Self-dedication discoursed in the anniversary thanksgiving of a person of honour for a great deliverance. By J.H.
         Howe, John, 1630-1705.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
       Approx. 107 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 86 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A44691
         Wing H3038AA
         ESTC R215393
         99827287
         99827287
         31704
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44691)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 31704)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1890:14)
      
       
         
           
             Self-dedication discoursed in the anniversary thanksgiving of a person of honour for a great deliverance. By J.H.
             Howe, John, 1630-1705.
          
           [16], 152 p.
           
             printed for Brabazon Aylmer, at the three Pigeons in Cornhill over against the Royal Exchange,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             "The epistle deicatory" signed: John Howe.
             The first leaf is blank.
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
           God -- Love -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
        2004-10 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-12 SPi Global
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2005-01 Judith Siefring
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2005-01 Judith Siefring
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2005-04 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
           Self-dedication
           DISCOURSED
           In
           the
           Anniversary
           THANKSGIVING
           Of
           a
           Person
           of
           Honour
           For
           a
           Great
           DELIVERANCE
           .
        
         
           By
           
             J.
             H.
          
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           three
           Pigeons
           in
           Cornhill
           over
           against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           ,
           1682.
           
        
         
         
         
         
         
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           JOHN
           ,
           Earl
           of
           Kildare
           ,
           Baron
           of
           Ophalia
           ,
           First
           of
           his
           Order
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Ireland
           .
        
         
           
             MY
             LORD
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Little
           thought
           ,
           when
           ,
           in
           so
           private
           a
           way
           ,
           I
           lately
           offered
           much
           of
           the
           following
           Discourse
           to
           
             your
             Lordship's
             ear
          
           ;
           I
           should
           receive
           the
           command
           (
           which
           I
           am
           not
           now
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           proves
           
           to
           me
           
             a
             possible
             one
          
           to
           disobey
           ,
           or
           further
           to
           dispute
           )
           of
           exposing
           it
           thus
           to
           the
           view
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           to
           present
           it
           to
           your
           
             Lordship
             's
             own
             eye
          
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           indeed
           ,
           impossible
           to
           me
           to
           give
           an
           
             exact
             account
          
           of
           what
           was
           then
           discoursed
           ,
           from
           
             a
             memory
          
           that
           was
           so
           treacherous
           ,
           as
           to
           let
           slip
           many
           things
           ,
           that
           were
           prepared
           ,
           and
           intended
           to
           
             have
             been
             said
             that
             
             day
          
           ;
           and
           that
           could
           
             much
             less
          
           (
           being
           assisted
           but
           by
           very
           imperfect
           memorials
           )
           recollect
           
             every
             thing
          
           that
           
             was
             said
          
           ,
           several
           daies
           after
           .
        
         
           Yet
           I
           account
           ,
           upon
           the
           whole
           it
           is
           much
           more
           varied
           by
           enlargement
           ,
           than
           by
           diminution
           .
           Whereby
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           nothing
           less
           capable
           of
           serving
           the
           end
           of
           this
           enjoyned
           publication
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           cannot
           doubt
           but
           the
           injunction
           proceeded
           
           from
           the
           
             same
             pious
             gratitude
          
           to
           the
           
             God
             of
             your
             life
          
           ,
           which
           hath
           prompted
           ,
           for
           several
           years
           past
           ,
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           that
           domestick
           Annual
           Solemnity
           ,
           
             in
             memory
          
           of
           your
           great
           preservation
           from
           so
           
             near
             a
             death
          
           .
           *
           That
           the
           remembrance
           of
           
             so
             great
             a
             mercy
          
           ,
           might
           be
           the
           more
           
             deeply
             imprest
          
           with
           your self
           ,
           and
           
             improved
             also
             (
             so
             far
             as
             this
             means
             
             could
             signify
             for
             that
             purpose
             )
          
           to
           the
           instruction
           of
           
             many
             others
          
           .
        
         
           
             Your
             Lordship
          
           was
           pleased
           to
           allow
           
             an
             hour
          
           to
           the
           hearing
           of
           
             that
             Discourse
          
           ,
           What
           was
           ,
           proposed
           to
           you
           
             in
             it
          
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           the
           
             business
             of
             your
             life
          
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           is
           to
           be
           
             done
             continually
          
           is
           once
           to
           be
           
             throughly
             done
          
           .
           The
           impression
           ought
           to
           be
           very
           inward
           ,
           and
           strong
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           so
           lasting
           as
           to
           govern
           
           a
           man's
           life
           .
           And
           were
           it
           as
           fully
           done
           as
           mortality
           can
           admit
           ,
           it
           needs
           be
           more
           solemnly
           renewed
           at
           
             set
             times
             for
             that
             purpose
          
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           that
           
             such
             a
             day
          
           should
           not
           pass
           you
           
             without
             a
             fall
          
           ,
           nor
           
             that
             fall
          
           be
           without
           
             an
             hurt
          
           ,
           and
           that
           hurt
           proceed
           unto
           a
           wound
           ,
           and
           that
           
             wound
             not
             be
             mortal
          
           ,
           but
           even
           
             next
             to
          
           it
           ,
           looks
           like
           an
           artifice
           and
           contrivance
           of
           Providence
           to
           shew
           you
           how
           
           
             near
             it
             could
             go
          
           without
           cutting
           thorough
           that
           slender
           
             thred
             of
             life
          
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           indear
           to
           you
           its
           
             accurate
             superintendency
          
           over
           your
           life
           ,
           that
           there
           might
           here
           be
           a
           
             remarkable
             juncture
          
           in
           
             that
             thred
          
           ,
           and
           that
           whensoever
           
             such
             a
             day
          
           should
           revolve
           in
           the
           circle
           of
           
             your
             year
          
           ,
           it
           might
           come
           again
           ,
           and
           again
           ,
           
             with
             a
             note
             upon
             it
          
           ,
           under
           your
           eye
           ,
           and
           appear
           ever
           to
           you
           as
           another
           
           Birth-day
           ;
           or
           as
           an
           earlier
           day
           of
           resurrection
           .
        
         
           Whereupon
           ,
           
             my
             honoured
             Lord
          
           ,
           the
           
             further
             design
          
           of
           that
           Providence
           is
           to
           be
           
             thoroughly
             studied
          
           ,
           and
           pondered
           deeply
           .
           For
           it
           shews
           it self
           to
           be
           ,
           at
           once
           ,
           both
           mercifull
           ,
           and
           wise
           ,
           and
           as
           upon
           the
           
             one
             account
          
           it
           belong'd
           to
           it
           to
           
             design
             kindly
          
           to
           you
           ,
           so
           
             upon
             the
             other
          
           ,
           to
           
             form
             its
             design
             aptly
          
           ,
           and
           so
           as
           
           that
           its
           means
           ,
           and
           method
           might
           fitly
           both
           serve
           ,
           and
           signify
           its
           end
           .
        
         
           If
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           your
           Lordship
           shall
           be
           induc't
           to
           reckon
           the
           
             counsel
             acceptable
          
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           given
           you
           ,
           
             upon
             this
             occasion
          
           ,
           and
           to
           think
           the
           
             offering
             your self
             to
             God
             ,
             a
             living
             Sacrifice
             ,
          
           under
           the
           endearing
           obligation
           of
           
             so
             great
             a
             mercy
          
           is
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           
             a
             reasonable
             service
          
           .
           Your
           
           life
           by
           that
           dedication
           acquires
           a
           sacredness
           ,
           becomes
           an
           holy
           ,
           divine
           life
           .
           And
           so
           by
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           means
           ,
           is
           not
           onely
           renewed
           ,
           and
           prolonged
           in
           the
           
             same
             kind
          
           of
           
             natural
             life
          
           ,
           but
           is
           also
           heightned
           and
           improved
           to
           a
           nobler
           ,
           and
           far
           
             more
             excellent
             kind
          
           .
           And
           thus
           ,
           out
           of
           that
           umbrage
           onely
           and
           shadow
           of
           death
           ,
           which
           sat
           upon
           
             one
             day
          
           of
           your
           time
           springs
           a
           
             double
             birth
          
           ,
           and
           resurrection
           
           to
           you
           .
           Whereby
           (
           as
           our
           Apostle
           speaks
           in
           another
           place
           of
           this
           Epistle
           )
           you
           come
           to
           
             yield
             your self
             to
             God
             as
             one
             alive
             from
             the
             dead
             .
          
        
         
           So
           your
           
             New
             year
          
           (
           which
           shortly
           after
           begins
           )
           will
           alwaies
           be
           to
           you
           a
           
             fresh
             setting
             forth
          
           in
           that
           new
           ,
           and
           
             holy
             course
             of
             life
          
           ,
           which
           shall
           at
           length
           (
           and
           God
           grant
           it
           to
           be
           ,
           after
           the
           revolution
           of
           
             many
             fruitfull
             years
          
           ,
           wherein
           you
           may
           continue
           a
           
             publick
             
             blessing
          
           in
           this
           wretched
           world
           )
           end
           ,
           and
           be
           perfected
           
             in
             a
             state
             of
             life
             not
             measured
             by
             time
             ,
          
           wherein
           you
           are
           to
           be
           
             ever
             with
             the
             Lord.
          
           
        
         
           Which
           will
           answer
           the
           design
           of
           
             that
             mercifull
             providence
          
           towards
           you
           ;
           and
           of
           
             this
             performance
             (
             how
             mean
             soever
             )
          
           of
        
         
           
             
               Your
               Honours
               most
               obedient
               ,
               humble
               Servant
            
             John
             Howe
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Self-dedication
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Rom.
                 12.1
              
               .
            
             
               I
               beseech
               you
               therefore
               ,
               brethren
               ,
               by
               the
               mercies
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               you
               present
               your
               bodies
               a
               living
               Sacrifice
               ,
               holy
               ,
               acceptable
               unto
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               your
               reasonable
               service
               .
            
          
        
         
           TWO
           things
           are
           more
           especially
           considerable
           in
           these
           words
           :
           
             The
             matter
             of
             the
             Exhortation
          
           ,
           that
           we
           would
           
             present
             our
             bodies
             a
             living
             Sacrifice
             ,
             holy
             ,
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             our
             reasonable
             service
             .
          
           And
           
             the
             
             pathetick
             form
             of
             obtestation
          
           that
           is
           used
           to
           enforce
           it
           .
           
             I
             beseech
             you
             by
             the
             mercies
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             The
             former
          
           I
           intend
           for
           the
           principal
           subject
           of
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ;
           And
           shall
           onely
           make
           use
           of
           
             the
             other
          
           ,
           for
           the
           purpose
           unto
           which
           the
           holy
           Apostle
           doth
           here
           apply
           it
           .
        
         
           Our
           business
           therefore
           must
           be
           to
           shew
           the
           import
           of
           this
           Exhortation
           .
           In
           the
           doing
           whereof
           ,
           we
           shall
           
             
               1.
               
               Explain
               the
               terms
               wherein
               the
               Text
               delivers
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Declare
               ,
               more
               distinctly
               ,
               the
               
                 nature
                 of
                 
                 the
                 thing
              
               expressed
               by
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           terms
           .
           By
           bodies
           ]
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           
             our
             whole
             selves
          
           ,
           exprest
           here
           
             (
             synecdochically
          
           )
           by
           the
           name
           of
           bodies
           for
           distinction
           sake
           .
           It
           having
           been
           wonted
           ,
           heretofore
           ,
           to
           offer
           in
           Sacrifice
           the
           
             bodies
             of
             beasts
          
           ;
           The
           Apostle
           lets
           them
           know
           they
           are
           now
           to
           offer
           up
           
             their
             own
          
           .
           Meaning
           ,
           yet
           ,
           
             their
             whole
             man
          
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           the
           following
           words
           do
           intimate
           ;
           and
           agreeably
           to
           the
           plain
           meaning
           of
           the
           Exhortation
           ;
           1
           Cor.
           6.20
           .
           
             Glorify
             God
             in
             your
             bodies
             and
             spirits
             which
             are
             his
             .
          
        
         
         
           Sacrifice
           ]
           is
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           this
           place
           in
           a
           more
           restrained
           sense
           ,
           than
           as
           it
           may
           signify
           whatsoever
           is
           ,
           by
           God's
           own
           appointment
           ,
           dedicated
           to
           himself
           .
        
         
           According
           to
           the
           
             stricter
             notion
          
           of
           
             a
             Sacrifice
          
           it
           s
           
             more
             noted
             general
          
           distinction
           (
           though
           the
           Jewish
           be
           very
           variously
           distributed
           *
           )
           is
           into
           propitiatory
           ,
           and
           gratulatory
           ,
           or
           
             Eucharistical
             .
             Christianity
          
           in
           that
           strict
           sense
           ,
           admits
           but
           One
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           the
           former
           sort
           .
           
             By
             which
             One
             (
             that
             of
             himself
             )
          
           our
           Lord
           
             hath
             perfected
             
             for
             ever
             them
             that
             are
             sanctified
             .
          
           We
           our selves
           ,
           or
           any
           service
           of
           ours
           ,
           are
           onely
           capable
           of
           being
           Sacrifices
           ,
           
             by
             way
             of
             analogy
          
           and
           that
           chiefly
           
             to
             the
             other
          
           sort
           .
           And
           so
           all
           sincere
           Christians
           are
           ,
           
             as
             lively
             stones
             ,
             built
             up
             a
             spiritual
             house
             ,
             an
             holy
             priesthood
             ,
             to
             offer
             up
             spiritual
             sacrifices
             ,
             acceptable
             to
             God
             by
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           1
           Pet.
           2.5
           .
           being
           both
           Temple
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           and
           Sacrifices
           all
           at
           once
           .
           As
           our
           Lord
           himself
           ,
           
             in
             his
             peculiar
             sacrificing
          
           ,
           also
           was
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           addition
           of
           [
           living
           ]
           the
           design
           is
           carry'd
           on
           of
           speaking
           both
           by
           
           way
           of
           allusion
           ,
           and
           opposition
           to
           the
           
             ritual
             sacrificing
          
           .
           By
           
             way
             of
             allusion
          
           .
           For
           a
           Morticinum
           ,
           any
           thing
           
             dead
             of
             it self
          
           ,
           the
           Israelites
           were
           not
           to
           eat
           themselves
           ,
           
           because
           they
           were
           an
           holy
           People
           (
           though
           they
           might
           give
           it
           to
           a
           stranger
           )
           much
           more
           had
           it
           been
           detestable
           ,
           as
           a
           sacrifice
           
             to
             God.
          
           The
           beast
           must
           be
           brought
           alive
           to
           the
           Altar
           .
           Whereas
           then
           
             we
             are
             also
          
           to
           offer
           
             our
             bodies
          
           ,
           a
           
             living
             sacrifice
          
           ,
           so
           far
           there
           must
           be
           
             an
             agreement
          
           .
           Yet
           also
           ,
           
             a
             difference
          
           seems
           not
           obscurely
           suggested
           .
           The
           victim
           ,
           
             brought
             alive
          
           ,
           to
           
             be
             
             sacrificed
          
           ,
           was
           yet
           ,
           to
           be
           
             slain
             ,
             in
             sacrificing
          
           :
           But
           here
           ,
           living
           may
           also
           signify
           
             continuing
             to
             live
          
           .
           You
           
             (
             q.
             d.
          
           )
           may
           be
           Sacrifices
           and
           yet
           
             live
             on
          
           .
           According
           to
           the
           strict
           notion
           we
           find
           given
           of
           a
           Sacrifice
           it
           is
           
             somewhat
             to
             be
          
           ,
           in
           the
           prescribed
           way
           ,
           destroy'd
           ,
           and
           
             that
             must
             perish
          
           ,
           in
           token
           of
           their
           entire
           devotedness
           to
           God
           who
           offer
           it
           .
           
           When
           we
           
             offer
             our selves
          
           ,
           life
           will
           not
           be
           toucht
           by
           it
           ,
           or
           at
           all
           impair'd
           ,
           but
           improved
           and
           ennobled
           highly
           ,
           by
           having
           
             a
             sacredness
          
           added
           to
           it
           .
           Your
           bodies
           are
           to
           
           be
           offered
           a
           sacrifice
           ,
           but
           an
           unbloudy
           one
           .
           Such
           as
           you
           have
           no
           cause
           to
           be
           startled
           at
           ,
           it
           carries
           no
           dread
           with
           it
           ,
           life
           will
           be
           still
           whole
           in
           you
           .
           Which
           shews
           by
           the
           way
           't
           is
           not
           
             an
             inanimate
             body
          
           ,
           without
           the
           Soul.
           But
           the
           
             bodily
             life
          
           is
           but
           alluded
           to
           ,
           and
           supposed
           ,
           't
           is
           an
           higher
           and
           
             more
             excellent
             one
          
           ,
           that
           is
           meant
           ;
           
             The
             spiritual
             ,
             divine
             life
          
           ,
           as
           Chap.
           6.13
           .
           
             yield
             your selves
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             those
             that
             are
             alive
             from
             the
             dead
             .
          
           And
           vers
           .
           11.
           shews
           what
           
             that
             being
             alive
          
           means
           ,
           
             Reckon
             your selves
             to
             be
             dead
             indeed
             unto
             sin
             ,
             but
             alive
             unto
             God
             
             through
             Jesus
             Christ.
             Alive
          
           by
           a
           life
           which
           means
           God
           ,
           which
           aims
           at
           him
           ,
           terminates
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           is
           deriv'd
           to
           you
           through
           Christ.
           As
           he
           also
           speaks
           Gal.
           2.19
           ,
           20.
           
           
             I
             am
             dead
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             live
             to
             God.
             I
             am
             crucify'd
             with
             Christ.
             Neverthess
             I
             live
             ,
             yet
             not
             I
             ,
             but
             Christ
             liveth
             in
             me
             ,
             and
             the
             life
             which
             I
             now
             live
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             I
             live
             by
             the
             faith
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             loved
             me
             ,
             and
             gave
             himself
             for
             me
             .
          
        
         
           Holy
           ]
           though
           it
           be
           included
           in
           the
           word
           Sacrifice
           ,
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Greek
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           and
           was
           therefore
           added
           without
           
             verbal
             tautology
          
           .
           
           And
           there
           were
           ,
           however
           ,
           no
           
             real
             one
          
           .
           For
           there
           is
           an
           holiness
           that
           stands
           in
           
             an
             entire
             rectitude
             of
             heart
             and
             life
             ,
          
           by
           which
           we
           are
           conform'd
           ,
           in
           both
           ,
           to
           the
           nature
           and
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           besides
           the
           
             relative
             one
          
           which
           redounds
           upon
           any
           person
           or
           thing
           ,
           by
           due
           dedication
           to
           him
           .
           And
           which
           former
           is
           pre-required
           ,
           
             in
             the
             present
             Sacrifice
          
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           as
           it
           follows
           ,
           
             acceptable
             to
             God
          
           ]
           not
           as
           though
           thereby
           it
           became
           acceptable
           ,
           but
           as
           that
           
             without
             which
          
           it
           is
           not
           so
           .
           Yet
           also
           holiness
           ,
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           gratefull
           
           to
           God
           or
           well-pleasing
           (
           as
           the
           word
           here
           used
           signifies
           )
           but
           not
           so
           as
           to
           reconcile
           a
           person
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           was
           ,
           
           before
           ,
           a
           sinner
           ,
           and
           hath
           still
           sin
           in
           him
           .
           But
           supposing
           the
           state
           of
           such
           a
           person
           first
           made
           ,
           and
           continued
           good
           ,
           that
           resemblance
           of
           himself
           cannot
           but
           be
           pleasing
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           fundamentally
           and
           statedly
           in
           and
           for
           Christ
           ,
           as
           1
           Pet.
           2.5
           .
           (
           before
           quoted
           .
           )
           This
           therefore
           signifies
           ,
           both
           how
           ready
           God
           is
           to
           be
           well
           pleased
           with
           such
           a
           Sacrifice
           ,
           and
           also
           signifies
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           Sacrifice
           it
           
           self
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           apt
           to
           please
           .
        
         
           
             Reasonable
             service
          
           ]
           or
           worship
           ,
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           .
           This
           is
           also
           spoken
           accommodately
           ,
           to
           the
           notion
           given
           before
           of
           
             offering
             our selves
          
           ,
           in
           opposition
           
             to
             the
             former
             victims
          
           wherein
           Beasts
           were
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Sacrifice
           .
           Those
           were
           
             brute
             Sacrifices
          
           .
           You
           
             (
             q.
             d.
          
