devil_n fear_v not_o the_o sword_n or_o gun_n but_o this_o spiritual_a weapon_n will_v overthrow_v he_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o point_n their_o affliction_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o person_n some_o of_o you_o not_o all_o but_o some_o of_o they_o three_o by_o the_o kind_n of_o affliction_n imprisonment_n he_o shall_v not_o kill_v or_o destroy_v you_o but_o imprison_v you_o and_o some_o of_o you_o not_o all_o of_o you_o four_o the_o end_n to_o try_v you_o that_o your_o hope_n faith_n patience_n and_o other_o grace_n may_v be_v make_v know_v to_o yourselves_o and_o other_o in_o all_o these_o we_o note_v that_o god_n providence_n be_v the_o first_o and_o general_a cause_n above_o all_o cause_n overrule_a order_v and_o dispose_v they_o in_o this_o providence_n he_o use_v two_o instrument_n good_a as_o good_a angel_n and_o regenerate_a man_n and_o he_o work_v in_o and_o by_o these_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o in_o these_o there_o be_v a_o good_a order_n no_o disorder_n the_o 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providence_n use_v wicked_a instrument_n be_v that_o the_o lord_n turn_v all_o to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o child_n the_o devil_n in_o afflict_v they_o purpose_v their_o destruction_n but_o the_o lord_n turn_v it_o to_o their_o good_a to_o prove_v they_o and_o try_v the_o virtue_n and_o grace_n of_o their_o heart_n as_o their_o faith_n hope_n love_n patience_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o only_o restrain_v their_o malice_n but_o turn_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o people_n 1._o now_o we_o shall_v often_o think_v of_o this_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o for_o ever_o bless_v his_o name_n for_o the_o same_o see_v he_o overrule_v the_o wicked_a instrument_n he_o restrain_v their_o malice_n he_o use_v they_o for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o child_n and_o consider_v of_o this_o it_o shall_v make_v we_o to_o renounce_v ourselves_o to_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o his_o protection_n make_v his_o providence_n our_o sure_a defence_n and_o safeguard_n in_o all_o our_o temptation_n and_o see_v the_o end_n of_o their_o affliction_n be_v to_o try_v they_o 2._o we_o must_v all_o first_o labour_n to_o have_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n not_o only_o in_o outward_a show_n and_o formal_a profession_n but_o to_o feel_v the_o power_n of_o it_o true_o in_o our_o heart_n for_o the_o lord_n will_v try_v we_o as_o gold_n in_o the_o fire_n the_o lord_n will_v cast_v we_o into_o the_o fire_n of_o affliction_n to_o prove_v we_o whether_o we_o be_v pure_a gold_n whether_o we_o have_v pure_a faith_n unfeigned_a repentance_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n or_o not_o these_o will_v abide_v the_o fire_n and_o not_o burn_v when_o formal_a show_n of_o godliness_n will_n 2._o see_v affliction_n be_v to_o try_v we_o we_o must_v rejoice_v and_o think_v tribulation_n a_o great_a blessing_n i_o be_o 1._o think_v it_o exceed_v joy_n to_o fall_v into_o temptation_n for_o by_o affliction_n our_o grace_n be_v make_v manifest_a to_o ourselves_o and_o to_o the_o world_n the_o five_o circumstance_n be_v the_o time_n for_o ten_o day_n some_o understand_v by_o this_o a_o long_a time_n as_o gen._n 31._o 41_o laban_n change_v jacob_n wage_n ten_o time_n that_o be_v many_o time_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o here_o for_o christ_n speak_v that_o to_o comfort_v they_o now_o what_o comfort_n be_v this_o to_o be_v long_o in_o affliction_n other_o think_v that_o by_o ten_o day_n ten_o year_n be_v mean_v and_o that_o because_o it_o be_v often_o in_o scripture_n so_o use_v see_v there_o be_v a_o week_n of_o year_n as_o well_o as_o of_o day_n but_o that_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v in_o persecution_n so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o then_o i_o take_v it_o by_o ten_o day_n be_v mean_v a_o very_a short_a time_n a_o little_a space_n of_o time_n and_o this_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n and_o the_o purpose_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v to_o comfort_v the_o church_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v think_v not_o thy_o affliction_n to_o be_v long_o for_o it_o be_v but_o for_o ten_o day_n a_o short_a time_n in_o which_o word_n note_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o affliction_n of_o god_n church_n be_v for_o a_o certain_a time_n a_o time_n decree_v and_o set_v down_o by_o god_n that_o can_v be_v shorten_v or_o make_v long_o so_o the_o lord_n tell_v abraham_n that_o the_o israelite_n shall_v be_v in_o captivity_n and_o affliction_n 430._o year_n and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v for_o they_o be_v in_o affliction_n especial_o in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n 430._o year_n but_o so_o soon_o as_o that_o time_n be_v expire_v the_o same_o night_n be_v they_o deliver_v so_o daniel_n for_o the_o space_n of_o threescore_o and_o ten_o year_n captivity_n pray_v not_o to_o the_o lord_n for_o deliverance_n for_o he_o know_v the_o time_n be_v certain_a and_o can_v not_o be_v change_v and_o therefore_o be_v patient_a but_o when_o that_o time_n draw_v to_o a_o end_n than_o he_o pray_v for_o deliverance_n and_o the_o lord_n hear_v his_o prayer_n this_o shall_v teach_v we_o in_o affliction_n to_o be_v patient_a and_o to_o seek_v to_o arm_v ourselves_o with_o patience_n see_v the_o time_n of_o our_o affliction_n be_v certain_a and_o can_v be_v make_v short_a or_o long_o we_o can_v be_v deliver_v till_o the_o whole_a time_n be_v expire_v second_o note_v that_o the_o affliction_n of_o god_n church_n and_o child_n be_v but_o for_o ten_o day_n a_o very_a short_a space_n of_o time_n in_o respect_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o be_v a_o notable_a comfort_n to_o any_o in_o the_o cross_n and_o persecution_n see_v the_o lord_n will_v put_v a_o end_n to_o it_o it_o shall_v be_v but_o for_o ten_o day_n a_o short_a time_n as_o paul_n teach_v 2._o cor._n 4._o 17._o but_o yet_o there_o be_v more_o to_o be_v note_v in_o these_o word_n every_o word_n contain_v a_o argument_n of_o comfort_n for_o the_o church_n for_o first_o the_o author_n of_o affliction_n be_v the_o devil_n he_o cause_v they_o now_o fear_v not_o he_o for_o he_o be_v god_n enemy_n therefore_o thou_o be_v his_o enemy_n have_v god_n for_o thy_o friend_n and_o then_o what_o can_v he_o do_v to_o thou_o to_o hurt_v thou_o for_o they_o which_o have_v he_o their_o enemy_n their_o cause_n be_v good_a second_o he_o shall_v not_o afflict_v all_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o some_o of_o you_o a_o few_o of_o they_o the_o lord_n restrain_v his_o malice_n he_o can_v do_v his_o wil._n three_o he_o can_v kill_v or_o destroy_v they_o but_o only_o afflict_v their_o body_n four_o he_o shall_v not_o do_v that_o to_o their_o destruction_n as_o he_o will_v but_o the_o lord_n turn_v it_o to_o try_v they_o for_o their_o good_a so_o this_o affliction_n it_o shall_v not_o last_v always_o but_o for_o ten_o day_n a_o very_a short_a time_n why_o then_o shall_v you_o fear_v let_v not_o fear_v overcome_v your_o heart_n be_v not_o discourage_v but_o take_v christ_n fortitude_n and_o courage_n lay_v aside_o all_o fear_n and_o undergo_v manful_o all_o danger_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n the_o three_o part_n of_o christ_n counsel_n be_v another_o precept_n which_o contain_v a_o most_o bless_a and_o heavenly_a counsel_n be_v thou_o faithful_a the_o child_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v faithful_a in_o regard_n of_o god_n and_o that_o fidelity_n they_o owe_v to_o he_o first_o by_o promise_n make_v to_o he_o in_o baptism_n for_o in_o that_o sacrament_n god_n promise_v to_o his_o child_n christ_n with_o all_o his_o benefit_n and_o the_o child_n of_o god_n promise_v and_o make_v this_o stipulation_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v renounce_v himself_o and_o in_o death_n and_o life_n rely_v only_o on_o christ._n now_o
deal_v with_o abraham_n command_v he_o to_o kill_v his_o son_n gen._n 22._o 2._o chron._n 32._o 31._o he_o leave_v hezechiah_n to_o try_v he_o and_o so_o every_o christian_a have_v his_o set_a time_n when_o he_o must_v be_v try_v that_o so_o god_n may_v either_o discover_v his_o hypocrisy_n or_o make_v know_v his_o faith_n when_o one_o found_v a_o school_n he_o set_v some_o to_o see_v how_o they_o profit_v after_o seven_o year_n or_o some_o such_o space_n he_o will_v look_v to_o try_v the_o scholar_n that_o he_o may_v see_v how_o they_o go_v on_o and_o without_o this_o trial_n man_n will_v not_o make_v so_o good_a progress_n so_o in_o god_n school_n the_o lord_n he_o come_v at_o his_o set_a time_n to_o try_v what_o profit_n man_n have_v make_v to_o try_v their_o heart_n or_o true_a obedience_n to_o reward_v they_o according_o if_o god_n will_v thus_o try_v we_o use_v than_o it_o be_v best_o to_o try_v ourselves_o to_o seek_v what_o be_v in_o we_o for_o though_o thou_o may_v blear_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o thou_o can_v not_o deceive_v he_o he_o will_v search_v thou_o and_o lay_v all_o open_a to_o the_o world_n if_o thou_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n he_o will_v detect_v thou_o and_o make_v thou_o know_v if_o not_o he_o will_v make_v know_v thy_o grace_n then_o never_o daub_v up_o the_o matter_n spare_v not_o thyself_o but_o serious_o enter_v into_o thy_o own_o heart_n and_o never_o run_v with_o adam_n from_o god_n for_o he_o will_v pull_v thou_o out_o slip_v off_o thy_o fig_n leave_v and_o make_v thou_o manifest_v to_o all_o man_n now_o when_o we_o have_v enter_v into_o a_o narrow_a search_n we_o must_v in_o a_o strait_a manner_n seek_v to_o reform_v our_o life_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n that_o so_o the_o lord_n when_o he_o come_v to_o try_v we_o may_v approve_v of_o we_o for_o it_o be_v say_v he_o will_v come_v the_o time_n be_v set_v and_o can_v be_v change_v it_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o see_v how_o man_n mouth_n be_v full_a of_o preciseness_n so_o that_o if_o man_n know_v not_o the_o world_n to_o be_v full_a of_o blindness_n it_o may_v daunt_v many_o christian_a heart_n but_o see_v there_o must_v be_v a_o day_n of_o trial_n of_o all_o that_o be_v in_o we_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o take_v our_o hypocrisy_n but_o he_o look_v for_o sincerity_n then_o we_o must_v seek_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a to_o conform_v ourselves_o to_o god_n will_v for_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o we_o can_v we_o come_v far_o short_a and_o though_o man_n mock_v we_o yet_o god_n will_v approve_v us._n then_o labour_v to_o be_v pure_a in_o all_o thing_n without_o hypocrisy_n not_o give_v to_o any_o one_o sin_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n word_n deed_n and_o thought_n keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v not_o like_a to_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n have_v not_o blaze_v lamp_n without_o oil_n if_o a_o man_n come_v to_o try_v a_o scholar_n in_o a_o good_a school_n and_o after_o long_a teach_n find_v he_o not_o to_o have_v profit_v it_o be_v a_o great_a disgrace_n they_o what_o disgrace_n be_v it_o for_o we_o if_o after_o so_o long_a time_n of_o grace_n christ_n come_v to_o try_v we_o and_o find_v no_o grace_n in_o we_o no_o faith_n repentance_n nor_o obedience_n but_o hypocrisy_n and_o nothing_o answerable_a to_o our_o profession_n but_o we_o must_v with_o david_n psal._n 26._o be_v so_o upright_o that_o for_o sincerity_n of_o heart_n we_o will_v be_v content_a to_o have_v the_o lord_n to_o try_v we_o be_v not_o give_v to_o any_o sin_n nor_o taint_v with_o any_o offence_n i_o will_v save_v they_o but_o how_o can_v this_o be_v see_v no_o church_n be_v free_a from_o this_o general_a persecution_n of_o trajan_n for_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v all_o persecute_v now_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n how_o then_o do_v christ_n save_v they_o see_v they_o be_v persecute_v grievous_o and_o it_o may_v be_v put_v to_o death_n many_o of_o they_o ans._n promise_v of_o deliverance_n as_o this_o be_v be_v not_o simple_o make_v but_o with_o condition_n i_o will_v deliver_v thou_o that_o be_v save_v thou_o from_o temptation_n and_o persecution_n so_o far_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v hurtful_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o thou_o christ_n promise_v freedom_n not_o simple_o from_o persecution_n but_o from_o the_o hurt_n which_o may_v come_v thereby_o to_o they_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n grace_n and_o their_o salvation_n ps._n 91._o he_o which_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n the_o plague_n shall_v not_o come_v nigh_o his_o dwell_n yet_o we_o see_v in_o common_a plague_n as_o well_o the_o godly_a as_o the_o wicked_a die_v yet_o it_o be_v a_o true_a promise_n that_o the_o plague_n shall_v not_o come_v nigh_o he_o to_o hurt_v he_o or_o he_o to_o hinder_v any_o man_n salvation_n and_o we_o pray_v lead_v we_o not_o into_o temptation_n not_o to_o be_v free_a from_o all_o temptation_n but_o that_o we_o be_v not_o whole_o leave_v of_o god_n unto_o the_o devil_n but_o though_o we_o be_v tempt_v that_o he_o will_v deliver_v we_o from_o the_o evil_a of_o the_o temptation_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o our_o profit_n and_o not_o our_o hurt_n 1._o and_o so_o christ_n promise_n be_v good_a to_o they_o god_n will_v have_v his_o child_n tempt_v yet_o here_o be_v their_o comfort_n he_o will_v keep_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v any_o hurt_n by_o the_o temptation_n to_o hinder_v his_o grace_n or_o their_o salvation_n though_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o temptation_n and_o suffer_v a_o thousand_o cross_n yea_o die_v in_o they_o yet_o if_o they_o keep_v the_o faith_n they_o shall_v take_v no_o hurt_n but_o the_o lord_n will_v turn_v they_o to_o their_o good_a so_o that_o this_o may_v comfort_v and_o revive_v any_o perplex_a and_o oppress_a conscience_n in_o persecution_n and_o temptation_n again_o see_v this_o promise_n be_v only_o conditional_a and_o not_o simple_a but_o as_o it_o free_v we_o from_o the_o hurt_n of_o the_o temptation_n we_o see_v they_o which_o pray_v for_o freedom_n from_o all_o temptation_n affliction_n and_o persecution_n have_v no_o warrant_n out_o of_o god_n word_n if_o they_o put_v not_o in_o that_o caveat_n for_o every_o petition_n must_v have_v a_o promise_n in_o the_o word_n 2._o now_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v free_a from_o all_o temptation_n but_o only_o from_o the_o hurt_n of_o temptation_n &_o affliction_n then_o we_o must_v when_o we_o pray_v for_o temporal_a deliverance_n pray_v only_o with_o condition_n so_o far_o as_o they_o shall_v not_o hurt_v our_o salvation_n and_o hinder_v god_n grace_n in_o us._n from_o the_o hour_n of_o temptation_n but_o how_o can_v this_o also_o be_v true_a that_o the_o long_a and_o bloody_a persecution_n under_o trajan_n for_o fourteen_o year_n shall_v be_v call_v but_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n ans._n first_o in_o regard_n of_o god_n to_o who_o a_o thousand_o year_n be_v but_o as_o one_o day_n therefore_o fourteen_o year_n be_v but_o a_o short_a time_n second_o in_o regard_n of_o eternal_a punishment_n in_o hell_n which_o we_o deserve_v this_o time_n of_o persecution_n be_v but_o a_o short_a time_n three_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o god_n people_n jacob_n serve_v twice_o seven_o year_n for_o leah_n and_o they_o seem_v a_o short_a time_n to_o he_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o affection_n to_o she_o so_o the_o affection_n that_o god_n people_n have_v to_o the_o lord_n to_o his_o word_n and_o religion_n make_v they_o think_v many_o year_n persecution_n a_o short_a time_n paul_n for_o his_o affection_n and_o love_n to_o christ_n think_v eternal_a damnation_n but_o a_o year_n a_o short_a time_n so_o these_o in_o this_o church_n think_v this_o long_a and_o bloody_a persecution_n a_o short_a time_n a_o hour_n for_o that_o love_n they_o have_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o for_o this_o affection_n can_v have_v be_v content_a to_o suffer_v it_o long_o the_o end_n why_o christ_n use_v this_o phrase_n be_v to_o comfort_v this_o and_o all_o other_o church_n in_o persecution_n by_o the_o shortness_n of_o their_o continuance_n which_o be_v but_o a_o hour_n a_o short_a time_n now_o though_o they_o last_v twenty_o year_n yet_o if_o we_o have_v any_o affection_n to_o god_n glory_n and_o to_o his_o religion_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o hour_n a_o short_a time_n this_o consideration_n of_o the_o shortness_n of_o time_n may_v encourage_v any_o man_n and_o arm_v he_o to_o endure_v any_o persecution_n cross_n or_o affliction_n beside_o this_o which_o i_o have_v say_v note_v that_o in_o these_o word_n there_o be_v a_o prediction_n there_o be_v a_o prediction_n of_o a_o
accurse_v that_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v save_v 3._o again_o they_o urge_v if_o the_o righteous_a turn_n from_o his_o righteousness_n he_o shall_v die_v ergo_fw-la a_o righteous_a man_n may_v perish_v to_o these_o word_n i_o answer_v 9_o there_o be_v a_o double_a righteousness_n one_o of_o the_o outward_a action_n another_o of_o the_o person_n the_o first_o be_v when_o a_o man_n keep_v the_o whole_a law_n outward_o in_o respect_n of_o man_n the_o second_o in_o that_o a_o man_n person_n be_v righteous_a by_o christ_n righteousness_n before_o god_n a_o man_n may_v have_v the_o first_o and_o yet_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n and_o so_o it_o be_v mean_v here_o of_o the_o first_o not_o of_o the_o second_o by_o which_o man_n be_v in_o deed_n righteous_a before_o god_n ans._n 2._o it_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o they_o which_o esteem_v themselves_o righteous_a they_o plead_v that_o their_o father_n sin_v &_o they_o be_v punish_v so_o that_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v just_a but_o be_v not_o so_o indeed_o another_o place_n be_v luke_n 8._o 13._o there_o be_v some_o which_o believe_v for_o a_o time_n ans._n there_o be_v three_o kind_n of_o faith_n as_o also_o of_o believer_n historical_a temporal_a and_o true_a save_v faith_n in_o the_o first_o be_v knowledge_n &_o assent_n to_o the_o word_n yet_o no_o great_a joy_n or_o rejoice_v in_o the_o second_o be_v also_o join_a joy_n and_o rejoice_v to_o the_o assent_n with_o approbation_n but_o in_o save_v faith_n there_o be_v also_o apprehension_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o ourselves_o which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o other_o now_o as_o of_o faith_n so_o of_o believer_n there_o be_v three_o kind_n one_o which_o know_v the_o word_n and_o give_v assent_v to_o it_o yet_o have_v no_o great_a love_n or_o like_n of_o it_o the_o second_o he_o love_v it_o rejoice_v in_o it_o but_o apprehend_v not_o the_o promise_n but_o the_o three_o he_o believe_v love_v and_o apprehend_v the_o promise_n now_o the_o two_o first_o may_v fall_v away_o but_o the_o last_o can_v fall_v away_o and_o luke_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o two_o first_o not_o of_o the_o last_o but_o they_o object_n and_o say_v there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o one_o faith_n therefore_o all_o faith_n be_v one_o phil._n 4._o answ._n that_o be_v there_o be_v but_o one_o faith_n one_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n and_o one_o religion_n so_o faith_n be_v use_v in_o the_o word_n and_o so_o it_o must_v be_v here_o understand_v second_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o example_n as_o first_o of_o adam_n second_o of_o david_n adam_n he_o have_v grace_n sufficient_a yet_o he_o in_o his_o innocence_n fall_v from_o god_n therefore_o much_o more_o we_o which_o have_v not_o so_o much_o grace_n as_o he_o have_v ans._n though_o he_o have_v great_a measure_n of_o grace_n yet_o we_o have_v more_o certain_a and_o sure_a privilege_n of_o grace_n than_o he_o have_v first_o he_o have_v his_o grace_n by_o creation_n we_o by_o redemption_n which_o be_v great_a than_o creation_n second_o he_o have_v the_o first_o grace_n not_o the_o second_o but_o we_o have_v the_o first_o grace_n and_o the_o second_o too_o by_o promise_n which_o preserve_v we_o in_o the_o first_o grace_n phil._n 1._o 6._o 2._o thes._n 1._o the_o lord_n be_v faithful_a to_o establish_v we_o &_o to_o keep_v we_o from_o evil_a god_n give_v the_o first_o grace_n to_o believe_v and_o repent_v and_o the_o second_o to_o make_v we_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o they_o object_n david_n fall_v from_o grace_n by_o two_o great_a sin_n one_o of_o adultery_n the_o other_o of_o pride_n answ._n he_o fall_v grievous_o and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v sore_o decay_v weaken_a and_o wound_v in_o he_o not_o clean_o extinguish_v for_o than_o he_o shall_v have_v contemn_v god_n his_o word_n and_o religion_n &_o despair_v of_o mercy_n which_o he_o do_v not_o this_o show_v he_o have_v the_o remnant_n of_o grace_n in_o his_o heart_n still_o though_o weaken_a and_o wound_v ob._n 1._o but_o he_o pray_v god_n to_o create_v in_o he_o a_o new_a heart_n psal._n 51._o therefore_o he_o have_v clean_o lose_v grace_n answ._n david_n speak_v there_o as_o he_o feel_v himself_o not_o as_o he_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o god_n for_o he_o feel_v in_o his_o conscience_n much_o trouble_n and_o god_n wrath_n against_o he_o 2._o ob._n but_o he_o repent_v not_o of_o a_o whole_a year_n now_o no_o repentance_n no_o pardon_n and_o no_o pardon_n no_o grace_n answ._n the_o gift_n of_o repentance_n be_v in_o he_o when_o he_o fall_v and_o after_o but_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o show_v itself_o not_o till_o that_o time_n that_o the_o prophet_n come_v to_o he_o he_o want_v not_o repentance_n simple_o but_o new_a repentance_n in_o practice_n for_o that_o fact_n their_o three_o argument_n be_v from_o equity_n of_o nature_n &_o common_a reason_n a_o child_n of_o god_n may_v become_v the_o member_n of_o a_o harlot_n now_o one_o can_v be_v the_o member_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o devil_n therefore_o a_o man_n may_v fall_v final_o ans._n there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o member_n a_o dead_a a_o decay_a and_o a_o lively_a member_n the_o first_o be_v as_o a_o leg_n of_o wood_n or_o brass_n the_o second_o as_o a_o arm_n or_o leg_n take_v with_o a_o palsy_n the_o three_o a_o move_a and_o lively_a member_n as_o a_o hand_n sound_n and_o ready_a to_o move_v so_o in_o christ_n there_o be_v a_o dead_a member_n which_o be_v only_o in_o show_n not_o in_o deed_n second_o a_o member_n decay_a die_v but_o not_o dead_a as_o a_o man_n by_o sin_n take_v with_o a_o spiritual_a palsy_n which_o can_v not_o feel_v grace_n flow_v from_o christ_n three_o a_o lively_a member_n which_o feel_v and_o live_v in_o christ._n now_o a_o lively_a member_n of_o christ_n can_v not_o be_v the_o member_n of_o a_o harlot_n but_o a_o decay_a member_n which_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n between_o dead_a and_o alive_a that_o be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o member_n of_o a_o harlot_n but_o be_v not_o dead_a but_o die_v shall_v be_v quicken_v again_o so_o a_o man_n be_v make_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n spiritual_o but_o the_o member_n of_o a_o harlot_n by_o carnal_a manner_n they_o say_v further_o if_o that_o man_n be_v so_o certain_a of_o their_o salvation_n that_o they_o can_v fall_v away_o than_o this_o show_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o word_n no_o need_n of_o preach_v and_o exhortation_n ans._n though_o a_o man_n be_v certain_a he_o can_v fall_v away_o yet_o preach_v and_o exhort_v have_v their_o use_n not_o only_o to_o work_v grace_n but_o also_o to_o make_v man_n constant_a in_o grace_n and_o to_o persevere_v to_o the_o end_n and_o though_o a_o man_n be_v certain_a of_o his_o salvation_n yet_o he_o must_v use_v the_o mean_n paul_n act._n 28._o he_o know_v that_o not_o one_o in_o the_o ship_n shall_v perish_v yet_o there_o must_v not_o one_o go_v out_o of_o the_o ship_n isaiah_n 38_o tell_v hezechiah_n he_o shall_v recover_v but_o he_o must_v use_v the_o mean_n and_o so_o he_o do_v but_o say_v they_o this_o doctrine_n maintain_v gross_a security_n to_o teach_v that_o man_n be_v sure_a they_o can_v fall_v ans._n there_o be_v a_o double_a security_n one_o of_o the_o flesh_n when_o a_o man_n give_v himself_o to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n of_o this_o world_n have_v no_o care_n or_o conscience_n of_o his_o own_o salvation_n second_o there_o be_v a_o security_n of_o faith_n when_o one_o rely_v whole_o on_o christ_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o salvation_n now_o see_v that_o doctrine_n maintain_v security_n not_o of_o the_o flesh_n but_o a_o spiritual_a security_n of_o faith_n and_o peace_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v dislike_v for_o it_o be_v a_o man_n chief_a felicity_n when_o a_o man_n in_o life_n and_o death_n rely_v whole_o on_o christ._n thus_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o question_n be_v that_o a_o true_a believer_n can_v loose_v faith_n nor_o fall_v away_o from_o grace_n whole_o or_o final_o but_o in_o part_n and_o for_o a_o time_n see_v this_o decay_n of_o love_n be_v in_o this_o famous_a church_n found_v and_o preserve_v by_o the_o apostle_n 1_o then_o much_o more_o be_v it_o rife_o in_o our_o church_n see_v we_o have_v not_o the_o like_a measure_n of_o grace_n that_o they_o have_v then_o we_o must_v look_v to_o ourselves_o see_v how_o we_o decay_v in_o love_n to_o god_n and_o to_o our_o neighbour_n if_o we_o do_v than_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o after_o long_a profession_n we_o have_v decay_v much_o in_o love_n and_o if_o we_o can_v excuse_v ourselves_o yet_o take_v heed_n of_o it_o for_o see_v this_o famous_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o it_o it_o can_v be_v but_o we_o
