namely_o that_o when_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a to_o salvation_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o the_o word_n faith_n in_o this_o proposition_n that_o true_a faith_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v now_o if_o we_o ask_v what_o that_o faith_n be_v and_o by_o what_o mark_v it_o may_v be_v know_v all_o the_o apostle_n will_v unanimous_o tell_v we_o that_o true_a faith_n produce_v a_o holy_a life_n and_o that_o it_o discover_v itself_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o good_a work_n they_o assign_v good_a work_n as_o the_o essential_a mark_n and_o character_n that_o distinguish_v a_o save_n from_o a_o hypocritical_a faith_n by_o that_o very_a thing_n therefore_o that_o the_o gospel_n require_v faith_n it_o do_v likewise_o require_v good_a work_n since_o faith_n can_v be_v without_o work_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o fancy_n that_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a without_o work_n be_v evident_o absurd_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o but_o to_o set_v this_o matter_n still_o in_o a_o clear_a light_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o two_o mistake_v which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o run_v into_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o separate_v faith_n from_o work_n they_o look_v upon_o faith_n as_o a_o thing_n quite_o different_a from_o work_n and_o which_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o they_o or_o rather_o they_o oppose_v faith_n to_o work_n as_o if_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v contrary_a to_o each_o other_o a_o corrupt_a man_n will_v say_v i_o confess_v that_o i_o have_v not_o good_a work_n but_o however_o i_o have_v faith_n those_o who_o speak_v thus_o suppose_v that_o they_o may_v have_v faith_n though_o they_o have_v not_o work_n but_o st._n james_n have_v direct_o confute_v this_o imagination_n ii_o imagination_n jam._n ii_o what_o do_v it_o profit_n my_o brethren_n though_o a_o man_n say_v he_o have_v faith_n and_o have_v not_o work_n can_v faith_n save_v he_o if_o faith_n have_v not_o work_n it_o be_v dead_a be_v alone_o who_o can_v after_o this_o separate_a save_a faith_n from_o good_a work_n can_v we_o separate_v that_o from_o faith_n which_o god_n have_v declare_v to_o be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o it_o show_v that_o man_n be_v strange_o blind_v with_o ignorance_n and_o prejudice_n when_o at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n we_o be_v fain_o to_o prove_v thing_n so_o plain_a and_o questionable_a the_o second_o illusion_n be_v that_o man_n place_n faith_n in_o confidence_n alone_o and_o many_o define_v it_o by_o that_o they_o fancy_n that_o to_o have_v faith_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v merciful_a and_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n because_o faith_n embrace_v the_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n the_o natural_a effect_n of_o which_o promise_n be_v to_o fill_v the_o heart_n with_o assurance_n and_o tranquillity_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o doubt_n that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n true_a faith_n be_v attend_v with_o confidence_n but_o confidence_n be_v not_o the_o whole_a of_o faith_n and_o i_o can_v imagine_v what_o part_n of_o god_n word_n countenance_n that_o notion_n which_o place_n the_o essence_n of_o faith_n in_o confidence_n alone_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o consist_v in_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n in_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n as_o true_a and_o in_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o in_o do_v his_o commandment_n and_o hope_v for_o salvation_n from_o he_o but_o the_o resolve_v all_o faith_n and_o religion_n into_o act_n of_o confidence_n be_v the_o most_o extravagant_a conceit_n that_o can_v enter_v into_o a_o man_n head_n if_o this_o notion_n be_v true_a it_o will_v follow_v from_o it_o that_o in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v it_o be_v enough_o before_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o say_v that_o whoever_o will_v have_v a_o right_a to_o confide_v in_o god_n needs_o do_v no_o more_o in_o order_n to_o that_o than_o actual_o to_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o that_o be_v a_o most_o ridiculous_a thought_n which_o turn_v all_o religion_n into_o a_o strong_a fancy_n before_o we_o believe_v a_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o know_v why_o we_o shall_v believe_v it_o and_o have_v good_a reason_n and_o solid_a ground_n for_o our_o belief_n before_o we_o trust_v in_o god_n we_o ought_v