_o it_o be_v god_n will_n that_o you_o shall_v discover_v it_o otherwise_o you_o put_v yourself_o in_o peril_n of_o commit_v several_a sin_n while_o you_o shall_v not_o perceive_v it_o for_o there_o can_v easy_o slip_v into_o your_o heart_n some_o vainglory_n when_o you_o have_v receive_v any_o particular_a grace_n and_o even_o when_o you_o have_v only_o the_o desire_n of_o forsake_v the_o world_n the_o better_a to_o serve_v god_n that_o can_v give_v you_o to_o esteem_v yourself_o more_o than_o another_o heware_v also_o of_o publish_v it_o before_o you_o have_v do_v it_o it_o be_v best_a to_o do_v and_o be_v silent_a for_o to_o speak_v of_o these_o thing_n give_v satisfaction_n to_o your_o nature_n for_o it_o be_v much_o please_v to_o speak_v of_o good_a thing_n so_o it_o be_v best_a not_o to_o give_v it_o matter_n of_o vain_a complacency_n but_o to_o suffer_v the_o good_a seed_n which_o god_n have_v cast_v into_o your_o soul_n 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they_o the_o state_n of_o the_o bless_a and_o that_o of_o the_o miserable_a and_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n and_o they_o be_v all_o move_v but_o they_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o self-love_n and_o the_o love_n of_o earthly_a thing_n that_o they_o will_v not_o put_v into_o practice_n what_o i_o have_v teach_v they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n will_v follow_v their_o old_a custom_n and_o forget_v the_o truth_n which_o i_o have_v preach_v to_o they_o and_o after_o that_o he_o vanish_v like_o smoke_n in_o presence_n of_o the_o prior_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o religious_a leave_v a_o noisome_a stink_n behind_o he_o this_o history_n show_v enough_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v well_o speak_v the_o truth_n and_o good_a thing_n when_o he_o see_v he_o can_v make_v his_o advantage_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o shall_v we_o not_o esteem_v it_o a_o virtue_n to_o be_v able_a to_o talk_v well_o of_o good_a thing_n virtue_n consist_v only_o in_o the_o practice_n and_o so_o imagine_v not_o that_o you_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o study_v much_o that_o you_o may_v speak_v advantageous_o of_o virtue_n that_o will_v be_v but_o vanity_n without_o profit_n but_o endeavour_v to_o study_v well_o the_o knowledge_n of_o true_a virtue_n to_o the_o end_n you_o may_v put_v it_o into_o practice_n and_o your_o practice_n shall_v teach_v other_o never_o read_v any_o thing_n to_o learn_v to_o talk_v well_o but_o read_v the_o book_n which_o teach_v the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n such_o as_o be_v that_o of_o thomas_n a_o kempis_n or_o other_o such_o like_a for_o the_o high_a and_o difficult_a question_n can_v make_v you_o holy_a but_o will_v inspire_v your_o heart_n with_o vanity_n and_o pride_n now_o see_v we_o ought_v to_o evite_v even_o the_o shadow_n of_o evil_n we_o must_v consequent_o beware_v of_o read_v unprofitable_a thing_n or_o elevate_a matter_n of_o controversy_n and_o hide_a mystery_n see_v all_o these_o thing_n do_v no_o more_o but_o fill_v our_o spirit_n with_o wind_n not_o bring_v any_o profit_n to_o the_o soul_n but_o much_o hurt_n for_o as_o a_o vessel_n fill_v with_o some_o liquor_n can_v receive_v any_o other_o thing_n without_o mix_v with_o what_o be_v in_o it_o or_o spill_v it_o over_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o our_o understanding_n when_o it_o be_v replenish_v with_o curious_a study_n of_o whatever_o matter_n for_o then_o the_o light_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n can_v be_v pour_v into_o it_o pure_a it_o be_v mix_v with_o our_o proper_a thought_n and_o so_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o confusion_n and_o in_o that_o confusion_n as_o in_o trouble_a water_n the_o devil_n fish_n and_o dissipate_v quite_o that_o light_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o so_o few_o soul_n receive_v pure_o the_o light_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n they_o be_v not_o empty_a but_o fill_v with_o fine_a speculation_n of_o mystique_a thing_n other_o have_v their_o mind_n fill_v with_o medicine_n other_o with_o astrology_n and_o so_o of_o other_o study_n they_o can_v comprehend_v why_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v the_o light_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o well_o as_o some_o other_o particular_a soul_n which_o they_o see_v and_o know_v to_o possess_v it_o but_o they_o need_v not_o be_v astonish_v at_o that_o for_o the_o holy_a spirit_n can_v enter_v into_o a_o soul_n fill_v with_o something_o else_o it_o must_v be_v altogether_o void_a of_o it_o be_v own_o curiosity_n before_o it_o can_v be_v dispose_v to_o receive_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o shall_v then_o desire_v to_o know_v nothing_o beside_o what_o god_n will_v that_o it_o shall_v know_v and_o consequent_o shall_v not_o apply_v itself_o to_o read_v any_o book_n but_o such_o as_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o true_a virtue_n neither_o must_v
before_o we_o ask_v it_o and_o if_o we_o think_v to_o gain_v time_n for_o prayer_n by_o watch_v the_o devil_n will_v disturb_v our_o spirit_n for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a sleep_n that_o he_o may_v weaken_v we_o and_o in_o short_a time_n destroy_v we_o i_o have_v experience_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o sometime_o fall_v into_o so_o great_a extremity_n that_o if_o god_n have_v not_o marvellous_o maintain_v i_o i_o shall_v have_v be_v dead_a long_o ago_o by_o excess_n in_o fast_v watch_v and_o lie_v hard_a which_o god_n have_v since_o show_v i_o to_o be_v but_o a_o disorderly_a fervour_n which_o can_v be_v long_o continue_v and_o that_o the_o devil_n find_v his_o advantage_n in_o it_o and_o easy_o insinuate_v therein_o thought_n of_o vainglory_n because_o they_o think_v themselves_o better_a than_o other_o while_o they_o use_v these_o mortification_n of_o the_o body_n though_o they_o be_v no_o more_o but_o mean_n to_o mortify_v our_o intemperances_n and_o luxury_n for_o if_o we_o be_v well_o dispose_v we_o shall_v not_o need_n watch_n fast_n and_o other_o maceration_n of_o the_o body_n it_o be_v not_o our_o flesh_n that_o can_v sin_n but_o the_o will_v only_o which_o we_o must_v compel_v more_o to_o do_v well_o than_o our_o flesh_n see_v this_o be_v but_o as_o a_o horse_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v whip_v when_o he_o ride_v willing_o which_o he_o do_v as_o well_o cover_v with_o a_o saddle_n of_o leather_n as_o with_o one_o of_o velvet_n and_o contrariwise_o even_o so_o our_o heart_n may_v be_v as_o virtuous_a when_o our_o body_n be_v cover_v with_o velvet_n as_o when_o with_o leather_n see_v the_o outward_a habit_n bring_v nothing_o to_o the_o soul_n beside_o a_o simple_a habit_n cover_v often_o hypocrisy_n and_o cause_n pride_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v never_o be_v tie_v to_o these_o outward_a thing_n for_o the_o devil_n thereby_o find_v opportunity_n but_o we_o must_v be_v tie_v to_o god_n alone_o on_o who_o the_o devil_n have_v no_o power_n as_o he_o have_v on_o all_o our_o outward_a action_n even_o the_o best_a for_o the_o devil_n fur_n himself_o into_o work_n of_o spiritual_a mercy_n and_o charity_n he_o persuade_v we_o that_o it_o be_v well_o do_v to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o admonish_v the_o faulty_a which_o in_o effect_n profit_v no_o more_o in_o this_o miserable_a time_n when_o man_n perish_v not_o by_o ignorance_n but_o by_o pure_a malice_n for_o every_o one_o will_v profess_v to_o teach_v virtue_n and_o very_o few_o will_v practise_v it_o i_o exercise_v myself_o about_o nine_o year_n in_o teach_v of_o the_o ignorant_a without_o profit_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n on_o the_o contrary_a i_o have_v the_o dissatisfaction_n to_o hear_v some_o of_o they_o say_v to_o who_o i_o have_v show_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o virtue_n that_o they_o can_v now_o do_v great_a evil_n than_o they_o can_v do_v before_o because_o now_o they_o can_v cover_v their_o wickedness_n with_o feign_a virtue_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v before_o they_o learn_v to_o talk_v of_o virtue_n so_o it_o be_v not_o advisable_v that_o we_o distract_v ourselves_o to_o go_v and_o teach_v other_o unless_o we_o see_v that_o our_o teach_n will_v be_v profitable_a to_o their_o salvation_n who_o we_o will_v teach_v and_o we_o must_v use_v in_o this_o great_a discretion_n otherwise_o the_o devil_n vould_v amuse_v we_o all_o our_o life_n in_o teach_v the_o ignorant_a think_v we_o do_v a_o work_n of_o spiritual_a mercy_n which_o yet_o shall_v be_v no_o profit_n to_o other_o and_o much_o hurt_n to_o ourselves_o we_o must_v indeeâ—â—ave_v charity_n to_o teach_v our_o neighbour_n but_o not_o exceed_v therein_o nor_o have_v a_o indiscreet_a zeal_n towards_o such_o as_o search_v not_o after_o the_o salvation_n or_o perfection_n of_o their_o soul_n themselves_o for_o the_o devil_n himself_o will_v feign_v ignorance_n and_o desire_v of_o we_o instruction_n to_o distract_v we_o from_o our_o own_o perfection_n i_o have_v know_v person_n possess_v of_o the_o devil_n who_o go_v continual_o search_v pious_a soul_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o christian_a perfection_n these_o be_v such_o as_o the_o scripture_n call_v silly_a woman_n ever_o learning_n and_o never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o they_o care_v not_o to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n although_o they_o know_v it_o but_o seek_v only_o to_o amuse_v we_o and_o cause_v good_a person_n to_o lose_v their_o time_n who_o can_v advance_v in_o virtue_n while_o they_o be_v attempt_v in_o vain_a to_o procure_v it_o to_o other_o there_o be_v the_o profit_n the_o devil_n draw_v from_o work_n of_o spiritual_a mercy_n both_o in_o instruct_v ignorant_n and_o admonish_v the_o faulty_a for_o so_o evil_a be_v our_o time_n become_v that_o we_o can_v no_o more_o resist_v the_o evil_a it_o be_v enough_o to_o endure_v and_o suffer_v it_o with_o regret_n if_o you_o shall_v speak_v to_o admonish_v man_n for_o their_o oath_n whoredom_n robbery_n lie_n and_o infidelity_n and_o other_o gross_a sin_n they_o will_v leap_v in_o your_o face_n curse_v you_o despise_v you_o calumniate_v and_o hate_v you_o so_o that_o instead_o of_o do_v they_o any_o work_n of_o mercy_n you_o shall_v excite_v they_o to_o great_a sin_n and_o put_v yourself_o in_o danger_n of_o be_v abuse_v and_o persecute_v without_o any_o profit_n as_o i_o have_v know_v person_n zealous_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n who_o can_v not_o suffer_v the_o wicked_a in_o their_o presence_n and_o reprove_v their_o vice_n and_o admonish_v they_o upon_o occasion_n and_o these_o have_v often_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o be_v kill_v by_o they_o they_o admonish_v the_o devil_n attempt_v so_o to_o extirpate_v they_o which_o also_o happen_v to_o one_o of_o my_o friend_n who_o be_v poison_v for_o be_v overzealous_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o over-fervent_a in_o oppose_v evil_a and_o therefore_o we_o must_v in_o all_o thing_n use_v discretion_n if_o we_o will_v evite_v the_o snare_n which_o the_o devil_n spread_v every_o where_o to_o catch_v soul_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o neglect_v to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o admonish_v the_o faulty_a when_o we_o find_v person_n dispose_v to_o profit_n thereby_o yea_o we_o must_v have_v in_o our_o heart_n the_o charity_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o wish_v to_o be_v accurse_v for_o his_o brethren_n salvation_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o excessive_a zeal_n but_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o charity_n of_o his_o heart_n towards_o his_o neighbour_n and_o forget_v of_o himself_o for_o he_o regard_v more_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n than_o his_o own_o salvation_n or_o advantage_n see_v he_o be_v but_o one_o person_n to_o glorify_v god_n and_o his_o brethren_n a_o great_a number_n so_o that_o excess_n can_v not_o come_v of_o the_o devil_n see_v he_o have_v no_o interest_n or_o profit_n by_o it_o he_o know_v that_o god_n do_v the_o will_n of_o they_o that_o he_o love_v and_o so_o he_o may_v foresee_v that_o st._n paul_n will_v obtain_v the_o prayer_n which_o he_o make_v for_o his_o brethren_n he_o know_v also_o that_o god_n will_v not_o damn_v st._n paul_n for_o his_o great_a charity_n which_o he_o carry_v to_o his_o brethren_n offer_v his_o own_o salvation_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v he_o can_v have_v no_o extrance_n there_o see_v charity_n be_v god_n himself_o on_o who_o the_o devil_n have_v no_o power_n but_o he_o have_v much_o over_o all_o our_o external_a action_n when_o they_o be_v do_v without_o discretion_n therefore_o be_v it_o st._n anthony_n say_v discretion_n be_v the_o great_a of_o all_o virtue_n see_v they_o be_v disorderly_a when_o not_o regulate_v with_o discretion_n for_o fast_n watch_n prayer_n and_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o other_o virtue_n be_v not_o good_a when_o discretion_n be_v want_v it_o be_v good_a to_o admonish_v and_o instruct_v our_o neighbour_n in_o a_o fit_a season_n and_o when_o he_o desire_v it_o but_o when_o he_o do_v not_o seek_v it_o or_o will_v not_o suffer_v it_o we_o must_v withdraw_v testify_v that_o their_o imperfection_n and_o sin_n displease_v we_o without_o go_v to_o correct_v or_o restrain_v they_o authoritative_o for_o god_n have_v not_o give_v we_o our_o brother_n in_o charge_n he_o be_v leave_v free_a as_o well_o as_o we_o so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o help_v he_o but_o by_o charity_n as_o far_o as_o he_o have_v need_n and_o desire_v it_o not_o far_o god_n do_v equal_o the_o same_o with_o all_o man_n he_o please_v to_o have_v they_o free_a and_o so_o constrain_v they_o in_o nothing_o now_o we_o must_v not_o presume_v to_o be_v more_o just_a or_o charitable_a than_o god_n in_o willing_a to_o oblige_v our_o neighbour_n to_o do_v well_o by_o force_n and_o forsake_v his_o sin_n and_o
clear_v that_o the_o devil_n can_v draw_v man_n to_o sin_n nor_o do_v he_o any_o hurt_n except_o man_n give_v his_o own_o consent_n my_o son_n in_o my_o former_a i_o set_v before_o your_o eye_n how_o the_o devil_n tempt_v man_n many_o way_n and_o insinuate_v himself_o into_o virtue_n itself_o that_o he_o may_v direct_v our_o good_a work_n to_o his_o own_o honour_n and_o glory_n which_o very_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o i_o fear_v lest_o by_o yet_o another_o sort_n of_o tentation_n he_o catch_v you_o which_o you_o can_v not_o discover_v if_o you_o be_v not_o forewarn_v of_o it_o to_o wit_n when_o you_o have_v well_o consider_v the_o power_n and_o wile_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o find_v in_o your_o experience_n that_o it_o be_v he_o who_o incite_v you_o to_o do_v evil_a it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o you_o will_v lay_v the_o blame_n upon_o the_o devil_n because_o sometime_o you_o do_v evil_a against_o your_o will_n for_o man_n heart_n be_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o will_v not_o confess_v his_o fault_n and_o so_o seek_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o sin_n without_o himself_o which_o you_o may_v the_o rather_o do_v because_o i_o have_v deduce_v to_o you_o at_o length_n that_o all_o evil_n come_v from_o the_o devil_n and_o all_o good_a from_o god_n but_o though_o that_o be_v most_o true_a we_o must_v not_o therefore_o imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n of_o himself_o can_v ever_o force_v we_o to_o do_v evil_a for_o he_o be_v a_o miserable_a impotency_n who_o have_v no_o power_n over_o our_o soul_n heart_n and_o will_n but_o so_o much_o as_o we_o give_v he_o the_o devil_n may_v well_o represent_v evil_a to_o our_o spirit_n and_o incite_v our_o will_n to_o follow_v it_o and_o incite_v our_o corrupt_a nature_n but_o he_o can_v never_o force_v we_o so_o long_o as_o our_o will_n remain_v firm_o resolve_v not_o to_o consent_v to_o evil_n the_o devil_n be_v as_o a_o chain_a dog_n who_o can_v go_v no_o further_o than_o his_o chain_n permit_v he_o and_o god_n will_v give_v 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that_o man_n have_v enjoy_v all_o sort_n of_o delight_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o time_n of_o trial_n be_v over_o confirm_v in_o grace_n he_o have_v live_v eternal_o happy_a and_o bless_a but_o sin_n have_v deprive_v he_o of_o all_o that_o happiness_n and_o have_v reduce_v he_o to_o all_o sort_n of_o suffering_n and_o misery_n which_o job_n consider_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o misery_n he_o have_v reason_n to_o curse_v the_o day_n of_o his_o birth_n when_o he_o see_v himself_o in_o inevitable_a misery_n you_o must_v consider_v that_o job_n do_v not_o curse_v the_o day_n that_o god_n create_v he_o in_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o bless_v he_o for_o all_o because_o he_o be_v his_o faithful_a servant_n and_o so_o he_o desire_v to_o satisfy_v divine_a justice_n for_o all_o his_o sin_n which_o he_o have_v commit_v now_o because_o he_o so_o desire_v god_n permit_v the_o devil_n to_o tempt_v he_o in_o divers_a manner_n that_o job_n faithfulness_n may_v be_v manifest_a before_o all_o 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beside_o god_n can_v never_o do_v any_o evil_n to_o man_n nor_o permit_v that_o it_o befall_v he_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o free_a will_n so_o if_o we_o commit_v sin_n it_o be_v of_o our_o own_o free_a will_n as_o also_o when_o we_o damn_v ourselves_o for_o god_n can_v never_o damn_v any_o person_n without_o do_v the_o great_a evil_n that_o ever_o be_v which_o can_v proceed_v from_o god_n who_o can_v never_o do_v any_o evil_n but_o it_o be_v our_o sin_n that_o damn_v we_o and_o not_o god_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o damnation_n and_o sin_n depend_v on_o man_n free_a will_n we_o must_v not_o attribute_v our_o damnation_n either_o to_o god_n or_o to_o the_o devil_n see_v god_n give_v we_o always_o grace_n in_o abundance_n to_o save_v we_o and_o the_o devil_n have_v no_o power_n to_o damn_v we_o so_o that_o man_n alone_o be_v true_o unblamable_a for_o the_o sin_n which_o he_o commit_v and_o ought_v never_o to_o attribute_v the_o fault_n to_o the_o devil_n because_o he_o can_v wrong_v we_o if_o we_o will_v not_o he_o may_v well_o bark_v as_o the_o chain_a dog_n but_o he_o can_v bite_v we_o unless_o we_o approach_v he_o and_o therefore_o my_o son_n you_o ought_v never_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o your_o evil_n do_v though_o all_o evil_n come_v from_o he_o he_o can_v effect_v they_o in_o we_o without_o our_o consent_n he_o may_v well_o afflict_v our_o body_n or_o spirit_n when_o we_o desire_v to_o purge_v our_o soul_n by_o suffer_v then_o god_n suffer_v he_o to_o tempt_v we_o by_o the_o most_o salutary_a thing_n as_o he_o may_v permit_v the_o devil_n to_o bring_v to_o poverty_n a_o good_a man_n when_o he_o see_v that_o he_o will_v forget_v himself_o by_o worldly_a good_n god_n love_v his_o soul_n so_o take_v away_o his_o riches_n as_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o damnation_n of_o his_o soul_n sometime_o also_o he_o take_v away_o his_o honour_n or_o his_o health_n lest_o these_o shall_v hinder_v the_o perfection_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o it_o be_v not_o always_o direct_o man_n will_n that_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o from_o he_o for_o he_o complain_v sometime_o of_o it_o but_o when_o god_n take_v they_o away_o it_o be_v always_o with_o the_o indirect_a will_n and_o consent_n of_o man_n for_o example_n the_o person_n do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v poor_a afflict_a or_o sick_a but_o desire_n that_o god_n send_v he_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o his_o salvation_n and_o god_n regard_v that_o good_a will_n remove_v from_o he_o whatever_o may_v hinder_v the_o advancement_n of_o the_o desire_a salvation_n and_o that_o be_v a_o fatherly_a love_n which_o god_n bear_v to_o man_n and_o not_o a_o punishment_n as_o the_o natural_a sense_n take_v it_o and_o complain_v of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v true_o what_o the_o person_n desire_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o his_o soul_n viz_o salutary_a thing_n and_o the_o prophet_n even_o pray_v god_n that_o he_o will_v constrain_v his_o rebellious_a will_n by_o which_o we_o may_v see_v that_o god_n never_o afflict_v a_o person_n without_o his_o will_n and_o consent_v direct_a or_o indirect_a because_o he_o create_v he_o altogether_o free_a he_o can_v be_v touch_v to_o good_a or_o evil_n no_o more_o by_o god_n than_o by_o the_o devil_n who_o can_v never_o cause_v man_n to_o sin_n against_o he_o will_v direct_v or_o indirect_a but_o man_n do_v not_o always_o know_v the_o indirect_a will_v he_o have_v to_o sin_n and_o for_o that_o say_v or_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v the_o devil_n that_o make_v he_o sin_n against_o his_o will_n