etc._n the_o common_a people_n be_v of_o the_o pharisy_n and_o justiciaries_n mind_n that_o they_o need_v no_o repentance_n see_v they_o live_v civil_o not_o taint_v with_o horrible_a and_o gross_a sin_n but_o we_o must_v repent_v for_o other_o sin_n as_o want_v of_o knowledge_n love_n obedience_n &c_n &c_n otherwise_o we_o can_v true_o repent_v now_o if_o we_o must_v repent_v of_o all_o sin_n much_o more_o of_o notorious_a sin_n as_o of_o atheism_n which_o now_o abound_v and_o spread_v abroad_o of_o pride_n in_o apparel_n contempt_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o increase_v in_o all_o place_n for_o want_n of_o mercy_n for_o cruelty_n and_o for_o those_o sin_n which_o can_v soon_o remove_v the_o candlestick_n from_o us._n now_o the_o remedy_n be_v to_o do_v their_o first_o work_n to_o return_v to_o their_o first_o love_n to_o god_n his_o word_n and_o to_o man_n this_o be_v in_o the_o last_o place_n see_v this_o repentance_n never_o perish_v or_o decay_v but_o must_v be_v ever_o renew_v so_o then_o he_o will_v have_v we_o also_o to_o remember_v what_o good_a thought_n affection_n &_o action_n we_o have_v have_v to_o get_v they_o again_o and_o never_o lose_v they_o after_o we_o must_v remember_v to_o do_v our_o first_o work_n which_o the_o lord_n grant_v to_o we_o at_o our_o first_o calling_n they_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o do_v again_o or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v against_o thou_o short_o 5._o whenas_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v rebuke_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n for_o decay_n in_o love_n and_o set_v down_o the_o remedy_n first_o to_o remember_v whence_o she_o be_v fall_v second_o to_o repent_v three_o to_o do_v she_o first_o work_n in_o these_o word_n he_o lay_v down_o a_o reason_n to_o move_v she_o to_o use_v the_o remedy_n especial_o to_o repent_v if_o she_o will_v not_o than_o he_o will_v come_v against_o she_o short_o this_o contain_v three_o part_n first_o a_o general_a threaten_a or_o commination_n or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v to_o thou_o second_o a_o particular_a threaten_n and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n three_o a_o condition_n of_o the_o two_o threaten_n except_o you_o repent_v because_o he_o speak_v to_o all_o church_n this_o show_v our_o duty_n in_o read_v or_o hear_v the_o word_n that_o we_o apply_v all_o that_o be_v speak_v of_o one_o man_n or_o to_o one_o church_n to_o ourselves_o when_o we_o see_v any_o virtue_n commend_v we_o must_v imitate_v they_o or_o vice_n discommend_v we_o must_v search_v ourselves_o whether_o we_o be_v clean_o of_o they_o the_o promise_n to_o he_o which_o overcom_v etc._n etc._n have_v two_o part_n first_o to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v namely_o to_o he_o which_o overcom_v second_o what_o be_v promise_v i_o will_v give_v he_o of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n namely_o eternal_a happiness_n the_o party_n to_o who_o be_v he_o which_o prevail_v against_o all_o his_o spiritual_a enemy_n the_o devil_n the_o world_n hell_n death_n and_o his_o own_o flesh_n that_o we_o may_v overcome_v these_o three_o thing_n be_v necessary_a first_o a_o man_n must_v be_v bear_v anew_o become_v a_o new_a creature_n in_o christ._n 1._o john_n 5._o for_o when_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v anew_o he_o be_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o overcom_v all_o his_o enemy_n second_o he_o must_v have_v true_a faith_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o he_o must_v deny_v himself_o and_o whole_o rely_v on_o christ_n 1._o john_n 5._o we_o overcome_v the_o world_n by_o our_o faith_n for_o he_o which_o true_o believe_v in_o christ_n he_o be_v partaker_n of_o christ_n of_o his_o victory_n over_o death_n hell_n sin_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o have_v his_o natural_a corruption_n abolish_v and_o weaken_v three_o that_o we_o stand_v against_o all_o our_o enemy_n with_o faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n and_o he_o which_o have_v these_o three_o he_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v all_o these_o his_o enemy_n to_o they_o which_o overcome_v ergo_fw-la it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n belong_v to_o all_o man_n without_o exception_n that_o god_n offer_v life_n and_o salvation_n to_o all_o unless_o they_o will_v reject_v it_o for_o salvation_n be_v promise_v only_o unto_o they_o which_o be_v bear_v anew_o which_o have_v faith_n in_o christ_n deny_v themselves_o and_o they_o which_o stand_v out_o against_o all_o their_o enemy_n by_o faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o day_n be_v this_o so_o be_v the_o promise_n make_v only_o to_o conqueror_n we_o must_v then_o labour_v to_o be_v conqueror_n to_o overcome_v all_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n but_o to_o live_v in_o sin_n to_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o satan_n that_o be_v slavery_n and_o hell_n itself_o and_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v in_o truth_n of_o heart_n that_o he_o have_v overcome_v all_o these_o his_o enemy_n this_o be_v freedom_n and_o happiness_n and_o though_o a_o man_n be_v never_o so_o great_a among_o man_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v the_o vassal_n of_o sin_n a_o satan_n he_o be_v out_o of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o most_o miserable_a second_o the_o thing_n promise_v be_v life_n eternal_a which_o be_v set_v out_o by_o two_o circumstance_n first_o by_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o i_o will_v give_v second_o what_o to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n in_o which_o word_n be_v a_o opposition_n between_o adam_n and_o christ_n for_o adam_n by_o his_o sin_n deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n but_o christ_n have_v set_v open_a the_o tree_n of_o life_n that_o we_o may_v have_v free_a access_n to_o it_o adam_n he_o lose_v a_o earthly_a paradise_n christ_n have_v prepare_v a_o heavenly_a paradise_n the_o tree_n of_o life_n stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n whereof_o adam_n do_v eat_v it_o be_v call_v the_o tree_n of_o life_n first_o because_o it_o be_v a_o sacrament_n that_o be_v a_o sign_n and_o pledge_n to_o he_o of_o eternal_a life_n if_o he_o have_v continue_v in_o his_o estate_n second_o because_o this_o tree_n have_v a_o virtue_n in_o it_o from_o god_n to_o preserve_v adam_n for_o ever_o from_o death_n and_o old_a age_n and_o to_o make_v he_o continual_o to_o live_v if_o he_o stand_v this_o tree_n of_o life_n be_v a_o true_a figure_n of_o christ_n the_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n for_o as_o that_o tree_n have_v virtue_n in_o it_o from_o god_n to_o preserve_v adam_n life_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v live_v for_o ever_o and_o be_v keep_v from_o old_a age_n so_o christ_n jesus_n the_o mediator_n and_o redeemer_n he_o live_v not_o only_o as_o he_o be_v god_n but_o as_o he_o be_v man_n and_o not_o for_o himself_o alone_o but_o to_o convey_v quicken_a virtue_n to_o all_o which_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o be_v partaker_n of_o his_o merit_n by_o a_o true_a faith_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n to_o eat_v signify_v sometime_o to_o believe_v as_o joh._n 6._o 50._o but_o it_o can_v be_v so_o here_o see_v we_o can_v in_o heaven_n believe_v in_o christ_n but_o to_o eat_v of_o that_o tree_n be_v to_o have_v immediate_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n in_o heaven_n with_o christ_n for_o ever_o for_o christ_n shall_v be_v to_o we_o a_o tree_n of_o eternal_a life_n for_o ever_o yea_o all_o in_o all_o to_o every_o one_o of_o us._n in_o this_o first_o point_n of_o the_o promise_n note_v two_o thing_n the_o first_o wherein_o consist_v eternal_a life_n namely_o in_o immediate_a fellowship_n &_o communion_n with_o christ_n in_o heaven_n for_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v our_o true_a felicity_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n to_o partake_v with_o christ_n in_o heaven_n who_o shall_v be_v to_o his_o all_o in_o all_o that_o be_v all_o happiness_n that_o heart_n can_v wish_v therefore_o it_o stand_v not_o in_o outward_a mean_n as_o meat_n drink_v apparel_n sleep_n respiration_n recreation_n etc._n etc._n but_o in_o the_o eat_n of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n that_o be_v in_o the_o immediate_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n jesus_n for_o ever_o second_o the_o place_n of_o this_o tree_n be_v the_o midst_n of_o paradise_n where_o christ_n put_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n in_o the_o earthly_a paradise_n and_o this_o in_o the_o heavenly_a paradise_n he_o say_v in_o paradise_n that_o be_v in_o the_o three_o or_o high_a heaven_n a_o place_n of_o joy_n and_o pleasure_n where_o the_o lord_n especial_o show_v his_o glory_n and_o where_o he_o provide_v happiness_n for_o his_o child_n there_o be_v indeed_o three_o heaven_n one_o where_o we_o live_v and_o breath_n and_o where_o the_o cloud_n be_v the_o second_o where_o the_o star_n be_v the_o three_o be_v the_o place_n where_o the_o lord_n show_v his_o presence_n and_o where_o he_o will_v have_v his_o child_n be_v of_o this_o paul_n speak_v when_o he_o be_v rapt_v
up_o to_o the_o three_o heaven_n 2._o cor._n 12._o it_o be_v call_v paradise_n because_o it_o be_v a_o place_n of_o pleasure_n for_o so_o the_o word_n signify_v of_o god_n that_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o most_o infinite_a for_o so_o gen._n 30._o 8._o rahell_n wrestle_v with_o leah_n with_o wrestle_n of_o god_n that_o be_v excellent_a or_o great_a wrestle_n so_o in_o the_o psalm_n to_o show_v how_o huge_a and_o high_a the_o hill_n be_v david_n call_v they_o the_o hill_n of_o god_n the_o mountain_n of_o god_n that_o be_v excellent_a or_o huge_a mountain_n so_o here_o he_o call_v it_o the_o paradise_n of_o god_n to_o show_v it_o be_v a_o place_n most_o excellent_a full_a of_o pleasure_n and_o joy_n this_o place_n be_v set_v out_o at_o large_a reu._n 22._o then_o see_v this_o be_v so_o excellent_a a_o place_n we_o shall_v labour_v above_o all_o thing_n to_o come_v thither_o to_o wean_v our_o mind_n from_o earthly_a paradise_n which_o be_v but_o a_o prison_n and_o lift_v our_o head_n up_o to_o heaven_n set_v our_o heart_n and_o mind_n on_o thing_n above_o phil._n 3._o vers._n 8._o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_v from_o this_o eight_o verse_n to_o the_o twelve_o be_v the_o second_o epistle_n or_o letter_n to_o another_o church_n of_o asia_n namely_o to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o before_o this_o second_o epistle_n be_v a_o second_o particular_a commandment_n to_o john_n for_o the_o write_n of_o it_o in_o these_o word_n and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_v which_o particular_a commandment_n be_v prefix_v before_o the_o epistle_n to_o assure_v they_o and_o every_o church_n that_o s._n john_n have_v sufficient_a call_n to_o write_v the_o same_o and_o that_o he_o do_v it_o not_o of_o himself_o and_o so_o shall_v all_o they_o which_o come_v to_o speak_v or_o write_v the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v a_o sufficient_a call_n that_o so_o the_o church_n may_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n and_o without_o doubt_n believe_v the_o same_o as_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n so_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n must_v have_v their_o call_n for_o if_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v of_o more_o excellent_a gift_n have_v it_o then_o such_o which_o be_v but_o ordinary_a man_n this_o commandment_n and_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n after_o the_o particular_a commandment_n be_v the_o epistle_n itself_o stand_v of_o three_o part_n first_o a_o preface_n second_o a_o proposition_n three_o a_o conclusion_n the_o preface_n or_o entrance_n be_v in_o the_o eight_o verse_n and_o contain_v a_o preparation_n to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o preface_n he_o show_v in_o who_o name_n it_o be_v to_o be_v deliver_v namely_o in_o christ_n he_o which_o be_v and_o be_v which_o be_v the_o first_o and_o last_o this_o he_o do_v for_o two_o cause_n first_o to_o stir_v the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o a_o religious_a care_n and_o receive_v of_o the_o same_o as_o the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n second_o because_o no_o commandment_n concern_v religion_n and_o god_n service_n be_v to_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o name_n of_o any_o creature_n but_o only_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o christ._n now_o this_o epistle_n be_v concern_v religion_n and_o god_n worship_n he_o propound_v it_o in_o christ_n his_o name_n alone_o and_o christ_n in_o this_o preface_n be_v describe_v by_o two_o notable_a argument_n first_o that_o he_o be_v first_o and_o last_o second_o that_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o be_v alive_a but_o these_o word_n be_v expound_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n where_o he_o say_v he_o be_v first_o and_o last_o that_o be_v he_o be_v everlasting_a god_n which_o have_v neither_o beginning_n nor_o end_n afore_o all_o creature_n &_o after_o all_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o now_o live_v that_o be_v be_v god_n take_v upon_o he_o our_o nature_n become_v subject_a to_o death_n and_o rise_v to_o give_v everlasting_a life_n to_o us._n in_o which_o word_n note_v two_o point_n of_o doctrine_n first_o 1._o that_o christ_n be_v a_o person_n consist_v of_o two_o nature_n namely_o his_o godhead_n and_o manhood_n for_o as_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v first_o and_o last_o he_o must_v be_v god_n and_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o now_o be_v alive_a he_o be_v man_n and_o as_o the_o body_n and_o soul_n make_v one_o man_n so_o the_o godhead_n and_o manhood_n of_o christ_n concur_v to_o make_v one_o christ._n the_o second_o point_n of_o doctrine_n be_v a_o comfort_n or_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o joy_n and_o comfort_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n first_o that_o he_o be_v god_n ergo_fw-la he_o be_v able_a second_o he_o be_v man_n ergo_fw-la he_o be_v willing_a to_o help_v to_o deliver_v his_o church_n from_o all_o misery_n or_o else_o ease_v they_o for_o he_o be_v first_o and_o last_o ergo_fw-la true_a god_n ergo_fw-la able_a to_o help_v second_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o live_v therefore_o willing_a see_v he_o come_v to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o death_n and_o to_o rise_v again_o to_o give_v to_o we_o eternal_a life_n so_o then_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n and_o end_n of_o these_o word_n to_o comfort_v the_o church_n in_o misery_n and_o hence_o be_v the_o very_a fountain_n of_o all_o comfort_n in_o this_o life_n if_o the_o lord_n lie_v any_o cross_n on_o thou_o as_o persecution_n tribulation_n misery_n or_o calamity_n then_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n christ_n be_v god_n able_a to_o help_v he_o be_v man_n willing_a to_o deliver_v thou_o and_o this_o may_v be_v a_o prop_n to_o stay_v and_o hold_v we_o up_o that_o we_o sink_v not_o in_o persecution_n or_o cross_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n after_o the_o preface_n follow_v the_o epistle_n itself_o contain_v the_o matter_n and_o content_n to_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o verse_n the_o epistle_n have_v two_o part_n first_o a_o commendation_n of_o the_o church_n second_o counsel_n for_o she_o concern_v time_n to_o come_v the_o commendation_n be_v in_o the_o nine_o verse_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n in_o these_o word_n as_o there_o be_v a_o commendation_n of_o she_o there_o be_v also_o a_o comfort_n for_o he_o do_v not_o only_o commend_v she_o but_o comfort_v she_o be_v in_o misery_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n we_o hear_v these_o word_n before_o expound_v i_o know_v that_o be_v i_o see_v thy_o work_n way_n deal_v the_o course_n and_o tenor_n of_o thy_o life_n i_o know_v and_o approve_v of_o the_o same_o it_o like_v and_o please_v i_o well_o in_o that_o christ_n say_v he_o know_v her_o work_n here_o be_v a_o notable_a property_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o see_v all_o church_n he_o behold_v all_o man_n action_n he_o see_v their_o word_n work_n affection_n and_o action_n as_o he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n before_o so_o now_o to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o show_v they_o that_o he_o be_v always_o present_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o church_n he_o see_v and_o behold_v all_o her_o deal_n and_o this_o consideration_n be_v most_o necessary_a and_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o grace_n and_o religion_n when_o a_o man_n be_v persuade_v that_o christ_n see_v his_o heart_n hear_v every_o word_n behold_v all_o his_o action_n and_o mark_v all_o his_o word_n david_n 139._o psalm_n the_o lord_n behold_v all_o my_o secret_n there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n in_o my_o tongue_n but_o he_o know_v it_o so_o shall_v we_o persuade_v ourselves_o and_o this_o will_v make_v we_o make_v conscience_n of_o all_o our_o word_n our_o thought_n our_o action_n of_o all_o we_o do_v or_o say_v nay_o where_o this_o be_v want_v there_o be_v no_o true_a grace_n no_o faith_n no_o conscience_n for_o if_o a_o man_n be_v persuade_v that_o christ_n see_v his_o work_n behold_v and_o mark_n they_o he_o dare_v not_o for_o his_o life_n sin_n as_o he_o do_v and_o thy_o tribulation_n here_o he_o join_v work_n and_o tribulation_n together_o where_o we_o may_v gather_v that_o tribulation_n must_v needs_o go_v with_o work_n and_o with_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n where_o grace_n be_v there_o must_v be_v tribulation_n where_o god_n give_v grace_n he_o add_v tribulation_n first_o to_o humble_v they_o second_o to_o try_v they_o three_o to_o prevent_v other_o sin_n which_o they_o shall_v else_o commit_v i_o know_v thy_o tribulation_n this_o then_o be_v add_v to_o comfort_v the_o church_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v it_o be_v true_a thou_o be_v in_o tribulation_n but_o it_o come_v not_o by_o chance_n but_o from_o god_n my_o father_n i_o know_v it_o i_o see_v and_o behold_v it_o and_o have_v care_n of_o
