A sermon on Psal. CXIX, v. 57 shewing wherein the good man's portion and dependence consists / by James Davies.
         Davies, James, fl. 1657-1709.
      
       
         
           1679
        
      
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             A sermon on Psal. CXIX, v. 57 shewing wherein the good man's portion and dependence consists / by James Davies.
             Davies, James, fl. 1657-1709.
          
           37 p.
           
             Printed for Henry Brome,
             London :
             1679.
          
           
             "Imprimatur, Guil. Jane. Dec. 6 1678"
             Print show-through.
             Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of England -- Sermons.
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXIX, 57 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           On
           Psal.
           CXIX
           .
           V.
           57.
           
           Shewing
           wherein
           the
           
             Good
             Man's
             Portion
          
           AND
           Dependence
           CONSISTS
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JAMES
             DAVIES
          
           ,
           M.
           A.
           Rector
           of
           Barton-Mills
           in
           Suffolk
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Imprimatur
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                     Guil.
                     Jane
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Dec.
                       6.
                       1678.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Brome
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Gun
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           ,
           near
           the
           West-end
           .
           MDCLXXIX
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           ON
           
             
               Psal.
               CXIX
               .
               57.
               
            
             Thou
             art
             my
             portion
             O
             Lord
             ;
             I
             have
             said
             that
             I
             would
             keep
             thy
             words
             .
          
        
         
           WE
           have
           an
           Account
           of
           
           David's
           Resolution
           and
           Choice
           :
           His
           Choice
           is
           expressed
           in
           the
           former
           clause
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             my
             portion
             ,
             O
             Lord
          
           ;
           his
           Resolution
           in
           the
           latter
           ,
           
             I
             have
             said
          
           (
           or
           I
           have
           promised
           )
           
             that
             I
             would
             keep
             thy
             words
             .
          
        
         
           From
           the
           former
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           a
           special
           part
           of
           Wisdom
           to
           have
           ones
           choice
           well
           and
           throughly
           fixed
           ;
           and
           particularly
           to
           have
           it
           fixed
           upon
           God
           ,
           so
           
             as
             to
          
           make
           him
           our
           portion
           .
        
         
           First
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           importance
           ,
           and
           a
           special
           part
           of
           wisdom
           ,
           to
           have
           ones
           Choice
           well
           and
           throughly
           fixed
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           have
           one
           
             certain
             
             end
          
           propounded
           ,
           to
           which
           all
           a
           man's
           actions
           may
           tend
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           other
           ends
           be
           subordinate
           .
           For
           as
           the
           Moralists
           truly
           tell
           us
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           him
           to
           govern
           his
           Actions
           well
           ,
           who
           has
           not
           in
           the
           main
           ,
           directed
           his
           life
           to
           one
           
             certain
             end
          
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Observation
           of
           a
           great
           and
           wise
           man
           ;
           Saith
           he
           ,
           Consider
           mankind
           ,
           consule
           your
           acquaintants
           ,
           or
           your
           reading
           ,
           you
           shall
           find
           but
           a
           very
           few
           persons
           ,
           who
           have
           directed
           their
           life
           to
           one
           certain
           and
           assured
           course
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           truest
           drift
           of
           Wisdom
           :
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           Mankind
           is
           generally
           so
           defective
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           avoiding
           of
           which
           unsettledness
           and
           want
           of
           design
           in
           mens
           actions
           ,
           the
           Advice
           of
           Seneca
           is
           very
           material
           ;
           
           As
           often
           as
           〈…〉
           what
           thou
           shouldest
           do
           ,
           or
           what
           thou
           shouldest
           avoid
           ;
           be
           sure
           to
           look
           for
           direction
           to
           that
           which
           thou
           hast
           made
           thy
           
             chief
             End
          
           ;
           for
           to
           that
           ,
           whatsoever
           thou
           doest
           ,
           ought
           to
           agree
           :
           But
           then
           be
           sure
           that
           thou
           have
           first
           settled
           that
           .
           For
           't
           is
           an
           errour
           ,
           that
           we
           pretend
           to
           advise
           about
           particular
           Ends
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           not
           resolv'd
           upon
           ,
           nor
           settled
           the
           
             general
             End
          
           ,
           without
           which
           no
           man
           can
           arrive
           at
           any
           certainty
           or
           Uniformity
           of
           Living
           .
        
         
           That
           thus
           to
           have
           settled
           one's
           End
           ,
           and
           the
           scope
           and
           design
           of
           one's
           Life
           ,
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           importance
           ,
           may
           be
           confirmed
           from
           common
           
           Observation
           and
           Experience
           .
           'T
           is
           so
           in
           all
           the
           Affairs
           and
           Undertakings
           of
           Men.
           He
           who
           addicts
           himself
           to
           the
           War
           ,
           and
           resolv's
           upon
           that
           kind
           of
           life
           ,
           is
           much
           more
           likely
           to
           do
           great
           things
           in
           the
           
             Martial
             way
          
           ,
           than
           he
           who
           only
           happens
           to
           be
           a
           Souldier
           ,
           or
           is
           driven
           to
           it
           by
           Necessity
           .
           Or
           ,
           he
           who
           intends
           for
           Merchandize
           ,
           if
           he
           resolves
           to
           make
           it
           his
           business
           ,
           and
           bends
           his
           Mind
           and
           Thoughts
           that
           way
           ,
           is
           more
           likely
           to
           thrive
           and
           grow
           rich
           ,
           than
           he
           who
           is
           not
           yet
           resolv'd
           what
           Profession
           to
           follow
           .
        
         
           He
           who
           is
           thus
           loose
           and
           undetermined
           in
           his
           choice
           ,
           is
           like
           to
           do
           but
           little
           good
           in
           any
           thing
           he
           sets
           about
           ,
           till
           he
           be
           better
           resolv'd
           .
        
         
           Even
           so
           it
           is
           in
           our
           Christian
           Profession
           ;
           He
           who
           hopes
           to
           attain
           to
           the
           Ends
           of
           Religion
           ,
           must
           make
           it
           his
           business
           :
           he
           must
           remember
           above
           all
           things
           whither
           he
           is
           design'd
           .
           There
           are
           many
           things
           that
           will
           interpose
           and
           require
           some
           of
           his
           time
           and
           thoughts
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           is
           Chief
           in
           his
           heart
           must
           be
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           gain
           that
           
             Pearl
             of
             great
             price
          
           ,
           and
           arrive
           at
           that
           happiness
           which
           he
           has
           made
           his
           choice
           .
        
         
           As
           Merchants
           in
           their
           Voyage
           touch
           at
           divers
           Ports
           to
           cleanse
           and
           victual
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           trade
           for
           some
           small
           matters
           :
           But
           their
           chief
           care
           and
           drift
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           get
           with
           safety
           to
           the
           Port
           whither
           they
           are
           bound
           :
           So
           't
           is
           with
           every
           diligent
           
           Christian
           ;
           he
           converses
           with
           the
           〈◊〉
           because
           't
           is
           necessary
           for
           him
           in
           his
           Voyage
           ;
           he
           touches
           upon
           the
           Cares
           and
           〈◊〉
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           in
           his
           Way
           ,
           〈◊〉
           he
           cannot
           well
           avoid
           them
           :
           But
           his
           heart
           is
           
             chiefly●
             〈◊〉
          
           that
           Jerusalem
           which
           is
           above
           ;
           and
           his
           principal
           Care
           and
           Endeavour
           is
           that
           he
           may
           get
           with
           safety
           thither
           .
        
         
           Now
           by
           the
           Consent
           of
           the
           Wise
           Men
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           the
           great
           and
           
             last
             End
          
           of
           Man
           is
           Happiness
           .
           And
           amongst
           us
           Christians
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Question
           ,
           but
           that
           happiness
           consists
           in
           the
           Favour
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           God
           :
           such
           an
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           in
           this
           life
           as
           this
           life
           is
           capable
           of
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           perfect
           and
           immediate
           fruition
           of
           him
           in
           Heaven
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           our
           
             main
             End.
             This
          
           we
           ought
           to
           fix
           upon
           as
           the
           Principal
           Object
           of
           our
           Choice
           ,
           and
           to
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           our
           great
           business
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           That
           God
           may
           be
           our
           Portion
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           Second
           Branch
           of
           the
           Proposition
           ,
           That
           't
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           every
           Man
           and
           Woman
           to
           make
           God
           their
           Choice
           and
           Portion
           .
        
         
           What
           it
           is
           to
           make
           God
           our
           Portion
           ,
           is
           plain
           enough
           from
           the
           common
           notion
           of
           the
           Word
           Portion
           ,
           which
           signifies
           a
           shame
           in
           the
           division
           of
           any
           thing
           ;
           specially
           of
           Estates
           and
           Inheritances
           ;
           such
           a
           share
           as
           Parents
           use
           to
           give
           their
           Children
           ,
           which
           being
           the
           necessary
           foundation
           of
           their
           
           subsistence
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           they
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           their
           main
           Dependence
           .
           So
           ought
           God
           to
           be
           the
           Portion
           of
           every
           faithful
           Soul
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           He
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Comfort
           ,
           the
           Treasure
           ,
           the
           main
           Dependence
           of
           every
           faithful
           person
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           can
           the
           infinite
           incomprehensible
           God
           be
           said
           to
           be
           the
           Portion
           of
           a
           Creature
           ?
        
         
           We
           must
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           Expression
           is
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           God
           Personally
           or
           Essentially
           .
           For
           so
           ,
           no
           Creature
           can
           comprehend
           ,
           contain
           or
           possess
           him
           .
           But
           it
           is
           spoken
           according
           to
           the
           familiar
           Style
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           explained
           by
           other
           places
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           .
           As
           where
           God
           calls
           Abraham
           his
           Friend
           ,
           and
           tells
           him
           ,
           
             I
             am
             thy
             shield
             ,
             and
             thy
             exceeding
             great
             reward
             ,
          
           Gen.
           15.
           1.
           
           And
           where
           David
           calls
           God
           his
           comfort
           and
           his
           joy
           ,
           his
           hope
           ,
           his
           rock
           ,
           his
           fortress
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           which
           Expressions
           are
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           strict
           and
           literal
           ,
           but
           in
           an
           Analogical
           sence
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           the
           Particle
           Thou
           ,
           must
           be
           understood
           either
           Exclusively
           ,
           or
           Causally
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Exclusively
           ,
           Thou
           ,
           and
           
             none
             other
          
           in
           comparison
           of
           thee
           ;
           As
           if
           the
           holy
           Psalmist
           had
           said
           ,
           I
           value
           my
           Interest
           in
           Thee
           far
           above
           all
           other
           things
           .
        
