and_o we_o will_v now_o see_v how_o able_a they_o be_v to_o acquit_v themselves_o in_o point_n of_o its_o extenuation_n in_o which_o according_a to_o the_o two_o grand_a principle_n of_o humane_a action_n which_o determine_v their_o morality_n the_o understanding_n and_o the_o will_n the_o excuse_n must_v derive_v either_o from_o ignorance_n or_o unwillingness_n as_o for_o unwillingness_n to_o speak_v of_o this_o last_o first_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n general_o assert_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o will_n and_o its_o inviolable_a dominion_n over_o its_o own_o action_n so_o that_o no_o force_n or_o co-action_n from_o without_o can_v entrench_v up_o on_o the_o absolute_a empire_n of_o this_o faculty_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v indeed_o that_o it_o have_v be_v something_o lame_v in_o this_o its_o freedom_n by_o original_a sin_n of_o which_o defect_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o be_v not_o whole_o ignorant_a though_o they_o be_v of_o its_o cause_n so_o that_o hereupon_o the_o will_n be_v not_o able_a to_o carry_v a_o man_n out_o to_o a_o choice_n so_o perfect_o and_o in_o all_o respect_v good_a but_o that_o still_o there_o be_v some_o adherent_a circumstance_n of_o imperfection_n which_o in_o strictness_n of_o morality_n render_v every_o action_n of_o it_o evil_a according_a to_o that_o know_a and_o most_o true_a rule_n malum_fw-la ex_fw-la quolibet_fw-la defectu_fw-la nevertheless_o the_o will_n have_v still_o so_o much_o freedom_n leave_v as_o to_o enable_v it_o to_o choose_v any_o act_n in_o its_o kind_n good_a whether_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o temperance_n justice_n or_o the_o like_a as_o also_o to_o refuse_v any_o act_n in_o its_o kind_a evil_n whether_o of_o intemperance_n injustice_n or_o the_o like_a though_o yet_o it_o neither_o choose_v one_o nor_o refuse_v the_o other_o with_o such_o a_o perfect_a concurrence_n of_o all_o due_a ingredient_n of_o action_n but_o that_o still_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n judge_v according_a to_o the_o rigid_a measure_n of_o the_o law_n every_o such_o choice_n or_o refusal_n be_v indeed_o sinful_a and_o imperfect_a this_o be_v most_o certain_a whatsoever_o pelagius_n and_o his_o brethren_n assert_v to_o the_o contrary_n but_o however_o that_o measure_n of_o freedom_n which_o the_o will_v still_o retain_v of_o be_v able_a to_o choose_v any_o act_n material_o and_o in_o its_o kind_n good_a and_o to_o refuse_v the_o contrary_a be_v enough_o to_o cut_v off_o all_o excuse_n from_o the_o heathen_a who_o never_o due_o improve_v the_o utmost_a of_o such_o a_o power_n but_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o all_o the_o filthiness_n and_o licentiousness_n of_o life_n imaginable_a in_o all_o which_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o act_v willing_o and_o without_o compulsion_n or_o rather_o indeed_o greedy_o and_o without_o control_v the_o only_a person_n among_o the_o heathen_n who_o sophisticated_a nature_n and_o philosophy_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v the_o stoic_n who_o affirm_v a_o fatal_a unchangeable_a concatenation_n of_o cause_n reach_v even_o to_o the_o elicit_v act_n of_o man_n will._n so_o that_o according_a to_o they_o there_o be_v no_o act_n of_o volition_n exert_v by_o it_o but_z all_o circumstance_n consider_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o will_v not_o to_o exert_v that_o volition_n but_o these_o be_v but_o one_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n that_o be_v but_o a_o handful_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o gentile_n ridiculous_a enough_o for_o what_o they_o hold_v and_o teach_v and_o consequent_o not_o to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o balance_n with_o the_o unite_a judgement_n of_o all_o other_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o world_n unanimous_o explode_v this_o opinion_n questionless_a therefore_o a_o thing_n so_o deep_o engrave_v upon_o