let_v these_o my_o word_n wherewith_o i_o have_v make_v supplication_n before_o the_o lord_n be_v nigh_o unto_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n day_n and_o night_n that_o he_o maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n israel_n at_o all_o time_n as_o the_o matter_n shall_v require_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o chapter_n we_o read_v of_o a_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o representative_a body_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n thus_o in_o verse_n 1._o then_o solomon_n assemble_v the_o elder_n of_o israel_n and_o all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n the_o chief_a of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o verse_n 2_o 3._o and_o all_o the_o man_n of_o israel_n assemble_v themselves_o and_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n come_v the_o special_a end_n of_o this_o great_a assembly_n be_v show_v in_o verse_n 6._o they_o bring_v in_o the_o ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n into_o his_o place_n in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n upon_o this_o occasion_n solomon_n make_v a_o large_a prayer_n for_o the_o welfare_n and_o prosperity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o begin_v at_o the_o 22_o and_o continue_v to_o the_o 54._o verse_n wherein_o he_o mention_n all_o the_o common_a case_n which_o may_v in_o change_n of_o time_n befall_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o he_o commend_v their_o condition_n to_o the_o lord_n for_o special_a mercy_n &_o help_v in_o such_o case_n as_o be_v express_v in_o the_o 37._o verse_n if_o neâ—â—_n be_v famine_n or_o pestilence_n or_o war_n or_o captivity_n if_o there_o be_v these_o or_o such_o like_a case_n and_o thy_o people_n israel_n do_v repent_v and_o confess_v thy_o name_n and_o praâ—â—_n then_o hear_v thou_o in_o heaven_n and_o forgive_v and_o do_v for_o they_o and_o hearken_v to_o they_o in_o all_o that_o they_o call_v upon_o â—hee_o for_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o prayer_n at_o the_o conclusion_n of_o which_o he_o pronounce_v a_o solemn_a blessing_n upon_o the_o congregation_n verse_n 55_o he_o stand_v and_o bless_v all_o the_o congregation_n of_o isâ—â—â—_n this_o blessing_n of_o solomon_n consist_v in_o three_o thing_n 1_o a_o thankful_a acknowledgement_n of_o present_a and_o former_a mercy_n that_o hitherto_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v they_o rest_n verse_n 56_o bless_v be_v the_o lord_n that_o 〈◊〉_d give_v â—â—st_n 〈◊〉_d people_n israel_n 2._o a_o renew_a prayer_n for_o a_o threefold_a blessing_n to_o be_v far_o grant_v boâ—â—at_v the_o present_a and_o for_o future_a time_n 1_o and_o that_o he_o pray_v for_o the_o gracious_a presence_n of_o god_n even_o such_o a_o gracious_a presence_n of_o god_n with_o they_o as_o their_o father_n have_v enjoy_v verse_n 57_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n be_v with_o we_o 〈…〉_z with_o our_o father_n and_o because_o his_o heart_n be_v much_o in_o this_o therefore_o he_o repeat_v it_o again_o let_v he_o not_o leave_v we_o nor_o forsake_v we_o 2._o he_o pay_v so_o divine_a assistance_n verse_n 58._o that_o he_o may_v incline_v our_o heart_n unto_o he_o to_o walk_v in_o his_o way_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n which_o he_o command_v our_o father_n 3._o his_o three_o request_n be_v for_o divine_a protection_n verse_n 59_o let_v these_o my_o prayer_n be_v high_a to_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n that_o his_o 〈◊〉_d the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n israel_n which_o be_v amplify_v by_o the_o end_n of_o it_o that_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d may_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v god_n and_o that_o there_o be_v none_o elâ—â—â—_n verse_n 60._o 3._o and_o thâ—n_o the_o last_o particular_a wherein_o he_o bless_v the_o people_n be_v by_o exhort_v they_o to_o upright_o wake_v with_o god_n let_v your_o heart_n therefore_o be_v perfect_a with_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n â—o_o walk_v in_o his_o statute_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n as_o at_o this_o aâ—y_n verse_n 61._o the_o text_n as_o you_o see_v fall_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o solomon_n blessing_n upon_o the_o representatative_a body_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o the_o whole_a you_o may_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o observation_n in_o the_o general_a which_o i_o shall_v but_o brief_o touch_v upon_o doct._n the_o lord_n gracious_a presence_n with_o his_o people_n incline_v their_o heart_n to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o