to_o satisfy_v ourselves_o that_o we_o have_v a_o right_a to_o confide_v in_o he_o for_o can_v a_o man_n be_v save_v only_o because_o without_o any_o ground_n or_o reason_n he_o fancy_n that_o he_o shall_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o god_n but_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n now_o god_n have_v promise_v nothing_o to_o those_o who_o live_v and_o be_v harden_v in_o sin_n far_o from_o promise_v any_o thing_n to_o they_o he_o threaten_v they_o with_o inevitable_a ruin_n what_o claim_n or_o title_n than_o can_v a_o obdurate_a sinner_n have_v to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n what_o confidence_n can_v he_o repose_v in_o god_n promise_n as_o long_o as_o he_o continue_v impenitent_a none_o at_o all_o except_o we_o suppose_v in_o god_n a_o general_a decree_n to_o save_v indifferent_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v that_o these_o consideration_n be_v apt_a to_o alarm_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o man_n conscience_n for_o they_o will_v alarm_n none_o of_o those_o who_o be_v animate_v with_o true_a faith_n and_o sincere_a piety_n and_o as_o to_o other_o we_o do_v they_o a_o great_a piece_n of_o service_n when_o we_o awaken_v and_o terrify_v they_o out_o of_o that_o false_a quiet_a into_o which_o a_o groundless_a confidence_n have_v betray_v they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n to_o teach_v that_o confidence_n be_v the_o most_o essential_a thing_n to_o faith_n for_o by_o this_o we_o may_v alarm_n some_o good_a man_n who_o either_o through_o melancholy_n or_o want_n of_o instruction_n be_v destitute_a of_o confidence_n and_o inward_a peace_n and_o it_o have_v certain_o happen_v that_o several_a pious_a person_n be_v fall_v into_o black_a thought_n and_o sad_a scruple_n concern_v their_o salvation_n and_o that_o they_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n despond_v because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v confidence_n and_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o themselves_o from_o all_o these_o reflection_n it_o do_v evident_o appear_v that_o faith_n never_o ought_v nor_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o good_a work_n and_o that_o christian_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o ap_o themselves_o to_o good_a work_n as_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o have_v faith_n but_o now_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o st._n paulâ—hen_o â—hen_z oppose_v faith_n to_o work_n and_o why_o he_o exclude_v work_n when_o he_o treat_v of_o justification_n i_o answer_v that_o the_o apostle_n â—ins_v at_o two_o thing_n by_o this_o his_o design_n â—s_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o work_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n and_o foundation_n of_o man_n salvation_n â—ut_v that_o it_o flow_v from_o the_o pure_a mercy_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n this_o he_o prove_v with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o heathen_n and_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n â—o_o the_o roman_n but_o he_o do_v not_o mean_a to_o say_v â—hat_n good_a work_n be_v not_o necessary_a under_o â—he_n covenant_n of_o grace_n his_o expression_n be_v too_o clear_a to_o leave_v the_o least_o room_n for_o any_o doubt_n about_o this_o matter_n to_o reâ—eject_v the_o meritoriousness_n of_o good_a work_n â—s_v one_o thing_n and_o to_o deny_v their_o necessity_n be_v â—nother_n but_o 2_o because_o it_o may_v be_v obâ—ected_v that_o st._n paul_n do_v entire_o exclude_v work_n and_o that_o he_o use_v expression_n which_o imply_v that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o oblige_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v no_o influence_n on_o man_n salvation_n either_o as_o cause_n or_o condition_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v oppose_v to_o faith_n therefore_o i_o add_v that_o he_o speak_v thus_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o especial_o to_o circumcision_n there_o be_v many_o in_o st._n paul_n time_n who_o assert_v that_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v those_o legal_a ordinance_n it_o be_v about_o the_o question_n that_o the_o apostle_n meet_v a_o jerusalem_n and_o determine_v xv._o determine_v acts._n xv._o that_o christian_n 〈◊〉_d justify_v by_o faith_n only_o and_o that_o the_o yoke_n of_o moysaicall_a ordinance_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v up_o on_o they_o the_o same_o conroverly_n be_v handle_v by_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n where_o
