be_v believe_v it_o be_v powerful_a no_o might_n of_o man_n or_o any_o prince_n be_v comparable_a three_o christ_n destroy_v and_o kill_v all_o our_o enemy_n all_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n &_o this_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o this_o sword_n for_o christ_n speak_v these_o word_n to_o comfort_v his_o church_n in_o persecution_n and_o for_o this_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o sharp_a two_o edge_a sword_n for_o he_o kill_v and_o slay_v the_o enemy_n of_o his_o church_n partly_o in_o this_o life_n but_o deadly_a in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v in_o this_o life_n the_o word_n serve_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o hypocrisy_n unbelief_n heresy_n &_o superstition_n for_o christ_n he_o abolish_v they_o with_o the_o breath_n of_o his_o mouth_n that_o be_v this_o sword_n 2._o thess._n 2._o second_o when_o they_o be_v touch_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o word_n with_o desperation_n for_o when_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o they_o it_o wound_v they_o to_o the_o heart_n by_o reveal_v all_o their_o curse_a deal_n their_o unbelief_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o set_v the_o conscience_n on_o the_o rack_n and_o stir_v it_o up_o which_o be_v fit_a of_o itself_o to_o accuse_v they_o when_o it_o have_v reveal_v their_o sin_n than_o it_o smite_v they_o with_o fear_n and_o horror_n and_o make_v their_o conscience_n more_o fit_a to_o accuse_v &_o terrify_v they_o and_o than_o though_o they_o run_v on_o in_o sin_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o deadly_a wound_n of_o desperation_n and_o this_o increase_v in_o this_o life_n and_o slay_v in_o the_o next_o for_o it_o clean_o cut_v they_o off_o when_o christ_n shall_v say_v go_v you_o curse_v this_o smite_v they_o stark_o dead_a cast_v they_o into_o eternal_a destruction_n for_o ever_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n work_v powerful_o in_o us._n 1._o to_o take_v place_n in_o our_o heart_n by_o faith_n not_o only_o to_o show_v our_o sin_n &_o god_n wrath_n against_o the_o same_o but_o withal_o to_o wound_v they_o slay_v and_o kill_v they_o and_o at_o the_o first_o to_o wound_v deadly_a for_o only_o to_o have_v our_o sin_n detect_v and_o our_o conscience_n terrify_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o desperation_n and_o the_o first_o wound_n to_o death_n but_o we_o must_v go_v further_o have_v our_o corrupt_a heart_n rip_v up_o wound_v crucify_a have_v they_o reform_v and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o wound_v our_o soul_n and_o the_o end_n why_o christ_n have_v the_o two_o edge_a sword_n the_o second_o part_n be_v the_o proposition_n contain_v two_o part_n first_o a_o commendation_n second_o a_o rebuke_n the_o commendation_n in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n in_o these_o word_n he_o commend_v this_o church_n first_o in_o general_n second_o in_o particular_a general_o in_o these_o word_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n that_o be_v thy_o way_n and_o do_n thy_o counsel_n affair_n and_o withal_o i_o approve_v they_o as_o psal._n 1._o 6._o the_o lord_n know_v the_o righteous_a that_o be_v he_o approve_v they_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n christ_n he_o begin_v with_o these_o word_n in_o this_o and_o every_o of_o these_o epistle_n to_o teach_v we_o one_o especial_a thing_n that_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n to_o be_v learn_v the_o beginning_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o begin_v thus_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n three_o or_o four_o time_n i_o know_v show_v by_o this_o that_o wheresoever_o we_o be_v we_o be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n he_o see_v all_o our_o work_n he_o hear_v and_o know_v all_o we_o do_v we_o can_v go_v out_o of_o his_o presence_n and_o to_o settle_v this_o deep_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o he_o be_v present_a always_o see_v and_o behold_v we_o he_o repeat_v this_o seven_o time_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o every_o epistle_n then_o this_o shall_v teach_v we_o both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o labour_v to_o have_v this_o persuasion_n in_o our_o heart_n that_o christ_n be_v present_a see_v and_o behold_v all_o we_o do_v when_o we_o take_v any_o thing_n in_o hand_n he_o stand_v at_o our_o elbow_n look_v on_o we_o whether_o we_o do_v well_o or_o ill_o then_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v this_o persuasion_n in_o our_o heart_n that_o we_o can_v say_v now_o i_o do_v this_o or_o that_o my_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n my_o lord_n and_o redeemer_n he_o behold_v i_o look_v on_o i_o see_v all_o my_o deal_n therefore_o i_o will_v behave_v myself_o well_o and_o the_o preacher_n may_v spend_v himself_o in_o speak_v and_o to_o no_o purpose_n till_o god_n give_v grace_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n this_o one_o point_n which_o be_v the_o beginning_n and_o ground_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n for_o man_n may_v have_v knowledge_n and_o speak_v much_o of_o the_o word_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v true_a christian_n till_o they_o have_v learn_v this_o one_o point_n to_o be_v so_o persuade_v as_o they_o can_v say_v in_o their_o heart_n christ_n see_v and_o behold_v i_o and_o till_o we_o can_v do_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v conscience_n of_o no_o sin_n 2_o the_o particular_a first_o commendation_n and_o where_o thou_o dwell_v though_o thou_o dwell_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n have_v set_v his_o throne_n a_o place_n most_o incommodious_a and_o unfit_a yet_o thou_o observe_v and_o keep_v my_o name_n and_o religion_n thus_o he_o commend_v she_o for_o her_o constancy_n in_o religion_n throne_n that_o be_v any_o place_n where_o superstition_n idolatry_n and_o wickedness_n be_v practise_v without_o controlment_n and_o from_o whence_o wickedness_n be_v convey_v to_o other_o place_n for_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n 2._o cor._n 4._o 4._o and_o he_o have_v his_o kingdom_n throne_n and_o seat_n place_v where_o he_o can_v practice_v sin_n and_o wickedness_n where_o iniquity_n be_v maintain_v the_o gospel_n despise_v and_o from_o whence_o he_o convey_v his_o devilish_a wickedness_n to_o other_o place_n such_o a_o place_n be_v pergamus_n a_o city_n wherein_o sin_n do_v abound_v without_o controlment_n religion_n despise_v and_o from_o whence_o wickedness_n be_v convey_v to_o many_o other_o city_n town_n and_o place_n here_o we_o may_v note_v the_o devil_n policy_n who_o have_v his_o kingdom_n here_o on_o earth_n like_a to_o god_n here_o he_o place_v his_o throne_n as_o a_o prince_n and_o make_v choice_n to_o have_v the_o fit_a place_n where_o he_o may_v rule_v and_o reign_v and_o practice_v wickedness_n without_o controlment_n &_o from_o whence_o he_o may_v convey_v it_o to_o other_o place_n he_o have_v ever_o have_v have_v now_o &_o will_v have_v his_o throne_n he_o have_v in_o old_a time_n the_o high_a place_n the_o grove_n and_o such_o place_n where_o the_o people_n commit_v idolatry_n among_o the_o gentile_n there_o be_v oracle_n to_o erect_v his_o throne_n for_o in_o they_o he_o give_v answer_n and_o so_o convey_v his_o wickedness_n to_o many_o in_o late_a day_n he_o have_v every_o church_n and_o chapel_n his_o throne_n when_o image_n saint_n rood_n and_o such_o like_a be_v erect_v to_o which_o all_o man_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o land_n come_v to_o worship_n in_o school_n of_o learning_n he_o have_v his_o throne_n when_o nothing_o be_v teach_v but_o superstition_n and_o error_n and_o now_o in_o our_o time_n he_o have_v his_o throne_n and_o officer_n to_o attend_v on_o the_o same_o as_o wiseman_n and_o these_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n to_o erect_v his_o throne_n for_o unto_o these_o come_v man_n from_o far_a and_o near_o so_o that_o he_o convey_v his_o iniquity_n to_o many_o see_v many_o seek_v to_o they_o and_o so_o do_v he_o homage_n so_o dice_v and_o brothel_n house_n see_v in_o they_o iniquity_n be_v practise_v in_o they_o be_v his_o throne_n in_o family_n where_o they_o live_v in_o ignorance_n in_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n in_o blaspheme_v and_o drunkenness_n or_o any_o one_o sin_n there_o be_v his_o throne_n and_o so_o many_o throne_n as_o family_n where_o they_o live_v by_o any_o unjust_a deal_n then_o it_o be_v necessary_a use_v see_v the_o devil_n have_v his_o throne_n the_o lord_n shall_v have_v his_o opposite_a to_o this_o as_o when_o man_n have_v throne_n of_o justice_n both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a civil_a to_o repress_v all_o injustice_n and_o wickedness_n to_o punish_v vice_n to_o reward_v virtue_n and_o ecclesiastical_a to_o punish_v and_o reprehend_v those_o sin_n which_o civil_a justice_n can_v the_o devil_n cunning_o and_o politic_o choose_v pergamus_n not_o a_o base_a town_n or_o village_n but_o a_o huge_a city_n whence_o many_o king_n proceed_v where_o there_o be_v a_o famous_a and_o great_a king_n and_o where_o be_v much_o people_n so_o he_o
of_o their_o pride_n that_o it_o be_v not_o small_a but_o great_a therefore_o the_o word_n be_v double_v to_o show_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o conceit_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o pride_n now_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o they_o be_v not_o only_o puff_v up_o but_o give_v to_o such_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o pride_n answ._n knowledge_n be_v the_o cause_n for_o no_o doubt_n but_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n have_v great_a knowledge_n and_o be_v a_o learned_a man_n and_o the_o people_n be_v well_o instruct_v now_o knowledge_n puff_v up_o it_o make_v man_n heart_n to_o swell_v with_o pride_n therefore_o it_o be_v true_a that_o where_o much_o knowledge_n be_v there_o be_v much_o pride_n if_o man_n want_v the_o grace_n of_o humiliation_n and_o grief_n for_o sin_n and_o have_v need_n of_o nothing_o here_o be_v a_o further_a mark_n and_o token_n of_o their_o pride_n when_o a_o man_n think_v thus_o that_o he_o need_v no_o help_n for_o his_o salvation_n if_o he_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o christ_n blood_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n this_o be_v a_o notable_a sign_n of_o abundant_a pride_n in_o the_o heart_n this_o serve_v further_a to_o convince_v our_o congregration_n of_o this_o pride_n for_o if_o we_o be_v never_o so_o little_a sick_a straight_o we_o seek_v to_o the_o physician_n but_o though_o our_o soul_n be_v never_o so_o sick_a none_o seek_v to_o the_o minister_n sickness_n we_o feel_v but_o not_o sin_n therefore_o the_o physician_n be_v in_o request_n but_o the_o minister_n be_v not_o think_v of_o till_o the_o pang_n of_o death_n be_v feel_v this_o show_n that_o we_o abound_v in_o spiritual_a pride_n therefore_o mark_v this_o you_o must_v labour_v to_o feel_v what_o need_v you_o have_v of_o christ_n for_o till_o you_o do_v so_o there_o be_v no_o grace_n in_o the_o heart_n if_o you_o will_v have_v grace_n learn_v this_o that_o you_o want_v the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o till_o you_o feel_v this_o never_o think_v your_o case_n good_a but_o wretched_a and_o damnable_a it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a case_n for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o want_v nothing_o and_o know_v not_o here_o he_o set_v down_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o pride_n that_o be_v ignorance_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v thou_o know_v not_o thy_o own_o natural_a estate_n as_o thou_o be_v bear_v of_o adam_n thy_o state_n out_o of_o christ._n thus_o we_o see_v that_o ignorance_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o pride_n and_o pride_n of_o lukewarmenesse_n by_o this_o he_o show_v what_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o hence_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o pride_n be_v not_o the_o first_o sin_n nor_o the_o root_n of_o all_o other_o sin_n as_o the_o papist_n and_o some_o other_o think_v indeed_o it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n and_o a_o mother_n sin_n yet_o it_o have_v a_o more_o inward_a cause_n that_o be_v ignorance_n whereof_o even_o of_o a_o man_n own_o estate_n before_o god_n so_o much_o christ_n here_o signify_v the_o cause_n why_o any_o think_v well_o of_o themselves_o and_o swell_v in_o pride_n be_v the_o ignorance_n of_o their_o own_o estate_n and_o because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o therefore_o they_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o pride_n by_o this_o we_o must_v all_o be_v admonish_v to_o have_v care_n to_o learn_v to_o know_v our_o own_o estate_n in_o which_o we_o be_v by_o nature_n without_o christ._n every_o person_n that_o will_v come_v to_o salvation_n must_v be_v thorough_o acquaint_v with_o his_o own_o estate_n and_o know_v his_o own_o sin_n and_o the_o curse_n due_a to_o they_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n so_o often_o call_v upon_o the_o people_n to_o search_v and_o fan_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v be_v acquaint_v with_o their_o own_o estate_n till_o you_o know_v this_o you_o shall_v be_v but_o proud_a peacock_n &_o never_o have_v grace_n although_o you_o have_v otherwise_o very_o great_a gift_n of_o knowledge_n and_o grace_n to_o conceive_v a_o prayer_n &_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v yet_o you_o shall_v never_o have_v any_o grace_n to_o turn_v and_o repent_v true_o till_o the_o ignorance_n of_o your_o state_n be_v remove_v and_o then_o come_v grace_n true_a obedience_n and_o humiliation_n and_o other_o grace_n needful_a for_o god_n service_n therefore_o labour_n for_o it_o if_o there_o be_v any_o blemish_n in_o your_o face_n you_o will_v see_v it_o o_o then_o labour_n to_o see_v the_o spot_n of_o your_o soul_n now_o in_o that_o christ_n do_v thus_o strike_v at_o the_o root_n of_o their_o pride_n and_o bewray_v their_o ignorance_n he_o show_v the_o state_n of_o every_o man_n by_o nature_n so_o that_o here_o come_v to_o be_v handle_v the_o natural_a estate_n and_o misery_n of_o man_n the_o misery_n of_o this_o church_n be_v propound_v two_o way_n first_o general_o second_o particular_o general_o in_o two_o word_n wretched_a and_o miserable_a wretched_a that_o be_v one_o subject_n to_o misery_n grief_n and_o calamity_n so_o much_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o first_o word_n that_o we_o may_v know_v what_o this_o misery_n be_v i_o will_v enter_v into_o a_o description_n of_o man_n wretchedness_n where_o two_o thing_n must_v be_v consider_v first_o the_o root_n and_o fountain_n of_o it_o namely_o original_a sin_n which_o have_v two_o branch_n first_o that_o very_o particular_a offence_n and_o trespass_n whereby_o adam_n sin_v which_o be_v not_o only_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o person_n but_o of_o man_n nature_n and_o of_o every_o one_o that_o come_v of_o adam_n christ_n except_v second_o from_o that_o sin_n as_o a_o part_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o withal_o as_o a_o punishment_n of_o it_o follow_v the_o corruption_n of_o man_n heart_n and_o deface_v of_o god_n image_n whereby_o the_o heart_n have_v get_v a_o proneness_n and_o disposition_n or_o inclination_n to_o all_o sin_n in_o these_o two_o stand_v man_n misery_n for_o from_o these_o do_v spring_v all_o our_o misery_n both_o in_o and_o after_o this_o life_n so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o part_n what_o man_n misery_n be_v again_o we_o must_v conceive_v it_o under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o punishment_n all_o misery_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o be_v a_o punishment_n lay_v upon_o man_n for_o that_o first_o sin_n now_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n must_v be_v consider_v diverse_a way_n according_a to_o the_o diverse_a time_n of_o man_n be_v either_o in_o this_o world_n or_o depart_v hence_o all_o punishment_n be_v either_o in_o this_o life_n or_o in_o the_o end_n of_o it_o or_o after_o and_o so_o be_v misery_n in_o this_o life_n in_o the_o end_n of_o it_o or_o after_o it_o again_o some_o misery_n concern_v the_o whole_a man_n and_o they_o be_v two_o principal_o first_o a_o subjection_n to_o god_n wrath_n whereby_o a_o man_n be_v in_o danger_n thereof_o every_o day_n &_o make_v a_o child_n of_o wrath_n this_o be_v a_o misery_n of_o all_o misery_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o grievous_a as_o a_o man_n can_v without_o some_o grace_n see_v it_o second_o bondage_n to_o the_o devil_n the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o it_o oftentimes_o you_o may_v conceive_v it_o thus_o the_o man_n regenerate_v say_v i_o sin_n but_o i_o will_v not_o sin_v the_o natural_a man_n say_v i_o sin_n and_o i_o will_v sin_v it_o be_v my_o nature_n to_o sin_n and_o my_o pleasure_n and_o in_o sin_n will_v i_o live_v and_o these_o be_v the_o two_o misery_n concern_v the_o whole_a man_n now_o there_o be_v misery_n which_o concern_v not_o the_o whole_a man_n but_o the_o body_n or_o soul_n good_n or_o call_v in_o this_o life_n misery_n concern_v the_o soul_n be_v these_o first_o in_o the_o mind_n and_o understanding_n there_o be_v blindness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o god_n will_n second_o in_o diverse_a person_n madness_n and_o foolishness_n all_o these_o be_v misery_n curse_n and_o punishment_n inflict_v on_o man_n soul_n for_o sin_n and_o further_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v learn_v without_o pain_n and_o difficulty_n further_o in_o the_o mind_n there_o be_v a_o conscience_n and_o there_o be_v accusation_n secret_a fear_n and_o terror_n and_o so_o many_o accusation_n so_o many_o misery_n in_o the_o will_v there_o be_v rebellion_n and_o in_o the_o affection_n perverseness_n which_o be_v not_o only_o a_o sin_n but_o a_o plague_n and_o punishment_n and_o as_o the_o soul_n so_o the_o body_n be_v subject_a to_o his_o misery_n to_o many_o pain_n ache_n and_o disease_n yea_o the_o disease_n of_o man_n body_n be_v so_o many_o that_o all_o physic_n book_n can_v record_v they_o beside_o disease_n there_o be_v mortality_n that_o be_v a_o subjection_n to_o death_n so_o as_o all_o the_o art_n and_o skill_n in_o the_o world_n can_v prevent_v it_o in_o our_o good_n the_o want_n of_o necessary_n be_v a_o misery_n and_o by_o