forget_v ordinary_o itself_o in_o too_o much_o prosperity_n we_o see_v daily_o among_o man_n that_o he_o that_o prosper_v become_v proud_a and_o fix_v in_o the_o world_n as_o in_o a_o place_n of_o abode_n and_o permanent_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o he_o that_o be_v in_o adversity_n and_o tribulation_n become_v humble_a and_o have_v his_o recourse_n to_o god_n i_o speak_v of_o such_o as_o be_v well-meaning_a and_o pious_a for_o to_o the_o wicked_a all_o turn_n to_o evil_a if_o they_o prosper_v they_o offend_v god_n the_o more_o if_o they_o be_v in_o adversity_n they_o blaspheme_v he_o and_o despair_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n arrive_v in_o temporal_a prosperity_n and_o adversity_n so_o do_v they_o also_o to_o they_o that_o seek_v after_o true_a virtue_n for_o not_o be_v try_v by_o tentation_n and_o suffering_n they_o shall_v not_o persevere_v in_o virtue_n although_o they_o be_v arrive_v at_o the_o profoun_a knowledge_n of_o divine_a mystery_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophesy_v and_o do_v miracle_n all_o that_o shall_v vanish_v into_o smoke_n except_o they_o pass_v through_o the_o furnace_n of_o tentation_n and_o affliction_n for_o we_o can_v in_o this_o life_n arrive_v at_o that_o degree_n of_o perfection_n in_o which_o adam_n be_v at_o his_o creation_n who_o yet_o fall_v full_a sordid_o into_o sin_n against_o his_o god_n he_o forget_v god_n and_o turn_v himself_o to_o the_o creature_n for_o he_o have_v all_o sort_n of_o prosperity_n joy_n content_a and_o pleasure_n and_o know_v not_o evil_a he_o can_v not_o imagine_v that_o his_o turn_n from_o god_n will_v render_v he_o so_o miserable_a have_v never_o feel_v any_o misery_n but_o after_o he_o be_v tempt_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o see_v by_o experience_n that_o earthly_a pleasure_n and_o contentment_n have_v render_v he_o so_o miserable_a he_o be_v loath_a to_o stay_v long_o in_o they_o and_o love_v rather_o to_o embrace_v suffering_n and_o patience_n as_o he_o do_v all_o the_o time_n of_o his_o life_n as_o to_o remain_v in_o the_o pleasure_n of_o a_o earthly_a paradise_n which_o have_v make_v he_o forget_v his_o god_n by_o sensible_a pleasure_n and_o if_o adam_n a_o creature_n so_o noble_a so_o holy_a and_o so_o perfect_a as_o god_n create_v he_o can_v not_o remain_v constant_a in_o the_o fidelity_n which_o he_o owe_v to_o his_o creator_n before_o his_o trial_n of_o tentation_n as_o he_o certain_o do_v after_o they_o how_o shall_v we_o contemptible_a and_o frail_a creature_n bear_v with_o a_o propension_n to_o evil_n be_v able_a to_o remain_v faithful_a to_o god_n without_o be_v prove_v by_o tentation_n our_o soul_n shall_v be_v like_o wood_n silver_v on_o the_o outside_n which_o rust_v with_o a_o little_a rain_n but_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o render_v they_o silver_n or_o gold_n purify_v by_o the_o fire_n of_o tentation_n and_o affliction_n otherwise_o we_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n to_o which_o you_o my_o son_n aspire_v and_o therefore_o rejoice_v 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though_o he_o commit_v no_o other_o sin_n for_o it_o be_v of_o our_o soul_n that_o the_o scripture_n say_v in_o the_o perfect_a sense_n the_o ground_n that_o be_v not_o labour_v shall_v bring_v forth_o thistle_n and_o briar_n because_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o soul_n become_v curse_v by_o sin_n and_o be_v fall_v into_o that_o curse_n it_o can_v no_o more_o bear_v any_o wholesome_a fruit_n without_o bestow_v on_o it_o a_o great_a diligence_n we_o must_v trench_v and_o till_o it_o with_o the_o iron_n of_o penitence_n to_o tilk_v the_o tare_n and_o bad_a weed_n of_o corruption_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o in_o the_o earth_n of_o our_o soul_n for_o if_o these_o be_v not_o root_v out_o they_o shall_v suffocate_v always_o the_o good_a grain_n of_o true_a virtue_n which_o shall_v thereby_o be_v stifle_v though_o sow_v in_o good_a quantity_n in_o our_o soul_n we_o must_v maintain_v it_o by_o a_o continual_a diligence_n otherwise_o it_o will_v bear_v no_o fruit_n we_o must_v watch_v over_o 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towards_o his_o neighbour_n and_o yet_o less_o humble_a of_o heart_n which_o come_v for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n of_o his_o misery_n and_o the_o miserable_a estate_n into_o which_o sin_n have_v reduce_v he_o and_o so_o he_o can_v humble_v himself_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v so_o good_a and_o salutary_a unto_o which_o i_o exhort_v you_o my_o son_n that_o you_o follow_v it_o to_o your_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o i_o be_o your_o well-affected_a in_o jesus_n christ_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr husum_fw-la feb._n 3._o 1674._o st._n vet_n the_o xxiv_o letter_n man_n be_v idolater_n of_o their_o own_o corruption_n and_o enemy_n of_o virtue_n to_o the_o same_o advertise_v he_o that_o the_o continuation_n of_o that_o subject_n be_v interrupt_v by_o the_o devil_n exciting_a the_o wise_a of_o this_o world_n enemy_n of_o virtue_n and_o friend_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n to_o distract_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o writer_n by_o their_o dispute_n lie_n and_o calumny_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o persecution_n my_o son_n i_o have_v yet_o many_o thing_n to_o say_v to_o you_o of_o solid_a virtue_n but_o the_o time_n be_v want_v to_o i_o at_o present_a see_v my_o enemy_n be_v all_o earn_v to_o hinder_v it_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o be_v the_o devil_n our_o common_a enemy_n who_o will_v not_o suffer_v that_o we_o speak_v of_o solid_a virtue_n beside_o he_o keep_v man_n at_o present_a in_o spiritual_a negligence_n with_o apparent_a virtue_n and_o they_o take_v they_o for_o solid_a and_o true_a one_o therefore_o will_v he_o make_v they_o rest_v in_o the_o love_n of_o themselves_o without_o arrive_v at_o solid_a virtue_n now_o while_o he_o can_v hinder_v that_o i_o shall_v discover_v it_o because_o god_n disclose_v it_o to_o i_o he_o endeavour_v to_o his_o power_n to_o hinder_v its_o be_v publish_v he_o induce_v divers_a person_n to_o write_v against_o i_o to_o take_v up_o my_o time_n in_o answer_v they_o and_o to_o entertain_v i_o with_o 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minister_n and_o learned_a which_o be_v esteem_v worthy_a of_o credit_n these_o wise_a and_o learned_a strive_v at_o present_a to_o kill_v the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o such_o like_o before_o kill_v his_o body_n you_o have_v see_v the_o defamatory_n treatise_n which_o john_n berckendal_n in_o name_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o calvin_n reformation_n in_o altena_n have_v compose_v against_o i_o and_o i_o be_v oblige_v to_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n against_o so_o many_o falsehood_n by_o a_o great_a teatise_n whereto_o be_v join_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o great_a many_o person_n yet_o alive_a and_o worthy_a of_o credit_n that_o work_n hinder_v i_o from_o write_v more_o to_o you_o of_o solid_a virtue_n though_o i_o know_v that_o to_o be_v very_o profitable_a and_o necessary_a for_o you_o and_o for_o all_o that_o desire_v and_o aspire_v at_o become_v true_a christian_a as_o you_o do_v there_o be_v at_o present_a so_o many_o person_n deceive_v by_o apparent_a virtue_n and_o who_o learn_v always_o and_o never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o think_v they_o be_v already_o in_o true_a virtue_n whereas_o they_o be_v yet_o altogether_o in_o the_o love_n of_o themselves_o therefore_o be_v the_o devil_n so_o angry_a when_o i_o write_v of_o true_a virtue_n lest_o the_o deceit_n of_o the_o false_a be_v discover_v by_o the_o true_a but_o the_o devil_n can_v hinder_v i_o to_o know_v it_o since_o god_n discover_v it_o to_o i_o so_o he_o attempt_v to_o bereave_v i_o of_o the_o time_n to_o write_v it_o that_o neither_o you_o nor_o other_o soul_n that_o aspire_v after_o it_o shall_v know_v it_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o he_o incite_v divers_a person_n to_o write_v against_o i_o that_o so_o i_o may_v not_o have_v time_n to_o write_v of_o solid_a virtue_n he_o labour_v to_o occupy_v i_o always_o in_o oppose_a slanderer_n but_o he_o deceive_v himself_o for_o among_o the_o refutation_n of_o the_o calumny_n of_o my_o enemy_n i_o intermix_v always_o something_o of_o solid_a virtue_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v unto_o you_o my_o son_n a_o discipline_n to_o regulate_v well_o your_o life_n and_o become_v a_o true_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n examine_v well_o then_o all_o that_o come_v from_o my_o pen_n and_o you_o shall_v always_o find_v therein_o more_o and_o more_o enlighten_v and_o wholesome_a instruction_n which_o you_o shall_v find_v principal_o in_o the_o 23_o letter_n which_o i_o have_v write_v last_o to_o you_o concern_v the_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n learn_v of_o i_o for_o i_o be_o meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n all_o that_o matter_n shall_v suffice_v for_o aliment_n to_o your_o soul_n until_o i_o can_v write_v more_o unto_o you_o which_o i_o shall_v do_v when_o i_o have_v answer_v two_o treatise_n which_o the_o disciple_n of_o labadie_n have_v compose_v against_o i_o i_o have_v not_o yet_o have_v leisure_n to_o read_v they_o but_o i_o conjecture_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v as_o the_o rest_n full_a of_o error_n and_o calumny_n and_o that_o because_o all_o they_o that_o follow_v the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n be_v in_o error_n and_o falsehood_n and_o be_v not_o in_o quiet_a nor_o at_o peace_n with_o the_o truth_n because_o these_o be_v two_o contrary_n which_o always_o exclude_v one_o the_o other_a and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o all_o these_o learned_a scholar_n oppose_v the_o doctrine_n which_o i_o advance_v it_o be_v not_o such_o as_o they_o have_v learn_v in_o the_o school_n beside_o neither_o will_v they_o approve_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o maintain_v they_o in_o honour_n profit_n ease_v and_o commodity_n of_o this_o life_n to_o which_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v quite_o contrary_a for_o it_o speak_v of_o nothing_o but_o poverty_n contempt_n suffering_n and_o persecution_n
a_o admirable_a treatise_n of_o solid_a virtue_n which_o the_o man_n of_o this_o generation_n know_v not_o seeing_z they_o take_v the_o appearance_n of_o virtue_n for_o true_a virtue_n teach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n in_o these_o word_n learn_v of_o i_o for_o i_o be_o meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o salutary_a doctrine_n which_o he_o have_v give_v for_o true_a christian_n by_o antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr write_a in_o 24._o letter_n to_o a_o young_a man_n who_o seek_v after_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o soul_n teach_v he_o that_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o and_o the_o mortification_n of_o our_o five_o natural_a sense_n translate_v from_o the_o original_a french_a at_o amsterdam_n by_o henry_n wetstein_n 1698._o which_o jesus_n say_v both_o reveals_z and_o judge_n man_n heart_n how_o much_o of_o this_o divine_a truth_n be_v in_o these_o epistle_n the_o more_o upright_o the_o soul_n be_v it_o shall_v more_o 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letter_n which_o treat_v of_o virtue_n that_o they_o who_o aspire_v unto_o it_o may_v see_v the_o state_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o also_o if_o they_o have_v acquire_v any_o degree_n of_o it_o or_o if_o their_o virtue_n be_v only_o imaginary_a i_o do_v not_o present_v this_o matter_n of_o true_a virtue_n to_o all_o in_o general_a since_o many_o shall_v find_v it_o too_o difficult_a to_o be_v observe_v for_o such_o as_o yet_o love_v themselves_o or_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v have_v all_o their_o mind_n bend_v to_o acquire_v this_o virtue_n nor_o tend_v to_o the_o spiritual_a diligence_n which_o it_o require_v but_o i_o speak_v to_o the_o free_a and_o generous_a soul_n who_o have_v abandon_v the_o world_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n and_o such_o will_v easy_o understand_v i_o for_o none_o be_v better_a dispose_v to_o understand_v i_o than_o he_o that_o will_v practice_v true_a virtue_n and_o other_o who_o have_v not_o that_o desire_n may_v content_v themselves_o to_o know_v the_o command_n of_o god_n in_o general_n see_v they_o aspire_v not_o to_o a_o great_a perfection_n so_o i_o say_v to_o they_o as_o st._n john_n to_o the_o soldier_n use_v no_o violence_n nor_o fraud_n to_o any_o person_n and_o be_v content_a with_o your_o wage_n he_o say_v so_o to_o they_o because_o he_o find_v they_o not_o dispose_v for_o great_a perfection_n and_o every_o one_o be_v free_a to_o tend_v to_o what_o degree_n of_o perfection_n he_o will_v so_o st._n john_n choose_v of_o two_o evil_n the_o least_o in_o councel_n the_o soldier_n to_o be_v content_a with_o their_o pay_n and_o do_v no_o violence_n but_o if_o these_o soldier_n have_v tend_v unto_o christian-perfection_n doubtless_o st._n john_n have_v counsel_v they_o to_o cease_v from_o be_v soldier_n and_o to_o forsake_v all_o that_o they_o possess_v as_o jesus_n christ_n do_v to_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n after_o he_o say_v he_o have_v keep_v the_o command_n of_o god_n i_o say_v the_o very_a same_o to_o they_o to_o who_o i_o present_v this_o matter_n of_o true_a virtue_n in_o these_o twenty_o four_o letter_n which_o be_v but_o the_o begin_n of_o my_o design_n to_o show_v wherein_o it_o consist_v in_o every_o thing_n to_o these_o namely_o who_o will_v follow_v it_o and_o to_o none_o other_o see_v that_o be_v to_o cast_v pearl_n before_o swine_n or_o the_o child_n bread_n unto_o dog_n those_o be_v soul_n yet_o earthly_a and_o attach_v to_o the_o honour_n pleasure_n and_o good_n of_o this_o life_n and_o consequent_o be_v not_o in_o a_o disposition_n to_o put_v true_a virtue_n in_o practice_n it_o seem_v enough_o to_o they_o not_o to_o transgress_v gross_o and_o external_o the_o command_n of_o god_n because_o they_o know_v no_o other_o evil_n but_o what_o be_v express_v in_o these_o command_n but_o the_o soul_n who_o have_v abandon_v the_o world_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o revive_v in_o his_o spirit_n must_v labour_v with_o all_o their_o force_n to_o acquire_v this_o true_a virtue_n in_o renounce_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o they_o may_v well_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o a_o true_o christian_a life_n unless_o they_o have_v overcome_v the_o inclination_n of_o that_o corrupt_a nature_n therefore_o must_v we_o labour_v with_o diligence_n in_o the_o mortification_n of_o our_o sense_n that_o we_o may_v carry_v the_o victory_n over_o that_o corruption_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v unto_o human_a nature_n without_o that_o our_o virtue_n be_v false_a or_o only_o apparent_a and_o in_o no_o wise_a virtue_n before_o god_n for_o if_o you_o show_v i_o a_o person_n sober_a and_o chaste_a and_o upright_o in_o his_o business_n who_o impart_v his_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a who_o fast_v at_o appoint_a time_n with_o many_o other_o good_a deed_n and_o yet_o follow_v the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n i_o esteem_v nothing_o all_o these_o virtue_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o renounciation_n of_o his_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o he_o have_v not_o entire_o renounce_v his_o own_o will_n for_o all_o these_o thing_n together_o come_v not_o near_o the_o victory_n which_o be_v in_o master_v the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o st._n paul_n name_v yet_o great_a virtue_n than_o these_o i_o have_v name_v when_o he_o say_v if_o i_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o faith_n that_o can_v remove_v mountain_n and_o give_v all_o my_o good_n to_o nourish_v the_o poor_a i_o be_o nothing_o if_o i_o want_v charity_n now_o charity_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o we_o can_v obtain_v but_o in_o renounce_v self-love_n and_o hate_v the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n for_o we_o can_v never_o do_v good_a except_o we_o first_o depart_v from_o evil_a and_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n since_o it_o be_v fall_v into_o sin_n so_o that_o we_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n but_o by_o renounce_v that_o corruption_n nor_o at_o the_o charity_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v without_o have_v overcome_v it_o so_o i_o say_v with_o he_o unto_o all_o that_o will_v attain_v to_o true_a virtue_n that_o all_o other_o good_a action_n shall_v be_v nothing_o until_o we_o have_v surmount_v and_o overcome_v the_o corruption_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v unto_o humane_a nature_n since_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_a spring_n thence_o and_o therein_o can_v no_o good_a be_v find_v though_o the_o blindness_n of_o man_n make_v they_o presume_v that_o they_o can_v do_v all_o well_o yet_o they_o do_v altogether_o evil_a so_o long_o as_o they_o act_v according_a to_o the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o it_o be_v only_a arrogance_n and_o presumption_n of_o spirit_n that_o they_o think_v themselves_o wise_a and_o willing_a to_o do_v all_o good_a for_o if_o man_n be_v wise_a he_o will_v always_o distrust_v himself_o nor_o dare_v undertake_v any_o thing_n fear_v to_o do_v evil_a since_o that_o be_v in_o he_o and_o there_o can_v proceed_v out_o of_o a_o vessel_n other_o than_o what_o be_v in_o it_o when_o man_n be_v new_o create_v by_o god_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n he_o be_v full_a of_o all_o good_a and_o all_o sort_n of_o good_a proceed_v from_o he_o but_o since_o he_o be_v fall_v into_o sin_n he_o be_v fill_v with_o all_o evil_a and_o there_o can_v nothing_o proceed_v out_o of_o he_o but_o all_o evil_a that_o be_v a_o general_a rule_n and_o by_o it_o ought_v every_o one_o to_o regulate_v his_o life_n if_o he_o will_v be_v save_v for_o there_o be_v no_o exception_n see_v all_o man_n have_v be_v corrupt_v by_o adam_n sin_n and_o consequent_o be_v fill_v with_o evil_n none_o except_v it_o be_v true_a man_n nature_n differ_v in_o manner_n and_o condition_n one_o be_v meek_a another_o harsh_a one_o be_v proud_a another_o humble_a but_o that_o be_v from_o their_o natural_a temperament_n because_o man_n be_v compose_v of_o four_o element_n water_n fire_n earth_n and_o air_n his_o manner_n natural_o be_v dispose_v with_o proportion_n to_o the_o element_n which_o predomines_fw-la in_o he_o for_o every_o one_o have_v in_o his_o nature_n divers_a disposition_n he_o that_o in_o the_o form_n of_o his_o body_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o fire_n than_o of_o the_o other_o element_n will_v be_v more_o choleric_a and_o luxurious_a because_o the_o fire_n have_v more_o power_n in_o he_o than_o the_o air_n water_n or_o earth_n another_o who_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o water_n will_v be_v more_o dull_a in_o his_o manner_n slow_a in_o comprehend_v any_o thing_n and_o less_o courageous_a he_o that_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v receive_v more_o of_o earth_n than_o of_o other_o element_n shall_v be_v more_o heavy_a lazy_a and_o rude_a in_o his_o manner_n final_o he_o that_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o air_n than_o other_o element_n will_v be_v in_o his_o manner_n more_o light_a and_o inconstant_a and_o more_o active_a in_o spirit_n and_o prompter_n to_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o by_o these_o natural_a temperament_n all_o man_n be_v of_o divers_a complexion_n and_o different_a manner_n according_a as_o they_o have_v contract_v of_o their_o parent_n the_o intemperature_n of_o the_o element_n of_o which_o their_o body_n be_v form_v but_o in_o respect_n of_o grace_n they_o be_v all_o of_o a_o like_a nature_n and_o be_v by_o sin_n all_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o corruption_n one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o so_o they_o all_o need_n to_o combat_v that_o corruption_n since_o they_o be_v all_o equal_o corrupt_v by_o sin_n which_o they_o must_v master_v if_o they_o will_v be_v save_v without_o go_v to_o persuade_v that_o one_o be_v better_a than_o another_o because_o he_o have_v in_o his_o nature_n a_o
