the_o fit_a engine_n to_o get_v into_o power_n by_o which_o by_o the_o way_n when_o they_o be_v once_o possess_v of_o they_o general_o manage_v with_o as_o little_a tenderness_n as_o they_o do_v with_o conscience_n of_o which_o we_o have_v have_v but_o too_o much_o experience_n already_o and_o it_o will_v be_v but_o ill_o venture_v upon_o more_o in_o a_o word_n conscience_n not_o act_v by_o and_o under_o a_o law_n be_v a_o boundless_a dare_a and_o presumptuous_a thing_n and_o for_o any_o one_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o to_o challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o privilege_n of_o do_v what_o he_o will_v and_o of_o be_v unaccountable_a for_o what_o he_o do_v be_v in_o all_o reason_n too_o much_o either_o for_o man_n or_o angel_n to_o pretend_v to_o 3_o lie_n the_o three_o and_o last_o property_n of_o conscience_n which_o i_o shall_v mention_v and_o which_o make_v the_o verdict_n of_o it_o so_o authentic_a be_v its_o great_a and_o rigorous_a impartiality_n for_o as_o its_o wonderful_a apprehensiveness_n make_v that_o it_o can_v not_o easy_o be_v deceive_v so_o this_o make_v that_o it_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n deceive_v a_o judge_n you_o know_v may_v be_v skilful_a in_o understand_v a_o cause_n and_o yet_o partial_a in_o give_v sentence_n but_o it_o be_v much_o otherwise_o with_o conscience_n no_o artifice_n can_v induce_v it_o to_o accuse_v the_o innocent_a or_o to_o absolve_v the_o guilty_a no_o we_o may_v as_o well_o bribe_v the_o light_n and_o the_o day_n to_o represent_v white_a thing_n black_a or_o black_a white_a what_o pitiful_a thing_n be_v power_n rhetoric_n or_o riches_n when_o they_o will_v terrify_v dissuade_v or_o buy_v off_o conscience_n from_o pronounce_v sentence_n according_a to_o the_o merit_n of_o a_o man_n action_n for_o still_o as_o we_o have_v show_v conscience_n be_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o though_o judge_n may_v be_v bribe_v or_o frighten_v yet_o law_n can_v the_o law_n be_v impartial_a and_o inflexible_a it_o have_v no_o passion_n or_o affection_n and_o consequent_o never_o accept_v person_n nor_o dispense_v with_o itself_o for_o let_v the_o most_o potent_a sinner_n upon_o earth_n speak_v out_o and_o tell_v we_o whether_o he_o can_v command_v down_o the_o clamour_n and_o revile_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n and_o impose_v silence_n upon_o that_o bold_a reprover_n he_o may_v perhaps_o for_o a_o while_n put_v on_o a_o high_a and_o a_o big_a look_v but_o can_v he_o for_o all_o that_o look_v conscience_n out_o of_o countenance_n and_o he_o may_v also_o dissemble_v a_o little_a force_a jollity_n that_o be_v he_o may_v court_v his_o mistress_n and_o quaff_v his_o cup_n and_o perhaps_o sprinkle_v they_o now_o and_o then_o with_o a_o few_o dammee_n but_o who_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n beside_o his_o own_o wretched_a miserable_a self_n know_v of_o those_o secret_n bitter_a infusion_n which_o that_o terrible_a thing_n call_v conscience_n make_v into_o all_o his_o draught_n believe_v it_o most_o of_o the_o appear_a mirth_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o mirth_n but_o art_n the_o wound_a spirit_n be_v not_o see_v but_o walk_v under_o a_o disguise_n and_o still_o the_o less_o you_o see_v of_o it_o the_o better_a it_o look_v on_o the_o contrary_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o virtuous_a person_n let_v he_o declare_v free_o whether_o ever_o his_o conscience_n check_v he_o for_o his_o innocence_n or_o upbraid_v he_o for_o a_o action_n of_o duty_n do_v it_o ever_o bestow_v any_o of_o its_o hide_a lash_n or_o conceal_v bite_v on_o a_o mind_n severe_o pure_a chaste_a and_o religious_a but_o when_o conscience_n shall_v complain_v cry_v out_o and_o recoil_v let_v a_o man_n descend_v into_o himself_o with_o too_o just_a a_o suspicion_n that_o all_o be_v not_o right_o within_o for_o sure_o that_o hue_n and_o cry_n