must_v have_v our_o ear_n open_v to_o become_v listener_n and_o pliable_a to_o the_o word_n that_o when_o the_o lord_n call_v we_o to_o do_v his_o will_n 7._o we_o may_v answer_v with_o david_n i_o be_o ready_a to_o do_v thy_o will_n o_o god_n further_o after_o we_o have_v read_v or_o hear_v the_o word_n we_o must_v practice_v that_o we_o hear_v in_o perform_v true_a repentance_n and_o labour_a faithful_o in_o our_o vocation_n for_o as_o we_o see_v man_n of_o trade_n become_v cunning_a by_o the_o continual_a practice_n of_o their_o trade_n so_o if_o we_o practise_v true_a obedience_n in_o repentance_n and_o our_o vocation_n we_o shall_v be_v skilful_a in_o the_o word_n it_o follow_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o pprophecy_n the_o child_n of_o god_n must_v keep_v and_o remember_v the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v his_o special_a duty_n to_o keep_v these_o prophecy_n which_o be_v to_o come_v so_o the_o angel_n bid_v daniel_n seal_v up_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophecy_n till_o the_o time_n come_v 4._o that_o be_v remember_v and_o keep_v it_o diligent_o so_o matthew_n 24._o 15._o when_o they_o shall_v see_v the_o abomination_n of_o desolation_n speak_v of_o thing_n to_o come_v he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o mark_v and_o remember_v what_o he_o say_v mat._n 24._o 25._o behold_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o where_o he_o show_v that_o when_o any_o great_a thing_n be_v to_o befall_v the_o church_n than_o we_o must_v in_o these_o be_v most_o careful_a to_o remember_v they_o for_o the_o time_n be_v at_o hand_n here_o be_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o former_a word_n bless_a be_v he_o which_o read_v etc._n etc._n see_v the_o time_n of_o the_o accomplish_n of_o this_o prophecy_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o must_v short_o be_v fulfil_v therefore_o those_o be_v bless_v which_o read_v and_o keep_v this_o pprophecy_n and_o it_o be_v a_o answer_n to_o a_o secret_a objection_n for_o they_o may_v have_v say_v we_o need_v not_o read_v this_o prophecy_n see_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v fulfil_v in_o our_o day_n but_o he_o add_v the_o time_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o so_o take_v that_o objection_n away_o now_o see_v these_o word_n be_v in_o the_o first_o verse_n and_o here_o repeat_v again_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o that_o they_o contain_v some_o weighty_a matter_n for_o we_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o to_o be_v earnest_o think_v of_o now_o s._n john_n add_v these_o word_n for_o two_o cause_n first_o because_o the_o church_n though_o it_o can_v be_v overtake_v with_o deadly_a sleep_n yet_o it_o may_v slumber_v and_o be_v cast_v into_o some_o beginning_n of_o sleep_n as_o the_o five_o wise_a virgin_n though_o they_o sleep_v not_o so_o careless_o as_o the_o other_o yet_o they_o all_o sleep_v not_o a_o deadly_a sleep_n but_o a_o slumber_n for_o in_o the_o church_n there_o may_v be_v some_o remnant_n of_o security_n cant._n 5._o 2._o the_o church_n sleep_v but_o so_o as_o she_o always_o listen_v as_o awaken_v be_v in_o a_o light_a slumber_n now_o lest_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v careless_a sleep_v and_o drowsy_a the_o holy_a ghost_n add_v these_o word_n the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o judgement_n be_v at_o hand_n second_o he_o add_v these_o word_n to_o confirm_v the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o true_a member_n of_o christ_n against_o affliction_n see_v by_o these_o word_n he_o foretell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v to_o last_v but_o a_o short_a time_n the_o time_n of_o judgement_n be_v at_o hand_n the_o affliction_n can_v long_o endure_v then_o this_o shall_v comfort_v those_o which_o suffer_v for_o christ_n his_o sake_n in_o this_o that_o christ_n foretell_v the_o church_n use_v that_o now_o in_o the_o last_o age_n the_o time_n be_v at_o hand_n we_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o whatsoever_o befall_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n shall_v short_o befall_v they_o temtation_n affliction_n the_o cross_n and_o calamity_n shall_v present_o befall_v we_o the_o time_n of_o judgement_n be_v at_o hand_n it_o will_v present_o befall_v us._n and_o if_o we_o have_v this_o confidence_n that_o the_o last_o judgement_n be_v at_o hand_n it_o will_v make_v we_o do_v all_o in_o good_a conscience_n stay_v we_o from_o many_o sin_n and_o the_o want_n of_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o much_o mischief_n for_o so_o the_o bad_a servant_n think_v his_o master_n will_v defer_v his_o come_n he_o smite_v and_o beat_v his_o fellow_n servant_n and_o the_o old_a world_n live_v in_o sin_n and_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o flood_n shall_v come_v though_o they_o be_v foretell_v of_o it_o till_o they_o be_v all_o sweep_v away_o by_o water_n we_o than_o shall_v lay_v this_o to_o our_o heart_n ever_o think_v the_o lord_n be_v at_o the_o door_n he_o be_v present_o to_o come_v to_o judgement_n and_o we_o ought_v the_o rather_o to_o think_v of_o this_o for_o we_o have_v have_v ease_n peace_n and_o the_o gospel_n flourish_v this_o 8_o year_n with_o all_o temporal_a blessing_n now_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o peace_n and_o now_o trouble_v and_o persecution_n now_o then_o see_v these_o cross_n which_o must_v fall_v on_o the_o church_n they_o be_v to_o be_v do_v present_o we_o can_v but_o look_v for_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n after_o so_o long_a peace_n and_o preach_v john_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n 4._o grace_n and_o peace_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o four_o verse_n be_v the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o chapter_n which_o be_v the_o inscription_n of_o this_o book_n wherein_o be_v first_o the_o party_n which_o write_v it_o and_o dedicate_v it_o second_o the_o party_n to_o who_o it_o be_v dedicate_v first_o the_o party_n which_o dedicate_v it_o be_v john_n second_o the_o party_n to_o who_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n in_o the_o inscription_n be_v two_o part_n first_o a_o dedication_n second_o a_o salutation_n contain_v from_o the_o four_o till_o the_o nine_o verse_n in_o the_o dedication_n there_o be_v first_o the_o party_n which_o dedicate_v it_o second_o the_o party_n to_o who_o it_o be_v dedicate_v the_o party_n which_o dedicate_v it_o be_v john_n who_o here_o again_o in_o this_o four_o verse_n repeat_v his_o name_n yet_o so_o as_o he_o repeat_v no_o more_o but_o his_o bare_a name_n without_o any_o title_n of_o commendation_n he_o repeat_v it_o again_o to_o show_v and_o certify_v every_o reader_n of_o this_o book_n that_o he_o be_v without_o all_o doubt_n the_o true_a penman_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o write_v this_o revelation_n but_o though_o he_o repeat_v his_o name_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o add_v any_o title_n of_o honour_n as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o verse_n many_o title_n of_o praise_n and_o commendation_n this_o he_o do_v to_o give_v we_o a_o true_a pattern_n of_o modesty_n and_o humility_n which_o be_v never_o to_o speak_v in_o our_o own_o cause_n to_o our_o own_o praise_n but_o only_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n when_o god_n glory_n may_v be_v advance_v and_o the_o credit_n of_o our_o particular_a calling_n maintain_v this_o paul_n practise_v who_o often_o humble_v himself_o and_o call_v himself_o the_o least_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n yea_o the_o chief_a of_o all_o sinner_n yet_o when_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o apostleship_n come_v into_o question_n than_o he_o set_v out_o himself_o show_v he_o be_v a_o true_a apostle_n and_o above_o those_o which_o do_v false_o call_v themselves_o so_o 2._o cor._n 11._o so_o may_v we_o when_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o the_o credit_n of_o our_o particular_a calling_n be_v in_o question_n set_v out_o ourselves_o with_o title_n of_o commendation_n the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o write_v be_v the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n concern_v they_o note_v two_o thing_n first_o he_o call_v they_o church_n second_o in_o asia_n why_o write_v he_o to_o the_o church_n rather_o than_o to_o the_o church_n see_v there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a church_n ans._n the_o church_n may_v be_v consider_v first_o as_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o elect_a and_o so_o it_o be_v but_o one_o second_o as_o it_o be_v part_v and_o diverse_o sunder_v into_o part_n as_o in_o one_o country_n there_o be_v one_o church_n or_o one_o part_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o one_o city_n or_o town_n another_o part_n in_o some_o other_o and_o there_o may_v be_v many_o church_n see_v every_o congregation_n profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o church_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o true_a catholic_a church_n as_o the_o sea_n be_v but_o one_o yet_o there_o be_v many_o part_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o lie_v against_o other_o country_n be_v call_v by_o their_o name_n as_o the_o english_a french_a spanish_a italian_a sea_n so_o the_o particular_a church_n in_o particular_a country_n town_n and_o
practice_v this_o because_o we_o bring_v from_o our_o cradle_n natural_a presumption_n which_o persuade_v we_o that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n that_o we_o have_v his_o love_n to_o us._n but_o we_o must_v cast_v off_o this_o natural_a presumption_n and_o take_v a_o new_a course_n and_o the_o first_o step_n to_o come_v to_o grace_n be_v to_o see_v that_o we_o want_v grace_n we_o must_v see_v that_o we_o be_v lose_v sheep_n prodigal_a child_n in_o ourselves_o the_o very_a firebrand_n of_o hell_n and_o this_o to_o see_v our_o own_o want_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o first_o step_n to_o grace_n the_o second_o step_n be_v to_o desire_v it_o when_o we_o see_v that_o we_o want_v it_o to_o hunger_n and_o long_a for_o it_o three_o to_o lay_v hold_n on_o it_o to_o apprehend_v this_o favour_n and_o grace_n by_o true_a and_o lively_a faith_n to_o apply_v the_o promise_n of_o salvation_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o this_o be_v the_o last_o step_n to_o get_v this_o grace_n second_o in_o that_o he_o set_v down_o first_o grace_n second_o peace_n here_o be_v the_o true_a order_n of_o seek_v for_o thing_n and_o blessing_n in_o this_o life_n first_o for_o grace_n and_o god_n favour_n second_o for_o peace_n and_o welfare_n not_o first_o peace_n and_o welfare_n but_o first_o for_o grace_n so_o christ_n bid_v we_o first_o to_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o rigteousnes_n thereof_o and_o then_o when_o we_o be_v in_o god_n kingdom_n of_o grace_n all_o thing_n needful_a shall_v be_v minister_v to_o us._n this_o discover_v the_o bad_a practice_n of_o most_o man_n who_o begin_v at_o a_o wrong_a end_n first_o with_o peace_n in_o their_o calling_n to_o get_v honour_n riches_n pleasure_n or_o preferment_n never_o seek_v first_o for_o grace_n and_o god_n favour_n but_o if_o we_o will_v have_v peace_n we_o must_v first_o have_v grace_n but_o man_n if_o god_n bless_v they_o in_o riches_n health_n and_o wealth_n they_o say_v oh_o god_n love_v i_o but_o alas_o we_o deceive_v ourselves_o for_o we_o may_v have_v peace_n yet_o want_v grace_n we_o may_v have_v this_o welfare_n health_n wealth_n liberty_n and_o yet_o want_v grace_n nay_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v no_o blessing_n but_o a_o curse_n and_o though_o the_o lord_n give_v a_o man_n health_n wealth_n liberty_n which_o be_v but_o common_a blessing_n he_o may_v be_v out_o of_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n see_v the_o lord_n bestow_v these_o common_a blessing_n on_o those_o which_o be_v his_o enemy_n psal._n 73._o 12._o but_o though_o the_o wicked_a have_v all_o these_o common_a blessing_n they_o be_v accurse_v and_o though_o a_o man_n have_v grace_n the_o favour_n and_o true_a love_n of_o god_n and_o have_v no_o other_o health_n wealth_n nor_o liberty_n yet_o he_o be_v most_o happy_a and_o bless_a fron_n he_o which_o be_v be_v etc._n etc._n here_o he_o set_v down_o the_o cause_n efficient_a and_o the_o author_n of_o these_o two_o grace_n and_o peace_n the_o author_n be_v god_n distinguish_v into_o three_o person_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n the_o father_n in_o these_o word_n which_o be_v be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v note_v in_o these_o word_n and_o from_o the_o seven_o spirit_n which_o be_v before_o his_o throne_n three_o the_o son_n in_o the_o five_o verse_n s._n john_n in_o the_o first_o place_n describe_v the_o father_n by_o his_o true_a nature_n in_o these_o word_n which_o be_v be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v in_o which_o he_o allude_v to_o that_o exo._n 3._o 14._o 15._o where_o moses_n demand_n of_o god_n if_o the_o people_n shall_v ask_v who_o send_v he_o what_o he_o shall_v answer_v the_o lord_n tell_v he_o say_v i_o be_o ehjeh_fw-it jehovah_n have_v send_v i_o where_o be_v two_o name_n to_o one_o end_n namely_o to_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n now_o s._n john_n he_o expound_v they_o here_o where_o he_o say_v he_o which_o be_v which_o be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v further_o these_o two_o name_n ehjeh_n jehovah_n be_v two_o such_o name_n as_o can_v be_v translate_v full_o in_o our_o english_a tongue_n but_o be_v more_o significant_a in_o their_o original_a hebrew_n tongue_n for_o they_o import_v thus_o much_o grace_n and_o peace_n be_v from_o he_o which_o be_v in_o himself_o and_o from_o himself_o a_o most_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a substance_n which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v to_o come_v a_o most_o absolute_a perfect_a simple_a substance_n and_o essence_n so_o that_o he_o be_v a_o nature_n most_o simple_a pure_a and_o subsist_v in_o and_o by_o himself_o 1._o cor._n 8._o 4._o a_o idol_n be_v not_o so_o it_o be_v nothing_o in_o and_o of_o itself_o but_o only_o in_o man_n brain_n it_o have_v no_o subsist_v and_o be_v of_o itself_o by_o nature_n but_o by_o man_n art_n and_o thus_o the_o lord_n differ_v from_o all_o false_a god_n see_v he_o have_v his_o be_v in_o and_o from_o himself_o not_o of_o or_o by_o any_o other_o thing_n none_o other_o have_v this_o property_n but_o god_n by_o this_o we_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o creature_n which_o be_v that_o though_o they_o have_v their_o subsist_v and_o be_v as_o man_n body_n and_o soul_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o from_o themselves_o but_o from_o god_n not_o take_v out_o of_o his_o essence_n for_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v god_n and_o the_o lord_n have_v no_o part_n as_o we_o have_v but_o he_o make_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o himself_o of_o nothing_o see_v then_o we_o have_v all_o we_o have_v of_o god_n our_o body_n soul_n and_o all_o we_o enjoy_v we_o must_v in_o lieu_n of_o recompense_n in_o thankfulness_n and_o obedience_n give_v ourselves_o soul_n and_o body_n to_o his_o service_n to_o do_v his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n the_o lord_n be_v most_o absolute_a and_o eternal_a every_o way_n without_o beginning_n or_o end_v angel_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n they_o be_v eternal_a but_o not_o as_o absolute_o though_o they_o be_v eternal_a in_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o die_v yet_o have_v they_o a_o beginning_n second_o they_o be_v eternal_a not_o absolute_o but_o by_o participation_n for_o god_n make_v they_o eternal_a but_o the_o lord_n be_v most_o absolute_o every_o way_n eternal_a from_o he_o which_o be_v to_o come_v that_o be_v to_o judgement_n to_o judge_v all_o his_o creature_n especial_o man_n and_o angel_n that_o god_n which_o be_v be_v which_o have_v his_o be_v of_o in_o and_o from_o himself_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o judgement_n this_o must_v we_o remember_v and_o think_v of_o that_o he_o which_o be_v god_n of_o himself_o and_o by_o himself_o which_o give_v we_o life_n and_o be_v he_o shall_v judge_v we_o and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o make_v we_o do_v our_o duty_n in_o conscience_n but_o many_o man_n flatter_v themselves_o say_v god_n will_v not_o come_v in_o my_o time_n to_o judgement_n but_o though_o the_o lord_n come_v not_o to_o general_a judgement_n in_o this_o life_n yet_o he_o will_v come_v in_o particular_a judgement_n by_o death_n in_o this_o life_n three_o if_o we_o will_v always_o remember_v this_o it_o will_v bridle_v out_o live_v and_o make_v we_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n before_o god_n and_o all_o man_n act._n 16._o 24._o and_o from_o the_o seven_o spirit_n which_o be_v before_o his_o throne_n 4._o these_o word_n common_o be_v expound_v of_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n which_o stand_v and_o minister_v unto_o he_o but_o it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o they_o for_o two_o cause_n first_o those_o which_o be_v here_o call_v seven_o spirit_n from_o these_o grace_n and_o peace_n come_v but_o it_o can_v come_v from_o the_o holy_a angel_n which_o attend_v to_o minister_v before_o the_o lord_n second_o in_o this_o verse_n which_o be_v a_o benediction_n or_o a_o salutation_n of_o john_n to_o the_o church_n the_o seven_o spirit_n be_v set_v before_o jesus_n christ_n the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o can_v be_v true_a of_o the_o angel_n who_o in_o no_o respect_n can_v be_v place_v before_o christ_n therefore_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o holy_a angel_n but_o for_o my_o part_n i_o understand_v it_o thus_o and_o from_o the_o seven_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o exposition_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v call_v the_o seven_o spirit_n first_o because_o though_o he_o be_v one_o in_o substance_n yet_o he_o be_v seven_o that_o be_v many_o in_o gift_n and_o operation_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n call_v himself_o the_o seven_o spirit_n second_o he_o call_v he_o so_o because_o he_o set_v down_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o he_o see_v they_o
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we_o in_o give_v his_o son_n for_o us._n so_o in_o this_o verse_n be_v mean_v god_n special_a love_n or_o the_o declaration_n of_o his_o purpose_n to_o love_v we_o in_o special_a benefit_n now_o whereas_o s._n john_n place_v this_o in_o the_o first_o place_n of_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o christ_n 1_o that_o he_o love_v we_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o that_o this_o love_n be_v the_o very_a ground_n of_o man_n redemption_n the_o very_a cause_n of_o god_n like_n and_o favour_n to_o man_n then_o there_o be_v no_o foresee_v faith_n away_o with_o foresee_v work_n for_o he_o love_v we_o first_o and_o that_o alone_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o ground_n of_o our_o election_n and_o salvation_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v objection_n the_o love_n of_o god_n as_o also_o of_o man_n respect_v the_o goodness_n of_o thing_n love_v so_o we_o love_v a_o thing_n because_o it_o be_v good_a and_o when_o it_o be_v evil_a we_o hate_v it_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n between_o the_o love_n of_o the_o 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have_v this_o love_n of_o god_n we_o must_v in_o all_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n draw_v near_o to_o god_n keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n before_o god_n &_o all_o man_n and_o so_o if_o we_o love_v god_n he_o will_v come_v to_o we_o stay_v and_o dwell_v in_o us._n and_o if_o we_o will_v have_v his_o love_n to_o be_v plentiful_o shed_v in_o our_o heart_n than_o we_o must_v draw_v near_o to_o he_o by_o love_n 5._o and_o he_o will_v draw_v near_o to_o we_o for_o he_o love_v we_o first_o if_o we_o increase_v in_o that_o love_n to_o he_o then_o will_v he_o double_v his_o love_n to_o us._n and_o wash_v we_o from_o our_o sin_n in_o his_o blood_n here_o be_v the_o second_o benefit_n and_o action_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n which_o be_v first_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n second_o the_o mortification_n of_o sin_n wash_v here_o he_o show_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n be_v as_o filthy_a spot_n in_o their_o soul_n and_o after_o he_o confess_v the_o vile_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n and_o every_o member_n thereof_o in_o that_o he_o say_v they_o be_v so_o wash_v for_o wash_v presuppose_v filthiness_n before_o and_o a_o corrupt_a estate_n and_o so_o shall_v we_o by_o their_o example_n learn_v to_o consider_v our_o own_o estate_n how_o that_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v spot_v and_o defile_v with_o sin_n original_a and_o actual_a so_o do_v david_n psal._n 51._o most_o sensible_o and_o excellent_o feel_v his_o own_o want_n and_o see_v his_o miserable_a estate_n when_o he_o desire_v the_o lord_n to_o wash_v he_o thorough_o confess_v thereby_o his_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v foul_a stain_v and_o pollute_v with_o sin_n and_o add_v thorough_o not_o once_o and_o so_o enough_o but_o wash_v i_o again_o and_o again_o thorough_o till_o i_o be_v clean_o and_o cleanse_v i_o rinse_v bathe_v swill_v i_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v purge_v and_o cleanse_v from_o all_o my_o sin_n in_o which_o word_n he_o show_v his_o exceed_a feeling_n of_o his_o own_o misery_n how_o foul_o he_o be_v defile_v so_o shall_v we_o labour_v to_o see_v how_o the_o spot_n of_o sin_n be_v deep_o stick_v in_o our_o soul_n they_o be_v fast_o set_v so_o that_o one_o wash_v will_v not_o serve_v but_o we_o must_v be_v rince_v bathe_v and_o cleanse_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o man_n or_o angel_n which_o can_v wash_v away_o these_o spot_n nor_o any_o thing_n they_o can_v give_v we_o but_o only_o christ_n jesus_n who_o finger_n alone_o dip_v in_o his_o own_o blood_n can_v wash_v away_o our_o spot_n of_o sin_n the_o consideration_n whereof_o shall_v make_v we_o consider_v our_o wretched_a estate_n and_o often_o to_o repent_v we_o of_o our_o sin_n to_o take_v heed_n of_o sin_n which_o stain_v we_o so_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v our_o heart_n purge_v and_o cleanse_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o till_o we_o have_v they_o so_o purge_v neither_o our_o faith_n obedience_n love_n or_o any_o thing_n we_o do_v be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o benefit_n of_o christ_n contain_v the_o remission_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o take_v away_o of_o the_o punishment_n and_o the_o guilt_n due_a to_o they_o the_o second_o part_n be_v the_o mortification_n of_o sin_n which_o have_v wash_v we_o from_o all_o etc._n etc._n he_o add_v these_o word_n to_o show_v that_o if_o any_o believe_v true_o he_o have_v pardon_n of_o all_o his_o sin_n without_o any_o restraint_n or_o limitation_n of_o these_o or_o those_o sin_n by_o his_o blood_n objection_n how_o can_v blood_n wash_v away_o filthiness_n nay_o it_o rather_o defile_v a_o man_n answ._n this_o wash_n stand_v not_o in_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o blood_n but_o in_o the_o merit_n thereof_o for_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n shed_v be_v lose_v and_o god_n know_v what_o be_v become_v of_o it_o whatsoever_o the_o papist_n say_v but_o the_o merit_n of_o it_o wash_v away_o sin_n object_n but_o why_o do_v christ_n blood_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o man_n blood_n as_o peter_n john_n &_o c_o answ._n because_o that_o blood_n be_v the_o blood_n of_o god_n not_o of_o the_o godhead_n but_o of_o he_o who_o be_v both_o god_n and_o man_n for_o these_o two_o nature_n be_v unite_v together_o make_v but_o one_o person_n and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v call_v the_o blood_n of_o god_n as_o paul_n say_v god_n redeem_v we_o by_o his_o blood_n that_o be_v christ_n god_n and_o man_n god-man_n or_o god_n incarnate_a and_o so_o it_o be_v the_o blood_n of_o god_n be_v more_o meritorious_a than_o the_o blood_n of_o any_o creature_n whatsoever_o beside_o i_o answer_v christ_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o be_v a_o public_a person_n to_o be_v surety_n for_o all_o mankind_n but_o no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o to_o be_v in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o mankind_n then_o damnable_a be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o papist_n who_o hold_v the_o blood_n of_o martyr_n can_v merit_v for_o other_o for_o see_v they_o be_v but_o private_a man_n they_o can_v profit_v any_o other_o by_o blood_n we_o must_v understand_v the_o passion_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o part_n for_o the_o whole_a and_o withal_o we_o must_v remember_v his_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n for_o in_o his_o suffering_n he_o fulfil_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o in_o fulfil_v the_o law_n he_o suffer_v and_o these_o two_o can_v be_v sever_v so_o that_o this_o contain_v the_o whole_a obedience_n of_o christ_n partly_o in_o suffering_n partly_o in_o fulfil_v the_o law_n s._n john_n add_v these_o word_n and_o set_v down_o these_o two_o blessing_n to_o draw_v man_n to_o love_n and_o like_v
