abraham_n be_v faith_n state_v and_o apply_v a_o sermon_n preach_v february_n 16._o 1695_o 6._o by_o geo._n duncumb_n m._n a._n rector_n of_o albury_n in_o surrey_n london_n print_v for_o tim._n goodwin_n at_o the_o queens-head_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdcxcvii_o to_o his_o parishioner_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o albury_n belove_a if_o one_o may_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o man_n principle_n and_o opinion_n by_o their_o most_o usual_a practice_n nothing_o be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n be_v persuade_v that_o a_o right_a faith_n will_v atone_v for_o a_o irregular_a practice_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a that_o person_n who_o be_v orthodox_n in_o their_o creed_n shall_v so_o easy_o separate_v the_o commandment_n from_o it_o wherefore_o that_o you_o may_v not_o be_v delude_v and_o fatal_o mislead_v by_o any_o such_o false_a notion_n which_o make_v our_o faith_n a_o matter_n of_o speculation_n i_o do_v earnest_o recommend_v the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o your_o serious_a perusal_n in_o hope_n that_o by_o god_n blessing_n accompany_v it_o it_o may_v prove_v a_o mean_n to_o convince_v you_o effectual_o what_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o boast_v of_o have_v abraham_n for_o your_o father_n by_o live_v under_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a faith_n unless_o you_o likewise_o approve_v yourselves_o his_o faithful_a child_n by_o lead_v a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o a_o sober_a life_n this_o be_v my_o aim_n and_o if_o i_o may_v but_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o succeed_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o matter_n what_o stranger_n say_v of_o it_o in_o pass_v any_o uncharitable_a censure_n on_o it_o the_o publication_n indeed_o be_v somewhat_o unusual_a for_o though_o what_o you_o late_o hear_v from_o the_o pulpit_n come_v now_o from_o the_o press_n it_o be_v altogether_o a_o volunteer_n if_o this_o render_v it_o contemptible_a to_o other_o reader_n as_o proceed_v from_o a_o overween_a opinion_n of_o a_o plain_a sermon_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v the_o less_o acceptable_a to_o you_o for_o be_v a_o freewilloffering_a humble_o present_v and_o put_v into_o your_o hand_n by_o your_o faithful_a minister_n geo._n duncumb_n jam_z ii_o 23._o and_o the_o scripture_n be_v fulfil_v which_o say_v abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n and_o he_o be_v call_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n as_o very_o excellent_a thing_n be_v speak_v of_o faith_n and_o many_o noble_a act_n have_v be_v do_v by_o it_o so_o there_o be_v none_o in_o who_o this_o saving-grace_n be_v more_o eminent_a than_o the_o person_n characterise_a in_o my_o text_n even_o abraham_n who_o have_v the_o high_a honour_n to_o be_v entitle_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n and_o since_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o pattern_n and_o precedent_n for_o our_o imitation_n i_o shall_v 1._o inquire_v what_o kind_n of_o faith_n or_o belief_n abraham_n be_v and_o 2._o show_v particular_o what_o we_o must_v be_v in_o order_n to_o be_v justify_v though_o probable_o the_o scripture_n here_o refer_v to_o may_v principal_o respect_v the_o special_a promise_n of_o god_n make_v unto_o abraham_n touch_v a_o numerous_a issue_n when_o strike_v in_o year_n according_a as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o gen._n 15._o where_o upon_o this_o assurance_n when_o sarah_n his_o wife_n be_v natural_o past_o child-bearing_a it_o be_v say_v v._o 6._o that_o he_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o count_v it_o to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n i_o say_v though_o abraham_n thus_o believe_v in_o hope_n against_o hope_n may_v be_v reckon_v or_o count_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o justification_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o sufficient_a