possible_a perfection_n to_o god_n so_o we_o be_v to_o separate_v and_o remove_v all_o manner_n of_o imperfection_n from_o he_o we_o must_v not_o obscure_a or_o blemish_v the_o divine_a nature_n with_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o blot_v of_o imperfection_n if_o we_o once_o admit_v of_o this_o to_o ascribe_v any_o thing_n to_o god_n which_o argue_v imperfection_n we_o strike_v at_o the_o foundation_n and_o destroy_v one_o of_o the_o clear_a and_o most_o essential_a notion_n which_o man_n have_v of_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o find_v the_o scripture_n very_o careful_a to_o remove_v all_o kind_n of_o natural_a or_o moral_a imperfection_n from_o god_n gen._n 18.25_o that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o to_o do_v after_o this_o manner_n to_o slay_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a and_o that_o the_o righteous_a shall_v be_v as_o the_o wicked_a that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n do_v right_a deut._n 32.4_o a_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o without_o iniquity_n rom._n 9.14_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v then_o be_v there_o unrighteousness_n with_o god_n god_n forbid_v far_o be_v it_o from_o he_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o scripture_n holiness_n be_v so_o frequent_o ascribe_v to_o god_n which_o signify_v the_o purity_n and_o freedom_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n from_o that_o which_o we_o call_v sin_n and_o god_n be_v very_o solicitous_a to_o give_v we_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o himself_o as_o may_v remove_v sin_n and_o unrighteousness_n at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o he_o because_o that_o be_v the_o great_a of_o imperfection_n be_v it_o a_o imperfection_n to_o countenance_n sin_n the_o scripture_n acquit_v god_n of_o it_o psal_n 5.4_o 5._o thou_o be_v not_o a_o god_n that_o have_v pleasure_n in_o wickedness_n neither_o shall_v evil_o dwell_v with_o thou_o be_v it_o a_o imperfection_n to_o go_v from_o one_o word_n or_o to_o change_v one_o mind_n this_o likewise_o be_v remove_v from_o god_n 1_o sam._n 15.29_o the_o strength_n of_o israel_n will_v not_o lie_v or_o repent_v he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v be_v it_o a_o imperfection_n to_o want_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o thing_n to_o depend_v upon_o any_o thing_n without_o one_o self_n for_o their_o happiness_n this_o also_o be_v to_o be_v set_v far_o from_o he_o job_n 22.2_o 3._o can_v a_o man_n be_v profitable_a to_o god_n or_o be_v it_o a_o gain_n to_o he_o that_o thou_o make_v thy_o way_n perfect_a job_n 35.6_o 7._o if_o thou_o sin_v what_o do_v thou_o against_o he_o or_o if_o thy_o transgression_n be_v multiply_v what_o do_v thou_o unto_o he_o if_o thou_o be_v righteous_a what_o give_v thou_o he_o or_o what_o receive_v he_o of_o thy_o hand_n thy_o wickedness_n may_v hurt_v a_o man_n as_o thou_o be_v and_o thy_o righteousness_n may_v profit_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v it_o a_o imperfection_n to_o tempt_v or_o to_o be_v tempt_v to_o sin_n this_o be_v to_o be_v separate_v from_o god_n he_o can_v be_v tempt_v of_o evil_a neither_o tempt_v he_o any_o man_n say_v st._n james_n chap._n 1.17_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o be_v it_o a_o imperfection_n to_o be_v in_o any_o respect_n mutable_a this_o be_v deny_v of_o god_n with_o he_o there_o be_v no_o variableness_n or_o shadow_n of_o turn_v thus_o you_o see_v how_o we_o be_v to_o conceive_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n by_o ascribe_v all_o imaginable_a and_o possible_a perfection_n to_o he_o and_o removing_z all_o shadow_n of_o imperfection_n from_o he_o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o ii_o place_n to_o lay_v down_o some_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o may_v rectify_v and_o govern_v our_o opinion_n concern_v the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n the_o best_a i_o can_v think_v of_o be_v these_o follow_v first_o let_v we_o begin_v with_o the_o most_o natural_a and_o plain_a and_o easy_a perfection_n of_o god_n and_o lay_v they_o for_o a_o foundation_n and_o rectify_v all_o our_o other_o apprehension_n of_o god_n and_o reason_v about_o he_o by_o these_o and_o these_o be_v his_o power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o which_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n may_v be_v reduce_v right_o apprehension_n and_o a_o firm_a belief_n of_o these_o will_v make_v it_o easy_o credible_a to_o we_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v and_o be_v govern_v by_o he_o for_o his_o goodness_n will_v dispose_v and_o incline_v he_o to_o communicate_v be_v to_o other_o thing_n and_o to_o take_v care_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v make_v a_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n render_v he_o able_a to_o do_v all_o this_o without_o any_o labour_n or_o difficulty_n and_o without_o any_o disturbance_n of_o his_o ease_n or_o happiness_n as_o epicurus_n will_v seem_v vain_o to_o fear_v who_o in_o truth_n do_v not_o believe_v a_o god_n but_o pretend_v only_o to_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o that_o he_o either_o make_v or_o govern_v the_o world_n because_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o lay_v so_o much_o trouble_v upon_o he_o vain_a man_n as_o if_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v impossible_a and_o difficult_a to_o our_o weakness_n and_o folly_n may_v not_o be_v infinite_o easy_a to_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n particular_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v not_o so_o difficult_a to_o apprehend_v as_o the_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n about_o they_o have_v render_v they_o to_o many_o when_o we_o consider_v infinite_a knowledge_n and_o power_n we_o may_v easy_o lose_v ourselves_o and_o go_v out_o of_o our_o depth_n by_o wade_v too_o far_o into_o they_o there_o be_v something_o concern_v these_o that_o be_v unimaginable_a and_o unaccountable_a to_o our_o reason_n we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v how_o something_o may_v be_v produce_v from_o nothing_o because_o it_o argue_v such_o a_o excess_n of_o power_n as_o we_o can_v comprehend_v but_o yet_o we_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o either_o the_o world_n must_v be_v produce_v from_o nothing_o or_o that_o matter_n be_v eternal_o of_o itself_o which_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o imagine_v as_o that_o infinite_a power_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v it_o from_o nothing_o so_o likewise_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v how_o god_n can_v certain_o know_v future_a event_n which_o depend_v upon_o voluntary_a and_o uncertain_a cause_n because_o we_o can_v comprehend_v infinite_a knowledge_n but_o this_o we_o may_v easy_o be_v satisfy_v in_o that_o infinite_a power_n and_o knowledge_n may_v be_v able_a to_o do_v and_o know_v many_o thing_n which_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o they_o can_v be_v know_v or_o do_v no_o more_o than_o a_o child_n can_v imagine_v how_o a_o great_a mathematician_n can_v demonstrate_v his_o proposition_n only_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o as_o we_o can_v be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o no_o power_n can_v do_v that_o which_o be_v evident_o impossible_a and_o imply_v a_o plain_a contradiction_n we_o be_v not_o able_a perhaps_o to_o reconcile_v the_o particular_a providence_n of_o god_n with_o his_o universal_a goodness_n justice_n and_o wisdom_n because_o we_o can_v see_v to_o the_o end_n of_o his_o way_n and_o work_n at_o one_o view_n and_o see_v every_o part_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a which_o will_v appear_v very_o wise_a if_o we_o know_v the_o whole_a series_n of_o thing_n and_o see_v the_o entire_a design_n together_o as_o god_n himself_o do_v to_o who_o as_o solomon_n tell_v we_o all_o his_o way_n be_v know_v from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o however_o we_o may_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n in_o our_o conception_n of_o god_n infinite_a knowledge_n and_o power_n yet_o goodness_n and_o justice_n and_o truth_n be_v notion_n easy_a and_o familiar_a and_o if_o we_o can_v not_o understand_v these_o the_o whole_a bible_n will_v be_v insignificant_a to_o we_o for_o all_o revelation_n from_o god_n suppose_v we_o to_o know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o goodness_n justice_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v entertain_v any_o notion_n of_o god_n which_o plain_o contradict_v these_o and_o it_o be_v foolish_a for_o any_o man_n to_o pretend_v that_o he_o can_v know_v what_o goodness_n and_o justice_n and_o truth_n in_o god_n be_v for_o if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v this_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o we_o whether_o god_n be_v good_a or_o not_o nor_o can_v we_o imitate_v his_o goodness_n for_o he_o that_o imitate_v endeavour_n to_o make_v himself_o like_o something_o that_o he_o know_v and_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v some_o idea_n of_o that_o to_o which_o he_o aim_v to_o be_v like_a so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a and_o settle_a notion_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n he_o will_v be_v altogether_o a_o unintelligible_a be_v and_o religion_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o imitation_n of_o he_o will_v
