be_v so_o which_o be_v notorious_o false_a and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o almost_o all_o heresy_n have_v come_v of_o misinterpreting_a scripture_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o christian_a people_n must_v not_o read_v the_o scripture_n for_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o those_o heresy_n which_o have_v give_v any_o considerable_a disturbance_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v begin_v not_o by_o laic_n or_o illiterate_a person_n but_o by_o such_o man_n as_o the_o objector_n do_v allow_v to_o have_v a_o right_n of_o read_v and_o study_v the_o scripture_n i._n e._n by_o bishop_n or_o priest_n wherefore_o in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o argue_n of_o these_o man_n against_o the_o common_a use_n of_o the_o bible_n conclude_v against_o the_o priest_n as_o strong_o as_o against_o the_o people_n for_o if_o to_o prevent_v heresy_n the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v from_o lay_v man_n who_o may_v bring_v heresy_n into_o the_o church_n by_o misinterpret_v the_o scripture_n then_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n man_n in_o order_n shall_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o read_v they_o since_o they_o have_v actual_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o heresy_n nay_o the_o reason_n be_v something_o strong_a since_o the_o wrest_n of_o the_o holy_a text_n by_o man_n of_o office_n or_o learning_n will_v be_v of_o great_a authority_n and_o do_v more_o mischief_n than_o the_o mistake_v of_o private_a and_o unlearned_a person_n but_o if_o the_o danger_n of_o pervert_v difficult_a place_n be_v a_o good_a reason_n to_o deprive_v man_n of_o all_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o reason_n have_v a_o particular_a force_n upon_o some_o man_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o look_v upon_o a_o bible_n more_o for_o the_o best_a way_n to_o judge_n how_o the_o scripture_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v use_v by_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v to_o consider_v how_o they_o have_v constant_o use_v they_o heretofore_o and_o let_v any_o indifferent_a man_n judge_n of_o they_o by_o these_o follow_a instance_n because_o god_n say_v let_v we_o make_v man_n after_o our_o own_o image_n therefore_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o fall_v down_o before_o a_o image_n of_o wood_n or_o stone_n because_o christ_n say_v to_o peter_n feed_v my_o sheep_n therefore_o his_o pretend_a successor_n have_v power_n to_o depose_v heretical_a prince_n because_o peter_n say_v to_o christ_n lord_n here_o be_v two_o sword_n therefore_o they_o have_v a_o temporal_a as_o well_o as_o a_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n because_o jacob_n in_o blessing_n ephraim_n and_o manasses_n pray_v that_o his_o name_n may_v be_v name_v on_o they_o therefore_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o pray_v to_o saint_n because_o it_o be_v say_v the_o disciple_n meet_v together_o to_o break_v bread_n therefore_o the_o laity_n may_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o cup._n because_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o he_o that_o pray_v in_o a_o tongue_n not_o understand_v by_o other_o thou_o very_o give_v thanks_o well_o but_o the_o other_o be_v not_o edify_v therefore_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o good_a to_o appoint_v public_a prayer_n in_o a_o language_n unknown_a to_o the_o people_n that_o be_v because_o he_o that_o understand_v what_o himself_n say_v do_v well_o for_o himself_o because_o he_o understand_v therefore_o he_o do_v well_o for_o other_o that_o understand_v not_o a_o word_n and_o be_v therefore_o not_o edify_v because_o the_o apostle_n say_v we_o must_v glorify_v god_n with_o one_o mouth_n therefore_o in_o all_o public_a office_n of_o liturgy_n there_o be_v to_o be_v but_o one_o and_o that_o the_o latin_a tongue_n in_o all_o place_n of_o christendom_n because_o that_o many_o language_n at_o babel_n cause_v confusion_n therefore_o for_o god_n to_o be_v serve_v in_o the_o many_o vulgar_a tongue_n of_o christian_a nation_n will_v breed_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n because_o the_o beast_n that_o touch_v the_o mountain_n be_v to_o die_v and_o because_o christ_n say_v give_v not_o that_o which_o be_v holy_a to_o dog_n therefore_o ordinary_a people_n be_v not_o to_o have_v the_o bible_n these_o exposition_n be_v not_o invent_v but_o there_o be_v good_a authority_n for_o they_o and_o for_o a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o the_o like_a sort_n i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v farther_o be_v object_v but_o this_o that_o if_o priest_n and_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v so_o foul_o mistake_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n how_o much_o more_o be_v the_o unlearned_a in_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o mistake_n which_o though_o perhaps_o will_v never_o come_v to_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o church_n may_v yet_o prove_v damnable_a to_o themselves_o as_o st._n peter_n plain_o say_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o st._n peter_n unlearned_a man_n be_v such_o as_o have_v not_o yet_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o good_a life_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o call_v they_o unstable_a not_o yet_o fix_v in_o a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o plain_a truth_n and_o great_a end_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o such_o as_o those_o whether_o they_o be_v man_n of_o good_a part_n or_o not_o be_v likely_a enough_o to_o interpret_v the_o hard_a place_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n to_o a_o sense_n conttary_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o open_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o if_o a_o man_n be_v instruct_v in_o the_o necessary_a and_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o moreover_o furnish_v with_o modesty_n and_o a_o sincere_a love_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o willingness_n to_o learn_v quality_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v common_a to_o all_o he_o shall_v be_v as_o far_o from_o wrest_v the_o difficult_a scripture_n to_o his_o own_o destruction_n as_o one_o that_o have_v vast_o great_a ability_n nay_o i_o will_v add_v one_o thing_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v no_o force_n at_o all_o in_o the_o objection_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o the_o service_n of_o a_o cause_n and_o espouse_v the_o interest_n of_o a_o by-party_n do_v more_o fatal_o lead_v to_o misinterpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n than_o bare_a weakness_n of_o understanding_n and_o there_o be_v this_o plain_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o modesty_n and_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n will_v secure_v a_o man_n of_o no_o great_a ability_n from_o rash_a conclude_v upon_o the_o difficult_a place_n of_o scripture_n but_o partiality_n and_o the_o service_n of_o a_o by_o cause_n shall_v engage_v a_o man_n of_o part_n and_o learning_n to_o trouble_v the_o clear_a and_o to_o pervert_v the_o plain_a text_n as_o the_o forementioned_a instance_n evident_o show_v so_o that_o either_o the_o danger_n of_o misinterpreting_a scripture_n be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o prohibit_v the_o laity_n from_o read_v it_o or_o else_o it_o be_v better_a that_o no_o order_n of_o man_n be_v trust_v with_o it_o at_o all_o and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a i_o think_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o it_o have_v better_o never_o have_v be_v write_v at_o all_o which_o no_o man_n will_v say_v whatever_o he_o think_v but_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o thing_n the_o scripture_n be_v write_v for_o a_o universal_a good_a and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o for_o common_a use_n here_o be_v all_o divine_a truth_n and_o reason_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v of_o every_o man_n plain_o express_v for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n here_o be_v also_o difficulty_n and_o mystery_n of_o several_a size_n fit_a to_o employ_v the_o industry_n of_o the_o learned_a according_a to_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o their_o ability_n and_o to_o exercise_v the_o modesty_n the_o humility_n and_o the_o reverence_n of_o all_o but_o still_o we_o confess_v that_o they_o may_v be_v pervert_v and_o abuse_v and_o if_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o interdict_v the_o general_a use_n of_o they_o then_o farewell_n at_o once_o to_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o this_o life_n and_o to_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n in_o order_n to_o a_o better_a with_o every_o one_o of_o which_o man_n in_o their_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n may_v and_o very_o often_o have_v hurt_v themselves_o and_o other_o st._n peter_n be_v aware_a of_o this_o that_o some_o man_n wrest_v those_o hard_a thing_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n and_o in_o other_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n but_o do_v he_o therefore_o dissuade_v the_o faithful_a from_o read_v they_o no_o but_o in_o the_o very_a same_o epistle_n he_o commend_v they_o all_o for_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n as_o hard_o to_o be_v sure_a as_o any_o be_v in_o st._n paul_n write_n and_o i_o hope_v st._n peter_n be_v as_o wise_a a_o man_n in_o this_o point_n as_o any_o that_o have_v come_v after_o he_o and_o now_o i_o beseech_v you_o let_v we_o not_o say_v that_o we_o
their_o sin_n and_o a_o plain_a case_n it_o be_v that_o in_o this_o life_n where_o the_o tare_n and_o the_o wheat_n grow_v together_o that_o by_o the_o same_o affliction_n god_n punish_v the_o sin_n of_o some_o while_o he_o manifest_v the_o sincerity_n of_o other_o and_o in_o this_o case_n it_o remain_v true_a that_o those_o who_o be_v punish_v be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v great_a sinner_n than_o all_o those_o that_o escape_n of_o which_o we_o need_v not_o desire_v any_o other_o proof_n than_o our_o saviour_n word_n for_o it_o but_o in_o some_o case_n we_o have_v very_o evident_a and_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o for_o sometime_o god_n punish_v the_o sin_n of_o some_o man_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o other_o that_o be_v worse_o than_o they_o who_o he_o reserve_v for_o far_o great_a punishment_n in_o life_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n do_v abundant_o testify_v now_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o it_o must_v not_o be_v conclude_v of_o those_o that_o suffer_v under_o the_o oppression_n of_o other_o that_o they_o be_v worse_o than_o those_o that_o oppress_v they_o it_o ought_v not_o neither_o to_o be_v conclude_v of_o those_o that_o do_v not_o suffer_v by_o they_o that_o they_o be_v better_a than_o those_o that_o do_v for_o the_o former_a observation_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o they_o do_v not_o suffer_v first_o who_o deserve_v it_o most_o which_o be_v a_o doctrine_n that_o our_o saviour_n think_v fit_a to_o deliver_v in_o his_o day_n and_o will_v be_v of_o constant_a use_n while_o the_o world_n last_v to_o keep_v christian_n at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o that_o jewish_a error_n that_o man_n may_v discern_v god_n love_n and_o hatred_n by_o what_o befall_v they_o in_o this_o world._n i_o will_v therefore_o never_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v run_v into_o a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o any_o man_n or_o any_o people_n by_o any_o adversity_n how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v which_o happen_v to_o they_o before_o my_o eye_n much_o less_o will_v i_o enter_v into_o comparison_n i_o will_v not_o conclude_v from_o the_o affliction_n i_o see_v that_o there_o must_v needs_o be_v some_o great_a sin_n at_o the_o bottom_n which_o vengeance_n have_v find_v out_o and_o when_o i_o see_v the_o sin_n and_o can_v forbear_v acknowledge_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n i_o will_v not_o go_v on_o to_o suppose_v there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o i_o do_v see_v and_o make_v he_o to_o be_v a_o worse_a man_n than_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v nor_o will_v i_o conclude_v that_o he_o be_v worse_a than_o those_o that_o do_v not_o suffer_v such_o thing_n and_o what_o construction_n i_o will_v forbear_v to_o make_v of_o a_o single_a person_n i_o will_v much_o more_o forbear_v to_o make_v of_o multitude_n because_o i_o know_v the_o reason_n of_o god_n proceed_n with_o peoples_n and_o nation_n and_o great_a body_n of_o man_n be_v by_o i_o unsearchable_a and_o that_o time_n discover_v that_o