maintain_v their_o cause_n be_v a_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o establish_v the_o welfare_n of_o such_o a_o people_n even_o at_o their_o own_o heart_n can_v wish_v for_o thus_o do_v solomon_n bless_v the_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o he_o have_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n go_v along_o with_o he_o that_o if_o the_o lord_n will_v but_o grant_v his_o presence_n with_o they_o his_o assistance_n of_o they_o and_o his_o protection_n over_o they_o they_o have_v enough_o they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o they_o can_v be_v no_o better_o in_o this_o world_n and_o if_o we_o ourselves_o now_o might_n have_v our_o wish_n if_o the_o lord_n shall_v say_v to_o we_o as_o ahasâ—â—rus_n to_o esther_n what_o be_v thy_o petition_n or_o as_o he_o say_v sometime_o to_o solomon_n ask_v what_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o what_o can_v any_o of_o we_o or_o all_o of_o we_o desire_n more_o than_o this_o that_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n will_v be_v with_o we_o as_o he_o have_v be_v with_o our_o father_n that_o he_o will_v incline_v our_o heart_n to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n which_o be_v command_v our_o father_n and_o that_o he_o will_v maintain_v his_o own_o and_o his_o people_n cause_n among_o we_o what_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o enjoy_v by_o we_o more_o than_o this_o for_o do_v not_o immanuel_n god_n with_o we_o comprehend_v our_o whole_a good_a and_o the_o keep_n of_o god_n commandment_n contain_v our_o whole_a duty_n and_o be_v not_o the_o lord_n maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n enough_o to_o keep_v off_o whatever_o may_v interrupt_v or_o hinder_v we_o in_o the_o perform_v this_o duty_n and_o enjoy_v that_o good_a wherein_o the_o utmost_a happiness_n of_o a_o people_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n do_v consist_v let_v these_o request_n therefore_o dwell_v upon_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n let_v we_o bear_v they_o continual_o upon_o our_o heart_n before_o the_o lord_n that_o as_o hitherto_o so_o still_o he_o may_v grant_v unto_o all_o his_o servant_n both_o magistrate_n minister_n and_o people_n his_o gracious_a presence_n divine_a assistance_n and_o divine_a protection_n in_o the_o time_n that_o be_v come_v upon_o we_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o we_o need_v or_o can_v receive_v or_o can_v desire_v while_o we_o be_v here_o toss_v in_o the_o troublesome_a sea_n of_o this_o world_n pass_v to_o the_o haven_n of_o eternal_a rest_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o further_o insist_v upon_o this_o it_o be_v another_o doctrine_n which_o i_o main_o intend_v from_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o 59_o verse_n that_o he_o maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n at_o all_o time_n as_o the_o matter_n shall_v require_v there_o be_v two_o thing_n need_v a_o little_a open_n here_o 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n israel_n 2._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o lord_n maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n at_o all_o time_n as_o the_o matter_n shall_v require_v 1._o by_o because_o of_o his_o people_n â—râ—â—_n i_o understand_v the_o same_o which_o in_o other_o scripture_n be_v call_v the_o cause_n of_o gâ—â—_n pâ—â—l_v 74._o â—2_n arise_v o_o god_n and_o plead_v thy_o own_o cause_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o cause_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n mark_v i_o beseech_v you_o there_o be_v a_o cause_n which_o be_v god_n own_o cause_n aâ—â—se_o o_o lord_n and_o plead_v hâ—â—_n own_o â—use_n and_o if_o you_o please_v but_o to_o castâ—y_a urrey_n upon_o two_o or_o three_o passage_n of_o that_o psalm_n we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o to_o understand_v clear_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 20._o have_v respect_n unto_o the_o covenant_n the_o cause_n of_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o covenant_n it_o be_v also_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o temple_n the_o dwell_a place_n of_o his_o name_n verse_n 7._o and_o further_o it_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o church_n verse_n 2._o remember_v thy_o congregation_n which_o thou_o have_v purchase_v of_o old_a thy_o inheritance_n which_o thou_o have_v redeem_v this_o mount_n zion_n wherein_o thou_o have_v dwelâ—_n i._n e._n his_o church_n and_o so_o in_o the_o 8_o verse_n you_o read_v of_o the_o synagogue_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land_n now_o the_o very_a same_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o people_n israel_n for_o the_o special_a end_n of_o the_o great_a assembly_n mention_v in_o this_o chapter_n it_o be_v to_o
