thought_n and_o a_o multiplicity_n of_o design_n and_o business_n break_v in_o upon_o his_o mind_n and_o take_v possession_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o be_v fill_v with_o these_o thing_n all_o the_o day_n he_o follow_v and_o plod_v upon_o they_o without_o distraction_n or_o interaction_n and_o how_o be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o amidst_o all_o this_o hurry_n and_o turmoil_v he_o shall_v find_v that_o recollection_n that_o tranquillity_n and_o that_o elevation_n without_o which_o the_o exercise_n of_o piety_n be_v but_o mere_a hypocrisy_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o man_n bring_v so_o little_a attention_n and_o sincerity_n with_o they_o to_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n why_o do_v sermon_n produce_v so_o little_a fruit_n why_o do_v the_o most_o certain_a and_o important_a truth_n of_o religion_n the_o clear_a and_o the_o most_o solid_a reason_n make_v either_o no_o impression_n at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o not_o last_v one_o upon_o the_o hearer_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o in_o the_o most_o solemn_a devotion_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o holy_a communion_n it_o be_v so_o difficult_a for_o man_n to_o lift_v up_o their_o heart_n to_o god_n and_o to_o shake_v off_o a_o thousand_o idle_a or_o sinful_a thought_n which_o come_v then_o to_o amuse_v and_o distract_v they_o and_o last_o why_o do_v those_o vow_n and_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v even_o with_o some_o sincerity_n prove_v so_o ineffectual_a why_o do_v the_o best_a resolution_n vanish_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o soon_o all_o this_o come_v from_o man_n be_v too_o much_o take_v up_o with_o temporal_a care_n 3._o these_o excessive_a care_n do_v not_o only_o distract_v the_o mind_n but_o they_o do_v beside_o direct_o obstruct_v sanctification_n and_o lead_v man_n into_o sin_n for_o first_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o love_v religion_n and_o virtue_n when_o the_o heart_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o world_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o 22._o we_o mat._n vi_o 22._o that_o no_o man_n can_v serve_v two_o master_n and_o st._n john_n declare_v 15._o declare_v john_n ii_o 15._o that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v not_o in_o those_o who_o love_v the_o world_n there_o be_v such_o a_o opposition_n between_o bodily_a and_o spiritual_a exercise_n that_o those_o who_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o the_o first_o be_v incapable_a of_o the_o other_o worldly_n occupation_n render_v man_n carnal_a sensual_a and_o dull_a they_o keep_v up_o ignorance_n and_o foment_n sloth_n and_o they_o weigh_v down_o all_o their_o inclination_n and_o thought_n to_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o they_o must_v be_v careless_a and_o indifferent_a about_o spiritual_a object_n and_o heavenly_a concern_v and_o indeed_o they_o be_v very_o ill_o dispose_v to_o value_v those_o good_a thnig_n as_o they_o deserve_v or_o to_o seek_v they_o with_o that_o eagerness_n and_o sincerity_n which_o they_o ought_v can_v we_o think_v that_o man_n who_o propose_v nothing_o else_o to_o themselves_o but_o the_o amass_n of_o wealth_n the_o make_v their_o court_n or_o the_o canvas_n for_o place_n and_o who_o live_v and_o toil_v only_o for_o such_o thing_n shall_v have_v a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o salvation_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v it_o but_o further_a religion_n do_v not_o allow_v christian_n to_o love_v the_o world_n or_o to_o cleave_v to_o it_o vii_o it_o 1_o cor._n vii_o it_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v possess_v temporal_a good_n as_o not_o possess_v they_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v use_v the_o world_n as_o not_o abuse_v it_o because_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n the_o figure_n of_o the_o world_n pass_v away_o and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o folly_n to_o fix_v their_o heart_n upon_o vain_a and_o transitory_a enjoyment_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o ought_v to_o aspire_v chief_o to_o the_o possession_n of_o solid_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n to_o be_v therefore_o take_v up_o only_o with_o earthly_a thing_n and_o to_o let_v they_o enter_v too_o deep_a into_o one_o heart_n be_v a_o disposition_n quite_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o a_o christian_a ought_v to_o be_v in_o 4._o last_o a_o excessive_a application_n to_o temporal_a affair_n hurry_v a_o man_n into_o many_o disorder_n we_o need_v but_o reflect_v a_o little_a to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v fill_v only_o with_o the_o thought_n and_o solicitude_n of_o this_o life_n must_v be_v a_o slave_n to_o his_o sense_n and_o passion_n and_o that_o he_o lay_v himself_o open_v every_o moment_n to_o a_o thousand_o temptation_n which_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o withstand_v though_o his_o employment_n be_v lawful_a in_o themselves_o yet_o he_o make_v they_o criminal_a because_o to_o he_o they_o be_v only_o mean_v of_o gratify_v his_o appetite_n and_o the_o great_a mischief_n be_v that_o when_o a_o man_n be_v once_o enter_v upon_o that_o course_n he_o still_o confirm_v himself_o in_o it_o so_o that_o at_o last_o he_o can_v leave_v it_o off_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n his_o passion_n be_v still_o mount_v high_o on_o the_o other_o business_n and_o toil_n grow_v upon_o he_o he_o first_o proposo_n a_o end_n to_o himself_o and_o then_o he_o will_v bring_v it_o about_o at_o any_o rate_n as_o be_v engage_v in_o honour_n and_o by_o interest_n not_o do_o desist_v if_o he_o meet_v with_o obstacle_n he_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o surmount_v they_o if_o he_o succeed_v success_n animate_v he_o with_o new_a ardour_n he_o be_v for_o go_v further_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v a_o endless_a labour_n a_o continual_a succession_n of_o care_n which_o be_v still_o grow_v great_a and_o which_o end_n only_o with_o his_o life_n from_o all_o this_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o abuse_n of_o worldly_a business_n be_v most_o dangerous_a and_o that_o if_o we_o will_v not_o have_v it_o obstruct_v our_o salvation_n we_o ought_v to_o observe_v these_o three_o rule_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v pursue_v the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n with_o moderation_n one_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a direction_n for_o a_o happy_a life_n be_v this_o to_o lay_v nothing_o too_o much_o to_o heart_n the_o way_n to_o preserve_v our_o innocence_n and_o tranquillity_n be_v to_o crave_v nothing_o too_o eager_o not_o to_o rejoice_v excessive_o at_o any_o prosperity_n not_o to_o be_v deject_v above_o measure_n for_o any_o disaster_n which_o may_v happen_v and_o not_o to_o be_v too_o hot_a and_o peremptory_a upon_o any_o design_n the_o second_o caution_n to_o be_v use_v be_v the_o avoid_v multiplicity_n of_o business_n and_o excess_n of_o employment_n as_o much_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o call_v every_o one_o shall_v consider_v what_o he_o be_v fit_a for_o and_o what_o he_o be_v call_v to_o and_o go_v no_o far_o in_o the_o last_o place_n wisdom_n require_v that_o among_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n we_o shall_v reserve_v the_o necessary_a time_n and_o care_n to_o pay_v what_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o to_o mind_v our_o salvation_n the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o concern_v to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v very_o useful_a to_o have_v certain_a time_n of_o retirement_n and_o leisure_n and_o to_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o make_v now_o and_o then_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o temporal_a employment_n such_o reflection_n as_o may_v call_v we_o back_o to_o our_o duty_n and_o be_v like_o a_o counterpoise_n to_o that_o bias_n which_o carry_v we_o towards_o sensible_a object_n let_v we_o often_o think_v that_o we_o be_v mortal_a that_o we_o have_v a_o soul_n and_o that_o there_o be_v another_o life_n after_o this_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o all_o our_o worldly_a care_n terminate_v in_o and_o what_o judgement_n we_o shall_v make_v of_o they_o upon_o our_o deathbed_n these_o reflection_n will_v put_v we_o upon_o wise_a and_o moderate_a course_n and_o so_o we_o shall_v avoid_v innumerable_a disorder_n and_o misery_n which_o man_n fall_v into_o by_o their_o too_o great_a application_n to_o temporal_a business_n cause_n ix_o man_n particular_a calling_n though_o we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o corruption_n have_v its_o source_n in_o the_o abuse_n of_o worldly_a business_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o insist_v a_o little_a more_o upon_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o consider_v it_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o different_a state_n and_o calling_n which_o man_n be_v engage_v in_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o worldly_a business_n we_o mean_v chief_o those_o thing_n about_o which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o life_n be_v spend_v now_o those_o occupation_n must_v needs_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o particular_a kind_n of_o life_n which_o a_o man_n follow_v and_o so_o every_o man_n kind_n of_o life_n may_v be_v a_o source_n or_o at_o least_o a_o accidental_a cause_n of_o corruption_n as_o the_o world_n be_v constitute_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v
be_v enough_o to_o fill_v they_o with_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o now_o when_o man_n be_v thus_o blind_v by_o self-love_n and_o do_v not_o know_v themselves_o there_o be_v but_o little_a hope_n of_o they_o and_o they_o will_v undoubted_o fall_v into_o a_o state_n of_o security_n these_o consideration_n plain_o show_v if_o i_o â—m_n not_o mistake_v that_o man_n for_o the_o most_o â—art_n live_v in_o very_o great_a ignorance_n but_o i_o â—hink_v myself_o bind_v to_o answer_v a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v offer_v against_o what_o have_v â—een_n say_v some_o will_v think_v no_o doubt_n â—â—at_v it_o be_v very_o difficult_a for_o man_n to_o be_v so_o â—ell_o instruct_v as_o i_o suppose_v they_o ought_v to_o â—e_v and_o that_o the_o people_n be_v not_o capable_a â—f_n such_o a_o exact_a kowledge_v of_o morality_n to_o satisfy_v those_o who_o make_v this_o objection_n and_o to_o clear_v this_o matter_n full_o i_o observe_v first_o that_o by_o all_o i_o have_v say_v i_o do_v â—â—y_o no_o mean_n pretend_v that_o all_o christian_n â—â—an_z or_o aught_o to_o be_v equal_o instruct_v i_o â—now_v that_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o knowledge_n â—nd_v that_o in_o morality_n as_o well_o as_o in_o doctrine_n divine_n and_o man_n of_o part_n go_v a_o â—reat_a way_n beyond_o the_o bulk_n of_o mankind_n it_o 〈◊〉_d sufficient_a for_o every_o one_o to_o be_v instruct_v accord_v to_o his_o capacity_n and_o his_o condition_n â—ut_v after_o all_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o morality_n â—s_v necssary_a to_o every_o body_n or_o else_o we_o must_v â—â—rike_v several_a precept_n out_o of_o the_o gospel_n â—nless_a we_o imagine_v that_o those_o precept_n be_v intend_v only_o for_o a_o small_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o subtle_a man_n which_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o our_o saviour_n word_n who_o say_v that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v design_v for_o all_o mankind_n for_o the_o little_a one_o and_o the_o simple_a rather_o than_o for_o 8._o for_o mat._n xi_o 25_o 1_o cor._n x._o john_n vi_o 45._o 1_o thess_n v._o 20._o phil._n iu._n 8._o 2_o pet._n ii_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a there_o be_v no_o christian_a but_o aught_o to_o be_v a_o spiritual_a man_n and_o teach_v of_o god_n when_o st._n paul_n say_v prove_v all_o thing_n hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v true_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v honest_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v just_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v pure_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v lovely_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v of_o good_a report_n if_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n if_o there_o be_v any_o praise_n think_v on_o these_o thing_n when_o st._n peter_n exhort_v christian_n to_o add_v to_o their_o faith_n all_o christian_a virtue_n to_o grow_v and_o abound_v in_o all_o these_o virtue_n such_o exhortation_n do_v belong_v equal_o to_o all_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n of_o very_a dull_a and_o shallow_a capacity_n and_o that_o country_n people_n and_o mechanic_n can_v comprehend_v all_o these_o maxim_n of_o morality_n this_o be_v not_o so_o difficult_a as_o it_o be_v imagine_v the_o duty_n of_o morality_n be_v clear_a they_o present_o affect_v a_o man_n because_o they_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o common_a notice_n and_o sentiment_n of_o conscience_n choose_v what_o part_n of_o morality_n you_o please_v and_o you_o may_v with_o due_a endeavour_n make_v either_o a_o handy-crafts-man_n or_o a_o day-labourer_n apprehend_v it_o so_o you_o confine_v yourself_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o such_o people_n in_o their_o several_a calling_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o subtle_a or_o difficult_a in_o the_o rule_n of_o morality_n than_o there_o be_v in_o a_o hundred_o dexterity_n and_o shift_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n and_o which_o common_a people_n can_v attain_v to_o without_o any_o great_a pain_n if_o therefore_o man_n understanding_n be_v so_o gross_a and_o stupid_a in_o moral_a matter_n be_v not_o because_o these_o matter_n be_v above_o their_o reach_n but_o because_o they_o be_v never_o teach_v they_o â—or_a never_o apply_v themselves_o to_o they_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v of_o what_o man_n may_v be_v by_o what_o they_o be_v the_o best_a ground_n become_v barren_a when_o it_o be_v not_o cultivate_v if_o thing_n be_v well_o order_v among_o christian_n in_o relation_n especial_o to_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o education_n of_o child_n the_o generality_n of_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o stupid_a and_o ignorant_a as_o they_o be_v we_o may_v therefore_o conclude_v that_o ignorance_n be_v one_o of_o the_o general_a cause_n of_o corruption_n christian_n be_v ill_o inform_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o duty_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o want_v instruction_n both_o as_o to_o faith_n and_o manner_n they_o must_v needs_o live_v in_o a_o great_a neglect_n of_o religious_a matter_n it_o may_v be_v ask_v whence_o do_v this_o ignorance_n proceed_v i_o shall_v observe_v three_o principal_a cause_n of_o it_o the_o first_o be_v education_n the_o way_n in_o which_o child_n be_v breed_v up_o do_v infallible_o lead_v to_o ignorance_n the_o second_o be_v the_o want_n of_o mean_n to_o get_v good_a instruction_n and_o particular_o the_o defect_n of_o those_o instruction_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o christian_n in_o sermon_n catechism_n and_o book_n the_o three_o be_v the_o sloth_n and_o carelessness_n of_o man_n who_o will_v be_v at_o no_o pain_n to_o acquire_v necessary_a knowledge_n we_o may_v bestow_v very_o weighty_a consideration_n upon_o every_o one_o of_o these_o three_o head_n but_o since_o they_o will_v again_o come_v in_o our_o way_n in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o treatise_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v point_v at_o they_o in_o this_o place_n as_o the_o three_o main_a source_n of_o ignorance_n in_o truth_n if_o man_n be_v ill_o educate_v if_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o instruction_n and_o take_v no_o care_n about_o it_o whence_o shall_v they_o have_v sufficient_a knowledge_n unless_o they_o be_v instruct_v by_o miracle_n by_o revelation_n and_o inspiration_n they_o can_v but_o be_v ignorant_a and_o corrupt_a but_o now_o if_o ignorance_n be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o corruption_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o first_o remedy_n to_o be_v use_v against_o corruption_n be_v the_o remove_v that_o ignorance_n it_o be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o begin_v at_o if_o we_o will_v bring_v back_o christian_n to_o a_o life_n worthy_a of_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v exhortation_n censure_n and_o all_o other_o such_o method_n will_v signify_v nothing_o as_o long_o as_o man_n mind_n be_v not_o prepare_v by_o proper_a instruction_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v in_o this_o chapter_n it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o the_o right_a way_n to_o instruct_v man_n be_v before_o all_o thing_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o make_v they_o sensible_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a or_o of_o great_a consequence_n in_o the_o world_n than_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n the_o belief_n of_o the_o general_a truth_n ought_v especial_o to_o be_v well_o fix_v in_o their_o mind_n as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n a_o providence_n a_o judgement_n and_o another_o life_n after_o this_o we_o must_v proceed_v to_o the_o particular_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o we_o go_v on_o in_o explain_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o show_v what_o influence_n those_o truth_n have_v upon_o holiness_n and_o salvation_n but_o the_o most_o important_a thing_n of_o all_o when_o these_o truth_n be_v settle_v be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v man_n happy_a that_o the_o scope_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o make_v man_n true_o good_a and_o that_o without_o piety_n and_o good_a work_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n it_o will_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o recommend_v sanctification_n in_o general_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o must_v beside_o be_v distinct_o explain_v it_o must_v be_v show_v which_o be_v the_o general_a and_o particular_a obligation_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n and_o what_o sin_n be_v contrary_a to_o these_o and_o here_o those_o who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o instruct_v the_o people_n aught_o to_o be_v as_o particular_a as_o possible_o they_o can_v show_v upon_o each_o virtue_n and_o vice_n what_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o be_v and_o what_o be_v the_o several_a character_n kind_n and_o degree_n of_o it_o and_o propose_v likewise_o the_o motive_n which_o shall_v discourage_v man_n from_o those_o vice_n and_o prompt_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o opposite_a virtue_n as_o also_o the_o
hospitality_n from_o mind_v their_o function_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o from_o discharge_v the_o duty_n of_o it_o with_o authority_n and_o zeal_n it_o force_v they_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o several_a mean_a or_o unlawful_a method_n to_o supply_v their_o necessity_n and_o those_o of_o their_o family_n and_o to_o do_v many_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o comport_v with_o their_o employment_n from_o thence_o proceed_v likewise_o the_o want_n of_o able_a minister_n a_o great_a many_o person_n who_o may_v have_v the_o necessary_a talent_n qualification_n and_o mean_n to_o be_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o church_n take_v a_o disgust_n at_o that_o profession_n by_o the_o fear_n of_o contempt_n or_o poverty_n as_o long_o as_o thing_n be_v in_o this_o state_n religion_n will_v be_v despise_v and_o corruption_n will_v still_o be_v in_o vogue_n it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o remove_v this_o cause_n of_o corruption_n as_o it_o be_v to_o detest_v it_o the_o re-establish_a of_o order_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n extreme_o difficult_a to_o this_o end_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a that_o prince_n arid_a churchman_n shall_v act_v in_o conjunction_n but_o there_o be_v few_o christian_a prince_n who_o lay_v this_o to_o heart_n and_o divine_n have_v quite_o other_o thing_n in_o their_o thought_n their_o great_a business_n be_v to_o maintain_v what_o be_v establish_v and_o to_o dispute_v with_o those_o who_o find_v fault_n with_o it_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n knowledge_n or_o resolution_n be_v want_v and_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o of_o honesty_n or_o greatness_n of_o soul_n to_o confess_v the_o truth_n few_o writer_n have_v the_o courage_n to_o speak_v so_o impartial_o as_o the_o famous_a author_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o reformation_n in_o england_n have_v do_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o second_o volume_n it_o be_v think_v by_o many_o person_n that_o all_o will_v be_v ruin_v if_o the_o least_o alteration_n be_v make_v some_o of_o those_o defect_n which_o have_v be_v mention_v in_o this_o chapter_n be_v now_o become_v inviolable_a custom_n and_o law_n every_o body_n fancy_v true_a and_o pure_a christianity_n to_o be_v that_o which_o obtain_v in_o his_o country_n or_o in_o the_o society_n he_o live_v in_o and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o put_v to_o the_o question_n whether_o or_o not_o some_o thing_n shall_v be_v alter_v as_o long_o as_o christian_n be_v possess_v with_o these_o prejudices_fw-la we_o must_v not_o expect_v to_o see_v christianity_n restore_v to_o a_o entire_a purity_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v from_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n that_o christian_n will_v open_v their_o eye_n at_o last_o and_o that_o divine_n will_v grow_v sensible_a of_o the_o necessity_n of_o mind_v these_o thing_n the_o main_a point_n here_o be_v to_o shake_v off_o all_o prejudice_n and_o to_o consider_v thing_n in_o their_o nature_n and_o original_a our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o excellent_a rule_n when_o speak_v of_o the_o abuse_n which_o have_v be_v so_o long_o receive_v among_o the_o jew_n in_o reference_n to_o marriage_n he_o tell_v we_o xix_o place_v =_o foot_n n_o =_o *_o mat._n xix_o that_o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o this_o maxim_n be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o a_o lover_n of_o truth_n and_o virtue_n shall_v always_o have_v it_o before_o his_o eye_n it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o we_o shall_v still_o appeal_v to_o it_o and_o that_o instead_o of_o govern_v ourselves_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o present_a time_n we_o shall_v run_v up_o to_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n and_o compare_v what_o be_v do_v at_o this_o day_n with_o that_o which_o have_v be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v this_o will_v be_v the_o true_a way_n to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o to_o draw_v near_o to_o perfection_n and_o to_o bring_v thing_n back_o into_o the_o natural_a and_o primitive_a channel_n cause_n ii_o the_o want_n of_o discipline_n it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n in_o this_o chapter_n to_o speak_v of_o church_n discipline_n in_o general_n i_o shall_v only_o insist_v upon_o that_o part_n of_o it_o the_o end_n of_o which_o be_v to_o regulate_v the_o manner_n of_o christian_n and_o this_o be_v a_o important_a matter_n the_o want_n of_o discipline_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a imperfection_n which_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o one_o of_o the_o most_o evident_a and_o general_a cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n but_o because_o some_o man_n have_v pretend_v that_o discipline_n such_o as_o i_o suppose_v it_o in_o this_o chapter_n be_v a_o humane_a and_o arbitrary_a institution_n the_o observation_n of_o which_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o may_v be_v dangerous_a i_o think_v it_o proper_a to_o say_v something_o here_o concern_v the_o original_a and_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v certain_a in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o all_o society_n and_o body_n have_v a_o right_a to_o establish_v a_o order_n to_o regulate_v themselves_o by_o and_o to_o provide_v for_o their_o security_n and_o preservation_n when_o several_a man_n or_o people_n unite_z to_z form_n a_o body_n they_o have_v power_n to_o make_v law_n and_o regulation_n to_o which_o all_o the_o member_n of_o that_o body_n may_v be_v tie_v and_o to_o exclude_v those_o from_o their_o communion_n who_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o they_o but_o these_o law_n ought_v not_o to_o clash_v with_o other_o law_n already_o establish_v nor_o with_o just_a and_o acknowledge_v right_n i_o think_v this_o power_n which_o be_v grant_v to_o the_o mean_a of_o society_n can_v be_v deny_v to_o the_o church_n and_o this_o prove_v already_o that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o right_a to_o appoint_v a_o discipline_n to_o which_o all_o her_o member_n shall_v he_o subject_v provide_v that_o discipline_n do_v not_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n prejudice_v public_a tranquillity_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n nor_o any_o way_n contradict_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n now_o as_o discipline_n be_v not_o liable_a to_o either_o of_o these_o inconvenience_n but_o do_v rather_o perfect_o agree_v with_o the_o welfare_n of_o civil_a society_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o will_v be_v prove_v hereafter_o so_o the_o establish_n of_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v equal_o lawful_a and_o necessary_a ii_o but_o further_o discipline_n be_v a_o order_n which_o have_v god_n for_o its_o author_n we_o find_v the_o institution_n of_o it_o in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o in_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o apostle_n i_o shall_v recite_v the_o chief_a of_o these_o 1._o in_o st._n matthews_n gospel_n chap._n xviii_o 15_o 16_o 17._o we_o read_v these_o word_n if_o thy_o brother_n shall_v trespass_v against_o thou_o go_v and_o tell_v he_o of_o his_o fault_n between_o thou_o and_o he_o alone_o if_o he_o shall_v hear_v thou_o thou_o have_v gain_v thy_o brother_n but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o hear_v thou_o then_o take_v with_o thou_o one_o or_o two_o more_o that_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o word_n may_v be_v establish_v and_o if_o he_o shall_v neglect_v to_o hear_v they_o tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n but_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o these_o word_n we_o must_v know_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o enact_v here_o a_o new_a law_n and_o that_o a_o order_n like_o that_o which_o be_v here_o prescribe_v be_v already_o observe_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o here_o as_o upon_o many_o occasion_n our_o saviour_n do_v comply_v with_o the_o custom_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o nation_n because_o he_o judge_v that_o those_o custom_n be_v good_a and_o fit_a for_o his_o view_n and_o purpose_n the_o first_o christian_n do_v the_o same_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o government_n they_o do_v form_v the_o christian_a church_n upon_o the_o model_n of_o the_o jewish_a assembly_n and_o upon_o the_o method_n which_o be_v there_o observe_v this_o be_v the_o key_n of_o the_o place_n i_o have_v now_o quote_v our_o saviour_n approve_v the_o jewish_a practice_n and_o enjoin_v his_o disciple_n to_o observe_v the_o same_o order_n among_o they_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o this_o be_v his_o mean_v for_o he_o speak_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o it_o appear_v by_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o this_o passage_n and_o by_o the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v give_v here_o a_o law_n which_o concern_v the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o he_o proper_o speak_v of_o private_a difference_n but_o what_o he_o say_v aught_o to_o apply_v to_o