wiles_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o he_o oppose_v to_o virtue_n that_o we_o may_v evite_v they_o which_o be_v recite_v in_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a letter_n as_o 1._o that_o the_o devil_n mix_v himself_o in_o what_o be_v sensual_a in_o man_n 2._o that_o he_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o inclination_n and_o impulse_n of_o every_o one_o leave_v all_o the_o rest_n in_o quiet_a p._n 93._o xiii_o whatever_o be_v sensible_a to_o nature_n be_v not_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n or_o virtue_n discover_v a_o three_o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n whereby_o he_o persuade_v man_n that_o they_o may_v satisfy_v their_o sense_n in_o a_o slate_n of_o regeneration_n and_o praise_v god_n a_o 4._o by_o which_o he_o affix_n the_o heart_n to_o spiritual_a pleasure_n and_o delight_n wherewith_o the_o follower_n of_o virtue_n be_v affect_v p._n 102._o fourteen_o the_o devil_n transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n discover_v a_o 5._o and_o 6._o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o which_o he_o cause_v man_n to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o mystical_a and_o spiritual_a thing_n 5_o that_o they_o may_v comprehend_v and_o understand_v they_o or_o 6._o that_o they_o may_v unreasonable_o instruct_v other_o p._n 111._o xv._n the_o devil_n instigate_v unto_o good_a that_o he_o may_v bring_v evil_a out_o of_o it_o a_o seven_o deceit_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o carry_v we_o out_o of_o ourselves_o to_o compare_v our_o good_a work_n with_o other_o that_o we_o may_v draw_v vain_a glory_n from_o our_o virtue_n a_o 8._o whereby_o he_o excite_v we_o to_o immoderate_a mortification_n and_o maceration_n of_o our_o body_n and_o a_o 9_o whereby_o he_o excite_v we_o to_o immoderate_a spiritual_a good_a work_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n as_o to_o desire_v to_o instruct_v convert_v reprove_v or_o correct_v he_o unreasonable_o p._n 121._o xvi_o the_o devil_n mix_v himself_o in_o our_o good_a work_n a_o ten_o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o our_o corporal_a good_a work_n which_o the_o devil_n often_o turn_v to_o his_o own_o honour_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o cease_v from_o they_o but_o join_v moderation_n and_o avoid_v human_a respect_n and_o consideration_n and_o pride_n which_o insult_v over_o we_o in_o this_o time_n of_o trial_n p._n 130._o xvii_o sin_n proceed_v from_o man_n free_a will._n a_o eleven_o tentation_n be_v propose_v by_o which_o we_o impute_v the_o guilt_n of_o our_o sin_n to_o the_o devil_n to_o excuse_v ourselves_o it_o be_v show_v that_o the_o devil_n can_v bring_v man_n to_o sin_n nor_o do_v he_o any_o hurt_n without_o his_o own_o free_a consent_n p._n 139._o xviii_o the_o good_a and_o evil_a spirit_n be_v know_v by_o their_o fruit._n propose_v the_o sign_n to_o know_v whether_o we_o be_v rule_v by_o the_o instinct_n of_o the_o good_a spirit_n or_o of_o the_o evil._n a_o 12._o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o which_o he_o cause_v that_o we_o impute_v our_o vice_n to_o our_o natural_a inclination_n without_o suspect_v he_o to_o lurk_v therein_o that_o he_o may_v remain_v undiscovered_a p._n 149._o xix_o we_o can_v in_o this_o life_n be_v free_a from_o tentation_n show_v to_o he_o that_o be_v afflict_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v power_n so_o various_o to_o tempt_v we_o that_o a_o 13._o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o break_v the_o firmness_n and_o strength_n of_o our_o mind_n by_o grief_n also_o that_o tentation_n be_v necessary_a and_o profitable_a to_o try_v and_o purify_v we_o p._n 158._o xx._n spiritual_a diligence_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n a_o 14._o impediment_n of_o the_o devil_n more_o pernicious_a than_o the_o rest_n be_v spiritual_a negligence_n move_a also_o unto_o spiritual_a diligence_n by_o consideration_n of_o the_o care_n usual_o bestow_v in_o worldly_a thing_n which_o the_o child_n of_o this_o world_n manage_v with_o more_o prudence_n and_o care_n than_o the_o child_n of_o light_n do_v their_o business_n p._n 168._o xxi_o spiritual_a diligence_n necessary_a beyond_o all_o other_o virtue_n show_v how_o necessary_a spiritual_a diligence_n be_v for_o confirm_v the_o mind_n in_o virtue_n and_o to_o remove_v two_o more_o impediment_n of_o the_o devil_n viz._n 15._o sin_n of_o omission_n with_o which_o the_o devil_n tempt_v good_a man_n and_o 16._o self-love_n which_o insinuate_v itself_o in_o all_o and_o be_v a_o continual_a sin_n p._n 177._o xxii_o spiritual_a diligence_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n exhort_v unto_o spiritual_a diligence_n because_o without_o it_o none_o can_v persevere_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n nor_o overcome_v corrupt_a nature_n and_o self-love_n p._n 186._o xxiii_o spiritual_a diligence_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n show_v the_o necessity_n of_o spiritual_a diligence_n to_o watch_v over_o all_o the_o action_n of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o proper_a will_n and_o to_o acquire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o that_o spiritual_a negligence_n be_v a_o fountain_n of_o all_o evil_n and_o be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o damn_v we_o since_o it_o render_v our_o soul_n rude_a and_o like_v uncultivated_a and_o curse_a ground_n which_o bring_v forth_o noeh_v but_o briar_n and_o thistle_n and_o so_o be_v far_o from_o meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n p._n 194._o xxiv_o man_n be_v idolater_n of_o their_o own_o corruption_n and_o enemy_n of_o true_a virtue_n show_v that_o the_o continue_v of_o this_o subject_n be_v hinder_v by_o the_o devil_n exciting_a the_o wise_a of_o this_o world_n who_o be_v enemy_n of_o virtue_n and_o friend_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n to_o distract_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o writer_n by_o their_o dispute_n lie_n calumny_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o persecution_n p._n 202._o a_o extract_v of_o some_o of_o the_o work_n of_o mrs._n a._n bourignon_fw-fr belong_v to_o some_o most_o essential_a matter_n of_o christianism_n and_o health_n be_v a_o letter_n write_v to_o one_o of_o she_o intimate_v mr._n van_fw-mi de_fw-fr velde_n concern_v toleration_n that_o it_o ought_v never_o to_o go_v the_o length_n of_o communicate_v with_o sin_n direct_o or_o indirect_o of_o the_o essential_a and_o of_o the_o perfection_n of_o christianity_n of_o religion_n worship_n and_o ceremony_n and_o their_o use_n p._n 220._o some_o conference_n take_v out_o of_o the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n viz._n conference_n xi_o how_o we_o must_v be_v regenerate_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o that_o we_o must_v return_v into_o the_o dependence_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o god_n require_v essential_o of_o man._n p._n 219._o conference_n xii_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v do_v to_o be_v save_v p._n 226._o conference_n xvii_o be_v a_o collection_n of_o all_o the_o precede_a matter_n their_o end_n and_o use_v p._n 235._o conference_n xxvi_o declare_v the_o necessity_n of_o become_v a_o child_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n renounce_v all_o worldly_a wisdom_n and_o all_o human_a abuse_n p._n 245._o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n make_v public_a by_o mrs._n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr i._o i_o be_o a_o christian_n and_o i_o believe_v all_o that_o a_o true_a christian_n ought_v to_o believe_v ii_o i_o be_o baptize_v in_o the_o catholic_a church_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n iii_o i_o believe_v the_o twelve_o article_n of_o the_o credo_fw-la or_o apostle_n creed_n and_o do_v not_o doubt_v in_o any_o article_n of_o it_o iv._o i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v true_a god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v also_o true_a man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o saviour_n and_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n v._o i_o believe_v in_o the_o holy_a gospel_n in_o the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o in_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o will_v live_v and_o die_v in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o this_o belief_n which_o i_o protest_v before_o god_n and_o man_n to_o all_o who_o it_o may_v concern_v to_o the_o faith_n whereof_o i_o have_v subscribe_v this_o my_o confession_n with_o my_o hand_n and_o seal_v it_o with_o my_o seal_n sleeswick_n 11._o march_n 1675._o seal_v and_o subscribe_v l._n s._n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr a_o catalogue_n of_o book_n compose_v by_o mrs._n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr i._o the_o life_n of_o mrs._n a._n bourignon_n wherein_o be_v 1_o a_o apology_n for_o her_o person_n and_o for_o her_o doctrine_n 2_o her_o inward_a life_n by_o herself_o 3_o her_o outward_a life_n by_o herself_o ii_o her_o life_n continue_v until_o her_o death_n by_o a_o person_n of_o her_o acquaintance_n iii_o god_n call_n and_o man_n refusal_n in_o two_o part_n with_o a_o treatise_n of_o the_o solitary_a life_n and_o god_n last_o mercy_n iv._o light_n arisen_a in_o darkness_n in_o
they_o as_o god_n have_v command_v we_o say_v be_v unite_v together_o in_o one_o will_n which_o we_o do_v not_o yet_o observe_v for_o our_o will_n be_v as_o diverse_a as_o there_o as_o different_a person_n of_o we_o which_o testify_v a_o pride_n of_o heart_n in_o all_o far_o from_o observe_v the_o counsel_n which_o j._n c._n teach_v viz._n to_o learn_v of_o he_o who_o be_v meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n that_o lesson_n ought_v to_o be_v well_o keep_v and_o practise_v upon_o every_o occasion_n we_o have_v subject_a enough_o for_o be_v a_o assembly_n of_o person_n that_o endeavour_v after_o perfection_n there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o do_v evil_a in_o obey_v one_o another_o as_o it_o often_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n where_o we_o can_v submit_v to_o any_o person_n without_o offend_a god_n see_v they_o be_v all_o full_a of_o sin_n and_o evil_a inclination_n which_o we_o must_v resist_v rather_o than_o obey_v for_o many_o well-enclined_n person_n have_v lose_v themselves_o by_o endeavour_v to_o please_v the_o wicked_a and_o by_o that_o mean_n have_v part_n in_o their_o sin_n we_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n free_a of_o that_o danger_n see_v all_o our_o company_n be_v person_n of_o a_o good_a will_n and_o labour_n for_o the_o perfection_n of_o their_o soul_n so_o that_o you_o can_v do_v it_o to_o yield_v to_o they_o in_o indifferent_a and_o principal_o in_o good_a thing_n examine_v always_o if_o what_o they_o counsel_v or_o propose_v be_v good_a and_o when_o you_o can_v assure_o find_v that_o it_o be_v such_o examine_v if_o it_o be_v evil_a if_o it_o may_v do_v hurt_v or_o bring_v prejudice_n to_o any_o body_n and_o if_o you_o think_v so_o you_o must_v excuse_v yourself_o from_o yield_v with_o all_o the_o mildness_n you_o can_v and_o so_o you_o shall_v irritate_fw-la no_o body_n though_o you_o follow_v not_o their_o will_n but_o if_o you_o resist_v they_o with_o harsh_a and_o pierce_a word_n design_v to_o correct_v or_o rebuke_v they_o you_o have_v better_o hold_v your_o peace_n as_o speak_v but_o i_o be_o unwilling_a to_o believe_v that_o such_o case_n will_v happen_v in_o our_o company_n because_o i_o trust_v none_o of_o they_o will_v ever_o give_v himself_o to_o evil_a thing_n they_o may_v well_o afford_v occasion_n one_o to_o another_o to_o exercise_v patience_n for_o be_v all_o imperfect_a every_o one_o have_v his_o own_o fail_v which_o christian-charity_n ought_v to_o support_v and_o that_o shall_v perfect_v you_o together_o for_o if_o you_o have_v nothing_o to_o bear_v with_o in_o your_o brother_n you_o shall_v never_o know_v how_o far_o you_o have_v advance_v in_o virtue_n see_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v deceitful_a and_o flatter_v itself_o always_o and_o know_v not_o itself_o till_o the_o emergent_n and_o occasion_n offer_v which_o try_v how_o much_o meekness_n and_o humility_n it_o have_v which_o it_o will_v not_o know_v other_o way_n and_o consequen_o you_o shall_v love_v the_o opportunity_n of_o suffering_n that_o you_o may_v be_v exercise_v in_o christian_a perfection_n you_o will_v not_o always_o have_v so_o much_o opportunity_n as_o now_o while_o all_o the_o brethren_n be_v yet_o so_o imperfect_a and_o humility_n of_o heart_n so_o little_o put_v in_o practice_n so_o let_v not_o the_o present_a occasion_n escape_v for_o what_o be_v past_a be_v not_o in_o your_o power_n and_o what_o be_v to_o come_v be_v uncertain_a there_o be_v only_o the_o present_a moment_n we_o have_v to_o use_v for_o perfect_a ourselves_o look_v not_o to_o the_o fail_n of_o other_o for_o every_o one_o must_v labour_v for_o his_o own_o advancement_n and_o not_o render_v a_o account_n of_o his_o brother_n do_v so_o as_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o perfect_v your_o soul_n and_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o there_o be_v only_o that_o which_o concern_v you_o for_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v saint_n and_o you_o not_o their_o virtue_n will_v not_o in_o the_o least_o profit_n you_o and_o also_o if_o you_o be_v virtuous_a and_o all_o other_o vicious_a that_o will_v not_o diminish_v your_o virtue_n for_o god_n will_v not_o require_v a_o account_n of_o other_o from_o you_o but_o will_v judge_v every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o work_n so_o that_o when_o you_o have_v overcome_v yourself_o you_o overcome_v all_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o can_v let_v your_o perfection_n for_o even_o the_o fault_n of_o other_o will_v serve_v you_o as_o a_o mean_n to_o exercise_v your_o patience_n and_o become_v meek_a mild_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n as_o j._n ch._n counsel_n and_o the_o virtue_n of_o other_o will_v excite_v you_o to_o great_a virtue_n so_o that_o you_o shall_v rule_v over_o every_o one_o for_o he_o that_o have_v overcome_v his_o passion_n be_v king_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o have_v subject_v all_o thing_n to_o himself_o not_o be_v move_v for_o whatsoever_o happen_v behold_v a_o bless_a state_n and_o yet_o easy_a to_o be_v attain_v provide_v they_o embrace_v the_o mean_n they_o may_v overcome_v one_o passion_n at_o once_o and_o so_o get_v over_o they_o all_o in_o the_o end_n i_o counsel_v you_o to_o begin_v with_o obedience_n see_v with_o it_o you_o may_v overcome_v divers_a of_o your_o passion_n at_o once_o for_o i_o shall_v frequent_o order_v you_o thing_n which_o your_o nature_n have_v a_o repugnancy_n against_o and_o if_o you_o perform_v they_o without_o gain_n say_v you_o shall_v so_o overcome_v its_o corruption_n although_o they_o be_v but_o small_a inconsiderable_a matter_n you_o obey_v in_o for_o it_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o that_o corruption_n not_o to_o yield_v willing_o to_o another_o and_o will_v always_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o think_v it_o have_v reason_n in_o all_o it_o imagine_v which_o proceed_v from_o the_o haughtiness_n of_o heart_n that_o will_v always_o have_v deference_n and_o will_v yield_v to_o none_o it_o think_v always_o itself_o wise_a an_o clearer-sighted_n than_o another_o and_o from_o that_o you_o must_v disengage_v it_o and_o oblige_v it_o to_o submit_v to_o every_o one_o in_o thing_n good_a or_o indifferent_a as_o for_o i_o i_o do_v so_o and_o have_v thence_o find_v great_a advantage_n for_o the_o perfection_n of_o my_o soul_n i_o submit_v always_o myself_o to_o whosoever_o i_o converse_v with_o and_o have_v endeavour_v from_o the_o beginning_n to_o discover_v their_o inclination_n that_o i_o may_v conform_v myself_o to_o they_o and_o i_o do_v it_o so_o absolute_o that_o sometime_o i_o perceive_v not_o the_o evil_a that_o be_v in_o they_o to_o oppose_v it_o but_o since_o that_o god_n have_v give_v i_o more_o light_a i_o obey_v not_o man_n but_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a or_o indifferent_a and_o i_o exhort_v you_o my_o dear_a child_n to_o do_v the_o same_o that_o you_o may_v become_v by_o little_a and_o little_a agreeable_a to_o your_o heavenly_a father_n which_o be_v the_o earnest_a desire_n of_o she_o who_o love_v your_o soul_n to_o render_v it_o unto_o god_n unto_o who_o it_o belong_v in_o holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n this_o 12._o jan._n 1672._o old_a stile_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr the_o ii_o letter_n that_o all_o christian_n ought_v to_o learn_v of_o jesus_n christ_n meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n show_v wherein_o consist_v meekness_n and_o lowliness_n which_o be_v fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o can_v be_v obtain_v unless_o we_o renounce_v our_o own_o will_n submit_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n my_o dear_a child_n i_o perceive_v you_o have_v not_o yet_o comprehend_v the_o word_n of_o j._n christ_n where_o he_o say_v that_o we_o must_v learn_v of_o he_o to_o be_v meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heeart_n therefore_o you_o must_v know_v what_o that_o meekness_n be_v otherwise_o you_o can_v love_v it_o for_o one_o can_v have_v a_o perfect_a love_n for_o what_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o know_v and_o the_o reason_n why_o true_a virtue_n be_v so_o little_o love_v be_v because_o it_o be_v so_o little_o know_v many_o think_v it_o be_v a_o visible_a material_a and_o bodily_a thing_n and_o thence_o be_v hypocrisy_n breed_v in_o man_n heart_n who_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o they_o be_v virtuous_a because_o of_o do_v some_o external_a good_a work_n whereas_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o the_o essence_n of_o virtue_n in_o they_o for_o true_a virtue_n be_v a_o spiritual_a thing_n which_o shall_v possess_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o it_o can_v be_v see_v nor_o feel_v but_o by_o the_o operation_n it_o produce_v spring_v from_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o if_o these_o operation_n proceed_v not_o from_o that_o bottom_n but_o be_v only_o study_v or_o practise_v to_o please_v man_n or_o for_o our_o proper_a satisfaction_n they_o be_v but_o moral_a and_o temporary_a virtue_n which_o
add_v nothing_o to_o our_o soul_n and_o can_v have_v the_o recompense_n of_o eternal_a life_n they_o may_v indeed_o be_v a_o mean_a to_o attain_v to_o true_a virtue_n when_o our_o design_n be_v to_o aspire_v and_o arrive_v at_o it_o but_o the_o misery_n be_v that_o many_o rest_n at_o these_o mean_n and_o external_a virtue_n as_o if_o that_o be_v the_o end_n and_o so_o they_o think_v they_o have_v virtue_n indeed_o whereas_o they_o have_v it_o only_o in_o shadow_n not_o in_o reality_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o i_o teach_v you_o what_o true_a virtue_n be_v and_o particular_o what_o be_v that_o meekness_n which_o j._n ch._n say_v we_o must_v learn_v of_o he_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o peace_n quiet_a and_o tranquillity_n of_o spirit_n which_o reside_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o all_o these_o be_v spiritual_a quality_n which_o can_v be_v see_v or_o feel_v but_o by_o their_o outward_a operation_n but_o the_o essence_n of_o that_o virtue_n of_o meekness_n be_v a_o divine_a quality_n and_o you_o can_v judge_v by_o the_o outward_a action_n if_o one_o possess_v it_o for_o one_o may_v well_o learn_v to_o speak_v mild_o without_o have_v the_o mildness_n which_o j._n ch._n say_v we_o must_v learn_v of_o he_o we_o may_v learn_v meek_a word_n like_o a_o perroquet_n and_o speak_v so_o perhaps_o for_o civility_n or_o by_o hypocricy_n for_o i_o have_v know_v person_n that_o appear_v most_o meek_a in_o their_o carriage_n who_o inward_o be_v wicked_a and_o arrogant_a and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o amuse_v ourselves_o at_o that_o outward_a mildness_n which_o be_v often_o deceitful_a and_o but_o natural_a for_o there_o be_v person_n so_o fainthearted_a that_o they_o fear_v to_o speak_v a_o harsh_a word_n leave_v it_o give_v themselves_o trouble_v by_o as_o harsh_a a_o answer_n and_o that_o sillyness_n make_v they_o mild_a and_o calm_a both_o to_o good_a and_o evil_n and_o yet_o such_o dare_v believe_v that_o they_o have_v the_o virtue_n of_o meekness_n when_o it_o be_v only_o a_o vice_n of_o sloth_n and_o injustice_n which_o make_v they_o yield_v to_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o instead_o of_o resist_v it_o with_o diligence_n and_o courage_n but_o they_o will_v not_o take_v so_o much_o trouble_v it_o be_v not_o then_o that_o false_a meekness_n which_o i_o exhort_v you_o unto_o my_o child_n for_o so_o you_o shall_v not_o learn_v that_o which_o j._n ch._n teach_v but_o i_o will_v glad_o make_v you_o comprehend_v what_o be_v that_o true_a meekness_n that_o you_o may_v love_v and_o follow_v it_o it_o be_v then_o a_o inward_a peace_n a_o quiet_a of_o conscience_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o spirit_n which_o dwell_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o soul_n behold_v what_o that_o meekness_n which_o j._n ch._n recommend_v to_o learn_v of_o he_o contain_v himself_o practise_v that_o meekness_n all_o the_o time_n of_o his_o mortal_a life_n and_o you_o may_v observe_v from_o that_o if_o there_o be_v at_o present_a any_o soul_n possess_v by_o his_o spirit_n that_o be_v who_o have_v effectual_o those_o three_o quality_n in_o their_o soul_n for_o otherways_o they_o can_v be_v possess_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n observe_v well_o in_o i_o if_o i_o have_v peace_n in_o my_o soul_n quiet_a of_o conscience_n and_o tranquillity_n in_o my_o spirit_n and_o if_o you_o discover_v in_o i_o these_o quality_n believe_v assure_o that_o you_o may_v obtain_v they_o also_o for_o god_n refuse_v not_o his_o grace_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v and_o desire_v they_o and_o he_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o refuse_v that_o of_o meekness_n when_o j._n ch._n say_v that_o we_o must_v learn_v it_o of_o he_o for_o he_o will_v not_o command_v we_o to_o learn_v that_o which_o be_v impossible_a god_n be_v just_a and_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o teach_v we_o any_o thing_n by_o jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o he_o will_v ready_o give_v we_o that_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n be_v the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o j._n ch._n ses_fw-fr shall_v not_o be_v refuse_v to_o any_o bring_v we_o this_o comparison_n to_o the_o purpose_n who_o be_v he_o of_o you_o who_o when_o his_o son_n ask_v bread_n will_v give_v he_o a_o stone_n or_o if_o he_o demand_v fish_n will_v give_v he_o a_o serpent_n and_o he_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n if_o you_o then_o be_v evil_a know_v to_o give_v good_a thing_n to_o your_o child_n how_o much_o more_o shall_v not_o your_o heavenly_a father_n give_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o all_o the_o evil_n consist_v in_o that_o we_o do_v not_o desire_v he_o and_o that_o desire_n can_v be_v great_a in_o we_o as_o long_o as_o we_o do_v not_o know_v he_o many_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v not_o work_v in_o soul_n now_o adays_o as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o day_n of_o j._n christ_n rend_v his_o apostle_n because_o they_o do_v not_o see_v he_o in_o form_n of_o a_o dove_n as_o he_o appear_v at_o the_o baptism_n of_o j._n chr._n or_o as_o tongue_n of_o fire_n as_o on_o the_o apostle_n at_o pentecost_n which_o be_v a_o very_a feeble_a argument_n for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o time_n be_v a_o eternal_a god_n who_o give_v his_o gift_n and_o bear_v his_o fruit_n at_o all_o time_n and_o will_v do_v to_o all_o eternity_n see_v he_o can_v never_o be_v barren_a nor_o idle_a operate_a always_o in_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v dispose_v thereto_o and_o if_o we_o see_v not_o now_o these_o tongue_n of_o fire_n that_o dove_n or_o other_o external_a sign_n it_o be_v because_o we_o need_v they_o no_o more_o now_o the_o gospel_n law_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v sufficient_o confirm_v at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n as_o i_o believe_v that_o call_v it_o in_o question_n moreover_o these_o external_a form_n add_v nothing_o to_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o that_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o serve_v only_o to_o convince_v the_o hardheartedness_n of_o the_o incredulous_a and_o therefore_o true_a believer_n have_v no_o need_n to_o see_v 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the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o the_o natural_a spirit_n can_v give_v true_a peace_n nor_o true_a quiet_a nor_o true_a tranquillity_n of_o spirit_n as_o give_v the_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n which_o j._n christ_n say_v we_o must_v learn_v of_o he_o i_o suppose_v by_o these_o my_o child_n you_o comprehend_v sufficient_o what_o be_v that_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n which_o j._n ch._n teach_v and_o also_o that_o you_o have_v remark_v enough_o that_o i_o possess_v it_o in_o my_o soul_n see_v you_o see_v i_o in_o inward_a peace_n quiet_a of_o conscience_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o spirit_n without_o notable_a change_n but_o yet_o you_o know_v not_o how_o you_o may_v come_v to_o feel_v the_o effect_n of_o that_o meekness_n of_o j._n ch._n in_o your_o soul_n i_o know_v certain_o you_o love_v they_o so_o far_o as_o you_o know_v they_o but_o you_o know_v not_o how_o to_o attain_v to_o they_o which_o i_o shall_v also_o teach_v you_o if_o you_o will_v give_v good_a attention_n and_o follow_v my_o counsel_n for_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o obtain_v the_o meekness_n which_o j._n ch._n teach_v if_o you_o will_v empty_v your_o soul_n of_o what_o hinder_v it_o and_o absolute_o become_v a_o disciple_n of_o j._n ch._n and_o follow_v his_o doctrine_n and_o if_o you_o feel_v not_o in_o your_o soul_n true_a inward_a peace_n quiet_a of_o conscience_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o spirit_n you_o may_v believe_v you_o have_v not_o yet_o learn_v of_o j._n ch._n his_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n and_o so_o you_o must_v embrace_v the_o mean_n to_o attain_v to_o it_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a mean_n be_v absolute_o to_o will_n and_o desire_v it_o which_o i_o believe_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n you_o do_v in_o the_o
