Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	add_v	life_n	part_n	1,720	5	4.3430	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44137	A discourse of the knowledge of God, and of our selves I. by the light of nature, II. by the sacred Scriptures / written by Sir Matthew Hale, Knight ... for his private meditation and exercise ; to which are added, A brief abstract of the Christian religion, and, Considerations seasonable at all times, for the cleansing of the heart and life, by the same author.	Hale, Matthew, Sir, 1609-1676.	1688 (1688)	Wing H240; ESTC R4988	321,717	542

mathe_n mathe_n hale_v miles_n capitalis_fw-la gustic_n de_fw-fr banco_n regis_fw-la ano_fw-la 1681_o for_o w._n shrowsbery_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o duck_n lane_n 〈…〉_z sculp_v 〈…〉_z a_o discourse_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o ourselves_o i._o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n ii_o by_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n write_a by_o sir_n matthew_n hale_v knight_n late_o chief_a justice_n of_o the_o king_n bench_n in_o his_o young_a time_n for_o his_o private_a meditation_n and_o exercise_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o brief_a abstract_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o consideration_n seasonable_a at_o all_o time_n for_o the_o cleanse_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n by_o the_o same_o author_n london_n print_v by_o b._n w._n for_o william_n shrowsbery_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o duke-lane_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o this_o book_n i_o design_n for_o the_o reader_n a_o double_a benefit_n 1._o a_o useful_a and_o profitable_a book_n 2._o a_o clear_a prospect_n into_o a_o exemplary_a life_n of_o a_o very_a eminent_a and_o famous_a person_n the_o book_n i_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v be_v of_o itself_o such_o and_o yet_o i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o hope_v that_o the_o great_a and_o know_a worth_n of_o the_o author_n which_o yet_o this_o very_a book_n will_v further_o discover_v and_o demonstrate_v and_o the_o esteem_v the_o world_n have_v always_o have_v of_o he_o will_v make_v it_o more_o such_o but_o lest_o i_o shall_v prejudice_v both_o it_o and_o its_o author_n by_o unreasonable_o raise_v the_o reader_n be_v expectation_n i_o must_v to_o do_v right_o and_o justice_n to_o the_o author_n acquaint_v the_o reader_n with_o some_o particular_n fit_a for_o his_o notice_n and_o consideration_n concern_v the_o author_n intention_n his_o manner_n of_o write_v it_o and_o the_o work_n itself_o and_o 1._o i_o may_v with_o much_o confidence_n upon_o what_o i_o know_v of_o the_o author_n mind_n and_o design_n in_o general_a in_o all_o his_o write_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o upon_o some_o observation_n peculiar_a to_o this_o assure_v the_o reader_n that_o it_o be_v not_o write_v with_o any_o intention_n or_o thought_n that_o ever_o it_o shall_v be_v publish_v he_o have_v undoubted_o no_o other_o aim_n or_o design_n in_o it_o than_o what_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o first_o volume_n of_o his_o contemplation_n he_o be_v a_o man_n who_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a faculty_n of_o do_v much_o in_o a_o little_a time_n and_o yet_o do_v he_o as_o high_o value_n and_o be_v as_o great_a a_o husband_n of_o his_o time_n as_o any_o man_n i_o have_v know_v or_o read_v of_o but_o of_o no_o part_n of_o his_o time_n be_v he_o more_o frugal_a than_o of_o that_o which_o be_v set_v apart_o for_o sacred_a uses_n that_o none_o of_o that_o may_v be_v suffer_v to_o run_v waste_n especial_o of_o the_o christian_a sabbath_n or_o lord_n day_n he_o be_v most_o religious_o observant_a both_o in_o public_a and_o in_o private_a in_o his_o family_n and_o in_o his_o study_n and_o his_o religious_a observation_n thereof_o do_v not_o only_o procure_v to_o himself_o as_o he_o always_o believe_v a_o special_a blessing_n upon_o his_o employment_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o time_n in_o his_o other_o study_n and_o secular_a business_n but_o have_v moreover_o produce_v which_o he_o little_o expect_v what_o may_v prove_v of_o great_a use_n and_o benefit_n to_o many_o other_o for_o that_o part_n of_o those_o day_n which_o do_v intervene_v between_o evening_n sermon_n and_o suppertime_n he_o usual_o employ_v in_o pious_a meditation_n and_o have_v a_o very_a ready_a hand_n at_o writing_n he_o usual_o write_v his_o thought_n that_o he_o may_v the_o better_o hold_v they_o intent_n to_o what_o he_o be_v about_o and_o keep_v they_o from_o wander_v this_o be_v his_o first_o and_o principal_a reason_n for_o it_o he_o have_v indeed_o some_o thought_n of_o some_o