a_o animal_n can_v have_v so_o great_a a_o sense_n of_o pleasure_n or_o happiness_n as_o a_o spirit_n may_v if_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o say_v that_o it_o have_v any_o at_o all_o matter_n the_o best_a of_o it_o be_v dull_a in_o comparison_n to_o a_o spirit_n and_o must_v be_v move_v but_o a_o spirit_n be_v active_a and_o move_v its_o self_n and_o what_o be_v most_o capable_a of_o action_n be_v most_o capable_a of_o happiness_n for_o all_o fruition_n consist_v in_o action_n further_o the_o object_n of_o our_o happiness_n be_v all_o spiritual_a thing_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o spirit_n in_o we_o we_o can_v delight_v in_o and_o enjoy_v such_o which_o be_v the_o noble_a and_o most_o excellent_a thing_n in_o themselves_o and_o be_v able_a to_o afford_v the_o great_a pleasure_n sensible_n object_n have_v not_o that_o force_n with_o they_o nor_o that_o power_n to_o please_v which_o spiritual_a thing_n have_v that_o be_v the_o delight_n and_o blissful_a enjoyment_n of_o wise_a and_o refine_a 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spiritual_a thing_n as_o the_o chief_a object_n of_o our_o happiness_n i_o shall_v particular_o mention_v some_o of_o they_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v please_v its_o self_n high_o in_o good_a and_o virtuous_a action_n in_o those_o which_o we_o do_v ourselves_o and_o in_o those_o we_o see_v do_v by_o other_o it_o be_v incomparable_o pleasant_a to_o view_v and_o consider_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o the_o fitness_n of_o these_o to_o see_v how_o necessary_a and_o just_a they_o be_v to_o consider_v how_o much_o gratitude_n towards_o god_n and_o the_o obligation_n we_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o do_v require_v they_o of_o mankind_n to_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n and_o vast_a advantage_n of_o they_o hence_o do_v a_o good_a man_n acknowledge_v to_o god_n thy_o law_n be_v sweet_a to_o my_o taste_n yea_o sweet_a than_o honey_n to_o my_o mouth_n there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n among_o man_n so_o pleasant_a and_o charm_a to_o a_o rectify_a soul_n as_o be_v the_o virtuous_a and_o pious_a action_n and_o behaviour_n of_o good_a man_n while_o the_o sensual_a mind_n of_o other_o dote_v on_o a_o fair_a outside_n and_o sine_fw-la clothes_n he_o see_v and_o take_v a_o more_o just_a and_o true_a delight_n in_o the_o glory_n that_o dwell_v within_o and_o dart_n out_o its_o ray_n in_o religious_a and_o good_a action_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v take_v delight_n in_o the_o converse_n of_o holy_a and_o wise_a and_o kind_a angel_n those_o glorious_a creature_n that_o be_v the_o beauty_n and_o flower_n as_o we_o may_v say_v of_o the_o creation_n it_o can_v delight_v in_o what_o they_o be_v in_o what_o they_o say_v and_o in_o what_o they_o do_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o their_o society_n and_o it_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n as_o a_o part_n of_o that_o felicity_n to_o which_o our_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v entitle_v and_o will_v bring_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v enjoy_v hereafter_o the_o society_n of_o a_o innumerable_a company_n 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the_o sweet_a thought_n that_o this_o god_n be_v reconcile_v that_o it_o be_v a_o favourite_n of_o heaven_n than_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o the_o psalmist_n say_v my_o meditation_n of_o he_o shall_v be_v sweet_a i_o will_v be_v glad_a in_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o if_o to_o all_o this_o we_o add_v that_o this_o great_a object_n of_o the_o soul_n happiness_n will_v endure_v for_o ever_o and_o so_o will_v also_o the_o lesser_a one_o that_o have_v be_v mention_v that_o be_v spiritual_a in_o their_o nature_n