the_o first_o and_o most_o inward_a notion_n of_o man_n mind_n as_o a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o will_v his_o freedom_n will_v never_o permit_v the_o heathen_n who_o be_v here_o charge_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o patronize_v and_o excuse_v their_o sin_n upon_o this_o score_n that_o they_o commit_v they_o against_o their_o will_n and_o that_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o do_v otherwise_o in_o which_o every_o hour_n experience_n and_o reflection_n upon_o the_o method_n of_o their_o own_o act_n can_v not_o but_o give_v they_o the_o lie_v to_o their_o face_n the_o only_a remain_a plea_n therefore_o which_o these_o man_n can_v take_v sanctuary_n in_o must_v be_v that_o of_o ignorance_n since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o unwillingness_n but_o the_o apostle_n dive_v they_o even_o of_o this_o also_o for_o he_o say_v express_o in_o ver_fw-la 19_o that_o what_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n that_o famous_a and_o so_o much_o dispute_v of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v manifest_v in_o they_o and_o in_o ver_fw-la 21._o their_o unexcusableness_n be_v state_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o this_o very_a thing_n that_o they_o know_v god_n but_o for_o all_o that_o do_v not_o glorify_v he_o as_o god_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o how_o it_o have_v be_v make_v good_a against_o they_o we_o have_v already_o show_v in_o what_o we_o have_v speak_v about_o their_o idolatry_n very_o brief_o i_o confess_v but_o enough_o to_o show_v its_o absurdity_n though_o not_o to_o account_v for_o its_o variety_n when_o vossius_n very_a abridgement_n of_o it_o make_v a_o thick_a volume_n in_o folio_n the_o plea_n of_o ignorance_n therefore_o be_v also_o take_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o this_o god_n make_v and_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o address_v to_o and_o that_o with_o such_o a_o worship_n as_o shall_v be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o piety_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o worshipper_n and_o also_o of_o the_o mean_n of_o the_o worship_n itself_o so_o that_o he_o be_v neither_o to_o be_v worship_v with_o impious_a and_o immoral_a practice_n nor_o with_o corporeal_a resemblance_n for_o how_o can_v a_o image_n help_v man_n in_o direct_v their_o thought_n to_o a_o be_v which_o bear_v no_o similitude_n or_o cognation_n to_o that_o image_n at_o all_o and_o what_o resemblance_n can_v wood_n or_o stone_n bear_v to_o a_o spirit_n void_a of_o all_o sensible_a quality_n and_o bodily_a dimension_n how_o can_v they_o put_v man_n in_o mind_n of_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n and_o holiness_n and_o such_o other_o attribute_n of_o which_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o mark_n or_o character_n but_o now_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v not_o possible_o resemble_v any_o perfection_n of_o the_o deity_n what_o use_n can_v they_o be_v of_o to_o man_n in_o their_o address_n to_o god_n for_o can_v a_o man_n devotion_n be_v help_v by_o that_o which_o bring_v a_o error_n upon_o his_o thought_n and_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o a_o man_n by_o direct_v his_o prayer_n to_o a_o image_n to_o suppose_v the_o be_v he_o pray_v to_o represent_v by_o that_o image_n which_o how_o injurious_a how_o contumelious_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o the_o glorious_a incomprehensible_a nature_n of_o god_n by_o beget_v such_o false_a and_o low_a apprehension_n of_o he_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o creature_n let_v common_a sense_n not_o pervert_v by_o interest_n and_o design_n be_v judge_n from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o idolatrous_a heathen_n and_o especial_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o charge_v their_o idolatry_n either_o upon_o ignorance_n or_o unwillingness_n be_v whole_o without_o excuse_n