to_o support_v the_o confidence_n of_o such_o presumptuous_a believer_n as_o rely_v upon_o a_o speculative_a faith_n expect_v to_o be_v justify_v and_o save_v by_o it_o for_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v single_o and_o alone_o but_o must_v be_v take_v in_o conjunction_n with_o a_o antecedent_n and_o a_o subsequent_a act_n with_o what_o go_v before_o it_o and_o what_o follow_v after_o it_o whereby_o abraham_n give_v full_a proof_n of_o his_o faith_n being_n no_o less_o obediential_a than_o fiducial_a i_o mean_v no_o less_o forward_o to_o observe_v god_n precept_n than_o to_o depend_v on_o his_o promise_n you_o must_v note_v then_o that_o beside_o god_n know_v the_o sincerity_n and_o steadfastness_n of_o abraham_n faith_n at_o the_o time_n when_o he_o count_v it_o to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n upon_o his_o not_o stagger_v at_o the_o strange_a promise_n through_o unbelief_n he_o have_v already_o experience_v it_o god_n have_v long_o before_o make_v trial_n of_o it_o by_o a_o command_n of_o some_o difficulty_n even_o that_o of_o leave_v his_o native_a country_n and_o go_v into_o a_o strange_a land_n with_o which_o he_o comply_v without_o the_o least_o hesitancy_n or_o reluctance_n he_o do_v not_o hang_v back_o and_o object_v its_o be_v a_o hard_a case_n to_o quit_v a_o certainty_n for_o a_o uncertainty_n but_o make_v haste_n and_o delay_v not_o to_o fulfil_v the_o commandment_n of_o his_o god_n not_o scruple_v to_o part_v with_o his_o present_a possession_n in_o confidence_n of_o god_n provision_n he_o ready_o forsake_v his_o kindred_n and_o his_o father_n house_n thereby_o approve_v himself_o the_o friend_n of_o god_n under_o who_o conduct_n he_o take_v his_o journey_n and_o follow_v not_o know_v whither_o he_o shall_v be_v lead_v as_o we_o read_v in_o gen._n 12._o this_o be_v such_o a_o signal_n instance_n of_o his_o resignation_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n in_o a_o entire_a dependence_n upon_o god_n that_o the_o inspire_a apostle_n rank_n it_o among_o the_o most_o worthy_a fruit_n of_o a_o true_a faith_n say_v heb._n 11.8_o by_o faith_n abraham_n when_o he_o be_v call_v to_o go_v into_o a_o place_n which_o he_o shall_v after_o receive_v for_o a_o inheritance_n obey_v and_o he_o go_v out_o not_o know_v whither_o he_o go_v that_o be_v he_o believe_v god_n that_o he_o will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n and_o in_o consequence_n of_o such_o belief_n be_v not_o disobedient_a to_o the_o heavenly_a voice_n but_o do_v as_o he_o be_v bid_v and_o repair_v to_o the_o place_n appoint_v though_o he_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o it_o no_o kindred_n or_o acquaintance_n in_o it_o after_o he_o have_v long_o dwell_v or_o rather_o sojourn_v here_o in_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n as_o in_o a_o strange_a country_n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v unto_o he_o in_o a_o vision_n say_v gen._n 15.1_o fear_v not_o abraham_n i_o be_o thy_o shield_n and_o thy_o exceed_a great_a reward_n which_o be_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v let_v nothing_o daunt_v or_o discourage_v thou_o forasmuch_o as_o i_o will_v still_o stand_v by_o thou_o i_o will_v never_o leave_v thou_o nor_o forsake_v thou_o but_o will_v sure_o defend_v thou_o and_o always_o plentiful_o provide_v for_o thou_o abraham_n it_o seem_v have_v already_o more_o wealth_n than_o he_o well_o know_v what_o to_o do_v with_o have_v no_o son_n to_o inherit_v it_o so_o that_o a_o child_n be_v the_o only_a blessing_n that_o he_o want_v and_o therefore_o he_o take_v this_o occasion_n not_o out_o of_o any_o diffidence_n but_o from_o a_o long_a desire_n to_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n i_o say_v he_o take_v this_o occasion_n with_o humble_a confidence_n to_o put_v god_n in_o mind_n of_o a_o former_a promise_n thitherto_o expect_v by_o his_o servant_n even_o that_o of_o give_v he_o a_o son_n whereupon_o this_o ancient_a promise_n be_v gracious_o renew_v and_o notwithstanding_o ahraham_n