shall_v go_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n be_v invest_v with_o civil_a authority_n and_o a_o very_a great_a authority_n too_o the_o jewish_a priest_n hold_v a_o considerable_a rank_n in_o the_o state_n as_o well_o as_o in_o religion_n if_o upon_o some_o occasion_n king_n have_v depose_v priest_n upon_o other_o occasion_n priest_n have_v oppose_v king_n and_o alter_v the_o government_n xxvi_o government_n see_v chron._n xxiii_o and_o xxvi_o so_o that_o without_o press_v too_o much_o those_o instance_n out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o consult_v the_o new_a and_o to_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o whosoever_o examine_v without_o prejudice_n those_o sacred_a book_n which_o have_v be_v write_v since_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o thing_n be_v now_o alter_v and_o that_o magistrate_n have_v but_o a_o limit_a authority_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o the_o scripture_n never_o mention_n they_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o government_n of_o it_o 3_o and_o yet_o as_o the_o authority_n of_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n it_o ought_v still_o to_o subsist_v entire_a and_o therefore_o they_o have_v a_o unquestionable_a right_n to_o take_v care_n that_o nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o lawful_a authority_n and_o of_o public_a tranquillity_n and_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o stretch_v their_o authority_n beyond_o spiritual_a thing_n the_o honour_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o religion_n require_v that_o this_o principle_n shall_v be_v lay_v down_o for_o religion_n as_o be_v say_v before_o ought_v not_o to_o disturb_v society_n and_o true_a religion_n will_v never_o disturb_v it_o if_o then_o any_o christian_n or_o churchman_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n shall_v break_v in_o upon_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o public_a peace_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v a_o right_a to_o restrain_v they_o and_o then_o they_o do_v not_o oppose_v religion_n but_o those_o only_o who_o abuse_n and_o dishonour_v it_o after_o these_o consideration_n i_o think_v any_o man_n be_v able_a to_o judge_v whether_o the_o decay_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o in_o part_n to_o be_v impute_v to_o christian_a prince_n and_o magistrate_n we_o need_v but_o inquire_v whether_o both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n they_o observe_v the_o duty_n i_o have_v now_o describe_v i_o say_v no_o more_o of_o this_o because_o every_o body_n be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o application_n but_o i_o must_v add_v that_o if_o the_o want_n of_o zeal_n in_o magistrate_n be_v enough_o to_o introduce_v confusion_n and_o vice_n into_o the_o church_n the_o mischief_n be_v much_o great_a when_o not_o only_o they_o do_v not_o what_o they_o ought_v for_o the_o good_a of_o religion_n but_o when_o they_o use_v their_o authority_n beside_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o it_o i_o can_v forbear_v mention_v here_o two_o great_a abuse_n the_o first_o be_v when_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n assume_v the_o whole_a authority_n to_o themselves_o so_o that_o except_o preach_v and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n they_o will_v do_v every_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n when_o they_o presume_v to_o determine_v article_n of_o faith_n to_o rule_v the_o conscience_n of_o their_o subject_n and_o to_o force_v they_o to_o embrace_v one_o persuasion_n rather_o than_o another_o when_o they_o will_v by_o all_o mean_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o call_v pastor_n without_o regard_n to_o that_o right_n of_o the_o church_n and_o churchman_n which_o be_v establish_v in_o scripture_n and_o confirn_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n when_o they_o seize_v upon_o church-estate_n though_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o fear_v that_o wealth_n shall_v corrupt_v their_o clergy_n and_o though_o such_o revenue_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o several_a pious_a uses_n and_o particular_o to_o the_o relief_n of_o country-churche_n most_o of_o which_o be_v not_o sufficient_o edify_v for_o want_v of_o necessary_a endowment_n and_o fund_n a_o great_a deal_n may_v be_v say_v about_o that_o which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o last_o century_n with_o relation_n to_o church-revenue_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o people_n have_v be_v a_o little_a more_o scrupulous_a than_o they_o be_v when_o they_o invade_v the_o possession_n of_o the_o church_n and_o confound_v they_o with_o the_o revenue_n of_o the_o state_n beside_o this_o the_o magistrate_n authority_n be_v fatal_a to_o the_o church_n when_o he_o hinder_v the_o exercise_n of_o true_a discipline_n and_o when_o he_o substitute_n such_o regulation_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a in_o the_o room_n of_o apostolical_a law_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a obstruction_n to_o the_o restore_n of_o apostolical_a discipline_n though_o the_o church_n and_o her_o pastor_n shall_v be_v willing_a to_o observe_v the_o ancient_a order_n and_o to_o oppose_v corruption_n by_o those_o mean_n which_o the_o gospel_n enjoin_v yet_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v if_o those_o who_o have_v the_o authority_n in_o their_o hand_n will_v not_o give_v way_n to_o it_o the_o church_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o resist_v and_o to_o make_v head_n against_o the_o magistrate_n when_o he_o use_v force_n and_o she_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v it_o if_o she_o can_v the_o second_o abuse_n be_v when_o the_o magistrate_n make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o abase_v religion_n in_o the_o person_n of_o its_o minister_n by_o despoil_v they_o as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v of_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v procure_v they_o respect_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n this_o policy_n be_v as_o contrary_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o piety_n as_o it_o be_v common_a now_o adays_o in_o several_a christian_a dominion_n it_o be_v well_o do_v of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o preserve_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o clergy_n from_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o their_o call_v but_o from_o thence_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o trample_v they_o under_o foot_n to_o bring_v they_o under_o a_o general_a contempt_n and_o to_o vilify_v their_o character_n which_o after_o all_o be_v sacred_a and_o venerable_a this_o be_v to_o sacrifice_v religion_n to_o policy_n and_o pride_n and_o this_o proceed_v be_v a_o manifest_a cause_n of_o the_o contempt_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o corruption_n which_o necessary_o follow_v that_o contempt_n since_o common_o nothing_o be_v more_o despise_v in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o which_o great_a man_n despise_v i_o declare_v it_o once_o more_o by_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o do_v not_o mean_v to_o detract_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o respect_n due_a to_o civil_a power_n neither_o do_v i_o speak_v of_o all_o christian_a prince_n and_o magistrate_n among_o who_o there_o be_v some_o who_o have_v piety_n and_o zeal_n and_o who_o labour_n with_o success_n for_o the_o good_a of_o religion_n but_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v speak_v the_o truth_n so_o that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o cause_n of_o corruption_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o if_o christian_a magistrate_n will_v be_v please_v to_o make_v serious_a reflection_n upon_o all_o these_o thing_n we_o shall_v soon_o see_v a_o end_n of_o some_o of_o these_o disorder_n and_o that_o a_o happy_a time_n will_v come_v when_o they_o will_v use_v their_o authority_n to_o advance_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o to_o restore_v truth_n piety_n and_o peace_n among_o christian_n cause_n v._o education_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a than_o to_o look_v for_o the_o original_a of_o corruption_n in_o the_o time_n at_o which_o it_o begin_v i_o mean_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o life_n it_o be_v not_o only_a when_o man_n have_v attain_v to_o a_o ripeness_n of_o age_n that_o they_o be_v incline_v to_o vice_n but_o that_o inclination_n discover_v itself_o from_o their_o youth_n the_o root_n of_o that_o ignorance_n of_o those_o prejudices_fw-la and_o of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ill_a disposition_n they_o be_v in_o may_v be_v find_v in_o their_o tender_a year_n we_o have_v need_v then_o look_v back_o upon_o the_o beginning_n of_o life_n and_o seek_v in_o youth_n and_o in_o infancy_n itself_o the_o source_n of_o corruption_n when_o we_o enter_v upon_o this_o enquiry_n and_o consider_v that_o man_n if_o nothing_o restrain_v they_o will_v run_v into_o vice_n from_o their_o youth_n out_o of_o a_o propension_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o we_o can_v but_o perceive_v at_o first_o sight_n that_o there_o must_v be_v in_o
a_o treatise_n concern_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o present_a corruption_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o remedy_n thereof_o part_n i._n london_n print_v for_o ri._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n s_o churchyard_n 1700._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a gilbert_n lord_n bishop_n of_o sarum_n chancellor_n of_o the_o most_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n my_o lord_n the_o treatise_n i_o now_o humble_o offer_v to_o your_o lordship_n in_o english_a have_v meet_v with_o a_o very_a great_a and_o general_a applause_n in_o french_a a_o second_o edition_n of_o it_o be_v desire_v in_o less_o than_o two_o month_n after_o the_o first_o and_o it_o be_v already_o translate_v into_o more_o language_n than_o one_o but_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o weigh_v more_o than_o any_o other_o commendation_n be_v the_o high_a value_n your_o lordship_n set_v upon_o this_o book_n for_o if_o the_o most_o accomplish_v writer_n be_v the_o best_a judge_n of_o other_o man_n work_n there_o lie_v no_o appeal_n from_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n concern_v the_o worth_n of_o this_o i_o have_v hear_v your_o lordship_n deliver_v your_o opinion_n of_o this_o performance_n in_o a_o very_a particular_a manner_n and_o reckon_v it_o among_o the_o best_a book_n that_o this_o age_n have_v produce_v and_o that_o in_o all_o respect_n both_o for_o piety_n and_o learning_n good_a sense_n and_o true_a judgement_n your_o lordship_n think_v fit_a that_o so_o valuable_a a_o work_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o english_a you_o be_v please_v my_o lord_n to_o commit_v this_o translation_n to_o my_o care_n and_o i_o can_v wish_v i_o have_v be_v as_o well_o qualify_v for_o that_o office_n as_o i_o be_v desirous_a to_o discharge_v it_o to_o your_o lordship_n satisfaction_n but_o i_o be_o conscious_a of_o my_o want_n of_o ability_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o i_o fear_v the_o work_n of_o the_o reverend_n and_o worthy_a author_n who_o honour_v i_o with_o some_o share_n in_o his_o friendship_n have_v lose_v several_a beauty_n and_o grace_n by_o pass_v through_o my_o hand_n however_o my_o lord_n i_o have_v render_v his_o sense_n as_o faithful_o as_o i_o can_v and_o that_o be_v all_o i_o will_v be_v accountable_a for_o to_o the_o reader_n for_o if_o among_o that_o variety_n of_o nice_a and_o tender_a subject_n which_o be_v touch_v here_o the_o author_n mix_v any_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o suit_n with_o every_o body_n notion_n it_o be_v his_o province_n and_o not_o i_o to_o defend_v it_o he_o live_v in_o one_o of_o the_o remote_a country_n in_o which_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v receive_v and_o in_o what_o he_o write_v he_o have_v his_o own_o neighbourhood_n chief_o in_o view_n so_o that_o his_o main_a design_n be_v to_o corect_v thing_n within_o his_o reach_n to_o which_o the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v now_o in_o eminent_a danger_n led_z him_z but_o i_o leave_v to_o your_o lordship_n to_o judge_v whether_o that_o which_o he_o think_v proper_a for_o his_o own_o church_n may_v not_o be_v likewise_o of_o good_a use_n to_o other_o and_o now_o my_o lord_n i_o do_v glad_o embrace_v this_o opportunity_n to_o make_v a_o public_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a obligation_n your_o lordship_n have_v lay_v upon_o i_o a_o post_n in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o great_a favour_n i_o have_v receive_v at_o your_o hand_n i_o reckon_v myself_o much_o more_o beholden_a to_o your_o lordship_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o your_o example_n and_o instruction_n which_o i_o have_v enjoy_v several_a year_n in_o your_o family_n but_o here_o i_o must_v make_v a_o full_a stop_n and_o how_o much_o soever_o i_o be_o incline_v to_o say_v a_o great_a deal_n upon_o the_o subject_n yet_o i_o know_v your_o lordship_n too_o well_o to_o venture_v on_o it_o for_o whatever_o i_o may_v think_v i_o know_v i_o must_v say_v nothing_o the_o best_a return_n i_o can_v make_v for_o the_o large_a experience_n i_o have_v have_v of_o your_o lordship_n kindness_n and_o generosity_n be_v to_o put_v up_o my_o most_o hearty_a prayer_n for_o the_o long_a continuance_n of_o your_o lordship_n life_n and_o happiness_n and_o for_o the_o last_a prosperity_n of_o your_o family_n this_o i_o do_v my_o lord_n as_o true_o as_o i_o profess_v myself_o with_o all_o possible_a respect_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a most_o dutiful_a and_o most_o oblige_a servant_n charles_n mutel_n the_o author_n preface_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o wonder_v at_o the_o great_a corruption_n that_o at_o present_a be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o christian_n the_o religion_n they_o profess_v do_v chief_o tend_v to_o sanctify_v man_n and_o to_o purge_v the_o world_n from_o corruption_n and_o vice_n and_o one_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v produce_v that_o effect_n since_o it_o afford_v such_o a_o clear_a light_n such_o powerful_a motive_n and_o such_o effectual_a help_n to_o holiness_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o whoever_o inquire_v into_o the_o notion_n and_o manner_n of_o christian_n must_v have_v no_o great_a share_n of_o sincerity_n or_o judgement_n if_o he_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o religion_n have_v but_o littil_a influence_n upon_o their_o mind_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o amaze_a contradiction_n between_o their_o life_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n this_o corruption_n be_v so_o evident_a and_o so_o general_o confess_v that_o i_o need_v not_o stand_v to_o prove_v it_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v that_o christian_n live_v in_o a_o great_a neglect_n of_o their_o duty_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o corruption_n and_o to_o consider_v what_o remedy_n shall_v be_v apply_v to_o it_o this_o be_v what_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v in_o this_o treatise_n in_o hope_n that_o such_o a_o enquiry_n will_v not_o be_v altogether_o unuseful_a for_o first_o it_o may_v contribute_v to_o maintain_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o confute_v infidel_n and_o libertine_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o despise_v it_o because_o its_o precept_n be_v little_o practise_v if_o religion_n say_v they_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o it_o have_v so_o little_a efficacy_n and_o that_o there_o appear_v so_o much_o disorder_n and_o licentiousness_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o to_o undeceive_v such_o man_n and_o to_o infuse_v into_o they_o a_o great_a respect_n for_o religion_n it_o be_v of_o very_o great_a importance_n to_o discover_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o piety_n and_o to_o show_v that_o if_o man_n be_v corrupt_v it_o be_v not_o because_o christ_n religion_n be_v insufficient_a to_o introduce_v virtue_n and_o order_n into_o the_o world_n but_o that_o this_o evil_n flow_v from_o some_o other_o cause_n and_o that_o if_o christian_n do_v what_o they_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o do_v true_a piety_n will_v not_o be_v so_o uncommon_a as_o it_o be_v among_o they_o a_o second_o advantage_n which_o may_v be_v reap_v from_o this_o enquiry_n be_v this_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o it_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o corruption_n may_v be_v it_o be_v not_o however_o as_o many_o imagine_v past_a remedy_n which_o imagination_n be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a prejudice_n while_o man_n look_v on_o it_o as_o impossible_a to_o stem_v the_o tide_n of_o corruption_n and_o to_o re-establish_a order_n and_o purity_n of_o manner_n in_o the_o world_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v it_o they_o let_v thing_n go_v on_o at_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o so_o the_o disorder_n increase_v and_o spread_v far_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o we_o corruption_n be_v great_a general_a and_o inveterate_a but_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o incurable_a disease_n the_o fountain_n of_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v discover_v and_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o stop_v they_o i_o hope_v this_o will_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o those_o who_o shall_v attentive_o and_o without_o prepossession_n consider_v what_o be_v propose_v in_o this_o work_n three_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n more_o likely_a to_o remove_v this_o corruption_n than_o to_o cut_v off_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o sure_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o compendious_a method_n one_o of_o the_o main_a reason_n why_o so_o many_o excellent_a book_n design_v to_o inspire_v man_n with_o a_o love_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n have_v not_o all_o the_o effect_n that_o may_v be_v expect_v from_o they_o be_v that_o the_o author_n do_v not_o sufficient_o observe_v the_o general_a cause_n of_o the_o depravation_n of_o manner_n it_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o deplore_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n to_o exhort_v man_n and_o to_o give_v they_o fine_a lesson_n of_o morality_n the_o work_n of_o reformation_n can_v
goodness_n of_o god_n who_o have_v so_o well_o provide_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o man_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o set_v bound_n to_o our_o curiosity_n and_o to_o fortify_v our_o faith_n against_o those_o doubt_n which_o may_v start_v up_o in_o our_o mind_n by_o reason_n of_o so_o many_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o as_o therefore_o of_o all_o truth_n none_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n or_o of_o a_o more_o entire_a certainty_n than_o those_o which_o religion_n depend_v upon_o so_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o truth_n ought_v to_o be_v simple_a evident_a and_o suit_v to_o all_o man_n capacity_n thus_o when_o in_o order_n to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n we_o allege_v for_o instance_n the_o state_n and_o order_n in_o which_o the_o world_n subsist_v when_o we_o show_v that_o the_o world_n can_v be_v eternal_a and_o that_o thing_n have_v a_o beginning_n when_o we_o establish_v the_o inspiration_n of_o scripture_n by_o the_o prophecy_n it_o contain_v which_o be_v undoubted_o write_v before_o their_o accomplishment_n when_o we_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o history_n and_o demonstrate_v that_o if_o the_o fact_n upon_o which_o religion_n be_v found_v be_v not_o certain_a there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n in_o the_o world_n in_o respect_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v past_a and_o that_o if_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v reject_v there_o be_v no_o witness_n or_o historian_n who_o may_v not_o be_v reject_v upon_o better_a ground_n when_o we_o confirm_v the_o sacred_a history_n by_o the_o concur_v testimony_n of_o pagan_a writer_n and_o by_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a monument_n which_o past_a age_n can_v afford_v when_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v plant_v in_o the_o world_n and_o upon_o the_o alteration_n it_o have_v make_v in_o it_o when_o we_o insist_v upon_o the_o character_n of_o truth_n sincerity_n and_o divinity_n which_o be_v observable_a in_o the_o scripture_n in_o short_a when_o we_o take_v religion_n to_o piece_n and_o make_v man_n see_v and_o feel_v that_o its_o doctrine_n its_o precept_n its_o promise_n and_o its_o threaten_n have_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o be_v absurd_a or_o bad_a or_o contrary_a to_o our_o natural_a apprehension_n nothing_o but_o what_o perfect_o agree_v with_o sound_a reason_n and_o the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o own_o conscience_n and_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v advantageous_a to_o particular_a person_n and_o to_o society_n when_o i_o say_v we_o urge_v these_o proof_n and_o other_o like_v they_o and_o have_v the_o art_n of_o propose_v they_o in_o a_o clear_a and_o judicious_a method_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o contain_v nothing_o that_o be_v very_o difficult_a these_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o the_o strong_a proof_n that_o can_v be_v use_v in_o a_o subject_a of_o this_o nature_n and_o the_o argument_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v these_o proof_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n so_o natural_a and_o so_o conform_v to_o the_o idea_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o to_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o there_o be_v few_o even_o of_o the_o vulgar_a who_o may_v not_o apprehend_v they_o if_o not_o perfect_o and_o in_o their_o whole_a extent_n which_o be_v reserve_v to_o man_n of_o a_o large_a capacity_n yet_o so_o far_o at_o least_o as_o sufficient_o to_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o force_n if_o then_o difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o discussion_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v because_o this_o matter_n be_v neglect_v and_o the_o people_n be_v little_o inform_v but_o if_o the_o same_o care_n have_v be_v take_v to_o instruct_v christian_n in_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v bestow_v upon_o explain_v and_o clear_v particular_a one_o they_o will_v have_v another_o kind_n of_o persuasion_n than_o they_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n these_o great_a and_o sublime_a truth_n have_v without_o comparison_n more_o suitableness_n and_o affinity_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o the_o sentiment_n of_o their_o heart_n than_o many_o obscure_a difficult_a and_o less_o necessary_a thing_n which_o yet_o have_v be_v effectual_o teach_v they_o 4_o but_o against_o this_o experience_n may_v possible_o be_v object_v it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v christian_n who_o most_o certain_o have_v piety_n and_o yet_o do_v never_o meditate_v much_o upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n i._o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o pious_a christian_a without_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n for_o at_o this_o rate_n piety_n will_v be_v but_o mere_a conceit_n and_o enthusiasm_n and_o we_o must_v say_v notwithstanding_o all_o that_o scripture_n and_o reason_n tell_v we_o to_o the_o contrary_a that_o man_n be_v christian_n without_o knowledge_n or_o reason_n it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o but_o that_o good_a man_n must_v have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o have_v have_v a_o lively_a sense_n that_o these_o be_v the_o most_o certain_a and_o the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o truth_n if_o we_o inquire_v what_o principle_n it_o be_v which_o produce_v piety_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o most_o simple_a people_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o be_v a_o unmovable_a persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n a_o judgement_n a_o heaven_n and_o a_o hell_n which_o persuasion_n be_v necessary_o found_v upon_o some_o of_o the_o proof_n i_o have_v hint_v at_o i_o grant_v which_o no_o doubt_n will_v be_v object_v to_o i_o that_o in_o many_o this_o persuasion_n be_v not_o clear_a enough_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o result_n of_o a_o particular_a examination_n but_o this_o do_v not_o lessen_v the_o force_n of_o my_o argument_n for_o though_o the_o persuasion_n of_o good_a man_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o so_o well_o ground_v as_o it_o may_v be_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v but_o that_o it_o be_v sincere_a a_o man_n may_v be_v convince_v of_o a_o truth_n though_o he_o do_v not_o discover_v all_o the_o certainty_n and_o all_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n against_o it_o so_o that_o still_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n without_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o general_a truth_n of_o it_o after_o all_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v good_a man_n who_o be_v not_o so_o well_o instruct_v upon_o this_o head_n as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v and_o this_o defect_n of_o instruction_n this_o imperfection_n of_o their_o faith_n be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o the_o defect_n and_o imperfection_n of_o their_o piety_n thus_o we_o may_v frequent_o observe_v in_o their_o conduct_n such_o weakness_n and_o opinion_n as_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o pure_a light_n of_o faith_n and_o with_o the_o exactness_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v part_n of_o the_o unhappiness_n we_o lament_v and_o of_o that_o corruption_n of_o which_o we_o seek_v the_o cause_n but_o no_o man_n will_v dispute_v but_o that_o if_o the_o same_o person_n have_v more_o instruction_n they_o will_v carry_v virtue_n much_o far_a than_o they_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o piety_n do_v ordinary_o follow_v the_o degree_n of_o faith_n where_o there_o be_v no_o faith_n there_o be_v no_o piety_n and_o where_o faith_n be_v weak_a and_o faint_a piety_n be_v languid_a and_o defective_a this_o be_v the_o general_a state_n and_o character_n of_o christian_n at_o this_o time_n either_o downright_a impiety_n or_o 〈◊〉_d piety_n that_o be_v both_o feeble_a and_o imperfect_a 5_o in_o the_o last_o place_n some_o will_v perhaps_o object_n here_o that_o incredulity_n be_v the_o effect_n â—ather_o than_o the_o cause_n of_o corruption_n and_o that_o atheism_n do_v not_o produce_v corruption_n but_o corruption_n atheism_n to_o this_o 〈◊〉_d say_v that_o these_o two_o thing_n do_v mutual_o uphold_v and_o support_v each_o other_o many_o fall_n into_o infidelity_n because_o their_o heart_n be_v vitiate_a their_o licentious_a way_n of_o live_v take_v they_o off_o from_o inquire_v into_o religion_n and_o hinder_v their_o believe_v of_o divine_a truth_n but_o it_o be_v not_o less_o certain_a â—hat_n one_o of_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o disorder_n of_o christian_n be_v that_o either_o they_o do_v â—ot_n believe_v at_o all_o or_o that_o they_o believe_v weak_o and_o confuse_o and_o this_o can_v â—e_v reasonable_o contest_v ii_o here_o be_v then_o the_o first_o and_o the_o principal_a defect_n that_o man_n be_v not_o sufficient_o â—â—structed_v in_o the_o general_a truth_n and_o principle_n of_o