be_v not_o raise_v upon_o he_o for_o nothing_o the_o spoil_n of_o a_o rifle_a innocence_n be_v bear_v away_o and_o the_o man_n have_v steal_v something_o from_o his_o own_o soul_n for_o which_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v pursue_v and_o will_v at_o last_o certain_o be_v over-took_a let_v every_o one_o therefore_o attend_v the_o sentence_n of_o his_o conscience_n for_o he_o may_v be_v sure_a it_o will_v not_o dawb_v nor_o flatter_v it_o be_v as_o severe_a as_o law_n as_o impartial_a as_o truth_n it_o will_v neither_o conceal_v nor_o pervert_v what_o it_o know_v and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o three_o of_o those_o four_o particular_n at_o first_o propose_v and_o show_v whence_o and_o upon_o what_o account_v it_o be_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n concern_v our_o 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 namely_o for_o that_o it_o be_v full_o empower_v and_o commission_v to_o this_o great_a office_n by_o god_n himself_o and_o withal_o that_o it_o be_v extreme_o quicksighted_n to_o apprehend_v and_o discern_v and_o moreover_o very_o tender_a and_o sensible_a of_o every_o thing_n that_o concern_v the_o soul_n and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v most_o exact_o and_o severe_o impartial_a in_o judge_v of_o whatsoever_o come_v before_o it_o every_o one_o of_o which_o qualification_n just_o contribute_v to_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sentence_n which_o shall_v be_v pass_v by_o it_o and_o so_o we_o be_v at_o length_n arrive_v at_o the_o four_o and_o last_o thing_n propose_v from_o the_o word_n which_o be_v to_o assign_v some_o particular_a case_n or_o instance_n in_o which_o this_o confidence_n towards_o god_n suggest_v by_o a_o right_o inform_v conscience_n do_v most_o eminent_o show_v and_o exert_v itself_o i_o shall_v mention_v three_o 1._o in_o our_o address_n to_o god_n by_o prayer_n when_o a_o man_n shall_v presume_v to_o come_v and_o place_n himself_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o great_a searcher_n of_o heart_n and_o to_o ask_v something_o of_o he_o while_o his_o conscience_n be_v all_o the_o while_n smite_v he_o on_o the_o face_n and_o tell_v he_o what_o a_o rebel_n and_o a_o traitor_n he_o be_v to_o the_o majesty_n which_o he_o supplicate_v sure_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v think_v with_o himself_o that_o the_o god_n who_o he_o pray_v to_o be_v great_a than_o his_o conscience_n and_o pierce_v into_o all_o the_o filth_n and_o baseness_n of_o his_o heart_n with_o a_o much_o clear_a and_o more_o severe_a inspection_n and_o if_o so_o will_v he_o not_o likewise_o resent_v the_o provocation_n more_o deep_o and_o revenge_v it_o upon_o he_o more_o terrible_o if_o repentance_n do_v not_o divert_v the_o blow_n every_o such_o prayer_n be_v big_a with_o impiety_n and_o contradiction_n and_o make_v as_o odious_a a_o noise_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o god_n as_o the_o harangue_n of_o one_o of_o those_o rebel_n fast_n or_o humiliation_n in_o the_o year_n forty_o one_o invoke_v the_o blessing_n of_o heaven_n upon_o such_o action_n and_o design_n as_o nothing_o but_o hell_n can_v reward_v one_o of_o the_o most_o peculiar_a qualification_n of_o a_o heart_n right_o dispose_v for_o prayer_n be_v a_o well_o ground_a confidence_n of_o a_o man_n fitness_n for_o that_o duty_n in_o heb._n 10._o 22._o let_v we_o draw_v near_o with_o a_o true_a heart_n in_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n say_v the_o apostle_n but_o whence_o must_v this_o assurance_n spring_n why_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o the_o very_a next_o word_n of_o the_o same_o verse_n have_v our_o heart_n sprinkle_v from_o a_o evil_a conscience_n otherwise_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o impure_a conscience_n will_v cry_v much_o loud_a than_o our_o prayer_n and_o speak_v more_o effectual_o against_o we_o than_o