         
           All
           other
           things
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           infinitely
           below
           thee
           ,
           so
           I
           do
           not
           think
           they
           deserve
           to
           be
           named
           in
           Comparison
           with
           thee
           .
           The
           same
           thing
           is
           
           most
           fully
           and
           affectionately
           exprest
           ,
           Psal.
           〈◊〉
           .
           where
           David
           seems
           at
           first
           to
           have
           admired
           Riches
           and
           Prosperity
           ,
           to
           have
           thought
           them
           a
           Valuable
           Portion
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           have
           envied
           the
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           wicked
           ;
           but
           when
           he
           better
           considered
           ,
           and
           saw
           the
           Vanity
           and
           Uncertainty
           of
           their
           condition
           ,
           being
           destitute
           of
           the
           fear
           and
           favour
           of
           God
           ;
           he
           retracted
           his
           opinion
           ,
           and
           altered
           his
           Choice
           .
           Then
           he
           preferr'd
           God
           before
           all
           ,
           vers
           .
           25
           ,
           26.
           
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             Heaven
             but
             thee
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             Earth
             that
             I
             desire
             in
             comparison
             of
             thee
             .
             My
             flesh
             and
             my
             heart
             faileth
             ,
             but
             God
             is
             the
             strength
             if
             my
             heart
             ,
             and
             my
             portion
          
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           thus
           explain
           the
           Psalmist's
           words
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Comparison
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           his
           Choice
           is
           so
           evident
           ,
           that
           it
           needs
           not
           to
           be
           proved
           .
           For
           what
           is
           any
           creature
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           Creator
           ?
           What
           is
           outward
           splendor
           or
           felicity
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           better
           than
           life
           it self
           ?
           What
           are
           the
           goods
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           to
           that
           Immortal
           Kingdom
           which
           is
           above
           ?
           What
           are
           the
           poor
           low
           gratifications
           of
           our
           Senses
           and
           vain
           Affections
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           those
           Purer
           Delights
           ,
           and
           more
           Excellent
           Glories
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ?
           Indeed
           there
           is
           no
           comparison
           betwixt
           these
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           were
           very
           needless
           to
           insist
           on
           this
           sence
           any
           farther
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Thou
           art
           
             my
             Portion
          
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             Causally
             ;
             
             Thou
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Emanations
           of
           thy
           Goodness
           are
           my
           Portion
           .
        
         
           God
           is
           to
           be
           loved
           and
           chosen
           in
           regard
           of
           his
           Infinite
           Perfections
           :
           In
           regard
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           whereby
           he
           does
           whatsoever
           he
           pleases
           in
           all
           the
           World
           ;
           In
           regard
           of
           his
           All-sufficiency
           ,
           because
           he
           alone
           is
           able
           to
           make
           us
           perfectly
           happy
           ;
           In
           regard
           of
           his
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           whereby
           he
           knowes
           the
           Exigencies
           of
           our
           Condition
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           fittest
           to
           be
           done
           for
           us
           :
           But
           specially
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Effects
             and
             Emanations
          
           of
           it
           ,
           whereby
           he
           is
           inclined
           to
           concern
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           and
           Providence
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           them
           that
           love
           him
           .
           So
           that
           to
           speak
           explicitly
           ,
           it
           is
           as
           much
           as
           if
           David
           had
           said
           ,
           Oh
           Lord
           !
           the
           Participations
           of
           thy
           Goodness
           are
           my
           Portion
           .
           Thy
           Word
           and
           thy
           Blessing
           ,
           thy
           Favour
           and
           Protection
           ,
           the
           assistance
           of
           thy
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           thy
           Love
           ,
           thy
           Gracious
           and
           Comfortable
           Presence
           now
           ,
           and
           the
           hope
           of
           enjoying
           thy
           Glorious
           Presence
           hereafter
           ;
           these
           are
           my
           Choice
           ,
           my
           Portion
           ,
           and
           my
           onely
           Treasure
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           take
           a
           short
           view
           of
           each
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           they
           amount
           together
           to
           a
           vast
           Portion
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Thy
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           Gracious
           manifestations
           of
           thy Self
           and
           of
           thy
           Will
           therein
           ,
           is
           to
           me
           a
           great
           Portion
           and
           Treasure
           .
           Nothing
           will
           be
           more
           plain
           to
           us
           ,
           than
           that
           David
           esteemed
           it
           so
           ;
           if
           we
           read
           over
           this
           Psalm
           ,
           and
           observe
           ,
           how
           often
           he
           
           mentions
           and
           celebrates
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           declares
           the
           great
           Love
           and
           Esteem
           that
           he
           had
           for
           his
           Statutes
           and
           Commandments
           .
           We
           may
           see
           it
           almost
           in
           every
           other
           Verse
           of
           the
           Psalm
           throughout
           .
           What
           Interjections
           of
           Love
           and
           Delight
           does
           he
           breath
           out
           upon
           this
           Occasion
           !
           v.
           97.
           
           
             Oh
             how
             I
             love
             thy
             Law
             !
             all
             the
             day
             long
             is
             my
             study
             in
             it
             .
          
           And
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Psalm
           ,
           vers
           .
           14.
           
           
             I
             have
             rejoyced
             in
             the
             way
             of
             thy
             Testimonies
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             all
             Riches
             .
          
           And
           vers
           .
           111.
           he
           professes
           that
           they
           were
           his
           Portion
           ,
           and
           his
           Joy.
           
             Thy
             Testimonies
             have
             I
             claimed
             as
             my
             heritage
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             why
             ?
             they
             are
             the
             very
             joy
             of
             my
             heart
             .
          
           Certainly
           ,
           howsoever
           we
           value
           it
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           singular
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           vouchsafes
           us
           his
           Word
           for
           our
           guidance
           and
           direction
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           ha's
           been
           pleased
           therein
           ,
           to
           discover
           to
           us
           somewhat
           of
           Himself
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           duty
           and
           happiness
           .
        
         
           Neither
           of
           these
           could
           be
           known
           any
           otherwise
           ,
           with
           any
           measure
           of
           Certainty
           ;
           and
           without
           the
           knowledg
           of
           them
           ,
           how
           sad
           and
           uncomfortable
           would
           our
           condition
           be
           ?
           To
           find
           in
           our selves
           desires
           after
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           to
           know
           what
           that
           Happiness
           is
           ,
           nor
           where
           to
           find
           it
           ;
           to
           feel
           our
           condition
           calamitous
           and
           unhappy
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           know
           to
           whom
           to
           address
           our selves
           for
           help
           ,
           nor
           upon
           what
           considerations
           to
           stay
           our
           minds
           ;
           to
           have
           a
           stormy
           and
           troublesome
           Journey
           to
           go
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           End
           of
           it
           ,
           no
           other
           repose
           than
           that
           of
           the
           
             Cold
             Grave
          
           and
           the
           Chambers
           of
           Death
           ;
           the
           Uncertainty
           it self
           ,
           and
           much
           
           more
           such
           Expectations
           ,
           would
           be
           sad
           and
           amazing
           .
           Yet
           such
           would
           our
           condition
           be
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           the
           Light
           of
           God's
           Holy
           Word
           ;
           which
           alone
           acquaints
           us
           with
           the
           Gracious
           Purposes
           of
           God
           towards
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           provision
           which
           he
           hath
           made
           for
           our
           everlasting
           Happiness
           after
           death
           ;
           whereby
           we
           are
           armed
           with
           courage
           and
           good
           Hope
           ,
           and
           inabled
           to
           bear
           all
           things
           cheerfully
           ,
           in
           a
           joyful
           apprehension
           and
           assured
           expectation
           of
           the
           Glory
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           revealed
           .
        
         
           Without
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           we
           could
           be
           at
           no
           Certainty
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           which
           would
           reduce
           us
           wholly
           to
           a
           life
           of
           Sense
           ,
           and
           render
           our
           condition
           no
           better
           that
           of
           the
           Beasts
           that
           perish
           .
           Nay
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           much
           worse
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Beasts
           .
           For
           though
           perhaps
           their
           Pleasures
           and
           Enjoyments
           are
           not
           so
           refined
           as
           those
           of
           Voluptuous
           men
           ;
           yet
           neither
           are
           they
           so
           Interrupted
           with
           the
           Conscience
           of
           death
           ,
           which
           as
           oft
           as
           it
           occurs
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Laughter
           ,
           is
           enough
           to
           make
           the
           Heart
           Sorrowful
           .
           And
           from
           this
           ,
           nothing
           can
           secure
           us
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           upon
           possible
           Conditions
           gives
           us
           hope
           of
           the
           Comforts
           and
           Joyes
           of
           the
           future
           Life
           .
        
         
           Briefly
           ,
           What
           Light
           is
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           is
           to
           the
           Soul.
           Take
           away
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           what
           do
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           Art
           and
           Nature
           signifie
           ?
           The
           World
           it self
           seems
           to
           be
           vanish't
           ,
           when
           the
           Light
           is
           gone
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           should
           so
           continue
           ,
           the
           
           World
           would
           be
           a
           Chaos
           ,
           and
           a
           Dungeon
           ,
           not
           worth
           the
           Inhabiting
           .
           So
           truly
           without
           this
           
             Divine
             Light
          
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           lost
           as
           to
           our
           spiritual
           and
           rational
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           our
           best
           Capacities
           ;
           which
           ought
           therefore
           to
           indear
           unto
           us
           the
           presence
           ,
           and
           possession
           of
           this
           Sacred
           Treasure
           ,
           and
           ingage
           us
           to
           
             walk
             in
             the
             Light
          
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           .
           As
           the
           Knowledg
           ,
           so
           much
           more
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           great
           Portion
           .
        
         
           Under
           this
           may
           be
           comprehended
           ,
           both
           the
           gracious
           Acts
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           Comforts
           and
           Assistances
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Divine
           Protection
           and
           Goodness
           :
           so
           David
           esteemed
           God
           his
           Portion
           .
           As
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ;
           Oh
           Lord
           !
           by
           thy
           Providence
           I
           live
           ,
           and
           by
           thy
           Goodness
           I
           am
           maintain'd
           and
           preserv'd
           ,
           and
           deliver'd
           out
           of
           all
           danger
           and
           distress
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           I
           have
           a
           comfortable
           life
           ,
           and
           a
           plentiful
           subsistence
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           know
           God
           rais'd
           him
           from
           the
           Sheepfold
           to
           the
           Throne
           ,
           )
           and
           what
           more
           can
           a
           man
           have
           to
           his
           Portion
           ?
           We
           might
           truly
           say
           the
           same
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           thankful
           hearts
           as
           he
           had
           ,
           to
           consider
           from
           whence
           our
           Blessings
           come
           .
           Our
           Houses
           ,
           our
           Lands
           ,
           our
           Wealth
           ,
           our
           Friends
           ,
           our
           Children
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           else
           we
           value
           ,
           or
           account
           dear
           to
           us
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           proceed
           all
           from
           the
           Bounty
           and
           gracious
           Providence
           of
           God.
           And
           therefore
           in
           reason
           ,
           these
           later
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           Causes
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           esteemed
           our
           Portion
           ,
           rather
           than
           the
           things
           themselves
           .
           The
           things
           themselves
           may
           be
           lost
           ,
           or
           
           taken
           from
           us
           ;
           but
           the
           Causes
           of
           them
           are
           a
           Treasure
           that
           cannot
           fail
           .
           