           )
           are
           to
           offer
           
             reasonable
             ones
          
           .
           And
           it
           signifies
           our
           minds
           and
           understandings
           the
           seat
           of
           reason
           ,
           with
           our
           wills
           and
           affections
           that
           are
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           it
           ,
           must
           all
           be
           ingredient
           as
           the
           matter
           of
           that
           Sacrifice
           .
           Implying
           also
           the
           right
           God
           hath
           in
           
           us
           ,
           whence
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           reasonable
           than
           to
           offer
           our selves
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Present
           ]
           that
           is
           ,
           dedicate
           ,
           devote
           your selves
           ,
           set
           your selves
           before
           God
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           
             sistere
             ad
             altare
             ,
             present
             at
             the
             altar
             ,
          
           the
           destin'd
           Sacrifices
           ,
           make
           them
           stand
           ready
           for
           immolation
           .
           You
           are
           so
           to
           make
           a
           tender
           of
           your selves
           as
           if
           you
           would
           say
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             here
             I
             am
             ,
             wholly
             thine
             .
             I
             come
             to
             surrender
             my self
             ,
             my
             whole
             life
             and
             being
             ,
             to
             be
             entirely
             ,
             and
             always
             ,
             at
             thy
             dispose
             ,
             and
             for
             thy
             use
             .
             Accept
             a
             devoted
             ,
             self-resigning
             Soul
             !
          
        
         
         
           Thus
           we
           are
           brought
           to
           the
           
             thing
             it self
          
           .
           Which
           now
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           next
           place
           (
           with
           less
           regard
           to
           the
           allusive
           terms
           )
           we
           come
           more
           distinctly
           to
           open
           ,
           and
           explain
           .
           It
           is
           briefly
           but
           the
           
             dedicating
             of
             our selves
          
           .
           Or
           as
           it
           is
           2
           Cor.
           8.5
           .
           The
           
             giving
             our
             own
             selves
          
           to
           the
           Lord.
           So
           those
           Macedonian
           Converts
           are
           said
           to
           have
           done
           .
           And
           there
           is
           a
           special
           notice
           to
           be
           taken
           therein
           of
           the
           word
           [
           first
           ]
           which
           puts
           a
           remarkableness
           upon
           that
           passage
           .
           The
           Apostle
           is
           commending
           their
           liberal
           Charity
           towards
           indigent
           
           necessitous
           Christians
           .
           And
           shews
           how
           their
           Charity
           was
           begun
           in
           Piety
           .
           They
           did
           not
           onely
           ,
           most
           freely
           
             give
             away
             their
             substance
          
           ,
           for
           the
           relief
           of
           such
           as
           were
           in
           want
           ,
           but
           first
           they
           
             gave
             their
             own
             selves
             to
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           But
           that
           we
           may
           not
           misconceive
           the
           
             nature
             of
             this
             act
          
           ,
           of
           
             giving
             our selves
          
           ,
           we
           must
           know
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           donation
           ,
           in
           the
           strict
           ,
           and
           proper
           sense
           ;
           such
           as
           
             confers
             a
             right
          
           upon
           the
           Donee
           ,
           or
           to
           him
           to
           whom
           a
           thing
           is
           said
           to
           be
           given
           .
           We
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           collate
           ,
           or
           
             transfer
             a
             right
          
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           ,
           before
           ,
           
           
             Dominus
             absolutus
          
           ;
           The
           onely
           Proprietor
           and
           Supreme
           Lord
           of
           all
           .
           It
           is
           more
           properly
           but
           a
           tradition
           ,
           a
           surrender
           or
           delivery
           of
           our selves
           ,
           upon
           the
           supposal
           ,
           and
           acknowledgment
           of
           his
           
             former
             right
          
           .
           Or
           the
           
             putting
             our selves
             into
             his
             possession
          
           ,
           for
           his
           appointed
           uses
           and
           services
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           we
           had
           injuriously
           kept
           our selves
           before
           .
           'T
           is
           but
           
             giving
             him
             his
             own
          
           ,
           as
           1
           Cron.
           29.14
           .
           
             All
             things
             come
             of
             thee
             ,
             and
             of
             thine
             own
             have
             we
             given
             thee
             .
          
           It
           is
           onely
           a
           consent
           ,
           and
           obedience
           to
           his
           
             most
             rightfull
             claim
          
           ,
           and
           demand
           of
           us
           ,
           
           or
           a
           
             yeilding
             our selves
          
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           significantly
           exprest
           in
           the
           mentioned
           6.
           to
           the
           Rom.
           13.
           
           Though
           there
           the
           word
           is
           the
           same
           with
           that
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
           which
           here
           we
           reade
           present
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           that
           we
           may
           more
           distinctly
           open
           the
           nature
           of
           this
           Self-dedication
           ,
           we
           shall
           shew
           what
           ought
           to
           accompany
           and
           qualify
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           a
           suitable
           and
           gratefull
           Present
           to
           him
           ,
           in
           evangelical
           acceptation
           ,
           
             worthy
             of
             God
          
           such
           as
           he
           requires
           ,
           and
           will
           accept
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           It
           must
           be
           done
           
             with
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             understanding
          
           .
           It
           cannot
           but
           be
           
             an
             intelligent
             act
          
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           act
           of
           Religion
           and
           Worship
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           called
           in
           the
           Text
           (
           Service
           we
           reade
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           much
           more
           general
           ,
           but
           the
           word
           is
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           worship
           )
           'T
           is
           indeed
           the
           first
           and
           fundamental
           act
           of
           worship
           .
           And
           it
           is
           required
           to
           be
           a
           
             rational
             act
             .
             Your
             reasonable
             service
             .
          
           Religion
           cannot
           move
           blindfold
           .
           And
           though
           Knowledge
           and
           Reason
           are
           not
           throughout
           words
           of
           the
           same
           signification
           ,
           and
           latitude
           ;
           yet
           the
           former
           is
           partly
           presupposed
           unto
           the
           latter
           ,
           
           and
           partly
           improved
           by
           it
           ,
           nor
           can
           therefore
           be
           sever'd
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           present
           case
           it
           is
           especially
           necessary
           we
           distinctly
           know
           ,
           and
           apprehend
           the
           state
           of
           things
           between
           God
           and
           us
           .
           That
           we
           understand
           our selves
           to
           have
           been
           (
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           men
           )
           in
           an
           apostacy
           ,
           and
           revolt
           from
           God
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           recalled
           unto
           him
           ,
           that
           a
           Mediatour
           is
           appointed
           on
           purpose
           thorough
           whom
           we
           are
           to
           approach
           him
           ,
           and
           render
           our selves
           back
           unto
           him
           .
           That
           so
           this
           may
           be
           our
           sense
           in
           our
           return
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             I
             have
             here
             brought
             thee
             back
             a
             
             stray
             ,
             a
             
               wandring
               creature
               ,
               mine
               own
               self
               .
            
             I
             have
             heard
             what
             the
             Redeemer
             ,
             of
             thy
             own
             constituting
             hath
             done
             and
             suffered
             for
             the
             reconciling
             and
             reducing
             of
             such
             ,
             and
             ,
             
               against
               thy
               known
               design
            
             ,
             I
             can
             no
             longer
             withhold
             my self
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           With
           
             serious
             consideration
          
           .
           It
           must
           be
           
             a
             deliberate
             act
          
           .
           How
           many
           understand
           matters
           of
           greatest
           importance
           ,
           which
           they
           never
           consider
           ,
           and
           perish
           
             by
             not
             considering
             what
             they
             know
             !
          
        
         
           Consideration
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           
             revolving
             of
             what
             we
             knew
             before
             .
          
           The
           actuating
           
           the
           habitual
           knowledge
           we
           had
           of
           things
           .
           A
           more
           distinct
           reveiwing
           of
           our
           former
           notices
           belonging
           to
           any
           case
           ,
           a
           recollecting
           and
           gathering
           them
           up
           ,
           a
           comparing
           them
           together
           ;
           And
           ,
           for
           such
           as
           appear
           more
           momentous
           ,
           a
           repeating
           ,
           and
           inculcating
           them
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           urg'd
           on
           to
           suitable
           action
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           though
           
             of
             it self
          
           ,
           without
           the
           power
           and
           influence
           of
           the
           
             divine
             Spirit
          
           ,
           is
           not
           sufficient
           ,
           yet
           being
           the
           means
           he
           works
           by
           ,
           is
           
             most
             necessary
          
           to
           our
           
             becoming
             Christians
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           if
           we
           speak
           of
           becoming
           so
           ,
           
           not
           
             by
             fate
          
           ,
           or
           
             by
             chance
          
           ,
           as
           too
           many
           onely
           are
           ,
           but
           by
           our
           own
           
             choice
             and
             design
          
           .
           Which
           is
           the
           same
           thing
           with
           
             dedicating
             our selves
             to
             God
             thorough
             Christ
             ,
          
           whereof
           we
           are
           discoursing
           .
           For
           upon
           our
           having
           thus
           considered
           and
           comprehended
           the
           whole
           compass
           of
           the
           case
           in
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           either
           the
           temper
           of
           our
           hearts
           would
           be
           such
           that
           we
           would
           ,
           hereupon
           ,
           dedicate
           our selves
           ,
           or
           we
           would
           not
           ;
           If
           we
           would
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           we
           should
           judge
           the
           
             arguments
             for
             it
          
           more
           weighty
           than
           the
           objections
           ,
           which
           ,
           without
           such
           pondering
           of
           both
           ,
           
           we
           are
           not
           likely
           to
           apprehend
           ,
           and
           so
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           this
           consideration
           ,
           are
           never
           likely
           to
           become
           
             Christians
             at
             all
          
           .
           Or
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           not
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           to
           the
           more
           carnal
           temper
           of
           our
           hearts
           the
           objections
           would
           outweigh
           .
           And
           then
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           seem
           to
           consent
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           
             what
             is
             to
             be
             objected
          
           came
           not
           in
           view
           .
           And
           so
           we
           should
           be
           
             Christians
             to
             no
             purpose
          
           .
           Our
           contract
           with
           the
           Redeemer
           were
           void
           in
           the
           making
           ,
           we
           should
           onely
           seem
           pleased
           with
           the
           terms
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           not
           digested
           them
           in
           our
           thoughts
           .
           So
           our
           act
           
           undoes
           it self
           in
           the
           very
           doing
           .
           It
           carries
           an
           
             implicit
             ,
             virtual
             repentance
          
           in
           it
           ,
           of
           what
           is
           done
           .
           We
           enter
           our selves
           Christians
           ,
           upon
           surprize
           ,
           or
           mistake
           .
           And
           if
           we
           had
           considered
           what
           we
           are
           ,
           consequently
           ,
           to
           doe
           ,
           what
           to
           forbear
           ,
           what
           to
           forego
           ,
           what
           to
           endure
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           done
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           when
           we
           do
           come
           distinctly
           to
           apprehend
           all
           this
           ,
           are
           like
           
             actually
             to
             repent
          
           and
           revolt
           .
           As
           they
           Joh.
           6.
           who
           while
           they
           understood
           not
           what
           it
           was
           to
           be
           a
           Christian
           ,
           seem'd
           very
           forward
           followers
           of
           Christ.
           But
           when
           they
           did
           
           more
           fully
           understand
           it
           ,
           upon
           his
           telling
           them
           plainly
           ,
           
             went
             back
             and
             walked
             no
             more
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             he
             lets
             them
             go
             
               (
               q.
               d.
            
             )
             mend
             your selves
             if
             you
             can
             ,
             see
             where
             you
             can
             get
             you
             a
             better
             Master
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           With
           
             a
             determinate
             judgment
          
           ,
           at
           length
           ,
           that
           
             this
             ought
             to
             be
             done
          
           .
           There
           are
           two
           extremes
           in
           this
           matter
           .
           Some
           will
           
             not
             consider
             at
             all
          
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           doe
           this
           thing
           ;
           and
           some
           will
           
             consider
             always
          
           ,
           and
           so
           ,
           never
           doe
           it
           .
           Stand
           ,
           
             shall
             I
             ?
             shall
             I
          
           ?
           halt
           between
           two
           Opinions
           .
           These
           are
           both
           of
           them
           very
           vicious
           and
           faulty
           extremes
           in
           reference
           
           to
           the
           management
           even
           of
           secular
           affairs
           ,
           both
           of
           them
           contrary
           to
           that
           prudence
           which
           should
           govern
           our
           actions
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           when
           men
           will
           never
           consider
           what
           is
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           so
           neglect
           their
           most
           important
           concernments
           ;
           or
           ,
           when
           they
           will
           never
           have
           done
           considering
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           same
           thing
           as
           if
           they
           had
           never
           taken
           up
           any
           thought
           of
           the
           matter
           at
           all
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           case
           't
           is
           a
           reproach
           to
           the
           blessed
           God
           to
           consider
           longer
           than
           till
           we
           have
           well
           digested
           the
           state
           of
           the
           case
           .
           As
           if
           it
           were
           a
           difficulty
           to
           determine
           the
           
           matter
           ,
           between
           him
           and
           the
           Devil
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           better
           ,
           or
           more
           rightfull
           Lord
           !
           We
           must
           at
           last
           be
           at
           a
           point
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           a
           judicious
           determination
           of
           the
           question
           .
           As
           those
           sincerely
           resolved
           Christians
           had
           done
           ,
           John.
           6.68
           ,
           69.
           who
           also
           express
           the
           reasons
           that
           had
           (
           before
           that
           time
           no
           doubt
           )
           determined
           them
           .
           
             Lord
             ,
             whither
             shall
             we
             go
             ?
             thou
             hast
             the
             words
             of
             eternal
             life
             .
             And
             we
             believe
             ,
             and
             are
             sure
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             that
             Christ
             ,
             the
             son
             of
             the
             living
             God.
             
          
        
         
           4.
           
           With
           
             liberty
             of
             spirit
          
           ,
           having
           thrown
           off
           all
           former
           bonds
           ,
           and
           quite
           disingaged
           
           our selves
           from
           other
           Masters
           .
           As
           they
           speak
           ,
           Isai.
           26.13
           .
           
             Other
             Lords
             besides
             thee
             have
             had
             dominion
             over
             us
             ,
             but
             by
             thee
             onely
             will
             we
             make
             mention
             of
             thy
             name
             .
          
           For
           our
           Saviour
           expresly
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             No
             man
             can
             serve
             two
             masters
             ,
          
           Matth.
           6.24
           .
           When
           those
           Dedititii
           the
           people
           of
           Collatia
           ,
           
           were
           about
           the
           business
           of
           capitulating
           in
           order
           to
           the
           surrender
           of
           themselves
           ,
           the
           question
           put
           ,
           on
           the
           Romans
           part
           was
           ,
           
             Estne
             populus
             Collatinus
             in
             sua
             potestate
             ?
             Are
             the
             Collatine
             people
             in
             their
             own
             power
             ?
          
           wherein
           satisfaction
           being
           
           given
           the
           matter
           is
           concluded
           .
           In
           the
           present
           case
           of
           yeilding
           our selves
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           question
           cannot
           be
           concerning
           any
           previous
           tye
           
             in
             point
             of
             right
          
           ,
           or
           that
           could
           urge
           Conscience
           .
           There
           cannot
           be
           so
           much
           as
           a
           plausible
           pretender
           ,
           against
           him
           .
           But
           there
           must
           be
           a
           liberty
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           
             preingaged
             inclinations
             ,
             and
             affections
          
           .
           And
           this
           must
           be
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           sincere
           Soul
           in
           treating
           the
           matter
           of
           its
           self-surrender
           ,
           and
           dedication
           ,
           with
           the
           great
           God
           ,
           to
           be
           able
           to
           say
           to
           the
           question
           ,
           
             Art
             thou
             under
             no
             former
             contrary
             bonds
             ?
          
           
             Lord
             ,
             I
             am
             under
             
             none
             ,
             I
             know
             ,
             that
             ought
             to
             bind
             me
             ,
             or
             
               that
               justly
               can
            
             ,
             against
             thy
             former
             sovereign
             right
             .
             I
             had
             indeed
             suffered
             other
             bonds
             to
             take
             place
             in
             my
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             affections
             of
             my
             Soul
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             
               bonds
               of
               iniquity
            
             ,
             which
             I
             scruple
             not
             to
             break
             ,
             and
             repent
             that
             ever
             I
             made
             .
             I
             took
             my self
             indeed
             to
             be
             my
             own
             ,
             and
             have
             liv'd
             to
             my self
             ,
             onely
             pleas'd
             and
             serv'd
             and
             sought
             my self
             ,
             as
             if
             I
             were
             created
             and
             born
             for
             no
             other
             purpose
             ,
             and
             if
             the
             sense
             of
             my
             heart
             had
             been
             put
             into
             words
             ,
             there
             was
             insolence
             enough
             
             to
             have
             conceiv'd
             such
             as
             these
             ;
             not
             
               my
               tongue
            
             onely
             ,
             but
             my
             whole
             man
             ,
             body
             and
             soul
             ,
             all
             my
             parts
             and
             powers
             ,
             my
             estate
             and
             name
             ,
             and
             strength
             ,
             and
             time
             ,
             
               are
               all
               my
               own
               ;
               who
               is
               Lord
               over
               me
               ?
            
             And
             while
             I
             pleas'd
             my self
             with
             such
             an
             imagined
             liberty
             ,
             and
             self-dominion
             ,
             no
             Idol
             was
             too
             despicable
             to
             command
             my
             homage
             .
             I
             have
             done
             worse
             than
             prostrated
             my
             body
             to
             a
             stock
             ,
             my
             soul
             hath
             humbled
             it self
             ,
             and
             bow'd
             down
             to
             a
             clod
             of
             clay
             .
             My
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             desires
             ,
             and
             hopes
             ,
             and
             
             joys
             have
             all
             stoopt
             to
             so
             mean
             trifles
             ,
             as
             wealth
             ,
             or
             ease
             ,
             or
             pleasure
             ,
             or
             fame
             ,
             all
             but
             so
             many
             fragments
             of
             earth
             ,
             or
             (
             the
             less-consistent
             )
             vapours
             sprung
             from
             it
             .
             And
             whereas
             this
             world
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             bundle
             of
             lusts
             ,
             none
             of
             them
             was
             too
             base
             to
             rule
             me
             .
             And
             while
             I
             thought
             my self
             at
             liberty
             
               I
               have
               been
               a
               servant
               to
               corruption
               .
            
             But
             now
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             I
             have
             ,
             through
             thy
             mercy
             learnt
             to
             abandon
             and
             abhor
             my self
             .
             Thy
             
               grace
               appearing
               hath
               taught
               me
               to
               deny
               ungodliness
               and
               worldly
               lusts
               .
            
             Thou
             hast
             overcome
             ,
             
             enjoy
             thine
             own
             conquest
             .
             I
             am
             griev'd
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             repent
             from
             my
             soul
             that
             ever
             I
             did
             put
             thee
             to
             contend
             for
             ,
             and
             conquer
             thine
             own
             .
          
           And
           so
           doth
           this
           Self-dedication
           carry
           in
           it
           
             repentance
             from
             dead
             works
             and
             towards
             God.
             
          
        
         
           5.
           
           With
           
             a
             plenary
             full
             bent
             of
             heart
             and
             will.
          
           As
           that
           ,
           
             I
             have
             sworn
             ,
             and
             will
             perform
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             keep
             thy
             righteous
             judgments
             ,
          
           Psal.
           119.106
           .
           Or
           ,
           that
           ,
           
             I
             have
             inclin'd
             my
             heart
             ,
             to
             keep
             thy
             statutes
             always
             unto
             the
             end
             ,
          
           vers
           .
           112.
           
           And
           herein
           doth
           this
           Self-dedication
           more
           principally
           consist
           ,
           
           
             viz.
             in
             a
             resolved
             willingness
          
           ,
           to
           yeild
           my self
           ,
           as
           God's
           own
           property
           ,
           to
           be
           
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             another
             .
          
           Which
           
             resolvedness
             of
             will
          
           ,
           though
           it
           may
           ,
           in
           several
           respects
           ,
           admit
           of
           several
           names
           ,
           or
           be
           clothed
           with
           distinct
           notions
           ,
           is
           but
           one
           and
           the
           same
           
             substantial
             act
          
           .
           It
           may
           be
           called
           ,
           in
           
             respect
             of
             the
             competition
          
           which
           there
           was
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           choice
           .
           Or
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           proposal
           made
           to
           me
           of
           such
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           consent
           .
           But
           these
           are
           ,
           abstracting
           from
           these
           references
           ,
           the
           
             same
             act
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           in
           it self
           considered
           ,
           is
           onely
           a
           
             resolute
             volition
             .
             I
             
             will
             be
             the
             Lords
             .
          