these_o can_v intercede_v for_o we_o and_o now_o if_o prayer_n be_v the_o great_a conduit_n of_o mercy_n by_o which_o the_o blessing_n of_o heaven_n be_v derive_v upon_o the_o creature_n and_o the_o noble_a instrument_n of_o converse_n between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n then_o sure_o that_o which_o render_v it_o ineffectual_a and_o loathsome_a to_o god_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o most_o mischievous_a and_o destructive_a consequence_n to_o mankind_n imaginable_a and_o consequent_o to_o be_v remove_v with_o all_o that_o earnestness_n and_o concern_v with_o which_o a_o man_n will_v rid_v himself_o of_o a_o plague_n or_o a_o moral_a infection_n for_o it_o taint_v and_o pollute_v every_o prayer_n it_o turn_v a_o oblation_n into_o a_o affront_n and_o the_o odour_n of_o a_o sacrifice_n into_o the_o exhalation_n of_o a_o carcase_n and_o in_o a_o word_n make_v the_o heaven_n over_o we_o brass_n deny_v all_o passage_n either_o to_o descend_v mercy_n or_o ascend_a petition_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n when_o a_o man_n breast_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o same_o heart_n which_o endite_v do_v also_o encourage_v his_o prayer_n when_o his_o innocence_n push_v on_o the_o attempt_n and_o vouch_v the_o success_n such_o a_o one_o go_v bold_o to_o
who_o per_fw-la fas_fw-la &_o nefas_fw-la get_v as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v but_o for_o all_o this_o let_v atheist_n and_o sensualist_n satisfy_v themselves_o as_o they_o be_v able_a the_o former_a of_o which_o will_v find_v that_o as_o long_o as_o reason_n keep_v her_o ground_n religion_n neither_o can_v nor_o will_v lose_v hers._fw-la and_o for_o the_o sensual_a epicure_n he_o also_o will_v find_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a live_a spark_n within_o he_o which_o all_o the_o drink_v he_o can_v pour_v in_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o quench_v or_o put_v out_o nor_o will_v his_o rot_a abuse_a body_n have_v it_o in_o its_o power_n to_o convey_v any_o putrefying_a consume_a rot_a quality_n to_o the_o soul_n no_o there_o be_v no_o drink_v or_o swear_v or_o rant_a or_o flux_v a_o soul_n out_o of_o its_o immortality_n but_o that_o must_v and_o will_v survive_v and_o abide_v in_o spite_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a and_o live_v for_o ever_o to_o convince_v such_o wretch_n to_o their_o eternal_a woe_n that_o the_o so_o much_o repeat_v ornament_n and_o flourish_n of_o their_o former_a speech_n god_n damn_v they_o be_v common_o the_o true_a word_n they_o speak_v though_o least_o believe_v by_o they_o while_o they_o speak_v it_o two_o the_o other_o thing_n deducible_a from_o the_o forego_n particular_n shall_v be_v to_o inform_v we_o of_o the_o way_n of_o attain_v to_o that_o excellent_a privilege_n so_o just_o value_v by_o those_o who_o have_v it_o and_o so_o much_o talk_v of_o by_o those_o who_o have_v it_o not_o which_o be_v assurance_n assurance_n be_v proper_o that_o persuasion_n or_o confidence_n which_o a_o man_n take_v up_o of_o the_o pardon_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o his_o interest_n in_o god_n favour_n upon_o such_o ground_n and_o term_n as_o the_o scripture_n lay_v down_o but_o now_o since_o the_o scripture_n promise_v eternal_a happiness_n and_o pardon_n of_o sin_n upon_o the_o sole_a condition_n of_o faith_n and_o sincere_a obedience_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o only_o can_v plead_v a_o title_n to_o such_o a_o pardon_n who_o conscience_n impartial_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v perform_v the_o require_a condition_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a rational_a assurance_n which_o a_o man_n can_v with_o any_o safety_n rely_v or_o rest_v himself_o upon_o he_o who_o in_o this_o case_n will_v believe_v sure_o must_v first_o walk_v sure_o and_o to_o do_v so_o be_v to_o walk_v upright_o and_o what_o