behalf_n that_o these_o illusion_n will_v not_o have_v grow_v so_o common_a if_o there_o have_v not_o teen_n a_o general_a and_o in_o some_o measure_n a_o incurable_a corruption_n in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o see_v every_o where_o a_o prodigious_a decay_n of_o piety_n and_o little_a hope_n of_o amendment_n for_o what_o may_v we_o not_o say_v of_o the_o present_a state_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v in_o many_o place_n a_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a clergy_n and_o people_n who_o whole_a religion_n consist_v in_o ceremony_n and_o in_o devotion_n which_o be_v mere_o external_n and_o often_o ridiculous_a above_o all_o there_o appear_v in_o those_o place_n a_o deluge_n of_o immorality_n be_v it_o then_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o quietism_n and_o fanaticism_n shall_v rear_v up_o their_o head_n in_o such_o place_n these_o gross_a abuse_n do_v not_o indeed_o prevail_v everywhere_o but_o general_o speak_v there_o be_v but_o little_a of_o true_a piety_n among_o christian_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o order_n or_o discipline_n leave_v among_o they_o man_n live_v as_o they_o please_v the_o sacrament_n be_v profane_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v trample_v under_o foot_n charity_n and_o honesty_n be_v almost_o entire_o banish_v no_o man_n set_v about_o the_o redress_v of_o these_o disorder_n churchman_n make_v it_o their_o capital_a business_n to_o maintain_v their_o dispute_n and_o their_o tenet_n and_o they_o apply_v themselves_o but_o faint_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o manner_n religion_n be_v upon_o this_o foot_n many_o who_o have_v good_a intention_n can_v not_o but_o perceive_v that_o this_o be_v not_o true_a and_o genuine_a christianity_n but_o because_o they_o see_v no_o likelihood_n of_o thing_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o better_a posture_n or_o because_o they_o want_v capacity_n to_o find_v out_o the_o occasion_n and_o remedy_n of_o so_o great_a a_o evil_a or_o last_o because_o they_o be_v man_n of_o weak_a part_n they_o hearken_v to_o those_o who_o propose_v to_o they_o this_o mystical_a piety_n this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o progress_n of_o fanaticism_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o some_o person_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n be_v engage_v in_o that_o party_n and_o therefore_o the_o true_a way_n to_o reclaim_v they_o will_v be_v to_o re-establish_a order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o labour_v for_o the_o reformation_n of_o manner_n as_o long_o as_o these_o be_v neglect_v all_o the_o precaution_n and_o method_n use_v against_o fanatick_n by_o the_o clergy_n or_o by_o the_o magistrate_n will_v either_o prove_v unsuccesful_a or_o be_v find_v contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n but_o after_o all_o this_o spirit_n of_o fanaticism_n be_v high_o pernicious_a for_o first_o it_o open_v a_o gap_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o licentiousness_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o mischiess_n which_o may_v redound_v from_o thence_o upon_o civil_a society_n mystical_a piety_n be_v at_o large_a fountain_n of_o illusion_n it_o lead_v man_n into_o endless_a error_n and_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o turn_v all_o religion_n upside_o down_o for_o as_o it_o be_v lodge_v only_o in_o inward_a sentiment_n it_o can_v happen_v otherwise_o but_o that_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n who_o either_o want_n knowledge_n or_o strength_n of_o part_n will_v take_v the_o wander_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n for_o divine_a inspiration_n i_o know_v that_o some_o of_o those_o contemplative_a man_n acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o read_v it_o careful_o but_o the_o mischief_n be_v that_o through_o their_o prejudices_fw-la they_o fix_v a_o wrong_a sense_n upon_o it_o so_o that_o what_o they_o read_v do_v but_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o error_n their_o exposition_n be_v very_o singular_a they_o do_v not_o affix_v to_o word_n the_o same_o idea_n which_o other_o man_n do_v they_o forsake_v the_o literal_a sense_n to_o run_v after_o mystical_a explication_n suitable_a to_o their_o preconceive_a notion_n they_o reject_v or_o make_v very_a light_n of_o those_o help_n which_o the_o knowledge_n of_o language_n history_n and_o the_o scope_n of_o sacred_a writer_n afford_v and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o their_o principle_n that_o woman_n mechanic_n and_o the_o most_o simple_a people_n be_v able_a to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n as_o well_o if_o not_o better_o than_o the_o most_o learned_a doctor_n 2._o fanaticism_n be_v a_o evil_n which_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v remedy_v a_o heretic_n or_o a_o profane_a person_n may_v soon_o be_v undeceive_v than_o a_o man_n intoxicate_v with_o mystical_a devotion_n for_o these_o will_v reason_n but_o the_o other_o will_v hearken_v to_o no_o reason_v so_o that_o he_o be_v proof_n against_o all_o the_o argument_n which_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o he_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o dispute_v with_o people_n who_o look_v on_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o of_o their_o mind_n as_o ignorant_a man_n who_o think_v themselves_o illuminate_v above_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o who_o return_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n urge_v against_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v otherwise_o persuade_v in_o their_o mind_n there_o be_v no_o good_a to_o be_v do_v upon_o they_o either_o by_o reason_v or_o by_o sense_n of_o which_o they_o make_v but_o little_a use_n or_o even_o by_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o they_o seek_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o literal_a meaning_n 3._o though_o mystical_a man_n profess_v a_o sublime_a piety_n yet_o their_o principle_n favour_n corruption_n more_o than_o one_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v how_o can_v we_o reconcile_v those_o maxim_n concern_v contemplation_n inanition_n and_o silence_n with_o that_o activity_n zeal_n and_o fervour_n which_o the_o scripture_n recommend_v if_o man_n be_v a_o mere_a nothing_o if_o he_o be_v to_o wait_v patient_o till_o god_n work_v his_o will_n in_o he_o and_o speak_v to_o his_o soul_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o exhort_v man_n and_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o they_o to_o use_v any_o endeavour_n on_o their_o part_n beside_o that_o contempt_n of_o outward_a mean_n which_o the_o mystic_n express_v make_v way_n for_o a_o total_a neglect_n of_o devotion_n introduce_v disorder_n and_o licentiousness_n and_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o god_n design_n who_o think_v fit_a to_o prescribe_v the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n i_o may_v add_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o fanaticism_n be_v commodious_a enough_o for_o sinner_n so_o that_o i_o do_v not_o wonder_v that_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v go_v over_o to_o that_o party_n a_o devotion_n which_o consist_v in_o acknowledge_v a_o man_n own_o nothingness_n or_o in_o contemplation_n and_o silence_n be_v much_o more_o acceptable_a to_o a_o corrupt_a person_n than_o a_o exact_a morality_n which_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o do_v act_n of_o repentance_n to_o put_v his_o own_o hand_n to_o the_o work_n and_o to_o set_v about_o the_o reform_n of_o his_o life_n and_o the_o practise_v of_o christian_a virtue_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n fanaticism_n make_v religion_n contemptible_a because_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n confound_v true_a with_o mystical_a piety_n they_o fancy_n that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v devout_a without_o be_v something_o visionary_a and_o enthusiastical_a and_o that_o devotion_n do_v not_o well_o agree_v with_o sense_n and_o reason_n the_o prejudices_fw-la i_o have_v mention_v in_o this_o chapter_n be_v not_o the_o only_a one_o which_o foment_n and_o cherish_v corruption_n some_o other_o may_v have_v be_v add_v but_o they_o may_v more_o convenient_o be_v range_v under_o the_o title_n of_o some_o of_o the_o follow_a chapter_n what_o i_o have_v say_v in_o this_o do_v yet_o far_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o good_a instruction_n which_o may_v conquer_v these_o prejudices_fw-la and_o give_v man_n true_a notion_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n cause_n iii_o the_o maxim_n and_o sentiment_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o authorize_v corruption_n it_o have_v be_v show_v in_o two_o precede_a chapter_n that_o man_n be_v general_o involve_v in_o ignorance_n and_o that_o they_o entertain_v such_o notion_n concern_v religion_n and_o piety_n as_o must_v of_o necessity_n maintain_v corruption_n in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o be_v likewise_o possess_v with_o divers_a particular_a maxim_n and_o sentiment_n which_o lead_v direct_o to_o libertinism_n a_o modern_a author_n very_o well_o observe_v preface_n observe_v new_a moral_a essay_n tom._n 1._o in_o the_o preface_n that_o people_n be_v not_o only_o very_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o extent_n of_o that_o purity_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v but_o that_o they_o be_v beside_o full_a of_o maxim_n incomparable_o more_o pernicious_a than_o error_n of_o pure_a speculation_n these_o maxim_n do_v the_o more_o certain_o produce_v corruption_n because_o they_o be_v use_v to_o authorize_v and_o countenance_v it_o and_o in_o fact_n man_n blindness_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v come_v to_o that_o
exaggerate_v the_o number_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o other_o inducement_n and_o motive_n to_o humility_n without_o thus_o confound_a vice_n with_o virtue_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a sort_n of_o humility_n for_o a_o man_n to_o live_v in_o sin_n to_o be_v at_o defiance_n with_o god_n to_o do_v nothing_o for_o his_o sake_n and_o then_o with_o all_o this_o to_o confess_v himself_o a_o miserable_a sinner_n pride_n and_o presumption_n shall_v not_o be_v encourage_v but_o yet_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o humble_v man_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o turn_v they_o into_o block_n or_o to_o confound_v a_o good_a man_n with_o a_o profligate_n sinner_n when_o we_o inveigh_v against_o the_o pride_n of_o man_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o sink_v his_o courage_n for_o that_o will_v immediate_o make_v he_o incapable_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a under_o colour_n of_o honour_v god_n we_o must_v not_o dishonour_v his_o workmanship_n speak_v slight_o of_o his_o gift_n and_o overlook_v his_o image_n in_o those_o who_o bear_v it_o in_o a_o double_a capacity_n as_o they_o be_v man_n and_o as_o they_o be_v christian_n it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o pride_n to_o arrogate_v any_o thing_n to_o ourselves_o which_o we_o have_v not_o or_o which_o do_v not_o come_v from_o we_o but_o it_o be_v a_o false_a humility_n it_o be_v hypocrisy_n not_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o we_o it_o be_v object_v that_o some_o presume_v much_o upon_o themselves_o that_o man_n be_v very_o apt_a to_o flatter_v himself_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o pharisee_n be_v mention_v who_o trust_v in_o their_o own_o righteousness_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o those_o presumptuous_a person_n be_v hypocrite_n who_o have_v no_o solid_a piety_n i_o say_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n beat_v down_o that_o pride_n and_o that_o the_o pharisee_n have_v nothing_o but_o a_o external_a righteousness_n a_o deceitful_a and_o hypocritical_a sanctity_n it_o be_v therefore_o without_o reason_n that_o man_n cry_v down_o holiness_n and_o pretend_v that_o the_o study_n of_o goodwork_n beget_v presumption_n because_o there_o have_v be_v and_o there_o still_o be_v hypocrite_n if_o we_o may_v say_v where_o pride_n be_v to_o be_v find_v it_o be_v in_o those_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a moralist_n who_o make_v all_o these_o objection_n those_o man_n ascribe_v very_o little_a to_o goodwork_n and_o yet_o what_o opinion_n do_v they_o not_o entertain_v of_o themselves_o they_o fancy_v themselves_o god_n favourite_n and_o the_o true_o humble_a man_n and_o all_o this_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o stock_n of_o confidence_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o worse_o they_o judge_v rash_o of_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o live_v better_a than_o themselves_o and_o they_o make_v bold_a to_o call_v they_o pharisees_n and_o hypocrite_n be_v not_o this_o a_o most_o intolerable_a presumption_n and_o boldness_n 3._o the_o abettor_n of_o corruption_n insist_v mighty_o upon_o this_o maxim_n that_o excess_n in_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v condemn_v and_o that_o piety_n when_o carry_v too_o far_o degenerate_v into_o superstition_n and_o hypocrisy_n it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o libertine_n speak_v after_o this_o manner_n many_o who_o will_v be_v think_v wise_a and_o rational_a man_n use_v the_o same_o language_n they_o pretend_v to_o virtue_n they_o condemn_v atheism_n and_o impiety_n but_o they_o likewise_o condemn_v those_o who_o will_v tie_v man_n to_o the_o strict_a practice_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n in_o all_o thing_n say_v they_o a_o just_a medium_fw-la be_v to_o be_v observe_v the_o worst_a of_o it_o be_v that_o some_o moralist_n give_v a_o occasion_n to_o these_o opinion_n by_o the_o picture_n they_o make_v of_o hypocritical_a and_o superstitious_a men._n they_o represent_v they_o as_o man_n who_o carry_v all_o the_o appearance_n of_o devout_a person_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o hypocrisy_n go_v beyond_o true_a devotion_n and_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a that_o by_o this_o they_o turn_v religion_n into_o ridicule_n and_o render_v it_o odious_a this_o maxim_n as_o well_o as_o the_o former_a be_v found_v upon_o the_o un-accurate_a notion_n which_o most_o people_n have_v concern_v moral_n for_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o every_o man_n who_o examine_v this_o matter_n with_o some_o care_n 1._o that_o piety_n can_v never_o be_v carry_v too_o far_o and_o that_o we_o can_v never_o do_v too_o much_o in_o obedience_n to_o god_n and_o in_o compliance_n with_o our_o duty_n and_o 2._o that_o piety_n and_o superstition_n or_o hypocrisy_n be_v thing_n opposite_a to_o one_o another_o so_o that_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o diligent_a and_o earnest_a application_n to_o piety_n lead_v man_n to_o superstition_n or_o hypocrisy_n be_v amonstrous_a absurdity_n and_o the_o high_a contradiction_n that_o can_v be_v maintain_v it_o be_v just_a as_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o gold_n or_o silver_n by_o be_v very_o much_o refine_v may_v at_o last_o degenerate_a into_o lead_n or_o earth_n how_o or_o which_o way_n can_v piety_n turn_v to_o superstition_n or_o hypocrisy_n this_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v as_o long_o as_o meâ—_n reason_n upon_o true_a principle_n they_o may_v pursue_v they_o with_o assurance_n and_o without_o fear_n of_o run_v themselves_o into_o false_a or_o dangerous_a consequence_n man_n will_v never_o fall_v into_o superstition_n or_o hypocrisy_n by_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o the_o more_o true_a piety_n a_o man_n have_v he_o will_v find_v himself_o at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o superstition_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o a_o superstitious_a person_n be_v so_o far_o from_o outstrip_v a_o good_a man_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o come_v infinite_o behind_o he_o solid_a virtue_n be_v always_o attend_v with_o these_o two_o character_n first_o it_o be_v sincere_a and_o from_o the_o heart_n and_o by_o that_o it_o destroy_v hypocrisy_n instead_o of_o produce_v it_o and_o then_o second_o it_o be_v well-informed_n and_o rational_a it_o fill_v the_o mind_n and_o heart_n with_o true_a notion_n with_o great_a and_o elevate_a view_n and_o so_o it_o set_v man_n at_o a_o infinite_a distance_n from_o those_o mean_a ignorant_a and_o trifle_a thing_n which_o the_o superstitious_a be_v take_v up_o withal_o let_v we_o conclude_v then_o that_o hypocritical_a and_o superstitious_a man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v too_o much_o piety_n that_o they_o have_v none_o at_o all_o if_o it_o happen_v sometime_o as_o it_o certain_o do_v that_o man_n who_o have_v a_o sound_n and_o honest_a heart_n be_v somewhat_o give_v to_o a_o odd_a kind_n of_o devotion_n which_o in_o some_o respect_n savour_n of_o superstition_n this_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o piety_n itself_o but_o from_o a_o defect_n in_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o who_o may_v either_o want_v knowledge_n or_o force_v of_o mind_n though_o man_n endeavour_v to_o defend_v corruption_n with_o those_o maxim_n i_o have_v relate_v yet_o as_o these_o maxim_n may_v easy_o be_v confute_v so_o they_o be_v sometime_o force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o depravation_n of_o the_o agnostus_n be_v great_a and_o that_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o for_o all_o this_o they_o do_v not_o give_v up_o the_o cause_n they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o various_a excuse_n by_o which_o they_o think_v to_o exempt_v themselves_o from_o their_o duty_n or_o at_o least_o to_o lessen_v and_o extenuate_v the_o sin_n of_o not_o observe_v it_o these_o excuse_n must_v needs_o maintain_v they_o in_o security_n they_o be_v beside_o very_o common_a and_o even_o pass_v frequent_o for_o good_a and_o just_a therefore_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o refute_v they_o too_o in_o this_o chapter_n it_o will_v be_v a_o difficult_a task_n to_o reckon_v up_o all_o the_o excuse_n which_o be_v allege_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o corruption_n and_o to_o trace_v out_o all_o the_o doubling_n and_o artifices_fw-la of_o man_n heart_n upon_o this_o matter_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o mention_v those_o which_o be_v most_o general_a and_o ordinary_a 1._o it_o be_v customary_a to_o excuse_v corruption_n by_o say_v that_o we_o be_v man_n and_o not_o angel_n this_o excuse_n may_v be_v destroy_v by_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v but_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o dwell_v a_o little_a upon_o it_o it_o be_v say_v then_o that_o we_o be_v man_n and_o not_o angel_n and_o that_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n but_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o justify_v or_o excuse_v by_o that_o the_o ill_a life_n of_o christian_n for_o first_o that_o very_a thing_n that_o we_o be_v man_n oblige_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n instead_o of_o exempt_n we_o from_o it_o we_o be_v man_n and_o as_o such_o we_o have_v a_o reason_n
that_o they_o offend_v god_n at_o every_o foot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v what_o man_n will_v establish_v from_o this_o maxim_n that_o the_o just_a man_n sin_n seven_o time_n a_o day_n those_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o quote_v the_o scripture_n shall_v neither_o add_v to_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o they_o shall_v not_o alter_v the_o word_n nor_o divide_v sentence_n from_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n or_o impiety_n which_o may_v not_o be_v prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 5._o but_o our_o adversary_n will_v say_v whether_o that_o place_n be_v allege_v right_a or_o wrong_n it_o do_v not_o matter_n much_o since_o there_o be_v other_o which_z say_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o strong_a expression_n do_v not_o st._n paul_n say_v rom._n vii_o vii_o vii_o rom._n vii_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n for_o in_o i_o dwell_v no_o good_a thing_n for_o that_o which_o i_o do_v i_o allow_v not_o and_o what_o i_o will_v that_o do_v i_o not_o but_o what_o i_o hate_v that_o do_v i._o i_o see_v a_o law_n in_o my_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o my_o mind_n and_o bring_v i_o into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v in_o my_o member_n o_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o body_n of_o this_o death_n if_o st._n paul_n himself_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n who_o can_v deny_v that_o the_o great_a saint_n fall_v into_o very_o heinous_a sin_n and_o have_v still_o a_o large_a stock_n of_o corruption_n in_o they_o those_o who_o draw_v this_o inference_n from_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o his_o thought_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o favour_v the_o cause_n of_o sinner_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o reference_n to_o sanctification_n he_o have_v this_o in_o his_o view_n in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o corrupt_a and_o a_o regenerate_v man_n and_o between_o the_o condition_n of_o man_n under_o the_o law_n and_o his_o state_n under_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o all_o he_o say_v of_o the_o carnal_a man_n sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o corrupt_a man_n live_v under_o the_o law_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o divine_n otherwise_o able_a and_o pious_a man_n have_v think_v that_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o he_o represent_v there_o what_o pass_v within_o a_o regenerate_v man_n but_o i_o know_v likewise_o that_o a_o great_a many_o orthodox_n divine_v have_v reject_v that_o exposition_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o h_o a_o sad_a thing_n that_o when_o a_o place_n be_v capable_a of_o two_o sense_n man_n shall_v pitch_v upon_o that_o which_o come_v near_o to_o the_o pretension_n of_o sinner_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v here_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o dispute_n nor_o to_o offend_v those_o of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o countenance_v corruption_n but_o as_o in_o all_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o seek_v the_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o truth_n here_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o piety_n so_o i_o entreat_v those_o who_o may_v have_v scruple_n concern_v those_o word_n to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n 1._o let_v they_o serious_o and_o impartial_o consider_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v a_o carnal_a man_n fold_n under_o sin_n a_o man_n who_o do_v no_o good_a but_o evil_n and_o a_o man_n involve_v in_o death_n these_o be_v the_o strong_a expression_n which_o can_v be_v use_v and_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v to_o give_v as_o the_o character_n of_o wicked_a and_o impious_a man_n to_o believe_v this_o of_o st._n paul_n be_v so_o very_o hard_o that_o a_o man_n must_v be_v able_a to_o digest_v any_o thing_n who_o be_v not_o startle_v at_o it_o 2._o i_o desire_v they_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o drift_n of_o st._n paul_n he_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o faith_n do_v not_o introduce_v licentiousness_n this_o he_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o whole_a vi_o chapter_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o read_n it_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o shall_v overturn_v all_o that_o he_o have_v establish_v in_o the_o precede_a \_o and_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a man_n be_v captivate_v to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n if_o this_o be_v st._n paul_n doctrine_n what_o become_v of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n to_o produce_v holiness_n and_o how_o can_v he_o have_v answer_v that_o objection_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o chap._n vi_o 1._o and_o 15._o shall_v we_o continue_v in_o sin_n shall_v we_o sin_v we_o that_o be_v under_o grace_n st._n paul_n ought_v to_o have_v grant_v the_o objection_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o most_o regenerate_v be_v sell_v to_o sin_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o go_v on_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o have_v lay_v down_o already_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o gospel_n sanctify_v man_n and_o not_o only_o this_o but_o that_o the_o gospel_n alone_o can_v sanctify_v man_n and_o that_o the_o law_n can_v not_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a chapter_n in_o the_o very_a first_fw-mi four_o verse_n he_o show_v that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o law_n nor_o consequent_o under_o sin_n and_o that_o they_o be_v dead_a to_o the_o law_n that_o they_o may_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n unto_o god_n he_o express_v himself_o more_o clear_o yet_o in_o the_o 5_o verse_n where_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o considerable_a difference_n between_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n and_o those_o who_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n he_o plain_o distinguish_v these_o two_o state_n and_o the_o time_n pass_v from_o the_o present_a when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n say_v he_o the_o motion_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v by_o the_o law_n do_v work_v in_o our_o member_n to_o bring_v forth_o unto_o death_n but_o now_o we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o law_n that_o we_o shall_v serve_v in_o newness_n of_o spirit_n these_o be_v the_o two_o state_n the_o sit_v pass_v be_v a_o state_n of_o corruption_n the_o presect_v state_n be_v a_o state_n of_o holiness_n but_o as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o law_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n the_o apostle_n refute_v that_o imagination_n from_o the_o seven_o to_o the_o 14_o verse_n after_o this_o he_o describe_v the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v not_o regenerate_v by_o grace_n and_o who_o still_o be_v under_o the_o law_n he_o begin_v to_o do_v this_o from_o the_o 14_o verse_n by_o fay_v the_o law_n be_v spiritual_a but_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o here_o no_o doubt_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o st_n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o and_o not_o of_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n for_o say_v he_o i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n but_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n use_v here_o a_o way_n of_o speak_v which_o be_v very_o ordidinary_a in_o discourse_n and_o by_o which_o he_o that_o speak_v put_v himself_n in_o the_o room_n of_o those_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o st._n paul_n have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o express_v himself_o in_o this_o manner_n because_o he_o have_v be_v himself_o under_o the_o law_n before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n there_o be_v many_o instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o this_o way_n of_o speak_v and_o we_o find_v one_o in_o this_o very_a chapter_n which_o be_v beyond_o exception_n st_n paul_n say_v in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n i_o be_v alive_a without_o the_o law_n once_o etc._n etc._n if_o we_o do_v not_o admit_v here_o a_o figurative_a expression_n or_o if_o these_o word_n be_v strict_o take_v then_o we_o must_v say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o this_o apostle_n be_v without_o law_n which_o be_v both_o false_a and_o ridiculous_a as_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o he_o say_v ver._n 9th_o i_o be_v without_o law_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o those_o man_n to_o wliom_n the_o law_n be_v not_o give_v so_o it_o be_v unquestionalbe_n that_o when_o he_o say_v i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n he_o describe_v the_o state_n of_o a_o