           Which
           resolution
           ,
           if
           one
           do
           (
           whether
           mentally
           or
           vocally
           )
           direct
           to
           God
           or
           Christ
           ,
           then
           it
           puts
           on
           the
           nature
           of
           a
           vow
           ;
           and
           so
           it
           fitly
           called
           
             devoting
             oneself
          
           .
        
         
           It
           carries
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           supposed
           ,
           the
           implanted
           divine
           life
           and
           nature
           ,
           whereby
           we
           are
           truly
           said
           to
           
             present
             our selves
             living
             Sacrifices
          
           as
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           or
           as
           it
           is
           exprest
           in
           that
           other
           place
           ,
           chap.
           6.13
           .
           
             to
             yeild
             our selves
             to
             God
             as
             those
             that
             are
             alive
             from
             the
             dead
             .
          
           (
           as
           vers
           .
           11.
           )
           
             alive
             to
             God
             thorough
             Christ
             Jesus
             our
             Lord.
          
           Which
           life
           is
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           
           simply
           ,
           but
           
             in
             a
             certain
             respect
          
           .
           For
           before
           ,
           we
           were
           not
           dead
           simply
           ,
           we
           were
           not
           dead
           ,
           disinclin'd
           ,
           or
           disaffected
           to
           
             every
             thing
          
           ,
           but
           peculiarly
           
             towards
             God
             and
             his
             Christ.
             That
             way
          
           we
           were
           without
           any
           inclination
           ,
           motion
           ,
           tendency
           ,
           or
           disposition
           .
           And
           so
           were
           dead
           
             quoad
             hoc
          
           ,
           as
           to
           this
           thing
           ,
           or
           in
           this
           respect
           .
           Were
           
             alienated
             from
             the
             life
             of
             God.
          
           Now
           we
           come
           to
           live
           
             this
             life
          
           ,
           and
           are
           made
           by
           his
           grace
           to
           incline
           and
           move
           
             towards
             him
          
           ,
           of
           our
           own
           accord
           .
           
             Dead
             things
          
           (
           or
           destitute
           of
           life
           )
           may
           be
           moved
           by
           another
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           
           mov'd
           violently
           ,
           without
           ,
           or
           against
           inclination
           ,
           hither
           ,
           or
           thither
           .
           But
           a
           
             living
             creature
          
           can
           spontaneously
           
             move
             it self
          
           ,
           as
           ,
           of
           its
           own
           accord
           ,
           it
           inclines
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           there
           are
           two
           more-noble
           principles
           ,
           that
           belong
           to
           this
           
             divine
             life
          
           and
           
             nature
             ,
             Faith
          
           and
           Love.
           (
           A
           great
           and
           noted
           pair
           as
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           divers
           places
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           )
           These
           have
           both
           ,
           an
           ingrediency
           into
           this
           Self-dedication
           .
           The
           nature
           of
           each
           of
           them
           runs
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           perceived
           in
           it
           .
           And
           it
           is
           hereupon
           a
           
             mixt
             act
          
           ,
           partaking
           an
           influence
           ,
           and
           tincture
           (
           as
           
           it
           were
           )
           from
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Faith
           respects
           the
           promises
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           are
           ,
           thereupon
           ,
           to
           expect
           from
           him
           .
           And
           so
           
             our
             dedicating
             our selves
          
           ,
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           self-committing
           .
           We
           give
           up
           our selves
           to
           him
           as
           a
           trust
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostles
           emphatical
           expression
           intimates
           .
           
             I
             know
             whom
             I
             have
             believed
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             I
             am
             perswaded
             that
             he
             will
             keep
             that
             which
             I
             have
             committed
             unto
             him
          
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           my
           pawn
           or
           pledge
           ,
           my
           
             fidei
             commissum
             against
             that
             day
          
           .
           The
           Soul
           flies
           to
           God
           as
           
             in
             a
             distress
          
           ,
           not
           knowing
           to
           be
           
           safe
           another
           way
           .
           As
           once
           a
           people
           ,
           not
           able
           to
           obtain
           tutelage
           on
           other
           terms
           ,
           surrender'd
           themselves
           to
           them
           whose
           help
           they
           sought
           ,
           with
           some
           such
           expression
           ,
           
             Si
             non
             nostros
             ,
             saltem
             vestros
             .
          
           If
           not
           
             as
             ours
          
           ,
           yet
           at
           least
           
             as
             your
             own
          
           ,
           save
           ,
           protect
           ,
           and
           defend
           us
           .
           Nor
           ,
           in
           our
           
             surrendring
             our selves
          
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           this
           any
           way
           unsuitable
           ,
           either
           
             to
             us
          
           ,
           or
           
             to
             him
          
           .
           Not
           
             to
             us
          
           ;
           for
           we
           are
           
             really
             distressed
          
           ,
           ready
           to
           perish
           ;
           't
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           state
           of
           our
           case
           .
           Not
           
             to
             him
          
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           
             glorious
             to
             him
          
           .
           A
           thing
           
             worthy
             of
             God
          
           to
           be
           a
           refuge
           ,
           and
           sanctuary
           to
           
           perishing
           Souls
           ;
           and
           is
           thereupon
           a
           
             pleasant
             thing
          
           ,
           a
           
             Godlike
             pleasure
          
           ,
           suitable
           to
           a
           self-sufficient
           ,
           and
           all-sufficient
           being
           ,
           who
           hath
           enough
           
             for
             himself
          
           ,
           and
           
             for
             all
             others
          
           ,
           whom
           he
           shall
           have
           taught
           not
           to
           
             despise
             the
             riches
             of
             his
             goodness
             .
             He
             taketh
             pleasure
             in
             them
             that
             fear
             him
             ,
             and
             them
             that
             hope
             in
             his
             mercy
             ,
          
           Psal.
           147.11
           .
           
             He
             waits
             that
             he
             may
             be
             gracious
             ,
             and
             is
             exalted
             in
             shewing
             mercy
             ,
          
           Isa.
           30.18
           .
           He
           lifts
           up
           himself
           when
           he
           does
           it
           ,
           and
           waits
           that
           he
           may
           ;
           expects
           the
           opportunity
           ,
           seeks
           out
           meet
           and
           suitable
           objects
           (
           as
           with
           thirst
           and
           appetite
           ,
           
           an
           enterprising
           ,
           valiant
           man
           is
           wont
           to
           doe
           encounters
           ,
           for
           none
           were
           ever
           so
           intent
           to
           destroy
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           to
           save
           )
           yea
           ,
           
             makes
             them
          
           ,
           prepares
           them
           for
           his
           purpose
           .
           Which
           he
           doth
           not
           ,
           and
           needs
           not
           doe
           ,
           
             in
             point
             of
             misery
          
           ,
           so
           they
           can
           enough
           prepare
           themselves
           ;
           But
           in
           
             point
             of
             humility
          
           ,
           sense
           of
           their
           necessity
           and
           unworthiness
           ,
           great
           need
           ,
           and
           no
           desert
           ,
           nor
           disposition
           to
           supplicate
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           needfull
           preparations
           ,
           make
           it
           decorous
           ,
           and
           comely
           to
           him
           to
           shew
           mercy
           .
           A
           God
           
             is
             to
             be
             sought
          
           ,
           with
           humble
           ,
           prostrate
           veneration
           .
           And
           such
           
           an
           opportunity
           
             he
             waits
          
           for·
           'T
           is
           not
           fit
           for
           him
           ,
           not
           great
           ,
           not
           majestick
           ,
           to
           throw
           away
           his
           mercies
           ,
           upon
           insolent
           ,
           and
           insensible
           wretches
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           there
           it
           follows
           ,
           
             he
             is
             the
             God
             of
             iudgment
             ,
          
           a
           most
           accurate
           ,
           judicious
           wisedom
           ,
           and
           prudence
           conducts
           and
           guides
           all
           the
           emanations
           of
           his
           flowing
           goodness
           .
           The
           part
           of
           which
           wisedom
           and
           judgment
           is
           to
           nick
           the
           opportunity
           ,
           to
           take
           the
           fit
           season
           ,
           when
           mercy
           will
           be
           most
           fitly
           plac't
           ,
           best
           attain
           its
           end
           ,
           relish
           best
           ,
           be
           most
           acceptable
           to
           them
           that
           shall
           receive
           it
           ,
           and
           honourable
           to
           him
           that
           shews
           it
           .
           And
           
           therefore
           (
           as
           is
           added
           )
           
             blessed
             are
             they
             that
             wait
             for
             him
             ,
          
           that
           labour
           to
           be
           in
           a
           posture
           to
           meet
           him
           ,
           on
           his
           own
           terms
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           own
           way
           .
        
         
           Let
           such
           as
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           surrender
           and
           yield
           themselves
           to
           him
           consider
           this
           .
           Apprehend
           you
           have
           undone
           your selves
           and
           are
           lost
           .
           Fall
           before
           him
           .
           Lie
           at
           the
           footstool
           of
           the
           mercy-seat
           .
           Willingly
           
             put
             your
             mouths
             in
             the
             dust
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             there
             may
             be
             hope
             .
          
           And
           there
           is
           hope
           .
           He
           seeks
           after
           you
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           reject
           what
           he
           seeks
           ,
           he
           onely
           waited
           to
           bring
           you
           to
           this
           .
           'T
           is
           now
           a
           
             fit
             time
          
           
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           
             good
             time
          
           for
           you
           .
           And
           you
           may
           now
           ,
           in
           resigning
           ,
           intrust
           your selves
           ,
           also
           ,
           to
           him
           .
           For
           his
           express
           promise
           is
           your
           sufficient
           ground
           for
           it
           .
           
             I
             will
             receive
             you
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             be
             a
             father
             to
             you
             ,
             and
             ye
             shall
             be
             my
             sons
             and
             daughters
             .
          
           Understand
           the
           matter
           aright
           ;
           your
           presenting
           ,
           and
           yeilding
           your selves
           to
           him
           is
           not
           to
           be
           a
           
             desperate
             act
          
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           casting
           your selves
           away
           .
           You
           are
           not
           throwing
           your self
           into
           flames
           ,
           but
           upon
           tender
           mercies
           ,
           thither
           you
           
             may
             commit
          
           your self
           .
           The
           thing
           that
           
             is
             pleasing
             to
             him
          
           ,
           and
           
           which
           he
           invites
           you
           to
           (
           as
           he
           invites
           all
           the
           ends
           of
           the
           earth
           to
           look
           to
           him
           that
           they
           may
           be
           saved
           )
           cannot
           be
           unsafe
           ,
           or
           
             unhappy
             to
             you
          
           .
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Love
           hath
           a
           great
           ingrediency
           into
           this
           self-resignation
           .
           And
           
             as
             it
             hath
          
           ,
           so
           it
           more
           admits
           to
           be
           called
           dedicating
           ,
           or
           
             devoting
             our selves
          
           .
        
         
           This
           holy
           ,
           ingenuous
           principle
           respects
           more
           the
           
             commands
             of
             God
          
           ,
           as
           the
           other
           doth
           
             his
             promises
          
           ,
           and
           eyes
           
             his
             interest
          
           ,
           as
           the
           other
           doth
           
             our
             own
             .
             This
          
           dedition
           of
           our selves
           ,
           
             as
             it
             is
             influenc't
             by
             it
             ,
          
           designs
           the
           doeing
           all
           for
           him
           we
           
           can
           ,
           as
           ,
           
             by
             the
             other
          
           it
           doth
           the
           receiving
           all
           .
           As
           by
           the
           other
           ,
           we
           resign
           our selves
           to
           him
           for
           safety
           and
           felicity
           ;
           so
           we
           do
           ,
           by
           this
           for
           service
           and
           duty
           to
           our
           uttermost
           .
           And
           an
           ardent
           lover
           of
           God
           thinks
           this
           a
           little
           oblation
           .
           My self
           ?
           Alas
           !
           What
           am
           I
           ?
           too
           small
           a
           thing
           for
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           
             all
             love
          
           ,
           and
           who
           ,
           though
           he
           hath
           it
           in
           hand
           to
           transform
           ,
           and
           turn
           me
           into
           love
           too
           ,
           such
           as
           so
           drossy
           ,
           and
           limited
           a
           thing
           was
           capable
           of
           being
           made
           .
           How
           mean
           yet
           ,
           and
           little
           is
           the
           subject
           he
           hath
           to
           work
           upon
           !
           an
           atom
           of
           dust
           !
           not
           combustible
           ,
           or
           apt
           to
           be
           wrought
           
           upon
           to
           this
           (
           to
           a
           divine
           and
           heavenly
           love
           )
           by
           any
           ,
           but
           his
           ,
           flame
           .
           And
           now
           therefore
           but
           a
           minute
           spark
           from
           the
           element
           of
           love
           ,
           that
           must
           ,
           however
           ,
           thus
           transform'd
           ,
           tend
           towards
           its
           own
           original
           〈◊〉
           ●ative
           seat
           !
           It
           shall
           now
           flame
           upward
           .
           And
           this
           is
           
             all
             the
             flame
          
           ,
           in
           which
           it
           is
           
             universally
             necessary
          
           ,
           thy
           Sacrifice
           should
           ascend
           .
           Which
           will
           refine
           onely
           ,
           not
           consume
           it
           .
           Though
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           offerd
           up
           in
           
             other
             flames
          
           ,
           is
           
             not
             impossible
          
           ;
           nor
           will
           it
           be
           much
           regretted
           by
           you
           ;
           if
           the
           case
           should
           so
           require
           ,
           nor
           shall
           be
           despised
           by
           him
           ,
           if
           
           he
           shall
           so
           state
           the
           case
           .
           To
           
             give
             the
             body
             to
             be
             burned
             ,
          
           without
           love
           ,
           goes
           for
           nothing
           .
           But
           if
           ,
           
             in
             that
             way
          
           ,
           we
           were
           called
           to
           offer
           up
           
             our
             bodies
             ,
             living
             sacrifices
             to
             God
             ,
          
           it
           would
           (
           in
           an
           inferiour
           sense
           )
           be
           an
           
             offering
             of
             a
             sweet
             smelling
             savour
             ,
          
           would
           even
           perfume
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           diffuse
           fragrant
           odours
           on
           earth
           .
           Nor
           would
           be
           grudg'd
           at
           by
           
             that
             love
          
           that
           first
           made
           our
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           the
           whole
           of
           our selves
           ,
           an
           offering
           to
           God.
           And
           whose
           property
           it
           is
           to
           be
           all
           things
           ,
           to
           doe
           all
           things
           ,
           to
           bear
           all
           things
           ,
           to
           endure
           all
           things
           for
           him
           ,
           whose
           we
           
           wholly
           are
           .
           So
           that
           if
           he
           design
           any
           of
           us
           to
           be
           an
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           too
           ,
           an
           whole
           burnt
           offering
           ,
           and
           will
           have
           us
           to
           
             glorify
             him
             in
             the
             fire
          
           ,
           Love
           will
           not
           retract
           its
           vow
           .
           But
           say
           ,
           after
           
             our
             great
             patern
             ,
             Not
             my
             will
             but
             thine
             be
             done
             :
          
           And
           as
           he
           ,
           in
           his
           peculiar
           case
           ,
           and
           design
           (
           not
           communicable
           with
           us
           ,
           though
           the
           temper
           of
           spirit
           should
           be
           )
           
             Lo
             I
             come
             to
             doe
             thy
             will
             ,
             O
             God.
          
           A
           
             body
             hast
             thou
          
           (
           it
           now
           appears
           for
           this
           very
           purpose
           )
           
             prepared
             for
             me
          
           .
           He
           
             loved
             us
          
           ,
           and
           
             gave
             himself
             for
             us
          
           .
           So
           are
           we
           ,
           from
           
             our
             love
             of
             him
          
           ,
           to
           
             give
             our selves
          
           for
           him
           ,
           
           and
           his
           use
           and
           service
           ,
           in
           whatsoever
           kind
           he
           shall
           appoint
           and
           prescribe
           .
           Every
           true
           Cristian
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           preparation
           of
           his
           mind
           ,
           a
           Martyr
           .
           But
           they
           are
           few
           whom
           he
           actually
           calls
           to
           it
           .
           Our
           love
           is
           ordinarily
           to
           shew
           it self
           in
           our
           
             keeping
             his
             commandments
          
           .
           And
           ,
           with
           that
           design
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           
             present
             our selves
          
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           the
           
             resolved
             ,
             ready
             instruments
          
           of
           his
           service
           and
           praise
           .
           As
           Rom.
           6.13
           .
           
             Neither
             yeild
             ye
             your
             members
             as
             instruments
             of
             unrighteousness
             unto
             sin
             :
             but
             yield
             your selves
             unto
             God
             as
             those
             that
             are
             alive
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             your
             members
             as
             
             instruments
             of
             righteousness
             unto
             God.
             
          
        
         
           Thus
           having
           been
           more
           large
           upon
           what
           was
           more
           essential
           ,
           in
           this
           dedication
           of
           our selves
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           breifer
           in
           most
           of
           the
           other
           things
           belonging
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           It
           must
           ,
           further
           ,
           be
           done
           
             with
             a
             concomitant
             acceptance
             of
             God.
          
           His
           Covenant
           (
           which
           is
           now
           enter'd
           )
           is
           oftentimes
           summ'd
           up
           ,
           
             I
             will
             be
             your
             God
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             be
             my
             people
             .
          
           And
           is
           resembled
           ,
           and
           frequently
           represented
           by
           the
           
             nuptial
             contract
          
           ,
           In
           which
           there
           is
           
             mutual
             giving
             ,
             and
             taking
          
           .
           We
           are
           to
           resign
           ,
           and
           accept
           at
           the
           same
           time
           .
           To
           
           take
           him
           to
           be
           our
           God
           ,
           when
           we
           yeild
           our selves
           to
           be
           his
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           
             With
             an
             explicite
             reference
             to
             the
             Lord
             Christ.
          
           We
           are
           to
           dedicate
           our selves
           ,
           after
           the
           tenour
           of
           a
           Covenant
           whereof
           
             he
             is
             the
             Mediatour
          
           .
           God
           doth
           not
           ,
           upon
           other
           terms
           ,
           treat
           with
           Sinners
           .
           You
           are
           not
           to
           offer
           at
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           dedicating
           your selves
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           terms
           ,
           upon
           which
           you
           are
           to
           be
           accepted
           .
           The
           divine
           pleasure
           is
           declared
           and
           known
           ,
           how
           
             great
             a
             one
          
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           in
           all
           the
           transactions
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           men
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           
           towards
           the
           whole
           Creation
           .
           Ephes.
           1.6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.10
           .
           
             He
             hath
             made
             us
             accepted
             in
             the
             beloved
             .
             In
             whom
             we
             have
             redemption
             through
             his
             bloud
             ,
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             sins
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             riches
             of
             his
             grace
             .
             Wherein
             he
             hath
             abounded
             towards
             us
             in
             all
             wisedom
             and
             prudence
             .
             Having
             made
             known
             unto
             us
             the
             mystery
             of
             his
             will
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             good
             pleasure
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             purposed
             in
             himself
             .
             That
             in
             the
             dispensation
             of
             the
             fulness
             of
             times
             ,
             he
             might
             gather
             together
             in
             one
             all
             things
             in
             Christ
             ,
             both
             which
             are
             in
             heaven
             ,
             and
             which
             are
             on
             earth
             ,
             even
             in
             him
             .
          