wisdom_n of_o his_o counsel_n which_o my_o reason_n can_v fathom_v in_o a_o word_n i_o will_v conclude_v ill_a of_o none_o because_o they_o suffer_v but_o rather_o well_o of_o they_o if_o i_o know_v no_o cause_n to_o the_o contrary_a because_o it_o be_v often_o god_n method_n to_o afflict_v his_o own_o best_a servant_n and_o when_o he_o punish_v for_o sin_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o that_o do_v not_o most_o of_o all_o deserve_v it_o shall_v i_o conclude_v for_o instance_n that_o the_o french_a protestant_n have_v be_v the_o great_a sinner_n of_o all_o the_o protestant_n in_o europe_n or_o great_a than_o ourselves_o because_o they_o have_v suffer_v such_o thing_n god_n forbid_v i_o speak_v not_o of_o those_o who_o to_o their_o glory_n in_o this_o world_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v little_a worth_n it_o become_v i_o to_o say_v and_o you_o to_o hear_v it_o who_o to_o their_o praise_n with_o god_n and_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o reward_n hereafter_o in_o a_o better_a life_n have_v suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n but_o of_o those_o who_o the_o terror_n of_o this_o world_n have_v prevail_v with_o more_o than_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o who_o the_o desire_n of_o ease_n here_o have_v be_v too_o hard_o for_o the_o desire_n of_o salvation_n hereafter_o i_o will_v not_o say_v and_o we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o even_o these_o be_v great_a sinner_n than_o ourselves_o who_o have_v not_o fall_v into_o their_o temptation_n such_o instance_n as_o these_o brethren_n do_v best_a explain_v the_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o word_n and_o will_v affect_v we_o with_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o and_o the_o more_o that_o we_o look_v abroad_o into_o the_o world_n and_o consider_v the_o unsearchableness_n of_o god_n judgement_n and_o that_o his_o way_n be_v past_o find_v out_o as_o we_o can_v but_o do_v if_o we_o ask_v ourselves_o the_o reason_n why_o this_o and_o that_o happen_v the_o more_o sensible_o we_o shall_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n in_o this_o place_n and_o shall_v forbear_v pass_v judgement_n upon_o the_o unhappy_a mere_o because_o they_o be_v so_o but_o yet_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o god_n do_v of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o a_o unprofitable_a observation_n and_o that_o because_o the_o second_o point_n of_o the_o three_o which_o i_o have_v mention_v be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o first_o and_o that_o be_v this_o 2._o that_o one_o reason_n why_o the_o evil_n of_o this_o life_n do_v not_o befall_v all_o person_n at_o the_o same_o time_n who_o be_v equal_o sinner_n be_v that_o while_o some_o be_v visit_v with_o the_o rod_n of_o god_n other_o may_v take_v warning_n by_o it_o this_o proposition_n i_o lay_v down_o with_o great_a confidence_n not_o only_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o general_a but_o also_o of_o the_o pertinence_n of_o it_o to_o the_o text_n for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o our_o saviour_n upon_o mention_n make_v of_o the_o former_a of_o the_o two_o tragical_a story_n observe_v the_o latter_a himself_o and_z takes_z occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o divert_v his_o hearer_n from_o censure_v those_o miserable_a person_n as_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v and_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o reflect_v upon_o themselves_o i_o tell_v you_o nay_o but_o except_o you_o repent_v you_o shall_v all_o likewise_o perish_v he_o employ_v they_o in_o reflect_v upon_o their_o own_o sin_n for_o say_v he_o except_o you_o repent_v and_o upon_o their_o own_o danger_n except_o you_o repent_v you_o shall_v all_o likewise_o perish_v and_o now_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o wander_v from_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o those_o person_n nor_o make_v a_o application_n of_o they_o which_o be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o since_o he_o give_v warning_n by_o their_o example_n it_o remain_v true_a as_o i_o say_v that_o one_o reason_n why_o the_o evil_n of_o this_o life_n do_v not_o befall_v all_o person_n at_o the_o same_o time_n who_o equal_o deserve_v they_o and_o i_o will_v add_v who_o equal_o need_v they_o be_v this_o that_o while_o some_o be_v correct_v other_o may_v be_v instruct_v i_o rather_o keep_v to_o the_o case_n of_o punish_v sin_n than_o try_v virtue_n because_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o text_n though_o i_o may_v say_v too_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o all_o that_o can_v bear_v a_o trial_n be_v not_o try_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v because_o the_o trial_n of_o some_o righteous_a man_n be_v not_o only_o profitable_a to_o themselves_o but_o the_o example_n of_o they_o also_o be_v profitable_a to_o other_o good_a man_n to_o encourage_v and_o fortify_v they_o but_o when_o god_n punish_v he_o do_v not_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n punish_v all_o that_o deserve_v it_o equal_o but_o he_o punish_v some_o that_o the_o rest_n may_v take_v warning_n for_o if_o the_o suffering_n of_o a_o few_o in_o comparison_n will_v instruct_v all_o the_o rest_n god_n end_n be_v gain_v which_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v learn_v righteousness_n when_o his_o judgement_n be_v abroad_o in_o the_o earth_n and_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o argument_n which_o may_v convince_v we_o that_o god_n do_v not_o willing_o afflict_v and_o grieve_v the_o child_n of_o man_n for_o if_o he_o take_v pleasure_n in_o that_o then_o without_o question_n where_o there_o be_v the_o same_o cause_n there_o will_v be_v the_o same_o effect_n of_o his_o displeasure_n and_o where_o the_o same_o need_n appear_v the_o same_o remedy_n will_v be_v use_v but_o if_o where_o all_o may_v just_o be_v punish_v he_o use_v his_o prerogative_n to_o punish_v some_o only_a and_o for_o the_o
seventeen_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a occasion_n never_o before_o print_v by_o william_n clagett_n d._n d._n late_a preacher_n to_o the_o honourable_a society_n of_o gray_n inn_n and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a with_o the_o sum_n of_o a_o conference_n on_o february_n 21_o 1686_o between_o dr._n clagett_n and_o father_n gooden_o about_o the_o point_n of_o transubstantiation_n london_n print_v for_o w._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n in_o fleetstreet_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n 1689._o the_o preface_n there_o will_v need_v no_o more_o to_o recommend_v the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o the_o reader_n than_o only_o to_o assure_v he_o he_o be_v not_o impose_v upon_o by_o the_o title_n page_n but_o what_o be_v here_o present_v to_o he_o as_o dr._n claget_n sermon_n be_v real_o so_o be_v publish_v from_o his_o own_o paper_n and_o by_o his_o own_o brother_n and_o indeed_o the_o sermon_n themselves_o do_v sufficient_o speak_v their_o author_n for_o they_o every_o where_n express_v the_o spirit_n the_o judgement_n and_o the_o reason_v of_o that_o excellent_a man_n though_o some_o of_o they_o perhaps_o want_v that_o finish_n which_o his_o masterly_a hand_n will_v have_v give_v they_o have_v he_o be_v to_o have_v publish_v they_o himself_o the_o first_o of_o these_o sermon_n he_o mean_v to_o have_v print_v if_o god_n have_v give_v he_o life_n be_v prevail_v upon_o by_o the_o importunity_n of_o several_a of_o his_o friend_n who_o then_o judge_v it_o very_o seasonable_a the_o last_o in_o this_o collection_n be_v the_o last_o sermon_n he_o preach_v it_o be_v preach_v at_o st._n martin_n in_o the_o field_n on_o the_o day_n of_o his_o lent-course_n there_o and_o that_o very_a evening_n he_o fall_v into_o that_o sickness_n which_o put_v a_o period_n to_o his_o life_n twelve_o day_n after_o no_o man_n perhaps_o in_o this_o age_n of_o so_o private_a a_o condition_n die_v more_o lament_v for_o as_o he_o have_v all_o the_o amiable_a charm_a quality_n to_o procure_v the_o esteem_n and_o love_n of_o every_o one_o that_o know_v he_o so_o god_n have_v bestow_v upon_o he_o so_o many_o great_a and_o useful_a talent_n for_o the_o do_v service_n to_o religion_n to_o the_o church_n to_o all_o about_o he_o and_o he_o so_o faithful_o and_o industrious_o employ_v those_o talent_n to_o those_o purpose_n that_o he_o be_v real_o a_o public_a blessing_n and_o he_o have_v that_o right_o do_v he_o as_o to_o be_v esteem_v so_o he_o be_v bear_v at_o st._n edmunds-bury_a sept._n 24._o 1646._o be_v the_o son_n of_o mr._n nicholas_n claget_fw-ge then_o minister_v there_o his_o vniversity-education_n be_v at_o emanuel_n college_n in_o cambridge_n his_o first_o public_a appearance_n in_o the_o world_n be_v at_o his_o own_o native_a town_n of_o bury_n where_o he_o be_v choose_v one_o of_o the_o preacher_n which_o office_n he_o discharge_v for_o several_a year_n with_o so_o universal_a a_o reputation_n that_o it_o may_v be_v true_o say_v as_o to_o he_o that_o a_o prophet_n have_v honour_n in_o his_o own_o country_n from_o thence_o at_o the_o instance_n of_o some_o considerable_a man_n of_o the_o long_a robe_n who_o business_n at_o the_o assize_n there_o give_v they_o opportunity_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o his_o great_a worth_n and_o ability_n he_o be_v prevail_v with_o to_o remove_v to_o grays-inn_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v no_o small_a testimony_n give_v to_o his_o merit_n that_o he_o be_v think_v worthy_a by_o that_o honourable_a society_n to_o succeed_v the_o eminent_a dr._n cradock_n as_o their_o preacher_n in_o this_o place_n he_o continue_v all_o the_o remainder_n of_o his_o life_n and_o he_o behave_v himself_o worthy_o in_o it_o and_o the_o gentleman_n of_o that_o house_n take_v all_o occasion_n of_o declare_v that_o he_o do_v so_o by_o the_o constant_a kindness_n they_o express_v to_o he_o while_o he_o live_v and_o the_o respect_n they_o pay_v he_o at_o his_o death_n he_o have_v indeed_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n two_o other_o preferment_n beside_o that_o of_o grays-inn_n the_o lord_n keeper_n north_n his_o wife_n kinsman_n have_v give_v he_o a_o live_n in_o buckingham-shire_n but_o the_o other_o place_n be_v that_o which_o he_o himself_o most_o value_v next_o to_o grays-inn_n and_o that_o be_v the_o lecture_n of_o bassishaw_n to_o which_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o that_o parish_n about_o two_o year_n before_o his_o death_n it_o be_v the_o lecture_n which_o dr._n calamy_n have_v immediate_o hold_v before_o he_o never_o be_v there_o two_o great_a man_n successive_o lecturer_n of_o one_o parish_n nor_o ever_o be_v any_o parish_n kind_a to_o two_o lecturer_n dr._n claget_fw-ge die_v of_o the_o smallpox_n march_v 28_o and_o be_v bury_v in_o the_o church_n of_o st._n michael_n bassishaw_n his_o wife_n mrs._n thomasin_n north_n a_o most_o virtuous_a and_o accomplish_v woman_n die_v eighteen_o day_n after_o he_o of_o the_o same_o disease_n and_o be_v bury_v in_o the_o same_o grave_a with_o he_o there_o be_v this_o little_a passage_n not_o unfit_a to_o be_v mention_v here_o the_o last_o sermon_n dr._n claget_fw-ge made_n though_o not_o the_o last_o he_o preach_v be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o sixteenth_o in_o this_o collection_n upon_o this_o text_n shall_v we_o receive_v good_a at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o receive_v evil_a this_o sermon_n he_o make_v upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o death_n of_o a_o child_n of_o his_o that_o happen_v a_o little_a before_o and_o he_o have_v write_v it_o fair_o out_o i_o suppose_v for_o this_o end_n that_o his_o wife_n may_v read_v it_o and_o according_o she_o do_v so_o but_o upon_o a_o much_o sad_a occasion_n for_o it_o be_v after_o his_o death_n that_o she_o get_v this_o sermon_n into_o her_o hand_n and_o then_o she_o make_v it_o her_o continual_a enter_n ainment_n and_o a_o seasonable_a one_o it_o be_v as_o long_o as_o her_o strength_n will_v suffer_v she_o but_o to_o return_v to_o dr._n claget_fw-ge we_o owe_v it_o to_o the_o society_n of_o grays-inn_n that_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o this_o city_n but_o after_o he_o come_v hither_o his_o own_o merit_n in_o a_o little_a time_n render_v he_o sufficient_o conspicuous_a for_o so_o innocent_a and_o unblameable_a be_v his_o life_n such_o a_o unaffected_a honesty_n and_o simplicity_n appear_v in_o all_o his_o conversation_n so_o oblige_v he_o be_v in_o his_o temper_n so_o sincere_a in_o all_o his_o friendship_n so_o ready_a to_o do_v all_o sort_n of_o good_a office_n that_o come_v in_o his_o way_n and_o withal_o so_o prudent_a a_o man_n so_o good_a a_o preacher_n so_o dexterous_a in_o untie_v knot_n and_o make_v hard_a thing_n plain_a so_o happy_a in_o treat_v of_o common_a subject_n in_o a_o uncommon_a