that_o be_v we_o have_v sufficient_o mark_v out_o to_o we_o in_o those_o plain_a and_o legible_a line_n of_o duty_n require_v we_o to_o demean_v ourselves_o to_o god_n humble_o and_o devout_o to_o our_o governor_n obedient_o and_o to_o our_o neighbour_n just_o and_o to_o ourselves_o sober_o and_o temperate_o all_o other_o pretence_n be_v infinite_o vain_a in_o themselves_o and_o fatal_a in_o their_o consequence_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o way_n of_o many_o in_o the_o late_a time_n to_o bolster_v up_o their_o crazy_a dote_a conscience_n with_o i_o know_v not_o what_o odd_a confidence_n found_v upon_o inward_a whisper_n of_o the_o spirit_n story_n of_o something_o which_o they_o call_v conversion_n and_o mark_n of_o predestination_n all_o of_o they_o as_o they_o understand_v they_o mere_a delusion_n trifle_n and_o fig_n leave_v and_o such_o as_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o fall_v off_o and_o leave_v they_o naked_a before_o that_o fiery_a tribunal_n which_o know_v no_o other_o way_n of_o judge_a man_n but_o according_a to_o their_o work_n obedience_n and_o upright_o walk_v be_v such_o substantial_a vital_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o be_v want_v can_v never_o be_v make_v up_o or_o commute_v for_o by_o any_o formality_n of_o fantastic_a look_n or_o language_n and_o the_o great_a question_n when_o we_o come_v hereafter_o to_o be_v judge_v will_v not_o be_v how_o demure_o have_v you_o look_v or_o how_o bold_o have_v you_o believe_v with_o what_o length_n have_v you_o pray_v and_o with_o what_o loudness_n and_o vehemence_n have_v you_o preach_v but_o how_o holy_o have_v you_o live_v and_o how_o upright_o have_v you_o walk_v for_o this_o and_o this_o only_a with_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n will_v come_v into_o account_n before_o that_o great_a judge_n who_o will_v pass_v sentence_n upon_o every_o man_n according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v do_v here_o in_o the_o flesh_n whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o whether_o it_o be_v evil_a and_o there_o be_v no_o respect_n of_o person_n with_o he_o to_o who_o therefore_o be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o university_n at_o christ-church_n oxon._n 1664._o john_n xv._n 15._o henceforth_o i_o call_v you_o not_o servant_n for_o the_o servant_n know_v not_o what_o his_o lord_n do_v but_o i_o have_v call_v you_o friend_n for_o all_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o my_o father_n have_v i_o make_v know_v unto_o you_o we_o have_v here_o a_o account_n of_o christ_n friendship_n to_o his_o disciple_n that_o be_v we_o have_v the_o best_a of_o thing_n represent_v in_o the_o great_a of_o example_n in_o other_o man_n we_o see_v the_o excellency_n but_o in_o christ_n the_o divinity_n of_o friendship_n by_o our_o baptism_n and_o church-communion_n we_o be_v make_v one_o body_n with_o christ_n but_o by_o this_o we_o become_v one_o soul._n love_n be_v the_o great_a of_o humane_a affection_n and_o friendship_n be_v the_o noble_a and_o most_o refine_a improvement_n of_o love_n a_o quality_n of_o the_o large_a compass_n and_o it_o be_v here_o admirable_a to_o observe_v the_o ascend_a gradation_n of_o the_o love_n which_o christ_n bear_v to_o his_o disciple_n the_o strange_a and_o superlative_a greatness_n of_o which_o will_v appear_v from_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindness_n that_o it_o have_v manifest_v to_o man_n in_o the_o several_a period_n of_o his_o condition_n as_o 1_o st_z if_o we_o consider_v he_o antecedent_o to_o his_o creation_n while_o he_o yet_o lay_v in_o the_o barren_a womb_n of_o nothing_o and_o only_o in_o the_o number_n of_o possibility_n and_o consequent_o can_v have_v nothing_o to_o recommend_v he_o to_o christ_n affection_n nor_o show_v any_o thing_n lovely_a but_o what_o he_o shall_v afterward_o receive_v from_o the_o stamp_n of_o a_o prevent_a love_n yet_o even_o