           We
           must
           take
           heed
           
           how
           we
           neglect
           ,
           or
           over
           look
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           by
           divine
           appointment
           so
           high
           in
           power
           ,
           and
           with
           whom
           we
           have
           so
           great
           a
           concern
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           
             With
             deep
             humility
          
           ,
           and
           
             abasement
             of
             our selves
          
           ,
           in
           conjunction
           with
           a
           
             profound
             reverence
          
           and
           veneration
           of
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           .
           There
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           lowliest
           self-abasement
           ,
           such
           as
           that
           good
           man
           expresses
           ,
           Ezra
           9.6
           .
           (
           varied
           to
           ones
           own
           case
           )
           
             O
             my
             God
             ,
             I
             am
             ashamed
             ,
             and
             blush
             to
             lift
             up
             my
             face
             ,
             to
             thee
             ,
             my
             God
             :
             for
             mine
             iniquities
             are
             increased
             over
             mine
             head
             ,
             and
             my
             trespass
             is
             grown
             up
             unto
             the
             heavens
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           naturally
           
           consequent
           ,
           upon
           what
           was
           last
           said
           ,
           of
           the
           regard
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           had
           ,
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           to
           the
           Mediatour
           .
           For
           surely
           
             that
             very
             constitution
          
           ,
           is
           ,
           in
           it self
           ,
           an
           humbling
           thing
           to
           us
           .
           And
           we
           cannot
           apply
           our selves
           to
           God
           
             suitably
             to
             it
          
           ,
           but
           with
           a
           self-abasing
           sense
           of
           our
           own
           state
           and
           case
           .
           Our
           coming
           ,
           and
           tendring
           our selves
           
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             a
             Mediatour
             ,
          
           is
           ,
           in
           its
           very
           nature
           ,
           an
           humiliation
           ;
           and
           carries
           with
           it
           a
           tacit
           confession
           that
           
             in
             our selves
          
           we
           have
           nothing
           ,
           deserve
           nothing
           ,
           are
           nothing
           ,
           are
           worse
           than
           nothing
           .
           And
           that
           onely
           this
           constitution
           of
           his
           could
           justify
           our
           offering
           
           our selves
           to
           him
           ,
           
             with
             any
             hope
             of
             acceptance
          
           .
           Or
           make
           it
           less
           than
           an
           insolent
           presumption
           ,
           for
           Sinners
           to
           approach
           him
           and
           expect
           to
           be
           received
           into
           his
           presence
           ,
           and
           service
           .
           It
           is
           not
           for
           
             such
             as
             we
          
           ,
           to
           behave
           our selves
           towards
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           either
           had
           not
           offended
           ,
           or
           were
           capable
           of
           expiating
           our
           own
           offence
           .
           Yea
           ,
           and
           if
           there
           had
           been
           nothing
           of
           delinquency
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           yet
           great
           humility
           becomes
           such
           applications
           to
           him
           .
           And
           that
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           
             profoundest
             reverence
             and
             veneration
             of
             him
             .
          
           For
           our
           very
           business
           in
           this
           Self-dedication
           is
           worship
           (
           as
           the
           word
           
           in
           the
           Text
           hath
           been
           noted
           to
           signify
           .
           )
           And
           it
           is
           the
           first
           and
           most
           principal
           part
           of
           all
           the
           worship
           we
           owe
           to
           him
           ,
           (
           as
           was
           noted
           from
           2
           Cor.
           8.5
           .
           )
           fundamental
           to
           all
           the
           rest
           .
           We
           must
           have
           before
           our
           eyes
           the
           
             awfull
             Majesty
          
           and
           
             glorious
             greatness
             of
             God.
          
           Which
           Scripture
           often
           speaks
           of
           ,
           as
           
             one
             notion
          
           of
           his
           holiness
           ,
           and
           which
           we
           are
           to
           have
           principal
           reference
           unto
           in
           all
           the
           solemn
           homage
           we
           pay
           to
           him
           ;
           as
           Sacrifices
           are
           well
           observed
           to
           have
           been
           offered
           to
           him
           
             so
             considered
          
           .
           
           And
           therefore
           ,
           
             by
             this
             consideration
          
           ,
           their
           suitableness
           to
           him
           is
           to
           be
           measured
           ▪
           as
           
           he
           doth
           himself
           insist
           ,
           Mal.
           1.14
           .
           
             Cursed
             be
             the
             deceiver
             ,
             which
             hath
             in
             his
             flock
             a
             male
             ,
             and
             voweth
             and
             sacrificeth
             unto
             the
             Lord
             a
             corrupt
             thing
             ,
          
           for
           I
           am
           a
           great
           King
           ,
           
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             hosts
             ,
             and
             my
             name
             is
             dreadfull
             among
             the
             heathen
             .
          
        
         
           9.
           
           
             With
             great
             joy
             and
             gladness
             of
             heart
             .
          
           It
           ought
           to
           be
           accompanied
           with
           the
           highest
           gusts
           and
           relishes
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           both
           
             from
             the
             apprehended
             congruity
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             expectation
             we
             have
             of
             acceptance
          
           .
           The
           
             thing
             it self
          
           ▪
           should
           be
           pleasant
           to
           us
           .
           We
           are
           to
           do
           it
           as
           tasting
           our
           
             own
             act
          
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           ,
           1
           Chron.
           29.9
           .
           
             The
             people
             rejoiced
             
             for
             that
             they
             offered
             willingly
             .
          
           The
           self-devoting
           person
           should
           be
           able
           to
           utter
           this
           as
           his
           sense
           ,
           
             Glad
             am
             I
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             any
             thing
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             a
             being
             ,
             a
             Soul
             ,
             a
             reasonable
             intelligent
             being
             ,
             capable
             of
             becoming
             a
             sacrifice
             to
             him
             .
          
           And
           that
           there
           is
           hope
           of
           being
           accepted
           ;
           How
           great
           a
           Joy
           is
           that
           !
           The
           Apostle
           makes
           so
           great
           a
           thing
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           speaks
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           5.8
           ,
           9.
           as
           if
           he
           cared
           not
           whether
           he
           was
           
             in
             the
             body
          
           ,
           or
           
             out
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             so
             he
             might
             be
             accepted
             .
             Nuptials
          
           (
           that
           resemble
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           this
           Transaction
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           mutual
           
           Giving
           and
           Accepting
           )
           are
           wont
           to
           be
           Seasons
           of
           great
           festivity
           and
           gladness
           .
           The
           great
           God
           himself
           rejoyces
           in
           this
           closure
           ,
           with
           
             such
             a
             joy
             ,
             (
             Isa.
          
           62.5
           .
           
             As
             a
             bridegroom
             rejoiceth
             over
             his
             bride
             ,
             so
             will
             thy
             God
             rejoice
             over
             thee
             )
          
           and
           
             shall
             not
             we
          
           ?
           How
           infinitely
           more
           amiable
           and
           delectable
           is
           the
           object
           of
           
             our
             choice
          
           ,
           than
           his
           .
           When
           we
           are
           to
           rejoice
           in
           the
           
             supream
             and
             most
             perfect
             excellency
             .
             He
             ,
          
           in
           what
           is
           cloathed
           over
           (
           if
           he
           did
           not
           superinduce
           
             another
             clothing
          
           )
           with
           most
           
             loathsome
             deformity
          
           !
        
         
         
           10.
           
           
             With
             an
             ingenuous
             candour
             and
             simplicity
             ,
             with
          
           that
           sincerity
           which
           is
           to
           be
           as
           the
           
             Salt
             of
             your
             Sacrifice
          
           ,
           (
           Mark
           9.
           )
           Without
           latent
           reserves
           ,
           or
           an
           hidden
           meaning
           ,
           disagreeing
           to
           his
           .
           Which
           were
           both
           unjust
           and
           vain
           .
           Vnjust
           ;
           for
           we
           
             may
             not
          
           deceive
           any
           .
           And
           Vain
           ;
           for
           we
           cannot
           deceive
           him
           .
           The
           case
           admits
           not
           of
           restrictions
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           done
           absolutely
           ,
           without
           any
           limitation
           ,
           or
           reserve
           .
           You
           have
           heard
           this
           Self-dedication
           is
           ,
           in
           part
           ,
           an
           
             act
             of
             love
          
           .
           And
           what
           limit
           can
           
             be
             set
          
           to
           a
           love
           ,
           whose
           object
           is
           infinite
           ?
           A
           natural
           limit
           't
           is
           true
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           love
           
           of
           a
           creature
           ,
           it
           cannot
           but
           have
           ;
           but
           a
           chosen
           one
           it
           ought
           never
           to
           have
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           had
           lov'd
           enough
           .
           You
           know
           what
           kind
           of
           love
           is
           ,
           (
           and
           cannot
           but
           be
           )
           due
           to
           the
           
             all
             comprehending
             God.
             With
             all
             thy
             heart
             ,
             soul
             ,
             mind
             ,
          
           and
           might
           ,
           &c.
           
           So
           without
           exception
           ,
           that
           Maimonides
           ,
           reciting
           those
           words
           ,
           
           adds
           
             etiamsi
             tollat
             animam
             tuam
          
           .
           The
           stream
           of
           thy
           love
           to
           him
           must
           not
           be
           diverted
           ,
           or
           alter
           its
           course
           ,
           
             tho
             he
             would
             take
             away
             thy
             very
             life
             ,
             or
             soul.
             
          
        
         
           11.
           
           
             With
             the
             concomitant
             surrender
             to
             him
             of
             all
             that
             we
             have
             .
          
           For
           they
           that
           ,
           by
           
           their
           own
           act
           ,
           and
           acknowledgment
           ,
           are
           not
           
             themselves
             ,
             their
             own
          
           ,
           but
           devoted
           ,
           must
           also
           acknowledge
           they
           are
           owners
           of
           nothing
           else
           .
           In
           that
           mentioned
           
             form
             of
             Surrender
          
           in
           Livie
           ,
           When
           Egerius
           ,
           on
           the
           
             Romans
             part
          
           had
           enquired
           ,
           
           
             Are
             you
             the
             Embassadours
             sent
             by
             the
             people
             of
          
           Collatia
           
             that
             you
             may
             yield
             up
             your selves
             and
             the
             Collatine
             people
             ?
          
           and
           it
           was
           answered
           ,
           
             we
             are
          
           .
           And
           it
           was
           again
           askt
           .
           
             Are
             the
             Collatine
             people
             
             in
             their
             own
             power
             ?
          
           and
           answered
           ,
           
             they
             are
          
           .
           It
           is
           further
           enquired
           ,
           
             do
             you
             deliver
             up
             your selves
             ,
             the
             people
             of
          
           Collatia
           ,
           
             your
             City
             ,
             your
             Fields
             ,
             your
             Water
             ,
             your
             Bounds
             ,
             your
             Temples
             ,
             your
             Vtensils
             ,
             all
             things
             that
             are
             yours
             ,
             both
             Divine
             ,
             and
             Humane
             ,
             into
             mine
             ,
             and
             the
             people
             of
          
           Romes
           power
           ?
           they
           say
           
             we
             deliver
             up
             all
          
           .
           And
           he
           answers
           ,
           
             So
             I
             receive
             you
          
           .
           So
           do
           they
           who
           deliver
           up
           themselves
           to
           God
           ,
           much
           more
           ,
           all
           that
           they
           called
           theirs
           .
           God
           indeed
           is
           the
           only
           Proprietor
           ,
           Men
           are
           but
           usufructuaries
           .
           
           They
           have
           the
           use
           of
           what
           his
           providence
           allots
           them
           ;
           He
           reserves
           to
           himself
           the
           property
           ;
           and
           limits
           the
           
             use
             so
             far
          
           ,
           as
           that
           all
           are
           to
           be
           accountable
           to
           him
           for
           all
           they
           possess
           .
           And
           are
           to
           use
           nothing
           they
           have
           ,
           but
           as
           under
           him
           ,
           and
           for
           him
           ,
           as
           also
           they
           are
           to
           do
           themselves
           .
           Therefore
           as
           they
           are
           required
           to
           glorifie
           him
           with
           their
           
             bodies
             ,
             and
             spirits
             which
             are
             his
             ,
          
           so
           they
           are
           to
           
             honour
             him
             with
             their
             substance
          
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           reason
           .
           But
           few
           effectually
           apprehend
           his
           right
           in
           their
           persons
           ;
           Which
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           therefore
           to
           recognize
           ,
           in
           this
           Dedication
           of
           our selves
           
           to
           him
           ;
           So
           we
           are
           ,
           
             in
             a
             like
             general
             sense
          
           ,
           to
           devote
           to
           him
           all
           that
           we
           enjoy
           in
           the
           world
           .
           That
           is
           ,
           as
           all
           are
           not
           to
           devote
           themselves
           
             specially
             to
             serve
             him
             in
             a
             sacred
             office
          
           ;
           But
           all
           are
           obliged
           to
           devote
           themselves
           to
           his
           service
           
             in
             the
             general
          
           :
           So
           ,
           though
           all
           are
           not
           required
           to
           devote
           their
           estates
           ,
           to
           
             this
             or
             that
             particular
             pious
             use
             ,
          
           they
           are
           obliged
           to
           use
           them
           wholly
           
             for
             his
             glory
             ,
             in
             the
             general
             ,
          
           and
           for
           the
           service
           of
           his
           Interest
           in
           the
           world
           .
           We
           are
           obliged
           neither
           to
           withhold
           from
           him
           ,
           nor
           mispend
           ,
           these
           his
           mercies
           ;
           but
           must
           
             live
             righteously
          
           (
           wherein
           
           Charity
           is
           comprehended
           )
           soberly
           and
           godly
           in
           it
           ,
           decline
           no
           opportunities
           that
           shall
           occur
           to
           us
           ,
           (
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           our
           own
           sphere
           ,
           and
           station
           )
           of
           doing
           him
           (
           though
           never
           so
           costly
           ,
           and
           hazardous
           )
           service
           ,
           must
           forsake
           all
           and
           follow
           him
           ,
           when
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           our
           continued
           possession
           of
           this
           worlds
           goods
           ,
           come
           to
           be
           inconsistent
           ;
           must
           submit
           patiently
           to
           our
           lot
           ,
           when
           that
           falls
           out
           to
           be
           our
           case
           ;
           Or
           to
           any
           providence
           by
           which
           we
           are
           bereaved
           of
           our
           worldly
           comforts
           ,
           with
           that
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           able
           chearfully
           to
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             
             given
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             taken
             away
             ,
             blessed
             be
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           It
           is
           indeed
           the
           greatest
           absurdity
           imaginable
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           not
           
             Masters
             of
             themselves
          
           should
           think
           it
           permitted
           them
           ,
           to
           use
           what
           comes
           to
           their
           hands
           ,
           
             as
             they
             list
          
           ;
           for
           the
           service
           of
           their
           own
           lusts
           ,
           and
           the
           gratifying
           of
           a
           rebel
           flesh
           ,
           that
           hath
           rejected
           the
           Government
           of
           their
           own
           Reason
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           divine
           laws
           at
           once
           .
           Or
           that
           he
           who
           hath
           so
           absolute
           a
           
             right
             in
             them
          
           ,
           should
           not
           have
           
             that
             right
             in
             what
             he
             hath
             committed
             to
             them
             ,
          
           as
           to
           prescribe
           rules
           to
           them
           ,
           by
           which
           to
           use
           and
           imploy
           
           it
           .
           At
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           same
           sense
           ,
           wherein
           we
           make
           
             a
             Dedition
          
           of
           our selves
           ;
           We
           do
           the
           same
           thing
           as
           to
           all
           that
           we
           have
           .
           Even
           according
           to
           common
           ,
           humane
           estimate
           ,
           according
           to
           what
           interest
           men
           have
           in
           others
           ,
           or
           power
           over
           them
           they
           have
           a
           correspondent
           interest
           in
           what
           they
           possess
           .
           They
           that
           
             absolutely
             surrender
             themselves
          
           to
           the
           power
           of
           another
           ,
           leave
           not
           themselves
           capable
           of
           proper
           dominion
           as
           to
           any
           thing
           .
           Therefore
           says
           the
           
             Civil
             Law
          
           ,
           Non
           licet
           
             Dedititiis
             testamenta
             facere
          
           .
           They
           were
           so
           under
           several
           notions
           't
           is
           
           true
           ,
           but
           they
           that
           were
           strictly
           so
           ,
           
             had
             not
             power
             to
             make
             a
             will
          
           ▪
           as
           having
           nothing
           to
           dispose
           of
           .
           No
           man
           has
           certainly
           a
           power
           to
           dispose
           of
           any
           thing
           (
           and
           when
           they
           surrender
           themselves
           by
           their
           own
           act
           and
           deed
           to
           God
           ,
           they
           acknowledge
           so
           much
           )
           otherwise
           than
           as
           
             divine
             rules
             direct
          
           ,
           or
           permit
           .
           They
           have
           a
           right
           in
           what
           is
           
             duly
             theirs
          
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Counterclaim
             of
             man
          
           ,
           but
           none
           ,
           sure
           ,
           against
           the
           claim
           ,
           and
           all
           disposing
           power
           of
           God
           ,
           whether
           signifi'd
           by
           his
           Law
           ,
           or
           by
           his
           Providence
           .
           Therefore
           with
           this
           temper
           of
           mind
           should
           this
           Self-dedication
           
           be
           made
           .
           
             Lord
             I
             here
             lay
             my self
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             belongs
             to
             me
             ,
             most
             entirely
             at
             thy
             feet
             .
             
               All
               things
               are
               of
               thee
            
             (
             as
             they
             are
             brought
             in
             saying
             who
             make
             that
             willing
             joyfull
             offering
             ,
             1
             Chron.
             29.
             )
             What
             I
             have
             in
             the
             world
             is
             more
             thine
             ,
             than
             mine
             .
             I
             desire
             neither
             to
             use
             ,
             nor
             possess
             any
             thing
             ,
             
               but
               by
               thy
               leave
            
             ,
             and
             
               for
               thy
               sake
            
             .
          
        
         
           12.
           
           
             With
             befitting
             circumstantial
             solemnity
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           
             direct
             ,
             express
          
           and
           explicit
           .
           Not
           to
           be
           hudled
           up
           in
           
             tacit
             ,
             mute
             intimations
          
           only
           .
           We
           should
           not
           content
           our selves
           that
           it
           
           be
           no
           more
           than
           imply'd
           ,
           in
           what
           we
           
             do
             otherwise
          
           .
           And
           run
           on
           with
           it
           as
           a
           thing
           that
           must
           be
           suppos'd
           ,
           and
           
             taken
             for
             granted
          
           ,
           never
           
             actually
             performed
             and
             done
          
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           true
           indeed
           that
           a
           
             continued
             ,
             uniform
             ,
             course
          
           and
           series
           of
           agreeable
           actions
           ,
           
             an
             holy
             life
             ,
             and
             practice
          
           carries
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           of
           significancy
           with
           it
           ,
           than
           only
           
             having
             once
             said
          
           ,
           without
           this
           ,
           
             conceptis
             verbis
             ,
             Lord
             I
             will
             be
             thine
             .
             Practice
             ,
          
           whether
           it
           be
           good
           ,
           or
           bad
           ,
           more
           fully
           speaks
           our
           sense
           ,
           and
           expresses
           our
           hearts
           ,
           than
           bare
           words
           ,
           spoken
           
             at
             some
             particular
             time
          
           ,
           can
           do
           .
           For
           
           they
           at
           the
           most
           speak
           but
           our
           
             present
             sense
             at
             that
             time
          
           ,
           and
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           do
           not
           alwaies
           that
           ;
           but
           a
           
             course
             of
             practice
          
           shews
           the
           habitual
           posture
           and
           steady
           bent
           of
           our
           spirits
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           I
           think
           that
           a
           
             formal
             explicit
             transaction
          
           ,
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           whether
           vocal
           or
           mental
           ,
           with
           circumstantial
           solemnity
           ,
           is
           essential
           to
           a
           man's
           being
           a
           Christian
           ,
           or
           an
           holy
           man.
           A
           fixed
           inclination
           and
           bent
           of
           heart
           towards
           God
           ,
           followed
           (
           as
           it
           will
           be
           )
           with
           a
           course
           of
           practice
           becoming
           them
           that
           are
           his
           ,
           will
           no
           doubt
           conclude
           a
           man's
           state
           to
           be
           safe
           and
           good
           
           God-ward
           .
           As
           one
           may
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           be
           the
           devils
           servant
           all
           his
           daies
           ,
           without
           having
           made
           a
           
             formal
             covenant
          
           with
           him
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           ,
           though
           so
           explicit
           ,
           and
           solemn
           a
           transaction
           of
           this
           matter
           be
           not
           
             essential
             to
             our
             Christianity
          
           (
           as
           what
           is
           said
           to
           belong
           only
           to
           the
           solemnity
           of
           any
           thing
           is
           therein
           imply'd
           not
           to
           be
           of
           the
           essence
           of
           it
           )
           yet
           it
           may
           be
           
             a
             great
             duty
          
           for
           all
           that
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           it
           not
           to
           be
           so
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           may
           here
           be
           worth
           the
           while
           ,
           to
           insist
           a
           little
           ;
           that
           ,
           if
           this
           indeed
           be
           
             a
             duty
          
           ,
           it
           may
           obtain
           more
           
           
             in
             our
             practice
          
           ,
           than
           ,
           perhaps
           it
           doth
           .
           Some
           ,
           thorough
           meer
           inanimadvertency
           ,
           may
           not
           have
           considered
           it
           ;
           others
           that
           have
           ,
           may
           possibly
           think
           it
           
             less
             needfull
          
           because
           they
           reckon
           it
           was
           formerly
           done
           for
           them
           .
           They
           were
           born
           of
           
             Christian
             parents
          
           ,
           who
           dedicated
           them
           to
           God
           from
           their
           birth
           ;
           and
           they
           were
           ,
           
             with
             solemnity
          
           ,
           presented
           to
           him
           
             in
             their
             Baptism
          
           .
           What
           need
           we
           ,
           then
           ,
           do
           
             over
             again
          
           ,
           a
           thing
           already
           done
           ?
        