and_o yet_o useful_a way_n so_o able_a a_o champion_n for_o the_o true_a religion_n against_o all_o opposer_n whatsoever_o and_o last_o so_o ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o advise_v to_o direct_v to_o encourage_v any_o work_n that_o be_v undertake_v for_o the_o promote_a or_o defend_v the_o cause_n of_o god._n i_o say_v all_o these_o quality_n be_v so_o eminent_a in_o dr._n claget_fw-ge that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v hide_v the_o town_n soon_o take_v notice_n of_o he_o and_o none_o that_o intimate_o know_v he_o can_v forbear_v to_o love_v and_o admire_v he_o and_o scarce_o any_o that_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o to_o esteem_v and_o honour_v he_o if_o the_o reader_n will_v know_v more_o of_o doctor_n claget_fw-ge let_v he_o peruse_v those_o write_n of_o his_o which_o he_o publish_v himself_o by_o they_o he_o will_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o judgement_n of_o the_o genius_n and_o ability_n of_o the_o man._n if_o a_o friend_n can_v speak_v without_o partiality_n there_o do_v in_o those_o write_n appear_v so_o strong_a a_o judgement_n such_o a_o admirable_a faculty_n of_o reason_v so_o much_o honesty_n and_o candour_n of_o temper_n so_o great_a plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n and_o withal_o so_o much_o spirit_n and_o quickness_n and_o in_o a_o word_n all_o the_o quality_n that_o can_v recommend_v a_o author_n or_o render_v his_o book_n excellent_a in_o their_o kind_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o scruple_n to_o give_v dr._n claget_fw-ge a_o place_n among_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o celebrate_a writer_n of_o this_o church_n and_o if_o he_o may_v be_v allow_v that_o it_o be_v as_o great_a a_o honour_n as_o can_v be_v do_v he_o for_o perhaps_o from_o the_o inspire_a age_n to_o this_o the_o world_n do_v never_o see_v more_o accurate_a and_o more_o judicious_a composure_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v produce_v in_o our_o day_n the_o discourse_n write_v and_o publish_v by_o dr._n claget_fw-ge be_v these_o that_o follow_v a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o operation_n of_o
to_o build_v and_o now_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o show_v what_o those_o sin_n be_v which_o manifest_o oppose_v and_o contradict_v these_o rule_n and_o they_o may_v i_o think_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o two_o atheism_n and_o idolatry_n first_o atheism_n of_o which_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n proper_o so_o call_v either_o i._n not_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o ii_o not_o worship_v he_o 1._o not_o believe_v a_o god_n that_o be_v a_o invisible_a spiritual_n be_v which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v common_o understand_v by_o atheism_n to_o deny_v the_o very_a be_v of_o a_o god_n which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o high_a stupidity_n and_o the_o great_a corruption_n imaginable_a of_o a_o man_n understanding_n so_o it_o be_v fundamental_o opposite_a to_o all_o pretence_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n which_o suppose_v the_o be_v of_o god_n of_o god_n i_o say_v that_o be_v of_o a_o spiritual_a and_o invisible_a be_v which_o know_v and_o understand_v which_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o upon_o which_o all_o other_o thing_n depend_v but_o 2._o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o atheism_n true_o so_o call_v which_o consist_v with_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n or_o at_o least_o do_v not_o stand_v in_o a_o direct_a denial_n of_o his_o be_v and_o that_o be_v not_o worship_v he_o he_o that_o do_v not_o worship_n god_n before_o man_n be_v a_o atheist_n to_o the_o world_n and_o he_o that_o worship_v he_o not_o at_o all_o be_v a_o atheist_n before_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n too_o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_n but_o he_o that_o be_v the_o one_o be_v the_o other_o too_o every_o wicked_a man_n though_o he_o profess_v religion_n and_o worship_n god_n may_v indeed_o be_v call_v a_o practical_a atheist_n because_o he_o live_v as_o if_o there_o be_v not_o god._n but_o he_o that_o be_v grow_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o impiety_n as_o to_o make_v no_o acknowledgement_n of_o he_o by_o appear_v in_o his_o worship_n be_v much_o more_o so_o and_o do_v in_o effect_n renounce_v his_o maker_n before_o the_o world_n and_o it_o can_v be_v more_o true_o say_v of_o any_o one_o than_o of_o such_o a_o man_n that_o he_o live_v without_o god_n in_o the_o world._n and_o therefore_o although_o the_o epicurean_a sect_n acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n yet_o because_o they_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o take_v away_o all_o the_o foundation_n of_o worship_v he_o they_o be_v by_o all_o man_n of_o sense_n call_v atheist_n this_o however_o be_v also_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o rule_n we_o be_v upon_o thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god._n but_o 2._o idolatry_n be_v oppose_v to_o it_o likewise_o and_o this_o be_v that_o impiety_n which_o the_o rule_n be_v chief_o design_v against_o thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v idolatry_n be_v a_o term_n in_o religion_n or_o divinity_n to_o which_o we_o must_v give_v that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v it_o and_o i_o think_v all_o be_v agree_v this_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o there_o that_o it_o be_v the_o give_v of_o any_o divine_a worship_n to_o a_o creature_n i._n e._n any_o part_n of_o that_o worship_n which_o be_v due_a to_o god_n only_o and_o therefore_o these_o word_n be_v a_o rule_n against_o all_o idolatry_n whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n etc._n etc._n now_o 1._o all_o honour_n which_o be_v do_v to_o any_o invisible_a be_v beside_o god_n by_o formal_a invocation_n of_o it_o or_o call_v upon_o it_o must_v therefore_o necessary_o be_v idolatry_n because_o it_o ascribe_v in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o act_n omnipresence_n to_o it_o which_o be_v a_o divine_a perfection_n 2._o all_o the_o external_a honour_n do_v to_o any_o such_o being_n which_o refer_v to_o that_o service_n be_v also_o idolatrous_a because_o they_o be_v signification_n of_o divine_a honour_n also_o and_o therefore_o dedicate_a church_n and_o altar_n to_o they_o bowing_n kneel_v prostrate_v burn_a incense_n and_o the_o like_a religious_a rite_n perform_v to_o they_o be_v idolatry_n 3._o any_o service_n pay_v to_o a_o create_v be_v that_o be_v either_o visible_a or_o invisible_a see_v or_o not_o see_v present_a or_o absent_a which_o service_n do_v imply_v that_o thing_n to_o be_v god_n or_o ascribe_v any_o divine_a attribute_n to_o it_o or_o much_o more_o that_o service_n which_o in_o all_o circumstance_n be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o what_o be_v give_v to_o god_n himself_o this_o also_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o idolatrous_a service_n 4._o the_o worship_n of_o a_o image_n or_o any_o visible_a representation_n of_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o must_v be_v idolatrous_a for_o if_o it_o be_v worship_v as_o the_o representation_n of_o a_o creature_n it_o can_v can_v escape_v be_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o it_o than_o that_o religious_a worship_n be_v not_o to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o original_a but_o if_o it_o be_v the_o pretend_a image_n of_o the_o deity_n the_o worship_n of_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a worship_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o it_o be_v set_v there_o to_o receive_v that_o external_a worship_n at_o least_o which_o be_v due_a to_o that_o invisible_a be_v who_o it_o be_v say_v to_o represent_v but_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o he_o and_o to_o none_o but_o he_o i_o pass_v by_o two_o material_a thing_n one_o be_v that_o the_o image-worship_n of_o the_o people_n be_v know_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o expectation_n of_o receive_v benefit_n from_o the_o image_n itself_o which_o make_v the_o idolatry_n to_o be_v very_o gross_a in_o they_o but_o inasmuch_o as_o image_n be_v make_v the_o object_n of_o outward_a act_n of_o divine_a honour_n by_o all_o that_o worship_v they_o they_o give_v to_o the_o image_n that_o worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pay_v to_o god_n only_o another_o be_v this_o that_o to_o pretend_v to_o make_v a_o image_n of_o god_n be_v one_o of_o the_o gross_a dishonour_n that_o can_v be_v possible_o do_v to_o he_o because_o that_o suppose_v the_o godhead_n to_o be_v like_a unto_o wood_n or_o to_o stone_n and_o the_o work_n of_o man_n hand_n and_o tend_v to_o corrupt_v the_o notion_n of_o god_n in_o all_o that_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v his_o image_n or_o representation_n but_o i_o do_v not_o place_v idolatry_n in_o that_o though_o it_o be_v a_o great_a aggravation_n of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o actual_a worship_v of_o it_o and_o that_o because_o we_o be_v to_o worship_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n and_o serve_v he_o only_o but_o to_o worship_v image_n be_v not_o to_o worship_v he_o for_o god_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o a_o pretend_a image_n of_o he_o be_v another_o all_o this_o i_o make_v bold_a to_o lay_v down_o peremptory_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o these_o kind_n of_o worship_n be_v prohibit_v in_o this_o rule_n of_o serve_v god_n only_o and_o that_o these_o prohibit_v worship_n be_v in_o the_o scripture_n call_v idolatry_n which_o i_o shall_v now_o more_o particular_o prove_v against_o a_o certain_a pretence_n that_o the_o true_a and_o only_a notion_n of_o idolatry_n be_v this_o and_o that_o it_o be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o this_o viz._n the_o worship_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n the_o sun_n the_o moon_n and_o the_o star_n or_o any_o other_o visible_a and_o corporeal_a deity_n as_o the_o supreme_a god_n so_o as_o to_o exclude_v all_o sense_n and_o apprehension_n of_o a_o spiritual_a and_o invisible_a godhead_n the_o plain_a english_a of_o which_o be_v this_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o idolater_n that_o be_v not_o such_o a_o sot_n as_o to_o take_v something_o which_o he_o know_v can_n neither_o understand_v any_o thing_n nor_o choose_v one_o thing_n before_o another_o to_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n and_o as_o such_o to_o worship_v it_o as_o for_o instance_n he_o must_v take_v something_o which_o have_v no_o more_o of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n in_o it_o than_o a_o piece_n of_o stone_n or_o a_o log_n of_o wood_n and_o exclude_v all_o reference_n that_o it_o can_v have_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o spiritual_a nature_n and_o he_o must_v fall_v down_o upon_o his_o knee_n to_o it_o and_o speak_v to_o it_o and_o desire_v it_o to_o bless_v he_o and_o believe_v that_o it_o will_v do_v so_o and_o he_o must_v withal_o take_v it_o for_o his_o supreme_a deity_n and_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o pass_v for_o a_o idolater_n nay_o more_o for_o one_o that_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o live_v upon_o the_o earth_n but_o to_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o people_n as_o those_o israelite_n be_v