so_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o averro_n have_v not_o the_o right_a way_n of_o blessing_n himself_o when_o in_o defiance_n of_o christianity_n he_o wish_v sit_fw-la anima_fw-la mea_fw-la cum_fw-la philosophis_fw-la and_o now_o after_o all_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n that_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n be_v so_o exact_o appliable_a to_o the_o idolatry_n of_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o one_o will_v think_v this_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o address_n to_o the_o ancient_a roman_n as_o a_o description_n of_o the_o modern_a but_o to_o draw_v towards_o a_o close_a the_o use_n and_o improvement_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n shall_v be_v brief_o to_o inform_v we_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o signal_o great_a and_o peculiar_a mercy_n of_o god_n to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o have_v reveal_v the_o gospel_n since_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v have_v oblige_v he_o to_o it_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o justice_n for_o if_o there_o have_v the_o heathen_n to_o who_o he_o reveal_v it_o not_o can_v not_o have_v be_v thus_o without_o excuse_n but_o may_v very_o rational_o have_v expostulate_v the_o case_n with_o
inward_o rejoice_v and_o after_o a_o godly_a sort_n no_o doubt_n to_o see_v another_o guilty_a of_o it_o but_o they_o delight_v in_o the_o mischief_n and_o disaster_n which_o they_o know_v it_o will_v assure_o bring_v upon_o he_o who_o they_o hate_v and_o wish_v ill_a to_o they_o rejoice_v not_o in_o it_o as_o in_o a_o delightful_a object_n but_o as_o in_o a_o cause_n and_o mean_n of_o their_o neighbour_n ruin_n so_o grateful_a nay_o so_o delicious_a be_v even_o the_o horride_v villainy_n commit_v by_o other_o to_o the_o pharisaical_a piety_n of_o some_o who_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n can_v be_v whole_o unconcern_v for_o the_o reproach_n bring_v thereby_o upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n so_o long_o as_o by_o the_o same_o their_o sanctify_a spleen_n be_v gratify_v in_o their_o brother_n infamy_n and_o destruction_n this_o therefore_o we_o may_v reckon_v upon_o that_o scarce_o any_o man_n pass_v to_o a_o like_n of_o sin_n in_o other_o but_o by_o first_o practise_v it_o himself_o and_o consequent_o may_v take_v it_o for_o a_o shrewd_a indication_n and_o sign_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o those_o who_o have_v sin_v with_o too_o much_o art_n and_o caution_n to_o suffer_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n to_o charge_v some_o sin_n direct_o upon_o their_o conversation_n for_o though_o such_o kind_n of_o man_n have_v live_v never_o so_o much_o upon_o the_o reserve_v as_o to_o their_o personal_a behaviour_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v observe_v to_o have_v a_o particular_a delight_n in_o and_o fondness_n for_o person_n note_v for_o any_o sort_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o there_o be_v a_o communication_n in_o the_o sin_n before_o there_o be_v so_o in_o affection_n the_o man_n have_v by_o this_o direct_v we_o to_o a_o copy_n of_o himself_o and_o though_o we_o can_v always_o come_v to_o a_o sight_n of_o the_o original_a yet_o by_o a_o true_a copy_n we_o may_v know_v all_o that_o be_v in_o it_o 2_o lie_n a_o second_o cause_n that_o bring_v a_o man_n to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o man_n sin_n be_v not_o only_o a_o commission_n of_o those_o sin_n in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o also_o a_o commission_n of_o they_o against_o the_o full_a light_n and_o conviction_n of_o his_o conscience_n for_o this_o also_o be_v express_v in_o the_o text_n where_o the_o person_n charge_v with_o this_o wretched_a disposition_n of_o mind_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v such_o as_o know_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n that_o they_o who_o commit_v