then_o do_v the_o love_n of_o christ_n begin_v to_o work_v and_o to_o commence_v in_o the_o first_o emanation_n and_o purpose_n of_o goodness_n towards_o man_n design_v to_o provide_v matter_n for_o itself_o to_o work_v upon_o to_o create_v its_o own_o object_n and_o like_o the_o sun_n in_o the_o production_n of_o some_o animal_n first_o to_o give_v a_o be_v and_o then_o to_o shine_v upon_o it_o two_o let_v we_o take_v the_o love_n of_o christ_n as_o direct_v itself_o to_o man_n actual_o create_v and_o bring_v into_o the_o world_n and_o so_o all_o those_o glorious_a endowment_n of_o humane_a nature_n in_o its_o original_a state_n and_o innocence_n be_v so_o many_o demonstration_n of_o the_o munificent_a goodness_n of_o he_o by_o who_o god_n first_o make_v as_o well_o as_o afterward_o redeem_v the_o world_n there_o be_v a_o consult_v of_o the_o whole_a trinity_n for_o the_o make_n of_o man_n that_o so_o he_o may_v shine_v as_o a_o masterpiece_n not_o only_o of_o the_o art_n but_o also_o of_o the_o kindness_n of_o his_o creator_n with_o a_o noble_a and_o a_o clear_a understanding_n a_o right_o dispose_v will_n and_o a_o train_n of_o affection_n regular_a and_o obsequious_a and_o perfect_o conformable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o that_o high_a and_o divine_a principle_n right_a reason_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n he_o step_v forth_o not_o only_o the_o work_n of_o god_n hand_n but_o also_o the_o copy_n of_o his_o perfection_n a_o kind_n of_o image_n or_o representation_n of_o the_o deity_n in_o small_a infinity_o contract_v into_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o as_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v the_o praeludium_n and_o first_o essay_n towards_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o 3_o and_o last_o let_v we_o look_v upon_o man_n not_o only_o as_o create_v and_o bring_v into_o the_o world_n with_o all_o these_o great_a advantage_n superad_v to_o his_o be_v but_o also_o as_o deprave_a and_o fall_v from_o they_o as_o a_o outlaw_n and_o a_o rebel_n and_o one_o that_o can_v plead_v a_o title_n to_o nothing_o but_o to_o the_o high_a severity_n of_o a_o sin-revenging_a justice_n yet_o even_o in_o this_o estate_n also_o the_o boundless_a love_n of_o christ_n begin_v to_o have_v warm_a thought_n and_o act_n towards_o so_o wretched_a a_o creature_n at_o this_o time_n not_o only_o not_o amiable_a but_o high_o odious_a while_o indeed_o man_n be_v yet_o uncreated_a and_o
a_o man_n such_o a_o faithful_a account_n of_o himself_o as_o shall_v never_o shame_v nor_o lurch_v the_o confidence_n which_o he_o shall_v take_v up_o from_o it_o nevertheless_o to_o prevent_v all_o mistake_n in_o so_o critical_a a_o case_n and_o so_o high_a a_o concern_v i_o shall_v close_v up_o the_o forego_n particular_n with_o this_o twofold_a caution_n first_o let_v no_o man_n think_v that_o every_o doubt_v or_o mis-giving_a about_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n over-throws_a the_o confidence_n hitherto_o speak_v of_o for_o as_o i_o show_v before_o the_o confidence_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n be_v not_o proper_o assurance_n but_o only_o a_o rational_a wellgrounded_n hope_n and_o therefore_o may_v very_o well_o consist_v with_o some_o return_v of_o doubt_v for_o we_o know_v in_o that_o pious_a and_o excellent_a confession_n and_o prayer_n make_v by_o the_o poor_a man_n to_o our_o saviour_n in_o mark_n 9_o 24._o ho_o in_o the_o very_a same_o breath_n in_o which_o he_o say_v lord_n i_o believe_v he_o say_v also_o lord_n help_v my_o unbelief_n so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o that_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o confidence_n will_v not_o secure_v we_o against_o all_o vicissitude_n of_o waver_a or_o distrust_n indeed_o no_o more_o than_o a_o strong_a athletic_a constitution_n of_o body_n will_v secure_v a_o man_n always_o against_o heat_n and_o cold_n and_o