which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o any_o man_n power_n be_v to_o that_o man_n impossible_a he_o therefore_o who_o exert_v all_o the_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o ply_v all_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n which_o god_n have_v vouchsafe_v he_o may_v rest_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o conscience_n so_o inform_v as_o a_o warrantable_a guide_n of_o those_o action_n which_o he_o must_v account_v to_o god_n for_o and_o if_o by_o follow_v such_o a_o guide_n he_o fall_v into_o the_o ditch_n the_o ditch_n shall_v never_o drown_v he_o or_o if_o it_o shall_v the_o man_n perish_v not_o by_o his_o sin_n but_o by_o his_o misfortune_n in_o a_o word_n he_o who_o endeavour_v to_o know_v the_o utmost_a of_o his_o duty_n that_o he_o can_v and_o practice_n the_o utmost_a that_o he_o know_v have_v the_o equity_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o great_a god_n to_o stand_v as_o a_o mighty_a wall_n or_o rampart_n between_o he_o and_o damnation_n for_o any_o error_n or_o infirmity_n which_o the_o frailty_n of_o his_o condition_n have_v invincible_o and_o therefore_o inculpable_o expose_v he_o to_o and_o if_o a_o conscience_n thus_o qualify_v and_o inform_v be_v not_o the_o measure_n by_o which_o a_o man_n may_v take_v a_o true_a estimate_n of_o his_o absolution_n before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o god_n all_o the_o understanding_n of_o humane_a nature_n can_v find_v out_o any_o ground_n for_o the_o sinner_n to_o pitch_v the_o sole_a of_o his_o foot_n upon_o or_o rest_v his_o conscience_n with_o any_o assurance_n but_o be_v leave_v in_o the_o plunge_v of_o infinite_a doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n suspicion_n and_o misgiving_n both_o as_o to_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o present_a duty_n and_o the_o final_a issue_n of_o his_o future_a reward_n let_v this_o conclusion_n therefore_o stand_v as_o the_o firm_a result_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o what_o be_v to_o follow_v that_o such_o a_o conscience_n as_o have_v not_o be_v want_v to_o itself_o in_o endeavour_v to_o get_v the_o utmost_a and_o clear_a information_n about_o the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o its_o power_n advantage_n and_o opportunity_n can_v afford_v it_o be_v that_o great_a internal_a judge_n who_o absolution_n be_v a_o rational_a and_o sure_a ground_n of_o confidence_n towards_o god_n and_o so_o i_o pass_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o show_v how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v we_o may_v get_v our_o heart_n or_o conscience_n thus_o inform_v and_o afterward_o preserve_v and_o keep_v it_o so_o in_o order_n to_o which_o among_o many_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v allege_v as_o high_o useful_a and_o conduce_v to_o this_o great_a work_n i_o shall_v insist_v upon_o these_o four_o as_o 1._o let_v a_o man_n careful_o attend_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a morality_n so_o as_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o they_o for_o though_o reason_n be_v not_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o as_o a_o guide_n universal_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v we_o what_o to_o do_v yet_o it_o be_v general_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o and_o obey_v where_o it_o tell_v we_o what_o we_o be_v not_o to_o do_v it_o be_v indeed_o but_o a_o weak_a and_o diminutive_a light_n compare_v to_o revelation_n but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o a_o star_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o sun_n nevertheless_o as_o weak_a and_o as_o small_a as_o it_o be_v it_o be_v a_o light_n always_o at_o hand_n and_o though_o enclose_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o dark_a lantern_n may_v yet_o be_v of_o singular_a use_n to_o prevent_v many_o a_o foul_a step_n and_o to_o keep_v we_o from_o many_o a_o dangerous_a fall_n and_o every_o man_n bring_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o this_o light_n into_o the_o world_n with_o he_o that_o though_o it_o can_v bring_v he_o to_o heaven_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v true_a to_o it_o it_o will_v carry_v he_o a_o great_a way_n indeed_o so_o far_o that_o if_o he_o follow_v it_o faithful_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o shall_v meet_v with_o another_o light_n which_o shall_v carry_v he_o quite_o through_o how_o far_o it_o may_v be_v improve_v be_v evident_a from_o