upon_o which_o they_o have_v most_o reason_n to_o reproach_n themselves_o as_o be_v well_o know_v to_o those_o who_o make_v any_o reflection_n upon_o their_o conduct_n and_o if_o this_o shame_n be_v able_a to_o spoil_v those_o who_o other_o wise_a be_v virtuous_a and_o to_o extinguish_v their_o zeal_n and_o piety_n we_o ought_v to_o reckon_v it_o among_o the_o principal_a cause_n of_o corruption_n 3._o shame_n may_v lead_v man_n to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o wickedness_n for_o beside_o that_o a_o man_n sin_n against_o his_o conscience_n when_o for_o fear_v of_o man_n he_o dare_v not_o do_v his_o duty_n beside_o that_o he_o offend_v god_n in_o a_o very_a provoke_a manner_n when_o he_o be_v ashamed_a to_o obey_v he_o and_o fear_n man_n more_o than_o he_o i_o say_v that_o this_o shame_n be_v apt_a to_o betray_v he_o into_o the_o great_a est_fw-fr enormity_n a_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o every_o thing_n when_o he_o become_v a_o slave_n to_o other_o man_n judgement_n and_o when_o complaisance_n or_o humane_a consideration_n have_v a_o great_a force_n upon_o he_o than_o the_o law_n of_o religion_n and_o his_o duty_n whenever_o a_o man_n dare_v not_o appear_v good_a he_o dare_v appear_v in_o some_o measure_n wicked_a and_o when_o he_o tie_v to_o virtue_n a_o idea_n of_o honour_n to_o vice_n and_o from_o comply_v in_o every_o thing_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o loose_a and_o profane_a person_n 1._o man_n do_v not_o arrive_v of_o a_o sudden_a at_o this_o degree_n of_o corruption_n false_a shame_n carry_v they_o to_o it_o by_o little_a and_o little_a it_o make_v one_o sin_n at_o first_o through_o complaisance_n though_o with_o some_o reluctancy_n by_o this_o conscience_n grow_v weak_a a_o man_n contract_v the_o habit_n of_o slight_v its_o suggestion_n and_o vice_n become_v more_o familiar_a to_o he_o then_o he_o begin_v to_o sin_v more_o bold_o the_o shame_n of_o do_v good_a increase_v and_o the_o shame_n of_o sin_v grow_v less_o in_o a_o little_a time_n he_o come_v to_o do_v out_o of_o custom_n and_o inclination_n what_o he_o do_v before_o but_o seldom_o and_o with_o some_o inward_a conflict_n from_o thence_o he_o proceed_v to_o a_o open_a contempt_n of_o piety_n and_o so_o he_o forsake_v a_o interest_n to_o which_o he_o be_v well_o affect_v at_o first_o but_o which_o this_o shame_n have_v make_v he_o dislike_v thus_o many_o person_n who_o have_v good_a disposition_n in_o their_o youth_n be_v let_v loose_a into_o the_o world_n have_v lose_v their_o innocence_n and_o be_v turn_v libertine_n and_o atheist_n now_o this_o false_a modesty_n be_v so_o pernicious_a we_o can_v never_o labour_v too_o much_o to_o prevent_v its_o ill_a effect_n and_o this_o we_o shall_v succeed_v in_o if_o we_o serious_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n both_o of_o error_n and_o cowardice_n in_o the_o sentiment_n and_o conduct_n of_o those_o who_o be_v hinder_v by_o shame_n from_o discharge_v the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o conscience_n first_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o error_n in_o their_o procede_v this_o shame_n be_v found_v upon_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o world_n make_v of_o piety_n but_o if_o those_o who_o despise_v religion_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n as_o they_o most_o certain_o be_v if_o it_o be_v extravagance_n and_o folly_n in_o they_o to_o pass_v a_o false_a judgement_n upon_o piety_n it_o be_v a_o much_o great_a madness_n in_o those_o who_o understand_v better_a thing_n to_o subscribe_v to_o a_o judgement_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a and_o erroneous_a and_o to_o make_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o action_n if_o virtue_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a just_a necessary_a acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o useful_a to_o those_o who_o practice_v it_o if_o with_o it_o we_o can_v fail_v of_o happiness_n and_o if_o without_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o dread_a and_o terror_n why_o shall_v we_o be_v ashamed_a to_o give_v up_o ourselves_o to_o it_o a_o wise_a man_n ought_v to_o esteem_v that_o which_o deserve_v esteem_n and_o if_o ignorant_a and_o corrupt_a people_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n he_o ought_v to_o set_v himself_o above_o their_o judgement_n and_o to_o despise_v the_o contempt_n of_o the_o senseless_a multitude_n the_o judgement_n of_o man_n can_v make_v that_o just_a which_o be_v unjust_a nor_o supersede_n the_o necessity_n of_o what_o be_v necessary_a so_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v of_o no_o weight_n in_o so_o important_a a_o concernment_n as_o that_o of_o our_o salvation_n our_o happiness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v decide_v by_o man_n esteem_n or_o contempt_n and_o the_o approbation_n of_o god_n and_o our_o conscience_n be_v infinite_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o their_o groundless_a opinion_n but_o if_o there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o error_n in_o vicious_a shame_n there_o be_v likewise_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o cowardice_n in_o it_o nothing_o be_v more_o base_a and_o unworthy_a than_o for_o a_o man_n to_o desert_n the_o interest_n of_o virtue_n when_o he_o be_v solicit_v by_o his_o own_o conscience_n to_o adhere_v to_o it_o not_o to_o have_v resolution_n enough_o to_o do_v his_o duty_n in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n to_o submit_v his_o reason_n and_o conscience_n to_o the_o caprice_n of_o other_o and_o to_o depress_v himself_o beâ—ow_o the_o vile_a thing_n in_o die_v world_n and_o â—on_v the_o other_o it_o be_v to_o have_v great_a regard_n for_o man_n than_o for_o god_n and_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o abject_a than_o this_o proceed_v be_v not_o this_o shameful_a cowardice_n in_o a_o christian_a who_o be_v call_v to_o profess_v open_o his_o religion_n and_o faith_n and_o who_o ought_v to_o think_v it_o his_o glory_n to_o maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o virtue_n and_o justice_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o contradiction_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o age_n that_o threaten_v which_o our_o saviour_n have_v denounce_v against_o those_o who_o shall_v not_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a profession_n or_o shall_v abandon_v it_o belong_v also_o to_o those_o mean-spirited_n christian_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o 38._o of_o mat._n viii_o 38._o whosoever_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o i_o and_o of_o my_o word_n in_o this_o adulterous_a and_o sinful_a generation_n of_o he_o also_o shall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v ashamed_a when_o he_o come_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o father_n with_o the_o holy_a angel_n the_o first_o and_o chief_a remedy_n against_o this_o false_a shame_n be_v then_o to_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o follow_a reflection_n before_o all_o thing_n to_o have_v a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o the_o certainty_n and_o importance_n of_o religion_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o propose_v to_o we_o infinite_a reward_n but_o that_o those_o reward_n be_v reserve_v only_o for_o those_o who_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o observe_v its_o precept_n to_o think_v what_o pleasure_n and_o glory_n it_o be_v to_o be_v approve_v of_o god_n and_o of_o one_o own_o conscience_n to_o fix_v deep_o this_o great_a truth_n in_o our_o mind_n that_o man_n judgement_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a that_o our_o felicity_n depend_v neither_o upon_o their_o esteem_n nor_o contempt_n and_o to_o remember_v that_o the_o scripture_n call_v the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n fool_n and_o that_o a_o time_n will_v come_v when_o shame_n confusion_n and_o misery_n shall_v fall_v to_o the_o lot_n of_o those_o despiser_n of_o religion_n while_o ii_o while_o rom._n ii_o glory_n honour_n and_o peace_n shall_v be_v to_o every_o one_o that_o do_v good_a 2._o we_o shall_v easy_o conquer_v this_o shame_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o danger_n of_o incur_v man_n contempt_n or_o hatred_n by_o do_v our_o duty_n be_v not_o always_o so_o great_a as_o we_o may_v imagine_v i_o confess_v piety_n be_v often_o despise_v but_o yet_o it_o frequent_o command_v respect_n even_o those_o who_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o their_o example_n shall_v not_o be_v follow_v can_v help_v have_v a_o secret_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n for_o good_a men._n when_o zeal_n be_v accompany_v with_o meekness_n and_o discretion_n there_o be_v no_o fear_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v make_v himself_o odious_a or_o ridiculous_a by_o practise_v virtue_n a_o christian_a deportment_n be_v so_o far_o from_o expose_v man_n always_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o those_o who_o will_v avoid_v this_o contempt_n by_o neglect_v their_o duty_n do_v thereby_o bring_v it_o upon_o themselves_o 3._o there_o may_v be_v yet_o another_o remedy_n against_o this_o vicious_a shame_n and_o that_o be_v the_o example_n of_o man_n of_o authority_n whatever_o they_o approve_v or_o do_v be_v repute_v honourable_a in_o the_o world_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n what_o they_o despise_v or_o neglect_v
be_v think_v mean_a and_o disgraceful_a it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o they_o to_o correct_v the_o notion_n which_o man_n common_o have_v of_o religion_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o shall_v love_v and_o honour_v it_o other_o man_n will_v no_o long_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o but_o will_v place_v their_o glory_n in_o practise_v it_o this_o i_o be_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n cause_n vi_o the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o illusion_n be_v more_o ordinary_a or_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o support_n of_o vice_n in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o which_o i_o design_v to_o attack_v in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o be_v the_o delay_v repentance_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v that_o man_n be_v so_o blind_a and_o so_o harden_v as_o never_o to_o think_v of_o their_o salvation_n there_o be_v few_o who_o have_v not_o a_o general_a intention_n to_o obtain_v it_o even_o â—mong_a those_o who_o live_v ill_a many_o be_v convince_v that_o conversion_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o then_o they_o do_v notrepent_v i_o answer_v that_o so_o unreasonable_a a_o proceed_v which_o seem_v so_o contradictory_n to_o itself_o aught_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o hope_n they_o entertain_v of_o clear_v all_o score_n one_o day_n by_o repentance_n and_o of_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n through_o the_o divine_a mercy_n this_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v that_o deceitful_a hope_n which_o frustrate_v all_o the_o endeavour_n that_o be_v use_v to_o make_v man_n for_o sake_n their_o vicious_a habit_n the_o delay_n of_o conversion_n ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o bad_a life_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o this_o subject_a have_v make_v i_o resolve_v to_o bestow_v a_o particular_a chapter_n upon_o it_o now_o to_o handle_v this_o matter_n right_a we_o be_v to_o observe_v two_o different_a way_n of_o put_v off_o conversion_n for_o all_o man_n do_v not_o delay_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o disposition_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v in_o they_o all_o some_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o remote_a time_n and_o to_o the_o very_a end_n of_o their_o life_n other_o do_v not_o adjourn_v it_o so_o long_o they_o design_v to_o go_v about_o it_o a_o good_a while_n before_o death_n at_o least_o they_o hope_v so_o and_o they_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o undetermined_a time_n the_o first_o sin_n proper_o in_o hope_n of_o pardon_n but_o the_o other_o sin_n in_o hope_n of_o repentance_n the_o former_a deceive_v themselves_o more_o gross_o they_o think_v that_o in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o beg_v for_o mercy_n and_o to_o repent_v though_o never_o so_o late_o the_o illusion_n of_o the_o other_o be_v more_o subtle_a they_o conceive_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o reform_v and_o to_o forsake_v sin_n but_o for_o all_o that_o they_o do_v not_o convert_v themselves_o though_o these_o two_o way_n of_o delay_v have_v a_o affinity_n with_o one_o another_o and_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v encounter_v with_o the_o same_o argument_n yet_o i_o shall_v consider_v they_o here_o separately_z man_n common_o entertain_v this_o opinion_n that_o if_o they_o do_v but_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n their_o sin_n will_v be_v no_o hindrance_n to_o their_o salvation_n they_o allot_v for_o this_o repentance_n the_o approach_n of_o death_n old-age_n or_o the_o time_n of_o sickness_n and_o they_o suppose_v that_o then_o they_o shall_v fit_v themselves_o for_o a_o christian_a death_n by_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n it_o be_v not_o i_o think_v needful_a to_o prove_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v very_o common_a for_o who_o can_v deny_v it_o neither_o will_v i_o go_v about_o to_o show_v that_o it_o feed_v corruption_n and_o encourage_v security_n by_o propose_v to_o man_n such_o a_o method_n of_o salvation_n as_o leave_v they_o at_o liberty_n to_o live_v still_o in_o sin_n for_o that_o be_v self-evident_a it_o be_v more_o important_a to_o let_v man_n see_v how_o false_a and_o dangerous_a a_o imagination_n that_o be_v which_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o so_o they_o repent_v before_o death_n they_o shall_v avoid_v damnation_n and_o be_v save_v in_o order_n to_o this_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o discover_v the_o principle_n they_o act_n upon_o and_o to_o unfold_v the_o true_a sentiment_n of_o their_o heart_n the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n include_v two_o different_a motion_n the_o one_o carry_v a_o man_n towards_o salvation_n and_o the_o other_o towards_o sin_n on_o the_o one_o have_v man_n be_v neither_o such_o a_o enemy_n to_o himself_o as_o to_o be_v altogether_o unconcern_v about_o his_o salvation_n nor_o so_o as_o blind_v not_o to_o perceive_v that_o repentance_n be_v necessary_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o his_o lust_n that_o he_o can_v resolve_v to_o renounce_v they_o in_o perplexity_n self-love_n find_v he_o out_o a_o expedient_a by_o which_o he_o thing_n to_o reconcile_v with_o his_o appetite_n the_o care_n of_o his_o salvation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o if_o he_o sin_v yet_o he_o intend_v to_o repent_v but_o here_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o man_n put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o himself_o and_o that_o such_o sentiment_n proceed_v only_o from_o self-love_n and_o from_o a_o strong_a affection_n to_o sin_n nothing_o else_o but_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o die_v and_o of_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n oblige_v he_o to_o destin_a the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n to_o act_n of_o repentance_n for_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o virtue_n have_v any_o share_n in_o this_o conduct_n be_v it_o any_o love_n or_o regard_n to_o god_n that_o make_v a_o man_n desire_v he_o in_o his_o last_o extremity_n and_o when_o he_o can_v enjoy_v the_o world_n no_o long_o this_o show_v that_o a_o man_n think_v of_o god_n only_o because_o he_o expect_v salvation_n at_o his_o hand_n which_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o he_o as_o with_o a_o enemy_n to_o who_o we_o surrender_v ourselves_o as_o late_a and_o upon_o as_o good_a term_n as_o we_o can_v and_o only_o that_o we_o may_v not_o perish_v such_o a_o delay_n include_v a_o positive_a resolution_n to_o offend_v god_n and_o to_o gratify_v one_o passion_n at_o least_o for_o the_o present_a he_o that_o think_v to_o repent_v hereafter_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o repent_v now_o he_o allot_v the_o present_a time_n for_o the_o satisfy_n of_o his_o lust_n and_o for_o the_o commit_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o future_a repentance_n this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v fix_v and_o certain_a in_o his_o resolution_n for_o as_o to_o what_o he_o promise_v for_o the_o future_a it_o be_v most_o uncertain_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o thing_n right_a he_o promise_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o die_v very_o soon_o nor_o what_o he_o shall_v do_v in_o case_n he_o live_v sometime_o long_o the_o hazard_n to_o which_o a_o man_n expose_v himself_o by_o this_o delay_n be_v evident_a in_o order_n to_o a_o complete_a repentance_n two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a the_o first_o be_v to_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v the_o second_o be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o time_n and_o opportunity_n those_o who_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o last_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v these_o two_o advantage_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v extreme_o uncertain_a and_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o they_o 1._o no_o man_n can_v promise_v himself_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v true_a in_o fact_n that_o more_o than_o one_o half_n of_o mankind_n die_v without_o have_v time_n to_o prepare_v for_o death_n if_o we_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o who_o be_v snatch_v away_o in_o a_o instant_a by_o unforeseen_a accident_n or_o a_o sudden_a death_n all_o those_o who_o perish_v in_o war_n all_o those_o who_o be_v seize_v with_o distemper_n which_o take_v away_o their_o sense_n all_o those_o who_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n do_v not_o move_v to_o repentance_n because_o they_o do_v not_o apprehend_v themselves_o in_o any_o danger_n of_o die_v and_o if_o we_o add_v to_o these_o those_o who_o only_a preparation_n be_v to_o have_v a_o minister_n to_o pray_v by_o their_o bedside_n when_o they_o can_v hardly_o hear_v a_o few_o word_n of_o
have_v place_v they_o in_o and_o beside_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a but_o aught_o to_o allow_v himself_o some_o time_n of_o retirement_n nay_o there_o be_v some_o temporal_a employment_n which_o do_v not_o hinder_v a_o man_n to_o live_v in_o a_o retire_a manner_n but_o after_o all_o it_o will_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o society_n and_o of_o most_o christian_a virtue_n if_o every_o one_o shall_v live_v apart_o and_o busy_v himself_o only_o in_o spiritual_a exercise_n god_n do_v not_o require_v this_o he_o have_v create_v man_n to_o labour_n in_o the_o world_n and_o those_o who_o follow_v a_o honest_a employment_n in_o it_o act_n suitable_o to_o his_o will_n and_o sink_v their_o business_n may_v prove_v a_o help_n to_o their_o salvation_n i_o need_v not_o i_o think_v advertise_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o speak_v here_o only_o of_o lawful_a employment_n and_o not_o of_o those_o which_o be_v bad_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o religion_n and_o yet_o these_o last_o be_v very_o common_a but_o because_o every_o body_n may_v easy_o see_v that_o such_o occupation_n must_v unavoidable_o engage_v man_n in_o to_o sin_n i_o will_v make_v it_o my_o chief_a business_n to_o show_v that_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a employment_n prove_v to_o many_o person_n a_o hindrance_n to_o piety_n and_o salvation_n temporal_a employment_n then_o be_v not_o bad_a in_o themselves_o they_o can_v occasion_v corruption_n but_o by_o the_o abuse_n that_o be_v make_v of_o they_o now_o there_o be_v four_o fault_n which_o man_n commit_v in_o this_o matter_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v when_o they_o be_v entire_o take_v up_o with_o worldly_a thing_n we_o have_v show_v already_o that_o man_n live_v in_o a_o prodigious_a sloth_n and_o carelessness_n about_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o do_v almost_o nothing_o for_o their_o soul_n and_o their_o salvation_n from_o this_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v employ_v only_o about_o their_o body_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o this_o life_n and_o in_o fact_n if_o we_o inquire_v into_o their_o care_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o terminate_v in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o their_o temporal_a interest_n and_o this_o i_o think_v needs_o not_o be_v prove_v 2._o their_o heart_n sink_v too_o deep_a into_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n the_o business_n of_o life_n be_v innocent_a when_o it_o be_v follow_v with_o moderation_n but_o it_o divert_v man_n from_o piety_n when_o it_o be_v pursue_v more_o and_o with_o great_a eagerness_n than_o it_o deserve_v that_o excessive_a love_n of_o the_o world_n make_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o men._n instead_o of_o esteem_v temporal_a good_n in_o proportion_n to_o their_o worth_n and_o as_o remember_v that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o procure_v they_o true_a felicity_n in_o his_o of_n consider_v that_o they_o be_v not_o make_v for_o this_o life_n only_o and_o that_o they_o can_v long_o enjoy_v those_o advantage_n which_o they_o court_v they_o give_v up_o themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o world_n they_o set_v their_o heart_n and_o affection_n upon_o it_o and_o they_o act_v as_o if_o this_o life_n be_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o all_o their_o action_n they_o labour_v only_o for_o their_o body_n and_o for_o the_o gratify_n of_o their_o appetite_n this_o be_v the_o mark_v aim_v at_o in_o all_o their_o thought_n and_o project_n this_o be_v what_o inflame_v their_o desire_n and_o what_o excite_v in_o they_o the_o most_o violent_a passion_n of_o grief_n or_o joy_n of_o anxiety_n or_o impatience_n they_o be_v far_o from_o have_v such_o a_o hearty_a concern_v for_o religion_n and_o piety_n in_o relation_n to_o this_o their_o affection_n be_v faint_a and_o languid_a and_o they_o do_v nothing_o but_o with_o indifference_n or_o by_o constraint_n 3._o the_o three_o fault_n be_v when_o man_n be_v too_o much_o employ_v and_o when_o they_o overload_v themselves_o with_o business_n it_o be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o wisdom_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o another_o to_o avoid_v the_o excess_n and_o the_o hurry_n of_o business_n as_o much_o as_o possible_o we_o may_v without_o be_v want_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o call_v to_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o necessary_a care_n and_o to_o wave_v all_o superfluous_a one_o man_n will_v live_v happy_a if_o they_o do_v but_o know_v what_o their_o profession_n require_v of_o they_o and_o limit_v themselves_o to_o it_o without_o meddle_v in_o that_o which_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o but_o here_o they_o observe_v no_o bound_n they_o will_v fly_v at_o all_o they_o will_v busy_v themselves_o about_o many_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o their_o province_n this_o without_o doubt_n be_v a_o dangerous_a disease_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o several_a disorder_n 4._o in_o the_o last_o place_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o blame_v and_o that_o be_v when_o worldly_a business_n become_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o abuse_n that_o be_v make_v of_o it_o for_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a disposition_n in_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v fond_a of_o the_o world_n most_o man_n be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o to_o direct_v all_o the_o business_n of_o life_n to_o a_o bad_a end_n which_o be_v to_o satisfy_v and_o to_o inflame_v the_o more_o their_o irregular_a appetite_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n many_o erterprise_n and_o particular_a action_n of_o they_o which_o in_o themselves_o be_v innocent_a become_v evil_a and_o unlawful_a and_o engage_v they_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n these_o consideration_n be_v prove_v already_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n vice_n proceed_v from_o their_o temporal_a affair_n but_o this_o will_v appear_v yet_o more_o clear_o by_o the_o follow_a reflection_n 1._o this_o excessive_a application_n to_o temporal_a concern_v engross_v almost_o our_o whole_a time_n so_o that_o it_o do_v not_o leave_v we_o a_o sufficient_a share_n of_o it_o to_o be_v spend_v in_o care_n of_o another_o nature_n man_n confess_v this_o themselves_o and_o plead_v it_o for_o a_o excuse_n they_o allege_v their_o business_n a_o man_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o world_n will_v say_v i_o have_v no_o time_n to_o read_v or_o to_o perform_v the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n i_o have_v too_o much_o business_n my_o employ_v or_o my_o call_v do_v not_o leave_v i_o a_o minute_n of_o leisure_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o be_v too_o busy_a for_o the_o most_o part_n if_o they_o have_v any_o spare_a time_n some_o hour_n or_o some_o day_n of_o rest_n wherein_o the_o course_n of_o their_o ordinary_a employment_n be_v interrupt_v they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o improve_v to_o the_o best_a advantage_n those_o short_a interval_n of_o relaxation_n 2._o and_o true_o secular_a business_n do_v not_o only_o take_v away_o the_o best_a part_n of_o man_n time_n but_o it_o do_v beside_o distract_v their_o mind_n and_o invade_v their_o heart_n and_o affection_n when_o for_o a_o whole_a day_n or_o week_n the_o mind_n and_o body_n have_v be_v in_o agitation_n a_o man_n be_v weary_a and_o spend_v the_o activity_n of_o his_o thought_n be_v exhaust_v his_o head_n be_v too_o full_a to_o be_v clear_a he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o drive_v away_o in_o a_o instant_n so_o many_o worldly_a idea_n to_o calm_v his_o passion_n and_o to_o turn_v himself_o of_o the_o sudden_a to_o spiritual_a exercise_n so_o that_o he_o must_v either_o absolute_o neglect_v the_o duty_n of_o piety_n or_o perform_v they_o very_o ill_a when_o a_o man_n have_v bring_v himself_o to_o a_o habit_n of_o be_v employ_v only_o in_o worldly_a affair_n he_o be_v no_o long_a master_n of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o motion_n it_o be_v with_o great_a difficulty_n if_o he_o can_v at_o all_o apply_v himself_o to_o object_n that_o be_v foreign_a to_o he_o those_o object_n affect_v he_o but_o weak_o he_o must_v make_v great_a effort_n before_o he_o can_v fasten_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o he_o fix_v there_o for_o a_o few_o moment_n it_o be_v a_o violent_a state_n in_o which_o he_o can_v continue_v long_o those_o thought_n of_o which_o he_o be_v constant_o full_a crowd_n in_o upon_o he_o and_o he_o return_v immediate_o to_o these_o thing_n which_o he_o love_v and_o which_o common_o take_v he_o up_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o man_n love_v andrelish_v spiritual_a thing_n so_o little_a and_o why_o they_o think_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o subdue_v their_o mind_n with_o read_v attention_n and_o meditation_n this_o be_v particular_o the_o main_a source_n of_o indevotion_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o piety_n why_o be_v the_o mind_n so_o apt_a to_o wander_v in_o prayer_n the_o too_o great_a application_n to_o temporal_a affair_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n be_v awake_a in_o the_o morning_n a_o throng_n of_o