rheum_n and_o suchlike_a indisposition_n and_o one_o great_a reason_n of_o this_o be_v because_o such_o a_o faith_n or_o confidence_n as_o we_o have_v be_v treat_v of_o reside_v in_o the_o soul_n or_o conscience_n as_o a_o habit._n and_o habit_n we_o know_v be_v by_o no_o mean_n either_o inconsistent_a with_o or_o destroy_v by_o every_o contrary_a act._n but_o especial_o in_o the_o case_n now_o before_o we_o where_o the_o truth_n and_o strength_n of_o our_o confidence_n towards_o god_n do_v not_o consist_v so_o much_o in_o the_o present_a act_n by_o which_o it_o exert_v itself_o no_o nor_o yet_o in_o the_o habit_n produce_v this_o act_n as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o ground_n or_o reason_n which_o this_o confidence_n be_v build_v upon_o which_o be_v the_o stand_a sincerity_n of_o a_o man_n heart_n though_o the_o present_a act_n be_v interrupt_v as_o no_o doubt_n through_o infirmity_n or_o temptation_n it_o may_v be_v very_o often_o yet_o so_o long_o as_o that_o sincerity_n upon_o which_o this_o confidence_n be_v first_o found_v do_v continue_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o temptation_n be_v remove_v and_o go_v the_o forementioned_a faith_n or_o affiance_n will_n by_o renew_v vigorous_a and_o fresh_a act_n recover_v and_o exert_v itself_o and_o with_o great_a comfort_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o mind_n give_v a_o man_n confidence_n towards_o god_n which_o though_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o low_a and_o a_o lesser_a thing_n than_o assurance_n yet_o as_o to_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o a_o pious_a life_n may_v for_o aught_o i_o see_v prove_v much_o more_o useful_a as_o both_o afford_v a_o man_n due_a comfort_n and_o yet_o leave_v room_n for_o due_a caution_n too_o which_o be_v two_o of_o the_o principal_n use_v that_o religion_n serve_v for_o in_o this_o world_n 2._o the_o other_o caution_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o forego_n discourse_n be_v this_o let_v no_o man_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v reckon_v a_o bare_a silence_n of_o conscience_n in_o not_o accuse_v or_o disturb_v he_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n for_o confidence_n towards_o god_n for_o such_o a_o silence_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v always_o so_o that_o it_o be_v usual_o worse_a than_o the_o fierce_a and_o loud_a accusation_n since_o it_o may_v and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n do_v proceed_v from_o a_o kind_n of_o numbness_n or_o stupidity_n of_o conscience_n and_o a_o absolute_a dominion_n obtain_v by_o sin_n over_o the_o soul_n so_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o dare_v to_o complain_v or_o make_v a_o stir_n for_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v luke_n 11._o 21._o while_n the_o strong_a man_n arm_v keep_v his_o palace_n his_o good_n be_v in_o peace_n so_o while_o sin_n rule_v and_o govern_v with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o have_v whole_o subdue_v the_o conscience_n to_o a_o slavish_a subjection_n to_o its_o tyrannical_a yoke_n the_o soul_n shall_v be_v at_o peace_n such_o a_o false_a peace_n as_o it_o be_v but_o for_o that_o very_a cause_n worse_o a_o great_a deal_n and_o more_o destructive_a than_o when_o by_o continual_a alarm_n and_o assault_n it_o give_v a_o man_n neither_o peace_n nor_o truce_n quiet_n nor_o intermission_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o text_n express_v the_o sound_a estate_n of_o the_o heart_n or_o the_o conscience_n here_o speak_v of_o not_o bare_o by_o its_o not_o accuse_v but_o by_o it_o be_v not_o condemn_v we_o which_o word_n import_v proper_o a_o acquitment_n or_o discharge_v of_o a_o man_n upon_o some_o precedent_a accusation_n and_o a_o full_a trial_n and_o cognizance_n of_o his_o cause_n have_v thereupon_o for_o as_o condemnation_n be_v a_o law_n term_n and_o so_o relate_v to_o the_o