that_o they_o offend_v god_n at_o every_o foot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v what_o man_n will_v establish_v from_o this_o maxim_n that_o the_o just_a man_n sin_n seven_o time_n a_o day_n those_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o quote_v the_o scripture_n shall_v neither_o add_v to_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o they_o shall_v not_o alter_v the_o word_n nor_o divide_v sentence_n from_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n or_o impiety_n which_o may_v not_o be_v prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 5._o but_o our_o adversary_n will_v say_v whether_o that_o place_n be_v allege_v right_a or_o wrong_n it_o do_v not_o matter_n much_o since_o there_o be_v other_o which_z say_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o strong_a expression_n do_v not_o st._n paul_n say_v rom._n vii_o vii_o vii_o rom._n vii_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n for_o in_o i_o dwell_v no_o good_a thing_n for_o that_o which_o i_o do_v i_o allow_v not_o and_o what_o i_o will_v that_o do_v i_o not_o but_o what_o i_o hate_v that_o do_v i._o i_o see_v a_o law_n in_o my_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o my_o mind_n and_o bring_v i_o into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v in_o my_o member_n o_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o body_n of_o this_o death_n if_o st._n paul_n himself_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n who_o can_v deny_v that_o the_o great_a saint_n fall_v into_o very_o heinous_a sin_n and_o have_v still_o a_o large_a stock_n of_o corruption_n in_o they_o those_o who_o draw_v this_o inference_n from_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o his_o thought_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o favour_v the_o cause_n of_o sinner_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o reference_n to_o sanctification_n he_o have_v this_o in_o his_o view_n in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o corrupt_a and_o a_o regenerate_v man_n and_o between_o the_o condition_n of_o man_n under_o the_o law_n and_o his_o state_n under_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o all_o he_o say_v of_o the_o carnal_a man_n sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o corrupt_a man_n live_v under_o the_o law_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o divine_n otherwise_o able_a and_o pious_a man_n have_v think_v that_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o he_o represent_v there_o what_o pass_v within_o a_o regenerate_v man_n but_o i_o know_v likewise_o that_o a_o great_a many_o orthodox_n divine_v have_v reject_v that_o exposition_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o h_o a_o sad_a thing_n that_o when_o a_o place_n be_v capable_a of_o two_o sense_n man_n shall_v pitch_v upon_o that_o which_o come_v near_o to_o the_o pretension_n of_o sinner_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v here_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o dispute_n nor_o to_o offend_v those_o of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o countenance_v corruption_n but_o as_o in_o all_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o seek_v the_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o truth_n here_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o piety_n so_o i_o entreat_v those_o who_o may_v have_v scruple_n concern_v those_o word_n to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n 1._o let_v they_o serious_o and_o impartial_o consider_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v a_o carnal_a man_n fold_n under_o sin_n a_o man_n who_o do_v no_o good_a but_o evil_n and_o a_o man_n involve_v in_o death_n these_o be_v the_o strong_a expression_n which_o can_v be_v use_v and_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v to_o give_v as_o the_o character_n of_o wicked_a and_o impious_a man_n to_o believe_v this_o of_o st._n paul_n be_v so_o very_o hard_o that_o a_o man_n must_v be_v able_a to_o digest_v any_o thing_n who_o be_v not_o startle_v at_o it_o 2._o i_o desire_v they_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o drift_n of_o st._n paul_n he_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o faith_n do_v not_o introduce_v licentiousness_n this_o he_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o whole_a vi_o chapter_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o read_n it_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o shall_v overturn_v all_o that_o he_o have_v establish_v in_o the_o precede_a \_o and_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a man_n be_v captivate_v to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n if_o this_o be_v st._n paul_n doctrine_n what_o become_v of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n to_o