our_o enemy_n yet_o he_o be_v still_o like_o we_o in_o the_o main_a and_o perhaps_o but_o too_o like_o we_o in_o that_o for_o which_o we_o find_v so_o much_o fault_n with_o he_o a_o proneness_n to_o offer_v affront_n and_o injury_n and_o there_o be_v a_o essential_a relation_n as_o well_o as_o likeness_n between_o one_o man_n and_o another_o which_o nothing_o can_v ever_o dissolve_v because_o it_o be_v found_v in_o that_o which_o no_o man_n can_v divest_v himself_o of_o barrow_n in_o humane_a nature_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v true_a which_o mr._n hobbs_n assert_n as_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o his_o politic_n that_o man_n be_v natural_o in_o a_o state_n of_o war_n and_o enmity_n with_o one_o another_o that_o the_o contrary_a principle_n lay_v down_o by_o a_o much_o deep_a and_o wise_a man_n i_o mean_v aristotle_n be_v most_o certain_o true_a that_o man_n be_v natural_o akin_a and_o friend_n to_o each_o other_o some_o unhappy_a accident_n and_o occasion_n may_v make_v man_n enemy_n but_o natural_o every_o man_n be_v friend_n to_o another_o and_o that_o be_v the_o sure_a and_o most_o unalterable_a reason_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v found_v in_o nature_n not_o that_o which_o spring_v from_o mutable_a accident_n and_o occasion_n so_o that_o whoever_o be_v recommend_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o we_o and_o treat_v as_o a_o enemy_n consider_v far_o that_o a_o enemy_n even_o whilst_o he_o be_v exercise_v his_o enmity_n towards_o we_o may_v do_v we_o many_o act_n of_o real_a advantage_n which_o though_o they_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o kindness_n yet_o in_o truth_n be_v benefit_n the_o malicious_a censure_n of_o our_o enemy_n if_o we_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o they_o may_v prove_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o we_o than_o the_o civility_n of_o our_o best_a friend_n we_o can_v easy_o afford_v nay_o the_o wise_a man_n can_v hardly_o forbear_v to_o love_v a_o flatterer_n to_o embrace_v he_o and_o to_o take_v he_o into_o our_o bosom_n and_o yet_o a_o open_a enemy_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_o and_o less_o dangerous_a than_o he_o it_o be_v good_a for_o many_o man_n that_o they_o have_v have_v enemy_n who_o have_v many_o time_n be_v to_o they_o the_o happy_a occasion_n of_o reform_v those_o fault_n which_o none_o but_o a_o enemy_n will_v have_v take_v the_o freedom_n i_o have_v almost_o say_v will_v have_v have_v the_o friendship_n to_o have_v tell_v they_o of_o but_o what_o if_o after_o all_o this_o enemy_n of_o we_o this_o hate_a man_n prove_v to_o be_v one_o of_o our_o best_a friend_n for_o so_o reconcile_v enemy_n usual_o be_v and_o if_o any_o thing_n will_v reconcile_v a_o enemy_n love_n and_o kindness_n will_n a_o obstinate_a goodness_n be_v apt_a to_o conquer_v even_o the_o worst_a of_o men._n it_o be_v hardly_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o withstand_v the_o kindness_n of_o one_o who_o by_o all_o that_o we_o can_v do_v we_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o make_v our_o enemy_n after_o a_o man_n have_v do_v the_o great_a injury_n to_o another_o not_o only_o to_o find_v no_o revenge_n follow_v upon_o it_o but_o the_o first_o opportunity_n take_v to_o oblige_v he_o be_v so_o very_o surprise_v that_o it_o can_v hardly_o fail_v to_o gain_v upon_o the_o worst_a disposition_n and_o to_o melt_v down_o the_o hard_a temper_n so_o that_o we_o shall_v love_v our_o enemy_n if_o not_o for_o what_o they_o be_v at_o present_a yet_o for_o what_o they_o may_v be_v and_o in_o hope_n that_o by_o these_o mean_v they_o may_v in_o the_o time_n become_v our_o friend_n iii_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o excellency_n and_o generosity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o love_v our_o enemy_n and_o to_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v we_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o goodness_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o it_o to_o its_o high_a pitch_n it_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a and_o perfect_a act_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o perfect_a of_o all_o grace_n and_o virtue_n i_o mean_v charity_n which_o by_o st._n paul_n be_v call_v the_o bond_n