judicial_a proceed_n of_o law_n court_n must_v still_o pre-suppose_a a_o hear_n of_o the_o cause_n before_o any_o sentence_n can_v pass_v so_o likewise_o in_o the_o court_n of_o conscience_n there_o must_v be_v a_o strict_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o all_o a_o man_n action_n and_o a_o through_o heave_v of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v plead_v for_o and_o against_o he_o before_o conscience_n can_v rational_o either_o condemn_v or_o discharge_v he_o and_o if_o indeed_o upon_o such_o a_o fair_a and_o full_a trial_n he_o can_v come_v off_o he_o be_v then_o rectus_n in_o curiâ_fw-la clear_a and_o innocent_a and_o consequent_o may_v reap_v all_o that_o satisfaction_n from_o himself_o which_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o innocence_n to_o afford_v the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o i_o do_v not_o here_o speak_v of_o a_o legal_a innocence_n none_o but_o sot_n and_o quaker_n dream_n of_o such_o thing_n for_o as_o st._n paul_n say_v galat._n 2._o 16._o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v no_o flesh_n live_v be_v justify_v but_o i_o speak_v of_o a_o evangelical_n innocence_n such_o a_o one_o as_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n accept_v whatsoever_o the_o law_n enjoin_v and_o though_o mingle_a with_o several_a infirmity_n and_o defect_n yet_o amount_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n of_o righteousness_n as_o we_o call_v sincerity_n and_o whosoever_o have_v this_o shall_v never_o be_v damn_v for_o want_v of_o the_o other_o and_o now_o how_o vast_o do_v it_o concern_v all_o those_o who_o shall_v think_v it_o worth_a their_o while_n to_o be_v in_o earnest_n with_o their_o immortal_a soul_n not_o to_o abuse_v and_o delude_v themselves_o with_o a_o false_a confidence_n a_o thing_n so_o easy_o take_v up_o and_o so_o hardly_o lay_v down_o let_v no_o man_n conclude_v because_o his_o conscience_n say_v nothing_o to_o he_o that_o therefore_o it_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v possible_o some_o never_a so_o much_o as_o doubt_v of_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n in_o all_o their_o life_n and_o if_o so_o let_v they_o not_o flatter_v themselves_o but_o rest_v assure_v that_o they_o have_v so_o much_o the_o more_o reason_n a_o great_a deal_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o now_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o profound_a stillness_n be_v general_o gross_a ignorance_n or_o long_a custom_n of_o sin_v or_o both_o and_o these_o be_v very_o dreadful_a symptom_n indeed_o to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o hell_n and_o damnation-proof_n when_o a_o man_n wound_n cease_v to_o smart_v only_o because_o he_o have_v lose_v his_o feel_n they_o be_v never_o the_o less_o mortal_a for_o his_o not_o see_v his_o need_n of_o a_o chirurgeon_n it_o be_v not_o mere_a actual_a present_a ease_n but_o ease_n after_o pain_n which_o bring_v the_o most_o durable_a and_o solid_a comfort_n acquitment_n before_o trial_n can_v be_v no_o security_n great_a and_o strange_a calm_v usual_o portend_v and_o go_v before_o the_o most_o violent_a storm_n and_o therefore_o since_o storm_n and_o calm_n especial_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n do_v always_o follow_v one_o another_o certain_o of_o the_o two_o it_o be_v much_o more_o eligible_a to_o have_v the_o storm_n first_o and_o the_o calm_a afterward_o since_o a_o calm_a before_o a_o storm_n be_v common_o a_o peace_n of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o make_v but_o a_o calm_a after_o a_o storm_n a_o peace_n of_o god_n to_o which_o god_n who_o only_o can_v speak_v such_o peace_n to_o we_o as_o neither_o the_o world_n not_o the_o devil_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o take_v from_o we_o be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_o a_o further_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n