produce_v holiness_n and_o how_o can_v he_o have_v answer_v that_o objection_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o chap._n vi_o 1._o and_o 15._o shall_v we_o continue_v in_o sin_n shall_v we_o sin_v we_o that_o be_v under_o grace_n st._n paul_n ought_v to_o have_v grant_v the_o objection_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o most_o regenerate_v be_v sell_v to_o sin_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o go_v on_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o have_v lay_v down_o already_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o gospel_n sanctify_v man_n and_o not_o only_o this_o but_o that_o the_o gospel_n alone_o can_v sanctify_v man_n and_o that_o the_o law_n can_v not_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a chapter_n in_o the_o very_a first_fw-mi four_o verse_n he_o show_v that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o law_n nor_o consequent_o under_o sin_n and_o that_o they_o be_v dead_a to_o the_o law_n that_o they_o may_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n unto_o god_n he_o express_v himself_o more_o clear_o yet_o in_o the_o 5_o verse_n where_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o considerable_a difference_n between_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n and_o those_o who_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n he_o plain_o distinguish_v these_o two_o state_n and_o the_o time_n pass_v from_o the_o present_a when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n say_v he_o the_o motion_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v by_o the_o law_n do_v work_v in_o our_o member_n to_o bring_v forth_o unto_o death_n but_o now_o we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o law_n that_o we_o shall_v serve_v in_o newness_n of_o spirit_n these_o be_v the_o two_o state_n the_o sit_v pass_v be_v a_o state_n of_o corruption_n the_o presect_v state_n be_v a_o state_n of_o holiness_n but_o as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o law_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n the_o apostle_n refute_v that_o imagination_n from_o the_o seven_o to_o the_o 14_o verse_n after_o this_o he_o describe_v the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v not_o regenerate_v by_o grace_n and_o who_o still_o be_v under_o the_o law_n he_o begin_v to_o do_v this_o from_o the_o 14_o verse_n by_o fay_v the_o law_n be_v spiritual_a but_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o here_o no_o doubt_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o st_n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o and_o not_o of_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n for_o say_v he_o i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n but_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n use_v here_o a_o way_n of_o speak_v which_o be_v very_o ordidinary_a in_o discourse_n and_o by_o which_o he_o that_o speak_v put_v himself_n in_o the_o room_n of_o those_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o st._n paul_n have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o express_v himself_o in_o this_o manner_n because_o he_o have_v be_v himself_o under_o the_o law_n before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n there_o be_v many_o instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o this_o way_n of_o speak_v and_o we_o find_v one_o in_o this_o very_a chapter_n which_o be_v beyond_o exception_n st_n paul_n say_v in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n i_o be_v alive_a without_o the_o law_n once_o etc._n etc._n if_o we_o do_v not_o admit_v here_o a_o figurative_a expression_n or_o if_o these_o word_n be_v strict_o take_v then_o we_o must_v say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o this_o apostle_n be_v without_o law_n which_o be_v both_o false_a and_o ridiculous_a as_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o he_o say_v ver._n 9th_o i_o be_v without_o law_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o those_o man_n to_o wliom_n the_o law_n be_v not_o give_v so_o it_o be_v unquestionalbe_n that_o when_o he_o say_v i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n he_o describe_v the_o state_n of_o a_o