suck_v wicked_a thought_n and_o action_n to_o they_o for_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o scripture-phrase_n as_o to_o ascribe_v all_o good_a motion_n to_o god_n spirit_n so_o all_o evil_a thought_n and_o action_n to_o the_o devil_n not_o that_o he_o be_v the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o they_o but_o because_o he_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o tempt_v man_n to_o they_o and_o one_o way_n or_o other_o to_o promote_v they_o 3._o i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o grant_v as_o many_o have_v do_v a_o immediate_a power_n to_o the_o devil_n over_o the_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n of_o man_n and_o that_o he_o may_v know_v the_o work_n of_o they_o though_o not_o the_o secret_a thought_n of_o man_n mind_n for_o this_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o grant_v he_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n heart_n and_o to_o give_v he_o a_o key_n to_o that_o closet_n which_o god_n have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o for_o it_o be_v a_o very_a nice_a distinction_n which_o be_v here_o make_v between_o the_o thought_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o the_o image_n of_o their_o fancy_n and_o if_o these_o shall_v happen_v to_o be_v but_o word_n that_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o shall_v unaware_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n therefore_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o these_o nice_a and_o subtle_a distinction_n between_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o fancy_n and_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o heart_n i_o think_v it_o be_v much_o safe_a to_o assert_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n in_o that_o latitude_n that_o the_o scripture_n use_v the_o word_n heart_n for_o all_o the_o inward_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n for_o the_o thought_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o roundly_o to_o affirm_v that_o all_o the_o inward_a motion_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v total_o exempt_a from_o the_o immediate_a cognizance_n of_o any_o other_o spirit_n but_o god_n alone_a and_o that_o neither_o angel_n nor_o devil_n have_v any_o further_a knowledge_n of_o they_o than_o may_v be_v collect_v and_o infer_v in_o a_o way_n of_o probable_a conjecture_n from_o the_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o man_n temper_n and_o habit_n and_o design_n and_o the_o course_n of_o their_o action_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o iii_o particular_a god_n knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n this_o god_n propose_v as_o the_o way_n to_o discern_v the_o true_a god_n from_o idol_n isaiah_n 41.21_o etc._n etc._n produce_v your_o cause_n say_v the_o lord_n bring_v forth_o your_o strong_a reason_n say_v the_o king_n of_o jacob_n that_o be_v let_v they_o bring_v some_o argument_n that_o may_v convince_v we_o that_o they_o be_v god_n and_o he_o instance_v in_o foretell_v future_a evant_n v_o 22._o let_v they_o show_v the_o former_a thing_n what_o they_o be_v that_o we_o may_v consider_v they_o and_o know_v the_o latter_a end_n of_o they_o or_o declare_v we_o thing_n for_o to_o come_v show_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v hereafter_o that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o you_o be_v go_n god_n put_v it_o upon_o this_o issue_n if_o they_o can_v foretell_v future_a thing_n than_o they_o be_v god_n if_o not_o they_o be_v vanity_n and_o a_o work_n of_o naught_o and_o he_o be_v a_o abomination_n that_o choose_v they_o v_o 24._o by_o thing_n to_o come_v i_o understand_v such_o effect_n as_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o any_o necessary_a cause_n but_o upon_o the_o will_n of_o free_a agent_n and_o so_o may_v be_v or_o may_v not_o be_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o he_o to_o know_v future_a event_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o god_n know_v future_a event_n 2._o that_o he_o only_o know_v they_o 1._o god_n know_v future_a event_n which_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n and_o from_o scripture_n 1._o from_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n as_o it_o be_v a_o perfection_n and_o that_o which_o among_o man_n be_v account_v the_o best_a part_n of_o wisdom_n and_o unless_o this_o do_v belong_v to_o god_n how_o can_v he_o govern_v the_o world_n the_o heathen_n except_o only_o the_o epicurean_o general_o grant_v this_o as_o appear_v in_o those_o wise_a counsel_n which_o we_o frequent_o meet_v with_o in_o they_o to_o this_o purpose_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v anxious_a for_o the_o future_a but_o have_v do_v our_o endeavour_n leave_v the_o event_n of_o thing_n to_o god_n who_o only_o know_v they_o and_o dispose_v they_o permit_v ipsis_fw-la expendere_fw-la numinibus_fw-la quid_fw-la conveniat_fw-la nobis_fw-la rebusque_fw-la sit_fw-la utile_fw-la nostris_fw-la juv._n and_o afterward_o say_v he_o we_o be_v importunate_a with_o god_n for_o wife_n and_o child_n at_o illis_fw-la notum_fw-la qui_fw-la pveri_fw-la qualisque_fw-la futura_fw-la sit_fw-la uxor_fw-la and_o that_o this_o be_v their_o opinion_n appear_v yet_o more_o clear_o from_o those_o apprehension_n which_o they_o have_v of_o divination_n tully_n lay_v down_o this_o for_o a_o principle_n deos_fw-la posse_fw-la nobis_fw-la signa_fw-la futurarum_fw-la reum_fw-la ostendere_fw-la de_fw-la legibus_fw-la and_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr divin_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o divination_n for_o it_o be_v a_o old_a opinion_n jam_fw-la usque_fw-la ab_fw-la heroicis_fw-la ducta_fw-la temporibus_fw-la eaque_fw-la pop._n rom._n &_o omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la firmata_fw-la consensu_fw-la and_o afterward_o that_o this_o divination_n be_v not_o sine_fw-la instinctu_fw-la afflatúque_fw-la divino_fw-la i_o know_v they_o do_v various_o explain_v this_o according_a to_o their_o several_a opinion_n about_o fate_n and_o contingency_n and_o their_o apprehension_n about_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n one_o sect_n of_o they_o the_o stoic_n hold_v that_o there_o be_v a_o fatal_a chain_n of_o cause_n from_o first_o to_o last_o and_o thing_n do_v necessary_o follow_v one_o another_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o make_v foreknowledge_n easy_a and_o explicable_a and_o though_o in_o their_o dispute_n they_o seem_v to_o grant_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o event_n and_o contingency_n yet_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o the_o thing_n that_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o call_v event_n though_o they_o will_v not_o call_v they_o so_o be_v fore-known_a to_o god_n and_o for_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o cite_v one_o testimony_n of_o seneca_n speak_v of_o god_n foreknowledge_n of_o the_o most_o contingent_a thing_n the_o disposition_n of_o man_n long_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v he_o add_v nota_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la illis_fw-la operis_fw-la svi_fw-la series_n omniúmque_fw-la illis_fw-la rerum_fw-la per_fw-la manus_fw-la svas_fw-la iturarum_fw-la scientia_fw-la in_o aperto_fw-la semper_fw-la est_fw-la nobis_fw-la ex_fw-la abdito_fw-la subit_fw-la &_o quae_fw-la repentina_fw-la putamus_fw-la illis_fw-la provisa_fw-la veniunt_fw-la &_o familiaria_fw-la and_o how_o peremptory_a soever_o this_o sect_n be_v in_o their_o dispute_n about_o fate_n yet_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o general_o in_o their_o moral_a discourse_n they_o seem_v plain_o to_o i_o to_o exempt_v the_o will_n of_o man_n from_o this_o fatal_a necessity_n and_o those_o other_o sect_n of_o the_o philosopher_n that_o deny_v fate_n do_v general_o grant_v god_n foreknowledge_n of_o contingent_a thing_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o they_o do_v rather_o make_v god_n foreknowledge_n a_o arbitrary_a and_o voluntary_a than_o a_o necessary_a perfection_n that_o be_v that_o god_n when_o he_o please_v to_o apply_v himself_o to_o it_o can_v foreknow_a all_o future_a event_n but_o their_o general_a opinion_n be_v that_o as_o his_o providence_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a thing_n so_o neither_o his_o foreknowledge_n but_o tully_n seem_v to_o attribute_v a_o very_a perfect_a providence_n to_o he_o and_o a_o foreknowledge_n of_o the_o least_o thing_n quis_fw-la non_fw-la timeat_fw-la omne_fw-la providentem_fw-la cogitantem_fw-la animadvertentem_fw-la &_o omne_fw-la ad_fw-la se_fw-la pertinere_fw-la putantem_fw-la curiosum_fw-la &_o negotij_fw-la plenum_fw-la deum_fw-la but_o i_o can_v say_v he_o be_v constant_a to_o himself_o but_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o grant_v to_o he_o this_o perfection_n of_o know_v all_o future_a thing_n if_o he_o please_v to_o trouble_v himself_o with_o it_o and_o have_v they_o not_o in_o this_o mistake_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n they_o may_v easy_o have_v apprehend_v that_o it_o be_v no_o trouble_n nor_o weariness_n to_o a_o infinite_a understanding_n that_o be_v always_o in_o act_n to_o know_v the_o least_o thing_n how_o many_o soever_o they_o be_v 2._o from_o scripture_n which_o give_v we_o testimony_n and_o argument_n of_o it_o 1._o testimony_n isa_n 48.3_o etc._n etc._n act_v 15.18_o know_a unto_o god_n be_v all_o his_o work_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o everlasting_a which_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v but_o compare_v with_o the_o forecited_a
