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and_o strengthen_v our_o resolution_n and_o animate_v our_o endeavour_n and_o increase_v our_o labour_n in_o so_o pious_a and_o charitable_a a_o work_n four_o he_o that_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o a_o good_a thing_n will_v be_v liberal_a in_o his_o expense_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o it_o thus_o we_o find_v the_o zeal_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n prevail_v with_o they_o even_o to_o sell_v their_o possession_n and_o to_o lay_v the_o price_n at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n when_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o the_o church_n require_v it_o of_o they_o act_v 4._o 34_o 35._o thus_o also_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n make_v the_o riches_n of_o their_o liberality_n to_o abound_v in_o their_o deep_a poverty_n they_o be_v ready_a as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o to_o their_o power_n yea_o and_o beyond_o their_o power_n they_o be_v willing_a of_o themselves_o pray_v we_o with_o much_o entreaty_n that_o we_o will_v receive_v the_o gift_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 3_o 4._o they_o 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the_o same_o office_n if_o the_o foot_n will_v invade_v the_o office_n of_o the_o head_n what_o can_v follow_v but_o overturning_a and_o confusion_n the_o law_n be_v good_a if_o we_o use_v it_o lawful_o but_o if_o we_o desert_n our_o station_n or_o take_v any_o illegal_a course_n to_o procure_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o we_o make_v ourselves_o transgressor_n whilst_o we_o pretend_v to_o be_v reformer_n we_o can_v expect_v the_o countenance_n of_o sober_a man_n or_o the_o protection_n and_o blessing_n of_o god_n you_o know_v how_o severe_o god_n deal_v with_o vzzah_n for_o his_o irregular_a zeal_n in_o attempt_v to_o preserve_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n from_o fall_v four_o your_o zeal_n in_o these_o good_a matter_n must_v be_v attend_v with_o a_o proportionable_a regard_n to_o all_o other_o part_n of_o your_o duty_n and_o of_o the_o same_o piece_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o your_o life_n otherwise_o it_o will_v very_o ill_o become_v you_o and_o serve_v the_o end_n it_o be_v in_o pursuit_n 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i_o proceed_v now_o second_o to_o show_v that_o to_o help_v forward_o the_o execution_n of_o penal_a law_n upon_o notorious_a and_o scandalous_a sinner_n be_v a_o good_a work_n and_o therefore_o also_o proper_a matter_n to_o be_v zealous_a in_o this_o will_v be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v first_o how_o much_o the_o execution_n of_o penal_a law_n will_v conduce_v to_o that_o reformation_n of_o manner_n which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v so_o eminent_o promote_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n the_o welfare_n of_o our_o country_n and_o the_o present_a and_o eternal_a good_a and_o happiness_n of_o men._n it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o great_a discouragement_n to_o vice_n to_o see_v it_o continual_o expose_v man_n to_o shame_n and_o punishment_n to_o see_v man_n of_o honour_n and_o authority_n employ_v against_o it_o piety_n and_o virtue_n must_v needs_o gather_v strength_n and_o boldness_n when_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n defend_v they_o and_o 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that_o the_o israelite_n be_v deliver_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o philistine_n and_o the_o ark_n of_o god_n take_v from_o they_o till_o judgement_n be_v execute_v upon_o achan_n for_o the_o accurse_a thing_n the_o israelite_n still_o flee_v before_o their_o enemy_n it_o be_v by_o execute_v judgement_n upon_o two_o scandalous_a offender_n that_o phinehas_n stay_v the_o fury_n of_o a_o devour_a plague_n and_o restore_v health_n to_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n such_o another_o may_v afterward_o have_v save_v they_o from_o captivity_n if_o they_o can_v have_v find_v a_o man_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o execute_v judgement_n god_n will_v have_v pardon_v it_o jer._n 5._o 1._o but_o magistrate_n can_v ordinary_o do_v this_o alone_a if_o there_o be_v none_o to_o testify_v against_o the_o transgressor_n it_o be_v good_a therefore_o for_o we_o all_o in_o our_o several_a place_n to_o endeavour_v the_o promote_a so_o good_a a_o work_n