it_o to_o do_v thou_o good_a psal._n 113._o this_o knowledge_n be_v join_v with_o his_o providence_n over_o he_o this_o i_o say_v be_v speak_v to_o comfort_v we_o if_o we_o be_v in_o tribulation_n we_o must_v then_o consider_v whence_o it_o come_v namely_o from_o god_n he_o know_v and_o see_v and_o care_v for_o it_o this_o will_v ease_v we_o of_o much_o grief_n and_o make_v we_o patient_a so_o we_o have_v have_v long_o peace_n must_v look_v for_o tribulation_n which_o when_o it_o come_v the_o only_a way_n to_o arm_v we_o with_o patience_n be_v to_o consider_v that_o god_n both_o see_v it_o and_o know_v it_o and_o be_v &_o will_v be_v a_o stay_n and_o prop_n to_o uphold_v we_o that_o we_o faint_v not_o in_o misery_n after_o he_o set_v out_o two_o sort_n or_o part_n of_o tribulation_n first_o poverty_n second_o reproach_n the_o first_o be_v poverty_n namely_o want_v of_o temporal_a blessing_n necessary_a to_o maintain_v this_o present_a life_n now_o see_v that_o famous_a church_n be_v so_o afflict_v with_o poverty_n use_v we_o learn_v that_o true_a religion_n will_v not_o free_v a_o man_n from_o affliction_n and_o from_o poverty_n then_o let_v no_o man_n think_v because_o he_o believe_v in_o christ_n he_o shall_v be_v rich_a object_n but_o god_n promise_v the_o favour_n and_o blessing_n of_o this_o and_o the_o other_o life_n to_o his_o servant_n ans._n he_o promise_v indeed_o but_o the_o blessing_n concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n without_o exception_n &_o temporal_a blessing_n with_o condition_n if_o they_o be_v for_o our_o good_a and_o his_o glory_n else_o he_o will_v send_v want_n and_o poverty_n even_o to_o his_o dear_a servant_n i_o know_v thy_o poverty_n this_o be_v add_v to_o comfort_v she_o for_o that_o her_o estate_n in_o earthly_a thing_n be_v weak_a yet_o christ_n know_v it_o he_o care_v and_o provide_v for_o she_o and_o will_v if_o it_o be_v for_o her_o good_a free_v she_o or_o else_o give_v her_o patience_n object_n but_o how_o can_v her_o work_n and_o poverty_n stand_v together_o see_v she_o can_v not_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a that_o want_v answ._n all_o good_a work_n stand_v not_o in_o give_v large_a alm_n to_o the_o poor_a but_o the_o work_n of_o our_o calling_n do_v in_o faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n they_o be_v good_a work_n though_o the_o other_o have_v their_o place_n if_o they_o be_v do_v as_o they_o shall_v for_o though_o work_v in_o our_o call_n be_v most_o mean_a yet_o it_o be_v a_o good_a work_n to_o god_n it_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o work_n but_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o make_v a_o good_a work_n namely_o if_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o honest_a heart_n and_o be_v do_v to_o god_n glory_n yet_o thou_o be_v rich_a here_o christ_n intend_v to_o comfort_v she_o that_o though_o she_o want_v &_o be_v in_o poverty_n yet_o she_o be_v rich_a in_o christ_n she_o have_v riches_n in_o god_n luke_n 12._o 21._o and_o this_o in_o two_o respect_n first_o when_o we_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n &_o have_v assurance_n of_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n in_o he_o 2._o cor._n 8._o 9_o second_o when_o we_o have_v grace_n from_o god_n to_o do_v good_a work_n 1._o tim._n 6._o 18._o that_o we_o may_v be_v rich_a in_o good_a work_n we_o must_v lay_v up_o a_o good_a foundation_n in_o heaven_n for_o god_n grace_n they_o be_v true_a riches_n the_o poor_a man_n use_v to_o who_o god_n deny_v riches_n in_o this_o world_n he_o see_v his_o estate_n must_v labour_v to_o have_v riches_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v true_a riches_n indeed_o this_o be_v to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n to_o have_v god_n grace_n whereby_o he_o can_v do_v the_o work_n of_o his_o call_n in_o faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n again_o the_o man_n of_o this_o world_n if_o they_o will_v be_v true_o rich_a they_o must_v labour_v to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n but_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o own_o riches_n and_o never_o seek_v for_o true_a riches_n indeed_o but_o be_v choke_v with_o the_o desire_n of_o temporal_a riches_n but_o all_o man_n labour_v to_o get_v earthly_a riches_n honour_n and_o temporal_a blessing_n and_o esteem_v not_o to_o be_v rich_a in_o god_n which_o be_v mere_a madness_n the_o second_o part_n of_o her_o tribulation_n be_v her_o reproach_n and_o thy_o blasphemy_n that_o be_v the_o slander_n revile_n and_o repoche_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n this_o be_v not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n but_o of_o their_o profession_n and_o religion_n for_o they_o do_v revile_v and_o slander_v they_o for_o their_o profession_n where_o we_o see_v 24._o that_o they_o which_o serve_v god_n they_o must_v look_v for_o slander_n 4._o revile_v reproching_n he_o which_o desire_v to_o live_v well_o to_o worship_n and_o serve_v god_n he_o must_v look_v for_o these_o nay_o if_o he_o have_v they_o not_o he_o must_v suspect_v himself_o for_o christ_n call_v they_o curse_v who_o all_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o which_o though_o it_o be_v a_o great_a grief_n yet_o christ_n comfort_v they_o he_o know_v it_o see_v it_o and_o will_v in_o due_a time_n remedy_v it_o he_o see_v every_o slander_n defamation_n and_o reproach_n which_o shall_v make_v we_o patient_a to_o endure_v these_o blasphemy_n the_o person_n which_o blaspheme_v she_o they_o which_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n but_o be_v not_o but_o be_v the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n that_o be_v as_o in_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n &_o europe_n there_o be_v assembly_n of_o jew_n that_o have_v their_o abode_n and_o synagogue_n so_o in_o smyrna_n have_v they_o assembly_n &_o a_o synagogue_n persuade_v themselves_o they_o have_v a_o true_a church_n but_o that_o the_o other_o have_v not_o and_o therefore_o slander_v they_o for_o their_o religion_n and_o their_o christ_n who_o these_o profess_a they_o deny_v they_o be_v jew_n by_o birth_n come_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n yet_o not_o true_a jew_n in_o profession_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o a_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n and_o so_o they_o which_o reproach_n religion_n which_o revile_v the_o worshipper_n of_o god_n they_o be_v jew_n by_o birth_n but_o they_o be_v not_o jew_n indeed_o but_o enemy_n to_o god_n to_o religion_n and_o to_o they_o which_o profess_v it_o now_o concern_v these_o let_v we_o examine_v first_o what_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o opinion_n second_o in_o christ_n opinion_n which_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n they_o coming_z of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n they_o think_v they_o be_v true_a worshipper_n of_o god_n as_o abraham_n isac_n and_o jacob_n be_v but_o christ_n he_o say_v they_o be_v the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n and_o as_o the_o jew_n enemy_n to_o god_n and_o religion_n seem_v to_o themselves_o to_o be_v true_a professor_n so_o all_o the_o wicked_a bless_v themselves_o in_o their_o sin_n think_v all_o be_v well_o they_o do_v as_o we_o may_v see_v psal._n 10._o they_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o damnable_a heresy_n yet_o persuade_v themselves_o they_o hold_v the_o truth_n for_o which_o they_o will_v die_v yea_o witch_n man_n and_o woman_n will_v say_v they_o abhor_v the_o devil_n they_o will_v not_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o he_o but_o that_o by_o good_a angel_n and_o some_o special_a gift_n of_o god_n they_o excel_v other_o man_n &_o be_v able_a to_o work_v wonder_n and_o so_o the_o carnal_a protestant_n he_o sin_v and_o say_v god_n be_v merciful_a and_o so_o make_v christ_n his_o packhorse_n but_o we_o must_v learn_v by_o their_o example_n to_o suspect_v our_o self_n to_o cast_v down_o our_o pride_n and_o conceit_n of_o ourselves_o and_o not_o think_v too_o high_o of_o our_o own_o goodness_n but_o to_o suspect_v ourselves_o for_o many_o sin_n we_o may_v not_o say_v we_o be_v jew_n when_o we_o be_v not_o the_o second_o point_n be_v christ_n judgement_n of_o they_o he_o say_v they_o seem_v to_o be_v jew_n but_o be_v not_o but_o indeed_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n that_o be_v a_o company_n and_o assembly_n of_o man_n which_o seem_v to_o serve_v god_n but_o worship_v the_o devil_n object_n but_o they_o be_v god_n choose_v people_n who_o he_o choose_v out_o of_o all_o nation_n to_o serve_v he_o how_o then_o can_v they_o be_v the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n answ._n there_o be_v a_o double_a election_n first_o special_a and_o particular_a whereby_o god_n in_o his_o eternal_a counsel_n choose_v one_o to_o salvation_n the_o second_o be_v more_o general_a whereby_o he_o admit_v man_n into_o the_o outward_a church_n to_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o outward_a sign_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n the_o jew_n they_o have_v the_o general_a call_n but_o not_o the_o particular_a
election_n rom._n 9_o and_o so_o may_v fall_v from_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n for_o have_v only_o the_o general_a election_n they_o may_v renounce_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n but_o the_o particular_a election_n be_v immutable_a now_o let_v we_o see_v when_o they_o become_v thus_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n it_o be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o put_v christ_n to_o death_n for_o though_o many_o of_o they_o do_v it_o of_o knowledge_n yet_o very_a many_o of_o ignorance_n and_o after_o that_o christ_n be_v ascend_v peter_n preach_v to_o they_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o promise_n belong_v to_o they_o and_o to_o their_o child_n it_o be_v not_o then_o at_o this_o time_n but_o when_o the_o apostle_n have_v labour_v by_o many_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v still_o remain_v in_o their_o wickedness_n than_o they_o become_v of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n a_o synagove_n of_o satan_n for_o when_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v paul_n but_o threaten_v and_o reject_v he_o than_o he_o leave_v they_o and_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o then_o the_o jew_n become_v of_o a_o church_n no_o church_n for_o the_o hold_n of_o a_o heresy_n make_v a_o church_n to_o become_v no_o church_n but_o when_o a_o church_n hold_v error_n in_o principal_a point_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v open_o convict_v by_o public_a authority_n and_o judgement_n and_o still_o remain_v so_o than_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o church_n and_o not_o before_o though_o it_o be_v reprove_v by_o a_o private_a man_n for_o that_o be_v not_o sufficient_a so_o the_o church_n of_o the_o galatian_n hold_v justification_n by_o work_n yet_o cease_v not_o to_o be_v a_o church_n till_o it_o be_v convict_v public_o by_o authority_n apostolical_a and_o by_o this_o we_o see_v what_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o papist_n libertine_n family_n of_o love_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v convict_v by_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v no_o true_a church_n for_o they_o hold_v such_o heresy_n as_o be_v condemn_v in_o the_o word_n and_o have_v be_v convict_v long_o ago_o of_o they_o i_o come_v to_o the_o cause_n why_o they_o fall_v namely_o their_o unbelief_n rom._n 11._o ob._n but_o they_o hold_v the_o scripture_n and_o defend_v moses_n and_o the_o law_n answ._n though_o they_o hold_v the_o letter_n yet_o they_o corrupt_v the_o sense_n and_o where_o any_o thing_n be_v speak_v of_o christ_n they_o seek_v to_o overthrow_v it_o and_o so_o take_v away_o the_o subject_n and_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v christ_n they_o overthrow_v all_o for_o he_o which_o worship_v god_n not_o in_o but_o out_o of_o christ_n he_o worship_v not_o god_n but_o a_o idol_n so_o the_o papist_n hold_v the_o scripture_n in_o word_n but_o in_o deed_n deny_v they_o see_v they_o take_v away_o christ_n in_o spoil_v he_o of_o his_o merit_n and_o intercession_n for_o take_v away_o his_o office_n and_o then_o you_o shall_v have_v a_o half_a christ._n this_o their_o example_n shall_v be_v ever_o in_o our_o eye_n see_v these_o jew_n god_n own_o choose_a people_n who_o he_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o serve_v he_o they_o fall_v for_o want_v of_o faith_n and_o become_v the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n to_o worship_v the_o devil_n then_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n we_o be_v not_o proud_a because_o we_o have_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n but_o suspect_v ourselves_o take_v heed_n we_o maintain_v faith_n in_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o show_v it_o in_o repentance_n and_o obedience_n lest_o we_o be_v cut_v off_o as_o they_o be_v fear_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o thou_o must_v suffer_v 10._o in_o this_o ten_o verse_n be_v another_o part_n of_o the_o proposition_n but_o see_v christ_n comfort_v the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o give_v her_o counsel_n and_o rebuke_v she_o not_o as_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n hence_o some_o gather_v that_o a_o man_n may_v fulfil_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o live_v without_o sin_n but_o they_o be_v deceive_v for_o christ_n abstain_v here_o to_o rebuke_v the_o church_n not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o reprehension_n in_o she_o but_o because_o he_o see_v that_o the_o church_n do_v true_o believe_v and_o repent_v and_o decay_v not_o in_o love_n as_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n have_v do_v second_o he_o do_v it_o because_o god_n accept_v of_o the_o will_n and_o endeavour_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v and_o repent_v as_o of_o the_o deed_n he_o take_v their_o labour_n and_o endeavour_n to_o obey_v he_o as_o perfect_a obedience_n at_o their_o hand_n and_o for_o these_o two_o cause_n christ_n he_o commend_v and_o comfort_v she_o give_v her_o counsel_n and_o rebuke_v she_o not_o not_o that_o she_o want_v just_a cause_n of_o rebuke_n see_v that_o this_o church_n be_v so_o accept_v of_o christ_n that_o he_o will_v not_o rebuke_v she_o but_o commend_v and_o counsel_v she_o we_o see_v it_o be_v good_a and_o necessary_a for_o god_n church_n to_o be_v in_o affliction_n sometime_o for_o this_o church_n of_o smyrna_n be_v in_o affliction_n and_o so_o be_v keep_v from_o many_o sin_n which_o otherwise_o she_o will_v have_v fall_v into_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n and_o child_n of_o god_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v in_o affliction_n sometime_o but_o fear_v not_o here_o be_v christ_n counsel_n which_o have_v three_o part_n first_o a_o precept_n fear_v not_o etc._n etc._n second_o a_o prophecy_n behold_v three_o a_o precept_n again_o be_v thou_o faithful_a the_o first_o precept_n be_v fear_v not_o this_o commandment_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o when_o he_o bid_v we_o work_v out_o our_o salvation_n with_o fear_n &_o tremble_a &_o where_o paul_n bid_v we_o not_o be_v high_a mind_a but_o fear_v answ._n there_o be_v three_o kind_n of_o fear_n the_o first_o natural_a the_o second_o of_o grace_n the_o three_o of_o unbelief_n the_o first_o which_o be_v in_o all_o man_n by_o nature_n be_v a_o decline_a or_o avoid_v of_o death_n see_v all_o thing_n by_o nature_n seek_v to_o preserve_v themselves_o and_o this_o natural_a fear_n be_v in_o christ_n who_o fear_v death_n as_o it_o be_v the_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n though_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n in_o he_o but_o a_o infirmity_n second_o fear_n be_v from_o grace_n mal._n 1._o say_v the_o lord_n if_o i_o be_v your_o father_n where_o be_v my_o fear_n which_o be_v a_o reverence_n to_o god_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n and_o this_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o a_o virtue_n the_o three_o be_v from_o unbelief_n when_o man_n for_o fear_n of_o persecution_n or_o other_o hurt_n forsake_v god_n and_o his_o religion_n more_o fear_v the_o person_n of_o man_n than_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n now_o christ_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o two_o first_o but_o of_o the_o last_o only_o namely_o a_o distrustful_a fear_n when_o for_o fear_v of_o persecution_n or_o affliction_n we_o forsake_v god_n and_o religion_n that_o fear_n which_o draw_v man_n from_o god_n to_o death_n and_o damnation_n if_o they_o repent_v not_o fear_v not_o here_o christ_n show_v the_o sin_n of_o every_o man_n by_o nature_n namely_o to_o fear_v man_n more_o than_o god_n to_o be_v more_o afraid_a of_o the_o face_n and_o countenance_n of_o man_n then_o of_o the_o power_n and_o might_n of_o the_o everliving_a god_n which_o be_v not_o only_o in_o sinner_n but_o in_o the_o regenerate_a in_o some_o part_n who_o do_v not_o consider_v of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o mighty_a judge_n take_v vengeance_n on_o sinner_n in_o this_o christ_n show_v the_o mean_n to_o arm_v ourselves_o against_o all_o such_o fear_n of_o peril_n persecution_n or_o danger_n namely_o christian_a fortitude_n and_o courage_n which_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o god_n proceed_v from_o true_a faith_n whereby_o we_o be_v make_v able_a to_o lay_v aside_o all_o fear_n of_o danger_n and_o to_o undergo_v all_o persecution_n affliction_n and_o danger_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n this_o christ_n often_o prescribe_v and_o arm_v his_o child_n with_o this_o christian_n fortitude_n as_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o now_o every_o child_n of_o god_n and_o every_o church_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o minister_n now_o in_o our_o day_n can_v say_v to_o all_o god_n child_n fear_v not_o but_o alas_o now_o they_o must_v change_v their_o voice_n and_o cry_v with_o the_o prophet_n howle_n and_o lament_v in_o sack_n cloth_n and_o ash_n for_o your_o destruction_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o
sure_o there_o be_v cause_n why_o if_o one_o look_v and_o view_v the_o body_n of_o our_o people_n as_o osea_n say_v there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land_n every_o man_n seek_v to_o follow_v his_o own_o way_n none_o cleave_v to_o the_o lord_n seek_v to_o know_v and_o obey_v he_o beside_o they_o be_v altogether_o carnal_a fleshly_a dead_a and_o drown_v with_o the_o care_n of_o this_o life_n none_o affect_v thing_n belong_v to_o eternal_a life_n but_o all_o man_n heart_n be_v possess_v with_o pleasure_n profit_n and_o preferment_n of_o this_o world_n nay_o all_o man_n in_o general_a lie_n in_o a_o dead_a sleep_n there_o be_v no_o sense_n or_o feel_n in_o they_o a_o spiritual_a slumber_n have_v wrap_v all_o man_n heart_n in_o security_n and_o ignorance_n never_o think_v or_o consider_v of_o the_o judgement_n to_o come_v never_o dream_v of_o the_o evil_a day_n though_o god_n preach_v daily_o by_o his_o judgement_n to_o they_o again_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o word_n and_o gospel_n the_o profanation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n want_v of_o mercy_n and_o love_n the_o cruelty_n which_o abound_v in_o all_o man_n oppression_n whoredom_n fornication_n these_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n now_o in_o our_o day_n rife_o in_o every_o place_n these_o be_v common_a sin_n call_v for_o vengeance_n which_o will_v come_v undoubted_o unless_o we_o repent_v so_o that_o christ_n can_v speak_v to_o we_o as_o to_o this_o church_n but_o in_o a_o contrary_a voice_n but_o though_o this_o be_v the_o common_a estate_n of_o most_o man_n yet_o christ_n he_o have_v a_o remnant_n who_o lament_v and_o mourn_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o land_n who_o be_v grieve_v with_o the_o abomination_n of_o the_o world_n and_o these_o need_v not_o fear_n but_o they_o must_v take_v to_o they_o christian_a fortitude_n &_o courage_n lay_v aside_o all_o fear_n of_o danger_n &_o of_o all_o that_o man_n can_v do_v and_o bold_o undergo_v all_o cross_n and_o affliction_n even_o to_o death_n to_o maintain_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v do_v this_o let_v they_o first_o consider_v that_o they_o which_o fear_v distrustful_o must_v have_v a_o miserable_a portion_n in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n reu._n 21._o 8._o therefore_o for_o fear_n of_o this_o reward_n let_v we_o go_v on_o fear_v nothing_o 2_o they_o must_v consider_v god_n presence_n he_o be_v by_o they_o ready_a to_o protect_v and_o defend_v they_o his_o angel_n pitch_v their_o tent_n about_o they_o psalm_n 34._o 12._o 2._o king_n 6._o elishah_n servant_n see_v in_o dothan_n a_o huge_a army_n which_o beset_v he_o and_o his_o master_n he_o say_v be_v not_o afraid_a for_o they_o which_o be_v with_o we_o be_v more_o than_o these_o against_o us._n he_o be_v full_o persuade_v of_o god_n presence_n and_o protection_n and_o that_o god_n angel_n will_v defend_v and_o guard_v he_o so_o shall_v all_o man_n in_o danger_n they_o must_v believe_v and_o persuade_v themselves_o god_n be_v present_a he_o have_v his_o angel_n pitch_v their_o tent_n to_o defend_v and_o protect_v his_o child_n 3_o god_n child_n must_v consider_v in_o peril_n that_o it_o be_v a_o honourable_a thing_n to_o suffer_v for_o christ_n sake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o happy_a thing_n to_o suffer_v for_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ._n paul_n he_o account_v it_o his_o chief_a honour_n nay_o he_o rejoice_v in_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o in_o his_o suffering_n for_o christ_n sake_n then_o if_o suffer_v the_o cross_n for_o christ_n sake_n be_v such_o a_o honourable_a thing_n we_o must_v lay_v aside_o all_o fear_n and_o by_o god_n grace_n arm_v ourselves_o with_o christian_a fortitude_n and_o courage_n to_o undergo_v all_o cross_n &_o affliction_n whatsoever_o but_o those_o which_o be_v not_o touch_v with_o the_o present_a day_n of_o misery_n nor_o have_v not_o this_o perfect_a fortitude_n they_o must_v lament_v and_o howl_v lest_o the_o evil_a day_n take_v they_o unprovided_a the_o next_o part_n of_o christ_n counsel_n be_v a_o prediction_n or_o prophecy_n of_o the_o affliction_n which_o this_o church_n must_v suffer_v but_o before_o he_o propound_v the_o affliction_n he_o set_v a_o word_n of_o attention_n behold_v by_o which_o he_o teach_v they_o and_o in_o they_o we_o that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n often_o to_o think_v and_o consider_v of_o the_o time_n of_o affliction_n before_o hand_n to_o meditate_v of_o god_n judgement_n and_o correction_n before_o they_o come_v lest_o we_o perish_v in_o they_o for_o christ_n luk._n 19_o he_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o weep_v over_o it_o and_o foretell_v the_o judgement_n to_o come_v and_o the_o cause_n be_v because_o she_o know_v not_o the_o day_n of_o her_o visitation_n because_o she_o will_v not_o think_v of_o her_o judgement_n and_o affliction_n to_o come_v therefore_o christ_n forotel_v and_o show_v her_o final_a destruction_n let_v we_o take_v heed_n lest_o it_o fall_v out_o with_o we_o as_o it_o do_v with_o they_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o this_o christ_n show_v he_o be_v true_a god_n for_o he_o which_o can_v foretell_v all_o future_a thing_n in_o particular_a though_o they_o be_v contingent_a he_o be_v god_n for_o that_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n but_o christ_n foretell_v their_o particular_a affliction_n to_o come_v ergo_fw-la he_o be_v god_n ob._n but_o the_o physician_n can_v foretell_v the_o death_n of_o his_o patient_n the_o astronomer_n the_o eclipse_n of_o the_o moon_n to_o come_v answ._n they_o do_v so_o but_o by_o mean_n the_o physician_n foretell_v by_o the_o cause_n and_o sign_n he_o see_v in_o the_o party_n by_o which_o death_n be_v in_o â—ort_n present_a so_o the_o astronomer_n by_o the_o natural_a course_n of_o the_o heaven_n can_v foretell_v a_o eclipse_n by_o the_o course_n and_o sign_n of_o it_o in_o which_o the_o eclipse_n be_v present_a but_o without_o these_o sign_n and_o cause_n they_o can_v simple_o but_o christ_n without_o any_o sign_n or_o cause_n simple_o foretell_v this_o affliction_n in_o particular_a to_o come_v to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n christ_n describe_v the_o affliction_n first_o by_o the_o cause_n namely_o the_o devil_n second_o the_o person_n some_o of_o you_o three_o the_o kind_n imprisonment_n four_a the_o end_n to_o try_v you_o five_o the_o time_n ten_o day_n for_o the_o first_o the_o cause_n it_o be_v the_o devil_n ob._n but_o how_o can_v he_o afflict_v they_o see_v he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o deal_v not_o with_o the_o body_n of_o man_n ans._n he_o be_v indeed_o a_o spirit_n and_o rule_v in_o the_o air_n he_o be_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n he_o rule_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o wicked_a man_n he_o rule_v guide_v and_o govern_v in_o they_o direct_v their_o thought_n will_n affection_n so_o as_o he_o stir_v they_o up_o move_v and_o carry_v they_o to_o persecute_v the_o child_n of_o god_n to_o cast_v they_o in_o prison_n now_o in_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o author_n of_o persecution_n we_o see_v of_o what_o spirit_n those_o be_v which_o persecute_v the_o church_n namely_o man_n inspire_v by_o the_o devil_n move_v and_o rule_v by_o he_o notorious_a wicked_a wretch_n which_o have_v satan_n for_o their_o king_n and_o ruler_n 2._o for_o this_o cause_n paul_n say_v he_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n see_v he_o be_v carry_v by_o he_o to_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o god_n let_v then_o all_o man_n take_v heed_n of_o this_o for_o he_o which_o persecute_v the_o church_n for_o religion_n in_o word_n or_o action_n he_o in_o that_o action_n be_v the_o vassal_n of_o satan_n lead_v and_o rule_v by_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o devil_n in_o that_o action_n use_v he_o as_o his_o instrument_n satan_n be_v the_o chief_a and_o principal_a agent_n he_o be_v his_o slave_n to_o do_v his_o will_n and_o be_v as_o a_o soldier_n under_o his_o band_n again_o learn_v we_o to_o take_v pity_n on_o all_o such_o person_n see_v they_o be_v possess_v by_o the_o devil_n lead_v and_o move_v by_o he_o yea_o even_o to_o pray_v for_o our_o persecutor_n furthermore_o the_o weapon_n we_o must_v have_v to_o defend_v ourselves_o in_o persecution_n be_v not_o temporal_a but_o spiritual_a see_v our_o enemy_n be_v a_o spirit_n we_o must_v use_v invocation_n and_o prayer_n fast_v and_o humble_v ourselves_o by_o which_o we_o show_v our_o faith_n repentance_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n by_o this_o weapon_n of_o prayer_n elias_n be_v call_v the_o chariot_n and_o horseman_n of_o israel_n this_o be_v a_o most_o excellent_a weapon_n and_o if_o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v a_o foreign_a enemy_n among_o we_o then_o be_v indeed_o the_o soldier_n to_o be_v use_v but_o our_o principal_a weapon_n must_v be_v prayer_n that_o must_v be_v our_o chariot_n and_o horseman_n the_o