of_o perfection_n and_o by_o st._n james_n the_o perfect_a and_o the_o royal_a law_n because_o it_o inspire_v man_n with_o a_o greatness_n of_o mind_n fit_a for_o king_n and_o prince_n in_o who_o nothing_o be_v more_o admirable_a than_o a_o generous_a goodness_n and_o clemency_n even_o towards_o great_a enemy_n and_o offender_n so_o far_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o public_a good_n love_n for_o love_n be_v but_o justice_n and_o gratitude_n love_n for_o no_o love_n be_v favour_n and_o kindness_n but_o love_n for_o hatred_n and_o enmity_n be_v a_o most_o divine_a temper_v a_o steady_a and_o immutable_a goodness_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v stir_v by_o provocation_n and_o so_o far_o from_o be_v conquer_v that_o it_o be_v rather_o confirm_v by_o its_o contrary_n for_o if_o hatred_n and_o enmity_n do_v not_o extinguish_v love_n what_o can_v this_o be_v goodness_n indeed_o not_o only_o without_o merit_n and_o obligation_n without_o invitation_n or_o motive_n but_o against_o all_o reasonable_a expectation_n and_o in_o despite_n of_o all_o temptation_n and_o provocation_n to_o the_o contrary_n so_o that_o to_o return_v good_a for_o evil_n and_o love_n for_o hatred_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a argument_n of_o a_o great_a mind_n and_o of_o deep_a wisdom_n and_o consideration_n for_o natural_o our_o first_o inclination_n and_o thought_n towards_o our_o enemy_n be_v full_a of_o anger_n and_o revenge_n but_o our_o second_o and_o wise_a thought_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o forgiveness_n be_v much_o more_o generous_a than_o revenge_n and_o a_o more_o glorious_a victory_n can_v be_v gain_v over_o another_o man_n than_o this_o that_o when_o the_o injury_n begin_v on_o his_o part_n the_o kindness_n shall_v begin_v on_o we_o if_o both_o the_o way_n be_v equal_o in_o our_o power_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o much_o more_o desirable_a conquest_n to_o overcome_v evil_a with_o good_a than_o with_o evil_n by_o this_o we_o can_v only_o conquer_v our_o enemy_n and_o may_v perhaps_o fail_v in_o that_o but_o by_o the_o other_o we_o certain_o conquer_v ourselves_o and_o perhaps_o our_o enemy_n too_o overcome_v he_o in_o the_o noble_a manner_n and_o walk_v he_o gentle_o till_o he_o be_v cool_a and_o without_o force_n effectual_o subdue_a he_o to_o be_v our_o friend_n this_o as_o one_o fit_o compare_v it_o barrow_n be_v like_o a_o great_a and_o wise_a general_n by_o art_n and_o stratagem_n by_o mere_a dint_n of_o skill_n and_o conduct_n by_o patience_n and_o wise_a delay_n without_o ever_o strike_v a_o stroke_n or_o shed_v one_o drop_n of_o blood_n to_o vanquish_v a_o enemy_n and_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o the_o war_n without_o ever_o put_v it_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o a_o battle_n revenge_n be_v blind_a and_o rash_a and_o do_v always_o proceed_v from_o impotency_n and_o weakness_n of_o mind_n it_o be_v anger_n that_o spur_v man_n on_o to_o it_o and_o anger_n be_v certain_o one_o of_o the_o foolish_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o which_o common_o betray_v man_n to_o the_o most_o imprudent_a and_o unreasonable_a thing_n so_o solomon_n observe_v 14.29_o he_o that_o be_v hasty_a of_o spirit_n exalt_v folly_n and_o again_o anger_n rest_v in_o the_o bosom_n of_o fool_n 7.9_o but_o to_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v provocation_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o great_a wisdom_n and_o to_o forgive_v it_o of_o a_o great_a mind_n so_o the_o same_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o 16.32_o he_o that_o be_v slow_a to_o anger_n be_v better_a than_o the_o mighty_a and_o he_o that_o rule_v his_o spirit_n than_o he_o that_o take_v a_o city_n it_o be_v a_o great_a thing_n in_o case_n of_o great_a provocation_n to_o calm_v a_o man_n own_o spirit_n than_o to_o storm_n and_o take_v a_o strong_a city_n whereas_o the_o angry_a man_n lose_v and_o let_v fall_v the_o government_n of_o himself_o and_o lay_v the_o reins_o upon_o the_o neck_n of_o the_o wild_a beast_n his_o own_o brutish_a appetite_n and_o passion_n which_o hurry_v he_o on_o first_o to_o revenge_n and_o then_o to_o repentance_n for_o the_o folly_n which_o he_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o in_o gratify_v so_o unreasonable_a a_o passion_n for_o it_o very_o seldom_o happen_v that_o any_o man_n execute_v a_o act_n of_o revenge_n but_o the_o very_a next_o moment_n after_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o and_o wish_v he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o whereas_o patience_n and_o forgiveness_n do_v wise_o prevent_v both_o the_o mischief_n to_o other_o and_o the_o trouble_n to_o ourselves_o which_o be_v usual_o consequent_a upon_o revenge_n iv._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o perfection_n and_o prevalency_n of_o the_o example_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v to_o we_o to_o