which_o it_o love_v and_o will_v follow_v if_o it_o can_v escape_v the_o obligation_n of_o resist_v it_o and_o so_o persuade_v itself_o that_o it_o do_v not_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o every_o thing_n to_o do_v it_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v even_o so_o deceitful_a that_o it_o persuade_v its_o proper_a understanding_n that_o we_o know_v not_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o can_v follow_v it_o in_o every_o thing_n but_o that_o be_v a_o deceit_n invent_v by_o satan_n to_o amuse_v we_o by_o false_a reason_n and_o fine_a appearance_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n but_o wicked_a falsity_n for_o all_o christian_n can_v know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o they_o take_v pain_n to_o inform_v themselves_o but_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o because_o they_o have_v not_o a_o mind_n to_o accomplish_v it_o when_o they_o do_v know_v it_o and_o they_o do_v certain_o beyond_o doubt_n know_v it_o but_o the_o love_n they_o bear_v to_o themselves_o and_o the_o little_a love_n they_o bear_v to_o god_n make_v they_o say_v that_o they_o know_v not_o his_o will_n &_o sometime_o they_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o say_v lie_v they_o will_v do_v it_o if_o they_o know_v it_o for_o that_o be_v false_a but_o man_n heart_n deceive_v sometime_o itself_o so_o that_o itself_o do_v not_o know_v the_o deceit_n and_o give_v itself_o to_o believe_v that_o its_o falsehood_n be_v truth_n which_o cause_v several_a to_o live_v in_o quiet_a believe_v themselves_o assure_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o peril_n of_o their_o salvation_n therefore_o we_o may_v well_o desire_v to_o discover_v the_o truth_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a concern_v on_o which_o depend_v our_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o never_o sleep_v upon_o a_o false_a bolster_n of_o deceive_v supposition_n for_o he_o that_o sin_n ignorant_o go_v ignorant_o to_o hell_n see_v all_o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v also_o clear_o manifest_v to_o they_o by_o his_o command_n and_o yet_o more_o particular_o by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o j._n ch._n for_o there_o be_v few_o christian_n that_o know_v not_o that_o god_n have_v command_v man_n to_o love_v he_o with_o all_o their_o heart_n and_o their_o neighbour_n as_o themselves_o and_o there_o be_v yet_o few_o that_o observe_v these_o command_n and_o with_o that_o they_o say_v if_o i_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n i_o will_v follow_v it_o and_o so_o they_o lie_v to_o god_n and_o to_o themselves_o persuade_v themselves_o they_o speak_v truth_n so_o great_a be_v the_o darkness_n in_o which_o man_n live_v at_o this_o day_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o salvation_n we_o may_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n that_o they_o be_v abandon_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n and_o wickness_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n say_v with_o good_a reason_n that_o all_o man_n be_v liar_n see_v they_o now_o lie_v to_o themselves_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o that_o sometime_o without_o know_v it_o for_o in_o that_o they_o say_v if_o they_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n they_o will_v follow_v it_o be_v falsehood_n both_o in_o the_o well-intentioned_n and_o in_o the_o wicked_a since_o we_o see_v in_o effect_n that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o do_v it_o in_o the_o first_o command_n viz._n to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o for_o to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n we_o must_v love_v nothing_o else_o but_o he_o only_o otherwise_o our_o heart_n be_v divide_v and_o part_v instead_o of_o be_v whole_a in_o the_o love_n of_o one_o god_n so_o that_o if_o we_o love_v riches_n and_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n and_o honour_n etc._n etc._n we_o do_v not_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n though_o we_o know_v that_o to_o be_v his_o will_n and_o when_o we_o envy_v the_o happiness_n of_o our_o neighbour_n and_o do_v not_o assist_v he_o in_o his_o need_n we_o do_v not_o love_v he_o as_o ourselves_o and_o we_o often_o do_v to_o he_o what_o we_o will_v not_o shall_v be_v do_v to_o ourselves_o wherein_o we_o do_v not_o the_o will_n of_o god_n though_o we_o know_v assure_o that_o his_o will_n be_v that_o we_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o and_o so_o we_o do_v not_o practise_v the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o we_o know_v but_o we_o seek_v beside_o that_o so_o clear_o reveal_v a_o more_o particular_a will_n in_o thing_n little_a needful_a and_o neglect_v to_o do_v his_o will_n in_o that_o which_o regard_v our_o eternal_a salvation_n it_o be_v therefore_o much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o we_o will_v not_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o small_a thing_n though_o we_o do_v know_v it_o see_v we_o do_v it_o not_o in_o thing_n so_o great_a and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n so_o that_o it_o be_v to_o tempt_v god_n to_o ask_v what_o be_v his_o will_n in_o all_o thing_n while_o we_o do_v not_o fulfil_v it_o in_o the_o principal_a thing_n as_o be_v his_o express_a command_n and_o save_a ordinance_n i_o hear_v sometime_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a sweet_a thing_n and_o great_a happiness_n to_o have_v the_o will_n of_o god_n discover_v in_o every_o thing_n esteem_v that_o a_o particular_a grace_n and_o extraordinary_a happiness_n and_o yet_o if_o that_o mercy_n be_v give_v they_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v it_o will_v turn_v to_o their_o great_a condemnation_n for_o he_o that_o know_v the_o father_n will_n and_o do_v it_o not_o shall_v be_v beat_v with_o many_o stripe_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n do_v not_o communicate_v himself_o to_o all_o christian_n be_v because_o they_o be_v not_o ready_a nor_o dispose_v to_o perform_v his_o will_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v contrary_a to_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o endeavour_v to_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o he_o know_v by_o his_o command_n rather_o than_o go_v to_o and_o demand_n of_o god_n particular_a thing_n so_o long_o as_o he_o do_v not_o perform_v the_o principal_a thing_n as_o be_v the_o command_n of_o god_n or_o the_o counsel_n of_o j._n ch._n and_o these_o counsel_n explain_v yet_o more_o particular_o the_o will_n of_o god_n than_o do_v the_o command_n in_o general_n for_o j._n ch._n deduce_v particular_o all_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o leave_v to_o fulfil_v that_o command_n of_o love_a god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o say_v learn_v of_o i_o for_o i_o be_o meek_a and_o lowly_a which_o teach_v the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o neighbour_n for_o the_o meekness_n signify_v love_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o lowliness_n the_o love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n meekness_n or_o goodness_n be_v one_o of_o the_o essential_a quality_n of_o god_n which_o seem_v to_o surpass_v his_o other_o quality_n it_o be_v like_a oil_n among_o other_o liquor_n which_o swim_v always_o above_o for_o we_o see_v in_o aâ—l_a god_n work_v his_o goodness_n superabound_v over_o his_o other_o quality_n though_o that_o goodness_n be_v never_o separate_v from_o his_o justice_n and_o truth_n yet_o it_o excel_v over_o they_o for_o we_o see_v in_o many_o thing_n where_o god_n have_v stay_v his_o wrath_n to_o give_v place_n to_o his_o mercy_n when_o man_n will_v turn_v as_o he_o do_v to_o the_o people_n of_o nineveh_n who_o by_o their_o sin_n have_v just_o merit_v that_o god_n justice_n shall_v be_v execute_v against_o they_o yea_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n have_v foretell_v their_o destruction_n within_o forty_o day_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o that_o people_n return_v to_o repentance_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n get_v uppermost_a and_o swim_v above_o his_o justice_n and_o truth_n and_o pardon_v they_o by_o his_o great_a meekness_n and_o goodness_n so_o that_o we_o may_v with_o truth_n say_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v over_o his_o other_o quality_n and_o see_v j._n ch._n exhort_v we_o to_o be_v perfect_a as_o our_o heavenly_a father_n be_v perfect_a we_o must_v labour_v particular_o for_o that_o virtue_n of_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n which_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v to_o learn_v of_o he_o that_o we_o may_v tend_v to_o that_o perfection_n of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n and_o when_o we_o have_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o soul_n justice_n and_o truth_n for_o a_o foundation_n to_o christian_a perfection_n we_o must_v build_v upon_o that_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n see_v that_o virtue_n will_v make_v we_o fulfil_v the_o command_n of_o love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o wherein_o the_o scripture_n say_v all_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v contain_v and_o
in_o praise_v his_o and_o their_o god_n and_o in_o that_o state_n he_o can_v not_o be_v disagreeable_a to_o he_o but_o after_o that_o he_o will_v abandon_v his_o dependence_n on_o god_n and_o become_v wise_a in_o himself_o he_o have_v overturn_v all_o that_o beautiful_a order_n establish_v by_o god_n and_o have_v bring_v into_o his_o nature_n all_o sort_n of_o evil_a disorder_n and_o corruption_n and_o that_o be_v call_v sin_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o disorder_n of_o the_o five_o sense_n which_o man_n can_v no_o more_o satisfy_v without_o sin_v they_o be_v corrupt_v and_o disorder_v for_o if_o the_o eye_n please_v itself_o now_o in_o look_v on_o beautiful_a and_o pleasant_a thing_n it_o be_v only_o to_o satisfy_v itself_o and_o not_o to_o refer_v they_o to_o god_n their_o author_n as_o he_o do_v before_o sin_n and_o if_o he_o hear_v melodious_a sound_n and_o harmony_n it_o be_v only_o to_o delight_v and_o recreate_v himself_o and_o that_o in_o this_o valley_n of_o misery_n where_o he_o ought_v rather_o to_o mourn_v in_o embrace_v the_o chastisement_n of_o god_n because_o of_o sin_n and_o if_o he_o will_v satisfy_v his_o smell_n by_o good_a odour_n it_o be_v to_o repel_v the_o putridity_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v upon_o nature_n and_o if_o he_o will_v satisfy_v his_o feel_n it_o be_v but_o to_o defile_v his_o soul_n by_o unlawful_a pleasure_n which_o he_o take_v in_o feeling_n for_o it_o be_v not_o allowable_a for_o he_o to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o any_o of_o his_o sense_n after_o by_o sin_n he_o have_v overturn_v the_o order_n which_o god_n establish_v and_o if_o he_o will_v satisfy_v his_o taste_n he_o will_v fall_v into_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_n for_o give_v up_o himself_o to_o his_o palate_n that_o bring_v intemperance_n gluttony_n poverty_n sickness_n and_o death_n as_o also_o avarice_n deceit_n riot_n and_o other_o sin_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o pleasure_n in_o taste_n which_o be_v as_o a_o mother_n which_o engender_v all_o sort_n of_o evil_a for_o a_o glutton_n must_v needs_o covet_v riches_n to_o satisfy_v his_o appetite_n and_o if_o he_o have_v they_o not_o of_o his_o own_o he_o endeavour_v to_o get_v they_o by_o any_o mean_n he_o can_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v falsehood_n or_o robbery_n for_o the_o taste_n be_v insatiable_a and_o be_v not_o content_a with_o a_o few_o thing_n i_o have_v know_v person_n addict_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o taste_n who_o spend_v upon_o dainty_n great_a riches_n which_o they_o possess_v and_o yet_o be_v never_o content_a but_o continual_o desire_v what_o they_o have_v not_o and_o have_v get_v what_o they_o desire_v perhaps_o will_v not_o taste_v it_o but_o send_v again_o to_o seek_v some_o other_o thing_n and_o so_o consume_v and_o end_v their_o life_n in_o poverty_n and_o without_o satisfaction_n i_o have_v know_v other_o that_o will_v come_v that_o length_n to_o take_v the_o good_n of_o other_o to_o satisfy_v their_o delicacy_n and_o say_v to_o i_o that_o their_o tongue_n can_v not_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o pleasure_n of_o taste_n and_o they_o must_v needs_o satisfy_v it_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v more_o such_o though_o not_o know_v by_o i_o for_o the_o appetite_n of_o taste_n be_v so_o bind_v up_o with_o the_o flesh_n that_o it_o be_v hardly_o overcome_v have_v once_o get_v entrance_n and_o be_v accustom_v to_o please_v their_o taste_n and_o this_o please_a the_o taste_n beget_v lust_n also_o by_o the_o affinity_n of_o the_o belly_n with_o the_o genital_a part_n which_o be_v stimulate_v according_a as_o the_o belly_n be_v well_o pack_v moreover_o the_o appetite_n breed_v gluttony_n for_o when_o it_o find'_v food_n agreeable_a it_o devour_v to_o excess_n and_o intemperance_n which_o cause_v several_a disease_n and_o sometime_o death_n for_o we_o see_v by_o experience_n that_o several_a have_v become_v sick_a and_o even_o die_v by_o too_o much_o eat_v or_o drink_v or_o gluttonous_o eat_v thing_n contrary_a to_o their_o health_n which_o fall_v out_o but_o too_o frequent_o and_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v so_o many_o follow_v this_o sense_n of_o taste_n which_o beget_v so_o many_o evil_n in_o prejudice_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o that_o because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o have_v imagine_v a_o pleasure_n and_o contentment_n where_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o displeasure_n and_o misery_n for_o if_o they_o know_v true_o what_o be_v in_o the_o five_o natural_a sense_n of_o man_n they_o will_v see_v nothing_o there_o but_o vanity_n and_o misery_n since_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o sin_n and_o consequent_o will_v never_o follow_v they_o but_o resist_v they_o in_o every_o thing_n see_v they_o be_v true_o vain_a which_o they_o may_v see_v that_o will_v examine_v they_o narrow_o for_o what_o be_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o see_v but_o a_o pleasure_n which_o be_v pass_v in_o a_o moment_n if_o for_o example_n look_v on_o a_o beautiful_a thing_n you_o shut_v your_o eye_n in_o that_o instant_n you_o see_v it_o no_o more_o and_o in_o your_o regard_n it_o be_v no_o more_o and_o if_o after_o by_o open_v your_o eye_n you_o see_v it_o again_o that_o sight_n add_v nothing_o to_o your_o soul_n or_o body_n which_o can_v be_v nourish_v by_o sight_n if_o you_o shall_v continue_v they_o from_o morning_n till_o evening_n all_o that_o can_v nourish_v nor_o fill_v we_o nor_o give_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o airy_a pleasure_n to_o our_o eye_n which_o also_o will_v not_o be_v refresh_v by_o these_o sight_n for_o the_o more_o they_o see_v the_o more_o they_o will_v see_v wherefore_o the_o scripture_n say_v the_o eye_n be_v never_o weary_v with_o see_v nor_o the_o ear_n with_o hear_v for_o these_o two_o sense_n be_v insatiable_a and_o never_o satisfy_v for_o the_o hear_n be_v as_o vain_a as_o the_o sight_n and_o seem_v even_o of_o less_o consideration_n because_o it_o have_v less_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n and_o pass_v as_o a_o blast_n of_o wind_n which_o we_o neither_o see_v nor_o feel_v 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consider_v that_o you_o may_v never_o place_v your_o affection_n but_o in_o god_n and_o may_v renounce_v your_o sense_n see_v they_o be_v corrupt_v and_o contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o in_o themselves_o evil_a and_o vanity_n for_o what_o be_v in_o feel_v but_o a_o sensual_a softness_n which_o add_v nothing_o to_o man_n and_o be_v so_o mean_a and_o unworthy_a of_o a_o man_n that_o he_o will_v never_o seek_v pleasure_n therein_o if_o the_o devil_n do_v not_o persuade_v he_o that_o there_o be_v something_o in_o it_o it_o be_v so_o frail_a and_o contemptible_a that_o it_o be_v not_o worthy_a a_o man_n notice_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v account_v it_o pleasure_n since_o it_o be_v but_o imaginary_a not_o real_a the_o sense_n of_o taste_n
seem_v to_o have_v some_o pleasure_n in_o it_o see_v there_o be_v person_n that_o have_v no_o great_a pleasure_n in_o the_o world_n than_o to_o eat_v and_o drink_v well_o and_o that_o sense_n add_v somewhat_o to_o man_n body_n yet_o it_o be_v more_o replenish_v with_o misery_n than_o the_o other_o four_o because_o it_o hurt_v more_o both_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n see_v it_o cause_v so_o many_o disease_n and_o even_o death_n by_o its_o excess_n and_o also_o so_o many_o soul_n damn_v themselves_o in_o strive_v to_o satisfy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o taste_n which_o lead_v they_o to_o several_a other_o sin_n and_o withdraw_v they_o assure_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n who_o require_v to_o have_v our_o affection_n alone_o for_o he_o be_v a_o jealous_a god_n and_o notwithstanding_o we_o place_v they_o in_o thing_n vile_a and_o corruptible_a as_o be_v meat_n and_o drink_n for_o what_o be_v more_o naughty_a than_o meat_n and_o drink_v they_o have_v scarce_o past_o the_o throat_n but_o they_o become_v putrid_a and_o corrupt_a and_o especial_o the_o more_o fine_a and_o delicate_a corrupt_v more_o than_o the_o courser_n and_o for_o all_o that_o people_n love_v they_o bestow_v pain_n and_o travail_n to_o attain_v they_o which_o be_v a_o gross_a blindness_n of_o mind_n from_o which_o i_o pray_v god_n preserve_v you_o that_o your_o love_n may_v remain_v in_o god_n only_o and_o you_o may_v know_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o salutary_a thing_n in_o the_o desire_n whereof_o i_o remain_v your_o wellwisher_n in_o jesus_n christ_n antonio_z bourignon_fw-fr holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n 17._o febr._n 1672._o st._n vet_n the_o vii_o letter_n he_o that_o serve_v the_o lust_n of_o his_o sense_n by_o that_o same_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o the_o same_o exhort_v he_o to_o the_o effect_n of_o humility_n by_o the_o renounce_v of_o his_o sense_n show_v he_o that_o no_o man_n can_v follow_v they_o unless_o thereby_o he_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o 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their_o five_o sense_n in_o not_o follow_v they_o but_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o it_o be_v in_o that_o that_o jesus_n christ_n say_v we_o must_v take_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o force_n and_o the_o violent_a take_v it_o so_o that_o be_v not_o that_o we_o shall_v fight_v by_o force_n to_o gain_v the_o kingdom_n for_o god_n create_v it_o for_o we_o and_o he_o give_v it_o we_o free_o but_o it_o be_v that_o we_o must_v resist_v with_o force_n the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o we_o may_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o so_o that_o we_o approve_v not_o in_o we_o the_o sin_n which_o adam_n commit_v and_o do_v not_o of_o our_o own_o proper_a will_v retire_v from_o dependence_n on_o god_n therefore_o it_o be_v the_o scripture_n say_v our_o life_n be_v a_o continual_a warfare_n for_o we_o must_v continual_o combat_v the_o corruption_n of_o our_o sense_n without_o that_o we_o can_v never_o return_v to_o dependence_n on_o god_n from_o which_o adam_n sin_n have_v withdraw_v we_o see_v our_o sense_n be_v corrupt_v beget_v all_o sort_n of_o evil_a and_o there_o need_v no_o more_o but_o to_o follow_v they_o and_o their_o inclination_n to_o turn_v we_o away_o from_o god_n and_o remain_v in_o the_o way_n of_o damnation_n for_o no_o soon_o loose_v we_o the_o reins_o to_o our_o sight_n but_o it_o please_v itself_o to_o behold_v beautiful_a or_o curious_a thing_n and_o no_o soon_o have_v we_o consider_v they_o but_o we_o covet_v they_o and_o if_o we_o yield_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o hear_v the_o heart_n delight_v in_o it_o and_o the_o affection_n be_v draw_v to_o it_o it_o be_v even_o so_o with_o smell_a where_o the_o sensitive_a part_n take_v pleasure_n and_o if_o we_o please_v ourselves_o in_o taste_n all_o our_o care_n and_o study_n be_v put_v to_o search_v mean_n to_o satisfy_v it_o and_o that_o sense_n be_v more_o insatiable_a than_o any_o other_o and_o precipitate_v into_o all_o sort_n of_o sin_n moreover_o it_o excite_v the_o sense_n of_o feeling_n for_o he_o that_o please_v his_o taste_n seek_v also_o to_o satisfy_v his_o feel_n with_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n even_o all_o the_o five_o sense_n be_v move_v only_o by_o the_o love_n we_o carry_v to_o ourselves_o and_o desire_v of_o afford_v ourselves_o pleasure_n all_o these_o thing_n withdraw_v we_o assure_o from_o god_n and_o dependence_n on_o he_o and_o he_o have_v command_v we_o to_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n so_o that_o he_o will_v not_o that_o we_o fix_v our_o heart_n on_o thing_n so_o frail_a and_o vile_a as_o be_v the_o sight_n hear_v smell_a taste_n and_o feel_v for_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o a_o divine_a soul_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o capable_a of_o love_v a_o eternal_a god_n who_o desire_n and_o command_n that_o we_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n so_o that_o the_o man_n that_o have_v affection_n for_o his_o sense_n quit_v voluntary_o the_o dependence_n of_o god_n see_v he_o do_v not_o submit_v himself_o to_o his_o will_n who_o demand_v that_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o that_o be_v from_o the_o disorder_n which_o the_o devil_n have_v cause_v in_o man_n nature_n when_o he_o make_v it_o turn_v the_o affection_n upon_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v due_a to_o god_n alone_o in_o which_o consist_v the_o first_o sin_n which_o man_n commit_v and_o thence_o all_o other_o sin_n draw_v their_o origin_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v evil_a or_o sin_n but_o what_o be_v commit_v against_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o that_o can_v be_v evil_a as_o nothing_o can_v be_v good_a but_o what_o be_v do_v by_o his_o will_n so_o the_o devil_n labour_v violent_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o pervert_v