when_o a_o man_n keep_v this_o promise_n make_v in_o baptism_n and_o perform_v this_o condition_n to_o god_n and_o stipulation_n than_o he_o be_v faithful_a to_o god_n &_o when_o he_o break_v it_o than_o he_o be_v unfaithful_a 1._o pet._n 3._o 21._o second_o the_o lord_n he_o give_v his_o servant_n many_o grace_n as_o faith_n hope_n love_n repentance_n etc._n etc._n these_o he_o commit_v to_o man_n to_o see_v how_o he_o will_v use_v or_o abuse_v they_o 1._o tim._n 6._o 20._o we_o must_v labour_v to_o keep_v they_o to_o use_v they_o well_o and_o this_o if_o we_o do_v to_o god_n glory_n and_o to_o our_o own_o good_a than_o we_o be_v faithful_a to_o god_n else_o not_o as_o if_o a_o man_n commit_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v keep_v by_o another_o if_o he_o lose_v it_o or_o keep_v it_o not_o well_o he_o be_v not_o faithful_a to_o he_o be_v faithful_a as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v thou_o have_v make_v a_o promise_n in_o baptism_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o thou_o have_v have_v many_o grace_n promise_v to_o use_v they_o well_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o life_n and_o death_n &_o be_v faithful_a in_o persecution_n &_o affliction_n keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o then_o thou_o artfaithfull_a against_o this_o duty_n three_o sort_n of_o man_n offend_v first_o they_o which_o though_o they_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n in_o baptism_n to_o serve_v the_o lord_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n yet_o live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o security_n never_o seek_v to_o know_v the_o lord_n to_o understand_v his_o will_n or_o to_o obey_v he_o yet_o these_o will_v brag_v of_o their_o good_a meaning_n though_o they_o have_v no_o care_n at_o all_o to_o please_v god_n no_o care_n to_o keep_v their_o covenant_n make_v with_o god_n and_o their_o stipulation_n in_o baptism_n to_o he_o second_o they_o which_o for_o a_o good_a while_n have_v have_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o have_v come_v to_o serve_v the_o lord_n yet_o after_o long_a time_n fall_v away_o be_v entangle_v with_o the_o world_n with_o the_o profit_n and_o sin_n thereof_o and_o so_o leave_v all_o and_o come_v to_o break_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n both_o these_o be_v unfaithful_a servant_n and_o their_o reward_n if_o the_o lord_n deal_v in_o justice_n with_o they_o be_v destruction_n and_o yet_o all_o man_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v of_o these_o two_o sort_n they_o either_o live_v in_o ignorance_n or_o fall_v away_o after_o a_o long_a time_n the_o three_o sort_n be_v they_o which_o profess_v a_o long_a time_n live_v in_o faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n and_o be_v earnest_a professor_n yet_o in_o time_n of_o trial_n and_o persecution_n they_o will_v leave_v all_o profession_n of_o religion_n to_o save_v themselves_o then_o see_v all_o these_o offend_v we_o must_v labour_v to_o know_v god_n to_o obey_v he_o to_o keep_v his_o grace_n bestow_v on_o we_o to_o the_o end_n to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o his_o service_n and_o to_o lose_v our_o life_n rather_o than_o any_o one_o grace_n which_o god_n bestow_v upon_o us._n and_o i_o will_v give_v thou_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n here_o be_v a_o reason_n to_o move_v they_o to_o go_v on_o in_o persecution_n to_o be_v faithful_a to_o the_o end_n hence_o the_o papist_n gather_v that_o a_o man_n may_v merit_v heaven_n see_v there_o be_v promise_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n ans._n it_o be_v call_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n by_o resemblance_n for_o as_o man_n in_o a_o race_n first_o run_v and_o after_o they_o obtain_v the_o crown_n at_o the_o end_n of_o their_o race_n so_o man_n must_v first_o in_o this_o world_n live_v godly_a run_v and_o finish_v their_o course_n after_o that_o they_o have_v their_o crown_n in_o heaven_n i_o answer_v again_o this_o reward_n be_v not_o of_o the_o work_n but_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o the_o worker_n not_o to_o the_o martyredome_n but_o to_o the_o martyr_n which_o have_v by_o suffer_a death_n show_v his_o faith_n in_o christ_n it_o be_v not_o make_v to_o the_o passion_n or_o suffering_n but_o to_o the_o person_n suffer_v &_o not_o for_o his_o suffering_n but_o to_o he_o as_o he_o be_v in_o christ_n &_o declare_v to_o be_v so_o by_o his_o suffer_a death_n so_o then_o that_o promise_n be_v not_o make_v to_o the_o work_n but_o to_o the_o worker_n and_o not_o for_o his_o work_n but_o for_o the_o worthiness_n of_o christ_n in_o who_o he_o be_v a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o use_n than_o be_v use_v that_o if_o we_o keep_v this_o promise_n in_o baptism_n make_v before_o god_n his_o angel_n and_o the_o church_n we_o shall_v have_v the_o reward_n of_o all_o which_o be_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n promise_v to_o such_o as_o be_v faithful_a to_o the_o end_n let_v he_o which_o have_v a_o ear_n 11._o hear_v in_o these_o word_n be_v the_o conclusion_n or_o last_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n now_o in_o these_o three_o verse_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v a_o rehearsal_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o christ_n deliver_v before_o in_o this_o and_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n now_o see_v christ_n the_o head_n and_o doctor_n of_o his_o church_n be_v most_o perfect_a in_o his_o doctrine_n both_o for_o matter_n and_o manner_n of_o deliver_v the_o same_o see_v he_o repeat_v again_o and_o again_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o see_v peter_n put_v they_o often_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o common_a salvation_n hence_o we_o note_v that_o minister_n may_v often_o repeat_v the_o same_o doctrine_n not_o only_o the_o same_o matter_n but_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o word_n so_o do_v christ_n the_o head_n doctor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o may_v we_o or_o any_o preacher_n preach_v the_o same_o sermon_n again_o in_o manner_n and_o matter_n not_o for_o to_o ease_v ourselves_o but_o for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n as_o christ_n seven_o time_n repeat_v the_o same_o doctrine_n to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o common_a benefit_n of_o all_o the_o hearer_n then_o if_o they_o find_v the_o preacher_n shall_v deliver_v the_o same_o doctrine_n again_o or_o often_o they_o must_v not_o find_v fault_n for_o than_o they_o may_v as_o well_o find_v fault_n with_o christ_n himself_o who_o not_o once_o or_o twice_o but_o often_o repeat_v the_o same_o word_n in_o this_o eleven_o verse_n be_v a_o conclusion_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o it_o have_v two_o part_n first_o a_o commandment_n second_o a_o promise_n in_o the_o commandment_n first_o what_o be_v command_v second_o to_o who_o the_o duty_n command_v be_v to_o hear_v there_o be_v two_o kind_n of_o hear_v good_a and_o bad_a here_o he_o require_v good_a hear_n with_o faith_n and_o obedience_n not_o naked_a and_o bare_a outward_a hear_n then_o we_o see_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n stand_v in_o hear_v with_o faith_n and_o obedience_n for_o we_o know_v no_o more_o than_o we_o believe_v and_o obey_v if_o we_o believe_v and_o obey_v nothing_o we_o hear_v and_o know_v nothing_o with_o sound_a hear_n to_o salvation_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v to_o who_o the_o commandment_n be_v give_v to_o they_o which_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v for_o some_o be_v deaf_a some_o be_v lively_a and_o hear_v hearer_n they_o be_v deaf_a which_o hear_v only_o with_o outward_a and_o bodily_a ear_n not_o affect_v in_o hart_n nor_o change_v in_o life_n by_o the_o word_n they_o be_v good_a hear_v hearer_n which_o be_v touch_v and_o affect_v by_o the_o word_n change_v and_o renew_a in_o life_n by_o the_o same_o have_v not_o only_o outward_a ear_n of_o the_o head_n but_o inward_a bore_v by_o god_n spirit_n in_o the_o heart_n hence_o we_o learn_v two_o thing_n use_v first_o that_o election_n be_v not_o general_a and_o universal_a of_o every_o particular_a man_n for_o there_o be_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v ever_o some_o deaf_a hearer_n second_o we_o learn_v our_o duty_n that_o we_o must_v not_o only_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o lend_v our_o outward_a ear_n but_o withal_o join_v faith_n obedience_n and_o conversion_n in_o life_n so_o hear_v that_o we_o be_v change_v in_o life_n and_o turn_v to_o god_n else_o our_o hear_n be_v fruitless_a nay_o to_o damnation_n the_o three_o thing_n be_v what_o they_o must_v hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v namely_o that_o which_o be_v before_o in_o the_o former_a word_n deliver_v by_o christ._n the_o principal_a thing_n be_v these_o first_o that_o the_o lord_n see_v and_o regard_v the_o tribulation_n and_o affliction_n of_o his_o church_n second_o that_o god_n church_n and_o people_n be_v to_o suffer_v the_o cross_n and_o affliction_n must_v forethink_v of_o it_o and_o consider_v of_o it_o before_o
it_o come_v &_o withal_o must_v arm_v themselves_o with_o christian_a courage_n and_o fortitude_n not_o to_o fear_v too_o much_o three_o they_o must_v be_v faithful_a to_o god_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o promise_n and_o covenant_n in_o baptism_n in_o keep_v faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n and_o in_o defence_n of_o true_a religion_n even_o to_o death_n so_o that_o they_o must_v hear_v these_o three_o the_o first_o concern_v god_n providence_n see_v and_o regard_v his_o church_n the_o second_o concern_v christian_n fortitude_n &_o courage_n in_o affliction_n the_o three_o our_o faithfulness_n &_o constancy_n in_o defence_n of_o faith_n &_o a_o good_a conscience_n maintain_v of_o true_a religion_n to_o the_o end_n these_o three_o be_v the_o thing_n they_o shall_v hear_v and_o consider_v and_o so_o we_o must_v consider_v and_o learn_v the_o same_o to_o excite_v they_o and_o we_o to_o these_o three_o thing_n to_o hear_v and_o know_v the_o three_o duty_n he_o give_v two_o reason_n first_o because_o the_o spirit_n speak_v the_o second_o be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o speak_v not_o to_o one_o but_o all_o church_n direct_o to_o they_o of_o smyrna_n and_o in_o they_o to_o all_o church_n to_o all_o of_o we_o no_o man_n be_v except_v but_o must_v hear_v he_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o conclusion_n be_v a_o promise_n he_o which_o evercome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v that_o we_o may_v overcome_v two_o thing_n be_v require_v first_o to_o renounce_v and_o go_v out_o of_o ourselves_o second_o to_o cast_v all_o our_o hope_n trust_v and_o affiance_n in_o christ_n which_o when_o we_o do_v than_o we_o have_v save_v faith_n and_o this_o overcome_v all_o our_o enemy_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o defend_v true_a religion_n to_o the_o end_n of_o our_o day_n against_o all_o enemy_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v of_o the_o second_o death_n that_o be_v eternal_a death_n for_o the_o first_o death_n be_v when_o the_o body_n and_o soul_n be_v separate_v in_o this_o life_n the_o second_o when_o both_o body_n and_o soul_n be_v separate_v from_o god_n for_o ever_o in_o which_o separation_n reu._n 21._o consist_v the_o destruction_n of_o a_o man_n even_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o eternal_a lake_n it_o be_v then_o as_o if_o he_o say_v though_o he_o shall_v suffer_v the_o first_o death_n yet_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v of_o the_o second_o he_o shall_v escape_v that_o fire_n and_o lake_n for_o ever_o this_o be_v a_o most_o comfortable_a and_o happy_a promise_n to_o escape_v the_o lake_n of_o hell_n here_o note_n first_o to_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o they_o which_o overcome_v to_o they_o which_o renounce_v themselves_o put_v their_o trust_n and_o affiance_n only_o in_o christ_n and_o labour_n to_o keep_v faith_n &_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n then_o if_o we_o will_v overcome_v it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o know_v to_o teach_v or_o hear_v of_o religion_n but_o true_a profession_n be_v join_v with_o fight_v against_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o same_o with_o christian_n courage_n let_v none_o of_o they_o reign_v over_o we_o but_o fight_v till_o we_o overcome_v and_o get_v victory_n over_o they_o all_o than_o we_o overcome_v indeed_o and_o then_o to_o we_o be_v make_v this_o promise_n alas_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o know_v or_o approve_v religion_n and_o yet_o to_o live_v in_o sin_n and_o to_o let_v the_o devil_n the_o world_n and_o ourflesh_n reign_v over_o us._n than_o we_o must_v never_o content_v ourselves_o with_o bare_a profession_n but_o labour_v to_o say_v in_o our_o heart_n that_o we_o be_v conqueror_n of_o hell_n death_n etc._n etc._n by_o grace_n of_o christ_n in_o we_o and_o then_o we_o have_v a_o bless_a promise_n of_o freedom_n from_o the_o second_o death_n and_o of_o eternal_a happiness_n we_o shall_v not_o fear_v the_o fire_n of_o hell_n the_o burn_a lake_n furthermore_o in_o these_o word_n be_v answer_v a_o question_n which_o many_o a_o man_n heart_n make_v but_o few_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o heart_n can_v answer_v how_o may_v i_o escape_v the_o burn_a lake_n how_o can_v i_o fly_v and_o avoid_v the_o second_o death_n ans._n thou_o must_v in_o this_o life_n turn_v true_o to_o god_n from_o all_o thy_o evil_a way_n renounce_v thyself_o believe_v and_o put_v thy_o assurance_n in_o christ_n and_o withal_o endeavour_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n and_o then_o thou_o shall_v escape_v the_o second_o death_n the_o fiery_a lake_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o hurt_v thou_o though_o thou_o shall_v taste_v of_o the_o first_o yet_o thou_o shall_v not_o see_v the_o second_o death_n will_v any_o have_v his_o soul_n escape_v this_o burn_a lake_n have_v his_o silly_a soul_n free_a from_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n let_v he_o turn_v to_o god_n renounce_v himself_o put_v his_o trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o christ_n never_o turn_v to_o his_o former_a sin_n and_o withal_o take_v heed_n to_o maintain_v and_o keep_v faith_n a_o good_a conscience_n and_o maintain_v pure_a and_o true_a religion_n to_o the_o end_n and_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v free_a from_o the_o burn_a lake_n further_o we_o see_v by_o these_o word_n that_o of_o the_o two_o death_n the_o second_o be_v the_o worse_o and_o most_o proper_o death_n for_o the_o first_o be_v but_o a_o preparation_n to_o the_o second_o the_o second_o be_v the_o cruel_a death_n and_o destruction_n of_o body_n and_o soul_n this_o be_v yet_o the_o madness_n of_o man_n that_o they_o fear_v the_o pang_n of_o the_o first_o and_o not_o of_o the_o second_o never_o think_v of_o the_o burn_a lake_n like_a child_n which_o fear_v shadow_n and_o never_o fear_v fire_n or_o water_n but_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v drown_v or_o burn_v and_o to_o the_o angel_n which_o be_v at_o pergamus_n 12._o in_o these_o word_n be_v the_o three_o particular_a commandment_n of_o christ_n to_o john_n for_o the_o pen_n and_o publish_v of_o this_o three_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n by_o the_o angel_n of_o this_o church_n be_v mean_v either_o the_o minister_n and_o pastor_n or_o company_n of_o the_o minister_n &_o governor_n of_o the_o same_o so_o often_o in_o the_o word_n one_o be_v put_v for_o a_o multitude_n this_o particular_a commandment_n be_v give_v to_o john_n by_o christ_n to_o assure_v he_o of_o his_o calling_n to_o pen_v this_o book_n and_o epistle_n second_o to_o assure_v the_o church_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n see_v it_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n himself_o the_o epistle_n have_v three_o part_n first_o a_o preface_n second_o a_o proposition_n three_o a_o conclusion_n the_o preface_n in_o these_o word_n thus_o say_v he_o with_o have_v that_o sharp_a etc._n etc._n the_o proposition_n in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o seventeen_o verse_n thus_o say_v he_o here_o he_o show_v in_o who_o name_n he_o write_v this_o epistle_n to_o wit_n christ_n who_o be_v describe_v that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o a_o prophet_n and_o priest_n but_o a_o king_n in_o govern_v and_o guide_v his_o church_n for_o he_o have_v a_o sword_n in_o his_o hand_n which_o be_v describe_v first_o that_o it_o have_v to_o edge_n second_o it_o be_v sharp_a mean_v by_o it_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o as_o not_o only_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v of_o the_o like_a power_n hebr._n 4._o 12._o christ_n be_v thus_o set_v out_o to_o comfort_v the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n for_o by_o this_o christ_n signify_v three_o thing_n first_o that_o he_o by_o power_n of_o the_o word_n kill_v sin_n wound_v it_o at_o the_o heart_n he_o kill_v and_o slay_v the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n so_o deadly_a that_o it_o can_v recover_v again_o second_o that_o he_o will_v strengthen_v and_o maintain_v the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o by_o this_o sword_n against_o all_o their_o enemy_n for_o he_o will_v not_o only_o hurt_v the_o enemy_n but_o defend_v his_o by_o his_o sword_n object_n how_o do_v he_o wound_v they_o by_o the_o word_n answ._n the_o word_n must_v be_v know_v and_o believe_v of_o us._n now_o when_o we_o know_v and_o believe_v the_o law_n and_o the_o threat_n thereof_o and_o the_o point_n and_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n then_o if_o affliction_n come_v faith_n by_o which_o we_o believe_v they_o make_v we_o that_o we_o be_v comfort_v and_o arm_v we_o against_o all_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v hurt_v we_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v it_o not_o than_o the_o word_n be_v to_o we_o as_o a_o sword_n in_o a_o sheath_n not_o draw_v out_o nor_o use_v to_o defend_v or_o drive_v back_o our_o enemy_n but_o
be_v believe_v it_o be_v powerful_a no_o might_n of_o man_n or_o any_o prince_n be_v comparable_a three_o christ_n destroy_v and_o kill_v all_o our_o enemy_n all_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n &_o this_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o this_o sword_n for_o christ_n speak_v these_o word_n to_o comfort_v his_o church_n in_o persecution_n and_o for_o this_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o sharp_a two_o edge_a sword_n for_o he_o kill_v and_o slay_v the_o enemy_n of_o his_o church_n partly_o in_o this_o life_n but_o deadly_a in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v in_o this_o life_n the_o word_n serve_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o hypocrisy_n unbelief_n heresy_n &_o superstition_n for_o christ_n he_o abolish_v they_o with_o the_o breath_n of_o his_o mouth_n that_o be_v this_o sword_n 2._o thess._n 2._o second_o when_o they_o be_v touch_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o word_n with_o desperation_n for_o when_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o they_o it_o wound_v they_o to_o the_o heart_n by_o reveal_v all_o their_o curse_a deal_n their_o unbelief_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o set_v the_o conscience_n on_o the_o rack_n and_o stir_v it_o up_o which_o be_v fit_a of_o itself_o to_o accuse_v they_o when_o it_o have_v reveal_v their_o sin_n than_o it_o smite_v they_o with_o fear_n and_o horror_n and_o make_v their_o conscience_n more_o fit_a to_o accuse_v &_o terrify_v they_o and_o than_o though_o they_o run_v on_o in_o sin_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o deadly_a wound_n of_o desperation_n and_o this_o increase_v in_o this_o life_n and_o slay_v in_o the_o next_o for_o it_o clean_o cut_v they_o off_o when_o christ_n shall_v say_v go_v you_o curse_v this_o smite_v they_o stark_o dead_a cast_v they_o into_o eternal_a destruction_n for_o ever_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n work_v powerful_o in_o us._n 1._o to_o take_v place_n in_o our_o heart_n by_o faith_n not_o only_o to_o show_v our_o sin_n &_o god_n wrath_n against_o the_o same_o but_o withal_o to_o wound_v they_o slay_v and_o kill_v they_o and_o at_o the_o first_o to_o wound_v deadly_a for_o only_o to_o have_v our_o sin_n detect_v and_o our_o conscience_n terrify_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o desperation_n and_o the_o first_o wound_n to_o death_n but_o we_o must_v go_v further_o have_v our_o corrupt_a heart_n rip_v up_o wound_v crucify_a have_v they_o reform_v and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o wound_v our_o soul_n and_o the_o end_n why_o christ_n have_v the_o two_o edge_a sword_n the_o second_o part_n be_v the_o proposition_n contain_v two_o part_n first_o a_o commendation_n second_o a_o rebuke_n the_o commendation_n in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n in_o these_o word_n he_o commend_v this_o church_n first_o in_o general_n second_o in_o particular_a general_o in_o these_o word_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n that_o be_v thy_o way_n and_o do_n thy_o counsel_n affair_n and_o withal_o i_o approve_v they_o as_o psal._n 1._o 6._o the_o lord_n know_v the_o righteous_a that_o be_v he_o approve_v they_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n christ_n he_o begin_v with_o these_o word_n in_o this_o and_o every_o of_o these_o epistle_n to_o teach_v we_o one_o especial_a thing_n that_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n to_o be_v learn_v the_o beginning_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o begin_v thus_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n three_o or_o four_o time_n i_o know_v show_v by_o this_o that_o wheresoever_o we_o be_v we_o be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n he_o see_v all_o our_o work_n he_o hear_v and_o know_v all_o we_o do_v we_o can_v go_v out_o of_o his_o presence_n and_o to_o settle_v this_o deep_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o he_o be_v present_a always_o see_v and_o behold_v we_o he_o repeat_v this_o seven_o time_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o every_o epistle_n then_o this_o shall_v teach_v we_o both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o labour_v to_o have_v this_o persuasion_n in_o our_o heart_n that_o christ_n be_v present_a see_v and_o behold_v all_o we_o do_v when_o we_o take_v any_o thing_n in_o hand_n he_o stand_v at_o our_o elbow_n look_v on_o we_o whether_o we_o do_v well_o or_o ill_o then_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v this_o persuasion_n in_o our_o heart_n that_o we_o can_v say_v now_o i_o do_v this_o or_o that_o my_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n my_o lord_n and_o redeemer_n he_o behold_v i_o look_v