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learned_a and_o to_o have_v this_o liberty_n judge_v by_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o
straiten_v and_o preclude_v the_o passage_n into_o that_o kingdom_n thus_o by_o crafty_a enticement_n he_o beguile_v our_o first_o parent_n and_o have_v not_o the_o wisdom_n and_o great_a goodness_n of_o god_n intervene_v all_o mankind_n have_v perish_v in_o their_o fall_n but_o no_o violence_n no_o power_n no_o fraudulencie_n of_o hell_n can_v nullify_v the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n his_o purpose_n therefore_o have_v still_o take_v effect_n and_o in_o all_o age_n his_o church_n have_v be_v enlarge_v according_a to_o the_o predetermination_n of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n nor_o can_v the_o seed_n of_o god_n be_v scatter_v and_o lose_v by_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o anti-god_n consider_v this_o and_o apply_v his_o malice_n to_o new_a stratagem_n among_o other_o spread_v this_o opinion_n of_o the_o small_a number_n of_o the_o elect_n and_o the_o ineffable_a multitude_n of_o the_o damn_a among_o those_o that_o be_v common_o call_v the_o wise_a sort_n of_o 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iniquity_n so_o likewise_o the_o extremity_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v few_o and_o rare_a as_o very_o little_a or_o very_a great_a very_o white_a or_o very_o black_a very_o swift_a or_o very_a slow_a but_o the_o indifferency_n be_v many_o and_o frequent_a now_o if_o you_o compare_v the_o number_n of_o the_o best_a man_n with_o that_o of_o the_o tolerable_o good_a this_o last_o number_n will_v infinite_o exceed_v the_o other_o c._n it_o be_v even_o as_o you_o say_v and_o very_o this_o philosopher_n have_v ever_o seem_v to_o i_o more_o religious_a than_o the_o rest_n but_o those_o other_o i_o take_v to_o be_v such_o man_n as_o a_o couple_n which_o be_v late_o among_o we_o when_o they_o meet_v in_o the_o street_n and_o have_v salute_v one_o another_o quoth_v the_o one_o i_o tell_v thou_o john_n there_o be_v but_o two_o honest_a man_n in_o all_o our_o city_n and_o i_o assure_v thou_o reply_v the_o other_o i_o think_v george_n thou_o be_v one_o of_o they_o and_o true_o john_n say_v he_o thou_o be_v the_o other_o m._n they_o knibble_v one_o another_o like_a horse_n but_o i_o return_v to_o that_o serpent_n who_o by_o little_a and_o little_a wriggle_a himself_o and_o insinuate_v into_o the_o judgement_n of_o wise_a man_n and_o by_o subtle_a extenuation_n and_o malicious_a diminution_n give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o be_v imagine_v that_o god_n be_v good_a and_o merciful_a be_v undeniable_a truth_n but_o withal_o he_o be_v just_a and_o a_o most_o severe_a revenger_n of_o offence_n and_o transgression_n two_o way_n he_o devise_v to_o instil_v this_o persuasion_n one_o from_o witness_n another_o from_o sign_n and_o cause_n his_o witness_n be_v those_o who_o wrest_v the_o forementioned_a place_n of_o scripture_n which_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n we_o have_v so_o far_o vindicate_v that_o hereafter_o they_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o allege_v the_o least_o 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keep_v the_o commandment_n and_o observe_v the_o multisarious_a part_n of_o righteousness_n how_o small_a and_o contemptible_a number_n there_o be_v of_o good_a man_n how_o vast_a a_o multitude_n of_o wicked_a man_n and_o unjust_a wherefore_o dispel_v all_o doubt_n and_o hesitation_n thus_o conclude_v if_o good_a work_n be_v the_o inerrable_a sign_n of_o salvation_n and_o wicked_a action_n the_o infallible_a cause_n of_o everlasting_a desolation_n it_o follow_v by_o unavoidable_a consequence_n that_o small_a be_v the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n infinite_a the_o number_n of_o reprobate_n c._n o_o old_a serpent_n o_o hellish_a monster_n compact_v of_o malice_n and_o deceit_n i_o be_o afraid_a too_o many_o wise_a man_n of_o this_o world_n have_v be_v tutor_v and_o discipline_v by_o this_o sophister_n who_o i_o have_v often_o hear_v to_o knit_v and_o interweave_v thus_o their_o fallacy_n and_o sophism_n m._n do_v you_o doubt_v it_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o sure_a than_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o instruct_v by_o he_o who_o separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n of_o other_o christian_n as_o if_o they_o only_o be_v religious_a and_o holy_a but_o all_o other_o man_n execrable_a profane_a and_o reprobate_n for_o this_o opinion_n have_v its_o first_o spring_n from_o the_o philosopher_n afterward_o by_o degree_n it_o get_v a_o slide_n into_o the_o unwarie_a persuasion_n of_o christian_n c._n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n of_o that_o but_o i_o will_v now_o know_v how_o to_o be_v unintangle_v from_o these_o fallacy_n m._n first_o i_o will_v grant_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o god_n be_v most_o just_a that_o no_o man_n perfect_o work_v righteousness_n or_o fulfil_v the_o law_n in_o all_o its_o requisite_n and_o therefore_o that_o by_o nature_n or_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o commandment_n no_o man_n be_v justify_v eminent_a be_v that_o say_n there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v