         
           Let
           us
           reason
           this
           matter
           therefore
           a
           while
           ,
           and
           consider
           whether
           ,
           notwithstanding
           any
           such
           allegation
           ,
           
             Our
             personal
             dedicating
             our selves
             
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           be
           not
           still
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           necessary
           to
           be
           performed
           
             by
             our selves
             also
          
           ,
           as
           our
           own
           solemn
           act
           and
           deed
           ?
        
         
           It
           were
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           much
           to
           be
           wisht
           ,
           that
           our
           
             baptismal
             dedication
          
           to
           God
           were
           more
           minded
           ,
           and
           thought
           on
           ,
           than
           it
           commonly
           is
           .
           When
           ,
           with
           such
           sacred
           solemnity
           ,
           we
           were
           devoted
           to
           the
           
             trinune
             Deity
          
           ,
           and
           those
           great
           and
           awfull
           names
           were
           named
           upon
           us
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           .
           Baptisms
           are
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           too
           often
           in
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           turn'd
           into
           a
           
             meer
             
             Pageantry
          
           ,
           and
           the
           matter
           scarce
           ever
           thought
           on
           more
           ,
           when
           the
           
             shew
             is
             over
          
           .
           And
           ,
           very
           probably
           ,
           because
           
             this
             great
             succedaneous
             duty
          
           is
           so
           unpractised
           among
           Christians
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           ,
           Let
           it
           be
           considered
           ,
           Are
           there
           no
           like
           cases
           ?
           Do
           we
           not
           know
           that
           ,
           though
           all
           the
           Infants
           in
           a
           Kingdome
           ,
           are
           born
           Subjects
           ,
           yet
           ,
           when
           they
           arrive
           to
           a
           certain
           age
           ,
           they
           are
           obliged
           ,
           being
           called
           ,
           to
           take
           the
           
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
          
           ,
           and
           each
           one
           to
           come
           under
           
             personal
             obligation
          
           to
           their
           Prince
           ;
           And
           do
           we
           owe
           less
           to
           the
           God
           that
           made
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           
           that
           bought
           us
           with
           his
           bloud
           ?
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Though
           all
           the
           
             sons
             of
             Israelites
          
           ,
           were
           ,
           in
           their
           infancy
           ,
           dedicated
           to
           God
           by
           the
           
             then
             appointed
             rite
             for
             that
             purpose
          
           ;
           Yet
           how
           frequent
           were
           their
           
             solemn
             ,
             personal
             recognitions
          
           of
           his
           Covenant
           ?
           their
           avouching
           themselves
           
             to
             be
             his
             people
          
           ,
           as
           he
           also
           avoucht
           himself
           
             to
             be
             their
             God.
          
           Which
           we
           see
           Deut.
           26.
           and
           in
           many
           other
           places
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           remote
           from
           me
           to
           intend
           the
           pressing
           of
           
             a
             Covenant
          
           ,
           that
           contains
           any
           disputable
           ,
           or
           doubtfull
           matters
           ;
           or
           
             any
             other
          
           than
           the
           
             substance
             of
             our
             baptismal
             
             Covenant
          
           it self
           ;
           consisting
           of
           the
           
             known
             essentials
          
           of
           our
           Christianity
           ;
           all
           summ'd
           up
           
             in
             taking
             God
             in
             Christ
             for
             our
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             resigning
             our selves
             to
             him
             to
             be
             inviolably
             his
             .
          
           No
           more
           is
           meant
           than
           ,
           that
           
             this
             may
             be
             done
             ,
             as
             our
             own
             reasonable
             service
             ,
             and
             worship
          
           ;
           as
           
             our
             intelligent
             ,
             deliberate
             ,
             judicious
             act
             ,
             and
             choice
             .
          
        
         
           And
           consider
           further
           ,
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           the
           
             great
             importance
             of
             the
             thing
          
           it self
           ,
           compared
           with
           the
           
             lesser
             concernments
          
           ,
           wherein
           we
           use
           to
           deal
           
             most
             explicitly
          
           .
           Is
           it
           fit
           that
           a
           man's
           Religion
           should
           be
           less
           the
           
             matter
             
             of
             his
             solemn
             choice
             ,
          
           than
           his
           inferiour
           concerns
           ?
           That
           when
           he
           chooses
           his
           dwelling
           ,
           his
           calling
           ,
           his
           servant
           ,
           or
           master
           ,
           he
           should
           seem
           
             thrown
             upon
             his
             God
          
           ,
           and
           his
           
             Religion
             ,
             by
             chance
          
           ?
           And
           that
           least
           should
           appear
           of
           
             caution
             ,
             care
          
           and
           
             punctual
             dealing
          
           ,
           in
           our
           very
           
             greatest
             concernment
          
           ?
           How
           great
           a
           day
           in
           a
           man's
           life
           doth
           he
           count
           his
           
             marriage
             day
          
           ?
           How
           accurate
           are
           men
           wont
           to
           be
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           preparations
           ,
           and
           
             previous
             settlements
          
           ,
           that
           are
           to
           be
           made
           in
           order
           to
           it
           !
        
         
           And
           since
           the
           great
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           be
           so
           
             very
             particular
          
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           proposing
           
           the
           model
           ,
           and
           contents
           of
           his
           Covenant
           ,
           the
           promises
           ,
           and
           precepts
           ,
           which
           make
           
             his
             part
          
           ,
           and
           ours
           in
           it
           ,
           how
           attentive
           should
           we
           be
           to
           his
           proposals
           ,
           and
           how
           express
           in
           our
           consent
           ?
           Especially
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           his
           
             admirable
             condescention
          
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           pleased
           (
           and
           disdains
           not
           )
           to
           capitulate
           with
           the
           
             work
             of
             his
             hands
          
           ,
           to
           article
           with
           dust
           and
           ashes
           .
           Is
           it
           reasonable
           we
           should
           be
           slight
           and
           superficial
           ,
           in
           a
           Treaty
           with
           that
           
             great
             Lord
             of
             heaven
             and
             earth
          
           ;
           or
           scarce
           ever
           ,
           
             purposely
             apply
          
           and
           
             set
             our selves
          
           to
           mind
           him
           in
           it
           at
           all
           ?
        
         
         
           Moreover
           it
           is
           
             your
             own
             concernment
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           ought
           to
           be
           transacted
           
             by
             your self
          
           .
           So
           far
           as
           there
           is
           any
           equity
           in
           that
           
             rule
             ,
             Quod
             tangit
             omnes
             debet
             ab
             omnibus
             tractari
             ,
             What
             concerns
             all
             should
             be
             transacted
             by
             all
             ,
          
           it
           resolves
           into
           this
           ,
           and
           supposes
           it
           .
           
             Quod
             tangit
             meipsum
             debet
             tractari
             à
             meipso
             .
             That
             which
             concerns
             my self
             should
             be
             transacted
             by
             my self
             .
          
        
         
           Again
           ,
           
             your
             being
             devoted
             by
             parents
          
           ,
           no
           more
           excuses
           from
           
             solemn
             personal
             self-devoting
          
           ,
           than
           their
           doing
           
             other
             acts
             of
             Religion
          
           for
           you
           ,
           excuses
           you
           from
           doing
           them
           for
           your selves
           .
           
           They
           have
           prayed
           for
           you
           ,
           are
           you
           therefore
           never
           to
           pray
           for
           your selves
           ?
           They
           have
           lamented
           your
           sin
           ,
           are
           you
           never
           therefore
           to
           lament
           your
           own
           ?
        
         
           Further
           Scripture
           warns
           us
           not
           to
           lay
           too
           much
           stress
           upon
           
             parental
             privilege
          
           ,
           or
           place
           too
           much
           confidence
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           it
           supposes
           men
           over
           apt
           to
           doe
           ,
           Matt.
           3.7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           
             Abraham's
             Seed
          
           may
           be
           a
           
             generation
             of
             Vipers
          
           .
           Joh.
           8.37.44
           .
           
             I
             know
             you
             are
             Abraham's
             Seed
             ,
          
           yet
           he
           finds
           them
           
             another
             father
          
           .
        
         
           Consider
           moreover
           ,
           the
           
             renewing
             work
          
           of
           
             God's
             grace
          
           and
           spirit
           upon
           Soul
           's
           ,
           consists
           
           in
           sanctifying
           their
           
             natural
             faculties
          
           ,
           their
           Understandings
           ,
           Consciences
           ,
           Wills
           ,
           Affections
           .
           And
           what
           are
           these
           sanctify'd
           for
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           used
           and
           exercised
           ?
           and
           to
           what
           more
           noble
           purpose
           ?
           If
           there
           be
           that
           
             holy
             impress
          
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           that
           inclines
           all
           the
           powers
           of
           it
           God-ward
           ;
           What
           serves
           it
           for
           ,
           but
           to
           prompt
           ,
           and
           lead
           it
           on
           to
           the
           correspondent
           acts
           ?
           to
           apprehend
           and
           eye
           God
           ,
           to
           admit
           a
           conviction
           of
           duty
           ,
           and
           ,
           particularly
           ,
           how
           I
           owe
           my self
           to
           him
           ,
           to
           choose
           ,
           love
           ,
           fear
           ,
           and
           serve
           him
           ,
           and
           what
           doth
           all
           this
           import
           less
           ,
           than
           
           an
           entire
           self-resignation
           to
           him
           ?
           so
           that
           the
           genuine
           tendency
           of
           the
           
             holy
             new
             nature
          
           is
           ,
           
             in
             nothing
          
           ,
           so
           directly
           answered
           ,
           and
           satisfy'd
           as
           
             in
             this
          
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           considered
           that
           the
           faculties
           of
           our
           
             reasonable
             souls
          
           have
           a
           
             natural
             improvement
          
           and
           perfection
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           
             a
             gracious
          
           .
           And
           
             for
             their
             highest
             and
             noblest
             acts
             ,
          
           't
           is
           fit
           they
           should
           be
           used
           in
           their
           
             highest
             perfection
          
           .
           'T
           is
           possible
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           chilren
           of
           
             religious
             parents
          
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           some
           
             pious
             inclinations
          
           ,
           betimes
           ;
           and
           
             the
             sooner
          
           they
           thereupon
           choose
           the
           
             God
             of
             their
             fathers
             ,
             
             the
             better
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           if
           you
           compare
           
             doing
             it
          
           ,
           and
           
             not
             doing
             it
          
           ,
           't
           is
           better
           done
           ,
           than
           
             not
             done
          
           .
           But
           because
           this
           is
           a
           thing
           that
           cannot
           be
           
             too
             often
          
           done
           ,
           nor
           
             too
             well
          
           ,
           The
           more
           mature
           your
           Understanding
           is
           ,
           the
           better
           it
           will
           be
           done
           ,
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           concurring
           .
           Our
           Lord
           himself
           
             increas'd
             in
             wisedom
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           seriously
           thought
           on
           (
           what
           't
           is
           dreadfull
           to
           think
           )
           the
           occasion
           you
           should
           give
           ,
           if
           you
           decline
           
             this
             surrendring
             your selves
          
           ,
           to
           have
           your
           neglect
           taken
           for
           a
           refusal
           .
           'T
           is
           impossible
           ,
           when
           you
           once
           understand
           the
           
           case
           ,
           you
           can
           be
           
             in
             an
             indifferency
          
           about
           it
           .
           You
           must
           either
           take
           ,
           or
           leave
           .
        
         
           Nor
           can
           it
           be
           deny'd
           but
           
             personal
             self-devoting
             ,
             one
             way
          
           ,
           or
           
             other
             (
             more
          
           ,
           or
           
             less
             solemn
          
           )
           is
           most
           necesssary
           to
           the
           continuing
           
             serious
             Christianity
          
           in
           the
           world
           .
           Without
           it
           ,
           our
           Religion
           were
           but
           
             res
             unius
             aetatis
             ,
             The
             business
             of
             one
             age
             .
          
           For
           how
           unlikely
           were
           it
           ,
           and
           absurd
           to
           suppose
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           should
           seriously
           devote
           his
           child
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           never
           devoted
           himself
           ?
           And
           if
           that
           were
           done
           never
           so
           seriously
           ,
           must
           one
           be
           a
           Christian
           alwaies
           ,
           onely
           by
           the
           
             Christianity
             of
             
             another
          
           ,
           not
           
             his
             own
             ?
             Some
             way
             or
             other
          
           then
           ,
           a
           man
           must
           
             devote
             himself
             to
             God
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           or
           be
           ,
           at
           length
           ,
           no
           Christian.
           And
           since
           he
           must
           ,
           the
           
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
          
           speaks
           ,
           that
           the
           
             more
             solemn
          
           ,
           and
           express
           it
           is
           ,
           
             the
             better
          
           ,
           and
           
             more
             suitable
          
           to
           a
           transaction
           with
           
             so
             great
             a
             Majesty
          
           .
        
         
           And
           hath
           not
           
             common
             Reason
          
           taught
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           fix
           a
           transitus
           ,
           and
           
             settle
             some
             time
             ,
             or
             other
             ,
          
           wherein
           persons
           should
           be
           reckon'd
           to
           have
           past
           out
           of
           their
           
             state
             of
             infancy
          
           ,
           or
           minority
           ,
           into
           
             the
             state
             of
             manhood
          
           ,
           or
           an
           adult-state
           ;
           wherein
           ,
           though
           before
           ,
           
           they
           could
           not
           legally
           transact
           affairs
           for
           themselves
           ,
           yet
           afterwards
           they
           could
           .
           
             This
             time
          
           ,
           by
           the
           constitutions
           of
           several
           Nations
           ,
           and
           for
           several
           purposes
           ,
           hath
           been
           diversly
           fix't
           .
           But
           they
           were
           not
           to
           be
           look't
           upon
           as
           
             children
             alwaies
             .
             Some
             time
          
           they
           come
           to
           
             write
             man.
          
           Is
           it
           reasonable
           one
           should
           be
           a
           child
           and
           a
           minor
           in
           the
           
             things
             of
             God
          
           and
           Religion
           all
           his
           daies
           ?
           alwaies
           in
           nonage
           ?
           Sometime
           they
           must
           be
           
             men
             in
             understanding
          
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14.20
           .
           
             and
             have
             their
             senses
             exercised
             to
             discern
             between
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
          
           Heb.
           5.14
           .
        
         
         
           Yea
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           far
           greater
           reason
           we
           should
           personally
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           ,
           transact
           
             this
             great
             affair
             with
             God
          
           ,
           than
           
             any
             concern
          
           we
           have
           
             with
             men
          
           .
           For
           ,
           
             among
             men
          
           ,
           we
           may
           have
           a
           right
           
             by
             natural
             descent
          
           ,
           or
           by
           
             valuable
             considerations
          
           ,
           to
           what
           we
           enjoy
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           clear
           ,
           and
           little
           liable
           to
           question
           .
           
             From
             God
          
           we
           have
           no
           right
           ,
           but
           
             by
             his
             favour
          
           ,
           and
           vouchsafement
           .
           You
           are
           his
           children
           ,
           if
           ever
           you
           come
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           but
           
             by
             adoption
          
           .
           And
           
             humane
             adoption
          
           has
           been
           wont
           to
           be
           compleated
           
             by
             a
             solemnity
          
           ;
           The
           person
           
             to
             adopt
          
           ,
           being
           publickly
           askt
           (
           in
           
           that
           sort
           of
           adoption
           which
           was
           also
           called
           arrogation
           )
           
             utrum
             eum
             quem
             adoptaturus
             esset
             justum
             sibi
             filium
             esse
             vellet
             —
             Whether
             he
             would
             have
             this
             person
             to
             be
             as
             his
             own
             very
             son
             ?
          
           
           And
           again
           ,
           
             ille
             qui
             adoptabatur
             —
             utrum
             id
             fieri
             pateretur
             ?
             he
             that
             was
             to
             be
             adopted
             ,
             whether
             he
             was
             contented
             it
             should
             be
             so
             ?
          
        
         
           Nor
           again
           is
           there
           that
           disinclination
           towards
           men
           ,
           as
           towards
           God
           ,
           or
           that
           proneness
           to
           revolt
           from
           settled
           agreements
           ,
           with
           
             the
             one
          
           ,
           as
           with
           
             the
             other
          
           .
           Whereas
           Love
           summs
           up
           all
           the
           duty
           of
           both
           the
           
           Tables
           ;
           or
           which
           we
           owe
           both
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           Man
           ;
           it
           is
           evident
           that
           ,
           in
           our
           present
           lapsed
           state
           ,
           our
           
             love
             to
             God
          
           is
           more
           impaired
           ,
           than
           
             to
             Man.
          
           Indeed
           
             this
             latter
          
           seems
           onely
           diminisht
           ,
           the
           other
           is
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           hath
           ,
           
             by
             nature
          
           ,
           no
           place
           in
           us
           ;
           grace
           onely
           restores
           it
           .
           Where
           it
           is
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           restored
           ,
           we
           find
           it
           more
           difficult
           to
           exercise
           love
           
             towards
             God
             ,
             than
             Man.
          
           Which
           the
           Apostle's
           reasoning
           implies
           ,
           
             He
             that
             loveth
             not
             his
             brother
             ,
          
           
           
             whom
             he
             hath
             seen
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             love
             God
             whom
             he
             hath
             not
             seen
             ?
          
           Who
           sees
           not
           
           that
           sensuality
           hath
           buried
           the
           rational
           world
           !
           Unregenerate
           man
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             in
             the
             flesh
          
           ,
           not
           as
           being
           onely
           
             lodg'd
             in
             it
          
           ,
           as
           all
           are
           alike
           ,
           but
           
             govern'd
             by
             it
             ,
             under
             its
             power
             .
          
           (
           As
           the
           
             holy
             Apostle
          
           is
           said
           to
           have
           been
           
             in
             the
             spirit
             on
             the
             Lord's
             day
             .
          
           
           )
           To
           be
           
             in
             the
             flesh
          
           is
           expounded
           by
           being
           and
           
             walking
             after
             it
          
           .
           
           Hence
           men
           onely
           love
           and
           savour
           the
           things
           within
           this
           
             sensible
             sphere
             .
             They
             that
             are
             after
             the
             flesh
             do
             onely
             savour
             the
             things
             of
             the
             flesh
             .
          
           Where
           the
           
             regenerate
             ,
             divine
             life
          
           is
           implanted
           ,
           it
           
           doth
           
             malè
             habitare
             ,
             is
             ill
             lodg'd
             ,
          
           in
           conjunction
           with
           a
           strong
           
             remaining
             sensual
             inclination
          
           .
           So
           that
           where
           the
           Soul
           is
           somewhat
           raised
           
             by
             it
          
           ,
           out
           of
           that
           mire
           and
           dirt
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           continual
           decidency
           ,
           a
           proneness
           to
           relapse
           ,
           and
           sink
           back
           into
           it
           .
           Impressions
           therefore
           of
           an
           
             invisible
             Ruler
          
           and
           Lord
           (
           as
           of
           all
           unseen
           things
           )
           are
           very
           evanid
           ;
           soon
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           degree
           ,
           worn
           off
           .
           Especially
           where
           they
           were
           but
           
             in
             making
          
           ,
           and
           not
           yet
           
             throughly
             inwrought
          
           into
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           Soul.
           Hence
           is
           that
           instability
           in
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God.
           We
           are
           not
           so
           afraid
           ,
           
           before
           ,
           nor
           ashamed
           ,
           afterwards
           ,
           of
           breaking
           engagements
           with
           him
           ,
           as
           
             with
             men
          
           ,
           whom
           we
           are
           often
           
             to
             look
             in
             the
             face
          
           ,
           and
           converse
           with
           every
           day
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           there
           is
           the
           more
           need
           here
           ,
           of
           the
           
             strictest
             ties
          
           ,
           and
           most
           
             solemn
             obligations
          
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           lay
           upon
           our selves
           .
           How
           apprehensive
           doth
           that
           holy
           ,
           excellent
           Governour
           ,
           Joshua
           ,
           
           seem
           of
           this
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           shortly
           to
           leave
           the
           people
           under
           his
           conduct
           !
        