on_o i_o see_v all_o my_o deal_n therefore_o i_o will_v behave_v myself_o well_o and_o the_o preacher_n may_v spend_v himself_o in_o speak_v and_o to_o no_o purpose_n till_o god_n give_v grace_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n this_o one_o point_n which_o be_v the_o beginning_n and_o ground_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n for_o man_n may_v have_v knowledge_n and_o speak_v much_o of_o the_o word_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v true_a christian_n till_o they_o have_v learn_v this_o one_o point_n to_o be_v so_o persuade_v as_o they_o can_v say_v in_o their_o heart_n christ_n see_v and_o behold_v i_o and_o till_o we_o can_v do_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v conscience_n of_o no_o sin_n 2_o the_o particular_a first_o commendation_n and_o where_o thou_o dwell_v though_o thou_o dwell_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n have_v set_v his_o throne_n a_o place_n most_o incommodious_a and_o unfit_a yet_o thou_o observe_v and_o keep_v my_o name_n and_o religion_n thus_o he_o commend_v she_o for_o her_o constancy_n in_o religion_n throne_n that_o be_v any_o place_n where_o superstition_n idolatry_n and_o wickedness_n be_v practise_v without_o controlment_n and_o from_o whence_o wickedness_n be_v convey_v to_o other_o place_n for_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n 2._o cor._n 4._o 4._o and_o he_o have_v his_o kingdom_n throne_n and_o seat_n place_v where_o he_o can_v practice_v sin_n and_o wickedness_n where_o iniquity_n be_v maintain_v the_o gospel_n despise_v and_o from_o whence_o he_o convey_v his_o devilish_a wickedness_n to_o other_o place_n such_o a_o place_n be_v pergamus_n a_o city_n wherein_o sin_n do_v abound_v without_o controlment_n religion_n despise_v and_o from_o whence_o wickedness_n be_v convey_v to_o many_o other_o city_n town_n and_o place_n here_o we_o may_v note_v the_o devil_n policy_n who_o have_v his_o kingdom_n here_o on_o earth_n like_a to_o god_n here_o he_o place_v his_o throne_n as_o a_o prince_n and_o make_v choice_n to_o have_v the_o fit_a place_n where_o he_o may_v rule_v and_o reign_v and_o practice_v wickedness_n without_o controlment_n &_o from_o whence_o he_o may_v convey_v it_o to_o other_o place_n he_o have_v ever_o have_v have_v now_o &_o will_v have_v his_o throne_n he_o have_v in_o old_a time_n the_o high_a place_n the_o grove_n and_o such_o place_n where_o the_o people_n commit_v idolatry_n among_o the_o gentile_n there_o be_v oracle_n to_o erect_v his_o throne_n for_o in_o they_o he_o give_v answer_n and_o so_o convey_v his_o wickedness_n to_o many_o in_o late_a day_n he_o have_v every_o church_n and_o chapel_n his_o throne_n when_o image_n saint_n rood_n and_o such_o like_a be_v erect_v to_o which_o all_o man_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o land_n come_v to_o worship_n in_o school_n of_o learning_n he_o have_v his_o throne_n when_o nothing_o be_v teach_v but_o superstition_n and_o error_n and_o now_o in_o our_o time_n he_o have_v his_o throne_n and_o officer_n to_o attend_v on_o the_o same_o as_o wiseman_n and_o these_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n to_o erect_v his_o throne_n for_o unto_o these_o come_v man_n from_o far_a and_o near_o so_o that_o he_o convey_v his_o iniquity_n to_o many_o see_v many_o seek_v to_o they_o and_o so_o do_v he_o homage_n so_o dice_v and_o brothel_n house_n see_v in_o they_o iniquity_n be_v practise_v in_o they_o be_v his_o throne_n in_o family_n where_o they_o live_v in_o ignorance_n in_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n in_o blaspheme_v and_o drunkenness_n or_o any_o one_o sin_n there_o be_v his_o throne_n and_o so_o many_o throne_n as_o family_n where_o they_o live_v by_o any_o unjust_a deal_n then_o it_o be_v necessary_a use_v see_v the_o devil_n have_v his_o throne_n the_o lord_n shall_v have_v his_o opposite_a to_o this_o as_o when_o man_n have_v throne_n of_o justice_n both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a civil_a to_o repress_v all_o injustice_n and_o wickedness_n to_o punish_v vice_n to_o reward_v virtue_n and_o ecclesiastical_a to_o punish_v and_o reprehend_v those_o sin_n which_o civil_a justice_n can_v the_o devil_n cunning_o and_o politic_o choose_v pergamus_n not_o a_o base_a town_n or_o village_n but_o a_o huge_a city_n whence_o many_o king_n proceed_v where_o there_o be_v a_o famous_a and_o great_a king_n and_o where_o be_v much_o people_n so_o he_o
keep_v my_o name_n though_o thou_o dwell_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o devil_n have_v erect_v his_o throne_n yet_o thou_o maintaine_v my_o name_n and_o hold_v it_o fast_o so_o that_o neither_o fraud_n nor_o force_n of_o enemy_n can_v take_v it_o from_o thou_o my_o name_n that_o be_v my_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 9_o thou_o do_v constant_o hold_v and_o maintain_v it_o and_o my_o religion_n thou_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n which_o my_o servant_n have_v deliver_v to_o thou_o so_o that_o in_o these_o word_n christ_n commend_v the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n for_o constancy_n in_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n we_o see_v it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o use_v to_o hold_v believe_v and_o maintain_v religion_n but_o we_o must_v do_v it_o constant_o so_o the_o word_n signifiâ—s_v we_o must_v hold_v the_o same_o fast_o against_o all_o adversary_n not_o easy_o turn_v with_o any_o blast_n of_o man_n doctrine_n but_o so_o to_o hold_v religion_n that_o no_o enemy_n by_o force_n or_o fraud_n draw_v it_o from_o us._n when_o math._n 13._o the_o man_n find_v the_o pearl_n he_o sell_v all_o to_o buy_v the_o field_n and_o if_o a_o man_n among_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o our_o field_n by_o his_o cunning_a and_o skill_n a_o golden_a mine_n he_o will_v not_o tell_v it_o to_o any_o but_o go_v and_o sell_v all_o he_o have_v &_o buy_v the_o ground_n that_o so_o he_o may_v enrich_v himself_o so_o we_o if_o we_o know_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o make_v it_o we_o to_o have_v it_o make_v sure_a to_o we_o to_o sell_v all_o we_o have_v to_o loose_a life_n itself_o rather_o then_o to_o forgo_v that_o precious_a pearl_n 1._o tim._n 3._o 9_o faith_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o precious_a jewel_n which_o must_v be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o treasury_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o can_v be_v break_v into_o but_o must_v be_v strong_a in_o which_o store-house_n and_o treasury_n we_o must_v have_v true_a religion_n and_o faith_n lock_v that_o nothing_o get_v it_o from_o we_o but_o lose_v all_o we_o have_v even_o our_o life_n before_o we_o part_v with_o it_o for_o if_o that_o be_v sure_a all_o be_v well_o but_o if_o faith_n and_o religion_n be_v lose_v all_o be_v go_v salvation_n be_v lose_v thy_o soul_n be_v perish_v now_o for_o her_o further_a commendation_n christ_n set_v out_o her_o constancy_n by_o two_o argument_n first_o that_o she_o hold_v religion_n without_o denial_n second_o that_o she_o hold_v it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o bloody_a persecution_n 1._o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n never_o deny_v religion_n or_o revolt_v from_o faith_n in_o christ_n she_o do_v not_o as_o many_o man_n who_o hold_v believe_v and_o maintain_v religion_n yet_o in_o time_n of_o trial_n they_o will_v revolt_v in_o this_o we_o must_v imitate_v she_o else_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o the_o lord_n will_v give_v we_o grace_n to_o repent_v if_o he_o shall_v not_o we_o perish_v esaw_n sell_v his_o birthright_n for_o a_o small_a thing_n a_o few_o red_a pottage_n but_o after_o he_o seek_v it_o with_o repentance_n and_o tear_n &_o can_v not_o get_v it_o we_o must_v then_o hold_v religion_n and_o not_o in_o time_n of_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n revolt_v and_o deny_v it_o lest_o the_o lord_n give_v we_o no_o grace_n to_o repent_v which_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o will_v or_o not_o and_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o faith_n that_o be_v i_o own_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o true_a religion_n religion_n be_v call_v christ_n first_o because_o christ_n with_o the_o father_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v author_n of_o it_o all_o religion_n which_o be_v good_a be_v from_o above_o second_o because_o he_o reveal_v it_o from_o the_o bosom_n of_o his_o father_n three_o because_o christ_n be_v the_o matter_n of_o all_o religion_n christ_n be_v the_o whole_a subject_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o second_o argument_n whereby_o christ_n set_v out_o her_o constancy_n be_v that_o she_o hold_v religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o bloody_a persecution_n when_o she_o be_v thus_o persecute_v she_o be_v constant_a when_o antiphas_n be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o this_o antiphas_n be_v it_o be_v not_o certain_o know_v by_o any_o history_n yet_o it_o be_v think_v he_o be_v pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n who_o oppose_v himself_o and_o oppugn_v the_o doctrine_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a in_o that_o city_n in_o these_o word_n be_v two_o point_n first_o he_o commend_v this_o martyr_n antiphas_n when_o he_o say_v that_o my_o servant_n my_o faithful_a servant_n antiphas_n he_o extol_v he_o to_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o honour_n and_o commend_v martyr_n which_o die_v for_o christ_n cause_n and_o that_o in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o give_v they_o their_o due_a deserve_a honour_n and_o commendation_n as_o christ_n do_v to_o antiphas_n second_o by_o careful_a imitation_n of_o their_o constancy_n and_o virtue_n and_o conversation_n of_o life_n for_o this_o cause_n christ_n commend_v this_o good_a martyr_n that_o the_o people_n of_o pergamus_n may_v imitate_v he_o in_o his_o constancy_n not_o to_o honour_v he_o as_o the_o papist_n do_v with_o divine_a honour_n and_o invocation_n again_o he_o say_v that_o my_o faithful_a martyr_n not_o commend_v he_o for_o his_o death_n that_o he_o die_v but_o for_o the_o cause_n for_o not_o the_o death_n but_o the_o cause_n make_v a_o martyr_n for_o a_o man_n may_v die_v for_o heresy_n and_o erroneous_a opinion_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v no_o martyr_n but_o antiphas_n he_o be_v a_o true_a martyr_n ergo_fw-la christ_n say_v that_o my_o servant_n nay_o that_o my_o faithful_a servant_n antiphas_n in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o verse_n he_o set_v down_o the_o author_n of_o this_o death_n of_o antiphas_n some_o among_o you_o some_o of_o pergamus_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n they_o be_v such_o in_o who_o the_o devil_n rule_v and_o reign_v and_o this_o he_o repeat_v to_o show_v that_o they_o which_o have_v contemn_v christ_n religion_n though_o they_o pretend_v good_a thing_n yet_o they_o be_v the_o slave_n of_o the_o devil_n he_o rule_v and_o reign_v in_o they_o they_o be_v his_o hold_n and_o castle_n object_n but_o why_o do_v the_o devil_n dwell_v in_o the_o city_n of_o pergamus_n more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o answ._n because_o many_o in_o this_o city_n be_v gentile_n they_o hate_v and_o contemn_v the_o gospel_n &_o so_o become_v the_o hold_n of_o the_o devil_n we_o must_v then_o take_v heed_n we_o never_o contemn_v the_o fame_n for_o in_o a_o family_n where_o they_o live_v in_o ignorance_n in_o injustice_n fraud_n and_o wickedness_n there_o the_o devil_n rule_v he_o have_v his_o throne_n that_o be_v a_o stable_n for_o he_o to_o dwell_v in_o then_o master_n of_o family_n and_o parent_n which_o govern_v family_n must_v see_v they_o love_v and_o embrace_v religion_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o their_o family_n else_o their_o house_n be_v but_o the_o stable_n of_o satan_n his_o place_n to_o dwell_v in_o ob._n but_o whether_o may_v not_o antiphas_n be_v minister_n and_o pastor_n of_o that_o church_n have_v flee_v answ._n persecution_n be_v double_a either_o direct_v against_o the_o person_n of_o the_o minister_n principal_o or_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n equal_o if_o it_o be_v against_o his_o person_n he_o may_v fly_v safe_o if_o he_o get_v opportunity_n to_o preserve_v his_o life_n and_o have_v liberty_n of_o the_o church_n to_o fly_v but_o if_o it_o respect_v the_o whole_a church_n then_o unless_o he_o have_v liberty_n grant_v by_o they_o he_o must_v stay_v and_o take_v part_n with_o they_o in_o their_o persecution_n now_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v antiphas_n persecution_n see_v he_o be_v so_o call_v of_o god_n to_o suffer_v but_o i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o he_o commend_v she_o before_o but_o here_o he_o rebuke_n she_o and_o this_o reproof_n be_v first_o general_o propound_v then_o in_o more_o particular_a in_o general_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o want_v zeal_n thou_o bear_v with_o they_o which_o etc._n etc._n but_o i_o have_v these_o word_n he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n before_o and_o here_o repeat_v they_o again_o teach_v the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n to_o enter_v into_o their_o own_o heart_n to_o search_v what_o be_v in_o they_o that_o christ_n may_v have_v against_o they_o to_o call_v themselves_o to_o a_o strait_a reckon_n to_o consider_v all_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v do_v from_o their_o beginning_n to_o their_o end_n and_o all_o their_o life_n narrow_o to_o examine_v themselves_o
labour_v to_o see_v our_o hunger_n and_o want_n of_o christ_n for_o as_o they_o which_o be_v thus_o hungry_a shall_v be_v feed_v so_o they_o which_o be_v full_a shall_v be_v send_v empty_a away_o oh_o they_o be_v bless_v which_o hunger_n after_o christ_n they_o shall_v have_v the_o bread_n of_o life_n and_o drink_v of_o the_o well_o of_o life_n joh._n 6._o see_v christ_n be_v the_o bread_n of_o life_n 2._o the_o true_a manna_n signify_v by_o that_o in_o the_o wilderness_n we_o see_v the_o madness_n of_o most_o man_n in_o the_o world_n who_o seek_v not_o for_o this_o spiritual_a manna_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v far_o better_a than_o that_o in_o the_o wilderness_n but_o we_o like_v the_o israelite_n delight_n in_o onion_n and_o garlic_n and_o the_o fleshpot_n of_o egypt_n and_o be_v not_o we_o as_o profane_a as_o they_o see_v we_o labour_v much_o to_o get_v earthly_a manna_n temporal_a food_n riches_n pleasure_n etc._n etc._n but_o never_o seek_v to_o have_v christ_n the_o food_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o bread_n of_o life_n yet_o these_o which_o do_v so_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o world_n we_o count_v they_o of_o credit_n and_o happy_a man_n but_o they_o be_v indeed_o profane_a esawe_n prefer_v this_o temporal_a food_n before_o christ_n the_o food_n of_o eternal_a life_n we_o must_v then_o labour_v to_o detest_v this_o abominable_a profaneness_n see_v it_o be_v the_o very_o deface_v of_o religion_n but_o christ_n shall_v take_v it_o in_o the_o high_a disgrace_n when_o he_o see_v we_o prefer_v bread_n which_o perish_v before_o this_o precious_a and_o eternal_a food_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o here_o in_o that_o christ_n mean_v by_o manna_n not_o corporal_a food_n but_o himself_o his_o own_o body_n and_o blood_n for_o that_o corporal_a food_n be_v but_o a_o sign_n of_o this_o we_o see_v the_o sign_n in_o the_o sacrament_n be_v put_v for_o the_o thing_n signify_v manna_n for_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n christ_n add_v the_o hide_a manna_n to_o put_v a_o distinction_n between_o the_o earthly_a manna_n which_o the_o israelite_n and_o all_o may_v see_v feel_v and_o eat_v and_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o hide_a manna_n and_o who_o every_o one_o can_v see_v it_o be_v call_v hide_a first_o because_o no_o man_n by_o nature_n can_v have_v this_o food_n no_o natural_a man_n can_v see_v will_n or_o desire_v it_o second_o because_o god_n reveal_v not_o this_o spiritual_a food_n namely_o christ_n effectual_o to_o all_o man_n math._n 11._o 25._o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a can_v know_v it_o it_o be_v reveal_v only_o to_o god_n child_n see_v christ_n be_v the_o hide_a manna_n use_v we_o see_v the_o estate_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n yea_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n they_o know_v not_o christ_n the_o true_a bread_n of_o life_n they_o feel_v no_o want_n of_o this_o food_n because_o they_o know_v it_o not_o for_o a_o man_n can_v know_v true_o what_o food_n be_v till_o he_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o it_o &_o feel_v the_o want_n of_o it_o nay_o not_o only_o the_o people_n but_o preacher_n though_o they_o know_v christ_n in_o a_o mental_a knowledge_n yet_o they_o know_v not_o he_o as_o they_o shall_v they_o feel_v no_o want_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v their_o saviour_n to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n to_o feed_v their_o starve_a and_o famish_a soul_n and_o to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o gulf_n of_o hell_n then_o we_o must_v not_o content_v ourselves_o with_o knowledge_n swim_v in_o the_o brain_n but_o labour_v to_o know_v our_o want_n to_o feel_v our_o misery_n to_o seek_v to_o have_v christ_n the_o food_n of_o our_o soul_n to_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o misery_n and_o wretched_a estate_n we_o be_v in_o by_o it_o to_o labour_n to_o get_v but_o one_o drop_n of_o blood_n to_o satisfy_v our_o hungry_a and_o starve_a soul_n and_o as_o one_o which_o be_v starve_v with_o hunger_n will_v seek_v to_o have_v meat_n so_o we_o must_v have_v experimental_a knowledge_n that_o we_o can_v say_v in_o conscience_n i_o see_v and_o feel_v how_o i_o want_v christ_n to_o feed_v my_o soul_n see_v christ_n be_v the_o hide_a manna_n god_n offer_v he_o not_o to_o all_o man_n in_o general_a for_o than_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v hide_v as_o he_o be_v from_o many_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o universal_a election_n no_o universal_a grace_n offer_v effectual_o to_o all_o man_n in_o particular_a the_o second_o gift_n be_v a_o white_a stone_n where_o christ_n borrow_v a_o phrase_n of_o speech_n from_o the_o gentile_n to_o who_o he_o write_v the_o gentile_n use_v these_o stone_n in_o judgement_n for_o when_o man_n be_v judge_v the_o judge_n give_v they_o either_o a_o white_a stone_n which_o be_v a_o token_n of_o absolution_n or_o a_o black_a stone_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o condemnation_n second_o they_o use_v these_o stone_n to_o try_v whether_o such_o a_o day_n or_o such_o shall_v be_v lucky_a as_o they_o say_v or_o unlucky_a for_o if_o they_o take_v a_o white_a stone_n out_o of_o their_o vessel_n than_o it_o be_v a_o token_n of_o good_a luck_n if_o a_o black_a then_o of_o bad_a now_o here_o it_o be_v use_v for_o the_o first_o christ_n promise_v a_o white_a stone_n use_v that_o be_v pardon_v and_o absolution_n from_o sin_n and_o from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n even_o eternal_a damnation_n to_o they_o which_o overcome_v believe_v labour_v to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n let_v these_o go_v on_o to_o the_o end_n for_o they_o shall_v have_v this_o white_a stone_n now_o then_o if_o any_o will_v know_v whether_o he_o have_v pardon_n and_o absolution_n of_o his_o sin_n here_o be_v the_o note_n and_o mark_v if_o he_o believe_v in_o christ_n labour_v to_o maintain_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n than_o he_o have_v this_o white_a stone_n promise_v he_o then_o we_o must_v labour_v for_o these_o that_o so_o the_o other_o may_v be_v seal_v to_o us._n the_o three_o gift_n be_v a_o new_a name_n write_v in_o the_o same_o stone_n this_o name_n be_v to_o be_v god_n child_n so_o the_o same_o apostle_n expound_v it_o 1._o john_n 3_o behold_v what_o great_a love_n god_n show_v we_o even_o to_o be_v call_v his_o son_n this_o be_v the_o name_n he_o give_v to_o they_o which_o overcome_v to_o be_v call_v his_o son_n and_o heir_n with_o christ._n now_o see_v god_n give_v this_o new_a name_n to_o his_o child_n it_o must_v not_o be_v a_o idle_a name_n but_o the_o lord_n give_v with_o it_o a_o new_a condition_n whereby_o we_o be_v make_v the_o son_n and_o heir_n of_o god_n so_o when_o abram_n be_v new_o name_v abraham_n it_o be_v for_o a_o special_a purpose_n for_o than_o he_o begin_v to_o be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a when_o jacob_n be_v call_v israel_n it_o be_v for_o a_o special_a end_n so_o we_o have_v a_o new_a name_n must_v have_v a_o new_a condition_n which_o be_v to_o be_v call_v the_o son_n and_o heir_n of_o god_n in_o christ._n now_o this_o be_v a_o most_o excellent_a prerogative_n for_o than_o we_o have_v christ_n our_o elder_a brother_n and_o our_o fellow_n heir_n god_n our_o father_n the_o angel_n to_o defend_v and_o guide_v we_o all_o thing_n and_o mean_n of_o this_o life_n to_o our_o benefit_n god_n special_a providence_n to_o guide_v we_o and_o be_v god_n child_n our_o sin_n be_v no_o sin_n but_o a_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o felicity_n and_o our_o death_n be_v no_o death_n but_o a_o little_a door_n to_o pass_v to_o life_n this_o be_v the_o new_a condition_n god_n give_v with_o our_o new_a name_n write_a in_o the_o white_a stone_n that_o be_v in_o the_o pledge_n of_o absolution_n for_o here_o the_o white_a stone_n and_o new_a name_n go_v together_o for_o look_v who_o he_o absolve_v he_o give_v a_o new_a name_n and_o new_a condition_n for_o he_o which_o have_v his_o sin_n pardon_v be_v a_o new_a creature_n a_o new_a man_n the_o white_a stone_n and_o new_a name_n go_v together_o and_o be_v write_v in_o each_o other_o then_o man_n must_v have_v they_o both_o and_o not_o as_o most_o do_v say_v they_o hope_v christ_n be_v their_o saviour_n he_o will_v pardon_v their_o sin_n and_o yet_o continue_v in_o they_o &_o take_v occasion_n by_o that_o to_o sin_n for_o christ_n if_o he_o give_v the_o white_a stone_n that_o be_v pardon_v of_o sin_n he_o give_v with_o it_o a_o new_a name_n and_o a_o new_a condition_n of_o life_n which_o no_o man_n know_v some_o may_v object_v do_v he_o give_v man_n new_a name_n why_o then_o do_v we_o not_o call_v they_o by_o their_o name_n answ._n he_o say_v no_o man_n know_v it_o but_o he_o which_o have_v it_o that_o be_v in_o that_o manner_n and_o certainty_n as_o