grow_v better_o by_o they_o according_a to_o that_o say_n in_o daniel_n chap._n 12.10_o the_o wicked_a shall_v do_v wicked_o and_o shall_v not_o understand_v but_o the_o wise_a shall_v understand_v they_o be_v harden_v and_o these_o be_v purify_v and_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o sincerity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o vice_n on_o the_o other_o be_v so_o clear_o see_v that_o the_o good_a example_n will_v at_o last_o prevail_v against_o the_o scandal_n of_o those_o that_o be_v evil_a and_o the_o indirect_a way_n of_o support_a error_n will_v show_v the_o simplicity_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o child_n of_o truth_n to_o more_o advantage_n than_o it_o can_v possible_o have_v have_v without_o the_o comparison_n so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a for_o people_n of_o honest_a temper_n and_o disposition_n to_o discern_v which_o be_v the_o true_a flock_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o what_o communion_n they_o be_v to_o betake_v themselves_o when_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n plant_v the_o church_n thing_n be_v not_o so_o order_v as_o to_o make_v proselyte_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n however_o they_o be_v qualify_v but_o rather_o to_o gather_v together_o the_o child_n of_o god_n that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v of_o pious_a and_o honest_a disposition_n and_o though_o the_o mighty_a evidence_n wherewith_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v draw_v in_o some_o that_o be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a yet_o either_o persecution_n or_o schism_n soon_o purge_v the_o church_n of_o they_o again_o and_o heresy_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v permit_v ever_o since_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o design_n of_o distinguish_v between_o the_o good_a and_o bad_a and_o make_v it_o appear_v more_o evident_o who_o be_v the_o faithful_a follower_n of_o christ_n and_o it_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v those_o evil_n to_o happen_v which_o he_o make_v to_o work_v for_o the_o same_o good_a end_n which_o be_v design_v by_o that_o manner_n wherein_o the_o gospel_n be_v at_o first_o reveal_v 2._o neither_o be_v schism_n and_o heresy_n any_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n of_o a_o church_n unless_o it_o be_v always_o a_o disparagement_n to_o be_v oppose_v and_o forsake_v which_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o for_o otherwise_o christianity_n itself_o as_o it_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v a_o false_a religion_n and_o the_o church_n which_o they_o found_v a_o false_a church_n for_o thence_o come_v the_o gnostic_n and_o valentinian_o and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o heresy_n more_o and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o elder_n at_o miletum_n act_v 20.30_o that_o from_o themselves_o will_v arise_v man_n teach_v perverse_a thing_n that_o will_v draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o it_o be_v certain_o for_o want_v of_o better_a argument_n that_o the_o reformation_n be_v to_o be_v object_v against_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o party_n into_o which_o it_o be_v divide_v and_o this_o church_n of_o england_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o party_n that_o have_v break_v off_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o for_o as_o to_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v either_o no_o mark_n of_o a_o true_a church_n to_o hold_v fast_o all_o that_o be_v once_o of_o it_o or_o else_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o that_o true_a church_n since_o many_o go_v off_o from_o it_o and_o which_o perhaps_o they_o that_o make_v this_o objection_n will_v be_v more_o concern_v to_o consider_v they_o from_o who_o so_o many_o nation_n have_v break_v off_o can_v escape_v their_o own_o censure_n as_o for_o the_o unity_n of_o those_o that_o keep_v together_o in_o one_o profession_n and_o communion_n this_o be_v no_o certain_a mark_n of_o truth_n for_o as_o man_n may_v be_v unite_v in_o truth_n so_o they_o may_v be_v unite_v in_o error_n and_o all_o party_n have_v this_o mark_v common_a to_o they_o that_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v not_o differ_v they_o agree_v together_o and_o if_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o truth_n those_o party_n equal_o have_v it_o that_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o one_o another_o but_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o silly_a objection_n in_o the_o world_n against_o a_o common_a cause_n that_o be_v maintain_v by_o people_n that_o can_v agree_v in_o many_o thing_n that_o therefore_o that_o cause_n be_v naughty_a and_o erroneous_a this_o i_o say_v be_v intolerable_o vain_a and_o impertinent_a since_o this_o be_v to_o make_v the_o reason_n of_o truth_n and_o error_n to_o depend_v upon_o the_o uncertain_a passion_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o men._n for_o by_o this_o mean_n it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o ill_o dispose_v person_n that_o for_o whatever_o reason_n may_v bring_v in_o a_o new_a heresy_n to_o make_v all_o that_o truth_n which_o they_o profess_v before_o to_o be_v truth_n no_o long_o and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n against_o we_o it_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n against_o christianity_n in_o the_o general_a in_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o turk_n or_o a_o jew_n christian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v agree_v what_o be_v true_a christianity_n that_o they_o be_v fall_v into_o party_n that_o have_v no_o religious_a communion_n with_o one_o another_o and_o therefore_o christianity_n be_v a_o false_a religion_n nay_o it_o be_v still_o a_o strong_a argument_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o atheist_n again_o all_o religion_n whatsoever_o since_o christianity_n mahometanism_n judaisme_n and_o paganism_n be_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o one_o another_o but_o there_o need_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n than_o that_o which_o the_o text_n afford_v by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o heresy_n and_o party_n be_v unavoidable_a and_o so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o permit_v they_o even_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o those_o that_o be_v so_o offend_v at_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o either_o to_o throw_v off_o the_o profession_n of_o religion_n till_o all_o party_n be_v agree_v about_o it_o or_o to_o take_v up_o with_o that_o which_o pretend_v to_o most_o unity_n without_o any_o far_a examination_n be_v hereby_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v insincere_a and_o vicious_a person_n for_o as_o heresy_n be_v permit_v by_o providence_n that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v so_o they_o be_v permit_v that_o they_o which_o be_v reprobate_a and_o can_v bear_v a_o trial_n may_v be_v also_o make_v manifest_a and_o it_o be_v no_o loss_n to_o the_o truth_n if_o she_o be_v not_o find_v by_o those_o that_o love_v she_o not_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o that_o be_v of_o god_n will_v hear_v his_o word_n and_o wisdom_n will_v be_v justify_v of_o her_o child_n and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v find_v in_o that_o number_n we_o be_v to_o make_v it_o our_o first_o and_o principal_a care_n to_o avoid_v the_o great_a heresy_n of_o all_o and_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o rest_n and_o that_o be_v the_o heresy_n of_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o vicious_a affection_n then_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o and_o more_o build_v up_o in_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o confirm_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n for_o as_o evil_a deed_n make_v man_n hate_v the_o light_n so_o if_o our_o deed_n be_v good_a and_o our_o conscience_n pure_a we_o shall_v love_v the_o light_n and_o rejoice_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v buy_v the_o truth_n and_o not_o sell_v it_o we_o shall_v buy_v it_o with_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n of_o impartial_a enquiry_n and_o consideration_n and_o we_o shall_v not_o sell_v it_o for_o either_o comfortable_a or_o gainful_a error_n to_o conclude_v god_n have_v in_o that_o manner_n reveal_v the_o truth_n which_o concern_v our_o salvation_n that_o they_o may_v easy_o be_v deceive_v who_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v deceive_v but_o that_o they_o who_o seek_v it_o sincere_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v it_o the_o nine_o sermon_n 2_o pet._n i._o 19_o we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o you_o do_v well_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n that_o shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n until_o the_o day_n dawn_n and_o the_o star_n arise_v in_o your_o heart_n in_o these_o word_n st._n peter_n commend_v believer_n for_o take_v heed_n or_o careful_o attend_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o moreover_o express_v a_o weighty_a reason_n why_o in_o do_v so_o they_o do_v well_o because_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o a_o light_n shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n till_o the_o day_n dawn_v and_o the_o daystar_n arise_v in_o their_o
for_o a_o while_n because_o they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o revenge_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o will_v not_o tarry_v if_o they_o have_v present_a mean_n to_o ease_v their_o mind_n for_o this_o reason_n we_o magnify_v the_o patience_n of_o man_n most_o of_o all_o when_o they_o forgive_v whilst_o it_o seem_v that_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n without_o hurt_v themselves_o to_o punish_v the_o person_n that_o have_v do_v they_o wrong_n and_o we_o do_v in_o some_o measure_n commend_v those_o that_o frame_n themselves_o to_o patience_n when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o help_n but_o this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a character_n of_o the_o patience_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o punish_v at_o first_o as_o at_o last_o and_o it_o be_v never_o otherwise_o we_o can_v never_o say_v he_o forbear_v sudden_a vengeance_n because_o it_o will_v be_v dangerous_a or_o he_o want_v power_n to_o take_v it_o and_o we_o must_v therefore_o resolve_v his_o patience_n into_o other_o cause_n which_o be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o goodness_n it_o be_v happy_a for_o man_n in_o their_o concern_v with_o one_o another_o when_o they_o who_o have_v most_o goodness_n have_v great_a power_n and_o the_o great_a security_n of_o mankind_n be_v this_o that_o he_o only_o have_v almighty_a power_n who_o be_v infinite_o good_a and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o sinner_n shall_v acknowledge_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o be_v in_o heaven_n or_o earth_n that_o can_v absolute_o and_o irresistable_o overwhelm_v they_o but_o he_o only_o to_o who_o justice_n they_o be_v most_o liable_a and_o of_o who_o goodness_n alone_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o consume_v if_o god_n with_o his_o omnipotence_n be_v as_o man_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n or_o if_o man_n with_o his_o passion_n be_v in_o this_o respect_n as_o god_n be_v and_o can_v follow_v his_o anger_n with_o effect_n the_o race_n of_o mankind_n have_v long_o since_o be_v extinguish_v and_o why_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o god_n only_o have_v infinite_a power_n he_o who_o be_v infinite_o good_a and_o delight_v not_o in_o punishment_n and_o do_v not_o willing_o grieve_v and_o afflict_v the_o child_n of_o man_n this_o be_v the_o first_o way_n of_o apprehend_v the_o perfect_a goodness_n of_o the_o divine_a patience_n that_o he_o do_v not_o respite_n and_o delay_v the_o punishment_n of_o sinner_n at_o any_o time_n for_o want_n of_o power_n to_o take_v vengeance_n of_o they_o for_o with_o god_n all_o thing_n be_v possible_a and_o therefore_o his_o forbearance_n to_o punish_v be_v always_o because_o it_o be_v his_o will_n to_o forbear_v 2._o god_n have_v always_o the_o same_o displeasure_n against_o sin_n and_o hate_v it_o at_o one_o time_n as_o much_o as_o at_o another_o and_o this_o be_v also_o a_o remarkable_a illustration_n of_o his_o patience_n and_o show_v that_o his_o forbearance_n to_o punish_v be_v pure_o from_o his_o goodness_n if_o we_o be_v grieve_v and_o offend_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o injury_n we_o have_v receive_v be_v common_o very_a smart_n at_o first_o but_o it_o lessen_v by_o degree_n and_o if_o the_o wrongdoer_n escape_v our_o anger_n while_o it_o be_v hot_a within_o we_o he_o be_v not_o in_o so_o much_o danger_n of_o we_o afterward_o we_o be_v lead_v by_o passion_n to_o retaliate_v evil_a and_o as_o that_o cool_v we_o be_v less_o forward_o to_o do_v it_o and_o in_o such_o case_n our_o forbearance_n be_v not_o proper_o patience_n because_o feel_v no_o grief_n ourselves_o we_o be_v not_o so_o desirous_a that_o he_o who_o once_o provoke_v we_o shall_v feel_v it_o now_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o god_n he_o be_v not_o disturb_v with_o our_o uneven_a passion_n he_o abhor_v sin_n not_o as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o revengeful_a but_o because_o he_o be_v a_o most_o holy_a be_v and_o because_o he_o be_v the_o same_o holy_a god_n to_o day_n that_o ever_o he_o be_v time_n do_v not_o lessen_v his_o sense_n nor_o abate_v his_o hatred_n of_o the_o evil_a action_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o in_o he_o it_o be_v all_o the_o goodness_n of_o patience_n to_o forbear_v the_o deserve_v inflict_v of_o those_o punishment_n which_o he_o can_v inflict_v every_o moment_n for_o he_o bear_v with_o that_o baseness_n which_o he_o always_o hate_v now_o since_o it_o be_v neither_o want_n of_o power_n nor_o want_v of_o holiness_n or_o hatred_n of_o sin_n that_o withhold_v the_o vengeance_n of_o divine_a justice_n from_o fall_v upon_o man_n till_o their_o provocation_n be_v grow_v insufferable_a it_o must_v be_v the_o wise_a goodness_n of_o god_n that_o cause_v