good_a no_o not_o one_o also_o john_n say_v there_o be_v none_o good_a 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but_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n and_o his_o everlasting_a mercy_n in_o jesus_n christ_n comprehend_v by_o faith_n i_o will_v also_o answer_v that_o wicked_a action_n be_v not_o simple_o and_o absolute_o the_o cause_n of_o damnation_n but_o diffidence_n unbelief_n and_o pertinacy_n as_o the_o lord_n say_v in_o the_o 16._o of_o john_n the_o spirit_n must_v reprove_v the_o world_n of_o sin_n because_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o paul_n also_o say_v through_o unbelief_n the_o branch_n be_v break_v off_o also_o that_o god_n have_v shut_v up_o all_o man_n under_o unbelief_n that_o he_o may_v have_v mercy_n upon_o all_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o because_o i_o have_v faith_n in_o god_n and_o embrace_v his_o mercy_n and_o be_o delight_v in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o most_o high_a though_o the_o appetite_n and_o vicious_a nature_n of_o the_o outward_a man_n resist_v and_o gainsay_v yet_o i_o
have_v not_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o c._n i_o confess_v i_o think_v thus_o within_o myself_o but_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o hear_v your_o opinion_n but_o when_o you_o say_v a_o little_a before_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v wheresoever_o man_n do_v believe_v or_o shall_v believe_v wherefore_o make_v you_o that_o addition_n shall_v believe_v m._n because_o at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o age_n many_o be_v elect_v to_o this_o kingdom_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o call_v not_o compel_v by_o faith_n to_o enter_v as_o be_v saul_n cornelius_n the_o centurion_n and_o sergius_n paulus_n the_o proconsul_n and_o innumerable_a other_o who_o vocation_n and_o ingress_n be_v by_o the_o lord_n for_o some_o time_n deser_v who_o because_o they_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n appoint_v to_o this_o kingdom_n be_v therefore_o all_o citizen_n and_o member_n of_o this_o heavenly_a commonwealth_n this_o be_v manifest_a by_o these_o and_o other_o who_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v be_v afterward_o receive_v into_o this_o kingdom_n c._n they_o say_v that_o cornelius_n opon_v a_o passage_n into_o this_o kingdom_n by_o his_o prayer_n and_o alms-deed_n and_o this_o they_o confirm_v by_o those_o word_n of_o the_o angel_n to_o he_o thy_o prayer_n and_o thy_o alm_n be_v come_v up_o for_o a_o memorial_n before_o god_n m._n the_o abettor_n of_o such_o fancy_n be_v contumelious_a to_o god_n and_o ignorant_a of_o the_o scripture_n they_o reproach_n god_n for_o they_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o honour_n and_o give_v the_o glory_n to_o man_n &_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o scripture_n not_o discern_v a_o open_a truth_n their_o error_n arise_v partly_o from_o a_o non-consideration_n of_o the_o word_n precede_v and_o subsequent_a which_o if_o they_o have_v perpend_v they_o have_v never_o dash_v against_o this_o rock_n what_o have_v st._n luke_n write_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n that_o cornelius_n be_v a_o devour_n man_n and_o one_o that_o fear_v god_n with_o all_o his_o house_n which_o give_v much_o alm_n to_o the_o people_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n always_o afterward_o those_o man_n that_o be_v send_v by_o cornelius_n give_v he_o this_o character_n that_o he_o be_v a_o just_a man_n fear_v god_n and_o of_o good_a report_n among_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o now_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o his_o piety_n to_o and_o his_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v first_o commend_v then_o his_o alm_n and_o good_a deed_n be_v speak_v of_o he_o be_v a_o religious_a and_o a_o good_a man_n and_o therefore_o give_v many_o alm_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o pray_v to_o god_n always_o which_o be_v the_o fruit_n and_o effect_n of_o his_o piety_n therefore_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v of_o good_a report_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o from_o whence_o come_v these_o good_a effect_n not_o from_o his_o good_a deed_n for_o the_o tree_n must_v be_v good_a before_o the_o fruit_n can_v be_v good_a as_o our_o lord_n say_v matth._n 7._o for_o the_o cause_n can_v follow_v the_o effect_n any_o more_o than_o a_o daughter_n can_v bring_v forth_o her_o mother_n but_o who_o make_v he_o religious_a and_o just_a and_o fear_v god_n who_o but_o he_o that_o circumcise_v the_o foreskin_n of_o our_o heart_n that_o take_v away_o our_o stony_a heart_n and_o give_v we_o heart_n of_o flesh_n and_o new_a spirit_n ezech._n 11._o he_o i_o say_v make_v cornelius_n both_o religious_a and_o devout_a and_o be_v not_o these_o thing_n declare_v unto_o peter_n by_o the_o divine_a oracle_n of_o god_n for_o when_o he_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v alienate_v from_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o angel_n tell_v he_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v purify_v call_v not_o thou_o unclean_a act_n 10._o here_o god_n witness_v that_o he_o have_v purge_v prepare_v and_o consecrate_a cornelius_n to_o himself_o