             The
             goodness
             of
             the
             Lord
             endures
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             ever
             ,
             upon
             them
             that
             fear
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             Righteousness
             upon
             Childrens
             Children
             .
          
           Psal.
           103.
           17.
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Aids
           of
           God's
           grace
           ,
           and
           the
           assistances
           of
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           ;
           so
           David
           accounted
           the
           Lord
           to
           be
           
             his
             Portion
          
           .
           As
           if
           he
           had
           faid
           ;
           When
           I
           consider
           the
           greatness
           of
           my
           sins
           already
           commited
           ,
           and
           the
           weakness
           and
           proneness
           of
           my
           Nature
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           same
           or
           the
           like
           again
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           provoke
           thy
           wrath
           ,
           and
           expose
           my self
           to
           the
           dreadful
           Effects
           of
           it
           :
           when
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           I
           consider
           that
           there
           is
           
             forgiveness
             with
             thee
          
           ,
           to
           pardon
           my
           sins
           ,
           and
           remit
           my
           deserved
           punishment
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           thou
           art
           pleased
           to
           give
           me
           grace
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           and
           tenderness
           of
           heart
           ,
           whereby
           I
           am
           preserv'd
           and
           restrain'd
           from
           running
           headlong
           into
           ruine
           :
           when
           I
           consider
           all
           this
           ,
           how
           infinitely
           do
           I
           find
           my self
           bound
           to
           thy
           Grace
           ,
           how
           deservedly
           ought
           I
           to
           esteem
           it
           my
           Portion
           and
           Treasure
           ?
           I
           should
           be
           a
           miserable
           Creature
           without
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           cannot
           but
           think
           my self
           happy
           ,
           in
           that
           thou
           art
           pleased
           to
           make
           me
           a
           partaker
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             my
             Portion
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           thy
           Presence
           ,
           and
           the
           hope
           of
           Enjoying
           thee
           ,
           is
           my
           Portion
           .
           As
           if
           it
           had
           been
           said
           ;
           This
           is
           that
           which
           I
           mainly
           aim
           at
           and
           long
           after
           ;
           this
           is
           that
           which
           I
           esteem
           my
           great
           and
           last
           Happiness
           :
           That
           after
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           thy
           gracious
           Presence
           here
           ,
           I
           shall
           enjoy
           thy
           Glorious
           
           Presence
           hereafter
           .
           This
           is
           indeed
           the
           great
           Portion
           and
           Inheritance
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           refuge
           ,
           and
           hope
           ,
           and
           expectation
           of
           every
           faithful
           person
           .
           Every
           thing
           besides
           this
           ,
           is
           too
           little
           and
           mean
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           Portion
           of
           an
           Immortal
           Creature
           .
        
         
           The
           place
           we
           now
           converse
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           that
           are
           before
           us
           ,
           are
           indeed
           fit
           accommodations
           for
           our
           Journey
           ,
           but
           these
           we
           must
           leave
           behind
           us
           to
           the
           next
           Travellers
           that
           come
           after
           .
           We
           may
           not
           abide
           by
           these
           ,
           but
           hasten
           towards
           
             another
             Countrey
          
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           heavenly
           ,
           where
           our
           Portion
           and
           Inheritance
           is
           reserved
           for
           us
           .
           On
           this
           Portion
           ,
           Abraham
           ,
           and
           Isaac
           ,
           and
           Jacob
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Holy
           Men
           of
           God
           ,
           have
           ever
           depended
           .
           And
           we
           find
           that
           it
           was
           the
           result
           of
           
           David's
           dependence
           in
           an
           eminent
           manner
           ,
           Ps.
           17.
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           Where
           David
           distinguisheth
           himself
           from
           the
           men
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           who
           have
           their
           portion
           in
           this
           life
           ;
           and
           declares
           what
           his
           portion
           was
           ;
           
             As
             for
             me
          
           ,
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             I
             will
             behold
             thy
             face
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             when
             I
             awake
             up
             after
             thy
             likeness
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             satisfied
             with
             it
          
           ;
           which
           is
           generally
           interpreted
           of
           the
           Presence
           of
           God
           in
           that
           blessed
           Estate
           after
           the
           Resurrection
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           first
           Argument
           to
           prove
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           this
           choice
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           Excellent
           things
           that
           are
           contained
           in
           this
           Portion
           ;
           the
           Knowledg
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Light
           and
           Comfort
           of
           his
           word
           ,
           the
           assistances
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           the
           protection
           of
           his
           providence
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           his
           favour
           and
           gracious
           presence
           here
           ,
           and
           the
           hope
           of
           the
           Vision
           and
           fruition
           of
           him
           in
           
           glory
           :
           To
           these
           may
           be
           added
           ,
           (
           as
           an
           inforcement
           to
           this
           first
           Argument
           ,
           )
           the
           excellent
           properties
           of
           this
           portion
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           contained
           in
           it
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           sufficiency
           ,
           and
           durableness
           of
           them
           ;
           as
           also
           their
           sutableness
           to
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           necessities
           of
           our
           Souls
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           One
           excellent
           property
           of
           this
           portion
           ,
           is
           its
           sufficiency
           .
           It
           is
           able
           of
           it self
           alone
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           .
           This
           property
           the
           Philosophers
           required
           in
           their
           
             Supreme
             God.
          
           But
           they
           knew
           not
           well
           ,
           where
           ,
           nor
           in
           what
           object
           ,
           to
           look
           for
           it
           :
           because
           they
           knew
           not
           God.
           They
           turned
           themselves
           first
           to
           one
           Object
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           another
           ;
           to
           health
           ,
           and
           wealth
           ,
           and
           honour
           ,
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           else
           they
           could
           devise
           .
           They
           found
           some
           worth
           and
           Convenience
           in
           many
           of
           these
           things
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           or
           self
           sufficiency
           ,
           which
           they
           required
           to
           the
           constitution
           of
           true
           happiness
           ,
           in
           vain
           did
           they
           seek
           for
           that
           in
           any
           Creature
           .
           Every
           thing
           under
           the
           Sun
           ,
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           is
           no
           better
           than
           
             Vanity
             and
             vexation
             of
             Spirit
          
           .
           The
           likeliest
           thing
           they
           could
           think
           on
           ,
           wherein
           to
           place
           Happiness
           ,
           was
           the
           Operation
           of
           Virtue
           ;
           which
           indeed
           is
           a
           Lovely
           and
           Venerable
           thing
           :
           but
           far
           enough
           (
           in
           many
           cases
           )
           from
           making
           the
           possessor
           happy
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           gracious
           Incourager
           and
           Rewarder
           of
           it
           .
           He
           alone
           hath
           that
           Fulness
           and
           All
           sufficiency
           in
           himself
           ,
           which
           can
           fill
           all
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           answer
           all
           our
           Wants
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           our
           utmost
           .
           Capacities
           .
        
         
         
           So
           David
           resolves
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           where
           he
           seems
           to
           put
           this
           Question
           ,
           concerning
           the
           happiness
           of
           Man
           ,
           
             Ps.
             4.
             6.
             
             Who
             will
             shew
             us
             any
             good
             ?
          
           he
           resolv's
           it
           thus
           ,
           
             Lord
             lift
             thou
             up
             the
             light
             of
             thy
             Countenance
             upon
             us
             .
          
           And
           in
           the
           following
           Verse
           ,
           he
           declares
           ;
           
             Thou
             hast
             put
             gladness
             in
             my
             heart
             ,
             more
             than
          
           ever
           Worldly
           men
           had
           
             in
             the
             time
             ,
             that
             their
             Corn
             and
             Wine
             and
             Oyt
             increased
             .
          
           And
           so
           again
           ,
           Psal.
           144.
           after
           he
           had
           reckoned
           up
           the
           Blessings
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           he
           concludes
           thus
           ;
           
             Happy
             are
             the
             people
             that
             are
             in
             such
             a
             case
             ,
             yea
             blessed
             are
             the
             people
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             Lord
             for
             their
             God.
             
          
        
         
           A
           Second
           Property
           of
           this
           Portion
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           and
           durable
           .
           It
           is
           the
           great
           disparagement
           of
           all
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           all
           finite
           and
           transitory
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           therefore
           justly
           reproves
           the
           folly
           of
           those
           Worldly
           great
           men
           ,
           who
           persuaded
           themselves
           ,
           that
           
             their
             houses
             should
             continue
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             their
             dwelling
             places
             to
             all
             generations
             ,
             and
             called
             their
             Lands
             after
             their
             own
             names
          
           ;
           whereas
           
             Man
             being
             in
             honour
             abideth
             not
             ,
             but
          
           (
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           present
           mortal
           condition
           )
           
             is
             like
             the
             Beasts
             that
             perish
             ,
          
           Ps.
           4.
           11
           ,
           12.
           
           Honour
           ,
           and
           Wealth
           are
           slippery
           things
           ,
           that
           can
           hardly
           be
           ensured
           to
           any
           man
           for
           the
           little
           time
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           certain
           they
           can
           be
           kept
           no
           longer
           .
           
             No
             man
             can
             carry
             away
             any
             thing
             with
             him
             when
             he
             dies
             ,
             neither
             shall
             his
             Pomp
             follow
             him
             .
          