his_o patience_n and_o longsufferance_n and_o there_o be_v several_a good_a effect_n to_o which_o it_o tend_v indeed_o many_o reason_n that_o seem_v to_o require_v it_o 1._o if_o sentence_n be_v speedy_o execute_v against_o a_o evil_a work_n and_o if_o it_o seldom_o happen_v that_o a_o notorious_a wickedness_n be_v not_o forthwith_o make_v remarkable_a by_o a_o follow_a vengeance_n there_o will_v be_v a_o little_a space_n leave_v for_o repentance_n but_o god_n will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o repent_v and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o he_o be_v long-suffering_a to_o usward_n not_o willing_a that_o any_o shall_v perish_v but_o that_o all_o shall_v come_v to_o repentance_n god_n forbearance_n be_v necessary_a that_o there_o may_v be_v room_n for_o other_o proper_a mean_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o amendment_n he_o do_v not_o cut_v we_o off_o even_o when_o we_o provoke_v he_o daily_o because_o he_o will_v prevent_v that_o last_o sentence_n by_o other_o remedy_n by_o gentle_a admonition_n and_o sometime_o by_o sharp_a correction_n or_o by_o make_v other_o that_o be_v grow_v incurable_a the_o example_n of_o his_o justice_n and_o by_o variety_n of_o instruct_v providence_n if_o by_o any_o mean_n we_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o our_o duty_n shall_v god_n proceed_v to_o destroy_v upon_o every_o grievous_a sin_n that_o be_v commit_v as_o in_o justice_n he_o may_v then_o alas_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n which_o depend_v upon_o what_o we_o do_v in_o this_o short_a life_n will_v by_o one_o single_a act_n become_v almost_o desperate_a and_o we_o shall_v have_v but_o one_o trial_n in_o this_o life_n in_o order_n to_o our_o everlasting_a state_n but_o how_o many_o have_v we_o have_v and_o here_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o although_o by_o wretched_a man_n he_o be_v provoke_v day_n after_o day_n yet_o he_o bear_v with_o they_o day_n after_o day_n not_o be_v willing_a that_o they_o shall_v perish_v for_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n gracious_a and_o merciful_a slow_a to_o anger_n and_o of_o great_a compassion_n 2._o if_o god_n be_v always_o sudden_a in_o his_o justice_n and_o shall_v crush_v every_o wickedness_n with_o his_o hand_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o it_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n this_o proceed_n will_v bear_v something_o hard_o upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o be_v too_o great_a a_o force_n upon_o we_o and_o it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_o see_v whether_o we_o choose_v to_o do_v what_o god_n command_v free_o and_o hearty_o or_o mere_o upon_o the_o constraint_n of_o a_o servile_a fear_n god_n make_v we_o to_o serve_v he_o upon_o ingenuous_a and_o manly_a principle_n and_o have_v therefore_o give_v we_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o of_o his_o providence_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n and_o the_o expectation_n of_o be_v reward_v or_o punish_v hereafter_o but_o if_o upon_o every_o notorious_a offence_n the_o malefactor_n be_v make_v a_o example_n of_o notable_a vengeance_n the_o perpetual_a observation_n of_o this_o will_v be_v like_o a_o flame_v sword_n hang_v over_o every_o man_n head_n and_o keep_v he_o in_o a_o perpetual_a apprehension_n of_o present_a destruction_n if_o he_o shall_v step_v aside_o which_o will_v indeed_o be_v a_o way_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o be_v very_o bad_a but_o not_o to_o make_v they_o true_o good_a their_o avoid_v vice_n will_v be_v like_o the_o honesty_n of_o a_o man_n that_o do_v not_o steal_v because_o his_o hand_n be_v always_o manacle_v 3._o if_o god_n do_v not_o suffer_v man_n to_o degenerate_a exceed_o in_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n and_o to_o grow_v from_o bad_a to_o worse_o but_o still_o crush_v all_o imposture_n and_o discountenance_v all_o villainy_n and_o hypocrisy_n at_o its_o first_o set_v out_o in_o the_o world_n where_o will_v be_v the_o patience_n and_o faith_n of_o the_o saint_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o god_n and_o take_v his_o word_n for_o their_o rule_n and_o their_o comfort_n and_o live_v in_o the_o expectation_n of_o his_o promise_n but_o when_o iniquity_n grow_v and_o thrive_v and_o can_v plead_v
it_o do_v upon_o the_o eighteen_o upon_o who_o the_o tower_n in_o siloam_n fall_v in_o both_o case_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v interpose_v attend_v the_o whole_a affair_n regulate_v and_o order_v and_o with_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o each_o circumstance_n permit_v that_o which_o happen_v and_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o happen_v a_o very_a instruct_v consideration_n which_o we_o shall_v lay_v up_o in_o our_o mind_n hearty_o believe_v it_o and_o frequent_o entertain_v ourselves_o with_o it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v direct_v by_o it_o in_o our_o prosperity_n and_o comfort_v with_o it_o in_o our_o adversity_n for_o it_o will_v give_v we_o in_o our_o better_a state_n the_o best_a direction_n how_o to_o secure_v it_o and_o to_o all_o other_o method_n and_o way_n which_o we_o use_v to_o keep_v off_o evil_a it_o will_v make_v we_o add_v that_o which_o be_v best_a of_o all_o to_o secure_v by_o well-doing_n a_o interest_n in_o the_o favour_n of_o god._n it_o be_v a_o great_a defect_n of_o wisdom_n as_o well_o as_o of_o true_a religion_n to_o be_v so_o nice_a as_o we_o often_o be_v in_o weigh_v the_o mean_n of_o our_o welfare_n with_o the_o cause_n of_o danger_n and_o this_o with_o respect_n only_o to_o second_o cause_n forget_v all_o the_o while_n that_o which_o ought_v in_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a place_n to_o be_v remember_v the_o supreme_a mover_n and_o orderer_n even_o of_o those_o cause_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a matter_n but_o if_o we_o lay_v to_o heart_n what_o we_o all_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unseen_a hand_n that_o govern_v all_o undoubted_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o afraid_a of_o our_o sin_n than_o of_o all_o other_o misery_n and_o more_o concern_v to_o be_v strong_a in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n than_o in_o the_o arm_n of_o flesh_n this_o consideration_n be_v equal_o good_a to_o comfort_v we_o under_o adversity_n if_o that_o happen_v because_o god_n send_v it_o for_o though_o there_o may_v be_v good_a reason_n to_o take_v evil_a in_o evil_a part_n from_o man_n who_o seldom_o mean_v well_o to_o we_o when_o they_o trouble_v and_o grieve_v we_o yet_o there_o be_v this_o to_o make_v we_o patient_a that_o it_o be_v of_o god_n send_v too_o who_o mean_v we_o no_o harm_n and_o will_v convert_v it_o to_o good_a which_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o that_o excellent_a say_n of_o job_n ch_n 2._o v._n 10._o shall_v we_o receive_v good_a from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o receive_v evil_a for_o the_o emphasis_n lie_v in_o these_o word_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o god._n for_o we_o rank_v he_o in_o effect_n with_o man_n if_o we_o can_v be_v please_v with_o he_o but_o when_o he_o give_v we_o what_o we_o desire_v when_o good_a come_v to_o we_o it_o be_v welcome_a from_o what_o hand_n soever_o it_o come_v but_o this_o be_v one_o part_n of_o the_o singular_a worship_n we_o pay_v to_o god_n that_o from_o he_o we_o can_v receive_v evil_a too_o without_o suspect_v either_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o intention_n or_o the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o counsel_n these_o be_v the_o two_o point_n which_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o this_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n viz._n that_o punishment_n belong_v to_o sin_n and_o that_o the_o evil_n which_o happen_v in_o this_o world_n do_v not_o happen_v without_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n attend_v upon_o all_o the_o circumstance_n thereof_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o those_o point_n which_o be_v the_o direct_a purpose_n of_o this_o place_n whereof_o the_o 1._o be_v that_o they_o who_o suffer_v very_o great_a evil_n be_v not_o always_o great_a sinner_n than_o those_o who_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n suffer_v nothing_o that_o be_v the_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_v in_o these_o question_n suppose_v you_o that_o these_o be_v great_a sinner_n than_o all_o the_o galilean_n and_o these_o than_o all_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n they_o indeed_o that_o hear_v he_o be_v jew_n be_v ready_a enough_o so_o to_o suppose_v but_o this_o be_v that_o error_n of_o they_o which_o he_o in_o the_o first_o place_n design_v to_o correct_v and_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o be_v set_v right_o in_o this_o matter_n by_o some_o great_a authority_n because_o it_o be_v a_o error_n so_o easy_a for_o they_o to_o slide_v into_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o temper_n and_o constitution_n of_o their_o law_n which_o to_o they_o that_o keep_v it_o promise_v all_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n and_o threaten_v all_o the_o evil_n of_o life_n to_o they_o that_o break_v it_o but_o the_o time_n be_v now_o come_v when_o these_o consideration_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o much_o regard_v and_o god_n will_v establish_v a_o covenant_n upon_o promise_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n than_o those_o of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o upon_o more_o terrible_a penalty_n than_o be_v threaten_v by_o that_o law_n and_o therefore_o this_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o no_o doubt_n be_v something_o surprise_v to_o his_o hearer_n be_v very_o seasonable_a to_o be_v deliver_v just_o when_o that_o law_n be_v expire_n and_o a_o better_a be_v to_o take_v place_n the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o all_o that_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n shall_v suffer_v persecution_n when_o his_o disciple_n shall_v be_v hate_v of_o all_o man_n for_o his_o name_n sake_n and_o deliver_v up_o to_o be_v beat_v and_o scourge_v and_o put_v to_o death_n which_o when_o they_o shall_v see_v they_o will_v have_v reason_n to_o remember_v that_o he_o have_v tell_v they_o upon_o a_o particular_a occasion_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o call_v they_o the_o great_a sinner_n who_o suffer_v such_o thing_n as_o so_o many_o together_o never_o endure_v before_o but_o there_o be_v a_o notorious_a provocation_n of_o divine_a justice_n to_o deserve_v it_o now_o there_o be_v great_a design_n in_o hand_n than_o to_o keep_v a_o small_a nation_n in_o comparison_n to_o the_o observation_n of_o a_o law_n that_o require_v abundance_n of_o ceremony_n and_o be_v content_a with_o the_o outward_a work_n which_o serve_v to_o a_o happy_a life_n in_o this_o world._n the_o true_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n and_o charity_n be_v now_o to_o be_v lay_v down_o and_o man_n be_v to_o learn_v to_o live_v above_o the_o world_n and_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n by_o the_o promise_n of_o immortality_n in_o a_o future_a state_n to_o reward_v they_o for_o any_o thing_n they_o shall_v lose_v or_o suffer_v for_o it_o in_o this_o it_o will_v therefore_o be_v expedient_a that_o the_o power_n of_o this_o faith_n shall_v be_v sometime_o demonstrate_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o man_n and_o that_o by_o example_n of_o constancy_n in_o suffer_v for_o righteousness_n it_o will_v also_o be_v expedient_a that_o the_o profession_n of_o so_o holy_a a_o faith_n shall_v not_o be_v dishonour_v by_o the_o continual_a scandal_n of_o man_n who_o conversation_n be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o their_o profession_n and_o therefore_o that_o god_n shall_v purify_v his_o church_n in_o the_o furnace_n of_o affliction_n and_o sometime_o separate_v the_o sincere_a from_o the_o hypocrite_n by_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o test_n of_o persecution_n that_o those_o who_o hang_v loose_o upon_o the_o christian_a communion_n may_v be_v shake_v off_o and_o none_o but_o good_a example_n leave_v in_o it_o to_o bring_v great_a credit_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o more_o proselyte_n to_o it_o than_o it_o have_v before_o since_o therefore_o the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o man_n shall_v suffer_v not_o at_o all_o as_o sinner_n or_o evil_a doer_n but_o for_o a_o good_a cause_n and_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n most_o certain_o it_o be_v a_o seasonable_a instruction_n that_o the_o great_a sufferer_n be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v the_o great_a sinner_n but_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o reason_n that_o do_v not_o reach_v the_o full_a intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o doctrine_n he_o lay_v down_o upon_o this_o occasion_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n for_o his_o true_a disciple_n in_o suffer_v for_o their_o faith_n and_o profession_n can_v be_v say_v to_o suffer_v for_o their_o sin_n but_o his_o word_n consider_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n wherewith_o they_o be_v to_o be_v take_v do_v suppose_v that_o when_o man_n suffer_v for_o their_o sin_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v great_a sinner_n mere_o for_o that_o reason_n than_o those_o who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n escape_v and_o suffer_v nothing_o for_o when_o he_o say_v that_o neither_o shall_v they_o escape_v that_o hear_v he_o unless_o they_o repent_v it_o be_v imply_v or_o at_o least_o not_o deny_v that_o those_o thing_n happen_v to_o the_o aforesaid_a galilean_n and_o jew_n as_o a_o punishment_n of_o