evident_o inconsistent_a with_o some_o other_o and_o great_a perfection_n some_o thing_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v perfection_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v not_o because_o they_o be_v plain_o impossible_a and_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n as_o that_o what_o have_v once_o be_v shall_v by_o any_o power_n be_v make_v not_o to_o have_v be_v or_o that_o a_o thing_n which_o by_o its_o nature_n be_v limit_v and_o confine_v to_o one_o place_n shall_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v in_o another_o these_o thing_n in_o reason_n be_v impossible_a and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v suppose_v to_o fall_v under_o any_o power_n how_o unlimited_a soever_o for_o if_o we_o once_o ascribe_v contradiction_n to_o god_n we_o destroy_v his_o be_v because_o then_o to_o be_v and_o not_o to_o be_v power_n and_o no_o power_n will_v be_v all_o one_o and_o then_o there_o be_v some_o perfection_n which_o do_v argue_v and_o suppose_v imperfection_n in_o they_o as_o motion_n the_o quickness_n and_o swiftness_n thereof_o in_o creature_n be_v a_o perfection_n but_o than_o it_o suppose_v a_o finite_a and_o limit_a nature_n for_o a_o boundless_a and_o immense_a be_v that_o be_v every_o where_o present_a at_o once_o have_v no_o need_n to_o move_v from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o and_o therefore_o though_o motion_n be_v a_o perfection_n in_o creature_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o ascribe_v it_o to_o god_n because_o it_o suppose_v a_o great_a imperfection_n and_o there_o be_v also_o some_o imaginable_a degree_n of_o perfection_n which_o because_o they_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o other_o perfection_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v in_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o instance_n such_o degree_n of_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n may_v be_v imagine_v as_o will_v quite_o exclude_v and_o shut_v out_o justice_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n such_o a_o strictness_n and_o a_o rigour_n of_o justice_n as_o will_v leave_v no_o room_n at_o all_o for_o patience_n and_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o such_o degree_n be_v not_o real_o to_o be_v esteem_v perfection_n for_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o nothing_o be_v a_o divine_a perfection_n which_o evident_o clash_v with_o any_o other_o necessary_a and_o essential_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n we_o must_v so_o consider_v the_o perfection_n of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v accord_v and_o consist_v together_o and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v a_o perfection_n of_o god_n to_o be_v so_o good_a and_o gracious_a as_o to_o encourage_v sin_n and_o to_o overthrow_v the_o reverence_n of_o his_o own_o law_n and_o government_n it_o be_v not_o goodness_n but_o easiness_n and_o weakness_n to_o be_v content_v to_o be_v perpetual_o injure_v and_o affront_v it_o be_v not_o patience_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v everlasting_o trample_v upon_o so_o likewise_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v not_o a_o perfection_n to_o be_v so_o severe_a and_o rigorous_a as_o to_o smite_v a_o sinner_n in_o the_o instant_n that_o he_o offend_v not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o refrain_v from_o punishment_n and_o to_o give_v time_n for_o repentance_n but_o whatever_o perfection_n be_v conceivable_a or_o possible_a and_o argue_v no_o imperfection_n nor_o be_v repugnant_a to_o any_o other_o necessary_a perfection_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n for_o this_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o easy_a conception_n that_o we_o can_v have_v of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a be_v this_o natural_a light_n do_v first_o suggest_v and_o offer_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o we_o can_v conceive_v of_o god_n as_o mere_a power_n and_o will_n without_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o greek_n call_v god_n very_o often_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o best_a of_o being_n and_o the_o latin_a optimus_fw-la maximus_fw-la the_o best_a and_o the_o great_a beatissima_fw-la &_o perfectissima_fw-la natura_fw-la constans_fw-la &_o perfecta_fw-la ratio_fw-la the_o happy_a and_o most_o perfect_a nature_n immutible_a and_o absolute_a reason_n and_o many_o other_o such_o expression_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n i_o ready_o grant_v that_o the_o first_o and_o most_o obvious_a thought_n which_o man_n have_v of_o god_n be_v that_o of_o his_o greatness_n and_o majesty_n but_o this_o necessary_o involve_v or_o infer_v his_o goodness_n as_o seneca_n excellent_o reason_n primus_fw-la deorum_fw-la cultus_fw-la est_fw-la deos_fw-la credere_fw-la dein_fw-ge reddere_fw-la illis_fw-la majestatem_fw-la svam_fw-la reddere_fw-la bonitatem_fw-la sine_fw-la quâ_fw-la nulla_fw-la majestas_fw-la the_o first_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n be_v to_o believe_v their_o be_v next_o to_o ascribe_v to_o they_o greatness_n and_o majesty_n to_o ascribe_v to_o they_o goodness_n without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o majesty_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v all_o along_o in_o plato_n &_o tully_n and_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a writer_n among_o the_o heathen_a that_o they_o every_o where_o attribute_v the_o high_a excellency_n and_o perfection_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o do_v steer_v and_o govern_v all_o their_o discourse_n of_o god_n by_o this_o principle_n that_o perfection_n be_v to_o be_v ascrbied_a to_o he_o and_o whenever_o any_o thing_n be_v say_v of_o god_n they_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o perfection_n or_o not_o if_o it_o be_v they_o give_v it_o he_o as_o his_o due_n if_o it_o be_v not_o they_o lay_v it_o aside_o as_o a_o thing_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v speak_v of_o he_o and_o in_o the_o scripture_n we_o do_v every_o where_o find_v perfection_n ascribe_v to_o the_o nature_n and_o work_n and_o law_n of_o god_n to_o every_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o he_o or_o proceed_v from_o he_o job_n 37.16_o do_v thou_o know_v the_o wondrous_a work_n of_o he_o that_o be_v perfect_a in_o knowledge_n and_o again_o can_v thou_o by_o search_v find_v out_o god_n can_v thou_o find_v out_o the_o almighty_a to_o perfection_n ps_n 18.30_o as_o for_o god_n his_o way_n be_v perfect_a ps_n 19.7_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v perfect_a i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o consider_v particular_o the_o several_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v you_o a_o brief_a scheme_n and_o draught_n of_o they_o whatever_o perfection_n can_v be_v imagine_v either_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o be_v or_o act_v be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n therefore_o as_o to_o his_o nature_n we_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o spirit_n that_o be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o mere_a body_n or_o matter_n because_o that_o will_v exclude_v several_a other_o perfection_n for_o mere_a matter_n be_v incapable_a both_o of_o knowledge_n and_o liberty_n be_v determine_v by_o necessary_a law_n of_o motion_n and_o yet_o without_o knowledge_n and_o liberty_n there_o can_v be_v no_o wisdom_n nor_o goodness_n we_o say_v of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v of_o himself_o and_o without_o cause_n and_o do_v not_o owe_v his_o be_v to_o any_o other_o and_o consequent_o that_o he_o be_v necessary_o and_o that_o he_o can_v but_o be_v and_o can_v be_v otherwise_o than_o he_o be_v for_o that_o which_o be_v of_o its_o self_n do_v not_o choose_v whether_o it_o will_v be_v or_o not_o nor_o whether_o it_o will_v be_v thus_o or_o otherwise_o for_o to_o suppose_v any_o thing_n to_o deliberate_v or_o consult_v about_o its_o own_o be_v be_v to_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v before_o it_o be_v we_o must_v say_v of_o god_n likewise_o that_o he_o be_v immense_a and_o every_o where_o present_a because_o to_o be_v limit_v be_v a_o imperfection_n and_o that_o he_o be_v eternal_a that_o be_v ever_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v for_o to_o cease_v to_o be_v be_v a_o great_a imperfection_n than_o sometime_o not_o to_o have_v be_v and_o then_o we_o be_v to_o say_v of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o other_o being_n that_o they_o be_v make_v by_o he_o and_o depend_v upon_o he_o that_o he_o know_v all_o thing_n and_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o most_o perfect_a manner_n by_o a_o glance_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o by_o the_o mere_a beck_n and_o nod_n of_o his_o will_n without_o long_a study_n or_o deliberation_n without_o laborious_a pain_n and_o endeavour_n and_o consequent_o that_o nothing_o be_v exempt_v from_o his_o knowledge_n and_o power_n and_o providence_n and_o that_o he_o administer_v all_o thing_n in_o a_o way_n of_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o justice_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o he_o as_o their_o last_o end_n all_o these_o perfection_n and_o all_o other_o that_o be_v possible_a we_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o full_o and_o immutable_o possess_v of_o and_o that_o in_o a_o high_a and_o more_o excellent_a degree_n than_o our_o finite_a understanding_n be_v able_a to_o conceive_v or_o comprehend_v 2._o as_o we_o be_v to_o ascribe_v all_o imaginable_a