remembrance_n of_o that_o which_o the_o text_n here_o point_v we_o unto_o namely_o to_o commit_v this_o cause_n to_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n who_o name_n be_v upon_o we_o and_o who_o dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o we_o to_o interest_n he_o and_o engage_v he_o in_o the_o maintain_n of_o it_o this_o be_v holy_a counsel_n give_v to_o job_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o plunge_n and_o distress_n job_n 5_o 8_o 9_o i_o will_v seek_v unto_o god_n and_o unto_o god_n will_v i_o commit_v my_o cause_n which_o do_v great_a thing_n and_o unsearchable_a and_o mervellous_a thing_n without_o number_n who_o disappoint_v the_o device_n of_o the_o crafty_a to_o set_v up_o on_o high_a those_o that_o be_v low_a that_o such_o as_o mourn_v may_v be_v exalt_v unto_o safety_n say_v brethren_n i_o beseech_v you_o be_v not_o this_o that_o you_o will_v have_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n and_o those_o that_o love_v it_o may_v be_v in_o safety_n then_o here_o be_v the_o way_n for_o all_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n to_o commit_v this_o cause_n unto_o he_o which_o do_v great_a thing_n and_o unsearchable_a and_o marvellous_a thing_n without_o number_n unto_o he_o who_o have_v maintain_v who_o do_v maintain_v and_o will_v maintain_v his_o own_o and_o his_o people_n cause_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o own_o will_n for_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o glorious_a grace_n quest_n now_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v but_o now_o shall_v we_o commit_v this_o cause_n unto_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v engage_v in_o the_o maintain_n of_o it_o above_o all_o that_o we_o can_v ask_v or_o think_v answ_n i_o answer_v brief_o in_o this_o one_o direction_n which_o will_v be_v useful_a to_o the_o honour_a worthy_n of_o the_o general_n court_n and_o yet_o will_v also_o reach_v the_o mean_a in_o the_o congregation_n that_o you_o commit_v the_o safety_n of_o this_o cause_n to_o the_o lord_n himself_o in_o the_o same_o way_n as_o you_o do_v commit_v unto_o he_o the_o salvation_n of_o your_o own_o soul_n i_o say_v that_o we_o do_v all_o commit_v this_o cause_n unto_o the_o lord_n even_o in_o the_o same_o way_n as_o we_o do_v every_o one_o commit_v unto_o he_o the_o salvation_n of_o our_o soul_n you_o may_v see_v the_o bottom_n of_o this_o direction_n in_o 1_o pet._n 4.19_o where_o the_o apostle_n advise_v christian_n in_o evil_a time_n to_o commit_v the_o keep_n of_o their_o soul_n unto_o god_n in_o wâ—lâ—ing_v as_o unto_o a_o faithful_a creator_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v abundance_n here_o that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o this_o when_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o spiritual_a distress_n you_o commit_v your_o soul_n to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n in_o the_o promise_n you_o do_v also_o remember_v the_o way_n of_o well-doing_n the_o way_n of_o god_n commandment_n the_o narrow_a way_n to_o life_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v we_o of_o and_o in_o that_o way_n you_o do_v commit_v your_o soul_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o jesus_n christ_n sanctify_v he_o as_o your_o only_a and_o alsufficient_a saviour_n as_o david_n in_o psal_n 31.3_o 5_o 6._o into_o thy_o hand_n i_o commit_v my_o spirit_n thou_o have_v redeem_v i_o o_o lord_n god_n of_o truth_n for_o thou_o be_v my_o rock_n and_o my_o fortress_n for_o thy_o name_n sake_n lead_v i_o and_o guide_v i_o in_o thy_o way_n for_o i_o hate_v lie_v vanity_n but_o i_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n now_o in_o the_o very_a same_o way_n we_o shall_v all_o commit_v the_o safety_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o be_v 1._o in_o the_o way_n of_o welldoing_a 2._o in_o the_o way_n of_o humble_a prayer_n 3._o sanctify_v the_o lord_n himself_o as_o the_o maintainer_n of_o this_o cause_n i_o entreat_v that_o i_o may_v borrow_v but_o a_o little_a of_o your_o time_n and_o patience_n to_o explain_v these_o three_o particular_n and_o then_o i_o have_v do_v 1._o in_o the_o way_n of_o well_o do_v commit_v this_o cause_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o way_n of_o well_o do_v thus_o the_o apostle_n inform_v we_o that_o this_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o we_o keep_v in_o the_o way_n of_o well_o do_v 1_o pet._n 2.15_o and_o upon_o this_o ground_n he_o exhort_v in_o the_o same_o place_n verse_n 13_o 14._o submit_v yourselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n civil_a government_n in_o genere_fw-la be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n the_o high_a power_n be_v ordain_v of_o god_n râ—m_o 13.1_o but_o in_o speâ—â—â—_n it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n though_o every_o form_n of_o civil_a government_n be_v to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr unto_o religion_n as_o its_o ultimate_a end_n yet_o hic_fw-la aut_fw-la iste_fw-la singularis_fw-la modus_fw-la as_o divine_v use_v to_o speak_v this_o oâ—_n that_o particular_a form_n of_o civil_a government_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o humane_a creature_n now_o mark_v i_o beseech_v you_o what_o the_o apostle_n say_v submit_v yourselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n whether_o to_o the_o king_n as_o supreme_a or_o unto_o governor_n send_v by_o he_o this_o be_v our_o case_n his_o majesty_n the_o king_n who_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v upon_o the_o throne_n be_v the_o supreme_a civil_a governor_n under_o god_n and_o over_o we_o and_o the_o government_n settle_v here_o by_o the_o charter_n of_o this_o colony_n be_v a_o subordinate_a government_n we_o be_v to_o remember_v our_o duty_n to_o both_o and_o that_o for_o the_o lord_n sake_n for_o so_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o with_o well_o do_v you_o put_v to_o silence_v the_o ignorance_n of_o foolish_a man_n as_o the_o apostle_n there_o speak_v verse_n 15._o this_o way_n of_o well_o do_v be_v a_o narrow_a way_n as_o every_o way_n of_o duty_n be_v there_o be_v bypath_n and_o down-falls_a on_o either_o side_n it_o be_v not_o good_a intention_n nor_o pâ—aefrauâ—es_n that_o will_v excuse_v from_o go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o well-doing_n but_o here_o lie_v the_o exercise_n of_o godly_a wisdom_n to_o keep_v in_o the_o narrow_a way_n of_o well-doing_n show_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o fear_n god_n and_o honour_n the_o king_n to_o give_v unto_o god_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v god_n and_o unto_o cesar_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v caesar_n the_o counsel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o be_v remember_v be_v wise_a as_o serpent_n and_o innocent_a as_o dove_n the_o serpent_n eye_n in_o the_o dove_n head_n become_v a_o christian_a well_o it_o be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n when_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n carry_v it_o so_o as_o paul_n do_v so_o as_o to_o give_v no_o occasion_n so_o as_o to_o cut_v off_o occasion_n from_o they_o that_o seek_v occasion_n that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o say_v as_o he_o do_v neither_o against_o the_o temple_n nor_o against_o the_o law_n nor_o â—gainst_a cesar_n have_v i_o offend_v any_o thing_n act._n 25.8_o and_o so_o as_o daniel_n do_v in_o who_o there_o be_v a_o excellent_a spirit_n dan._n 6.3_o and_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o spirit_n do_v appear_v in_o this_o that_o he_o behave_v himself_o so_o as_o those_o that_o seek_v to_o find_v occasion_n against_o he_o can_v find_v none_o for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o be_v faithful_a neither_o be_v there_o any_o error_n or_o fault_n in_o he_o than_o say_v these_o man_n we_o shall_v not_o find_v any_o occasion_n against_o this_o daniel_n except_o we_o find_v it_o against_o he_o concern_v the_o law_n of_o his_o god_n my_o father_n &_o brethren_n this_o be_v for_o our_o admonition_n and_o this_o will_v be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n when_o such_o as_o have_v the_o manage_n of_o public_a affair_n be_v understanding_n in_o the_o time_n to_o know_v what_o israel_n ought_v to_o doâ—_n 2_o chron._n 12.32_o not_o what_o they_o can_v do_v or_o what_o they_o will_v do_v but_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v not_o what_o their_o liberty_n be_v but_o what_o their_o duty_n be_v and_o what_o their_o liberty_n be_v according_a to_o their_o duty_n to_o serve_v the_o time_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n we_o must_v not_o we_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n if_o it_o come_v to_o a_o stress_n but_o in_o manage_v public_a affair_n in_o such_o time_n as_o daniel_n live_v in_o the_o matter_n do_v so_o require_v for_o he_o to_o be_v so_o careful_a as_o that_o no_o error_n nor_o fault_n may_v be_v find_v in_o he_o this_o be_v for_o our_o imitation_n the_o holy_a ghost_n inform_v we_o it_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o prudent_a to_o understand_v his_o way_n prov._n 14.8_o and_o a_o wise_a man_n heart_n discern_v of_o time_n and_o
simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o left_a and_o many_o in_o the_o last_o day_n very_o many_o that_o have_v the_o form_n but_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n hence_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n much_o obscure_v and_o ready_a to_o be_v spoil_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v to_o be_v the_o lover_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n reas_n 2._o take_a from_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o instrumentie_n satan_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v have_v a_o old_a grudge_n against_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o he_o never_o want_v instrument_n who_o either_o by_o force_n or_o fraud_n or_o both_o have_v do_v what_o mischief_n they_o can_v against_o the_o church_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n thus_o in_o the_o story_n of_o exodus_fw-la pharaoh_n at_o first_o work_n wise_o to_o undermine_v afterward_o he_o work_v proud_o to_o overtake_v and_o destroy_v the_o israel_n of_o god_n thus_o also_o in_o psal_n 83.1_o 2_o 3._o keep_v not_o silence_n o_o god_n for_o ethine_v enemy_n make_v a_o tumult_n they_o have_v consult_v together_o they_o have_v say_v come_v let_v we_o cut_v they_o off_o that_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n be_v have_v no_o more_o in_o remembrance_n and_o then_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o gebal_n ammon_n and_o amalek_n and_o many_o other_o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n no_o soon_o have_v zerubbabel_n and_o joshua_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o poor_a people_n of_o israel_n begin_v to_o reform_v and_o set_v themselves_o about_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o satan_n stand_v up_o to_o resist_v they_o as_o it_o be_v in_o zech._n 3.1_o &_o he_o have_v instrument_n at_o hand_n present_o sanballat_n and_o tobia_n with_o their_o complice_n nehem._n 4.11_o and_o our_o adversary_n say_v they_o shall_v neither_o see_v nor_o know_v till_o we_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n among_o they_o and_o slay_v they_o and_o cause_v their_o work_n to_o cease_v thus_o also_o in_o ezr._n 4.9_o you_o read_v of_o rehum_n the_o chancellor_n and_o shiâ—shi_n the_o scribe_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o companion_n plead_v much_o the_o damage_n and_o dishonour_n of_o the_o king_n as_o in_o verse_n 13._o and_o when_o they_o have_v get_v a_o commission_n they_o go_v up_o in_o haste_n unto_o jerusalem_n to_o cause_v the_o work_n to_o cease_v and_o in_o the_o verse_n 23._o they_o make_v they_o cease_v by_o force_n and_o power_n though_o it_o be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n as_o it_o appear_v afterward_o and_o if_o you_o look_v into_o rev._n 12.12_o you_o shall_v find_v there_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o last_o time_n it_o be_v say_v we_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o of_o the_o sea_n for_o the_o devil_n be_v come_v down_o among_o you_o and_o his_o rage_n be_v great_a because_o he_o have_v but_o a_o short_a time_n the_o short_a the_o time_n the_o fierce_a the_o rage_n of_o satan_n against_o all_o that_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n &_o where_o ever_o he_o can_v prevail_v down_o go_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o up_o go_v the_o commandment_n of_o man_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o all_o that_o will_v not_o do_v must_v suffer_v and_o all_o that_o bear_v witness_n to_o truth_n and_o holiness_n must_v be_v in_o sackcloth_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o end_n now_o from_o hence_o again_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n be_v much_o endanger_v by_o the_o hater_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o second_o reason_n reas_n 3._o the_o last_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o afflict_a providence_n he_o the_o great_a god_n change_v the_o time_n and_o the_o season_n dan._n 2.21_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n have_v inform_v we_o of_o this_o that_o after_o a_o time_n of_o peace_n come_v a_o time_n of_o trouble_n after_o a_o time_n of_o liberty_n to_o be_v as_o good_a as_o man_n will_v be_v and_o as_o they_o shall_v be_v there_o come_v a_o time_n of_o restraint_n and_o sometime_o even_o in_o the_o valley_n of_o vision_n there_o be_v a_o day_n of_o perplexity_n and_o tread_v down_o and_o that_o from_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o host_n as_o it_o be_v in_o isai_n 22.5_o and_o though_o it_o have_v be_v question_v whether_o dioclesian_n persecution_n or_o julian_n