that_o high_a and_o refine_a morality_n which_o shine_v forth_o both_o in_o the_o life_n and_o write_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n who_o yet_o have_v no_o other_o light_n but_o this_o both_o to_o live_v and_o to_o write_v by_o for_o how_o great_a a_o man_n in_o virtue_n be_v cato_n of_o who_o the_o historian_n give_v this_o glorious_a character_n esse_fw-la quam_fw-la videri_fw-la bone_fw-la malebat_fw-la and_o of_o what_o a_o impregnable_a integrity_n be_v fabricius_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o attempt_v to_o turn_v the_o sun_n out_o of_o his_o course_n as_o to_o bring_v fabricius_n to_o do_v a_o base_a or_o a_o dishonest_a action_n and_o then_o for_o their_o write_n what_o admirable_a thing_n occur_v in_o the_o remain_v of_o pythagoras_n and_o the_o book_n of_o plato_n and_o of_o several_a other_o philosopher_n short_a i_o confess_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n but_o general_o above_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v so_o ought_v not_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o we_o as_o a_o rich_a and_o a_o noble_a talon_n and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o we_o must_v account_v to_o god_n for_o for_o it_o be_v certain_o from_o he_o it_o be_v a_o ray_n of_o divinity_n dart_v into_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o solomon_n call_v it_o and_o god_n never_o light_v we_o up_o a_o candle_n either_o to_o put_v out_o or_o to_o sleep_v by_o if_o it_o be_v make_v conscious_a to_o a_o work_n of_o darkness_n it_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o discover_v and_o reprove_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o check_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v revere_v as_o the_o echo_n of_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n for_o whatsoever_o conscience_n bind_v here_o on_o earth_n will_v be_v certain_o bind_v there_o too_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a vanity_n to_o hope_v or_o imagine_v that_o either_o law_n or_o gospel_n will_v absolve_v what_o natural_a conscience_n condemn_v no_o man_n ever_o yet_o offend_v his_o own_o conscience_n but_o first_o or_o last_o it_o be_v revenge_v upon_o he_o for_o it_o so_o that_o it_o will_v concern_v a_o man_n to_o treat_v this_o great_a principle_n awful_o and_o wary_o by_o still_o observe_v what_o it_o command_v but_o especial_o what_o it_o forbid_v and_o if_o he_o will_v have_v it_o always_o a_o faithful_a and_o sincere_a monitor_n to_o he_o let_v he_o be_v sure_a never_o to_o turn_v a_o deaf_a ear_n to_o it_o for_o not_o to_o hear_v it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o silence_v it_o let_v he_o strict_o observe_v the_o first_o stir_n and_o intimation_n the_o first_o hint_n and_o whisper_v of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o pass_v in_o his_o heart_n and_o this_o will_v keep_v conscience_n so_o quick_a and_o vigilant_a and_o ready_a to_o give_v a_o man_n true_a alarm_n upon_o the_o least_o approach_v of_o his_o spiritual_a enemy_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v hardly_o capable_a of_o a_o great_a surprise_n on_o the_o contrary_a if_o a_o man_n accustom_n himself_o to_o slight_a or_o pass_v over_o these_o first_o motion_n to_o good_a or_o shrink_n of_o his_o conscience_n from_o evil_a which_o original_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n as_o the_o appetite_n of_o hunger_n and_o thirst_v be_v to_o the_o stomach_n conscience_n will_v by_o degree_n grow_v dull_a and_o unconcerned_a and_o from_o not_o spy_v out_o mote_n come_v at_o length_n to_o overlook_a beam_n from_o carelessness_n it_o shall_v fall_v into_o a_o slumber_n and_o from_o a_o slumber_n it_o shall_v settle_v into_o a_o deep_a and_o long_a sleep_n till_o at_o last_o perhaps_o it_o sleep_v itself_o into_o a_o lethargy_n and_o that_o such_o a_o one_o that_o nothing_o but_o hell_n and_o judgement_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o awaken_v it_o for_o long_a disuse_n of_o any_o thing_n make_v for_o action_n will_v in_o time_n take_v away_o the_o very_a use_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v read_v of_o one_o who_o have_v for_o a_o disguise_n keep_v one_o of_o his_o eye_n a_o long_a time_n cover_v when_o he_o take_v off_o the_o cover_v find_v his_o eye_n indeed_o where_o it_o be_v but_o his_o sight_n be_v go_v he_o who_o will_v keep_v his_o conscience_n awake_a must_v be_v careful_a to_o keep_v it_o stir_v 2._o let_v a_o man_n be_v very_o tender_a and_o regardful_a of_o every_o pious_a motion_n and_o suggestion_n make_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o his_o heart_n i_o do_v not_o hereby_o go_v about_o to_o establish_v enthusiasm_n or_o such_o fantastic_a pretence_n
