be_v call_v a_o fool_n than_o a_o wicked_a man_n for_o although_o that_o outward_o &_o in_o regard_n of_o inconvenience_n man_n be_v more_o trouble_v if_o they_o be_v call_v wicked_a yet_o inward_o and_o in_o their_o secret_n thought_n they_o be_v more_o offend_v if_o they_o be_v repute_v fool_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o every_o one_o natural_o desire_v to_o be_v think_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o reasonable_a creature_n of_o which_o degree_n he_o think_v himself_o degrade_v if_o he_o be_v tax_v of_o folly_n which_o be_v the_o want_n of_o judgement_n or_o reason_n and_o indeed_o essential_a to_o man_n so_o divine_a justice_n condemn_v he_o to_o great_a punishment_n who_o call_v his_o brother_n fool_n then_o he_o that_o be_v angry_a without_o cause_n mat._n 5.22_o but_o then_o how_o come_v it_o that_o no_o man_n except_o he_o be_v a_o fool_n indeed_o dare_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o title_n of_o wise_a and_o yet_o every_o one_o dare_v call_v himself_o good_a the_o cause_n also_o be_v plain_a for_o though_o every_o man_n believe_v himself_o to_o be_v reasonable_a and_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o name_n of_o fool_n yet_o he_o know_v that_o the_o name_n of_o wise_a include_v quality_n not_o common_a to_o all_o and_o which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o every_o one_o for_o to_o have_v a_o good_a natural_a understandding_n a_o quick_a apprehension_n a_o good_a judgement_n be_v perfection_n which_o every_o one_o can_v have_v though_o he_o will_v never_o so_o fain_o but_o to_o be_v good_a that_o be_v to_o have_v moral_a goodness_n consist_v in_o civil_a conversation_n only_o there_o be_v none_o who_o think_v not_o themselves_o capable_a thereof_o therefore_o as_o every_o one_o believe_v he_o may_v be_v a_o good_a man_n if_o he_o will_v so_o every_o one_o dare_v call_v himself_o good_a and_o that_o bold_o because_o he_o know_v that_o common_a belief_n give_v he_o power_n to_o be_v so_o but_o as_o for_o wisdom_n which_o we_o know_v depend_v not_o on_o the_o will_n of_o any_o person_n none_o dare_v so_o bold_o and_o open_o assume_v this_o title_n a_o oservation_n upon_o this_o that_o in_o the_o scripture_n god_n be_v often_o angry_a with_o man_n wickedness_n than_o he_o use_v to_o laugh_v at_o their_o folly_n we_o may_v speak_v the_o truth_n irronical_o god_n himself_o use_v sometime_o this_o figure_n namely_o then_o when_o he_o mock_v idolater_n and_o such_o as_o trust_v in_o soothsayer_n he_o invite_v they_o to_o try_v if_o their_o god_n and_o astrologer_n can_v deliver_v they_o judg._n 10.14_o jer._n 8.28_o isa_n 47.13_o and_o then_o also_o when_o he_o mock_v those_o who_o trust_v to_o the_o wisdom_n or_o power_n of_o king_n hos_n 13.10_o true_o man_v folly_n deserve_v as_o much_o to_o be_v mock_v as_o his_o malice_n be_v worthy_a of_o our_o indignation_n yet_o there_o be_v oftentimes_o more_o cause_n to_o be_v angry_a with_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o world_n then_o to_o laugh_v at_o its_o vanity_n so_o the_o scripture_n set_v out_o to_o we_o 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that_o extraordinary_a example_n the_o general_a rule_n of_o truth_n be_v still_o firm_a for_o if_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o lie_v even_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n how_o much_o less_o for_o other_o cause_n for_o be_v it_o reason_n that_o any_o estate_n or_o weal_n public_a shall_v be_v of_o great_a consideration_n with_o we_o than_o god_n himself_o why_o it_o be_v lawful_a sometime_o to_o make_v show_n of_o evil_n but_o never_o lawful_a to_o make_v show_n of_o good_a there_o be_v great_a odds_o between_o a_o formal_a lie_n and_o a_o simple_a fiction_n or_o resemblance_n for_o the_o one_o be_v altogether_o vicious_a the_o other_o sometime_o lawful_a but_o with_o a_o distinction_n we_o do_v not_o call_v he_o a_o hypocrite_n who_o make_v show_v of_o evil_n which_o he_o have_v not_o but_o he_o who_o make_v show_v of_o the_o good_a he_o have_v not_o the_o first_o be_v sometime_o lawful_a the_o other_o be_v never_o allowable_a it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o good_a man_n to_o counterfeit_v the_o naughty_a man_n as_o solomon_n make_v show_v to_o dispatch_v the_o poor_a infant_n 1_o kings_z cap._n 3._o but_o it_o be_v cousnage_n if_o a_o wicked_a man_n shall_v counterfeit_v a_o good_a man_n its_o lawful_a for_o a_o learned_a man_n to_o play_v the_o ignorant_a but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a presumption_n in_o a_o ignorant_a to_o make_v show_n of_o learning_n its_o lawful_a for_o a_o wise_a man_n to_o play_v the_o fool_n as_o david_n do_v in_o the_o court_n of_o achis_n but_o but_o its_o a_o trancendant_a folly_n for_o a_o fool_n to_o counterfeit_v the_o wise_a man_n its_o lawful_a for_o a_o mild_a man_n to_o make_v show_n of_o rigour_n as_o joseph_n do_v outward_o to_o his_o brethren_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o detestable_a then_o for_o a_o cruel_a man_n to_o make_v show_n of_o mildness_n and_o last_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o friend_n to_o counterfeit_v the_o enemy_n but_o for_o a_o enemy_n to_o play_v the_o friend_n be_v horrible_a treachery_n counterfeit_v therefore_o be_v lawful_a in_o the_o one_o but_o not_o in_o the_o other_o good_a and_o evil_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o essence_n lodge_v within_o man_n not_o according_a to_o outward_a appearance_n the_o inside_n may_v be_v good_a though_o it_o do_v not_o always_o appear_v outward_o so_o but_o the_o outside_n can_v never_o be_v good_a if_o there_o be_v not_o goodness_n within_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o sometime_o good_a under_o the_o shape_n of_o evil_n be_v lawful_a but_o evil_a be_v never_o lawful_a under_o the_o shape_n of_o good_a we_o may_v know_v a_o wicked_a man_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v a_o good_a man_n if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n do_v wicked_o i_o be_o not_o deceive_v if_o i_o hold_v he_o for_o a_o wicked_a man_n but_o when_o a_o man_n do_v all_o the_o good_a he_o can_v yet_o this_o be_v no_o infallible_a mark_n to_o assure_v i_o that_o he_o be_v a_o good_a man_n for_o many_o do_v good_a thing_n either_o out_o of_o hypocrisy_n or_o some_o interest_n such_o will_v give_v all_o they_o have_v to_o the_o poor_a yea_o will_v suffer_v willing_o martyrdom_n who_o notwithstanding_o be_v void_a of_o charity_n 1_o cor._n 13.3_o the_o work_v they_o do_v have_v true_o a_o superficial_a goodness_n but_o abusive_a