will_v be_v take_v heed_n lest_o no_o man_n deceive_v you_o for_o many_o shall_v come_v in_o my_o name_n say_v i_o be_o christ_n and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o many_o false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o deceive_v many_o and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v say_v unto_o you_o lo_o here_o be_v christ_n and_o there_o be_v christ_n believe_v it_o not_o for_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n insomuch_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a behold_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o thus_o he_o foretell_v how_o christianity_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v by_o imposture_n and_o fraud_n again_o say_v he_o they_o shall_v deliver_v you_o up_o to_o be_v afflict_v and_o kill_v and_o you_o shall_v be_v hate_v of_o all_o nation_n for_o my_o name_n sake_n and_o then_o shall_v many_o be_v offend_v and_o shall_v betray_v one_o another_o and_o shall_v hate_v one_o another_o thus_o he_o foretell_v the_o violence_n that_o shall_v be_v use_v to_o extinguish_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n again_o say_v st._n paul_n 2_o thes_n 2._o there_o shall_v be_v a_o fall_v away_o and_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n shall_v come_v with_o all_o deceivableness_n of_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n god_n shall_v send_v they_o strong_a delusion_n that_o they_o shall_v believe_v a_o lie_n that_o they_o may_v all_o be_v damn_v who_o believe_v not_o the_o truth_n but_o have_v pleasure_n in_o unrighteousness_n there_o he_o foretell_v a_o fearful_a apostasy_n from_o the_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a profession_n again_o say_v he_o 2_o tim._n 3.1_o 2._o this_o know_v that_o in_o the_o last_o day_n perilous_a time_n shall_v come_v for_o man_n shall_v be_v lover_n of_o their_o own_o self_n covetous_a boaster_n proud_a blasphemer_n disobedient_a to_o parent_n unthankful_a unholy_a without_o natural_a affection_n trucebreaker_n false_a accuser_n incontinent_a fierce_a despiser_n of_o those_o that_o be_v good_a traitor_n heady_a highminded_a lover_n of_o pleasure_n more_o than_o lover_n of_o god_n there_o he_o foretell_v a_o terrible_a corruption_n of_o manner_n and_o again_o 1_o tim._n 4.1_o 2_o 3._o the_o spirit_n speak_v express_o say_v he_o that_o in_o the_o latter_a time_n some_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o faith_n give_v heed_n to_o seduce_a spirit_n and_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n speak_v lie_n in_o hypocrisy_n have_v their_o conscience_n sear_v with_o a_o hot_a iron_n forbid_v to_o marry_v and_o command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n which_o god_n have_v create_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o thanskgiving_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v and_o know_v the_o truth_n now_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o here_o be_v as_o plain_a warning_n as_o can_v possible_o be_v give_v of_o most_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a time_n even_o after_o christ_n first_o come_v and_o so_o that_o be_v express_o foretell_v which_o the_o text_n evident_o suppose_v for_o here_o will_v be_v glorious_a pretence_n to_o deceive_v violence_n to_o compel_v and_o wicked_a example_n to_o offend_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o provision_n have_v our_o lord_n leave_v to_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v mislead_v where_o there_o be_v so_o much_o danger_n they_o be_v to_o attend_v to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o deliver_v we_o at_o first_o by_o his_o holy_a apostle_n to_o secure_v themselves_o from_o be_v deceive_v they_o must_v lay_v to_o heart_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o arm_v themselves_o against_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o power_n of_o evil_a example_n and_o they_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v foretell_v by_o our_o lord_n himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v scandalize_v when_o they_o shall_v happen_v nor_o be_v tempt_v to_o suspect_v that_o either_o christianity_n be_v not_o of_o god_n from_o the_o first_o or_o at_o least_o that_o our_o lord_n have_v neglect_v all_o care_n of_o it_o since_o because_o it_o do_v so_o little_a good_a as_o yet_o in_o the_o world_n because_o it_o run_v out_o into_o so_o many_o error_n and_o because_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v so_o vehement_o oppose_v for_o say_v our_o saviour_n behold_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o but_o still_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n whether_o they_o will_v take_v warning_n by_o such_o prediction_n and_o whether_o they_o will_v guard_v themselves_o against_o error_n and_o evil_a example_n and_o therefore_o a_o very_a corrupt_a state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n will_v in_o all_o likelihood_n shake_v the_o faith_n of_o many_o believer_n and_o cause_v some_o to_o turn_v from_o the_o holy_a commandment_n deliver_v to_o they_o not_o regard_v the_o admonition_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n beforehand_o and_o so_o when_o christ_n come_v he_o will_v find_v but_o little_a faith_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o this_o be_v the_o observation_n which_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v unavoidable_a from_o the_o text_n that_o even_o after_o christ_n there_o will_v be_v degenerate_a age_n for_o this_o be_v plain_o suppose_v as_o the_o cause_n why_o there_o will_v be_v but_o little_a faith_n find_v when_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o visit_v the_o earth_n for_o the_o iniquity_n and_o offence_n it_o abound_v with_o the_o 2._o supposition_n be_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o our_o lord_n will_v then_o appear_v to_o set_v thing_n right_a when_o there_o be_v the_o great_a need_n to_o interpose_v in_o behalf_n of_o his_o church_n for_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v intimate_v manifest_o that_o his_o come_n be_v then_o to_o be_v expect_v when_o little_a faith_n be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o man_n and_o consequent_o when_o scandal_n and_o temptation_n be_v so_o strong_a that_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o bear_v up_o against_o they_o i_o have_v say_v already_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o make_v all_o man_n receive_v it_o and_o that_o the_o power_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o make_v all_o that_o receive_v it_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o among_o christian_n themselves_o there_o be_v as_o monstrous_a error_n and_o lewd_a example_n as_o ever_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n before_o christianity_n or_o as_o there_o be_v now_o where_o christianity_n be_v not_o at_o all_o profess_a now_o at_o this_o rate_n shall_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o church_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n let_v thing_n go_v as_o they_o will_v it_o will_v in_o time_n come_v to_o pass_v that_o nothing_o of_o christianity_n will_v remain_v in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o name_n of_o it_o and_o that_o for_o no_o other_o purpose_n but_o to_o do_v more_o hurt_n with_o it_o than_o can_v be_v do_v without_o it_o but_o how_o be_v it_o that_o divine_a providence_n will_v interpose_v or_o according_a to_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o text_n that_o the_o son_n of_o man_n will_v come_v and_o will_v make_v good_a his_o promise_n of_o be_v with_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v never_o more_o remarkable_o fulfil_v than_o when_o he_o interpose_v in_o those_o circumstance_n which_o make_v man_n think_v that_o he_o will_v not_o interpose_v and_o that_o he_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v what_o become_v of_o the_o state_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n because_o our_o lord_n have_v not_o make_v the_o gospel_n a_o irresistible_a mean_n of_o convince_a unbeliever_n and_o reform_v wicked_a man_n therefore_o it_o will_v in_o time_n be_v needful_a that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o true_a religion_n and_o make_v christian_n such_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v that_o he_o i_o say_v shall_v by_o his_o providence_n correct_v his_o own_o disciple_n and_o reduce_v wretched_a mankind_n into_o a_o unavoidable_a necessity_n of_o consideration_n that_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n shall_v not_o utter_o fail_v from_o among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n when_o there_o be_v the_o great_a danger_n of_o lose_v the_o true_a profession_n of_o christianity_n our_o lord_n will_v not_o be_v want_v to_o maintain_v it_o when_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v their_o way_n god_n come_v and_o sweep_v away_o mankind_n with_o a_o flood_n and_o save_v noah_n to_o be_v the_o father_n of_o a_o new_a and_o better_a generation_n when_o their_o prosperity_n have_v corrupt_v their_o way_n he_o call_v abraham_n forth_o to_o preserve_v true_a religion_n in_o he_o and_o in_o his_o family_n and_o these_o and_o the_o like_a providence_n be_v pledge_n of_o the_o same_o care_n to_o
faith_n they_o add_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n yet_o they_o be_v esteem_v heretic_n because_o they_o undertake_v to_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n and_o to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o instead_o of_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n that_o have_v betray_v and_o murder_v the_o lord_n jesus_n 2._o they_o be_v accuse_v of_o sedition_n too_o as_o if_o they_o design_v to_o make_v stir_v and_o commotion_n and_o to_o alienate_v the_o people_n from_o their_o governor_n thus_o when_o paul_n and_o silas_n have_v convert_v a_o multitude_n of_o devout_a greek_n and_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o chief_a woman_n at_o thessalonica_n the_o jew_n who_o believe_v not_o move_v with_o envy_n take_v unto_o they_o certain_a lewd_a fellow_n of_o the_o base_a sort_n and_o draw_v some_o of_o the_o brethren_n to_o the_o ruler_n cry_v these_o that_o have_v turn_v the_o world_n upside_o down_o be_v come_v hither_o also_o who_o do_v contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o caesar_n say_v that_o there_o be_v another_o king_n one_o jesus_n act_v 17.5_o 6._o and_o yet_o they_o never_o make_v one_o step_n by_o word_n or_o deed_n towards_o depose_v prince_n and_o change_a government_n jesus_n indeed_o who_o have_v command_v they_o to_o pay_v tribute_n unto_o caesar_n have_v also_o forbid_v they_o to_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n which_o caesar_n be_v then_o of_o and_o this_o be_v draw_v into_o a_o accusation_n of_o faction_n and_o disloyalty_n thus_o also_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n be_v bring_v before_o foelix_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o jew_n complain_v by_o tertullian_n their_o orator_n that_o they_o have_v find_v he_o a_o pestilent_a fellow_n and_o a_o mover_n of_o sedition_n among_o all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o a_o ringleader_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarenes_n act_v 24.5_o 3._o they_o conclude_v they_o under_o a_o sentence_n of_o damnation_n as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v do_v it_o indeed_o they_o will_v have_v it_o think_v so_o impossible_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v save_v that_o some_o of_o they_o after_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v strong_o persuade_v that_o they_o still_o ought_v to_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o will_v have_v mingle_v judaisme_n and_o christianity_n together_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o salvation_n out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n except_o you_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n