general_a as_o it_o be_v now_o these_o consideration_n be_v found_v upon_o two_o undeniable_a fact_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n be_v then_o persecute_v and_o 2._o that_o discipline_n be_v then_o exercise_v in_o it_o these_o be_v two_o powerful_a mean_n to_o remove_v vice_n and_o scandal_n from_o the_o church_n we_o may_v easy_o imagine_v that_o man_n who_o love_v the_o world_n and_o their_o sin_n will_v not_o have_v embrace_v christiany_n at_o a_o time_n when_o whosoever_o become_v a_o christian_a do_v by_o that_o very_a thing_n expose_v himself_o to_o persecution_n torment_n and_o death_n this_o do_v fright_v away_o the_o great_a number_n of_o wicked_a and_o impious_a person_n but_o if_o any_o of_o these_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n discipline_n for_o the_o most_o part_n drive_v they_o out_o when_o they_o make_v themselves_o notorious_a by_o a_o scandalous_a life_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v that_o in_o such_o circumstance_n there_o be_v more_o piety_n at_o that_o time_n than_o we_o observe_v now_o in_o the_o church_n the_o first_o christian_n be_v sincere_a in_o their_o profession_n be_v instruct_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n they_o place_v the_o christian_a religion_n chief_o in_o a_o good_a life_n to_o which_o they_o do_v solemn_o engage_v themselves_o by_o baptism_n they_o be_v unite_v among_o themselves_o they_o govern_v themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n by_o the_o prescript_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o much_o as_o the_o persecution_n give_v they_o leave_v and_o they_o do_v with_o courage_n lie_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o truth_n such_o be_v the_o christianity_n of_o the_o first_o age_n but_o the_o church_n do_v not_o continue_v long_o in_o that_o state_n before_o this_o zeal_n of_o those_o primitive_a christians_n begin_v to_o cool_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n persecution_n cease_v and_o on_o the_o other_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n be_v slacken_v these_o two_o fence_n be_v pluck_v up_o and_o the_o emperor_n turn_v christian_n the_o corruption_n of_o the_o world_n break_v in_o upon_o the_o church_n divers_a abuse_n creep_v into_o doctrine_n discipline_n worship_n and_o manner_n till_o the_o church_n fall_v at_o last_o into_o such_o a_o dismal_a darkness_n of_o ignorance_n superstition_n and_o vice_n that_o christianity_n seem_v almost_o quite_o extinct_a and_o destroy_v all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o true_a sense_n of_o religiion_n do_v lament_v this_o they_o complain_v open_o of_o it_o and_o they_o long_v for_o a_o good_a reformation_n this_o be_v the_o state_n which_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n be_v in_o for_o some_o century_n it_o do_v not_o please_v god_n that_o those_o time_n of_o ignorance_n shall_v last_v for_o ever_o that_o darkness_n begin_v to_o be_v disperse_v in_o the_o last_o century_n then_o it_o be_v that_o learning_n and_o language_n revive_v and_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o have_v be_v for_o a_o great_a while_n a_o book_n unknown_a to_o the_o people_n be_v rescue_v out_o of_o that_o obscurity_n in_o which_o the_o barbarism_n of_o former_a age_n have_v bury_v it_o man_n do_v perceive_v that_o divers_a error_n have_v be_v introduce_v into_o religion_n they_o discover_v several_a abuse_n they_o go_v about_o to_o redress_v they_o and_o they_o succeed_v so_o far_o that_o in_o this_o respect_n christianity_n be_v restore_v to_o its_o purity_n but_o that_o great_a work_n can_v not_o be_v finish_v so_o that_o at_o this_o day_n they_o church_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o yet_o bring_v to_o that_o state_n of_o perfection_n which_o they_o may_v be_v in_o iii_o for_o to_o come_v now_o to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v certain_a first_o that_o many_o christian_a church_n be_v still_o very_o near_o in_o the_o same_o darkness_n man_n be_v in_o some_o age_n ago_o i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o of_o the_o sink_n of_o christianity_n in_o asia_n and_o africa_n there_o be_v more_o knowledge_n in_o europe_n but_o yet_o in_o many_o place_n we_o may_v observe_v almost_o all_o those_o disorder_n which_o prevail_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gross_a ignorance_n nay_o our_o age_n be_v more_o unhappy_a than_o the_o precedent_n in_o that_o those_o abuse_n have_v be_v confirm_v and_o authorize_v by_o law_n and_o be_v now_o support_v by_o force_n how_o many_o country_n and_o church_n be_v there_o where_o the_o people_n know_v almost_o nothing_o of_o the_o gospel_n where_o religion_n be_v reduce_v to_o childish_a and_o superstitious_a devotion_n and_o practice_n where_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a thing_n be_v believe_v and_o the_o most_o shameful_a error_n receive_v where_o the_o looseness_n of_o manner_n may_v almost_o be_v parallel_v with_o heathenism_n where_o the_o most_o execrable_a crime_n be_v commit_v in_o a_o word_n where_o the_o ignorance_n both_o of_o the_o people_n and_o clergy_n be_v general_a except_v only_o some_o few_o understand_a man_n who_o be_v sensible_a of_o these_o disorder_n but_o be_v restrain_v by_o fear_n from_o discover_v their_o sentiment_n from_o those_o place_n corruption_n spread_v to_o other_o and_o it_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a to_o show_v by_o several_a instance_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o impiety_n ignorance_n and_o vice_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o those_o place_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o church_n for_o some_o there_o be_v where_o religion_n be_v not_o so_o corrupt_v and_o where_o a_o pure_a christianity_n be_v profess_v but_o yet_o let_v we_o inquire_v in_o the_o second_o place_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o christian_a society_n where_o nothing_o be_v want_v or_o to_o be_v desire_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n and_o where_o it_o will_v not_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v some_o alteration_n and_o constitution_n in_o order_n to_o come_v near_o to_o perfection_n this_o deserve_v to_o be_v examine_v with_o care_n and_o without_o prepossession_n we_o ought_v here_o to_o lay_v aside_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o party_n and_o ingenuous_o to_o acknowledge_v defect_n where_o they_o be_v for_o else_o if_o every_o one_o be_v wed_v to_o the_o society_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v remedy_v for_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v defect_n what_o remedy_n can_v be_v use_v if_o we_o be_v all_o possess_v with_o this_o prejudice_n that_o all_o be_v perfect_a in_o our_o society_n be_v not_o this_o the_o way_n to_o canonize_v abuse_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o restore_n of_o order_n and_o first_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o wonder_v if_o there_o shall_v still_o be_v imperfection_n in_o the_o pure_a society_n it_o will_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o miracle_n if_o there_o be_v none_o remain_v god_n do_v not_o always_o think_v fit_a to_o finish_v his_o work_n all_o at_o once_o unless_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o inspire_a man_n such_o as_o the_o prophet_n or_o the_o apostle_n be_v it_o be_v impossible_a so_o to_o attain_v perfection_n and_o to_o provide_v for_o every_o thing_n at_o first_o dash_n that_o nothing_o more_o shall_v be_v desire_v beside_o circumstance_n be_v so_o much_o alter_v that_o it_o seemâ—_n necessary_a to_o change_v several_a thing_n that_o be_v leave_v in_o the_o last_o age._n it_o be_v further_a to_o be_v consider_v that_o though_o christian_n do_v long_o for_o a_o good_a reformation_n yet_o great_a difficulty_n be_v to_o be_v overcome_v to_o bring_v it_o about_o man_n mind_n be_v not_o much_o enlighten_v they_o be_v just_a creep_v out_o of_o darkness_n and_o a_o long_a custom_n have_v almost_o obliterated_a the_o true_a idea_n of_o religion_n almost_o all_o those_o who_o be_v in_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v obstinate_o defend_v the_o abuse_n which_o all_o good_a man_n think_v it_o necessary_a to_o redress_v extreme_a severity_n be_v use_v towards_o those_o who_o desire_v this_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n all_o this_o do_v terrify_v a_o great_a many_o well-meaning_a person_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o in_o several_a place_n those_o who_o have_v courage_n enough_o to_o condemn_v the_o abuse_n open_o be_v not_o able_a for_o want_v of_o mean_n to_o do_v all_o that_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n require_v they_o be_v fain_o in_o those_o place_n to_o yield_v something_o to_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n and_o to_o settle_v thing_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v till_o a_o more_o favourable_a oppotunity_n some_o church_n come_v near_o to_o perfection_n than_o other_o but_o howsoever_o if_o we_o will_v pass_v a_o right_a judgement_n upon_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n we_o ought_v to_o examine_v the_o thing_n in_o itself_o and_o without_o partiality_n upon_o this_o i_o shall_v offer_v here_o some_o general_a consideration_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o follow_a chapter_n some_o head_n which_o will_v
requirean_a exact_v and_o particular_a discussion_n i_o will_v first_o resume_v the_o four_o character_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v truth_n holiness_n union_n and_o order_n 1._o all_o christian_a society_n boast_v that_o they_o profess_v the_o truth_n and_o that_o very_a thing_n be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v in_o error_n since_o they_o do_v not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o about_o the_o article_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v on_o this_o head_n because_o it_o will_v lead_v i_o into_o many_o particular_n and_o in_o some_o respect_n into_o controversy_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o if_o we_o do_v judge_v of_o what_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o religion_n by_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n i_o mean_v the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o will_v soon_o perceive_v on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v we_o may_v observe_v in_o that_o society_n which_o vaunt_v itself_o to_o be_v the_o pure_a of_o all_o and_o which_o even_o pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o the_o only_a true_a church_n exclusive_a of_o all_o other_o absurd_a tenet_n and_o monstrous_a doctrine_n equal_o repugnant_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o church_n which_o do_v separate_v from_o that_o society_n be_v much_o more_o consonant_a to_o the_o gospel_n 2._o we_o must_v have_v a_o very_a mean_a notion_n of_o christianity_n if_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o holiness_n which_o be_v the_o second_o character_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o christian_n at_o this_o time_n the_o complaint_n of_o the_o last_o age_n be_v that_o religion_n want_v to_o be_v reform_v in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o manner_n it_o be_v reform_v in_o part_n by_o the_o reject_v of_o those_o error_n and_o abuse_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o discipline_n but_o the_o reformation_n of_o manner_n be_v still_o behind_o the_o people_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v reform_v in_o this_o regard_n except_o perhaps_o in_o those_o time_n and_o place_n where_o they_o have_v be_v persecute_v as_o for_o the_o rest_n they_o have_v scarce_o change_v any_o thing_n beside_o their_o belief_n and_o worship_n this_o alone_a prove_v that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v yet_o imperfect_a holiness_n be_v the_o scope_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v the_o chief_a character_n of_o christianity_n so_o that_o where_o holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o manner_n be_v not_o religion_n must_v be_v very_o defective_a iii_o union_n peace_n and_o charity_n as_o be_v say_v before_o be_v one_o of_o the_o essential_a mark_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o where_o be_v this_o character_n to_o be_v find_v the_o church_n at_o this_o day_n be_v rend_v into_o faction_n and_o party_n we_o can_v say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n we_o must_v say_v that_o there_o be_v many_o religion_n and_o church_n christian_n divide_v not_o only_o upon_o lawful_a ground_n which_o make_v separation_n necessary_a but_o about_o thing_n of_o small_a consequence_n upon_o the_o least_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n they_o pronounce_v anathema_n against_o one_o another_o form_n different_a sect_n and_o communion_n even_o those_o church_n which_o may_v have_v a_o common_a belief_n and_o interest_n be_v not_o unite_v those_o man_n who_o by_o their_o office_n shall_v be_v the_o minister_n of_o peace_n be_v but_o too_o often_o the_o firebrand_n of_o division_n i_o desire_v no_o other_o proof_n of_o this_o but_o that_o zeal_n which_o most_o divine_v express_v about_o the_o dispute_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o little_a disposition_n which_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o sacrifice_v some_o opinion_n or_o expression_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o condemn_v all_o dispute_n without_o distinction_n for_o some_o be_v necessary_a the_o apostle_n command_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n to_o establish_v with_o care_n pure_a doctrine_n and_o to_o confute_v those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o corrupt_v it_o they_o do_v themselves_o on_o many_o occasion_n dispute_v against_o false_a teacher_n to_o desert_v the_o truth_n when_o attack_v be_v to_o make_v but_o little_a account_n of_o it_o this_o will_v be_v a_o betray_v the_o interest_n of_o piety_n since_o piety_n be_v always_o found_v upon_o truth_n dispute_v become_v necessary_a when_o essential_a truth_n be_v to_o be_v defend_v neither_o will_v i_o reduce_v all_o profitable_a or_o lawful_a dispute_n to_o those_o only_o which_o concern_v fundamental_o there_o be_v error_n which_o though_o not_o mortal_a yet_o be_v dangerous_a and_o so_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o oppose_v they_o and_o there_o be_v truth_n which_o though_o not_o fundamental_a be_v yet_o of_o great_a use_n in_o religion_n and_o may_v serve_v to_o confirm_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v fit_a that_o such_o truth_n shall_v be_v discuss_v provide_v this_o be_v do_v with_o moderation_n and_o honesty_n i_o only_o blame_v useless_a dispute_n or_o these_o which_o though_o they_o may_v have_v their_o use_n yet_o be_v accompany_v with_o those_o passion_n and_o disorder_n which_o blind_a zeal_n inspire_v such_o controversy_n which_o be_v but_o too_o common_a be_v extreme_o fatal_a to_o religion_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v what_o mischief_n they_o occasion_n in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o prejudicial_a they_o be_v to_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n in_o general_n and_o of_o piety_n in_o particular_a it_o may_v seem_v at_o first_o that_o because_o the_o people_n do_v not_o take_v cognizance_n of_o these_o contest_v they_o shall_v prove_v hurtful_a only_o to_o those_o learned_a man_n by_o who_o alone_o they_o be_v manage_v but_o yet_o the_o whole_a church_n feel_v the_o ill_a effect_n of_o they_o 1._o by_o reason_n of_o these_o dispute_n the_o people_n be_v destitute_a of_o edification_n or_o at_o least_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v all_o the_o edification_n which_o be_v necessary_a churchman_n be_v only_o full_a of_o these_o study_n and_o meditate_v upon_o nothing_o else_o in_o their_o sermon_n they_o speak_v only_o of_o these_o matter_n which_o take_v they_o up_o and_o which_o seem_v capital_a to_o they_o they_o have_v neither_o leisure_n nor_o inclination_n to_o mind_n thing_n of_o another_o nature_n and_o to_o set_v about_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o christian_n or_o they_o do_v it_o but_o faint_o and_o careless_o whilst_o a_o minister_n be_v very_o busy_a in_o his_o study_n or_o pulpit_n about_o confute_v a_o adversary_n who_o he_o never_o see_v or_o a_o error_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o his_o whole_a flock_n his_o sheep_n be_v lose_v his_o hearer_n remain_v possess_v with_o mortal_a error_n concern_v morality_n and_o engage_v in_o the_o most_o vicious_a habit_n this_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o most_o dispute_n they_o occasion_n the_o ruin_n rather_o than_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o hearer_n 2._o dispute_v keep_v up_o among_o christian_n false_a zeal_n hypocrisy_n and_o licentiousness_n the_o people_n learn_v by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o teacher_n to_o place_v their_o zeal_n not_o in_o oppose_a vice_n but_o in_o understand_v controversy_n in_o adhere_v to_o certain_a opinion_n and_o in_o bear_v a_o strong_a hatred_n to_o those_o who_o dissent_v from_o they_o they_o judge_v that_o what_o make_v the_o ordinary_a employment_n of_o divine_n what_o they_o insist_v most_o upon_o what_o kindle_v their_o zeal_n and_o excite_v in_o they_o the_o most_o violent_a passion_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o religion_n 3._o sometime_o the_o people_n take_v part_n in_o the_o quarrel_n of_o their_o teacher_n from_o whence_o proceed_v unavoidable_a animosity_n and_o division_n which_o extinguish_v love_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n and_o which_o create_v insuperable_a obstacle_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o reunion_n of_o christian_n of_o this_o we_o have_v but_o too_o many_o instance_n 4._o last_o the_o little_a union_n which_o be_v in_o the_o church_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o small_a progress_n of_o christianity_n christian_n instead_o of_o make_v their_o religion_n appear_v lovely_a and_o venerable_a to_o jew_n and_o infidel_n expose_v it_o to_o their_o contempt_n instead_o of_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o to_o destroy_v idolatry_n they_o turn_v their_o own_o weapon_n against_o themselves_o they_o mind_v nothing_o but_o the_o promote_a the_o interest_n of_o their_o particular_a sect_n and_o they_o neglect_v that_o of_o christianity_n ingeneral_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n unbeliever_n see_v that_o christian_n be_v not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o question_v every_o thing_n and_o they_o judge_v that_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o
practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n fast_v being_n enjoin_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o establish_v by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n and_o of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o several_a age_n there_o be_v reason_n to_o wonder_v that_o in_o some_o place_n this_o duty_n shall_v be_v almost_o out_o of_o date_n for_o as_o to_o solemn_a fast_n which_o be_v celebrate_v from_o time_n to_o time_n and_o seldom_o enough_o those_o be_v not_o proper_o the_o fast_n of_o which_o the_o gospel_n speak_v and_o which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o ancient_n they_o be_v act_n of_o public_a humiliation_n design_v for_o time_n of_o calamity_n or_o of_o extraordinary_a devotion_n and_o the_o use_n of_o these_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v too_o frequent_a because_o custom_n be_v apt_a to_o lessen_v their_o effect_n but_o i_o mean_v those_o fast_n which_o be_v help_n to_o devotition_n and_o holiness_n and_o mean_n to_o mortify_v the_o body_n and_o to_o dispose_v man_n to_o humiliation_n and_o repentance_n uniformity_n in_o divine_a worship_n will_v be_v another_o very_a necessary_a establishment_n it_o will_v show_v the_o unity_n of_o faith_n it_o will_v render_v religion_n venerable_a and_o prevent_v those_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n which_o be_v inevitable_a when_o rite_n and_o practice_n quite_o different_a nay_o sometime_o contrary_a to_o one_o another_o be_v observe_v in_o several_a church_n last_o care_n shall_v be_v take_v that_o divine_a service_n may_v be_v perform_v every_o where_o in_o a_o orderly_a grave_n and_o decent_a manner_n the_o exterior_a of_o religion_n have_v a_o great_a influence_n than_o we_o imagine_v upon_o the_o essence_n of_o it_o beside_o that_o we_o save_v a_o express_a law_n 40._o law_n 1_o cor._n fourteen_o 40._o which_o say_v that_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n indeed_o pageantry_n and_o pomp_n the_o great_a number_n of_o ceremony_n and_o whatever_o savour_v of_o superstition_n aught_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o well_o as_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o essence_n of_o evangelical_n worship_n and_o it_o be_v better_a to_o fall_v into_o a_o excess_n of_o simplicity_n than_o to_o clog_n religion_n with_o too_o many_o ceremony_n but_o yet_o under_o pretence_n of_o simplicity_n we_o be_v not_o to_o run_v into_o confusion_n and_o to_o neglect_v the_o external_o of_o religion_n and_o divine_a service_n if_o we_o shall_v examine_v by_o this_o rule_n what_o be_v do_v in_o some_o church_n with_o relation_n for_o instance_n to_o the_o law_n and_o form_n of_o public_a assembly_n to_o the_o celebration_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o the_o sacrament_n and_o to_o the_o person_n who_o receive_v the_o communion_n and_o who_o officiate_n we_o may_v find_v there_o several_a thing_n to_o be_v rectify_v and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o useful_a to_o take_v this_o into_o consideration_n for_o the_o want_n of_o gravity_n and_o decency_n and_o a_o dry_a and_o careless_a perform_v of_o public_a worship_n render_v religion_n despicable_a and_o make_v the_o people_n who_o common_o judge_v of_o thing_n by_o their_o outside_n to_o entertain_v a_o mean_a notion_n of_o divine_a service_n which_o produce_v the_o contempt_n of_o religion_n and_o by_o consequence_n ill_a manner_n vi_o this_o contempt_n of_o religion_n be_v another_o fault_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n it_o have_v be_v always_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v honour_v and_o respect_v the_o heathen_a religion_n as_o false_a as_o they_o be_v do_v attract_v the_o veneration_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v see_v at_o this_o day_n among_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o infidel_n certain_o then_o the_o christian_a religion_n deserve_v all_o the_o veneration_n and_o respect_n which_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o but_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o in_o many_o place_n it_o be_v fall_v of_o late_a into_o a_o very_a great_a outward_a meanness_n man_n be_v accustom_v themselves_o to_o look_v with_o indifference_n and_o with_o haughtiness_n and_o scorn_n upon_o every_o thing_n which_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o church_n or_o to_o religion_n this_o appear_v especial_o in_o the_o contempt_n which_o be_v express_v towards_o the_o clergy_n though_o the_o scripture_n represent_v their_o office_n as_o a_o most_o excellent_a and_o honourable_a employment_n though_o it_o enjoin_v christian_n to_o 13._o to_o heb._n xiii_o 27._o 1_o thess_n v._o 13._o honour_n love_n and_o reverence_n those_o who_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o they_o yet_o the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n be_v general_o but_o little_o honour_v and_o what_o be_v more_o surprise_v it_o be_v most_o depress_a and_o abase_v in_o those_o church_n which_o otherwise_o profess_v a_o pure_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n than_o other_o christian_a society_n i_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o all_o church_n in_o general_a but_o whoever_o see_v what_o be_v practise_v in_o many_o place_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n to_o strip_v the_o clergy_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v render_v they_o venerable_a to_o the_o people_n and_o to_o set_v they_o upon_o a_o low_a and_o contemptible_a foot_n their_o character_n be_v become_v abject_a if_o not_o odious_a and_o it_o become_v so_o more_o and_o more_o every_o day_n that_o which_o make_v it_o more_o despicable_a be_v the_o poverty_n which_o many_o of_o they_o be_v force_v to_o live_v in_o it_o be_v not_o difficult_a to_o find_v out_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o contempt_n it_o may_v be_v just_o charge_v upon_o the_o clergy_n themselves_o their_o character_n be_v become_v vile_a because_o they_o support_v it_o but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o despise_v they_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o endeavour_v the_o reclaim_n of_o they_o if_o under_o pretence_n of_o person_n be_v unworthy_a or_o of_o some_o abuse_n in_o office_n it_o be_v lawful_a to_o despise_v the_o profession_n themselves_o will_v not_o even_o magistracy_n be_v often_o the_o vile_a of_o all_o employment_n may_v we_o not_o say_v beside_o that_o churchman_n do_v not_o well_o maintain_v their_o character_n because_o they_o be_v despise_v a_o office_n which_o be_v slight_v will_v never_o be_v well_o discharge_v it_o be_v seldom_o that_o great_a worth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o post_n which_o be_v little_o honour_v or_o rather_o much_o despise_v the_o chief_a cause_n of_o this_o contempt_n be_v the_o manner_n in_o which_o thing_n be_v order_v in_o the_o last_o century_n persecution_n poverty_n and_o the_o opposition_n of_o the_o high_a power_n be_v at_o first_o great_a obstacle_n to_o the_o establish_n of_o good_a order_n prince_n and_o great_a man_n do_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o revenue_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n nothing_o be_v leave_v to_o churchman_n but_o the_o care_n of_o make_v sermon_n and_o of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n they_o be_v turn_v into_o bare_a preacher_n a_o character_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v not_o very_o fit_a to_o create_v respect_n i_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n because_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v of_o these_o more_o large_o by_o and_o by_o this_o abasement_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o ministry_n be_v a_o visible_a cause_n of_o corruption_n as_o soon_o as_o sacred_a thing_n be_v disregard_v impiety_n must_v needs_o prevail_v especial_o if_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n be_v despise_v than_o religion_n can_v have_v no_o great_a force_n upon_o man_n mind_n the_o master_n can_v be_v honour_v when_o his_o servant_n be_v slight_v man_n who_o be_v without_o authority_n can_v contain_v the_o people_n in_o their_o duty_n whatsoever_o come_v from_o a_o abject_a person_n who_o be_v neither_o belove_v nor_o esteem_v can_v never_o be_v receive_v with_o submission_n the_o contempt_n of_o pastor_n draw_v of_o necessity_n after_o it_o the_o contempt_n of_o divine_a service_n of_o preach_v and_o of_o other_o sacred_a function_n the_o poverty_n of_o churchman_n be_v not_o much_o less_o fatal_a to_o the_o church_n than_o the_o immense_a and_o excessive_a riches_n which_o do_v former_o corrupt_v the_o clergy_n for_o beside_o that_o in_o those_o time_n and_o place_n in_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v predominant_a and_o profess_v by_o person_n of_o quality_n poverty_n make_v the_o minister_n of_o religion_n contemptible_a to_o the_o people_n and_o even_o to_o great_a man_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o those_o circumstance_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o minister_n shall_v live_v with_o some_o credit_n beside_o this_o i_o say_v that_o poverty_n disable_v they_o from_o exercise_v