        
         
           Daily
           Observation
           and
           Experience
           proves
           the
           
           same
           in
           all
           other
           Examples
           .
           The
           best
           things
           we
           have
           of
           this
           World
           are
           here
           to
           day
           and
           gone
           to
           morrow
           .
           A
           few
           daies
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           a
           few
           hours
           ,
           shall
           change
           the
           most
           Vigorous
           health
           into
           sickness
           ,
           and
           languishing
           .
           He
           who
           now
           lives
           delicately
           ,
           and
           at
           ease
           ,
           will
           within
           a
           short
           time
           be
           arrested
           ,
           if
           not
           with
           want
           ,
           yet
           with
           pains
           and
           infirmities
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           his
           good
           things
           tastless
           and
           unsavoury
           ,
           and
           bring
           him
           down
           to
           the
           Worms
           and
           Dust.
           He
           who
           is
           happy
           in
           his
           friends
           or
           relations
           ,
           must
           expect
           e're
           long
           to
           part
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           nothing
           left
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           the
           bare
           remembrance
           .
           The
           same
           is
           equally
           true
           of
           all
           other
           Worldly
           enjoyments
           .
           We
           may
           possibly
           out-live
           all
           our
           share
           of
           them
           .
           It
           has
           happen'd
           so
           to
           many
           ,
           the
           greatest
           men
           in
           their
           times
           ;
           such
           as
           
             Croesus
             ,
             Darius
             ,
             Perseus
          
           ,
           and
           many
           more
           ;
           who
           from
           great
           and
           high
           estates
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           from
           the
           top
           of
           Worldly
           felicity
           ,
           were
           
             tumbled
             down
          
           as
           in
           a
           moment
           into
           bonds
           and
           poverty
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           extremities
           of
           an
           unprosperous
           condition
           .
           But
           what
           need
           we
           examples
           of
           that
           ,
           when
           we
           see
           nothing
           in
           the
           World
           but
           Change
           and
           Uncertainty
           ,
           of
           which
           every
           one
           is
           or
           shall
           be
           an
           Example
           himself
           ,
           even
           thou
           who
           readest
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           he
           who
           has
           written
           .
           The
           World
           must
           fail
           every
           one
           who
           depends
           on
           it
           ,
           for
           two
           certain
           causes
           ;
           because
           that
           is
           mutable
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           mortal
           .
           God
           hath
           made
           every
           thing
           here
           mutable
           by
           the
           standing
           Laws
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           he
           hath
           made
           our
           condition
           here
           as
           well
           
           by
           the
           
             Laws
             and
             Constitutions
          
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           as
           by
           his
           positive
           Sentence
           and
           Appointment
           ;
           so
           that
           in
           either
           respect
           we
           can
           have
           here
           no
           durable
           certain
           portion
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           a
           weakness
           or
           rather
           madness
           is
           it
           ,
           to
           chuse
           that
           for
           ones
           portion
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           sure
           to
           lose
           ?
           how
           extremely
           miserable
           must
           his
           condition
           be
           ,
           when
           he
           comes
           to
           have
           his
           Portion
           taken
           from
           him
           ?
           When
           a
           man
           who
           has
           made
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           will
           and
           pleasure
           in
           it
           ,
           his
           only
           end
           and
           portion
           ,
           shall
           be
           strip't
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           have
           nothing
           left
           to
           carry
           with
           him
           when
           he
           goes
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           an
           accusing
           Conscience
           !
           nothing
           of
           good
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           as
           good
           hope
           lest
           ,
           to
           nourish
           and
           satisfie
           his
           Soul
           in
           its
           endless
           duration
           !
        
         
           How
           much
           a
           wiser
           and
           happier
           course
           shall
           we
           take
           ,
           to
           secure
           to
           our selves
           that
           
             other
             Portion
          
           which
           is
           certain
           and
           perpetual
           ?
           God
           is
           Eternal
           ,
           and
           his
           Favour
           is
           Endless
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           subject
           (
           in
           its
           own
           Nature
           )
           to
           diminution
           or
           decay
           .
           It
           lasts
           as
           long
           as
           we
           live
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           die
           ,
           it
           accompanies
           us
           into
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           and
           gives
           us
           comfort
           and
           confidence
           in
           his
           presence
           and
           the
           holy
           Angels
           ,
           and
           puts
           us
           into
           the
           possession
           of
           never-ceasing
           joyes
           .
           To
           this
           Portion
           therefore
           does
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           direct
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Matth.
             6.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
             Lay
             not
             up
             for
             your selves
             treasures
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             where
             rust
             and
             moth
             corrupt
             ,
             and
             where
             thieves
             break
             through
             and
             steal
             :
             but
             lay
             up
             for
             your selves
             Treasures
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             where
             neither
             rust
             nor
             moth
             do
             corrupt
             ,
             
             and
             where
             Thieves
             do
             not
             break
             through
             ,
             nor
             steal
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           This
           is
           such
           a
           Portion
           as
           provides
           for
           the
           necessities
           of
           the
           Soul.
           The
           comforts
           of
           it
           are
           spiritual
           and
           internal
           ,
           and
           so
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           rational
           and
           better
           part
           of
           Man.
           
        
         
           The
           Soul
           is
           a
           Principle
           distinct
           from
           the
           Body
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           this
           amongst
           other
           Arguments
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           satisfied
           with
           bodily
           Objects
           or
           Enjoyments
           .
           In
           the
           midst
           of
           these
           ,
           a
           man's
           mind
           may
           be
           ill
           at
           ease
           .
           It
           may
           be
           wounded
           with
           guilt
           ,
           or
           overwhelmed
           with
           sorrow
           ,
           or
           amazed
           with
           fear
           of
           the
           Divine
           Vengeance
           .
           It
           may
           be
           disturbed
           as
           Belshazzar
           was
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           Beasting
           and
           Jollity
           .
           It
           often
           happens
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           this
           kind
           of
           laughter
           ,
           
             the
             Heart
             is
             sad
             ,
             and
             the
             end
             of
             that
             mirth
             is
             heaviness
             .
          
           The
           Soul
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           satisfied
           with
           
             these
             things
          
           ,
           that
           the
           abundance
           of
           them
           is
           rather
           apt
           to
           cloud
           and
           debase
           and
           darken
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           its
           condition
           worse
           than
           it
           would
           be
           in
           the
           absence
           of
           such
           abundance
           .
           So
           that
           these
           are
           no
           suitable
           Portion
           for
           the
           Soul.
           We
           might
           as
           well
           expect
           to
           satisfie
           a
           hungry
           stomach
           with
           good
           words
           ,
           as
           to
           satisfie
           the
           Soul
           with
           sensual
           Enjoyments
           .
           These
           are
           as
           much
           too
           gross
           for
           the
           Soul
           ,
           as
           the
           other
           are
           too
           thin
           and
           meagre
           for
           the
           Body
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Portion
           here
           mentioned
           is
           abundantly
           sufficient
           to
           inrich
           and
           satisfie
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           The
           devout
           Contemplation
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Excellent
           Power
           ,
           Glory
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           do
           mightily
           raise
           
           and
           refine
           and
           delight
           the
           Soul
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           ?
           As
           he
           is
           the
           Author
           ,
           so
           he
           is
           the
           proper
           Object
           of
           our
           spirits
           ;
           which
           never
           seem
           to
           be
           at
           home
           ,
           but
           when
           they
           are
           conversant
           with
           him
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           was
           absurdly
           affirm'd
           by
           Epicurus
           ,
           (
           as
           Plutarch
           well
           Observes
           ,
           and
           largely
           proves
           ,
           )
           
           That
           the
           disbelief
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           future
           recompence
           ,
           tends
           to
           the
           quiet
           and
           happiness
           of
           mens
           lives
           ;
           whereas
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           true
           than
           the
           contrary
           .
           The
           very
           thoughts
           of
           God
           are
           better
           able
           to
           stay
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           calm
           our
           Passions
           ,
           and
           ease
           our
           troubles
           ,
           than
           any
           other
           consideration
           whatsoever
           .
           And
           the
           comforts
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           and
           assistances
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           and
           other
           Emanations
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           (
           such
           as
           have
           been
           mentioned
           ,
           )
           have
           that
           force
           upon
           our
           spirits
           ;
           that
           when
           we
           can
           attain
           to
           some
           sence
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           keep
           our selves
           in
           some
           moderate
           possession
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           think
           our selves
           happy
           in
           this
           imperfect
           state
           .
           
             We
             joy
             in
             God
             through
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Rom.
           5.
           11.
           and
           Vers.
           2.
           
           
             We
             rejoyce
             in
             hope
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             God.
          
           And
           Vers.
           165.
           of
           this
           Psalm
           ,
           
             Great
             peace
             have
             they
             who
             love
          
           thy
           Law.
           Now
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           and
           good
           Hope
           ,
           are
           the
           proper
           Entertainments
           of
           the
           Soul.
           And
           these
           issue
           naturally
           from
           a
           Religious
           application
           of
           our selves
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           sence
           of
           his
           favour
           ,
           by
           which
           our
           Minds
           are
           refreshed
           and
           comforted
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           until
           they
           can
           be
           restored
           to
           
           that
           Immense
           Fountain
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           to
           drink
           of
           those
           Rivers
           of
           Pleasure
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Thus
           much
           concerning
           the
           great
           things
           contained
           
             in
             this
             Portion
          
           ,
           and
           the
           excellent
           Properties
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           Head
           of
           Arguments
           to
           prove
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           this
           choice
           ,
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           Effects
           ,
           and
           Benefits
           that
           are
           consequent
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           Particularly
           ,
           1.
           
           The
           fixing
           of
           our
           hearts
           firmly
           upon
           God
           as
           our
           Portion
           ,
           is
           a
           good
           help
           to
           make
           us
           
             steady
             and
             constant
          
           in
           that
           which
           is
           good
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           the
           contrary
           evil
           of
           Inconstancy
           .
           We
           know
           of
           how
           great
           moment
           Constancy
           is
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
           It
           is
           a
           property
           that
           cannot
           be
           separated
           from
           it
           ,
           without
           frustrating
           the
           whole
           design
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           the
           great
           Condition
           our
           Saviour
           requires
           of
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             If
             ye
             continue
             in
             my
             Word
             ,
             then
             shall
             ye
             be
             my
             Disciples
             indeed
             ,
          
           Joh.
           8.
           31.
           and
           Chap.
           15.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           
             Abide
             in
             me
             and
             I
             in
             you
             .
             He
             that
             abideth
             in
             me
             ,
             the
             same
             bringeth
             forth
             much
             fruit
             .
             If
             a
             man
             abide
             not
             in
             me
             ,
             he
             is
             cast
             forth
             as
             a
             branch
             cut
             off
             from
             the
             Tree
             .
          
           Therefore
           
             Vers.
             9.
             
             Continue
             ye
             in
             my
             Love.
          
           There
           is
           scarcely
           any
           man
           so
           bad
           ,
           so
           utterly
           void
           of
           all
           sence
           of
           Religion
           or
           Humanity
           ,
           but
           that
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           he
           may
           do
           some
           worthy
           things
           .
           Nero
           himself
           ,
           whose
           name
           is
           so
           in-famous
           for
           Cruelty
           and
           Bloodshed
           ,
           is
           said
           once
           in
           his
           life
           to
           have
           wept
           ,
           when
           the
           Sentence
           of
           a
           Malefactor
           was
           brought
           to
           him
           to
           be
           signed
           ,
           and
           to
           wish
           that
           he
           could
           never
           have
           written
           .
        