because_o the_o inside_n be_v naught_o as_o true_a goodness_n than_o lodge_v within_o the_o heart_n which_o to_o we_o be_v unknown_a so_o we_o can_v know_v if_o such_o a_o man_n be_v true_o good_a but_o then_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v he_o to_o be_v wicked_a see_v wickedness_n as_o well_o as_o goodness_n have_v its_o abode_n within_o the_o heart_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o difference_n be_v plain_a a_o evil_a action_n never_o proceed_v from_o a_o good_a heart_n but_o a_o action_n that_o be_v outward_o good_a may_v proceed_v from_o a_o evil_a heart_n when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o any_o man_n in_o hell_n it_o never_o name_v the_o man_n and_o when_o it_o do_v name_v he_o it_o never_o express_v the_o name_n of_o hell_n a_o observation_n upon_o this_o matter_n the_o parable_n in_o st._n luke_n chap._n 16._o name_v he_o who_o be_v in_o abraham_n bosom_n to_o wit_n lazarus_n but_o give_v no_o name_n to_o he_o that_o be_v in_o hell_n only_o in_o general_n call_v he_o a_o rich_a man_n i_o will_v omit_v the_o reason_n which_o some_o allege_v for_o this_o and_o will_v only_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n never_o nominate_v those_o who_o it_o mention_v to_o be_v in_o hell_n torment_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v that_o the_o rich_a man_n name_n be_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n whereas_o lazarus_n be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n so_o it_o speak_v of_o divers_a spirit_n in_o prison_n 1_o pet._n 3.19_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o hell_n but_o
revelation_n for_o we_o have_v never_o know_v how_o many_o day_n god_n bestow_v in_o create_v the_o whole_a universe_n if_o himself_o have_v not_o reveal_v this_o secret_a which_o he_o express_v in_o the_o four_o commandment_n of_o the_o decalogue_n yea_o moreover_o what_o the_o law_n carry_v in_o its_o very_a frontispiece_n i_o be_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n can_v not_o be_v know_v by_o any_o natural_a mean_n to_o clear_v this_o we_o must_v again_o remember_v that_o god_n never_o name_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o those_o he_o hate_v the_o revelation_n comprehend_v in_o these_o word_n i_o be_o thy_o god_n be_v a_o expression_n of_o benevolence_n and_o graciousnesse_n now_o this_o his_o save_a benevolence_n can_v not_o be_v know_v by_o any_o voice_n of_o nature_n we_o say_v further_o that_o here_o be_v two_o point_n to_o be_v distinguish_v one_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n the_o other_o that_o he_o be_v our_o god_n the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v write_v natural_o in_o our_o heart_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o never_o yet_o angel_n descend_v from_o heaven_n to_o come_v and_o tell_v man_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o to_o make_v they_o know_v that_o god_n be_v their_o god_n to_o ensure_v they_o of_o his_o loving-kindnesse_n to_o bring_v they_o injunction_n from_o he_o and_o in_o brief_a to_o attest_v and_o confirm_v that_o which_o they_o can_v not_o learn_v from_o any_o natural_a principle_n god_n have_v wrought_v miracle_n have_v cause_v angel_n to_o speak_v yea_o have_v speak_v himself_o the_o i._o commandment_n thou_o shall_v have_v no_o other_o god_n etc._n etc._n a_o consideration_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o atheism_n and_o superstition_n have_v general_o reign_v two_o crime_n be_v forbid_v in_o this_o first_o commandment_n of_o the_o law_n one_o not_o to_o have_v a_o god_n the_o other_o to_o have_v more_o than_o one_o these_o two_o sin_n be_v very_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o it_o seem_v that_o atheism_n be_v the_o first_o or_o at_o least_o profaneness_n which_o come_v very_o near_o to_o atheism_n we_o read_v not_o that_o before_o the_o flood_n there_o be_v any_o idolatry_n among_o man_n the_o holy_a history_n gen._n 6._o mark_v out_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o destruction_n seem_v rather_o to_o accuse_v they_o for_o have_v have_v no_o god_n at_o all_o then_o for_o have_v have_v many_o after_o the_o flood_n though_o atheism_n be_v on_o foot_n still_o in_o the_o world_n yet_o be_v idolatry_n far_o more_o general_a but_o as_o the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n begin_v by_o atheism_n or_o profaneness_n it_o make_v as_o though_o it_o will_v return_v thither_o again_o the_o first_o age_n have_v be_v atheist_n the_o follow_a age_n idolater_n and_o the_o last_o into_o which_o we_o be_v fall_v be_v already_o whole_o dispose_v unto_o atheism_n and_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v he_o shall_v not_o find_v faith_n upon_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o sadducee_n be_v show_v that_o god_n rather_o pardon_v the_o superstitious_a than_o the_o profane_a the_o pharisee_n be_v superstitious_a but_o the_o sadduce_v incline_v to_o atheism_n see_v that_o he_o believe_v not_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n neither_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n nor_o the_o life_n to_o come_v now_o we_o find_v that_o divers_a pharisee_n notwithstanding_o the_o envy_n and_o ill_a will_n with_o which_o they_o be_v forestalled_n become_v capable_a of_o the_o faith_n and_o receive_v the_o gospel_n one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o this_o sect_n viz._n nicodemus_n spend_v both_o his_o cost_n and_o his_o pain_n in_o the_o burial_n of_o christ_n but_o never_o read_v we_o of_o any_o sadduce_v that_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n not_o that_o god_n have_v be_v want_v either_o in_o goodness_n or_o power_n to_o their_o conversion_n but_o as_o it_o seem_v he_o will_v have_v it_o see_v that_o in_o disdain_v to_o make_v they_o his_o disciple_n he_o more_o detest_v the_o profane_a than_o the_o superstitious_a such_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi that_o have_v even_o persecute_v the_o church_n be_v promote_v as_o high_a as_o unto_o a_o apostleship_n but_o never_o any_o sadduce_v come_v so_o much_o as_o to_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o disciple_n the_o true_a religion_n the_o easy_a the_o folly_n of_o the_o pagan_n affect_a plurality_n of_o god_n false_a religion_n have_v a_o thousand_o object_n a_o thousand_o troublesome_a wind_n and_o every_o of_o they_o trail_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n now_o into_o one_o danger_n by_z and_z by_z into_o another_o but_o true_a religion_n have_v but_o one_o god_n one_o mediator_n one_o sacrifice_n