place_n of_o the_o prophet_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v equal_o rich_a every_o where_o that_o all_o doctrine_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o all_o text_n that_o those_o chapter_n and_o verse_n which_o seem_v the_o most_o barren_a and_o where_o there_o appear_v nothing_o extraordinary_a contain_v mystery_n and_o treasure_n which_o may_v exhaust_v even_o the_o meditation_n of_o angel_n but_o this_o conceit_n be_v so_o absurd_a and_o repugnant_a to_o sense_n that_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o worth_a my_o while_n to_o confute_v it_o moral_n be_v so_o essential_a a_o part_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v very_o particular_o insist_v upon_o by_o preacher_n and_o yet_o few_o do_v it_o so_o that_o morality_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o superficial_o handle_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o sermon_n this_o fault_n in_o preacher_n proceed_v from_o several_a cause_n some_o have_v a_o prejudice_n against_o morality_n and_o think_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o other_o who_o be_v conceit_v with_o vain_a learning_n imagine_v that_o to_o preach_v moral_n argue_v but_o a_o ordinary_a measure_n of_o part_n and_o little_a skill_n in_o divinity_n and_o that_o it_o become_v they_o better_a to_o soar_v after_o high_a speculation_n and_o to_o dive_v into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o most_o sublime_a theology_n this_o custom_n of_o insist_v more_o upon_o doctrine_n than_o moral_n proceed_v also_o from_o another_o cause_n which_o be_v that_o in_o this_o last_o age_n divine_n be_v fain_o to_o be_v continual_o explain_v and_o dispute_v and_o so_o the_o same_o method_n have_v be_v follow_v ever_o since_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v beside_o that_o many_o divine_n neglect_v morality_n because_o the_o treat_v of_o it_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o explain_v doctrinal_a matter_n let_v those_o supercilious_a and_o speculative_a divine_n say_v what_o they_o will_v the_o right_a handle_n of_o morality_n be_v the_o hard_a thing_n in_o preach_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o explain_v a_o text_n or_o a_o point_n of_o doctrine_n and_o a_o man_n must_v be_v very_o mean_o gift_v if_o with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o commentary_n or_o a_o commons-place_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v the_o feat_n and_o to_o furnish_v out_o his_o hour_n but_o to_o preach_v moral_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n i_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o way_n of_o preach_a morality_n which_o require_v no_o great_a pain_n if_o man_n content_v themselves_o with_o deliver_v moral_a saying_n concern_v vice_n and_o virtue_n this_o may_v be_v do_v without_o much_o labour_n but_o when_o a_o preacher_n pursue_v true_a morality_n when_o he_o be_v to_o master_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o whole_a congregation_n to_o encounter_v the_o inclination_n of_o his_o hearer_n and_o to_o make_v they_o renounce_v their_o passion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o meet_v with_o many_o and_o great_a difficulty_n this_o be_v a_o inexhaustible_a spring_n of_o labour_n and_o mediation_n and_o a_o task_n which_o few_o preacher_n care_v 〈◊〉_d take_v upon_o they_o in_o religion_n doctrine_n shall_v never_o be_v separate_v from_o morality_n nor_o one_o of_o these_o prefer_v before_o the_o other_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o insist_v more_o upon_o morality_n than_o upon_o doctrine_n not_o only_o because_o the_o design_n of_o our_o whole_a religion_n be_v to_o make_v we_o good_a man_n but_o also_o because_o morality_n can_v effectual_o be_v teach_v without_o be_v much_o dwell_v upon_o it_o be_v only_o by_o enlarge_n on_o matter_n and_o enter_v into_o many_o particular_n that_o the_o two_o end_n of_o morality_n be_v to_o be_v attain_v which_o be_v instruct_v man_n in_o their_o duty_n and_o persuade_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o morality_n be_v of_o a_o vast_a extent_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o consider_v how_o many_o duty_n be_v comprise_v under_o these_o three_o head_n of_o christian_a moral_n piety_n justice_n and_o temperance_n beside_o these_o duty_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o man_n there_o be_v some_o particular_a one_o relate_v to_o the_o different_a condition_n calling_n age_n and_o state_n which_o man_n be_v in_o and_o how_o many_o thing_n be_v there_o to_o be_v consider_v upon_o all_o these_o head_n this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o these_o duty_n vary_v infinite_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o circumstance_n there_o be_v almost_o as_o many_o different_a disposition_n as_o there_o be_v person_n among_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o man_n who_o be_v addict_v to_o the_o same_o vice_n there_o be_v hardly_o two_o who_o be_v vicious_a in_o the_o same_o degree_n and_o manner_n it_o be_v therefore_o requisite_a that_o preacher_n shall_v descend_v into_o particular_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v so_o characterise_v duty_n virtue_n and_o vice_n that_o every_o one_o may_v know_v himself_o in_o the_o description_n and_o yet_o this_o relate_v only_o to_o bare_a instruction_n now_o if_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o intend_v to_o engage_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o duty_n there_o new_a difficulty_n will_v arise_v and_o no_o good_a success_n can_v be_v expect_v but_o from_o assiduous_a care_n and_o constant_a labour_n there_o be_v in_o man_n heart_n so_o many_o different_a disposition_n and_o motion_n so_o many_o illusion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la so_o many_o wind_n and_o artifices_fw-la that_o a_o very_a particular_a application_n be_v require_v for_o we_o to_o insinuate_v ourselves_o into_o it_o when_o the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v teach_v thing_n need_v not_o be_v so_o minutely_o handle_v and_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o use_v such_o mighty_a endeavour_n nay_o the_o be_v very_o particular_a may_v be_v a_o fault_n he_o that_o will_v instruct_v so_o he_o be_v clear_a shall_v rather_o be_v short_a than_o prolix_a the_o hearer_n do_v easy_o apprehend_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o and_o the_o most_o corrupt_a man_n be_v able_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o error_n a_o libertine_n will_v find_v who_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o in_o the_o wrong_n in_o a_o dispute_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a a_o thing_n to_o touch_v the_o heart_n or_o to_o conquer_v inveterate_a habit_n what_o tully_n say_v in_o his_o dialogue_n of_o the_o orator_n deserve_v to_o be_v insert_v here_o it_o be_v this_o possunt_fw-la this_o cicero_n de_fw-fr orat._n lib._n 2._o non_fw-la enim_fw-la sicut_fw-la argumentum_fw-la simul_fw-la atque_fw-la positum_fw-la est_fw-la arripitur_fw-la alterumque_fw-la &_o tertium_fw-la poscitur_fw-la ita_fw-la misericordiam_fw-la aut_fw-la invidiam_fw-la aut_fw-la iracundiam_fw-la simulatque_fw-la intuleris_fw-la possis_fw-la commovere_fw-la argumentam_fw-la enim_fw-la ipsa_fw-la ratione_fw-la confirmat_fw-la quae_fw-la simul_fw-la atque_fw-la emissa_fw-la est_fw-la adhaerescit_fw-la illud_fw-la autem_fw-la genus_fw-la orationis_fw-la non_fw-la cognitionem_fw-la judicis_fw-la sed_fw-la perturbationem_fw-la requirit_fw-la quam_fw-la consequi_fw-la nisi_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o varia_fw-la &_o copiosa_fw-la &_o simili_fw-la contentione_n orationis_fw-la nemo_fw-la potest_fw-la quare_fw-la qui_fw-la aut_fw-la breviter_fw-la aut_fw-la summisse_fw-la dicunt_fw-la docere_fw-la judicem_fw-la possunt_fw-la commovere_fw-la non_fw-la possunt_fw-la passion_n be_v not_o to_o be_v excite_v in_o a_o moment_n as_o a_o proof_n do_v present_o persuade_v so_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v propose_v a_o proof_n be_v confirm_v by_o reason_n and_o reason_n clear_o set_v out_o make_v a_o impression_n immediate_o but_o when_o we_o intend_v to_o raise_v the_o passion_n the_o success_n do_v not_o so_o much_o depend_v upon_o the_o conviction_n as_o upon_o the_o perturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n oratory_n can_v have_v its_o effect_n then_o without_o prolixity_n variety_n copiousness_n and_o vehemence_n of_o discourse_n those_o therefore_o who_o speak_v brief_o and_o calm_o be_v fit_a to_o instruct_v but_o not_o to_o move_v from_o these_o reflection_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o method_n of_o those_o preacher_n who_o be_v large_a upon_o the_o explication_n of_o doctrine_n and_o succinct_a upon_o moral_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o true_a way_n of_o preach_v and_o that_o those_o do_v very_o ill_o understand_v what_o morality_n be_v who_o either_o despise_v it_o or_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o easy_a thing_n in_o preach_v we_o may_v likewise_o apprehend_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v what_o be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a fault_n of_o preacher_n when_o they_o treat_v of_o moral_n i_o shall_v observe_v three_o of_o they_o their_o morality_n be_v too_o general_a it_o be_v defective_a and_o it_o be_v sometime_o false_a 1._o many_o preacher_n be_v too_o general_a in_o handle_v morality_n this_o be_v the_o head_n which_o be_v the_o most_o slight_o touch_v upon_o they_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o sermon_n in_o explain_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o text_n
this_o knowledge_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o chief_a study_n of_o those_o who_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o the_o sure_a and_o the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o know_v man_n heart_n aright_o be_v to_o consult_v our_o own_o to_o reflect_v upon_o ourselves_o and_o to_o have_v a_o spotless_a conscience_n without_o this_o a_o man_n be_v still_o a_o novice_n and_o a_o bungler_n in_o preach_v and_o so_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n in_o private_a exhortation_n in_o the_o visit_n of_o the_o sick_a in_o prayer_n and_o in_o all_o other_o pastoral_n function_n there_o be_v still_o something_o defective_a when_o a_o man_n do_v not_o perform_v they_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o charity_n but_o only_o to_o discharge_v the_o outward_a obligation_n which_o his_o office_n lay_v upon_o he_o pious_a and_o good_a churchman_n who_o be_v not_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n destitute_a of_o gift_n fulfil_v much_o better_a the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministry_n a_o pastor_n who_o love_v his_o profession_n who_o lay_v the_o function_n of_o it_o to_o heart_n who_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o who_o practise_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o who_o in_o private_a humble_v himself_o before_o god_n and_o ardent_o implore_v his_o blessing_n â—ho_n be_v ever_o intent_n upon_o seek_v mean_n to_o edify_v the_o church_n who_o turn_v all_o his_o meditation_n that_o way_n who_o think_v day_n and_o night_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o flock_n must_v needs_o be_v successful_a he_o have_v in_o himself_o the_o principle_n of_o all_o benediction_n and_o happy_a success_n when_o he_o be_v speak_v or_o exhort_v it_o be_v his_o heart_n that_o speak_v and_o the_o language_n of_o the_o heart_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o eloquence_n and_o perswasiveness_n in_o it_o which_o be_v soon_o discern_v by_o the_o hearer_n and_o which_o always_o raise_v a_o pious_a and_o a_o zealous_a preacher_n above_o a_o mercenary_a and_o hypocritical_a one_o the_o want_n of_o piety_n in_o pastor_n be_v therefore_o the_o principal_a source_n of_o the_o fault_n they_o commit_v and_o of_o the_o mischief_n which_o proceed_v from_o their_o remissness_n whosoever_o will_v serious_o and_o without_o prejudice_n consider_v all_o that_o i_o have_v now_o say_v must_v own_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n be_v chief_o to_o bâ—_n find_v in_o the_o clergy_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v to_o speak_v here_o of_o all_o churchman_n indifferent_o we_o must_v do_v right_a to_o some_o who_o distinguish_v themselves_o by_o their_o talent_n their_o zeal_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n but_o the_o number_n of_o these_o be_v not_o considerable_a enough_o to_o stop_v the_o course_n of_o those_o disorder_n which_o be_v occasion_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o vast_a multitude_n of_o remiss_a and_o corrupt_a pastor_n these_o pull_v down_o what_o the_o other_o endeavour_v to_o build_v up_o some_o perhaps_o will_v ask_v whence_o do_v all_o these_o fault_n of_o the_o clergy_n proceed_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n i_o have_v three_o thing_n to_o say_v 1._o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v think_v strange_a that_o pastor_n shall_v not_o fulfil_v all_o the_o obligation_n of_o their_o office_n as_o thing_n be_v constitute_v almost_o every_o where_n with_o relation_n to_o discipline_n to_o the_o inspection_n and_o authority_n over_o private_a person_n to_o the_o visit_v of_o the_o sick_a and_o to_o some_o other_o part_n of_o their_o employment_n they_o can_v if_o they_o will_v discharge_v their_o duty_n neither_o the_o magistrate_n nor_o the_o people_n will_v suffer_v it_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o defect_n of_o pastor_n be_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o contempt_n and_o abasement_n which_o their_o office_n be_v bring_v under_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o poverty_n they_o live_v in_o this_o contempt_n and_o poverty_n discourage_v a_o great_a many_o who_o may_v otherwise_o considerable_o edify_v the_o church_n and_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o multitude_n who_o have_v neither_o education_n nor_o talent_n nor_o estate_n dedicate_v themselves_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v common_o imagine_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n be_v good_a enough_o for_o the_o church_n and_o whereas_o the_o jew_n do_v offer_v their_o most_o excellent_a thing_n to_o god_n among_o christian_n what_o be_v least_o value_v be_v consecrate_a to_o god_n and_o the_o church_n some_o be_v devote_v to_o the_o holy_a and_o the_o most_o exalt_a of_o all_o profession_n who_o will_v not_o be_v think_v capable_a of_o a_o employment_n of_o any_o consideration_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o then_o we_o intend_v to_o remedy_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o clergy_n we_o shall_v begin_v with_o redress_v what_o be_v defective_a in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n in_o general_n 2._o many_o ecclesiastic_n fail_v in_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v because_o they_o do_v not_o know_v what_o it_o oblige_v they_o to_o and_o this_o they_o do_v not_o know_v because_o it_o be_v never_o teach_v they_o there_o be_v indeed_o school_n academy_n and_o university_n which_o be_v design_v to_o instruct_v those_o young_a man_n who_o aspire_v to_o this_o profession_n but_o i_o can_v tell_v whether_o school_n and_o academy_n as_o they_o be_v order_v almost_o every_o where_o do_v not_o do_v more_o hurt_n than_o good_a for_o first_o as_o to_z manner_n young_a people_n live_v there_o licentious_o and_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o conduct_n the_o care_n of_o master_n and_o professor_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o the_o regulate_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o disciple_n and_o this_o disorder_n be_v so_o great_a that_o in_o several_a university_n of_o europe_n the_o scholar_n and_o student_n make_v public_a profession_n of_o dissoluteness_n they_o not_o only_o live_v there_o irregular_o but_o they_o have_v privilege_n which_o give_v they_o a_o right_a to_o commit_v with_o impunity_n all_o manner_n of_o insolence_n brutality_n and_o scandal_n and_o which_o exempt_v they_o from_o the_o magistrate_n jurisdiction_n it_o be_v a_o shame_n to_o christianity_n that_o prince_n and_o churchman_n shall_v not_o have_v yet_o abolish_v those_o custom_n and_o establishment_n which_o smell_v so_o rank_a of_o the_o ignorance_n and_o barbarism_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o yet_o these_o university_n be_v the_o nursery_n out_o of_o which_o pastor_n doctor_n and_o professor_n be_v take_v those_o scholar_n who_o neither_o have_v birth_n nor_o sense_n of_o virtue_n or_o honour_n and_o who_o have_v spend_v their_o youth_n in_o licentiousness_n and_o debauchery_n spread_v themselves_o into_o all_o church_n and_o become_v the_o depositary_n and_o in_o some_o measure_n the_o arbitrator_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o the_o study_n which_o be_v pursue_v at_o university_n i_o observe_v in_o they_o these_o two_o fault_n the_o first_o relate_v to_o the_o method_n of_o teach_v divinity_n be_v treat_v there_o and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n explain_v in_o a_o scholastical_a and_o altogether_o speculative_a manner_n common_a place_n be_v read_v which_o be_v full_a of_o school-term_n and_o of_o question_n not_o very_o material_a there_o young_a man_n learn_v to_o dispute_v upon_o every_o thing_n and_o to_o resolve_v all_o religion_n into_o controversy_n now_o this_o method_n ruin_v they_o it_o give_v they_o intricate_a and_o false_a notion_n of_o divinity_n and_o it_o beget_v in_o they_o disposition_n direct_o opposite_a to_o those_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o find_v out_o truth_n the_o other_o fault_n be_v more_o essential_a little_a or_o no_o care_n be_v take_v in_o academy_n to_o teach_v those_o who_o dedicate_v themselves_o to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n several_a thing_n the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o will_v be_v very_o necessary_a to_o they_o the_o study_n of_o history_n and_o of_o church_n antiquity_n be_v neglect_v there_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o most_o divine_n may_v be_v compare_v with_o people_n who_o have_v never_o travel_v know_v no_o other_o custom_n or_o way_n of_o live_v but_o those_o which_o obtain_v in_o their_o country_n as_o soon_o as_o you_o take_v these_o divine_n out_o of_o their_o common-place_n they_o be_v in_o a_o maâ—â—_n and_o every_o thing_n seem_v new_a and_o singular_a to_o they_o morality_n be_v not_o teach_v in_o divinity-school_n but_o in_o a_o superficial_a and_o scholastics_n manner_n and_o in_o many_o academy_n it_o be_v noâ—_n teach_v at_o all_o they_o seldom_o speak_v there_o of_o discipline_n they_o give_v few_o or_o no_o instruction_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o exercise_v the_o pastoral_a care_n or_o of_o govern_v the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o this_o office_n enter_v into_o it_o without_o know_v wherein_o it_o consist_v all_o the_o notion_n they_o have_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o profession_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o preach_v and_o to_o
explain_v text_n it_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n school_n and_o university_n shall_v be_v reform_v and_o that_o the_o manner_n and_o study_n of_o young_a people_n shall_v be_v better_o regulate_v in_o those_o place_n this_o reformation_n will_v not_o be_v impossible_a if_o divine_n and_o professor_n will_v use_v their_o endeavour_n about_o it_o but_o those_o kind_n of_o establishment_n be_v not_o easy_o alter_v the_o ordinary_a method_n be_v continue_v and_o thing_n be_v do_v as_o they_o be_v of_o old_a because_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o keep_v their_o place_n and_o the_o stipend_n which_o be_v annex_v to_o they_o 3._o the_o three_o and_o principal_a remedy_n will_v be_v to_o use_v great_a caution_n than_o be_v common_o do_v when_o man_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o ecclesiastical_a office_n the_o first_o qualification_n to_o which_o according_a to_o st._n paul_n regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v be_v probity_n and_o integrity_n of_o life_n the_o person_n therefore_o who_o offer_v themselves_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v examine_v in_o relation_n to_o manner_n and_o to_o all_o those_o moral_a disposition_n which_o st._n paul_n require_v in_o they_o and_o those_o shall_v be_v exclude_v in_o who_o they_o be_v not_o find_v but_o this_o article_n be_v common_o slubber_v over_o and_o a_o young_a man_n must_v have_v be_v very_o dissolute_a if_o he_o be_v refuse_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o immorality_n so_o that_o the_o most_o sacred_a of_o all_o character_n be_v confer_v upon_o many_o person_n who_o according_a to_o the_o divine_a law_n aught_o to_o be_v reject_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o examination_n of_o canditates_fw-la relate_v to_o their_o ability_n and_o talent_n now_o in_o order_n to_o judge_v of_o their_o capacity_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o know_v their_o common-place-book_n or_o whether_o they_o can_v make_v a_o sermon_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a beside_o to_o examine_v they_o about_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n about_o history_n discipline_n the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o morality_n all_o these_o be_v important_a matter_n the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v of_o daily_a use_n with_o reference_n to_o practice_n and_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o sacred_a ministry_n but_o they_o be_v not_o insist_v upon_o the_o examination_n turn_v upon_o some_o trial_n about_o preach_v and_o upon_o some_o head_n of_o divinity_n which_o be_v scholastical_o handle_v by_o argument_n and_o distinction_n after_o which_o if_o the_o canditate_fw-la have_v satify_v in_o some_o measure_n ordination_n follow_v now_o when_o such_o insufficient_a person_n be_v once_o admit_v the_o mischief_n be_v do_v and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n these_o man_n be_v afterward_o appoint_v pastor_n in_o church_n where_o for_o 30_o or_o 40_o year_n they_o destroy_v more_o than_o they_o edify_v how_o many_o church_n be_v there_o thus_o ill_o provide_v where_o the_o people_n live_v in_o gross_a ignorance_n where_o the_o youth_n be_v lose_v for_o want_n of_o instruction_n and_o where_o a_o thousand_o crime_n be_v commit_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o this_o evil_a be_v in_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n it_o will_v no_o doubt_n be_v object_v that_o if_o none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o those_o who_o have_v all_o the_o necessary_a qualification_n there_o will_v not_o be_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o pastor_n for_o all_o the_o church_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o this_o shall_v happen_v yet_o it_o be_v better_a to_o run_v into_o this_o inconvenience_n than_o to_o break_v the_o express_a law_n of_o god_n a_o small_a number_n of_o select_a pastor_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o a_o multitude_n of_o unworthy_a labourer_n we_o be_v still_o to_o do_v what_o god_n command_v and_o to_o leave_v the_o the_o event_n to_o providence_n but_o after_o all_o this_o scarcity_n of_o pastor_n be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v fear_v such_o a_o strictness_n will_v only_o discourage_v those_o who_o will_v never_o have_v be_v useful_a in_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n high_o commendable_a to_o dishearten_v such_o person_n but_o this_o exactness_n will_v encourage_v those_o who_o be_v able_a to_o do_v well_o and_o the_o ministry_n will_v be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o esteem_v and_o seek_v after_o cause_n iu._n the_o defect_n of_o christian_a prince_n and_o magistrate_n if_o it_o have_v be_v possible_a without_o a_o essential_a omission_n not_o to_o have_v detect_v this_o cause_n of_o corruption_n i_o will_v have_v pass_v it_o over_o in_o silence_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o high_a power_n but_o with_o great_a discretion_n and_o respect_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o without_o some_o kind_n of_o reluctancy_n that_o i_o suppose_v in_o the_o title_n of_o this_o chapter_n that_o one_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o corruption_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a prince_n and_o magistrate_n but_o if_o i_o have_v suppress_v this_o i_o shall_v have_v dissemble_v a_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o omit_v one_o of_o the_o head_n which_o be_v the_o most_o necessary_a to_o be_v insist_v upon_o in_o a_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o rank_n which_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n hold_v they_o have_v always_o a_o great_a share_n in_o the_o good_a or_o ill_a manner_n of_o the_o people_n and_o so_o i_o can_v excuse_v myself_o from_o show_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n may_v partly_o be_v impute_v to_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v for_o the_o government_n of_o civil_a society_n in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v offer_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o duty_n of_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n consider_v 1._o as_o civil_a and_o 2._o as_o christian_a magistrate_n although_o the_o institution_n of_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n do_v proper_o relate_v to_o civil_a matter_n yet_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v their_o people_n have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o thing_n of_o religion_n this_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o suppose_v this_o principle_n that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o religion_n be_v also_o the_o author_n of_o civil_a society_n and_o magistracy_n it_o be_v st._n paul_n doctrine_n xiii_o doctrine_n rom._n xiii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o power_n but_o of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o power_n that_o be_v be_v ordain_v of_o god_n if_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o civil_a society_n he_o be_v also_o the_o author_n of_o those_o law_n upon_o which_o both_o religion_n and_o civil_a society_n be_v found_v now_o god_n be_v always_o consistent_a with_o himself_o the_o law_n which_o be_v derive_v from_o he_o can_v contradict_v one_o another_o and_o this_o show_v already_o not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v no_o opposition_n between_o religion_n and_o civil_a society_n but_o that_o these_o two_o thing_n have_v beside_o a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o one_o another_o this_o will_v yet_o more_o clear_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o religion_n do_v not_o cut_v off_o christian_n from_o the_o society_n of_o other_o man_n and_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o constitute_v a_o state_n by_o itself_o to_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o civil_a society_n but_o that_o those_o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v likewise_o member_n of_o civil_a society_n so_o that_o the_o same_o man_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n both_o a_o christian_n and_o a_o citizen_n but_o it_o be_v chief_o necessary_a to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 1._o it_o be_v to_o be_v preach_v to_o all_o man_n and_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o the_o world_n without_o distinction_n of_o nation_n kingdom_n or_o state_n in_o order_n to_o this_o two_o thing_n be_v necessary_a first_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v nothing_o in_o religion_n contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o state_n and_o of_o civil_a society_n for_o else_o god_n by_o order_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v preach_v will_v have_v destroy_v his_o own_o work_n christianity_n can_v not_o have_v take_v foot_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o first_o christian_n will_v have_v be_v just_o look_v upon_o as_o seditious_a person_n but_o it_o be_v not_o less_o necessary_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v nothing_o repugnant_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o state_n and_o civil_a society_n otherwise_o god_n by_o establish_v society_n will_v have_v put_v a_o insuperable_a obstacle_n to_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n unless_o the_o civil_a order_n and_o government_n have_v be_v alter_v but_o our_o saviour_n have_v assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n by_o declare_v xviii_o declare_v john_n xviii_o that_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n and_o by_o command_v his_o follower_n xxii_o