they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a they_o will_v never_o cease_v to_o be_v nor_o cease_v to_o be_v delightful_a and_o please_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o soul_n its_o self_n by_o its_o immortal_a nature_n be_v capable_a to_o be_v for_o ever_o blessed_v with_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o these_o object_n we_o shall_v from_o hence_o see_v that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o everlasting_a happiness_n of_o that_o which_o shall_v never_o be_v interrupt_v 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of_o our_o soul_n and_o with_o more_o regard_n to_o their_o interest_n and_o happiness_n than_o we_o common_o do_v and_o in_o particular_a these_o thing_n follow_v the_o influence_n of_o they_o upon_o we_o will_v effect_v and_o cause_n they_o will_v make_v we_o very_o pious_a towards_o god_n and_o thankful_a for_o what_o he_o have_v make_v we_o they_o will_v make_v we_o prefer_v our_o soul_n before_o our_o body_n and_o ambitious_a of_o attain_v those_o divine_a and_o honourable_a accomplishment_n which_o we_o be_v in_o our_o nature_n capable_a of_o they_o will_v make_v we_o very_o industrious_a to_o gain_v that_o happiness_n which_o we_o be_v original_o and_o in_o our_o nature_n design_v for_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o shall_v set_v before_o you_o the_o due_a use_n and_o improvement_n of_o what_o have_v be_v
be_v there_o nothing_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o man_n but_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o vast_a bigness_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o heaven_n with_o the_o constant_a motion_n the_o brightness_n and_o durableness_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n but_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v in_o a_o sense_n vast_a and_o large_a than_o these_o as_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o comprehend_v they_o it_o be_v of_o more_o unwearied_a motion_n than_o they_o it_o move_v its_o self_n it_o be_v bright_a far_o and_o far_o more_o durable_a than_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v then_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o man_n that_o the_o make_n of_o he_o be_v thus_o set_v together_o with_o those_o great_a operation_n of_o the_o create_a power_n upon_o these_o ground_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o prophet_n zachary_n do_v in_o our_o text_n intimate_v the_o great_a excellency_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man._n it_o shall_v be_v the_o 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part_n it_o be_v in_o a_o sort_n all_o light_n and_o have_v no_o darkness_n be_v a_o bright_a celestial_a ray_n spring_v from_o the_o great_a father_n of_o light_n and_o spirit_n or_o at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o full_a of_o light_n and_o brightness_n in_o its_o original_a state_n and_o before_o it_o be_v sully_v with_o sinful_a pollution_n in_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n it_o have_v not_o diversity_n of_o part_n design_v for_o divers_a action_n so_o as_o that_o what_o one_o part_n can_v do_v another_o can_v which_o be_v the_o usual_a disparagement_n of_o body_n but_o all_o the_o soul_n can_v do_v whatever_o the_o soul_n can_v do_v it_o can_v all_o of_o it_o understand_v and_o will_v apprehend_v or_o remember_v it_o can_v all_o choose_v or_o refuse_v it_o have_v not_o some_o part_n heavy_a and_o some_o active_a some_o to_o move_v and_o other_o to_o be_v move_v but_o be_v all_o full_a of_o action_n and_o be_v always_o work_v and_o busy_a it_o know_v no_o weariness_n it_o need_v no_o rest_n or_o refreshment_n it_o know_v its_o own_o action_n and_o choose_v what_o it_o do_v and_o act_n free_o and_o from_o its_o own_o motion_n these_o be_v the_o property_n and_o advantage_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o