they_o do_v but_o serve_v god_n in_o their_o family_n and_o go_v to_o church_n and_o behave_v themselves_o there_o with_o devotion_n and_o reverence_n and_o at_o certain_a season_n receive_v the_o sacrament_n they_o be_v true_o religious_a and_o very_o good_a christian_n when_o all_o this_o while_n they_o take_v no_o care_n to_o improve_v themselves_o in_o real_a goodness_n by_o a_o inward_a conformity_n of_o their_o mind_n to_o god_n and_o the_o real_a reformation_n and_o amendment_n of_o their_o life_n by_o mortify_v their_o lust_n and_o subdue_a their_o appetite_n and_o passion_n to_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n by_o put_v on_o as_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n bowel_n of_o kindness_n by_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a righteous_a and_o just_a patient_a and_o merciful_a as_o their_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v so_o and_o by_o forbear_v one_o another_o in_o case_n of_o provocation_n and_o forgive_a one_o another_o even_o as_o god_n for_o christ_n sake_n have_v forgive_v we_o by_o purify_n themselves_o as_o god_n be_v pure_a and_o endeavour_v to_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n as_o he_o who_o have_v call_v they_o be_v holy_a when_o all_o this_o while_n they_o be_v as_o covetous_a and_o earthly_a mind_v and_o to_o serve_v their_o covetousness_n will_v strain_v a_o point_n of_o truth_n or_o justice_n and_o hardly_o do_v a_o act_n of_o charity_n in_o their_o whole_a life_n but_o what_o be_v extort_a from_o they_o by_o mere_a importunity_n or_o some_o such_o urgent_a necessity_n in_o point_n of_o decency_n and_o reputation_n that_o for_o shame_n of_o the_o world_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o avoid_v it_o when_o their_o passion_n be_v as_o fierce_a and_o ungoverned_a their_o heart_n as_o full_a of_o gall_n and_o bitterness_n their_o tongue_n of_o slander_n and_o evil_n speak_v their_o humour_n as_o proud_a and_o surly_a and_o censorious_a as_o they_o can_v be_v who_o be_v open_o profane_a and_o seem_v to_o neglect_v and_o despise_v all_o religion_n and_o yet_o because_o they_o serve_v god_n as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o make_v a_o external_a appearance_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n be_v good_a churchman_n and_o attend_v upon_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n they_o think_v they_o have_v discharge_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o religion_n admirable_o well_o and_o be_v very_o good_a child_n of_o god_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o great_a grace_n and_o favour_n with_o he_o whereas_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o these_o duty_n and_o the_o use_n of_o all_o these_o mean_n separate_v from_o that_o which_o be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n the_o conformity_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n in_o those_o quality_n and_o disposition_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v be_v so_o far_o from_o find_v acceptance_n with_o god_n that_o it_o be_v a_o abomination_n to_o he_o so_o god_n every_o where_o declare_v in_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o he_o disdain_v to_o be_v praise_v by_o man_n of_o unhallowed_a lip_n and_o life_n and_o that_o unless_o with_o the_o praise_n we_o offer_v to_o he_o we_o order_v our_o conversation_n aright_o we_o shall_v not_o see_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n with_o what_o contempt_n do_v he_o speak_v of_o this_o formal_a and_o external_a religion_n without_o the_o power_n of_o it_o upon_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o multitude_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n to_o i_o will_v the_o lord_n be_v please_v with_o thousand_o of_o ram_n and_o ten_o thousand_o of_o river_n of_o oil_n he_o have_v show_v thou_o o_o man_n what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v of_o thou_o but_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n be_v not_o this_o the_o fast_n which_o i_o have_v choose_v to_o break_v the_o band_n of_o wickedness_n and_o to_o let_v the_o oppress_v go_v free_a to_o deal_v thy_o bread_n to_o the_o hungry_a and_o that_o thou_o bring_v the_o poor_a that_o be_v cast_v out_o to_o thy_o house_n when_o thou_o see_v the_o naked_a that_o thou_o cover_v he_o and_o that_o thou_o hide_v not_o thyself_o from_o thy_o own_o flesh_n nor_o be_v it_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n that_o will_v avail_v we_o unless_o we_o be_v doer_n of_o it_o bless_a be_v they_o say_v our_o saviour_n that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o keep_v it_o he_o that_o hear_v these_o say_n of_o i_o and_o do_v they_o shall_v be_v liken_v to_o a_o wise_a man_n who_o have_v build_v his_o house_n upon_o a_o rock_n nor_o will_v bare_v receive_v of_o the_o sacrament_n recommend_v we_o to_o god_n but_o perform_v the_o obligation_n which_o thereby_o we_o take_v upon_o ourselves_o to_o obstain_v from_o all_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n otherwise_o we_o tread_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o profane_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n whereby_o we_o shall_v be_v sanctify_v as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o unholy_a thing_n can_v any_o man_n think_v that_o to_o be_v religion_n which_o have_v no_o effect_n upon_o the_o life_n of_o man_n which_o do_v not_o teach_v they_o to_o govern_v their_o word_n and_o action_n who_o read_v those_o plain_a word_n of_o st._n james_n if_o any_o man_n among_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o bridle_v not_o his_o tongue_n but_o deceive_v his_o own_o heart_n that_o man_n religion_n be_v vain_a pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a before_o god_n and_o the_o father_n be_v this_o to_o visit_v the_o fatherless_a and_o widow_n in_o their_o affliction_n and_o to_o keep_v himself_o unspotted_a from_o the_o world_n when_o religion_n produce_v these_o real_a effect_n than_o the_o mean_n of_o religion_n do_v true_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o we_o be_v not_o only_a hearer_n of_o the_o word_n but_o doer_n of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v bless_v in_o our_o deed_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o we_o to_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o religion_n which_o god_n have_v institute_v with_o great_a care_n and_o conscience_n so_o we_o shall_v chief_o mind_v that_o which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o be_v to_o make_v we_o partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n and_o make_v we_o like_a to_o god_n especial_o in_o those_o amiable_a and_o excellent_a quality_n which_o be_v the_o glory_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n his_o benignity_n and_o goodness_n his_o mercy_n and_o patience_n these_o because_o they_o be_v the_o primary_n perfection_n of_o god_n be_v the_o principal_a duty_n both_o of_o natural_a and_o reveal_v religion_n and_o of_o a_o eternal_a and_o indispensable_a obligation_n because_o they_o have_v their_o foundation_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n which_o be_v fix_v and_o unalterable_a and_o all_o positive_a institution_n when_o they_o come_v in_o competition_n with_o these_o be_v to_o stoop_v and_o vail_v to_o they_o natural_a and_o moral_a duty_n especial_o those_o of_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n and_o charity_n be_v so_o strong_o bind_v upon_o we_o that_o nothing_o in_o any_o reveal_v religion_n can_v cancel_v the_o obligation_n of_o they_o or_o justify_v the_o violation_n of_o these_o great_a and_o indispensable_a law_n our_o saviour_n in_o his_o religion_n have_v declare_v nothing_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n have_v straighten_a our_o obligation_n to_o they_o as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v not_o to_o destroy_v man_n life_n but_o to_o save_v they_o so_o that_o they_o know_v not_o what_o manner_n of_o spirit_n they_o be_v of_o who_o think_v to_o please_v god_n by_o hate_v man_n who_o be_v make_v after_o the_o image_n of_o god_n &_o by_o kill_v one_o another_o to_o do_v he_o good_a service_n who_o to_o advance_v his_o cause_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n will_v break_v through_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o nature_n and_o civil_a society_n undermine_v government_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o mankind_n whereas_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o by_o any_o thing_n in_o his_o religion_n design_n to_o alter_v the_o civil_a government_n of_o the_o world_n or_o to_o lessen_v and_o diminish_v the_o right_n of_o prince_n or_o to_o set_v man_n loose_a from_o allegiance_n to_o they_o or_o to_o make_v treason_n and_o rebellion_n bloody_a war_n and_o barbarous_a massacre_n lawful_a for_o the_o propagate_a of_o his_o faith_n he_o have_v as_o any_o one_o will_v imagine_v as_o much_o power_n as_o the_o pope_n but_o yet_o he_o depose_v no_o prince_n nor_o excommunicate_v and_o discharge_v their_o subject_n from_o their_o fidelity_n and_o obedience_n to_o they_o for_o their_o opposition_n to_o his_o religion_n he_o have_v assume_v no_o such_o power_n to_o himself_o by_o what_o authority_n then_o do_v his_o vicar_n do_v these_o thing_n and_o