unhappiness_n for_o child_n that_o in_o this_o respect_n they_o be_v so_o much_o neglect_v man_n have_v not_o the_o patience_n to_o reason_n with_o they_o and_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o speak_v and_o to_o act_n wise_o they_o be_v suffer_v to_o be_v among_o people_n who_o can_v neither_o speak_v nor_o reason_n they_o converse_v for_o the_o most_o part_n only_o with_o servant_n or_o other_o child_n by_o this_o mean_n they_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o take_v up_o false_a notion_n to_o judge_v of_o thing_n only_o by_o their_o appearance_n to_o resolve_v rash_o and_o without_o consideration_n and_o to_o be_v govern_v only_o by_o their_o sense_n passion_n or_o prejudices_fw-la from_o thence_o proceed_v almost_o all_o the_o fault_n which_o they_o commit_v afterward_o but_o this_o be_v especial_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o affection_n which_o man_n bear_v to_o sin_n and_o to_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n the_o first_o quality_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v to_o be_v a_o rational_a man_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o man_n who_o can_v make_v use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o who_o have_v no_o sense_n shall_v judge_v aright_o of_o spiritual_a thing_n curb_v his_o passion_n renounce_v his_o prejudices_fw-la and_o constant_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o his_o duty_n 3._o i_o shall_v not_o here_o enumerate_v all_o the_o particular_a fault_n which_o be_v suffer_v in_o child_n but_o there_o be_v two_o which_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o i_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o cause_n of_o most_o of_o the_o passion_n and_o vice_n so_o which_o man_n be_v addict_v first_o there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a endeavour_n use_v to_o make_v child_n tractable_a and_o to_o subject_v they_o to_o the_o will_n of_o other_o the_o groundwork_n of_o a_o good_a education_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n and_o obedience_n and_o not_o to_o let_v they_o grow_v independent_a and_o obstinate_a in_o their_o own_o will_n and_o passion_n so_o that_o when_o we_o command_v or_o forbid_v they_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v by_o all_o mean_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o obey_v when_o we_o observe_v in_o they_o too_o strong_a a_o inclination_n to_o any_o thing_n though_o the_o thing_n be_v innocent_a yet_o because_o they_o desire_v it_o too_o earnest_o they_o be_v not_o always_o to_o be_v indulge_v in_o it_o but_o care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v that_o when_o we_o cross_v their_o will_n we_o do_v it_o with_o mildness_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o it_o be_v with_o reason_n and_o for_o their_o good_a we_o oppose_v they_o and_o not_o out_o of_o humour_n or_o only_o to_o vex_v they_o when_o child_n be_v thus_o deal_v with_o they_o may_v be_v turn_v which_o way_n soever_o we_o please_v it_o keep_v they_o from_o stubbornness_n and_o self-love_n it_o teach_v they_o to_o overcome_v their_o desire_n to_o submit_v to_o correction_n and_o to_o follow_v the_o advice_n which_o be_v give_v they_o in_o a_o word_n tractableness_n in_o a_o child_n be_v a_o disposition_n to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o virtue_n but_o no_o good_a can_v be_v expect_v from_o a_o child_n who_o be_v not_o docile_a and_o obedient_a if_o he_o be_v permit_v while_o young_a to_o be_v independent_a and_o to_o do_v what_o he_o list_v he_o will_v be_v much_o more_o absolute_a when_o he_o come_v to_o a_o ripe_a age._n the_o other_o fault_n which_o it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o prevent_v be_v the_o love_n of_o the_o body_n and_o of_o the_o object_n of_o sense_n a_o carnal_a temper_n be_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n itself_o the_o root_n of_o all_o vice_n but_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o that_o irregular_a affection_n which_o man_n bear_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o gratify_v their_o body_n be_v in_o their_o infancy_n for_o beside_o that_o child_n govern_v themselves_o only_o by_o sense_n that_o bias_n they_o have_v towards_o sensible_a thing_n be_v forfeit_v by_o the_o sensual_a education_n which_o be_v bestow_v upon_o they_o none_o but_o gross_a and_o material_a object_n be_v propose_v to_o they_o they_o be_v entertain_v only_o with_o those_o thing_n which_o affect_v the_o sense_n and_o no_o idea_n but_o those_o of_o bodily_a pleasure_n or_o pain_n be_v excite_v in_o they_o the_o promise_n and_o '_o threat_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n which_o be_v use_v to_o gain_v upon_o they_o relate_v only_o to_o corporeal_a thing_n and_o here_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v omit_v that_o they_o be_v chief_o spoil_v by_o be_v indulge_v in_o gluttony_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o clothes_n these_o be_v the_o two_o first_o passion_n of_o child_n the_o two_o inclination_n by_o which_o they_o begin_v to_o grow_v corrupt_a and_o to_o love_v the_o world_n nothing_o make_v so_o much_o impression_n upon_o they_o as_o that_o which_o affect_v their_o eye_n or_o their_o palate_n if_o child_n be_v use_v to_o a_o simplicity_n of_o diet_n and_o apparel_n this_o will_v preserve_v they_o from_o many_o dangerous_a vice_n and_o passion_n it_o will_v dispose_v they_o for_o those_o virtue_n which_o be_v the_o most_o necessary_a to_o a_o wise_a man_n and_o a_o christian_a it_o will_v inure_v they_o to_o sobriety_n labour_n prudence_n humility_n to_o the_o contempt_n of_o pleasure_n and_o to_o firmness_n and_o patience_n in_o calamity_n this_o will_v make_v their_o constitution_n strong_a and_o prevent_v divers_a infirmity_n which_o both_o afflict_v and_o shorten_v their_o life_n but_o ill_a custom_n prevail_v against_o the_o maxim_n of_o reason_n and_o christianity_n little_a caution_n be_v use_v in_o relation_n to_o their_o diet_n they_o be_v suffer_v to_o eat_v much_o beyond_o that_o which_o nature_n require_v and_o they_o be_v accustom_v to_o be_v liquorish_a and_o dainty_a in_o their_o eat_n as_o for_o clothes_n and_o deck_v father_n and_o more_o especial_o mother_n have_v that_o weakness_n that_o they_o love_v to_o see_v their_o child_n fine_a and_o spruce_a beside_o this_o the_o way_n of_o breed_v up_o child_n of_o the_o better_a sort_n make_v they_o soft_a effeminate_a and_o lover_n of_o pleasure_n the_o fruit_n of_o such_o a_o education_n be_v that_o child_n become_v slave_n to_o their_o body_n and_o to_o their_o sense_n they_o be_v take_v with_o nothing_o but_o bodily_a pleasure_n and_o worldly_a thing_n from_o thence_o spring_n in_o process_n of_o time_n intemperance_n uncleanness_n pride_n covetousness_n and_o most_o of_o the_o great_a kind_n of_o sin_n this_o be_v likewise_o the_o principal_a cause_n of_o indevotion_n and_o of_o the_o little_a relish_n which_o man_n find_v in_o spiritual_a thing_n particular_o in_o religion_n and_o piety_n a_o sensual_a education_n occasion_n all_o these_o evil_n 4._o it_o will_v not_o be_v improper_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o frequent_o the_o education_n which_o be_v give_v to_o those_o child_n who_o be_v destine_v to_o science_n and_o considerable_a employment_n either_o in_o the_o church_n or_o in_o civil_a society_n do_v but_o corrupt_v their_o inclination_n they_o be_v send_v to_o college_n and_o university_n where_o be_v trust_v with_o themselves_o they_o live_v in_o independence_n and_o libertinism_n and_o they_o be_v send_v thither_o at_o a_o age_n in_o which_o without_o a_o kind_n of_o miracle_n they_o can_v fail_v of_o be_v undo_v they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v emancipate_v from_o the_o inspection_n of_o their_o parent_n they_o be_v expose_v without_o defence_n to_o the_o most_o dangerous_a seduction_n and_o that_o at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v the_o most_o unfit_a to_o regulate_v their_o conduct_n and_o the_o most_o susceptible_a of_o ill_a impression_n and_o vicious_a example_n child_n will_v be_v much_o better_o educate_v with_o relation_n both_o to_o science_n and_o good_a manner_n if_o their_o parent_n do_v not_o make_v so_o much_o haste_n and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o spur_v they_o on_o to_o study_n till_o their_o judgement_n be_v a_o little_a form_v and_o especial_o if_o they_o take_v care_n to_o confirm_v they_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n before_o they_o be_v send_v from_o home_n some_o alteration_n shall_v likewise_o be_v make_v in_o college_n for_o the_o very_a study_n which_o youth_n pursue_v there_o be_v instrumental_a to_o debauch_v they_o they_o learn_v latin_a and_o obscenity_n together_o author_n be_v put_v into_o their_o hand_n the_o reading_z of_o who_o raise_v impure_a idea_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o as_o if_o there_o be_v a_o design_n to_o stifle_v in_o they_o all_o sense_n of_o modesty_n they_o be_v make_v to_o interpret_v and_o to_o rehearse_v very_o undecent_a thing_n when_o all_o be_v well_o consider_v young_a people_n acquire_v but_o little_a of_o useful_a learning_n in_o college_n and_o academy_n at_o the_o rate_n they_o live_v and_o study_v in_o those_o place_n and_o there_o too_o they_o
the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n st._n paul_n exhort_v christian_n fourteen_o christian_n rom._n xii_o eph._n two_o and_o iu._n tit._n ii_o mat._n vii_o xiii_o fourteen_o not_o to_o be_v conform_v to_o this_o present_a world_n not_o to_o walk_v after_o the_o course_n of_o this_o world_n not_o to_o follow_v other_o man_n way_n of_o live_v to_o renounce_v the_o world_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o it_o our_o saviour_n enjoin_v his_o disciple_n to_o avoid_v the_o wide_a gate_n and_o the_o broad_a way_n of_o the_o multitude_n and_o to_o strike_v into_o the_o narrow_a path_n which_o be_v walk_v in_o but_o by_o a_o few_o these_o be_v reflection_n which_o every_o man_n who_o believe_v the_o gospel_n will_v frequent_o and_o serious_o make_v and_o which_o shall_v serve_v he_o for_o remedy_n against_o the_o temptation_n arise_v from_o example_n and_o custom_n there_o be_v other_o general_a remedy_n which_o tend_v to_o lessen_v the_o number_n of_o bad_a example_n and_o to_o alter_v the_o custom_n and_o usage_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v that_o to_o go_v about_o the_o abolish_n of_o that_o which_o be_v establish_v by_o a_o general_a custom_n and_o a_o long_o use_v be_v to_o attempt_v and_o impossibility_n and_o though_o we_o can_v expect_v that_o this_o cause_n of_o corruption_n shall_v be_v entire_o remove_v yet_o the_o difficulty_n be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o it_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v overcome_v this_o we_o may_v have_v reason_n to_o hope_v for_o if_o first_o those_o who_o know_v and_o love_v their_o duty_n will_v discharge_v it_o with_o courage_n and_o if_o they_o do_v add_v to_o their_o knowledge_n a_o zeal_n support_v by_o prudence_n and_o firmness_n how_o great_a soever_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o man_n may_v be_v there_o be_v still_o something_o in_o virtue_n which_o attract_v their_o respect_n and_o their_o love_n the_o endeavour_n of_o good_a man_n against_o vice_n be_v always_o attend_v with_o some_o success_n if_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o exhortation_n and_o good_a example_n do_v not_o reach_v far_o they_o may_v at_o least_o be_v useful_a to_o their_o family_n and_o their_o acquaintance_n but_o something_o more_o than_o this_o be_v requisite_a to_o reform_v general_a custom_n and_o practice_n and_o none_o can_v do_v this_o more_o easy_o and_o effectual_o than_o those_o who_o be_v raise_v above_o other_o man_n and_o who_o be_v in_o public_a station_n i_o say_v therefore_o second_o that_o if_o christian_a prince_n and_o magistrate_n will_v use_v their_o authority_n to_o this_o end_n and_o be_v exemplary_a themselves_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o world_n will_v considerable_o abate_v and_o bad_a example_n will_v neither_o be_v so_o frequent_a nor_o so_o forcible_a as_o they_o be_v it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o banish_v the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o custom_n which_o be_v common_o receive_v and_o to_o establish_v contrary_a one_o the_o care_n and_o example_n of_o pastor_n be_v likewise_o a_o most_o efficacious_a remedy_n if_o they_o do_v instruct_v christian_n as_o they_o ought_v if_o they_o do_v oppose_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n with_o the_o pure_a maxim_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o they_o do_v set_v themselves_o against_o abuse_n if_o they_o do_v endeavour_v in_o public_a and_o in_o private_a to_o bring_v all_o those_o that_o err_v into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n if_o they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o instruct_n of_o youth_n and_o if_o their_o manner_n be_v edify_v and_o exemplary_a there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o they_o will_v soon_o stop_v the_o current_n of_o vice_n and_o scandal_n it_o shall_v be_v their_o chief_a care_n to_o oppose_v abuse_n and_o ill_a custom_n in_o their_o beginning_n because_o when_o they_o have_v once_o take_v root_n the_o remedy_n be_v much_o more_o difficult_a in_o fine_a as_o custom_n be_v establish_v by_o degree_n so_o they_o be_v not_o abolish_v all_o at_o once_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o do_v not_o succeed_v at_o first_o in_o so_o good_a a_o design_n ought_v not_o present_o to_o be_v discourage_v and_o to_o grow_v weary_a cause_n vii_o book_n this_o be_v the_o last_o cause_n of_o corruption_n which_o i_o shall_v mention_v but_o without_o question_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o generaland_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a book_n be_v as_o many_o public_a fountain_n from_o which_o vast_a number_n of_o notion_n and_o sentiment_n which_o be_v common_o receive_v among_o man_n and_o which_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o action_n diffuse_v themselves_o into_o the_o world_n and_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o among_o a_o infinity_n of_o book_n a_o great_a many_o must_v be_v bad_a so_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o book_n contribute_v very_o much_o to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o corruption_n if_o man_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n be_v ignorant_a and_o full_a of_o prejudices_fw-la if_o they_o have_v loose_a and_o impious_a notion_n concern_v religion_n if_o great_a defect_n be_v observable_a both_o in_o the_o live_v of_o christian_n and_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_a if_o the_o people_n be_v ill_o instruct_v and_o child_n be_v ill_o educate_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o these_o disorder_n be_v partly_o to_o be_v find_v in_o book_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o most_o important_a subject_n which_o i_o be_o to_o handle_v in_o this_o chapter_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o a_o very_a large_a one_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o prodigious_a multitude_n of_o book_n which_o i_o may_v have_v a_o opportunity_n to_o speak_v of_o here_o but_o i_o must_v confine_v my_o self_n to_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v speak_v 1._o of_o ill_a book_n and_o 2._o of_o book_n of_o religion_n the_o number_n of_o bad_a book_n be_v infinite_a and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o they_o but_o i_o think_v that_o among_o all_o the_o sort_n of_o ill_a book_n none_o do_v great_a mischief_n in_o the_o world_n than_o either_o those_o which_o lead_v to_o irreligion_n and_o impiety_n or_o those_o which_o be_v impure_a and_o filthy_a the_o first_o attack_v faith_n and_o the_o other_o corrupt_a manner_n 1._o the_o most_o dangerous_a of_o all_o book_n be_v those_o which_o attack_v religion_n such_o be_v not_o only_o all_o the_o book_n of_o atheist_n and_o deist_n but_o such_o be_v likewise_o all_o those_o work_n which_o tend_v to_o overthrow_v either_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n or_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n or_o any_o other_o principle_n of_o religion_n frank_n also_o in_o the_o same_o order_n the_o book_n which_o introduce_v scepticism_n and_o the_o design_n of_o which_o be_v to_o render_v the_o principle_n of_o faith_n or_o morality_n uncertain_a and_o dubious_a those_o book_n in_o which_o impiety_n appear_v bare-faced_n be_v not_o the_o most_o pernicious_a few_o person_n ever_o dare_v maintain_v atheism_n open_o or_o deny_v direct_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n and_o beside_o avow_a atheist_n and_o deist_n have_v not_o many_o follower_n their_o opinion_n raise_v horror_n and_o a_o man_n mind_n rebel_v against_o they_o but_o those_o man_n who_o though_o they_o do_v not_o open_o espouse_v the_o cause_n of_o impiety_n but_o pretend_v all_o the_o while_n that_o the_o acknowledge_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o religion_n do_v yet_o shake_v the_o principal_a truth_n of_o faith_n those_o man_n i_o say_v diffuse_v a_o much_o more_o subtle_a and_o dangerous_a poison_n and_o this_o may_v be_v particular_o say_v of_o the_o sceptic_n in_o the_o main_a they_o drive_v at_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o atheist_n they_o assault_v religion_n with_o the_o same_o weapon_n and_o make_v the_o same_o objection_n there_o be_v only_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o atheist_n decide_v the_o question_n and_o deny_v whereas_o the_o sceptic_a after_o he_o have_v muster_v up_o all_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n and_o start_v a_o thousand_o scruple_n leaf_n in_o some_o manner_n the_o question_n undetermined_a he_o only_o insinuate_v that_o there_o be_v no_o solid_a answer_n to_o those_o difficulty_n and_o then_o he_o conclude_v with_o a_o false_a modesty_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o dare_v not_o embrace_v either_o side_n and_o that_o which_o way_n soever_o a_o man_n turn_v himself_o he_o meet_v with_o nothing_o but_o obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n this_o differ_v little_a from_o atheism_n and_o it_o do_v natural_o lead_v to_o incredulity_n it_o be_v a_o astonish_a thing_n that_o book_n contain_v such_o pernicious_a principle_n shall_v have_v be_v publish_v and_o that_o libertinism_n in_o opinion_n about_o religion_n shall_v have_v grow_v up_o to_o that_o pitch_n which_o we_o
in_o the_o world_n what_o be_v so_o many_o book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n so_o many_o scandalous_a novel_n either_o feign_v or_o true_a and_o so_o many_o licentious_a piece_n of_o poetry_n but_o the_o production_n of_o that_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o dissoluteness_n which_o prevail_v in_o this_o age_n nay_o even_o book_n of_o learning_n which_o treat_v of_o serious_a subject_n have_v a_o mixture_n of_o impurity_n this_o infection_n be_v diffuse_v through_o all_o sort_n of_o book_n and_o appear_v every_o day_n in_o some_o new_a shape_n as_o the_o number_n of_o impure_a book_n be_v great_a so_o their_o effect_n be_v most_o pernicious_a and_o none_o ought_v to_o wonder_v that_o i_o shall_v assign_v these_o book_n as_o one_o of_o the_o general_a cause_n of_o corruption_n no_o bad_a book_n be_v more_o general_o read_v than_o these_o none_o can_v with_o more_o reason_n be_v call_v public_a fountain_n of_o vice_n and_o dissoluteness_n the_o mischief_n they_o do_v in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v imagine_v they_o prove_v to_o a_o infinity_n of_o person_n but_o especial_o to_o young_a people_n school_n of_o licentiousness_n it_o be_v by_o the_o read_n of_o they_o that_o youth_n learn_v to_o know_v and_o to_o love_v vice_n that_o age_n be_v prone_a to_o pleasure_n and_o to_o every_o thing_n that_o gratify_v sense_n and_o that_o inclination_n be_v so_o much_o the_o strong_a because_o it_o be_v cherish_v and_o fortify_v by_o a_o education_n altogether_o sensual_a and_o because_o young_a people_n for_o want_n of_o good_a instruction_n have_v not_o much_o piety_n nor_o any_o great_a aversion_n to_o vice_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v that_o they_o be_v susceptible_a of_o those_o passion_n which_o gratify_v sensuality_n and_o that_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o they_o to_o resist_v those_o impression_n which_o the_o read_n of_o impure_a book_n convey_v into_o their_o mind_n we_o see_v in_o fact_n that_o uncleanness_n be_v common_o the_o first_o sin_n and_o the_o first_o passion_n which_o seduce_v man_n in_o their_o youth_n and_o which_o engage_v they_o into_o vice_n for_o their_o whole_a life_n for_o it_o seldom_o happen_v but_o that_o all_o the_o age_n of_o life_n retain_v a_o spice_n of_o the_o irregularity_n of_o youth_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o these_o book_n have_v their_o advocate_n many_o person_n reckon_v that_o there_o be_v no_o harm_n either_o in_o read_v or_o even_o in_o publish_v they_o if_o we_o believe_v some_o author_n who_o infect_v the_o public_a with_o book_n full_a of_o obscenity_n none_o but_o fantastical_a people_n posseff_v with_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o precise_a devotion_n find_v fault_n with_o those_o who_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a and_o in_o defence_n of_o their_o opinion_n they_o allege_v this_o maxim_n 15._o maxim_n tit._n 1._o 15._o to_o the_o pure_a all_o thing_n be_v pure_a as_o if_o st._n paul_n who_o do_v not_o allow_v christian_n so_o much_o as_o to_o speak_v a_o undecent_a word_n do_v permit_v they_o to_o read_v and_o write_v thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o modesty_n and_o may_v occasion_v scandal_n from_o this_o maxim_n they_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o be_v those_o book_n that_o offend_v modesty_n or_o religion_n and_o they_o protest_v that_o for_o their_o part_n the_o reading_z of_o they_o do_v not_o defile_v their_o imagination_n i_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a frame_n of_o those_o man_n heart_n perhaps_o impure_a idea_n and_o lascivious_a object_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a to_o they_o that_o they_o do_v no_o long_o perceive_v that_o such_o idea_n and_o object_n make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o but_o it_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o people_n can_v preserve_v a_o chaste_a heart_n when_o they_o delight_v in_o write_v or_o read_v filthy_a thing_n after_o all_o though_o they_o read_v of_o such_o work_n shall_v have_v no_o ill_a effect_n upon_o some_o person_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o more_o who_o will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v every_o many_o who_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n to_o detest_v impure_a book_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v be_v grant_v by_o many_o but_o it_o will_v be_v think_v that_o to_o rank_a book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n among_o impure_a book_n and_o to_o condemn_v the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v something_o to_o severe_a i_o confess_v that_o all_o those_o book_n be_v not_o equal_o bad_a and_o that_o some_o do_v not_o hurt_v modesty_n so_o visible_o as_o other_o do_v but_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o many_o in_o which_o a_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o licentiousness_n may_v not_o be_v observe_v that_o love_n which_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o so_o many_o book_n be_v nothing_o else_o at_o bottom_n but_o a_o impure_a and_o irregular_a passion_n of_o which_o the_o gospel_n oblige_v we_o to_o stifle_v the_o very_a first_o motion_n what_o the_o world_n call_v a_o mere_a intrigue_n of_o gallantry_n be_v sometime_o a_o pretty_a large_a step_n towards_o the_o sin_n of_o adultery_n sin_n indeed_o may_v be_v disguise_v in_o those_o book_n under_o another_o name_n and_o may_v be_v dress_v in_o a_o modest_a garb_n but_o that_o make_v it_o slide_v the_o more_o easy_o into_o the_o mind_n it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o dally_v with_o thing_n which_o deserve_v the_o almost_o aversion_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o horror_n of_o impurity_n and_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o come_v near_o it_o must_v insensible_o abate_v in_o any_o one_o who_o be_v addict_v to_o such_o readins_n there_o be_v two_o maxim_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o decide_v this_o matter_n the_o one_o be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_n the_o other_o that_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a we_o ought_v to_o avoid_v whatsoever_o may_v prove_v a_o scandal_n or_o a_o occasion_n of_o fall_v to_o any_o body_n especial_o when_o the_o scandal_n may_v be_v foresee_v now_o here_o be_v at_o least_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o divers_a person_n will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o those_o book_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o read_v arid_a publish_v of_o they_o can_v be_v excuse_v but_o as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o maintain_v etc._n *_o 1_o theff_n v._o xxii_o see_v rom._n fourteen_o 1._o cop._n x._o etc._n etc._n that_o the_o book_n in_o question_n may_v be_v read_v without_o sin_n it_o be_v pretend_v beside_o that_o the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a to_o open_v the_o mind_n of_o young_a people_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o valuable_a quality_n to_o have_v quick_a and_o well-fashioned_a part_n but_o there_o be_v other_o book_n which_o may_v be_v read_v without_o danger_n and_o which_o be_v much_o fit_a to_o form_v the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n of_o young_a people_n than_o book_n of_o gallantry_n the_o read_n of_o which_o every_o body_n know_v have_v often_o spoil_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v give_v to_o it_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o attend_v this_o kind_n of_o read_v be_v that_o it_o corrupt_v the_o heart_n and_o sully_n the_o imagination_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o open_v the_o mind_n now_o it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v a_o little_a less_o of_o that_o fashionableness_n and_o politeness_n of_o part_n which_o be_v so_o much_o esteem_v in_o the_o world_n than_o to_o acquire_v it_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o one_o innocency_n but_o some_o people_n do_v not_o stop_v here_o they_o proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v that_o these_o book_n be_v useful_a even_o in_o reference_n to_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v proper_a to_o restrain_v youth_n from_o vice_n because_o we_o see_v in_o they_o the_o folly_n and_o misfortune_n which_o irregular_a passion_n betray_v man_n into_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o this_o be_v allege_v in_o earnest_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a sort_n of_o remedy_n against_o impurity_n to_o make_v agreeable_a picture_n of_o love_n and_o to_o represent_v minutely_o and_o in_o a_o natural_a and_o insinuate_a manner_n all_o the_o motion_n which_o that_o passion_n excite_v in_o those_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o it_o we_o must_v be_v very_o ill_o acquaint_v with_o the_o temper_n of_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o young_a people_n if_o we_o can_v fancy_v that_o the_o read_n of_o such_o book_n will_v put_v they_o upon_o moral_a reflection_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o a_o aversion_n to_o vice_n daily_a experience_n show_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o vain_a or_o false_a than_o such_o a_o imagination_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o at_o least_o those_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v except_v in_o which_o among_o love-matter_n and_o licentious_a subject_n the_o reader_n meet_v with_o fine_a morality_n which_o may_v however_o serve_v for_o a_o