toleration_n be_v more_o pernicious_a to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n yet_o without_o question_n neither_o of_o these_o be_v without_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n when_o the_o people_n of_o god_n know_v not_o how_o to_o use_v their_o peace_n and_o liberty_n when_o they_o have_v contract_v the_o guilt_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o such_o time_n it_o be_v but_o righteous_a with_o the_o lord_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o bondage_n that_o they_o may_v know_v the_o service_n of_o the_o lord_n with_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n as_o adam_n have_v after_o his_o fall_n to_o know_v good_a by_o the_o want_n and_o evil_a by_o the_o feel_n of_o it_o by_o terrible_a thing_n in_o righteousness_n will_v thou_o answer_v we_o o_o god_n who_o yet_o be_v the_o god_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o the_o confidence_n of_o such_o as_o be_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n psal_n 65.5_o but_o from_o hence_o also_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n come_v to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n as_o the_o ship_n in_o which_o the_o disciple_n go_v when_o christ_n be_v asleep_a there_o come_v down_o such_o a_o storm_n upon_o the_o lâ—â—â—_n and_o they_o be_v so_o cover_v with_o the_o wave_n and_o in_o such_o jeopardy_n they_o be_v fain_o to_o cry_v out_o unto_o he_o master_n save_o we_o or_o we_o perish_v gather_v up_o the_o reason_n brief_o if_o the_o lover_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o unable_a to_o preserve_v it_o if_o the_o hater_n of_o it_o be_v so_o sedulous_a to_o destroy_v it_o and_o if_o the_o lord_n himself_o seem_v to_o withdraw_v from_o it_o than_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o the_o time_n be_v such_o and_o the_o case_n be_v such_o as_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n do_v need_n and_o require_v more_o than_o ordinary_a help_n from_o the_o lord_n himself_o by_o this_o time_n you_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n now_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o good_a of_o it_o in_o application_n to_o ourselves_o and_o that_o but_o in_o a_o couple_n of_o uses_n the_o one_o for_o the_o information_n of_o our_o judgement_n the_o other_o for_o direction_n in_o point_n of_o practice_n use_v 1_o we_o may_v hence_o inform_v ourselves_o not_o only_o what_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o his_o people_n be_v in_o other_o part_n but_o what_o it_o be_v here_o with_o we_o i_o say_v to_o inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o his_o people_n in_o new-england_n this_o be_v the_o first_o use_n a_o mistake_n in_o this_o may_v be_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n the_o true_a state_v of_o this_o cause_n and_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o it_o may_v be_v of_o no_o little_a help_n unto_o we_o in_o the_o time_n that_o be_v come_v upon_o we_o for_o it_o be_v more_o than_o our_o life_n and_o as_o much_o as_o our_o soul_n be_v worth_a to_o own_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v faithful_a to_o it_o in_o our_o generation_n to_o confess_v or_o deny_v this_o cause_n be_v in_o scripture_n interpretation_n to_o confess_v or_o deny_v christ_n himself_o and_o you_o know_v what_o he_o have_v say_v in_o mat._n 10.32_o whosoever_o shall_v confess_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o confess_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n but_o whosoever_o shall_v deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o in_o the_o eight_o of_o mark_n and_o verse_n 38._o whosoever_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o i_o and_o of_o my_o word_n in_o this_o adulterous_a and_o sinful_a generation_n â—f_v he_o also_o shall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v ashamed_a when_o he_o come_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o father_n with_o all_o his_o holy_a angel_n give_v i_o leave_v than_o i_o beseech_v you_o honour_a and_o belove_v to_o present_v a_o few_o thing_n unto_o you_o about_o this_o causâ—_n i_o confess_v i_o shall_v be_v utter_o inexcusable_a in_o adventure_v to_o show_v my_o weakness_n in_o such_o a_o place_n at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o this_o be_v i_o not_o able_a to_o call_v the_o most_o hâ—â—h_n to_o witness_n that_o nothing_o but_o conscience_n of_o my_o duty_n put_v i_o and_o keep_v i_o upon_o this_o subject_a when_o i_o receive_v the_o summons_n of_o the_o honourablâ—_n gâ—â—_n to_o preach_v it_o this_o time_n it_o be_v desire_v that_o some_o suitable_a word_n may_v be_v speak_v now_o whether_o the_o state_v of_o