ordinance_n of_o religion_n be_v tiresome_a and_o a_o weariness_n to_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n tell_v we_o 12.6_o act_n 14.22_o heb._n 12.6_o that_o through_o much_o tribulation_n we_o must_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n that_o those_o who_o god_n love_v he_o chastn_v and_o that_o straight_o be_v the_o gate_n 7.4_o matth._n 7.4_o and_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o if_o so_o then_o certain_o it_o can_v be_v so_o happy_a and_o pleasant_a a_o state_n of_o life_n as_o i_o have_v represent_v it_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v brief_o answer_v that_o many_o of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o difficulty_n attend_v a_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o those_o time_n when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v persecute_v by_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o in_o danger_n of_o lose_v their_o life_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o even_o in_o our_o time_n when_o king_n be_v become_v the_o nurse_n father_n of_o the_o church_n those_o person_n who_o have_v be_v long_o habituate_v to_o a_o sinful_a and_o wicked_a course_n of_o life_n will_v find_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o forsake_v it_o and_o to_o give_v themselves_o entire_o up_o to_o obey_v the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v a_o mighty_a encouragement_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o first_o entrance_n on_o a_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n which_o be_v attend_v with_o so_o great_a difficulty_n that_o it_o will_v become_v every_o day_n more_o and_o more_o easy_a and_o at_o last_o pleasant_a and_o delightful_a to_o they_o when_o they_o have_v for_o some_o time_n accustom_a themselves_o to_o it_o the_o comfort_n of_o a_o well-spent_a life_n will_v flow_v in_o upon_o they_o and_o nothing_o will_v yield_v they_o great_a satisfaction_n than_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o privilege_n of_o pour_v out_o the_o desire_n of_o their_o soul_n before_o god_n and_o beg_a supply_n from_o he_o and_o return_v he_o thanks_o for_o his_o blessing_n bestow_v upon_o they_o they_o will_v earned_o desire_v to_o come_v and_o appear_v before_o god_n and_o as_o the_o hart_n pant_v after_o the_o water_n brooks_n 42.1_o psal_n 42.1_o so_o will_v their_o soul_n pant_v after_o their_o god_n and_o their_o redeemer_n but_o yet_o suppose_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o difficulty_n in_o the_o lead_n of_o a_o good_a life_n that_o god_n shall_v see_v fit_a to_o make_v the_o profession_n of_o his_o truth_n hazardous_a and_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o duty_n chargeable_a yet_o what_o generous_a and_o praise_v worthy_a undertake_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o pain_n and_o diligence_n all_o that_o be_v excellent_a and_o noble_a require_v labour_n and_o industry_n and_o the_o pain_n man_n take_v make_v the_o dear-bought_a blessing_n more_o acceptable_a to_o they_o do_v they_o not_o undergo_v much_o great_a difficulty_n for_o thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n though_o their_o success_n be_v seldom_o answerable_a to_o their_o expectation_n do_v they_o not_o compass_v sea_n and_o land_n leave_v their_o best_a friend_n and_o near_a relation_n and_o dig_v even_o into_o the_o very_a bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quest_n of_o wealth_n though_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o find_v a_o grave_a where_o they_o seek_v their_o treasure_n do_v they_o not_o toil_n and_o sweat_n and_o wade_v through_o a_o sea_n of_o blood_n in_o pursuit_n of_o honour_n though_o they_o expect_v no_o other_o recompense_n for_o their_o pain_n but_o a_o lawrel-wreath_n or_o the_o applause_n of_o the_o people_n and_o shall_v not_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n deserve_v our_o care_n shall_v we_o not_o take_v as_o much_o pain_n for_o a_o never_o fade_a crown_n as_o we_o do_v for_o a_o wither_a garland_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v the_o great_a difficulty_n we_o can_v possible_o imagine_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a and_o holy_a life_n suppose_v as_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o fancy_v that_o there_o be_v lion_n in_o our_o way_n to_o heaven_n mountain_n which_o can_v be_v remove_v by_o our_o natural_a strength_n and_o ability_n yet_o even_o the_o most_o formidable_a evil_n will_v not_o fright_v we_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n if_o we_o consider_v three_o that_o the_o worst_a circumstance_n a_o good_a man_n can_v be_v reduce_v to_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o