expiatory_a one_o justify_v faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o mystical_a body_n and_o one_o only_a spirit_n how_o much_o the_o more_o we_o multiply_v this_o union_n so_o much_o the_o less_o have_v we_o of_o religion_n but_o the_o poor_a pagan_n take_v it_o clean_o contrary_a for_o they_o that_o have_v the_o great_a number_n of_o god_n count_v themselves_o most_o religious_a it_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n to_o seek_v all_o the_o god_n they_o hear_v tell_v of_o yea_o all_o they_o can_v imagine_v think_v that_o to_o have_v many_o god_n be_v to_o have_v much_o religion_n a_o consideration_n upon_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n the_o most_o specious_a and_o fair_a seem_a idolatry_n be_v the_o adoration_n of_o angel_n creature_n so_o noble_a and_o so_o far_o above_o we_o these_o celestial_a spirit_n have_v sometime_o come_v and_o speak_v to_o man_n but_o their_o communication_n be_v ever_o short_a they_o do_v as_o it_o be_v but_o pass_v by_o without_o ever_o permit_v any_o to_o know_v they_o now_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v that_o every_o of_o their_o apparition_n shall_v be_v but_o of_o small_a continuance_n not_o to_o give_v time_n to_o the_o curiosity_n and_o feebleness_n of_o man_n that_o incline_v to_o superstition_n to_o ask_v they_o question_n from_o the_o matter_n or_o to_o idolatrise_v their_o presence_n of_o all_o mortal_a man_n that_o the_o angel_n have_v long_a hold_v in_o discourse_n at_o one_o time_n saint_n john_n the_o divine_a be_v he_o who_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o a_o excess_n of_o submission_n towards_o they_o apocalypse_v 19.22_o and_o since_o that_o time_n angel_n have_v forbear_v to_o speak_v and_o commune_v with_o man_n touch_v a_o kind_n of_o idolatry_n very_o subtle_a and_o usual_a many_o common_a people_n say_v that_o they_o put_v their_o confidence_n in_o the_o true_a religion_n in_o their_o prayer_n and_o in_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o god_n own_o it_o will_v seem_v to_o they_o very_o strange_a if_o one_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o that_o one_o must_v trust_v neither_o in_o religion_n although_o true_a nor_o in_o any_o of_o its_o duty_n neither_o in_o our_o just_a right_n though_o god_n himself_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o we_o can_v nor_o ought_v not_o to_o put_v our_o confidence_n but_o in_o god_n alone_o religion_n be_v not_o god_n religion_n be_v the_o service_n that_o one_o render_v to_o god_n but_o it_o be_v not_o god_n even_o the_o very_a ark_n of_o god_n that_o hold_v the_o table_n of_o the_o law_n be_v call_v the_o might_n of_o god_n and_o his_o glory_n and_o yet_o it_o suffice_v that_o it_o be_v take_v and_o carry_v about_o in_o triumph_n by_o his_o enemy_n psal_n 78.61_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o rest_v upon_o a_o quality_n that_o god_n give_v unto_o a_o cause_n nor_o in_o the_o interest_n that_o he_o take_v in_o it_o but_o it_o be_v fasten_v and_o stay_v on_o god_n himself_o who_o be_v its_o proper_a object_n this_o distinction_n that_o many_o will_v judge_v unprofitable_a and_o of_o little_a solidity_n be_v notwithstanding_o necessary_a and_o for_o want_v of_o take_v heed_n to_o it_o we_o fall_v into_o a_o imperceivable_a idolatry_n and_o which_o be_v very_o common_a wherefore_o be_v it_o that_o a_o man_n that_o have_v false_a god_n leave_v they_o not_o so_o easy_o as_o another_o forsake_v the_o true_a the_o israelite_n be_v sometime_o less_o constant_a in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n than_o the_o pagan_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o idol_n this_o be_v cast_v in_o their_o their_o tooth_n jerem._n chap._n 2._o go_v through_o the_o isle_n of_o kittim_n and_o behold_v etc._n etc._n be_v there_o any_o nation_n that_o have_v change_v their_o god_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o god_n but_o my_o people_n have_v change_v their_o glory_n into_o that_o which_o be_v nothing_o worth_a this_o be_v natural_a and_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a judgement_n natural_a man_n desire_v to_o have_v a_o god_n that_o may_v have_v some_o proportion_n with_o
to_o be_v in_o man_n shall_v be_v clothe_v with_o a_o more_o noble_a quality_n then_o that_o which_o be_v find_v among_o beast_n for_o these_o be_v capable_a of_o natural_a affection_n but_o man_n alone_o be_v capable_a of_o honour_n as_o well_o to_o give_v honour_n as_o to_o receive_v it_o another_o reason_n why_o this_o commandment_n speak_v of_o honour_n rather_o than_o of_o love_n in_o some_o regard_n a_o man_n owe_v more_o affection_n to_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n then_o to_o his_o father_n and_o mother_n for_o he_o must_v forsake_v father_n and_o mother_n and_o cleave_v to_o his_o wife_n but_o in_o matter_n of_o honour_n the_o parent_n have_v always_o the_o pre-eminence_n in_o our_o affection_n many_o time_n they_o have_v the_o second_o place_n but_o in_o honour_n and_o reverence_n they_o shall_v still_o be_v first_o wherefore_o the_o law_n command_v child_n to_o fear_v those_o that_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o world_n namely_o the_o mother_n before_o the_o father_n the_o decalogue_n say_v honour_v thy_o father_n and_o thy_o mother_n but_o in_o the_o 19_o of_o leviticus_n ver_fw-la 3._o it_o be_v say_v that_o every_o one_o shall_v fear_v his_o mother_n and_o his_o father_n here_o the_o mother_n be_v first_o name_v we_o must_v observe_v that_o in_o this_o passage_n the_o law_n giver_n speak_v of_o the_o fear_n which_o the_o child_n shall_v have_v towards_o those_o that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o their_o generation_n the_o love_n which_o they_o carry_v to_o the_o child_n cause_v sometime_o that_o he_o fear_v they_o not_o therefore_o god_n command_v he_o to_o fear_v they_o now_o because_o the_o mother_n have_v the_o great_a part_n of_o this_o natural_a affection_n towards_o the_o child_n and_o consequent_o be_v less_o fear_v god_n have_v enforce_v this_o obligation_n of_o the_o child_n towards_o the_o mother_n name_v her_o first_o before_o the_o father_n in_o this_o commandment_n which_o injoyn_v to_o fear_v they_o both_o so_o this_o duty_n towards_o the_o mother_n be_v more_o subject_a to_o be_v infringe_v be_v make_v so_o much_o considerable_a in_o that_o it_o be_v put_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o promise_v annex_v to_o the_o five_o commandment_n example_n of_o that_o propertion_n which_o be_v find_v sometime_o between_o good_a work_n and_o the_o recompense_n which_o