such_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o death_n they_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o righteous_a and_o a_o search_a law_n direct_o forbid_v such_o practice_n and_o they_o know_v that_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o divine_a stamp_n that_o it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n they_o know_v also_o that_o the_o sanction_n of_o it_o be_v under_o the_o great_a and_o dreadful_a of_o all_o penalty_n death_n and_o this_o sure_o one_o will_v think_v be_v knowledge_n enough_o to_o have_v open_v both_o a_o man_n eye_n and_o his_o heart_n too_o his_o eye_n to_o see_v and_o his_o heart_n to_o consider_v the_o intolerable_a mischief_n that_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o sin_n set_v before_o he_o must_v infallible_o plunge_v he_o into_o nevertheless_o the_o person_n here_o mention_v be_v resolve_v to_o venture_v and_o to_o commit_v the_o sin_n even_o while_o conscience_n stand_v protest_v against_o it_o they_o be_v such_o as_o break_v through_o all_o mound_n of_o law_n such_o as_o laugh_v at_o the_o sword_n of_o vengeance_n which_o divine_a justice_n brandish_v in_o their_o face_n for_o we_o must_v know_v that_o god_n have_v set_v a_o flame_a sword_n not_o only_o before_o paradise_n but_o before_o hell_n itself_o also_o to_o keep_v man_n out_o of_o this_o as_o well_o as_o out_o of_o the_o other_o and_o conscience_n be_v the_o angel_n into_o who_o hand_n this_o sword_n be_v put_v but_o if_o now_o the_o sinner_n shall_v not_o only_o wrestle_v with_o this_o angel_n but_o throw_v he_o too_o and_o win_v so_o complete_a a_o victory_n over_o his_o conscience_n that_o all_o these_o consideration_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o strike_v no_o terror_n into_o his_o mind_n lay_v no_o restraint_n upon_o his_o lust_n no_o controll_n upon_o his_o appetite_n he_o be_v certain_o too_o strong_a for_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o his_o heart_n lie_v open_a like_o a_o broad_a and_o high_a road_n for_o all_o the_o sin_n and_o villainy_n in_o the_o world_n free_o to_o pass_v through_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o we_o impartial_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o these_o sin_n against_o conscience_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o such_o strange_a paradox_n that_o a_o man_n must_v balk_v all_o common_a principle_n and_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a way_n and_o motive_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n in_o the_o commission_n of_o they_o for_o that_o which_o natural_o move_v a_o man_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n must_v be_v the_o apprehension_n and_o expectation_n of_o some_o good_a from_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o be_v about_o to_o do_v and_o that_o which_o natural_o keep_v a_o man_n from_o do_v of_o a_o thing_n must_v be_v the_o apprehension_n and_o fear_n of_o some_o mischief_n likely_a to_o ensue_v from_o that_o thing_n or_o action_n that_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o engage_v in_o but_o now_o for_o a_o man_n to_o do_v a_o thing_n while_o his_o conscience_n the_o best_a light_n that_o he_o have_v to_o judge_v by_o assure_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v infinite_o unsupportable_o miserable_a if_o he_o do_v it_o this_o be_v certain_o unnatural_a and_o one_o will_v imagine_v impossible_a and_o therefore_o so_o far_o as_o one_o may_v judge_v while_o a_o man_n act_n against_o his_o conscience_n he_o act_v by_o a_o principle_n of_o direct_a infidelity_n and_o do_v not_o real_o believe_v that_o those_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v thus_o threaten_v shall_v ever_o come_v to_o pass_v for_o though_o he_o may_v yield_v a_o general_n faint_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o proposition_n as_o they_o stand_v record_v in_o scripture_n yet_o for_o a_o through_o practical_a belief_n that_o those_o general_a proposition_n shall_v be_v particular_o make_v good_a upon_o his_o