you_o can_v be_v save_v act_v 15.1_o 4._o as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o such_o case_n to_o damn_v first_o and_o then_o to_o kill_v they_o deliver_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n to_o death_n and_o pretend_v the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o it_o for_o which_o we_o may_v take_v those_o remarkable_a word_n of_o st._n paul_n describe_v the_o temper_n of_o the_o jew_n then_o and_o what_o his_o own_o once_o be_v say_v he_o i_o be_v teach_v according_a to_o the_o perfect_a manner_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o father_n and_o be_v zealous_a towards_o god_n as_o you_o be_v at_o this_o day_n and_o i_o persecute_v they_o even_o unto_o the_o death_n bind_v and_o deliver_v into_o prison_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n act_n 22.3_o 4._o and_o in_o chap._n 26._o v._n 10_o 11._o he_o declare_v that_o he_o persecute_v they_o oft_o in_o every_o synagogue_n and_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_v and_o be_v exceed_o mad_a against_o they_o he_o persecute_v they_o even_o into_o strange_a city_n such_o be_v the_o entertainment_n they_o have_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n be_v first_o deliver_v but_o when_o it_o be_v carry_v among_o the_o gentile_n they_o condemn_v it_o too_o for_o 1._o it_o be_v run_v down_o as_o if_o it_o have_v bring_v irreligion_n and_o atheism_n into_o the_o world_n insomuch_o that_o the_o ancient_a apologist_n be_v fain_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o set_v themselves_o against_o this_o absurd_a accusation_n and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o one_o to_o serve_v god_n at_o all_o and_o not_o to_o serve_v many_o god_n that_o there_o may_v be_v devotion_n without_o bow_v down_o to_o image_n and_o religion_n and_o worship_n without_o idolatry_n and_o better_o a_o great_a deal_n without_o these_o thing_n than_o with_o they_o 2._o it_o be_v exclaim_v against_o as_o a_o late_a upstart_n religion_n that_o begin_v but_o yesterday_o and_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v hiss_v than_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o world._n they_o use_v to_o ask_v the_o christian_n what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o can_v name_v either_o greek_n or_o barbarian_n that_o make_v their_o profession_n and_o have_v their_o rite_n and_o worship_n before_o jesus_n appear_v you_o have_v forsake_v say_v they_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o father_n that_o have_v be_v observe_v of_o old_a time_n in_o all_o city_n and_o country_n you_o have_v revolt_v from_o a_o worship_n which_o have_v have_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o age_n and_o the_o approbation_n of_o king_n and_o people_n law_n maker_n and_o philosopher_n and_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o world_n till_o such_o as_o you_o appear_v who_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o 3._o they_o try_v to_o overwhelm_v it_o with_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o palpable_a untruth_n they_o give_v it_o out_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v worshipper_n of_o the_o sun_n nay_o that_o they_o adore_v a_o asses-head_n and_o sometime_o a_o cross_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v to_o say_v that_o in_o their_o solemn_a assembly_n they_o kill_v a_o child_n and_o commit_v incest_n they_o also_o upon_o no_o occasion_n in_o the_o world_n disarm_v they_o as_o a_o seditious_a and_o disloyal_a people_n and_o accuse_v they_o of_o treason_n though_o none_o ever_o set_v better_a example_n of_o fidelity_n to_o their_o governor_n to_o conclude_v our_o predecessor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v now_o and_o then_o condemn_v to_o several_a sort_n of_o death_n and_o it_o be_v often_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o safe_a to_o be_v some_o notorious_a malefactor_n than_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n the_o gospel_n meet_v with_o that_o opposition_n which_o no_o religion_n ever_o do_v before_o the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n new_a god_n every_o day_n be_v admit_v into_o a_o temple_n at_o rome_n with_o some_o formality_n and_o without_o trouble_n but_o when_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n come_v to_o call_v man_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v jew_n and_o gentile_n conspire_v to_o extinguish_v their_o religion_n and_o to_o blot_v out_o their_o name_n for_o ever_o insomuch_o that_o the_o jew_n at_o rome_n can_v tell_v st._n paul_n as_o concern_v this_o sect_n we_o know_v that_o it_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o those_o therefore_o who_o god_n justify_v have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v condemn_v by_o man_n which_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o of_o we_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v for_o instance_n 1._o that_o hatred_n of_o truth_n which_o reign_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n they_o can_v bear_v sound_a doctrine_n nor_o can_v they_o therefore_o bear_v those_o that_o profess_v and_o practice_v it_o truth_n be_v against_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o will_v be_v against_o the_o truth_n and_o all_o that_o follow_v it_o so_o long_o as_o pride_n lust_n avarice_n revenge_n luxury_n and_o such_o thing_n remain_v there_o will_v be_v so_o many_o cause_n of_o condemn_v that_o which_o god_n approve_v to_o which_o we_o must_v add_v 2._o the_o inflexibleness_n of_o true_a doctrine_n and_o of_o those_o that_o maintain_v it_o to_o the_o design_n of_o worldly_a man_n christianity_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o perfect_a scheme_n of_o religion_n that_o will_v suffer_v no_o addition_n or_o alteration_n it_o be_v stiff_a and_o will_v not_o bend_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o priest_n or_o of_o statesman_n as_o all_o that_o will_v which_o the_o heathen_n call_v religion_n among_o themselves_o whilst_o it_o be_v keep_v in_o wise_a and_o honest_a hand_n and_o true_o represent_v there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o cheat_v no_o allowance_n for_o pious_a fraud_n no_o place_n for_o convenient_a invention_n innovatiou_n can_v not_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n or_o the_o substance_n of_o their_o worship_n but_o they_o will_v be_v corruption_n of_o both_o without_o tamper_n with_o it_o it_o can_v not_o serve_v the_o ambition_n of_o a_o few_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o all_o other_o and_o therefore_o while_o it_o be_v pure_a they_o can_v not_o bear_v it_o who_o gain_n be_v their_o godliness_n and_o who_o have_v be_v use_v to_o tell_v lie_v in_o hypocrifie_n 3._o the_o proneness_n of_o mankind_n to_o superstition_n be_v another_o cause_n of_o disapprove_v what_o god_n approve_v the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n be_v according_a to_o their_o religion_n for_o a_o
sense_n the_o come_v of_o christ_n because_o he_o do_v not_o come_v in_o person_n as_o he_o will_v do_v at_o the_o last_o day_n but_o in_o some_o sense_n it_o may_v be_v so_o call_v because_o he_o appear_v by_o his_o power_n and_o providence_n to_o do_v the_o same_o work_n in_o part_n which_o will_v with_o incomparable_o great_a perfection_n be_v do_v at_o the_o last_o i._n e._n to_o take_v vengeance_n of_o the_o ungodly_a and_o to_o save_v his_o own_o people_n for_o the_o incorrigibleness_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o their_o incurable_a hatred_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o obstinate_a persecution_n of_o it_o be_v dreadful_o punish_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o christian_n have_v not_o only_o all_o escape_v out_o of_o it_o before_o the_o roman_a army_n come_v against_o it_o but_o by_o the_o destruction_n of_o it_o they_o gain_v also_o a_o very_a considerable_a rest_n from_o persecution_n for_o some_o time_n after_o and_o now_o the_o reason_n why_o this_o wonderful_a providence_n be_v call_v the_o come_n of_o christ_n seem_v plain_o to_o be_v this_o that_o after_o his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n he_o set_v down_o at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o have_v all_o power_n put_v into_o his_o hand_n and_o therefore_o because_o it_o be_v he_o that_o govern_v the_o world_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n such_o remarkable_a revolution_n as_o that_o be_v for_o the_o destruction_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o the_o save_n of_o his_o servant_n be_v call_v the_o come_n of_o christ_n god_n have_v give_v he_o to_o be_v head_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o such_o passage_n as_o that_o be_v be_v call_v his_o come_n to_o signify_v that_o they_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o government_n for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n no_o less_o than_o if_o he_o have_v come_v in_o person_n to_o order_v they_o as_o he_o will_v do_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o order_v all_o thing_n then_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n though_o in_o the_o proper_a sense_n of_o his_o come_n he_o will_v come_v but_o once_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o in_o this_o improper_a sense_n of_o it_o his_o appeaance_n to_o destroy_v his_o enemy_n and_o to_o save_v his_o people_n that_o trust_v in_o he_o nothing_o hinder_v but_o that_o he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o come_v often_o before_o the_o end_n of_o world_n i._n e._n as_o often_o as_o his_o providence_n do_v signal_o and_o remarkable_o appear_v for_o this_o purpose_n and_o thus_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o come_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o 2_o thes_n 2.8_o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n that_o wicked_a one_o that_o the_o lord_n shall_v consume_v he_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o destroy_v he_o with_o the_o brightness_n of_o his_o come_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v before_o the_o personal_a come_n of_o christ_n to_o judgement_n the_o meaning_n must_v be_v that_o his_o destruction_n shall_v be_v so_o remarkable_o the_o work_n of_o a_o divine_a providence_n that_o all_o shall_v confess_v it_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o worldly_a policy_n but_o no_o less_o the_o do_n of_o the_o lord_n than_o if_o himself_o have_v come_v in_o person_n to_o destroy_v he_o and_o whenever_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n become_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n cover_v the_o earth_n as_o the_o water_n cover_v the_o sea_n when_o those_o magnificent_a prediction_n be_v fulfil_v concern_v the_o universal_a prevalence_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n among_o man_n with_o which_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v plentiful_o furnish_v and_o which_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o last_o judgement_n then_o also_o be_v it_o true_a that_o the_o lord_n come_v i._n e._n by_o the_o power_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o providence_n to_o renew_v and_o reform_v a_o degenerate_a world_n that_o be_v run_v headlong_o into_o perdition_n and_o thus_o much_o concern_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v which_o i_o have_v show_v do_v principal_o signify_v that_o great_a and_o amaze_a revolution_n when_o he_o shall_v come_v by_o come_v in_o his_o own_o person_n at_o the_o last_o day_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n but_o in_o a_o secondary_a sense_n do_v also_o signify_v the_o remarkable_a work_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o punish_v some_o and_o save_v other_o even_o in_o this_o life_n now_o 2._o how_o be_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o other_o clause_n will_v he_o find_v faith_n upon_o the_o earth_n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o question_n be_v plain_o this_o that_o he_o will_v not_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n or_o very_o little_a in_o comparison_n but_o what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o faith_n i_o answer_v that_o be_v easy_o discern_v by_o the_o parable_n and_o the_o application_n of_o it_o that_o go_v before_o the_o design_n of_o both_o which_o be_v to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o forego_n verse_n and_o shall_v not_o god_n avenge_v his_o own_o elect_a which_o cry_v day_n and_o night_n unto_o he_o though_o he_o bear_v long_o with_o they_o i_o tell_v you_o he_o will_v avenge_v they_o speedy_o that_o be_v to_o say_v god_n will_v hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o righteous_a man_n and_o in_o a_o little_a time_n take_v their_o cause_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o then_o say_v our_o saviour_n nevertheless_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n i._n