second_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o manhood_n because_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v pour_v forth_o into_o his_o manhood_n the_o perfection_n of_o all_o grace_n and_o gift_n whatsoever_o as_o he_o be_v anoint_v with_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n above_o his_o fellow_n and_o this_o perfection_n stand_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o number_n second_o in_o degree_n or_o measure_n first_o in_o number_n thus_o among_o god_n servant_n some_o have_v these_o grace_n some_o those_o none_o have_v all_o but_o christ_n have_v all_o the_o grace_n which_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n have_v &_o more_o too_o second_o in_o degree_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n be_v more_o in_o measure_n than_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n and_o servant_n of_o god_n whatsoever_o he_o have_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o grace_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n without_o measure_n and_o for_o that_o cause_n also_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o seven_o spirit_n this_o be_v speak_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o sardis_n which_o be_v a_o dead_a people_n and_o therefore_o christ_n be_v able_a to_o quicken_v they_o and_o to_o put_v life_n and_o spirit_n into_o they_o that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v fellowship_n with_o the_o father_n use_v or_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o christ_n it_o be_v manifest_a by_o other_o place_n no_o man_n can_v come_v to_o the_o father_n but_o by_o i_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o participation_n with_o christ_n before_o there_o can_v be_v any_o with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o serve_v for_o our_o instruction_n because_o among_o the_o papist_n there_o be_v many_o great_a learned_a man_n which_o have_v excellent_a gift_n of_o nature_n wit_n memory_n and_o understanding_n and_o though_o they_o have_v withal_o a_o reform_a and_o civil_a life_n yet_o they_o want_v faith_n and_o regeneration_n how_o come_v this_o to_o pass_v that_o such_o worthy_a man_n have_v the_o common_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n want_v the_o special_a the_o cause_n be_v this_o their_o christ_n be_v a_o false_a christ_n yea_o a_o idol_n christ_n they_o profess_v the_o want_n of_o save_v faith_n and_o all_o be_v because_o they_o want_v christ._n therefore_o no_o marvel_n though_o you_o see_v the_o great_a learn_v there_o mock_v and_o scoff_n at_o this_o special_a grace_n of_o the_o assurance_n of_o our_o election_n again_o many_o among_o we_o look_v to_o be_v save_v by_o christ_n and_o yet_o you_o shall_v see_v no_o grace_n neither_o of_o knowledge_n nor_o faith_n fear_n nor_o care_n to_o keep_v god_n commandment_n or_o a_o good_a conscience_n no_o spark_n of_o grace_n and_o yet_o look_v to_o be_v save_v by_o christ._n how_o can_v these_o stand_v together_o though_o they_o say_v they_o have_v christ_n they_o deceive_v themselves_o for_o they_o have_v not_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o they_o have_v no_o grace_n because_o they_o be_v not_o in_o christ_n and_o by_o that_o they_o may_v know_v they_o be_v not_o in_o christ_n because_o they_o have_v no_o grace_n to_o conclude_v then_o we_o must_v all_o be_v admonish_v to_o labour_v that_o we_o may_v be_v unite_v to_o christ_n our_o head_n true_o to_o have_v fellowship_n with_o he_o that_o in_o he_o we_o may_v have_v fellowship_n with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n no_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o life_n eternal_a will_v be_v bestow_v upon_o we_o till_o we_o have_v christ_n himself_o therefore_o first_o labour_n to_o be_v in_o christ_n and_o to_o be_v true_o join_v and_o unite_v to_o he_o by_o the_o bond_n of_o faith_n that_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o may_v have_v all_o grace_n distil_v and_o flow_v into_o our_o heart_n by_o christ._n now_o the_o second_o royaltieis_n he_o have_v seven_o star_n that_o be_v the_o minister_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n christ_n be_v say_v here_o to_o have_v they_o because_o he_o be_v the_o sovereign_a lord_n over_o they_o he_o be_v a_o absolute_a lord_n over_o all_o for_o he_o set_v they_o apart_o and_o give_v they_o whatsoever_o gift_n they_o have_v he_o appoint_v they_o their_o office_n duty_n and_o calling_n so_o as_o he_o have_v rule_n over_o they_o he_o appoint_v ordain_v make_v and_o preserve_v they_o as_o he_o have_v in_o he_o the_o fullness_n of_o spirit_n so_o be_v he_o a_o lord_n over_o his_o minister_n he_o have_v power_n to_o save_v if_o they_o obey_v or_o to_o destroy_v if_o they_o rebel_v ob._n the_o church_n make_v minister_n ans._n the_o right_a of_o make_v minister_n and_o ordain_v they_o be_v christ_n royalty_n and_o belong_v to_o he_o the_o church_n do_v but_o testify_v and_o declare_v who_o they_o be_v that_o christ_n make_v minister_n and_o approve_v they_o therefore_o he_o say_v here_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v he_o now_o the_o end_n of_o these_o word_n be_v to_o strike_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o minister_n which_o be_v secure_a and_o negligent_a to_o make_v he_o know_v himself_o and_o his_o place_n that_o he_o may_v begin_v to_o have_v sound_a conscience_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o this_o point_n be_v a_o excellent_a motive_n to_o make_v they_o look_v to_o their_o duty_n their_o gift_n be_v not_o their_o own_o nay_o they_o themselves_o be_v not_o their_o own_o but_o christ_n and_o he_o be_v their_o lord_n this_o very_a consideration_n can_v but_o be_v effectual_a to_o stir_v up_o all_o pastor_n to_o regard_v their_o duty_n for_o see_v they_o be_v christ_n they_o must_v not_o do_v their_o own_o will_n we_o must_v renounce_v ourselves_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o bethink_v ourselves_o our_o soul_n and_o our_o body_n be_v not_o our_o own_o but_o christ_n let_v this_o consideration_n draw_v we_o on_o to_o do_v think_v and_o speak_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o christ_n will_v if_o he_o will_v have_v you_o live_v be_v content_a because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n of_o your_o life_n if_o to_o die_v be_v content_a because_o you_o be_v he_o and_o not_o your_o own_o so_o much_o for_o the_o preface_n now_o follow_v the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n contain_v two_o part_n first_o a_o reproof_n second_o a_o promise_n the_o reproof_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n in_o which_o be_v contain_v a_o reproof_n and_o withal_o a_o remedy_n in_o the_o next_o word_n i_o know_v here_o note_v the_o vice_n and_o withal_o the_o reproof_n the_o vice_n be_v hypocrisy_n for_o she_o pretend_v religion_n in_o outward_a show_n but_o want_v it_o indeed_o thou_o have_v a_o name_n that_o be_v the_o church_n about_o thou_o judge_v thou_o to_o live_v that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v anew_o believe_v in_o christ_n &_o to_o have_v his_o spirit_n to_o guide_v thou_o but_o thou_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n and_o want_v newness_n of_o life_n and_o regeneration_n the_o like_a we_o may_v say_v of_o many_o great_a church_n by_o name_n the_o romish_a church_n which_o though_o it_o seem_v to_o live_v yet_o in_o regard_n of_o spiritual_a life_n it_o be_v dead_a it_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n yet_o some_o say_v it_o be_v not_o dead_a but_o disease_v full_a of_o sore_n and_o sickness_n and_o though_o the_o throat_n be_v cut_v yet_o it_o breathe_v and_o pant_v but_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v stark_o dead_a and_o cold_a it_o have_v no_o spiritual_a life_n at_o all_o but_o some_o allege_v the_o contrary_a say_v it_o have_v the_o sacrament_n in_o it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o sacrament_n there_o be_v a_o church_n but_o they_o have_v baptism_n therefore_o a_o church_n ans._n baptism_n be_v not_o always_o a_o note_n of_o a_o true_a church_n for_o the_o samaritan_n have_v circumcision_n which_o be_v before_o baptism_n yet_o they_o be_v no_o people_n nor_o church_n of_o god_n os._n 1._o 9_o that_o there_o may_v be_v baptism_n &_o yet_o no_o church_n it_o appear_v because_o there_o may_v be_v baptism_n without_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n as_o the_o papist_n have_v baptism_n without_o the_o true_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n so_o they_o have_v the_o outward_a baptism_n but_o deny_v the_o inward_a baptism_n which_o be_v justification_n by_o christ_n and_o sanctification_n by_o his_o spirit_n again_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v a_o sacrament_n not_o to_o that_o church_n of_o the_o papist_n but_o to_o the_o hide_a church_n in_o popery_n for_o the_o lord_n ever_o have_v his_o church_n among_o they_o he_o keep_v among_o they_o even_o 7._o thousand_o which_o never_o worship_v their_o idol_n now_o then_o that_o sacrament_n be_v reserve_v in_o that_o church_n not_o for_o the_o papist_n but_o for_o god_n child_n among_o they_o by_o this_o we_o see_v god_n own_o providence_n to_o call_v they_o by_o those_o mean_n and_o for_o their_o sake_n
we_o use_v to_o know_v that_o our_o name_n particular_o be_v know_v to_o christ_n and_o be_v write_v in_o his_o bill_n which_o be_v the_o king_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o lord_n to_o comfort_n moses_n in_o trouble_n use_v this_o that_o he_o know_v he_o by_o his_o name_n and_o so_o shall_v it_o be_v to_o we_o that_o our_o name_n be_v know_v to_o christ_n and_o he_o will_v according_o help_n us._n 2._o timoth._n 2._o there_o it_o be_v make_v the_o foundation_n of_o salvation_n that_o the_o lord_n know_v who_o be_v he_o which_o have_v not_o defile_v these_o be_v commend_v for_o sincerity_n and_o uprightness_n of_o life_n and_o conversation_n though_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n be_v dead_a yet_o these_o be_v alive_a and_o keep_v themselves_o from_o all_o appearance_n of_o sin_n now_o christ_n commend_v they_o he_o leave_v in_o they_o a_o pattern_n of_o sincerity_n for_o we_o to_o follow_v to_o be_v as_o a_o look_a glass_n to_o see_v how_o we_o shall_v profess_v religion_n we_o must_v not_o only_o know_v and_o speak_v of_o the_o gospel_n but_o we_o must_v live_v according_o we_o must_v keep_v our_o garment_n from_o pollution_n live_v without_o all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o we_o may_v live_v sincere_o we_o must_v first_o abstain_v from_o all_o sin_n in_o our_o own_o person_n take_v heed_n we_o practise_v no_o sin_n second_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n of_o contagion_n of_o sin_n not_o partake_v in_o other_o man_n sin_n by_o consent_n or_o wink_v at_o they_o or_o give_v counsel_n to_o sin_n three_o we_o must_v abstain_v from_o all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a we_o must_v not_o once_o name_v sin_n nor_o give_v the_o least_o approbation_n thereof_o let_v not_o fornication_n be_v name_v among_o you_o eph._n 5._o then_o we_o must_v behold_v this_o pattern_n labour_v to_o be_v like_o they_o that_o christ_n may_v commend_v we_o as_o he_o do_v they_o and_o this_o we_o must_v do_v by_o live_v well_o for_o religion_n stand_v not_o in_o knowledge_n but_o in_o practice_n and_o by_o do_v these_o three_o that_o be_v abstain_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o sin_n from_o the_o contagion_n of_o sin_n and_o from_o all_o provocation_n to_o sin_n we_o shall_v imitate_v they_o and_o become_v a_o most_o excellent_a people_n and_o a_o worthy_a church_n of_o christ._n out_o of_o this_o place_n the_o papist_n gather_v that_o a_o man_n after_o baptism_n may_v live_v without_o all_o mortal_a sin_n for_o these_o few_o have_v put_v on_o christ_n live_v free_a from_o all_o sin_n nay_o from_o all_o appearance_n of_o sin_n but_o first_o though_o they_o live_v so_o till_o this_o time_n yet_o how_o prove_v they_o they_o live_v so_o after_o second_o they_o be_v say_v to_o keep_v their_o garment_n undefiled_a not_o because_o they_o sin_v not_o at_o all_o but_o because_o they_o live_v and_o endeavour_v in_o constant_a purpose_n not_o to_o sin_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n to_o please_v god_n and_o so_o the_o lord_n accept_v their_o will_n and_o constant_a endeavour_n for_o the_o deed_n and_o they_o be_v righteous_a before_o god_n and_o no_o sinner_n but_o keeper_n of_o the_o law_n and_o these_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a here_o after_o the_o commendation_n be_v a_o promise_n to_o walk_v that_o be_v live_v in_o white_a that_o be_v in_o joy_n and_o happiness_n eccles._n 9_o 8._o let_v thy_o garment_n be_v white_a that_o be_v rejoice_v and_o take_v thy_o lawful_a pleasure_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n the_o church_n before_o be_v threaten_v to_o have_v christ_n as_o judge_v and_o to_o destroy_v they_o but_o these_o few_o they_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o his_o wrath_n but_o be_v with_o christ_n for_o ever_o in_o glory_n and_o happiness_n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o man_n which_o communicate_v not_o with_o the_o sin_n of_o town_n country_n or_o nation_n shall_v not_o partake_v in_o judgement_n with_o they_o lot_z live_v in_o sodom_n yet_o his_o righteous_a soul_n be_v not_o partaker_n of_o their_o sin_n neither_o be_v it_o of_o their_o punishment_n gen._n 19_o ezech._n 6._o 9_o they_o which_o mourn_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n be_v mark_v and_o in_o the_o destruction_n not_o touch_v by_o reason_n of_o our_o long_a peace_n sin_n abound_v so_o that_o there_o be_v plenty_n of_o sin_n of_o contempt_n of_o the_o word_n of_o religion_n etc._n etc._n these_o sin_n call_v for_o judgement_n and_o will_v have_v judgement_n now_o if_o we_o will_v escape_v this_o judgement_n we_o must_v take_v heed_n we_o communicate_v not_o with_o these_o sin_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v escape_v though_o we_o live_v in_o sodom_n after_o the_o promise_n follow_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o same_o for_o they_o be_v worthy_a hence_o the_o papist_n gather_v that_o a_o man_n by_o his_o work_n may_v merit_v heaven_n because_o here_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o reward_n &_o be_v worthy_a to_o walk_v with_o christ_n in_o glory_n but_o i_o answer_v all_o true_a servant_n of_o god_n be_v worthy_a of_o life_n everlasting_a because_o god_n the_o father_n give_v christ_n to_o every_o true_a believer_n so_o that_o every_o believer_n may_v true_o say_v christ_n be_v i_o and_o withal_o he_o give_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n which_o stir_v up_o in_o the_o heart_n true_a justify_v faith_n which_o lay_v hold_v on_o christ_n apply_v he_o and_o all_o his_o righteousness_n now_o christ_n be_v give_v to_o we_o by_o god_n and_o receive_v of_o we_o by_o faith_n be_v whole_o we_o and_o his_o righteousness_n be_v make_v we_o by_o imputation_n so_o that_o christ_n with_o all_o his_o benefit_n be_v true_o we_o and_o when_o one_o stand_v thus_o justify_v in_o christ_n and_o clothe_v with_o his_o righteousness_n he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v worthy_a of_o salvation_n not_o for_o any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o but_o for_o christ_n righteousness_n for_o there_o be_v a_o double_a righteousness_n one_o of_o the_o person_n as_o when_o christ_n righteousness_n be_v impute_v to_o we_o another_o of_o the_o work_n as_o when_o a_o work_n be_v do_v answerable_a to_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n and_o then_o it_o be_v meritorious_a now_o christ_n speak_v here_o of_o the_o worthiness_n of_o the_o person_n not_o of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o person_n stand_v righteous_a in_o christ_n righteousness_n verse_n 5._o to_o he_o which_o overcome_v here_o be_v the_o conclusion_n in_o it_o note_v two_o part_n first_o a_o promise_n second_o a_o commandment_n of_o these_o before_o to_o he_o which_o overcome_v that_o be_v which_o get_v victory_n over_o all_o his_o spiritual_a enemy_n which_o we_o do_v by_o hold_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o end_n and_o this_o be_v first_o the_o party_n to_o who_o see_v that_o the_o promise_n be_v ever_o make_v to_o he_o which_o overcome_v we_o must_v labour_v to_o have_v that_o estate_n in_o conscience_n true_o to_o say_v we_o have_v labour_v in_o all_o thing_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o to_o think_v it_o a_o miserable_a estate_n to_o be_v overcome_v of_o any_o enemy_n be_v it_o sin_n the_o devil_n the_o world_n or_o our_o flesh_n i_o come_v to_o the_o thing_n promise_v which_o be_v threefold_a in_o word_n but_o one_o in_o substance_n namely_o glory_n happiness_n and_o life_n everlasting_a first_o he_o shall_v be_v clothe_v in_o white_a array_n that_o be_v with_o eternal_a glory_n happiness_n and_o life_n out_o of_o this_o the_o papist_n gather_v that_o a_o man_n may_v do_v a_o good_a work_n in_o respect_n of_o reward_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o one_o may_v do_v so_o as_o moses_n have_v respect_n to_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n hebr._n 11._o 26._o yet_o that_o must_v not_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n but_o faith_n to_o edify_v the_o church_n and_o other_o man_n &_o they_o we_o may_v do_v it_o to_o receive_v eternal_a life_n as_o a_o reward_n and_o will_v not_o cut_v his_o name_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n here_o two_o question_n must_v be_v assoil_v 1._o what_o be_v the_o book_n of_o life_n 2._o whether_o one_o can_v be_v blot_v out_o of_o it_o for_o thou_o have_v the_o book_n of_o life_n in_o god_n predestination_n or_o his_o decree_n in_o election_n by_o which_o he_o have_v ordain_v some_o man_n to_o life_n in_o his_o good_a pleasure_n &_o this_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v call_v in_o a_o resemblance_n the_o book_n of_o life_n for_o as_o a_o general_n in_o the_o field_n have_v his_o book_n wherein_o he_o write_v all_o his_o soldier_n name_n and_o a_o magistrate_n keep_v a_o record_n write_v in_o it_o all_o the_o citizen_n of_o that_o city_n so_o god_n have_v his_o decree_n wherein_o he_o write_v the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o who_o he_o will_v save_v in_o his_o
secret_a counsel_n the_o second_o question_n be_v whether_o one_o can_v be_v put_v out_o of_o this_o book_n ans._n a_o man_n be_v write_v in_o this_o book_n two_o way_n first_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n true_o second_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n now_o if_o a_o man_n be_v true_o write_v in_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n than_o he_o can_v be_v put_v out_o but_o if_o he_o be_v only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n he_o may_v be_v blot_v out_o for_o the_o first_o they_o can_v because_o god_n counsel_n be_v unchangeable_a and_o rom._n 8._o who_o he_o predestinate_v he_o call_v justify_v and_o sanctify_v this_o golden_a chain_n can_v be_v break_v but_o who_o he_o predestinate_v he_o glorifi_v ergo_fw-la they_o can_v fall_v final_o as_o for_o the_o other_o be_v only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n as_o all_o be_v live_v in_o the_o church_n profess_v christ_n these_o may_v be_v put_v out_o psal._n 69._o let_v they_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n he_o pray_v that_o they_o may_v be_v manifest_v that_o they_o be_v never_o indeed_o in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n hence_o first_o we_o see_v the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_a be_v certain_a for_o their_o name_n be_v in_o god_n bill_n they_o can_v be_v put_v out_o but_o remain_v for_o ever_o this_o then_o be_v no_o universal_a election_n for_o what_o need_n god_n a_o bill_n or_o book_n to_o write_v in_o some_o if_o all_o be_v elect_v see_v some_o man_n be_v in_o this_o book_n only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o and_o manifest_v to_o man_n to_o be_v but_o hypocrite_n then_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n of_o all_o sin_n and_o make_v conscience_n of_o every_o sin_n for_o so_o often_o as_o we_o sin_n we_o reach_v up_o a_o pen_n to_o heaven_n to_o cross_v our_o name_n to_o blot_v they_o out_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v let_v we_o then_o look_v to_o have_v our_o conscience_n assure_v that_o we_o be_v in_o that_o book_n which_o we_o may_v if_o we_o find_v our_o conscience_n free_a from_o all_o sin_n and_o from_o all_o appearance_n of_o sin_n but_o some_o godless_a person_n will_v hence_o gather_v i_o will_v live_v as_o i_o list_v for_o if_o i_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n i_o shall_v be_v save_v if_o not_o damn_v live_v how_o i_o can_v but_o these_o deceive_v themselves_o for_o if_o their_o name_n be_v in_o it_o they_o can_v live_v in_o sin_n but_o in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n in_o newness_n of_o life_n and_o repentance_n for_o he_o which_o be_v predestinate_v be_v justify_v and_o must_v live_v in_o repentance_n and_o faith_n and_o as_o sure_o as_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v he_o shall_v live_v in_o faith_n and_o repentance_n 3._o i_o will_v confess_v he_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o be_v at_o the_o last_o day_n i_o will_v take_v he_o for_o i_o he_o which_o thus_o overcome_v and_o live_v in_o faith_n &_o a_o good_a conscience_n i_o will_v confess_v he_o to_o belong_v to_o i_o to_o be_v my_o member_n i_o will_v separate_v he_o from_o all_o the_o world_n and_o take_v he_o to_o myself_o and_o pronounce_v to_o he_o the_o sentence_n of_o absolution_n come_v thou_o bless_v of_o my_o father_n math._n 25._o the_o end_n why_o christ_n propound_v this_o three_o blessing_n be_v to_o move_v every_o person_n in_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n to_o confess_v christ_n in_o this_o world_n for_o he_o reason_n thus_o if_o thou_o shall_v confess_v i_o before_o man_n i_o will_v confess_v thou_o before_o my_o father_n if_o not_o i_o will_v deny_v thou_o even_o before_o my_o father_n and_o so_o to_o we_o if_o we_o will_v have_v christ_n confess_v we_o before_o god_n we_o must_v confess_v he_o before_o man_n and_o let_v no_o creature_n make_v we_o deny_v he_o but_o stand_v out_o against_o all_o his_o enemy_n even_o against_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n and_o the_o devil_n which_o be_v indeed_o a_o hard_a matter_n for_o flesh_n &_o blood_n yet_o christ_n persuade_v we_o to_o do_v it_o &_o to_o take_v pain_n to_o profess_v he_o 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of_o which_o commandment_n be_v to_o warrant_v johns_n calling_n as_o before_o often_o i_o have_v show_v the_o epistle_n have_v three_o part_n first_o the_o preface_n second_o the_o matter_n three_o the_o conclusion_n the_o preface_n be_v in_o the_o seven_o verse_n and_o it_o show_v in_o who_o name_n this_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o wit_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ._n and_o as_o in_o other_o epistle_n christ_n be_v describe_v to_o get_v credit_n to_o the_o epistle_n so_o be_v he_o here_o by_o two_o property_n first_o of_o holiness_n second_o of_o truth_n beside_o he_o be_v desscribe_v by_o his_o kingly_a office_n which_o have_v the_o key_n of_o david_n the_o 1_o property_n of_o christ_n be_v he_o be_v holy_a but_o how_o can_v christ_n be_v holy_a see_v he_o come_v of_o adam_n as_o he_o be_v man_n to_o this_o many_o answer_n that_o christ_n take_v his_o substance_n indeed_o from_o adam_n yet_o so_o sanctify_v as_o that_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o sin_n this_o though_o it_o be_v true_a yet_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o as_o we_o take_v from_o adam_n the_o corruption_n of_o nature_n so_o we_o have_v from_o he_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n now_o though_o sanctification_n take_v away_o corruption_n of_o nature_n yet_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n then_o the_o true_a answer_n be_v this_o all_o which_o come_v of_o adam_n by_o natural_a generation_n and_o that_o commandment_n which_o god_n give_v in_o the_o creation_n increase_n and_o multiply_v they_o take_v from_o adam_n both_o corruption_n of_o nature_n and_o guilt_n of_o sin_n for_o both_o be_v equal_o convey_v to_o we_o from_o adam_n but_o god_n to_o prevent_v this_o ordain_v that_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v not_o by_o natural_a generation_n but_o by_o a_o miraculous_a conception_n and_o so_o though_o he_o take_v of_o man_n man_n nature_n yet_o he_o take_v not_o man_n sin_n which_o he_o shall_v as_o well_o have_v have_v if_o he_o have_v come_v by_o ordinary_a and_o natural_a generation_n now_o in_o that_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n be_v holy_a note_v that_o he_o be_v so_o first_o in_o regard_n of_o himself_o second_o of_o we_o &_o his_o church_n in_o regard_n of_o himself_o first_o as_o he_o be_v god_n his_o godhead_n be_v holy_a nay_o his_o divine_a nature_n be_v holiness_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v god_n and_o his_o holiness_n second_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v not_o only_o free_a from_o all_o sin_n but_o fill_v with_o all_o holiness_n above_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n he_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o measure_n three_o in_o his_o action_n he_o be_v holy_a as_o in_o his_o actual_a obedience_n and_o fulfil_n the_o law_n second_o christ_n be_v holy_a in_o regard_n of_o his_o church_n even_o of_o we_o his_o member_n because_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o all_o holiness_n in_o we_o we_o have_v all_o our_o holiness_n from_o he_o nay_o he_o be_v the_o very_a root_n of_o holiness_n not_o as_o the_o father_n or_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o in_o a_o more_o special_a manner_n because_o from_o christ_n as_o the_o root_n spring_v holiness_n in_o all_o his_o member_n and_o as_o from_o adam_n be_v the_o root_n in_o who_o all_o mankind_n stand_v be_v convey_v sin_n and_o corruption_n to_o all_o which_o come_v of_o he_o so_o from_o christ_n be_v the_o root_n be_v convey_v holiness_n to_o all_o his_o member_n in_o he_o he_o be_v our_o sanctification_n because_o we_o fetch_v our_o righteousness_n from_o he_o as_o a_o branch_n do_v sap_n from_o the_o root_n for_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a