still_o worse_o if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v not_o be_v give_v he_o as_o a_o voice_n to_o reclaim_v he_o and_o to_o ask_v he_o as_o to_o adam_n where_o be_v thou_o for_o without_o that_o law_n he_o have_v not_o know_v his_o sin_n it_o be_v give_v he_o as_o a_o light_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o darkness_n and_o as_o a_o medicine_n for_o his_o evil_n but_o man_n now_o adays_o call_v these_o mercy_n weighty_a charge_n yea_o insupportable_a to_o their_o frailty_n which_o be_v a_o gross_a ingratitude_n and_o deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o that_o god_n shall_v withdraw_v his_o mercy_n from_o these_o ingrate_a and_o stupid_a person_n see_v they_o overturn_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o sweet_a and_o light_a yoke_n of_o the_o evangelical_n law_n into_o chastisement_n and_o insupportable_a burden_n say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o observe_v they_o and_o so_o they_o belie_v the_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n viz._n that_o his_o yoke_n be_v easy_a and_o his_o burden_n light_n believe_v your_o saviour_n my_o son_n and_o hear_v not_o these_o lie_a man_n that_o say_v the_o contrary_a abandon_v yourself_o to_o god_n embrace_v the_o evangelical_n law_n and_o you_o shall_v know_v by_o experience_n that_o his_o yoke_n be_v easy_a and_o his_o burden_n light_n which_o she_o assure_v you_o of_o who_o remain_v your_o well-affectioned_n in_o jesus_n christ_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n april_n 20._o 1672._o st._n vet._n the_o xi_o letter_n we_o must_v always_o advance_v in_o virtue_n whatever_o impediment_n come_v in_o the_o way_n to_o the_o same_o who_o be_v encouragad_v in_o the_o way_n of_o true_a virtue_n although_o the_o beginning_n be_v difficult_a because_o of_o the_o temptation_n with_o which_o the_o devil_n vex_v they_o that_o have_v resolve_v to_o embrace_v true_a virtue_n my_o son_n never_o weary_a in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n the_o beginning_n of_o it_o be_v the_o difficult_a you_o know_v that_o rose-bush_n bear_v thorn_n before_o they_o bear_v rose_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o true_a virtue_n it_o begin_v with_o thorn_n a_o little_a prick_n to_o corrupt_a nature_n but_o beautiful_a rose_n will_v come_v in_o their_o season_n true_a virtue_n have_v nothing_o prick_v in_o it_o no_o more_o than_o the_o rose_n for_o it_o be_v altogether_o sweet_a beautiful_a and_o fragrant_a nothing_o be_v sweet_a than_o virtue_n it_o give_v peace_n and_o pleasure_n to_o the_o soul_n for_o peace_n and_o joy_n be_v fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n o_o what_o peace_n and_o contentment_n have_v a_o virtuous_a soul_n it_o seek_v nothing_o fear_v nothing_o nor_o hope_v nothing_o but_o in_o the_o promise_n of_o its_o god_n it_o acquiesce_n in_o his_o providence_n it_o yield_v itself_o to_o be_v conduct_v sweet_o at_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v not_o disquiet_v nor_o straighten_a by_o any_o thing_n but_o in_o peace_n expect_v what_o god_n will_v dispose_v it_o affect_v nothing_o precipitate_v nothing_o know_v that_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o be_v meek_a in_o itself_o and_o towards_o its_o neighbour_n for_o goodness_n meekness_n and_o gentleness_n be_v also_o fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o he_o produce_v outward_a in_o the_o soul_n he_o possess_v a_o virtuous_a soul_n be_v always_o modest_a and_o moderate_a in_o all_o its_o action_n chaste_a continent_n and_o full_a of_o charity_n because_o the_o holy_a spirit_n who_o produce_v in_o it_o true_a virtue_n produce_v also_o his_o twelve_o fruit_n which_o be_v sweet_a and_o agreeable_a to_o god_n and_o men._n so_o that_o true_a virtue_n be_v desirable_a for_o the_o sweetness_n it_o carry_v in_o itself_o it_o be_v desirable_a for_o it_o beauty_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o agreeable_a and_o beautiful_a than_o true_a virtue_n for_o all_o good_a person_n esteem_v and_o honour_v it_o see_v it_o be_v more_o estimable_a and_o honourable_a than_o all_o create_a thing_n it_o can_v well_o abide_v a_o narrow_a search_n and_o near_a view_n for_o the_o neaurer_n we_o approach_v it_o the_o more_o we_o discover_v its_o beauty_n it_o be_v also_o fragrant_a as_o the_o rose_n for_o true_a virtue_n relish_v in_o the_o nostril_n of_o every_o one_o even_o of_o the_o wicked_a who_o often_o be_v engage_v to_o esteem_v it_o although_o they_o will_v not_o follow_v it_o and_o if_o we_o hear_v sometime_o well_o incline_v person_n despise_v true_a virtue_n it_o be_v because_o they_o know_v it_o not_o and_o have_v be_v often_o deceive_v with_o apparent_a virtue_n wherewith_o the_o man_n of_o this_o time_n be_v fill_v which_o cause_v that_o the_o true_a be_v not_o so_o relish_v as_o it_o shall_v but_o though_o it_o be_v not_o know_v nor_o esteem_v among_o man_n yet_o it_o be_v sweet_a pleasant_a and_o savoury_a unto_o god_n who_o love_v true_a virtue_n as_o his_o spouse_n because_o it_o be_v unite_v inseparable_o with_o he_o and_o therefore_o my_o child_n you_o must_v endeavour_v to_o acquire_v that_o beautiful_a rose_n of_o true_a virtue_n although_o you_o shall_v feel_v the_o prick_n of_o thorn_n in_o the_o pluck_n it_o these_o pain_n will_v quick_o pass_v but_o the_o beautiful_a rose_n of_o virtue_n will_v never_o fade_v it_o shall_v be_v eternal_o beautiful_a and_o of_o a_o good_a savour_n before_o god_n so_o you_o must_v spare_v nothing_o to_o acquire_v true_a virtue_n if_o you_o feel_v pain_n therein_o they_o shall_v change_v into_o repose_n if_o you_o feel_v grief_n it_o shall_v turn_v to_o joy_n if_o repugnance_n it_o shall_v be_v change_v into_o contentment_n for_o there_o be_v only_o the_o beginning_n which_o be_v difficult_a in_o the_o acquest_n of_o true_a virtue_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o devil_n use_v all_o mean_n to_o divert_v we_o from_o it_o he_o know_v well_o that_o he_o can_v gain_v nothing_o upon_o we_o when_o we_o have_v acquire_v it_o and_o so_o he_o use_v 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suffer_v to_o have_v man_n favour_n and_o keep_v it_o how_o much_o toil_n to_o gain_v sufficient_o to_o maintain_v he_o honourable_o what_o device_n and_o cunning_a must_v he_o use_v to_o get_v esteem_n and_o to_o avoid_v contempt_n in_o fine_a he_o that_o serve_v the_o world_n have_v nothing_o but_o toil_n and_o disquiet_v but_o he_o that_o have_v resolve_v to_o quit_v it_o to_o serve_v god_n begin_v to_o be_v loose_v from_o the_o weighty_a yoke_n of_o please_v the_o world_n and_o to_o find_v himself_o in_o much_o more_o quiet_a and_o contentment_n which_o be_v pleasant_a to_o nature_n but_o if_o it_o please_v and_o fix_v itself_o upon_o these_o pleasure_n it_o will_v not_o advance_v in_o virtue_n but_o live_v in_o self-love_n instead_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o in_o that_o the_o devil_n forward_o nature_n mighty_o in_o augment_v these_o sweetness_n and_o inward_a consolation_n to_o fix_v the_o person_n the_o more_o to_o they_o god_n bestow_v also_o sweetness_n and_o 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you_o read_v these_o thing_n curious_o or_o much_o at_o a_o time_n you_o shall_v pause_v and_o consider_v what_o you_o find_v there_o profitable_a for_o your_o soul_n i_o will_v not_o altogether_o stop_v the_o curiosity_n you_o have_v to_o read_v my_o write_n or_o those_o of_o other_o who_o treat_v of_o solid_a virtue_n for_o that_o curiosity_n be_v necessary_a at_o the_o beginning_n for_o you_o can_v learn_v if_o you_o be_v not_o curious_a to_o know_v we_o must_v know_v before_o we_o can_v love_v if_o then_o you_o know_v not_o the_o truth_n which_o i_o write_v you_o can_v not_o practice_v they_o so_o we_o may_v give_v liberty_n to_o that_o curiosity_n to_o know_v good_a thing_n you_o must_v not_o read_v only_o to_o nourish_v or_o satisfy_v it_o but_o to_o learn_v the_o truth_n you_o can_v discover_v it_o too_o much_o though_o some_o natural_a satisfaction_n mix_v itself_o it_o shall_v not_o hurt_v you_o provide_v you_o rest_v not_o on_o that_o pleasure_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o mary_n magdalene_n go_v to_o jesus_n christ_n because_o they_o say_v to_o she_o that_o he_o be_v a_o beautiful_a man_n and_o speak_v well_o notwithstanding_o that_o vain_a curiosity_n lead_v she_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o after_o her_o first_o curiosity_n vanish_v she_o give_v herself_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o truth_n which_o she_o have_v hear_v from_o he_o do_v you_o the_o same_o my_o son_n search_v curious_o the_o book_n which_o treat_v of_o solid_a virtue_n and_o neglect_v no_o occasion_n to_o find_v they_o see_v they_o serve_v as_o mean_n to_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o because_o god_n often_o speak_v to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o a_o good_a book_n move_v the_o heart_n to_o the_o affection_n of_o eternal_a thing_n and_o contempt_n of_o temporal_a you_o must_v only_o discern_v whether_o you_o read_v divine_a thing_n for_o your_o own_o satisfaction_n or_o if_o you_o do_v it_o only_o to_o enlighten_v your_o soul_n in_o the_o 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death_n by_o excess_n in_o fast_v and_o maceration_n of_o the_o body_n i_o know_v that_o be_v rare_a in_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o when_o none_o will_v embrace_v penitence_n most_o part_n love_a sensuality_n yet_o among_o the_o small_a number_n of_o penitent_n the_o devil_n insinuate_v himself_o cause_v they_o to_o exceed_v for_o when_o he_o can_v no_o more_o make_v they_o fall_v by_o ease_n and_o sensuality_n he_o do_v it_o by_o excess_n in_o good_a work_n and_o prayer_n be_v the_o best_a of_o all_o he_o cause_v they_o to_o tie_v themselves_o to_o a_o number_n of_o vocal_a prayer_n to_o over-charge_n they_o and_o disquiet_v they_o when_o they_o have_v not_o time_n to_o wait_v and_o fulfil_v these_o ordinary_a prayer_n which_o make_v the_o man_n sorrowful_a and_o dissatisfy_v think_v he_o do_v not_o please_v god_n when_o he_o do_v not_o fulfil_v all_o his_o ordinary_a prayer_n by_o custom_n and_o in_o that_o thought_n he_o be_v sad_a and_o pensive_a and_o uneasy_a to_o they_o he_o converse_v with_o the_o devil_n draw_v his_o advantage_n from_o excess_n in_o prayer_n for_o it_o hurt_v the_o head_n when_o too_o vehement_a and_o bring_v often_o confusion_n in_o their_o affair_n and_o houshold_v i_o have_v know_v woman_n so_o addict_v to_o their_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n that_o they_o neglect_v their_o family_n to_o go_v to_o church_n frequent_o at_o solemnity_n and_o devotion_n and_o with_o all_o they_o think_v they_o do_v well_o without_o discover_v the_o cunning_a of_o the_o devil_n who_o make_v they_o sin_n instead_o of_o do_v good_a for_o god_n be_v a_o god_n of_o order_n and_o not_o of_o confusion_n and_o he_o say_v express_o that_o our_o prayer_n shall_v not_o be_v as_o those_o of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o use_v many_o word_n see_v the_o lord_n know_v what_o we_o have_v need_n of_o
good_a work_n that_o he_o may_v have_v esteem_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o himself_o and_o by_o that_o he_o render_v the_o good_a work_n evil_a or_o he_o cause_v the_o merciful_a person_n to_o be_v much_o esteem_v and_o honour_v that_o he_o may_v make_v they_o fall_v into_o vainglory_n the_o devil_n have_v also_o the_o art_n to_o disquiet_v our_o spirit_n by_o the_o care_n of_o merciful_a work_n both_o spiritual_a and_o corporal_a and_o i_o be_v exercise_v myself_o with_o that_o temptation_n for_o in_o my_o youth_n i_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a sick_a i_o visit_v they_o frequent_o i_o help_v and_o serve_v they_o to_o my_o power_n and_o also_o i_o assist_v all_o sort_n of_o poor_a and_o necessitous_a person_n i_o endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o that_o be_v at_o variance_n and_o to_o engage_v the_o slothful_a to_o labour_v and_o in_o short_a i_o lay_v these_o rhing_n so_o much_o to_o heart_n that_o i_o sustain_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o afflict_a that_o ask_v my_o aid_n and_o i_o be_v grieve_v to_o send_v any_o away_o unrelieve_v i_o but_o i_o find_v myself_o at_o length_n so_o occupy_v that_o my_o spirit_n have_v no_o more_o recollection_n and_o i_o be_v so_o importune_v by_o these_o poor_a that_o i_o behoove_v to_o abstain_v from_o help_v they_o more_o and_o that_o partly_o to_o recover_v commerce_n with_o god_n which_o i_o have_v lose_v by_o the_o voluntary_a distraction_n which_o these_o poor_a give_v i_o and_o partly_o because_o i_o discover_v daily_o their_o wickedness_n and_o deceit_n for_o abundance_n seek_v my_o help_n only_o that_o they_o may_v live_v more_o at_o their_o ease_n and_o to_o commit_v more_o sin_n as_o in_o effect_n they_o do_v i_o give_v often_o alm_n which_o the_o poor_a use_v in_o drunkenness_n gluttony_n and_o luxury_n and_o they_o become_v idle_a and_o lazy_a for_o when_o they_o have_v not_o so_o great_a necessity_n to_o labour_n they_o neglect_v to_o undertake_v any_o work_n for_o their_o entertainment_n because_o the_o alm_n give_v they_o it_o with_o less_o care_n and_o pain_n also_o i_o find_v they_o liar_n and_o deceitful_a for_o they_o often_o feign_a necessity_n disease_n or_o infirmity_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o so_o i_o see_v my_o assistance_n give_v they_o more_o matter_n of_o sin_v they_o study_v to_o lie_v cunning_o to_o get_v wherewith_o to_o live_v in_o idleness_n but_o when_o my_o design_n be_v to_o do_v all_o that_o i_o can_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o find_v that_o these_o work_n of_o mercy_n turn_v to_o that_o of_o the_o devil_n by_o the_o inward_a indisposition_n of_o those_o i_o will_v have_v assist_v now_o i_o can_v do_v any_o work_n of_o mercy_n spiritual_a or_o corporal_a before_o i_o know_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o not_o for_o i_o love_v far_o rather_o to_o cease_v than_o to_o do_v evil_a not_o that_o i_o fear_v do_v evil_a upon_o my_o part_n in_o assist_v my_o neighbour_n in_o all_o sort_n of_o occasion_n general_o and_o without_o exception_n of_o person_n for_o i_o know_v that_o god_n regard_v always_o our_o intention_n and_o see_v whether_o they_o be_v upright_o and_o aim_v at_o his_o glory_n or_o at_o our_o own_o but_o my_o fear_n be_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o poor_a who_o receive_v our_o assistance_n unworthy_o and_o employ_v our_o benefit_n only_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o it_o be_v so_o that_o i_o understand_v that_o work_v of_o mercy_n be_v do_v to_o his_o honour_n i_o know_v that_o seem_v strange_a to_o you_o my_o son_n but_o you_o have_v not_o well_o consider_v my_o reason_n for_o if_o you_o will_v examine_v the_o state_n of_o man_n now_o adays_o you_o will_v find_v it_o so_o corrupt_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a more_o to_o exercise_v work_n of_o mercy_n without_o sin_v in_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v do_v for_o most_o part_n be_v covetous_a unjust_a deceiveas_n and_o fill_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o sin_n and_o assist_v and_o sustain_v they_o we_o cooperate_v to_o their_o sin_n which_o we_o can_v do_v in_o nine_o manner_n as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o show_v viz._n in_o councel_n assist_v defend_v contribute_v not_o hinder_v when_o able_a not_o accuse_v to_o they_o that_o will_v hinder_v it_o partake_v praise_v or_o flatter_a evil_n now_o all_o these_o way_n of_o sin_v be_v in_o part_n commit_v when_o we_o assist_v the_o wicked_a which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v such_o for_o if_o you_o know_v that_o one_o covet_v earthly_a good_n and_o give_v he_o of_o they_o you_o cooperate_v to_o that_o covetousness_n whether_o the_o person_n be_v poor_a or_o rich_a the_o quantity_n of_o good_n make_v nothing_o to_o the_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v within_o the_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v it_o which_o cleave_v to_o the_o good_n of_o this_o world_n instead_o of_o cleave_v to_o god_n and_o sin_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o turn_n from_o and_o abandon_v god_n if_o then_o we_o turn_v from_o he_o for_o much_o money_n or_o for_o little_a that_o do_v not_o diminish_v the_o sin_n of_o concupiscence_n in_o the_o heart_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o proud_a person_n for_o if_o you_o give_v he_o good_n or_o ptofit_n you_o maintain_v his_o pride_n and_o become_v partaker_n of_o his_o sin_n which_o shall_v be_v charge_v on_o you_o also_o if_o you_o give_v to_o a_o glutton_n or_o a_o slothful_a person_n you_o contribute_v to_o all_o the_o sin_n which_o he_o shall_v commit_v with_o your_o gift_n you_o sin_v also_o if_o know_v a_o liar_n or_o thief_n or_o unfaithful_a person_n you_o praise_v he_o instead_o of_o declare_v his_o wickedness_n to_o other_o for_o you_o render_v yourself_o guilty_a of_o all_o the_o evil_n which_o he_o shall_v do_v because_o other_o be_v not_o advertise_v and_o aware_a of_o his_o wickedness_n which_o be_v it_o not_o dissemble_v or_o excuse_v can_v not_o hurt_v so_o many_o person_n who_o be_v deceive_v because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o so_o they_o yield_v to_o he_o without_o know_v that_o they_o do_v evil_a and_o therefore_o my_o son_n i_o will_v advertise_v you_o that_o you_o let_v not_o yourself_o be_v deceive_v ignorant_o and_o for_o not_o know_v the_o subtle_a craft_n of_o the_o devil_n for_o so_o he_o make_v himself_o to_o be_v honour_v and_o bring_v his_o own_o glory_n out_o of_o man_n best_a action_n when_o he_o can_v no_o more_o bring_v they_o to_o evil_a action_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o if_o he_o ensnare_v we_o by_o thing_n good_a or_o evil_a he_o do_v as_o he_o that_o will_v draw_v one_o out_o of_o the_o water_n for_o it_o be_v all_o one_o if_o he_o get_v hold_v of_o his_o hand_n or_o his_o arm_n he_o take_v hold_v where_o he_o can_v most_o easy_o and_o when_o he_o can_v draw_v he_o so_o he_o draw_v by_o his_o foot_n head_n or_o hair_n without_o consider_v much_o if_o he_o take_v he_o by_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o the_o same_o do_v the_o devil_n with_o our_o soul_n which_o be_v in_o peril_n of_o drown_v in_o the_o rage_a sea_n of_o this_o world_n god_n will_v save_v they_o by_o true_a virtue_n and_o the_o devil_n draw_v contrariwise_o with_o all_o his_o might_n for_o when_o he_o see_v he_o can_v draw_v they_o to_o he_o by_o manifest_a sin_n he_o draw_v they_o by_o virtue_n itself_o and_o by_o work_n of_o mercy_n which_o be_v do_v most_o part_n to_o his_o honour_n and_o glory_n unless_o we_o be_v strict_o on_o our_o guard_n and_o discover_v his_o deceit_n that_o we_o may_v evite_v they_o so_o we_o must_v purify_v our_o intention_n and_o seek_v nothing_o in_o all_o our_o good_a work_n but_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n alone_o resist_v all_o the_o tentation_n the_o devil_n can_v make_v we_o protest_v against_o vainglory_n and_o all_o human_a consideration_n and_o so_o it_o be_v that_o we_o may_v evite_v all_o sort_n of_o excess_n and_o confusion_n and_o proceed_v always_o with_o discretion_n to_o regulate_v our_o good_a work_n behold_v the_o mean_n to_o do_v they_o not_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o devil_n for_o i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o we_o shall_v cease_v from_o good_a work_n we_o can_v do_v too_o many_o if_o we_o do_v they_o with_o discretion_n but_o we_o must_v labour_v that_o the_o devil_n or_o sin_n be_v not_o mix_v with_o they_o as_o it_o ordinary_o happen_v because_o man_n be_v not_o wary_a enough_o lest_o the_o devil_n shall_v mix_v himself_o into_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o holy_a in_o themselves_o he_o be_v not_o want_v to_o tempt_v jesus_n christ_n during_o his_o fast_a in_o the_o wilderness_n although_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o holy_a and_o perfect_a than_o that_o retreat_n whither_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v lead_v he_o that_o he_o may_v