e._n notwithstanding_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o hear_v the_o praver_n of_o good_a man_n and_o to_o interpose_v for_o they_o that_o depend_v upon_o he_o there_o will_v be_v but_o little_a faith_n in_o these_o promise_v find_v upon_o the_o earth_n even_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v to_o fulfil_v they_o the_o great_a part_n will_v not_o be_v find_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o of_o they_o and_o so_o will_v be_v surprise_v with_o that_o day_n without_o any_o preparation_n for_o it_o or_o expectation_n of_o it_o many_o will_v yield_v to_o the_o temptation_n of_o this_o present_a world_n and_o throw_v off_o their_o dependence_n upon_o god_n will_v think_v to_o secure_v themselves_o by_o flattery_n and_o hypocrisy_n from_o the_o violence_n of_o wicked_a man_n other_o will_v despair_v of_o any_o better_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o very_o few_o will_v lay_v to_o heart_n the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o to_o save_v they_o few_o will_v strengthen_v themselves_o in_o god_n by_o cry_v to_o he_o day_n and_o night_n and_o by_o put_v their_o whole_a trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o he_o and_o this_o notwithstanding_o the_o clear_a and_o strong_a reason_n they_o have_v from_o his_o word_n so_o to_o do_v nevertheless_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n and_o thus_o we_o may_v from_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n observe_v that_o immediate_o before_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n there_o will_v be_v a_o great_a fall_v away_o from_o christian_a piety_n and_o charity_n nay_o and_o the_o world_n shall_v begin_v once_o more_o to_o depart_v from_o the_o purity_n of_o faith_n many_o false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o and_o because_o iniquity_n shall_v abound_v the_o love_n of_o many_o shall_v wax_v cold_a but_o say_v our_o saviour_n he_o that_o endure_v to_o the_o end_n shall_v be_v save_v thereby_o intimate_v that_o it_o will_v be_v some_o matter_n of_o difficulty_n to_o endure_v to_o the_o end_n thus_o also_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o shall_v come_v in_o the_o last_o day_n scoffer_n walk_v after_o their_o own_o lust_n and_o say_v where_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n which_o be_v plain_o mean_v of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n before_o which_o according_a to_o the_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n satan_n be_v to_o be_v loose_v for_o a_o little_a time_n and_o to_o go_v out_o and_o to_o deceive_v the_o nation_n and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o against_o the_o city_n of_o god._n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v remarkable_o true_a at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n that_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v he_o will_v find_v but_o little_a faith_n in_o the_o earth_n the_o world_n will_v be_v in_o a_o careless_a posture_n as_o it_o be_v before_o that_o the_o flood_n come_v and_o take_v they_o all_o away_o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n there_o be_v but_o little_a faith_n in_o the_o earth_n when_o god_n enter_v into_o judgement_n with_o the_o world_n for_o the_o violence_n and_o iniquity_n of_o man_n and_o assert_n the_o cause_n of_o innocence_n and_o righteousness_n against_o they_o for_o in_o
all_o such_o case_n the_o temptation_n to_o unbelief_n and_o apostasy_n be_v very_o great_a and_o likely_a to_o prevail_v upon_o many_o of_o those_o that_o believe_v so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n that_o in_o such_o a_o wicked_a age_n as_o call_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o open_a enemy_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o great_a number_n will_v be_v void_a of_o all_o regard_n whatsoever_o to_o his_o word_n and_o to_o his_o providence_n or_o if_o they_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o it_o it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o scoffer_n mention_v by_o st._n peter_n who_o will_v say_v where_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n many_o of_o his_o profess_a servant_n will_v be_v weary_a of_o depend_v upon_o he_o and_o give_v way_n to_o temptation_n and_o depend_v more_o upon_o the_o arm_n of_o flesh_n than_o upon_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o the_o faith_n of_o many_o good_a man_n will_v be_v very_o much_o weaken_v and_o abate_v so_o that_o when_o he_o come_v he_o will_v find_v but_o little_a faith_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o thus_o i_o persuade_v myself_o to_o have_v give_v you_o a_o true_a illustration_n of_o these_o remarkable_a word_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o that_o upon_o the_o two_o signification_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v which_o seem_v to_o be_v both_o intend_a in_o this_o text_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o know_v which_o be_v principal_o intend_v the_o day_n of_o the_o general_n judgement_n or_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o day_n of_o general_n judgement_n be_v in_o itself_o the_o principal_a meaning_n of_o christ_n come_v and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v but_o yet_o the_o parable_n with_o the_o application_n of_o it_o be_v manifest_o intend_v to_o stir_v up_o that_o generation_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n and_o not_o to_o faint_v and_o to_o give_v a_o firm_a faith_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n notwithstanding_o the_o great_a trouble_n they_o be_v like_a to_o meet_v with_o from_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n therefore_o neither_o can_v the_o come_v of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n to_o be_v avenge_v of_o these_o his_o enemy_n and_o to_o deliver_v his_o servant_n be_v exclude_v but_o be_v as_o direct_o intend_v as_o the_o other_o and_o now_o i_o proceed_v to_o observe_v the_o two_o main_a point_n which_o the_o text_n suppose_v beside_o those_o which_o it_o affirm_v and_o the_o consider_v of_o they_o will_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v to_o a_o more_o perfect_a understanding_n of_o this_o place_n 1._o it_o be_v suppose_v manifest_o that_o after_o the_o first_o come_v of_o christ_n to_o call_v the_o world_n to_o repentance_n and_o to_o be_v offer_v up_o for_o our_o sin_n there_o will_v yet_o be_v degenerate_a age_n sometime_o and_o a_o most_o corrupt_a state_n of_o thing_n before_o his_o second_o personal_n come_v to_o judge_n the_o world._n 2._o it_o be_v also_o suppose_a that_o his_o providence_n will_v then_o appear_v to_o set_v all_o thing_n right_a when_o there_o be_v the_o great_a need_n to_o interpose_v in_o behalf_n of_o his_o church_n 1._o that_o his_o first_o come_n will_v not_o infallible_o prevent_v the_o degeneracy_n and_o corruption_n of_o future_a age_n for_o notwithstanding_o that_o evidence_n of_o truth_n which_o he_o teach_v many_o false_a prophet_n will_v arise_v and_o deceive_v many_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o power_n of_o his_o doctrine_n iniquity_n will_v abound_v and_o the_o love_n of_o many_o will_v wax_v cold_a and_o notwithstanding_o both_o these_o advantage_n yet_o his_o own_o servant_n will_v sometime_o be_v reduce_v to_o that_o state_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v needful_a to_o they_o to_o cry_v unto_o god_n day_n and_o night_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n that_o may_v cause_v some_o wonder_n if_o we_o do_v not_o consider_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o that_o the_o principle_n and_o manner_n of_o man_n be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o general_o corrupt_v before_o the_o come_v of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n into_o the_o world_n be_v that_o which_o may_v not_o appear_v strange_a at_o all_o to_o those_o that_o consider_v the_o weakness_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n that_o after_o the_o creation_n the_o earth_n shall_v so_o abound_v with_o luxury_n and_o violence_n that_o god_n sweep_v all_o mankind_n away_o with_o the_o flood_n but_o eight_o person_n that_o after_o noah_n family_n have_v people_v the_o earth_n again_o man_n shall_v fall_v into_o idolatry_n so_o universal_o that_o god_n call_v abraham_n out_o of_o his_o own_o country_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o particular_a covenant_n with_o he_o for_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o true_a worship_n in_o his_o family_n and_o posterity_n that_o pharaoh_n shall_v oppress_v the_o israelite_n after_o his_o country_n have_v be_v save_v by_o they_o that_o the_o israelite_n shall_v fall_v to_o worship_n other_o god_n after_o that_o the_o true_a god_n have_v wrought_v so_o many_o miraculous_a deliverance_n for_o they_o that_o when_o not_o without_o much_o ado_n they_o be_v cure_v of_o idolatry_n they_o shall_v fall_v into_o scandalous_a way_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o immorality_n these_o and_o the_o like_a thing_n perhaps_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o because_o god_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o use_v the_o last_o mean_n to_o instruct_v mankind_n and_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o piety_n and_o virtue_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v time_n as_o bad_a as_o the_o worst_a of_o those_o after_o christ_n himself_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n to_o die_v for_o sinner_n and_o to_o bring_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n to_o mankind_n with_o the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o with_o the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o oppression_n violence_n fraud_n hypocrisy_n error_n superstition_n idolatry_n and_o scandalous_a example_n shall_v for_o some_o age_n reign_v no_o less_o than_o before_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o shake_v the_o faith_n even_o of_o good_a man_n and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o deceive_v the_o very_o best_a of_o all_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o amaze_a consideration_n and_o though_o the_o noble_a example_n of_o christian_a piety_n and_o virtue_n that_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o affure_v expectation_n of_o a_o large_a progress_n that_o christianity_n will_v make_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o of_o better_a effect_n that_o it_o will_v produce_v may_v answer_v the_o objection_n yet_o that_o the_o world_n that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o bad_a under_o the_o last_o mean_n be_v what_o may_v raise_v some_o admiration_n but_o you_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o when_o our_o lord_n first_o come_v into_o the_o world_n he_o come_v not_o to_o establish_v a_o religion_n which_o shall_v either_o by_o its_o truth_n convince_v or_o by_o its_o power_n reform_v mankind_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o but_o what_o be_v sufficient_a for_o both_o purpose_n if_o they_o will_v be_v wise_a and_o honest_a and_o suffer_v the_o concernment_n of_o eternal_a life_n to_o prevail_v with_o they_o above_o their_o worldly_a interest_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o expect_v a_o universal_a reformation_n as_o to_o expect_v that_o man_n will_v not_o resist_v the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a concern_v to_o they_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o this_o the_o gospel_n be_v furnish_v with_o no_o irresistible_a mean_n but_o leave_v they_o under_o the_o natural_a liberty_n they_o have_v before_o with_o a_o provision_n of_o grace_n that_o may_v be_v resist_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o likely_a that_o the_o truth_n will_v be_v oppose_v by_o some_o and_o corrupt_v by_o other_o and_o by_o many_o hold_v in_o unrighteousness_n that_o several_a to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v will_v not_o believe_v it_o and_o several_a that_o believe_v it_o will_v not_o obey_v it_o and_o in_o time_n that_o it_o will_v be_v mix_v with_o error_n and_o superstition_n and_o frame_v to_o the_o design_n of_o ambition_n and_o covetousness_n nay_o the_o better_a and_o more_o divine_a a_o religion_n that_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o more_o violent_o it_o will_v be_v oppose_v by_o some_o and_o the_o more_o certain_o corrupt_v by_o other_o so_o that_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n not_o to_o overbear_v the_o world_n into_o the_o faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o it_o by_o force_v the_o natural_a liberty_n of_o man_n it_o have_v rather_o be_v much_o more_o strange_a if_o it_o have_v escape_v opposition_n and_o corruption_n than_o to_o have_v be_v both_o oppose_v and_o corrupt_v as_o it_o have_v thus_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n foretell_v that_o it_o