         
           And
           what
           
             urgent
             means
          
           doth
           he
           use
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           the
           most
           
             express
             ,
             solemn
             dedication
             of
             themselves
             to
             
             God
             ,
          
           that
           was
           possible
           .
           First
           representing
           the
           
             reasonableness
             and
             equity
          
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           from
           the
           many
           endearing
           wonders
           of
           mercy
           (
           as
           here
           the
           Apostle
           beseeches
           these
           Romans
           by
           
             the
             mercies
             of
             God
          
           )
           which
           he
           recounts
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           14th
           .
           verse
           of
           that
           24th
           .
           chapter
           .
           Then
           ,
           thereupon
           exhorting
           them
           to
           
             fear
             the
             Lord
             and
             serve
             him
             in
             sincerity
             ,
          
           &c.
           in
           that
           14th
           .
           verse
           .
           Telling
           them
           ,
           withall
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           all
           resolve
           otherwise
           
             to
             a
             man
          
           ,
           what
           his
           
             own
             resolution
          
           was
           ,
           vers
           .
           15.
           
           
             And
             if
             it
             seem
             evil
             unto
             you
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             choose
             you
             this
             day
             whom
             ye
             will
             serve
             ,
             
             whether
             the
             Gods
             which
             your
             Fathers
             serv'd
             ,
             that
             were
             on
             the
             other
             side
             of
             the
             flood
             ,
             or
             the
             Gods
             of
             the
             Amorites
             ,
             in
             whose
             land
             ye
             dwell
             :
             But
             as
             for
             me
             and
             my
             house
             ,
             we
             will
             serve
             the
             Lord.
          
           Taking
           also
           their
           
             express
             answer
          
           ,
           which
           they
           give
           ,
           vers
           .
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           
           But
           ,
           fearing
           they
           did
           not
           enough
           consider
           the
           matter
           ,
           he
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           
             puts
             them
             back
          
           (
           esteeming
           himself
           to
           have
           gotten
           an
           advantage
           upon
           them
           )
           that
           they
           might
           
             come
             on
             again
          
           ,
           with
           the
           more
           vigour
           and
           force
           .
           
             Ye
             cannot
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             an
             holy
             God
             :
             He
             is
             a
             jealous
             God
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             forgive
             your
             transgressions
             
             nor
             your
             sins
             .
             If
             you
             forsake
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             serve
             strange
             Gods
             ,
             then
             he
             will
             turn
             and
             doe
             you
             hurt
             ,
             and
             consume
             you
             ,
             after
             that
             he
             hath
             done
             you
             good
             .
          
           Vers.
           19
           ,
           20.
           
           Hereupon
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           expectation
           and
           design
           ,
           they
           reinforce
           
             their
             vow
             ,
             Nay
             but
             we
             will
             serve
             the
             Lord.
          
           And
           upon
           this
           ,
           he
           closes
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           takes
           fast
           hold
           of
           them
           ,
           
             Ye
             are
             witnesses
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             against
             your selves
             ,
             that
             ye
             have
             chosen
             the
             Lord
             to
             serve
             him
             .
          
           And
           they
           say
           ,
           
             We
             are
             witnesses
          
           ,
           vers
           .
           22.
           
           He
           exhorts
           them
           afresh
           ,
           and
           they
           engage
           over
           again
           ,
           vers
           .
           23
           ,
           24.
           
           Thus
           a
           Covenant
           is
           made
           with
           them
           ,
           
           vers
           .
           25.
           
           After
           all
           this
           
             a
             record
          
           is
           taken
           of
           the
           
             whole
             transaction
          
           ,
           't
           is
           book'd
           down
           ,
           vers
           .
           26.
           
           And
           
             a
             monumental
             stone
          
           set
           up
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           memory
           of
           this
           
             great
             transaction
          
           .
           And
           the
           
             good
             man
          
           tells
           them
           ,
           
             Behold
             this
             stone
             shall
             be
             a
             witness
             unto
             us
             ;
             for
             it
             hath
             heard
             all
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Lord
             which
             he
             spake
             unto
             us
             :
             It
             shall
             therefore
             be
             a
             witness
             unto
             you
             ,
          
           lest
           ye
           deny
           your
           God.
           So
           he
           dismisses
           them
           ;
           and
           lets
           them
           go
           every
           one
           to
           his
           inheritance
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           to
           be
           neglected
           that
           Isa.
           44.5
           .
           (
           which
           is
           generally
           agreed
           to
           refer
           to
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospel
           )
           it
           
           is
           so
           expresly
           set
           down
           ,
           
             One
             shall
             say
             I
             am
             the
             Lords
             ,
             and
             another
             shall
             call
             himself
             by
             the
             name
             of
             Jacob
             :
             and
             another
             shall
             subscribe
             with
             his
             hand
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             sirname
             himself
             by
             the
             name
             of
             Israel
             .
          
           In
           the
           rendring
           of
           which
           words
           [
           Subscribe
           with
           the
           hand
           ]
           the
           versions
           vary
           .
           Some
           reade
           
             Inscribe
             in
             their
             hands
             ,
             the
             Lords
             name
             ,
          
           counting
           it
           an
           allusion
           to
           
             the
             ancient
             custom
          
           ,
           as
           to
           servants
           ,
           and
           souldiers
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           to
           carry
           stampt
           upon
           the
           palm
           of
           their
           hands
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           their
           Master
           ,
           or
           General
           .
           The
           Syriack
           reads
           to
           the
           same
           sense
           as
           we
           —
           Shall
           give
           
             an
             
             hand
             writing
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Lords
             .
             That
             the
             thing
             be
             done
             ,
          
           and
           with
           great
           
             seririousness
             ,
             distinctness
          
           and
           solemnity
           ,
           is
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           highly
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           necessary
           ,
           about
           the
           
             particular
             manner
          
           I
           prescribe
           not
           .
        
         
           Nor
           can
           I
           imagine
           what
           any
           man
           can
           have
           to
           object
           ,
           but
           the
           
             backwardness
             of
             his
             own
             heart
          
           to
           any
           intercourse
           ,
           or
           conversation
           with
           the
           invisible
           God.
           Which
           is
           but
           an
           argument
           of
           the
           
             miserable
             condition
          
           of
           deprav'd
           Mankind
           
             (
             None
          
           that
           
             the
             thing
             is
             not
             to
             be
             done
             .
             )
          
           For
           that
           backwardness
           must
           proceed
           from
           some
           
             deeper
             reason
          
           than
           that
           
             God
             is
             invisible
          
           .
           
           A
           reason
           ,
           that
           should
           not
           only
           convince
           ,
           but
           amaze
           us
           ,
           and
           even
           overwhelm
           our
           souls
           in
           sorrow
           and
           lamentation
           to
           think
           what
           state
           the
           nature
           and
           spirit
           of
           man
           is
           brought
           into
           !
           For
           is
           not
           the
           
             Devil
             invisible
          
           too
           ?
           And
           what
           wretch
           is
           there
           so
           silly
           and
           ignorant
           ,
           but
           can
           ,
           by
           the
           urgency
           of
           
             discontent
             ,
             envy
          
           ,
           and
           an
           appetite
           of
           revenge
           ,
           find
           a
           way
           to
           fall
           into
           a
           league
           with
           him
           !
           Is
           this
           that
           God
           is
           
             less
             conversable
          
           with
           
             men
             ?
             less
             willing
          
           to
           be
           found
           of
           them
           that
           
             seek
             him
          
           ?
           No
           surely
           ,
           *
           but
           that
           men
           have
           
             less
             mind
          
           ,
           and
           
           inclination
           to
           seek
           him
           !
           And
           is
           this
           a
           posture
           ,
           and
           
             temper
             of
             spirit
          
           towards
           the
           
             God
             that
             made
             us
          
           ,
           (
           the
           
             continual
             spring
          
           of
           our
           life
           and
           being
           !
           )
           In
           which
           it
           is
           fit
           for
           us
           to
           tolerate
           our selves
           ?
           Shall
           not
           the
           necessity
           of
           
             this
             thing
          
           ,
           and
           of
           
             our
             own
             case
          
           ,
           (
           not
           capable
           of
           remedy
           while
           we
           
             withhold
             our selves
             from
             God
          
           )
           overcome
           all
           the
           
             imagined
             difficulty
          
           in
           applying
           our selves
           to
           him
           ?
        
         
           And
           upon
           the
           whole
           if
           we
           agree
           the
           
             thing
             it self
          
           to
           be
           necessary
           ,
           
           It
           cannot
           be
           doubted
           but
           it
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           
             of
             common
             concernment
             to
             us
             all
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             every
             one
          
           must
           apprehend
           
           it
           is
           necessary
           
             to
             me
          
           ,
           and
           
             to
             me
          
           ,
           whether
           we
           
             have
             done
             it
          
           already
           ,
           or
           
             not
             done
             it
             .
             If
             we
             have
             not
             ,
          
           it
           cannot
           be
           done
           too
           
             soon
             ;
             If
             we
             have
          
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           done
           
             too
             often
          
           .
           And
           it
           may
           now
           be
           done
           ,
           by
           private
           ,
           silent
           ejaculation
           ,
           the
           
             convinced
             ,
             perswaded
          
           heart
           
             saying
             within
             it self
          
           ,
           
             Lord
             I
             consent
             to
             be
             wholly
             thine
             ,
             I
             here
             resign
             ,
             and
             devote
             
               my self
               ,
               absolutely
            
             ,
             and
             entirely
             ,
             to
             thee
             .
          
           None
           of
           you
           know
           what
           may
           be
           in
           the
           heart
           of
           another
           ,
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           
             even
             at
             this
             time
          
           .
           Why
           then
           should
           not
           every
           one
           fear
           to
           be
           the
           
             only
             person
          
           of
           those
           who
           
           now
           hear
           ,
           that
           disagrees
           to
           it
           .
           If
           any
           finds
           his
           heart
           to
           reluctate
           and
           
             draw
             back
          
           ,
           't
           is
           fit
           such
           a
           one
           should
           consider
           ,
           
             I
             do
             not
             know
             but
             this
             self-devoting
             disposition
             ,
             and
             resolution
             is
             the
          
           common
           sense
           
             of
             all
             the
             rest
             ,
             even
             of
             all
             that
             are
             now
             present
             but
             mine
             .
          
           And
           who
           would
           not
           dread
           to
           be
           the
           only
           One
           in
           
             an
             Assembly
          
           ,
           that
           shall
           refuse
           ,
           God!
           or
           
             refuse
             himself
          
           to
           him
           !
           For
           ,
           let
           such
           a
           One
           think
           ,
           what
           particular
           reason
           can
           I
           have
           to
           exclude
           my self
           from
           such
           a
           consenting
           Chorus
           ?
           Why
           should
           I
           spoil
           the
           harmony
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           disagreeing
           vote
           ?
           Why
           should
           any
           man
           be
           ,
           
           more
           willing
           to
           be
           dutifull
           ,
           and
           happy
           than
           I
           ?
           to
           be
           
             just
             to
             God
          
           ,
           or
           have
           him
           good
           to
           me
           ?
           Why
           should
           any
           One
           be
           more
           willing
           to
           be
           saved
           than
           I
           ?
           and
           to
           make
           One
           hereafter
           ,
           in
           the
           glorious
           ,
           innumerable
           ,
           joyfull
           assembly
           of
           
             Devoted
             angels
          
           and
           Saints
           ,
           that
           pay
           an
           eternal
           gladsom
           homage
           to
           the
           throne
           of
           the
           Celestial
           King
           ?
        
         
           But
           if
           any
           find
           their
           hearts
           inclining
           ,
           let
           what
           is
           
             now
             begun
          
           ,
           be
           
             more
             fully
             compleated
             in
             the
             closet
          
           ;
           and
           let
           
             those
             walls
          
           (
           as
           
           Joshua's
           stone
           )
           hear
           ,
           and
           bear
           witness
           !
        
         
           Lest
           any
           should
           not
           consent
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           may
           consent
           
           
             more
             freely
          
           ,
           and
           more
           largely
           ;
           I
           shall
           in
           a
           few
           words
           shew
           
             what
             should
             induce
             to
             it
          
           ,
           and
           
             what
             it
             should
             induce
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             What
             should
             induce
             to
             it
          
           .
           You
           have
           divers
           sorts
           of
           inducements
           ;
        
         
           Such
           as
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           necessity
           .
           For
           what
           else
           can
           you
           doe
           with
           your self
           ?
           You
           
             cannot
             be
             happy
          
           without
           it
           ,
           For
           who
           should
           make
           you
           so
           but
           God
           ?
           And
           how
           shall
           he
           ,
           while
           you
           hold
           off
           your selves
           from
           him
           ?
           You
           
             cannot
             but
             be
             miserable
          
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           
             not
             having
             engaged
             him
             to
             you
             ,
          
           but
           as
           
             having
             engaged
             him
             against
             you
          
           .
        
         
         
           Such
           as
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           equity
           .
           You
           are
           
             his
             right
          
           .
           He
           hath
           a
           
             natural
             right
          
           in
           you
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           your
           Maker
           ,
           the
           
             Authour
             of
             your
             being
          
           .
           And
           an
           
             acquired
             right
          
           as
           you
           were
           
             bought
             by
             his
             Son
             ,
             Who
             hath
             redeemed
             us
          
           to
           God.
           
           
             And
             who
             dyed
             ,
             rose
             again
             ,
             and
             revived
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             Lord
             of
             the
             living
             and
             the
             dead
             ,
          
           here
           ,
           to
           rule
           ,
           hereafter
           ,
           to
           
             judge
             us
          
           .
           Both
           which
           he
           can
           doe
           
             whether
             we
             will
             or
             no.
          
           But
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           thought
           he
           will
           save
           us
           
             against
             our
             wills
          
           .
           His
           method
           is
           
             whom
             he
             saves
          
           ,
           first
           
             to
             overcome
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           to
           make
           them
           
             willing
             ,
             in
             the
             
             day
             of
             his
             power
             .
          
           And
           dare
           we
           ,
           who
           
             live
             ,
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             being
             in
             him
             ,
          
           refuse
           to
           
             be
             ,
             live
          
           ,
           and
           
             move
             to
             him
          
           ?
           or
           
             deny
             the
             Lord
             who
             bought
             us
             ?
          
        
         
           And
           again
           ,
           Such
           as
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           ingenuity
           ,
           or
           that
           should
           work
           upon
           it
           ,
           viz.
           (
           what
           we
           are
           
             besought
             by
             ,
             in
             the
             Text
             )
             the
             mercies
             of
             God.
          
           How
           manifold
           are
           they
           !
           But
           they
           are
           the
           
             mercies
             of
             the
             Gospel
             especially
          
           ,
           mentioned
           in
           the
           
             foregoing
             Chapter
          
           ,
           which
           are
           thus
           refer'd
           unto
           in
           the
           
             beginning
             of
             this
          
           ,
           the
           transferring
           what
           the
           Jews
           forfeited
           and
           lost
           ,
           by
           
             their
             unbelief
          
           ,
           unto
           us
           Gentiles
           
           That
           Mystery
           (
           as
           this
           Apostle
           elsewhere
           calls
           it
           ,
           Ephes.
           3.4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           )
           
             which
             in
             other
             ages
             was
             not
             made
             known
             unto
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             now
             revealed
             unto
             his
             holy
             Apostles
             and
             Prophets
             by
             the
             spirit
             ;
             That
             the
             Gentiles
             should
             be
             fellow-heirs
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             same
             body
             ,
             and
             partakers
             of
             his
             promise
             in
             Christ
             ,
             by
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           In
           reference
           whereto
           he
           so
           admiringly
           cries
           out
           a
           little
           above
           the
           Text
           (
           chap.
           11.33
           .
           )
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             O
             the
             depth
             both
             of
             the
             wisdom
             and
             knowledge
             of
             God!
             how
             unsearchable
             are
             his
             judgments
             ,
             and
             his
             waies
             past
             finding
             out
             !
          
           The
           Mercies
           of
           which
           
           it
           is
           said
           Isai.
           55.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           
             Ho
             every
             one
             that
             thirsteth
             come
             to
             the
             waters
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             hath
             no
             money
             :
             Come
             ye
             ,
             buy
             and
             eat
             ,
             yea
             come
             buy
             wine
             and
             milk
             without
             money
             ,
             and
             without
             price
             .
             Wherefore
             do
             ye
             spend
             your
             money
             for
             that
             which
             is
             not
             bread
             ?
             and
             your
             labour
             ,
             for
             that
             which
             satisfieth
             not
             ?
             hearken
             diligently
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             eat
             ye
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             let
             your
             soul
             delight
             it self
             in
             fatness
             .
             Encline
             your
             ear
             ,
             and
             come
             unto
             me
             ;
             hear
             ,
             and
             your
             soul
             shall
             live
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             make
             an
             everlasting
             Covenant
             with
             you
             ,
             even
             the
             sure
             mercies
             of
             David
             .
          
           Which
           free
           and
           
             sure
             Mercies
          
           are
           
           heightned
           ,
           
             as
             to
             us
          
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           both
           endearing
           and
           
             awfull
             circumstance
          
           ,
           that
           
             these
             mercies
          
           ,
           are
           offered
           to
           us
           ,
           viz.
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           setting
           before
           our
           eyes
           ,
           the
           
             monitory
             tremendous
             example
          
           of
           a
           
             forsaken
             Nation
          
           that
           rejected
           them
           ,
           intimated
           vers
           .
           5.
           
           
             Behold
             thou
             shalt
             call
             a
             nation
             that
             thou
             knowest
             not
             ,
             and
             nations
             that
             know
             not
             thee
             shall
             run
             unto
             thee
             .
          
           A
           case
           whereof
           our
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           in
           the
           foregoing
           Chapter
           Esaias
           was
           
             very
             bold
          
           ,
           
           when
           ,
           speaking
           of
           it
           (
           in
           another
           place
           *
           ,
           )
           he
           uses
           these
           words
           ,
           
             I
             am
             sought
             of
             them
             that
             asked
             
             not
             for
             me
             :
             I
             am
             found
             of
             them
             that
             sought
             me
             not
             :
             I
             said
             ;
             Behold
             me
             ,
             Behold
             me
             ,
             unto
             a
             nation
             that
             was
             not
             called
             by
             my
             name
             .
          
           He
           was
           
             bold
             in
             it
          
           indeed
           ,
           to
           mention
           such
           a
           thing
           to
           a
           people
           ,
           unto
           whom
           a
           
             jealous
             gloriation
          
           in
           the
           peculiarity
           of
           their
           privileg'd
           state
           ,
           their
           being
           without
           partners
           or
           rivals
           ,
           for
           so
           long
           a
           time
           ,
           in
           their
           relation
           ,
           and
           
             nearness
             to
             God
          
           ,
           was
           grown
           
             so
             natural
          
           .
           And
           who
           took
           it
           so
           impatiently
           ,
           when
           our
           Saviour
           did
           
             but
             intimate
          
           the
           same
           thing
           to
           them
           
             by
             parables
          
           ,
           
           as
           that
           they
           sought
           immediately
           
             to
             lay
             
             hands
             on
             him
          
           for
           that
           very
           reason
           .
           So
           unaccountable
           a
           perversness
           of
           humour
           reigned
           with
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           envied
           to
           others
           ,
           what
           they
           
             despised
             themselves
          
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           
             on
             the
             other
             hand
          
           ,
           nothing
           ought
           more
           highly
           to
           recommend
           
             those
             mercies
          
           to
           us
           ,
           or
           more
           engage
           us
           to
           accept
           them
           
             with
             gratitude
          
           ,
           and
           improve
           them
           with
           a
           
             cautious
             fear
          
           ,
           of
           committing
           a
           like
           forfeiture
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           them
           brought
           to
           our
           hands
           ,
           
             redeemed
             from
             the
             contempt
          
           of
           the
           former
           despisers
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           so
           terribly
           ,
           vindicated
           upon
           them
           ,
           
             at
             the
             same
             time
          
           ;
           as
           it
           also
           still
           continues
           to
           be
           .
           
           That
           the
           
             natural
             branches
          
           of
           the
           Olive
           should
           be
           torn
           off
           ,
           and
           we
           inserted
           .
           That
           there
           should
           be
           such
           an
           instance
           given
           us
           ,
           of
           the
           severity
           ,
           and
           goodness
           of
           God.
           
           To
           
             them
             that
             fell
             ,
             severity
          
           ;
           but
           
             to
             us
             ,
             goodness
          
           ,
           if
           
             we
             continue
             in
             his
             goodness
          
           ,
           to
           warn
           us
           that
           ,
           otherwise
           ,
           we
           may
           expect
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           too
           !
           And
           that
           we
           might
           apprehend
           ,
           if
           
             he
             spared
             not
             the
             natural
             branches
             ,
          
           he
           was
           as
           little
           likely
           
             to
             spare
             us
             !
             That
             when
             he
             came
             to
             his
             own
             and
             they
             received
             him
             not
             ,
             he
          
           should
           make
           so
           free
           an
           offer
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           
             if
             we
             would
             yet
             receive
             him
          
           (
           which
           if
           we
           
           do
           ,
           we
           are
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           to
           yield
           up
           and
           dedicate
           our selves
           to
           him
           at
           the
           same
           time
           )
           we
           should
           have
           the
           privilege
           ,
           to
           be
           owned
           
             for
             the
             sons
             of
             God!
          
           What
           should
           so
           oblige
           us
           to
           compliance
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           with
           an
           
             ingenuous
             trembling
          
           fall
           before
           him
           ,
           and
           (
           crying
           to
           him
           
             my
             Lord
             and
             my
             God
          
           )
           resign
           our selves
           wholly
           ,
           to
           his
           power
           and
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           And
           even
           
             his
             Mercies
          
           ,
           more
           abstractly
           considered
           ,
           ought
           to
           have
           that
           power
           upon
           us
           .
           Were
           we
           not
           lost
           ?
           Are
           we
           not
           rescued
           from
           a
           
             necessity
             of
             perishing
          
           ,
           and
           being
           lost
           for
           ever
           ,
           in
           
           the
           most
           
             costly
             way
             ?
             Costly
          
           ,
           to
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           but
           
             to
             us
             ,
             without
             cost
          
           .
           Is
           it
           a
           
             small
             thing
          
           ,
           that
           he
           
             offers
             himself
             to
             us
          
           ,
           as
           he
           doth
           ,
           when
           he
           
             demands
             us
          
           ,
           and
           requires
           that
           we
           offer
           our selves
           to
           him
           .
           That
           
             he
             ,
             in
             whom
             is
             all
             the
             fulness
             of
             God
             ,
          
           having
           
             first
             offered
             himself
             for
             us
          
           ,
           doth
           now
           offer
           himself
           also
           to
           us
           .
           That
           he
           hath
           treated
           us
           ,
           hitherto
           ,
           with
           
             such
             indulgence
          
           ,
           waited
           on
           us
           with
           
             so
             long
             patience
          
           ,
           sustained
           us
           by
           
             so
             large
             bounty
          
           ,
           And
           now
           ,
           upon
           all
           ,
           when
           it
           might
           be
           thought
           we
           should
           be
           communing
           with
           our
           own
           hearts
           ,
           discoursing
           the
           matter
           
           with
           our selves
           ,
           
             What
             shall
             we
             render
          
           ?
           that
           he
           should
           say
           to
           us
           so
           shortly
           and
           compendiously
           
             render
             your selves
          
           !
           Is
           that
           too
           much
           ?
           Are
           we
           
             too
             considerable
             to
             be
             his
          
           ,
           or
           his
           Mercies
           
             too
             inconsiderable
          
           to
           oblige
           us
           to
           be
           so
           ?
           The
           Mercies
           that
           flow
           so
           freely
           
             from
             him
          
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           
             the
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             .
             The
             Mercies
          
           that
           are
           so
           suitable
           
             to
             us
             ,
             pardon
          
           to
           the
           
             guilty
             ,
             light
          
           to
           them
           that
           
             dwell
             in
             darkness
             ,
             life
          
           to
           the
           dead
           ,
           a
           
             rich
             portion
          
           and
           all-sufficient
           fullness
           ,
           for
           the
           
             poor
             ,
             indigent
          
           and
           necessitous
           :
           the
           Mercies
           that
           we
           are
           encouraged
           
             to
             expect
          
           as
           well
           as
           what
           
             we
             
             enjoy
          
           .
           The
           
             great
             Good
             laid
             up
             in
             store
             !
          
           The
           Mercies
           of
           eternity
           to
           be
           added
           to
           those
           of
           time
           .
           The
           Mercies
           of
           
             both
             worlds
          
           ,
           meeting
           upon
           us
           !
           That
           here
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           
             keep
             our selves
             in
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             waiting
             for
             the
             mercy
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             unto
             eternal
             life
             !
          
           That
           ,
           
           looking
           for
           that
           
             blessed
             hope
          
           ,
           our
           life
           may
           here
           ,
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           be
           transacted
           with
           him
           .
           That
           we
           may
           abide
           in
           the
           
             secret
             of
             his
             presence
          
           ,
           and
           
             dwelling
             in
             love
          
           ,
           may
           
             dwell
             in
             God
          
           who
           is
           love
           ;
           till
           the
           season
           come
           ,
           when
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           more
           fully
           to
           understand
           
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           return
           our
           own
           !
        
         
           Nor
           are
           the
           
             favours
             of
             his
             providence
          
           to
           be
           thought
           little
           of
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           our
           
             earthly
             pilgrimage
          
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           if
           all
           this
           do
           effectually
           induce
           us
           thus
           to
           
             dedicate
             our selves
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           are
           next
           to
           consider
           what
           
             our
             having
             done
             it
          
           ,
           ought
           further
           to
           
             induce
             us
             unto
          
           .
        
         
           
             In
             the
             general
          
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           an
           inducement
           to
           us
           (
           as
           we
           may
           well
           apprehend
           )
           to
           
             behave
             our selves
             answerably
          
           to
           such
           a
           state
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           ,
           hereby
           ,
           brought
           into
           ,
           if
           we
           
             now
             first
             dedicated
          
           our selves
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           
           are
           confirmed
           in
           ,
           by
           our
           iterations
           of
           it
           .
           For
           he
           
             takes
             no
             pleasure
             in
             fools
          
           ,
           therefore
           having
           
             vow'd
             our selves
             to
             him
          
           ,
           to
           serve
           ,
           and
           live
           to
           him
           ,
           let
           us
           pay
           what
           we
           have
           vowed
           .
           Better
           it
           had
           been
           
             not
             to
             vow
          
           ,
           than
           
             to
             vow
             and
             not
             pay
          
           ;
           and
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           
             reasonable
             sacrifice
          
           he
           required
           of
           us
           ,
           to
           give
           him
           onely
           the
           
             sacrifice
             of
             fools
          
           .
           We
           are
           ,
           upon
           
             special
             terms
          
           ,
           and
           for
           
             special
             ends
             ,
             peculiar
          
           to
           the
           
             most
             high
             God.
          
           They
           that
           are
           
             thus
             his
          
           ,
           are
           a
           
             royal
             Priesthood
             ,
             He
             hath
             made
             us
             Kings
             and
             Priests
             .
          
           
           Both
           those
           offices
           and
           dignities
           have
           sometime
           met
           ▪
           
           in
           the
           same
           person
           .
           And
           
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Father
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             for
             him
          
           .
           Not
           that
           both
           those
           offices
           do
           
             terminate
             upon
             God
          
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           work
           of
           both
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           
             towards
             him
          
           ,
           but
           our
           
             Lord
             Jesus
          
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           design
           of
           
             his
             Father
          
           we
           should
           be
           brought
           into
           that
           high
           ,
           and
           honourable
           Station
           ,
           hath
           effected
           it
           ,
           
             in
             compliance
             with
             his
             design
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           
             served
             his
             pleasure
          
           ,
           and
           purpose
           in
           it
           .
           He
           hath
           done
           it
           to
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             for
             him
          
           .
           So
           that
           ,
           
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Father
          
           may
           be
           refer'd
           
             to
             Christ's
             action
          
           ,
           in
           making
           
             us
             Kings
          
           and
           Priests
           ,
           not
           
             to
             ours
          
           ,
           being
           made
           such
           .
           Yet
           the
           one
           
           of
           these
           refers
           
             to
             God
          
           immediately
           ,
           the
           other
           to
           
             our selves
             .
             Holy
          
           and
           
             good
             men
          
           are
           Kings
           in
           reference
           
             to
             themselves
          
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           Self-dominion
           into
           which
           they
           are
           now
           restored
           ,
           having
           been
           ,
           as
           all
           unregenerate
           persons
           are
           ,
           slaves
           to
           vile
           ,
           and
           carnal
           affections
           ,
           and
           inclinations
           .
           
             The
             minds
             of
             the
             regenerate
          
           are
           made
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           now
           
             with
             them
          
           the
           refin'd
           ,
           rectify'd
           ,
           
             spiritual
             mind
          
           ,
           is
           inthroned
           ;
           lift
           up
           into
           its
           
             proper
             authority
          
           ,
           over
           all
           sensual
           Inclinations
           ,
           Appetitions
           ,
           Lusts
           and
           Passions
           .
           A
           glorious
           Empire
           !
           founded
           in
           conquest
           ,
           and
           managed
           ,
           
           afterwards
           when
           the
           victory
           is
           compleat
           (
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           in
           some
           degree
           ,
           while
           
             judgment
             is
             in
             bringing
             forth
             unto
             victory
          
           )
           by
           a
           steady
           sedate
           Government
           ,
           in
           most
           perfect
           tranquility
           and
           peace
           .
        
         
           But
           they
           are
           Priests
           in
           reference
           
             to
             God
          
           ,
           the
           business
           of
           
             their
             office
          
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           terminates
           upon
           him
           .
           For
           him
           they
           worship
           and
           serve
           .
        
         
           Worship
           is
           either
           
             social
             ,
             external
          
           and
           
             circumstantial
             ,
             that
          
           of
           worshiping
           Societies
           ,
           considered
           according
           to
           its
           exteriour
           part
           .
           Herein
           One
           is
           appointed
           by
           
             special
             office
          
           to
           doe
           the
           part
           of
           a
           Priest
           ,
           
             for
             the
             rest
          
           .
           In
           
           
             this
             sense
          
           all
           are
           not
           Priests
           .
        
         
           Or
           else
           it
           is
           
             solitary
             ,
             internal
             ,
             substantial
          
           and
           spiritual
           wherein
           they
           either
           
             worship
             alone
          
           ,
           and
           apart
           by
           themselves
           ,
           or
           being
           in
           conjunction
           with
           others
           ,
           yet
           their
           
             own
             spirits
          
           within
           them
           work
           directly
           ,
           and
           aspire
           upwards
           to
           God.
           And
           as
           to
           
             this
             more
             noble
             part
          
           of
           their
           worship
           ,
           every
           holy
           man
           is
           
             his
             own
             Priest.
          
           
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           
             double
             dignity
          
           of
           every
           holy
           ,
           devoted
           Soul.
           They
           are
           thus
           Kings
           ,
           and
           
             Priests
             ;
             govern
             themselves
          
           ,
           and
           
             serve
             God.
          
           While
           they
           govern
           ,
           they
           
           
             serve
             .
             Exercise
          
           authority
           over
           themselves
           ,
           with
           most
           submiss
           veneration
           of
           God.
           Crowned
           ,
           and
           enthroned
           ;
           but
           alwaies
           in
           a
           readiness
           to
           
             cast
             down
             their
             Crowns
          
           at
           the
           footstool
           of
           the
           Supreme
           ,
           Celestial
           Throne
           .
        
         
           Into
           this
           State
           they
           come
           by
           Self-dedication
           .
           And
           now
           surely
           't
           is
           not
           for
           such
           to
           demean
           themselves
           at
           a
           
             vulgar
             rate
          
           .
           They
           are
           of
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           the
           
             Church
             of
             the
             first-born
             written
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           
             first-born
             ones
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           all
           compos'd
           ,
           and
           made
           up
           of
           such
           (
           as
           
             that
             expression
          
           signifies
           .
           )
           
           First-born
           in
           a
           true
           (
           tho
           not
           the
           most
           eminent
           )
           sense
           ;
           being
           sons
           by
           the
           
             first
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           the
           prime
           and
           
             more
             excellent
          
           sort
           of
           birth
           ,
           in
           respect
           whereof
           they
           are
           said
           to
           be
           
             begotten
             again
          
           by
           the
           word
           of
           truth
           ,
           
           that
           they
           should
           be
           a
           kind
           of
           
             first-fruits
             of
             the
             Creatures
             of
             God.
          
           And
           this
           
             twofold
             dignity
          
           is
           the
           privilege
           of
           their
           birthright
           (
           as
           anciently
           it
           was
           .
           )
           Are
           you
           devoted
           to
           God
           ?
           have
           you
           dedicated
           your selves
           ?
           hereby
           you
           are
           arrived
           to
           this
           dignity
           .
           For
           in
           the
           abovementioned
           place
           it
           is
           said
           
             Ye
             are
             come
          
           ,
           you
           are
           actually
           ,
           
           
           already
           ,
           adjoyn'd
           to
           that
           Church
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           real
           present
           Members
           of
           that
           
             holy
             community
          
           .
           For
           you
           are
           related
           and
           united
           to
           him
           
             of
             whom
             the
             family
             of
             heaven
             and
             earth
             is
             named
          
           ;
           
           are
           of
           the
           houshold
           ,
           and
           the
           Sons
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           ,
           under
           that
           
             peculiar
             notion
          
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           dedicated
           your selves
           to
           him
           .
           You
           cannot
           but
           apprehend
           there
           are
           peculiarities
           of
           behaviour
           ,
           in
           your
           after-conduct
           ,
           and
           management
           of
           your selves
           that
           belong
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           must
           answer
           ,
           and
           correspond
           to
           
             your
             being
             ,
             in
             this
             sense
             ,
             his
             .
             Some
             particulars
          
           
           whereof
           I
           shall
           briefly
           mention
           .
        
         
           You
           should
           each
           of
           you
           ,
           often
           
             reflect
             upon
             it
          
           ,
           and
           bethink
           your self
           
             what
             you
             have
             done
          
           ;
           and
           whose
           
             you
             now
             are
             .
             I
             am
             the
             devoted
             One
             of
             the
             most
             high
             God.
          
           It
           was
           one
           of
           the
           Precepts
           given
           by
           a
           Pagan
           to
           his
           Disciples
           .
           Think
           with
           your self
           ,
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           
           
             
               I
               am
               a
               Philosopher
            
             .
          
           What
           a
           world
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           trouble
           might
           that
           thought
           ,
           often
           renew'd
           ,
           prevent
           ,
           
             I
             am
             a
             Christian
          
           ,
           One
           devoted
           to
           God
           in
           Christ.
           Your
           having
           done
           this
           thing
           ,
           should
           cloth
           your
           mind
           with
           
             new
             
             apprehensions
          
           ,
           both
           
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           your selves
           .
           That
           he
           is
           not
           now
           a
           stranger
           to
           you
           ,
           but
           
             your
             God
          
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           not
           unrelated
           to
           him
           ,
           
             but
             his
             .
             I
             was
             an
             enemy
             ,
             now
             am
             reconciled
             .
             I
             was
             a
             common
             ,
             profane
             thing
             ,
             now
             holiness
             to
             the
             Lord.
          
           'T
           is
           strange
           to
           think
           how
           
             One
             act
          
           doth
           sometimes
           habit
           ,
           and
           tincture
           a
           man's
           mind
           ;
           whether
           in
           the
           kind
           of
           good
           ,
           or
           evil
           .
           To
           have
           committed
           an
           
             act
             of
             murther
          
           !
           What
           an
           horrid
           
             complexion
             of
             mind
          
           did
           Cain
           bear
           with
           him
           hereupon
           ?
           To
           have
           
             dedicated
             one self
          
           to
           God
           ,
           if
           seriously
           ,
           and
           duly
           done
           ;
           would
           it
           have
           less
           power
           to
           possess
           
           One
           ,
           with
           an
           
             holy
             ,
             calm
             ,
             peacefull
             temper
             of
             mind
             ?
          
        
         
           You
           should
           ,
           hereupon
           ,
           
             charge
             your self
             with
             all
             suitable
             duty
             towards
             him
             .
          
           For
           you
           have
           given
           your self
           to
           him
           
             to
             serve
             him
          
           ,
           that
           is
           your
           very
           business
           .
           You
           
             are
             his
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           doe
           
             his
             work
             ,
             not
             your
             own
             ,
          
           otherwise
           than
           as
           it
           falls
           in
           with
           his
           ,
           and
           is
           his
           .
        
         
           You
           are
           to
           discharge
           your self
           of
           all
           unsuitable
           cares
           ,
           for
           will
           not
           he
           take
           care
           
             of
             his
             own
             ,
             Who
          
           hath
           put
           
             so
             ill
             a
             note
          
           upon
           them
           that
           do
           not
           ?
           
             He
             that
             provideth
             not
             for
             his
             own
             ,
             (
             his
             domesticks
             )
             those
             of
             his
             own
             house
             ,
             hath
             deny'd
             the
             faith
             ,
             
             and
             is
             worse
             than
             an
             infidel
             ?
          
           Will
           you
           think
           ,
           he
           can
           be
           like
           such
           a
           One
           ?
           Who
           ?
           if
           not
           the
           
             Children
             of
             a
             Prince
          
           ,
           should
           live
           free
           from
           care
           ?
        
         
           You
           should
           most
           deeply
           concern
           your self
           about
           
             his
             concernments
          
           ,
           without
           any
           apprehension
           or
           fear
           that
           he
           will
           neglect
           those
           that
           are
           
             most
             truly
             yours
          
           .
           And
           are
           not
           to
           be
           indifferent
           how
           
             his
             interest
          
           thrives
           ,
           or
           is
           deprest
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           is
           increast
           ,
           or
           diminisht
           .
           They
           that
           are
           his
           should
           let
           
             his
             affairs
          
           engross
           their
           cares
           ,
           and
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           You
           should
           abandon
           all
           
             suspicious
             ,
             hard
          
           thoughts
           of
           him
           .
           When
           ,
           in
           the
           habitual
           
           bent
           of
           your
           spirits
           ,
           you
           desire
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           injurious
           to
           him
           ,
           to
           think
           he
           will
           abandon
           ,
           and
           give
           you
           up
           to
           perish
           ,
           or
           become
           your
           enemy
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           what
           care
           was
           taken
           among
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
             ne
             quid
             dedititiis
             hostile
             illatum
             sit
             .
          
           That
           
             no
             hostility
             might
             be
             used
             towards
             them
             that
             had
             surrender'd
             themselves
             .
          
           Can
           men
           excel
           God
           in
           praise-worthy
           things
           ?
           You
           can
           think
           nothing
           of
           God
           more
           contrary
           to
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           his
           Nature
           ,
           than
           to
           surmise
           he
           will
           destroy
           one
           that
           hath
           surrender'd
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           bears
           a
           loyal
           mind
           towards
           him
           .
           And
           what
           a
           
           reproach
           do
           you
           cast
           upon
           him
           ,
           when
           you
           give
           others
           occasion
           to
           say
           
             his
             own
             ,
             they
             that
             have
             devoted
             themselves
             to
             him
             ,
             dare
             not
             trust
             him
             ?
          
           You
           are
           taught
           to
           say
           
             I
             am
             thine
             save
             me
          
           ,
           not
           to
           suspect
           he
           will
           ruine
           you
           .
           They
           do
           strangely
           mishape
           Religion
           ,
           considering
           ,
           in
           how
           great
           part
           ,
           it
           consists
           
             in
             trusting
             God
          
           ,
           and
           living
           a
           
             life
             of
             faith
          
           ,
           that
           frame
           to
           themselves
           a
           Religion
           made
           up
           of
           distrusts
           ,
           doubts
           and
           fears
           .
        
         
           You
           should
           dread
           to
           alienate
           your selves
           from
           him
           .
           Which
           (
           as
           Sacriledge
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           detestable
           of
           all
           sins
           ,
           
             a
             robbing
             of
             God
          
           )
           is
           the
           most
           detestable
           Sacriledge
           .
           
           You
           are
           to
           reserve
           your selves
           entirely
           for
           him
           .
           
             every
             one
             that
             is
             godly
             he
             hath
             set
             apart
             for
             himself
             .
          
           
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           and
           you
           are
           not
           onely
           to
           reserve
           ,
           but
           ,
           to
           your
           uttermost
           ,
           to
           improve
           ,
           and
           better
           your selves
           for
           him
           daily
           .
           To
           aspire
           to
           
             an
             excellency
          
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           suitable
           to
           your
           relation
           .
           
             To
             walk
             worthy
             of
             God
             who
             hath
             called
             you
             to
             his
             kingdom
             and
             glory
             ,
          
           1
           Thess.
           2.12
           .
           remembring
           you
           are
           here
           to
           
             glorify
             him
          
           ,
           and
           hereafter
           to
           be
           
             glorified
             with
             him
          
           .
        
         
           And
           who
           is
           there
           of
           us
           that
           finds
           not
           himself
           under
           
           sufficient
           obligation
           ,
           
             by
             the
             mercies
             of
             God
          
           ,
           unto
           
             all
             this
          
           ?
           Or
           to
           whom
           he
           may
           not
           say
           ,
           in
           a
           far
           more
           eminent
           sense
           ,
           than
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           it
           to
           
             Philemon
             ,
             thou
             owest
             even
             thy self
             also
             unto
             me
             ?
          