and_o although_o it_o be_v speak_v because_o of_o cornelius_n yet_o the_o word_n concern_v all_o those_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v and_o adorn_v with_o the_o beautiful_a knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o his_o prayer_n and_o give_v of_o alm_n go_v up_o to_o god_n as_o a_o memorial_n nothing_o more_o be_v intend_v but_o that_o god_n hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o godly_a that_o their_o good_a work_n be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o and_o that_o he_o have_v they_o in_o remembrance_n as_o flow_v from_o himself_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a gift_n and_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v frequent_a in_o prayer_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o proceed_v from_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o as_o paul_n say_v we_o know_v not_o what_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v but_o the_o spirit_n itself_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o with_o unutterable_a groan_n rom._n 8._o now_o if_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o certain_o he_o be_v and_o that_o his_o almsdeed_n and_o his_o prayer_n be_v accept_v it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o he_o have_v say_v without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n as_o st._n paul_n do_v most_o plain_o teach_v rom._n 10._o and_o if_o he_o have_v the_o illustration_n of_o faith_n than_o his_o heart_n be_v purify_v and_o cleanse_v as_o peter_n testify_v of_o cornelius_n and_o other_o gentile_n in_o st._n luke_n say_v that_o god_n have_v enlighten_v they_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o purge_v their_o mind_n by_o faith_n c._n i_o perceive_v that_o by_o degree_n you_o have_v come_v to_o the_o right_a explication_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o one_o thing_n to_o be_v enucleate_v for_o peter_n say_v of_o a_o truth_n i_o now_o perceive_v that_o god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n but_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v by_o he_o act._n 10._o here_o he_o show_v that_o by_o good_a work_n a_o man_n be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n m._n this_o speech_n of_o the_o apostle_n mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o diverse_a other_o holy_a sentence_n do_v teach_v that_o god_n in_o his_o election_n of_o and_o his_o love_n to_o mankind_n have_v regard_n only_o to_o their_o goodness_n and_o glory_n not_o to_o their_o original_n their_o pedigree_n their_o country_n their_o sex_n their_o age_n their_o merit_n or_o any_o other_o personal_a attribute_n this_o truth_n be_v exemplify_v in_o the_o person_n of_o cornelius_n who_o god_n call_v be_v a_o alien_n and_o dignify_v he_o with_o a_o place_n in_o his_o kingdom_n the_o sign_n of_o election_n be_v a_o ingenuous_a and_o a_o reverential_a fear_n of_o god_n like_a to_o that_o of_o obedient_a child_n towards_o their_o parent_n from_o whence_o there_o arise_v in_o they_o a_o confidence_n and_o a_o steadfast_a persuasion_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o they_o and_o from_o thence_o again_o grow_v a_o delight_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n a_o complacency_n in_o the_o work_n of_o righteousness_n he_o that_o be_v accept_v by_o god_n he_o fear_v he_o honour_v love_v and_o trust_v in_o god_n for_o it_o behove_v that_o the_o person_n of_o that_o man_n be_v gracious_a and_o acceptable_a who_o duty_n or_o office_n of_o love_n be_v accept_v for_o no_o performance_n be_v acceptable_a from_o he_o against_o who_o we_o entertain_v a_o prejudice_n or_o aversation_n of_o this_o we_o have_v experience_n in_o the_o common_a civility_n of_o life_n but_o with_o god_n there_o be_v no_o prejudice_n for_o he_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o john_n say_v whosoever_o do_v work_v righteousness_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n also_o whosoever_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n he_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n that_o be_v therefore_o some_o man_n live_v just_o some_o man_n believe_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o christ_n because_o he_o be_v justify_v by_o god_n and_o endue_v with_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n by_o he_o for_o unless_o he_o thus_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n he_o be_v unable_a to_o perform_v any_o thing_n just_o and_o right_o or_o to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n this_o the_o lord_n himself_o confirm_v upon_o peter_n confession_n that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o immortal_a god_n very_o say_v our_o saviour_n flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v this_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n now_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n between_o divine_a and_o humane_a justice_n he_o that_o be_v not_o justify_v by_o god_n may_v execute_v humane_a justice_n for_o fear_v of_o punishment_n expectation_n of_o glory_n or_o hope_v of_o other_o reward_n but_o no_o man_n be_v exercise_v in_o heavenly_a justice_n who_o be_v not_o first_o justify_v purge_v by_o faith_n and_o assist_v with_o grace_n therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o whosoever_o