they_o receive_v in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v well_o know_v why_o god_n in_o this_o commandment_n have_v rather_o promise_v life_n than_o any_o other_o blessing_n from_o our_o parent_n we_o have_v receive_v our_o life_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o life_n be_v promise_v to_o he_o that_o shall_v honour_v those_o of_o who_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o for_o as_o the_o punishment_n sometime_o answer_v the_o offence_n by_o the_o law_n of_o retaliation_n even_o so_o many_o time_n god_n remunerate_v a_o good_a work_n by_o some_o favour_n answer_v the_o same_o in_o some_o similitude_n so_o abraham_n offer_v his_o only_a son_n and_o god_n promise_v he_o thousand_o of_o child_n gen._n 22.16_o 17._o so_o jacob_n who_o have_v feed_v joseph_n by_o the_o space_n of_o seventeen_o year_n be_v reciprocal_o feed_v by_o joseph_n in_o egypt_n the_o space_n of_o seventeen_o year_n so_o abraham_n and_o lot_n for_o their_o hospitality_n to_o man_n have_v the_o honour_n to_o entertain_v angel_n so_o rachab_n have_v preserve_v the_o spy_n in_o her_o house_n be_v herself_o preserve_v with_o her_o house_n so_o the_o house_n of_o obed_n edom_n be_v bless_v for_o have_v receive_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n so_o ezechias_n have_v reign_v 14_o year_n religious_o receive_v from_o god_n a_o addition_n of_o fifteen_o year_n a_o term_n long_o than_o the_o former_a so_o daniel_n and_o his_o fellow_n refuse_v to_o desile_n themselves_o with_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n meat_n though_o they_o be_v feed_v only_o with_o pulse_n and_o water_n yet_o they_o fare_v better_a than_o those_o that_o be_v feed_v with_o the_o king_n allowance_n so_o she_o that_o be_v blame_v for_o pour_v out_o a_o precious_a ointment_n on_o our_o saviour_n head_n be_v praise_v at_o this_o day_n where_o ever_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v so_o many_o for_o humble_v themselves_o have_v be_v exalt_v '_o its_o true_a we_o find_v not_o always_o this_o proportion_n between_o the_o work_n and_o the_o reward_n but_o though_o god_n do_v not_o still_o pay_v in_o the_o same_o kind_n yet_o he_o give_v that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a yea_o infinite_o better_a if_o he_o do_v not_o bestow_v long_a life_n upon_o earth_n he_o give_v that_o which_o be_v eternal_a in_o heaven_n now_o why_o he_o give_v to_o some_o a_o long_o to_z other_o a_o short_a life_n there_o be_v other_o reason_n but_o secret_a i_o will_v observe_v some_o example_n why_o fifteen_o year_n be_v add_v to_o the_o life_n of_o ezechias_n he_o that_o can_v see_v the_o particular_a cause_n why_o god_n abridge_n and_o prolong_v our_o life_n till_o such_o a_o minute_n of_o time_n will_v find_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o marvelous_a dispensation_n the_o number_n of_o the_o year_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o many_o other_o famous_a in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v full_a of_o such_o mystery_n take_v one_o which_o be_v notable_a we_o know_v that_o god_n have_v cause_v the_o sentence_n of_o death_n to_o be_v pronounce_v against_o ezechias_n do_v notwithstanding_o add_v fifteen_o year_n to_o his_o life_n the_o common_a sort_n who_o see_v no_o far_o than_o the_o superficies_n of_o the_o history_n perceive_v not_o of_o what_o importance_n this_o term_n of_o year_n be_v which_o god_n bestow_v on_o this_o prince_n this_o number_n of_o year_n be_v fignificative_a and_o carry_v a_o meaning_n that_o reach_v far_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o a_o little_a before_o ezechias_n sickness_n the_o kingdom_n of_o juda_n be_v draw_v towards_o its_o end_n it_o have_v be_v invade_v by_o the_o assyrian_n and_o as_o yet_o stand_v in_o awe_n of_o they_o for_o this_o cause_n god_n promise_v to_o ezechias_n not_o only_o the_o prolongation_n of_o his_o life_n but_o also_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o kingdom_n for_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o assure_v his_o life_n for_o fifteen_o year_n he_o add_v that_o he_o will_v deliver_v he_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o assyrian_n and_o will_v defend_v jerusalem_n the_o capital_a city_n so_o the_o fifteen_o year_n that_o be_v promise_v to_o ezechias_n do_v express_v also_o the_o continuance_n and_o establishment_n of_o his_o kingdom_n we_o must_v observe_v then_o that_o ezechias_n be_v the_o fifteen_o king_n that_o reign_v in_o judea_n in_o which_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v preserve_v for_o from_o saul_n who_o be_v the_o first_o king_n till_o ezechias_n inclusive_o be_v reckon_v fifteen_o king_n of_o juda_n to_o wit_n 1._o saul_n 2._o david_n 3._o solomon_n 4._o roboam_n who_o be_v forsake_v by_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o retain_v only_o that_o of_o juda_n with_o a_o part_n of_o benjamin_n 5._o abija_n 6._o asa_n 7._o josophat_n 8._o joram_n 9_o achaziah_n otherways_o call_v hozias_n who_o his_o mother_n athalia_fw-la follow_v but_o because_o she_o usurp_v the_o kingdom_n her_o unlawful_a ragin_v be_v not_o count_v among_o the_o true_a king_n 10._o joas._n 11._o amaziah_n 12._o hazaria_n 13._o jotham_n 14._o achaz_n 15._o ezechias_n as_o then_o the_o reign_n of_o ezechias_n be_v the_o fifteen_o in_o order_n of_o succession_n so_o god_n will_v give_v he_o fifteen_o year_n include_v as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o epitome_n all_o the_o former_a reign_v and_o recapitulate_v they_o by_o the_o like_a number_n of_o year_n in_o the_o fifteen_o king_n this_o be_v to_o confirm_v all_o together_o both_o the_o life_n and_o reign_n of_o ezechias_n both_o which_o have_v be_v upon_o the_o point_n of_o expiration_n so_o that_o the_o life_n of_o this_o prince_n be_v prolong_v fifteen_o year_n be_v a_o pledge_n of_o the_o subsistence_n of_o that_o throne_n which_o have_v support_v fifteen_o king_n the_o age_n of_o the_o israelite_n when_o they_o pass_v out_o of_o the_o wilderness_n into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n this_o i_o observe_v here_o as_o a_o historical_a circumstance_n only_o none_o of_o those_o who_o enter_v into_o canaan_n aâ—ter_v the_o death_n of_o moses_n have_v as_o yet_o attain_v the_o age_n of_o sixty_o year_n except_o calib_n and_o josua_n who_o god_n reserve_v as_o two_o ancient_a witness_n of_o the_o wonder_n he_o wrought_v in_o egypt_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o verify_v for_o two_o year_n after_o the_o israelite_n departure_n from_o egypt_n they_o be_v all_o condemn_a to_o die_v in_o the_o desert_n except_o such_o as_o be_v then_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o under_o numb_a 14.29_o 30._o since_o this_o sentence_n of_o condemnation_n there_o pass_v thirty_o eight_o year_n in_o which_o the_o sentence_n be_v perform_v and_o about_o the_o end_n of_o this_o term_n the_o surviver_n enter_v canaan_n now_o if_o