admit_v such_o a_o knowledge_n in_o god_n as_o seem_v contradictious_a and_o impossible_a to_o our_o reason_n why_o may_v we_o not_o allow_v and_o frame_v such_o notion_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o justice_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o those_o perfection_n of_o god_n which_o be_v imitable_a and_o those_o which_o be_v not_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n be_v a_o perfection_n wherein_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o be_v like_o god_n and_o if_o we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v know_v they_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v know_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o disentangle_a it_o from_o contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o god_n goodness_n and_o justice_n which_o be_v imitable_a he_o that_o imitate_v endeavour_n to_o be_v like_o something_o that_o he_o know_v and_o we_o must_v have_v a_o clear_a idea_n and_o notion_n of_o that_o which_o we_o will_v bring_v ourselves_o to_o the_o likeness_n of_o these_o perfection_n of_o god_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v and_o therefore_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o perfection_n be_v chief_o recommend_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n jer._n 9.24_o by_o these_o god_n reveal_v himself_o and_o declare_v his_o name_n and_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o we_o even_o by_o those_o attribute_n which_o declare_v his_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n and_o justice_n exod._n 34.6_o 7._o psal_n 86.15_o deut._n 32.3_o 4_o 5._o when_o god_n will_v give_v a_o description_n of_o himself_o to_o moses_n he_o promise_v to_o cause_v his_o goodness_n to_o pass_v before_o he_o so_o that_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o god_n knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v notwithstanding_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n of_o it_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o admit_v of_o any_o notion_n of_o god_n justice_n or_o goodness_n that_o seem_v contradictious_a or_o impossible_a the_o three_o objection_n be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a inconvenience_n that_o will_v follow_v from_o god_n knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n 1._o it_o will_v prejudice_n the_o liberty_n of_o the_o creature_n for_o if_o god_n have_v a_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o what_o we_o will_v do_v than_o we_o can_v but_o do_v what_o he_o infallible_o foresee_v we_o will_v do_v for_o otherwise_o his_o knowledge_n will_v be_v fallible_a answer_v god's-fore-knowledge_n lay_v no_o necessity_n upon_o the_o event_n in_o every_o event_n we_o may_v consider_v the_o effect_n in_o itself_o or_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o manner_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v consider_v in_o itself_o it_o be_v future_a with_o relation_n to_o its_o cause_n it_o be_v contingent_a god_n see_v it_o as_o both_o and_o so_o as_o that_o which_o till_o it_o be_v may_v be_v or_o not_o be_v and_o when_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v he_o see_v the_o man_n do_v it_o free_o and_o so_o before_o it_o be_v do_v it_o have_v no_o necessity_n but_o upon_o supposition_n of_o foresight_n as_o when_o it_o be_v it_o have_v upon_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v as_o origen_n excellent_o explain_v it_o foreknowledge_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v fore-known_a but_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v future_a and_o shall_v be_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v fore-known_a for_o it_o do_v not_o because_o it_o be_v know_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o because_o it_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v therefore_o it_o be_v fore-known_a and_o bare_a knowledge_n be_v no_o more_o the_o cause_n of_o any_o event_n which_o because_o it_o be_v know_v must_v infallible_o be_v than_o my_o see_v a_o man_n run_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o run_n which_o because_o i_o do_v see_v be_v infallible_o so_o 2_o lie_n if_o god_n infallible_o fore-knows_a what_o man_n will_v do_v how_o can_v he_o be_v serious_a in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o repentance_n in_o his_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o his_o grieve_v for_o the_o impenitency_n of_o man_n answer_n all_o these_o be_v found_v in_o the_o liberty_n of_o our_o action_n god_n exhort_v to_o repentance_n and_o expect_v it_o because_o by_o his_o grace_n we_o may_v do_v it_o he_o be_v say_v to_o grieve_v for_o our_o impenitency_n because_o we_o may_v do_v otherwise_o and_o will_v not_o exhortation_n be_v not_o vain_a in_o themselves_o but_o very_o proper_a to_o their_o end_n though_o through_o our_o obstinacy_n and_o hardness_n they_o may_v be_v render_v vain_a to_o we_o and_o without_o effect_n if_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o objection_n lie_v upon_o serious_a and_o you_o ask_v how_o god_n can_v exhort_v man_n serious_o to_o that_o which_o he_o fore-sees_a that_o they_o will_v not_o do_v those_o who_o he_o fore-knows_a will_v be_v final_o impenitent_a i_o answer_v if_o his_o exhortation_n be_v not_o serious_a he_o can_v not_o foresee_v the_o final_a impenitency_n of_o men._n to_o foresee_v man_n final_a impenitency_n be_v to_o foresee_v their_o wilful_a contempt_n of_o god_n warning_n and_o exhortation_n and_o rejection_n of_o his_o grace_n now_o man_n wilful_a contempt_n of_o his_o warning_n and_o exhortation_n can_v be_v foresee_v unless_o god_n foresee_v that_o his_o exhortation_n be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n have_v answer_v the_o objection_n against_o god_n foreknowing_a future_a event_n i_o proceed_v to_o show_v ii_o that_o god_n only_o know_v future_a event_n isa_n 44.6_o 7._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n the_o king_n of_o israel_n and_o his_o redeemer_n the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o be_o the_o first_o and_o i_o be_o the_o last_o and_o beside_o i_o there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o who_o as_o i_o shall_v call_v and_o shall_v declare_v it_o and_o set_v it_o in_o order_n for_o i_o since_o i_o appoint_v the_o ancient_a people_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v come_v and_o shall_v come_v let_v they_o show_v unto_o they_o isa_n 46.9_o 10._o remember_v the_o former_a thing_n of_o old_a for_o i_o be_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o else_o i_o be_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o like_o i_o declare_v the_o end_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o from_o ancient_a time_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o do_v say_v my_o counsel_n shall_v stand_v and_o i_o will_v do_v all_o my_o pleasure_n the_o reason_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o finite_a understanding_n especial_o if_o we_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v beyond_o our_o finite_a understanding_n to_o explain_v the_o possibility_n of_o such_o a_o knowledge_n for_o to_o be_v sure_a that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o knowledge_n which_o we_o can_v so_o much_o as_o understand_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a it_o shall_v be_v know_v by_o any_o understanding_n but_o it_o may_v here_o be_v object_v do_v not_o the_o oracle_n among_o the_o heathen_n foretell_v several_a thing_n which_o christian_n be_v satisfy_v come_v from_o the_o devil_n i_o have_v no_o time_n at_o present_a to_o examine_v the_o business_n of_o heathen_a oracle_n i_o can_v easy_o show_v there_o be_v much_o imposture_n in_o they_o but_o grant_v they_o be_v real_o deliver_v and_o give_v out_o by_o a_o spirit_n yet_o the_o darkness_n and_o ambiguity_n the_o affect_a and_o contrive_v ambiguity_n be_v such_o as_o show_v that_o the_o devil_n be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o his_o knowledge_n in_o those_o matter_n and_o those_o few_o that_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o be_v in_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n say_v to_o be_v accomplish_v be_v in_o such_o matter_n either_o wherein_o prudent_a conjecture_n may_v go_v far_o and_o i_o grant_v the_o devil_n to_o be_v a_o sagacious_a spirit_n or_o else_o in_o dis-junctive_a case_n as_o when_o there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n for_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v it_o must_v either_o be_v so_o or_o so_o in_o which_o a_o bold_a guess_v may_v often_o hit_v right_a but_o guess_v at_o future_a thing_n be_v far_o from_o a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o which_o only_o can_v clear_o be_v make_v out_o by_o punctual_a and_o particular_a prediction_n of_o thing_n with_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o person_n such_o as_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n in_o many_o instance_n to_o the_o prediction_n of_o which_o the_o great_a sagacity_n and_o the_o utmost_a guess_v can_v do_v nothing_o such_o as_o those_o prediction_n of_o which_o i_o give_v instance_n out_o of_o scripture_n i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o first_o general_a head_n i_o propose_v to_o be_v speak_v to_o from_o these_o word_n viz._n to_o prove_v that_o this_o attribute_n of_o knowledge_n belong_v to_o god_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o viz._n to_o consider_v the_o perfection_n and_o prerogative_n of_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n which_o i_o shall_v speak_v to_o in_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o god_n knowledge_n be_v present_a and_o actual_a
therefore_o the_o best_a way_n for_o a_o man_n to_o seem_v to_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v real_o to_o be_v what_o he_o will_v appear_v but_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o god_n who_o know_v our_o thought_n afar_o off_o to_o who_o all_o our_o disguise_n be_v transparent_a and_o all_o our_o little_a art_n of_o concealment_n signify_v nothing_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n to_o hide_v our_o iniquity_n in_o our_o bosom_n with_o this_o argument_n our_o saviour_n convince_v the_o hypocritical_a pharisee_n luke_n 16.15_o you_o be_v they_o that_o justify_v yourselves_o before_o man_n but_o god_n know_v your_o heart_n 2._o if_o god_n know_v your_o heart_n then_o endeavour_v to_o approve_v your_o heart_n to_o he_o charge_v yourselves_o with_o inward_a purity_n and_o holiness_n because_o of_o the_o pure_a eye_n which_o behold_v the_o most_o intimate_a and_o secret_a motion_n of_o your_o soul_n therefore_o cleanse_v your_o heart_n from_o wickedness_n how_o long_o shall_v vain_a thought_n lodge_v within_o you_o fear_v and_o shame_n from_o man_n lay_v a_o great_a restraint_n upon_o our_o outward_a action_n but_o how_o licentious_a be_v we_o many_o time_n in_o our_o heart_n what_o a_o strange_a freedom_n do_v we_o take_v within_o our_o own_o breast_n this_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o secret_a atheism_n that_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n he_o that_o allow_v himself_o in_o any_o wicked_a thought_n and_o imagination_n which_o out_o of_o a_o regard_n to_o man_n he_o will_v not_o put_v in_o practice_n this_o man_n plain_o declare_v that_o he_o reverence_v man_n more_o than_o god_n that_o he_o either_o disbelieve_v a_o god_n or_o despise_v he_o therefore_o keep_v your_o heart_n with_o all_o diligence_n because_o they_o be_v peculiarly_a under_o god_n inspection_n and_o when_o you_o be_v ready_a to_o take_v the_o liberty_n of_o your_o thought_n because_o no_o eye_n see_v you_o ask_v yourselves_o do_v not_o he_o that_o ponder_v the_o heart_n consider_v it_o and_o he_o that_o keep_v thy_o soul_n do_v he_o not_o know_v it_o as_o the_o wise_a man_n speak_v prov._n 24.12_o and_o whatever_o you_o do_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n do_v it_o hearty_o as_o to_o the_o lord_n indeed_o if_o we_o do_v only_a worship_n god_n to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n a_o external_a worship_n will_v be_v sufficient_a but_o religion_n be_v not_o intend_v to_o please_v man_n but_o god_n he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o see_v our_o spirit_n therefore_o we_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n 1_o thes_n 2.4_o not_o as_o please_a man_n but_o god_n who_o try_v our_o heart_n david_n use_v this_o argument_n to_o his_o son_n solomon_n 1_o chron._n 28.9_o and_o thou_o solomon_n my_o son_n know_v thou_o the_o god_n of_o thy_o father_n and_o serve_v he_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n and_o with_o a_o willing_a mind_n for_o the_o lord_n search_v all_o heart_n and_o understand_v all_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o thought_n whatever_o liberty_n we_o may_v take_v to_o ourselves_o now_o and_o how_o careless_a soever_o we_o be_v of_o our_o thought_n and_o the_o inward_a frame_n of_o our_o heart_n yet_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o who_o now_o see_v our_o heart_n will_v one_o day_n judge_v we_o according_a to_o they_o jer._n 17.10_o i_o the_o lord_n search_v the_o heart_n i_o try_v the_o reins_o even_o to_o give_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o way_n and_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o a_o day_n come_v wherein_o god_n will_v judge_v the_o secret_n of_o man_n by_o jesus_n christ_n heb._n 4.13_o rev._n 2.23_o 3._o this_o be_v matter_n of_o encouragement_n to_o we_o in_o many_o case_n in_o our_o secret_a trouble_n psal_n 142.3_o when_o my_o spirit_n be_v overwhelm_v within_o i_o than_o thou_o know_v my_o path_n in_o case_n of_o difficulty_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o heart_n of_o other_o man_n which_o though_o we_o do_v not_o know_v yet_o god_n know_v they_o so_o the_o apostle_n act_n 1.24_o when_o they_o do_v not_o know_v who_o to_o choose_v for_o a_o apostle_n they_o refer_v it_o to_o god_n and_o they_o pray_v and_o say_v thou_o lord_n which_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o show_v whether_o of_o these_o two_o thou_o have_v choose_v but_o especial_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o comfort_n to_o we_o when_o we_o suffer_v by_o the_o calumny_n and_o reproach_n of_o man_n when_o the_o world_n charge_v we_o with_o crime_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o falseness_n and_o insincerity_n then_o to_o be_v able_a to_o appeal_v to_o the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n as_o to_o our_o innocency_n and_o sincerity_n and_o to_o say_v with_o the_o prophet_n jer._n o_o lord_n of_o host_n that_o trye_v the_o righteous_a and_o see_v the_o reins_o and_o the_o heart_n unto_o thou_o have_v i_o open_v my_o cause_n ch._n 20.12_o and_o with_o st._n peter_n god_n which_o know_v the_o heart_n bear_v they_o witness_v act_v 15.8_o 4._o this_o render_v all_o the_o deep_a and_o profound_a policy_n of_o wicked_a man_n a_o vain_a thing_n the_o lord_n know_v the_o thought_n of_o man_n that_o they_o be_v vanity_n psal_n 94.11_o they_o be_v vanity_n because_o he_o know_v they_o and_o can_v defeat_v they_o he_o can_v bring_v their_o counsel_n to_o nought_o and_o make_v their_o device_n of_o none_o effect_n he_o be_v conscious_a to_o the_o first_o motion_n of_o their_o heart_n he_o see_v those_o cobweb_n which_o they_o be_v spine_v and_o can_v blow_v they_o away_o with_o a_o breath_n he_o can_v snare_v they_o in_o their_o own_o policy_n and_o turn_v their_o counsel_n into_o foolishness_n thou_o that_o put_v a_o mask_n upon_o a_o wicked_a design_n and_o hide_v the_o malice_n and_o revenge_n of_o thy_o heart_n under_o a_o dissemble_a countenance_n god_n see_v thy_o design_n and_o have_v a_o thousand_o way_n to_o prevent_v it_o when_o the_o politician_n of_o the_o world_n think_v they_o have_v lay_v their_o design_n sure_a with_o all_o imaginable_a caution_n and_o that_o their_o counsel_n can_v miscarry_v be_v out_o of_o all_o possibility_n of_o humane_a discovery_n or_o prevention_n for_o all_o this_o their_o counsel_n may_v come_v to_o nought_o and_o though_o they_o have_v resolve_v it_o yet_o it_o may_v not_o stand_v he_o that_o sit_v in_o the_o heaven_n laugh_v at_o they_o the_o lord_n have_v they_o in_o derision_n as_o wise_a as_o they_o be_v they_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o oversight_n that_o they_o do_v not_o take_v god_n into_o consideration_n by_o who_o they_o be_v surprise_v and_o discover_v he_o that_o see_v their_o design_n can_v blast_v it_o in_o a_o moment_n he_o can_v speak_v the_o word_n and_o thy_o breath_n shall_v go_v forth_o and_o thou_o shall_v return_v to_o thy_o dust_n and_o in_o that_o very_a day_n thy_o thought_n perish_v psal_n 146.4_o 5._o if_o god_n only_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n then_o what_o be_v thou_o o_o man_n that_o judge_v another_o heart_n this_o condemn_v the_o uncharitableness_n of_o man_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v and_o censure_v man_n heart_n which_o be_v to_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v not_o to_o meddle_v with_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o their_o cognizance_n what_o st._n james_n say_v ch_n 4.12_o there_o be_v one_o lawgiver_n that_o be_v able_a to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o be_v proportionable_o true_a in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v but_o one_o that_o know_v the_o heart_n who_o be_v thou_o then_o that_o judge_v another_o man_n heart_n who_o be_v thou_o o_o man_n that_o take_v upon_o thou_o to_o sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o thy_o brother_n and_o to_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o his_o heart_n to_o pronounce_v he_o a_o hypocrite_n a_o wicked_a man_n and_o a_o damn_a wretch_n be_v thou_o a_o man_n and_o the_o son_n of_o man_n and_o will_v thou_o assume_v to_o thyself_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n man_n can_v only_o look_v to_o the_o outward_a appearance_n but_o god_n see_v the_o heart_n there_o be_v nothing_o do_v more_o palpable_o discover_v the_o un-christian_n spirit_n of_o that_o new_a sect_n which_o be_v of_o late_o rise_v up_o among_o we_o than_o their_o take_n upon_o they_o to_o judge_v man_n heart_n and_o as_o confident_o to_o censure_v every_o man_n they_o meet_v as_o if_o they_o have_v a_o window_n into_o his_o breast_n but_o they_o be_v not_o alone_o guilty_a of_o this_o those_o who_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o call_v man_n hypocrite_n they_o invade_v this_o prerogative_n of_o god_n we_o may_v pronounce_v a_o action_n wicked_a if_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n or_o a_o man_n wicked_a as_o to_o his_o present_a state_n if_o the_o general_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o action_n be_v wicked_a for_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o this_o we_o
which_o relate_v to_o the_o divine_a understanding_n viz._n knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v those_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o divine_a will_n viz._n these_o four_o the_o justice_n the_o truth_n the_o goodness_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o namely_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n at_o the_o 17_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n god_n by_o a_o great_a and_o wonderful_a condescension_n of_o his_o goodness_n reveal_v to_o abraham_n his_o intention_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n upon_o this_o abraham_n v._n 23._o intercede_v with_o god_n for_o the_o save_n of_o the_o righteous_a person_n that_o be_v there_o and_o to_o this_o end_n he_o plead_v with_o god_n his_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n with_o which_o he_o apprehend_v it_o to_o be_v in_o consistent_a to_o destroy_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a which_o without_o a_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v avoid_v in_o a_o general_a destruction_n will_v thou_o also_o destroy_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a peradventure_o there_o be_v fifty_o righteous_a within_o the_o city_n will_v thou_o also_o destroy_v and_o not_o spare_v the_o place_n for_o the_o fifty_o righteous_a that_o be_v therein_o that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o to_o do_v after_o this_o manner_n to_o slay_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a and_o that_o the_o righteous_a shall_v be_v as_o the_o wicked_a that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_a this_o negative_a interrogation_n be_v equivalent_a to_o a_o vehement_a affirmation_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_a that_o be_v undoubted_o he_o will_n this_o we_o may_v take_v for_o a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a principle_n that_o in_o the_o distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o judge_n of_o the_o world_n will_v do_v righteous_o so_o that_o the_o argument_n that_o lie_v under_o our_o consideration_n be_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o the_o distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o we_o will_v consider_v it_o first_o in_o hypothesi_fw-la in_o regard_n to_o the_o particular_a case_n which_o be_v here_o put_v by_o abraham_n in_o the_o text._n second_o in_o thesi_fw-la we_o will_v consider_v it_o in_o general_n in_o the_o distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n first_o we_o will_v consider_v it_o in_o hypothesi_fw-la in_o regard_n to_o the_o particular_a case_n which_o be_v here_o put_v by_o abraham_n in_o the_o text_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o if_o we_o look_v well_o into_o it_o there_o be_v something_o of_o real_a difficulty_n in_o it_o not_o easy_a to_o be_v clear_v for_o abraham_n reason_n if_o it_o be_v true_a do_v plain_o conclude_v that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v unrighteous_a with_o god_n in_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n not_o to_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a but_o to_o involve_v they_o equal_o in_o the_o same_o common_a destruction_n that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o to_o do_v after_o this_o manner_n to_o slay_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a and_o that_o the_o righteous_a shall_v be_v as_o the_o wicked_a that_o be_v far_o from_o thou_o shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_a as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v sure_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n will_v never_o do_v so_o unrighteous_a a_o thing_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o we_o see_v it_o be_v very_o usual_a for_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n to_o involve_v good_a man_n in_o general_a calamity_n and_o to_o make_v no_o visible_a difference_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a now_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o to_o reconcile_v these_o appearance_n of_o providence_n with_o this_o reason_n of_o abraham_n in_o the_o text._n and_o for_o the_o do_v of_o this_o i_o see_v but_o one_o possible_a way_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o abraham_n do_v not_o here_o speak_v concern_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n which_o befall_z man_n in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o his_o providence_n which_o many_o time_n happen_v promiscuous_o and_o involve_v good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o the_o same_o ruin_n and_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v plain_a because_o god_n in_o his_o ordinary_a providence_n do_v permit_v the_o cause_n which_o produce_v these_o judgement_n to_o act_n according_a to_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o they_o either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o make_v any_o distinction_n for_o the_o calamity_n which_o ordinary_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n be_v produce_v by_o two_o sort_n of_o cause_n either_o those_o which_o we_o call_v natural_a or_o those_o which_o be_v voluntary_a natural_a cause_n such_o as_o wind_n and_o thunder_n and_o storm_n and_o the_o infection_n of_o the_o air_n and_o the_o like_a these_o act_n by_o a_o necessity_n of_o nature_n without_o any_o knowledge_n or_o choice_n can_v make_v no_o distinction_n between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad._n and_o the_o voluntary_a cause_n of_o calamity_n as_o man_n be_v they_o many_o time_n will_v make_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a nay_o many_o time_n they_o be_v malicious_o bend_v against_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o malice_n fall_v heavy_a upon_o they_o now_o we_o say_v that_o thing_n happen_v in_o the_o way_n of_o ordinary_a providence_n when_o natural_a cause_n be_v permit_v to_o act_n according_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o voluntary_a cause_n be_v leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o course_n of_o ordinary_a providence_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o such_o a_o distinction_n shall_v be_v make_v it_o be_v neither_o possible_a nor_o do_v justice_n require_v it_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a suppose_v natural_a cause_n leave_v to_o act_n according_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o voluntary_a cause_n to_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n nor_o do_v justice_n require_v it_o for_o every_o man_n be_v so_o much_o a_o sinner_n that_o no_o evil_n that_o befall_v he_o in_o this_o world_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v unjust_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n so_o that_o abraham_n be_v not_o here_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o speak_v of_o such_o judgement_n as_o befall_v man_n in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o which_o if_o the_o good_a and_o bad_a be_v involve_v alike_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o be_v otherwise_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o injustice_n in_o it_o but_o abraham_n here_o speak_v of_o miraculous_a and_o extraordinary_a judgement_n which_o be_v immediate_o inflict_v by_o god_n for_o the_o punishment_n of_o some_o cry_a sin_n and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o world_n to_o deter_v other_o from_o the_o like_a and_o such_o be_v this_o judgement_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o bring_v upon_o sodom_n and_o which_o abraham_n have_v relation_n to_o in_o this_o discourse_n of_o he_o in_o this_o case_n it_o may_v be_v expect_v from_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n that_o a_o difference_n shall_v be_v make_v between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n 1._o because_o this_o be_v a_o judgement_n which_o god_n himself_o execute_v it_o be_v not_o a_o event_n of_o common_a providence_n which_o always_o follow_v the_o nature_n of_o its_o cause_n but_o a_o act_n of_o god_n as_o a_o judge_n now_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o judge_n to_o make_v a_o discrimination_n between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a so_o as_o to_o punish_v the_o one_o and_o spare_v the_o other_o and_o this_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o all_o proper_a act_n of_o judgement_n in_o this_o world_n as_o the_o other_o there_o be_v no_o other_o difference_n between_o they_o but_o that_o one_o be_v a_o particular_a judgement_n and_o the_o other_o the_o general_n judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n 2._o when_o god_n go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o his_o ordinary_a providence_n in_o punish_v it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v expect_v that_o he_o shall_v make_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a for_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o common_a providence_n be_v because_o he_o will_v not_o break_v and_o interrupt_v the_o establish_a order_n of_o thing_n upon_o every_o little_a occasion_n but_o when_o he_o do_v go_v beside_o the_o common_a course_n of_o thing_n in_o punish_v the_o reason_n cease_v which_o hinder_v he_o before_o from_o make_v a_o difference_n and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a enough_o to_o expect_v that_o in_o the_o inflict_a of_o a_o miraculous_a judgement_n a_o miraculous_a difference_n shall_v be_v make_v without_o make_v this_o difference_n the_o end_n of_o these_o miraculous_a judgement_n will_v not_o be_v attain_v which_o be_v remarkable_o to_o punish_v the_o cry_a sin_n of_o man_n and_o by_o that_o example_n to_o deter_v other_o from_o the_o like_a sin_n but_o if_o these_o judgement_n shall_v fall_v