nor_o yet_o towards_o themselves_o who_o be_v far_o from_o be_v either_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v you_o the_o first_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n concern_v a_o man_n spiritual_a estate_n come_v to_o be_v so_o authentic_a and_o so_o much_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o to_o wit_n the_o high_a office_n which_o it_o hold_v as_o the_o vicegerent_n of_o god_n himself_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n together_o with_o the_o two_o grand_a inference_n draw_v from_o thence_o the_o first_o of_o they_o show_v the_o absurdity_n folly_n and_o impertinence_n of_o pretend_v conscience_n against_o any_o thing_n when_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n mediate_v or_o immediate_a against_o it_o and_o the_o other_o set_v forth_o the_o intolerable_a blasphemy_n and_o impiety_n of_o pretend_v conscience_n for_o any_o thing_n which_o the_o know_a law_n of_o god_n be_v direct_o against_o and_o stand_v in_o open_a defiance_n of_o proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o second_o ground_n from_o which_o conscience_n derive_v the_o credit_n of_o its_o testimony_n in_o judge_v of_o our_o spiritual_a estate_n and_o that_o consist_v in_o those_o property_n and_o quality_n which_o so_o peculiar_o fit_v it_o for_o the_o discharge_n of_o its_o forementioned_a office_n in_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o soul_n and_o these_o be_v three_o first_o the_o quickness_n of_o its_o sight_n second_o the_o tenderness_n of_o its_o sense_n and_o three_o and_o last_o it_o be_v rigorous_a and_o impartial_a way_n of_o give_v sentence_n of_o each_o of_o which_o in_o their_o order_n and_o first_o for_o the_o extraordinary_a quickness_n and_o sagacity_n of_o its_o sight_n in_o spy_v out_o every_o thing_n which_o can_v any_o way_n concern_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o the_o voice_n of_o it_o i_o show_v be_v as_o loud_o as_o thunder_n so_o the_o sight_n of_o it_o be_v as_o pierce_a and_o quick_a as_o lightning_n it_o present_o see_v the_o gild_n and_o look_n through_o all_o the_o flaw_n and_o blemish_n of_o a_o sinful_a action_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n observe_v the_o candidness_n of_o a_o man_n very_a principle_n the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o intention_n and_o the_o whole_a carriage_n of_o every_o circumstance_n in_o a_o virtuous_a performance_n so_o strict_a and_o accurate_a be_v this_o spiritual_a inquisition_n upon_o which_o account_v it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o perfect_a secrecy_n to_o encourage_v a_o rational_a mind_n to_o the_o perpetration_n of_o any_o base_a action_n for_o a_o man_n must_v first_o extinguish_v and_o put_v out_o the_o great_a light_n within_o he_o his_o conscience_n he_o must_v get_v away_o from_o himself_o and_o shake_v off_o the_o thousand_o witness_n which_o he_o always_o carry_v about_o he_o before_o he_o can_v be_v alone_o and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o solitude_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o can_v be_v no_o secrecy_n it_o be_v confess_v indeed_o that_o a_o long_a and_o a_o bold_a course_n of_o sin_v may_v as_o we_o have_v show_v elsewhere_o very_o much_o dimn_v and_o darken_v the_o discern_a faculty_n of_o conscience_n for_o so_o the_o apostle_n assure_v we_o it_o do_v with_o those_o in_o rom._n 1._o 21._o and_o the_o same_o no_o doubt_n it_o do_v every_o day_n but_o still_o so_o as_o to_o leave_v such_o person_n both_o then_o and_o now_o many_o notable_a lucid_a interval_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o deviation_n from_o reason_n and_o natural_a religion_n and_o thereby_o to_o render_v they_o inexcusable_a and_o so_o in_o a_o word_n to_o stop_v their_o mouth_n though_o not_o save_v their_o soul_n in_o short_a their_o conscience_n be_v not_o stark_o dead_a but_o under_o a_o kind_n of_o spiritual_a apoplexy_n or_o deliquium_fw-la the_o operation_n be_v hinder_v but_o the_o faculty_n not_o destroy_v and_o now_o if_o conscience_n be_v natural_o thus_o apprehensive_a and_o sagacious_a certain_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v another_o great_a ground_n over_o and_o above_o its_o bare_a authority_n why_o we_o shall_v trust_v and_o rely_v upon_o the_o report_n of_o it_o for_o knowledge_n be_v still_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o trust_n and_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o have_v of_o discernment_n so_o far_o he_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n and_o deception_n and_o for_o that_o cause_n fit_a to_o be_v confide_v in_o no_o witness_v so_o much_o to_o be_v credit_v as_o a_o eye-witness_n and_o conscience_n be_v like_o the_o great_a eye_n of_o the_o world_n the_o sun_n always_o open_a always_o make_v discovery_n just_o therefore_o may_v we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o it_o take_v a_o view_n of_o our_o condition_n 2_o lie_n another_o property_n or_o quality_n of_o conscience_n enable_v it_o to_o judge_v so_o true_o of_o our_o spiritual_a estate_n be_v the_o tenderness_n of_o its_o sense_n for_o as_o by_o the_o quickness_n of_o its_o sight_n it_o direct_v we_o what_o to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v so_o by_o this_o tenderness_n of_o its_o sense_n it_o excuse_n or_o accuse_v we_o as_o we_o have_v do_v or_o not_o do_v according_a to_o those_o direction_n and_o it_o be_v altogether_o as_o nice_a delicate_a and_o tender_a in_o feel_v as_o it_o can_v be_v perspicacious_a and_o quick_a in_o see_v for_o conscience_n you_o know_v be_v still_o call_v and_o account_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o how_o troublesome_a be_v the_o least_o mote_n or_o dust_n fall_v into_o the_o eye_n and_o how_o quick_o do_v it_o weep_v and_o water_n upon_o the_o least_o grievance_n that_o afflict_v it_o and_o no_o less_o exact_a be_v the_o sense_n which_o conscience_n preserve_v in_o its_o native_a purity_n have_v of_o the_o least_o sin_n for_o as_o great_a sin_n waste_v so_o small_a one_o be_v enough_o to_o wound_v it_o and_o every_o wound_n you_o know_v be_v painful_a till_o it_o fester_v beyond_o recovery_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o sin_n give_v the_o blow_n conscience_n be_v the_o first_o thing_n that_o feel_v the_o smart_n no_o soon_o do_v the_o poison_a arrow_n enter_v but_o that_o begin_v to_o bleed_v inward_o sin_n and_o sorrow_n the_o venom_n of_o one_o and_o the_o anguish_n of_o the_o other_o be_v thing_n inseparable_a conscience_n if_o true_o tender_a never_o complain_v without_o a_o cause_n though_o i_o confess_v there_o be_v a_o new_a fashion_a sort_n of_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n which_o always_o do_v so_o but_o that_o be_v like_o the_o tenderness_n of_o a_o bog_n or_o quagmire_n and_o it_o be_v very_o dangerous_a come_n near_o it_o for_o fear_v of_o be_v swallow_v up_o by_o it_o for_o when_o conscience_n have_v once_o acquire_v this_o artificial_a tenderness_n it_o will_v strange_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v it_o swallow_v as_o it_o please_v so_o that_o sometime_o a_o camel_n shall_v slide_v down_o with_o ease_n where_o at_o other_o time_n even_o a_o gnat_n may_v chance_v to_o stick_v by_o the_o way_n it_o be_v indeed_o such_o a_o kind_a of_o tenderness_n as_o make_v the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o general_o very_o tender_a of_o obey_v the_o law_n but_o never_o so_o of_o break_v they_o and_o therefore_o since_o it_o be_v common_o at_o such_o variance_n with_o the_o law_n i_o think_v the_o law_n be_v the_o fit_a thing_n to_o deal_v with_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v no_o man_n deceive_v himself_o or_o think_v that_o true_a tenderness_n of_o conscience_n be_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o a_o awful_a and_o exact_a sense_n of_o the_o rule_n which_o shall_v direct_v and_o of_o the_o law_n which_o shall_v govern_v it_o and_o while_o it_o steer_v by_o this_o compass_n and_o be_v sensible_a of_o every_o declination_n from_o it_o so_o long_o it_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o tender_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v rely_v upon_o whether_o it_o check_v or_o approve_v a_o man_n for_o what_o he_o do_v for_o from_o hence_o alone_o spring_v its_o excuse_v or_o accuse_v power_n all_o accusation_n in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n still_o suppose_v and_o be_v found_v upon_o some_o law_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n and_o where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o accusation_n and_o here_o when_o i_o speak_v of_o law_n i_o mean_v both_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o man_n too_o for_o where_o the_o matter_n of_o a_o law_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o evil_a every_o law_n of_o man_n be_v virtual_o and_o at_o a_o second_o hand_n the_o law_n of_o god_n also_o for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o bind_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n command_v obedience_n to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v and_o therefore_o all_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n against_o such_o law_n be_v hypocrisy_n and_o patronise_v by_o none_o but_o man_n of_o design_n who_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o
those_o protestant_n who_o they_o most_o hate_v and_o who_o alone_o they_o fear_v it_o be_v no_o unheard_a of_o trick_n for_o a_o thief_n when_o he_o be_v close_o pursue_v to_o cry_v out_o stop_v the_o thief_n and_o thereby_o divert_v the_o suspicion_n from_o himself_o to_o get_v clear_a away_o it_o be_v also_o worth_a our_o while_n to_o consider_v with_o what_o term_n of_o respect_n and_o commendation_n knave_n and_o sot_n will_v speak_v of_o their_o own_o fraternity_n as_o what_o a_o honest_a what_o a_o worthy_a man_n be_v such_o a_o one_o and_o what_o a_o good-natured_a person_n be_v another_o according_a to_o which_o term_n such_o as_o be_v factious_a by_o worthy_a man_n mean_v only_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o same_o faction_n and_o unite_v in_o the_o same_o design_n against_o the_o government_n with_o themselves_o and_o such_o as_o be_v brother_n of_o the_o pot_n by_o a_o good-natured_a person_n mean_v only_o a_o true_a trusty_a debauchee_n who_o never_o stand_v out_o at_o a_o 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love_v to_o see_v it_o also_o in_o practice_n place_n and_o honour_n do_v of_o all_o thing_n most_o misbecome_v it_o and_o a_o goat_n or_o a_o swine_n in_o a_o chair_n of_o state_n can_v be_v more_o odious_a than_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v report_v of_o caesar_n that_o pass_v through_o a_o certain_a town_n and_o see_v all_o the_o woman_n of_o it_o stand_v at_o their_o door_n with_o monkey_n in_o their_o arm_n he_o ask_v whether_o the_o woman_n of_o that_o country_n use_v to_o have_v any_o child_n or_o no_o thereby_o witty_o and_o sarcastical_o reproach_v they_o for_o misplace_v that_o affection_n upon_o brute_n which_o can_v only_o become_v a_o mother_n to_o her_o child_n so_o when_o we_o come_v into_o a_o great_a family_n or_o government_n and_o see_v this_o place_n of_o honour_n allot_v to_o a_o murderer_n another_o fill_v with_o a_o atheist_n or_o blasphemer_n and_o a_o three_o with_o a_o filthy_a parasite_n may_v we_o not_o as_o apposite_o and_o proper_o ask_v the_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o virtue_n sobriety_n or_o religion_n among_o such_o a_o people_n with_o who_o vice_n wear_v those_o reward_n honour_n and_o privilege_n which_o in_o other_o nation_n the_o common_a judgement_n of_o reason_n award_v only_o to_o the_o virtuous_a the_o sober_a and_o religious_a and_o certain_o it_o be_v too_o flagrant_a a_o demonstration_n how_o much_o vice_n be_v the_o darling_n of_o any_o people_n when_o many_o among_o they_o be_v prefer_v for_o those_o practice_n for_o which_o in_o other_o place_n they_o can_v scarce_o be_v pardon_v and_o thus_o i_o have_v finish_v the_o three_o and_o last_o general_n thing_n propose_v for_o the_o handle_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v to_o show_v the_o several_a sort_n or_o kind_n of_o man_n which_o fall_v under_o the_o charge_n and_o character_n of_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o man_n sin_n now_o the_o inference_n from_o the_o forego_n particular_n shall_v be_v twofold_a 1._o such_o as_o concern_v particular_a person_n and_o 2._o such_o as_o concern_v community_n or_o body_n of_o men._n and_o first_o for_o the_o malignity_n of_o such_o a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n as_o induce_v a_o man_n to_o delight_v in_o other_o man_n sin_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o upon_o particular_a person_n as_o 1._o it_o quite_o alter_v and_o deprave_v the_o natural_a frame_n of_o a_o man_n heart_n for_o there_o be_v that_o natural_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o abhor_v sin_n as_o sin_n and_o consequent_o will_v make_v he_o detest_v it_o both_o in_o himself_o and_o in_o other_o too_o the_o first_o and_o most_o genuine_a principle_n of_o reason_n be_v certain_o averse_a to_o it_o and_o find_v a_o secret_a grief_n and_o remorse_n from_o every_o invasion_n that_o sin_n make_v upon_o a_o man_n innocence_n and_o that_o must_v needs_o render_v the_o first_o entrance_n and_o admission_n of_o sin_n uneasy_a because_o disagreeable_a yet_o time_n we_o see_v and_o custom_n of_o sin_v can_v bring_v a_o man_n to_o such_o a_o pass_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o difficult_a and_o grievous_a to_o he_o to_o part_v with_o his_o sin_n than_o ever_o it_o be_v to_o he_o to_o admit_v it_o it_o shall_v get_v so_o far_o into_o and_o lodge_v itself_o so_o deep_o within_o his_o heart_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v his_o business_n and_o his_o recreation_n his_o companion_n and_o his_o other_o self_n and_o the_o very_o divide_v between_o his_o flesh_n and_o his_o bone_n or_o rather_o between_o his_o body_n and_o his_o soul_n shall_v be_v less_o terrible_a and_o afflictive_a to_o he_o than_o to_o be_v take_v off_o from_o his_o vice_n nevertheless_o as_o unnatural_a as_o this_o effect_n of_o sin_n be_v there_o be_v one_o yet_o more_o so_o for_o that_o innate_a principle_n of_o self-love_n that_o very_o easy_o and_o often_o blind_v a_o man_n as_o to_o any_o impartial_a reflection_n upon_o himself_o yet_o for_o the_o most_o part_n leave_v his_o eye_n open_a enough_o to_o judge_v true_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o his_o neighbour_n and_o to_o hate_v that_o in_o other_o which_o he_o allow_v and_o cherish_v in_o himself_o and_o therefore_o when_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o this_o that_o he_o also_o approve_v embrace_n and_o delight_n in_o sin_n as_o he_o observe_v it_o even_o in_o the_o person_n and_o practice_n of_o other_o man_n this_o show_v that_o the_o man_n be_v whole_o transform_v from_o the_o creature_n that_o god_n first_o make_v he_o nay_o that_o he_o have_v consume_v those_o poor_a remainder_n of_o good_a that_o the_o sin_n of_o adam_n leave_v he_o that_o he_o have_v wear_v off_o the_o very_a remote_a disposition_n and_o possibility_n to_o virtue_n and_o in_o a_o word_n turn_v grace_n first_o and_o afterward_o nature_n itself_o out_o of_o door_n no_o man_n know_v at_o his_o first_o entrance_n upon_o any_o sin_n how_o far_o it_o may_v carry_v he_o and_o where_o it_o will_v stop_v the_o commission_n of_o sin_n be_v general_o like_o the_o pour_v out_o of_o water_n which_o when_o once_o pour_v out_o know_v no_o other_o bound_n but_o to_o run_v as_o far_o as_o it_o can_v 2_o lie_n a_o second_o effect_v of_o this_o disposition_n of_o mind_n be_v that_o it_o peculiar_o indispose_v a_o man_n to_o repent_v and_o recover_v himself_o from_o it_o for_o the_o first_o step_n to_o repentance_n be_v a_o man_n dislike_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o how_o can_v we_o expect_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v conceive_v any_o through_o dislike_n of_o that_o which_o have_v take_v such_o a_o absolute_a possession_n of_o his_o heart_n and_o affection_n that_o he_o like_v and_o love_v it_o not_o only_o in_o his_o own_o practice_n but_o also_o in_o other_o man_n nay_o that_o he_o be_v please_v with_o it_o though_o he_o be_v past_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o such_o a_o temper_n of_o mind_n be_v a_o downright_a contradiction_n to_o repentance_n as_o be_v found_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o those_o quality_n which_o be_v the_o only_a disposition_n and_o preparative_n to_o it_o for_o that_o natural_a tenderness_n of_o conscience_n which_o must_v first_o create_v in_o the_o soul_n a_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o from_o thence_o produce_v a_o sorrow_n for_o it_o and_o at_o length_n cause_v a_o relinquishment_n of_o it_o that_o i_o say_v we_o have_v already_o show_v be_v take_v away_o by_o a_o customary_a repeat_v course_n of_o sin_v against_o conscience_n so_o that_o the_o very_o first_o foundation_n of_o virtue_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a power_n of_o distinguish_v between_o the_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a of_o any_o action_n be_v in_o effect_n pluck_v up_o and_o destroy_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n find_v nothing_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o such_o a_o one_o to_o apply_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n to_o all_o taste_n relish_v and_o