other_o use_v that_o he_o or_o he_o may_v make_v thereof_o as_o that_o afterward_o review_v what_o he_o have_v write_v long_o before_o he_o may_v see_v what_o progress_n he_o have_v make_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o possible_o they_o may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n or_o benefit_n to_o some_o of_o his_o family_n but_o what_o i_o first_o mention_v be_v the_o first_o and_o principal_a occasion_n and_o motive_n to_o it_o of_o the_o short_a discourse_n i_o find_v divers_a of_o the_o original_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o child_n and_o servant_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o rest_n in_o a_o very_a neglect_a condition_n till_o i_o persuade_v and_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o let_v they_o be_v collect_v and_o bind_v together_o in_o volume_n but_o of_o these_o among_o which_o this_o be_v one_o i_o be_o well_o satisfy_v there_o be_v none_o which_o he_o intend_v when_o he_o write_v they_o shall_v ever_o be_v print_v though_o he_o have_v since_o write_v other_o which_o he_o intend_v for_o the_o public_a but_o upon_o this_o occasion_n have_v he_o write_v first_o and_o last_o many_o pious_a and_o useful_a discourse_n which_o whether_o intend_v by_o he_o for_o the_o press_n or_o not_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n may_v do_v much_o good_a in_o the_o world_n if_o they_o be_v print_v 2._o his_o usual_a manner_n of_o write_v these_o thing_n be_v this_o when_o he_o have_v resolve_v on_o the_o subject_a the_o first_o thing_n he_o usual_o do_v be_v with_o his_o pen_n upon_o some_o loose_a piece_n of_o paper_n and_o sometime_o upon_o a_o corner_n or_o the_o margin_n of_o the_o paper_n he_o write_v on_o to_o draw_v a_o scheme_n of_o his_o whole_a discourse_n or_o of_o so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o he_o design_v at_o that_o time_n to_o consider_v this_o do_v he_o tap_v his_o thought_n and_o let_v they_o run_v as_o he_o express_v it_o to_o i_o himself_o and_o they_o usual_o run_v as_o fast_o as_o his_o hand_n though_o a_o very_a ready_a one_o can_v trace_v they_o insomuch_o that_o in_o that_o space_n as_o he_o have_v tell_v i_o he_o often_o write_v two_o sheet_n and_o at_o other_o time_n between_o one_o and_o two_o and_o i_o have_v myself_o know_v he_o write_v according_a to_o that_o proportion_n when_o i_o have_v be_v read_v in_o the_o same_o room_n with_o he_o for_o divers_a hour_n together_o so_o that_o these_o write_n be_v plain_o a_o kind_n of_o extempore_o meditation_n only_o they_o come_v from_o a_o head_n and_o heart_n well_o fraught_v with_o a_o rich_a treasure_n of_o humane_a and_o divine_a knowledge_n which_o the_o famous_a legislator_n justinian_n make_v the_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o a_o complete_a lawyer_n and_o here_o it_o be_v far_a to_o be_v observe_v that_o all_o his_o large_a tract_n such_o as_o this_o which_o can_v not_o be_v finish_v at_o one_o time_n be_v write_v upon_o great_a interval_n of_o time_n and_o such_o wherein_o much_o business_n of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n have_v interpose_v which_o usual_o interrupt_v the_o thread_n of_o a_o man_n thought_n 3._o concern_v the_o book_n itself_o the_o reader_n may_v of_o himself_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v not_o finish_v but_o that_o he_o have_v design_v to_o have_v continue_v it_o far_o he_o have_v write_v a_o particular_a tract_n of_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v to_o which_o be_v the_o subject_a at_o which_o this_o be_v leave_v off_o but_o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o be_v write_v long_o since_o this_o and_o not_o intend_v for_o any_o continuation_n of_o it_o but_o it_o have_v be_v very_o proper_a to_o have_v be_v join_v with_o it_o have_v i_o have_v any_o transcript_n of_o it_o upon_o perusal_n of_o the_o manuscript_n of_o his_o own_o hand-writing_n it_o may_v be_v further_o observe_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o original_a draught_n and_o no_o transcript_n for_o therein_o as_o i_o remember_v may_v in_o some_o place_n be_v see_v some_o of_o those_o very_a scheme_n which_o he_o first_o draw_v when_o he_o begin_v to_o write_v 2._o that_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o revise_v any_o part_n of_o it_o it_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n as_o fair_a and_o without_o any_o alteration_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o transcript_n 3._o the_o original_a be_v one_o continue_a discourse_n without_o any_o distinction_n of_o part_n or_o chapter_n or_o so_o much_o as_o any_o title_n superscribe_v but_o i_o conceive_v it_o a_o very_a methodical_a discourse_n and_o such_o as_o may_v very_o apt_o be_v distinguish_v into_o those_o part_n and_o chapter_n and_o under_o those_o title_n which_o i_o have_v assign_v as_o it_o now_o appear_v in_o the_o print_n and_o this_o be_v a_o further_a evidence_n that_o he_o do_v not_o design_n it_o for_o the_o press_n of_o the_o two_o part_n of_o it_o the_o first_o be_v whole_o