of_o great_a superstition_n s._n john_n will_v not_o have_v leave_v all_o company_n of_o man_n but_o that_o he_o be_v compel_v to_o leave_v they_o then_o the_o life_n of_o those_o which_o voluntary_o leave_v all_o company_n of_o man_n live_v in_o cloister_n and_o secret_a place_n can_v be_v a_o life_n of_o perfection_n but_o of_o all_o imperfection_n man_n be_v bear_v to_o do_v good_a to_o other_o see_v s._n john_n be_v banish_v 2._o and_o here_o receive_v his_o vision_n we_o see_v that_o those_o which_o honour_n god_n he_o will_v honour_v they_o for_o s._n john_n be_v banish_v than_o which_o what_o can_v they_o do_v more_o to_o hurt_v he_o yet_o then_o because_o it_o be_v for_o god_n cause_n god_n do_v most_o honour_n he_o in_o reveal_v to_o he_o these_o vision_n so_o when_o joseph_n be_v sell_v of_o his_o brethren_n and_o most_o dishonour_v of_o they_o than_o god_n exalt_v he_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o daniel_n who_o when_o he_o be_v most_o dishonour_v of_o man_n than_o the_o lord_n exalt_v he_o above_o all_o other_o man_n and_o the_o same_o be_v true_a of_o all_o god_n child_n 2._o they_o which_o honour_v he_o he_o will_v honour_v they_o 2_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o he_o come_v into_o this_o isle_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v because_o he_o be_v by_o call_v a_o publisher_n and_o preacher_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o which_o cause_n he_o be_v banish_v by_o which_o we_o may_v note_v that_o all_o natural_a man_n as_o domitian_n and_o the_o roman_n be_v and_o all_o man_n be_v by_o nature_n hate_v all_o that_o profess_v god_n hate_v his_o word_n they_o can_v abide_v it_o for_o s._n john_n a_o most_o worthy_a apostle_n a_o famous_a man_n for_o gift_n a_o singular_a preacher_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yet_o for_o this_o very_a cause_n be_v hunt_v nay_o banish_a not_o for_o his_o own_o cause_n but_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n this_o have_v be_v see_v in_o all_o heathen_a emperor_n yea_o and_o all_o man_n by_o nature_n hate_v the_o word_n yet_o though_o they_o hate_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n the_o same_o word_n it_o win_v they_o and_o have_v take_v place_n in_o they_o to_o convert_v they_o and_o to_o make_v they_o to_o love_v it_o which_o show_v that_o the_o word_n teach_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v indeed_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n not_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n for_o if_o the_o word_n which_o be_v hate_v of_o all_o man_n by_o nature_n have_v not_o some_o divine_a power_n in_o it_o it_o can_v never_o make_v such_o man_n to_o love_v it_o by_o grace_n which_o hate_v it_o by_o nature_n for_o no_o word_n of_o man_n can_v make_v a_o man_n which_o hate_v the_o same_o to_o love_v it_o but_o only_o the_o word_n of_o god_n see_v john_n be_v banish_v for_o god_n word_n use_v all_o minister_n be_v to_o cast_v their_o account_n to_o make_v a_o reckon_n that_o they_o may_v and_o must_v suffer_v persecution_n nay_o banishment_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o that_o which_o the_o principal_a founder_n and_o chief_a builder_n of_o the_o church_n have_v suffer_v that_o can_v be_v avoid_v of_o they_o which_o be_v ordinary_a minister_n christ_n he_o acquaint_v his_o disciple_n with_o this_o and_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v even_o accurse_v when_o all_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o they_o luk._n 6._o 26._o they_o must_v not_o seek_v to_o have_v all_o think_v well_o of_o they_o but_o rather_o fear_v if_o all_o man_n like_v of_o they_o they_o be_v accurse_v and_o witness_v bear_v that_o be_v for_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v our_o redeemer_n to_o procure_v to_o we_o righteousness_n and_o life_n everlasting_a now_o he_o add_v after_o the_o other_o this_o of_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o doctrine_n how_o to_o come_v to_o life_n everlasting_a and_o righteousness_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o show_v for_o what_o part_n of_o the_o word_n we_o be_v most_o hate_a and_o persecute_v not_o so_o much_o for_o the_o law_n as_o for_o the_o gospel_n because_o the_o law_n be_v partly_o natural_a the_o gospel_n be_v above_o nature_n as_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n make_v his_o covenant_n with_o our_o first_o parent_n 3._o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n now_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o glad_a tiding_n in_o which_o there_o be_v declare_v that_o the_o promise_a seed_n be_v come_v and_o therefore_o the_o devil_n he_o hate_v this_o part_n most_o of_o all_o and_o labour_v man_n to_o hinder_v the_o course_n of_o the_o gospel_n rather_o than_o of_o the_o law_n so_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n he_o labour_v by_o might_n and_o main_a to_o extinguish_v the_o gospel_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o ignorance_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o when_o he_o can_v not_o prevail_v by_o force_n &_o might_n he_o use_v sophistry_n and_o deceit_n and_o bring_v in_o heresy_n to_o obscure_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o overthrow_v the_o nature_n office_n and_o benefit_n of_o christ._n then_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v the_o contrary_a use_v see_v he_o labour_v to_o extinguish_v it_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v it_o we_o must_v labour_v as_o much_o to_o know_v it_o as_o he_o do_v to_o keep_v we_o in_o ignorance_n that_o so_o we_o may_v obey_v and_o believe_v it_o and_o i_o be_v ravish_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n 10._o etc._n etc._n in_o this_o ten_o verse_n be_v two_o circumstance_n the_o first_o which_o be_v the_o three_o in_o number_n be_v the_o manner_n of_o receive_v this_o vision_n and_o give_v of_o it_o to_o john_n namely_o in_o a_o trance_n the_o second_o or_o four_o the_o time_n on_o that_o lord_n day_n or_o that_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o be_v in_o the_o spirit_n here_o we_o see_v he_o receive_v this_o vision_n in_o a_o trance_n i_o be_v in_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v i_o be_v by_o the_o mighty_a and_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n cast_v into_o a_o trance_n this_o appear_v by_o compare_v this_o prophecy_n with_o other_o as_o with_o that_o of_o ezechiel_n who_o when_o he_o receive_v any_o vision_n be_v cast_v into_o a_o trance_n by_o god_n spirit_n to_o understand_v this_o consider_v two_o thing_n first_o what_o a_o trance_n be_v second_o the_o end_n of_o it_o a_o trance_n be_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n or_o action_n of_o god_n spirit_n ergo_fw-la not_o of_o the_o constellation_n and_o temperature_n of_o the_o star_n nor_o from_o the_o constitution_n of_o man_n body_n or_o imagination_n of_o man_n but_o wrought_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n second_o it_o be_v not_o every_o work_n but_o a_o extraordinary_a work_n above_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n a_o powerful_a and_o mighty_a work_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n wherein_o the_o whole_a man_n both_o in_o body_n and_o mind_n be_v alter_v and_o for_o that_o cause_n s._n john_n say_v i_o be_v in_o the_o spirit_n this_o action_n consist_v in_o two_o action_n one_o of_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o body_n in_o procure_v a_o trance_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n cast_v a_o man_n into_o a_o dead_a sleep_n whereby_o all_o the_o sense_n both_o inward_a and_o outward_a be_v benumb_v so_o gen._n 15._o 12._o when_o god_n renew_v the_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n he_o cast_v he_o into_o a_o trance_n that_o be_v into_o a_o dead_a sleep_n the_o sense_n all_o be_v benumb_v only_o the_o mind_n and_o soul_n work_v the_o other_o action_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v on_o the_o mind_n to_o draw_v it_o from_o fellowship_n with_o the_o body_n and_o all_o the_o sense_n to_o have_v fellowship_n with_o god_n that_o so_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n may_v enlighten_v it_o with_o light_n and_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o reveal_v to_o it_o and_o so_o we_o see_v in_o other_o ecstasy_n and_o trance_n 10._o as_o that_o of_o peter_n his_o mind_n be_v draw_v from_o the_o fellowship_n with_o the_o body_n and_o be_v in_o fellowship_n with_o god_n then_o a_o trance_n be_v a_o mighty_a and_o powerful_a work_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v both_o in_o body_n and_o mind_n whereby_o both_o the_o mind_n be_v draw_v from_o fellowship_n with_o the_o body_n and_o unto_o the_o fellowship_n of_o god_n and_o also_o enlighten_v with_o light_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n to_o understand_v thing_n to_o be_v reveal_v now_o follow_v the_o end_n of_o a_o trance_n the_o cause_n why_o man_n be_v cast_v into_o trance_n in_o receive_v any_o vision_n be_v that_o as_o s._n john_n here_o they_o may_v know_v that_o the_o thing_n deliver_v be_v not_o invent_v of_o themselves_o but_o
keep_v that_o day_n for_o a_o sabbath_n wherein_o he_o rise_v and_o the_o eight_o day_n after_o appear_v to_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n now_o the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v change_v for_o two_o cause_n first_o to_o maintain_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n whereof_o this_o be_v a_o great_a part_n that_o they_o be_v free_v from_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o here_o when_o this_o day_n be_v change_v the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o tie_v to_o the_o jew_n sabbath_n day_n neither_o have_v any_o such_o regard_n after_o of_o day_n and_o time_n second_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o more_o fit_a time_n for_o the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n for_o as_o god_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n to_o be_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n to_o remember_v the_o first_o creation_n so_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o day_n to_o celebrate_v this_o work_n which_o be_v a_o wonderful_a creation_n in_o which_o we_o be_v make_v new_a man_n so_o that_o there_o be_v now_o a_o new_a heaven_n and_o new_a earth_n as_o isaiah_n speak_v chap._n 66._o nay_o this_o be_v a_o more_o glorious_a work_n than_o that_o see_v in_o that_o creation_n adam_n be_v the_o head_n in_o this_o christ_n jesus_n he_o be_v the_o head_n in_o that_o adam_n be_v the_o chief_a in_o this_o christ._n in_o that_o hevah_n be_v give_v to_o adam_n in_o this_o we_o to_o christ_n his_o church_n to_o he_o in_o that_o adam_n have_v a_o earthly_a paradise_n in_o this_o redemption_n we_o have_v a_o spiritual_a kingdom_n in_o that_o god_n mercy_n only_o in_o this_o both_o his_o mercy_n and_o justice_n in_o punish_v of_o chirst_n and_o give_v we_o forgiveness_n appear_v in_o that_o god_n show_v his_o wisdom_n &_o goodness_n but_o in_o part_n but_o herein_o this_o he_o show_v it_o full_o in_o that_o he_o make_v man_n of_o nothing_o but_o now_o he_o make_v he_o of_o worse_a than_o nothing_o &_o better_a then_o ever_o he_o be_v therefore_o see_v this_o day_n of_o our_o redemption_n be_v far_o pass_v that_o and_o the_o lord_n appoint_v a_o day_n for_o the_o remembrance_n thereof_o much_o more_o shall_v there_o be_v one_o for_o the_o remembrance_n of_o this_o now_o there_o be_v no_o day_n fit_a than_o that_o day_n wherein_o christ_n jesus_n rise_v from_o death_n to_o life_n to_o remember_v his_o resurrection_n but_o may_v the_o church_n now_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n change_v the_o sabbath_n to_o any_o other_o day_n objection_n as_o to_o tuesday_n wednesday_n etc._n etc._n answ._n it_o can_v i_o think_v because_o time_n and_o season_n belong_v to_o god_n he_o alone_o can_v dispose_v of_o they_o act._n 1._o 6._o the_o church_n have_v not_o knowledge_n of_o time_n and_o season_n much_o less_o of_o the_o order_n and_o dispose_n of_o they_o for_o that_o which_o the_o father_n keep_v in_o his_o own_o bosom_n the_o church_n can_v know_v but_o the_o father_n alone_o so_o keep_v time_n and_o season_n therefore_o the_o church_n can_v know_v they_o and_o as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o power_n to_o change_v their_o sabbath_n no_o more_o have_v the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o change_v their_o sabbath_n ob._n but_o the_o jew_n have_v authority_n to_o appoint_v feast_n therefore_o they_o can_v appoint_v sabbath_n day_n hest._n 9_o 17._o they_o for_o their_o deliverance_n appoint_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n of_o rejoice_v so_o 1_o maccab._n 4._o 8._o answer_n they_o appoint_v indeed_o solemn_a day_n for_o rejoice_v and_o solemn_a feast_n for_o special_a deliverance_n but_o they_o appoint_v not_o any_o day_n for_o a_o sabath_n &_o rest_n for_o the_o whole_a service_n of_o god_n some_o hold_n that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o alter_v it_o nay_o to_o make_v any_o day_n the_o sabbath_n or_o if_o it_o can_v be_v convenient_o two_o day_n in_o a_o week_n but_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n out_o of_o the_o word_n if_o this_o day_n use_v the_o lord_n day_n be_v a_o day_n to_o remember_v the_o death_n resurrection_n and_o merit_n of_o christ_n we_o see_v three_o sort_n of_o man_n here_o reprove_v first_o they_o which_o make_v this_o day_n a_o day_n of_o pleasure_n pastime_n and_o delight_n for_o most_o young_a man_n and_o servant_n employ_v this_o day_n whole_o on_o their_o own_o delight_n and_o pleasure_n make_v it_o a_o day_n of_o carnal_a rejoice_v spend_v it_o in_o eat_v drink_v card_v dice_a riot_n and_o excess_n so_o that_o they_o turn_v this_o lord_n day_n set_v apart_o to_o his_o worship_n into_o a_o day_n to_o offer_v sacrifice_n to_o the_o devil_n the_o second_o sort_n be_v of_o they_o which_o live_v more_o civil_o than_o the_o former_a yet_o they_o think_v they_o may_v do_v their_o own_o business_n and_o take_v iorney_n on_o this_o day_n and_o that_o upon_o this_o false_a ground_n that_o a_o man_n may_v aswell_o and_o with_o as_o honest_a and_o good_a a_o heart_n serve_v god_n in_o his_o own_o business_n at_o home_n as_o they_o which_o go_v to_o church_n but_o by_o this_o they_o make_v the_o lord_n day_n appoint_v to_o his_o service_n their_o own_o day_n to_o do_v their_o own_o work_n and_o not_o he_o the_o three_o sort_n be_v of_o those_o which_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n only_o at_o morning_n and_o evening_n prayer_n but_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o day_n they_o may_v spend_v it_o how_o they_o will_v on_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o pastime_n or_o their_o own_o business_n and_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v many_o in_o the_o world_n who_o come_v to_o the_o church_n but_o only_o so_o far_o as_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n enjoin_v they_o and_o these_o man_n part_v stake_n with_o god_n they_o give_v he_o one_o part_n and_o that_o the_o lesser_a and_o bestow_v the_o other_o on_o their_o own_o business_n or_o pleasure_n whereas_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n day_n not_o in_o part_n but_o in_o whole_a and_o so_o they_o break_v the_o four_o commandment_n then_o on_o the_o contrary_a our_o duty_n be_v to_o keep_v this_o day_n a_o sabbath_n to_o the_o lord_n as_o we_o be_v command_v in_o the_o four_o commandment_n 1._o we_o must_v rest_v from_o all_o our_o sin_n second_o from_o all_o the_o work_n of_o our_o calling_n and_o employ_v it_o whole_o on_o the_o service_n of_o god_n sanctify_v this_o day_n of_o rest_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n from_o the_o morning_n to_o the_o evening_n now_o there_o be_v a_o double_a sanctify_a of_o the_o sabbath_n first_o public_a in_o the_o congregation_n when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o church_n to_o pray_v and_o give_v thanks_n and_o there_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n second_o private_a when_o man_n in_o their_o own_o private_a house_n at_o home_n sanctify_v it_o in_o meditate_v read_v and_o think_v of_o the_o word_n in_o pray_v private_o and_o give_v thanks_n for_o benefit_n we_o must_v not_o employ_v that_o day_n in_o our_o own_o business_n if_o the_o officer_n shall_v take_v our_o servant_n from_o our_o work_n &_o set_v he_o about_o the_o common_a good_a we_o will_v be_v grieve_v and_o if_o we_o take_v the_o day_n appoint_v to_o god_n service_n and_o bestow_v it_o on_o our_o own_o affair_n shall_v not_o the_o lord_n be_v offend_v and_o the_o cause_n why_o we_o hear_v the_o word_n public_o and_o never_o profit_n be_v because_o we_o sanctify_v the_o sabbath_n only_o public_o and_o not_o private_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o meditate_v read_v the_o word_n pray_v and_o sanctify_v the_o sabbath_n at_o home_n we_o may_v hear_v and_o read_v the_o word_n public_o but_o without_o all_o increase_n of_o grace_n faith_n knowledge_n and_o repentance_n but_o if_o we_o perform_v neither_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o get_v any_o grace_n see_v this_o day_n be_v set_v apart_o for_o that_o end_n now_o to_o proceed_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o lord_n he_o give_v john_n these_o vision_n rather_o on_o this_o day_n than_o another_o be_v because_o though_o john_n be_v absent_a in_o body_n from_o the_o church_n yet_o he_o be_v present_a in_o spirit_n in_o pray_v for_o it_o at_o this_o time_n for_o be_v absent_a he_o will_v show_v his_o presence_n in_o such_o duty_n as_o he_o can_v perform_v in_o that_o solitary_a place_n as_o fast_v prayer_n etc._n etc._n now_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o occupy_v the_o lord_n reveal_v his_o will_n to_o he_o concern_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n see_v john_n be_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o pathmos_n use_v a_o desert_n place_n yet_o he_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n in_o all_o such_o duty_n as_o he_o can_v perform_v hence_o we_o see_v that_o they_o which_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o church_n as_o in_o prison_n sick_a of_o some_o great_a disease_n or_o