person_n no_o doubt_n for_o the_o time_n that_o he_o be_v sin_v against_o conscience_n such_o a_o belief_n have_v no_o place_n in_o his_o mind_n which_o be_v so_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o ready_a and_o dispose_v this_o must_v needs_o leave_v the_o soul_n to_o admit_v of_o any_o even_o the_o most_o horrid_a unnatural_a proposal_n that_o the_o devil_n himself_o can_v suggest_v for_o conscience_n be_v once_o extinct_a and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n withdraw_v which_o never_o stay_v with_o a_o man_n when_o conscience_n have_v once_o leave_v he_o the_o soul_n like_o the_o first_o matter_n to_o all_o form_n have_v a_o universal_a propensity_n to_o all_o lewdness_n for_o every_o violation_n of_o conscience_n proportionable_o wear_v off_o something_o of_o its_o native_a tenderness_n which_o tenderness_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o anguish_n and_o remorse_n that_o it_o feel_v upon_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n it_o follow_v that_o when_o by_o degree_n it_o come_v to_o have_v wear_v off_o all_o this_o tenderness_n the_o sinner_n will_v find_v no_o trouble_n of_o mind_n upon_o his_o do_v the_o very_o wicked_a and_o worst_a of_o action_n and_o consequent_o that_o this_o be_v the_o most_o direct_a and_o effectual_a introduction_n to_o all_o sort_n and_o degree_n of_o sin_n for_o which_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o i_o allege_v sin_v against_o conscience_n for_o one_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o vile_a temper_n and_o habit_n of_o mind_n which_o we_o be_v now_o discourse_v of_o not_o that_o it_o have_v any_o special_a productive_a efficiency_n of_o this_o particular_a sort_n of_o sin_v more_o than_o of_o any_o other_o but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o general_a cause_n of_o this_o as_o of_o all_o other_o great_a vice_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o a_o man_n must_v have_v first_o pass_v this_o notable_a stage_n and_o get_v his_o conscience_n thorough_o debauch_v and_o harden_v before_o he_o can_v arrive_v to_o the_o height_n of_o sin_n which_o i_o account_v the_o delight_v in_o other_o man_n sin_n to_o be_v 3_o lie_n a_o three_o cause_n of_o this_o villainous_a disposition_n of_o mind_n beside_o a_o man_n personal_a commission_n of_o such_o and_o such_o sin_n and_o his_o commission_n of_o they_o against_o conscience_n must_v be_v also_o his_o continuance_n in_o they_o for_o god_n forbid_v that_o every_o single_a commission_n of_o a_o sin_n though_o great_a for_o its_o kind_a and_o withal_o act_v against_o conscience_n for_o its_o aggravation_n shall_v so_o far_o deprave_v the_o soul_n and_o bring_v it_o to_o such_o a_o reprobate_a sense_n and_o condition_n
a_o man_n such_o a_o faithful_a account_n of_o himself_o as_o shall_v never_o shame_v nor_o lurch_v the_o confidence_n which_o he_o shall_v take_v up_o from_o it_o nevertheless_o to_o prevent_v all_o mistake_n in_o so_o critical_a a_o case_n and_o so_o high_a a_o concern_v i_o shall_v close_v up_o the_o forego_n particular_n with_o this_o twofold_a caution_n first_o let_v no_o man_n think_v that_o every_o doubt_v or_o mis-giving_a about_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n over-throws_a the_o confidence_n hitherto_o speak_v of_o for_o as_o i_o show_v before_o the_o confidence_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n be_v not_o proper_o assurance_n but_o only_o a_o rational_a wellgrounded_n hope_n and_o therefore_o may_v very_o well_o consist_v with_o some_o return_v of_o doubt_v for_o we_o know_v in_o that_o pious_a and_o excellent_a confession_n and_o prayer_n make_v by_o the_o poor_a man_n to_o our_o saviour_n in_o mark_n 9_o 24._o ho_o in_o the_o very_a same_o breath_n in_o which_o he_o say_v lord_n i_o believe_v he_o say_v also_o lord_n help_v my_o unbelief_n so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o that_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o confidence_n will_v not_o secure_v we_o against_o all_o vicissitude_n