         
         
           It
           is
           only
           
             Order
             ,
             Moderation
             ,
             and
             Constancy
             ,
          
           that
           shews
           a
           wise
           Man
           and
           a
           good
           Christian.
           All
           other
           things
           may
           be
           found
           in
           an
           indifferent
           and
           defective
           man.
           Now
           what
           likelier
           means
           can
           there
           be
           to
           establish
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           man
           constant
           ,
           than
           fixed
           and
           deliberate
           Choice
           ?
           When
           the
           Mind
           is
           engaged
           upon
           one
           Object
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           at
           liberty
           to
           rove
           and
           wander
           after
           others
           ?
           Whereas
           
             a
             double-minded
             man
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           one
           who
           is
           undetermined
           in
           his
           Judgment
           and
           Choice
           )
           
             is
             unstable
             in
             all
             his
             waies
             ,
          
           Jam.
           1.
           8.
           
        
         
           Such
           a
           one
           lives
           ,
           like
           a
           man
           that
           walks
           without
           any
           design
           ,
           who
           is
           indifferent
           ,
           what
           hast
           he
           makes
           ,
           or
           what
           path
           he
           takes
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           goes
           forward
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           he
           stands
           still
           ,
           and
           looks
           about
           him
           ,
           and
           by
           and
           by
           he
           turns
           aside
           to
           the
           next
           Object
           that
           invites
           his
           Eye
           :
           whereas
           he
           that
           is
           to
           run
           for
           the
           Goal
           ,
           makes
           all
           the
           hast
           that
           's
           possible
           .
           He
           listeth
           not
           to
           loyter
           nor
           to
           gaze
           ;
           but
           he
           bestirs
           himself
           with
           all
           his
           might
           ,
           because
           the
           Goal
           is
           in
           his
           eye
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           and
           reward
           of
           overcoming
           are
           in
           his
           thoughts
           .
           So
           't
           is
           likewise
           in
           this
           case
           ;
           he
           who
           hath
           not
           settled
           this
           in
           his
           heart
           ,
           That
           Religion
           is
           his
           business
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           alone
           is
           the
           Portion
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           other
           things
           are
           but
           vain
           ,
           or
           at
           the
           best
           but
           indifferent
           ;
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           turn
           aside
           to
           those
           Vanities
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           not
           yet
           learn'd
           to
           disesteem
           .
           But
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           he
           who
           is
           thus
           persuaded
           ,
           is
           not
           
           so
           like
           to
           go
           astray
           ;
           but
           having
           fixed
           his
           End
           ,
           and
           that
           so
           wisely
           ,
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           proceed
           more
           
             Evenly
             and
             Regularly
          
           toward
           the
           attainment
           of
           it
           .
           If
           any
           thing
           happens
           to
           come
           in
           his
           way
           to
           tempt
           or
           divert
           him
           ,
           he
           presently
           remembers
           that
           this
           is
           contrary
           to
           
             his
             measures
          
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           choice
           he
           has
           made
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           turns
           away
           from
           the
           Temptation
           ,
           and
           his
           heart
           turns
           towards
           God
           ,
           and
           minds
           him
           that
           He
           is
           his
           portion
           ,
           which
           it
           would
           be
           a
           madness
           to
           deprive
           himself
           of
           ,
           for
           any
           of
           the
           foolish
           momentary
           enjoyments
           of
           Sin.
           No
           doubt
           they
           ,
           who
           have
           seriously
           made
           such
           a
           Choice
           ,
           will
           find
           themselves
           to
           be
           thus
           engaged
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           scarcely
           any
           Temptation
           ,
           which
           such
           a
           posture
           of
           mind
           will
           not
           inable
           a
           good
           man
           to
           resist
           and
           overcome
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           benefit
           of
           making
           God
           our
           Choice
           and
           Portion
           ,
           appears
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Ease
             and
             Comfort
          
           of
           it
           in
           every
           Condition
           .
           First
           as
           for
           Ease
           ;
           't
           is
           an
           uneasie
           thing
           to
           have
           ones
           mind
           unsetled
           ,
           and
           much
           worse
           to
           have
           it
           setled
           on
           a
           wrong
           Object
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           case
           of
           all
           vitious
           and
           ungodly
           men
           .
           For
           either
           such
           men
           do
           not
           prefix
           to
           themselves
           any
           certain
           End
           ,
           but
           live
           at
           Large
           ,
           like
           the
           irrational
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           eat
           and
           drink
           and
           enjoy
           what
           's
           before
           them
           ,
           without
           considering
           any
           farther
           end
           of
           their
           being
           ;
           or
           else
           they
           addict
           themselves
           to
           some
           
             particular
             Vice
          
           or
           Vanity
           ,
           which
           instead
           of
           easing
           and
           comforting
           the
           mind
           ,
           afflicts
           and
           confounds
           it
           ,
           when
           a
           man
           comes
           to
           reflect
           on
           the
           miserable
           Choice
           he
           has
           made
           .
           On
           the
           
           other
           hand
           ,
           nothing
           can
           contribute
           more
           to
           a
           state
           of
           rest
           and
           inward
           satisfaction
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           one's
           Choice
           settled
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           it
           fixt
           so
           happily
           as
           upon
           God.
           This
           sets
           the
           whole
           business
           of
           a
           man's
           life
           at
           a
           stay
           ,
           and
           frees
           him
           from
           the
           solicitude
           of
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           trouble
           of
           farther
           consultation
           .
           It
           answers
           his
           mind
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           great
           Question
           of
           happiness
           ;
           and
           so
           settles
           his
           spirit
           ,
           and
           puts
           him
           into
           such
           a
           condition
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           not
           an
           easie
           matter
           to
           disturb
           the
           repose
           ,
           and
           happiness
           of
           his
           life
           .
           'T
           is
           likewise
           highly
           beneficial
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Comfort
           of
           it
           in
           every
           condition
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           be
           our
           portion
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           that
           we
           can
           want
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           good
           for
           us
           .
           For
           whatsoever
           is
           wanting
           in
           other
           kinds
           ,
           is
           abundantly
           made
           up
           in
           him
           .
           His
           love
           and
           favour
           ,
           and
           blessing
           ,
           and
           assistance
           ,
           the
           consideration
           of
           his
           gracious
           providence
           ,
           and
           the
           hopes
           of
           his
           glorious
           promises
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           whatsoever
           our
           outward
           condition
           be
           .
           There
           will
           be
           Concussions
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Troubles
           in
           mens
           particular
           affairs
           .
           Sad
           casualties
           ,
           sicknesses
           ,
           disappointments
           ,
           losses
           ,
           calumnies
           ,
           defamations
           ,
           oppression
           ,
           and
           violence
           ;
           these
           are
           the
           common
           Entertainments
           with
           which
           the
           World
           treats
           its
           guests
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           .
           All
           which
           ,
           tho
           they
           be
           grievous
           to
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           not
           that
           powerful
           ,
           nor
           
             malignant
             influence
          
           upon
           those
           who
           trust
           in
           God
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           upon
           others
           who
           live
           on
           themselves
           .
           If
           they
           happen
           to
           be
           surprized
           at
           the
           first
           approaches
           
           of
           trouble
           ,
           they
           soon
           recal
           and
           recover
           themselves
           .
           They
           know
           they
           have
           a
           friend
           ,
           and
           they
           look
           up
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           (
           like
           our
           Saviour's
           presence
           with
           his
           Disciples
           on
           the
           Sea
           )
           calms
           ,
           and
           stills
           the
           rage
           of
           their
           troubles
           ,
           and
           furnishes
           them
           with
           such
           considerations
           as
           these
           .
           What
           tho
           my
           Friends
           are
           taken
           from
           me
           ?
           yet
           God
           is
           with
           me
           ,
           who
           took
           me
           out
           of
           my
           Mother's
           Womb
           ,
           and
           hath
           susteined
           me
           ever
           since
           I
           was
           born
           .
           What
           tho
           my
           health
           be
           impair'd
           ,
           and
           my
           body
           grown
           feeble
           ,
           so
           that
           I
           cannot
           enjoy
           my self
           as
           formerly
           ?
           Alas
           !
           this
           is
           not
           the
           thing
           on
           which
           I
           depend
           ,
           this
           weakness
           may
           bring
           me
           nearer
           to
           that
           which
           is
           my
           
             main
             End
          
           ,
           of
           which
           if
           I
           secure
           my
           duty
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           neither
           pain
           ,
           nor
           age
           ,
           nor
           any
           other
           Accident
           can
           deprive
           me
           .
           What
           though
           my
           portion
           in
           the
           World
           be
           small
           ?
           yet
           I
           have
           the
           Creator
           and
           Disposer
           of
           it
           .
           Tho
           I
           am
           low
           ,
           he
           is
           high
           above
           all
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           his
           Providence
           takes
           a
           care
           of
           me
           .
           I
           am
           rich
           enough
           ,
           if
           I
           can
           but
           keep
           Patience
           and
           Integrity
           ,
           Lord
           thou
           art
           my
           Portion
           ,
           Oh!
           make
           me
           happy
           in
           a
           faithful
           adherence
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           communications
           of
           thy
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           enough
           .
        
         
           This
           has
           alwayes
           been
           the
           Refuge
           and
           Comfort
           of
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           retire
           to
           Him
           ,
           and
           there
           to
           hide
           and
           shelter
           themselves
           from
           the
           storms
           of
           this
           present
           evil
           World.
           This
           bore
           up
           
           Iob's
           spirit
           ,
           and
           helpt
           him
           to
           
             get
             above
          
           the
           miseries
           of
           his
           Condition
           ;
           
             I
             know
             that
             my
             Redeemer
             liveth
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Iob.
           19.
           25.
           
        
         
         
           The
           same
           was
           
           David's
           constant
           refuge
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           greatest
           dangers
           and
           distresses
           ,
           when
           he
           had
           nothing
           left
           to
           secure
           him
           ,
           but
           God's
           protection
           ;
           thought
           himself
           safer
           in
           that
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           security
           of
           Castles
           and
           fenced
           Cities
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           so
           often
           calls
           God
           his
           Refuge
           ,
           and
           strong
           hold
           ,
           his
           Castle
           ,
           and
           deliverer
           :
           Not
           only
           because
           he
           trusted
           that
           He
           would
           
             deliver
             him
             out
          
           of
           his
           troubles
           ,
           but
           because
           he
           found
           that
           he
           supported
           him
           under
           them
           ;
           and
           gave
           him
           such
           Comfort
           ,
           as
           made
           his
           Condition
           happy
           ,
           when
           in
           outward
           appearance
           it
           seemed
           to
           be
           desperate
           .
        