but_o that_o be_v only_o a_o excuse_n for_o their_o sin_n it_o be_v true_a the_o devil_n can_v tempt_v man_n against_o his_o will_n but_o can_v make_v he_o sin_n against_o his_o will_n he_o may_v trouble_v his_o spirit_n and_o make_v he_o remember_v what_o he_o shall_v forget_v and_o forget_v what_o he_o ought_v to_o mind_n but_o if_o the_o person_n be_v well_o upon_o his_o guard_n and_o will_v not_o do_v evil_a he_o shall_v discover_v easy_o that_o that_o come_v from_o the_o devil_n be_v against_o his_o will_n and_o so_o will_v betake_v himself_o to_o continual_a prayer_n to_o god_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v so_o much_o recommend_v to_o we_o as_o most_o necessary_a for_o our_o salvation_n since_o we_o have_v continual_o a_o enemy_n to_o combat_n we_o must_v continual_o have_v arm_n to_o defend_v we_o and_o that_o will_v be_v necessary_a all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n that_o be_v it_o which_o the_o apostle_n counsel_v we_o to_o pray_v always_o without_o cease_v because_o we_o have_v always_o need_v of_o divine_a succour_n and_o help_v against_o the_o continual_a assault_n which_o the_o devil_n give_v we_o for_o it_o be_v his_o business_n and_o employ_v to_o do_v the_o most_o evil_a he_o can_v and_o as_o a_o merchant_n account_v himself_o happy_a to_o gain_v much_o money_n by_o his_o traffic_n or_o a_o artist_n by_o his_o labour_n so_o also_o the_o devil_n account_v himself_o happy_a in_o gain_v many_o soul_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o may_v exercise_v on_o they_o his_o cruelty_n and_o malice_n and_o therefore_o he_o never_o cease_v for_o his_o part_n to_o labour_n and_o invent_v new_a snare_n to_o catch_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o when_o we_o shut_v the_o door_n of_o our_o heart_n to_o he_o on_o one_o side_n he_o attempt_v to_o enter_v by_o some_o window_n on_o the_o other_o so_o that_o all_o human_a wisdom_n be_v not_o able_a to_o discover_v all_o the_o subtlety_n of_o satan_n who_o be_v a_o most_o subtle_a spirit_n surpass_v in_o subtlety_n the_o capacity_n of_o man_n spirit_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o he_o must_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n use_v continual_a prayer_n to_o discover_v the_o tentation_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o he_o can_v know_v without_o a_o divine_a light_n and_o yet_o less_o have_v he_o power_n to_o resist_v they_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n who_o he_o ought_v continual_o to_o invocate_v and_o call_v for_o help_v without_o intermission_n see_v the_o devil_n never_o sleep_v and_o watch_n over_o we_o when_o we_o rest_v but_o the_o strength_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_v in_o god_n can_v make_v we_o overcome_v the_o devil_n and_o despise_v he_o as_o but_o miserable_a impotence_n see_v he_o can_v never_o make_v we_o fall_v into_o any_o sin_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o our_o own_o will_n which_o refuse_v he_o he_o can_v in_o no_o wise_a hurt_n man_n although_o he_o shall_v tempt_v he_o with_o all_o his_o might_n during_o all_o his_o life_n these_o tentation_n serve_v only_o for_o great_a and_o true_a virtue_n to_o the_o man_n because_o he_o pass_v the_o time_n of_o his_o trial_n in_o testify_v his_o faithfulness_n to_o god_n while_o he_o do_v not_o consent_n to_o the_o tentation_n the_o devil_n offer_v and_o i_o account_v it_o a_o much_o happy_a state_n to_o be_v tempt_v than_o not_o to_o be_v so_o while_o we_o resist_v the_o tentation_n see_v they_o purge_v our_o soul_n and_o satisfy_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n who_o have_v in_o justice_n enjoin_v penitence_n for_o our_o sin_n which_o we_o must_v needs_o accomplish_v during_o the_o time_n of_o our_o trial_n which_o god_n have_v limit_v since_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o voluntary_o suffer_v the_o tentation_n of_o the_o devil_n now_o we_o must_v suffer_v abundant_o more_o sensible_a pain_n after_o our_o death_n when_o the_o soul_n be_v separate_v from_o this_o mortal_a body_n feel_v more_o vivid_o the_o separation_n from_o his_o god_n than_o it_o do_v when_o join_v with_o its_o mortal_a body_n which_o divert_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o separation_n by_o its_o five_o natural_a sense_n which_o see_v hear_v taste_v smell_a and_o feeling_n gross_a and_o earthly_a thing_n be_v suspend_v and_o amuse_v that_o he_o can_v feel_v so_o lively_a the_o separation_n of_o his_o soul_n from_o god_n and_o so_o charm_v his_o great_a misery_n with_o the_o amusement_n of_o earthly_a thing_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o true_o charm_n and_o bewitchings_n for_o though_o we_o see_v by_o experience_n that_o never_o any_o person_n in_o the_o world_n be_v full_o satisfy_v and_o content_a with_o earthly_a thing_n although_o enjoy_v all_o they_o can_v demand_v of_o they_o so_o love_v we_o they_o and_o that_o love_v ruin_n we_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n without_o that_o we_o feel_v the_o pain_n of_o it_o but_o after_o death_n all_o these_o gross_a and_o earthly_a thing_n be_v end_v as_o to_o we_o thence_o shall_v we_o feel_v vivid_o the_o absence_n of_o god_n because_o not_o divert_v more_o 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of_o the_o devil_n but_o resist_v it_o valiant_o for_o the_o glory_n be_v in_o the_o combat_n and_o not_o in_o idleness_n and_o rest_n see_v while_o we_o feel_v not_o tentation_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o devil_n hold_v we_o in_o a_o lethargique_a sleep_n to_o cause_v we_o to_o die_v a_o eternal_a death_n insensible_o and_o without_o pain_n but_o when_o he_o combat_v we_o with_o all_o his_o force_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o he_o do_v not_o hold_v we_o and_o that_o he_o fear_v to_o lose_v we_o therefore_o take_v courage_n and_o pray_v god_n with_o a_o humble_a heart_n that_o he_o may_v give_v you_o strength_n to_o overcome_v the_o enemy_n but_o never_o say_v it_o be_v the_o devil_n make_v you_o do_v evil_a but_o smite_v on_o your_o breast_n and_o confess_v your_o guilt_n since_o the_o devil_n can_v compel_v you_o to_o do_v evil_a but_o only_o your_o perverse_a will_n when_o it_o consent_v to_o his_o tentation_n for_o if_o the_o devil_n can_v speak_v when_o you_o say_v that_o it_o be_v he_o make_v you_o do_v evil_a and_o sin_n he_o will_v give_v you_o the_o lie_n and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o he_o that_o make_v you_o sin_n but_o that_o it_o be_v your_o own_o will_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o which_o you_o can_v sin_v you_o may_v well_o sin_n without_o the_o devil_n for_o his_o malice_n have_v enter_v into_o we_o by_o adam_n first_o sin_n but_o the_o devil_n can_v bring_v forth_o sin_n in_o we_o without_o our_o consent_n you_o be_v always_o free_a to_o do_v evil_a though_o the_o devil_n do_v not_o tempt_v or_o compel_v you_o because_o your_o nature_n be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o first_o sin_n and_o thence_o all_o man_n from_o adam_n bring_v with_o they_o in_o their_o nativity_n that_o corruption_n and_o inclination_n to_o evil_n but_o when_o man_n be_v arrive_v to_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n he_o ought_v thereby_o to_o discern_v good_a from_o evil_n and_o choose_v which_o he_o will_v follow_v yea_o he_o have_v a_o natural_a instinct_n which_o make_v he_o discern_v evil_a from_o good_a for_o we_o see_v often_o a_o child_n without_o any_o discretion_n be_v ashamed_a for_o have_v do_v evil_a and_o his_o countenance_n testify_v sufficient_o that_o he_o know_v when_o he_o commit_v evil_a and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v never_o to_o believe_v that_o we_o can_v discern_v good_a from_o evil_n to_o make_v choice_n for_o that_o be_v but_o to_o flatter_v ourselves_o for_o lo_o the_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o world_n however_o blind_v in_o his_o sin_n know_v assure_o well_o enough_o when_o he_o do_v evil_a but_o he_o have_v no_o will_n to_o change_v his_o wickedness_n into_o good_a or_o he_o have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o resist_v the_o devil_n and_o that_o because_o he_o have_v give_v he_o so_o
much_o power_n over_o his_o spirit_n otherwise_o man_n have_v in_o he_o a_o good_a judgement_n beyond_o any_o other_o creature_n and_o by_o that_o judgement_n he_o can_v assure_o know_v and_o discern_v good_a from_o evil_n and_o it_o be_v free_a for_o he_o to_o choose_v the_o good_a and_o hate_v the_o evil_a by_o a_o absolute_a act_n of_o his_o will_n which_o the_o devil_n can_v hinder_v and_o moreover_o he_o have_v power_n to_o resist_v the_o devil_n by_o faith_n and_o hope_v in_o god_n who_o never_o fail_v to_o come_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o a_o man_n who_o ask_v and_o desire_v it_o and_o therefore_o my_o son_n you_o must_v never_o say_v that_o the_o devil_n make_v you_o do_v any_o evil_n which_o be_v to_o make_v you_o his_o slave_n and_o testify_v your_o subjection_n to_o he_o as_o be_v the_o sorcerer_n who_o have_v give_v he_o their_o soul_n and_o promise_v to_o obey_v he_o for_o such_o have_v true_o oblige_v themselves_o to_o do_v all_o the_o evil_n he_o please_v and_o when_o they_o do_v it_o not_o he_o beat_v and_o abuse_v they_o but_o you_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n and_o voluntary_o subject_a to_o he_o you_o must_v nor_o fear_n that_o the_o devil_n can_v constrain_v you_o to_o sin_n against_o your_o will_n and_o so_o never_o attribute_v to_o he_o the_o fault_n you_o commit_v yourself_o it_o be_v true_a the_o devil_n first_o incite_v good_a person_n to_o sin_n but_o they_o shall_v despise_v he_o and_o not_o follow_v he_o yea_o and_o mock_v at_o his_o tentation_n but_o we_o must_v always_o watch_v over_o his_o surprisal_n and_o never_o sleep_v in_o the_o way_n of_o true_a virtue_n believe_v then_o the_o apostle_n counsel_n where_o he_o say_v my_o brethren_n be_v sober_a and_o watch_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n because_o the_o devil_n go_v about_o we_o like_o a_o roar_a lion_n seeking_z to_z devour_v we_o we_o must_v resist_v he_o courageous_o and_o not_o say_v i_o be_v not_o think_v of_o the_o devil_n when_o i_o fall_v into_o evil_n for_o he_o desire_v willing_o that_o we_o do_v evil_a without_o think_v on_o it_o that_o be_v his_o best_a recreation_n for_o it_o do_v not_o fall_v out_o that_o good_a person_n do_v evil_a but_o while_o they_o sleep_v and_o think_v not_o of_o evil_n then_o be_v it_o that_o the_o devil_n act_v most_o in_o we_o and_o cause_n that_o we_o think_v not_o of_o it_o till_o after_o the_o evil_n be_v commit_v but_o our_o negligence_n or_o sleepiness_n will_v not_o find_v excuse_n before_o god_n see_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o watch_v always_o if_o we_o will_v arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n to_o which_o she_o exhort_v you_o who_o care_v for_o your_o soul_n holstein_n near_o gottorp_n castle_n may_v 13._o 1672._o st._n vet._n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr the_o xviii_o letter_n the_o good_a and_o evil_a spirit_n be_v know_v by_o their_o fruit._n to_o the_o same_o give_v he_o the_o sign_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a spirit_n that_o move_v we_o show_v also_o a_o twelve_o artifice_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o which_o he_o cause_v we_o to_o impute_v our_o vice_n to_o our_o natural_a propension_n without_o suspect_v he_o to_o lurk_v therein_o that_o he_o may_v remain_v unknown_a my_o son_n i_o see_v yet_o one_o difficulty_n which_o occur_v to_o your_o spirit_n to_o wit_n how_o you_o shall_v discover_v when_o the_o devil_n insinuate_v himself_o into_o your_o good_a action_n and_o how_o you_o shall_v know_v that_o it_o be_v he_o that_o move_v you_o to_o do_v good_a that_o he_o may_v catch_v you_o or_o to_o cause_v that_o what_o you_o do_v with_o a_o good_a intention_n turn_v to_o his_o honour_n for_o you_o protest_v that_o you_o will_v not_o obey_v he_o nor_o follow_v his_o tentation_n in_o any_o thing_n when_o you_o discover_v and_o know_v that_o he_o tempt_v you_o believe_v i_o my_o son_n that_o be_v most_o easy_a to_o discern_v provide_v you_o have_v a_o absolute_a will_n to_o resist_v the_o devil_n it_o be_v very_o good_a and_o most_o easy_a to_o discover_v if_o it_o be_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a spirit_n who_o move_v we_o in_o all_o our_o action_n and_o word_n to_o do_v or_o say_v any_o thing_n small_a or_o great_a because_o these_o two_o spirit_n have_v their_o quality_n and_o condition_n quite_o different_a and_o work_v in_o we_o quite_o contrary_a operation_n and_o disposition_n so_o that_o you_o may_v as_o it_o be_v feel_v with_o your_o finger_n if_o it_o be_v a_o good_a or_o a_o evil_a spirit_n which_o move_v you_o to_o say_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o disposition_n you_o shall_v feel_v in_o your_o soul_n for_o the_o good_a spirit_n produce_v in_o our_o soul_n charity_n joy_n peace_n patience_n long-suffering_a goodness_n bounty_n meekness_n chastity_n faith_n continence_n and_o modesty_n and_o the_o evil_a spirit_n on_o the_o contrary_n produce_v therein_o self-love_n sadness_n trouble_v impatience_n rashness_n wickedness_n fret_v pride_n despair_n intemperance_n inequality_n unconstancy_n and_o impurity_n which_o be_v all_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o good_a spirit_n and_o as_o the_o tree_n be_v know_v by_o its_o fruit_n so_o may_v we_o know_v the_o evil_a spirit_n by_o the_o fruit_n he_o produce_v in_o our_o soul_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v always_o examine_v if_o our_o enterprise_n or_o the_o will_n or_o intention_n we_o have_v to_o do_v or_o leave_v undo_v any_o thing_n produce_v in_o our_o soul_n charity_n peace_n faith_n joy_n and_o the_o rest_n and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o our_o enterprise_n and_o will_n be_v from_o god_n see_v they_o bring_v unto_o we_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o spirit_n but_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o feel_v in_o our_o soul_n self-love_n sadness_n impatience_n and_o the_o rest_n we_o may_v well_o be_v assure_v that_o our_o desire_n and_o enterprise_n be_v excite_v by_o the_o devil_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a and_o sure_a rule_n we_o need_v not_o then_o amuse_v ourselves_o at_o fine_a speculation_n to_o discover_v if_o we_o be_v move_v by_o the_o devil_n to_o do_v or_o leave_v undo_v any_o thing_n while_o we_o feel_v in_o ourselves_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o good_a or_o a_o evil_a spirit_n for_o the_o devil_n will_v never_o incite_v to_o charity_n see_v it_o be_v a_o divine_a quality_n which_o the_o devil_n have_v not_o in_o his_o power_n and_o which_o unite_v soul_n to_o god_n but_o he_o draw_v from_o self-love_n all_o manner_n of_o advantage_n and_o decline_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n for_o he_o that_o love_v himself_o covet_v pleasure_n honour_n and_o riches_n and_o all_o that_o be_v not_o god_n and_o so_o he_o be_v sad_a and_o be_v not_o in_o the_o capacity_n to_o acquire_v true_a virtue_n for_o he_o have_v not_o courage_n to_o resist_v the_o tentation_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o suffer_v himself_o rather_o to_o be_v overcome_v by_o dark_a melancholy_a thought_n but_o the_o good_a spirit_n banish_v these_o thought_n by_o the_o joy_n which_o it_o bring_v to_o the_o soul_n and_o although_o there_o be_v all_o sort_n of_o occasion_n of_o sadness_n external_o even_o for_o our_o sin_n that_o good_a spirit_n comfort_n and_o rejoice_v the_o bottom_n of_o the_o soul_n amid_o the_o most_o sensible_a trouble_n and_o pain_n when_o we_o have_v then_o inward_a joy_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o suffering_n it_o be_v a_o assure_a testimony_n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n dwell_v in_o we_o which_o have_v often_o rejoice_v i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o suffer_v and_o persecution_n i_o feel_v therein_o a_o great_a joy_n in_o the_o bottom_n of_o my_o soul_n in_o lament_v my_o sin_n and_o i_o thank_v god_n that_o he_o give_v i_o these_o tear_n of_o repentance_n but_o the_o devil_n give_v only_a counterfeit_n and_o external_a joy_n which_o afflict_v and_o grieve_v the_o heart_n when_o they_o be_v over_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o we_o see_v worldly_a person_n always_o search_v after_o new_a recreation_n and_o divertisement_n for_o the_o one_o be_v no_o soon_o go_v but_o melancholy_a and_o sadness_n seize_v the_o heart_n who_o will_v so_o divert_v himself_o and_o for_o that_o he_o hunt_v insatiable_o after_o new_a divertisment_n without_o find_v withal_o true_a contentment_n which_o we_o can_v have_v but_o by_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o that_o joy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o divertisment_n of_o the_o world_n i_o be_v astonish_v to_o hear_v one_o day_n of_o a_o person_n who_o will_v re-establish_a israel_n that_o he_o search_v for_o a_o great_a house_n with_o a_o garden_n to_o divert_v himself_o and_o walk_v therein_o as_o also_o that_o he_o must_v sometime_o go_v to_o walk_v in_o the_o field_n or_o go_v in_o a_o bark_n of_o pleasure_n or_o boat_n to_o divert_v himself_o which_o give_v i_o enough_o to_o
not_o yourself_o to_o be_v deceive_v when_o you_o can_v discover_v the_o deceit_n they_o will_v put_v on_o you_o now_o if_o you_o have_v such_o vigilance_n for_o the_o good_n which_o pass_v away_o so_o swift_o and_o can_v give_v no_o help_n at_o death_n how_o can_v it_o now_o be_v difficult_a for_o you_o to_o use_v the_o same_o diligence_n to_o discover_v the_o devil_n and_o the_o sure_a way_n of_o true_a virtue_n that_o you_o may_v thereby_o gain_v good_n that_o shall_v never_o end_v ought_v you_o not_o rather_o to_o double_v your_o diligence_n care_n and_o study_v to_o acquire_v eternal_a good_n than_o to_o find_v difficulty_n in_o it_o which_o you_o find_v not_o to_o acquire_v the_o good_n of_o this_o world_n think_v you_o they_o more_o worthy_a than_o the_o eternal_a i_o do_v not_o think_v so_o of_o you_o see_v there_o be_v no_o comparison_n betwixt_o they_o for_o temporal_a good_n afford_v nothing_o to_o our_o soul_n but_o care_v to_o preserve_v they_o and_o regret_n to_o leave_v 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money_n nor_o other_o service_n nor_o medecine_n which_o can_v not_o prolong_v his_o life_n one_o day_n and_o so_o he_o demand_v of_o he_o assurance_n of_o his_o salvation_n since_o he_o can_v not_o prolong_v his_o life_n that_o if_o he_o must_v die_v he_o may_v do_v it_o with_o peace_n and_o in_o assurance_n to_o die_v happy_a and_o to_o be_v save_v that_o demand_n afflict_v much_o the_o prince_n and_o make_v he_o answer_v that_o his_o salvation_n depend_v upon_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o promise_v and_o far_o less_o to_o give_v it_o he_o which_o grieve_v the_o servant_n so_o exceed_o that_o turn_v away_o from_o his_o prince_n and_o turn_v his_o face_n to_o the_o wall_n he_o say_v o_o miserable_a man_n that_o i_o be_o have_v i_o pass_v all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n to_o serve_v and_o please_v a_o master_n who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o assist_v i_o in_o my_o great_a need_n nor_o give_v i_o one_o hour_n life_n 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mind_n in_o virtue_n and_o to_o remove_v yet_o two_o impediment_n of_o the_o devil_n viz._n 15_o sin_n of_o omission_n wherewith_o the_o devil_n tempt_v good_a person_n and_o 16_o self-love_n which_o everywhere_o mix_v itself_o and_o be_v a_o continual_a sin_n my_o son_n you_o must_v know_v that_o spiritual_a diligence_n be_v the_o most_o necessary_a of_o all_o the_o virtue_n without_o which_o you_o can_v persevere_v in_o any_o virtue_n and_o the_o devil_n will_v always_o labour_v to_o cause_v you_o to_o lose_v they_o by_o degree_n if_o you_o keep_v not_o firm_o that_o of_o spiritual_a diligence_n for_o if_o he_o see_v you_o to_o have_v obtain_v the_o virtue_n of_o humility_n he_o will_v excite_v occasion_n of_o pride_n as_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n prosperity_n in_o temporal_a good_n and_o such_o like_a to_o make_v you_o lose_v your_o humility_n which_o you_o have_v already_o obtain_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v always_o on_o your_o guard_n then_o with_o spiritual_a 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some_o hurt_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o that_o of_o other_o so_o that_o we_o must_v be_v diligent_a that_o he_o may_v gain_v nothing_o for_o he_o can_v hurt_v we_o when_o we_o perceive_v it_o and_o have_v our_o will_n fix_v on_o god_n and_o a_o resolution_n to_o tend_v to_o true_a virtue_n for_o when_o we_o discover_v the_o snare_n of_o the_o devil_n we_o shall_v assure_o resist_v they_o but_o if_o we_o fall_v into_o spiritual_a negligence_n he_o will_v ensnare_v we_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o i_o believe_v we_o shall_v not_o speak_v a_o word_n from_o which_o he_o shall_v not_o draw_v some_o advantage_n against_o our_o soul_n or_o those_o of_o other_o for_o he_o will_v make_v we_o be_v silent_a of_o what_o we_o shall_v speak_v for_o our_o advancement_n spiritual_a