of_o waver_a or_o distrust_n indeed_o no_o more_o than_o a_o strong_a athletic_a constitution_n of_o body_n will_v secure_v a_o man_n always_o against_o heat_n and_o cold_n and_o rheum_n and_o suchlike_a indisposition_n and_o one_o great_a reason_n of_o this_o be_v because_o such_o a_o faith_n or_o confidence_n as_o we_o have_v be_v treat_v of_o reside_v in_o the_o soul_n or_o conscience_n as_o a_o habit._n and_o habit_n we_o know_v be_v by_o no_o mean_n either_o inconsistent_a with_o or_o destroy_v by_o every_o contrary_a act._n but_o especial_o in_o the_o case_n now_o before_o we_o where_o the_o truth_n and_o strength_n of_o our_o confidence_n towards_o god_n do_v not_o consist_v so_o much_o in_o the_o present_a act_n by_o which_o it_o exert_v itself_o no_o nor_o yet_o in_o the_o habit_n produce_v this_o act_n as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o ground_n or_o reason_n which_o this_o confidence_n be_v build_v upon_o which_o be_v the_o stand_a sincerity_n of_o a_o man_n heart_n though_o the_o present_a act_n be_v interrupt_v as_o no_o doubt_n through_o infirmity_n or_o temptation_n it_o may_v be_v very_o often_o yet_o so_o long_o as_o that_o sincerity_n upon_o which_o this_o confidence_n be_v first_o found_v do_v continue_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o temptation_n be_v remove_v and_o go_v the_o forementioned_a faith_n or_o affiance_n will_n by_o renew_v vigorous_a and_o fresh_a act_n recover_v and_o exert_v itself_o and_o with_o great_a comfort_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o mind_n give_v a_o man_n confidence_n towards_o god_n which_o though_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o low_a and_o a_o lesser_a thing_n than_o assurance_n yet_o as_o to_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o a_o pious_a life_n may_v for_o aught_o i_o see_v prove_v much_o more_o useful_a as_o both_o afford_v a_o man_n due_a comfort_n and_o yet_o leave_v room_n for_o due_a caution_n too_o which_o be_v two_o of_o the_o principal_n use_v that_o religion_n serve_v for_o in_o this_o world_n 2._o the_o other_o caution_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o forego_n discourse_n be_v this_o let_v no_o man_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v reckon_v a_o bare_a silence_n of_o conscience_n in_o not_o accuse_v or_o disturb_v he_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n for_o confidence_n towards_o god_n for_o such_o a_o silence_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v always_o so_o that_o it_o be_v usual_o worse_a than_o the_o fierce_a and_o loud_a accusation_n since_o it_o may_v and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n do_v proceed_v from_o a_o kind_n of_o numbness_n or_o stupidity_n of_o conscience_n and_o a_o absolute_a dominion_n obtain_v by_o sin_n over_o the_o soul_n so_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o dare_v to_o complain_v or_o make_v a_o stir_n for_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v luke_n 11._o 21._o while_n the_o strong_a man_n arm_v keep_v his_o palace_n his_o good_n be_v in_o peace_n so_o while_o sin_n rule_v and_o govern_v with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o have_v whole_o subdue_v the_o conscience_n to_o a_o slavish_a subjection_n to_o its_o tyrannical_a yoke_n the_o soul_n shall_v be_v at_o peace_n such_o a_o false_a peace_n as_o it_o be_v but_o for_o that_o very_a cause_n worse_o a_o great_a deal_n and_o more_o destructive_a than_o when_o by_o continual_a alarm_n and_o assault_n it_o give_v a_o man_n neither_o peace_n nor_o truce_n quiet_n nor_o intermission_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o text_n express_v the_o sound_a estate_n of_o the_o heart_n or_o the_o conscience_n here_o speak_v of_o not_o bare_o by_o its_o not_o accuse_v but_o by_o it_o be_v not_o condemn_v we_o which_o word_n import_v proper_o a_o acquitment_n or_o discharge_v of_o a_o man_n upon_o some_o precedent_a accusation_n and_o a_o full_a trial_n and_o cognizance_n of_o his_o cause_n have_v