         
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           many
           Instances
           in
           the
           story
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           particularly
           after
           the
           sacking
           of
           
             Ziklag
             ,
             1
             Sam.
          
           30.
           6.
           
           Where
           the
           text
           saith
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           greatly
           distressed
           ;
           for
           the
           people
           spake
           of
           stoning
           him
           ;
           (
           but
           't
           is
           added
           in
           the
           close
           of
           the
           verse
           )
           but
           David
           encouraged
           himself
           in
           the
           Lord
           his
           God.
           The
           like
           he
           declareth
           of
           himself
           ,
           
             Ps.
             142.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             I
             looked
             on
             my
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             beheld
             ;
             but
             there
             was
             no
             man
             that
             would
             know
             me
             .
          
           Refuge
           failed
           me
           ,
           no
           man
           cared
           for
           my
           Soul.
           
             I
             cryed
             unto
             the
             O
             Lord
          
           ;
           I
           said
           ,
           thou
           art
           my
           Refuge
           and
           my
           Portion
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           the
           living
           .
           The
           same
           was
           the
           comfort
           of
           the
           
             three
             Children
          
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           no
           other
           prospect
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           a
           burning
           fiery
           Furnace
           .
           
             Our
             God
             whom
             we
             serve
             is
             able
             to
             deliver
             us
             ,
          
           Dan.
           3.
           17.
           
        
         
           To
           these
           we
           may
           add
           the
           Examples
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           First
           believers
           ;
           whose
           lives
           were
           a
           continual
           warfare
           ,
           yet
           they
           were
           
             more
             than
             Conquerors
          
           .
           They
           
           were
           compassed
           about
           with
           Evils
           on
           every
           side
           :
           but
           they
           were
           so
           far
           from
           being
           distressed
           or
           cast
           down
           at
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           joyed
           in
           God
           ,
           
             and
             rejoyced
             in
          
           their
           Tribulation
           .
           They
           had
           nothing
           ,
           yet
           
             having
             him
             for
             their
             Portion
          
           ,
           they
           were
           as
           though
           they
           had
           
             possessed
             all
             things
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           he
           who
           has
           thus
           setled
           his
           Affairs
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           or
           may
           be
           happy
           ,
           in
           despight
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           worst
           things
           he
           can
           meet
           with
           in
           it
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           granted
           to
           have
           taken
           a
           very
           wise
           course
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           made
           a
           very
           wise
           and
           beneficial
           Choice
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           Benefit
           of
           it
           is
           seen
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           an
           infallible
           means
           to
           mortify
           us
           to
           this
           World
           ;
           because
           it
           engages
           us
           not
           to
           make
           any
           
             other
             thing
          
           our
           Portion
           .
           But
           this
           will
           fall
           in
           most
           fitly
           with
           the
           last
           particular
           ,
           which
           shall
           be
           ,
           to
           Enquire
           ,
           by
           
             what
             means
          
           we
           may
           compass
           this
           great
           End
           and
           business
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           To
           have
           God
           for
           our
           Portion
           .
        
         
           The
           best
           direction
           in
           this
           case
           will
           be
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           we
           chuse
           him
           for
           our
           Portion
           .
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           as
           David
           resolves
           in
           the
           close
           of
           the
           verse
           ,
           
             I
             have
             said
             that
             I
             will
             keep
             thy
             word
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           to
           chuse
           him
           for
           our
           portion
           ,
           is
           the
           way
           to
           make
           him
           so
           .
           If
           this
           seem
           a
           small
           or
           easie
           matter
           ,
           we
           must
           know
           that
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           comprehended
           in
           this
           Choice
           .
           It
           implyes
           that
           we
           prefer
           God
           in
           our
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           Esteem
           ,
           above
           all
           other
           things
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           prefer
           his
           Love
           and
           Service
           ,
           
           before
           all
           the
           delights
           ,
           and
           present
           advantages
           of
           Sin.
           It
           amounts
           in
           effect
           to
           what
           was
           mentioned
           before
           ,
           That
           we
           make
           not
           any
           
             other
             thing
          
           our
           portion
           .
           Other
           things
           we
           may
           have
           ,
           and
           esteem
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           them
           two
           ,
           in
           their
           just
           measure
           and
           degree
           :
           but
           we
           must
           not
           overvalue
           them
           ,
           nor
           dote
           on
           them
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           bestow
           our
           hearts
           on
           them
           ,
           nor
           repose
           our
           trust
           and
           happiness
           in
           them
           .
           God
           must
           be
           uppermost
           in
           our
           love
           and
           esteem
           ,
           (
           as
           
             Solomon
             chose
          
           Wisdom
           before
           Riches
           and
           Honour
           )
           otherwise
           he
           will
           not
           be
           our
           Portion
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           purpose
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           told
           us
           in
           effect
           ,
           That
           we
           cannot
           have
           our
           Treasure
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           Matt.
           6.
           19.
           
           He
           hath
           told
           us
           ,
           That
           we
           cannot
           
             serve
             two
             Masters
             ,
             God
          
           and
           Mammon
           ;
           if
           the
           one
           be
           our
           Portion
           ,
           the
           other
           cannot
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           we
           are
           allowed
           to
           love
           other
           things
           ,
           how
           shall
           we
           know
           whether
           we
           make
           them
           our
           Portion
           or
           not
           ?
           We
           may
           know
           it
           by
           the
           room
           and
           place
           those
           things
           have
           in
           our
           hearts
           .
           If
           they
           have
           the
           preheminence
           ,
           they
           are
           our
           Portion
           ;
           for
           two
           Chiefs
           or
           Principals
           cannot
           consist
           together
           in
           our
           choice
           .
           If
           God
           be
           our
           Portion
           ,
           all
           other
           things
           will
           be
           chosen
           ,
           and
           loved
           ,
           and
           used
           in
           subordination
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           love
           and
           Service
           .
        
         
           It
           will
           not
           be
           difficult
           for
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           observe
           the
           motions
           of
           our
           own
           hearts
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           Judgment
           concerning
           our selves
           .
           In
           the
           Course
           of
           business
           and
           Temptation
           ,
           we
           may
           sometimes
           observe
           a
           kind
           of
           
           Competition
           betwixt
           God
           and
           our selves
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           betwixt
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           our
           corrupt
           Inclination
           and
           Interests
           .
           Now
           when
           't
           is
           come
           to
           a
           
             struggle
             and
             Competition
             in
          
           the
           Will
           ,
           observe
           which
           side
           usually
           prevails
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           soon
           know
           how
           the
           case
           is
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           awe
           and
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           Religious
           sense
           of
           our
           duty
           ,
           prevail
           ;
           we
           may
           conclude
           we
           are
           right
           so
           far
           .
           But
           if
           vain
           and
           corrupt
           inclinations
           prevail
           ;
           we
           may
           so
           far
           conclude
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           not
           our
           Portion
           .
           For
           that
           is
           every
           mans
           Portion
           ,
           which
           he
           prefers
           ,
           and
           values
           ,
           and
           seeks
           after
           most
           :
           Indeed
           it
           is
           in
           effect
           his
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           being
           carried
           out
           after
           it
           with
           love
           and
           delight
           ,
           is
           that
           Idolatry
           of
           the
           heart
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           .
           For
           Instance
           ,
           He
           who
           sets
           his
           heart
           on
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           hunts
           after
           riches
           unreasonably
           ,
           and
           sticks
           not
           to
           violate
           his
           Duty
           and
           his
           Conscience
           for
           the
           gaining
           and
           keeping
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           prefers
           them
           before
           the
           true
           Riches
           ;
           such
           a
           man
           
             has
             his
             portion
             in
             this
             World
             ,
          
           and
           is
           guilty
           of
           that
           Covetousness
           ,
           which
           the
           Scripture
           calls
           Idolatry
           .
           The
           ambitious
           man
           likewise
           ,
           who
           will
           do
           any
           thing
           to
           be
           great
           ,
           and
           climbs
           up
           to
           it
           by
           base
           complainces
           and
           unworthy
           Actions
           ,
           he
           has
           made
           choice
           of
           his
           Object
           ,
           Vanity
           is
           his
           Portion
           :
           And
           so
           for
           those
           who
           make
           their
           Belly
           and
           their
           pleasure
           their
           God
           ,
           meat
           and
           drink
           and
           other
           base
           sensual
           Liberties
           are
           their
           Portion
           .
           So
           likewise
           the
           Envious
           and
           Malicious
           ,
           who
           will
           contrive
           and
           repay
           evil
           ,
           and
           practise
           
           revenge
           (
           contrary
           to
           the
           express
           will
           and
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           )
           mischief
           is
           their
           darling
           and
           their
           Portion
           .
           The
           thing
           is
           as
           true
           in
           all
           other
           Instances
           ,
           where
           't
           is
           plain
           that
           our
           duty
           lyes
           on
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           Sin
           on
           the
           other
           .
           If
           we
           see
           the
           sin
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           accept
           of
           the
           Temptation
           to
           it
           ,
           we
           do
           by
           just
           Interpretation
           prefer
           it
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           rewards
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           take
           it
           for
           our
           Portion
           .
           That
           which
           sways
           a
           mans
           will
           ,
           and
           bears
           rule
           within
           him
           ,
           and
           disposes
           of
           him
           and
           his
           Actions
           ,
           is
           in
           very
           truth
           his
           Idol
           ;
           howsoever
           he
           may
           flatter
           himself
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           or
           persuade
           himself
           ,
           through
           his
           partiality
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           interpret
           it
           otherwise
           .
           Consequent
           to
           this
           first
           means
           of
           making
           God
           our
           Portion
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           holy
           and
           happy
           temper
           of
           being
           Indifferent
           to
           the
           things
           of
           this
           Life
           .
           If
           we
           can
           be
           moderate
           ,
           and
           Indifferent
           about
           these
           ,
           't
           is
           an
           evidence
           that
           our
           hearts
           do
           not
           cleave
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           do
           not
           look
           on
           them
           as
           our
           Portion
           .
           This
           indifferency
           consists
           in
           an
           eveness
           of
           mind
           towards
           temporal
           good
           and
           evil
           :
           not
           to
           value
           ,
           or
           love
           ,
           or
           desire
           the
           one
           ,
           as
           though
           our
           Happiness
           depended
           on
           it
           ;
           nor
           to
           dread
           the
           other
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           think
           our selves
           miserable
           and
           undone
           ,
           when
           any
           temporal
           evil
           befals
           us
           ;
           but
           to
           look
           upon
           both
           with
           a
           deference
           and
           submission
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           always
           esteeming
           him
           as
           our
           main
           refuge
           and
           dependence
           .
           For
           the
           maintaining
           and
           preserving
           of
           which
           good
           indifferency
           ,
           we
           must
           take
           heed
           of
           eager
           and
           importunate
           
           desires
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           of
           excessive
           fears
           and
           solicitude
           on
           the
           other
           .
           For
           people
           to
           be
           sick
           for
           any
           thing
           they
           desire
           ,
           as
           Ahab
           was
           for
           
           Naboth's
           Vineyard
           ,
           1
           Kings
           ,
           21.
           