as_o it_o be_v a_o spirit_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v a_o spirit_n the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v abundant_o declare_v when_o a_o man_n die_v it_o say_v of_o his_o body_n the_o dust_n shall_v return_v to_o the_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v and_o of_o his_o soul_n the_o spirit_n shall_v return_v to_o god_n that_o give_v it_o eccles_n 12._o 7._o this_o be_v a_o thing_n distinct_a from_o the_o body_n it_o be_v not_o raise_v from_o the_o dust_n as_o that_o be_v but_o come_v from_o god_n immediate_o nor_o do_v it_o return_v to_o the_o dust_n but_o return_v to_o god_n at_o our_o death_n the_o apostle_n say_v what_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v the_o purpose_n wish_n design_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n 1_o cor._n 2._o 11._o and_o in_o the_o five_o chapter_n of_o that_o epistle_n at_o the_o 5_o verse_n he_o direct_v the_o corinthian_n to_o excommunicate_v a_o eminent_a person_n among_o they_o who_o have_v be_v incestuous_a for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n mean_v his_o soul_n i_o shall_v add_v no_o more_o to_o this_o particular_a but_o proceed_v 2._o to_o what_o be_v next_o mention_v as_o declare_v the_o excellent_a nature_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o be_v that_o they_o be_v immortal_a these_o being_n have_v a_o beginning_n indeed_o as_o every_o thing_n else_o have_v but_o one_o who_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o all_o other_o but_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v never_o come_v to_o a_o end_n when_o a_o man_n die_v there_o be_v only_o a_o separation_n make_v for_o a_o while_n of_o his_o soul_n from_o his_o body_n with_o a_o dissolution_n indeed_o of_o 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thou_o be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n he_o be_v to_o be_v therefore_o his_o soul_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dissolve_v with_o his_o body_n and_o he_o be_v to_o be_v in_o paradise_n in_o a_o happy_a state_n when_o the_o scripture_n call_v death_n a_o departure_n out_o of_o this_o world_n it_o seem_v to_o intimate_v this_o the_o apostle_n paul_n who_o be_v to_o leave_v his_o body_n in_o this_o world_n as_o all_o other_o die_a person_n do_v yet_o speak_v of_o his_o death_n as_o a_o departure_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 6._o and_o in_o phil._n 1._o 23._o he_o speak_v of_o his_o death_n as_o what_o he_o desire_v in_o these_o word_n i_o desire_v to_o
a_o flower_n and_o be_v cut_v down_o he_o flee_v also_o as_o a_o shadow_n and_o continue_v not_o to_o know_v who_o it_o be_v that_o these_o word_n of_o job_n do_v describe_v in_o so_o mean_a and_o disparage_v a_o character_n we_o need_v but_o look_v back_o to_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n where_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o be_v speak_v of_o man._n it_o be_v man_n that_o come_v forth_o like_o a_o flower_n and_o be_v cut_v down_o he_o flee_v as_o a_o shadow_n and_o continue_v not_o it_o be_v his_o design_n to_o represent_v by_o this_o expression_n the_o contemptible_a and_o wretched_a condition_n of_o our_o present_a life_n which_o we_o very_o foolish_o and_o unreasonable_o dote_v upon_o and_o admire_v this_o life_n on_o earth_n be_v never_o intend_v to_o be_v our_o happy_a state_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v fall_v much_o below_o that_o degree_n of_o happiness_n which_o the_o creator_n have_v intend_v it_o shall_v enjoy_v yet_o this_o pitiful_a state_n be_v that_o the_o wretched_a son_n of_o man_n be_v most_o extreme_o fond_a of_o here_o they_o will_v always_o be_v this_o take_v up_o all_o their_o thought_n and_o care_n they_o know_v or_o at_o least_o mind_n no_o heaven_n but_o earth_n and_o think_v to_o heap_v up_o felicity_n as_o they_o