keep_v nothing_o close_o from_o god_n for_o he_o be_v present_a to_o our_o mind_n and_o intimate_v to_o our_o thought_n so_o that_o you_o see_v this_o principle_n be_v deep_o root_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o that_o man_n do_v natural_o reason_n themselves_o into_o it_o 2._o the_o natural_a fear_n of_o man_n be_v likewise_o a_o secret_a acknowledgement_n of_o this_o and_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n that_o a_o man_n natural_a action_n and_o such_o as_o happen_v upon_o surprise_n and_o without_o deliberation_n be_v a_o better_a argument_n of_o the_o intimate_a sense_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o do_v more_o true_o discover_v what_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o what_o notion_n be_v natural_a to_o we_o than_o our_o contrive_a and_o deliberate_a discourse_n if_o i_o see_v a_o man_n upon_o the_o sudden_a sight_n of_o a_o serpent_n recoil_v and_o start_v back_o though_o he_o tell_v i_o never_o so_o often_o that_o he_o be_v not_o afraid_a yet_o i_o be_o sufficient_o convince_v of_o the_o contrary_a because_o i_o see_v in_o his_o countenance_n and_o carriage_n a_o natural_a acknowledgement_n of_o fear_n and_o danger_n so_o if_o man_n find_v that_o upon_o the_o design_v of_o a_o secret_a wickedness_n which_o never_o go_v further_a than_o their_o own_o heart_n their_o conscience_n do_v sting_n and_o lash_v they_o that_o they_o have_v a_o sense_n of_o gild_n and_o feel_v inward_a fright_v and_o horror_n whatever_o they_o may_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a this_o be_v a_o natural_a acknowledgement_n of_o a_o invisible_a eye_n that_o see_v they_o and_o disallow_n their_o wicked_a design_n if_o that_o be_v true_a which_o the_o heathen_a poet_n say_v that_o scelus_fw-la intra_fw-la se_fw-la tacitum_fw-la qui_fw-la cogitat_fw-la ullum_fw-la facti_fw-la crimen_fw-la habet_fw-la he_o that_o meditate_v any_o secret_a wickedness_n in_o his_o heart_n be_v guilty_a to_o himself_o as_o if_o he_o have_v commit_v it_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n that_o the_o man_n stand_v in_o awe_n of_o something_o beside_o himself_o and_o be_v jealous_a that_o there_o be_v one_o that_o be_v conscious_a to_o what_o he_o think_v 2._o that_o to_o have_v a_o perfect_a and_o thorough_a knowledge_n of_o man_n heart_n be_v the_o peculiar_a prerogative_n of_o god_n this_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o that_o question_n who_o can_v know_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n jer._n 17.10_o i_o the_o lord_n search_v the_o heart_n and_o try_v the_o reins_o this_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n and_o one_o of_o his_o chief_a title_n that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o knower_n of_o the_o heart_n 1_o king_n 8.39_o thou_o even_o thou_o only_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o the_o child_n of_o man_n man_n may_v make_v a_o probable_a conjecture_n at_o the_o thought_n and_o design_n of_o other_o from_o their_o word_n and_o action_n but_o god_n only_o know_v they_o man_n be_v conscious_a to_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o purpose_n the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v in_o he_o know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n but_o they_o can_v see_v into_o the_o secret_n of_o another_o man_n mind_n it_o be_v god_n alone_o that_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o men._n the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v a_o privilege_a place_n and_o the_o secret_a and_o inward_a work_n of_o it_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o cognisance_n of_o any_o but_o god_n alone_o the_o limit_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n be_v the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o action_n 1_o sam._n 16.7_o the_o lord_n see_v not_o as_o man_n see_v for_o man_n look_v on_o the_o outward_a appearance_n but_o the_o lord_n look_v on_o the_o heart_n our_o knowledge_n be_v but_o superficial_a and_o glide_v upon_o the_o outside_n and_o surface_n of_o thing_n but_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n pierce_v to_o the_o very_a centre_n of_o every_o thing_n now_o the_o dark_a place_n the_o most_o inward_a retirement_n the_o private_a closet_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o this_o god_n only_o be_v privy_a to_o deus_fw-la author_n omnium_fw-la &_o speculator_n omnium_fw-la à _fw-la quo_fw-la nihil_fw-la secretum_fw-la esse_fw-la potest_fw-la tenebris_fw-la interest_n interest_n &_o cogitationibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la quasi_fw-la alteris_fw-la tenebris_fw-la say_v min._n foelix_n god_n make_v all_o thing_n and_o see_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o can_v be_v secret_a from_o he_o he_o be_v present_a in_o darkness_n and_o he_o be_v present_a to_o the_o thought_n of_o man_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v another_o and_o a_o thick_a darkness_n the_o devil_n indeed_o pretend_v to_o this_o knowledge_n he_o will_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o know_v the_o integrity_n of_o job_n heart_n better_o than_o god_n himself_o and_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o testimony_n which_o god_n give_v of_o his_o integrity_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v but_o sound_o try_v by_o affliction_n he_o will_v renounce_v god_n and_o curse_v he_o to_o his_o face_n but_o the_o event_n prove_v how_o groundless_a and_o malicious_a this_o suggestion_n be_v but_o there_o be_v a_o far_o great_a difficulty_n in_o this_o matter_n from_o the_o passage_n of_o some_o divine_n concern_v the_o devil_n immediate_a access_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o his_o power_n to_o cast_v in_o wicked_a thought_n into_o they_o which_o seem_v by_o consequence_n to_o grant_v he_o some_o knowledge_n of_o man_n heart_n for_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o can_v imprint_v thought_n upon_o man_n mind_n he_o may_v see_v those_o that_o be_v imprint_v there_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v a_o very_a sagacious_a spirit_n and_o can_v make_v very_o shrewd_a conjecture_n at_o the_o bent_n and_o inclination_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o the_o probable_a work_n of_o our_o thought_n from_o a_o general_a knowledge_n and_o observation_n of_o our_o temper_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o interest_n and_o design_n and_o from_o the_o general_a tenor_n of_o our_o action_n in_o public_a and_o private_a and_o from_o our_o prayer_n and_o confession_n to_o god_n if_o he_o permit_v he_o at_o any_o time_n to_o be_v so_o near_o good_a man_n i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o this_o be_v far_o from_o a_o knowledge_n of_o our_o heart_n all_o this_o be_v but_o conjecture_n and_o such_o as_o man_n may_v make_v of_o one_o another_o in_o a_o low_a degree_n but_o as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o cast_v in_o blasphemous_a and_o despair_a thought_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o this_o i_o will_v say_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v few_o of_o these_o case_n which_o may_v not_o more_o probable_o be_v resolve_v into_o the_o wickedness_n and_o infidelity_n of_o man_n heart_n or_o into_o the_o darkness_n and_o melancholy_n of_o our_o temper_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o raise_v and_o suggest_v strange_a thought_n to_o man_n and_o such_o as_o we_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v have_v no_o rise_v from_o ourselves_o not_o consider_v what_o a_o odd_a and_o strange_a influence_n the_o disorder_n of_o our_o bodily_a humour_n may_v have_v upon_o our_o mind_n as_o we_o see_v in_o violent_a fever_n and_o several_a other_o disease_n and_o melancholy_a though_o the_o work_n of_o it_o be_v more_o still_a and_o quiet_a be_v as_o true_o a_o disease_n as_o any_o other_o so_o that_o i_o choose_v rather_o to_o ascribe_v as_o much_o of_o these_o to_o a_o bodily_a distemper_n as_o may_v be_v because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a uncomfortable_a consideration_n to_o think_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v such_o a_o immediate_a power_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n 2._o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o by_o any_o mean_n it_o can_v be_v grant_v without_o prejudice_n to_o this_o prerogative_n of_o god_n which_o the_o scripture_n plain_o give_v he_o of_o be_v the_o only_a knower_n of_o the_o heart_n that_o the_o devil_n can_v have_v so_o immediate_a a_o access_n to_o our_o mind_n as_o to_o put_v wicked_a thought_n into_o they_o nor_o can_v i_o think_v that_o when_o it_o be_v say_v 1_o chron._n 21.1_o that_o satan_n provoke_v david_n to_o number_v the_o people_n and_o luke_n 22.3_o that_o the_o devil_n enter_v into_o judas_n and_o act_n 5.3_o that_o satan_n have_v fill_v the_o heart_n of_o ananias_n to_o lie_v unto_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o eph._n 2.2_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o spirit_n that_o work_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n i_o say_v i_o can_v think_v that_o any_o or_o all_o of_o these_o expression_n do_v amount_v to_o such_o a_o immediate_a power_n of_o put_v wicked_a thought_n into_o man_n mind_n but_o they_o only_o signify_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v a_o great_a hand_n in_o some_o sin_n than_o other_o and_o that_o a_o heart_n wicked_o bend_v and_o incline_v give_v he_o a_o great_a advantage_n to_o tempt_v man_n more_o powerful_o by_o present_v the_o occasion_n of_o