of_o religion_n with_o relation_n to_o order_n but_o have_v do_v this_o already_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o second_o part_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v in_o general_a that_o nothing_o contribute_v so_o much_o to_o the_o maintain_n of_o disorder_n as_o custom_n do_v the_o most_o beneficial_a law_n and_o institution_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o dangerous_a innovation_n when_o they_o be_v not_o authorize_v by_o practice_n man_n dare_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o introduce_v they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n useless_a or_o ill_a practice_n be_v think_v sacred_a establishment_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v confirm_v by_o time_n and_o custom_n if_o man_n do_v but_o endeavour_v to_o lay_v aside_o some_o ceremony_n to_o make_v some_o alteration_n in_o a_o liturgy_n or_o in_o the_o form_n of_o divine-service_n it_o seem_v to_o many_o that_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o religion_n be_v strike_v at_o thus_o it_o happen_v that_o abuse_n which_o be_v palpable_a and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o man_n of_o sense_n subsist_v for_o whole_a age_n and_o can_v be_v reform_v the_o difficulty_n of_o revive_v the_o apostolical_a discipline_n and_o of_o restore_a church-government_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o pastor_n to_o the_o state_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o proceed_v from_o the_o same_o cause_n because_o a_o certain_a form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o discipline_n obtain_v in_o a_o country_n it_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o best_a and_o most_o perfect_a in_o which_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v alter_v and_o those_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o hear_v who_o propose_v the_o establish_n of_o another_o if_o any_o one_o think_v it_o a_o fault_n to_o suffer_v scandalous_a sinner_n in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o church_n if_o he_o think_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v and_o that_o christian_n ought_v to_o maintain_v no_o familiar_a intercourse_n with_o they_o though_o such_o a_o man_n have_v the_o law_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o his_o side_n yet_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v a_o innovator_n though_o he_o shall_v plain_o show_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o ordinary_a practice_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o discipline_n from_o scripture_n from_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n age_n and_o by_o the_o most_o convince_a argument_n yet_o custom_n will_v still_o be_v urge_v against_o he_o the_o divine_a law_n shall_v give_v place_n to_o common_a usage_n and_o the_o present_a practice_n shall_v prevail_v above_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n iii_o example_n and_o custom_n have_v a_o great_a force_n especial_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v manner_n man_n be_v not_o altogether_o such_o slave_n to_o custom_n in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n about_o religion_n because_o opinion_n be_v shut_v up_o within_o the_o heart_n but_o in_o practical_a thing_n and_o in_o manner_n there_o be_v few_o man_n who_o be_v not_o carry_v away_o by_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o multitude_n people_z think_v themselves_o excuse_v from_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o plain_a and_o the_o most_o sacred_a duty_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o can_v observe_v they_o without_o depart_v from_o custom_n and_o so_o they_o conform_v to_o the_o common_a use_n how_o bad_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v those_o who_o condemn_v the_o vicious_a and_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o the_o age_n and_o practise_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o for_o instance_n abstain_v from_o swear_v and_o reprove_v those_o who_o do_v it_o who_o make_v scruple_n of_o lie_v and_o of_o transgress_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o duty_n be_v look_v upon_o in_o the_o world_n as_o homoursome_a people_n and_o stigmatise_v with_o odious_a name_n and_o imputation_n if_o they_o plead_v the_o express_a command_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n instead_o of_o give_v up_o the_o cause_n man_n will_v strain_v the_o scripture_n and_o by_o force_n explication_n and_o impious_a gloss_n endeavour_v to_o fix_v a_o sense_n upon_o it_o which_o may_v favour_v the_o ordinary_a practice_n while_o piety_n dare_v not_o show_v itself_o vice_n be_v respect_v and_o bad_a man_n carry_v it_o bold_o every_o where_n because_o the_o number_n be_v of_o their_o side_n maxim_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o moral_a precept_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v and_o tolerate_v but_o they_o be_v defend_v as_o innocent_a for_o this_o single_a reason_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n approve_v and_o practice_v they_o this_o may_v be_v confirm_v by_o innumerable_a instance_n we_o can_v hardly_o imagine_v any_o