every_o man_n in_o prudence_n to_o take_v great_a care_n not_o to_o make_v personal_a enemy_n to_o himself_o for_o these_o be_v the_o sore_a and_o the_o sure_a of_o all_o other_o and_o when_o there_o be_v a_o opportunity_n for_o it_o will_v sit_v hard_a upon_o we_o injury_n do_v to_o the_o public_a be_v certain_o the_o great_a and_o yet_o they_o be_v many_o time_n more_o easy_o forgive_v than_o those_o which_o be_v do_v to_o particular_a person_n for_o when_o revenge_n be_v every_o body_n work_n it_o may_v prove_v to_o be_v no_o body_n the_o general_a wrong_n which_o be_v do_v to_o humane_a society_n do_v not_o so_o sensible_o touch_v and_o sting_v man_n as_o personal_a injury_n and_o provocation_n the_o law_n be_v never_o angry_a or_o in_o passion_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o great_a indecency_n but_o a_o fault_n when_o the_o judge_n of_o it_o be_v so_o heat_v of_o prosecution_n belong_v to_o particular_a person_n and_o it_o be_v their_o memory_n of_o injury_n and_o desire_v to_o revenge_v they_o and_o diligence_n to_o set_v on_o and_o sharpen_v the_o law_n that_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v dread_v and_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v know_v it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o there_o be_v almost_o as_o few_o private_a as_o public_a act_n of_o oblivion_n pass_v in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o common_o pass_v as_o slow_o and_o with_o as_o much_o difficulty_n and_o not_o till_o the_o grace_n and_o good_a effect_n of_o they_o be_v almost_o quite_o lose_v ii_o second_o if_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v thus_o affect_v towards_o our_o enemy_n how_o great_a ought_v our_o kindness_n and_o the_o expression_n of_o it_o to_o be_v to_o other_o to_o those_o who_o never_o disoblige_v we_o nor_o do_v we_o any_o injury_n by_o word_n or_o deed_n to_o those_o more_o especial_o who_o stand_v in_o a_o near_a relation_n to_o we_o to_o our_o natural_a kindred_n and_o to_o our_o spiritual_a brethren_n to_o who_o we_o be_v so_o strong_o link_v and_o unite_v by_o the_o common_a bond_n of_o christianity_n and_o last_o to_o our_o benefactor_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v beforehand_o with_o we_o in_o obligation_n for_o all_o these_o be_v so_o many_o special_a tie_n and_o endearment_n of_o man_n to_o one_o another_o found_v either_o in_o nature_n or_o religion_n or_o in_o common_a justice_n and_o gratitude_n and_o therefore_o between_o all_o these_o and_o our_o enemy_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o sensible_a difference_n in_o our_o carriage_n and_o kindness_n towards_o they_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o do_v so_o we_o represent_v our_o saviour_n as_o a_o unreasonable_a lawgiver_n and_o do_v perverse_o interpret_v this_o precept_n of_o his_o contrary_n to_o the_o reasonable_a and_o equitable_a meaning_n of_o it_o for_o whatever_o degree_n of_o kindness_n be_v here_o require_v towards_o our_o enemy_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o so_o much_o more_o be_v due_a to_o other_o as_o according_a to_o the_o true_a proportion_n of_o our_o tie_n and_o obligation_n to_o they_o they_o have_v deserve_v at_o our_o hand_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o founder_n of_o our_o religion_n do_v never_o intend_v by_o any_o precept_n of_o it_o to_o cancel_v any_o real_a obligation_n of_o nature_n or_o justice_n or_o gratitude_n or_o to_o offer_v violence_n in_o the_o least_o to_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n iii_o three_o hence_o we_o learn_v the_o excellency_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o have_v carry_v our_o