gift_n may_v be_v humble_v in_o the_o consideration_n of_o this_o point_n naamans_n servant_n persuade_v he_o when_o elisha_n the_o prophet_n can_v 2._o king_n 5._o 12._o behold_v these_o word_n may_v also_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o whole_a church_n i_o have_v give_v thou_o a_o door_n that_o be_v a_o special_a privilege_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o title_n to_o it_o i_o approve_v thy_o work_n and_o this_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o it_o that_o i_o have_v give_v thou_o entrance_n into_o the_o same_o now_o this_o be_v a_o privilege_n not_o belong_v to_o all_o man_n but_o only_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o confute_v universal_a redemption_n use_v if_o this_o than_o be_v a_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o to_o have_v such_o liberty_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o use_v it_o strive_v to_o enter_v into_o that_o place_n we_o have_v this_o privilege_n to_o see_v heaven_n open_a by_o faith_n we_o must_v not_o then_o be_v so_o slack_a to_o enter_v into_o it_o but_o alas_o we_o make_v no_o account_n of_o it_o we_o be_v whole_o possess_v with_o the_o profit_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n and_o our_o sin_n be_v such_o a_o load_n to_o we_o that_o we_o can_v enter_v in_o oh_o let_v we_o cast_v off_o such_o burden_n that_o so_o we_o may_v more_o easy_o enter_v which_o no_o man_n shall_v shut_v that_o be_v no_o power_n after_o i_o have_v open_v heaven_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o shut_v it_o here_o after_o the_o liberty_n he_o show_v the_o continuance_n of_o it_o namely_o for_o ever_o how_o then_o be_v it_o true_a that_o christ_n die_v for_o all_o man_n effectual_o if_o all_o man_n be_v not_o save_v because_o they_o will_v not_o so_o christ_n shall_v for_o his_o part_n open_a heaven_n and_o they_o shall_v shut_v it_o by_o their_o will_n but_o christ_n say_v no_o power_n either_o of_o the_o devil_n or_o man_n can_v shut_v it_o he_o have_v once_o open_v the_o same_o for_o thou_o have_v a_o little_a strength_n thou_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o little_a and_o small_a measure_n of_o grace_n of_o faith_n hope_n &_o regeneration_n yet_o according_a to_o that_o measure_n thou_o have_v defend_v my_o word_n and_o not_o deny_v i_o in_o persecution_n by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o a_o man_n endue_v with_o a_o small_a measure_n of_o god_n spirit_n may_v do_v work_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o by_o the_o same_o come_v to_o life_n everlasting_a if_o his_o grace_n be_v true_a grace_n math._n 17._o if_o their_o faith_n be_v but_o as_o a_o grain_n of_o mustard_n seed_n it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o remove_v mountain_n now_o that_o which_o be_v true_a of_o miraculous_a faith_n that_o be_v true_a of_o justify_v faith_n if_o it_o be_v true_a though_o never_o so_o little_a yet_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o do_v work_n please_v to_o god_n and_o by_o the_o same_o we_o may_v come_v to_o salvation_n for_o god_n regard_v not_o so_o much_o the_o measure_n of_o grace_n as_o the_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v true_a not_o feign_v in_o this_o be_v a_o special_a comfort_n for_o those_o which_o labour_n to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n such_o be_v often_o trouble_v with_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o own_o weakness_n and_o want_n but_o they_o must_v know_v that_o if_o they_o have_v true_a faith_n though_o it_o be_v but_o in_o small_a measure_n the_o lord_n accept_v of_o they_o if_o they_o labour_v to_o please_v god_n in_o all_o thing_n for_o the_o lord_n accept_v a_o man_n not_o for_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v but_o for_o that_o he_o bestow_v on_o he_o be_v it_o much_o or_o little_a this_o may_v encourage_v those_o which_o be_v not_o so_o forward_o in_o religion_n which_o have_v not_o make_v such_o proceed_n as_o they_o shall_v for_o many_o see_v the_o lord_n to_o require_v so_o much_o they_o cast_v all_o off_o and_o never_o labour_v to_o come_v to_o know_v religion_n and_o to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n but_o these_o shall_v remember_v that_o the_o lord_n accept_v of_o small_a gift_n if_o they_o be_v true_a he_o accept_v a_o man_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o grace_n he_o bestow_v on_o he_o be_v it_o more_o or_o less_o then_o we_o must_v not_o be_v discourage_v for_o our_o want_n imperfection_n and_o ignorances_n for_o if_o we_o labour_v to_o have_v true_a faith_n the_o lord_n regard_v not_o the_o measure_n of_o grace_n but_o that_o it_o be_v true_a grace_n yet_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n we_o abuse_v not_o this_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o take_v occasion_n to_o sin_n and_o to_o become_v negligent_a and_o careless_a in_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n but_o still_o labour_n to_o come_v to_o such_o measure_n as_o the_o lord_n will_v most_o approve_v of_o because_o etc._n etc._n here_o christ_n show_v for_o what_o work_v he_o commend_v this_o church_n first_o she_o keep_v his_o word_n second_o she_o deny_v not_o his_o name_n but_o maintain_v it_o in_o persecution_n against_o all_o his_o enemy_n and_o these_o two_o contain_v even_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a and_o the_o whole_a practice_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o these_o must_v be_v a_o example_n for_o we_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o keep_v his_o word_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n to_o do_v his_o will_n second_o we_o must_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n defend_v his_o name_n and_o maintain_v his_o word_n against_o all_o his_o enemy_n to_o keep_v his_o word_n a_o few_o word_n but_o a_o great_a duty_n for_o it_o signify_v that_o she_o in_o all_o thing_n in_o every_o commandment_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n have_v care_n to_o obey_v his_o word_n and_o will_n and_o happy_a be_v we_o indeed_o if_o christ_n can_v say_v so_o of_o we_o that_o we_o obey_v his_o word_n all_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o law_n by_o obey_v and_o the_o gospel_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o can_v for_o though_o in_o show_n we_o profess_v we_o do_v yet_o in_o life_n we_o show_v we_o fail_v in_o most_o point_n of_o both_o vers._n 9_o 10._o in_o these_o verse_n be_v two_o promise_n concern_v the_o conversion_n of_o certain_a jew_n behold_v etc._n etc._n here_o be_v the_o first_o promise_n concern_v the_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n now_o it_o be_v likely_a in_o this_o city_n there_o be_v a_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o bare_a man_n in_o hand_n that_o they_o be_v the_o true_a worshipper_n of_o god_n yet_o deny_v christ_n the_o saviour_n and_o so_o persecute_v this_o church_n now_o christ_n here_o promise_v he_o will_v make_v this_o synagogue_n repent_v and_o become_v true_a member_n of_o christ_n to_o profess_v christ_n and_o worship_v he_o in_o this_o promise_n note_v three_o point_n first_o who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o their_o conversion_n namely_o god_n for_o so_o it_o be_v say_v i_o will_v make_v they_o or_o i_o will_v bring_v they_o to_o that_o estate_n to_o worship_v i_o second_o who_o be_v convert_v namely_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o repentance_n they_o shall_v worship_v before_o thy_o foot_n first_o the_o author_n of_o their_o conversion_n be_v christ_n himself_o for_o so_o he_o say_v i_o will_v make_v they_o to_o repent_v these_o be_v significant_a word_n which_o give_v all_o to_o god_n in_o their_o conversion_n of_o some_o and_o of_o all_o sinner_n god_n be_v the_o sole_a author_n man_n have_v no_o stroke_n in_o his_o own_o conversion_n man_n indeed_o will_v it_o and_o be_v convert_v willing_o yet_o not_o by_o nature_n do_v he_o will_v it_o but_o by_o grace_n this_o confute_v the_o papist_n who_o hold_v that_o nature_n and_o grace_n may_v concur_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n for_o a_o man_n say_v they_o be_v stir_v up_o by_o grace_n can_v will_n and_o do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a as_o a_o man_n be_v sick_a he_o have_v the_o faculty_n of_o walk_v yet_o be_v faint_a he_o can_v unless_o he_o lean_v on_o another_o shoulder_n so_o a_o man_n have_v a_o power_n to_o will_n that_o which_o be_v good_a but_o it_o must_v be_v stir_v up_o first_o by_o grace_n but_o ephes._n 2._o man_n by_o nature_n be_v not_o only_o sick_a but_o stark_o dead_a in_o sin_n and_o can_v move_v one_o foot_n no_o more_o than_o a_o dead_a man_n object_n but_o say_v they_o than_o man_n shall_v be_v but_o a_o block_n if_o he_o do_v nothing_o in_o his_o conversion_n answ._n though_o he_o do_v nothing_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o conversion_n yet_o he_o have_v sense_n and_o understanding_n which_o he_o can_v use_v in_o natural_a and_o civil_a cause_n though_o he_o can_v use_v they_o in_o spiritual_a action_n and_o so_o he_o be_v not_o
thing_n to_o come_v namely_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n here_o christ_n foretell_v a_o thing_n not_o present_a but_o to_o come_v though_o not_o know_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o creature_n man_n or_o angel_n which_o prophesy_v of_o this_o persecution_n under_o trajan_n show_v that_o he_o be_v true_a god_n for_o it_o be_v a_o property_n and_o privilege_n of_o god_n simple_o of_o by_z and_o from_o himself_o without_o help_n of_o any_o creature_n foresee_v of_o thing_n in_o their_o course_n to_o foretell_v a_o thing_n to_o come_v man_n can_v foretell_v any_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v present_a in_o the_o cause_n not_o simple_o then_o here_o we_o must_v know_v the_o cause_n why_o this_o persecution_n come_v to_o they_o rather_o than_o peace_n and_o why_o christ_n foretell_v it_o rather_o than_o peace_n the_o cause_n why_o christ_n say_v this_o hour_n of_o temptation_n shall_v come_v be_v not_o any_o foreknowledge_n of_o christ_n or_o because_o he_o foretell_v it_o for_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v not_o because_o god_n foretell_v and_o know_v they_o but_o because_o they_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v therefore_o he_o forsee_v they_o and_o foreknow_v they_o the_o cause_n then_o why_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v be_v the_o will_n good_a pleasure_n &_o decree_n of_o god_n act._n 2._o 23._o christ_n be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o the_o eternal_a counsel_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v god_n will_v and_o pleasure_n not_o his_o foreknowledge_n or_o foresee_v that_o this_o persecution_n come_v on_o this_o church_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o high_a cause_n by_o which_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v and_o that_o give_v be_v to_o all_o other_o cause_n object_n then_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n answ._n as_o god_n will_v and_o decree_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o thing_n be_v in_o the_o high_a place_n so_o must_v we_o distinguish_v of_o the_o thing_n he_o will_v for_o he_o will_v some_o thing_n which_o he_o effect_v himself_o as_o all_o good_a thing_n some_o thing_n he_o will_v and_o yet_o do_v not_o effect_v they_o but_o only_o permit_v they_o to_o be_v do_v by_o other_o as_o sin_n and_o evil_a thing_n which_o though_o they_o come_v not_o from_o his_o will_n yet_o they_o be_v according_a to_o his_o will_n not_o against_o his_o will_n for_o his_o will_n dispose_v of_o sin_n and_o evil_a thing_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n good_a or_o evil_n his_o will_n dispose_v and_o set_v down_o the_o cause_n and_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n manner_n how_o the_o end_n etc._n etc._n then_o their_o opinion_n be_v false_a use_v which_o hold_v that_o certain_a thing_n as_o sin_n come_v to_o pass_v god_n only_o foresee_v they_o not_o decree_a they_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o permit_v they_o now_o to_o give_v god_n a_o bare_a foresee_v without_o decree_a be_v to_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o godhead_n and_o to_o take_v from_o he_o his_o providence_n by_o which_o he_o dispose_v of_o all_o thing_n see_v every_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o his_o will_n and_o decree_n he_o either_o decree_a and_o effect_v it_o as_o all_o good_a thing_n or_o permit_v it_o as_o evil_a thing_n the_o end_n why_o christ_n allege_v this_o prophecy_n be_v to_o expound_v the_o former_a word_n namely_o why_o he_o call_v the_o time_n of_o persecution_n a_o temptation_n because_o it_o shall_v certain_o come_v to_o try_v the_o whole_a earth_n where_o we_o may_v note_v the_o property_n of_o any_o affliction_n persecution_n or_o cross_v namely_o to_o try_v a_o man_n to_o descry_v what_o be_v in_o his_o heart_n whether_o there_o be_v grace_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n or_o hypocrisy_n and_o for_o this_o end_n be_v the_o cross_n send_v to_o man_n to_o make_v know_v either_o their_o faith_n or_o hypocrisy_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_a to_o try_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n then_o temptation_n and_o affliction_n and_o then_o though_o thy_o heart_n be_v full_a of_o presumption_n before_o thou_o may_v know_v what_o be_v in_o thou_o and_o judge_v of_o thyself_o verse_n 11._o behold_v i_o come_v short_o here_o be_v christ_n commandment_n in_o it_o note_v first_o the_o occasion_n itself_o second_o the_o reason_n to_o enforce_v it_o the_o commandment_n hold_v fast_o namely_o with_o both_o hand_n as_o for_o life_n and_o death_n if_o thou_o have_v receive_v a_o little_a measure_n of_o grace_n rather_o part_n with_o any_o thing_n then_o with_o it_o keep_v it_o and_o preserve_v it_o till_o death_n but_o of_o this_o before_o the_o reason_n to_o enforce_v this_o commandment_n be_v two_o one_o before_o the_o other_o after_o the_o first_o behold_v i_o come_v short_o i_o will_v come_v to_o thou_o short_o either_o by_o general_a judgement_n or_o else_o by_o particular_a judgement_n by_o death_n now_o before_o it_o christ_n put_v a_o word_n of_o attention_n to_o show_v that_o this_o commandment_n be_v not_o to_o be_v light_o pass_v over_o of_o we_o but_o to_o be_v earnest_o and_o often_o remember_v now_o see_v christ_n teach_v we_o that_o he_o will_v come_v short_o to_o we_o in_o judgement_n general_a or_o particular_a we_o must_v believe_v he_o and_o often_o have_v it_o in_o memory_n that_o christ_n be_v not_o far_o off_o but_o will_v come_v to_o we_o short_o to_o show_v our_o estate_n either_o in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n then_o we_o must_v believe_v it_o have_v it_o write_v in_o our_o heart_n and_o in_o our_o memory_n and_o not_o flatter_v ourselves_o we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o christ_n will_v defer_v his_o come_n he_o teach_v we_o that_o he_o be_v at_o the_o door_n he_o come_v short_o either_o by_o general_a judgement_n of_o all_o man_n or_o particular_a judgement_n to_o us._n hierome_n then_o happy_a be_v we_o if_o we_o can_v as_o that_o ancient_a father_n do_v think_v we_o hear_v his_o trumpet_n sound_v continual_o in_o our_o care_n and_o think_v in_o our_o heart_n and_o remember_v this_o that_o christ_n will_v not_o be_v long_o but_o will_v come_v very_o short_o and_o indeed_o the_o cause_n why_o man_n live_v in_o sin_n &_o never_o call_v themselves_o to_o a_o account_n be_v because_o man_n believe_v not_o and_o have_v not_o learn_v this_o lesson_n that_o christ_n will_v thus_o come_v short_o if_o man_n be_v thus_o persuade_v in_o hart_n christ_n will_v come_v to_o i_o short_o to_o judge_v i_o give_v i_o my_o reward_n in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n sure_o if_o they_o belong_v to_o god_n it_o will_v make_v they_o turn_v to_o he_o from_o their_o sin_n and_o break_v off_o their_o wicked_a life_n nay_o though_o a_o man_n be_v most_o desperate_a yet_o this_o will_v make_v he_o tremble_v to_o think_v how_o christ_n will_v come_v short_o to_o judge_v he_o yea_o it_o will_v make_v man_n if_o they_o have_v any_o spark_n of_o grace_n to_o labour_v to_o get_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n see_v they_o christ_n be_v to_o come_v to_o judge_v they_o short_o who_o will_v not_o repent_v who_o will_v not_o leave_v his_o sin_n and_o turn_v to_o christ_n unless_o he_o will_v cast_v his_o soul_n away_o then_o this_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o labour_v to_o get_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o judge_v ourselves_o that_o we_o may_v prevent_v christ_n judgement_n again_o this_o very_a consideration_n will_v make_v a_o man_n constant_a in_o all_o christian_a duty_n and_o last_o it_o will_v comfort_v such_o as_o be_v in_o affliction_n for_o they_o may_v be_v sure_a their_o affliction_n shall_v not_o last_v always_o for_o christ_n will_v come_v to_o judgement_n short_o and_o he_o will_v free_v they_o from_o all_o their_o cross_n and_o he_o will_v ere_o it_o be_v long_o give_v they_o deliverance_n now_o follow_v the_o reason_n after_o the_o commandment_n that_o no_o man_n take_v thy_o crown_n from_o thou_o that_o be_v the_o crown_n of_o glory_n word_n to_o use_v his_o sacrament_n reverent_o else_o he_o will_v take_v they_o from_o we_o put_v off_o our_o crown_n and_o make_v we_o a_o barbarous_a and_o brutish_a people_n give_v to_o all_o idolatry_n o_o then_o let_v we_o hold_v these_o fast_n with_o both_o hand_n let_v all_o go_v honour_n riches_n preferment_n pleasure_n and_o our_o own_o life_n ere_o we_o lose_v our_o glorious_a crown_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o we_o will_v not_o hold_v it_o fast_o he_o will_v give_v it_o to_o a_o nation_n which_o though_o now_o we_o contemn_v yet_o they_o shall_v scorn_v &_o hiss_v at_o us._n and_o now_o that_o we_o hear_v of_o war_n and_o invasion_n let_v these_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o great_a judgement_n and_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o we_o make_v not_o more_o account_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o not_o only_o profess_v
outward_o in_o body_n but_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n join_v heart_n and_o hand_n be_v indeed_o as_o good_a professor_n as_o we_o bear_v the_o world_n in_o hand_n we_o be_v the_o lord_n will_v remove_v our_o crown_n and_o give_v it_o to_o a_o nation_n which_o will_v bring_v forth_o better_a increase_n and_o seek_v to_o maintain_v it_o better_o vers._n 12._o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o make_v a_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o my_o god_n here_o be_v set_v down_o the_o promise_n which_o contain_v two_o thing_n first_o to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o he_o that_o overcome_v second_o the_o thing_n promise_v in_o the_o word_n follow_v for_o the_o first_o he_o give_v to_o understand_v that_o whosoever_o will_v have_v his_o service_n please_v unto_o god_n must_v dispose_v himself_o to_o fight_v a_o good_a fight_n and_o to_o wage_v battle_n against_o all_o his_o enemy_n a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o good_a christian_a except_o he_o be_v a_o good_a soldier_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o turn_v to_o god_n than_o he_o have_v innumerable_a enemy_n both_o within_o himself_o and_o without_o to_o make_v he_o take_v another_o course_n and_o turn_v from_o god_n now_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o good_a soldier_n these_o enemy_n will_v overcome_v he_o for_o the_o second_o the_o thing_n promise_v be_v eternal_a life_n in_o these_o word_n i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o my_o god_n christ_n here_o allude_v to_o man_n in_o this_o world_n who_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o build_v pillar_n upon_o hill_n and_o mountain_n that_o the_o posterity_n to_o come_v may_v remember_v they_o when_o they_o be_v dead_a and_o rot_a 1._o sa._n 18._o 18._o absolom_n in_o his_o life_n have_v rear_v he_o up_o a_o pillar_n which_o be_v in_o the_o king_n dale_n for_o he_o say_v i_o have_v no_o son_n to_o keep_v my_o name_n in_o remembrance_n this_o then_o be_v the_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o man_n to_o set_v up_o pillar_n for_o the_o remembrance_n of_o their_o body_n but_o i_o will_v make_v the_o man_n himself_o that_o overcome_v a_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n triumphant_a figure_v by_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v other_o set_v up_o pillar_n in_o field_n and_o mountain_n but_o i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o my_o god_n i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o pillar_n that_o be_v i_o will_v not_o only_o make_v he_o a_o part_n but_o a_o worthy_a part_n in_o the_o temple_n my_o god_n this_o be_v set_v down_o to_o show_v that_o god_n be_v christ_n god_n as_o he_o be_v mediator_n otherwise_o as_o he_o be_v god_n the_o second_o person_n he_o be_v equal_a to_o the_o father_n and_o he_o shall_v go_v no_o more_o out_o first_o he_o shall_v abide_v a_o pillar_n for_o ever_o he_o shall_v not_o need_v renew_v as_o the_o pillar_n of_o man_n do_v this_o pillar_n shall_v have_v three_o name_n first_o the_o name_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o do_v signify_v that_o he_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n second_o the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n of_o my_o god_n by_o city_n be_v not_o mean_v the_o triumphant_a church_n but_o the_o place_n thereof_o namely_o the_o high_a heaven_n the_o meaning_n of_o it_o be_v i_o will_v make_v it_o manifest_a that_o he_o be_v a_o citizen_n of_o the_o place_n of_o glory_n this_o city_n be_v describe_v in_o the_o word_n follow_v by_o a_o resemblance_n it_o be_v call_v new_a jerusalem_n because_o that_o be_v a_o city_n that_o resemble_v paradise_n where_o adam_n be_v new_a jerusalem_n but_o how_o can_v it_o be_v call_v new_a jerusalem_n see_v it_o be_v before_o the_o earthly_a jerusalem_n answ._n it_o be_v call_v new_a not_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o be_v but_o in_o regard_n of_o revelation_n for_o it_o be_v before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n