as_o thing_n stand_v with_o man_n he_o have_v not_o this_o mean_n of_o his_o cure_n in_o or_o from_o himself_o but_o must_v derive_v it_o be_v now_o lose_v from_o he_o who_o at_o first_o give_v it_o he_o the_o next_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o god_n have_v appoint_v any_o mean_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o man_n ignorance_n perverseness_n and_o gild_n and_o consequent_o to_o lead_v he_o to_o happiness_n and_o what_o it_o be_v wherein_o we_o conclude_v 1._o that_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v reveal_v and_o convey_v to_o the_o child_n of_o man_n the_o mean_n of_o their_o happiness_n in_o several_a time_n by_o several_a way_n and_o in_o several_a degree_n in_o all_o succession_n of_o time_n 2._o that_o this_o discovery_n and_o mean_n of_o happiness_n he_o have_v by_o the_o course_n of_o his_o providence_n put_v together_o and_o diffuse_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o compilation_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n wherein_o be_v contain_v not_o only_o the_o clear_a discovery_n of_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v and_o believe_v conduce_v to_o man_n everlasting_a happiness_n but_o likewise_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v and_o effectual_a persuasion_n for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o 3._o that_o in_o the_o use_v thereof_o there_o be_v not_o only_o the_o natural_a mean_n of_o discovery_n of_o truth_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v of_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v and_o most_o effectual_a and_o powerful_a persuasion_n beyond_o all_o other_o moral_a argument_n to_o the_o obedience_n thereof_o but_o likewise_o a_o strong_a concurrence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o will_n subdue_a the_o understanding_n to_o believe_v and_o the_o will_v to_o obey_v 4._o that_o by_o this_o belief_n of_o those_o necessary_a truth_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n thus_o reveal_v man_n shall_v be_v conduct_v to_o his_o everlasting_a happiness_n which_o be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o creation_n chap._n vi_o 〈◊〉_d the_o credibility_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n these_o thing_n be_v of_o easy_a consequence_n if_o once_o this_o be_v clear_o prove_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o than_o we_o argue_v demonstrative_o and_o à_fw-la priori_fw-la from_o the_o cause_n to_o the_o effect_n viz._n because_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n himself_o which_o be_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n can_v choose_v but_o be_v infallible_o true_a and_o beyond_o all_o disputation_n but_o the_o question_n will_v be_v upon_o the_o assumption_n viz_o whether_o this_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o if_o once_o grant_v all_o the_o rest_n will_v need_v no_o proof_n the_o understanding_n of_o man_n have_v wrought_v in_o it_o a_o fourfold_a assent_v to_o every_o truth_n whereunto_o it_o assent_v 1._o a_o inherent_a assent_n that_o be_v of_o such_o principle_n if_o any_o be_v which_o be_v connatural_a to_o man._n thus_o the_o understanding_n assi_v not_o to_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god._n 2._o knowledge_n wrought_v by_o demonstration_n or_o scientia_fw-la per_fw-la causam_fw-la thus_o though_o there_o be_v many_o truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v demonstrable_a yet_o that_o these_o scripture_n be_v the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o natural_o demonstrable_a 3._o belief_n which_o be_v the_o take_v up_o of_o a_o truth_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o he_o that_o assert_v it_o this_o that_o it_o may_v be_v firm_a require_v two_o qualification_n first_o a_o firm_a and_o absolute_a persuasion_n that_o what_o the_o author_n affirm_v be_v tr●_n and_o thus_o a_o man_n once_o admit_v that_o this_o be_v 〈◊〉_d ●ord_n of_o god_n do_v most_o unquestionable_o belieu●_v because_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o author_n be_v demonstrable_o unquestionable_a 2._o a_o firm_a and_o clear_a assent_n that_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o that_o infallible_a author_n and_o this_o be_v wrought_v only_o by_o a_o secret_a and_o immediate_a work_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n and_o be_v as_o firm_a assent_n if_o not_o more_o firm_a than_o science_n itself_o 4._o persuasion_n