of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o among_o the_o miracle_n that_o god_n have_v display_v by_o his_o servant_n we_o read_v that_o sometime_o they_o have_v put_v some_o person_n to_o death_n so_o elijah_n make_v fire_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n which_o consume_v two_o company_n of_o fifty_o man_n a_o piece_n with_o their_o captain_n so_o elisha_n cause_v bear_n to_o come_v out_o of_o the_o forest_n which_o tear_v many_o of_o the_o child_n of_o bethel_n so_o st._n peter_n by_o his_o word_n only_o smite_v with_o death_n ananias_n and_o sapphira_n these_o execution_n can_v not_o be_v but_o just_a be_v do_v by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n notwithstanding_o god_n do_v not_o bestow_v this_o but_o on_o very_a few_o for_o since_o moses_n though_o many_o have_v have_v the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n yet_o none_o have_v receive_v this_o power_n of_o destroy_a man_n by_o miracle_n but_o these_o three_o elijah_n elisha_n and_o st._n peter_n neither_o will_v god_n have_v those_o in_o who_o he_o have_v place_v this_o miraculous_a power_n to_o make_v use_n thereof_o but_o very_o seldom_o therefore_o christ_n do_v just_o reprove_v the_o apostle_n who_o will_v have_v imitate_v this_o act_n of_o elijah_n luke_n 9.54_o 55._o moreover_o those_o who_o god_n have_v employ_v to_o inflict_v death_n upon_o some_o he_o give_v they_o power_n to_o bestow_v life_n upon_o other_o as_o elijah_n on_o the_o widow_n son_n of_o sarepta_n elisha_n on_o the_o shunamite_n son_n and_o st._n peter_n on_o tabytha_n as_o be_v a_o act_n more_o glorious_a to_o bestow_v life_n on_o the_o dead_a then_o to_o take_v it_o from_o the_o live_n he_o will_v also_o show_v that_o for_o the_o more_o full_a authorise_v of_o the_o call_n of_o these_o great_a personage_n they_o be_v employ_v as_o well_o to_o give_v life_n as_o to_o destroy_v otherwise_o wicked_a man_n will_v have_v have_v some_o pretence_n in_o say_v that_o their_o god_n have_v power_n to_o kill_v the_o live_n but_o not_o to_o restore_v the_o dead_a which_o blasphemy_n be_v prevent_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n the_o plot_n of_o the_o priest_n in_o consult_v to_o put_v lazarus_n to_o death_n joh._n 12.10_o murder_n be_v more_o or_o less_o enormous_a in_o divers_a respect_n now_o though_o the_o example_n which_o i_o set_v down_o here_o be_v extraordinary_a it_o will_v serve_v nevertheless_o to_o show_v how_o far_o the_o furious_a spirit_n of_o murder_n extend_v itself_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v raise_v one_o that_o be_v dead_a the_o priest_n endeavour_v to_o bury_v this_o miracle_n willing_a to_o send_v back_o to_o the_o grave_a a_o man_n that_o have_v be_v thence_o take_v out_o this_o be_v to_o commit_v a_o double_a murder_n upon_o the_o same_o person_n as_o god_n have_v give_v twice_o life_n to_o lazarus_n the_o one_o at_o his_o nativity_n the_o other_o at_o his_o resurrection_n so_o this_o be_v as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v he_o die_v twice_o in_o take_v from_o he_o the_o second_o life_n which_o he_o have_v reestablish_v in_o the_o first_o a_o question_n if_o the_o punishment_n of_o a_o criminal_a be_v interrupt_v by_o some_o extraordinary_a accident_n intervening_a after_o the_o execution_n be_v begin_v be_v it_o just_a to_o discharge_v he_o of_o the_o punishment_n to_o which_o he_o be_v condem_v it_o have_v happen_v sometime_o that_o malefactor_n have_v fall_v down_o from_o the_o gibbet_n upon_o the_o break_n of_o the_o rope_n some_o have_v be_v take_v down_o as_o dead_a who_o yet_o have_v live_v a_o good_a while_n after_o some_o upon_o the_o scaffold_n have_v have_v divers_a blow_n in_o the_o neck_n by_o the_o sword_n and_o yet_o the_o head_n not_o cut_v off_o st._n jerem_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o innocent_a mention_n a_o strange_a example_n and_o in_o the_o former_a age_n one_o of_o our_o martyr_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o pile_n where_o they_o think_v to_o have_v burn_v he_o alive_a he_o die_v a_o natural_a and_o quiet_a death_n before_o the_o fire_n be_v kindle_v but_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o a_o malefactor_n who_o have_v pass_v through_o all_o the_o sort_n of_o a_o mortal_a execution_n shall_v be_v yet_o find_v alive_a by_o some_o mean_v not_o think_v on_o or_o foresee_v by_o man_n ought_v he_o be_v again_o expose_v to_o punishment_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n who_o have_v rescue_v he_o seem_v to_o have_v give_v he_o letter_n of_o pardon_n justice_n also_o which_o do_v not_o condemn_v he_o to_o die_v twice_o seem_v to_o have_v receive_v the_o satisfaction_n which_o it_o require_v of_o he_o see_v he_o have_v undergo_v if_o not_o death_n itself_o yet_o at_o least_o the_o impression_n of_o death_n in_o this_o case_n which_o may_v furnish_v matter_n for_o a_o fair_a debate_n i_o distinguish_v thus_o there_o be_v some_o crime_n so_o enormous_a that_o they_o deserve_v more_o death_n than_o one_o if_o a_o man_n can_v die_v often_o than_o once_o so_o murderer_n sorcerer_n and_o other_o guilty_a of_o such_o heinous_a wickedness_n shall_v be_v carry_v back_o again_o to_o punishment_n though_o they_o have_v be_v rescue_v by_o some_o interruption_n which_o may_v seem_v miraculous_a it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n do_v stay_v the_o course_n of_o execution_n to_o increase_v rather_o the_o pain_n of_o death_n then_o to_o remit_v the_o punishment_n but_o as_o for_o lesser_a fault_n chief_o those_o which_o god_n law_n have_v not_o declare_v capital_a and_o yet_o be_v such_o by_o the_o civil_a law_n as_o theft_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o malefactor_n have_v sufficient_o suffer_v pain_n if_o he_o have_v taste_v the_o half_a of_o death_n a_o allusion_n in_o the_o apostle_n word_n who_o ordain_v that_o the_o sun_n go_v not_o down_o upon_o our_o anger_n ephes_n 4.26_o the_o law_n command_v that_o the_o malefactor_n body_n put_v to_o death_n be_v bury_v the_o same_o day_n it_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o let_v it_o hang_v all_o night_n on_o the_o gallow_n deut._n 21.23_o therefore_o as_o the_o sun_n must_v not_o go_v down_o upon_o such_o a_o spectacle_n