which_o come_v down_o out_o of_o heaven_n from_o my_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v it_o shall_v come_v down_o but_o it_o be_v come_v down_o this_o clause_n be_v add_v to_o answer_v to_o a_o objection_n which_o he_o that_o overcome_v may_v make_v thus_o heaven_n be_v far_o off_o how_o can_v heaven_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n ans._n it_o come_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o by_o it_o we_o begin_v to_o be_v citizen_n thereof_o eph._n 2._o the_o three_o name_n be_v my_o new_a name_n by_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v glory_n and_o power_n ob._n but_o christ_n have_v glory_n and_o power_n from_o all_o eternity_n ans._n true_a he_o have_v so_o but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v mean_v as_o he_o be_v god_n incarnate_a now_o the_o end_n and_o reason_n which_o make_v he_o describe_v the_o estate_n of_o life_n everlasting_a be_v these_o first_o to_o comfort_v they_o which_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n he_o do_v describe_v the_o reward_n thereof_o be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o encourage_v man_n to_o go_v forward_o in_o the_o faith_n learn_v we_o then_o in_o all_o our_o affliction_n to_o keep_v this_o faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n by_o behold_v the_o estate_n of_o life_n everlasting_a and_o the_o reward_n thereof_o 26._o moses_n desire_v to_o suffer_v affliction_n because_o he_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o recompense_n of_o the_o reward_n the_o second_o reason_n of_o this_o description_n be_v to_o bring_v man_n to_o view_v the_o excellency_n of_o life_n everlasting_a many_o man_n be_v draw_v from_o religion_n because_o they_o take_v such_o pleasure_n in_o earthly_a matter_n which_o they_o will_v not_o if_o they_o think_v eternal_a life_n so_o great_a a_o matter_n the_o three_o reason_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n to_o practice_v paul_n rule_n in_o the_o 1._o to_o tim._n 6._o 12._o to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n man_n with_o both_o hand_n lay_v hold_v on_o the_o world_n both_o of_o honour_n and_o riches_n none_o lay_v sure_o hold_v of_o life_n everlasting_a though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o sweet_a pleasant_a bless_a and_o glorious_a the_o four_o reason_n be_v to_o make_v the_o people_n of_o god_n not_o to_o fear_v the_o cruel_a death_n that_o can_v be_v see_v bodily_a death_n be_v a_o door_n to_o glory_n thus_o much_o general_o of_o the_o twelve_o verse_n now_o it_o follow_v that_o i_o speak_v particular_o i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o pillar_n 1._o that_o which_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n triumphant_a that_o they_o must_v begin_v to_o be_v in_o the_o church_n militant_a if_o therefore_o thou_o will_v be_v a_o pillar_n in_o heaven_n thou_o must_v begin_v to_o be_v one_o on_o earth_n by_o uphold_v and_o maintain_v the_o gospel_n again_o in_o that_o he_o say_v i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o pillar_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v the_o church_n triumphant_a they_o must_v learn_v to_o amend_v their_o erroneous_a opinion_n who_o think_v every_o church_n as_o holy_a as_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v to_o have_v the_o same_o reverence_n and_o i_o will_v write_v upon_o he_o that_o be_v he_o shall_v have_v god_n for_o his_o god_n here_o he_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o fellowship_n with_o god_n but_o by_o christ_n god_n will_v never_o save_v nor_o bless_v we_o out_o of_o christ_n his_o son_n if_o therefore_o thou_o will_v give_v thanks_n to_o god_n thou_o must_v do_v it_o through_o christ_n if_o thou_o will_v receive_v any_o temporal_a blessing_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v in_o and_o by_o not_o out_o of_o christ._n i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o citizen_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n here_o we_o must_v learn_v to_o carry_v ourselves_o in_o this_o world_n as_o citizen_n of_o heaven_n and_o not_o of_o this_o world_n otherwise_o we_o can_v never_o look_v for_o heaven_n phil._n 3._o 20._o i_o will_v make_v heaven_n come_v down_o here_o we_o may_v see_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o man_n heaven_n be_v shut_v up_o by_o our_o sin_n but_o god_n have_v open_v it_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n that_o we_o may_v enter_v therein_o therefore_o if_o we_o will_v have_v the_o new_a name_n we_o must_v become_v new_a creature_n for_o neither_o circumcision_n nor_o uncircumcision_n avail_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n if_o we_o content_v ourselves_o with_o the_o old_a man_n we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o heaven_n vers._n 13._o let_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n now_o whereas_o christ_n again_o and_o again_o repeat_v the_o same_o word_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o warrant_n if_o they_o preach_v the_o same_o sermon_n to_o the_o people_n
yea_o though_o they_o preach_v it_o oftentimes_o but_o they_o must_v look_v that_o they_o do_v it_o not_o for_o ease_v but_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o hearer_n hear_v the_o minister_n repeat_v the_o same_o doctrine_n ought_v not_o curious_o to_o reprehend_v he_o for_o than_o they_o may_v as_o well_o reprehend_v christ_n himself_o as_o before_o i_o have_v show_v here_o then_o be_v a_o duty_n command_v namely_o to_o hear_v this_o hear_n be_v the_o good_a learning_n that_o bring_v true_a faith_n salvation_n and_o sincere_a obedience_n with_o it_o but_o to_o who_o be_v this_o commandment_n give_v to_o hear_v hearer_n and_o to_o such_o as_o do_v not_o only_o receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o their_o outward_a ear_n but_o with_o the_o ear_n that_o be_v in_o the_o heart_n hence_o we_o learn_v first_o that_o god_n do_v not_o give_v to_o all_o man_n grace_v to_o hear_v his_o word_n to_o their_o salvation_n second_o that_o we_o must_v so_o hear_v that_o thereby_o we_o may_v be_v convert_v and_o change_v but_o what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v namely_o what_o the_o spirit_n teach_v to_o the_o church_n that_o we_o may_v hear_v attentive_o he_o use_v a_o double_a reason_n one_o draw_v from_o the_o speaker_n another_o from_o the_o auditor_n to_o wit_n the_o church_n but_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o these_o before_o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o laodicean_n write_v 14._o etc._n etc._n as_o before_o all_o the_o other_o epistle_n so_o before_o this_o last_o epistle_n there_o be_v a_o commandment_n give_v to_o john_n to_o write_v it_o and_o the_o epistle_n have_v three_o part_n as_o the_o former_a have_v first_o a_o preface_n second_o the_o matter_n three_o a_o conclusion_n first_o of_o the_o preface_n wherein_o christ_n be_v describe_v in_o who_o name_n it_o be_v pen_v by_o two_o argument_n first_o by_o his_o name_n and_o title_n amen_o a_o faithful_a witness_n second_o by_o his_o privilege_n and_o property_n the_o beginning_n of_o the_o crature_n amen_n be_v a_o adverb_n of_o affirmation_n or_o asseveration_n signify_v true_o very_o &_o certain_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o be_v so_o call_v be_v render_v in_o the_o word_n that_o follow_v which_o be_v a_o commentary_n and_o full_a exposition_n of_o this_o the_o faithful_a witness_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o to_o this_o end_n he_o be_v call_v amen_o to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n see_v chap._n 1._o 5._o there_o i_o expound_v it_o and_o here_o i_o will_v repeat_v the_o head_n only_o of_o that_o exposition_n he_o be_v call_v a_o witness_n between_o god_n the_o father_n and_o we_o because_o he_o do_v not_o only_o reveal_v the_o father_n will_n to_o we_o but_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o give_v we_o many_o testimony_n inward_a and_o outward_a but_o of_o all_o testimony_n that_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o for_o these_o three_o respect_n he_o be_v thus_o term_v first_o because_o he_o do_v reveal_v it_o and_o seal_v it_o and_o ratify_v it_o by_o inward_a and_o outward_a testimony_n second_o because_o he_o will_v accomplish_v his_o father_n wil._n 2._o cor._n 1._o 20._o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v in_o he_o yea_o and_o amen_o that_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o therefore_o he_o be_v a_o witness_n yea_o a_o faithful_a witness_n three_o he_o be_v call_v a_o true_a witness_n because_o he_o speak_v the_o truth_n that_o which_o he_o reveal_v from_o his_o father_n be_v the_o will_n of_o his_o father_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o he_o say_v as_o the_o thing_n be_v without_o error_n or_o falsehood_n nay_o his_o will_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o all_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o first_o argument_n now_o the_o use_n and_o the_o end_n why_o here_o christ_n be_v so_o call_v if_o we_o do_v but_o read_v the_o epistle_n and_o mark_v the_o content_n we_o may_v guess_v probable_o at_o the_o end_n which_o be_v that_o he_o may_v show_v himself_o a_o example_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n who_o be_v slack_a and_o negligent_a in_o his_o ministry_n therefore_o christ_n instruct_v he_o how_o to_o carry_v himself_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n teach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n true_o and_o faithful_o see_v chap._n 1._o 5._o and_o not_o only_o to_o the_o angel_n but_o to_o all_o the_o church_n yea_o to_o all_o christian_n he_o propound_v himself_o a_o example_n of_o two_o worthy_a virtue_n faith_n and_o truth_n he_o will_v have_v all_o to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n even_o as_o he_o be_v this_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n whereby_o a_o man_n word_n become_v as_o sure_a as_o a_o obligation_n as_o we_o use_v to_o speak_v whereby_o we_o make_v good_a all_o our_o word_n oath_n and_o promise_n truth_n be_v that_o whereby_o a_o man_n without_o lie_v deceit_n or_o fraud_n speak_v the_o truth_n from_o his_o heart_n that_o i_o say_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v for_o his_o own_o and_o other_o good_a and_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n set_a we_o this_o example_n before_o our_o eye_n and_o as_o christ_n be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n so_o let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o show_v ourselves_o true_a in_o all_o our_o word_n and_o speech_n and_o to_o be_v faithful_a in_o all_o our_o promise_n these_o be_v excellent_a grace_n in_o christ_n and_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o christian_n therefore_o let_v we_o be_v know_v by_o these_o to_o be_v like_o christ._n the_o second_o end_n of_o this_o title_n be_v to_o induce_v this_o church_n to_o apply_v itself_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n effectual_o for_o it_o be_v faulty_a in_o this_o point_n therefore_o that_o he_o may_v bring_v they_o to_o this_o he_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o faithful_a witness_n how_o shall_v they_o do_v this_o thus_o consider_v in_o the_o word_n the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n the_o commandment_n promise_n and_o threaten_n and_o apply_v they_o particular_o every_o man_n to_o himself_o the_o commandment_n to_o know_v sin_n the_o threaten_n to_o humble_v we_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v touch_v in_o conscience_n and_o make_v fit_a to_o receive_v god_n grace_n see_v a_o example_n of_o it_o luke_n 15._o in_o the_o prodigal_a son_n i_o have_v sin_v and_o be_o not_o worthy_a etc._n etc._n so_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n humble_v themselves_o no_o man_n can_v true_o be_v humble_v till_o he_o make_v this_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o word_n which_o he_o read_v and_o hear_v now_o the_o gospel_n also_o must_v be_v thus_o apply_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o promise_n of_o life_n eternal_a not_o only_o that_o they_o be_v true_a but_o to_o apply_v they_o to_o ourselves_o the_o gospel_n require_v a_o further_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n for_o proof_n see_v phil._n 3._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o the_o sum_n be_v this_o he_o esteem_v all_o thing_n loss_n in_o regard_n of_o christ_n and_o desire_v the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v by_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o to_o know_v the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n now_o mark_v the_o fifteen_o verse_n let_v so_o many_o as_o be_v perfect_a be_v thus_o mind_v teach_v every_o one_o of_o we_o our_o duty_n to_o apply_v christ_n to_o our_o own_o person_n thus_o be_v we_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o apply_v the_o gospel_n to_o ourselves_o and_o whosoever_o do_v not_o so_o he_o make_v god_n a_o liar_n as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v 1._o john_n 5._o and_o this_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n and_o reason_n why_o christ_n call_v himself_o so_o that_o man_n may_v not_o only_o believe_v the_o word_n in_o general_a but_o apply_v it_o in_o particular_a to_o themselves_o the_o not_o do_v of_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o negligence_n in_o religion_n of_o so_o many_o lukewarm_a christian_n and_o professor_n therefore_o let_v we_o all_o learn_v this_o duty_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o know_v the_o word_n no_o nor_o to_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v it_o but_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o lay_v it_o to_o the_o conscience_n to_o apply_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v true_o humble_v and_o turn_v to_o god_n therefore_o justify_v faith_n be_v that_o which_o apply_v in_o particular_a now_o the_o second_o title_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o all_o creature_n col._n 1._o 16._o by_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n therefore_o in_o regard_n of_o creation_n he_o be_v so_o call_v yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v a_o further_a cause_n why_o he_o be_v so_o call_v here_o namely_o because_o he_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n as_o ephes._n 1._o 10._o where_o it_o be_v say_v we_o be_v god_n workmanship_n create_v
will_v sup_v etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o promise_n itself_o namely_o a_o mutual_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o joy_n comfort_n &_o happiness_n therefore_o it_o be_v here_o propound_v as_o the_o principal_a thing_n and_o it_o have_v two_o part_n first_o i_o will_v sup_v with_o he_o second_o and_o he_o with_o i_o the_o true_a communion_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o member_n stand_v in_o these_o two_o thing_n here_o be_v a_o double_a feast_n and_o these_o two_o contain_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o salomon_n book_n call_v the_o canticle_n for_o there_o christ_n entertain_v &_o feast_v the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n feast_v he_o for_o the_o first_o i_o will_v sup_v with_o he_o how_o cant._n 4._o end_n come_v my_o well_o belove_a and_o eat_v of_o the_o delicate_a thing_n and_o pleasant_a fruit_n there_o you_o may_v see_v how_o every_o christian_a soul_n convert_v make_v christ_n a_o feast_n to_o wit_n with_o the_o fruit_n of_o true_a repentance_n psal._n 51._o the_o break_a and_o contrite_a heart_n that_o be_v a_o most_o worthy_a part_n of_o the_o feast_n and_o a_o sacrifice_n acceptable_a to_o god_n second_o a_o believe_a heart_n for_o without_o say_v it_o be_v unpossible_a to_o please_v god_n heb._n 11._o and_o when_o we_o give_v up_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n a_o live_a sacrifice_n rome_n 12._o 1._o bring_v break_v believe_v and_o obedient_a heart_n these_o be_v the_o dish_n and_o delicate_n wherewith_o christ_n be_v feed_v wherein_o he_o delight_v and_o he_o with_o i_o we_o must_v also_o be_v feast_v by_o christ_n for_o christ_n come_v not_o for_o this_o end_n to_o be_v entertain_v but_o to_o entertain_v the_o feast_n which_o christ_n make_v be_v his_o own_o body_n and_o blood_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o his_o supper_n his_o body_n be_v true_a meat_n and_o his_o blood_n be_v true_a drink_n and_o the_o vessel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v serve_v out_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o guest_n be_v penitent_a sinner_n which_o have_v break_v heart_n which_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o christ._n now_o from_o this_o feast_n arise_v righteousness_n peace_n of_o conscience_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n rom._n 14._o 17._o all_o joy_n that_o heart_n can_v think_v come_v by_o this_o feast_n now_o see_v christ_n make_v these_o promise_n as_o a_o principal_a token_n of_o his_o love_n we_o must_v make_v some_o use_n of_o they_o we_o must_v renounce_v all_o our_o carnal_a vanity_n and_o earthly_a delight_n and_o give_v ourselves_o no_o more_o to_o surfeit_v and_o drunkenness_n and_o sumptuous_a banquet_n here_o be_v a_o better_a kind_n of_o feast_v therefore_o turn_v your_o eye_n from_o those_o lift_v up_o your_o heart_n and_o have_v care_n to_o entertain_v christ_n feast_v he_o with_o the_o grace_n that_o god_n have_v give_v you_o and_o labour_n again_o to_o be_v feast_v of_o he_o feed_v of_o his_o body_n and_o blood_n to_o life_n eternal_a labour_v to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o these_o that_o you_o may_v know_v by_o experience_n how_o christ_n feast_v you_o and_o you_o he_o you_o know_v one_o friend_n how_o to_o entertain_v another_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o dignity_n but_o you_o shall_v have_v more_o care_n of_o this_o spiritual_a and_o mutual_a entertainment_n between_o christ_n and_o you_o again_o see_v here_o a_o notable_a abuse_n of_o those_o that_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n for_o mark_v how_o these_o two_o go_v together_o christ_n feast_v we_o and_o we_o must_v feast_v he_o so_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o interchange_n of_o feast_v but_o our_o communicant_n come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o they_o will_v have_v christ_n feast_v then_o but_o they_o will_v not_o feast_v he_o whereas_o we_o shall_v feast_v he_o daily_o by_o faith_n obedience_n and_o repentance_n and_o good_a duty_n of_o our_o calling_n but_o we_o like_v churlish_a &_o ungrateful_a nabal_n have_v not_o one_o good_a dish_n to_o feast_v he_o withal_o this_o be_v our_o shame_n or_o if_o we_o be_v good_a guest_n for_o a_o day_n yet_o after_o that_o be_v past_a we_o have_v no_o care_n to_o entertain_v christ._n look_v to_o it_o therefore_o and_o see_v that_o you_o feed_v christ_n not_o by_o your_o own_o natural_a power_n but_o by_o your_o gift_n of_o grace_n to_o he_o that_o overcome_v etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o epistle_n in_o which_o note_n two_o part_n first_o a_o promise_n second_o a_o precept_n the_o promise_n to_o he_o that_o overcome_v that_o be_v he_o that_o hold_v out_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n against_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o his_o salvation_n shall_v sit_v that_o be_v have_v fellowship_n with_o christ_n in_o his_o glory_n christ_n do_v not_o promise_v equal_a glory_n and_o honour_n for_o that_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o any_o creature_n because_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n but_o only_o a_o participation_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v he_o shall_v be_v partaker_n of_o my_o glory_n so_o far_o as_o shall_v be_v meet_a and_o convenient_a for_o he_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o word_n follow_v but_o this_o will_n some_o say_v be_v no_o great_a matter_n true_a the_o carnal_a heart_n of_o man_n may_v surmise_v so_o therefore_o he_o add_v as_o i_o overcome_v etc._n etc._n this_o be_v no_o small_a glory_n for_o like_a as_o my_o father_n do_v advance_v i_o when_o i_o have_v overcome_v so_o will_v i_o advance_v all_o my_o member_n when_o they_o have_v overcome_v their_o spiritual_a enemy_n now_o as_o christ_n be_v inferior_a to_o the_o father_n as_o he_o be_v mediator_n and_o yet_o sit_v with_o he_o so_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n may_v sit_v with_o he_o and_o yet_o be_v unequal_a to_o he_o in_o glory_n verse_n 22._o let_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n this_o have_v be_v expound_v often_o before_o the_o memorial_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v everlasting_a but_o the_o name_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v rot_v prou._n 10._o laus_fw-la christo_fw-la nescia_fw-la finis_fw-la â§_o a_o excellent_a sermon_n plain_o prove_v that_o rome_n be_v babylon_n and_o that_o babylon_n be_v fall_v preach_v long_o since_o by_o a_o famous_a divine_a and_o add_v as_o a_o commentary_n to_o the_o hard_a part_n of_o the_o revelation_n revel_v 14._o verse_n 8._o she_o be_v fall_v she_o be_v fall_v even_o babylon_n that_o great_a city_n for_o of_o the_o wine_n of_o the_o fury_n of_o her_o fornication_n she_o have_v make_v all_o nation_n to_o drink_v the_o holy_a evangelist_n s._n luke_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n record_v that_o on_o a_o time_n when_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o synagogue_n at_o nazareth_n to_o read_v as_o his_o custom_n be_v there_o be_v deliver_v to_o he_o a_o book_n contain_v the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n which_o after_o he_o have_v open_v at_o the_o first_o he_o find_v the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v write_v in_o these_o word_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o he_o have_v anoint_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o poor_a he_o have_v send_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v heal_v the_o break_a in_o heart_n that_o i_o shall_v preach_v deliverance_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o sight_n to_o the_o blind_a that_o i_o shall_v set_v at_o liberty_n they_o that_o be_v bruise_v and_o to_o preach_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n then_o after_o he_o have_v close_v the_o book_n and_o deliver_v it_o to_o the_o minister_n he_o sit_v down_o to_o preach_v and_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o they_o that_o be_v in_o the_o congregation_n be_v bend_v upon_o he_o then_o he_o open_v his_o mouth_n and_o speak_v unto_o they_o these_o word_n this_o day_n be_v this_o scripture_n fulfil_v in_o your_o ear_n and_o they_o all_o give_v he_o testimony_n that_o it_o be_v so_o in_o like_a manner_n may_v i_o say_v concern_v this_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v read_v unto_o you_o in_o your_o eye_n and_o ear_n be_v this_o scripture_n this_o day_n fulfil_v and_o i_o pray_v god_n you_o may_v all_o likewise_o bear_v witness_n with_o i_o that_o it_o be_v so_o the_o last_o time_n that_o i_o speak_v in_o this_o auditory_a i_o entreat_v of_o the_o flourish_a and_o prosperous_a estate_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n set_v forth_o in_o the_o 122._o psalm_n and_o therefore_o good_a order_n now_o require_v that_o i_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o decay_n and_o overthrow_v of_o the_o enemy_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v babylon_n the_o see_v and_o church_n of_o antichrist_n and_o for_o that_o purpose_n principal_o have_v i_o choose_v this_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o speak_v of_o that_o by_o the_o one_o we_o may_v be_v inflame_v with_o love_n of_o the_o true_a church_n