who_o have_v such_o thought_n of_o it_o that_o which_o we_o call_v self-murder_n be_v proper_o a_o good_a a_o honest_a and_o a_o virtuous_a action_n and_o person_n of_o the_o high_a and_o most_o acknowledge_a probity_n and_o virtue_n among_o they_o such_o as_o marcus_n cato_n and_o pomponius_n atticus_n actual_o do_v it_o and_o stand_v celebrate_v both_o by_o their_o orator_n and_o historian_n for_o so_o do_v and_o i_o can_v also_o instance_n in_o other_o action_n of_o a_o soule_a and_o more_o unnatural_a hue_n which_o yet_o from_o the_o approbation_n and_o credit_n they_o have_v find_v in_o some_o country_n and_o place_n have_v pass_v for_o good_a morality_n in_o those_o place_n but_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o common_a humanity_n as_o well_o as_o divinity_n i_o shall_v pass_v they_o over_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o assertion_n or_o opinion_n second_o the_o second_o opinion_n or_o position_n be_v that_o good_a and_o evil_a honest_a and_o dishonest_a be_v original_o found_v in_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o sovereign_n civil_a power_n enjoin_v some_o thing_n or_o action_n and_o prohibit_v other_o so_o that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v find_v conduce_v to_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o public_a and_o thereupon_o come_v to_o be_v enact_v by_o governor_n into_o a_o law_n it_o be_v forthwith_o thereby_o render_v moral_o good_a and_o honest_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a evil_a and_o dishonest_a when_o upon_o its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o public_a welfare_n it_o stand_v prohibit_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o same_o public_a authority_n this_o be_v the_o opinion_n heretofore_o of_o epicurus_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v by_o gassendus_fw-la who_o understand_v his_o notion_n too_o well_o to_o misrepresent_v they_o and_o late_o of_o one_o among_o ourselves_o a_o less_o philosopher_n though_o the_o great_a heathen_a of_o the_o two_o the_o infamous_a author_n of_o the_o leviathan_n and_o the_o like_a lewd_a scandalous_a and_o immoral_a doctrine_n or_o worse_o if_o possible_a may_v be_v find_v in_o some_o writer_n of_o another_o kind_n of_o note_n and_o character_n who_o one_o will_v have_v think_v not_o only_a religion_n but_o shame_n of_o the_o world_n may_v have_v teach_v better_a thing_n such_o as_o for_o instance_n bellarmine_n himself_o who_o in_o his_o four_o book_n and_o 5_o chapter_n de_fw-fr pontifice_fw-la romano_n have_v this_o monstrous_a passage_n that_o if_o the_o pope_n shall_v through_o error_n or_o mistake_v command_v vice_n and_o prohibit_v virtue_n the_o church_n will_v be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o believe_v vice_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtue_n evil._n i_o shall_v give_v you_o the_o whole_a passage_n in_o his_o own_o word_n to_o a_o tittle_n fides_n catholica_fw-la docet_fw-la omnem_fw-la virtutem_fw-la esse_fw-la bonam_n omne_fw-la vitium_fw-la esse_fw-la malum_fw-la si_fw-mi autem_fw-la erraret_fw-la papa_n praecipiendo_fw-la vitia_fw-la vel_fw-la prohibendo_fw-la virtutes_fw-la teneretur_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la credere_fw-la vitia_fw-la esse_fw-la bona_fw-la &_o virtutes_fw-la malas_n nisi_fw-la vellet_fw-la contra_fw-la conscientiam_fw-la peccare_fw-la good_a god_n that_o any_o thing_n that_o wear_v the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a or_o but_o of_o a_o man_n shall_v venture_v to_o own_o such_o a_o villainous_a impudent_a and_o blasphemous_a assertion_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n as_o this_o what_o must_v murder_n adultery_n theft_n fraud_n extortion_n perjury_n drunkenness_n rebellion_n and_o the_o like_a pass_v for_o good_a and_o commendable_a action_n and_o fit_a to_o be_v practise_v and_o mercy_n chastity_n justice_n truth_n temperance_n loyalty_n and_o sincere_a deal_v be_v account_v thing_n utter_o evil_a immoral_a and_o not_o to_o be_v follow_v by_o man_n in_o case_n the_o pope_n who_o be_v general_o a_o weak_a and_o almost_o always_o a_o wicked_a man_n shall_v by_o his_o mistake_n and_o infallible_a ignorance_n command_v the_o former_a and_o forbid_v the_o latter_a do_v christ_n himself_o ever_o assume_v such_o a_o power_n as_o to_o alter_v the_o morality_n of_o action_n and_o to_o transform_v vice_n into_o virtue_n and_o virtue_n into_o vice_n by_o his_o bare_a word_n certain_o never_o do_v a_o grosser_n paradox_n or_o a_o wickede_a sentence_n drop_v from_o the_o mouth_n or_o pen_n of_o any_o mortal_a man_n since_o reason_n or_o religion_n have_v any_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o have_v often_o with_o great_a amazement_n wonder_v how_o it_o can_v possible_o come_v from_o a_o person_n of_o so_o great_a a_o reputation_n both_o for_o learning_n and_o virtue_n too_o as_o the_o world_n allow_v bellarmine_n to_o have_v