be_v now_o grow_v old_a and_o his_o wife_n both_o barren_a and_o also_o past_a the_o age_n of_o child-bearing_a yet_o be_v not_o weak_a in_o faith_n he_o consider_v not_o his_o own_o body_n now_o dead_a when_o he_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n old_a neither_o the_o deadness_n of_o sarah_n womb_n but_o know_v he_o to_o be_v faithful_a that_o promise_v and_o able_a also_o to_o perform_v it_o he_o believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_a or_o account_v unto_o he_o for_o righteousness_n not_o that_o we_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o this_o single_a act_n to_o be_v in_o itself_o the_o sole_a ground_n of_o abraham_n justification_n for_o unless_o he_o have_v justify_v this_o his_o profess_a faith_n by_o a_o suitable_a action_n in_o time_n of_o trial_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v he_o will_v have_v be_v justify_v by_o himself_o have_v he_o refuse_v to_o obey_v the_o special_a command_n of_o god_n require_v he_o to_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n his_o only_a son_n isaac_n his_o bare_a believe_v the_o promise_n can_v never_o have_v be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o god_n to_o who_o all_o thing_n future_a be_v
those_o of_o who_o we_o read_v of_o in_o mic._n 6.7_o and_o say_v shall_v i_o give_v my_o first-born_a for_o my_o transgression_n the_o fruit_n of_o my_o body_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o my_o soul_n instead_o of_o halt_v between_o two_o opinion_n or_o expostulate_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o destroy_v the_o promise_n by_o obey_v a_o command_n which_o seem_o put_v he_o upon_o cut_v off_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o numerous_a posterity_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n behold_v he_o present_o prepare_v to_o set_v forth_o upon_o this_o unwelcome_a expedition_n with_o the_o same_o forwardness_n as_o he_o have_v do_v former_o when_o he_o quit_v the_o land_n of_o his_o nativity_n upon_o the_o prospect_n which_o his_o faith_n in_o god_n give_v he_o of_o that_o inheritance_n which_o he_o now_o enjoy_v together_o with_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n for_o we_o read_v v._n 3._o that_o abraham_n rise_v up_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n and_o saddle_v his_o ass_n and_o take_v two_o of_o his_o young_a man_n with_o he_o and_o isaac_n his_o son_n moreover_o he_o cleave_v the_o wood_n for_o the_o burnt-offering_a and_o when_o they_o draw_v nigh_o unto_o the_o place_n of_o which_o god_n have_v tell_v he_o he_o lay_v the_o burden_n of_o wood_n upon_o isaac_n his_o son_n and_o lay_v he_o on_o the_o altar_n upon_o the_o wood_n and_o have_v so_o do_v he_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n and_o take_v the_o knife_n to_o slay_v his_o son_n but_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n interpose_v with_o a_o counter_a injunction_n and_o so_o stop_v the_o execution_n declare_v that_o god_n be_v so_o well_o satisfy_v with_o his_o real_a purpose_n and_o holy_a resolution_n as_o to_o accept_v the_o will_n for_o the_o deed._n for_o though_o isaac_n be_v not_o actual_o offer_v or_o slay_v by_o his_o father_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v very_o intend_v by_o he_o who_o have_v do_v so_o much_o towards_o it_o as_o to_o make_v all_o thing_n ready_a for_o it_o who_o have_v go_v so_o far_o in_o it_o as_o to_o come_v to_o the_o very_a last_o act_n of_o it_o abraham_n receive_v this_o testimony_n from_o heaven_n v._n 12._o of_o the_o forecited_a chap._n now_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o fear_v god_n see_v thou_o have_v not_o witheld_a thy_o son_n thy_o only_a son_n from_o i_o which_o may_v be_v paraphrastical_o express_v thus_o thou_o have_v give_v abundant_a proof_n of_o thy_o pious_a impartial_a regard_n to_o the_o command_v of_o god_n and_o so_o may_v fair_o be_v discharge_v from_o the_o obligation_n of_o proceed_v any_o further_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o particular_a