or_o opinion_n which_o rise_v upon_o probable_a ground_n and_o although_o this_o can_v never_o arrive_v to_o belief_n or_o knowledge_n yet_o according_a to_o the_o strength_n concurrence_n and_o multiplicity_n of_o argument_n concur_v to_o the_o persuasion_n it_o may_v arrive_v to_o the_o very_a next_o degree_n to_o belief_n or_o knowledge_n thus_o it_o may_v be_v firm_o conclude_v that_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mean_n which_o he_o in_o his_o providence_n have_v appoint_v to_o guide_v man_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o his_o last_o happiness_n this_o persuasion_n work_n though_o it_o be_v not_o faith_n it_o do_v prepare_v the_o heart_n for_o that_o high_a and_o noble_a assent_n and_o migh_o strengthen_v it_o be_v attain_v these_o be_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o be_v consider_v 1._o it_o do_v discover_v those_o truth_n clear_o and_o satisfactory_o which_o have_v perplex_v all_o the_o labour_n and_o inquiry_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o thereby_o unriddle_n and_o render_v easy_a most_o of_o those_o difficulty_n and_o doubt_n in_o natural_a and_o moral_a philosophy_n which_o can_v never_o or_o not_o without_o strange_a uncertainty_n and_o reluctation_n be_v so_o much_o as_o guess_v at_o by_o they_o the_o abstruse_a truth_n be_v hardly_o discover_v and_o find_v out_o which_o be_v one_o cause_n of_o those_o several_a absurd_a opinion_n and_o position_n which_o have_v be_v invent_v and_o impose_v by_o man_n fancy_n to_o make_v out_o supply_n and_o reconcile_v those_o difficulty_n which_o the_o ignorance_n of_o it_o may_v be_v one_o truth_n do_v most_o necessary_o occasion_v but_o when_o that_o truth_n be_v once_o discover_v it_o do_v most_o clear_o resolve_v those_o difficulty_n and_o scatter_v those_o absurdity_n and_o procure_v a_o easy_a assent_n from_o that_o reason_n in_o man_n which_o can_v not_o at_o first_o easy_o discover_v it_o to_o consider_v this_o in_o some_o particular_n in_o matter_n natural_a whence_o grow_v all_o those_o strange_a chimera_n concern_v the_o first_o matter_n its_o eternity_n its_o undeterminateness_n and_o a_o thousand_o dispute_n whether_o it_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o all_o end_n in_o nothing_o but_o unsatisfactory_a and_o unresolved_a dispute_n concern_v eduction_n of_o form_n out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o it_o and_o by_o what_o agent_n concern_v the_o eternal_a succession_n and_o concatenation_n of_o cause_n concern_v the_o beginning_n of_o motion_n especial_o of_o the_o heaven_n the_o endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v a_o eternal_a duration_n to_o a_o successive_a motion_n concern_v the_o different_a activity_n and_o quality_n of_o simple_a body_n their_o mutual_a act_n one_o upon_o another_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o disgregate_a of_o the_o simple_a body_n one_o from_o another_o unto_o that_o convenient_a distance_n and_o of_o their_o concurrence_n in_o production_n of_o mix_a body_n the_o production_n of_o creature_n especial_o man_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o fit_v of_o object_n and_o power_n in_o the_o sense_n and_o intellect_n all_o these_o and_o million_o of_o dispute_n rise_v from_o the_o ignorance_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o at_o one_o view_n we_o may_v with_o satisfaction_n read_v resolve_v in_o the_o first_o of_o genesis_n and_o in_o no_o book_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o what_o have_v be_v borrow_v from_o thence_o again_o touch_v the_o orderly_a position_n of_o the_o creature_n the_o conveniency_n of_o one_o thing_n to_o the_o exigence_n and_o necessity_n of_o another_o the_o moderation_n and_o government_n of_o thing_n endue_v with_o destructive_a quality_n each_o to_o other_o the_o concurrence_n of_o several_a contingent_a cause_n to_o the_o produce_v of_o mutation_n in_o state_n religion_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o those_o contingent_a cause_n have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v animate_v with_o one_o soul_n or_o spirit_n and_o the_o like_a the_o observation_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a thing_n and_o the_o want_n of_o true_a knowledge_n have_v put_v man_n to_o those_o exigence_n of_o invention_n which_o resolve_v they_o into_o fate_n or_o destiny_n into_o the_o power_n of_o the_o star_n into_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o yet_o we_o be_v still_o where_o we_o be_v not_o know_v what_o that_o fate_n be_v what_o that_o order_n or_o power_n of_o heaven_n be_v whence_o that_o law_n of_o nature_n come_v or_o be_v give_v but_o if_o we_o look_v into_o this_o book_n of_o god_n we_o find_v all_o these_o difficulty_n extricate_v we_o find_v the_o preservation_n of_o this_o order_n in_o the_o creature_n to_o proceed_v from_o and_o depend_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n and_o government_n of_o a_o infinite_a and_o intellectual_a be_v who_o while_o his_o creature_n for_o the_o most_o part_n move_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n