though_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o a_o malefactor_n just_o punish_v by_o death_n and_o who_o punishment_n shall_v serve_v for_o a_o example_n even_o so_o our_o anger_n though_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o just_a resent_v of_o some_o injury_n do_v to_o we_o yet_o it_o shall_v never_o sleep_v with_o we_o to_o this_o it_o seem_v the_o apostle_n word_n do_v allude_v the_o vii_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o commit_v adultery_n why_o god_n though_o he_o approve_v not_o polygamy_n nor_o unlawful_a diverce_n which_o be_v frequent_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n yet_o never_o forbid_v they_o but_o by_o the_o last_o of_o all_o the_o prophet_n the_o question_n be_v not_o why_o god_n tolerate_v these_o sin_n among_o the_o israelite_n we_o know_v that_o the_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n do_v as_o it_o be_v extort_v this_o licence_n mat._n 19.8_o and_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n god_n do_v for_o a_o long_a time_n wink_v at_o this_o disorder_n which_o be_v so_o common_a for_o we_o do_v not_o read_v that_o he_o ever_o reprove_v any_o of_o those_o who_o have_v plurality_n of_o wife_n or_o who_o put_v they_o away_o without_o just_a cause_n only_o in_o malachi_n 2._o v._o 14_o etc._n etc._n he_o censure_v their_o polygamy_n and_o unlawful_a divorce_n but_o why_o this_o custom_n which_o have_v be_v allow_v by_o so_o long_a silence_n and_o prescription_n of_o so_o many_o age_n be_v condemn_v at_o last_o or_o why_o do_v he_o delay_v to_o censure_v this_o custom_n till_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n for_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o of_o they_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n be_v that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v famous_a among_o other_o preeminence_n for_o its_o exact_a policy_n far_o exceed_v that_o which_o go_v before_o for_o this_o end_n he_o suffer_v that_o of_o moses_n to_o give_v way_n to_o some_o disorder_n such_o as_o be_v polygamy_n and_o divorce_n to_o make_v it_o know_v that_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n which_o cut_v off_o this_o toleration_n be_v more_o perfect_a than_o that_o of_o moses_n so_o that_o this_o politic_a law_n of_o israel_n serve_v to_o declare_v and_o advance_v that_o piece_n of_o holiness_n in_o christ_n and_o to_o show_v the_o perfection_n of_o his_o government_n then_o when_o he_o come_v to_o suppress_v the_o abuse_n which_o that_o ancient_a indulgence_n have_v support_v now_o as_o the_o time_n of_o his_o come_n and_o of_o this_o reformation_n do_v approach_v god_n will_v prepare_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o whereas_o he_o be_v to_o put_v a_o period_n to_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o mean_v not_o to_o send_v any_o more_o prophet_n it_o be_v needful_a that_o the_o last_o of_o they_o shall_v make_v this_o preparation_n so_o as_o for_o polygamy_n and_o unjust_a divorce_n god_n
do_v not_o prohibit_v they_o soon_o until_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v to_o give_v a_o lustre_n to_o that_o of_o christ_n shall_v have_v its_o period_n and_o so_o likewise_o he_o will_v not_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a testament_n until_o he_o have_v dispose_v man_n to_o that_o reformation_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o after_o god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n man_n have_v be_v tie_v to_o a_o more_o exact_a purity_n to_o this_o christian_n be_v more_o bind_v than_o the_o israelite_n or_o patriarh_n be_v why_o man_n be_v more_o subject_a to_o be_v ashamed_a in_o the_o act_n of_o any_o sin_n rather_o than_o in_o that_o of_o pride_n and_o why_o more_o in_o luxury_n then_o in_o any_o other_o sin_n there_o be_v no_o sin_n of_o which_o man_n be_v not_o ashamed_a in_o the_o act_n thereof_o or_o whilst_o he_o be_v commit_v it_o so_o many_o blush_n when_o they_o lie_v or_o steal_v or_o when_o they_o show_v themselves_o sordid_a and_o close_o fist_v or_o when_o they_o play_v the_o glutton_n and_o so_o in_o any_o other_o vicious_a act_n although_o there_o be_v none_o to_o witness_v it_o only_o the_o proud_a man_n sin_n still_o without_o shame_n never_o be_v shame_n find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o pride_n the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v because_o the_o glory_n which_o a_o proud_a man_n affect_v or_o presume_v to_o have_v in_o any_o action_n be_v formal_o repugnant_a to_o shame_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o man_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o that_o which_o he_o esteem_v tend_v to_o his_o glory_n as_o for_o the_o other_o question_n we_o may_v say_v that_o the_o more_o bestial_a a_o sin_n be_v it_o be_v the_o more_o subject_a to_o secret_a shame_n for_o the_o sin_n that_o reduce_v a_o man_n to_o beastlike_a condition_n seem_v to_o check_v he_o for_o the_o indignity_n and_o disgrace_n he_o offer_v to_o himself_o now_o as_o venereal_a luxury_n be_v the_o most_o brutish_a of_o all_o sin_n so_o man_n be_v most_o natural_o ashamed_a of_o it_o as_o for_o such_o as_o have_v no_o shame_n they_o be_v either_o innocent_n or_o beast_n innocency_n be_v in_o infant_n beastiality_n in_o savage_n and_o such_o as_o have_v lose_v their_o understanding_n and_o in_o those_o also_o that_o be_v impudent_a in_o their_o turpitude_n such_o as_o the_o cynik_n be_v what_o may_v be_v infer_v upon_o this_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n describe_v under_o divers_a similitude_n the_o spiritual_a beauty_n of_o the_o church_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o paint_v the_o ornament_n of_o the_o spouse_n be_v mystical_o represent_v in_o divers_a passage_n of_o scripture_n as_o psal_n 45._o in_o the_o canticle_n in_o ezek._n 16._o v._o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o there_o she_o be_v set_v out_o in_o her_o chief_a apparel_n both_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o stuff_n and_o the_o fashion_n silk_n gold_n silver_n precious_a stone_n pendant_n from_o the_o ear_n chain_n bracelet_n the_o dress_n and_o all_o thing_n which_o serve_v for_o advantage_v a_o natural_a beauty_n may_v be_v read_v among_o the_o ornament_n of_o the_o church_n but_o paint_v which_o be_v invent_v for_o imbellish_v of_o the_o face_n be_v never_o name_v in_o any_o of_o those_o description_n it_o seem_v that_o god_n have_v reject_v this_o kind_n of_o disguise_n in_o that_o he_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o among_o these_o ornament_n which_o serve_v to_o represent_v