order_n we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o abraham_n be_v act_v by_o any_o such_o enthusiastic_a principle_n as_o that_o which_o influence_v those_o who_o make_v their_o child_n pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o molech_n offer_v their_o son_n and_o their_o daughter_n unto_o devil_n he_o can_v have_v no_o other_o motive_n or_o inducement_n in_o a_o country_n where_o this_o piece_n of_o cruelty_n be_v never_o practise_v save_v only_o his_o heart_n desire_n to_o please_v god_n by_o decline_v no_o instance_n of_o obedience_n but_o endeavour_v to_o do_v all_o that_o he_o shall_v say_v of_o what_o kind_n soever_o and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v to_o you_o the_o several_a remarkable_a circumstance_n which_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o do_v so_o mighty_o heighten_v or_o enhance_v the_o worth_n and_o excellency_n of_o that_o admirable_a faith_n which_o abraham_n show_v in_o perform_v such_o a_o singular_a instance_n of_o obedience_n and_o in_o which_o you_o may_v see_v how_o far_o a_o true_a lively_a faith_n in_o god_n will_v carry_v a_o good_a man_n for_o here_o be_v a_o command_n to_o do_v that_o with_o which_o the_o loss_n of_o money_n or_o indeed_o of_o life_n itself_o in_o a_o good_a cause_n be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v nay_o that_o from_o which_o nature_n most_o abhor_v and_o carnal_a reason_n will_v have_v dissuade_v namely_o that_o a_o man_n very_o rich_a and_o in_o great_a authority_n who_o earnest_o desire_v a_o heir_n which_o be_v bear_v to_o he_o when_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v have_v no_o hope_n of_o one_o that_o such_o a_o man_n shall_v so_o overcome_v his_o natural_a affection_n to_o he_o which_o must_v needs_o be_v exceed_v great_a as_o to_o forego_v all_o the_o mighty_a expectation_n he_o have_v from_o he_o and_o consent_n after_o a_o journey_n of_o three_o day_n to_o slay_v this_o son_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n sure_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o ever_o mere_a man_n do_v if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o instant_o or_o in_o the_o moment_n that_o he_o receive_v the_o command_n it_o may_v have_v be_v interpret_v the_o sudden_a precipitant_n inconsiderate_a act_n of_o one_o terrify_v with_o a_o dream_n or_o scare_v with_o a_o vision_n but_o to_o do_v it_o so_o many_o day_n after_o the_o command_n be_v give_v by_o he_o who_o have_v undoubted_o a_o uncontrollable_a dispense_v power_n and_o consequent_o a_o right_a to_o suspend_v the_o six_o or_o any_o other_o commandment_n at_o pleasure_n i_o say_v to_o do_v it_o upon_o such_o mature_a deliberation_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n or_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o his_o unreserved_a obedience_n and_o that_o too_o proceed_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o pure_a love_n to_o god_n for_o he_o do_v not_o make_v haste_n to_o slay_v his_o son_n out_o of_o any_o fright_n he_o be_v in_o lest_o god_n shall_v have_v slay_v he_o or_o strip_v he_o of_o his_o estate_n if_o he_o have_v disobey_v but_o take_v time_n to_o consider_v of_o it_o that_o he_o may_v show_v to_o all_o man_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n even_o where_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o temporal_a punishment_n nor_o hope_v of_o worldly_a reward_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o sacrifice_v his_o dear_a comfort_n his_o great_a delight_n on_o earth_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o father_n in_o heaven_n thus_o have_v give_v you_o a_o ample_a account_n of_o our_o father_n abraham_n faith_n which_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n and_o show_v you_o that_o the_o two_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o their_o seem_a difference_n be_v at_o a_o perfect_a agreement_n it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n that_o i_o inquire_v into_o we_o and_o let_v you_o see_v what_o be_v require_v