as_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v forward_o to_o execute_v judgement_n so_o shall_v other_o be_v ready_a to_o discover_v and_o accuse_v notorious_a offender_n without_o which_o there_o will_v be_v no_o opportunity_n for_o it_o these_o be_v good_a thing_n then_o i_o have_v be_v hitherto_o plead_v for_o and_o therefore_o such_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o i_o proceed_v now_o three_o to_o show_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o a_o good_a matter_n and_o consequent_o what_o be_v our_o duty_n with_o respect_n to_o those_o exceed_a good_a matter_n which_o be_v under_o our_o present_a consideration_n zeal_n be_v the_o warmth_n and_o fervency_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n that_o which_o actuate_v all_o our_o power_n and_o faculty_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o a_o new_a life_n and_o vigour_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o that_o we_o be_v zealous_a for_o more_o particular_o first_o he_o that_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o any_o matter_n will_v be_v very_o earnest_a in_o his_o desire_n of_o succeed_a in_o it_o he_o will_v wish_v and_o long_a for_o more_o power_n and_o great_a opportunity_n and_o strong_a aid_n for_o the_o accomplish_n of_o it_o his_o thought_n will_v be_v mighty_a intent_n upon_o it_o and_o continual_o busy_v in_o seek_v out_o proper_a and_o effectual_a way_n of_o prosper_v in_o his_o endeavour_n for_o it_o he_o will_v follow_v it_o with_o as_o vehement_a desire_n as_o covetous_a and_o ambitious_a man_n do_v riches_n and_o honour_n where_o then_o be_v our_o zeal_n for_o reformation_n that_o most_o excellent_a good_a thing_n if_o we_o seldom_o think_v how_o we_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o promote_a of_o it_o if_o we_o be_v not_o grieve_v that_o we_o can_v do_v no_o more_o towards_o it_o if_o we_o careless_o neglect_v any_o proper_a mean_n or_o opportunity_n of_o be_v aid_v and_o assist_v to_o it_o if_o we_o willing_o shift_v it_o off_o to_o other_o and_o be_v glad_a to_o be_v excuse_v from_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o ourselves_o it_o be_v very_o sad_a to_o think_v of_o it_o but_o this_o i_o fear_v be_v almost_o the_o common_a case_n of_o christian_n of_o those_o i_o mean_v that_o call_v themselves_o so_o for_o what_o can_v they_o have_v of_o christianity_n beside_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o who_o be_v thus_o cold_o affect_v to_o that_o wherein_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o those_o for_o who_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o die_v be_v so_o very_a much_o concern_v second_o he_o that_o be_v zealous_o affect_v to_o any_o good_a end_n will_v be_v exceed_o active_a and_o industrious_a in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o it_o his_o endeavour_n will_v be_v proportionable_a to_o his_o desire_n great_a and_o strong_a as_o they_o such_o be_v the_o zeal_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n which_o engage_v he_o in_o watch_n often_o and_o in_o labour_n more_o abundant_a and_o if_o we_o be_v zealous_o affect_v towards_o the_o reforming_a the_o life_n of_o man_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v slothful_a in_o this_o business_n but_o fervent_a in_o spirit_n serve_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o our_o may_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v never_o think_v we_o can_v take_v too_o much_o pain_n or_o grudge_v any_o toil_n or_o labour_n for_o the_o accomplish_n of_o it_o when_o a_o opportunity_n appear_v to_o we_o we_o shall_v greedy_o embrace_v it_o and_o improve_v it_o with_o our_o utmost_a vigour_n where_o then_o be_v our_o zeal_n in_o this_o matter_n what_o little_a difficulty_n discourage_v we_o how_o little_a time_n or_o pain_n do_v we_o employ_v in_o it_o how_o much_o short_a do_v the_o most_o industrious_a of_o we_o come_v of_o the_o restless_a travail_n and_o unwearied_a diligence_n with_o which_o we_o see_v man_n every_o day_n labour_v for_o the_o uncertain_a riches_n the_o fade_a honour_n and_o the_o vain_a and_o forbid_a pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n three_o he_o that_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o any_o good_a thing_n will_v be_v very_o courageous_a in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o it_o if_o we_o be_v indeed_o zealous_o affect_v to_o this_o good_a work_n of_o reform_v the_o life_n of_o man_n we_o shall_v not_o easy_o be_v fright_v from_o do_v our_o part_n