they_o as_o he_o say_v those_o my_o enemy_n which_o will_v not_o have_v i_o to_o rule_v over_o they_o 27._o bring_v they_o that_o i_o may_v kill_v they_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o awake_v many_o drowsy_a and_o secure_a professor_n for_o man_n now_o in_o this_o barren_a age_n live_v in_o sin_n and_o ignorance_n never_o think_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n take_v pleasure_n in_o sin_n it_o be_v meat_n and_o drink_v to_o they_o to_o live_v in_o security_n not_o one_o of_o a_o thousand_o turn_v to_o god_n by_o hearty_a repentance_n let_v these_o know_v that_o though_o they_o live_v close_o in_o sin_n yet_o christ_n behold_v they_o not_o as_o a_o redeemer_n but_o as_o a_o judge_n with_o fiery_a and_o pierce_a eye_n ready_a to_o execute_v judgement_n on_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n they_o then_o must_v consider_v their_o own_o estate_n in_o time_n and_o turn_v to_o god_n lest_o that_o they_o go_v on_o in_o their_o sin_n and_o snort_v in_o security_n christ_n come_v unaware_o and_o cut_v they_o off_o in_o his_o anger_n for_o it_o be_v a_o fearful_a thing_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o his_o foot_n like_v to_o fine_a brass_n 15_o the_o word_n signify_v brass_n which_o be_v shine_v for_o substance_n durable_a &_o pure_a the_o very_a choice_n and_o excellent_a kind_n of_o brass_n this_o he_o add_v to_o signify_v the_o invincible_a power_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o encounter_v nay_o have_v already_o encounter_v with_o sin_n and_o satan_n wound_v they_o and_o bruise_v their_o head_n to_o powder_n for_o his_o foot_n be_v strong_a and_o durable_a he_o be_v of_o power_n to_o overcome_v his_o enemy_n to_o tread_v they_o underfoot_o and_o grind_v they_o to_o powder_n and_o not_o only_o in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o in_o his_o member_n he_o be_v most_o powerful_a see_v he_o have_v brazen_a foot_n use_v strong_a and_o durable_a to_o overcome_v his_o enemy_n and_o tread_v they_o underfoot_o this_o be_v a_o singular_a comfort_n to_o the_o child_n of_o god_n who_o if_o they_o be_v exercise_v with_o any_o temptation_n of_o satan_n or_o with_o any_o affliction_n and_o grief_n they_o must_v not_o be_v discourage_v but_o seek_v to_o christ_n their_o head_n he_o will_v in_o we_o as_o he_o have_v before_o in_o his_o own_o person_n bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n and_o break_v it_o to_o powder_n let_v we_o then_o put_v our_o cause_n to_o christ_n and_o let_v he_o have_v the_o whole_a order_n and_o dispensation_n of_o it_o so_o if_o sin_n and_o corruption_n hang_v on_o we_o vex_v and_o oppress_v we_o we_o must_v fly_v to_o he_o make_v he_o acquaint_v with_o it_o seek_v help_n from_o he_o and_o we_o shall_v doubtless_o find_v it_o weaken_v and_o wound_v nay_o bruise_a to_o piece_n by_o his_o help_n if_o we_o see_v the_o terror_n of_o death_n we_o must_v not_o fear_v too_o much_o for_o christ_n be_v strong_a and_o able_a to_o overcome_v death_n nay_o he_o encounter_v with_o sin_n and_o satan_n on_o the_o cross_n overcome_v he_o there_o and_o go_v down_o with_o he_o to_o his_o own_o den_n and_o cabin_n and_o there_o vanquish_a death_n so_o that_o he_o have_v subdue_v and_o bring_v he_o under_o foot_n and_o make_v he_o his_o footstool_n and_o as_o this_o be_v a_o comfort_n to_o the_o godly_a so_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o terror_n to_o the_o wicked_a who_o without_o repent_v live_v in_o their_o sin_n for_o christ_n have_v a_o foot_n of_o brass_n he_o will_v bruise_v they_o in_o piece_n make_v they_o his_o footstool_n and_o with_o his_o brazen_a foot_n grind_v they_o to_o powder_n then_o they_o which_o be_v as_o yet_o enemy_n to_o christ_n must_v turn_v to_o he_o leave_v their_o old_a master_n satan_n come_v to_o he_o else_o he_o will_v break_v they_o to_o nothing_o by_o his_o strong_a and_o brazen_a foot_n burn_v as_o in_o a_o furnace_n the_o foot_n of_o god_n as_o of_o man_n in_o the_o scripture_n often_o signify_v he_o or_o their_o way_n so_o here_o the_o foot_n of_o christ_n signify_v his_o way_n or_o work_n burn_v as_o in_o a_o furnace_n this_o show_v the_o perfection_n of_o christ_n way_n they_o be_v uncorrupt_a even_o as_o brass_n purify_v in_o the_o fire_n so_o be_v they_o most_o pure_a most_o unspotted_a without_o all_o dross_n all_o his_o way_n his_o counsel_n and_o work_n either_o of_o creation_n or_o preservation_n all_o be_v without_o fault_n the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v uncorrupt_a the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v try_v in_o the_o fire_n he_o be_v a_o shield_n to_o all_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o psal._n 18._o 30._o see_v all_o his_o way_n be_v pure_a and_o most_o holy_a use_v we_o must_v speak_v and_o think_v of_o they_o with_o reverence_n even_o of_o his_o secret_a judgement_n whereof_o we_o know_v no_o cause_n nor_o reason_n we_o must_v reverence_v they_o and_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o be_v pure_a of_o themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o learned_a ignorance_n whereof_o this_o be_v not_o the_o least_o point_n to_o content_v ourselves_o with_o his_o way_n and_o not_o curious_o to_o search_v into_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o reveal_v in_o his_o word_n but_o though_o they_o be_v against_o reason_n to_o man_n acknowledge_v they_o as_o holy_a &_o true_a with_o reverence_n for_o all_o christ_n way_n be_v holy_a the_o blind_a man_n can_v judge_v of_o the_o light_n because_o he_o see_v it_o not_o no_o more_o can_v blind_a man_n such_o as_o all_o be_v judge_v of_o work_n hide_v with_o god_n the_o lord_n bid_v abimelech_n give_v sarah_n to_o abraham_n else_o he_o will_v punish_v he_o and_o all_o his_o 20._o what_o reason_n be_v this_o in_o man_n sight_n nay_o it_o seem_v cruelty_n to_o punish_v his_o servant_n for_o he_o so_o achan_n he_o sin_v jos._n 7._o and_o the_o people_n be_v plague_v david_n sin_v 2._o sam._n 12._o the_o child_n die_v and_o he_o sin_v again_o 2._o sam._n 24._o the_o people_n be_v plague_v what_o reason_n can_v man_n give_v of_o these_o these_o seem_v all_o contrary_n to_o reason_n in_o man_n judgement_n but_o we_o must_v reverence_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n as_o good_a pure_a and_o holy_a though_o we_o see_v no_o cause_n at_o all_o of_o they_o the_o lord_n have_v determine_v to_o save_v some_o to_o cast_v off_o other_o some_o now_o this_o seem_v cruelty_n to_o man_n nay_o some_o hold_v it_o a_o action_n of_o cruelty_n that_o the_o lord_n shall_v withhold_v his_o mercy_n from_o one_o and_o show_v it_o to_o another_o but_o they_o sin_n see_v it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n word_n that_o he_o in_o his_o good_a will_n and_o pleasure_n have_v determine_v to_o save_v some_o to_o reject_v other_o for_o his_o own_o pleasure_n though_o we_o see_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o of_o this_o we_o must_v reverence_v it_o and_o hold_v it_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n most_o holy_a counsel_n and_o his_o voice_n as_o the_o sound_n of_o many_o water_n this_o he_o add_v for_o two_o cause_n first_o to_o show_v the_o loudness_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o voice_n because_o this_o voice_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n have_v go_v through_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v sound_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n second_o to_o show_v the_o power_n force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o this_o voice_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o his_o creature_n christ_n before_o all_o thing_n be_v but_o speak_v the_o word_n and_o at_o his_o word_n all_o thing_n be_v make_v lazarus_n lie_v rot_v in_o his_o grave_n yet_o he_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o christ_n as_o of_o a_o thousand_o trumpet_n sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o rise_v up_o nay_o the_o body_n of_o man_n be_v dead_a six_o thousand_o year_n even_o those_o shall_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o loud_a and_o great_a voice_n a_o powerful_a and_o effectnall_a voice_n see_v this_o voice_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o loud_a and_o powerful_a a_o voice_n that_o the_o dead_a be_v able_a to_o hear_v it_o 1._o this_o show_v the_o security_n and_o deadness_n of_o those_o man_n which_o though_o they_o hear_v it_o daily_o sound_v and_o cry_v in_o their_o ear_n as_o the_o noise_n of_o many_o water_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o as_o do_v the_o dead_a body_n of_o lazarus_n hear_v and_o stand_v up_o and_o come_v forth_o of_o their_o grave_n of_o sin_n but_o still_o snort_v in_o security_n and_o rot_n in_o their_o sin_n this_o argue_v our_o great_a drowsiness_n that_o the_o dead_a which_o have_v lie_v six_o thousand_o year_n shall_v at_o this_o voice_n rise_v and_o awake_v and_o we_o hear_v it_o both_o loud_a and_o powerful_a and_o public_a in_o our_o ear_n will_v not_o put_v up_o our_o head_n nor_o our_o heart_n not_o
mind_n and_o in_o that_o very_a manner_n he_o will_v if_o he_o be_v present_a and_o if_o they_o deliver_v any_o thing_n else_o or_o in_o any_o other_o manner_n they_o shall_v be_v suspect_v of_o unfaithfulnes_n now_o if_o christ_n be_v on_o earth_n will_v he_o deliver_v his_o word_n partly_o in_o english_a partly_o in_o latin_a or_o use_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n &_o philosophy_n or_o of_o poet_n and_o sure_o though_o man_n call_v this_o the_o learned_a way_n of_o preach_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o that_o christ_n command_v nay_o if_o this_o be_v admit_v it_o will_v bring_v in_o barbarism_n and_o expel_v the_o gospel_n out_o of_o this_o land_n and_o bring_v in_o that_o misery_n which_o be_v among_o the_o schoolman_n when_o all_o thing_n be_v bring_v to_o needless_a disputation_n the_o three_o thing_n be_v the_o phrase_n christ_n use_v the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o seven_o angel_n etc._n etc._n not_o that_o they_o signify_v the_o seven_o angel_n or_o the_o candlestick_n signify_v the_o seven_o church_n but_o be_v so_o hence_o we_o see_v that_o the_o exposition_n in_o the_o sacrament_n this_o be_v my_o body_n and_o blood_n be_v warrant_v and_o not_o to_o be_v understand_v literal_o as_o the_o papist_n hold_v for_o as_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o hold_v that_o these_o be_v seven_o angel_n indeed_o because_o they_o be_v call_v so_o so_o to_o hold_v the_o bread_n be_v real_o transform_v indeed_o into_o christ_n body_n but_o be_v a_o sign_n as_o it_o be_v common_a in_o scripture_n be_v put_v for_o the_o thing_n signify_v this_o bread_n be_v that_o be_v represent_v my_o body_n etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o verse_n i._n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n be_v set_v down_o the_o four_o action_n of_o christ_n whereby_o john_n describe_v he_o which_o be_v that_o christ_n in_o these_o two_o chapter_n give_v he_o 7._o particular_a commandment_n to_o write_v seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o first_o of_o these_o seven_o particular_a commandment_n be_v in_o this_o first_o verse_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o after_o the_o commandment_n follow_v the_o epistle_n itself_o these_o thing_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o eight_o verse_n unto_o the_o angel_n this_o word_n be_v two_o way_n use_v first_o it_o signify_v the_o minister_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o it_o be_v take_v common_o and_o of_o the_o most_o second_o it_o may_v signify_v a_o company_n of_o minister_n or_o governor_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n 28._o as_o paul_n bid_v they_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o flock_n of_o which_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d overseer_n show_v there_o be_v many_o minister_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o this_o word_n angel_n may_v signify_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o minister_n of_o that_o church_n as_o we_o see_v in_o scripture_n the_o name_n of_o one_o man_n signify_v a_o whole_a multitude_n god_n bid_v moses_n send_v my_o son_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o particular_a he_o note_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o israelite_n so_o though_o antichrist_n be_v not_o one_o particular_a man_n but_o the_o whole_a succession_n of_o pope_n 2._o yet_o paul_n call_v he_o that_o antichrist_n and_o that_o child_n of_o perdition_n &_o so_o it_o skill_v not_o whether_o we_o take_v it_o for_o one_o man_n or_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o governor_n in_o this_o particular_a commandment_n be_v two_o point_n first_o the_o intent_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n yet_o he_o direct_v his_o letter_n not_o to_o they_o all_o but_o to_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n it_o appear_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n where_o he_o be_v command_v to_o write_v to_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o where_o he_o say_v he_o which_o have_v ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n write_v to_o the_o church_n now_o in_o that_o he_o direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n he_o intimate_v to_o he_o his_o duty_n first_o that_o he_o must_v especial_o labour_v to_o teach_v the_o particular_a content_n of_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n second_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o only_o teach_v but_o be_v a_o pattern_n and_o example_n to_o they_o of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o this_o epistle_n second_o he_o write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n himself_o because_o he_o especial_o do_v great_a good_a or_o harm_n to_o the_o church_n if_o the_o minister_n be_v good_a there_o come_v much_o good_a if_o he_o be_v evil_a there_o come_v much_o evil_n as_o all_o example_n show_v now_o christ_n write_v for_o this_o cause_n to_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v diligent_a and_o so_o the_o cause_n of_o good_a not_o of_o evil_a the_o second_o point_n be_v that_o christ_n among_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n first_o which_o be_v not_o because_o it_o have_v authority_n above_o the_o rest_n but_o because_o it_o be_v in_o riches_n and_o estimation_n above_o the_o rest_n and_o be_v the_o mother_n city_n for_o they_o be_v all_o candlestick_n and_o all_o golden_a candlestick_n but_o because_o it_o excel_v all_o other_o city_n in_o riches_n and_o estimation_n for_o that_o he_o direct_v his_o epistle_n first_o to_o this_o church_n by_o which_o he_o show_v that_o those_o church_n town_n and_o people_n which_o excel_v either_o in_o riches_n and_o estimation_n and_o other_o temporal_a gift_n they_o must_v also_o excel_v in_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o so_o all_o man_n in_o particular_a as_o they_o excel_v in_o riches_n and_o estimation_n they_o must_v excel_v other_o in_o godliness_n and_o religion_n so_o then_o each_o town_n must_v as_o it_o excel_v other_o in_o that_o it_o have_v a_o great_a name_n great_a riches_n or_o other_o temporal_a blessing_n go_v before_o other_o which_o want_v they_o if_o they_o excel_v other_o in_o these_o and_o be_v inferior_a in_o godliness_n and_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o shame_n for_o they_o before_o god_n and_o man_n too_o the_o epistle_n have_v three_o part_n as_o all_o ordinary_a epistle_n have_v first_o a_o preface_n second_o a_o proposition_n three_o a_o conclusion_n the_o preface_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n now_o the_o preface_n or_o entrance_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o former_a chapter_n the_o end_n and_o intent_n of_o it_o be_v to_o draw_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o reverence_v the_o admonition_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o christ_n propound_v not_o that_o first_o but_o make_v a_o entrance_n to_o prepare_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o same_o with_o reverence_n and_o regard_v his_o admonition_n the_o three_o reason_n which_o he_o use_v to_o do_v this_o be_v thus_o frame_v if_o i_o be_v he_o which_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o my_o right_a hand_n that_o be_v he_o which_o by_o my_o mighty_a power_n guide_n bless_v protect_v and_o defend_v thou_o and_o thy_o minister_n and_o if_o i_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n that_o be_v be_o always_o present_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o church_n to_o guide_v bless_v and_o protect_v you_o than_o you_o shall_v receive_v and_o reverence_v my_o admonition_n but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a ergo_fw-la my_o admonition_n must_v be_v reverence_v and_o obey_v both_o of_o the_o minister_n and_o of_o the_o people_n in_o this_o preface_n two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v learn_v first_o see_v christ_n repeat_v that_o again_o which_o he_o teach_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n he_o show_v this_o be_v a_o most_o notable_a point_n to_o be_v learned_a and_o practise_v of_o all_o man_n which_o be_v that_o christ_n he_o be_v present_a in_o his_o church_n &_o be_v present_a by_o his_o special_a providence_n do_v bless_v guide_n and_o protect_v it_o both_o in_o minister_n and_o people_n this_o must_v we_o labour_v to_o learn_v and_o to_o be_v certain_o persuade_v of_o even_o of_o the_o special_a presence_n and_o providence_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n in_o the_o special_a work_n of_o the_o same_o and_o without_o this_o we_o can_v have_v sound_a religion_n &_o this_o stand_v not_o in_o a_o swim_a knowledge_n in_o the_o brain_n but_o in_o a_o sure_a persuasion_n of_o the_o same_o in_o the_o heart_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v that_o this_o persuasion_n of_o the_o special_a presence_n and_o providence_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n be_v the_o mean_n to_o draw_v we_o to_o all_o duty_n of_o our_o call_n see_v christ_n make_v this_o his_o reason_n to_o move_v they_o to_o obey_v his_o admonition_n so_o if_o we_o think_v
man_n from_o evil_a action_n and_o affection_n to_o renew_a affection_n and_o renew_a action_n by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o the_o common_a description_n of_o repentance_n be_v not_o good_a in_o that_o they_o say_v it_o stand_v in_o contrition_n which_o be_v sorrow_n and_o remorse_n for_o sin_n which_o be_v no_o part_n of_o repentance_n but_o may_v be_v a_o cause_n of_o repentance_n godly_a sorrow_n indeed_o cause_v repentance_n but_o be_v nothing_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o 2._o cor._n 7._o 9_o 10._o or_o else_o that_o be_v if_o you_o will_v not_o practice_v that_o remedy_n to_o wit_n renew_v your_o former_a love_n and_o repentance_n i_o will_v come_v against_o thou_o or_o as_o the_o word_n be_v in_o the_o original_n i_o will_v come_v to_o thou_o short_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o a_o people_n two_o way_n in_o mercy_n or_o judgement_n in_o mercy_n he_o come_v when_o he_o testify_v his_o presence_n to_o they_o by_o show_v mercy_n as_o when_o christ_n in_o spirit_n come_v to_o the_o old_a world_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o as_o peter_n say_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n 19_o second_o he_o come_v in_o judgement_n when_o he_o testify_v his_o presence_n in_o judgement_n so_o in_o the_o second_o commandment_n i_o will_v visit_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o father_n that_o be_v i_o will_v come_v and_o inquire_v of_o the_o father_n sin_n whether_o they_o be_v in_o their_o child_n and_o will_v punish_v they_o so_o here_o if_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n repent_v not_o he_o will_v come_v to_o she_o to_o testify_v his_o presence_n in_o judgement_n not_o mercy_n out_o of_o this_o first_o general_n threaten_v 1._o we_o may_v learn_v this_o one_o thing_n when_o any_o people_n or_o church_n live_v in_o any_o one_o sin_n or_o decay_v in_o love_n to_o god_n his_o word_n and_o religion_n he_o than_o prepare_v himself_o to_o come_v to_o they_o in_o judgement_n amos_n 4._o 12._o he_o will_v punish_v they_o because_o they_o return_v not_o to_o the_o lord_n but_o lay_v in_o their_o sin_n therefore_o he_o bid_v they_o prepare_v themselves_o to_o meet_v he_o this_o we_o must_v apply_v to_o ourselves_o our_o church_n and_o people_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v our_o sin_n we_o have_v decay_v in_o our_o first_o love_n since_o we_o hear_v the_o word_n first_o we_o for_o the_o most_o part_n want_v love_n to_o god_n and_o to_o man_n and_o beside_o these_o sin_n we_o lie_v in_o many_o fearful_a sin_n atheism_n now_o abound_v in_o judgement_n and_o in_o practice_n contempt_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n neglect_n and_o contempt_n of_o true_a religion_n cruelty_n oppression_n and_o want_v of_o mercy_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o what_o man_n be_v it_o that_o prepare_v to_o meet_v the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o may_v just_o say_v we_o do_v decay_n in_o love_n that_o it_o be_v most_o true_a of_o we_o that_o the_o lord_n have_v be_v long_o come_v to_o we_o for_o these_o sin_n in_o judgement_n in_o plague_n and_o punishment_n and_o so_o be_v he_o come_v at_o this_o day_n it_o hang_v over_o our_o head_n and_o if_o we_o continue_v still_o in_o sin_n he_o will_v sure_o come_v thus_o then_o see_v the_o lord_n have_v be_v long_o come_v to_o we_o he_o will_v have_v we_o to_o repent_v if_o we_o will_v not_o no_o doubt_n he_o will_v come_v and_o that_o short_o and_o remove_v his_o gospel_n he_o will_v come_v in_o judgement_n and_o punishment_n to_o destroy_v us._n the_o second_o threaten_v be_v more_o particular_a i_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n here_o he_o show_v in_o what_o particular_a judgement_n he_o will_v come_v to_o they_o namely_o to_o remove_v her_o candlestick_n in_o the_o former_a chapter_n he_o compare_v the_o church_n to_o a_o candlestick_n then_o when_o he_o say_v he_o will_v remove_v the_o candlestick_n he_o mean_v his_o word_n and_o gospel_n take_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n from_o she_o and_o so_o make_v she_o become_v of_o a_o church_n no_o church_n and_o have_v remove_v the_o gospel_n will_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o send_v ignorance_n and_o blindness_n if_o thou_o repent_v not_o that_o be_v if_o thou_o continue_v still_o in_o thy_o sin_n in_o this_o second_o threaten_v note_n three_o thing_n first_o concern_v the_o minister_n second_o the_o church_n and_o people_n three_o every_o private_a man_n first_o concern_v the_o minister_n if_o he_o decay_v in_o love_n to_o god_n his_o word_n and_o religion_n if_o he_o continue_v and_o lie_v in_o his_o sin_n or_o any_o one_o sin_n that_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o deprive_v he_o of_o his_o office_n and_o calling_n and_o of_o his_o gift_n for_o this_o be_v especial_o direct_v to_o the_o angel_n jer._n 15._o end_n the_o prophet_n fail_v in_o his_o duty_n partly_o by_o fear_n partly_o by_o want_n of_o patience_n