in_o it_o in_o order_n to_o a_o christian_n being_n justify_v by_o it_o which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o second_o general_n 2_o faith_n be_v in_o itself_o one_o part_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o happiness_n and_o also_o instrumental_a to_o work_v the_o rest_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o necessary_a to_o be_v thorough_o inform_v what_o it_o be_v and_o to_o understand_v well_o wherein_o it_o consist_v for_o though_o it_o be_v above_o 1600_o year_n since_o it_o be_v first_o preach_v it_o be_v still_o needful_a to_o be_v inculcate_v and_o explain_v especial_o in_o a_o age_n when_o too_o many_o who_o be_v such_o loose_a liver_n as_o to_o have_v little_a or_o no_o fear_n of_o god_n before_o their_o eye_n will_v pass_v for_o true_a believer_n bare_o because_o they_o retain_v so_o much_o of_o the_o form_n of_o godliness_n as_o to_o stand_v up_o at_o the_o creed_n and_o with_o their_o lip_n profess_v to_o believe_v every_o article_n say_v amen_o to_o the_o whole_a whereas_o if_o this_o be_v all_o if_o no_o more_o be_v require_v to_o constitute_v a_o right_a faith_n than_o thus_o to_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o maker_n redeemer_n and_o sanctifier_n of_o mankind_n the_o most_o dissolute_a person_n one_o that_o be_v abominable_a disobedient_a and_o to_o every_o good_a work_n reprobate_a may_v look_v to_o be_v justify_v but_o the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o every_o article_n be_v to_o be_v make_v practical_a and_o the_o faith_n that_o justify_v must_v influence_n our_o life_n as_o there_o be_v no_o come_n to_o god_n without_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o no_o faith_n can_v bring_v we_o to_o he_o or_o give_v we_o hope_n of_o receive_v the_o promise_a reward_n from_o he_o but_o what_o be_v fruitful_a in_o good_a work_n for_o without_o holiness_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o lord_n without_o holiness_n no_o man_n faith_n shall_v be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n we_o read_v indeed_o that_o the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o faith_n but_o still_o this_o faith_n must_v be_v justify_v by_o such_o action_n as_o be_v most_o proper_a and_o agreeable_a to_o it_o faith_n or_o belief_n in_o general_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o assent_n to_o something_o credible_a upon_o the_o testimony_n or_o declaration_n of_o another_o and_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v our_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o all_o thing_n therein_o contain_v concern_v god_n
ourselves_o or_o a_o future_a state_n in_o another_o world_n upon_o christ_n authority_n who_o we_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o great_a author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o before_o this_o can_v render_v we_o acceptable_a in_o god_n sight_n or_o be_v available_a unto_o righteousness_n it_o must_v deep_o impress_v we_o or_o suitable_o affect_v we_o by_o work_v in_o we_o such_o godly_a purpose_n and_o practice_n as_o may_v just_o be_v expect_v from_o person_n under_o such_o persuasion_n this_o may_v easy_o be_v evince_v by_o a_o induction_n of_o particular_n but_o since_o the_o time_n will_v not_o permit_v i_o to_o enlarge_v i_o shall_v confine_v myself_o to_o one_o or_o two_o general_n god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v unto_o the_o father_n as_o by_o vision_n by_o voice_n from_o heaven_n by_o the_o come_n of_o his_o spirit_n upon_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o like_a have_v since_o that_o speak_v unto_o we_o more_o full_o by_o his_o son_n who_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o reveal_v his_o father_n will_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v it_o and_o this_o revelation_n be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n to_o remain_v as_o a_o stand_a direction_n for_o we_o in_o full_a force_n or_o of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o we_o as_o if_o we_o now_o