gather_v worldly_a enjoyment_n we_o study_v how_o to_o live_v happy_o till_o we_o die_v and_o dote_v upon_o fade_a pleasure_n as_o if_o we_o be_v always_o to_o enjoy_v they_o we_o common_o live_v here_o as_o if_o after_o this_o life_n we_o be_v to_o be_v no_o long_o and_o there_o be_v no_o better_a thing_n attainable_a than_o what_o this_o life_n possess_v and_o while_o we_o mind_v this_o world_n we_o neglect_v the_o other_o we_o do_v not_o seek_v the_o better_a happiness_n of_o that_o and_o lose_v it_o for_o want_n of_o seek_v it_o yea_o we_o forfeit_v that_o happiness_n which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o deserve_v and_o incur_v everlasting_a misery_n by_o what_o our_o too_o great_a love_n of_o this_o life_n and_o its_o enjoyment_n do_v engage_v we_o in_o very_o much_o of_o the_o wickedness_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o misery_n of_o the_o next_o be_v due_a to_o this_o unhappy_a cause_n to_o render_v a_o temporal_a life_n happy_a as_o we_o suppose_v we_o spoil_v a_o eternal_a one_o or_o incur_v a_o eternal_a death_n we_o serve_v our_o body_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o great_a folly_n of_o which_o our_o saviour_n suggest_v by_o that_o question_n mark_v 8._o 36._o what_o shall_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o soul_n or_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n give_v in_o exchange_n for_o his_o soul_n to_o meet_v with_o this_o unhappy_a and_o dangerous_a error_n as_o much_o as_o this_o text_n without_o strain_v it_o will_v allow_v i_o shall_v employ_v the_o follow_a discourse_n about_o three_o thing_n 1._o i_o shall_v inquire_v and_o make_v it_o appear_v from_o other_o scripture_n what_o intimation_n concern_v our_o present_a life_n this_o text_n afford_v we_o 2._o i_o shall_v insist_v a_o little_a upon_o the_o illustration_n of_o those_o intimation_n 3._o i_o shall_v add_v the_o due_a improvement_n and_o application_n of_o they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n let_v we_o compare_v this_o text_n of_o scripture_n with_o other_o that_o we_o may_v derive_v from_o it_o the_o more_o certain_o and_o evident_o the_o instruction_n it_o contain_v in_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 24._o it_o be_v say_v all_o flesh_n be_v as_o grass_n and_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o man_n as_o the_o flower_n of_o grass_n the_o grass_n wither_v and_o the_o flower_n fall_v away_o and_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n he_o add_v but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n endure_v for_o ever_o by_o this_o opposition_n of_o the_o word_n that_o endure_v to_o the_o grass_n and_o the_o flower_n of_o it_o which_o fall_v away_o we_o may_v understand_v that_o by_o the_o comparison_n of_o a_o flower_n the_o holy_a spirit_n will_v teach_v we_o this_o life_n be_v not_o of_o long_a continuance_n the_o flower_n be_v the_o short_a live_a part_n even_o of_o those_o plant_n that_o have_v the_o short_a duration_n and_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n fit_a to_o mind_v we_o of_o the_o short_a continuance_n of_o this_o present_a life_n further_o in_o ps_n 103._o v._n 15_o 16._o we_o be_v tell_v as_o for_o man_n his_o day_n be_v as_o grass_n as_o a_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n so_o he_o flourish_v for_o the_o wind_n pass_v over_o it_o and_o it_o be_v go_v this_o short_a live_v flower_n be_v expose_v as_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n it_o be_v liable_a to_o many_o destructive_a and_o mortal_a accident_n yea_o if_o but_o the_o wind_n pass_v over_o it_o it_o be_v go_v it_o be_v most_o easy_o destroy_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n may_v look_v fair_a and_o beautiful_a but_o have_v very_o little_a strength_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o man_n be_v the_o psalmist_n mean_v here_o he_o be_v