thereupon_o for_o as_o condemnation_n be_v a_o law_n term_n and_o so_o relate_v to_o the_o judicial_a proceed_n of_o law_n court_n must_v still_o pre-suppose_a a_o hear_n of_o the_o cause_n before_o any_o sentence_n can_v pass_v so_o likewise_o in_o the_o court_n of_o conscience_n there_o must_v be_v a_o strict_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o all_o a_o man_n action_n and_o a_o through_o heave_v of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v plead_v for_o and_o against_o he_o before_o conscience_n can_v rational_o either_o condemn_v or_o discharge_v he_o and_o if_o indeed_o upon_o such_o a_o fair_a and_o full_a trial_n he_o can_v come_v off_o he_o be_v then_o rectus_n in_o curiâ_fw-la clear_a and_o innocent_a and_o consequent_o may_v reap_v all_o that_o satisfaction_n from_o himself_o which_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o innocence_n to_o afford_v the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o i_o do_v not_o here_o speak_v of_o a_o legal_a innocence_n none_o but_o sot_n and_o quaker_n dream_n of_o such_o thing_n for_o as_o st._n paul_n say_v galat._n 2._o 16._o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v no_o flesh_n live_v be_v justify_v but_o i_o speak_v of_o a_o evangelical_n innocence_n such_o a_o one_o as_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n accept_v whatsoever_o the_o law_n enjoin_v and_o though_o mingle_a with_o several_a infirmity_n and_o defect_n yet_o amount_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n of_o righteousness_n as_o we_o call_v sincerity_n and_o whosoever_o have_v this_o shall_v never_o be_v damn_v for_o want_v of_o the_o other_o and_o now_o how_o vast_o do_v it_o concern_v all_o those_o who_o shall_v think_v it_o worth_a their_o while_n to_o be_v in_o earnest_n with_o their_o immortal_a soul_n not_o to_o abuse_v and_o delude_v themselves_o with_o a_o false_a confidence_n a_o thing_n so_o easy_o take_v up_o and_o so_o hardly_o lay_v down_o let_v no_o man_n conclude_v because_o his_o conscience_n say_v nothing_o to_o he_o that_o therefore_o it_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v possible_o some_o never_a so_o much_o as_o doubt_v of_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n in_o all_o their_o life_n and_o if_o so_o let_v they_o not_o flatter_v themselves_o but_o rest_v assure_v that_o they_o have_v so_o much_o the_o more_o reason_n a_o great_a deal_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o now_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o profound_a stillness_n be_v general_o gross_a ignorance_n or_o long_a custom_n of_o sin_v or_o both_o and_o these_o be_v very_o dreadful_a symptom_n indeed_o to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o hell_n and_o damnation-proof_n when_o a_o man_n wound_n cease_v to_o smart_v only_o because_o he_o have_v lose_v his_o feel_n they_o be_v never_o the_o less_o mortal_a for_o his_o not_o see_v his_o need_n of_o a_o chirurgeon_n it_o be_v not_o mere_a actual_a present_a ease_n but_o ease_n after_o pain_n which_o bring_v the_o most_o durable_a and_o solid_a comfort_n acquitment_n before_o trial_n can_v be_v no_o security_n great_a and_o strange_a calm_v usual_o portend_v and_o go_v before_o the_o most_o violent_a storm_n and_o therefore_o since_o storm_n and_o calm_n especial_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n do_v always_o follow_v one_o another_o certain_o of_o the_o two_o it_o be_v much_o more_o eligible_a to_o have_v the_o storm_n first_o and_o the_o calm_a afterward_o since_o a_o calm_a before_o a_o storm_n be_v common_o a_o peace_n of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o make_v but_o a_o calm_a after_o a_o storm_n a_o peace_n of_o god_n to_o which_o god_n who_o only_o can_v speak_v such_o peace_n to_o we_o as_o neither_o the_o world_n not_o the_o devil_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o take_v from_o we_o be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_o a_o further_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n