hear_v god_n speak_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n out_o of_o the_o cloud_n to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v exceed_o rich_a and_o preclous_a promise_n of_o a_o ample_a reversion_n we_o be_v assure_v of_o a_o inheritance_n incorruptible_a undefiled_a and_o that_o fade_v not_o away_o reserve_v in_o heaven_n as_o a_o recompense_n of_o reward_n for_o the_o righteous_a for_o all_o that_o shall_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n pass_v the_o time_n of_o their_o sojourn_v here_o in_o fear_n such_o fear_n as_o be_v productive_a and_o perfective_a of_o holiness_n by_o cleanse_v we_o from_o all_o filthiness_n of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n now_o if_o we_o believe_v this_o as_o firm_o as_o abraham_n do_v that_o which_o be_v but_o a_o type_n of_o this_o it_o will_v certain_o incline_v we_o to_o do_v as_o he_o do_v who_o know_v no_o more_o of_o canaan_n than_o we_o do_v of_o heaven_n i_o say_v if_o we_o be_v as_o very_o persuade_v of_o what_o we_o read_v as_o he_o be_v of_o what_o he_o hear_v we_o can_v choose_v but_o express_v the_o same_o care_n and_o forwardness_n to_o observe_v what_o be_v write_v as_o he_o do_v to_o comply_v with_o what_o be_v speak_v as_o necessary_a to_o get_v into_o it_o or_o to_o be_v due_o qualify_v for_o the_o fruition_n of_o it_o that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o shall_v be_v effectual_o dispose_v to_o live_v like_o stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n upon_o earth_n behave_v ourselves_o as_o it_o become_v those_o who_o profess_v that_o we_o have_v no_o continue_a city_n here_o but_o be_v seek_v one_o to_o come_v and_o that_o with_o such_o assiduous_a diligence_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o secure_v it_o abraham_n steadfast_o believe_v the_o promise_n put_v he_o upon_o follow_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o so_o he_o come_v to_o be_v instate_v in_o the_o inheritance_n in_o like_a manner_n our_o believe_v the_o promise_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v we_o of_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n must_v prompt_v we_o to_o obey_v the_o precept_n which_o he_o have_v give_v we_o conduce_v to_o it_o before_o we_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v down_o with_o abraham_n in_o it_o yea_o the_o very_o hard_a of_o they_o shall_v we_o be_v call_v to_o it_o even_o that_o of_o forsake_v all_o to_o follow_v he_o or_o for_o adhere_v to_o he_o whether_o house_n or_o brethren_n or_o sister_n or_o father_n or_o mother_n or_o wife_n or_o child_n or_o land_n all_o must_v be_v leave_v for_o christ_n sake_n if_o we_o mean_v to_o inherit_v everlasting_a life_n mat._n 19.29_o that_o be_v we_o must_v abandon_v our_o possession_n and_o near_a relation_n when_o they_o can_v be_v no_o long_o enjoy_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n we_o must_v choose_v rather_o to_o part_v with_o they_o than_o to_o depart_v from_o any_o article_n of_o faith_n any_o essential_a point_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o a_o irrefragable_a proof_n or_o sure_a token_n of_o our_o love_a fear_v and_o trust_v in_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o precept_n of_o perfection_n but_o of_o necessary_a obligation_n our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v clear_o determine_v or_o positive_o declare_v say_v luk._n 14.26_o if_o any_o man_n come_v to_o i_o and_o hate_v not_o his_o father_n and_o mother_n wife_n and_o child_n brethren_n and_o sister_n yea_o and_o his_o own_o life_n also_o he_o can_v be_v my_o disciple_n which_o be_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v speak_v thus_o in_o case_n any_o man_n that_o be_v list_v under_o my_o banner_n be_v not_o so_o disentangle_v from_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o world_n as_o to_o prefer_v i_o and_o my_o service_n before_o all_o secular_a interest_n whatsoever_o he_o be_v not_o meet_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o inheritance_n