vulture_n have_v not_o see_v the_o great_a god_n alone_o give_v man_n his_o end_n and_o appoint_v the_o way_n to_o that_o end_n we_o have_v once_o the_o knowledge_n of_o both_o but_o have_v lose_v it_o and_o we_o must_v owe_v the_o discovery_n of_o it_o to_o the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o to_o man_n he_o say_v behold_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v wisdom_n and_o to_o depart_v from_o evil_a be_v understanding_n job_n 18.28_o 6._o it_o do_v discover_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n to_o his_o maker_n to_o himself_o and_o to_o other_o far_o beyond_o all_o other_o book_n or_o document_n in_o the_o world._n man_n by_o his_o sin_n have_v lose_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o light_n and_o perfection_n his_o own_o discovery_n of_o his_o duty_n be_v lame_a and_o imperfect_a and_o till_o the_o god_n that_o first_o plant_v these_o principle_n of_o knowledge_n and_o conformity_n to_o his_o will_n give_v we_o a_o new_a copy_n of_o they_o we_o shall_v never_o clear_o attain_v unto_o they_o in_o our_o knowledge_n or_o practice_n there_o be_v these_o eminency_n touch_v moral_a precept_n which_o this_o book_n of_o god_n have_v above_o all_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n 1._o no_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n do_v discover_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o the_o obligation_n unto_o moral_a precept_n the_o moral_a philosopher_n persuade_v i_o to_o temperance_n to_o justice_n but_o what_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o i_o for_o it_o if_o he_o tell_v i_o that_o it_o be_v his_o own_o authority_n my_o answer_n be_v he_o have_v none_o over_o i_o more_o than_o i_o have_v over_o he_o if_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o law_n under_o which_o i_o live_v bind_v i_o to_o it_o i_o shall_v inquire_v what_o bind_v i_o to_o observe_v those_o law_n but_o power_n which_o if_o i_o can_v avoid_v by_o the_o like_a power_n or_o secrecy_n i_o be_o not_o bind_v or_o my_o own_o consent_n which_o i_o be_o as_o well_o master_n of_o as_o i_o be_v before_o i_o consent_v if_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n bind_v i_o i_o be_o still_o unsatisfied_a who_o give_v that_o law_n or_o when_o or_o to_o who_o and_o there_o the_o philosopher_n be_v to_o seek_v as_o well_o of_o my_o conviction_n as_o of_o my_o obedience_n but_o this_o book_n show_v what_o that_o law_n be_v from_o whence_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n to_o it_o arise_v even_o from_o that_o most_o just_a and_o uncontrollable_a authority_n that_o god_n have_v over_o his_o creature_n 2._o no_o other_o book_n or_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n persuade_v the_o observance_n of_o those_o law_n it_o enjoin_v with_o the_o like_a convince_a and_o satisfy_a ground_n of_o reason_n that_o this_o do_v the_o high_a ground_n that_o ever_o moral_a philosopher_n can_v fetch_v to_o persuade_v to_o submit_v to_o moral_a precept_n be_v but_o one_o of_o these_o viz._n the_o reputation_n and_o general_a esteem_n of_o man_n which_o die_v with_o i_o and_o while_o it_o live_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o fancy_n and_o contain_v no_o reality_n or_o the_o cohortion_n of_o the_o law_n which_o if_o i_o can_v avoid_v with_o secrecy_n or_o force_n i_o escape_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o persuasion_n or_o that_o congruity_n that_o sound_v moral_a precept_n hold_v with_o prudence_n and_o the_o permanent_a enjoyment_n of_o good_a here_o for_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n as_o appear_v before_o that_o the_o due_a observation_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o right_a reason_n have_v a_o most_o clear_a connexion_n with_o happiness_n in_o this_o life_n and_o that_o the_o violation_n of_o these_o precept_n of_o nature_n do_v necessary_o introduce_v a_o loss_n of_o temporal_a felicity_n these_o be_v the_o high_a motive_n of_o obedience_n to_o these_o humane_a document_n but_o let_v we_o look_v upon_o the_o motive_n that_o the_o very_a same_o precept_n be_v enforce_v with_o in_o this_o book_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o of_o a_o high_a constitution_n we_o be_v there_o show_v they_o be_v command_v by_o that_o god_n to_o who_o we_o owe_v our_o be_v and_o therefore_o may_v just_o challenge_v our_o obedience_n as_o his_o tribute_n by_o that_o god_n from_o who_o we_o daily_o receive_v our_o preservation_n and_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o may_v just_o expert_a the_o return_n of_o our_o love_n and_o thankfulness_n in_o the_o observance_n of_o his_o will_n by_o that_o god_n that_o have_v annex_v a_o sanction_n to_o the_o breach_n of_o his_o law_n which_o he_o both_o can_v and_o will_v inflict_v this_o may_v startle_v our_o fear_n by_o that_o god_n that_o have_v propound_v and_o promise_v a_o reward_n to_o our_o obedience_n both_o in_o this_o life_n and_o a_o future_a which_o he_o will_v certain_o confer_v this_o do_v quicken_v our_o hope_n these_o and_o the_o like_a ground_n and_o motive_n of_o obedience_n fall_v upon_o the_o most_o active_a affection_n with_o the_o most_o powerful_a and_o rational_a persuasion_n and_o be_v able_a to_o conquer_v more_o difficulty_n in_o the_o obedience_n of_o these_o very_a precept_n that_o be_v material_o the_o same_o than_o all_o those_o faint_a and_o thin_a persuasion_n that_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n can_v ever_o teach_v the_o great_a god_n that_o know_v the_o frame_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n have_v not_o only_o give_v rational_a law_n to_o lead_v he_o to_o his_o great_a end_n and_o rational_a mean_n to_o draw_v out_o his_o obedience_n by_o appoint_v reward_n or_o punishment_n of_o his_o obedience_n or_o disobedience_n but_o also_o by_o the_o same_o wisdom_n of_o he_o plant_v in_o he_o affection_n which_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o receive_v the_o impression_n of_o those_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o by_o this_o word_n of_o he_o convey_v those_o notion_n into_o his_o heart_n which_o stick_v upon_o those_o active_a affection_n of_o love_n hope_v and_o fear_v in_o the_o most_o exact_a full_a and_o adequate_a manner_n this_o be_v therefore_o none_o else_o but_o the_o finger_n of_o god._n and_o this_o be_v not_o only_o evince_v by_o the_o threaten_n and_o promise_n in_o this_o book_n but_o by_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o apply_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o wherein_o we_o may_v see_v unriddle_v most_o of_o the_o variety_n of_o event_n that_o fall_v upon_o a_o people_n or_o person_n especial_o know_v god_n which_o without_o this_o light_n seem_v to_o be_v confuse_v and_o mere_o contingent_a israel_n sin_n israel_n be_v punish_v she_o repent_v and_o be_v deliver_v we_o be_v show_v by_o the_o very_a historical_a passage_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o when_o we_o be_v punish_v we_o eat_v but_o the_o fruit_n of_o our_o own_o way_n 3._o as_o the_o eminence_n of_o the_o scripture_n above_o other_o learning_n and_o consequent_o its_o original_a be_v discover_v in_o the_o two_o former_a so_o in_o this_o that_o it_o do_v distinct_o and_o clear_o evidence_n and_o set_v forth_o those_o moral_a precept_n which_o be_v confuse_o and_o imperfect_o only_o deliver_v by_o the_o best_a of_o humane_a writer_n especial_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n all_o agree_v god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o show_v how_o then_o they_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o indeed_o as_o it_o be_v folly_n for_o any_o one_o to_o think_v that_o there_o can_v be_v any_o worship_n of_o god_n acceptable_a but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n so_o it_o be_v vain_a to_o think_v that_o this_o will_n of_o he_o can_v be_v discover_v by_o any_o but_o himself_o and_o from_o the_o want_n of_o this_o grow_v idolatry_n and_o other_o vanity_n in_o worship_n 4_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v discover_v in_o this_o that_o it_o do_v contain_v in_o it_o precept_n of_o a_o high_a constitution_n and_o therefore_o of_o a_o high_a pedigree_n than_o the_o best_a of_o all_o humane_a learning_n ever_o do_v arrive_v unto_o such_o as_o be_v the_o cleanse_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o thought_n from_o all_o sin_n that_o the_o formality_n of_o sin_n consist_v in_o the_o will_n even_o before_o it_o express_v itself_o in_o act_n that_o the_o outward_a conformity_n of_o the_o act_n to_o virtue_n without_o the_o internal_a conformity_n of_o the_o will_n and_o mind_n be_v but_o hypocrisy_n and_o the_o seem_a virtuous_a action_n be_v at_o least_o dead_a and_o not_o of_o value_n if_o not_o sin_n that_o a_o virtuous_a action_n do_v out_o of_o any_o other_o end_n than_o in_o obedience_n and_o love_n to_o god_n that_o enjoin_v it_o be_v not_o a_o action_n right_o principled_a nor_o acceptable_a to_o god_n the_o right_n direct_v of_o our_o passion_n and_o affection_n that_o nothing_o be_v worthy_a of_o our_o intense_a love_n but_o god_n that_o nothing_o deserve_v our_o hate_n but_o sin_n and_o therefore_o teach_v we_o in_o the_o former_a to_o despise_v the_o world_n in_o the_o

rule_n whereby_o god_n justify_v the_o equality_n of_o his_o way_n ezek._n 18.25_o be_v not_o my_o way_n equal_a be_v not_o your_o way_n unequal_a when_o a_o righteous_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o righteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n and_o die_v in_o they_o for_o his_o iniquity_n that_o he_o have_v do_v he_o shall_v die_v again_n when_o the_o wicked_a man_n turn_v away_o from_o his_o wickedness_n etc._n etc._n he_o shall_v save_v his_o soul_n alive_a which_o be_v but_o the_o same_o under_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 2.6_o who_o will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o deed_n though_o the_o great_a god_n be_v absolute_a lord_n of_o his_o creature_n to_o do_v with_o they_o what_o he_o please_v yet_o the_o various_a condition_n of_o his_o creature_n in_o the_o course_n of_o judgement_n and_o mercy_n be_v not_o from_o any_o change_n in_o god_n but_o in_o we_o it_o be_v the_o same_o holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o god_n that_o be_v uniform_a and_o constant_a to_o itself_o that_o work_v these_o different_a effect_n upon_o the_o creature_n as_o the_o same_o uniform_a heat_n of_o the_o sun_n work_v seem_v contrary_a effect_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o subject_n so_o that_o his_o way_n be_v still_o equal_a straight_a and_o righteous_a and_o this_o consideration_n as_o it_o may_v strengthen_v our_o heart_n in_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n so_o it_o will_v make_v the_o history_n of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n of_o singular_a use_n to_o we_o upon_o all_o occasion_n when_o we_o shall_v with_o david_n psal_n 77.10_o i_o will_v remember_v the_o year_n of_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o most_o high_a i_o will_v remember_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o will_v remember_v thy_o wonder_n of_o old_a and_o together_o with_o it_o consider_v that_o the_o same_o lord_n that_o do_v thus_o or_o thus_o in_o former_a time_n be_v the_o same_o god_n yesterday_o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o and_o by_o this_o consideration_n every_o history_n in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n be_v as_o a_o measure_n for_o all_o the_o present_a or_o future_a concernment_n of_o myself_o and_o other_o and_o will_v teach_v i_o how_o to_o behave_v myself_o in_o the_o like_a occasion_n and_o to_o judge_v even_o of_o future_a event_n in_o the_o passage_n of_o nature_n we_o see_v a_o wonderful_a order_n and_o constancy_n for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o all_o thing_n conform_v themselves_o to_o those_o rule_n which_o god_n have_v put_v into_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a and_o high_a resolution_n we_o can_v give_v for_o they_o for_o when_o we_o come_v to_o make_v a_o particular_a inquiry_n into_o the_o particular_a cause_n of_o those_o thing_n there_o be_v not_o the_o easy_a part_n of_o his_o work_n and_o that_o which_o long_o and_o constant_a continuance_n have_v make_v obvious_a to_o all_o man_n but_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n notwithstanding_o all_o these_o advantage_n be_v puzzle_v and_o confound_v in_o because_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o to_o man_n psal_n 77.19_o his_o way_n be_v in_o the_o sea_n and_o his_o path_n in_o the_o great_a water_n and_o his_o footstep_n be_v not_o know_v there_o we_o see_v a_o certainty_n but_o we_o can_v find_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o passage_n of_o mankind_n we_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o any_o certainty_n at_o all_o or_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o uncertainty_n which_o make_v the_o wise_a man_n conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v the_o one_o against_o the_o other_o that_o man_n shall_v find_v nothing_o after_o he_o eccles_n 7.14_o which_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a as_o to_o a_o bare_a natural_a or_o rational_a observation_n yet_o even_o these_o work_n of_o god_n be_v seek_v out_o of_o all_o they_o that_o have_v pleasure_n in_o they_o psal_n 111.2_o and_o though_o his_o judgement_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a psal_n 36.6_o unsearchable_a and_o past_a find_v out_o rom._n 11.33_o till_o he_o be_v please_v to_o discover_v they_o yet_o he_o be_v still_o unchangeable_a and_o the_o same_o yesterday_o and_o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o so_o much_o even_o of_o those_o secret_a way_n towards_o man_n as_o be_v expedient_a for_o our_o knowledge_n and_o use_n he_o have_v discover_v in_o his_o book_n to_o those_o that_o will_v diligent_o observe_v it_o thus_o the_o secret_a of_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o psal_n 25.14_o the_o most_o of_o the_o variety_n that_o happen_v to_o the_o child_n of_o man_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o immutability_n of_o god_n in_o his_o purity_n and_o in_o his_o justice_n if_o a_o straight_a line_n be_v draw_v parallel_n to_o another_o though_o they_o be_v infinite_o extend_v they_o will_v keep_v the_o same_o distance_n one_o from_o another_o but_o if_o the_o line_n be_v crooked_a it_o will_v be_v in_o some_o place_n near_o some_o place_n far_o off_o and_o it_o may_v be_v will_v cross_v the_o straight_a line_n god_n have_v give_v to_o man_n a_o liberty_n of_o his_o will_n and_o so_o long_o as_o his_o will_n and_o the_o action_n of_o his_o will_n run_v parallel_v in_o a_o straight_a line_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n there_o be_v still_o a_o communication_n of_o good_a from_o god_n to_o his_o creature_n but_o when_o man_n choose_v crooked_a way_n he_o be_v draw_v thereby_o sometime_o away_o from_o god_n and_o so_o be_v remove_v from_o his_o blessing_n and_o communion_n sometime_o it_o cross_v and_o thwart_v he_o and_o then_o it_o meet_v with_o his_o wrath_n and_o vengeance_n and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o unless_o we_o shall_v with_o the_o presumptuous_a fool_n in_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n 50.21_o think_v that_o god_n be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o ourselves_o and_o his_o will_n as_o crooked_a as_o we_o if_o a_o bare_a reasonable_a man_n have_v look_v upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o go_v out_o of_o egypt_n until_o their_o final_a captivity_n he_o will_v easy_o see_v as_o much_o variety_n as_o in_o any_o state_n of_o man_n and_o perhaps_o see_v as_o little_a cause_n for_o it_o but_o yet_o that_o very_a changeableness_n of_o their_o condition_n do_v most_o admirable_o set_v forth_o the_o immutability_n of_o god_n and_o instruct_v we_o how_o to_o judge_v of_o thing_n and_o man_n they_o be_v a_o people_n in_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o they_o and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o keep_v to_o their_o undertake_n not_o one_o tittle_n of_o all_o his_o promise_n fail_v they_o but_o when_o they_o once_o forsake_v he_o he_o warn_v and_o if_o they_o repent_v not_o he_o forsake_v they_o if_o they_o walk_v contrary_a to_o he_o he_o walk_v contrary_a to_o they_o and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o they_o return_v and_o repent_v he_o return_v to_o they_o see_v psal_n 106_o 107._o the_o abbreviation_n of_o their_o vicissitude_n and_o when_o at_o last_o they_o be_v whole_o corrupt_v than_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n arise_v and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n all_o these_o variety_n justify_v the_o equality_n and_o evenness_n of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o manifest_v the_o crookedness_n and_o inequality_n of_o the_o way_n of_o men._n and_o be_v god_n the_o same_o now_o that_o he_o be_v then_o his_o way_n then_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v then_o be_v thou_o one_o that_o haste_v enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n beware_v thou_o keep_v to_o it_o and_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n if_o not_o be_v sure_a thou_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o like_a measure_n as_o his_o people_n of_o old_a do_v his_o justice_n be_v the_o same_o still_o he_o will_v scourge_v thou_o with_o the_o rod_n of_o man_n though_o if_o thou_o have_v a_o heart_n to_o return_v he_o will_v not_o utter_o take_v his_o lovingkindness_n from_o thou_o and_o have_v thou_o meet_v with_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o sin_n in_o a_o temporal_a punishment_n consider_v it_o be_v a_o evil_a thing_n and_o a_o bitter_a to_o depart_v from_o the_o live_n god._n what_o make_v thou_o wander_v from_o thy_o strength_n and_o thy_o safety_n as_o well_o as_o thy_o covenant_n and_o thy_o duty_n what_o can_v thou_o expect_v to_o find_v when_o thou_o stragle_v from_o he_o but_o that_o some_o evil_n shall_v overtake_v thou_o get_v home_o again_o as_o fast_o as_o thou_o can_v and_o as_o thou_o have_v find_v that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o god_n of_o justice_n that_o ever_o he_o be_v so_o thou_o shall_v find_v that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o god_n of_o mercy_n and_o tenderness_n upon_o return_v that_o ever_o he_o be_v psal_n 106.45_o and_o he_o remember_v for_o they_o his_o covenant_n and_o repent_v according_a to_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o mercy_n it_o be_v true_a the_o same_o thing_n may_v befall_v