           Or
           to
           be
           clamorous
           ,
           and
           importunate
           ,
           as
           Rachel
           was
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             give
             me
             Children
             or
             else
             I
             dye
             ,
          
           Gen.
           30.
           1.
           
           Or
           to
           be
           distressed
           at
           any
           cross
           accident
           ,
           as
           Rebecca
           was
           ,
           only
           on
           supposition
           of
           
           Jacob's
           marrying
           one
           of
           the
           Daughters
           of
           Heth
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             What
             good
             shall
             my
             Life
             do
             me
             ?
          
           Gen.
           27.
           46.
           
           Or
           indeed
           as
           David
           was
           for
           his
           ungracious
           Son
           Absalom
           ,
           when
           God
           had
           but
           newly
           delivered
           him
           out
           of
           his
           hand
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           wish
           ,
           
             would
             God
             I
             had
             died
             for
             thee
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           18.
           33.
           
           It
           is
           too
           much
           for
           good
           people
           to
           be
           thus
           Violently
           concerned
           for
           any
           of
           these
           things
           .
           When
           we
           fear
           things
           ,
           or
           grieve
           for
           them
           ,
           with
           so
           much
           dejection
           and
           distress
           of
           mind
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           sign
           we
           lov'd
           them
           too
           well
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           do
           not
           depend
           upon
           God
           so
           entirely
           as
           we
           ought
           :
           and
           so
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           when
           we
           long
           for
           any
           thing
           with
           so
           great
           Ardour
           ,
           and
           Intensness
           of
           desire
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           sign
           we
           place
           our
           happiness
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           could
           be
           willing
           to
           quit
           all
           else
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           it
           our
           Portion
           .
           It
           argues
           that
           we
           look
           not
           much
           unto
           God
           ,
           nor
           regard
           what
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           but
           accomplish
           our
           own
           desires
           on
           any
           Terms
           .
           Such
           eagerness
           and
           impetuousness
           of
           affection
           shews
           ,
           that
           our
           minds
           are
           not
           stayed
           upon
           God
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           look
           after
           other
           things
           besides
           him
           as
           Principal
           Ingredients
           of
           our
           happiness
           .
           It
           shews
           that
           we
           are
           not
           
             rooted
             and
             
             grounded
          
           in
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           Wills
           are
           not
           sufficiently
           subdued
           to
           his
           Holy
           Will
           and
           just
           Government
           .
           It
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           consequence
           therefore
           ,
           to
           have
           this
           indifferency
           firmly
           settled
           in
           our
           minds
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           will
           minister
           greatly
           to
           the
           ease
           and
           happiness
           of
           our
           lives
           ;
           and
           without
           which
           ,
           in
           some
           good
           measure
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           said
           in
           any
           tolerable
           sence
           to
           have
           God
           for
           our
           Portion
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           If
           we
           would
           have
           God
           for
           our
           Portion
           ,
           we
           must
           do
           as
           David
           here
           resolves
           and
           promiseth
           ,
           
             I
             said
          
           (
           or
           I
           have
           promised
           )
           
             that
             I
             would
             keep
             thy
             Word
             .
          
        
         
           To
           keep
           God's
           word
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           ,
           as
           to
           do
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           which
           the
           Psalmist
           subjoyns
           as
           the
           condition
           of
           that
           high
           priviledge
           of
           having
           God
           for
           his
           Portion
           .
        
         
           He
           is
           not
           to
           be
           had
           on
           any
           other
           Terms
           ;
           neither
           are
           we
           to
           expect
           that
           he
           will
           make
           us
           happy
           in
           his
           favour
           ,
           when
           we
           provoke
           him
           with
           our
           Sins
           .
           These
           intercept
           the
           Influences
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           and
           obscure
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Countenance
           .
           They
           displease
           ,
           and
           provoke
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           unmeet
           for
           the
           Portion
           and
           Inheritance
           of
           his
           Children
           .
           If
           we
           would
           have
           him
           for
           our
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           his
           People
           ;
           and
           how
           can
           that
           be
           made
           appear
           ,
           but
           by
           being
           governed
           by
           his
           Laws
           ?
           This
           is
           the
           constant
           Tenour
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           pretence
           ,
           nor
           priviledge
           whatsoever
           ,
           that
           can
           entitle
           us
           to
           the
           blessings
           of
           it
           ,
           unless
           we
           walk
           as
           the
           People
           of
           God.
           'T
           is
           not
           enough
           that
           we
           call
           our selves
           his
           People
           ,
           
           neither
           is
           it
           enough
           to
           do
           as
           those
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           Prophet
           
             Ezech.
             33.
             31.
             
             They
             sit
             before
             thee
             as
             my
             people
             ,
             and
             hear
             thy
             words
             ,
             but
             they
             will
             not
             do
             them
             ,
             for
             with
             their
             mouth
             they
             shew
             much
             love
             ,
             but
             their
             heart
             goeth
             after
             their
             Covetousness
             .
          
           God
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           by
           such
           Pretences
           ,
           neither
           will
           he
           be
           flattered
           ,
           where
           he
           is
           not
           truly
           loved
           and
           obeyed
           .
           The
           truth
           of
           which
           is
           to
           be
           tryed
           by
           that
           rule
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Rom.
           6.
           16.
           
           
             Whom
             ye
             yield
             your selves
             Servants
             to
             obey
             ,
             his
             Servants
             ye
             are
             to
             whom
             ye
             obey
             ,
             whether
             of
             Sin
             unto
             death
             ,
             or
             of
             obedience
             unto
             Righteousness
             .
          
           It
           is
           not
           enough
           that
           we
           wear
           his
           Livery
           ,
           or
           bear
           the
           badge
           of
           his
           Servants
           ;
           but
           we
           must
           do
           him
           actual
           service
           ,
           otherwise
           we
           cannot
           expect
           to
           receive
           wages
           from
           him
           .
        
         
           God
           was
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           the
           God
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           he
           calls
           himself
           a
           
             Husband
             to
             Israel
          
           ;
           but
           when
           they
           deserted
           his
           service
           ,
           and
           committed
           abomination
           ,
           he
           retracted
           that
           Relation
           ;
           and
           commanded
           the
           Prophet
           to
           use
           the
           name
           
             Lo-ammi●
             for
             ye
             are
             not
             my
             people
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             not
             be
             your
             God.
          
           Hos.
           1.
           9.
           and
           Chapter
           2.
           2.
           
             she
             is
             not
             my
             wife
             ,
             neither
             am
             I
             her
             Husband
             .
          
           God
           will
           not
           be
           ours
           ,
           unless
           we
           be
           His
           ,
           neither
           will
           it
           avail
           us
           to
           be
           his
           in
           Name
           only
           ,
           but
           we
           must
           be
           so
           in
           deed
           and
           in
           truth
           .
        
         
           After
           all
           this
           it
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           frail
           sinful
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           great
           security
           and
           confidence
           lyes
           in
           the
           Infinite
           Mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           merits
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           But
           't
           is
           a
           Religious
           care
           over
           our selves
           and
           over
           our
           ways
           ,
           that
           qualifies
           ,
           
           and
           makes
           us
           fit
           for
           the
           mercy
           of
           God
           :
           that
           he
           may
           pardon
           that
           ,
           wherein
           through
           weakness
           we
           come
           short
           of
           our
           duty
           .
           This
           was
           the
           Course
           that
           David
           took
           ,
           whom
           we
           find
           begging
           of
           God
           for
           mercy
           ,
           vers
           .
           2.
           
             be
             merciful
             unto
             me
             according
             to
             thy
             word
          
           ;
           but
           withal
           he
           resolves
           in
           this
           verse
           ,
           
             to
             keep
             God's
             Law
          
           ,
           and
           vers
           .
           3.
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           performed
           what
           he
           promised
           ,
           
             I
             turned
             my
             Feet
             to
             thy
             Testimonies
             .
          
           And
           so
           Iob
           ,
           tho
           his
           great
           Confidence
           was
           in
           God
           ,
           yet
           the
           sence
           of
           his
           own
           Integrity
           made
           his
           confidence
           more
           rational
           ,
           and
           satisfied
           him
           that
           it
           was
           not
           only
           a
           vain
           presumption
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           thought
           it
           fit
           to
           make
           protestation
           of
           his
           Innocency
           and
           Integrity
           ▪
           Chapter
           31.
           
           To
           this
           purpose
           our
           Saviour
           plainly
           tells
           that
           young
           man
           ,
           Mat.
           19.
           17.
           
             if
             thou
             wilt
             enter
             into
             life
             ,
             keep
             the
             Commandments
             .
          
           Where
           he
           makes
           the
           one
           of
           these
           the
           necessary
           Condition
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           implies
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           can
           obtain
           Eternal
           life
           without
           keeping
           the
           Commandments
           .
        
         
           One
           thing
           more
           may
           be
           observ'd
           from
           the
           form
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           or
           I
           have
           promised
           ,
           that
           I
           would
           keep
           thy
           words
           ;
           the
           Psalmist
           seems
           here
           to
           call
           to
           mind
           ,
           and
           renew
           some
           former
           resolution
           and
           promise
           ,
           whereby
           he
           had
           more
           solemnly
           devoted
           himself
           to
           the
           Service
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Herein
           we
           shall
           do
           well
           to
           follow
           his
           Example
           .
           Doubtless
           good
           Resolutions
           (
           not
           to
           speak
           now
           of
           Vowes
           )
           are
           of
           great
           use
           to
           help
           to
           keep
           us
           close
           to
           our
           duty
           .
           For
           when
           a
           man
           finds
           himself
           ,
           bound
           
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           by
           his
           own
           act
           and
           deed
           ,
           and
           engag'd
           by
           a
           Covenant
           which
           he
           has
           made
           with
           himself
           ,
           upon
           the
           best
           and
           most
           important
           Reasons
           ;
           this
           cannot
           but
           strengthen
           him
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           his
           duty
           .
           David
           bound
           himself
           in
           the
           strictest
           bonds
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           as
           is
           more
           fully
           exprest
           ,
           verse
           ,
           106.
           