with_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n here_o or_o glory_n hereafter_o if_o this_o seem_v very_o difficult_a or_o be_v think_v above_o our_o ability_n let_v we_o remember_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a to_o he_o that_o believe_v and_o nothing_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o a_o faith_n which_o look_v at_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o see_v and_o be_v eternal_a you_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o faith_n of_o abraham_n or_o his_o believe_a god_n and_o how_o that_o in_o virtue_n of_o that_o belief_n at_o god_n command_n he_o leave_v his_o country_n his_o kindred_n and_o his_o father_n house_n travel_v though_o he_o know_v neither_o the_o place_n nor_o the_o way_n to_o it_o in_o search_n of_o that_o seat_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v for_o he_o wherefore_o since_o we_o know_v that_o when_o our_o earthly_a house_n of_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v dissolve_v we_o have_v a_o build_n of_o god_n a_o house_n not_o make_v with_o hand_n eternat_a in_o the_o heaven_n methinks_v we_o shall_v never_o scruple_n the_o utmost_a pain_n nor_o decline_v any_o hardship_n in_o strive_v for_o it_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o overcome_v than_o to_o overlook_v the_o great_a difficulty_n that_o can_v occur_v in_o the_o passage_n from_o the_o invite_a the_o ravish_a transport_v prospect_n of_o that_o provision_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v for_o we_o in_o his_o father_n house_n where_o there_o be_v so_o many_o mansion_n and_o those_o too_o such_o as_o will_v continue_v for_o ever_o two_o to_o dissipate_v our_o fear_n and_o animate_v our_o hope_n in_o the_o most_o perilous_a time_n we_o read_v express_o that_o the_o church_n be_v found_v on_o a_o rock_n and_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o all-powerful_a head_n of_o it_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v never_o prevail_v against_o it_o now_o if_o we_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_v though_o black_a cloud_n and_o thick_a darkness_n shall_v be_v round_o about_o she_o though_o the_o heathen_a shall_v rage_v or_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n take_v counsel_n together_o and_o with_o one_o consent_n be_v confederate_a against_o she_o to_o destroy_v she_o it_o will_v not_o so_o fill_v we_o with_o fear_n as_o to_o drive_v we_o to_o despair_n but_o we_o shall_v still_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o god_n promise_n of_o protection_n be_v confident_a that_o they_o must_v needs_o imagine_v a_o vain_a thing_n in_o consult_v to_o make_v havoc_n where_o salvation_n be_v appoint_v for_o wall_n and_o bulwark_n this_o faith_n will_v so_o perfect_o cast_v out_o all_o fear_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o imminent_a danger_n from_o the_o most_o furious_a attack_n as_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o say_v within_o ourselves_o god_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o she_o therefore_o shall_v she_o not_o be_v remove_v god_n shall_v help_v she_o and_o that_o right_a early_a have_v the_o church_n no_o nurse_n father_n none_o other_o to_o fight_v for_o she_o but_o only_o god_n sure_o her_o son_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o fear_v the_o power_n of_o any_o adversary_n for_o since_o he_o and_o he_o alone_o can_v govern_v the_o unruly_a will_n and_o affection_n of_o sinful_a man_n since_o he_o have_v full_a power_n instant_o to_o make_v the_o church_n enemy_n to_o be_v at_o peace_n with_o she_o or_o else_o to_o put_v they_o down_o that_o rise_v up_o against_o she_o do_v we_o but_o unfeigned_o believe_v this_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o prone_a to_o crucify_v ourselves_o with_o the_o fear_n of_o be_v hurt_v by_o any_o persecution_n through_o those_o evil_n which_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n or_o devil_n may_v at_o any_o time_n devise_v or_o put_v the_o case_n they_o shall_v be_v