rendet_fw-la ourselves_o its_o slave_n and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o devil_n but_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n nature_n we_o behove_v notwithstanding_o to_o combat_v it_o continual_o see_v that_o corruption_n be_v as_o much_o a_o enemy_n of_o our_o salvation_n as_o the_o devil_n if_o you_o will_v my_o son_n examine_v well_o your_o own_o self_n you_o shall_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o you_o do_v not_o one_o single_a action_n which_o though_o good_a in_o itself_o be_v not_o defile_v with_o self-love_n and_o self-seeking_a and_o that_o you_o speak_v not_o one_o word_n which_o you_o aim_v not_o for_o your_o own_o advantage_n or_o praise_n or_o to_o excuse_v and_o justify_v yourself_o for_o self-love_n search_v always_o his_o own_o ease_n and_o satisfaction_n and_o will_v not_o have_v the_o blame_n in_o any_o thing_n yea_o it_o will_v appear_v innocent_a in_o the_o most_o manifest_a fault_n it_o commit_v it_o speak_v to_o excuse_v they_o reason_n to_o maintain_v its_o opinion_n or_o what_o it_o have_v fancy_v or_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v in_o fine_a it_o employ_v all_o the_o force_n of_o body_n and_o spirit_n to_o disow_v its_o guilt_n so_o proud_a be_v that_o corrupt_a nature_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v blame_v in_o any_o thing_n if_o it_o can_v evite_v it_o now_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v manifest_a sin_n which_o rob_v our_o heart_n of_o the_o love_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n to_o make_v we_o love_v and_o esteem_v ourselves_o and_o so_o infringe_v the_o command_n to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n while_o we_o love_v our_o own_o glory_n and_o esteem_v ourselves_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n i_o have_v often_o declare_v that_o the_o ressence_n of_o sin_n consist_v in_o that_o man_n retire_v his_o affection_n from_o god_n to_o place_v they_o in_o any_o thing_n else_o beside_o he_o so_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o man_n fall_v so_o often_o into_o sin_n as_o he_o turn_v to_o love_v himself_o and_o he_o fall_v so_o often_o into_o 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world_n they_o bring_v with_o they_o that_o pride_n which_o make_v they_o live_v in_o continual_a sin_n if_o they_o do_v not_o resist_v it_o continual_o by_o spiritual_a diligence_n and_o watch_v not_o over_o all_o their_o word_n and_o action_n to_o limit_v and_o regulate_v they_o by_o the_o law_n and_o will_n of_o god_n which_o can_v be_v do_v without_o that_o spiritual_a diligence_n which_o ought_v to_o rule_v all_o our_o word_n and_o action_n if_o we_o will_v attain_v to_o salvation_n which_o she_o wish_v you_o who_o love_v your_o soul_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr husum_fw-la jan._n 27._o 1674._o the_o xxii_o letter_n spiritual_a diligence_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o the_o same_o exhort_v he_o to_o spiritual_a diligence_n because_o without_o it_o none_o can_v persevere_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n nor_o overcome_v his_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o self-love_n my_o son_n i_o can_v over_o much_o explain_v the_o worth_n and_o necessity_n of_o spiritual_a diligence_n 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way_n of_o virtue_n and_o make_v appear_v burdensome_a what_o be_v in_o itself_o light_a give_v the_o soul_n a_o backwardness_n or_o difficulty_n in_o well_o do_v or_o in_o overcome_v itself_o also_o he_o take_v away_o the_o hope_n of_o surmount_v our_o imperfection_n and_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n that_o he_o may_v render_v our_o soul_n slack_a and_o lazy_a because_o they_o see_v not_o the_o mean_n whereby_o to_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n so_o that_o he_o confound_v our_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v not_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v before_o god_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v occupy_v themselves_o always_o with_o apparent_a virtue_n and_o curious_a speculation_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o we_o have_v need_n of_o continual_a prayer_n and_o spiritual_a diligence_n if_o we_o will_v persevere_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n otherwise_o the_o devil_n will_v gain_v we_o by_o the_o one_o or_o other_o way_n let_v we_o then_o watch_v always_o that_o he_o 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back_o and_o recoil_v see_v man_n never_o attain_v that_o perfection_n that_o he_o ought_v it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v you_o perfect_a as_o your_o heavenly_a father_n be_v perfect_a to_o teach_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o never_o rest_n in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n but_o always_o tend_v to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n even_o to_o the_o last_o moment_n of_o our_o life_n to_o follow_v the_o near_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n but_o the_o devil_n envious_a of_o our_o happiness_n endeavour_n to_o his_o power_n to_o divert_v we_o he_o serve_v himself_o of_o spiritual_a negligence_n when_o he_o can_v prevail_v by_o evil_a desire_n and_o action_n it_o be_v alike_o to_o he_o by_o what_o mean_v he_o ensnare_v our_o soul_n provide_v he_o can_v in_o the_o
commit_v it_o upon_o all_o occasion_n but_o he_o that_o will_v evite_v these_o peril_n shall_v have_v spiritual_a diligence_n to_o watch_v over_o all_o his_o word_n and_o action_n to_o resist_v the_o corruption_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v unto_o human_a nature_n which_o be_v so_o corrupt_v by_o sin_n that_o it_o can_v produce_v no_o more_o any_o good_a temporal_a or_o spiritual_a since_o retire_v from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n wherein_o be_v all_o good_a it_o be_v fall_v into_o self-love_n wherein_o be_v all_o evil_a which_o produce_v always_o its_o like_a so_o that_o whatever_o we_o do_v by_o our_o natural_a motion_n it_o be_v altogether_o evil_a and_o sin_n and_o if_o you_o can_v well_o comprehend_v that_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v you_o shall_v always_o distrust_v yourself_o and_o never_o dare_v to_o do_v or_o undertake_v any_o thing_n if_o you_o will_v not_o do_v evil_a and_o fall_v into_o sin_n but_o man_n rashness_n and_o ignorance_n render_v he_o bold_a to_o undertake_v thing_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a as_o if_o he_o be_v wise_a and_o free_a of_o corruption_n which_o often_o precipitate_v he_o into_o great_a fault_n and_o sin_n which_o they_o do_v not_o perceive_v until_o after_o they_o be_v commit_v and_o so_o can_v be_v help_v i_o believe_v my_o son_n that_o you_o have_v often_o experience_v that_o in_o yourself_o without_o know_v whence_o these_o fault_n proceed_v see_v your_o will_n be_v to_o do_v all_o well_o believe_v i_o they_o proceed_v all_o from_o spiritual_a negligence_n and_o because_o you_o know_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o the_o corruption_n of_o your_o nature_n which_o you_o have_v follow_v while_n in_o the_o world_n you_o think_v yourself_o full_a wise_a when_o you_o can_v order_v your_o temporal_a affair_n to_o your_o profit_n you_o have_v not_o perceive_v that_o the_o devil_n can_v well_o help_v you_o in_o that_o that_o by_o procure_v you_o prosperity_n he_o may_v detain_v you_o always_o in_o the_o affection_n of_o earthly_a thing_n and_o that_o you_o shall_v neglect_v eternal_a one_o as_o other_o merchant_n of_o your_o profession_n do_v yet_o who_o instead_o of_o labour_v for_o the_o gospel-pearl_n labour_v to_o follow_v the_o will_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o enemy_n of_o their_o soul_n without_o perceive_v it_o yea_o they_o think_v it_o a_o blessing_n of_o god_n that_o they_o prosper_v in_o temporal_a affair_n but_o it_o be_v often_o a_o curse_n see_v god_n give_v his_o friend_n temporal_a adversity_n and_o reserve_v for_o they_o eternal_a joy_n but_o to_o man_n that_o have_v do_v some_o temporal_a good_a in_o this_o world_n but_o have_v not_o overcome_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o corrupt_a nature_n god_n recompense_v the_o temporal_a good_a they_o have_v do_v in_o this_o world_n with_o temporal_a prosperity_n because_o god_n leave_v no_o good_a without_o recompense_n nor_o evil_a without_o punishment_n wherefore_o i_o pray_v you_o my_o son_n to_o watch_v over_o your_o soul_n with_o spiritual_a diligence_n that_o you_o let_v not_o one_o word_n or_o action_n escape_v that_o proceed_v from_o your_o corrupt_a nature_n see_v it_o produce_v all_o sort_n of_o sin_n which_o will_v final_o lead_v you_o to_o eternal_a damnation_n but_o labour_n to_o resist_v manful_o the_o corruption_n of_o your_o nature_n by_o a_o spiritual_a diligence_n so_o you_o must_v always_o watch_v over_o your_o word_n and_o action_n that_o the_o devil_n gain_v you_o not_o by_o spiritual_a negligence_n which_o she_o wish_v you_o who_o love_v your_o soul_n husum_fw-la febr._fw-la 1._o 1674._o s_o vet_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr the_o xxiii_o letter_n spiritual_a diligence_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o the_o same_o to_o who_o be_v show_v the_o necessity_n of_o spiritual_a diligence_n to_o watch_v over_o all_o the_o action_n of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o proper_a will_n and_o to_o acquire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o moreover_o that_o spiritual_a negligence_n be_v a_o fountain_n of_o all_o evil_n and_o be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o damn_v we_o because_o it_o render_v our_o soul_n rude_a and_o like_a to_o a_o curse_a ground_n which_o bear_v only_a thorn_n and_o thistle_n and_o so_o be_v far_o from_o meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n my_o son_n i_o have_v entertain_v you_o large_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o spiritual_a diligence_n which_o we_o must_v have_v in_o this_o perilouslife_o i_o have_v show_v you_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v unto_o salvation_n and_o that_o without_o it_o none_o can_v be_v save_v because_o of_o the_o many_o enemy_n we_o have_v to_o war_n against_o i_o must_v now_o show_v you_o all_o the_o evil_n which_o spiritual_a negligence_n cause_n it_o be_v a_o pest_n in_o the_o good_a air_n of_o virtue_n for_o although_o you_o have_v acquire_v a_o great_a number_n of_o virtue_n they_o can_v not_o subsist_v in_o your_o soul_n without_o spiritual_a diligence_n see_v in_o this_o world_n we_o can_v be_v free_a of_o enemy_n who_o attack_v we_o continual_o we_o may_v well_o be_v for_o some_o time_n in_o repose_n in_o virtue_n but_o that_o repose_n shall_v be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a combat_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o think_v to_o take_v rest_n as_o do_v the_o rich_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n who_o have_v his_o grandery_n fill_v but_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o he_o thou_o fool_n this_o night_n thy_o soul_n shall_v be_v require_v of_o thou_o and_o who_o shall_v then_o these_o thing_n be_v the_o same_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o they_o who_o think_v they_o have_v acquire_v so_o many_o virtue_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o spiritual_a diligence_n for_o they_o shall_v find_v themselves_o deceive_v at_o death_n because_o they_o have_v not_o watch_v over_o their_o virtue_n have_v suffer_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n to_o reign_v for_o if_o you_o be_v not_o diligent_a in_o virtue_n to_o watch_v and_o be_v aware_a that_o vainglory_n insinuate_v not_o itself_o it_o will_v take_v away_o all_o the_o force_n and_o merit_n of_o your_o virtue_n see_v 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your_o soul_n and_o dispose_v it_o to_o recover_v that_o union_n while_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v by_o i_o that_o shall_v follow_v to_o show_v you_o what_o true_a virtue_n be_v and_o of_o who_o you_o be_v to_o learn_v it_o that_o you_o be_v not_o deceive_v by_o any_o body_n and_o that_o you_o may_v discern_v true_o between_o true_a and_o false_a perfection_n in_o which_o many_o well-meaning_a person_n be_v deceive_v of_o themselves_o and_o other_o and_o yourself_o have_v not_o yet_o get_v that_o light_n of_o true_a discern_a to_o know_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v before_o god_n take_v they_o only_o as_o they_o appear_v to_o man_n judgement_n who_o often_o deceive_v for_o it_o be_v write_v that_o all_o man_n be_v liar_n yea_o we_o lie_v often_o even_o to_o ourselves_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o we_o know_v and_o understand_v mystique_a thing_n while_o we_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o they_o here_o follow_v some_o conference_n take_v out_o of_o the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n conference_n xi_o declare_v how_o we_o must_v be_v regenerate_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o that_o we_o must_v return_v into_o the_o dependence_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o god_n require_v essential_o of_o man._n i_o ask_v she_o how_o that_o regeneration_n can_v be_v perform_v for_o person_n already_o advance_v in_o age_n and_o doctrine_n she_o say_v sir_n we_o must_v take_v whole_o a_o new_a life_n as_o if_o we_o be_v new_o bear_v to_o day_n because_o all_o the_o good_a which_o we_o esteem_v ourselves_o to_o have_v do_v heretofore_o be_v evil_a or_o at_o least_o good_a for_o this_o life_n for_o all_o our_o good_a work_n have_v always_o be_v accompany_v with_o self-love_n or_o with_o human_a consideration_n 3._o which_o can_v never_o be_v recompense_v in_o eternity_n because_o we_o have_v here_o receive_v their_o reward_n what_o we_o do_v by_o self-love_n be_v recompense_v by_o our_o satisfaction_n and_o what_o 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wisdom_n be_v but_o ignorance_n before_o god_n which_o be_v often_o a_o impediment_n unto_o his_o grace_n and_o that_o the_o time_n be_v come_v 19_o when_o he_o will_v destroy_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o abolish_v the_o prudence_n of_o the_o prudent_a that_o 15._o all_o may_v receive_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o little_a child_n i_o say_v unto_o she_o that_o it_o be_v very_o desirable_a to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o they_o who_o shall_v be_v convert_v and_o that_o i_o will_v be_v the_o first_o to_o abandon_v myself_o whole_o unto_o god_n as_o a_o little_a child_n she_o say_v sir_n no_o person_n can_v be_v entire_o convert_v if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v the_o sin_n and_o also_o the_o true_a virtue_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v necessary_a for_o otherwise_o man_n shall_v think_v they_o be_v convert_v while_o they_o be_v yet_o full_a of_o sin_n and_o have_v not_o yet_o acquire_v any_o solid_a virtue_n therefore_o be_v it_o that_o i_o have_v speak_v unto_o you_o so_o particular_o that_o you_o shall_v not_o remain_v in_o the_o darkness_n which_o environ_n all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o world_n there_o shall_v yet_o be_v find_v many_o who_o will_v turn_v and_o be_v convert_v but_o very_o few_o who_o know_v their_o internal_a sin_n and_o yet_o few_o who_o know_v what_o true_a virtue_n be_v all_o these_o will_v make_v conversion_n false_a before_o god_n for_o if_o they_o do_v not_o know_v their_o hide_a sin_n they_o can_v amend_v they_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o know_v what_o true_a virtue_n be_v they_o can_v practice_v it_o the_o ignorance_n of_o these_o two_o thing_n hinder_v that_o they_o can_v be_v convert_v unto_o god_n nor_o yield_v themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o he_o that_o then_o must_v be_v learn_v first_o of_o all_o to_o know_v the_o state_n of_o their_o soul_n in_o what_o degree_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v and_o also_o in_o what_o degree_n of_o true_a virtue_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v know_v there_o shall_v be_v yet_o many_o who_o will_v embrace_v the_o spirit_n of_o penitence_n and_o abandon_v themselves_o unto_o god_n as_o little_a child_n but_o because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o state_n of_o their_o conscience_n many_o perish_v insensible_o 13._o not_o know_v their_o misery_n if_o you_o will_v sir_n be_v abandon_v unto_o god_n as_o a_o child_n think_v that_o all_o that_o you_o have_v do_v hitherto_o be_v of_o no_o value_n and_o cast_v yourself_o 5._o in_o god_n arm_n who_o be_v your_o father_n as_o a_o child_n who_o can_v speak_v that_o he_o may_v teach_v your_o every_o thing_n he_o shall_v do_v it_o assure_o for_o it_o be_v his_o desire_n 23._o that_o we_o be_v convert_v unto_o he_o when_o we_o withdraw_v from_o he_o by_o our_o sin_n he_o suffer_v it_o because_o he_o will_v not_o retract_v the_o free_a will_n which_o he_o have_v once_o give_v we_o for_o he_o be_v 29._o immutable_a in_o all_o his_o work_n but_o so_o soon_o as_o we_o return_v unto_o he_o by_o penitence_n he_o receive_v we_o as_o the_o father_n do_v his_o prodigal_a child_n 24._o accept_v we_o for_o his_o child_n and_o heir_n of_o his_o glory_n but_o if_o you_o think_v to_o continue_v in_o your_o proper_a wisdom_n you_o shall_v never_o receive_v the_o holy_a spirit_n you_o must_v become_v simple_a as_o a_o child_n and_o not_o will_v any_o more_o to_o use_v your_o proper_a will_n remit_v and_o repose_v it_o whole_o in_o god_n hand_n give_v he_o the_o reins_o of_o your_o proper_a will_n that_o he_o may_v guide_v it_o and_o conduct_v it_o whither_o he_o please_v and_o that_o you_o may_v no_o more_o be_v able_a to_o abuse_v it_o as_o hitherto_o you_o have_v do_v which_o you_o must_v confess_v with_o regret_n for_o if_o our_o will_n have_v be_v rule_v by_o god_n we_o have_v never_o come_v into_o such_o extremity_n of_o all_o evil_n i_o say_v unto_o she_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o my_o will_n have_v not_o be_v rule_v by_o god_n because_o i_o have_v not_o know_v as_o at_o present_a the_o manner_n of_o abandon_v myself_o unto_o god_n she_o say_v sir_n no_o man_n can_v ever_o be_v save_v unless_o he_o know_v that_o he_o must_v be_v entire_o abandon_v unto_o god_n because_o that_o be_v the_o first_o and_o last_o commandment_n which_o he_o have_v give_v unto_o man_n and_o to_o speak_v better_a it_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o god_n require_v of_o man_n if_o we_o will_v absolute_o depend_v upon_o god_n we_o shall_v fulfil_v all_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n necessary_a all_o that_o i_o can_v ever_o have_v say_v sir_n be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o dependence_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v upon_o god_n because_o he_o have_v never_o require_v any_o thing_n else_o of_o man_n and_o also_o shall_v
she_o the_o text_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o promise_n to_o submit_v my_o understanding_n unto_o the_o light_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n entire_o to_o my_o power_n she_o say_v sir_n that_o submission_n be_v the_o preparation_n requisite_a for_o if_o you_o will_v act_v the_o doctor_n or_o wise_a learned_a man_n you_o shall_v put_v opposition_n unto_o the_o light_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n source_n of_o all_o wisdom_n you_o must_v always_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o he_o be_v more_o wise_a than_o all_o the_o doctor_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o we_o learn_v more_o by_o a_o little_a ray_n of_o his_o light_n than_o by_o a_o hundred_o year_n of_o most_o assiduous_a study_n therefore_o 12._o render_v all_o your_o wisdom_n ignorances_n and_o 2._o become_v as_o a_o infant_n new_o bear_v again_o that_o you_o may_v receive_v these_o new_a intelligence_n which_o shall_v give_v you_o more_o light_a than_o ever_o all_o the_o old_a father_n together_o have_v have_v because_o they_o have_v never_o discover_v the_o 44._o hide_a treasure_n because_o the_o time_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v every_o one_o speak_v according_a to_o his_o thought_n and_o not_o as_o it_o be_v real_o because_o it_o be_v 9_o a_o close_a book_n which_o none_o be_v worthy_a to_o open_v but_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o since_o he_o be_v kill_v and_o put_v to_o death_n there_o be_v not_o hitherto_o any_o thing_n accomplish_v of_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o that_o death_n which_o shall_v disclose_v the_o marvellous_a thing_n of_o god_n which_o have_v remain_v hide_v until_o now_o and_o begin_v to_o be_v reveal_v unto_o they_o who_o shall_v be_v humble_a of_o heart_n but_o the_o wise_a 14._o shall_v perish_v with_o their_o wisdom_n therefore_o do_v i_o exhort_v you_o sir_n unto_o simplicity_n and_o submission_n that_o you_o may_v receive_v the_o light_n which_o begin_v to_o soar_v in_o our_o time_n and_o 2._o see_v the_o new_a heavenly_a jerusalem_n descend_v adorn_v as_o a_o bride_n unto_o the_o day_n of_o her_o nuptial_n the_o 3._o league_n and_o alliance_n of_o god_n with_o man_n shall_v then_o be_v accomplish_v the_o earth_n shall_v then_o be_v renew_v all_o creature_n shall_v leave_v their_o malignity_n which_o shall_v be_v 15._o confine_v unto_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o torment_v the_o body_n and_o soul_n of_o all_o they_o who_o will_v not_o submit_v their_o will_n unto_o god_n they_o shall_v receive_v there_o pain_n according_a to_o their_o sin_n be_v overwhelm_v with_o those_o malignity_n which_o these_o sin_n have_v cause_v conference_n xxvi_o declare_v the_o necessity_n of_o become_v a_o child_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n renounce_v all_o worldly_a wisdom_n and_o all_o human_a abuse_n i_o ask_v she_o how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o leave_v all_o science_n human_o acquire_v to_o become_v a_o child_n when_o one_o be_v a_o age_a man_n she_o say_v sir_n except_o you_o do_v it_o you_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v jesus_n christ_n 3_o who_o say_v it_o and_o he_o can_v lie_v but_o he_o urge_v that_o necessity_n of_o become_a child_n by_o threaten_n of_o not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o great_a evil_n that_o can_v befall_v man_n it_o be_v