as_o feeble_a as_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n a_o small_a mischief_n may_v snatch_v he_o away_o in_o his_o prime_n thus_o the_o scripture_n teach_v by_o this_o comparison_n the_o frailty_n and_o weakness_n as_o well_o as_o the_o shortness_n of_o human_a life_n again_o in_o psal_n 102._o v._n 11._o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o himself_o say_v my_o day_n be_v like_o a_o shadow_n that_o decline_v which_o be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v while_o my_o affliction_n last_o and_o i_o hope_v for_o better_a day_n my_o life_n decline_v apace_o it_o waste_v continual_o away_o in_o psal_n 144._o v._n 4._o it_o be_v say_v man_n be_v like_a to_o vanity_n his_o day_n be_v as_o a_o shadow_n that_o pass_v away_o from_o these_o scripture_n we_o may_v learn_v that_o by_o the_o comparison_n of_o a_o shadow_n be_v teach_v we_o how_o transitory_a our_o present_a life_n be_v it_o be_v continual_o pass_v away_o and_o spend_v itself_o and_o the_o rather_o may_v we_o be_v allow_v to_o conclude_v this_o from_o our_o present_a text_n because_o it_o be_v say_v of_o man_n he_o flee_v as_o a_o shadow_n and_o then_o it_o be_v add_v too_o he_o continue_v not_o from_o this_o text_n than_o it_o appear_v we_o may_v learn_v these_o three_o serious_a intimation_n 1._o the_o present_a life_n of_o mortal_a man_n be_v very_o short_a as_o be_v the_o continuance_n of_o a_o flower_n 2._o it_o be_v very_o feeble_a and_o frail_a be_v most_o easy_o cut_v off_o and_o destroy_v and_o yet_o be_v expose_v too_o as_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n 3._o this_o our_o present_a life_n in_o this_o world_n be_v altogether_o transitory_a it_o be_v continual_o pass_v away_o as_o a_o shadow_n always_o move_v and_o pass_v on_o till_o it_o be_v lose_v in_o the_o night_n universal_a darkness_n these_o be_v very_o obvious_a truth_n and_o such_o as_o every_o man_n thought_n may_v easy_o suggest_v to_o he_o and_o they_o be_v very_o important_a and_o worth_a our_o consider_v and_o will_v be_v to_o those_o that_o will_v well_o consider_v they_o the_o spring_n of_o much_o peace_n and_o wisdom_n but_o as_o obvious_a and_o useful_a as_o they_o be_v it_o appear_v they_o be_v much_o neglect_v and_o man_n common_o live_v as_o if_o they_o know_v not_o these_o thing_n at_o lest_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o seldom_o or_o never_o consider_v they_o let_v we_o then_o not_o be_v unwilling_a to_o fix_v our_o mind_n upon_o they_o for_o a_o little_a while_n at_o present_a and_o let_v none_o fear_v any_o harm_n will_v follow_v if_o thereby_o they_o shall_v make_v impression_n upon_o his_o mind_n and_o for_o the_o future_a so_o stay_v there_o as_o never_o to_o be_v forget_v again_o the_o next_o thing_n then_o that_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v be_v to_o illustrate_v these_o particular_n to_o express_v and_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o a_o few_o more_o word_n on_o purpose_n that_o our_o thought_n may_v be_v detain_v a_o while_n upon_o they_o and_o that_o we_o may_v give_v they_o some_o advantage_n to_o make_v a_o due_a impression_n 1._o let_v we_o consider_v that_o the_o present_a life_n of_o mortal_a man_n be_v very_o short_a they_o that_o live_v the_o great_a number_n of_o year_n have_v but_o a_o short_a life_n on_o earth_n a_o little_a time_n pass_v over_o the_o innocence_n and_o ease_n of_o our_o infancy_n and_o childhood_n a_o little_a more_o wither_v the_o flourish_a beauty_n and_o gaiety_n of_o youth_n a_o little_a more_o weaken_v the_o strength_n and_o spend_v the_o usefulness_n of_o ripe_a manhood_n and_o if_o beyond_o this_o we_o live_v a_o little_a time_n more_o bury_v the_o decay_v and_o infirmity_n of_o old-age_n the_o long_a distance_n from_o the_o cradle_n to_o the_o grave_n be_v but_o a_o short_a one_o and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v have_v