           
             I
             have
             sworn
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             perform
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             keep
             thy
             Righteous
             Iudgements
             .
          
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           as
           this
           is
           useful
           to
           our selves
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           available
           with
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           obtaining
           of
           his
           favour
           .
           For
           when
           we
           thus
           dedicate
           and
           devote
           our selves
           and
           our
           lives
           to
           his
           service
           ,
           it
           will
           move
           him
           to
           communicate
           
             himself
             more
          
           freely
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           become
           our
           Portion
           .
        
         
           The
           design
           of
           all
           that
           has
           been
           said
           ,
           is
           first
           to
           move
           every
           considerate
           person
           ,
           to
           enter
           into
           Account
           with
           himself
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           Choice
           he
           has
           made
           .
           Let
           him
           ask
           himself
           what
           has
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           his
           main
           business
           ,
           and
           design
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           answer
           his
           Conscience
           will
           make
           him
           .
        
         
           If
           he
           have
           yet
           made
           no
           settled
           Choice
           ,
           he
           has
           done
           very
           unwisely
           in
           spending
           so
           much
           time
           without
           design
           .
           If
           he
           have
           made
           
             a
             wrong
             Choice
          
           ,
           it
           is
           high
           time
           to
           inquire
           into
           it
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           he
           may
           be
           convinced
           of
           his
           Error
           ,
           and
           amend
           it
           .
        
         
           Let
           him
           know
           then
           that
           every
           one
           who
           lives
           in
           any
           vice
           or
           custom
           of
           Sin
           ,
           is
           justly
           interpreted
           to
           have
           made
           that
           his
           Choice
           ;
           although
           perhaps
           he
           have
           not
           chosen
           it
           with
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           a
           formal
           
           Deliberation
           and
           Election
           .
           Now
           for
           the
           recovery
           of
           such
           a
           one
           ,
           't
           is
           necessary
           for
           him
           to
           make
           an
           Estimate
           of
           the
           quality
           and
           true
           Value
           of
           that
           which
           he
           has
           accepted
           of
           for
           his
           Portion
           .
           And
           indeed
           in
           this
           respect
           a
           vitious
           person
           may
           be
           said
           to
           have
           some
           advantage
           by
           his
           folly
           ;
           because
           he
           is
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           convinc't
           out
           of
           his
           own
           experience
           ,
           of
           the
           Emptiness
           ,
           vexation
           ,
           and
           dissatisfaction
           of
           the
           wayes
           of
           Sin.
           If
           such
           a
           one
           would
           but
           hearken
           to
           his
           own
           reason
           ,
           and
           conscience
           ,
           or
           if
           he
           would
           but
           diligently
           consult
           his
           Memory
           ,
           I
           believe
           it
           might
           be
           left
           to
           himself
           to
           make
           his
           own
           Choice
           without
           any
           farther
           direction
           .
           Let
           him
           turn
           back
           ,
           and
           see
           of
           what
           nature
           those
           things
           are
           ,
           about
           which
           he
           has
           been
           busied
           all
           this
           while
           .
           Let
           him
           ask
           his
           Soul
           ,
           whether
           he
           has
           found
           comfort
           ,
           or
           satisfaction
           ,
           in
           any
           of
           those
           things
           which
           he
           has
           hunted
           after
           with
           the
           neglect
           ,
           or
           gross
           Violation
           of
           his
           duty
           ;
           what
           good
           any
           of
           his
           Sins
           ever
           did
           him
           ;
           and
           whether
           he
           has
           any
           reasonable
           hopes
           that
           they
           will
           do
           him
           good
           in
           the
           End
           ?
           Whether
           he
           can
           think
           that
           any
           of
           those
           things
           which
           he
           has
           seen
           ,
           or
           enjoyed
           ,
           or
           addicted
           himself
           to
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           are
           a
           fit
           Portion
           for
           an
           immortal
           Creature
           ?
           whether
           he
           has
           met
           with
           any
           Object
           ,
           that
           is
           able
           to
           make
           him
           substantially
           happy
           ,
           and
           to
           secure
           him
           in
           that
           happy
           State
           ?
           He
           must
           be
           more
           than
           an
           Ordinary
           wretch
           ,
           that
           will
           pretend
           to
           affirm
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           be
           no
           such
           Object
           here
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           sure
           he
           has
           been
           wrong
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           and
           
           it
           concerns
           him
           now
           to
           make
           a
           wise
           and
           a
           better
           Choice
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           but
           duly
           attend
           to
           them
           ,
           our
           own
           minds
           will
           point
           and
           direct
           us
           to
           God.
           They
           naturally
           incline
           towards
           him
           ,
           as
           things
           do
           towards
           their
           center
           and
           place
           of
           rest
           .
           He
           is
           the
           
             Supreme
             good
          
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           alone
           is
           to
           be
           chosen
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           things
           to
           be
           neglected
           ,
           and
           despised
           ,
           in
           Comparison
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           conscious
           to
           our selves
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           made
           this
           choice
           ,
           it
           should
           engage
           us
           to
           exercise
           great
           degrees
           of
           Patience
           and
           Contentment
           ;
           and
           help
           to
           moderate
           our
           fears
           and
           sorrows
           for
           other
           things
           .
           For
           why
           ?
           if
           God
           be
           our
           Portion
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           enough
           ?
           is
           not
           he
           Alsufficient
           ?
           cannot
           he
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           unless
           the
           World
           also
           smile
           upon
           us
           ?
           Indeed
           we
           are
           too
           apt
           to
           think
           so
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           for
           want
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           an
           holy
           dependance
           upon
           God.
           If
           we
           could
           live
           up
           to
           the
           Effects
           of
           having
           God
           for
           our
           Portion
           ,
           it
           would
           mightily
           raise
           and
           inable
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           set
           us
           much
           above
           the
           reach
           of
           worldly
           Successes
           and
           Events
           .
           Too
           great
           concernment
           about
           these
           is
           a
           disparaging
           of
           our
           Choice
           ,
           and
           discovers
           Worldliness
           ,
           Irresolution
           ,
           and
           Folly.
           'T
           is
           to
           imitate
           the
           folly
           of
           that
           Miser
           ,
           who
           pin'd
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           smoak
           ,
           when
           his
           Coffers
           were
           full
           ,
           and
           his
           Fortune
           over-flowed
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           as
           we
           ought
           to
           chuse
           God
           for
           our
           Portion
           ,
           so
           ought
           we
           to
           live
           continually
           in
           the
           View
           and
           
           sense
           of
           the
           choice
           we
           have
           made
           ;
           that
           so
           we
           may
           neither
           forget
           our
           engagements
           ,
           nor
           contradict
           what
           we
           have
           done
           ,
           nor
           frustrate
           our selves
           of
           our
           main
           End
           ,
           by
           any
           contrary
           intermediate
           Actions
           .
           Every
           way
           of
           Wickedness
           makes
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           our
           Choice
           in
           this
           kind
           is
           but
           dissembled
           ,
           &
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           of
           truth
           or
           reality
           in
           it
           .
           For
           how
           can
           any
           one
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           his
           Portion
           ,
           when
           he
           prefer's
           
             other
             things
          
           ?
           How
           can'st
           thou
           ,
           without
           blushing
           and
           confusion
           ,
           say
           to
           God
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             my
             Portion
          
           ,
           when
           thy
           heart
           goes
           another
           way
           ;
           and
           thou
           followest
           thy
           own
           will
           and
           ways
           and
           Inclinations
           ,
           which
           are
           contrary
           to
           
             his
             will
          
           ,
           and
           the
           rules
           and
           Laws
           which
           he
           has
           prescribed
           ?
           Thou
           mayest
           not
           think
           that
           he
           will
           be
           thy
           Portion
           ever
           the
           more
           for
           such
           a
           nominal
           ,
           pretended
           ,
           superficial
           Choice
           .
        
         
           What
           therefore
           must
           we
           do
           ?
           We
           must
           keep
           close
           to
           our
           Choice
           ,
           and
           see
           that
           our
           behaviour
           may
           be
           agreeable
           to
           it
           .
           We
           must
           often
           call
           it
           to
           mind
           ,
           and
           keep
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           alwaies
           in
           our
           Eye
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           View
           of
           that
           (
           as
           of
           our
           Port
           )
           we
           shall
           be
           directed
           the
           better
           to
           steer
           our
           Course
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           likewise
           often
           recollect
           ,
           and
           call
           to
           mind
           ,
           our
           
             setled
             Religious
             Principles
          
           .
           We
           should
           thus
           commune
           with
           our
           hearts
           ,
           I
           have
           determined
           long
           ago
           ,
           that
           nothing
           in
           this
           World
           is
           to
           be
           depended
           on
           for
           happiness
           .
           I
           will
           therefore
           use
           and
           enjoy
           every
           thing
           here
           as
           tho
           
             I
             did
             it
             not
          
           .
           I
           believe
           ,
           and
           by
           Experience
           find
           ,
           that
           God
           alone
           is
           able
           to
           satisfie
           my
           
           Soul
           ;
           my
           business
           therefore
           shall
           be
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           and
           seek
           his
           Favour
           .
           I
           am
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           the
           great
           business
           and
           concernment
           of
           every
           one
           ,
           is
           ,
           so
           to
           order
           their
           lives
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           dye
           well
           ,
           and
           live
           with
           God
           for
           ever
           ,
           when
           this
           Minute
           of
           life
           is
           expired
           .
           And
           being
           thus
           convinced
           ,
           and
           persuaded
           ▪
           I
           know
           I
           ought
           not
           to
           go
           against
           my
           own
           sentiments
           ,
           but
           to
           live
           according
           to
           my
           Principles
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           my
           aims
           and
           expectations
           .
           I
           have
           chosen
           God
           for
           my
           Portion
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           highest
           priviledge
           any
           Creature
           is
           capable
           of
           .
           I
           am
           therefore
           bound
           to
           walk
           worthy
           of
           this
           
             high
             calling
          
           as
           far
           as
           I
           am
           able
           ;
           and
           so
           to
           exercise
           ,
           and
           accustom
           my self
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           be
           the
           better
           fitted
           for
           the
           holy
           Presence
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           God.
           Such
           principles
           imprinted
           on
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           often
           resorted
           to
           ,
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           infer
           and
           produce
           such
           good
           effects
           .
        
         
           The
           good
           God
           give
           every
           one
           of
           us
           the
           Wisdom
           to
           chuse
           the
           
             better
             part
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Grace
           so
           to
           apply
           our selves
           to
           the
           obtaining
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           
             it
             may
             not
             be
             taken
             away
             from
             us
             .
          
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A37223-e240
           
             Epist.
             71.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .