ought_v to_o have_v the_o write_a word_n so_o rich_o dwell_v in_o they_o that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o confirm_v every_o truth_n they_o deliver_v from_o that_o word_n and_o the_o lord_n people_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o same_o that_o though_o minister_n do_v not_o spend_v time_n to_o cite_v particular_o every_o chapter_n and_o verse_n where_o every_o passage_n they_o bring_v forth_o be_v to_o be_v find_v they_o may_v notwithstanding_o upon_o the_o hear_n of_o it_o faithful_o and_o for_o the_o substance_n repeat_v to_o they_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v the_o same_o for_o the_o lord_n mind_n for_o even_o the_o apostle_n here_o as_o frequent_o elsewhere_o do_v confirm_v his_o doctrine_n by_o scripture_n and_o yet_o suppon_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v well_o acquaint_v at_o least_o with_o the_o letter_n thereof_o he_o do_v not_o condescend_v upon_o the_o particular_a place_n judge_v it_o sufficient_a to_o say_v wherefore_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n behold_v i_o lay_v etc._n etc._n 2._o true_a faith_n can_v have_v solid_a footing_n no_o where_o but_o upon_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n nor_o shall_v any_o of_o the_o lord_n people_n be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o most_o pleasant_a notion_n about_o christ_n jesus_n till_o they_o see_v they_o ground_v upon_o and_o draw_v from_o that_o word_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n have_v in_o the_o former_a word_n commend_v christ_n as_o the_o object_n of_o save_a faith_n do_v here_o repeat_v again_o the_o same_o commendation_n of_o he_o from_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o so_o faith_n may_v rest_v safe_o upon_o he_o as_o such_o a_o one_o wherefore_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n behold_v i_o lay_v in_o zion_n a_o chief_a cornerstone_n etc._n etc._n 3._o jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o alone_o be_v that_o to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o every_o soul_n that_o flee_v to_o he_o which_o the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n whether_o the_o low_a or_o the_o high_a be_v to_o the_o build_n he_o be_v the_o stone_n first_o lay_v in_o regard_n he_o be_v and_o behove_v to_o be_v actual_o exercise_v his_o mediatory_a office_n before_o any_o sinner_n can_v attain_v to_o union_n or_o communion_n with_o god_n col._n 1.18_o he_o be_v the_o stone_n lay_v low_a than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n in_o his_o humiliation_n psal_n 22.6_o he_o bear_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o of_o every_o believe_a soul_n heb._n 1.3_o he_o be_v more_o curious_o wrought_v than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o stone_n of_o the_o building_n as_o the_o chief_a cornerstone_n use_v to_o be_v and_o engrave_v by_o the_o art_n of_o his_o father_n adorn_v he_o with_o all_o perfection_n suitable_a for_o the_o necessity_n of_o poor_a sinner_n zech._n 3.9_o he_o be_v the_o bond_n whereby_o most_o differ_v nation_n such_o as_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v unite_v in_o one_o building_n eph._n 2.16_o as_o the_o foundation_n cornerstone_n knit_v the_o two_o side-wall_n of_o the_o build_n together_o he_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o whole_a in_o who_o the_o building_n and_o every_o lively_a stone_n thereof_o be_v complete_a col._n 2.10_o as_o the_o high_a cornerstone_n and_o as_o that_o also_o he_o be_v the_o glory_n and_o ornament_n of_o all_o the_o building_n isa_n 22.24_o in_o all_o which_o he_o be_v resemble_v by_o that_o whereby_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n here_o set_v he_o forth_o to_o our_o capacity_n the_o chief_a cornerstone_n 4._o we_o have_v this_o great_a blessing_n christ_n for_o the_o chief_a cornerstone_n of_o this_o spiritual_a building_n with_o the_o father_n great_a good_a will_n who_o have_v lay_v he_o first_o in_o his_o eternal_a counsel_n or_o decree_n as_o the_o word_n use_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n 28.16_o and_o here_o translate_v to_o lay_v do_v signify_v psal_n 2.2_o second_o in_o his_o actual_a exhibition_n of_o he_o to_o the_o church_n as_o mediator_n first_o in_o the_o promise_n of_o he_o gen._n 3.5_o and_o next_o visible_o in_o our_o flesh_n for_o so_o this_o word_n be_v also_o use_v to_o signify_v the_o publish_n or_o execution_n of_o thing_n former_o decree_v 2_o chron._n 9.23_o prov._n 3.19_o and_o three_o in_o his_o exalt_v of_o he_o when_o he_o have_v perfect_v the_o work_n of_o redemption_n so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o concern_v he_o to_o do_v in_o the_o state_n of_o his_o humiliation_n for_o so_o this_o same_o word_n use_v psal_n 8.2_o be_v translate_v mat._n 21.16_o to_o perfect_v a_o work_n in_o all_o which_o respect_v the_o father_n lay_v christ_n the_o foundation_n or_o chief_a cornerstone_n in_o the_o church_n and_o call_v all_o to_o behold_v what_o pleasure_n he_o have_v in_o so_o do_v behold_v i_o lay_v in_o zion_n a_o chief_a cornerstone_n 5._o the_o father_n condescendency_n to_o give_v his_o own_o bless_a son_n for_o the_o abovementioned_a use_v to_o his_o church_n and_o believer_n in_o he_o which_o this_o similitude_n here_o make_v use_v of_o hold_v forth_o be_v worthy_a of_o our_o most_o serious_a consideration_n and_o christ_n this_o chief_a cornerstone_n be_v much_o to_o be_v admire_v as_o differ_v from_o all_o other_o corner-stone_n he_o be_v one_o stone_n who_o be_v both_o the_o low_a and_o high_a of_o the_o building_n philip._n 2.6_o 7._o who_o have_v immediate_a connexion_n with_o the_o least_o stone_n or_o mean_a believer_n as_o well_o as_o with_o the_o great_a or_o most_o eminent_a whether_o prophet_n apostle_n or_o even_o the_o virgin_n mary_n joh._n 17.20_o 21._o who_o communicate_v a_o influence_n of_o life_n and_o growth_n to_o every_o stone_n lay_v upon_o he_o eph._n 2.21_o and_o who_o never_o suffer_v any_o that_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o to_o fall_v total_o and_o final_o off_o he_o joh._n 10.28_o in_o all_o which_o respect_n we_o be_v here_o call_v to_o admire_v jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o give_v our_o most_o serious_a attention_n and_o consideration_n to_o the_o father_n in_o give_v he_o by_o this_o word_n which_o serve_v both_o to_o draw_v attention_n and_o admiration_n behold_v i_o lay_v in_o zion_n a_o chief_a cornerstone_n etc._n etc._n 6._o though_o christ_n be_v god_n gift_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n make_v up_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n eph._n 2.14_o which_o often_o have_v the_o name_n of_o zion_n in_o scripture_n obad._n 17._o yet_o with_o a_o special_a reference_n to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o first_o have_v that_o name_n he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o zion_n be_v first_o preach_v public_o and_o hold_v forth_o in_o promise_n sacrifice_n and_o type_n to_o they_o psal_n 147.19_o 20._o be_v come_v of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o flesh_n rom._n 9.5_o and_o first_o offer_v to_o they_o after_o his_o incarnation_n matth._n 10.5_o 6._o from_o who_o the_o news_n of_o he_o be_v come_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n mica_n 4.2_o and_o by_o who_o christ_n shall_v yet_o have_v a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o public_a glory_n in_o the_o world_n hos_fw-la 3.5_o rom._n 11.12_o 15._o all_o which_o shall_v make_v we_o pity_v their_o present_a case_n and_o pray_v for_o their_o conversion_n for_o with_o a_o special_a eye_n to_o they_o be_v this_o speak_v behold_v i_o lay_v in_o zion_n a_o chief_a cornerstone_n etc._n etc._n 7._o christ_n fitness_n for_o this_o great_a work_n of_o our_o redemption_n evidence_v by_o the_o father_n choose_v of_o he_o for_o it_o from_o among_o all_o other_o as_o the_o word_n elect_v signify_v and_o by_o his_o high_a esteem_n of_o he_o as_o our_o mediator_n shall_v strong_o draw_v the_o heart_n of_o sinner_n in_o to_o he_o and_o move_v they_o to_o dwell_v much_o upon_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o worth_n and_o of_o the_o father_n esteem_n of_o he_o as_o he_o be_v the_o receiver_n of_o all_o that_o come_v to_o god_n through_o he_o for_o the_o apostle_n have_v commend_v christ_n before_o from_o these_o two_o epithits_n that_o he_o be_v choose_v of_o god_n and_o precious_a as_o motive_n to_o draw_v sinner_n in_o to_o he_o repeat_v they_o here_o again_o as_o delight_v to_o write_v and_o think_v of_o so_o sweet_a a_o subject_n as_o christ_n elect_v precious_a 8._o that_o which_o build_v sinner_n upon_o christ_n this_o chief_a cornerstone_n be_v that_o grace_n of_o believe_v which_o according_a to_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n whence_o the_o apostle_n translate_v this_o text_n be_v the_o fixedness_n or_o stayedness_n as_o this_o same_o word_n be_v translate_v exod._n 17.12_o of_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o salvation_n through_o christ_n offer_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o whereby_o the_o soul_n be_v feed_v and_o nourish_v upon_o he_o as_o its_o necessary_a food_n which_o be_v also_o in_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o that_o language_n for_o the_o apostle_n instead_o of_o insist_v further_o upon_o the_o
metaphor_n of_o a_o building_n which_o will_v have_v require_v he_o to_o say_v he_o that_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a speak_v proper_o expound_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o to_o wit_n to_o close_o with_o he_o by_o faith_n he_o that_o believe_v on_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a 9_o patient_n wait_v on_o god_n in_o the_o use_n of_o his_o mean_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o his_o promise_n without_o such_o haste_v to_o a_o delivery_n as_o make_v we_o faint_a or_o fret_v under_o the_o delay_n thereof_o or_o use_v unlawful_a mean_n for_o attain_v to_o it_o be_v the_o kindly_a effect_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o that_o which_o keep_v off_o shame_n and_o confusion_n which_o such_o hastiness_n occasion_v to_o the_o lord_n people_n for_o the_o apostle_n translate_n these_o word_n of_o isaiah_n he_o that_o believe_v make_v not_o haste_n express_v the_o effect_n of_o not_o haste_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a sense_n to_o be_v this_o he_o that_o believe_v on_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v confound_v verse_n 7._o unto_o you_o therefore_o which_o believe_v he_o be_v precious_a but_o unto_o they_o which_o be_v disobedient_a the_o stone_n which_o the_o bvilder_n disallow_v the_o same_o be_v make_v the_o head_n of_o the_o corner_n 8._o and_o a_o stone_n of_o stumble_v and_o a_o rock_n of_o offence_n even_o to_o they_o which_o stumble_v at_o the_o word_n be_v disobedient_a whereunto_o also_o they_o be_v appoint_v the_o apostle_n have_v commend_v christ_n that_o sinner_n may_v be_v move_v to_o make_v use_n of_o he_o as_o the_o gospel_n offer_v he_o do_v here_o hold_v forth_o the_o dignity_n and_o disposition_n of_o all_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o also_o the_o disposition_n and_o judgement_n of_o all_o that_o reject_v he_o that_o so_o none_o may_v stumble_v or_o be_v discourage_v when_o they_o see_v he_o reject_v by_o so_o many_o as_o for_o believer_n christ_n be_v a_o honour_n to_o they_o and_o they_o have_v a_o high_a esteem_n of_o he_o both_o which_o reading_n the_o original_a word_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o verse_n will_v bear_v and_o as_o for_o other_o who_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n that_o stone_n jesus_n christ_n the_o mediator_n who_o the_o ruler_n of_o his_o time_n set_v at_o nought_o be_v exalt_v by_o the_o father_n according_a to_o the_o psalmist_n word_n psal_n 118.22_o which_o the_o apostle_n here_o rehearse_n to_o be_v the_o glorious_a head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o believer_n and_o a_o terror_n to_o all_o who_o blind_a and_o carnal_a heart_n do_v still_o find_v out_o something_o in_o the_o gospel_n whence_o they_o take_v occasion_n to_o reject_v christ_n and_o refuse_v to_o take_v on_o his_o yoke_n and_o thereby_o do_v but_o ruin_v themselves_o as_o a_o mad_a man_n that_o dash_v himself_o against_o a_o stone_n in_o his_o way_n or_o foolish_a mariner_n that_o run_v their_o ship_n against_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v the_o similitude_n here_o make_v use_n of_o take_v out_o of_o isa_n 8.14_o and_o so_o do_v prove_v themselves_o to_o be_v reprobate_n which_o purpose_n contain_v three_o further_a motive_n to_o press_v that_o hearty_a receive_n of_o the_o word_n and_o usemaking_a of_o christ_n offer_v in_o it_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v recommend_v in_o the_o former_a word_n every_o one_o of_o which_o motive_n serve_v to_o guard_v against_o the_o offence_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o wicked_a man_n reject_v of_o christ_n the_o first_o be_v that_o christ_n jesus_n be_v a_o honour_n to_o all_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o the_o second_o be_v that_o his_o glory_n be_v nothing_o diminish_v by_o other_o reject_v of_o he_o ver_fw-la 7._o and_o the_o three_o be_v that_o they_o who_o continue_v so_o to_o do_v will_v but_o run_v themselves_o upon_o that_o ruin_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v from_o eternity_n appoint_v for_o their_o reject_v of_o a_o offer_a saviour_n ver_fw-la 8._o from_o ver_fw-la 7._o learn_v christ_n be_v the_o true_a honour_n of_o all_o that_o true_o believe_v in_o he_o he_o be_v a_o great_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o poor_a kindred_n who_o be_v honour_v by_o he_o not_o only_o to_o serve_v he_o but_o to_o be_v serve_v by_o he_o mat._n 20.28_o and_o by_o his_o best_a servant_n heb._n 1.14_o to_o be_v make_v son_n of_o god_n joh._n 1.12_o to_o have_v a_o marriage-relation_n to_o he_o 2_o cor._n 11.2_o to_o be_v heir_n and_o coheir_n of_o glory_n with_o he_o rom._n 8.17_o and_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o appear_v but_o we_o shall_v know_v it_o afterward_o how_o much_o be_v in_o this_o word_n which_o in_o the_o original_a be_v in_o the_o abstract_n and_o run_v thus_o christ_n be_v a_o honour_n to_o you_o that_o believe_v 2._o jesus_n christ_n be_v most_o dear_a and_o precious_a to_o all_o that_o true_o believe_v in_o he_o he_o be_v their_o life_n col._n 3.4_o their_o light_n joh._n 1.4_o their_o wisdom_n 1_o cor._n 1.30_o their_o food_n joh._n 6.56_o their_o raiment_n rom._n 13.14_o and_o every_o thing_n to_o they_o which_o be_v most_o necessary_a and_o consequent_o most_o precious_a to_o the_o child_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o can_v but_o be_v in_o so_o high_a esteem_n with_o they_o that_o the_o very_a thought_n of_o he_o psal_n 139.17_o his_o ordinance_n isa_n 58.13_o his_o people_n psal_n 16.3_o must_v be_v precious_a and_o excellent_a to_o they_o and_o their_o most_o precious_a thing_n in_o this_o world_n can_v be_v dear_a to_o they_o for_o his_o sake_n act._n 20.24_o but_o must_v be_v dung_n and_o loss_n that_o they_o may_v gain_v he_o philip._n 3.8_o and_o this_o esteem_n of_o christ_n where_o ever_o it_o be_v in_o any_o real_a measure_n be_v a_o clear_a mark_n of_o true_a and_o save_a faith_n for_o so_o much_o be_v express_v in_o our_o translation_n of_o the_o word_n unto_o you_o that_o believe_v he_o be_v precious_a 3._o it_o be_v our_o clear_a up-taking_a of_o christ_n in_o his_o excellency_n and_o usefulness_n for_o sinner_n as_o the_o word_n reveal_v he_o and_o some_o experimental_a feel_n upon_o our_o close_n with_o he_o that_o he_o be_v such_o a_o one_o to_o we_o which_o beget_v this_o precious_a esteem_n of_o he_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n we_o can_v never_o esteem_v of_o he_o till_o we_o know_v how_o excellent_a a_o one_o he_o be_v and_o taste_v in_o some_o measure_n how_o gracious_a he_o be_v for_o of_o those_o who_o the_o apostle_n suppon_v to_o know_v christ_n in_o some_o measure_n as_o he_o be_v former_o describe_v ver_fw-la 6_o 7._o and_o to_o have_v taste_v how_o gracious_a he_o be_v ver_fw-la 3._o he_o affirm_v here_o unto_o you_o therefore_o which_o believe_v he_o be_v precious_a 4._o they_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v in_o and_o esteem_v high_o of_o jesus_n christ_n they_o be_v not_o only_o guilty_a of_o neglect_v and_o slight_v of_o he_o the_o hazard_n whereof_o be_v unspeakable_a heb._n 2.3_o but_o they_o be_v also_o guilty_a of_o high_a rebellion_n and_o disobedience_n to_o god_n it_o be_v one_o of_o his_o great_a and_o most_o peremptory_a command_n to_o believe_v in_o his_o son_n 1_o joh._n 3.23_o and_o to_o honour_v he_o joh._n 5.23_o without_o obedience_n to_o which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o give_v any_o acceptable_a obedience_n to_o any_o other_o of_o his_o command_n heb._n 11.6_o there_o be_v no_o midst_n betwixt_o these_o two_o man_n must_v either_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o have_v a_o precious_a esteem_n of_o he_o or_o be_v disobedient_a and_o rebellious_a as_o the_o word_n signify_v therefore_o the_o apostle_n thus_o express_v that_o disposition_n in_o opposition_n to_o believe_v and_o a_o precious_a esteem_n of_o christ_n they_o which_z be_v disobedient_a 5._o although_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o deal_n with_o soul_n have_v the_o strong_a reason_n upon_o his_o side_n that_o ever_o be_v use_v with_o any_o pro._n 8.5_o etc._n etc._n and_o great_a variety_n of_o most_o allure_a motive_n to_o gain_v soul_n to_o his_o obedience_n mat._n 11.20_o etc._n etc._n yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o who_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o their_o own_o will_n and_o lust_n jer._n 2.25_o that_o they_o will_v not_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v persuade_v by_o he_o either_o to_o receive_v information_n to_o their_o mind_n from_o he_o or_o to_o admit_v that_o he_o shall_v reform_v their_o heart_n and_o life_n for_o this_o description_n of_o the_o wicked_a do_v design_n person_n that_o have_v be_v by_o strong_a reason_n and_o allure_a motive_n deal_v with_o but_o have_v show_v themselves_o a_o verse_n from_o all_o yield_a or_o persuasion_n but_o unto_o they_o which_o be_v disobedient_a 6._o those_o who_o god_n have_v place_v in_o authority_n in_o or_o over_o his_o church_n and_o who_o be_v oblige_v to_o christ_n for_o their_o place_n
describe_v these_o man_n here_o as_o slave_n to_o all_o these_o three_o idol_n at_o once_o to_o their_o pleasure_n which_o be_v their_o eden_n to_o their_o credit_n which_o make_v they_o hold_v forth_o bait_v to_o take_v many_o follower_n and_o to_o their_o gain_n wherewith_o their_o heart_n be_v exercise_v that_o so_o their_o pleasure_n and_o credit_n may_v be_v attain_v and_o uphold_v last_o they_o who_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o lord_n do_v spend_v their_o immortal_a spirit_n upon_o the_o unworthy_a thing_n of_o this_o present_a life_n not_o trust_v to_o his_o care_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o moderate_a use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n whereunto_o their_o profession_n do_v oblige_v they_o they_o do_v forfeit_v their_o right_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o child_n and_o serve_v themselves_o heir_n to_o his_o curse_n for_o because_o their_o heart_n be_v exercise_v with_o covetous_a practice_n they_o be_v curse_v child_n verse_n 15._o which_o have_v forsake_v the_o right_a way_n and_o be_v go_v astray_o follow_v the_o way_n of_o balaam_n the_o son_n of_o bosor_n who_o love_v the_o wage_n of_o unrighteousness_n 16._o but_o be_v rebuke_v for_o his_o iniquity_n the_o dumb_a ass_n speak_v with_o man_n voice_n forbid_v the_o madness_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o apostle_n have_v show_v what_o idol_n these_o false_a teacher_n do_v set_v up_o he_o show_v here_o two_o woeful_a effect_n that_o their_o love_n to_o they_o especial_o to_o their_o gain_n have_v upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v their_o apostasy_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o way_n of_o christ_n the_o second_o be_v extreme_a violence_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o idol_n which_o last_o he_o set_v forth_o by_o compare_v they_o with_o bâ—laam_n who_o be_v so_o mad_a in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o same_o idol_n that_o even_o extraordinary_a opposition_n can_v not_o restrain_v he_o hence_o learn_v 1._o however_o man_n that_o real_o enter_v the_o way_n of_o christ_n can_v never_o total_o or_o final_o fall_v from_o it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v undertake_v joh._n 10.28_o and_o unchangeableness_n rom._n 11.29_o yet_o they_o who_o have_v be_v once_o in_o opinion_n sound_n and_o in_o external_a practice_n blameless_a remain_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n without_o any_o inward_a save_a change_n may_v make_v apostasy_n from_o both_o for_o such_o have_v these_o man_n be_v of_o who_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o have_v forsake_v the_o right_a way_n 2._o love_n to_o some_o unmortified_a lust_n especial_o covetousness_n be_v the_o prime_a cause_n both_o of_o much_o apostasy_n and_o of_o extreme_a violence_n in_o sinful_a course_n for_o so_o be_v it_o with_o these_o false_a teacher_n and_o their_o follower_n their_o heart_n be_v exercise_v with_o covetous_a practice_n in_o the_o former_a verse_n and_o therefore_o they_o forsake_v the_o right_a way_n imitate_v balaam_n in_o the_o violent_a prosecution_n of_o that_o idol_n 3._o when_o the_o right_a way_n which_o be_v the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n be_v forsake_v man_n can_v keep_v no_o certain_a course_n but_o must_v needs_o be_v like_o wander_a star_n or_o planet_n as_o the_o word_n here_o signify_v ever_o seek_v and_o never_o find_v that_o true_a satisfaction_n they_o may_v have_v have_v and_o have_v forsake_v by_o forsake_v the_o right_a way_n and_o be_v go_v astray_o 4._o when_o the_o lord_n be_v ordinary_a mean_n to_o reclaim_v sinner_n from_o their_o lust_n do_v not_o prevail_v with_o they_o the_o lord_n be_v just_o provoke_v to_o give_v they_o up_o to_o go_v on_o in_o their_o own_o way_n over_o the_o belly_n of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a opposition_n if_o they_o have_v it_o till_o they_o perish_v for_o balaam_n be_v not_o restrain_v by_o mean_n more_o ordinary_a in_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v not_o reclaim_v by_o mean_n more_o extraordinary_a he_o love_v the_o wage_n of_o unrighteousness_n though_o he_o be_v rebuke_v for_o his_o iniquity_n by_o the_o dumb_a ass_n 5._o covetousness_n be_v once_o root_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o propose_v as_o a_o man_n main_a end_n it_o be_v so_o powerful_a and_o imperious_a a_o idol_n that_o it_o will_v make_v the_o covetous_a man_n adventure_n upon_o any_o course_n though_o never_o so_o unrighteous_a and_o go_v over_o never_o so_o much_o opposition_n in_o the_o way_n of_o his_o gain_n for_o though_o the_o wage_n that_o balaam_n desire_v be_v wage_n of_o unrighteousness_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v have_v but_o by_o curse_v the_o people_n who_o god_n have_v blessed_v yet_o he_o love_v they_o and_o pursue_v they_o though_o the_o dumb_a ass_n forbid_v his_o madness_n in_o so_o do_v 6._o the_o more_o opposition_n from_o the_o word_n or_o dispensation_n of_o god_n man_n do_v go_v over_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o their_o lust_n the_o great_a be_v their_o guilt_n and_o the_o more_o wrath_n have_v they_o to_o expect_v from_o god_n especial_o when_o they_o trace_v the_o step_n of_o sinner_n who_o god_n have_v by_o his_o word_n and_o providence_n oppose_v before_o they_o for_o it_o be_v here_o make_v a_o aggravation_n of_o sin_n and_o cause_n of_o a_o special_a measure_n of_o wrath_n that_o these_o man_n follow_v the_o way_n of_o balaam_n who_o will_v go_v on_o after_o his_o lust_n though_o the_o dumb_a ass_n speak_v with_o man_n voice_n forbid_v his_o madness_n 7._o it_o be_v in_o some_o respect_n more_o easy_a to_o work_v the_o great_a miracle_n in_o nature_n than_o to_o stop_v the_o course_n of_o a_o sinner_n violent_o pursue_v his_o lust_n the_o reasonless_a creature_n who_o have_v no_o active_a opposition_n in_o they_o to_o their_o maker_n will_n be_v more_o prone_a to_o obey_v he_o contrary_a to_o their_o ordinary_a course_n than_o reasonable_a creature_n without_o special_a grace_n and_o assistance_n can_v be_v either_o to_o follow_v the_o direction_n of_o his_o word_n or_o their_o own_o reason_n contrary_a to_o their_o corrupt_a and_o vile_a affection_n for_o while_o balaam_n go_v on_o in_o his_o sinful_a course_n the_o dumb_a ass_n speak_v as_o if_o it_o have_v a_o man_n voice_n forbid_v his_o madness_n 8._o a_o cross_a providence_n meet_v sinner_n in_o a_o course_n contrary_n to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v a_o language_n to_o they_o proclaim_v their_o madness_n and_o prohibit_v they_o to_o go_v on_o in_o their_o sin_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o hear_v and_o obey_v although_o it_o be_v not_o so_o express_v as_o when_o one_o man_n reprove_v another_o see_v mica_n 6.9_o for_o though_o we_o read_v not_o numb_a 22._o that_o balaam_n ass_n do_v either_o express_o call_v he_o mad_a or_o prohibit_v his_o course_n yet_o here_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n put_v that_o commentary_n upon_o what_o it_o speak_v which_o also_o balaam_n shall_v have_v do_v that_o the_o dumb_a ass_n speak_v with_o man_n voice_n forbid_v the_o madness_n of_o the_o prophet_n 9_o it_o be_v the_o height_n of_o madness_n to_o walk_v contrary_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n how_o much_o use_n of_o reason_n soever_o man_n may_v have_v to_o cover_v their_o wickedness_n and_o attain_v to_o their_o idol_n for_o though_o much_o carnal_a reason_n and_o policy_n do_v appear_v in_o balaam_n way_n yet_o the_o dumb_a ass_n forbid_v the_o madness_n of_o the_o prophet_n 10._o a_o man_n who_o be_v mad_a in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o his_o lust_n and_o so_o incorrigible_a that_o even_o extraordinary_a mean_n do_v not_o reclaim_v he_o may_v notwithstanding_o be_v employ_v by_o the_o lord_n for_o reveal_v of_o his_o will_n to_o his_o people_n and_o for_o the_o edify_n of_o his_o church_n and_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o employment_n may_v be_v furnish_v with_o much_o heavenly_a matter_n and_o suitable_a expression_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v hear_v and_o obey_v by_o the_o church_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o employment_n while_o he_o be_v not_o discover_v to_o be_v what_o he_o be_v and_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o order_n establish_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n put_v from_o that_o employment_n for_o such_o a_o man_n be_v balaam_n who_o the_o lord_n do_v employ_v and_o by_o who_o he_o do_v deliver_v most_o comfortable_a and_o edify_a truth_n to_o his_o church_n all_o which_o be_v clear_a by_o compare_v this_o place_n of_o scripture_n with_o numb_a 21,22_o chapter_n verse_n 17._o these_o be_v well_n without_o water_n cloud_n that_o be_v carry_v with_o a_o tempest_n to_o who_o the_o mist_n of_o darkness_n be_v reserve_v for_o ever_o in_o this_o and_o the_o two_o follow_a verse_n the_o apostle_n hold_v forth_o several_a of_o those_o mean_n which_o false_a teacher_n make_v use_v of_o for_o attain_v their_o forename_a idol_n especial_o their_o gain_n and_o applause_n the_o first_o which_o be_v in_o this_o vers_fw-la be_v their_o fair_a