in_o it_o by_o the_o enemy_n and_o opposition_n we_o be_v like_a to_o encounter_v with_o we_o shall_v not_o care_v what_o a_o foolish_a world_n may_v call_v we_o or_o how_o a_o malicious_a world_n may_v use_v we_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a of_o their_o terror_n or_o discourage_v by_o their_o censure_n or_o put_v out_o of_o countenance_n by_o their_o reproach_n but_o bold_o and_o resolute_o proceed_v in_o that_o good_a cause_n we_o be_v engage_v in_o these_o will_v be_v but_o as_o dry_a hay_n and_o stubble_n unable_a to_o stop_v the_o progress_n of_o a_o flame_a zeal_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n we_o shall_v scorn_v to_o desert_n
light_n of_o it_o shine_v before_o they_o in_o all_o the_o exercise_n of_o a_o sober_a righteous_a and_o godly_a life_n this_o will_v be_v such_o a_o manifest_a proof_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o its_o intention_n to_o serve_v god_n and_o to_o do_v good_a as_o none_o of_o its_o adversary_n will_v be_v able_a to_o gainsay_v or_o resist_v then_o man_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o reproach_v it_o or_o to_o impute_v the_o endeavour_n of_o it_o to_o any_o corrupt_a affection_n or_o to_o any_o worldly_a sinister_a ends._n then_o no_o good_a man_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o appear_v for_o you_o to_o plead_v your_o cause_n or_o to_o encourage_v your_o endeavour_n then_o you_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v not_o throw_v you_o aside_o as_o unworthy_a instrument_n for_o such_o noble_a purpose_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o assist_v and_o bless_v and_o prosper_v your_o undertake_n for_o he_o five_o your_o zeal_n shall_v be_v attend_v with_o great_a humility_n with_o low_a thought_n of_o yourselves_o and_o your_o best_a performance_n and_o a_o modest_a and_o humble_a behaviour_n towards_o all_o man_n for_o pride_n and_o self-conceit_n will_v stain_v the_o beauty_n and_o hinder_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o most_o zealous_a endeavour_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n these_o be_v vice_n that_o be_v abominable_a both_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o corrupt_v every_o thing_n that_o have_v relation_n to_o they_o and_o these_o be_v the_o sin_v you_o will_v be_v most_o in_o danger_n of_o for_o this_o be_v the_o common_a stratagem_n whereby_o the_o devil_n overcome_v such_o as_o have_v hold_v out_o against_o all_o his_o other_o temptation_n he_o endeavour_v to_o flatter_v they_o into_o a_o great_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o virtue_n and_o to_o make_v they_o proud_a of_o their_o conquest_n over_o he_o and_o so_o secure_v they_o to_o himself_o by_o magnify_v the_o service_n they_o have_v do_v against_o he_o let_v this_o then_o be_v your_o particular_a care_n to_o arm_v yourselves_o against_o this_o temptation_n and_o to_o keep_v your_o zeal_n always_o clothe_v with_o humility_n which_o will_v be_v the_o great_a ornament_n you_o can_v give_v it_o be_v as_o thankful_a as_o you_o can_v for_o it_o but_o never_o make_v it_o your_o boast_n that_o you_o be_v not_o as_o other_o man_n be_v consider_v then_o who_o it_o be_v that_o make_v you_o to_o differ_v and_o of_o who_o only_a gift_n it_o come_v that_o you_o be_v able_a to_o do_v unto_o god_n any_o good_a and_o laudable_a service_n that_o every_o good_a work_n you_o do_v increase_v your_o obligation_n to_o do_v more_o for_o he_o but_o can_v be_v no_o just_a reason_n for_o your_o think_n more_o high_o of_o yourselves_o that_o when_o you_o have_v do_v the_o most_o and_o best_a you_o can_v for_o he_o you_o be_v far_o from_o render_v unto_o he_o according_a to_o all_o he_o have_v do_v for_o you_o and_o have_v still_o reason_n to_o hold_v down_o your_o head_n and_o to_o smite_v upon_o your_o breast_n and_o say_v every_o one_o of_o you_o god_n be_v merciful_a unto_o i_o a_o sinner_n you_o have_v a_o excellent_a example_n of_o this_o zeal_n and_o humility_n together_o in_o st._n paul_n who_o labour_v more_o abundant_o than_o they_o all_o yet_o he_o call_v himself_o the_o least_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o give_v all_o the_o glory_n to_o god_n it_o be_v not_o i_o say_v he_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o be_v with_o i_o i_o come_v now_o five_o to_o answer_v some_o objection_n against_o our_o zealous_a endeavour_n to_o reform_v the_o vice_n of_o the_o age._n first_o some_o be_v ready_a to_o object_n that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o