prosperous_a condition_n of_o the_o wicked_a as_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o in_o the_o low_a and_o most_o afflict_a condition_n the_o good_a man_n enjoy_v the_o comfort_n of_o a_o quiet_a mind_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a compensation_n for_o all_o the_o evil_n he_o can_v possible_o endure_v in_o this_o life_n all_o other_o evil_n be_v supportable_a and_o may_v be_v undergo_v by_o a_o stable_n and_o well_o resolve_v mind_n the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n may_v bear_v his_o infirmity_n 18.14_o prov._n 18.14_o but_o a_o wound_a spirit_n who_o can_v bear_v this_o be_v the_o only_a load_n which_o be_v insupportable_a and_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o lot_n of_o the_o prosperous_a wicked_a man._n 2._o the_o good_a man_n be_v furnish_v with_o never-failing_a remedy_n against_o all_o the_o evil_n of_o this_o present_a life_n he_o be_v assure_v that_o all_o affliction_n shall_v be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o those_o that_o serve_v god_n and_o that_o god_n dispose_v all_o thing_n with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o love_n of_o a_o indulgent_a father_n that_o the_o wheel_n of_o god_n providence_n have_v a_o eye_n within_o they_o which_o always_o guide_v they_o to_o some_o wise_a end_n or_o other_o 12.9_o 2_o cor._n 12.9_o that_o god_n grace_n will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o he_o and_o that_o he_o will_v proportion_v his_o assistance_n to_o his_o want_n so_o that_o if_o he_o shall_v call_v he_o out_o to_o give_v his_o body_n to_o be_v burn_v and_o to_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o his_o sake_n he_o will_v also_o give_v he_o strength_n to_o undergo_v the_o fiery_a trial_n and_o cheerful_o to_o praise_v he_o in_o the_o flame_n and_o 3._o the_o good_a man_n be_v assure_v that_o the_o evil_n he_o suffer_v will_v soon_o be_v at_o a_o end_n that_o the_o time_n draw_v on_o apace_o when_o he_o shall_v be_v ease_v of_o all_o his_o trouble_n 7.17_o rev._n 7.17_o have_v all_o tear_n wipe_v away_o from_o his_o eye_n and_o receive_v a_o hundred_o fold_n for_o all_o those_o momentary_a affliction_n he_o have_v undergo_v in_o this_o life_n whilst_o he_o endure_v the_o cross_n his_o faith_n show_v he_o the_o crown_n of_o glory_n hang_v over_o his_o head_n and_o the_o lively_a hope_n of_o it_o make_v he_o not_o only_o patient_a but_o thankful_a for_o and_o cheerful_a under_o affliction_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o st._n paul_n when_o in_o chain_n and_o under_o all_o his_o calamity_n and_o persecution_n be_v infinite_o more_o content_v than_o caesar_n or_o seneca_n than_o any_o of_o the_o most_o fortunate_a prince_n or_o wise_a philosopher_n among_o the_o heathen_n from_o these_o and_o such_o like_a consideration_n i_o think_v it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a 1._o that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a true_a pleasure_n to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o debauch_a and_o wicked_a course_n of_o life_n 2._o that_o the_o way_n to_o lead_v a_o comfortable_a life_n even_o in_o this_o world_n be_v to_o be_v virtuous_a and_o religious_a 3._o that_o the_o worst_a circumstance_n a_o good_a man_n can_v fall_v into_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o most_o prosperous_a condition_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o if_o so_o then_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o godliness_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v i.e._n that_o our_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n be_v best_a secure_v by_o lead_v a_o holy_a and_o religious_a life_n it_o only_o remain_v that_o i_o show_v second_o that_o a_o holy_a and_o religious_a life_n fit_v and_o prepare_v we_o for_o everlasting_a happiness_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a because_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o a_o state_n of_o glory_n only_o differ_v in_o degree_n grace_n be_v glory_n begin_v and_o glory_n be_v grace_n perfect_v and_o consummate_v so_o that_o every_o good_a action_n and_o religious_a duty_n that_o we_o perform_v be_v a_o step_n towards_o our_o everlasting_a happiness_n it_o both_o qualify_v we_o for_o it_o and_o lead_v we_o near_o to_o it_o for_o by_o a_o holy_a and_o religious_a life_n we_o copy_n out_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o become_v more_o like_a god_n and_o the_o
to_o refrain_v from_o good_a work_n because_o a_o papist_n hope_n to_o merit_v by_o they_o i_o will_v learn_v from_o a_o turk_n to_o die_v for_o my_o religion_n and_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n from_o a_o jew_n our_o saviour_n make_v the_o unjust_a steward_n wisdom_n a_o pattern_n for_o his_o disciple_n the_o ox_n and_o the_o ass_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o teach_v man_n gratitude_n and_o the_o pismire_n wisdom_n nay_o we_o may_v learn_v diligence_n and_o care_n of_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n from_o the_o devil_n himself_o who_o compass_v the_o whole_a earth_n 5.8_o 1_o pet._n 5.8_o and_o walk_v about_o like_o a_o roar_a lion_n seek_v who_o he_o may_v devour_v 2._o let_v we_o bear_v with_o they_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a follow_v after_o those_o thing_n which_o make_v for_o peace_n and_o where_o we_o lawful_o and_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n may_v become_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o man_n 8.19_o zech._n 8.19_o that_o we_o may_v save_v some_o in_o short_a we_o must_v love_v both_o truth_n and_o peace_n i._n e._n both_o of_o they_o in_o conjunction_n one_o with_o the_o other_o we_o must_v so_o love_v peace_n as_o not_o to_o lose_v truth_n in_o matter_n substantial_a and_o so_o love_v truth_n as_o not_o to_o break_v peace_n in_o matter_n indifferent_a last_o let_v we_o turn_v away_o and_o avoid_v only_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a in_o they_o this_o be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o that_o caveat_n which_o our_o saviour_n give_v to_o his_o disciple_n against_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n to_o beware_v of_o their_o leven_n i_o e._n all_o that_o be_v sour_a and_o infectious_a which_o will_v spread_v the_o contagion_n and_o propagate_v the_o mischief_n let_v we_o distinguish_v the_o good_a from_o the_o bad_a the_o light_n from_o the_o darkness_n let_v the_o one_o be_v call_v day_n and_o the_o other_o night_n let_v the_o one_o be_v imitate_v and_o the_o other_o avoid_v 5.11_o eph._n 5.11_o let_v only_o the_o unfruitful_a work_n of_o darkness_n be_v reject_v but_o let_v we_o welcome_v the_o light_n and_o embrace_v love_n and_o imitate_v the_o good_a wherever_o we_o meet_v with_o they_o and_o if_o we_o do_v so_o then_o mercy_n and_o truth_n shall_v meet_v together_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n shall_v kiss_v each_o other_o truth_n shall_v flourish_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n and_o righteousness_n shall_v look_v down_o from_o heaven_n yea_o the_o lord_n shall_v show_v lovingkindness_n for_o his_o salvation_n be_v nigh_o unto_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o that_o glory_n may_v be_v in_o our_o land_n amen_o sermon_n iu._n prov_n xix_o 25._o smite_v a_o scorner_n and_o the_o simple_a will_v beware_v and_o reprove_v one_o that_o have_v understanding_n and_o he_o will_v understand_v knowledge_n the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n be_v a_o collection_n of_o wise_a sentence_n and_o apophthegm_n ground_v upon_o the_o long_a observation_n and_o ripe_a experience_n of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o potent_a prince_n and_o wise_a of_o man_n and_o since_o proverb_n in_o general_n be_v observe_v to_o contain_v the_o wisdom_n of_o all_o nation_n therefore_o we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v to_o find_v a_o rich_a treasure_n of_o divine_a truth_n in_o those_o of_o which_o solomon_n be_v the_o author_n or_o else_o by_o collection_n make_v his_o own_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n may_v well_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o fruitful_a soil_n but_o this_o of_o the_o proverb_n abound_v with_o a_o more_o rich_a vein_n and_o be_v of_o the_o great_a use_n because_o it_o contain_v precept_n accommodate_v to_o all_o the_o necessity_n of_o humane_a life_n for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o have_v no_o coherence_n but_o be_v set_v down_o just_a as_o they_o come_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o inspire_a author_n the_o verse_n which_o i_o have_v read_v to_o you_o be_v of_o the_o near_a importance_n and_o show_v we_o the_o prudent_a use_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n make_v of_o a_o friendly_a reproof_n and_o what_o great_a advantage_n he_o reap_v by_o it_o reprove_v one_o that_o have_v understanding_n and_o he_o will_v understand_v knowledge_n i._n e._n it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o wise_a a_o good_a and_o a_o understand_a man_n to_o take_v reproof_n patient_o and_o thankful_o to_o give_v a_o attentive_a ear_n to_o it_o to_o be_v very_o quick-sighted_a in_o discover_v his_o own_o fault_n when_o they_o be_v lay_v open_a to_o he_o and_o very_o diligent_a and_o industrious_a in_o reform_v himself_o reprove_v one_o that_o have_v understanding_n 55.32_o psal_n 55.32_o and_o he_o will_v understand_v knowledge_n from_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v show_v i._o the_o excellent_a use_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n make_v of_o a_o friendly_a reproof_n ii_o the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o perform_v this_o friendly_a office_n iii_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o motive_n to_o engage_v we_o to_o set_v about_o it_o and_o iv_o give_v some_o rule_n and_o direction_n for_o a_o right_a management_n of_o ourselves_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o and_o first_o of_o the_o excellent_a use_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n make_v of_o a_o friendly_a reproof_n 25.12_o prov._n 25.12_o as_o a_o ear-ring_n of_o gold_n and_o a_o ornament_n of_o fine_a gold_n so_o be_v a_o wise_a reprover_n upon_o a_o obedient_a ear_n which_o be_v thus_o paraphrase_v by_o a_o right_n reverend_a father_n of_o our_o church_n a_o good_a man_n will_v not_o think_v himself_o reproach_v but_o rather_o oblige_v by_o a_o prudent_a reproof_n which_o meet_v with_o a_o attentive_a consider_v and_o patient_a mind_n make_v a_o man_n take_v it_o so_o kind_o that_o he_o esteem_v he_o who_o bestow_v it_o as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v hang_v a_o jewel_n of_o gold_n or_o put_v the_o rich_a ornament_n about_o his_o neck_n there_o be_v nothing_o hard_a to_o find_v than_o a_o true_a friend_n and_o he_o be_v the_o true_a and_o best_a friend_n who_o will_v most_o impartial_o reprove_v we_o for_o our_o fault_n show_v we_o the_o error_n of_o our_o life_n discover_v to_o we_o those_o rock_n on_o which_o we_o split_v and_o faithful_o tell_v we_o when_o we_o do_v amiss_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v one_o way_n of_o make_v a_o friend_n of_o a_o inveterate_a enemy_n by_o take_v notice_n what_o fault_n or_o weakness_n he_o upbraid_v we_o most_o with_o and_o accuse_v we_o of_o and_o thus_o by_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o error_n we_o take_v the_o first_o step_n towards_o the_o amendment_n and_o reformation_n of_o they_o and_o if_o reproof_n be_v so_o useful_a from_o a_o enemy_n how_o much_o more_o beneficial_a may_v it_o be_v make_v from_o a_o friend_n who_o will_v both_o inform_v we_o when_o we_o go_v astray_o and_o set_v we_o in_o the_o right_a path_n who_o will_v conceal_v our_o fault_n from_o other_o man_n and_o yet_o impartial_o expose_v they_o to_o our_o own_o view_n who_o know_v first_o how_o to_o lance_n and_o lay_v open_a the_o sore_a and_o then_o to_o apply_v a_o fit_a remedy_n to_o it_o certain_o he_o who_o have_v get_v such_o a_o friend_n be_v possess_v of_o a_o inestimable_a treasure_n and_o there_o be_v require_v only_o a_o understand_a mind_n and_o a_o unessayed_v heart_n to_o make_v he_o capable_a to_o receive_v benefit_n by_o his_o advice_n but_o alas_o for_o the_o most_o part_n self-conceit_n be_v so_o prevalent_a in_o we_o that_o we_o dote_v even_o upon_o our_o blemish_n and_o imperfection_n because_o our_o own_o we_o fall_v in_o love_n with_o our_o own_o picture_n though_o never_o so_o deform_v and_o ugly_a and_o there_o be_v no_o ready_a and_o sure_a way_n to_o disoblige_v we_o than_o by_o perform_v the_o most_o friendly_a office_n in_o the_o world_n the_o give_v we_o a_o faithful_a glass_n to_o behold_v ourselves_o in_o and_o set_v our_o action_n in_o a_o true_a light_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v such_o a_o act_n of_o superiority_n as_o few_o man_n can_v admit_v of_o for_o though_o we_o must_v give_v the_o pre-eminence_a to_o other_o in_o riches_n and_o power_n and_o the_o gift_n of_o fortune_n yet_o few_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o believe_v any_o one_o be_v more_o wise_a prudent_a and_o discreet_a than_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o ii_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o perform_v this_o kind_n and_o friendly_a office_n and_o that_o in_o respect_n either_o 1._o of_o the_o reprover_n or_o 2._o of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o be_v reprove_v and_o first_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o difficulty_n of_o it_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o reprover_n for_o 1._o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n and_o such_o person_n be_v only_o fit_a to_o reprove_v other_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n too_o modest_a to_o reprove_v other_o men._n either_o he_o have_v too_o low_a and_o mean_a opinion_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o performance_n or_o else_o he_o be_v desirous_a
as_o well_o upon_o the_o bad_a as_o the_o good_a of_o his_o fullness_n all_o receive_v grace_n for_o grace_n 1.9_o joh._n 1.9_o and_o though_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v not_o impart_v to_o all_o alike_o yet_o every_o man_n receive_v a_o sufficient_a portion_n of_o it_o sufficient_a to_o supply_v all_o his_o want_n both_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a for_o as_o if_o you_o dip_v vessel_n of_o different_a size_n into_o the_o sea_n every_o one_o will_v be_v full_a of_o water_n though_o every_o one_o do_v not_o hold_v the_o same_o quantity_n so_o though_o there_o be_v different_a gift_n and_o different_a administration_n and_o different_a measure_n of_o grace_n communicate_v to_o man_n yet_o god_n withhold_v from_o no_o man_n sufficient_a grace_n to_o enable_v he_o to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a and_o to_o answer_v all_o his_o press_a and_o unavoidable_a necessity_n the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n gather_v manna_n 16.18_o exod._n 16.18_o according_a to_o every_o man_n be_v eat_v when_o they_o do_v measure_v it_o with_o a_o omer_n he_o that_o have_v gather_v much_o have_v nothing_o over_o and_o he_o that_o have_v gather_v little_a have_v no_o lack_n so_o god_n give_v his_o grace_n unto_o man_n according_a to_o every_o man_n necessity_n measure_v it_o with_o a_o omer_n weigh_v all_o the_o circumstance_n and_o you_o will_v find_v that_o neither_o he_o that_o have_v little_a have_v cause_n to_o repine_v nor_o he_o that_o have_v much_o to_o boast_v one_o man_n be_v surround_v with_o temptation_n burden_v and_o load_v even_o to_o the_o ground_n with_o affliction_n oppress_v with_o difficulty_n and_o to_o this_o man_n god_n give_v a_o great_a portion_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n he_o assist_v he_o more_o powerful_o he_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v he_o after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n and_o enable_v he_o to_o close_v and_o grapple_v with_o the_o difficulty_n or_o temptation_n which_o assault_v he_o another_o have_v be_v nurture_v in_o vice_n and_o bring_v up_o in_o debauchery_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v reclaim_v from_o his_o evil_a do_n with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o a_o outstretched_a arm._n a_o three_o have_v be_v long_o accustom_a to_o good_a and_o be_v natural_o incline_v to_o sobriety_n and_o virtue_n and_o require_v only_o the_o ordinary_a assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n to_o keep_v he_o so_o thus_o god_n like_o a_o wise_a housholder_n proportion_v his_o gift_n to_o the_o want_v and_o necessity_n of_o his_o child_n and_o servant_n and_o will_v require_v of_o every_o one_o according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v receive_v and_o reward_v they_o according_a to_o their_o work_n he_o that_o have_v but_o one_o talon_n give_v he_o if_o he_o well_o employ_v that_o one_o may_v obtain_v the_o government_n of_o one_o city_n though_o he_o have_v not_o the_o high_a place_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n yet_o he_o will_v find_v admittance_n there_o where_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o happiness_n will_v consist_v of_o joy_n unspeakable_a which_o transcend_v all_o comparison_n but_o if_o god_n call_v out_o any_o one_o to_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n or_o to_o be_v a_o eminent_a example_n of_o patience_n or_o long_o suffer_v or_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n he_o will_v furnish_v he_o with_o proportionable_a measure_n of_o strength_n so_o that_o the_o good_a christian_a may_v rest_v assure_v that_o though_o at_o present_a he_o find_v himself_o weak_a and_o frail_a and_o unable_a to_o undergo_v the_o affliction_n which_o he_o fear_v will_v sudden_o fall_v upon_o he_o yet_o i_o say_v he_o may_v assure_v himself_o that_o the_o divine_a assistance_n will_v always_o attend_v he_o god_n will_v never_o leave_v he_o nor_o forsake_v he_o but_o as_o his_o trouble_n grow_v upon_o he_o so_o shall_v he_o be_v supply_v with_o more_o power_n more_o courage_n and_o more_o ability_n to_o bear_v up_o under_o they_o god_n be_v faithful_a 10.13_o 1._o cor._n 10.13_o and_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v tempt_v above_o what_o we_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v as_o st._n paul_n assure_v we_o and_o that_o god_n have_v be_v faithful_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o as_o well_o as_o his_o other_o promise_n we_o need_v no_o other_o testimony_n but_o that_o of_o our_o own_o conscience_n for_o if_o we_o look_v back_o upon_o the_o past_a transaction_n of_o our_o life_n we_o shall_v find_v how_o frequent_o god_n grace_n have_v suggest_v to_o we_o this_o be_v the_o way_n walk_v in_o it_o when_o we_o be_v in_o suspense_n how_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o and_o have_v as_o it_o be_v point_v out_o our_o duty_n to_o we_o how_o often_o we_o have_v be_v prick_v at_o the_o heart_n when_o we_o have_v commit_v any_o sin_n and_o stir_v up_o and_o incite_v to_o do_v good_a and_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o have_v do_v amiss_o and_o transgress_v god_n command_n have_v general_o be_v because_o we_o have_v not_o improve_v those_o good_a motion_n and_o follow_v the_o dictate_v and_o impulse_v of_o god_n grace_n within_o we_o for_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o any_o other_o direction_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n beside_o those_o of_o god_n write_a word_n and_o if_o we_o have_v any_o thing_n suggest_v to_o we_o which_o be_v opposite_a to_o this_o establish_a rule_n of_o our_o duty_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o snare_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o instigation_n of_o a_o evil_a spirit_n yet_o on_o the_o contrary_a when_o we_o find_v any_o vigorous_a and_o strong_a inclination_n to_o do_v that_o which_o we_o be_v full_o assure_v be_v our_o duty_n to_o do_v at_o that_o time_n and_o in_o that_o place_n then_o we_o may_v assure_v ourselves_o that_o this_o be_v the_o motion_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n the_o grace_n of_o god_n work_v in_o we_o and_o that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o comply_v with_o it_o to_o encourage_v and_o improve_v it_o and_o if_o we_o do_v so_o then_o it_o will_v certain_o bring_v to_o pass_v that_o effect_n for_o which_o god_n at_o the_o first_o design_v and_o intend_v it_o it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o god_n grace_n be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o i._n e._n give_v we_o strength_n ability_n and_o mean_n enough_o to_o subdue_v the_o devil_n the_o world_n and_o the_o flesh_n and_o that_o if_o we_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o dominion_n and_o power_n of_o any_o of_o these_o we_o must_v accuse_v our_o own_o sloth_n and_o laziness_n in_o neglect_v to_o use_v and_o improve_v to_o the_o uttermost_a those_o mean_n and_o help_n which_o god_n have_v afford_v we_o this_o will_v be_v make_v more_o evident_a by_o consider_v 3._o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v my_o grace_n be_v sufficient_a for_o thou_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o person_n here_o speak_v of_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n according_a to_o that_o account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o he_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o his_o life_n such_o variety_n of_o circumstance_n so_o very_o remarkable_a and_o instructive_a that_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o condition_n we_o can_v fall_v into_o wherein_o we_o may_v not_o receive_v benefit_n by_o his_o example_n and_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o the_o powerfulness_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o god_n grace_n let_v we_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o jew_n how_o zealous_a be_v he_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o faith_n how_o furious_a in_o the_o persecution_n of_o all_o such_o who_o either_o teach_v or_o live_v in_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 23.6_o act_n 23.6_o he_o be_v a_o pharisee_fw-mi the_o son_n of_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi and_o by_o consequence_n a_o rigid_a observer_n not_o only_o of_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n but_o also_o of_o all_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbi_n so_o that_o though_o he_o live_v at_o that_o time_n when_o our_o saviour_n christ_n be_v on_o earth_n and_o have_v hear_v of_o if_o not_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v yet_o be_v he_o a_o inveterate_a enemy_n to_o he_o and_o his_o religion_n and_o this_o mistake_a zeal_n for_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n carry_v he_o forth_o to_o a_o furious_a persecution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v consent_v to_o the_o death_n of_o the_o martyr_n st._n stephen_n 9.1_o act_n 22.20_o acts._n 8.3_o act_n 9.1_o he_o make_v havoc_n of_o the_o church_n and_o breathe_v out_o nothing_o but_o threaten_n and_o slaughter_n against_o the_o disciple_n drag_v man_n and_o woman_n to_o prison_n and_o procure_v letter_n of_o inquisition_n against_o they_o from_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o god_n grace_n be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v he_o from_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o only_a righteousness_n in_o christ_n jesus_n to_o make_v he_o preach_v that_o