the_o beauty_n of_o his_o church_n yea_o this_o artifice_n be_v reckon_v among_o those_o of_o jesabel_n only_o 2_o king_n 9.30_o a_o moral_a observation_n upon_o sampson_n lose_v of_o his_o strength_n and_o sight_n and_o how_o he_o recover_v the_o one_o but_o not_o the_o other_o this_o strong_a man_n have_v betray_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o nazarite_n profession_n on_o the_o badge_n whereof_o consist_v in_o his_o hair_n lose_v this_o prodigious_a strength_n which_o he_o keep_v till_o then_o and_o so_o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o philistines_n who_o put_v out_o his_o eye_n after_o some_o time_n that_o his_o hair_n be_v grow_v again_o his_o strength_n return_v but_o not_o his_o sight_n for_o he_o die_v blind_a it_o may_v be_v demand_v why_o god_n will_v restore_v he_o to_o his_o strength_n which_o be_v supernatural_a but_o not_o to_o his_o sight_n also_o we_o may_v speak_v much_o upon_o this_o question_n if_o here_o there_o be_v the_o place_n to_o handle_v what_o be_v literal_a in_o the_o history_n but_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o observe_v this_o only_a sampsons_n eye_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o fall_n for_o hitherto_o his_o unchaste_a look_n many_o time_n carry_v he_o into_o enormous_a fault_n judg._n 16.1_o into_o which_o he_o may_v have_v fall_v again_o have_v he_o recover_v his_o sight_n with_o his_o strength_n which_o strength_n be_v restore_v to_o he_o again_o that_o he_o may_v once_o more_o chastise_v the_o philistines_n and_o that_o he_o may_v die_v with_o they_o but_o his_o eye_n which_o may_v have_v guide_v he_o out_o of_o prison_n and_o conduct_v he_o hither_o and_o thither_o as_o before_o and_o will_v have_v be_v yet_o ready_a to_o make_v his_o heart_n wander_v again_o after_o lascivious_a object_n be_v not_o at_o all_o restore_v to_o he_o the_o viii_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o steal_v why_o christ_n use_v the_o example_n of_o thief_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o search_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n he_o allege_v he_o who_o have_v discover_v a_o treasure_n in_o another_o man_n ground_n do_v not_o therewith_o acquaint_v the_o owner_n but_o buy_v the_o field_n without_o give_v he_o any_o share_n of_o his_o treasure_n matth._n 13.44_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n disputable_a but_o he_o propose_v also_o to_o we_o the_o open_a injustice_n of_o the_o steward_n who_o cozen_v his_o lord_n luke_n 16.1_o etc._n etc._n and_o after_o his_o example_n he_o exhort_v to_o provide_v for_o our_o salvation_n now_o we_o know_v well_o that_o these_o similitude_n tend_v only_o to_o recommend_v wisdom_n to_o we_o but_o not_o to_o approve_v of_o injustice_n but_o i_o ask_v be_v there_o no_o other_o wisdom_n but_o that_o of_o the_o thief_n which_o may_v serve_v we_o for_o a_o example_n to_o walk_v to_o heaven_n by_o chief_o see_v there_o be_v so_o many_o lawful_a action_n among_o man_n which_o wisdom_n may_v use_v for_o example_n without_o allege_v these_o which_o countenance_n injustice_n the_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o similitude_n be_v to_o show_v that_o to_o attain_v heaven_n we_o must_v have_v a_o singular_a care_n and_o use_v extraordinary_a industry_n the_o greatness_n of_o this_o spiritual_a wisdom_n can_v notshew_v itself_o more_o then_o by_o the_o action_n of_o the_o great_a prudence_n which_o can_v be_v find_v in_o the_o child_n of_o this_o world_n now_o among_o man_n there_o be_v common_o more_o prudence_n spirit_n and_o vivacity_n and_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n to_o be_v find_v in_o unlawful_a action_n then_o in_o those_o which_o be_v either_o good_a or_o indifferent_a this_o be_v by_o reason_n that_o lawful_a action_n consist_v always_o in_o a_o certain_a rectitude_n whereas_o other_o be_v full_a of_o obliquity_n which_o require_v more_o nimbleness_n and_o dexterity_n now_o whereas_o this_o sinful_a prudence_n make_v use_v of_o all_o sort_n of_o mean_n lawful_a and_o unlawful_a in_o a_o more_o spacious_a field_n where_o it_o can_v extend_v and_o put_v itself_o into_o all_o posture_n more_o than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o good_a man_n can_v which_o be_v shut_v up_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o virtue_n by_o reason_n man_n be_v natural_o more_o ingenious_a to_o evil_n but_o above_o all_o thing_n if_o we_o will_v see_v example_n of_o extraordinary_a and_o transcendent_a subtlety_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o among_o thief_n we_o knowthere_o be_v nothing_o more_o inventive_a than_o one_o give_v to_o this_o vice_n for_o many_o will_v rob_v with_o such_o dexterity_n that_o the_o admiration_n they_o make_v by_o their_o industry_n surmount_v the_o dislike_n we_o shall_v have_v of_o there_o iniquity_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n make_v use_v of_o that_o subuject_n in_o which_o it_o find_v most_o worldly_a subtlety_n to_o make_v we_o see_v how_o great_a the_o prudence_n of_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v a_o observation_n upon_o this_o that_o among_o christ_n disciple_n there_o be_v but_o one_o note_v for_o avarice_n but_o all_o be_v tax_v for_o ambition_n only_o judas_n be_v mark_v out_o by_o name_n and_o by_o his_o act_n of_o covetousness_n john_n 12.6_o but_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v show_v to_o be_v ambitious_a for_o many_o time_n they_o strive_v for_o superiority_n luke_n 9.46_o even_o at_o that_o time_n when_o their_o master_n be_v wait_v for_o his_o own_o death_n luke_n 22.24_o two_o of_o they_o make_v jealousy_n among_o all_o the_o rest_n when_o they_o demand_v to_o sit_v the_o one_o at_o christ_n