then_o the_o lord_n he_o become_v a_o prophet_n to_o jeremy_n tell_v he_o that_o unless_o he_o return_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o repent_v the_o lord_n will_v make_v he_o no_o prophet_n so_o that_o in_o he_o he_o speak_v to_o all_o minister_n that_o if_o they_o will_v have_v their_o calling_n and_o gift_n to_o remain_v they_o must_v not_o live_v in_o any_o one_o sin_n decay_n in_o love_n to_o god_n or_o religion_n for_o then_o their_o calling_n and_o gift_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o they_o as_o repentance_n be_v necessary_a for_o all_o man_n so_o especial_o for_o minister_n they_o must_v especial_o renew_v it_o see_v that_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o continue_v their_o calling_n and_o gift_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v concern_v a_o church_n or_o people_n if_o any_o church_n or_o people_n decay_v in_o love_n to_o god_n or_o his_o word_n or_o lie_v in_o any_o one_o sin_n they_o then_o procure_v the_o lord_n to_o remove_v his_o candlestick_n to_o take_v from_o they_o his_o word_n the_o gospel_n and_o true_a religion_n ose._n 9_o 7._o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o fool_n the_o man_n of_o spirit_n be_v mad_a a_o heavy_a judgement_n whereof_o come_v this_o he_o say_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n the_o prophet_n be_v ignorant_a and_o become_v mad_a if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o we_o have_v all_o cause_n to_o fear_n that_o our_o sin_n have_v deserve_v the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o we_o for_o in_o most_o man_n there_o be_v great_a decay_n in_o love_n see_v religion_n be_v hate_v and_o contemn_v of_o most_o man_n therefore_o we_o must_v needs_o fear_v and_o the_o lord_n for_o this_o must_v needs_o remove_v his_o word_n take_v his_o gospel_n away_o if_o we_o meet_v he_o not_o with_o repentance_n for_o he_o in_o justice_n give_v man_n to_o believe_v lie_n when_o as_o they_o will_v not_o receive_v his_o truth_n and_o gospel_n be_v so_o long_o among_o they_o our_o duty_n then_o be_v to_o seek_v to_o prevent_v this_o judgement_n by_o hearty_a and_o true_a repentance_n the_o three_o point_n concern_v every_o private_a man_n every_o private_a christian_a now_o a_o day_n decay_v in_o love_n to_o god_n and_o man_n lie_v in_o some_o one_o sin_n or_o other_o etc._n etc._n now_o these_o be_v the_o mean_n to_o deprive_v he_o of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o his_o particular_a gift_n for_o as_o a_o man_n love_n decay_v his_o knowledge_n decay_v and_o so_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o love_n to_o it_o wax_v cold_a in_o a_o clock_n if_o the_o watch_n stand_v all_o the_o wheel_n stand_v if_o it_o go_v soft_o or_o swift_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o wheel_n go_v according_o so_o if_o our_o love_n be_v increase_v our_o knowledge_n be_v so_o if_o our_o love_n decay_v our_o knowledge_n our_o understanding_n in_o religion_n decay_v and_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o little_a knowledge_n especial_o in_o ancient_a folk_n because_o they_o lose_v their_o love_n heb._n 4._o 12._o first_o we_o be_v deceive_v by_o sin_n second_o our_o heart_n be_v harden_v three_o we_o call_v into_o question_n religion_n 4._o we_o set_v ourselves_o against_o religion_n and_o so_o fall_v from_o it_o so_o that_o decay_n in_o grace_n be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o apostasy_n then_o if_o we_o will_v increase_v in_o knowledge_n and_o religion_n we_o must_v seek_v to_o be_v cleanse_v from_o sin_n not_o live_v and_o die_v in_o any_o one_o sin_n neither_o decay_n in_o love_n knowledge_n or_o affection_n to_o religion_n some_o gather_v hence_o that_o a_o man_n may_v fall_v final_o and_o whole_o for_o if_o a_o whole_a church_n may_v much_o more_o one_o man_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o good_a for_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n between_o one_o man_n and_o a_o whole_a church_n for_o a_o church_n stand_v of_o a_o mix_a company_n good_a and_o bad_a sheep_n and_o goat_n corn_n and_o chaff_n wheat_n and_o tare_n now_o in_o the_o church_n the_o wicked_a may_v
fall_v and_o become_v false_a professor_n as_o indeed_o these_o be_v and_o yet_o the_o true_a believer_n remain_v stil._n now_o hence_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o a_o private_a man_n true_o convert_v may_v fall_v now_o follow_v the_o condition_n of_o both_o the_o threaten_n except_o you_o amend_v that_o be_v i_o come_v in_o judgement_n to_o you_o and_o take_v away_o the_o gospel_n unless_o you_o repent_v now_o we_o must_v mark_v that_o all_o threaten_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v with_o condition_n so_o in_o jonah_n yet_o forty_o day_n and_o ninive_n shall_v perish_v that_o be_v unless_o they_o repent_v and_o so_o be_v the_o threaten_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o same_o condition_n the_o will_n of_o god_n or_o his_o good_a pleasure_n be_v one_o alone_o &_o no_o more_o what_o distinction_n soever_o man_n use_v now_o his_o will_n be_v partly_o secret_a &_o partly_o reveal_v his_o secret_a will_n be_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o reveal_v in_o his_o word_n or_o by_o any_o work_n and_o experience_n to_o man_n reveal_v be_v of_o those_o thing_n he_o have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n or_o else_o teach_v man_n by_o experience_n or_o event_n now_o the_o reveal_v will_n be_v with_o condition_n always_o but_o the_o secret_a will_n be_v not_o but_o by_o it_o he_o will_v all_o thing_n good_a thing_n absolute_o and_o permit_v evil_a and_o to_o make_v this_o will_v subject_v to_o condition_n be_v to_o bind_v god_n to_o his_o creature_n but_o his_o reveal_v will_n be_v with_o condition_n as_o here_o in_o this_o place_n object_n why_o do_v god_n give_v his_o reveal_v will_v with_o condition_n answ._n because_o he_o reveal_v in_o mercy_n so_o much_o to_o man_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o no_o more_o and_o therefore_o he_o reveal_v it_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o may_v be_v most_o fit_a for_o his_o salvation_n now_o when_o he_o propound_v his_o will_n with_o condition_n that_o be_v best_a for_o it_o keep_v man_n more_o in_o awe_n and_o seem_v better_a for_o their_o salvation_n then_o if_o it_o be_v with_o without_o condition_n now_o mark_v christ_n he_o repeat_v this_o condition_n in_o the_o beginning_n and_o end_n of_o this_o verse_n that_o he_o will_v come_v to_o they_o and_o he_o will_v punish_v they_o unless_o they_o repent_v and_o amend_v the_o reason_n be_v to_o show_v that_o when_o man_n lie_v in_o sin_n or_o decay_v to_o god_n and_o religion_n than_o it_o be_v most_o necessary_a to_o repent_v and_o it_o be_v so_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o stay_v god_n from_o remove_v the_o gospel_n than_o repentance_n be_v this_o true_a then_o it_o stand_v we_o in_o hand_n every_o man_n in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o in_o his_o family_n and_o in_o the_o church_n public_o to_o meet_v he_o with_o repentance_n and_o so_o we_o must_v think_v of_o it_o in_o that_o christ_n double_v the_o condition_n but_o this_o thou_o have_v that_o thou_o hate_v the_o work_n of_o the_o nicolaitane_n 6._o in_o these_o word_n be_v a_o second_o reason_n to_o prove_v that_o in_o the_o second_o verse_n for_o which_o christ_n commend_v she_o that_o she_o can_v not_o abide_v they_o which_o be_v evil_a first_o because_o she_o examine_v they_o which_o receive_v false_a teacher_n second_o she_o hate_v their_o work_n to_o come_v to_o the_o word_n nicolaitane_n be_v a_o sect_n of_o heretic_n who_o hold_v opinion_n first_o that_o fornication_n and_o adultery_n be_v no_o sin_n second_o that_o a_o man_n may_v keep_v company_n with_o idolater_n in_o sacrifice_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o according_a to_o these_o two_o opinion_n they_o practise_v fornication_n adultery_n and_o idolatry_n these_o be_v so_o call_v of_o one_o nicolas_n choose_v of_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v a_o deacon_n act._n 6._o who_o for_o a_o while_o profess_v the_o gospel_n but_o after_o fall_v away_o and_o become_v head_n and_o chief_a of_o this_o sect_n of_o heretic_n but_o this_o note_n show_v that_o these_o word_n have_v reference_n to_o the_o word_n of_o rebuke_n before_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v though_o this_o decay_n of_o love_n be_v thy_o fault_n yet_o i_o commend_v thou_o for_o this_o one_o virtue_n etc._n etc._n here_o note_v our_o duty_n we_o must_v not_o which_o be_v a_o common_a sin_n be_v so_o ready_a to_o blaze_v our_o brother_n fault_n to_o speak_v of_o they_o paint_v they_o out_o in_o their_o colour_n as_o we_o be_v but_o we_o shall_v as_o well_o commend_v their_o virtue_n and_o not_o obscure_v they_o for_o christ_n though_o he_o find_v fault_n yet_o find_v this_o virtue_n commend_v she_o so_o shall_v we_o thou_o hate_v here_o note_v this_o point_n that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o a_o man_n to_o have_v good_a gift_n and_o grace_n for_o he_o may_v have_v they_o and_o be_v no_o member_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o christ._n so_o be_v jehu_n he_o have_v great_a zeal_n so_o judas_n have_v many_o good_a gift_n no_o doubt_n be_v a_o apostle_n yet_o fall_v from_o christ._n so_o the_o ephesian_n have_v a_o hatred_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_o yet_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o christ._n then_o we_o must_v labour_v for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o main_a point_n of_o all_o which_o if_o we_o have_v we_o can_v fall_v which_o be_v true_a hearty_a and_o unfeigned_a repentance_n daily_a and_o renew_a repentance_n for_o daily_a and_o new_a sin_n thou_o hate_v the_o work_n here_o see_v our_o duty_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o know_v the_o sin_n and_o heresy_n of_o our_o time_n and_o when_o we_o know_v they_o we_o must_v hate_v they_o for_o which_o christ_n commend_v they_o and_o and_o will_v commend_v we_o if_o we_o do_v the_o like_a the_o work_n of_o the_o nicolaitane_n not_o their_o person_n so_o then_o we_o must_v moderate_v our_o hatred_n it_o must_v be_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n we_o must_v hate_v their_o sin_n not_o their_o person_n whether_o they_o be_v friend_n or_o foe_n object_n but_o david_n he_o hate_v man_n person_n he_o pray_v for_o the_o destruction_n of_o his_o enemy_n both_o soul_n and_o body_n answ._n he_o do_v it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a prophet_n and_o it_o be_v no_o doubt_n reveal_v to_o he_o that_o his_o enemy_n be_v obstinate_a and_o will_v not_o repent_v and_o so_o prophesi_v by_o special_a and_o extraordinary_a instinct_n for_o every_o imprecation_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o a_o prophecy_n but_o we_o which_o want_v that_o extraordinary_a instinct_n must_v keep_v we_o within_o this_o compass_n that_o we_o hate_v only_o their_o sin_n and_o not_o their_o person_n the_o work_n of_o the_o nicolaitane_n in_o who_o note_v the_o join_n of_o two_o sin_n together_o adultery_n and_o idolatry_n for_o adultery_n be_v the_o punishment_n of_o idolatry_n and_o idolatry_n be_v the_o punishment_n of_o adultery_n the_o one_o be_v carnal_a fornication_n the_o other_o spiritual_a and_o the_o punishment_n of_o adultery_n and_o so_o in_o all_o heretical_a church_n the_o lord_n he_o send_v these_o together_o in_o judgement_n to_o punish_v spiritual_a adultery_n with_o temporal_a fornication_n if_o a_o church_n become_v idolatrous_a than_o he_o give_v they_o over_o to_o commit_v fornication_n and_o uncleanness_n so_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o in_o the_o romish_a church_n fall_v to_o idolatry_n they_o abound_v also_o with_o adultery_n and_o fornication_n thou_o hate_v their_o work_n here_o we_o may_v learn_v one_o lesson_n for_o we_o see_v many_o man_n see_v such_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o will_v be_v of_o no_o church_n they_o will_v be_v of_o no_o religion_n but_o see_v in_o the_o best_a church_n plant_v and_o guide_v by_o the_o apostle_n even_o in_o their_o day_n there_o be_v such_o heresy_n as_o these_o nicolaitan_o hold_v no_o marvel_n if_o there_o be_v schism_n and_o heresy_n in_o our_o day_n yet_o these_o shall_v not_o make_v we_o leave_v the_o church_n but_o seek_v to_o be_v of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o stand_v fast_o to_o it_o which_o i_o also_o hate_n christ_n have_v now_o commend_v she_o will_v have_v she_o to_o go_v on_o and_o to_o encourage_v she_o therein_o he_o set_v his_o example_n for_o they_o to_o follow_v thou_o hate_v their_o work_n that_o be_v well_o do_v do_v so_o still_o for_o so_o do_v i._o and_o here_o we_o see_v christ_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n judgement_n will_n and_o affection_n that_o he_o be_v of_o and_o there_o be_v good_a cause_n why_o we_o shall_v see_v he_o be_v the_o head_n we_o the_o member_n we_o be_v bone_n of_o his_o bone_n flesh_n of_o his_o flesh_n now_o than_o we_o must_v see_v that_o there_o be_v a_o conformity_n between_o the_o head_n and_o the_o
choose_v babylon_n a_o city_n of_o confusion_n and_o abomination_n so_o he_o have_v choose_v rome_n which_o be_v become_v of_o a_o famous_a church_n the_o throne_n of_o satan_n so_o jerusalem_n the_o city_n of_o god_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n first_o begin_v to_o be_v a_o den_n of_o thief_n and_o then_o the_o city_n fall_v to_o wickedness_n so_o the_o devil_n get_v god_n temple_n and_o the_o holy_a city_n to_o be_v his_o throne_n and_o in_o our_o time_n he_o get_v the_o great_a city_n &_o shire_n town_n for_o his_o throne_n for_o in_o they_o be_v great_a ignorance_n and_o the_o gospel_n more_o contemn_v then_o in_o small_a village_n in_o which_o after_o little_a preach_v it_o be_v willing_o embrace_v now_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o be_v because_o the_o devil_n labour_v especial_o to_o have_v his_o throne_n where_o he_o may_v do_v the_o most_o harm_n and_o convey_v his_o doctrine_n to_o more_o place_n and_o live_v without_o controlment_n if_o this_o or_o any_o other_o shire_n town_n use_v or_o any_o great_a city_n live_v in_o sin_n in_o ignorance_n and_o contemn_v the_o gospel_n take_v heed_n for_o they_o shall_v become_v in_o time_n a_o den_n of_o thief_n and_o a_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n he_o will_v have_v his_o throne_n there_o now_o than_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o labour_v against_o he_o to_o have_v his_o throne_n pluck_v down_o to_o have_v he_o deface_v and_o cast_v out_o have_v our_o body_n and_o soul_n subject_a to_o christ_n renounce_v ourselves_o rely_v whole_o on_o christ_n forsake_v our_o own_o way_n never_o lend_v our_o ear_n to_o satan_n let_v he_o have_v no_o foot_n in_o we_o never_o suffer_v he_o to_o come_v to_o have_v his_o throne_n begin_v but_o still_o labour_n to_o have_v it_o raze_v and_o turn_v upside_o down_o and_o withal_o suffer_v christ_n to_o rule_v suffer_v he_o alone_o to_o possess_v our_o heart_n that_o so_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n be_v overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n may_v be_v increase_v daily_o in_o us._n whereas_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v gather_v out_o of_o that_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o kingdom_n erect_v we_o note_v that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n derive_v and_o take_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n though_o it_o be_v a_o choose_a people_n yet_o it_o be_v pick_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n where_o he_o rule_v col._n 1._o 12._o 13._o for_o all_o man_n be_v by_o nature_n the_o vassal_n of_o satan_n and_o subject_n in_o his_o kingdom_n then_o no_o man_n must_v stand_v of_o his_o gentility_n 1_o and_o of_o his_o nobility_n and_o blood_n but_o all_o our_o true_a joy_n must_v be_v in_o this_o that_o we_o be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n for_o what_o will_v it_o avail_v a_o man_n to_o have_v a_o golden_a chain_n on_o his_o neck_n and_o have_v his_o will_n and_o affection_n under_o the_o slavery_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o a_o prince_n and_o yet_o to_o be_v out_o of_o the_o true_a church_n and_o to_o be_v in_o the_o company_n of_o the_o wicked_a a_o slave_n and_o vassal_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o our_o joy_n must_v be_v in_o this_o that_o we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o have_v right_a to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n sundry_a man_n think_v 2._o a_o man_n may_v be_v save_v by_o any_o religion_n and_o most_o of_o the_o common_a people_n think_v that_o good_a meaning_n will_v save_v they_o but_o a_o man_n may_v profess_v any_o religion_n and_o have_v good_a meaning_n and_o yet_o not_o know_v one_o step_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o remain_v the_o vassal_n and_o slave_n of_o satan_n for_o a_o man_n may_v have_v outward_a civil_a justice_n and_o civil_a policy_n and_o mean_v well_o yet_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o devil_n we_o see_v the_o child_n of_o god_n gain_v a_o privilege_n above_o all_o other_o 3_o for_o in_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n though_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o danger_n yet_o they_o may_v assure_v themselves_o see_v they_o be_v member_n of_o god_n church_n they_o be_v free_v from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o so_o from_o that_o place_n of_o darkness_n see_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n gain_v a_o church_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n 4._o we_o see_v the_o word_n have_v a_o divine_a power_n for_o there_o be_v no_o creature_n which_o have_v great_a power_n in_o earth_n then_o the_o devil_n except_o good_a angel_n yet_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n draw_v one_o out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o gather_v a_o church_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o kingdom_n see_v in_o pergamus_n 5._o where_o the_o throne_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v god_n child_n be_v we_o see_v that_o god_n will_v have_v his_o servant_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o mingle_v with_o the_o vassal_n of_o the_o devil_n yet_o so_o as_o he_o do_v this_o for_o good_a cause_n first_o that_o their_o faith_n obedience_n and_o repentance_n may_v be_v exercise_v second_o that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v keep_v from_o many_o grievous_a sin_n into_o which_o else_o they_o will_v fall_v so_o when_o the_o lord_n bring_v the_o israelite_n into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n he_o will_v not_o cast_v all_o their_o enemy_n out_o at_o once_o but_o they_o must_v be_v mingle_v and_o dwell_v with_o the_o canaanite_n for_o if_o they_o shall_v destroy_v they_o at_o once_o the_o wild_a beast_n may_v have_v destroy_v the_o land_n so_o the_o church_n must_v be_v mingle_v with_o evil_a man_n that_o the_o godly_a may_v be_v exercise_v and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v keep_v from_o more_o grievous_a sin_n second_o he_o will_v have_v his_o child_n to_o dwell_v with_o wicked_a &_o ungodly_a man_n that_o their_o godly_a life_n may_v shine_v as_o light_n among_o they_o philip._n 2._o 17._o and_o so_o to_o win_v they_o to_o the_o gospel_n for_o a_o godly_a life_n be_v most_o effectual_a to_o win_v man_n to_o christ._n three_o that_o the_o lord_n may_v show_v special_a token_n of_o his_o love_n and_o favour_n to_o they_o that_o when_o he_o bring_v his_o judgement_n on_o the_o wicked_a yet_o he_o defend_v they_o ezech._n 9_o 4._o he_o mark_v they_o which_o mourn_v that_o they_o may_v escape_v the_o judgement_n which_o be_v bring_v on_o jerusalem_n then_o if_o any_o man_n dwell_v among_o such_o as_o contemn_v and_o hate_v religion_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n let_v they_o be_v content_v see_v it_o be_v god_n will_v they_o shall_v dwell_v with_o the_o wicked_a and_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v his_o church_n on_o earth_n prove_v and_o exercise_v by_o they_o we_o see_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o man_n to_o dwell_v with_o and_o by_o such_o wicked_a man_n 6._o but_o they_o must_v not_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o their_o sin_n but_o abstain_v from_o their_o wickedness_n as_o lot_n in_o sodom_n and_o noah_n dwell_v with_o the_o wicked_a man_n of_o the_o old_a world_n and_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n in_o the_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n be_v erect_v for_o 1._o cor._n 7._o there_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o a_o servant_n have_v a_o master_n which_o be_v a_o infidel_n may_v forsake_v he_o or_o not_o the_o answer_n be_v make_v he_o must_v dwell_v with_o he_o but_o so_o that_o thereby_o he_o deny_v not_o the_o principal_a ground_n of_o religion_n but_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o hence_o we_o may_v see_v how_o to_o answer_v that_o old_a objection_n of_o the_o papist_n where_o be_v our_o church_n fourscore_o year_n ago_o before_o luther_n preach_v when_o the_o doctrine_n of_o antichrist_n be_v in_o all_o europe_n by_o the_o like_a i_o ask_v where_o be_v the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n when_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v there_o the_o holy_a ghost_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o devil_n have_v erect_v his_o throne_n mighty_o in_o that_o place_n yet_o there_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o when_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n have_v spread_v his_o doctrine_n of_o wickedness_n in_o all_o europe_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o church_n among_o we_o in_o this_o and_o other_o land_n as_o appear_v in_o that_o ever_o there_o be_v some_o which_o both_o open_o and_o private_o oppugn_v his_o doctrine_n by_o word_n and_o writing_n in_o all_o age_n which_o show_v that_o though_o sin_v rule_v in_o this_o church_n many_o hundred_o year_n yet_o the_o lord_n have_v professor_n though_o not_o so_o visible_a as_o now_o it_o be_v when_o man_n may_v profess_v open_o in_o every_o place_n without_o fear_n and_o