better_o never_o to_o be_v bear_v than_o not_o to_o be_v save_v and_o see_v we_o can_v be_v save_v without_o become_a child_n we_o must_v do_v it_o at_o any_o rate_n will_v you_o sir_n esteem_v more_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o world_n or_o your_o acquire_v science_n than_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o be_v very_o lamentable_a see_v all_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n do_v but_o pass_v as_o the_o bird_n which_o cut_v the_o air_n and_o leave_v no_o trace_n of_o its_o way_n after_o it_o so_o we_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v pass_v through_o this_o world_n there_o shall_v remain_v nothing_o of_o our_o science_n or_o study_n nor_o of_o our_o honour_n and_o reputation_n all_o end_v with_o we_o and_o if_o there_o remain_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o other_o any_o reputation_n that_o we_o be_v wise_a and_o learned_a that_o be_v insensible_a unto_o we_o after_o death_n if_o we_o have_v please_v ourselves_o therein_o in_o our_o life_n the_o suffering_n of_o these_o complacency_n attend_v we_o in_o the_o other_o world_n and_o instead_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o happiness_n to_o we_o that_o we_o have_v be_v wise_a it_o be_v a_o great_a misery_n to_o we_o to_o have_v lose_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o the_o same_o wisdom_n forsake_v all_o these_o human_a consideration_n sir_n and_o become_v a_o child_n though_o you_o be_v age_v you_o must_v make_v the_o more_o haste_n lest_o time_n and_o life_n escape_v never_o consult_v 16._o flesh_n and_o blood_n for_o they_o deceive_v and_o corrupt_v we_o 18._o let_v we_o consult_v only_o our_o divine_a soul_n which_o be_v reasonable_a and_o it_o shall_v tell_v you_o that_o nothing_o be_v better_a nor_o more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o abandon_v our_o free_a will_n unto_o god_n who_o have_v give_v we_o it_o and_o to_o submit_v it_o unto_o his_o government_n as_o a_o little_a child_n that_o on_o that_o depend_v our_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o that_o nothing_o else_o can_v save_v we_o because_o without_o that_o dependence_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n i_o say_v unto_o she_o that_o i_o know_v most_o clear_o that_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n without_o the_o dependence_n of_o god_n ask_v how_o i_o can_v now_o ignore_v science_n former_o acquire_v see_v i_o can_v not_o make_v myself_o not_o to_o have_v they_o she_o say_v sir_n nothing_o can_v hurt_v you_o if_o all_o be_v submit_v unto_o god_n you_o can_v ignore_v what_o you_o know_v by_o mean_n of_o your_o study_n but_o you_o can_v well_o submit_v all_o these_o science_n unto_o god_n and_o account_v they_o as_o ignorances_n as_o in_o effect_n they_o be_v apply_v no_o more_o your_o spirit_n unto_o the_o study_n of_o science_n and_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v all_o vain_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n you_o shall_v know_v that_o you_o be_v abandon_v unto_o his_o will_n when_o 26_o you_o seek_v no_o more_o any_o thing_n upon_o earth_n neither_o learning_n nor_o wisdom_n nor_o desire_v to_o know_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o what_o may_v render_v you_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n for_o he_o that_o be_v abandon_v unto_o he_o without_o deceit_n move_v himself_o no_o more_o but_o for_o what_o regard_v his_o glory_n all_o the_o rest_n touch_v he_o no_o more_o if_o he_o be_v wise_a or_o ignorant_a it_o be_v indifferent_a unto_o he_o wisdom_n serve_v he_o for_o what_o regard_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o in_o no_o wise_a to_o rule_v upon_o earth_n know_v well_o that_o he_o who_o be_v abandon_v unto_o god_n without_o science_n be_v as_o great_a as_o he_o who_o be_v so_o with_o much_o learning_n and_o even_o as_o we_o may_v well_o be_v poor_a of_o spirit_n in_o possess_v riches_n so_o can_v we_o 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unto_o god_n to_o be_v a_o true_a child_n but_o that_o i_o have_v yet_o some_o repugnancy_n to_o renounce_v the_o church_n she_o say_v ha_o sir_n you_o must_v never_o renounce_v the_o holy_a church_n but_o rather_o die_v but_o you_o must_v only_o renounce_v the_o abomination_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o the_o romish_a church_n of_o these_o day_n do_v you_o not_o see_v that_o she_o have_v falsify_v her_o faith_n unto_o her_o lawful_a husband_n jesus_n christ_n and_o have_v not_o remain_v faithful_a unto_o he_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a that_o you_o can_v show_v i_o one_o only_a point_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o she_o observe_v or_o one_o only_a thing_n that_o she_o practise_v that_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o life_n and_o doctrine_n of_o her_o
end_n retain_v they_o to_o himself_o be_v therefore_o upon_o your_o guard_n my_o son_n and_o before_o all_o embrace_v spiritual_a diligence_n as_o that_o which_o be_v most_o necessary_a for_o the_o perseverance_n of_o your_o virtue_n for_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o devil_n to_o tempt_v we_o but_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v continual_a exercise_n to_o combat_v it_o for_o it_o be_v so_o corrupt_v by_o sin_n that_o it_o produce_v continual_o evil_a effect_n in_o our_o soul_n to_o cause_v it_o to_o perish_v eternal_o we_o need_v but_o follow_v that_o nature_n to_o be_v damn_v as_o i_o have_v else_o where_o tell_v you_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o neither_o will_n nor_o desire_n but_o what_o be_v evil_a and_o tend_v to_o self-love_n it_o be_v true_a man_n be_v create_v by_o god_n perfect_a and_o in_o that_o state_n of_o perfection_n he_o do_v all_o good_a blessing_n and_o honour_v god_n and_o so_o enjoy_v every_o thing_n without_o sin_v but_o since_o man_n abandon_v that_o state_n of_o perfection_n by_o his_o sin_n he_o be_v become_v so_o corrupt_v that_o whatever_o he_o do_v or_o say_v tend_v only_o to_o his_o own_o glory_n or_o satisfaction_n which_o be_v to_o sin_n see_v all_o glory_n belong_v to_o god_n alone_o and_o man_n ought_v to_o seek_v nothing_o but_o to_o please_v he_o and_o as_o often_o as_o he_o do_v otherways_o he_o offend_v he_o and_o therefore_o must_v you_o have_v that_o spiritual_a diligence_n to_o watch_v over_o all_o your_o word_n and_o action_n except_o you_o will_v live_v in_o continual_a sin_n for_o if_o we_o eat_v and_o drink_v it_o be_v ordinary_o to_o please_v our_o taste_n and_o sensuality_n instead_o of_o take_v these_o necessary_a thing_n with_o praise_v the_o lord_n who_o make_v they_o if_o we_o clothe_v ourselves_o it_o be_v also_o for_o our_o own_o satisfaction_n ease_n and_o glory_n instead_o of_o clothing_n ourselves_o in_o humility_n and_o with_o confusion_n because_o our_o sin_n make_v we_o ashamed_a and_o necessitate_v we_o to_o cover_v our_o body_n to_o preserve_v we_o from_o the_o injury_n of_o the_o air_n which_o the_o same_o sin_n render_v intemperate_a in_o heat_n cold_a and_o tempest_n for_o before_o sin_n man_n be_v altogether_o naked_a without_o shame_n and_o have_v no_o necessity_n to_o clothe_v himself_o be_v clothe_v only_o with_o glory_n and_o light_n he_o be_v lord_n and_o governor_n over_o all_o the_o element_n which_o be_v submissive_a and_o obedient_a to_o he_o encompass_v he_o only_o for_o his_o contentment_n and_o pleasure_n but_o now_o that_o be_v since_o sin_n have_v corrupt_v human_a nature_n man_n can_v take_v pleasure_n in_o walk_v on_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o refresh_n of_o the_o wind_n or_o water_n without_o sin_v because_o he_o do_v all_o these_o thing_n only_o for_o his_o own_o satisfaction_n instead_o of_o do_v they_o to_o satisfy_v god_n alone_o if_o man_n study_v labour_n or_o undertake_v any_o thing_n it_o be_v always_o for_o his_o own_o glory_n and_o proper_a satisfaction_n or_o profit_n instead_o of_o undertake_v all_o these_o thing_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n only_o and_o to_o apply_v all_o the_o force_n of_o his_o body_n and_o power_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o glorify_v god_n who_o give_v we_o they_o he_o also_o do_v often_o glory_n vain_o in_o the_o gift_n and_o talent_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o his_o god_n and_o attribute_n they_o to_o himself_o as_o if_o he_o be_v the_o proprietary_n of_o they_o and_o independent_a of_o the_o author_n of_o all_o good_a and_o so_o forget_v what_o be_v write_v viz._n that_o every_o good_a gift_n be_v from_o above_o and_o come_v down_o from_o the_o father_n of_o light_n they_o come_v not_o then_o from_o man_n power_n who_o incline_v to_o nothing_o but_o to_o do_v evil_a and_o consequent_o if_o man_n can_v labour_v study_n or_o do_v any_o other_o good_a and_o necessary_a thing_n these_o be_v grace_n and_o favour_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o can_v take_v from_o he_o in_o a_o moment_n and_o therefore_o man_n have_v not_o reason_n of_o glory_v or_o to_o attribute_v to_o himself_o the_o least_o good_a thing_n which_o he_o do_v notwithstanding_o either_o through_o ignorance_n or_o malice_n so_o he_o have_v need_n to_o watch_v continual_o if_o he_o will_v abstain_v from_o sin_n otherwise_o he_o shall_v fall_v every_o moment_n without_o perceive_v it_o for_o since_o he_o be_v corrupt_v by_o sin_n he_o can_v have_v a_o good_a thought_n nor_o speak_v one_o word_n that_o be_v not_o defile_v and_o mix_v with_o self-love_n or_o self-esteem_a which_o i_o can_v show_v you_o my_o son_n in_o your_o own_o experience_n if_o you_o be_v capable_a but_o all_o your_o thought_n and_o word_n be_v mix_v with_o impurity_n i_o know_v well_o you_o be_v resolve_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o your_o soul_n in_o general_a to_o please_v god_n and_o no_o more_o to_o sin_n yet_o you_o do_v it_o as_o often_o as_o you_o seek_v your_o own_o satisfaction_n you_o do_v it_o through_o ignorance_n because_o you_o have_v not_o sufficient_o discover_v how_o much_o human_a nature_n be_v corrupt_v by_o sin_n and_o you_o have_v not_o esteem_v it_o evil_n to_o follow_v it_o on_o the_o contrary_a you_o and_o all_o other_o man_n who_o live_v according_a to_o their_o corruption_n have_v hold_v it_o for_o a_o good_a thing_n to_o follow_v their_o own_o will_n as_o far_o as_o they_o do_v not_o induce_v they_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n evil_a and_o reprehensible_a before_o man_n for_o every_o one_o walk_n in_o his_o darkness_n and_o have_v no_o light_n to_o know_v their_o misery_n and_o the_o state_n into_o which_o sin_n have_v bring_v they_o and_o that_o ignorance_n make_v they_o live_v at_o ease_n in_o their_o self-love_n without_o hold_v it_o for_o sin_n though_o in_o effect_n that_o self-love_n be_v the_o essence_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o sin_n for_o if_o man_n kill_v steal_z commit_v adultery_n or_o do_v any_o other_o thing_n forbid_v in_o the_o command_n of_o god_n it_o be_v only_o to_o satisfy_v his_o self-love_n if_o he_o seek_v his_o profit_n pleasure_n or_o ease_n if_o he_o esteem_v or_o boast_v of_o himself_o it_o be_v all_o to_o satisfy_v that_o love_n the_o same_o if_o he_o seek_v the_o honour_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n in_o fine_a self-love_n be_v the_o womb_n in_o which_o be_v engender_v all_o sort_n of_o sin_n and_o it_o entrie_o rob_v our_o heart_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v pure_a can_v remain_v with_o the_o impure_a love_n of_o ourselves_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o it_o need_v not_o appear_v strange_a to_o any_o that_o they_o can_v obtain_v the_o love_n of_o god_n though_o they_o desire_v it_o for_o they_o can_v never_o obtain_v it_o while_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o love_n of_o themselves_o and_o they_o shall_v rather_o account_v themselves_o unworthy_a of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n than_o rash_o to_o desire_v that_o god_n shall_v come_v to_o reside_v in_o a_o heart_n fill_v with_o self-love_n and_o pollute_v with_o sin_n they_o that_o will_v have_v the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o will_v not_o forsake_v that_o of_o themselves_o be_v very_o imprudent_a see_v they_o will_v make_v so_o unsuitable_a a_o match_n as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o which_o consist_v all_o sort_n of_o good_a with_o self-love_n in_o which_o consist_v all_o sort_n of_o evil_a which_o be_v intolerable_a and_o unworthy_a of_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o they_o will_v join_v heat_n and_o cold_a in_o the_o same_o place_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o nature_n which_o will_v never_o suffer_v that_o but_o these_o two_o contrary_n shall_v so_o wrestle_v together_o that_o the_o strong_a shall_v hold_v the_o place_n alone_o for_o if_o we_o put_v fire_n in_o the_o water_n it_o be_v extinguish_v when_o it_o can_v overcome_v the_o water_n but_o if_o the_o fire_n be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o can_v consume_v the_o water_n it_o become_v victorious_a and_o destroy_v the_o water_n it_o be_v even_o so_o with_o the_o soul_n that_o desire_v the_o love_n of_o god_n it_o be_v the_o place_n where_o be_v the_o cold_a of_o self-love_n and_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o when_o that_o self-love_n be_v the_o strong_a it_o extinguish_v entire_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n but_o if_o the_o love_n of_o god_n kindle_v more_o in_o the_o soul_n it_o banish_v quite_o self-love_n which_o arrive_v unto_o the_o purify_a soul_n which_o scarce_o feel_v any_o more_o their_o self-love_n when_o that_o of_o god_n have_v get_v the_o upperhand_n in_o the_o soul_n they_o live_v and_o die_v in_o that_o love_n and_o despise_v self-love_n but_o he_o that_o live_v in_o self-love_n be_v a_o slave_n of_o sin_n and_o
for_o righteousness_n sake_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o learned_a now_o adays_o be_v altogether_o antichristian_a that_o be_v to_o say_v contrary_a to_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n not_o that_o their_o word_n be_v dissonant_n for_o they_o read_v the_o same_o gospel_n which_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v but_o they_o gloss_n and_o explain_v so_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o bring_v forth_o a_o quite_o perverse_a sense_n notwithstanding_o they_o live_v in_o quiet_a though_o all_o their_o action_n manner_n and_o desire_n be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n doctrine_n for_o every_o one_o now_o idolize_v his_o own_o proper_a will_n and_o jesus_n christ_n say_v that_o we_o must_v renounce_v it_o methinks_v all_o christendom_n be_v become_v at_o present_a the_o people_n of_o ephesus_n which_o adore_v the_o great_a diana_n with_o this_o difference_n that_o christian_n now_o adays_o adore_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o flesh_n whereas_o those_o adore_v a_o statue_n of_o gold_n or_o silver_n for_o we_o see_v these_o learned_a strive_v who_o can_v best_o find_v out_o subtle_a invention_n by_o which_o they_o may_v flatter_v man_n in_o their_o sin_n or_o persuade_v they_o that_o they_o may_v well_o follow_v the_o motion_n of_o their_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o withal_o attain_v to_o salvation_n so_o that_o every_o one_o follow_v that_o doctrine_n without_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v evil_a that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o every_o one_o adore_v that_o diana_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n as_o a_o goddess_n and_o so_o they_o bestow_v all_o their_o time_n and_o good_n to_o nourish_v honour_n and_o satisfy_v corrupt_v nature_n and_o more_o they_o think_v there_o be_v no_o evil_a in_o so_o do_v while_o the_o minister_n and_o learned_a do_v the_o same_o and_o promise_v salvation_n to_o the_o people_n that_o live_v in_o that_o idolatry_n but_o they_o ought_v to_o teach_v in_o effect_n the_o mortification_n of_o their_o sense_n the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n how_o much_o it_o be_v ruin_v by_o sin_n and_o final_o the_o necessity_n of_o deny_v ourselves_o to_o be_v save_v as_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v by_o word_n and_o work_n but_o these_o savage_a pastor_n will_v not_o teach_v so_o unto_o their_o flock_n and_o will_v yet_o less_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n themselves_o yea_o nor_o will_v not_o suffer_v another_o to_o teach_v these_o christian_a truth_n it_o be_v for_o that_o they_o pursue_v i_o every_o where_o and_o will_v glad_o exterminate_v i_o because_o i_o have_v write_v of_o true_a virtue_n the_o same_o befall_v st._n paul_n by_o they_o of_o ephesus_n who_o will_v exterminate_v he_o when_o he_o teach_v the_o truth_n say_v one_o to_o another_o that_o they_o shall_v lose_v their_o gain_n if_o they_o suffer_v paul_n to_o continue_v preach_v jesus_n christ_n that_o he_o will_v ruin_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o great_a diana_n and_o cause_n that_o the_o goldsmith_n shall_v gain_v no_o more_o in_o the_o workmanship_n of_o the_o image_n of_o diana_n it_o go_v just_a so_o with_o these_o learned_a one_o who_o be_v as_o the_o master_n of_o the_o great_a diana_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n which_o every_o one_o adore_v for_o his_o own_o particular_a but_o the_o learned_a be_v the_o master_n to_o gain_v money_n by_o the_o worship_n and_o adoration_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n so_o they_o speak_v and_o teach_v the_o people_n such_o thing_n as_o please_v their_o corruption_n and_o endeavour_v to_o please_v man_n that_o they_o may_v receive_v advantage_n of_o they_o which_o they_o will_v not_o lose_v when_o then_o i_o begin_v to_o speak_v of_o true_a virtue_n they_o be_v all_o alarm_v against_o i_o as_o they_o of_o ephesus_n be_v against_o st._n paul_n but_o these_o learned_a take_v also_o the_o judge_n to_o their_o assistance_n and_o persecute_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v banish_v or_o be_v discharge_v to_o write_v or_o speak_v of_o true_a virtue_n some_o wish_v i_o dead_a other_o burn_v other_o that_o i_o be_v throw_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o sea_n that_o i_o may_v speak_v no_o more_o of_o solid_a virtue_n and_o so_o their_o gain_n and_o trade_n be_v not_o diminish_v and_o their_o shop_n become_v unfrequented_a that_o be_v that_o they_o sell_v no_o more_o their_o frivolous_a discourse_n to_o please_v man_n it_o be_v that_o which_o at_o last_o alarm_v they_o so_o at_o flensburg_n whither_o i_o have_v go_v about_o some_o business_n for_o the_o minister_n no_o soon_o have_v any_o suspicion_n that_o i_o be_v in_o their_o town_n but_o they_o preach_v in_o divers_a church_n that_o i_o be_o a_o arrant_a and_o pernicious_a person_n that_o i_o have_v a_o devilish_a doctrine_n and_o final_o no_o person_n shall_v lodge_v i_o so_o that_o i_o behove_v to_o come_v out_o secret_o lest_o i_o shall_v be_v massacree_v by_o the_o rabble_n and_o child_n who_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o minister_n have_v animate_v against_o i_o for_o they_o have_v speak_v of_o i_o with_o great_a spite_n and_o horror_n proclaim_v public_o that_o my_o doctrine_n be_v worse_a than_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n add_v beside_o that_o my_o doctrine_n be_v a_o mass_n of_o all_o the_o old_a heresy_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o i_o will_v not_o teach_v any_o thing_n by_o my_o write_n or_o discourse_n but_o what_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o that_o in_o they_o i_o detest_v and_o revoke_v it_o as_o i_o have_v often_o offer_v to_o revoke_v all_o that_o they_o will_v show_v i_o to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o it_o be_v not_o for_o error_n they_o persecute_v i_o or_o any_o evil_n in_o my_o write_n see_v they_o can_v show_v i_o nothing_o such_o therein_o they_o persecute_v i_o then_o because_o i_o declare_v true_o what_o be_v true_a virtue_n and_o how_o a_o true_a christian_n shall_v live_v to_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n i_o know_v well_o they_o mask_v these_o thing_n say_v that_o there_o be_v error_n in_o my_o write_n but_o no_o person_n show_v i_o these_o error_n they_o know_v not_o what_o to_o say_v to_o contemn_v the_o truth_n which_o i_o maintain_v for_o the_o learned_a say_v first_o that_o i_o bring_v nothing_o of_o new_a and_o that_o they_o teach_v and_o preach_v though_o same_o thing_n twenty_o year_n agate_n but_o when_o they_o see_v in_o the_o book_n entitle_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n particular_n and_o truth_n more_o clear_a in_o divine_a mystery_n than_o those_o they_o learn_v in_o the_o school_n they_o say_v present_o that_o they_o be_v error_n and_o that_o never_o any_o person_n write_v such_o thing_n so_o that_o it_o behove_v that_o god_n shall_v regulate_v all_o according_a to_o their_o study_n and_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o new_a grace_n to_o man_n now_o adays_o but_o that_o he_o shall_v measure_v his_o light_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o scholastic_a doctrine_n and_o shall_v not_o send_v the_o holy_a spirit_n promise_v 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shall_v always_o be_v true_a for_o if_o i_o shall_v not_o speak_v it_o the_o dead_a will_v speak_v or_o the_o stone_n to_o declare_v it_o unto_o man_n and_o tho_o these_o minister_n put_v i_o to_o death_n god_n have_v yet_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o million_o of_o person_n who_o he_o can_v use_v to_o declare_v the_o same_o truth_n which_o i_o advance_v and_o therefore_o my_o son_n i_o exhort_v you_o to_o retain_v they_o well_o and_o put_v they_o in_o practice_n for_o though_o i_o be_v not_o in_o the_o world_n you_o must_v nevertheless_o save_v your_o own_o soul_n cost_v what_o it_o will_v if_o you_o will_v enjoy_v god_n to_o all_o eternity_n which_o she_o wish_v you_o with_o all_o her_o heart_n who_o love_v your_o happiness_n husum_fw-la febr._fw-la 5._o 1684._o st._n vet_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr the_o