proper_a season_n for_o such_o attempt_n wickedness_n be_v so_o impudent_a and_o dare_a and_o so_o much_o countenance_v by_o those_o who_o be_v most_o able_a and_o oblige_v to_o suppress_v it_o that_o now_o to_o contest_v zealous_o against_o it_o be_v but_o labour_v in_o vain_a and_o spend_v our_o strength_n for_o nought_o and_o likely_a to_o make_v it_o insult_v and_o triumph_v the_o more_o upon_o baffle_v our_o endeavour_n against_o it_o there_o be_v indeed_o but_o too_o much_o truth_n in_o this_o character_n of_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o but_o however_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o quench_v our_o zeal_n in_o labour_v to_o make_v it_o better_o for._n first_o we_o find_v the_o holy_a servant_n of_o god_n be_v not_o discourage_v in_o former_a time_n by_o the_o same_o difficulty_n when_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v themselves_o noah_n continue_v a_o zealous_a preacher_n of_o righteousness_n when_o the_o cry_n of_o sodom_n sin_n be_v go_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o they_o be_v most_o impudent_o bold_a in_o their_o commission_n of_o they_o righteous_a lot_n do_v not_o cease_v to_o rebuke_v and_o oppose_v their_o wickedness_n when_o the_o altar_n of_o god_n be_v throw_v down_o and_o the_o people_n be_v slay_v his_o prophet_n even_o than_o be_v elijah_n exceed_v jealous_a for_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o host_n the_o holy_a prophet_n do_v zealous_o set_v themselves_o to_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o sinful_a nation_n a_o people_n lade_v with_o iniquity_n and_o enrage_v against_o all_o that_o oppose_v their_o grow_a wickedness_n john_n the_o baptist_n do_v not_o forbear_v his_o warning_n and_o reproof_n when_o he_o be_v beset_v with_o a_o generation_n of_o viper_n and_o the_o bless_a apostle_n with_o undaunted_a courage_n persist_v to_o defend_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n when_o it_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o be_v not_o these_o man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o ourselves_o be_v not_o reform_v the_o life_n of_o man_n as_o good_a a_o work_n as_o ever_o have_v we_o not_o the_o same_o god_n to_o assist_v we_o the_o same_o law_n to_o oblige_v we_o and_o the_o same_o reward_n to_o encourage_v we_o that_o they_o have_v what_o excuse_v can_v we_o find_v in_o the_o difficulty_n of_o this_o work_n now_o which_o they_o may_v not_o have_v plead_v for_o lay_v aside_o that_o zeal_n with_o which_o they_o 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assistance_n what_o a_o brave_a and_o noble_a thing_n rather_o will_v it_o be_v to_o encounter_v wickedness_n in_o the_o height_n of_o all_o its_o triumph_n to_o go_v out_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n against_o it_o when_o it_o pride_n its_o self_n in_o its_o giantlike_a stature_n and_o have_v all_o its_o weapon_n of_o war_n about_o it_o and_o most_o insolent_o defy_v the_o army_n of_o the_o live_a god_n how_o will_v such_o zeal_n and_o courage_n become_v the_o chidren_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n their_o noble_a birth_n and_o high_a call_n and_o glorious_a hope_n and_o expectation_n three_o as_o bad_a as_o the_o age_n be_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n utter_o to_o despair_v of_o all_o success_n in_o these_o our_o zealous_a attempt_n to_o amend_v it_o it_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n a_o cause_n wherein_o his_o honour_n be_v mighty_o concern_v a_o cause_n he_o love_v to_o see_v we_o engage_v in_o a_o cause_n in_o which_o he_o have_v oftentimes_o wonderful_o assist_v a_o cause_n he_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v cast_v off_o all_o regard_n to_o at_o this_o time_n among_o we_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o think_v it_o be_v of_o god_n that_o amid_o so_o many_o discouragement_n it_o have_v come_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o some_o to_o unite_v their_o zealous_a endeavour_n to_o repress_v the_o insolence_n of_o insult_a wickedness_n and_o to_o rescue_v piety_n and_o religion_n from_o that_o contempt_n and_o oppression_n it_o labour_v under_o who_o know_v but_o that_o little_a cloud_n which_o appear_v but_o as_o a_o man_n hand_n may_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n so_o improve_v and_o spread_v its_o self_n as_o to_o be_v able_a at_o length_n by_o its_o refresh_a shower_n to_o renew_v the_o life_n and_o strength_n and_o beauty_n of_o wither_a virtue_n