keep_v my_o name_n though_o thou_o dwell_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n have_v erect_v his_o throne_n yet_o thou_o maintaine_v my_o name_n and_o hold_v it_o fast_o so_o that_o neither_o fraud_n nor_o force_n of_o enemy_n can_v take_v it_o from_o thou_o my_o name_n that_o be_v my_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 9_o thou_o do_v constant_o hold_v and_o maintain_v it_o and_o my_o religion_n thou_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n which_o my_o servant_n have_v deliver_v to_o thou_o so_o that_o in_o these_o word_n christ_n commend_v the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n for_o constancy_n in_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n we_o see_v it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o use_v to_o hold_v believe_v and_o maintain_v religion_n but_o we_o must_v do_v it_o constant_o so_o the_o word_n signifiâ—s_v we_o must_v hold_v the_o same_o fast_o against_o all_o adversary_n not_o easy_o turn_v with_o any_o blast_n of_o man_n doctrine_n but_o so_o to_o hold_v religion_n that_o no_o enemy_n by_o force_n or_o fraud_n draw_v it_o from_o us._n when_o math._n 13._o the_o man_n find_v the_o pearl_n he_o sell_v all_o to_o buy_v the_o field_n and_o if_o a_o man_n among_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o our_o field_n by_o his_o cunning_a and_o skill_n a_o golden_a mine_n he_o will_v not_o tell_v it_o to_o any_o but_o go_v and_o sell_v all_o he_o have_v &_o buy_v the_o ground_n that_o so_o he_o may_v enrich_v himself_o so_o we_o if_o we_o know_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o make_v it_o we_o to_o have_v it_o make_v sure_a to_o we_o to_o sell_v all_o we_o have_v to_o loose_a life_n itself_o rather_o then_o to_o forgo_v that_o precious_a pearl_n 1._o tim._n 3._o 9_o faith_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o precious_a jewel_n which_o must_v be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o treasury_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o can_v be_v break_v into_o but_o must_v be_v strong_a in_o which_o store-house_n and_o treasury_n we_o must_v have_v true_a religion_n and_o faith_n lock_v that_o nothing_o get_v it_o from_o we_o but_o lose_v all_o we_o have_v even_o our_o life_n before_o we_o part_v with_o it_o for_o if_o that_o be_v sure_a all_o be_v well_o but_o if_o faith_n and_o religion_n be_v lose_v all_o be_v go_v salvation_n be_v lose_v thy_o soul_n be_v perish_v now_o for_o her_o further_a commendation_n christ_n set_v out_o her_o constancy_n by_o two_o argument_n first_o that_o she_o hold_v religion_n without_o denial_n second_o that_o she_o hold_v it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o bloody_a persecution_n 1._o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n never_o deny_v religion_n or_o revolt_v from_o faith_n in_o christ_n she_o do_v not_o as_o many_o man_n who_o hold_v believe_v and_o maintain_v religion_n yet_o in_o time_n of_o trial_n they_o will_v revolt_v in_o this_o we_o must_v imitate_v she_o else_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o the_o lord_n will_v give_v we_o grace_n to_o repent_v if_o he_o shall_v not_o we_o perish_v esaw_n sell_v his_o birthright_n for_o a_o small_a thing_n a_o few_o red_a pottage_n but_o after_o he_o seek_v it_o with_o repentance_n and_o tear_n &_o can_v not_o get_v it_o we_o must_v then_o hold_v religion_n and_o not_o in_o time_n of_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n revolt_v and_o deny_v it_o lest_o the_o lord_n give_v we_o no_o grace_n to_o repent_v which_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o will_v or_o not_o and_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o faith_n that_o be_v i_o own_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o true_a religion_n religion_n be_v call_v christ_n first_o because_o christ_n with_o the_o father_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v author_n of_o it_o all_o religion_n which_o be_v good_a be_v from_o above_o second_o because_o he_o reveal_v it_o from_o the_o bosom_n of_o his_o father_n three_o because_o christ_n be_v the_o matter_n of_o all_o religion_n christ_n be_v the_o whole_a subject_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o second_o argument_n whereby_o christ_n set_v out_o her_o constancy_n be_v that_o she_o hold_v religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o bloody_a persecution_n when_o she_o be_v thus_o persecute_v she_o be_v constant_a when_o antiphas_n be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o this_o antiphas_n be_v it_o be_v not_o certain_o know_v by_o any_o history_n yet_o it_o be_v think_v he_o be_v pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n who_o oppose_v himself_o and_o oppugn_v the_o doctrine_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a in_o that_o city_n in_o these_o word_n be_v two_o point_n first_o he_o commend_v this_o martyr_n antiphas_n when_o he_o say_v that_o my_o servant_n my_o faithful_a servant_n antiphas_n he_o extol_v he_o to_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o honour_n and_o commend_v martyr_n which_o die_v for_o christ_n cause_n and_o that_o in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o give_v they_o their_o due_a deserve_a honour_n and_o commendation_n as_o christ_n do_v to_o antiphas_n second_o by_o careful_a imitation_n of_o their_o constancy_n and_o virtue_n and_o conversation_n of_o life_n for_o this_o cause_n christ_n commend_v this_o good_a martyr_n that_o the_o people_n of_o pergamus_n may_v imitate_v he_o in_o his_o constancy_n not_o to_o honour_v he_o as_o the_o papist_n do_v with_o divine_a honour_n and_o invocation_n again_o he_o say_v that_o my_o faithful_a martyr_n not_o commend_v he_o for_o his_o death_n that_o he_o die_v but_o for_o the_o cause_n for_o not_o the_o death_n but_o the_o cause_n make_v a_o martyr_n for_o a_o man_n may_v die_v for_o heresy_n and_o erroneous_a opinion_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v no_o martyr_n but_o antiphas_n he_o be_v a_o true_a martyr_n ergo_fw-la christ_n say_v that_o my_o servant_n nay_o that_o my_o faithful_a servant_n antiphas_n in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o verse_n he_o set_v down_o the_o author_n of_o this_o death_n of_o antiphas_n some_o among_o you_o some_o of_o pergamus_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n they_o be_v such_o in_o who_o the_o devil_n rule_v and_o reign_v and_o this_o he_o repeat_v to_o show_v that_o they_o which_o have_v contemn_v christ_n religion_n though_o they_o pretend_v good_a thing_n yet_o they_o be_v the_o slave_n of_o the_o devil_n he_o rule_v and_o reign_v in_o they_o they_o be_v his_o hold_n and_o castle_n object_n but_o why_o do_v the_o devil_n dwell_v in_o the_o city_n of_o pergamus_n more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o answ._n because_o many_o in_o this_o city_n be_v gentile_n they_o hate_v and_o contemn_v the_o gospel_n &_o so_o become_v the_o hold_n of_o the_o devil_n we_o must_v then_o take_v heed_n we_o never_o contemn_v the_o fame_n for_o in_o a_o family_n where_o they_o live_v in_o ignorance_n in_o injustice_n fraud_n and_o wickedness_n there_o the_o devil_n rule_v he_o have_v his_o throne_n that_o be_v a_o stable_n for_o he_o to_o dwell_v in_o then_o master_n of_o family_n and_o parent_n which_o govern_v family_n must_v see_v they_o love_v and_o embrace_v religion_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o their_o family_n else_o their_o house_n be_v but_o the_o stable_n of_o satan_n his_o place_n to_o dwell_v in_o ob._n but_o whether_o may_v not_o antiphas_n be_v minister_n and_o pastor_n of_o that_o church_n have_v flee_v answ._n persecution_n be_v double_a either_o direct_v against_o the_o person_n of_o the_o minister_n principal_o or_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n equal_o if_o it_o be_v against_o his_o person_n he_o may_v fly_v safe_o if_o he_o get_v opportunity_n to_o preserve_v his_o life_n and_o have_v liberty_n of_o the_o church_n to_o fly_v but_o if_o it_o respect_v the_o whole_a church_n then_o unless_o he_o have_v liberty_n grant_v by_o they_o he_o must_v stay_v and_o take_v part_n with_o they_o in_o their_o persecution_n now_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v antiphas_n persecution_n see_v he_o be_v so_o call_v of_o god_n to_o suffer_v but_o i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o he_o commend_v she_o before_o but_o here_o he_o rebuke_n she_o and_o this_o reproof_n be_v first_o general_o propound_v then_o in_o more_o particular_a in_o general_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o want_v zeal_n thou_o bear_v with_o they_o which_o etc._n etc._n but_o i_o have_v these_o word_n he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n before_o and_o here_o repeat_v they_o again_o teach_v the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n to_o enter_v into_o their_o own_o heart_n to_o search_v what_o be_v in_o they_o that_o christ_n may_v have_v against_o they_o to_o call_v themselves_o to_o a_o strait_a reckon_n to_o consider_v all_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v do_v from_o their_o beginning_n to_o their_o end_n and_o all_o their_o life_n narrow_o to_o examine_v themselves_o
it_o be_v a_o virtue_n and_o work_n of_o love_n whereby_o a_o christian_a man_n become_v a_o servant_n to_o every_o man_n for_o his_o good_a this_o be_v commend_v and_o describe_v heb._n 6._o 10._o paul_n gal._n 6._o command_v we_o to_o do_v service_n one_o to_o another_o by_o love_n 1._o cor._n 13._o love_n seek_v not_o her_o own_o but_o the_o good_a of_o other_o so_o christ_n john_n 13._o command_v he_o to_o be_v servant_n one_o to_o another_o in_o those_o good_a thing_n which_o god_n give_v us._n as_o we_o must_v do_v they_o good_a in_o all_o we_o can_v so_o one_o special_a duty_n here_o mention_v be_v to_o be_v ready_a to_o relieve_v according_a our_o ability_n the_o want_n of_o the_o church_n for_o we_o must_v have_v first_o love_n and_o charity_n than_o service_n as_o a_o branch_n spring_v from_o love_n heb._n 6._o 10._o which_o be_v when_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o bestow_v our_o good_n or_o gift_n which_o god_n give_v we_o to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n especial_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v in_o england_n but_o it_o be_v not_o see_v the_o rich_a sort_n bestow_v their_o good_n in_o hawk_n hound_n bear_n bull_n dog_n and_o other_o their_o pleasure_n and_o pastime_n but_o when_o any_o come_v to_o be_v bestow_v on_o the_o poor_a than_o they_o be_v straight_o hand_v all_o come_v as_o hardly_o from_o they_o as_o a_o rib_n out_o of_o their_o side_n we_o see_v man_n can_v be_v content_a yearly_a to_o bestow_v much_o money_n in_o play_n pastime_n and_o other_o delight_n and_o that_o with_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n but_o come_v to_o the_o poor_a our_o own_o flesh_n to_o our_o brother_n who_o bear_v the_o same_o image_n of_o god_n as_o we_o do_v here_o we_o stick_v and_o from_o winter_n to_o winter_n suffer_v they_o to_o starve_v for_o want_v of_o that_o which_o our_o dog_n have_v to_o move_v man_n to_o help_v the_o poor_a first_o see_v how_o man_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v charge_v with_o offering_n first_o fruit_n sacrifice_n and_o many_o other_o ceremony_n now_o these_o be_v end_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o altar_n the_o poor_a they_o be_v the_o altar_n whereon_o we_o must_v offer_v our_o burn_a offering_n &_o our_o sacrifice_n second_o isaiah_n 58._o 10._o he_o which_o impart_v his_o heart_n to_o the_o poor_a that_o be_v see_v he_o in_o want_n have_v his_o heart_n touch_v with_o the_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n and_o testify_v his_o love_n in_o relieve_v his_o want_n this_o man_n have_v a_o happy_a promise_n his_o name_n shall_v not_o be_v put_v out_o but_o shine_v for_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v true_a religion_n to_o visit_v the_o fatherless_a and_o widow_n to_o comfort_v and_o relieve_v they_o jam._n 1._o prou._n 25._o he_o which_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a dare_v to_o the_o lord_n now_o the_o lord_n he_o come_v in_o his_o person_n to_o borrow_v he_o make_v the_o poor_a his_o steward_n to_o gather_v it_o in_o will_v thou_o say_v he_o nay_o to_o lend_v he_o of_o his_o own_o thou_o will_v not_o will_v thou_o have_v he_o stay_v or_o send_v his_o steward_n away_o empty_a again_o christ_n come_v in_o their_o person_n he_o ask_v a_o alm_n he_o say_v in_o their_o person_n i_o be_o hungry_a naked_a fatherless_a and_o motherles_a and_o in_o they_o he_o stand_v crave_v at_o our_o door_n now_o if_o we_o will_v escape_v that_o horrible_a sentence_n of_o condemnation_n away_o from_o i_o etc._n etc._n let_v we_o not_o say_v he_o nay_o or_o deny_v he_o but_o if_o we_o will_v be_v liberal_a in_o any_o thing_n and_o bestow_v large_o on_o any_o thing_n bestow_v it_o on_o the_o poor_a our_o own_o flesh_n and_o so_o we_o lend_v to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o best_a paymaster_n and_o we_o give_v to_o christ_n who_o will_v not_o let_v it_o be_v unrewarded_a now_o follow_v the_o three_o particular_a virtue_n for_o which_o christ_n commend_v the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n which_o be_v faith_n that_o be_v fidelity_n whereby_o we_o be_v faithful_a to_o god_n in_o keep_v our_o promise_n make_v to_o he_o in_o baptism_n wherein_o we_o promise_v to_o renounce_v ourselves_o to_o believe_v in_o god_n three_o person_n one_o true_a god_n to_o obey_v he_o all_o our_o life_n time_n this_o be_v command_v 1._o tim._n 5._o 12._o now_o it_o will_v be_v wish_v that_o our_o church_n may_v be_v commend_v for_o this_o fidelity_n but_o it_o can_v for_o though_o it_o be_v a_o common_a thing_n among_o we_o to_o swear_v by_o our_o faith_n yet_o there_o be_v little_a faith_n in_o our_o heart_n yea_o little_a care_n to_o keep_v this_o fidelity_n promise_v in_o baptism_n for_o some_o of_o we_o lie_v in_o ignorance_n never_o know_v what_o promise_v we_o have_v make_v to_o god_n and_o such_o be_v many_o among_o we_o young_a old_a high_a low_a rich_a &_o poor_a other_o they_o have_v no_o care_n of_o goodness_n of_o heaven_n or_o heavenly_a thing_n but_o of_o eat_v drink_v sport_v in_o which_o they_o spend_v their_o day_n never_o think_v of_o christ_n or_o of_o their_o promise_n to_o he_o a_o three_o sort_n be_v those_o which_o we_o account_v honest_a and_o wise_a man_n but_o they_o come_v short_a indeed_o for_o these_o set_v their_o heart_n on_o riches_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n spend_v their_o strength_n and_o wit_n in_o the_o get_n of_o they_o and_o have_v their_o heart_n glue_v to_o they_o they_o like_v mould_v be_v ever_o in_o the_o earth_n we_o call_v they_o i_o say_v honest_a man_n but_o indeed_o they_o deny_v god_n forsake_v their_o first_o faith_n and_o fidelity_n to_o god_n in_o baptism_n and_o in_o stead_n of_o the_o true_a god_n erect_v a_o idol_n even_o their_o riches_n and_o of_o these_o we_o have_v great_a heap_n then_o it_o stand_v we_o in_o hand_n often_o to_o remember_v our_o promise_n in_o baptism_n to_o renounce_v ourselves_o &_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n to_o perform_v obedience_n to_o he_o in_o all_o our_o life_n for_o if_o we_o go_v on_o and_o still_o deny_v our_o first_o faith_n nothing_o belong_v to_o we_o but_o condemnation_n the_o four_o virtue_n be_v patience_n whereof_o we_o have_v hear_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a chapter_n here_o mark_v how_o patienc_n be_v join_v with_o love_n to_o man_n faith_n to_o god_n and_o service_n to_o man_n and_o god_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o no_o good_a action_n can_v be_v do_v of_o any_o man_n without_o patience_n love_n and_o faith_n without_o it_o be_v nothing_o for_o if_o a_o man_n do_v his_o duty_n to_o man_n he_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o be_v hate_v now_o without_o patience_n he_o cease_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n so_o if_o a_o man_n believe_v in_o god_n and_o profess_v the_o same_o the_o world_n contemn_v he_o now_o without_o patience_n he_o can_v persevere_v constant_o patience_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o faith_n rom._n 15._o faith_n bring_v forth_o hope_n and_o mat._n 13._o the_o good_a ground_n bring_v forth_o fruit_n but_o in_o patience_n all_o that_o a_o man_n do_v if_o it_o be_v do_v acceptable_a to_o god_n it_o must_v be_v join_v with_o patience_n then_o we_o must_v in_o all_o our_o gift_n and_o grace_n join_v patience_n with_o our_o hope_n faith_n love_n knowledge_n etc._n etc._n 2._o pet._n 1._o 6._o no_o grace_n can_v show_v itself_o without_o this_o a_o man_n can_v endure_v the_o cross_n without_o it_o and_o thy_o work_n christ_n before_o have_v say_v the_o same_o here_o he_o repeat_v it_o again_o which_o be_v not_o idle_a for_o no_o word_n in_o scripture_n be_v idle_a but_o by_o this_o christ_n show_v his_o exceed_a approbation_n of_o the_o work_n of_o this_o church_n of_o thyatira_n that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o he_o like_v of_o not_o in_o a_o mean_a but_o in_o exceed_v great_a measure_n the_o cause_n why_o he_o like_v they_o so_o follow_v afterward_o now_o see_v christ_n repeat_v these_o word_n after_o four_o worthy_a virtue_n he_o do_v it_o to_o show_v we_o what_o thing_n be_v require_v to_o a_o good_a work_n namely_o faith_n love_n service_n patience_n and_o fidelity_n for_o to_o do_v a_o work_n to_o god_n we_o must_v join_v these_o four_o virtue_n and_o therefore_o christ_n add_v these_o word_n both_o before_o and_o after_o these_o virtue_n first_o faith_n be_v require_v because_o in_o do_v any_o action_n every_o man_n must_v show_v his_o fidelity_n to_o god_n which_o we_o do_v when_o before_o we_o do_v any_o work_n we_o search_v the_o word_n of_o god_n whether_o it_o be_v command_v or_o forbid_v there_o for_o no_o work_n we_o do_v can_v please_v god_n unless_o we_o be_v persuade_v out_o of_o the_o word_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a nay_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n it_o be_v sin_n rom._n 14._o second_o our_o work_n