then_o one_o of_o the_o preeminence_n of_o love_n in_o that_o it_o be_v find_v in_o god_n yea_o god_n himself_o be_v call_v love_n 1_o john_n 4.16_o and_o in_o this_o respect_n it_o be_v great_a than_o faith_n and_o hope_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o great_a defect_n to_o want_v faith_n or_o charity_n this_o question_n depend_v upon_o another_o viz._n which_o of_o these_o two_o be_v the_o most_o difficult_a to_o wit_n faith_n or_o charity_n for_o though_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n yet_o the_o one_o may_v be_v more_o hard_a and_o difficult_a to_o we_o than_o the_o other_o now_o though_o these_o two_o virtue_n be_v still_o together_o see_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o one_o to_o be_v without_o the_o other_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o always_o equal_a and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n the_o more_o common_a act_n of_o these_o two_o be_v charity_n for_o we_o see_v more_o example_n of_o love_n then_o of_o faith_n many_o christian_n love_n god_n earnest_o who_o notwithstanding_o have_v much_o difficulty_n to_o assure_v themselves_o of_o his_o promise_n one_o cause_n that_o make_v the_o motion_n of_o love_n more_o easy_a than_o those_o of_o faith_n be_v for_o that_o the_o object_n of_o love_n be_v more_o intelligible_a and_o perceptible_a to_o our_o understanding_n for_o love_n have_v for_o its_o object_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n but_o faith_n have_v for_o its_o object_n his_o truth_n now_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o god_n be_v good_a then_o to_o understand_v how_o he_o be_v true_a in_o all_o point_n which_o appear_v not_o to_o we_o and_o yet_o we_o be_v command_v to_o believe_v as_o then_o the_o motion_n of_o faith_n be_v more_o difficult_a than_o that_o of_o love_n so_o he_o that_o want_v the_o act_n of_o charity_n be_v more_o unblamable_a than_o he_o who_o be_v deficient_a in_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v before_o the_o law_n the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v never_o mention_v in_o express_a term_n but_o only_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n from_o the_o creation_n till_o the_o law_n be_v reckon_v twenty_o five_o thousand_o year_n in_o which_o great_a interval_n of_o age_n be_v many_o patriarch_n and_o other_o person_n famous_a for_o piety_n to_o who_o god_n speak_v many_o time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n the_o sacred_a story_n mark_v out_o their_o virtue_n and_o name_n the_o fear_n of_o god_n as_o the_o most_o excellent_a among_o they_o but_o never_o express_v their_o love_n towards_o god_n its_o true_a that_o this_o fear_n or_o reverence_n be_v not_o without_o a_o true_a divine_a love_n yet_o they_o be_v distinct_a quality_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v name_v but_o we_o never_o read_v of_o the_o other_o abraham_n be_v in_o palestin_n say_v that_o in_o that_o place_n the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v not_o gen._n 20.11_o jacob_n swear_v by_o the_o fear_n of_o isaac_n his_o father_n that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o same_o god_n who_o isaac_n fear_v gen._n 31.53_o joseph_n confess_v he_o fear_v god_n gen._n 42.18_o the_o midwife_n of_o egypt_n be_v commend_v for_o fear_v god_n exodus_fw-la 1.17.21_o in_o brief_a before_o the_o law_n be_v publish_v religion_n and_o piety_n be_v express_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o not_o by_o that_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o action_n of_o abraham_n in_o offer_v his_o son_n for_o a_o burn_a sacrifice_n whereby_o he_o do_v so_o high_o witness_v his_o love_n to_o god_n this_o action_n i_o say_v be_v ascribe_v to_o his_o fear_n of_o god_n without_o mention_v the_o love_n which_o he_o have_v show_v to_o he_o genesis_n 22.12_o the_o first_o time_n that_o ever_o the_o scripture_n do_v express_v this_o phrase_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v after_o the_o repetition_n of_o the_o law_n deut._n 6.5_o now_o why_o the_o name_n of_o this_o great_a virtue_n be_v not_o utter_v but_o after_o a_o long_a time_n and_o frequent_a mention_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o proceed_v from_o this_o that_o among_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n the_o first_o which_o he_o manifest_v to_o man_n as_o i_o observe_v upon_o the_o creed_n be_v his_o power_n and_o greatness_n roman_n 1.20_o so_o when_o our_o understand_a desire_n to_o know_v what_o the_o divinity_n be_v by_o this_o word_n it_o conceive_v a_o power_n eminent_a above_o all_o other_o this_o be_v the_o first_o think_v we_o have_v of_o this_o subject_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o first_o impression_n it_o make_v in_o man_n after_o he_o have_v begin_v to_o know_v god_n be_v the_o fear_n which_o this_o supreme_a power_n give_v to_o the_o soul_n and_o because_o this_o fear_n be_v the_o first_o motive_n by_o which_o man_n be_v induce_v to_o submit_v himself_o to_o god_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o holy_a song_n all_o religious_a affection_n have_v be_v comprise_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n this_o fear_n be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n name_v without_o mention_v express_o or_o particular_o the_o love_n of_o god_n but_o when_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n have_v give_v large_a instruction_n under_o the_o law_n it_o afterward_o express_v the_o commandment_n of_o love_a god_n distinguish_v the_o same_o love_n from_o fear_n deuteronomy_n 10.12_o what_o be_v it_o that_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n require_v but_o that_o thou_o fear_v he_o and_o love_v he_o of_o they_o who_o excuse_v their_o fault_n on_o this_o that_o god_n have_v not_o give_v they_o more_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n these_o man_n willing_a to_o excuse_v themselves_o accuse_v god_n as_o if_o their_o fault_n be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o whole_a fault_n be_v in_o themselves_o the_o law_n will_v that_o we_o love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o mind_n thou_o allege_v thou_o have_v but_o little_a mind_n but_o how_o little_a soever_o it_o be_v have_v thou_o employ_v it_o all_o in_o the_o service_n and_o love_n of_o god_n true_o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o have_v live_v according_a to_o the_o measure_n and_o proportion_n of_o that_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n god_n have_v give_v he_o in_o brief_a if_o a_o fool_n excuse_v himself_o on_o this_o that_o god_n have_v not_o give_v he_o more_o understanding_n a_o wicked_a man_n will_v excuse_v himself_o on_o this_o that_o god_n have_v not_o give_v he_o more_o goodness_n for_o this_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o understanding_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n towards_o god_n forgetfulness_n be_v more_o culpable_a than_o ignorance_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o divine_a thing_n many_o complain_v that_o they_o can_v retain_v they_o in_o their_o memory_n the_o defect_n whereof_o they_o accuse_v but_o they_o think_v not_o how_o forgetfulness_n be_v a_o sin_n see_v the_o love_n of_o god_n require_v a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o the_o faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n among_o which_o 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