duty_n so_o high_a in_o thing_n which_o do_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o the_o peace_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o which_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v right_o consider_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o clear_a and_o best_a reason_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v heretofore_o look_v upon_o and_o that_o only_a by_o some_o few_o of_o the_o wise_a sort_n as_o heroical_a instance_n of_o goodness_n and_o above_o the_o common_a rate_n of_o humanity_n be_v now_o by_o the_o christian_a religion_n make_v the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o precept_n of_o no_o other_o religion_n that_o ever_o yet_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n have_v advance_v humane_a nature_n so_o much_o above_o itself_o and_o be_v so_o well_o calculate_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v for_o they_o strict_o forbid_v the_o do_n of_o injury_n by_o way_n of_o prevention_n and_o in_o case_n they_o happen_v they_o endeavour_v to_o put_v a_o present_a stop_n to_o the_o progress_n of_o they_o by_o so_o severe_o forbid_v the_o revenge_a of_o they_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v a_o very_a untoward_a objection_n against_o the_o excellency_n and_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o so_o many_o christian_n be_v so_o unequal_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o these_o precept_n for_o who_o be_v there_o in_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o when_o the_o wheel_n of_o providence_n turn_v they_o uppermost_o and_o lay_v their_o enemy_n at_o their_o foot_n that_o will_v give_v they_o any_o quarter_n nay_o that_o do_v not_o greedy_o seize_v upon_o the_o first_o opportunity_n of_o revenge_n and_o like_o a_o eagle_n hungry_a for_o his_o prey_n make_v a_o sudden_a stoop_n upon_o they_o with_o all_o his_o force_n and_o violence_n and_o when_o he_o have_v they_o in_o his_o pounce_n and_o at_o his_o mercy_n be_v not_o ready_a to_o tear_v they_o in_o piece_n so_o that_o after_o all_o our_o boast_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o our_o religion_n where_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o terrible_a objection_n indeed_o and_o i_o must_v entreat_v of_o you_o my_o brethren_n to_o help_v i_o to_o the_o best_a answer_n to_o it_o not_o by_o any_o nice_a distinction_n and_o speculation_n about_o it_o but_o by_o the_o careful_a and_o honest_a practice_n of_o this_o precept_n of_o our_o religion_n this_o be_v the_o old_a objection_n against_o philosophy_n that_o many_o that_o be_v philosopher_n in_o their_o opinion_n be_v faulty_a in_o their_o life_n but_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o think_v by_o wise_a man_n to_o be_v a_o good_a objection_n against_o philosophy_n and_o unless_o we_o will_v lay_v more_o weight_n upon_o the_o objection_n against_o religion_n and_o press_v they_o hard_o than_o we_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o do_v in_o any_o other_o case_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v likewise_o that_o this_o objection_n against_o religion_n be_v of_o no_o force_n man_n do_v not_o cast_v off_o the_o art_n of_o physic_n because_o many_o physician_n do_v not_o live_v up_o to_o their_o own_o rule_n and_o do_v not_o themselves_o follow_v those_o prescription_n which_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o give_v to_o other_o and_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o their_o swerve_v from_o their_o own_o rule_n do_v not_o necessary_o signify_v that_o their_o rule_n be_v not_o good_a but_o only_o that_o their_o appetite_n be_v unruly_a and_o too_o hard_a and_o headstrong_a for_o their_o reason_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o this_o that_o rule_n may_v be_v very_o reasonable_a and_o yet_o they_o that_o give_v they_o may_v not_o follow_v they_o iv._o the_o four_o and_o last_o inference_n from_o this_o whole_a discourse_n shall_v be_v this_o that_o be_v convince_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o argument_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o duty_n we_o will_v resolve_v upon_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o when_o ever_o there_o be_v occasion_n offer_v for_o it_o in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n