be_v but_o when_o man_n give_v themselves_o over_o to_o the_o defence_n of_o wicked_a interest_n and_o false_a proposition_n it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o smite_v the_o great_a ability_n with_o the_o great_a infatuation_n but_o as_o for_o these_o two_o position_n or_o assertion_n that_o the_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a the_o honesty_n or_o dishonesty_n of_o humane_a action_n shall_v depend_v either_o upon_o the_o opinion_n or_o upon_o the_o law_n of_o man_n they_o be_v certain_o false_a in_o themselves_o because_o they_o be_v infinite_o absurd_a in_o their_o consequence_n some_o of_o which_o be_v such_o as_o these_o as_o first_o if_o the_o moral_a goodness_n or_o evil_a of_o man_n action_n be_v original_o found_v in_o and_o so_o proceed_v whole_o from_o the_o opinion_n or_o law_n of_o man_n than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o they_o must_v change_v and_o vary_v according_a to_o the_o change_n and_o difference_n of_o the_o opinion_n and_o law_n of_o man_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o same_o action_n under_o exact_o the_o same_o circumstance_n may_v be_v moral_o good_a one_o day_n and_o moral_o evil_a another_o and_o moral_o good_a in_o one_o place_n and_o moral_o evil_a in_o another_o for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o same_o sovereign_a authority_n may_v enact_v or_o make_v a_o law_n command_v such_o or_o such_o a_o action_n to_o day_n and_o a_o quite_o contrary_a law_n forbid_v the_o same_o action_n to_o morrow_n and_o the_o very_a same_o action_n under_o the_o same_o circumstance_n may_v be_v command_v by_o law_n in_o one_o country_n and_o prohibit_v by_o law_n in_o another_o which_o be_v so_o the_o consequence_n be_v manifest_a and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o consequent_a intolerable_a second_o if_o the_o moral_a goodness_n or_o evil_a of_o man_n action_n depend_v original_o upon_o humane_a law_n than_o those_o law_n themselves_o can_v neither_o be_v moral_o good_a nor_o evil_a the_o consequence_n be_v evident_a because_o those_o law_n be_v not_o command_v or_o prohibit_v by_o any_o antecedent_n humane_a law_n and_o consequent_o if_o the_o moral_a goodness_n or_o evil_a of_o any_o act_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o a_o precedent_n humane_a law_n law_n themselves_o not_o suppose_v a_o dependence_n upon_o other_o precedent_n humane_a law_n can_v have_v no_o moral_a goodness_n or_o evil_a in_o they_o which_o to_o assert_v of_o any_o humane_a act_n such_o as_o all_o humane_a law_n essential_o be_v and_o must_v be_v be_v certain_o a_o very_a gross_a absurdity_n three_o if_o the_o moral_a goodness_n or_o evil_a of_o man_n action_n be_v sufficient_o derive_v from_o humane_a law_n or_o constitution_n then_o upon_o supposal_n that_o a_o divine_a law_n shall_v as_o it_o often_o do_v command_v what_o be_v prohibit_v by_o humane_a law_n and_o prohibit_v what_o be_v command_v by_o they_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o either_o such_o command_n and_o prohibition_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n do_v not_o at_o all_o affect_v the_o action_n of_o man_n in_o point_n of_o their_o morality_n so_o as_o to_o render_v they_o either_o good_a or_o evil_a or_o that_o the_o same_o action_n at_o the_o same_o time_n may_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n command_v it_o be_v moral_o good_a and_o in_o respect_n of_o a_o humane_a law_n forbid_v it_o be_v moral_o evil._n than_o which_o consequence_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a nor_o withal_o more_o absurd_a and_o many_o more_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n i_o can_v easy_o draw_v forth_o and_o lay_v before_o you_o every_o false_a principle_n or_o proposition_n be_v sure_a to_o be_v attend_v with_o a_o numerous_a train_n of_o absurdity_n but_o as_o to_o the_o subject-matter_n now_o in_o hand_n so_o far_o be_v the_o morality_n of_o humane_a action_n as_o to_o the_o goodness_n or_o evil_n of_o they_o from_o be_v found_v in_o any_o humane_a law_n that_o in_o very_a many_o and_o those_o the_o principal_a instance_n of_o humane_a action_n it_o be_v not_o original_o found_v in_o or_o derive_v from_o so_o much_o as_o any_o positive_a divine_a law_n there_o be_v a_o ius_n naturale_fw-la certain_o antecedent_n to_o all_o ius_n positivum_fw-la either_o humane_a or_o divine_a and_o that_o such_o as_o result_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o be_v of_o thing_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o