           Will
           we
           refuse
           to
           
             give
             God
             what
             we
             owe
          
           ?
           Or
           can
           we
           think
           it
           fit
           ,
           in
           it self
           ;
           
             we
             should
             be
             no
             otherwise
             his
             ,
             than
             (
             as
             one
             well
             saies
             )
             
               Fields
               ,
               Woods
            
             ,
             and
             Mountains
             ,
             and
             
               brute
               Beasts
            
             ?
          
           And
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           can
           it
           be
           
             comfortable
             to
             us
          
           ,
           he
           should
           have
           no
           other
           interest
           in
           us
           than
           he
           hath
           in
           Devils
           ?
           is
           there
           no
           difference
           in
           the
           case
           of
           
             reasonable
             creatures
          
           and
           
             unreasonable
             ?
             
             theirs
          
           who
           
             profess
             devotedness
             to
             him
          
           ,
           and
           theirs
           who
           are
           
             his
             profest
             enemies
          
           ?
           The
           
             one
             sort
          
           ,
           through
           natural
           incapacity
           ,
           
             cannot
             ,
             by
             consent
          
           ,
           be
           his
           ?
           and
           the
           
             other
             ,
             through
             an
             invincible
             malignity
             ,
          
           never
           will
           ?
           Are
           there
           no
           mercies
           (
           confer'd
           or
           offered
           )
           that
           do
           peculiarly
           oblige
           us
           more
           ?
           Let
           us
           be
           more
           frequent
           ,
           and
           serious
           in
           
             recounting
             our
             mercies
          
           ,
           and
           set
           our selves
           on
           purpose
           to
           
             enter
             into
             the
             memory
             of
             God's
             great
             goodness
             ,
          
           that
           we
           may
           thence
           ,
           
             from
             time
             to
             time
          
           ,
           urge
           upon
           our selves
           this
           
             great
             and
             comprehensive
             duty
          
           .
        
         
         
           And
           
             at
             this
             time
          
           ,
           being
           
             here
             together
             on
             purpose
          
           ,
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           and
           reflect
           afresh
           ,
           upon
           
             that
             eminent
             mercy
          
           ,
           which
           you
           are
           wont
           to
           commemorate
           in
           the
           
             yearly
             return
          
           of
           
             this
             day
          
           .
        
         
           
             And
             that
             I
             may
          
           ,
           more
           particularly
           ,
           
             direct
             my
             speech
             the
             same
             way
             ,
             that
             the
          
           voice
           of
           that
           memorable
           providence
           
             is
             especially
             directed
          
           .
           You
           are
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           
             to
             be
             more
             peculiarly
          
           besought
           by
           the
           mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           
             that
             you
             would
          
           ,
           this
           day
           
             dedicate
             your self
             to
             him
          
           .
        
         
           
             I
             do
          
           beseech
           
             therefore
             you
             ,
             by
          
           the
           many
           endearing
           
           mercies
           ,
           
             which
             God
             hath
             so
             plentifully
             confer'd
             upon
             you
             ,
             by
          
           the
           mercies
           
             of
             your
          
           noble
           extraction
           ,
           and
           birth
           ,
           
             by
             the
          
           mercies
           
             of
             your
             very
          
           ingenuous
           and
           pious
           education
           ,
           
             by
             the
          
           mercies
           
             of
             your
          
           family
           ,
           
             which
             God
             hath
             made
             to
          
           descend
           
             to
             you
             from
             your
          
           honourable
           progenitors
           (
           
             which
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             capable
             of
             being
             improved
             ,
             may
             be
             very
          
           valuable
           mercies
           .
           )
           
             By
             the
          
           bloud
           ,
           and
           tender
           mercies
           
             of
             your
          
           blessed
           ,
           and
           glorious
           Redeemer
           ,
           
             who
             offered
             up
          
           himself
           a
           sacrifice
           
             to
             God
             for
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             now
             present
          
           your self
           
             to
             God
             ,
             an
          
           holy
           ,
           living
           Sacrifice
           ,
           
             which
             is
             your
          
           reasonable
           service
           .
           
           
             I
             adde
             ,
             by
             the
          
           signal
           mercy
           ,
           
             which
             hath
             made
          
           this
           a
           memorable
           day
           
             to
             you
             ,
             and
          
           by
           which
           
             you
             come
             ,
             thus
             long
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             the
             advantages
             of
          
           all
           your
           other
           mercies
           .
           
             How
             came
             it
             to
             pass
             that
          
           this
           day
           
             comes
             not
             to
             be
             remembred
          
           ,
           by
           your
           noble
           relatives
           
             as
             a
          
           black
           ,
           
             and
             a
          
           gloomy
           day
           ,
           
             the
             day
             of
             the
          
           extinction
           
             of
             the
          
           present
           light
           ,
           and
           lustre
           of
           your
           family
           ;
           
             and
             of
          
           quenching
           their
           coal
           which
           was
           left
           .
           
             You
             had
             a
          
           great
           preserver
           ,
           
             who
             ,
             we
             hope
          
           ,
           delivered
           you
           because
           he
           delighted
           in
           you
           .
           Your
           life
           was
           precious
           ,
           in
           his
           sight
           .
           Your
           breath
           was
           in
           his
           hand
           ;
           
             he
             preserved
             ,
             and
             
             renewed
             it
             to
             you
             ,
             when
             you
             were
             ready
             to
             breath
          
           your
           last
           .
           
             And
             we
             hope
             he
             will
             vouchsafe
             you
             that
          
           greater
           deliverance
           ,
           
             not
             to
             let
             you
             fall
             under
             the
             charge
             which
             was
             once
             exhibited
             against
             a
          
           great
           man
           ,
           Dan.
           5.23
           .
           The
           God
           in
           whose
           hands
           thy
           breath
           is
           —
           hast
           thou
           not
           glorified
           .
           
             And
             make
             you
             rather
             capable
             of
             adopting
             those
             words
             ,
          
           Psalm
           42.8
           .
           Yet
           the
           Lord
           will
           command
           his
           loving
           kindness
           in
           the
           day
           time
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           night
           his
           song
           shall
           be
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           my
           prayer
           unto
           the
           God
           of
           my
           life
           .
           
             Your
             acknowledgments
             are
             not
             to
             be
             limited
             to
          
           one
           day
           in
           the
           
           year
           ;
           
             but
             from
             day
             to
             day
          
           his
           loving
           kindness
           ,
           and
           your
           prayer
           and
           praise
           
             are
             to
             compose
             your
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           the
           one
           ,
           to
           shew
           you
           ,
           the
           other
           ,
           to
           be
           
             unto
             you
             your
          
           morning
           ,
           and
           evening
           exercise
           .
           
             Let
             this
             be
             your
             resolution
          
           ,
           Every
           day
           will
           I
           bless
           thee
           :
           and
           I
           will
           praise
           thy
           name
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           ,
           Psal.
           145.2
           .
           or
           that
           ,
           Psal.
           104.33
           .
           I
           will
           sing
           unto
           the
           Lord
           as
           long
           as
           I
           live
           :
           I
           will
           sing
           praise
           unto
           my
           God
           ,
           while
           I
           have
           my
           being
           .
        
         
           
             Yet
             your
          
           more
           solemn
           acknowledgments
           
             are
             ,
             justly
          
           ,
           pitcht
           upon
           this
           day
           .
           
             God
             hath
          
           noted
           
             it
             for
             you
             ,
             and
             made
             it
             a
          
           great
           day
           
             in
             your
             
             time
             .
             You
             have
          
           now
           
             enjoy'd
             a
          
           Septennium
           ,
           
             seven
             years
             of
             mercies
             .
             And
             ,
             we
             all
             hope
             ,
             you
             will
             enjoy
             many
             more
             ,
             which
             may
             all
             be
             called
             the
          
           posterity
           of
           that
           days
           mercy
           .
           
             It
             was
             the
          
           parent
           
             of
             them
             all
             ;
             so
          
           pregnant
           and
           productive
           a
           mercy
           was
           that
           of
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           
             You
             do
             owe
             it
             to
             the
          
           mercy
           of
           this
           day
           ,
           
             that
             you
             have
             yet
          
           a
           life
           to
           devote
           
             to
             the
             great
             Lord
             of
             heaven
             and
             earth
             ;
             and
             to
             imploy
             in
             the
             world
          
           for
           him
           .
           
             And
             would
             you
             think
             of
             any
          
           less
           noble
           Sacrifice
           ?
        
         
           Aeschines
           
             (
             the
             Philosopher
             )
             out
             of
             his
             admiration
             of
          
           Socrates
           ,
           
             when
             divers
             presented
             
             him
             with
             other
             gifts
             ,
             made
             a
             tender
             to
             him
             of
          
           himself
           .
           
             Less
             was
             thought
             an
             insufficient
             acknowledgment
             ,
             of
             the
             worth
             and
             favours
             of
          
           a
           man
           !
           
             Can
             any
             thing
          
           less
           
             be
             thought
             worthy
             of
          
           a
           God
           ?
        
         
           
             I
             doubt
             not
             you
             intend
          
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           
             a
             life
             of
             service
             to
          
           the
           God
           of
           your
           life
           .
           
             You
             would
             not
             ,
             I
             presume
             ,
             design
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             under
             any
             other
             notion
             ,
             than
          
           as
           his
           .
           By
           dedicating
           your self
           
             to
             him
          
           you
           become
           so
           ,
           
             in
             the
          
           peculiar
           sense
           .
           
             It
             is
             our
             part
             ,
             in
             the
          
           Covenant
           
             which
             must
             be
             between
          
           God
           ,
           and
           us
           .
           I
           enter'd
           into
           Covenant
           with
           thee
           ,
           and
           thou
           becamest
           
           mine
           ,
           Ezek
           ,
           16.8
           .
           This
           
             is
             the
          
           ground
           
             of
             a
          
           settled
           relation
           ,
           
             which
             we
             are
             to
             bear
             towards
             him
             ,
          
           as
           his
           servants
           .
           
             'T
             is
             possible
             I
             may
             do
             an
          
           occasional
           service
           
             for
             one
             whose
          
           servant
           
             I
             am
             not
             .
             But
             it
             were
             mean
             that
             a
          
           great
           person
           
             should
             only
             be
             serv'd
             by
             the
          
           servants
           of
           another
           Lord.
           
             To
             be
             serv'd
             but
          
           precariously
           ,
           
             and
             ,
             as
             it
             were
          
           ,
           upon
           Courtesie
           ,
           only
           ,
           true
           greatness
           
             would
             disdain
             ;
             as
             if
             his
          
           Quality
           
             did
             not
             admit
             to
             have
          
           servants
           of
           his
           own
           .
        
         
           
             Nor
             can
             it
             be
             thought
             a
             serious
          
           Christian
           
             (
             in
             howsoever
             dignifying
             circumstances
             )
             should
             reckon
             himself
          
           too
           great
           
             to
             be
          
           his
           servant
           ,
           
           
             when
             even
             an
          
           Heathen
           pronounces
           Deo
           servire
           est
           regnare
           ,
           
           
             To
             serve
             God
             is
             to
             reign
             .
             A
             Religious
          
           Noble
           man
           of
           France
           
             (
             whose
             affection
             I
             commend
          
           ,
           
           
             more
             than
             this
             external
             expression
             of
             it
             )
             tells
             us
             he
             made
             a
          
           deed
           of
           gift
           ,
           of
           himself
           to
           God
           ,
           
             signing
             it
             with
          
           his
           own
           bloud
           .
           
             He
             was
             much
             a
             greater
             man
             that
             so
             often
             speaks
             in
             that
             style
          
           Thy
           servant
           ,
           
             that
             't
             is
             plain
             he
             took
          
           pleasure
           
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             counted
             it
          
           his
           highest
           glory
           .
           
             Stablish
             thy
             word
             unto
          
           thy
           servant
           ,
           
             who
             is
          
           devoted
           
             to
             thy
             fear
          
           ,
           Psal.
           119.38
           .
           Thy
           servant
           ,
           Thy
           servant
           ,
           O
           
           Lord
           ,
           the
           son
           
             of
             thy
          
           handmaid
           (
           
             alluding
             to
             the
             Law
             by
             which
             the
             children
             of
             bond-servants
             were
             servants
          
           by
           birth
           )
           thou
           hast
           broken
           my
           bonds
           ,
           Psal.
           116.
           hast
           (
           q.
           d.
           )
           
             released
             me
             from
             worse
             bonds
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             not
             only
          
           be
           patient
           ,
           but
           glad
           
             to
             be
             under
          
           thine
           .
        
         
           
             Nor
             was
             he
             a
          
           mean
           Prince
           
           ,
           
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             who
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             abandoning
             the
             pleasures
             ,
             and
             splendour
             of
             his
          
           own
           Court
           
             (
             whereof
             many
             like
             examples
             might
             be
             given
             )
             retired
             and
             assumed
             the
             
             name
             of
          
           Christodulus
           ,
           A
           servant
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             accounting
             the
             glory
             of
          
           that
           name
           
             did
             outshine
             ,
             not
             only
          
           that
           
             of
             his
          
           other
           illustrious
           titles
           ,
           
             but
             of
             the
          
           Imperial
           Diadem
           
             too
             .
             There
             are
             very
             few
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             whom
             the
             too-common
          
           atheisme
           
             can
             give
             temptation
             unto
             ,
             to
             think
          
           Religion
           
             an
             ignominy
             ,
             and
             to
             count
             it
             a
             reproach
             to
             be
             the
          
           devoted
           servant
           of
           the
           most
           high
           God
           ;
           
             but
             have
             it
             at
             hand
             to
             answer
             themselves
             ,
             even
             by
          
           humane
           (
           
             not
             to
             speak
             of
             the
          
           higher
           angelical
           )
           
             instances
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             been
             served
             by
          
           greater
           than
           we
           .
        
         
           
             You
             are
          
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           
             shortly
             to
             enter
             upon
             the
             more
             public
             stage
             
             of
             the
             world
             .
             You
             will
             enter
             with
             great
             advantages
             of
          
           hereditary
           honor
           ,
           fortune
           ,
           friends
           
             with
             the
          
           greater
           advantage
           
             of
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             a
          
           well
           cultivated
           
             mind
             ,
             and
             (
             what
             is
          
           yet
           greater
           )
           
             of
             a
          
           piously
           inclined
           heart
           .
           
             But
             you
             will
             also
             enter
             with
          
           disadvantages
           
             too
             .
             It
             is
             a
          
           slippery
           stage
           ;
           
             It
             is
             a
          
           divided
           time
           ;
           
             wherein
             there
             is
          
           Interest
           against
           Interest
           ;
           Party
           against
           Party
           .
           
             To
             have
             ,
             seriously
             ,
             and
             with
             a
          
           pious
           obstinacy
           
             dedicated
             your self
             to
             God
             ,
             will
             both
          
           direct
           ,
           and
           fortifie
           you
           .
        
         
           
             I
             know
             no
          
           Party
           
             in
             which
             nothing
             is
             amiss
             .
             Nor
             will
          
           that
           measure
           
             let
             you
             think
             it
             adviseable
             ,
             to
             be
          
           of
           any
           ;
           
             further
             
             than
             to
             unite
             with
             what
             there
             is
             of
          
           real
           ,
           true
           goodness
           ,
           
             among
             them
          
           all
           .
           
             Neither
             is
             there
             any
             surer
          
           rule
           ,
           or
           measure
           
             for
             your
          
           direction
           ,
           than
           this
           ;
           
             to
             take
             the
             course
             ,
             and
             way
             ,
             which
             is
             most
             agreeable
             to
             a
          
           state
           of
           devotedness
           to
           God.
           
             Reduce
             all
             things
             else
             ,
             hither
             .
             Wheresoever
             you
             believe
             ,
             in
             your
             conscience
             ,
             there
             is
             a
          
           sincere
           design
           
             for
             the
          
           Interest
           and
           glory
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           honour
           ,
           or
           safety
           of
           your
           Prince
           ,
           
             the
             real
             ,
             good
             and
             welfare
             of
          
           your
           Countrey
           ,
           there
           
             you
             are
             to
             fall
             in
             ,
             and
             adhere
             .
             And
             the
          
           first
           of
           these
           comprehends
           the
           rest
           .
           
             You
             will
             not
             be
             the
          
           less
           inclined
           but
           much
           the
           more
           ,
           
             to
             give
          
           Caesar
           
             the
             things
             that
             are
          
           
           Caesar
           
             's
             ,
             for
             your
             giving
          
           God
           the
           things
           that
           are
           Gods.
           
             And
             that
             is
             (
             as
             hath
             been
             said
             )
          
           principally
           ,
           
             and
             in
             the
          
           first
           place
           
             your self
             ;
             and
             then
             all
          
           that
           is
           yours
           ,
           
             to
             be
             used
          
           according
           to
           his
           holy
           rules
           ,
           and
           for
           him
           ,
           
             whose
             you
             are
          
           .
        
         
           
             And
             what
             can
             be
             to
             you
             the
             ground
             of
             an
          
           higher
           fortitude
           ?
           
             Can
             they
             be
          
           unsafe
           
             that
             have
          
           devoted
           themselves
           to
           God
           ?
           Dedicate
           your self
           ,
           
             and
             you
             become
          
           a
           Sanctuary
           (
           
             as
             well
             as
          
           a
           Sacrifice
           )
           Inviolably
           safe
           
             in
             what
             part
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             respects
             ,
             it
             is
          
           considerable
           
             to
             be
             so
             .
             And
             who
             can
             think
             themselves
          
           unsafe
           
             being
             ,
             with
          
           persevering
           fidelity
           ,
           sacred
           to
           God
           ;
           
             that
             understand
          
           who
           
           he
           is
           ;
           
             and
             consider
             his
          
           power
           ,
           
             and
             dominion
             ,
             over
          
           both
           worlds
           ,
           
             the
             present
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             to
             come
             .
             So
             as
             that
             he
             can
          
           punish
           ,
           and
           reward
           ,
           
             in
             both
             ;
             as
             men
             prove
          
           false
           ,
           or
           faithfull
           
             to
             him
             .
             The
          
           triumphs
           of
           wickedness
           
             are
             short
          
           ,
           in
           this
           world
           .
           
             In
             how
          
           glorious
           triumphs
           will
           Religion
           ,
           and
           devotedness
           to
           God
           ,
           end
           ,
           in
           the
           other
           !
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A44691-e120
           
             *
             
               By
               a
               fall
               from
               an
               Horse
               .
            
             Decemb.
             
               5.
               1674.
            
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A44691-e1500
           
             *
             See
             Sigonius
             
               de
               Repub.
               Heb.
               Dr.
            
             Outr.
             
               de
               Sacr.
            
             
          
           
             Deut.
             14.21
             .
          
           
             Clophenburg
             .
             
               Schol.
               Sacrific
               .
               and
               others
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               Livius
               ,
               l.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.12
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             45.22
             .
          
           
             Out
             .
             
               de
               Sac.
            
             
          
           
             
               De
               fund
               .
               legis
               .
               pag.
            
             64.
             
          
           
             
               Estisne
               vos
               legati
               Oratoresque
               missi
               à
               populo
               Collatino
               ,
               ut
               vos
               populumque
               Collatinum
               dederitis
               ?
               Sumus
               —
               Deditisne
               vos
               ,
               populum
               Collatinum
               ,
               urbem
               ,
               agros
               ,
               aquam
               ,
               terminos
               ,
               delubra
               ,
               utensilia
               divina
               ,
               humanaque
               omnia
               ,
               in
               meam
               populique
               Romani
               ditionem
               ?
               Dedimus
               .
               At
               ego
               recipi
               .
               Liv.
               ubi
               priùs
               .
            
          
           
             Cal.
             
               Lex
               .
               Jurid
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             4.20
             .
          
           
             Revel
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Josh.
             24.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Read
               considerately
               Heb.
            
             11.6
             .
          
           
             Vse
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             10.20
             .
          
           
             *
             Isai.
             65.1
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             25.45
             ,
             46.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             11.
             
          
           
             Jude
             21.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             Hebr.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Hebr.
             12.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             3.
             
          
           
             Epict.
             
          
           
             Psalm
             4.
             
          
           
             Sen.
             
          
           
             Monsieur
             de
             Renty
             .
          
           
             Cantacuzanus
             ,
             Whose
             life
             also
             ,
             among
             many
             other
             remarkable
             things
             ,
             was
             once
             strangely
             preserved
             in
             the
             fall
             of
             his
             horse
             .