thing_n more_o contrary_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o that_o worldly_a life_n which_o be_v lead_v by_o many_o christian_n they_o spend_v their_o whole_a time_n in_o the_o care_n of_o the_o body_n they_o wear_v out_o their_o life_n in_o idleness_n game_n pleasure_n and_o divertisement_n they_o deny_v themselves_o nothing_o they_o make_v it_o their_o study_n to_o live_v luxurious_o and_o to_o gratify_v themselves_o this_o kind_n of_o life_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o piety_n but_o because_o it_o obtain_v among_o person_n of_o the_o high_a rank_n it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o persuade_v those_o who_o follow_v it_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o quit_v it_o it_o be_v by_o allege_v common_a practice_n that_o man_n defend_v a_o soft_a and_o effeminate_a life_n fashion_n contrary_a to_o chastity_n and_o modesty_n the_o too_o great_a familiarity_n of_o the_o young_a person_n of_o both_o sex_n the_o read_n of_o ill_a book_n the_o play_n which_o will_v honesty_n and_o religion_n scandalous_a diversion_n and_o those_o assembly_n where_o the_o most_o entice_a bait_n and_o allurement_n to_o vice_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o and_o where_o the_o mind_n of_o young_a people_n receive_v the_o most_o dangerous_a impression_n all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v be_v defend_v by_o custom_n so_o that_o when_o luxury_n and_o expensiveness_n and_o state_n in_o apparel_n eat_v or_o furniture_n be_v once_o establish_v we_o endeavour_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o christian_a moderation_n and_o to_o banish_v that_o multitude_n of_o scandal_n and_o vice_n which_o must_v needs_o attend_v such_o kind_n of_o excess_n thus_o in_o some_o nation_n where_o drunkeness_n be_v in_o vogue_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o oppose_v so_o vicious_a a_o custom_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o drunkenness_n and_o intemperance_n people_n be_v so_o far_o from_o part_v with_o that_o vice_n that_o they_o fancy_v there_o be_v no_o sin_n in_o be_v drink_v to_o put_v up_o no_o injury_n to_o indulge_v revenge_n to_o be_v tender_a and_o nice_a upon_o the_o point_n of_o false_a honour_n to_o stick_v at_o nothing_o that_o can_v promote_v one_o fortune_n to_o assume_v all_o shape_v to_o disguise_v one_o sentiment_n and_o to_o supplant_v other_o all_o these_o be_v maxim_n which_o be_v follow_v without_o scruple_n because_o they_o be_v authorize_v by_o use_n and_o by_o the_o false_a opinion_n of_o men._n it_o will_v signify_v nothing_o to_o allege_v to_o those_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o such_o sentiment_n what_o the_o gospel_n enjoin_v we_o concern_v patience_n forgive_a of_o injury_n humility_n sincerity_n justice_n and_o charity_n such_o moral_n will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o hearken_v to_o because_o these_o matter_n be_v otherwise_o determine_v by_o custom_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o it_o pretend_v that_o in_o office_n in_o trade_n in_o art_n and_o in_o the_o various_a profession_n of_o life_n every_o thing_n which_o be_v usual_o practise_v by_o man_n in_o those_o several_a calling_n may_v lawful_o be_v do_v nay_o even_o a_o oath_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o undeceive_v people_n most_o man_n explain_v their_o oath_n and_o regulate_v their_o conscience_n by_o the_o example_n of_o other_o they_o use_v all_o the_o method_n of_o gain_n which_o custom_n have_v introduce_v without_o inquire_v whether_o they_o be_v justifiable_a or_o not_o when_o i_o speak_v here_o of_o custom_n and_o example_n i_o do_v not_o only_o mean_v that_o which_o be_v establish_v by_o general_a use_n but_o that_o likewise_o which_o be_v authorize_v by_o man_n in_o credit_n the_o quality_n of_o person_n produce_v the_o same_o effect_n that_o great_a number_n do_v one_o single_a example_n have_v sometime_o as_o much_o force_n as_o the_o unite_a example_n of_o a_o multitude_n all_o that_o be_v do_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o prince_n great_a man_n magistrate_n and_o person_n of_o quality_n be_v a_o law_n to_o a_o great_a many_o people_n a_o small_a number_n of_o considerable_a person_n who_o join_v their_o endeavour_n to_o bring_v a_o practice_n into_o fashion_n be_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o in_o a_o little_a time_n to_o be_v general_o follow_v how_o bad_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v this_o be_v so_o common_o see_v that_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o give_v instance_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v add_v three_o consideration_n which_o deserve_v a_o