must_v hear_v and_o then_o be_v call_v in_o this_o last_o age_n only_o the_o word_n be_v send_v to_o all_o nation_n it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o former_a age_n 2._o again_o false_a it_o be_v that_o god_n give_v grace_n general_o to_o all_o man_n so_o that_o every_o particular_a man_n have_v grace_n offer_v to_o salvation_n if_o he_o will_v receive_v it_o but_o god_n give_v not_o the_o word_n to_o all_o for_o all_o have_v not_o hear_v therefore_o they_o can_v not_o have_v grace_n the_o second_o duty_n be_v to_o hold_v fast_o this_o signify_v two_o thing_n first_o to_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v of_o they_o second_o to_o practice_v the_o same_o in_o their_o life_n but_o of_o these_o before_o the_o three_o duty_n be_v to_o repent_v that_o be_v though_o she_o repent_v before_o yet_o she_o must_v restore_v and_o renew_v her_o repentancce_n hence_o we_o learn_v that_o we_o must_v not_o only_o begin_v but_o often_o renew_v our_o repentance_n and_o not_o only_o for_o great_a sin_n but_o for_o little_a slip_n and_o defect_n in_o grace_n as_o dulness_n of_o heart_n want_v of_o zeal_n coldness_n in_o practice_n of_o religion_n etc._n etc._n now_o because_o this_o church_n be_v ready_a to_o die_v christ_n add_v a_o reason_n to_o put_v life_n into_o she_o if_o she_o have_v any_o grace_n if_o thou_o will_v not_o i_o will_v come_v on_o thou_o as_o a_o thief_n a_o most_o terrible_a threaten_n if_o thou_o will_v not_o renew_v thy_o repentance_n restore_v that_o grace_n decay_v in_o thou_o i_o will_v come_v as_o a_o thief_n sudden_o and_o with_o speedy_a destruction_n that_o thou_o shall_v have_v no_o time_n or_o way_n to_o escape_v it_o note_v here_o that_o this_o threaten_n be_v not_o absolute_a but_o with_o condition_n and_o it_o be_v the_o most_o terrible_a commination_n in_o the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n where_o christ_n threaten_v to_o pour_v out_o his_o whole_a wrath_n on_o a_o church_n so_o as_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o time_n or_o mean_n to_o escape_v it_o then_o we_o have_v the_o same_o sin_n that_o she_o have_v use_v be_v dead_a in_o security_n by_o reason_n of_o our_o long_a prosperity_n we_o have_v need_n of_o this_o admonition_n to_o move_v we_o to_o watchfulness_n to_o restore_v god_n grace_n decay_v in_o we_o yet_o it_o seem_v we_o make_v light_a account_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n if_o a_o man_n have_v any_o spark_n of_o grace_n this_o will_v stir_v he_o up_o but_o if_o this_o most_o fearful_a commination_n will_v not_o move_v we_o than_o the_o end_n of_o all_o must_v needs_o follow_v even_o the_o heavy_a wrath_n and_o judgement_n of_o god_n must_v lay_v hold_v on_o we_o and_o cast_v we_o into_o eternal_a destruction_n where_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o help_n for_o then_o a_o man_n may_v have_v some_o comfort_n if_o after_o a_o long_a time_n she_o shall_v get_v out_o but_o he_o must_v live_v there_o for_o ever_o without_o all_o end_n of_o pain_n when_o he_o have_v be_v there_o a_o thousand_o year_n his_o pain_n be_v still_o as_o great_a and_o as_o much_o nay_o no_o end_n he_o can_v have_v then_o we_o must_v awake_v from_o our_o sin_n repent_v for_o our_o sin_n our_o security_n dulness_n and_o coldness_n in_o religion_n stir_v up_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o we_o shake_v off_o our_o ignorance_n and_o that_o because_o against_o these_o sin_n christ_n give_v out_o this_o most_o terrible_a and_o fearful_a commination_n vers._n 4._o notwithstanding_o thou_o have_v a_o few_o name_n before_o christ_n have_v reprove_v this_o church_n of_o hypocrisy_n now_o he_o commend_v she_o for_o a_o few_o which_o profess_v his_o name_n among_o they_o but_o christ_n have_v say_v before_o that_o the_o church_n be_v dead_a how_o then_o can_v this_o be_v a_o true_a church_n ans._n though_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v dead_a in_o sin_n yet_o a_o few_o some_o of_o they_o be_v true_a believer_n and_o testify_v their_o faith_n in_o obedience_n out_o of_o this_o coherence_n we_o have_v two_o instruction_n to_o learn_v first_o that_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v call_v a_o church_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o better_a sort_n and_o part_n and_o those_o which_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o have_v the_o privilege_n also_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o better_a part_n which_o believe_v for_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v a_o number_n of_o man_n on_o earth_n believe_v in_o christ._n now_o the_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n so_o far_o as_o they_o believe_v in_o christ._n those_o which_o believe_v not_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o true_a church_n but_o as_o bad_a humour_n in_o the_o body_n be_v no_o true_a part_n of_o the_o body_n so_o these_o be_v no_o true_a part_n of_o the_o church_n second_o we_o see_v a_o distinction_n between_o man_n and_o man_n in_o this_o church_n though_o all_o be_v call_v yet_o some_o call_v be_v dead_a some_o alive_a in_o christ_n and_o continue_v so_o now_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o distinction_n be_v not_o from_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o from_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n rom._n 11._o 4._o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o israelite_n fall_v to_o idolatry_n yet_o the_o lord_n have_v seven_o thousand_o which_o bow_v not_o the_o knee_n to_o baal_n what_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o not_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o i_o have_v reserve_v seven_o thousand_o which_o have_v not_o bow_v to_o baal_n say_v the_o lord_n so_o then_o his_o will_n and_o good_a pleasure_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o some_o stand_n and_o some_o fall_n so_o the_o cause_n why_o some_o in_o this_o church_n of_o sardis_n live_v some_o be_v dead_a be_v because_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o good_a pleasure_n leave_v some_o to_o themselves_o and_o to_o othersome_a he_o give_v his_o spirit_n this_o as_o before_o confute_v universal_a grace_n which_o derogate_v much_o from_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n for_o this_o why_o some_o stand_n some_o fall_n come_v from_o and_o high_a cause_n even_o from_o the_o power_n and_o will_n of_o god_n which_o leave_v some_o to_o themselves_o and_o enable_v some_o to_o stand_v by_o his_o spirit_n thou_o have_v a_o few_o name_n here_o be_v the_o commendation_n of_o the_o better_a part_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o few_o person_n know_v to_o i_o by_o their_o name_n which_o have_v not_o defile_v their_o garment_n here_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n for_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n make_v a_o distinction_n between_o thing_n clean_a and_o unclean_a not_o in_o themselves_o but_o by_o his_o appointment_n now_o among_o the_o jew_n if_o a_o man_n with_o his_o hand_n or_o garment_n touch_v a_o thing_n unclean_a he_o be_v defile_v which_o ceremony_n signify_v to_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v abstain_v not_o only_o from_o sin_n but_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a in_o that_o they_o may_v not_o touch_v any_o unclean_a thing_n no_o not_o with_o their_o garment_n then_o here_o christ_n will_v show_v there_o be_v sundry_a in_o sardis_n which_o do_v abstain_v both_o from_o sin_n and_o all_o occasion_n show_n and_o appearance_n of_o sin_n though_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v dead_a yet_o many_o in_o sardis_n make_v such_o conscience_n of_o sin_n that_o they_o avoid_v the_o very_a occasion_n of_o sin_n hence_o we_o see_v use_v that_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v few_o in_o number_n the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v dead_a in_o sin_n but_o a_o few_o be_v so_o far_o from_o sin_n that_o they_o defile_v not_o their_o garment_n that_o be_v avoid_v all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n christ_n prepare_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n for_o a_o little_a flock_n isaiah_n say_v only_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o jew_n must_v be_v save_v the_o rest_n harden_v and_o the_o way_n to_o hell_n be_v broad_a and_o easy_a and_o many_o run_v that_o way_n the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v contrary_a mark_n 7._o 7._o then_o see_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v few_o we_o must_v not_o follow_v the_o multitude_n but_o this_o sin_n carry_v many_o a_o man_n to_o hell_n and_o to_o sin_n when_o man_n desire_v to_o do_v as_o the_o most_o do_v to_o live_v as_o the_o most_o live_a we_o must_v rather_o follow_v the_o little_a flock_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o run_v after_o the_o multitude_n a_o few_o name_n that_o be_v person_n know_v to_o christ_n by_o their_o particular_a name_n they_o be_v call_v name_n because_o christ_n write_v their_o name_n in_o a_o bill_n then_o we_o see_v christ_n know_v his_o servant_n particular_o by_o their_o name_n luke_n 10._o he_o know_v all_o our_o hair_n much_o more_o our_o name_n john_n 10._o christ_n call_v his_o sheep_n by_o their_o name_n this_o be_v a_o special_a comfort_n for_o
thing_n to_o come_v namely_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n here_o christ_n foretell_v a_o thing_n not_o present_a but_o to_o come_v though_o not_o know_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o creature_n man_n or_o angel_n which_o prophesy_v of_o this_o persecution_n under_o trajan_n show_v that_o he_o be_v true_a god_n for_o it_o be_v a_o property_n and_o privilege_n of_o god_n simple_o of_o by_z and_o from_o himself_o without_o help_n of_o any_o creature_n foresee_v of_o thing_n in_o their_o course_n to_o foretell_v a_o thing_n to_o come_v man_n can_v foretell_v any_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v present_a in_o the_o cause_n not_o simple_o then_o here_o we_o must_v know_v the_o cause_n why_o this_o persecution_n come_v to_o they_o rather_o than_o peace_n and_o why_o christ_n foretell_v it_o rather_o than_o peace_n the_o cause_n why_o christ_n say_v this_o hour_n of_o temptation_n shall_v come_v be_v not_o any_o foreknowledge_n of_o christ_n or_o because_o he_o foretell_v it_o for_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v not_o because_o god_n foretell_v and_o know_v they_o but_o because_o they_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v therefore_o he_o forsee_v they_o and_o foreknow_v they_o the_o cause_n then_o why_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v be_v the_o will_n good_a pleasure_n &_o decree_n of_o god_n act._n 2._o 23._o christ_n be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o the_o eternal_a counsel_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v god_n will_v and_o pleasure_n not_o his_o foreknowledge_n or_o foresee_v that_o this_o persecution_n come_v on_o this_o church_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o high_a cause_n by_o which_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v and_o that_o give_v be_v to_o all_o other_o cause_n object_n then_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n answ._n as_o god_n will_v and_o decree_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o thing_n be_v in_o the_o high_a place_n so_o must_v we_o distinguish_v of_o the_o thing_n he_o will_v for_o he_o will_v some_o thing_n which_o he_o effect_v himself_o as_o all_o good_a thing_n some_o thing_n he_o will_v and_o yet_o do_v not_o effect_v they_o but_o only_o permit_v they_o to_o be_v do_v by_o other_o as_o sin_n and_o evil_a thing_n which_o though_o they_o come_v not_o from_o his_o will_n yet_o they_o be_v according_a to_o his_o will_n not_o against_o his_o will_n for_o his_o will_n dispose_v of_o sin_n and_o evil_a thing_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n good_a or_o evil_n his_o will_n dispose_v and_o set_v down_o the_o cause_n and_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n manner_n how_o the_o end_n etc._n etc._n then_o their_o opinion_n be_v false_a use_v which_o hold_v that_o certain_a thing_n as_o sin_n come_v to_o pass_v god_n only_o foresee_v they_o not_o decree_a they_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o permit_v they_o now_o to_o give_v god_n a_o bare_a foresee_v without_o decree_a be_v to_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o godhead_n and_o to_o take_v from_o he_o his_o providence_n by_o which_o he_o dispose_v of_o all_o thing_n see_v every_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o his_o will_n and_o decree_n he_o either_o decree_a and_o effect_v it_o as_o all_o good_a thing_n or_o permit_v it_o as_o evil_a thing_n the_o end_n why_o christ_n allege_v this_o prophecy_n be_v to_o expound_v the_o former_a word_n namely_o why_o he_o call_v the_o time_n of_o persecution_n a_o temptation_n because_o it_o shall_v certain_o come_v to_o try_v the_o whole_a earth_n where_o we_o may_v note_v the_o property_n of_o any_o affliction_n persecution_n or_o cross_v namely_o to_o try_v a_o man_n to_o descry_v what_o be_v in_o his_o heart_n whether_o there_o be_v grace_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n or_o hypocrisy_n and_o for_o this_o end_n be_v the_o cross_n send_v to_o man_n to_o make_v know_v either_o their_o faith_n or_o hypocrisy_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_a to_o try_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n then_o temptation_n and_o affliction_n and_o then_o though_o thy_o heart_n be_v full_a of_o presumption_n before_o thou_o may_v know_v what_o be_v in_o thou_o and_o judge_v of_o thyself_o verse_n 11._o behold_v i_o come_v short_o here_o be_v christ_n commandment_n in_o it_o note_v first_o the_o occasion_n itself_o second_o the_o reason_n to_o enforce_v it_o the_o commandment_n hold_v fast_o namely_o with_o both_o hand_n as_o for_o life_n and_o death_n if_o thou_o have_v receive_v a_o little_a measure_n of_o grace_n rather_o part_n with_o any_o thing_n then_o with_o it_o keep_v it_o and_o preserve_v it_o till_o death_n but_o of_o this_o before_o the_o reason_n to_o enforce_v this_o commandment_n be_v two_o one_o before_o the_o other_o after_o the_o first_o behold_v i_o come_v short_o i_o will_v come_v to_o thou_o short_o either_o by_o general_a judgement_n or_o else_o by_o particular_a judgement_n by_o death_n now_o before_o it_o christ_n put_v a_o word_n of_o attention_n to_o show_v that_o this_o commandment_n be_v not_o to_o be_v light_o pass_v over_o of_o we_o but_o to_o be_v earnest_o and_o often_o remember_v now_o see_v christ_n teach_v we_o that_o he_o will_v come_v short_o to_o we_o in_o judgement_n general_a or_o particular_a we_o must_v believe_v he_o and_o often_o have_v it_o in_o memory_n that_o christ_n be_v not_o far_o off_o but_o will_v come_v to_o we_o short_o to_o show_v our_o estate_n either_o in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n then_o we_o must_v believe_v it_o have_v it_o write_v in_o our_o heart_n and_o in_o our_o memory_n and_o not_o flatter_v ourselves_o we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o christ_n will_v defer_v his_o come_n he_o teach_v we_o that_o he_o be_v at_o the_o door_n he_o come_v short_o either_o by_o general_a judgement_n of_o all_o man_n or_o particular_a judgement_n to_o us._n hierome_n then_o happy_a be_v we_o if_o we_o can_v as_o that_o ancient_a father_n do_v think_v we_o hear_v his_o trumpet_n sound_v continual_o in_o our_o care_n and_o think_v in_o our_o heart_n and_o remember_v this_o that_o christ_n will_v not_o be_v long_o but_o will_v come_v very_o short_o and_o indeed_o the_o cause_n why_o man_n live_v in_o sin_n &_o never_o call_v themselves_o to_o a_o account_n be_v because_o man_n believe_v not_o and_o have_v not_o learn_v this_o lesson_n that_o christ_n will_v thus_o come_v short_o if_o man_n be_v thus_o persuade_v in_o hart_n christ_n will_v come_v to_o i_o short_o to_o judge_v i_o give_v i_o my_o reward_n in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n sure_o if_o they_o belong_v to_o god_n it_o will_v make_v they_o turn_v to_o he_o from_o their_o sin_n and_o break_v off_o their_o wicked_a life_n nay_o though_o a_o man_n be_v most_o desperate_a yet_o this_o will_v make_v he_o tremble_v to_o think_v how_o christ_n will_v come_v short_o to_o judge_v he_o yea_o it_o will_v make_v man_n if_o they_o have_v any_o spark_n of_o grace_n to_o labour_v to_o get_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n see_v they_o christ_n be_v to_o come_v to_o judge_v they_o short_o who_o will_v not_o repent_v who_o will_v not_o 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barbarous_a and_o brutish_a people_n give_v to_o all_o idolatry_n o_o then_o let_v we_o hold_v these_o fast_n with_o both_o hand_n let_v all_o go_v honour_n riches_n preferment_n pleasure_n and_o our_o own_o life_n ere_o we_o lose_v our_o glorious_a crown_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o we_o will_v not_o hold_v it_o fast_o he_o will_v give_v it_o to_o a_o nation_n which_o though_o now_o we_o contemn_v yet_o they_o shall_v scorn_v &_o hiss_v at_o us._n and_o now_o that_o we_o hear_v of_o war_n and_o invasion_n let_v these_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o great_a judgement_n and_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o we_o make_v not_o more_o account_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o not_o only_o profess_v
he_o use_v mean_n to_o enter_v when_o they_o have_v bar_v he_o out_o mark_v the_o unspeakable_a mercy_n of_o christ_n they_o by_o their_o sin_n stop_v christ_n from_o enter_v yet_o he_o pursue_v they_o with_o mercy_n and_o offer_v mercy_n to_o they_o that_o refuse_v it_o and_o content_v themselves_o to_o lie_v and_o live_v in_o their_o sin_n when_o adam_n have_v sin_v and_o flee_v from_o god_n the_o lord_n seek_v he_o out_o and_o make_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o he_o so_o isaiah_n 65._o the_o lord_n say_v he_o be_v find_v of_o they_o that_o never_o seek_v he_o they_o that_o never_o dream_v of_o mercy_n sound_a mercy_n 15._o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o lose_a sheep_n that_o sheep_n which_o be_v leave_v as_o a_o prey_n to_o the_o wild_a beast_n christ_n seek_v it_o up_o and_o bring_v it_o home_o all_o these_o place_n tend_v to_o one_o end_n to_o show_v the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o christ._n this_o be_v true_a in_o all_o church_n yea_o in_o this_o of_o we_o if_o we_o have_v mercy_n we_o have_v it_o before_o we_o seek_v it_o nay_o when_o we_o refuse_v it_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v this_o shall_v be_v a_o occasion_n to_o stir_v up_o our_o heart_n to_o magnify_v christ_n for_o his_o mercy_n we_o shall_v not_o let_v pass_v such_o consideration_n as_o these_o but_o rather_o break_v out_o into_o praise_n of_o god_n love_n and_o mercy_n which_o be_v a_o bottomless_a sea_n quest._n it_o may_v be_v demand_v how_o he_o knock_v answ._n the_o word_n precedent_n show_v the_o sense_n for_o these_o word_n have_v relation_n to_o they_o he_o say_v before_o he_o will_v spew_v they_o out_o then_o he_o give_v they_o counsel_n now_o by_o so_o sharp_a a_o rebuke_n they_o may_v have_v despair_v therefore_o he_o show_v that_o by_o this_o threaten_n and_o rebuke_v and_o counsel_n he_o knock_v that_o they_o may_v perceive_v they_o be_v not_o token_n of_o wrath_n but_o of_o mercy_n so_o then_o this_o knock_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o reproof_n threaten_v and_o counsel_n use_v before_o he_o knock_v when_o it_o please_v he_o to_o make_v man_n see_v their_o sin_n by_o such_o thing_n here_o than_o we_o be_v to_o mark_v the_o state_n of_o all_o people_n which_o have_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n they_o have_v christ_n among_o they_o and_o he_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_v at_o every_o man_n heart_n all_o threaten_n of_o the_o law_n reproof_n of_o sin_n exhortation_n admonition_n and_o promise_n they_o be_v so_o many_o knock_v of_o christ._n a_o great_a &_o unspeakable_a mercy_n that_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v do_v this_o now_o then_o do_v christ_n knock_v thus_o by_o preach_v promise_n and_o threaten_n etc._n etc._n then_o we_o must_v not_o be_v so_o dull_a dead_a and_o backward_o but_o show_v more_o zeal_n if_o any_o man_n of_o great_a place_n and_o calling_n knock_v at_o your_o door_n what_o stir_v be_v there_o that_o you_o may_v receive_v he_o as_o be_v meet_v then_o what_o a_o shame_n be_v this_o when_o christ_n vouchsafe_v to_o deal_v thus_o merciful_o with_o we_o again_o in_o that_o christ_n come_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o work_v our_o conversion_n it_o serve_v to_o admonish_v we_o to_o turn_v with_o all_o speed_n for_o we_o know_v not_o how_o long_o he_o will_v stand_v and_o reach_v forth_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o ministry_n to_o beat_v upon_o our_o heart_n mark_v further_o this_o knock_n be_v not_o a_o light_n and_o soft_a kind_n of_o knock_v but_o it_o go_v with_o cry_v he_o both_o knock_v and_o cry_v it_o be_v a_o earnest_a knock_n of_o one_o that_o will_v fain_o enter_v see_v then_o christ_n stand_v at_o the_o door_n of_o man_n heart_n knocketh_v so_o earnest_o to_o save_v man_n soul_n we_o again_o ought_v to_o be_v earnest_a to_o receive_v and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n he_o knock_v in_o good_a earnest_n and_o we_o must_v according_o by_o god_n grace_v be_v as_o earnest_n so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o token_n of_o christ_n love_n his_o desire_n of_o their_o conversion_n which_o he_o show_v by_o two_o sign_n first_o his_o wait_a second_o his_o knock_n and_o that_o join_v with_o cry_v if_o any_o man_n etc._n etc._n now_o follow_v the_o second_o token_n namely_o a_o promise_n of_o fellowship_n with_o they_o after_o their_o conversion_n these_o word_n have_v be_v much_o abuse_v therefore_o i_o will_v stand_v a_o little_a to_o set_v down_o the_o meaning_n mark_v the_o form_n of_o speech_n it_o be_v such_o as_o seem_v to_o give_v a_o man_n a_o action_n in_o his_o own_o conversion_n whereby_o he_o come_v and_o receive_v christ._n so_o it_o attribute_n to_o man_n will_n a_o action_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v i_o for_o my_o part_n stand_v and_o knock_v if_o therefore_o any_o man_n hear_v etc._n etc._n this_o may_v seem_v strange_a that_o such_o a_o action_n shall_v be_v attribute_v to_o a_o man_n that_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n but_o this_o speech_n be_v use_v for_o just_a cause_n for_o in_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n there_o be_v three_o agent_n first_o the_o holy_a ghost_n second_o the_o word_n three_o man_v will_n the_o principal_a agent_n and_o worker_n be_v the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o change_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n from_o evil_a to_o good_a the_o will_n by_o nature_n will_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o be_v against_o the_o will_n of_o god_n second_o the_o word_n which_o be_v a_o instrument_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o he_o work_v not_o now_o ordinary_o by_o revelation_n or_o special_a instinct_n and_o inspiration_n but_o when_o a_o man_n be_v read_v or_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o his_o heart_n than_o the_o holy_a ghost_n work_v in_o and_o by_o the_o word_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n from_o faith_n to_o faith_n three_o the_o will_n though_o it_o be_v dead_a by_o nature_n &_o can_v do_v nothing_o of_o itself_o yet_o when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n begin_v to_o move_v it_o it_o move_v itself_o and_o strive_v to_o be_v alter_v when_o god_n move_v it_o we_o must_v not_o think_v man_n will_n be_v like_o a_o piece_n of_o wax_n which_o have_v no_o action_n but_o only_o passive_o receive_v and_o impression_n but_o the_o will_n be_v dispose_v move_v and_o stir_v itself_o even_o as_o fire_n so_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v kindle_v it_o burn_v and_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o burn_v be_v fire_n so_o when_o god_n have_v once_o give_v grace_n the_o will_n move_v the_o mind_n see_v and_o acknowledge_v sin_n and_o the_o will_v incline_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n begin_v a_o strife_n against_o sin_n and_o make_v a_o man_n endeavour_n to_o please_v god_n so_o much_o as_o he_o can_v so_o the_o will_n in_o the_o very_a first_o conversion_n have_v his_o action_n though_o not_o by_o nature_n but_o by_o grace_n now_o consider_v these_o three_o action_n concur_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o action_n be_v ascribe_v to_o sinner_n which_o be_v to_o be_v convert_v as_o here_o and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n not_o that_o they_o can_v do_v any_o thing_n of_o themselves_o without_o christ_n but_o when_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n thus_o a_o man_n have_v a_o free_a will_n in_o his_o first_o conversion_n by_o grace_n as_o fire_n have_v some_o effect_n of_o fire_n so_o soon_o as_o ever_o it_o be_v kindle_v therefore_o it_o be_v say_v repent_v and_o believe_v to_o impenitent_a person_n not_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o of_o themselves_o but_o because_o when_o it_o shall_v please_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o work_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o word_n they_o can_v turn_v and_o use_v good_a mean_n this_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o the_o holy_a ghost_n ascribe_v a_o action_n to_o such_o person_n when_o god_n give_v grace_n to_o receive_v christ_n than_o it_o receive_v christ_n when_o god_n open_v the_o heart_n by_o that_o grace_n it_o be_v enable_v to_o receive_v christ._n this_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o these_o word_n let_v we_o see_v how_o this_o text_n have_v be_v abuse_v first_o by_o papist_n which_o gather_v hereupon_o that_o a_o man_n have_v free_a will_n in_o his_o conversion_n by_o nature_n that_o he_o have_v and_o that_o be_v the_o faith_n which_o set_v open_v the_o heart_n wide_a to_o receive_v christ._n thus_o if_o you_o shall_v humble_v yourselves_o and_o acknowledge_v your_o unworthiness_n and_o lie_v hold_v on_o christ_n with_o true_a faith_n and_o testify_v it_o by_o fervent_a love_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o member_n then_o shall_v your_o heart_n be_v open_a indeed_o and_o you_o shall_v receive_v christ._n thus_o much_o for_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o condition_n it_o follow_v i_o