i_o need_v not_o to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o there_o be_v now_o like_a to_o be_v great_a occasion_n for_o it_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o whenever_o there_o be_v so_o nothing_o can_v be_v tie_v more_o strict_o upon_o we_o than_o this_o duty_n be_v it_o have_v often_o be_v a_o great_a comfort_n and_o confirmation_n to_o i_o to_o see_v the_o humanity_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n so_o plain_o discover_v itself_o upon_o so_o many_o occasion_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o and_o set_v aside_o all_o other_o advantage_n which_o our_o religion_n have_v be_v evident_o show_v to_o have_v above_o popery_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n and_o argument_n i_o can_v for_o my_o life_n but_o think_v that_o to_o be_v the_o best_a religion_n which_o make_v the_o best_a man_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o principle_n be_v apt_a to_o make_v they_o so_o most_o kind_a and_o merciful_a and_o charitable_a and_o most_o free_a from_o malice_n and_o revenge_n and_o cruelty_n and_o therefore_o our_o
himself_o but_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v so_o clear_o to_o satisfy_v the_o objection_n from_o the_o disproportion_n between_o the_o fault_n and_o the_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v if_o it_o may_v be_v this_o matter_n yet_o a_o little_a further_o by_o these_o follow_a consideration_n first_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o measure_n of_o penalty_n with_o respect_n to_o crime_n be_v not_o only_o nor_o always_o to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o quality_n and_o degree_n of_o the_o offence_n much_o less_o from_o the_o duration_n and_o continuance_n of_o it_o but_o from_o the_o end_n and_o reason_n of_o government_n which_o require_v such_o penalty_n as_o may_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a secure_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o deter_v man_n from_o the_o breach_n of_o it_o and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v evident_a because_o if_o it_o be_v once_o declare_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v suffer_v long_o for_o any_o 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niniveh_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v destroy_v only_o to_o have_v verify_v his_o message_n i_o know_v it_o be_v say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o god_n have_v confirm_v these_o threaten_n by_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o the_o immutability_n of_o his_o counsel_n and_o therefore_o his_o truth_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a execution_n of_o they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o type_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o israelite_n who_o rebel_v in_o the_o wilderness_n be_v also_o a_o type_n of_o impenitent_a sinner_n under_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o rebellious_a israelite_n when_o he_o swear_v in_o his_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n that_o be_v into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n do_v equal_o oblige_v he_o to_o execute_v his_o threaten_n upon_o all_o impenitent_a sinner_n under_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v very_o true_o reason_v so_o far_o as_o the_o threaten_a extend_v which_o if_o we_o attend_v to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o it_o beyond_o which_o threaten_n be_v never_o to_o be_v stretch_v do_v not_o seem_v to_o reach_v any_o further_a than_o to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o impenitent_a sinner_n out_o of_o heaven_n and_o their_o fall_a final_o short_a of_o the_o rest_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o righteous_a which_o however_o direct_o overthrow_v the_o opinion_n ascribe_v to_o origen_n that_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n shall_v all_o be_v save_v at_o last_o god_n have_v swear_v in_o his_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n but_o then_o as_o to_o the_o eternal_a misery_n and_o punishment_n threaten_v to_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o other_o world_n though_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_o comprehend_v in_o this_o oath_n that_o they_o shall_v