of_o good_a thing_n be_v sprinkle_v with_o that_o spirit_n of_o fanaticism_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o give_v here_o the_o character_n of_o those_o book_n nor_o to_o show_v the_o mischief_n they_o may_v do_v in_o relation_n to_o libertine_n or_o to_o those_o person_n who_o want_v either_o knowledge_n or_o a_o discern_a judgement_n because_o i_o will_v not_o repeat_v what_o i_o have_v say_v of_o mystical_a piety_n part_n i._o cause_n ii_o art_n viii_o 3._o some_o author_n who_o have_v put_v out_o book_n of_o piety_n have_v make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n to_o administer_v comfort_n those_o who_o read_v their_o work_n may_v easy_o see_v that_o they_o look_v upon_o the_o comfortable_a side_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o their_o principal_a design_n be_v to_o fill_v their_o reader_n with_o confidence_n hope_n and_o joy_n without_o doubt_v it_o be_v a_o laudable_a and_o pious_a design_n to_o use_v one_o endeavour_n to_o comfort_v the_o afflict_a and_o particular_o good_a man_n and_o i_o confess_v that_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n which_o have_v be_v compose_v with_o that_o view_n many_o edify_a thing_n and_o noble_a sentiment_n of_o piety_n but_o for_o all_o that_o those_o book_n may_v easy_o inspire_v man_n with_o security_n when_o the_o consolation_n which_o they_o dispense_v be_v not_o attend_v with_o great_a circumspection_n and_o prudence_n i_o can_v wish_v that_o all_o those_o who_o have_v publish_v book_n of_o this_o kind_n have_v well_o consider_v these_o two_o follow_a truth_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o comfort_n which_o religion_n afford_v belong_v only_o to_o true_a christian_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o comforter_n careful_o to_o distinguish_v person_n and_o to_o mark_v clear_o who_o those_o be_v that_o have_v aright_o to_o religious_a comfort_n the_o second_o be_v that_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o sanctify_v as_o it_o be_v to_o comfort_n man_n nay_o that_o the_o sanctify_a they_o be_v the_o more_o necessary_a of_o the_o two_o because_o holiness_n be_v more_o essential_a to_o a_o good_a man_n than_o consolation_n and_o joy_n and_o also_o because_o man_n be_v much_o more_o incline_v to_o presume_v than_o to_o condemn_v themselves_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o who_o want_v comfort_n in_o comparison_n with_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v testify_v the_o consolation_n of_o which_o the_o book_n of_o piety_n be_v full_a be_v intend_v either_o for_o afflict_a person_n or_o for_o sinner_n as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v better_a to_o teach_v they_o how_o to_o make_v a_o good_a life_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o examine_v and_o amend_v their_o life_n than_o to_o discourse_v to_o they_o upon_o some_o general_a topick_n of_o comfort_n which_o perhaps_o will_v only_o lay_v they_o fast_o asleep_o in_o security_n and_o which_o be_v beside_o general_o misapply_v for_o all_o that_o the_o gospel_n say_v of_o affliction_n be_v common_o lay_v together_o and_o that_o too_o with_o no_o great_a judgement_n and_o what_o be_v say_v only_o of_o the_o affliction_n of_o the_o faithful_a who_o suffer_v for_o christ_n sake_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o affliction_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n it_o be_v much_o more_o necessary_a to_o teach_v man_n how_o to_o die_v well_o than_o to_o fortify_v they_o against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n nay_o we_o can_v give_v they_o a_o more_o substantial_a comfort_n than_o if_o we_o persuade_v they_o to_o live_v well_o since_o a_o good_a life_n will_v most_o certain_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o happy_a death_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v particular_o cautious_a when_o we_o comfort_v sinner_n and_o give_v they_o assurance_n of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n for_o if_o this_o be_v not_o do_v with_o great_a circumspection_n we_o may_v easy_o harden_v and_o ruin_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o be_v comfort_v they_o this_o be_v the_o mischief_n of_o those_o book_n which_o speak_v but_o little_a of_o repentance_n and_o insist_v much_o upon_o confidence_n who_o only_a design_n it_o be_v to_o encourage_v the_o great_a sinner_n and_o to_o exhort_v they_o to_o a_o bold_a reliance_n upon_o god_n mercy_n without_o fear_v either_o the_o heinousness_n or_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o sin_n such_o consolation_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o good_a sense_n but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o propose_v with_o due_a explication_n and_o restriction_n vast_a number_n of_o people_n will_v abuse_v they_o that_o which_o have_v be_v write_v by_o some_o author_n in_o book_n of_o devotion_n concern_v sin_n and_o good_a work_n be_v apt_a to_o lead_v man_n into_o this_o fancy_n that_o good_a work_n signify_v nothing_o in_o order_n to_o salvation_n and_o that_o sin_n do_v not_o obstruct_v it_o under_o pretence_n of_o answer_v the_o accusation_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o of_o the_o law_n these_o author_n enervate_a the_o strong_a argument_n for_o the_o necessity_n of_o good_a work_n they_o confute_v the_o declaration_n of_o scripture_n concern_v sanctification_n and_o they_o destroy_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o precept_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o what_o they_o call_v the_o accusation_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o of_o the_o law_n be_v sometime_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o just_a apprehension_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n which_o be_v inspire_v by_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o shall_v be_v cherish_v and_o fortify_v to_o bring_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n instead_o of_o be_v remove_v by_o ill_o dispense_v consolation_n it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o that_o sinner_n be_v not_o to_o be_v drive_v to_o despair_n but_o do_v we_o make_v sinner_n desperate_a by_o say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n when_o real_o they_o be_v not_o do_v we_o not_o comfort_v they_o enough_o when_o we_o exhort_v they_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o god_n mercy_n and_o to_o repent_v what_o if_o we_o shall_v by_o unseasonable_a consolation_n fill_v they_o with_o a_o vain_a and_o groundless_a confidence_n will_v not_o that_o security_n ruin_v they_o more_o certain_o than_o desperation_n to_o make_v man_n fearless_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o undo_v they_o after_o all_o i_o can_v imagine_v why_o people_n shall_v talk_v so_o much_o of_o despair_n and_o seem_v so_o huge_o afraid_a of_o it_o by_o the_o endeavour_n use_v in_o book_n and_o sermon_n to_o keep_v sinner_n from_o it_o one_o will_v think_v that_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o fear_v on_o that_o hand_n and_o that_o nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o man_n to_o despair_v of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o unusual_a for_o one_o sinner_n who_o be_v terrify_v with_o his_o sin_n thousand_o be_v undo_v by_o security_n it_o be_v remarkable_a than_o the_o scripture_n speak_v but_o seldom_o of_o despair_n and_o when_o we_o have_v well_o examine_v all_o the_o place_n which_o be_v think_v to_o mention_v it_o we_o shall_v not_o find_v many_o that_o speak_v positive_o of_o it_o many_o churchman_n who_o have_v cure_n of_o soul_n confess_v that_o they_o never_o see_v any_o person_n afflict_v with_o despair_n and_o as_o for_o the_o instance_n which_o be_v allege_v to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o what_o be_v call_v desperation_n be_v common_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o fit_a of_o the_o spleen_n and_o a_o effect_n of_o grief_n and_o melancholy_n so_o that_o those_o who_o make_v long_a discourse_n to_o prevent_v sinner_n fall_v into_o despair_n take_v great_a pain_n to_o little_a purpose_n and_o do_v for_o the_o most_o part_n fight_v with_o a_o shadow_n 4._o there_o be_v another_o fault_n in_o some_o book_n of_o devotion_n quite_o contrary_a to_o this_o i_o have_v now_o observe_v which_o be_v that_o they_o terrify_v their_o reader_n without_o reason_n if_o author_n otherwise_o pious_a and_o learned_a have_v not_o speak_v in_o their_o write_n of_o the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n of_o reprobation_n despair_n the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o of_o some_o other_o matter_n many_o people_n will_v have_v be_v free_a from_o those_o terrible_a fright_v which_o the_o indiscreet_a handle_n of_o those_o subject_n do_v throw_v they_o into_o the_o read_n of_o such_o book_n have_v occasion_v and_o do_v still_o produce_v great_a mischief_n when_o they_o be_v read_v by_o man_n of_o weak_a head_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o melancholy_a and_o the_o number_n of_o such_o person_n be_v very_o considerable_a some_o have_v fancy_v they_o have_v commit_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v possess_v with_o that_o dismal_a thought_n they_o have_v spend_v their_o life_n in_o dreadful_a apprehension_n of_o which_o nothing_o can_v cure_v they_o other_o have_v imagine_v that_o their_o case_n cure_v they_o other_o have_v imagine_v that_o their_o case_n be_v
next_o place_n that_o pastor_n shall_v discharge_v their_o duty_n with_o relation_n to_o young_a people_n and_o that_o to_o this_o end_n in_o all_o place_n and_o church_n the_o necessary_a order_n and_o method_n be_v establish_v for_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o particular_o child_n i_o remark_n this_o because_o in_o this_o respect_n thing_n be_v not_o well_o order_v so_o that_o in_o many_o place_n such_o help_n andmean_n be_v very_o much_o want_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o opportunity_n of_o instruction_n and_o the_o help_n to_o piety_n be_v mighty_a scarce_o in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o village_n school_n be_v there_o manage_v at_o a_o very_a ordinary_a rate_n and_o many_o place_n have_v no_o school_n at_o all_o whereby_o it_o happen_v that_o many_o person_n can_v so_o much_o as_o read_v there_o likewise_o divine_a service_n be_v but_o seldom_o perform_v and_o very_o careless_o too_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v appoint_v in_o those_o place_n be_v general_o either_o man_n of_o little_a worth_n or_o man_n who_o do_v not_o watch_v over_o their_o flock_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o who_o be_v remiss_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n these_o be_v the_o essential_a defect_n which_o shall_v be_v remedy_v by_o those_o who_o have_v authority_n in_o church_n or_o state_n above_o all_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o churchman_n shall_v have_v a_o strict_a inspection_n over_o school_n and_o family_n and_o that_o catechise_n be_v more_o frequent_a than_o they_o be_v young_a people_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o the_o care_n of_o pastor_n no_o part_n of_o their_o office_n be_v more_o useful_a or_o reward_v their_o labour_n with_o better_a success_n than_o that_o their_o endeavour_n to_o mend_v those_o who_o be_v come_v to_o age_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o little_a purpose_n but_o what_o they_o do_v for_o child_n â—s_a of_o great_a benefit_n if_o therefore_o they_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o if_o they_o wish_v to_o see_v a_o change_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o instruct_n of_o youth_n and_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o form_v a_o new_a gneration_n among_o the_o particular_a establishment_n which_o may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o young_a people_n there_o be_v one_o which_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o i_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o that_o be_v that_o with_o relation_n to_o child_n who_o have_v attain_v the_o age_n of_o discretion_n the_o same_o order_n shall_v be_v observe_v for_o their_o admission_n to_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n when_o catechuman_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n this_o admission_n be_v very_o solemn_a a_o long_a probation_n and_o instruction_n go_v before_o it_o the_o catechuman_n be_v require_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o the_o bind_v themselves_o by_o solemn_a promise_n and_o vow_n to_o renounce_v the_o world_n and_o to_o live_v holy_a no_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o baptism_n because_o young_a child_n be_v baptize_v but_o what_o be_v not_o do_v at_o the_o time_n of_o baptism_n shall_v be_v do_v when_o they_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n and_o true_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a profession_n a_o promise_n in_o due_a form_n on_o the_o child_n part_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o we_o can_v well_o answer_v what_o be_v object_v by_o some_o against_o infant-baptism_n which_o yet_o be_v a_o good_a and_o laudable_a practice_n a_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n against_o his_o will_n or_o without_o his_o knowledge_n this_o engagement_n be_v a_o personal_a thing_n be_v which_o every_o bold_a shall_v act_v and_o answer_v for_o himself_o when_o child_n be_v baptize_v they_o know_v nothing_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o they_o it_o be_v there_o fore_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o year_n of_o reason_n they_o shall_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v the_o engagement_n they_o come_v under_o by_o their_o baptism_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v become_v member_n of_o the_o church_n out_o of_o knowledge_n and_o choice_n now_o the_o fit_a time_n for_o such_o a_o confirmation_n and_o promise_n be_v when_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n the_o order_n then_o which_o i_o mean_v be_v this_o first_o that_o when_o child_n desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n they_o shall_v be_v instruct_v for_o some_o week_n before_o and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o shall_v be_v inform_v of_o the_o sacredness_n and_o importance_n of_o this_o action_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n they_o be_v to_o make_v that_o so_o they_o may_v prepare_v for_o it_o betimes_o in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v examine_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v public_o render_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n this_o examination_n be_v over_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v require_v to_o renew_v and_o confirm_v in_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n their_o baptismal_a vow_n to_o renounce_v the_o devil_n and_o his_o work_n the_o world_n and_o the_o pomp_n of_o it_o the_o flesh_n and_o its_o lust_n and_o to_o promise_v that_o they_o will_v live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o then_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n by_o benediction_n and_o prayer_n it_o will_v no_o doubt_n seem_v to_o some_o that_o i_o be_o here_o propose_v a_o novelty_n and_o that_o too_o not_o very_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o all_o this_o solemnity_n that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o examine_v and_o exhort_v child_n in_o private_a and_o that_o this_o confirmation_n of_o the_o baptismal_a vow_n be_v include_v and_o suppose_v in_o the_o admission_n to_o the_o sacrament_n to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o the_o order_n i_o propose_v will_v be_v think_v a_o novelty_n by_o none_o but_o such_o as_o do_v not_o know_v what_o be_v ancient_o practise_v and_o who_o call_v innovation_n every_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o country_n or_o their_o church_n this_o be_v a_o imitation_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o beside_o this_o establishment_n be_v altogether_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o i_o have_v just_a now_o make_v it_o appear_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o for_o what_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o child_n be_v examine_v and_o admit_v in_o private_a i_o answer_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o be_v so_o great_a that_o in_o many_o church_n this_o admission_n and_o the_o examination_n which_o precede_v it_o be_v but_o three_o or_o four_o hour_n work_v and_o sometime_o less_o pastor_n and_o those_o to_o who_o this_o function_n be_v commit_v do_v often_o go_v about_o it_o very_o negligent_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o some_o question_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n relate_v only_o to_o doctrine_n and_o controversy_n the_o address_n to_o chidren_n general_a exhortation_n to_o piety_n but_o they_o take_v no_o care_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o moral_n or_o to_o examine_v their_o conduct_n they_o do_v not_o require_v of_o they_o a_o express_a ratification_n of_o the_o baptismal_a vow_n i_o know_v there_o be_v pastor_n who_o do_v their_o duty_n but_o the_o best_a thing_n will_v be_v to_o have_v this_o form_n of_o examination_n and_o admission_n regulate_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o minister_n to_o do_v in_o this_o matter_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a and_o that_o all_o this_o may_v be_v do_v the_o more_o orderly_o it_o will_v be_v fit_v that_o according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n some_o person_n shall_v be_v appoint_v on_o purpose_n to_o instruct_v young_a people_n and_o catechuman_n what_o care_v soever_o may_v be_v take_v of_o child_n and_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v for_o they_o in_o private_a instruction_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o public_a and_o solemn_a exhortation_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o promise_v on_o the_o other_o will_v make_v a_o much_o great_a impression_n upon_o they_o they_o will_v then_o look_v upon_o their_o admission_n with_o respect_n they_o will_v remember_v it_o all_o their_o life_n and_o this_o solemnity_n will_v prove_v as_o useful_a and_o edify_a to_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o young_a people_n i_o offer_v this_o with_o the_o great_a confidence_n because_o a_o order_n like_o this_o have_v be_v settle_v of_o late_a in_o some_o church_n and_o be_v there_o observe_v
with_o extraordinary_a success_n cause_n vi_o example_n and_o custom_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o birth_n education_n and_o imitation_n be_v three_o general_a principle_n of_o the_o irregularity_n of_o mons_fw-la conduct_n the_o state_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bear_v give_v they_o a_o bias_n towards_o vice_n education_n as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n cherish_v and_o maintain_v in_o most_o man_n that_o vicious_a inclination_n but_o custom_n and_o example_n give_v the_o finish_n strike_v to_o man_n corruption_n and_o make_v vice_n reign_v in_o the_o world_n with_o a_o sovereign_a sway._n this_o three_o principle_n be_v so_o general_a and_o so_o powerful_a that_o some_o have_v think_v it_o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o corruption_n and_o that_o we_o can_v better_o explain_v how_o sin_n be_v propagate_v and_o transmit_v from_o the_o parent_n to_o the_o child_n than_o by_o say_v that_o this_o happen_v through_o imitation_n and_o indeed_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o man_n be_v particular_o draw_v into_o evil_n by_o example_n and_o custom_n if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o primary_n or_o the_o only_a spring_n of_o corruption_n it_o be_v at_o least_o one_o of_o the_o principal_a source_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o proper_a to_o consider_v this_o matter_n here_o with_o some_o attention_n all_o that_o i_o be_o to_o say_v in_o this_o chapter_n be_v found_v upon_o these_o two_o supposition_n 1._o i_o suppose_v that_o man_n love_v to_o act_v by_o imitation_n and_o that_o example_n be_v one_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v the_o great_a force_n upon_o their_o mind_n but_o when_o the_o example_n be_v general_a and_o support_v by_o custom_n and_o multitude_n they_o be_v yet_o more_o incline_v to_o follow_v it_o they_o not_o only_o conform_v to_o custom_n but_o they_o think_v it_o beside_o just_a and_o lawful_a to_o do_v so_o general_n use_v be_v to_o they_o instead_o of_o law_n by_o which_o they_o judge_v of_o what_o be_v innocent_a and_o forbid_a and_o that_o which_o do_v yet_o more_o forcible_o determine_v they_o to_o follow_v example_n and_o the_o great_a number_n be_v that_o they_o think_v it_o a_o disgrace_n to_o do_v otherwise_o so_o that_o the_o fear_v of_o contempt_n add_v to_o their_o inclination_n make_v they_o perfect_a slave_n to_o custom_n if_o some_o remnant_n of_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n do_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o imagine_v that_o there_o be_v no_o hurt_v in_o comply_v in_o all_o thing_n with_o custom_n however_o they_o comfort_v themselves_o with_o the_o thought_n that_o the_o evil_a they_o do_v be_v not_o very_o great_a and_o that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o innocent_a they_o be_v excusable_a at_o least_o when_o they_o can_v plead_v example_n and_o common_a practice_n in_o their_o own_o behalf_n i_o suppose_v 2_o that_o example_n and_o custom_n be_v bad_a for_o the_o most_o part_n this_o i_o think_v needs_o not_o be_v prove_v and_o if_o it_o do_v this_o whole_a treatise_n may_v afford_v we_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o it_o since_o ignorance_n prejudices_fw-la false_a maxim_n and_o all_o the_o other_o cause_n of_o corruption_n i_o have_v mention_v be_v so_o many_o disposition_n sentiment_n and_o practice_n which_o be_v grow_v customary_a and_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o most_o general_a use_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o needful_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o ill_a example_n be_v very_o great_a and_o that_o custom_n be_v general_o vicious_a as_o it_o be_v to_o show_v that_o under_o the_o shelter_n of_o example_n and_o custom_n corruption_n be_v still_o spread_v far_o in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o church_n in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o power_n of_o custom_n and_o example_n in_o these_o three_o respect_n with_o relation_n 1._o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n 2_o to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o 3_o to_o manner_n what_o i_o be_o to_o say_v upon_o these_o three_o head_n will_v discover_v the_o source_n of_o those_o three_o great_a imperfection_n which_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o mean_v error_n want_v of_o order_n and_o the_o bad_a life_n of_o christian_n 1._o matter_n of_o faith_n shall_v not_o be_v subject_v to_o the_o tyranny_n of_o custom_n religion_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o man_n fancy_n and_o opinion_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v eternal_a truth_n it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o immutable_a principle_n and_o it_o be_v not_o more_o liable_a to_o change_v than_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o we_o see_v but_o too_o frequent_o that_o in_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o in_o worldy_a affair_n example_n be_v more_o prevalent_a than_o either_o reason_n justice_n or_o truth_n man_n do_v scarce_o ever_o examine_v thing_n in_o their_o own_o nature_n but_o custom_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o sentiment_n by_o this_o rule_n the_o determine_v what_o be_v true_a of_o false_a what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v or_o to_o reject_v and_o this_o prejudice_n be_v so_o strong_a and_o man_n have_v carry_v it_o so_o far_o that_o multitude_n and_o custom_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o proof_n and_o character_n whereby_o christian_n be_v to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o error_n and_o to_o judge_v what_o side_n they_o be_v to_o choose_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o so_o many_o people_n do_v not_o perceive_v that_o certain_a doctrine_n be_v palpable_a error_n and_o monstrous_a tenet_n we_o wonder_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a in_o so_o learned_a and_o refine_v a_o age_n as_o this_o be_v that_o the_o gross_a fable_n and_o extravagance_n shall_v still_o go_v down_o with_o man_n of_o part_n for_o divine_a truth_n and_o adorable_a mystery_n a_o time_n will_v come_v when_o posterity_n will_v hardly_o believe_v that_o ever_o such_o opinion_n be_v receive_v or_o that_o ever_o man_n do_v in_o earnest_a dispute_n for_o or_o against_o such_o or_o such_o a_o tenet_n it_o be_v only_o the_o prejudice_n of_o example_n and_o multitude_n which_o do_v blind_a man_n at_o this_o day_n they_o have_v be_v nurse_v up_o and_o educate_v in_o those_o persuasion_n they_o see_v they_o obtain_v among_o numerous_a society_n and_o that_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o obstinacy_n in_o error_n nothing_o but_o this_o inclination_n of_o man_n to_o follow_v custom_n keep_v up_o in_o the_o church_n those_o dispute_n which_o rend_v it_o into_o so_o many_o different_a sect_n the_o principle_n and_o design_n of_o most_o dispute_n be_v no_o other_o but_o that_o man_n will_v maintain_v at_o any_o rate_n the_o sentiment_n of_o their_o party_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v those_o who_o be_v in_o error_n instead_o of_o be_v undeceive_v be_v more_o and_o more_o confirm_v in_o it_o every_o body_n swallow_v without_o chew_v all_o that_o be_v profess_v in_o the_o society_n or_o communion_n in_o which_o he_o live_v and_o condemn_v without_o examination_n the_o opinion_n which_o be_v maintain_v by_o small_a number_n or_o by_o person_n of_o another_o country_n or_o society_n those_o who_o be_v prepossess_v do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o make_v it_o a_o question_n whether_o they_o may_v not_o be_v mistake_v and_o whether_o the_o truth_n may_v not_o be_v on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o allege_v to_o such_o people_n the_o most_o invincible_a reason_n to_o press_v they_o with_o express_a declaration_n of_o scripture_n or_o with_o un_fw-fr answerable_a objection_n for_o either_o they_o do_v not_o attend_v to_o all_o this_o or_o if_o they_o examine_v those_o reason_n and_o objection_n it_o be_v with_o a_o mind_n full_a of_o prejudices_fw-la and_o resolve_v beforehand_o to_o think_v they_o frivolous_a and_o not_o to_o alter_v their_o sentiment_n they_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o some_o sorry_a argument_n or_o wretched_a answer_n if_o any_o scruple_n and_o difficulty_n remain_v they_o shake_v they_o off_o in_o a_o trice_n and_o set_v their_o conscience_n at_o rest_n with_o this_o consideration_n that_o they_o follow_v the_o common_a opinion_n they_o make_v no_o do_v doubt_n but_o that_o they_o be_v safe_a as_o long_o as_o they_o side_n with_o the_o great_a number_n beside_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o world_n which_o may_v be_v obtain_v by_o the_o adhere_n to_o the_o general_a opinion_n will_v full_o determine_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o determine_v before_o and_o they_o easy_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o their_o spiritual_a welfare_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o party_n which_o agree_v best_a with_o their_o temporal_a interest_n 2._o custom_n be_v likewise_o the_o chief_a obstacle_n to_o the_o restore_n of_o order_n in_o the_o church_n i_o can_v here_o make_v a_o long_a article_n if_o i_o will_v mention_v all_o the_o defect_n which_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o