yea_o though_o they_o preach_v it_o oftentimes_o but_o they_o must_v look_v that_o they_o do_v it_o not_o for_o ease_v but_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o hearer_n hear_v the_o minister_n repeat_v the_o same_o doctrine_n ought_v not_o curious_o to_o reprehend_v he_o for_o than_o they_o may_v as_o well_o reprehend_v christ_n himself_o as_o before_o i_o have_v show_v here_o then_o be_v a_o duty_n command_v namely_o to_o hear_v this_o hear_n be_v the_o good_a learning_n that_o bring_v true_a faith_n salvation_n and_o sincere_a obedience_n with_o it_o but_o to_o who_o be_v this_o commandment_n give_v to_o hear_v hearer_n and_o to_o such_o as_o do_v not_o only_o receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o their_o outward_a ear_n but_o with_o the_o ear_n that_o be_v in_o the_o heart_n hence_o we_o learn_v first_o that_o god_n do_v not_o give_v to_o all_o man_n grace_v to_o hear_v his_o word_n to_o their_o salvation_n second_o that_o we_o must_v so_o hear_v that_o thereby_o we_o may_v be_v convert_v and_o change_v but_o what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v namely_o what_o the_o spirit_n teach_v to_o the_o church_n that_o we_o may_v hear_v attentive_o he_o use_v a_o double_a reason_n one_o draw_v from_o the_o speaker_n another_o from_o the_o auditor_n to_o wit_n the_o church_n but_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o these_o before_o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o laodicean_n write_v 14._o etc._n etc._n as_o before_o all_o the_o other_o epistle_n so_o before_o this_o last_o epistle_n there_o be_v a_o commandment_n give_v to_o john_n to_o write_v it_o and_o the_o epistle_n have_v three_o part_n as_o the_o former_a have_v first_o a_o preface_n second_o the_o matter_n three_o a_o conclusion_n first_o of_o the_o preface_n wherein_o christ_n be_v describe_v in_o who_o name_n it_o be_v pen_v by_o two_o argument_n first_o by_o his_o name_n and_o title_n amen_o a_o faithful_a witness_n second_o by_o his_o privilege_n and_o property_n the_o beginning_n of_o the_o crature_n amen_n be_v a_o adverb_n of_o affirmation_n or_o asseveration_n signify_v true_o very_o &_o certain_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o be_v so_o call_v be_v render_v in_o the_o word_n that_o follow_v which_o be_v a_o commentary_n and_o full_a exposition_n of_o this_o the_o faithful_a witness_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o to_o this_o end_n he_o be_v call_v amen_o to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n see_v chap._n 1._o 5._o there_o i_o expound_v it_o and_o here_o i_o will_v repeat_v the_o head_n only_o of_o that_o exposition_n he_o be_v call_v a_o witness_n between_o god_n the_o father_n and_o we_o because_o he_o do_v not_o only_o reveal_v the_o father_n will_n to_o we_o but_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o give_v we_o many_o testimony_n inward_a and_o outward_a but_o of_o all_o testimony_n that_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o for_o these_o three_o respect_n he_o be_v thus_o term_v first_o because_o he_o do_v reveal_v it_o and_o seal_v it_o and_o ratify_v it_o by_o inward_a and_o outward_a testimony_n second_o because_o he_o will_v accomplish_v his_o father_n wil._n 2._o cor._n 1._o 20._o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v in_o he_o yea_o and_o amen_o that_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o therefore_o he_o be_v a_o witness_n yea_o a_o faithful_a witness_n three_o he_o be_v call_v a_o true_a witness_n because_o he_o speak_v the_o truth_n that_o which_o he_o reveal_v from_o his_o father_n be_v the_o will_n of_o his_o father_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o he_o say_v as_o the_o thing_n be_v without_o error_n or_o falsehood_n nay_o his_o will_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o all_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o first_o argument_n now_o the_o use_n and_o the_o end_n why_o here_o christ_n be_v so_o call_v if_o we_o do_v but_o read_v the_o epistle_n and_o mark_v the_o content_n we_o may_v guess_v probable_o at_o the_o end_n which_o be_v that_o he_o may_v show_v himself_o a_o example_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n who_o be_v slack_a and_o negligent_a in_o his_o ministry_n therefore_o christ_n instruct_v he_o how_o to_o carry_v himself_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n teach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n true_o and_o faithful_o see_v chap._n 1._o 5._o and_o not_o only_o to_o the_o angel_n but_o to_o all_o the_o church_n yea_o to_o all_o christian_n he_o propound_v himself_o a_o example_n of_o two_o worthy_a virtue_n faith_n and_o truth_n he_o will_v have_v all_o to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n even_o as_o he_o be_v this_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n whereby_o a_o man_n word_n become_v as_o sure_a as_o a_o obligation_n as_o we_o use_v to_o speak_v whereby_o we_o make_v good_a all_o our_o word_n oath_n and_o promise_n truth_n be_v that_o whereby_o a_o man_n without_o lie_v deceit_n or_o fraud_n speak_v the_o truth_n from_o his_o heart_n that_o i_o say_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v for_o his_o own_o and_o other_o good_a and_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n set_a we_o this_o example_n before_o our_o eye_n and_o as_o christ_n be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n so_o let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o show_v ourselves_o true_a in_o all_o our_o word_n and_o speech_n and_o to_o be_v faithful_a in_o all_o our_o promise_n these_o be_v excellent_a grace_n in_o christ_n and_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o christian_n therefore_o let_v we_o be_v know_v by_o these_o to_o be_v like_o christ._n the_o second_o end_n of_o this_o title_n be_v to_o induce_v this_o church_n to_o apply_v itself_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n effectual_o for_o it_o be_v faulty_a in_o this_o point_n therefore_o that_o he_o may_v bring_v they_o to_o this_o he_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o faithful_a witness_n how_o shall_v they_o do_v this_o thus_o consider_v in_o the_o word_n the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n the_o commandment_n promise_n and_o threaten_n and_o apply_v they_o particular_o every_o man_n to_o himself_o the_o commandment_n to_o know_v sin_n the_o threaten_n to_o humble_v we_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v touch_v in_o conscience_n and_o make_v fit_a to_o receive_v god_n grace_n see_v a_o example_n of_o it_o luke_n 15._o in_o the_o prodigal_a son_n i_o have_v sin_v and_o be_o not_o worthy_a etc._n etc._n so_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n humble_v themselves_o no_o man_n can_v true_o be_v humble_v till_o he_o make_v this_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o word_n which_o he_o read_v and_o hear_v now_o the_o gospel_n also_o must_v be_v thus_o apply_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o promise_n of_o life_n eternal_a not_o only_o that_o they_o be_v true_a but_o to_o apply_v they_o to_o ourselves_o the_o gospel_n require_v a_o further_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n for_o proof_n see_v phil._n 3._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o the_o sum_n be_v this_o he_o esteem_v all_o thing_n loss_n in_o regard_n of_o christ_n and_o desire_v the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v by_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o to_o know_v the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n now_o mark_v the_o fifteen_o verse_n let_v so_o many_o as_o be_v perfect_a be_v thus_o mind_v teach_v every_o one_o of_o we_o our_o duty_n to_o apply_v christ_n to_o our_o own_o person_n thus_o be_v we_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o apply_v the_o gospel_n to_o ourselves_o and_o whosoever_o do_v not_o so_o he_o make_v god_n a_o liar_n as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v 1._o john_n 5._o and_o this_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n and_o reason_n why_o christ_n call_v himself_o so_o that_o man_n may_v not_o only_o believe_v the_o word_n in_o general_a but_o apply_v it_o in_o particular_a to_o themselves_o the_o not_o do_v of_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o negligence_n in_o religion_n of_o so_o many_o lukewarm_a christian_n and_o professor_n therefore_o let_v we_o all_o learn_v this_o duty_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o know_v the_o word_n no_o nor_o to_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v it_o but_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o lay_v it_o to_o the_o conscience_n to_o apply_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v true_o humble_v and_o turn_v to_o god_n therefore_o justify_v faith_n be_v that_o which_o apply_v in_o particular_a now_o the_o second_o title_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o all_o creature_n col._n 1._o 16._o by_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n therefore_o in_o regard_n of_o creation_n he_o be_v so_o call_v yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v a_o further_a cause_n why_o he_o be_v so_o call_v here_o namely_o because_o he_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n as_o ephes._n 1._o 10._o where_o it_o be_v say_v we_o be_v god_n workmanship_n create_v
in_o christ_n to_o good_a work_n mark_v there_o every_o christian_a be_v a_o workmanship_n of_o god_n to_o this_o purpose_n isaiah_n 53._o 10._o say_v when_o christ_n shall_v give_v himself_o a_o free_a will_n offer_v he_o shall_v see_v his_o seed_n how_o thus_o all_o that_o be_v bear_v a_o new_a they_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v the_o beginning_n and_o root_n and_o so_o much_o the_o very_a scope_n of_o this_o epistle_n declare_v now_o he_o be_v such_o a_o beginning_n two_o way_n first_o as_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o regeneration_n for_o whosoever_o be_v bear_v a_o new_a christ_n be_v the_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o his_o conversion_n therefore_o isaiah_n 9_o 6._o he_o be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o eternity_n because_o he_o do_v regenerate_v man_n to_o life_n by_o his_o spirit_n and_o isaiah_n 8._o 18._o he_o say_v loe_o here_o i_o be_o and_o the_o child_n that_o thou_o have_v give_v i_o second_o as_o he_o be_v the_o matter_n thereof_o ephes._n 5._o the_o church_n be_v flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o christ_n where_o the_o apostle_n allude_v to_o the_o creation_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n for_o adam_n be_v a_o figure_n of_o a_o man_n regenerate_v and_o as_o eve_n have_v her_o beginning_n from_o adam_n side_n so_o the_o church_n and_o every_o christian_a have_v their_o be_v and_o begin_n from_o christ_n from_o his_o blood_n spring_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o all_o christian_n as_o they_o be_v new_a creature_n and_o regenerate_a not_o as_o they_o be_v man_n and_o woman_n now_o the_o end_n why_o he_o be_v so_o call_v be_v to_o meet_v with_o a_o vice_n in_o that_o and_o other_o church_n man_n have_v more_o care_n and_o desire_v to_o seem_v to_o be_v christian_n then_o to_o be_v christian_n indeed_o man_n set_v more_o by_o a_o show_n than_o truth_n shadow_n than_o substance_n therefore_o he_o show_v that_o their_o principal_a care_n must_v be_v to_o be_v true_a christian_n indeed_o &_o not_o to_o seem_v so_o only_o this_o church_n be_v not_o regenerate_v in_o that_o church_n and_o therefore_o christ_n tell_v they_o of_o it_o that_o he_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o new_a creature_n and_o the_o same_o be_v our_o fault_n our_o care_n be_v not_o so_o much_o for_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n as_o for_o the_o show_n of_o it_o therefore_o i_o beseech_v you_o have_v care_n of_o this_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n be_v good_a thing_n in_o their_o kind_n but_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o salvation_n except_o thou_o become_v a_o true_a member_n of_o christ_n thou_o have_v no_o good_a by_o they_o 2_o he_o say_v this_o to_o meet_v with_o another_o vice_n that_o be_v spiritual_a pride_n he_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o excellency_n in_o outward_a thing_n all_o earthly_a excellency_n be_v nothing_o without_o this_o whereby_o a_o man_n be_v a_o new_a creature_n therefore_o we_o must_v not_o stand_v upon_o our_o pantofle_n for_o our_o birth_n or_o gentry_n but_o whosoever_o will_v rejoice_v must_v rejoice_v in_o this_o that_o he_o have_v christ_n for_o the_o author_n of_o his_o regeneration_n further_o this_o teach_v we_o a_o excellent_a lesson_n that_o christ_n love_v and_o preserve_v his_o church_n for_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o adam_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o second_o adam_n the_o woman_n have_v not_o her_o beginning_n apart_o from_o man_n but_o of_o and_o from_o he_o that_o he_o may_v love_v she_o the_o better_a and_o have_v care_n of_o her_o preservation_n so_o this_o be_v to_o teach_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v a_o care_n of_o we_o and_o that_o we_o must_v honour_v he_o nay_o which_o be_v more_o adam_n be_v but_o the_o matter_n only_o and_o not_o the_o author_n of_o hevah_n but_o christ_n be_v both_o to_o the_o church_n to_o show_v his_o love_n to_o be_v endless_a the_o root_n never_o hurt_v the_o branch_n nay_o it_o strengthen_v itself_o to_o defend_v cherish_v and_o maintain_v the_o branch_n it_o have_v no_o affection_n inclination_n or_o disposition_n to_o hurt_v but_o to_o help_v thus_o much_o of_o these_o word_n to_o note_v the_o bond_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n yea_o his_o love_n and_o our_o duty_n hence_o i_o gather_v that_o the_o papist_n err_v in_o teach_v that_o a_o man_n have_v the_o use_n of_o his_o own_o will_n in_o his_o regeneration_n and_o that_o he_o can_v dispose_v himself_o in_o his_o justification_n for_o a_o creature_n can_v work_v nor_o help_v to_o create_v himself_o but_o every_o regenerate_a person_n be_v a_o creature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n be_v here_o make_v the_o creation_n of_o a_o man_n the_o creature_n in_o his_o own_o creation_n be_v able_a to_o do_v nothing_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o such_o say_n in_o the_o bible_n this_o one_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o preface_n now_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o epistle_n or_o content_n and_o substance_n verse_n 15._o i_o know_v thy_o work_n etc._n etc._n that_o thou_o be_v neither_o hot_a nor_o hot_a etc._n etc._n the_o proposition_n have_v two_o part_n first_o a_o dispraise_n or_o reproof_n second_o counsel_n the_o dispraise_n be_v for_o two_o fault_n the_o first_o lukewarmnesse_n the_o second_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o mind_n then_o first_o i_o will_v make_v the_o word_n plain_a second_o declare_v the_o use_n of_o they_o i_o know_v that_o be_v all_o thy_o way_n and_o work_n be_v manifest_a to_o i_o and_o i_o utter_o dislike_v they_o and_o to_o lay_v open_a their_o fault_n the_o more_o he_o borrow_v a_o comparison_n from_o water_n whereof_o there_o be_v these_o three_o sort_n hot_a cold_a and_o warm_a cold_a and_o hot_a water_n may_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o stomach_n with_o less_o hurt_n and_o annoyance_n but_o the_o water_n that_o be_v lukewarm_a trouble_v the_o stomach_n and_o cease_v not_o till_o it_o be_v cast_v up_o again_o now_o with_o these_o three_o kind_n of_o water_n he_o compare_v three_o sort_n of_o man_n by_o cold_a man_n understand_v the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n as_o jew_n and_o gentile_n turk_n and_o saracen_n gadaren_n and_o galilean_n by_o hot_a understand_v man_n zealous_a in_o religion_n by_o lukewarm_a indifferent_a so_o the_o meaning_n be_v thou_o be_v neither_o a_o open_a enemy_n of_o religion_n nor_o yet_o true_o religious_a or_o a_o true_a friend_n i_o will_v etc._n etc._n christ_n here_o make_v a_o wish_n but_o he_o do_v not_o simple_o wish_v that_o they_o be_v enemy_n of_o religion_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o estate_n he_o wish_v they_o be_v either_o of_o those_o rather_o than_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o this_o absurdity_n will_v follow_v that_o christ_n shall_v wish_v they_o to_o be_v of_o a_o people_n no_o people_n of_o god_n by_o lukewarmenesse_n he_o understand_v a_o people_n profess_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o not_o great_o regard_v and_o reverence_v it_o this_o people_n be_v a_o lukewarm_a people_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v a_o mixture_n of_o both_o neither_o hot_a nor_o cold_a want_v the_o heat_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o fire_n of_o god_n spirit_n whereby_o their_o heart_n shall_v be_v heat_v and_o inflame_v vers._n 16._o because_o thou_o be_v neither_o etc._n etc._n the_o meaning_n be_v this_o even_o as_o a_o man_n that_o have_v receive_v such_o water_n will_v cast_v it_o up_o and_o can_v keep_v it_o in_o so_o christ_n be_v grieve_v with_o their_o sin_n will_v cast_v they_o off_o from_o have_v any_o fellowship_n with_o he_o and_o make_v they_o to_o be_v no_o church_n this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o right_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n now_o in_o they_o these_o thing_n be_v contain_v first_o christ_n set_v down_o their_o fault_n and_o aggravate_v it_o second_o he_o compare_v three_o kind_n of_o man_n together_o the_o hot_a man_n have_v the_o best_a place_n and_o the_o cold_a man_n the_o second_o and_o the_o lukewarm_a man_n the_o last_o and_o low_a so_o you_o see_v the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o god_n grace_n be_v better_a than_o he_o that_o profess_v religion_n and_o live_v not_o thereafter_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v the_o ordinary_a gospeller_n which_o content_v himself_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o so_o good_a before_o god_n as_o the_o turk_n and_o jew._n the_o threaten_n follow_v i_o will_v spew_v they_o out_o of_o my_o mouth_n now_o have_v find_v the_o meaning_n we_o must_v examine_v ourselves_o whether_o we_o may_v not_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o same_o fault_n and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o we_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o and_o even_o plain_a laodicean_n which_o that_o you_o may_v see_v i_o will_v show_v diverse_a kind_n of_o such_o lukewarm_a gospeler_n and_o christian_n 1_o